 Program 2000 Plus, usually heard at this time, will be presented next week at its regular time. Family Theatre presents Charlie Ruggles and Arthur Lake. From Hollywood, the mutual broadcasting system in cooperation with Family Theatre presents Arthur Lake in General Pumpkin's Holiday. Now, here is your host, Charlie Ruggles. Thank you, Tony Loprano. First, the word about Family Theatre's purpose. That purpose is to encourage people everywhere to pray, especially to pray in family groups. That's all. Now to our drama starring Arthur Lake in General Pumpkin's Holiday. Once upon a time in the town of Pineville, USA, the people were extremely depressed because it had rained Sunday after Sunday. One thing the people of Pineville weren't praying for was rain. Six Sundays in a row it rained. But every Monday morning it was nice and sunny. Also on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, even Saturdays were radiant and warm. But come Sunday, ah, me, they were a sad, disconsolate folk, these people of Pineville. Then one day it happened. It was a young man named Peter Bright who made the sunshine in Pineville once again. It all started one Sunday morning as Peter came to work. Peter worked in Mr. Flugel's flower shop. And here comes Peter now. Shame on you, old boss. Well, off to work we go. Up goes the window. What a beautiful day for a holiday. Good morning, my little daffodils and my sweet little petunias. How do you do? My, my, you all look very beautiful this morning. Oh, the flowers that bloom in the spring, Trella. The flowers that bloom in the spring. Now let's see what Mr. Flugel has on his desk this morning. Let's see on his memo pad here. Oh, here we are. Monday, May the 5th. Hey, holiday. Oh my, no wonder Mr. Flugel isn't here today. Guys, I wonder what holiday it is. Let's see what the calendar says. Monday, May, May the 5th. Oh, yeah, here it is. General Pumpkin won the battle of Chippewatami in 1895. Oh, is that important? Hey, must be. Must be if Mr. Flugel took the day off. Let's see, General Pumpkin must be a relative to Custer. Custer and Pumpkin. My favorite pies. Ha, ha, ha. Oh, holiday. What do you know? Say, I wonder if Margie knows about this. I'll call her at the bank. Hello. First national bank, please. Ah. Good morning. I'm your first national bank. Good morning, Margie, honey. Why, Peter, good morning. Hey, Margie, do you feel like a chocolate soda? Oh, Peter, don't be silly. I'm busy. So since when, Miss Margie Cooper, do you work on holidays? Holidays? Ah. Are you out of your mind? Oh, Peter, I'm much too busy for jokes. Jokes you say, huh? This is serious business. Who ever heard of a bank being open on a holiday? Hey, you'd better let me speak to Mr. Hotchkiss. Now, Peter, Mr. Hotchkiss is president of this bank. And he's a very busy man. Now, look here, young lady, I'm a steady customer at that bank. I'm good for $2 worth of nickels and change every morning. Now, I wish to speak to the president, please, Mr. Hotchkiss. Will you be good enough to connect me? Peter Bright, you're out of your mind. Uh-uh. Me thinks I shall take my business to Howard's drug store hereafter. But Peter, you can. I'm sure Mr. Hotchkiss is waiting for my call, young lady. Very well, Mr. Bright. Yes? Mr. Bright is on the phone, Mr. Hotchkiss. Who? He says it's important. Very well, put him on. Hello? Oh, Mr. Hotchkiss, this is Peter Bright. Who? Bright. Spell B-R-Y-T-E. B as in blossoms. R as in roses. Y as in violets. T as in thistle. Yes, yes, yes. What can I do for you? Close the bank. Close the bank? What? Since when Mr. Hotchkiss does a bank stay open on holidays? Now, look here, Mr. Mr. Blossoms. No, no. Bright. Look, today is a holiday, Mr. Hotchkiss. A holiday? A very important holiday. Did you know that on May the 5th, 1895, General Pumpkin won the battle of Chippewatamy? Did you know that? Who in blazes this General Pumpkin? Oh, now, Mr. Hotchkiss, you, a bank president? You've never heard of... Oh, shame on you, Mr. Hotchkiss. Now, look here, I'm a very busy man. No, no, no, really. Were you too busy to close on February the 12th? No, but what is that? And on February the 22nd? No, look here. Or on the 4th of July? Of course not. Of course not. Then, why not on May the 5th? Why not? Because. Now, now, what sort of an excuse is that? And one other thing, Mr. Hotchkiss. Now, wouldn't you feel silly if the Pineville Federal Bank closes and you remain open? What will people think? What will they say? Now, look. Yeah, well, they'll say, well, if the First National Bank needs business that badly