Radio Flyer (1992) - full transcript

A father reminisces about his childhood when he and his younger brother moved to a new town with their mother, her new husband and their dog, Shane. When the younger brother is subjected to physical abuse at the hands of their brutal stepfather, Mike decides to convert their toy trolley, the "Radio Flyer", into a plane to fly him to safety.

You promised.

No, I didn't.

Yes, you did.

I did not!

Yes, you did.

Just let me play with it.

Come on, you promised.

No, I didn't.

Yes, you did.

I did not!

Yes, you did...

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

What's the problem?

Nothing.

Then chill out.

Dad, he promised

to let me play with it.

And now he says he didn't,

and he won't.

Oh.

Did you?

Did I what?

Did you promise?

Yeah, but no big deal.

Yes, it is.

Yes, it is a big deal.

You can't just say,

"I promise,"

and then forget about it.

"I promise" are

the most important words

you'll ever say.

Well, almost

the most important words

you'll ever say.

You know what I mean?

No, why?

Because I say so, that's why.

No, because it

only takes a second

to say "I promise,"

but the commitment could last

the rest of your life.

Uh...

Ok. Uh...

You guys,

remember I told you guys

about your uncle Bobby and me

when we were just kids?

Well, yeah.

Of course.

Well, I didn't tell you

the whole story because...

Well, I left out

a bunch of stuff

because I just figured

you guys were too young.

Well, I guess now

is as good a time as any.

In fact, now is

just about perfect. Ok.

All right, listen up.

But I want you to

remember something:

History is all in the mind

of the teller.

Truth is all in the telling.

Understand?

Not really.

Don't worry about it.

You will. Ok.

To understand the whole thing,

to understand why a promise

is such a big

and important deal,

you gotta go back

you gotta go back to be...

well, before any

of it ever happened.

Back to before

we ever lived in novato,

before we even

came to California.

Back even

before we were born.

Go ahead.

You have to go way, way back

to a kid named Fisher,

who wanted to be a legend.

Come on, guys.

We're almost there.

Careful, all right?

Hold it steady.

I got it. I got it.

Me, too.

6-8-0, traffic.

11 at 12:00.

2 miles eastbound.

Cherokee 4-4-7-2-5,

and inbound

for the right with Julia.

Fisher, it can't be done!

It can be done.

No, it can't, god damn it!

It's far as

a football field

to that fence!

Come on, fish, listen to US.

We're your friends!

This is nuts, fish.

You're gonna get hurt.

Don't do this.

Cape.

We're wasting our breath.

Come on, keep it steady.

Don't let it fall, ok?

He's not gonna listen.

Cherokee, 4-4-7-2-5.

This is 7-8-0, squad 1-2-0-0.

Radio service terminated.

And that's exactly how

Fisher got remembered:

Flag it!

...as a legend.

10 years later,

when we finally

got to California,

his legend would change

our lives forever.

Careful, man!

Watch out!

God, what have we done?

Oh, my god!

Fisher.

Hang on, fish!

We're coming for you!

Oh, man! He's...

Alive!

Oh, fish, your leg.

It's twisted.

Ahhh! Don't touch me!

You did it, man! You did it.

You flew!

All right, fish!

Yeah.

You did it.

I did it.

I really flew.

Bobby, close the window.

You've been flying

for 3 hours.

But I like the wind.

Yes, I know you do.

Oh, yuck.

It's my scoop.

You had the last one.

But that is the last one.

Ok, we'll share it.

50-50. Here.

One day,

before the long trip,

our dad didn't come home.

Our mom knew why,

but she never told US

and we never asked her

because we knew

it made her sad.

That's 8 jars, mom.

How far is that?

Mom?

What?

How far is that, 8 jars?

Uh...

I don't know.

You...you have to

check it out.

Whoa, 1,500 miles.

Does it snow in California?

Nope. It doesn't rain,

either.

Thank you.

Here she comes.

Here she comes. Hurry, Mike!

Mom had waited 3 months

for him to come back.

When she was

pretty sure he wasn't,

she packed

everything we had in our car

and told US

we were going west

for a fresh start.

Our dad was never around

much anyway,

so after those

first 1,500 miles,

me and Bobby

just forgot all about him.

And mom, well...

Mom pretended like she did.

By that time,

I knew that I would

never see him again,

and that now I was

the man of the family.

Go west, young mom.

Go right, go right, mom.

Oh.

Bobby. Oh, it's lethal.

I didn't do it.

What's wrong?

Mikey!

Wait a minute.

I didn't do it.

Shane.

It's that dog.

Oh, it's deadly! Come on.

Come on.

Get out of here.

Come on.

Ew!

It doesn't help that much.

"Want to know more

about the old west?

"Exit one-half mile

ahead to see the best.

"Just mosey on

in Geronimo bill's

buffalo farm and

wild west adventure."

Can we go, mom? Please!

Except for the giant dinosaur

in Missouri

that they had turned into

a hamburger stand

when it died,

what we saw in Oklahoma

was the greatest thing

we'd ever seen.

Thanks a lot, mom.

Hey, can we stay

the whole day?

Can we please stay

the whole day?

Yeah, please?

Hey, how many buffalo

do you think they have?

I bet there's millions.

Keep your eye on

that dog, Eugene.

Hi, boys.

Hi.

Welcome to

the Geronimo bill

buffalo farm

and wild adventure

souvenir shop.

That'll be 3

for 75 cents, ma'am.

Oh.

Would it be ok

if I just set them up

on the fence

so they could see

the buffalo?

Well, ma'am,

today is your lucky day.

You see,

it's free admission day

for all folks

from out of town.

Hey, we're from Jersey.

That don't make y'all bad.

So you go on in,

stick to the path,

and enjoy yourself.

All right!

Man, look at that.

Come on.

Mom can't afford that.

Thanks a lot.

Thanks for coming.

Ok, troops. Keep your eyes

on the buffalo.

Go ahead, mom.

Thank you.

Don't let your dog

get my buffalo, son.

Thank you.

Oh, wow! Look at...

Wow.

