An American Girl Story: Maryellen 1955 - Extraordinary Christmas (2016) - full transcript

♪♪ ["Jingle Bells"]

Mrs. Larkin:
Maryellen?

Maryellen.

Maryellen Larkin!

Maryellen, I've been
looking everywhere for you.

Sorry, Mom.

You know how I feel
about snow.

Come on out of there.
We got to go pick up--

What are you wearing?

[chuckle]

Ellie.



Are those pants?

Aren't they neat? Found them
in the boys' department.

- Where is your skirt?
- [bike bell rings]

Look what we found.

Mm-mm. Nope. No, no.

Can we get these?

And this sweater. I don't
have a blue cashmere one.

Caroline, you made your
Christmas list already.

We're here to look for Dad.

Beverly, no.

- But, Mom--
- But, Mom--

Caroline, put it away.

And where is Joan?

Joan's in the book section.



[scoff] And where
was your head, Ellie?

My head was thinking about
how you used to have snow

when you were our age.

And pants would
keep my legs warm.

You have a whole
stack of wonderful
clothes from Caroline

waiting for you
on your bed at home.

Hand-me-downs.

Girl clothes. Maybe you heard.

Girls don't wear
pants in public.

- Why not?
- Why not?

- You're so embarrassing.
- Okay.

Beverly, Tom, toys back
where you found them.

Caroline, find Joe
and meet us at the car.

Ellie, skirt.
Everyone, march.

♪ Haka wuka wei ♪

♪Haka wu-- ♪

Okay. Fine.

No more messing
with public property.

And pants are for home
and play only.

Not school, not shopping,
not company.

Those are--

The rules. I know.

One never says "Why?"
You just say "Do it."

I know. Terrible mother.

[chuckle]

If you keep making that face,
you could get stuck with that.

All right, let's go.

Dad and I have to go
pick up my friend Connie

and her son Benjy
at the bus station.

Let's get out of here
before they throw us out.

Maryellen, can you
roll up the window?

I'm baking, it's so hot.

December heat wave.

Is there snow where Connie
and Benjy come from?

They live in Georgia.

Grandmom and Grandpop
live in Georgia,

and they see snow
every winter.

They live in the mountains.

Why is Benjy staying
with us if he has polio?

He recovered, just
like Maryellen did.

Remember, she slept
alone in the den
for a few months.

Benjy's better, too,

but he's got
some extra problems

with one of his legs.

- He's a cripple?
- Beverly.

She doesn't know.
We don't use that word.

And you can barely tell
Maryellen had polio anyways.

Doctors here have
a special operation
called fusion

that they can do
on his feet.

Benjy and his mom
are staying with us

while he has it.

Why can't they live
in a hotel?

They couldn't
afford a hotel
and the operation,

so we're helping out.

But no one
say anything.

Why not?

It's not polite.

So he gets a new leg
for Christmas?

In a way. He gets
a second chance.

At being like
everyone else.

Hmm.

There they are.

Hey, Dad.

I saw
a Davy Crockett hat.

So just because I had polio,
I'm not like everyone else?

Oh, sweetie,
you were never
like everyone else,

not from the moment
you were born.

- [chuckle]
- [chuckle]

Beverly:
There's pink everywhere.

A pink bike,
a pink crown.

I wanted a cashmere sweater,
a blue one.

I put on my list for Santa
tutu and a baby doll.

Wow. Sounds like quite
the trip, huh?

What about you, Ellie?

Maryellen wants pants,

boy pants.

And I want to see snow.

Extraordinary.

Daddy, can I help?

If you ask one good question.

Uh, what's
the biggest number?

Ah. Ha ha.

- Thanks.
- Caroline?

Infinity?

You win the $64,000 prize.
Beverly.

I'm hot. Can we
go to the beach?

- Huh. Good question.
- Dad!

Bathing suits
are drying out back.

I can get them suited up,
then I have a date with Jerry.

- Come on, gang.
- Thanks, Joanie.

Joan.

[sigh] How many grains of sand
are there on the earth?

No one solved that one yet.

Then I win.

Okay. I'm heading out.

Can I come?

Sorry, chicken. I need you

to take the brownies out
of the oven in a half hour.

