 A hallmark card when you carry enough to send the very best. Hallmark Playhouse, the greatest stars in outstanding stories, and presents as your host one of the most distinguished actors of the American theater, Mr. Lionel Barrymore. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Lionel Barrymore. Once more, we find ourselves nearing the sacred hours of another Christmas. For all of us, the hours hold memories of other holidays. Families gathered together in warmth and affection, home for Christmas. Some years ago, Lloyd C. Douglas wrote a simple, tender little story about a family gathering during the holidays. A book that was small, but it evidently touched a lot of hearts for it's gone through many printings. Now, this is a story you'll hear tonight. And here to play the leading role is that charming young actress and wife. And now here's Frank Cost from the makers of hallmark cards. When you're choosing the Christmas card you want to represent you in all your friends' homes, isn't it nice to know that good taste costs no more? Yes, you can select a hallmark card, one that perfectly reflects your good taste and still pay no more. Most important of all though is the comfortable knowledge that when you send a hallmark card you are also complimenting the good taste of your friends. For to everyone, everywhere, that hallmark on the back of your Christmas card means you cared enough to send the very best. Lionel Barrymore appears by arrangement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, producers of the Technicolor picture, Million Dollar Mermaid, starring Esther Williams, Victor Mature, Walter Pigeon and David Bryan. And now here's the first act of Home for Christmas, starring Anne Blythe. The family had all been scattered for good many years. Gertrude was in New York, Claire was in Louisville, Dan in Detroit, Fred in California, and Jim in Chicago. All prosperous American citizens, but they'd all come from a small Midwestern farmhouse. And Dan, who had had the care of the farm since the death of their parents, decided that this was the year that all the Claytons should come home for Christmas. It was about the first of December when the letter came. Mother, Dad and I were at breakfast and Mother sat reading the letter from her sister, Nan, with first an alarmed and then a rather annoyed look on her face. Oh, now really, this is just too ridiculous. Nan wants all the Claytons to come home to the farm for Christmas. Well, don't think you're going to rope me at anything like that. As a matter of fact, you're not invited. Nan wants just the original Clayton family. No in-laws, no offspring. Good. You're off the hook too, Miriam. Oh, I'd like to go. I think it might be fun to spend Christmas in the country. Well, you've never had to spend a Christmas at Wimple. It's a little hick town a hundred miles from nowhere. The house is a big old frame of fare. Without any modern conveniences, oh, it's going to be perfectly awful. Well then, why go? Well, Nan says she's gotten everyone else to agree, and it's the first time they've all been able to manage it. If I don't show up, they'll never forgive me. Oh, Mother, you'll probably have a wonderful time when you get there. Sure, go ahead. Miriam and I will take off at Bermuda. I always wanted to spend Christmas in Bermuda. I've never been away from you at Christmas, Jay. Now, don't start getting sentimental about that. We've certainly arrived at a time of life when Christmas is just like any other day, haven't we? Maybe we have. I hadn't quite realized it, but... maybe we have. How do you feel about Bermuda, Miriam? Not at Christmas, Dad. My roommate invited me to go home with her for the holidays. I'll call her and take her up on it. Good days, everyone. Oh, Christmas week. Mother left for the farm, Dad left for Bermuda, and I took a night train south to spend the holidays with Doris. In the morning, the porter brought me a telegram. There was a frantic message from Doris telling me she had tried to reach me before I left. One of her brothers had been taken ill and the house was quarantined. She wouldn't be able to have me after all. They were playing carols on the train, and the car was full of gaiety and laughter and Christmas packages. I sat there looking out the window, biting my lips so I wouldn't burst into tears. It seemed to me that the whole world was going home for Christmas. But I had no place to go. And then suddenly I thought of my mother, my aunts and uncles gathered on that farm in the Midwest, and I knew what I was going to do. The weather was clear and cold the next day, and when I stepped off the train in the little town of Wimple... Miss Eldridge? Oh, yes? I'm Jack Bailey. My folks have the neighboring farm to yours your Aunt Nan asked me to meet you. Oh, thanks. I wondered if they'd get my wire. I got it this morning. Here, let me take you back. You're going to be delivered by Bob's letter. I hope you don't mind. Mind? Oh, I'd love it. Let me help you in. Oh, thanks. You know, I've always wanted to ride in one of these. There's nothing like them. That's for sure. Come on. Get on. They're barging in, but I didn't have any place else to go. Did my aunt seem to mind? Not at all. Why should she? At Christmas, it's the more the merrier, isn't it? What's going on at the farm? Are they having fun? They seem to be having the time of their lives. I stopped by for