The Waltons (1971) s07e07 Episode Script

The Portrait

Jason, look.
There's someone riding.
And he's going much too fast for that trail in the dark.
Who was that? In the fall of 1941, the war raging in Europe still seemed remote to most people on Walton's Mountain.
But its horrors were growing every day.
Occasionally, someone would bring the war home to our family by touching our lives in a personal and disturbing way.
Jason, look.
Nobody's lived there for as long as I can remember.
Somebody's there now.
Listen.
I thought all the Pembrokes were dead.
Except for the son.
Derek, I think they called him.
He was in Europe studying art the last I heard.
Let's go home, Jason.
I can't quite make this out.
It's some kind of soap, but I don't know what kind it is.
Oh, no, no, that's soup, mushroom soup.
Mary Ellen's handwriting is getting worse.
I heard the doctors teach the nurses to write that way in the hospitals.
I do hope that your family is planning on making a contribution to our bazaar.
Mama's cleaning out the attic, trying to find things.
You know what you can do? A good idea? You can open a kissing booth.
You could earn a lot of money for the church that way.
Oh, I guess I better go get the flathead screws.
I do hope that you will not allow Mr.
Godsey's uncouth remark to prevent you from attending our bazaar.
I'd go to a corn husking, things are so boring around here.
Oh, I quite agree.
It's a cultural desert.
Good afternoon.
May I be of assistance? - After the ladies.
- Oh, well, they are already being served.
I have a list then.
How refreshing to find someone so virile also capable of domestic affairs.
What's he staring at? Well, maybe you staring at him.
- He's handsome.
- He'll hear you.
Yes.
I don't believe I've had the pleasure of seeing you around these parts, have I? No.
I'd like to cash this check.
Oh, we hardly ever handle personal checks, but Mr.
Godsey? Well, let me see.
Pembroke, Derek Pembroke Oh, Derek Pembroke the Third.
Oh, now I understand.
You're the one that's been staying at the Pembroke place.
Everybody's been wondering.
Well, I'm Ike Godsey and my wife, Corabeth.
How do you do? Will you honor that check? Oh, sure, for a new neighbor, of course.
I guess you're going to be staying with us for a while here, huh? Where is it that you've been again? Paris.
And now that Paris has fallen, you are here seeking refuge in Walton's Mountain.
And what is it you do again? You're a painter? Yes.
What a cultural addition to our community.
I'm sure there are a great many people who would like to meet you.
Perhaps a small soiree can be arranged.
No, I'm here to work, not to socialize.
Oh.
We'll fill your order later.
Mr.
Godsey would be happy to deliver it.
Would you like us to put it on your account? Thank you.
Au revoir, Mr.
Pembroke.
Wow! You remember Nurse McKlusky? Mean! Well, she said to say hi and to tell you that the plant you gave her is doing just fine.
We have a new neighbor.
An artist from Paris.
Derek Pembroke is back from Europe.
- Oh, boy.
Grandma remembers him.
I was always fascinated by the Pembrokes.
Their thoroughbred horses, elegant clothes, traveling to New York, Europe.
This one has the most piercing eyes.
Yes, all he did was stare at Erin.
Let's take these in the house.
I'll take them, Elizabeth.
- Thanks.
You're home early.
I'm working in the psycho ward this month, the hours are different.
- Do you like it? - It's a little scary.
You never know what the patients are gonna do next.
One minute everything's peaceful, the next bedlam.
Well, living with this family must have been good training for that.
How about you, how's work at the business school? - Boring, just like everything else.
- What you need is a boyfriend.
- With the draft that's a lost cause.
- Well, don't give up.
What's all this? Stuff for the bazaar.
I'm helping Mama clean out the attic.
What, Grandma? I don't think Grandma wants the bird cage to go.
Well, Grandma, it's pretty beat up, and we don't even have a bird.
Get one.
Okay, Grandma, just leave it to me.
