 Remember a hallmark card when you carry enough to send the very best Tonight from Hollywood the makers of hallmark greeting cards bring you Joan Fontaine in James Hilton's random harvest 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 They distinguish novelist mr. James Hilton Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is James Hilton tonight on our hallmark playhouse We present a dramatization of my own novel random harvest starring that brilliant young actress Joan Fontaine You know for years. I've been queried by both friends and strangers How'd you get an idea for a story? Well, there are many ways but in the case of random harvest I'd like to put myself in the position of one of the characters and go back to a moment when I met a man on a Train whom I shall call Charles Rainier But that's our story and before we begin Frank us. How about a few words from you 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 hallmark playhouse presenting James Hilton's random harvest and starring Joan Fontaine First attracted me to Charles Rainier was an air of mystery about his eyes which intrigued He seemed always to look beyond you as if in the dark recesses of his memory. He was groping for something He couldn't find Shortly afterwards I met his wife Her face had a beauty that poured into it from within a secret and serene ratings On casual observance the marriage of mr. And mrs. Rainier seemed ideal But as I came to know them better I sensed a dramatic undercurrent between them as if these two people were hiding something from each other During the ensuing two years Charles and I became very close friends and I discovered why he always looked beyond you It was very exciting, but I was unable to start writing about it The story had a beginning a middle but lacked an ending Until one afternoon when I dropped in for a visit at the Rainier estate and mrs. Rainier called me into her library I'm so happy you dropped in mr. Hilton as matter of fact. I was going to telephone you well This is an opportune visit. Where's Charles off somewhere and as usual. I never know just when you'll return Well, it's pleasure enough. Just see you What were you going to fool me about forgive me for prying but Why did you and Charles drive out to Melbury the other night? What you're asking will hurt you deeply tell me, please Charles is a man in search of a memory for a long time now He is desperately sought to remember the events of the year 1919 when he was an amnesia victim and he's found them not quite all But he now knows that during that last year He fell madly in love with a girl and married her and it all began where while he was at a hospital in Melbury Does he remember her clearly what she looked like her name? I'm not sure But I do know that he'd give up everything if he could find her He'd give up everything Well, mr. Hilton, thank you for telling me all this. I'm so sorry You know when I try to imagine your feelings. I don't feel anything yet at least not much Would you excuse me? I believe I'll go for a drive. Do you mind if I come along if you like Would you be good enough to our shelter to bring the car? Of course? One thing mrs. Rainier people are remembered as they were last seen and 20 years is a long time It would be a miracle. I wish there were such a miracle Mr. Stay I remember He's from the army on Looney ones. I think oh come on soldier. Let's go come on. Oh boy It's all right if you don't like it here. We'll go for a walk. Oh, it's quiet walk or not, whichever you like. Come on. Let's go I'm not really loony like the man said said it clearly didn't I But we don't know what a job I have as a rule I've Had to learn to talk all over again. I still have a fear of Being around too many people you'll do all right. Where do you want to go? I don't know Well, this street doesn't need anywhere. It doesn't matter Now that does my life you did escape from the hospital. Didn't you know not exactly? I just came out because Well, because there were no guards at the gate. It's like a prison, isn't it? Hello, but well, then you ought to be in it surely was nowhere else until I I get all right again Well, how can you get all right when you're not happy there? Perhaps I shouldn't be very happy anywhere Go back to your family. I was chill shocked. I Lost my memory of the person Oh, don't worry. I'll talk to say I'll regain it, but it's no telling when What's your name Paula Paula Ridgeway? It's not my real name though. I'm I'm an actress with a traveling true What's yours Smith? But that's not real either well Smith good enough Hello, Smithy Hello Paula listen Smithy Smithy. I've got a crazy idea. I suppose you think it's silly, but then everybody's gone silly today Smithy you're not going back to that horrible hospital. I Have to go back come along with the troop Let us be your family until you can remember your own the hospital will find me wherever I go No, they won't I won't let you don't know who I am for all you know I might be really loony or dangerous then again You might just be an earl or a lord or something. I've always wanted to be Quite a girl Would be wonderful. It's all set. You're coming with us, but I but Smithy you won't have a care Smithy There's nothing if I could