Lux Radio Theatre: The Thin Man

Hollywood, California, Monday, June 8th. Perhaps radio theater presented from its new home on Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California. Lux presents Hollywood.

Such great personalities as William Powell, Murna Loy, W. S. Van Dyke, Lita Barra, James Seymour, Minna Gumbo, Porter Hall, and many others will take part in this presentation, sent you by the makers of Lux Toileth Soap, the beauty soap of the star.

Appearing before a distinguished Hollywood audience, Mr. Powell, Ms. Loy, and the cast of 18 great players present the play that has broken box office records from coast to coast, The Thin Man. And as producer tonight, we present the director who did The Thin Man on the screen.

Together with such triumphs as North America, Greater Horn, Rose Marie, I Live My Life, and countless other smash hit pictures. Mr. W.S. Van Dyke, Mr. Van Dyke. Hello everybody. Well, it's a great scene of the Lux Radio Theatre tonight.

You're our audience. We have Betty Davis, Janine Lucille Gleason, Bob Armstrong, O'Lillison of Olson and Johnson, Dewarwin, Jimmy Starr, Phoenix Communist, Evelyn Dannabel, Mr. and Mrs. Leon's blessing here. Maybe it would interest you a little inside information on the show we're doing tonight, The Thin Man, and about William Powell and Myrna Lloyd who are going

to do it for you. As you know, the thin man was the best-selling novel by Daniel Hammer. Unstormed, worked out the studio, MGM, got a hold of it and brought it to me. What he said, if you'll make this picture out by the story? Well, I read it.

And while it was a good enough mystery story, there was something else about the book that struck me. Here was something new and fresh and very charming, a romance between a man and his wife. It's the story of a couple of kids that understood each other and had a blessed confidence in each other. Beneath all the casualness and all the wise cracking,

There's a lovely wholesome relationship, something really deep and sweet and inspiring. Well, we decided to make the picture. Albert Hackett and Francis Gudrich wrote a swell script. William Powell and Myrtle Oye played the parts.

And how? They played them beautifully because Powell was just Powell and Loy was just Loy. Both of them wise, cracking all the time and flouling light through the picture. As a voisian, all the plenty of motion pictures take from two months to a year to shoot.

We did the thin man in 16 days where he takes no. Of course it wasn't a pretentious picture. They didn't make it as one. I hate ethics. But it is evident that people liked it.

It has been very interesting to study out how they can tell this story on the radio. Bill and Murna have had a lot of fun getting it ready for you, just as they did making the picture.

And from the original story, from the original motion picture cast, we have, and our force been heavy, Minna Grombo, Porter Hall, William Henry, and Thomas Jackson here tonight. So here we go with William Powell and Nick Charles, and Murna Law as Nora in The Thin Man.

Here they come, Bill Powell and Myrna Lloyd. We're in a fashionable cafe, Montmarte, New York City. It's Christmas Eve, and the well-appointed dining room is filling rapidly. From the bar comes a good looking young fellow about 35 tall, casual, and worldly wives.

He's Nick Charles, the well-known private detective played by William Powell, and he's waiting for his charming wife, Nora, played by Myrna Lloyd. As he takes his place at the table, a young girl on the other side of the room recognizes him, and hurries over.

You mister Nick Charles the detective. So I am... yes I'm Nick Charles. I thought I recognized you. My name is Dorothy Winant. Oh yes how you do? Do you mind if I sit down for a moment?

No but I expect my wife a few minutes. Do you mind explaining her presence of her? Oh of course. That's my fiancé over there at the other table. Oh well that makes everything alright doesn't it?

Sit down. Thank you. Yeah your name is... Dorothy Winant. I'm Clyde Winant. See how they... Clyde Winant. Oh yes of course. Your father was having trouble about one of his inventions a few years ago.

I handle the case for him. I know that's why I want to speak to you now. Oh, well I'm not practically an amourmus, why not? You see I'm retired. I'm not a child. I need you.

No. What seems to be the trouble? It's dead. He went away about three months ago and I haven't heard from him. Not a word. I'm worried. Sis. No, I wouldn't have I were you. After all, he's an inventor.

He gets an idea. He wants to work on. He's only an arthropy. He should hide away somewhere he's never been for. Yes, but never for three months. Did you see him before he left? No, Mr. McCauley was the only one he spoke to.

Well, McCauley and Julia Wolf, she's dead, Secretary. Julia Wolf? Yes, I really met her. And McCauley is your father's lawyer, isn't it? Yes. His lawyer and his secretary both speak to him before he leaves, but no one knows where he wins.

He wouldn't tell him. What about your mother? He wouldn't tell her either. No, his mother and dad aren't... They haven't seen each other for some time. Oh, I see. Well, I don't know just what I can do for you.

Why don't you speak to McCauley? Maybe he's heard from your father and forgotten to let you know. Oh, well, I'll call him now. That's the girl. Let me know how it turns out. Of course. I'll be back in a few minutes.

I'll be here. You can't bring that dog in here. Dog's joined the loud. I'm sorry, man. I'll be here after. I'll still come here, boy. Yeah. For a matter of reason. Don't do any of your dog.

We're loud, everyone. Oh, here you are. Ask that. Quiet, ask that. Quiet? Whoop! Hello, Nora. I hear you brought the dog. I didn't bring him. He brought me. I think the door man's mad, man.

