 Remember, a hallmark card when you carry enough to send the very best. Hallmark greeting cards bring you Dana Andrews in Fulton and Will Oursler's Father Flanagan of Boys Town on the Hallmark Playhouse. Tonight on our Hallmark Playhouse we present Fulton and Will Oursler's memorable story Father Flanagan of Boys Town. It's the story of a great man, of his faith and love of mankind, of his unswerving belief that there's no such thing as a bad boy and of his dreams that any boy can become a credit to himself and to the community if given understanding, security and love. But this dream of Father Flanagan was not only a dream. In the Boys Town that he founded it became a reality and an example and I can think of no true story more fitting to be told by us at the new year for it was Father Flanagan who in truth gave so many happy new years to so many thousands of boys. For the part of Father Flanagan we are privileged to have with us tonight that talented and popular actor Dana Andrews. And now a word about hallmark cards from Frank Goss before we begin the first act of Father Flanagan of Boys Town. 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 and 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. Well that says you care enough to send the very best. Now hallmark playhouse presenting Fulton and Will Ausler's Father Flanagan of Boys Town starring Dana Andrews. From the time Edward Joseph Flanagan was a very young lad in Ireland all his energies were concentrated on becoming a priest. Trail and sickly as he grew older it seemed impossible he would ever achieve his dream but his faith never wavered. In the winter of 1917 in Omaha Nebraska with several years of priesthood behind him Father Flanagan learned the reason for his being, his existence. Mr. Party, I want your permission to open a home to care for the homeless, unwanted and misdirected boys. They're very noble Father Flanagan but there is no money to spare for new ventures. I'm well aware of that sir but what I propose to do is to open a home and take care of these boys on my own but I was that possible Father you have no wealth you live only on the slight income of a parish priest. I'm not afraid I'm certain that the dear Lord would see me through whatever difficulties are my face but what do you know about the care of youngsters. I come from a big family and I know how it goes how each must do his part. The kind of home I grew up in is the kind these boys ought to have and my home will be opened to boys of every color raise a creed and they'll have love and understanding. It's difficult to deny a faith such as yours Father Flanagan. I wish there was more I could offer but all I can give you is my blessing. May proceed Mr. District Attorney. Your Honor I demand that these seven defendants all young hardened gangsters be adjudged guilty and sent to a reformatory where they can do no further damage. Your Honor is there something you want to say about this case for the Flanagan. Yes. Yes your Honor our informant or is the answer for these homeless boys boys sleeping in alley ways riding freight cars boys without food or proper care I say by placing them behind prison walls with hardened criminals you destroy their entire future give them instead understanding thoughtfulness and a respect for themselves that's how we will save them from future crime and to save children from crime is to end crime if we do not save our children from crime we should lose our civilization that is the final and greatest challenge of this problem I beg of you parole them to my care granted for the Flanagan and good luck thank you your honor got adjourned come on fellas let's go boy was I scared of that George boys now let's cut out any more talk about the morning's prune faces we're forgetting all unpleasantness how can we forget we gotta come on report regularly ain't we you'll make your reports to me Bob father what are you gonna do with me and I don't know yet Tommy but I'll bet you would make a pretty good first baseman let's play in baseball got to do with it they ain't no punishment father there'll be no punishment I try to get that straight realize what I'm saying to you you're beginning again well I don't know about the rest of these guys but I'm taking it on the lamp no Bob I want you to come to my home it's a place I've started for boys like you and you think you can hold us there you know we ain't no angels there are no high walls around the house and no locks on the doors it's your home and my home you don't wall in members of your own family father Flanagan there's a mrs. Merle and her son waiting in your office to see you thank you sister our home is certainly getting popular we have 12 boys now I'll be right good evening this is a father I had to come here I need help well that's a mighty fine looking glad you have hold on your son pretty big for your age but your name I can't take care of them my husband left me I can't work and take care of them oh you've got to give him a chance father good boy of course he is oh yes some chocolate son don't be afraid I'm not afraid would you take him father let him live here Jimmy and I are going to be close friends oh thank the good Lord Jimmy Jimmy darling