perhaps, it's not a safe bank. Young man, we have more depositors than any other bank of this... Yeah, but not for long, because when word gets around, that's... Stop it, stop it. Now, see here, young man, who says we can't afford to close on holiday? If federal closes, we'll close. Why, we can buy and sell federal any day in the week. Bully for you, Mr. Hotchkiss. Tell them we'll close immediately. I'll show these federal people the First National is a pride of Pineville. Yes, sir, the first is second to none. Yes. Can I quote you, Mr. Hotchkiss? Positively, Mr. Thistle. No, a bride. Well, goodbye and a happy Chippewahtomy day to you, sir. And that's how it all began. But wait, look who's coming into the flower shop now. Mr. Flughels himself. The door was locked. Locked. My, my, my. Some money might have tried to get... Where's Peter? Peter? Peter! Opportunious, this hay fever's killing me. Now, what's happened to Peter? He's never been this late before. There's so much to do, so much to do. A wreath for the Williams Party, three corsages for the O'Fall Party, and there's a poke for that new party. Just moved into town. Now, what's that day again? Oh, dear, dear, dear. I made a note of it on my memo pad. Oh, yes, holiday. A poke for Mr. Samuel Holiday. What did he say, Mr. Samuel Holiday? Oh, no. Poor Peter. But to the rest of the town, Peter was a hero, and Peter's holiday spread through the town on the wings of spring. And in one hour's time, all the stores of Pineville were closed shut, and the signs on the door said, Close for Peter Bright's Holiday. But there was one man in the town of Pineville who was very unhappy about Peter's holiday, and here he comes now into Dingle's department store. His name is Mr. Dingle. Plumber? Plumber, where's Plumber? Yes, Mr. Dingle, coming, Mr. Dingle. Here I am, Mr. Dingle. What is it, Mr. Dingle? Plumber, what's happening here on Main Street? All the stores on the street are closing up. What's going on, an epidemic? Well, what is it? Speak up, man. It's a holiday, sir. Everyone says it's a holiday. What? What kind of a holiday? What do you mean closing up? Dingle's department store is not closing up. Why, we can't close up. There are twenty-fifth anniversaries there. Well, yes, sir, I know, sir. They can't do this to me. Who's behind all this? Who started it? Peter Bright, sir. So they say. Oh, well, who? Mrs. Bright's boy, Peter. Peter, Peter Bright! That young featherbrain will... It's fantastic. It's impossible. Get me the city council. No, get me the mayor. I want to talk to the mayor. Is I getting him, sir? Let me talk to McGillicuddy. Letting a young whippersnapper like that call a holiday. Don't stand there. Get me Mayor McGillicuddy. Here is the mayor. All right, give me the phone. Hello, Mac. Oh, look, Dingle, I know what you're calling about. I had nothing to do with it. I did not declare a holiday. What do you mean you had nothing to do with it? Why didn't you? You're the mayor, aren't you? Don't blame me. It's Hotchviss's call. Hotchkiss's fault. He closed the bank. That's what started the whole thing. The bank closed and everybody else followed. Hotchkiss, that old fool. Who told him to close up? Mrs. Bright's boy, Peter. That Bright boy again, huh? Is that a young imbecile running the whole town? You put him under lock and key. Do you hear? Oh, I will, Dingle. I've already had a warrant issued for his arrest. Don't see how this could have happened myself. First, I heard of it. I was having a drink of water at the Hall Fountain this morning. You know? Having a drink of water. I'm losing money. The town's off on a holiday and he's having a drink of water. Plumber, get me Hotchkiss at the whippersnapper. That old fool, what's the matter with him? Letting a boy talk him into closing his bank. An executive, he calls himself. I wouldn't trust him with a piggy bank. Here he is. Do you hear me, Hotchkiss? Hear what? I wouldn't trust you with a piggy bank. That's what? What piggy bank? Who is this? Horatio Dingle, that's who. What do you mean by closing up your bank today starting this holiday stampede? No, no, Dingle, I'm not to blame. Now, don't be hasty, Dingle. Hotchkiss, if you don't do something about this holiday, so help me. I'll start a run on your bank. No, no, Mr. Dingle, don't be hasty. Do get yourself down to the city hall and get that McGillicuddy started on opening up this town. It's got to be done. Oh yes, yes, of course. I'll do all I can. And open up your bank immediately. I can't. My cashiers are all gone and I was all packed to go to. Oh, where? On