War and Peace, Book 12, Chapter 14, Recording for LibriVox.org, by Eva Harnick. When Princess Mary heard from Nicholas that her brother was with the Rostovs at Yaroslav, she at once prepared to go there in spite of her aunt's efforts to dissuade her and not merely to go herself but to take her nephew with her. Whether it were difficult or easy, possible or impossible, she did not ask and did not want to know. It was her duty, not only herself to be near her brother, who was perhaps dying, but to do everything possible to take his son to him and so she prepared to set off. That she had not heard from Prince Andrew himself, Princess Mary attributed to his being too weak to right or to his considering the long journey too hard and too dangerous for her and his son. In a few days Princess Mary was ready to start. Her ekipage were the huge family coach in which she had travelled to Vorosnes, a semi-open trap and a baggage cart. With her travelled Mademoiselle Burien, little Nicholas and his tutor, her old nurse, three maids, Tikhon and a young footman and courier her aunt had sent to accompany her. The usual route through Moscow could not be sought of and the roundabout way Princess Mary was obliged to take through Lipetsk, Ryazan, Vladimir and Shueya was very long and as post horses were not everywhere obtainable, very difficult and near Ryazan where the French were said to have shown themselves was even dangerous. During this difficult journey Mademoiselle Burien, Dessals and Princess Mary's servants were astonished at her energy and frownness of spirit. She went to bed later and rose earlier than any of them and no difficulties dawned at her. Thanks to her activity and energy which infected her fellow travellers they approached Yaroslav by the end of the second week. The last day of her stay in Vorones had been the happiest of her life. Her love for Rostov no longer tormented or agitated her. It filled her whole soul, had become an integral part of herself and she no longer struggled against it. Laterally she had become convinced that she loved and was beloved though she never said this definitely to herself in words. She had become convinced of it at her last interview with Nicholas when he had come to tell her that her brother was with the Rostovs. Not by a single word had Nicholas alluded to the fact that Prince Andrew's relations with Natasha might if he recovered be renewed but Princess Mary saw by his face that he knew and sought of this. Yet in spite of that his relation to her, considered delicate and loving, not only remained unchanged but it sometimes seemed to Princess Mary that he was even glad that the family connection between them allowed him to express his friendship more freely. She knew that she loved for the first and only time in her life and felt that she was beloved and was happy in regard to it. But this happiness on one side of her spiritual nature did not prevent her feeling grief for her brother with full force. On the contrary, that spiritual tranquility on the one side made it the more possible for her to give full play to her feeling for her brother. That feeling was so strong at the moment of leaving Varanias that those who saw her off as they looked at her cav-on despairing face felt sure she would fall ill on the journey. But the very difficulties and preoccupations of the journey which she took so actively in hand saved her for a while from her grief and gave her strength. As always happens when travelling, Princess Mary sought only of the journey itself forgetting its object. But as she approached Yaroslav the thought of what might await her there. Not after many days but that very evening again presented itself to her and her agitation increased to its utmost limit. The courier who had been sent on in advance to find out where the Rostovs were staying in Yaroslav and in what condition Prince Andrew was when he met the big coach just entering the town gates was appalled by the terrible pallor of the princess's face that looked out at him from the window. I have found out everything, Your Excellency. The Rostovs are staying at the merchant Bronikov's house in the square, not far from here, right above the Volga, said the courier. Princess Mary looked at him with frightened inquiry, not understanding why he did not reply to what she chiefly wanted to know how was her brother. But Mirzel Burien put that question for her. How is the prince? she asked. His Excellency staying in the same house with them. Then he's alive, said Princess Mary, and asked in a low voice. How is he? The servants say he's still the same. What still the same might mean Princess Mary did not ask.  The carriage steps clattered as they were let down. The carriage door was opened. On the left there was water, a great river, and on the right a porch. There were people at the entrance, servants, and a rosy girl with a large plate of black hair smiling as it seemed to Princess Mary in an unpleasantly affected way. This was Sonya. Princess Mary ran up the steps. This way, this way, said the girl with the same artificial smile, and the princess found herself in the hall facing an elderly woman of oriental type, who came rapidly to meet her with a look of emotion. This was the countess. She embraced Princess Mary and kissed her. Mon enfant, she muttered, je vous aime, et vous connaît depuis longtemps, asterisks. My child, I love you and have known you a long time. Despite her excitement, Princess Mary realized that this was the countess and that it was necessary to say something to her. Hardly knowing how she did it, she contrived to utter a few polite phrases in French in the same tone as those that had been addressed to her, and asked, how is he? The doctor says that he's not in danger, said the countess. But as she spoke, she raised her eyes with a sigh, and her gesture conveyed a contradiction of her words. Where is he? Can I see? Can I ask the princess? One moment, princess, one moment, my dear, is this his son? Said the countess turning to little Nicholas, who was coming in with the cells. There will be room for everybody. This is a big house.  The countess took Princess Mary into the drawing room where Sonia was talking to Mademoiselle Burien. The countess caressed the boy, and the old count came in and welcomed the princess. He had changed very much since Princess Mary had last seen him. Then he had been a brisk, cheerful, self-assured old man. Now he seemed a pitiful, bewildered person. While talking to Princess Mary, he continually looked round as if asking everyone whether he was doing the right thing. After the destruction of Moscow and of his property thrown out of his accustomed groove, he seemed to have lost the sense of his own significance and to feel that there was no longer a place for him in life. In spite of her one desire to see her brother as soon as possible and her vexation, that at the moment when all she wanted was to see him, they should be trying to entertain her and pretending to admire her nephew. The princess noticed all that was going on around her and felt the necessity of submitting for a time to this new order of things which she had entered. She knew it to be necessary, and though it was hard for her, she was not vexed with these people. This is my niece, said the Count, introducing Sonja. You don't know her, Princess. Princess Mary turned to Sonja and trying to stifle the hostile feeling that aroused in her toward the girl she kissed her. But she felt oppressed by the fact that the mood of everyone around her was so far from what was in her own heart. Where is he? she asked again, addressing them all. He's downstairs. Natasha is with him, answered Sonja, flushing. We have sent to ask. I think you must be tired, Princess. Tears of vexation showed themselves in Princess Mary's eyes. She turned away and was about to ask the Countess again how to go to him when light impetuous and seemingly buoyant steps were heard at the door. The princess looked round and saw Natasha coming in, almost running. That Natasha, whom she had liked so little at their meeting in Moscow, long since. But hardly had the princess looked at Natasha's face before she realized that here was a real comrade in her grief and consequently a friend. She ran to meet her, embraced her and began to cry on her shoulder. As soon as Natasha, sitting at the head of Prince Andrew's bed, heard of Princess Mary's arrival she softly left his room and hastened to her with those swift steps that had sounded buoyant to Princess Mary. There was only one expression on her agitated face when she ran into the drawing room that of love, boundless love for him, for her and for all that was near to the man she loved. And of pity, suffering for others and passionate desire to give herself entirely to helping them. It was plain that at that moment there was in Natasha's heart no sort of herself or of her own relations with Prince Andrew. Princess Mary, with her acute sensibility, understood all this at the first glance at Natasha's face and wept on her shoulder with sorrowful pleasure. Come, come to him, Mary, said Natasha, leading her into the other room.  She felt that from her she would be able to understand and learn everything. How? She began her question but stopped short. She felt that it was impossible to ask or to answer in words.  Natasha was gazing at her but seemed afraid and in doubt whether to say all she knew or not. She seemed to feel that before those luminous eyes which penetrated into the very depths of her heart it was impossible not to tell the whole truth which she saw.  