Now, Roma Wines present...
Suspense!
Tonight, Dateline Lisbon, starring John Hodiac.
Suspense is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines.
That's R-O-M-A, Roma Wines.
Those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live.
To your happiness and entertaining guests.
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As Roma Wines bring you...
Suspense!
This is the man in black, here for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California.
Who tonight from Hollywood bring you a star, the rising new film personality,
whose performance you admired in Lifeboat,
and whom you will soon be seeing co-starring with Lana Turner in MGM's
Marriage is a Private Affair, Mr. John Hodiac.
For our suspense play this evening, we ask you to project your
time into the not too distant future.
And so with Dateline Lisbon, and with the performance of John Hodiac as William Baldwin,
we again hope to keep you in...
Suspense!
Your name?
William Baldwin.
Occupation?
I was a foreign correspondent.
At the time that is of the murder of which you were charged?
Around that time, yes.
I see.
Now Mr. Baldwin, would you be good enough to tell the court where you were on October the 5th, 1944?
I was in Lisbon, Portugal.
Can't you be more specific?
Look, when you say I was in Lisbon during the invasion, you've told most of your story right there.
You know the place.
Yes, we know it.
I should say that at one time or another during the course of the war,
most of us here had occasion to pass through that port.
That was the big way station, all right.
The neutral terminal for the boys who worked for the Allies,
those lined up with the Axis.
You'd see a crowd from the Soviet, anxious to get back to the Eastern Front
and the sound of the Internationale.
You'd see right behind them maybe a delegation of Nazis,
glad to be away from any front and sick of the hoarse whistles.
The lads from London with their briefcases and striped trousers
and ruled Britannia very clear in their ears.
They were there too.
So were the guys from Warsaw.
The clothes getting a little threadbare, but the polonaise sounding as fresh and strong as it did four years before.
And the French, not the Vichyites,
but the ones who might be at the very next table, the free ones,
who never stopped hearing La Marseillaise.
Brass hats, underground agents, refugees and heels.
That was Lisbon.
The
It was about five or six in the evening when I walked into the lobby of the Hotel de Gamma.
You know the place, right in the center of town.
Anyway, I happened to glance up and I saw this girl standing about midway on that big marble staircase that leads down from the mezzanine.
She had a Leica camera up to her face and was drawing a bead on the whole lobby.
Suddenly a little fella yelled up to her to stop.
And as he did, a fat guy standing at the desk whipped around.
He spotted the girl too.
The next second he was the scaredest looking character I'd ever seen.
He whirled back away from the camera, but she'd already clicked the shutter.
In another second I got a shock myself.
The girl lowered the camera from her face and
yeah, it had to be her.
She came down the staircase, winding up the film and the Leica,
then started across the lobby and I was sure it was Terry.
I hadn't seen her since I'd left New York.
But you couldn't mistake that stride, not even after all those years.
I walked across the lobby, worked with the little guy, the one who'd yelled, had a head start.
It was difficult for the nerves next to the house.
It was very so, señor. But I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about.
Ah, American.
Three thousand pardons, ah, Mrs.
I simply wish to apologize for my outburst.
Clearly it was...
Outburst? I'm sorry, señor, but I don't get it, even in English.
It was when you were on the staircase he yelled at you.
At me? But what on earth for?
I don't think he wanted you to take that picture.
Are you serious? Why should... No.
Hello, Terry.
Bill Baldwin. It must be.
Twelve years.
I didn't mean that. I meant since I've even heard about you.
I've heard about you, though. You've been doing all right.
I've been busy.
Terry Moore covers the Burma front.
Terry Moore turns candid camera on allied leaders.
Terry Moore shoots Parade Magazine Picture of the Week.
You've been getting more publicity than Hitler.
I work for a better concern.
Bill, what on earth are you doing here? There's so much...
We're being rude to your little friend.
Oh, excuse me, señor. You objected to my taking the picture?
Oh, no, Mrs. Not at all. That is the point I wish to clear up.
Oh, permit me. I am Don Luis Fernando Sanchez Jesus de la Castellano Cristobar III.
How do you do?
But my friends call me Mosca.
I can understand why.
Yes. Mrs., I should very much like to buy that picture.
Buy it?
Precisely.
Well, that won't be necessary.
I happen to have a developing outfit upstairs in my room.
I'll run you off a copy myself.