Madam, I'm afraid you have to take the dog outside. All right, Joe. It's my dog and my wife. You might have mentioned me first. But Mr. Charles, are you sure that... Of course I'm sure. He's well trained. He'll behave himself.

Nobody might bite someone. Oh, no. Only me, Joe. He only bites me. Yes, he's talking about what he is. Go ahead, Joe. I'll be responsible for it. Anywhere else, sir. If you say so. Is there any harm on that, dear?

Is he what an influential husband he's got? You do stand in the door, man. Mr. Charles. Oh, yes? Is that what I think? May I introduce my fiancee? Andy Reed, Mr. Charles. How do you do, sir?

Any luck? No, I don't. Yes, he's just around the corner. Your father? No, no, Mr. McCorn. We're going to see now. Oh, fine, fine. Oh, Nick? Yes, my dear. Oh, I beg your pardon. Miss Winant, Mr. Reed, my wife.

How do you do? How do you do? I'm sorry we have to rush, but you look cute, isn't you, child? Of course. We're at the Normandy for a couple of weeks. Why don't you drop around?

Thanks, we will. Goodbye. Goodbye, sir. Goodbye, man. Good bye. Good bye. Good to go. You do like blondes? You got night? Only you, darling. Lanky brunettes with wicked jaws. Who is she? Dorothy Wein and daughter Clyde Wein and I worked on a case for father. Some not wanted to kill him.

Charming. What's the matter now? Wein has disappeared. God has to break something happen to him. Has anything happened to him? My darling, why? Oh, I know. Funny though, that secretary of his autumn of something.

Secretary of Yoon-Gly-Doo, who is she? Yoon-Gly-Woop. Smart girl, Yoon-Gly-Doo. How is the specter? She had some kind of hole on Wein and that's why he kept her on. Maybe you ought to give her a ring.

Oh, just to say hello. Maybe. What a nickel. Oh, no, no, I've got one. I'll be right back. Skyler, 4, 0962. A little bit of a speaking. Oh.

Oh, hello, Mr. Child. Yes? What about that you wanted to... Oh. Oh, no, I don't. He didn't tell me. Not a word. I'm sorry. That's all right. Goodbye. Morelli. Coming. Who was that? Nick charm.

Detective. He wanted to know where Winan won. He didn't say. Did anyone see Winan come here that night? The night you and him had the scrap? I don't know. No. Let me guess I'll scrap.

Wait a minute, Morelli. How are you going? making a little school, that's all. Nick Charles is gonna pop up around here. I wanna be far away when he's down. Oh, I don't be a poor marelli.

Hey, Mrs. Sore, I gotta recognize it, you're gonna come face to face with no dick. Sit down, Marelli. You need money, don't you? Yeah. What about it? You got some? Plenty. I'm wine and secretary.

What do you mean by that? What did you like to know? Your friend here serves good dinner's next. Alright. You still didn't tell me what Julia was there to say. Nothing. She didn't know what it was, that's all.

Finish? Finish. Let's get out. Grab a cam, you're back for sale. He's ready and willing. Where's my purse? Come on, answer. No. I see, thank you. He's on his way up.

Callie, what do he want? Isn't he want a lawyer? Yeah. Maybe he's got some youth. Well, he ought to say you're worrying an awful lot about this business, but get it. I'll open it. Thank you, boy.

I'm Mr. Shaw. I'm in with you, Paul. Hello, McCauley. Hello, Charles. Well, how are you? Fine. Well, thanks. Dorothy told me you were here. I took the liberty of coming to see you. Of course.

Uh, Charles, uh, what's Mimi up to? Mimi? Oh, darling, this mother. Does he have to be up to something? She usually is trying one way or another to get money out of wine. I wanted to find out if you were slooping for her.

I haven't been a detective for years. No say. My wife's father died. And that's the lumber mill, the narrow gauge railroad, and a couple of other things. I'm looking up from New Zealand. What's all fuss about it?

Wine it and hiding? hiding. You know as much about his I do I haven't seen him in three months. He sends word through Julia Wolf when he wants money. I give it to her and he gives it to him.

Mine. Hello. Oh just enormously. It's for you Mr. McCarran. You're offered. He is? Oh everything. Very well. Well he's back in town. Mr. Bynum. Yes. Thank you. And he's waiting Well, I've got the rush. I'll tell you, it's no joke working for a man like that.

Oh, goodbye, Mr. Charles. Goodbye, Charles. Hello? Merry Christmas. Thank you. 30. Almost Christmas, darling. If that's a hint, you can drop it. You get your present with breakfast, not a minute before. Peace. You know Nick, I've been thinking. It's funny the way Ryan popped up, all of his sudden.

Yes. Wasn't it? You think there's anything behind it? Why should the peace? to be. Oh no, just got me being funny. That's all. You're nearer than I am darling. Hello. Speaking. Oh hello, darling. What? I guess of course I'll be here. What is your darling? Darling, what is it? Julia Wolf has just been murdered.

You are listening to William Powell and Myrna Lawy and the story of the thin man, the stage of the Lux Radio Theater in Hollywood Boulevard. Before we go on with the story of Nick and We want to take you on a quick tour of Hollywood.

