Janie (1944) - full transcript

Janie is a scatter-brained and high spirited teenage girl living in the small town of Hortonville. World War II causes the establishment of an army camp just outside town. Janie and her bobby soxer friends have their hearts set aflutter by the prospect of so many young soldiers residing nearby. Which fella will they choose? But if Janie's family has a say in the matter...

# Janie dear #

# you're so sweet #

# Janie dear #

# so petite #

# dancing around #

# at your first big dance #

# maybe you've found #

# your first big romance #

# steal a kiss #

# he may try #

# save your kisses #



# for senior high #

# you bring the sunshine
when you are near #

# pretty little Janie dear #

This is Hortonville,
where Janie lives,

an average homey little town

like yours or mine,

calm, peaceful, quiet,

where nothing ever
happens... much.

This is the church
where Janie was christened

16 years ago.

And this is the high school
where Janie goes.

She's vice president
of the senior class.

And the drug store
where Janie gets her malts

and magazines,



and breaks a heart

on an average of twice a week.

And this is the corner movie,

and the beauty parlor
where Janie had a permanent

when she was 14 and caused 2 riots,

one at school and one at home.

Home is right here,

one of Hortonville's nicest houses,

with, of course,
the usual signs in the windows.

And this is April,
who's seen Janie through

teething and measles,

and her first love affair.

And coming graciously down the stairs

is Janie's sister Elsbeth.

Sweet little Elsbeth.

Last but not least,
this is Janie's father,

publisher of the Hortonville times,

and a pretty big man
in more ways than one.

Hi, dad!

Hello, Elsbeth.

Did you bring me something?

No, I had other things on my mind.

Can't you think
of a new reason
when you forget?

Do I...

What is that horrible music?

It's the "I-met-you-on-the-downbeat-

but-I'm-on-
the-upbeat-now
blues."

Oh.

Where's your sister?

Janie?

Of course.
What other sister
have you got?

I haven't got any other sister.

Well, where's the sister
you have got?

Janie?

Yes!

I think
she's upstairs,
Mr. Conway.

Why does she have
to play those
hideous things

when she can't even hear them?

Ain't nothing to
get upset about,
Mr. Conway.

Janie's a "platabug."

A "platabug?"

That's what she calls herself.

Mm-hmm!

It's 20 minutes to dinner, Elsbeth.

If you're going
to eat like that,
you ain't eating.

Should I powder my nose?

Hello, operator.

...so it's positively essential

that you wear your dirndl, Bernadine.

And don't forget blankets.

Definitely blankets,

or the whole thing will be a washout.

Janie, I have to
put an important call
through to Washington.

I'm trying to get
a new printing press

and I've got to have a priority.

Sorry, dad, I'll be just a minute.

You see?

What kind of gibberish is that?

It's not gibberish,
dad, it's the "op"
language.

Bernadine,
I think we'll
have to hang up.

Dad wants to use the phone.

Bye, now.

Take it away, dad.

Uh... thank you very much.

Hello.

How do you do?
Is Jane about?

Oh, good grief!

Paula, darling.

Oh, Jane, is that you?

You know perfectly well it's me.

Oh, one of those?

Definitely, yes.

I'm not sure if
Mickey and I can join you.

I thought he was
in the south pacific.

He is.

Well, you come along anyway, Paula.

You can't just
sit home and be
an unmarried bride.

Bye now.

Good-bye.

It's all yours, dad.

Hello.

Could I speak to miss Conway?

Definitely, no!

But dad, it's Scooper.

I've simply got to talk to Scooper.

Go on, Scooper.

Hi, hot potata.
Latch on to this.

Your fun lads
swing over at 8:00

to convoy his top mouse
to the rumpus.

Say, why don't you speak english?!

It is english, dad.
We're just
modernizing it.

I catch, Scooper.
See ya later. Bye.

Hello.

Hello, Janie.
This is Hortense.

Oh. Her dad's
on the phone.

And I'm gonna get that right now.

You're going to get what right now?

Nothing that would interest you, dad.

Bye-bye, Hortense.

Elsbeth, what are you doing here?

Oh, just standing.

Well, can't you stand someplace else?

What are you gonna
do with mummy's
best blanket?

That doesn't concern you.

Concerns me 10 cents worth.

Oh.

Here. I only
have a nickel.

10 cents.

All right, I owe you a nickel.

You know,
they put people
in prison for blackmail.

Not 7-year-old girls.

That's where I'm lucky.

Janie.
Mother!

Lieutenant Conway,
American red cross
motorcar.

How do you like my new uniform?

Oh, it's super,

but you could do
with your skirt
a bit shorter.

Huh? Oh, I thought
it was a little
short now.

Definitely not.

I've always believed
that if you've
got nice legs,

you should show them.

And you have got nice legs,

considering your age.

Ha.
Gee, thanks.

Is your father home?

Yes.
He's on the phone

trying to get
a printing press
or something.

I haven't been able to make one call.

Well, I think
I'll freshen up
before dinner.

O.k.

Hah!

What is it?

Dad!
I didn't know...

I thought you were phoning.

By the time you got
through with the phone,

it was too late for me
to put my call in
to Washington.

What are you looking like that for?

Like what?

Janie Conway, that expression

has always meant trouble
in one form or another.

Why, dad, it's just an expression.

There's no excuse
for all this bewilderment

if you came into
the room like a lady.

Mr. Van Brandt.

Hello, Janie.
Seems to be
raining blankets,

good ones, too.

Mr. Van Brandt,
you wouldn't want

to completely wreck
my life, would you?

No, not completely, Janie.

Then don't
say anything to
mother and dad.

Aren't they going to
think it's rather odd?

I usually am rather a talkative man.

I mean about...
well, you see,

it's like this.
I mean...

We're having a blanket party

and a blanket party
wouldn't be much
of a party

without blankets, would it?

Well, no, not a real blanket party.

I'm afraid mother and dad

might not understand,
Mr. Van Brandt,
but I hope you will.

You're sort of...
you're sort of
younger, somehow.

At least, mentally.

Thank you, Janie.

So if...

Might I suggest the dahlias.

I don't think anybody
will be investigating
the dahlias tonight.

Did anyone ever
tell you you're
wonderful?

Hello, Charlie.

Hello, John.

I've been trying
to reach you for
the last half-hour.

What's the matter,
your telephone
out of order?

No. It might as well be.

It's grown to Janie.

What's on your mind?

I read your charming
little editorial.

Should wake up Hortonville,
don't you think?

As president of
the chamber of commerce,

I think you're way off the beam.

You oughta be proud
the army has chosen

Hortonville as a base for maneuvers.

It'll put us on the map.

Oh, I appreciate
the job the army is doing.

But Hortonville is a family town.

It always has been.

No reason the army
should move in on us.

Do you know that camp
will be less than a mile
from the high school?

People should be warned.

Warned against what, winning the war?

No, no.
But the morale
of the community

must be kept up.

By your editorial, I suppose?

Not being a father,
you wouldn't understand.

But this town will be
full of soldiers,

young men on
their last stop
before they shove off,

tense and wild.

Oh, Charlie.
Remember your last
leave in New York

in 1918 before you shoved off?

Her name was madge
something or other,
wasn't it?

No, it was Caroline.

Ha ha ha!
She lived on 55th street,
as I remember.

Now, did it ruin
her life to kiss
a soldier good-bye?

I admit soldiers
should be entertained,

but not by young girls who...

What are you
hanging around for,
Janie?

Well, nothing.

Only if you're
talking about
young girls, dad,

I should think you'd want to get

some ideas from a young girl.

Our furlough in Paris, Charlie.

Remember that night in montmartre?

# Da da da da
da da da da #

# da da da da da
da da da da #

# inky dinky parlez vous #

Come on, sing it, come on.

# Mademoiselle from montmartre
parlez vous #

Come on, Charlie!

Well, what's going on here?

Now he's going to
protect the girlhood
of Hortonville?

Oh? That was one of
his angles when he married me.

You're going to have dinner with us.

Of course
he's going to have
dinner with us.

What do you think he came over for?

Janie. Hurry up
and get Elsbeth

and see that
she's washed up for dinner.

O.k.

Your train leaves
for Washington at 8:00,

and April said if we weren't
at the table at 6:30 sharp

she's going to leave
and join the wacs.

Good. She had
her basic training here.

What is that?

Scooper.
He wants Janie.

Does he have to whistle her out?

No, but it probably helps.

Oh, Charles.
Now, Charles.

Well, why can't Scooper
ring the doorbell

like a civilized person?

We're late.

Hi.

Look here, young man!

For a dog, you whistle.

For a young lady, you ring.

Oh.

Don't be a tintype, dad.
All the boys whistle.

Will you two stop that gibberish?

They're driving me mad.

Well, Charles, as I understand it,

it's really
no more gibberish
than our old...

Now you start.

That's right, mom.
Just put "op"
before every vowel.

For instance,
instead of calling
you father,

I'd say
"fopathoper."

And "blopankopet"
is how you say "blanket"

so nobody knows
you're saying
"blanket party."

Blanket party?
What's a blanket party?

A party where
everybody takes a blanket

like Janie and Scooper are.

Janie, are you taking a blanket?

She hid it in the dahlias.

It seemed like an ideal place

to hide it at the time.

I'm gonna bring it back, mom.

Good night, everybody.

Wait a minute.

Come here.

Will you kindly explain to me

why you need bedding at this affair?

The blankets
are a modern
improvement, dad.

So we won't catch cold
on the wet grass.

Janie, you don't think
we'd let you go?

Oh, dad, you have to.
Everybody's going.

It's positively silly
of you to worry about me.

It's a proven scientific fact

that you can't catch cold
while you're smooching.

Come on, Scooper.

It's a proven scientific fact

that you can't
catch cold when
you're what?

Well, Charles, it's...

"Smooching," it's a sort of kissing.

# Inky dinky
parlez vous #

Oh, Elsbeth, go to bed!

Run along, darling.

When you can't think of
anything else to say,

you always tell me to go to sleep.

'Night, lamb.

Poor Elsbeth Conway,

the little girl who grew up in bed.

Why, Joe Williams,
that's the first time
I ever kissed a boy.

Who's a boy?

I'm a man.

Aw.

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Oh, for heaven's sakes, Bernadine.

I can't help it, Paula.

Look at this character.

You look at him, Bernadine.

We'll just ignore them, Mickey.

I'd rather have a sailor's picture

than all the growing
pains around here
put together.

Paula's on a low float.

Well,
it's tough hitting
the regular grind

when you're thousands of miles apart.

Janie,
when 2 people
are going steady,

that means that...

Well, that they're
going steady,
doesn't it?

Uh-huh, if they're going steady.

Well, I'm going
steady with you for
the rest of my life.

Scooper, you shouldn't
say things like that.

How do you know
how you'll feel
when you get old,

say 3 or 4 years from now?

I know how I'll feel then

from the way I feel now.

