 Remember a hallmark card when you carry enough to send the very best Night from Hollywood the makers of hallmark greeting cards bring you Robert Young in Louis Brumfield's McClod's Folly 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 novelist mr. James Hilton Good evening ladies and gentlemen. This is James Hilton Tonight on our hallmark playhouse We are delighted to present another story by Louis Brumfield whose work has already proved so popular on our program Our choice for this evening is McClod's Folly a warm-hearted and clear-headed yarn about the exciting things that can happen in a small American town This is the kind of thing Louis Brumfield does so well He puts a firm finger on the pulse of American life and the result is always good entertainment with a real meaning to it Mr. Brumfield has been many things in his life nowadays, for instance, he does a lot of farming But in his early years he was a newspaper man And it's doubtless from his recollections and experiences of that colorful and tumultuous world that he drew some of his inspiration from a clouds Folly And we're especially lucky tonight in having in the starring role that very fine actor Robert Young And now Frank us. How about a few words 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 name on the back Hallmark. Well, that says you cared enough to send the very best Hallmark Playhouse starring Robert Young in Louis Brumfield's McLeod's Polly 1931 and prosperity was still around the corner Freight trains were crowded with men with aimless destinations and even more uncertain futures Each and every one obsessed with the same idea Somewhere in America. There must be a job A freight train near Blacksville a box car door slid open and a gaunt looking young man in shabby But well-cut clothes left from the speeding car Carefully dusting the cinders from his coat. He headed for town. I'm no employment agency Thanks for the key to the city. I was only asking for honest work work If one of you shift was tramps was faced with an honest job You'd break both arms to get out of it. I could do one of two things I could move along or I could paste you one if I move along. I don't know where I'll wind up At least if I paste you, I'll have the satisfaction of a job. Well done police Come on I've asked this man where I can find a job from which tree shall I hang? I'm Mrs. McLeod now come along with me. Thanks, ma'am There seems to be a little discussion here, and I'd kind of like to see it settled He talks fancy about wanting work, but he's a vagrant the tram you don't have to listen to this young man Just come along with me go on back to your newspaper office. Mrs. McLeod get out an obituary column Stick to something you understand. No stay here, Mrs. McLeod You have an obituary column. Well, I might have another name for you to add to it Come here, mister. You won't talk so fancy when you're in jail. I promise you that come along young man Everybody go home now the show's old. It doesn't look like it. Thanks for taking my parts But I've been in these mix-ups before now. Let's go up this side street The important thing for you to do is to keep out of sight. Why I didn't do anything wrong I merely asked where I could find a job. You'll be arrested as a vagrant It's an old habit around here 60 days is the usual sentence sometimes long 60 days Just for walking through Platt'sville by mistake At the top of the hill is my house Go to the back door and tell the housekeeper that Mrs. McLeod sent you She'll give you a good meal. You can have a bath and then hide in the wood shed and tonight you can get out of town The underground railway The slave escapes in the dark of night. You're reliving ancient history here in Platt'sville, Mrs. McLeod I thought the Emancipation Proclamation made all this unnecessary. I know I know He's come Sam Hildreth from the police force now get up to my house Oh, it doesn't matter. I'd run into some other arm of the law anyhow. Hey you Come here. Yeah Where are you going? No place in particular just walking then walk along with me. I've got a particular place for you What did I do you picked the wrong town to panhandle in really so you assume I was panhandling Have you got any evidence? Come on You're gonna be a guest to the city for 60 days So long Mrs. McLeod you tried hard Somebody ought to bring this town up to date. You know the bill of rights start hiking Richardson a lady here to see you Okay That's so talkative since you've been with us a couple of days We know just how to take the starch out of guys like you Hildreth have you ever lost your fists you lose your power speech Hurry back from your visit. I See you still need a little starch removed. Oh, Mr. Richardson. I thought maybe you could use this carton of cigarettes Hello, Mrs. McLeod You're just the lady I want to see You run a newspaper, don't you? Yes the shield and banner Oh, have you got a little item for me a little item, Mrs. McLeod? I'll give you a screaming headline First I'll give you the facts you can start off with a short description of this unsanitary cesspool. They call a jail Tell your readers how a lot of honest bewildered men are packed in here Livering every day on eight cents worth of stale bread bitter coffee and condemned meat Working in holes that even the rats have deserted. Let me tell you about a gang of us were put on sewer detail 38 days 22 more to sweat out with a crew like this the city can lay a lot of sewer pipe for free the city's not laying it This is Doherty's job Who's Doherty general contractor handles all city projects political boss of Plattsville. Oh He gets prison labor to do his job charges the city for their work and pockets the money Nice racket. Yeah Well racket as long as he can keep the jail full of honest