He's huge.

Oh, he's huge, mom.

Bobby, look at him.

Look at him, Bob.

Isn't he beautiful?

Wow.

Look at that.

But where are the other ones?

Think he's the only buffalo

left in the world?

Maybe he is.

Oh, gosh, mom.

He looks lonely.

I'm sure he is.

Mom, what's gonna

happen to him?

It's so sad.

Why?

I don't know, Mikey.

I guess that's what happens

when you're alone.

There's lots more to see.

Come on.

You boys take care of

your mom now, you hear?

We promised we would.

We never broke that promise.

*

* downtown

* just listen to the music

of the traffic in the city *

* Jimmy, Jimmy,

Bo-bimmy *

* banana-fanna-foe-fimmy

* fee-fie-foe-mimmy-Jimmy

* or Mark, Mark

* Bo-bark

banana-fanna-foe-fark *

* fee-fie-moe-Mark-Mark

* buck, buck

* Bo-buck-banana-fanna-foe

* fuck

I'm sorry. Sorry.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean...

It was an accident.

Somebody give me some soap.

I'll do it myself.

Finally, after 22 jars

of peanut butter,

and just as mom

ran out of money,

we made it to the apartment

of an aunt

we didn't even know we had.

I'm driving.

It's too low, mom.

It's not too low.

Yes, it is.

Not that one.

Shh.

This one.

Oh! Oh!

I told you!

Michael, I told you

to tie it on tighter.

Oh, mom.

Oh, mom! My bike!

My bike!

You broke my bike!

Oh, my god, they're here!

Oh, Mary!

Lois, hi! How are you?

Oh, you got here.

Bill, bill, honey,

they're here.

This is Bobby

and this is Mikey!

Oh, hi, Bobby.

How you doing?

Oh, Mikey.

Who's the dog?

And this is Shane.

Don't worry,

he's housebroken.

But they're not.

Mom!

*

As it turned out,

we didn't have

to stay there too long

because about

a month after we got there,

he entered our lives.

Oh, Jack.

Mom liked him right away.

After she'd

known him for a while,

she said that

he was the answer

to all her prayers.

I want those 2 top cards.

Keep me in.

Ok, you guys remember

what I told you.

Cover up.

Ok.

All right.

Ooh!

We called him the king,

because that's what

he liked to be called.

Hey.

Here's a cold one.

Thanks, mom.

That looks good.

He's fixing the bike

you broke, mom.

Come on, Bobby,

blow! Blow!

Make a wish!

Come on, Bobby.

Come on, sweetheart.

Come on.

Yoo-hoo!

Blow, Bobby.

All right, Bobby!

Wow, a radio flyer!

Wow.

Do you like it?

Yeah.

You do?

Thanks, mom.

I thought

you would like it.

I love it. Whoa!

Happy birthday, Bobby.

Yahoo!

Ride 'em in, cowboys!

Hey.

Hey, I can't see a thing!

It was at a carnival where,

for the first time,

I knew there was

something different

about my brother.

I could tell

by the look in his eyes

that night

that he knew

about a special, secret thing

that all kids know.

Only, he knew more.

A lot more.

Are you sure

it's in the right one?

Here you go.

Yeah, that's right.

Ok, look.

See this?

You close that up.

It's just like

a safety pin.

That's it.

Ok, here, pick that up.

There, now,

let me cast it out there

for you.

You wanna bring it back.

Let it go at about

one o'clock. Bingo!

Whoa! That was far.

Not bad, huh?

That's a good cast.

Here you go.

Whose turn is it?

It's Bobby's.

Mine.

Ok, here you go.

Here we go. All right.

You're gonna catch a big one.

Yeah.

All right.

Reel it in,

but don't pull

too hard now.

Hey, you got one!

Hey, I got one!

I got one!

Wow! Whoa!

Reel it in! Reel it in!

Come on, hurry.

Push it and pull.

It's a honker!

Reel it in slow.

Nice and easy.

Don't pull too hard.

Don't pull too hard.

I got it.

Easy.

Come on, reel it in.

Easy.

Come on,

reel it in. Here.

Reel it in

nice and easy.

Come on!

Don't pull so hard.

You bent it too much.

Darn.

God damn it, Bobby!

What the hell's

the matter with you?

I told you

not to pull so hard,

didn't I?

Didn't I, huh?

What's the matter?

You deaf or just stupid?

Hey, I'm talking to you.

Listen to me.

Oh, knock it off,

or I'll really give you

something to cry about.

That was a $5 lure,

for Christ's sake.

All right.

All right. Here.

Here, use mine.

I'll set you up

with a new lure

on this one.

Remember, the good fish

wait for no man, right?

Right? Huh?

We never told mom

about that day.

And that bothered me a lot.

Comb that hair back for you.

Get you to look like

a real man here. Ok.

Look at you.

Look at this hair.

I now pronounce you

man and wife.

You may kiss the bride.

*

In the summer of 1969,

we moved to the suburbs

where everybody

had a house, a car,

and 2-and-a-half kids.

So we figured

we fit in really good

because with Shane,

that's exactly what we were.

Check this out.

Hi! Ask who they are.

Hey, who are you?

Yeah, who are you anyway?

What happened

to Tom and Scott?

Who's that?

The marshalls.

But the king bought the house

from a family

named the marshalls.

And there were 2 boys

about our ages

living in it

when it got sold.

They kicked out

the marshalls?

Hey, they kicked out

the marshalls.

Me and Bobby

never kicked anyone

out of anywhere.

But for some reason,

the rest of the kids

on the block

always said we did.

Come on.

Wow!

Come on,

out of the way.

We need the key.

Yes, the key!

Watch out, Shane.

Give me a kiss.

I love you guys.

I love you guys.

It was there,

when all of mom's prayers

were just about answered,

when everything seemed

like it was going to be happy

and good

for the rest of our lives,

that it really all began.

Ok, but he's cute.

It's official now.

It's sold. It's sold.

It's official now.

Great, Jack.

It's official.

Yeah.

Yes, it's ours!

