Railroad Hour: Rio Rita

Ladies and gentlemen, the Railroad Hour. From Hollywood, here comes the star-studded show train. Tonight, your railroads through the Association of American Railroads present Rio Rita. In our star-studded cast, you will hear the host of our series, Gordon MacRae, and four famous guest stars, Margot, Marion Hutton, and Sweeney and March, with a great cast of

Hollywood featured players including Alan Reed, Elvia Almond and Paul Free. Our choir is under the direction of Norman Lubob and the entire production is set to the music of Carmen Dragons Orchestra and brought to you by the American Railroads.

The same railroads that bring you most of the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the fuel you wear, and all the other things you use in your daily life. And now here is Gordon McRae! Thank you and good evening ladies and gentlemen this is Gordon McRae helping to bring you another in our series of musical successes. Tonight the

railroad hour show train presents a show that was originally produced on Broadway by the great Florent Zigfeld at the Zigfeld Theatre. So let's ring up the curtain on Rio Rita with book by Guy Bolton and Fred Thompson and lyrics and music by Joseph McCarthy and Harry Tierney. In our performance this evening I play

the part of Jim Stewart who falls in love with Rio Rita played for us by Margot. Marion Hutton is Dolly, a cabaret dancer. Hal March takes the part of the lawyer Ed Lovitt, and Bob Sweeney places client chick Bean.

Well, in every show there's a villain, and tonight Mr. Allen Reed plays the part of a very bad ombre named General Esteban. General Romero Hoseleto Tomás Miguel Armando Esteban, if you don't mind, shouldn't you?

And if I am like you said the bad ombre, maybe we have the more fun that way, eh? Anyway, you come with me to Mexico, right? From Texas we cross the Rio Grande and arrive pronto in the little town of San Luca, where I am head man.

And where for some strange reason, I own the Esteban Hotel, the Esteban Department store, the Esteban building, and the only floating nightclub in all Mexico, which is called the Clobbe Esteban. It is getting dark pretty quick now and I'm thinking of going into the cafe of Stébon for my supper when down at the end of the

avenue of Stébon there comes a bunch of those Texas Rangers approaching on horse's backs. They stop their horses in front of my hotel. One of the Rangers he gets off his horse and tags a piece of paper onto a pole.

Then, without he says one word, he gets back onto his horse and they all ride off down his street, singing, just like was a musical comic. We're all pals together. I go over and read the paper and when I am finished, I notice a very beautiful girl which stands by the hotel.

Then all of a sudden a man steps out from the dark shadows. You know who that man is? It's me. So I grab her by the arms to keep her from making the scams. Take your hands off of me, General Esteban.

Take them off. Pass down to you or this bitfire, my Rita. I only wish to make conversation with you. Tell me, you see in the notice the Rangers just put up? No, what is it?

It is a reward of $10,000 offered with a man who robbed the Texas State Bank of South Fremont last month. Do they know who it is? They only know he is the king kajoo. I am not interested in the king.

See, you are only interested in this strange Americano. It is Gringo. Gringo, all the time Gringo. Do you not know that my father was a Gringo? See, see, see, I know this. I know also that you claim to be Americano.

But that does not say you are half Spanish. Now tell me, what is the name of this Gringo? It is none of your business. I know his name. It is Jim. What does he do here in San Luca?

You know everything, so you must know that. No, that I do not know. But I'm going to find out and pretty quick. Me, General Romero, Hoselyta, Thomas Miguel Armando Esteban, and the head of this district.

And I do not like the stranger which is mysterious. And me, Rita Maria Dulcine, Amagi Turgu son, I do not like the people which do not like the people which I like. So I go.

Wait, not before I have the kiss. Come on, me, the tome. James, James! No, no, he cannot hear you now. You're wrong, butterball. Now back up and play nice. Oh, but, James, you called me name, Shagringo.

You make to me the insult, eh? Insult, but butter at 90 cents a pound. So, so you are the smart Alex, eh? OK, smart Alex, I'm going to tell you something. Get out of San Luca.