How do you feel, Janie?

Well, i...
I feel like
I'd like to feel then

the way I feel now.

Maybe it's the beast in me, Janie,

but I've simply got to.

Jeepers!

Say, what's the idea?

Oh, just getting some pictures.

You want to get your camera smashed?

Take it easy.
We were asked
to take pictures.

I asked them.
How do you do?

You what?

Have you got holes in your head?

I'm tired of being called
a droop date.

And when these pictures
of me and murton

come out in life...
thank you.

Come out in what?

Life magazine,

a special feature called
"life goes to a blanket party."

Oh, great.

It'll make a swell layout, kids.

We're gonna rush it through quick.

They're going to be published?

Sure, they are.

Thank you.

Would you mind
getting back
to your blankets

and weenie roast?
We want a lot
more pictures.

This may help
your love life,
Bernadine,

but when my family finds out

they'll practically
leave me in a basket

on somebody's doorstep!

It's the worst thing
that ever happened in this town.

I'll say.

I'm sorry.

Oh, hey look, it's the army!

Hey, Janie, come on!

I'm applying for
a 3 hour pass right now!

Girls, we'll be seeing ya.

Hiya, honey.
Hope we're here
for a long stay.

Gee, they're all so darn young.

Oh, the redhead.

And I said getting our pictures taken

was the worst thing that ever
happened in this town.

Now we've gotta outmaneuver the army.

Oh, yes, Mr. Conway,
this is still Hortonville.

But you wouldn't know your old town

since you went to Washington,

because the army really took over.

Peeps, jeeps, tanks,

trucks, captains, privates,
lieutenants, corporals,

more soldiers than you can
shake a high school girl at.

You certainly take chances.

What's the matter
with all the taxicabs
in this town?

There wasn't one
at the railroad
station.

No, sir, Mr. Conway.
The army's commandeered
them all.

It's a fine thing,

a citizen goes
to Washington for
a couple of weeks,

and he can't even
cross his own street

without being
flattened out
by some tanks.

Tanks, Mr. Conway?

Huh? Oh,
you're welcome.

What do you want, Cary Lou?

Oh, nothing.

We'll see you later.

Bye!
Bye!

Oh, I'm sorry, miss.

It's all right.
It was all our fault.

No, it was my fault.

Cute, wasn't he?

Yes... for a soldier.

Paula, be broadminded.

After all, soldiers are as important

in this war as sailors.

I mean, well,

there's more to it
than just tying knots.

Bernadine!

Bernadine!

Hi!

What's happened to you?

Do you like it?

Oh, it's out of this world!

What is it?

It's my new hairdo, of course.

What did they have
in mind at the time?

I just told the hairdresser,

"I don't care what you do to me,

as long as I don't
look like I look."

And the most wonderful part
about it is,

Deadpan hasn't seen it yet.

Deadpan?

A soldier, from the camp.

He's waiting for me at hennessey's.

You met a soldier?

Oh, a dreamboat.
Wait till you see him.

I don't whether
he really likes me or not.

He's got the most simply
inscrutable face.

Oh, he sounds divine.

There he is.

Divine is right.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello.
Hello.

Girls, this is Deadpan Hackett.

Deadpan, these are my girlfriends,

Janie Conway and Paula Rainey.

Hello.

Hello.
Hello.

Hello.

I'm sorry to
keep you waiting
but I uh...

O.k.

Do you mind?

All right.

Hiya, kids.
What do your
gorgeous appetites

yearn for today?

Oh, anything rich and thinning.

And for the soldier?

A soda.

Any special flavor?

No.

What have you been doing?

Reading.

Say, isn't that...

Life magazine!

Look at me, on the cover!

Holy cow!

And look, Paula, on the inside, too!

Deadpan, you're looking
at a dead duck.

This was all your idea, Bernadine.

I know. Sometimes I just
don't understand myself.

Say, I've got
to burn our copy
before dad gets home.

Good-bye.

Me, too.
It's been charming.

Come on, Paula!

Miss Janie?

Who are you expecting to hear from,

your draft board?

April, where can
I burn this so there
will be no trace?

Don't you think
the family would
like to read it first?

No!

Well, if that ain't
you and that Scooper
on this cover.

Yeah, I'm afraid it is.

Just what are you up to?

Nothing.

Honestly, nothing.

Miss Janie,
your nothing's usually
a most powerful something.

Well, you see..

That must be your father now.

Uh-oh.

"Uh-oh" is right.

Howdy, Mr. Conway.
Back from Washington?

Yes, I'm back from Washington.

How was it?

Like a squirrel cage,
and all the squirrels
are crazy.

Hello, dad.
Back from Washington?

Yes, I'm back
from Washington.
Where's your mother?

I... i don't know.

April, find
Mrs. Conway for me.

I have something I want to

talk to her about immediately.

I'll go, April.
I'll take this, too.

My, miss Janie's
sure getting thoughtful.

Yeah.

What is that, another record?

How many of those
confounded things
do I have to break?

What do they do, breed?

I ain't seen them.

Who put this one on?

Mr. Van Brandt.

Van Brandt!

What is he doing here?

Living here.

He's what, living here?

I think I'd better
get you some tea,
Mr. Conway.

You look kind of comflumuxed.

Why, Charlie.
Back from Washington?

No, I'm not.

What's this about your living here?

Well, your wife insisted.

She what?

It really isn't as continental

as it sounds, Charlie.

The army took over
the hotel, including
my room.

Of course, if you'd
rather I went
somewhere else.

Where else could you go?

I knew you'd take it
like a soldier, old man.

We are in an awful jam
down at the fighter command.

That Mrs. Cooley
reported a flight
of geese.

Charles!

Are you back from Washington?

You're the fourth person
that asked me that question.

Don't I look back from Washington?

Oh, I'm sorry, darling.

Did you have a good time?

I didn't go there for a good time.

I went to get a priority
on a printing press.

Did you get it?

No, I didn't.

The only man who issues
priorities on printing presses,

I didn't find that out
until 2 weeks later.

Wasn't in Washington?

Why'd you go there for?

Because I like sleeping in bathtubs,

waiting 3 hours for my dinner,

and being pushed around in general.

No, no!

What is that?

Not the men from Mars!

Yes, and you'll never cross
the secret 7 again.

Uh...

Daddy?
Are you back
from Washington?

We're due back on Mars in 20 minutes.

Turn that thing off.

I can't, daddy.

Elsbeth, I've told you
you mustn't make noises

while your father's in the house.

What do you people expect of me?

I'm only a child.

Oh, good heavens, I'm late now.

We're going to rehearse
for a disaster

and then have tea afterwards.

Well, that disaster can wait.

We've got one of our own here.

Hmm?

Why, it's Janie.

Doesn't she take a nice picture?

My dear Mrs. Conway,

your idea of nice
and my idea of nice
aren't the same.

Here, look at this.

Look at that there, there,

and here.

"Blanket parties provide
new and exciting pastimes

"for the country's younger set.

"The routine is simple.

"After the moonlit weenie roast,

the cuddle cats
spread out their blankets
and drink in the moon."

Doesn't sound bad.

It's all your fault, Lucille.

You should spend
more time with
the children

and less with these
war thing-a-majigs.

The last war, it was
the men who left
their homes.

It's time to give
the women a break, huh?

Oh, Janie's just an innocent child,

and Scooper's completely harmless.

Just the same, you and I are going

to have a talk with Janie.

We're going into the whole thing.

The way the children of today dance

and the records they play.

Hello.
Mr. Conway's residence.

Who?

Mrs. Lawrence?

Just a minute,
Mrs. Lawrence.

Mother.

It's some woman
named Lawrence
from Kentucky.

From Kentucky?

Why...

Why, that must be Thelma!

From Kentucky!

Just a minute.
She'll be right here.

Thelma, darling, how are you?

Where are you calling from?

Tell me everything.

Well, I gave up
the house when Dick
went to Yale.

We just finished our sophomore year

when the army got us.

Us?

Uh... huh. Naturally,
I followed Dick
to new haven,

and now, well.

The army does move around,

so I thought,
"why can't I move
with it?"

Especially since all the eligible men

seem to be in the army nowadays.

Still the same old Thelma,
aren't you?

We haven't seen her for 20 years.

What is she showing up now for?

Well, of course
you're going to
stay with us

as long as
Dick is stationed
in the army camp here.

Oh.

Come on, mother,
you're holding up
the war.

If you're sure it won't
be putting you out any?

After all, old friends
are best friends.

Just stay right where you are

and we'll be seeing you
in only a few minutes.

I'll send someone
right down to
pick you up,

someone very sweet.

I can hardly wait to see you.

Bye for now.

Isn't that the most wonderful news?

Thelma's coming out here
and she's bringing her son.

He's a Yale man in the army.

Aw, do be a dear
and go pick them up for me.

I have to break the news to April,

then go straighten up the guest room.

You mean, my room?

Hah.

Oh, yes!

Well...

Well, we'll just have
to move you down here.

In my library?

It's an emergency measure, Charles.

After all, Thelma was
one of my bridesmaids.

You can't miss her.
She's very attractive,

has auburn hair.

As of 20 years ago.

I'm afraid I know just what you mean.

Now please, Lucille,
I have no intentions,

honorable or otherwise.

But you haven't seen Thelma Lawrence.

She'll be perfectly safe from me.

But maybe you won't
be perfectly safe
from her.

Well, I've been perfectly safe

from quite a few
smooth little numbers.

This is the second time
I've had to postpone
my disaster.

Fine thing.

We all agree to keep
the high school girls
away from the soldiers,

and here you bring one
smack right into
your own home.

Thelma's son isn't soldiers.

He's a wonderful boy.

Who said so, his mother?

Well, yes, Janie.

Yeah, I thought so.

He'll be weird.

Parents' best friends' kids
always are.

Huh?

That reminds me.

This would be
a very good time for it.

Janie?

Yes, mother?

I um... think your father

would like to have
a few words with you.

Yes, mother.

After your father
gets through with you,

we'll see a completely
subdued young lady...

I hope.

Did you wanna
talk to me about
something, dad?

Uh... yes, Janie,
I uh...

April, I'll take care
of the tea things.

After all, he's my father.

Aren't you, dad?

Hmm?

Oh, yes, yes.

Mm-mm. That miss Janie
sure is overpowerful
thoughtful these days.

Mm-mm.

Janie, I want to have
a good long, serious
talk with you.

Of course, dad, practically anytime.

Not anytime, I mean now.

Well, I thought
with Mrs. Lawrence...

Mrs. Lawrence
has nothing to do

with what I have to say to you.

Yes, dad, but I know
how you hate to be
interrupted.

I particularly hate
being interrupted
before I get started.

Yes, dad.
Here, you drink this
nice and slowly,

and then we'll have our little talk.

No, no. I don't
want any tea.

I know what you're up to.

You're trying to
cool me off with
hot tea.