Caroline can do it.

And straighten up this mess.

Didn't I just pick up in here?

Sorry, Mom.

You okay, kiddo?

Could I visit Grandmom
and Grandpop for Christmas

as my present?

All the snow

and real pine trees
they talk about

from when
you were little.

Maybe I could see that, too.

You said Grandpop's shoulder
wasn't doing very well

and they might not make it
to visit this year.

And maybe you could have
some time all by yourself

with Grandmom and Grandpop?

Hey. This is a private
conversation.

It's my room, too.

I thought you went
to the beach.

I need my sunglasses.

Oh, gosh. I'm sorry.
Look, Dad and I have to go.

Okay? We'll be back with Connie
and Benjy in 45 minutes.

We can talk about this later.

You sure you don't want
to head out with the others?

Hm-mm.

All right.
Well, Joanie's here

getting ready
for her date.

Don't forget
about the brownies,

and make this place
look extra special

for when we get home,
okay?

Mm-hmm.

[laughing]

That's cool.

Thanks. I thought
my mom would like it.

She's always doing
hard stuff.

You mean like
taking care of you?

Hey.

[giggling]

You should save it
as a Christmas present.

It's good.

Nobody wants my drawing
as a present.

What's on your list?

Oh, a Dick Tracy watch,

marbles, a new bat,
and blue flippers.

All my friends are
getting blue ones.

How come everybody
likes to do the same
things all the time?

I don't know. People
like doing what their
friends do, I guess.

But doesn't that make things
kind of ordinary?

What if I want
to be extraordinary?

Not extra ordinary.

It's like every house
on our block is the same.

And the next block over, too.

Mom said she wanted our house
to be special for our guests,

but--

Oh, I know that look.

What are you doing?

Bike to school tomorrow?

Sure thing.

♪♪ [jazzy intro]

♪ Rudolph the red-nosed
reindeer ♪

♪ Had a very shiny nose ♪

♪And if you ever saw it ♪

♪You would even
say it glows ♪

♪All of the other reindeer ♪

♪ Used to laugh
and call him names ♪

♪They never let
poor Rudolph ♪

♪ Join in any
reindeer games ♪

Extraordinary.

♪ Then one foggy
Christmas Eve ♪

♪ Santa came to say ♪

♪"Rudolph with your
nose so bright ♪

♪ Won't you guide
my sleigh tonight?" ♪

What are you doing?

Did Mom say
you could do that?

It's a surprise.

She'll be surprised,
all right.

And you're too short
to reach the top.

I know what I'm doing.

Why'd you come back anyway?

We forgot the sand toys.

Is something burning?

Oh, the brownies.

Fireman to the rescue!

Can you get them? I'm
in the middle of painting.

- Mom told you.
- But they're burning.

- I'll save the day.
- No, no, no, no! Tommy, stop!

Tommy! No!

[gasp]

Jerry!

What in the world?

Maryellen
forgotted the brownies.

- Uh--
- Oh, my God.

Joan, uh, could you
show Connie and Benjy

to Tom's room?

Sure thing.

Caroline, could you wash up

and take the kids
to the beach

and let them
play until dinner?

All of the kids?

All of them.

Except Maryellen.

I'm sorry.
I'm really, really sorry.

Clothespins.

[sigh]

I love you, Ellie,

and I love
your big heart.

And I know,
in a family this size,

it can be hard
to get attention.

But you can't keep crawling
into window displays

wearing clothes
you're not supposed to.

There's nothing
wrong with pants.

And painting doors
to stand out.

I wanted to make
our house stand out,

not me.

Maybe me a little,

but what's wrong with that?

I guess I'd ask why you
want to bring attention
to yourself so much.

Nobody listens to me
in this family unless I do.

That's not true.

Caroline's good at piano.

Beverly's a great dancer.

Joan's super smart

and has read every book
in the library.

Tom can play drums.

And what do I do?

I want to feel
extraordinary, too.

And you thought a red door
was extraordinary.

Well, isn't it?

Look.

Painting doors will
get you noticed, okay?

But wouldn't it be great

to be noticed for
something meaningful?

Like what?

Like...