Hey, hi, welcome

to the neighborhood.

How y'all doing?

Wow!

Come on, let's go.

Hi.

Hi, guys.

Hi.

What's your name?

I'm Mike and that's Bobby.

Howdy.

This is our dog, Shane.

Hi, how do you do?

I'm Jim daugherty from

the sheriff's office.

Hi, I'm Mary MacKenzie.

If you need anything,

come on over.

*

Come on! Come on!

I'm coming.

Mom, can me and

Bobby go exploring?

Is your room put away?

Is your room put away?

We'll check.

Mmm-hmm.

That's what I thought.

Ow!

Mike.

Ahh.

Mike, get me out of here.

Get out. Get out.

Come on.

Come on, let's go!

We checked. It's clean.

Are you kidding me?

You've only been

in there for 27 seconds.

Mikey, Bobby, come on.

All right!

Don't scratch it.

Wow!

I bet there's some

secret entrances.

The Marshall kids

must have built it

as a fort. Anything?

No, nothing.

Come on, Bobby. Come on.

This must be it.

Shane, don't go

in there! No!

It's...it's...

it's...it's...

It's a turtle.

That's what I

was going to say.

Wow.

Look at that chain.

He must have busted it

and climbed

into the clubhouse.

We gotta name him.

Yeah, but what?

Hey.

Good one, Shane. Samson.

Samson? Why?

Hey, stay back.

'Cause he was so strong

to break the chain.

Yeah, yeah, great! Samson.

Welcome to the family.

Back in your

old home, Samson.

Carefully put him down.

Ready?

1, 2, 3.

3. Oh!

Ok.

Hey, what's that?

Hey, look at this, Bobby.

This board's loose.

Wow.

Well, it's a...a coffee can.

Wow.

Huh.

Nothing in here.

Oh, wait. Wait.

It's a bank.

Nothing else under here

but a bunch of spiders.

Ah, darn, it's empty.

Hey, Bobby, we can stash

money in this thing.

Don't tell

anybody about this, ok?

I swear. Pinkie promise.

Yep.

I'm telling you,

you're not supposed

to pick your nose.

Your brains will fall out.

Will not.

Will so.

You'll make

a hole in your head

and your brains

will fall out.

Will not.

Oh, yeah?

Let's go ask mom.

Ok, let's ask her.

Fine.

* lay across

my big brass bed *

* whatever colors you have

* in your mind

* I'll show them to you

* and you'll see them shine

* lay, lady, lay

mom.

Mom, the room's clean.

Clothes are

washed and folded.

Fed Samson and Shane.

Picked the poop up.

And the grass is watered.

Ok.

Guys.

Yes, mom?

I want you to be back here

before your dad gets home.

And I have to work

double shifts

all summer long,

so I don't want

you out too late.

Ok.

Ok.

Guys.

Yes, mom, what is it?

Nothing.

Oh, mom.

I love you.

We love you, too, mom.

Hi, how are you?

Hi!

Hi!

Before anybody ever grows up,

there are magical things,

impossible for adults,

that can still happen.

The reason these things

are lost to

the grown-up world is simple.

In the quick second

between the age of 12

and your 13th birthday,

the great secrets to them all

are replaced in your mind

with thoughts of

the opposite sex.

Say, "uncle."

Say, "uncle."

Uncle. Uncle.

Give?

Uncle.

There are 7 of these lost

secret fascinations

and abilities.

They are:

That animals can talk.

Your favorite blanket

is woven from

a fabric so mighty

that once pulled

over your head,

it becomes

an impenetrable force field.

Great.

Great.

Ow!

Nothing is too heavy to lift,

with the aid of a cape.

Mikey, you did it.

You did it. Wow!

Your hand,

held forefinger out

and thumbs up,

actually fires bullets.

Hurry.

Jumping from any height

with an umbrella

is completely safe.

Geronimo!

Bobby! Bobby!

Hey, you ok?

I did it, Mike. I did it.

I flew.

Monsters exist,

that can both be seen

and done battle with.

1, 2, 3!

And the greatest,

most special and

regrettable loss of all:

The ability to fly.

From what we'd heard around

about that kid Fisher,

and what he'd done 10 years

before we'd moved

into the neighborhood,

we knew the second we saw it.

That must be the place.

Truly. Could be killed.

That's why they

called that kid Fisher

a legend,

because he did

the greatest thing

anybody's ever heard of.

He wasn't that great.

What do you mean?

He got killed, didn't he?

No, he didn't.

Yeah, he did.

No, he didn't.

Yeah, he did.

Look at that jump.

You know, at the barn?

It's a long way down,

probably 2 miles.

Probably did a good try.

He just did it wrong.

We should do

an expedition up there.

Yeah, it's probably

cool up there.

Not today, though.

Yeah, not today.

Nah, too busy.

We will

later.

Please, help.

Help.

Stop.

Please, don't. Help.

Bobby.

Bobby.

Bobby. Bobby. Bobby.

No. No, don't! Don't!

Please stop.

No, don't do it! Stop.

Oh, my god. Bobby.

Bobby, it's me.

It's me, Bobby.

Oh, what happened?

Oh, what happened

to your back?

Oh, god.

Don't you ever

tell mom, Mike.

Don't you ever.

Promise?

I promise.

Ok.

What was the dream?

What was the nightmare about?

You swear you won't tell mom?

Yeah.

The king, he was chasing me

and I couldn't get away.

Did he do that to your back?

Why didn't you

tell me earlier?

I was afraid you'd tell mom.

She's happy now.

At that moment,

I realized that Bobby

was my responsibility.

I had to think up

some way to help him.

I made sure we left our house

when the sun came up,

and we never went home

till just after dark.

That way,

Bobby could avoid

the king all day.

So we spent all our

time expeditioning.

Wow!

Come on. Come on. Come on.

Come here.

Come here, frog. Come here.

Whoa! Here's one.

Ok, we got one.

Ok, we got 2, you mean.

Open it for me, will you?

Open it for me.

Ok.

Mike, Mike, Mike!

Lookit.