sit down for a moment. I'm sure I'll be all right. Sure you will oh boy Smithy was very ill. I took him to my lodgings and for weeks We both fought to make him well and as the days wore on and Smithy's strength slowly returned I Began to really know and understand him. He was fine and decent and I fell in love with him and though he never told me I Knew he was in love with me too Then when Smithy was much better. It was time for the troop to leave Melbury Smithy Smithy there are two men from the hospital downstairs hurry up and get your things together We're leaving no Paula come up here and take it back with him. Is that what you want perhaps? You see Paula, I can't continue being a burden to you taking everything and giving nothing You need me I'd only be in the way. Oh, no Smithy. I spoke to our company manager and he's he's agreed to give you a job Oh, I I can't Afraid to face people it can't be that you have encouraged you proved you wanted to live while you were sick It isn't so much fear of them as a sort of uneasiness as if I Orton really to be alive and everybody knows it and wonders why I still am I I've got to feel before I can free myself Smithy, I'll tell you something If you wanted to be here neither should I and I wouldn't be but for luck a house I was living in was hit by a bomb. I Was asleep in one room and two people were killed in the next I Wasn't going to tell you that but it might upset you but Now maybe it'll cheer you up to know her both alike. We're both living on borrowed time. We've nothing to lose Are you coming? Smithy became one of a scene painter copywriter general manager and whatnot He had a flair for writing and even wrote some new material for the troop With a little understanding his shyness towards strangers was soon one over We saw a great deal of each other during these busy days Suddenly he seemed to change But once he'd pinned it on me now went out of his way to avoid me and then one day without so much as a good bar He was gone I Searched for him and found him the following day at a place called beachings over Unhaven and haggard-looking. He was asleep on top of a hill Wake up Smithy. Oh Oh Paula why did you follow me here? Smithy why did you run out on me yesterday because I can do without you? I know I can I must fiddle sticks don't boast. Oh boy. I can do without you too for that matter Oh, let's be independent is all it will get out Let's each fly in different directions and wonder why for the rest of our lives. Oh Smithy, what have you got against? Oh, how could I have anything against you? Except for the same reason I couldn't Too subtle darling unless you tell me what the reason is I love you Do you do really? I loved you ever since I first set eyes on you soon as I saw you the very first moment Darling darling, I'm so happy Paula when I'm fully recovered and I find a job that can support both of us Will you marry me darling? I think it really takes two weeks that they make your way I'm not right yet besides Besides wouldn't they ask me a lot of questions at the marriage license bureau you mean Questions about yourself that you couldn't answer. Yes They might ask you one question. I never have and That is if you've been married before well, of course I haven't How can you be certain? Oh boy? That awful memory of yours We were married at St. Clemence Vale Street London and we moved into a rickety old attic and our fondest dream was to build a house at Topper Hill that meant so much to us at Beachings over We never returned to the truth. Smithy began to write. Oh, we were blissfully happy and to add to it a few weeks later A letter came from a very important publisher Asking that Smithy appear in person. Oh, we are in heaven as the train pulled in that was to take Smithy to Liverpool I'll miss you come along We're rich only in happiness. It doesn't matter if we can't afford it. You know something. Hmm. I'm not lost only my memory I lost my heart to you. Oh Hurry darling. I'm only half alive while you're away. We belong to the same world Oh, I know that too. There's something right about it. I adore you Smith You know, I don't want to remember anything now anything. I've ever forgotten. It would be so unimportant My life began with you when my future goes on with you Nothing else Thing to tell me darling. I love you. I love you too Get inside goodbye Paula. Goodbye. Oh darling come back soon. I will But Smithy didn't come back in a week or the next week or the week after that In a moment, we will present the second act of James Hilton's famous novel random harvest starring Joan Fontaine Of all the English poets few have rivaled Samuel Taylor Coleridge in power of imagination and Ability to use words to make imagine things seem real Perhaps his words are so effective because what he imagined seemed so real to him For as he once remarked to a group of younger men What comes from the heart goes to the heart We see how true this is when we look at hallmark greeting cards and read the messages they bear There is such a sincerity about them You know the one you select will carry your thought truly whether it's a message of sympathy a Remembrance for some holiday or anniversary or just a cheerful greeting to let a friend or loved one