Family Theater: The Story of Joyce Kilmer

Family Theater presents Richard Basshart, Audrey Tottor and Danny Thomas. That's what the mutual network in cooperation with Family Theater Incorporated brings you Audrey Tottor and Richard Basshart in a transcription of the story of Joyce Kilmer to introduce our drama, Your Host and Narrator, Danny Thomas.

Thank you, Gene. It was on July 30th, 1918, that near the village of Sarang and Friends was killed a young soldier, who in his regrettably short span of 32 years had one heartfelt acclaim for his sensitive and delicate poetry.

This was a soldier poet, Joyce Kilmer, whose verse mirrored in tranquil reflection the beauty of trees and stars and roses, and served as a commentary to the love and strength which came from his life.

Now it is with pleasure that I present Richard Basshart and Audrey Tutter in the story of Joyce Kilmer. It is a day early in the 20th century that a nervous young man runs hurriedly up a flight of stairs, Knocks then stands expectantly before a lovely girl who regards him with lively interest.

Are you listening? Yes, I'm listening. Elin. Will you marry me? I most certainly will not. Oh, but a poet is made of stern stuff. So we shall try once more. Elin. Look at me.

I'm looking. Will you consent to be my wife? Your wife? Certainly not. But how does the poet say it if at first you don't succeed? Try again. Ellen, listen, please. I'm listening.

Look at me. I'm looking. Will you... Will you be asking her too much to become Mrs. Joyce Kilmer? Well... This is the way the story began. One beautiful day in June, 1908, for he said himself, Joyce Kilmer did. He said, you know, I can understand the interpretation that makes marriage the end instead of the beginning of a splendid adventure. If this should ever be the perfect novel of