Best Plays

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In this episode of Best Plays, host John Chapman introduces the witty comedy "Kiss the Boys Goodbye" by Clare Boothe Luce, featuring Helen Clare. The play, originally a satire on Hollywood's search for a new actress, is also described by the author as a political allegory about fascism in America. The story unfolds on a train heading north from the South, where the characters discuss the potential casting of a new actress, Cindy Lou, for a major film role. The narrative explores themes of Southern pride, Hollywood politics, and the comedic chaos that ensues when ambition meets opportunity.

As the plot thickens, Cindy Lou finds herself amidst a whirlwind of Hollywood intrigue, romance, and rivalry. The characters navigate through a series of comedic and dramatic events, including a shooting incident and a surprise engagement. The episode captures the essence of Clare Boothe Luce's sharp wit and satirical edge, offering listeners a delightful blend of humor and social commentary. The performance is brought to life by a talented cast, making this episode a memorable addition to the Best Plays series.

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Best plays   on NBC.  

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From New York where the American stage begins, NBC presents best plays transcribed with John Chapman.   Best plays,   a series of hour length dramas selected from the outstanding successes of the New York stage.   Now John Chapman, drama critic of the New York Daily News is here to introduce   Helen Clare in Kiss the Boys Goodbye by Claire Booth Luce.  

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Mister Chapman.   Thank you.   Here we are again to greet you with a sharply witty comedy by a sharply witty woman, Clare Boothe Luce.   Missus Luce is not only the only woman ever to become a United States Ambassador, she's the only playwright who ever became one. I would not say, however, that Kiss the Boys Goodbye is a diplomatic comedy any more than the author's The Women was.   A diplomatic comedy just wouldn't be funny,   and our best play is.   Miss Booth, as she would known then, did not, however, consider that her play was simply a satire on a Hollywood search for a new actress.   In the forward to the published version of the text,   she wrote that her play was a political allegory about fascism in America.  

This was a little like trying to start civil war all over again, but no shooting resulted.   Our leading lady for this performance will be the heroine of the original production,   Helen Clare.   Our first scene is a drawing room on the Dixie Flyer northbound from the South.  

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Myra,   Stanhope,   all about the story of   New York.   Harner is meeting latest   candidate   for Velvet O'Toole   today.  

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Unless It's a lot, honey.  

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Can't you stay in your compartment till we get to New York? But we're coming into Philadelphia.  

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So what? Of course, that's nothing to a real cosmopolitan   like you. But ain't any new just dying to see Philadelphia.  

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No. No. Keep the blinds down. We're taking no chances on reporters.  

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Well, whatever you say. But mister Lloyd, I'm worried about going off on a weekend and leaving Ain't Lenny Lou alone in New York. Stop worrying about Andy. I've got her a swell suite at the closet.   Oh, sugar. Can't I bring her to the ranch? No. Cindy Lou, you're getting a break.  

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Herbert Z Harner is going to give you the once over on a quiet little weekend among friends. Do you realize what that means? You've got a chance at the greatest role in the history of motion pictures. Velvet o two.  

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Honey, are the Rams nice people? Rams,   the editor of Manhattan Man. Oh, that's the right clever magazine. So I don't always understand the jokes. But I'm in a news that is lewd.  

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Luder and funnier, dear.   Now  

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must you be going? Of course not, honey. If you want me to stay.   What are the Rand's really like?  

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Horace isn't a bad sort but, missus Rand is   a lady,  

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whatever that means. Why everybody knows what that means. Who was she? Who? Oh, oh, Rumson.  

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Very, very Long Island.   Top Rumson, the 10 gold polo player is her cousin. Top Rumson?  

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Mhmm. Oh, everybody knows about him. His horse won the Kentucky   Derby. Yeah. The boy was born with a silver bit in his teeth. If ever I marry, and I devoutly pray I will, it's gonna be a riding man. Well, told you, all my mother's kin were born on a horse. Well, tell the editors of life. They'll publish those pictures. Maybe that's where I saw some pictures of mister Rumson with that movie star Myra Stanhope. What?   Myra photographed with top Rumson? I don't see if she's mister Rumson's type at all. Rumson. That's the answer.  

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Honey child, you've just given me a brilliant idea.   You Hollywood men certainly do write long telegrams. And the producers like it. Gives them a chance to practice reading.  

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Miss Myra   Stanhope,   Waldorf's  

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talk. Look. It's,   just a telegram of, of consolation. See? Now if you please go just a consolation?   Mhmm.   Myra Stanhope's been Harner's number one star for over five years.  

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She wants to play Belvedere too. I declare I feel sorry for Myra Stanhope, my old other big stars.   Heavenly   day when I realize my grave responsibility   to the South. You're getting a chance at what every girl wants, to be a movie star. Oh, I don't want to be a movie star. What?  

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After all, I didn't have to coax you to sneak out of Athens, Georgia. I felt it was my duty.  

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Your what?  

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Mister Lloyd.   Kiss the Boys Goodbye is the finest book America's ever produced. Excuse me. Certainly. The Georgia Star monthly book review, miss Ida Mae Stonewall Jackson says it's the only unbiased account of the Confederate law.   I owe it to the Covingtons and the Culpeppers and the Bevanites, my killer. You don't want to be a movie star? Mister Lloyd, sir.   My daddy says Hollywood is the repertoire   of decency and the outhouse of civilization.  

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May I never have another option renewed?   I spend months combing this South for a new personality to play the greatest role that ever led to stardom and she tells me it's a hair shirt deal.   Oh, don't kid me. Bethany, don't lie.   Sometimes I have the distinct feeling you'd rather somebody else play that part. Cindy Lou, I think it's risky business to put an unknown inexperienced girl into a big picture like this. But who am I? Just the lousy director. It's Herbert Z's studio and he's for it. So if you make the grade with him, it's Jake with me. But if you don't, I'm for somebody else. I'll even vote for,   for Stanhope.  

So it's up to you, Toots, if the South gets in on the vindication of Dixie.  

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Vindication?   The South needs no vindication. I thank you.   Well, everybody knows we could've won that war if you Yankees hadn't cheated. Cheated? How? Oh, honey. I don't know how you all cheated, but y'all must know how you all cheated.   Horace, look.   The third picture I've seen in the papers this month is top with Myra Stanhope. Well, the boy's developing taste.  

