Summer Holiday (1948) - full transcript

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♪ Our town isn't found
on the map ♪

♪ Though we're
part of Connecticut ♪

♪ There is nothing much to tell
you but our history relates ♪

♪ We've a public school
where Daniel Webster ♪

♪ Used to give debates ♪



♪ It's a nice town ♪

♪ And we don't mean to crow ♪

♪ Though we owe a lot to it ♪

♪ There was nothing ever done ♪

♪ To ever carry off a crown ♪

♪ No one ever won ♪

♪ Very much renown ♪

♪ But it's our hometown ♪

♪ It's our hometown ♪

♪ We are the Millers
that never became ♪

♪ Millers by trade
we're just Millers by name ♪

♪ We have a house
it's a typical frame ♪

♪ Life is routine
everyday is the same ♪

♪ And we never worry ♪



Here, here,
what's the hurry?

(Lily)
'Tommy, come back here
and drink your milk.'

Papa, I'm awful full.

Now you mind your mother
and drink your milk.

Alright, but I'm awful full.

[music continues]

(Mildred)
'Arthur.'

(Mildred)
'Arthur,
where're you goin' today?'

- I won't say.
- That I know.

Just the same.
I can tell you her initials.

I can tell you her name.

And you can mind
your own business.

Don't act like such a kid.

Well, you better not rush off

till you say
goodbye to Uncle Sid.

- Hello, dad!
- Hello, pa.

Oh, Arthur, you better
not go out.

Where's your mother, Mildred
is she anywhere about?

Yeah, she's getting lunch
for Uncle Sid.

We haven't long to wait.

Well, she doesn't
have to worry.

The train's always late.

♪ In our hometown ♪

♪ In our hometown ♪♪

Tommy, don't gulp.

- Can I go out now?
- May I.

May I, ma?

Yes but stay out
of that club house in the tree.

The kids next door
have one.

Now do as I tell you.

Alright. Gee,
I never have any fun.

♪ Don't play bar
don't get hurt ♪

♪ Don't climb trees
don't fall down ♪

♪ If you fall
don't get dirty ♪♪

Ah, gee, what a town.

And don't come back in
without wiping your feet.

Don't want you
to track up my floors.

And close the back screen.
Want the house full of flies?

Don't expect a boy
to remember to close doors.

Why Nat Miller.
You're home too early.

Lunch isn't quite ready.

Well, I thought
your mother's packing

might be
the helping hand.

One that's steady.

Why, Nat.

Sid promised me this morning

that he was never going
to touch another drop.

And in his eyes I could
almost see tears.

Yeah. He said that a lot
in the last 18 years.

- Ahem!
- Oh, come in, Sid.

- Just talking about your trip.
- Oh, yes, of course. The trip.

- Where's Lily?
- Oh, um..

She's in the dining room.
Fixing you some cookies

if you get hungry
on the train.

Oh, that's fine. Fine.

Am I interrupting you, Lily?

(Lily)
'Not at all, not at all.'

- Lily.
- Sid, don't. I've made my mind.

I'm not going
to marry you.

♪ If you take
a fling at marriage ♪

♪ It's for better or for worse ♪

♪ And you'll find
it's like the weather ♪

♪ Both a blessing and a curse ♪

- Why won't you marry me?
- You know why, Sid.

I can't forget about you
and that woman in New York.

But that was 18 years ago.

Will you live
a better life?

And help improve
our city blocks.

♪ Yeah, if you'll be the wife ♪

♪ There to mend my socks ♪

♪ Will you marry me ♪

We'll see, Sid.

♪ We'll see ♪♪

These are for you, Sid.

O-oh!

Sid, you better hurry.

It's time for old Nicholas
to arrive with the hack.

Besides, lunch
is almost ready.

Where's Richard?
Isn't he back?

Yes. Where is Richard?

Are you saying
that young scoundrel

isn't coming home to see me
off on my Waterbury whirl?

He'll be here, alright.
He's probably somewhere

with that McComber girl.

♪ Our town is the best
little town ♪

♪ In the state of Connecticut ♪

♪ Why you can drive
right through the town ♪

♪ And never break
a single law ♪

♪ Or you can stop
and share a single soda ♪

♪ With a double straw ♪

It's a nice town I suppose.

♪ But you don't have
to crow when you show ♪

♪ What you owe to it ♪

♪ Why you'll find
the town no bigger ♪

♪ Than the smallest
of neighborhoods ♪

♪ And if you walk
a couple of blocks ♪

♪ You'll be wandering
in the woods ♪

♪ But it's our hometown ♪

♪ It's our home.. ♪

Our hometown.

What do they know about life?

You sound glad that
you're going away.

In a way, I am.

I've given 17 years
of my life to this little town

That's enough.

I'm gonna hate school
next year, Richard.

Having someone else
sitting next to me.

I know, Muriel.

That's the cross
you'll have to bear.

But I'll..
I'll be beside you in spirit.

Will you write to me
when I'm at Yale?

You'll be busy there,
you'll never think of me.

Of course, I will.
I'll be working feverishly

18 hours a day,
sleeping the other six

but the rest of the time
I'll think of you.

- What rest of the time?
- No matter how far I go

no matter to what heights
I ascend

I'll always think of you.

I'll always love you.

- And I'll always..
- What?

I'll always think of you.

I-I've gotta go.

Well, Muriel, wait!

Hey, hey!

I owe you 20 cents, Mr. Lipska

Oh.

Muriel, let's walk home
through the park.

Alright.

Oh, Richard, I'm glad they
made you pass valedictorian.

I'm thinking of making some
drastic changes in my speech.

When I say "I bring glory
to the school"

Yes, that's
the part I love.

I'm not stopping there. A book
I read opened my eyes

and showed me this is a silly
farce. I'll tell them too.

What'll Ms. Holly say to that?

I won't tell her,
I'll spring it on her.

I'm gonna say things that
are positively revolutionary.

Richard, what,
what kind of things?

Well, never mind.

Don't be surprised
that they find a change

in the whole social system.

Don't tell anyone.

I only told you because you're
the only one I can talk to.

The only one
who understands me.

I don't always
understand you, Richard.

I know but I don't expect

anybody to really
understand me.

Well, I should think
your father would.

I can't talk to him.

He's never had to face
the problems I have.

He'll know a lot about books
and things. Running a newspaper.

Not the kind
of books I read.

My father's like all
the other fathers.

What do they know
about life?

No, my mind's made up.

I'm gonna live.

Have a jellybean.

- Good, aren't they?
- Hmm. Delicious.

Muriel, I'm gonna
miss you somethin' awful.

I'm glad, Richard.

Life goes by so quickly

we've gotta make
every moment count.

I-I know.
What time is it, Richard?

Father'll get mad
if I'm not home.

I thought, now that
I was going away, couldn't I

wouldn't you
let me kiss you goodbye?

Rich, you're not going away
until September. It's only June.

I know but September will
be here before you know it.

- Please?
- No, you mustn't

I'm afraid.

Oh, gee! That's what
you always say.

Aren't you ever
gonna let me?

Well, well, maybe.

Some time.

♪ Since the day that Mr. Noah
put together things ♪

♪ Many furry many thinny
many feather things ♪

♪ Have endured because they knew
the way to wear the things ♪

♪ There were rules
to be obeyed ♪

♪ That's the way we're made ♪

♪ Why should anybody be afraid ♪

♪ They all have lovers ♪

♪ The world discovers ♪

♪ As danger hovers ♪

♪ When spring uncovers ♪

♪ It's natural ♪

♪ To feel this feeling
you feel ♪

♪ But fears were doomed
to fade ♪

♪ That's the way we're made ♪

♪ Why should anybody
feel afraid ♪

♪ Love is something
you acquired ♪

♪ There's much to learn of it ♪

♪ No astrologer you hire
can tell the turn of it ♪

♪ If you fiddle the fire ♪

♪ You'll risk the burn of it ♪

♪ What you learn
may disconcert you ♪

♪ But it isn't
gonna hurt you ♪

♪ So you mustn't feel
afraid to fall in love ♪

But I'm not afraid.

[instrumental music]

You're afraid of everything.
Afraid of your old man.

Afraid people will say
this and that about you.

Afraid of falling in love.
Afraid to let me kiss you.

I am not afraid.

Well, maybe I am.
Just a little.

Look at Romeo and Juliet.

Or Antony and Cleopatra.

Peleus and Melisande
they weren't afraid of love.