Would you like to sit over here? Things are really slow in here tonight.
I'm Jason Walton.
Derek Pembroke.
The nightlife around Walton's Mountain must seem pretty tame after Paris.
Do you know any French songs? The Marseillaise and Frère Jacques.
How about this one? What do the words mean? "Pleasure of love "lasts only a moment, "the pain of love lasts for a lifetime.
" Jim-Bob, I give up.
If you don't pipe down, it'll never work.
We've been out here forever.
Yeah, but the thing with hunting is you've got to be patient.
You've got to outwit your prey.
Okay.
You know, if we just pool our money, we can buy a canary.
All it takes is a steady eye and a quick hand.
Okay, Jungle Jim, just remember, the pet store closes at 5:00.
This will never work.
Wait, don't move! Just like that.
I like the way the light is falling on your hair.
I didn't mean to disturb you.
You came at just the right time.
My mother used to paint.
Not people, just mostly landscapes.
I always wished I could.
Some people paint beauty, others are simply beautiful.
- May I see it? - No! I'm sorry.
This place was so much lighter when I was a boy.
All these trees have grown together now.
I can smell decaying wood.
Do you miss Paris? The Paris that we knew is dead.
It's a dark place now.
We must forget Paris, and begin a new life here.
Are you coming? I have to go home now.
Another time then.
Erin? Erin! Erin! You were off in the clouds somewhere.
Will you give me a hand? Sure, Mama.
Don't drop any.
These have got to last us the whole winter.
I've never seen the peaches as big as they were this year.
Bursting their skins.
I could hardly get them in the jars.
I ran into that artist in the woods today.
Derek Pembroke.
- There's something different about him.
- And attractive, I'm told.
He's probably broken a dozen hearts by now.
You'd better not go walking in the woods, Erin, the mood you're in.
Mama, don't you ever get tired of doing the same things over and over? Sure do.
Every year for as long as I can remember, you and Grandma have put up fruit.
Can't afford to have it going to waste.
Every day is the same for me.
I get up, I go to work, I come home and I go to bed.
Sounds to me like you've got a good case of feeling sorry for yourself.
It's the sameness that makes the special things stand out.
Take this winner cactus.
Every year at about this time, I bring it down here.
It stays in the dark for a whole month.
Poor thing.
Well, it's being in the dark that makes it bloom.
By Christmas it will be glorious with color.
You're having a dark spell, it must mean that flowers are coming.
I hope.
I don't care if you are my sister, if you say, "I told you so," I'll smash you.
I wasn't going to say anything.
Yeah, well you're thinking it.
You've got that look on your face.
I don't know why you should be so mad.
You wanted to catch a wild bird and you caught a wild bird.
I wasn't the one who let it go.
Yeah, well, you'd never let me take it home to Grandma.
Jim-Bob, you're a big softie and you hate to admit it.
I wonder how much the pet store charges for birds.
This is where the artist lives.
I wonder what he's doing.
Painting ladies maybe.
I'd sure like to know, wouldn't you? Hey, Elizabeth, I dare you to go peek in the window.
I will if you will.
Let's go.
Grandma? Are you resting? Come in.
Do you remember that old bird cage? Well, Jim-Bob fixed it up and we decided - What good is a bird cage without a bird? - Yeah.
So, here it is! Oh, my.
The man in the store promised he's a guaranteed singer.
But so far he hasn't sung a note.
Maybe he just has to get used to us.
We tried to catch a wild bird, but we couldn't.
Anyway, we couldn't be sure of getting a guaranteed singer that way.
And when he begins to sing, he can be company for you, Grandma.
Come on.
Come on.
Where would you like us to put him, Grandma? Kitchen.
Kitchen.
But, Grandma, he's supposed to be for you, to keep you company.
Don't you want to keep him in your room? Everyone.
Everyone.
Hope you like him, Grandma.
Oh, my.
Today started out like every other day of my life.