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I knew Stanhope when I was just a movie critic and she was just plain Hannah chambermaid par excellence, the Algonquin,   known on my floor as the Brooklyn bombshell. Look, this is ridiculous.   Horace, I've allowed you to stall me for hours. I came down here for a quiet weekend in the hope of thrashing out a few fundamental problems with you. And what do I Take it easy, my dear publisher. I'm a loyal guy. Could I let an old 21 pal like Hannah down when he asks sanctuary from the press? The press? What am I? What are you? Listen to me, you Judith. No. You'll listen to me. You may be BJ Whitfield, the publishing tycoon of the world, but as long as you've hired me to edit Manhattan Man, I'll edit it my way. So enough of that talk about fundamental problems. Oh, well, that must be Herbert now. Leslie, how could you let Horace do this to me? Do you think I'm gonna spend the weekend listening to a Hollywood pants presser?  

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How many people have you invited? Here comes a second car. A second car? Why it's tough? Grumps them,   Well, who's the big blonde at the wheel?   Her,   face looks familiar.   -What?   God, it's Hannah. -Hannah?   -Oh, you mean Myra Stendahl? -None other. The Brooklyn bombshell in the flesh. And what flesh?  

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She's nasty Herb. It's calm. She's a fool. Why she's hurt? You don't know Hannah. She's practically indestructible.  

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Now listen. I promised missus Wakefield that this was just business. She's got the most uncanny way of checking me. I believe she is her. Look, she's fainted. Shouldn't you do something, honey? Oh, I can let them in. Aside from that, top should be able to handle the situation.   I still say you don't know Hannah like I know Hannah. So I'm a producer. So even in Westport, something abnormal has to happen. Oh, greetings, sir. But Zee, she deliberately ran that car into my rear. She's hurt. She's fooled. Oh, don't mind, Myra. She's just making an entrance.   What was the idea of asking her here? She wasn't asked. She just got brought.  



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She is unconscious. Top   Top is she right? She  

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put on the brakes, we bumped heads and she fainted away. Poor kid. Put her on the sofa. Poor kid. A little bump like that can cause concussion. It's happened to me playing poker. I'll get some water. I'll take whiskey straight. Myra. Myra, you all right, darling? Look at her. I bet you put on 20 pounds in Snowbound's Old.  

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Here, Top, give her a sip of water. Myra, honey.  

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Where am I? About two hours from Brooklyn where you came from. Oh. Ranch, you've got to get around it here before the others show up. This is my house, Herbert, and Mr. Remsen is my cousin. His friends are welcome. Okay, Leslie. Let us savor the whole darn weekend.   I come here to get away from everything. And what do I find? Not only Myra, but,   Wickfield. L'll reduce your burden by half. L'll leave. It's too bad.   Conversation with my intellectual equals is a luxury I can only indulge when I come east. I don't doubt it. Oh, now don't get me wrong. I'm no buttonhole maker for a generation back. Before I went into pictures, I went to Vanderbilt. Alfred or Willie Kaye?   Vanderbilt University.  

You don't realize there's a new college bred type of producer capable of wielding the vast political power inherent in the screen. Glad to know it. Let's all have a drink. Miss Sandhurst, didn't you sit up? They're really not paying the slightest attention to I know it. Makes me die slower. Now take this epic I've got in the works, kiss the boys goodbye.   Velvet is a sort of southern Joan of Arc whose fine patriotism and tender forgiveness is going to lead the South out of sectionalism and class hatred.   That's why the public demands some lovely fresh face.  

Won't stand for any round heeled, sharp worn Hollywood tramp. Mara, let's leave. He's just showing off his education. Well, have you,   decided to join us, mister and hope?   You will find us just one big and happy family. Hi, Hannah.  

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I beg your pardon? Horace Rand was and is the name. Oh,  

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I remember.  

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You wrote such nice things about me when you were a movie critic. As he tells us, all that old Algonquin crowd had an almost personal interest  

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in your art. Well, I can't imagine why. Then your imagination ain't what it used to be, Hannah Girl.  

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Listen, all of you. We're all going in the pool for a swim. Miss Dan Hope, you may take the first room at the head of the stairs. Herbert, you're in the yellow room with Lloyd. A little flower of the south will be down the hall from you. Oh, what? No connecting door?   BJ, I'm sorry, but you'll have to move out to the bathhouse. When Mandy returns from the village, I'll have her move your thing. No. You don't, Leslie. I'm leaving. Oh, but mister Wickfield, you'll take all the joy if you leave. You hear that? See, you can't disappoint the little lady coming here but, but I but I don't like the bathhouse.   Besides, the dampness stirs up my large Oh, that's beautiful, sweet lady pool. Doesn't it look inviting? I'll be up in a moment, miss Dan Hope. I think I have a bathing suit. It will bring out all the oomph in you. Don't worry about Myra. She always goes prepared.  

Well, Top. Sorry, Leslie. Barging in on you like this. Oh, it's alright darling. But tell me something.   Are you in love with Myra Stanhope?   What if I am? Well, you're quite a consolation  

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prize. Yeah. I've got money.   I look dandy on a horse. So does a horse. Been out of college three years and haven't got a job. I'll turn into a siren. Get a job.  

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I can. Why not?  

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You know. Everybody knows.   I'm dumb.   Oh, Tom.   You are not thinking of marrying Myra. Myra says if she doesn't get the velvet part, she'll help me start a producing company of my own.   Oh.  

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Young man, I'm joining the anti southern movement. Why? I want Myra to have that part. You do? I most certainly don't want her to have you. Oh, Leslie. Leslie, you just don't know Myra. She's different. She's the one girl I've known who's really on the level.  

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Innocent lady. No. I I mean on the level even about not having been on the level before she met me.   Understand?  

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No, dear.   And neither do you.   Really.   Well, I declare, mister Lloyd. Isn't anybody home? Shh.  

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I just took a quick look. They're all out of the pool. But then they know This is a break, baby. You go climb right into that southern radio bar. Pardon me, do you really think I'm I know producers. Now run on up and change. Take any room that looks unoccupied and make it snappy. Well, honey, if you say it's alright.  

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Oh, my guitar.  

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Here.   And,  

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remember you go right into it, see? My goodness, I hope they don't think I'm rude.   I don't know about northerners. I never visited northerners before.  

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Well, if this doesn't put the frosting on Herbert Z's cake, nothing will.  

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It's about time you showed up. Oh, well, my ra doll.   Fancy finding you. Skip it. Where's is the Dixie cameo?  

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Changing into a number that's gonna knock harder for a ghoul when you see it.  

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Here, baby. Contact. No. No. You crazy baboon. Okay. Well Down there. What you like?  

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Ever hear of dementia precox? Known as the lousy screen name. Listen. Is she pretty? Oh, sure she is. Or honor with a smell to put up job.  

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Give us the lips, baby. Stop it. You you don't mean she'll scream. Won't even get an East Coast test. Herbert gives that to the chambermaids instead of a tip. I know.   Baby, will you clean Pshoom, ducky.   How about lump sum that I, I did have to kinda lead him on to get him to bring me here.  