know you care and What is true of the words of a hallmark greeting card is just as true of everything else about it the way It's designed the materials. It's made of the way. It's put together That is why you always find a hallmark card that says just what you want to say the way you want to say it Look for the hallmark on the back when you choose greeting cards that tells your friends you cared enough to send the very best Now we return to the second act of James Hilton's random harvest starring Joan Fontaine Frantic search for Smith he began in Liverpool at the office of the publisher with whom he had the appointment I'm sorry, Mrs. Smith. Your husband never kept his engagement. I never saw him Please doctor did he return to the hospital here in Melbury? No, we've never had word of him since the day he escaped Please can't you please help me? I'm desperate. We tried everything. I'm sorry, Mrs. Smith But he just couldn't disappear. We printed his description on the front page. There's been no response Sorry My advice to you is to save your money when your investigators fail better give up Yes, I merely existed But I never stopped searching then one day June 10th 1929 I Picked up a newspaper and on the front page was a picture of Smithy. I cried with joy And I didn't care who was watching. I read the caption below the picture Charles reindeer Industrialist member of the House of Commons will speak there today He had discovered his former identity. He was alive Rushed over to the House of Commons, but I was too late to get in so I went to the private entrance reserve for members and waited for him Did you call me miss? I say when will he be out? Oh, lady. Smithy lady. There's no Smithy in the House of Commons Oh, yes, I am sorry. I mean Charles reindeer sessions over. He'll be out soon. Are you sure? He'll come out this door. You were friend of his more than a friend. Don't worry. Charles reindeer will come out of this door No, mr. Rainier, but there's a lady waiting here who says she's a friend of yours. I don't believe we've ever met young lady I suppose not. I'm sorry. I bothered you, Mr. Rainier. That's quite all right I wanted to follow him throw my arms around him and try by sheer force to bring back the memory of the year that We'd spent so happily together and then the realization came to me. He'd recovered his memory once before Perhaps if I could be near him it would happen again. I secured employment as a typist in reindeer enterprises I became Helen Hansen and There I learned how he regained his memory and live up all he was struck by an automobile and the shark restored his identity of Charles After working there for six months, I learned that his personal secretary was leaving. I Knew I had to get that position But then I'd be close to him be able to talk to him Awakened some spark in his memory of the past Yes, what is it? Oh, mr. Rainier. I Well, don't be shy speak up mr. Rainier I understand your secretary has left and I'd like it You know that without a doubt if you were to look all over you wouldn't find anyone more qualified to fill the vacancy I I can type at the rate of 80 words a minute and I take dictation as fast as you can talk I have my book right one moment miss I Handle people intelligently on the phone and I I'm well-versed in politics. I'm a conservative by choice my punctuation is perfect And oh, I I make rather Presentable appearance. It's important to the job. You know what's more? I'll answer that You don't mind. I'll do it myself Yes, oh have a come in No bother inviting me in hello my precious hello could it any oh, uh, this is miss Hansel at my new secretary You hired me mr. Rainier. Oh, no, you hired yourself. Well, that makes two of us for the best of you Charles Miss Hansel you chose to be a secretary. I chose to be his wife We'll be married in two weeks and what you believe it. I had to propose to him In fact, he dodged me so long. I accused him of being in love with another woman. I trapped you didn't I darling completely and Overwhelmingly miss hands it will you take care of the wedding list and advise the press? Yes, of course my Congratulations to you both This was the end of a dream that it kept me alive all these years I wanted to run someplace any place But out all the memories that kept crowding into my mind But in the same moment I knew my destiny was to remain here beside him even if only as a secretary I Could never turn back for the for the next 10 years. I tried not to think I was useless Then the latter was delivered to me by a special messenger marked Charles Rainier personal A letter mark personal mr. Rainier read it to me, please. I believe it's from your fiancee read it Won't you please you're my secretary. You'll know the content sooner or later. I have My dear Charles, I'm writing this in a hurry, but after thinking things out is slowly and carefully as even you could I decided that I can't Because I'm Something to go on being proud and here's something else that may sound utterly absurd But let me say it Sometimes Especially when we've been closest I've had a curious feeling that I remind you of someone else Someone you may have met Or may yet meet How could kitty know How could she tell it's true there is someone