All In The Family s02e11 Episode Script

The Man in the Street

Boy, the way Glenn Miller played songs that made the hit parade guys like us we had it made [ together .]
those were the days and you knew where you were then [ Archie .]
girls were girls and men were men [ Archie, Edith .]
mister, we could use a man like Herbert hoover again [ Archie .]
didn't need no welfare state [ Edith .]
everybody pulled his weight [ Archie, Edith .]
gee, our old lasalle ran great those were the days [ phone rings .]
[ Ringing continues .]
I'll get it, Gloria! [ Gloria .]
Okay, ma! Hello? Oh, hello, Archie.
[ Teakettle whistling .]
Just a minute.
[ Archie .]
What, Edith? I got something important to tell you.
Gloria, I'm home! [ Gloria .]
Down in a minute! [ Archie .]
Edith! Edith! Don't get off the line, Edith! Edith, get back on that line! I only got a dime here! Get back on that line, you dingbat! Get back on that line! Hold it.
Wait a second, Archie.
Hold on a second.
This isn't the dingbat.
It's me, the meathead.
Yeah-- no, she's right here.
Hold on.
Hello, Archie.
Yeah, I know.
I'm sorry.
After I answered the telephone, I had to answer the teakettle.
Oh, I don't mean the kettle was talking.
It was whistling and-- yeah, Archie, I'm listening.
Hi, Michael.
Did you have a nice day? Oh, yeah.
What's the matter with ma? I think Archie put her on stifle.
Yeah, it'll be all ready, Archie.
I can hardly wait.
Yeah, bye.
Gloria, help me get the food.
Your father'll be here in two seconds.
Two seconds? Where was he calling from? From the liquor store.
He's bringing a bottle of wine home for dinner.
Archie, wine? Yeah.
Something important is going on 'Cause he asked his shop steward to drop in after dinner.
I don't understand, ma.
What's happening? That's right.
You weren't here.
But your father called me right after lunch And he said he had a great big surprise for us.
Oh, he sounded so happy and excited.
What's the surprise, ma? I don't know, but this is what he said-- he wanted dinner served, eaten and cleared away by 5:30 sharp, after which he don't want no noise And he don't want Gloria and the meathead-- I'm sorry, Mike.
He don't want Gloria and Mike to go out neither.
- What do you think it is? - Well, I don't know.
The last time he brought home a surprise, it was that-- you know that parrot he bought off this marine at kelcy's bar? You're kidding.
Archie surprised you with a parrot? Yeah, he surprised himself.
He broke out in hives as big as 50-cent pieces.
And he couldn't stop sneezing.
He was allergic to the parrot? Yeah, he kept on sneezing-- sometimes 20 times in a row.
And every time he sneezed the parrot went, "gesundheit! Gesundheit!" It made Archie very mad.
Good evening, all, and a wonderful evening it's gonna be.
Hello, Archie.
Everything is ready, just the way you ordered it.
That's terrific, Edith.
You done a terrific job.
Everything is terrific.
Good evening, Gloria, and good evening, Michael.
"Good evening, Michael"? Edith, bring them wine glasses over here.
Ain't this exciting! Why, we haven't used these glasses Since we got 'em from the quaker oats people.
Well, it's about time we used 'em.
This is a special occasion, and I bought a very special wine.
Yeah, the screw-on cap has a great bouquet.
Kinda nice, huh? [ Laughs .]
[ Archie .]
There we are.
Oh, my.
Red wine.
I'll bet it's manischewitz.
No, Edith.
I buy strictly American.
Don't nobody say nothing till I make the toast.
What are we drinking to? We are drinking to The man in the street.
What's "the man in the street"? You'll find out all in good time.
Meantime, let's get over there and eat our dinner.
Boy, this is a swell bottle of wine.
Yeah, great vintage.
September.
Nothing you say to me is gonna make me mad tonight, meathead though you are.
We had our differences in the past, a little tiff here and there.