I still have his decision, you're ita! Take it over, gringo! Oh, Jimmy, I am afraid of that man. He can do anything in San Luca. As long as he can't make you a love him, that's all I care about.

Oh, Jim, you know he cannot do that. Then don't worry. In a few days, I'll be through with the job that brought me down here, and then... And then you go back home? Only if you go with me.

Oh, I want so much to see your so lovely house in Tejas, and your so lonely dog. Don't forget the so lovely river that runs along the foot of the garden. Is it nicer than the Rio Grande?

Oh, no river is nicer than the Rio Grande. You know why? Yes, I know why. But I like to hear you tell me again. Down by the river Rio, on its silver sand, That's where I found you.

And now my heart's at your command Born to be near your brother's mile To see my lovely Rita, look at this gringo

With the cab's eyes makes me very mad So I walk away And what do I see? Tally Smith, a girl with dances for me in my cabaret And a man named Chick Bean which also works for me Driving up in an automobile would say, just marry I watched Dolly go upstairs in hotel with bag, and I am just about to go over and speak to Chick

when that gringo lawyer had loved it, beat me to it. Ooh, a nice bundle of thread that just went upstairs, Chick. You know her? Slightly. She's my wife. Your wife? When did you get married? About 15 minutes ago, and I'm still happy.

Now look, Chick, I'm your lawyer, and you had no business getting married without consulting me. This Mexican divorce of yours is no good. I received this letter from your first wife's lawyers. Read it in a week.

Okay. What? Why is she? She calls me a biggamist. And she's right. Of all the fools? You are the biggamist. Well, what's the penalty for biggamy down here in Mexico? The same as it is in the United States. Two mothers-in-law.

Well, what am I gonna do, Ed? About five years in jail? Well, I'll never be able to do that long. Well, the law doesn't expect miracles, kid. Do as much as you can. Now, here's the situation.

Until I can get the first Mrs. Bean to accept the divorce, you and the young lady you've just married must live as far apart as the polls. Well, do I have to tell her now?

Yes. Who wouldn't tomorrow morning do? No. Oh, Chick. Chick, darling. And here she comes. Now, be sure to tell her the honeymoon's off. See you later. Chick, who was that? Mr. Lovett, my lawyer. He's a fellow large member.

He wants me to go on a honey trip with him. Hunting? When? Tonight. On your wedding night, you're not going to go hunting. Well, it would be original, wouldn't it? I'm like chick being, how can you be so cruel?

And on our wedding night, I want time to think things over. This is no time to think. You're always in my arms, but only in my dreams, in dreams you're always near, sweetheart, always I'm so happy that it seems so near and yet so far apart If I could only hold, tell you all my love and see

Adore your chance, you're always in my own But only... There is no use wasting my time on Dali So I go look, see what Rita is doing.

And where do you think I find her, huh? In Jim's arms. You're always in my arms, but only in my dreams and dreams, you're a sweetheart or your charms, you're always in my arms. Lachi is getting too deep for you, eh?

For me too. Because later I hear Rita's brother Roberto talking with the lawyer Senor Lava. Senor Lava. Because my sister and I claim American citizenship. We have lost Arancio. I must leave here tonight so I sold all our kettle. How much did you get?

Two thousand American dollars. Can you change it into Mexican money for me? Let's see. A dollar is worth about four pesos that makes eight thousand. Suppose I give you 5,000 pesos for it. But I lose money, Senor.

Well, if fellas got to live, take it or leave it. I take it. I hear you. Keep it in a safe place, my boy. There are dishonest men in this town. See, gracias, Senor. Gracias.

Mmm. Not bad. Not bad. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, Senor. Huh? Let me see that money. Okay, Esteban. I'll hold on to what you just look. Just like I think. Those did narrow from the state bank in Fremont, Texas.

So it's from the state bank of... Hey! That's the bank the king of Jura. You don't think I'm the king of Jura, do you? That's the bank? Who cares? The king of Jura, big hero, it's a looker.

But be careful, said you. You not let the Rangers catch you with that money. Gosh. What am I gonna do with this money? Hey, Ed, can you change some Mexico pesos into America money for me?

