Nash Airflyte Theatre - "Fiddling Fool"
Nash Airflyte Theatre: "Fiddling Fool"
Nash Automotive Logo. Nash Airflyte Theatre presents "Fiddling Fool," starring violinist Nathan Milstein in an adaption of the Ben Ames Williams story. Also starring Parker Fennelly. Hosted by William Gaxton.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Framed picture of Host William Gaxton; Gaxton wearing a fedora hat and smoking a pipe, introduces the stars featured in the story; violinist Nathan Milstein and Parker Fennelly, and provides the setting for the story. William Gaxton pretends to put his arm into a barrel of apples.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Middle-aged adult Caucasian man takes apple out of the barrel, wipes it on his sleeve, and takes a bite as he listens and watches music and dance number being performed off camera; elderly adult Caucasian male store clerk comes through doorway and asks how much and what kind of gas the man wants, before leaving. Pair of adult Caucasian male and female feet, dancing. Clerk returns and charges the man $2.75 for gas; man pays and inquires about the music and dancing. The clerk states it's all part of the Saturday Social.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Adult male announcer (off camera):"Simmer down now, because Old Gramp Petty is gonna play 'Old Folks at Home'". Middle-aged adult Caucasian man asks elderly adult Caucasian male clerk behind the counter who that is, and the clerk says that's Old Gramp Petty, also called the "Fiddling Fool". He's old now, so he's not as great as he was decades ago, but he'll surprise you on occasion. The two men listen to Petty play the fiddle off camera; man in fedora hat is intrigued by the sound coming from the fiddle and tries to gather more information about Petty from the store clerk.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Middle-aged adult Caucasian man and elderly adult Caucasian male store clerk listening to "Old Man at Home" on fiddle, off camera. Man asks the clerk where he said the Old Gramp Petty lived, the clerk recalls the residence is a mile and half up the road. And the tourist camp is about a quarter mile the other way. The man thanks the clerk for the information and leaves to listen to the next song.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Old Gramp Petty sitting at kitchen table, eating with adult Caucasian man and young Caucasian girl; adult Caucasian woman, named Jane, criticizes a man of Petty's age going to the Saturday Night Social. The daughter tells her to stop, but Jane tells her to go make the beds. Jane continues criticizing Petty for knocking the contents of his pipe on the floor, saying just because he owns the house and land, doesn't mean he can mess it up all he wants. Petty says she can move out anytime if she doesn't like the way he lives, but Jane wonders who then would look after him, or his fiddles. Jane says sometimes she feels like getting rid of them all.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Old Gramp Petty gets up from the kitchen table, telling Jane not to fret. She'll get everything just as soon as he dies, "and the way I feel now, I can't go on a day more than another thirty years." Petty leaves to go sit in a rocking chair outside; Jane and adult Caucasian male sitting next to her talk about Petty; Jane doesn't think Petty is bluffing, probably living that long just to spite her. She thinks Petty ought to be protected from his own foolishness. She expresses the idea of going to court to prove his lunacy.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Old Gramp Petty sitting in rocking chair, smoking pipe on his porch, humming a tune to himself. Middle-aged adult Caucasian man walks up to ask for a glass of water. Petty tells him to help himself to the pump in the shed. The man asks if he's Old Gramp Petty, the Fiddler? Petty states he's been referred to as the "Fiddlin' Fool" for decades. The man joins him on the porch; Jane looks through the window at Petty and male visitor.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Middle-aged adult Caucasian man joins Old Gramp Petty on porch to talk. Petty notices that the man has forgotten his thirst; Jane leans against the window to listen to the conversation. The man states his affinity for fiddles and Petty asks if he'd like to see a couple of his; Petty calls for his granddaughter, Bess and tells her to bring some fiddles outside. The man compliments Petty on his farm. Bess comes outside with two fiddles and gives them to Petty; Petty introduces her to the man, she leaves to complete her chores. The man identifies himself as Junius Hopmer. Hopmer compliments Petty on having a beautiful granddaughter. Petty: "Pretty as a fiddle."
