Spencer's Mountain (1963) - full transcript

CAPTIONING MADE
POSSIBLE BY WARNER BROS.

Man: OVER 100 YEARS AGO,

MY GRANDPA COME INTO THIS LAND.

GRANDPA CLIMBED THIS MOUNTAIN

AND SAID, "THIS IS IT,"

AND HE BUILT HIM A SOD HOUSE,

GOT HIMSELF A WIFE,

AND THEY NAMED THE
WHOLE MOUNTAIN AFTER HIM.

SPENCER'S MOUNTAIN
IT IS TO THIS DAY.

HE COULD SEE THE SUN
COMING UP MORNINGS

AND THE SUN SETTING
BEHIND THE GRAND TETONS.



THEM PIONEER FRENCH
TRAPPERS NAMED THEM THAT

'CAUSE THE PEAKS REMINDED
THEM OF BIG BOSOMS.

THIS HERE'S THE RIVER MY
GRANDPA FIRST COME DOWN.

THEY CALL IT THE SNAKE...

BECAUSE IT KIND OF WINDS

AND MEANDERS DOWN OUR VALLEY.

HE SAW PLENTY OF BUFFALO...

AND ELK...

AND IN THE PONDS, THE
TRUMPETER SWANS THAT LAND,

SO TAME AND LOVING,
THEY'D SWIM RIGHT UP TO YOU.

YEP, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL VALLEY

THE SPENCERS COME TO,

AND THEY COME TO STAY...

LIKE THIS LOG
HOUSE MY PAPA BUILT



LONG TIME BACK

THAT ME AND MY BROTHERS,
AND MY BABIES, TOO,

GOT BORN IN...

ALL NINE OF THEM.

GOING TO BE A FINE DAY.

[BABY COOS]

OHH.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING
AWAKE ALREADY?

IT'S NOT TIME FOR YOU TO BE UP.

[BABY CRIES]

NOW YOU'RE GOING TO
HAVE TO GO BACK TO SLEEP.

COME ON.

YOU CAN'T STAY IN MOMMY'S BED.

THAT'S A GOOD BOY.

[WHISPERING] Clayboy.

Clayboy.

All my brothers is coming

for breakfast.

We'll need a slew of eggs.

YOU WANT ME TO
MILK THE COW, TOO?

I'll do the milking.

Let the kids sleep.

[WHISPERING] Sweetheart?

I'm up.

Better wake Mom and Papa.

They'd never forgive us

if my brothers came
and went without a hello.

I will.

I NEED $18, CLAY.

WHAT FOR?

CLAYBOY'S GRADUATION RING.

RINGS IS FOR WOMEN.

I WANT HIM TO HAVE ONE, DEAR.

WHY?

WELL, IT'S KIND OF A SIGN,

A SIGN THAT HE'S SPECIAL.

ALL OUR KIDS IS SPECIAL.

CLAYBOY WILL BE
THE FIRST SPENCER

TO EVER GRADUATE
FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

YEAH, HE WON'T BE THE LAST.

EACH ONE OUR
KIDS GOING TO DO IT.

AIN'T ONE OF THEM
GOING TO END UP

IN THE QUARRY OR THE MILL.

COULD YOU DRAW
ME THE MONEY TODAY?

IT AIN'T THERE, LIVVY.

BUT I PUT IT IN THE
BANK THURSDAY.

DREW IT OUT LAST NIGHT.

PAID IT TO MR. JOHN ON A
DOWN PAYMENT ON A POWER SAW.

HE HAD PERCY TRUCK IT UP
THE MOUNTAIN LAST NIGHT.

IS THAT WHY YOU'VE ASKED
ALL OF YOUR BROTHERS

TO GIVE UP THEIR SATURDAYS?

I'VE DONE AS MUCH FOR
THEM A THOUSAND TIMES.

THEY'VE EARNED THEIR
REST AND SO HAVE YOU.

I GOT ROCKS AND LOG TO HAUL.

THEY BORROWED A TRUCK.

THIS YEAR, YOU'RE
REALLY GOING TO GET

THAT DREAM HOUSE I PROMISED.

YOU'VE BEEN SAYING THAT

EVER SINCE THE NIGHT
WE WERE MARRIED.

I KNOW. I KNOW. BUT
NOW I GOT ME THIS SAW.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE NEVER
GOING TO GET IT BUILT.

RIGHT NOW I'D TRADE

ALL OF SPENCER'S MOUNTAIN

FOR JUST ONE GRADUATION RING

FOR OUR BOY.

WE'LL GET IT, LIVVY.

I'LL WORK OVERTIME.

Man: YEAH.

YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN THINKING

ABOUT OUR FAMILY GRAVEYARD,

WONDERING HOW THE WINDS

ARE TREATING IT.

WELL...

WHERE ARE MY SONS?

Clay: SAID THEY'D BE
HERE BY 6:00, PAPA.

WELL, THEN THEY WILL BE.

THERE NEVER WAS A SPENCER

THAT COULDN'T KEEP HIS WORD.

GIVE ME YOUR HAND, MOTHER.

HAVEN'T SEEN ALL MY BOYS

IN ONE LUMP IN TOO LONG A TIME.

IT'S 6:00 NOW, AIN'T IT?

RIGHT ON IT.

♪ ...SHE'LL BE COMING
AROUND THE MOUNTAIN ♪

♪ SHE'LL BE COMING AROUND
THE MOUNTAIN WHEN SHE COMES ♪

SPENCE FARM.

WHOO-HOO!

WHERE IS CLAY'S BOY SAM?

MAN, IT'S COLD!

COME ON, CLAYBOY.
YOU WANNA COOK UP...

COME ON, CLAYBOY.

BOY, IT'S COLD ENOUGH...

FREEZE THE EARS OFF OF A...

IS BREAKFAST READY, CLAYBOY?

LET'S EAT!

[MEN SHOUTING]

LAY ON THE TABLE, GRANDMA.

[EVERYONE GREETING]

MAMA! HEY, MAMA!

PUT HER DOWN. PUT HER DOWN.

OOH!

SIT HER DOWN.

LET YOUR MOTHER GO.

WHAT TO DO? OH,
LORD! WHAT TO DO!

[EVERYONE TALKING]

MY KIND OF COFFEE.

[EVERYONE TALKING]

LET ME HAVE ONE.

HERE WE GO.

HERE'S MINE. WHERE'S YOURS?

HOW ARE THEY TREATING YOU, PAPA?

OH, THEY HIDE EVERY
DROP OF WHISKEY

I BRING INTO THIS HOUSE.

I'LL TAKE CARE OF THAT.

DRINK HEARTY AND EAT FAST, MEN.

GOT A LOT OF WORK
GETTING IN BEFORE SUNDOWN.

I'M GOING WITH YOU.

BRING YOU SOME LUNCH, PAPA.

THANK YOU, SON.

BUILD A GOOD HOUSE, NOW.

SEE YOU, PAPA.

SEE YOU LATER, PAPA.

GOOD-BYE, PAPA.

Clay: I'M GOING TO HAVE A WALK

UP THE PORCH RIGHT OVER THERE.

EVERY YEAR SINCE
LIVVY AND I GOT MARRIED,

I DUG THAT DAMN BASEMENT,

AND EVERY WINTER
SHE'S FILLED UP AGAIN.

JUST SO HAPPENS THAT
LUKE, MATT, AND JOHN

ARE THE BEST
MASONS IN THE VALLEY.

I WAS HOPING CLAYBOY
AND HAM DIG THE HOLE

AND YOU THREE WOULD
LAY THE BIG ROCK.

CEMENT'S UNDER
THE TARP OVER THERE.

THE REST CAN START HAULING,
CUTTING THAT BIG TIMBER.

YOU HAUL ALL THEM
LOGS UP HERE YOURSELF?

SURE DID.

AIN'T SHE A BEAUT?

GOT HER FROM MR. JOHN.

[MOTOR RUMBLES]

[SAW GRINDS LOG]

[HAMMERS POUNDING]

GOING GREAT, FELLAS.

BY TONIGHT, WE'LL START POURING.

THIS WILL BUILD ME
A REAL GOOD HOUSE.

THANKS, BROTHERS.

I CAN REALLY START
TO SEE IT NOW.

GOING TO PUT A DEEP
BED OF GRASS HERE

FOR MY BABIES TO PLAY IN.

THANKS AGAIN, BROTHERS.

HI, BUNCH. GOOD TO SEE YOU.

GET UP THERE.

WELL, MAMA, THE DREAM
HOUSE IS FINALLY UNDERWAY.

HURRY AND WASH UP.

LIVVY'S FIXED A
SATURDAY NIGHT SUPPER

TOO GOOD FOR POOR FOLKS.

ARE WE POOR, GRANDMA?

I'D SAY WE WERE RICH, BECKY.

WELL, THERE WAS A TIME
WHEN WE WERE SO POOR

WE DIDN'T HAVE NOTHING
TO EAT ALL WINTER

EXCEPT THIS ONE SLICE OF BACON.

HOW MANY OF YOU WAS THERE?

NINE BROTHERS AND
GRANDMA AND GRANDPA.

YOU ALL LIVE OFF ONE SLICE?

EWW, HOW COULD YOU?

GRANDMA JUST TIED
A PIECE OF STRING

ON A LITTLE OLD PIECE OF BACON

AND LET EACH ONE
OF US CHEW IT A WHILE.

WHY'D SHE TIE THE
PIECE OF STRING

ON THE BACON FOR?

SO'S IF ANYBODY
DARED SWALLOW IT,

SHE COULD PULL IT OUT

AND FEED IT TO THE NEXT ONE.

AW, DADDY.

Shirley: GOOD NIGHT, BECKY.

Becky: NIGHT, SHIRLEY.

Mark: GOOD NIGHT, LUKE.

Luke: GOOD NIGHT, MARK.

Mark: GOOD NIGHT, MATT.

John: NIGHT, DAD.

Shirley: NIGHT, MOM.

Livvy: NOW GO TO
SLEEP, CHILDREN.

Pattycake: GOOD NIGHT, CLAYBOY.

[ROOSTER CROWS]

MORNING, CHANCE.

[MOO]

TRUST YOU'RE FEELING
ROMANTIC THIS MORNING.

AFTER BREAKFAST, I'M TAKING
YOU UP TO MR. JOHN'S RANCH

AND GET YOU BRED.

REMEMBER THAT HANDSOME
OLD BULL METHUSELAH?

WELL, HE'S DOING THE
HONORS THIS MORNING.

THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW.

WHY, YOU SWAY-BACKED OLD HEIF.

WE HAVE SOME BIRTHING COMING ON.

[MOO]

Man: HEY, HOW'S MY SAW
WORKING OUT, SPENCER?

GOT ME A NICE CHIMNEY.

IT'LL BE A WHOLE
HOUSE, MR. JOHN.

REMEMBER MY BOY?

YEAH.

HEY, SHE'S A HOT
LITTLE DEVIL, AIN'T SHE?

[MOO]

THAT FOUR-LEGGED BUTTER CHURN

RUN US ALL THE WAY HERE.

WHICH WAY TO THE BULL?

THIS WAY.

THINK WE'LL NEED TO HELP?

[LAUGHS]

METHUSELAH NEVER NEEDS ANY HELP.

YOU WATCH HIM WHEN HE
SPOTS THAT PRETTY LITTLE HEIFER.

WHOO!

HERE HE COMES.

[MOO]

[MOO]

[MOO]

WELL, HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT, DAD?

SHE RACES US ALL THE WAY HERE,

AND NOW SHE PRETENDS

HE DOESN'T EVEN EXIST.

SHE'S JUST BEING A LADY.

DON'T WORRY, BOY,

SHE'S GOT EYES IN HER RUMP.

METHU AIN'T GOING TO PUT UP

WITH NONE OF THAT NONSENSE.

SURE ACTING SILLY.

WELL, YOU'LL GO OFF
YOUR NUT, TOO, BOY,

WHEN THAT OLD
LOVE BUG BITES YOU.

NOW LOOK AT METHUSELAH.

WHAT'D I TELL YOU?

HE'S TIRED OF FOOLING AROUND.

THERE THEY GO,

RIGHT INTO THE BRIDAL CHAMBER.

[LAUGHING]

WHAT DID I SAY?

OLD RELIABLE, THAT'S METHUSELAH.

WE'LL PICK THE COW UP

ON OUR WAY BACK

DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.

THANKS FOR THE FAVOR, MR. JOHN.

THE PLEASURE'S ALL METHUSELAH'S.

[LAUGHS]

I KNOW YOU.

YOU'RE CLARISSE COLEMAN'S FELLA.

HER FATHER MANAGES THE QUARRY.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

NO, WHAT?

YOU AND ME COULD HAVE SOME FUN.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

WON'T BE LONG BEFORE
THAT BOY OF YOURS

WILL BE NEEDING A WOMAN, CLAY.

I GOT A HEALTHY YOUNG
HEIFER THERE IN MINNIE CORA.

STRONG, WILLING.

JUST POPPED OUT
OVERNIGHT, PERCY.

Clay: COMING, CLAYBOY?

LISTEN, WHENEVER
YOU GET THE URGE TO,

YOU JUST TOSS SOME PEBBLES

ON MY WINDOW UP THERE.

