 At the tone, 8 o'clock. Remember a hallmark card when you carry enough to send the very best. From Hollywood, the makers of hallmark cards bring you an unusual true story. On the Hallmark Hall of Fame. Here's our distinguished host, Mr. Lionel Barrymore. Ladies and gentlemen, and welcome once again to the Hallmark Hall of Fame. Tonight we are taking you back to the year 1800 and 36, when wagons were on the move across the face of taxes. On the move, yes, but there was something wrong. These wagons were moving east, not west. There's quite a story behind this strange mass movement of the defeated and despairing men and women. A story that might have ended in defeat had not been for one man. What this man did and how he did it is the story we're going to tell you tonight. And now here's Frank Goss from the makers of hallmark cards. Tonight the makers of hallmark cards and the fine stores that feature them are happy to bring you the first program in the new winter series of the Hallmark Hall of Fame. Throughout the season we hope you'll enjoy these dramatic stories, made even more exciting because they are true stories taken from the lives of great individuals. And we hope that when you want to remember friends or relatives in a special way, you'll remember hallmark cards. Lionel Barrymore appears by arrangement with Metro Golden Mayor. Soon to release Dory Sherry's production, Take the High Ground, starring Richard Widmark, Carl Mulden and Elaine Stewart. And now Mr. Barrymore brings you tonight's exciting story on the Hallmark Hall of Fame. No sign. These wagons moving east across the purple grandeur of the endless plain. They're golden dust hanging in the sunlight. Incredible. These pioneer Americans have come to Texas with the invitation of the Mexican government. They come to give their strength and their skill and their spirit to the fabulous new land, the promised land. Why then were they now making their exodus? What had happened? They came to join us with General Sandeustin of the Christ fair for he made a bid for us. Citizens of Texas. Freedom and oppression. And these Texans have chosen freedom. The Mexicans under the ruthless Santa Ana and March North determined to put an end to their demands for the rights of free men. The Texans formed a provisional government, sent their women and children back to the United States and told Sam Houston to blow them an army. Our invader has sworn to extinguish us. Or sweep us from the soil. He is vigilant in his work of oppression and has ordered to Texas 10,000 men to enforce his ambition. We will enjoy our birthright or perish in its defense. The services of volunteers will be accepted. By the 1st of March next we must meet the enemy with an army worthy of our cause. Let the brave rally to our standard. Signed, Sam Houston, Commander-in-Chief of the Army. I order George W. Poe acting Adjutant General. Citizens of Texas. Under the Constitution of Mexico, you were invited to Texas, then the wilderness. You rendered it a cultivated country. You swore to support that Constitution and you have. Now you've realized the horrors of anarchy and dictation. The promises made to you have not been fulfilled. The agents you have sent to Mexico have been imprisoned. And still you have remained loyal with the hope that liberty would not perish in the Republic of Mexico. But while you are finally cherishing this hope, the dictator required to surrender. The brave rally to our standard. They did. And in the United States, young men everywhere were reading a poster. We're going spelling out what to say. Volunteers from the United States will receive liberal bounties of life. Now it is a land. Come with a good rifle and come soon. Liberty or death. Down with the usurper. It's signed, Sam Houston. In what used to be Governor of Tennessee? Yep. You know, I think I'll go. Why? For the free land? Heck, no man, I'm going for the fight. For recruiting stations for volunteers in Cincinnati, New Orleans and Louisville. Drilling juice out in this. Drilling? I come down to Texas for to shoot me some Spaniards. You and me, we should have gone down to San Antonio with old Ben Marlam. Yeah, they got a roof over their heads in San Antonio. Southern's garrisoned in the mission now. We've got to stay here with the general. I just wish he'd make up his mind to fight that song. Roof over their heads, huh? What's the name of that place they are? I think it's called Alamo. Santa Ana's legions pushed northeast to San Antonio. Defending it was a tiny force of Texans. Great Americans will remember their names always. Bayley Crockett, Jim Boyle, James Butler Bonham, Bill Travis. Burn one of them. Write down. Why don't he do something? Sam Houston, he's supposed to be such a great general. Why don't he do something besides drill us and march us all over the country side? Captain says this is what they call tactics. Tactics, huh? I call it yellow. You want to know something? Just when you're with me? What? That's what the captain called it too. Now let's get some sleep. 