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Hopmer tells Old Gramp Petty that he may want to take up the fiddle again, and whether he would sell him a fiddle. Petty presents him with the fiddle he's currently holding, but the price is too high for Hopmer. Hopmer asks about the other one. Petty tries dissuading Hopmer from it, saying the fiddle is "cranky", although every so often, "she'll surprise ya". Hopmer asks to take a look at it. Petty allows it, so long as he's careful. Hopmer takes it, stands and looks it over.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Junius Hopmer holding Old Gramp Petty's fiddle to the camera; superimposition of violinist Nathan Milstein playing on the body of the fiddle. Petty stands over the shoulder of Hopmer asking what he's looking for in the fiddle. Hopmer says he was thinking about a friend of his. Hopmer gives his assessment of the fiddle, noting how well kept it is. Hopmer offers twenty-five dollars for it, but Petty isn't sure he wants to sell that one. Jane looks aghast listening to the conversation outside. Petty and Hopmer sit back down; Petty explains the previous owner got good sound out of that fiddle, and he was hoping he'd be able to do the same.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Junius Hopmer and Old Gramp Petty sitting together on Petty's front porch. Hopmer asks Petty about the fiddles previous owner. Petty gives backstory about his time aboard a freighter with a Russian cook who played the fiddle with a bottle of vodka in his room, and the crew would gather outside his door to listen. One day he jumped overboard and his possessions were auctioned, which is how he came to own it.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Old Gramp Petty admits since the day he bought the fiddle, the fiddle hasn't "spoken" to him the same way. Junius Hopmer offers fifty-five dollars for the fiddle, but Petty won't sell. Jane, eavesdropping with adult Caucasian male; she thinks Petty is a fool for not selling at that price. The man tries to defend him, but Jane sees this as proof enough that Petty isn't fit to look after himself and seeks to get a lawyer.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Junius Hopmer stands up to leave, but says he may come by again with a friend who may want to play with Petty. Old Gramp Petty says he's welcome to come. Jane and adult Caucasian male come out of the house, watching Hopmer leave; Petty humming to himself while adjusting the strings on the fiddle.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Stereo loudspeaker outside a recording studio. Adult Caucasian male security guard standing outside; double doors behind him, "Closed Set. Keep Out" sign on door. Junius Hopmer approaches the guard and states he must see violinist Nathan Milstein. The guard tells him no entry is allowed while Milstein is recording. Hopmer asks the guard to give Milstein a message, that's he's found "a Stradivarius, a violin with a perfect tone." Guard leaves to tell Milstein; Hopmer waits outside.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Loudspeaker above window in recording studio; "Silence" taped on it. Young adult Caucasian male in recording studio gives cue to violinist Nathan Milstein. Adult Caucasian male accompanies him on piano. Milstein and male pianist begin playing Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee".
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Violinist Nathan Milstein continues playing Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" with adult Caucasian male pianist. Adult Caucasian male engineer behind glass in recording studio, signals to musicians when song ends. Adult Caucasian male security guard tell Junius Hopmer that Milstein will see him now; Hopmer mesmerized by the music over the loudspeaker, is brought back to reality and enters studio. Hopmer happily greets and shakes hands with Milstein.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Host William Gaxton greets the television audience behind a Nash Motors desk; he hopes the audience is enjoying the show as much as he has and shares a telegram wire from Nash Motors, noting Nash Motors records in stock car races all over the world.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Host William Gaxton sitting behind Nash Motors desk. He relays news from a telegram he's just received regarding the Mobil Gas Economy Run. Gaxton emphasizes how important this endurance race is, and that the Nash Rambler finished first in its special class, establishing an all-time high in miles to the gallon.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Still image of 1951 Nash Rambler driven by Pierce Venable; adult Caucasian men standing around car. Voice-over of Host William Gaxton giving a brief description of the car, driver and noting fuel mileage record broke was done at a higher speed than all other competing cars.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Host William Gaxton continues talking about the Mobil Economy Run and how grueling of a race it is. Adult Caucasian male finger traces map from the start of the race in Los Angeles, across California, Nevada, and Arizona to the finish line at the Grand Canyon.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
VO adult male narrates various portions of the Mobil Economy Run motor race. POV driving through Mojave Desert. Nash Rambler driving through High Sierras, up S-curve. Overview of Sierras, winding road below. POV driving along curving mountain road; snow covered hillside. Driver POV driving through Death Valley. "FINISH Mobil Gas Grand Canyon Run" sign; Triple A (AAA) logo.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Host William Gaxton states the toughness of the Mobil Economy Run race, which makes the new fuel mileage record by the Nash Rambler all that more impressive. Card showing 31.05 miles to the gallon. Gaxton tells the audience to go to their Nash Motors dealer and see the cars for themselves, before returning to the second act of "Fiddling Fool".
