Home Safe (1981) - full transcript
The Donavans are the model American family, but the model's falling apart. Based on a true story.
(suspenseful music)
- [Boy] I'm scared, Mike.
- So am I, Jeff,
but that's what makes it fun.
- [Jeff] What if it gets hungry?
- [Mike] Oh, they'll just go eat chickens.
They love chickens.
So you better make sure
he doesn't see you guys.
You guys ready?
See?
I told you guys it would be easy.
- What if we get caught?
- Use your imagination, Jim.
(tiger roars)
(dramatic orchestra music)
- [Boy] Chris, is it
a sin to draw pictures
of space ships?
- [Boy] It is the way you draw 'em.
- [Boy] How come you don't draw pictures
of space ships anymore?
- Jeff, do you remember
when we were little,
everything that I had you wanted?
- Yeah, I remember.
I remember how stingy you were.
You wouldn't let me play
with any of your toys.
- What do you mean?
I let you play with my baseball cards
and you traded 50 of
'em for 20 firecrackers.
- I did?
I don't remember that.
- Anyway, all that stuff
isn't important anymore.
- Can I have your baseball cards?
- Sure, I guess.
If you can find 'em.
(lighthearted musics)
- Oh, didn't know I still had these.
- Jeff, I want to give you something
and the only reason you
haven't swiped it already
is because you don't want to go
to one of the places where you can get it.
- Where is that?
- Church.
- [Mother] Boys.
- We're comin', Mom.
- What's it gonna be, Chris?
- It's gonna be yours
if you can hit a home
run in little league.
- Alright.
- [Man On Radio] Proverbs 20:26 says,
a wise king stamps out crime
by severe punishment.
What this nation needs.
- Good morning, Mom.
- Good morning.
Why are you boys so late this morning?
- It wasn't our fault.
Dad woke us up too late.
- [Man On Radio] Proverbs 11:4 says,
your riches won't help
you on judgment day.
Only righteousness counts then.
- Morning, Dad.
- Morning.
- Good morning.
Jeff, don't wolf down that junk food.
Eat something that's good for you first.
- Like that health food
bird seed that Chris eats?
Yuck, I'd rather be dead.
- Jeff, did you hear me?
- Okay okay.
- How long is grandpa gonna stay with us?
- He didn't say.
Maybe a few weeks.
- [Jeff] Great.
- A few weeks?
- Honey, it says in Proverbs,
he who is slow to anger
hath great understanding.
- Kathy, don't quote
the Bible to me, okay?
It's just that two weeks is
gonna seem like two years.
- I don't see how you can say
that about your own father.
Ollie Donovan is the
sweetest, kindest man I know.
- Yeah, you don't know him like I do.
It's just, I can only stand
so much of his opinions
and answers about things
he knows nothing about
and when he tells those dumb stories
to the boys about things
I did when I was a kid.
Come on, we better hurry
out to the airport.
Your granddad's probably talked
his way into the cockpit.
I want to see him land a 727.
(airplane flying overhead)
- [Jeff] Dad, is grandpa
really flying that plane?
- No, your dad was just teasing, honey.
He was kidding about grandpa
because grandpa likes to tell stories.
- [Jeff] Dad, how come you
don't like grandpa's stories?
- Because your father's trying to forget
some of the things he
did when he was your age
and your grandfather keeps reminding him.
- Dad, does grandpa know
that you're the new principal
of the school?
- Not unless you guys told him.
- Mom, does grandpa know
that you're a Christian now?
- I don't think he does, honey.
Maybe you and I could share
Christ with him when he comes.
- Grandpa, got any good stories?
- Well, boys, as a matter of fact I do.
I have a good story and good news.
Now once upon a time and a long time ago
the city of Springfield started plannin'
a north south freeway.
Now, as close as I can recollect,
the 22nd street exit'll bring traffic
down the hall through my kitchen
down off the back porch
and in July and August between
my radishes and zucchini
and since there really
isn't room for radishes
and rush hour traffic, I sold the house.
- What?
I didn't know.
You didn't tell me
anything about the house.
Dad, where are you gonna live?
- Well, that's the good news.
Till I can find a place of my
own, I'll come live with you.
(tire blows out)
- Jim, try not to let your
father know you're angry.
- Now why shouldn't he think I'm angry?
I am angry.
He sold the house.
What kind of good news is that?
- Um, how about if you three guys
go for a nice long walk while
Dad changes the tire, okay?
- I can help.
- No, you go with Grandpa and Jeff.
You know how your dad is
when he tries to do something like this.
- Your dad never was very
good with mechanical things.
Did I ever tell you about
the time he tried to fix.
- He makes me so mad when
he tells those stories.
He'll miss most of what really happened
to make the story funny.
When he does tell the truth
it makes me look like a nerd.
- Just be calm.
Everything's gonna be just fine, okay?
What can I do to help?
- Get the spare out of the back.
- Little old lady McCoy,
as we used to call her,
had a little brown Plymouth Coupe.
She used to drive back
and forth to East Aurora
in it to work, real rattle trap it was.
Boy was it noisy.
In fact, the only part about it
that didn't make any noise
was the horn (laughs).
Anyway, Jim and a neighbor boy
charged her a dollar a piece
to fix it.
Well, they got it all apart (laughs)
and never did get it back
together again (laughs).
- Grandpa, you told me that story before
and Grandma said she lost
her job because of that.
- Oh, I think he probably
did her a favor, son.
Probably saved her life.
Why, every time she
tried to start that car
it'd backfire, sound like
it was gonna blow up.
- Remember what I said
about two weeks seeming
like two years?
Well now it's actually gonna
be two years, maybe more.
- Oh no it isn't.
Your dad said he'd
start looking on Monday.
- He said he'd start Monday.
It's gonna be two years
before he even finds anything.
- Oh.
(tired falls to ground)
(dogs growling)
- Get him, get him, just get him,
just get him, just get him.
Get him, get him.
Mark, what have you been doing
with this dog for the last month, anyway?
He's not responding to anything.
Crazy dog belongs in the pet shop.
Get rid of him.
Alright everybody, take a break.
- Howdy.
- How y'all doing?
- Okay.
- Good.
- That dog sure is pretty.
- He a nice one?
- Someday I'm gonna have
me a dog just like that.
(lighthearted music)
- Hey, what, what is this?
What the?
Somebody help me.
- [Jeff] He likes you, Dad.
- Whose dog is this, anyway?
- He's ours, Dad.
- Oh no, he's not ours.
It's all I can do to tolerate
the Thomson's tomcat.
Now wherever you got him you.
Where did you get him?
I don't want to know.
Take him back.
- Aw, Dad, please.
Why can't we keep him?
- Because I said so and that's final
and that's reason enough.
- Quite handsome animal, isn't he, Jim?
- Well he is a mighty fine lookin' dog.
- Good, Dad likes him.
- If we take this dog,
you know who'll end up
taking care of him, don't ya?
- I will, Dad, honest I will.
I will, I will.
Please.
- [Dad] Okay, Jeff, you're responsible
the first time that
dog causes any trouble.
(playful music)
(cat meows)
(dog barks)
- Hey.
(suspenseful music)
Hey, stop.
- Somewhere in this viewing area
a full grown tiger is on the loose.
Police say some teenage boys
actually pried open a
padlock on the tiger cage
at the city zoo.
It happened last night.
The big cat escaped.
It's still at large
but zoo officials seem to think
they have the situation well in hand.
They say they'll have that big kitty
back in its cage by morning
but I don't know, if I
were you I'd lock my doors.
- Mom, can we go to the
movies tomorrow night?
- [Mom] Have to ask your dad.
- Come on, boy.
Fetch it.
- Jeff, what are you doing
with your dad's slipper?
- I'm trying to teach the dog
to fetch Dad's slipper
so he'll like him better.
- Dad will like him better
when he's been housebroken
and when he stops running in the house.
- [Jeff] Come on, boy.
Fetch it.
- I just heard on the radio
that somebody let the
tiger out at the zoo.
Did they have the tiger
story on TV yet, grandpa?
- Yep.
Sure don't know what gets
into these young kids today.
Why would they want to let a tiger loose?
Might hurt somebody.
Never did things like
that when I was a boy.
Ah, we used to paint the water tower,
never hurt anybody.
Mayor got peeved a lot,
especially when we painted
it purple and green.
- Jeff, what are you doing?
- If he can catch a smell
he'll fetch Dad's slippers.
- If can catch the smell,
he'll bury Dad's slippers.
- You should have seen Jeff
trying to teach that dog
how to fetch your slippers.
- Well I would rather
seen Jeff teach the dog
where to do his business
so he wouldn't do it under
my desk in the study.
Would you tell Jeff I don't
want the dog in the house
'til he's house broken.
- Jim, why do you always tell
me what to tell the boys.
You're the father.
Tell Jeff yourself.
- Yeah, what good would that do?
I tell 'em something,
they do what they want.
I told them they couldn't have a dog.
Now there's one in there
doing his business at my desk.
- Don't you get upset
with me, James Donovan.
You're the one who told the boys
they could bring the dog home.
- What else could I do?
- You could have said no.
- I did.
- Yeah, four times.
You know, all the boys have
to do to get their own way
is just say aw, Dad, please.
You're a pushover.
You know, it says in the
Bible, I think it's in Hebrews,
the Lord disciplines the ones he loves.
Don't you love the boys?
- Now wait a minute.
This has gone a little bit too far.
My Dad never laid a hand on me
and I'm not gonna spank those boys.
I don't care what the Bible says.
Would you please be quiet,
Kathy, so I can read the paper?
- Okay, I'll be quiet.
Can I say just one more thing?
- You've said enough.
- Aw, please Dad, mmhmm,
just one more thing (laughs).
Oh, I don't know all it says in the Bible
about raising kids, but
would you be willing
to let the pastor come visit us
so that he could talk to us about it?
- Why can't we solve our own problems?
- We are,
but I think we could use some help.
I think we need God's help.
Maybe he could show us how to get it.
Don't you want to have a happy family?
- Yeah of course I do.
- Don't you want the
boys to know how to live?
- Yes.
- Can the pastor come visit?
- Yes.
If you think it'll help.
- Oh, maybe the boys are a little old
for spanking Chris, anyway,
but we could establish some
boundaries and stick to them,
take away privileges.
