Dangerous Assignment: Nazi Fugitive 02/03/1951

0:00Welcome to Choice Classic Radio, where we bring to the greatest old-time radio shows. Like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, and thank you for donating at choiceclassicradio.com. Yeah, danger is my assignment. I get sent to a lot of places I can't even pronounce. They all spell the same thing though. Trouble. But when I walk into the commission's office, I don't realize this assignment is going to wind up with a native bandit giving me a big break by heaving a knife at me.

1:00Good morning, Commissioner. Bruce said you wanted to see me. I do, Steve. And don't bother to sit down. You're playing Lee's for Malay in one hour. Malayah, look, I just got out of one jungle. Don't tell me you're sending me back into another one. Just what I am telling you, Steve. Aren't you sort of stretching my luck a little? That's the right word for it all right. Stretching? Yeah. What do you mean? Rubber. A joke's free yet. Okay, what's the deal? Steve, take any list of vital war materials. Rubbers near the top. So what am I supposed to do? Go over to Malay and tap a few rubber trees? You don't have to. They've quite a few thousand natives on the job already over there. No, it's what's happening after the rubber is harvested. They're well interested in just what is happening. A gang of so-called bandits has been raiding the various plantation steaks. They're organized and quip like a small army. They've been setting fire to buildings, terrorizing the natives, and in general interfering seriously with the entire operation over there. I see. Look, isn't this a matter for the British? Well, they've asked our cooperation in the matter, Steve. And I think the main reason is there's a rumor that the leader of these bandits is an American boy.

2:03To our knowledge, nobody's ever gotten a good look at this leader or at least lived to tell about it. Steve, it's vital to both countries that we smash this gang. Who knew I work with? A British intelligence agent named Willoughby. He's waiting for you in Singapore right now. Steve, get over there. Work with Willoughby. And then go anywhere and do anything that's necessary to put these bandits out of business for keeps. Well, that's it. You've got your assignment. Good luck. The National Broadcasting Company is presenting dangerous assignment, starring Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell, colorful, two-fisted government agent. At all those places of the world where danger and intrigue walk hand in hand, there you find Steve Mitchell on another dangerous assignment.

3:03Sure, I've got my assignment. Just a simple matter of scarring the Milan jungle to find out who's been burning up a few assorted rubber plantations. And I've got an uneasy hunch that whoever it is has a king size hot-flick reserved for me. It's Friday when my plane lands in Singapore and I head to the office of the British agent, Willoughby. Thought I was nasty in this, Mitchell. I understand there's a rumor that the leader of these bandits is an American. Yes, it's the rumor. What is worth, I don't know. None of the bandits has ever been captured, huh? Not one of the blighters know we've set simple traps for them but they've avoided them very skillfully. What sort of traps, Willoughby? Well, we doubled our patrols in the whole area. We've also converted several of the plantations that haven't yet been attacked into miniature fortresses. They can see machine gun emplacements, troops hidden in foxholes and so on. But they always seem to know which plantations are guarded and which aren't. As I said, their information appears to be amazingly accurate. Yeah. Has anybody ever gotten a good look at this banded leader? I'm not sure, Mitchell, there's one person who may have. What do you mean may have?

4:03It's a little chopper on the extra. Mr. Perkins, would you step in here a moment please? All right. Now, this is Steve Mitchell, the agent from the United States, Mr. Perkins. Steve, Mr. Perkins, an important. How you do? Mr. Perkins, would you mind repeating your story to Mr. Mitchell Perkins? Very well. As Mr. Willoughby told you just now, I'm an important Mr. Mitchell. In the course of my business, I make frequent trips into the jungle to the north of here. Nice to meet you. Now, last week I was staying at a friend's plantation of deep in the interior. Suddenly this gang of bands attacked the plantation about midnight as I remember. Go on. My friend went out of the house as soon as he heard the shots. He was killed in a spot. I, when apparently the bandits didn't expect to be getting in the house and they didn't let her immediately. I said, finally, outbuilding, when the excitement I was able to crawl out of the window and into the jungle. Well, I'm sorry to hear about your experience and the laws of your friend Perkins, but I don't quite see what connection this has with.

