 Remember a hallmark card when you care enough to send the very best Tonight from Hollywood the makers of hallmark greeting cards bring you Ward Bond in Catherine Haviland Taylor's The Failure 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 The distinguished novelist Mr. James Hilton Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is James Hilton tonight on our hallmark playhouse We present a story called The Failure by Catherine Haviland Taylor now What is a failure who can rightly call himself one? These are the questions you'll probably ask and they are the questions that the writer intended you to ask since her story Asks them itself and I think when you heard it you may feel that her story could also and equally have been called the success It's certainly a success as a story and it's a heartwarming Chronicle of a plain man's life which might well be the life of countless plain men who never make the headlines There've been a good many stories about doctors But now I think which so stresses the humility and selflessness of the profession and we are happy to present in the leading role of The failure that fine Hollywood actor mr. Ward Bond and now Frank asked how about a word from you 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 Hallmark Playhouse presenting Catherine Haviland Taylor's the failure and starring Ward Bond My dear nephew Tonight I've been sitting here in my office and some long thoughts have been chasing themselves around inside of me Suddenly I found myself wanting to write them down When a man gets to be my age and the realization dawns on in that he's a failure And it's too late to do anything about it He starts poking around the ashes of years past Trying to figure out how it happened Just where the golden opportunities eluded and escaped him I've been sitting here listening to voices and words that were spoken a long time ago Words that were milestones and yet some of which I had completely forgotten And among them I realized now were the actual voices of beckoning success The day I got the papers that said I was a doctor one of the city's top surgeons sent for me I was feeling far more idealistic than practical as I sat there listening to him I have done a great deal of thinking about who I would like to happen as an assistant and as far as I'm concerned There's no one I'd rather have than you. Well, thank you, sir. That's that's very good of you But you see I sort of planned on going back to Pleasanton My father had a great many patients there. He was the only doctor in the town, you know And I've felt a certain responsibility since his death as a matter of fact I'm going to practice there this summer Pleasanton You mean to tell me that you're going to bury yourself in that one horse town for the sake of a charity practice Or you'll be an overworked underpaid hack and you won't contribute one thing to medicine Dr. What you'd better listen to me or one day you'll look in your mirror and see a man old before his time of failure It was late the next night when I got to Pleasanton. My mother was sitting up waiting for me I told her about Dr. Bartlett's offer. She didn't have much to say Well, son, you'll have to think it out for yourself. What's this box of walnuts on the desk mother? It will have be dropped those by this morning. He said it was part payment for opening the boil on his little girl's neck. Oh, I see Yes, come in Evening Eli My girl she burned herself spilled an oil lamp there pretty bad how much for coming out Eli How much will you pay 50 cents and not one cent more? All right. I'll be right with you These of that summer were busy Mentally, I had already begun to look upon my practice in Pleasanton as temporary And I hurried from bedside to bedside Trying to do as much as I could Against the day when I wouldn't be there to do anything How's their patient Aggy O'Brien? She's gonna be all right Oh, I'm tired. You got anything to eat. Oh, I got a nice pot of stew for you Well, who paid us off and meet Mark Peters for his mother-in-law's gallbladder Good for Mark Peters. Mrs. Ahnheim was by she said she'd drop by again tomorrow She had no business out of bed. I told her to rest She wanted to spare you the trip out there pretty hard for a woman with five kids to stay in bed She says if you can keep her above ground till next year when Molly's 14 Why then Molly can do for the kids Do they actually think that I can measure their time? Grant their request to stay alive until the kids can manage mom Do they think that I'm I'm God Some of them do and the ones that don't are pretty sure you have a speaking acquaintance with me I put them out in the coop Didn't know whether it was too late to knock or not, but I saw your light Oh, I was just sitting here thinking things over Susan said a couple of chickens wasn't much an exchange for a baby But we'll send some more down when we can that's all right doc I You don't know what a difference you've made in our lives just in these few months You're one of us you understand us But when you tell Rachel Carson, she's gonna