 Remember a hallmark card when you care enough to send the very best Tonight from Hollywood the makers of hallmark greeting cards bring you mr. Victor Moore in Old Man, Minnick by Edma Furber on the hallmark playhouse Each week hallmark will bring you Hollywood's greatest stars in outstanding stories chosen by one of the world's best known authors the distinguished novelist Mr. James Hilton Good evening ladies and gentlemen. This is James Hilton Tonight on our hallmark playhouse It's our pleasure to offer a dramatization of an exceptionally fine short story called Old Man, Minnick by one of America's most deservedly popular writers miss Edna Furber in This story miss Furber turns away from the larger pictures of American life for which she is best known and Concentrates on a winsome and delicate portrayal that is in my opinion one of the finest things. She's ever done Old Man Minnick has a haunting and moving quality that I think listeners will not forget And it has also a humor that keeps tears and laughter close together all the time Perhaps only a writer knows how difficult this is to achieve and how rarely it's done with complete success In tonight's characterization of the name part Old Man Minnick himself We are additionally lucky to have with us mr. Victor Moore who tells me this is just about his 25,000th public performance 25,000th and now Frank Oz how about a few words about hallmark for a Christmas greeting your friends will long remember Make your selections now from the complete hallmark collection on display at the friendly store where you buy hallmark cards Whatever your taste whatever your budget you'll take special pride in sending hallmark cards And on the back of everyone is the identifying hallmark that says you cared enough to send the very best Hallmark Playhouse starring Victor Moore in Old Man Minnick by Edna Chicago 1922 an elderly gentleman enters the Grant home for aged gentlemen a Handsome old boy. He is Ruddy Hale with the zest of a juicy old apple slightly withered but still sappy He crosses the cheery lobby and approaches the desk clerk. Name is Minnick Thomas Minnick Do you have a vacancy? How old are you mr. Minnick? 70 but I'm still going strong. I hope you won't mind a few questions We have to have certain information before we can admit you any children Well, I have my son George and his wife Nettie here in Chicago, and they're not able to support you Oh, yes, but let me explain You see my wife. You have a wife. No Ma died about nine months ago You know she spoiled me something awful Always did take a little thing like the pillars. I Used to insist that I couldn't sleep unless I had two pillars Ma knew that I always threw one out during the night, but she let me have two 40 years when Ma had those two pillars all to herself Three months of suffering But not complaining She always had a smile for me when I came into her room. Gosh, you're beautiful After 40 years of marriage, I think you'd be getting a new line Pa 40 years I never found a new word for beautiful politician Promise me something anything beautiful Keep eating good eggnogs hot toddies Plenty of rich good gravy and meat and puddings as long as you keep cooking them. I'll keep eating them and Those little grease spots you get on your coat. Oh, I'm not worried. You'll get them off Don't take them to the cleaners Don't let Nettie do it. What's Nettie got to do in my spots You'll be living with George and Nettie There are children You won't be lonesome with them. Oh, no, I always planned on doing all my living with you You've given me a full life. Don't worry Pa And you'll have the dog for company too Pals get an old pa Don't give him those bones any more Don't like the way you're talking you're talking nonsense you know When your jaw sets like that That dimple in your cheek makes you look almost roguish You're gonna get well and we're gonna take a trip to California I've always wanted to see California. Well, they were going to California. It's decided Pa You've always had your way Why should I argue with you now? You're darn tootin California. Here we come. I just can't understand I Always figured I was going first. I know how you feel about mom But you have to face reality dad I've sold the house. You'll have an income of 500 a year Nettie and I've talked it over and we want you to move into our apartment with us That's right father. We want you to feel what ours is yours. Well, thanks, Nettie. I won't be in your way Besides I'm pretty handy with a hammer Remember the woodshed I built for mom last year Of course the door didn't work Sure was a good looking shed Now dad take it easy relax. We don't expect you to work for your keep father We would have given you the front bedroom, but the one in back is so small We couldn't get the twin beds in there. Oh