That's in case you can't wait till you see it in the magazine.
This picture you took, will it be published?
Oh, yes. Simply a shot to display the...
Well, the color of the city, the hotel.
Oh, I see. Mrs., this may at first appear to be a somewhat extraordinary request.
The fact is I am a great admirer of your work, and I wondered if perhaps...
You could have the original, the negative.
Well, yes, señor. I did have that in mind.
Oh, do not be concerned. I'm quite prepared to go as high as, let us say, $5,000 in cash.
Oh, come now.
Well, then let us say 10.
What is this, a rib?
Oh, no, Mrs. It is an offer.
$10,000? You know something, señor? You're insane. But I'm not, and I'll take it.
Wait a second, Terry. I don't think I do that.
Forgive me, but my proposition was Mrs. Only.
You could put it more plainly.
Now, listen, you don't think he wants to pay a silly price like that for just a good view of the lobby?
He could get that on one of those penny postcards around here.
I don't care what he wants it for. All I know...
You don't care what he wants it for because you don't even know what's in it.
For all you know, you've got the hottest picture of your whole career right in that camera of yours.
Mrs., it is necessary that we completely trade without any further discussion.
$10,000 in exchange for the negative.
That is good.
If you don't mind, señor, perhaps I had better think it over for a while.
I'm afraid that will not be possible. The offer is good only now.
Then adios, señor.
Let us trust you are making no mistake. Hasta la vista, Mrs.
Buenas noches, señor.
Well, was that stupid enough to suit you?
$10,000 right down the drain.
How would you like to make $50,000?
What?
I said how would you like to make $50,000?
There's another guy around here who'd go for that negative. A fat fellow.
He was standing over there by the desk right in the center of your camera when you clicked the shutter.
I never saw any...
I did. I saw him try to dodge.
From where I was standing, it looked like a $50,000 dodge.
Why, you rock. You were holding out for a bigger price, a bigger cut for you, I suppose.
Do you believe that?
I don't know. After all, I haven't much to go on, have I?
12 years is a long time. How do I know what you're like now? What you've become?
I mention the fat man, Terry, because I think that picture's more important than you'll be willing to believe.
Bill, listen to me. I want to know what happened to you.
Your articles, your pieces about Europe, they just stopped.
So did your letters.
There's something you've got to understand, Terry.
Your pardon, please.
Senorita Moore?
Yes, I'm Terry Moore.
Yes, you are wanted at the front desk, please.
Front desk? What for?
I do not know, Senorita, if you will follow me.
Want me to hold your camera?
Thanks, but I think I'll feel better taking care of it myself.
Okay, Terry. Hurry back. I'll be right here waiting for you.
I've been standing there about a minute, gentlemen, when I looked up and saw the fat guy.
He stepped out of one of the lobby phone booths and headed for the cocktail lounge.
I didn't want to lose track of him, so I followed him.
Pretty soon out came Terry. She had a funny look on her face.
Okay, so you're right, and I hope you're satisfied.
What happened? Get a better offer?
Yes, my life.
Your life?
In return for leaving my camera on the third floor fire escape within the next 20 minutes,
I shall be permitted to go on living. Otherwise...
No, don't sit down. Who told you all that?
I don't know.
That's a silly remark you don't know.
The call was waiting for me at the desk. It was somebody on the other end of the telephone.
Oh, excuse me.
My friend, you at the table.
Stone deaf.
And then this door.
Well, how did you learn to speak...
Yeah, yeah, well...
Mind if we join you?
No, I don't speak English.
Sound like the voice on the telephone.
How can I tell him he doesn't speak English? What did he say?
He said he doesn't speak English.
Wait a second.
Excuse me, pal, but I'd like you to meet the young lady you talked to on the phone. She...
Now, you better speak English.
Every time she hears German, she goes to pieces. It creates a terrific scene.
You will be good enough to leave me alone. I do not wish your company.
Thank you. What about that, Terry?
I'm pretty sure that's it.
Good. Have a seat.
Oh, that's all right. Don't get up here. I don't believe I caught your name.
Look, if you do not leave at once, I shall call the manager.
I'll be glad to do it for you.
You know, my friend, now that I've got a good look at you, I can't help feeling I've seen you before somewhere.
Yes. Yes, I was thinking the same thing.
Nidia's Foreline, you are very much mistaken.
Oh, not with photographs, I'm not. I've studied too many of them.