The movie of the hotel Roosevelt, where stars and newcomers gather. A young actress just breaking into pictures is telling her friend of her success. The film is one thing. I've got one of the best managers in the Hollywood, and that means a lot.

Over to Rue's these late down-forming. Gee, what do you mean, Rue? Well, you think I was going into training for the Olympics? I've got me five pounds. I've got to take lessons in singing, in diction, and of course my complexion's got to be perfect.

I've got to be more careful than ever not to get little blemishes or in large pores. I know what they call cosmetic skin. Thank goodness I know enough to use luck to our lips so regularly.

The way everybody around here does. Nine out of ten beautiful Hollywood screen stars use luck, toilet soap, and have for years. Here's what the famous Claudette Colbert had to say. When I tell people how simple my complexion carries, they always seem surprised.

I use cosmetics, of course, but I always use mucks, toilet soap, regard against cosmetic skin. It's easy to keep skin lovely, my way. Now on with the show of the Thin Man. An hour has gone by since Nick heard about the murder of Julia Wolf, in the living room of their sweet-a-thoughte, oh, Nick and Nora are listening to the radio.

A news reporter is broadcasting the latest development of the case. I'm a major found out that the beautiful moment Secretary was the gangster's girl was spreading the dragnet for one Joe Morelli is there to be hiding out somewhere in the city?

In Paris today, the Chamber of Deputies Never mind the Chamber of Deputies Joe Morelli, that's what I want to know about Well, did you get any more information out of headquarters? As much as I had The only world was shot with kills about nine and nine and thirty Body discovered on the floor of a living room a little after eleven

Who discovered it? That'll surprise you Meany Wernand Dara says mother What was she doing there? I don't know. Where's Clyde Wine? Dylan was he? Listen. But McCauley was going to see him. They had an appointment.

Nice folks McCauley. Wine never showed up. Nobody knows where he is. He's going to be pretty tough on dogs here, isn't he? Meaning what? Meaning that it looks as if Clyde Wine had hit the wine at Pointington in order to keep another.

Miss Julia Wolfe. You think he killed her? Yes. Yeah. Who is the detective around here, darling? Oh, nice Dorothy. Does you want to see me? Yeah, come in, Dorothy. Thanks. Is anyone here? That's Nora.

Have a seat. Hello, Dorothy. I'm sorry for breaking in on you like this. Oh, that's all right. We're used to it. Anything wrong? Julia Wolf is there. Yes, we know that. Here's the gun she was shot with.

What are you trying to tell me? Is it you, didn't? Yes. I hated her, she. She kept me from seeing my father. I went down there to ask her where he was. I was. You wouldn't tell me. I shot it.

Where did you hit her? Why? In the heart. Pretty good shot you are. What did she do? She fell down. Did she make any sound? It was green. I don't know. Which way did she fall?

She fell over backward. Oh, yes? People fall toward a shot, you know, not back on it. I knew you were lying. Oh. Oh, come on. I'll brace up. In a porn show. I thought so. Why did you say you did it?

How many are trying to shield? Oh please don't ask me. You got to tell me. Nick, let me handle this, will you? Dorothy, look at Nick. Nick is trying to help you. Why don't you help him?

You were trying to shield your mother, weren't you? No. Your father then. Dorothy. Yes. My father. Why do you think he did it? Mother was the first one to find you at work. She saw something in Julia's hand and she still kissed.

What was it? I don't know. I don't know. Did your mother turn the chain over to the police? No, she kept it. She didn't tell him anything about it. But she showed it to you.

Yes. Why did your mother go to Julia Wilkes-Sopofen in the first place? She went to her for money. Oh, money again, huh? I wonder if she's mind-weighting in a bedroom. Well, Nick. Thought of these brothers with her.

Screwy college kids. Jorgen. Jorgen? Who's he? The colleague told me that he was a kid. I'm a hanger on time. I think he's after Mimi's dough. But she hasn't any. Maybe that's why she wanted to get some from June.

Yeah. My wife. Why not? Gilbert Whynot and Mr. Jorgen. How do you do? Well, Mimi. Nick, I've never been in such a state in my life. You know, of course, that I was the one who found Julia Bull.

So we've heard. Oh, my dear, it was terrible. I walked in there. She was lying dead. terrible I walked in there she was lying dead on the floor I meant to ask your mother was that much blood you but don't be so morbid but I'm interested in murder you know mr. Charles I formed a theory about this one already so in my

opinion the man who did it but be quiet you don't know anything about it but I do you were saying Mrs. Ronan about finding Julia Wolf I was petrified and and sucked to mystery. Clyde Winers, crazy.

Absolutely crazy to say it way to time like this. You know, one of the police think he had something to do with it. What do you think? Oh, I know he didn't. But I wish I could find him.

I have something very important to tell you. And McCauley won't help at all. He thinks I just want money. Well, don't you? Nick, you're always teasing. This is Viman. Were you alone when you found Julie Wilson?

Wasn't Mr. Jolybincin with you? I'm not. I don't know anything about it. The first word I had that Julia Wolf was dead was a Mrs. Wyman called my club. Oh she called you? Yes. Bye. I beg your pardon.

Oh let's not even talk about it. The thing to do is to find Clyde. And that's where I've come to you for Nick. You will help me find him won't you? I feel like you can't hear me.