the back bedroom is fine Nettie. I'm grateful You know a man is twice blessed when he gets married and has a child And you've been married three years Nettie One of you and George gonna father I put two pillows on your bed just like my used to Pal can sleep with me pal Father we can't have a dog here. They don't allow them in apartments But pal has been with us for 15 years dad. We have a lease. We couldn't move just on account of a dog That sort of puts me in an awful spot, doesn't it well you could give him to a friend couldn't you nobody would take him It's too old. That's just it father. He's so old. Wouldn't it be better to do the humane thing? Oh, no, I couldn't do that. I Could understand it better Somebody wanted to do that with me, but not with pal. I Don't think he's ready to die. He wouldn't die Dad you could put him in a good animal shelter. No, I couldn't do that either That's just like sending them to an old man's home. Now father We have to be sensible about this dogs are treated very kindly at the shelter. Yeah, but how much love do they get? Piece of that ham father. Maybe a few sweet potatoes Father you can have the ham if you want it, but you've had 1200 calories already. I have It's your cram a lot of those calorie things and a little piece of ham, don't you? You just listen to many mr. Menick calories are important. Yeah, I guess so. I Feel like one big healthy calorie. Well, shall we go into the fun room everyone? Well, how about a free-handed pinnacle game dad the hunters dropped over to play bridge father doesn't play bridge The evening papers on the stand will sit by the big lamp father. It's better for your eyes Nothing wrong with my eyes. I'm here pretty good too. Come on got the card table set up shuffle netty Netty if you heard Alice Roberts is expecting again. She's the type not me I just like to enjoy my home and rest for a while Anyway, who can afford to have a child these days if everybody waited until they could afford it We'd have nothing but rack of fellas and morgans around Oh, maybe in a year or two father You know with a little cooperation. I could have been a great-great-grandfather Bonilla to cloud. Let's cut out the gab and play a little bridge to no time pass So George, how do they feel down at your office about the prospects for next year? Not good Henry? I don't agree with them. I remember back in 98 for spades Father times have changed since 98 you've been out of touch with business too long. I pass pass You never get out of touch with things when you keep your mind active. I've had a lot of time lately to think Everybody'll be quiet. I'll concentrate on this hand. Netty. I'll be quiet. I'm the dummy. Yeah, you're wrong George That's me If you're all excuse me, I'll be going to my room I'll see you later father dear will you tell Mrs. Thistle wait that she can go home as soon as she's finished. Yeah, sure, Nettie Now what are you staring at? That's ham. You're having your hand in it. Yes, and it's going right into the icebox Mrs. Thistle wait. Is there any room in the ice box for me? Oh look here mr. Minnick. It's my duty to protect this ham and save it for tomorrow's dinner. No, absolutely. No Well, you know next tomorrow. I think you're the greatest cook I ever knew Compliments will get you nowhere thick piece. Yeah, about five thousand calories and about a thousand calories of gravy, please There you are now start eating before I change my mind. Oh when I'm finished Can I help you with the dishes? Why I should say not that's my job. That's the trouble everybody around here has a job with me I'm tired of doing nothing I miss my dog Now stop feeling sorry for yourself. Besides, Miss Nettie told me she loves to have you around. Oh Nettie, I I was just telling Mrs. Thistle wait about going home after she finished the dishes Well father you did get that extra ham, didn't you? Well, I just took one bite. I'll put it away Oh, no father any time you feel you don't get enough. I want you to help yourself. No, no, I'm not hungry Think I'll go to my room and Father I meant to tell you I took one of your pillows away, but I can't sleep unless I have to Now father you always push one on the floor every night, and you know it. Good night I'm all for going in there and telling her a few things. Oh, Nettie's all right. She's Doing everything she can for me What guys the worst thing that can happen to a man is to be treated old Would you like to help me with the bastons on miss Nettie's dress? Yeah delighted of course I expect to get regular assistant soar's wages for this Miss Cora Well, I guess you don't need any wages. I guess you're pretty well fixed. Oh, I got an income. I can't complain complain I should say not With me, it's different work all day to keep myself and nobody to come home to it nice We do ma'am