be better. She believes you and she starts getting better Well, I'd better be moving on Susan will start worrying. Well, give her my love. I'll do that Night doc night bill. I know I'm weak And I hope you'll see your way clear to forgive me I've got to pass the opportunity by I've just got to stay here in Pleasanton who as I sat there That I was just going to plug along and end up a failure Mother died soon after that and then your father Jimmy and your mother and you came to live with me And of all the voices I remember it is your voice. I remember loudest and clearest Hey, what's going on out here? Well, that wasn't very nice was a Jimmy. Why did you throw rocks at a girl because she was a girl? Why want a case what company well, there's nothing I'd like better hop in You know something why when I grow up. I'm gonna be just like you I'm gonna cut people open and take other pains and sew them up again So you want to be a doctor just like you will make you a better doctor than I am we'll manage Vienna for you Jimmy Uncle Eli You're the best doctor in the world Well, suppose we just say that I'm the best doctor in Pleasanton outside of Pleasanton. I'm a Well, that's another story Jimmy That's another story The moment James Hilton will return to bring you the second act of the failure starring Ward Bond Sometimes in a moment of inspiration an author will write a phrase a sentence that illuminates his whole philosophy as though it were a flash of Lightning and this is the case with William Haslett the famous English literary critic Perhaps it was out of his admiration for the great dramatists of Shakespeare's time that Haslett one day wrote this simple But profoundly thoughtful sentence Words are the only things that last forever Certainly, it was a deep respect for words that made him write with such care that we still read his essays more than a century after they first appeared The makers of hallmark greeting cards recognize the importance of words Know that the effect of one simple greeting well expressed may last a lifetime And so they are as careful of the words they put into greeting cards for you to send as they are of every other detail Of they're making that is why whether it's Valentine's Day or any other occasion You will always find a hallmark card that says just what you want to say the way you want to say it See how true this is when you buy the Valentine's you'll soon be sending as you select them look on the back for the Identifying hallmark your friends will see it to and know you cared enough to send the very best Now we present the second act of Catherine havel and Taylor's the failure starting Ward Bond Yes, Jimmy Tonight I've been sitting here writing to you Sorting out some memories and some words that were said a long time ago At 12 Jimmy you thought I was the greatest doctor in the world At 16 you were telling me that the thing to do was to manage a practice But not to let it manage you At 17 you saw that I was a country doctor who would never expand And at 22 you were telling me how the big fellows did it At 22 you realized what I'd always known you must someday Well, don't misunderstand me uncle Eli isn't that I think you're a failure or anything But people have different ways of doing things now you have to keep up with the time Yes, I realize that and I do what I can Jimmy Say I have to write out in the country on a case. Would you like to come along? No? I've got some studying to do have a big exam coming up Jimmy. I can't tell you how very proud I am of you You're exactly the kind of a doctor. I dreamed of you being successful prominent prosperous Last month when I took Rebecca Kyle to your hospital in the city. I wanted to tell you that But it was a busy day for you Come in oh Hello, I like money. I brought in Rebecca Kyle Jimmy. Oh, yes operation scheduled for Thursday. Yes Thursday at 10 Jim, I'm sure she'd feel easier if she could talk to you before the operation Now look uncle Eli. I just took this case as a favor to you I have a lot to do before Thursday the car cases are very simple operation. Well, I know but there's a Psychological thing involved here back. He isn't any too strong and she seems to feel that she's not going to pull through it Nonsense I never lost a case like this in my life. Well, of course if you're busy I have a full week uncle Eli you coming to the medical association meeting well I'm going to try but Hilda Archer's baby has pneumonia and I have to be around considerable I guess you remember Hilda. She used to be Hilda Jones and she lived in that big house down on Elms Look, I'm afraid I have to run uncle Eli. I have lunch in an operation at two nice case and I get paid money It's nice stuff to have in the bank. Yes, I guess it is but some make it and some don't there are Compensations house Cynthia. Oh wonderful. She was asking about you last night. Oh, she's a nice girl Mm-hmm. She has just about everything a man hopes to find in the wife. Is it all set looks that way. Well, Congratulations, you're a lucky man. I Think so. Oh look now. I've got to