The Gift of Love: A Christmas Story (1983) - full transcript

[projector reel]

- [Voiceover] This is
the story of a search
for simple values.

If it should have the
qualities of a fable,

we might remember
that for centuries

the fable has been
the storehouse for
all those things

that we know in our
hearts to be true.

[light orchestral music]

[bugle playing 'Hark
the Herald Angels Sing']

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.

- That's the only
contribution we've
had all morning.



I think we're wasting
our time here.

- Well let's try out at
the new shopping mall.

- All right with me.

- Good morning Rose.
Merry Christmas.

- I'm so glad you're
here Mrs. Broderick,

there's a terrible
rumor making the rounds.
- Oh...

- What's this terrible rumor?

-They say the store's closing.

That today's our last day.

Well, that's
simply not true.

- I'm relieved to
hear it. Thanks.

- Right. I'll see you later.

- There's a small bonus
in your pay envelope.

I wish it were more.



Excuse me.

Janet could you just
give me a minute?

- How am I supposed
to find another job,

this close to Christmas?

- Chris I can't afford you.

- Then maybe you oughtta
close the place down.

- I may have to.

- What's going on?

- I just had to let Chris
go, some of the others too.

- Somebody's spreading a
rumor downstairs, saying

the store's closing.

- We are in bad shape, Janet.

You've seen what
it's like down there.

- Well we've had slow
Christmases before.

We always cut our losses
with the New Year's sale,

After the first of the year,
everything'll be better.

- We may not make it to
the first of the year.

Every day we stay open
we're losing money.

- Did you see the ad
we're preparing for
tomorrow's paper?

Come to Broderick's for an
old fashioned Christmas.

- That's been our
whole problem,

we've been too
old fashioned.

We haven't kept
up with the times.

- I think this ad
really can do it.

You might even need
to put on extra help,
and you better get

that Santa Claus back in.

There'll be a run on toys.

- Janet you're not hearing me.

- Is there more
than you're saying?

- No. I, uh... look I...
I have to get downstairs.

- Okay. I'll be in my office.

[yelling]

- Hit him Dorothy!
- Michael!

- You're gonna pay
for that, son.

- Stick it in
your ear, Dorothy.

- Stop it!

- What's going on here?

- She started it.

- Dorothy Broderick
do you mind telling me

what this argument
is all about?

- Dustin was picking
on my little brother.

- He started it. He
called me a dummy.

- He is a dummy.

- He's always showing off,

because he's in the
gifted child program.

- There'll be
no more fighting.

If I hear of any
more fighting,

you're both going to
get extra home work.

- Now shake hands
and go on home.

- Come on kids. We
can all go home.

- There's nothing
you can do for me?

Well then I guess that's it.

Bye.

- [sigh] Mr. Broderick.

- Let's start to shut down.

- I just can't believe it.

After so many years.

Your father...
your grandfather.

- I know.

Believe me I know.

- Shall I call
Mrs. Broderick in?

- No.

I don't know how to tell her.

- Hi Grandma.

- Hello you two.

- Something smells
good, Grandma.

- My Christmas pudding.

- When do we eat it?

- Christmas dinner.

- What are you doing to it?

- Oh I'm stirring in
a bit of Sherry.

It's an old English custom.

- Will Sherry make you drunk?

- Well if you got
too much of it,

it might make you
a bit tipsy.

What's this I hear about
you being in another fight?

- How'd you hear about that?

- Well Dustin's mother
called looking for
your mother.

What was it about this time?

- Me.

- Ah...

You showing off your
superior intelligence again?

- Yes ma'am.

- It seems to me Michael,
it's time you learned

to take care of yourself.

- No need to. Dorothy does
all my fighting for me.

- Well maybe I might
be able to give you
a pointer or two.

Here.

Come on now make a fist.

Two of them.

Now, be alert.

- Put your guard up Michael.

- Watch her, she's
gonna surprise you.

- Come on Grandma
wouldn't hit me.

- Oh I most certainly
shall if you don't

try to protect yourself now.

- You wouldn't

- Oooh

- Hey!

Grandma, it's not nice.

- Well put up your guard or
I'll let you have it again.

That's the boy.

Good.

That's wonderful.

Good. Good. Now,

Put a little
more zip into it.
Now c'mon.

Oh harder. Harder.

Harder, harder.
That's the boy.

[laughing]

[gasping]

- What's the matter Grandma?

- Well I...

Oh god, I'm not quite sure.

Something hurts
like a holy curse.

- Watch your language in
front of young children.