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Are you on the level with me? Oh, you know I am. If I get velvet You'll probably ditch me.  

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Oh, babe. Do you know me better than that?  

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I am miserable  

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man. Here, take my mouth.   It's yours.  

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So Lloyd tipped you off and I'd be here. Oh, heard that.   Let bygones be bygones. As far as I'm concerned, the past is buried along with your contract when it expires. Good. I didn't come because I wanna play Velvet. Oh, that's swell. It'll save us all a lot of jockeying around. I came because I want you back.   Oh, hers. Alright. Can't have that stuff. Now take it easy. Darling,  

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take my mouth.   It's yours.  

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You're nuts. You're jealous. If Lloyd weren't the best director on the coast, I'd have give him the gate long ago. Herbert, you know you gross a million in Snowbound sold. I'd have grossed 2,000,000 if I'd start the blizzard instead of you. You college  

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gorilla.  

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You're going to top that exquisite stinker, dear. Okay, Rand. Save your bright sayings for Manhattan man. You've played me a lousy trick. Having Wickfield here was enough, but myra too is too too much.  

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Well, what's the matter with Hollywood's mere genius? He's sore because Lloyd fell for me. Who does he think he is?   Studio still wants me? Public wants me? Mama,  

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I want you too. What?   I'm crazy about you.   Well,   that happened fast. Well, the increased tempo of modern life is nowhere more apparent than in the way the build up's gone out of style. That puts you away ahead of the times, but,  

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your wife looks kind of old fashioned to me. My wife is a wonderful woman.  

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But like most worthy women, not even dimly aware that her husband's a heel.   Look, maybe I could get Harner on your side.  

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No.   Maybe I do like you.   Oh, boy.   I'll say you're a heel.   Here, take my mouth. It's yours.  

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Myra?  

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Oh, there you are. Stop, darling. Was that Horace going up a stairs? Mister Rand. Oh, yes. Yes. He said something about changing his clothes. Myra, did you know Horace was coming here? Don't be damned, Stucky. Lloyd wired me. Maybe we ought to get married, Monday. For Pete's sake, if I don't get velvet, I'm finished. Myra. Oh, I mean, well, darling.   If we alone, the papers would say that I'd chuck Velvet to marry you.  

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Myra.  

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Okay, playboy. I guess you weren't serious about wanting to work in Hollywood. Of course, I was.  

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Myra, you're the only absolutely   honest girl I know. Oh, you're cute.  

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Take my mouth. It's yours. Myra.   Oh. Oh. Oh, Excuse   me. Oh, don't mind me. I have no intention of intruding.   Oh,  

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it's you. My name's Robinson.  

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Thompson Robinson. I've always wanted to know you because of your close association with horses.  

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This is Stanhope.  

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Am I right now, Stanhope?   Oh, yes. Now I see you do remember your pictures dimly.   Well, mercy guiding me.   Well, my deep felt congratulations.   Congratulations.   What for? I reckon I would know when a couple's engaged.   Well, I guess that does it, Myra. No. I mean, listen to you. This is a big secret. I mean, nobody here knows about it. And for personal reasons of our own, we don't want them to. Of course. I promise not to tell. I wouldn't embarrass you for the word. Good heavens. What's this? Oh.   Oh.   You must be miss It's only me, Bethany.   Of course.  

I'm not LeGrand.   What a a charming   dress, miss Bethany. You like it?   This is the very dress my great grandmother, Elba, more wore at the inauguration of Jefferson Davis in Montgomery, Alabama   on 02/18/1861.   What time of day? 02:00, ma'am, on a very fine afternoon.   I mean, mister Hahn is about to see me first as I'll appear on the school. Look away. Look away. Dixie's  

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landed. Well, well, well. My husband, miss Bethany. I'm honored to make you a claim, sir. I must say I'm quite overwhelmed, miss Bethany, but such an entrance deserves a full gallery. Let me call the others. Miss Rand, I wanna stay right off how hot you are. Hey, everyone.  

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Meeting mister Hahn in a bear hotel room would possibly scare the pee feathers off of me. I'm so shy and unearth treated.  

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For the love of Mike. Meet your new star, Herbie. Miss Bethany, mister Herbert Zeehanet.  

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At your   service,   sir.  

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I am   delighted.  

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And I am proud.   Proud of the opportunity you've given me to play Velvet. Lights. Camera up.  

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Quiet, please.  

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Carry on, miss Bethany.  

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Well,   in the person of Velvet, it'll be my rare privilege to portray at last   all the miserable sufferings of the South at the unjust hands of the North. Of course, I mean the historical   North.  

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Where's Lodge?  

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Here I am, Herbert d. What is this? What the devil do you want? Oh, you remember that gift card, mister Lawrence? You're so likely, lo me to forget it. Yes, ma'am. And now   with your kind permission, I play you a song which is a great favorite down home by miss Lenny Strickland, the composer of My Lover Man is a Fisherman and many others.   It's entitled by a strange coincidence,   My Lindy Lee.   So my name is Cindy Lee.   Honey,   did you hear that mockingbird   sing last night?   Oh, Lord,   he was singing so sweet in the moonlight.  

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To me. Young boy. And I said, no. Herbie, wait till she comes out from under that hoop skirt. Yes, he says, maybe she won't come out. Maybe she's bib whacked there for the summer.  

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Oh, the way Herbert left from the room and plunged into the hole. Oh, Herb. You can't take it. Well, it was a bit thick. All of us leaving her stranded on the sofa with that guitar in her hand. But I asked you to hop out of that dinner and join us. Isn't Herbert coming down for dinner? Yes. Well, enter the maestro. Alright, let's get it over with. Then all of you clear out and let me talk this Dixie Nightingale. Well, I'll equip her to know what you think of her. You tell me. She's pretty. It would scream.  

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I could spit blindfolded on Sunset Boulevard and down 20 girls who'd scream. It's got a lovely voice. Mhmm. And it oozes purity. The girls are wash out, out, see? Quiet, please. The star of the Athens Sword Wigan bustle club approaches.  

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Hello?   Is it alright if I come down now? Of course, dear. Come and join us in a drink before dinner.   I meant julep, perhaps. Oh, I don't drink. I thank you. Though I Claire, I'm so hooked down. I will have a small glass of tea punch or some scuppin on wine. Well, I'm afraid we haven't said.   Oh?   Well, you all do have sherry.   No.   Claret?  

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No.  

