 Remember a Hallmark card when you care enough to send the very best. Mark greeting cards bring you an exciting dramatization of an unforgettable story on the Hallmark Playhouse. The play was chosen from the whole world of fiction by one of the world's most popular authors whose knowledge of stories that will entertain you and stir your imagination is universally recognized. Hallmark is proud to present the distinguished novelist Mr. James Hilton. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Our story tonight is called Unless Love is Music by Libby Block, which we are giving for the first time on the air. It has a beguiling musical angle and a title that suggests that love is a lyric experience. Well, what happens if it isn't? Our story gives us one answer and there's no doubt that the author has fulfilled her intention to weave an intriguing story. That's not always easy to do, you know. I know something that helps a lot of folks fulfill their good intentions, Mr. Hilton. Yes, I'm quite sure I know what you have in mind. I'm sure you do, Mr. Hilton, and I'm sure millions of other people do, too. It's Hallmark card, you see. Yes, Hallmark cards help make it easy to fulfill those good intentions of keeping in touch with friends on every occasion that calls for remembrance. For Hallmark cards say just what you want to say, the way you want to say it. Now, Mr. Hilton, let's see how Miss Libby Block fulfilled her good intentions. Well, you leave on Dager on a business trip to New York. You're invited to a dinner party in the upper 50s. You sit next to a girl who's not the prettiest girl you've ever seen. She's pale and small and doesn't wear much makeup. And even you, who don't know sat in from Serge, know that her clothes aren't new or expensive. Still, you look at this girl and, well, it happens. You're in love. And going no place unless this stranger goes along. That's what happened to Sam Burridge. After dinner, he sought out the pale little girl, dispensing immediately with the usual verbal whipped cream and getting right down to solid cake. Pardon me, but which is your code? I beg your pardon. Describe your code to me and I'll get it for you. You and I are leaving. Where are we going? We can't just stand here on the curb giving taxi drivers false hope. Now wait, look, let's settle this right now. Settle what? Nothing's happened. On the contrary, something has at last happened. Now, I'll never bother you with questions. All you have to know is your last name and are you free? On second thought, never mind your last name. Am I free? Are you? I'm free. I want you to marry me. Marry you? Good, like that. Could you smile when you say that you look so miserable? Well, that's because you'd have to move down Dega. The whole town could fit into Central Park. I work in construction and track mud around them. Rough, simple, I whistle around the house and I... I don't think you'd like me. Oh, yes, I do. Just forget everything else. What did you say? The answer is yes. Mrs. Burrage, I skipped the flower in your hair. You like it just the way it is, Lord? Uh-huh. Simple things for you. Thank you, Mrs. Burrage. Oh, and thank you for attempting that most delay of beef for the party. I'll try anything once. I do want to make a good impression on Mr. Burrage's friends at our first party for them. Oh, Sam ain't worried. He's got confidence in you. Have you always called Mr. Burrage, Sam? He likes it. They're very fond of him, aren't you? Who ain't fond of him? Um, who is exactly? Besides you, that is. The woman to watch is Mrs. Celeste Clayton. Old slave? Grass widow. Is she pretty? Midland pretty. Clever or talented? She paints watercolors. Talented? Pray so. You do a lot for Sam, didn't you, Flory? I'd even attempt a filet of beef for him. But what can I do? Oh, just keep looking like you do now. Thank you, Flory. And good luck to you, ma'am. Mirror, mirror on the wall. Am I all right for him? Oh, be careful, Faye. Delight him the way they have him. But be careful. So careful. Come in. Faye, if you're about to... Faye. Well, don't look so shocked. But you're lovely. Well, that's like telling me my face is clean. And it is, too. Oh, Sam. You know what? Why? I'm wearing the satin slippers you bought for me. They fit. Of course, they fit. Well, how did you know the size? Promise to run your closet for a sample shoe. All right, Sam. Why are you so good to me? The whip I ordered from Chicago has me right here. All right, now, downstairs you go. Am I all right for them? You'll slaughter them. I want you to be very proud of me, Sam. The