 The mutual broadcasting system in cooperation with family theater incorporated presents T-Formation starring Bob Hope with Virginia Wells Joan Leslie is your hostess More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams Ever happened to be walking through the woods and come to a place where the road branches into two paths And you don't know which to take you finally decide and go along wondering where the other path would have brought you Isn't that the way it is in life we come to certain crossroads and have to decide which way to go and Often we know having once chosen will never be able to return and discover where the other path might have brought us The sad part of it is so many people seem to take a path that leads to unhappiness You know, it's at these crossroads in life. We need more help than even the good advice of our friends We need God's help That's why prayer should play an important part in our lives And it's so very important too when we're making decisions not only for ourselves, but for those we love our families Yes, and a constant consideration is deciding how we want our own family our children to grow up Because for right living children need not only the guidance of mothers and fathers in a home They need God and the inspiration of daily family prayer That's why so many families have learned the importance of praying together That's why so many families are making prayer a daily family practice Joan Leslie will return later in the program now family theater presents T-Formation starring Bob Hope with Virginia Wells You wanted to see me oh Sullivan sit down Bob What's the trouble coach the boys on the team have been complaining about you again I won the game for him didn't I three touchdowns personally delivered by the greatest running back of the century That's me Bob Hopkins and the boys are complaining. You're not following orders Hopkins, but I'm winning games coach Where would your Boston Beavers be without Bob Hopkins quote the fastest tricky as sweetest little hunk of football fury and the American pro grid iron Unquote the syndicated columnist love me all right your good Hopkins You're great, but you're only one man on the team, but what a man coach you're giving waller Spencer a rough deal Wally Spencer Spencer's a good fullback. I want you to give him your cooperation. I want teamwork Hopkins now in next week's game Look, let me worry about next week's game after all you're only the coach and another thing yeah this afternoon I hung up three touchdowns for it didn't I right next week I'm gonna make it four touchdowns, and I'm gonna do it without help from Wally Spencer Football game it is ladies and gentlemen It's the T-Formation again for the Beavers with Hopkins Spencer and Carberry ready to tee off The ball goes back direct from center to Carberry Carberry is fading back looking for a receiver if he can throw it to Spencer Spencer's out in the clear But no no it's a quick lateral to Hopkins and Bob is on the loose He shakes off Frankie Crump pivots away from Bobby Gill Hopkins is up to the 45 the 50 He's through the secondary Bob is cutting over to the right. He's actually avoiding his own interference Bob is down to the Ramblers 40 35 30 there's nobody ahead of him now But any lynch of the Ramblers Bob is down to the 20 lynch tackles What misses there was Bob over the goal line for his fourth touchdown ladies and gentlemen Oh boy the bragging beat man. What a run nice work bubble boy for touchdown Yeah, I could have made more but the other team has to live to yeah Yeah, but we never thought you could do it for touchdowns against the Ramblers the toughest team in the league Oh, they weren't so tough one big sissy had rhinestones on his brass knuckles. Where's O'Sullivan? Oh, there you are coach Well, I did it I'll say you did it that last play made my blood run cold Well now you can relax and defrost when you went around left and you failed to follow Spencer Why'd you cut over toward the right sidelines? Well, the newsreel cameras were over there. Can you think of a better reason? I give up and another thing all during the last half you seem to be upset about something coach I'll admit I was upset every time I carried the ball. I was so far in front of my blockers I felt like a drum major you strutted like one too only in front of the cameras coach They tell me the rushes are terrific Bob yes, your shoulder pads are very photogenic your girl's calling you Hi, I'll be right with you. Look coach. I want to talk to Aggie a minute. I'll see you in the locker room All right, but don't stand around and catch cold keep your blanket around you I'll be a good Indian. Lo me your fountain pen. I may have to sign a few autographs Okay, and I want to talk to you after you get dressed now run along and make it snappy. I will coach Well, I give what's a good word? That's a very good word for touchdown. Well, I said I'd make him didn't I mr. Hopkins Will you give me your autograph, please? Hope you don't mind. Don't be silly. What do you think I'm carrying this pen for there? You are gee. Thanks, Mr. Hopkins. Goodbye. There's gratitude for you I give him one of my best autographs and he doesn't say a word about my four