Chick, you're a very lucky man. It just so happens that I have about $2,000 with me. Oh, thanks, pal. Here are 10,000 pesos for him. Don't mention it, pal. The pleasure was all mine. Well, this money's gonna have to last me a long time, boy.

It will, pal. About 15 years. The Rangers. Let's scram outta here. I mean... Oh, well, it's too late now. There's the old song of the Ranger! It's pop! What's going on here? Jim, what are you doing at a soldier's suit?

I thought you were Rita's new sweetheart. I'm also Captain Jim Stewart of the Texas Rangers. Wow, what do you know? Can I buy you a drink? Thanks. Wait a minute, that money, where did you get it?

Well, see you around, fellas. Hold that man! What's the matter with this money? It was stolen by the King of Jew. The King of Jew? Wow, hiya, King-e! Oh, no, no, you can't pin that on me. I just got it from Roberto Ferguson. Read his brother.

Read his brother. Then he must be the king of June. Gosh, Jim, you can't arrest Read his brother. Oh, yes, I can. Are you with me, boys? When the rain has come to town to settle, our boys settle down there in their heyday.

Because it's day days. There's a mortal laugh, a joker, a heck of a knight, and then you're broke because tomorrow Perhaps tomorrow we'll find this consolation when we haven't got a dime Our jobs are big vacation and the darn good time we're all pals together From reds, birds of a feather Fruit and fowls, fruit and fowls, fruit and fowls, fruit and fowls

In rain or sunshine, we stand for law here, that's what we're for here. And we're weird about you here, them shout, you better look out with the bones, the rangers text this way. We're all pals together, birds of the weather.

And we're weird about you here, them shout, you better look out for the bones, the rangers. And so the curtain falls on the first act of real Rita. The railroad hour show train will return in just a moment.

Meanwhile, just a reminder that 30 years ago this week, this coming Thursday, the guns were quieted along the western front. No one who experienced it can forget that first armistice day. So this is a week for remembrance.

For remembrance of those who brought us victory in 1918. And of the other men and women who in the Second World War once more fought to preserve the things that make America free. Many of these men and women were railroaders.

Some of them, the 30 odd thousand men of the military railway service, were soldier railroaders in foreign lands. They ran during the war period. The railroads in 19 different countries located on four of the five great continents of the Earth.

Others of these railroad men served with other elements of the transportation core of the army, and with the transport services of the Navy provide the worldwide movement of men and material and supplies so essential to victory.

Still other railroaters had no connection with transportation during the war. They were soldiers, sailors, airmen in the armed services of their country. All together, from the ranks of the railroads, there went into the armed services of the nation, more than 350,000 men and women, an army in themselves. To them, and to the millions of other Americans who were

in the service of the country in the two world wars, the nation owes the grateful remembrance of which this armistice week is a symbol. We return now to Rio Rita, starring Margot, Marion Hutton, Sweeney and March, and your host Gordon MacRae.

Tonight I am giving big party at my patio. I am working out big plans in my mind when Dali comes out of the house with many of my guests, all laughing and having one swell of a good time.

I am glad to see you all enjoy my party. Where is Rita? You see her, Dolly? No, not since dinner time. Ah, there is the musicians. Let's walk. Now you can't walk to that music? That's the kinkajoo they're playing.

The new dance they've named in honor of that bold, bad bandit. How do you do it, Dolly? Well, the principle of the thing is, don't let your left hip know what your right hip is doing.

Now you watch. Then you're when you do the kinkadoo You dance before you think you do You clon around, you're feeling all so lazy For you know you're shouting oops, so daisy First you feel a kinkadoo But here's the kick for you Your one desire is to acquire Each movement of this dady dance will thrill you through

I know it will entrench you when you do the kinkajoo When you do the kinkajoo, you dance before you think it out You clown around, you see before you know your shouting looks today's it First you feel a kinkajoo, but here's the kink for you Your one desire is to acquire Teach movement of the stainty dance will thrill you through

We'll entrench you when you do the thing to do You are wonderful my little darling come give your old friend a kiss Once more the uncle Hey, hey, hey take it easy general your good conduct medal is sticking me Just a minute, General Westerbann. Don't forget, that's my wife.

