 Ladies and gentlemen, the Railroad Hour. Here comes the star-studded Chaudhrey. Tonight, the Association of American Railroads presents the famous Victor Herbert operetta, Amor Selmo D., starring Gordon McRae and his lovely guest, Jane Powell. Our choir is under the direction of Norman Luboff, and our music is arranged and conducted by Carmen Dragon. Yes, tonight, another great musical success is brought to you by the American Railroad. The same railroads that bring you most of the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the fuel you burn, and all the other things you use in your daily life. And now here is our star, Gordon McRae. And good evening, ladies and gentlemen. In Victor Herbert's Mademoiselle Modisse, I play the part of an American student in Paris who falls in love with Pifey, the charming Mademoiselle Modisse who sells women's hats. And here is our Mademoiselle Modisse tonight, is the Pifey we all take our hats off to. The lovely singing star of the film, Jane Powell. Selmo D., she worked in one of the most fashionable hat shops in Paris. And whenever I was able to take time for my studies, I used to hurry to the shop to try and get a glimpse of her. This had to be done in the greatest secrecy. Because a great uncle of mine had promised my mother to keep an eye on me while I was studying in Paris. And his idea of keeping an eye on me was to keep me away from every pretty Mademoiselle in the city. The hat shop was owned by a Madame Cecile. And one day when I dropped by the shop with some flowers for Pifey, Madame Cecile said to me... Hey Robert, you're a nice boy, but you must not permit yourself to get too attached to Pifey. After all, she is a vicious woman and nothing will ever matter to Pifey as much as her career. Are you sure, Madame Cecile? After all, I wouldn't think a girl would want to spend all of her life in a hat shop. I have spent all of my life in a hat shop. Some day Pifey will be just like me. What do you mean? Well, Madame, I see Pifey in a small house. Cooking and sewing and singing to little girls who look just like her. You are too young to be singing of things like that. You should be free to do as you like. Well, that's always been my philosophy. I waited to see her. He was determined to fix things so that I would never see Pifey again. Good afternoon, your lordship. Madame Cecile said you wanted to see me. How can I serve you? Well, what is a charming girl like you doing in a place like this? I sell hats, monsieur. May I show you some? Well, suppose I ask you to model one and come to pee with me. What would you say to that, eh? I cannot leave the shop. There ain't working hours, monsieur. Well, how about after working hours? I have an engagement after working hours. With the gentleman? Oui, monsieur. He must be a very attractive gentleman. Sir, if you aren't interested in any hat, I must ask you to review it. Oh, I'm very interested in hats. Show me something that an attractive young girl might enjoy wearing in the morning. Oui, monsieur. What is a young lady's complexion? Very like yours. Oh? Well, then how about this model? Oh, that's enchanting. I'll take it. Now, about this gentleman you meet after work. Is he a young American? Oh, no, monsieur. He is an old Frenchman. Oh, how does this model strike you? Well, it's German. An old Frenchman? You are in love with an old Frenchman? In love? Oh, no, monsieur. He is my music teacher. Oh, you're a music teacher. But, of course, I'm setting to go on stage. Not the setting is ever likely to do me much good, will it? Well, why do you say that? Monsieur, I have neither money nor influence. And without one or the other, I am helpless. Tell me, what sort of roles can you play, mademoiselle Marie? Any role? Well, you have self-confidence. I'll say that for you. Monsieur, I will show you that I have more than that. While Fifi was having them wrapped, he slipped $5,000 into an envelope and addressed the envelope to her. When she returned, he said to her... The name of the lady who is to receive the hat is on this envelope. I want you to deliver them to us. Oui, monsieur. Fifi, you're back. I was hoping you'd be. Uncle, what are you doing here? Uncle, Robert... Good afternoon, Robert. I must say I am surprised and shocked after I expressly forbad you to come here again. I'm not a child, Uncle, and you're not going to tell me where I'm to go and who I'm to see. What is going on out here? What is all this motion? Madame Cecile, I love Fifi, and I want to marry her and take her away from here. You want to take her away? Robert, you will cease your attentions to this young woman at once. Or I will stop your allowance and cut you out of my will forever. Madame Maudite, you will have nothing to gain by trapping my nephew into this greatful alliance. He is not going to cut your nephew into anything. He is going to stay right here with me. Where will I find another Maudite like her? I tell you, I will not have it... No, no, no, no, I can't stand it any more. I can't stand it any more. You should come with me. No, Robert. You feel the count. I will not marry your nephew. You need not worry. I know that he can never marry a Maudite. So, there is nothing for me to do but to go away. Where will you go? I will deliver these hats for the clients, and I will not be back. I think you are making a wise decision, Madame Maudite. We'll find the address on the envelope. And I hope you attain your goal and become a great figure. Fifi, you can't leave me like this. You can. I love you. I'm sorry, Robert. I'm afraid there's no other way. The last two part, how great the sorrow To leave the friend-grown bond with years To know perchance set on the mall The American people have a wider choice of a greater variety of necessities, conveniences and luxuries than any other people have ever enjoyed. One of the important reasons for this is the American system of transportation. The backbone of that system is the great workhorse of American life, the railroad. Of course, we have other forms of transportation on land and water and in the air, but it is the fundamental service of railroads which makes possible the modern highway and the motor cars which use it, and also makes possible all the other newer ways of transport. Each one of these other forms of transportation is widely used, but no one of them, nor all of them together, can do for this country what is done day in and day out by its railroad. Only the railroads can and do handle anything movable, anywhere, at any