touchdowns But after all you're the great Bob Hopkins. He expected you to make a four touchdown Hey, he paid me a compliment, didn't he certainly a well-deserved compliment That pass you through in the first quarter was out of this world 60 yards just a flip of the wrist, but that's enough about me. Let's talk about you How did you like what I did today? You were wonderful. You said that before you were sensational You'll be all over the sport pages tomorrow. Listen, Aggie. I'm not satisfied with just making the sport pages honey Let's make the front page. Let's get married. No Bob for the 10th or is it the 20th time? No, you don't like me Rob, I adore you. I don't drink. I don't smoke. I have no vices. What's it? Well, I do chew bubblegum, but I'm breaking away from it Good Aggie, come on married. No Bob. You're fun to be with you're the life of the party But but until you settle down until you grow up. No darling. No, we'll put my application on fire Well, you're on the top of the stack good Hey some fellas over there want my autograph and I got to get back to the locker room and shed these football ties Look, I'll pick you up about six. Huh? Six will be fine We'll go places dinner a show and around midnight a special treat for you What treat darling? Well, we go to the newsreel theater and see me run again Hey get over will you give a guy room to tie his tie, huh? Look out. That's my tie your time It could be this locker room ought to have another mirror. I think I comb Mardoni's hair Who's here today? I put my court plaster on never mind. Here's O'Sullivan. Hey, you want to see me coach? Yes, Bob Come on outside where we can talk. Okay Coach I proposed to Aggie again and the girls said no you listen. No, I didn't listen. I know Aggie She's a swell kid and she thinks you're great, but she doesn't want a clown for a husband. That's a general idea Dress. Let's let's get out of here Fresh air. What's on your mind coach? Well Bob tomorrow? I think we're going to sign up rally Cooper rally Cooper That's great coach. We need to tackle like rally to plug up that left side of the line You'll come in mighty handy. All right, but here's the rub We're at full strength now and we have to drop somebody to make room for him. Yeah Well, I know who you can drop you should have given him the gate a long time ago Wally Spencer Wally Spencer You're crazy. He's one of our first string backs. He may have been a first-string man five years ago But he's all washed up now. You don't like him. Do you you're getting warm coach? You don't kill yourself blocking for him when he carries the ball. He doesn't run much interference for me either What's the matter with you guys? I just don't like him You're sore at him because he doesn't laugh at your gags. He's a wet blanket coach never cracks a smile He's a has been and he knows it has been Listen the name of Wally Spencer still means something to football fans people still come to see him in action More of them come to see me in action This team's not big enough for both of us coach and as long as you keep Spencer, you're gonna have trouble Well, I hate to let him go Hopkins. He hasn't gotten many more years of football left this year maybe next year That's about all and the guy has a family his family can run interference for me. Can they well get somebody that can put Jerry Grant In this place. I'll work with Jerry. I'll be in there charging every time he carries the ball Jerry will hit the line for me, too. Bob. I wish you'd try to finish out the season with Wally Nothing doing I put up with him as long as I can now you've got a chance to get rid of him And you better do it remember. I haven't signed my next year's contract yet. Okay, Bob. You win Wally Spencer's out This has been an evening to remember Aggie I second the motion the dinner was extra super. I'll give the chef my autograph another hunk of pie more coffee Nothing, thank you. That pie put me 800 calories over my quota. We'll dance it off, honey, Bob Don't you ever get tired tired? They left that word out of my dictionary. I'm full of pep tonight because I'm happy I must turn you down more often that isn't that Aggie some of these days your defense is gonna weaken But I've had some good news today. We're signing Wally Cooper the big Nebraska tackle. No Yes, sir. I got a direct from coach O'Sullivan and to make room for Cooper. He's dropping Wally Spencer. Oh, that's too bad What do you mean? It's too bad. Well, he's a great bag and the fans love him. Well, he's out and from now on We'll have better teamwork. I just I suppose though, but just the same. Let's not spoil a grand evening talking shop I've got to get home early tonight. Get your beauty sleep, huh? Yes, ma'am O'Sullivan's curfew rings all during the training season and besides that I'm getting up early in the morning to drive the Cleveland. Oh, that's right You play the Cleveland Commandos next week. We do we do a bunch of big rough bad boys So we want to get in a week of practice on the Cleveland field Well, you be careful with your driving. Don't worry about my driving I'd rather have 90 on my tombstone than on my speedometer. Don't talk about tombstones Well, and let's talk about my favorite subject