since I was 20 That's all I've had and lonesome. I don't suppose you know what lonesome is. Oh Don't I well, maybe you do I Suppose living here like this with a son and daughter-in-law ain't so grand for all your money Yeah, with an income like mine. I ought to spend my winners in the south of France You have a better France. I've never been any place just work work But I've always managed to keep my own little place that I could call home to come back to Men friends and even no Evenings I just cook and fuss around nobody to fuss for but first anyway Cooking that's what I love to do. Yeah eggnogs hot toddies Rich gravy and meats and pudding. Oh, you bet plenty of good food. That's what folks need to keep their strength up I could sure use a little striking enough myself Thomas you're making an awful mess of those bastings here. Let me show you how Well, that's the way I was doing it. No, you weren't let me guide your hand All right Say your hands cold cold hands warm heart Thomas Thomas you need somebody to love you Somebody to do for you and love you That's right. It was fate that brought me here to solve for Miss Netty. You've just been a waiting for me. Yes. I certainly have I Just been waiting for you to get out woman Chasable trying to hook me while you well You can just stay here in your little old back bedroom until you creak You look spry. Mr. Minnick, but you're just a contankerous old man and you talk too much. Goodbye to marry me how about that is No fool like an old fool and She was awful old James Hilton will return to present the second act of old man Minnick starring Victor Moore It always seems that no matter how carefully you plan You need additional Christmas cards to fill out your list or take care of last-minute requirements And that's why it's such a good idea to have several boxes of assorted hallmark Christmas cards on hand One popular collection features the work of Norman Rockwell pictures of kindly old St. Nicholas of tiny Tim and other familiar Christmas characters painted with a gentle humor that has made Norman Rockwell America's favorite illustrator There's a collection of snowy New England winter scenes by Grandma Moses with a special present for you an enlargement of one scene to frame and keep Still other hallmark box assortments bring you old time prints by courier and Ives Friendly verses by Ed Gray guest cards for children to send and receive You'll find many other assortments too at the friendly store where you buy hallmark cards And here's a pleasant surprise hallmark box assortments are not nearly as expensive as they look One assortment gives you 12 winter scenes for only 50 cents And then there's the big family special assortment 22 different hallmark Christmas cards for only $1 In fact the variety and economy of hallmark box assortments show that whatever your taste Whatever your budget there are hallmark cards that you'll be proud to send Card your friends will be proud to receive too for when they see the hallmark on the back They'll know you cared enough to send the very best Now back to James Hilton and act to of old man. Minnick by Edna Furber starring Victor Moore Grand home for aged gentlemen old man. Minnick continues unfolding his story to the desk clerk Yes, sir, the roughest winter of my life Storm outside cooped up all day with women small chalk reading papers and magazines over and over Oh, Nettie was kind. I got three square calories a day and One pillow at night Then spring I Could get outdoors. I hot-footed it over to the Alamo's shelter to see pal. I Took him for a little walk through Washington Park I'm sassy for an old hound. I tell you when I came into the shelter to get you You were jumping and sniffing like you were born yesterday Is it spring or do you kind of like where you're living? Seems like you'd miss me a little bit Of course, I realize you've got all your pals over there to wag tails with You've got to run to the place But you're not very tactful You could give me the lonesome look but 10 a little I Hear you haven't even inquired once how I am Hey pal If I have to chase you, I can still do it. Did you see an old shepherd dog by here, huh? Dog sure you're sitting right over there by Huskins. Why don't you sit down beside him? You're more winded in here. Oh, thanks Don't let me interrupt your conversation as if you could Huskins as I was saying they'll never be a better Any chance if you've seen this boy Babe Ruth. Oh, who's talking about home runs cops a clutch hitter Ruth looks better striking out and when Cobb hits a double. Ah, well you say what you want These boys are all washed up. There's a rookie coming up. You want to keep your eye on Carl Hubble His name and the same breath with a big leader like Ruth. I ain't whispering and I'm sharpening How can you compare them? My