 Remember a hallmark card when you carry enough to send the very best Tonight from Hollywood the makers of hallmark greeting cards bring you John Hodyak in Robert Pinch's the desert shall rejoice 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 our dramatization of a play with a wonderful title the desert shall rejoice a Title which the author mr. Robert Finch took from that wonderful passage in the Bible The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them and the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the rose Mr. Finch wrote much for the theater, but nothing more appropriate for this time of the year than the desert shall rejoice It is indeed a portrayal of the Christmas spirit against the colorful background of our own America And I think you'll find its chief character Nick is one that stays in your mind as strikingly as it will in mind And we're additionally privileged to have starring in this part one of Hollywood's most interesting and forthright young actors John Hodyak Now Frank Oz may we have a word from you for a Christmas greeting your friends will long remember Make your selections now from the complete hallmark collection on display at the friendly store where you buy hallmark cards Whatever your taste whatever your budget you'll take special pride in sending hallmark cards And on the back of everyone is the identifying hallmark that says you cared enough to send the very best Hallmark Playhouse starring John Hodyak in Robert Finch's The Desert Shall Rejoice Some miles out on a highway through the Nevada desert is Nick's place a small and lonely tourist camp It's Christmas Eve and the owner Nick Catapulte has just finished installing a huge electric sign in the shape of a star Above the main building at the moment. He's viewing the result. I Don't get it Break my back getting this sign on the roof I spend a whole day putting 700 bulbs in it. It cost me 500 bucks And it doesn't work. Are you sure you put the switch on Nick Rosa be still stay out of this and that singing back there isn't helping any Weren't for you. I wouldn't be having this trouble Me did I put the sign up that I connected? No, but you talked me into buying it I wanted to buy a small sign it would have said Nick's place cabins for tourists Nick Catapulte prop proprietor Cafe in connection, but no You had to have a 20-foot star without even a word on it. Why do I listen to you Nick? I still say Why don't you turn the switch on? If that doesn't work then call on an electrician Rosa for five years We've been married for five years. I fixed everything around this place without your advice leave me alone. Oh Nick It's Christmas Eve our stars got to work. It's not our star. It's your star. So you make it work Well, Nick, I'm sorry. Well, that won't help the sign get fixed Try everything nothing works Let's forget it Nick Nick you you got to find the way to fix it I want everybody in the desert to see it lit I want everybody to know that Nick and Rosa is celebrating Christmas. There you go again Can't I ever make you understand how much I hate Christmas? What's that a celebrate? We got stuck again. You don't really hate Christmas. Oh, I love Christmas I'm celebrating Christmas. Didn't I just give a guy a present of 500 bucks for nothing? Why do you carry on like this? You're a good man. I know you got a kind heart. I don't understand every day in the year you behave But on Christmas, there's no living with you. Come on. Let's go inside. It's freezing out here. Senor You are the owner of this place. That's right. What can I do for you? My wife and me would like to rent a cabin Please senor we have money a little I can't help you the cabins are all filled please My wife is very sick You must help us. We only got so much room and that's all We have walked for miles and miles to get here senor My wife just cannot walk anymore Where is your wife down the road? Resting on the sand this business about walking through the desert. What happened to your car? It broke down It is Very old senor and not so good anymore So we'll leave it And the wall are you sure your wife is as sick as you say she is My wife is very sick. Okay. You got yourself a cabin. Go get your wife We're gonna make somebody move Nick. There's something like that. We're giving them our cabin. Oh Senor Nick, you're a good man. You'll get your wife before I change my mind Senor On your wasting time. You said your wife was sick Nick what a fine thing to do on Christmas. What's Christmas got to do with it? You know the rates are three dollars a night cash before you move in This is a new room We do not have the three dollars go on go get your wife. Don't worry about the money Gracias. Gracias senor What's your wife's name Maria? I am Jose Santos. I go bring my Maria The next time Rosa, I'll run my own business You know Nick the size of a man is the size of his heart You don't fool me. You're a big man Nick He said his wife's name was Maria and his name was Jose. He said that didn't he? That's what he said Come on move out of our cabin Nick What does Jose and Maria mean to you two people that are broke named Jose and Maria? Jose and Maria Joseph and Mary now don't start getting a pipe dream. I talked to Jose has two hands to Feet and he isn't what you think he is and you gave them our cabin I've such a funny feeling inside of me as If this will be a night we'll always remember. What are you expecting Rosa a miracle? I don't know Maybe when your miracle arrives order me a new sign one that works. I'm going inside and Rosa Tell the people in cabin for that if they don't stop singing that hogwash. I'm