 Remember a hallmark card when you carry enough to send the very best Night from Hollywood the makers of hallmark reading cards bring you Meredith Wilson on the hallmark Playhouse in his own story And there I stood with my flick alone 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 as our star and author and our story is taken from his book Now his name is Meredith Wilson better known perhaps as a composer songwriter a ranger Instrumentalist conductor actor lyricist raconteur man about town and he has also I understand invented talking people talking people However in his spare time Meredith Wilson has managed to write a book a book that I myself found curiously fascinating Contrary to what you might expect it doesn't deal wholly with music But it's really the story of Meredith Wilson himself and in writing it He has given us a fragment of the great story of America a story in which sincerity ambition and merit can triumph over every Obstacle now this book is called and there I stood with my piccolo Meredith there must be a reason for that Well, Jimmy an old Moravian flute player once told me a story that went like this a Very important King hired a whole orchestra to play for him one night during his supper just because he felt lonesome This orchestra played great and the King was so delighted that before going to bed He said a boy's you're playing gave me the whips and jingles and just for that You can all go into my counting house and fill your instruments with gold pieces And there I stood with my piccolo Isn't that interesting and Before we begin our story Frank us. I know you have something interesting to say 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 Now hallmark Playhouse Presenting Meredith Wilson's and there I stood with my piccolo starring Meredith Wilson longer than anything else seems to me The older I get The clearer I can hear the sounds that were the dimensions of the world during my early days back in Mason City, Iowa Sounds like mama scraping the toast that all was burned Papa's derby hitting the Newell post in the front hall almost a dead heat with the six o'clock whistle The smooth roller skate sound in front of Glanville's house where it was new cement and Rough roller skate sound in front of our house where the cement was old Sunday sounds began with mama Playing the church in the Wildwood on the black upright piano in the parlor But the sound I remember best was the first sound of the flute my cousin Walter Who was the postman on our street brought me from the mail order house in Chicago? Pucker up your slip son and try it again It's just a small flute and you must learn the flute first now I'll show you how hold on since when are you a flute teacher mama one side, please Who's going to teach you? Maybe you mama give me that flute No, when I make up my mind to do something I do it be still Meredith I'll blow this that redded skinny sidewinder if it's the last thing I ever do yes, Meredith When I began my freshman year in Mason City High School, I started playing first flute in the school band. I Was dreaming almost out loud at the first rehearsal Meredith Wilson first flute for John Philip Suzer Suzer's band and Then Marion McGuire from behind her big tuba nudged me and I came back to earth Playing with the band. It's almost too much to bear aren't you trembling aren't you dog? Oh, no, Marion You see I'm practically a professional. I'm gonna play with Suzer's band Why you're practically a genius Child projedy. Oh, I wouldn't say that I'm past 14, you know That's true Meredith you have music in your soul and you're so wise for your years musically Why is it that I'm always the beat behind the orchestra? It seems I never catch up with the rest of the instruments Well, I'd suggest that when mr. Gorman says begin just start one note before he says begin But how will I know when he's gonna say it again? Well Boys and girls Ready Begin but my britches were getting too big for Mesa City. So I decided to expand New York was just about the right size And as quick as you could doubt an eye or maybe just a might slower cross a tee I was at the railroad depot waiting for the train to New York Of course mom and papa were there, but I didn't expect the whole band I'd like the idea of you're going out on your own. Don't say that Papa. I don't I'll miss your boy. Oh mama. Don't worry. I'll write to you every day Meredith I want to tell you a little something about America and that includes New York It's a land of challenges and country of pioneers whether you be a musician or a homesteader What I'm trying to say is folks warm heartedly applaud any man who breaks new ground or Attains new heights whether he be a rocker fellow or just a boy like yourself But you've got to work hard for it. It's there to be had You know son Sort of got to be a pioneer Thanks Papa. I'll remember Boy, here's a shoebox full of chicken for you to take along in the trip Take good care of yourself a shoebox full of chicken. Oh mama There's a lot of big-city people on the train and well, how would it