AND I'LL COME RUNNING.

Clayboy: IT'S NOT WHAT
COWS DO THAT SEEMS WRONG.

I GUESS IT'S JUST
HAVING NO CHOICE.

Clay: DON'T GO GETTING ANY IDEAS

THERE'S ANYTHING
LOW-DOWN ABOUT IT,

'CAUSE THE LORD
HIMSELF THOUGHT IT UP

AND MADE US THE WAY HE DID.

UNDERSTAND THAT, SON?

YES, DAD, I THINK I DO.

NO, YOU DON'T.

NOBODY UNDERSTANDS IT.

YOU BE PROUD YOU'RE A
HUMAN BEING AND HAVE A CHOICE.

NOT ALL HUMANS ARE
THAT CHOOSY, EITHER.

BUT HOW CAN HUMANS BE SURE

THE RIGHT COUPLE GETS TOGETHER?

WERE YOU SURE, DAD?

YEP, I WAS.

I WAS A REAL HELLER
AFORE I MET YOUR PRETTY MA,

BUT THE MINUTE I
MET HER, I KNEW.

DON'T ASK ME HOW, BUT I KNEW,

JUST LIKE YOU WILL SOMEDAY, BOY.

WHEN THAT HAPPENS, JUST
REMEMBER YOU AIN'T ANY BULL,

THAT LITTLE GIRL AIN'T ANY COW.

BE KIND AND GENTLE.

AND IF SHE LOVES YOU A LITTLE
BIT BEFORE YOU MARRY HER,

SHE'LL LOVE YOU
A LOT MORE AFTER.

PACK IT UP, SON. TIME TO QUIT.

THOUGHT I'D FRAME
THE WINDOW RIGHT HERE

SO'S YOUR MA WOULD
HAVE SOMETHING

TO LOOK OUT AT

WHILE SHE'S WASHING DISHES.

YOU'LL SIT ON THE PORCH HERE

WITH YOUR BABIES ON YOUR LAP.

YOU CAN TELL THEM
YOU HELPED YOUR PAPA

BUILD IT SO GOOD AND SOUND

IT WON'T FALL DOWN
IN A MILLION YEARS.

SURE, DAD, I'LL TELL THEM.

I'M GETTING HUNGRY.

Clay: COLONEL.

I'D RATHER NOT HAVE
THIS WEEK'S OVERTIME

SHOW IN THE BOOKS.

HERE'S YOUR $18.

AND THANKS FOR FEEDING
THE DOG AND HORSES

WHILE I WAS IN WASHINGTON.

HOW'D YOU FIND YOUR DAUGHTER?

SHE CAN'T WAIT FOR GRADUATION

SO SHE CAN GET BACK
HERE FOR SUMMER.

CLARISSE RATHER ADOPTED

THAT FAMILY OF YOURS
LAST SUMMER, DIDN'T SHE?

OR WAS IT YOUR OLDEST SON?

SHE AND CLAYBOY MADE UP
SOME KIND OF A SECRET CLUB

WITH PASSWORDS AND ALL.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO
WORRY ABOUT HIM, COLONEL.

GIRLS STILL SCARE HIM TO DEATH.

HE DOESN'T WORRY ME.

CLARISSE SEEMS A LITTLE
MORE SOPHISTICATED.

SHE'S GETTING TOO
SMART FOR HER BRITCHES.

I KNOW YOU WON'T TAKE ANY PAY

FOR FEEDING MY ANIMALS,

BUT SINCE THE TROUT
SEASON OPENS FRIDAY,

I THOUGHT YOU COULD USE
A DAY OFF AT THE RIVER...

WITH PAY.

OLLIE OLLIE OXEN FREE.

I SEE HIM! LET'S GO GET HIM!

[CHILDREN SQUEALING]

STOP MAKING SO MUCH NOISE!

CLAYBOY'S UP THERE
TRYING TO STUDY

FOR HIS FINAL EXAMINATIONS!

RIGHT HERE.

STOP RIGHT HERE.

I THOUGHT YOU
WERE GOING TO SPEND

YOUR DAY OFF UP
AT THE DREAM HOUSE.

FIRST TIME I EVER SAW A MAN

BUILD A HOUSE
WITH A FISHING POLE.

AH, DON'T YOU WORRY.

I'M BUILDING YOU
A CASTLE UP THERE

FIT FOR A ROYAL-BUTTED KING.

YOU HOLD YOUR TONGUE.

I'VE GOT INNOCENT
CHILDREN AROUND HERE

THAT I'M TRYING TO RAISE
TO BE GOOD CHURCHGOERS.

NOBODY TURNED ME
INTO A CHURCHGOER,

AND LOOK WHAT A TALL
DOG I TURNED OUT TO BE.

[LAUGHS]

1, 2, 3... 100.

1, 2, 3... 5.

HEY!

HEY, LOOK! DADDY SPANKED MAMA!

[CHILDREN YELLING]

HOW CAN THEY RESPECT ME

IF YOU GO AROUND
WHACKING MY... ME?

OH!

♪ DADDY SPANKED MAMA ♪

♪ DADDY SPANKED MAMA ♪

♪ DADDY SPANKED MAMA ♪

♪ DADDY SPANKED MAMA ♪

♪ DADDY SPANKED MAMA ♪

OH, THERE'S MOTHER.

NOW SHE'LL REALLY THINK

THAT YOU ARE A WILD HEATHEN.

KISS HER AGAIN! KISS HER AGAIN!

HOWDY, MOTHER IDA.

WHAT YOU DOING ALL
DRESSED UP ON A WEEKDAY?

LIVVY AND I ARE JOINING
THE LADIES AID SOCIETY

TO GET THE PARSONAGE
READY FOR THE NEW MINISTER.

YES, LIVVY DID SAY

YOU WERE SIGNING A
POWERFUL NEW PREACHER.

YOU COULD COME
SUNDAY TO HEAR HIM.

LORD, IF I WAS TO WALK
INTO THAT CHURCH,

THE ROOF WOULD FALL IN ON
THE WHOLE CONGREGATION.

YOU SHOULDN'T MAKE
JOKES ABOUT CHURCH, CLAY.

DON'T YOU WANT TO SAVE YOUR
SOUL SO YOU CAN TO GO TO HEAVEN

AND BE WITH LIVVY AND
DECENT PEOPLE WHEN YOU DIE?

AH, MOTHER IDA, YOUR CHURCH
GOT ONE IDEA OF HEAVEN,

THE METHODISTS GOT ANOTHER,

AND THE CATHOLICS STILL ANOTHER.

I GOT MY OWN OPINION, TOO.

YES, I CAN JUST IMAGINE
YOUR IDEA OF HEAVEN...

A FISHING POLE AND A RIVERBANK.

YES, I GUESS THAT'S PART OF IT.

I GUESS I GET A LITTLE
HEAVEN 'BOUT EVERY DAY.

MAYBE IT'S JUST HAULING OFF

AND KISSING MY WIFE

OR HAVING ONE OF MY BABIES

SNUGGLE INTO BED
WITH US AT NIGHT

OR JUST DOING A GOOD
DAY'S WORK ON MY HOUSE

UP ON SPENCER'S MOUNTAIN.

NO, I DON'T HAVE TO
WAIT FOR IT, MOTHER IDA.

I GOT HEAVEN RIGHT HERE.

I WAS A DEVOTEE OF ISAAC WALTON

WHEN I WAS BUT 6.

ISAAC WALTON?

LIVE AROUND HERE?

ACROSS THE WATER.

OH.

A CENTURY OR SO AGO

HE WROTE THE COMPLETE ANGLER.

LET YOU IN ON A SECRET.

THIS HERE'S THE PLACE

THE GREAT-GRANDDADDY
OF ALL TROUT LIVES,

RIGHT OFF SHORE THERE,

JUST HOPING SOME FAT OLD JUNE
BUG COME FLOATING BY HIS NOSE.

WOULD YOU MIND IF I JOINED YOU?

IT'S A BIG RIVER.

I JUST HAPPEN TO
HAVE MY FISHING TACKLE

IN MY CAR.

NAME'S SPENCER. CLAY SPENCER.

GOODSON HERE. THANKS
FOR THE WELCOME.

WHAT'D I TELL YOU?

EASY.

OH! YOU'RE A BEAUTY.

THAT'S ONE OF THE GRANDSONS.

HE'LL RUN ABOUT 2 POUNDS.

HERE'S TO FISHERMAN'S LUCK.

WHAT WOULD IT BE?

MOSQUITO REPELLENT.

OH, THANK YOU.

TAKE A GOOD SLUG.

[GULP]

POTENT, HUH?

THIS STUFF'S THE
BEST IN THE VALLEY.

MADE BY TWO LITTLE OLD LADIES
FROM THEIR PAPPY'S RECIPE.

I FIND YOUR MOSQUITO REPELLENT

SOMEWHAT NUMBING.

THAT'S THE BOURBON

THE LITTLE OLD LADIES
PUT IN THE RECIPE.

GREAT JUMPIN' BALLS OF FIRE!

YOU HOOKED THE GREAT-GRANDDADDY!

SING IT HOME. REEL HIM IN.

DOUBLE, TRIPLE
ETERNAL DAMNATION.

HE GOT AWAY.

HELL'S FIRE DEVOUR
THAT BLACK-SOULED,

ETERNALLY DAMNED DEVIL.

YOU SHOULDN'T TALK THAT WAY.

WHY THE HELL NOT?

BECAUSE I JUST
REMEMBERED WHY I'M HERE.

I AM YOUR NEW MINISTER.

WHAT?

YOU GOT TO BE LYING.

YOU SEE, I NEVER TOUCHED LIQUOR

BEFORE IN MY LIFE, AND SO I...

[LAUGHING]

YOU SEE ANYTHING OF MY FISH?

WHY, CLARA, YOU'RE
A REAL ARTIST.

THANK YOU.

IT JUST LOOKS
LOVELY, SIMPLY LOVELY.

[HICCUP HICCUP]

IT'S ALL MY FAULT.

SEEMS YOUR PREACHER

NEVER HAD A BOTTLE
TO HIS LIPS BEFORE.

BLESS YOU ALL.

[HICCUP]

MERCIFUL HEAVENS.

HE'S DRUNK.

[ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING]

SPLENDID SERMON.

SUCH AN HONOR TO HAVE
HAD YOU WITH US, MR. SPENCER.

GRANDMA SPENCER.

Man: SEE YOU
TOMORROW, KID. GOOD-BYE.

[ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING]

BYE, MAMA.

SERVES HIM RIGHT.

NOBODY CAME.

NOT A SOUL.

I OWE AN APOLOGY
TO THIS COMMUNITY.

MY WEAKNESS IN THE EYES OF GOD

COULD MEAN THE
END OF MY MINISTRY,

AND I AM DEEPLY CONTRITE.

Clay: MOTHER IDA, I'M SURE SORRY

I GOT YOUR PREACHER
TIGHT YESTERDAY.

THE THING IS, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW

HE WAS YOUR PREACHER

TILL IT WAS TOO LATE.

IT'S A WONDER THE GOOD
LORD DON'T STRIKE YOU DEAD.

NOW, IDA, I DON'T SEE

ANY HARM IN A MAN

TAKING A NIP NOW AND THEN.

HE'S A GOOD MAN.

BET HE DOES A LOT OF
GOOD FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

WAS HE POWERFUL IN THE PULPIT?

DID HE PREACH A GOOD SERMON?

HOW WOULD WE KNOW?

WE ALL WENT TO THE
MOUNTAIN CHURCH.

NOBODY WENT TO THE CHURCH
OF GOD THIS MORNING, POP.

NOT A SINGLE, SOLITARY PERSON.

WHY NOT?

WOULD YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN
TO HEAR A DRUNKARD PREACH?

A DRUNKARD?

THAT POOR GUY NEVER
EVEN SMELLED A CORK

TILL YESTERDAY.

YOU MEAN TO SAY NOT
ONE SINGLE HYMN-SHOUTING,

FOOT-WASHING
HYPOCRITE SHOWED UP?

HUSH, CLAY. THE
NEIGHBORS. PLEASE.

THE LADIES AID SOCIETY
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY

TO TRANSFER IN TOTO
TO THE MOUNTAIN CHURCH.

WHY, THOSE
PRISSY-PANTED HYPOCRITES.

DON'T WAIT DINNER FOR ME.

WHERE YOU GOING?

I GOT THAT PREACHER INTO
THIS. I'M GONNA HIM OUT.

GOOD MORNING, CLAY.

HEY, FOLKS.

HOW ARE YOU?

YOU FOLKS RECALL,
DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS,

EVERY TIME YOU
NEEDED ANYTHING FIXED,

YOU ALWAYS CALLED ON ME?

THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU'RE THE HANDIEST MAN
WITH A TOOL I'VE EVER SEEN, CLAY.

THANK YOU, MA'AM.

REMEMBER HOW I
WORKED ALL ONE WEEKEND

TO GET YOUR WINDMILL TO WORKING?

TIMES I FIXED YOUR PUMP?

HELPED YOU PUT ON YOUR NEW ROOF?