hustle if I'm gonna meet Babcock on time Babcock the Babcock the one that wrote all those books on that's right. That's the old boy What Jimmy? He's been a hero of mine for a long time. What does he look like? Like a lot of other people say you might tell him if the opportunity presents itself And you think he'd be interested that his writings have meant a lot to one old country doctor I'll do that. I'll see you later, Uncle Eli. I'm sorry to have to run out on you like this, but you know how it is Jimmy I was glad that you were gonna have lunch with bad cock You see he was the one man. I had always wanted to meet more than any other On the way back to Pleasanton. I stopped and picked out a posey and sent it over to Cynthia As a sort of an engagement remembrance A few days later she came out to see me doctor what I can't I can't marry Jim. Oh I see Well, I'm sorry to hear that but if you can't you can't that's all there is to it I wanted to explain to you you see Jim hasn't any idea at all. What is important in life Everything you have he's missed everything. I have everything Friendship love admiration Sense of proportion a sense of values. You don't think Jim has those things. No When was the last time he was out here to see you? Oh now you must remember He has a lot to do at the hospital the people in this town are his people They don't seem to mean a thing to him Dr. Eli what is a human being Jim's a complete wash out of failure. Well Cynthia I don't know quite what to say Hello Yes, Jim Oh, she has I see all right. I'll come right in what is it Becky Kyle Jim wants me to go right down to the hospital Operation was a successor my charts have been satisfactory, but she just isn't putting up a fight Doesn't seem to have any will to live she'll die if something can't be done Where she may be just obsessed with the idea that she's going to die. Let me have a talk with her You want to come along? Hey, I said of course Becky it's dr. Eli Becky open your eyes and look at me Becky open your eyes That's better. No, no, no, don't don't close them. I want you to look at me. That's right You know It's mighty nice out in Pleasanton The lilacs by your house are coming out Ted fixed that board that was loose in the front steps The other night when I stopped by to see how he and Tilly were making out He was out in the kitchen trying to iron her dress Should have heard the language he was using over that iron No, he's coming in again tomorrow to see you How's my baby? I saw her this morning. She was crying for you when she cries. She won't eat That's right, but you see Becky we promised her you'd be home today You could have been sure the operation was a success you're just wasting your time lying here in bed now Haven't I always told you the truth straight out Becky I'll tell her back. Yes, Jimmy I've been sitting here thinking over a lot of words and what they meant to me as I listened to them and stored them away For future reference It was only a few days after Becky Hawkeye left the hospital That you asked me if I would attend the County Medical Association dinner with you I was very proud that you had asked me to go with you and I was sorry that I was late But Mary Smith's baby was born and it was a long and hard delivery I was surprised that no one had started to eat when I got there. I Stood in the doorway and then somebody pointed out a place to me It was at the head of the table. I thought there was some mistake, but I was hungry So I pitched in and started to eat you Seem hungry doctor, I am I haven't eaten since this morning, or I don't believe we've met my name is what I'm from Pleasanton My name is Babcock Babcock gentlemen as you all know this dinner is in honor of my uncle dr. Eli. What? In honor of what did he say yes in honor of you dr. What that's why we're here last month He saved the life of a patient of mine Becky Kyle Through the knowledge and use of applied psychiatry That was one case Through the many years of his life. He saved thousands of Becky Kyle's He's brought them into the world bound up their skinned knees Treated their dogs and their cats Sat by their bedsides loved them prayed for them wept over them Brought them hope and courage by just appearing when they were ill And many times gave them added years to live before he left I'm proud that I'm related to him just as every gentleman on this board must be proud to know him He's a fine and good man And in my opinion the most successful man amongst gentlemen Jimmy You do me far more honor than I deserve But thank you and God bless you for this moment I know it's late Cynthia, but I was just passing by and I wanted to tell you what has happened to me tonight Babcock was on my right Cynthia Babcock on my right. Oh come in come in Tell me all about it. I knew you'd want to know because Jim arranged it. It was a testimonial dinner Everyone in the County Medical Association was there and Babcock asked me if he could come and talk to me about a case Jim did it. Yes. He did Cynthia darling Would you like to give him a message for me? Would you tell