look? Don't think I'm a hay seat. I Don't know about that son Maybe it'll look like you came from Mason City, Iowa, and that's nothing to be ashamed of After two weeks in New York I finally found my way to the musicians Union over on 86th Street where I hung around waiting for a job That didn't seem to come My funds were on the shrinking side and I was a very frightened boy. I Couldn't find any Iowans any place The pic oh you mean the piccolo. Yes, sir, and I play the flute too. Ah, that's a very good Then maybe you'll be my substitute tonight at the winter guard if I can't find a nobody else you wait to hear maybe a comeback Suspitude at the winter. Oh Substitute at the Winter Garden Al Jolson's Theater. What's the excitement wastes wastes? Oh Because I'm skinny, huh? Well, uh, excuse me, but I have to make a telephone call to my family in Mason City I may be a Suspitude at the winter guard save your money fellow. You'll only be embarrassed later Winter garden you're talking about is over a delicatessen on the east side. Oh Imagine me being silly enough to believe that I could play for Al Jolson What instrument do you play flute? I double a piccolo. Why you're a musician too, aren't you? I'm a violinist You never heard of me, but someday you will you'll hear about Sammy Gardner My name's Meredith Meredith Wilson wastes fits you better. You've been working much I I don't have time to accept many jobs. You see I'm composing a violin concerto I'm gonna play it to guest artists with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in Carnegie Hall. Gee that's Wonderful, I'd like to be there if you'll tell me the date I'll get a ticket laughing at me. Aren't you like everybody else? No. No, I meant what I said Wish I could leave you See, I know I'm not a hypheter of Brahms, but I'm gonna keep on studying scales chords How many theory counterpoint until Until someday I'll get my chance to play with a Philharmonic and I'll bet on you Sammy. I'll bet my last nickel You're what my father calls a pioneer Thanks, how could I arrange to make you head of the Philharmonic? Tell me what are your plans? What do you want to do? Well, I've composed little things ever since I was a kid and I'd like to conduct but right now more than anything else I'd like a job playing flute with a man that I've dreamed about all my life. Oh, who's that? Oh, I'm a little embarrassed to tell you, but you see out in Iowa. We think he's great John Philip Suzer only in Iowa. You think he's great. My friend better multiply Iowa by the whole world Suzer is great. Yes, mr. Enrico That's too bad. I'm a chemis area. No luck. I don't find anyone to play the flute about you Mr. Enrico, thanks. And don't forget the pickle or see because oh, hello, Sammy. Hi, Enrico What's the matter with you, Sammy? You get the skin here every time I see you when you eat the last, huh? Come on. I buy you dinner. So long wasp waste. Say hello to Suzer for me, will you? Suzer? Okay. He's my saucepatoot Mr. Enrico, would you advance me a nickel I want to make a bet on a man About six months later the world was my apple Just imagine how I felt the morning I went down to brooks brothers to get measured for my suzer uniform I drew for three seasons for mr. Suzer from new york to san francisco And from ottawa to havana and every time I walked down to the footlights to play that famous piccolo part and the stars are strived forever I got the thrill of a lifetime Tomorrow's kids won't ever have the chance to hear suzer's band But all good things must come to an end Thank you, mr. Suzer. What can I do for you? Well, mr. Suzer I know how you a great deal of loyalty sir and gratitude now if it's a raise you're looking for you're using the wrong approach Be brave come up to me and say mr. Suzer. I've worked hard for you You can't get along without my flute and piccolo either you give me a raise or I quit And then I fire you Well, I don't want to raise mr. Suzer. You've always been more than fair with me. It's just that well I want to compose and I want to conduct I have an opportunity to go to seattle where I'll get the chance I've never stood in the way of a friend especially when he felt he could better himself Good luck young fellow and remember there'll always be a job here if you ever cared return You've been my ideal for a long long time and I guess you always will be Thanks, mr. Suzer. Thanks for everything. Hey, mr. Wilson A little suggestion Keep your instruments handy. You know just in case Oh, no, sir. I'm changing my flute and piccolo for a baton I can't honestly say that I took seattle by storm But I can say seattle took me by storm I was set to conduct a series of symphonies in an outdoor bowl Well The weatherman double-crossed me and I laid a very large egg in the shadow of mountaineer I returned to new york kind of shortened the pocket Unwrapped my flute and my piccolo and accepted the job playing as a Suspitude and the band in central park The weather was beautiful and I decided to walk to the concert Well, mr. Wilson, how's the young american conductor