Like Dr. Jonas Salk,

who invented
the polio vaccine.

He decided it was so important
everyone have the vaccine,

he didn't even patent it.

That means he gave up
a lot of money

so everyone could be healthy.

Do you think
Dr. Salk stands out?

I think he's a hero.

Sometimes, when you
focus on other people,

you can do amazing things.

Maybe I should focus
on Connie and Benjy.

That's a great place
to start.

Why can't they afford a hotel?

Connie's husband Dan was
a sergeant in the army,

and he died during
a training mission

when Benjy was very little.

Now Connie has to support
both of them,

which is hard.

How did you two meet?

Connie worked
on the assembly line

I supervised at the factory
during World War II.

You were in charge
of the factory?

Mm-hmm.
We built airplanes.

- You built airplanes?
- Mm-hmm.

- Mom.
- [chuckle]

Why aren't you
doing it anymore?

Well,
the women were let go.

When the men came back,
they took their jobs.

They took them? Why?

It's just the way things are.

Did you like your job?

Couldn't you fight back?

I loved the job,

but I wasn't given
the choice.

I don't understand.

So women don't make
airplanes anymore.

Women have lots
of opportunities.

They can be teachers
and nurses

and secretaries.

A woman I went
to high school with

writes for a newspaper
in New York City.

Only one?

I bet there are others now.

What else?

They can be moms.

[chuckle] That's not a job.

Hey. it's not like
being in an office

or a factory.

Being a mom
is a very big job

and one I love, too.

But Dad has a job,
and he's still a dad.

Mm-hmm.

Why can't moms have jobs
and still be moms?

Maybe in the future
they will.

I'm really sorry about before.

I know. I just want you
to think first, Ellie,

before you go headlong
into things.

I'll try.

You really want to go

to Grandmom and Grandpop's
for Christmas by yourself?

Maybe it would be nice
to have them all to myself

like you did when you
were growing up

and see real snow
instead of the spray-on kind.

Hmm. No promises,
but I'll talk to Dad.

You will?
Oh, Mom, you're the best!

Hey. Let's make sure
you got all that paint off.

Come here.

Thinking about others first.

- That's what moms do.
- Mm-hmm.

That's what
the best people do.

- Finish this laundry.
- [chuckle]

[snoring]

Hi, Benjy.

I have trouble
sleeping.

I share a room
with three sisters.

You'd think girls
are quiet sleepers,

but Caroline--
[imitates snoring]

[giggling]

Do you like
being an only kid?

It's quiet,
but it can be lonely.

You always have
someone around.

Yeah. And my mom calls me
every one of their names first.

Jo-Bev-Care-Maryellen!

You have a good laugh.

I collect jokes.

Collect them?

I have a notebook
where I write down
all my favorites.

My mom
gave me a new joke book

to take to the hospital,

and I wasn't supposed
to read it before I got there,

but I couldn't sleep.

Tell me one.

Okay. Knock-knock.

- Who's there?
- Radio.

Radio who?

Radio not, here I come.

[giggling]

Okay, knock-knock.

Who's there?

Dwayne.

Dwayne who?

Dwayne the bathtub.

[both] I'm dwowning.

[laughing]

Shh.

Are you nervous
about the operation?

Sorry. I know I'm not
supposed to say anything.

It's okay.
People mostly avoid me

or say mean things
behind my back.

The doctors where I live
tried to retrain my muscles,

but that didn't work,

so the operation's
the only way I might
walk without a brace.

Maybe then people will stop
saying stuff about me.

I had polio, too.

I mean, it wasn't--

You don't have
a limp or anything.

One of my legs is
smaller than the other.

It's not the same, but--

Did you have to stay
away from other kids

when you had it?

Even my brother and sisters.

That's when I learned
how to draw.

That's when I started
reading joke books.

I guess I'm not so worried
about the operation.

It's just Christmas at home,

my mom did all
these traditions.

And-- Plus, this year,

we won't be getting
many presents

- because--
- What would you choose

If you could have anything?

I guess a chance to come back
when my leg's ready for rehab.

But we can't pay for
the doctors and another trip.

That's not the kind of present
Santa brings anyway.

Even if he could find me here,

does this hospital
even have a chimney?

