 Remember a hallmark card when you care enough to send the very best From Hollywood the makers of hallmark reading cards bring you Elizabeth Taylor in Zoey Akin's morning glory on the hallmark playhouse 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 novelists mr. James Hilton Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is James Hilton tonight on our hallmark playhouse We present a dramatization of a deservedly popular play written by that very fine American playwright Zoey Akin's who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1931 Our play is morning glory and it handles with great sympathy and discernment the theme of a young girls dreams and ambitions Now the dreams and ambitions of youth are both tough and fragile They can be handicapped by early success as well as by failure and their ultimate success is part of the general problem of coming to terms with life itself These are among the many interesting angles of miss Miss Akin's story and its title morning glory Well suits the freshness with which the whole subject is approached In a play like this an extra special something depends upon the actress who takes the chief part and for this reason We are especially lucky in having with us miss Elizabeth Taylor and now Frank goss haven't you something 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 Zoe Akin's morning glory and starring Elizabeth Taylor To all actors the name of Louis Easton Broadway's top producer is magic and this day he is casting a new play His outer office is filled with hopeful aspirants some old some new and the inevitable young actress with stardust in her eyes Your Robert Hedges the great actor aren't you I knew you right off may I sit here next to you I of course young lady mr. Hedges I want you for my first friend in New York my name's Eva lovelace. It's partly made up and partly real It was a to love love is my family name. I added the legs Charming you like it or would you prefer something shorter a shorter name would be more convenient on a sign still evil lovelace in Camille or Evil lovelace in Romeo and Juliet sounds very distinguished doesn't it? Agree wholeheartedly you see I don't want to keep my family name because I should probably have several scandals while I live and Well, I don't want to cause them any trouble until I'm famous then nobody'll mind That's why I must decide on something at once while there's still time before I'm famous Don't you think there's something very charming? Something that just suits me about Eva lovelace. It fits you beautifully Very beautifully and you speak so beautifully and I know I speak so nondescriptly Would you be my dramatic teacher give me a lesson every day right off, but I'll pay you not at once because I Well, I only have enough money for for a certain length of time and Another thing I must have a teacher that believes in me unequivocally. What? Unequivocally, do you mean unequivocally? Yes That's it Missy, you see those are the sort of things. I've just got to learn I'll give you and I owe you after every lesson and when I begin to make money I'll buy back the slips of paper. Let's start today. I Better think it over my dear. Oh wonderful. Then you will be my teacher. Did you ever know Ellen Terry? Yes, it was a long time ago. Was she very very lovely. Yes The very loveliest thing I ever saw in all my life. Oh, I've always known she was Did you ever see Sarah Bernhardt? On stage and off Many times more wonderful than Ellen Terry. They were both wonderful Bernhardt broke your heart Ellen Terry mended it. Oh I suppose I shall never be wonderful Not wonderful like them But but I've something very wonderful in me. You'll see you'll help me with all the great parts lady McBeth Juliet clear Patrick. Well, hello Bob hedges. How are you? Oh fine feeling fine again? Thank You mr. Eastern I'm sorry the part we have for you isn't too big Bob, but don't worry one of these days I'll be producing Shakespeare again. Oh, please do mr. Eastern. Hey, who are you? This young woman mr. Eastern is a pupil of mine. She's anxious to become an actress really I didn't know that young women anxious to become actresses ever took the trouble to learn. How what's your name? Eva lovely you like it. I could change it if you don't. Oh, it's charming my dear Bob go into my office and sign your contract. Thank you If there's one person in the whole world, I prayed particularly to meet it's you mr. Eastern Well, thank you. Have you had much stage experience? Oh, yes in Franklin Vermont. That's my hometown I starred in the little theater. Oh, I play all sorts of parts Hedder, you know Ibsen said of course the old woman in Singers riders to the sea and kitty inshores You never can tell George Bernard Shaw Of course the one and only There will always be a short play in my repertoire as long as I remain in the theater Of course, I expect to die at my zenith My star shall never set. I've sworn that Have you read Mona's new play the golden bow now look miss I own that play miss Rita Vernon will star in the golden Oh, but mr. Eastern she could never do justice to the part. I wouldn't worry about that if I were you I heard what she said about Rita Vernon doing the golden bow. I agree with her This rude fellow is Joseph Sheridan. I'd fire him this moment only