Spring Awakening (1994) - full transcript
Supporting actor, Fritz Weaver, among others. Love story with Sherylyn Fenn. A family toils to save their Apple orchard from freezing and flooding circa 1900? Filmed in northern California.
♪♪
[birds chirping]
[train chugging]
[whistle blowing]
Brownville Station,
next stop.
Next stop, Brownville Station.
Brownville Station, next stop.
[wheels screeching]
[horse whinnying]
[dog barking in the distance]
[birds chirping]
[train whistle blowing]
[door creaking]
I'm home.
And I never want to leave.
It smells so good in here.
Come finish up
our Easter lamb.
Raisins or candies?
Bobbie...
bring it over here
before it melts in this heat.
Just a minute, Grandma.
If we don't tell Papa, he might
think this is a real lamb.
Don't be so sure he's coming.
Oh, Mama.
I just can't wait to eat it.
Our little boy shouldn't
go fooling with this
delicious sweet.
You two, watch that cake now.
Grandma!
[engine hissing]
Is my papa really
coming for Easter?
He comes as often as he can,
doesn't he?
I heard the train whistle
a little while back.
What?
You have a sweet tooth
just like your father.
Mmm.
That's my boy.
[horse neighing]
[dog barking]
I expected you'd be at
the church by this time.
Bobbie and I still have some
things to get for Easter dinner.
Oh.
Holiday's a time when
families come together.
I can't help feeling
sorry for you--
Listen, I want you to
run over to the store
and get three eggs.
Take them home, carefully.
I'll meet you home
late afternoon.
Yeah.
It's wasting good time
feeling sorry for people who
don't feel sorry for themselves,
Mrs. Skimmons.
Good day.
♪ Yes we'll gather
♪ At the river
♪ The beautiful
♪ The beautiful river
♪ Gather with the saints
♪ At the river
♪ That flows by
♪ The throne of God
♪ On the marching
♪ At the river
♪ Washing up
♪ Its silver spray
♪ We will walk
♪ And worship ever
♪ All the happy
♪ Golden days
♪ Yes we'll gather
♪ At the river
♪ The beautiful
♪ The beautiful river
♪ Gather with the saints
♪ At the river
♪ That flows by
♪ The throne of God ♪
You ought to set them
house plants
close around the pulpit.
Need any help?
Oh, we're just fine.
[sighing]
[ducks quacking]
Now that you've used them
hyacinths for the lamp brackets,
what are you going to put on
the railing
in front of the pulpit?
Martin said he'd bring
some Easter lilies
up from Kansas City.
Decided to come visit,
has he?
There's some more
daffodils in your truck.
If we both lend a hand,
we could finish real soon.
Maybe your Martin Dempster
will help you
when he gets here.
[footsteps approaching]
There you are.
Go on, open it.
Beautiful.
These are the first flowers
that have made me feel
a bit like Easter.
One of them is for you
to wear tomorrow.
Thank you.
[clearing throat]
Church looks good.
I think we've done right well
considering this trying weather.
I guess I'm about finished
working, Margie.
Is my wagon unloaded?
Did you unload it?
Let me take care of it.
[bird squawking]
I didn't thank you
for the lilies.
I'm glad they're
what you had in mind.
I brought this for Bobbie.
He'll love it.
The fact is, I've got
something to talk to you about.
You know I've been looking
for somewhere where
I'd have a chance to get ahead.
Seems like I've been traveling
a lifetime from place to place,
working where I could.
You still think there'd be
no use in trying to get ahead
here in Brownville?
The fact is, I've found
a place at last in Kansas City.
A first-rate job,
pays real well.
It looks like I could hold it
for as long as I want.
Then you can make
your home there.
I haven't quite got things
all planned out clear yet.
Of course, you'll have to
come back often to see Bobbie.
Well, you see...
... I was counting on
taking Bobbie with me.
He's about old enough now,
and I don't think I could bear
to live without him any longer.
You're not gonna take Bobbie.
Yes, and if you'll agree--
You'll never take Bobbie
away from me.
He's more my child than yours.
My God... a woman
must have something.
Every woman's got to have...
You've never talked
like this before.
Bobbie is the only thing
in your life that you've
ever given mine.
You brought him to me
when he was a helpless
little baby, dependent on me
for everything,
and I loved him for just that.
I know how much you love him.
I--
He needed my youth
and my strength,
and the very warmth of my body.
He needed me and you didn't!
Not a day passes but someone
throws it in my face that
I'm driveling my life away
to take care of the child
of the man who jilted me.
I loved you, Martin.
Now I never want to
see you again.
You're a sorry failure
who's never given me anything
but broken promises.
You're not the man
I thought you were...
and you cannot take him from me
after all these years
of loving him!
Margie!
Margie!
Margie, slow up.
I don't see any fireflies.
Aren't there snakes up here?
Should be coming along.
What are you talking about?
Shh.
[marching band playing]
I can hear her.
The Belle.
She's coming around the bend.
Martin's on that boat.
Your mother hoped you'd
forget about him
away at college.
Mmm...
School helped me understand
a lot of things.
Who I want to be, what I need
to do in this world,
who is really important
in my life.
I don't see why you
like him so much.
He's simple and unworldly
and he lives for
what he likes best.
I refuse to ever forget him.
♪♪
♪♪
Ladies and gentleman,
please board
the Brownville Belle now
for the last excursion
of the evening.
[whistle blowing]
♪♪
[creaking]
[groaning]
It's taking real strength
to flank-in these days.
I remember.
"Flanking the bend."
The channel keeps changing.
It used to be narrower
and deeper.
Coming around that sandbar
out there is getting to be
a real problem.
A captain never knows
what it'll be.
If he goes aground,
we call it "going home."
You talk a lot about
the river.
I guess I do.
More than most else anyway.
♪♪
It's so dark out there.
I'll make sure you're safe.
[horse whinnying]
Maybe you'd be more
comfortable in the back seat.
I don't like it when
you drive this buggy.
It's not feminine.
If none of the boys are
available to drive us,
we shouldn't go out.
Oh, Mother, this is 1900.
Women are perfectly capable
of driving buggies.
Besides, nothing's going to
stop me from hearing
Papa's speech.
I'm sure your father'll
be more than happy to repeat
any of his speeches
at a moment's notice.
[chuckling]
Come on, boy.
[laughing]
[marching band playing]
♪♪
[laughing]
[bleating]
Well...
can't say it's not juicy.
Have you come to
the Pierson apples yet?
Not yet.
Not as far as I know.
When you taste the best,
you'll know whose it is.
If it's as good as it was
last year, I expect it'll take
the blue ribbon again
this year, ma'am.
[crowd applauding]
Oh, don't you both look nice.
Looks like you're finishing
those decorations none too soon.
♪♪
I would like to introduce
a man who,
through his philanthropies,
would be called the backbone
of this county,
Mr. Samuel Pierson.
Here, here.
Thank you, Governor.
Well, I want to have a...
serious talk today about
the place we all call home.
We got every reason to be proud.
We're a lucky people,
but we've got to take
a hard look at the future.
There's a dark cloud
looming over Brownville,
and it begins and ends
with the river.
Every year
that old river shifts
and changes, and every year
she overflows.
And we shake our heads,
and we clean up the mess,
and we go right on like
that's the way it should be.
But we've got to face one thing.
We can't count on that
old river.
What happens when
the channel gets so shallow,
a boat can't get through?
When the steamboats
can no longer come?
The answer, my friends...
... is the railroad.
Railroad?
The railroad!
[crowd murmuring]
It's going to save this town.
Hold yourselves.
We're not starting any
foot race 'til all of them
foots are behind
the start line.
Now, going by the rules,
all contestants must be
barefoot.
Now, the Brownville Band
is going to walk around
and make sure the track
is cleared of all the rocks.
[marching band playing]
♪♪
When are you and your beau
from Red Cloud going to marry?
We plan on next summer.
I wish Margie would find
someone suitable.
You girls are waiting
too long.
I was married when I was
19 years of age.
Oh-ho-ho.
Oh, the ants will thank us
for that one.
Thanks for the hand.
Oh, would you like
some sugar water?
Can't be too sweet for me.
Oh.
It's real good.
Yeah.
When's the race
going to start?
Any minute, Mama.
It's so dusty by the track.
Margie, maybe your mother
would like some lemonade.
I could definitely use
some libation.
Would you, dear?
Absolutely.
I've been watching you.
I know.
Three, please.
I think it might be
too sugary for your mom.
It doesn't matter.
As long as it's cold.
They're on the house.
Your boyfriend's a real help.
Do you have to work tonight?
I never think of it
like that.
Guess I like that boat
more than anything.
It must be nice having
something you love so much.
Don't you?
Yes, I do.
Are you ready?
Yeah!
[crowd cheering]
[marching band playing]
I hope you didn't ask for
help on my account.
I didn't ask for
help, Mother.
Martin offered.
This is the most
sugary potion I ever tasted.
Might just as well have told
your helper, "No thank you."