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Then just fix me a slight go.   A what? Well, that's what my daddy calls a little straight con.   Mister Lloyd says when daddy hears, I've been chosen to play Velvet. He's gonna feel quite different about your industry.   Of course, there's several episodes in the book, Daddy Ross Change. Yes. Does he? Is that part where a Velvet goes in the pier tonight to visit the Northern General? Considers it immoral,   No. Just insulting to the South. Daddy says the Northern General's got to pay the visit on her.   Of course, I realize I don't look terribly like velvet who's described as being so beautiful and all,   Much more like me, Stan Ho. Oh, I wouldn't say that. What else can I say? I ain't gonna stand in right there. But I do qualify in every other way.  



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Indeed.   States your qualifications,  

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Dutch. Well,   like Beelvy, I come of a very old southern family. My great great grandfather was a Albemarle, and my great great grandmother was a Covington. My great grandfather was a Curlpeth, and my great grandmother was a County Clare O'Grady. Now both my grandparents You're fine for breeding purposes, but how are you as an actress? Oh, I can act for a yellow solid bean.   And I have the quality of righteous indignation   when aroused.   Though, generally, people do just call it the Culpeper Temple. Oh, Herbie, the little lady's got temperaments too. Quiet.   Go on.  

And I I play the guitar.   So that's my only accomplishment   I feel.  

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Now Herbert, before the evening's over, she'll develop many more, I'm sure.  

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No. You're not, sir. What? I'm sensitive as a newborn chick.   You're terribly disappointed   in. Mister Lloyd thought you'd be.  

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Oh, he did, did he? Excuse me. Oh, that's why I wouldn't let him tell daddy. I see. In fact, I'm beginning to see something very clearly. Now wait a minute, Harry. Shut up. Mister Harmer, sir,  

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I'll willingly step aside for any other southern girl whose ancestors owned more slaves and plantations and all and whose men made the supreme   sacrifice at ante Edom too. How terribly, awfully noble are your honey child. But I'm presuming to warn you, sir. I won't stand you giving Velvet to be played by some ordinary Hollywood Actress. Hear. Hear. Oh, hush my mouth, miss Stanhope. I'm sure you're not ordinary at all.   I mean, an actress who's had all those logo says. Mike has not had some queer kind of foreign accent.   Brooklyn,   Yeah. There's Brooklyn somewhere in the union, isn't it?  

I warn you though, sir. If you give it to such a woman while the South will positively cc.  

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You surprise me, miss Bethany.  

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Well, honey, you are surprised to me too.   Mister Larr gave me quite the wrong impression of it. Although I know unintentional.  

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Yeah. Sure. Well, I'm a college man.   Vanderbilt University.  

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Vanderbilt?   That's a Southern college. Why I've been engaged to scare the Vanderbilt   men.   Oh, honey.   Now I know kiss the boys goodbye is perfectly safe. I knew the minute I look at your fun, sensitive   face  

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Hello?   Yes. She's here.   How are you, miss Bethany? Ain't nitty Lou.  

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I promise the phone   off.   Hello,   honey.   No. You are wrong about Noggin. Mister Rams are lovely.   And mister Rams and that famous polo player's here.   No. He's not flirting with me the teeniest bit. Honey, that miler Stanhope's   here.   Why, honey, I'm looking at her right now. She can't be that old. That doesn't How are you all saying for the weekend, dear? What, mister Hanuman?  

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You mean I mean that nobody in this house has a better chance at Velvet than you. Say, can I sign you up on my all American heels? What I really knew?  

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Mister Hanna? Oh, he's wonderful.   He's a Vanderbilt   man.   Cos I'll do my duty. I'll phone you before I go to bed. I'll   what ain't any new?   Bye. Mister Hahn, honey, I just got to tell you what ain't Lenny do said because you're practically a servant. Right outside a hotel window, there's a gold statue of a general on a horse. General shaman. But a lady's leading the horse. Well, that's victory, dear. Maybe so, but I ain't in a news service just like a Yankee to let the lady walk.  

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In a moment, act two of kiss the boys goodbye starring Helen Clare.   This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.   Queen of diamonds. Thank you, old man. And  

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Jim. What? Mhmm. Uh-oh. I swear you cheat except I don't give you credit for being that smart. Three in a row. Do we have another go? I'd rather have another drink.  

[00:28:07] Unknown:

With a dash of Novocaine, if it'll cushion the sound of that minstrel outside. Well, Herbert Z seems to like it. He's making like an in man.  

[00:28:14] Unknown:

Carry me back to old Virginia,   that's where the cotton man   That's mighty strong language, I declare Miss Hannah Harnish. Somebody's doing something. She's got Herbert wrapped up in knots. Yes, sir. Old mama Harnish sure got it bad. Great help you turned out to be. Oh, we all need the drink. I'll see what the pantry offers. We'll hang Jeff Davis to the store at Apple Tree.  

[00:28:37] Unknown:

What were you doing out walking with Wickfield before dinner? I saw you come in. You both looked sneaky. He promised to plug me and the way you've let me down Herbert's just pretending to be smitten. He's wise to what we tried to put over. Yeah. Well, I signed for Velvet before I leave this house so you and I are finished. Rump said wants to make an independent picture with me. You said you wouldn't double cross me. Yeah. I held him off. But tonight is Gettysburg for you.  

[00:29:01] Unknown:

Crapers,   am I a miserable  

[00:29:04] Unknown:

man? The way I get the needle from you. That's all you get from me, honey, child. Unless you pull a ragout out of your hat. Bring me back to old Virginie.   That's where the cotton is. What happened to Lloyd? Nothing compared to what will happen if I don't get that velvet roll. Okay. Get easy lovey.  

[00:29:22] Unknown:

You'll be in crinolines   by Christmas.   I pledge it to you.  

[00:29:28] Unknown:

I'm so confident.  

[00:29:30] Unknown:

The, humor of the situation   must be resolved.   The answer is no. Take the pants through the rhododendrons. Mother Nature's most maligned rendezvous. Get this, mister Anne.  

[00:29:41] Unknown:

Your wife swell. The best. And maybe I'd like to marry her cousin. Fine. Just as long as you don't wanna marry me.  

[00:29:48] Unknown:

Company's coming.   Oh, down where the cotton and the Schroederdendrons   grow. No. No. Just isn't coming off. Miss Dixie's still laying it on with a trowel. I may be a bit thick, but exactly what was the plot? Oh, top my boy. Where are all your brains in the head of your mallet? Myra's here for contrast.   To what? General anesthesia, that flow of candied sauerkraut,   down where the cotton and the rotor, Denver. Routine.  

[00:30:16] Unknown:

Here they come.  

[00:30:18] Unknown:

Why sure we'll throw out the Battle of Gettysburg.   Save a lot of expense.   Did you hear miss Cindy Lou sing mighty like a rose? Exquisite.  