You pass of lightly what
Jeff's doing with that dog
but at least he's trying
to discipline the animal
and that's more than
you're doing with the kids.
Where are you going?
- To the kitchen to read my paper.
If you want to preach, preach to the dog.
He isn't housebroken.
I am.
- Hey, is K9 a good name?
- For what?
- Our dog.
(knock on doors)
- Hi, boys.
- Hi, grandpa.
- Well, you came up with a
name yet for that dog a yours?
- What do you think about K9?
- You mean like a K and a nine?
- That's good, Chris, K9.
That's real clever.
You like that, Jeff?
- Of course I like it.
I thought of it.
- Oh, well I think that's quite clever.
- I'm clever with names.
I named the python at our school.
Know what I named him?
- What?
- Pete.
- That's clever.
- You got a python at school?
- Yeah, you wanna go see him?
- Oh sure.
- Maybe tomorrow?
- Tomorrow it is.
- Grandpa, how come Dad doesn't like dogs?
- Well, son,
he got chased by a bull he was teasin'
when he was about Chris' age
and he's never been real fond
of any animal since then.
- Did you ever spank Dad?
- No, I didn't.
- Why?
- Well, because I never
thought he did anything
to deserve one
and besides, I don't believe in spankin's.
- That's not what the Bible teaches.
- Oh?
What does the Bible teach?
- Spare the rod and you spoil the child.
- Well I don't agree at
all with that malarkey.
All this philosophy
about disciplinin' kids
when they're babies, my goodness.
Let 'em be kids.
There's plenty of time for
gettin' serious in life.
Plenty of time.
- And speaking of time,
it's about time for you
boys to get to sleep.
It's getting late.
- Jeff, don't want you talking all night.
Got a big game tomorrow, okay?
Good night.
- Good night, Mom.
Good night, Grandpa.
- Grandpa?
Tomorrow do you want to tell us the story
about the bull that chased Dad?
- Sure.
Good night, boys.
- Good night.
- Speaking of malarkey,
do you have any idea
what you said in there?
- Oh?
- Shh.
- What did I say that was wrong?
- Well for starters, you told the boys
that the Bible is fiction.
And the very scripture
that you denied as truth
is what you should have
used as a foundation
for raising your own children.
- I don't understand.
- You spared the rod and spoiled the child
who is now my husband
and he's the father of two
children, who Lord willing
are going to grow up to
have their own children
and they're not going
to have any idea at all
how to discipline them
because Jim's not teaching them.
- I'm sorry I upset you so, Kathy.
- I am upset.
Telling those stories which Jim resents,
they're destructive, Dad.
I think you resent Jim's behavior as a boy
because you know it was
partly your own fault
and so you try to cover up for it
by making light of it.
- Jim never obeyed me when he was a boy.
He did as he pleased.
I never could do anything with him.
- You never taught him.
You think boys are supposed
to fish and build tree houses.
Of course they should, but
Jim fished in a fish hatchery
which was illegal
and what did you do about it?
Nothing.
You thought it was
okay, boys will be boys.
You think that you can teach boys
to obey when they're 12 or
15, that's too late, Dad.
My father started on
me when I was a toddler
and I had security in knowing
where my boundaries were.
Believe me, when I challenged
my father's authority
he straightened me out real quick
and when he sent me away to think about it
I had to think about it standing up
because I couldn't sit down.
And when I asked my mom
and dad who loved me,
they made it very clear.
I'm trying to teach
those boys eternal values
and Jeff is not responding.
I need Jim's help and I'm not getting it.
I love you very much, Dad,
but you are not to tell
any more of those stories
about Jim's boyhood pranks.
- Hey, did Grandpa ever tell you the story
about Dad one year at camp?
- No, I bet it's good though.
- Well, Dad called the state police
and told them that he saw a
bright orange and yellow object
with blinking red and white lights
and little people were getting off.
- Dad saw a UFO?
- Are you kidding?
When the state police got
there they found a school bus.
- [Man On Radio] In
other news at this hour,
the tiger that was released by juveniles
from the children's zoo last
night is still at large.
The police are advising
that pets stay secure.
A large Labrador retriever
was attacked and killed
this morning at the home of Jack Niles
at 1440 Northwest Bank.
- Chris?
- Jeff, go to sleep.
- I have something to tell you.
- Tell me tomorrow.
- But, I have to tell you now
but if I tell you, you promise
you won't tell anybody?
- What is it?
- Promise?
- I promise.
- Well, Mike DeForce let
the tiger out of the zoo.
- What?
How do you know?
- I helped him do it.
- Jeff, are you crazy?
I'm surprised his parents
let you stay out that late.
- Well his folks weren't home.
- Why'd you do it?
- Well, I just wanted to show the guys
that I was tough just like they were.
- That was dumb, Jeff, really dumb.
I mean, that was dumb.
- Seems dumb now
but you should have
seen that tiger when he.
- You know something, Jeff?
- What?
- That's why you won't
receive Christ, isn't it?
- What do you mean?
- You're afraid of what
your friends'll think.
- I guess so.
Didn't you ever have that problem?
- I lost just about all my friends, Jeff,
but that proved they
weren't really my friends.
When Jesus Christ became my best friend
he introduced me to a lot of his friends.
- Like Brad and Kevin and Greg?
- Jeff?
- Hmm?
- What if you died in your sleep tonight?
- I won't.
- Yeah, I know, but what if you did?
Would you go to Heaven?
(thud)
- Ow, ow, ow.
Ah.
(suspenseful music)
(dog barking)
(cat meows)
(dog barking)
(cabinet rattling)
(thud)
- [Man On Radio] This is the
day that the Lord hath made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
- Good morning, dear.
- Good morning.
- What happened to you?
What was all that racket last night?
- Pass the butter, please.
- Cut yourself shaving, Dad?
- No, I didn't cut myself shaving.
- What the bandaid on your forehead?
- I bet you it was from that tiger.
- Jeff, stop being silly and eat your eggs
before they get cold.
- The cat next door.
- Toby?
Toby did that?
- I didn't catch the name.
- Must have been a viscous little rascal.
- Claws like ice picks.
- Can Chris, Grandpa and I go
down to the school with you
to see Pete?
- Who's Pete?
- Oh, the python in the science lab.
- Oh.
I thought you had a game today.
- Yeah, at 12:30.
- Don't forget the pastor's coming over
after the game today.
- I didn't forget.
- Grandpa?
And after the game will
you go down the creek
with me and tell me the rest
of the story about the bull?
- Well.
- What are you telling 'em that story for?
- Don't worry, that's taken care of.
- Why not, Mom?
- Because it's not funny and
you don't need to hear it.
- Come on, Grandpa.
I'll show you a new trick I taught K9.
- Jeff, I don't want
you running in the house
or that dog either.
I mean it now.
- I'm sorry about teasing
you about last night, Dad.
I didn't mean to embarrass
you in front of Grandpa.
- You know, I'm getting
rid of that nuisance
first thing in the morning.
- Jim, how can you talk like that?
He's your father.
- I'm talking about the dog.
- Well, if you're serious about the dog
you better tell Jeff before
you change your mind.
- I'm not gonna change my mind this time.
(door slams)
(dog barks)
- K9.
- Jeffrey Kay Donovan,
I told you not to do that.
How many times do I have to tell you?
- I gotta get the slipper
before he buries it.
- Oh, Jim, would you please make him mind?
He won't listen to me.
- Stop, K9.
- Whoa, whoa, fella.
Now, you can't run the bases
if you're all worn out.
I want to talk to you about K9.
- Can't it wait?
I almost got him trained.
- Yeah, for what, the Kentucky Derby?
- Come on, Dad, I'm trying to teach K9
to fetch your slippers.
- At the rate you're going
I'll have to chase him
through the house to get 'em.
- Dad, it takes time and I'm
really workin' hard at it
and I need your support.
Please, Dad?
- Go on (laughs).
Did you hear that?
- I heard it.
I'm still waiting.
- For what?
- Remember that get rid of the dog speech?
- Maybe we should give the
boys some more support.
Maybe we're expecting too much too soon.
Maybe the dog is catching on.
I mean, did you see?
He did have the slipper in his mouth.
- And if Jeff hadn't
been chasing after him
he would have probably buried the slipper
the same place he buried the other one.
- [Boy] Alright, come on.
- [Umpire] Play ball.
(cheers)
(applause)
- [Dad] Come on, Jeff.
Come on, kid.
(crowd cheers)
- [Coach] Come on, Jeff.
Come one, come on, come on.
Go, Jeffrey, go go.
- [Umpire] You're out.
- Hey, sneakers, if you would
have listened to your coach
you might have scored.
- Do you boys know what
the word obedience means?
Donovan, I told you to run
and for a minute you thought
you were smarter than me.
All you had to do was
listen to what I had to say
and you just might have made it home safe.
Boys, you can't play the game alone.
Any questions?
Dismissed.
- Coach?
- Yeah?
- I need new spikes.
I can't run in these old shoes.
- Jeff, you can't go
through life making excuses
for everything that goes wrong.
You gotta make do with what you have.
- Yes, sir.
- Get rid of those gym shoes, Donovan,
and you might be able to run better.
- Billings, Harris, next
game you guys are bat boys.
- Ah, coach.
- Two games.
- Jeff, I really think
you got the potential
to be one of the best
ball players in our team
but you don't listen.
You just run around doing your own thing.
We're gonna work on that, okay?
- Yes, sir.
- Alright.
♫ Was a hazy lazy summer day
♫ No breeze
♫ Big game today, Pop
♫ Pass the butter please
♫ Did you know the guys made fun of me
♫ 'Cause I play in tennis shoes
♫ If I only had some spikes, Dad
♫ We'd probably never lose
- Grandpa, is that what Old
Lady McCoy's car looked like?
- Oh, no.
No actually, this one seems much nicer.
- Grandpa?
If there were more gas in here
and we dropped a match in it
this baby would blow sky high.
- (Laughs) Well actually, son,
there's more explosive power
in that can because of all the fumes.
Now don't you go gettin' any ideas.
I threw a firecracker
into an old milk can once
when I was a kid.
It had gas fumes in it.
Almost burned the barn down (laughs).
- Thank you so much.
- Thanks, honey.
- You're welcome.
- Kathy, Jim, you just can't imagine
how very nice it is to be
here in your home today.
