Room for One More (1952) Movie Script
1
This is the story of my wife.
Well, of course, that isn't her.
Um, nor is that.
It's this one
the one with the gleam in her eye.
About 350 infants a year, pass through our nursery.
Some of them from broken homes,
majority from unmarried mothers.
Most of them are placed within a few days of their arrival.
They're left in their new homes for a period of 12 months
before formal adoption.
It's like a love affair.
If both sides are happy with
each other at the end of a year
they make it legal.
For the 350 babies, we average
over 1800 applications.
A woman who applied for a baby today
would have to wait more than three years.
That's an awfully long time to be expecting.
You're right.
Now, if you'll step this way, please.
Miss Kenyon, you're certainly doing a wonderful job here.
- Thank you.
- You should be very proud.
We don't take much credit for that.
Stock sells itself.
But here's a department, where we're in the rift.
But you must be able to find homes for some of them.
We'd like to find homes for all of them.
You see, our one aim is to put ourselves out of business.
It's easy to find homes for little
golden haired girls with blue eyes.
But who'd want that snaggle-tooth boy there
with butch hair cut?
I know he isn't very handsome.
That doesn't change the fact that he's a child
and he needs a home.
There's nothing wrong with him
but being three days old wouldn't fix.
You're perfectly right, maybe our PTA
can help place a few of these children.
We'll do all we can to help find them suitable homes.
- What's wrong with your homes?
- Why, I..
I happen to know they're all eminently suitable.
Oh, but, Miss Kenyon, these children are so much older.
I... I have children of my own, they'd be jealous.
Well, I wouldn't mind a baby, but then a child
who's character might've already been...
They might be a bad influence
on your children, or they might
do something to disgrace your entire family.
Why, yes. You're right.
I have no answers to your objections.
I'm sorry, I shouldn't have put
you all in a spot like that.
Goodbye and thank you for giving up your Sunday
to pay us a visit.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
Come in.
I'd like to help put you out of business.
Don't tell me someone was listening to me.
Well, I wasn't listening, I was watching.
But Mrs. Rose, you have three of your own.
Well, it should've been four, but we lost one.
Since then, we felt sort of short-changed.
What will your husband say?
He'll be crazy about the idea.
Just as soon as I get the courage to tell him.
I've never had a child this way before.
What do I do, just pick one?
I have one all picked out for you.
I've just been praying for someone
to make an offer like yours today.
Sit down.
- We really have an emergency.
- An emergency?
A child was just brought to us.
She'll be a lot of trouble, a disturbed adolescent.
She tried to commit suicide.
Oh, well, now look, all I want is a sweet little child
that plays hopscotch.
This girl's had year after year of hell.
Her mother and father split up.
The mother remarried, didn't want the child.
She's been beaten, abused.
Her mother finally put her out of the house
and locked her out.
I couldn't cope with that
I'm not equipped for that kind..
She probably needs analysis.
She needs a home and a mother
to take the place of what she's had.
- Ms. Kenyon, I don't think...
- Mrs. Rose!
- I know you from way back.
- I'll think about it.
Every stray dog and cat in the neighborhood
finally makes it's way to your home.
You never ask them about their background.
- Let me talk to my husband.
- Make it a good talk.
I want this girl to be with you.
You've an ear for children.
Mmm, um, alright.
Alright, your mother isn't home yet
but I guess it's alright
to open your birthday present.
- Excuse me.
- There you go.
- A book?
- Yeah.
Yeah, it's a special one.
I went through a lot of trouble to find that.
You did?
The collective poems
of James Whitcomb Riley.
Is that all I get for my birthday?
Well, it contains over 100 masterpieces.
Some of which rhyme. Shall I read one to you?
No.
How about, uh, "What Old Santa Overheard?"
Uh, "Little Orphaned Annie?"
Or the "Lugubrious Wing Wang?"
- No.
- Why not?
I'm more interested in the cake.
Well, you don't seem to understand.
Look, it's the deluxe edition
this set me back $2.95.
Look at the binding. May I just read the first page.
Poppy, make the cake.
Make the cake, make the cake.
Can't we take a few moments off for culture?
Here, you hang on to that.
Poppy, I got the basket from Mrs. Foreman.
- Fine.
- They here yet, Tim?
She's working on it.
Come on in.
Whose doggie are you?
Not ours, get him out of here.
But maybe he's lost, where can he go?
He can go on relief, we'll be joining him soon enough.
Come along, Tommy, we don't need you here.
We'll lick the place clean ourselves.
Oh, Poppy, how can you do a thing..
- Oh..
- Where's the basket?
Where's the basket? Quick.
Here it is, Tim. You think it's big enough?
Tell that cat to limit production.
The first one's a breach birth, rear end first.
Everything backs into this family.
- Number one.
- Oh, an only child?
- Unh-unh.
- This is a silly question.
- Number two.
- Oh, thank you. Here, Trot.
- Number three.
- Mm.
Looks like two boys and a girl.
Hmm.
- Number four.
- Thank you, doc.
- She hit the jackpot.
- Thank you, again.
- Poppy, make the cake.
- What'd you say?
- Poppy, make the cake.
- Oh, beg your pardon,
I thought that's what you said.
- The frosting needs more sugar.
- Oh, thank you.
Thank you for that.
- That cake's top heavy.
- Yeah.
And it is my contention that the six-layer-cake
should contain six layers, not three layers sub-divided.
Besides when I put four coatings of frosting on it
it'll have a perfect piano finish.
- It's still top heavy.
- Hm.
- Oh.
- Hey.
- Poppy, wait. Wait.
- What?
You're wrong, yeah, well, you're supposed to have...
- Numbers five, six, seven.
- Just a minute, I'm busy.
- They all look different.
- Poppy, I noticed you don't...
One's brown and one's white.
- What'd you say? Yeah.
- They all look different.
One's black, one's white, and one's brown.
That cat must've had a bicycle.
Yup!
Well, hello, come on in.
Oh, now, how did you get back in here?
Come here, beat it, beat it. Oh, beat it.
- Who let him in here?
- He must've picked the lock.
Let him stay, Poppy, please let him stay.
Oh, I'm very sorry.
- Happy Birthday to you.
- Now, I know how let him in.
- Welcome home, Lady Bountiful.
- But he looked so lonely.
Yeah, you have to control these generous impulses of yours.
Well, not all of them.
Tell me, what have you been doing all day?
Oh, just window shopping.
Happy Birthday.
There she goes, again.
Wake up. Come on, wake up.
- What is it?
- Wake up. Come on.
What did you and the ladies at
the PTA wander into yesterday?
- The who?
- Come on.
You and the girls, where did you go? Please.
Oh, we went to look over a children's home. Why?
Did you and your old pal, Miss Kenyon
happen to have a heart to heart talk?
Yes, she wanted me to ask you about taking in a child.
Well, she's here, she's brought
the little monster with her.
- Come on, come on.
- Goodness! I told her to wait.
Yeah, well, I don't think it
took, you better tell her again.
- I'm late for work already.
- Now, Poppy!
This child has been through a lot.
She's a disturbed adolescent.
Yeah, well, I'm a disturbed adult
and I want her out of here, so come on.
Anyone who can afford to, should help out.
It's a modern way of increasing the family group.
You go to your school and I'll go to mine.
Whatever gave you the idea that we could afford to?
I thought, maybe, that you could find a way.
Way, how?
You're married to a city engineer with a fixed income.
And they fixed it good.
Prices are going up, if we take
another child into this house
we-we'll depriving our own children
of the things they deserve.
We could skimp a little.
I thought that's what we were doing already.
You know, you haven't bought a thing for yourself in ages.
That bath robe, that bath robe is older
than any one of the children.
- I don't mind.
- Well, I do.
Besides, what about us?
Now we finally got our children to the point
where they can take care of themselves.
Soon we'll have some time for each other again. Come on.
I guess you're right.
Anna, I know how you feel, we're owed another one.
But not this one, and not now.
We better go down and tell them.
Yeah.
Good morning.
Anna, I hope you understand.
I just had to bring Jane this morning.
Well, it is a little soon, because you see..
Now, before we get into any
embarrassing discussion in front of the child...
- Let's go.
- Just a moment, Jane.
Let's get out of here, they don't want me.
Hadn't you better let them decide that?
You told me it was all set.
Well, I told Miss Kenyon, that I might consider...
What's the matter, lady?
Isn't the 850 a week, the welfare board pays enough?
Disturbed? Hmph!
If you could see a way clear
to keep her for just two weeks.
They wouldn't keep me two minutes.
Come on, where do we try next, the zoo?
Now, wait a minute, wait a minute.
If it's only for two weeks, she can stay?
Well, uh.. No! Not you, her.
Oh, thank you, Anna.
Jane, this is Trot, and Teenie, and Tim.
- Hello.
- Hello.
Aren't you gonna finish, Jane?
I'm not that hungry.
Well, dinner's over.
The brandy and cigars come later.
Alright, everybody in the kitchen.
Help the butler with the dishes.
Jane, if you're not going to finish that
I wish you'd give the rest of it to the dog.
It's a shame to waste even that small piece.
Yes, ma'am.
Trot.
Beat it, buster.
What's Jane so mad about, all the time?
She just feels strange. Give her time.
- Then run for the hills.
- Poppy!
- Here's some more for Tramp.
- Ah, yes.
The dog, you better get the bowl ready.
Now that looks better than what we had.
Well, I don't like that remark.
Tramp! Tramp! Second course, coming up.
Hey, you thieving, shiftless, no good..
What's the matter?
Man's best friend just ate tomorrows lunch.
Jane, Jane. Why didn't you watch the dog?
He just wolfed all the hamburgers.
You ought to train him better.
Oh, no. You've had enough. You'll only get sick.
- Oh, thank you.
- He must have a tapeworm.
Timmy, children.
Why don't you all go in the living room and play?
Yeah, read Teens his birthday present, here.
- Poetry?
- O-oh.
- I can't read.
- Well, Tim can.
Take a chance. You might even improve your minds.
- Come on.
- Alright. Come on.
There's nothing wrong with my mind.
I was just..
I was just trying to.. I don't
know what I was trying to do.
What happened to the old-fashioned kind of child?
That used to bring the old man his pipe and slippers.
You're a good kid, Poppy. I think I'll adopt you.
Let's keep this on a husband and wife level.
Please, I've got to do the dishes.
Always got to do something, do the dishes
feed the cat, feed the dog, feed the children.
Does it ever occur to you that I might need..
Man does not live by bread alone.
Oh, I think I better go and see
what the children are doing.
How did we ever have 'em in the first place?
Oh!
Jane, where are the children?
Oh, well.
Jane, would you brush under the dining room table, please?
The children scatter so many crumbs.
I won't, and you have no right to ask me.
- I won't do it!
- Jane, what's wrong?
Is this the poem they were reading?
They were reading it out loud.
"Little orphan Annie has come to our house to stay."
I'm not a little orphan Annie. I'm not an orphan at all.
You and your literature.
I won't wash the cups and saucers up
and brush the crumbs away.
I won't. And nobody can make me.
- Now, see, uh, don't...
- Now, Poppy.
Nobody's gonna make you do anything
that you don't wanna do.
It's just that we all brush up our own crumbs
and help do our own work here.
I just thought you might like to help me, that's all.
Why should I?
Well, now, look, if this book upsets you so much
just throw it in the fire place and burn it up.
It's not worth screeching about.
- Go ahead, burn it.
- Oh, why not?
It's only the $2.95 deluxe edition.
Throw it in and see if it burns up your silly ideas.
Poppy...
But I'm not an orphan.
Well, Doctor Freud, shall we finish the dishes?
- Well, this day's over.
- Hmm.
The kids are all in bed.
Well, except us kids.
What? What? Oh.
Did you tuck in our little bundle from heaven?
- Mm-hm.
- Deluxe edition.
I've been trying to figure out
who her parents might've been.
Was John Dillinger ever married?
Oh, don't be a goof. She's no criminal.
She's just a lonely, frightened child.
She won't even go to sleep
unless I leave the light on in the room.
Maybe she's signaling an accomplice.
That's not even funny.
That kid's hard as nails.
Nothing we can do will ever change her.
Dillinger's crying.
I better go and see what's wrong.
- Got your gat?
- Will you please go to bed?
- Well..
- Go on.
- Yes.
- This is woman's work.
In this house, woman's work is never done.
Not even started.
Jane.
Why are you crying?
- Who sent for you?
- Nobody.
- What's this?
- Alright, I took 'em.
What're you gonna do?
Jane, you had enough to eat tonight, didn't you?
That's for tomorrow.
What makes you think we won't feed you tomorrow?
Why should you?
Because we want you to be happy here.
- Nobody wants children.
- Oh, Jane.
They're something that happens to a woman
when she gets married.
Don't you think we want our children?
Oh, sure, 'cause they'll all be after you
if you don't take care of them.
Like it got after my mother.
But you don't have to take care of me.
You don't trust anybody, do you?
You bet, I don't.
Do you trust yourself?
What do you mean?