[00:30:26] Unknown:

Thank you, mister Hahn, honey. You're such a gentleman. How about another ditty? No, honey. I'm beginning to suspect I bore them all.   Miss Ryan, you know, it is damp in that bathhouse. Oh, really, miss Bethany? You insisted on changing with mister Whitfield. Oh, I'm not thinking about myself. I'm thinking about my guitar strings.  

[00:30:44] Unknown:

Can I leave it in here, please? Allow me. I'll lock it in the closet for you and throw away the key. How about I'll walk in the, copper moonlight?  

[00:30:54] Unknown:

Alright, mister Hana, honey. But I'll need my wrap. I'll get it for you, miss Bethany. Well, thank you kindly, mister Ronson, but I'll go.   When I come back,   why don't you just stroll along with mister Hahn and me? Would you really like me to? If nobody else would mind. Jake with me, Toot. Oh, miss Bethany, I'll walk down with you to get you wrapped. Well, that's real sweet of you, miss Stanthope.   See you all in just a shake of a lamb's tail.   Look, kid. I came down here to have a talk with you. But, honey, mister Harmers, wait. Let him wait. I wanna give you some advice. Oh, I'm sure anything you tell me from your many years experience would be useful to a young person embarking on a strange career. You're not gonna have any   the matter, dear. Herbert C. Just making this weekend play for you to get even with Lloyd. And me. Oh,   miss Dan Hope,   are you the one mister Lloyd's in love with? Yes, honey child. Get it? Now I do.  

Mister Lloyd brought me because he thought I'd be a bus. That's right. Who wouldn't want me after a dose of Dixie like you? I see.   Does mister Lloyd know that you and mister Rumsen ain't gay? No.   Yes.   Sure he does. No. He doesn't.   And I'm sure mister Rumsen doesn't know about you and miss Ella. If you wanna be a sore head, you can tell him, but you can't tell him anything that I can't explain. I'm not modest. See? They're both nuts about me. I know why you're telling me all this. Mhmm. I wanna be velvet, but there are other strings to my bow, and I can always clear out with rum smooth. You don't love, mister rum? I   good grief.  

Do you?   Listen, kid. You haven't got a chance. Not with him, not with Lloyd. And Lord knows, not with Herbert Cecil. Why don't you go   home? Oh, Myra. I I wondered what was keeping you and miss Bethany. Alright, little Cotton Blossom. Here's your chance. Ask mister Rumson if everything I've said isn't so.  

[00:32:56] Unknown:

Gee.   What what what did she mean?  

[00:33:00] Unknown:

Oh.   Oh, she told  

[00:33:03] Unknown:

you. But but but, Cindy Lou, you've gotta be a sport.  

[00:33:07] Unknown:

I   see that you aren't a tall like them.   They're all so rude and mean.   Honey,   are you very much in love with her? Well,   Myra's in a tough spot too. She's awful clever. She guessed how much I like   you. Me? You're the smartest and handsomest man I ever saw. Smartest? It takes just as much brains to make money out of raising houses as out of raising cotton or making movies or writing lewd jokes like mister Rand does. Look. I inherited my stables. Running them comes as natural to me as as Being a gentleman?   Well   You're not ashamed of being a gentleman.  

My granddaddy used to say, if you can shoot like a South Carolinian,   ride like a Virginian,   drink like a Kentuckian,   make love like a Georgian, and be as proud of it as an Episcopalian,   you're a southern gentleman, my boy.  

[00:34:04] Unknown:

Well,   I'm an Episcopalian.  

[00:34:06] Unknown:

Go on honey. You don't have to be modest with me. Yeah. But I I wanna be more than just a gentleman. I wanna function somewhere. Well, you can always go into politics. My daddy did.  

[00:34:17] Unknown:

No. No. I'm gonna learn the Hollywood game. Myra's got wonderful entree there. You're not going just because you're in love with her? Oh, she's a real person. Why she was the only one of us had the guts to tell you hard I was straining you. He's a sadist. He's making Myra suffer because she wouldn't   she wouldn't marry him. But but she is a great actress. That's the only reason why we helped him. We had to convince Harna by showing him the contrast.  

[00:34:42] Unknown:

Oh.  

[00:34:43] Unknown:

Oh. I'm a flat foot.  

[00:34:45] Unknown:

Oh, don't don't cry.   Gosh, Cindy Lou, if you could just act, it would be different.  

[00:34:53] Unknown:

Act?   You know when I said they picked me for Juliet in the Athens Sewed Wig And Bustle Club just because I was a Bethany?   Well, so I was lying.   I really can act better than any girl in the Athens Junior League. You can?   Honey, you know what I'm gonna do? Now you run on back while I change into my little old Juliet costume. Juliet costume? What for? I'm gonna show mister Hunter and all the rest of you that I really can act.  

[00:35:27] Unknown:

What's this all about? She says she's going to act for it. She doesn't mean act, does she? Well, there's no plumbing the depth of that literal mind. Robson, did you put her up to this? Look, are you going to give the kid the part or not? Am I going to spend a million bucks developing somebody who hasn't got a spark of oomph? The Culpepper  

[00:35:41] Unknown:

Tempah. She's got as much spirit as a dish of floating island. For two cents, I'd sock you. So you're not falling for that girl. Really, miss Dan Hope. You're suicidally   bent on having somebody fall hard. Listen, she slings that haunted Cow Bologna around like relief funds, and I know men. Maybe she can can't. If you want me to look at it, honey, why don't you think it's me in the daddy.   Here I am.  

[00:36:02] Unknown:

No.   No. I I don't believe it. No. I've seen everything.  

[00:36:08] Unknown:

You love  

[00:36:09] Unknown:

love, Mary. You like my little old Judy   costume? Daddy says it's the prettiest one I ever wore, but maybe that's because I made it myself.   Mister Hana, sir,   I realize now that mister Lloyd wasn't sincere with either you or me.  

[00:36:25] Unknown:

Act,  

[00:36:26] Unknown:

I don't wanna be Velvet if I'm gonna do injustice to her. That would be a betrayal of a salve.   So all you got to say when I finish acting is yes   or no.   Well, I declare,   this bar is a lovely balcony.   Mister Robinson, honey, lift me up. Sure.   My, but you're strong.   Well,   you know where I'm leaning on the balcony on my gloved hand?   It begins where I say,   oh, me.   Oh,   me.   And after that, Romeo says something. I don't remember exactly what. Shall I am or or shall I speak at this?   Why, yes, mister Rand. That's it.   You reckon miss Rand would mind your being Romeo?  