I've looked forward to this
and I think you so much
for the invitation
but I certainly hope there's no problem.
- Well we feel we'd like to raise our boys
according to scriptural principles
but I guess we just don't know exactly
how to go about it.
- Kathy and I don't agree
on this discipline thing.
I know she means well
but when she spouts Bible verses at me
about how to handle the kids.
- Jim, I know exactly what you mean.
New Christians are
almost always like that.
You see, Kathy is so
excited about Jesus Christ
and she wants you to know
that same kind of excitement.
Kathy, let me give you my Bible
and I'd like for you
to turn, if you would,
to Zachariah chapter four and verse six
and I think you'll find
that it really relates
to what we're talking about.
Jim, while she's doing
that, let me just reaffirm
a real commitment I
have to the word of God
because I believe in that book
is all the information we
need to raise our children.
You see, in the book of Proverbs alone,
God gives so much wisdom
on how to raise children
and I really believe if you and Kathy
would seek out that wisdom
from the Bible together
that God would give you perfect agreement
on how to raise your sons.
- I've got it.
- Good, Kathy.
Would you look at the
second part of that verse
and read it for us.
- Not by might nor by
power but by my spirit,
sayeth the Lord of hosts.
- Grandpa, would you tell me the story
about the bull that chased Dad?
- Well, Jeff, your mother doesn't want me
telling you boys any more stories.
- Ah, come on, Grandpa.
Last night you said you would.
- Well, if I do you
won't tell your mother.
- I promise.
- Well, son, I guess your
dad thought it'd be exciting
to get a bull to chase him.
Now it was winter, you understand.
Jim's idea was to get off just a few yards
from the old pond and get the bull mad.
Jim had baseball cleats on.
He'd get that bull chasing
him right out onto the ice.
(Laughs) When that bull hit the ice,
Jim said it was the funniest
thing he ever saw (laughs).
I'd ask him not to do that
'cause it was dangerous
but your dad was 15
and figured he could take care of himself
so he did it anyway.
At one point he got his
shoestring tangled in
some barbwire that was
frozen in the ground.
That bull almost got him.
- What happened?
- Well, he pulled loose
and got out onto the ice
but he hit a soft spot and fell in
and that bull went in
almost on top of him.
- What happened to the bull?
- Well, the bull couldn't
get out, Son, and it drowned.
- Well, Dad should have listened to you.
I wouldn't do a thing like that.
(suspenseful music)
- I guess I tend to raise the kids
the way my dad raised me.
- Jim that's fine if
your father raised you
according to God's principles,
but if he didn't and you try
to raise your sons his way
or any other way, then it
could lead to disaster.
You see, that's what breaks
my heart today as a pastor
and I counsel with people
and I see so many who are
trying to live according
to their own way, forgetting God's way,
and they're ending up so miserable.
Any time we live life
and forget God's commands
then we have to ask ourselves
what we're willing to sacrifice.
Maybe it's health or life or eternity,
maybe even our family.
- You don't pull any punches, do you?
- Jim, I really care about you
and your wife and your family
and I believe this is serious business.
- What do I have to do?
- If you really want to build your family
around Biblical principles,
then you must first of all
make a commitment to Jesus Christ,
because if you try to
follow all these principles
and you don't know the Lord,
it very well may not work,
and the Bible says that
the way we receive Christ
is to confess with our mouth
that Jesus Christ is Lord
and believe in our heart
that God has raised him from the dead
then make a commitment of
your life, of your family.
(soft piano music)
- Well, I certainly will
think about that, Pastor,
and I appreciate your
taking the time to come by.
- Thank you.
- Hey, Dad.
There's an ad in today's paper
for new condominium for
sale over at River Hills.
- Well I actually was
thinkin' about something
close to the water.
- Hey, great, it's right by the river.
It's a beautiful spot down there.
- Of course you get all them mosquitoes
you get too close to the water.
- Close your windows,
use insect repellent.
No place is perfect.
- I know what I want, Jim,
and I can afford it.
I'll find it.
- Jim, you know you need
to trim those hedges
so they can insulate the north wall.
- I'll do that after supper.
- Dad, have you thought
about my new baseball shoes?
- Jeff, it's just been a few
hours since you asked me that.
- Well how long do you need?
- Tell you what, you hit a home run
and I'll buy you those baseball shoes.
- Really?
Boy, if I hit a home run
it'll be just like Christmas around here.
Are we going to the school today?
- Yes, but I've got some
things to do around here first.
Go outside and play
and be back by 3 o'clock.
I don't want to come looking for ya.
- Can K9 come with us?
- You know animals aren't
allowed in the school.
- Well it's Saturday.
Who would know?
- I'd know.
I'm the principal, remember?
- Well then, can he just stay outside?
- I guess.
(suspenseful music)
- Dad, can he stay in the
lobby where it's cool?
- No, Jeff, he has to stay outside.
Here's the key to the science lab.
Don't lose it, okay?
- I'll catch up with you guys in a minute.
I gotta tie my shoe.
(dog whimpers)
(dog barks)
(suspenseful music)
- So this is Pete?
- Boy, if Mom ever saw a snake that big
she'd faint bigger than life.
(suspenseful music)
- What do you feed it?
- Rabbits.
In the jungle it eats mostly wild pigs
and it can even eat a small deer.
- Now, is it poisonous?
- No, it suffocates its prey.
We better get going.
(dog barks)
(suspenseful music)
(crash)
(dog barking)
- Okay okay, just a minute.
(suspenseful music)
- [Man On Radio] Children
need to be taught
responsible behavior and
how to face obligations.
- Stay here, not there, here.
- [Man On Radio] Children
thrive in an atmosphere
of genuine love and understanding
undergirded by constant discipline.
Discipline to a child is security.
Nothing brings a child
any closer to a parent
than for the father or
mother to win decisively.
Parents who demonstrate their
authority build respect.
Proverbs 1:29 says, you close your eyes,
you must expect the bitter fruit
of having your own way.
When there is no authority
behind your words
kids will tune you out.
Proverbs also says, do not
withhold discipline from a child.
If you punish him he will not die.
- [Man On Radio] It's been several days
since the tiger escaped
and in spite of an intensive
city-wide man hunt,
this phantom tiger is nowhere to be found.
Officials had speculated that
the animal had left the city
but this afternoon the
carcass of another dog
was found just a few yards
from the Evergreen Park playground.
To add to the dilemma, a python named Pete
was stolen over the weekend
from the Franklin Junior High School.
Police think it may be the same vandals
who let the tiger escape.
(soft music)
- Hey, Jeff?
Did Dad say anything
to you about the snake?
- Yeah, he was all uptight
because we were in the science lab
around the time that it had happened.
I don't know anything about it.
I left when you did.
Hey, a baseball picture.
That's gonna be neat.
Chris, can I ask you some
questions about Heaven?
- Heaven?
How come all the sudden you
want to talk about Heaven?
- I just do.
- You haven't given up on me, have you?
- Given up on you?
- Well since the pastor was here
you've been awfully quiet
with the Bible verses.
Oh, I've got something
I want to read to you.
Listen to this.
It's called, Where Have
All the Fathers Gone.
Attitudes fostered by misguided liberals
taught in our schools today are reflected
in family breakdown.
There's no strong authority figure,
no more absolutes today.
Bitterly resenting the
absence of the father
who never exercised any authority,
young people lash out at father figures,
those in authority such
as police officers,
school officials and world leaders.
Today, so many homes are broken
that kids' values are disjointed.
There are not many paths left for values
to be passed down from
generation to generation.
If Pastor Alan hadn't ben here
and talked about that very thing
I probably wouldn't have
paid much attention to it.
I think I'm beginning to understand.
(cheers)
- [Umpire] You're out.
- Jeff, you did okay, fella.
You tried and that's what counts.
One of these days we're
gonna get you home safe.
(soft music)
- Who so despiseth the
word shall be destroyed,
but he that furthereth the
commandment shall be rewarded.
Hey, wow.
♫ You know we to trim the hedge, dear
♫ I'll tell you, son
♫ I'm gonna buy you some baseball shoes
♫ If you can hit a home run
♫ No go outside and play
♫ But be back by three
♫ Then we'll see you
earn those spikes, son
♫ How about some more iced tea
(splash)
(tiger roars)
- K9.
(tiger and dog fighting)
(dramatic music)
(explosion)
K9, K9, K9, K9.
(dog panting)
Come on, let's go home.
Let's go home.
(slow orchestra music)
♫ I'm in the mood for love
♫ Simply because you're near me
♫ Funny but when you're near me
♫ I'm in the mood
(shrieks)
♫ Why stopped and see
♫ This little dream might fade
♫ We put our hearts together
(screams)
♫ Now we are one
♫ I'm not afraid
♫ That there's a cloud above
(screams)
♫ But for now I forget it
- Mrs. Donovon?
- Yes.
- I'm Tim Conrad from the school board.
- Oh yes, come on in.
It's nice to meet you.
Jim is in the living room.
- Thank you.
- Oh hi, Tim.
- Jim.
- How are ya?
- Just fine.
- Come in, sit down.
- Jim, I came to talk
to you about your dog.
- My dog?
- Jim, I'm sure you're aware
that animals are not allowed
in the school building.
- Of course I'm aware of that.
- The dog has been in the
building a number of times,
including the cafeteria, which
is in violation of state law.
It's violated the cleanliness
of our athletic fields
more than once.
Well, I could go on,
but the reason I'm here is
that Harley Mitchell told me
that he let the dog
out of the school lab Saturday afternoon.
- I wasn't aware of that.
- Jim, we have a large snake
loose in that building.
If it's not found over the weekend
I'm going to have to
close the school Monday.
If we have to close the school,
the board has no choice
but to dismiss you.
(somber music)
My advice to you, if this is resolved,
is to get rid of that dog.
It's not worth the trouble it's causing.
- Where's my slipper?
I'm getting fed up with this.
Where's my other slipper?
- Oh, that's my fault.
Jeff's still trying to teach
K9 to bring your slippers.
- So why is it your fault?
- Well because K9 usually
ends up burying the slipper
and I usually remember to dig it up
and today I forgot.
- Don't try to be cute.
I'm not in the mood for it, okay?
- I'm not being cute, I'm being serious.
