 When you very best. The distinguished novelist, Mr. James Hilton. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, this is James Hilton. Tonight on our Hallmark Playhouse, we present a classic story of the old West, owing Westerns the Virginian. In 1875, when this story took place around Cheyenne, Wyoming, it was wild and populated by cow punchers whose lives were full of primitive joys and dangers. Today, if you visited there, you'd see their descendants. The sons of the horsemen, the cow puncher, who was one of the great romantic figures of our American past. For he was romantic. Whatever he did, he did with all his might. The bread he earned was earned hard. The wages he squandered were squandered hard. Well, to this American hero, we dedicate tonight's play. And for our starring role, Jeff, the Virginian, we are fortunate to have MacDonald Carey. But before we begin, here is Frank Goss who has a few words about Hallmark. Thank you, Mr. Hilton. 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. Well, that says you cared enough to send the very best. Now, Hallmark Playhouse, presenting Owen Wister's The Virginian, starring MacDonald Carey. Heading into Cheyenne, and the stagecoach with Molly Wood, the new school man from Vermont as its only passenger, was marooned in the water and slowly sinking. From the shore, tall and loose in the saddle, Jeff, the Virginian, rode wildly into the water. Jim, I'll get you, passenger. Don't shake his house, Jeff. Jim's been completed in a sense of humor for a while. Get my arms. Oh, why did I ever come here? This place is too much. This is no time to talk. Get my arms, and we'll ride the shore. I'll not leave without my baggage. Come on up here. I'm to Vermont right now. We better wait till we get ashore. You're laughing at me. Than any of the rude cowboys I've met traveling. Use the place and the people and for long, you might even get to love it. I hate it. I hate it. Anyone ever tell you, ma'am, that even when you cross... I do it up in a long while. Looking for someone special here to dance? Could be, Steve. Anyone special here? You met the new school marm yet? Oh, where is she? Across the room. Right pretty, ain't she? Yeah. You'd like to know I've been seeing her every night since she arrived, Jeff. And what's more, she encouraged me. The only folks I'd say she encourages is the school kids. School kids. Ha, ha, ha. You don't know nothing. There's always a man. And she leaves boldly and sit on the fence while I... Travis, you can rise up now and tell the boys you're lying. Why are you... When you call me that, I'll stand in your two legs and say you're a liar and don't reach for your gun or I'll break your neck. Now, wait a minute, Jeff. That didn't mean nothing. Mitting yourself to be a liar, you spoke God's truth for once. You can sit down now if you want, Travis. Steve, I... I don't like you running around with Travis. He's low down and he ain't fit company for you. He said you were number one to dance with the school marm. What you waiting for? Well, now, Steve, I tell you... What you waiting for? From Virginia, I understand. Yes, ma'am. From Virginia. I've heard that Southerners have such good manners. That's correct. For a new England, you know, gentlemen ask to be presented to ladies before they ask them. Boss, he's gentle. Boss? And you walk? In this time, either. I'll catch up one of Taylor's horses. I'd... I'd like for you to go ride mighty well. You got no babies this morning to be anxious after. I don't know what you mean, sir. I mean that it's Sunday. School don't hinder you from enjoying a ride today. You'll teach the kids all the better for it tomorrow, ma'am. Stranger now, ma'am. Remember, we were introduced, and I wouldn't be overstepping for the world. Go away if you want. As you wish. Then I reckon I'll stay. You go for a ride. You call yourself a man, I suppose. A grown-up, responsible man, just because you were a big pistol and tried a big horse. Maybe there's been times when I acted like a man. You didn't behave very gentlemanly last night. I'll admit, I certainly forgot to be introduced before I spoke to you last night, but I ask you pardon if I say what I have to write to say in language not as good as I'd like to talk to you with. When you were in the coach that was sinking, who did any introducing? Did you complain I was a stranger then? Why? No. The driver told me it wasn't really so dangerous there, you know. That's not the point I'm making. You're a grown-up woman, a responsible woman. You come alone to a rough country to instruct children to play games. Tag and hide-and-seek, and full-reason they'll have to quit when they grow old. Don't you think pretending you don't know a man, a man whom you was glad enough to let assist you when somebody was needed, don't you think that's mighty close to hide-and-seek that children play? I don't think I like you. It's all square enough. You're gonna love me before we get through. Dear, dear, dear. So I'm going to love you, and how will you do it? I know that men think they only need to sit and look strong. You're wasting time. You know it's the