Well, I mean that, uh..
Well, if you could take care of yourself
if you didn't have to depend
on the kindness of other people
would that make you feel safer?
How am I gonna take care of myself?
Maybe I could find you a job.
What kind of a job could I do?
Well, um, maybe you could help out
in a grocery store after school?
Hmph!
Or perhaps one of the neighbors
would hire you as a baby-sitter.
Yeah, that'll be the day.
- Shall I leave these here?
- No.
You're welcome.
How long's that girl gonna stay with you, George?
The sentence has 12 more days to run
but if we're lucky she may shoot her way out before then.
Now, I'll never understand how your wife talked my wife
into letting that kid mind our baby.
Remember, Harry, the women of this world
are always trusting, noble and unselfish.
Here's to not being one of them.
The baby'll probably sleep right through.
We'll be back in time for his 10 o'clock feeding.
- What happens if you're late?
- We'll be here.
Don't worry, Jane. The picture's over at 9:30.
In case we aren't back by 10 o'clock
there are two bottles of his formula in the ice-box.
- We'll be here.
- Come on, Harry.
We don't want to be late for the show.
- Goodnight, Jane.
- Goodnight.
Gladys, I hope you know what you're doing?
Oh, Harry.
Well, I wouldn't worry if I were you.
- Jane's a very competent girl.
- So was Lucrezia Borgia.
I'll just take a look and see if everything's alright.
Oh, that certainly was a wonderful picture.
Yeah, wonderful.
Can't you go a little faster, George?
Faster? Okay.
Just tell me when we get to the end of the runway.
Oh.
Had to push her a mile and a half, huh?
Gee, I sure feel sorry for you folks.
You know what? We get two or three cars a night that way.
- Please.
- Oh, oh, yeah, yeah.
- You see, my wife had the car...
- Yeah, yeah, they all say that.
- There's no answer.
- There's no..
- Well?
- There's no answer.
- Get in the car, Harry.
- Yeah.
I'll pay off the Melancholy Dame.
- Everything alright?
- Oh, yeah, fine.
Fine.
Hey, hey, wait a minute. You got eight gallons coming.
Where is she?
She's gone through all the drawers.
The baby! The baby's gone.
I'll get the police.
- Harry.
- Hello, operator.
Put down the phone, come in to the kitchen.
- Harry.
- Come along, Poppy.
Come along, Gladys.
Oh, thank goodness.
I guess she had to look all over the place
before she found the formula.
Why didn't she use the bottles we had?
That's the shelf you fixed this morning.
I think she really earned her dollar.
- We better put him to bed.
- Yeah.
Jane?
Jane?
Come in.
Hello, Mr. Thatcher.
Why, hello, Mrs. Rose.
This is Jane Miller. A friend of mine.
She would like to open an account.
How do you do, Miss Miller?
- Hello.
- Won't you have a chair?
Thank you.
- Savings or commercial.
- Commercial.
She's just gone into business.
And she'd like to keep her capital close at hand.
Does that mean I can get it out fast?
At the first sign of disaster.
Sign your name there, Jane.
How much is your first deposit?
One dollar.
- What's the matter with Teenie?
- Nothing, mom.
Just practicing first aid.
- Lie still.
- I can't.
I got a compound fracture of the left collar bone
dislocated metatarsal arch
and first degree burns on my tibia and fibula.
- That's the worst place.
- Yeah, and he won't cooperate.
Doctor, unwrap the patient and roll him under the covers.
- Goodnight, Teenie.
- Goodnight, Tim.
- Goodnight, mom.
- Goodnight, Teenie.
- Goodnight, Tim.
- Goodnight, Poppy.
Goodnight, mom.
Don't forget to turn out the lights.
- Goodnight, Trot.
- Goodnight, mommy.
- Goodnight, Trot.
- Goodnight, Poppy.
Don't let me find that dog in bed again in the morning.
Goodnight, Tramp.
Oh, by the way, Jane and I went
down to the bank this morning.
She opened an account.
Well, I'm glad to know that someone in the house
is independently wealthy.
- Goodnight, Jane.
- Goodnight.
Where is it?
Goodnight.
Hello? Oh, yes, Miss Kenyon.
Row row row your boat germy down the stream
Merrily merrily life..
Oh, dear.
Life is but a dream
Regard! Voila!
Ta-dah!
Can't you wait for some syrup?
As you see, I believe a pancake
should be the size of the pan.
'Course that takes more skill than the average human being
can master, but there you are, I studied under Escoffier.
Oscar de voila, here you are, Teenie.
And Aunt Jemima.
Oh, dear. Here we are.
Yours is coming up in a minute, Trot.
Whatever you can't finish, you can wear as a hat.
- Oh!
- Who was that on the telephone?
I'll tell you after breakfast.
We may not be alive after this breakfast.
- Better tell us now.
- Who was it?
Come on, tell us. Who was on the phone?
Well, it was Miss Kenyon.
Better help her pack.
But Jane's gonna stay with us, isn't she?
She doesn't really have to go back, does she?
I'm working on yours, Trot.
I'm not hungry. She can have mine.
Here's my bank book.
I'll put it right on top of the suitcase...
- I don't want it, it's for you.
- But, Jane...
I know I cost you more than the welfare board gave you.
I can't take this, Jane.
Why, you've got over five dollars in here.
You said I should learn to be independent.
Not depend on the kindness of others.
Not even yours.
Well, thank you very much.
I guess that square's the account.
Well, might as well go.
Hello, Jane.
Goodbye, Jane.
- Goodbye.
- Bye.
Gee whiz! I think it's a dirty trick.
Take this.
I better not take it.
They might not like cats where I'm going.
Stinkin' rotten.
I don't wanna go. I don't wanna go.
- Please let me stay.
- Jane.
Jane.
I'm sorry.
Come on, Miss Kenyon. Wait.
Where's my valise?
City Engineering. Chief draftsman, Duran speaking.
Yeah. I'll check up and call you right back.
Well. Where's Mr. Rose this time?
Taking a smoke?
At the water cooler?
Washing his hands?
Tell me, uh, am I getting warm?
He had to go down to the drug store, he cut his finger.
When he comes out from under the anesthetic
tell him I want to see him.
Mission accomplished. Where's fish-face?
In his office, drinking blood. Where were you?
Making one dollar do the work of two.
War surplus.
Rubber boat, self inflating
sleeping bag, volley ball.
- Swimming fins.
- Why're you hiding them?
I beg your pardon, what did you say?
I said, why're you hiding them?
Better get them out of sight before fish-face realizes
I'm going on my vacation tomorrow.
Where are you going?
We've taken that shack down at the beach
again this summer.
You'll never make it.
He'll see you looking happy and remember.
He's been hunting for you already.
Must have some night-work.
Oh, he's not that bad. He wouldn't do that.
Son, when he read "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
he thought Simon Legree was the hero.
Mm-hmm.
- Well, how's the finger?
- Huh?
- Oh, they saved it.
- Fine.
Well, then there's no reason you can't go to work
on these revised plans of the
East Bay filtration plant, huh?
- Uh...
- Tonight. How about it?
Well, fish, um,
Mr. Duran, I... I... I'm sorry.
I... I... I'm holding down more than
I can handle right now.
I thought you had finished that job already.
Well, it, I... It kinda grows on you.
Gets bigger the more you get into it.
Oh, that's the way it always is.
Ask one of you poorly spirited employees
to do a little extra work, and it's a no-go.
No, but if you wanna sneak down to the water cooler
if you wanna go out for a smoke
if you wanna go across to the drug store
for a finger, you're jolly on the spot, aren't you?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Before you row away.
Well, it works, anyway.
I'm almost finished, dear, go on up
I'll come to bed in a minute.
Morning?
It has a habit of rolling around
every 24 hours.
Now, will you stop it?
Unless I hit a snag, I'll be through in 10 or 15 minutes.
I hit a snag.
Shh. Shh. Your father is working.
Now, let's leave him alone. Let's leave him alone.
Quiet, everybody. Into the kitchen. Come on. Quiet.
- Get started on breakfast.
- Yes, mother.
Well, no fuss, no muss.
If Jane can keep that up, and handle the kids like that
at the beach you and I can have a second honeymoon.
Oh, Poppy, there's something
I tried to tell you last night.
It'll keep. Just pack your truce and report for duty.
- But I think you...
- Go on, beat it, scatter.
I gotta finish my work.
Mm! Cold.
What did Poppy say when you told him?
- I didn't get a chance.
- There's gonna be fireworks.
Here kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.
'They're not kitties anymore. They're cats.'
Big cats.
Teenie, now please take this cup of coffee in to Poppy.
We want to get him in a good mood.
Yup.
Oh, I've been boiled alive. Get out, get out.
Coffee nerves, you drink too much coffee
and it makes you cross.
You should drink milk.
You scald me to death and you're criticizing?
Get me a glass of cold water.
Never mind, I'll get it myself.
I just wanna make sure it's cold.
Oh!
- Don't get sore.
- Alright, alright.
We've only trying to put you in a good mood.
Why?
Um, um, so we could tell you
about the little boy we're taking to the beach.
What little boy?
It's a poor little orphan, we're
gonna pick up at summer school.
- Because Ms. Kenyon says...
- Say no more.
- I couldn't say no.
- Well, I can.
I can.
One, two, three, four.
That's all I want here when I get back.
- What's his name?
- These are his papers.
Oh, oh.
Oh, his name is, uh..
James or something. Yeah, James John Wilson.
Oh, Jimmy John. Now I remember.
Mr. Rose, is there anything wrong with your wife?
Naturally.
Well, uh, she came to see me about him
and I tried to discourage her.
But when I told her that he was sullen, mean
and the worst student in summer school
a gleam came into her eye.
I know that gleam.
Of course, I hate to see any child's vacation spoiled
but in this case I think you're doing
the right thing by not taking him.
Yeah, I guess I better break it to him.
What's the number of the classroom?
- He's in 4-0-3.
- Well, thank you, Mr. Taylor.
Not at all.
Quiet, please.
Jimmy John.
Jimmy John.
Come here.
You can't teach him much
he has only a five minute attention span.
And he has a very nasty disposition.
Really?
He puts his legs in the aisle to trip up
the other children and then kicks them.
He won't even learn the alphabet at his age.
So, I punish him by making him sit underneath my desk.
Do you know what he did the other day?
He actually bit me on the ankle.
Sister, if it'd been me, I'd have bitten both your ankles.
Come on, kid.
Row row row your boat germy down the stream
Merrily merrily merrily merrily life is but a dream
Row row row your boat germy down the stream
Merrily merrily merrily merrily life is but a dream
Come come come along join us in the boat
Merrily merrily merrily merrily
Down the stream we float
Come come come along join us in the boat
Merrily merrily merrily merrily
Down the stream we float
Fun fun fun for all when we sing a song
Merrily merrily merrily merrily as we row along
Fun fun fun for all as we sing a song
Merrily merrily merrily merrily as we row along
What's the matter with your voice, Jimmy John?
I don't think he's got a voice. He hasn't said a word yet.
Oh, he's just bashful. Come on, snap out of it.
- Now, wait. Now, wait.
- Come on.
Wait, wait, wait.. Wait!
Now, we don't hit people in the eye, here.
Teenie, you ride in back.
John L. Sullivan will ride up front with me.
Alright.
Yes, alright!
- Come on, give it to me.
- Oh, he always gives it to you.
- Come on, throw it to me.
- Come on, return the ball.
Come on, return the ball.
Ready? I'll serve. Oh, not all of them to her.
Let's play a game.
That's what we're doing, isn't it?
Now, there's must be something wrong with that, uh
what's his name, Jimmy John.
I've gotta hunch, the boy's alright.
Oh-oh-oh! You had a hunch our old cat was a male.
Hey, how about a stroll along the beach?
I've gotta put him to bed first. He's had a tough day.
Oh, dear.
You're not thinking of putting him
in Tim's room, are you?
That might lead to bloodshed.
No, he has to have a room of his own.
- That's a welfare board ruling.
- Huh!
I hope they're planning on building it themselves
because we haven't got one.
We're giving him our room.
I'm terribly sorry, Poppy.
Where are we going to spend our
second honeymoon? On our raft?
I'm sleeping in the girls' room.
And you're sleeping with Tim and Teenie.
I am? We'll write to each other, won't we?
Yes.
Oh, my.
Okay, but that's not fair, when
you hit it so close to the net.
Oh, I'm not sure.
Wouldn't you like to say goodnight to the children?
He says goodnight.
- Come on, Tim.
- Okay, you serve, Tim.
And don't serve 'em over the net like that.
21-19. We win.
Well, give us a return.
You sure picked a lemon, Poppy,
that kid hasn't got all his buttons.
- He hasn't even got...
- Well, he's just scared.
With a left like that?
- Hey, do you mind if I warm up?
- Nope.
Paddle-mates. Come on, stand back.
Let the champ show you how it's done.
Goodnight, Jimmy John.
You just looking us over.
I think you'll decide to like us.
What is it? Jimmy calm down.