a while yesterday and your Aunt Claire was making mince pies and your mother was making pumpkin pies. She was. Well, that's a pretty big step for mother. I don't think she's done much more than walk through a kitchen in years. Well, she's not walking through now. I hear she's been elected to roast the turkey. Well, that's just the way Aunt Nan wanted it. A real old-fashioned Christmas. Everybody pitching in together. I think it's a wonderful idea. Oh, how beautiful a country is this time of day. Oh, look. There's the first star. Make a wish. I did. What did you wish? What would a girl like you that has everything wish for? Oh, I'm afraid that's between that star and me. Oh, there's something in the air tonight. Something exciting. Something wonderful. Is it just me or do you feel it too? The air, the moment she stepped off the train. You wouldn't try to fool a city girl, would you? No. I'm just trying to tell a city girl I'm glad she came home for Christmas. Turned in at the farm, I could hear voices. And when we pulled to a stop in front of the house, there was my mother with my aunts and uncles standing in front of the house singing. It was a Christmas greeting such as I had never had before. Watching them standing there together, smiling at me and welcome. I had a sudden feeling of being a part of something warm and wonderful. I was theirs and they were mine. And we were together as we should be at Christmas. And I went into the house through a blur of tears. Uncle Jim. Some of the decorations on that tree myriam we had when I was a little girl. Oh, mother, you look so pretty tonight. You really look as though you're having fun. We are having fun. And we thought we would. I hope it was all right to come. I didn't know what to do when I got the wire from Doris. Of course it was all right. No one should be alone at Christmas. I didn't realize what I'd been missing all these years. Well, you're certainly making up for lost time now. Or trying to. If you mean with the widow Simmons, you're certainly right. Why, Uncle Jim. I should have married her 30 years ago. That's what we all told you then, but you wouldn't listen. Well, I didn't want to rush into anything. You didn't. You waited five years and then you got upset when she married someone else. Well, I just about made up my mind by then and it was something of a shock. Oh, I don't believe in waiting. When you found someone and they found you, well, that's all that's necessary, isn't it? If everything's right at the beginning, why wait? Why waste any time that you might be together? Spoken like the young and romantic. All right. By George, I'll go down and pop the question right now. Or do you think how to wait until after supper? It's not too good an idea to propose on an empty stomach, is it? Uncle Jim, you shouldn't even be thinking of your stomach at a time like this. Yes, but I'm hungry. I've been out in the fresh air all day and don't forget I helped chop down that tree. Jim, do you want to help ladle out the stew? You better I do. Oh, what about your proposal, Uncle Jim? Well, after 30 years and hour more or less isn't going to make much difference. Got you. Is that dessert of yours ready to come out? Well, let's see what time it is next. I can't believe that mother's actually cooking. Your mother always was a very good cook. Well, I guess she hasn't needed to cook much since she was married. Miriam, please don't think I'm being nosy, but is everything all right at home? What do you mean, Anna? Well, I mean between your father and mother. Gertrude seems a little sad to me. Well, Dad's in Bermuda without her, but that's your fault. You planned this outing. Well, I couldn't have all the wives and husbands and offspring. The house is bulging now. And yet I thought it was time for the family to get acquainted again. A family is an important unit, an entity in itself. And I believe it's important to remind ourselves of that, every now and then, and to take care of the old ties as well as the new. You kind of worry me about mother and dad. I've never noticed anything really wrong, but then perhaps I just didn't notice. Well, if the opportunity arises, maybe you'll talk to your mother. Mother and I have never talked about very personal things. I'm not sure I'd even know how to go about it. Oh, Miriam, that Bailey boy is on the telephone. He wants to invite you to an ice skating party. Oh, how nice. Where's the phone? In the hall. I hope he can get me some skate. She's a nice girl, Gertrude. Um, that Bailey youngster, does he have a girl if he had one now? If you don't, I'm going to start calling you country boy. Would you like that? You said it. You're so full of compliments, I'm beginning to think you're Irish. Oh, an Irish grandfather. You want to know something you always said about the Irish? What? He said they fall in love at first sight. Oh, and do you know what my Irish grandmother used to say? What? Take any compliment an Irishman pays you with a grain of salt. Well, your grandmother can hardly be said to have a firsthand knowledge of me. Oh, but she had a firsthand knowledge of men. Jack, did your family come from here? Sure. They had courted my mother right on the same iceberg. Yes, of course he did. And my father and mother must have come here too. I can just imagine how they must have looked. Both of them all dressed up. Their eyes and cheeks shining from the