Oh Nick please. Now, maybe there are thousands of detectives in New York. Hi, one of them. But Clyde knows you. All you have to do is to get in touch with him. and tell him that Mimi says everything is alright, but that I've got to see him.

I tell you again, I don't want any part of it. Is that final? Final. Well, if that's the way you feel. You'll turn up, you just help all your can. Give the police every possible assistance.

What do you mean by that? Oh, nothing in particular. Oh. Well, we'll say good night. Good night, I'm sorry I can't help you Mimi. Yeah, well, is this an arm and a hotel? Yeah, I woke you up.

But Mr. Charles, I'd like to lay a proposition before you. It's about the murder of Julia Woe. What's the difference who I am? Wait a minute. All right. Wait a minute. Don't hang up. I'll tell you who I am.

But you've got to keep it under your head. I'm Al Nunnheim. Yeah. Nunnheim. Now listen, I know who murdered Julia Woeff, say. Sure I do. And I'll spill it to you. Tell you how I know.

Because I was outside of her apartment when she was shot. And I saw the one who did it. And I'll spill it to you when I get... Hey, wait a minute. Hey, I can't talk now.

I guess he hung up. I'm gonna talk to you. That's jolly.

Don't you think you'd like to go back to the testing once in a while just for the fun of it? Can't you get to sleep? No. Everybody said you were a grand detective. They were kidding you.

I'd like to see you work. Tomorrow I'll buy you a whole lot of detective stories. Oh, I've had poor girls in an awful spa. Nothing I can do to help her. He thinks you can.

It wouldn't hurt you to find out if you could, would it? Darling, my guess is the Why Not Kill Julia and Dorothy knows it. And the police will catch him without my help. Now, please fluff, light, I'm tired.

Oh, all right. Now I'm mad at you. You hear a knock? Shut up, ass. You want to answer it, Nick? All right, stay in bed. I'll do it myself. Well... It's a child, see ya?

Yes? I gotta talk to him right away. What about... What's going on? What's going on? There's someone to see you, Nick. That's great. I was afraid I'd have to go to sleep. Come in. Yeah.

How about a chair, Nick? Stay with your buddy here. I got your cupboards, so don't move. A stick up. No, they're in a stick-up. I'm gonna talk to you, Mr. Charles. I want you to tell me something, and I want you to give it to me straight.

You get me? Do you mind putting that gun down? My wife doesn't care, but I'm a pretty nervous person. Thank you. All right, shoot. I mean, what's on your mind? You don't need to tell me you're tough.

I heard about you. I'm Joe Morelli. I've never heard about you. I didn't bump up Julia. Alright, you didn't? I haven't seen her in three months. We were all washed up. I told me. I wouldn't have any reason to hurt her.

She was always on the up and up with me. But that dirty little rat nunheim, well, he got sore because she like me and hated him. So he put a finger on me. That's alright, well brother only you're peddling your fish in the wrong market.

I've had nothing to do with it. Now listen, the boys used to say that you were okay. A square guy. Now that's why I'm here. What's the law doing to me? Do they think I did it?

Or is it just something else up in on me? I tell you, fine, you know what I mean? I'm not in on this. Ask the police. Yeah, that'd be very smart. The boys that love to have me come in and ask questions, they'd like it right down to the end of their blackjacks.

Now I came to you on the level. The boys say you're on the level, be on the level. I'm on the level, if I knew anything. Of course that. I don't know, this is your party.

Open up. Open up. The police? Get him. Who's screaming? I got Nora. Give me that gun. You'll rap, I'll show you that. I'll drop that gun, drop it. You'll kill across me when you're on.

Come on, Robert, give it a second. Come on, come on. Come on, come on. Let me go. I'll take that gun. Thanks, officer. You almost had me. Get some water, Joe. Nora. Are you all right?

Nora. I'm expect the deal with the homicide. In a good place, Inspector. Who's that woman on the floor? My wife. This guy shoots. No, he tried to shoot me. I saw her on the jaw to get her out of the line of fire.

I guess they hit her too hard. Oh! Look at the Nora. You all right, darling? Oh! You darned school. You didn't have to knock me off. I knew you'd take him, but I wanted to see you do it.

She's all right. Okay, Slattery. Take Morelli down, stay here. Come on, boy. No, I take no clue. I take no clue. How do you people have to pop in, Inspector? We hear this is getting to be a sort of a meeting place for the Wyman family.

So we figured we'd stick around in case the old man himself shows up. Then we seen Morelli sneak in, and we decided to come up. I was pretty lucky for you too. Yeah. Morelle your friend of yours?

I never saw him before. What did he want of you? Well if it's only he didn't kill Julie Wolf, what's that to you? Nothing. What did he think it was to you? Ask him? I don't know.

I'm asking you. Keep on asking. Oh, so you're going to keep a moment? All right, Mr. Charles. I won't bother you tonight, but I'll be in tomorrow morning. And I'll have plenty of things to ask.

Good night. Thank you, Inspector Gilles. Next time you come try to stay longer. Christmas! Oh yeah? Look, here's a telegram for you, just came. Open it, will you? Probably a touch from somebody. It's from Clyde Reiner. Listen, will you take charge of investigation on Julia Wolf's murder?

Communicate with Herbert Macauley. Clyde Reiner. Where's the Trump? Philadelphia. Then he didn't do a ditty neck. I don't know. Communicate with McCauley, huh? Ask him up here this morning. Hey, oh, McCauley. What do you think?