gonna throw them out What are you doing out on your shirt sleeves on a cold night like this? You said it mister It's none of your business Look brother. I don't have to serve you go on and beat it. Oh wait a minute. I didn't mean to be fresh You can still beat it. No way to treat a customer. Give him his coffee Thanks, lady. I don't like his looks and I don't want his business There's nothing wrong with this boy that a little warmth wouldn't cure give him a break Why should I how do I know he's got a nickel to pay for the coffee and if he hasn't? You've given away plenty of coffee to people who needed it. What's your name? Dusty See you've been traveling a long ways It's been hard, hasn't it? Pretty bad. There's your coffee Dusty, why don't you have supper with Nick and me? We don't have anything fancy, but it's Christmas And you do us a favor if he shared with us And don't worry Nick won't bite you. He doesn't mean what he said and no tanks. I can't I oh come on Don't be embarrassed. I said a place for you. I can't eat with you. I don't want to eat with you Lovely boy. Come on drink your coffee and get out There's your Christmas spirit for your Rosa give a guy a helping hand and you'll always get a kick in the face excuse me I I'm just so tired. I can't think I'm grateful to your lady honest. I am and Mr Christmas means an awful lot to me. You're so tired You can't think you haven't got a coat on your back and you look as if you haven't eaten in a week How can Christmas mean anything to you? Why don't you ask yourself? What can it possibly do for you? I? Don't ask Christmas to do anything for me It's me that wants to do for Christmas You see Christmas gives me hope and the Feeling that I can do something for myself More important than that. It means given to my family Giving them presents and looking at their happy faces when they receive them without the presents. They're pretty unhappy, huh? That's what I call real love look mister. You've got a blank spot a little faith wouldn't hurt you You're a guy who could really use Christmas. Why so I too could wind up without a coat on my back. Nick listen to dusty He's right. You're wrong. Pleased to meet you st. Dusty. Where do you park your wings? You don't know it, but you've just become part of Rosa's fancy miracle Nick. Maybe you're right I don't know Dusty. I never saw him before in my life But I only know goodness will come from him. What's the use come on Rosa? You ready for dinner? I'm ready Warm yourself by the fire dusty and mister when you finish your coffee leave your nickel on the counter A long time to finish a cup of coffee It sure does when you have a lot of things in your mind, and you don't know the answers Do you're thinking somewhere else? Hey, what do you got against me just that you've been here too long? Thanks for making up my mind boy. I Got a gun in my pocket. I have never used it before but I'm going to now if I have you gone crazy unlock your cash Register and hand over the money. I knew I was right about you. What took you so long getting around to this? Does it matter just hand over the money like I asked you said in true Christmas spirit Here $82 we worked hard for this I'll take $20 and five cents. It's nice meeting a cut rate stick up me. Say what you want Hand over $20 and five cents here Tell me what's the odd nickel for that's something you wouldn't understand Your wife ordered that coffee for me. I couldn't steal from her Here's the nickel would you like me to get the crying towel for you? That's just what I figured you'd say You ought to take time out and study your wife. You might learn to be a human being you're preaching to me interesting Rosa said you had goodness. She really believed I feel sorry for when she finds out what you are Would you like to face it you try to call her I'll kill you. That's what I thought And you've got your money. Why don't you beat it and while you're out of take the rest of my money You'll still get the same five years for it. What do you keep your car? I can't help you there somebody's using it Are you telling the truth no one's ever accused me of being a thief or a liar make up your own mind doesn't matter I'll get one from one of your tourists Before I go to something I want to tell you about myself. This isn't a confessional. I'm not interested You got to tell her for me that I'm sorry. I I never wanted to hurt her I Didn't even want to hurt you when I first come in that's very touching Desperate I have to have money All it keeps running through my mind is that I have to be home with my family for Christmas Mr.. I fought my way across that country. I got my brains kicked in by railroad dicks I hot my clothes to keep from begging and stealing I I slept in the open and there were times I was so cold I wish I was dead. I got this And I'm almost home You're gonna use my 20 bucks to buy the wife and kiddies of present you'd steal rather than walk in empty-handed Malachi I do anything in a world to make my wife and kid happy How happy do you think you'll make him when you're sitting behind bars for stealing their Christmas presents? I've gone this far I'm not turning back when you're on your own go on back to the cabins and wave your gun around a little You'll get your car. Go on beat it. You make me sick You tell her for me. I didn't mean to hurt her I'll tell her just what I think of you in my own way my own words. I'm leaving now Mister Don't stick your head out of that door. I'm no hero. It's the only head. I've got you and dusty time. Oh, he's gone Yeah He's gone. All right. Oh, he's thought I was a smart fellow Rosa But I'm not I can't