And that's where I've seen you, in a photograph.
Now, let me tell you something. You have never seen me before. That's my advice to you.
Except that there's something different. The clothes, I think. The white collar.
Yes. You're right, Terry. The civilian clothes. I've got them spotted too.
And not in a photograph.
I'm going by a man I've seen a hundred times at the head of a parade on a day in a public square.
Now, listen. In the back seat of an open touring car with guards on either side.
You are a fool. I tell you for a fact, you are a fool.
You see, I used to cover Poland for a number of American papers.
And you granted me an interview once.
Bill, he isn't the general.
General, yes. General von Klaus, one of the most prolific executioners the Fuhrer ever had.
What stupid people you must be. Why did you not stop when I advised you?
Don't you see? There's nothing I can do now except take the Freuland's camera and kill the two of you.
Look, I happen to have a gun too, so you can put that thing away.
Anyway, you're not crazy enough to kill us here.
No, senor. He is not that crazy.
Maska.
You will please put the gun away.
But I must...
You will put the gun out of sight.
So, you will now follow me from this room.
No. No, I will not leave these people and permit them to.
Quiet. Do you want to bring everyone to this table? Do you wish a special spotlight for yourself?
No, listen to me. I am the one in danger.
I am the one in charge. You will do as I tell you to do.
Or you won't get him out of Europe.
You see, you see, he knows.
All right, shut the mouth.
What are you charging him, Maska? Every cent he ever stole?
It's worth it, you know. If the Poles knew this character was here, they'd tear him limb from limb.
You talk a great deal, senor.
One class, you will please get up from the chair.
You must understand that nothing can be accomplished so long as we are here.
We shall continue our negotiations with these charming people at some other time and place.
At the German embassy, let's say?
No, no.
How would you like that, Herr General?
My friends, you first must get to the embassy.
Again, Mrs. Hasta la vista and adios, senor.
The German embassy, Bill? But he's a Nazi, a big one.
That's right, and he's also taking it on a lamb.
The final squeeze is about to begin and the general is deserting his post.
The Germans are killing him as soon as the Poles.
Yes, that's why he can't afford to have us talk.
And Moska can't afford to lose his feet.
Bill, what'll we do? You heard what he said.
They'll be watching every exit for the rest of the night.
Good. Meanwhile, we'll go dancing.
Dancing?
Yep. Cross the floor to that door on the other side of the bank.
And we're going to slip through that door up the service stairs and into your room.
My room?
That's right, and you're going to develop the general's picture.
Tonight for Suspense, Roma wines are bringing you a star, Mr. John Hodiac,
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And now it is with pleasure that we bring back to our sound stage Mr. John Hodiac as William Baldwin
a man on trial before a jury of his peers in Dateline, Lisbon.
A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
You were testifying, Mr. Baldwin, that you and the young lady started up for her room.
That's right, the rear way, up the service stairs.
I see.
Mr. Baldwin, since you've already admitted the murder, are you sure there's a need for such detail?
I wanted you to have your records straight.
There isn't much more of it though, very well.
And so you got the girl up to her room, eh?
Yes. I remember very clearly.
We stepped into her room.
I shoved the bolt across the door. She switched on the light.
And she went straight to her developing stuff.
The tray, an MQ tube, the hypo, the usual paraphernalia, and went to work.
I knew what was in her mind.
She was going to develop that picture and get out of there as fast as she possibly could.
She was scared, I guess.
And while I stood there watching her, she stopped.
For about half a minute stared into space.
Bill.
What is it, Terry?
You haven't said anything about going home, going back to America.
You've been over here so long, I...
Yeah, say you'll want those lights off when you start to develop that thing, won't you?
Yes.
Well, give me the signal when you're ready, eh?
I think I'm ready now.
Okay.
Bill, there's something I've got...
What's that?
What's what?
That noise then.
Oh, I was just trying the door to be sure it was locked.
Little jumpy, aren't you?
I wouldn't be.
There's not a soul who can get to you, Terry.
So just relax.
You were asking me something.
Yes, Bill.
What are you doing here?
In Lisbon?
Yes.
I'm waiting.
I've been waiting for months.
You mean to get home.
I can't go back to America, Terry.
I'm on the list.
I was surprised you didn't know that.
Oh, no.
Yeah, I've been waiting for a chance to escape.
Your hunch is right.