Then this afternoon the strangest thing happened in the woods.
What are you writing? - Why are you sneaking up on me? I wasn't sneaking up on you.
You just weren't paying any attention.
Well, I happened to be writing in my diary.
Big deal.
"We had chicken pie for supper.
"I have 13 students in my typing class.
" - You were reading my diary? - Only once.
It was left open on the desk.
It was boring! That's because everything around here is boring.
You wouldn't say that if you saw what Jim-Bob and I saw at the Pembroke place this afternoon.
What did you see? We peaked in the window and we saw Derek Pembroke painting right on the wall.
Elizabeth, you had no business spying on him.
But it was scary.
He was painting the whole war, people getting shot and killed.
Then he got mad and threw his paints all over the place.
He is an artist, Elizabeth.
Artists are always temperamental.
Elizabeth? Daddy wants to see you.
Jim-Bob told.
I wouldn't be in your shoes for anything.
Downstairs.
You know something, Ben? You're a real drip.
Guilty conscience, huh? Elizabeth, Jim-Bob was telling me about your little adventure this afternoon.
I couldn't help it.
He was looking at me like he could read my mind.
You two know better than to go peeking in neighbors' windows.
We were curious.
That's no excuse and you know it.
Next time I hear something like that, you're going to be punished.
I wouldn't go back there anyway for anything.
Glad to hear it.
I don't know what's going on down there, but I don't want you hanging around Derek Pembroke.
Is that clear? Yes, Daddy.
Yes, Daddy.
Can we go now? Get along.
I'm sure you've got homework.
I know you do.
Mr.
Pembroke.
I've come for some more things.
First, it is necessary that we discuss your check.
It was returned from the bank marked, "Insufficient funds.
" "Bounced," I believe, is the common term.
I'm sorry.
I have money coming from the estate, until I get it, I'm broke.
As a matter of fact, I think I'm going to need more credit.
You already owe us a considerable amount.
I know that and you'll be paid.
Meanwhile, I brought you some Some security.
Your paintings? Oh, my! Well, these certainly do show the ugliness of war.
They're not what one would call pleasant, but they do have a certain brute strength.
Good.
Then sell them for whatever price you think is fair.
Oh, well, I don't know what Mr.
Godsey would have to say about that.
- Just how much credit do you want? - I just need a few things.
Well, we cannot allow our leading artist to go hungry, now, can we? Give me your list.
Thank you.
May I? Yes.
Do you like it? They're very powerful.
The important thing is the emotion that it creates in you.
I don't like to look at them, but it's hard not to.
Then you understand.
I'm glad.
Good morning, Erin.
Good morning, Corabeth.
I just brought these letters to mail.
Well, perhaps you would be interested in my latest venture.
I am planning on opening a small art gallery featuring the works of our own Parisian artist.
I hope it's successful.
I'll just leave these here.
Perhaps you'd like to spread the word.
Godsey's Gallery is open for business.
I'll take you home? My brother is coming for me.
And I'm going to work.
I'll wait with you then.
- I've been waiting for you.
- What? The mural isn't going well.
I need you to pose for me.
You can find a lot of girls prettier than me.
No.
It's your face that I need.
Will you sit for me? I can't.
I have a job.
Well, then come to my house, tonight.
I've got to go.
I'll be waiting! Mr.
Pembroke, your order.
Audience ready, curtain going up! I can't find the station.
Okay, chirpy, this is for you.
Your own radio show.
Brought to you by Admiral Birdseed and dedicated to canary lovers everywhere.
Come on.
Let's turn it up.
This just isn't working.
That bird's not gonna sing.
We got gypped.
I think I'll take him back to the store and demand a real singer or my money back.
No.
Come on.
Come on! You're late.
I wasn't going to come at all.
I came to tell you that I can't pose for you.
Come in.
This way.
What do you think? It's wonderful.
- And awful.
- It's my life.
This central place, reserved for you.