mr. Suzer? Just fine mr. Suzer and how was your debut in seattle? You see it was wonderful. You know they have the most wonderful apples there And the the campus of the college. You just can't beat it. What are you doing in new york? Well As a matter of fact, mr. Suzer, I'm Giving a giving a concert there in central park. I I'm sorry. I'm such a hurry. I'm on my way there now Well, good luck to you mr. Wilson And gentlemen, hip suzer's unforgettable stars and stripes forever I walked down to the footlights to play that famous piccolo solo I looked out into the audience and there in the front row Was the great mr. Suzer His eyes caught mine He smiled gently And there I stood with my piccolo In a moment james hilton will return to present the second act of and there I stood with my piccolo starring meredith wilson In fleet prison london more than three centuries ago A man spent long hours in his cell writing letters that he never intended to mail But the letters were destined to be read by the whole world For the prisoner was james howl the renowned english scholar and these letters have become a part of our literary heritage Across the centuries comes this thought of his Words are the soul's ambassadors How true that is words are ambassadors your means of communicating to others the things you feel in your heart And a great many people must share this belief because they choose hallmark cards to represent them to their friends There is a hallmark card that always will truly express your own feelings Whether you want to send the message of sympathy Congratulations on an anniversary or a friendly holiday greeting There is a hallmark card that says just what you want to say the way you want to say it And when you select your card look for the hallmark on the back That tells your friends you cared enough to send the very best And now we present act two of meredith wilson's and there i stood with my piccolo starting meredith wilson Unproductive years passed and i guess i had written about a hundred songs that were turned down by every publisher in new york Then finally i hit the lucky trail No, i didn't sell a song But i did get a job with that obstinance stubborn spoiled conceited pampered Superb instrument known as the philharmonic symphony society of new york A job as second flute and being conducted by the greatest of them all The maestro Arturo Toscanini And that wasn't all the luck i had I met a fella called aid meyer who was about my own age and what a friend I was practicing my flute one day when aid made his usual quiet entrance Go away. That's the way i played Bach form Bravo, that's the way i played Mendelssohn form gimbals macy's who cares i got something important at that important who cares And that's meredith wilson meredith go back to Bach Look, you've just sold a song song who cares Song song you sold a song my song Hallelujah. Oh a bless you. I'm a published composer. Let's go out buy all the copies Let's give him a chance to print it for us Oh, uh something else. I uh, I got an appointment for you with Toscanini. Abe You're going to deliver your symphony to him in an hour To Toscanini? Abe you're out of your mind. Which symphony do you mean? How many symphonies have you written just one? That's the one I'm not going look who are you to give Toscanini a stand up. He wouldn't do that to you Meredith if you're going if I have to carry He was wonderful to me. Oh great, great. When's he going to conduct your symphony? Never I'm afraid Turned it down Well, i'm going to find out the reason. No, he didn't turn it down, Abe I never showed it to him. You didn't show it to him, but why not? It was a chance of a lifetime I just couldn't do it, Abe Meredith come on this time. I'll go with you hand me that manuscript. Please, Abe not now Someday maybe someday. I won't be afraid to show to him Mr. Halsey, I'm Meredith Wilson. You published a song of mine, you know How could I forget you? Well, here I am. I was passing by and I thought I'd drop in say hello and pick up my royalty check at the same time I hope you brought a basket with you. Yes, sir. It so happens. I have a statement and your check on my desk I'll bet you sold plenty copies. I know that mason city, Iowa That's my hometown at least 75 copies were sold rara for mason city Here's a rundown. Sales recorded for the last six months in the united states, england, europe, south america and points north east south and west Gosh, I must be rich. You certainly are. Here's your check for a dollar and 66 cents Boy, you killed him in mason city You, are you sure you didn't make a mistake? I'll say I did. Your song sold 88 copies And I neglected to mention that includes cuba, mexico, labrador and hawaii Now take your check and get out and if I ever get my hands on abe meyer Didn't she even like the waltz? I didn't like the waltz or the eight other tunes. I'm sorry, mr. Wilson. I'm busy But I can rewrite the second movement of my symphony young man. I don't care what to do with it as long as you don't bring it back here But sir, you promised that this year