Encore Theater - Magnificent Obsession

The Shenley Laboratories Producers of Penicillin. Shenley present the Encore Theater, Yoncore Theater play Tonight Magnificent Obsession. Our star is Cornell Wire. Tonight, Shenley Laboratories present the first in a new series of great dramatic programs. Some of our stories are fact the struggles and accomplishments of great men of medicine. Others are fiction, stories of devotion to an ideal individual, heroism, or great courage.

To me, doctor Wayne Hudson had always been a legend, even back in those days when my life was dedicated.

To pleasure and very little else.

He was one of the world's great surgeons and one of the world's great men we never met, and yet his life ended because of me, and my life began because of him. That was many years ago, but I can still recall that dark morning when I came to in doctor Hudson's Brightwood hospital with a splitting headache and no idea at all what I was doing there. I heard voices outside my door, and I lay there in a cold sweat listening.

How did it happen? Doctor Ramsey.

Doctor Hudson had gone for a swim to freshen up. He was very tired, his heart was over text. We could have saved him with the pull mutter, but it wasn't there.

Where was it.

On the far side of the lake.

Young Bobby Merrick and some of his friends had stayed an all night poker party. Early this morning, Marrek decided to take them off for a sail on his boat. He was knocked out and overboard by a swinging boom. They rushed over in a speedboat for the pull mutter, and Justin took it to them. If we had had it, we could have saved doctor Hudson over.

We could have saved doctor Hudson. We could have saved doctor Hudson. I lay there for days with those words lashing at me. I saw them in the eyes of the people who came to see me. I saw them in the eyes of the nurses and the doctors when I began to think I'll never escape them. Every time I read a death notice, I think, could doctor Hudson have saved that life? And at last I couldn't stand

How did you know? Nurses are always under strict daughters not to tell.

No, the nurses didn't tell me. But I have ears and I have eyes.

Unfortunately, you're all asking yourself what right have I to be alive and doctor Hudson dead? No, well, I'm asking myself that I know my life isn't worth his.

Doctor Hudson wouldn't want you to feel that way.

No, well, how would doctor Hudson want me to feel?

I think doctor Hudson would say that if you felt responsible for the loss of a man, then you'd better find a way to make up for that loss.

That's a pretty big order, sister.

Yes, mister Merrick, that is a pretty big order.

After I left the hospital, I spent the days and the nights walking and thinking. I couldn't sit still, I couldn't sleep. I was confused and lost, and growing more and more convinced that Bobby Merrick was a pretty miserable character and the world would be much better off without him. And then one day, when I was out walking, I met a girl. Her car had broken down.

Hell, hell, there, I wonder if you could help me.

She smiled at me, and for a moment the fires burning inside me flick it out, and I was almost at peace. I've always laughed people who talked about love at first sight, but her smile went straight to my heart and stayed there. I took all the time I quit fixing her car, and I was sorry when I had finished.

Thank you so much. I'm very grateful to you.

Oh was nothing at all. I always glad to help a lady in distress.

I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come along.

I don't suppose that there would be a chance of seeing you again. I don't suppose I could call her just to see how the car was getting along. Never mind that probably sounded pretty fresh.

Your alone, so.

Much loneliness is only part of what's wrong with me, lady, Only a very small part.

You know.

My husband used to say, did you know doctor Hudson? By any chance? So many people did.

I beg your pardon? What did you say?

I just ask you if you knew my husband, doctor Wayne Hudson.

No, I never had that pleasure.

Well, anyhow, he used to say that all paying passes and that we grow by it. Well, I'm not going to preach a serve. Can I give you a lib?

No? Thank you, Missus hud good night.

Wait a minute, aren't you going to tell me your name?

Sure? Why not?

The name's Merk, Missus Hudson, Bobby Merrick, Bobby married. Yes, it's a pity, isn't it? For a moment we were almost friends? Or am I presuming you are presuming good nights to me? I stood there watching her card disappear over the hill, feeling as though I had been slammed against the earth, until every nerve was bleeding, and then once more I started walking, hour after hour, mile after mile, I didn't know where I was walking.

I didn't care.

I lost all consciousness of my surroundings, until suddenly I realized that it was very late at night, and I was cold.

And lost in more ways than one.

I stopped at a house whose lighted windows suddenly appeared like a beacon. Yes, I beg your pardon, but I'm afraid i've lost my way to come in.

Thank you?

If I could just use your telephone.

You look all in. Why don't you sit down and rest a few moments.

Thanks. I'm sorry to bust in like this.

I thought I knew my way perfectly.

Well. They wait, where have I seen that face before?