- I'm afraid I forgot.

Here you two,
give me a hand.

- Are you all right Grandma?

- I think we should try
to head for the stairs.

Yeah, I think I'm gonna
lie down for awhile.

- Are you dying Grandma?

- God, I hope not.

I tell you one thing,
I refuse to die in
the kitchen.

- [Janet] Miss Powers? Neil?

- In here Mrs. Broderick.

- Where's Neil?

- He's down on
the first floor.

[crying]

- What is going on here?

- I tried to tell
you this morning.

It's all over honey.

- What do you mean?

You're closing the store?

I don't believe it.

- I had to.

- Why?

We could have gone
to the bank,

I mean we could
have done something

to keep on going.

- I have been to the bank, I
have talked to the lawyers,

I have done everything
I know how to do.

- Oh, well you never
told me any of that.

- I thought that I could
pull us out without...

- Oh so you just went ahead

and made a decision
like this without

even... without even
talking to me.

- I should have.

- You think you're
alone here?

I mean this place
is us, not just you.

This store is our life.

- Forget the store.

We have more than that.

- I wonder.

- Now hold on.

- Well what do you
expect me to think,

when you pull a
thing like this?

- Do you think it doesn't
hurt me to give up?

I didn't want to hurt you.

- Well you have.

- Janet. Wait.

- I can't be with you
right now. I have to...

I'll walk home.

[melancholy music]

Hello you two.

- Mom, Dr. Graham is
upstairs with Grandma.

- What? What happened?

- Grandma was showing
Michael how to box

and all of a sudden she
had trouble breathing

and she's hurting a lot.

- She told us to clean up.

- What happened Carter?

- She's resting now.

She says she feels fine,
but I'm not so sure.

I'm going to keep
a close eye on her.

Janet, has your mother
complained about anything
lately?

No she's been fine,
but you know mother,

she has the strength
of two people.

Should she be
in the hospital?

- I suggested that,
but she threatened me
with bodily harm.

Sometimes Amanda can be
an exasperating woman.

I wouldn't want to force her

to do anything
against her will.

- Well I doubt anybody's
ever forced her to do
anything

and lived to tell about it.

- I'll look in on
her tomorrow.

In the meantime call me
if there's any change.

- Well... should
I do anything?

- I've given her a sedative.

She'll probably sleep for
the rest of the night.

- Well thank you.

- Good night.

- Good night.
- I'll let myself out.

- Okay.

- Janet?

- Mother.

- Oh, I don't know
what happened.

I used to be able
to go 10 rounds.

- You just over did it.

- Well I've always
tried to keep it

from close friends
and family,

but the fact of the matter
is, the old girl is mortal.

- I don't accept that.

- Where are the children?

We were making
Christmas pudding.

- They're downstairs.

- oh I've got to
clean up the kitchen.

- No. No. No.

Dorothy and Michael are
cleaning up the kitchen.

- I am extremely tired.

I don't usually
tire so easily.

- You just rest.

- I was dreaming...
of the secret place.

- What is the
secret place mother?

All my life I've heard
about the secret place.

What is it? Where is it?

- We used to go there,
your father and I.

- I used to look for it
when I was a little girl.

- Your father's probably
there right now, waiting.

- Father's dead.

- One day, he and I were
in an electrical storm,

and I was so frightened.

I hid in his arms
until it was over.

- Sleep now.

- I baked a goose
that Christmas.

- Sleep.

[ tv program playing]

- How's Grandma feeling?

- Oh she's asleep
now. I think she's
gonna be all right.

Has your father come in yet?

- No, but um,
Dustin's mother called.

She wants you to call.

- Oh God. Did she
say what she wants?

- I think it was
about the fight

I got into with
Dustin today.

- Dorothy I have
asked you repeatedly

not to get into fights.

There are other ways
to solve problems.

- Mom it was my fault.

Dustin called me a dummy.

- Well that's no
reason to fight either.

And if it is then you
should have fought yourself

and not asked your
sister to do it.

- [Dorothy] Mom are you okay?

- No.

Tell you the truth,
I don't seem to be
able to handle today.

Sorry kids.

[Front door opening]

Mother's not well. I'll
be upstairs with her.

[sighs]

- How is she?

- Oh she uh, she woke up
a couple times in the night,

but she's sleeping now.

What will you do today?

I'll be at the store.

Lots of paperwork.
Talk to the lawyers.

- Will there be anything
left when it's all settled?

- I'm hoping we can
hold onto the house.

- Well that would
be some comfort.