- I don't believe this, I
really don't believe this.
It's been nothing but
trouble in this house
ever since that dog came
and now I'm about to lose
my job because of it.
I'm getting rid of that
dog as soon as possible.
- [Mom] Oh, Jim, you can't do that.
- Oh no?
Watch me.
And I'll tell you
something else I'm tired of
and that's my dad here in this house.
I've had it.
You know he's done absolutely nothing
about finding a place to live?
And I'm tired of him brainwashing the kids
into thinking I was some
kind of teenage Al Capone.
I want him out of this house, too.
- Jim, do you have any
idea what you're saying?
I can understand about the dog
but Ollie is your father.
No matter what he is your father.
- He's a troublemaker
and I resent what he's
done to our lives, Kathy.
- Well maybe I just resent
what you're doing to my life, Jim.
- Oh?
And what's that supposed to mean?
- You, you were the troublemaker.
You broke your mother's
heart just one time too many.
As a child you humiliated me.
You never did what you were told.
You always did just as
your darn well pleased.
- Why didn't you make me behave?
Why didn't you teach me?
You were no father.
You didn't have the guts to
tell me when I was wrong.
You didn't teach me how
to be a father to my boys
and I resent that.
Pack your bags and get out.
- You're blaming me now
for your troubles, hmm?
- You're dog gone right I am.
Who else is to blame?
- Look in the mirror, son.
Look in the mirror.
You aren't much of a man
if you're not even able
to take the responsibility
to correct your own life.
I tried to bring you up the
way your grandfather did me.
So now I suppose I can
blame him for my failure
and his dad, and how far
back do you want to go?
- Oh, it's gone far enough.
Keep this up and you'll
both be taking your sin
all the way back to Adam.
You're both wrong,
you're both disobedient.
In God's eyes you've
disobeyed his instructions
and now you're reaping the consequences.
Now both of you just go to bed.
- Chris?
- What?
- Do you think if I was a Christian
I wouldn't get in so much trouble?
- I don't know.
It's up to you, I guess.
I know a lot of Christians
who get into trouble
because they're too lazy
to learn God's instructions
let alone live by 'em.
Jeff, if you become a child
of God you get two things:
you get eternal life in Heaven
and a book of instructions that tells you
how you can live a successful
life here on earth.
A lot of Christians will be in Heaven
but they won't be happy on earth
because they don't follow God's plan.
Tell Jesus you're sorry for your sins
and ask him to forgive you.
Invite him into your life and forget
about what your friends will think.
He can help you be a better ball player.
- He can?
- Yes, 4918 Elm Street.
Yes, okay, and hurry, please.
- Why is everybody up so early?
- Well I got up to find the snake.
It looks like your brother
go up to run away with K9.
- Well where's Mom?
- I guess she went to find Jeff.
(suspenseful music)
(dog panting)
- [Man On Radio] And
while the city council
is proposing that the road
be closed immediately,
the residents in the area.
- I have no idea where he may have gone.
He's never done this before.
- Do you have an approximate
time when he left?
- Sometime late last night
or early this morning.
- Any place he might go?
Any friends he'd be with
or anywhere to hide out?
- Chris?
- Hmm, I don't know of any one place.
- [Man On Radio] A farmer in East Aurora
told state police about an hour ago
that he spotted the tiger
out by the old convent farm
just a mile west of town.
Officials are beginning
to fear that the odds
are now very much in favor
of someone being injured or killed.
A curfew is going into effect tonight
beginning at 6 o'clock.
There was a one car accident
earlier this morning.
- Where are those light switches?
(dog barks)
(suspenseful music)
(puff of air)
(shriek)
Oh.
(dog barks)
Okay, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil.
(gasps)
My rod
and my staff,
they comfort me.
- Come on, K9.
Let's make a fort so they can't catch us.
Come on, K9.
Come on.
Come on, K9.
(suspenseful music)
(tiger roars)
K9.
K9.
(dog barks)
K9.
K9.
Help.
(dog barks)
- We have a nine year old runaway boy.
He's about four foot five inches tall.
He's got blonde hair, brown eyes
and someone has reported
a kid of that description
around the old convent farm.
(suspenseful music)
- K9.
(dog barks)
- Have you checked all
the out buildings yet
for the tiger?
- We checked the school but
no one's checked the farm.
(dog barks)
(police sirens)
(dog and tiger fighting)
- Help K9.
The tiger's in there.
Dad.
(tiger roaring)
- I'll get on the radio.
(tiger panting)
- Well we were worried about you, son.
- Glad you're alright, Jeff.
- We should have some help
out here in a few minutes
then we'll try to get your dog out.
- Well is he alright?
- Well I don't know if he's
just hurt or exhausted.
- Are you gonna shoot the tiger?
- No, son, not if we can help it.
He's just scared and hungry
and we just want to try
to get him back home
to where he belongs.
Stay radio from 140.
(suspenseful music)
(snake hisses)
(gasps)
- Stupid boy.
(shrieks)
- Thank goodness.
Don't move.
He won't hurt ya.
- I found Pete.
- You go upstairs, call Mr. Walters,
tell him you found his snake
and I'll stay here with old Pete.
- Thank you.
- It's been what, three weeks now
since old K9 here become a hero?
- Uh huh.
He outta be able to
resume slipper trainin'
here before two long.
- Yeah, his legs are
still a little bit stiff
but he can still run good.
- Now son, I'm expecting
you to hit a home run
out there today.
It can be my going away present.
- I'll try, Grandpa.
(cheers)
- [Umpire] Play ball.
- Come on, kid.
Alright.
- Come on, bud, come on,
come on, come on bud.
(bat hits ball)
(cheers)
- That a way to hit, Jeff.
All the way, all the way, let's move it,
let's move it.
(cheers)
(bat hits ball)
(cheers)
- Kathy, would you tell Jeff to hurry up.
Have you seen the keys?
- I have the keys.
Jeff, hurry up, we're waiting.
He is so excited about
getting those shoes.
Jeff, stop running in
the house with that dog.
(crash)
(suspenseful music)
Jeff.
(ambulance sirens)
(somber music)
♫ Was a hazy lazy summer day, no breeze
♫ Yell for Jeff it's time to go, hon
♫ Have you seen my keys
♫ Jeff come on over now
♫ And don't you find the Thomsons fast
♫ I'll bet he runs full speed
♫ It's so hot, kids have no sense
♫ The crash was all so loud
♫ But so was mama's scream
♫ Little Jeff hit the play glass first
♫ Then the wire screen
♫ He forgot the sliding door was shut
♫ Dear God, the blood
was all over the glass
♫ Our son, his tiny baseball glove
- Jim, let's just talk.
Let's just talk it all out, okay?
- How can you be so composed?
- God, I killed my own son (sobbing).
- I see a spark of hope
in what you just said,
you know that?
Because you've been blaming your father.
- What difference does it make?
Nothing'll bring him back, anyway.
- It does matter.
To you and your father it's the beginning
of putting two lives back together.
- He blamed me for my mother's death.
You heard him when he said that.
- So what are you going to
do, lay the guilt for Jeff
at his feet?
An eye for an eye?
- Kathy, I can't take this anymore.
Where did I go wrong?
Everything was fine 'till Dad came.
- I think Pastor Alan
answered that question
a few weeks ago, Jim.
Satan was the head of our household
but we were safe in his arms.
He didn't bother us because we were asleep
and when I accepted
Jesus Christ as my savior
I think he began to resist my efforts
because he didn't want you
and Jeff to seek Christ.
I think he even worked
through your dad, Jim,
to upset us, telling those
lies, disrupting the harmony
of our lives, but through all that,
even through Jeff's death,
God is fighting to save our family, Jim,
fighting to save Ollie,
to save you for eternity.
God wants to help, Jim,
but we have to ask him.
We have to let him.
Jeff's death is forcing
you and your father
to look at this ugly problem
of sin and disobedience.
- You mean Jeff's death
had something to do
with this mess between Dad and I?
- Ollie's dad failed him as a father
because he didn't teach
him to live according
to God's principles.
Ollie couldn't teach you
and you couldn't teach Jeff
how to live according to God's principles.
When we ignore God, Jim,
we pay the consequences.
- You mean God sacrificed our son for me?
- God sacrificed his son for your sake.
Jim, your heart is sinful.
You need a savior.
Jesus said, I am the way,
the truth and the life,
and nobody comes to the father but by me.
Oh Jim, Jesus is the
only one who can help you
carry this burden.
Don't hold onto this sin.
Don't you remember how Pastor
Alan told you to do it?
- Yeah, I remember.
Oh, Lord, I confess to you with my mouth,
that Jesus is Lord (sobbing).
I truly believe that God
raised you from the dead.
I need you in my life.
I sincerely beg you for
forgiveness for my pride.
Oh God, please, help me
know where my son is.
I've got to know (sobbing).
Amen.
- Amen.
- Oh, Kathy (sobbing).
- Kathy, I'm ready to go.
- Dad,
we want you to stay.
(soft music)
- Oh, I love you, son.
- I love you, too, Dad.
Please forgive me.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
- I'm sorry.
I didn't realize I.
- It's okay, it's all over, it's all over.
- Son, forgive me, but I'm confused
about what's happened.
Help me to understand what's going on.
- Dad, I think I got a lot of answers
to a lot of questions.
I'd sure like to share 'em with you.
- Jim, Ollie, can you come
upstairs for a minute.
- Jeff gave his life to
Christ right here in this room
about a month before he died.
- Praise God.
Jeff is home.
Kathy, when I asked Jesus into my life,
I asked him to tell me
where Jeff was, remember?
- I remember.
- That prayer was answered.
I am forgiven.
- Even K9's been forgiven.
- That was the hardest part of all.
- What's happening here?
Whatever it is, it's good.
- Dad, you know at this very moment
I just realized that
there's no way Jeff can come back to me
but I can go to him.
When I accepted Jesus Christ into my life
it cleared my eyes and I can plainly see
that Jeff's death is
not an eternal tragedy.
It's just a separation.
All our sin has been made right by God
through his son Jesus Christ
whose death on the cross
has made it possible
for you and Kathy and Chris and I
to all be together with Jeff again
for all eternity.
♫ And now with his new baseball shoes
♫ He lives beyond this grave
♫ For he had run GOd's bases well
♫ And slid in home plate safe
♫ Ah
♫ Home safe
♫ Oo
- [Boy] I'm scared, Mike.
