 Remember a hallmark card when you care enough to send the very best I'm Hollywood the makers of hallmark greeting cards bring you new airs in smiling through on the hallmark playhouse Each week hallmark will bring you Hollywood's greatest stars and outstanding stories chosen by one of the world's best known authors They distinguish novelist mr. James Hilton Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is James Hilton tonight on our hallmark playhouse We present our version of one of the most successful Broadway plays of all time Smiling through by Alan L Martin Which is a pseudonym for a collaboration between a fine writer miss Jane Murphy and that distinguished actress miss Jane Cowell The story of smiling through in one form or another has worn the hearts of millions throughout several generations You know, there's one quality which all extremely popular stories have quite apart from any other merits and that is sincerity Smiling through has this to the full and no story. I believe could be more appropriate to our thoughts on the festival of st. Valentine, which we're approaching Tonight, we are happy to have in the starting role of smiling through the celebrated actor Lou Ayres And now Frank gas have you a few words about hallmark? There are hallmark cards for every memorable occasion on your calendar for birthdays anniversaries holidays Yes, for every occasion that calls for remembrance for a friendly greeting a word of good cheer an expression of sympathy There is a hallmark card that says just what you want to say the way you want to say it and that identifying hallmark on the back That says you cared enough to send the very best And now our hallmark playhouse presents smiling through starring mr. Lou Ayres Opens in a beautiful English garden where John Carter it and his next-door neighbor and lifelong friend dr Owen Harding are seated at a small table playing dominoes Dr. Owen has finally selected a domino. He plays it and looks up triumphantly only to find his opponent asleep So he picks up his cane and nudges John with it Hmm. Hmm. What's the matter? Oh my turn This is a devil of an exciting game of dominoes. Are you going to sleep after every play? Sorry, Owen Where's Kathy? She's about someplace. Sometimes. It's very difficult to keep track of my niece. I I saw her out walking yesterday with Kenneth Wayne Kenneth Wayne Don't know why he couldn't have stayed in America with his mother's people And I was finished with the Waynes years ago. Well, the subject may be reopened in spite of your John and why not? After all, it's only natural. The boy should come back to look after his father's estate And I think Kathleen is very fond of him very fond indeed. Why you old fool Kathleen wouldn't look at a way He knows how I feel about him. Does she know why? No, but she'll never disobey me. Won't she? She's Irish John. I've raised her as my own John 30 years is a long time to hold a hatred Neither the boy nor Kathleen knows what happened. And if they did you think a deed already 30 years past could stop them from being in love in love Kathleen couldn't love away. She's not in love with him. I tell you she's not in love with him You must be the most beautiful girl in the world If that's what you're thinking, I'll never be the one to disillusion you came with Wayne Sun's going down. I I suppose we better be walking toward home Yes, I suppose we should oh Kathleen I'm going to miss you miss me I'll be leaving Dunstable sometime this week. Oh, I have to go home to America To get married or something If I meant to get married, I wouldn't be going away to do it Dunstable would be good enough for me Of course, there's many a good-looking girl in Dunstable But if you're thinking of proposing to any of them, I'll tell you my idea of a proposal if you're interested Well choosing a suitable sort of romantic place In a garden or on a country road The young man should say It has long been my intention to ask a question of you And I would say dear me how interesting what can it be? And then he should say in a tone which trembled with the force of his feelings May I call you Kathleen I That's how a proper proposal should start. I see it It has long been my intention Kathleen. Oh What are you doing out here in the road? Good evening, Mr. Cartaret Kathleen going the house uncle John Mr. Wayne, I'm sorry to see me in hospital But will you please understand clearly once and for all that you are not welcome here uncle John mr. Cartaret, I'm in love with Kathleen And I hope someday to ask her to marry me Wayne there can be no question of marriage between you and Kathleen now or ever You will kindly leave the premises Kathleen child, what are you doing out here alone in the garden at this hour? It's late. You should have been in bed long ago Or their their child don't carry on. I love him What right do you have to interfere because you didn't like his father? I Think it's time. You knew the truth about the man whose son you say you love