Why, Chick, I didn't think you remembered. Well, look, Dolly, I haven't told you the truth about us. Well, what do you mean? We're married, aren't we? Well, that's just it, honey. You heard about the secret society of the poison fang, haven't you?

No, but I got a sneak and hunch, I'm gonna. I'm an honorary member, baby, and honorary members are not allowed to marry until they get permission from their head tiger. Oh, they're not, huh? Well, who is the head tiger?

My lawyer, Ed Lovett. Well, then let me at him. Where is he? Looking for someone? Who are you? Your husband's lawyer, Ed Lovett. So you're... Hey! Hold that tiger. Hey! Hold that tiger. Tiger, what is this?

Chick, have you been lying to this lovely girl? Haven't you told her yet that you have another wife? Another wife chick bean? Oh, darling, that's just a five o'clock shadow. Don't you touch me, chick bean?

I want to be a real wife, not a member of a syndicate. Good bye, Dolly! Oh, you're not a lawyer, you're just a fight promoter. Dolly's just as mad as Hopper, you gotta do something.

I already have. I talked to your first wife, Katie, on the phone and she's coming down here. Oh, no! Not her, not Katie. You haven't like a troubles enough? I don't get all excited. She won't be here for two days.

Oh, that's just Dandy. Gosh, funny the fuss they make about a little wedding. Just a few words mumbled in the church, and you're married. Yeah, just a few words mumbled in your sleep, and you're divorced.

I get tired listening to these people argue, so when I see Rita coming into other end of patio, I hurry over to meet her. Where is Jim, General Esteban? You said in the note you send me that Jim wishes to see me.

I think perhaps he does wish to see you, but not here. I'm going. No, Rita, wait. I want to tell you something about your green girlfriend. I do not wish to hear it. You're not on my way.

General Esteban, I want to talk to you. Go ahead. A servant of yours entered my room and ransacked my bank. In this town, we do not bother with the search warrant when we deal with this suspicious character.

Captain Stewart? Captain Stewart. See, my Rita, your friend. He is a captain of the Texas Rangers. Jim, is this true? Yes, Rita. Listen, Captain Stewart. I have always bribed myself that I am the good host.

And since you are in my path, you, I treat you like the guests. But if you do not leave, in five minutes... What will you do? I go to give the audience now to shoot you.

Have you ever seen it? Go ahead, Jim, please. I can't, Rita. I'm looking for someone. Who? I can't tell you yet. But remember, Rita, no matter what happens, I love you. Oh, now you mustn't, Jim, please.

There are too many people who mustn't be loved to me. Well, then, let's waltz. What? Yes, that way I can at least hold you in my arms. Okay, let's waltz. If you love your waltz, waltz is but for there's a simple time that moves you are a pair of smiling arts Simple, powerful again, powerful with you.

I tried my Jim, it's so wonderful in your arms, I could walk forever. Not forever, Rita. Remember, you promised Sunday that- Yes, Sunday I'm going to be your wife. Oh, let me hold you closer, Rita.

Sweetest door. When I come back on to the party, oh, I see Rita in Jim's arms again. But, I am very cool when I say, Rita, I cannot see you made a fool of where

How did he make the fool of me? This gringo. He is after your brother. I do not believe it. Ask it. Jim, is it true? Yes, Rita, your brother is the king, could you? The king, could... Oh, oh, oh.

Now I know you make the silly joke. He makes the love to you, my Rita, so it can help him to get your brother. You lie! I prove it to you. Captain Stewart, if you wish to catch the king, you better make the hurry, because he is getting ready to run away.

Where is he? At his ranch. Jim! I'm sorry, Rita. Jim! Why did I told you? Let go of me! Way, 3-3. Do you love him more than your brother? No, no, I hate him. But I must keep him from taking Roberta.

Do not make me worry, my Rita, Roberta, we say. Where is he? Inside in my private office. And Jim will never bother you again. My sultados will take care of him. Sultados! Sultados! Shoot the green girl who is just leaving!