Why they weren't afraid
to die for love.

Yes but who wants to die?

♪ In a book of love and
I have read through all of it ♪

♪ There's a chapter there
referring to the call of it ♪

♪ Juliet and Cleopatra
knew the fall of it ♪

♪ But poison vile and asp ♪

♪ Really made me gasp ♪

♪ Maybe that's
the reason I'm afraid ♪

♪ They all lie sleeping ♪

♪ 'Cause love came sweeping ♪

♪ No way of keeping ♪

♪ Their hearts from weeping ♪

♪ If you say why
I feel this feeling I feel♪

♪ Until they find the cure
I'll avoid the lure ♪

♪ Maybe that's the reason
I'm afraid ♪

♪ So it seems that love is fatal
as I've read of it ♪

♪ Maybe that's the reason
I have a dread of it ♪

♪ Oh, there must be something
else to do instead of it ♪

♪ When my very own
dear mother said ♪

♪ There's time she wishes
she were dead ♪

♪ No, I'm afraid
I mustn't fall in love ♪♪

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[music continues]

[music continues]

- Boo!
- Oh, shut up.

Don't you hit me with that.

Richard, you knew Uncle Sid
was leaving tonight, didn't ya?

Yes. He said he'd leave
after lunch

I didn't feel hungry
so I was just..

Fella gives up a lot
for a girl. You quit food.

It's not that bad, dad.

- Help Uncle Sid with his bags.
- Yes, sir.

Boo!

[knock on door]
Come in.

- Hello, Uncle Sid.
- Well, hello!

- Did you pack?
- Yes.

Well, you might take
this apart for me, if you will.

Remember the last time
we were down at Freemans Creek.

You caught 30
and I didn't catch one.

Now that I'm leaving I'll let
you in on a little secret.

I used to tell those
fish very sad stories.

Real heartbreakers.
They'll get so despondent

they'd hang themselves
on my hook.

[both laughing]

Gosh, we've had
so swell times, haven't we?

Yeah.

Now, we're..

...growing older.

We sure are, grandpa. Now,
will you give me that bottle?

Uncle Sid?

Uh, on second thought
maybe you shouldn't.

I'm won't show my face around
here unless I make good.

Who says you
haven't made good?

I say so. I'm nearly 50
and how much money have I got?

Money? Money. That's all
the stupid world thinks about.

That's because we're livin'
in a decadent society.

Well, I want
to join the society.

Don't forget, son. That suit
you've got on costs money.

Mankind was better off
when we lived in the dark ages.

When everybody
went around naked.

Well, maybe so.

But today it might interfere
with your social life.

Yes, sir, I'm gonna show
this family what I can do.

I'll surprise them this time.

You're going away because
it's what they want.

They're driving you away.

Oh, no, no, Richard.
They've been awful nice to me.

Why, every time I got..

I mean, I made a mistake

your mother and father
always forgave me.

Ha ha!

How bitter the grapes
of forgiveness.

They don't realize that a man
needs more than forgiveness.

He needs understanding.

I understand you, Uncle Sid.

Well, thank you, son.

I wish you were gonna
be around for graduation.

I'll tell them what's wrong with
the whole capitalistic system.

Wait a minute. Mr. Peabody
the head of the school board

is a banker.
You better be careful

The whole world's sick.

That's why we have so much
war and crime, drinking..

[coughing]

I'm sorry. I didn't
mean that for you.

Well, I, I only take
a drop when I have a cold.

Of course that cold's
been hangin' on for years.

A man's only the symbol
of the world he lives in.

If he drinks
to ease his agony

it's really the world
that's drinking.

The worlds drinking?

Then how is it
I get drunk?

Well, uh, Uncle Sid,
your a martyr.

You're a victim
of society's intolerance.

- I am?
- Yeah.

Hmmm. I never thought
of it like that.

Yeah, I'm a martyr.

But you don't have to be.

A man can do
anything he wants.

If he's strong enough.

(Nat)
'Sid, the hack's waiting.'

Huh! Coming, Nat.

Well, I'll close
this for you.

Here. You want this box?

Oh, yeah. Be careful
of those cookies.

I'll take it for you.
Let me.

- It's heavy.
- No, it's alright.

- Alright?
- I can do it.

Well, here we go.

[Tommy ululating]
Hurry up, Sid.

- Hurry up, Uncle Sid.
- The hack's waiting.

- Here comes.
- Such excitement.

Tommy!

Lemme help you
with those bags?

[indistinct chatter]

Who called my name in vain?

Somebody goin' away? Ha ha!
Goodbye, big boy.

Good luck, Uncle Sid.

Goodbye, beautiful.
Don't break to many hearts.

Goodbye, you little devil.

Don't forget to send me
something good.

Tommy, where
are your manners?

Good luck on your
graduation, Richard.

Thanks, Uncle Sid.
Just remember Invictus.

"Out as the night
that covers me

"black's the pit
rom pole to pole

I thank whatever God's maybe
for my unconquerable soul."

Let's get these bags.

It'll be different
this time, Nat.

You bet your life, Sid.
You tell that Waterbury bunch

they're gettin' the best
reporter I ever had.

- Sis.
- Write to us, Sid. Promise.

- I promise.
- We'll miss you.

Oh, now, Essie, please.

Oh-h..

Goodbye, Sid.

I don't think
I'll go after all.

Oh, Sid, you're crazy.
You go right this minute.

Well, I hope you can all get
along alright without me.

Lily, you see that
he gets in that hack.

[indistinct chatter]

♪ Ala-men ala-men
ala-men cocktail ♪

♪ Eye-ish-kitty boom boom
Oss-kitty-osh kosh ♪

♪ Lie-ka-boom-bah
Teddy-rue teddy-rah ♪

♪ Teddy-rubby-bubby-fubby-dubby
zis-boom-bah ♪

♪ Danville
Danville rah rah rah ♪

♪ What do you
plan plan plan? ♪

♪ For Dan Dan
Danville high ♪

♪ Ah-h-h ♪
♪ Ah-h-h ♪

♪ Will you do
what you can can can ♪

♪ For Dan Dan Danville high ♪

♪ Ah-h-h ♪
♪ Ah-h-h ♪

♪ When the road is rough ♪

♪ And the towing is tough ♪

♪ If you keep
going going going ♪

♪ You'll be calling
their bluff ♪

♪ Every Danville's scholar
loosen up your collar ♪

♪ Make them
holler holler holler ♪

♪ Enough enough enough ♪

♪ Give them
a yell yell yell ♪

♪ To tell tell tell
them why ♪

♪ Ah-h-h ♪
♪ Ah-h-h ♪

♪ For we all want
to see see see ♪

♪ The victory is nigh ♪

♪ Ah-h-h ♪

♪ When every man man man ♪

♪ Knows the plan plan plan ♪

♪ Every man man man ♪

♪ Will do what he can can can ♪

♪ For Dan ♪
♪ Dan ♪

♪ Dan ♪
♪ Dan ♪

♪ Dan ♪
♪ Dan ♪

♪ Danville hig-h-h ♪♪

[instrumental music]

♪ All hail to Danville high ♪

♪ To dear ol' Danville high ♪

♪ Sing out sing out ♪

♪ Sing out sing out ♪

♪ Her praises to the sky ♪

♪ Forever and a day ♪

♪ Our hearts will never stray ♪

♪ Sing out sing out ♪

♪ Sing out about ♪

♪ The navy blue and gray ♪

♪ Sing out about
those joyous days ♪

♪ Of friendships
fond and true ♪

♪ Though we may go
our separate ways ♪

♪ We'll still remember ♪

♪ The navy blue and gray ♪

♪ We'll wave o'er us for aye ♪

♪ All hail Danville high ♪

♪ To dear ol' Danville high ♪

♪ Sing out sing out ♪

♪ Si-si-sing out
sing out ♪

♪ Her prais-e-e-es ♪

♪ To-o-o the sk-y-y-y ♪♪

You're not gonna
say those things.

- Yes. I am.
- Oh, no, Richard.

Yes.

[applause]

Now we've come to a high point
of our ceremony.

The valedictory speech.

It is a privilege
and an honor

to present our
outstanding citizen

who in turn will present
the valedictorian

Mr. Josiah Peabody.

Chairman of the school board.

[applause]

Ladies and gentlemen.

I consider this
a rare privilege.

A rare privilege!

To be selected valedictorian

of this great
and magnificent high school

is a fine tribute.