it won't be for long I promise I'll come I'll come every day I promise you I you're going to be all right Jimmy now stand up and let's have a look at your father I'm sorry father I can't have no braces for my feet well we'll work it out Jim you'll have a fine time here one of the bigger boys will carry up to your room where you'll stay with the other fellows you like that Jimmy yes Bob yes father Flanagan this is Jimmy he's going to stay with us would you carry him upstairs please be careful now he's heavy he ain't heavy father he's my brother coming oh this is Christmas don't be here any minute I bet he's out scouting stuff for me he's gonna give me no catches me hey pipe down you guys what do you expect any old apartment store a couple of things with me what are they well as this and this and I'm afraid that's all boys only this broken down kids truck and a bag of marble some Christmas better keep your big flap shut Tommy swell father no it isn't Bob it isn't at all boys I'd hope with all my heart that our first Christmas together could have been Mariah I would have liked each of you to have a gift but it seems most folks are having a hard time right now not even a Christmas tree what in your lip raw it's all right Bob the boys have a right to be disappointed no they haven't after all you've done for could I have a word with you of course sister you'll excuse me boys father I didn't get a chance to tell you before but we're out of food there'll be no Christmas dinner dear God what shall I do I'll be back in a little while sister there must be a friend somewhere who'll help feed 25 hungry children I wish there was something more than sour curd boys but there isn't so we'll be grateful for what we have may Almighty God look down mercifully this day on and every day on all homeless wanderers here I let you down didn't I fellas let us down father could I have a double portion do you mean that fellas mean it who said something about truckie being good what do you say fellas it's good enough to sing about huh sister are you ready yes then what are we waiting for boys and one two to come through with flying colors the boys second act our father Flanagan of Boys Town starring Dana Andrews as the clock strikes 12 next Saturday night and many of you are singing should all the acquaintance be forgotten there's a way you can give those words real meaning by making a New Year's resolution to remember your friends and dear ones all through the coming year on birthdays anniversaries every special occasion that is important to them and the handy way to keep this New Year's resolution is to have a Hallmark date book yours for the asking from the friendly store where you find Hallmark cards you'll like this little date book with its colorful blue forget me not cover and its convenient size is just right for your purse pocket or telephone table you'll find it helpful in so many ways for it not only provides a calendar for each month but tells you the appropriate birthstone and flower list wedding anniversaries from the first to the 75th telling which is the leather lace or crystal anniversary among others with ample space for the names and addresses of folks you want to remember and particularly important right now it has a space for your next year's Christmas card list something you will want to make now while this year's cards are fresh in mind ask for your Hallmark date book tomorrow it's yours from the fine store where you buy your Hallmark greeting cards and now back to James Hilton and the second act our father Flanagan of Boys Town starring Dana Andrew continue to be an ordeal for father Flanagan a time of trial and skimping with tomorrow's needs and the next month's rent always looming like dark shadows just ahead his critics in Omaha were demanding to know what good this penny poor peace could hope to accomplish how could he help wayward youth in an overcrowded hodgepodge like this home where often they had hardly enough bread to put on the table but still the boys kept coming and father Flanagan kept giving them hope I'm glad you're visiting our home your honor rather Flanagan have a paper to ask I'm fully aware that you're now housing over 50 boys that your capacity is taxed to the limit but there's another boy I'd like you to take where is he now in your anti room it is barely 14 years old father but already is a desperate character he's robbed a bank and held up three stores with a revolver what's his background Eddie was born in a slum near the docks lost his mother and father in a flu epidemic before he was four he was shot from one family to another like a hungry and desperate animal won't you have him come in thank you father come on in Eddie I'm in no hurry don't mind his smoking father I was lucky to get him here at all I'll leave you to alone lady you're welcome here this whole place is run by boys you know boy mayor boy council boy police chief where's the jail we haven't a jail you're going to take a bath and then get supper tomorrow you start in our school you and I can become real friends Eddie that's strictly up to you we're all one big family here boys are my sons I'm their father skip the baloney holy Joe I don't need no old man especially a