 Ladies and gentlemen, the railroad hour. The car started co-trained. Tonight, the Association of American Railroads presents the delightful Romberg Operetta Blue Paradise, starring Gordon MacRae and his celebrated guest from the metropolis Napera, Nadine Conner. Our choir is under the direction of Norman Luboff, and our music is prepared and conducted by Carmen Dragon. Yes, tonight another memorable musical is brought to you by the American Railroads, the same railroads that bring you most of the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the fuel you burn, and all the other things you use in your daily life. And now, here is our star, Gordon MacRae. Thank you, Marvin Miller, and good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, you have a front table at the most fabulous inn anywhere in the world, the Blue Paradise. The blue paradise. What's left to be given, what's divine? The endless fire in the fire of life. Everyone's there, everywhere, sweet as the sweetest flower of life. It's home to the children when they cry, you're born near the dead, your father's the blue for all. It's criminal, my friends, to leave a place as wonderful as the Blue Paradise. But you're going to America, Rudy. What an opportunity. But I don't want to make money, Apple. I want to make love. No wonder your father's sending you away. Yes, beggar. No matter where you go, your table will always be waiting for you here at the Blue Paradise. Thank you, Fran. You're the best waiter in Vienna. And maybe when I get back, I can afford bigger tips. Meanwhile, my friends, I give you a toast to the Blue Paradise. And while we're at it, to the look in a woman's eyes. There's a toast to woman's eyes Guide the foolish and the wise Ever since the world began Guide the destiny of man Who dares to raise an empty glass And let this bright occasion pass Bring to those we hide all our... Good evening, Herr Stegger. A boutonniere for your buttonhole. Tomorrow over here, Herr Stegger. An army officer. A mitzy one, my blue cane. So you had such an effect on flower girls, Rudy? One last farewell, my old friends. Fill your cups. Then I must be going. Oh, no sorrow. Excuse me, gentlemen, it is closing time. We're going, Franz. One more look around before you dim the lights. It's strange how one place made from ordinary wood and copper, brass and nails and stone. One place in all the world can have a special meaning in a man's heart. Paradise. Come, my friends, to the train. Good-bye, Herr Stegger. Good-bye, Rudy. You keep that table waiting, Franz. I'll be back. Say hello to America. We put the blue paradise to sleep. Lights out with only this tiny night light still burning to blink at travelers. And so to bid. Betsy. Betsy, where are you? Oh, Rudy. Oh, Rudy, I knew you wouldn't go away without saying goodbye. Not goodbye, Betsy. Till we meet again. Auf wiedersehen. Oh, must you really go away? I can't help myself. My father says he'll disown me if I don't. Is it because of me? Does he know about us? Oh, no. No, my friends don't even know. But, Betsy, I'll never forget you. And I'll never love anyone but you. I'll never see you again. Goodbye, my love. No, Betsy, don't say goodbye. Our eyes and our lips say auf wiedersehen. But our hearts say goodbye. Betsy, hold you near. According to figures of the Interstate Commerce Commission just released, the railroads last year achieved by far the finest safety record ever made by any form of transportation. In fact, so safe was traveled by rail in 1952 that there was but one passenger fatality for each 2,400,000,000,000 miles traveled. I just imagine for a moment what this remarkable record would mean to your safety as a train passenger. For instance, if Noah, at the end of the flood, had stepped out of his ark and onto a train, and the train could have been going a mile a minute day and night ever since for nearly 4,000 years, he still would not have traveled 2,400,000,000 miles. And it would take him several hundred years more to go that far. Now, perhaps that sounds fantastic, but it's an accurate statistical measurement of the unparalleled safety with which the railroads operate today. Such a safety record is a result of many things, but especially of safe men working with safe facilities. The railroads were one of the first industries to begin large-scale safety programs in cooperation with their employees. And these continue today without let-up, accompanied by unprecedented research and investment for better operating methods and equipment. Since the end of World War II alone, the railroads have spent more than $7.5 million for modern traffic control and communications equipment, for heavier and stronger track, for improved locomotives and cars, and countless other things used by railroads, all of which contribute to railroads' safety as well as economy. All these improvements have made our modern railroads safe railroads. And the railroads will continue to search for new ways to bring even greater safety to the nation's travelers. Two of the Lawrence and Lee version of Blue Paradise, starring Gordon MacRae as Rudy and Nadine Connor in the dual role of Mitzi and Gaby. I can understand how you feel, Uncle Rudy. It's a beautiful city. Ah, you haven't seen the half of it. After all, you weren't even born yet