a picnic. Today's a holiday. I mean, I thought of it. I mean, hey. And so all the people of Pineville went off on a holiday. There was hardly anyone left in the town. They were all in Pineville Park outside the city limits. There were people everywhere in Pineville Park that day. There were ball players on the ball field and golfers on the golf course and picnickers on the picking grounds. And, of course, the children were there under everybody's feet, yelling and scampering and playing in the sunshine. It was a wonderful day for the tradespeople, too. Organ granders, balloon vendors, ice cream salesmen. Ah, yes, sir. It was a wonderful holiday for the people of Pineville. And everybody said, Thank heavens for Mrs. Bright's boy Peter. And in the mayor's office, they were speaking of Peter, too. McGillicuddy, is that worn out for his arrest yet? Yes, the sheriff is out looking for him now. When I get through with him, his name will be mud. Oh, please, Mr. Kiss, not while I'm eating. How can you eat at a time like this? Well, it's my lunch time and madam has to keep up a strength test. Have a piece of pie, Joe Mayer. No, thanks. Very good. Pumpkin pie. Well, go on, go on, stuff yourself. This'll be your last meal as mayor if you don't do something about that bright boy. I'd like to get my hands on him. Here he is, Mr. Mayor. Here's your man. Oh, thanks for the ride, Sheriff. Well, happy Chippewa-waddle-me-day, everybody. Oh, how are you, Mr. Mayor? Oh, boy, pumpkin pie. In honor of the general, huh? Oh, hello, Mr. Hotchkiss. Enjoying your holiday? Well, what can I do for you, gentlemen? Huh? Well, speak up. Young man, do you realize what you've done? Done? Nothing. Today's a holiday. Do you realize what you've done to me? What did you say? Do you realize what you've done to Mr. Dingles' 25th anniversary sale today? No. Where is everyone out in the Pineville Park enjoying themselves? Well, what's wrong with that? General Pumpkin is this battle of Chippewa. Who ever heard of him? What's so important? Well, it's important to Mr. Flugos and it's important to the people of Pineville. It's their first sunny holiday they've had in weeks. Peter, you know what I think? You're just too lazy to work today. That's why you thought up this general pumpkin. No, I didn't think that up. General Pumpkin? Well, he's on the calendar. What calendar? Mr. Flugos calendar. Or maybe you wanted to take Margie out for a chocolate soda or something. That's why you did it. Well, that's right. I did it. That's why you made me close my bank for a chocolate soda. You admit it, don't you? Chocolate soda. I can go over one myself. Quiet, Mac. Well, young man, so you had ulterior motives, didn't you? Well, I don't know what you mean, Mr. Hodgkiss. What's wrong with a chocolate soda on a nice sunny day? I mean, what's wrong with a holiday on a nice sunny day? That isn't the point. Hey, hey, give up. Peter, you've got to get those people back into town or Dingle will ruin you. What'll Dingle do? What did you say? What'll Dingle do? Look, Peter, look, my boy, you sent them out of town. Get them back like the Pied Piper Peter. Like who? Like the Pied Piper. You know what I mean. Oh, yeah. Well, sorry, Mr. Mayor. I think the people of Pineville needs a holiday. I'm sorry about Mr. Dingle, but maybe he needs a holiday too. Peter, my boy, don't you see? Our future in this town lies in your hands. We're important people in this town. We've worked hard all our lives to get where we are. Yeah, but where are you? Too scared to take a little holiday because Mr. Dingle won't let you. Just how important are you anyway? Mr. Dingle can't do a thing to me so I'm more important than both of you. Oh, Peter, I want to be re-elected mayor of this town and I can be when it's up to Dingle. Peter, let's put it this way. You're a very bright boy. I can use a young man with your personality in my bank. I have a junior executive position open right now. It's yours, Peter, if you'll learn. I'm very sorry, Mr. Hodgkis. No bribes, please. Besides, I don't want to be a junior executive. I'm in the flower business. Oh, I like the flower business. And I like flowers. Glad the olders are my favorites. What are your favorite flowers, Mr. Hodgkis? Poison Ivy. Now, Peter, for the last time... Oh, dear. Oh, dear. That must be Dingle again. Dingle again. Dingle. Look, you answer it, Hodgkis. Oh, no, this is your office. You get it. I'm sure it's Dingle. Oh, what'll I say? Well, I'm not a scared dancer. Let me have it. Peter Bright speaking. Oh, there you are. Oh, hello, Mr. Flugels. Yes, Mr. Flugels. Happy