 Remember a Hallmark card when you carry enough to send the very best Charles Bickford in Edna Ferber's Farmer in the Dell on the Hallmark Playhouse Outstanding stories chosen by one of the world's best known authors the distinguished novelist Mr. James Hilton Ladies and gentlemen, this is James Hilton tonight on our Hallmark Playhouse We tell you a light-hearted story with a moral the kind of thing that I think its author miss Edna Ferber does Excellently and by means of which she has attained such deserved popularity Always a shrewd observer of the American scene miss Ferber and our story tonight Which is called Farmer in the Dell handles one of the perennial themes of American life the pull of town versus country on our different generations And that so often happens with miss Ferber stories The outcome has freshness and a warm insight into the human heart To play our farmer tonight with his home-spun integrity and his deep affection for the land We have chosen that distinguished actor. Mr. Charles Bickford and now a word about Hallmark cards from Frank Goss Before we begin the first act of Edna Ferber's Farmer in the Dell May we remind you once again that for every occasion important to your friends and loved ones There are hallmark cards to carry your thoughts across the miles across the years or merely across the way a Hallmark card says what you want to say just the way you want to say it and that identifying Hallmark on the back says that you cared enough to send the very best Now hallmark playhouse presenting Edna Ferber's Farmer in the Dell starring Charles Bickford You've risen at 4 30 each morning to be greeted by the familiar waking sounds of the farm It's difficult to learn to lull in bed Old Ben Vesterveldt had found this out since he had come to live in Chicago The cities seem to have the opposite effect on his wife Bella She usually slept on undisturbed until she heard the pots and pans in the kitchen where Ben was getting his own breakfast Man was just here must be after five o'clock. How long you been up? Oh, I don't know You know me fella been getting up with the roaster for 45 years Now it's a milkman What'll the neighbors think you get nothing in the middle of the night getting your own breakfast? Don't know as any of their business fella You getting up? Don't give me much choice Guess I better have a look at those eggs ain't even daylight yet Nobody up in the whole block far as I can see Only rules get up this early. Oh here here. I'll dish it up. I Don't know what the use was coming to Chicago for going to go on like we was on the farm Like well rock bears here wasn't my idea coming here to live leave in the farm. I Wasn't ready to retire Guess nobody ever rightly is though. It's too late. Well, what's the good of all the work We did those thirty five years if we don't live to enjoy it Enough sugar in the bowl there for your coffee. I reckon Didn't you never enjoy none of those 33 years on the farm fella? No, no, I hated it and you know it. Oh Not from the very first you didn't When you're born and brought up on a farm, you just can't hate it because it's part of you sort of oh Forget the farm can't you? Not easy when you're only 58 when you've lived on one place all your life and worked hard to make something of the place Pull up your roots and just walk off. You get over it in time. Ain't likely Not soon anyway They're not here. That's for sure. You got to stop some time get some fun out of life live like other people got to live Like yourself, that's all my hands just weren't made for pockets not to be folded on my lap They got to take hold of things hard make things My eyes got to see things grow things ripen My feet got to have mud on them. They got to feel soft black dirt under them Not cement I'll do up these few dishes for a get dressed. Give you a hand dry. That's still been ain't enough worth drying What's the funny? Oh nothing Don't know what made my mind turn to it, but I was just remembering the first time I met you Bella On the schoolhouse road, wasn't it? You was sparking the buyers girl Yeah, what was her name Emma? Emma buyers wonder whatever befell her Well, you can't rightly say I was sparking her Bella folks used to talk folks never mind their business Oh, I used to walk up the road the old buyers place after chores just past the time of day Like that day Must've been back in 86 Don't seem like it was 33 years ago Mrs. Byers was pumping water Emma was just finishing Hello Emma thought you'd be all done with your chores by now. I am But you might like to walk a piece down the road Got a calf at all team and five legs. I'll leave walk a little piece. I Crashers day after tomorrow, and we've been cooking up. Do you good then walk? Sure, Danda. You can come along Sure, glad to see your cakes win the blue ribbon at the fair again Emma a lot of cake Did I tell you pop says I can have the north 80 or an easy payments? It's I mean one That's a mighty fine piece of land Your pop is an awful good man My but I was scared She wouldn't head a flea miss Hawkins. Oh, hello miss Byers Guess you must think I'm a fool going on like a baby about that dog Gosh, no most girls would be scared of them if they didn't know he wouldn't hurt nobody. He's pretty big My name is Ben Westefeld. Please to meet you. You're a new school teacher, ain't you? Which way was you going? I forgot something at the school this afternoon. I'm just going over to get it. I Am I hope it won't get dark before I get there that there's another dog down on mullers It's it's enough to scare anybody. He looks like a pony. He's so big Oh, but you were going the other way, right? We weren't going no place in particular Where we Emma? We'll be pleased to keep you company down on school and back. Hey Emma. Oh, yeah Yes, we'll be glad to I'm right after you and I was married didn't she there? Yes. Yes, she did Went up to live in Vandalia. I think then married a young fellow in the parties business here in Chicago I guess she didn't like farming neither Only she was smart enough to leave while she was still young Why she still had time to live sure make it sound awful Bella why them was good years the best years a man ever had Nothing like living close to the soil your hands dirty Only with clean kind of dirt kind of dirt things grow in things