We don't see nose to nose on everything.
But tonight I'm gonna show you the way a real American feels About living in the good old U.
S.
of a.
Now get over here and let's eat, 'cause we only got 15 minutes.
When you gonna tell us the surprise? Did you get promoted, Archie? - You won the lottery.
- Did you get a raise? No, none of them things.
Oh, I know.
I bet they gave him his own key to the men's room.
Michael.
Sorry.
The wine went to my head.
I ain't surprised.
You ain't got nothin' else up there.
Well, give us a hint, Archie.
Is the surprise animal, vegetable or mineral? Neither one, Edith.
It's human.
If it's human, it's animal.
We ain't discussin' you, meathead, we're discussin' me.
Ha! Come on, daddy.
We give up.
All right, I won't keep youse in suspense no longer.
Today at lunchtime I went around to the bench in back of the loading bay And I was sittin' there with some of the guys-- stretch Cunningham and them.
I was just about to open up my lunch box-- by the way, there wasn't no twinkie in with the sandwiches today.
I'm sorry, Archie.
Forget it, Edith.
I'm in a good mood tonight.
All of the sudden up comes this great big CBS truck Loaded with equipment and lights, guys with cameras.
One guy shoves a microphone out to stretch and asks him a question.
- What did he say? - Who, stretch? Nothin'.
You know him.
He's always clowning around.
He tries to eat the microphone like it was a popsicle, see.
So the guy comes up to me and says, "you're a workin' man.
We'd like to have your opinion on president Nixon's new economic phase.
" So tonight, on the Walter cronkite news, guess who youse is gonna see there.
Just think of somebody you all know and love.
Marcus welby! Oh, geez, when are they gonna come out with a pill for dingbat? No, Edith, me! I'm gonna be on the cronkite news.
Oh, Archie! Really? That's fantastic! Daddy's gonna be on the news! Me.
Yours truly.
For once, the great American public is gonna get to hear the opinions Of the real common man.
I can't argue with that statement.
Oh, Archie, it's like having a tv star in the family.
Ain't it? You could say that, Edith.
- What'd you say for the cameras? - Oh, a lot of things.
Just on the sperm of the moment.
What did you tell them about Mr.
Nixon? I hope you told them the truth.
[ Archie .]
Certainly.
Yeah, that Nixon's surrendering the country to big business.
No, I didn't tell him that 'cause that ain't the truth.
I said Mr.
Nixon's preserving the spirit of competition and free enterprise.
Oh, really? How's he doing that, arch? By keeping out jap merchandise and forcing the public to buy American.
The way Nixon works it, nobody can afford to buy anything.
What are you talking about? Ain't he took the exercise tax off of cars? That's right, arch.
I'd forgotten about that.
How many cars are you gonna buy? Ain't he tryin' to keep wages and prices from going up? Yeah, but not profits and interest rates.
Don't you see? Nixon's controlling the little man and letting the big guys run wild.
He's a big guy.
He didn't give himself a raise.
He froze himself too, didn't he? Oh, yeah, he's freezing at $200,000 a year in three houses.
He knows what's best for the country.
That's why he's going to China, Russia.
If he knows what's best for the country, why is he coming back? 'Cause he is my president And I want him back! That's what I told that CBS guy.
I said, "listen, there's millions of guys like me out there in the country "That really believe in president Nixon.
God believes in him too.
" You said that on television? God believes in Nixon? Certainly! Billy Graham plays golf with him, don't he? - What does that mean? - That means God believes in Nixon.
Wait a second.
Are you saying that Nixon rules because of divine right? It's a damn sight better than your divine left.
What other gems did you come up with? You'll just have to wait and see, Sonny boy.
You'll have to wait and see and hear along with the rest of the nation.
I'm gonna turn this on and get it ready.
Edith, what channel is cronkite on? Channel 2, Archie.
The one we don't watch because you always say Walter cronkite is a communist.
I never said that, Edith.
The man ain't all red.