Perhaps I should have told you long ago, but I didn't dream you would ever meet much. Let's think you could love a wane I heard your voice is from my porch. No, I'm glad you came over I'm going to tell Kathleen what happened in this garden 30 years ago Kathleen my dear 30 years ago on the 18th of June this old house was a hubbub of excitement It was a lovely summer night much like this one wasn't it Owen? Yes, the garden was in full bloom and there were Chinese lanterns around if I remember correctly Yes, of course the Chinese lanterns. It was June 18th the night Moon yin and I were to be married She had arrived from Ireland that very day with her sister Mary your mother my dear I Had a sentimental wish to be married in the home of my father and my father's father Moon yin indulged me in it Remember the long twilight fading into darkness and the old house lit by thousand candles There were snatches of laughter Gate chatter floating out into the garden is Someone was playing a harp The melody was one that I will carry in my heart forever It was a song she had learned in Ireland Love a song Clearly it all comes back There was an hour yet before the ceremony and suddenly there was a violent ring at the gate bell Let's holy stop jangling that bell. I'm coming Oh, oh, it's you what the juice you're doing with this gate lock and there's a wedding going on Let's to keep out unwelcome guests. Why haven't you got your tie time? I couldn't manage it nerves I guess what are you nervous about you aren't getting married here. Let me tie it if I live through this I swear I will never go near another wedding again as long as I live and there's no use ever asking me to be Mastban again either. I wasn't intending to ask you again. Oh good heavens Good heavens. I've lost it. Oh, I knew something would happen lost what the ring the ring now What am I going to do? What the devil you mean getting married anyhow? There's the ring on your hand on what on your little finger and what the devil do you mean wearing Mooneen's ring? Put it in your wasket pocket. It won't stay there. Oh Thunderation now what it slipped down into the lining of my pocket must be a hole there someplace But I'll find it now. Don't get back to John be calm keep collected. I'll find it. I'll find it there oh John I I knew I had something to tell you I Passed the end on my way here and Jeremiah Wayne was in there drinking more than was good for him and Talking about Mooneen again Wayne has a strange bitter nature Wayne is a no good hot. I know I know John He was in an ugly mood and making some pretty wild threats I see Well that kind of man usually takes it out in talking. There is much he can do now There's some more guests arriving. Come on. Let's go in the study and fish out that wedding ring Ellen Will you answer the bell? Dr. Owen and I are going in the study. Yes, it's you Mr. Wayne Who is it you want sir? We're very busy just now. I want to come in and I want to kiss the bride I'm sorry. I can't admit get out of the way Alan. I tell you I've come to kiss the bride Jeremiah It was nice of you to come around I Knew you'd never let me get married without wishing me well Oh Mooneen Mooneen, you're not going to marry him. Tell me it isn't true. You mustn't begin. They stole over again It's a dog's life. I believe in you not loving you And you don't deserve that Mooneen goodbye Jeremiah I came for a kiss from the bride All right You shall have it all right I'll go I must say some people have the nerve they do Got you here. I wasn't going to leave you alone with the likes of him I thought I heard you out here. Oh, will you talk you do? I was just saying goodbye to an old friend John Beautiful you are in that wedding dress. Oh, very beautiful You're not supposed to be looking at me until the ceremony. It's a bad luck Not for you and me for you and me tonight is the beginning of the world and everything's good about it, especially our luck My darling My darling my darling And James Hilton will return to present the second act of smiling through starring mr. Lou Ares On a winter's day in the year 1415 a young man sits in the Tower of London a prisoner in a foreign land This is Charles Duke of Orleans Nobleman poet a commander of the French forces defeated by the English at our Jean-Cour His thoughts are now of home and he imagines how pleased his duchess will be with what he is about to send her What art has gone into its creation? What skill into the lettering of the verse his verse Charles Duke of Orleans nods with approval signals to a messenger and to his lady far away He sends a Valentine a Valentine that is preserved to this day in the British Museum Valentine's play an even more important part in people's lives now than in the long ago Not only do we send a Valentine to the one person who is dearest to us We like to send these reminders of our affection to all those we care for and that is why at the friendly store Where hallmark greeting cards are sold you find so many