happens to be a good writer and this beautiful girl with a beautiful mind Eva Lovelace Mr. Eastern will you let me play the golden bow when you put it on if miss Vernon isn't satisfactory yet Really, I can't afford to money's nothing to me. Absolutely nothing I could have married for money if I'd wanted to Edwin Talbert son of W. E. Talbert one of the richest men in Franklin Vermont wanted me to marry him. You've heard of W. E. Talbert the chow-chow king they call him Why don't you let her read the part anything had been improvement on Vernon miss Lovelace if there's anything I can do for you at a Future in the play you're casting today. There's nothing for you. Sorry. Let's go Joseph. There's lots of work to be done Good day, miss Lovelace. I know you're a better actress than Rita Vernon. Thank you, mr. Sheridan. I quite agree Oh, mr. Eastern. I'm so glad I met you I've always reverenced you for the fine things you've done in the theater Girls a character. I think she's got something. I like it. She's got nerve She do for that bit in the last half heavens. No, well, we'll probably never see her again. I Wonder hey looks like a hit. How could you miss with miss Rita Verna? You know what you're talking about. Oh Joseph if you tighten the second act a bit that would play better I'm gonna write you a play in pantomime, and I won't be forced to listen to your own my lines Oh, look, this is supposed to be a celebration having a party tonight at my apartment for the entire cast and say Isn't that that character Eva Lovelace sitting inside that broken-down restaurant? I yeah, it is I think I'll go in and talk to stop wasting your time Joseph. Come on. There's my car I'll see you later. Remember me miss Lovelace. Why of course your Joseph Sheridan the writer Bob Hedges tells me that you show great promises and anxious Why did you stop going to him for lessons? Well, I I've been very busy things have been looking up for me something wonderful Well, I'm glad things are going well for you You know, I've been worrying about you. Well, there's no need for that, but thank you Well, I've got to be running along now. You're not going out in that thing coldness rain cold Oh, I like to feel cold it makes me feel strong. I shouldn't like to go about swatting first unless they're sables Come on. I'll take you home What do you live? Well, isn't that stupid on me? I I just can't remember the address You see, I just moved I didn't like the quarters. I was in sure Sure, I know exactly how it feels I've been through it myself Can you use some money? What mr. Sheridan did you think I move because of course not miss lovelace Do you mind if I call you even I Adore it mr. Sheridan Well, now that we're good friends, uh, would you would you come with me to Lewis Easton's party tonight? Oh, I couldn't Yet it would be wonderful to see him again sure and When the party is over, I'm gonna say to it that you'll get a railroad ticket of a month You're going home evil. Well, you can't get hurt. Oh, but I'm not going home Joseph. I'm going places Wonderful party mr. Easton everything interests me That's why someday I'm going to be a great actress because well because I look around and absorb and understand Well, if you'll excuse me, I never forget this night. Don't go away Lewis. This child is too too amusing You've been to a party before haven't you? Oh, yes, miss Vernon But if my friends in Franklin Brevant could only see me here with all these famous people like yourself and mr. Easton, oh, it's really not as wonderful as all that. Oh, but it is Oh, I love your party and I love New York. I love to walk and walk and Look and look Now in Franklin if you walk and walk you get way out on a country road where there's nothing but big trees and fields And yet. Oh, I don't know There's something about it about those fields It gives you a feeling of being great and lonely. I I feel it now Right here in my heart. I Tell you I know I know I know I'm a great actor. Please please be quiet This is hardly the place or time for an audition. Oh, but it is Lewis. Listen everybody mr. What's your name dear Eva Eva lovely miss lovely has kindly consented to perform for you She's a great artist and positively will astound you. I predict a great future for this little girl What do you do best thing? Done imitate wild and cut it out reader. You're not being very amusing really come on evil. Let's get out of here No, Joseph miss Vernon asked me to perform. I shall oblige her and miss Vernon I can imitate a cow moo and a dog bar Oh, please miss lovely turn out. I believe it's one light on my face and you you listen Listen, I tell you where for odd. Oh Romeo deny thy father and Refuse thy name Or if thou wilt not Be but sworn my love And I'll no longer be a capulet Shall I hear more shall I speak at this? It is but thy name that is my enemy What's in a name That which we call a rose by any other name would smell a sweet So Romeo would were he not Romeo called Retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title doff thy name and For that name which is no part of thee Take all my yes Joseph beautiful Childishly beautiful impossibly beautiful In just a moment James Hilton will return to present the second act of morning glory But say what are you reading there Elizabeth Taylor? Let