carnage will be awful, I'm telling you. Why, in that dress? Well, that dress ought to pose for portraits. You ought to be on a concert stage in that gown. That creation... Well, Sam, how odd of you to say that. Why? Sam, well, would you be surprised or think if I told you that I... I did study for the concert stage once. You? The piano. Me, too. Chopstick. No, really, Sam. A concert pianist. Well, why didn't you ever tell me? I just studied for it. I never quite made it. You just don't want to embarrass Oscar LaVam. Oh, Sam, you mustn't give anyone the impression that... Sam, look at us holding hands while our guests are waiting downstairs. A concert pianist. What do you know? Sam, please don't make anything of it. Hey, if you've made a mistake. If you've been vain to make him proud. You are a perfectly enchanting dress, but rather chic. I'm glad you like it, sir. And that superb filet of beef. Oh, you do much. You know, I just wish there were a piano here so you could play something for us. What? Sam says you're perfectly marvelous. Oh, no. Oh, come, let's not be modest. After all, I never failed to talk about my painting. Excuse me, Celeste. I'm neglecting my other guests. I'm so glad to see you. You murdered him, Miss Predictive. Did I really? Justifiable homicide, too. Tell you how big you went over. We're invited to Dr. and Mrs. Rome's mid-January tea. Mrs. Rome? Mm-hmm. The one who runs the Andega review every year? Mm-hmm, why? Oh, maybe. Like, though. Good night, then. Good night, Sam. Good night. Why did I do it? Why did I do it? Why did I do it? No, please. I just can't. I guess Faye doesn't feel like it just now. No, not today, Sam. She can't play cold like this, but I can. Let me favor you with my version. Well, that must have been terribly embarrassing. Sam, I'd blame you. An artist needs practice, and you're very naughty not to have bought, say, a piano long before this. Now there's an idea. Sam, take me home. All right, dear, come along. I'll get you things. Bye, Celeste. Bye-bye, children. Mm-hmm. Get out of there, Faye. Let's see you slide out of that. I know I could get into the living room. I had it delivered while you were downtown. You like it? Oh, it's beautiful. Yeah. I'll just sit here and relax while you play a list of ours. Oh, it will need tuning. Have a man tuned it, listen. There you see. Go ahead, play something. I can't. I just can't bear having anyone around when any artist will tell you the same thing. You know best, Faye. Look, uh, suppose I go to the office and work late while you practice and private. Don't wait up too late. For you by James Hilton. For a moment to the early 19th century and a quiet street in Concord, Massachusetts, it is late at night and all the houses are dark. But wait, there's the faint glow of a lamp coming from a window of that old house down the block. Inside the room that is lined with books, a thin scholarly man sits at an old-fashioned desk reading and making notes. Year after year, he has done this, constantly reflecting and writing on the problems of everyday living. This is the man whose essays will someday win for him the title of the wisest American. And tonight he has reached a conclusion concerning one ingredient that every work of true value must have. At this point, the great Ralph Waldo Emerson looks up thoughtfully for a moment, then takes up his pen and slowly writes these seven significant words. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. If you could watch the folks who make hallmark cards, you'd be impressed by the sincere enthusiasm that goes into their work. They want people to enjoy these greetings and they spare no effort in making them warm and friendly and affectionate. You see, they're not making just cards. They're creating hallmark cards, greeting cards that have a wonderful way of saying just what you want to say, the way you want to say it. That's why hallmark cards are America's favorite greeting cards. So remember to look on the back of the card you intend to send. Look for those three identifying words, a hallmark card when you carry enough to send the very best. Now, the distinguished novelist James Hilton continues with the suspenseful romance by another writer of today, the Libby Block story, Unless Love is Music. With the arrival of that mischievous piano when the barrage home came a curious cooling in Sam Barrage's attitude towards his wife. Perhaps Faye in her distraught mental state merely imagined it. She remained for the new crisis to bring matters more into the open. In April, plans were underway for the on-dega