Princess Mary understood but she still hoped and asked in words she herself did not trust. But how is his wound? What is his general condition? You, you'll see, was all Natasha could say. They sat a little while downstairs near his room till they had left of crying and were able to go to him with calm faces. How has his whole illness gone? Is it long since he grew worse? When did this happen? Princess Mary inquired. Natasha told her that at first there had been danger from his feverish condition and the pain he suffered. But at Troitsa that had passed and the doctor had only been afraid of gangrene. That danger had also passed. When they reached Yaroslav the wound had began to fester. Natasha knew all about such things as festering and the doctor had said that the festering might take a normal course. Then fever set in but the doctor had said the fever was not very serious. But two days ago this suddenly happened said Natasha struggling with her sobs. I don't know why but you will see what he's like. Is he weak, sinner? Asked the princess. No, it is not that but worse. You'll see. Oh Mary, he's too good. He cannot, cannot live because end of chapter 14, recording by Eva Harnick, Ponte Vedra, Florida. War and Peace, Book 12, Chapter 15, recording for LibriVox.org by Eva Harnick. When Natasha opened Prince Andrew's door with a familiar movement and let Princess Mary pass into the room before her, the princess felt the sobs in her throat. Hard as she had tried to prepare herself and now tried to remain tranquil. She knew that she would be unable to look at him without tears. The princess understood what Natasha had meant by the words two days ago this suddenly happened. She understood those words to mean that he had suddenly softened and that this softening and gentleness was signs of approaching death. As she stepped to the door, she already saw in imagination Andrew's face as she remembered it. In childhood, a gentle, mild, sympathetic face which he had rarely shown and which therefore affected her very strongly, she was sure he would speak soft tender words to her such as her father had uttered before his death and that she would not be able to bear it and would burst into sobs in his presence. Yet sooner or later it had to be and she went in. The sobs rose higher and higher in her throat as she more and more clearly distinguished his form and her short-sighted eyes tried to make out his features and then she saw his face and met his gaze. He was lying in a squirrel fur dressing gown on a divan surrounded by pillows. He was thin and pale. In one thin, translucently white hand he held a handkerchief while with the other he stroked a delicate moustache he had grown moving his fingers slowly. His eyes gazed at them as they entered. On seeing his face and meeting his eyes, Princess Mary's face suddenly slackened. She felt her tears dry up and her sobs seized. She suddenly felt guilty and grew timid on catching the expression of his face and eyes. But in what am I to blame she asked herself and his cold stern look replied because you are alive and thinking of the living while I. In the deep gaze that seemed to look not outwards but inwards there was an almost hostile expression as he slowly regarded his sister and Natasha. He kissed his sister holding her hand in his as was their want. How are you, Mary? How did you manage to get here? Said he in a voice as calm and aloof as his look. Had he screamed in agony that scream would not have stuck such horror into Princess Mary's heart as the tone of his voice. And have you brought little Nicholas? He asked in the same slow, quiet manner and with an obvious effort to remember. How are you now? Said Princess Mary, herself surprised at what she was saying. That, my dear, you must ask the doctor. He replied and again making an evident effort to be affectionate. He said with his lips only his words clearly did not correspond to his thoughts. Merci, cher ami, d'être venu. Asterik, thank you for coming, my dear. Princess Mary pressed his hand. The pressure made him wins just perceptibly. He was silent and she did not know what to say. She now understood what had happened to him two days before. In his words, his tone and especially in that calm, almost antagonistic look could be felt an estrangement from everything belonging to this world. Terrible in one who is alive. Evidently, only with an effort did he understand anything living. But it was obvious that he failed to understand not because he lacked the power to do so, but because he understood something else, something the living did not and could not understand and which wholly occupied his mind. There, you see, how strangely fate has brought us together, said he, breaking the silence and pointing to Natasha. She looks after me all the time. Princess Mary heard him and did not understand how he could say such a thing. He, the sensitive tender Prince Andrew, how could he say that before her whom he loved and who loved him? Had he expected to live, he could not have said those words in that offensively cold tone. If he had not known that he was dying, how could he have failed to pity her and how could he speak like that in her presence? The only explanation was that he was indifferent because something else much more important had been revealed to him. The conversation was cold and disconnected and continually broke off. Mary came by way of Ria-san, said Natasha. Prince Andrew did not notice that she called his sister Mary and only after calling her so in his presence did Natasha notice it herself. Really, he asked. They told her that all Moscow had been burned down and that Natasha stopped. It was impossible to talk. It was plain that he was making an effort to listen but could not do so. Yes, they say it is burned, he said. It is a great pity. He gazed straight before him, absently stroking his moustache with his fingers. And so you have met Count Nicholas, Mary. Prince Andrew suddenly said, evidently wishing to speak pleasantly to them. He wrote here that he took a great liking to you. He went on simply and calmly, evidently unable to understand all the complex significance his words had for living people. If you liked him too, it would be a good thing for you to get married. He added rather more quickly as if pleased at having found words he had long been seeking. Princess Mary heard his words but they had no meaning for her, except as a proof of how far away he now was from everything living. Why talk of me, she said quietly and glanced at Natasha. Natasha who felt her glance did not look at her. All three were against silent. Andrew, would you like? Princess Mary suddenly said in a trembling voice, would you like to see little Nicholas? He's always talking about you. Prince Andrew smiled just perceptibly and for the first time. But Princess Mary, who knew his face so well, saw with horror that he did not smile with pleasure for affection for his son but with quiet, gentle irony because he thought she was trying what she believed to be the last means of arousing him. Yes, I shall be very glad to see him. Is he quite well?  Prince Andrew kissed him and evidently did not know what to say to him. When Nicholas had been led away, Princess Mary again went up to her brother, kissed him and unable to restrain her tears and he longer began to cry. He looked at her attentively. What about Nicholas, he asked?   What did you say? Nothing. You mustn't cry here, he said, looking at her with the same cold expression. When Princess Mary began to cry, he understood that she was crying at the thought that little Nicholas would be left without a father. With a great effort he tried to return to life and to see things from their point of view. Yes, to them it must seem sad, he thought, but how simple it is. The fowls of the air sow not, neither do they reap. Yet your father feedeth them. He said to himself and wished to say to Princess Mary, but no, they will take it their own way. They won't understand. They can't understand that all those feelings they price so, all our feelings, all those ideas that seem so important to us, are unnecessary. We cannot understand one another, and he remained silent. Prince Andrew's little son was seven. He could scarcely read and knew nothing. After that day he lived through many things, gaining knowledge, observation, and experience, but had he possessed all the faculties, he afterwards acquired, he could not have had a better or more profound understanding of the meaning of the scene he had witnessed between his father, Mary, and Natasha, then he had then. He understood it completely, and leaving the room without crying silently up to Natasha, who had come out with him and looked shyly at her with his beautiful, thoughtful eyes, then his uplifted rosy upper lip trembled and leaning his head against her, he began to cry. After that he avoided the stars and the countess who caressed him and either sat alone or came timidly to Princess Mary or to Natasha, of whom he seemed even fonder than of his aunt and clung to them quietly and shyly. When Princess Mary had left Prince Andrew, she fully understood what Natasha's face had told her. She did not speak any more to Natasha of hopes of saving his life. She took turns with her beside his sofa and did not cry any more, but prayed continually, turning in soul to that eternal and unfathomable whose presence above the dying man was now so evident. End of chapter 15, recording by Eva Harnick, Pontevedra, Florida. War and Peace, Book 12, Chapter 16, recording for LibriVox.org by Eva Harnick. Not only did Prince Andrew know he would die, but he felt that he was dying and was already half dead. He was conscious of an aloofness from everything earthly that strange and joyous lightness of existence. Without haste or agitation, he awaited what was coming. That inexorable, eternal, distant and unknown the presence of which he had felt continually all his life was now near to him and by the strange lightness he experienced almost comprehensible and palpable. Formerly he had feared the end. He had twice experienced the terribly tormenting fear of death, the end, but now he no longer understood that fear. He had felt it for the first time when the shells spun like a top before him and he looked at the fellow field, the bushes and the sky and knew that he was face to face with death. When he came to himself after being wounded and the flower of eternal unfettered love had instantly unfolded itself in his soul as if freed from the bondage of life that had restrained it, he no longer feared death and ceased to think about it. During the hours of solitude, suffering and partial delirium he spent after he was wounded the more deeply he penetrated into the new principle of eternal love revealed to him the more he unconsciously detached himself from earthly life. To love everything and everybody and always to sacrifice oneself for love meant not to love anyone, not to live this earthly life and the more imbued he became with that principle of love the more he renounced life and the more completely he destroyed that dreadful barrier which in the absence of such love stands between life and death. When during those first days he remembered that he would have to die he said to himself Well, what of it? So much the better. But after that night in Mistishi when half delirious he had seen her for whom he longed appear before him and having pressed her hand to his lips he shed gentle happy tears love for a particular woman again crept unobserved into his heart and once more bound him to life and joyful and agitating thoughts began to occupy his mind Recalling the moment at the ambulance station when he had seen Kuragin he could not now regain the feeling he then had but was tormented by the question whether Kuragin was alive and he dared not inquire his illness pursued its normal physical course but what Natasha referred to when she said this suddenly happened had occurred two days before Princess Mary arrived it was the last spiritual struggle between life and death in which death gained the victory it was the unexpected realization of the fact that he still valued life as presented to him in the form of his love for Natasha and a last though ultimately vanquished attack of terror before the unknown