man How does he get away with it? Don't people know what's going on? Look you you talk like a jailhouse lawyer Richardson Folks don't care as long as the jail is full of people. They don't know that's where you're wrong People always care about others when they know the facts. I Have faith in people Richardson have you forgotten the beating you took out on the street the people didn't beat me That was a political machine and I don't intend to dig sewers for any mr. Doherty in his political machine and I don't intend to see any more honest men doing it There's a real item for you Mrs. McLeod. I Can't print that mr. Richardson Why not you run a newspaper, don't you it used to be a newspaper when my husband was alive and running it Today a lot of folks call it McLeod's folly Jim wouldn't like the news we print now social items Obituaries weather reports farm doing then here's your chance to print something your husband would have approved Well, I've often thought what a powerful force my paper could be But I have no money and I'm not big enough to tackle Doherty Let me tell you a story a long time ago a man and his wife started out from Tennessee in a covered wagon They were going to make a long cherished dream come true Have a little orchard in Oregon Halfway across the Dakota territory their wagon was attacked by Indians and the husband was killed The woman managed to escape into the hills where a scout found her and took her to Fort Lincoln She had her choice of going back to Tennessee Or joining the next train that passed through headed for Oregon Now she had a whole family down south The wise thing was for her to go back, but she didn't She joined the next train for Oregon helped fight more Indians spent months of jolting over rough uncharted wild country She finally reached Oregon and planted that orchard She was happy You know why? That was the dream both she and her husband had shared and she'd made it come true Jim and I used to dream of having the most fearless and courageous newspaper in the Southwest Jim would have tackled a man like Daugherty. I understand. I was a newspaper man not so long ago I know when a story needs writing this one is going to be written by me and it's gonna be printed by me We'll work together Mrs. McLeod. I'll get all the information we need right here in jail There's an election coming up in three days Daugherty's machine is sure to be reelected But mr. Richardson at least we'll go down fighting you never can tell what people will do until after the votes have been counted Now here's tomorrow's streamer headline. What are the citizens of Plattsville going to do about it in subheads? What about the graft in prison labor and then hit them with this first line? Thanks for taking me off the city guest list mr. Daugherty. I See you're reading your morning edition of the shield and banner. Yes. Yeah, Philly's editorial Wonder who's doing mrs. McLeod's ghost writing. I wouldn't know but whoever it is certainly knows what he's talking about Yes, I was shocked when I read of the injustice being a court of the transgences who passed through our city That's why I ordered your release Richardson. You must have a lot of influence with the judge Well, naturally the court couldn't simply reverse its decision and let you go scot-free You'll be on probation for 60 days Just a trial period you understand to demonstrate that you're a decent member of society and a harm Mr. Richardson I admire your spirits this town needs men like you look Daugherty This couldn't be a move of yours to prove to the town what a big heart you have It might have become the living walking example that there is no miscarriage of justice in Daugherty's town It's a matter of fact It wouldn't be a bad idea for you to suggest that mrs. McLeod's ghost writer gets out an editorial to that effect I doubt whether I have your influence You know son, I'm the owner of the daily news mrs. McLeod's competitor How would you like a position on my paper as assistant editor? What would I write for you? Stories about how men are thrown in jail simply because they arrive in Plattsville without jobs. I'll put it plainly I had you removed from jail because I didn't want you didn't want to become a martyr to the people a hero I Don't like yours in or out of jail You don't want to play ball with me son take my advice be smart Don't play at all Daugherty, I've been looking a long time for a job And I finally found one I Think I'll like working for the shield and banner. It can be a very short-lived job Mrs. McLeod could be thrown into bankruptcy court tomorrow. I happen to be very close to her creditors. I see I Don't suppose the creditors would object if we printed little innocent items of local interest No, I think that would be continuing the policy of shield and banner very nicely You know, I I wouldn't like to see mrs. McLeod get hurt She's a very old friend of mine, and I I wouldn't like to see a man who's just starting a new job get hurt as long as it's a job He's starting and not to crusade Well, if you'll excuse me mr. Daugherty, I'll be going out to gather something interesting for tomorrow's edition Perhaps the ladies aid society could furnish me a choice morsel I'll be waiting for the next edition of the shield and banner. It's in fact tomorrow morning I'll even read that paper before I read my own Sit down. I've got to warn you about something If we continue our attack on Dorothy You will probably lose the shield and banner mr. Richardson Let me tell you a story about a man and a woman who left Tennessee in a covered way In a moment James Hilton will return to bring you the second act of McLeod's folly starting Robert Young, but first How easy it is to let an important date slip by unnoticed somebody's birthday