Sultados! No! Get out of there way, Rita! No! Fire! Sir, no, no, no, fire! I will not let you! I will not let you! Freedom! You don't love him! You forced the guns up so they could not shoot straight!

Jim! Jim! I should have killed him! Oh, thank you! Before we bring you the last act of Rio Rita, I'd like to point out that the 30 years since the Armistice of November 11th 1918 18, which brought to an end the hostilities of the First World War, have seen amazing developments

in every department of life. And in no field have there been more new developments or greater progress than in the field of transportation. This is true of transportation on the highways, on the water, in the air, and on the rails. Between the end of the First World War and the beginning of the Second, the railroads of the United States spent an average of $500

million dollars a year on the improvement of their plant and facilities. Much of the improvement was undramatic, straightening out curves, cutting down grades, putting in better signals or communications, improving shop machinery and practices, as well as building and buying new and better engines and cars.

But when the great test of the Second World War came, these undramatic improvements made and continued year after year, paid off for the nation. But despite all the other developments, and even after all the billions of public funds which had been spent on other ways of transportation, when emergency came, it was to its railroads

that the nation turned. It was the railroads which carried 90 percent of the war freight and 97 percent of the organized military travel. And nothing has happened since the war which in any way diminishes the importance, indeed the absolute necessity of maintaining in full force and vigor these railroads which in time of peace are essential to commerce

and in time of war are vital to victory the railroad hour show train will return in just a moment after a brief pause for station identification now back to real Rita starring Margot Marion Hutton Sweeney in March and your host Gordon MacRae Couple of days they go by and I see no sign of Captain Jim Stewart.

In a while I keep Roberto out of sight of the Clobbe Stébon, which is the floating nightclub I own, a new Rio Grande. By this time I am so sick of the women that when I see a gringo dam coming up the gangplike, I make the quick duck.

So when she speak to the lawyer, they say, you're a great lover, I am happy. Because she is not so good looking anyways. For me, I'm looking for a gentleman by the name of Lubbot.

They told me at the hotel that he was here at the Clerbeasti that. Madam, you have the honor to be speaking to that broad-shouldered, irresistible chap right now. Well, I'm Mrs. Bean. Oh, you're the first Mrs. Bean. In other words, you're the... has bean.

Mr. Lubbot, I am not going to let Chip put anything over on me. Mrs. Bean, I suggest that you make arrangements to collect Alimony from Chick and then go back home. I don't want Alimony, Mr. Lovett. My uncle just died and left me $3 million.

What? How much? In the neighborhood of three million. That's my favorite neighborhood. Step right into my office. Tell me, my dear girl, why do you waste your time on a jerk like Chick B? Don't you know how beautiful you are?

Don't you know you have charm? Three million charms? Listen sugar, just what advice did your lawyer give you before you came down here? He told me to say no to everything. Sounds like a very wise man, baby.

Do you mind if I put my arm around your waist? No. Baby, you and I are going to have a lot of fun. If you're on the level about this, Do you mind if I...

Oh, Chicky, dear. Look who's here. Ed love it and some woman. Yeah, there's a G of frump. What? Oh, good gosh, it's my wife. What? I mean my ex-wife. Oh, Katie, how are you? This is Dolly.

My future has made my past. Well, my dear, you certainly know a good thing when somebody else has it. Ha ha ha. Ha ha. Do you want him back? No, you can have him. Oh, thank you, Katie.

He's nothing but an insignificant little rump. Oh, now wait a minute, he may be a rump, but he's not insignificant. Oh, thank you, Dolly. Miss Veen, there's something I want to ask you. Yeah. How would you like to see your name on my tombstone?

Oh, will you take good care of me? And how? You don't realize how valuable you are to me. Oh, have I really ate? Oh, you certainly are. And it isn't the three million I'm thinking about either.

I'd love you if you only had two million. Not as much, but very nearly. They're firing at somebody. Look, it's Jim Stewart. He's headed this way. Rita, where's Rita? I've got to see you. OK, Jim, we'll find her for you.