it was evening as usual after dinner he was slightly feverish and his thoughts were preternaturally clear Sonja was sitting by the table he began to doze suddenly a feeling of happiness seized him ah, she has come sought he and so it was in Sonja's place sat Natasha who had just come in noiselessly since she had begun looking after him he had always experienced this physical consciousness of her nearness she was sitting in an armchair placed sideways meaning the light of the candle from him and was knitting a stocking she had learned to knit stockings since Prince Andrew had casually mentioned that no one nursed the sick so well as old nurses who knit stockings and that there is something soothing in the knitting of stockings the needles clicked lightly in her slender rapidly moving hands and he could clearly see the thoughtful profile of her drooping face she moved and the ball rolled off her knees she started glanced round at him and screening the candle with her hand stooped carefully with a supple and exact movement picked up the ball and regained her former position he looked at her without moving and saw that she wanted to draw a deep breath after stooping but refrained from doing so and breathed cautiously at the Troitsa monastery they had spoken of the past and he had told her that if he lived he would always thank God for his wound which had brought them together again but after that they never spoke of the future can it or can it not be he now sought as he looked at her and listened to the light click of the steel needles can fate have brought me to her so strangely only for me to die is it possible that the truth of life has been revealed to me only to show me that I have spent my life in four city I love her more than anything in the world but what am I to do if I love her he sought and he involuntarily groaned from a habit acquired during his suffering on hearing that sound Natasha put down the stalking leaned nearer to him and suddenly noticing his shining eyes stepped lightly up to him and bent over him you are not asleep no, I have been looking at you a long time I felt you come in no one else gives me that sense of soft tranquility that you do that light I want to weep for joy Natasha drew closer to him a face shown with rapturous joy Natasha, I love you too much more than anything in the world and I she turned away for an instant why too much she asked why too much well, what do you what do you feel in your soul your whole soul shall I live what do you think I am sure of it, sure Natasha almost shouted taking hold of both his hands with a passionate movement he remained silent a while how good it would be and taking her hand he kissed it Natasha felt happy and agitated but at once remembered that this would not do and that he had to be quiet but you have not slept she said, repressing her joy try to sleep, please he pressed her hand and released it and she went back to the candle and sat down again in her former position twice she turned and looked at him and her eyes met his beaming at her she set herself a task on her stocking and resolved not to turn round till it was finished soon he really shut his eyes and fell asleep he did not sleep long and suddenly awoke with a start and in a cold perspiration as he fell asleep he had still been thinking of the subject that now always occupied his mind about life and death and chiefly about death he felt himself nearer to it love, what is love? he thought love hinders death love is life all, everything that I understand I understand only because I love everything is everything exists only because I love everything is united by it alone love is God and to die means that I, a particle of love shall return to the general and eternal source these thoughts seemed to him comforting but they were only thoughts something was lacking in them they were not clear they were too one-sidedly personal and brain-spun and there was the former agitation and obscurity he fell asleep he dreamed that he was lying in the room he really was in but he was quite well and unwounded many various indifferent and insignificant people appeared before him he talked to them and discussed something trivial they were preparing to go away somewhere Prince Andrew dimly realized that all this was trivial and that he had more important cares but he continued to speak surprising them by empty witticism gradually unnoticed all these persons began to disappear and a single question that of the closed door superseded all else he rose and went to the door to bolt and lock it everything depended on whether he was or was not in time to lock it he went and tried to hurry but his legs refused to move and he knew he would not be in time to lock the door though he painfully strained all his powers he was seized by an agonizing fear and that fear was the fear of death it stood behind the door but just when he was clumsily creeping toward the door the dreadful something on the other side was already pressing against it and forcing its way in something not human death was breaking in through the door and had to be kept out he seized the door making a finer effort to hold it back to lock it was no longer possible but his efforts were weak and clumsy and the door pushed from behind by the terror opened and closed again once again it pushed from outside his last superhuman efforts were vain and both halves of the door noiselessly opened it entered and it was death and Prince Andrew died but at the instant he died Prince Andrew remembered that he was asleep and the very instant he died having made an effort he awoke yes it was death I died and woke up yes death is an awakening and all at once it grew light in his soul and the veil that had till then concealed the unknown was lifted from his spiritual vision he felt as if power still then confined within him had been liberated and that strange lightness did not again leave him when waking in a cold perspiration he moved on the divan Natasha went up and asked him what was the matter he did not answer and looked at her strangely not understanding that was what had happened to him two days before Princess Mary's arrival from that day as the doctor expressed it the wasting fever assumed a malignant character but what the doctor said did not interest Natasha she saw the terrible moral symptoms which to her were more convincing from that day an awakening from life came to Prince Andrew together with his awakening from sleep and compared to the duration of life it did not seem to him slower than an awakening from sleep compared to the duration of a dream there was nothing terrible or violent in this comparatively slow awakening his last days and hours passed in an ordinary and simple way both Princess Mary and Natasha who did not leave him felt this they did not weep or shudder and during these last days they themselves felt that they were not attending on him he was no longer there he had left them but on what reminded them most closely of him his body both felt this so strongly that the outward and terrible side of death did not affect them and they did not feel it necessary to foment their grief neither in his presence nor out of it did they weep nor did they ever talk to one another about him they felt that they could not express in words what they understood they both saw that he was sinking slowly and quietly deeper and deeper away from them and they both knew that this had to be so and it was right he confessed and received communion everyone came to take leave of him when they brought his son to him he pressed his lips to the boys and turned away not because he felt it hard and sad Princess Mary and Natasha understood that but simply because he sought it was all that was required of him but when they told him to bless the boy he did what was demanded and looked round as if asking whether there was anything else he should do when the last convulsions of the body which the spirit was leaving occurred Princess Mary and Natasha were present is it over said Princess Mary when his body had for a few minutes lay motionless growing cold before them Natasha went up looked at the dead eyes and hastened to close them she closed them but did not kiss them but clung to that which reminded her most nearly of him his body where has he gone where is he now when the body washed and dressed lay in the coffin on a table everyone came to take leave of him and they all wept little Nicholas cried because his heart was rent by painful perplexity the Countess and Sonia cried from pity for Natasha and because he was no more the old Count cried because he felt that before long he too must take the same terrible step Natasha and Princess Mary also wept now but not because of their own personal grief they wept with a reverent and softening emotion which had taken possession of their souls at the consciousness of the simple and solemn mystery of death that had been accomplished in their presence End of chapter 16 and the war and peace Book 12 by Leo Tolstoy Recording by Eva Harnick, Pontevedra, Florida This recording is in the public domain


Lux presents Hollywood leave your brother's company the makers of Lux toilet soap bring you the Lux radio theater starring Rameland and Blythe and Nigel Bruce in stairway to heaven Ladies and gentlemen your producer mr. William Keely Greetings from Hollywood ladies and gentlemen When I was in England not so long ago London was preparing to welcome many of the world's most famous screen stars to a precedent-shattering event The first command performance of a motion picture Selected for the entertainment of the king and queen and other members of the royal family was tonight's screenplay Jay Arthur ranks presentation stairway to heaven Start in our cast is Rameland whose brilliant achievements recently won him the screens coveted Academy Award co-starred with Ray our and Blythe and Nigel Bruce Now I'd like to speak of another command performance one that goes on day after day and the star is Lux soap its performance is acclaimed by American families from coast to coast especially by lovely women who must care for their beauty just as carefully as queens and their approval indicates that Lux soap is Well, let's say a stairway to a heavenly complexion Onto our play universal International's release stairway to heaven starring Rameland as Peter Carter and Blythe as June and Nigel Bruce as dr. Reeves with Joseph Kerns as conductor are 34 This is a story of two worlds the one you know called earth and another Existing only in the mind of a young pilot whose life and imagination have been violently shaped by war It's 1945 shortly before dawn Over the North Sea a Lancaster bomber riddled by shells and on fire Struggles through a dense fog toward the English coast The pilot has just made radio contact with an airsea rescue station Hello, hello down there Hello Can you hear me? Where are you? Position nil. What's your name? I cannot read