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Junius Hopmer speaking with Nathan Milstein and another adult Caucasian male in hushed tones in the general store; elderly adult Caucasian male store clerk walks in and lets Hopmer know the amount of gas put in his car and the cost. Hopmer ushers the gentlemen outside, staying behind to get directions and pay the clerk. Bess comes into the store hurriedly, apologizing for interrupting, making a panicked order to the clerk when Hopmer recognizes her and introduces himself again. Bess remembers him and is upset with him, since his visit was the catalyst for her mother now trying to the court to declare Old Gramp Petty unfit to care for himself. Hopmer doesn't understand, and prepared to make the same offer again. Bess says he won't sell, that her grandfather is as stubborn as mule; the store clerk agrees.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Bess gets her supplies from elderly adult Caucasian male store clerk and exits the shop, telling Junius Hopmer that she's going to use the supplies to fix up Old Gramp Petty's fiddle, so the fiddle will actually be worth the money Hopmer offered. Hopmer is aghast and drags Bess back into the store by her arms.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Junius Hopmer releases Bess from his grip after she complains he's hurting her, apologizes. Hopmer makes a deal with Bess while elderly adult Caucasian clerk listens behind counter; she doesn't touch the fiddle and he will help out Old Gramp Petty. Bess is skeptical, so Hopmer points out that Nathan Milstein is standing outside, and he's a violin expert. Bess ends up reluctantly agreeing after Hopmer gives his word, so long as nothing happens to the fiddle. Hopmer says he'll be at the courthouse, asks directions; Bess says trial will happen at judge's parlor room. Hopmer hands the cans Bess ordered back to the clerk, who puts them on the counter.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Elderly adult Caucasian male judge taps gavel, asks for order in the court, asks Jane Petty to continue her story; Old Gramp Petty seated in witness chair, smoking pipe. Jane explains to judge and adult Caucasian male and female audience that Old Gramp Petty turned down $55 for a fiddle she could barely have used as kindling. Old Gramp Petty says he wouldn't give it up for $550. Judge asks if he really thinks it is worth that much; Old Gramp Petty says it's worth more than that to him, stating: "Man don't live by bread alone."