5:03Wait, is after my return here to Singapore that my real troubles began, Mitchell? What do you mean? Well, two days ago, I was almost run down the streets. I'm convinced it was at the liberty temp of my life. Well, last night I was fired upon. Yes, it appears that someone is quite anxious to put Mr. Perkins out of the way, Mitchell. But why? Well, it's my theory that Perkins may have seen the bandit leader in action. But how did they know you were there with the plantation during the raid, Perkins? Well, my coat in my hair is to escape. I left my coat in my room. You see, it had my name in it. I get it. They found the coat and figured out you must have been there and must have seen them. Perkins, did you see any of them? Yes. I think there was a lot of confusion, of course, but after I stepped into the jungle, I saw several figures in the clearing. Well, now don't panic about it. Did you get a good look at them? Only a brief one. Was one of them an American? I really couldn't say. Remember, it was in the middle of the night, and the only illumination came from the fires they'd set. You think you'd recognize any of them if you saw them again? Well, that's the same question Mr. Willoughby asked me. And all I can say is that I might.

6:11I don't know. You know, Willoughby, it's pretty obvious to me that this bandit leader is somebody who's known in the interior. That's my national team, sir. He could figure that Perkins would be making other trips into that country, and my spot in all of which gives me the idea what our one chance of finding amazement. You have in mind a trip into the interior for the three of us. Have I already burnt the subject to Mr. Perkins, but he doesn't seem to think very highly of it all. Gentlemen, I'm sure you understand my position. Frankly, I'm not a particularly courageous man. I've already been to a temp on my life right here in Singapore because of this. And for a turn to those jungles, it seems to me I've been fighting my own murder. Yeah, we understand your position perfectly, Mr. Perkins, but I hope that you understand just how important this deal is. Well, I, I, I, I, you bandit's are seriously interfering with the production of the raw material it's vital to both of our country. I know that Mr. Mitchell is just right now. You're apparently the one man who can put the finger on their leader. I, I, I, I don't know what will be an aisle. Give you all the protection that's humbly possible if you make this trip with us.

7:13I, I, all right, Mr. Mitchell. Thanks a lot, Mr. Perkins. Here's all second that. How soon can you be ready? Oh, it shouldn't take me long to pack my suitcase and not more than an hour I'd say. Very well. We'll leave in an hour then. We go partway by train, take a Jeep as far as we can and then start out on foot through the jungle. It's hot and damp and well, a decent front Perkins in the middle and I'm bringing up in the rear. And all three of us are trying to look in every direction at once. The, the bandits could be hiding anywhere around us. That's a possibility, of course, but I rather doubt it. It seems more likely that the main camp is farther in the interior. But they may have scouts watching this very trail. Why can't we take a boat up the river? We get out in the middle of that river and we'd really be making targets of ourselves. Now, now it's safer here in the jungle. Oh, what was that? Oh, bird or an animal sounded like. Oh, and it sounded like somebody getting killed. Very good easy, Perkins. How much farther do the first plantation on our list?

8:15Well, it's gone been more than a mile or so. Another mile of this jungle? Oh, I wish I'd never agreed to make this trip. I can't get rid of the feeling I'm walking into a death trap. What an optimist. Perkins, five will get to ten. We'll make it to the plantation safe and sound. Well, you will pardon me if I do not accept your wage, I'm a sure, but I certainly hope you're right. Hey, watch out. What, what is it? It's nothing at three. I got him. Oh, mix up. Oh, I told you they got scouts watching. Get your head up out of the dirt and take a look, Perkins. That was no scout, unless they were wearing snake skins these days. Oh, oh, the... The song... Fifteen feet if he's an inch. Thanks, O chap. Looks like the rascal of zeroed him on me. Great. We've not only got bandits to watch out for. Now it snakes yet. Come on, let's speed it up a little, huh? Yeah! Well, here's our first plantation. Well, he made it after all.

