Studio One (1948–1958): Season 6, Episode 17 - The Remarkable Incident at Carson Corners - full transcript
Out of 70 years of
leadership in research,
out of the vision of America's
most advanced engineers,
out of the widest
kind of experience
in electrical manufacturing
come products for
home, farm, and industry
that bear this respected
mark, this mark of quality...
The mark of Westinghouse.
Due to conditions
beyond the control
of the CBS Television Network
and the Westinghouse
Electric Corporation,
the program originally
scheduled for tonight
will not be seen at this time.
In its place, we are bringing
you by television recording
one of the most widely discussed
and favorably reviewed programs
ever presented on television...
"The Remarkable
Incident at Carson Corners"
by Reginald Rose.
We'll see you later.
Did you see how
Emily Hendricks looked?
I didn't notice.
I'll bet she's gained 10 pounds.
That woman hasn't got
the sense she was born with,
letting herself go like that.
Well, she should have
eaten at our house tonight.
That was a great little
supper you put together.
I'm starving.
We're going over to the
Caldwells' later for a snack.
Now stop fussing.
The invitation said 6:00 sharp.
I couldn't help it.
Say, um, Helen, what are
these kids cooking up, anyway?
Oh, it's probably a
play or a pageant.
Something like that.
I'm dying to see it.
I think the whole idea
of the kids surprising
us is just stunning.
I wish they'd
surprise us at 7:00.
Look at him!
Hey, slow down, Mr. Rogers.
You're not gonna
run a four-minute mile
at your age, are you?
Good evening,
Mr. and Mrs. Prince.
Guess I was in kind of a hurry,
but Joey told me not to be late.
What time is it?
Oh, 10 of 6:00. Plenty of time.
Oh. I was rushing to
close up the store early.
Essie Loomis had to come in
and browse around among
the patented medicines.
I'm afraid I was a
little snappy with her.
Well, that woman just about
drives me out of my mind.
Oh, Mrs. Prince! How do you do?
It's so nice to see you.
- Evening, Mrs. Loomis.
- How do you do?
Liver extract, it was.
See you inside.
All right.
Oh, look, dear. The Caldwells.
Hi, Cecily.
Helen! Is that your new coat?
Hi, there, Doc. How goes it?
Fine, Harry. How's that cough?
Well, it was killing me.
But I got your
bill this morning,
and it disappeared
just like that.
At Hart's in Centerville
They're having the
most wonderful sale.
- You ought to run down.
- Better not to run down.
Come in here before we go broke.
Say, does anybody know what
these pip-squeaks are up to?
Susie's been looking
like a little spy all week.
- What's the mystery?
- Nobody knows.
Isn't it the cutest thing?
The children didn't even tell
Miss Frank what it was about.
Miss Frank told me that
she asked them point-blank
in geography class yesterday,
and they told her to
go back to the lesson.
Her. Can you imagine that?
I cannot. Poor Miss Frank.
- You coming, Merv?
- Come on!
Mervin, you have to smoke that
down to the last
quarter of an inch?
I'm cold.
I'll be through
in a minute, dear.
- Hi, Bill.
- Hi.
Bill and Henny Woodbridge.
Oh! How are you,
Bill, Henrietta?
Hello, darling. How are you?
Well, Miss Wright,
you look all spruced up.
You all ready for the show?
There. You see? I
told you it was a show.
Henrietta, it's been ages.
Oh, Julia, how are the children?
Oh, just fine.
Phyllis lost her
first tooth yesterday.
Would be right here in front.
What kind of a show is it, Bill?
Well, to tell you the truth,
I don't know if
it's a show or not.
I mean, I'm only the
principal of this school.
I'm not supposed
to know anything.
I don't dare ask
the kids about it.
- They'd have my head.
- They're really something.
Harold won't tell us a thing.
He changed the subject every
time we asked him about it.
That's a smart boy
you've got there, Merv.
Top student. I wish
I had more like him.
Oh, if you'll excuse
me just a moment,
I want to see if Kovy
has the furnace off.
You know, these kids
have got me so curious.
Oh, I know what you mean.
Julia, you should see the way
Alice has been acting lately.
Well, Alice just loves
being mysterious, anyway.
Girls do.
Yesterday I told her I was
surprised they let her in on it,
her being only 10, and
she just looked at me.
I know that look.
Come on, girls. Let's go in.
The show must be starting.
I'll wait here. See you later.
- Oh.
- Good evening, Mrs. Woodbridge.
Kovy! So you're
invited, too. How nice.
Yes, madam.
Special invitation.
Well, now, that's just fine.
We'd better go in.
We'll see you later.
Oh, now, isn't that darling?
They've got reserved
seats and an usher.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright,
seats 9 and 10.
- Well, Bobby, are you the usher?
- Yes, sir.
Hope you have a pair
for us in the first row.
Second row, Mr. Wright.
This way, please.
Please wait at the
door, Mr. Woodbridge.
Uh, wait at the door?
All right, Bobby.
Anything you say.
You know, he
sounded downright rude.
Oh, nonsense. Probably nervous.
Well, he did.
Will you look at Dr. Caldwell
trying to get those long legs
of his under that little desk.
Mervin, look.
Never mind about his.
I'm worried about mine.
What's the matter?
Well, I'm all tangled
up in this thing.
Your stomach's growling, too.
Any reason why it shouldn't?
Oh, Julia, don't forget you're
coming over later for a snack.
- Right.
- Teacher! Teacher!
- Hey, Bobby, what's the matter?
- Stop it.
Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis.
Hello, son.
Hello, Dad.
Seats 17 and 18.
This way, please.
- What is this?
- I can't tell you.
And you promised not to
ask the boy again, Ralph.
Take us to our seats, Bobby.
I said what is this?
Your mother and I didn't
want to come here now.
All these people.
I asked you if there was
gonna be a lot of people.
Please, Dad.
Take us to our seats, Bobby.
Say, Henrietta, did you get...
Hello, Kate.
Did you get that dress for
Alice you were telling me about?
Oh, no, darling. It
was the wrong color.
I thought it was pretty.
Let's start the show!
Hey, Bobby! Let's get started!
Nobody's absent
or tardy! Let's go!
There's Kovy!
- Kovy!
- Kovy!
Kovy... I mean Mr. Kovalesky...
It's all right you call
me Kovy, Bobby.
Sit down there.
Here you want me to sit?
Oh, I sit over there.
Is good enough.
This is where you're
supposed to sit, Mr. Kovalesky.
You have to.
I have to.
All right. Here.
Say, Kovalesky, you want
to be the guest of honor?
Attaboy, Kovy!
Let's start the show!
Bill, just look at Alice.
If that isn't the
best-looking dress.
That Parker girl doesn't
show up at all next to her.
Our Harold... With
a clean shirt on.
Well, he did it himself.
My goodness. I've
never been so surprised.
- Oh!
- Oh!
Hello, Susie.
Are you gonna sit with me?
Look at Susie's face.
Sarah Bernhardt.
I'm going to giggle.
The court will rise.
We have to get up? I
just got into this thing.
His Honor Judge Joseph Rogers.
This court is now in session.
Be seated.
I just got up!
If this isn't the
most original idea.
I just...
Clerk.
Go ahead, Susie.
This court will now try the case
of the people of Carson
Corners against...
Mr. Peter Kovalesky...
Against Mr. Peter
Kovalesky for murder.
What?
Susan.
And now we turn to the
case of the empty chair.
Yes, mother's chair
is almost always empty
at breakfast time.
She's so busy in the kitchen
frying bacon and eggs
or making pancakes
that she practically never
gets to sit down with the others.
Oh, look at that.
Now her coffee is cold.
Well, you'll always be able
to sit right with your family
and enjoy breakfast
when you have the
Westinghouse automatic frypan.
You can cook right at the table.
And everything is
automatically better.
So good, in fact,
that I'll bet you'll find
you use your frypan for
lunch and for dinner, too.
And why do things
cook so beautifully?
Well, for one thing, the
Westinghouse heats better...
Much better... Than
other square frypans.
Just let me show you.
Now, this square frypan
has a round heating element.
But the Westinghouse element
follows the shape of the pan.
You see how that
round heating element
leaves four cool corners
here, here, here, and here.
But see how evenly the
square element heats the frypan.