[crickets chirping]
Well, Margie girl,
what do you think the people
thought about my speech?
They loved it, of course.
You're both trying to
change the subject.
Mama, how could you have
spoken to Martin in that tone?
Martin Dempster
is a river rat.
I remember when he was
a little boy,
he'd always run away.
His father would find him
down by the river.
River boys do not take
kindly to education.
They're always hankering
for the water.
That's no reason to be mean.
I don't want my only girl
around a river rat.
Not the daughter
who's beautiful.
Not the one who has
a college education.
That very education helps me
to choose the right person.
When God helped Noah
build the Ark, he called
them animals in two by two.
Two ducks, two geese,
two horses.
They were always two of
the same kind, side by side.
The fact is, you don't
know Martin at all.
He is the truest person I know.
He and I are exactly
the same kind, and we're
going to walk together,
side by side.
[thundering]
♪ Take me to the water
♪ Take me to the water
♪ Take me to the water
♪ To be baptized ♪
I baptize you, my brother,
in the name of the Father,
in the name of the Son,
and in the name of
the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
♪ Everybody sing
♪ Amen
♪ Everybody sing
♪ Amen
♪ Everybody sing
♪ Amen
♪ Amen
♪ Amen
♪ Let the preacher sing
♪ Amen
♪ Let the preacher sing
♪ Amen
♪ Let the preacher sing
♪ Amen
♪ Amen
♪ Amen
♪ Everybody sing ♪
[thundering]
Listen here, son.
You ever seen a catfish
100 pounds?
No, sir.
One time this river rose up
and flooded my daddy's cabin.
He was out fishing,
he come home,
peeked in the window
and sitting right there in his
easy chair is a giant catfish,
maybe 100 pounds.
He slammed that door mighty
quick, bolted it shut.
So what'd he do then?
Well... he just waited around
'til the water went down,
and he waited a little while
longer so that fish would
be good and tired.
Then he just opened the door.
That fish was
so glad to see him,
he just give himself up,
flapped his last flip
right into my daddy's arms.
[chuckling]
Wouldn't you say that's about
the best fish story
you ever heard?
Yes, sir.
That old river...
ain't she something.
She's got a mind of her own,
all right.
♪♪
[thundering]
Pop rising.
[men shouting]
[thundering]
Keep it coming, boys!
Keep it coming,
she's rising fast!
[thundering]
Go.
Throw the dirt!
Throw the dirt!
Throw the dirt!
Can't reach!
Over there!
Lend a hand, man.
[thundering]
Ahh!
My God, Ian!
He's fallen in!
[screaming]
My son!
Help me!
My son's in the water!
Help me!
My son, he's drowning!
Quick, grab him!
Find him, my boy!
Hang on, hang on, he's coming!
Ian, stay up, Ian, stay up!
Daddy, help!
Hang on, son!
Help!
[thundering]
[coughing]
[coughing]
Stay up!
[coughing]
Ahh...
[thundering]
I got him!
Yes!
♪♪
[birds chirping]
[footsteps approaching]
You all right?
I knew you'd be up here.
How's the boy?
He's mostly scared.
That old river's gonna
ruin this town.
I used to come up here
when I was a boy.
Talk to her just like
I'm talking to you now.
Think of all the rivers.
The Nile, the Congo,
the Amazon ...
The Mississippi.
They've shaped men's dreams.
The old "Mo" gave me
my first dream.
She's my school
and she's my religion.
I think we're capable of
doing whatever we dream.
I had dreams of saving
all the poor children
in this world.
I wanted to be
a great navigator
and bring glory to Brownville.
I know I have to go down river
as far as she goes.
Did you know up on this
hill somewhere there's
an old Indian chief.
He wanted to be buried
sitting bolt upright
on this bluff.
I heard something like that.
He always wanted to watch
the steamboats going
up and down the river,
from now to eternity.
Hope they don't go away.
There's no such thing
as forever.
Yes, there is.
♪♪
Quickly.
Come along, come along.
There's apples to be
picked here.
[horse whinnying]
Where've you been?
You're late.
Fill those baskets up.
Now that's the lot of them,
finally, sir.
Look at the time.
Not to worry.
All right now,
let's pick 'em a little faster.
Over there!
Bring the wagons over here
so we can put the baskets
on the wagon.
Don't dawdle now.
[groaning]
Get 'em all now, come on!
Mr. Pierson, sir!
No change.
No, you must stay in bed until
your heartbeat stabilizes.
Papa, listen to
Doctor Bennett.
I'll come by tomorrow
to check his pulse.
I'll see myself out,
Miss Margie.
Make sure he stays in bed.
Yes, I will.
Thank you so much.
Doctor?
Oh, he'll be fine.
He just needs to rest.
I need to talk.
No exertion, sweetheart.
My two girls,
come here, sit.
I hate to burden you
with anything, but the farm
hasn't been paying for itself
for some time now.
I've been thinking about
going to work.
You should never
have to work, Margie girl.
You know I want to
help children.
I can certainly teach.
Pierson women do not work
for a living.
I hope to God it never
comes to that.
I want you to have the world.
No cares, no problems.
You'll be out there
next year until every last
apple is picked.
I know it.
♪♪
[whistle blowing]
Each year that old orchard
brings in less and less.
It's not your fault, Ulf.
[harmonica playing]
♪♪
Margie!
Let's dance, come on.
You want to dance?
[laughing]
[laughing]
Come on.
Don't laugh at me.
Don't be shy.
[cheering]
Walk with me, Margie.
♪♪
Come on, George.
Give us a dance.
[frogs croaking]
I've got to be
going to St. Louis.
I knew you would.
Brownville's drying up.
Yes, but I need to stay with
my family and fight.
This is my home.
This is my home, too,
but I have no choice.
I have to go where my work is.
My father saw
all this coming.
I'm worried about him
being sick.
That's another reason
why I've got to stay.
I need to make
something for us.
Show your parents who I am.
Even loving you like this...
... we have to wait.
You understand me?
♪♪
My father gave me this cross.
I want you to have it.
I don't have
anything for you.
I have you.
All I need is knowing
that I have you
for my own.
Just give me a little
more time, that's all.
I'll wait for you, Martin.
When you're ready,
you'll know where to find me.
[birds chirping]
[door opening]
I hope we don't
get a bad freeze.
If the weather turns mean,
we'll lose our trees.
I've already spoken to
Ulf about it.
If we have to, we'll light
a smudge pot by every tree.
That orchard's all we've got.
It's your legacy.
Now don't you start
worrying about that again.
You promised you wouldn't.
Mrs. Skimmons sent over this
johnnycake.
Oh.
Can't touch your mother's.
[chuckling]
But it's edible.
Margie...
... what I'm going to say
might not go down too well.
You know, there was a time
when I thought I was
gonna live forever.
I don't know
how your mother's going to
take all of this, my dying.
But I am glad you're free
to take care of her.
I know about Martin's leaving.
Oh, Papa.
No, I want you to
take your mother out
to get her mind off me.
Do things while I'm still here.
Don't just sit around
waiting for me to die.
Nobody's waiting
for you to die.
Well, you know what I mean.
I just can't stand to
see the two of you so upset.
So blue.
It makes me sicker than I am.
Don't you worry.
I could never let you
or Mama down.
[sniffling]
Oh...
It's all right.
[audience applauding]
We have three pupils of
Cora Gates' who are
debuting here tonight.
Our first is pianist
Helen May Martin.
We are especially proud of
Helen May
because she is both
blind and deaf.
[audience applauding]
♪♪
I wish your father were here.
I know, Mama.
I know.
[whistle blowing]
[bell dinging]
[whistle blowing]
[horse neighing]
[bell dinging]
You only have one chance
with me.
I thought I made that clear
when we made our agreement!
Now, who are you?
Get out of my cabin.
Captain Boone McClary
sent me.
Best captain I know.
I don't believe you've
made my acquaintance.
I'm Captain Von Koster.
Martin Dempster,
from Brownville.
Yeah, hear the river's
pretty bad up there.
Getting thinner and thinner.
That's why I'm here.
You got to be good
to work down here.
Snags, shifting channels,
early ice; the romance of
steam-boating has its price in
boats sunk and lives lost.
I didn't get this far
by being bad.
Uh... so you say.
There's just one thing
I can't tolerate, and that's
going against what I say.
You do that once,
you have lost me.
Mm?
Don't ever disappoint me, boy.
Now forget about your
Captain McClary.
Captain Emperor
Lord Duke Von Koster
is the only captain name
I want crossing your lips...
... now that you're
working for me.
Yes, sir.
♪♪
I hope you're not being rude.
A rule's a rule.
No single women allowed.
You act as if being single
is something
to be ashamed about.
Doesn't look right.
That depends on
who is looking.
A rule that's broken
ain't no rule at all.
There's a single man
right over there.
Oh!
Pardon me.
Oh, what beautiful
penmanship you have.
"To Miss Margie Pierson:
"I miss you very much
"but I have made good progress
since my last letter."
Oh...
Now you have two friends.