[car approaches]

Can't wait to tell
everyone.

Shh. Let's keep it quiet.

Hey. What's all this?

Jerry:
Nice work, M-E.

And, Benjy, what are you
doing up so late?

Let's get you inside.
Got a big day tomorrow.

There you go, bud.

Good job, Ellie.

Thanks.

Good night, Benjy.

Good night, Ellie.

Good night.

Whoa there, champ.

I think I got enough red
on me for one day, huh?

Sorry about before.

I'm only teasing.

My shorts were a big hit
at the club.

Maybe I'll invite
some of my friends over.
You can paint them, too.

My dad has some green
paint in the garage.

We can make it
a Christmas theme.

Now you're talking.

What were you guys
talking about before?

When you drove up, you were
going to tell everyone--

Uh, no, I-- I can't
be the one to tell.

Come on. You looked
like you really wanted
to tell somebody.

I can keep a secret.

Please.

I gave Joan
my fraternity pin.

Really? You two got pinned?

Maryellen, shh. You can't
tell anyone, seriously.

All right? She'll be
furious with me, okay?

She wants to tell everyone
on her own time.

You won't tell?

I won't tell.

Pinky swear.

Pinky swear.

Hey. Is this
your art book?

Mm-hmm.

- Mind if I take a look?
- No.

Wow.

I didn't know you drew.

You're an artist.

What? No.

Yeah.

Really?

Yeah.

Wow.

You have talent, M-E.

Keep up the good work.

Good night.

So you'll spend
Christmas away?

Yeah.

I'll miss everybody,

but won't it be amazing
to see real snow

and go ice skating

and be by myself
with my grandparents

for the first time?

Sure. That would be cool.

Plus, Benjy and Connie
are staying with us,

so no one will miss me.

You know that's not true.

So Benjy has to
spend Christmas

in the hospital?

I'm going to go visit
him after school today,

- if you want to come.
- Yeah.

I bet we could get the class
to make cards to bring.

Sure. Let's ask Mr. So.

Wait. Is that red paint
on your neck?

It's a long story.

I might give my mom
this perfume.

It comes all the way
from France.

Sounds expensive.

Maybe I'll make her
some bookends.

We're making birdhouses
in wood shop.

I'm getting pretty good.

What are you doing
in home ec?

Ironing. I think
I'm getting a D.

It's this way.

40, 41, 40... Here we go.

Should we even be here?

Excuse me, sir.

I'm friends
with Benjamin Rowe.

Is that his room?

He's in pre-op tests
right now.

Can I ask--

did all those kids
have polio?

I'm not allowed to share
that information.

But will they all be
here for Christmas?

Mm-hmm.

Well, do you do anything
special for them,

like a tree?

No, we don't.

Well, since you don't,

I'd like to do something.

I mean, we would.

Right, Davey?

Trees could
bring in allergens,

which might make it
more difficult
for them to breathe.

But presents would
be okay, right?

I could buy them presents.

You could?
How old are you, 9?

I'm 10.

Well, I'm sorry, but it's
against the rules,

and I have a meeting.

But I--

I bet we could
do something great,

like a party,
boat load of presents.

Let's tell Benjy.

Or we could make it
a surprise.

Right?

Davey.

Uh, my mom
needs me back by 5.

I-- I just remembered.
C-Can we go?

Ah. There she is. Here.
Someone wants to say hi.

Be quick. It's almost
three minutes.

Hello.

Hi, Grandmom! How's Georgia?

I miss you, too.

Is it snowing yet?

Oh. Maybe soon, though, right?

How's Grandpop's shoulder?

Mom, have you asked them yet?

You pest.

School's good.

Davey and I went to go
see our friend Benjy

at the hospital today.

We brought him cards
we made in class.

Hey.

Yeah, I'll tell him.

Will you tell Grandpop
I love him

and I'll send him
another letter soon?

Okay. I love you, too. Bye.

She said call again tomorrow.

- Help with the salad?
- Mm-hmm.

That was thoughtful
what you and Davey did.

How was the hospital?

There were kids
in a big room with him,

some worse than Benjy.

One couldn't even move at all.

I guess
I was really lucky, huh?