What's the matter? There ain't nothin' coming on.
I'll help you fix it, daddy.
If you take the contrast and turn it to the left, and you take the horizontal-- them knobs don't mean nothin'.
Get outta here.
Edith, what's wrong with this set? and all I get is a screen full of dots and dashes.
It does that in the afternoon sometimes When I'm watching secret storm.
Lately it does it right through edge of night.
You're wearin' out this set with them sufferin' soap operas.
Well, sometimes it clears up, Archie, if I stand right here And jump up and down a few times.
Would you cut that out! This is serious here.
Hey, hold it.
You got a picture with that last jump.
But it's bending in the middle.
You can fix that easy just by hitting it on the side.
[ Tv: Descending tone .]
I think you hit it too hard.
You didn't say nothin' about hard or not hard.
You said, hit it.
And that's what I done.
We ain't got nothin' but the dot.
Now we ain't even got the dot.
Forty minutes to my show, and you busted that set! Ah, geez, look at the time.
Can't you get a repairman yet? I can only call one number at a time.
Lionel, can't you work no faster on that? Doing the best I can.
That ain't good enough.
Work faster! I's sure enough sorry, but we does our fastest work with a overseer watchin'.
Come on, will ya, Lionel! - You got a whip? That might help.
- Will you cut that out! Did you get anybody yet? Uh, yeah, that's right.
Bunker.
Yeah, thank you.
Bye.
Was that a repairman? Yeah.
Oh, gee, that's swell.
There's a guy comin', so you can quit workin', Lionel.
But he's not sure he'll get here in time.
Keep on workin', Lionel.
Did you tell him it was an emergency? Can't you try another number? These places are all closed.
Do you know what time it is? I know what time it is-- ten minutes to me! I give up.
You need a professional for this job.
I'm back, daddy.
What took you so long? What did the mcnabs say? Can we watch their television? The mcnabs are out, the thomases have company, the wilkersons's house is dark and the feeneys were on their way out too, but they lent us a tv-- ta-da wait a minute.
That thing is a tv? Yeah! Look! Who for? Pygmies? Archie, don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Yeah, it's the best we could do.
Wait a minute.
It won't turn on here.
Try hitting it on the side.
Aw, shut up, you.
Get back on the line, will ya.
Mr.
feeney said-- quiet! I'm trying to hear if it's on.
Daddy, Mr.
feeney said the batteries are dead.
Why didn't you say so? Get some batteries for it.
I don't know where they are.
Can't you ask your mother? Hey, Edith! Edith! Get yourself out here.
What is it? We need some batteries.
They're in the closet.
I got an idea, Mr.
bunker-- come over and watch it at my house.
No, not your house, Lionel-- I mean, we'd better try some other things first.
H-here-- here you are, Archie.
Edith, those are flashlight batteries.
You need the little ones like this.
Oh.
I think they're upstairs.
I'll help you look, ma.
You'd better come over to my house.
You're gonna miss yourself on tv.
I'd go over there like a shot, but I invited a particular guy here.
He's an important guy at the plant, and he might not be as broad-minded as me.
I can sneak him in with you.
You can sit in the back of the room.
Lionel, how many times have I gotta tell ya? If youse people wanna get anywheres in life, you gotta be serious! Well, I'll sure try to change, Mr.
bunker.
Yeah! Yeah! I'd better be going.
I'll let you know how you look on tv.
Bye, everybody.
Oh, bye, Lionel.
Are these the right kind? Yeah, the little ones.
I knew we had them somewheres.
Well, they was in the portable radio, and we don't need 'em there Because the portable radio ain't workin'.
And the portable radio ain't workin', Edith, because [ Together .]
The batteries are dead! Yes! I'm sorry, Archie.
[ Doorbell rings .]
Get outta the way.
Let me answer the door.
Stay on that phone, will ya! Hiya, Billy.
Come on in.
Edith, Mike, Gloria, I want you to meet Billy hopper from down at work there.
Take his hat and coat, Edith.