YOU'RE A GOOD
NEIGHBOR, FOR A FACT.

NOW ALL THAT'S ENDED.

WHAT'S MORE, I'M SENDING
YOU A BILL TOMORROW

FOR EVERY STICK OF WORK

I EVER DONE ON YOUR PLACE

UNLESS... UNLESS
EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU

SHOWS UP AT THE CHURCH
OF GOD SERVICES TONIGHT.

BUT CLAY, I'LL BE EXPELLED
FROM THE LADIES AID.

DON'T YOU WORRY NONE
ABOUT THE LADIES AID.

I'VE FIXED ENOUGH ICEBOXES,

WASHING MACHINES,

AND ELECTRIC CORDS IN SIX MONTHS

TO PUT THEM ALL INTO BANKRUPTCY.

YOU SPREAD THE
WORD, LUCY, REAL QUICK.

I'M COLLECTING IN
FULL FROM EVERYBODY

WHO DON'T SHOW UP AT
THAT CHURCH TONIGHT.

I SEE YOU HAVE QUITE
A CONGREGATION.

YES.

WELL, GOOD DAY, SIR.

GOOD DAY, COLONEL COLEMAN.

GOOD DAY, CLAY.

DON'T TELL ME YOU'RE
JOINING OUR CHURCH, TOO.

AH, ME AND CHURCH DON'T MIX.

I JUST GOT WORRIED

ABOUT THAT BIG OLD
FAMILY OF SKUNKS

YOU SMELLED BACK THERE.

YOU WANTED ME TO CLEAN OUT.

I GOT THIS AWFUL FEELING

THAT ALL OF THEM'LL SHOW UP

UNDER YOUR CHURCH TONIGHT

UNLESS...

UNLESS WHAT?

UNLESS YOU AND YOUR WHOLE FLOCK

GOES UP TO THE
HOUSE OF GOD TONIGHT

JUST TO MAKE THAT NEW MAN

KNOW HE'S WELCOME HERE.

WOULDN'T YOU SAY

THAT'S THE CHRISTIAN
THING TO DO?

WELL, I'VE HEARD RUMORS...

AW, HE NEVER HAD
A DRINK IN HIS LIFE

BEFORE I POURED IT DOWN HIM.

I'D SURE HATE TO SEE
YOUR WHOLE CONGREGATION

GET STUNK UP TONIGHT.

ONCE THEM SKUNKS START SPRAYING

THEIR SKUNK JUICE AROUND,

THEY SAY YOU NEVER
GET THE STINK OUT.

[CHURCH BELL RINGS]

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M DEEPLY HONORED.

GOOD EVENING, MINISTER GOODSON.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M DEEPLY MOVED.

GOOD EVENING, SIR.

GOOD EVENING.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

GOOD EVENING.

HOWDY, MR. GOODSON.

AS ONE COLLEAGUE TO ANOTHER,

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN REFERENCE

TO BLACKMAIL IN THE GOOD BOOK?

I AM DELIGHTED TO
WELCOME YOU HERE.

TO COMMEMORATE THIS OCCASION,

I THINK WE SHOULD SING A HYMN

WHICH HAS A VERY
SPECIAL MEANING TO ME...

SHALL WE GATHER AT THE RIVER.

♪ SHALL WE GATHER AT THE RIVER ♪

♪ WHERE BRIGHT
ANGEL FEET HAVE TROD ♪

♪ WITH ITS CRYSTAL
TIDE FOREVER ♪

♪ FLOWING BY THE THRONE OF GOD ♪

♪ YES, WE'LL GATHER
AT THE RIVER... ♪

Clay: ROUST 'EM OUT, CLAYBOY.

Livvy: HAPPY
GRADUATION DAY, SON!

[BELL RINGING] RISE AND SHINE.

SUN'S UP. COME ON.

COME ON, YOU GUYS.

GET DRESSED FOR MY GRADUATION.

COME ON.

COME ON, BECKY, SHIRLEY.

TIME TO WAKE UP.

COME ON.

KISS ME AWAKE, CLAYBOY.

NOW PICK ME UP TO THE TOIDY.

OK.

GOLLY, LOOK WHAT
I GOT... BOSOMS.

GOOD MORNING, PATTYCAKE.

MORNING, JOHN.

MORNING, LUKE.

MORNING, SHIRLEY.

MORNING, MARK.

MORNING, BECKY.

MORNING, MATT.

LOOK AT THEM.

THEY BE SWEET.

EVER SEE ANYTHING PRETTIER?

I WISH WE COULD
KEEP 'EM ALL BABIES.

I HATE TO THINK OF
THEM GROWING UP

AND LEAVING US ONE DAY,

NOT KNOWING WHAT
WILL HAPPEN TO THEM.

THEY'LL BE ALL RIGHT.
THEY'RE THOROUGHBREDS.

♪ OH, BEAUTIFUL ♪

♪ FOR SPACIOUS SKIES ♪

♪ FOR AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN ♪

♪ FOR PURPLE
MOUNTAINS' MAJESTY ♪

♪ ABOVE THE FRUITED PLAINS ♪

♪ AMERICA ♪

♪ AMERICA ♪

♪ GOD SHED HIS GRACE ON THEE ♪

♪ AND CROWN THY GOOD ♪

♪ WITH BROTHERHOOD ♪

♪ FROM SEA ♪

♪ TO SHINING SEA ♪

MAY I NOW PRESENT
THE GRADUATION CLASS.

THE SENIOR CLASS
TEACHER MISS PARKER

WILL PRESENT THE
SCHOLARSHIP MEDAL.

I HAVE BEEN TEACHING
SCHOOL HERE IN NEW DOMINION

FOR ALL OF MY TEACHING LIFE.

MANY OF MY FORMER
PUPILS NOW SIT BEFORE ME

IN THIS AUDIENCE.

I HAVE TAUGHT OUR BOYS AND GIRLS

ABOUT THE BEAUTY AND
WISDOM THEY CAN FIND IN BOOKS.

I'VE TAUGHT THEM HOW
OUR GOVERNMENT WORKS.

I HOPE I HAVE INSTILLED IN THEM

SOME IDEA OF THE
MAJESTY AND WONDER

OF PEOPLE GOVERNING THEMSELVES.

I HAVE TRIED IN
GEOGRAPHY TO TEACH THEM

THAT THERE LIES AN
ENORMOUS WORLD OUTSIDE...

THAT DWARFS EVEN
OUR IMMENSE VALLEY,

A WORLD FULL OF OPPORTUNITY

FOR GROWTH AND LEARNING

AND ACHIEVEMENT.

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, A
YOUNG STUDENT COMES ALONG

WITH A HUNGRY LOOK IN THE EYE...

WHO'S NOT CONTENT
JUST TO MEMORIZE FACTS,

WHO WANTS TO KNOW,

WHO HAS AN INQUIRING MIND,

AND EVERYTHING HE LEARNS

ONLY WHETS HIS
APPETITE TO LEARN MORE.

THE STUDENT WHO WILL NOW
RECEIVE OUR HIGHEST AWARD

IS SUCH A STUDENT.

WILL CLAYBOY SPENCER

PLEASE STEP FORWARD?

BULLY FOR YOU, BOY!

I WANT THE SPENCER
FAMILY TO KNOW THIS.

I HAVE TAUGHT YOUR
BOY EVERYTHING I KNOW,

BUT HE'S STILL HUNGRY.

IF THE DAY EVER COMES
WHEN I GO BY THAT QUARRY,

AND I SEE CLAYBOY
SPENCER COVERED WITH DUST

INSTEAD OF LEARNING
TO BE A LEADER,

I THINK I SHALL GIVE UP
THE TEACHING PROFESSION.

CLAYBOY, I GIVE YOU
THESE WORDS TO LIVE BY.

THE WORLD STEPS ASIDE
TO LET ANY MAN PASS

IF HE KNOWS WHERE HE'S GOING.

Livvy: CLAYBOY!

WHAT YOU DOING OUT THERE?

WAITING FOR POP.

WELL, YOUR SUPPER'S
ON THE TABLE.

YOU THINK POP'S GETTING DRUNK?

HE DOES HAVE CAUSE TO CELEBRATE.

IT ISN'T EVERY NIGHT
THAT A SPENCER

HAS A BOY GRADUATE
FROM HIGH SCHOOL,

LET ALONE WIN THE SCHOOL MEDAL.

WE CAN'T WAIT SUPPER
MUCH LONGER FOR HIM.

THE CHILDREN ARE
STARVING. COME ON.

IF HE'S DRUNK, I'LL DIE.

OH, HE NEVER GETS THAT DRUNK.

MOTHER.

TONIGHT, MISS PARKER
AND THE PREACHER

ARE COMING TO CALL.

WELL, I WANTED TO
KEEP IT A SECRET.

BUT NOW I CAN'T.

KEEP WHAT A SECRET?

THEY THINK THEY CAN GET
ME A COLLEGE EDUCATION.

WELL, I VOW.

SOMETIMES EDUCATED PEOPLE'S

GOT LESS BRAINS THAN FOOLS.

WOULDN'T YOU WANT ME TO GO?

I'D RATHER YOU GO TO COLLEGE

THAN ANYTHING IN
THE WHOLE WORLD,

BUT JUST WHERE DO THEY THINK

WE COULD RAISE
THAT KIND OF MONEY?

WHEN YOUR FATHER EVEN
HAD TO WORK OVERTIME

TO GET YOU A GRADUATION RING.

DID YOU EVER SEE
UNIVERSITY BOYS?

THEY'RE... THEY'RE RICH BOYS...

THEIR DADDIES HAVE GOT MONEY,

OR ELSE THEY
WOULDN'T EVEN LET 'EM

INSIDE THE GATES.

BUT THEY THINK THEY
CAN GET ME A SCHOLARSHIP

AT THE UNIVERSITY.

THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE
COMING TO TALK ABOUT.

OH, SO YOU THINK I'M SO DUMB

THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT
SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FOR?

THEY'RE FOR TUITION,
BUT THAT DOESN'T

TAKE CARE OF HALF
OF THE EXPENSES.

YOU STILL HAVE TO
LIVE, YOU HAVE TO EAT.

YOU HAVE TO WEAR DECENT CLOTHES,

YOU HAVE TO BUY
HUNDREDS OF BOOKS...

WE'RE POOR PEOPLE, SON.

I COULD GET A JOB NIGHTS.

I COULD EARN MONEY
HERE ALL SUMMER.

THAT'S WISHING FOR
THE MOON, CLAYBOY.

MOM, ALL I'M ASKING
IS THAT YOU AND POP

HEAR WHAT THEY GOT IN MIND.

IF THEY'VE GOT IN MIND SOME WAY

TO RAISE THIS KIND
OF MONEY TO GET YOU

THIS COLLEGE EDUCATION,
THEN I'M ALL FOR IT,

BUT IF THEY'RE COMING HERE

TO PUT FOOLISH, HOPELESS
IDEAS INTO YOUR HEAD...

JUST LISTEN! THAT'S
ALL I'M ASKING.

IF POP'S DRUNK...

I'LL KILL MYSELF.

ALL WE CAN DO ABOUT
THAT IS PRAY, SON.

NOW, WHOSE TURN IS
IT TO SAY THE BLESSING?

IT'S MY TURN.

THANK YOU FOR THE FOOD WE EAT.

THANK YOU FOR THE
WORLD SO SWEET.

THANK YOU, GOD, FOR
THE BIRDS THAT SING.

THANK YOU, GOD, FOR EVERYTHING,

INCLUDING GETTING
CLAYBOY GRADUATED.

AMEN.

BECKY DIDN'T SAY AMEN.

I DID, TOO, SAY AMEN.

YOU DID NOT IF NOBODY HEARD YOU.

THAT'S BECAUSE I WHISPERED IT.

WHY DID SHE WHISPER IT FOR?

WELL, I WANTED TO SEE
IF GOD COULD HEAR ME.

DID HE HEAR YOU?

WELL, I DON'T KNOW.
I'M TESTING HIM.

OF COURSE HE HEARD HER.

GOD HEARS EVERYTHING.

I HOPE HE DIDN'T
HEAR MATT TODAY.

YOU'D BETTER SHUT YOUR YAP,

IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU.

WELL, THAT'S NO WAY
TO TALK TO YOUR SISTER.

MATT'S GOING TO HELL.

TODAY HE MASHED HIS FINGER

AND SAID A WHOLE
STRING OF BAD, BAD WORDS.

LIKE WHAT?

HE SAID, "DAMN,
DAMN, DOUBLE DAMN,

TRIPLE DAMN, HELL."

DID YOU, MATT?

DADDY SAYS IT ALL THE TIME.

THE NEXT TIME I HEAR YOU
SAY ANYTHING LIKE THAT,

I WILL WASH YOUR
MOUTH OUT WITH LYE SOAP.

I DON'T WANT MATT TO GO AWAY.

MATT'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

NOW EAT UP YOUR SOUP. GO ON.

HE IS, TOO. BECKY SAID SO.

Becky: HE'S GOING TO HELL
FOR SAYING BAD WORDS.

I WANT TO GO, TOO.

I WANT TO GO TO HELL WITH MATT.

AAH! LOOK OUT!