187, Santa Ana's forces continued to move across Texas, murdering, burning, looting as they came. To the southwest of San Antonio, a spot forever known as the Goliad. The Mexican forces encountered the 300 brave volunteers of Colonel Jimmy Pham. Surrounded them, marched them out to a field and killed them all in cold blood to the last man. And Sam Houston, well, he continued his retreat. April 12, 1836, Harrisburg, Texas, General Houston. There is nothing to stop the march of the enemy now to this place or Galveston in 24 hours. The country expects something from you. The government looks to you for action. Are we to give up the country and make our way out of it? Or are we to meet the enemy and make at least one struggle for our bolstered independence? The government does not intend to control your movements, but it is expected that you will take measures without delay to check the enemy's movements. Signed the president. General Houston, sir. Scout D. Smith reporting. Hello, D. Well, Sam, it's done. Sam Phillips, folks has gone, burned it to the ground for the left. I guess it had to be. I got some other news for you, too, Sam. I'm going. Another detachment pulled out last night, deserted back to the states. They've become to fight and not retreat. Except that, I am. Men are spoiling for some action, Sam. They aren't ready. They'll be deserted tonight and tomorrow. Well, we'll make out as best we can. All right, Sam. But if only you could say something to them, give them some heart. When the time comes, I'll say plenty. Until then, they're soldiers. When the Lord grant that they shall act as such. What are we doing out in the swamps, Leroy? Ask old Sam. Don't ask me. Sandy Ann has got four columns chasing us. How come we don't stop and fight them? That's what we come here for. Yeah. We're stroking out in the swamps, marching backwards all the time. Wish we had old Stonewall Jackson here. He'd show that Sandy Ann to what a fight is. Shh. She comes in office. What are you? Who's in office? Shush. Shush yourself. I only wished it was Sam Houston. I'll tell him what I think of this fast, rude, treating bunch of patriots. What's that, sir? It's him. Did I hear you say something to them? Uh... Uh... Yes, I did. And what was it? A general? I don't think you're fighting this thing right. You don't. No, sir. Do you know who we're up against? Nothing but that General Sandy Ann. What's your name, soldier? White, sir. Jeremiah White. White? I'll tell you about General Sandy Ann. He has four armies, totaling over 10,000 men. He has professional soldiers, well armed. He has 10 cannon to each one of ours. They're fine horses. And they're unlimited reserves of money. White. And money is important. But we? Just 700 men. 700? But they're good men, White, and when the time comes, they'll show well. Yes, sir. Yards are 10 or 12 to one, you see. Now, if you had to fight 10 or 12 men, would you do it out in an open field where they could come at you from all sides? Well, would you wait in retreat and try to maneuver them into a position where you'd stand some sort of chance? I guess I'd maneuver them, John. Well, that's what we're doing, White. I want to keep right on maneuvering them. And I don't care what the president of Texas or any other fireside tacticians may say, we're going to maneuver them. And then when they've got them with a place and a time of right, we're going to hit them. Hit and crush Okay, yes, sir. You may depend on it. Return to the second act of the Hallmark Hall of Fame. Isn't it good to think that friendship, the one best thing we have to give away, can't be measured by cost? You could no more put a price tag on thoughtfulness and kindness than you could on the beauty of an autumn day. Yet the act of being friendly is often such a simple one. A visit to welcome a new neighbor, a cheerful greeting to someone who is ill, a word of praise and encouragement. I think you'll agree that the happiest people you know are those who have developed the wonderful talent of giving. And one of the nicest ways for you to remember all your friends and loved ones in these busy days is by sending Hallmark cards. They're the symbols of friendship. They can carry your thoughts to the farthest corners of the world. It takes so little time. It takes so little money to send a heartwarming Hallmark card. And here's something good to know. Even though the quality of Hallmark cards has improved through the years, their prices remain the same. And you can count on it that Hallmark on the back tells your friends you cared enough to