me read it to you. Mr. Goss. She looked just like a princess, too But it was understood. She didn't always act the way a little princess should Like when she drew a picture of her teacher on her slate and they got awfully mad because she had to stay in late Oh, I know who that is. It's Amy the part you play in MGM's new movie little women Say wasn't that one of the new hallmark little women dolls you just read that verse from me? I see it Here you are. I didn't see a pretty little thing. Look at this gorgeous plume in her hat Yes, see how she stands up and the back is just as pretty as the front You know, mr. Goss an artist came right on the set and sketched me in costume while we were making little women Sketched all the girls didn't they yes Janet Lee June Allison marketer Brian and myself You know we each autographed the dolls whose part we played it's been fun for all of us And we're so pleased about the dolls. We know they're going to make so many children. Yes They'll make wonderful gifts and you can mail them just like greeting cards I've already sent them to loads of my friends later on Elizabeth I'm going to tell all our listeners more about these beautiful hallmark little women dolls But now it's back to the hallmark playhouse for the second act of morning glory starring Elizabeth Taylor Eva was something new something different Impressed by her obvious adoration of him. He sent her flowers intimate notes and invited her to dine with him Now a month later in his office Louis Easton talks to Joseph Sheridan while Eva waits impatiently to see him in the outer office. I Can't help it if she's infatuated with me I didn't ask Eva Lovelace to fall in love with me now do me a favor get rid of her Decent thing would be for you to tell yourself. I haven't the time. I'm leaving for London on the afternoon plane I don't want to see her again. Well, how do you suppose I go about telling you're a writer dream up something anything There was anything I could say I'd say it but with her come on. Come on. She's just another girl. I don't think you understand What do you mean? I'm in love with it. I'm sorry Joseph. I didn't know it's all right Too bad she fell in love with the wrong man I suppose as soon as she begins to look at things sensibly better. It'll be I'll make her understand. I Hope oh, thanks Joseph. I'll call you from London keep the home fires burning and for heaven's sake don't get any arguments with Rita Vernon Stop rehearsing golden bow back in time for the opening Send miss Lovelace Hello, Joseph. Where's Lewis? Please sit down. There's something I want to tell you will he be gone long Freight so how wait for him We're going to do wonderful things together Lewis and I sure Strange how it all happened It seems as if it was only yesterday. I was alone and frightened Life suddenly become very different for me. I Wonder if you understand I think so It isn't because he's in the theater or because he's an important person and can help me Eva Eva Lewis is kind of London for three months. Did he Did he leave any message for no not even a goodbye. No, it doesn't matter really Joseph He'll write me an explain. I wouldn't count on that If I were you I'd forget I ever met a man called Lewis Easter. How can you say that? I love him He loves me And what does it matter if he never writes? Three days three months three years forever. I'll wait for it Young too young to know what it's all about Easton is wrong for you. I know what my heart tells me If you won't listen Let me help you. I Don't need your help Joseph Mr. Quickly, I'm Eva Lovelace. I'd like to read the part of Queenie for you Eva Lovelace I've never heard of you get yourself a reputation first and then come around and I'll talk to you You've never worked in burlesque before have you know and you can sing and you can dance. Can you know sir? Why don't you go home kid? Where you belong? I'm afraid you're not the type I haven't got a job for you, but when jeet last thank you Hey get some water somebody this gets fainted for almost three months and now I found you you're coming with me He's Lewis back from London. Oh, I'm so glad to see you. Let's get out of here. I can't Joseph I can't walk it on mr. Perluso. He was kind enough to give me this job When will Lewis be back look? I have a job for you in golden bow. It isn't much But you'll be general understudy to the whole cast it'll be great experience for you and you have your foot in the door And I'd be near Lewis I'll be the best understudy in the whole world. I Haven't say great to be reasonable there won't be any curtain Lewis unless you rewrite my contract won't get away with it That before either you meet my demands or I don't open tonight now get out Easton you too Joseph Easton listen, I've got the girl who can play Rita Vernon's where is she in her dressing room? She's general understudy. You mean to say you take a chance on an understudy on opening night this girl. Yes. Are you crazy? Who's the girl friend of yours Eva Lovelace? Joseph, I don't know whether I can go through with it. I'd be terribly frightened if I knew Lewis were watching You've got to forget Lewis Easton listen Joseph I wanted to kill myself when I didn't hear from him. I Didn't see any reason to keep on I Couldn't make good. I did all sorts