A Time to Remember (1987) - full transcript

(grand orchestral music)

(upbeat orchestral music)

♪ Santo Natale, Santo Natale ♪

♪ This is my way of saying ♪

♪ Merry Christmas to you ♪

♪ Santo Natale, Santo Natale ♪

♪ May your blessings be many ♪

♪ And your troubles be few ♪

♪ To those I love who are so dear ♪

♪ Though we are near or far apart ♪

♪ I'll make a wish, this only wish ♪



♪ With all the love in my heart ♪

♪ Santo Natale, Santo Natale ♪

♪ This is my way of saying ♪

♪ Merry Christmas to you ♪

♪ This is my way of saying ♪

♪ Merry Christmas to you ♪

(audience applauding)

(light orchestral music)

(car door shuts)

(bells tolling)

- [Mama Theresa] Come here.

Someday the world will
pay to hear you sing.

- [Angelo] Papa, I can do
it, I can be a good singer.

I can do it papa, I can be a good singer.



- [Father] Angelo
Angelo, I did so want you

to be here to see you again at Christmas.

♪ Oh holy night ♪

♪ The stars are brightly shining ♪

♪ It is the night of the
dear savior's birth ♪

♪ Long lay the world in
sin and error pinning ♪

♪ 'Til He appeared and
the soul felt it's worth ♪

♪ A thrill of hope the
weary world rejoices ♪

♪ For yonder breaks a
new and glorious morn ♪

♪ Fall on your knees ♪

♪ Oh hear the angel voices ♪

♪ Oh night divine ♪

♪ Oh night when Christ was born ♪

♪ Oh night divine ♪

♪ Oh night oh night divine ♪

- Ah that was just beautiful
boys, just beautiful.

Grand Angelo, that was just grand.

Well that's it for today.

I want you back here
again at the same time,

same time Saturday.

Christmas'll be here before you know it.

We don't have many more rehearsals left.

Oh and Angelo, Angelo Villano.

Can you wait a moment I wanna talk to ya.

- [Angelo] Is everything all right Father?

- Oh of course it is I just
want to tell you the good news.

Next week you and I have
an appointment with someone

who is very interested in your future.

- Who might that be, Father?

- Now don't you be worrying
your head about that now.

You'll know soon enough.

Let's just say he's a patron

of the arts, especially opera.

Oh Angelo, God has blessed you
with a very beautiful gift.

You must use it wisely, you
must always take care of it.

The voice is like life, it
is God's to give or to take.

- I realize this, Father.

I hope that someday my
dream will come true

and I will be able to
sing like Mario Lanza.

- Ah, you will, you will.

Now you go on and play with your friends.

We'll practice again tomorrow.

Oh God love him, he will
sing as good as Lanza.

Or maybe even Caruso if I
have anything to say about it.

If we have anything to say about it.

(train horn blowing)

- Here comes the meatball.

Now all together.

(train whistle blowing)

- Hey Angela,

wanna have a snowball fight?

- [Little John] Yeah what'd ya say, sissy?

- Yeah Caruso, we won't hurt ya.

Who you looking for, Angelo, Father Walsh?

- [Little John] Hey
Billy what do you think?

He'd rather sing than
have a snow ball fight,

or play football.

- [Billy] You're right Little John,

he'd probably fall apart.

- Come on.

- [Little John] Come on
let's go, to heck with him.

- Yeah go on chicken, get lost.

I forgot sissies don't play football.

- [Angelo] I'm not a sissy.

- [Little John] Once a
sissy, always a sissy.

- [Angelo] I'm not a sissy.

- [Man] The forecast for tonight,

snow squalls with a
temperature of 24 degrees.

Cloudy tomorrow, a little
colder with occasional flurries.

It's 3:25.

♪ Pepsi cola hits the spot ♪

♪ 12 full ounces that's a lot ♪

♪ Twice as much for a nickel too ♪

♪ Pepsi cola is the drink for you ♪

("Oh Come All ye Faithful")

- [Angelo] Granda, Grandma, wake up.

(Angelo crying)

- What's the matter?