preaching one like you Eddie you like baseball it's for sister Mary's kid stuff you don't think Babe Ruth is sister Mary to you how many times I have to tell you I ain't interested Eddie you're not fooling me at heart you're a good boy and you'll prove it you make me laugh got a spare cigarette on you you don't scare me I don't give up so easily Bishop hardy I've found the ideal place to build a home for my boys build a home for the ever since the day I first walked into our rented building I've dreamt and prayed that someday we'd have a home we could call our own well Bishop I found that place it's called overlook farm I rather think I'd like to call it boys I know that property father and while I don't want to discard them I must point out it will cost many thousands of dollars where will you get the money no we'll get the money our gifts come in slowly but steadily people who know about our work contribute and that's real wealth if we can have time who would give you time I know the man who owns the property his name is David Ball he's a good and warm-hearted man but he is also a man of sound business judgment a good priest father but I'm a good businessman if you should fail to collect money no one would blame you but I have responsibilities my associates and I must think of them and what they might suffer from a heavy loss but these boys are a good investment Mr. Bob they will grow because of what we can give them into good Americans that's a gamble a business gamble you want me to make on an experiment the crop of bad boys bad boys Mr. Baum there are no bad boys how can they be bad boys are just children I'm sorry Mr. Bob I speak in this way because I know what wonderful boys they are I realize I have very few assets I can see Father Flanagan your greatest asset is your faith you can have the land don't worry about the payment we'll arrange for that in the future I'm willing to gamble on your faith that there are no bad boys father Flanagan Eddie's been with it for six months now he swears constantly and today in the classroom he threw an inkwell right at the blackboard oh please father is not for yourself then for the sake of your other boys let him go why don't you leave me alone why do you keep bothering me that's a minute Eddie I guess this is my fault I mean about your throwing inkwells I never told you that you mustn't throw you're a good boy relax you've been trying to get around me for a long time but I'm wise to you if you was on the level I might have been a sucker at that I almost fell for your line but last night I got to thinking it over and I see the Joker and the whole thing Mr. Flanagan you're a phony you'd better prove that Eddie or shut up okay I just kicked the sister in the shin well what do you say now I still say you're a good boy what did I tell you you keep on saying that lying you know it's a lie it can't be true don't that prove you a phony Eddie you're smart enough to know when a thing is really proved what is a good boy a good boy is an obedient boy right yeah does what his teachers tell him to do on the nose well that's all you've ever done any they only trouble with you is that you had the wrong teachers war tops and corner bums but you certainly obeyed them you've done every last wrong and rotten thing they taught you to do if you could only obey the right teachers here in the same way you'd be fine I'm tired of this joint I'm gonna blow out of here you're gonna stop me Eddie I got a secret to tell you you're the first one here Saturday night at the high school auditorium campaign a campaign is being started to raise money for the first building boys down will you be backstage to help me launch it I can use your support boy I'll do what I please when I please see you around some time she imagine speaking to all those people out there I'm not nervous Bob I'm just playing sad sad well you should be excited and happy I know that son but well in this moment of triumph when the goal is about to be achieved I feel I've lost the victory why father because I've lost my first boy since we opened our doors it is packed and left that's good ridden that's not the way to feel I'm sorry father do you want me to go and find him no I wouldn't want to bring him back that way I only want him if he cares to return by himself and of his own volition we are they're waiting for me good luck my cup runneth over I've never been so proud as I am at this moment to be on the same stage with the three men who truly represent American democracy and the brotherhood of man ladies and gentlemen mr. J. D. Davidson is a Protestant mr. Francis Matthews is a Catholic and mr. Henry Monsky a Jew united these leaders are making Boys Town a reality instead of a dream I come to you as a salesman to beg you to help me or I have something to sell the love of a homeless wave is for sale and it is my business to sell it to you three boys a day are turned away from our home because they have no room for them many a time I've seen a boy carrying his grip his head bent low beginning his journey back to where he has no home he has no friends his home has to be the streets and alleys and unclean hovels where criminals are made there are two things in life greater