Well, I'm going
to have this talk
with you right now

while I'm at
the height of
my indignation.

Are you indignant, dad?

What has mother done now?

It's nothing your mother has done.

It's you.

Oh, dad.

Oh, look, you ruined the magazine.

I'll take it out to dry.

Janie, stop right where you are.

Now give me that magazine.

I imagine that
we'll see a great change
in Mrs. Lawrence.

You should.
You've never seen her.

Ah.

There you are.
Just what I was
afraid of,

all over the magazine, smooching.

Oh, that?
That was perfectly
all right, dad,

because all our crowd was there

and they were all smooching.

But on blankets.
It looks so...

So premeditated.

As if it's what
you had in mind
all the time.

Well, frankly, dad,
it came as no surprise
to me.

That's exactly what I mean.

It's like a murder.

There's a big difference, you know,

between a premeditated
and unpremeditated murder.

Let's get one thing straight, dad.

Scooper Nolan and I
did not commit murder.

We merely smooched.

Don't say that word again.

Well, you've got
to call it something.

What did you call it in your day?

Hmm?

Oh, I don't remember.

Swooning, muzzling,
bunny hugging,
or something like that.

What's the difference
between a muzzle
and a smooch,

I'd like to know?

About 20 years, young lady.

And it was just as
objectionable then.

You mean to say
that you and mother
never muzzled?

I mean to say that.

Never swooned?

Never.

Bunny hugged?

No.

What on earth did you do?

We took long walks.

Long walks?

Yeah.

How on earth did you decide

that you wanted to get married?

Well, we didn't quite decide.

We just got married.

Well, dad, times have changed,

and for the better, too.

Now don't get the idea
that I was a stuffed shirt

or a what do you call 'em?

Casper milquetoast?

Casper milquetoast.

Yes, yes,
a Casper milquetoast
or anything like that.

After your mother and I
became engaged,

we...

Took shorter walks.

Ah-hah!

At least we had the decency to wait

until after we were engaged,

and the good taste
to make sure that
we were alone.

Make sure you were alone?

Why? What were
you ashamed of?

At least
scoop and I were
out in the open

with dozens of other kids around.

We weren't doing
anything to be
ashamed of.

We even had a photographer present.

We didn't skulk in dark corners.

We didn't...

Now look here, we never skulked!

Oh, I read all about
your post-war
generation.

You had flappers,
cake eaters,
flaming youths!

Wait a minute.
I started asking
the questions.

I'm ashamed of you.

I'm ashamed of mother.

I'm going to have a talk with mother,

a good long, serious talk.

The jazz age, jeepers!

Charles, come on, it's Thelma.

She's here.

Why couldn't
she have gotten here
5 minutes earlier?

Don't be silly.

Oh, what an attractive place.

Yeah, we think
Hortonville is
quite a garden spot.

Oh, how thoughtful of the army

to station us
in such a charming town.

Yes, mother.

Lucille!

Thelma, my darling!

Oh, it's wonderful.

You're just the same.

And...

Oh, no.
This isn't Dick?

It's Dick.
Who else would it be?

Of course, he looks
much better with
his hair longer.

How are you,
Mrs. Conway?

I just can't believe it,
Dick Lawrence.

The last time
I saw you,
you were teething.

Sometimes it's even hard
for me to realize

that he's grown up, but he has.

He looks perfectly
wonderful in his uniform.

He suddenly took it
into his head to join the army.

So you took it
into your head
to join, too?

Of course.

Why, Thelma!

Charles, you haven't changed one bit.

Oh, my goodness.
I've gotten lipstick
all over you.

That's quite all right.
It'll come off.

Oh, you're so sweet.

And Charles, the way
Hortonville has grown.

Mr. Van Brandt told me
you had a great deal
to do with it.

Yes, through your editorials.

Let's go inside.

It's so nice of you to have us.

You know, I just said to Lucille,

I'd rather have you
stay with us than anyone else.

Oh, how nice.

Didn't I say that?

Yes, dear,
that's exactly
what you said.

What a lovely house.

And as I live and breathe,
this must be Janie.

Hello.

And this must be Elsbeth.

Oh, Lucille, they're adorable.

Well, sometimes they are.

I'll fix a little
something cool to drink.

Oh, I'd love it.

I'll take your bags up to my room.

Your room, I mean.

I'm just fixing
to make your bed up
in the library.

Crazy house.

I do hope I'm not running you out.

Oh, no. I'm sort of
a bird of passage
anyway.

How sweet,
and such fun.
Is he around much?

President of the chamber of commerce,

quite the most
attractive man in town.

Oh. Married,
I suppose?

Not that one.

He always managed to get away.

Really?

Mm. Clever of him.

Oh, my goodness,
we forgot to introduce
the children.

Oh, that's all right.

I think we got the general idea.

Dick isn't half as bad
as you expected,
is he, Janie?

You know how children
are about their mother's
friends.

Oh, don't I know.

You should have
heard Dick all the way
on the train.

Why do all mothers
have to talk like mothers?

Well, I guess it must
be something biological.

Hah!

I do somersaults.

So we see.

I also do back bends.
Watch.

Elsbeth.

Well, I do.

Does she have to hang around?

You have to pay her to make her go.

Pay her?

Oh, it's awful,
but that's
the way it is.

Well...

A nickel.

Like a jukebox, huh?

Have put a nickel in to make it go.

Well, here you are, jukebox.

I want a dime.

It's always a nickel, Elsbeth.

A dime, a dime.
You know, inflation.

Sorry, I haven't got a dime.

O.k., seeing you're
an army man. Good-bye.

Good-bye.

Oh, will I be glad
when I go away to
college next year.

Well, so you're still
in high school, eh?

And what's wrong with that?

Nothing.
But high school?

I guess I'm just wasting my time.

What do you mean?

Well, I'm talking to a babe in arms.

Oh.

No, you're not.

I happen to be a senior.

Oh, and that makes
you plenty smooth,
I suppose.

You shouldn't be supposing anything.

No crime supposing.

Well, that depends
on what you're
supposing.

I don't even know
what we're talking
about.

Neither do I,
but we seem to be
getting places.

You're sure smooth,

not a bit like I expected.

You neither.

I expected a total eclipse,

and got the sun in my eyes.

I thought I'd paid you to go away.

I went.

I haven't any more nickels.

Just ignore her.

She's kinda hard to ignore.

Just go on talking
as if she weren't
here.

Well, as I was saying about...

About the eclipse and...

And the sun...

I...

She said go on talking.

Elsbeth, won't you
please go out in
the garden and play?

Uh-uh.

Is he your boyfriend now
instead of Scooper?

Aha!

Elsbeth.

Do you like him better
than Scooper, Janie?

Don't pay any
attention to her.
She makes things up.

I don't like him
better than Scooper, Janie.

I think you stink!

Elsbeth Conway, you are disgusting.

You're an absolutely
disgusting little lady.

Go upstairs, and I don't want to hear

another word out of you.
Do you hear me?

I'm terribly sorry.

Really, she doesn't mean anything.

She's just spoiled.

We'd better go out in the garden.

Sometimes she just
embarrasses me
something awful.

There's one member
of the Conway family

who seems to turn thumbs down on me.

Oh, I wouldn't
worry about it
too much.

There are other members.

I was coming to that
before I ran out
of nickels.

The family's going to
have to do something
about Elsbeth.

I'm practically wrecked!

Me, too.
Let's be wrecked
together.

No room.

Oh, sure there is.

Well, you're
a regular wolf,
aren't you?

Ooh, it scares me.

Well, if that scares you.

It... it just
came over me.

And that was supposed to be smooth?

What do you mean?

Nothing. But you've
been talking about
my not being smooth.

I was kind of impressed, but...

Well, that's not my idea of a kiss.

Oh.

Oh, come on, Janie.

Hey, Janie.
Look, Janie,
it's out.

Hmm?

Huh?

Oh, this is Scooper Nolan, Dick.

Scooper, this is Dick,

private Dick Lawrence.

First class.

Oh, I'm sorry,

private first class Dick Lawrence.

Hiya.
Hiya.

I didn't mean to
break anything up,
Janie,

but everybody's down at hennessey's

talking about the magazines.

Let's go get a soda.

I can't Scooper.
I...

Well, why not?

Well, i... i...

She has another date.

With who?

With me.

I never heard of you!

What difference
does that make,
if any?

It makes a lot of difference.

I come here practically every day,

and there's nobody.

And then, phgh!,
there's a guy
I never heard of.

Scooper, control yourself.

Dick just happens
to be stationed here.

He's in the army.

You've heard of the army?

Yeah, I've heard of the army.

Only it doesn't interest me.

I'm going into the air force.

Ha ha ha ha.

Are you, Scooper?

Sure. I want
to fly, not just
tramp around.

Too bad for the air force.

What do you mean by that crack?

You can't get in at 16.

At 16?!
You think I'm 16?!

15 or 16, along in there.

No. Scooper was
17 last month.

Ha ha.

I don't like your attitude.

And what's the matter with it?

Yes, and what's the matter
with you, Scooper?

If it comes to that,
what's the matter
with you,

pretending
you're old enough
to date up

with a lot of army men?!

Well, certainly I'm old enough.

I didn't see you
graduating from
Hortonville high.

What's that got to do with it?

You don't act like
you have any sense.

Well, this makes sense, does it,

having dates with this guy?

A change for the better.

Say, one more crack like that...

Now, Scooper, wait a minute.

Dick Lawrence happens to be

the son of my mother's
old maid of honor

that was my mother's friend
before I was even born.

All right, all right!

But you'll be sorry for this, Janie.

You'll get yourself out on a limb.

And then just see if I care.

And you can see, too.

You can see
if I'm gonna
give up my girl

without giving you
and good sock in
the eye!

What with,
a celluloid rattle?
Come on!

No, don't!

Oh, please don't.

Oh, I can't sock a guy in uniform.

What are you buzzing about?

I can't sock a guy
when I'm in uniform.

And it's plenty
lucky for you I am
in uniform.

That's your side of the story!

That's just about enough out of you.

Shh. Now let's be
civilized about this.

If you think
I'm gonna fade
because this termite...

If you think I'm gonna stand

for a lot of drip from this zombie...

Zombie?!
Yes, zombie!

Uniform or no uniform,
help me out of this sweater!

Here, I'll help you myself!

Stop, stop!
I won't be roared at!

Please don't stop.
Go right ahead.

I just love triangles.

# They're either
too young or too old #

# they're either too gray
or too fancy free #

# the pickins' are poor
and the crop is lean #

# what's good
is in the army #

# what's left
will never harm me #

# I've looked the field over
and lo and behold #

# they're either too young
or too old #

Oh, Charles,
John's the most
heavenly dancer.

Oh, anyone could dance well with you.

I do hope we're not
disturbing you, Charles.

Oh, you're not disturbing him.

He's just gonna write
another editorial.

It's a habit he's got.