No cool corners, all
food browned evenly.
This is one time that
it's good to be a square.
Heat control is important, too.
This small thermostat measures
the heat in just one spot.
But the Westinghouse thermostat
measures the temperature
right across the pan.
It gives accurate heat control,
so you needn't watch constantly.
Now I'd like you to look at
the exclusive safety handle
on this Westinghouse
that protects your
hand from the hot pan.
And notice it's square, too,
so it can't possibly
turn in your hand.
That's something I'm sure you'll
appreciate just as much as I do.
Of course, can dip the pan
in water for easy cleaning.
So go and see
your dealer tomorrow
about a Westinghouse
automatic frypan.
It's only $22.95.
Remember to ask
for the square frypan
with the square heating element.
And remember, too...
You can be sure if
it's Westinghouse.
We return now to
"Westinghouse Studio One"
and "The Remarkable
Incident at Carson Corners."
What do you kids
think you're doing?!
What kind of a thing to say?
You make a joke, Susie!
You make a joke!
That's not a good joke!
- Murder! Not good!
- Kovy, stop it!
Stop it! Stop it, Kovy!
Sit down.
I, uh...
I know as little about what's
going on here as any of you.
But whatever it is,
we're gonna have order.
No sense in getting these
children any more frightened
than they are right now.
All right. Now we'll
talk, but one at a time.
- Right.
- I'd certainly like to know...
Just a moment, Julia, please.
Joey, are you in charge of this?
No, sir. We all
are. All the kids.
Do you know it's not very
funny to accuse a man of murder,
even in a joke?
Yes, sir. Mr. Wood...
I think you'd better
apologize to Mr. Kovalesky.
- Sir...
- No, no, Mr. Woodbridge.
It's all right.
They're just kids.
I-I know kids for 30 years.
They... They have a joke.
Is all right.
All right.
Well, I think we can
call an end to this.
But don't forget the supper
after the basketball game
on Friday night, everybody.
But, Mr. Woodbridge!
Dad!
Mr. Woodbridge. Uh, pardon me.
Uh, well, I was thinking
that the children have
worked so hard to surprise us.
All the whisperings
and preparations.
My boy, Joey, made me give him
two weeks' allowance in advance
so that he could...
Well, I see now it was to
buy that... that gavel there.
Maybe it wasn't
a very good idea,
but, uh, if Mr. Kovalesky
doesn't mind...
I-I mean, it would be a shame
to disappoint the children.
If no one agrees with
me, I-I don't know.
Thanks.
Oh, sure. Let them go ahead.
It's their party.
I don't know. Kovy?
Sure. They... They're good kids.
All right.
Now, does anyone
want to say anything?
Order in the court.
The court has
appointed Harold Wright
as your lawyer, Mr. Kovalesky.
Any objection?
No, Your Honor.
I got a good lawyer, eh, Harold?
Counsel for the
prosecution, Tommy Prince.
Ladies and gentlemen of
the jury, we're going to prove
that the man sitting
over there in that chair,
Mr. Peter Kovalesky,
is a murderer.
We're going to prove that the
murder he did was pre... was...
was premeditated.
Five months and six days
ago, something happened
that maybe most
people in Carson Corners
don't think about much anymore.
I'm talking about the time
Billy McGinnis fell
off the fire escape
right outside this
door and was killed.
No.
What are you trying
to do? You're...
- Daddy, don't!
- Keep away from me.
Please! Please, Dad!
You've got to listen!
You ought to be whipped
for letting them make a game
- out of your brother's death.
- Dad, please!
It is not a game!
Why, it isn't a game.
Prosecution will continue.
It was an accident.
That's what everyone said.
The railing was busted, broken.
And Billy fell through it.
Well, we don't think he fell.
We think he was
pushed through the railing
and killed by Mr. Kovalesky!
What?!
What do you say about me?
That's a lie!
I take you...
You touch him, and I'll
break your head open.
Now, listen to me, Tommy.
You know what you just said?
You know what it means, Tommy?
Answer me!
Yes, I do.
You're not playing
with kid stuff, Tommy.
This isn't just a cute
little idea anymore.
We never said it was.
Do you have
anything more to say?
Yes, sir.
Well, then say it.
I'm listening.
Mr. Woodbridge, I-I...
Uh, maybe you'd
better sit down, Kovy.
Counsel for the
defense, Harold Wright.
Ladies and
gentlemen of the jury,
we all know
Mr. Kovalesky... Kovy.
Kovy has been a
janitor in our school for...
Well, for over 30 years.
We see him every day.
I think we ought
to get to the point.
- All this nonsense about...
- Let's hear what he has to say.
Well, the idea is... Is
that Kovy is our friend.
Kovy likes kids.
And anyone who likes
kids the way Kovy does
could never have pushed Billy
McGinnis off the fire escape.
He never could.
Everybody knows that about Kovy.
Call the first witness.
Bert Hendricks.
Swear to tell the
truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the
truth, so help you, God?
Yep.
What's your name?
Bertram Frank Hendricks Jr.
Sit down.
Hi.
Bert, did you know
Billy McGinnis?
Sure.
He was my best friend
in the whole school.
Did you see him the day he died?
Sure. I saw him every day.
Sat right next to me in
geography and arithmetic,
besides Blaine.
You know, he was
the same size as me.
Just answer the question.
Okay.
Bert, tell us what happened
when you saw Billy that day.
Okay.
Well, it was about 11:00,
because Mr. Woodbridge's
class was just having recess.
Most of the kids were playing
games and stuff in the yard.
I was going up to finish
my history homework
before the class started.
You know how
Mr. Woodbridge gets sore.
Hey. Not so fast, mister.
- Where you going?
- Cut it out, Kovy!
Look out!
Did you see that?
Holy cow.
Look at it wiggle.
Yes.
That gets fixed right now.
Uh, do you want to help
me with the tools, Bert?
No. I can't.
I got to go in.
Holy cow.
- Hiya, Bill!
- Hi!
Wait till you hear
what happened to me!
- Hello, Billy.
- Hi.
Do you want to help
me get my tools?
- Sure, Kovy.
- Good.
Well, anyway, in the
middle of history class,
well, I had to go downstairs.
It was maybe about
a quarter of 12:00.
I don't know.
I tried the railing again,
and it was still busted.
You know, I gave it a shove.
When I got downstairs,
I saw Billy McGinnis coming
out of Miss Frank's room.
Hey, Bert!
Want to see something?
No! Listen! I got to tell
you something important!
Honest!
What?
You know when I went in the
basement with Kovy before?
Guess what I saw!
How do I know?
Quit it!
You know the community cans
we filled up in the
classroom this morning?
Kovy has them hidden down there.
I bet you he stole them.
No kidding.
Honest! There
must be $15 in them.
He had them stuffed
behind the boiler.
He saw me looking
at them, so I ran out.
I tried to tell Miss Frank,
but she said I was
interrupting the class.
I'm scared, Bert.
He's probably after me.
Holy cow.
Listen. I got to go back.
So long.
Hey, Bert!
Wait a minute!
Bert, wait a minute!
Wait!
We think Mr. Kovalesky
pushed Billy off the fire escape
because Billy saw the
community-fund money he stole.
You heard what he
said! What about that?
Open your mouth! What about it?!
I didn't!
He... He don't tell the truth.
What is the truth,
then? Let's hear it!
Look at him! Look at his face!
No, no. I-I never
pushed him. Never.
They lie.
Children... They lie to you.
Crazy children!
Miss Frank, she gave me the
community-fund cans to hold.
She gonna turn
them in the next day.
I keep them overnight,
nobody should steal.
I-I don't steal.
Ask her.
You ask Miss Frank.
Miss Frank?
- Oh, Miss Frank?
- She's not here.
She had to go to
Centerville. Her sister is sick.
This is exhibit "A."
Joey Rogers found
them behind the boiler
in the basement last Friday.
Last Friday?!
That's five months later!
You hear that?!
Five months! He stole them!
That's enough for me!
Listen to me, everybody!
Listen! There's a boy dead.
- Your boy, McGinnis.
- No!
No. You don't understand.
Miss Frank forgot.
She forgot.
I-I never steal.
I-I didn't kill a child.
How could I kill a child?
I-I don't!
I-I swear!
Swear? I'll show
you how to swear!
Listen to this!