(speaking foreign language)

What's the matter?

- [Angelo] Mama, Mama
Theresa, I'm not a sissy.

- Sissy, (speaking in
foreign language) sissy.

I know not what a sissy is.

- Why can't I be like the other boys?

Ever since Mama died, even Papa

treats me like a little child.

Like they say, a sissy.

- Angelo, you're no sissy.

I don't know what a sissy
is but you're no sissy, no.

You're a very special
boy, and your father,

your father loves you.

- I don't want to be a coward.

I want to grow up and be a man.

- You're no coward, you're
gonna grow up soon enough.

Now listen, you want me
to talk to your Papa?

- Please Mama Theresa, don't tell Papa.

- Well then I'm gonna tell Father Walsh-

- And don't say anything
to Father Walsh please.

- Yeah but I don't want
them to bother you.

They're jealous, that's what's the matter.

But I promise you, I
promise I won't say nothing.

- Promise?

- Promise, you're such a good boy, Angelo.

I tell you what, you forget
about everything that happened.

You forget about those boys, and you sing.

All right, you sing for Grandma?

And Grandma's gonna make
you a beautiful scarf.

So you go sing for Grandma, okay?

(operatic music)

(singing in foreign language)

Come here.

Oh my dear Angelo,

someday the world will
pay to hear you sing.

- [Mr. Nicoli] I will work
with this young voice.

And if it becomes a big voice,
then Rosetti will polish it.

The money to me means nothing.

But the singing, that's everything.

(chuckling)

The dreams of youth,
not everyone is blessed

with the gift of Caruso,
and now Mario Lanza.

Let me tell Father Walsh,
you've done a good job

with this boy, now I look
forward to working with him.

- Oh speaking of our little
protege, where is he?

He was around here a little while ago.

- Oh don't worry about him, Father.

He can't be very far
away, it's a large house.

Here's our young singer, Father.

- Forgive me Father,
forgive me, Mr. Nicoli.

- That's all right, Angelo.

- Mr. Nicoli, you know Mario Lanza?

- Yes, we are good friends.

- He is my idol, someday
I hope to sing like him.

- Perhaps someday you will.

(clock chiming)

(dramatic orchestral music)

- [Angelo] Papa, you forgot your lunch.

- Oh thank goodness you brought it.

I hope Grandma made something good.

She make me meatballs this time?

- Papa I gotta sing.

- Angelo, we talked about
that, didn't we, huh?

Now come one, I don't want to
talk about it no more, please.

- Mr. Nicoli's gonna coach me
in singing, and Father Walsh.

- Angelo listen, you don't
need a singing coach.

What you need is a football coach.

You understand now?

You been spending too much time

with those priest, you know that?

- But Papa, Mama Theresa and Mr. Nicoli,

and Father Walsh.

- Mama Theresa, Grandma, and Father Walsh,

they keep filling your head
with this singing, singing.

I mean come on singing ain't
gonna put bread on the table.

You understand?

How you gonna make a
living being a singer?

- I can do it Papa, I
can be a good singer.

- Angelo, let me tell you
something, I'm your father.

Now you see these?

This, this is what puts
bread on the table.

This is good hard man's work.

You can't make a living singing.

Why don't you believe me, huh?

Come on, stop looking at me like that.

Look, you wanna be a singer, go ahead,

go be a singer, go
ahead, listen to Grandma,

listen to Father Walsh,
let them fill your head

with pipe dreams, go ahead.

Go ahead, get out of here.

Go be a singer.

(somber piano music)

- [Angelo] My Papa doesn't
want me to be a singer.

He wants me to grow up like him

and work in that dirty old foundry.

- Come on Angelo, who cares?

Don't be that way, Father Walsh
will talk to him you'll see.

- No it's true, it's just
like my Grandma said,

he's just too thick.

- You're making a
Federal case out of this.

- Now if he makes me stop singing

for Mr. Nicoli, I'll hate him.

- [Kelly] Don't talk that
way, you can't hate him.

He's your father.

(piano music)

♪ Christmas can be every day ♪

- Ah, that was beautiful, Angelo.