Dolly, you wait here. Oh, you're crazy, Jim, to risk your neck like this? Well, that's the way it is, Dolly, when you fall in love. Why don't you practice my philosophy? What is it? Well, when things look darkest for me, I just keep singing.

I'll spend my days Chasing after sunshine Someday one ray may steal Through can't change my ways Always hoping someone else may learn To care as I do As only that I ever smiled To a changed things all over

And spend my days Chasing after stuff I think you've got something there, Dolly Well now you try it yourself and see how much better you feel I'll spend my days Chasing after sunshine Someday one ray may steal through and change my ways Always hoping sometime

Someone else may learn to care as I do There's only one beneath the sun that I've ever found If she would smile on me a while To change things all around me I listened to that song waiting for Rita to show up and sure enough she does

I have them all trapped now So I begin to carry out my plans while they talk Jim, or Jim Rita, Rita darling Jim, Kenneth Alice, they have many soldiers here tonight They will kill you, you must go quickly Not till you tell me you love me I love you, Jim.

And, darling, place your man at the guy's waist. What, Jim, he knows you're here. They will catch you. You cannot get away. I'm not looked yet, darling. And I've got an idea. Look, try and keep Esteban busy for a couple of minutes.

I'll be right back. Rita, have you seen the gringo? One of my men tell me they see him come aboard this bard. Then why you do not ask your man for he? Because I am asking you.

Oh, you're hurt. Tell me. Have you seen him? Tell me. Take your hands off my sister, Esteban. Take them off. You dare to take the pokes at me? Lopez, shoot this Roberto. He is the king of you.

That is not so Esteban. It is so if I say it is so, it is so. Shoot him, Lopez. Hold it, hold it. You can't shoot that man. Ah, the gringo. He shows himself. Shoot him to Lopez.

I'd recall that order if I were you, Esteban. You are telling me what to do. I am the head man of this district. of these these three I do what I please you're not the headman of this district general you're in Texas now Texas that's right I cut the cables and this bar just drifted across the river we're in Texas he's right this is Texas and

here come the Rangers don't try to get away Roberto you're under arrest so it was but these you came back why is you I hate you more than ever really let me explain I want you, General Esteban. You're under arrest.

Arrest me? You make the talk like the crazy one. I don't think the judge will think I'm craziest, Esteban. When I show on the proof that you are the king of you. Jim, is this true? Yes, Rita. Esteban is the king of you.

I had to pretend that I thought it was your brother in order to get the proof against him. Arrest him, men. You cannot do this to me now. No, it cannot be. against him. Arrest him, men. You cannot do this to me. No, no, it cannot be did. Not to me, General Romero, Hoselyto. What? Well, maybe you can.

Oh, man, take him away. We're all proud to get. Well, anyways, I get the nice horseback ride out of it. What I have fun, I fool you, eh, all the time? You do not guess it was me, it was the king of you, eh? Oh, you did, eh?

Okay. Well, they will not hold me long because the courthouse where they take me is named the Steban courthouse and I am very familiar with the judge who is my cousin Pablo Esteban, Jr. And maybe I still win Rita too because you know who rides with me by my side out of read this reach. Listen.

Oh, Rita. Rita. Say, you're Rita. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. This is Gordon McQuaid giving us special orders, thanks to our four guest stars this evening, Margot, Ryan Hutton, and Sweeney and March, and to the other members of tonight's

cast for their fine performance in our production of Reerita, which was adapted for radio by Ed Gardner. Well, next week, our stars that had show trained will arrive in the same tracks and at the same time.

On board will be Dorothy Kirsten, Lucille Norman and Francis X Bushman, to join me in bringing you Rudolph Primo's famous Vagabond King, with our chorus under the direction of Norman Luboff and the music arranged and conducted by Carmen Dragon.

Well, it looks as though ready to pull out. So until next week, goodbye. And remember, during the coming week, as always, the American Railroad will provide for you the dependable low-cost transportation, which is so essential to the American way of living.

This is ABC, the American Broadcasting Company.