OHH! OH, MY GOD!

HIS NECK'S BROKE!

RUN, CLAYBOY, QUICK,
AND GET THE DOCTOR!

MOTHER! HERE, CLAYBOY.

YOU'D HARDLY BEEN GONE
A MINUTE WHEN HE CAME TO.

JUST KNOCKED THE
BREATH OUT OF HIM, I GUESS.

HOW DID YOU GET
YOUR CLOTHES SO DIRTY?

YOU LITTLE MUTT!

WHAT DO YOU MEAN
SCARING ME THAT WAY?

OH, CLAYBOY DIDN'T MEAN THAT.

OH, HUSH, CLAYBOY.

CLAYBOY, GO ON UP
AND SEE IF THE CHILDREN

HAVE BRUSHED THEIR TEETH
AND THEY'RE TUCKED IN...

YOU DO IT!

WHAT WAS THAT?

MOM, I GOT TO GET
AWAY FROM HERE.

ALL I'M GOOD FOR IS
RUNNING FOR DOCTORS,

AND GOING TO THE
STORE TO GET THINGS,

AND FEEDING THE KIDS,
PUTTING THEM TO BED,

AND GIVING THEM BATHS,
AND MILKING THE COWS,

AND PLUCKING THE CHICKENS,

AND THEN CHURNING
THE BUTTER, AND...

BUT YOU'RE THE OLDEST SON.

THEN I'M TIRED OF
BEING THE OLDEST!

WELL, THAT'S ONE THING I
CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.

WHAT YOU GET IN LIFE IS
WHAT YOU'RE STUCK WITH,

AND YOU'RE STUCK
WITH BEING OUR OLDEST.

YOU'RE JUST GOING TO
HAVE TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT.

HERE, WILL YOU TAKE
CARE OF PATTYCAKE?

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

I HAVE TO DO WEE-WEE.

YOU KNOW WHERE THE BATHROOM IS.

IT'S TOO HIGH. WON'T
YOU LIFT ME UP?

[SIGHS] OH, ALL RIGHT.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

COME IN.

I TOLD MOTHER YOU'D BE COMING.

HI THERE, PATTYCAKE. HI.

CLAYBOY'S GOING TO
LIFT ME ON THE TOIDY.

[WHISPERING] Mother!

YES?

They're here.

Oh! Entertain them. I'll hurry.

I WAS JUST SAYING TO MR. GOODSON

THAT SOMEONE AROUND HERE
CERTAINLY HAS A GREEN THUMB.

IT'S MOTHER. SHE
LOVES TO GROW THINGS.

I MUST FIND OUT THE
SECRET OF HER SUCCESS.

IT'S MOSTLY COW MANURE.

I, UH, TRUST BOTH YOUR PARENTS

WILL BE HERE.

WELL, DAD HAD THIS
SUDDEN WORK COME UP

DOWN AT THE MILL, AND, UH...

GOOD EVENING, MRS. SPENCER.

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU BOTH,

AND, MISS PARKER,

I WAS SO PLEASED TODAY
TO HEAR ALL THE FINE THINGS

YOU HAD TO SAY ABOUT CLAYBOY.

THEY WERE ALL TRUE.

I'M JUST SO SORRY THAT
MR. SPENCER CAN'T BE HERE.

YOU SEE, HE'S GONE TO JACKSON

ABOUT SOME... PIGS THAT
HE WAS GOING TO BUY.

Pattycake: CLAYBOY...

NOW WOULD YOU TUCK ME IN?

[WHISPERING] What
are you kids doing here?

Listening. Listening.

Back to bed, all of you.

And if you get up
another time tonight,

I'm gonna spank
your behind so shiny

that you'll see yourself in it.

I LOVE YOU, CLAYBOY.
KISS ME GOOD NIGHT.

Ok, now you go upstairs.

SO AFTER THE GRADUATION,

I TOOK THE LIBERTY OF CALLING

THE UNIVERSITY LONG DISTANCE.

AND THERE IS ONE
SCHOLARSHIP LEFT

IF CLAYBOY GETS IN HIS
APPLICATION IMMEDIATELY.

HOWEVER, AS I TOLD CLAYBOY,

THE SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE

IS OF A RATHER
SPECIALIZED NATURE.

BUT IT IS AN EDUCATION.

THE ONLY SCHOLARSHIP LEFT

IS ONE FOR STUDYING

AS A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL.

OH.

WELL, THAT DOES IT.

HIS FATHER WOULD JUST BLOW UP.

I UNDERSTOOD CLAY TO SAY HE HAD

A GREAT RESPECT FOR EDUCATION.

OH, HE HAS...

BUT I'M AFRAID HIS FATHER
WOULD RATHER SEE CLAYBOY

BURN IN HELL THAN
BECOME A MINISTER.

HE ALLOWS YOU TO ATTEND CHURCH.

YOUR CHILDREN GO
TO SUNDAY SCHOOL.

CLAY WAS NEVER ONE TO FORBID US

FROM SEEKING GOD IN OUR OWN WAY.

IT'S JUST THAT...

Clay: ♪ BABBLING BROOK ♪

♪ A SHADY NOOK ♪

♪ A GIRL ALL DRESSED IN YELLA ♪

♪ OH, WHAT A PIP ♪

♪ WHAT RUBY LIPS ♪

♪ OH, WHAT A LUCKY FELLA ♪

MUST YOU? WE GOT COMPANY.

OPEN YOUR EYES, 'CAUSE I'M GONNA

HAUL OFF AND KISS THEM
RUBY LIPS RIGHT OFF OF YOU.

CLAY! CLAY, NOW STOP
IT! BEHAVE YOURSELF!

THE MINISTER AND MISS
PARKER ARE IN THERE.

GOOD FOR MISS PARKER.

CLAY, STOP. STOP, CLAY.

I LOVE YOU, WOMAN.

OH, CLAY, STOP...

HI, DOC. WHAT ARE
YOU DOING HERE?

ACCORDING TO MY BLACKBOARD,
DONNIE HAS A BROKEN NECK.

MY GOD, THAT'S WHAT
YOU'VE BEEN TRYING

TO TELL ME. OH, NO, NO.

DONNIE'S FINE. HE JUST HAD
THE WIND KNOCKED OUT OF HIM.

HE'S FINE, DOC, BUT DO COME IN,

BECAUSE I'M GOING TO MAKE
SOME BLACK COFFEE FOR CLAY.

AFTER THAT BIBB BIRTHING,
I COULD USE SOME, TOO.

WELL, HE BOUGHT THE
PIGS AND GOT BACK.

CLAYBOY, PLEASE
GET A BIG BLACK POT

OF BLACK COFFEE AND SOME CUPS.

PLEASE SIT DOWN.

MISS PARKER AND MR. GOODSON

SEEM TO THINK THAT OUR BOY HAS

A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE OF WINNING

A SCHOLARSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY.

SOME KIND OF CONTEST?

NO. YOU JUST HAVE TO
SIGN THIS APPLICATION.

I'LL SEND A COPY OF HIS
EXCELLENT SCHOLASTIC RECORD.

I'M SURE THEY'LL ACCEPT HIM.

I CAN WORK NIGHTS AND STUDY.

COME HERE, SON.

YOU'VE NEVER BEEN
OUTSIDE THIS VALLEY.

YOU'VE NEVER EVEN SEEN A CITY

LIKE WHERE THAT UNIVERSITY IS.

THEY GOT...
EVERYBODY'S IN A HURRY.

THEY GOT FREEWAYS,

CARS GOING EVERY WHICH WAY,

AND A COUPLE OF
HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE.

YOU'D GET LOST THE FIRST DAY.

YOU COULD BUY ME A MAP.

MAYBE HE WOULD
GET LOST FOR A WHILE,

BUT NOT FOR LONG.

THAT BOY COULD FIND
HIS WAY THROUGH LIFE,

IF YOU'LL GIVE HIM THAT CHANCE.

Doc: I BROUGHT
CLAYBOY INTO THE WORLD.

I COULD SURE WRITE A
CHARACTER RECOMMENDATION.

I COULD, TOO.

I GRADUATED FROM THERE.

WELL, I'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING.

I NEVER HAD NO EDUCATION MYSELF.

JUST WENT TO SCHOOL
A COUPLE WEEKS,

JUST LONG ENOUGH TO
LEARN TO WRITE MY NAME,

LEARN ENOUGH
ARITHMETIC TO MAKE SURE

THE COMPANY WASN'T
CHEATING ME ON MY PAY.

I WENT INTO THE QUARRY
ALONGSIDE MY PAPA

WHEN I WAS 10 YEARS OLD.

I'VE BEEN THERE EVER SINCE.

MAYBE THAT'S WHY I ADMIRE
A MAN WITH AN EDUCATION.

WHAT I CAN TELL YOU,

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN
MY HEART'S CRAVING

FOR MY BABIES TO
GET BETTER THAN I HAD.

YOU REALLY WANT
IT, DON'T YOU, BOY?

YES, SIR.

WHAT IF YOU GO DOWN
THERE AND FALL ON YOUR BUTT?

I'D NEVER LET YOU DOWN, POP.

YOU WILL SIGN HIS APPLICATION.

I SURE AS HELL WILL.

RUN AND GET THE COFFEE, QUICK.

THE OLD WOMAN'S
SHAKING HER HEAD AT ME

FOR CUSSING.

I'LL TELL YOU, MA'AM,

I LEARNED TO CUSS
BEFORE I LEARNED TO WALK.

I'M TOO OLD A ROOSTER
TO CHANGE MY WAYS

AT THIS LATE A DATE.

I ALWAYS SAY IN HIS OWN
HOME, A MAN'S GOT A RIGHT

TO TALK THE ONLY
WAY HE KNOWS HOW.

THEM THAT DON'T LIKE
IT CAN ALWAYS MARCH

THEIR TAIL RIGHT
OUT. THAT RIGHT?

DAMN TOOTIN'!

HERE'S TO THE
WORLD OUTSIDE, BOY.

DID YOU SEE WHAT
YOUR FATHER AND I

HAD WRITTEN INSIDE YOUR RING?

"VICTORY WITH HONOR."

IT'S ONE OF THEM MOTTOES.

MOTHER PICKED IT OUT OF A BOOK.

[KNOCK ON DOOR] COME IN.

WELL, MISS PARKER.

LAST TIME YOU CAME
CALLING WAS TO TELL ME

MY DAUGHTER SIMPLY HAD
TO WEAR PANTIES TO SCHOOL.

WELL, I SUPPOSE NOW THAT
SUMMER VACATION'S HERE,

WE'LL BE SEEING
CLARISSE ANY DAY NOW.

UH-HUH.

COLONEL COLEMAN,

YOUR COMPANY OWNS
THAT OLD, ABANDONED SHACK

ACROSS FROM THE OFFICE.

ON FRIENDSHIP CORNER.

OH, I'M GONNA BOARD IT UP.

THE MEN USE IT FOR
GAMBLING AND DRINKING

AFTER WORK, INSTEAD
OF GOING HOME.

I HAVE A BETTER USE FOR IT...

A LIBRARY.

YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING.

HALF THE PEOPLE HERE CAN
BARELY WRITE THEIR NAMES.

MR. GOODSON AND I
ARE GOING TO SOLICIT

EVERY LIBRARY IN THE
STATE FOR DUPLICATES.

WE'RE GONNA PRINT
PLEAS IN THE PAPERS...

OK, THE SHACK IS YOURS, IF
YOU CLEAN IT OUT YOURSELF.

THANK YOU.

NOW, HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING

TO PAY CLAYBOY SPENCER
TO RUN IT FOR YOU?

PAY HIM? TO RUN IT FOR ME?

I THINK YOU SHOULD
PAY HIM $20 A WEEK.

IF THE COMPANY HEARD I
PAID $20 A WEEK TO A LIBRARIAN,

THEY'D FIRE ME.

CHARGE IT TO PUBLIC RELATIONS!

IF YOU WERE A MAN, I'D THROW
YOU THROUGH THAT DOOR.

HIDE IT UNDER "MISCELLANEOUS."

BECAUSE HE'S CLAY SPENCER'S SON,

I'LL GIVE HIM $10 A
WEEK, NOT A CENT MORE.

WHY, THAT'S ONLY $120
FOR THE ENTIRE SUMMER.

IF YOU DON'T ACCEPT
THAT OFFER, MISS PARKER,

AND GET OUT OF HERE,
I'LL HAVE THAT SHACK

BURNT DOWN TODAY.
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.

I'LL TAKE IT.

THIS IS A LOVELY
PLACE YOU HAVE HERE.

IT'S PRETTY GHASTLY,
ALL RIGHT, BUT IT'LL DO.

WE CAN START CLEANING IT UP.

HEAVE HO!

Miss Parker: THEY'VE
COME! THEY'VE COME!

BEAUTIFUL.

GREEN MANSIONS.

WAR AND PEACE.

I BOUGHT YOU A PRESENT.

HEY,

HOW'D YOU LIKE TO
READ A GOOD BOOK?

NOPE.

WHAT'S THE PASSWORD?

GOBBLEDYGOOK.

IS THAT ALL YOU'RE
GOING TO SAY TO ME

AFTER A WHOLE YEAR?

