Problem when displaying the $ character

Through php, I run a function that creates a list of items in a select menu as follows: <select name="menu"> <option value="<? echo "$item1"; ?>">Item 1</option> <option value="<? echo "$item2"; ?>">Item 2</option> </select> but here is how the source code looks: <select name="menu"> <option value=" item1">Item 1</option> <option value=" item2">Item 2</option> </select> It looks like php takes the $ character and inserts a return for it. This though disrupts the value of the form element. Is there anyway to make this code appear like it should (with the option tag all on one line instead of 2)? Thanks! Dominik