Gonna miss you, you know?

- I'll miss you too, Father.

- Yeah well, we've had a lot
of fun rehearsing together.

But I've gone as far as I can
go, now it's up to Mr. Nicoli.

Well what's the matter, Angelo?

Surely you're not unhappy with

the opportunity he's given you?

- No it's not that, it's my Papa.

He doesn't want me to be a singer.

- Now what kind of a crazy notion is that?

Why doesn't he want you to use

the beautiful gift the
Good Lord has given you?

- He wants me to play football,

be like the other boys,
and forget about singing.

He feels I'm wasting me time.

- Oh he does, does he now?

- "Grow up, Angelo," he says, "Grow up."

I am grown up, ain't I, Father?

- Why of course you are.

But you must respect your father.

If the Good Lord wants you to sing,

he'll make your father understand that.

- [Angelo] Why do you love me?

- Why, because...

(piano music)

♪ Christmas can be every day of the year ♪

♪ If every day you keep your
heart filled with cheer ♪

♪ Try to remember your
blessings from above ♪

♪ Why wait 'til December ♪

♪ To think of those you love ♪

♪ Oh Santa Claus only comes once a year ♪

♪ That's what those story tellers say ♪

♪ But if you're like me
you're bound to see ♪

♪ Christmas can be every day ♪

- Francesco, manja eat.

- I'm not hungry.

You know Mama this signing
nonsense for Angelo's gotta stop.

I mean he's never home anymore this kid.

Between you and Father Walsh
he's gotta me going crazy.

Now you got this Nicoli
who's gonna be his coach.

- And what do you want to
him to do, play football?

- Yeah, what's wrong with football?

- Oh sure football, it's
all you know football.

Hey, hey, you mark my words.

If you don't listen to me, and you don't

let this boy sing, God is gonna
punish you, severe, severe!

- Look look, I know you mean well.

- What do you know, what do you know?

- I know one thing, this
kid is no Mario Lanza.

I know that.

And you keep filling his
head with this singing stuff.

I mean you gotta get realistic here.

Sooner or later, you understand, Ma?

- Hey you with your football, hey.

This boy is very special, you
know your wife, she was right.

This is a very special gift this baby has.

- What's with this
special boy, special boy?

Everybody's special, all
the Villano's are special.

I was special, my father
was special, and now my son.

And in the meantime we all
had to work for a living.

When is it gonna stop?

This kid's no Mario Lanza, Ma.

Don't you understand that?

- Your wife, she was very right.

She was right, if she were here now,

she'd give you an (speaking
in foreign language).

- Yeah my wife, you and
my wife, Father Walsh,

everybody knows what's best for my son.

- Your wife was right, that's right.

He's a very special boy.

If she were here she'd give you

an (speaking in foreign language).

- Ma, would do me a favor, Ma?

Would you talk English?

We're in America now, and another thing.

Will you let my son grow up?

- Hey, if you don't like
it, this is my house.

(speaking in foreign language)

Take a walk.

(light orchestral music)

- Ma, where's my son?

- Coming in, he's coming.

He's on his way home.

- [Frank] This nonsense with Angelo

and this singing has gotta to stop.

(piano music)

- That is one of the songs in

"The Great Caruso" with Mario Lanza.

- Did you know it was one of the

first recordings made by Caruso?

- I'm going back to see it again.

(piano music)

- Angelo, get your coat, we're going home.

- Papa, what's wrong,
what are you doing here?

- Mr. Villano, what's the
matter, what are you doing?

- What am I doing?

I'll tell you what I'm doing.

I'm gonna take my son home,

and I'm gonna make a man out of him.

This singing is for sissies who

sit around pianos with nice clean hands.

- Don't do this to me.

(somber violin music)

- You sent for me, Mrs. Villano?

- Yes, Father.

- What is it now?

- Oh something terrible has happened.

Oh my son Francesco he
did a terrible thing.

- What what?

- He's gonna break Angelo's heart.

He went to Mr. Nicoli's
house the other night.

And he pulled him out of the
house while he was singing.

- He pulled him out of the house?