and let's not talk about you either Okay, baby. Let's dance Hello, hello Mabel Mabel. Yeah, Mabel give me the desk and make it snappy. Yeah Hello Mac, Al. I got a couple of things here a fire in a lumberyard at 31st in Maine and an auto crash on route 20 Well, Bob Hopkins football star seriously injured Yeah, pretty bad. I guess You got the fire. Okay. Here's the dope on Hopkins Bob Hopkins 23 star back on the Boston Beavers professional football team was seriously injured this morning in an auto accident on route 20 12 miles northeast of Cleveland a small child ran across the road in front of his car Hopkins jammed on his brakes and then swerved across the road to avoid hitting the child and crashed into a tree Hopkins who was riding alone was seriously injured in the crash. The child was unhurt Hopkins was rushed to Fairmont Hospital at a late hour He was reported to be still unconscious Well, that's all I've got now, but I know one of the nurses there and she's gonna call me when there's something to report Yeah, and here's some new stuff on that lumberyard fire Chief Simmons turned in a 411 alarm when he reached the scene and may make it a 511 You Make a win now miss Williams. Oh, thank you. Mr. Hopkins has recovered consciousness But of course you may stay only a minute or two this first time. Yes, I understand right in here. Thank you Bob Bob Aggie. Yes, dear Where what happened? You had an accident Bob. Oh, oh, yes Yeah, a kid ran in front of Did I no dear no one was hurt except you good? I'll be all right. Of course you will dear Yeah, what's the matter with with what? With my legs. I can't move my legs. You'll be all right, dear Aggie, I can't move them. Bob, please it takes a little time to get your strength back Oh, isn't that Aggie? Look, I can move my arms in my head, but I can't don't worry about it now, dear You'll be all right. I think you better go now. Yes Bob you better rest for a while, but I'll be right here in the hospital. Just lie back dear Bye for a little while. Aggie, I can't move my legs. I can't move my legs Now if you haven't swallowed that thermometer, mr. Hopkins, I'll take it Thank you Right on the dot 98.6. What's par for the course? That's par your temperature is exactly normal I'm glad there's something normal about me miss finley march finley. I'm your new special special. What special nurse What happened the old one? She was married today Married? Well, that's one way of getting out of here. She'll be back again. Oh, maybe I'll be out of here before then I've been cooped up here for seven eight nine ten eleven weeks to be exact mr. Hopkins nearly three months. Wow Say what are you writing? It's your chart. I know, but how am I doing temperature pulse respiration blood pressure blood count All perfect in other words. I'm a well man From the waist up from the waist down. I'm a cripple. I wouldn't say that Well, what would you say? I'd say that due to an injury of the spine. You're suffering from a temporary paralysis Temporary we believe so. What does dr. Ambrose say? He doesn't say anything hymns and haws and rattles off a lot of technical terms and tells me not to worry Marge, what's the real story? Am I going to walk again? Mr. Hopkins, you know as much about that as I do All anyone can tell you is that lots of people with injuries like yours have recovered Then again lots of them haven't Well, isn't it much better to think of those that do walk again? Thanks for trying to cheer me up, but it's no use. I'll never take another step That's aggy. I don't want to see her too late. Oh dear. I'm already in Hello aggy, and why don't you want to see me? I'm not in the mood for visitors All the more reason why you should have some Well, as long as you're here sit down meet my new special miss finley miss finley miss williams How do you do miss finley? How's the patient? He's all right. I'm not all right I'm hungry. I haven't had a thing since lunch except one thin thermometer I'll go out and put in a double order for dinner. Good. Make it two of everything except the penicillin shots Bob, you're almost your old self again. You want to know the truth aggy? Look at these legs I can't even move one little muscle. I can't even feel that I have legs I'll never walk again. Bob, don't say that. It's true aggy. I know believe me. I've tried to walk I want to walk but it takes more than just wanting to. Bob, you will walk again And until you do walk we can be happy waiting together Together? Aggy, I can't marry you now Bob, you love me, don't you? It's just it. It's because I love you that I won't let you waste yourself on me Oh, you're still selfish. You're still thinking about yourself the way you feel Well, how about the way I feel? Doesn't that matter? Yes, aggy, of course to me things are no different than they ever were Supposing you are like this for a few weeks a few months more What is that compared to all the rest of our lives? Suppose I'm like this all the rest of our lives. Don't say that don't even think it I can't help thinking of it because it's true aggy. I'll never walk again. Oh, please. I'll never walk again I know who you are Who am I? You're bob hofkins. My mommy and my daddy told me you're a football player