We knew we were

in trouble instantly,

the way kids always know

they're in for it

when bigger kids

appear in front of them.

It's a sixth sense

that you never lose.

And we knew

we were as good as dead.

You're dead.

You're both dead.

Frogs?

Hey, we're the only ones

who can catch frogs.

Yeah,

you need Victor's permission

to go in the pipe.

You need Victor's permission

for everything

around here, sissies.

It ain't your pipe.

You're both dead.

All right. Hey, man,

tell your mutt

to stay there, man.

He ain't a mutt.

He's a killer

German Shepherd attack dog.

And if you move any closer,

he'll kill you.

Ok, man,

just tell him to cool down.

Tell him to stay there,

all right?

Say, "please."

Say, "pretty please."

Kiss my butt.

Yeah.

Ok, Shane. Kill!

You're dead meat.

Dead as a doornail.

Good boy, Shane.

Good going.

Yeah. Huh.

Come on.

Hi, guys.

Hi, mom.

What's cooking?

Ooh.

Guys?

Guys, who stepped in

what here?

It wasn't me.

Me, either.

Where were you?

We were exploring.

Where?

Sewers.

Oh!

That is just disgusting!

It's perfect.

Ok, come on.

Big boys first.

Mom. Mom, I can

do it myself.

Come on.

I'll help you.

You're first.

I can do it myself.

Come on.

Mike.

I can do it myself.

Come on.

Oh, Michael.

You guys are nuts!

I have no time for games.

I have to go to work.

I can't believe you guys!

Finish your baths.

All filthy clothes

in the wash.

I'm going to work.

Thanks, Mike.

Hi, honey. Good night.

Goodbye. I love you.

It's coming down.

It's coming down.

I know. I know.

*

It's alive.

He's moving. He's alive.

It's alive! It's alive!

It's alive!

It's alive!

In the name of god! Life!

* I found the sweetest one

me-oh-my-oh *

* son of a gun, we'll have

big fun on the bayou *

Hey, what are you doing up?

Go to bed.

Go to bed.

Not you.

Bobby, come here.

Mikey, you go to bed.

Bobby, come here.

But I want to...

go to bed!

Come here, Bobby.

Come here!

What did I tell you?

What did I tell you?

Why don't you listen to me?

Why don't you ever listen

to what i'm

telling you to do?

Get to bed,

you little son of a bitch!

We can't stay up

so late anymore.

*

Are you real?

Sure.

Touch my nose.

But how did you get here?

The window was open.

Michael,

it's getting worse.

Why is this

happening to Bobby

and not to me?

Because Bobby

cannot fight back.

But you can.

You have to help him.

But I don't know what to do.

I can't tell mom.

I can't tell anyone.

I can't break

my promise to him.

Keep your promise

but listen to Bobby.

Bobby already has the answer.

It is for you

to help him find it.

Good night, Michael.

Good night, Bobby.

Good night, buffalo.

The dream had given me

a strength,

a sudden sense of purpose.

Hey, look, a house!

Oh, cool! Wow!

Wow!

Whoa!

You ok? Open her up.

Open her up.

Whoa!

Cool.

Wow.

An engine!

Like from an airplane

or a grass cutter.

You mean a lawn mower.

Yeah. Groovy.

But, Mike,

how do we get it?

Well, we don't.

Well, we shouldn't, anyway.

Come on, Shane.

It ain't ours.

Mike, it's been in there

a million years.

The owner's probably dead.

Yeah, probably.

Wait a sec.

What do we need it for?

Don't know yet.

What?

Nothing.

Oh, no! The flyer!

Shane, get it!

Hurry up, Mike.

It's trying to get away.

Get it, Shane!

Come on, Shane! Get it!

Whoa! Whoa!

Not too fast.

Come on.

Would you just wait, Mike?

Wow.

"Fisher's landing."

We finally got

up enough nerve

to climb that big hill.

We called the top

the wishing spot

because we reasoned

that god would have

to hear a wish

made that close to heaven.

And we made a lot

of wishes up there,

but mostly just one:

For the king to

stop hitting Bobby.

Although he always

started again after a while,

at the times

we made those wishes,

he always stopped.

So we knew, beyond a doubt,

that the wishing spot worked.

It was just a little

too far away from heaven

for god to hear them all.

God did hear a certain wish

that Bobby made

a thousand times up there.

And I never even knew he did.

One day, we discovered a part

of how that wish

would come true.

It was in the biggest...

...yard I've ever seen.

Wow.

I think it's a golf course.

There can't be

very many of them.

Otherwise, they'd

take up the whole world.

Yeah.

Damn!

Why are those guys

hitting those balls

into the water?

I don't think

they're doing it

on purpose.

Shit.

Yeah, there must be

11 million balls out there.

Oh, shit.

Son-of-a-bitch.

Hey, that gives me an idea.

Yeah, what?

It was money.

I didn't know how

it was gonna help,

but I knew that

we were better off

if we had some

than if we didn't.

Get your golf balls.

30 cents apiece.

2 for a quarter.

So we collected

as much as we possibly could.

I've got 8 of them, guys.

8 of them?

8.

All right!

$2. Money up.

Thanks.

Here you go. 1, 2...

Thanks.

There you go,

right there.

Thank you very much.

Thanks, boys.

Thanks a lot.

You bet.

That's how many

I lost today.

Oh, here.

Oh, mister.

Sir, you want some golf balls?

30 cents apiece.

That's $3.

$4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $9.

$9!

Whoa!

Hey, hey, hey, hey!

What are you doing?

That's a brand-new ball.

Hey, whose dog is that?

It's not our dog.

Look, $10.

I know.

$10.

Put it in.

Wait. Wa-wait.

From this time on,

Mike and Bobby,

who know the contents

of the secret

hiding cubbyhole place

will never, ever,

even if they are

tortured to death,

ever tell anyone

who asks or don't ask

what is inside

the secret cubbyhole place,

and where it is.

Pinkie promise.

I swear. Amen.

Amen.

Thanks.

Thanks.

4, 8, 12, 14,

15, 16, 17, 18. Ok, boys.