Here's your proof!
What are you doing?!
- They're only children!
- All right. Now swear!
- Swear!
- I swear!
You're a liar!
- Get out of my way!
- I will not get out of your way.
Are you the law in this room?
Shame that our sons
and daughters will see us
behaving like animals.
What will they think of us?
The avenger.
You're so ready to punish.
Did you see this
man commit a crime?
Did you?
Did any of you actually see him?
Maybe it was like
the children said.
- Maybe it was. But this is...
- It wasn't as they say.
I tell the truth.
Shut up!
Now, we've had
enough talk around here.
Let's do something about him!
Mr. Prince!
Mr. Prince!
Let him talk!
Sit down.
Let him talk.
I-I tried...
I...
Why didn't you fix the railing?
I-I was going to.
Oh, you were going to.
I-I was going to fix it.
I-I went downstairs
into my basement.
I asked Billy he should
help me carry the tools.
Sometimes they get a little
heavy for an old man, and...
♪ For amber waves of grain ♪
♪ For purple mountains'... ♪
Kovy, what do you
want the tools for?
Something busted?
Huh, Kovy?
Did you ask me something, Billy?
Kovy, how do you
work this thing?
You wait a minute,
and I'll show you.
♪ ...shed his grace on thee ♪
♪ And crown thy good
with brotherhood ♪
♪ From sea to shining sea ♪
What's the matter, Billy?
Nothing!
I was eating my lunch...
Liverwurst, pie,
coffee, and apple.
The railing was broken,
and I-I was hungry.
I... I didn't know...
I... I didn't know that...
Hey, Bert!
Wait! Wait!
Now, children, stand back.
Out of the way.
Who... Who is this?
It's Billy McGinnis,
Mr. Woodbridge.
Yeah. It's Billy.
Hey! You shouldn't pick
him up, Mr. Woodbridge.
But, Mr. Woodbridge, you
told us yourself in first aid
we should never move the body.
But, Mr. Woodbridge,
don't you remember?
Wait. Now, wait just
a moment, please.
Now, quiet, everybody, please!
Quiet.
I want to say something here.
I don't know whether the boy
was pushed or whether he fell.
But I do know this.
The man who picked Billy
up and carried him inside
is just as much a murderer
as if he had taken
a gun and shot him.
That's right, Mr. Woodbridge.
A murderer!
But the boy was
lying on the ground.
I...
Well, I...
W-What about him?
Who knows if he came
up out of the basement?
I was right there,
and I didn't see him.
How do we know
he's telling the truth?
Maybe he was up
on the fire escape.
Maybe he did push the boy.
Nobody saw him.
All we know is what he
tells us in his broken English.
Wait. Wait.
Did you see him?
Did you?
D-Did anyone see him
come up out of the basement?
Did you? Did you?
The boy was lying on the ground.
He shouldn't be left to
lie there on the ground!
And now let's pause a moment
and turn to our
Westinghouse program again.
Say goodbye forever
to messy old drip pans like
this that you have to empty
every time you
defrost the refrigerator.
And say goodbye to scraping
all that frost off the freezer, too.
In fact, you can say goodbye
to the whole messy
chore of defrosting
when you own this beautiful,
big Westinghouse frost-free.
It's the refrigerator
that always keeps itself
completely frost-free.
That's right.
You never have
to push any buttons
or set any clocks or timers
because it is
completely automatic,
all of the defrosting,
and here's why.
You see that magic
button right there?
Well, every time
you open the door,
warm, moist air
enters the refrigerator
and causes frost to form.
Now, when you open and
close the door enough times,
that button gives a signal
that starts the frost-free
system working.
It quickly wipes away
every trace of frost,
and even the defrost water
evaporates automatically.
Now, be sure you remember
to look for that magic button,
because it's the sign
of the exclusive
Westinghouse frost-free system.
Here's something else
that's exclusive with
Westinghouse, too.
It's this genuine meat keeper
that protects your fresh
meat in three different ways.
Now, first, its location,
right under the freezer,
gives you just the
right cold you need
for the near-freezing
temperatures
that keep your
fresh meat just right.
Then it's sealed all
along the top here.
And that provides
the right humidity
so that your meat
doesn't dry out.
Then, third, there's
this special rack in here
that allows the cold air to
circulate all around the meat.
I could on and on
telling you about this wonderful
Westinghouse frost-free.
But I think you better
go see it for yourself.
You can own it for as
little as $5.15 a week
after a small down payment.
So go to your dealer
and ask to see the one
and only genuine frost-free.
And remember, you can
be sure if it's Westinghouse.
We return now to
"Westinghouse Studio One"
and "The Remarkable
Incident at Carson Corners."
Harold. Harold, come here.
Cec, I...
I didn't know.
H-How do you know?
It was half an hour, Cec.
Cec, I was exhausted.
I-I was watching a
Buster Keaton movie, Cec.
Very funny man, Buster Keaton.
He never smiles.
I was watching a Buster...
The boy was dead
when I got there!
I never could've
saved him! Never!
Well, it happens.
Do you think it never
happens?! People make mista...
I'm sorry.
- I'm sorry.
- Good.
He says he's sorry.
You hear that, everybody?
Our doctor says he's sorry.
Well, I've been in
your house, Doc,
and had your cold little
instruments poking me
in my chest and back.
What were you listening
to then? Buster Keaton?
- Stop it!
- Stop it?
He ought to be ridden
out of town on a rail.
Let him alone! He said
he couldn't have saved him.
Maybe he was lying.
Daddy, don't!
Please, Mr. Wright.
Let me go.
Let you go? You
ought to be handcuffed.
- What are you doing?
- Let him go.
It's all right, Susan.
Susan, i-it's all...
Listen.
Listen to me, everybody.
We're going off in
all directions here.
This is the man we're trying.
Let's not forget that.
He's as guilty as Cain.
I know it.
And so do most of the good
people in this room know it.
Do they?
Do you know it, Mr. Prince?
Or Mr. Woodbridge...
Does he know it?
Or... Or Dr. Caldwell? Does he?
Or Mr. Wright?
Do you know who the
guilty man is, Mr. Wright?
Our school is an
old, dirty building
that should have been condemned
and torn down a long time ago.
Now...
Well, you're president of
the Chamber of Commerce.
Why don't we have a new school?
Where do you suppose
we get the money?
Well, I hear that the
Chamber of Commerce
is... is going to rebuild Main
Street with new storefronts
and new sidewalks
and even a statue.
Now, that'll take
a lot of money.
Now, what does that prove?
I'm a criminal.
Cart me off to jail.
Beautifying Main Street
is the same as stealing money
from the community fund, right?
What does this man
mean by coming here
- and making a fool out of me?
- He's the same as any of us.
He lives here.
You got a good right
to speak up, Doctor.
Then I'll speak up,
since my husband isn't good
enough to talk to you anymore.
But I don't think
that worries him.
He has something else to
think about, and so do you.
Mr. Rogers didn't
make a fool of you.
Nobody can do that for you.
- You have to do it for yourself!
- Cec Caldwell!
You people. What do you know?
Well, why don't we
have a new school?!
You think I'm gonna stay
around here and listen to this?
- Get your coat, Julia.
- Come on, Harold.
Answer the question. Why
don't we have a new school?
Yes, why don't we
have a new school?
Harold. Oh, now,
don't tell me it's all over.
- I just this second...
- Now, now, now.
Here's the proof
we've been waiting for.
I just this second got
back from Centerville.
My sister's down with a virus.
Oh, what a nice crowd.
Now maybe we'll hear the truth.
For heaven's sakes.
What's happening?
Is this some kind of a joke?
Miss Frank, tell them.
Tell them.
They... They say crazy things.
Mr. Kovalesky, tell them what?
What are you talking about?
Would you mind telling me?
Miss Frank, we have
some questions to ask you.
- Miss Frank...
- Now, let's get this over with.
We would like to question you.
Miss Frank, would you please...
Question me? Well,
what have I done?
Oh, you've done nothing.
Please, would you...
What about the money?! Ask her.
What's he talking about?
Will you tell the woman
what is going on?!
I don't understand.
Please, just everyone
sit down again.
Please, Miss Frank.
This...
This isn't a joke, is it?
No, Miss Frank. It isn't a joke.
Just sit right there, will you?
