Boy's Cinema (1939-40)

BOY'S CINEMA Every Tuesday When twin boys •were born to the Queen of France, one was to become king and the other had to disappear. A swashbuckling story of the days when a quick tongue and a flashing sword made all the difference between liberty and death. Louis Hayward plays the dual role of the king and his brother, supported by Joan Bennett, Warren William, Alan Hale and Miles Mander CRISIS ! THE Cardinal of France stood at the window looking down upon the crowds below. • They pressed against the gates of the Royal Palace eagerly, waiting tor news. For the most part they were still, but every now and then they would surge to the right or left restlessly, as though in impatience. The Cardinal watched them curiously. The people of France! Waiting to hear about the birth of a child to the King and Queen! Would it be a daughter—or a son? Behind the Cardinal stood a young man. He was foppishly dressed. His hair was delicately curled, and rare laces were at his neck and wrists. His lace was lean and his eyes were crafty. He tiptoed across to a table and picked up a gold box. Then he returned to the window. "Your lozenges, my Lord Cardinal," he said softly. The Cardinal started, disturbed by the voice. Then he turned, smiling kindly. "Thank vou,Fouquet," he replied. You are always so thoughtful." He took a lozenge and placed it in his mouth. For a few seconds there was again silence in the room, then the Cardinal went on: "This may be a great day for Fi-ance."' Fouquet took a pace nearer. The craf- tiness in his eyes deepened. "Might I suggest, my Lord Cardinal." he .said, bowing' as he spoke, "that if his Majesty should have a son " He paused, then finished: "That son will need a tutor." The Cardinal turned and looked at him, amused. " Not only are you thoughtful. Fouquet," he commented, "but you also look far ahead." Again Fouquet bowed. His manner was ingratiating. ^ovcmljor ISth 1030. "My only thought is to serve to the limit of my ability." he murmured. At that moment the doors of the Cardinal's rooms were thrown open, and the Chamberlain appeared. "His Majesty the King!" the Chamber- lain announced. Both the Cardinal and Fouquet turned to face the door. There was a pause. Then the King entered. The Cardinal and Fouquet bowed low. "Well, how much longer do we have to wait?" the King demanded. "Is there no news yet?" He spoke impatiently, his nerves on edge. At normal times he was a kindly man, and his subjects loved and respected him. But this was not a normal time. All France was waiting, wondering if the new-born child would be their future King. "I have heard nothing yet, your Majesty," the Cardinal answered. "A matter of this kind demands patience— even from a King." The King glared- at him, tempted to make a sharp retort. Then he smiled. "For a Cardinal, you are not very con- soling in a crisis," he said, and turned to one of the men who had entered with him. "D'Artagnan, do you remember that morning when wo were making prepara- tions to fight the Austrian army?" D'Artagnan laughed. He wore the uni- form of the King's Musketeers, and he had the reputation of being the best swordsman ni all France. "I remember it, Sire," he said. "Very well." "Well, I felt a lot braver that morning." There was a rustle at.the doorway, and a nurse came hurryin,? in. On a purple cushion she carried a tiny figure swathed in shawls. Her fact^ was wreathed in smiles. "If your Majesty pleases," she said breathle,sslv, "a boy! A beautiful boy!" "A boy!" cried the King. She came across the room and laid the child in the King's arms. He stood looking down at it tenderly, smiling into the tiny wrinkled face with its tightly-shut eyes and whispered: "A son!" The Cardinal bowed low and stood aside from the window. Below the crowd was murmuring, trying to be quiet, yet insisting upon news at the eai-liest possible moment. The King nodded, and walked out on to the balcony. The Cardinal and D'Artag- nan followed. A storm of cheering greeted them. The Cardinal went to the front of the balcony and held up his hand for silence. "It has pleased Almighty God, King of Heaven," ne announced, "to bless the union of His Majesty, King Louis XIII of France, and our dearly beloved Queen, by giving to them and to you—a son!" He pointed at the child, which the King was holding up. "This is the heir to the Throne of France!'* The chjccring grew louder and loudei until it was deafening. In the meantime, the nurse had returned to the Queen's apartments. As she reached down (o open ihc door, it was suddenly opened from inside and the doctor appeared. He was looking worried. "Where is his Majesty?" he asked. "On the balconv." the nurse replied. "Why? What is the matter?" The doctor drew a cambric handkerchief from his pocket and passed it across his forehead. Then he leaned down and whispered something in the nurse's ear. "Mon Dieu!' she cried. •Tell the King at once,' the doctor ordered. The nurse .shook her head. "It is impos.sible. The Cardinal- ha.s already told the crowds. News like that " She drew in her breath sharply. "Goodness knows what would happen! ' " Get Colbert, then. Yes, that's it. Get Colbert. He will know what to do." The nurse hurried back to the balcony. Colbert was one of the King's most trusted I