- Yes, he's acting like a
crazy man since his wife died.

- Oh no no, he's not crazy.

You see he just, well he wants

what's best for the boy, that's all.

- He's too angry, he
doesn't listen to anybody.

I hope he listens to you.

- He will listen, I promise.

You see now Frank, Frank he's a good man.

- If you can talk to
him, I'd appreciate it.

- I had a talk with Angelo
and I intend to talk to Frank.

- But he's so thick headed, Father,

he's got a head like a bull.

- Do you have faith and trust in the Lord?

- Oh.

- Well then would you
pay me the same courtesy

and have a little faith and trust in me?

It'll help a little bit you know?

- It's a gift.

- Mrs. Villano, he can't
take God's gift away.

- My Angelo loves you very much, Father.

If you help us I'd
appreciate it very much.

- Angelo's a wonderful boy,

you gotta a lot to be proud of there.

Now please, I've said
to have faith and trust

that everything's gonna be all right.

- All right, thank you Father.

- All right.

- [Mama Theresa] Good.

- God bless you, darling.

Come on.

No more football.

- No more football please, no more.

- I'll take care of it
now please, God bless you.

- Thank you, bye bye.

- I'll bet you Mario Lanza's Papa

didn't stop him from
taking singing lessons.

Some day I'm gonna sing just like him.

- I got an idea.

- What's that?

- [Kelly] Why don't you get your father

to come to see this picture?

- Are you kidding?

- No I'm serious, maybe it would help

change his mind about the singing.

- He won't change his mind.

All I hear from him now
is singing is for sissies.

- He don't mean that.

- Oh yes he does, and I
ain't gonna forget it.

- Don't be that way, Angelo.

Maybe if he sees it he'll
understand how you feel.

- You really think so?

- Can't hurt to try, what
have you got to lose?

- That's not a bad idea.

Friday night he usually goes
out for a few beers after work.

- [Kelly] Well then, you can go

get him later and bring him here.

- [Angelo] You're right, I should.

(accordion music)

- [Bartender] Hey
Villano, look who's here.

- What are you doing here?

Go on get out of here, you know
better than to come in here.

What are trying to do, you want to

embarrass me in front of my friends?

Come on get out of here, go.

- Please Papa I have to talk to you.

- Did your Grandmother
send you here to find me?

Is anything wrong?

- No it's not that, I just wanted to-

- Want to what?

- I wanted to talk to you.

- About what?

If it's about that singing
business I told you,

I don't want to talk about it no more.

Now come on, fix that hat.

- Come on Frank, let the kid sing.

- [Bartender] One song, Frank.

- Hey he's gotta go
home, the kid can't stay.

- [Bartender] One song.

- No he's gotta go.

- [Patron] Hey Frank let the kid sing.

Go on give us a song, kid.

- Nah the kid can't
stay, he's gotta go home.

He can't stay here.

- [Patron] Try it, Angelo, one small song.

(singing in foreign language)

(door closes)

- What's going on, Frank,
what's the child doing here?

- Please Father Walsh, I can explain.

I came here to talk to my Papa,
but he told me to go home.

And the people here,
they wanted me to sing.

- Yeah, but this is no place for a child.

As a matter of fact it's hardly a place

for these so called grown ups.

- I'm sorry Father, but
the boys telling the truth.

I mean that's the way it happened.

- I realize that, now it's
you I been wanting to talk to.

- Father look, if it's
about this singing business,

or this Mr. Nicoli guy,
look my mind is made up.

You know I really don't want
to talk about it anymore.

Now I don't mean no disrespect

or anything Father, you understand that.

- Yeah, be that as it may.

But this is neither the time
nor the place to discuss it.

So I'd appreciate talking to you

either in your home or in the rectory.

- Okay, whatever you say, Father.

But you gotta remember
I am the boy's father,

and I gotta do what I think is right.

- Why of course you do, Frank.

That's why you'll be starting
to take him home right now.

A Merry Christmas everyone,

and God willing I hope to see
you in church before New Year.