too An ex football player. Who are you? I'm jenny Oh jenny come in and have a chair. Thank you. I can't stay long. I'm saying goodbye to everybody I'm going home today. I'm sorry. I can't get up, but I know you're sick That's why you're here, isn't it? Yes, jenny. I got hurt, but now I'm almost well accepting my legs Your legs don't work, right? No, jenny. They don't work at all. Oh But you'll get better Well, it's nice to think so Don't you think so mr. Bob? No, jenny. I know I'll never walk again. Why? Well, I suppose it's something that just can't be helped, see But what about god? He can help you can't he? What'd you say? I was just like you I had in Inventile paralysis, uh-huh I couldn't even sit up like you can And then I asked god to help me God, huh? Uh-huh. He's smart. He can do everything That's all My mommy said so God makes the flowers and the grass grow And you know what I said to him what? I said, please god Make my legs get strong because you know why Why because I want you to run and play games again and everything So you know what? What jenny I kept praying and praying and praying I see because that's what my mommy says you have to do Keep praying, huh? Uh-huh because you know why Why because the doctors can't do everything all by themselves sometimes So you know what? What I said to god, please god help the doctors make my legs strong You prayed for the doctors too, uh-huh and the nurses too I see So they all started working together doctor nurses and you and god too mr. Bob and god too jenny It was well. It was like teamwork, huh? What? I mean everybody was working together for jenny's legs. Uh-huh That's teamwork and then you know what mr. Bob What after a long long long long time my toe will go You don't say so the other toe wiggle too Then my foot and now look I can walk just as good as anybody see Janie that's wonderful I have to go now mr. Bob. My mommy is just a minute janey Hey, you know something what you've done me more good than anything. I've had here did I Yeah, and you know something else Up until the day. I never knew the meaning of a certain word. What word mr. Bob teamwork, honey teamwork Come in. Hi. Hello, aggy. Hey, is that a new dress? Yes. How do you like it? Say no more now. I know you're getting better. What's been happening? Hey, would you laugh if I told you I've been praying? No bob, you know, I wouldn't laugh But I am a bit curious a little girl wanted in here this morning. She said her name was janey She had infantile paralysis and recovered from it She seemed to think it was the most natural thing in the world. What prayer? Yeah, but she made it sound like teamwork Teamwork with god. I like that bob. So I thought I'd try that kind of a t formation T for teamwork Janie knew better than I did what to say to you. They see if you can find it Would I want to talk to janey some more? I want to talk to her too, bob I want to see this other woman in your life. She's a dangerous rival aggy. She must be all of five years old Can't you hurry can't you go faster all this fast I can in this traffic lady Do you say that fairmont hospital? Yes. What's the matter? I don't know it. It must be something dreadful. He may have had a relapse It's bob hopkins. Oh football player. I saw on the papers. He was getting along pretty good Yes, he has been improving but there was a phone message at my hotel telling me to come at once Oh hurry, please hurry. I'll pull in the driveway now. Hang on Hope it's nothing serious. Thank you. Keep the change Fourth floor, please and hurry. Yes, ma'am Do you know if anything's happened to bob hopkins? I haven't heard about anything Well, I got a phone message telling me to rush right over. Nobody said anything to mean this Uh fourth floor. Here you are. Thank you Oh miss finley, what has happened to bob? Why nothing nothing that I know of. Well, I got a phone message to come over immediately There must be something wrong. Well, let's go find out I'm afraid to go in miss finley. You go first. All right Well, what's going on in here margie aggy come here quick. What's the matter? Look, I can wiggle my big toe Now aggy you sit down here while I go in there and give coach osullivan the surprise of his life All right, bob. This should be good Well, hello coach. Do I get my old jersey number 13 back bob hopkins in the flesh coach and as good as ever better Maybe my bob you old linebuster you as I live and breathe its old braggadocio himself flattery will get you nowhere coach Oh, I can't believe it. Last I heard of you. You were still in the hospital I was a wheelchair jockey in those days coach. I still hold the record for the straightaway down the main quarter I got 14 traffic tickets for double parking near the water cooler. Oh, same old bob. Not quite the same coach I'm not bragging anymore. I didn't want to brag about making a comeback. I wanted to let the results speak for themselves What have you been doing? A little research on teamwork. You're as good as ever, huh? I think so coach, but I don't want you to take my word for it Just give me a chance to work out with a team and I'll leave it up to you That's fair enough bob and if you're even half as good as you were you've got a job I