9:18Yeah. Hey, quite a spread. Who owns it? Absentee Corporation, though, by the resident managers of Chappan in Hartford, is standing there by the tricking shed. Oh, brisk? No, no, I'm there. Oh. Hello, Willoughby. Hartford, you're up. Still poking around the bushes, liking filibandits? Quite. Hartford, I'd like you to meet Mr. Mitchell, a newspaper artist funder. Please, to meet you, Hartford. A little off your beat up in the snake of the woods. Don't you, Mitchell? Oh, I don't know. My beats where there's news, Hartford. And these attacks on the plantations come under that heading, I think. Troops arrive yet, Hartford? Yeah, they're dug in around the edge of the plantation. Say, according to that, meeting all of us had two weeks to go, you're going to put some extra patrols in this area. That's right. Anything around here? Oh, here in there, Elbarn. Okay, if I know's around the plantation, a little Hartford. Oh, okay. Go ahead. Thanks. Come on, Brown. I'll tag along with you, Mitchell. Make sure you don't get lost. Okay. We'll check for you before we leave, Hartford.

10:18Okay. Will it be? What's this meeting Hartford was talking about? Oh, it was two weeks ago, Mitchell. We called in all the plantation owners and managers to our plan and set up plans for the defense of the plantation against these attacks by the bandits. Then Hartford or any other plantation owner or manager knows the defense plans for all the plantations? That's right. Bertens, you recognize Hartford? I could be sure. Mitchell, you think that Hartford could be involved in this? Right now, I don't think anything will be. I'm just trying to find out. Bruster, look at those machine gun replacements. Oh, the bandits would surely let attack a place as heavy iron as this. Maybe they would. If they knew just where the machine guns were located. Bertens, any of those workers over there look familiar to you? No, I've been looking at all of them very closely, but I don't recognize a single one. How far do the next plantation will be? It's too hard as easy travel. There's a hated village between here and there. Well, Mark Trair. Who owns it?

11:19A Dutchman. Van Voorhees. Okay. We better get started. I've got no hankering to be caught in the jungle after dark. Welcome to my plantation, gentlemen. Thanks, Van Voorhees. After you. Thanks a lot. Thank you. You're right. Just in time. Not an hour, and it will be quite dark. And in these times, it is not wise to be out after dark. I hardly agree with that. Good evening, gentlemen. Well, my wife, Sukkala, please come in. Hello. I am Anna. I should say, my bride. Three months later. I bride. Three months now. Yes. The three of you will, of course, spend the night here. Oh, it's very kind of you. You were from this part of the country, Sukkala? No, I am not. If you excuse me, gentlemen, I will give the necessary orders to our cook. Would you care for a drink, gentlemen? Oh, little later, maybe.

12:19Right now, I'd like to take a look around your plantation, if I might. What, of course. I will be glad to show you around. I will tell Sukkala that we will be back shortly. Will it be? Huh? She must be at least 20 years younger than he is. And the what? Yeah. And she's not from this part of the country either. How long ago did these raids start? Over the gang on her... Oh, between two and three months, not? Three months ago, she married Van Voorhees and moved into this area. Interesting thought, isn't it? We know it's around the plantation. It's fortified just like the other one. But Perkins doesn't recognize any of the workers. We have a late dinner and turn in. Perkins room is between Willoughby's and mine. I don't know how long I've been asleep on all of a sudden. The rink of church be out of bed to the window. The tongues of flame are looking at the outbuildings and the light of the fire as I can see guys running around shooting up the place.

13:20So here we've been breaking our backs to find the bandits. But the way it turned out, the bandits have found us. You are listening to dangerous assignments, starring Brian Don Levy as Steve Mitchell. I run to Perkins room and jerk open the door. The bandits Mitchell now kill me. Not if they stay on the cover, Perkins. I'm going outside and see if I can lend a hand. Over here, the door. You're back to gun? Yeah. Where's Van Voorhees? Right here. You got it. You think you're inside the house? Yes, I'm inside the house. They're free buildings of America except the house. How could they have gotten through the defenses Willoughby? They must have known exactly where they were and infiltrated between them.