I could be the first flute Wilson if you don't pay more attention You'll be lucky if you have a contract next year to play second flute I guess I was a total bust My songs were a flop my symphony Nobody wanted to play it As for my flute playing I was on probation I started to go into rehearsal that day at the philharmonic with my mind made up to resign after this performance Maybe I wasn't cut out to be a musician There were plenty of other things a fella could do Gentlemen gentlemen I should like to present our guest artist for this week. Mr. Samuel Gardner The rehearsal will commence in three minutes. Sammy Sammy all over was wasted. It's been a long time over five years. Sammy you did it You did what you said you do Listen How could I miss when a guy bet his last nickel on me? Yasha hyphens was playing better fiddle and anybody in the world before he was old enough to blow his own nose You couldn't have held back that flood of genius anymore than you could have plugged up the cloud burst of melody that poured out of bronze Those two gents were gods. All right. There's no question about it Sammy Gardner on the other hand was not from olympus at all He was not even from olympus junction But he rose to heights that night because he was determined enough. He lived for one goal And when Sammy Gardner human being walked out onto the stage of Carnegie Hall The only strings to that show were on his fiddle Nobody helped him to that triumphant himself And to me that night Sammy was greater than hyphens and Brahms put together And if Sammy Gardner could do it Then there was no reason why Meredith Wilson human being mason city, Iowa couldn't do it too I was going to compose. I was going to conduct. I was going west to hollywood There was something called talking pictures out there and radio was booming. Maybe they could use a fella like me Like papa once said You've got to be a pioneer In just a moment james hilton and meredith wilson will return Right now I have a reminder as if you needed any that next thursday is the day for the wearing of the green St. Patrick's day Now there's a day for laughter and wet and shamrocks and a bright green ribbon in your buttonhole And you know, it doesn't make much difference whether you or your friends are irish They'll like hearing from you on this friendliest of days and you can wish them good luck in the best old irish tradition Hallmark cards make that mighty easy to do because there's a st. Patrick's day card for everyone for the rillies O'briens o'mallies and rions and all of your friends from erin There are humorous cards written to bring a new twinkle to laughing irish eyes For someone especially dear you will find a sentiment as lovely as the lakes of kilarney And for a friend who may be just green with the envy of the irish There's a card to make him glad he can share in the festivities of the day So don't forget next thursday first thing tomorrow plan to see the special st. Patrick's day cards at the friendly store Where you buy your hallmark cards Here again is james hilton Meredith, this was an unusual occasion in the playhouse You were the author of the story. We dramatized the central character the actor And uh, tell me why didn't you conduct the orchestra too? Well, I like to listen to lin mary's music the truth is jimmy. I hid his baton I was a little afraid he might try it But seriously meredith is one of the most talented musicians i've ever known And as you've been able to see tonight his talent doesn't stop there Well now lin that sounds pretty impressive Truth is i've been doing what I like to do trying to do it. Well, sure But I got the chance to do it because people were nice They helped gave me pat on the back and said go ahead kid. We're behind you They were thoughtful and kind and sympathetic They practiced all the things those fine hallmark cards of yours encourage understanding thoughtfulness friendliness It's pretty easy to make people happy by just remembering to say something nice to them once in a while Well, I've certainly had fun reliving my life here tonight and thanks for listening and thank you meredith Wilson for a delightful evening Now I'd like to tell you what's going on here next thursday when our star will be Barry Fitzgerald in an irish-american story appropriate to the feast of st. Patrick Edward McSawley's our own kind And in following weeks, we will bring you such stars as richard conty and margaret o bryan And stories by such outstanding authors as Irving stone and betty smith Our hallmark playhouses every thursday our director producer is d engelbach And our music is arranged and conducted by lin marie and our story tonight was adapted by jack rubin Until next thursday then this is james helton saying good night 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 This is frank goss saying good night to you all and inviting you next thursday and every thursday To tune in one half hour earlier and listen to the adventures of kc crime photographer followed by the hallmark playhouse This is tv s a columbia broadcasting system