If you can scream you can talk. What is it?
Serve it up, Tim.
Good shot, Teenie. Oh, another good shot, Teenie.
Oh, we're doing fine. Anything I can do?
- Mnm-mnm.
- Oh.
What was he screaming about?
He's been in hospitals since he was two.
Open wards with rows of beds, and other boys in them.
Nurses trotting in and out.
He's never been in a room alone.
Oh.
Perhaps it would be better for him
if we took him back.
Should we give up already?
I guess not.
Shall we go in?
Poppy, will you carry him? He weighs too much for me.
Hey, Poppy, you sleeping with us?
- It has been so decided.
- We tossed. You on the upper.
Hm.
Bonsoir.
Hey, Jimmy John, why don't you put on your suit
I'll take you in the boat.
No sense talking to him.
He never opens his yap.
If it was one of us, we'd have our tails warmed long ago.
Move on, kids. Come on.
- Where's she taking him?
- Who knows?
Oh row row row your boat...
Oh!
Row row row your boat germy down the stream
Merrily merrily merrily..
Can you drive a car?
Can you drive a car?
Now, don't sit there like an idiot
because I know you're not.
I'm going to ask you one more time
and I expect you to speak up.
Can you drive a car?
Of course, I can't. Don't be so dang silly.
Well, there's no time like the present to learn.
Hey, you want to get me killed?
Hold the wheel. Hold the wheel.
They ought to put you away, lady
letting a little kid steer this car.
- You're doing fine.
- I'm scared to death.
Alright, I'll take the wheel now, Jimmy John.
Holy Moses!
I steered good, didn't I?
- Perfect.
- It ain't easy to do.
- Of course not.
- And I done it.
You did very well. You can practice again sometime.
The reason I didn't talk before
wasn't because I was mad.
Oh?
I just didn't have nothing to say.
Well, that should be a lesson to me.
Hey, lady, I bet I could learn to swim
just like them other kids, huh?
Better.
Well, then turn around and take me back.
Okay.
You could use a few lessons yourself, lady.
Hey, Poppy, look, look!
I'm getting outta here. I'm getting outta here.
I'm scared to death.
This must be the wave pool
and wave pool's too darn big for me.
You're alright. Come on.
Nothing to be afraid of.
Come on.
Take me back in. Come on in!
The water is great. Nothing to be scared of.
- Ha-ha.
- What happened to Silent Sam?
Why didn't he talk before?
Don't be so dang silly. He didn't have nothing to say.
- Come on.
- Yeah, let's go.
- Don't let go of me.
- I won't.
Uh-oh!
And if I ever catch you again..
- What's wrong? What happened?
- Oh, it was nothing.
- Only I'm gonna tell my mother.
- Take it easy, take it easy.
- What is it?
- Ask him.
Come on, let's go.
- What's wrong with your hand?
- I hurt it.
How?
She slammed the window down on me.
Hm. What were you doing up there?
Wanted to keep the shades pulled down.
- How old are you?
- Twelve.
That's old enough. Come on over here.
Here, squat.
Now, watch this.
- Now, this is a woman.
- That I know.
What I've been trying to find out is how babies get born.
Oh, this is an advanced class, huh?
Well, you know how chickens
and them birds lay eggs?
- No.
- Well they lay 'em in the nest.
And they keep them warm with
their feathers until the babies
peck open the egg shells and hop out.
I didn't hop out of no egg shell.
Well, of course not. It wouldn't work with people.
Now what would happen if people sat down on their eggs
and tried to keep them warm enough to hatch?
- They'd bust.
- Certainly.
And besides, who's got feathers?
Well, no one in our side.
So instead, women keep a nest inside of them
where the eggs are warm and safe.
And when the baby is old enough,
he's born ready made, like this..
Pretty good system.
Oh, I'm glad you approved. Now we won't have to change it.
But how do the babies get here?
Why don't they smother?
Now, let me see.
Well, you know how a deep sea diver
gets air through a hose?
Well, a baby gets air practically the same way
except through an artery.
You see, the, uh, the blood
carries the oxygen through the artery to the baby.
The mother's heart is the pump.
It might work.
But how do they put the hoses on the baby?
He don't wear no diving helmet, does he?
Oh, no.
No, they're plugged into the baby's navel
like an electric toaster into a socket.
That's what your belly button was for.
Hmph, I always wondered what the heck that was doing there.
Did you now? Well, now you know..
May Ijoin in or am I too young?
The mister was learning me about babies.
- He's okay.
- Really?
Everybody else I ever asked
they washed my mouth up with soap.
- Thanks, mister.
- Oh, think nothing of it.
Wait till we get to the birds and the bees.
That's really interesting.
What's that supposed to be?
A woman.
It's of very poor likeness.
I had to draw it from memory.
Come on, ready to go on the picnic? Hey, Jane!
- Hi, Ben.
- Hi, Jane.
- Hi, Tim.
- Come on, you ride with me.
- Who's taking Jimmy John?
- 'Oh, shucks!'
Ah, it's too hot to go riding anyway. Let's call it off.
Oh, well, in that case Tim if
you're not going to the picnic
how about letting Jimmy John ride your bicycle, huh?
- Oh, I can't, pop.
- Oh, let Jimmy sit on the seat.
If he can learn to turn the pedals
it might do him some good. Jimmy John!
You know, I'd like all of us to be one happy family.
Everybody talking to everybody.
I have to go back to work pretty soon.
Okay?
Alright, up we go.
Now turn and bend your foot on the pedal.
You better unlock your braces.
Did he get his foot on the other pedal there?
Mm-hmm.
All set? Alright, let's go.
Alright, take it easy. Just relax.
You don't need to grip the handle bar so tight.
You're doing fine.
- My braces caught.
- See, didn't I tell you?
Get me off of here. Get me off of here!
- Get me off of here!
- Jimmy John!
- Jimmy John! Stop it.
- Get me off of here.
- Get me off of here.
- Alright.
Can I get my bike before he breaks the chain?
Ow!
Heavy, isn't it? Give it to your mother.
Come on, fella.
Come on, Tim. Hurry up.
Let's go.
And Ben, don't try to ride without holding on
to the handle bars.
Not so fast, Benji. I'll fall off.
Let's go to the park and play some baseball.
We don't have enough.
Oh, there's always plenty
of kids around who can play baseball.
Let's go.
Jimmy John, you better say goodbye.
- Do I gotta go back?
- Well, we've tried.
But you just don't get along with the other children.
After all it is their home, and they don't want you.
If they say I could stay, would that squeeze ends with you?
Mm, didn't you break Tim's bicycle?
Didn't you hit Trot in the eye?
Didn't they catch you playing Peeping Tom?
But if it's okay with them, huh?
We'll wait for you in the car.
I hope you've got a good lawyer.
How's about it?
Why don't we take the secret ballot?
That's a good idea.
What's this secret ballot stuff?
We each write stay or leave on a piece of paper
and the majority rules.
That's a pretty dress you've got on.
Oh, shut up.
That's what I say.
Jimmy John.
Go ahead, open 'em.
Well, what's the verdict?
I've been in 'em lousy hospital so much..
I never even learned to read.
But you were in school, weren't you?
Uh, they throw me in school for a couple of weeks
and then they throw me back in the hospital.
The only thing I ever learned to read was a thermometer.
I'll read them for you.
Stay.
Stay.
Stay.
- We're gonna keep Jimmy John.
- We're gonna keep him.
They all voted, "Stay".
- Wa-wait a minute. These...
- It was anonymous.
Uh... say, that, you hear that? This was done anonymous.
What did you vote? Huh?
On Anna's first day home from the beach, she got a manicure
and had her hair done.
I guess she didn't want me drawing from memory any longer.
Well..
Mother, you had your hair done.
It's about time. You always looked so looted.
Well, thank you.
- What's going on?
- Attention.
Tim's boys scout troop has a meeting here tonight.
Boys scout meeting, on our first night home?
At ease.
Now look, your poor father has been here all alone
while we've been enjoying ourselves down at the beach.
And now.. Oh.
Oh, dear. Oh, dear.
Somebody get him off of me. Ow! Help. Ow!
Push back your toes.
Stretch the heel. Push back your toes.
Oh. Cut it out. You're breaking my leg!
Do you wanna walk on your toes the rest of your life?
If you keep that up, I'll be walking on my knees.
You know what they told you at the clinic
the muscles in your heels have shrunken.
And we have to stretch 'em.
He's murdering me.
He's pulling my legs like they was wish bones.
It hurts!
I think he's had enough now, Tim.
You can say that again!
And besides it's time for his reading lesson.
- Here's a book.
- Bushwa! Who wants to read?
Don't you wanna know as much
as the other children in your class?
They don't know for nothin.'
Oh, believe me, if you don't learn how to read
you won't know for nothin' either, now start here.
"Once upon a time.."
Don't stop.
"There was a, there was a.."
What's this word?
- Bunny, Bunny rabbit.
- Bunny rabbit.
- I don't wanna read no more.
- You're going to.
I wanna go to the kitchen.
You'll go as soon as you finish this book.
Alright. I'll finish it.
Why, you little brat.
Come here.
Hey, cut it out!
Let go. Cut it out. Let me go!
- Cut it out!
- What happened?
Mother, what are you doing to him?
Something I should've done long ago.
I'm getting outta here.
I should've never asked you to keep me.
- I'm getting out of here.
- Go ahead then.
I'll go some place where I can do what I like.
Go ahead then, but leave everything behind
that we've ever given to you.
And you get outta the way, Tramp.
Mother, mother, come quick. Jimmy's gone wo-o-o..
What is it? What's happened now?
- Ooh..
- Ooh.
- Look.
- Holy Moses.
He's stitch stark naked.
Hey, Jimmy John!
What do you think you're doing?
You told me to take nothin' you had given me.
Well, I ain't got nothin' left. Only my bare skin.
Well, I shouldn't have said that.
But why did you tear off the book?
I ain't gonna read about a lot of fool bunnies
buttoned up in blue pants and talkin' like people.
That's too dang silly.
You're right, it is dang silly.
We'll find something better.
Make it snappy, I'm freezing to death.
- Scouts, at ease.
- Oh, oh, uh, oh, huh.
- Hello, Mr. Rose.
- Hello, Benji. Gentlemen.
Break ranks.
Meeting over?
Just as soon as we run off a few films from summer camp.
- Uh..
- It won't take long.
It's awful nice you let us use your living room, Mr. Rose.
We always have our meetings at the high school.
But they're having a raffle tonight.
Really? And what are they raffling off? Boy Scouts?
Oh, Poppy? Mommy's upstairs.
Well, that's a place to be, alright, Tim.
Excuse me.
Oh, I... I beg your pardon. Ah. Thank you.
I hate to come between you and
the doughnuts. But that's life.
Oh.
Anna! Who told those scouts that.. Oh. Oh.
Hey, look it, what mother got me.
Real one's just like yours.
He's been invited to attend the meeting.
My legs are as straight as anybody's.
Can hardly see the braces.
Nobody'd guess, would they?
Nobody would ever guess.
What's this for?
For being a good mother.
Come on, Jimmy John.
That was wonderful, Jimmy John.
Not everybody can fall that far.
It's the way you fall.
You gotta.. You gotta let yourself go.
- I'll do it again from the top.
- Not right now.
- Let's go see the movie.
- Yeah. Let's.
What's the picture about tonight?
Oh, it's about.
I'll turn off the lights.
Ben, start the picture.
This is our first treasure hunt.
Where Chuck Johnson mistook an Oak tree
for an Elm and got lost.
If he hadn't located that stream he'd still be there.
You know a compass is a pretty handy little thing
to take along on a treasure hunt.
Alone at last.
The last boy scout and the last doughnut
have vanished into the night.
Are you sure we can afford that?
Oh, I've been saving up for weeks.
Mother, let me in.
What is it?
Tim gave me his scout hand book to read.
I gotta read! I gotta read!
- Teach me.
- Now?
Now. Start at the beginning and go all the way through.
May I have my sweater, please?
- Thank you.
- Oh, that's alright.
"On my honor, I will do my best."
"To do my duty. To guarding my country."
"And to obey the scout law."
"To help other people at all times."
Bonsoir.
"To keep myself, physically strong"
"mentally awake and morally straight."
"Do a good deed daily."
"Raising foster children can be fun."
Hm - Shh...
Oh. Oh, Yeah.
Thank you.
If there're any questions I'll be glad to answer them.
Is there any reason
why you didn't legally adopt these children?
There certainly is.
You see, under adoption
we'd be responsible for all their expenses.
Their hospital bills and their operations
dentist bills and so forth, and we simply can't afford it.
Now, this way, with the welfare agency to help us
and our older children handing down out-grown clothes
and the help of neighbors in Fairfield
we manage to get by.
Of course, sometimes we have to
add a little water to the soup
but we keep our figures that way.
But, with your own children to take care of
I don't see how you can possibly do it
and still keep up with your house work.
I'll let you in on my secret. I don't dust the furniture.