send the very best. And our Lionel Barrymore brings you the second act of our true story of Sam Houston. Sam Houston, nobody's ragged on me across the scorched earth of Texas. While the people print and the politicians safely distant cursed. I'd say that man is incompetent. That's what I'd say. You should ought to stand up and fight like Travis and Finn and do. All right, it's been weeks and weeks and still he's retreating. No wonder they run him out of Tennessee. Yes, me ought to be run out of Texas. You ought to say I'm a Houston-y colored man like this to say. They're in this, my general. I was to come and tell you he knows just where you is. He said first, he'd want to catch up with them land thieves. But that means Texas government. And then he's going to come out of you and smoke you out. You're going after them, aren't you? Yes, sir. Deep Smith, give me that mat. Here you are, Sam. Now, look here, Deep. Here. The Buffalo Biow meets the San Jacinto Bay. I reckon we can swim the horses and men. I reckon. Look here, Deep. San Jacinto. There's one way in, right here, where we swim it. And one way out, up here at Vinces Bridge. Might or not. If and they come that way. Santa Ana's gotta come that way. If he wants to get to our president, he's gotta. And when he does, we'll be ready. And the San Jacinto are made ready for Santa Ana's confident thousands. They made camp on a wooded bluff, threw up earthquakes, and prepared their meager artillery and waited. See anything? Some dust out there across the river. That could be them. Mm-hmm. Listen. Yandere come! Why? The general says hold your fire. Hold your fire. Ever since the alibi I've been waiting for this. I think we better. I got an idea Sam just knows what he's doing. Finally. Yeah, finally. 700 tents and waiting men watch Santa Ana's troops cross the river on the San Jacinto and head for Vince's bridge. They watched and waited through the long afternoon and then forces pulled in immediately and regrouped. As darkness fell there was no more fighting that afternoon. No order to charge had been given and this was the real test of discipline for these men were proud and they had enough running. In the darkness they watched the not-too-distant fires of Santa Ana's camp and they waited for orders. Gentlemen, we have never to date held a council of war. Despite the fact that you, the six officers of my staff and you, Mr. Secretary, have repeatedly asked for such. I know that several of you have been most critical of my actions in this campaign. So be it. Now I'd like a straight and honest answer from each of you as to what should be done. The question I put to you is this. Shall we attack the enemy in position or receive their attack in ours? You, Mr. Secretary, what is your opinion? Well, we, that is, the senior officers and myself, have discussed this matter general and are in accord. Your situation here is strong and you're to be commended. By holding this position you can stand off all of Mexico. Now, to attack on the other hand, to charge upon the enemy without bayonets and in the open prairies such as we have spread out below us, there's a maneuver unprecedented in the history of warfare and we strongly advise against even the consideration of the tactic. We agree. Thank you, gentlemen. Good night. Have you sent for me, Sam? I did, Dave. Got a gift for you and a chore. Axes? You ain't even gonna make me cut killing wood, huh, Sam? Something like that. Now, listen, here's what I want you to do. Tomorrow morning, I want you to take your best scout and ride south with these two men. Sam Houston had played for the place and won. Now he played for the time. The Mexican troops were good. They were tough and they could fight. Well, he knew this. They could go without food and without water. Well, he knew that. He also knew one other thing. They could not and would not go without their siesta. A hundred yards from the centuries of Santa Ana's, when deep smith brandished the sounding of no quarter. Now the Texans did the same. The Mexicans were thrown back to the water and there were many of them drowned. Others crowded under bank and were massacred by the unrushing Texans. Still others surrendered and droves and were surprised at the view of what had happened to their lives to spare. In its from the first cry of charge, the battle of San Jacinto is over and Texas was born as an issue. He lay on a litter. His ankle shattered by a musket ball. No canopy over his head saved the blue canopy of heaven. No money, no medals, but a sense of peace and of satisfaction such as few men have ever known. He'd been writing. Why? Yes, sir. You and that other man, I want you to ride to the capital with this message. Yes, sir, gentlemen. It's, um, proclamation. I hope it sounds right. I'm sure it does, gentlemen. Can