my name at all of a sudden. I'm thinking of a poem Give me my scallop shell of quiet my staff of faith to walk upon My script of joy immortal diet my bottle of salvation My gown of glory hopes true gauge and thus I'll take my pilgrimage The water all he wrote that I'd rather have written that and flown through Hitler's legs I cannot understand you request your position I can't give you my position instrument shut away crew gone to all except club shore here my navigator He's dead the rest bailed out in my orders time 0445 My station Warrandon bomber group G for George send him a signal, please Try to land G George. My name is not G George. It's Carter Peter D Carter No, I can't land and the carriage is gone. I'm bailing out presently What's your name? Well, I'm bailing out June with his a catch. I don't have a parachute That's much rather jump than fry I I hope I'm not upsetting you June Are you pretty? Not bad. You've got a beautiful voice That's funny girl. I've never seen will hear my last word No, no, no, just keep talking, please I Want to be alone with you, June? Where were you born? That's a place to be born in history was made there Are you in love with someone? No, no, no, please don't answer that. I could love a man like you And I love you June because your life I'm leaving you Where do you live? Good. I'll be a ghost and come and see you What time will you be there? I'm on duty to such nonsense. Oh, it's the best sense I ever heard it can't be helped about the parachute. What do you think the next world is like Peter, please? Oh, well, I'll know soon enough Drops y'all probably be waiting for me Goodbye Goodbye, June. Hello, I have told you a dozen times. I am very busy.  Yes, of course you are dead. All right, and this is heaven, isn't it? Then where is he? Where is Peter D. Carter? He's around here someplace look for him I have almost 1,000 airmen to account for and if you expect Peter D. Carter is not here But he's supposed to be here his name's on that list. He's either AWOL or there's been a mistake There has not been a mistake here for 1,000 years Then where's Carter? There was a mistake if Peter Carter was still alive on earth a bell would ring You hear a bell? No, therefore no mistake has been made and if you have any further complaints. Oh No, oh No Conductor R34 Conductor R34 Go to the recorder's office with left in a truck show report at once, please with left in a truck show Hmm. No mistake, huh? 34 what about this mess? Yeah, what can I say, monsieur the bell rang a mistake has been made Who is missing my flight commander sir Peter D. Carter. Well, I must have lost him in that a cursed fog down there on earth Oh, there was a fog. All right, real hope he's super. I've been waiting for him, sir. So have I Don't you know a thing like this must be reported to me immediately? I lost my head, monsieur recorder not long in the service Hey, oh since the so-called glorious French Revolution, monsieur. I see natural death. I also lost my head then Monsieur I will go up to Carter at once. That's not so simple. Hmm. Peter Carter has fallen in love that complicates matters He's he's fallen in love Peter Carter jumped from his plane fully expecting an immediate demise Due to some some butterfakering up here. He did not die He lost consciousness had woke up on a stretch of beach suddenly he became aware of the girl Hey Hello Why I don't know why I You're doing Your feet Peter yes, and I'm not dead. I'm alive. But how did you get here?  What happened? I don't know. I just don't know are you hurt?   I wasn't joking I've been crying so ever since you said goodbye to me from the plane, but don't cry Oh What's been going on down there? I will proceed to earth at once, monsieur explain your error to mr. Carter Get him up here where he belongs. Oh, and when you see him give him a message for me, huh? I've a pleasure. What message just say What how? Oh, uh, mr. Recorder, you have a small idea where I might locate mr. Carter. No, wait a minute Operations, please Whereabouts Peter D Carter delinquent? Oh, yes, Lee Woodhouse Accompany with a miss June Adams an American whack. It seems she is off duty. That's enough. Thank you. Thank you Ah, yes quite enough a main night an English guard and they've been moonlight moonlight But it's not night already you will soon learn mr. Trubshaw That here there is no such thing as time and what seems to you a wink of the eye Down there may be a century. Are you still here? On my way, monsieur. I will be serene June Are you cold darling cold? No, Peter.  Good evening? Good evening, and who are you? What the costume? What is wrong with these clothes? They are my very best. I was buried in them some hundred and fifty years ago Hmm June June might see things. She is lovely. She not but save your breath, monsieur The lady sees nothing. He has nothing June. We are talking in space.  Who are you? We should have met at dawn more than me. Unfortunately. I missed you Oh, I bring you a message from Monsieur Trubshaw. Trubshaw is dead. Trubshaw is quite dead. He says what? Oh He always says what? Oh, but he's dead again. I say yes And what should be the status of a man who jumps from his aircraft without a parachute? How do you know he also should be dead, but I missed you because of your ridiculous English climate fog Well, what do you want now there you my friend what for to conduct you where to heaven of course Oh, this is fantastic. If I refuse to go with you, but you cannot refuse You have overstayed already by nearly 16 hours earth time that is but but but what about her June? I'm in love with her. What is love the feeling of a moment. I represent eternity Look 16 hours ago. I was not in love, but now I am millions of people are in love Do they protest when their time is up? No, they do not they have no right to exactly, but I have why Now look, it was no fault of mine.  I fall in love because of your mistake I demand an appeal. Will you please be reasonable appeal to whom? That's your problem find out. It's never been done never and go away. Oh, you are determined to get me into these salad Aren't you what about the salad you've got me into? Oh, I Think I will leave you for a little while. Well, that's better a little while I said I shall have to report above for instruction good go on report and Do not fall any deeper in love. Do you hear me? I am warning you Ah She is charming isn't she? Oh I Worked for a magazine June What did you say? I said I worked for a magazine. But why do you say that? Because you just asked me what I did before the war. Oh, yes Yes, I did June what the matter with me Such an odd thing happened while you were asleep. Oh Did it I haven't been asleep then you heard us talking. Why no who was here to talk to they sent somebody they June do I look cracked? Not to me darling. Are you look there was a dense fog of dawn this morning. That's right, isn't it? You know there was and I did bail out without a parachute. So how can I be alive darling? We talked about it all day. We don't know what happened Doesn't make sense And I'm in love with you that doesn't make much sense either, but I am but that character he insists I should be dead What character will he stretch with short pants and lace they sent him out after me He said he'd missed me before because of the fog bad luck for them Good luck for me. I told him I was going to appeal. Now.  It's not my fault I'm not dead.  Peter of course I'm here just now for a second. I thought I'd lost you What is it darling? What is it? This is Dr. Reeves. Cool. Good morning. What? Oh, yes, of course. Come right over now if you like. I've been delighted to see you. The whole story Dr. Reeves. I know it sounds ridiculous, but just- No, where's this Peter Chap now? In the village at the Inn. Why hasn't he rejoined this station? Because I was hoping so that you might help him or at least see him. You've told me about cases like this No, no not like this because nothing ever happened like this. I mean- Well, I've done a lot of work in neurology. Yes, but that doesn't alter the fact that Peter Carter is the property of the Air Force. He's not property. He's a person. A very fine person. I don't want just anyone mauling him about and asking him questions I want you. I'm sure the RAF would say that. Exactly what they'd say. I had a talk with Carter's commanding officer just after you phoned me. The medical officer too. Luckily, he'd heard of me. Oh, he said he had, isn't he? You mean then they won't make Peter? I mean that I've arranged a week's furlough. Oh, Dr. Reeves. So he believes that he bailed out without a parachute, eh? Yes. And he has a hallucination. This 18th century Frenchman, you told him that he was talking rubbish? No. Good girl. Look here. You still have that recreation hall at Lee Woodhouse? Yes. Well, supposing I meet you and Carter there, say, about tea time. I'll be off duty too soon. Well, I'd better see your CEO as well. I want you around for a while, June. Oh, don't mind me. Just go on with your game. Dr. Reeves. So he's a chess player, is he? Any good? He'll do. Squadron eager Carter, Dr. Reeves. How do you do? How do you do? Well, I've told him, Doctor, about you. Oh, good.  I wish you would. These visions that you've had, hallucinations, ever had them before? No, never. What were you in civilian life? Well, I'd taught at Oxford, European history. Parents alive? My mother. What was the cause of your father's death? Same as mine. Brain? No, war, 1917. How long have you been in? Since 41. You must have had a good many missions? 67. About these headaches? Headaches? Oh, I know you get them.  Right? What else do you know? I know about your eyes. You know a great deal. I'd like to know more. Well, the headache started about six months ago. Here, mostly. Frontal and temporal. Do you ever get a bang on the head? Well, it dropped as a baby, no doubt. I don't remember. Mind if I try something? Look straight ahead. Like this? Yes. What are you looking at? That girl down there, the piano. Look at nice legs. Yes, very.  