Joey, go over there
and sit in my seat.
What have my children done?
Well, they've...
They've had a trial.
They've accused Mr. Kovalesky
of pushing Billy
McGinnis to his death.
They've what?
But that's fantastic.
They, uh, they
say that Billy died
because he discovered
that... that Mr. Kovalesky...
had stolen some money.
Some of the people
here believe them.
Oh, they don't.
Oh, how could they?
Kovy push Billy.
But the railing was broken.
Everyone knows that.
Look. We had enough talk here.
- Now, we want some answers now.
- That's right.
Now, you took up a
collection for the community...
Let me finish, then
ask your questions.
Miss Frank, did you know
that the railing was broken
before Billy fell?
Well, how could I?
- If I had, I certainly would...
- Miss Frank, I...
Nothing.
Alice.
Now, don't be frightened, Alice.
Say what you want to say.
Everybody can,
even the children.
Well, that's why
we're here, isn't it?
You say what you started to say.
I just remembered
something before.
- We can't hear her!
- Speak up.
I just remembered
something before.
I'm in Miss Frank's class,
and because I'm
so good in spelling,
she lets me be the
board-eraser monitor...
I mean to clean the board
erasers when they have spelling.
The day Billy was killed,
I went outside with the erasers
around a quarter to 11:00,
like I always do.
I'm telling you, Kovy.
Sometimes this inspection
business is for the birds.
Yes.
How's that railing
holding up, Kovy?
Children: C-O-N...
S-T-I-T-U...
I say, Kovy, how's
that railing holding up?
- Good.
- Well, it ought to.
Say, when did they build
this fire escape, Kovy?
Oh, I don't know.
Maybe about 1946. Around there.
I guess that's about right.
Ah, it feels good and solid.
Oh, you didn't have to
come up here with me, Kovy.
I had to get my broom.
You know, Kovy,
you'd think that inspecting
buildings for the county
would be a pretty good deal.
Well, I'm telling you I
go nuts half the time
just looking at things.
I almost like to quit it.
But the money is steady.
You know how it is.
Steady is the most important.
And how.
I suppose this railing
is solid all the way up.
Yes. I keep it good.
Okay, Kovy.
Give you an "A" for effort.
Well, young lady,
you've had about enough time
to clean about a dozen erasers.
Oh, Miss Frank, I'm sorry.
They were awfully chalky.
That's Mr. Prince.
He must be
inspecting the building.
I wonder if Mr. Kovalesky
told him about that loose railing.
I noticed it this morning.
Uh...
Now, that might just
get Mr. Kovalesky
into all kinds of trouble.
Harold, what are you doing?
Well, I told you to hurry.
- I'm sorry, Miss Frank.
- Go on in the school, please.
All right, Alice.
No, I'll just wait till
Mr. Prince leaves,
then I'll tell Mr. Kovalesky.
Well, you just keep
things in shape, Kovy.
Everything looks fine.
Good.
But I was going to.
I was going to say something.
I... Well, I just didn't want
to get anyone into trouble.
You understand.
Don't you understand?
It would've been so easy.
He was right there.
Mr. Prince was right there.
But why...
why doesn't somebody
say something?
Listen.
The rail...
I-I...
Uh, please, Mr. Prince,
be seated, will you?
Mr. Wright?
Miss Frank, may I
ask you a question?
On the day Billy died, there
was a collection taken up in school
for the community fund.
You were in charge of it.
Well, what did you
do with the money?
The money?
Well, it...
It w... It was in cans.
Community-fund cans like those.
Yes, I-I gave it to
Mr. Kovalesky to hold.
Why?
Well, I-I didn't have
any place to keep it safe,
and I-I couldn't turn it in to
the fund until the next day.
I...
Mr. Rogers, I-I
never turned it in.
I-I completely forgot it.
I-I never gave it another
thought from that day to this.
Well, those cans.
But they must be the
ones that I gave to M...
Oh, no.
He didn't take that.
He didn't.
Thank you, Miss Frank.
We're sorry, Kovy.
The kids... We didn't know.
We're sorry.
Mr. McGinnis, I-I
was going to fix...
Please, Mr. McGinnis, I...
I want to tell you how I feel.
You feel dirty?
Maybe you feel sick.
Don't say it.
I know how you feel.
You feel like
breaking something.
That's the way I feel.
I'd like to break your
neck, Mr. Kovalesky.
I'd like to take some of
these good people here
and crush them the
way you would a roach.
But I won't.
No.
I won't touch you.
Or you, Mr. Prince.
Or you, Dr. Caldwell.
I'm going home and
get down on my knees
and pray to God to be forgiven
for what you're going
to hear right now.
Now, pay attention.
Don't miss a word of it.
It's something
that I've forgotten.
It was a long time ago.
Eight years ago.
Finish wrapping up, Ralph.
Near quitting time.
Yeah. I'm almost through.
Ah.
Brother, I'm beat.
Not a bad job for two days, huh?
It's about time they put a
fire escape on this school.
This old dry wood would
really go up in a hurry.
Say, where are we
working tomorrow, Eddie?
Bakers' place.
Due there first
thing in the morning.
- Oh, yeah. That roofing job.
- Mm-hmm.
What the dickens did I do
with that last angle brace?
Eddie, you seen that
angle brace down there?
I need one to
finish off this railing.
There's one around
here somewhere.
Well, I'll be taking off.
So long. See you tomorrow.
Yeah, Eddie. So long.
Mr. McGinnis.
Surprise.
Katie! What are you doing here?
I thought I'd come by
to walk you home, dear.
I think it's pretty
darn nice of me.
Oh, you do, do you?
Honey, I got to
finish up here first.
Oh, come on. It looks all right.
Oh, I won't be long.
Let's go home now.
Okay.
Just let me put my stuff away.
Hiya, big boy!
Hello, Billy.
What are you grinning
at, you little monkey?
MR. McGlNNlS:
Look at me, neighbors.
I helped kill my son.
You hear me?
His own father.
Turn your backs and
walk away from me.
He was my boy.
When I put that wrench
away, that was the end of it.
Just as though I'd
sunk it into his head.
And he just grinned at me.
A nice, fat, happy kid.
He was six months old.
Then he was eight years old.
So fast.
On his eighth birthday,
I gave him eight whacks on
the behind and one to grow on.
Then he said, "Daddy,
where's my present?"
I had to say I forgot.
He... He cried.
I-I went down to the store
next day, and I... and I got it.
But he didn't come
home that day.
I forgot.
We forget... We forget too much.
We forget or... Or
we're too tired or too lazy
or too scared to do the
things that people got to do.
They're... They're
only little things.
The kind of things we...
we yell at kids to do.
They're not supposed to
show us where we're wrong.
We're supposed to show them.
If we don't, who's gonna
save them from each other?
Now, listen to
me. Pay attention.
This can't happen again.
We're human beings.
We live together...
Right next door.
We've got to live for each
other, or we're nothing.
Now, hear me.
We've got to do better.
I forgive you.
Please, someone forgive me.
Well, uh...
I guess we can all go home.
And now Betty Furness
wants to show you
the end of a perfect dinner.
Yes, but even the
most perfect meal
has this awful aftermath...
A mountain of dirty dishes.
But this new Westinghouse
portable dishwasher
will take over the
whole job for you.
It's full-size.
It holds more dishes
and pots and pans
than any other dishwasher.
Well, find out for yourself,
because you can have this new
Westinghouse portable dishwasher
for a free home trial.
Just ask your
Westinghouse dealer about it.
There's no cost
and no obligation.
And there's no
plumbing problem, either.
You simply attach this
hose to the hot-water faucet.
And then you put this
one in the sink for draining.
And your dishes
and pots and pans
all come out sparkling clean.
And just think of the
pleasure that you'll have
being able to join
your family after dinner
instead of having to do
time with the dishpan.
Now, you could also
have this portable model
permanently installed
this way if you wish.
So see your dealer tomorrow
about the free home trial.
And remember, you can
be sure if it's Westinghouse.
This is Paul Branson saying
good night for Westinghouse
and reminding you that
this is the most hopeful
and crucial year in
March of Dimes history,
for a trial vaccine will
be tested this winter.
If the vaccine works,
infantile paralysis
will become at long
last a disease of the past.
Join the March of Dimes today.
