THE EDGE OF NIGHT
Airdate: April 1959
2 of 3
Summary By: Mark Faulkner
ACT ONE
Max phones Mildred’s attorney Mr. Marvin Davis and asks to meet with him before the court conference as he something very important to discuss. Mr. Davis was not aware that Max would be present for the conference, but Max insists he wants to be there to support his wife. Mr. Davis reminds him that Mrs. Bryer wants to keep this all on a legal level and not involve personal conflicts. Max persists with arranging a meeting. Mr. Davis finally agrees that they can talk at the courthouse a few minutes ahead of the conference.
COMMERCIAL
ACT TWO
Hugh arrives early for the conference. He tells Mike that he couldn’t sleep, and for the first time in his life, he couldn’t set aside his problems enough to concentrate on work. Furthermore, he reveals that he stopped by Gail’s apartment after their last meeting, and she’s no more hopeful of a compromise with Mildred than Mike is. Hugh asserts that Mildred does have a fair, generous nature, despite what they think. Mike sighs that he just hopes she reveals that side of her nature today in the meeting. After all, this trial will settle Hugh’s entire future: his career, his work, his income, his freedom –his freedom to marry Gail. Judge Frye will attempt to reach a consensus that will enable them to avoid an actual trial, but that will only be possible if Mildred decides to be kind and fair and generous. Mike’s opinion is that they should anticipate a fight. Hugh admits that he and Gail are getting edgy and saying things that neither one of them means. Mike instructs him not to be swayed by Gail’s behavior and not to concede an inch in court. Mike will speak for him and will only settle for he thinks is the very best for Hugh, for Gail, and for their future together.
COMMERCIAL
ACT THREE
Mr. Davis appears and apologizes for being late. He had a long-winded client on the phone. He’s certain Max understands. Max retorts that he does, but he knows how to get rid of such people. They discuss Mildred. Max feels that the case is occupying too much of her time. He’s concerned for her. He wants to know if Mr. Davis has ever attempted to dissuade Mildred from taking the case to trial. Mr. Davis says that he has, as late as yesterday afternoon. Mildred arrives and interrupts their conversation. Max offers his support. Mildred snaps that she’s glad to see that he’s at least punctual. They go into the conference room. Judge Frye takes the bench and asks if the parties involved in Bryer vs. Campbell couldn’t possibly reach a settlement to avoid a trial. Mike states that his client is perfectly willing to do just that. He is willing to share the royalties from his scientific work, past and current with Mildred; however he wants to reserve future monies for himself. Mike reiterates that these figures are quite high. They could reach one million dollars. So, by willingly sharing these monies with her, she will become an extremely wealthy woman by any standards. Judge Frye gives the floor to Mr. Davis. He requests a brief moment to confer privately with his client.
COMMERCIAL
ACT FOUR
Scene 4A
In the hallway outside the judge’s conference room, Mr. Davis reminds Mildred that it’s not too late to reach an amicable agreement with Hugh, and as her counsel, he encourages her to accept Mike Karr’s offer. Mildred glares at him. He told her that they could keep Hugh from breaking their contract, and that’s exactly what she intends to do. She must force Hugh to give up that woman Gail Armstrong.
Scene 4B
Back in the conference room, Mr. Davis announces that Mrs. Bryer will not accept her Mike Karr’s offer. Judge Frye asks him to proceed. Mr. Davis purports that Dr. Campbell willingly entered into a trustee agreement with his sister, conceding full control of his money and employment to her judgment, and acknowledged the realization that he was not competent to manage such matters himself. He’s a man of science and brilliant in that arena, but he knows nothing of business affairs. The substantial income he has derived from his work is a direct result of Mrs. Bryer’s business management. They will prove that. Furthermore, outside of his work, Dr. Campbell has a long history of instability that dates back fifteen years, to the death of his own father and Mrs. Bryer’s mother, in an accident for which he was directly responsible. Although painful for her, Mrs. Bryer insists that Dr. Campbell be held to the terms of the agreement for his own good. After Mr. Davis’ summation, Mike states that he and Dr. Campbell wish to withdraw the previous offer. Judge Frye requests that they discuss the conduct of the trial. Mike states that after listening to Mr. Davis’ impassioned explanation of Mrs. Bryer’s feelings, he and Dr. Campbell will require witnesses who can help determine the exact contributions Mrs. Bryer has made to the advancement of her brother’s career. It’s their contention that Dr. Campbell is a trusting man who has been duped. Mrs. Bryer has not given him one red cent of his own income. At the very least, a man should receive at least enough money to live on. Judge Frye cautions Mike that this is not the time to argue the case. They’re merely setting the parameters of the trial. Mike counters that he wants to go on record with his intention to interview mutual acquaintances of Dr. Campbell and his sister, going back at least 15 to 20 years in order to establish Mrs. Bryer’s involvement in Dr. Campbell’s life. It will take a great deal of time and money to locate, question, and bring those witnesses to trial. Judge Frye comments that Mike is actually saying that he and Mr. Davis intend to create a long, costly trial. Mike replies that Mrs. Bryer’s attitude leaves them all with no recourse. Mr. Davis adds that he and Mrs. Bryer are willing to spend whatever it takes and take as long as needed. Judge Frye agrees and then immediately orders that all current and unspent monies be frozen and placed in escrow. He dismisses the meeting. Hugh asks Mike how long it will take until the trial begins. Mike theorizes that with the current court calendar, it will be at least five months –late September- before it begins. And when it ends, if the case goes against Hugh, Mike will file an appeal, just as Davis will file an appeal if Mildred loses. Hugh is stunned. Mike warns him that he was told that it could be very long and messy. Hugh agrees, but the enormity of the situation and the time it will take to marry Gail is suddenly real to him. Mike reminds him that they will be financially responsible for all of the expenses incurred in locating, transporting, and maintaining witnesses for their defense. If they lose, the other side will have to pay. Mike tells Hugh to pray that they don’t lose.