It demonstrates
that the young man

who achieved
this immortal honor

has the highest type
of intelligence.

A truly outstanding personality.

And an honesty and integrity

that marks a truly great
and shining leader.

I too was a valedictorian.

I treasure the memory.

I treasure it so much
that today

when you walk in
to the first National Bank

of which I am proud to be
president and sole owner

with assets of more than three
and one half millions of dollars

you will see my diploma from
this same beloved high school

'framed over my safe.'

That's what I think
of this school.

And now it's an honor

to wish the same
successful future

to the class valedictorian..

...Richard Miller.

Ahem!

Fellow classmates..

...friends..

...I, as your spokesman..

...am saying farewell..

(Richard)
'...to one part of our lives.'

Thinking over this..

few years here at school

I have likened them
to the journeying's

of a little brook.

We are the waters
of that brook.

Some of us have
sprung out of the Earth

like clear springs.

Others have gotten
their beginnings

(Richard)
'in the snows
of the lofty mountains.'

Nevertheless,
in four years journey

one drop has been
as another.

Course of our journey
has been a simple one.

It has been held
between prescribed banks.

But we have been glad
to be guided.

(Richard)
'Realizing that in our youth'

'we have needed help.'

'Everything was made
smooth for us.'

No obstacles were in our way.

Pebbles, rather than rocks.

Gentle slopes,
rather than rapids.

But now we have run our course.

(Richard)
'We are nearing the sea.'

'Where we will
lose each other.'

Strange currents will carry us

here and there.

We will have to breast
the waves of adversity.

There will be no course
to guide us there.

We will crush ourselves
upon the rocks

to break or to be broken.

There will be no
loving hands to help us.

No teachers or parents
to guide us on our way.

(Richard)
'And as these mounting waves
of adversity'

'these terrifying elements
descend upon us'

'many will be afraid.'

'Many will want to turn back.'

'In that time of terror'

'of danger of doubt'

let us always keep
before us the ideals

and the principles that we have
learned here in this school.

Honesty, integrity
and perseverance.

With these,
we can climb to any heights.

(Richard)
'bring glory to this school'

'and win a lasting place
for ourselves'

in the great world
that lies before us.

[applause]

But..

That was fine, Richard, fine!
I don't care if you're my boy.

I'm proud of you.
Yeah, that's a great speech.

I'm proud of this school.

[indistinct chatter]

[band music]

Well, what's the matter,
Richard?

You ought to feel
pretty good right now.

I didn't finish my speech.

I was just starting
the important part.

Yeah, I know, I read it.

Did you get that from some books
you've been reading lately?

Some of them.

Didn't know
you felt that way.

I thought you'd like to drive
the Stanley steamer home today.

Me?

Might be against
your principles..

How?

You might say that car was
bought with the life-blood

of poor wage slaves.

Oh, gee, dad, I didn't mean..
Could I?

If your conscience lets you ask
Muriel if she'll go with you.

Thanks, dad.

Fine boy you've got, Miller.

Don't run over Mr. Peabody
unless you can't help it.

I'll ask Muriel.

He's a brilliant boy, Nat.

Yeah, look who his father is.

You mark my words.
He'll go far.

Just so long
as he doesn't go too far.

Hey, Art, there's a cute little
chicken down at the drugstore..

- ...who's got possibilities.
- Skidoo. Skidoo.

Okay, kiddo.

- I'm glad you could come.
- So am I.

- I'm gonna drive it myself.
- Can you?

Sure, not many fellas can
handle a Stanley Steamer

It'll get up to
25 miles an hour.

Richard you wouldn't
drive that fast.

Oh, maybe I wouldn't.

Not with women and children
in the car.

Goodbye, Mr. Danville.

Another chapter is closed.

♪ Don't you feel
like you're in clover ♪

♪ Aren't you glad
to get your graduation over ♪

♪ We acquired some facts
now we'll all relax ♪

♪ Goin' out
in your Stanley Steamer ♪

♪ As we ride
along the highway ♪

♪ I'll have fun
if everyone is looking my way ♪

♪ And we'll leave the crowd
feeling oh so proud ♪

♪ That we're out
in your Stanley Steamer ♪

♪ Honk honk
honk honk honk ♪

♪ The tandem bike
has had it's day ♪

♪ If you'll ride in one
you'll find that they ♪

♪ Poke along
in an obsolete way ♪

♪ But if you fail
to ever muster ♪

♪ Up a speed you're gonna need
the old combustor ♪

♪ Then you must be just ♪

♪ Just the one we trust ♪

♪ Or we won't step inside ♪

♪ No we won't take the ride
that you planned ♪

♪ In your Stanley Steamer ♪

♪ That you planned
in your Stanley Steamer ♪

♪ In your
Stanley Steamer Automobile ♪♪

Oh, it's so romantic!

Well, come on and get your
things on. Let's get goin'.

♪ Put on your veil ♪

♪ Put on your duster ♪

♪ Get the yen for goggles
when the wind's a guster ♪

♪ Keep your Hubbard gown
firmly belted down ♪

♪ When you're out
in a Stanley Steamer ♪

♪ In a gale
you never fluster ♪

♪ 'Cause you're told to get
that old familiar luster ♪

♪ If you're dressed in style ♪

♪ Everyone will smile ♪

♪ When you're out
in the Stanley Steamer ♪

♪ Honk honk
honk honk honk ♪

♪ The horse and buggy
had it's charm ♪

♪ But the horses
lookin' with alarm ♪

♪ 'Cause it looks like
he's back to the farm ♪

♪ But if I fail ♪

♪ With my combustor ♪

♪ Then my speed
is gonna need a new adjuster ♪

♪ And I know I must ♪

♪ be just the one you trust ♪

♪ Or you won't step inside ♪

♪ No you won't take the ride ♪

♪ That I plan
in my Stanley Steamer ♪

♪ That I plan
in my Stanley Steamer ♪

♪ In my Stanley Steamer
automobile ♪♪

- I better light her.
- Let me do it.

Here is the matchbox.

Hey, you got any extra
inner-tubes?

What do you think we are, rubes?

[screaming]

[instrumental music]

[neighing]

♪ You're a sight
to make me tingle ♪

♪ You're a dish to make me wish
I wasn't single ♪

♪ With such
a precious load now ♪

♪ Keep your eye on the road ♪

♪ When we are out
in the Stanley Steamer ♪

♪ If you find you're
not inventive ♪

♪ Then I'll bet you're
gonna get a new incentive ♪

♪ And you lose your heart
on the day you start ♪

♪ Goin' out
in the Stanley Steamer ♪

♪ Honk honk ♪

♪ Honk honk honk ♪

♪ From Yonkers
to the coast of Maine ♪

♪ They're beginning
to pick up the strain ♪

♪ They're beginning
to sing this refrain ♪

♪ We're full of bright
anticipation ♪

♪ Like a child
who has a wild imagination ♪

♪ And we wanna ride
wanna ride inside ♪

♪ Of the latest motor deal
wanna sit behind the wheel ♪

♪ With the man
in the Stanley Steamer ♪

♪ With the man
in the Stanley Steamer ♪

♪ In the Stanley Steamer
auto-mo-bile-e-e ♪♪

[crowing]

[instrumental music]

Hey, Tommy,
wait till you hear mine.

[kids screaming]

Come on.
Let grandpa help, huh? Huh?

- No.
- No.

Hey!

[music continues]

[explosion]

What is that?
An explosion?

Uh, it's just 4th of July.

Why do they have to start
in the middle of the night?

Darned kids.
Why don't they have more sense?

[fire crackers exploding]

Tommy.

What's the trouble
with their parents?

- Our Tommy?
- Yes.

- I'll take care of him.
- I'll do it. Go back to sleep.

Sleep? This will wake
dead man. Tommy!

[explosion]

You started this.

[explosion]
Oh, that dreadful noise.

I know a boy,
who collects snakes.

Tommy, not at
the breakfast table.

He's got 13 of them.

- 'Tommy!'
- 'Yeah? What kind?'

Dead snakes.

Stop it, both of you.

Where's Richard?

He was sitting
in his bed reading.

You gonna have to speak to him.

He's spending entirely too much
time reading the wrong books.

He's never on time
for his meals anymore.

Everybody else but Richard
has to be on time.

Richard has to be no time too.

Richard?

Richard!

- Richard!
- 'Coming right away.'

- He knows no books--
- I better go change my things.

