 Remember a hallmark card when you carry enough to send the very best. His greatest stars in outstanding stories and presents as your host one of the most distinguished actors of the American theater, Mr. Lionel Barrymore. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Lionel Barrymore. You know there's one pleasant memory which I think most all of us have in common. You know what I mean if you think back to the first time you began to read a book by Sir Walter Scott. Remember the tingling excitement which went through you as you followed the magic of his words? Well, I hope you'll feel the same thrill again tonight as we dramatize Sir Walter Scott's great narrative poem, The Lady of the Lake. It's a love story of the Scottish Highlands in the days when Henry VIII ruled England and his nephew was king of the restless land to the north. When clan fuelled with clan and scot with scot. And to play the role of the Lady of the Lake we've invited as our guest the talented and very lovely Joan Fontaine. And now here's Frank Goss from Makers of Hallmark Cards. When you want to remember your friends there is one way to be sure the card you send receives an extra welcome. Look for that identifying hallmark on the back when you select it. For words to express your feelings and designs to express your good taste let the hallmark on the back be your guide. For that hallmark tells your friends you cared enough to send the very best. Lionel Barrymore appears by arrangement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer producers of the Technicolor musical Because You're Mine starring Mario Lanza, Doretta Morrow and James Whitmore. And now here's the first act of The Lady of the Lake starring Joan Fontaine. Go through the rooted clan and stony past. Onward through the Scottish Highland horse and rider plunged and still the antler stag led on. Past the brig of turk over creek and crag past the hills of Benletty and beyond. Horse of bravest heart then the hunter went on alone. Until at last he stood upon an unfamiliar shore. Once more the hunter raised his arm. The hunter turned to sea. Maiden's boat came swiftly to the shore. The hunter bowed low and swept off the cap of Aaron's plume. Neither father nor friend, my lass, but a stranger to these shores. Sir, forgive me, but are you hurt? The stag escaped me and now I am without horse or harms or friends. Friends? They are near. No, lass, many leagues away faint hearts who failed me in the chase. Still you blew their horn. It was to summon them. This thought frightens you? Ah, you tremble. No, it was for aid that I called out for I have heard that Highland law will not let the wanderer to go unfed or to sleep upon the ground. That is Highland law and we are subject to it. We? My father and I. And perhaps another? The name which you called out, Malcolm Graham? Which is but a name. I and which brings color to your cheeks even now. But one name must lead to another and so I hope to yours. There is another Highland law, sir, that strangest shall be strangest to each other until bread is broken. For if there are no names, they must eat his friends and part his friends. May we be there always. And now take me where you will, my lady of the lake. You look about the hall. I to seek an answer to this riddle. A dwelling so large, so strongly built so far from all others. An island refuge in an unknown lake. My father planned it so. Your father? Is he Rudrick do? No. And yet on this wall hangs Rudrick's broadsword. I saw it flash in many a battle, a sword so great that none other can wield it. Lass, what have you to do with Rudrick, the outlaw? First, sir, I must have your name. I, since I have eaten and Highland law is satisfied, James fits James, Knight of Snowden, a wanderer without castle or lady to grace it. And you? Ellen, daughter to James, Lord Douglas. So the riddle is ended. This dwelling is Rudrick's and within me a father seeks refuge. He is uncle to that Douglas who sought to do King James harm. Now the King would have sworn vengeance on all our clan. Ellen. Father. Hold not back, your lordship, I am but a wayfarer and unarmed. Then I bid you welcome, sir, the courtesy of this house. The broadsword. The sign, the sign. Why do you stand back? It is the Highland warning, my child. Rudrick Dew's blade falls between us. There must be bloodshed. I, and even now, Rudrick comes. Farewell, sweet Ellen. Sir James, serve him. She was our guest. Ellen. Oh, hear me, father. He has done no harm. As he will, Rudrick Dew's blade promises it. Quickly, child, what name did he give? James Fitz-James, a poor knight who lost his way. Oh, found it to our hiding place and goes now to King James. A spy? No. I will not believe it. Believe as you will. But speak to no one of this. Rudrick comes. Listen, great booty. All Glen Lass is burnt to ashes, and the men of Loch Lomond lie as dead as the stones upon their shores. Then the raid is ended. Victory. My men fell on them while they slept, and those who escaped will carry the news to King James. Beware of coward cringes and sterling castles and leave the halons to those who are men. Rudrick. Ah, Ellen. Even in victory, there must be losses, with a few or many. Oh, look yonder lass, the men seem few. I cannot find Malcolm Graham. Malcolm Graham. Oh, he is new with your band. Tall with golden hair and wide blue eyes. It seems you know him too well. Lad Douglas there, Rudrick. You mis-take her meaning. Malcolm is a lad who befriended me once. We owe him much. And so, Ellen's question. It is well that this all. And now, fair Ellen, what shall I tell you? That Malcolm is alive, and that he is unhurt. He is, and now stands guard with my boats in the cove. Oh, thank