This is the union shop steward, a very important guy.
You gotta be nice to him.
You ready for the big show, arch? Gee, it's like rubbin' shoulders with William Buckley himself.
Come sit down.
Take the good chair, Billy.
Edith, get Billy some beer.
Right away.
Gloria, get the pretzels and cheese.
Stay on the phone, will ya! I'm dialing.
What's the matter with the tv, arch? Nothin', Billy.
We just took the back off to look at a tube, and then we noticed-- - it's busted.
- Shut up! Hey, arch, I had a chance to go bowling tonight.
Archie, ain't that nice.
Mr.
hopper gave up his game just to see you on tv.
Don't stand there runnin' your mouth.
Call up Mrs.
weidermeyer, ask her if we can watch her television set.
Mike is on the phone.
Well, go knock on her door.
Use your head.
Oh, all right.
Here's some pretzels.
Daddy, we don't have any cheese.
Never mind.
Did you ask old man bellini if we could watch his set? No.
You told me never to go-- don't give me no arguments.
Go and ask old man bellini.
All right.
Arch, let's go watch the set at kelcy's bar.
Oh, no, Billy.
All the guys are watching basketball down there.
This guy says he's closing up and doesn't wanna come all the way out here.
Just a minute.
Billy, sit down and finish your beer.
Give me that.
With these guys, money talks.
Hello there.
Listen, how much you guys get for a house call? Fifteen bucks, huh? This is an emergency.
Get here in five minutes, I'll give you an extra buck.
He hung up on me.
Don't call this guy for nothin' ever again.
Hey, Billy-- arch, I'm goin' down to kelcy's.
Wait a minute-- daddy! Mr.
bellini said you could watch his tv Swell! Let's go! The day you stop calling him a dumb dago.
Billy, come on back here.
Give me five more minutes.
Sit down.
Archie, I'm sorry.
Mrs.
weidermeyer's tv set is broken too.
The repairman was just taking it out to the truck.
Are you telling me there was a tv repairman over at Mrs.
weidermeyer's? Yeah, Levy's tv repair.
And you let the guy get away? Of all the dumb things-- no, he's coming right over.
[ Doorbell rings .]
There he is.
Gee, you're not a dingbat all the time, Edith.
Mr.
bunker? Never mind the introductions, Levy.
Come on in.
There's the set over there.
Get to work.
- I got a guy here.
- I got a guy here.
Hang up.
Don't waste any time now, Levy.
I'm on Walter cronkite in 15 minutes.
- You? - Yes.
What'd you do, have an accident? Don't be a wise guy.
They're asking my opinions of the president.
Walter cronkite wanted your opinion? Yes! Didn't you recognize Archie bunker? He's a very important man.
He just lives down here to be close to the people.
Don't waste the man's time.
Let him get to work.
Here's the trouble.
Not too serious.
A line fuse blown, and a 1b3 tube is out.
How long is it gonna take to fix? Fifteen, twenty minutes.
Swell.
Get right at it.
First thing Monday morning.
Monday morning? I'm sorry, Mr.
bunker, but I've got to get back to the shop before dark.
Why? You see, it's Friday.
I'm not allowed to drive the truck after sundown.
What's driving a truck got to do with this? Arch, I think what Mr.
Levy is trying to tell you is that he's orthodox.
Orthodox what? Jewish.
Oh, geez! Come on, don't tell me that.
You, orthodox? A clean-cut kid like you? I seen them guys all my life with the long black coats and hats and beards.
Come on, Levy, look at yourself.
You're no more orthodox than me.
I think I am.
Now, wait a minute.
I know what it is.
It's a question of dough.
How much? It has nothing to do with money.
The job will only cost you a few dollars on Monday.
But what about now? I'm sorry, but I've got to go to temple for services.
It's forbidden for me to work after dark.
Wait a minute.
It ain't dark out.
My shop is 20 minutes away, and sunset is 6:12 today.