Excuse me. I've gotta
get ready for the picnic.

Ours starts at 10:00.

Wake up, Richard.
It's 4th of July.

You take care
of your own fourth.

- Do you want me, pa?
- I thought I made that plain.

- Eat your breakfast.
- No, thanks.

What are you planning on doing
with yourself today, Richard?

Are you going to
the young people's picnic?

That silly skirt party, no.

I'll wager you're going
some place with Muriel.

Muriel and I haven't decided
what we are going to do yet.

Besides..

...I don't believe in this silly
celebrating in the 4th of July.

All this lying talk
about liberty.

- When there is no liberty.
- Richard.

Land of the free
and home of the brave.

Home of the slave is what it is.
The wage slave.

Being ground under
by the capitalist class.

Starving, crying out for bread.

For his children.
When only gets is a stone.

No you celebrate
your own fourth.

I'll celebrate the day
that the people bring back

the guillotine.
And we see Pierpont Morgan

being driven by in a tumbril.

If you don't speak to him.

We'll be the ones driven by
in a tumbril.

You, kid.
Tie that bull outside.

You ought to be punched in
the nose for talking that way.

Wait till we get
you down to Yale.

- We'll take that out of you.
- Yale?

After all,
what is Yale?

You'll find out.

Excuse me, dad. I've gotta pick
up Elsie in half an hour.

Now that you've made
your stump speech of the day.

You better sit down
and eat your breakfast.

- What have we got here?
- Carlyle's French Revolution.

That's why you drove
the tumblin' pile

poor ol' Pierpont into it.

Well, it's a darn fine book.
I'm glad you're reading it.

- Well, Nat.
- What have you read it?

Even a newspaper owner
can't get out of reading a book.

Oh, I didn't mean..
Not to..

It's a great book,
isn't it?

After breakfast I want you
to bring all these books down

and let your father see.

We'd waste the whole
darn morning on those books.

What books have
you got, Richard?

- Well, there's--
- One with a book of poetry.

"The ballad of.."
I forget what.

"The Ballad of Reading Goal."

One of the greatest poems
ever written.

And there was book of poems
from Swin something.

"Poems and Ballads"
by Swinburne.

The greatest poet since Shelly.

He told the truth
about real love.

Hmm. And last there was a poem
a long one the...Ruby..

What is it, Richard?

"The Rubaiyat"
of Omar Khayyam.

- That's the best of all.
- Yeah. I've read that one.

- Nat?
- I've got a copy at office.

Fine things and some truth
seem to be two things.

- Well, Nat, I don't see--
- It's wonderful.

Remember the part that goes.

"A book of verses
underneath the bough.

"A jug of wine,
a loaf of bread.

"And thou beside me singing
in the wilderness.

I don't think that's any
kind of reading for you.

- Uh-ha.
- Essie.

I've gotta go
and see Muriel.

- Excuse me.
- Go ahead.

I guess well all get started
if we're going to get to picnic.

Oh, look, Nat.

Drops for your picnic.

Hmm.

A lot of horses,
haven't they?

Yes. That isn't
all they've got.

I don't know why men
have those things.

You won't find beer
at women's picnic.

Hmm. I better get started.

Now, Nat.
I hope you won't..

Woman, you're not
insinuating--

Well, I've seen you
after some of those picnics.

I didn't need any bird to tell
me you've been besides the well.

Hello, Tommy, my lad.

Hello, Uncle Sid.
I'm Uncle Sam.

Oh, well.
Hello, uncle.

Did you get vacation too?

Yeah. I suppose
you might call it that.

- I'll go tell 'em you're here.
- Yes.

Pa, ma, guess who's
come to spend the fourth.

Spend the fourth, fifth,
sixth, seventh, ad infinitum.

'Well, Sid.'

I'm glad to see you.
This make it a real holiday.

Oh, thank you, Nat.

I know a boy
who collects snakes.

- Well, now..
- Dead ones.

- 'Sid!'
- Well, that's..

Oh, this is a surprise.

- Yeah, well..
- You staying overnight?

Well, I might if you insist.

- Well, certainly.
- We insist.

You can leave
on the morning train.

Uh, yes.

Where is the one
and only Lil?

Oh, she's in the kitchen.
She'd be tickled pink.

Excuse me. I've to get dressed.
See you later, Sid.

- Yeah.
- Well, how is the job?

Yeah. The job it's..

Oh, it's fine. Fine.

Ah, just what you need,
you know to..

...kinda straighten you out.

Yes. It was. Is..

I've been worried
about you, Nat.

How about that my throwing
up the job at Waterbury

come on back
and work for you?

No, no, no.
You're better off where you are.

Yes.

Well...you see, Nat,
there's, uh...well..

As a matter of fact
I've missed you on the paper.

I wished you'd consider
taking your old job back.

Thanks, Nat.

Come on, let's go tell
ol' Lily the good news.

Oh, Lily, look who's here.

- Sid! When did you get here?
- Hello, Lily.

We didn't know
you were coming.

Well, neither did I.

Oh, my, you look well.

- Just fine.
- We've got a surprise for you.

I needed Sid on paper, I asked
him to quit and come back here.

- Oh!
- I had to talk him to it.

Oh, I'm so glad.

We, uh...we all
missed you, Sid.

Well, you're the prettiest thing
I've seen in weeks, Lily.

Oh.

There's some mighty
pretty girls in Waterbury.

Oh, Sid, you silly.

Did you have breakfast?

As a matter of fact
I would like a cup of coffee.

Well, I'll get it for ya.
Now, you sit down.

Oh!

I'm, I'm so happy
about you, Sid.

Oh.

- Your letters.
- Hmm.

I'm proud that you did
so well in Waterbury.

Oh, please. Let's not talk
about my success.

It's embarrassing.

Oh, well, you always
were too modest, Sid.

But, I always knew
you could succeed

if you just abstained.

If you'd only, uh..
you know.

Uh, yes. I, uh..

That was the only thing that
stood in the way of everything.

And now that
you've conquered that habit.

Well..

...you know what I said when..

...when you went away.

- Lily.
- Yes, Sid.

Could I have
a little more coffee?

Of course.

They're, uh, they're
gonna have the big display

of fireworks again
this year, aren't they?

Umm-hmm.

Tonight. At the beach.

Would you..
Could I take you?

Do you want to?

Oh, you know I do, Lil.

There's gonna be
a new moon tonight.

That's right.

Maybe..

Maybe we can sort of

talk everything
over tonight. Hm?

Yes, tonight.

Hello.

Uh, come on, Lilly.
We..

Let the dishes go.
Nat wants to get started.

Do you drop us at our picnic?
Come on. The basket's packed.

(Tommy)
I'm late, I'm late.

My goodness it's take forever to
get this family started anyway.

Get your hat. Sid, you come with
me to the St--

[Tommy ululating]
Alright, Nat.

- Hello, Uncle Sid.
- Well. hello.

Good to see you.
When'd you come?

- Well..
- We'll talk later. I've to run.

Arthur,
don't get too sunburnt.

- Alright, mom.
- Uncle Sid, when'd you come?

- Would you stay long?
- Well..

That's wonderful.
I can't wait.

- Haven't got time..
- I'm going out for Muriel now.

Uncle Sid! It's good to see you.
When'd you return?

- Well, I..
- Great, great.

We'll talk about it
when I return.

- I'm going after Muriel now.
- Okay. Don't eat many pickles.

- Goodbye, goodbye!
- Goodbye, uh..

Be careful
of those firecrackers.

And don't eat
too much ice cream.

- Well, I'm ready.
- Oh, good.

- Belle you get the powder salt.
- Okay.

Sid, you get
the lunch baskets.

You get the car.

My! Isn't 4th of July
exciting?

Thank goodness,
it only comes once a year.