14:21They've already blown up two machine gun placements with hand grenades and they killed the troops of the third over there. Okay. Round up a troops of the left. Willoughby, I'm going to make a try for that machine gun. I start striking towards the machine gun. Suddenly a native looms up in front of me and ugly scar on his cheek and in his hand. A long night that's even uglier. I drop to one knee. Then I whistle go over my head. I die for him that he scrambles into the bushes. I throw a shot after the fight. I don't know whether it takes effect. Then I spot another band that's drawing a beat on me. This time I don't miss. I finally get to the machine gun. I swing it around. I smell the wave of the jungle but by now the damage has been done. I join Willoughby and then where he's on the front porch of the house. The house he selfies on touch but that is the only thing that eats. The sensation he selfies a complete loss. Well it was an internally well organized attack in the trunk.

15:21They got right into the way of it. I was another. Perkins, come on. I want to make sure he's okay. Where was he doing the shooting? I went in his room, told him to stay on the cover but those band of scenes and all everything else they could have known he was on the plantation too. Well here we are. Perkins, where is he? We're in sight. Perkins! Oh great. If they've gotten him we're licked. Probably might have done what he did during that attack before. Escape to the window. As close as I'll try this closet. Then we better get the... Perkins. Is it all over? Yeah it's all over Perkins. You can climb down off that closet shelf. Why you told me to stay on the cover? Yeah, he sure took me literally. And I guess it's just as well. Come on, let's go talk to Van Voorhees. Right. I'm sure. Isn't there some place else where we can stay the rest of the night? I know. Well this plantation is probably the safest place in the world right now for you Perkins. The bandits have already done their job here and quite completely too.

16:24I'd give a years paid to know how the blighters are getting their information. Yeah. The plantation is a complete loss but we are still on harm. And that is the important thing. Oh, gentlemen. My wife is quite upset over this. I've been trying to tell her that... Gentlemen, if you will excuse me please. What are you going to do Van Voorhees? I think the only thing Poo-Doo is to get out of here. I've been trying to talk my wife into leaving but she thinks we should stay and try to rebuild. Oh, tell me Van Voorhees. Have you known your wife long before you married her? No. Only a short time. By the US. She came here to live about three months ago and it was shortly after that that these raids started. Rides that are obviously based upon inside information. It makes sense. I have extended to you the hospitality of my house. But I have not extended to you the right to make accusations against my wife. I am not making accusations Van Voorhees.

17:25I'm just trying to find out who's heading up this gang of bandits. I would state my life that my wife is not involved in so certain. I see. What would you stake on your neighbor Van Voorhees? Viva. The American Hartford manager of the next plantation back. In each of the only thing I know about these Hartfordies that they do not trust him. Why not? They do not know I simply do not trust the man. You pointed out earlier that Hartford had complete information on the defenses of these plantations. Yeah. Hartford also knew we were coming to this plantation. Perhaps he recognized me and that is why. Is it a key time of night? Hartford. Well, speak of the devil a little bit. Quite. I heard the shooting saw the flames on door. So I headed for your plantation here to see what the trouble is. Oh. Looks like I got here a little too late. I sure made a mess of the plantation, didn't they? Yeah. I sure did, Hartford. Amazing how they knew just where the defenses were located, isn't it? Sure is.

18:25It must be pretty smart, alright? Either that or somebody is giving them pretty smart information. Yeah. Could be. Got anybody in mind, Mitchell? Yeah. Could be. You know, you seem to be taking quite an interest in this deal for a newspaper correspondent. Funny thing about a newspaper correspondent, they do a lot of traveling around visiting plantations. Sometimes it's a pretty neat cover to accuse somebody else. Isn't it? Meaning what? Meaning skip it for now. Well, gentlemen, I for one have had quite enough excitement for one night and if you don't mind, I'm going back to bed. Okay, one thing though. What is it? Might be a good idea to lock your door just in case. American's head's for his room and I go to my next door. I stretch out on the bed and light a cigarette at this point. Hartford is high up on my suspect list. He's in a perfect spot to have engineered the raids but I can't forget Van Bore his wife, Tsukala, either.