Wouldn't you rather take a new baby to raise
than a half grown problem child?
Well, no, because, you see
we've already had this satisfaction of our own babies.
Anyone can start from scratch.
But these are the children who
offer an interesting challenge.
Ah.
Yes, sir?
Don't you find that by accepting this interesting challenge
you're apt to neglect your husband?
In what way?
How many ways are there?
Well, I can assure you, that whatever inconvenience
he's been caused is temporary.
How long is temporary?
- Young man.
- Why, thank you.
- Are you married?
- Eh? A little louder, please.
Are you married?
Sometimes, I wonder.
Well, I'd like to tell you this about my husband.
He's deeply interested in our children.
He's reasonably patient
and just and firm.
He's unfailingly enthusiastic
in helping each one outgrow difficulties.
He's the first one they turn to
when they need help with their homework
or-or a new catcher for the baseball team.
And whenever they have a new achievement
they run to him to demonstrate it.
Because he's always so open in his pride and delight.
He has the undying love and affection
of every member of his family
including his wife.
And you ask if he's neglected.
Thank you.
It was a great year for the boy scouts.
When vacation time rolled around again
it was my turn to keep myself physically strong.
Mentally awake and financially broke.
You see what I see?
A bunny.
Hold on to the bike, Tim.
- Mrs. Rose?
- Yes.
At the risk of sounding presumptuous
could you tell me what you're doing?
This poor rabbit has to have some place to sleep.
From what I've heard, rabbits have very few sleep problems.
How did we get involved with this one?
They had him in a box down at the market
and they were going to kill him and I couldn't stand it...
And a gleam came in your eye.
All I had to do was pay 42 cents
a pound, it's very cheap.
For eating. Not boarding.
If you must add to this house
how about building a hut for you and me.
Look, look. Jimmy John can ride.
I can do it, I can do it.
I guess he won't be kicking the spokes out of this bicycle.
I'll get Harvey some lettuce.
I have some.
Surprised? Now you know, she had a hunch
that the rabbit was male too.
Poppy! Dinner's ready.
If you're interested.
You got the right boy.
Hello. Who? Oh. Yes, Miss Kenyon.
No, Miss Kenyon. We're full up.
Oh.
- Boy, that's gonna be fun.
- Teams gotta meet.
- Oh. Is it?
- Isn't that with ours?
- When is it, next week?
- Think so.
Oh.
Oh. Thank you. Thank you.
Teenie. Teenie. It's your turn.
That which we are about to receive, we thank you. Amen.
Why didn't you just say "On your mark, get set, go?"
Hello, Jane. Where have you been?
Where she is all the time.
With Ben.
He never even goes to scout meetings anymore.
I hate him.
- I hope I never see him again.
- What has he done?
He invited me to the New Year's prom.
New Year's Prom? Since when is that a Federal offence?
Oh, Poppy, where have you been living? On the moon?
The New Year's prom is only
the biggest dance they have at school.
Then why should Jane be hurt?
Because it's only the New Year's prom
held on New Year's Eve.
And it's only formal
and you only have to wear an evening gown.
Janie hasn't even got a day gown.
Hm, well, next time Miss Kenyon
drops a girl off here
make sure she comes formal.
Alright!
- Come on.
- Here we come.
Here, I come.
Poppy!
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas, Poppy.
- One, two, three, go.
- No, no, wait a minute.
No, Hold on, hold on. No. Wait a minute.
No, wait a minute, Please don't. No, no. Janie.
No. Just a minute. No, no, please.
No, no, no. Put them back.
Now, now, before we grab for the loot
don't you think we should get into the spirit of the day?
Children! Children!
We might as well give in or he'll sulk all daylong.
"Good King Wenceslas.
Merry Christmas, good King Wenceslas."
That's all I know about the play.
- Let's humor him, shall we?
- Okay.
We shall now sing. "Good King Wenceslas."
Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gathering winter fuel
Second Verse.
Hither page and stand by me
If thou know'st it telling
Yonder peasant who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?
Sire he lives a good league
Hence underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fe...
Oh. Everybody open their presents!
Look how big mine is.
There's probably nothing in it but money.
Will you be surprised? It's an evening gown.
Alright, shoot me.
Oh, it's lovely!
But it's yours.
Well, I don't get much chance to use it
so I cut it down for you.
Thanks, mother.
Why don't you try it on, Jane?
Come on, Trot and I will help you.
- Trot.
- Okay.
Gee, an official scout knife.
Thanks.
A microscope! I wanted one all my life.
Look what I got. A Genuine Brownie.
Where's the film?
- Oh. Oh, next Christmas.
- Aw.
Look everybody, Look. Look at Jane.
- It's a knock out.
- It's great on you.
It stinks.
It's beautiful.
It still looks like mama's old dress
cut down for you.
Teenie's right. We just kept hoping it would do.
It's wonderful. It will do.
We just have to take it in a little more and shorten it.
It'll be the prettiest dress at the prom.
- It still stinks.
- Teenie.
Janie and I were looking at a dress in Gomberg's window
the other day
but it was 25 dollars.
You better take this back. I might cut myself.
I don't think I could use this.
Maybe you ought to return it.
And use the money for something else.
- Hm.
- Not much good with out film.
- Here, Poppy. Take this.
- Oh. Thanks, Trot.
Well. Well. Merry Christmas, anyway.
Merry Christmas, Poppy!
Poppy...
- Poppy!
- Um. What is it?
- You've got to stop him.
- What is it?
- You've got to stop him.
- Who?
- Jimmy John.
- Oh.
Have you any idea, what the temperature is?
You know, I left my thermometer
in my other pajamas, don't..
Well, it's 18 above 0. He can't go on a hike today.
- Who?
- Jimmy John!
Oh, you know Jimmy John.
He's got his heart is set on that merit badge.
If he walks that far in this
weather with six pounds of iron
on his legs, it's apt to undo
all the good we've done for him.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Now pull yourself together.
- Yeah. I will.
I never got a badge for anything in my life
in the middle of night.
Hurry up.
Look, it's still dark outside.
- Jimmy.
- Jimmy John.
Jimmy. Jimmy John.
- He left an hour ago.
- Oh, no.
If he's going 10 miles, he needs and early start.
Why didn't you stop him? Isn't
being first class scout enough?
Not for Jimmy John.
But I thought we were getting the dress at Gomberg's.
We're going the wrong way.
There he is.
Jimmy! Are you alright?
Can't you read that sign?
"No Parking on the highway."
Wouldn't you accept a little lift for a part of the way?
I've committed a faux pas.
We might as well go back and get that dress.
Ben will just absolutely expire
when he sees you.
Mmm-hmm!
Poppy. What time is it?
Oh, will you stop worrying? It's not even 7:30 yet.
Not even? He left at 5:30 this morning
and it's pitch dark outside.
He's alright. He's got my flash light.
Yeah, you see how silly it is to worry.
He's got Tim's flashlight.
Come on, Tramp, let's go for a walk.
What was that?
I'm just gonna take the dog for a walk.
Any objections?
No, except we've had that dog for ages
and you've never taken him for a walk before.
Well, it's about time he got some air.
Let's go, Tramp. I know you're anxious. Come on.
You see.
Hurry up with the soup, Jimmy John.
Tell us more.
- Teenie.
- I know, it's past my bed time.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
- I'll take him up.
Come on, Teenie.
After the first five, or six miles
the trick is not to sit down.
'Cause you'll never get up.
Next year the channel, huh?
Don't dare him. He's liable to try it.
Holy Moses. Who's that?
Is it alright?
May I have your autograph?
- Oh.
- You look lovely, Jane.
Only don't take a deep breath.
Oh, that must be Benji!
"Benji" Hmph.
In the words of George Bernard Shaw.
"Youth is such a wonderful thing.
What a crime to waste it on children."
Yes, this is Jane.
Oh.
Well, could I at least talk to him?
I see.
Thank you very much for calling.
Well, what time is Sir Galahad picking you up?
Is he bringing flowers and candy?
You better take this dress back.
- Jane, what's happened?
- It was his mother.
She say's Benji has a cold.
- Oh, that's too bad.
- He doesn't have any cold.
She doesn't want him to go with me anymore
because I'm not really your daughter.
How do you know?
Last night Ben told me his mother
wants to know more about my parents.
Then I say good riddance.
You go to the dance with someone else.
- Tim.
- I can't take her.
She's older than I am and besides I haven't got any tux.
You've got your new blue suede suit
and you've just aged three years.
- Mother, I'll be the only one.
- Oh, ho, ho, ho.
If I take the gown off right away
maybe you can get your money back.
We can't take it back. It's been altered.
I can't dance, but I'll take you.
You stay right there. I'll be dressed in five minutes.
Where're you going?
Out to cure a cold.
Cheer up.
- Oh. Good evening, Ben.
- Mr. Rose.
Good evening. I... Is your mother home?
Yes, sir, so is my father.
Good, I'll take them both on.
Oh, I don't want to miss this.
Now, you listen to me, Mrs. Roberts...
- Mr. Rose. I don't...
- Good evening.
Oh.
Now I came over here with a whole speech
made up about Janie.
And then I was gonna call you a few names
before I punch you in the nose.
- Oh, well, you see, he didn't...
- Yeah, well, I know that.
None of that seems to matter very much now but..
But what does matter..
Is that there's a little girl down at her first prom..
With a short partner in blue suede suit.
Now, you know, that's tragedy, Mr. Roberts.
So if you, as, uh, as head of the family..
Don't mind, I'd like to take this tall tuxedo
down to the dance with me to
sort of even things up for her.
I'm very sorry to tell you, Mr. Rose...
Oh, shut up, Grace.
Uh, Benji.
I don't know how the sight of you
would ever fix a broken heart, but get going.
Thanks, dad.
Get your coat, Benji.
Don't wait up for him, Mrs. Roberts.
Oh, she won't.
Boy, is she gonna be surprised.
Oh. Tim.
- Hi, Poppy.
- Hi.
Hi, Ben.
- Now, where's Jane?
- Over there.
Haven't been able to get near her since we came.
I'm not exactly sure who I should dance with.
I mean, you've had two dances and you've had three. And I..
- I'll dance with you.
- Oh.
Oh, excuse me.
She saw me.
May I have this dance?
- Say, Tim.
- Sorry, I don't dance.
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And days of...
Happy New Year, Jane.
Happy New Year, Poppy.
For auld lang syne my dear
For auld lang..
We will open the meeting by
pledging allegiance to the flag.
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic of which it stands.
One nation, indivisible
with liberty and justice for all.
Do.
Scouts and guests, be seated.
We're honored tonight in having for our chairman
the mayor of our city
the Honorable Michael J. Kane.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Before the Court of Honor present the awards
I'd like to ask this large audience
to refrain from any applause
for the individual scouts.
We have a long program and we'd like to keep it moving.
Thank you.
Howard Williams candidate for Tenderfoot scout.
Howard.
Donald Sherwood. Candidate for 2nd class scout.
Donald.
And now, for scouting's highest award.
The Eagle Badge.
Which is the pot of gold at the end of the scout's rainbow.
James John Wilson. Candidate for Eagle Scout.
Will the scouts so designated
to escort the candidate to the platform?
Will the scouts so designated escort
the parents of the candidate to the platform?
Will the Eagle candidate
and his Scoutmaster step this way.
I ask you to reaffirm the scout oath with your Scoutmaster.
"On my honor I will do my best.
"To do my duty to God and my country.
"And to obey the Scout Law."
"To help other people at all times."
"To keep myself physically strong"
"mentally awake, and morally straight."
By virtue of the authority vested in this court
by the National Council Boy Scouts of America..
We hereby award the rank of Eagle Scout
to James John Wilson.
Will the parents of this scout
please stand behind your son.
Will the mother of this scout
pin the Eagle badge on her son
as it is presented to her.
The Eagle Scout in turn will present his mother
with a miniature Eagle pin.
In remembrance of this solemn, but happy occasion
the court now invites the scout's father
to present an American Beauty rose to his wife.
The Eagle ceremony is completed
and the court stands adjourned.
- Please, Jimmy John, Come on.
- Speak. Please, say something.
Speech, speech, speech.
Come on, Jimmy. Come on, speech.
You better say something, Jimmy. Or you'll never get home.
Well, I had a lot of help.
And I had a head start over most of you fellows.
I... I had a chance to pick my own parents.
Come on, Teenie.
Bonsoir. Bonsoir. Bonsoir.
Bonsoir. Eh, Bonsoir.
Goodnlght, Poppy.
Don't cause Ben's parents any trouble now
or they won't invite you again.
- Bye, mama.
- Bye.
- Bye, mama.
- Goodnight. See you tomorrow.
Wasn't it nice that the Roberts
to invite the children to spend the night?
Mm-hmm.
It seems so lonely without them.
I won't know what to do with myself.
I Will.
Do a good turn daily.
Did I ever get around to telling you that I love you?
I don't recall it being mentioned in the last few years.
Well, we've been so busy raising a family
I guess I just didn't have time.
But I happen to love you very much, Mrs. Rose.