[sighs]

[trumpet music]

[band music]

[applause]

♪ This is the day
for celebration ♪

♪ With all the boys
bring out the noise ♪

♪ This is the day
of Declaration ♪

♪ Sing out the land
we make the stand ♪

♪ That it's Independence Day ♪

♪ Down the hatch
and roll the kegs away ♪

♪ It's Independence Day ♪

♪ Here's good luck
to hollow legs that say ♪

♪ Down the hatch!
Here's good luck ♪

♪ Hail hail ♪

♪ Every bass and every treble ♪

♪ Join the rebel band ♪

♪ This is the day
for celebration ♪

♪ Shoot off the shells
ring out the bells ♪

♪ This is the day of Declaration
for every man ♪

♪ Freedom began for
it's Independence Day ♪

♪ Bottom's up
and put the beer away ♪

♪ It's Independence Day ♪

♪ Here's good cheer
and when you hear us say ♪

♪ Bottoms up
here's good cheer ♪

♪ Hail hail hail ♪

♪ Nothing ever bothers
our fore-father's plan ♪

♪ If you become
a bit unsteady ♪

♪ No need to lag
ring up the flag ♪

♪ Get out the drum
the fife is ready ♪

♪ To promenade
in the parade ♪

♪ For it's Independence Day ♪

♪ Down the hatch
roll the kegs away ♪

♪ It's Independence Day ♪

♪ Here's good luck
to hollow legs that say ♪

♪ Down the hatch
here's good luck ♪

♪ Hail hail ♪

♪ Ha-il-il-il ♪♪

[instrumental music]

[laughing]

♪ All the men're out drinking
we're quietly thinking ♪

♪ That our lemonade
is much better ♪

♪ And out table is spread
with the best home-made bread ♪

♪ And fried chicken
done to the letter ♪

♪ We have chocolate eclairs
and some new preserved pears ♪

♪ And a ham
with the cloves around it ♪

♪ Though everyone's starving
we can't do the carving ♪

♪ Until Mrs. Nichols
finds the dill pickles ♪

♪ Picnics are flat
without pickles ♪

♪ My stars ♪

♪ That jar's gotta be here ♪

♪ Oh I found it ♪

♪ Doesn't food
make a tempting display? ♪

♪ Will you hurry and finish
that game of croquet ♪♪

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chattering]

[screaming]

♪ It's independence day ♪

[violin music]

[instrumental music]

♪ Gone are the days
of the minuet ♪

♪ On with the square dance
everybody set ♪

♪ Away with a bow
and a curtsie ♪

♪ Better bring your coat-tails
flyin' in the breeze ♪

[instrumental music]

♪ It's Independence Day ♪

♪ Down the hatch
and roll the kegs away ♪

♪ It's Independence Day ♪

♪ Here's good luck
to hollow legs that say ♪

♪ Hail hail ♪♪

Still neck and neck
between Klaumeyer

Englund and Davis.

Now, Klaumeyer passes Davis.

Now Davis passes Englund.

And Englund pass out.

[all cheering]

Oh, it's a two horse
race now, boys.

Klaumeyer and Davis fighting
it out in the field of honor

for this years branded valuable
first prize.

Now, Sid, you better quit.

You've had enough.

What? Quit?
And disgrace the family?

But you've had 16 already.

You're drowned, Sid.
You're drowned.

Unhand me. I have to go back
to the field of honor.

[cheering]

(male #1)
'Ready, boys?'

'Get set. Go!'

[dramatic music]

No, Klaumeyer!

[cheering]

'The winner, Sid Davis.'

[cheering]

♪ Down the hatch
here's good luck ♪

♪ Hail hail ♪

♪ Ha-ha-ha-il ♪♪

Hello, Richard.

- Did you have a nice day?
- No.

Richard, we'll have dinner
as soon as others get here.

My! You look lovely.

Oh, thanks, Essie.

I-I thought I might
dress up a little bit.

Sid is taking me
to the fireworks.

- Let me fix that lace.
- Thank you, Essie.

Can we eat now?
I'm hungry.

As soon as everyone's
back home.

And don't you say a word about
that blue fish, understand?

- I get ya.
- Uh-uh.

Nat says there's an oil
in it that poisons him.

But I tell him
it's white fish.

- Aren't you ashamed?
- Not much. I like blue fish.

We better see
how dinner's coming.

- I wish they'd hurry up.
- Isn't it hot?

- Ooh!
- Come on that's enough.

Pull yourself together.

Go upstairs and stick your head
under the tap.

You think you can make it?

Well, there's always
reasonable room for doubt.

I'll cover up for you
down here.

Here we're, sweetheart.

Here we are.
Right on the dot.

Here we are.

You said that three times.

Don't be critical, Essie.
Good news can bear repeating.

Can it? Of course it can.

Oh, aren't you crazy.

Where's Sid?

Uh, he's upstairs.
He'd be right down.

Good. We want to get
dinner over early.

Mr. McComber is coming out,
can I scalp him?

What does he want?

Can I scalp him?

- May I.
- May I?

Well, we'll see later.

What do you suppose
that old buzzard wants?

Well, Dave what brings you
here this glorious fourth?

I want to talk to you, Nat.

I'm glad to see you.
Come in.

Happy you dropped over.

Now just make
yourself comfortable.

Sit down.
Sit down, Dave.

I don't want to sit down.

No? Well, how about a cigar?

You're forgetting
I never smoke.

No. Yeah, that's right.

Well, then I'll smoke alone.

I'll come to the point
at once, Nat.

No use beating around the bush.

It's about your son Richard.

Yeah, what about him?

He's deliberately trying
to corrupt the morals

of my young daughter Muriel.

I'm afraid I will
have to call you a liar.

Ah, I thought you'd get
around to that.

I personally caught him
in the woods this afternoon.

making vile advances to Muriel.

- Advances?
- He was trying to kiss her.

Since when does a kiss
from a decent kid

been considered
vile advances?

Now you're insulting
my daughter.

I'm not insulting her.

I'm just giving her credit
for ordinary good sense.

That isn't all.

My wife found these in one
of Muriel's bureau drawers.

Hid under her stockings.

They are in his handwriting.

You read them
and then say I'm a liar.

Evidently you've been too busy
to take the right care

about Richard's bringing up.

Or what he's allowed to read.

I can't see why his mother
failed at her duty.

Can't you see that Richard's
just a fool kid

where is out to rebel
against all authority.

So he grasped anything
radical to read

just so he can pass it on
and show off a little.

In heart you'll find Richard
as innocent as Muriel is.

Muriel is never going
to see him again.

Here's a letter to your son.

Telling him
what she thinks of him.

I'm punishing her and if you
don't give him lacing

he'll remember
to the last day--.

Now see here I've stood
all I could stand from you.

Now you get out of here.

If you don't want
a kick in the rear.

I'm going.

But you'll regret this.

I'm taking my ad
out of your paper.

Unless you promise
to punish him.

I'll be hanged if I will.

That's plain bluff.

I know how badly
you need my ad.

Now see here.
I'm gonna call your bluff.

I'm gonna refuse
to print your darn ad.

Now put that in your pipe
and smoke it.

[knock on door]
Yeah?

- Richard?
- Yes, pa.

Gonna ask you a question.
I want an honest answer.

I warn you
if your answer is yes

I'm gonna punish you hard

because you'll have
done something

no boy of mine ought to do.

Now, you've never lied
to me before I know

and I don't think to save
yourself punishment

you would lie to me now,
would you?

- I won't lie, pa.
- Alright.

Now Dave McComber
was just here.

What? What have you been
up to with Muriel?

Have you been
behaving yourself?

Oh, gee, pa.

What do you think I am?

I'm in love with Muriel.

And I wanna marry her.

As soon as I graduate
from college.

That's fine.
That's all I wanted to know.

Alright. What does that old
idiot McComber said about me?

Shouldn't call your future
father-in-law names.

It isn't respectable.

And after all you
can't exactly blame Dave

when you look through
this literature

you've sent his innocent
daughter.

Oh.

So that's why.
He found these, did he?

I'm afraid I'll have to agree

that they are not exactly
reading for a young girl but..

Well, I may you'd be alright
for you who are a man, but..

You think it over
and see if you don't agree.

Gee, I only did it because

I wanted her to face life
as it really is.

She's afraid of
afraid of being in love.

Afraid of her old man.

I thought I'd give courage
to lead her own life.

To not think
about being afraid.

Yeah. Well, I'm afraid
she's still afraid.

Here's a letter from her.

You better be prepared
for bit of a jolt.

Never mind, Richard.

There plenty of other fish
in the sea.

Don't be too long. You're mother
has dinner waiting.

"And don't ever attempt
to see me again."

Why you little coward.

I hate her.
She can't do this to me.

I'll show her.

When Sid comes in, if he's
a little under the weather.

- Just don't pay any attention.
- Alright, dad.

I know a boy who ate three
quarter ice cream by himself.

'Now if he did he's sick now.'

Oh, no he isn't.
I feel fine.

Oh, hello, Sid.

Ah, good evening.

Oh, Sid, come in.