[00:37:16] Unknown:

Oh, not if you say so, Cotton Blossom.  

[00:37:19] Unknown:

Well then, I say,   tears but thy name is my enemy.   Thou art thyself,   though not a Montague.   What's a Montague?   It's not hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face. No eyes, ears, nose, nor throat. Suppose that part's silly. Montague is just a name. Well then,   these some other names.   What's in a name? It's plain, Julia, in the southern, of course, family names are terribly important back home. So anyway,   what's in a name? You asked that once. But Julia does say it twice.   What's in a name?   That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet because it wouldn't. This is Shakespeare.   Go on, mister Rand. Well,  

[00:38:10] Unknown:

I take the earth I would. Call me but love and I'll be new baptized.  

[00:38:15] Unknown:

Henceforth, I never will be Romeo. Mister Rand, I'm Juliet, not miss Sandhope. You come here. Yes.  

[00:38:23] Unknown:

I'm working my way over. Put men out there that dust be screened in night so stumblish on my council. By name, I know not how to tell thee, Juliet, except to save me thinks the fair maid stinks. Horrible.  

[00:38:38] Unknown:

Ears have not yet drunk a hundred wood. Suffer than enough. I much prefer cold. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No   I declare.   You all are the meanest I've ever seen.  

[00:38:59] Unknown:

What have you got against me? Look, little miss b, you're through. Finish. Now hop down and go home. Nobody's  

[00:39:05] Unknown:

helpful.   It's General Sherman. The  

[00:39:09] Unknown:

ogre of Dixie.   Horrible William Sherman. The only civil war soldier who acted like a soldier. I warn you, mister Ransa. I'm working myself into a snit.  

[00:39:19] Unknown:

And when I'm in a snit, I'm prone to butt the object of my wrath plum in the tummy. What a quaint trick. My old mammy, Daphlene, she learned it from a she goat and she passed it on to me. By word-of-mouth, I trust. Morris, that's enough. Look. This kid's asking for it. Sugarfoot, why don't you be just a gal with nice legs and eyes? And for the love of Lee can the aristocratic  

[00:39:40] Unknown:

bromise?   Southern aristocracy,   the bioburbans,   the subthyroid   progeny of three generations   Sir,  

[00:39:51] Unknown:

Sir, am I given to understand you're not attacking me  

[00:39:55] Unknown:

but my native South? Now you're catching on. The old South, the last illusion of the new North, breast beating, tear jerking, labor exploiting southern democracy.  

[00:40:07] Unknown:

Mister Robinson,   lift me down. Sure. My, but you are strong.   Why, you Yankee   pole cat,   may the good Lord smite you if I don't fight.   Here I come.  

[00:40:23] Unknown:

Holy cow.  

[00:40:25] Unknown:

I may not have the brains for argument, but I don't need them as long as my head's hauling his viscera.   As for you all,   a more ungracious lot was never born.   All you got is a lot of high sounding words and fast living.   Oh, I'm not judging anybody's morals, but I've got a right to judge your hospitality.   That's where you Yankees are not so smart.   You'll never trap us because you got absolutely   no sense of hospitality.  

[00:41:05] Unknown:

Cindy.   Cindy Lou,   gee, you poor sweet kid.   This  

[00:41:13] Unknown:

is what my daddy does when I get into a scene.   Holds me close.  

[00:41:20] Unknown:

Does he, Cindy Lowe?  

[00:41:22] Unknown:

Miss Bethany, I   I apologize for my husband's behavior   for my guests and and for my own. Hold it, everybody.  

[00:41:32] Unknown:

She's got it.   Youth,   beauty, fire, temperament.   That Yankee polecat touch, she's tremendous.  

[00:41:40] Unknown:

Mister Hana,  

[00:41:42] Unknown:

you mean I'm gonna be velvet? You bet you are, Horace. You struck fire out of a boy. Am I in your debt? Well, I declare, mister Hana, you do say the loveliest thing.  

[00:42:12] Unknown:

My goodness.   Who is this?  

[00:42:16] Unknown:

Cindy Lowe.   It's me,   Herbert.  

[00:42:21] Unknown:

Whatever on earth.  

[00:42:25] Unknown:

I  

[00:42:27] Unknown:

must talk to you, Chime. Well, honey, I'm just for going to bed.  

[00:42:31] Unknown:

But, dear, I'm a producer.   Informality   is just everyday business with me.  

[00:42:37] Unknown:

Well, I declare.   I suppose I must make some concessions to a motion picture career.   Come on in. That's my girl.   Honey, it's most gallant of you to come. But what would anybody think if they saw you? Cindy Lou, do you realize we've hardly had a word alone since you arrived? I know. We've arranged around like birds on a limb, but we'll have lots of time on the plane. Oh, that'll be Aunt Lily Lou. Oh, you're just gonna adore her. I declare,   mister Hunt, I forgot to phone her tonight.  

[00:43:12] Unknown:

You're a sweet kid and I'm for you, but,  

[00:43:16] Unknown:

you've gotta be for me too. Oh, better than a disloyal could never be.  

[00:43:21] Unknown:

I mean something besides loyalty.   Look,   potentially you're a fine actress. You wanna be a great actress, don't you? I want to do my best for Velvety. Well, if you're going to give it what it needs, you've got to learn to feel something besides,   a righteous indignation.   Sir?   I mean,   the way Velvet O'Toole feels for the   northern general, you see?   Passion.   Ecstasy.  

[00:43:49] Unknown:

Mister Horner, honey.   Can I make a confession   to you?  

[00:43:54] Unknown:

Why terrible then. Of course, you can.  

[00:43:58] Unknown:

I am in love. Uh-huh.   That's the girl. But I'm terribly apprehensive.  

[00:44:05] Unknown:

Oh, baby. It's the most natural thing in the world. I just know love incompatible  

[00:44:10] Unknown:

with what I'm about to do.  

[00:44:13] Unknown:

Love and Hollywood, they go together like gin and ginger ale. But I'd like to get married, honey.  

[00:44:21] Unknown:

Not take it easy. What am I gonna do about Myra Stanhope? Oh, forget about her. But she's the real thing between us. Oh, Myra has no mortgage on me just because we   Macy,   guide me. You too?   Oh, I wish I could tell mister Rumson.   Ronson?   Honey,   can I trust you?   Tidbit. Don't ask. Well, just before you came in here, I was looking out of my window, and I saw miss Stanhope and miss Durand   right out there in those rhododendrons.  

[00:44:54] Unknown:

Uh-huh.  

[00:44:56] Unknown:

You sure it wasn't Lloyd? No. It was mister Rand. Alright. And mister Rumsen's engaged to miss Dan Hope. Oh, the boy's a nitwit. What do you care? I do care. I'm so terribly in love with it. What?  