This is going to be easy. Now, without moving your eyes, what can you see on the extreme right? Fireplace. In the center? Girl with legs. Extreme left? Window. Curtains? Yes. What color? Dark red. Good. Well, that's all of that. Now then, you've seen something. Someone. Clearly? As clearly as I see you. Now, don't you be annoyed with this question. It may sound rather silly, but have you imagined recently that you've smelt something that couldn't possibly be there? How did you know? I didn't just shot in the dark. You noticed that, Oda, at the same time, you saw this heavenly messenger, this conductor full of this Frenchman. Yes. Onions. Fried onions. Well, you asked me. This messenger hasn't turned up again, has he? No, but he will. Oh, when? I don't know. Peter's launched an appeal, doctor. Against what? Against dying. That's the spirit now. Don't you give in? I won't. Well, that's about all for now, except that you're to stay at my house for a few days. Do you mind? Not at all, but what about my CO? His orders, too. And mine as well. I want you to... Well, I want to be around when this Frenchman calls on you again. You're on your own till seven tonight. Oh, you... You're to come too, June. Dinner at seven. Still asleep, doctor. What time is it? Ten o'clock. Well, he's asleep for at least another hour. How do you know? I gave him a pill. But what if the... If the Frenchman comes again, I left a bell at the side of Peter's chair. A bell? If he has a visitor, Peter's going to ring the bell if he can. Now, how about another game of pinnacle? Sure, if you'd like. Don't you worry about him, June. He'll heal. June! June, Dr. Rees, quickly! In a moment, we'll return with stairway to heaven. Meanwhile, here's our Hollywood reporter, Libby Collins. I've got two pieces of news tonight, Mr. Keely. One's about James Mason's latest picture of the upturned glass, a J. Arthur Rank presentation, and the other's the new bath-sized locked toilet. Uh, tell us about the picture first, Libby. I understand Universal International has the most unusual story of love and violence in the upturned glass. Oh, it's a thriller, all right. James Mason plays a famous surgeon, and Pamela Calino and Rosamund John are rivals for his affections in the picture, which he produced with Sidney Bach. Two exceptionally fine actresses. Yes, and two very glamorous leading ladies for James Mason. Pamela Calino is a famous brunette beauty, and Rosamund John a lovely ash blonde. And what a complexion, Mr. Kennedy. The real peaches and cream kind. A real luxe complexion, Libby? Yes, Rosamund depends on luxe toilet soap care. When she was over from England recently, she said it was a joy to be able to get all she wanted of her favorite beauty soap. Also to find an unlimited supply of hot water. After fuel rationing abroad, that seemed almost too good to be true. I should think so. Well, now she can enjoy a beauty bath that's just about tops in luxury, because she'll be using the brand new bath-sized luxe toilet soap. Yes, Mr. Kennedy. And here's our big news of the evening. Now, this handsome new bath-sized luxe toilet soap is available to women everywhere. And what a really super bath soap it is, Libby. Well, screen stars certainly think so. They tell me the new bath-sized luxe toilet soap is wonderful. And I'm sure everyone who uses it will agree. Only the size is different. The same familiar luxe toilet soap wrapper, the same fine white cake. And the same delightful fragrance. The new bath-sized cake is the same high-quality luxe toilet soap, except that the size is just right for truly luxurious bathing. So here's a tip for clever shoppers tomorrow. Look for the new bath-sized luxe toilet soap. Let the whole family enjoy this convenient big new cake. It makes your daily luxe toilet soap bath more refreshing, more luxurious than ever. Here's Mr. Keely at the microphone. Presenting Act Two of Stairway to Heaven, starring Ray Maland as Peter Carter, Anne Blythe as June, and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Reeve. A few moments ago, an earth time, that is, June and Dr. Reeve sat talking in the doctor's living room. Nearby in the library, Peter Carter was asleep on a couch, and his side was a small bell. Then, suddenly, Peter was not alone in the library. Monsieur, Monsieur Carter. Monsieur, if you please. What? Who? Oh. Oh, you're back. Oh, very well. Ring the bell. You see? Nothing happens. The bell does not ring. Ah, a book. Oh, a book of chairs. I was reading it just before I fell asleep. Alikines, hundred best games. I must look this over. Stop stalling. What about my appeal? Oh, yes. Well, it's been granted. Thank you. The trial will be a full dress affair. Oh, tri-chic. Everyone will be there. You have two days in which to prepare your case. Wonderful. Oh, don't be so happy. The prosecuting counsel, the one who will insist that you leave this little world of yours. Well? Abraham Fallon. Come again? Abraham Fallon. Never heard of him. A man from Boston. I've never been in Boston. Abraham Fallon died in Boston in 1775. Oh? Exactly, the American War of Independence. Was Fallon killed? Yes, by a British bullet. Ah, and he may be prejudiced, huh? What did they say? Oh, yes. He hates your guts. He hates the guts of every Englishman. And particularly, he hates you for being involved with such a nice girl from Boston, Massachusetts. All right. I'll appeal against him. Impossible. After all, we had to pick the best man. The honor of my whole department is at stake. What you have to do is choose a good man for yourself. As my lawyer. Precisely. Who? Anybody who has ever lived upon earth. All at your disposal. Well, you could even choose me. That would suit you just fine, wouldn't it? Oh, no. I didn't think so. Well, you can choose Socrates, William Pitt, Henry VIII. What about Madame Jubilee? She knows all about love. Rather one-track mind. No, I have to think it over. By the way, this book on chess, I would like to borrow it. It's not mine. It belongs to the doctor. Doctors? They give me a great deal of trouble in my job. Oh, well. You think it over. I will be back, Monsieur. June, Dr Reeves, quickly. What is it? Oh, he's gone. But he was here. The bell. I couldn't ring it until... Oh, Peter, you're all right. Yes. Yes, I think so. Oh, still hold still, Peter.  Look up towards the ceiling. You can talk if you want to. So he just left, eh? Yes. I hope you didn't give in to anything. No. Stay put, Albert. I'll be right back. June, I've good news. What, darling? What? I've won the appeal. The trial is in two days. Oh, darling. Peter, tell me, did you smell anything? Yes. Same as before? Fried onions. Now, I... I want you to drink this. Any headache? Oh, beauty. You can tell me what the Frenchman said tomorrow. But I want to talk. He said that... Go to heaven. It's gone. What's gone? What book was I reading? Before I went to sleep. That book of mine on chess? Alakine's Hundred Best Games. Yes. I put it right here. You sure? Absolutely certain. What a nerve. Huh. A bit cool. Now, how about getting back to sleep? But about my counselor at the trial... Oh, I don't think you believe a word I say. Peter! My dear friend, here on earth, I'm your defending counsel. And as your counsel, I believe everything you tell me. June. June, I don't want to leave you. Why should you leave me, darling? Everything will be all right. If I can only get a good counselor... Of course you will. It's so important. I... I don't want to lose you, June. I won't let you go, Peter. No one can take you from me. I won't let you go. I won't let you go. Well, he's... He's sleeping again, June. Will he have more hallucinations? Yes, but I think he'll be all right. He's not going mad, then. His brain's not affected. Of course it's affected. He's having a series of highly organized hallucinations, compared to an experience of actual life. A combination of vision, of hearing, and of an idea. To a neurologist, that points to a pressure on the brain. That's why Peter's sense of smell has been affected.  I don't know. But right now the main thing is for him to win his case at the trial. You're serious. Perfect, you're serious. But suppose he loses. Oh, that's fair. Well, if we see that he's losing, or we think that he's going to lose, we'll find out the reason why he survived his jump. Or we'll invent one. We'll have a couple of drinks, you and I, and invent the greatest lie in medical history. Meanwhile... Yes? Peter will have to be operated on. When? Right away. I'll see his RAF medical officer in the morning. We can't wait for the trial, June. As you said, he may lose. We don't dare wait any longer, Dr. McCure. Deterioration all around. We ought to operate tonight. But we're swamped here. Are you sure of your diagnosis? Absolutely certain. I showed you the x-rays yesterday. The ocular reports. Those highly organized hallucinations coupled with a sense of smell. Everything points to arachnoid adhesions involving the olfactory nerve. But I'm no surgeon. Who do you have here? Edwin Liza. Liza, fine. That's good, good, good. But I don't see how we can manage tonight. There's no crisis in a thing like this any day we do. There is a crisis. And I'm afraid... Insanity? Yes. Why? Well, I told you that trial that Carter keeps talking about. As far as he's concerned, that trial is fixed for tonight. And he hasn't found anyone to defend him yet. He really believes all this. Intensively, the boy's got a fine mind, McCure, a fine mind that's part of our trouble. Too good a mind.  Yes, stupidity has saved many a man from going mad. Carter's had several talks with this heavenly messenger, that Frenchman. Hallucinations, of course. But you never saw such an imagination. I don't quite follow. Well, nothing that Carter invents is entirely fantastic. It's invention, but it's logical invention. He's convinced that he'll die if he loses his case tonight. And that's why I say that we've got to operate tonight. All right, so shaking your head like... I'm sorry, but I... Yes? Who? One moment, please. It's you, Dr. Reeves. The girl. Hello? It's Peter, Doctor. He's worse. I don't know what's happened, an attack or something. He just kept staring out at the rain, staring into spaces if he... Oh, please, come. I'll be right there, June. Peter... Peter, darling, you're far off somewhere. Come back. Come back, Peter. I understand you at all, Monsieur.  I can't. May I remind you, the trial is but a few of your hours off. Now, look there. Shelf after shelf of books about famous men. There is Lincoln. What about Abraham Lincoln? No, it's hardly fair to drag him in, though I don't think he'd be prejudiced. Plato. Nobody knew more about reasoning than Plato. He was 81 when he died. He might be too old to think love is important. Perhaps you are right. Now, if he'd been French, sure. Richelieu, for example, irresistibilitated. No, I never liked Richelieu in the Three Musketeers. Voltaire? No. What then, who do you want? Look, it sounds fine to have all these great men to choose from, but what do they know about our problems today? Oh, very little. Besides, it should be an Englishman. Nobody famous, but somebody with his head screwed on all right. Now, this Abram Fallon, was he a famous man? A schoolteacher. You see? Anyway, why are you so interested in getting me a counsel? I am interested only in getting you where you belong in heaven. Peter, now, come with me now. No. If you do, you will have nothing to worry about. No trial, no vexations, no pain. See over there, Peter, a great, magnificent stairway. Yes. It will take us there, Peter. It is the stairway to heaven. No. Come, Peter, come. No. No, I don't have to go yet. I have your word. I can appeal.  