- Good evening.
- Good evening.

It's a beautiful evening.

Sit down, Sid.

I never saw a more
beautiful sunset..

Oh, pardon. I'm sorry, Lily.
Deeply sorry.

It's alright.

This isn't blue fish
by any chance is it, my dear?

Of course not.

I regret to say that there
is certain peculiar oil

in blue fish
that invariably poisons me.

[laughing]

I don't see anything darn funny
about my being poisoned.

Uh-uh!

Nat, I suspect the plot.

This fish looks blue to me.

Very blue.

Despondent in fact.

Yeah. Can it be
that your Essie

has been slowly
poisoning you for years?

That this woman is a..

[babbling]

...eh, Lucretia Borgia?

See here you darn fool
a joke's a joke

and enough is enough.

Is it true, Essie?

Yes, it is.

And that peculiar
oil business is all nonsense.

Well, now, kindly allow me to
know my own constitution.

You've been eating blue fish
for years and thrived on it.

To think of it
I have felt upset

every darn time we've had fish.
I can't eat this.

You seem to be
in a merry mood.

I thought you were the original
of a hard Bob down today.

(Essie)
'Sid, what's wrong now?'

[babbling]

Water.

What will they think of next.

I regret to say that this is a
certain peculiar oil in water

that invariably poisons me.

You seem to be getting a lot of
fun out of kidding me go ahead.

Ow!

He better go to bed.
That's what he better do.

Yeah, bed.
Maybe you're right.

I lost my fish.

I regret
that I must tear myself away.

But I do not seem
to fit in this company.

If you'll forgive
my saying so.

You are all slightly
intoxicating.

Would you go to bed, idiot.

First I have a duty to perform.

Lily, once and for all
answer me.

- Will you marry me?
- No, I won't.

- Never.
- Right.

Perhaps it's all for the best.

For how can I forget, what my
dear old mother once said to me.

Sydney she said, "never marry
a woman who drinks."

Hmm, too bad.

So fine a woman once
and now a slave to rum.

You leave Lily alone
and go to bed.

Yeah.

Well, goodnight,
ladies and gents.

We will meet by and by.

Bye bye.

Huh, goodness he's a caution.

That's just it.

That's been his downfall
everyone always laughing at him.

Saying he's case he's a caution.

And he's gone on
and we're all responsible.

We're all to blame.

And all we do is laugh.

No, now, Lily.
It isn't as serious as that.

Well, maybe it is to me.

Or was. Was.

[crying]

Well, what's all that about?

Oh, Sid promised
to take her to the fireworks.

You know what I think.

It's Aunt Lily's fault.
It's because he loves her.

And she keeps him dangling
after and eggs him on

and ruins his life, like all
women try to ruin men's lives.

I don't blame him for drinking
himself to death

the way she's treated him, I'd
do the same thing if I were him.

"Drink for you know not
when you come nor why.

Drink for you know
not where you go not when."

That's enough of that.

I've had about all
I can stand for one day

now you keep that darn fool
talk to yourself, okay?

You're gonna regret it.

You ought to be ashamed of
yourself talking that way..

- ...on the fourth of July.
- Fourth of July.

I wish we still
belonged to England.

- Hey, Dick.
- Oh, hiya, Wint.

Tell Art I wanna
see him on the QT.

He isn't home
and won't be back until late.

Doggone it! That gums up
the works for fair.

Why? What's wrong with you?

- Can keep your mouth shut?
- I can.

I ran into a couple of swift
babies from New Haven this..

And I dated them up tonight
thinking I could get Art.

Nearly broke I can't afford
to blow 'em both to drinks.

I got $11 you can borrow some
money if that's what you want?

Ah, Nicks, kid.
I don't want your money.

Say do you have
anything on for tonight?

- No.
- Like to come along with me?

Take one of them off my hands.

You don't even
have to take a glass of beer

- Unless you want to.
- What'd you think I am? A rube?

You mean you're game for
anything?

Sure I am.

Can you fix it
so your folks wont' know?

I don't want your dad
after me.

Oh, don't worry about that.

- Lets go.
- Okay. Come on.

[instrumental music]

I don't want them to think
you're a high school kid.

- Whatever I say back me up.
- Sure.

Haven't been around this part
of town have you, kid?

Ah, it's not much
of a neighborhood.

Oh, I don't know
it's very romantic.

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

♪ If you've been dying
for a chance to be elastic ♪

♪ And dance to light fantastic ♪

♪ We'll call you
when you're next ♪

♪ If you're trying
not to do the new sensation ♪

♪ Don't show so much elation ♪

♪ We'll call you
when you're next ♪

♪ The one who's first
is served ♪

♪ My heart is not reserved ♪

♪ You better all rejoice ♪

♪ Or you'll wind up being
nobody's choice ♪

Come on we'll go backstage
and meet the girls.

- Backstage?
- Sure, come on.

♪ And if you find
that you're the kind ♪

♪ Of man whose mind
is all perplexed ♪

♪ Don't pout we shout
look out ♪

♪ You're next ♪

♪ Whoo ♪♪

- Hi.
- Hiya, baby.

[upbeat music]

Oh, uh, Dick,
this is Crystal.

- Hello.
- Glad to meet you.

And this is Belle.

- I'm glad to know you.
- Me too.

Get your things, lets get outta
this dump. See you later.

I thought we were all going
somewhere together?

Four is a crowd, kid.

I know a place
where we can be alone together.

You'll like that better
wouldn't you?

- I..
- Sure you would.

Wait here
till I get dressed, huh?

I won't be long.

[instrumental music]

Drink up your beer,
why don't you?

It's getting flat.

I let it
get that way on purpose.

I like it like that.

- Say, waiter.
- Yeah.

Is that the latest hits
in this hick bird?

Only three or four years old.

You better catch up
before it's too late.

Complain to the manager not me.

We're not used to having candy
kiddos like you around

or maybe we'd get up to date.

Don't kid me.
Please, I can't bear it.

♪ He up and left the town ♪

♪ And now The Weary Blues
has got me upside down ♪

Did you ever hear
those words too, kid?

Sure I did.
Lots of times, that's old.

What do you think I am?

I don't know, kid.
Honest, you got me guessing.

[piano music]

♪ Come on and play
The Weary Blues ♪

♪ I love to hear
The Weary Blues ♪

♪ Of all the numbers
you could choose ♪

♪ You can't refuse
The Weary Blues ♪

♪ I had a guy in New Orleans ♪

♪ The sweetest guy
in New Orleans ♪

♪ Who had to roam ♪

♪ He up and left the town ♪

♪ And now the Weary Blues
has got me upside down ♪

♪ Play those Weary Blues ♪♪

Hey get a load of the kid.

Yeah, he's a hot sport alright.
Can't you tell it?

He buys it, I sell it.

My heads dizzy
bringing you in drinks.

Yes and forget
the house rules this time.

Remember rickeys a gin drink.

- Put some gin in it.
- I'll try too, seeing it's you.

What's your order?
Another beer?

Uh, make it a small one,
please.

- I'm not very thirsty.
- Ha.

Say, are things
that slow up at Harvard?

Have a real drink like mine.

Alright, I will.

Waiter. Waiter, better
make that a slow gin fizz.

Make it a real one.

I get you.
Something to warm him up.

[whistling]

Gee, what a dump.

Wouldn't it be just my luck.

If this isn't
the deadest bird I ever struck.

I bet they take the side walks
in after 9 o' clock.

♪ Bet they don't know ♪

♪ What's it all about ♪

Say honestly, kid?

♪ Tell me ♪

♪ Does your mother
know you're out ♪♪

Cut it out.

What're you trying to do,
kid me?

Alright, alright.

I didn't mean too, dearie.

Please, don't get sore.

I'm not sore.

I'm not sore anymore.

You see, kid,
it's this way with me.

♪ I think you're ♪

♪ One of the sweetest kids
I've ever met ♪

♪ If you would let me ♪

♪ I could like you a lot ♪

♪ Just try and like me ♪

♪ If you can a bit ♪

♪ You'll never fret
about the things ♪

♪ That love is not.. ♪

Oh, I'm not worried about love.

♪ Don't think
I'm one of those girls ♪

♪ Without a sense of good ♪

♪ Why I could have had ♪

♪ The richest man in town ♪

♪ Don't think I flirt ♪

♪ With ever man I meet ♪

♪ Don't think I couldn't ♪

♪ Ever turn a fellow down ♪♪

Oh, I never thought
anything like that.