you read why? No, sir, but Leroy here, he can't. Read it back to me, Leroy. To the troops and people of the east, express. Tell our friends all the news and that we have beaten the enemy and have taken prisoners, General Santa Ana and Kos, in three general standards. Fast amount of property taken in about 1,500 stands of arms, many swords, and one nine-pounder brass cannon. Tell them to come on. Tell them to come on and let the people come and plant corn. That's signed respectfully. Sam Houston, command and chief, Texas. And let the people come and plant corn. Ladies and gentlemen, it's dark tonight across the great face of Texas, something in the velvety sky and somewhere a star looks down. And by its light, you can see the crops standing tall and rich in the cool night air. The people have come, General. And tomorrow there'll be harvest. Thank you, Sam. Thank you, Sam Houston. Personal word. And just tell you how delighted I am to be back with all of you as we start another year on the Hallmark Hall of Fame. I'm delighted too to be continuing my warm association with my good friends, the makers of Hallmark cards and the fine stores that feature Hallmark cards. And believe me, I just can't wait to tell you all about the stories we've lined up for your pleasure these coming weeks. These stories prove what I've always maintained, that the real lives of actual men and women are more exciting and more surprising and downright more entertaining than anything fiction writers can dream up. But before we tell you about some of the people we're going to honor on the Hallmark Hall of Fame, here's my friend Frank Goss who's going to take you on a little trip. Most of us agree that fine stores are pretty dramatic places to visit in the early fall. Shipments are arriving almost every hour. Counters are sparkling with a variety of new merchandise. Everywhere there's a sense of cool weather activity and a hint of the exciting holidays ahead. Tonight I'd like to recommend one shopping trip I know you'll enjoy. That's a visit to a store where Hallmark cards are sold to see the new Hallmark gift wraps. You see styles and Hallmark gift wraps change each season just as styles and clothing do and this year the assortment of papers with enclosure cards and ribbons to match is lovelier than ever. You'll discover exciting new ways to express your thoughtfulness. For instance, you'll want to see the new Hallmark gift trims, the colorful decorations that give a package of a special individual look. Yes, one way to be sure your gifts express your good taste outside as well as inside is to look for the Hallmark and crown on all the gift wrap items you choose. It's the same Hallmark you always look for on the back of cards when you will carry enough to send the very best. And here again is Lionel Barrymore. Thanks Frank, thank you very much. I always like to listen to you tell about the wonderful ways Hallmark cards help us to be thoughtful and friendly. Well now Frank, how about giving a little preview of what's to come on the Hallmark Hall of Fame? Well Mr. Barrymore just to give a few examples we're going to honor Marcus Whitman, the remarkable frontier doctor who fought his way from Oregon to Washington DC and we're going to honor Mary Ann Bickerdike, the courageous young woman who is a real angel of mercy and will tell too the story of Squanto, the Cockney Indian and William Newton Byers, the two gun journalists and there will be fascinating glimpses into the lives of such famous people as Benjamin Franklin, Simone Boulevard and Madame Curie. And next week we're going to honor the great American musician George Gershwin and tell the little known story of how he came to compose the unforgettable Rhapsody in Blues. We know you'll want to be with us next week when we honor George Gershwin and every week to come. Until next week then, this is Lionel Barrymore saying good night. For Hallmark cards that are sold only in stores that have been carefully selected to give you expert and friendly service, remember a Hallmark card when you will carry enough to send the very best. Our producer director is William Gay. Our script tonight was written by James Poe. Sam Houston was played by John Daner featured in our cast tonight were Margaret Brayton, Richard Beals, Herb Butterfield, Sam Edwards, Harry Bartel, Lawrence Dubkin, Ted DeCorsia, Paulie Baer, William Johnstone and Roy Glenn. This is Frank Goss saying good night to you all until next week at the same time when we present another true-to-life story of actual persons who in their own way have contributed to a better world for all of us to live in. Next week we honor George Gershwin on the Hallmark Hall of Fame. This is the CBS Radio Network. We'll see you next week at the Hallmark Hall of Fame in the City of Missouri.