I think that's why people
were so happy

Dr. Salk
developed his vaccine.

Everyone's luckier now.

Those kids are spending
Christmas in a hospital.

I want to do
something for them.

I just have to think of a way
to raise enough money

to buy presents.

Well, you can
make presents.

Kids don't like
homemade presents.

I want to throw a big party.

Is that what they want?

Who wouldn't
want a big party?

I saw you cleaned up
outside.

That was a nice
surprise to wake up to.

You were thinking
about others, huh?

Mm-hmm.

Is this like that?

I want it to be,

but how do you know
what the best thing is?

You know what helps me?

Listening.

Not talking or doing,
just paying attention.

Sometimes, when you
listen very closely,

you can find out what
means the most to people.

Think about them, not just me.

You know that conversation
I just had with Grandmom?

Mm-hmm.

Your father and I
talked it over,
and we agree.

You can go to Georgia
for your Christmas present.

We'll put you on
the overnight train
on the 23rd,

and you can spend Christmas Eve
and Christmas Day with them.

Oh, thank you!
Oh, thank you so much! Ee!

- You should be boss again.
- Hmm.

You're good
at being in charge.

I'm in charge of exactly
what I want to be.

Here. You can use this
to take to the train station

and pay for your own
ticket to Georgia.

Put it in a safe place.

I will. Thanks, Mom.

Sure.

Mom, Dad just got home.

Do you need help with dinner?

Oh, dear, yes.

I'd better get a move on.
It's almost 6.

Start with the carrots, okay?

And that's when my
engineering student asked

what must have been
his twelfth question.

Do your students have to ask
questions to get things, too?

How come you like
questions so much?

How else are you going
to learn things?

You can learn by reading
books like Joan.

I like books a lot,

but maybe Dad means
the more questions you ask,

the more quickly
you'll get to the heart
of what you want to know.

See? Joanie gets it.

She asked lots of questions.
She could be an engineer.

Joan? But she's a girl.

You know what?

I have a girl in my class,

and she does better
than most of the boys.

More girls are going
to college every year.

No reason Joanie
couldn't, or you.

Now, here's my
biggest question.

Who's going to pass me
those potatoes?

[laughter]

- Here you go.
- Oh, thanks.

♪ ...come ♪

♪Let earth receive... ♪

Hello, there.

Shew. I just have to sit and catch my breath.

Why, sure.

I brought my grandchildren down to see Santa--

Oh, good.

A carnival?

That's a lot of work.

If it snowed here,
I could clear people's
driveways for money.

Go to sleep, Ellie.

Too bad it doesn't snow here.

Come on. Uhh.

One more question?

Read a book.
It'll relax you

so you can go to sleep.

Books relax you.
You love books.

You'd marry them
if you could.

[giggling]

Speaking
of getting married,

Jerry told me
about you guys.

Shh! Maryellen.

Please don't be mad.

He was so happy,

like he was going to burst
if he didn't tell.

He really likes you.

So pinned leads to engaged,
which leads to married.

Doesn't it?

Do you think he'll propose?

Maybe.

Maybe he'll
propose at Christmas.

You could be married
this summer.

Whoa. Slow down.
He just gave me his pin.

Lots of girls get married
right after high school.

If you love him--

I do.

Does he likes books and stuff
as much as you do?

[chuckle]

It's late. Come on.

Don't tell anybody, okay?

I want to keep it my secret
a little longer.

I'll keep yours
if you keep mine.

What secret?

I'm going to Grandmom
and Grandpop's

to see snow for Christmas.
Promise you won't tell?

I don't want all the kids
trying to come with me.

I promise.

I got it. A talent show.

Talent show?

Mm-hmm.

We get all of our
friends together,

and everybody does
what they do best.

You can do yo-yo tricks.
I can sing.

You're not that
great a singer.

Sure I am.

We'll have some dancers,
violin player,

and I can emcee.

We can do it as
a celebration for the kids

and raise money to buy
presents all at the same time.

But the hospital guy
said no.

It's Christmas. How could he
be against presents?

There are rules, and he said--

Not the rules again.

We don't know
anything about it.

Those kids were really sick.

Do you not want to do it?

Davey.