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Elderly adult Caucasian male judge agrees with Jane Petty that his mind seems to be wandering a bit. Julius Hopmer bursts through door with Nathan Milstein and adult Caucasian male; judge demands to know who he is; Jane Petty points him out as the man who made Old Gramp Petty the offer. Judge asks if this is true, Hopmer says so, that it's worth the price, states he may be prepared to offer more. Petty still won't sell. Hopmer tells the judge he's brought a violin expert to appraise it, and calls upon Milstein to provide expertise. Judge states he doesn't need to put him on the stand, but allows Milstein to examine the violin.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Violinist Nathan Milstein asks Old Gramp Petty if he may inspect his fiddle, who asks him to be careful not to drop it or change anything since he just tuned it. Milstein inspects it; Petty notices he knows how to handle it. Judge asks Milstein if it's really worth $50. Milstein asks to play it. Judge says no one here is a musical expert, but allows it. Junius Hopmer arranges Artur Balsam to play piano, and for the audience to remain quiet. Milstein play a couple chords to warm up.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Violinist Nathan Milstein performs "Old Folks At Home" on Old Gramp Petty's fiddle, Artur Balsam accompanying him on piano; adult Caucasian males and females along with Junius Hopmer, elderly adult Caucasian judge, and Old Gramp Petty listen.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Violinist Nathan Milstein continues performing "Old Folks at Home" on Old Gramp Petty's fiddle, adult Caucasian male playing piano. Old Gramp Petty and the judge watch, transfixed by the song. Jane, sitting with adult Caucasian men and women also touched by the music. Young adult Caucasian female, listening, mesmerized by the song.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Violinist Nathan Milstein and adult Caucasian male piano player perform "Old Folks at Home" to group of adult Caucasian men and women, including Junius Hopmer and young Caucasian girl; she is entranced by the song.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Adult Caucasian male Judge compliments violinist Nathan Milstein and states the fiddle is definitely worth the fifty dollars; Junius Hopmer, Milstein, and adult Caucasian male piano player gather together. Old Gramp Petty states that Milstein was better than the Russian cook who played that fiddle before him, and that he never thought he'd hear that kind of sound come from that fiddle again. Milstein states the quality is amazing, and would not be surprised if it was a Stradivarius violin. Judge asks if it might be worth more than fifty-five dollars and Milstein states that he would not be surprised if was worth fifty-five thousands dollars; adult Caucasian males and females gasp in shock, leaving Hopmer with a very disappointed look on his face. Old Gramp Petty wants to know if something should happen to his fiddle, where he would get another one. Milstein states it would be very difficult to replace. Old Gramp Petty then wants him to have it, which sends another shock through the room, particularly Jane; the Judge bangs his gavel to restore order.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Old Gramp Petty understands that violinist Nathan Milstein already has a Stradivarius violin of his own, but he also knows who he really is; he is not Mr. Mills as he was introduced, but Nathan Milstein, a famous violinist. Old Gramp Petty asks Milstein to keep the fiddle and give to another who deserves to play it, because he trusts his judgement. Milstein accepts the offer. Old Gramp Petty says maybe one day he'll hear Milstein play at Carnegie Hall, and Milstein states he would be honored to have him come. Jane Petty argues her point with the elderly adult Caucasian male judge with her daughter arguing against her mother, but the judge bangs his gavel and dismisses the case, stating "If Gramp's crazy, so am I."
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Host William Gaxton thanks violinist Nathan Milstein, Parker Fennelly, and the entire cast for their performance in "Fiddling Fool". Gaxton then pivots to talk about Nash Motors dealers. Diorama of showroom featuring three 1951 Nash Airflyte models. Adult Caucasian male finger pointing to each car model: Ambassador Airflyte, Statesman Airflyte, and Rambler Airflyte. Circular table rotates showing another diorama of two Nash cars in service area; adult Caucasian male finger pointing to services such like: Lubrication, Electrical, and Motor Tune-up.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Circular table rotates showing another diorama of Nash Select Used Cars; adult Caucasian male hand places a model Nash Rambler Airflyte car in an open space on the diorama. Host William Gaxton re-iterates to the audience to get in touch with a Nash Motors representative at their local dealer. Gaxton previews next week's show; a comedy called "Professor's Punch".
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
Credits roll; Nash Motors logo in BG.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
VO adult male announces the cast of the show: Parker Fennelly, Tony Dowling, Billy M. Green, Beverly Dennis, Pat Malone, Frank Twaddle, Hilda Vaughn, Vinton Hayward, along with violinist Nathan Milstein, accompanied by Artur Balsam.
Nash Airflyte Theater: "Fiddling Fool"
VO adult male announces "Nash Airflyte Theatre" was presented by Nash Motors; short musical jingle sung promoting Nash Motors. CBS logo.