review. Celeste, being husbandless and free, contrived to be chosen as chief talent scout for the show. And who will be the first on her list? Of course. But her natural prey, Faye Barrage. Hello? Faye, darling, this is Celeste. How are you, dear? Very well, Celeste. How are you? Bouncing, darling. And I'm glad you're the queen because we want you to play your review in June. Oh, no, that's impossible. But, darling... I'm sorry, Celeste. I'm much too busy. Miss, with your help and your children, my dear... Goodbye, Celeste. Why don't they leave me alone? Why doesn't she leave me alone? It's on your mind, Celeste. Wish you'd talked to your wife for her sake. Why? What's the matter? We all love Faye, but some of us are beginning to feel a little hurt by her. Why? She continues to refuse playing for us, and people are talking. Talking about what? Well, what would you think about someone who's supposed to be a wonderful piano player and who has never been heard to play a note? Listen, Celeste. Don't bother me with your cat-clubs. If you meant this kindly, I'd thank you kindly. But I'm too busy to listen to ladies' day at the human sacrifices. Goodbye. In favor, sir. I'd like you to play the piano for the Undega review in June. Don't ask me that. I'll never ask you again. Don't ask me at all, Sam. Please don't ask me. Why, Faye, what's wrong? I can't tell you. That's too bad. Everything was good between us up to now. What was good? Up to now. Up to the piano? Up to secrets between us. Secrets between us? Sam. Yes, ma'am? Sam, sit down. Please. Well? Before we were married, you didn't want to know anything about me, not even my name. Remember? I remember. So I didn't tell you anything. And then, when I wanted to seem worthier of you somehow, I told you I could play the piano. You didn't have to do that. But I can play, Sam. Well, then? Or rather, I could play once. I worked very hard to become a concert pianist. I went to Italy to study. I was very poor, but in Sicily, I met a teacher who gave me free lessons. At first, I was very grateful. And then, he was so good to me, I couldn't help what happened. You fell in love with him? I was in love with him. And then I wasn't. I can't explain it to you, but he was fascinating and terrifying when I really knew him. He always said, I have the technique for music, but you have the soul. I can teach, but you will play. We will go far together. We went a long way together, Sam. Is that all? At last, my fear of him grew greater than my fascination. I told him it was over. It was a dreadful scene in the studio, on the cliffs. But at last, he seemed resigned to the break. He asked me to play for him for the last time. I played. In the middle of it, I heard the studio window shatter. They found him on the rocks below, crushed and broken. He knew what it would do to me. Evil and terrible to the last. He destroyed me when he destroyed himself. I could never play after that. You mustn't ask me to, not if you love me, Sam. Call Celeste. I'll tell her I've forbidden you to play. And as gentle as ever, but in the dead of night, he lies awake, rude and smoldering, hating my past, despising me in his secret heart, and tomorrow we must go to that horrible review. And laugh and applaud as though we were the happy gay, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Burridge, as of old. As of old. To take you out of the audience tonight, children, I simply had to. All right, Celeste, what? Is anything wrong? Nothing except that the girl we finally got to play the piano for us tonight hasn't shown up. Let's get out of here, Faye. But all Faye has to do is just sit at the piano and pretend to play. We'll turn the keyboard away from the audience and have Mr. Steinhoff play his piano in the orchestra. Get someone else to do it yourself. Come on. Wait a minute. All you have to do is fake it. I'll do it. Oh, wonderful, darling. I'll tell Mr. Steinhoff right away. I'll do it on just one condition. That I play the music, not Mr. Steinhoff. I, faces over the footlights waiting for me to play, waiting for me to fail. Well, they'll see. The signal, the baton. I'll do it. Feeling better, Sam? Florey and I put her to bed. She's resting upstairs. I confess, I'm bewildered. Are you Celeste? Why, if she can't play, would she go out on that stage tonight as she did? It's my conviction, Celeste, that Faye went out there tonight because she could play once. Well, if she could once, she can today. I don't understand what... I don't expect you to understand, Celeste. Just lay off, that's all. Now, why don't you call a taxi