understand how guys spend 364 days a year cutting each other's throats beating their wives stealing from one another and Rosa, I'm sorry for your sake that it can't be different on Christmas Before James Hilton returns to present the second act of the desert shall rejoice starring John Haudyac Here's a suggestion just in time for last-minute Christmas card buyers Pay a visit tomorrow to the friendly store where you buy your hallmark cards You'll find all kinds of hallmark Christmas cards that say what you want to say the way you want to say it Cards that express Merry Christmas in just about every way there is to express it with pictures of a jolly Santa Claus of Frosty evergreens and newly fallen snow with colors and designs as cheery as the decorations on a Christmas tree There are special hallmark cards to send to members of your family or to those friends who are so dear to you Cards to tell mother how much she means at Christmas time or for dad or wife or husband Sister or brother in fact every member of your family circle Here's one we like very much. It's the verse from a hallmark Christmas card entitled to mother and dad at Christmas Here's a pair of happy wishes both as loving as can be for a pair of perfect parents who mean all the world to me Merry Christmas. Happy New Year Yes, whatever your taste whatever your budget whomever you wish to remember You'll find hallmark cards that you'll be proud to send Card your friends and loved ones will be proud to receive too for when they glance at the back as you did and see the Hallmark they'll know you cared enough to send the very best Now back to James Hilton and the second act of the desert shall rejoice starring John Hodyak It isn't too much later that same evening Rosa has been told by nick what has taken place between him and dusty They are seated in their desert cafe as our scene opens Nick Did you ever know why I fell in love with you? I think so Do you think it was because you were handsome had a good job? Oh, it didn't hurt did it? I mean about my having a good job Nick One day I was in town And I saw a horse fall down and hurt his leg And I saw a man cry Because he was sorry for the horse And I asked What's that man's name? And they said Nick Caterpulli So I went home and wrote on a piece of paper Rosa Caterpulli I liked it So I married you Yeah, well, uh, what you didn't know was that I saw you before you saw me that day Uh, the only reason I cried was because I could see you were soft-hearted and full of sympathy I knew that was the only way I could get to know you so I cried Mm-hmm Anything you do good you always deny Nick, what are you afraid of? People people who can hurt you People you take to your heart and try to help people like you're dusty That's why we're living in this desert away from people Here we only meet tourists. They ride a cabin. They stay for a day and they go We never learned what's inside of them and we're never troubled. That's like running away from the world Not everybody's bad Even the worst person has some good Rosa Maybe I looked into your heart a long time ago Maybe I saw too much room there Maybe I'm selfish I wanted all to myself Nick this boy dusty You never call the sharer why? There's plenty of time for that you'll never call him because you're like me You'll forgive people their sins. You're wrong rosa. I'm not like you nobody steals 20 dollars from nick carapulian gets away with it That's three dollars. Oh nick. He said before he didn't have it. I told him not to worry. I Pay you part now The rest I send to you when maria and me get home. It's an old story around here. I've trusted people before I don't remember ever collecting Senior nick. I swear to you. I will pay you. That's what they all say settle with my wife. She's in charge of your deal It's all right. Jose whatever you can afford That's what you wanted me to say wasn't it nick I'll have it your own way Thanks, nick Jose sit down. I'll get you a cup of coffee. Hold it rosa. Let's settle something first That's how it started with dusty a cup of coffee. Oh, but this is different. How do I know? Mr. Santas until a little while ago. I never knew you were alive. I don't know who you are What I do know who rosa thinks you are That's because your name happens to be jose and your wife's maria. You've become another joseph and married to her But uh, don't don't get me wrong She doesn't think you're the original but you've become some kind of a symbol to her My wife and me We're just like Anybody else except maybe We're A little more tired now That's all Jose I I'd like to bring some broth to your wife. It'll make her feel better You are most kind senor. You still believe in your little miracle. Don't you rosa? Whatever you call it I only know that the coming of jose and maria will bring us a great deal of happiness Come on, jose. You'll never learn with you And outside looking up at your star Come on in fellas. It's a restaurant or something tourist camp And we've been on a trip to town and curly johnny and me has sort of vacation for one day Riding back to the ranch now. Hey, that's kind of a pretty star up there on your roof Look better if it ever lit We were riding along and we were just about to pass here when I spot that sign It was just a big star and it didn't say nothing on it The boys wanted to pass on but I said It's a mighty inviting star And buck come on in to invest together. Well, I have some coffee. Yeah, don't mind if we do Johnny I was just thinking. Yeah, what about All that stuff we bought in town what stuff? Oh them presents presents what presents when we was in town. We bought a lot