- I could start over again.

People do that all
the time these days.

- Would you stop dreaming?

It's not gonna be that easy.

- We'll start small.

The way my family did with
the store a 100 years ago.

Til then I'll find
a job somewhere.

- This is not a
100 years ago.

The economy's rotten
and there aren't

that many jobs out there.

Everything's changed.

Including us.

- We're older, that's all.

- But that's not all.

We've lost touch
with each other.

We can't even talk any more

without it becoming
an argument.

- Janet I have been
under incredible pressure

with the store
falling apart.

- And what about me? Aren't
I supposed to have feelings?

I don't understand
what's happened to us.

- Mother?

- What is it Dorothy?

- I think you better
go look in on Grandma.

- Yeah I'm going to take her
some breakfast in a minute.

- I think you better
come look now.

She won't wake up.

[somber music]

- [Janet] I'm so
afraid Mother.

I don't know how to
go on without you.

I always felt there
was something you knew,

that would make me strong.

A secret that you
didn't tell me

that would make my life,

as rich as yours
seemed to be.

Was there something you
knew and didn't tell me?

Oh I need you Mother.

I need you.

- Honey you're freezing cold.

Let me take you home.

- Nothing medical
that I can find,

but she seems in
some deep depression.

- You know how things
have been going lately.

First the store and
now her mother's death.

- For all those reasons,

we better keep a
special eye on her.

Call me if you need me.

Otherwise I'll stop by
early tomorrow morning.

- Thank you Carter.

- MmHm.

- Oh Mother.

[moaning and sighing]

Mother I need you.
I'm lost.

I wanna go home.

- [Amanda] We can be there
by morning, if we hurry.

- Mother?

- Yes dear. I'm here.

- I don't feel well Mother.

- You need to be home.

Come.

- Grandma you're alive.

- Where are we going?

- Home.

- We are home.

- We're going with
Grandma to her house.

- Great.

- Mom look.

- Oh wow a sleigh.

Neat where did
that come from?

- Daddy.

It's so good to
see you again.

- Hello my darling girl.

- How's my old citizen?

First rate!

- Grandpa is that you?

- Indeed it is.

- I thought you were dead.

- Just a rumor.

Now let's all go on home.

G'yap.

[sleigh bells]

[lighthearted music]

See you in about
two minutes.

- Can I go with you Grandpa?

- You better get
inside and get warm.

We'll visit the
animals later.

- Oh Mother it's
so good to be home.

- Sometimes home is the
best remedy there is.

[sighs deeply]

- And the house
looks wonderful.

- Janet.

- Aunt Min.

- Aunt Min and I turned
everything upside down

getting ready for Christmas.

I can't believe it's
only three days off

and still so much to do,

but we had a
corking good time,

didn't we Minerva?

- Til I pinched
my sciatic nerve.

Twinges like sin when
it's about to rain.

How are you Janet?

- Well I'm...
alright I guess.

- Children.

- Hi Aunt Min.

- Hello Aunt Min.

- Well come on everyone,

front room's for company,
kitchen's for family.

- When can we go
up in the attic?

- Well first we're going
to warm up with some
hot chocolate.

Anyone wants anything
stronger,

better head over to
Mcguire's saloon.

- All right go on inside.

Everybody find a
place somewhere.

- What are you painting
these days, Mother?

- Skaters on the mill pond.

I can't seem to
get it right.

- Is the mill pond
frozen over yet?

- Yes, but not thick
enough for skating.

- I always loved
the mill pond.

It's where I first met Neil.

[car horn honking]

- I seem to be lost.

- Where you headed?

Mount Snow.

Vermont.

Am I near either one?

- Well you found Vermont.

Mount Snow's that
way about 20 miles.

- You're very beautiful,
did you know that?

- Thank you.

- Come to Mount
Snow with me?

I think there's a
good chance we could
fall in love,

but, uh, we better
make sure we do
anything reckless.

- [laughing] Well thank you,

but I'm about to do
something reckless
all on my own.

- Tell me and I'll join you.

- Well I'll tell you, but

there's no way in
the world you're
gonna join me.

- Where you headed, Tibet?

- New York City.

- I'm not sure I'm
ready for New York City,

I'm a small town boy.

- Go skiing.

You'll love Mount Snow.

- What's your name?

- In Vermont we don't give
our names to strangers.

- Even half a name?

- It's Janet.

Look I have a train
to catch and I'm in
kind of a hurry, so...

Enjoy your skiing.

- Good-bye, okay?