prettiest kind of a day. I'll take back what I said. I believe I do like you. I know that if I went riding with you, I should not have an immature protector. And, um, I have wanted to thank you for what you did at the creek. I'm a shake. You're a gentleman. Always wanted to be a man. Well, I'm mighty glad you ain't. Well, don't be too sure. You're glad that... I'll risk that. If you had something to say to me, we'd kind of listen to each other. Stay out of my affairs. Rustlin's no business for your kind. I wouldn't be listening to Trampas if I were you. The ranchers will wise up pretty soon who's doing it, and it can only end one way. I'll take my chances. You're getting 50 a month now. That's just a point. I got no future here at Judge Henry's Ranch. Easy money's no good. The money I made easy that I wasn't worth it went like it came. But the money I made hard that I was worth, I began to feel right careful about that. And now I got saved and stowed away. If once you could know how good it feels... I wouldn't know. With your luck? What's my luck? Well, if I took up land along the creek, it never goes dry and proved upon it like you have. And if I'd saw that land raise its value on me, lifting no finger... Why did you lift no finger? Who stopped you taking up land? Didn't it stretch in front of you, behind you all around you, the biggest boldest opportunity in sight? Man, I'll still have my savings in the bank. It's no use, Jeff. You're wasting your time talking to me. Better get out of this territory, boy. Better find yourself new stamping grounds. I don't want to be on the posse that'll come to get you. Be seeing you around, Jeff. Both men don't go around shooting each other. They consider it barbaric. I'm not the sort of wife you want. I'm the judge of that. I've been reading books, Molly, because I want to learn and be more your kind. But I don't want to change you. There's no reason why I should. In your class, you've got the brightest boy and the dumbest. Who do you pay more attention to? I don't know what you're trying to bring out, but I spend more time with the dumbest. If I'm going to be your best, will you marry me? Oh, don't. Don't, please. Don't what? Why spoil this? These rides. I don't love you. I can't. What are they? My greatest pleasure. The way than just inviting me to keep green. Sometimes I promise I will listen. That's the only promise I make. And I'll show you I can be square when I come back. I'll not do more than ask you if your mind's the same. Yeah, Judge Henry's asked me to join a party to take two rustlers. So I'll not see you for quite a while. But I'll be very busy. And being busy always keeps me from grieving too much about you. I'll not miss you either. Goodbye, Molly. Goodbye, Jeff. Card this Christmas so unusual, your friends will show it to all who visit them during the holiday season. Then see the new hallmark creations at the friendly store where you buy hallmark cards. You'll find an appealing selection of the most each designed as only hallmark craftsmen can design them. There's a hallmark blue book with sophisticated designs and many novel surprise features. Christmas cards with a Santa Claus so jolly you can almost hear him chuckle. Snow seems so real you'll find yourself listening for sleigh bells. Christmas trees and holly as fresh looking as mountain evergreens. There are cards that express the deeper spiritual meaning of Christmas as truly as a carol sung on Christmas Eve. And there's the hallmark gallery artist album open the hallmark album at any page and what a treasure lies before you. Quaint winter scenes by Grandma Moses. Delightful Christmas scenes by Norman Rockwell. Yes, more than 54 most artists contribute their genius to the new collection of hallmark Christmas cards now awaiting your selection. Personal Christmas cards on which you will be proud to have your name imprinted. Remember, these are hallmark cards. When friends receive them and look on the back, as you do, they'll see the hallmark and know you cared enough to send the very best. Now here is James Hilton with the second act of the Virginian starring MacDonald Carey. They kept after the trail of the rustlers Trampas and Steve and then the net began to close as darkness was about to fall. Steve was trapped in a cabin. Shot and I lost. No use worrying. A beach in Ben Rich. I was close enough to touch you. Why didn't you shoot me when you had your chance? We never could shoot a man in the back. I wish you'd done it. I reckon there's nothing else you can do, Jeff. It's a fit man for Trampas. He's just a tin horn, but you... Jeff, it's you to be around when the boys take me. Don't worry. Bear to watch it. Would you get on your horse and leave? I wouldn't want to do anything. Weak and silly in front of you. Sure, Steve. The right. But right here I must. The little talks and the rides we've taken together. These are pleasures I shall remember and cherish all my life. Permit them to do what they did to Steve. But you didn't go to his aid. There's got to be some kind of law and order here. Else there ain't going to be no West. And that's more important