And now, until next
week, good night.
"Studio One" originated
live from New York City.
leadership in research,
out of the vision of America's
most advanced engineers,
out of the widest
kind of experience
in electrical manufacturing
come products for
home, farm, and industry
that bear this respected
mark, this mark of quality...
The mark of Westinghouse.
Due to conditions
beyond the control
of the CBS Television Network
and the Westinghouse
Electric Corporation,
the program originally
scheduled for tonight
will not be seen at this time.
In its place, we are bringing
you by television recording
one of the most widely discussed
and favorably reviewed programs
ever presented on television...
"The Remarkable
Incident at Carson Corners"
by Reginald Rose.
We'll see you later.
Did you see how
Emily Hendricks looked?
I didn't notice.
I'll bet she's gained 10 pounds.
That woman hasn't got
the sense she was born with,
letting herself go like that.
Well, she should have
eaten at our house tonight.
That was a great little
supper you put together.
I'm starving.
We're going over to the
Caldwells' later for a snack.
Now stop fussing.
The invitation said 6:00 sharp.
I couldn't help it.
Say, um, Helen, what are
these kids cooking up, anyway?
Oh, it's probably a
play or a pageant.
Something like that.
I'm dying to see it.
I think the whole idea
of the kids surprising
us is just stunning.
I wish they'd
surprise us at 7:00.
Look at him!
Hey, slow down, Mr. Rogers.
You're not gonna
run a four-minute mile
at your age, are you?
Good evening,
Mr. and Mrs. Prince.
Guess I was in kind of a hurry,
but Joey told me not to be late.
What time is it?
Oh, 10 of 6:00. Plenty of time.
Oh. I was rushing to
close up the store early.
Essie Loomis had to come in
and browse around among
the patented medicines.
I'm afraid I was a
little snappy with her.
Well, that woman just about
drives me out of my mind.
Oh, Mrs. Prince! How do you do?
It's so nice to see you.
- Evening, Mrs. Loomis.
- How do you do?
Liver extract, it was.
See you inside.
All right.
Oh, look, dear. The Caldwells.
Hi, Cecily.
Helen! Is that your new coat?
Hi, there, Doc. How goes it?
Fine, Harry. How's that cough?
Well, it was killing me.
But I got your
bill this morning,
and it disappeared
just like that.
At Hart's in Centerville
They're having the
most wonderful sale.
- You ought to run down.
- Better not to run down.
Come in here before we go broke.
Say, does anybody know what
these pip-squeaks are up to?
Susie's been looking
like a little spy all week.
- What's the mystery?
- Nobody knows.
Isn't it the cutest thing?
The children didn't even tell
Miss Frank what it was about.
Miss Frank told me that
she asked them point-blank
in geography class yesterday,
and they told her to
go back to the lesson.
Her. Can you imagine that?
I cannot. Poor Miss Frank.
- You coming, Merv?
- Come on!
Mervin, you have to smoke that
down to the last
quarter of an inch?
I'm cold.
I'll be through
in a minute, dear.
- Hi, Bill.
- Hi.
Bill and Henny Woodbridge.
Oh! How are you,
Bill, Henrietta?
Hello, darling. How are you?
Well, Miss Wright,
you look all spruced up.
You all ready for the show?
There. You see? I
told you it was a show.
Henrietta, it's been ages.
Oh, Julia, how are the children?
Oh, just fine.
Phyllis lost her
first tooth yesterday.
Would be right here in front.
What kind of a show is it, Bill?
Well, to tell you the truth,
I don't know if
it's a show or not.
I mean, I'm only the
principal of this school.
I'm not supposed
to know anything.
I don't dare ask
the kids about it.
- They'd have my head.
- They're really something.
Harold won't tell us a thing.
He changed the subject every
time we asked him about it.
That's a smart boy
you've got there, Merv.
Top student. I wish
I had more like him.
Oh, if you'll excuse
me just a moment,
I want to see if Kovy
has the furnace off.
You know, these kids
have got me so curious.
Oh, I know what you mean.
Julia, you should see the way
Alice has been acting lately.
Well, Alice just loves
being mysterious, anyway.
Girls do.
Yesterday I told her I was
surprised they let her in on it,
her being only 10, and
she just looked at me.
I know that look.
Come on, girls. Let's go in.
The show must be starting.
I'll wait here. See you later.
- Oh.
- Good evening, Mrs. Woodbridge.
Kovy! So you're
invited, too. How nice.
Yes, madam.
Special invitation.
Well, now, that's just fine.
We'd better go in.
We'll see you later.
Oh, now, isn't that darling?
They've got reserved
seats and an usher.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright,
seats 9 and 10.
- Well, Bobby, are you the usher?
- Yes, sir.
Hope you have a pair
for us in the first row.
Second row, Mr. Wright.
This way, please.
Please wait at the
door, Mr. Woodbridge.
Uh, wait at the door?
All right, Bobby.
Anything you say.
You know, he
sounded downright rude.
Oh, nonsense. Probably nervous.
Well, he did.
Will you look at Dr. Caldwell
trying to get those long legs
of his under that little desk.
Mervin, look.
Never mind about his.
I'm worried about mine.
What's the matter?
Well, I'm all tangled
up in this thing.
Your stomach's growling, too.
Any reason why it shouldn't?
Oh, Julia, don't forget you're
coming over later for a snack.
- Right.
- Teacher! Teacher!
- Hey, Bobby, what's the matter?
- Stop it.
Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis.
Hello, son.
Hello, Dad.
Seats 17 and 18.
This way, please.
- What is this?
- I can't tell you.
And you promised not to
ask the boy again, Ralph.
Take us to our seats, Bobby.
I said what is this?
Your mother and I didn't
want to come here now.
All these people.
I asked you if there was
gonna be a lot of people.
Please, Dad.
Take us to our seats, Bobby.
Say, Henrietta, did you get...
Hello, Kate.
Did you get that dress for
Alice you were telling me about?
Oh, no, darling. It
was the wrong color.
I thought it was pretty.
Let's start the show!
Hey, Bobby! Let's get started!
Nobody's absent
or tardy! Let's go!
There's Kovy!
- Kovy!
- Kovy!
Kovy... I mean Mr. Kovalesky...
It's all right you call
me Kovy, Bobby.
Sit down there.
Here you want me to sit?
Oh, I sit over there.
Is good enough.
This is where you're
supposed to sit, Mr. Kovalesky.
You have to.
I have to.
All right. Here.
Say, Kovalesky, you want
to be the guest of honor?
Attaboy, Kovy!
Let's start the show!
Bill, just look at Alice.
If that isn't the
best-looking dress.
That Parker girl doesn't
show up at all next to her.
Our Harold... With
a clean shirt on.
Well, he did it himself.
My goodness. I've
never been so surprised.
- Oh!
- Oh!
Hello, Susie.
Are you gonna sit with me?
Look at Susie's face.
Sarah Bernhardt.
I'm going to giggle.
The court will rise.
We have to get up? I
just got into this thing.
His Honor Judge Joseph Rogers.
This court is now in session.
Be seated.
I just got up!
If this isn't the
most original idea.
I just...
Clerk.
Go ahead, Susie.
This court will now try the case
of the people of Carson
Corners against...
Mr. Peter Kovalesky...
Against Mr. Peter
Kovalesky for murder.
What?
Susan.
And now we turn to the
case of the empty chair.
Yes, mother's chair
is almost always empty
at breakfast time.
She's so busy in the kitchen
frying bacon and eggs
or making pancakes
that she practically never
gets to sit down with the others.
Oh, look at that.
Now her coffee is cold.
Well, you'll always be able
to sit right with your family
and enjoy breakfast
when you have the
Westinghouse automatic frypan.
You can cook right at the table.
And everything is
automatically better.
So good, in fact,
that I'll bet you'll find
you use your frypan for
lunch and for dinner, too.
And why do things
cook so beautifully?
Well, for one thing, the
Westinghouse heats better...
Much better... Than
other square frypans.
Just let me show you.
Now, this square frypan
has a round heating element.
But the Westinghouse element
follows the shape of the pan.
You see how that
round heating element
leaves four cool corners
here, here, here, and here.
But see how evenly the
square element heats the frypan.
No cool corners, all
food browned evenly.
This is one time that
it's good to be a square.