when I was here last. And just wait until you see the Blue Paradise. What's there, Uncle? A dream, Paul. And the wonderful girl named Mitzi. Oh, you mustn't be disappointed, Uncle Rudy. After all, everything changes. Not Vienna. Oh, Vienna never changes. Now, you go get us a cabin. Meanwhile, I'll tend to our luggage. Excuse me, young man. The desk clerk told me I could find a Rudolph Stegger over here. But I don't seem to recognize you. Oh, I'm here. Stegger's nephew. We just arrived in Chicago. Of course. I am Hample, an old friend. Well, then perhaps you can help us. Uncle, so anxious to see the Blue Paradise again. Ah, that is not possible. There is no longer such a place. What happened to it? Years ago, it closed up. I bought the property and made it into a house. Whatever happened to a girl who worked there named Mitzi? How did you know that name? Mitzi is my wife. Uncle Rudy has come 4,000 miles to find something that no longer exists. Here, Hample, tell me, could we bring back the Blue Paradise for one evening, for old time's sake? That might be possible. My wife is out of town for a few days. We'll do it. I'll keep him here until you're ready. This thing must be the way it was, Franz, for Rudy's sake. Oh, I don't believe it. Rudy has come back to see that his table. Oh, Father, what would Mother say? Wouldn't she be furious? Gaby, my darling, your mother is so fat that she is capable of being 10 times as furious as anybody else. Good afternoon. Oh, hello, young man. May I present my daughter, Gaby. Darling, this is Rudy Stegers' nephew, Paul. Hello. Welcome to Vienna. Everything is the way it was, even the dance floor. Somebody must try it out. I would be delighted. Paul and Gaby, would you do me the honor? I thank you. A waltz? Vienna has new rhythms, too. Why not a one step? Good. A one step it is. One step's been too long. Run to meet him, run to greet him. There's nothing that can beat it, and the kisses and no one misses make you think. Paradise right away. In a moment, in a moment, Uncle Rudy. Oh, I'm home. My friends, I'm home. Is it really, France? At your service, sir. Everything's the same, the music and the lights, even, even the headwaiter. You see, Paul, I told you nothing ever changes. Now, if I can find Mitzi again, I should be the happiest man on earth. Uncle Rudy, 24 years have passed. I think you ought to know that Mitzi isn't that song. My papa mama taught it to me. I understand. This is not Mitzi, Uncle Rudy. It's Gaby, Mitzi's daughter. Here, Hample married Mitzi many years ago. Well, is it all a dream? Yes, Uncle, even the blue paradise. Temple's house now. The whole memory has been brought back to life for you for tonight, but just for tonight. Forgive me, my friends. I have to think. I beg your forgiveness. I want to go into the garden alone. Certainly, old friend. Am I such a foolish old man? And is the dream all over? Oh, tender and sweet. And I've been sleeping and dreaming. And now I'm awake again. So let's have music, orchestra, a walk. Immediately, Uncle Rudy. Oh, dance, you young people. That's it. Be happy now while you can. Not 24 years from now. And remember this. When you're in love, the world is always young. And thank you for giving me one more day in my blue paradise. Thank you. And meanwhile, our thanks to Carlton Young, Lee Millar, John Frank, and our entire company. Blue Paradise with music by Edmund Eisler and Sleab and Romberg was dramatized for The Railroad Hour by Lawrence and Lee. The Railroad Hour is brought to you each week at the same time by the American Railroads. Marvin, last week on this program, we told you about an interesting illustrated booklet, Quiz on Railroads and Railroading, published by the Association of American Railroads. Since then, thousands of people have written for copies and requests continue to come in. If you haven't already received a copy of this attractive booklet, I know you will want one, as it contains the answers to so many questions about your railroads. You can get a copy free. If you send a postal card right away to the Railroad Hour Transportation Building, Washington, 6 DC. I get that card off tonight before you forget. Simply address it to the Railroad Hour Transportation Building, Washington, 6 DC. Thank you, Marvin, and now here again is our charming guest star, Nadine Conner. We enjoyed playing in two generations, Gordon. Well, Nadine, it's what we call three-dimensional radio. What's on the show train next week? Well, you give a listen. Oh, yeah. The memorable noble-coward opera at a bittersweet. And Dorothy Warren-Scholl would be our guest. We'll all be listening, Gordon. Good night. Good night, Nadine. You were wonderful. All aboard. Well, dear friends, it looks as though we're ready to pull up, and so until next Monday night, this is Gordon MacRae saying goodbye. This was presented by arrangement with Century Library Incorporated of New York. Gordon MacRae can be seen starring in the Technicolor production, The Desert Song. Acquire with other the direction of Norman Luboff, and our music was prepared and conducted by Carmen Dragun. Until next week, this is Marvin Miller saying good night for the American Railroad. Now stay tuned for your Monday night of music on NBC. The voice of Firestone features Dorothy Warren-Scholl on NBC.