This is the story of my wife.
Well, of course, that isn't her.
Um, nor is that.
It's this one
the one with the gleam in her eye.
About 350 infants a year, pass through our nursery.
Some of them from broken homes,
majority from unmarried mothers.
Most of them are placed within a few days of their arrival.
They're left in their new homes for a period of 12 months
before formal adoption.
It's like a love affair.
If both sides are happy with
each other at the end of a year
they make it legal.
For the 350 babies, we average
over 1800 applications.
A woman who applied for a baby today
would have to wait more than three years.
That's an awfully long time to be expecting.
You're right.
Now, if you'll step this way, please.
Miss Kenyon, you're certainly doing a wonderful job here.
- Thank you.
- You should be very proud.
We don't take much credit for that.
Stock sells itself.
But here's a department, where we're in the rift.
But you must be able to find homes for some of them.
We'd like to find homes for all of them.
You see, our one aim is to put ourselves out of business.
It's easy to find homes for little
golden haired girls with blue eyes.
But who'd want that snaggle-tooth boy there
with butch hair cut?
I know he isn't very handsome.
That doesn't change the fact that he's a child
and he needs a home.
There's nothing wrong with him
but being three days old wouldn't fix.
You're perfectly right, maybe our PTA
can help place a few of these children.
We'll do all we can to help find them suitable homes.
- What's wrong with your homes?
- Why, I..
I happen to know they're all eminently suitable.
Oh, but, Miss Kenyon, these children are so much older.
I... I have children of my own, they'd be jealous.
Well, I wouldn't mind a baby, but then a child
who's character might've already been...
They might be a bad influence
on your children, or they might
do something to disgrace your entire family.
Why, yes. You're right.
I have no answers to your objections.
I'm sorry, I shouldn't have put
you all in a spot like that.
Goodbye and thank you for giving up your Sunday
to pay us a visit.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
Come in.
I'd like to help put you out of business.
Don't tell me someone was listening to me.
Well, I wasn't listening, I was watching.
But Mrs. Rose, you have three of your own.
Well, it should've been four, but we lost one.
Since then, we felt sort of short-changed.
What will your husband say?
He'll be crazy about the idea.
Just as soon as I get the courage to tell him.
I've never had a child this way before.
What do I do, just pick one?
I have one all picked out for you.
I've just been praying for someone
to make an offer like yours today.
Sit down.
- We really have an emergency.
- An emergency?
A child was just brought to us.
She'll be a lot of trouble, a disturbed adolescent.
She tried to commit suicide.
Oh, well, now look, all I want is a sweet little child
that plays hopscotch.
This girl's had year after year of hell.
Her mother and father split up.
The mother remarried, didn't want the child.
She's been beaten, abused.
Her mother finally put her out of the house
and locked her out.
I couldn't cope with that
I'm not equipped for that kind..
She probably needs analysis.
She needs a home and a mother
to take the place of what she's had.
- Ms. Kenyon, I don't think...
- Mrs. Rose!
- I know you from way back.
- I'll think about it.
Every stray dog and cat in the neighborhood
finally makes it's way to your home.
You never ask them about their background.
- Let me talk to my husband.
- Make it a good talk.
I want this girl to be with you.
You've an ear for children.
Mmm, um, alright.
Alright, your mother isn't home yet
but I guess it's alright
to open your birthday present.
- Excuse me.
- There you go.
- A book?
- Yeah.
Yeah, it's a special one.
I went through a lot of trouble to find that.
You did?
The collective poems
of James Whitcomb Riley.
Is that all I get for my birthday?
Well, it contains over 100 masterpieces.
Some of which rhyme. Shall I read one to you?
No.
How about, uh, "What Old Santa Overheard?"
Uh, "Little Orphaned Annie?"
Or the "Lugubrious Wing Wang?"
- No.
- Why not?
I'm more interested in the cake.
Well, you don't seem to understand.
Look, it's the deluxe edition
this set me back $2.95.
Look at the binding. May I just read the first page.
Poppy, make the cake.
Make the cake, make the cake.
Can't we take a few moments off for culture?
Here, you hang on to that.
Poppy, I got the basket from Mrs. Foreman.
- Fine.
- They here yet, Tim?
She's working on it.
Come on in.
Whose doggie are you?
Not ours, get him out of here.
But maybe he's lost, where can he go?
He can go on relief, we'll be joining him soon enough.
Come along, Tommy, we don't need you here.
We'll lick the place clean ourselves.
Oh, Poppy, how can you do a thing..
- Oh..
- Where's the basket?
Where's the basket? Quick.
Here it is, Tim. You think it's big enough?
Tell that cat to limit production.
The first one's a breach birth, rear end first.
Everything backs into this family.
- Number one.
- Oh, an only child?
- Unh-unh.
- This is a silly question.
- Number two.
- Oh, thank you. Here, Trot.
- Number three.
- Mm.
Looks like two boys and a girl.
Hmm.
- Number four.
- Thank you, doc.
- She hit the jackpot.
- Thank you, again.
- Poppy, make the cake.
- What'd you say?
- Poppy, make the cake.
- Oh, beg your pardon,
I thought that's what you said.
- The frosting needs more sugar.
- Oh, thank you.
Thank you for that.
- That cake's top heavy.
- Yeah.
And it is my contention that the six-layer-cake
should contain six layers, not three layers sub-divided.
Besides when I put four coatings of frosting on it
it'll have a perfect piano finish.
- It's still top heavy.
- Hm.
- Oh.
- Hey.
- Poppy, wait. Wait.
- What?
You're wrong, yeah, well, you're supposed to have...
- Numbers five, six, seven.
- Just a minute, I'm busy.
- They all look different.
- Poppy, I noticed you don't...
One's brown and one's white.
- What'd you say? Yeah.
- They all look different.
One's black, one's white, and one's brown.
That cat must've had a bicycle.
Yup!
Well, hello, come on in.
Oh, now, how did you get back in here?
Come here, beat it, beat it. Oh, beat it.
- Who let him in here?
- He must've picked the lock.
Let him stay, Poppy, please let him stay.
Oh, I'm very sorry.
- Happy Birthday to you.
- Now, I know how let him in.
- Welcome home, Lady Bountiful.
- But he looked so lonely.
Yeah, you have to control these generous impulses of yours.
Well, not all of them.
Tell me, what have you been doing all day?
Oh, just window shopping.
Happy Birthday.
There she goes, again.
Wake up. Come on, wake up.
- What is it?
- Wake up. Come on.
What did you and the ladies at
the PTA wander into yesterday?
- The who?
- Come on.
You and the girls, where did you go? Please.
Oh, we went to look over a children's home. Why?
Did you and your old pal, Miss Kenyon
happen to have a heart to heart talk?
Yes, she wanted me to ask you about taking in a child.
Well, she's here, she's brought
the little monster with her.
- Come on, come on.
- Goodness! I told her to wait.
Yeah, well, I don't think it
took, you better tell her again.
- I'm late for work already.
- Now, Poppy!
This child has been through a lot.
She's a disturbed adolescent.
Yeah, well, I'm a disturbed adult
and I want her out of here, so come on.
Anyone who can afford to, should help out.
It's a modern way of increasing the family group.
You go to your school and I'll go to mine.
Whatever gave you the idea that we could afford to?
I thought, maybe, that you could find a way.
Way, how?
You're married to a city engineer with a fixed income.
And they fixed it good.
Prices are going up, if we take
another child into this house
we-we'll depriving our own children
of the things they deserve.
We could skimp a little.
I thought that's what we were doing already.
You know, you haven't bought a thing for yourself in ages.
That bath robe, that bath robe is older
than any one of the children.
- I don't mind.
- Well, I do.
Besides, what about us?
Now we finally got our children to the point
where they can take care of themselves.
Soon we'll have some time for each other again. Come on.
I guess you're right.
Anna, I know how you feel, we're owed another one.
But not this one, and not now.
We better go down and tell them.
Yeah.
Good morning.
Anna, I hope you understand.
I just had to bring Jane this morning.
Well, it is a little soon, because you see..
Now, before we get into any
embarrassing discussion in front of the child...
- Let's go.
- Just a moment, Jane.
Let's get out of here, they don't want me.
Hadn't you better let them decide that?
You told me it was all set.
Well, I told Miss Kenyon, that I might consider...
What's the matter, lady?
Isn't the 850 a week, the welfare board pays enough?
Disturbed? Hmph!
If you could see a way clear
to keep her for just two weeks.
They wouldn't keep me two minutes.
Come on, where do we try next, the zoo?
Now, wait a minute, wait a minute.
If it's only for two weeks, she can stay?
Well, uh.. No! Not you, her.
Oh, thank you, Anna.
Jane, this is Trot, and Teenie, and Tim.
- Hello.
- Hello.
Aren't you gonna finish, Jane?
I'm not that hungry.
Well, dinner's over.
The brandy and cigars come later.
Alright, everybody in the kitchen.
Help the butler with the dishes.
Jane, if you're not going to finish that
I wish you'd give the rest of it to the dog.
It's a shame to waste even that small piece.
Yes, ma'am.
Trot.
Beat it, buster.
What's Jane so mad about, all the time?
She just feels strange. Give her time.
- Then run for the hills.
- Poppy!
- Here's some more for Tramp.
- Ah, yes.
The dog, you better get the bowl ready.
Now that looks better than what we had.
Well, I don't like that remark.
Tramp! Tramp! Second course, coming up.
Hey, you thieving, shiftless, no good..
What's the matter?
Man's best friend just ate tomorrows lunch.
Jane, Jane. Why didn't you watch the dog?
He just wolfed all the hamburgers.
You ought to train him better.
Oh, no. You've had enough. You'll only get sick.
- Oh, thank you.
- He must have a tapeworm.
Timmy, children.
Why don't you all go in the living room and play?
Yeah, read Teens his birthday present, here.
- Poetry?
- O-oh.
- I can't read.
- Well, Tim can.
Take a chance. You might even improve your minds.
- Come on.
- Alright. Come on.
There's nothing wrong with my mind.
I was just..
I was just trying to.. I don't
know what I was trying to do.
What happened to the old-fashioned kind of child?
That used to bring the old man his pipe and slippers.
You're a good kid, Poppy. I think I'll adopt you.
Let's keep this on a husband and wife level.
Please, I've got to do the dishes.
Always got to do something, do the dishes
feed the cat, feed the dog, feed the children.
Does it ever occur to you that I might need..
Man does not live by bread alone.
Oh, I think I better go and see
what the children are doing.
How did we ever have 'em in the first place?
Oh!
Jane, where are the children?
Oh, well.
Jane, would you brush under the dining room table, please?
The children scatter so many crumbs.
I won't, and you have no right to ask me.
- I won't do it!
- Jane, what's wrong?
Is this the poem they were reading?
They were reading it out loud.
"Little orphan Annie has come to our house to stay."
I'm not a little orphan Annie. I'm not an orphan at all.
You and your literature.
I won't wash the cups and saucers up
and brush the crumbs away.
I won't. And nobody can make me.
- Now, see, uh, don't...
- Now, Poppy.
Nobody's gonna make you do anything
that you don't wanna do.
It's just that we all brush up our own crumbs
and help do our own work here.
I just thought you might like to help me, that's all.
Why should I?
Well, now, look, if this book upsets you so much
just throw it in the fire place and burn it up.
It's not worth screeching about.
- Go ahead, burn it.
- Oh, why not?
It's only the $2.95 deluxe edition.
Throw it in and see if it burns up your silly ideas.
Poppy...
But I'm not an orphan.
Well, Doctor Freud, shall we finish the dishes?
- Well, this day's over.
- Hmm.
The kids are all in bed.
Well, except us kids.
What? What? Oh.
Did you tuck in our little bundle from heaven?
- Mm-hm.
- Deluxe edition.
I've been trying to figure out
who her parents might've been.
Was John Dillinger ever married?
Oh, don't be a goof. She's no criminal.
She's just a lonely, frightened child.
She won't even go to sleep
unless I leave the light on in the room.
Maybe she's signaling an accomplice.
That's not even funny.
That kid's hard as nails.
Nothing we can do will ever change her.
Dillinger's crying.
I better go and see what's wrong.
- Got your gat?
- Will you please go to bed?
- Well..
- Go on.
- Yes.
- This is woman's work.
In this house, woman's work is never done.
Not even started.
Jane.
Why are you crying?
- Who sent for you?
- Nobody.
- What's this?
- Alright, I took 'em.
What're you gonna do?
Jane, you had enough to eat tonight, didn't you?
That's for tomorrow.
What makes you think we won't feed you tomorrow?
Why should you?
Because we want you to be happy here.
- Nobody wants children.
- Oh, Jane.
They're something that happens to a woman
when she gets married.
Don't you think we want our children?
Oh, sure, 'cause they'll all be after you
if you don't take care of them.
Like it got after my mother.
But you don't have to take care of me.
You don't trust anybody, do you?
You bet, I don't.
Do you trust yourself?
What do you mean?