you, Rudrick. I think, have you so soon forgotten the sound of my voice? Ellen. Every hour away from you, I heard it again in the call of the Delph. I, and saw once more the deepness of your eyes in the blue of Loch Lomond. And now the blue of Loch Lomond is stained red with the blood of the dying. I, Rudrick, you waters a heather of Scotland with the blood of his enemies. When must it end? Highland against Lowland, clan against clan. Chieftain against chieftain. When will there be peace in Scotland united? Ellen, this is strange, though. Oh, I thought much, my dear. In the night sometimes my mind turned straighter to our clan. I've even wished that King James might bring us peace. Ellen. Oh, can you not see, Malcolm? Each time I bid you farewell, it may be forever. It's both love in my heart and fear. Then let me make it love alone, my darling. We waited long, too long. I'll go to your father and ask for your hand. And what dowry would I bring you? Save the curse of the Douglas, the outlawed clan. With me you would strife in the wrath of the King. Ellen, Ellen of Douglas. Frederick, come here. Bye, until later. God, have you seen all of the Douglas lies? Even though, sir, the face looks back at me from this starlit pool. Oh, Ellen, all my sentries were so fair. They truly sentry are to my heart. Frederick. Come, lass, there's no time for shyness. I've won a victory. And now I wish another. Still it's custom to speak to a maid's father. Aye, Lord Douglas is her name. And she's answer? Is that you must answer it, your name. Sir, you make it hard. By father, Fred King James, save Haven. Aye, and with the word, his Haven ends. By your answer, I'll know your gratitude. No more, please. Love comes not by threat. If you refuse me. Aye, for my heart is already given. And I know where. You fled the camp and victory feast. You wander the shore to be with him that I set guard. Sentry, welcome, Graham. Aye, sir, welcome. Yes, sir, nun, your death. Frederick. What comes from your friends? What comes and speaking, man? King James and his army. They march from Sterling Castle. And not even now in the mountain pass. At last. Then to our welcome. Light the war fires and solve the master. Oh, your life I feared for because of war. And now there is added victory. Frederick's wrath will come again. And in battle he may find a way. Oh, my beloved, quickly escape while there's time. And in my life I'll find a way. Oh, my beloved, quickly escape while there's time. And in my prayers I'll ask for this Scotlanded peace and Malcolm mine. Turn to the second act of the Lady of the Lake, starring Joan Fontaine. Colors, artistic designs, a style of printing that's smart and easy to read. All of these things are important, of course. For together they express your personality just as much as the books you read or the plays and concerts you attend. Now, one sure way to find a card that's a tribute to your own good taste is to choose your Christmas card from the new Hallmark albums. You'll find that this year the collection is bigger and more beautiful than ever before. If you prefer the works of famous painters, the cards in the Hallmark Gallery Artists series will be ideal for you. And before you decide, you'll want to browse through the modern and traditional and religious Christmas cards too, all carefully crafted in the fine manner of Hallmark cards. So why delay? By ordering your cards from the Hallmark albums tomorrow, you can have them in plenty of time for addressing at your leisure. And remember, that Hallmark on the back of every card you mail tells your friends you cared enough to send the very best. Now back to Lionel Barrymore on the second act of the Lady of the Lake, starring Joan Fontaine. He's done every peek for Roderick Dumas with bagpipe screaming. But still, there was peace in one highland retreat. Ellen of Douglas wandered the island and sat down with her thoughts by a wooden shore. Then in the sound she rose in fright. Who goes there? Father? Be quiet, lass. He's out of hearing. Oh, such insidious, James. Aye. And if there's danger, it's mine, not yours. Sir, what brings you here again? Is it to spy once more and then back to King James? You'll be glad for the news that my father is unguarded. A helpless Douglas before a vengeful king. If he be helpless, then no more than I. Helpless before a highland maid. Well, believe me, Farrell, and I come again with no wish to spy nor intent to harm, but to give you my heart and bear you away. Then I am sorry. I wait for another. You know his name. You heard me call it. Aye, Malcolm Grimm. Aye, Malcolm Grimm. I feared it might be so, and yet I had to prove it. But if you're Malcolm in battle or by some misfortune... No, I'm prepared for it. Even now he stands between two enemies. King James Army and Roderick's Envy. If he dies, my heart dies with him. Then such a love must surely triumph. I wish you well and Malcolm's safety. Wait! Roderick's men fill these mountains. Your escape must be through a secret path. I came that way and will find it again. But since you wish me kindness, take this in payment. Wear this always on your finger. Whose ring is this? Once in battle I saved the king and ingratitude James gave it to me. He vowed to grant whatever I asked in the name of this golden token. Keep it, Ellen, or it may be that you will have need of it. And now farewell. The king's own ring on his beltless hand. It is in a dream. Aye, my only happiness is no in dreams. Aye, my only happiness is no in dreams. Aye, my only happiness is no in dreams. To sleep and dream is with me still. If it be the future, then his blood is on my head, not Roderick. Oh, it's not true. And I say it is. Roderick need not kill