Since you are such
a good friend, you won't mind
if I just sit down
at your table?
Nothing personal.
In fact, I promise not to
bother you at all.
It seems that the establishment
has some peculiar rules.
[clearing throat]
All of a sudden, I am not
a single woman anymore.
[dog barking in the distance]
Morning there, Monroe.
Any good news for me today?
Hope there's something
in there for you.
Mail's been taking about a month
to come up from St. Louis.
[horse neighing]
Ah...
That's it.
Thank you.
[door opening]
Since we have become friends,
I wanted so very much for you
to see where I live.
When I first got my own place,
I happened to go
to a palmist.
Maybe you think
that they are all fakes
and gypsies,
but I'm here to tell you
there's more to it than that.
She told me to make my bedroom
look like an egg.
I just thought about that
for the longest time.
What would it be like
to sleep in an egg?
Nice, isn't it?
I don't know.
I never slept in an egg.
[laughing]
No, silly.
I mean, it looks real nice.
I've never seen anything
like this before.
I was hoping you would say
you have never met anyone
like me before.
I could say that.
I can definitely say that
you are not like
any person that I have
ever met before.
Please...
come sit on the bed.
♪♪
I don't think so.
You want to see
how it feels, don't you?
Sitting in an egg.
I suppose I do.
Feels nice, don't it?
Yes, it does.
Real soft.
I would like to be
kissed in an egg.
Aimée.
Maybe you could oblige me.
I told you before
we were just gonna be friends.
That's all.
What's the harm?
It's just us alone here.
Nobody's staring over
our shoulder.
If we both want to,
I can't see why not.
After all...
... it's my egg.
[bell tolling]
I just want to say
how sorry I am.
I...
Thank you, Mrs. Skimmons.
There-- there wasn't
anymore I could do.
We appreciate
your help, Luke.
Uh, please call on me,
as a friend, if you
or your...
mother need anything.
Thank you.
What am I gonna do?
It's all right, Mama.
I just never felt so bad.
I always thought...
that I would go before him.
I'm here, Mother.
Sam!
Daddy!
[crying]
What am I gonna do?
[banging]
[birds chirping]
[dog barking in the distance]
Hello, Monroe.
Miss Margie,
been expecting you,
but I ain't seen nothing
for you today.
Just like the last few times.
There...
Here's one here from New York
to... your father.
I'm sorry.
Don't feel strange about it.
That's just life.
Thanks.
[bell dinging]
Hope your voyage
was memorable.
Smoothest boat on the river.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Everything in order, Captain?
Yes, everything's
very smooth, very smooth.
Thank you, sir.
Martin...
... come have a word with me
before you go ashore.
Yes, sir.
Sit down, Martin.
Try one of these.
Thank you, Captain.
Oh...
You saving that to
savor it later?
Yes, sir, thank you.
I'll smoke it tonight
after dinner.
Yeah, I saw tonight on shore.
The little Frenchy.
Aimée de Mar.
You know Aimée?
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, I know her.
Have some port.
You know, Martin,
you're a fine navigator.
I've been watching you close
all these months.
Glad to hear it.
But, uh...
... but you have to be careful
of the snags.
I do my best.
Mmm.
I'm not talking about the river.
I'm talking about life.
When you're on the river
of life, you have to
be careful of the snags.
Yes, sir.
Aimée de Mar is a snag.
I know.
Now, you have a career
in front of you.
You're well-respected
on the river.
I thought you told me you had
a girl up in Brownville.
I do.
Some people would call you
my protégé, Martin.
I'd be proud
of that, Captain.
What are people gonna think
of me if my protégé doesn't
know how to pick his women?
It's very important to me
and to you, Martin,
that you stop this relationship.
Before it embarrasses me.
I know.
I know that for sure.
[birds chirping]
Ulf.
Ah, Miss Margie.
Uh...
Something's going on up there
in that sky.
The devil's at work.
Spring.
Oh, I wouldn't count on it.
The bulbs think so.
Oh, that's an old trick.
The weather's beautiful.
No, up there in the clouds.
That's where the story is.
♪♪
This is a naughty tale.
A tale about a liar...
who says one thing
and then does another.
The spring weather,
so soft and warm, all the
young buds come popping up
to see what all the fuss is.
Then, like the mean old man
he is, he blows cold.
Like to kill all those
fresh young shoots
just wanting to grow.
You make life sound so cruel.
Hurry up now!
We must fight this frost.
Come along, boys,
bring it right here.
Follow me.
I want fire pots every other
row down there for four rows.
Yes, sir.
Keep those torches moving.
♪♪
♪♪
Martin.
[sighing]
There was so much to stay here
and fight for.
[horse nickering]
Aimée.
Yes, Martin?
I think it's time for you
to find some new friends.
Oh, Martin.
Je t'aimerai toujours.
What does that mean?
I will love you forever.
Don't say that.
I told you from the start
there's someone else,
and you know I love her.
If I feel it,
why shouldn't I say it?
Because there's some things
should be said by the man first.
If I waited for you to
say it, I'd never hear it.
That's just it.
You're never going to
hear it from me.
There is one thing
that a woman can say first,
but a man can't.
No games tonight.
Listen to what
I'm saying to you.
No, wait.
This is a perfect riddle.
What can a woman say
but a man can never say?
Stop now.
You haven't
answered my riddle.
Stop right now and listen to
what I am saying to you!
I am going to have a child.
Don't make fun of things
like that.
I'm not.
Aimée?
You see, a woman can say it,
but a man cannot.
I am going to have
a little baby.
It's a lie.
I am going to have
your little baby.
♪♪
Aimée... no.
Oh, no.
Oh, no.
♪♪
♪♪
[crying]
[bird squawking]
I want my Recamier.
It's yours anyway, Mama.
Then why are those boys
taking it away from me?
They're taking it to our
new house like we talked about.
The one with
the pretty rose wallpaper.
And my roses?
Who's going to take
care of my roses?
These roses are
older than you are.
I can't just leave them.
You can't just leave
something you've cared about
for years and years.
The roses can
take care of themselves.
I don't want to move to
a smelly little house
no bigger than our parlor.
I don't want you to be
a school mistress in
a country school.
Pierson women do not work
to earn a living.
Mother, it's time to get
in the wagon with Ulf.
It's ready now, Mrs. Pierson.
The truth is, Margie,
I'm not leaving this house,
and no one can make me.
Shame on you, Mama, for
acting this way in front of Ulf.
Now you know we don't have
a choice about the house.
We've talked about this
for months on end.
We saw it coming,
and now we have to move out.
Mama, the real worth of a person
has nothing to do with
the house one lives in.
You must know inside
just who and what you are,
and who I am
and who Papa was.
And carry it with pride
wherever you go.
♪♪
You can't just leave
something you've cared about
for years and years.
It's against human nature.
[horse snorting]
[dog barking in the distance]
A real hot one.
Might as well be swimming in
ten feet of water
for how I feel.
[chuckling]
You've been waiting a long
time for some St. Louis
mail, huh, Miss Margie?
Guess I have, Monroe.
Well...
today you are lucky.
Straight from St. Louis
and one Martin Dempster
if I know anything.
You're getting awfully
smart, Monroe.
Wish I was smart enough to
have someone writing me
from St. Louis.
Thanks.
[dog barking in the distance]
[birds chirping]
About time for some ice tea?
Not just yet, Mama.
I've got a few things
I want to do.
[sighing]
Let's have a sweet later.
Been down to
the mail boats again?
Yes, I have.
Them letters...
♪♪
Oh my...
[crying]
♪♪
Margie?
Mama...
What?
What is it?
[crying continues]
My darling girl.
He's gonna marry somebody else.
She's having his baby.
He feels honor-bound
to marry her.
He's a man.
He's a man.
Oh, I don't know how it
happened, but it seems that
they're the leaders
and we're the followers.
Seems like we're always
waiting for them to
do what they have to do.
Waiting for them
to come back...
... waiting for them to
turn to us in the night...
... waiting for them to turn us
into one whole human being.
And when they don't do like
they're supposed to do,
like your...
father dying on me...
... and Martin going off
with someone else,
it throws us back 2,000 strides.
Mama, she could have been me.
Never.
No matter how much you
wanted something, you could
never hurt anybody to get it.
[crying]
We are gonna be just as good
a family as any extra man
can make it.
[sighing]
Something good will
come of this.
I know it.
[crying]
[whistle blowing]
[bell dinging]
Now this goes so well
with your coloring.
Fleurette, darling,
it is your best friend Aimée.
Not someone you have to lie
your heart out to.
I forgot for a minute.
But really, Aimée,
I don't mind you in brown.
Oh, pooh.
I want something different
and special.
Something that looks like me.
Something more expensive.
Why not?
If that's what it takes.
Now, where is Martin getting
all this money that
you are spending?
Some people can fly high
on nothing.
How about something in fur?
A woman in my condition
shouldn't get a chill.
I see myself in fur.
Now, if I could just get this
baby nonsense over with,
my life would be perfect.
♪♪
Place your bets.