Heat control is important, too.
This small thermostat measures
the heat in just one spot.
But the Westinghouse thermostat
measures the temperature
right across the pan.
It gives accurate heat control,
so you needn't watch constantly.
Now I'd like you to look at
the exclusive safety handle
on this Westinghouse
that protects your
hand from the hot pan.
And notice it's square, too,
so it can't possibly
turn in your hand.
That's something I'm sure you'll
appreciate just as much as I do.
Of course, can dip the pan
in water for easy cleaning.
So go and see
your dealer tomorrow
about a Westinghouse
automatic frypan.
It's only $22.95.
Remember to ask
for the square frypan
with the square heating element.
And remember, too...
You can be sure if
it's Westinghouse.
We return now to
"Westinghouse Studio One"
and "The Remarkable
Incident at Carson Corners."
What do you kids
think you're doing?!
What kind of a thing to say?
You make a joke, Susie!
You make a joke!
That's not a good joke!
- Murder! Not good!
- Kovy, stop it!
Stop it! Stop it, Kovy!
Sit down.
I, uh...
I know as little about what's
going on here as any of you.
But whatever it is,
we're gonna have order.
No sense in getting these
children any more frightened
than they are right now.
All right. Now we'll
talk, but one at a time.
- Right.
- I'd certainly like to know...
Just a moment, Julia, please.
Joey, are you in charge of this?
No, sir. We all
are. All the kids.
Do you know it's not very
funny to accuse a man of murder,
even in a joke?
Yes, sir. Mr. Wood...
I think you'd better
apologize to Mr. Kovalesky.
- Sir...
- No, no, Mr. Woodbridge.
It's all right.
They're just kids.
I-I know kids for 30 years.
They... They have a joke.
Is all right.
All right.
Well, I think we can
call an end to this.
But don't forget the supper
after the basketball game
on Friday night, everybody.
But, Mr. Woodbridge!
Dad!
Mr. Woodbridge. Uh, pardon me.
Uh, well, I was thinking
that the children have
worked so hard to surprise us.
All the whisperings
and preparations.
My boy, Joey, made me give him
two weeks' allowance in advance
so that he could...
Well, I see now it was to
buy that... that gavel there.
Maybe it wasn't
a very good idea,
but, uh, if Mr. Kovalesky
doesn't mind...
I-I mean, it would be a shame
to disappoint the children.
If no one agrees with
me, I-I don't know.
Thanks.
Oh, sure. Let them go ahead.
It's their party.
I don't know. Kovy?
Sure. They... They're good kids.
All right.
Now, does anyone
want to say anything?
Order in the court.
The court has
appointed Harold Wright
as your lawyer, Mr. Kovalesky.
Any objection?
No, Your Honor.
I got a good lawyer, eh, Harold?
Counsel for the
prosecution, Tommy Prince.
Ladies and gentlemen of
the jury, we're going to prove
that the man sitting
over there in that chair,
Mr. Peter Kovalesky,
is a murderer.
We're going to prove that the
murder he did was pre... was...
was premeditated.
Five months and six days
ago, something happened
that maybe most
people in Carson Corners
don't think about much anymore.
I'm talking about the time
Billy McGinnis fell
off the fire escape
right outside this
door and was killed.
No.
What are you trying
to do? You're...
- Daddy, don't!
- Keep away from me.
Please! Please, Dad!
You've got to listen!
You ought to be whipped
for letting them make a game
- out of your brother's death.
- Dad, please!
It is not a game!
Why, it isn't a game.
Prosecution will continue.
It was an accident.
That's what everyone said.
The railing was busted, broken.
And Billy fell through it.
Well, we don't think he fell.
We think he was
pushed through the railing
and killed by Mr. Kovalesky!
What?!
What do you say about me?
That's a lie!
I take you...
You touch him, and I'll
break your head open.
Now, listen to me, Tommy.
You know what you just said?
You know what it means, Tommy?
Answer me!
Yes, I do.
You're not playing
with kid stuff, Tommy.
This isn't just a cute
little idea anymore.
We never said it was.
Do you have
anything more to say?
Yes, sir.
Well, then say it.
I'm listening.
Mr. Woodbridge, I-I...
Uh, maybe you'd
better sit down, Kovy.
Counsel for the
defense, Harold Wright.
Ladies and
gentlemen of the jury,
we all know
Mr. Kovalesky... Kovy.
Kovy has been a
janitor in our school for...
Well, for over 30 years.
We see him every day.
I think we ought
to get to the point.
- All this nonsense about...
- Let's hear what he has to say.
Well, the idea is... Is
that Kovy is our friend.
Kovy likes kids.
And anyone who likes
kids the way Kovy does
could never have pushed Billy
McGinnis off the fire escape.
He never could.
Everybody knows that about Kovy.
Call the first witness.
Bert Hendricks.
Swear to tell the
truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the
truth, so help you, God?
Yep.
What's your name?
Bertram Frank Hendricks Jr.
Sit down.
Hi.
Bert, did you know
Billy McGinnis?
Sure.
He was my best friend
in the whole school.
Did you see him the day he died?
Sure. I saw him every day.
Sat right next to me in
geography and arithmetic,
besides Blaine.
You know, he was
the same size as me.
Just answer the question.
Okay.
Bert, tell us what happened
when you saw Billy that day.
Okay.
Well, it was about 11:00,
because Mr. Woodbridge's
class was just having recess.
Most of the kids were playing
games and stuff in the yard.
I was going up to finish
my history homework
before the class started.
You know how
Mr. Woodbridge gets sore.
Hey. Not so fast, mister.
- Where you going?
- Cut it out, Kovy!
Look out!
Did you see that?
Holy cow.
Look at it wiggle.
Yes.
That gets fixed right now.
Uh, do you want to help
me with the tools, Bert?
No. I can't.
I got to go in.
Holy cow.
- Hiya, Bill!
- Hi!
Wait till you hear
what happened to me!
- Hello, Billy.
- Hi.
Do you want to help
me get my tools?
- Sure, Kovy.
- Good.
Well, anyway, in the
middle of history class,
well, I had to go downstairs.
It was maybe about
a quarter of 12:00.
I don't know.
I tried the railing again,
and it was still busted.
You know, I gave it a shove.
When I got downstairs,
I saw Billy McGinnis coming
out of Miss Frank's room.
Hey, Bert!
Want to see something?
No! Listen! I got to tell
you something important!
Honest!
What?
You know when I went in the
basement with Kovy before?
Guess what I saw!
How do I know?
Quit it!
You know the community cans
we filled up in the
classroom this morning?
Kovy has them hidden down there.
I bet you he stole them.
No kidding.
Honest! There
must be $15 in them.
He had them stuffed
behind the boiler.
He saw me looking
at them, so I ran out.
I tried to tell Miss Frank,
but she said I was
interrupting the class.
I'm scared, Bert.
He's probably after me.
Holy cow.
Listen. I got to go back.
So long.
Hey, Bert!
Wait a minute!
Bert, wait a minute!
Wait!
We think Mr. Kovalesky
pushed Billy off the fire escape
because Billy saw the
community-fund money he stole.
You heard what he
said! What about that?
Open your mouth! What about it?!
I didn't!
He... He don't tell the truth.
What is the truth,
then? Let's hear it!
Look at him! Look at his face!
No, no. I-I never
pushed him. Never.
They lie.
Children... They lie to you.
Crazy children!
Miss Frank, she gave me the
community-fund cans to hold.
She gonna turn
them in the next day.
I keep them overnight,
nobody should steal.
I-I don't steal.
Ask her.
You ask Miss Frank.
Miss Frank?
- Oh, Miss Frank?
- She's not here.
She had to go to
Centerville. Her sister is sick.
This is exhibit "A."
Joey Rogers found
them behind the boiler
in the basement last Friday.
Last Friday?!
That's five months later!
You hear that?!
Five months! He stole them!
That's enough for me!
Listen to me, everybody!
Listen! There's a boy dead.
- Your boy, McGinnis.
- No!
No. You don't understand.
Miss Frank forgot.
She forgot.
I-I never steal.
I-I didn't kill a child.
How could I kill a child?
I-I don't!
I-I swear!
Swear? I'll show
you how to swear!
Listen to this!
Here's your proof!
What are you doing?!
- They're only children!