hubbles a pitcher and home for a gentle. Oh, no, no, I don't live there I was my son and his wife. Yeah, they wouldn't give me to live and they wouldn't let me live in a place like I mean they they wouldn't hear of me being anywhere, but with them Like to be independent myself Lonesome in it over to your grand-home Lonesome see I never was lonesome in my life Except for six months when I live with my daughter and her husband and their five kids Yes, sir. That's what I call lonesome. I guess my children are more understanding I'm completely happy with them What do you do for excitement at the club? Anything we like smoke play pinnacle shoot a little pool shoot the ball Right now some of the boys are getting up a minstrel show. You don't say I used to sing a little huh? Not very tone down by the Long as the weather is nicer when winter comes we just do are cutting up inside the grand-home Hey from the look on your face. You're afraid of winter Why don't you come in move in with us? No, no, I couldn't know why not be Independent nobody to tell you what you can or you can't tell me what I can do But I'm sure George and that he wouldn't want me to live in any public house That's what I said before I moved. I've never been so happy in my life. Oh, thanks, Colton But you don't know my children They just wouldn't have it but I'll be in the morning the next day and the next in Wintercubs bring himself. Hello, Mrs. This way got a little piece of fresh apple pie. No, thanks. Now that isn't the real you speaking You better eat this whole pie Let me open this kitchen door and see if nutty is occupied with her friends She was kind of on the warpath this morning But how can we as long as he lives with us there isn't room And we can't afford a bigger place and more rent in these times this way it wouldn't be fair to the child We've talked it over George and I I'm sorry, mr. Minnick I'm mighty sorry for her The old have to make way for the young they have a right to be born The old man like me is holding up progress. I Could get out of the way It would be easy Across the street. No, I'm not trying to get myself killed I I like liver and I like the park and the trees and the club The talk the whole show Stop by the Grand Hope for ages gentlemen about a month and hear me sing in a minstrel show In here mr. Minnick you're now a guest of Grant's home for age a gentleman. Oh, thanks Oh, would you tell the housekeeper two pillars on my bed? There'll be room for my dog, please. Yes, sir. Can I show you your room? No, no, that I can wait right now I'm going back to see nutty. I Or to her to tell her that I'm moving out And I'm going to tell her right in front of her friends It'll embarrass her all right, but Then they'll save a lot of explaining later on. I I don't think she'll be able to put off having that baby any longer Say mr. Yes, sir. Tell Colton and the boys to wait for me. I'll be right back James Hilton and Victor Moore return I'd like to tell you about a very special collection of Christmas cards They're hallmark Christmas cards for men who love the out-of-doors Illustrated with familiar hunting scenes with game birds in their native settings with the gun dogs that are such faithful Companions in the field and the illustrations are as authentic as they are beautiful for they're done by celebrated painters of sporting scenes You'll find a wide selection of these Christmas cards for men to send and receive at the friendly store where you buy Hallmark cards and remember when friends glance at the back of these fine cards and see the hallmark They'll know you cared enough to send the very best Here again is James Hilton Victor more you've given me an experience I shan't ever forget and I don't think our listeners will eat her Thank you for it on behalf of all our hallmark family everywhere. It's been a pleasure to be with you mr. Hilton I like your hallmark playhouse It provides so much variety in stories and acting roles You must appeal to a great many people like those fine greeting cards of yours Well, yes, that's what we try for on the hallmark playhouse and with everything else the hallmark people do and now about next week We've something rather special a real first in radio It's a true story by Hollister noble called woman with a sword and it stars that dynamic actress Ida Lupino So please don't miss it and the following week. We have another treat in store It's a story by Robert Finch called the desert shall rejoice and stars another fine Hollywood actor John Hodiak Until next Thursday, then this is James Hilton saying good night Look for hallmark cards that are so lonely in stores that have been carefully selected to give you expert in friendly service Remember hallmark cards when you carry enough to send the very best. This is Frank Gauss saying good night