It's just that I've-I've
got a big weight on my mind.

♪ Instead of sitting there
so cold besides me ♪

♪ We should be
dancing together you see ♪

♪ If you would
give me half a chance ♪

♪ I could show you
what romance ♪

♪ Could be ♪♪

Hurry up with those drinks,
waiter.

♪ I think you're ♪

♪ One of the sweetest kids ♪

♪ I've ever known ♪

♪ Though you're a kid ♪

♪ I'll never treat you as such ♪

♪ You'll feel just like
a dapper Dan a bit ♪

♪ If you will only
let our lips ♪

♪ Begin to touch ♪

♪ I think you're
one of the sweetest kids ♪

♪ I've ever met ♪

♪ And I will never
never let you get ♪

♪ In dirt ♪

Not much.
That'll be 40 cents, please.

Oh, yeah.

- Here. Keep the change.
- Oh, thank you very much, sir.

And I hope you like the drink.
I took special pains with it.

You shouldn't be
so generous, dearie.

That is if you're
carrying a light wallet.

Oh, what do you think
I am? A tightwad?

That's the kinda talk
I like to hear.

Have a sweet.
You smoke, don't you, dear?

Oh, sure I..

...I've been smoking for
the past year on the sly.

[instrumental music]

You shouldn't inhale like that.

Girls shouldn't inhale--

Afraid it'll stop my growth?

Gee, kid, I'll take a note.
You're a scream.

I'll bet you'll grow up
to be the president yet.

Well, here's how.

Bottoms up now.

Show me,
you really know how now.

To you.

Dan[instrumental music]

[coughing]

There that's more like it.

Feel better, my pet?

You bet.

'Well, you'll feel
still better in a minute.'

That is
if he put some stuff in it.

Then maybe you won't be so
distant and unfriendly.

[pleasant music]

Come here.

Come here.

Why don't you
put your arms around me?

No, not that dead way.

Hold me close, won't you?

You needn't be afraid
of holding me tight.

I like to be held tight.

- Don't you?
- Sure.

Especially when it's by
a nice handsome kid like you.

Gee, you got pretty hair,
so you know it?

Honest,
I'm awfully strong for you.

Why can't you be about me?

- I am.
- Then why don't you show it.

I will.

You don't say it
as if you meant it.

I do mean it.
Honest I do.

Then why don't you kiss me?

I will.

Call that kissing?

Here.

What's the matter, honey boy?

Haven't you ever been
kissed like that before?

Sure.
Sure I have lots of times.

Then why did you jump so?

Gee, I'm getting
crazy about you.

I'm crazy about you too.

♪ I think you're one of
the nicest girls I ever met ♪

Oh that's a good one.

♪ But don't you think you lead
the wrong kinda life ♪

♪ Instead of hanging out
in bars a lot ♪

♪ You ought
to get yourself a husband ♪

♪ Be a wife ♪

Nicks on Atlanta talk.

Can it you hear. You can't lead
my life for me dear.

Honest I- I didn't mean
to hurt your feelings.

♪ I think you're one of
the nicest girls I ever met ♪

Tell another one.

♪ But you are only ♪

♪ Going to get yourself
in Dutch ♪♪

[pleasant music]

Listen, kid, you better go home
I'm tired of your preaching.

There's a old friend of mine
just come in. Think I know him.

I'm never going home
I can show--

Ah, shut up.
You bore me.

- 'Hello, kiddo.'
- 'Hiya, sport.'

(male #2)
'What kind of beer
will you have, sister?'

(Belle)
'Mine's a gin rickey, mister.'

'You've got extravagant taste,
I'm sorry to say.'

'Hey, waiter,
two gin rickeys.'

- 'Smoke?'
- 'Sure.'

[mellow music]

Hey, cut out the noise.

- What's up with you?
- It's none of my business.

If I were you,
I'd show him the gate.

He's underage.
Any fool could see that.

- He said he's over 18.
- Yeah. I'd say I'm ten.

You don't have to believe me.

Go on now.
On your way now.

Don't start no trouble in here.
Beat it.

- I will not beat it.
- Oh, won't you?

There's one way to get him
to hush, give him the rush.

Come on, come on.

- Let me go.
- Come on.

[indistinct chattering]

[mellow music]

Poor kid.
Hope he makes it home alright.

I liked him a lot.
Before he got tight.

- Who is he?
- Name's Miller.

His old man runs a paper in this
one horse town he said.

He must be Nat Miller's kid
then. Brother are you dead.

He's on his way.
We're the good boot to help him.

Yeah, well maybe that boot will
cost me my job, sister.

Miller'll run me outta town if
he finds out I served his kid.

- Why didn't you put me wise?
- I don't stand for that talk.

Not from some
hick beer squirter like you.

You don't? Who told me to put
the dynamite in that fizz?

Beat it quick
or I'll have you run in.

I'll fix you for this
if I've to go to jail.

This is one lady
you can't touch.

Oh, I can't, can't I?

Come on get out of here.

Come on, go on get out.

Come on.
Now, get out and stay out.

[instrumental music]

- Now, see here, young man.
- Richard.

Oh heavens,
what's happened to him?

He's gone crazy.

No, he's not crazy.
He's just soused.

(Mr. Miller)
'You've got nerve,
you fresh kid.'

And then I will come
with vine leaves in my hair.

- How dare you--
- Don't strike him.

Nat, don't ball him out now,
he doesn't know what he's doing.

He does not win..

...who plays with sin.

Richard.

Mom.

I feel rotten.

- Oh.
- Let me handle him, Essie.

I know this game backwards.

- Come on.
- He does not win.

Yeah, I know.

- Vine leaves in my hair.
- Alright now.

Oh, vine leaves..

[instrumental music]

Well, Sid.

Oh, I don't know what's
the matter with me today

I can't seem to keep awake.

This Richard thing is more
serious than I thought.

He was evidently
out with some girl.

Really?
How do you know?

I just got this letter
on my desk, listen.

"I was with your son last night
and you ought to know

"how he got the booze he drank
at the Danville Beach club.

"The bartender
knew he was underage

"and served him just the same.

If I was you
I'd have him run out of town."

- Is it signed?
- No.

See if you recognize
the handwriting?

I resent the implication that
I correspond with such girls.

No, I don't know her.

What're you gonna do?

I'll just have
to have a talk with Richard.

I'd rather take a licking.

It's the kinda thing he'd do
in the state of mind he was

just to spite Muriel.

[instrumental music]

Tommy. Tommy.

Would you give this note
to Richard?

I'm busy.
Give it to him yourself.

'I can't I'm locked in.'

- Are you in distress?
- Yes.

I'll come and rescue you.

No, no.
Just give this to Richard.

- It's a secret message.
- Alright.

[instrumental music]

I'll give it him
over my dead body.

Good.

I just called seven men,
sheriff. Which way they go?

How many times have I told you
to knock before you come in?

Stop that and get out of here.

I bring you a secret message.

Tommy, I'm not in a mood to
play. Would you leave, please?

Alright then, I'll bring my
message elsewhere.

What've you got there?

- A secret message.
- What is it?

Girlie smelly stuff.

- Give that to me.
- You didn't want it.

Give it to me.

Tommy, give me that letter. Get
out from underneath that bed.

Stop it now.

I'm stuck.

Will you stop that?
Ouch!

Ow. Now, get off that bed.

Hurry up.

What's it say?

She says she still love me,
always will

no matter
how much she gets punished.

Is that all? I thought
it was something important.

She's gonna try
and sneak out tonight

wants me to meet her
at the brook at 9 o' clock.

I'm not so sure
I'll keep that date.

You can't.
You're not allowed out.

I'll get out alright.
In fact I'll leave right now.

And don't you say anything to
anybody about this, understand?

You have awful
long time to wait.

Oh, I could wait
a million years for her.

The trouble is
you don't know what love means.

What does it mean?

Go on, get out, will you?

(Dave)
'"Jam nine cents, butter 12
cents, broom six cents.'

What's this 17 cents for?

- That's cabbage, dear.
- Cabbage?

"Beans five..

[coughing]

"Flour 25 cents.

'What's this
25 cents for flour?'

(Mrs. McComber)
'Yes, dear.'

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Dick.

Oh, hello.

Is it 9 o' clock already?

Time passes by quickly
when you're thinking.

I'll bet you'd forgotten
I was even coming.

No I haven't forgotten.