Hey, thanks. Thanks, buddy.

Then it's 19.

19. Ok.

There was 19, right?

Ok, 19.

Hey, groovy!

Groovy.

That's...that's 20, right?

Shane!

Sorry.

Wow, we're millionaires!

Yeah!

Oh, what are we

gonna get with it?

Nothing.

We can't spend any of it.

Promise we won't, Mike.

Ok, Bobby.

Don't worry. We won't.

I still didn't know what

Bobby knew, but I felt it.

And I knew that whatever

I wanted to spend it on

was nothing

compared to what Bobby

was going to need it for.

When we were kids,

there were still

plenty of things

to be afraid of.

Because, in those days,

there were no video games

and no computers.

Monsters still existed,

because they hadn't

yet been rounded up

and made to live

only in electronic games

or on floppy disks.

...his dog. Watch it.

Of course, Bobby and me

believed in all

the regular monsters

like Frankenstein

and the 50 foot woman.

But we didn't

totally fear them.

Back then,

they just made movies.

Whoa!

Mostly, it was only

one particular monster

we feared,

and we couldn't

get rid of him.

Mike!

The best way to be sure

you didn't fall prey

to any of those

ultimate bad guys

was not to summon them

into the world.

Ouija board,

is there really a bigfoot?

I'm not moving it. Are you?

You...you must be doing it.

Well, I ain't.

The window.

I don't believe

in this stuff, do you?

Yeah, yeah, it's just a game.

Let's go check anyway.

Yeah,

I don't think so, though.

I...i don't believe

in this stuff.

Wait for me.

Ok.

Ready?

Yes.

1, 2, 3.

The ad promised that

it was a 100 percent,

absolutely,

positively guaranteed

anti-monster potion.

Or your money back.

Offer void where

prohibited by law.

City and state.

Novato, California.

Thank you.

Novato.

Perfect. All right,

let's go mail it. Come on.

The board had told US that

the anti-monster potion

would work,

but it didn't tell US

that it would get there

just a little too late.

Want to go to

the airport today

yeah.

And see that plane

that we saw yesterday?

Yeah, that was fun.

Here you go, buddy.

Thanks.

Let's get it in

before she sees it.

Why did he do it, Mike?

Why did he do it?

Who knows?

Come on,

let's clean this up.

Your new shirt.

It's all right.

Here, you hold this.

What is it, Shane?

What's the matter, Shane?

What you barking at?

Having a yard sale?

Your dog can't

save you now, sissies.

That's right.

Run, Bobby.

Let's get them.

Get off me!

Let go of my brother!

Leave my brother alone!

Leave my brother alone!

I told you to

leave my brother alone!

Hold it!

You ok?

What's going on here?

We didn't do anything.

They started it.

Oh, they did?

They started, not US.

You're just minding

your own business?

Yeah.

All right, come on,

come on, get out of here.

Get your bikes

and go on home

before I call

all your parents.

Come on, Victor.

Move out! Move!

Pick it up. Come on.

Come on, come on.

You all right, Victor?

Come on. We gonna get you

out of here.

He told US to get our bikes.

Bozo!

You're dead meat!

We're coming back!

Just wait till next time,

you little pukes.

I'm gonna get you, Mike!

You boys all right?

Yes, sir.

Are we in trouble?

Are you in...

What? Come here.

Are you in trouble? No,

you're not in any trouble.

Did you make this mess

on the lawn?

No.

No.

If you didn't, who did?

I don't know.

You boys need some help?

No, sir.

We have to clean up now,

before he gets home.

Son,

if you need me, I'll be here.

Yeah, thanks.

Thank you.

Mike, Mike.

We got it. Look!

Bobby, yeah!

You guys sure

you're gonna be all right?

Yeah, we're gonna

be all right now.

Yes, sir!

Ok.

"One Thorn, newt's eyes,

"bat's wings, one potato bug,

"locust guano,

"bull sweetbreads,

magma from hell,

brain of zombie."

"Locust guano."

Dictionary.

"Guanine. Guano."

"Man-manure of sea birds."

Manure. Manure.

Manure. Manure!

Manure, poop! Samson's poop!

"Newt's eyes,

newt's eyes."

Marbles!

What are bull sweetbreads?

Don't know. Skip it.

Ok.

"Brain of zombie."

Hamburger meat.

That should do it.

Oh, yuck.

Oh, this is disgusting.

There we go.

I gotta go

to the bathroom.

I think I'll watch

some t.V.

Ooh!

Hey, I just saw a ghost.

Was he a fat one?

Yeah.

That was me!

Take it easy, now.

Stand back. Whoo!

It's a bomb! Stand back.

Stand back or I'll mail you

to the undertaker!

Come here. I mean it.

I mean it!

Oh, shut it off!

Shut it off!

It didn't work! Ah!

Holy crap.

Oh, my god.

Mike, if he gets home first...

maybe not.

Maybe mom will get home first

and she'll help US.

Watch out!

That's it.

Hey, what are you doing?

Mike,

we gotta save

some to protect US

if he gets home first.

You're right. Come on,

I'll give you a hand.

Oh, Shane!

Oh, out, Shane!

Out! Now!

Out! There!

It won't be that bad.

Not for you.

I'll hide this cord.

It won't be so bad.

For you, either.

Not if he can't

find old trusty

way in the back.

Think he'll find it?

No way.

Thanks, Mike.

* goodbye, Joe, me gotta go,

me-oh-my-oh *

* me gotta go

pole the pirogue *

It was the only time

in our lives

that we were ever glad

that he went into the garage

to get drunk.

There's only one way

he'll never find out.

The wishing spot.

Right.

When we took mom

to the wishing spot once,

she said she thought

it was pretty

and had a nice view.

We knew that she had no idea

of its true power.

That day, we wished

the king never find out

about the mess we made.

He never did.

Mike?

Yeah.

How come he does it?

How come he drinks?

I guess beer means

more to him than we do.

Oh.

Yeah, I guess

that makes sense.

By design, a younger

brother is a tagalong.