Chippewa. What a day, Mr. Flugels. Hey, how are the petunias? Huh? Huh? What did you say? Happy Chippewa? Happy Chippewa what? A general pumpkin, remember? Look, hey, Mr. Flugels. Remember, I saw it on your desk. You saw what on my desk? A pumpkin? Peter Bright, are you out of your mind? No, no, no. On your memo pad. General pumpkin. General pumpkin. I mean, holiday. Holiday? Yeah, it was written on your memo pad. Oh, yes, oh, yes, holiday. Yeah, that's right. Remember now? Yes, I remember. But you forgot to deliver the flowers to Mr. Holiday, and I had to... Mr. Holiday? Yes, Mr. Samuel Holiday. Say that again. Mr. Samuel Holiday. Oh, wait, oh, it can't be. What's the matter? What did I say, Peter? Well, well, speak up. It's not a real mistake. Mistake? You mean the holiday? No, well, it's not a holiday. It's Mr. Samuel Holiday. I thought it was a real holiday, but it's Samuel Holiday. Oh, my. What have I done? I don't understand your gibberish, young man, but I gather you've made a grave error. Is that right? A very grave error. Wonderful, wonderful. We're saved. Hotchkiss, we're saved. Now, now, Peter, will you get the people back? Yes, tell them. Go on, go on, tell them all. It's not a real mistake. Well, tell them, tell them to come back. I can't, I can't. They wouldn't listen to me. Oh, you must, Peter. And besides, oh, it's a perfect day for a holiday. I can't. You must. You've got to. You admit that you were wrong, don't you? You do it. Mack, get the sheriff to write him down to the picnic grounds. Use the loudspeaker. Yeah, that's right. The loudspeaker. There's a speaker. Yeah, that's a good idea. Mack, Mack, Mack, call the sheriff. Hey, you can't go in there. I've got to see the mayor. Out of my way. Out of my way, young whippersnapper. I'll blow a whole team through you. Come in, Sheriff. Let him in. Well, what's the matter there, old timer? Oh, nothing's better. I just came in to shake your hand, Mayor. Here's my hand, Mayor. I'm proud of you. I'm proud of you. And now I'm here as a committee of one to thank you for celebrating General Pumpkin Day in the city of Pineville for the first time. General Pumpkin's not important. We can't... Hold on there, young pleurotems, fighting words. What do you mean he's not important? Well, he sure is important to the veterans who fought the battle of Chippewa to me. Hey, you go, open that window. There. You hear? There, those. Those are the boys. Every one of them a veteran in the battle of Chippewa to me. There's only 28 of them left. I ain't looking. No, sir, not until you listen to me. But then I'm listening. Hey, young fellow, you're the one that started it. But don't let him talk you out of it now. We're right behind you. We fought the battle of Chippewa to me in 1895, and we're ready to fight with him today. Just you say the word, Peter. Close that window. Oh, my. You said that you fought in a battle of Chippewa to me? Fought it. Well, I was right smack in the middle of it. General Pumpkin's right hand man, that was me. That's all over and forgotten now. It's not important. Is that so? That's what you say, young fella? But back in 1895, the people of this town erected a statue right on the spot where Pumpkin made his last stand. Oh, boy, I was right after all that. You tell him, young fella. Ah, guys, Pumpkin's last stand, right in our town. You tell him, young fella. I've never heard of Pumpkin. Never heard of Pumpkin. Oh, hey, hey, hey, never heard of Pumpkin. Ask any Indian fighter now living and he'll tell you plenty. Ask me for instance. Wait a minute, wait a minute, old timer. Hotchkiss, one of old timer is right. What about Dingle? What'll we say to Dingle? Yes, Dingle. What about Dingle? Yeah, why? What'll Dingle do? 11.35, Mr. Dingle. 11.35. They've got exactly 25 minutes to call an end to this holiday. 25 minutes more, that's all I'll give them. Oh, look, just look at this merchandise plumber. Beautiful merchandise. The most outstanding bargains this store's ever had and not one single customer. Why did you... Hey, does this suit belong here, here on this rack? This suit's marked 24.95. Well, yes, sir, the sign says $50 suits marked down to 24.95. I know I see the sign, but these actually are $50 suits marked down to 24.95. These are supposed to be $25 suits marked down to 24.95. Who's responsible for this? Who put those suits there? Well, I had the extra help bring up all the sale merchandise. Well, they got the wrong merchandise. Look at these shirts. They've actually got $5 shirts for $2.99. Instead of $3 shirts for $2.99. The