Why don't you
put that stuffy
typewriter away?

I'll bet there's
a bit of jitterbug
in you.

Not a bit. I don't
know how to dance.

You do too!

I remember your wedding party.

You were divine doing the bunny hug.

Come on, here's a step
I learned in the army.

There must be someplace
in this house where
there's peace and quiet.

Dick's real old, 19, and a Yale man!

Aren't you kinda scared?

Of course not, Bernadine.

Other women have handled Yale men.

But he might get
so... so rugged.

Uh-huh.

Oh, Deadpan can really get rugged.

Wait until I tell you!
Bill was really jumping.

There's never been
so many handsome soldiers
at hennessey's.

Dad!

Did you wanna work in here?

No, no.
I'm just carrying

this typewriter
around because
I like it.

Oh ho ha ha ha ha!

What's the joke?

Nothing, Mr. Conway,
nothing at all.

Well, nothing must be very funny.

We'd better go outside anyway.

We're making too much noise.

Never saw anything
like it in all my life.

Elsbeth!

Look, dad,

I've established a beach head.

But Elsbeth,
I have a lot
of work to do.

I'm a very busy man.

Elsbeth, those toy soldiers of yours

keep getting all over the place.

How come these got on
the refrigerator?

Just marched, I guess.

It's mighty funny
they marched close
to the cookie jar.

What cookie jar?

You know what cookie jar.

Hey, you upset
the entire strategy
of my left flank.

I'll take care of your left flank.

Hey, take it easy, take it easy.

Oh, tell me,
when do we get
to meet Dick?

You don't.
You've got to get
your own soldiers.

We already have.

We're meeting 3 of them

down at hennessey's for sodas.

Really?

Oh, and they're the sweetest boys.

Hardly dry behind the ears.

Ha ha ha ha!

Isn't it wonderful, Charles?

Colonel Lucas has
put me in charge of
soldier's entertainment.

What's the matter?

I'm going mad,
that's all,
stark raving mad,

if anyone cares.

Of course we care.

Is that another uniform?

Well, they have to have some way

of telling
the nurse's aides
from the patients.

I'm sorry if we disturbed you,
dad, really.

Going, girls?

Good-bye, Mrs. Conway.

I have to run
in town and buy
some tweezers.

They strapped
mother to a board
in first aid

and it was full of splinters.

Well, good-bye.

Good-bye!

Oh, poor Charles.
It's awfully
hard on you

having such a family, isn't it?

If that's a direct question, yes.

Well, never mind.
You'll have
the house

all to yourself this afternoon.

As soon as I change uniforms,

I'm off to fire practice.

And I'm going to lake winaka.

With whom?
Dick.
We're going swimming.

What, in your new bathing suit

with a soldier right out of camp?

That's what
I'm trying to write
my editorial about.

Don't worry, dad,
we'll have 2 fire extinguishers.

Bye.

Fire extinguishers?

She means chaperones, Charles.

John and Thelma are going with them.

Oh, I'm not quite sure

what kind of fire extinguishers

John and Thelma will make.

Oh, just about the same kind

we would have wanted when we were

Janie's and Dick's age, I expect.

That has nothing to do with it.

In the first place,
you were different
from Janie.

Only that I was my father's daughter

instead of her father's daughter.

Oh. Then,
we were in love.

You were in love.

But as far as I was concerned,

well... i wasn't so sure.

Oh, yeah?

You had a fine way of showing it.

You liked it.

And I still do.

Remember that Halloween
we ditched the party?

E you getting
sentimental, Mr. Conway?

Yeah, I suppose I am.

No, no, I'm not!

I'm getting old, that's what.

Otherwise, I wouldn't put up with

what I have
to put up with
in this house.

I never...

Beep beep.

Excuse me.

That's o.K., April.
Mailman's here!

Oh.

Hmm!

Hello, Janie.

I thought you girls
had to hurry home.

When the man of the year
is expected any minute?

Oh, I'm dying to meet him.

Don't expect too much.

Elsbeth, Dick's been
very nice to you.

We'll be friends
when he signs over
his allotment to me.

Is there one for me?

An airmail, miss Paula.

You think it's such a good idea

you getting letters
that your family
knows nothing about?

My family doesn't understand

that a person's
mail from a sailor
is private.

That Mick of yours
sure is a writing
gentlemen.

Watch Paula drool
over her letter
from Mickey.

Here comes Dick now!

Oh!

Oh, Janie, how romantic!

Mr. Van Brandt
rented it

to take us to lake winaka.

Whoa.

Hello, Dick.

Hi, Janie.

All set?

Just about.

Say, I thought
you were the prettiest
girl in town.

Oh, they're just some
of my girlfriends
that dropped by.

Would you like to meet them?

If you insist.

I'll make it quick.

Dick, these are my girlfriends.

Girls, I want you to know

private first class Dick Lawrence.

Hello.
How do you do?

How do you do?

They've been hanging around waiting

to get a look at you.

Elsbeth, where are
some of your little
friends, dear?

I haven't got
any friends.
I'm anti-social.

Come on, girls, let's go.

Bye!
Good-bye, Janie!

Good-bye, Dick.

Thank you.

Thank you!

Oh, Janie.

Come on, Bernadine.

Ooh!

Good-bye.

Are you sure you've got everything?

Everything including the horse.

Bread and butter?

All set, Dick?

Yes, sir.
Help you here?

Oh, John!

What a clever idea.

Well, I wanted
to have a surprise
for you, Thelma.

What about you driving, Janie?

Oh, I'd love to.

It's seems years
since I went on
a picnic with a man.

Me, too.
I mean, with a woman.

All right, back there?

Yes.

Wee! Gotta
self-start it!

Giddyap!

Bye, Elsbeth!

Someday when
you're a big girl
you'll be doing this.

Not me.
I'll have a p38.

Scooper!

Oh, he's all right.
Just nicked the Fender.

What's the matter,
Scooper, did you
fall down?

Where are they going?

Huh?

You heard me.

Oh, them.
Driving.

What you got in this box, Scooper?

Ladyfingers,
for my mother's
bridge party.

Oh.

We can have
a couple of them,
I should think.

How sweet of you.

Elsbeth, what's been
going on around here?

Huh?

I mean...

Do you think she likes him all right?

Who?
Janie.

You... you think
she likes that private?

Private first class.

I mean, she doesn't, does she?

These are good.
Can I have some more,
Scooper?

What'd they do last night?

Who?

Janie and that soldier guy.

Nothing.

Except when
the grown-ups were
having coffee...

Yes?

They came out here.

Just the two of 'em, alone?

Except for me
looking out of
the window.

I saw 'em.

Saw 'em?
Doing what?

He chased her.

Chased her?

Uh-huh, all around that bush.

And Janie said,
"stop, stop."

She said,
"oh, stop, stop
stop, stop."

And did he?

Uh-huh.
She made him.

Go on.
What happened
after that?

Nothing. Dad made
them come in because
it was too chilly.

He said. Hmm!
But it wasn't.

It was a warm night.

I'll say it was.
It was a hot night!

Put that thing away!

The army makes me nervous!

Wait'll I see that guy.

He's going to hear from me.

Elsbeth, do you know
where they were
going driving?

Can I have another ladyfinger?

Sure.

My, my, they're all gone.

Oh, gosh.
Now I have to

buy mother some more
with my own dough.

Mm-mm!

Where'd Janie
and that soldier go,
Elsbeth?

I have no idea.

Oh, would you try to remember?

Mm-hmm.

To a lake.

What lake?

Oh, o.K., o.K.

Here now, talk!

Please!

They went to lake winaka to swim.

Jeepers, if he's swimming,
he won't be in uniform.

Dick, what do you think about?

Guess.

I don't mean that.
I mean when you're
in camp,

drilling and things like that.

Well, mostly I think about chow

and when my next leave's coming up,

and a cardboard box.

Cardboard box?

Mm-hmm, the box
I put my ski things in.

I keep worrying
moths will get at them.

Oh, they won't.
At least, I hope
they won't.

I put my books in another box,

and my tux and tails.

I guess that's what going to war is,

wrapping up your life
in a lot of little
packages.

Poor Dick.

Say, if you start
feeling sorry for me,

I'll bust you
in the teeth
or something.

Yoo-hoo!

Yoo-hoo!

There they go again.

Won't you get blisters
from rowing so hard?

Blisters, me, that rowed for Harvard?

Oh!

Something's stewing on that deal.

At their age?
Oh, impossible.

Well, love must be blind,

or at least nearsighted,

or mother wouldn't
be going for
Mr. Van Brandt.

Oh, now, wait a minute.

Mr. Van Brandt's
been a bachelor forever,

ever since he was born.

If I know mother,
right now she's saying,

"here I was,
leading a calm,
quiet life..."

Ah.

Here I was,
leading a calm,
quiet life,

and then you come along
and disrupt everything.

I come along?

I'm not following the army.

I didn't invade Hortonville.

Well, what's a poor,
lonely widow to do,

sit on a Kentucky
plantation
and fade away?

Oh, I know it sounds very romantic,

bluegrass, hoop skirts, juleps...

But it isn't for me.

What is for you?

Well, uh, I thought perhaps someday

I might marry again.

Who? Whom?

Well, surely
there must be some
man in the world

who would have me.

I don't sleep in a mud pack.

I'm not lost in a kitchen,

and I could brush up on my shorthand.

Well, I haven't
any plans for
the next few years.

John Van Brandt,

are you proposing to me?

Looks to me more like
a 50/50 proposition.

I never expected anything like this

would happen to me
in a town like
Hortonville.

Well, you've picked
the president of
the chamber of commerce.

Oh. There
they go again.

Ah!

You practically drowned me!

Come on, give me your hand.

Ha ha!

Here, better put
this towel around you.

You shouldn't have done that.

What was wrong with what I did?

Nothing, but after all...

After all, I get shipped out soon.

I may never come back.

I may never come back.

Of course you'll come back,

with all kinds of stripes,

and those darling little
colored bars on your chest.

Come back to what?

A man likes to feel that...

Well, that there's a woman waiting.

Yeah, but this may be a long war.

Say.

Dick, go in and put your uniform on.

Why, don't you like me the way I am?

Oh, sure, Dick, sure.

But it's when you're in uniform

that I get all
thrilled and goose bumpy.

O.k., funny bunny,
I'll put on
my charm suit.

What was that stuff
they said about war?

Scooper Nolan,

what do you mean by following me?

It's a free country, isn't it?

If I want to come out here

and get myself
some fresh air,
I got a right to.

Your face is dirty.

You're just
making it worse.
You're all perspiry.

If you'd ridden
a bike as fast
as I did,

you'd be perspiry, too.

Janie, there are
some things I won't
stand for.

I won't stand for
you letting yourself

get chased around
bushes by a soldier.

He didn't catch me.

And besides,
what have you got
to say about what I do?

But... but we're
going steady.

Aren't we?