You're a little bigger,

a little stronger

only because you were born

2 years earlier.

So you're always looking back

to see if he's still there

and always

embarrassed of him

in front of all

of your bigger friends.

Duck, Bobby. Duck.

Here we are! Hey, Mike.

We're gonna go play

some football. Wanna come?

Come on, Mikey. Let's go.

Yeah, let's go!

We need another player.

Yeah, come on.

Come on, let's go!

They're only saying...

maybe not.

Maybe they want to

be friends with me.

We need an extra player.

Let's go, Mikey.

Yeah, come on. Come on.

Come on. Come on, Mike.

You don't know.

They could be cool.

You don't know.

But...

just stay here,

ok, Bobby?

We need you, man.

You're too young.

Stay here.

Mike!

Here, you can have my pez.

Mike, come on.

Come on, man.

Burn out. Let's go!

Burn some rubber.

Come on.

Beat you there.

No, Shane. Just let him go.

*

* and I'm nobody's sugarbaby

* 'cause I'm so lonesome

* I got the lovesick blues

Let's go!

Come on,

this is gonna be lots of fun

when we get there.

Come on, Mikey!

Mike, ever played

kill the carrier?

Yeah, sure.

Sure? Ok,

this is how it goes:

Ok, bikes are free.

If you get through,

you're safe.

If you get there.

* goodbye, Joe, me gotta go,

me-oh-my-oh *

* me gotta go

pole the pirogue *

* down the bayou

* my Yvonne, the sweetest one,

me-oh-my-oh *

* son of a gun,

we gonna have big fun *

* jambalaya and a crawfish pie

and fillet gumbo *

* 'cause tonight I'm gonna see

my ma Cher amio *

* pick guitar,

fill fruit jar and be gay-o *

* son of a gun,

we'll have big fun *

* on the bayou

No, it's not fair!

Now you're bleeding,

huh, little sissy?

Get up. Come on.

Hey, guys, I think

this is not the way

we play it where I come from.

Too bad. Get him, guys.

* my Yvonne, the sweetest one,

me-oh-my-oh *

oh!

Damn it! Jesus Christ.

* jambalaya and a crawfish pie

and fillet gumbo *

Bobby.

Bobby!

Where are you, Bobby?

Bobby!

* son of a gun,

we'll have big fun *

* on the bayou

What the hell's

the matter with you?

Didn't you

think I'd miss this?

What were thinkin' about,

puttin' that in there?

What were thinkin' about?

What's the matter with you?

What do I have to do

to teach you, Bobby?

Sissy!

Baby!

Get him.

He's gonna get away.

You made it.

Mikey, you made it.

Cheater.

Hey, Victor,

leave him alone.

Hey, man,

that's enough!

I did it, man!

You better run,

you damn cheater.

What the heck

are you talkin' about?

Got a problem

with that?

Yeah. Now it's yours.

All right, Mike!

All right, Mikey!

Get out of here, man.

Get out of here, man.

Go! Go!

Hey, man, you should

start wearing a cup.

Hey, Bobby. Bobby. Bobby.

Bobby, Bobby.

I did it again, Bobby.

I got him in

the you-know-what...

Bobby, Bobby, Bobby.

Oh, god,

please make him all right.

God, please.

Please make it

that he'll be ok.

I'm sorry, Shane.

I'm so sorry.

I know

I shouldn't have left him.

Oh, Shane, oh!

I promise I'll never,

never leave him again.

Sweetheart,

I'm so sorry

he did this to you.

I promise this will

never happen again.

He's in jail.

It's gonna be all right, mom.

Don't worry.

Mom, can I talk

to Mike for a minute?

Yeah.

Is Shane all right?

Yeah.

Did he find

the secret hiding place?

No, it's still there.

Good.

It won't be long now.

I can feel it.

For what?

I can't tell you yet,

but it won't be long.

Yeah!

Take your man, that's it.

I go. I go.

One, one. I'm out. I'm out.

Go ahead, go, go, go.

I'll get it.

No, no, I'll get it.

I'll get it.

I'll get it.

Oh, man! Oh, man!

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Yes, this is she.

I, 2, 3, 4.

No, i...i can't hear you.

Just a minute.

Yes, I'll pay the charges.

When did it happen?

I see.

I'm sorry to hear

about your mother, Jack.

It sounded like the king.

What's he want?

Don't know,

but it was bad news.

I can't handle it.

It's ok, mom.

Mom, it's...

it's gonna be ok.

It's gonna be all right.

Don't cry.

Please, mom.

Mom, mommy,

mom, listen.

Mom, mom,

mom, mom, look.

Stop!

Can't you see

I'm on the phone?

Go to your room!

It's bedtime, anyway.

Go to your room...

but, mom,

the sun's still out.

Please,

just leave me alone.

I'm sorry, boys.

Go to your room for now.

Good night.

Yes.

Yes.

No. They said no.

They said they're going

to repossess your truck.

You haven't paid up

in the last 2 weeks,

they don't care.

I don't know.

I have to go now.

He's coming back, Mike.

It's not mom's fault,

but he's coming back.

Fire!

Boom!

*

I could be

one of those girls.

No, you're prettier

than them, mom.

I bet they make

more money.

Yeah, I'm sure they do.

They're on television.

I got it.

I'll get it.

And now,

ladies and gentlemen...

*

Hi.

Hi.

I got you a couple

of presents. I'm sorry.

I think you boys

should go to your rooms, ok?

Oh, god, I'm sorry, Mary.

I'm so sorry.

Mom had said

he was never coming back.

But here he was,

bringing presents,

saying he was sorry.

We thought he was in jail,

but he'd got out

on a temporary release

so he could attend

his mother's funeral.

We heard him cry,

tell mom that

he had changed,

that he would

never drink again,

that he was sorry,

that he loved US,

and especially her.

We knew that it had not only

been the drinking

that had caused him

to act the way he had,

but we'd never

heard a man cry before.

It shocked US.

We guess that

it shocked mom, too.

We knew that

she still needed him.