- All right. Now swear!
- Swear!
- I swear!
You're a liar!
- Get out of my way!
- I will not get out of your way.
Are you the law in this room?
Shame that our sons
and daughters will see us
behaving like animals.
What will they think of us?
The avenger.
You're so ready to punish.
Did you see this
man commit a crime?
Did you?
Did any of you actually see him?
Maybe it was like
the children said.
- Maybe it was. But this is...
- It wasn't as they say.
I tell the truth.
Shut up!
Now, we've had
enough talk around here.
Let's do something about him!
Mr. Prince!
Mr. Prince!
Let him talk!
Sit down.
Let him talk.
I-I tried...
I...
Why didn't you fix the railing?
I-I was going to.
Oh, you were going to.
I-I was going to fix it.
I-I went downstairs
into my basement.
I asked Billy he should
help me carry the tools.
Sometimes they get a little
heavy for an old man, and...
♪ For amber waves of grain ♪
♪ For purple mountains'... ♪
Kovy, what do you
want the tools for?
Something busted?
Huh, Kovy?
Did you ask me something, Billy?
Kovy, how do you
work this thing?
You wait a minute,
and I'll show you.
♪ ...shed his grace on thee ♪
♪ And crown thy good
with brotherhood ♪
♪ From sea to shining sea ♪
What's the matter, Billy?
Nothing!
I was eating my lunch...
Liverwurst, pie,
coffee, and apple.
The railing was broken,
and I-I was hungry.
I... I didn't know...
I... I didn't know that...
Hey, Bert!
Wait! Wait!
Now, children, stand back.
Out of the way.
Who... Who is this?
It's Billy McGinnis,
Mr. Woodbridge.
Yeah. It's Billy.
Hey! You shouldn't pick
him up, Mr. Woodbridge.
But, Mr. Woodbridge, you
told us yourself in first aid
we should never move the body.
But, Mr. Woodbridge,
don't you remember?
Wait. Now, wait just
a moment, please.
Now, quiet, everybody, please!
Quiet.
I want to say something here.
I don't know whether the boy
was pushed or whether he fell.
But I do know this.
The man who picked Billy
up and carried him inside
is just as much a murderer
as if he had taken
a gun and shot him.
That's right, Mr. Woodbridge.
A murderer!
But the boy was
lying on the ground.
I...
Well, I...
W-What about him?
Who knows if he came
up out of the basement?
I was right there,
and I didn't see him.
How do we know
he's telling the truth?
Maybe he was up
on the fire escape.
Maybe he did push the boy.
Nobody saw him.
All we know is what he
tells us in his broken English.
Wait. Wait.
Did you see him?
Did you?
D-Did anyone see him
come up out of the basement?
Did you? Did you?
The boy was lying on the ground.
He shouldn't be left to
lie there on the ground!
And now let's pause a moment
and turn to our
Westinghouse program again.
Say goodbye forever
to messy old drip pans like
this that you have to empty
every time you
defrost the refrigerator.
And say goodbye to scraping
all that frost off the freezer, too.
In fact, you can say goodbye
to the whole messy
chore of defrosting
when you own this beautiful,
big Westinghouse frost-free.
It's the refrigerator
that always keeps itself
completely frost-free.
That's right.
You never have
to push any buttons
or set any clocks or timers
because it is
completely automatic,
all of the defrosting,
and here's why.
You see that magic
button right there?
Well, every time
you open the door,
warm, moist air
enters the refrigerator
and causes frost to form.
Now, when you open and
close the door enough times,
that button gives a signal
that starts the frost-free
system working.
It quickly wipes away
every trace of frost,
and even the defrost water
evaporates automatically.
Now, be sure you remember
to look for that magic button,
because it's the sign
of the exclusive
Westinghouse frost-free system.
Here's something else
that's exclusive with
Westinghouse, too.
It's this genuine meat keeper
that protects your fresh
meat in three different ways.
Now, first, its location,
right under the freezer,
gives you just the
right cold you need
for the near-freezing
temperatures
that keep your
fresh meat just right.
Then it's sealed all
along the top here.
And that provides
the right humidity
so that your meat
doesn't dry out.
Then, third, there's
this special rack in here
that allows the cold air to
circulate all around the meat.
I could on and on
telling you about this wonderful
Westinghouse frost-free.
But I think you better
go see it for yourself.
You can own it for as
little as $5.15 a week
after a small down payment.
So go to your dealer
and ask to see the one
and only genuine frost-free.
And remember, you can
be sure if it's Westinghouse.
We return now to
"Westinghouse Studio One"
and "The Remarkable
Incident at Carson Corners."
Harold. Harold, come here.
Cec, I...
I didn't know.
H-How do you know?
It was half an hour, Cec.
Cec, I was exhausted.
I-I was watching a
Buster Keaton movie, Cec.
Very funny man, Buster Keaton.
He never smiles.
I was watching a Buster...
The boy was dead
when I got there!
I never could've
saved him! Never!
Well, it happens.
Do you think it never
happens?! People make mista...
I'm sorry.
- I'm sorry.
- Good.
He says he's sorry.
You hear that, everybody?
Our doctor says he's sorry.
Well, I've been in
your house, Doc,
and had your cold little
instruments poking me
in my chest and back.
What were you listening
to then? Buster Keaton?
- Stop it!
- Stop it?
He ought to be ridden
out of town on a rail.
Let him alone! He said
he couldn't have saved him.
Maybe he was lying.
Daddy, don't!
Please, Mr. Wright.
Let me go.
Let you go? You
ought to be handcuffed.
- What are you doing?
- Let him go.
It's all right, Susan.
Susan, i-it's all...
Listen.
Listen to me, everybody.
We're going off in
all directions here.
This is the man we're trying.
Let's not forget that.
He's as guilty as Cain.
I know it.
And so do most of the good
people in this room know it.
Do they?
Do you know it, Mr. Prince?
Or Mr. Woodbridge...
Does he know it?
Or... Or Dr. Caldwell? Does he?
Or Mr. Wright?
Do you know who the
guilty man is, Mr. Wright?
Our school is an
old, dirty building
that should have been condemned
and torn down a long time ago.
Now...
Well, you're president of
the Chamber of Commerce.
Why don't we have a new school?
Where do you suppose
we get the money?
Well, I hear that the
Chamber of Commerce
is... is going to rebuild Main
Street with new storefronts
and new sidewalks
and even a statue.
Now, that'll take
a lot of money.
Now, what does that prove?
I'm a criminal.
Cart me off to jail.
Beautifying Main Street
is the same as stealing money
from the community fund, right?
What does this man
mean by coming here
- and making a fool out of me?
- He's the same as any of us.
He lives here.
You got a good right
to speak up, Doctor.
Then I'll speak up,
since my husband isn't good
enough to talk to you anymore.
But I don't think
that worries him.
He has something else to
think about, and so do you.
Mr. Rogers didn't
make a fool of you.
Nobody can do that for you.
- You have to do it for yourself!
- Cec Caldwell!
You people. What do you know?
Well, why don't we
have a new school?!
You think I'm gonna stay
around here and listen to this?
- Get your coat, Julia.
- Come on, Harold.
Answer the question. Why
don't we have a new school?
Yes, why don't we
have a new school?
Harold. Oh, now,
don't tell me it's all over.
- I just this second...
- Now, now, now.
Here's the proof
we've been waiting for.
I just this second got
back from Centerville.
My sister's down with a virus.
Oh, what a nice crowd.
Now maybe we'll hear the truth.
For heaven's sakes.
What's happening?
Is this some kind of a joke?
Miss Frank, tell them.
Tell them.
They... They say crazy things.
Mr. Kovalesky, tell them what?
What are you talking about?
Would you mind telling me?
Miss Frank, we have
some questions to ask you.
- Miss Frank...
- Now, let's get this over with.
We would like to question you.
Miss Frank, would you please...
Question me? Well,
what have I done?
Oh, you've done nothing.
Please, would you...
What about the money?! Ask her.
What's he talking about?
Will you tell the woman
what is going on?!
I don't understand.
Please, just everyone
sit down again.
Please, Miss Frank.
This...
This isn't a joke, is it?
No, Miss Frank. It isn't a joke.
Just sit right there, will you?
Joey, go over there
and sit in my seat.
What have my children done?