[cork popping]
Place your bets, gentlemen.
First, second and third 12
pay two to one.
I'm sorry,
that's a $1-minimum bet.
Now I thought I made my
thoughts about that woman clear.
I don't want her on this vessel.
What you do with her at home
is your business.
I know, Captain.
It's just for today, sir.
She's going out
on you already.
I told you so.
Now I feel for you, son.
But I don't want anything
that'll make me
or this ship look bad.
Yes, sir.
Seems you are out of place.
Why would you say that?
You shouldn't be
sitting here alone.
Maybe I'm waiting on
the captain.
Maybe you wish you were.
Maybe I'm waiting
for someone
to pay attention to me.
Hmm.
There is nothing prettier
than a woman
with a stranger's child
in her belly.
You better not
speak to me like that.
I am married.
Come on now, woman.
Let's not get on your
high horse.
Aimée, what's going on?
This man is being rude.
I am only responding
to an invitation.
Let's all move on.
If there had been
no invitation,
I sure just don't go around
talking to women who are
obviously in a condition.
That's not what
you said to me.
What did you say to her?
Is my word at stake here?
That depends on
what you said.
You back away.
The way I look at it, that
woman owes me an apology.
Let me be the one to give you
that apology, and offer you as
many drinks as you can handle
on the house.
That's fair, Captain.
That's fair.
Wait a minute, Captain.
We don't know who's
telling the truth here.
Martin, one chance
is all you get with me.
Now you've hit a snag,
and that woman is
pulling you down.
As long as you're with her,
I don't know you.
You're fired.
[birds chirping]
[school bell ringing]
All right, children, we'll
start the spelling bee now.
Sara Beth,
step out and spell "roily,"
as in "roily river."
"Roilly."
R-O-I-L-L-Y.
"Roilly."
[dogs barking]
You're tardy again, girls.
The dogs followed us.
You girls mind
the dictionary.
But I really want to spell.
Be on time for
the next spelling bee
and you'll be rewarded with
the opportunity to participate.
You never let me spell.
Lila, don't sass back.
My father says
you're an old maid.
And you used to have that
big old house
with all them dead apple trees.
"Those."
What?
"Those" dead apple trees.
Not "them" dead apple trees.
As long as you're going to
speak out of turn, you might
as well speak properly.
[children laughing]
As a matter of fact,
I did live in that big house
when thoseapple trees were
blooming their hearts out.
McIntosh, Cortlands, Pippins,
sweet little pink-and-white
Gravenstein apples that would
make your cheeks curl from
the tartness in their flesh.
This old roily river town
has a brilliant past,
and now you children are
the only ones who can save it.
You must work and study
to be the best that you
can possibly be.
[door opening]
[door closing]
Oh, there you are.
You're staying later
and later at that school.
What about me?
I'm hungry.
I love you, too, Mama.
Now, what shall I fix us
for dinner?
Doughnuts for dessert.
[laughing]
Yes, all right.
I'll fix you rice doughnuts
for dessert.
With jelly inside,
the way you like them.
Just the way you used to make
them for me when I was a child.
Mmm.
Remember?
Mm-hmm.
[humming]
[gasping]
Not now.
What?
You think you are
going out looking for work,
but you're wrong.
I'm not in the mood, Aimée.
Oh!
Neither am I.
I am not in the mood
to have your baby today.
As if the weather
were not disagreeable enough
without this...
Oh!
It hurts too much.
I'll go get Dr. Pressler.
Martin...
what have you done to me?
[groaning]
[screaming]
[birds chirping]
Father used to send for it
specially from New York.
It's Earl Grey and mint,
I believe.
I can't imagine that
I've ever had a finer tea.
Mmm.
This is the last of it.
If anything good at all
came from your
father's death, I'd say I...
am flattered that I've had
the opportunity to know you.
The problems you and your
mother are being put through.
The freeze,
moving into thishouse.
I'm sorry.
Oh, I am sorry, too.
No, no.
I'm sorry that people have
so little else to talk about.
[chuckling]
Uh, actually, I'm glad
they've been talking
so I can come up with my idea.
My idea is that perhaps
you might consider
a union of sorts?
Of what sort?
I must not be
making myself clear.
I would like to take you
as my wife.
And take care of your
mother, too, of course.
I am proposing that we marry.
Dr. Bennett...
Luke...
... I do appreciate the thought,
but I've come to accept my life.
And I've always been
a firm believer
in the word "love."
I don't think I've heard either
one of us mention that word.
[baby crying]
Let's go out tonight.
To the Mardi Gras Fete.
I'll be out
looking for a job.
You won't find one around
here hugging that baby.
You could hug me for a change.
[crying continues]
Martin, I am sick of being
stuck in this room.
I'll come with you.
You stay here
and you take care of
that boy, do you hear me?
[crying continues]
It's not fair to ask me
to miss Mardi Gras.
How do I look, Robert?
Now you just do like
I've been telling you.
Keep on sleeping
until I get back.
I am just in need of
a little excitement.
So you take care of yourself.
Martin shouldn't
hide this from me.
It's mine now.
I would like to kiss you
good-bye, but I don't
want you to wake up.
Sweet dreams, baby boy.
♪♪
[laughing]
[laughing]
[baby crying]
Aimée?
Shh.
Shh.
Bobbie boy, shh.
It's going to be all right.
It's gonna be all right,
Bobbie boy.
[crying continues]
Aimée?
Shh.
Shh.
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
Mr. Dempster?
Right over here.
♪♪
[baby crying]
"I don't know
where else to turn."
"I would never ask this
"if I had a choice.
"I can't give him
"a home, the kind of home
"I know you can give him.
"I know in my heart this
is best for the boy."
How can he ask me to do this?
♪♪
[birds chirping]
[wheels screeching]
[bell dinging]
[engine hissing]
Ma'am.
I know you'll love him...
... with all your heart.
How dare you ask her...
to raise him for you?
There's no better place
on earth for this boy.
This isn't right.
Mother, please.
[baby cooing]
♪♪
He's so innocent.
He's the promise for all of us.
We must nurture him.
[baby cooing]
We owe him our very best.
Good-bye, Bobbie.
Mama?
[baby cooing]
♪♪
♪♪
Bath...
Okay.
[laughing]
Okay, okay, okay...
Yes.
Oh, good, good.
Isn't that good?
There it is.
Ball, Bobbie, throw it.
Oh, he's strong.
He's such a good boy.
This is your father's
river, Bobbie.
He was the first baby born
in Brownville.
He loves this river
more than anything.
It's in your blood, little boy.
I want you to get to
know it early on.
So you don't get swept up
later like it's new
and magical.
It's just something to be
reckoned with.
[gasping]
I love you.
Margie!
Margie!
[quivering]
You're not going to, Martin.
You're not gonna take
Bobbie away, I won't let you.
Why are you running?
Oh, Bobbie.
I love you.
I love you.
[crickets chirping]
Grandma's asleep.
You're as tall
as a willow sapling.
I need to tell you a secret.
But we mustn't tell Grandma yet.
What?
Your father loves you
very much.
Is he here?
Well, I saw him earlier.
He's talking about your
living together.
Where?
Tell me.
Down the river,
in Kansas City.
You, too?
Well, Grandma and I would
stay here.
Of course, we could
come and visit.
I don't want to
go away from you.
I know.
I'll miss you too much.
Perhaps you'd like to go.
Just a little.
Maybe?
No, I wouldn't.
You must always do
as your father says, Bobbie.
But, Mama,
I'm the only boy you've got.
That's it, dear heart.
You're the only boy I've got.
[crickets chirping]
[knocking]
[knocking]
Martin.
Martin--
You stopped me
this afternoon,
but you won't stop me now.
If I took Bobbie to
Kansas City, I couldn't
take him alone.
There is somebody else
I couldn't bear to
be apart from.
It's you, Margie.
It's you.
Why didn't you speak before?
I've always been slow
at life, like I was
with books, Margie.
I'm saying it now.
I've been dreaming of you
and wanting you all these years.
You didn't know?
I've been loving you all
this time 'til my heart's
near burst in me.
Many's a time I've told
that old river over and over
again 'til even she seemed
to understand.
You'd have done better
telling it to me, Martin.
I was ashamed.
I could never forget that
letter I had to write you.
You could have had
a hundred better men than me.
I'll never forget
when that letter came.
It was like signing
my soul away.
Perhaps you did.
And you took mine as well.
I have no right to ask you
to forgive me.
I had no right to...
dream you'd wait for me.
Every time you came to
visit Bobbie...
I dreamed and prayed
you were coming for me.
But it is you, Margie.
I came for you.
♪♪
Martin, don't.
Don't, I'm not the same anymore.
[crying]
It's all asleep in me.
I'm too old.
See how young you are.
Oh, Martin.
Come with me now.
I'm afraid.
It hurts.
Of course it hurts, darling.
Don't you suppose it hurts
the river?
Don't you know it hurts that
old river
when the spring floods come
and muddy up the bottom...
... and tear a new channel
through the sand?
