Helen and Steve Ethelville, newlyweds, travel by train from Chicago to Northridge, where Steve's obsession with railroads takes up much of their time. Steve is a devoted model railway enthusiast, and Helen finds herself drawn into his world of timetables, locomotives and the local model railway club. Their marriage is tested as Steve's hobby increasingly crowds out time with his wife, and Helen begins to feel neglected. The story is told in the Hallmark Playhouse episode Mrs. Union Station, first broadcast on June 17, 1948, adapted from a magazine story by Douglas Welch and introduced by novelist James Hilton.
Characters: Helen Ethelville, Steve Ethelville, Harry Johnson, Tommy Dumouille
The transcript of “Mrs Union Station”, an episode of Hallmark Playhouse first broadcast June 17, 1948. Press a time to play from that line (a 60-second preview here). This episode is free in the Hallmark Playhouse podcast. Search inside this transcript.
Transcript
Remember a hallmark card. Are you carrying out two sins of very best? The only word, the makers of hallmark greeting cards, bring you an exciting dramatization of an unforgettable story on the hallmark way out.
The next card was chosen from the Hall World Edition by one of the world's most popular authors, his knowledge of stories and events. Anyone's story or imagination is universally recognized. Or he is the author of Goodby Mr. Chipps, Random Harvest, Lost Horizon, and many others you have loved in books and on the screen.
Our Marcus Foude presents the distinguished novelist, Mr. James Hilton. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'm please to do with you again. Tonight we have one of those stories that doesn't try to tell the end of the world's pressing problems.
The guest goes madamee alarm, and the black itself should do it to a perfect world. It's a magazine story which appeared a few years ago and took a lot of people's fancy, including mine, and Arthur the Yard Chute.
It's called Mrs. Union Station, hot For Douglas Welch is not only a spinner of good yarns, but he also has the appreciation of a realistic person. Here's something you wrote recently. What most of us need of all else is just a word now and then we'll let us know that people care.
Those are significant words, Mr. Welch, and they express as well as any we know the reason for remembering to send hallmark cards for your friends. On those special occasions when you want them to know you're thinking of them.
For hallmark cards to say, just what you want to say, the way you want to say. Now, here's Mr. Hylton and our story. Oh, yeah. Train. But for me, they've had a very real fascination.
Ever since I was quite young and had toy trains to play. I suppose children prefer toy airplanes nowadays. Or do they? I'm feeling strange to a passenger, then. Why that's where the grown-ups will hear the story about a man and a girl.
The man is crazy about Mother Faith, and some of the girls in the case is crazy about the young man. Love being deaf as well as blind, because perfectly natural to have an entire rush, happily intermarriage, and even without discovering his great weakness until they were asked in New York on their hominoid.
They knew the stock of darkness, or even their compartments. Steve, I really must not see Steve's face. What's wrong, right? Steve, if there's anything wrong, I'll ask Mother. We are at an hour, but it's taken at five days to get there from Chicago.
We've been on five different trains. The New York Center, the country's been living in You like railroad? Uh-huh. You love them. That's why I didn't take that bus two days ago. Why did you got a good trailer?
Well, nothing only my goodness, do you think I'd want it to get back to the Northridge Model Railway Club that I rode up bus? The Northridge Model Railroad Club. Well, sure, didn't you know? It did not sell space on our knows-bye.
It's my hobby. Railroad's a model train. We've got 500 feet of H.O. Gage's could carry Johnson's basement back home. The Chicago, Walton and West Coast. Why don't you? Don't I talk. Love railroad. Darling, if you care for the lysa, what's most of the lysa?
Oh, it's too shady. Link, all won't serve it. I'm Santa, breakfast. How long have you been up to menu, please? And a couple of railroad time tables. I like to read it, breakfast. What a central price to be.
I know we like to up in New England. Oh, right now. I want to ride on the central Vermont and Rockwood. What's wrong? That is a great experience for me. Yes, no, you do, sir, very clearly.
I know, right, the independence subway today. In fact, never mind breakfast. Let's get started. All right, thank you in front of the Jamaica Green Park Express. Pardon? Red, single, watch pretty fast. I'll talk to the motormen.
Oh, well, I just got the wrap on the glass with this little cubicle, it's all. So what's your friend? We're coming up on that red, single, watch pretty fast. I know we're all going to be a gruesome talk. Thank you.
Don't think there isn't enough headway between trains. That depends on the brakes. See, now, in your opinion, Mortimer, what's the best straight on automatic air brake? So that's what my boy chick, I just dragged my seat.
Why's that? Let's put it to the Long Island Railroad instead. And then I stop lying. Then there's no third-out of the elevator. And then I stop lying. And I want to take it down to grass central terminal to hear the train announcing.