I'm getting out of space and back to earth. Back before it's too late. Peter! No, come back! Come back here! Come back! Come back! Peter. Oh, Peter. June. June, you almost got me. June, I'm going to shoot. Doctor. Here, come around in a moment. June, Peter's got to go to the hospital tonight. Phone Dr. McEwen. Tell him that I say it's a matter of life and death. Yes, doctor. Oh, better send a telegram to his mother and sisters. You know where her? Yes. That's all. Hello, Peter. Where's June? She's phoning. She'll be back in a moment. He almost got me. I know. He's such a crafty beggar. I only got away by the skin of my teeth. Now, look here.  You've been promised a fair trial. Don't give in to anybody. I haven't the counsel. We'll find the right man. They might have coined some stew. Nonsense. Or let it go by default. I tell you, we'll find somebody. They can't start until we do. Nobody famous. Well, how about coming? I couldn't reach the hospital. The operator says it's the storm. I'll take your car. No, no, no. You're more valuable here. I'll go. Now go into him. Don't allow him to despair, June.  Miss Adams? Yes. I'm Dr. McEwan from the hospital. There's been an accident. Accident? Dr. Reeves. He was on his way to see you. I did see him. Yes, they brought him in. His car skidded over off the road. Dr. Reeves is dead. Oh, no. He told me about Captain Carter. Now we're taking him to the hospital right away. He'll be in good hands. I'll tell Peter. Where's Dr. Reeves? He's gone ahead, Peter. He's had an accident, hasn't he? Yes, a bad accident. Is he dead? Yes, he's dead. Come, darling. Dr. McEwan's waiting. Dr. Reeves, I believe. Yes? Welcome. Thank you. Well, permit me to return your book on chess. Oh. Ah-ha-ha. So it's you. And how is dear Peter? He has a fighting chance. Oh. Are you taking me? Up this stairway. We will have to skip several of the preliminaries. I am taking you at once to the recorder. He is very anxious to see you, Dr. Come in, please. Mr. Recorder, Dr. Frank Reeves. Ah, Dr. You are familiar with the case of Peter Carter? I am. He has just chosen you to be his counsel. I was hoping he would. You have very little time in which to prepare your case. They tell me that seats in the courtroom are already at a premium. Peter's in the hospital now? Yes, they've already started the brain operation. I should like to see my client immediately. Conductor, take Dr. Reeves to the operating room. Hello, Peter. Hello, Dr. Where's June? She's waiting, Peter, in the corridor. You're operating on me, aren't you? How's it going? Dr. Lees is a great surgeon, Peter. Neat, very neat indeed. I like his work. Good. About me, Peter, I'm very flattered that you've made me your counsel. Are you sure that I'm the best man? Oh, quite sure. But I'm no lawyer, and if Abraham Farland gets into politics, I'm sunk. Well, who isn't?  A little common sense, perhaps. Well, if it is rare up there that it is down here, a little will do me fine. I need evidence, Peter. June's all the evidence I need. I've fallen in love with her. Her accent is foreign, but it sounds sweet to me. We were born thousands of miles apart, yet we were made for each other. Conductor, may I kiss her? You know, just in case. Yes, kiss her. Go on. But she will not know it. At least I want to see. Come, doctor, the corridor. I think they'd rather be alone. But we cannot let him out of our sight. Look, sir. He kisses her. Are you English? What is the good of kissing a girl if she cannot feel it? June, darling. Did you see, doctor? She just sits in her chair in the corridor. She's crying. Ah, yes, the lady weeps. You want evidence, doctor? There it is. Her tears. Don't cry, darling. If I could only take one of her tears. But you can. You can do as you wish. But how can you take a tear into heaven? Permit me. The rose in my buttonhole. I touch the rose to a cheek. So?  The only bit of real evidence that we have. Come, we get out of here now. Monsieur Ricotta, we are ready. The case of Peter Carter versus Evan will now be heard. We pause now for station identification. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. In a moment we'll return with Act 3 of Stairway to Heaven. It's always a pleasure to welcome to this program an ambitious young player making a success in Hollywood. Our guest tonight is blonde, green-eyed Neela Hart. Didn't I see you at Universal International the other day, Neela? Yes, Mr. Keely. It was on the set for the last moment. Remember? Of course. It must have been fascinating for you to watch Susan Hayward and Robert Cummings do justice to those highly dramatic scenes. Oh, it certainly was, Mr. Keely. Isn't this an unusual role for Robert Cummings? Yes, Bob has one of the most serious roles of his career in the last moment. The thrilling story, full of eerie atmosphere and suspense. And Susan Hayward looks more beautiful than ever. Don't you agree, Mr. Kennedy? Ah, she's lovely indeed. And that gorgeous red hair of hers just sets off a radiant luxe complexion. I know, Mr. Kennedy, that Susan Hayward is a luxe girl. She told me so herself. And speaking of Hollywood's beauty soaps, aren't you going to tell our audience the news about luxe soap you told me before the broadcast? It's good news for every woman who uses luxe toilet soap. Now, this fine white soap is available in a brand new bath size. A handsome larger cake, just the right size for a really luxurious beauty bath. Same wonderful perfume, I hope. Right. Just as fragrant, just as white. In the same familiar wrapper. Only the size is different. Women everywhere are going to love it. In fact, here's what they're saying about it. The screen star. I'm delighted to have my favorite luxe toilet soap in this new bath size. The same lovely fragrance, the same creamy lather that makes my daily bath such a joy. A housewife. My whole family tells me they're enjoying this new bath size cake. It's so luxurious. A business girl. I just love the new bath size luxe toilet soap. Lots of quick, rich lather that leaves my skin smoother, really fresh and sweet. A new luxury bath. Ask for the big new bath size luxe toilet soap tomorrow. It comes in the same sampler wrapper, but in a handsome larger cake that makes your daily luxe toilet soap beauty bath more delightful, more refreshing than ever. Your dealer has the new bath size luxe toilet soap now. Mr. Keely returns to the microphone. Act free of stairway to heaven installing Ray Maland as Peter and Blythe as June as Dr. Reed. In the operating room of an army hospital doctors and nurses labor over a mortal mechanism called Peter Carter. But success or failure seems to lie in hands other than theirs. Far off in space a celestial court has come to order. Ladies and gentlemen of the universe due to negligence by our department of admissions Peter Carter is in the embarrassing position of dangling between heaven and earth. Here and now we must decide either to pull him up or grant an extension of his term on earth. The jury will take their places please. Our council is ready. Abraham Farland. All ready Your Honor. Dr. Reed. Quite ready Your Honor. Prosecution has the floor Mr. Farland. Your Honor members of the jury and fellow spirits. Peter Carter should have died on the 2nd of May 1945 at 10 after 5 of the clock British double summertime. Moreover when someone to report some 16 hours later the defendant refused to accompany the authorized conductor. For what reasons please. He claims that in the time which he had borrowed from us he accumulated new responsibilities of an allegedly important and permanent nature that in those few hours a young lady of good American stock had fallen in love with him. Are we to believe this that in those 16 borrowed hours Your Honor I object to the word borrowed my client was given the 16 hours in question. Sustained. Nevertheless are we to believe that Peter Carter Englishman is in love with this young lady of good American stock and equally important that she is in love with him. Why stress their nationalities Mr. Farland. For a good reason we are talking of love sir. It can happen you know between an Englishman and an American girl. My point is that when in the course of human events our men and women came to your little island as allies it was not to become your prisoner. May I remind you sir that we are living in the 20th century and not the 18th. And may I remind you sir we are not living at all. You've got me there Mr. Farland I beg your pardon. Thank you. But I am up to date Dr. Reeves. Oh I've been watching you English from upstairs here. Your politics your business is Peter Carter what you would call a good Englishman. Yes sir. I thought so. A considerable handicap is it not. My lord may I ask where Mr. Farland's father was born. Entirely irrelevant. Could it possibly have been in England. My father left England sir because he didn't like it. Would he have liked it today. Well I have here a radio. Let me turn it on. Listen everyone listen to the England of today. Well here we are at the cricket match ladies and gentlemen. The voice of England in 1945. Whether now it stopped raining and play has been resumed. No there's a fine crowd and we're all singing. Do you admit sir that this is an English boy. Oh yes yes indeed. I think we've heard enough. May I turn on the radio now sir. Let's hear the voice of America in 1945. If you wish sir. That can't be American. What is that savagery sir. I don't understand it at all. Now that do I. I simply suggest that what may be typically British or typically American has nothing to do with Peter Carter or with June Adams. Ah yes June Adams a lovely vibrant American girl. Members of the jury I ask you. Should the swift tempo of her promising young life be slowed to the crawl of a match at cricket. Or her accustomed native comfort outraged by England's warm drinks cold rooms drafty windows and faulty plumbing at this moment Mr Farland two million houses in England have no windows at all. My lord I submit that this court is concerned with the life and death of Peter Carter and not with past history or present plumbing but Peter Carter's character sir like every other human being has been formed by circumstances by a chain of circumstances. As Benjamin Franklin once said a kingdom was lost all for the want of a horseshoe nail you've heard of Benjamin Franklin and I beg you in George Washington's words labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience. Are you insinuating that something is wrong with my conscience? Not at all I'm proclaiming it. You're trying to prejudice the jury against Englishman. I don't need to prejudice the jury so they're already prejudiced. You can't pick a jury that isn't look at these twelve good men first you see Jean-Marie Barrow a Frenchman has any century passed without war between France and England next is Gregorius Bonziere from the Transvaal the Boer war Doctor Reeves. Remember Changi Min is Chinese don't forget England's attack on China in 1857 occupying the King. And you sir? Ballotage by Dial from Burma Think of Burma Doctor Reeves And