Dangerous Assignment: On Safari for Nigerian Manganese

The National Broadcasting Company brings you Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell in... ...Dangerous Assignments! The time near midnight. The place Nigeria, West Africa. Two men stand on the swaying observation platform of a train, which winds its way across a yawning chasm between two mountains.

This gloge we're crossing looks pretty deep. Yeah, about a thousand feet. I didn't realize there were so many mountains in West Africa. This is a third trestle we've been over in the last hour. It is hilly country, but soon we reach the inland plateau where it is more level.

Oh, you've been around this neck of the woods before, huh? Yeah. Oh, incidentally, I don't think we've met. I'm rust-holding. Yeah, I know. Huh? I have been following you, here, Holden. Follow me. Hey, wait a minute.

Get away from me. This is where you get off here, pulled down. You've seen him as Sergeant Markov in Bo Guest.

As Charles Dade in two years before the mast. And now here's our star, Brian Donlevay, in another two-fisted portrayal as Steve Mitchell, in Dangerous Assignment. Look, Ruth, I still don't know what this is all about.

One minute I'm doing a smooth rumble with a smooth blonde. The next minute you're dragging me to a taxi, Shoving passports and plane tickets down my throat. I can't help it, Steve. I can't do it, Commissioner.

Tell me. Oh, there he is. Over to car. Steve, Ruth, over here. Coming, Commissioner. You'll see the steep suitcases checked about the plane. Okay, Commissioner. Steve, let's get in my car a minute. We can talk here.

Okay. Now make this quick, Steve. You're leaving for Nigeria, West Africa in five minutes. West Africa, now look, Commissioner. We've got to move fast, Steve. We may be too late as it is. What do you mean?

One of our men has been over there two weeks, Russ Holden. He was to send a report back and that later than noon today, we haven't heard a word from him. Well, maybe he got delayed.

I don't think so, Steve. Afraid Russ is dead. Dead. Look, what's this all about? Manganese. Manganese. That stuff they used to make them steal? Yes. Last week, all shipments of manganese to this country were suddenly cut off.

We think the interest behind that move are trying to form a worldwide manganese cartel. If they succeed, our entire steel industry will be crippled. I still don't see what all this has to do with West Africa.

Two weeks ago we heard rumors that a rich vein of manganese had been discovered over there in the border country of Northern Nigeria. Oh, I see. That area is controlled by a native tribal chief named Soba.

And you sent for us to negotiate with this Soba? Yes, we want Soba to sign an agreement permitting United Nations representatives to start mining operations in that area. And we've got to get to them before the agents of the cartel do.

And that's where I come in? On the surface you'll be a foreign correspondent trying to get an interview with someone. Let it get out you're looking for. Also that you're trying to locate another foreign correspondent, Russ Holder.

Lucky me. I get to play target. I'm afraid so. It's the quickest way of flushing the opposition out in the open. Steve, you'll be up against a tough outfit. They'll stop at nothing to keep you from getting to sober.

They'll throw every obstacle in your path they can, including a bullet. Great. And they'll be trying to get to sober ahead of you too. Steve, the plane's ready to take off. OK, Ruth. We are first stop in Nigeria.

You will be the Alexandria Hotel. We know Russ stayed there for a while. Alexandria Hotel, right? Steve, if Russ is still alive, find him and work together. If he isn't, go it alone. But above all, get through the sober and get him to sign that agreement.

You've got your assignment? Good luck. Good afternoon, sir.

Welcome to the Alexandria Hotel. You wish you room? Yeah, and a blotter. This rain is even more so than what the Florida papers say about California. Please sign here. This is the rainy season, you know.

No kidding. From now until October. You sound proud of it. You mean it's this way all over Nigeria? Off and answer. Fine. It's just the United States. Boy, take Mr. Mitchell suitcase to room 22.