else if I only knew if only I could remember oh I beg your pardon miss Hanslitt. I how could I possibly make you understand when I can't even explain it to myself? For the next two years I felt Charles drawing close to me as if the veil across his memory were about to lift But as quickly as these moments came they would be gone and our relationship would continue in the same polite yet I became more than just a secretary. He sought my advice Relyed on me to fulfill social obligations and then one day while he and I were lunching I'm all for the marriage on this handslet. I agree only make them come to you Did it ever occur to you how indispensable you are to me? I'd like to think I am miss Hanslitt Helen I'd like to submit a plan to you. You sound as if you're about to make a political speech Well, it would be less difficult Helen Will you marry me? No, don't misunderstand. I don't expect that you're in love with me. You're in love with me I have great respect and admiration for you. I see in fact is I I Feel that you're necessary to me in countless ways. You're a born hostess. I've watched you handle people Yes, I'm very adept at that sort of thing and you'll accept my plan Yes, Mr. Rainier Charles splendid, of course you needn't worry about I know we'll just call it a marriage of convenience Yes of our marriage. I wanted to go to him tell him who I really was I knew if you ever to know and love me again You would have to find the way back Are you ready for the drive mrs. Rainier? Yes, mr. Hilton. Oh, yes, where would you like to go? To a lovely place. I know called beachings over this hill looks as if it had never changed I don't suppose it has much in a thousand years. That makes 20 seem only yesterday 20 Mrs. Rainier. What do you mean? Do you mind if I go the rest of the way myself? I? Can see the summit from here, but Charles has told me about this hill. What does this place mean to you? my life and my dreams I Was just resting and Hell in what nurse are you doing here? I might ask you the same question I was out driving and I passed this hill Somehow I had The honest feeling that I'd been here before had you Heron, I think Smithie Saw them embrace and I knew then that the gap was closed that the random years were at an end That the past and the future would join I had the ending to my story and now I could begin to write it For James Hilton and Joan Fontaine return. What do you say? We play a little quiz game ready for the question Here it is what friends of yours or members of your family are having birthday soon Think hard now they're sure to be two or three Perhaps several if you look ahead to March and April now just think how much pleasure It will give each of these friends and loved ones to receive a birthday greeting from you this year Of course you'd want to send a cheery message to one friend perhaps a humorous greeting to another a reminder of your affection to anyone Who is especially dear to you no matter you always find a hallmark card that says just what you want to say the way you want to Say it now. I said we were going to play a quiz game. So of course there must be a prize Well the prize you'll win by sending hallmark birthday cards is the gratitude and affection of all you send them to you'll even Win a special measure of appreciation as friends notice the hallmark on the back of the cards They receive from you for that tells them you cared enough to send the very best Here again is James Hilton before we close the hallmark playhouse for the night There are some things I'd like to say about the wonderful performance. We've heard here this evening You see I knew the heroine of our play tonight longer than anyone I want to say right here that you miss Joan Fontaine made her the character I wanted her to be thank you for such a splendid portrayal Thank you, Mr. Hilton Paula was a wonderful girl who had the courage to try to weave the past and the present together Their thoughtfulness her tenderness and understanding helped create a happy life for someone she loved But now I'm talking in terms your hallmark people seem to understand so well We are greeting cards deal with thoughtfulness and understanding between friends and loved ones And I want to thank you for asking me to be here tonight and for giving me the opportunity to play in one of your own Fine works. We're happy to have you here anytime Miss Fontaine Next Thursday, we'll have Edna Ferber's fine story so big starring Virginia Bruce and the following week Barclay Square starring David Niven And the week after that a new American bestseller Meredith Wilson's book with the delightful title and there I stood with my piccolo starring Meredith Wilson himself Our hallmark playhouse is every Thursday our director producer is D Engelbach Our music is composed and conducted by Lynn Murray and tonight's script was adapted by Jack Rubin So 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 and friendly service Remember hallmark cards when you carry enough to send the very best Joan Fontaine is currently appearing throughout the country in the Rampart picture you've got to stay happy. This is Frank Gauss saying good night to you from the hallmark playhouse This is CBS the Columbia Broadcasting System