than money and they are faith in God and love toward your fellow man you might have millions but if you do not have these things your life has been lived or not hey wait a minute what are you doing backstage here where is he I thought you run out on Father Flanagan Eddie what's it to your wise guy how you ought to beat some brains into your head then maybe you'd have sense enough to respect the greatest guy you'll ever know in your life dry up hold it boy Eddie I ain't left town yet I thought I owed you something you don't owe me a thing some well I thought I'd come here and say goodbye Eddie only a good boy would think of doing that why don't we sit down now I ain't got the time I've got to catch a freight now why don't you wait for the next one it's called out maybe we could get a sandwich together or something I ain't hungry I'm all filled up I'm sure of that come on we'll take a walk father don't say anything let's just walk yeah but I thought of Flanagan I got a talk to you I've been a wise guy I thought I knew all the answers but I ain't such a tough guy if you'll let me if you'll give me another chance oh father you're in Eddie you're with us to stay the love can be loved you've got a home again and the father the lives of all great magnanimous people fill our hearts with deep admiration and warm gratitude we offer thanks to Almighty God for having given us father Edward Joseph Flanagan he loved and served beyond the barricades of faith and race father Flanagan of Boys Town has gone to his coronation the world is poorer but in another sense the world is richer than it was before he entered it for he will live on in the hearts and minds of Americans in ages yet to come in which his body lies there's the legend engraved in gold father Flanagan founder of Boys Town lover of Christ and man there's a New Year's gift waiting for you at the store where you buy Hallmark car that your hallmark date book your handy record of all the important occasions and doings you want to remember next year whether you carry this little forget-me-not book in your purse or pocket to keep it beside your telephone you'll soon discover how useful it can be for instance it gives the birthstones and flowers for every birthday you write down gives the names of wedding anniversaries appropriate to each year you'll find plenty of space for reminding yourself about household duties social dates and very important right now it has a space for your next year's Christmas card list something you will want to make now while this year's cards are fresh in mind yes like the friendly store where you buy all your hallmark cards your hallmark date book serves you faithfully all year around ask for your hallmark date book tomorrow it's yours from the fine store where you buy your hallmark cards here again is James Hilton in handles you've made us all feel very humble tonight by bringing to life again father Flanagan whose good deeds will never be forgotten I enjoyed returning to the hallmark playhouse I think it's a grand way to bring 1949 to close being a part of a program which brings good will to so many all year round with their fine radio show and they're all my greeting cards for Dana we're certainly glad you feel that way and in the year ahead we hope you'll remember your friends on their anniversaries birthday and other special occasions with our fine selection of hallmark cards for every occasion there can certainly count on me for that Frank and thanks again Mr. Hilton for inviting me over tonight I'm sure you'll be interested Dana in a message we've received from Boys Town Nebraska Frank would you please read it for us certainly well Mr. Hilton it's from the Reverend Monsignor Wegner the head of Boys Town since father Flanagan's death in 1948 it says for the more than 7,000 boys who since 1917 have benefited from father Flanagan's program I wish to extend New Year's greetings and thanks to the American people whose generosity has made father Flanagan's home possible and to Hallmark Playhouse for helping to commemorate his memory tonight I can only say I'm happy to have been part of your presentation of the story of father Flanagan now what's the story for next week Mr. Hilton next week but before I tell you about that thanks again Dana for being with us and since this is our last program before the new year 1950 on behalf of all of us here and the makers of Hallmark greeting cards may I extend our best new year's greetings I hope you'll all plan to spend your first Thursday of 1950 with us when we have that delightful Hollywood actress Claudette Colbert appearing in The Egg and Die by Betty MacDonald our Hallmark Playhouse is every Thursday our director producer is Bill Gay our music is 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 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 Dana Andrews appears to the courtesy of Samuel Goldwin and can currently be seen co-starring with Susan Hayward in the Golden production my foolish heart this is Frank Goss saying good night to you all until next week at the same time when James Hilton returns to present Claudette Colbert in Betty MacDonald's The Egg and I this is CBS the Columbia Broadcasting System, Kansas City, Missouri