Will you be staying with us long, Mr. Mitchell? No longer than I can help. I shouldn't be here at all, sir. I'm a foreign correspondent, a friend of mine was supposed to do a story over here, but I guess he wandered into a bar somewhere and forgot all about it.

So now I have to do it. What was your friend's name? Holden, Russ Holden. I missed a Holden state at this hotel while he was in Lagos. Wendy, check out. Several days ago, I believe he took the train to Gugama.

Gugama? Where's that? It's inland to the north, Mr. Mitchell. It is a long trip by train. What kind of country is it up there? Very wild, sir. Well, I guess I'm going to need more suitable clothes.

Is there a store around here where I can get out of it? Oh, yes, indeed sir. Carter's, it's right in the next block. Okay. I'll give it a whirl as soon as I get out of these wet clothes.

Right up the stairs until you're right, sir. The boy will have your room all ready for you. Yes, sir. What can I do for you? Let me see your register. You wish your room? Let me look at that register.

Why, sir, what business have you with your... I'll just give it to me. Alright, but let's have it. So he is, Steve Mitchell. You may have it back. I don't understand. You ought to say nothing about this.

Forget all about me, do you understand? But no, I don't understand. To help you forget. Yes, sir. What can I do for you? What can I do for you? A clerk at the hotel told me I could get some clothes for the back country here, but I see you've got some other customers over there.

I can wait. To tell the truth, sir, it's a relief to wait on you. What? That gentleman over there with the pith helmet on backwards is Mr. Brighton. He's being outfitted for his first hunt and waiting on people like that is always a trying experience.

Mm. Who's the girl? She don't look very trying. That is Mrs. Brighton. Oh. They've hired one of the best guides around here the tall gentleman mr. Campbell Well, fix me up with whatever I'll need, huh? Let's see now you want a tunic and Mr. Brighton watch out with that rifle mr.

Biden hey, are you all right? So two inches to the right and I wouldn't be Mike wouldn't you write and put down that gun before it goes off again. You okay, mister? Yeah I don't know what to say. I'm so good for you. Sorry. Oh, look where'd you learn to handle that gun?

Oh, you see, I was trying to find out how to load you, too. Yeah, you found out, all right. Such a stupid action, don't frightfully, sorry. Peter, I think you've distinguished yourself enough for one day.

Let's go back to the hotel, I need a drink. There's probably a good idea, Mr. Brighton. I'll attend to the rest of the staff. Cool, I look old man. Yeah, yeah, you're frightfully sorry. Let's let it go at that.

Peter! Look, I'm very sorry this happened to my store, so I'll get an outfit together immediately. Okay. It'll be an easier way making a living than this. Yeah, I can't say I'd care to play nurse made to a trick or happy tender foot like that.

Oh, incidentally I'm Steve Mitchell. Laird Campbell. Cigarette? No thanks. American too. Mm-hmm. Yeah, being a guide you expect a certain percentage of lemons, but it looks like I hit the jack by this time. Make it worse, Brighton's decided there's only one spot in Nigeria where he wants to hunt.

Way up north past Kugama. Gama. Yeah. Tomorrow we're taking that stinking train. Oh, look, Campbell. I'm a foreign correspondent. I'm supposed to get a story on a tribal chief up there. Soba? Yeah. Do you know him?

Yes, yes. I've hunted around there a couple of times. He gave me this good luck charm a few years ago. Oh. Yeah. Say, how would I go about getting to Soba's village? Oh, it's pretty rugged country.

You have to pack in from Gugama. Say, our Safari will be headed in that direction. Why don't you go along with us? I could take your right to Soba's Village. Well, I wouldn't want to inconvenience you.

All of a nonsense, no inconvenience. Believe me, I'd be glad of the company. And I don't think Brighton would have any objections. How about it? Well, that's a thought gamble. Thanks for the offer. I tell you, we can talk about it on the train to Kugama, huh?

Okay. See you on board, Mitchell. Alright. What a cattle train. When do we get to Kugama anyhow? Tomorrow noon. Care for another drink, Mrs. Brighton? Sure, I'd care for one, but better not. Look at Peter over there, scowling away.