Oh that's a bluster of doctor Hudson, I may just before his death. It's for the hospital. You may have heard of.

Him, heard of him? Oh?

Yes, I've heard of him. He's haunting me. First, my life is saved with someone's lung machine. Who's doctor Hudson's. Then they take me to a hospital, who's doctor Hudsons.

Then I meet a girl, a very beautiful girl, and whose wife is she doctor Hutchon? That's right, right?

And I come here to borrow a telephone. There he is again, he's haunting me. He's haunting me. I see your own mister Merrick's grandson. Yes, that's me, Bobby Merrick. A name that will go down, and inform me a name that will go down.

You go right to sleep, mister Merrick, and in the morning we'll have a long talk. I've been wanting to talk to you for some time. Morning, mister Merrick.

Sleep, Well, why I beg your pardon? Would you mind telling me where I am?

You're in my house, on my couch. As a matter of fact, my name is Randolph. I'm a sculptor.

Oh well, of course that accounts for everything. Yeah, I have some coffee while we talk. Thanks. I hope I didn't cause you any trouble last.

Night, not at all.

When I learned you were a friend of doctor Hudson's, I was glad to be of any service I could.

I'm sorry, but I can't claim any sort of friendship with doctor Hudson.

Doctor Hudson was every one's friend. I think you should know a little about him and a magnificent obsession of his. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be a sculptor. You see, Doctor Hudson taught me how to use my life how to make contact with the source of infinite power? But what the power that keeps the world and the stars spinning through infinite space? It applies to humans too, and once you establish contact with that powerhouse, you can fulfill your destiny.

Well, I'm afraid this is all a little beyond me.

There's no reason why it should be. Christ originated the science of generating human power, and so successfully did he practice it that he's more alive to day than he was over nineteen hundred years ago.

Well, supposing there is such a power, how do you establish contact with it?

All you do is go out find people who need help and help them. Only it has to be done in absolute secrecy, and you must never let anyone know about it. Doctor Hudson lived by that doctrine. If you took it up, that would be one way of making up his law. And there's another thing you might take up. What's that his profession. I have something to tell you, missus Ashford. Yes, I'm going to study surgery. You Yes, you told me. Doctor Hudson would say I should make

Maybe I won't succeed, but if I'm ever to have any respect for myself again, I have to try.

Nancy, would you like I'm sorry I disturbed you, Nancy.

I'll start by later.

Helen Bob is going to study surgery.

Surgery, Bobby Mark, Yes, it does sound funny.

Doesn't it have you any idea at all? What it means to be a surgeon. It means years of study and work. It means discipline and self denial.

It means much more than that, missus Hudson. It means being able to look people in the eye again and to sleep at night. Means being able to look at some people and think I have eased your pain, and at others and think, with God's.

Help, I've given your years to live.

It means being able to look at your hands. I know that there's life in them and healing, and that you're earning your place in this world.

Where did you learn all that from?

Doctor Hudson?

Yes, for a moment you sounded like him.

She stood looking at me for a moment, and then she reached out her hand and I took it, and once again, for that moment, we were friends. I asked if I could drive her home, and she said yes, and a lot of things seemed to be beginning, but they came to a quick end.

It was my fault.

She wanted to go straight home, but I was so happy to be with her that I went in the opposite direction. She was angry with me then, and when we came to a stoplight, before I could do anything, she jumped from the car. What happened then is still a confused, blurred thing. Helen wait a monment.

Well, doctor Ramsay, the operation was a success, at least as far as her life is concerned.

Thank God for that.

But there seems to be a depressed fracture involving the occipital lobe of the brain.

I'm afraid she will never see again.

No, oh no, she will never see again. She will never see again. The words branded themselves into my brain. They were always there through the days that became weeks, the weeks that became months, months that gradually grouped themselves into years. I went on with my studies, always searching desperately for the thing that might restore Helen's sight. I'd try to watch over her from a distance.

Bob is your lawyer, I must tell you that Helen Hudson's stocks aren't worth the paper there printed.

All right, replace her bad stocks and bonds with some of my good ones.

What she must have a steady income.

I heard from doctor Richard this morning. Five of the specialists we wrote to have agreed to meet in Paris.

Good. Hey, what time is it? Well that's about two. Why, Oh, I've got to get to the park. The park, Yes, I go there every day at this time.

Well, this is certainly a switch on the old Merrick.

You bet it is. She came every day into the little park near her house, and I would sit there and watch them. She brought her bray of books with her and she would sit there and study. It was a long time before I had an opportunity to speak to her, But at last one day she dropped her book and I was able to pick it up and hand it to her. Here's your book.