different hallmark Valentine's Valentine's that say just what you want to say the way you want to say it to each of your friends and loved ones and On the back of everyone is the hallmark that says you cared enough to send the very best Now back to James Hilton and the second act of smiling through starring mr. Lou air If smiling through we find John Carter. It's still in the garden with dr. Oyn and Kathleen recounting the memories of his romance with Monique Claire I wish you could have seen Monique that night in her wedding dress She was lovely Lovelier than any woman had been before or would be again. I held her in my arms close to me close to me Don't let me go I feel safe in your arms. What are you thinking? About the day we met I looked at you and my heart stopped for I don't know how long and I said to myself There she is. There's the girl. I've been waiting for I'd know her anywhere What did you think I? Thought what an overbearing arrogant young man. I don't think much of him. Well, if that's the case I'm going straight in the house and stop the wedding. I take it back. I must have thought I found my happiness now Because that's what I've been thinking ever since What did we talk about anyhow, do you remember? I said I beg your pardon, but does Jessica Wayne live here when I said no She lives about a mile up the road and you said I said no, don't tell me I remember now You said oh dear I've come all the way from Polly Shannon to see her and there was no one at the station to meet me And I've walked all the way I didn't say it Just exactly and you puffed a little it was hot So I had you come in and rest in this garden And I drove you up to the Wayne's myself and while we were driving you said are you married or engaged or in love with anybody? You said no, so I said and here we are Sean do you suppose anyone else in the world ever felt like this before even if I died I Think I'd find my way back to you. I'd be that lonely Darling Wayne, what do you hate your hands off? Couldn't moon you not been out here all the time. I couldn't stand listening to any more Go on the house morning. I want to talk to Carter. I don't know Jeremiah your prom. I got her away. Will you Carter it go on moon? I won't leave you please do as I ask Not until I know what he wants if you've come to create a disturbance at the wedding There isn't going to be any wedding threats like that won't do you any good way I wasn't able to keep you from winning her but by all that's holy. I can keep you from marrying her move. What that gun away? Moon Jean I've never met that Thank God. I never want somebody called dr. Oh John. What's happened? It was Wayne He shot at me and Moon Jean stepped in front of me. Oh Oh Oh John, he's cute He's cute. He'll let me get to a John Alan send some of them after Wayne hit him off. Don't let him get away Oh and see a darling. He knows what to do. He'll take care of you They've not even That's funny. Oh, and if you ever were my friend help her now John I I'm afraid there's Nothing. No. Oh, no, that isn't possible I love you. I will love you forever. Moon Jean John. Where's my ring? My wedding ring here it is John Put it on my finger. Yes, dear a little Green gate that was trellis Wait, I'll be there waiting wait Memory of voices Chinese lanterns Sometimes the smallest pieces of a memory are the most of all I Gathered together all the things and I I put them all away And then I sat here where I'm sitting now and after a while there's time past I began to feel that Somehow she was close by and when you came to me Catherine. I Velt that you were a gift from her Uncle dear If you could love like that through the years and after the years and after death itself Who is it you can be so hard about me and my poor little love story because you're the stock of my moon Yeen herself and his is the blood of the wanes and you don't belong together Surely you see that I won't I won't You're an obstinate old man John cartridge and I'm not going to listen to you You have no right to inflict your quarrels and your anger and your grief on me This is our lifetime not yours. I'm not gonna let you spoil it I'm going to get out of this house Oh good night What are you going to do sit here until pneumonia sets in? I thought you went home angry. Well, I thought better of it Been sitting here trying to think things out Owen am I an obstinate old man? Yes Things change people change Maybe I have lived too much in the past Would you would you know where to find Jeremiah Wayne son? I suppose at the Wayne house. Will you come with me? I want to talk to him Kathleen said I had no right to inflict my quarrels and grief on them more and I Think she's right. I think I must apologize to Kenneth Wayne Can speak your piece go on boy I think we could manage all right go on Ken Begin it has long been my intention. Oh, yes Darling it has long been my intention to ask a question You're me how interesting What can it be? Kathleen May I call you Kathleen? Hey, that's