COMMERCIAL
ACT FIVE
At the foundation, Max thinks about Hugh’s money tied up in escrow and speculates that Mildred has money of her own stashed away somewhere. Mildred arrives in a fury, angry that Max left the courthouse while she was speaking with Mr. Davis. Max says that he didn’t know how they would be, so he came to the foundation to do some work. Mildred declares that Hugh and Mike Karr were still there. She felt it was very disloyal of Max to leave her alone. She wanted to show Hugh and Karr that she commands the loyalty of other people, even if she doesn’t have her brother’s. Max makes a comment about how she’s treated him by taking over the foundation. Mildred snaps that she saved the foundation from ruin, from Max’s mismanagement. It isn’t her fault that the two men in her life are financially incapable. Mildred demands to be taken home at once. Max refuses. Mildred warns him that if he doesn’t take her home this instant, he need never go to her house again. Max asks if she means it. She replies that she does. Max wonders if Mildred really did advance Hugh’s career. Mike Karr doesn’t seem to think so. Mildred retorts that he can go and out and look for his witnesses, if they exist. Max says Mike Karr isn’t the type of man to go out on a long limb, but today, he did. Mildred asserts that he pulled a few tricks to get Gail off when she was guilty. Max retorts that he had to do it then. He was pressed. But he’s not pressed now. Tricks won’t hold up in a very long case, so he must be sure of something. Max suggests that Mike will dig very deeply into their past. He’ll dig all the way back to the deaths of her mother and Hugh’s father, and he’ll prove whether or not Hugh was actually responsible for the deaths. Mildred demands that he never speak of that incident again.
COMMERCIAL
Harry Kramer: “Watch this scene from tomorrow’s story.”
TEASER:
Hugh tells Mildred that he wanted to see her after the conference, but he had to stop and talk to Mike Karr. Mildred says that he probably congratulated Karr on the superb job he did of crucifying her. Hugh reminds her that Mike is a lawyer. She says that he’s his lawyer. Hugh admits that he’s come there to speak for himself, as her brother, to plead with her to stop the trial. Mildred takes great delight in Hugh’s admission that he still needs her. She asks with loaded subtext, if she does what he wants, what will he give up in exchange?
CLOSING TITLE CARD –EDGE SHADOW WIPE
Harry Kramer: Tune in again tomorrow for The Edge of Night…created by Irving Vendig.
Produced by
CHARLES POLACHECK
Directed by
RICHARD SANDWICK
Created by
IRVING VENDIG
Written by
CARL BIXBY
Settings Designed by
STEPHEN O. SAXE
Music by
PAUL TAUBMAN
CAST
Mike Karr..
JOHN LARKIN
Sara Karr..
TEAL AMES
Dr. Hugh Campbell..
WESLEY ADDY
Gail Armstrong..
MILLETTE ALEXANDER
Mattie Lane..
PEGGY ALLENBY
Jack Lane..
DON HASTINGS
Mildred Bryer..
CLAUDIA MORGAN
Maximillian Bryer..
ROBERT PASTERNE
Peggy Collins..
OLGA BELLIN
Marvin Davis..
JOHN GRIGGS
Clara..
JOAN LEMMO
Judge Frye..
CARL LOW
Terry DeMarco..
ANNA MINOT
Harry Kramer: Join us each weekday afternoon for The Edge of Night. This is Harry Kramer speaking.