- So am I, Jeff,
but that's what makes it fun.
- [Jeff] What if it gets hungry?
- [Mike] Oh, they'll just go eat chickens.
They love chickens.
So you better make sure
he doesn't see you guys.
You guys ready?
See?
I told you guys it would be easy.
- What if we get caught?
- Use your imagination, Jim.
(tiger roars)
(dramatic orchestra music)
- [Boy] Chris, is it
a sin to draw pictures
of space ships?
- [Boy] It is the way you draw 'em.
- [Boy] How come you don't draw pictures
of space ships anymore?
- Jeff, do you remember
when we were little,
everything that I had you wanted?
- Yeah, I remember.
I remember how stingy you were.
You wouldn't let me play
with any of your toys.
- What do you mean?
I let you play with my baseball cards
and you traded 50 of
'em for 20 firecrackers.
- I did?
I don't remember that.
- Anyway, all that stuff
isn't important anymore.
- Can I have your baseball cards?
- Sure, I guess.
If you can find 'em.
(lighthearted musics)
- Oh, didn't know I still had these.
- Jeff, I want to give you something
and the only reason you
haven't swiped it already
is because you don't want to go
to one of the places where you can get it.
- Where is that?
- Church.
- [Mother] Boys.
- We're comin', Mom.
- What's it gonna be, Chris?
- It's gonna be yours
if you can hit a home
run in little league.
- Alright.
- [Man On Radio] Proverbs 20:26 says,
a wise king stamps out crime
by severe punishment.
What this nation needs.
- Good morning, Mom.
- Good morning.
Why are you boys so late this morning?
- It wasn't our fault.
Dad woke us up too late.
- [Man On Radio] Proverbs 11:4 says,
your riches won't help
you on judgment day.
Only righteousness counts then.
- Morning, Dad.
- Morning.
- Good morning.
Jeff, don't wolf down that junk food.
Eat something that's good for you first.
- Like that health food
bird seed that Chris eats?
Yuck, I'd rather be dead.
- Jeff, did you hear me?
- Okay okay.
- How long is grandpa gonna stay with us?
- He didn't say.
Maybe a few weeks.
- [Jeff] Great.
- A few weeks?
- Honey, it says in Proverbs,
he who is slow to anger
hath great understanding.
- Kathy, don't quote
the Bible to me, okay?
It's just that two weeks is
gonna seem like two years.
- I don't see how you can say
that about your own father.
Ollie Donovan is the
sweetest, kindest man I know.
- Yeah, you don't know him like I do.
It's just, I can only stand
so much of his opinions
and answers about things
he knows nothing about
and when he tells those dumb stories
to the boys about things
I did when I was a kid.
Come on, we better hurry
out to the airport.
Your granddad's probably talked
his way into the cockpit.
I want to see him land a 727.
(airplane flying overhead)
- [Jeff] Dad, is grandpa
really flying that plane?
- No, your dad was just teasing, honey.
He was kidding about grandpa
because grandpa likes to tell stories.
- [Jeff] Dad, how come you
don't like grandpa's stories?
- Because your father's trying to forget
some of the things he
did when he was your age
and your grandfather keeps reminding him.
- Dad, does grandpa know
that you're the new principal
of the school?
- Not unless you guys told him.
- Mom, does grandpa know
that you're a Christian now?
- I don't think he does, honey.
Maybe you and I could share
Christ with him when he comes.
- Grandpa, got any good stories?
- Well, boys, as a matter of fact I do.
I have a good story and good news.
Now once upon a time and a long time ago
the city of Springfield started plannin'
a north south freeway.
Now, as close as I can recollect,
the 22nd street exit'll bring traffic
down the hall through my kitchen
down off the back porch
and in July and August between
my radishes and zucchini
and since there really
isn't room for radishes
and rush hour traffic, I sold the house.
- What?
I didn't know.
You didn't tell me
anything about the house.
Dad, where are you gonna live?
- Well, that's the good news.
Till I can find a place of my
own, I'll come live with you.
(tire blows out)
- Jim, try not to let your
father know you're angry.
- Now why shouldn't he think I'm angry?
I am angry.
He sold the house.
What kind of good news is that?
- Um, how about if you three guys
go for a nice long walk while
Dad changes the tire, okay?
- I can help.
- No, you go with Grandpa and Jeff.
You know how your dad is
when he tries to do something like this.
- Your dad never was very
good with mechanical things.
Did I ever tell you about
the time he tried to fix.
- He makes me so mad when
he tells those stories.
He'll miss most of what really happened
to make the story funny.
When he does tell the truth
it makes me look like a nerd.
- Just be calm.
Everything's gonna be just fine, okay?
What can I do to help?
- Get the spare out of the back.
- Little old lady McCoy,
as we used to call her,
had a little brown Plymouth Coupe.
She used to drive back
and forth to East Aurora
in it to work, real rattle trap it was.
Boy was it noisy.
In fact, the only part about it
that didn't make any noise
was the horn (laughs).
Anyway, Jim and a neighbor boy
charged her a dollar a piece
to fix it.
Well, they got it all apart (laughs)
and never did get it back
together again (laughs).
- Grandpa, you told me that story before
and Grandma said she lost
her job because of that.
- Oh, I think he probably
did her a favor, son.
Probably saved her life.
Why, every time she
tried to start that car
it'd backfire, sound like
it was gonna blow up.
- Remember what I said
about two weeks seeming
like two years?
Well now it's actually gonna
be two years, maybe more.
- Oh no it isn't.
Your dad said he'd
start looking on Monday.
- He said he'd start Monday.
It's gonna be two years
before he even finds anything.
- Oh.
(tired falls to ground)
(dogs growling)
- Get him, get him, just get him,
just get him, just get him.
Get him, get him.
Mark, what have you been doing
with this dog for the last month, anyway?
He's not responding to anything.
Crazy dog belongs in the pet shop.
Get rid of him.
Alright everybody, take a break.
- Howdy.
- How y'all doing?
- Okay.
- Good.
- That dog sure is pretty.
- He a nice one?
- Someday I'm gonna have
me a dog just like that.
(lighthearted music)
- Hey, what, what is this?
What the?
Somebody help me.
- [Jeff] He likes you, Dad.
- Whose dog is this, anyway?
- He's ours, Dad.
- Oh no, he's not ours.
It's all I can do to tolerate
the Thomson's tomcat.
Now wherever you got him you.
Where did you get him?
I don't want to know.
Take him back.
- Aw, Dad, please.
Why can't we keep him?
- Because I said so and that's final
and that's reason enough.
- Quite handsome animal, isn't he, Jim?
- Well he is a mighty fine lookin' dog.
- Good, Dad likes him.
- If we take this dog,
you know who'll end up
taking care of him, don't ya?
- I will, Dad, honest I will.
I will, I will.
Please.
- [Dad] Okay, Jeff, you're responsible
the first time that
dog causes any trouble.
(playful music)
(cat meows)
(dog barks)
- Hey.
(suspenseful music)
Hey, stop.
- Somewhere in this viewing area
a full grown tiger is on the loose.
Police say some teenage boys
actually pried open a
padlock on the tiger cage
at the city zoo.
It happened last night.
The big cat escaped.
It's still at large
but zoo officials seem to think
they have the situation well in hand.
They say they'll have that big kitty
back in its cage by morning
but I don't know, if I
were you I'd lock my doors.
- Mom, can we go to the
movies tomorrow night?
- [Mom] Have to ask your dad.
- Come on, boy.
Fetch it.
- Jeff, what are you doing
with your dad's slipper?
- I'm trying to teach the dog
to fetch Dad's slipper
so he'll like him better.
- Dad will like him better
when he's been housebroken
and when he stops running in the house.
- [Jeff] Come on, boy.
Fetch it.
- I just heard on the radio
that somebody let the
tiger out at the zoo.
Did they have the tiger
story on TV yet, grandpa?
- Yep.
Sure don't know what gets
into these young kids today.
Why would they want to let a tiger loose?
Might hurt somebody.
Never did things like
that when I was a boy.
Ah, we used to paint the water tower,
never hurt anybody.
Mayor got peeved a lot,
especially when we painted
it purple and green.
- Jeff, what are you doing?
- If he can catch a smell
he'll fetch Dad's slippers.
- If can catch the smell,
he'll bury Dad's slippers.
- You should have seen Jeff
trying to teach that dog
how to fetch your slippers.
- Well I would rather
seen Jeff teach the dog
where to do his business
so he wouldn't do it under
my desk in the study.
Would you tell Jeff I don't
want the dog in the house
'til he's house broken.
- Jim, why do you always tell
me what to tell the boys.
You're the father.
Tell Jeff yourself.
- Yeah, what good would that do?
I tell 'em something,
they do what they want.
I told them they couldn't have a dog.
Now there's one in there
doing his business at my desk.
- Don't you get upset
with me, James Donovan.
You're the one who told the boys
they could bring the dog home.
- What else could I do?
- You could have said no.
- I did.
- Yeah, four times.
You know, all the boys have
to do to get their own way
is just say aw, Dad, please.
You're a pushover.
You know, it says in the
Bible, I think it's in Hebrews,
the Lord disciplines the ones he loves.
Don't you love the boys?
- Now wait a minute.
This has gone a little bit too far.
My Dad never laid a hand on me
and I'm not gonna spank those boys.
I don't care what the Bible says.
Would you please be quiet,
Kathy, so I can read the paper?
- Okay, I'll be quiet.
Can I say just one more thing?
- You've said enough.
- Aw, please Dad, mmhmm,
just one more thing (laughs).
Oh, I don't know all it says in the Bible
about raising kids, but
would you be willing
to let the pastor come visit us
so that he could talk to us about it?
- Why can't we solve our own problems?
- We are,
but I think we could use some help.
I think we need God's help.
Maybe he could show us how to get it.
Don't you want to have a happy family?
- Yeah of course I do.
- Don't you want the
boys to know how to live?
- Yes.
- Can the pastor come visit?
- Yes.
If you think it'll help.
- Oh, maybe the boys are a little old
for spanking Chris, anyway,
but we could establish some
boundaries and stick to them,
take away privileges.