(chuckling)

♪ Sing me the old songs
of sorrow and pain ♪

♪ Sing from the heart ♪

♪ Sing of love without measure ♪

♪ The good times the bad times ♪

♪ The sunshine and rain ♪

(piano music)

Ah, another fine voice.

St. Michael's is blessed with talent.

Good evening Father, I'm sorry

I wasn't here when you arrived.

- No trouble at all Father,
I sort of let myself in

with the help your fine housekeeper.

- Well I had a bit of a problem in town

that took me a little
longer than I anticipated.

His Excellency told me about your arrival.

He reminded me again, you know he thinks

I'm losing my mind or
something, please sit down.

- Thank you.

- It's nice to see you.

- I hope you don't mind
me playing on your piano.

It was sort of laughing up at me

and saying come on and play
me, and I couldn't resist.

By the way I hear you have a very

fine choir here in St. Michael's.

- Ah yes yes, in all
humility I'd say the best.

And we got one boy here,
Angelo, Angelo Villano.

He's got a voice like you
never heard in your life.

- So I've been told, Father.

- Yeah just fantastic.

Yeah but there's the problem.

You see his father is dead set against

the boy singing, I can't get to him.

- How's that, Father?

- Well Mr. Villano he's a good man,

and he loves the boy dearly,

but he's got this crazy notion that

if he sings it's gonna sissify him.

And he wants him to grow up to

be rough and tumble like he is.

- Is there anything I could do?

You know Father, when I was a young lad

back in Arama I too wanted to be a singer.

But we can't always have
what we want in this life.

It's what we're given to
do, maybe I could help.

- Well I'm sure you can, Father

but I don't want to burden
you with this problem.

- No problem at all, a child
with that kind of talent

shouldn't be stuck in a factory
for the rest of his life.

- Well, God willing.

- Please, God.

- I understand you've
learned to sing yourself.

- Oh I do a little bit.

(chuckling)

- Please.

I entertain sometimes.

- Is that right?

- Let's see.

Pick a card.

Any card.

What is it?

- Two of clubs.

- That's right.

Hey, listen would you
like a drop of the pure?

- Well I don't see why not.

- Well Father, you know I think you are

just what the doctor ordered,
or should I say Bishop?

- Aren't you gonna have one yourself?

- Oh no thank you I abuse the privilege.

- Slainte.

- Well, you know I think
between the two of us,

Mr. Villano is gonna come
around to our way of thinking.

- With the help of God, Father.

- Yes.

Well listen that song you
were singing when I came in,

could you sing it again for me?

- Of course Father, be my pleasure.

(piano music)

♪ I sit by my fire and the
twilight falls softly ♪

♪ And all the sweet memories
go through my mind ♪

♪ I imagine I see ♪

♪ As the flames wave and flicker ♪

♪ The people and places
that I left behind ♪

♪ Sing me the old songs
of laughter and pleasure ♪

♪ Sing me the old songs
of sorrow and pain ♪

♪ Sing from the heart sing
of love without measure ♪

♪ The good times the bad times ♪

♪ The sunshine and rain ♪

(big band music)

♪ People tell me they won't be lying ♪

♪ The road is rough but I keep on trying ♪

♪ My break is coming now up on a roll ♪

♪ This kid is ready to go ♪

♪ Can't let my troubles get in the way ♪

♪ I'll be somewhere so smile ♪

♪ I'm gonna make it I'm ready to go ♪

♪ Let everyone know I'm a star. ♪

- [Billy] Get out of my, sissy.

- Hi Kelly, you still hanging
out with this meatball?

- [Angelo] I'm not a meatball.

- Hey choir boy, shouldn't
you be in church singing?

- Yeah, Caruso.

- Why don't you jerks get lost?

(all laughing)

Angelo.

(horn honking)

(tires squealing)

(thudding)

- [Driver] Oh my God.

(somber music)

Somebody get an ambulance.

(all chattering)

Somebody get an ambulance

(gasping for breath)

(sirens blaring)

- [Woman] Dr. Saurenson
please report to emergency.

- Hey, how is Angelo?

- I told you, I told you
God's gonna punish you.