cold. In love with the world and the night. More and more with each other. Jack, I must go home. Home? Something wrong? I don't know. I think it's just possible that something might be in... I can't wait any longer to find out. Well, can't wait for a couple of hours? Oh, Jack, it's Christmas. Surely at this time of year even more than any other. We should put the happiness of those we care about before anything else. I'm worried about my mother. All right now. She came a long way to come home for Christmas. I wanted to be a happy Christmas. I think you can make it a happy Christmas. I'm a daughter. I can only hope I can. I'm not as well acquainted with my mother as I wish I were. If we do get a little closer while we're here, then I too will have really found my way home for Christmas. At Christmas time, all of us love to do something special for our favorite little folks. For nieces or nephews, the children of our friends, and the youngsters who live next door. One of the surest ways to make a hit with the boys and girls you know is to send each of them a Hallmark Magic Money Tree or a Hallmark Christmas card stocking. Every money tree and stocking is a big bright card with 10 slots to hold 10 shiny new dimes. Not only are they fun to receive, but the children will be pleased as punch to have money of their own to buy anything their hearts desire. You'll find Hallmark Magic Money Trees or stockings are the perfect answer to that old question, what shall I send Susie this year? Or Mike or Jimmy or Jane? And at the fine store where you buy all your Hallmark cards, you'll find Hallmark Money Enclosures for grown-ups too in many attractive styles. So why not choose yours tomorrow? Remember that Hallmark is right on the back, the famous Hallmark that says, you carry enough to send the very best. Now back to Lionel Barrymore in the second act of Home for Christmas, starring Anne Blythe. It's said about her mother made a deep impression on Miriam. She said goodnight to Jack at the door, and when she went in, she found her mother alone, sitting beside the tall, gaily decked Christmas tree. I sat down beside mother. At first, she hardly seemed to wear, but finally she turned toward me. Those old ornaments certainly bring back a lot of memories. That star on top is seen more Christmases than I have. You'd never know it. Up there on top with the lights on it, it looks new and shining and full of hope. Look that way to me once when I was your age. For the Christmas I met your father. I wish he were here now. It doesn't seem right to be spending Christmas without him. Or he wouldn't like it. He'd think all this was uncomfortable and kind of foolish. Oh, how do you know? That's the way you thought it would be? Yes, I know. But your father and I have gotten away from all those things. Christmas hasn't any special meaning for us anymore. Can't your make it mean something again? I wouldn't even know how to begin. You and Dad began your lives right here in this room, beside a tree very much like that one. You are only here now, sharing the same memory, living the same moment. But he's in Bermuda. And there's nothing to be done. Oh, maybe there is. Maybe there is. Slow operator, I want to place a long distance call. Yes, person to person. I wanted to walk around and think a little too. You mind company? No, of course. What were you thinking about? I believe in love at first sight. Do you? I guess I have to. I seem to be stuck with it. Of course, I know I must sound like an idiot to you. It's a romantic season. There's no doubt about that. Hi, kids. Merry Christmas. Hello, Mr. Clayton. Well, what do you think happened? I popped the question to the widow, and she hooked me. And it seems to be catchy. At least I hope it's came, do you think? Jack, please don't ask me any questions tonight. My mind's on a love story, but it isn't my own. But, Jack, I think if you still have something to say, I'll be more than ready to hear it tomorrow night. And Christmas Eve. The friends and neighbors came from far and wide to join in the celebration at the Clayton house. It was Christmas at its merry-at, at its jolliest, at its most Christmas-y. There were songs sung, recitations from Christmas as gone by recited again. There was laughter and now and then a tear or two. But the faces were shining with joy and goodwill. And of all those presents, only my mother's eyes were sad. And then, on the stroke of midnight, a knock was heard on the door. Now, who on earth is there this hour of the night? Well, I can tell you it should be. At this hour, it should be St. Nicholas and no one else. That's who it should be. Well, isn't anyone going to open the door? For you open it, Mother. All right. It's been quieted, and the guests were gone. Only the members of the family and Jack were left beside the fire. That man turned to me. Miriam, everyone had something to say tonight but you. You didn't sing or recite or do any of the things the rest of us did. I know. When our father, your grandfather, was alive, he made it accustomed to call on either the youngest or the oldest for some sort of Christmas message. Now, since you're the youngest, I think we'll call on you tonight. Well, first of all, it gives me a feeling of great warmth and happiness to be with all of you on a night like this. And gives me an even deeper feeling of happiness to be in this house with my father and