time, in any quantity, and for anyone. They keep the products of our farms, forests, and mines moving to industrial plants and carry back the finished goods which our people use and enjoy in such abundance. Like most industries, the railroads operate most efficiently and most economically, when they operate most nearly to capacity. So the more freight that is shipped by rail, the more passengers who ride the trains, the better able will the railroads be to handle your business and meet the nation's needs in commerce and defense. That's why it's good business to do business with the railroads. Here is the second act of Mademoiselle Moudisse starring Gordon MacRae and his lovely guest, Jane Powell. The days, the months went by, and then a year, two years. I tried to tell myself I didn't care, but it wouldn't work. I saw her face everywhere, yet I could never find her. I wonder if Newbid is silly or stupid, or if the little rascal cannot see. For loving and wooing are all of his doing, and yet he makes it painful as can be. He mixes the stations, he changes relations for all your little steams he sets his snare. And though you have planned it and both understand it, he'll fix it so your sweetheart is not there. Now, Pee-Pee could have disappeared so completely. I didn't know she had become a famous singer under the name of Madame Bellini, and that she had come to see my uncle. I have come to repay a debt, Monsieur. In this envelope, with your name on the outside, you will find the money that you so generously loan me. Oh, and did you go on the stage? Oh, but yes. Didn't you know? As a matter of fact, I am singing tomorrow night at the Charity Bazaar. I am Madame Bellini. Singing at the Charity Bazaar? My Charity Bazaar? We miss you. Is this some trick of yours to see to Robert? Well, he'd be there. Now, see here, you ought to have nothing to do with Robert. I am no longer a modicine. My dear girl, Robert can marry only a woman of birth and education, a woman who is of my station in life. Oh, he could hardly marry you, Monsieur. This is no occasion for levity. I absolutely forbid you to make any appearance at the Charity Bazaar. Very well, Monsieur. But I think you are a selfish old aristocrat without a kind charitable thought in your heart. You couldn't keep your precious nephew. I wouldn't dream of marrying him. But Pee-Pee did come to the Charity Bazaar. I asked as a fortune teller, and I went to her to have my fortune told. She wore a mask and, of course, I had no idea who she was. What kind of fortune would you like, Monsieur? Well, what kind have you? Let me see your palm, and I'll tell you. Monsieur, I see blond, yes, and pretty. Oh, no, not in my palm, Madame Bellini. I have only loved one woman, and she... Yes? She's forgotten me. Monsieur, I see a great surprise for you. You're going to meet someone that you haven't seen for two whole years. Really? Someone who loves you the most away. A singer. Oh, dear. There's someone who hates her. My uncle. He's trying to keep you apart. He wants you to marry a title. No, no. I'll marry Mademoiselle Modisse, or no one. Through all the long, very months of the opera, he thought of you and dreamed of you. I wonder if he still remembers. Beepie. Darling, darling, it's you. It's really you. Yes, Robert. Oh, Beepie. Oh, oh, there's the soldiers. They've made me their mascot, and I promised to sing for them. I'm coming with you. I'm never going to let you out of my sight again. Oh, I hope you never do. Hey! Soldiers of France! Soldiers, I am honored to be your mascot. Beepie and I are going to get married, Uncle, and this time no one is going to separate us. Oh, are you prepared to cut yourself off from all your friends, as well as your family? I'll have her. You know, Uncle, you really did us a great favor by separating us. You showed us how much it means to be together. Well, young woman, it seems you've won, and I have lost. Oh, please, please don't feel that way about it. Scare our happiness for you. Well, that doesn't seem to be anything else to do, but to swallow my pride and wish you both happiness and withdrawal. I don't know, I always get so sentimental in the spring. Beepie. Well, this is Gordon McRae giving a big boat of thanks to Verna Felton and Joseph Kearns for their fine performances tonight. Madam is Elmo Deist with book and lyrics by Henry Blossom and music by Victor Herbert was adapted for radio by Gene Holloway. The railroad hour is brought to you each week at this time by the American Railroads. These railroads have many meanings for America. Deep and vital meanings. They mean essential, efficient, and economical transportation. They mean jobs, good jobs, not only for railroad men and women, but also for hundreds of thousands of others who make the materials, supplies, and equipment the railroads buy. And railroad mean taxes. Taxes which help pay for the education of your children and for the general public welfare. Yes, day in and day out, railroads play an important part in the growth and progress of your community. And that's why it's good business to do business with the railroad. And now, here again, there's lovely Jane Power. Oh, Janie, you know it's always a pleasure to have you with us. Oh, for me too, Gordon. I'm really beginning to feel at home around the railroad. Well, you should. You're certainly streamlined enough. Well, you're no snowflake either. Well, we'll be expecting you back week after next again, Janie, for our St. Patrick's Day program. George M. Cohen's Irish musical Little Nelly Kelly. Oh, I'll be here. Meanwhile, be sure to listen next week, Janie, because we're doing Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore. And our guests are going to be Kenny Baker and Lucille Norman. Oh, I won't miss it. Bye, Gordon. Bye. Well, it looks as though we're ready to pull out. And so until next week, goodbye. Moisele Maudise was presented by Special Arrangement with the Tams Whitmark Music Library. Jane Powell appeared by arrangement with Metro-Goldman Mayor, producers of Key to the City, starring Clark Gable, already young, Frank Morgan, and Marilyn Maxwell. Gordon McRae appeared by arrangement with Warner Brothers, producers of The Hasty Heart, starring Ronald Reagan, Patricia Neal, and Richard Todd. Our choir is under the direction of Norman Lubong, and our music is arranged and conducted by Carmen Dragon. This is Marvin Miller saying goodbye until next week for the American Railroad. And I'll keep tuned to your Monday Night of Music on NBC.