Your boy's here.

- Don't start now please huh, come on.

- Hey, it's your fault.

You did all this.

- Look I'm just trying
to do what I gotta do.

Don't you understand?

I'm trying to be his father.

- To drive him crazy.

- Look you've told me
ever since Papa died,

I'm the man of the house,
I'm trying to raise my son.

What do you want from me?

What do you want him to do?

You want him to be a singer?

You want him to sing at
football weddings, huh?

He'll sing at the Burly,
is that what you want?

I'm trying to raise the kid.

- That boy has a beautiful voice from God.

You can't tell him not to sing.

- That's for dreamers, Ma.

- What does it matter?

Come on, once you get
started, leave me alone.

- Who's in there with the
kid, what's happening?

- The doctor.

- [Woman] Dr. Adler
please report to surgery.

- Doctor he's, he's all right huh?

- Yes, from all indications
he will be all right.

He'll be up and around
in a few days or so.

He took a good pounding.

I don't think I should you
go for about two days or so.

- Doc, I mean, you're not
gonna keep him here long?

- Well over night at least,
just for observation.

- Oh no no, I want to
see my grandchild please.

Thank you very much, thank you.

Please you watch my stuff.

- Listen Doc hey, it's nothing serious.

He's gonna be all right, huh?

- Why yes, yes he's going to be fine.

He's a very shy quiet boy.

I don't believe he said one word

all the time I was in there.

(speaking in foreign language)

- Angelo, everything's going
to be all right, sweetheart.

Angelo, talk to Grandma tell me,

tell me how you feel, tell me.

Angelo why you no talk to me hey?

Angelo, I don't break my promise, Angelo.

You know what I told your father?

I said if you don't let Angelo sing,

God is gonna punish you.

(somber orchestral music)

Everything's all right.

You gonna see Mr. Nicoli
again, you gonna sing.

Everything's gonna be wonderful.

Now why you no talk to me?

What's the matter?

Angelo, talk to Grandma.

What?

(somber orchestral music)

(coughing)

Your voice, where your beautiful voice?

Angelo, Angelo get together, Angelo.

Franky, Franky and Doctor he
no voice, he lose his voice.

He can't sing, he can't
talk, he can't do nothing.

(sobbing)

♪ Gaily they ring while people sing ♪

♪ Songs of good cheer Christmas is here ♪

♪ Merry merry merry merry Christmas ♪

♪ Merry merry merry merry Christmas ♪

♪ On on they send on without end ♪

♪ Their joyful tone to every home ♪

♪ Hark how the bells sweet silver bells ♪

♪ All seem to say throw cares away ♪

♪ Christmas is here bringing good cheer ♪

♪ To young and old ♪

(calm orchestral music)

- [Angelo] I love you, Papa.

I love you, Papa.

(doorbell rings)

- Who could that be?

Oh, Mr. Nicoli, come on in.

Ma, it's Mr. Nicoli.

Make yourself at home.

- Good evening, senora.

(speaking in foreign language)

Good evening, senora.

(speaking in foreign language)

- How are you?

- I have come to see Angelo.

I hope he's feeling better.

- No no, he's very very sick.

He don't come from upstairs no more.

He don't talk to nobody, he
don't want to see nobody.

He'll never sing again, Mr. Nicoli.

- Mr. Nicoli, I guess
I owe you an apology.

- I understand, Mr. Villano.

- Oh it's breaking my heart.

- Come on now Ma, huh.

Everything is gonna be all right.

Now you heard what the Doctor said.

- What could that be, sir?

- Well what's wrong with
Angelo is not physical.

In fact right after the holidays I gotta

take him to one of those fancy doctors.

What do they call them, thera thera.

- Psychotherapists?

- Psychotherapists, yeah.

And we'll see, hopefully
everything will be all right.

- Has Father Walsh seen the boy?

- No, no he don't see nobody no more.

He don't come downstairs no more.

- Could I make a suggestion?

- Sure, of course.

- I think it would be good
for Angelo if you could

bring him back to the
church to see Father Walsh.