They want you to handle the case. Yeah Well, what of the chance are you doing it slam? Oh, please make quiet there. I wish you would mr. Charles Would it help any if I could persuade him to meet you? You might I had a word from one of myself last night He gave me a code message to insert the newspapers in case I wanted to get in touch with him.

Wouldn't it be hard for him? I'm sure you could clear this up. Oh, why not? When it only comes back? It doesn't look well. He's staying away at a time like this. Yes? Oh, oh, just a minute.

For you, Mr. McCauley. Police department. Police department? In Alantown. Well, when's the next train? I'll get that. Why not try to commit suicide? They want him to go down and identify him. Well, I guess this changes the whole story, doesn't it?

That looks like an admission of guilt. It's such hopes I thought if you got on this case, well, well, it's no use thinking about it now. Well, I'm sorry to have wasted so much of your time.

You'll excuse me, won't you? Of course. Goodbye. Bye. Well, that's that. I finished. That's not you. All the mysteries are gone. And I wanted you to find out who did it. Maybe I will. But why, then?

I don't think he did it. I don't think so. I'm going to find out. Come on, Dr. Watson, we're going places. I want to speak to Inspector Gill. Man to man, Mr. Charles. Are you working on this case?

Man to man, Inspector Gill, I'm not. But he's interested. I don't mind telling you. I'd rather have you in on the right side. You mean not on the right side. I'd rather have you working with us than against it.

So what I? It's a bargain then. Do you know about the case? I read the papers. What about the suicide? Oh, that's a phony. The men didn't even have to go down. I thought it might be.

Now on they're going to think that every thin man over six feet with white hairs whining. Do you think that why did it looks like he planned something he shut up his apartment in his shot, But there's nothing yet to clinch it Just till it gets your hundreds of whiners didn't do it. Who's your candidate?

I haven't got that far yet. I don't think that everything points to why not How about the alibis they're all okay? Mrs. Winant the boy Dorothy McCauley even Marili. Oh, what about the jorgons? Oh, I'll check on that.

Well, I'm afraid this is kind of dull for you, Mrs. Charles. No, I'm sitting on the edge of my chair. Frankly, I'm stunned. I don't know what to do next. What about you, Charles? Me?

No, but I've got a hunch. What is it? I got a call last night. I thought it was from a crank, but I changed my mind. Whoever it was knew something, and I've got a feeling out here for him again.

Almost ten. You're waiting to hear from the crank? And how? Give me that quick. Hello? Yes? Yes? Ed? Is it McCharl? Can't hear you? I said I can't hear you. I speak louder. I can't speak any louder.

Hey, this is Al Nunnheim again. You know, I caught you last night. Hey, listen. Are you still interested in that proposition? Yeah, huh. All right then. Now here's the dope. And get this straight. The man who killed Julia will be on!

What's this girl? You think Winette killed Julia Wolf and Manheim? Right. Why?

Two reasons. First off, Limi Winette came across with a watch, change she plucked off Julia's body. Oh, she's here, huh? It's the long, the Clyde Winant. Yeah. What's the second reason? A pip. The bullet that killed Manheim came from the same gun.

That's all right, Inspector. All right, it's perfect. Clyde Winant is guilty of both of the smotages. Maybe... What? But you'll still get your hundred. I say Winant's innocent. You can say what you want. But I'm spreading a dragnet for that guy over every town in the United States.

And I'll get him too. You think they'll find him next? He must be in New York. That probably is. Oh, it's getting me down. I saw Doth in a day.

Yeah? What? She'd broken off her engagement. What for? No, ask me. She was a little hysterical. about not wanting to ruin her fiancé's life, daughter of a murder and all that. Well, you're late, a dog.

Why do you think you're going? I'm going to take our school walk. He's just been for a walk. We're going sightseeing. We are set. Nick, what are you up to? I've got to hunch. I'm going down to line and shop.

I want to find otherwise clothes. I shouldn't be clothes if you went away. You went away lots of times when I knew everybody never clothes and shop. I've got to hunt something up. Me, nicely hiding them?

I don't know, but this thing's got my goat. I've got to find out. Nick, I won't have you going down there this hour of the night. He's a crazy man. He might kill you. You'll be alright. I've got Asca to protect me.

Alright, go on. Go on. See if I care. But it's a dirty trick bringing me all the way to New York just to make me a widow. You wouldn't be a widow long. You bet I wouldn't.

Not with all your money. You dog. Glad of you. Nicky, take care of yourself, won't you? Sure I would. Don't say it that way. Say it as if she meant it. Well, I believe that little woman care.

I don't care. I'm just used to you, that's all. Come on, darling. Come on, I sir. Come on, come on. Bye. Call me, darling. Please, I'll be waiting to hear from you. Asda. Asda, if you let anything happen to him, you'll never wag that tail again.

You are listening to the Lux Radio Theatre's production of The Thin Man, starring William Powell and Marnelloy with the music under the direction of Lewis Silver's. This is W.S. Van Dyke speaking. We have here tonight the man who wrote the great picture lawyer man or Bill Powell here.

He's a producer too, but just on the right again. He's done many great pictures. 42nd Street, the Gold Diggers, King of Burles, and lots of others including an original musical, Ladies in London, which you'll be seeing soon.