WELL, YOU'VE GROWN.

34-22-34.

WHAT'S THAT STAND FOR?

WHAT YOU'RE GAWKING AT.

AREN'T YOU GOING TO ASK ME IN?

YEAH.

COME ON IN.

SAY, WHAT'S THIS ABOUT
YOUR GOING TO COLLEGE?

I HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP
APPLICATION IN.

WE'RE WAITING TO HEAR.

MOTHER SAYS I'M AT
THE DANGEROUS AGE,

WHATEVER THAT IS.

SHE STUCK ME IN
A GIRLS' ACADEMY.

WHAT WAS YOUR MAJOR?

PHYS ED. PHYS ED?

WHAT'S THAT?

MURDER, YOU ARE DUMB.

LOOK.

1...

2...

3...

4.

1...

2...

3...

4.

THAT'S PHYS ED.

YOU KNOW WHAT CLASS
I LIKE BEST IN SCHOOL?

UH-UH.

MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY.

BOY, OH, BOY, COULD I TELL YOU

A THING OR TWO.

WELL, GO AHEAD.

I'D HAVE TO WHISPER.

OK.

HOW DO YOU SPELL IT?

WHERE'S YOUR DICTIONARY?

OH, I HAVEN'T GOT ONE.

THERE WAS ONE AT SCHOOL.

I USED TO SAVE UP
THE WORDS FOR THEN.

THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT
BOOKS IN THE WHOLE WORLD

ARE THE BIBLE AND THE
UNEXPURGATED DICTIONARY.

I'LL BUY YOU ONE,

AND WE CAN LOOK
UP WORDS TOGETHER.

WE'LL EXPAND YOUR VOCABULARY.

LAST YEAR I WAS
AS DUMB AS YOU ARE.

I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING.

NOW I KNOW EVERYTHING.

ASK ME SOMETHING.

WELL, THERE'S NOTHING
I WANT TO KNOW...

RIGHT AT THIS MINUTE.

AREN'T YOU EVEN
GOING TO KISS ME HELLO?

I'M SURE GLAD YOU'RE HOME.

ME, TOO.

NOW I'M GOING TO RIDE UP

AND HAVE A REUNION
WITH YOUR FAMILY,

SEE IF THE KIDS HAVE GROWN
UP AS MUCH AS YOU HAVE.

SEE YOU THERE, LOVER.

BATH WATER'S READY.

DONNIE TOOK HIS NAP
IN THE FETAL POSITION.

IN WHAT?

FETAL POSITION.

THE WAY HE WAS CURLED
UP INSIDE YOUR WOMB.

CLARISSE, WE DON'T
TALK ABOUT SUCH THINGS

IN THIS HOUSE.

IT'S JUST THAT I'M
TERRIBLY ENTHRALLED

WITH HUMAN
REPRODUCTION RIGHT NOW.

WE'VE BEEN STUDYING THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE FETUS

FROM THE TIME THE
SPERM AND THE EGG UNITE.

SHH!

THE ONLY EGGS THESE
CHILDREN HEAR ABOUT

COME FROM CHICKENS.

I WAS ONLY TRYING TO MAKE
INTERESTING CONVERSATION.

THEN MAKE IT ABOUT
SOMETHING ELSE.

NOW THAT I'M HOME,
I'M GOING TO GIVE

YOU AND MR. SPENCER
A WEEK'S VACATION.

THAT'S ONE THING I'VE NEVER HAD.

IT OUGHT TO BE REAL INTERESTING.

BATHE AND DRESS ALL THE KIDS,

MAKE THE DINNERS,
WASH THE DISHES,

MAKE THE BEDS,

WHILE YOU AND YOUR
HUSBAND JUST GO OFF

ON A SECOND HONEYMOON.

WE HAVEN'T HAD
THE FIRST ONE YET.

CLAY ALWAYS SAID THAT
WE WERE GONNA SPEND IT

UP THERE AT THAT
DREAM HOUSE, BUT...

WELL... WHERE WOULD
YOU SUGGEST WE GO?

EVER BEEN TO SUN VALLEY?

ONLY VALLEY I'VE EVER
BEEN TO IS THIS ONE.

THEN THAT'S WHERE YOU'LL GO.

SUMMER'S NOT TOO EXPENSIVE,

AND THERE'S
SWIMMING, AND DANCING,

AND SUNBATHING.

YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE
TO DRESS FOR DINNER.

WELL, THAT'S REAL NICE TO KNOW.

I'M SURE YOU'D
ENJOY IT IMMENSELY.

OH, I'M SURE I WOULD, DEAR,

BUT I'D CONSIDER IT A VACATION

IF I COULD JUST SIT
DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES

OUT THERE ON THAT PORCH.

SURE YOU CAN'T STAY TO SUPPER?

NO. FIRST NIGHT HOME.

DADDY WILL BE...

[WHISTLING]

HERE. I'LL TAKE CARE OF DONNIE.

YOU GO ON OUT

AND LOOK AT THE
SUNSET WITH CLAYBOY.

GUESS WHAT?

YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER
ARE GOING TO SUN VALLEY

ON THEIR SECOND HONEYMOON.

AND YOU AND I ARE GONNA

BE PAPA AND MAMA
WHILE THEY'RE GONE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

WHAT DO I THINK?

I THINK YOU'RE CRAZY.

HERE'S A DICTIONARY

WITH ALL THE NAUGHTY
WORDS UNDERLINED.

OH, I'VE SEEN ALL THOSE.

LOOK AT THIS ONE.

HOLY SMOKE.

HOW DID YOU FIND THEM?

STUDY HOUR.

LOOK AT THAT.

SOON AS YOU FIND OUT
WHAT THEY ALL MEAN,

BETTER ERASE THE UNDERLINE.

I KNOW THEM ALL BY HEART ANYWAY.

LOOK UP "FRICTION."

THE GIRLS AT THE ACADEMY
THOUGHT IT WAS A DIRTY WORD,

SO THEY WENT AROUND
SAYING, "FRICTION, FRICTION."

IT DOES SOUND DIRTY.

WELL, WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

ISN'T THAT A KICK?

NOW IF YOU'LL JUST
FRICTION ME A LITTLE,

I'LL RIDE HOME TO SUPPER.

YOU ARE NUTS.

GO AHEAD, OR I'LL
START SCREAMING.

OK, SCREAM.

ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.

WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?

JUST FRICTION ME FOR 10 SECONDS.

THAT'S ALL YOU GET THIS TIME.

Clay: LIVVY!

LORDY, LORDY,

IF LITTLE CLARISSE AIN'T
GONE TURNED INTO A WOMAN.

I'M SO PLEASED TO BE HOME.

YOU'RE JUST IN TIME FOR
CLAYBOY'S BIG MOMENT.

COME IN.

LIVVY!

COME ON OUT!

GATHER 'ROUND.

HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS,

HOT FROM THE POST OFFICE.

"MR. CLAY SPENCER, JR."

I NEVER SAW IT SPELLED
OUT THAT WAY BEFORE.

HAVE YOU, SON?

WHY DON'T YOU OPEN IT?

GOT YOUR NAME ON IT.

WHAT IF THEY TURNED ME DOWN?

THAT WOULDN'T BE
THE END OF THE WORLD.

WOULD BE FOR ME.

Clay: OPEN IT, SON.

TAKE IT LIKE A MAN,
WHATEVER IT SAYS.

"THE DEAN ANNOUNCES

"THE FOLLOWING
SELECTIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIP:

LAWRENCE ADAMS..."

IT'S ALPHABETICAL.

SKIP TO THE Ss.

THEY HAVEN'T GOT
ALL THE EDUCATION

IN THE WORLD LOCKED UP IN THAT

ONE CHEESY UNIVERSITY.

Grandpa: YOU COULD
WRITE DOWN THERE

AND ASK 'EM

WHAT KINDS OF BOOKS
THEY'RE TEACHING.

YOU COULD SEND FOR
'EM, GET 'EM UP HERE,

STUDY 'EM RIGHT IN FRONT
OF YOUR OWN FIREPLACE,

LIKE HONEST ABE DID.

MIGHT TAKE A BIT LONGER
WITHOUT THEM PROFESSORS,

BUT IT'S A WAY, BOY.

IT'S A WAY.

IF I HAD MY WAY, YOU'D BE

PRESIDENT OF
THESE UNITED STATES.

Livvy: CLAYBOY,

IT WAS LIKE REACHING
FOR THE SUN,

AND THE MOON, AND THE STARS,

WASN'T IT, DEAR?

MAYBE IT'S A MISTAKE.

MAYBE IT'S ONE OF
THEM CLERICAL ERRORS.

WHO'S KIDDIN' WHO?

THEY JUST DON'T WANT
ME! CAN'T YOU SEE THAT?!

Grandma: TIME FOR SUPPER.

COME ON. YOU, TOO, CHILDREN.

IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME AT ALL

IF THE GOOD LORD
HIMSELF KEPT CLAYBOY

FROM GETTING THAT SCHOLARSHIP.

WHY'D THE LORD WANNA DO THAT?

AFTER THE GRADUATION,
WE WERE ALL SO...

SO PUFFED UP

AND BRAGGING ABOUT HIM SO.

WELL, PRIDE COMETH
BEFORE A FALL.

IF THE LORD PUT YOU ON
THIS EARTH TO BE POOR,

POOR YOU'RE GONNA BE.

AND IF YOU'RE BORN IGNORANT,

WELL, THEN, YOU'RE
DESTINED TO DIE IGNORANT.

WHERE THE HELL'D YOU PICK UP

A PIECE OF
INFORMATION LIKE THAT?

IN THE BIBLE, AND
YOU STOP SWEARING.

SHOW ME WHERE IT SAYS
SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

I-I CAN'T EXACTLY
SHOW YOU WHERE,

BUT I HEARD A PREACHER...

WOMAN, YOU'VE BEEN LISTENING

TO TOO MANY PREACHERS.
LORD'S SAKE, ANYBODY

IN THE WHOLE WORLD
COULD FIND SOMETHING

WROTE DOWN SOMEWHERE

TO PROVE WHAT
THEY WANT TO PROVE.

JUST 'CAUSE IT'S WROTE
DOWN, DON'T MAKE IT SO.

OH, NOW YOU THINK YOU KNOW
MORE THAN THE PREACHERS DO.

MAYBE I DO, MAYBE I DON'T.

MAYBE I AIN'T BEEN
BAPTIZED OR NOTHING,

BUT THE GOOD LORD
MY MAMA TOLD ME ABOUT,

AND THE ONE I BEEN
SAYIN' MY PRAYERS TO

AIN'T THE ONE WHO'D
SET HIS FOOT DOWN

ON ANY OF MY KIDS
TRYING TO BETTER HIMSELF

IN THIS WORLD.

WHAT HURTS MOST IS KNOWIN'
THERE MUST BE THOUSANDS OF BOYS

IN COLLEGES EVERYWHERE
WHO DON'T HAVE

HALF THE HEART OR
MIND OR CRAVIN' TO LEARN

OUR BOY HAS.

THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN AFRAID OF

FROM THE START,

THAT MISS PARKER
AND THE PREACHER

WOULD OPEN A WINDOW FOR CLAYBOY

AND SHOW HIM THE WORLD OUTSIDE

AND MAKE HIM WANT IT

WITH ALL OF HIS HEART
AND ALL OF HIS SOUL,

AND THEN JUST SLAM
IT SHUT IN HIS FACE.

GOD FORGIVE ME,

I HATE THEM FOR LETTING OUR BOY

GET HURT LIKE THAT.

I THINK I'M GETTING ME DRUNK.

AIN'T GOING TO TAKE
THIS LYING DOWN.

NO SPENCER EVER DID.

NOBODY GOING TO TELL MY BOY

THERE AIN'T ROOM FOR
HIM OUTSIDE THIS VALLEY.

NOSIREE.

GOING DOWN THERE
AND TALK TO THIS

DEAN FELLOW WHO
TURNED DOWN MY BOY.

YOU DO THAT, CLAY.

I'LL MAKE YOU A LOAN

OF MY PICKUP TRUCK.

WON'T EVEN LET YOU
IN THE GATE, CLAY.

THEY'RE EDUCATED.

I'VE TALKED TO LOTS
OF EDUCATED PEOPLE

IN MY TIME. LOTS OF 'EM MAKE

MORE SENSE THAN SOME
IGNORAMUSES I KNOW.

THANKS FOR THE
LOAN OF THE TRUCK.

[SIREN]

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

WHEN YOU HEAR THAT
SIREN, YOU PULL OVER

AND STOP. YOU HEAR?

THERE'S A MAN BLEEDING IN THERE.

YOU'LL BE BLEEDIN'
RIGHT HERE IF...

YOU THINK HE'LL LIVE?

HOW SHOULD I KNOW?

I DO KNOW THAT YOU'RE
NOT GONNA LIVE LONG

DRIVING LIKE THIS.

I WAS TRYING TO
FIND THE UNIVERSITY.

YOU'RE RIGHT IN FRONT OF IT.

I WAS LOOKING FOR
THE BOSS OR FOREMAN,

WHOEVER RUNS THE PLACE.