him that I've changed my mind? Tell him that I think he might turn out to be something like you after all I'm on the strength of that I'll be very proud to marry him Will you tell him that I'll write it in a letter tonight. I'll put it all down just as you said it It was after two by the time I got home And as I sat down and started to write this letter the telephone This is Mike Siefie. Please could you come right over? The mess is bad There was ten miles ahead of me as I started my car But the thought of the miles didn't tire me as they sometimes did late at night I was feeling young again, and I I found myself thinking that with luck I could go on for a good many years longer I Looked up and the stars were bright and close through my windshield And I said to them as so many of my patients had said to me Just a little more time a little more time And so I arrived at Mike Siefie's went in to his wife's bedside It's all right now Mary Everything's gonna be all right now The doctors here And Jimmy as I stood there I suddenly realized that it was these words that kept me in pleasant in all these long years It was my patients faith in me that gave me faith in myself It was these words that had been telling me for so many years that I was not a failure But I'd never really heard him before tonight It's all right now Everything's going to be Jimmy May you hear those words Over and over Through all the days that you live in a moment James Hilton and Ward Bond will return But now I'd like to remind you that it's time to start thinking about Valentine's because Valentine's Day is only a little more than two weeks away You'll find so many different hallmark Valentine's to choose from it's easy to find just the right one to send every person Who is dear to you a Valentine that says just what you want to say the way you want to say it And here's a very special Valentine treat that hallmark has prepared for the youngsters. It's hallmarks make your own Valentine's They're so easy to make it's loads of fun and they're so beautiful children just love them in one make your own kit are bright red Cards lacy white panels tiny golden hearts and cute little figures to fasten on each Valentine a little bear a baby duckling a Toy horse eight different figures there's material for 16 Valentine's in this kit Which sells for a dollar or you can buy a smaller package of materials for only 50 cents Find hallmark make your own Valentine kits at the friendly store where you buy your hallmark greeting cards Here again is James Hilton as I remarked at the outset of tonight's play This story could appropriately have been called a success and now that you've heard it I'm sure you'll agree not only on that but also that our guests tonight mr. Ward Bond Certainly helped to make our presentation a thoroughly dramatic success. Thank you Ward Bond for a splendid performance my thanks to you Mr. Hilton every once in a while an actor gets to play the part of some character that is Particularly close to him the character of Eli Watt did that for me tonight Maybe it's because I'm a country bread boy myself But the doctor the country doctor is something that is tied up with the tradition of our country a part of a pattern of Living that is unforgettable He's had a lot more to do with keeping people happy than many of us realized While I'm on it so do your fine hallmark greeting cards in something of the same way They bring a lot of happiness and good cheer wherever they make a call on anyone Thank you mr. Hilton for inviting me tonight and thank all the hallmark people for me You're welcome anytime mr. Bond and may I add that next week? We have something rather special both as to our story and our star We shall dramatize the early life story of Abraham Lincoln from one of the literary classics of our time Carl Sandberg's masterpiece the prairie years and in the great role of Lincoln himself We shall present one of Hollywood's truly great stars Gregory Peck and The following week when we shall all be in a Valentine mood We shall present a memorable love story Smiling through with another great star Lou Ayres and the week after that We shall be proud to welcome Joan Fontaine in random harvest Our hallmark play houses every Thursday our director producer is D Engelback Our music is composed and conducted by Lynn Murray and our story tonight was adapted by Jean Holloway 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 in friendly service Remember hallmark cards when you carry enough to send the very best Tonight's story came to the courtesy of Mary MC Cooper who with John Ford produced the forthcoming picture Mr Joseph young of Africa Ward Bond can currently be seen in the RKO release Joan of Arc This is Frank Goss saying good night to you all until next Thursday when James Hilton will return to present Carl Sandberg's The prairie years starring Gregory Peck and the following week smiling through starring Lou Ayres and then Joan Fontaine in random Harvest The program came to you from the hallmark playhouse. This is CBS the Columbia Broadcasting System