Of course it hurts.
Of course it hurts.
But I love you, woman.
I do love you, Martin.
♪♪
♪♪
[birds chirping]
[train chugging]
[whistle blowing]
Brownville Station,
next stop.
Next stop, Brownville Station.
Brownville Station, next stop.
[wheels screeching]
[horse whinnying]
[dog barking in the distance]
[birds chirping]
[train whistle blowing]
[door creaking]
I'm home.
And I never want to leave.
It smells so good in here.
Come finish up
our Easter lamb.
Raisins or candies?
Bobbie...
bring it over here
before it melts in this heat.
Just a minute, Grandma.
If we don't tell Papa, he might
think this is a real lamb.
Don't be so sure he's coming.
Oh, Mama.
I just can't wait to eat it.
Our little boy shouldn't
go fooling with this
delicious sweet.
You two, watch that cake now.
Grandma!
[engine hissing]
Is my papa really
coming for Easter?
He comes as often as he can,
doesn't he?
I heard the train whistle
a little while back.
What?
You have a sweet tooth
just like your father.
Mmm.
That's my boy.
[horse neighing]
[dog barking]
I expected you'd be at
the church by this time.
Bobbie and I still have some
things to get for Easter dinner.
Oh.
Holiday's a time when
families come together.
I can't help feeling
sorry for you--
Listen, I want you to
run over to the store
and get three eggs.
Take them home, carefully.
I'll meet you home
late afternoon.
Yeah.
It's wasting good time
feeling sorry for people who
don't feel sorry for themselves,
Mrs. Skimmons.
Good day.
♪ Yes we'll gather
♪ At the river
♪ The beautiful
♪ The beautiful river
♪ Gather with the saints
♪ At the river
♪ That flows by
♪ The throne of God
♪ On the marching
♪ At the river
♪ Washing up
♪ Its silver spray
♪ We will walk
♪ And worship ever
♪ All the happy
♪ Golden days
♪ Yes we'll gather
♪ At the river
♪ The beautiful
♪ The beautiful river
♪ Gather with the saints
♪ At the river
♪ That flows by
♪ The throne of God ♪
You ought to set them
house plants
close around the pulpit.
Need any help?
Oh, we're just fine.
[sighing]
[ducks quacking]
Now that you've used them
hyacinths for the lamp brackets,
what are you going to put on
the railing
in front of the pulpit?
Martin said he'd bring
some Easter lilies
up from Kansas City.
Decided to come visit,
has he?
There's some more
daffodils in your truck.
If we both lend a hand,
we could finish real soon.
Maybe your Martin Dempster
will help you
when he gets here.
[footsteps approaching]
There you are.
Go on, open it.
Beautiful.
These are the first flowers
that have made me feel
a bit like Easter.
One of them is for you
to wear tomorrow.
Thank you.
[clearing throat]
Church looks good.
I think we've done right well
considering this trying weather.
I guess I'm about finished
working, Margie.
Is my wagon unloaded?
Did you unload it?
Let me take care of it.
[bird squawking]
I didn't thank you
for the lilies.
I'm glad they're
what you had in mind.
I brought this for Bobbie.
He'll love it.
The fact is, I've got
something to talk to you about.
You know I've been looking
for somewhere where
I'd have a chance to get ahead.
Seems like I've been traveling
a lifetime from place to place,
working where I could.
You still think there'd be
no use in trying to get ahead
here in Brownville?
The fact is, I've found
a place at last in Kansas City.
A first-rate job,
pays real well.
It looks like I could hold it
for as long as I want.
Then you can make
your home there.
I haven't quite got things
all planned out clear yet.
Of course, you'll have to
come back often to see Bobbie.
Well, you see...
... I was counting on
taking Bobbie with me.
He's about old enough now,
and I don't think I could bear
to live without him any longer.
You're not gonna take Bobbie.
Yes, and if you'll agree--
You'll never take Bobbie
away from me.
He's more my child than yours.
My God... a woman
must have something.
Every woman's got to have...
You've never talked
like this before.
Bobbie is the only thing
in your life that you've
ever given mine.
You brought him to me
when he was a helpless
little baby, dependent on me
for everything,
and I loved him for just that.
I know how much you love him.
I--
He needed my youth
and my strength,
and the very warmth of my body.
He needed me and you didn't!
Not a day passes but someone
throws it in my face that
I'm driveling my life away
to take care of the child
of the man who jilted me.
I loved you, Martin.
Now I never want to
see you again.
You're a sorry failure
who's never given me anything
but broken promises.
You're not the man
I thought you were...
and you cannot take him from me
after all these years
of loving him!
Margie!
Margie!
Margie, slow up.
I don't see any fireflies.
Aren't there snakes up here?
Should be coming along.
What are you talking about?
Shh.
[marching band playing]
I can hear her.
The Belle.
She's coming around the bend.
Martin's on that boat.
Your mother hoped you'd
forget about him
away at college.
Mmm...
School helped me understand
a lot of things.
Who I want to be, what I need
to do in this world,
who is really important
in my life.
I don't see why you
like him so much.
He's simple and unworldly
and he lives for
what he likes best.
I refuse to ever forget him.
♪♪
♪♪
Ladies and gentleman,
please board
the Brownville Belle now
for the last excursion
of the evening.
[whistle blowing]
♪♪
[creaking]
[groaning]
It's taking real strength
to flank-in these days.
I remember.
"Flanking the bend."
The channel keeps changing.
It used to be narrower
and deeper.
Coming around that sandbar
out there is getting to be
a real problem.
A captain never knows
what it'll be.
If he goes aground,
we call it "going home."
You talk a lot about
the river.
I guess I do.
More than most else anyway.
♪♪
It's so dark out there.
I'll make sure you're safe.
[horse whinnying]
Maybe you'd be more
comfortable in the back seat.
I don't like it when
you drive this buggy.
It's not feminine.
If none of the boys are
available to drive us,
we shouldn't go out.
Oh, Mother, this is 1900.
Women are perfectly capable
of driving buggies.
Besides, nothing's going to
stop me from hearing
Papa's speech.
I'm sure your father'll
be more than happy to repeat
any of his speeches
at a moment's notice.
[chuckling]
Come on, boy.
[laughing]
[marching band playing]
♪♪
[laughing]
[bleating]
Well...
can't say it's not juicy.
Have you come to
the Pierson apples yet?
Not yet.
Not as far as I know.
When you taste the best,
you'll know whose it is.
If it's as good as it was
last year, I expect it'll take
the blue ribbon again
this year, ma'am.
[crowd applauding]
Oh, don't you both look nice.
Looks like you're finishing
those decorations none too soon.
♪♪
I would like to introduce
a man who,
through his philanthropies,
would be called the backbone
of this county,
Mr. Samuel Pierson.
Here, here.
Thank you, Governor.
Well, I want to have a...
serious talk today about
the place we all call home.
We got every reason to be proud.
We're a lucky people,
but we've got to take
a hard look at the future.
There's a dark cloud
looming over Brownville,
and it begins and ends
with the river.
Every year
that old river shifts
and changes, and every year
she overflows.
And we shake our heads,
and we clean up the mess,
and we go right on like
that's the way it should be.
But we've got to face one thing.
We can't count on that
old river.
What happens when
the channel gets so shallow,
a boat can't get through?
When the steamboats
can no longer come?
The answer, my friends...
... is the railroad.
Railroad?
The railroad!
[crowd murmuring]
It's going to save this town.
Hold yourselves.
We're not starting any
foot race 'til all of them
foots are behind
the start line.
Now, going by the rules,
all contestants must be
barefoot.
Now, the Brownville Band
is going to walk around
and make sure the track
is cleared of all the rocks.
[marching band playing]
♪♪
When are you and your beau
from Red Cloud going to marry?
We plan on next summer.
I wish Margie would find
someone suitable.
You girls are waiting
too long.
I was married when I was
19 years of age.
Oh-ho-ho.
Oh, the ants will thank us
for that one.
Thanks for the hand.
Oh, would you like
some sugar water?
Can't be too sweet for me.
Oh.
It's real good.
Yeah.
When's the race
going to start?
Any minute, Mama.
It's so dusty by the track.
Margie, maybe your mother
would like some lemonade.
I could definitely use
some libation.
Would you, dear?
Absolutely.
I've been watching you.
I know.
Three, please.
I think it might be
too sugary for your mom.
It doesn't matter.
As long as it's cold.
They're on the house.
Your boyfriend's a real help.
Do you have to work tonight?
I never think of it
like that.
Guess I like that boat
more than anything.
It must be nice having
something you love so much.
Don't you?
Yes, I do.
Are you ready?
Yeah!
[crowd cheering]
[marching band playing]
I hope you didn't ask for
help on my account.
I didn't ask for
help, Mother.
Martin offered.
This is the most
sugary potion I ever tasted.
Might just as well have told
your helper, "No thank you."
[crickets chirping]
Well, Margie girl,
what do you think the people
thought about my speech?
They loved it, of course.
You're both trying to
change the subject.