somebody's anniversary Some other occasion for a thoughtful remembrance Well, that's why you will want a hallmark date book that's waiting for you now at the friendly store where you find hallmark greeting cards For you see this useful little book has a separate calendar page for each month of 1949 with a place for names and addresses of people to remember during that month, so you just can't forget There's also room beside each date for reminders of things to do that day whether it's attending a meeting or keeping an appointment And at the back of the book There's a convenient place for starting to compile your next year's list for sending Christmas cards Now doesn't this sound like a useful little book one that you would like to own? Just wait until you see how beautiful it is to with its lovely camellia on the cover. It's dainty pink and white pages It's exactly the right size to slip into your purse or to keep handy beside your telephone and remember this useful and beautiful Hallmark date book is yours without obligation Just ask for it at the friendly store where you find hallmark greeting cards Now back to James Hilton and the second act of Louis Brumfield's McLeod's folly starring Robert Young Things were humming in the dingy old building that housed the daily shield and banner Tom Richardson and mrs. McLeod had released the second blast against the Flatsville political machine despite door at his threat And now it was the day before election so little time and so much to tell Tom this is a great day for the shield and banner the phones have been ringing like crazy folks telling us that they're on our side People are interested all right, but have we reached enough of them to have any effect well today's edition should convince any die-hards Dory's been too quiet. He won't let us get away with it. This is the day. We've got to get through we've got to work fast Do you think my editorial is potent enough? It's dynamite Tom But will the people question that we have no proof or evidence against Dory we haven't time to gather evidence We can only present facts and hope the people will vote according to their conscience now Let's get this depressed tonight during the election parade will go right into Dory's camp I've got a hundred kids lined up. We'll flood the parade with the shield and banner extras Why were you I'd send those kids home? I don't think we'll need a hill earth This isn't the pokey you don't push people around in here announce yourself before you come in okay wise guy I'm announced now move aside. I'm taking over this paper. I'm the new editor Mrs. McLeod you're out of business on what it is of closed down But we're all ready to go to press the least you can do is let us run off our last edition Oh, no, I brought along my own staff Boys take care of the last edition That's figured that's the subtle dorky approach I'll get out of here both of them aren't you gonna take me back to your charming little guest house again Hildreth? No, what why don't you join the parade? Maybe I will okay boys. That'll do it Richardson be careful Remember your own probation. I'd love to catch you in just one little slip I guess you wish I'd never come to this town Mrs. McLeod. I was just a ridiculous woman running a ridiculous paper until you came along At least the shield and banner didn't die a slow lingering death You're a great woman Mrs. McLeod and a credit to the newspaper profession. I'm afraid I started a little late I have only one regret that the public didn't get to read that last editorial of yours You want to know something I hope but I never really thought Dordy would let us get that last edition out We're joining that parade tonight. The people will still know what was in that last editorial Personally handed to you by the editor say your papers getting a little thin isn't it Mr. McLeod looks like a handbill We ran it may start presses, but this one sheep will awaken the people Here you are mister old Dordy uses prison labor on his jobs for free Every time prison labor is employed someone in Plattsville is out of a job listen to him He tried to panhandle me on the street. He's nothing but a bum I'm working for the shield and banner post and be careful how you talk to me now Extra get your extra vote for Dordy and you vote for oppression get your free copy of the shield and banner You're a stranger here. Who you to tell us who to vote for wait a minute Even a stranger is allowed to talk you might have a point young fella, but can you prove what you say? I can prove it in this way When I came to this town, I didn't see any iron bars around it If the family has a vicious dog, they put a sign on the gate beware of dog There was no sign on the gate to this city beware of Dorothy and you need one I always thought a man was free to walk down There friends there's a fine example of the brand of democracy old Dordy dishes out Shut up. They took away our paper. They smashed our presses. They're tearing the handbills And now they're trying to gag us you got a permit to distribute those handbills Richardson I wondered when you'd get to that so now I'm a probation violator, right? And it'll be a pleasure having you back where I can give you my personal attention. Let's go come on break it up everybody Let us get Please mrs. McLeod, please don't interfere. I want it this way and so do I step aside Let us get through say mister you wanted proof doesn't look to you now like old Dordy believes me come on get in Looks to me like that young fella makes pretty good sense and I don't like the way he was pushed around Well, I don't like lectures from strangers why he's not even a member of our community I can remember when you came to this town and you were a stranger, but the town was different then it welcomed