Well, I mean that, uh..
Well, if you could take care of yourself
if you didn't have to depend
on the kindness of other people
would that make you feel safer?
How am I gonna take care of myself?
Maybe I could find you a job.
What kind of a job could I do?
Well, um, maybe you could help out
in a grocery store after school?
Hmph!
Or perhaps one of the neighbors
would hire you as a baby-sitter.
Yeah, that'll be the day.
- Shall I leave these here?
- No.
You're welcome.
How long's that girl gonna stay with you, George?
The sentence has 12 more days to run
but if we're lucky she may shoot her way out before then.
Now, I'll never understand how your wife talked my wife
into letting that kid mind our baby.
Remember, Harry, the women of this world
are always trusting, noble and unselfish.
Here's to not being one of them.
The baby'll probably sleep right through.
We'll be back in time for his 10 o'clock feeding.
- What happens if you're late?
- We'll be here.
Don't worry, Jane. The picture's over at 9:30.
In case we aren't back by 10 o'clock
there are two bottles of his formula in the ice-box.
- We'll be here.
- Come on, Harry.
We don't want to be late for the show.
- Goodnight, Jane.
- Goodnight.
Gladys, I hope you know what you're doing?
Oh, Harry.
Well, I wouldn't worry if I were you.
- Jane's a very competent girl.
- So was Lucrezia Borgia.
I'll just take a look and see if everything's alright.
Oh, that certainly was a wonderful picture.
Yeah, wonderful.
Can't you go a little faster, George?
Faster? Okay.
Just tell me when we get to the end of the runway.
Oh.
Had to push her a mile and a half, huh?
Gee, I sure feel sorry for you folks.
You know what? We get two or three cars a night that way.
- Please.
- Oh, oh, yeah, yeah.
- You see, my wife had the car...
- Yeah, yeah, they all say that.
- There's no answer.
- There's no..
- Well?
- There's no answer.
- Get in the car, Harry.
- Yeah.
I'll pay off the Melancholy Dame.
- Everything alright?
- Oh, yeah, fine.
Fine.
Hey, hey, wait a minute. You got eight gallons coming.
Where is she?
She's gone through all the drawers.
The baby! The baby's gone.
I'll get the police.
- Harry.
- Hello, operator.
Put down the phone, come in to the kitchen.
- Harry.
- Come along, Poppy.
Come along, Gladys.
Oh, thank goodness.
I guess she had to look all over the place
before she found the formula.
Why didn't she use the bottles we had?
That's the shelf you fixed this morning.
I think she really earned her dollar.
- We better put him to bed.
- Yeah.
Jane?
Jane?
Come in.
Hello, Mr. Thatcher.
Why, hello, Mrs. Rose.
This is Jane Miller. A friend of mine.
She would like to open an account.
How do you do, Miss Miller?
- Hello.
- Won't you have a chair?
Thank you.
- Savings or commercial.
- Commercial.
She's just gone into business.
And she'd like to keep her capital close at hand.
Does that mean I can get it out fast?
At the first sign of disaster.
Sign your name there, Jane.
How much is your first deposit?
One dollar.
- What's the matter with Teenie?
- Nothing, mom.
Just practicing first aid.
- Lie still.
- I can't.
I got a compound fracture of the left collar bone
dislocated metatarsal arch
and first degree burns on my tibia and fibula.
- That's the worst place.
- Yeah, and he won't cooperate.
Doctor, unwrap the patient and roll him under the covers.
- Goodnight, Teenie.
- Goodnight, Tim.
- Goodnight, mom.
- Goodnight, Teenie.
- Goodnight, Tim.
- Goodnight, Poppy.
Goodnight, mom.
Don't forget to turn out the lights.
- Goodnight, Trot.
- Goodnight, mommy.
- Goodnight, Trot.
- Goodnight, Poppy.
Don't let me find that dog in bed again in the morning.
Goodnight, Tramp.
Oh, by the way, Jane and I went
down to the bank this morning.
She opened an account.
Well, I'm glad to know that someone in the house
is independently wealthy.
- Goodnight, Jane.
- Goodnight.
Where is it?
Goodnight.
Hello? Oh, yes, Miss Kenyon.
Row row row your boat germy down the stream
Merrily merrily life..
Oh, dear.
Life is but a dream
Regard! Voila!
Ta-dah!
Can't you wait for some syrup?
As you see, I believe a pancake
should be the size of the pan.
'Course that takes more skill than the average human being
can master, but there you are, I studied under Escoffier.
Oscar de voila, here you are, Teenie.
And Aunt Jemima.
Oh, dear. Here we are.
Yours is coming up in a minute, Trot.
Whatever you can't finish, you can wear as a hat.
- Oh!
- Who was that on the telephone?
I'll tell you after breakfast.
We may not be alive after this breakfast.
- Better tell us now.
- Who was it?
Come on, tell us. Who was on the phone?
Well, it was Miss Kenyon.
Better help her pack.
But Jane's gonna stay with us, isn't she?
She doesn't really have to go back, does she?
I'm working on yours, Trot.
I'm not hungry. She can have mine.
Here's my bank book.
I'll put it right on top of the suitcase...
- I don't want it, it's for you.
- But, Jane...
I know I cost you more than the welfare board gave you.
I can't take this, Jane.
Why, you've got over five dollars in here.
You said I should learn to be independent.
Not depend on the kindness of others.
Not even yours.
Well, thank you very much.
I guess that square's the account.
Well, might as well go.
Hello, Jane.
Goodbye, Jane.
- Goodbye.
- Bye.
Gee whiz! I think it's a dirty trick.
Take this.
I better not take it.
They might not like cats where I'm going.
Stinkin' rotten.
I don't wanna go. I don't wanna go.
- Please let me stay.
- Jane.
Jane.
I'm sorry.
Come on, Miss Kenyon. Wait.
Where's my valise?
City Engineering. Chief draftsman, Duran speaking.
Yeah. I'll check up and call you right back.
Well. Where's Mr. Rose this time?
Taking a smoke?
At the water cooler?
Washing his hands?
Tell me, uh, am I getting warm?
He had to go down to the drug store, he cut his finger.
When he comes out from under the anesthetic
tell him I want to see him.
Mission accomplished. Where's fish-face?
In his office, drinking blood. Where were you?
Making one dollar do the work of two.
War surplus.
Rubber boat, self inflating
sleeping bag, volley ball.
- Swimming fins.
- Why're you hiding them?
I beg your pardon, what did you say?
I said, why're you hiding them?
Better get them out of sight before fish-face realizes
I'm going on my vacation tomorrow.
Where are you going?
We've taken that shack down at the beach
again this summer.
You'll never make it.
He'll see you looking happy and remember.
He's been hunting for you already.
Must have some night-work.
Oh, he's not that bad. He wouldn't do that.
Son, when he read "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
he thought Simon Legree was the hero.
Mm-hmm.
- Well, how's the finger?
- Huh?
- Oh, they saved it.
- Fine.
Well, then there's no reason you can't go to work
on these revised plans of the
East Bay filtration plant, huh?
- Uh...
- Tonight. How about it?
Well, fish, um,
Mr. Duran, I... I... I'm sorry.
I... I... I'm holding down more than
I can handle right now.
I thought you had finished that job already.
Well, it, I... It kinda grows on you.
Gets bigger the more you get into it.
Oh, that's the way it always is.
Ask one of you poorly spirited employees
to do a little extra work, and it's a no-go.
No, but if you wanna sneak down to the water cooler
if you wanna go out for a smoke
if you wanna go across to the drug store
for a finger, you're jolly on the spot, aren't you?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Before you row away.
Well, it works, anyway.
I'm almost finished, dear, go on up
I'll come to bed in a minute.
Morning?
It has a habit of rolling around
every 24 hours.
Now, will you stop it?
Unless I hit a snag, I'll be through in 10 or 15 minutes.
I hit a snag.
Shh. Shh. Your father is working.
Now, let's leave him alone. Let's leave him alone.
Quiet, everybody. Into the kitchen. Come on. Quiet.
- Get started on breakfast.
- Yes, mother.
Well, no fuss, no muss.
If Jane can keep that up, and handle the kids like that
at the beach you and I can have a second honeymoon.
Oh, Poppy, there's something
I tried to tell you last night.
It'll keep. Just pack your truce and report for duty.
- But I think you...
- Go on, beat it, scatter.
I gotta finish my work.
Mm! Cold.
What did Poppy say when you told him?
- I didn't get a chance.
- There's gonna be fireworks.
Here kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.
'They're not kitties anymore. They're cats.'
Big cats.
Teenie, now please take this cup of coffee in to Poppy.
We want to get him in a good mood.
Yup.
Oh, I've been boiled alive. Get out, get out.
Coffee nerves, you drink too much coffee
and it makes you cross.
You should drink milk.
You scald me to death and you're criticizing?
Get me a glass of cold water.
Never mind, I'll get it myself.
I just wanna make sure it's cold.
Oh!
- Don't get sore.
- Alright, alright.
We've only trying to put you in a good mood.
Why?
Um, um, so we could tell you
about the little boy we're taking to the beach.
What little boy?
It's a poor little orphan, we're
gonna pick up at summer school.
- Because Ms. Kenyon says...
- Say no more.
- I couldn't say no.
- Well, I can.
I can.
One, two, three, four.
That's all I want here when I get back.
- What's his name?
- These are his papers.
Oh, oh.
Oh, his name is, uh..
James or something. Yeah, James John Wilson.
Oh, Jimmy John. Now I remember.
Mr. Rose, is there anything wrong with your wife?
Naturally.
Well, uh, she came to see me about him
and I tried to discourage her.
But when I told her that he was sullen, mean
and the worst student in summer school
a gleam came into her eye.
I know that gleam.
Of course, I hate to see any child's vacation spoiled
but in this case I think you're doing
the right thing by not taking him.
Yeah, I guess I better break it to him.
What's the number of the classroom?
- He's in 4-0-3.
- Well, thank you, Mr. Taylor.
Not at all.
Quiet, please.
Jimmy John.
Jimmy John.
Come here.
You can't teach him much
he has only a five minute attention span.
And he has a very nasty disposition.
Really?
He puts his legs in the aisle to trip up
the other children and then kicks them.
He won't even learn the alphabet at his age.
So, I punish him by making him sit underneath my desk.
Do you know what he did the other day?
He actually bit me on the ankle.
Sister, if it'd been me, I'd have bitten both your ankles.
Come on, kid.
Row row row your boat germy down the stream
Merrily merrily merrily merrily life is but a dream
Row row row your boat germy down the stream
Merrily merrily merrily merrily life is but a dream
Come come come along join us in the boat
Merrily merrily merrily merrily
Down the stream we float
Come come come along join us in the boat
Merrily merrily merrily merrily
Down the stream we float
Fun fun fun for all when we sing a song
Merrily merrily merrily merrily as we row along
Fun fun fun for all as we sing a song
Merrily merrily merrily merrily as we row along
What's the matter with your voice, Jimmy John?
I don't think he's got a voice. He hasn't said a word yet.
Oh, he's just bashful. Come on, snap out of it.
- Now, wait. Now, wait.
- Come on.
Wait, wait, wait.. Wait!
Now, we don't hit people in the eye, here.
Teenie, you ride in back.
John L. Sullivan will ride up front with me.
Alright.
Yes, alright!
- Come on, give it to me.
- Oh, he always gives it to you.
- Come on, throw it to me.
- Come on, return the ball.
Come on, return the ball.
Ready? I'll serve. Oh, not all of them to her.
Let's play a game.
That's what we're doing, isn't it?
Now, there's must be something wrong with that, uh
what's his name, Jimmy John.
I've gotta hunch, the boy's alright.
Oh-oh-oh! You had a hunch our old cat was a male.
Hey, how about a stroll along the beach?
I've gotta put him to bed first. He's had a tough day.
Oh, dear.
You're not thinking of putting him
in Tim's room, are you?
That might lead to bloodshed.
No, he has to have a room of his own.
- That's a welfare board ruling.
- Huh!
I hope they're planning on building it themselves
because we haven't got one.
We're giving him our room.
I'm terribly sorry, Poppy.
Where are we going to spend our
second honeymoon? On our raft?
I'm sleeping in the girls' room.
And you're sleeping with Tim and Teenie.
I am? We'll write to each other, won't we?
Yes.
Oh, my.
Okay, but that's not fair, when
you hit it so close to the net.
Oh, I'm not sure.
Wouldn't you like to say goodnight to the children?
He says goodnight.
- Come on, Tim.
- Okay, you serve, Tim.
And don't serve 'em over the net like that.
21-19. We win.
Well, give us a return.
You sure picked a lemon, Poppy,
that kid hasn't got all his buttons.
- He hasn't even got...
- Well, he's just scared.
With a left like that?
- Hey, do you mind if I warm up?
- Nope.
Paddle-mates. Come on, stand back.
Let the champ show you how it's done.
Goodnight, Jimmy John.
You just looking us over.
I think you'll decide to like us.
What is it? Jimmy calm down.