Malcolm. The fortunes of battle may accomplish that. The battle whose cause is myself. I am the prize that King James seeks. The hunted lord of a hated clan. But if I surrender... No! That's the clod's way. The brave man's. One captive just sterling castle and the island's free of strife. One life and ransom for a thousand. No, no! It was but a thought. Dream in sleep and I awake. There come no more fears. Back to your pillow while I stand guard. Goes by the secret valley, friend or foe. Let him pass. Answer I say. Castle! Then you go as a ghost. My hope to drag me but... I'll bind you up and you'll still live. But who came here? Did you pass another? My father saw him I. But she, not me. In the secret pass, he cannot do a place of his death. Answer from the night and wind. Made Douglas to sterling castle. And the king. All coming is no surprise, Made Ellen. And now command me as you with. Then this ring. Your gift to me. I would present it to the king. This command. Send your prisoners to the appointed place. I saw you and I worried you. You fought in them and then I heard a... a death cry. It was no dream. Then the battle has ended. Fight on Highland losers. But you once fed and would not wed. It was between one who gave me life and one who is now my life. Tell you must. Douglas, who now swears allegiance to my name or Malcolm, who swears allegiance to yours. Which shall live? Oh, Malcolm. Now, forgive me and stand my choice. If my father dies, the Highlands rise again and rather than there is war, but now he lives and Scotland is invited. For that night, dearest, I gladly die. Oh, and be brave, Malcolm. Grief death happily. For I meet it with you. Scotland greater than the kings. And your sacrifice of this lad shames my generosity. He is free. But when in some near day I'm Malcolm's bride, perhaps to the Highlands again you'll come. Not as a hunter without horse, not as a gallant-seeking love, but as Lord of all peaceful Scotland and throughout our glens. 97, a puzzled little girl named Virginia O'Henlon wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Sun. In it she asked, please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? The editor's reply has become a classic. He said, in essence, yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist. And you know that they have bound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Today, as we approach the Christmas season, those words again take on their full meaning. The wonderful spirit of Santa Claus returns to the hearts of each of us and we are eager to honor our friends and loved ones wherever they may be. And this is such an easy and pleasant gesture thanks to hallmark cards. They are the symbols of friendship and they carry your greetings the length and breadth of the land. And here's something you might like to know, while the quality of hallmark cards is being constantly improved, you'll find the prices remain the same. This year, as always, that hallmark on the back of every card you mail tells your friends you cared enough to send the very best. Here again is Lionel Barrymore. You know, John Fontaine cut short a visit in Europe just to come back for our hallmark playhouse show tonight. And what a beautiful performance you gave us, John. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you, Mr. Barrymore, for that pretty compliment. And of course I always enjoy a visit to hallmark playhouse. Tell me now, are you going to be able to stay with us a while? Or will you be off on another traveling joint right away? Well, not right away, until after a certain date next week. A certain date next week? Oh, that sounds to me like it could be a birthday. Who's is it? Yours or your daughter's? As a matter of fact, it's mine. But their birthdays are pretty soon too. They're early in November. Well, now, it sounds like your family will be getting lots of hallmark birthday cards very soon. And I'm sure each one will make you happy. You know, Mr. Barrymore, that's the truth. It's something I've noticed about hallmark cards. You may get many different kinds, some sweet, some humorous, but each one seems to make you happy in its own way. It's like seeing a lot of your friends all at once. But tell me, Mr. Barrymore, what are your plans for next week on hallmark playhouse? Well, next week we'll present the story of some famous American naval heroes and of the man under whom they served, Commodore Pribble. When we dramatize Pribble's Boys by Fletcher Pratt and to start in it we'll have McDonald's Carry. Our hallmark playhouse is every Sunday. Our producer and director is William Gay. Our music is composed and conducted by David Rose and our story tonight was adapted by Leonard Sinclair. Until the next Sunday then, this is Lionel Barrymore saying goodnight. Hallmark cards present two great programs for the whole family's enjoyment. On radio the hallmark playhouse with host Lionel Barrymore and on television outstanding dramatic entertainment on the hallmark television theater. Consult your paper for time and station. If you find a symbol of the Liberty Bell hanging on your front door one day soon you'll know it was put there by a good American reminding you to be a good American. It's the Boy Scouts of America reminding all America to vote as you think and to think when you vote on November 4th. This is Frank Goss saying goodnight to you all until next week at the same time. When Hallmark Playhouse returns to present McDonald's Carry in Fletcher Platt's Pebbles Boys and the week following Daniel Webster starring Lionel Barrymore and the week after that Herman Peterson's The Covered Bridge on the Hallmark Playhouse. This is the CBS Radio Network. This is KMVC, Kansas City, Missouri.