He thinks I've had too many already. Oh, Mr. Brighton doesn't approve, huh? He's one of those physical fitness buds. You must have read about Teddy Rose about when he was a kid. He's been trying to live dangerously ever since.

You know, you sound like you come from my side of the Atlantic. Kansas City. Oh. How do you happen to be here? How do I happen to wind up, Mrs. Brighton? who knows. One day I'm in the chorus at the Bladium in London. The next day, I'm Mrs.

Peter Brighton. And I've been on a bicycle ever since. I think I'll have that drink after all. Well, good late. You can read me like a book. Oh well. Is this the next to you occupied, sir? No, no, help yourself.

Thank you. What were you saying about being on a bicycle, Mrs. Brighton? Last year it was pig sticking in India. Have you ever been pig sticking? Not that I know of. Your husband must have a lot of time on his hands.

Don't he work? He works. He's always got some big conference going on. He pulls around with a lot of different interests, soils, mining, stuff like that. I see. Well, getting late, I think I'll turn him.

Okay, see you in the morning, Miss Brighton. Good night, Mr. Mitchell. All right. It is very amusing. What? Permiti. I am Varchik. What's amusing? that everyone is suddenly going to Kogama. Oh, for years I have operated trading post up there, and nobody pay any attention to that region.

But now suddenly everyone is interested in it. You know, there's a hunting party and a newspaper hack after a story constitute everybody war check. There's hunting expeditions and the story you seek. They would not by any chance have to do with the rumors of a discovery of manganese oran that region would they?

You are doing the talking. If you prefer, I will confine my conversation to the cedar-y. Like I say, you are doing the talking. As a matter of fact, we are passing through some very beautiful country right now.

Oh? Yes. We are approaching a gorge which is quite spectacular. The view from the observation platform is a rewarding one. Mm. Is it? Yeah, I could do it with some fresh air anyway. Thanks. You are quite welcome. So...

Evening. Oh, joined of you? Yeah, at the sun boards we're going over. Ah, just almost a thousand feet deep, Mitchell. Mitchell? How come you know my name? Who are you? Hey, what are you doing? Get your hands off me, will you?

What is rare you get off, Mitchell? Watch out, my friend, to reach you down there. Let's go, me and we are off. Yeah! But National Broadcasting Company is bringing you Brian Donlevay, starring in the role of Steve Mitchell in the third of an exciting new adventure series Dangerous Assignments.

Mitchell, you okay? Yeah. Edward Close. What happened Mr. Mitchell? Mr. Campbell and I were sitting in the smoking car. We saw a man follow you outside and then there were sounds of a fight.

There was a fight, Orchick. The other guy lost. Over the side. That was some view you sent me out here to see Orchick. Or it wasn't that what you had in mind. I do not understand.

What's the next time we get to Campbell? Can I live in a few minutes? I'll have about a four hour layover there. Telegraph office in the station? Yeah. Telegraph office? Yeah. The press association I work for is very strange, War Check.

They like me to send them stories now and then. So that's what I'm going to do, if it's all right with you. Here's Jason Clark, Commissioner. Good, let's have it. Considerable interest being shown in manganese area by ten to foot hunter named Brighton and trade a named War Check. Joining Brighton Safari to vicinity Chief Sobers village. Good.

Sounds like it's been a busy week, Miss. No? Oh, in a minute. Almost got tossed into Canyon two hours ago. What? Afraid Russ Holden wasn't as lucky as I was. I was afraid of something like that, Ruth.

Poor guy. Wait, what's wrong? There's two hour layover here in Sano. And borrowing one of Sambo's native gunbearers to take me back to that ravine I almost got shoved into. Let's see.

We're just about under that railroad trestle right now, Zorro. Wanna look? Not the pretty sight, is it? Yeah, that's the guy who jumped me all right, Zorro. What up? Yeah. I have seen that man before.