19:29She could fit into the deal somehow too. Finally, I guess I'd those off. A faint sound starts pecking at my brain. At first I think I'm dreaming but finally it pulls me awake. Like a rustle of papers or a faint crackle of flames. And it stops. I head for Perkins' room in a hurry. Perkins! You alright? Perkins! Locked. Perkins! What is it? Mitchell, open up! Oh, very well. It was the matter. Hey, are you okay? Oh, I guess I've seen like a baby as a matter of fact. What? You hear a sound a moment ago. A sound? A faint crackling like sound. Yes, but I thought I was dreaming. Let's take a look out the window. Hey, look down there in the ground just below the window. Oh, cigarette.

20:29It's still burning. Mitchell, that crackling sound you heard. It must have been the rest of these bushes outside my window. Somebody was trying to get into my room. Wait a minute. Look out the window over there across the clearing. Oh, two people. Why it's hot for talking to then boy his wife. Yeah, I'm pairing notes maybe or setting up the next raid. Okay, throw your things in your suitcase, Perkins. Why? But why? We're leaving. No? Yeah, right now. Come on, get packed. I go back to the living room, Ben, Horries, and Lillaby are sitting there drinking cognac. I have finally proceeded my life that we should lead the plantation, Mitchell. Where is your wife? She's in to bed. Her fallow cool. I see. Lillaby, any of you are roving the trolls in this area? Yeah, it's one of the more obvious here just a few minutes ago, I'm afraid. Let's have the escort us back to Hartford's plantation. No? Yeah. But it'll be lighten just a couple of hours. And it may be too late.

21:29I'll explain later, will be. Right now I want to get started. Hey, 101. And Mitchell is the longest to color and I have decided to leave the plantation. We may as well accompany you. That way we'll be for a protection. Okay, Ben, Horries. You're in a white pack up. And let's get going. Half an hour later we shove off Van Morrison's wife, Hartford Perkins, Willoughby, the patrol and myself. A little bit after dawn, we reach the native village, a half way between the two plantations and start walking through it. Mitchell. Yeah. You told me that you're so hard for him, Ben. Boy, he's wife, talking to him. That's right. They could have been cooking up another raid. What is that point you want to get us in the patrol back to Hartford's plantation? I mean, you think the raid is scheduled for that? It would be a fun, it's not. Keep walking. He doesn't see me. Who doesn't see you? Over there in that point you're native to the tent with a scar on his face. That's one of the bandits. You chucked a knife at me last night. What? Go on without me. I'll join you later at Hartford's plantation and don't let anything happen to Perkins.

22:38The rest of the party moves on. I drop out of sight in the bushes where I can keep my eye on the village and the native with a scar on his cheek. After a while he eases away from the village. I tell him through the jungle keeping well back so he won't spot me. And our later he reaches a small clearing and I know I found the bandits main camp. There must be two dozen of them lying around and in the center there's a guy trying to raise someone on a walk. He'll talk to me. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. He's not having any luck that I am because a lot of things suddenly fall into place. I couldn't start to leave them. I freeze. One of the bandits is coming along the trails of the clearing. He'll pass right by me and be sure to see me. I've got to get the jump on him. I wait until he's right up to me and then I dive for his neck. It drops his gun. Croses of throat. I know if he lets out one piece I'm a dead duck. I increase the pressure. Tighten. Tighten. Finally his knees buckle and he slumps to the ground. I drag him under the bushes and take off.