You don't think
those kids are--

well, you don't think
they're weird?

Weird?

They were sick,

and they're trying
to get better.

What if they don't?

Well,
then they'll need help

and people
who are nice to them.

Don't you want
to be nice to them?

- They make me feel--
- What?

I don't know.

What about me?
I had polio, too.

- You're different.
- Why?

Because I got better faster?

Davey, that could be me.

Don't be so dense.

You're the one being dense.

Why? Because I don't
want to hang out

with a bunch of cripples?

Davey!

Why are you being so mean?

I'm not.

My mom says you have
to think about others

and their feelings first.

You can't call them--

I didn't say it
to anybody's face.

Besides, everyone
calls them that.

Benjy's just a kid whose dad
died in the Korean war,

and he's getting an operation
right at Christmas,

and you don't
even want to help.

You know, unless
maybe it's just an excuse

for you to sing and emcee

and show how great
and special you are.

You do things
to get attention.

I mean, the red door,
a big celebration.

I mean, come on.

Is that what you think?

Why don't you just say
you don't want to do it

because you're a coward?

Davey--

Good work thinking about
other people's feelings.

Davey, come on.

I didn't mean it.

Maryellen:
It's going to be great.

And we have so much
talent right here.

Caroline
can play the piano,

Beverly can dance,

Tom can play drums,
and I'll sing.

You don't sing so good.

I sing fine.

I'll emcee.

I can emcee.

I'm emceeing.

And we'll charge admission.

I'll do all your chores
for a week.

A month.

[sigh] Come on.

Why don't we take a break?

Talk about it after dinner.

Christmas
is only a week away.

If we want to do
this together--

You don't want to do
things together.

You want to go off
by yourself.

I never said that.

You're going off
to Grandmom's

and Grandpop's
by yourself,

have your big old
snowy Christmas.

What? Joan, you told?

No.

Told what?

Look, Mom and Dad
said I could go.

I won't be here
on Christmas,

so on the 22nd we can
do the talent show

and still have time
to buy presents.

Joan.

You could read them stories.

I can't do it that day.

Why? Because you have
to be with your fiancé?

Fiancé?
Did Jerry propose?

I didn't-- It slipped out.

[singsong]
Joanie's getting married!

Joanie's getting married!

Maryellen:
You guys, stop it.

- She just got pinned.
- Joanie's getting married!

She and Jerry are pinned.

Joan? Is that true?

[sigh] I wanted to tell
everyone at Christmas,

but yes,
Jerry gave me his pin.

Ohh.

Thanks a lot, Maryellen.

Oh, honey,
I'm so happy for you.

Maryellen:
I'm sorry. I was just--

Forget I said anything...

ever.

Does it hurt?

Nah.

It's just really
uncomfortable.

Do you want me
to read you some jokes?

I know them by heart now.

What's it like
where you live?

Small.

There's only one
elementary school

and one police station
for the whole town.

Why do you live there?

Because it's where
my dad was from.

Do you remember him?

A little.

My mom shows me pictures

and tells me stories
about him.

It must be rough
not having a dad.

He was really great.

And if he was around,

maybe I'd have
a brother or sister

or a brother and three
sisters like you.

But I'll be better soon.

And even if I don't
come back for the rehab,

I'm lucky.

Not everybody can say that.

Okay.

Hey, that looks like me.

You're
a really good drawer.

I just like how you look
when you're laughing.

Nobody ever thinks
of me laughing.

You're the only one
who saw that.

Visiting hours
are over.

Okay.

Bye, Benjy.

Bye.

[chatter]

Young lady,

what you did back there
was very thoughtful.

Your drawing, uh...

Oh. Was nothing.

Not to Benjy.

You know why hospitals
have rules

about what we can
and can't do?

These-- These kids
fight so hard,

and we have to protect them.

Sure.

But maybe sometimes we forget
the people behind the rules,

and your drawing...

reminded me
who they are inside,

like a good artist does.

You think I'm an artist?

Don't you?

Do you want the drawing?

No. No. That's--
That's a present for Benjy.

It's a gift.