I stayed over here too long.
I lost the feel of my country and the sense of what she was.
And when they got around to repatriating the correspondence, I elected to stay behind.
I'd been inoculated, Terry.
I had the germ.
So help me, I went for that spiel about the new order of things.
But you could...
You don't mean you worked for them?
I worked for them.
There were a thousand things a guy in my position could help them with.
And now that the heat's on, now that the walls are beginning to melt, you're making your getaway.
That's right.
Before the courts come to session and the sentences are handed out.
A traitor.
A coward.
You and Von Claus, you're cowards, both of you.
You're two of a kind.
Yeah, we ought to make fine traveling companions.
South America, I imagine.
Oh, he and Mosca don't know it yet, but that's how it's going to work.
You see, the way I look at it, if Mosca can arrange an escape from Von Claus, he can certainly arrange one for me.
You got the money to pay for it, huh?
No, but I've got the picture.
Your picture.
If that thing's published and if the story gets out, the Signor's Underground Railroad is dead.
He'll make a deal for that picture all right. Let's not worry about that.
No, Bill.
Surely you understand I'm going to tell this story, every part of it.
I was afraid you'd feel that way.
I'll have to make sure you don't.
Oh, I see.
All right, but you're not going to get this.
Terry, get away from that picture.
The door. Somebody's opened the door.
A bird, it's a picture. Do you have it?
Von Claus.
It's safe, General, and put away.
You'll find the light switch there by the door, left side.
And Mosca.
But that door was locked. How did you open it?
We didn't, Mrs. We opened this door.
The closet. Then you were there all the time. You were listening.
We were there when you entered the room.
Then you've already heard my proposition.
What do you say, Mosca? Is it a deal?
But of course, Signor, of course.
And now if you will turn over the photograph.
Yes, Signor.
You get the photograph when I'm on my way with Von Claus with the right kind of passport and tickets.
Incidentally, how soon can you get me those? I'm in something of a rush.
I understand, Signor. I would tomorrow...
Let's say tonight in about 30 minutes in the lobby.
Look, why the hesitation? It's very simple. I've got the photograph and I've got a gun. What'll it be?
You must know the answer, Signor.
It is a deal.
Okay. You can leave now. I've got some work to do.
Very well.
It shall be as you say, Signor.
30 minutes from now in the lobby.
Von Claus?
There is just one thing unsettled.
Yes?
The Fräulein.
Now for the sake of security of all, I must insist she be silenced at once.
You don't have to insist. I'm taking care of it myself.
Now you understand, Herr Baldwin. In my present situation, I must be very sure of things.
Yeah, sure. Meanwhile, I told you to clear out of here.
Not till the Fräulein is silenced.
Don't be stupid. This isn't the time for that on the place either. We can't...
No?
Then why did you select this time, Signor, and also select this place?
Yeah. We heard you only a minute ago, preparing to shoot this girl.
Then why do you delay her, Baldwin? Why do you not proceed?
That gun again? Come on, General, put it away.
For what reason? What does it matter whose weapon we use?
And, uh, why don't you make me put it away?
She has no weapon.
No.
Ha ha. He has no weapon.
I think you better make sure. Go on, he is cocked.
Your arms, Signor. Hold them away, so.
There's nothing there.
And now I like to know, Herr Baldwin, how you expected to kill the Fräulein if you did not have a gun.
Very simple. He did not expect to kill her. Nothing in that pocket.
Then why did he say...
Why? Ha. Because he heard the noise from the closet and he knew that we were here.
You remember the moment, Mrs., he said he was trying the door?
He knew we had guessed you would come to this room. He knew we were here to finish you both.
He was playing for time. He was bluffing.
About the Nazis? About escaping?
Lies. A stupid fable to hold us off.
Is that not so, Signor? Is not everything I say the truth, ha?
You're an awfully little guy to talk so big.
Oh, I can afford to talk big, Signor. I am sure now that you have no gun.
You are, ha?
What's this? What are you doing?
Turn loose of him, Baldwin.
I'll fire.
Go of me.
That's it. Just face one clous.
There. You see, right in his hand. There's my gun, Signor.
Okay, General, go on and fire.
No, no, no, wait.
Go on. And the way I'm lined up now, your bullet will go straight through Moska first.
Stop moving, Moska. He will seize the gun. He will...