And then I stop lying. You're the hot bird, I... My last foxy, I had a white breakfast. Oh, thanks, bye, chick. This is a charming honeymoon. Full of tender remember, six. Like the snapshot of Steve's wife, his Steve's faction reading.
Helen, standing next to consolidation 280, tight, tight, low, commodity. Still all of the humanist's coldness with answers. But it's also lovely. And Helen here to go back to Northridge, unless she could walk back. No sooner has this full-in than Northridge home, and Steve invited her to a meeting of the model railway club
away club in Harry Johnson's basement. Mr. Johnson was there too. The season they did in short circuit and watching the season. Well, what are we supposed to do, Mary? Not touch anything. How do you know I'm here steady on in this moment of track?
I'm sure to get some caution with them if he's awfully interested. Alright, got it boys. Yeah, got you. We're going to the top and I'll exit your box. Okay, Johnson, let's have that order for number 17.
Number 17 meets number 402 at East End of City. city and you've got a small order over two sections east of all the kind of crackers hand okay number seven in the continental limited now leaving on brick floors but probably I bring feel all this and the city and all points west the Bible sure there she goes there she goes there goes the continental limited
continental limited lived like a great dark ghost out of a silent yard gathering speed is a thunder in the open country, drawing powerfully toward the washtop, punching like some great prehistoric monster into the panel in the wall of the fruit-positive, and putting around furnace curve, the great driver's mouthful hails with giant power,
flinging up and up, and up to the high plateau near the old wooden night clock, to pull in with a great sigh at the tall, lighted station, gathering its mighty eye and sinews for the next rush into the mysterious enveloping night of the Great Strange.
Number 17, arriving on sign. Oh, great work on that 3% rate. Nice, Johnson. All right, girl. Yes, sir. Helen, we are assigning you to a manual question in the Chicago yard. How's that, kid? Yeah, a little, eh. Can you handle the South End passenger traffic?
South End passenger traffic. Oh, you're my level best, Harry. OK, everybody, on your toes. We're five seconds away from number 34. Here it seems. Yeah. Hey, Helen, watch out for that freight train. Oh, I'm walking a cold road.
Sorry, you're not. Hey, look out. I'm not doing a switch, but am I? I'm sick. I'm sure the road hasn't turned. Send a man back to put a flare on the track. Got you. Let's be right.
I'm sorry, see? We haven't had a derail on the alternate west coast We leave fell off at them back. Oh, cut down! The only way we can get those reapers back on the rails is with the wrecking truck.
And they'll take me cello-dowers. We routing all traffic on that one. Okay, for the wrecker's seat. So it's jumping. Yeah. Let's do it. Now that we're home. Did you ever see anyone turn a switch on a railroad while a train was tapping over it?
Then why did you do it? Oh, Steve, oh, please. The truck is stuck again now. Well, the incident is closed. Even if the switch was open. Sweetie, son. That's why he'd make it to you.
Hmm? What's that? This is big as that fox inside Rose and Lauda, with alligator crosshats and a boost along the tail of her shell. Well, hello. So Mark Playhouse is presenting a mccomadee in Mitchell's Union Station, a toy selected for you by James Hilton.
More than a fence here though, in England, a lid-displained mystical sort of a man, who stay in has steadily increased with the years. Nor has it not given to most men to win everlasting distinction in any line of endeavor.
William Blake, at 45, had won renown in two separate fields. As both part and office, he rained as one of the greatest figures in English history. How could one man accomplish so much? What was it that enabled William Blake to surpass other men at his times or at long stint than for Dutton?
Perhaps the secret of his greatness is desperately deemed in his own words. He wrote to a friend in the year 1802. And the significant words are these. I leave no stone unturned, you write, and no path unexplored that leads to improvement in my arms.
Word like those might easily be written about the folks who make hallmark cards. Or they go to great lengths to create the kind of breathing card you like to send. In appearance and in the sentiment stretch.
Each card must be the finest they are capable of producing. And there's a very good reason for this. You see, they're not making just cards. They're creating hallmark cards. Cards that are warm and sincere and trembling.
Cards that say that's what you want to say. The way you want to say it. That's why hallmark cards are America's favorite greeting cards. And that's why those three identifying words on the back are hallmark cards.
Tell your friends you cared enough to send the very best. Now, James Newton continues with the amusing and entertaining story by Douglas Welch. Mr. Union Station. I... Now, you're a mid-day and odd story, and you know what sort of man's unit that he was.
And many of those are the big university homecoming arrived. He couldn't get away because he was building a new local city. But you know, I'm having a going. No, not a day. But she went down the cell for a matter of once a time.
