 Remember, a hallmark card when you carry it up to send the very best. Hallmark Playhouse, its greatest stars in outstanding stories, and presents as your host, one of the most distinguished actors of the American Theater, Mr. Lionel Barrymore. Subject, not only because of the many stirring events which have gone into the making of our nation, but because of the men behind those events. The man who made them, the Crockett was one of those men, a romantic figure in an adventurous age, and the hero of D. Brown's fine book called Wave High the Banner. For our dramatization of that book, Fishing Davy Crockett, Hallmark Playhouse has invited one of Hollywood's favorite actors, McDonald Caring, and now here's Frank Goss from the makers of Hallmark Cards. When you're looking for a way to say something to someone you care for, look for a Hallmark card and you'll find the card you want to send. Because Hallmark cards are designed to say what you want to say, just the way you want to say it, with the good taste you demand of anything that bears your signature. That's why Hallmark on the back of a greeting card has come to mean you cared enough to send the very best. Lionel Barrymore appears by arrangement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, producers of Above and Beyond starring Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker with James Whitmore. And now here's the first act of Wave High the Banner, starring McDonald Caring. It comes out with a clear cold down by the river, a whip will cross intently, then shrugs his shoulders and turns back into the church. Down there, among the shadows, he can make out the fitful flair of candles. Each candle rests upon a barrel head and at each barrel head a man sits writing. Colonel David Crockett pulls a sheet of paper from his pocket. He too has a letter to write. My dear son, I've been thinking a lot about you tonight and of some of the things I've wanted so long to tell you. Somehow there never seemed to be time for it. But now, now there is time. Not very much, but still enough. When you were little, you and the other children used to ask me what your mother was like. Well John, I can answer that now. Look at your sister Polly. She's just about the age my Polly was the night we first met. The same laugh in blue eyes, the same wild brown hair swirling about her face, the same slender waist and dancing feet. You've seen my Polly dance. Rifle. That doesn't matter. Your mom said something about me being just a hired man working one place and then another. That still doesn't matter. There's something else too, Polly. I cared much about myself. But now, all of a sudden, it's awful important. Maybe that's all that... I don't have enough fur pelts to paint as soon as I get the fur. Then it might be right tomorrow, Davy. You see, that's the one good thing even Pa says about you. That you're the best shot in the whole of Tennessee. And I said goodbye to the village and headed south. I wanted the frontier life and we found it in Lincoln County. I built a cabin and our first son was born. Timbers sowed the first seed and harvested the first crop, Gene 12. It's all for here. The Greeks will be sent and raided and parted up this way any day now. Now, now, Polly, every engine we've met around here has been all right. They all know me and I hope, trust me... You hope? That ain't gonna save our skins is to attack the engines first. That's what Andy Jackson says. Andrew Jackson? Sure, he's leading the militia. And wherever... He can start the engines before they get started. Polly. It's all right, Davy. Don't worry about us. The children and I will be here waiting for you. 500 settlers. It was many weary months before we avenged that day. Our enlistments in Jackson's army were long expired, but still we kept marching and fighting and marching again. And then I got word that Polly was sick. When I got home, I knew it was too late. Then I'd wait for you, Davy. Stayed here with you? No, no, Davy. You had to go. Don't ever regret being you, Davy. You could never turn away from a fight and you never will. You could watch after my children. Whippy used to play hide-and-seek back in the green lawn. And pretty soon people began to call me Squire. Then one day I went to the village in... Taking and making speeches. The militia long enough to know a natural born leader. I say the man who's the best shot in Tennessee, the best bear hunter and the grittiest fighter, all to make the best Colonel. I'll fiddle for him and we'll show him. Now, Sam, you're just the kind of man we need in the state legislature. Oh, now, hold on. Hey, who aren't you, Colonel? I've been speaking in the legislature. Sam Houston came up to me. He was just back from Washington. Colonel Crockett, I want you to know that I'm giving up my seat in