whole store is stocked with the wrong merchandise. Oh, I'm ruined. Oh, plumber, get me some water. Don't stand there, do something. I'll get you some water. Never mind the water. What can we do? Today's holiday. Does that help, Mr. Dinger? Never mind the holiday. Holiday. That's right, the holiday. That's it. That's it. Closed for the holiday. I don't know. Besides Washington's birthday, Lincoln's birthday, 4th of July, Armistice, The Great Heavens for Peter Bright's holiday. Oh, Peter Bright speaking. Peter Bright, you've saved me. Your holiday is wonderful. What's that, Mr. Dinger? It's Dinger. Let me listen in. I'm not here. Tell Mac to make it official. It's a marvelous day for a holiday. Tell Hodges, I'll see him in Pineville Park. And a happy Chippewa-wot-a-me day to you. It's just Dinger said to make it official. Yeah, and he said happy Chippewa-wot-a-me day too. I told you that man needed a holiday. Well, I need a holiday too. This has been a trying warning. Goodbye, happy Chippewa-wot-a-me day to you, Peter. Oh, it's Dinger. You, Mr. Hodges. Where are you going, young fella? We're all set for that march to General Pumpkin's statue. It won't be necessary, old timer. It's all right. I hereby declare this an official holiday. Goodie, goodie, goodie. Wait till I tell the fellas. It's okay, fellas. It's official. Say something, Peter. They want you. Oh, they do? Oh, my. Well, hi, fellas. It's very possible for all the people of Pineville. Happy Chippewa-wot-a-me day. In words myself, of Peter Bright and General Pumpkin, I hereby declare the first sunny Monday in May to be known as Peter of Pumpkin Day. Peter Pumpkin Day. Oh, my God. It's wonderful. Well, happy holiday, Margie. Oh, happy Peter Pumpkin Day. And that is the story of General Pumpkin's holiday. You may not believe this story, so you'll have to take my word for it. Who am I? Well, I'm General Pumpkin. This is Charlie Ruggles again. A friend of mine went to a meeting the other night at which the topic was atomic defense. I suppose a great many of these meetings are being held right now all over the world, and many perhaps write at this instant. At any rate, my friend came away as a member of the planning board, and it's his committee's job to make preparations for possible disasters of various sorts and to think up various preventative measures. You know, he told me, cities are always boasting about how self-sufficient they are until they have to prepare for some emergency. It's only then they seem to realize how dependent they are upon outside help. In fact, it's only when you survey conditions that you realize how dependent everyone is upon things that were placed in the earth, on the earth, and around the earth, long before man came. I mean such things as air and water, wood, fuel, and minerals. We're so accustomed to summoning electricity out of a switch and water out of a faucet that we never really think of these things until we really think. My friend's words have given me plenty to think about, and out of that thinking comes this conclusion. Man has to look outside himself, too, not only for the things placed on the earth long before he came, but for someone who existed long before he did, someone whom even the heavens cannot contain. God. And how do we call his help? True prayer. But prayer is not to be thought of only in terms of disaster, or it's both a preparatory and a preventative measure. In fact, a mighty good course of daily action. Now family theater again reminds you the family that prays together stays together. More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. Ralph Moody, Junius Matthews, and Jim Nussar. The original story was written by Saul Seidman with music composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman and was directed for Family Theater by Joseph F. Mansfield. This series of family theater broadcasts is made possible by the thousands of you who feel the need for this type of program by the mutual network which responds to this need and by the hundreds of stars of stage, screen and radio who get so unselfishly of their time and talent on our family theater stage. To them and to you, our humble thanks. This is Tony Lofrano expressing the wish of Family Theater that the blessing of God may be upon you and your home and inviting you to be with us next week when Family Theater will present Audrey Totter and Jeff Chandler in The Promise. Join us, won't you? Family Theater broadcasts throughout the world and originates in the Hollywood studios of the world's largest network, the mutual broadcasting system.