♪♪ [song intro, sleighbells]

♪ Up on the housetop,
reindeer pause ♪

♪Out jumps
good old Santa Claus ♪

♪Down through the chimney
with lots of toys ♪

♪All for the little ones'
Christmas joys ♪

- Chorus: ♪Ho-ho-ho ♪
- ♪ Who wouldn't go? ♪

- ♪ Ho-ho-ho ♪
- ♪ Who wouldn't go? ♪

♪Up on the housetop,
click, click, click ♪

♪Down through the chimney
with old Saint Nick ♪

♪First comes the stocking
of little Nell ♪

♪ Oh, dear Santa,
fill it well ♪

♪Give her a dolly
that laughs and cries ♪

♪One that can open
and shut its eyes ♪

- ♪Ho-ho-ho ♪
- ♪ Who wouldn't go? ♪

- ♪ Ho-ho-ho ♪
- ♪ Who wouldn't go? ♪

♪Up on the housetop,
click, click, click ♪

♪Down through the chimney
with good Saint Nick ♪

♪Look in the stocking
of little Bill ♪

♪ Oh, just see,
what a glorious fill ♪

♪Here's a hammer
and lots of tacks ♪

♪ A whistle, a ball,
and a whip that cracks ♪

- ♪Ho-ho-ho ♪
- ♪ Who wouldn't go? ♪

- ♪ Ho-ho-ho ♪
- ♪ Who wouldn't go? ♪

Hey, what are you
doing in here?

No, don't look!

You did these?
And why are you--

Couldn't find any other
private place.

Nobody comes in here
but you.

Ellie, my goodness.

Are these all--

Presents.

Do you think they're okay?

They're amazing.

The things the children
are doing--

They all said
what they would do

when they were better
and out of the hospital,

so that's what I drew.

Look at these.

And I thought you didn't
like homemade presents.

Well, a big celebration
isn't what they wanted.

I talked to them.

No. I listened, like you said.

Wait till you tell
Grandmom and Grandpop

what you did.

Oh. I'm not going to Georgia.

What?

Nobody wanted to do
that talent show,

and Benjy really wants

to come back
to the hospital here

to do his rehab,

but he and his mom
can't afford to come back

and pay for doctors,

so I returned my ticket.

I'm giving them my money
for the bus fare

instead of going to Georgia.

Oh, Ellie, what about
being an only child

for a few days, seeing snow?

I decided to pay attention
to other people.

If Benjy comes back,
he can be all healed like me.

Do you think Grandmom
and Grandpop will understand?

I think
they'll be so proud.

Mom, have you seen
my red dress?

No! Don't look.

Wow. Did you
do those, Ellie?

Don't tell anybody
they're here.

Don't look.

I'm going to go to the beach
to finish up in private.

Bye.

She drew all the children
at the hospital

and traded in her ticket
to Georgia to help Benjy.

[knock on door]

[door opens]

Davey: Maryellen?

Maryellen.

Davey. Sorry. You just
missed Maryellen.

Oh. Well, will you
tell her I came?

Sure. What are those?

Oh. Uh, Maryellen and I
had a fight.

She left me an early
Christmas present.

Would you tell her I'm sorry?

Of course.

Hey, Davey,

you're good at
woodworking, aren't you?

Mm, pretty good. Why?

I think I have an idea

how you might make it up
with Maryellen.

You look pretty.

Thanks. Last date
before Christmas.

Hey, Maryellen.

I know you're mad.
I'm sorry.

You're pretty incredible.

Mom told me about you
giving up your trip.

And making those drawings--

How did you even know
what to draw?

Sometimes, if you listen
very closely,

you can hear what means
the most to people.

[chuckle] Mom said that.

Well, I don't think I could
have done what you did.

You're so smart,
you could do anything.

Want to know a secret?

Hmm.

Remember when you said

that I could be married
by the end of the summer?

Mm-hmm.

[sigh] Made me realize

why I didn't
want everyone knowing

that Jerry and I got pinned.

I love him so much,

and I do want to spend
my life with him,

but I'm scared it means
that I can't do other things

like learn everything
I want to learn,

travel, or even go to college,
like Dad said.

Maybe even get a job.

You want to do all that?

But...

what if Jerry
doesn't want me to,

if we're married?