Well, they've...
They've had a trial.
They've accused Mr. Kovalesky
of pushing Billy
McGinnis to his death.
They've what?
But that's fantastic.
They, uh, they
say that Billy died
because he discovered
that... that Mr. Kovalesky...
had stolen some money.
Some of the people
here believe them.
Oh, they don't.
Oh, how could they?
Kovy push Billy.
But the railing was broken.
Everyone knows that.
Look. We had enough talk here.
- Now, we want some answers now.
- That's right.
Now, you took up a
collection for the community...
Let me finish, then
ask your questions.
Miss Frank, did you know
that the railing was broken
before Billy fell?
Well, how could I?
- If I had, I certainly would...
- Miss Frank, I...
Nothing.
Alice.
Now, don't be frightened, Alice.
Say what you want to say.
Everybody can,
even the children.
Well, that's why
we're here, isn't it?
You say what you started to say.
I just remembered
something before.
- We can't hear her!
- Speak up.
I just remembered
something before.
I'm in Miss Frank's class,
and because I'm
so good in spelling,
she lets me be the
board-eraser monitor...
I mean to clean the board
erasers when they have spelling.
The day Billy was killed,
I went outside with the erasers
around a quarter to 11:00,
like I always do.
I'm telling you, Kovy.
Sometimes this inspection
business is for the birds.
Yes.
How's that railing
holding up, Kovy?
Children: C-O-N...
S-T-I-T-U...
I say, Kovy, how's
that railing holding up?
- Good.
- Well, it ought to.
Say, when did they build
this fire escape, Kovy?
Oh, I don't know.
Maybe about 1946. Around there.
I guess that's about right.
Ah, it feels good and solid.
Oh, you didn't have to
come up here with me, Kovy.
I had to get my broom.
You know, Kovy,
you'd think that inspecting
buildings for the county
would be a pretty good deal.
Well, I'm telling you I
go nuts half the time
just looking at things.
I almost like to quit it.
But the money is steady.
You know how it is.
Steady is the most important.
And how.
I suppose this railing
is solid all the way up.
Yes. I keep it good.
Okay, Kovy.
Give you an "A" for effort.
Well, young lady,
you've had about enough time
to clean about a dozen erasers.
Oh, Miss Frank, I'm sorry.
They were awfully chalky.
That's Mr. Prince.
He must be
inspecting the building.
I wonder if Mr. Kovalesky
told him about that loose railing.
I noticed it this morning.
Uh...
Now, that might just
get Mr. Kovalesky
into all kinds of trouble.
Harold, what are you doing?
Well, I told you to hurry.
- I'm sorry, Miss Frank.
- Go on in the school, please.
All right, Alice.
No, I'll just wait till
Mr. Prince leaves,
then I'll tell Mr. Kovalesky.
Well, you just keep
things in shape, Kovy.
Everything looks fine.
Good.
But I was going to.
I was going to say something.
I... Well, I just didn't want
to get anyone into trouble.
You understand.
Don't you understand?
It would've been so easy.
He was right there.
Mr. Prince was right there.
But why...
why doesn't somebody
say something?
Listen.
The rail...
I-I...
Uh, please, Mr. Prince,
be seated, will you?
Mr. Wright?
Miss Frank, may I
ask you a question?
On the day Billy died, there
was a collection taken up in school
for the community fund.
You were in charge of it.
Well, what did you
do with the money?
The money?
Well, it...
It w... It was in cans.
Community-fund cans like those.
Yes, I-I gave it to
Mr. Kovalesky to hold.
Why?
Well, I-I didn't have
any place to keep it safe,
and I-I couldn't turn it in to
the fund until the next day.
I...
Mr. Rogers, I-I
never turned it in.
I-I completely forgot it.
I-I never gave it another
thought from that day to this.
Well, those cans.
But they must be the
ones that I gave to M...
Oh, no.
He didn't take that.
He didn't.
Thank you, Miss Frank.
We're sorry, Kovy.
The kids... We didn't know.
We're sorry.
Mr. McGinnis, I-I
was going to fix...
Please, Mr. McGinnis, I...
I want to tell you how I feel.
You feel dirty?
Maybe you feel sick.
Don't say it.
I know how you feel.
You feel like
breaking something.
That's the way I feel.
I'd like to break your
neck, Mr. Kovalesky.
I'd like to take some of
these good people here
and crush them the
way you would a roach.
But I won't.
No.
I won't touch you.
Or you, Mr. Prince.
Or you, Dr. Caldwell.
I'm going home and
get down on my knees
and pray to God to be forgiven
for what you're going
to hear right now.
Now, pay attention.
Don't miss a word of it.
It's something
that I've forgotten.
It was a long time ago.
Eight years ago.
Finish wrapping up, Ralph.
Near quitting time.
Yeah. I'm almost through.
Ah.
Brother, I'm beat.
Not a bad job for two days, huh?
It's about time they put a
fire escape on this school.
This old dry wood would
really go up in a hurry.
Say, where are we
working tomorrow, Eddie?
Bakers' place.
Due there first
thing in the morning.
- Oh, yeah. That roofing job.
- Mm-hmm.
What the dickens did I do
with that last angle brace?
Eddie, you seen that
angle brace down there?
I need one to
finish off this railing.
There's one around
here somewhere.
Well, I'll be taking off.
So long. See you tomorrow.
Yeah, Eddie. So long.
Mr. McGinnis.
Surprise.
Katie! What are you doing here?
I thought I'd come by
to walk you home, dear.
I think it's pretty
darn nice of me.
Oh, you do, do you?
Honey, I got to
finish up here first.
Oh, come on. It looks all right.
Oh, I won't be long.
Let's go home now.
Okay.
Just let me put my stuff away.
Hiya, big boy!
Hello, Billy.
What are you grinning
at, you little monkey?
MR. McGlNNlS:
Look at me, neighbors.
I helped kill my son.
You hear me?
His own father.
Turn your backs and
walk away from me.
He was my boy.
When I put that wrench
away, that was the end of it.
Just as though I'd
sunk it into his head.
And he just grinned at me.
A nice, fat, happy kid.
He was six months old.
Then he was eight years old.
So fast.
On his eighth birthday,
I gave him eight whacks on
the behind and one to grow on.
Then he said, "Daddy,
where's my present?"
I had to say I forgot.
He... He cried.
I-I went down to the store
next day, and I... and I got it.
But he didn't come
home that day.
I forgot.
We forget... We forget too much.
We forget or... Or
we're too tired or too lazy
or too scared to do the
things that people got to do.
They're... They're
only little things.
The kind of things we...
we yell at kids to do.
They're not supposed to
show us where we're wrong.
We're supposed to show them.
If we don't, who's gonna
save them from each other?
Now, listen to
me. Pay attention.
This can't happen again.
We're human beings.
We live together...
Right next door.
We've got to live for each
other, or we're nothing.
Now, hear me.
We've got to do better.
I forgive you.
Please, someone forgive me.
Well, uh...
I guess we can all go home.
And now Betty Furness
wants to show you
the end of a perfect dinner.
Yes, but even the
most perfect meal
has this awful aftermath...
A mountain of dirty dishes.
But this new Westinghouse
portable dishwasher
will take over the
whole job for you.
It's full-size.
It holds more dishes
and pots and pans
than any other dishwasher.
Well, find out for yourself,
because you can have this new
Westinghouse portable dishwasher
for a free home trial.
Just ask your
Westinghouse dealer about it.
There's no cost
and no obligation.
And there's no
plumbing problem, either.
You simply attach this
hose to the hot-water faucet.
And then you put this
one in the sink for draining.
And your dishes
and pots and pans
all come out sparkling clean.
And just think of the
pleasure that you'll have
being able to join
your family after dinner
instead of having to do
time with the dishpan.
Now, you could also
have this portable model
permanently installed
this way if you wish.
So see your dealer tomorrow
about the free home trial.
And remember, you can
be sure if it's Westinghouse.
This is Paul Branson saying
good night for Westinghouse
and reminding you that
this is the most hopeful
and crucial year in
March of Dimes history,
for a trial vaccine will
be tested this winter.
If the vaccine works,
infantile paralysis
will become at long
last a disease of the past.
Join the March of Dimes today.
And now, until next
week, good night.
"Studio One" originated
live from New York City.