We were too young

then to understand

about how a man and a woman

loved one another.

How because of that love,

they can believe

all sorts of things

about the other person

that are just not true.

But we did understand

that mom was faced with

about the hardest decision

she ever had to make.

Don't get any

on you, now.

2 for US, please.

How many?

2, please.

Thank you.

How many?

While I watched Sinbad

do battle

with the massive,

irate, 2-headed chicken

of colossa island,

my mind started

putting together

all the important things

we discovered that summer.

You see, in those days,

because they

never made you leave

after the movies were over,

we saw 2 movies 12 times.

Help!

Hey, grandpa, come back!

Look out!

Daddy, daddy, daddy!

Whoa!

He made it. Yes.

It's fantastic!

It was then,

during the 10th show,

when I saw that look

in Bobby's eyes again,

that I got the greatest,

scariest, biggest,

most dangerous

and incredible idea

any kid, in the history

of all time, ever got.

That's when I got...

"The big idea."

That's what I'm callin' it

because it's

so huge and dangerous.

Hey, Bobby.

Yeah.

Who was the greatest flyer

of all time?

The red baron, of course.

Why?

What color is it?

Oh, red.

What's it say

on the side?

"Radio flyer."

Radio flyer.

Flyer?

Radio flyer.

Thanks, Mike.

Told you it wouldn't be long.

It's all for the big idea.

These struts

have to be stronger.

Is the tail as big

as that one?

Up here?

Ok.

Don't forget

the top support.

See, that's the main support,

the Cox motors.

Using the king's tools

was suicide.

He'd kill US

just for touching them.

Besides that,

he could be coming home

at any minute.

Where's the bikes?

Got it.

Be careful.

Don't just

put it there.

$5, right there. Thanks.

Thanks!

Yeah! Thanks a lot.

Hey, cool.

All right!

Look at this one.

It turned out that

the guy who owned

the lawn mower engine

was dead.

So it wasn't like

stealing or anything.

We just claimed it

in the name of

the United States of America.

Come on, Shane,

hurry up. Hurry.

Come on.

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Not too fast!

Slow down, will you?

Ok, I think

it's gonna make it.

Come on. Come on.

Come on. Start, start.

All right.

I'll get the propeller.

I'll get it.

Ok, come on.

All right, it's gonna work.

Let 'er rip.

It ain't as easy as it looks.

Damn thing. Come on.

Oh, man.

Ok.

It's going! It's going!

It's going!

It stopped again.

It's balanced.

Keep it steady.

Start.

Darn.

Start.

Darn.

Start.

Oh, darn.

Come on!

Damn.

Go!

Start the Cox.

Groovy, yes!

Yes! It works.

Yeah, you got it.

It's gotta go.

It's still going.

It's still going.

It's going.

It's going.

I think it's gonna

make it!

It's gonna make it!

It's gonna make it!

It's not stopping. All right.

All right, Bobby!

Yes!

It took 6 days

to build the flyer.

Ok, let's close her up.

But on the 7th day,

we were done.

So we planned

to go in 2 days.

Oh, oh,

good morning, Shane.

Hurry.

Shane, get 'em! Go. Go!

Come on, hurry!

Shane, get 'em!

Bobby, Bobby, Bobby.

Watch out, dude!

We'll get you.

Bobby, they're trying

to bust into the clubhouse.

Good morning, boys.

There's no milk.

Use some orange juice.

I don't like

orange juice.

Boys, tell me,

what happened out back?

Nothin'. Some kids wanted

to get into the clubhouse,

that's all.

Yeah.

Oh, why did they

want to get in there?

Uh, I don't know.

You don't know?

Could it have

anything to do

with what you're

buildin' in there?

Look, don't worry.

I didn't peek.

I don't know

what's going on in there.

Just that if it's difficult

and you need a hand,

m-maybe you could wait until,

uh, your dad gets back...

I-It's ok.

We don't need any help.

No.

Guys, come here a sec.

I want to talk to you.

Oh.

It's gonna be different,

you know.

Um, everything's gonna be ok.

I promise. I wish

you'd please believe me.

W-We believe you, mom.

Yeah.

We do.

Don't be late for school,

and don't forget your lunch.

Mom.

I love you, mom.

I love you, too, sweetheart.

We had worked

as fast as we could,

but it wasn't fast enough.

The king came home

2 days early,

before even mom

expected him back.

Hey.

They took my side views.

Damn it! God damn it!

Mike.

Yeah?

My stomach hurts.

Well, why don't you

throw out your sandwich?

Ok.

Mine doesn't

feel good, either.

Can we run home?

Ok.

We should go home, Mike.

I know,

but we gotta get...

no, something is wrong.

My stomach hurts.

We should go home right now.

Yeah, you're right.

My pain is

getting worse, too.

Shane.

Shane!

Shane!

Shane.

Shane.

Shane.

Where are you, Shane?

Shane.

Mike!

Oh, my god!

Oh, my god!

Shane.

Oh, god.

Hey, you guys, ahem,

don't ever touch

my tools again.

Put those side views

back on my bike.

Oh, Shane.

Mike.

Shane.

Is he ok?

He's alive.

Bobby,

you have to go tonight.

I know.

He's coming with me.

Oh, Shane.

Shane had risked his life

to stop the king

from finding the flyer.

It was only right that

he go with Bobby that night.

Shane.

Dear mom,

me and Bobby went

to the wishing spot

with the radio flyer.

I will be back, but Bobby

won't.

Please don't get mad.

Oh, we took Samson

and Shane, too.

Your son, Mike.

Ok.

6:45. Let's go.

No other kids

in the history of the world

had ever had a better idea.

And if they did,

they never built it.

The radio flyer

was going to soar.

Suddenly it

became clear to me

why Bobby always got

those faraway looks

in his eyes

whenever he looked

at the radio flyer.

He had known

something I didn't.

He had known

the true potential

of the wagon.

He could see right

through the metal of it

and imagine the way

it should have been.

See, it wasn't just

the bright red paint,

or the logo that

was written on it

so it looked like

the words were gonna fly

right off the sides.