strangers What is a town but a collection of strangers who've become neighbors when when a baby's born? It's a stranger, but we soon learn to love it a Stranger looking for a new land discovered our country a stranger called Marshall Platt founded this city Yes, I would say Tom Richardson is a stranger And Richardson get to your feet it'll be easier for you to administer your love taps while I'm sitting down I'll do it my own way. Don't worry. You like it less standing Get to your feet Hello, but mr. Doherty, I caught him passing out handbills saying you were a crook and I thought it'd be a good I asked you to think oh look Richardson It's all a mistake. You're a free man free man. Nobody's free while you run this town. I may as well stay here Now look, we'll call off your probation and you can leave town. You don't have to ride a boxcar either now You're ready to leave. I don't think so. Do you know when you're late? I'm giving you the chance to leave through this back door No, you're just a might too anxious for me to go besides I've got no place to go to anyway I think mr. Doherty. I could handle this keep punching Hilrith. You're winning my fight for me Richardson leave through that back door, please I'll tell the people who's all a mistake in efficiency on the part of the police department. I'll hold a house cleaning That's a good idea except that the house cleaning should start with you I'll be sensible boy You came into this town looking for any kind of a job you can stay here be a rich man if you use your head You've been buying your way in this town for a long time now your money's no good anymore Maybe it won't even buy you a railroad ticket out. Oh, he'll read you cool You gave this man a chance to become a modern as a hero to arouse this town. This is the clouds all of a bill of goods They're gonna deliver this guy from jail Those people out there from doing something using the right that free men enjoy everywhere He bought schemed and powered his way into control of this town But you can remove him and his machine much easier and quicker by a simple process of election Many of you feel that as an outsider I Presumed too much by helping mrs. McLeod start a cleanup campaign But I've always had a belief in justice an idea that men were civilized a Feeling of pride that this country of mine was different from all others most of all I Felt that an honest man anywhere had the right to walk a street any time And not be molested And after tomorrow's election, I'm sure that honest man will again walk the streets of Plattsville With a new sense of freedom Neither did you mrs. McLeod. We all did it together People will always do the right thing when they know the facts. I Have faith in people for James Hilton and Robert Young return I'd like to tell you about the beautiful hallmark date book that is waiting for you at the friendly store where you find hallmark reading cards Those who already have there say it's just about the most useful little book They've ever owned you see every day of the coming year has a place in it with room to jot down things to do that day And a place for names and addresses of people to remember on important occasions like birthdays and anniversaries It's a little beauty to with its camellia decorated cover and its dainty pink and white pages Now all you do to get your hallmark date book is just ask for it. There's no obligation It's yours from the friendly store where you find hallmark reading cards Here again is James Hilton Whenever you have a tale by Louis Brumfield, you're guaranteed good reading and from our angle good listening and Whenever you cast Bob Young in the hero's role of a Brumfield story, you have something pretty close to perfection Thank You Robert Young for a splendid performance. Thank You mr. Hilton I don't know why it is but I always like to play the part of a newspaper man. Maybe I'm just a disappointed reporter Well, I'm a hero to my daughters anyway When they heard I was going to be on the hallmark playhouse. They said swell now you can bring us some more of those keen hallmark dolls So if it's all the same to you mr. Hilton I'll take my pay in hallmark dolls and remain a hero in the eyes of my most critical audience my family Well your wish will be granted and I want to hasten to add you're always a hero to everyone Whoever hears you on the air or sees you on the screen and now ladies and gentlemen I want to tell you of a treat. We have in store for you next week It's one of those stories that will surprise you called clay shuttered doors by Helen R. Hull and it stars that fine actress You've been hearing mentioned lately as a likely Academy Award winner miss Jane Wyman And the following week Christopher Moorley's great comedy drama par nasa sunwheels with that famous stage and screen star Ruth Hussie Our hallmark playhouse is every Thursday our director producer is D Engelback Our music is composed and conducted by Lynn Murray and our story was written for radio by Jack Rubin Ladies and gentlemen this weekend and every week helped to reduce traffic accidents Adjust you adjust your driving speed to road and weather conditions Pedestrians too should be extra careful. Remember accidents don't always happen to someone else It pays to be careful until next Thursday then this is James Hilton saying good night Look for hallmark cards that are so lonely in stores that have been carefully selected to give you expert and friendly service Remember hallmark cards when you carry enough to send the very best This is Frank goss saying good night to you all until next week at the same time When James Hilton returns to present Helen Hull's clay shuttered doors starring Jane Wyman and the following week Christopher Moorley's par nasa sunwheels starring Ruth Hussie