Forgive me, I'm not a psychologist

but perhaps if Angelo
could be brought back

to the things he cared and liked.

- We'd love to do that, Mr. Nicoli,

but I mean Angelo he
just doesn't want to go.

- I don't know if you have heard.

The good Father Walsh is seriously ill.

I think it would be good
for Angelo to visit him.

I have here something which might help.

It is for Angelo.

I would like you to give it to him for me,

and let him that I wish to
see him again very soon.

(somber orchestral music)

- From Mario Lanza, Angelo.

(somber orchestral music)

Angelo, senior Nicoli
told me something else.

He told me that the good Padre,
Father Walsh is very ill.

And Mr. Nicoli said you
should go visit him.

All right, all right, Angelo?

You'd go visit the Father Walsh, huh?

Don't cry please.

(somber orchestral music)

(knocking on door)

- Come in, it's open.

Oh Angelo, Angelo.

Oh Father in heaven, oh
it's good to see you.

I'd heard what happened and I

was unable to come and see you.

But here you are, thank God.

I'm sorry I didn't get
to speak to your father.

Mr. Nicoli called and he said

that he was there with
you and your family.

I understand you got a present
from your favorite singer.

I got a little present for you too.

It's not much but it's meant
a lot to me over the years.

I never told you this, Angelo,

but I was born the day after Christmas.

When I was ordained my dear
mother, God rest her soul,

she gave me this little
picture to remind me

of not only my birth but
of the birth of the Lord.

Oh Angelo, Angelo, I did so want you

to be here and sing again at Christmas.

But I know that the dear Lord didn't

intend for you to remain silent.

I just wanted to be here
when you sing again.

But it's the Lord's will.

You promise me you'll help
Father Halloran at Christmas.

Will you do that for me?

And for the Lord?

Will you do that?

Thank you dear God for letting me share

in the joy of this boys precious gift.

(Angelo crying)

(dramatic orchestral music)

Why do you love me?

(Angelo crying)

(bells ringing)

♪ Some sing out loud
on the telephone wire ♪

♪ And some just clap their hands ♪

♪ Or paws or anything they got now ♪

♪ All God's critters got
a place in the choir ♪

♪ Some sing low and some sing higher ♪

♪ Some sing out loud on
the telephone wires ♪

♪ And some just clap their hands ♪

♪ Or paws or anything they got now ♪

- Boys I know you're all
feeling sad and dejected

that Father Walsh is no longer with us.

I know you loved him, and
I know that he loved you.

But I want you to think about
this for a minute or two.

Father Walsh was a very holy man,

and he spent all his priestly life

hoping, and praying, and wishing

for the time to come when he could be

where he is today, with
his heavenly friends.

I know he wouldn't want you to forget him,

but I also know that he'd want you

to be very happy for his joy.

That's why I been teaching
you this happy little song.

And I want you to sing it
now with all the happiness

and joy that you can muster,
just for Father Walsh.

(pitch pipe blowing)

(all humming)

One two, a one two three,

♪ All God's critters got
a place in the choir ♪

♪ Some sing low and some sing higher ♪

♪ Some sing out loud on
the telephone wires ♪

♪ And some just clap their hands ♪

♪ Or paws or anything they got now ♪

♪ Listen to the bass it's
the one on the bottom ♪

♪ Where the bullfrog croaks
and the hippopotamus ♪

♪ Moans and groans with a big to do ♪

♪ And the old cow just goes moo ♪

♪ And the dogs and the cats
they take up the middle ♪

♪ While the honeybee hums
and the cricket fiddles ♪

♪ The donkey brays and the pony neighs ♪

♪ And the old gray badger sighs ♪

♪ All God's critters got
a place in the choir ♪

♪ Some sing low and some sing higher ♪

♪ Some sing out loud on
the telephone wires ♪

♪ And some just clap their hands ♪

♪ Or paws or anything they got now ♪

Do it again.

- [Choir Member] Hey Father
Halloran, look who's back.

(piano music)

- All right lads, we're gonna
take a five minute break.

Just five minutes, nice and quietly now

and wait for me there.

I started unpacking the
nativity set last night.