I thought I could paint you from memory.
Why did you stay away? I missed you.
You are so beautiful by candlelight.
Oh, Gabrielle.
Gabrielle.
Gabrielle! Gabrielle! Gabrielle! Gabrielle! We haven't even had a nibble.
Of course, I really can't blame people.
You're a painter, Olivia.
What do you think of these things? There's no doubt the man has real talent.
You see, Mr.
Godsey? I find these paintings very disturbing.
I wouldn't want one in my house.
There, you see? We'll probably never sell them.
And I'd rather have the cash than the culture.
The fact is, Olivia, the man was practically destitute.
If we had not taken these paintings in trade, why, he would probably be starving.
Why doesn't he go get an honest job? He's a painter.
Why doesn't he paint the outside of the store? Mr.
Godsey, this man is an artist! Not a common house painter.
And some artists would rather paint than eat.
You're always hearing about them starving in garrets.
That's not exactly a garret he's starving in.
He could sell it.
We've been lucky in this country.
We haven't had to experience this kind of pain.
Yet.
I don't know what makes you think this is gonna work, Grandma, but it couldn't hurt to try.
Come on.
Grandma, I don't think Chirpy is going to sing anything after hearing this.
Come on.
Come on.
Grandma, I hate to see you breaking your heart over that bird.
I'm afraid it's never going to sing.
Yes.
You know, only the males sing.
I'll bet Jim-Bob let them sell him a female.
It's hard to tell with a canary.
A boy.
What makes you think so? Intuition? We can always take him back, you know, and pick out another.
Mine.
I know you're fond of him, Grandma, but I thought you wanted a songbird? He will sing.
If you say so, Grandma.
Dear diary, after what happened at the Pembroke mansion the other night, how can I go back to writing about the everyday things of my life? I have been kissed by boys, but never before by a man.
And it was the most wonderful, scary thing that ever happened to me.
Come in.
Erin, any trouble with John Curtis? He's still asleep.
Didn't miss me, huh? Just like a man, out of sight, out of mind.
I guess so.
You okay, Erin? Yeah.
Mary Ellen, how do you know when you're in love? When you are, you don't have to ask that question.
Who do you have in mind? Derek Pembroke.
He asked me to pose for a portrait.
You never mentioned it.
Well, I didn't think it would be important to anyone.
Nobody ever asked me to pose.
Mary Ellen, it's different than John-Boy's writing, or Jason's music, or your making people well.
Being pretty isn't something that I earned.
It just happened.
That doesn't mean you have to hide it.
I went over there the other night.
Oh, Mary Ellen, he was so strange.
One minute he was angry, and the next he was real tender.
And he acts like he's known me for a long time.
I've thought I was in love before.
First with Chad, and then with G.
W.
But this is different.
I want to be with him until it hurts, but, when I am, I'm so frightened that I just want to run home and hide.
If it was love, you wouldn't feel like running from it.
I think you know he's wrong for you.
I'm never going to see him again.
But it's going to be awfully hard not thinking about him.
Come on, stop that, Grandma.
You're working too hard.
Let's play a duet.
You're going to lose your touch.
You haven't practiced for a long time.
I mean it, Grandma.
Sit down.
You're through dusting for today.
Carry Me Back to Old Virginny, it's one of your favorite songs.
Carry me back To old Virginny There's where the cotton And the corn and 'tatoes grow There's where the birds Warble sweet in the springtime There's where this old darkey's heart Am long'd to go There's where I labor'd So hard for old massa Day after day In the field of yellow corn No place on Earth Do I love more sincerely Than old Virginny The state where I was born Grandma! Jim-Bob, Grandma taught Chirpy how to sing! Hey, that's great, Grandma.
Good going! We knew you could do that, Grandma.
He was just waiting to hear your voice, Grandma.
Boy, it sure took him long enough.
Yeah.
Look, though.
We're going to have to change his name to Caruso now.