Oh, thank you. I didn't realize anyone was near. I was studying my lesson.

Oh would you let me coach?

Oh?

I couldn't do that.

I'd be embarrassed learning ABC's with a grown up.

It won't be long before you'll be reading Shakespeare. Did you know they have him and Brail?

Now?

Yes I did.

But how do you know, well.

I'm interested in the Braille system.

Oh are you a doctor, a fledgeling doctor?

Really?

What did you say?

Your name was, doctor Robert? Oh, doctor Robert. I'm missus Hudson. Doctor. Thank you so much for your courtesy. I must be going now.

Will you be here tomorrow?

Yes?

I come here every day.

Well, I'll be waiting for you. Hello, Missus Hudson. You're late today.

Yes, I know, but so many exciting things have happened. You've been so good to meet these past months. I want you to be the first to know. I'm going to Paris for a consultation. Yes, a number of eyes specialists and meet there. And while they're having that convention, I suppose it's because of what my husband stood for in the medical profession if asked me to come.

Oh, I'm so happy for you.

Surely men like Rochard, Darnelli Rittenbacker will be able to find the answer.

How did you know they'll be there?

Well, they're the most famous. I just suppose they would be the ones. I'm sure they'll be able to help you.

I just can't tell you what it means to me. There's so many things I'm so hungry to see you again, you'll see them not telling something else. I'm very anxious to see you all these months knowing you. Yes, I'm very anxious to see you.

I watched her go that day, knowing that if her sight was restored, I would never see her again. And I wish that, somehow, some way I had managed to say to her, I love you as ever to be a woman.

For me, it can only be you. And suddenly I.

Was very cold, and I walked away along a lonely street.

Between the acts of Encore Theater. Shenley Laboratories bring you an announcement that is vital and important for to day. Penicillin is in the news. You read that wonder drug is now standard equipment in first aid kits on leading airlines, or that penicillin is playing a part in research on preventing a tooth decay. The number of people whose lives

Certainly, as one of.

The world's largest users of applied research in the field of mols, Shenleigh knowledge and experience will be useful in the continuing task of supplying your doctor with more and better tools to aid in his work of healing. Now Shenley Laboratories present the second act of Magnificent Obsession, starring Cornell Wilde and Lorene Tuttle. Doctor Merrick continue was his story.

Helen went to Paris for the consultation. I followed her day. I was in that consultation room. Oh, Helen didn't know it.

Now missus Hudson, just fix your eyes as though you were looking straight in front of you. Now, then please tell me if you see a little light. No, a day before yesterday, she had definitely perception of light. You say you perceived light the other day, Missus Hudson, I think so, yes, which indicates slightly less trouble on one side of the brain than the other. Just rest for a few moments.

Well, gentlemen, dot to Merrick. Personally, I wouldn't operate, and the rest of you.

Gentlemen nine, it is no good for operation.

Every year we make new discoveries, Doctor Merrick. Perhaps next year or the following we may be better able to help her, But right now an operation is not the answer.

Yes, it's doctor Robert.

Dr Robert will come in, come in. What are you doing in Paris?

Or I had some business?

I may as well tell you right away. I'm not going to see you again.

And don't say that, Helen, you're going to see with my eyes. I have nothing else to do with the rest of my life but help you to see whatever you want to see. Come on now, I'll tell you why. Let's get all dressed up and go out and do the town show you Paris, and show Paris you.

Have some popcorns.

Thanks, tell me some more about the carnival.

Well, on your right, madam is a Tinka, the faintest lady in the world. She tips the scales of three hundred and sixty pounds made down. And on your left we have a sword swallower.

Yes, there it goes.

A sword is disappearing right down his stomach.

Can you imagine doing that for a living twice a day?

Yes, but not swords. Hey, there's a ferris wheel. Come on, let's go right on the ferris wheel.

Where are we now?

We're standing on top of a hill, and all Paris is at your feet. That music is coming from a little Italian inn down the hill.

Away lovely, isn't It makes you think of moonlight and gondolous and stars and romance.

Will you marry me? Helen?

Oh? This combination of moonlight and music can be a very heady, dangerous thing, got it?

Oh? Don't. I've never been so serious about anything in my life.

I wish I could say yes, I wish I could say, here is my life, take it and let me be all things to you.

But I can't say that.

I haven't even half a life to get you. You can't enter my world, and I've lost my passport to yours.

There's only one world.

I wish that were true. Bobby Merrick, you know I knew the first time you spoke to me.

Oh why didn't you say something?

Why didn't I Probably because somewhere along the line and I couldn't tell you when or what more I fell in love with you? And has that operation have been a success? I was going to find you and.