But I was thinking about life.

I'm afraid
I can only stay a few minutes.

There you go again.
Always being afraid.

Dick Miller, you've got a lot of
nerves to say that after

all the risks I've run making
this date. Then sneaking out.

You didn't take the trouble
to send me any letter.

I thought after
the first letter

that everything was dead
and past between us.

Papa made me write it.

He stood over me and made me.

If you only knew
how I suffered.

- Well, I've suffered too.
- The despair in my soul.

Something was dead
in each of us.

And what was dead
was hope that was me.

The hope
of my happiness was dead.

[mellow music]

Gee, Muriel.

It's so wonderful
to be with you again.

I'm glad it makes you happy.

I'm happy too.

Come, Muriel.

Come with me.

I wanna look at you.

I wanna drink in your beauty.

You don't know what
I've been through.

What I'm in for, for sneaking
out. What I did last night.

- What your letter made me do.
- What did it make you do?

I wanted to die.
I sat brooding about death.

Then I finally decided.

- To kill myself.
- You didn't.

I said, when I'm dead she'll be
sorry she ruined my life.

And if you had I'd have died
too. Honest I would.

But suicide
is the act of a coward.

That's what stopped me.

Beside I said to myself she
isn't worth it.

That's a fine thing to say!

You wouldn't be worth it

if what you said
in that letter was true.

I thought to myself
I'm through with women.

I'll forget about her
and lead the pace that kills.

So, after it got dark
I sneaked out.

I met a Princeton
halfback I know

and we went to the
Danville Beach Club.

Oh, not there.

That's the only place
where you get drinks.

- We had a few high balls.
- You didn't.

And then the girls
wanted champagne.

So, I bought a round or two.

What girls?

Couple of college girls
from New York.

One said that she had fallen
in love with me.

- Insisted upon kissing me.
- And did you kiss her?

Well, what if I did?
Once or twice.

Oh, you.
I hate you.

- Muriel, wait a minute.
- Let me go.

- Listen to me.
- I don't wanna listen.

I'm going home. I never wanna
lay eyes on you again.

- Listen to me.
- Let me go.

- Muriel, please.
- Let me go.

Stop. Stop that.
Will you stop that.

Ouch!
Alright, go ahead.

I hate you too.
I'll go back to Belle.

- Go ahead!
- You're a fine one.

When it was all your fault, you
ripped me outta my life forever.

Shouldn't have been stupid
to believe it.

How was I to know?

I only kissed her 'cause I was
trying to get even with you.

I told her I was
in love with you

and couldn't love anybody
else ever but you.

You did?

I-I'm sorry I hurt your hand.

Oh, that was alright,
that's nothing

it felt grand
even to have you bite.

There that'll cure it.

We shouldn't fight.

You shouldn't
waste that on my hand.

Please.
Could I have one kiss?

Will it wash off
all her kisses?

Wipe away the memory forever?

I should say it would.

Well then.

Alright.

[mellow music]

The moon is beautiful tonight.

Not as beautiful as you.

Nothing could be.

[music continues]

Oh, poor you.

Will your father punish you
something awful?

Oh, I don't care.

You are my love,
mine own souls.

Nothing could have kept me
from seeing you tonight.

I'd have even
crawled over a red hot coals.

[music continues]

Gosh, but I love you.

Won't it be wonderful
when we're married?

Wonderful.

[laughing]

Oh, this Bernard Shaw's
a comical cuss.

Although his ideas are crazy

they oughtn't allow them
to be printed.

You pretend to read those books
out of duty to Richard

when your nose
has been glued to the page.

I'm glad Tommy told us
where Richard had gone.

I'd have worried
if he hadn't.

He still has
to be punished for last night.

I think
he's been punished enough.

After the way I gave him
a good piece of my mind.

If he's with Muriel,
we know he's alright.

Thought you didn't like Muriel.
Thought she was stupid.

Well, so I did.
But if Richard wants her..

Ma used to say
you weren't over bright.

She changed her mind
when I didn't care about it.

- Well, I'd been bright--
- Muriel's real cute-looking.

I have to admit that.

I clean forgot how dead set
against it old man McComber is.

Was. Met him up street this
afternoon he was meek as pie.

Backed out and he said
he guessed I was right.

I don't think
you've to scold Richard, Nat.

He told me
he's never gonna drink again.

Well and there's something else
besides drinking.

What do you mean
something else?

Well, discipline.
There's got to be discipline.

'Hello, Richard.'

Hello.

- You don't think he's been..
- No.

That's not liquor,
that's love.

Well, here goes.

Be careful.

Remember what happened
last night

because you were cross with him.

I can see
where this's gonna work around

to where it's all my fault.

- Richard.
- Oh, yes pa.

Sit down, Richard.

Well, how are the vine leaves
in your hair this evening?

I don't know, pa.

Turned out to be poison ivy,
didn't they?

- I was an awful fool.
- You sure were.

A stupid
down right disgusting fool.

Good thing Muriel
didn't see you last night.

No girl wants to give
her love to a stupid drunk.

I know, pa.

Well, guess that settles
the booze end of it so..

...but, there's something else
Richard that's more serious.

How about this girl
you were with last night

at Danville Beach Club?

You, you know about her?

Yeah, yeah I know about her.

What happened?

Nothing very much.

We had a few drinks
and talked a little bit.

I got drunk
and the bartender threw me out.

And I came home.

That's all that happened?

That's all, honest.

- How'd you meet this girl?
- I can't tell you that.

I'd have to snitch on somebody
and you wouldn't want me to.

No, I don't suppose I do.

Well, I believe you
and that settles that.

But, uh, listen here, Richard.

Uh, it's about time that you and
I had a serious talk about uh..

Well, certain matters
pertaining to..

Now that the subject has come up
with it's own accord

it's a good time I mean..

Well, there's no use
procrastinating further

so, here goes..

Richard, you've now
come to the age when

well, you're a man in a way
and it's only natural that..

Well, what I'm trying to say
is that uh..

Well, you'll be out a lot with
girls and uh..

Human society
being organized as it is

there'll be a certain conduct
that'll be expected of you

and uh, well, you just can't..

That is unless you're a
scoundrel, which you're not.

But, uh, well, there are certain
women I mean uh..

Girls that uh, well..

It's only natural for you..

And I suppose they're pretty
enough in a way..

But that doesn't mean that you
have to get mixed up with them.

Seriously.

You see we're talking facts,
Richard and uh..

Now, don't think that
I'm encouraging you to.

I don't want you
to think that uh..

Well, here's
what I'm driving at, Richard.

Are they're after, I mean..

Well, you're whole life
might be ruined.

And uh, well, you..

You got to know how
to evaluate I mean uh..

What I mean to say is uh..

It's alright, pa.
It's alright.

Here, drink, drink this.

Of course I'll admit
that I'm no authority but..

I-I never got mixed up with that
kinda women and..

It'll be a heck of a side better
if you never did.

I'm not going to, pa.

You know how much
I love Muriel.

- You know I wanna marry her.
- That's fine.

By golly, I'm proud of you
when you talk like that.

Well, I guess
that's the end of that, huh?

Yeah, there's
nothing more to say.

Hey, what's this?

That was my Abraham Lincoln.

[mellow music]

Some more lemonade, Lily?

Yes, dear.

Oh.

I don't see how you could want
anything better than this.

Oh, you're right, Lily.
You're darn right.

[music continues]

Where's Mildred?

Out walking with her latest.

And Arthur's with Elsie Rand.

Hmm, of course.

We seemed to be completely
surrounded by love.

[laughing]

Well, we've had our share,
haven't we?

We don't have to begrudge it
to our children.

I think I'll go out
for a little while.

It's such a beautiful night.

Yes, I can remember only a few
nights that were as beautiful

as this and that was long ago
when your mother

and I were young
and planning on getting married.

Those must have been beautiful
nights too, dad.

You sort of forget
that the moon was the same way

back then...and everything.

[chuckles]
You're alright, Richard.

Goodnight, mom.

Goodnight, dear.

- Goodnight, pa.
- Goodnight, son.

First time
he's done that in years.

I don't believe in kissing
between fathers and sons

after a certain age.

It seemed mushy and silly,
but, that meant something.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Love is young dream.

What did that Rubaiyat says?

"Yet, ah! That Spring
should vanish with the rose!

That youth's sweet-scented
manuscript should close."

Well, spring isn't everything,
is it, Essie?

[music continues]