of things None of us got nobody to give presents to and it was Christmas And we was looking for somebody to give them to and now that we're here There's nobody here needs presents. Don't you know any beautiful women? Ah, no, we're looking for somebody who needs them. What makes you so big-hearted? Why don't you spend the money on yourself? We don't need very much Besides This year we kind of felt we'd get a kick out of giving This is the first time we ever done a thing like this We don't know how to go about doing it You're coming to the wrong guy for advice Nick what's the matter rosa? Oh nick hurry calm down. What are you trying to tell me? This is no time to talk just call the doctor or what maria a baby maria a baby Oh, what are you waiting for phone the doctor? I'll go back and help her How about that? I guess we come to the right place after all we sure found somebody to give our presents to If you don't mind mr Kelly and johnny and me will hang around till that little old baby comes And the three wise men brought gifts Glad you're looking at that star mister. Well, how do you like this st. Dusty's back You sure went through that 20 bucks in a hurry. Oh, no I found a better use for it I'm going to give it to a friend Dear friend What kind of a routine are you giving me? I've been thinking that this 20 bucks will do you a lot more good than me How many sermons do I have to listen to from a stick-up man? The 20 bucks would have only bought presents for my wife Might buy you a whole new soul What's the matter No cynical remarks That I hit home Look, you stole 20 bucks from me and now you're giving it back. Does that make you a hero? Anything but I rate myself about the lowest guy that ever lived Aren't you worried about the sheriff coming after you? Yeah, I was worried But I'm not worried anymore I'm giving myself up. That's a miracle and we're overstocked on those today. Why didn't you stay gone? What did you come back here for to buy you 20 dollars worth of faith in humanity? Okay, you made your purchase and here's your change keep the 20 blow happy new year You sure are a hard boiled guy. I sure am As you go, why don't you leave your gun with me? I never had a gun, mister And if I had one, I wouldn't know what to do with it Something else For a man who says he hates Christmas You've got more heart than anybody I ever knew. Don't let it fool you. I never had a heart if I had one I wouldn't know what to do with it Well Thanks, mister I'm going home I'm merry christmas to you Yeah, isn't that dusty leaving? Yeah, it brought me a present. You returned the 20 dollars? Yeah, and he gave me something else How's maria? Oh maria's fine. She had her baby It's a boy that's figured and on christmas eve too I gotta admit that your miracles are sure stacking up against me. Nick. What was the present dusty gave you? Faith And maybe the first happy christmas I've ever had Nick Nick you believe The star It's lit There's some more of your miracle No, Nick It's not the lighting of the star. That's the miracle It's your finding faith That's the miracle, but the star it lit Nick you always were a stubborn guy. You'll never change believe me. It's no miracle It always works when you throw the switch on That's where you're wrong rosa It is a miracle the brightest star is still shining in the east Before james helton and john hordiac return I'd like to say a word about a wonderful gift that's waiting for you It's a hallmark date book so compact and beautiful. You'll want to carry it everywhere So useful that you'll always be referring to it every day of the coming year has a place in it with room to jot down Things to do that day and spaces for names and addresses of people to remember on important days Like anniversaries and birthdays there's even a section for your next year's christmas card list A reign so you can easily check the card you send and the ones you receive And this exquisite hallmark date book is your christmas gift from the friendly store where you find hallmark cards Better stop by for yours real soon. Everybody's going to want one Here again is james hilton Thank you john hodiac. That was something true and good and memorable We shan't forget it and for all of us in the hallmark family May we wish you the best of everything this christmas season and in the coming year. Thank you mr. Hilton At this time of year It's mighty easy to fall right in with a spirit of friendliness and fellowship that made christmas the great spiritual force that it is And I might say that you hallmark people are doing such a fine job of keeping this spirit alive with your cards Each time a person gets a greeting from a friend. It helps to spread the meaning and the feeling of christmas Yes indeed and we're delighted to have you with us. Please do come again Our hallmark playhouses every thursday our story tonight was adapted for radio by jack rubin Our music is by lin marie and our director producer is d angle buck Do you mind if I ask your audience to listen in particularly next week? Well, of course not john Because next week James hilton himself will tell you a great story The story of that beloved christmas carol silent night And how it came to be sung around the world In the following week mr. Hilton's own great book lost horizon Starring herbert marshall. Well, thank you john. So until next thursday then this is james hilton saying good night John hoodyak will soon be seen in the metro golden mayor production command decision This is frank gauss saying good night to you all This program came to you from the hallmark playhouse This is cbs the columbia broadcasting system