Sorry about the shorthand class, girls.
No lights, no class.
And we get a night off.
See you tomorrow.
Does anybody need a ride home? No, thanks, we're going to a movie.
- All right, good night.
- Bye.
Bye-bye.
What are you doing? Stay where you are.
Where are we going? Home, Gabrielle.
To finish the painting.
Why do you always call me Gabrielle? Why do you play games with me? They'll be expecting me at home.
We have work to do.
Take me home, Derek.
Please, take me home.
Gabrielle, don't be frightened.
It will be like old times.
I am not Gabrielle! I am Erin! No! I will not lose you.
Nothing is ever going to take you away from me again! Don't move! I think I put that file right on the desk.
Yes, here it is.
You can drop it by here any time you're finished with it.
Thank you, Doctor.
How do you find duty in the psycho ward, Mrs.
Willard? Well, it took some getting used to, but I like it now.
Good.
You'd make an excellent psychiatric assistant.
You might give some thought as to making it your specialty.
Well, not right away.
I'm hoping to join my husband in Hawaii soon.
Who painted that picture, Doctor? A patient.
Interesting, isn't it? Looks very familiar.
The artist was admitted a while back with a leg wound he'd gotten escaping the Nazis in France.
He painted this while he was recovering.
What's his name? Pembroke.
Derek Pembroke.
It is the same artist.
We tried transferring him to the psychiatric ward, but he wouldn't stay and we couldn't hold him.
You mean he's mentally ill? And in my opinion he could be dangerous.
Thought you were Erin.
Isn't she home yet? No, Mama's really worried.
She's in there right now trying to call everyone she can think of.
Well, she should have been home a long time ago.
I stopped by the business college on my way home and there was a sign on the door, classes were cancelled.
The power's out at school.
I'm going looking for her.
If she'd broken down, you would have passed her on the road.
Unless she took a shortcut and went to visit somebody.
Derek Pembroke! What's he got to do with Erin? Well, she went over there once, he wanted to paint her.
It's the first time I'm hearing this.
Well, she said she wasn't going to see him again.
She meant it.
Unless she didn't have a choice.
It's the first place I'm going to look.
I'll give you a ride, Daddy, I can explain on the way over.
Ben, not a word of this to your mother.
Just tell her I'll be right back.
Okay, Daddy.
Something goes wrong.
Beauty turns to ugliness and horror.
I can't see you, Gabrielle.
All I see is blood.
Your blood! The day we fled Paris, we were trying to save paintings from the Louvre.
It was a cold, gray day.
There was a steady rain.
It fell silently.
The Germans were already on the outskirts of the city.
Already rounding up deportees.
We loaded the truck, and we took the road to Épernay, but it was clogged with people crying.
Planes, they came so low we could have reached up and touched them.
The noise was terrible.
Bullets tearing through your body.
You looked up at me and I tried to smile.
You died in my arms.
Gabrielle.
Gabrielle! Derek.
Do you have folks or some friends we can call for you? I have a friend.
He's a doctor.
Do you want to go now? Daddy.
Come on, son.
Derek recovered from his breakdown and returned to France to serve with the underground.
The old mansion was boarded up, and, in time, Erin's portrait faded along with her memories of the young artist who had painted it.
Liv, whatever happened to that old bathrobe of mine? I donated it to the church bazaar.
It was just getting comfortable.
No wonder, you've been wearing it for 15 years.
Any chance of getting it back? I'll buy you a new one tomorrow.
New job, new car, new bathrobe.
Maybe I better start looking for a new wife.
- Liv? Take your hands off me! Liv, I was just joking.
I'd never say that.
If you want a new wife, you just go out and find one.
If you were joking, it wasn't my idea of a very good joke! Liv, settle down! And if you want that silly old bathrobe, you can go down to the church and get it yourself! You'll wake the whole house up carrying on like that, Liv.
Now, come on.
English - SDH
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