Why wouldn't he?

I mean, it's no secret
you're smart.

What if Jerry got pinned
to you because you are?

What if that's
why he loves you

and he wants you
to go to college

and have a job,
and travel with you?

Did you ever ask him?

Mom used to be in charge
in an airplane factory.

Doesn't that mean girls can
do all sorts of things?

I bet Mom was the best
worker there.

She said
maybe in the future

moms can have jobs
and still be moms, too.

Maybe you should
do what Dad does:

ask questions.

[car arrives]

[honk honk]

Thanks, Ellie.

Ellie?

My pictures.
The ones for the kids.

I was going to bring them
today for Christmas Eve.

But they're gone.

You know, I think I might
know where they are.

Come on.

Davey?

You made the frames?

Every kid deserves
a real Christmas present.

Right?

He said it was okay.

I-- I blew it. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. What I said--

No. You were right.

I should have listened
from the beginning.

The pictures are really great.

Thanks, Benjy.

Actually,

I have one other present.

Knock-knock.

Who's there?

Mary.

Mary who?

Mary Christmas.

So you can come back

and see the doctors here
for rehab

and walk,

maybe even bike
with me and Davey

by next Christmas.

You did this?

We all did.

Everybody, together.

So what do you think?

I think I never expected
Christmas in a hospital

would be the best
Christmas I've ever had.

[giggling]

Aw.

Why didn't you tell me

how great thinking about
others would make me feel?

[giggling]

Do you think I could be
an artist when I grow up?

I think you could be
anything you could
dream of.

And I can't wait
to see you try.

Hmm.

Also, when we get home,

I got you
a pair of pants.

[giggling]

♪ Ring around the rosie ♪

♪ Pocket full of posy ♪

♪ Ashes, ashes... ♪

There's one more
present for you, Ellie.

- Look up.
- ♪ We all fall down! ♪

- Hey!
- Grandmom! Grandpop!

What are you doing here?

How could we miss
celebrating Christmas

with a kid who would
trade in her own present

to help someone else?

So he flapped his
broken wing down here

to see you all.

Mrs. Larkin: Hi!

Oh, I don't want
to hurt you, okay?

I'm so surprised.

- Sure you are.
- Hi.

- Hi.
- Hi, sweetheart.

[chatter]

Oh, this is
so much fun.

This is fantastic.

[giggling]

I thought I wanted to be
an only child for a while.

Now I don't know
what I was thinking.

There are so many more people
to share a day like this with.

Why do you think I wanted
such a big family?

[giggle]

Aw, I would have
missed you

if you went to Georgia
all by yourself.

Can I tell you
a secret?

Hmm.

I really like
our bright red door.

- [chuckle]
- It's extraordinary.

I almost forgot.

Your present.

What?

- What is it?
- What is it?

- Open it.
- What is it?

- What is it?
- What is it?

What is it?

[gasp] Snow!

When you couldn't
come to the snow--

Oh, this is the best,
best Christmas

in the whole wide world!

Ohh!

Hey!

Mr. Larkin:
Oh ho ho ho.

[whooping, shouting]

♪When you got your friends
and your family ♪

♪The whole world seems
so bright and dandy ♪

♪ Do you really need
much more of anything? ♪

♪ Just remember that
everyone's got feelin's ♪

♪And all you got to do
is keep on believin' ♪

♪ A big smile,
it can be so healin' ♪

♪ Did you know
when you wake up ♪

♪ You can be anything? ♪

♪ Did you know
when you fall asleep ♪

♪ You can be anything? ♪

♪ Dreams become reality
on Christmas ♪

♪And every day ♪

♪ Sometimes things
feel so very cold ♪

♪But you can change them
if you act very bold ♪

♪You don't
have to be young ♪

♪ You don't have to be old ♪

♪I'm lookin'
out of my window ♪

♪ I see the sun,
but I don't see any snow ♪

♪ When will the day come
that I do-oo-oo-oo? ♪

♪ Did you know
when you grow up ♪

♪ You can be anything? ♪

♪You can tell everyone ♪

♪ You know how
to have lots of fun ♪

♪You know how
to get the job done ♪

♪ On Christmas ♪

♪And every day ♪