THIS IS THE
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

THE BOSS MAN WORKS IN THERE.

NOW GET OVER THERE.

OVER HERE.

MORNING, MA'AM.

I'D LIKE TO SEE THE HEAD MAN.

WHAT ABOUT, SIR?

MY BOY'S CLAY SPENCER JR.,

AND WE PUT IN FOR
THIS SCHOLARSHIP,

AND WE DIDN'T GET IT.

AND I COME DOWN TO FIND OUT WHY.

OH. YES, SIR. JUST A MOMENT.

I'LL BE RIGHT BACK, SIR.

WELL, THEY LOOK SMART,

BUT I WONDER IF ANY OF THEM

EVER DID AN HONEST DAY'S WORK.

PLEASE GO IN, MR. SPENCER.

I REMEMBER YOUR
SON'S CASE VERY WELL.

WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

I'D LIKE YOU TO GIVE MY
BOY ANOTHER CHANCE

AT THEM SCHOLARSHIPS.

THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE.
THEY'RE ALL GONE.

WHERE'D MY SON FAIL?

FAIL? NOWHERE.

HIS GRADES, RECOMMENDATIONS,

AND QUALIFICATIONS
WERE EXCELLENT.

BUT HE HAD ONE INSURMOUNTABLE

DEFICIENCY... HE HAD NO LATIN.

LATIN IS AN ABSOLUTE
PREREQUISITE

FOR HIS CHOSEN VOCATION.

WON'T YOU SIT DOWN, PLEASE?

MAY I REMIND YOU

THAT MANY OF AMERICA'S GREAT MEN

NEVER WENT TO COLLEGE?

THAT WON'T BE MUCH
COMFORT FOR MY BOY.

IT AIN'T ONLY FOR HIMSELF.

BUT HE'S GOT THIS DREAM
OF LEADING THE WAY

FOR HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

HOW MANY CHILDREN DO YOU HAVE?

I GOT 9 OF THE FINEST
KIDS YOU EVER SEEN.

I BROKE MY BACK TO
KEEP 'EM ALL IN SCHOOL.

BUT I SWORE TO ALMIGHTY GOD

THAT EVERY ONE OF 'EM
HAVE WHAT I NEVER GOT.

WHICH IS?

HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION.

MY FIRST-BORN'S
MADE IT WITH HONORS,

BUT NOW HE'S GOT THIS
DEEP CRAVING FOR MORE.

HIS MAMA AND ME WOULD
MAKE ANY SACRIFICE

TO SEE HE GETS IT.

I'M SURE IF YOUR SON
WANTS TO BE A MINISTER

STRONGLY ENOUGH...

WANTS TO BE WHAT?

IF HE WANTS TO
PREACH THE GOSPEL.

HE DON'T WANT TO
PREACH NO GOSPEL.

HE JUST WANTS A
COLLEGE EDUCATION.

BUT HE APPLIED FOR A
MINISTERIAL SCHOLARSHIP,

AND YOU SIGNED IT.

FRIEND, SOMEBODY'S GOT
THINGS ROYALLY FOULED UP.

I'D AS SOON SEE MY BOY IN JAIL

AS HAVE A PULPIT.

THAT'S SEEMS A STRONG STATEMENT.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE
AGAINST PREACHERS?

IT'S WHAT THEY PREACH
AGAINST I'M AGAINST.

I'M AFRAID I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

THEY'RE AGAINST
EVERYTHING I'M FOR.

THEY DON'T ALLOW
DRINKING OR SMOKING,

CARD PLAYING, POOL SHOOTING,

DANCING, CUSSING,

OR HUGGING, KISSING, AND LOVING,

AND, MISTER, I'M FOR
ALL OF THEM THINGS.

I GOT ME A GOOD,
GOD-FEARING WIFE.

AND I LET HER BRING
UP OUR KIDS THAT WAY,

BUT I'LL BE
TRIPLE-DAMNED IN HELL

BEFORE I'LL HAVE A
PARSON IN MY FAMILY.

THAT SEEMS PRETTY FINAL.

DON'T YOU TEACH
NOTHING ELSE AROUND HERE

BESIDES THIS PREACHING BUSINESS?

OH, YES. WE TEACH AGRICULTURE,

HORTICULTURE, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY,

LAW, MEDICINE,
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION,

THE SOCIAL SCIENCES, THE ARTS.

GOOD.

IF MY BOY LEARNS
HIMSELF THIS LATIN

BEFORE COLLEGE STARTS,
WILL YOU LET HIM IN?

THERE'LL BE NO MORE
SCHOLARSHIPS THIS YEAR.

HE'D HAVE TO PAY HIS WAY.

IF I CAN SWING IT,
WILL YOU TAKE HIM?

WHAT IF THE ANSWER WERE NO?

WELL, THIS AIN'T THE
ONLY GOL-DURN COLLEGE

IN THE COUNTRY.

SIR, I JUST DON'T WANT
TO BREAK MY BOY'S HEART.

I DON'T THINK YOU'LL NEED
TO, NEIGHBOR SPENCER.

IF YOUNG CLAY CAN
COMPLETE HIS LATIN,

ING LIKE HIS FATHER,

I THINK HE'D BE AN
ASSET TO ALL OF US.

THANK YOU, SIR.

BRAVO.

WELL, WHAT ELSE COULD I DO?

HE'S RIGHT.

THIS AIN'T THE ONLY
GOL-DURN COLLEGE

IN THE COUNTRY.

OH, SORRY. I THOUGHT
CLAYBOY WAS HERE.

I FOUND OUT WHY THE
COLLEGE WOULDN'T LET HIM IN.

NO LATIN.

OH, MY. THEN THAT WAS MY FAULT.

I'VE NEVER TAUGHT IT.

I TALKED TO THIS
NICE FELLOW BECK.

DEAN BECK?

SEEMS AS IF SOME FOOL NOTION

THAT CLAYBOY WANTED
TO BE A PREACHER.

THEY GOT THAT FOOL
NOTION FROM ME.

YOU SEE, MINISTRY SCHOLARSHIPS

WERE THE ONLY ONES LEFT.

WE THOUGHT THAT WHAT
MATTERED MOST WAS

CLAYBOY'S CONTINUING
HIS EDUCATION.

WELL, DON'T WORRY.

I SQUASHED THAT
PREACHER IDEA RIGHT AWAY.

DEAN SAYS THAT IF CLAYBOY
GETS HIS LATIN SOME WAY,

HE CAN CHOOSE HIS OWN TRADE.

I WON THE LATIN MEDAL
WHEN I WAS THERE.

I COULD TEACH HIM WHAT I KNOW.

YOU COULD CERTIFY

HE STUDIED THE COURSE,

PASSED THE EXAMINATIONS.

DEAN BECK OUGHT TO HONOR THAT.

HE TAUGHT ME LATIN. GAVE ME A+.

WHAT WOULD YOU
CHARGE TO TEACH HIM?

CHARGE?

AFTER YOU SAVED ME A
WHOLE CONGREGATION?

WE'LL CALL IT BREAD
ON THE WATER.

DON'T GIVE ME THAT BIBLE STUFF.

NO, SIR, WE MAKE A
FAIR AND SQUARE DEAL.

WELL, I KNOW WHAT
WOULD BE FAIR FOR ME.

I TRUST YOU. WHAT'S FAIR
FOR YOU'S FAIR FOR ME.

YOU NAME IT, I PAY IT.

YOU INSIST?

THEN THE ONLY PAYMENT I WANT

IS TO SEE YOU AT
OUR CHURCH SUNDAYS.

DO WE HAVE A DEAL?

THANKS, PREACHER.

THANKS VERY, VERY MUCH.

OH, ISN'T IT WONDERFUL?

WHY, MISS PARKER, I
DIDN'T KNOW YOU CARED.

OH, I DO.

I DO!

[CHURCH BELL RINGS] LOOK!

NEVER THOUGHT I'D SEE THE DAY.

PAY UP, GUZZLER.

HE AIN'T GONE IN YET.

SAY IT ISN'T SO, CLAY.

YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT IT IS.

IT WOULDN'T HURT
YOU HEATHENS NONE

TO COME ON IN, TOO.

[ORGAN PLAYS BRINGING
IN THE SHEAVES]

COLONEL.

WELCOME TO THE
HOUSE OF THE LORD,

CLAY SPENCER.

RIGHT PROUD TO BE
HERE, MOTHER IDA.

ON THIS VERY AUSPICIOUS DAY,

I SUGGEST THAT
INSTEAD OF HYMN 142,

WE ALL SING HYMN 37...

WHEN THE ROLL IS
CALLED UP YONDER,

I'LL BE THERE.

♪ WHEN THE TRUMPET OF
THE LORD SHALL SOUND ♪

♪ AND TIME SHALL BE NO MORE ♪

♪ AND THE MORNING
BREAKS ETERNAL ♪

♪ BRIGHT AND FAIR ♪

♪ WHEN THE SAVED OF
EARTH SHALL GATHER ♪

♪ OVER ON THE OTHER SHORE ♪

♪ AND THE ROLL IS
CALLED UP YONDER ♪

♪ I'LL BE THERE ♪

♪ WHEN THE ROLL ♪

♪ IS CALLED UP YONDER ♪

♪ WHEN THE ROLL ♪

♪ IS CALLED UP YONDER ♪

♪ WHEN THE ROLL ♪

♪ IS CALLED UP YONDER ♪

♪ WHEN THE ROLL IS
CALLED UP YONDER ♪

♪ I'LL BE THERE ♪

NOW TRANSLATE
FROM THE SIXTH BOOK

OF CAESAR'S COMMENTARIES
ON THE GALLIC WAR.

"THE BRITISH CHIEFS..."

"MAGNA MOLARE...

TO BE BUSY WITH
AMBITIOUS PROJECTS."

OHH.

SICILIA. SICILY.

TAURUS. BULL.

TEMPLUM. TEMPLE.

PERFECT. DO THE NEXT
10 PAGES FOR TOMORROW.

CONJUGATE ME, BIG BOY.

YOU NAME IT.

CONJUGATE "TO LOVE."

AMO, AMAS, AMAT,

AMAMAS, AMATIS, AMANT.

OK.

LET'S.

LET'S WHAT?

LET'S MAKE LOVE.

WHERE?

RIGHT HERE.

YOU'RE NUTTIER THAN A FRUITCAKE.

NUTTY ABOUT YOU, HILLBILLY.

YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO
CUT YOUR HAIR DIFFERENTLY

WHEN WE GET MARRIED.

WE HAVE TO WAIT 4 YEARS?

CAN'T WE START PRACTICING NOW?

BEAT IT, WILL YOU?

I'M TRYING TO STUDY
FOR MY LATIN FINALS,

AND I SURE CAN'T DO IT WITH YOU

BLOWING IN MY EAR.

I'VE DECIDED WHAT
WE'RE GOING TO BE...

ARCHAEOLOGISTS.

YESTERDAY IT WAS BABY DOCTORS.

WE'LL HAVE OUR
PICTURES IN THE PAPERS,

WRITE BOOKS TOGETHER.

WE'LL GIVE LECTURES TOGETHER,

TRAVEL ALL OVER THE
WORLD SEEKING RELICS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THAT FAR.

I KNOW A PLACE ON
SPENCER'S MOUNTAIN

THAT'S LOADED
WITH INDIAN RELICS.

OH, TAKE ME THERE.

NO. IT'S A SECRET PLACE.

NOBODY'S BEEN THERE BUT ME.

I'VE ALWAYS WANTED
TO GO SOMEWHERE

WHERE NOBODY'S BEEN.

COME ON.

CLARISSE, I GOT TO STUDY.

HONEST, I REALLY DO.

I CAN READ YOUR MIND.

YOU'RE WONDERING WHAT
IT'D BE LIKE UP THERE...

JUST YOU AND ME.

IT'S NOT SAFE.

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

MAMA SAYS TO COME TO LUNCH.

YOU GO ON, TELL HER I'M COMING.

I'LL WAIT AND GO WITH YOU.

YOU DO WHAT I TELL YOU.

I GOT THINGS TO DO HERE FIRST.

I BET YOU HAVE. WITH HER.

I GOTTA CLOSE
WINDOWS, AND LOCK UP,

AND THINGS LIKE
THAT. NOW, GO ON.

I WON'T!

YOU WILL, OR I'LL
SPANK YOUR BOTTOM!

YOU TRY, AND I'LL
TELL MAMA WHAT I SAW.

ALL YOU SAW, LITTLE
MISS SMARTY-PANTS

WAS YOUR BROTHER TRYING TO GET

SOMETHING OUT OF MY EYE.

HIS HANDS WEREN'T
EVEN NEAR YOUR EYE.

YOU'RE TELLING A
LIE. YOU'LL GO TO HELL.

YOU SAY THAT AGAIN, BECKY,

AND I'M GONNA CLOBBER
YOUR JAW SO HARD,

YOU'LL LOOK BACKWARDS
THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

I'M GONNA TELL MAMA ON YOU.

HERE, TAKE THE KEY AND LOCK UP,

AND CLOSE THE WINDOWS,
AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BECKY!

YOU WAIT THERE!

BECKY!