What? Where? No can remember. We'll try to remember. Zorro, try. It's very important. Let's see. We ought to have some identification here and there's a wallet. There it is. Once, Greybird. Never heard of him.

Warner! Warner! Me find something. What is it? Here? A wristwatch. Bones, too. It's Russ Holden's wristwatch. Crane leave station soon. Time to go back, Warner. Yeah. Come on, Zorro. He lives around this North country most of his life.

No matter if he wants to sub his tribe. Oh, Mr. Mitchell, did you find anything at the bottom of a ravine? I found what I was looking for, Warchik. The body of men who attack you?

Such a visually thing to have a little more. Somebody have a grudge against you or some such a return? Apparently, somebody does, Brighton. Still, the man of mystery, Mr. Mitchell? Look, Warchik. Warchik, I've got one rule on safari.

Everybody minds his own business. But of course, Mr. Campbell. Warchik going with us? with us? Yeah. Yeah, it's bright and if we could tag along as far as this trading post. Oh, it's glad of company. Helps keep my wife from getting bored.

How much longer before we get there, Campbell? I will pull into kugama, about noon. Take a couple of hours to load the jeeps. That'll get us started around too. My sunset tonight will be camped in the bush. How about putting some more wood on the fire, Campbell? Yeah, sure thing. Give me a hand, will you, Mitchell? Okay, Campbell. That's better.

What was that? Big cat out there somewhere. Go on, go on. Maybe we'll get a crack at him tomorrow. I can hardly wait. It's a wonderful ride on a stuffy train and a few charming hours bouncing in a jeep.

Now a mangy lion waiting for us. How did I get so lucky? Well, if you will all excuse me, I think I will go to my camp. That's a good idea, me too. I'll be a good idea if we all turn in pretty soon.

The one who gets started by dawn. Who's out there? Zuro? Oh, come on in, Zuro. What is it? Wanna Campbell with you? No. Campbell's in his tent. Not in tent?

Wait a minute. He said he was gonna check the jeeps before he turned in. We'll look for him there. Something I can do, Zuro? No. May you talk to Wanna Campbell? Oh, incidentally. Have you remembered yet where you saw that dead guy in the ravine?

May you only talk to Wanna Campbell? Only talk to Wanna Campbell? Hmm. What's with him? Mr. Mitchell. Huh? It's smaller bright than you. Oh, hi. What can I do for you? Buy me a drink.

Oh, great, I don't have anything. Fine. I might have known Peter would carefully have met any liquor from his provision list. Oh! What was that? Came from over there and I brushed. Campbell! Campbell! Here I am, Mitchell.

Zero. What happened? Just going back to my tent. I heard zero scream found him like this. His throat's been cut. Camel, camel, what's so good? What's so good? What's that frightful scream, Ma'am? Good health.

Best boy I ever had. He's dead. Murdered. Murdered? By who? It's just what I'm wondering, Warchick. Perhaps a fight with one of the other bearers. Yeah. Perhaps. Oh, the sun's coming up. We'll leave as soon as Brighton's ready.

Look, camel. Maybe I better head for Sobu's village this morning instead of tagging along with you, huh? I would advise you trying it alone Mitchell. I'll take you over there later as soon as Brighton's had enough hunting for the day Okay, is there a war check going with us this morning? No, he said he'd rather stay here at camp

Hey Campbell, huh? I Didn't get a chance to talk to you last night after zero was murdered, but I think I know why he got it What do you mean? Zero told me that he'd seen the guy who tried to push me off the train before.

Huh? Who were you to see him? I don't know. But I think he remembered last night and wanted to tell you about it. I wish he could have found me sooner. Here comes Brighton. We can start now.

Hey, if you don't mind, I'm going to stick pretty close to Brighton while we're out in the bush. Afraid his gun might go off accidentally in your direction again? Yeah. I might not be so lucky this time.