If you can scream you can talk. What is it?
Serve it up, Tim.
Good shot, Teenie. Oh, another good shot, Teenie.
Oh, we're doing fine. Anything I can do?
- Mnm-mnm.
- Oh.
What was he screaming about?
He's been in hospitals since he was two.
Open wards with rows of beds, and other boys in them.
Nurses trotting in and out.
He's never been in a room alone.
Oh.
Perhaps it would be better for him
if we took him back.
Should we give up already?
I guess not.
Shall we go in?
Poppy, will you carry him? He weighs too much for me.
Hey, Poppy, you sleeping with us?
- It has been so decided.
- We tossed. You on the upper.
Hm.
Bonsoir.
Hey, Jimmy John, why don't you put on your suit
I'll take you in the boat.
No sense talking to him.
He never opens his yap.
If it was one of us, we'd have our tails warmed long ago.
Move on, kids. Come on.
- Where's she taking him?
- Who knows?
Oh row row row your boat...
Oh!
Row row row your boat germy down the stream
Merrily merrily merrily..
Can you drive a car?
Can you drive a car?
Now, don't sit there like an idiot
because I know you're not.
I'm going to ask you one more time
and I expect you to speak up.
Can you drive a car?
Of course, I can't. Don't be so dang silly.
Well, there's no time like the present to learn.
Hey, you want to get me killed?
Hold the wheel. Hold the wheel.
They ought to put you away, lady
letting a little kid steer this car.
- You're doing fine.
- I'm scared to death.
Alright, I'll take the wheel now, Jimmy John.
Holy Moses!
I steered good, didn't I?
- Perfect.
- It ain't easy to do.
- Of course not.
- And I done it.
You did very well. You can practice again sometime.
The reason I didn't talk before
wasn't because I was mad.
Oh?
I just didn't have nothing to say.
Well, that should be a lesson to me.
Hey, lady, I bet I could learn to swim
just like them other kids, huh?
Better.
Well, then turn around and take me back.
Okay.
You could use a few lessons yourself, lady.
Hey, Poppy, look, look!
I'm getting outta here. I'm getting outta here.
I'm scared to death.
This must be the wave pool
and wave pool's too darn big for me.
You're alright. Come on.
Nothing to be afraid of.
Come on.
Take me back in. Come on in!
The water is great. Nothing to be scared of.
- Ha-ha.
- What happened to Silent Sam?
Why didn't he talk before?
Don't be so dang silly. He didn't have nothing to say.
- Come on.
- Yeah, let's go.
- Don't let go of me.
- I won't.
Uh-oh!
And if I ever catch you again..
- What's wrong? What happened?
- Oh, it was nothing.
- Only I'm gonna tell my mother.
- Take it easy, take it easy.
- What is it?
- Ask him.
Come on, let's go.
- What's wrong with your hand?
- I hurt it.
How?
She slammed the window down on me.
Hm. What were you doing up there?
Wanted to keep the shades pulled down.
- How old are you?
- Twelve.
That's old enough. Come on over here.
Here, squat.
Now, watch this.
- Now, this is a woman.
- That I know.
What I've been trying to find out is how babies get born.
Oh, this is an advanced class, huh?
Well, you know how chickens
and them birds lay eggs?
- No.
- Well they lay 'em in the nest.
And they keep them warm with
their feathers until the babies
peck open the egg shells and hop out.
I didn't hop out of no egg shell.
Well, of course not. It wouldn't work with people.
Now what would happen if people sat down on their eggs
and tried to keep them warm enough to hatch?
- They'd bust.
- Certainly.
And besides, who's got feathers?
Well, no one in our side.
So instead, women keep a nest inside of them
where the eggs are warm and safe.
And when the baby is old enough,
he's born ready made, like this..
Pretty good system.
Oh, I'm glad you approved. Now we won't have to change it.
But how do the babies get here?
Why don't they smother?
Now, let me see.
Well, you know how a deep sea diver
gets air through a hose?
Well, a baby gets air practically the same way
except through an artery.
You see, the, uh, the blood
carries the oxygen through the artery to the baby.
The mother's heart is the pump.
It might work.
But how do they put the hoses on the baby?
He don't wear no diving helmet, does he?
Oh, no.
No, they're plugged into the baby's navel
like an electric toaster into a socket.
That's what your belly button was for.
Hmph, I always wondered what the heck that was doing there.
Did you now? Well, now you know..
May Ijoin in or am I too young?
The mister was learning me about babies.
- He's okay.
- Really?
Everybody else I ever asked
they washed my mouth up with soap.
- Thanks, mister.
- Oh, think nothing of it.
Wait till we get to the birds and the bees.
That's really interesting.
What's that supposed to be?
A woman.
It's of very poor likeness.
I had to draw it from memory.
Come on, ready to go on the picnic? Hey, Jane!
- Hi, Ben.
- Hi, Jane.
- Hi, Tim.
- Come on, you ride with me.
- Who's taking Jimmy John?
- 'Oh, shucks!'
Ah, it's too hot to go riding anyway. Let's call it off.
Oh, well, in that case Tim if
you're not going to the picnic
how about letting Jimmy John ride your bicycle, huh?
- Oh, I can't, pop.
- Oh, let Jimmy sit on the seat.
If he can learn to turn the pedals
it might do him some good. Jimmy John!
You know, I'd like all of us to be one happy family.
Everybody talking to everybody.
I have to go back to work pretty soon.
Okay?
Alright, up we go.
Now turn and bend your foot on the pedal.
You better unlock your braces.
Did he get his foot on the other pedal there?
Mm-hmm.
All set? Alright, let's go.
Alright, take it easy. Just relax.
You don't need to grip the handle bar so tight.
You're doing fine.
- My braces caught.
- See, didn't I tell you?
Get me off of here. Get me off of here!
- Get me off of here!
- Jimmy John!
- Jimmy John! Stop it.
- Get me off of here.
- Get me off of here.
- Alright.
Can I get my bike before he breaks the chain?
Ow!
Heavy, isn't it? Give it to your mother.
Come on, fella.
Come on, Tim. Hurry up.
Let's go.
And Ben, don't try to ride without holding on
to the handle bars.
Not so fast, Benji. I'll fall off.
Let's go to the park and play some baseball.
We don't have enough.
Oh, there's always plenty
of kids around who can play baseball.
Let's go.
Jimmy John, you better say goodbye.
- Do I gotta go back?
- Well, we've tried.
But you just don't get along with the other children.
After all it is their home, and they don't want you.
If they say I could stay, would that squeeze ends with you?
Mm, didn't you break Tim's bicycle?
Didn't you hit Trot in the eye?
Didn't they catch you playing Peeping Tom?
But if it's okay with them, huh?
We'll wait for you in the car.
I hope you've got a good lawyer.
How's about it?
Why don't we take the secret ballot?
That's a good idea.
What's this secret ballot stuff?
We each write stay or leave on a piece of paper
and the majority rules.
That's a pretty dress you've got on.
Oh, shut up.
That's what I say.
Jimmy John.
Go ahead, open 'em.
Well, what's the verdict?
I've been in 'em lousy hospital so much..
I never even learned to read.
But you were in school, weren't you?
Uh, they throw me in school for a couple of weeks
and then they throw me back in the hospital.
The only thing I ever learned to read was a thermometer.
I'll read them for you.
Stay.
Stay.
Stay.
- We're gonna keep Jimmy John.
- We're gonna keep him.
They all voted, "Stay".
- Wa-wait a minute. These...
- It was anonymous.
Uh... say, that, you hear that? This was done anonymous.
What did you vote? Huh?
On Anna's first day home from the beach, she got a manicure
and had her hair done.
I guess she didn't want me drawing from memory any longer.
Well..
Mother, you had your hair done.
It's about time. You always looked so looted.
Well, thank you.
- What's going on?
- Attention.
Tim's boys scout troop has a meeting here tonight.
Boys scout meeting, on our first night home?
At ease.
Now look, your poor father has been here all alone
while we've been enjoying ourselves down at the beach.
And now.. Oh.
Oh, dear. Oh, dear.
Somebody get him off of me. Ow! Help. Ow!
Push back your toes.
Stretch the heel. Push back your toes.
Oh. Cut it out. You're breaking my leg!
Do you wanna walk on your toes the rest of your life?
If you keep that up, I'll be walking on my knees.
You know what they told you at the clinic
the muscles in your heels have shrunken.
And we have to stretch 'em.
He's murdering me.
He's pulling my legs like they was wish bones.
It hurts!
I think he's had enough now, Tim.
You can say that again!
And besides it's time for his reading lesson.
- Here's a book.
- Bushwa! Who wants to read?
Don't you wanna know as much
as the other children in your class?
They don't know for nothin.'
Oh, believe me, if you don't learn how to read
you won't know for nothin' either, now start here.
"Once upon a time.."
Don't stop.
"There was a, there was a.."
What's this word?
- Bunny, Bunny rabbit.
- Bunny rabbit.
- I don't wanna read no more.
- You're going to.
I wanna go to the kitchen.
You'll go as soon as you finish this book.
Alright. I'll finish it.
Why, you little brat.
Come here.
Hey, cut it out!
Let go. Cut it out. Let me go!
- Cut it out!
- What happened?
Mother, what are you doing to him?
Something I should've done long ago.
I'm getting outta here.
I should've never asked you to keep me.
- I'm getting out of here.
- Go ahead then.
I'll go some place where I can do what I like.
Go ahead then, but leave everything behind
that we've ever given to you.
And you get outta the way, Tramp.
Mother, mother, come quick. Jimmy's gone wo-o-o..
What is it? What's happened now?
- Ooh..
- Ooh.
- Look.
- Holy Moses.
He's stitch stark naked.
Hey, Jimmy John!
What do you think you're doing?
You told me to take nothin' you had given me.
Well, I ain't got nothin' left. Only my bare skin.
Well, I shouldn't have said that.
But why did you tear off the book?
I ain't gonna read about a lot of fool bunnies
buttoned up in blue pants and talkin' like people.
That's too dang silly.
You're right, it is dang silly.
We'll find something better.
Make it snappy, I'm freezing to death.
- Scouts, at ease.
- Oh, oh, uh, oh, huh.
- Hello, Mr. Rose.
- Hello, Benji. Gentlemen.
Break ranks.
Meeting over?
Just as soon as we run off a few films from summer camp.
- Uh..
- It won't take long.
It's awful nice you let us use your living room, Mr. Rose.
We always have our meetings at the high school.
But they're having a raffle tonight.
Really? And what are they raffling off? Boy Scouts?
Oh, Poppy? Mommy's upstairs.
Well, that's a place to be, alright, Tim.
Excuse me.
Oh, I... I beg your pardon. Ah. Thank you.
I hate to come between you and
the doughnuts. But that's life.
Oh.
Anna! Who told those scouts that.. Oh. Oh.
Hey, look it, what mother got me.
Real one's just like yours.
He's been invited to attend the meeting.
My legs are as straight as anybody's.
Can hardly see the braces.
Nobody'd guess, would they?
Nobody would ever guess.
What's this for?
For being a good mother.
Come on, Jimmy John.
That was wonderful, Jimmy John.
Not everybody can fall that far.
It's the way you fall.
You gotta.. You gotta let yourself go.
- I'll do it again from the top.
- Not right now.
- Let's go see the movie.
- Yeah. Let's.
What's the picture about tonight?
Oh, it's about.
I'll turn off the lights.
Ben, start the picture.
This is our first treasure hunt.
Where Chuck Johnson mistook an Oak tree
for an Elm and got lost.
If he hadn't located that stream he'd still be there.
You know a compass is a pretty handy little thing
to take along on a treasure hunt.
Alone at last.
The last boy scout and the last doughnut
have vanished into the night.
Are you sure we can afford that?
Oh, I've been saving up for weeks.
Mother, let me in.
What is it?
Tim gave me his scout hand book to read.
I gotta read! I gotta read!
- Teach me.
- Now?
Now. Start at the beginning and go all the way through.
May I have my sweater, please?
- Thank you.
- Oh, that's alright.
"On my honor, I will do my best."
"To do my duty. To guarding my country."
"And to obey the scout law."
"To help other people at all times."
Bonsoir.
"To keep myself, physically strong"
"mentally awake and morally straight."
"Do a good deed daily."
"Raising foster children can be fun."
Hm - Shh...
Oh. Oh, Yeah.
Thank you.
If there're any questions I'll be glad to answer them.
Is there any reason
why you didn't legally adopt these children?
There certainly is.
You see, under adoption
we'd be responsible for all their expenses.
Their hospital bills and their operations
dentist bills and so forth, and we simply can't afford it.
Now, this way, with the welfare agency to help us
and our older children handing down out-grown clothes
and the help of neighbors in Fairfield
we manage to get by.
Of course, sometimes we have to
add a little water to the soup
but we keep our figures that way.
But, with your own children to take care of
I don't see how you can possibly do it
and still keep up with your house work.
I'll let you in on my secret. I don't dust the furniture.
Wouldn't you rather take a new baby to raise
than a half grown problem child?