Mama, how could you have
spoken to Martin in that tone?
Martin Dempster
is a river rat.
I remember when he was
a little boy,
he'd always run away.
His father would find him
down by the river.
River boys do not take
kindly to education.
They're always hankering
for the water.
That's no reason to be mean.
I don't want my only girl
around a river rat.
Not the daughter
who's beautiful.
Not the one who has
a college education.
That very education helps me
to choose the right person.
When God helped Noah
build the Ark, he called
them animals in two by two.
Two ducks, two geese,
two horses.
They were always two of
the same kind, side by side.
The fact is, you don't
know Martin at all.
He is the truest person I know.
He and I are exactly
the same kind, and we're
going to walk together,
side by side.
[thundering]
♪ Take me to the water
♪ Take me to the water
♪ Take me to the water
♪ To be baptized ♪
I baptize you, my brother,
in the name of the Father,
in the name of the Son,
and in the name of
the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
♪ Everybody sing
♪ Amen
♪ Everybody sing
♪ Amen
♪ Everybody sing
♪ Amen
♪ Amen
♪ Amen
♪ Let the preacher sing
♪ Amen
♪ Let the preacher sing
♪ Amen
♪ Let the preacher sing
♪ Amen
♪ Amen
♪ Amen
♪ Everybody sing ♪
[thundering]
Listen here, son.
You ever seen a catfish
100 pounds?
No, sir.
One time this river rose up
and flooded my daddy's cabin.
He was out fishing,
he come home,
peeked in the window
and sitting right there in his
easy chair is a giant catfish,
maybe 100 pounds.
He slammed that door mighty
quick, bolted it shut.
So what'd he do then?
Well... he just waited around
'til the water went down,
and he waited a little while
longer so that fish would
be good and tired.
Then he just opened the door.
That fish was
so glad to see him,
he just give himself up,
flapped his last flip
right into my daddy's arms.
[chuckling]
Wouldn't you say that's about
the best fish story
you ever heard?
Yes, sir.
That old river...
ain't she something.
She's got a mind of her own,
all right.
♪♪
[thundering]
Pop rising.
[men shouting]
[thundering]
Keep it coming, boys!
Keep it coming,
she's rising fast!
[thundering]
Go.
Throw the dirt!
Throw the dirt!
Throw the dirt!
Can't reach!
Over there!
Lend a hand, man.
[thundering]
Ahh!
My God, Ian!
He's fallen in!
[screaming]
My son!
Help me!
My son's in the water!
Help me!
My son, he's drowning!
Quick, grab him!
Find him, my boy!
Hang on, hang on, he's coming!
Ian, stay up, Ian, stay up!
Daddy, help!
Hang on, son!
Help!
[thundering]
[coughing]
[coughing]
Stay up!
[coughing]
Ahh...
[thundering]
I got him!
Yes!
♪♪
[birds chirping]
[footsteps approaching]
You all right?
I knew you'd be up here.
How's the boy?
He's mostly scared.
That old river's gonna
ruin this town.
I used to come up here
when I was a boy.
Talk to her just like
I'm talking to you now.
Think of all the rivers.
The Nile, the Congo,
the Amazon ...
The Mississippi.
They've shaped men's dreams.
The old "Mo" gave me
my first dream.
She's my school
and she's my religion.
I think we're capable of
doing whatever we dream.
I had dreams of saving
all the poor children
in this world.
I wanted to be
a great navigator
and bring glory to Brownville.
I know I have to go down river
as far as she goes.
Did you know up on this
hill somewhere there's
an old Indian chief.
He wanted to be buried
sitting bolt upright
on this bluff.
I heard something like that.
He always wanted to watch
the steamboats going
up and down the river,
from now to eternity.
Hope they don't go away.
There's no such thing
as forever.
Yes, there is.
♪♪
Quickly.
Come along, come along.
There's apples to be
picked here.
[horse whinnying]
Where've you been?
You're late.
Fill those baskets up.
Now that's the lot of them,
finally, sir.
Look at the time.
Not to worry.
All right now,
let's pick 'em a little faster.
Over there!
Bring the wagons over here
so we can put the baskets
on the wagon.
Don't dawdle now.
[groaning]
Get 'em all now, come on!
Mr. Pierson, sir!
No change.
No, you must stay in bed until
your heartbeat stabilizes.
Papa, listen to
Doctor Bennett.
I'll come by tomorrow
to check his pulse.
I'll see myself out,
Miss Margie.
Make sure he stays in bed.
Yes, I will.
Thank you so much.
Doctor?
Oh, he'll be fine.
He just needs to rest.
I need to talk.
No exertion, sweetheart.
My two girls,
come here, sit.
I hate to burden you
with anything, but the farm
hasn't been paying for itself
for some time now.
I've been thinking about
going to work.
You should never
have to work, Margie girl.
You know I want to
help children.
I can certainly teach.
Pierson women do not work
for a living.
I hope to God it never
comes to that.
I want you to have the world.
No cares, no problems.
You'll be out there
next year until every last
apple is picked.
I know it.
♪♪
[whistle blowing]
Each year that old orchard
brings in less and less.
It's not your fault, Ulf.
[harmonica playing]
♪♪
Margie!
Let's dance, come on.
You want to dance?
[laughing]
[laughing]
Come on.
Don't laugh at me.
Don't be shy.
[cheering]
Walk with me, Margie.
♪♪
Come on, George.
Give us a dance.
[frogs croaking]
I've got to be
going to St. Louis.
I knew you would.
Brownville's drying up.
Yes, but I need to stay with
my family and fight.
This is my home.
This is my home, too,
but I have no choice.
I have to go where my work is.
My father saw
all this coming.
I'm worried about him
being sick.
That's another reason
why I've got to stay.
I need to make
something for us.
Show your parents who I am.
Even loving you like this...
... we have to wait.
You understand me?
♪♪
My father gave me this cross.
I want you to have it.
I don't have
anything for you.
I have you.
All I need is knowing
that I have you
for my own.
Just give me a little
more time, that's all.
I'll wait for you, Martin.
When you're ready,
you'll know where to find me.
[birds chirping]
[door opening]
I hope we don't
get a bad freeze.
If the weather turns mean,
we'll lose our trees.
I've already spoken to
Ulf about it.
If we have to, we'll light
a smudge pot by every tree.
That orchard's all we've got.
It's your legacy.
Now don't you start
worrying about that again.
You promised you wouldn't.
Mrs. Skimmons sent over this
johnnycake.
Oh.
Can't touch your mother's.
[chuckling]
But it's edible.
Margie...
... what I'm going to say
might not go down too well.
You know, there was a time
when I thought I was
gonna live forever.
I don't know
how your mother's going to
take all of this, my dying.
But I am glad you're free
to take care of her.
I know about Martin's leaving.
Oh, Papa.
No, I want you to
take your mother out
to get her mind off me.
Do things while I'm still here.
Don't just sit around
waiting for me to die.
Nobody's waiting
for you to die.
Well, you know what I mean.
I just can't stand to
see the two of you so upset.
So blue.
It makes me sicker than I am.
Don't you worry.
I could never let you
or Mama down.
[sniffling]
Oh...
It's all right.
[audience applauding]
We have three pupils of
Cora Gates' who are
debuting here tonight.
Our first is pianist
Helen May Martin.
We are especially proud of
Helen May
because she is both
blind and deaf.
[audience applauding]
♪♪
I wish your father were here.
I know, Mama.
I know.
[whistle blowing]
[bell dinging]
[whistle blowing]
[horse neighing]
[bell dinging]
You only have one chance
with me.
I thought I made that clear
when we made our agreement!
Now, who are you?
Get out of my cabin.
Captain Boone McClary
sent me.
Best captain I know.
I don't believe you've
made my acquaintance.
I'm Captain Von Koster.
Martin Dempster,
from Brownville.
Yeah, hear the river's
pretty bad up there.
Getting thinner and thinner.
That's why I'm here.
You got to be good
to work down here.
Snags, shifting channels,
early ice; the romance of
steam-boating has its price in
boats sunk and lives lost.
I didn't get this far
by being bad.
Uh... so you say.
There's just one thing
I can't tolerate, and that's
going against what I say.
You do that once,
you have lost me.
Mm?
Don't ever disappoint me, boy.
Now forget about your
Captain McClary.
Captain Emperor
Lord Duke Von Koster
is the only captain name
I want crossing your lips...
... now that you're
working for me.
Yes, sir.
♪♪
I hope you're not being rude.
A rule's a rule.
No single women allowed.
You act as if being single
is something
to be ashamed about.
Doesn't look right.
That depends on
who is looking.
A rule that's broken
ain't no rule at all.
There's a single man
right over there.
Oh!
Pardon me.
Oh, what beautiful
penmanship you have.
"To Miss Margie Pierson:
"I miss you very much
"but I have made good progress
since my last letter."
Oh...
Now you have two friends.
Since you are such
a good friend, you won't mind
if I just sit down
at your table?
Nothing personal.
In fact, I promise not to
bother you at all.