And here he is, the man whose name you'll see on the screen before the picture starts. One of Hollywood's greatest picture writers, James Seymour. Thank you. Thanks, Woody. I've been a movie writer for 10 years.

That's the first kind word anybody has said to me. Listen, Jim. The average person thinks a movie writer is a fellow that says by himself and a typewriter. Hammers out a lot of dialogue and hands it in.

Would you like to correct that impression? I certainly would. Nobody works alone and by himself to make a picture. It's a matter of constant cooperation between producer, director, technician, actors and the writers. Some of the best story ideas come out of the conferences.

Jim, how many writers would you say there are on an average picture? And eight. Believe it or not, I've seen pictures where there were more writers than actors. If all the people who contributed to the story got screen credit, would look like a page from the telephone directory.

You've written on both the stage of the screen, Jim. Tell the folks how they're different. Well, pictures have less talk, but they tell more and less time. Like concentrated foods, all the good and none of the waste.

In the theater, everything must be brought to the audience. In the screen, you take your audience wherever the camera can go. And here's another important point that comes right back to your Lux Radio Theater.

On the stage, the star just enters. But on the screen, she's introduced with a big close-up, a picture of the star's face many times larger than life size. Every time a movie star's complexion is mentioned in this Lux Radio Theater, I think of those close-ups.

Those stars just have to be beautiful, and they've found that Lux's toilet soap helps them look their best. Producers know it too, and that's why it's the official soap in all the great studios in Hollywood. Right Woody? Right on the nose again. Thanks for coming over. Thanks for asking me. Good night, United. We've forced for station identification. This

is the Columbia broadcasting system. The thin man. Nick is on his way to Clyde Winant's deserted laboratory. In a darkened desolate section of the city, his cab dears sharply around the corner and pulls up in front of a gloomy old rickety building. Hey, mister. Are you sure This is the place you wanted.

Don't you like it? Come on, I'll step jump. I'm gonna show you. I know it's funny. Oh, do you want me to wait? No, never mind. Oh, that's good. You know this ain't no neighborhood.

It'd be enough two o'clock in the morning. I want to get out of here. There you are. Thanks. Come on, I'll step. I'll step with you. Nora, what are you doing here? I'll beat you down.

I want to go with you next time. Now listen. No. You're not going in that place alone in that settlement. Now get out that skeleton here, you are. I'm here to stay. Alright, come on.

Yes. Duh. Nice neighborhood wine and picked out for his laboratory. I can almost hear the change rattling. You believe in girls' naked? Lab and the moored. There's the men's floor all around.

Yeah, a lot of week goes on our table. Come on. Where to now? What do you expect to find? I said I said.

Just looking for it. What did you get your story as soon as I can give it to you?

Until then you got to live you alone. Come on now, get out. That was a good one. Those reporters were enough to drive a guy nuts. Well, you were right, Nick. It was about a skeleton, rather buried in line.

I wonder what Wynand had against this one. If you find any clothes? Yeah, but no identification on them. Just a silver belt buckle with the initials. DWR. DWR. Who's that? I got a good idea.

In that case, you worked on the guy who threatened the kid Wynand. What was his name? Rosewater. Yeah, Rosewater. Water he said why didn't try to steal an invention didn't he yes, but we figured it would just blackmail just the same Why didn't mine having him out of the way would he and according to the duck the body's been there at least a couple of months?

That's just about the time why I closed the shop right That's the skeleton the foroscope yet half an hour ago We found the bullet he was killed with and something in the leg bone an old piece of shrapnel shrapnel Yeah, why shop no in the leg bone you probably limped What do you mean?

Oh, nothing. Well, so long and speckle I am going to pick up my wife, take her home. It's been a long night. So long. You've been my best. What do you... Right. Where are we going?

I can go tell my sweet. I got bagged and took a nice trip somewhere. A trip? Oh no. My soul woman, I gave you three murders and you aren't satisfied. I want you to stand fine one.

I did find it. What do you mean? He was down in the shop. He... Is this body that was buried there? Why this body? What they all said it was roseworffin. Oh, that's what they think.

What makes you so sure it's why this body? Several things. Clothes, for instance. They were carefully preserved. The body was just as carefully destroyed. First they killed him, counted on one thing. All skeletons look alike.

Well, don't say. Sure. But I remember that why not had some shrapnel in his shin. found it under the floor scope. How long has he been there? A couple of months anyway. Then he couldn't have committed those other murders.

Martha? Martha. Is Dorothy now? No, nobody but you. I didn't even tell Gil. Why not? I want to lie low. Do I get the whole dope? I don't want to go off half-cocked. What are you going to do?

I'm going to get the real murderer. I've got an idea. Want to see me take him? Yeah. You got a nice evening, Greg? Oh, I've got a loo. Why? I'm going to give a party, a dinner party.

Everything from Russian carry-off to camabear cheese, an orchestra behind the palms, a dude lighting. What is this? And I'm going to invite all of the suspects. The suspects? They won't come. Oh, they'll come. I'll have Gill issue the invitations.

Nick, who's going to be here? Everybody, you, me, daughter, the Eric Spiencee. His name's Andy. All right. McCauley, Nimi, Gilbert, Jorgensen, and Morelli. Oh, party. Leaving everybody?