Tell you, darling, will you marry me? Will you please marry me?

It's getting late.

We better start back, Helen. I'm very tired. Please will you let me give you my answer.

In the morning.

If it's the right one, I will.

It will be the right one.

In the morning.

There was a note for me at the hotel desk, and she was gone. She said no, it doesn't matter particularly what she said. She didn't want to be a burden. Thank you for the days we've had together. Thank you for your love and your devotion. Words a few dozen of them that rattled emptily against my heart. So then then I had nothing but my work. And while it was exciting and gratifying, as time went on, I was more and more lonely for the happiness that had eluded me.

Doctor Mary, this is a proud day for Brightwood Hospital. It's going to be a great pleasure working with you, sir.

I thank you, Doctor Thomas.

I tell you it makes us feel pretty good to be a part of something that is constantly growing. Medicine and surgery have changed since I was your age, and they'll change more by the time you were mine, and always for the better.

Hello, Bobby, welcome home.

Oh Hello, Nancy Darling. You look wonderful.

I hate to tear you away from all these compliments, but there's a mister Randolph waiting, but you could just see him for a moment.

Of course, I'll be glad to ride over here. Mister Randolph.

Hello, Bob, don't you remember me? I'm afraid I you spent a night in my studio once, of course, the sculptor. How are you, sir? Please sit down. It's good to see you again. You've come a long way. I've got a long way to go. You've become a great doctor at a very young age. And also, if I'm not mistaken, you've given with real generosity. Well you did establish contact with the source of power, didn't you.

You're mistaken about one thing, mister Randolph. I didn't give anything to better myself in any way I've found it clinics. I've donated to medical research, but it was for one person only who needed the kind of help that a doctor can give. Whatever I've been able to do was done in the hope that she might be one of those helped somewhere.

Doctor Merrick, let me tell you what I've come to you about. Not long ago, I was in Virginian. While I was there, I happened on a very unfortunate case a woman who is blind.

Blind.

This blind woman whom I want you to help afford just the opportunity to complete a circle. She is missus Hudson.

Helen. Yes, she's critically ill, Helen.

I'll go to her at once. She hasn't rallied since this morning. No, all right, prepare for the operation. We don't want to lose a minute if we can help it.

They're ready in the operating room, Bob, Nancy.

I don't know if I can do it, Bah, I can't hold my hands steady, look at them. All these years I've been hoping, praying that someday I'd be able to help her.

Now, no, doctor Merrick, this is no time for emotions of sentiment.

This is surgery. The fact that the patient is Helen Hudson makes no difference.

This is a woman whose life is in your hands, and you can save her.

You can, and you will.

You're not a man right now, You're a surgeon, Thank.

You, Nancy. Come on, lie still, Darling. Don't try to move.

Bo.

Yes, dear, it's very important for you to be perfect and quiet.

You operate me.

Yes, my eyes? What about your eyes? Darling?

I think I can see just a little lie.

Are you sure?

Yes, yes, I am sure.

What does it mean?

It means that one day, very soon, you will be able to see again. You must go to sleep now, Darling. You mustn't get excited today.

Tomorrow, Bob. Can I get excited.

Tomorrow, Yes, Darling, tomorrow. Tomorrow is such a beautiful word. Tomorrow our world will begin again, and from now on it's going to be the same world for both of us.

In a moment, we'll bring back our star Cornell wild. But first, ladies and gentlemen, may we leave you with this thought. Shenley Laboratories, makers of penicillin, bring you this program in tribute not only to the famous men of medicine, but also to the one man whose responsibility is your health and welfare, your doctor. Today, your life expectancy is fifteen years greater than that of your grandfather, and part

Wild Words are magnificent instruments for the expression of thoughts and ideas, and simplicity is the soul of clarity. I can think of nothing at this time better sums up the spirit of this Shenley Laboratory's program than this simple prayer. The eternal Providence has appointed me to watch over the life and death of all thy creatures. May I always see in the patient a fellow creature in pain. Grant me strength and opportunity always to extend the domain of

Good Night, Magnificent Obsession by Lloyd S.

Douglas was produced and directed by William Lawrence and is broadcast through the courtesy of Universal Pictures, producers of Knife and Paradise. The musical score was by Eat Stephens and.

The adaptation by G.

Holloway for Now Whild appeared to the courtesy of twentieth Century Fox and will soon be seen in their technicolor production Centennial Summer. This is Frank Graham speaking for Shenley Laboratories, produces of Penicillin, Shenley, and inviting you to listen to the Encore theater next Tuesday at the same time when you will hear Paul Lucas in the Life of Louis Faster. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System