I don't know, Scooper.

Huh?

Of course, I like you an awful lot

and we've dated a lot, but...

But you are my steady girl.

Everybody knows it.

It was definitely
established at
high school.

I never said I was.
Honestly, Scooper.

But that's the way
it always was, Janie.

From the time we...

Remember the day
we both got elected
to office

in junior year,

and afterwards had
cokes at hennessey's,

and started to do
our homework together.

And that time you had
your tonsils out.

The first thing
you asked old doc Brady
was where I was.

Those things are important, Janie.

They're... well,
they're what tie

a man and a woman together.

Huh?

I thought I heard
a mosquito buzzing around.

Now, Scooper.

I'll be out in a minute, Janie,

as soon as I tie
my g.I. Laces.

You would be in uniform.

What have you got on, Scooper,

your Halloween face?

Ha ha.

Oh, you keep away from me.

Listen, Scooper.

Scooper,

a person can feel
one way about one person

and another way about another one.

Can't they?

No! You know
darn well
they can't.

But you don't need to worry about me.

I'm gonna pull something.

I've got it all figured out.

What do you mean, pull something?

Just something, that's all.

You're just trying to scare me.

Just wait and see.

And it's got
nothing to do
with women, either.

I'm through with women.

Scooper!

Janie, I just got a brainstorm.

Mother says
Mr. Van Brandt
and your folks

are all going to
an American legion
dance Saturday night.

If I could snag a leave,

we'd have
the whole house
to ourselves,

without fire extinguishers.

Hmm?

What's he going away for,

to wash his face?

Please, Dick,

Scooper's an awfully nice boy.

Say, you're not
addled about
that zombie?

No. No.

But there goes
the sweetheart of my youth.

Now I'm practically a grown-up woman.

Now it's really
beginning to look
like a party.

It's a special occasion.

Oh, it fits perfectly,
Charles. Let's get started.

Thelma, this is the first drink

you and I have had together

since the day I started all this.

Well, that's
a tactful way to
refer to our wedding.

Oh, it was the most
beautiful wedding.

I had a divine blue dress.

It stood out
on both sides
over little hoops.

Sounds ghastly.

Should we tell them now?

Mm-hmm.

To the future
Mrs. John Van Brandt.

Oh, Thelma!

No!

Isn't he wonderful?

Well, it's about time, John.

Lucy and I just about
lost all hope for you.

Well, there's no fool
like an old fool,
you know.

Oh, excuse me.
That must be
the Washington call.

Oh, Charles has
the cutest way
of expressing himself.

Hello.

Oh, yes, ma'am, he's right here.

It's for you, dad.

Oh, thanks, Janie.

Hello?

Yes, I'd like to talk
to Mr. Matthew q. Reardon.

No, no, q, q.

Like in quack, quack.

Yes, of course I'll hold the line.

Dad, do you think
you'll be out
very late tonight?

I hope not.

I'm not as young as I used to be.

Neither am I.

Neither are you what?

Neither am I
as young as
I used to be.

What do you mean by that?

Hello? Hello?

This is Mr. Reardon's
secretary.

May I take the message?

This is Charles Conway
of Hortonville!

I want to talk
to Mr. Reardon personally!

Well, I mean...
well, dad, I think
you should realize

that I'm
no longer a girl.
I'm a woman.

Oh, nonsense.

What?

Yes, of course I'll wait.

It isn't nonsense, dad.

It's...

Well, after that talk the other day,

I got to thinking.

What about?

About what you told me.

About how few problems will arise

if a girl will listen to her parents.

You see, since then, well...

Things have happened.

Things have happened?

Would you mind
calling back a little later?

Look here!
I've called back
37 times already!

Who does Reardon think he is anyway?

He wants to know
who do you think
you are?

What does he want?

Priority on a printing press.

Do I issue those?

Yes. You'd better
talk to him before
he blows his top.

I only have 7 minutes
to catch my plane.

But...

Yes, I know.
He's a taxpayer.

But who isn't?

Where are
my glasses?
Oh, yes.

Tell me, Janie.
Go on, tell me!

Dad, I...

I'm afraid I've gotten myself

caught between 2 loves.

You what?

Well, you were
a young man once,
weren't you?

Yes, of course
I was a young man once.

Were you rugged?

Was I what?

Were you... rugged?

Janie, does rugged mean
what I'm afraid it means?

Now don't get excited, dad.

I'm not excited.

Now you calm yourself
and tell me exactly
what happened.

Well, nothing's happened, dad.

At least, not yet.

But Scooper wants
to knock Dick's
teeth in,

and Dick's always in uniform.

And after all, Scooper was the one

I thought of first
when I had
my tonsils out.

But then Dick might
get sent out soon.

And when we were
underwater at
lake winaka...

You were where?

Lake winaka.

Yes?

Dick kissed me.

He kissed you?

My call to Washington!

Hello.

Number, please.

I was connected
with Washington, D.C.

I'm sorry, sir,
you broke the connection.

There will be a 4 hour wait.

Now see what you made me do?

Well, I can see that a daughter

doesn't mean as much to you

as a printing press!

Janie.

Janie!
Wait a minute.

Don't say that.

I don't think you understand.

You're all I've got,

you and mother and Elsbeth.

You're the works,
and you always
have been.

Maybe it seems selfish of me,

but I want to keep it that way.

You wouldn't like me if I didn't.

You're used to me just as I am.

I mean, the legion uniform

and Hortonville

and even the newspaper.

You put 'em all together, Janie,

they spell "dad."

Good old Charlie Conway,

Mr. America.

Hello.

Hello, Washington, D.C.?

Who?

Oh, hello, Dickie.

Hey, it's for you.

Dad,

you know sometimes
I think you're
almost human.

That's nice, Janie.

Just hold that thought, huh?

Hello, Dick?

What?

They're still here,

but they oughta be
leaving any minute.

Swell.

Say, have you seen the moon tonight?

It's giving me
a lot of wonderful
ideas.

No, I haven't had
a chance to look at it.

Maybe I'd better not.

I'll be over
as soon as I can
make it, honey child.

And don't forget,

when you're putting on your lips,

remember who you're
putting them on for.

O.k.

Hey, there.

Janie, when are they leaving?

You girls oughta
join the f.B.I..

You entered
the house like
secret agents.

Why the formals?

We're having a party.

Where?

Here.
Here?

I brought the weenies.

We used up
all our meat points
for the next 2 weeks.

I hope you have an account
at hickenlooper's,

because I charged them
to your father.

Now wait a minute.

What is this?

You can't have a party here.

Why not?

Your family's going out.

Elsbeth said so.

Yes, but...

Mickey's been torpedoed.

And on account of your father,

Mickey torpedoed?

What could
my father have to
do with that?

On account of
Mickey's being torpedoed,

he's gotta leave.

He's coming home tonight on a bus.

And on account
of your father's
editorial,

my family says
they won't let me
be alone with him... ever.

And on account of
your father's editorial,

my family says I can't
even have Deadpan in our house.

And Hortense's,
Cary Lewis',
and Susan's families

are all the same way.

And they've got
soldier dates for tonight,

so they're coming over here, too.

Oh, but they can't.

On account of
your father's editorial,

this is the only house in town

where we can possibly see servicemen,

without a riot from the family.

On account of
your father's
editorial.

Jeepers.

O.k. You'll find
the charcoal by
the barbecue pit.

If they don't see you,

I guess we'll be all right.

What seems to be
going on out here,
Janie?

Oh, nothing,
just a couple of
the girls came over.

Janie, did I ever tell you that

my maternal grandmother was Irish,

and that I get strange forebodings?

Strange what?

Forebodings.

You wouldn't by any chance

be having some
soldiers here
this evening?

Soldiers, here?

Soldiers, here.

Well, you won't tell, will you?

Dick's coming,

and some boys
I didn't know about
until just now.

I'm afraid
mother and dad
wouldn't understand,

but you're sort of younger somehow.

I know.
At any rate,
mentally.

Well, I happen
to be in a very
amiable

and fatuous frame of mind tonight.

Otherwise I wouldn't
dream of getting
involved in this.

But you will?

How late do you want
me to keep 'em out?

Bed check at
the camp is at 12:00.

Count on me.

Thanks.

Come on, let's get going.

Say, that country club
can be a very dull place
on a Saturday night.

They won't hold the table
if we hang around here.

Oh sure, they'll hold it.

It doesn't matter if we're late.

Well, it matters to me.
I'm starving.

Say, that reminds me.

What do I smell, charcoal?

Ho ho, charcoal.
Don't be silly.

Come one.

Oh, it couldn't be charcoal, dad.

No, I know charcoal when I smell it.

And it comes from that direction.

Well, hello, girls.

How do, Mr. Conway.

Ah, weenies!

We just thought
we'd come over
and keep Janie company.

Oh, how nice.

But why the formals?

Well, we thought we'd...

And they taste awfully good

roasted over a charcoal fire.

Dad, I don't think
you'd like them now.

I mean, well,
you've probably
outgrown them.

Come on, Charlie,
you don't want to
spoil your appetite

by loading up on a lot of hot dogs.

Let's run along.
Have a good time, children.

We will,
Mrs. Conway.

And don't roast
those weenies too much.
You'll split 'em open.

Phew!

I wonder what time
this affair is gonna
break up.

Oh, I should think around midnight.

Have a good time, mother.

I hope so.

But you know
your father
Saturday night.

Who could this be?

Practically anybody!

Why, good evening, army.

Hello.

Come right in!

Thank you.
Thanks a lot.

Hello.

Hello.

Well, hello.
Hello, boys.

Soldiers, my, my.

Well, boys, what do you want?

Why, Hortense Bennett said...

You're Scooper's
soldiers,
aren't you?

Scooper Nolan.

Huh?

Well, this is the address we got.

Uh... 701 pinewood terrace.

Oh, that was
a mistake.
How perfectly crazy.

Well, boys, what do you want?

They don't want anything, dad.

Hortense Bennett sent them.

They're looking for Scooper's house.

Well, they can't find it on this lot.

No, but he's on
pinewood terrace,
too.

Doesn't Scooper do
the craziest things?

It's 737 pinewood terrace,

right down the block.

It's 701 pinewood...

It's a little white house

with a white picket fence.

Well,

they seemed
kind of confused,
didn't they?

Well, there was no need
to be in such a hurry, Janie.

You really were rather rude.

I didn't mean to be, mother.

Now we're off.

I cannot understand
what Hortense had
to do with it.

Oh, she knows someone
who knows someone

who knows someone.
It was one of those things.

Janie, what are you so fidgety about?

Dad, I guess it's just
the nervous tension

of not knowing if people are going

or not going.

Well, the waiters are waiting.

Yes, and you know how fussy
waiters are these days, dad.

Why, if people are just
the tiniest bit late.

I'll get your coat, dad.

I don't need any coat!

What are you trying
to do, get rid of us?