What time is it, Mitchell? Five to eight. Sitting in this jeep in the middle of the jungle is not my idea of sport. The sun is getting hotter by the minute. So are the mosquitoes.

Yeah. What's keeping, Camper? He said he and his gunbarrow would pick up the trail of that lion and come right back for us. He's gone almost an hour. I'll probably be along in a few minutes, Brighton.

No, this isn't turning out at all the way I'd hoped. But I suppose I shouldn't have expected anything else. Huh? Yeah. I'm sick of the whole business. I should never have let Campbell talk me into coming way up here on this Godful Segment country.

It was Campbell's idea to come up here? He said it was yours. Oh no. He told me the hunting was better around here. Come on. Get out of this Jeep. Let's get into the brush.

Hurry up, little boy. The cat's bull told us to stay on this cliff. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He's probably circling around behind us right now. Come on. It's a meteorite. Dan! Neither did I. Until just now, here. Into this brush.

Get down! But why is Campbell shooting at us? Not us. Me. Look. You sit tight right here and you'll be okay. It's me. He's after. Mitchell, where are you going? Sober's village. It's about two miles west of here. I hope.

Sounds like the village just ahead. Some square dance. Well, here goes. Hey, look, don't let me stop the feast. If one of you will just tell me where your chief is.

He is not the feast. Yes, it does. Who are you? I want to talk to Soba, your chief. Is he around? I'm wrong. I know. Wait a minute. Look. What is it? A white man wants to talk to you.

Is your name Soba? Yes, you come at bad time, white man. We have death dance for one of my people, Zuru. Bring his body into village this morning. Yeah, I know. Look, Zoba, this is important. I've got to talk to you right away.

Go to my hut, white man. We finish death dance, then we talk. Arunga! You sound like man who speak with straight tongue, when a Mitchell may be your people are right ones to dig in my ground or metal.

But you are too late. What? Other man promised my tribe much food and medicine. What other man? He's trader man. Work check. Work check. Oh, looks like I tagged the wrong guy. Where is he?

He's still in village. Yeah, I see him. Over by that other hut. Uh, excuse me, Silver. Watch check. Watch check. Ah, Mr. Mitchell. It would seem you arrived too late. Now look, watch check. I've been through too much in this deal to let that cartel your working for come on top now.

But your mistaken, Mitchell. I worked for no cartel, but for myself. Why? You are bidding for mining rights. Cartel is also bidding for them. What more profitable place for me than in the middle where I can do business with the highest bidder i watch it what's like or check to stand very long

campbell any agreement or check has with the chief is void now with you out of the way micha like it will be a year your man garber missed so you're going to finish the job yourself you want to get a promotion for this campbell just money a lot of it yeah Enough money so you didn't even mind killing Zuru.

When you realized you remembered seeing you and Greber together. That's a lie. So, but it's not true. Mitchell here kills Zuru. You kill R'Zuru. Look, so I tell you, I didn't kill Zuru. It was Mitchell.

Why time to lies when my men pick up Zuru's body? They find good luck charm I gave you long time ago. Oh, I... I must have dropped it when I bent over Zuru every day.

No. Good luck charm under Zuru's body. Barunga? No. No, Salba. Barunga, vlogan. No. Mitchell! Who is Marunga? Good. He killed one of my people. He died. You don't waste any time, Silva. Mitchell? What? Come. We go to my hut. We talk some more.

Good. You can sign the agreement. I have the papers right here. No sign. What? Why? Soberno sign name. Sobercan only make eggs? Oh. Well look Chief, don't worry about that. Right now your ex is going to look like a million bucks to me.

Come on. You have just heard the third in an exciting new adventure series, Dangerous Assignment, starring Brian Donlevay as Steve Mitchell. Dangerous Assignment is written by Bob Rife and directed by Bill Carn with music by Bruce Ashley.

Be with us again next week at this same time when Brian Donlevy, starring as Steve Mitchell, will embark on another dangerous assignment. This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.