[00:45:10] Unknown:

You little fool. Are you kidding me? Lacey, no. I'm just torn to tatters. Well, get rumps out of your head quick. See, do you think I came down here to have you ball all over my shoulder about another guy? Honey, lots of men do just fall in love with me. Daddy says wherever I am, there'll be men like flies around a jam pot.  

[00:45:29] Unknown:

Oh, I know I've gotten into the careless habit of just saying, shoo.   Moistening me.   Who's there? Tom Robinson. Whatever.   May I come in? Certainly not.  

[00:45:42] Unknown:

I'm asleep. I've got to speak to you. Open the door. I'll go into the shower room. Well, I've oh my goodness.  

[00:45:50] Unknown:

Alright.   Just a minute.   Hurry up.  

[00:45:55] Unknown:

Whatever. I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk. I was just going in when I saw a man come down to the pool. Heavenly day. Whoever pussyfoot around here. Horner. And I'm I'm spoiling to break his neck. I don't know how you can think such things. Mister Hahn is a gentleman.  

[00:46:10] Unknown:

Least I hope he is.  

[00:46:13] Unknown:

Look Cindy Lou,   I wanted to tell you this afternoon.   We are related to the Atlanta Robson's.  

[00:46:21] Unknown:

Honey.   I knew you must inherited your seed from the South, but I just can't rave about it now. Well forgive me if I bore you. Oh honey, you don't bore me.   It's just so late. Well, I'll go. But,  

[00:46:35] Unknown:

Cindy Lou, just say one nice thing first.  

[00:46:38] Unknown:

Alright.   Partying is such sweet sorrow. I could say goodnight until tomorrow. But I can't tonight. Goodnight now.   Come out, mister Hana.   Sir? You put me in a most embarrassing position, and it's time for you to leave, sir.  

[00:47:04] Unknown:

Save that baby for our reconstruction  

[00:47:06] Unknown:

days. If you don't go, I'll scream. Now how would that look?  

[00:47:11] Unknown:

It'll look awful.  

[00:47:13] Unknown:

Honey,   now let's back off and take a fresh start.   This feeling about me may interfere with your judgment. Oh, will you stop backing and filling and come here? No. I won't. You'll either come here or go back to Athens in the morning. I prefer to go back to Athens, so you can go now.  

[00:47:33] Unknown:

You Dixie Belle's a pretty smart.  

[00:47:35] Unknown:

Mister Hanna,   I'm mighty sorry I got to do what I got to do. What do you got to do, honey lamb? Nicely got me. I guess I just got to shoot you.  

[00:47:48] Unknown:

Why?   Where'd you get that gun?  

[00:47:51] Unknown:

Oh, I'll get it. Put it down. I'll I'll go. If mister Rumson saw you coming out now, he'd think you'd had plenty of time to compromise me, wouldn't he? Yes. No. No. I'll explain to you. No. He wouldn't believe you.   I'm afraid I've got to shoot. Good grief, girl. No. I'm aiming at your leg, mister Horner. Put him such a pull and shot. I can't be sure what I'll hit.   Help, Midah.   Please.   Somebody   help.   Hide it, Claire. You Yankees are just bent on creating emergencies.   Honey,   are you alright?   Oh, don't. It'll be worse if you die. That'll be terribly embarrassing for me. Cindy Lou. Cindy Lou, are you hurt? Oh, honey. I know I should've given you the privilege of defending my honor, but there just wasn't time. It's hard.   What happened?  

Is he dead? Honey,   you better investigate.  

[00:48:52] Unknown:

Harner. Harner.  

[00:48:56] Unknown:

Hey. Look.   Mhmm.  

[00:48:58] Unknown:

Blarg. Oh, that's lovely. He can talk. It's just his arm. Who only aimed at his leg, but he would move.   Mister Harness, sir, wouldn't you be no constable on the bed?  

[00:49:09] Unknown:

He was the man I saw. Of course he was. And he was here when you were talking to me.  

[00:49:15] Unknown:

He was here laughing at me. Oh, no, Tom. Yes. Pardee is such sweet sorrow. Sweet savor. Good heavens. Herbert. My shot him, Leslie. The devil he did. Now come on. Get me out of here. We must get a doctor over to her. Ask that little fall space. She'll tell you. Donna, you promised? I said she saw Horace out that window. Window. No. That isn't true. With Myra.   You saw Myra and Horace out there? No. Yes, she did. Oh. If you didn't, why did you tell such a malicious law? He made it up so I would tell you when sour you on Myra, see?  

[00:49:47] Unknown:

You're an ambitious,   dangerous, evil tongue little girl. Pack your bags. Get out of my boudoir,   all of you. Did I ask to come here? Did I seek the role of Velvet?  

[00:49:59] Unknown:

Baby, if you got it, the North would secede.   Yep.   Easy. Take it, Paul, will you? Stop yelping,   Lauren. Here you're going to live. For the love of Mike, what happened?   Hey. He's been shot. It was a shot I heard. Sit down, Sherbet. I'll call the doctor. Who did it? Cindy Lou shot him. Cindy Lou. Operator?  

[00:50:28] Unknown:

Operator?   It's paralyzed. You said I can't Operator. Oh, he's just pinged. Operator.   Oh, the phone's dead. I can't get the operator.  

[00:50:37] Unknown:

Say, where's Myra? No room, of course. Is this what you call a quiet night's rest in the country? Where's Horace? I  

[00:50:44] Unknown:

don't know. Oh, so Horace is missing too.  

[00:50:47] Unknown:

I'll just do some checking in. BJ, please don't let Lloyd go out there. I'm a man of violent inaction. But if Lloyd finds Horace and And Myra? Will you please go? Oh, alright. But the night air stirs up my lair and kindness. What did you mean, Leslie, if Lloyd finds Horace and Myra? Oh, never mind, Tom. At least not now.  

[00:51:07] Unknown:

Come along, Herbert. I'll bathe that scratch in hot water, and it's the last I hope ever to see of any part of you. Oh, the girl's right about one thing. You've got no sense of hospitality.  

[00:51:18] Unknown:

Hiya. Do I bother to knock or walk right in?  

[00:51:21] Unknown:

Who are you?  

[00:51:23] Unknown:

You're Rumsen I know. The name's Oscar, Daily News. Oh, a reporter,  

[00:51:28] Unknown:

Well, what are you doing here? How'd you get in? You just saw. I walked in. All in the world waiting for Velvet.  

[00:51:34] Unknown:

Say,   what's amiss here? Who said anything's amiss, brother? Aunt Lily Lou. She hasn't been able to get this Rand up on the phone. She   hey.  