Congress and coming home here to run for governor. And you'll be elected, sir. Tennessee needs a big man for a big office. Those are the very words I was going to say to you, Colonel. Tennessee needs you in Congress at my place. Well, appreciate your confidence, sir. But I expect there'll be a mighty lot of others fighting for it, too. Granted, but if I know you, you're not the man to turn away from a fight. You know, somebody else told me that once. She said, don't ever regret being you, Davey. You could never turn away from a fight, and you never will. You'll do what you must because you must. Someday. Someday. Mr. Houston, I reckon maybe that someday is here. Turn to the second act of Wave High of the Banner, starring MacDonald Kerry. Do you recall this saying by a famous country philosopher? He takes two great people to make a great friendship. When you think about it, those words ring as true as any you've ever heard. It has to be a good friend. You must have a capacity for sympathy and understanding and constant thoughtfulness. And that's why I want to suggest that you get a brand-new Hallmark date book soon. You see, the 1953 Hallmark date book is a page-by-page monthly calendar with space for notes beneath each day of the new year. In it, you can jot down the birthdays and wedding anniversaries of your friends and even the arrival dates of their new babies. Then all you need to do is refer to your Hallmark date book to find the exact time a special card is in order. You'll find the Hallmark date book as pretty and compact, just the right size to slip into your pocketbook. Best of all, it's a gift to you. From the fine store where you buy your Hallmark cards. Why not ask for yours? Tomorrow. Actual Lionel Barrymore on the second act of Wave High of the Banner, starring MacDonald Kerry. In such, Colonel David Crockett hurries to finish the letter to his son. A letter which he writes by the light of a candle fastened to a barrel head. They have much time, did we, John? To sit down and just talk about life. After I was elected to Congress, there was less time than ever. For a while it looked like everybody I knew was being elected to office. Andy Jackson was President and Sam Houston Governor of Tennessee. After I'd served my third term in Congress, I came back home and found that a lot had happened while I was in Washington. Sam Houston had gone out to Texas. And about the only friend I had left in town was Abram Henry. That was what decided me. Oh, not you too, David. You ain't leaving us. Well, I hear Texas is a fine country, Abram. Uh-huh, for us to keep out of. The way I look at it is this. Sam Houston's out in Texas, and Sam's a man that believes in the future and builds for it. What's his men to help him? You mean me and Handy with a rifle? Well, Abram, who've you been saying is the best shot in Tennessee? I don't know. Nothing could ever scare you out, David Crockett. All right. When do we get going? Well, John, there next day. We rode west to the Mississippi and took the steamboat down the river. Every night Abram would tune his fiddle and sanate the passenger. One of them was a gambler. He called himself Bimble Ray. Colonel, what's it matter who runs the country? What's the difference? All the difference between living in fear under unjust laws or in freedom as Americans ought to live. Now I'm just a river gambler, Colonel. Nothing matters much to me. Justice in justice, what's the difference? If I felt that way, sir, there wouldn't be any python living. Maybe there isn't. Die today, die tomorrow. What's the difference? Hey, David, I was just talking to a couple of boys. As soon as I heard you was Colonel Crockett, they wanted to know if they could join up with us. What do you say? You tell them we'll be glad to have them. The more men for Sam Houston, the better. Louisiana, there was 12 of us. And when we walked down the gang flag, play unlucky number, Colonel. Sam Houston, he's over on the Brazos, helping to set up a provisional government. Then the Mexican Army's been cleaned out of Texas? Yeah, we did it right here in San Antonio. We took over the garrison, pushed them south through Rio Grande. How soon do you think they'll try coming back? Do you think my boys and I'll hang around for a spell? I'd like you to meet Senora Canalaria. How do you do, ma'am? Benio. Crockett, would you just tell me, Senora? Si, comandante. My cousin Juan, he arrived in San Antonio tonight. Juan come from the Rio Grande. He watched General Santa Ana cross the river. When? Last week. Colonel Travis, what's the strength of your garrison? About 140. Not nearly enough. We're back over in San Antonio. Skins in town held a big fan dango. Reassured us, lost Texas with me. Watch out for the tire of that church across the plaza. If you see any enemy troops, start