What is this? The meaning of what me me? Why would we all round it up like common criminals to the city. Yes, sir. To eat, Nimi and talk. Will everyone please be seated? Daugherty here.

Thank you. Andy, next to her please. Mr. Charles, please. Very well. Nimi on the other side of Andy. Mr. Jorgson, over there, please. That is kind, Mr. Charles. Not at all. Mr. McCauley, next. Of course.

Morelli? Why? Right where you are. Say, listen. Sit down. Gilbert, you can sit just opposite Mama. Mr. Charles, I have a theory. We'll listen to it later. Inspector Gill, you and your men will stand by the door, please.

Sure. Fine. Now Nora, if you sit here by me... The light of Mr. Charles. The pleasure, Mr. Charles. Now we're all ready to begin. Will you please pass the ferry, Mrs. Ryan? No, I will not.

I demand to know why we are here. Before dinner? All right. I've got some important news. I've seen one. You've seen one. You mean man, never? Certainly, I mean it. That's nothing. I saw him myself.

Yes, movie? When? Last night. He came to see me in my apartment. Oh, did he? What did he say? I didn't say very much. He want to know how I was and how the children were.

I am afraid you're lying, Mimi. You see, I really did see Wyman last night. Are you kidding? No. Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you hold him? Because I found out for certain that he didn't commit the murders.

What do you know that's actually... Now wait a minute, let him have me today. Thank you. Marale, you and you, Julia. Was she jipping Wyman? Taking dough on the sly? Well, she don't say she is, but I figure she is, yeah.

Thank you. Now I'll tell you why no why not didn't commit those matters. Three months ago, why not found out that Julia was cheating him and was splitting with some man. He went to find the man, and he did.

That man was desperate. He knew that he was caught dead to her eyes. And at prison, staring him in the face, he took the only way out. He killed why not. Oh. It's terrible to tell you this way, Dorothy, that your father's dead.

Dead. dead for three months dead oh darling ok oh our north is terrible isn't it really better this morning angry you better take a home and come on let them out in second open up don't cry darling it'll be all right now oh hey you'll be very good oh this is absurd how can cry be dead?

You saw him last night. I saw him lying very in his shop. You mean that body with Wyman? It's perfectly absurd. And the murderer is right here in this room tonight. He's sitting at this table.

What? Who is he? I don't know. But I thought if we all had a little get together, we might be able to find out. I'll tell you as much as I know. This murderer is a very clever man.

He planned the whole thing beautifully. After he killed Wyman, he wired Macqually using Wyman's name and told him to shut up the shop. Then he took Wyman's body and buried it in the shop with another man's clothes that throw us off the track.

He even put a belt buckle to the hour on it, hoping that we'd think it was rose water, an old enemy of Wyman who dropped out of sight years ago. I'm running. Yeah? Would you mind holding your knife the other way you're worried in Gilman?

Oh, alright. Nick, is that knife? He's looking all the way in your back. I'll help you look. Well, after our hero had killed Winant, he got a brilliant idea. He realized that he and Julia could still collect money.

Winant was supposed to be on a trip. No one knew where. So our dinner guest wrote letters to McCauley signing Winant's name, so that McCauley would continue to send the money to Julia. Even telephone McCauley.

Do you remember McCauley? The first day that you came to see me. He telephoned that he was in town. Well, it must have been Winant. I should have known of it. All he was clever about that. He called when you were out.

That same afternoon, Julia telephoned him. She said that you were coming, Mimi, to ask about Lineth. He got terrified. He was afraid that Julia would break down and tell. So he went to Julia and killed her.

And left Lineth's watch chain in her hand. Maybe one of you are a Julia. I don't know. I don't know. Julia, that makes sense. I hope you will win. Okay. Quiet please. His plan was still working beautifully.

The only hitch was a man named Nunnheim, who had found out something. So our hero bumped him off, too. But our hero overlooked just one item. A telegram, wires, and telephones were all very well.

But no one had seen one. So the murderer picked on poor Mimi at a strength in his case. Mimi is the only one at this table who can tell us who the real murder is.

Mimi, who was it? I told you to say you had seen Winant. Nobody told me. I did see him. What did he pay you Mimi? He just stick to that story. Isn't the story? It's true. I did see Winant. He's not dead.

You're lying, Mimi. But then you do anything for money. You're getting a good price for saying you saw, Winant. I'm not going to stay here and be insulted. Sit down. You're getting a good price, Mimi. But don't forget this.

Two other people were in with him on this deal. Julia and Nannahime. When he thought they might spill something, he bumped them off. You ought to know Don Well that he's not going to take any chances on you. What do you want to do? Be next on his list?

No, no. And who is he? Who paid you that money? Macaulay! Macaulay! You dirty little... Grab a gun! Ah! I think that will hold him. Boy, oh boy, what a wallet. Hey, nice work, Mr. Charles.

As your man, Inspector. Mr. Macaulay. I can't believe it. Boy, you want me to do? Wrap him up and sell a frame? Pick him up and get him out of here. Come on, boys. Grab him. Let me get a hand out of here.

Let me get you to him. I knew you would. Yeah, another case like this, now I'll have an overpriced fight there. Oh, Nick, you're grand. You're glorious. I'll bet you say that to all the boys.