You run around on Friday nights knowing the exact times of the sunsets? Mr.
bunker, I have to go.
Do you want me to come back Monday or not? Look, do the job now.
Say three "hail, moseses" tomorrow.
It cleans it up for you.
I just can't do it.
He's right, Archie.
Here it is.
"Sunset 6:12.
" You wanna know when high tide is? Yeah, Edith.
We sail at midnight.
Now, Levy, what's the name and telephone number of your rabbi? It won't do any good.
Let me try to get an okay.
Listen, we used to do it in the army for catholic guys much tougher than you.
You know, so's they could eat meat on Fridays.
Listen, if the pope could wink his eye on that-- I mean, after all, this is only a little "mispensation" here.
I'm sorry.
I can't go against my religion.
Hey, turning down business.
That's against your religion.
I can only answer that insult with an old Jewish expression.
[ Speaking Hebrew .]
What the hell does that mean? You'll never know, but believe me, I got even.
I've had it, arch.
I'm going to kelcy's.
What are you gonna do, Archie? What else can I do? I'm going with him.
Well, wait for us! We wanna see it too! [ Men chattering .]
Hiya, fellas.
Hey, kelsey, do me a favor.
Turn on the channel 2 news.
Are you out of your head? There's bets ridin' on this game.
I know, but listen, I'm on the Walter cronkite news tonight.
Well, as soon as the game is over you can give me your autograph.
Right now, shut up! Aw, come on, fellas! I'll tell you what-- I'll set up drinks for everybody.
Just turn it on, huh? That's up to the boys.
What do you say? Okay.
Come on, let's go.
Never mind that.
Turn that on first! All right, all right.
On reaction to the new Nixon economic policies, we sought the views of some average working men.
During the lunch break at a plant in Manhattan, we talked to-- that's the guy that asked me the questions, Edith.
And here is one of those men, Mr.
Archie bunker.
[ All cheering .]
[ Announcer .]
We interrupt this program To bring you a special report from CBS news in Washington, where president Nixon is about to address the nation.
Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States.
[ Archie .]
Wait! Where am I? During a four-year term, the president of the United States Sitting in this historic room-- what's he doin' up there? I'm supposed to be on there! He's probably gonna make an important announcement about boy scout week.
What's Nixon saying? Something about the supreme court.
Oh.
I bet he's gonna nominate his buddy bebe rebozo.
He's always on there talkin' and makin' people nervous.
Why is he doing this to me? I'm only tryin' to help him.
Oh, Archie, he don't know what he's doin'.
Come on, kelsey.
Nobody's listening to this.
Wait a minute.
Hold it.
They may get back to me any minute.
Nixon's almost finished.
Throughout this great land of ours.
Thank you and good night.
[ Archie .]
Oh, good night, nurse.
Come on, kelcy.
Put the ball game on.
Wait a minute! There might be a piece of me on there-- who's this guy? That's Dan rather.
He's gonna tell everybody what Mr.
Nixon just said.
Come on, kelsey! Archie, I gotta change it.
Go ahead and change it.
Let's get outta here.
Hey, arch, six bucks for the drinks, huh? Aw, geez.
I tell ya, that Nixon's gonna open his mouth once too often.
He ain't gonna have Archie bunker to kick around no more.
I wanna tell you, that was the lousiest break I ever had.
Oh, arch, you just got pre-empted.
That's the way Nixon does things-- he runs the country by surprise.
Why don't he let somebody else talk for a change? [ Doorbell rings .]
You're right, arch.
He shouldn't have cut you off.
You're as smart as he is.
Certainly.
Hi, everybody.
Hey, I saw your show, Mr.
bunker.
That was a great makeup job.
- Huh? - You looked just like Nixon.
How'd they do that, sponges in the cheeks? Oh, come on, Lionel, cut that out.
[ Giggling .]
Lionel, you're turning out to be a regular flop Wilson, ain't ya? [ Announcer .]
All in the family was recorded on tape before a live audience.

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