Maurice Marsac stars in an entertaining Fran Van Hartesveldt script about the rival culinary artists in a huge restaurant. He plays Henri, a newly employed chef in an American restaurant, who learns that the restaurant seems to have a frequent change in head chefs, often under strange circumstances. His first assignment is making sauces, and he is told he can advance in short time. The head chef (Francois, played marvelously by Ben Wright) is expected to be leaving because of his drinking and treatment of the help. He is warned, however, that the chef murders his best friends. Things come to an important point when President McKinley and banker JP Morgan and guests arrive at the restaurant and they are not ready. Henri has to save the day, because Francois is missing, likely passed out. All turns out well, and Henri gives the credit for the success of the meal to Francois. After a while Henri and Francois become friends. It is amusing that Francois refers to bourbon as “American wine” and partakes in some with some great delight, though he knows it is not true. The two of them venture out after their “wine” and have a curious adventure. Henri outsmarts Francois, and we learn the meaning of the show’s title.
The story takes place in 1901, and it is mentioned that there were 45 states. Statehood was achieved by Oklahoma in 1907, Arizona and New Mexico in 1912, and then Alaska and Hawaii in 1959.
The program was recorded on Friday, February 7, 1958. Rehearsal began at 12:30pm and finished at 3:00pm. Recording began at that time, and with in-studio edits, concluded at 5:30pm. Production editing we conducted in a different studio from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
No network recording has survived. Ads on this broadcast were for Newport cigarettes, Grove Laboratories, and Ex-Lax. Another slot was allocated closer to broadcast time.
There are two Armed Forces Radio Service recordings that have survived (AFRS#669 and AFRS#968). They can be identified by the announcement after the Robson opening monologue:
AFRS#669: The US Constitution and citizenship
AFRS#968: The Navy Cross Medal
Both recordings are very listenable, with AFRS#968 as the better of the two.
Maurice Marsac appeared in movies and television for over 40 years, usually remembered for being cast in staff roles in sophisticated restaurants. He was often uncredited, especially early in his career. His long career is profiled at Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Marsac
One of his funniest appearances was as the French waiter in the Steve Martin movie, The Jerk. Bernadette Peters orders escargot and things laughingly deteriorate from there. The scene can be viewed at YouTube https://youtu.be/FS8Z-MDW42U
LISTEN
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https://archive.org/details/TSP580216
THE CAST
Maurice Marsac (Henri), Sandra Gould (Shirley), Ben Wright (Francois), Joe de Santis (Driver / Barman / Mortician), Jack Moyles (Smith / 2nd Mortician), George Walsh (Narrator)
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