Especially at the around and like that. We can all of her open. Tommy, to a low-down! We've had it my college days, how are you? Oh, and finally it's good to see you again. I love your lady in the middle.
Can I grow more beautiful every year? I'm glad. You're married. I know it. Not all about it on the paper. Tell me you're terrible, General. I felt for weeks. Wouldn't need anything but barley broth.
I knew too I'd say. You're still dancing magically. Don't you? Let's go find out all of it. Show me. Show me. What does your Lord and Master do? It is assistant vice president of the Chicago, Austin, and West Coast.
Austin and West Coast Railway. He's a big man. It's a small road. He's really just a third monitor. The International Smaller County Company. But the model railroad is like this. I should think you think it's like this.
Same old town. We're the same old tactics. Mike up. Let's go someplace. It's a town. Where the hell are you selling to my junior? Oh, not always. Sometimes you talk to Steve. Steve, Steve. What, I'm glad you came up here, Ellen.
I'm glad I came up here. I'm going to see more of you. I don't think so, Tom. Who is it? Yes. The Fours Manager is assigned me to the North Pole. Is it a nice coincidence?
I am the Fours Manager. Oh. I'll be a North City only next week. We're going to get you to ring now, and we'll ring to. Oh, I want to meet your husband. Oh, you must be.
Yes, I'm back. And, uh, if you want to make a hit with him, right away. Ringing the car for a time, Dave, was in a picture of a caboon. You wanted the hauling with me.
We've never had a wonderful time. I had a wonderful time right here with my new engine. I'm three specifications with today. And the cheerleader said, All right, let's get to the big locomotive. Gee, I'm sorry I missed that.
Oh, but guess who I left for this? Tommy Dumouille. Oh, the boy's sending stigma rude? Oh, that's all you know about Tommy. Now let me tell you what Johnson said about my new locomotives. Oh, I'll get it.
Hello, huh? We're just talking about you. What time can you turn on him? Where are you, PlayStation? It's time to take a car, Colorado. How about dinner with it, Tommy? I'll pick you up in my car in five minutes.
Oh, you shouldn't have done that. Well, yeah, I can... Now, there's a great smell, Alan. Wow. People on me a couple of time tables. You know, Steve, I'm sort of interested in where it was myself.
Is that a genuine factor? My uncle works in the past department of the Southern Pacific. At the mighty Good Road, Southern Pacific. The plan is a very readable sign table. Yes, I've always felt that was the case.
How are you saying in town, darling? Right. As long as they're business-forming, Mullins may be in the country club formal with it later on. I'd like you to meet the Model Railway Club. Why? Be delighted, Steve.
I consider that a fine opportunity. A fine opportunity. I think Steve always needs me. Just as. When I like him to dance in the water's chive. That's a very singular and abnormal craving. Scratching. That's the same, I guess.
Oh, right. I still say what's the use of building a beautiful model engine, correct in every detail? Is he going to come up with a lot of skin spring line? Yeah, yeah, but don't forget, we're running through highly competitive territory with fact frames like the factory and super cheap operating against us.
I say, if the other line spring line, we've got to meet the train and three, huh? He's a home street. How was mine? I got zero work. Oh, that's your birdhouse. Yeah. All right, gentlemen, we'll frame line next week.
Come on, Helen, I'll get you things. Hi, Helen. How about you? Today, we're in the house with you. What's the matter? What's the matter? Don't you love me any more? Don't you leave them for your son life of traknessy?
And that's the dance with me just once and spend of everybody? Oh, you mean about tonight? I mean about every day and every night. It's our boonders, married to a union station. Oh, Jim, Helen, I know you're the real one.
I'm ready to walk all of this off of you. Ever mention a cold car again. Not a cold car, a tent. Cold cars are called hoppers. I'm nothing. Oh, yeah. And tell them to. Oh, no, I'm through that.
I'll never look at a train again. I'll even turn my head away when we drive by the people. No, I don't want cars. I just want you to love me over the nose. Sure, sure.
No, God, I was going to be always assured. who hasn't been to a club meeting him for years? No, I don't know, but you've caught him reading a time table in the garage. Oh. Oh, that. Well, he just wanted my wet time to see me, because I've got a short little casserole in my coat.
You can't tinker off a model really, so you got the dread rabbit. Yeah. So far, so good. You want tea? The coz there lives in town. Well, who is bardly there? Bardly is only the owner of the biggest, finest, most complete, The movie is used his railway for all their miniature shots.
Tastes him a fortune. He's over at Harry Johnson's now and they want me to come over. Can I go? I just want to be able to say, I shook Barcaville's hands. Steve, this is our wedding order.