Airdate: April 1959
2 of 3
Summary By: Mark Faulkner
ACT ONE
Max phones Mildred’s attorney Mr. Marvin Davis and asks to meet with him before the court conference as he something very important to discuss. Mr. Davis was not aware that Max would be present for the conference, but Max insists he wants to be there to support his wife. Mr. Davis reminds him that Mrs. Bryer wants to keep this all on a legal level and not involve personal conflicts. Max persists with arranging a meeting. Mr. Davis finally agrees that they can talk at the courthouse a few minutes ahead of the conference.
COMMERCIAL
ACT TWO
Hugh arrives early for the conference. He tells Mike that he couldn’t sleep, and for the first time in his life, he couldn’t set aside his problems enough to concentrate on work. Furthermore, he reveals that he stopped by Gail’s apartment after their last meeting, and she’s no more hopeful of a compromise with Mildred than Mike is. Hugh asserts that Mildred does have a fair, generous nature, despite what they think. Mike sighs that he just hopes she reveals that side of her nature today in the meeting. After all, this trial will settle Hugh’s entire future: his career, his work, his income, his freedom –his freedom to marry Gail. Judge Frye will attempt to reach a consensus that will enable them to avoid an actual trial, but that will only be possible if Mildred decides to be kind and fair and generous. Mike’s opinion is that they should anticipate a fight. Hugh admits that he and Gail are getting edgy and saying things that neither one of them means. Mike instructs him not to be swayed by Gail’s behavior and not to concede an inch in court. Mike will speak for him and will only settle for he thinks is the very best for Hugh, for Gail, and for their future together.
COMMERCIAL
ACT THREE
Mr. Davis appears and apologizes for being late. He had a long-winded client on the phone. He’s certain Max understands. Max retorts that he does, but he knows how to get rid of such people. They discuss Mildred. Max feels that the case is occupying too much of her time. He’s concerned for her. He wants to know if Mr. Davis has ever attempted to dissuade Mildred from taking the case to trial. Mr. Davis says that he has, as late as yesterday afternoon. Mildred arrives and interrupts their conversation. Max offers his support. Mildred snaps that she’s glad to see that he’s at least punctual. They go into the conference room. Judge Frye takes the bench and asks if the parties involved in Bryer vs. Campbell couldn’t possibly reach a settlement to avoid a trial. Mike states that his client is perfectly willing to do just that. He is willing to share the royalties from his scientific work, past and current with Mildred; however he wants to reserve future monies for himself. Mike reiterates that these figures are quite high. They could reach one million dollars. So, by willingly sharing these monies with her, she will become an extremely wealthy woman by any standards. Judge Frye gives the floor to Mr. Davis. He requests a brief moment to confer privately with his client.
COMMERCIAL
ACT FOUR
Scene 4A
In the hallway outside the judge’s conference room, Mr. Davis reminds Mildred that it’s not too late to reach an amicable agreement with Hugh, and as her counsel, he encourages her to accept Mike Karr’s offer. Mildred glares at him. He told her that they could keep Hugh from breaking their contract, and that’s exactly what she intends to do. She must force Hugh to give up that woman Gail Armstrong.
Scene 4B
Back in the conference room, Mr. Davis announces that Mrs. Bryer will not accept her Mike Karr’s offer. Judge Frye asks him to proceed. Mr. Davis purports that Dr. Campbell willingly entered into a trustee agreement with his sister, conceding full control of his money and employment to her judgment, and acknowledged the realization that he was not competent to manage such matters himself. He’s a man of science and brilliant in that arena, but he knows nothing of business affairs. The substantial income he has derived from his work is a direct result of Mrs. Bryer’s business management. They will prove that. Furthermore, outside of his work, Dr. Campbell has a long history of instability that dates back fifteen years, to the death of his own father and Mrs. Bryer’s mother, in an accident for which he was directly responsible. Although painful for her, Mrs. Bryer insists that Dr. Campbell be held to the terms of the agreement for his own good. After Mr. Davis’ summation, Mike states that he and Dr. Campbell wish to withdraw the previous offer. Judge Frye requests that they discuss the conduct of the trial. Mike states that after listening to Mr. Davis’ impassioned explanation of Mrs. Bryer’s feelings, he and Dr. Campbell will require witnesses who can help determine the exact contributions Mrs. Bryer has made to the advancement of her brother’s career. It’s their contention that Dr. Campbell is a trusting man who has been duped. Mrs. Bryer has not given him one red cent of his own income. At the very least, a man should receive at least enough money to live on. Judge Frye cautions Mike that this is not the time to argue the case. They’re merely setting the parameters of the trial. Mike counters that he wants to go on record with his intention to interview mutual acquaintances of Dr. Campbell and his sister, going back at least 15 to 20 years in order to establish Mrs. Bryer’s involvement in Dr. Campbell’s life. It will take a great deal of time and money to locate, question, and bring those witnesses to trial. Judge Frye comments that Mike is actually saying that he and Mr. Davis intend to create a long, costly trial. Mike replies that Mrs. Bryer’s attitude leaves them all with no recourse. Mr. Davis adds that he and Mrs. Bryer are willing to spend whatever it takes and take as long as needed. Judge Frye agrees and then immediately orders that all current and unspent monies be frozen and placed in escrow. He dismisses the meeting. Hugh asks Mike how long it will take until the trial begins. Mike theorizes that with the current court calendar, it will be at least five months –late September- before it begins. And when it ends, if the case goes against Hugh, Mike will file an appeal, just as Davis will file an appeal if Mildred loses. Hugh is stunned. Mike warns him that he was told that it could be very long and messy. Hugh agrees, but the enormity of the situation and the time it will take to marry Gail is suddenly real to him. Mike reminds him that they will be financially responsible for all of the expenses incurred in locating, transporting, and maintaining witnesses for their defense. If they lose, the other side will have to pay. Mike tells Hugh to pray that they don’t lose.