all she taught me now. What do I say? Well, what does he say John? You're the only one around here that's ever proposed to anyone. He says Kathleen I'm not half worthy of you, but I'll try very hard to make you happy I will try very hard Kathleen and then he says I think I can carry on from here on my arms to Kathleen my darling Will you marry sudden sudden sudden sudden? But even though it is sudden seeing as how that's the way you feel about things It gives me much pleasure to accept your offer now. We've got some place Have the wedding here in this garden. It will wipe out the stain. Yeah Care for a game of dominoes. No, no, I'm tired Think I'll just sit here for a little while then I'll turn in Good night. Oh Good night, John See you tomorrow. Moon gene moon gene moon gene. You've come back to me Together But I Yes, yes, why moon in your in your wedding dress, of course, just as you were that night And is beautiful and fresh and young as if 30 years were only a day Oh, but but I'm old old and very tired You see me like that. I see you like that. It's a miracle Let me take your arm We'll walk through the gate together, but I don't understand I'm still there And this is this is what they call dying Yes, I always wondered what there would be at the end of the road for me But I always pray that it would be you Let me take your arm For this is how our love story ends and begins You and I together Smiling through the years James Hilton and Lou Ayres will return in a moment But now I'd like to remind you that Valentine's Day is only four days off So you'd better hurry if you want to remember those special friends of yours It just wouldn't be a real Valentine if you didn't express your thoughtfulness in the traditional way a card with an expression of your affection a Hallmark Valentine that's in the true spirit of the day So visit the friendly store where hallmark greeting cards are sold Ask to see the beautiful hallmark cards that will carry your Valentine wish to the ones you love Now here again is James Hilton Thank you Lou Ayres for bringing us such a fine performance of a story that fits this particular season so very well All of us here in the hallmark playhouse enjoyed it very much. Well, thank you, mr. Hilton Smiling through is one of those wonderful love stories that seem to get better each time they're told I don't suppose that's very strange since love itself seems to have a very long record of success That's true. It seems to go on getting more and more popular I think you chose very well and selecting smiling through for your Valentine story, and I enjoyed doing it Wouldn't it be a nice thing to contemplate if we could look forward to a time when when love would completely Conquer hate and misunderstanding as it did in tonight's story. Well, it's never too late to start, you know That's true the season is at hand Valentine's Day certainly gives every one of us an opportunity to express our affections in some special manner Without without being self-conscious about it to me that seems to be a pretty good idea All of us feel a particular fondness for many who are close to us, but somehow we never get around to letting them know it Then Valentine's Day comes around and we have an excuse for overcoming our natural shyness And we can dare to express ourselves a little more directly and I think it's a very fine Institution mr. Hilton I imagine anyone who feels that he wants to send a message of affection to someone He knows could find a hallmark card that would express the proper sentiments couldn't he I'm certainly could then I'd like to suggest that We make a special point of trying to make people happy by spreading cheer and affection around and the idea may grow Thank you for asking me here tonight Well yours was a pretty good idea Luiz and we're happy that you were with us this evening and now about next Let me tell about that next Thursday the hallmark playhouse will present your own fine story random harvest starring that charming actress Joan Fontaine Well, thank you Luiz and the Thursday after that we'll present Edna Ferber's famous story. So big starring Virginia Bruce and the following Thursday Barclays Square starring Van Heflin Our hallmark playhouses every Thursday our director producer is D Engelbach Our music is composed and conducted by Lynn Murray and our script tonight was written for radio by Gene Holloway So until next Thursday then this is James Hilton saying good night Look for hallmark cards that are sold only in stores that have been carefully selected to give you expert and friendly service Remember hallmark cards when you carry enough to send the very best This is Frank Gauss saying good night to you all until next week at the same time When James Hilton returns to present random harvest starring Joan Fontaine and the following week Edna Ferber's so big Starring Virginia Bruce this program came to you from the hallmark playhouse. This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system