You pass of lightly what
Jeff's doing with that dog
but at least he's trying
to discipline the animal
and that's more than
you're doing with the kids.
Where are you going?
- To the kitchen to read my paper.
If you want to preach, preach to the dog.
He isn't housebroken.
I am.
- Hey, is K9 a good name?
- For what?
- Our dog.
(knock on doors)
- Hi, boys.
- Hi, grandpa.
- Well, you came up with a
name yet for that dog a yours?
- What do you think about K9?
- You mean like a K and a nine?
- That's good, Chris, K9.
That's real clever.
You like that, Jeff?
- Of course I like it.
I thought of it.
- Oh, well I think that's quite clever.
- I'm clever with names.
I named the python at our school.
Know what I named him?
- What?
- Pete.
- That's clever.
- You got a python at school?
- Yeah, you wanna go see him?
- Oh sure.
- Maybe tomorrow?
- Tomorrow it is.
- Grandpa, how come Dad doesn't like dogs?
- Well, son,
he got chased by a bull he was teasin'
when he was about Chris' age
and he's never been real fond
of any animal since then.
- Did you ever spank Dad?
- No, I didn't.
- Why?
- Well, because I never
thought he did anything
to deserve one
and besides, I don't believe in spankin's.
- That's not what the Bible teaches.
- Oh?
What does the Bible teach?
- Spare the rod and you spoil the child.
- Well I don't agree at
all with that malarkey.
All this philosophy
about disciplinin' kids
when they're babies, my goodness.
Let 'em be kids.
There's plenty of time for
gettin' serious in life.
Plenty of time.
- And speaking of time,
it's about time for you
boys to get to sleep.
It's getting late.
- Jeff, don't want you talking all night.
Got a big game tomorrow, okay?
Good night.
- Good night, Mom.
Good night, Grandpa.
- Grandpa?
Tomorrow do you want to tell us the story
about the bull that chased Dad?
- Sure.
Good night, boys.
- Good night.
- Speaking of malarkey,
do you have any idea
what you said in there?
- Oh?
- Shh.
- What did I say that was wrong?
- Well for starters, you told the boys
that the Bible is fiction.
And the very scripture
that you denied as truth
is what you should have
used as a foundation
for raising your own children.
- I don't understand.
- You spared the rod and spoiled the child
who is now my husband
and he's the father of two
children, who Lord willing
are going to grow up to
have their own children
and they're not going
to have any idea at all
how to discipline them
because Jim's not teaching them.
- I'm sorry I upset you so, Kathy.
- I am upset.
Telling those stories which Jim resents,
they're destructive, Dad.
I think you resent Jim's behavior as a boy
because you know it was
partly your own fault
and so you try to cover up for it
by making light of it.
- Jim never obeyed me when he was a boy.
He did as he pleased.
I never could do anything with him.
- You never taught him.
You think boys are supposed
to fish and build tree houses.
Of course they should, but
Jim fished in a fish hatchery
which was illegal
and what did you do about it?
Nothing.
You thought it was
okay, boys will be boys.
You think that you can teach boys
to obey when they're 12 or
15, that's too late, Dad.
My father started on
me when I was a toddler
and I had security in knowing
where my boundaries were.
Believe me, when I challenged
my father's authority
he straightened me out real quick
and when he sent me away to think about it
I had to think about it standing up
because I couldn't sit down.
And when I asked my mom
and dad who loved me,
they made it very clear.
I'm trying to teach
those boys eternal values
and Jeff is not responding.
I need Jim's help and I'm not getting it.
I love you very much, Dad,
but you are not to tell
any more of those stories
about Jim's boyhood pranks.
- Hey, did Grandpa ever tell you the story
about Dad one year at camp?
- No, I bet it's good though.
- Well, Dad called the state police
and told them that he saw a
bright orange and yellow object
with blinking red and white lights
and little people were getting off.
- Dad saw a UFO?
- Are you kidding?
When the state police got
there they found a school bus.
- [Man On Radio] In
other news at this hour,
the tiger that was released by juveniles
from the children's zoo last
night is still at large.
The police are advising
that pets stay secure.
A large Labrador retriever
was attacked and killed
this morning at the home of Jack Niles
at 1440 Northwest Bank.
- Chris?
- Jeff, go to sleep.
- I have something to tell you.
- Tell me tomorrow.
- But, I have to tell you now
but if I tell you, you promise
you won't tell anybody?
- What is it?
- Promise?
- I promise.
- Well, Mike DeForce let
the tiger out of the zoo.
- What?
How do you know?
- I helped him do it.
- Jeff, are you crazy?
I'm surprised his parents
let you stay out that late.
- Well his folks weren't home.
- Why'd you do it?
- Well, I just wanted to show the guys
that I was tough just like they were.
- That was dumb, Jeff, really dumb.
I mean, that was dumb.
- Seems dumb now
but you should have
seen that tiger when he.
- You know something, Jeff?
- What?
- That's why you won't
receive Christ, isn't it?
- What do you mean?
- You're afraid of what
your friends'll think.
- I guess so.
Didn't you ever have that problem?
- I lost just about all my friends, Jeff,
but that proved they
weren't really my friends.
When Jesus Christ became my best friend
he introduced me to a lot of his friends.
- Like Brad and Kevin and Greg?
- Jeff?
- Hmm?
- What if you died in your sleep tonight?
- I won't.
- Yeah, I know, but what if you did?
Would you go to Heaven?
(thud)
- Ow, ow, ow.
Ah.
(suspenseful music)
(dog barking)
(cat meows)
(dog barking)
(cabinet rattling)
(thud)
- [Man On Radio] This is the
day that the Lord hath made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
- Good morning, dear.
- Good morning.
- What happened to you?
What was all that racket last night?
- Pass the butter, please.
- Cut yourself shaving, Dad?
- No, I didn't cut myself shaving.
- What the bandaid on your forehead?
- I bet you it was from that tiger.
- Jeff, stop being silly and eat your eggs
before they get cold.
- The cat next door.
- Toby?
Toby did that?
- I didn't catch the name.
- Must have been a viscous little rascal.
- Claws like ice picks.
- Can Chris, Grandpa and I go
down to the school with you
to see Pete?
- Who's Pete?
- Oh, the python in the science lab.
- Oh.
I thought you had a game today.
- Yeah, at 12:30.
- Don't forget the pastor's coming over
after the game today.
- I didn't forget.
- Grandpa?
And after the game will
you go down the creek
with me and tell me the rest
of the story about the bull?
- Well.
- What are you telling 'em that story for?
- Don't worry, that's taken care of.
- Why not, Mom?
- Because it's not funny and
you don't need to hear it.
- Come on, Grandpa.
I'll show you a new trick I taught K9.
- Jeff, I don't want
you running in the house
or that dog either.
I mean it now.
- I'm sorry about teasing
you about last night, Dad.
I didn't mean to embarrass
you in front of Grandpa.
- You know, I'm getting
rid of that nuisance
first thing in the morning.
- Jim, how can you talk like that?
He's your father.
- I'm talking about the dog.
- Well, if you're serious about the dog
you better tell Jeff before
you change your mind.
- I'm not gonna change my mind this time.
(door slams)
(dog barks)
- K9.
- Jeffrey Kay Donovan,
I told you not to do that.
How many times do I have to tell you?
- I gotta get the slipper
before he buries it.
- Oh, Jim, would you please make him mind?
He won't listen to me.
- Stop, K9.
- Whoa, whoa, fella.
Now, you can't run the bases
if you're all worn out.
I want to talk to you about K9.
- Can't it wait?
I almost got him trained.
- Yeah, for what, the Kentucky Derby?
- Come on, Dad, I'm trying to teach K9
to fetch your slippers.
- At the rate you're going
I'll have to chase him
through the house to get 'em.
- Dad, it takes time and I'm
really workin' hard at it
and I need your support.
Please, Dad?
- Go on (laughs).
Did you hear that?
- I heard it.
I'm still waiting.
- For what?
- Remember that get rid of the dog speech?
- Maybe we should give the
boys some more support.
Maybe we're expecting too much too soon.
Maybe the dog is catching on.
I mean, did you see?
He did have the slipper in his mouth.
- And if Jeff hadn't
been chasing after him
he would have probably buried the slipper
the same place he buried the other one.
- [Boy] Alright, come on.
- [Umpire] Play ball.
(cheers)
(applause)
- [Dad] Come on, Jeff.
Come on, kid.
(crowd cheers)
- [Coach] Come on, Jeff.
Come one, come on, come on.
Go, Jeffrey, go go.
- [Umpire] You're out.
- Hey, sneakers, if you would
have listened to your coach
you might have scored.
- Do you boys know what
the word obedience means?
Donovan, I told you to run
and for a minute you thought
you were smarter than me.
All you had to do was
listen to what I had to say
and you just might have made it home safe.
Boys, you can't play the game alone.
Any questions?
Dismissed.
- Coach?
- Yeah?
- I need new spikes.
I can't run in these old shoes.
- Jeff, you can't go
through life making excuses
for everything that goes wrong.
You gotta make do with what you have.
- Yes, sir.
- Get rid of those gym shoes, Donovan,
and you might be able to run better.
- Billings, Harris, next
game you guys are bat boys.
- Ah, coach.
- Two games.
- Jeff, I really think
you got the potential
to be one of the best
ball players in our team
but you don't listen.
You just run around doing your own thing.
We're gonna work on that, okay?
- Yes, sir.
- Alright.
♫ Was a hazy lazy summer day
♫ No breeze
♫ Big game today, Pop
♫ Pass the butter please
♫ Did you know the guys made fun of me
♫ 'Cause I play in tennis shoes
♫ If I only had some spikes, Dad
♫ We'd probably never lose
- Grandpa, is that what Old
Lady McCoy's car looked like?
- Oh, no.
No actually, this one seems much nicer.
- Grandpa?
If there were more gas in here
and we dropped a match in it
this baby would blow sky high.
- (Laughs) Well actually, son,
there's more explosive power
in that can because of all the fumes.
Now don't you go gettin' any ideas.
I threw a firecracker
into an old milk can once
when I was a kid.
It had gas fumes in it.
Almost burned the barn down (laughs).
- Thank you so much.
- Thanks, honey.
- You're welcome.
- Kathy, Jim, you just can't imagine
how very nice it is to be
here in your home today.