Well, that's that. The story of the thin man with William Powell and Myrna Lloyd. I'm going to get the back out here in a minute to talk to you.

As you know, these broadcasts from the Lux Radio Theatre are quite in the vent in Hollywood. And among our many friends here tonight is one of the greatest stars of the silent pictures. I admired her from afar when she was doing such magnificent spectacles as Cleopatra.

and I was just next to it. Today she is the wife of one of our leading film directors. I've known her for many years as a most charming and spacious lady and I want you to meet her now.

Ms. Theta Barrett. Thank you Woody. Our Hollywood entertainment has certainly developed amazingly since I was making pictures. Yes, everything's different now. As you and I know before our pictures grew up and started to talk we had to translate all the mention into Pantanine. Well you may think Thank you, I have trouble today.

But do you remember the difficulties we had working with a split screen? We had to express jealousy, hate, love, or devotion, or in pantomime. And at the same time, keep pace as the director guided us with a one, two, three, four.

Just as a metronome, God the pianist. Pantomime has always been one of the greatest of arts. May I say, Miss Barra, I've always thought that you were one of the greatest masters of that art.

Oh, you're very kind, Woody. We worked awfully hard making those pictures. For instance, in making Cleopatra, we had no research department at the studio. I worked myself a month with a curator of Egyptology at the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

It was very fun though. I understand, as far as you're going to make some radio appearances. Yes, I am. And I'm also going to do some motion picture work. No, that's good news. I'm considering an offer now, running through scripts and ideas.

I just hope everyone will be as happy about another field of oral pictures I am. The public has been very good to me in the past. And I know they'll be awfully glad to see you again.

I'm sure it'll be a great thrill not only seeing you, but hearing your voice. Thanks, Miss Barret, for joining us tonight. I'm glad I could. Good night. Hearing the This poet got it, will be starred.

Chaplain will write and direct, but will not act in it. And disappointed with many of us. Barbara Stanley and Robert Taylor are starting a new picture today. And I'm tickle of death that I got the job directing.

It's called his brother's wife. Speaking of Bob Taylor, there's a lad who's going places. He's got a great future. And sometime in that future, he's going to do Armand to Greta Garbo Scameel. Bill Powell and Myrna Lawyer interested in making MGM's picture, The Good Earth.

Louise Rayner, who was with them in the great zig field, and Paul Muni of the Stars. And now Bill Powell and Myrna Lawyer are coming out on the stage. Arise, Bill. Myrna? Yes, you did a great show. You're really marvelous.

What no retakes? No, no property man. Yeah, Bill. I'll bet you're glad my property man isn't here. Remember how he used to swatch it with a broomstick when he weren't hurting on the set fast enough?

Yes, not very obvious. He was a great follower. He was an independent customer. The whole picture business. Listen, Bill. That fellow was with me in the Arctic when we made Eskimo. He was with me an African jungle when I made Drader Horn.

And after a man has handled crocodiles, sharks, pythons and polar bears, you can't expect me to be afraid of a mere actor. No, it's... There's only one thing I can never understand about that picture, Eskimo, would he?

How did they tell you from the polar bears? He wore rubbers. I wore a hat. He must be pretty tough, would he? When you have to plow through swamps, jubbies, tropics, and the orthics. I suppose when you call up and say you're going on a location, your wife says, oh yes, location.

He wants a snowshoe or a snake bite medicine. Unfortunately, she doesn't say that. When I say I'm going on location, she just says you are not. And incidentally, I thought all about that traveling. I thought all about it when the Lux soap people asked me to do this broadcast.

Isn't it funny? And the Arctic soap is something they like to eat. And the tropics, they use soap for money. And here in Hollywood, soap is something that keeps the stars beautiful. Now I can see that it keeps mine a beautiful woody, but when are you going to start using the...

talk. What I do use of that, that's no kidding. Anyway, thanks for coming up, kids. You're my, Woody. Good bye. Before I tell you about next week's show, I'm going to ask our announcer, Mr. Rook, to tell you about more about the cast and about Hollywood studios who are cooperating with us. Our cast of characters tonight, Nick, William Powell, Nora, Murna-Loy, Mimi,

In a gando, a colleague, Porter Hall, Dorothy Babra-Luddy, Gilbert William Henry, Chris Jorgensen, Brett Morrison, Julia Wolfe, Margaret Bratton, Inspector Guild, Thomas Jackson, Morelli, Wally Mayer, Nunheim Ernie Adams. Our director, W.S. Van Dyke, and our stars William Powell and Myrna Loy, appeared through courtesy of Metro Golden Mayor, as did Mr. William Henry, and Porter Hall through the

courtesy of Paramount. The musical director of this program, Mr. Louis Silvers, appears through the kindness of 20th Century Fox. And now, here is your producer, Mr. W. S. Van Dyke. Thanks to all of you in the cast. You did a swell job. Next week, ladies and gentlemen the Lux Radio Theatre is going to have a great show for you, and believe me. Al Jolson, Ruby

Keeler, are going to be here to appear in Burlesque. It was a smash hit on Broadway and then a great boobing picture. And now it's going to make a marvelous radio vehicle for Al I'm Joe St. Rubik-heater.

I think you're like it. I see so big and they'll return to the Lux Radio Theater in time to produce Burlesque. And you know, you'll give you a great show. I've enjoyed being with you all.

And good night. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.