for yourself and go home? I'm going upstairs to my wife. I mean, about tonight and everything. You did think you might be able to play tonight, didn't you? I was heartily sick and tired of the snares and innuendoes of Celeste and some of the others. Yes, I thought I could play. Don't be better. I had nothing to lose tonight by playing, and I did have something to gain. I'd lost you, yes. Lost me? I tried to break down that thing in my mind and soul that kept me from playing. At least I've had my music again. I failed. Lost me? Faye, if you think you alienated me by that story about your music... You know I did. But that's unthinkable. You wouldn't have said you could play unless you could. And when you persistently avoided playing, I knew there had to be a reason, something deeply rooted in your being. When you told me the reason, I was fully prepared for it. Then why did you brood? Why did it alienate you? It didn't. Sam, you've been distant, cold, preoccupied. No, Faye. I was troubled, but not with jealousy. Because if you could play and didn't, something that you treasured as a part of you was lost to you and to me. Sam, is that what you really feel? I've thought it for a long time without knowing what to do about it. It's something you must have or die. Oh, no, Sam. I think so. I think so, too. Oh, no, no. I don't care, Sam. I just want you. I just want you to love me, and I don't care about the other. I don't, Sam, I don't. So be it, Faye. Kiss me. That can be arranged. He doesn't care about what happened long ago. He wants me to play again for my sake. A way he can sing. Sam loves me. And I love Sam. He woke me up. Let me sit beside you. Faye. Let me sit at the piano. Faye, you tried once. Then I'll try again. I don't want you to be hurt. Let me try. Please, let me try. How much will it be? Let me try. I can play. I can play. You did wake me up. In the office. Siegfried broke through the magic fire to wake up Hitler. Didn't he? Mm-hmm. They used to call me fireproof burrage, too. Present an interesting problem. One made especially attractive because of its background of music. As you can imagine, our musical director, Lynn Murray, had quite a field day over it. And Milton Geiger wrote an excellent adaptation. I think you'd also like to know that Faye and Sam Burrage were played by Joan Banks and Bill Johnstone. And our cast included B. Benedett and Eleanor Ortley. Have you heard about the new Hallmark Doll Collectors album? Children are going to have more fun than ever collecting Hallmark Dolls now that there's a lovely new album to put them in. It gives you a new and inexpensive way to make some child very happy. And during this introductory period, the album is only 25 cents when you buy one or more of the Hallmark Dolls. You'd expect the album alone to be worth a dollar, but you can give your little boy or girl or some little friend the Hallmark Doll Collectors album with three beautiful Hallmark Dolls in it to start a collection for only one dollar. It's a wonderful and truly different gift that will make any child's heart leap with joy. Then later, you or friends and relatives can help complete the entire collection of 16 colorful Hallmark Dolls. The dolls are as easy to send as any Hallmark greeting card and cost only 25 cents each. And each new doll added to the collection will mean a new thrill for a child. So stop in tomorrow and see this new album at the store where you buy your Hallmark cards. Remember, the album with three dolls in it to start the collection is only one dollar. Now, once again, James Hilton. Next week we've chosen Penicillinade, the delightful romance by Martha Cheever through which many of you remember. Penicillinade has that most elusive quality, charm, a nostalgic charm that will strike many an echo in the hearts of listeners. I'm telling you this purely and quite frankly as a teaser because I wouldn't like you to miss it. So until next Thursday, this is James Hilton saying good night. To be doubly sure of the finest quality, always look on the back of your cards for those three identifying words, a Hallmark card. Hallmark cards are sold only 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. Now this is Frank Goss saying good night to you all until next week at this time when James Hilton, author of such absorbing stories as Lost Horizon and so well remembered, will return with his story selection for next week. The unforgettable love story, Penicillinade. The deal from the Hallmark Playhouse. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. This is KMBC, Kansas City, Missouri.