that feed people people right here in Chicago Oh, I know all about that. We had fun too lots of it Corn husk and bees dances and Muller's barn skating. I don't remember that I ever had time for things like that right at first you did though that first year or so before John came along John John Then Dyke mini I got to be coming home any day now now that the war is over Lots of the boys back from France already. I must this was signed only last November Takes time to cut two million men back across the ocean, but he'll be long any day now and thank goodness He'll be coming here not to the farm Maybe he can get to be something that can be anything he likes to be But I suppose more than likely he'll care much farm after all them foreign places He's been to what we'll return to the second act of farmer in the Dells starring Charles Bickford Discussion at our house last night it all started when someone tried to define the most powerful force in the world You know how those conversations are yet surprisingly enough at the end of this one We did agree on one point and that is that without words no idea or thought can ever take shape Let alone reach enough people to become a force Yes words are powerful and those who make hallmark cards respect this power They know how a sincere message of encouragement can lighten sadness Our friendly greeting can make a happy occasion happier still how the right words can strengthen ties of affection That's why so much emphasis is placed on the words in a hallmark card They must accurately reflect your feelings for the occasion and for the person receiving the card They must in fact say what you want to say the way you want to say it And every year more and more folks are discovering that hallmark cards do just that So it's become something of a tradition to look for hallmark on the back For in addition to the message inside the card that hallmark on the back says you cared enough to send the very best Now back to James Hilton in the second act of farmer in the Dells starring Charles Bickford Nurtured by roots that lie deep in the soil is not so easily cast aside and Retirement when the body is still strong and the spirit is untarnished can be a real tragedy or worse than a tragedy a waste And the cause of endless arguments between Ben Westervelt and his wife Bella Breakfast dishes sure you don't want me to dry him Bella. Give me something to do Seems like there's never nothing to do anymore Always feels like there's something I didn't get done Something I ought to tend to never was enough time to get done on the farm We managed hard work never hurt nobody you had two hired men and two boys It's harder on the women for well you had many many got married when she was hardly 18. Yes. Yes, she did You didn't appear too sorry as I remember mother looks after own Gus was a good catch Done well here in Chicago these last seven years. Yes. He has is no denying that though. I had my doubts during their courting days Didn't seem like the right kind for many somehow But you was right. I guess you and John John Summer of 1912 He was fixing to go back to the University last year. I don't want to talk about it, man Many in Gusford in the parlor We were in the kitchen you me From time this fall Where's Dyke? Where do you suppose out in the barn? Tending that sick cafe is he going to be out there all night? After 9 o'clock wrecking cabs. No more people get sick or well by the clock fella Dyke knows what he's doing. Don't you worry ma. He'll get over once he gets to college and away from here They all do let me tell you something son He the unit I could ever see the insides of college if it wasn't for this farm. Oh sure I know but everybody doesn't want to be a farmer take Gus in there for instance I've been thinking about God now Don't you go starting on that again ban the only reason you don't like Gus is because he's from st. Louis They're going to live in Chicago. What's good folks in st. Louis and then Chicago and in all the towns around Lots of them come from the farms to most of the good ones anyhow You really have to go so soon guys It's hardly nine o'clock. I have to get the rig back to the stable and commerce for the close-up, baby Oh, you leaving guy and not by choice. Believe me. I'm catching an early train for Chicago And you won't be down this way so often for a spell trying to keep me away I got a girl down here. Haven't you heard? Come on Gus. I'll walk you to the barn. All right. Well, good night. Thanks for the supper, Mrs. Seems like you might have gone out with them John help him hitch up the horse or Dyches out there. He'll give him a hand Well, Rick and I'll journey and well John. Yeah, you'll give the boys a hand tomorrow morning, won't you? Like get that corn on the silo before we get more rain I don't want to but I will gotta go to town first thing Note to on that last 80 acres by the river be back middle of the morning though Coming Bella accident this morning. What happened John? He was on top of the conveyor Where is he by the silo? Wait dad Nothing you can do there Where's your mom like in the house like he just like me But you still will go on out there then and try your head Go on me something Bella funny thing Even that day. I didn't believe you hated the farm took you more in five years to find out. No Dyches going off to war. I had nothing to do with it. No more than John had Or many is getting married, but made you give in then Made you quit and come to Chicago the man can't live with a woman for more than 30 years without love Without her bitterness hurting him Maybe I had a hope that away from the place you'd get lonesome for it Want to go back? No Ben I'd rather be dead might swell be dead not even if dyke wanted to die He went to war to get away from the cow was you that thought that You wanted him to get away from the farm so bad But don't you remember what he said Bella? But the war farm But you don't understand mom. I like the farm and If guys like me didn't go to war we might not have any farms to come back to That's why we're fighting the Kaiser and Hans to make the world safe for democracy I Didn't sound like he was running away from the farm. Well, he was young and hot-headed. They all were He just wanted to make you feel good You'll see when he gets back. I don't know I