Yes, she is, and I don't blame her.

Besides, this is the first dance

you've taken me to in 5 years,

and I don't want to
miss one minute of it.

We'll miss all of it unless we go.

All right, all right, I'll go.

Elsbeth!

I thought you'd gone.

Janie's going to see
that you're in bed
at 8:00 sharp.

I want you to go right to sleep.

Well, I will,
if the soldiers
don't keep me awake.

How could the soldiers
keep you awake?

The camp is 4 miles from here.

I didn't mean those soldiers.

Well, what soldiers did you mean?

Oh, just any soldiers.

Oh, come on, come on now.

All right.
Good night,
children.

Good night.
Have a good time!

Mind Elsbeth now, won't you?

Good night!

Elsbeth Conway, there are times

when I could murder you
very cheerfully.

I'd better take out insurance.

Well, which one of 'em is it now?

I don't know.
I haven't answered it yet.

Hello.

Oh, yes, Scooper.

Janie, what does this mean?

The soldiers?

Yes, the soldiers.

Just send them back again, Scooper.

I can explain the whole thing.

Well, it sounds mighty funny to me,

that's all I can say.

Is your father there?

That has nothing to do with it.

It has plenty to do with it.

I know you and your girlfriends

have gone crazy over uniforms,

but a Rose by any other name

would smell as sweet, don't forget.

And old friends are
the best friends after all.

Good-bye, Janie.

Don't take it so hard, pal.

We're just gonna have
a little party, that's all.

Well, go on back and have your party.

Sorry about the mix-up.

O.k.

Yeah, we're getting
sorry about it, too.

Well, let's try it again.

Hey! Those soldiers
are coming back
again.

Where are Hortense
and Cary Lou
and Susan?

Oh, my goodness.
I'm supposed to pick them up.

Oh, and I forgot
the rolls for the weenies.

You can drop me off at the bakery.

Come on.

O.k. Hurry, then.

Bye.

Janie, what kind of
devilment are you
up to now?

It isn't devilment, April.

It's just a quiet little party.

Party?

For some poor, lonely soldiers.

Soldiers?

We're just trying to...
Well, trying to

do our bit for the war effort.

I'm afraid mother and dad
might not approve.

But you're so understanding, April.

Well, miss Janie, say no more.

I've got a powerful
admiration
for soldiers.

I'll just shut my big mouth.

Thanks, April.

And will you
fix things up
while I'm changing?

Run along.
I'll take care
of everything.

O.k.

Soldiers.

Mm-mm-mm.

Good evening.
Come in.

Janie's expecting me.

She usually is.

I reckon that's her coming down now.

Mm-mm!

I see it, but I don't believe it.

Hello, Dick.

I hope I haven't kept you waiting.

Janie, it's beautiful.

Oh, it's just an old dress.

I've had it about a million years.

I'll bet I'm about
the luckiest private

in this man's army tonight, Janie.

You soldiers
certainly know
the right things to say.

This is for you.

Why, Dick, flowers.

How thoughtful.

Dick,

there's something I want to tell you.

Are you too bored to open them?

Oh, no. No, Dick.

I didn't say I was bored.

I merely said they were flowers.

It's just that there's...

How lovely.

It's an orchid.

Yeah, it's an orchid.

But I suppose
you get dozens
of them...

Don't you?

They're always nice.

Does it go with your dress?

Oh, yes, yes.
Of course it does.

At least, I hope so.

I'm sure it does.

I'm so excited.

Are you, really?

Uh-huh.

Well, a lovely flower
for a lovely lady.

I... i mean, woman...

I... i... i mean girl.

Make up your mind, private Lawrence.

Oh, it's beautiful.

Oh, it's nothing.
I...

That is... i...

May I...

No, thanks.
I'll get it.

Ooh.

Oh.

Mm, you smell smooth.

Like it?

It's called
"starlight."

It costs 50 cents for half a dram.

Oh.

It makes you even more mysterious.

Dick.
Me, mysterious?

You are, you know.

Do you really think so?

I mean...
well, I...

That is...

After all, I...

Janie...

I'll get it.

It's probably nobody.

Why would nobody ring the doorbell?

Hello.

Hello.

Well, hello.

Here we are again.

What is this, the run-around?

No, not exactly.

But would you go away again,

just for a little while?

I mean, drive around the block

30 or 40 times.

30 or 40 times?

Oh, please!
After all.

Just how much gas
do you think there is
in a Jeep?

Shh! I'll explain
the whole thing
when you get back.

30 or 40 times.

Bye, now!

I'm looking forward
to that explanation.

What is this?
Back and forth,

back and forth.

Dick, I'm sorry, but...

Who was it?

It was just the paper boy.

It sounded like a Jeep to me.

Why, Dick,

you
wouldn't listen in
to a conversation,

would you, or question a lady's word?

Of course not.

It's just that I...

Well, I guess I'm even
jealous of the paper boy.

Janie.

Yes?

Janie, will you wear my ring?

Your ring?

I wear it on my little finger,

but you could wear it on your thumb.

I know it isn't
a fancy solitaire
or anything.

Oh, it goes on my middle finger.

It seems to be made
for your middle finger.

Yes.

Oh, it's swell.

But...

I don't know, Dick.

I couldn't let dad see it.

I'll have to wear it
around my neck
on a string.

Anyway, I guess
we're practically
engaged now,

in a way, huh?

I mean, aren't we?

Well, I don't know, Dick.

I don't know whether I should or not.

Sure, you should.
You've just got
to wear it.

And when a girl
wears a fellow's ring,

why, she's just gotta be kissed.

Hah!

Hah!

Elsbeth!

How long have you been here?

Long enough,

and I'm all eyes and ears.

Elsbeth, you go to bed!

I'm not
a bit sleepy.
I'm wide awake.

Well, I suppose
you know what this means.

Well, I have a pretty fair idea.

Here.

You don't want money?

Uh-ah. If I put
anymore in the bank,

it'll fill up
and all the money'll
run out.

I'm going to stay up
until the middle
of the night

and listen to all the radio programs

I never get to listen to.

Elsbeth,

you know what I was thinking?

What?

No. No, I guess
you'd better not.

Better not what, Janie,
better not what?

Better not go over to...

No, I thought it might be all right,

but you'd better not.

But I want to, Janie.
Better not what?

Isn't she awful, Dick?

She's always wanting
to go over to grandma's.

But I won't let her go,
not with mother and dad gone.

I simply can't
take the responsibility.

No, I don't think she'd better.

Why can't I go to grandma's?

I wouldn't let her go, Janie.

I don't think
she really wants to go anyway.

I do too want to go!
I want to go to
my grandma's!

No, I don't believe
you should, Elsbeth.

Yes, yes! You let me go
or I'll...

All right, all right!

Go upstairs and get
your hat and coat.

And put your nighty
in your little bag.

That is, if you think you've got to.

Uh-huh.

And don't forget your toothbrush.

I'll take my walkie talkie.

I can listen on the bus.

You have to be
kind of... diplomatic
with Elsbeth.

Well, I'm wrecked.

And as I was saying...

Now, Dick.

Ooh.

Well...

Afraid?

No. What should
I be afraid of?

I don't know,
but those little specks
of quicksilver

in your eyes were dancing around.

Little specks of...

That's nice.
Did you make it up?

What do you think?

Oh, I thought maybe
it was keats or Browning
or something.

No, no, just
private Lawrence,
miss Conway,

working up to his big moment.

And about that unfinished kiss.

Wait until
you come back
from grandma's.

I come back?

I'm not the one
who's going,
remember?

It's Elsbeth.

I'm sorry, Dick,
but I'm afraid
you'll have to take her.

What?

It's only 15 minutes on the bus,

and she knows the right one,

but I couldn't let her go alone.

I wouldn't dare.

Nothing can happen to Elsbeth, Janie.

Fate doesn't work that way.

That's not it, Dick.

It's... well, after all,
she is my little sister.

I accepted the responsibility.

And when you come back,
we will be alone.

I promise.

You mean it?

Mm-hmm.

Don't let me down.

I won't.

I'll see to it.

Ready or not, here I come!

O.k., Janie,
give me the bus fare.

Oh, Dick's going
to take you, Elsbeth.

Oh no, he's not.

Oh yes, I am.

It's the only way you can get there.

Well, all right,

but I hope nobody
sees me with a private.

I wouldn't do this for any other girl

in the world but you, Janie.

Of course not, Dick.
I wouldn't
want you to.

I'll hurry.

The bus awaits, your highness.

That's corny.

Good-bye, Dick.
Thanks.

Phew!

Howdy, boys!

Hi!

Well, this is where
we didn't come in.

We've just got
enough gas to
get back to camp.

We didn't do so good
at the front door.

What's the chances of
getting into the back?

Pretty good.
Come on in.

I'm so sorry that
you got pushed around
the way you did.

It was like army drill,

moving around
and not getting
anyplace.

Can we uh...
stay this time?

Of course.
Paula's gone
for your dates.

I'm just mortified
the whole thing
happened the way it did,

but you know it does
take some maneuvering

to get rid of a whole family.

Say, speaking of families,

this sure reminds me
of my folks' home.

I don't why.
It's different.

The furniture is different.

But if mom came walking down
those stairs this minute,

I wouldn't be surprised.

That's nice you feeling that way.

I'm Janie Conway.

I'm Oscar, Oscar bassett.

And speaking for
the other boys and myself...

We're mighty happy to know you.

Even if it did
take a lot of
maneuvering.

Well, now that that's all over,

let's sit down and relax.

Oh, thank you.

Come on.

Thank you.

O.k.
Sit down.

Janie.

Here are your dates.
Come on.

It was quite a problem for a while.

I suppose
you know each other,
don't you?

Oh, yes.

Except Bernadine and Paula.

Gentlemen, this is miss Rainey,

and this is miss Dodd.

Oh, it's a pleasure.

I bet you boys
are starved,
aren't you?

Oh, I know I am.

Come on, Bernadine,
let's do something
about it.

I'll take care of these rolls.

This is my department.

Do you think we have enough, April?

Oh, yes, honey, enough of everything.

How about some music?

Oh, yes, let's.

Swell.
Sentimental or swing?

Anything at all.

Well, it'll be
sentimental because
I'm a sentimental guy.

Just like Saturday night back home.

Well, everything's
under control out there.

And you seem to be
doing pretty well
in here, too.

What's the matter, Paula?

I'll be o.K.
As soon as
Mickey gets here.

Sure, you will.

Hello.

Oh, this is going
to be a swell party.

Deadpan!

How'd you get here?

Walked.

Oh, I'm so glad you made it.

I was afraid
you might be
on sentry duty.

No.

I suppose you men know each other.

It's a pretty big army.

Hi.

Here we are.

Hot dogs,
Southern style.
Dig in!

Oh, fine.

I think this is so exciting.

Golly, I'm so glad
your father doesn't
approve of soldiers,

or we'd never have your big house.