I've looked forward to this
and I think you so much
for the invitation
but I certainly hope there's no problem.
- Well we feel we'd like to raise our boys
according to scriptural principles
but I guess we just don't know exactly
how to go about it.
- Kathy and I don't agree
on this discipline thing.
I know she means well
but when she spouts Bible verses at me
about how to handle the kids.
- Jim, I know exactly what you mean.
New Christians are
almost always like that.
You see, Kathy is so
excited about Jesus Christ
and she wants you to know
that same kind of excitement.
Kathy, let me give you my Bible
and I'd like for you
to turn, if you would,
to Zachariah chapter four and verse six
and I think you'll find
that it really relates
to what we're talking about.
Jim, while she's doing
that, let me just reaffirm
a real commitment I
have to the word of God
because I believe in that book
is all the information we
need to raise our children.
You see, in the book of Proverbs alone,
God gives so much wisdom
on how to raise children
and I really believe if you and Kathy
would seek out that wisdom
from the Bible together
that God would give you perfect agreement
on how to raise your sons.
- I've got it.
- Good, Kathy.
Would you look at the
second part of that verse
and read it for us.
- Not by might nor by
power but by my spirit,
sayeth the Lord of hosts.
- Grandpa, would you tell me the story
about the bull that chased Dad?
- Well, Jeff, your mother doesn't want me
telling you boys any more stories.
- Ah, come on, Grandpa.
Last night you said you would.
- Well, if I do you
won't tell your mother.
- I promise.
- Well, son, I guess your
dad thought it'd be exciting
to get a bull to chase him.
Now it was winter, you understand.
Jim's idea was to get off just a few yards
from the old pond and get the bull mad.
Jim had baseball cleats on.
He'd get that bull chasing
him right out onto the ice.
(Laughs) When that bull hit the ice,
Jim said it was the funniest
thing he ever saw (laughs).
I'd ask him not to do that
'cause it was dangerous
but your dad was 15
and figured he could take care of himself
so he did it anyway.
At one point he got his
shoestring tangled in
some barbwire that was
frozen in the ground.
That bull almost got him.
- What happened?
- Well, he pulled loose
and got out onto the ice
but he hit a soft spot and fell in
and that bull went in
almost on top of him.
- What happened to the bull?
- Well, the bull couldn't
get out, Son, and it drowned.
- Well, Dad should have listened to you.
I wouldn't do a thing like that.
(suspenseful music)
- I guess I tend to raise the kids
the way my dad raised me.
- Jim that's fine if
your father raised you
according to God's principles,
but if he didn't and you try
to raise your sons his way
or any other way, then it
could lead to disaster.
You see, that's what breaks
my heart today as a pastor
and I counsel with people
and I see so many who are
trying to live according
to their own way, forgetting God's way,
and they're ending up so miserable.
Any time we live life
and forget God's commands
then we have to ask ourselves
what we're willing to sacrifice.
Maybe it's health or life or eternity,
maybe even our family.
- You don't pull any punches, do you?
- Jim, I really care about you
and your wife and your family
and I believe this is serious business.
- What do I have to do?
- If you really want to build your family
around Biblical principles,
then you must first of all
make a commitment to Jesus Christ,
because if you try to
follow all these principles
and you don't know the Lord,
it very well may not work,
and the Bible says that
the way we receive Christ
is to confess with our mouth
that Jesus Christ is Lord
and believe in our heart
that God has raised him from the dead
then make a commitment of
your life, of your family.
(soft piano music)
- Well, I certainly will
think about that, Pastor,
and I appreciate your
taking the time to come by.
- Thank you.
- Hey, Dad.
There's an ad in today's paper
for new condominium for
sale over at River Hills.
- Well I actually was
thinkin' about something
close to the water.
- Hey, great, it's right by the river.
It's a beautiful spot down there.
- Of course you get all them mosquitoes
you get too close to the water.
- Close your windows,
use insect repellent.
No place is perfect.
- I know what I want, Jim,
and I can afford it.
I'll find it.
- Jim, you know you need
to trim those hedges
so they can insulate the north wall.
- I'll do that after supper.
- Dad, have you thought
about my new baseball shoes?
- Jeff, it's just been a few
hours since you asked me that.
- Well how long do you need?
- Tell you what, you hit a home run
and I'll buy you those baseball shoes.
- Really?
Boy, if I hit a home run
it'll be just like Christmas around here.
Are we going to the school today?
- Yes, but I've got some
things to do around here first.
Go outside and play
and be back by 3 o'clock.
I don't want to come looking for ya.
- Can K9 come with us?
- You know animals aren't
allowed in the school.
- Well it's Saturday.
Who would know?
- I'd know.
I'm the principal, remember?
- Well then, can he just stay outside?
- I guess.
(suspenseful music)
- Dad, can he stay in the
lobby where it's cool?
- No, Jeff, he has to stay outside.
Here's the key to the science lab.
Don't lose it, okay?
- I'll catch up with you guys in a minute.
I gotta tie my shoe.
(dog whimpers)
(dog barks)
(suspenseful music)
- So this is Pete?
- Boy, if Mom ever saw a snake that big
she'd faint bigger than life.
(suspenseful music)
- What do you feed it?
- Rabbits.
In the jungle it eats mostly wild pigs
and it can even eat a small deer.
- Now, is it poisonous?
- No, it suffocates its prey.
We better get going.
(dog barks)
(suspenseful music)
(crash)
(dog barking)
- Okay okay, just a minute.
(suspenseful music)
- [Man On Radio] Children
need to be taught
responsible behavior and
how to face obligations.
- Stay here, not there, here.
- [Man On Radio] Children
thrive in an atmosphere
of genuine love and understanding
undergirded by constant discipline.
Discipline to a child is security.
Nothing brings a child
any closer to a parent
than for the father or
mother to win decisively.
Parents who demonstrate their
authority build respect.
Proverbs 1:29 says, you close your eyes,
you must expect the bitter fruit
of having your own way.
When there is no authority
behind your words
kids will tune you out.
Proverbs also says, do not
withhold discipline from a child.
If you punish him he will not die.
- [Man On Radio] It's been several days
since the tiger escaped
and in spite of an intensive
city-wide man hunt,
this phantom tiger is nowhere to be found.
Officials had speculated that
the animal had left the city
but this afternoon the
carcass of another dog
was found just a few yards
from the Evergreen Park playground.
To add to the dilemma, a python named Pete
was stolen over the weekend
from the Franklin Junior High School.
Police think it may be the same vandals
who let the tiger escape.
(soft music)
- Hey, Jeff?
Did Dad say anything
to you about the snake?
- Yeah, he was all uptight
because we were in the science lab
around the time that it had happened.
I don't know anything about it.
I left when you did.
Hey, a baseball picture.
That's gonna be neat.
Chris, can I ask you some
questions about Heaven?
- Heaven?
How come all the sudden you
want to talk about Heaven?
- I just do.
- You haven't given up on me, have you?
- Given up on you?
- Well since the pastor was here
you've been awfully quiet
with the Bible verses.
Oh, I've got something
I want to read to you.
Listen to this.
It's called, Where Have
All the Fathers Gone.
Attitudes fostered by misguided liberals
taught in our schools today are reflected
in family breakdown.
There's no strong authority figure,
no more absolutes today.
Bitterly resenting the
absence of the father
who never exercised any authority,
young people lash out at father figures,
those in authority such
as police officers,
school officials and world leaders.
Today, so many homes are broken
that kids' values are disjointed.
There are not many paths left for values
to be passed down from
generation to generation.
If Pastor Alan hadn't ben here
and talked about that very thing
I probably wouldn't have
paid much attention to it.
I think I'm beginning to understand.
(cheers)
- [Umpire] You're out.
- Jeff, you did okay, fella.
You tried and that's what counts.
One of these days we're
gonna get you home safe.
(soft music)
- Who so despiseth the
word shall be destroyed,
but he that furthereth the
commandment shall be rewarded.
Hey, wow.
♫ You know we to trim the hedge, dear
♫ I'll tell you, son
♫ I'm gonna buy you some baseball shoes
♫ If you can hit a home run
♫ No go outside and play
♫ But be back by three
♫ Then we'll see you
earn those spikes, son
♫ How about some more iced tea
(splash)
(tiger roars)
- K9.
(tiger and dog fighting)
(dramatic music)
(explosion)
K9, K9, K9, K9.
(dog panting)
Come on, let's go home.
Let's go home.
(slow orchestra music)
♫ I'm in the mood for love
♫ Simply because you're near me
♫ Funny but when you're near me
♫ I'm in the mood
(shrieks)
♫ Why stopped and see
♫ This little dream might fade
♫ We put our hearts together
(screams)
♫ Now we are one
♫ I'm not afraid
♫ That there's a cloud above
(screams)
♫ But for now I forget it
- Mrs. Donovon?
- Yes.
- I'm Tim Conrad from the school board.
- Oh yes, come on in.
It's nice to meet you.
Jim is in the living room.
- Thank you.
- Oh hi, Tim.
- Jim.
- How are ya?
- Just fine.
- Come in, sit down.
- Jim, I came to talk
to you about your dog.
- My dog?
- Jim, I'm sure you're aware
that animals are not allowed
in the school building.
- Of course I'm aware of that.
- The dog has been in the
building a number of times,
including the cafeteria, which
is in violation of state law.
It's violated the cleanliness
of our athletic fields
more than once.
Well, I could go on,
but the reason I'm here is
that Harley Mitchell told me
that he let the dog
out of the school lab Saturday afternoon.
- I wasn't aware of that.
- Jim, we have a large snake
loose in that building.
If it's not found over the weekend
I'm going to have to
close the school Monday.
If we have to close the school,
the board has no choice
but to dismiss you.
(somber music)
My advice to you, if this is resolved,
is to get rid of that dog.
It's not worth the trouble it's causing.
- Where's my slipper?
I'm getting fed up with this.
Where's my other slipper?
- Oh, that's my fault.
Jeff's still trying to teach
K9 to bring your slippers.
- So why is it your fault?
- Well because K9 usually
ends up burying the slipper
and I usually remember to dig it up
and today I forgot.
- Don't try to be cute.
I'm not in the mood for it, okay?
- I'm not being cute, I'm being serious.
- I don't believe this, I
really don't believe this.