than losing your best friend. I'm sure that Steve asked you for help and that you denied him. You stood the code of the West. Are you giving up? Now, where's the sense in both of us? Get me over and put my gun in my hand. You've got to save your strength. Listen, nobody shall get you and nobody shall get me. Please, leave me, Molly. Go on. I'm going to help you under the horse. No. As soon as you try it, it'll shoot you down. No, you mustn't. Come on now. A gentleman doesn't invite a lady out riding and leave her. Why don't you go to bed, Molly? I will stay as long as I need it. It mixed up in my head. That was real. Once I thought if I could make it love me, it'd be a pretty good sort of love. I dreamt of you living in my home. Now, this is no country for a lady. Forgive the bother and I've done from the starter. Wasn't the sort to keep you happy? A thousand seconds before we get married. Figured in minutes, it boils up into quite a mess. Even figured in hours, it kind of comes out too long. Oh, you're not fooling me, Jeff. I know Trampas is waiting outside for you. I got to, Molly. You can leave through the back door. Why, folks come to think I was a coward. Who would think? Always said so. I couldn't hold up my head again among enemies or friends. Nature is a higher courage than fear of... That's why I'm shown. That's why I'm shown it and going against yours. What if you know... It's not for the benefit of friends or enemies. Don't I owe my honesty something? What men say about my nature is not just merely an outside thing. Can't you see how it must be about a man? I can't, too. I can't. If you go out, Earl, for you and me. You'll disappear. You came to save a lady, man. Well, I'm perfectly able to take care of myself. I don't need your help. I'm leaving for Vermont right now. Get going, driver! This is no time for talk, ma'am. You're after drowning this creek if you don't hurry. Positive. You better jump into my arms. Well, only until we get to shore, you understand. Sure. It is kind of a day. And I should love it. You're a gentleman. Come Christmas time in those last crowded hours of shopping. What a satisfaction it can be to know that your Christmas cards were chosen long before with care and with pride because they're Hallmark cards. If you like your name imprinted on the card you send, tomorrow isn't a moment too soon to make your selections from the Hallmark albums. See them. Let them weave their enchantment around you. Light sparkling on the family Christmas tree, the little village church knee deep in snow. Yes, all the charm and excitement of Christmas as you know it and love it comes to you now in these delightful new Hallmark creations. Look for them in the friendly store that features Hallmark cards. The quality store that serves you the year round assures you of social correctness. Stop tomorrow. Have your name imprinted on Christmas cards with the Hallmark on the back. It tells your friends you cared enough to send the very best. Here again is James Hilton. Thank you, MacDonald Carey, for your fine portrayal of the Virginian. Well, it's a great story, Mr. Hilton. I can't think of one I'd rather appear in for my first visit to Hallmark Playhouse. But not your last, I'm sure. Oh, thanks. By the way, I understand you're also in line for congratulations for your new daughter, Elizabeth. Right, sure. She's just three months old now. Not old enough, I'm afraid, to be a customer for your Hallmark dolls, but my other daughter, Lynn, is three years old now and just right for them. Fine. Then we have a Hallmark album for you. Oh, and by the way, I'd like to tell Frank Goss that my wife and I were especially conscious of Hallmark when we received so many baby congratulations cards from my friend. That's wonderful, Mac, and thank you. Now, Mr. Hilton, will you tell us about next week's show? Next Thursday, we have that charming young star and blithe in Let the Hurricane Roar by Rose Wilder Lane, a story of two adventurous people deeply in love who face the perils of the Dakotas during the early days. It's a thrilling and romantic story that everyone in the family will enjoy. Our Hallmark Playhouse is every Thursday. Our director producer is Bill Gay. Our music is composed and conducted by Lynn Murray, and our script tonight was adapted by Jack Rubin. Until next Thursday, then, this is James Hilton saying, Good night. For Hallmark cards that are sold only in stores and have been carefully selected to give you expert and friendly service. Remember, Hallmark card. McDonald's carry is currently being seen co-starred with Wanda Hendricks and Claude Reims in the Paramount Pictures Song of Surrender. This is Frank Goss saying good night to you all until next week at the same time when James Hilton returns to present Let the Hurricane Roar starring Anne Blythe and the week following Edmund Gwynn and Dr. Sarah Cole and the week after that, Colonel Effingham's raid with Charles Colbert on the Hallmark Playhouse. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. This is KMBC, Kansas City, Missouri. Stay tuned for Earl Smith and the news following this announcement.