But don't worry, honey. I'll be back in 10 minutes. Not a second more. It's amazing, Barcaville. It's absolutely amazing. Isn't it amazing, Barca? Oh, thanks. I'm gonna make it. Then there's my lot of famous invitation to the Western Pacific, The questling to the feather is cash.
Alright, alright. Yeah, let's do it. Turn out. You put your palms together like this, as if in prayer. As if in prayer, yes. The thighs and the thumbs, throw them together like so. You cut the hands slowly and cook the thumbs, keeping them permanently together.
Yeah, we got you. That's the let's firmly get the second joint of your thumb. Yeah, yeah. And then in this manner, it's close, like this. Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. reality of it. I mean you're there with the Western Pacific. Thank you. Now you go someplace else and play. Yes dear. Let's go someplace.
You and the baby go mirror. See why over your place three hours ago. I call some more. Call some more else all right. How was that? Pink tea. That's gas plate.
Sutter and ground river. Can you get me the quickest? I can not only get you the tickets but I can go with you. It's all happened to my sales manager. Why should he go to Grand River?
I'll pick him in 15 minutes. I'll be already coming. You're a real shame. You have to take the train to Grand River, I don't know. Oh, that's all I have. I hate trains. Me too.
Couldn't get a plane. I'm grateful for you. It is coming. It's coming in the night. Wakes people up. Hate them all. It was a firebox in violence. But it can't change the ladies. A laser lady.
Tell them nothing. A lazy lady! Tell him that I've been thinking, you know, about us. Oh, right? How nice it'll be to settle down in the country in a nice little house. Oh, well, you lucky face of space, Tony. Yes.
Sweet little house? Sweet little house. No, uh, please, Tony, I guess. Nice yard. Garden full of flowers, work bench. Work bench? Uh, what do you work at? A link? Uh. I make model shifts. ship model ship that's what I thought you said I have a quarter in scale model of nothing flagship that's one more deal who you you can fix the bb you love and
see probably a lot of people and I got another this right now wait a minute where you going what are you gonna do I got in an hour ago I kind of I'm a fucking old fascinating guy.
And you were darned. That's all you're in apology. For dying? Nothing. Huh? For direct? I don't care. Don't care. Doctor, candy, All that's the story.
And there is chance there is hella-n-apple there from the classic face of leaping out of the frying panning to the fire. And to this day they tell the story in the Northridge roundhouse of how Helen Athel did.
A woman named you told the air on those under sticks, matching every wheel, and putting the entire train in the shop for a full week. In a moment Mr. James Hovland will return to tell us about the absorbing story with your collective modernization next week.
You're so few to your first circuit. Who picked your broken toys when you were a child? Who was the first pal you ever had? Of course, it was your father. And this is to remind you that Sunday is Father's Day.
He may be dead to you or just plain pop. But you can be pretty sure he's muddy proud of you and would like to know that you're proud of him. So don't disappoint your old dad on Father's Day.
Don't let him know how much he means to you. Send him a greeting that's warm, sincere and defection. you want your words to be serious or gay, dignified or informal. There's a hallmark card that will say just what you want to say, the way you want to say it. So stop in tomorrow
at one of those fine stores that carry hallmark cards and select your father's degree. And remember to look on the back for those three identifying words a hallmark card. The words that say you'll get it up to send the very best. Now here again is James Houghton. You I would like to know that Mrs. Union's agents all at this work with first night in our audience,
and I would like to take this opportunity to compliment him on his most delightful story. The rule of Helen Ethelville is played by Mary Jane Cross. Steve Ethelville's over of course and our cast included Mary Lansing, Frank Nelson, Joe Colens and David Ehlert.
And I think we agree with you as another about talk of feminist tonight with our founded ex man, Harry Ebsman. Next week it's word again, Julie M. Story, it's Radio Premier. and we shall present our most loved audiences by Libby Bloch.
Two things you might get from this title there's love in the story and there's music. In fact, if you like it, you like for blame the romance and drama don't miss it. Until next Thursday's end, this is Don't Have to Say, Good Morning.
So, for that report, you'll buy Milton Geiger, music was arranged and conducted by Lynn Murray. The AWD, or the finest quality, always look on the back of your cards for those three identifying words, a hallmark card.
Hallmark cards are sold only in stores that have been carefully selected to give you expert and friendly service. Remember Hallmark cards when you'll carry it up to send them a very best. Now this is Mike Goss saying goodnight to you all until next week at the same time when James Houghton returns to present for the
first time on radio the romantic mystery by Libby Block unless love is music. This program came to you from the Hallmark Playhouse. This is CBS, the Columbia broadcasting This is K.M.B.C. Kansas City, Missouri.