Now listen to me. Listen, I say to you now, Baldwin, if you do not release him in exactly five minutes, I shall shoot the Freyland death.
Go on. Meanwhile, I'll work on Moska.
It'll take not quite more than five minutes to strangle him.
And you'll have plenty of time to fire.
But the chances are great you'll hit him.
Are you insane?
And he's your only means of escape.
Change your hands from his clothes.
You're one single lifeline, von Claus.
Oh, Barney.
The only guy who knows the ropes in his time is running out.
Now wait, wait, listen. We can make some arrangements.
All right. All right, von Claus, put your gun on the table. We'll go on from there.
No, his gun, no.
Your life's going fast, von Claus. The one man who can save your neck's getting pretty limp. Put your gun on the table.
Whatever else you listen. Money, what is it? Your prize. How much?
Oh, my God, stop.
There. It's on the table now. Let him go, Baldwin. Please let him go.
Terry, the gun.
Here, Bill. Here it is.
Thanks.
He'll be okay in a minute.
But the gun, what are you...
Never mind that. Just tell me your full name.
I, uh, I do not understand what...
Answer the question. What's your full name?
Maximilian Reinhard von Claus.
Occupation?
Occupation, I said. What's your occupation?
I, uh, I was divisional commander of police for the district of Warsaw in Poland.
At the time, that is, of the slaughter.
The slaughter?
The mass executions of May 9th in the year 1940.
When your men at your order went into the homes of those who weren't cooperative enough and machine-gunned the women and children.
What is this?
Your standing trial for murder.
Standing trial for... You are mad.
There can be no trial, there's no judge, no...
I'm the judge, von Claus, and those two the jury, Terry Moore and Mosca.
But, uh, our arrangements, you said, if I put the gun on the table...
I'd turn loose of your little pal.
Well, I did. That was our only arrangement.
And now I want to know how you plead, guilty or not guilty, for the execution of those families.
Those families? How would I know those families?
You wouldn't know, but I would.
That's been my business all these years.
Gathering the names of victims, keeping records on murderers like you.
Baldwin, wait, wait, give me a chance.
A chance? Those Poles didn't even have a trial.
You had them shot in cold blood without even passing sentence.
But you're getting all of that, von Claus.
You're really getting the works.
But you must understand those measures are...
Look, I will show you, it's a... it's a Met-House administration.
Did you or did you not have those people killed?
I'm trying to explain to you. It was military expediency.
The entire procedure, it's part of the war, it had to be done, I'll tell you that.
In other words, you did.
Yes, but...
That's all I wanted to hear.
Your verdict, Terry, what is it?
Please...
I say the man is guilty.
Mosca's not able to vote right now, so I'll have to do it for him.
And I say you're guilty, von Claus.
So for the crime of multiple murder, I sentence you to death.
No! No, please!
Gentlemen of the jury, the commission of murder has been very plainly established.
So in the case of the World Democracies versus the defendant William Baldwin,
what will your verdict be?
Your Honor, we find the defendant guilty.
Guilty?
And direct that he be freed at once to receive the court's commendation.
Thank you, gentlemen.
In view of the somewhat irregular circumstances, we see no reason to dissent.
There is, however, a question.
We know, of course, that this Mosca has been imprisoned since the collapse of the Axis powers.
But that picture, Mr. Baldwin, Terry Moore's photograph of von Claus,
what ever became of that?
Oh, well, ever since we've been married, it's the one thing I don't dare mention.
She's pretty touchy about it.
Yes, but you did develop it finally.
Oh, sure, and it was...
Well, sir, the thing was just a blur.
And so closes Dateline Lisbon, starring John Hodiac.
Tonight's study in...
Suspense!
Suspense is produced and directed by William Spear.
If you are one who does not yet know how much and how delightfully Roma wines can add to your meals,
well, let me urge you not to miss out any longer on such a treat as this.
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Get some tomorrow.
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Our government wishes us to pass along to you an important reminder.
Winter is just around the corner, a winter in which every kind of fuel for home heating will be extremely scarce.
It is to your essential interest to ensure fuel savings right now.
Arrange for your fuel supply immediately.
Check all your heating equipment now.
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If you don't prepare now for heavier weather, you may be in for a cold, uncomfortable winter.
Next Thursday, same time, you will hear Mr. Reginald Gardner as star of Suspense.
Presented by Roma wines, R-O-M-A. Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.
This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.
Thank you.