BECKY, I'M GOING TO CLOBBER YOU.

Becky: SO THEY SAID

SHE'D SLAP MY
FACE IF I TOLD YOU.

JUST EXACTLY WHAT IS THIS CHILD

TRYING TO TELL ME?

I DON'T KNOW. WHAT'D SHE SAY?

SHE SAID YOU AND CLARISSE
WERE DOING SOMETHING BAD.

WELL, WE WEREN'T.

THEY WERE SO.

THEY WERE ALL WRAPPED TOGETHER

LIKE TWO FISHING WORMS.

WE WERE NOT!

GO ON. GO ON OUT.
GATHER THE EGGS.

GO ON.

HONEST, MOM, ALL WE
WERE DOING WAS KISSING.

THAT'S ALL.

OH, I BELIEVE YOU. GO
ON, EAT YOUR LUNCH.

READ ME SOME LATIN.

LAURENTIA CARNUM CUPIT.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

IT MEANS LAURENTIA WANTS MEAT.

WELL, WELL. IMAGINE THAT.

OH, MY GOODNESS.

IF IT WEREN'T FOR ME,

YOU MEN IN THIS HOUSE
WOULD STARVE TO DEATH.

YOUR FATHER AND YOUR GRANDFATHER

HAVE GONE UP THE MOUNTAIN
AND FORGOTTEN THEIR LUNCHES.

I'LL TAKE THEM.

GO ON.

HEY, SON.

I KEEP HAVING NIGHTMARES

ABOUT THIS TREE FALLING
ON OUR GRAVEYARD.

I'D HATE TO SEE ALL OUR STONES

GET KNOCKED EVERY WHICH WAY.

I'LL CHOP HER
DOWN FOR YOU, PAPA.

AH. GOOD BOY.

GOOD BOY.

[BIRD WHISTLING]

HEY, SON.

MY TOY BANK.

HEY, SON.

MY TOY BANK.

HAD IT WHEN I WAS A BOY.

PAPA!

PAPA, GO BACK!

DAD?

GRANDPA!

DAD!

DAD.

DAD!

DAD!

GOD, HELP ME.

DON'T LET MY DAD DIE.

PLEASE. I'LL GIVE UP ANYTHING.

COLLEGE, EVERYTHING.

DAD. PLEASE DON'T.

I'LL GET HELP.

DON'T DIE, DAD. PLEASE.

UP ON THE MOUNTAIN.

POP'S BEEN HURT.
I'M GOING FOR HELP.

I'LL GO RIGHT UP.

[SIGNAL SOUNDS]

DAD AND GRANDPA!

UP ON THE MOUNTAIN! ACCIDENT!

BRING AXES AND SAWS!

[KNOCK KNOCK]

DAD AND GRANDPA,
THEY'RE BAD HURT.

A TREE FELL ON THEM.

UP ON THE MOUNTAIN!
DAD AND GRANDPA!

TREE FELL ON THEM!

OLD MR. SPENCER'S NEAR
THE FRONT OF THE TREE.

AND HIS SON IS UNDER HERE.

HE'S UNDER HERE.

UHH.

PAPA'S UNDER THERE.

GET POP OUT.

Clay: GET POP OUT.

TAKE IT EASY.

THAT ANKLE BONE'S BUSTED BAD.

DAMN IT, DOC. GET POP OUT.

CUT THE PANTS LEG,

THEN POUR A GIANT
SLUG OF THIS DOWN HIM.

HE'S GONNA NEED IT.

GIVE ME THE SLUG BEFORE
THE PANTS LEG, SON.

THOUGHT PAPA WAS
DOWN AT THE GRAVEYARD.

I HOLLERED AT HIM, BUT HE FROZE.

BONE'S STICKING OUT, POP.

PAPA DEAD?

NO. HE'S ALIVE, CLEARLY, BUT...

IT CAN'T BE FOR LONG.

HE'S BROKEN NEARLY
EVERY BONE IN HIS BODY.

I GAVE HIM ENOUGH MORPHINE

TO GET HIM DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.

BETTER GET DOWN THERE, SON.

PREPARE THE WOMEN FOR BAD NEWS.

ABOUT THE ONLY TIME THE
OLD MAN EVER WHIPPED ME.

I REMEMBER THAT.

SHOULDN'T HAVE SASSED HIM.

YOU NEVER DID THAT AGAIN.

BEST HUNTER FROM
THE VALLEY, HE WAS.

TILL HIS EYES WENT BAD ON HIM.

I HOPE CLAY AIN'T
HURTING TOO BAD.

THE DOC PUT HIM TO SLEEP.

YOUR PAPA'S GONE.

♪ NOW THE DAY ♪

♪ IS OVER ♪

♪ NIGHT IS DRAWING NIGH ♪

♪ SHADOWS OF THE EVENING ♪

♪ STEAL ACROSS THE SKY ♪

Woman: ♪ JESUS ♪

♪ GIVE THE WEARY ♪

♪ CALM AND SWEET REPOSE ♪

♪ WITH THY TENDEREST BLESSINGS ♪

♪ MAY OUR EYELIDS CLOSE ♪

♪ WHEN THE MORNING WAKENS ♪

♪ THEN MAY I ARISE ♪

♪ PURE AND FRESH AND SINLESS ♪

♪ IN THY HOLY EYES ♪

♪ AMEN ♪

Preacher: HERE LIES A MAN

WHO BROUGHT HIS BRIDE
TO SPENCER'S MOUNTAIN

OVER 70 YEARS AGO.

WHOSE CHILDREN WERE
BORN ON THIS VERY SUMMIT...

WHERE HIS SON NOW BUILDS A HOUSE

FOR HIS CHILDREN

AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

9 FINE SONS...

AND 32 GRANDCHILDREN...

OWE THEIR BEING TO
THIS FINE, OLD MAN,

THE FOUNTAINHEAD

OF THE SPENCERS OF THIS VALLEY.

IT WAS HIS REQUEST

THAT THIS GOOD-BYE
BE KEPT SIMPLE.

THAT FOR THE COMFORT OF
HIS BELOVED WIFE AND FAMILY,

THIS HYMN BE SUNG.

♪ I COME TO THE GARDEN ALONE ♪

♪ WHILE THE DEW ♪

♪ IS STILL ON THE ROSES ♪

♪ AND THE VOICE ♪

♪ I HEAR ♪

♪ FALLING ON ♪

♪ MY EAR ♪

♪ THE SON ♪

♪ OF GOD ♪

♪ DISCLOSES ♪

♪ AND ♪

♪ HE WALKS ♪

♪ WITH ME ♪

♪ AND HE TALKS ♪

♪ WITH ME ♪

♪ AND HE TELLS ME ♪

♪ I AM HIS OWN ♪

♪ AND THE JOY WE SHARE ♪

♪ AS WE TARRY THERE ♪

♪ NONE OTHER ♪

♪ HAS EVER ♪

♪ HAS EVER ♪

♪ KNOWN ♪

[HUMMING]

WOULD MY SONS GATHER 'ROUND?

YOU, TOO, CLAYBOY.

WE GOT TO GO BACK
TO THE BUSINESS

OF LIVING,

SO I WANT YOU TO HEAR

WHAT YOUR PAPA AND ME WRIT DOWN.

HIS LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.

"THE OLD WOMAN
WRITES THIS FOR ME,

"'CAUSE I NEVER DID
LEARN TO WRITE MYSELF.

"REMEMBER WHEN
YOU BOYS GOT MARRIED,

"I DIVIDED UP MY HOMESTEAD

"ON SPENCER'S
MOUNTAIN AMONGST YOU.

"SO I GOT NOTHING
LEFT TO GIVE NOBODY

"BUT THIS $37

"I TUCKED AWAY FOR A RAINY DAY.

"NOW I'M FACING THE OLD MASTER.

"IT'S MY HEART'S WISH

"THAT THIS SAVINGS DO SOME GOOD,

"SO I'M LEAVING IT TO CLAYBOY,

"TO HELP HIM GET TO
THAT THERE COLLEGE

"HE'S GOT HIS HEART SET ON,

"KNOWING HE'LL PIONEER THE WAY

FOR HIS BROTHERS AND
SISTERS TO FOLLOW."

GOOD LUCK, CLAYBOY.

AIM FOR THE STARS.

PA, I CAN'T TAKE
GRANDPA'S MONEY.

THAT WAS HIS WAY
OF SHOWING HIS FAITH.

BUT YOU COULD MAKE
IT THROUGH COLLEGE.

BUT I'M GIVING UP COLLEGE.

YOU MEAN YOU
CAN'T LICK THIS LATIN?

I MADE A PROMISE
TO GOD I'D GIVE IT UP.

WHY WOULD YOU DO
A THING LIKE THAT?

WHEN THE TREE FELL,

I PROMISED IT IF
HE LET DAD LIVE.

DAMN IT, BOY, I THINK
THAT'S ONE PROMISE

THE GOOD LORD WON'T
BE ASKING YOU TO KEEP.

NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT, SWEETHEART.

GOOD NIGHT.

THANKS FOR GIVING
ME A SON LIKE THAT.

WHICH ONE'LL BE OUR BEDROOM?

WHERE'D YOU COME FROM?

I BROUGHT US UP A PICNIC.

WHERE WILL WE SLEEP?

YOU KILL ME.

COME KISS ME IN THE BEDROOM.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'LL BE.

COME UP HERE, AND
WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT.

SEEMS KIND OF INDECENT.

WHAT DOES?

KISSING IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.

WELL, THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT SEXY.

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE COME UP HERE.

YOU COULD FALL THROUGH
AND BREAK YOUR NECK.

IT IS A LONG WAY DOWN.

HOLD ME.

WELL, WHY'D YOU COME
UP HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE?

SO WE COULD DO THIS.

DO YOU ALWAYS PLAN THINGS?

ONE OF US HAS TO.

LIKE OUR PICNIC.

I PLANNED WHERE WE'LL HAVE IT.

WHERE?

AT YOUR SECRET PLACE.

IS THAT ALL YOU
WANT TO DO THERE?

NO... WE COULD EAT FIRST.

CARRY ME DOWNSTAIRS.

COME ON.

OR AM I TOO HEAVY?

COURSE NOT.

I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING.

I KNOW WHAT'S BEEN ON YOUR MIND

EVER SINCE YOU
PLANNED THIS PICNIC.

I DIDN'T PLAN IT, YOU DID!

THAT'S RIGHT... BLAME IT ON ME.

IT'S BEEN ON YOUR MIND

EVER SINCE I MENTIONED
THE SECRET PLACE.

I KNEW YOU WANTED
TO GET ME THERE

SO YOU COULD TRY SOMETHING.

ALL RIGHT, THEN LET'S NOT GO.

DON'T WORRY.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE
ANY WILLPOWER, I DO.

LEAD ME TO IT.

WELL, HERE IT IS.

LOOK. SOMETHING'S BEEN HERE.

OH, ONLY A DEER.

THAT'S WHERE HE SPENT THE NIGHT.

IT'S STILL WARM FROM ITS BODY.

NO, IT'S BEEN GONE SINCE SUNUP.

IT'S JUST WARM FROM THE SUN.

WE'LL HAVE OUR PICNIC HERE.

COME.

JUST THINK,

ONLY A FEW SHORT HOURS AGO,

SOME WILD, BEAUTIFUL
THING LAY HERE.

AND NOW LOOK.

IT'S NOT LIKE HIM
TO MISS SUPPER.

WE USED TO STOP
AND SMOOCH A LITTLE

ON THE WAY, REMEMBER?

WE NEVER DID SMOOCH.

NOT BEFORE MARRIAGE.

DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU
MEAN BY SMOOCHING.

IT MEANS MAKING LOVE.

NOT REALLY.

ONLY AROUND THE EDGES,

LIKE YOU USED TO LET ME.

STOP IT, CLAY!

STOP!

THE KIDS WILL SEE US.

OH, I WISH I'D NEVER TOLD HER

THAT YOU SENT HIM UP THERE.

NOTHING THEY CAN
DO UP THE MOUNTAIN

THEY CAN'T DO BEHIND OUR OWN
MORNING GLORIES RIGHT THERE.

I WAS AT THE HOUSE, SEE?

AND ME AND CLARISSE,
WE HAD THIS PICNIC,

AND EVERYTHING'S
FINE UP THERE, DAD.

I MEAN, IT'S OK.

YOUR SUPPER'S IN THE OVEN.

NOT HUNGRY.

NOT HUNGRY?

WELL, THAT'S NOT LIKE HIM.

DID... DID HIS FACE SEEM
SORT OF FLUSHED TO YOU?

DO YOU THINK HE'S COMING
DOWN WITH SOMETHING?

YEP. HELL OF A
CASE OF FIRST LOVE.

CLAYBOY WON'T LET
ME IN THE BATHROOM.

THEN YOU'LL JUST

HAVE TO WAIT YOUR TURN.

HE'S PUTTING
OINTMENT ALL OVER HIM.

OINTMENT? WELL, I...

I THINK YOU BETTER GO UPSTAIRS

AND FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

LET ME IN, SON.

WOW! THAT'S QUITE A SUNBURN.

WOW!

A LOT OF SUN.

OH, WOW!