you? James Monaghan Ireland Choose a new jury anywhere Doctor Reeves it must always be prejudiced against England. My lord I challenge the jury and I request that a new one be chosen. From where Doctor Reeves? Anywhere except England. Why not from England? Where else of the rights of the individual been held so high? In America sir where these rights are held inalienable a man can see farther from the top of Boston State House and more worth seeing than from all the pyramids and turrets the world over. America sir is the only place where a man is full grown. Then I ask for a jury of Americans and if there is one who fought in the Revolution award then I want another who fought shoulder to shoulder against our common enemy in this century and if one has a mind that can only think back 170 years, I want another who thinks 170 years ahead. Do you agree Mr. Farland? I would welcome such a jury Your Honor. Courts adjourned while we find a new judge who will continue to introduce themselves to the court. Francois Dupont American citizen Peter Vandy Eich American citizen Jim Wong American citizen Jefferson Lincoln Brown American citizen Patrick Aloysius Mahoney American citizen. The jury will be seated Mr. Farland. Apparently Dr. Reeves has wasted the court's time search where you will humanity rises to indict England. You may proceed Dr. Reeves. Gentlemen of the jury here in my hand I hold a single rose and in this rose lies my entire case and what is my case? I agree with Mr. Farland has Peter Carter fall in love during the allotted extra in the disputed extra 16 hours or has he not? Now two young people who never would have met but for a mistake up here are being penalized for falling in love. On the petal of this rose is a tear and in that tear are love and truth and friendship. Those qualities alone can build a new world today and a better world tomorrow. That is my entire case and upon it I demand that Peter Carter shall live. Mr. Farland no questions. Your Honor you are the foreman of the jury. I am and we feel that the defendant and the girl should be given a chance to be heard is that permissible? It can be erased. Where are they conductive? Peter Carter is on an operating table in an army hospital near Newcastle. The young woman is also there waiting in the corridor. The jury feels that hearing them would help establish a better understanding of conditions. In that event the jury will go downstairs. Leave the way conductor. There is Peter Carter on the operating table. The jury will stand around please. My diagnosis is right. Fine, vascular, menendial adhesions finding the optic nerve to the brain. We are not here to discuss adhesions, Dr. Reeves, but to question Peter Carter. I'll kiss you in the... in the key of the... Let me tell you about my operation. Please come and forth, Peter D. Carter. Hello, Peter. Hello, Doctor. How's the operation going? Fine. You couldn't be in better hands. There's quite a draft in my head. Peter Carter, tell the jury here whether or not you attempted to influence the emotions of that young American girl out there in the corridor. June and I fell in love before we ever met. You claim you love her? I do love her. Can you prove it? If you give me time, sir, 50 years will do. But can you prove it? Well, can a starving man prove he's hungry except by eating?  I would, but I'd rather live. Ah, young devil. Pardon expression, my lord. Good work, Peter. Good work. You're witness, Dr. Reeves. No question. Conductor, is the young lady available? She sleeps, Mr. She sleeps. The jury will kindly note that. I put her to sleep. Indeed, why? To enable you to call her spirit, monsieur. The jury will please note that. I, too, call her your honor. Very well. Miss June Adams. Turn it around, Peter. Miss Adams, you've been called in the case of Peter Carter as a witness for the prosecution. Where were you born, my child? In Boston, sir. Do you know this man? I think so. You think so? I met him only a few days ago. Then how do you think you can love him? But I do love him. Nonsense, lads. Abject. Council, miss, withdraw the word nonsense. But, Mr. Farland's right, doctor. There's no sense in love. Wisdom still flowers in Boston, I see. Can you prove that you love him? How can I? Would you be willing to die for him? Yes. Would you take his place in the balance sheet? Yes. Don't believe her. Send her side, sir. It's all right to ask her that.   This is contempt of court. I'll have you committed. Commit away. June, don't answer any more questions. Do you realize that by this attitude you've forfeited any chance of winning your case? All right. Then I lose. But you're not going to get June as well.  June, you know me well. You trust me? Of course I do. Then listen.   If you really love him, June, come with me to that stairway over there. It leads to heaven. You are mad. It's the only way to prove your love, June. I do love him. You won't go. My lord, I must ask the court to restrain my client. Restrain him, Baylor. Come, my dear. June. No, no. Goodbye, Peter. Goodbye, darling. She is dying for him. For love. So typically French. Look. The stairs. The stairs have disappeared. The stairs have disappeared. Unprecedented. Never has this happened before. June, they're coming back. Do you know what this means? A greater hand than ours has sent her back. But the universe. The law. The law of the universe. It clearly stipulates that. I know, Mr. Fallon. In the universe, nothing is stronger than the law. But on earth, nothing is stronger than love. June, June.  I would. Peter, forgive me. It was a long shot to take, but I had to take it. It has been clearly established that June loves Peter and Peter loves June. As Sir Walter Scott is always saying, love rules the corp, the game, the grove. And men below and saints above. For love is heaven. And heaven is love. Has the jury considered a verdict? Pays for the defendant, Your Honor. Bravo! Appeal sustained, Mr. Carter. Thank you, sir. There now remains the new date on Peter Carter's file. I'll write it down. Will councils approve it, please? Satisfactory, Dr. Reeves? Very generous, my lord. Isn't that a little too much, Your Honor? I agree. Then let's go back to where we belong. Dear me. I hope this won't establish a precedent. All right, nurse. The patient may be removed to his room now. Congratulations, Dr. Leather. Wonderful piece of work. He'll be all right. Somehow I feel very sure of that. Peter. Oh, no. Not you again. But the book. The book on chess. I'm returning it now to Dr. Reeves' library.  I shall have to wait so long to play chess with you. Well, I can't say I'm sorry. In time, my friend. Well, Peter. Oh, uh, she's waiting for you in your room. Waiting for me. Waiting for me. Waiting for me. Waiting for me. Peter. Hello, June. Hello, darling. We won. I know, darling. I know. Leave June and Peter on the threshold of a well-won heaven on Earth and bring our stars back for a well-earned curtain call. Ray Malan, Dan Blythe, and Nigel Brooks, who made Stairway to Heaven a memorable landmark in this theater. Ray, we're happy we got you back from overseas in time for this performance. Well, I'd hated to miss it, Bill. By now you must be Hollywood's most traveled actor, Ray. How many times have you been overseas and back, Ray? Well, this last trip makes it about 31. Well, in other words, Paramount is more than justified in casting you as the gypsy type in your latest picture, Golden Earrings. Well, it takes more than a detrick to bring out the gypsy. Well, aren't you, uh... Aren't you married, Ray? Yes, I'm sure you are, Joe. Yes, but still we can bring out the gypsy. Your trip before this last one was to be at the command performance of tonight's screenplay, wasn't it, Ray? Yes, that's right. About seven hours went over from this country. Well, Anne here recently made a command appearance at the White House, where Washington society admired what I'm sure must be a Lux complexion. It is indeed, Bill. Like everyone I know in pictures, Lux soap is my favorite beauty age. And our audience will have another chance to applaud the results when they see you with Charles Boyer in Universal International's production, Mortal Coils. What are you doing on Lux next Monday night, Bill? A play that will keep our audience on the edges of their seats. It's Universal International's romantic drama of intrigue, Singapore. With two of Hollywood's outstanding stars. The same stars as the picture? Yes, Fred McMurray and Ava Gardner. In an action-packed story of suspense and mystery against the glamorous background of the audience. Singapore should make a thrilling evening for your listeners, Bill. Good night. Good night. Thanks all three of you for a wonderful performance. Before I say good night, I'd like to express our pleasure at having with us in the front rows of this theater a hundred representatives of the United States Navy from the aircraft carrier, Boxer. We take this opportunity on Navy Day to salute these welcome ambassadors of the greatest and most respected naval force on earth. Victors in war and guardians in peace. Lever Brothers Company, the makers of Lux toilet soap, join me in inviting you to be with us again next Monday evening when the Lux Radio Theater presents Fred McMurray and Ava Gardner in Singapore. This is William Kealy saying good night to you from Hollywood. All over the world, the supply of fats and oils is critically low. One of the finest jobs ever done by American housewives has been in saving used fats. Since 1942, over 800 million pounds have been salvaged. But the need is still great. That's why your government asks you to continue to save in all used kitchen fats. They'll help industry in making the essential everyday product we all need and use. Your dealer will pay you for every pound you turn in, so keep on saving used kitchen fats. Nigel Bruce will soon be seen in the Exile Universal International Release starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Heard in our cast tonight where William Johnstone is Abraham Farland, Alan Reed is the recorder, and Ben Wright, Carl Harbord, Herbert Rawlinson, Charles Lung, George Surrell, June Whitley, Philips, Edward Marr, Paul Marion, and Alan Lockwood. Our music was directed by Louis Silver. And this is your announcer, John Milton Kennedy, reminding you to join us again next Monday night to hear Singapore with Fred McMurray and Ava Gardner. For cakes that are better four ways, try Sprye. Made the Sprye way cakes are lighter, finer textured, richer flavored. Stay fresh longer. Moist and velvety down to the last luscious piece. Sprye is the shortening with the special cake making secret. We I am Sprye, F-B-R-Y. The short of listen next Monday night to the Lux Radio Theatre presentation of Singapore with Fred McMurray and Ava Gardner. Stay tuned for my friend Irma, which follows immediately over most of these stations. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.