COMMERCIAL
ACT FIVE
At the foundation, Max thinks about Hugh’s money tied up in escrow and speculates that Mildred has money of her own stashed away somewhere. Mildred arrives in a fury, angry that Max left the courthouse while she was speaking with Mr. Davis. Max says that he didn’t know how they would be, so he came to the foundation to do some work. Mildred declares that Hugh and Mike Karr were still there. She felt it was very disloyal of Max to leave her alone. She wanted to show Hugh and Karr that she commands the loyalty of other people, even if she doesn’t have her brother’s. Max makes a comment about how she’s treated him by taking over the foundation. Mildred snaps that she saved the foundation from ruin, from Max’s mismanagement. It isn’t her fault that the two men in her life are financially incapable. Mildred demands to be taken home at once. Max refuses. Mildred warns him that if he doesn’t take her home this instant, he need never go to her house again. Max asks if she means it. She replies that she does. Max wonders if Mildred really did advance Hugh’s career. Mike Karr doesn’t seem to think so. Mildred retorts that he can go and out and look for his witnesses, if they exist. Max says Mike Karr isn’t the type of man to go out on a long limb, but today, he did. Mildred asserts that he pulled a few tricks to get Gail off when she was guilty. Max retorts that he had to do it then. He was pressed. But he’s not pressed now. Tricks won’t hold up in a very long case, so he must be sure of something. Max suggests that Mike will dig very deeply into their past. He’ll dig all the way back to the deaths of her mother and Hugh’s father, and he’ll prove whether or not Hugh was actually responsible for the deaths. Mildred demands that he never speak of that incident again.
COMMERCIAL
Harry Kramer: “Watch this scene from tomorrow’s story.”
TEASER:
Hugh tells Mildred that he wanted to see her after the conference, but he had to stop and talk to Mike Karr. Mildred says that he probably congratulated Karr on the superb job he did of crucifying her. Hugh reminds her that Mike is a lawyer. She says that he’s his lawyer. Hugh admits that he’s come there to speak for himself, as her brother, to plead with her to stop the trial. Mildred takes great delight in Hugh’s admission that he still needs her. She asks with loaded subtext, if she does what he wants, what will he give up in exchange?
CLOSING TITLE CARD –EDGE SHADOW WIPE
Harry Kramer: Tune in again tomorrow for The Edge of Night…created by Irving Vendig.
Produced by
CHARLES POLACHECK
Directed by
RICHARD SANDWICK
Created by
IRVING VENDIG
Written by
CARL BIXBY
Settings Designed by
STEPHEN O. SAXE
Music by
PAUL TAUBMAN
CAST
Mike Karr..
JOHN LARKIN
Sara Karr..
TEAL AMES
Dr. Hugh Campbell..
WESLEY ADDY
Gail Armstrong..
MILLETTE ALEXANDER
Mattie Lane..
PEGGY ALLENBY
Jack Lane..
DON HASTINGS
Mildred Bryer..
CLAUDIA MORGAN
Maximillian Bryer..
ROBERT PASTERNE
Peggy Collins..
OLGA BELLIN
Marvin Davis..
JOHN GRIGGS
Clara..
JOAN LEMMO
Judge Frye..
CARL LOW
Terry DeMarco..
ANNA MINOT
Harry Kramer: Join us each weekday afternoon for The Edge of Night. This is Harry Kramer speaking.