Well, no, because, you see
we've already had this satisfaction of our own babies.
Anyone can start from scratch.
But these are the children who
offer an interesting challenge.
Ah.
Yes, sir?
Don't you find that by accepting this interesting challenge
you're apt to neglect your husband?
In what way?
How many ways are there?
Well, I can assure you, that whatever inconvenience
he's been caused is temporary.
How long is temporary?
- Young man.
- Why, thank you.
- Are you married?
- Eh? A little louder, please.
Are you married?
Sometimes, I wonder.
Well, I'd like to tell you this about my husband.
He's deeply interested in our children.
He's reasonably patient
and just and firm.
He's unfailingly enthusiastic
in helping each one outgrow difficulties.
He's the first one they turn to
when they need help with their homework
or-or a new catcher for the baseball team.
And whenever they have a new achievement
they run to him to demonstrate it.
Because he's always so open in his pride and delight.
He has the undying love and affection
of every member of his family
including his wife.
And you ask if he's neglected.
Thank you.
It was a great year for the boy scouts.
When vacation time rolled around again
it was my turn to keep myself physically strong.
Mentally awake and financially broke.
You see what I see?
A bunny.
Hold on to the bike, Tim.
- Mrs. Rose?
- Yes.
At the risk of sounding presumptuous
could you tell me what you're doing?
This poor rabbit has to have some place to sleep.
From what I've heard, rabbits have very few sleep problems.
How did we get involved with this one?
They had him in a box down at the market
and they were going to kill him and I couldn't stand it...
And a gleam came in your eye.
All I had to do was pay 42 cents
a pound, it's very cheap.
For eating. Not boarding.
If you must add to this house
how about building a hut for you and me.
Look, look. Jimmy John can ride.
I can do it, I can do it.
I guess he won't be kicking the spokes out of this bicycle.
I'll get Harvey some lettuce.
I have some.
Surprised? Now you know, she had a hunch
that the rabbit was male too.
Poppy! Dinner's ready.
If you're interested.
You got the right boy.
Hello. Who? Oh. Yes, Miss Kenyon.
No, Miss Kenyon. We're full up.
Oh.
- Boy, that's gonna be fun.
- Teams gotta meet.
- Oh. Is it?
- Isn't that with ours?
- When is it, next week?
- Think so.
Oh.
Oh. Thank you. Thank you.
Teenie. Teenie. It's your turn.
That which we are about to receive, we thank you. Amen.
Why didn't you just say "On your mark, get set, go?"
Hello, Jane. Where have you been?
Where she is all the time.
With Ben.
He never even goes to scout meetings anymore.
I hate him.
- I hope I never see him again.
- What has he done?
He invited me to the New Year's prom.
New Year's Prom? Since when is that a Federal offence?
Oh, Poppy, where have you been living? On the moon?
The New Year's prom is only
the biggest dance they have at school.
Then why should Jane be hurt?
Because it's only the New Year's prom
held on New Year's Eve.
And it's only formal
and you only have to wear an evening gown.
Janie hasn't even got a day gown.
Hm, well, next time Miss Kenyon
drops a girl off here
make sure she comes formal.
Alright!
- Come on.
- Here we come.
Here, I come.
Poppy!
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas, Poppy.
- One, two, three, go.
- No, no, wait a minute.
No, Hold on, hold on. No. Wait a minute.
No, wait a minute, Please don't. No, no. Janie.
No. Just a minute. No, no, please.
No, no, no. Put them back.
Now, now, before we grab for the loot
don't you think we should get into the spirit of the day?
Children! Children!
We might as well give in or he'll sulk all daylong.
"Good King Wenceslas.
Merry Christmas, good King Wenceslas."
That's all I know about the play.
- Let's humor him, shall we?
- Okay.
We shall now sing. "Good King Wenceslas."
Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gathering winter fuel
Second Verse.
Hither page and stand by me
If thou know'st it telling
Yonder peasant who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?
Sire he lives a good league
Hence underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fe...
Oh. Everybody open their presents!
Look how big mine is.
There's probably nothing in it but money.
Will you be surprised? It's an evening gown.
Alright, shoot me.
Oh, it's lovely!
But it's yours.
Well, I don't get much chance to use it
so I cut it down for you.
Thanks, mother.
Why don't you try it on, Jane?
Come on, Trot and I will help you.
- Trot.
- Okay.
Gee, an official scout knife.
Thanks.
A microscope! I wanted one all my life.
Look what I got. A Genuine Brownie.
Where's the film?
- Oh. Oh, next Christmas.
- Aw.
Look everybody, Look. Look at Jane.
- It's a knock out.
- It's great on you.
It stinks.
It's beautiful.
It still looks like mama's old dress
cut down for you.
Teenie's right. We just kept hoping it would do.
It's wonderful. It will do.
We just have to take it in a little more and shorten it.
It'll be the prettiest dress at the prom.
- It still stinks.
- Teenie.
Janie and I were looking at a dress in Gomberg's window
the other day
but it was 25 dollars.
You better take this back. I might cut myself.
I don't think I could use this.
Maybe you ought to return it.
And use the money for something else.
- Hm.
- Not much good with out film.
- Here, Poppy. Take this.
- Oh. Thanks, Trot.
Well. Well. Merry Christmas, anyway.
Merry Christmas, Poppy!
Poppy...
- Poppy!
- Um. What is it?
- You've got to stop him.
- What is it?
- You've got to stop him.
- Who?
- Jimmy John.
- Oh.
Have you any idea, what the temperature is?
You know, I left my thermometer
in my other pajamas, don't..
Well, it's 18 above 0. He can't go on a hike today.
- Who?
- Jimmy John!
Oh, you know Jimmy John.
He's got his heart is set on that merit badge.
If he walks that far in this
weather with six pounds of iron
on his legs, it's apt to undo
all the good we've done for him.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Now pull yourself together.
- Yeah. I will.
I never got a badge for anything in my life
in the middle of night.
Hurry up.
Look, it's still dark outside.
- Jimmy.
- Jimmy John.
Jimmy. Jimmy John.
- He left an hour ago.
- Oh, no.
If he's going 10 miles, he needs and early start.
Why didn't you stop him? Isn't
being first class scout enough?
Not for Jimmy John.
But I thought we were getting the dress at Gomberg's.
We're going the wrong way.
There he is.
Jimmy! Are you alright?
Can't you read that sign?
"No Parking on the highway."
Wouldn't you accept a little lift for a part of the way?
I've committed a faux pas.
We might as well go back and get that dress.
Ben will just absolutely expire
when he sees you.
Mmm-hmm!
Poppy. What time is it?
Oh, will you stop worrying? It's not even 7:30 yet.
Not even? He left at 5:30 this morning
and it's pitch dark outside.
He's alright. He's got my flash light.
Yeah, you see how silly it is to worry.
He's got Tim's flashlight.
Come on, Tramp, let's go for a walk.
What was that?
I'm just gonna take the dog for a walk.
Any objections?
No, except we've had that dog for ages
and you've never taken him for a walk before.
Well, it's about time he got some air.
Let's go, Tramp. I know you're anxious. Come on.
You see.
Hurry up with the soup, Jimmy John.
Tell us more.
- Teenie.
- I know, it's past my bed time.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
- I'll take him up.
Come on, Teenie.
After the first five, or six miles
the trick is not to sit down.
'Cause you'll never get up.
Next year the channel, huh?
Don't dare him. He's liable to try it.
Holy Moses. Who's that?
Is it alright?
May I have your autograph?
- Oh.
- You look lovely, Jane.
Only don't take a deep breath.
Oh, that must be Benji!
"Benji" Hmph.
In the words of George Bernard Shaw.
"Youth is such a wonderful thing.
What a crime to waste it on children."
Yes, this is Jane.
Oh.
Well, could I at least talk to him?
I see.
Thank you very much for calling.
Well, what time is Sir Galahad picking you up?
Is he bringing flowers and candy?
You better take this dress back.
- Jane, what's happened?
- It was his mother.
She say's Benji has a cold.
- Oh, that's too bad.
- He doesn't have any cold.
She doesn't want him to go with me anymore
because I'm not really your daughter.
How do you know?
Last night Ben told me his mother
wants to know more about my parents.
Then I say good riddance.
You go to the dance with someone else.
- Tim.
- I can't take her.
She's older than I am and besides I haven't got any tux.
You've got your new blue suede suit
and you've just aged three years.
- Mother, I'll be the only one.
- Oh, ho, ho, ho.
If I take the gown off right away
maybe you can get your money back.
We can't take it back. It's been altered.
I can't dance, but I'll take you.
You stay right there. I'll be dressed in five minutes.
Where're you going?
Out to cure a cold.
Cheer up.
- Oh. Good evening, Ben.
- Mr. Rose.
Good evening. I... Is your mother home?
Yes, sir, so is my father.
Good, I'll take them both on.
Oh, I don't want to miss this.
Now, you listen to me, Mrs. Roberts...
- Mr. Rose. I don't...
- Good evening.
Oh.
Now I came over here with a whole speech
made up about Janie.
And then I was gonna call you a few names
before I punch you in the nose.
- Oh, well, you see, he didn't...
- Yeah, well, I know that.
None of that seems to matter very much now but..
But what does matter..
Is that there's a little girl down at her first prom..
With a short partner in blue suede suit.
Now, you know, that's tragedy, Mr. Roberts.
So if you, as, uh, as head of the family..
Don't mind, I'd like to take this tall tuxedo
down to the dance with me to
sort of even things up for her.
I'm very sorry to tell you, Mr. Rose...
Oh, shut up, Grace.
Uh, Benji.
I don't know how the sight of you
would ever fix a broken heart, but get going.
Thanks, dad.
Get your coat, Benji.
Don't wait up for him, Mrs. Roberts.
Oh, she won't.
Boy, is she gonna be surprised.
Oh. Tim.
- Hi, Poppy.
- Hi.
Hi, Ben.
- Now, where's Jane?
- Over there.
Haven't been able to get near her since we came.
I'm not exactly sure who I should dance with.
I mean, you've had two dances and you've had three. And I..
- I'll dance with you.
- Oh.
Oh, excuse me.
She saw me.
May I have this dance?
- Say, Tim.
- Sorry, I don't dance.
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And days of...
Happy New Year, Jane.
Happy New Year, Poppy.
For auld lang syne my dear
For auld lang..
We will open the meeting by
pledging allegiance to the flag.
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic of which it stands.
One nation, indivisible
with liberty and justice for all.
Do.
Scouts and guests, be seated.
We're honored tonight in having for our chairman
the mayor of our city
the Honorable Michael J. Kane.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Before the Court of Honor present the awards
I'd like to ask this large audience
to refrain from any applause
for the individual scouts.
We have a long program and we'd like to keep it moving.
Thank you.
Howard Williams candidate for Tenderfoot scout.
Howard.
Donald Sherwood. Candidate for 2nd class scout.
Donald.
And now, for scouting's highest award.
The Eagle Badge.
Which is the pot of gold at the end of the scout's rainbow.
James John Wilson. Candidate for Eagle Scout.
Will the scouts so designated
to escort the candidate to the platform?
Will the scouts so designated escort
the parents of the candidate to the platform?
Will the Eagle candidate
and his Scoutmaster step this way.
I ask you to reaffirm the scout oath with your Scoutmaster.
"On my honor I will do my best.
"To do my duty to God and my country.
"And to obey the Scout Law."
"To help other people at all times."
"To keep myself physically strong"
"mentally awake, and morally straight."
By virtue of the authority vested in this court
by the National Council Boy Scouts of America..
We hereby award the rank of Eagle Scout
to James John Wilson.
Will the parents of this scout
please stand behind your son.
Will the mother of this scout
pin the Eagle badge on her son
as it is presented to her.
The Eagle Scout in turn will present his mother
with a miniature Eagle pin.
In remembrance of this solemn, but happy occasion
the court now invites the scout's father
to present an American Beauty rose to his wife.
The Eagle ceremony is completed
and the court stands adjourned.
- Please, Jimmy John, Come on.
- Speak. Please, say something.
Speech, speech, speech.
Come on, Jimmy. Come on, speech.
You better say something, Jimmy. Or you'll never get home.
Well, I had a lot of help.
And I had a head start over most of you fellows.
I... I had a chance to pick my own parents.
Come on, Teenie.
Bonsoir. Bonsoir. Bonsoir.
Bonsoir. Eh, Bonsoir.
Goodnlght, Poppy.
Don't cause Ben's parents any trouble now
or they won't invite you again.
- Bye, mama.
- Bye.
- Bye, mama.
- Goodnight. See you tomorrow.
Wasn't it nice that the Roberts
to invite the children to spend the night?
Mm-hmm.
It seems so lonely without them.
I won't know what to do with myself.
I Will.
Do a good turn daily.
Did I ever get around to telling you that I love you?
I don't recall it being mentioned in the last few years.
Well, we've been so busy raising a family
I guess I just didn't have time.
But I happen to love you very much, Mrs. Rose.