It seems that the establishment
has some peculiar rules.
[clearing throat]
All of a sudden, I am not
a single woman anymore.
[dog barking in the distance]
Morning there, Monroe.
Any good news for me today?
Hope there's something
in there for you.
Mail's been taking about a month
to come up from St. Louis.
[horse neighing]
Ah...
That's it.
Thank you.
[door opening]
Since we have become friends,
I wanted so very much for you
to see where I live.
When I first got my own place,
I happened to go
to a palmist.
Maybe you think
that they are all fakes
and gypsies,
but I'm here to tell you
there's more to it than that.
She told me to make my bedroom
look like an egg.
I just thought about that
for the longest time.
What would it be like
to sleep in an egg?
Nice, isn't it?
I don't know.
I never slept in an egg.
[laughing]
No, silly.
I mean, it looks real nice.
I've never seen anything
like this before.
I was hoping you would say
you have never met anyone
like me before.
I could say that.
I can definitely say that
you are not like
any person that I have
ever met before.
Please...
come sit on the bed.
♪♪
I don't think so.
You want to see
how it feels, don't you?
Sitting in an egg.
I suppose I do.
Feels nice, don't it?
Yes, it does.
Real soft.
I would like to be
kissed in an egg.
Aimée.
Maybe you could oblige me.
I told you before
we were just gonna be friends.
That's all.
What's the harm?
It's just us alone here.
Nobody's staring over
our shoulder.
If we both want to,
I can't see why not.
After all...
... it's my egg.
[bell tolling]
I just want to say
how sorry I am.
I...
Thank you, Mrs. Skimmons.
There-- there wasn't
anymore I could do.
We appreciate
your help, Luke.
Uh, please call on me,
as a friend, if you
or your...
mother need anything.
Thank you.
What am I gonna do?
It's all right, Mama.
I just never felt so bad.
I always thought...
that I would go before him.
I'm here, Mother.
Sam!
Daddy!
[crying]
What am I gonna do?
[banging]
[birds chirping]
[dog barking in the distance]
Hello, Monroe.
Miss Margie,
been expecting you,
but I ain't seen nothing
for you today.
Just like the last few times.
There...
Here's one here from New York
to... your father.
I'm sorry.
Don't feel strange about it.
That's just life.
Thanks.
[bell dinging]
Hope your voyage
was memorable.
Smoothest boat on the river.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Everything in order, Captain?
Yes, everything's
very smooth, very smooth.
Thank you, sir.
Martin...
... come have a word with me
before you go ashore.
Yes, sir.
Sit down, Martin.
Try one of these.
Thank you, Captain.
Oh...
You saving that to
savor it later?
Yes, sir, thank you.
I'll smoke it tonight
after dinner.
Yeah, I saw tonight on shore.
The little Frenchy.
Aimée de Mar.
You know Aimée?
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, I know her.
Have some port.
You know, Martin,
you're a fine navigator.
I've been watching you close
all these months.
Glad to hear it.
But, uh...
... but you have to be careful
of the snags.
I do my best.
Mmm.
I'm not talking about the river.
I'm talking about life.
When you're on the river
of life, you have to
be careful of the snags.
Yes, sir.
Aimée de Mar is a snag.
I know.
Now, you have a career
in front of you.
You're well-respected
on the river.
I thought you told me you had
a girl up in Brownville.
I do.
Some people would call you
my protégé, Martin.
I'd be proud
of that, Captain.
What are people gonna think
of me if my protégé doesn't
know how to pick his women?
It's very important to me
and to you, Martin,
that you stop this relationship.
Before it embarrasses me.
I know.
I know that for sure.
[birds chirping]
Ulf.
Ah, Miss Margie.
Uh...
Something's going on up there
in that sky.
The devil's at work.
Spring.
Oh, I wouldn't count on it.
The bulbs think so.
Oh, that's an old trick.
The weather's beautiful.
No, up there in the clouds.
That's where the story is.
♪♪
This is a naughty tale.
A tale about a liar...
who says one thing
and then does another.
The spring weather,
so soft and warm, all the
young buds come popping up
to see what all the fuss is.
Then, like the mean old man
he is, he blows cold.
Like to kill all those
fresh young shoots
just wanting to grow.
You make life sound so cruel.
Hurry up now!
We must fight this frost.
Come along, boys,
bring it right here.
Follow me.
I want fire pots every other
row down there for four rows.
Yes, sir.
Keep those torches moving.
♪♪
♪♪
Martin.
[sighing]
There was so much to stay here
and fight for.
[horse nickering]
Aimée.
Yes, Martin?
I think it's time for you
to find some new friends.
Oh, Martin.
Je t'aimerai toujours.
What does that mean?
I will love you forever.
Don't say that.
I told you from the start
there's someone else,
and you know I love her.
If I feel it,
why shouldn't I say it?
Because there's some things
should be said by the man first.
If I waited for you to
say it, I'd never hear it.
That's just it.
You're never going to
hear it from me.
There is one thing
that a woman can say first,
but a man can't.
No games tonight.
Listen to what
I'm saying to you.
No, wait.
This is a perfect riddle.
What can a woman say
but a man can never say?
Stop now.
You haven't
answered my riddle.
Stop right now and listen to
what I am saying to you!
I am going to have a child.
Don't make fun of things
like that.
I'm not.
Aimée?
You see, a woman can say it,
but a man cannot.
I am going to have
a little baby.
It's a lie.
I am going to have
your little baby.
♪♪
Aimée... no.
Oh, no.
Oh, no.
♪♪
♪♪
[crying]
[bird squawking]
I want my Recamier.
It's yours anyway, Mama.
Then why are those boys
taking it away from me?
They're taking it to our
new house like we talked about.
The one with
the pretty rose wallpaper.
And my roses?
Who's going to take
care of my roses?
These roses are
older than you are.
I can't just leave them.
You can't just leave
something you've cared about
for years and years.
The roses can
take care of themselves.
I don't want to move to
a smelly little house
no bigger than our parlor.
I don't want you to be
a school mistress in
a country school.
Pierson women do not work
to earn a living.
Mother, it's time to get
in the wagon with Ulf.
It's ready now, Mrs. Pierson.
The truth is, Margie,
I'm not leaving this house,
and no one can make me.
Shame on you, Mama, for
acting this way in front of Ulf.
Now you know we don't have
a choice about the house.
We've talked about this
for months on end.
We saw it coming,
and now we have to move out.
Mama, the real worth of a person
has nothing to do with
the house one lives in.
You must know inside
just who and what you are,
and who I am
and who Papa was.
And carry it with pride
wherever you go.
♪♪
You can't just leave
something you've cared about
for years and years.
It's against human nature.
[horse snorting]
[dog barking in the distance]
A real hot one.
Might as well be swimming in
ten feet of water
for how I feel.
[chuckling]
You've been waiting a long
time for some St. Louis
mail, huh, Miss Margie?
Guess I have, Monroe.
Well...
today you are lucky.
Straight from St. Louis
and one Martin Dempster
if I know anything.
You're getting awfully
smart, Monroe.
Wish I was smart enough to
have someone writing me
from St. Louis.
Thanks.
[dog barking in the distance]
[birds chirping]
About time for some ice tea?
Not just yet, Mama.
I've got a few things
I want to do.
[sighing]
Let's have a sweet later.
Been down to
the mail boats again?
Yes, I have.
Them letters...
♪♪
Oh my...
[crying]
♪♪
Margie?
Mama...
What?
What is it?
[crying continues]
My darling girl.
He's gonna marry somebody else.
She's having his baby.
He feels honor-bound
to marry her.
He's a man.
He's a man.
Oh, I don't know how it
happened, but it seems that
they're the leaders
and we're the followers.
Seems like we're always
waiting for them to
do what they have to do.
Waiting for them
to come back...
... waiting for them to
turn to us in the night...
... waiting for them to turn us
into one whole human being.
And when they don't do like
they're supposed to do,
like your...
father dying on me...
... and Martin going off
with someone else,
it throws us back 2,000 strides.
Mama, she could have been me.
Never.
No matter how much you
wanted something, you could
never hurt anybody to get it.
[crying]
We are gonna be just as good
a family as any extra man
can make it.
[sighing]
Something good will
come of this.
I know it.
[crying]
[whistle blowing]
[bell dinging]
Now this goes so well
with your coloring.
Fleurette, darling,
it is your best friend Aimée.
Not someone you have to lie
your heart out to.
I forgot for a minute.
But really, Aimée,
I don't mind you in brown.
Oh, pooh.
I want something different
and special.
Something that looks like me.
Something more expensive.
Why not?
If that's what it takes.
Now, where is Martin getting
all this money that
you are spending?
Some people can fly high
on nothing.
How about something in fur?
A woman in my condition
shouldn't get a chill.
I see myself in fur.
Now, if I could just get this
baby nonsense over with,
my life would be perfect.
♪♪
Place your bets.
[cork popping]
Place your bets, gentlemen.
First, second and third 12
pay two to one.
I'm sorry,
that's a $1-minimum bet.