BETTER LET ME GIVE YOU A HAND.

YOUR MOTHER WAS WORRIED.

ANYTHING YOU WANT
TO TELL YOUR OLD MAN?

LIKE WHAT, POP?

WELL, WHEN A YOUNG LAD'S

UP ON A MOUNTAIN MOST OF THE DAY

WITH A LIVELY LITTLE
FILLY LIKE CLARISSE,

LEADS HIS MOTHER TO
IMAGINE ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

NEXT TIME, IF I WAS YOU,

I'D TRY TO FIND A SHADY PLACE.

[HORN HONKS]

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

[BLOWS WHISTLE]

YOU DIDN'T STOP AT THE CROSSWALK

FOR THE GIRL.

OH, SORRY, SHERIFF.

THIS HERE'S MY SON.

YOU MAY SEE HIM AROUND HERE

AFTER NEXT WEEK.

IT'S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
PLACE ON EARTH.

I'M GETTING KIND OF SCARED.

AH, DON'T WORRY.

HE'S NOT THE SCARY TYPE.

"TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,

"THIS CERTIFIES THAT
CLAY SPENCER JR.

"HAS COMPLETED THE EQUIVALENT

"OF ONE COLLEGE
SEMESTER IN LATIN,

"PASSING FINAL EXAMINATION

"WITH A GRADE OF 95."

"CLYDE GOODSON."

PLEASE PLACE THIS IN
THE CLAY SPENCER JR. FILE,

THEN ADD HIS NAME TO THE ROSTER

OF THE FRESHMEN CLASS
ENTERING ON THE 10th.

DON'T HE HAVE TO
TALK LATIN TO YOU?

GOODSON'S ENDORSEMENT'S ENOUGH.

BY THE WAY, NEIGHBOR SPENCER,

IS HE A GOOD PREACHER?

WANNA KNOW HOW GOOD HE IS?

I'VE BEEN A HEATHEN ALL MY LIFE,

AND HE'S GOT ME SITTING
IN THE AMEN CORNER.

EVERY SUNDAY.

CONVERTED YOU, HUH?

HELL, NO, THAT'S THE
PRICE HE CHARGED

FOR GIVING MY BOY LESSONS.

COME SEE ME WHEN
YOU ENROLL NEXT WEEK.

THANK YOU, SIR.

YOU WERE ABLE TO
RAISE THE MONEY?

I CAN NOW.

ALL I NEEDED WAS THE
BOY BEING ACCEPTED.

HE'S MY COLLATERAL.

YOU MUST LIVE
FOR DAYS LIKE THIS.

LET ME GET OFF!

THEM ALL YOURS, SPENCER?

SURE ARE.

THIS HERE'S THEIR MA LIVVY.

AND STARTING WITH THE BABY

THAT'S ASLEEP, THAT'S DONNIE,

THERE'S JOHN, PATTYCAKE,

LUKE, SHIRLEY,

MATT, MARK, BECKY,

AND I THINK YOU
MET THIS BOY HERE

THAT DAY WE WAS
BREEDING THE BULL.

HE JUST GOT ACCEPTED
TO START NEXT WEEK

AT THE UNIVERSITY,
AND I'D LIKE TO USE HIM

AS COLLATERAL ON A NEW LOAN.

WELL, NEVER WENT
TO COLLEGE MYSELF.

I DONE PRETTY GOOD.

HOW MUCH YOU WANT THIS TIME?

GOT IT ALL WROTE DOWN

RIGHT HERE.

LET'S SEE.

FIRST YEAR TUITION FEES,

COLLEGE FEES,
STUDENT ACTIVITY FEES,

CONTINGENT FEES, LAB... $528?

HOW DO YOU AIM TO
PAY ALL THIS BACK?

JUST LIKE THE POWER SAW.

CLAY AND I FIGURED
THAT WE COULD PAY YOU

$10 EACH MONTH FOR 53 MONTHS.

WITH HIM ON A CANE?

WHAT IF NEXT TIME
YOU BREAK YOUR NECK?

THE QUARRY'S GOT A $500 POLICY

ON ALL ITS EMPLOYEES.

IF ANYTHING EVER
SHOULD HAPPEN TO CLAY,

I'D ENDORSE IT OVER TO YOU.

I GIVE YOU MY WORD, SIR.

MR. JOHN, YOU COME OVER HERE.

I WANT WORDS WITH YOU.

OH, MINNIE CORA,
COME ON OUT HERE

AND MEET THE SPENCERS.

I MET 'EM ALREADY. I
AIN'T PRESENTABLE.

YOU COME OVER HERE.

YOU HEAR ABOUT MY
FOREMAN BRINGS ME

THIS LITTLE HEIFER
TO LOOK AFTER ME.

WELL, I UP AND MARRIED HER.

ONE OF THEM
MAY/NOVEMBER WEDDINGS.

HOW SOON YOU NEED THE CASH?

DAMN IT, YOU QUIT THAT YAKKING

AND GET OVER HERE!

THEY'RE SUCKING AROUND
AFTER MONEY, AIN'T THEY?

SHH, BABY DOLL.

WHEN YOU GOT ME TO COME UP HERE

AND PLAY HOUSE WITH YOU,

YOU SAID YOU'D
NAME ME IN YOUR WILL.

SO I DID. I DID.

THAT MONEY'S ALREADY MINE,

AND IF YOU LET
THEM HAVE ANY OF IT,

YOU DON'T COME MESSING
AROUND ME AGAIN, YOU HEAR?

NOW, SHH, BABY DOLL,
THEY'LL HEAR YOU.

LET 'EM!

COME ALONG, CHILDREN.

WE'LL WAIT FOR DADDY
BACK IN THE TRUCK.

I AIN'T FORGOT CLAYBOY NEVER
BOTHERED TO COME CALLING.

NOW LET THEM BEG.

SHH, NOW, TAKE
IT EASY, BABY DOLL.

YOU LEND THEM THE MONEY,

AND I MOVE OUT
DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.

COURSE, I'D BE GLAD

TO PAY YOU INTEREST, MR. JOHN.

THEY'D BE GLAD TO
PAY US INTEREST.

WELL, YA...

YOU SEE HOW IT IS.

YES. I SEE HOW IT IS.

MAN MY AGE... HE GETS LONESOME.

SURE. SURE.

WELL, THANKS JUST THE SAME, SIR.

UH, YOU MIGHT TRY
COLONEL COLEMAN.

HE'S ALREADY ADVANCED
ME PAY EVERY WEEK

TILL MY LEG MENDS.

YOU'RE THE ONLY HOPE WE HAD.

Livvy: CLAYBOY,
TAKE THEM INSIDE.

SEE THAT GRANDMA CHANGES THEM

FROM THEIR SUNDAY CLOTHES.

Clayboy: ALL RIGHT.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE,

I WISH I COULD SWEAR.

REAL BAD.

DON'T CRY, SWEETHEART,

YOU'LL GET ME TO BAWLING, TOO.

WHY SHOULDN'T WE BAWL?

ALL OF OUR LIFE REACHING OUT

FOR SOMETHING
BETTER FOR OUR KIDS

THAN WE EVER HAD FOR OURSELVES,

AND THE ONE TIME WE GO BEGGING,

ALL WE GET IS A
SLAP IN THE FACE.

AND WHY?

JUST BECAUSE THAT
LITTLE HARLOT SAID NO.

WE STILL GOT A
WEEK TO FIND A WAY.

NO. WE'VE GOT TO STOP
TORTURING OURSELVES

AND OUR BOY WITH FALSE HOPES.

THERE IS NO WAY.

CLAYBOY IS GOING
TO END UP HIS LIFE

SLAVING IN THAT QUARRY,

AND SO ARE HIS BROTHERS,

SO LET'S STOP THIS DREAMING.

I GOT TO GET THIS
TRUCK BACK TO SLIM.

IS IT SAFE FOR DAD TO DRIVE?

UH-HUH.

CLARISSE LEFT THIS NOTE FOR ME.

WANTS ME TO MEET
HER AT THE LIBRARY.

SAYS IT'S TERRIBLY IMPORTANT.

ALL RIGHT, BUT LET'S
KEEP OUR FAILURES

TO OURSELVES, SHALL WE?

I'D RATHER THE WHOLE
WORLD DIDN'T KNOW,

AT LEAST NOT FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

I... I'M IN NO MOOD
FOR SYMPATHY.

BOY, DO I HAVE A
SURPRISE FOR YOU.

ADMITTED? BY SEPTEMBER 10th?

YES. THAT'S MY BIG SURPRISE.

WE'RE GOING TO BE TOGETHER.

WE'RE GOING TO BE

MATRICULATED TOGETHER NEXT WEEK.

MATRICULATED?

FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS,
WE'RE GOING TO BE

GOING THROUGH COLLEGE TOGETHER.

I WAS IN THE TOP 10%.

AREN'T YOU PROUD OF ME?

WON'T WE HAVE FUN?

[HORN HONKS]

CLARISSE, YOU'LL
MISS YOUR PLANE.

THAT'S DADDY. HE'S
TAKING ME TO THE AIRPORT.

BETTER UNLOCK THE
DOOR SO HE WON'T THINK

THIS IS ANOTHER SECRET PLACE.

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

IS ANYTHING WRONG?

ISN'T IT JUST LIKE A
DREAM COME TRUE?

DON'T WORRY ABOUT
HAVING TO SPEND MONEY

ON ME FOR DATES.

I KNOW HOW IT IS,

SO WE'LL JUST TAKE
LONG WALKS NIGHTS

AROUND THE LAKE.

[HONK HONK]

I'LL MEET YOU AT
8:00 MONDAY MORNING

ON THE STEPS OF THE
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE IT IS?

OH, I LOVE YOU.

Livvy: WE'VE GOT TO STOP
TORTURING OURSELVES

AND OUR BOY WITH FALSE HOPES.

THERE IS NO WAY.

CLAYBOY IS GOING
TO END UP HIS LIFE

SLAVING IN THAT QUARRY,

AND SO ARE HIS BROTHERS,

SO LET'S STOP THIS DREAMING.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL EVENING?

HAVE YOU GONE
CRAZY OR SOMETHING?

I'M GOING TO FIX

THIS WHOLE PLACE
UP FOR YOU, HONEY.

GET YOU A BRAND-NEW SINK,

GONNA PAINT THE WALLS,

SCREEN IN THE FRONT PORCH

SO WE CAN SIT OUT THERE EATING

AND WATCH THE KIDS PLAY.

I THOUGHT WE WERE
GOING TO DO ALL THAT

UP AT THE DREAM HOUSE.

WOULD YOU MIND
SOMETHING TERRIBLE

IF THIS WAS OUR HOME FOR ALWAYS?

OF COURSE NOT.

I... I LOVE THIS HOUSE.

IT'S WHERE MY
CHILDREN WERE BORN.

THAT OTHER HOUSE WAS
YOUR DREAM, NOT MINE.

WELL, HONEY,

THAT DREAM'S GONE UP IN SMOKE.

YOU KNOW HOW COLONEL COLEMAN'S

ALWAYS BEEN AFTER THAT PROPERTY?

WELL, I SOLD IT
TO HIM TONIGHT...

ALL EXCEPT THE GRAVEYARD GROVE.

COME MORNING, OUR BOY'S

GOING OUT TO THAT COLLEGE.

IF HE MAKES GOOD,
HE'S GONNA HELP

HIS BROTHER MATT GET STARTED,

AND MATT WILL HELP BECKY,

AND RIGHT ON DOWN THE LINE.

OH, CLAY.

OH, CLAY, OF COURSE
THEY'LL MAKE IT.

THEY'RE ALL THOROUGHBREDS.

THERE'S NOT A
THROWAWAY IN THE BUNCH,

JUST LIKE YOU SAID.

GOD KNOWS, THEY'LL TURN OUT

TO BE DOCTORS AND NURSES

AND LAWYERS... EVEN PRESIDENTS.

I GOT CLAYBOY A GOING-AWAY SUIT.

I DON'T WANT NO SON OF MINE

LOOKING LIKE A HILLBILLY.

OH, CLAY, DARLING.

[BUS HORN HONKS]

WELL, GOOD LUCK, CLAYBOY.

GOD BLESS YOU.

DON'T YOU DARE UNPIN
YOUR COLLEGE MONEY

UNTIL YOU'RE FACE TO
FACE WITH THE DEAN.

DON'T TAKE UP ANY
FANCY WAYS, BOY.

TRUST IN GOD AND GO TO CHURCH.

AMEN.

MAKE US PROUD.

SAY GOODBYE TO
YOUR BROTHER, KIDS.

I WANT TO GO WITH CLAYBOY.

COME HERE, PATTYCAKE.

I LOVE YOU, SWEETHEART.

NOW, BE GOOD, HUH?

COME HERE.

OK.

SOMEDAY IT'LL BE
YOUR TURN, DEAR.

REMEMBER HOW MUCH YOU'RE LOVED.

YOU GIVE 'EM HELL, KID.

GOING FAR, SON?

RIGHT FAR.

CAPTIONING MADE
POSSIBLE BY WARNER BROS.

CAPTIONS COPYRIGHT
1991 WARNER BROS., INC.