ringing the church bell. Colonel, me, Danny. Bill Barrick. Yes, Colonel. Johnson, Dickinson, all of it. The garrison's too hard to defend, so Travis wants some men to start moving guns and supplies over to the Alamo mission. There's a little church there. That'll be our headquarters. Come on, boys. I'll send him word at once. The rest will step forward and be counted off. With him came a message. General Fanon isn't coming, Crockett. This letter, John. And I hope somehow you will. Perhaps it'll help you to know me a little better. The best advice that a father can give to his son. What any man is this? Resolution-lessed nephews. And I must confess it was as ambitious in its way as any I've ever made out. For instance, he started with, uh, be a better speller. For him, that means plenty of hard work. And then there were things like, uh, Pinesche. And, uh, share toys with Anne. That's his little sister. And last but not least, not so easy to be a better friend if you make it easy for yourself. One of the simplest ways, as I mentioned earlier, is to carry your Hallmark date book with you wherever you go. In the front of the Hallmark date book, there are special pages for the names and addresses you like to keep with you. And then there's a list of birthstones and flowers for each month. And the type of wedding present for each anniversary, so that your remembrance can be an especially appropriate one. Yes, you'll find dozens of uses for your Hallmark date book in the new year. And remember, it's yours without cost. A gift from the store where Hallmark cards are sold. Here again is Lionel Barrymore. Thank you for coming to Hallmark Playhouse tonight, Mack. You gave us a memorable picture of a great American. Thank you, Mr. Barrymore. I'm glad to hear you say that, but I think sometimes we all tend to overlook the men and traditions that have made our country great. That's why I was interested last Sunday when you told about the Eisenhower Foundation now being started in Abilene, Kansas. It's something that's tangible evidence that Americans of this generation want to do something to see that American principles and ideals are understood and explained. Not only in history books for the school kids, but throughout the world, everybody. The Eisenhower Foundation in Abilene, while it will contain generals, complete collection of military trophies and decorations and mementos, it will actually be dedicated to all the gallant men and women who fought for democracy and freedom in World War II. But most important, it will be devoted to the teaching of Americanism throughout the world. Well, how can the average person who's certainly interested in this cause get behind it? By sending contributions to the Eisenhower Foundation in Abilene, Kansas. At first, General Eisenhower asked that there be no public solicitation of funds. But so many people have asked to take part that now, if you'd like, Mack, you can wire check to the Eisenhower Foundation. After all, Americanism is everyone's business. At least all Americans. So, all you folks listening, if you'd like to participate in this memorial, just mail your check to the Eisenhower Foundation, Abilene, Kansas. Eisenhower Foundation, Abilene, Kansas. I'll remember that. Good night, Mr. Barrymore. Good night, Mack. Good night. And we hope you'll be listening to the next Sunday night. Our story will be January 4th by Bellamy Partridge and William Roos. And our guest star will be Irene Dunn. Our producer-director is William Gay. Our music was composed and conducted by David Roos. And our script tonight was written by Leonard Sinclair. Until next Sunday, then, this is Lionel Barrymore saying good night. And our sole only in stores that have been carefully selected to give you expert and friendly service. Remember a hallmark card when you will carry enough to send the very best. May Donald Carey may soon be seen in The Dark of Night. The role of Polly was played by Barbara Eiler with Polly Bear as Abram, Gerald Moore as Thimble Rig, Betty Lugerson as Senora Condolaria, Ted DeCorsia as Sam Houston, and Tom Tully as Colonel Travis. Every Sunday, hallmark cards presents two great programs for the whole family's enjoyment. On radio, the hallmark playhouse with host Lionel Barrymore. And on television, Sarah Churchill brings you outstanding dramatic entertainment at the Hallmark Hall of Fame. Consult your paper for time and station. This is Frank Goss saying good night to you all until next week at the same time when Hallmark Playhouse returns to present Irene Dunn in Bellamy Partridges and William Russo's January Thaw. And the week after that, Mary Bard's 40 odds starring Ruth Hussie and the week following that big family on the Hallmark Playhouse. This is the CBS Radio Network. This is KMBC, Kansas City, Missouri.