Doesn't approve of soldiers.

Isn't that absurd?

It's like this...
I'll explain later.

You can save the explanations.

These hot dogs speak for themselves.

Paula, you take over
while I get the door.

It was all on account
of her father's editorial.

Well, who cares?

Good evening.

It certainly is.
What can we do for you?

I'm sergeant Carl Brooks.

I hear you're
having a little
open house.

It started out little,
but it's kind of inflating.

Won't you come in?

Some cokes
for the boys,
please, April.

They're on the way.

Come on in.

I'll get the rest.

The rest?

Yes, Mr. Scooper Nolan
said to bring

all the men under 20
who were off duty.

Scooper Nolan.

It sure was nice of him.

The boys'll appreciate this.

Hey, fellas, we're in!

This is a nice place.

Hello.

Thanks, miss.
Nice of you
to invite us.

So glad you could come.

Glad you invited us, miss.

Hey, what is this?

I thought there was
only supposed to be
6 couples.

Janie, what a party!
It's super!

This is turning out
to be quite
a surprise party.

Who invited them?

I don't know who invited them.

Thanks a lot for inviting us.

Right on in there.
The others are in there.

Hah!

Go right on into the living room.

Get something to eat.

Sorry...

Thanks very much for
inviting us over, miss.

Any more here like you?

Right in there.

Come on, boys.

Why, hello, beautiful.

My name's Eddie.
What's yours?

Bernadine Dodd.

Private Joe Mayo.

Hey, check the corporals, eh?

Hello, corporal.

Oh, don't be jealous.

Hey.

Everything
looks o.K.

Go right on in to the living room.

I tell you, that was mahogany.

Have a lot of fun,
boys, but take it easy.

You're sure that's all.

Got another little surprise for you.

Oh, swing.
This is really
too divine!

It's gonna be
the most wonderful party
ever tossed in Hortonville.

Gee, this sure is swell of you girls.

Well, thank you very much.

Having lots of fun.

Oh, good.
We'll need more girls.

I'll call up the sorority
and the kit Kat club, too.

And I'll do something
about more weenies.

I don't know what, but I'll do it.

The most wonderful party

that's ever been tossed
in Hortonville.

Soldiers, a swing band,

more girls, more weenies!

Dad! Dick!

Scooper!

May I have this dance, please?

Oh, I'd love to.

Hello, Betty?
This is Paula.

Say listen,
get all the girls together

and have them explain
to their parents

that we're having a sorority party.

Yes, and gather up
all the food you can

and hurry over to Janie's.
It's heaven.

May I have this dance?

Oh, yes, certainly.

My, what happened?

Did we open another front?

Hi ho, silver!

Away!

A cloudy of dust
and a hearty, "ho, silver!"

End of the line.

But it can't be.

The lone ranger, masked rider of...

You said you'd tell me

when we got to your grandmother's.

We never got there.
This is the wrong bus.

The wrong bus?

But this is the one you said to take.

I knew it was
the wrong bus
all the time.

I like adventure.

...to help the downtrodden
and oppressed.

Need any more lanterns, girls?

Oh no, this is plenty.

Oh, they were a swell idea, April.

Come on in the house, girls.

There's plenty more to do.

Come on in, army...

And put everything down there.

My, my!

# Better duck
when the bullets start to fly #

# hug the ground
when the foe is in the sky #

# oh yes,
there's one thing and another #

# but above all, brother #

# don't forget to keep
your powder dry #

# keep your powder dry #

# my boys #

# or the trigger
doesn't figure to make noise #

# when they said
we were weak #

# we proved they lied #

# how they lied #

# we're a cinch
'cause the lord
is on our side #

# amen #

# they know the end
is just beginning #

# it's the final inning #

# don't forget
to keep your powder dry #

Hot dogs, soldiers!

Come and get 'em while they're hot!

# Though I hate to
I'll have to say good-bye #

# just keep smiling
'cause only cowards cry #

# oh, it won't help me
when I'm sailing #

# to recall your wailing #

# darlin',
better keep your powder dry #

# keep your powder dry #

# old gal #

# if you really want
to keep up our morale #

# you won't swoon
underneath the apple tree #

# 'cause I'm taking
the apple tree with me #

# I'm off to do
a little gunnin' #

# hey,
your mascara's runnin' #

# don't forget to keep
your powder dry #

# better duck when the bullets
start to fly #

# to fly #

# hug the ground
when the foe is in the sky #

# oh, yes,
there's one thing and another #

# but above all, brother #

# don't forget to keep
your powder dry #

# keep it dry #

# keep your powder dry,
my boy #

# or the trigger
doesn't figure to make noise #

# don't forget it, boy #

# they said we were weak,
we proved they lied #

# oh, what fibbers #

# it's a cinch,
the lord is on our side #

# they know the end
is just beginning #

# it's the final inning 1

# remember,
keep your powder dry #

# we were slow
but the gear is now in high #

# Mr. Hitler can kiss
his dreams good-bye #

# now that we've
really started hitting #

# one by one,
they're quitting #

# don't forget
to keep your powder dry #

# keep your powder dry,
my friend #

# and I bet that they will
get it in the end #

Mm-mm!

# With that star-spangled
spirit on your mind #

# and the love
for the one you left behind #

# the odds are 10 to 1
we'll make it #

# they'll get beat
and take it #

# don't forget
to keep your powder dry #

# don't waste no ammunition #

# oh, keep your powder #

# dry ##

Look what the wind blew in.

Hey, fellas, check the water boy.

Welcome home, sailor.

Mickey!

Paula!

Man, the gals
sure seem to go
for that uniform.

I wonder what it is
about these Navy guys.

Where have you been, Mickey?

You look... you look
all worn out.

On a bus,
4 days and 4 nights on a bus.

I can sleep on a raft
in the middle of
the pacific ocean,

but I can't sleep on a crowded bus.

The bumps aren't in the same places.

Hey, where did
all the soldiers
come from?

Looks like you're having
quite a celebration.

It didn't start out
to be anything
like this at all.

Why, I thought
we were gonna be alone.

We can be alone
in the upstairs
sitting room.

Phew.

Golly, I guess
I'm a little out
of condition.

The bus ride was a little too much.

Oh!

Boy, the days
and nights I've
dreamed about this.

Was it awfully bad, Mickey?

Would have been
worse if you hadn't
been there.

Me?

You were all over
the pacific with me,
Paula.

Was I?

Every time a wave
slapped against
a raft,

there you'd be.

Slap, you'd smile at me.

Slap, you'd crinkle up your eyes.

Slap, you'd be
sitting next to me
at hennessey's

sipping a lemon coke

with that little trick hat

on the back of your head.

Don't say
you weren't there.
I saw you.

And at night,

every star I'd see,

it wouldn't be a star at all.

It'd be you.

Just off a few thousand miles,

smiling at me.

Golly, I got it bad.

I got it bad, too, Mickey.

Cute.

You're cute.

Cute?

Sure you are.
Cute.

That's sure
a heck of a thing
to call a sailor.

Cute.

Hey, what's going on here?

Quiet!

But it's Deadpan!
He's been chasing me
all over the house!

Well, go to the other
door and lock it.

I really don't need this exercise.

Now stay in there and keep quiet.

Phew.

What's up?

Oh, nothing.
It's just a soldier.

He's no man of words,

but he's sure one of action.

Huh?

Gosh.

When this army gets started,

it's certainly hard to stop.

Shh.

Look.
He fell asleep,

with all that noise.

Gee, Bernadine,

when you like somebody
and they're asleep,

it makes you almost
wanna cry or something.

My, Mickey sure brings out

the sweet side in you, Paula.

Well.

Well?

I suppose this is
your idea of a joke.

Well, you seemed
to want soldiers
this evening.

I thought I'd get you a few extra.

A fine few.

I'll say.

Say, where's that
private who's been
beating my time?

He's not here.
He took Elsbeth
to grandma's.

He should be back by now.

He's been gone ages.

He's probably
a kidnapper just
disguised as a soldier.

Wait until I get my hands on him.

Scooper,
you certainly have
a one-track mind.

You can't
fight Dick.
He's in uniform!

Well, I'm practically in uniform.

I enlisted.

You can't.
You're not
old enough.

I'm old enough
with my mother's
permission,

and she gave it.

I signed up at
the recruiting station
at the town hall.

I'm leaving tonight, naval air force.

Scooper, you didn't.

Oh. It's awful to
be made responsible

for a thing like this.

I don't want you
to feel responsible,
Janie.

That's why I came here now.

To tell you that
I'll remember
you always

with a feeling of
very real respect
and...

And... and affection.

But I don't want
to be known as
a femme fatale

or whatever they call 'em.

I guess you just can't help it.

And no matter how far away I am,

I'll always be your friend.

I mean,
flying over Iceland
or wherever they send me.

With only a star for a beacon.

I know, Scooper.

Would you like a weenie?

Yeah, I'd like a weenie.

O.k.

No, you don't!

Ow!

You're not hurt.
I just shot the gun
out of your hand.

Now to get to Tonto.
Come on, silver.

Hi ho, silver!

At least you might
turn that thing
down lower.

I might, but I won't.

Stand back from that Indian.

I'll get the first one to draw a gun.

If you don't mind,

I'd like to hear
the end of this
episode.

Why, Dick Lawrence,

I didn't recognize you in uniform.

Well, professor,
I didn't recognize you

out of the chemistry class.

What are you doing here?

I'm working for the government now.

I get around quite a bit.

I'm working for the government

and I get around quite a bit, too.

On this bus,
I've been practically
all around Hortonville.

It's a beautiful little city.

I was really quite pleased

when the hotel told me I couldn't

get a room for 3 days.

You mean, you're riding on this bus

just to pass the time?

Oh no, I like riding on buses.

Return with us to those
thrilling days of yesteryear

from out of the past
come the thundering hoof beats

of the great horse, silver.

Can you hear it now?
The lone ranger rides again!

Yes!
Thank you.

This adorable child
couldn't be yours,
could she?

No, she couldn't.

You like her?

Well, at least
we both have
the same tastes.

The lone ranger!

Ha ha, yes!

Say, professor,

if you like Elsbeth
and also like riding
on buses,

you have a wonderful
chance to make up

for flunking me in chemistry.

Oh, yes, yes.

Oh, yes.

Hi ho, silver!

Never heard
so much noise
in all my born days.

Hush up, will ya!

How can a body get any sleep

with all this racket goin' on?

Say, come on over!

It's a big night.
We need more girls.

More girls.

It's disgraceful.

That's what it is, disgraceful!

Dick!

Janie, w-what's this all...

Hi, Dick.
Get into this deal.

Hey, not here, pal.

Dick, where have you been?

Riding on a bus with Elsbeth.

Janie, what goes here?

You promised
a nice, quiet evening,
just the 2 of us.

You got her to
grandma's all right,
didn't you?

No, she's still on the bus.