hope so coach. I'm thinking to get married. Congratulations. That's allowed aggy doesn't know it yet Says you over the way bob. I uh, suppose you know the walley spencers back on the team He took your place when you were hurt. I know and I saw by the papers the old boy did all right Do you think he can make the grade this year? I don't know bob walley's legs are getting a bit wobbly Well, you just have so many touchdowns in you when you run those out your through It's pretty tough when a guy finds out. He's through. I know Yeah Say, did you ever think about making walley an assistant coach? I think he'd do a swell job with a backfield Say when you had that accident did you hit your head on something? You used to hate the side of walley remember? Yeah, but that was some time ago I've been doing a lot of thinking since then. Well, you have changed for the better. I hope You know, I'm not so proud of the guy used to be I guess I was one of osullivan's biggest headaches. Well, bob. I'll tell you this much I named one of my pet ulcers after you what an honor You know, I think you're right about walley. He'd make a good backfield coach Sure, he would I'll talk to him about it this afternoon. He's coming by pretty soon Good Hello, osullivan may I come in? Well, hello, agnes of course. Bob should have brought you in I wanted to talk business and women are very distracting, especially this one Thank you and speaking of business. There's a little girl outside to see you osullivan She's walley spencer's daughter and she wants to tell you that mr. Spence will be a little late Well, I'll bring her in agnes. She's a cute kid. Yes, she is come in honey Mr. Osullivan wants to see you now coach. I'd like to work out with a team all this week and Hey, look janey. It's janey Mr. Bob. Oh, mr. Bob. Look janey. I'm walking again. Of course, mr. Bob I just knew you would and your name is janey spencer your walley spencer's little girl Yes, mr. Bob. I thought you knew My daddy was the one who told me to see you Janey, we hunt it all over for you. Hey, this is janey. Well janey. How wonderful coach This little girl walked into my hospital room one day. I didn't know who she was but she taught me a lot Well, what do you know? It wasn't me mr. Bob. It was you and god Well, just the same you call the signals on the play janey now. I'm all well again. I have my old job back I think and I'm gonna get married and Oh, I shouldn't have said that but you did say it aggie. I wanted to wait until I found the engagement ring I bought you. I had it in the suit. I was worrying when I got hurt. I've been trying to find it Coach this man can't play football his eyesight's terrible. What do you mean? Darling, I found the ring at the hospital and I've been wearing it ever since Coach blow the whistle for time out the hopkins as they're going into a huddle You have heard t formation starring bob hope with virginia wells Now here is your family theater hostess for tonight Joan leslie Nobody knows the power of prayer But god, we know is listening there Yes miracles lie in the power of prayer Faith that can banish the soul's despair Hope that can shine like a holy light and brighten the spirit's darkest night When your soul is sad with sorrows and care There's strength and hope in a simple prayer When earthly help seems of no avail There's always one friend who will never fail Someone who'll tell you that he understands He'll hold your heart in his gentle hands Just like a child when his father is near With god at your side, there's nothing to fear When days are long and nights have no end When things go wrong, there's always one friend Just lift your eyes the answer is there And you well know the power of prayer Yes, the most wonderful power of prayer is seen when a family gathers together to express their love of god Not as individuals alone but united as a family in the simple words of family prayer Family prayer means oh so much. It means the strengthening of the faith of every member of the family It brings everyone closer together in love and understanding That's why it's so very true A family that prays together stays together Before saying good night I'd like to thank bob hope for his performances bob hopkins and virginia wells for her portrayal of agnus Our thanks to harry lorence for writing tonight's play to max tear for his music and to nick kenny for the poem of prayer This production of family theater incorporated was directed by david young Others who appeared in tonight's play were ken christy who played coach or sullivan and toben as the nurse marlene aims howard culver hell sawyer and roland morris Next week our family theater will co-star Warner baxter and pedro de cordoba in the prayer that won the west Your host will be henry fonda. This is john lesley saying good night and god bless you This series of the family theater broadcast is made possible by the thousands of you who felt the need for this kind of program By the mutual broadcasting system which has responded to this need And by a friend of the new york fondling hospital which cares for homeless and motherless babies Without distinction of race creed or color tony lofranos speaking This is the mutual broadcasting system