of things trying to pretend to myself. It was all sort of a joke Just experience That I'd make up for all of it by being wonderful someday. You will tonight darling. Yes, but suppose I'm not wonderful Then everything's gone If I can't act there's nothing left Because even if he came to me now on his knees it would be too late That's the tragedy And I don't think I can act Joseph and even if I can what does it matter? Oh, but it matters a lot Eva It's the chance. You've always dreamed of it's your life You're right. Of course It was silly the way I just talked I'll give a performance tonight that'll make you proud of me This is your dressing room even you were superb Magnificent Lewis I've waited Waited for you. I know There's something I must tell you about us About you and me. I'm sorry for the way I behaved Let's not talk about that, please It's going to be so much more wonderful now You'll be so proud of me really you will and I can be so wonderful for you You're in my heart Listen either you You must put me out of your heart. I don't belong there I'm not the man for you. I never was You don't belong to any man You belong to Broadway the theater bright lights From now on You're under my professional wing That's all I understand But I can make you the biggest fathered Broadway's ever known You've got to keep your head and work hard come in. It's not going to be easy doing the same job night after night That's why you mustn't take too seriously. The people are going to be running after you're telling you what to do If you want to go on Eva Keep your health your money your head Hello Joseph nice speech Lewis The press is waiting to interview the new first lady of the theater and I mean it Eva. I'll talk to them first See you later words mean so little once I thought Lewis loved me and that I loved him That seems awfully long ago. You always been so good to me Joseph some day out I'll tell you why you must rest Joseph I I'm frightened Terribly frightened. Why darling? This is your day and tomorrow The day after in the years to come Darling, you'll be the greatest. I know what I know. I've grown up Joseph. I see what's before me Lewis Easton tried to frighten me into being sensible But he didn't worry I Know the road I'll work hard harder than anyone's ever worked before You see Joseph I don't want to be a morning glory a Flower that fades before the Sun is very high I'll be everything you ever wanted me to be I Promise you I Promise you in just a moment But now here's what I promise to tell you about hallmark little women dolls the newest addition to the famous hallmark doll collection Little women dolls are in full color costume with real feather plumes in their hats They're eight inches high and stand up all by themselves Each doll has a clever verse that tells all about her and is autographed by the star who played her part in the popular movie little women Hallmark little women dolls are only 25 cents each or it's a dollar for the entire set of four in a colorful permanent portfolio By hallmark little women dolls at the friendly store where you find hallmark reading cards some little friend will love you for them And now here again is James Hilton I'd like to speak for every member of the hallmark family when I tell you miss Elizabeth Taylor That your presence on the hallmark playhouse this evening was a very happy occasion for us. I enjoyed it too, mr. Hilton I'm very happy to come and go better acquainted with you and with all the hallmark family Since now I'm one of you and one of the very prettiest too. Don't you think so Frank? Oh, yes, mr. Hilton It's going to be a real pleasure for children to collect little women dolls when they realize that miss Taylor posed for one of them And I'd like to remind our friends that the great American classic little women by Louisa may Alcott is being shown in motion picture Houses around the country You'll see the inspiration for the hallmark dolls when you see the stars who make little women one of the finest motion pictures in Years you'll see Elizabeth Taylor Margaret O'Brien June Allison and Janet Lee as the little women look for it at your local theater Thank you all for inviting me here tonight And I'd like to thank Gerald Moore who played Louis Easton and Tony Barrett who played Joseph. Good night, ladies and gentlemen Good night, miss Taylor, and we'd like to have you listen to us next week when we will present that warm and very moving human story of American life Hartzell Spence's one foot in heaven Starring George Brent and the following week Christopher Morley's kitty foil starring June Allison And after that James Thurber's great baseball story, you could look it up starring William Frawley Our hallmark playhouses every Thursday. Our director producer is D Engelbach 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 Look for hallmark cards that are sold only in stores that have been carefully selected to give you expert and friendly service Remember hallmark cards when you care enough to send the very best This is Frank Goss saying good night to you all inviting you next Thursday and every Thursday between one half hour earlier I listened to the adventures of KC prime photographer followed by the hallmark playhouse This program came to you from the hallmark playhouse