[00:51:43] Unknown:

Look a gun. What that done?  

[00:51:46] Unknown:

I smell a bullet. Oh, no. I smell headlines.   Ow. Ow. Hey, that's a bull. I smell a salisbury ring. Come back to you. Now wait. You do rough stuff, man. Hurry quietly or do I throw you out? You look rough, and I'm only doing my pain. Cut it out. I'm a little guy.   Don't be off.  

[00:52:05] Unknown:

Okay. Little guy you asked for it.   Gosh, what'll I do with him? Oh, I know the closet.  

[00:52:18] Unknown:

You will love. You know you tried to throw me in. What I wanna know is who throw me in?  

[00:52:24] Unknown:

Lloyd, you proved nothing by roughhousing Myra. She's broken my heart. Your heart. Look, rumson. Go wipe the dew from behind your ears. This peroxide lollipop is my girl. Oh.  

[00:52:37] Unknown:

You finally came in hard. I'll look and missus Rain. Shut up, Hannah. Leslie, I found this wretched girl brooding on the terrace so I took her for a walk. Oh, quit pulling paper lilies out of that silk hat. Paper lilies?  

[00:52:49] Unknown:

Don't you mean road to Denver? Listen, There's a reporter here from the daily news who wasn't able to interview Cindy Lou. I haven't helped. So I just bopped him one and locked him in that closet. He's out cold. That's all it didn't matter. I don't know the daily news, man. Oh, my laryngitis.  

[00:53:04] Unknown:

Horace. Horace. You're fired. Fired? For God's sake, BJ. Why? I can't tolerate your politics.  

[00:53:10] Unknown:

I can't I can't tolerate your immoral thinking.  

[00:53:14] Unknown:

Find an important man like me. Order my car. What can we tell the reporter? What's the use? He won't believe any of us? You'll believe Cindy Lou.   Hey.   Hey.   There's one thing that girl wants more than trouble. No. No. I've got a contract upstairs. She'll sign it in three minutes.  

[00:53:32] Unknown:

Cindy Lou.  

[00:53:34] Unknown:

Well, miss Rand, I'm ready to go now.   I owe you an apology, miss Bethany. You were right about   everything. I'm sorry. I'm sorry too.  

[00:53:44] Unknown:

Now, will you please open that closet for me? Hey, who told her? Cindy Lou, you don't wanna make any statements to the press. What? What was that? And now hold everything, Cindy Lou. Hey, look. Look. Look. I'm prepared to sign the six months contract. With options, Herbert. A thousand a week. With options, Herbert. Two thousand a week for a year. Oh, with options. Wait a minute, kid. You've got them hooked. You don't want a contract with options. You want the contract to play Velvet. Yes, but And you'll get it if you don't tell that reporter why you shot Herbert. Reporter?  

[00:54:13] Unknown:

What reporter?  

[00:54:15] Unknown:

What did she think was in that closet? My guitar saw. Oh.  

[00:54:19] Unknown:

Great day in the morning. It never could to me that just caused a shot, mister Hunter. He'd have to give me a contract.   Well, I was just about going home and lying out of the whole thing to daddy. What? Well, daddy never forgive me when he heard I left you alive.   I declare it's confusing.   One minute I'm not building, next minute I am. Just sign here. Sir,  

[00:54:41] Unknown:

will mister Lloyd be the director? He doesn't direct anybody. He's fired. Oh, fired, am I? Alright. Don't sign that phony option studded contract, Cindy Lou. Oh, you're burning double o two. Is this here the straight seven year contract for the part of Velvet O'Toole.  

[00:55:00] Unknown:

Seven years? My studio won't last that long. The South only held out four.  

[00:55:05] Unknown:

Cindy Lou, if I   to heck with all these people,   I'd be proud to make love to you like a Georgian.  

[00:55:14] Unknown:

Honey,   do I understand you're proposing to me? If I said would you marry me?  

[00:55:20] Unknown:

Oh, you say no. No. I wouldn't.  

[00:55:22] Unknown:

How could I, Sugarfoot, when you're just sweeping me off my feet?   You mean Maybe I'm letting down the South, but I know my high, Judy. And I just can't postpone it seven years and do it just. Cindy   Lou.   Oh, tough.  

[00:55:39] Unknown:

Well, if that's not the cherry on the Charlotte Russe,   gentlemen, the press,  

[00:55:45] Unknown:

I'll fix you birds for this.   Listen, I I can explain everything. Any statement, miss Bettany?  

[00:55:51] Unknown:

No, sir.   Just say I'm too unobtrusive   for Hollywood,   and the South does deserve a great actress.   Here's the contract, miss Sandho,   with my compliment.   Over my dead body. Oh, that reminds me. Couldn't she tell this reporter as much as I could? Oh, mister Hana, honey. How's my southern accent? As much as you could about what, miss Bethany? Well I said hello. On my honor as a producer,  

[00:56:20] Unknown:

goodbye now.  

[00:56:21] Unknown:

Oh, you still don't trust me. Mister Hana, honey, I wasn't gonna tell him I had to shoot my way to happiness through you.   Goodbye.  

[00:56:42] Unknown:

You have just heard the best plays production of kiss the boys goodbye by Claire Bouffleu starring Helen Clare.   And here once again is your host, drama critic John Chapman.  

[00:56:53] Unknown:

Well,   that's Hollywood for you.   Cindy Lou gets her man.   All Cindy Lou's everywhere should get their man, and all men should win a Cindy Lou.   That way there wouldn't ever be any trouble.   We are grateful to miss Booth, the author, and to our excellent company for a very pleasant hour.   Our play next week will be one which might be termed strong and absorbing, to use a couple of handy critical adjectives.   It is Ethan Frome by Owen and Donald Davis. Owen Davis, the grand old man among American playwrights and his son, Donald, adapted this unusual drama from a novel by Edith Wharton. And in its first production, it was a great artistic and commercial success for everybody concerned,   including Raymond Massey, Pauline Lord, and Ruth Gordon as the principal actors.  

Our star for next week's production will be Geraldine Page.   This is Chapman saying goodbye until then.  

[00:57:52] Unknown:

Kiss the Boys Goodbye was transcribed and adapted for radio by Peter Robert Gray.   Heard in the cast were Jan Minor as Myra, Leon Janney as Lloyd, Wendell Holmes as Wickfield, Ralph Bell as Harner,   Mason Adams as top, Alexander Scorbi as Rand, Fran Carlin as Leslie, and William Zuckert as the reporter.   Best plays is an NBC production supervised by William Welch and directed by Edward King.   Your announcer is Fred Cullen.   Tonight here, confession   on NBC.