It's been nothing but
trouble in this house
ever since that dog came
and now I'm about to lose
my job because of it.
I'm getting rid of that
dog as soon as possible.
- [Mom] Oh, Jim, you can't do that.
- Oh no?
Watch me.
And I'll tell you
something else I'm tired of
and that's my dad here in this house.
I've had it.
You know he's done absolutely nothing
about finding a place to live?
And I'm tired of him brainwashing the kids
into thinking I was some
kind of teenage Al Capone.
I want him out of this house, too.
- Jim, do you have any
idea what you're saying?
I can understand about the dog
but Ollie is your father.
No matter what he is your father.
- He's a troublemaker
and I resent what he's
done to our lives, Kathy.
- Well maybe I just resent
what you're doing to my life, Jim.
- Oh?
And what's that supposed to mean?
- You, you were the troublemaker.
You broke your mother's
heart just one time too many.
As a child you humiliated me.
You never did what you were told.
You always did just as
your darn well pleased.
- Why didn't you make me behave?
Why didn't you teach me?
You were no father.
You didn't have the guts to
tell me when I was wrong.
You didn't teach me how
to be a father to my boys
and I resent that.
Pack your bags and get out.
- You're blaming me now
for your troubles, hmm?
- You're dog gone right I am.
Who else is to blame?
- Look in the mirror, son.
Look in the mirror.
You aren't much of a man
if you're not even able
to take the responsibility
to correct your own life.
I tried to bring you up the
way your grandfather did me.
So now I suppose I can
blame him for my failure
and his dad, and how far
back do you want to go?
- Oh, it's gone far enough.
Keep this up and you'll
both be taking your sin
all the way back to Adam.
You're both wrong,
you're both disobedient.
In God's eyes you've
disobeyed his instructions
and now you're reaping the consequences.
Now both of you just go to bed.
- Chris?
- What?
- Do you think if I was a Christian
I wouldn't get in so much trouble?
- I don't know.
It's up to you, I guess.
I know a lot of Christians
who get into trouble
because they're too lazy
to learn God's instructions
let alone live by 'em.
Jeff, if you become a child
of God you get two things:
you get eternal life in Heaven
and a book of instructions that tells you
how you can live a successful
life here on earth.
A lot of Christians will be in Heaven
but they won't be happy on earth
because they don't follow God's plan.
Tell Jesus you're sorry for your sins
and ask him to forgive you.
Invite him into your life and forget
about what your friends will think.
He can help you be a better ball player.
- He can?
- Yes, 4918 Elm Street.
Yes, okay, and hurry, please.
- Why is everybody up so early?
- Well I got up to find the snake.
It looks like your brother
go up to run away with K9.
- Well where's Mom?
- I guess she went to find Jeff.
(suspenseful music)
(dog panting)
- [Man On Radio] And
while the city council
is proposing that the road
be closed immediately,
the residents in the area.
- I have no idea where he may have gone.
He's never done this before.
- Do you have an approximate
time when he left?
- Sometime late last night
or early this morning.
- Any place he might go?
Any friends he'd be with
or anywhere to hide out?
- Chris?
- Hmm, I don't know of any one place.
- [Man On Radio] A farmer in East Aurora
told state police about an hour ago
that he spotted the tiger
out by the old convent farm
just a mile west of town.
Officials are beginning
to fear that the odds
are now very much in favor
of someone being injured or killed.
A curfew is going into effect tonight
beginning at 6 o'clock.
There was a one car accident
earlier this morning.
- Where are those light switches?
(dog barks)
(suspenseful music)
(puff of air)
(shriek)
Oh.
(dog barks)
Okay, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil.
(gasps)
My rod
and my staff,
they comfort me.
- Come on, K9.
Let's make a fort so they can't catch us.
Come on, K9.
Come on.
Come on, K9.
(suspenseful music)
(tiger roars)
K9.
K9.
(dog barks)
K9.
K9.
Help.
(dog barks)
- We have a nine year old runaway boy.
He's about four foot five inches tall.
He's got blonde hair, brown eyes
and someone has reported
a kid of that description
around the old convent farm.
(suspenseful music)
- K9.
(dog barks)
- Have you checked all
the out buildings yet
for the tiger?
- We checked the school but
no one's checked the farm.
(dog barks)
(police sirens)
(dog and tiger fighting)
- Help K9.
The tiger's in there.
Dad.
(tiger roaring)
- I'll get on the radio.
(tiger panting)
- Well we were worried about you, son.
- Glad you're alright, Jeff.
- We should have some help
out here in a few minutes
then we'll try to get your dog out.
- Well is he alright?
- Well I don't know if he's
just hurt or exhausted.
- Are you gonna shoot the tiger?
- No, son, not if we can help it.
He's just scared and hungry
and we just want to try
to get him back home
to where he belongs.
Stay radio from 140.
(suspenseful music)
(snake hisses)
(gasps)
- Stupid boy.
(shrieks)
- Thank goodness.
Don't move.
He won't hurt ya.
- I found Pete.
- You go upstairs, call Mr. Walters,
tell him you found his snake
and I'll stay here with old Pete.
- Thank you.
- It's been what, three weeks now
since old K9 here become a hero?
- Uh huh.
He outta be able to
resume slipper trainin'
here before two long.
- Yeah, his legs are
still a little bit stiff
but he can still run good.
- Now son, I'm expecting
you to hit a home run
out there today.
It can be my going away present.
- I'll try, Grandpa.
(cheers)
- [Umpire] Play ball.
- Come on, kid.
Alright.
- Come on, bud, come on,
come on, come on bud.
(bat hits ball)
(cheers)
- That a way to hit, Jeff.
All the way, all the way, let's move it,
let's move it.
(cheers)
(bat hits ball)
(cheers)
- Kathy, would you tell Jeff to hurry up.
Have you seen the keys?
- I have the keys.
Jeff, hurry up, we're waiting.
He is so excited about
getting those shoes.
Jeff, stop running in
the house with that dog.
(crash)
(suspenseful music)
Jeff.
(ambulance sirens)
(somber music)
♫ Was a hazy lazy summer day, no breeze
♫ Yell for Jeff it's time to go, hon
♫ Have you seen my keys
♫ Jeff come on over now
♫ And don't you find the Thomsons fast
♫ I'll bet he runs full speed
♫ It's so hot, kids have no sense
♫ The crash was all so loud
♫ But so was mama's scream
♫ Little Jeff hit the play glass first
♫ Then the wire screen
♫ He forgot the sliding door was shut
♫ Dear God, the blood
was all over the glass
♫ Our son, his tiny baseball glove
- Jim, let's just talk.
Let's just talk it all out, okay?
- How can you be so composed?
- God, I killed my own son (sobbing).
- I see a spark of hope
in what you just said,
you know that?
Because you've been blaming your father.
- What difference does it make?
Nothing'll bring him back, anyway.
- It does matter.
To you and your father it's the beginning
of putting two lives back together.
- He blamed me for my mother's death.
You heard him when he said that.
- So what are you going to
do, lay the guilt for Jeff
at his feet?
An eye for an eye?
- Kathy, I can't take this anymore.
Where did I go wrong?
Everything was fine 'till Dad came.
- I think Pastor Alan
answered that question
a few weeks ago, Jim.
Satan was the head of our household
but we were safe in his arms.
He didn't bother us because we were asleep
and when I accepted
Jesus Christ as my savior
I think he began to resist my efforts
because he didn't want you
and Jeff to seek Christ.
I think he even worked
through your dad, Jim,
to upset us, telling those
lies, disrupting the harmony
of our lives, but through all that,
even through Jeff's death,
God is fighting to save our family, Jim,
fighting to save Ollie,
to save you for eternity.
God wants to help, Jim,
but we have to ask him.
We have to let him.
Jeff's death is forcing
you and your father
to look at this ugly problem
of sin and disobedience.
- You mean Jeff's death
had something to do
with this mess between Dad and I?
- Ollie's dad failed him as a father
because he didn't teach
him to live according
to God's principles.
Ollie couldn't teach you
and you couldn't teach Jeff
how to live according to God's principles.
When we ignore God, Jim,
we pay the consequences.
- You mean God sacrificed our son for me?
- God sacrificed his son for your sake.
Jim, your heart is sinful.
You need a savior.
Jesus said, I am the way,
the truth and the life,
and nobody comes to the father but by me.
Oh Jim, Jesus is the
only one who can help you
carry this burden.
Don't hold onto this sin.
Don't you remember how Pastor
Alan told you to do it?
- Yeah, I remember.
Oh, Lord, I confess to you with my mouth,
that Jesus is Lord (sobbing).
I truly believe that God
raised you from the dead.
I need you in my life.
I sincerely beg you for
forgiveness for my pride.
Oh God, please, help me
know where my son is.
I've got to know (sobbing).
Amen.
- Amen.
- Oh, Kathy (sobbing).
- Kathy, I'm ready to go.
- Dad,
we want you to stay.
(soft music)
- Oh, I love you, son.
- I love you, too, Dad.
Please forgive me.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
- I'm sorry.
I didn't realize I.
- It's okay, it's all over, it's all over.
- Son, forgive me, but I'm confused
about what's happened.
Help me to understand what's going on.
- Dad, I think I got a lot of answers
to a lot of questions.
I'd sure like to share 'em with you.
- Jim, Ollie, can you come
upstairs for a minute.
- Jeff gave his life to
Christ right here in this room
about a month before he died.
- Praise God.
Jeff is home.
Kathy, when I asked Jesus into my life,
I asked him to tell me
where Jeff was, remember?
- I remember.
- That prayer was answered.
I am forgiven.
- Even K9's been forgiven.
- That was the hardest part of all.
- What's happening here?
Whatever it is, it's good.
- Dad, you know at this very moment
I just realized that
there's no way Jeff can come back to me
but I can go to him.
When I accepted Jesus Christ into my life
it cleared my eyes and I can plainly see
that Jeff's death is
not an eternal tragedy.
It's just a separation.
All our sin has been made right by God
through his son Jesus Christ
whose death on the cross
has made it possible
for you and Kathy and Chris and I
to all be together with Jeff again
for all eternity.
♫ And now with his new baseball shoes
♫ He lives beyond this grave
♫ For he had run GOd's bases well
♫ And slid in home plate safe
♫ Ah
♫ Home safe
♫ Oo