Kayleigh, in a previous life before you were press secretary, you worked for the campaign. And you made a comment, I believe, on Fox, in which you said President Trump will not allow the coronavirus to come to this country. Given what has happened since then, obviously, would you like to take that back? Well, first let me note, I was asked a question on Fox Business about President's travel restrictions. I noted what was the intent behind those travel restrictions, which is we will not see the coronavirus come here. We will not see terrorism come here, referring to an earlier set of travel restrictions. I guess I would turn the question back on the media and ask similar questions. Does Fox want to take back that they proclaim that the coronavirus would not be a deadly pandemic? Does the Washington Post want to take back that they told Americans to get a grip the flu is bigger than the coronavirus? Does the Washington Post, likewise, want to take back that our brains are causing us to exaggerate the threat of the coronavirus? Does the New York Times want to take back that fear of the virus may be spreading faster than the virus itself? Does NPR want to take back that the flu was a much bigger threat than the coronavirus? And finally, once again, the Washington Post, would they like to take back that the government should not respond aggressively to the coronavirus? I'll leave you with those questions. Maybe you'll have some answers in a few days.


Moses led the exodus from Egypt. Joshua walked around Jericho and into the land promised to Abraham, which brings us to Judges, a merry-go-round of tribal leaders and guerrilla warfare, a religious diversity, idolatry, and reform. From Iha to Gideon to Samson to Debra and more, these Judges led the people and united the tribes, casting down idols and vanquishing enemies in a single blow. Only it never lasts. The idols resurrect and the enemies return. Peace becomes chaos, becomes peace, becomes chaos. This merry-go-round continues, leaving us dizzy and unsure of what's to come and who will lead us.


So at this point I'm not sure how many of you still haven't seen don't look up But if you haven't watched it yet, you have to watch it It is required viewing if you are a viewer of the humanist report if you're a leftist Hell if you're just dissatisfied with government and the way that it's just incapable of meeting even the most Minimum requirements for human survival So don't look up is a movie that was co-produced by David Serota the former speechwriter of Bernie Sanders and it's essentially just about a giant asteroid that's supposed to hit the planet and There's a couple of scientists all throughout the movie begging and pleading with Government with media with people in general to try to take it seriously and that's that's the movie It's it's meant to be a satirical portrayal of the way that we're refusing To address climate change in any meaningful way or even care about climate change so David Serota was talking to MSNBC about the movie and They're reacting specifically to a scene where Jennifer Lawrence's character is begging and pleading with members of the media To take the asteroid seriously, but they don't take it seriously. So obviously this is meant to be You know indicative of the way that the mainstream media covers climate change and the MSNBC anchor actually Acknowledged that this was a critique of them and asked David Serota about this So we'll play the clip but this is what David Serota said about this on MSNBC just now I talked about how corporate media takes big money from fossil fuel advertisers and then refuses to seriously cover the climate crisis I'm shocked. They didn't cut my mic Thanks a ton to Amon MSNBC for this serious discussion huge huge indeed So we'll watch the clip and then we'll discuss it when we come back Listen, it's obviously that there's an indictment and fair criticism What I thought was so genius was the indictment of even the media and the way that we cover climate change So there's definitely a little dig at the news coverage here on this issue I wanted to ask you how does the movie not become a Parity of itself here for a moment because there's been a bit of a backlash saying basically that the film Doesn't come up with answers in this particular scenario or even any suggestions How what do you say to that? Well, what I say is that first and foremost the movie is a movie. So it's right one set of stories Secondly, it's designed to try to raise awareness of the problem that we have in communicating Well with ourselves as a society about scientific facts And I think the movie does accurately raise questions about whether the media right now as it's constructed Is willing to take a crisis like climate seriously and bake it into the day-to-day coverage You know the climate we cover the economy the media covers the economy every day as part of its coverage It covers all sorts of things the political wranglings on Capitol Hill's day-to-day coverage It does not cover the climate crisis as part of its coverage on a day-to-day basis and that's for a lot of reasons I think one it's a terrifying topic, but if that doesn't mean we shouldn't be it shouldn't be covered To there's a lot of media outlets that get a ton of money from the fossil fuel industry that puts advertisements on Into the media and people know in in the media in a lot of corporate media know where they're where where that money comes from When they're working for those outlets So I think the bottom line here is is that climate change needs to be part of the day-to-day when the president has a press conference That should be part of the question. It shouldn't just be the economy or what's going on in Congress It should be what are you doing to stave off this crisis that threatens the livable ecosystem of our planet? Okay? First and foremost I too am definitely surprised that they didn't cut David's rotus mic because every once in a while One of these voices will break through and MSNBC or CNN or even Fox News's audience Will be alerted to the fact that this is not a news organization It's a business first and foremost. The goal is not to deliver the news The goal is to make money. So when you have these fossil fuel advertisers, of course You want to attract those advertising dollars so covering things that they don't want might kind of scare away the advertisers And it's not just you know an issue when it comes to climate change and fossil fuels The reason why the mainstream media is antagonistic towards issues like single-payer or even a public option is because they take money from Private health insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies defense spending is another issue We saw the way that the media in unison condemned Joe Biden It's because all of them CNN MSNBC Fox News. They all are taking money from defense contractors Boeing So this is an issue a serious issue and for David's rota to actually educate MSNBC's viewers here That's really important and furthermore for the MSNBC host to be self-aware enough to actually acknowledge that that scene was a critique specifically of corporate media That's actually Rare, but I do have to say that the MSNBC host talked about supposed backlash that don't look up is receiving Which I haven't heard this critique, but the critique is that as he said there, you know, there's no solution It's all just criticism, but no solution That what that doesn't make sense.  Maybe we should do something now David sort of makes the valid point that the reason why you know, the media doesn't cover this is one because You know, it's a terrifying topic and I think that the implication with him saying that is that it's a ratings killer now Chris Hayes on on MSNBC has admitted that climate change is a ratings killer and Look, I know that that's true anytime myself or other leftist hosts talk about climate change nobody watches it and You know, that is an issue, but that doesn't mean that you just don't talk about climate change I mean, I'm one person so I try to talk about climate change as much as I possibly can But I do admit that it is a ratings killer But I don't make calculations on what I should and shouldn't cover based on whether or not I think people are going to tune in I make calculations on what I cover personally because I Want these important stories to get out there, but these corporate media outlets These are large multi-billion dollar companies and their companies like that's the emphasis They are companies there are businesses first and foremost So they do choose what to cover based on one ratings and two possibly more importantly Advertisers because what makes them money is going to drive their behavior and that's not to say that these mainstream news outlets are Not able to talk about climate change or they never talk about climate change But it's heavily Disincentivized right they have a disincentive to not talk about issues that will offend potential corporate advertisers So, you know every once in a while, you'll see a really great story on climate change from Chris Hayes For example on MSNBC And CNN will do some pretty good stories from time to time But overall it's not part of their day-to-day coverage as it should be as the economy is Because that's not what people care about But this is important because the media actually has a lot of powers as an institution They have the ability to single-handedly elevate the salience of political issues in America So if people don't find climate change an issue that they care about very much The media can make it seem more important and it is important, but they can raise the salience of these issues We see this all the time from Fox News They they can take issues that are so obscure that nobody's heard about like critical race theory and make it a national news story And everyone all of a sudden is concerned There's nothing stopping CNN or MSNBC from doing the same thing with climate change and they should Because this is really important We have a year less than a year to act before The Democratic Party loses the house so we have a limited window of time to maybe do anything about climate change and That's not happening. So, you know, this is really it's important for David Saruda to say this because I don't think that MSNBC's audience is savvy enough to know all of these conflicts of interest that prevent their preferred news outlet from Covering news that are important or covering it in an unbiased way And you know these outlets even if MSNBC if you watch it and you find it ridiculous Normie Democrats worship MSNBC Fox News is it's basically borderline parody But yet conservative boomers love Fox News So even if young people in our generation Gen Zs millennials even Gen Xers are savvy enough to know that the mainstream media is a joke Still older generations rely on mainstream media because they trust these hosts So we have to completely or not completely consistently drill it into their fucking skulls About how corrupt these corporate media outlets are because their business is not news Organizations so the reason why they're framing things in a certain way The reason why they're choosing to cover some topics topics and not others is because they care about money and money only so Yeah, this was a great segment from David Saruda good as to him for calling out the mainstream media to their face, which is something you really don't see very often because People like this like David Saruda aren't usually invited on mainstream media very frequently I stopped watching So I definitely won't be hitting the subscribe button or turning on notifications By clicking the bell no way. It's very sad


Tomorrow, tomorrow, Michigan has a very important role to play in the fight for fundamental change in America and a political revolution. We will win if there is a large voter turnout. Please make that happen. Thank you all.