You left my little sister
riding on a bus?

Elsbeth can
take care of
herself, Janie.

But she's only 7 years old.

She could be 70,
she could lead
a brigade.

She could command the wacs.

Dick, she's wild
about buses.
She'll never get off.

Why didn't you phone me?

I did, 48 times,

and that line was always busy.

Don't worry about Elsbeth, Janie.

She's with one of
the 3 minds in
the country

that understands the quantum theory

of the continuous X-ray spectrum!

She'll be all right.

Now look, Janie,
I want to talk
to you...

Come on, Dick,
let's go.
Time's a-wastin'.

I'm sorry.
We haven't got time
to talk to anybody.

Hello?

Conway residence.

Who?
Judge Randall?

Noise over there?
You should be
over here.

Miss Janie,
judge Randall's
on the telephone

and he's powerfully flustercated.

Judge Randall?

He's deaf.
He can't hear
anything.

He's heard something.

Hello, judge Randall?

Yes, but it's just
a little party for soldiers.

Soldiers!

A nice, noisy little party.

If you phone the camp,

the soldiers will get into trouble.

The police?

But police can't
arrest soldiers, can they?

He hung up.

What is this, Janie?

Nothing, Dick, nothing at all.

A couple of the girls,

they wanted to
be alone with
their dates, too.

And the only way
any of us could
be alone

was to be together.

So you invited the whole camp.

I didn't, Scooper did.

Scooper?

I've got to get them out of here.

Miss Janie, miss Janie!

A bunch of kps just drove up.

Kps?

Jeepers!

You run along, honey.

I'll take care of everything.

You start to clear the place out.

Hi, soldiers!

Welcome!

Good evening.

Good evening to you, sir.

I'm glad you could come
to join our little party.

We didn't exactly come to join it.

We came to clean it out.

Before you boys start in,

how about
a hot cup of coffee
and a few donuts?

I saved some special in the kitchen.

Well, I suppose
it's o.K.

Right this way, gentlemen.

And we'll start in with Turkey.

Sergeant, would you mind

taking the soldiers back to camp?

The kps are here?

Kps? You mean mps.

Don't worry, ma'am, we've got...

Wow! We're 15 minutes
late now.

But if it's
15 minutes past
for the soldiers,

it's 15 minutes past midnight!

I'll be massacred.

Men, the gumshoes have just arrived

and if we want
any passes for
next weekend,

we'd better wind this one up pronto!

Aw!

Come on!
Now, scram!
Get going!

Good-bye.

Good-bye.

All right, boys,
come on! On the double!

Break it up!
Hurry up, boys!

We're late!
Come on!

Charles, our house!
What in the world
is happening?!

Maybe it's a military secret.

That can't be our house.

We must be on the wrong street!

Get out of my way!

Sorry, ladies, our mistake.

Oh!

Oh, Janie!
Do you think
your family'll mind?

Well, it's not quite
the way mother planned the room.

Janie!

Janie!

This time your father's
going to be so mad,
he'll bust!

Good luck, Janie!

Oh, please, please, sir,

make him be patriotic about this.

Janie!

What's the meaning of all this?

What's going on here?

Nothing, dad. Nothing.

I just can't say anything, dad,

because what I'd say
just wouldn't be anything.

What's that?

Elsbeth!

She must have fallen out of bed!

She hasn't mother,
really, she hasn't!

Come on now, Charlie.
Take it easy.

Here's your aspirin.

Oh, take it away!

Yes, sir.

Good evening,
Mr. Conway.

What's wrong?

Do you see anything wrong?!

Hah! She's gone!

She hasn't even been in bed.

Don't get excited, mother.

Don't worry, she's all right.

Honestly, she is.
I hope.

Have you looked in here?

Don't worry, mother.

You keep saying don't worry,

but why don't
you tell me
where she is?

Well, I'm not sure.

Dick took her out
and gave her to
somebody, and...

We just don't know where she is.

I feel faint.

Ah!

Ah!

It's a sailor.

He's dead.

No, he's not.
He's only dead tired.

I-I-I'll get some smelling salts.

Ah!

Hello.

Good-bye.

It's a dream.

I'm sure it's only a dream.

Better all come downstairs.

The police are here.

They've arrested Charlie.

He hit one of them.

Oh, I do wish people would learn

not to argue with Charles.

Here, I brought Mickey
a nice glass of ice water
from the kitchen.

Thanks.

But...

We've gotta get him out of here.

I know, but if I don't
get home pretty soon,

I'm gonna get eaten alive, literally.

Just tell him
to meet me at
hennessey's tomorrow.

O.k.

Gee, it's tough for a man and woman

to be in love with each other.

Especially when
they're only
a boy and a girl.

Well, good-bye.
It was an amazing party!

Good-bye!

Let go of me!
Let go of me!

Come on, buddy.

I'm not your buddy!

We'll talk that over
down at the station.

I'm not going to any police station!

Oh, yes, you will.

Oh, Charles, do be reasonable.

After all, they are policemen.

I don't want to be reasonable!

Now take your hands off me!

Mr. Conway,
don't make it
any tougher on yourself.

Oh, please, officers,
don't argue with Charles.

I beg your pardon.

I'm colonel Lucas,
commanding officer
of camp Wingate.

This is captain Miller.

How do you do?

I understand some of my men
have created a disturbance.

Disturbance? Hah.
That's putting it mildly.

May we survey the damage?

You certainly can.

You wouldn't believe it,
but 3 hours ago,

this was a nicely furnished room!

Now look at it!

Well, they certainly seemed to have

overextended themselves.

Dad...

You keep out of this, Janie.

I can't.
After all,
it was my party.

They didn't create
a disturbance,
colonel.

They just...
well, they just came

to a little open house, that's all.

You're not going
to scold the boys,
are you?

Young lady,
in the army
we don't scold.

Janie, go to your room!

I will, dad, in just a minute.

I'll go there
and stay there
the rest of my life.

But first I have
something I want
to say.

Colonel, your boys
acted like perfect
gentlemen.

You can be proud of them.

There were just so many, that's all.

All the usos in the world

can't take care
of all the boys
in your army.

I'm glad there were so many.

When a soldier has to live in a tent

and take orders for weeks and weeks,

he oughta have a chance to see

what a home looks like.

It doesn't matter what happens to me.

I don't care!

If only when the going gets tough

those boys can look back and say,

"gee, that was kind of a swell party

we had that night
in Hortonville."

Janie, that's the bravest
speech a woman's made

since Joan of arc.

Officers, I believe
you can let the military
handle this.

After all, they're my men,

and they're only here
because of Mr. Conway's
hospitality.

O.k., colonel.

Perhaps the little lady has something

in not being too hard on the boys.

I was in the army myself, last war.

I know what home means.

But you're pretty rough
on policemen, Mr. Conway.

I'll say.

Well, good night.

Good night.

Oh, come on in.

Well...

Are you sure
this is the house,
Elsbeth?

Well, it was.

Hah!

Oh, Elsbeth, my baby!

Mother, please, control yourself.

Elsbeth, darling!

I never thought
I'd be glad to
see you in my life.

Don't muss me.

And who are you, may I ask?

He's my uncle poogie.

Reardon is my name,
Matthew q. Reardon.

Not the
Matthew q. Reardon?

Well, a Matthew q. Reardon.

In priorities.

In fact, I'm here
in Hortonville investigating.

It's quite a small world, isn't it?

He needed a place to sleep,

so I told him we had plenty of room.

Why, of course we have
plenty of room for Mr. Reardon.

Haven't we, my dear?

Why yes, of course we have!

And John, you don't mind

sleeping in
the summer house
for a couple of nights?

Oh, of course not.

Now Elsbeth, don't you think

it's time for you
to get to bed, darling?

All right, uncle poogie.

Thanks for a wonderful bus ride.

You're welcome.

Good night.

Good night.

I'll go up with you, Elsbeth.

Good night, uncle poogie!

Good night, everybody!

If you're her father,

you're a very
lucky man,
Mr. Uh...

Oh, Conway, Charles Conway.

Oh, by the way,
you don't happen
to remember

an application for a printing press

for the Hortonville times, do you?

We make it a point
not to remember
anything,

but there should
be no difficulty
about it.

Oh, that's fine!

Just step into the library,

and I'll show you
the duplicates
I've made out.

You can tear those up.

We're starting with
a new set of forms
next week.

Thanks, lady.
It was a swell feed.

Great chow!

Boys, come again!

Attention.

Good evening, sir.

Good evening, sergeant.

Good evening, sir.

My, what a patriotic
home you have here.

It's a pleasure to see
what you're doing.

Oh, it's nothing, nothing.

Now about that printing press.

Scooper, Dick! Stop!

Oh, no, no!

Quit that!

Please, Dick!

Stop!

Dick, Dick!

Why, surely
you remember
colonel Lucas.

Sorry, sir.
I...

I know I shouldn't be
fighting in uniform, but...

Well, it's o.K.
If I sock him
in uniform.

I'm in the naval air force...

Practically.

This really is
all my fault, too, colonel.

They're... well,
they're fighting over me.

Well, I can't say
it isn't for a good cause.

But you men better
save your fighting spirit.

You may need it for real combat duty,

and mighty soon.

Sir, you mean we...

Well, son, I'm not
giving away any
military secrets,

but I wouldn't make
too many dates
at hennessey's

if I were you.
You might not be
able to keep them.

And you know how women are.

Mrs. Conway, I made some
strong black coffee

and a few sandwiches,

in case you all were hungry.

Oh, thank you, April.

Colonel Lucas, if you
and the other gentlemen

don't have to report in
at midnight like the rest,

perhaps you'll join us?

Well, I'd be delighted.

The colonel said...

Is it true that this
could be your last furlough?

Could be.

But I don't want you to go,

either of you.

I'll be so...
so scared for you,

and so lonely...

For both of you.

Jeepers,

what a big moment.

Are you all in the same car?

We're all in the same war.

Are these for me?

Yes.

You are a honey, honey, believe me.

It's been the most
beautiful part of my life,
Deadpan.

That's all I can say.

O.k.

Be careful, Dick.

And you feel a cold coming on,

you get
right into bed
wherever you are.

I will.

You ought to be a swell bride.

You've been a wonderful mother.

And thanks
for everything,
Mrs. Conway.

Especially for
having a daughter
like Janie.

Best of luck, Dick.

Good-bye, Dick.

Good-bye.

Good-bye, darling.

Good-bye.

And don't forget, Janie,

that ring, it isn't a solitaire,

but you can wear it on your thumb.

O.k.

Bye!

The marines!

Holy smokes, now the marines!

Jeepers!

And leaving the marines to Janie,

we say good-bye to

calm, peaceful,

quiet Hortonville,

an average little town
like yours or mine

where nothing ever happens...

Much.

Captioning made possible by
Turner entertainment group
and U.S. department of education

captioning performed by
the national captioning
institute, inc.

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