It was what

the wagon represented.

It meant escape.

Who the king of terrors

couldn't see,

who he couldn't look

into the soul of,

and who he couldn't

get his hands on

he couldn't hurt.

Bobby was going away

to faraway places

where the king could

never hurt him again.

That was what

the flyer was for.

And that pretty much

was the big idea.

* how come you treat me

like a worn out shoe *

* my hair's still curly

and my eyes are still blue *

* why don't you love me

like you used to do *

* ain't had no lovin'

like a huggin' and a kissin' *

God damn it!

* we don't get nearer

or further or closer *

* than a country mile

Fill her up, please.

With super.

If there's anything

left of her halfway down,

you got a chance.

At the bottom,

just before you grab air,

ease off. Don't pull up.

You'll stall out.

The angle's too great.

You got it?

Here.

Fish, telephone.

Fisher?

Fisher.

Good luck, kid.

Fisher's flight had been

doomed from the beginning

because he tried it way after

he lost all the knowledge

of the 7 great

abilities and fascinations.

You see, he was 14.

Here you go.

This one's on the house.

Pick it up, Shirley.

It's kind of slow.

Why don't one of you

go home?

I'll stay.

Oh, yeah. Thanks.

Mmm.

Groovy.

It's been swell.

Good night, Mary.

Wow!

Gosh, she's beautiful.

She's amazing.

* me gotta go

pole the pirogue *

* down the bayou

* my Yvonne, the sweetest one,

me-oh-my-oh *

I told those guys

to stay off of that hill.

Too risky. Better wait

till they all take off.

Yes.

Mike! Bobby!

What's going on here?

Answer me. I'm home. Hello?

Shane!

* 'cause tonight I'm gonna see

my ma Cher amio *

oh, come on.

* pick guitar,

fill fruit jar and be gay-o *

Dear mom, me and Bobby went

to the wishing spot

with the radio flyer.

I will be back,

but Bobby won't.

Please don't get mad.

Oh, we took Samson

and Shane, too.

Your son, Mike.

That's one, Bobby.

There's only

2 more to go.

Hey, hey,

you gotta get ready.

Come on.

Yeah.

You promised me!

You promised me!

There's stamps in there

for you to send me

the postcards.

You'd better

send them to US.

Thanks, Mike.

Mikey! Bobby!

* thibodaux, fontaineaux,

the place is buzzin' *

damn that music!

* kinfolk come to see Yvonne

by the dozen *

* dress in style

please, I need to speak

to officer daugherty

right away.

What are you doin'?

No, Mike, Mike,

that's your favorite jacket.

No, Mike, Mike,

that's your favorite jacket.

Come on.

It's yours now.

You gotta keep warm.

I want to go, too.

I want to go.

You can't.

You gotta stay home

and take care of mom.

Bobby, I'm gonna miss you.

I'm gonna miss you.

I wanna be with you.

You gotta get ready.

So long, Shane. I love you.

Take care of Bobby.

Samson, be a good turtle.

Have a good ride.

Mike, the 3rd one took off.

We gotta go.

Hang on, Bobby.

I'm gonna get that rock out.

Come on!

I can't get this thing loose.

Come on!

You little son of a bitch!

No! Stop!

Shane!

Free the wheel.

Mike!

Mike!

Hang on, Bobby!

Start it, Mike! Start it!

Bobby, hang on!

Hang on!

I got it!

Pull the cord!

I got it!

I love you, Mike.

I love you, Bobby.

I love you.

Mike, I'm in the slot.

Do you read me?

Do you read me?

Bobby, Bobby.

Can you hear me?

I'm in the slot, Mike!

Mike!

Mike, I'm falling.

She's going down.

Do you read me?

Bobby,

listen to me.

The Cox engines.

The auxiliaries,

the thing above your head.

Pull it, now!

Whoa!

Mike, I'm flying!

I'm flying!

He's flying. You're flying,

Bobby. I knew it, Bobby.

I knew it.

I'm trying to turn her, Mike,

but there's a lot of wind.

Bobby, I see you.

You're...you're

right over the airport.

Mike, can you hear me?

Take care of Shane.

Take care of mom.

Goodbye, Mike.

I love you.

Goodbye, Bob.

Goodbye.

There.

Where's Bobby?

You're done.

Mike.

Mikey, where's Bobby?

Mike, where...

where's your brother?

Mom.

Michael,

where's your brother?

Mom!

What? Michael,

where is he?

He made it, mom.

He made it.

What are you talking about?

He's gone, mom.

He's gone.

Where is he?

Like Bobby said,

it's gonna be ok now.

He's safe.

He's ok now.

However many times

I tried explaining to mom

what had happened,

being grown up,

she could never recapture

the frame of mind needed

to really understand.

But being our mom,

she never stopped looking.

Never, that is,

until the day I ran home

from school

and all her fears and worries

were laid to rest.

The day I got

the first postcard.

Mom, mom, look!

Mom!

Look, mom!

Mom. Mom, look. Look.

Huh.

It came, mom.

It came.

Dear mom and Mike,

I am fine.

I hope you are, too.

The flyer works great.

I scared the buffalo,

flying too low.

But Geronimo bill was nice.

I love you. Bobby.

I told you, mom.

I told you he'd write.

Time passed, and I grew up,

and I went to college.

But I never

completely lost all knowledge

of the 7 great

abilities and fascinations.

Every time I felt them

slipping away,

I got another postcard.

Bobby traveled

all over the world

and visited places

we dreamed about visiting

when we were kids.

You see,

in time, he grew up to be

exactly what

he was born to be:

A flyer.

Do you guys understand

what I meant

about history

being in the mind

of the teller now?

I think so.

Yeah.

Good.

Good.

'Cause that's

how I remember him.

Dad, can we

ask you a question?

Yeah, sure.

Is that where we got Samson?

Yeah.

Yeah, that's right.

That's exactly

where we got him.

Really? You promise?

You pinkie promise?

I pinkie promise.

You see,

that's what makes a promise

such a big deal.

Once you make it,

it'll last forever.