Just don't understand it some well. I better get dressed you going somewhere Many kind of wanted me to go down the loop with her help her pick out a couple of dresses And she and gossip coming over for supper. Oh, well reckon I'll go for a little walk then Ma'am the drugstore was telling me there's a big market here down on South Water Street I think he said well, don't be gone all day. Remember many and got to come over. I'll be back Fire's ain't you that's right. I'll be with you in a minute that all Joe get out. You're doing around here Running a kind of produce business then how does it happen that you're keeping it up Emma all this time when? Why you must be anyway Couldn't fool you on that and I'm working because it keeps me happy. I want to work till I die My children keep telling me to stop, but I'm not gonna rust out I want to wear out and your husband He's dead then these 20 years. I knew garden stuff if I didn't know anything else came natural to me That's all I see and you Ben What about you me? Well, I'm We're living here. I suppose living here left the farm been Retired. Yes at your age Ben What's the good of all that work if you don't live to enjoy it? We did all right at 420 acres But Bella never seemed to like it Lost one son then many get married Dyches about ready to come home from France We it's time to give up live in town. Who do you think you're kidding then what? Well, I've seen others Ben farmers who've quit and come to town to live, but you're not like them Then you can't stay here. It'll kill you poison you. Well, you've got another 20 years of work in you What's alien you you go back to your wheat and your apples and your hogs. No Emma. I can't Too late. That's what too late. You listen to me Ben you do as I tell you You go back where you belong before it is too late But there isn't a bigger man-sized job in the world. You go back and do it like a hobo. Yeah. Yeah, that's it Baby only yesterday wasn't like and he sent a wire to the farm Didn't you get our letters died so that you know we was here now. He's only got an hour more They got to go to camp Grant to be Come out to our place just on a chance Say pop you ought to see the way the Frenchies farm They got only about an acre each and gee the way they use every inch of it If there's a little dirt goes into a crotch of a tree they plant a crop on there They do ason. We sure and here we got 400 some acres Nobody seems to care died gosh When you see people just about starving over there you realize how lucky we are What we could just about feed the whole world if we had to We got everything here Well, you don't realize what a great country we got till you see some of the others like you're just whole Not that they ain't smart And they work hard too Why you want to see the old birds pop women folk and men about 80 years old running everything on the farm To you gotta leave in an hour Can't you forget the farm look kid? I can get your job at the factory for 450 a day six when you learn it, right? What do you mean a job? Who wants a job? For Pete's sake. I can wake up mom power living here now. They bought this place. I don't be a rule ball your life kid Papa I've been Counting on the farm living on the idea coming back to it. That's what I've been fighting for That's all right. I I've got another 20 years of work in me So of you can decide what you want to do Me and Dyches going back. Oh, Ben Like you said man and a woman can't live together for 30 years Without their being lost between them. That's right. That's why we have to come back to our feats and our apples James Hilton will return in a moment We often describe the stores where you buy hallmark cards as Fine stores they are you'll find them always eager to help you in any way For instance right now these stores have a gift for you one I'm sure you'll enjoy and use over and over during the coming year. It's the hallmark date book for 1951 In it you will find every day of 1951 arranged in calendar form with plenty of space for writing in the names of friends You want to remember on that date no more forgetting birthdays and anniversaries with this convenient little book acting as your social secretary There are separate pages for names and address of all your friends a good way to keep your Christmas card list as well as other information You'll find useful. You'll surely want this 1951 date book and the store where you buy hallmark cards will gladly give you one It's his present to you for friendship's sake Here again is James Hilton. Thank you Charles Bickford for a grand performance has been in our play tonight. It was a good play And I'm happy to appear on hallmark playhouse mr. Hilton because I think you and the makers of hallmark cards are both doing a good job You by selecting stories for all family listening and hallmark cards by making it easier for all of us to be more thoughtful of other people That's important believe me and that's a very fine compliment Charles And I'm sure the makers of hallmark cards appreciate it as much as I do. Thank you for both of us What have you selected for next week next week? We shall present a delightful story by James Ronald called old soldiers never die It's about a retired general who faces the problem of being left at home while his country's at war Only to discover that not all victories are won on the battlefield and for our star We are indeed happy to welcome that very fine actor Raymond Massey Our hallmark play houses every Thursday our director producer is Bill Gay Our music is composed and conducted by Lynn Murray and our script tonight was adapted by Axel Grinberg Until next Thursday, then this is James Hilton saying good night Tours that have been carefully selected to give you expert and friendly service remember hallmark cards when you'll carry enough to send the very best Charles Beckford will soon be seen in Warner Brothers Jim Cork all-american The part of Bella tonight was played by Lureen Tuttle Margaret Brayton was Emma and Sam Edwards dyke This is Frank Goss saying good night to you all until next week at the same time when James Hilton returns to present Raymond Massey in James Ronald's old soldiers never die and the week following Kurt Carroll's the golden herd starring Bruce Cabot on the hallmark play house BC Kansas City, Missouri