23:39It's the middle of the afternoon before I get the hard for its plantation. And I was getting worried about you, Mitchell. I'd to send the patrol back to find you. I'm glad you didn't. Where are the others? They were all inside the plantation house. Got a patrol leader around anyway? Yes, he's right over there. I left him a choppy old. Yes. What is it, what about him? Mitchell wants to work with you. I have located the bandits main camp. What's that? Mitchell. Yeah, let's see at 3pm. That ought to give us time enough. Time enough for what? We're going to cook up a little gag while a wee hip at works. We're not only going to get the whole gang will also nab their leader. After that I find my infernishing liquor, Mitchell, but I don't quite see the reason for suddenly having a cocktail party. I just felt like a little celebration, Hartford. I do not think there is cause for any of us to be celebrating right now. My husband and I have just lost our plantation. My dear, you must reconcile yourself. I, for one, will feel more like celebrating when I'm safely back in Singapore, Mitchell.

24:41Ah, cheer up, Perkins. The worst is over. That's why I want to celebrate. But celebrate what? Let's see, it's exactly 5.30pm right now. In just 10 minutes, those bandits will all be captured. Why? What are you talking about? It's very simple. You see, I located their main camp. You? You found their camp? That's right, Mrs. Vendor. Mrs. Vendor, here. Left-end will shut the old and his patrol are closing in on them right now. Hey, Mitchell, my heart is congratulations. Thanks, Vendor. Come on, we'll be. Let's go outside and tell the rest of the troops they can not go off right now. Okay, we'll be. Around the back. Yes. You, you get a weapon, Mitchell? I don't know. It's our only chance of pegging the leader. But I still don't see how you intend to find out just who it is. Okay. Hold it here. Now we just listen for a while. What, listen, what? Quiet. There it is. Coming from that corner room. Come on. In the back door.

25:43Now, down the hall. We keep it quiet. Here we are. Door is undoubtedly locked, but it's a foosie. One push ought to do it. Come on. We'll rush it together. Sort of, uh, get back for a running stop. Yeah, come on. Ready? What? Let's go. It's work, it's work. Come, complete with walkie talkie. Trying to warn your boy. What? He's back. He's back. Never make it, buddy. Sit down, prick. Sit down, prick. I said, sit down. I got his gun, Mitchell. Hey, what's going on? Very simple. All right, pretty. We just grabbed the banded leader. What? This man? Yeah, Perkins. I do not understand. Boasting as an importer gave Perkins a good excuse to travel this area, picking up information. But when the plantations were fortified, he realized he needed more accurate information. So he ridged up his story about being an eyewitness and the attempts on his life to give him an excuse to be brought to these plantations.

26:44Yeah, put him in a perfect spot to transmit information about the defense to his boys by means of that walkie talkie, kept in a suitcase. You see, Perkins, I heard one of your boys using a walkie talkie in the jungle, probably trying to get in touch with you. It made a fake crackling sound, just like the one I heard last night. What? And speaking of last night, Hartford, what were you talking to Mrs. Van Boer? He's about to... Oh, it's there. ...with Latch Van Boer. I knew you didn't like me, so I decided to talk to your wife instead to a... ...warner about Mitchell. Me? Oh, now look, I'm not that big a wolf. I don't mean that. You didn't sound like a newspaper correspondent to me, so I was... ...I was getting a little suspicious of your connection with it. Well, that's the switch. Chef, you to Mitchell. Hello. That's a walkie talkie. Well, let's have it. Thanks. Mitchell, the chef, you go ahead. Three bandits kept your ten minutes ago. Why? Only three. What happened to the rest of them? Did, you know? Okay. Good work, chef, you.

27:44Over and out. Well, I guess that's the crop. And Perkins, after you face the court-a-law for the various murders you're responsible for, I don't think you have much time left. Yep, you had a pretty neat scheme going, but I guess you forgot the ancient Malayan proverb. What are you talking about? Man who tried to do bad things with walkie talkie, when log gets through with him, will do neither one. None of one. No walkie. No talkie.

28:46Mitchell is written by Bob Reif and Adrian Jumbo, a music by Robert Ambruster, and is produced and directed by Bill Khan. We will us next week at the same time when Brian Donlevy is starting in the role of Steve Mitchell. Will embark on another dangerous assignment. Dangerous assignment came to you from Hollywood. Next, enjoy the man called X and your hip parade on NBC tonight.