Afraid I'm just trying to do
to many things at one time.

It's a bit of a mess there now,

but we'll manage, won't we, lad?

Tell you what, you start unwrapping

the figures like a good boy.

I've got to go back up
to the boys rehearsal.

But I won't be too long, I'll
be back as soon as I can.

(light organ music)

Okay?

("Silent Night")

Now I'll tell you what I want you to do,

may improve it a little.

Jason, you go over to where Phillip is,

and Phillip you come over where Jason is.

♪ Silent night holy night ♪

♪ All is calm all is bright ♪

♪ Round yon virgin mother and child ♪

♪ Holy infant so tender and mild ♪

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪

That was wonderful boys.

Now we'll do it again,

only this time we'll do it
just a little bit faster.

Once again.

- Father, Father Halloran,
it's Mrs. Pierce.

They've taken her to the hospital already.

Her husband wants you to come right away,

she's had a heart attack.

They don't think she's gonna make it.

- I'm on my way.

All right boys, that'll be all for today.

Oh listen if you few lads could tidy

the place up a bit, I'll
see you all tomorrow.

Remember, last man shuts off the lights.

Don't forget.

- Come on, guys.

("What Child is This")

(pounding on door)

- [Frank] It's six o'clock he
should be here, I'm worried.

(Angelo crying)

(wind blowing)

(dramatic orchestral music)

- Hello Frank, what brings
you here this fine night?

- Hiya Father, Father, it's Angelo.

He's not home yet and I'm
getting kind of worried.

I've looked everywhere.

- Oh my God, I didn't
realize it was so late.

I've been to the hospital.

Poor Mrs. Pierce passed
away earlier this evening.

May the Lord rest her soul.

- Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

Father, Angelo, he was with
you this afternoon, wasn't he?

- Yes, yes he was.

As a matter of fact I sent
him down to the basement

to attend to the nativity set.

That's when I got the
call and had to leave.

You don't suppose?

- Suppose what, Father?

- Oh my God, poor Angelo, they've probably

left him all alone in the basement.

Quick Frank, come with me.

Oh my God, what a terrible thing.

- [Frank] You think
he's all right, Father?

- I certainly hope so, Frank.

Look at that, Frank, that is Christmas.

That's what it's all about.

(light orchestral music)

(singing in foreign language)

Winter was but four days old and night

was rolling down the snowy hills.

Suddenly a glistening star
brighter than the moon,

silvered all the world and lured

the wide eyed shepherds
down the singing hills

to where a lowly manger stood,
glowing in a wondrous light,

and lying in the golden straw, a child.

A child for whom the world waited,

the child for whom the angels sang,

the light of the world,
the Prince of Peace,

and every heart was filled
with joy at his birth.

The shepherds fell to
their knees in adoration

and joined their voices
with the heavenly choirs.

And Joseph, smiling over near proudly.

And radiant Mary moist eyed,
bent her head in thankfulness.

(dramatic orchestral music)

There was peace and love
and joy in his birthing.

And from that mystical moment,

the world has never been the same.

This is the essence of Christmas.

This is what Christmas was,
this is what Christmas is,

and this is what Christmas
will always be forever.

(dramatic orchestral music)

I would like to take this opportunity to

wish all the parishioners
a wonderful Christmas.

May all the peace, love, joy,

and heavenly blessings
of this season be yours.

May the Christ child smile upon you.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost, amen.

(organ music)

(singing in foreign language)

(bells tolling)

(light orchestral music)

(singing in foreign language)

- Someday, the world will
pay to hear you sing.

(singing in foreign language)

- [Angelo] Papa, I gotta sing.

- [Frank] You see these hands?

You see this is what puts bread on

the table, good hard man's work.

Not singing.

- Papa, I can do it, I
can be a good singer.

I can do it Papa, I can be a good singer.

- You will, you will, now you go out

and play with your friends,
we'll practice again tomorrow.

God love him, he will
sing as good as Lanza,

or maybe even Caruso if I have
to anything to do about it.

If we have anything to do about it.

(singing in foreign language)

(light orchestral music)