Now I thought I made my
thoughts about that woman clear.
I don't want her on this vessel.
What you do with her at home
is your business.
I know, Captain.
It's just for today, sir.
She's going out
on you already.
I told you so.
Now I feel for you, son.
But I don't want anything
that'll make me
or this ship look bad.
Yes, sir.
Seems you are out of place.
Why would you say that?
You shouldn't be
sitting here alone.
Maybe I'm waiting on
the captain.
Maybe you wish you were.
Maybe I'm waiting
for someone
to pay attention to me.
Hmm.
There is nothing prettier
than a woman
with a stranger's child
in her belly.
You better not
speak to me like that.
I am married.
Come on now, woman.
Let's not get on your
high horse.
Aimée, what's going on?
This man is being rude.
I am only responding
to an invitation.
Let's all move on.
If there had been
no invitation,
I sure just don't go around
talking to women who are
obviously in a condition.
That's not what
you said to me.
What did you say to her?
Is my word at stake here?
That depends on
what you said.
You back away.
The way I look at it, that
woman owes me an apology.
Let me be the one to give you
that apology, and offer you as
many drinks as you can handle
on the house.
That's fair, Captain.
That's fair.
Wait a minute, Captain.
We don't know who's
telling the truth here.
Martin, one chance
is all you get with me.
Now you've hit a snag,
and that woman is
pulling you down.
As long as you're with her,
I don't know you.
You're fired.
[birds chirping]
[school bell ringing]
All right, children, we'll
start the spelling bee now.
Sara Beth,
step out and spell "roily,"
as in "roily river."
"Roilly."
R-O-I-L-L-Y.
"Roilly."
[dogs barking]
You're tardy again, girls.
The dogs followed us.
You girls mind
the dictionary.
But I really want to spell.
Be on time for
the next spelling bee
and you'll be rewarded with
the opportunity to participate.
You never let me spell.
Lila, don't sass back.
My father says
you're an old maid.
And you used to have that
big old house
with all them dead apple trees.
"Those."
What?
"Those" dead apple trees.
Not "them" dead apple trees.
As long as you're going to
speak out of turn, you might
as well speak properly.
[children laughing]
As a matter of fact,
I did live in that big house
when thoseapple trees were
blooming their hearts out.
McIntosh, Cortlands, Pippins,
sweet little pink-and-white
Gravenstein apples that would
make your cheeks curl from
the tartness in their flesh.
This old roily river town
has a brilliant past,
and now you children are
the only ones who can save it.
You must work and study
to be the best that you
can possibly be.
[door opening]
[door closing]
Oh, there you are.
You're staying later
and later at that school.
What about me?
I'm hungry.
I love you, too, Mama.
Now, what shall I fix us
for dinner?
Doughnuts for dessert.
[laughing]
Yes, all right.
I'll fix you rice doughnuts
for dessert.
With jelly inside,
the way you like them.
Just the way you used to make
them for me when I was a child.
Mmm.
Remember?
Mm-hmm.
[humming]
[gasping]
Not now.
What?
You think you are
going out looking for work,
but you're wrong.
I'm not in the mood, Aimée.
Oh!
Neither am I.
I am not in the mood
to have your baby today.
As if the weather
were not disagreeable enough
without this...
Oh!
It hurts too much.
I'll go get Dr. Pressler.
Martin...
what have you done to me?
[groaning]
[screaming]
[birds chirping]
Father used to send for it
specially from New York.
It's Earl Grey and mint,
I believe.
I can't imagine that
I've ever had a finer tea.
Mmm.
This is the last of it.
If anything good at all
came from your
father's death, I'd say I...
am flattered that I've had
the opportunity to know you.
The problems you and your
mother are being put through.
The freeze,
moving into thishouse.
I'm sorry.
Oh, I am sorry, too.
No, no.
I'm sorry that people have
so little else to talk about.
[chuckling]
Uh, actually, I'm glad
they've been talking
so I can come up with my idea.
My idea is that perhaps
you might consider
a union of sorts?
Of what sort?
I must not be
making myself clear.
I would like to take you
as my wife.
And take care of your
mother, too, of course.
I am proposing that we marry.
Dr. Bennett...
Luke...
... I do appreciate the thought,
but I've come to accept my life.
And I've always been
a firm believer
in the word "love."
I don't think I've heard either
one of us mention that word.
[baby crying]
Let's go out tonight.
To the Mardi Gras Fete.
I'll be out
looking for a job.
You won't find one around
here hugging that baby.
You could hug me for a change.
[crying continues]
Martin, I am sick of being
stuck in this room.
I'll come with you.
You stay here
and you take care of
that boy, do you hear me?
[crying continues]
It's not fair to ask me
to miss Mardi Gras.
How do I look, Robert?
Now you just do like
I've been telling you.
Keep on sleeping
until I get back.
I am just in need of
a little excitement.
So you take care of yourself.
Martin shouldn't
hide this from me.
It's mine now.
I would like to kiss you
good-bye, but I don't
want you to wake up.
Sweet dreams, baby boy.
♪♪
[laughing]
[laughing]
[baby crying]
Aimée?
Shh.
Shh.
Bobbie boy, shh.
It's going to be all right.
It's gonna be all right,
Bobbie boy.
[crying continues]
Aimée?
Shh.
Shh.
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
Mr. Dempster?
Right over here.
♪♪
[baby crying]
"I don't know
where else to turn."
"I would never ask this
"if I had a choice.
"I can't give him
"a home, the kind of home
"I know you can give him.
"I know in my heart this
is best for the boy."
How can he ask me to do this?
♪♪
[birds chirping]
[wheels screeching]
[bell dinging]
[engine hissing]
Ma'am.
I know you'll love him...
... with all your heart.
How dare you ask her...
to raise him for you?
There's no better place
on earth for this boy.
This isn't right.
Mother, please.
[baby cooing]
♪♪
He's so innocent.
He's the promise for all of us.
We must nurture him.
[baby cooing]
We owe him our very best.
Good-bye, Bobbie.
Mama?
[baby cooing]
♪♪
♪♪
Bath...
Okay.
[laughing]
Okay, okay, okay...
Yes.
Oh, good, good.
Isn't that good?
There it is.
Ball, Bobbie, throw it.
Oh, he's strong.
He's such a good boy.
This is your father's
river, Bobbie.
He was the first baby born
in Brownville.
He loves this river
more than anything.
It's in your blood, little boy.
I want you to get to
know it early on.
So you don't get swept up
later like it's new
and magical.
It's just something to be
reckoned with.
[gasping]
I love you.
Margie!
Margie!
[quivering]
You're not going to, Martin.
You're not gonna take
Bobbie away, I won't let you.
Why are you running?
Oh, Bobbie.
I love you.
I love you.
[crickets chirping]
Grandma's asleep.
You're as tall
as a willow sapling.
I need to tell you a secret.
But we mustn't tell Grandma yet.
What?
Your father loves you
very much.
Is he here?
Well, I saw him earlier.
He's talking about your
living together.
Where?
Tell me.
Down the river,
in Kansas City.
You, too?
Well, Grandma and I would
stay here.
Of course, we could
come and visit.
I don't want to
go away from you.
I know.
I'll miss you too much.
Perhaps you'd like to go.
Just a little.
Maybe?
No, I wouldn't.
You must always do
as your father says, Bobbie.
But, Mama,
I'm the only boy you've got.
That's it, dear heart.
You're the only boy I've got.
[crickets chirping]
[knocking]
[knocking]
Martin.
Martin--
You stopped me
this afternoon,
but you won't stop me now.
If I took Bobbie to
Kansas City, I couldn't
take him alone.
There is somebody else
I couldn't bear to
be apart from.
It's you, Margie.
It's you.
Why didn't you speak before?
I've always been slow
at life, like I was
with books, Margie.
I'm saying it now.
I've been dreaming of you
and wanting you all these years.
You didn't know?
I've been loving you all
this time 'til my heart's
near burst in me.
Many's a time I've told
that old river over and over
again 'til even she seemed
to understand.
You'd have done better
telling it to me, Martin.
I was ashamed.
I could never forget that
letter I had to write you.
You could have had
a hundred better men than me.
I'll never forget
when that letter came.
It was like signing
my soul away.
Perhaps you did.
And you took mine as well.
I have no right to ask you
to forgive me.
I had no right to...
dream you'd wait for me.
Every time you came to
visit Bobbie...
I dreamed and prayed
you were coming for me.
But it is you, Margie.
I came for you.
♪♪
Martin, don't.
Don't, I'm not the same anymore.
[crying]
It's all asleep in me.
I'm too old.
See how young you are.
Oh, Martin.
Come with me now.
I'm afraid.
It hurts.
Of course it hurts, darling.
Don't you suppose it hurts
the river?
Don't you know it hurts that
old river
when the spring floods come
and muddy up the bottom...
... and tear a new channel
through the sand?
Of course it hurts.
Of course it hurts.
But I love you, woman.
I do love you, Martin.
♪♪
♪♪