mother. Where their lives and, in a sense, my life began. I know that when grandfather and grandmother were alive, this house was a sanctuary where belief in the traditions of religion was preserved in sincerity and simplicity. A house where faith was the substance of all hopes and sufficient evidence of things unseen. This is the night of eternal promise, the birthdate of hope, of faith. We kneel tonight all over the world in common worship of the Son of God born so long ago in the manger of Bethlehem. We kneel in the common prayer that the promise of His birth be kept, that at last, for all people and for all time to come, there will be peace on earth. Goodwill toward men. Wonderful Christmas Eve I've ever had. Party's over. Your mother and father are happy. Will you listen now to what I want to say? Oh, of course I will. Miriam. Oh, yes, Dad. Thanks for that phone call. Of course not. It was a pretty good idea, Nan. Good night, Dad. Where were we? I was supposed to be listening to what you wanted to say. And I've wanted to say it ever since I saw you get off that train. Miriam. Darling, will you? Yes. You will, Miriam? Oh, yes, darling, yes. Oh, Jack, isn't it funny? When I got off that train, I felt as though I were coming home for Christmas. And I have. I've come home for Christmas to stay. The Hallmark Christmas Card Slay or Hallmark Christmas Card train in magazines or newspapers. But have they actually seen them at your favorite store? They're making Christmas card conversation this year. And here's why. The Hallmark train and Hallmark slay are merry Christmas cards in themselves and will hold all the other cards your friends receive. Each one can be set up in a jiffy to decorate a mantel or table or window ledge. The Hallmark train has boxed cars and engine and caboose and red and white candy stripe wheels. And the Hallmark slay is just like Santa's with prancing reindeer and old St. Nick himself. If you're looking for the unusual in Christmas cards, you can't miss with either the Hallmark train or Hallmark slay. And as card holders, they'll be right in sight all through the season to remind your friends of your warm wishes. You'll find them wherever Hallmark cards are sold. Priced at just $1 each. And of course, the Hallmark is there, the famous symbol that says you carry enough to send the very best. Here again is Lionel Barrymore. If anyone needed help to get into the Christmas spirit, you certainly provided it with your performance today. Thank you for coming to Hallmark Playhouse tonight. Thank you very much for inviting me, Mr. Barrymore. And as for the Christmas spirit, why, that just seems to be overflowing here at Hallmark Playhouse. And all over the country as far as Hallmark cards are concerned, I understand that during Christmas week, Hallmark is going to present three great Christmas programs on their radio and television shows. I hear too that the Hallmark Art Award winners have been announced and are being exhibited during the holidays at the Wildenstein Galleries in New York. Yes, yes, yes, and that's a beautiful exhibit then. One I know anyone who is in New York now through January the 11th would enjoy seeing. The exhibit is the second international Hallmark Art Award of 100 prize-winning watercolors. Now these were chosen from 5,000 entries submitted by artists from 35 different countries. All the paintings are on the Christmas theme and from the reports I've heard, the exhibit at the Wildenstein Galleries on 54th Street in New York is beautiful. And well worth seeing. And it's free and open to the public until January the 11th, when it will go on tour to other cities in the country. As for the special Christmas programs, Hallmarks will present during Christmas week. I'm going to let Frank Goss tell you all about them. It'll be a pleasure, Mr. Barrymore, particularly since you are going to present your wonderful characterization of Ebenezer's screws in Charles Dickens' Immortal Christmas Carol next Sunday on the Hallmark Playhouse. And then on the Hallmark Hall of Fame, Sarah Churchill will be hostess next Sunday to Miss Kate Smith who will give her heartwarming interpretation of the Christmas story, the small one, for the first time on television. And then on a special Hall of Fame broadcast, Hallmark cards will again televise Giancarlo Minotti's opera, A Mall in the Night Visitors on Christmas Day, 6 to 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, consult your paper for local time and channel. Thank you, Frank, and until next Sunday, this is Langley Barrymore saying good night. Remember a Hallmark card when you carry enough to send the very best. Our producer director is William Gaye. Our music was composed and conducted by David Rose and our script tonight was written by Gene Holloway. Anne Blythe appeared to the courtesy of Universal International Pictures, producers of the Technicolor production Against All Flags, co-starring Earl Flynn and Maureen O'Hara. The role of Jack was played by Eddie Firestone with Margaret Brighton as Gertrude, Myra Marsh as Nan, Ted DeCorsia as Jason, and Polly Bear as Jim. This is Frank Goss saying good night to you all until next week at the same time when Hallmark Playhouse returns to present Lionel Barrymore in Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol on the Hallmark Playhouse. This is the CBS Radio Network. This is KMBC, Kansas City, Missouri.