- Good-bye Janet.

We could have had a
wonderful life together.

[car engine starts]

- [Minerva] Why anybody
would want to live

in New York City
is beyond me.

[train whistle]

It's too hot in the summer,
too cold in the winter.

People trying to run
you down in taxi cabs.

- Well that train
better get going.

The longer I look
at you the more,

the more I'm convinced
you shouldn't go.

- Oh,

- Got your ticket?

- One ticket.

- Darling before you go

there's something
I want you to have.

I had planned for
you to unwrap it

after you got to New York,

but I've decided I want
to see your face.

- [gasps]

Oh!

- You like it?

- Thank you.

It's wonderful.
- [Neil] Janet!

You can't go.

- Huh?

- How do you do?

- Hello sir.

- Daddy this is uh...

uh... I...

he was lost and I directed
him to Mount Snow,

a little while ago.

- About five miles up
the road I realized

I wasn't looking for
Mount Snow at all.

I had a devil of a
time finding you.

I uh... I was wondering
if you might marry me?

- [laughing] I don't
even know your name.

- My name is Neil Broderick,
I'm from Elyria, Ohio.

And the only bad habit I
have is smoking cigarettes,

but I'm trying
to give that up.

And I'm in very good health,
I'm an Episcopalian.

My hobbies are fishing,
and gardening, and...

you are the first girl I've
ever proposed to in my life.

- Well I wish you better
luck with the next one.

- Five miles up
the road I knew

that you were
the girl for me.

- Mom, Dad... do
something. Talk to him.

- Ah...
- Um...

- Well in addition to
getting yourself lost

and um, fishing and
gardening and smoking,

what are your
other interests?

- Well my family owns
a department store
back in Elyria.

My father's just retired
and after this vacation

I'm supposed to go back
and take over the store.

- His prospects look good.

Solid background.
Good Ohio family.

I think you should
listen to him.

- [Conductor] All aboard,
Montpelier...

- I'm going to
miss my train.

- Where will you live there?

- She's an artist.

She's going to live in a
garret in Greenwich Village.

- Well we don't have any
garrets back in Elyria,

but there's a very nice
studio in the store.

- Mr. Broderick I don't know
the first thing about you,

but I do know that the
last thing I want to do

with my life is spend
it in Eyria, Ohio.

Now would you please
just go away.

- Bye.
- Good-bye.

- Where would I find
you in New York?

- Would you please
go back to Elyria?

Forget you ever saw me.

- Bye.

- [Conductor] All aboard.

[train engine accelerating]

- Dad remember the Christmas
trees we used to get?

Cutting them down ourselves.

- Well there're some left.

Not many, but a few.

- When can we go look?

- What's wrong
with right now?

- Yea!
- Come on Grandpa!

- Oh you children be careful,

you wanna break every piece
of china in the house.

- We're sorry Aunt Min.

Come on Grandpa let's go.

- Hurry Mom!

- Like old times isn't it?

- Yes it sure is.

- Dorothy see if you
can find some sticks,

we'll put a red ribbon
on the end of 'em.

Uh, Janet the saw is
over there somewhere.

- Do they have names?

- The drake's Methuselah.

Four young ones are Eenie,
Meenie, Miney, and Mo.

White one, that's Brunhilda.

Having her for
Christmas dinner.

- How are you gonna...
kill her?

- She's gonna have to
part with her head.

- Think I'll have cold
cereal for Christmas dinner.

- I don't think I can eat
anything that's been alive.

- Come on everybody,
let's go get our tree.

- [Dorothy] Well
what about this one?

- [Michael] No,
it's too small.

- [Dorothy] Here's
a good one.

- [Michael] No there's
gotta be better ones.

- Glad you came home Janet.

- There's something
I need here, Dad.

- Maybe it's just
to be home again.

See the old faces. Sleep
in the bed you grew up in.

Helps to figure things out.

- [Michael] Let's
try back there.

- Dad, where's
the secret place?

- It's here abouts.

- Is it a real place?

- Oh yes.

- Well then why don't
you just show it to me?

- Well it's like your
mother always said.

"Won't mean anything unless
you find it yourself".

- Neil and I have
hit rock bottom, Dad.

I don't know how to go on --

Home's not a bad place,

to look back over your life,

see what went wrong,
what went right.

Helps to bring
everything into focus.

- [Dorothy] Grandpa
we found it.

- [Michael] Look at
this one Grandpa.

- Oh wow that's huge.

- Look at this Grandpa.

- That's as good a one as
I've seen in a long time.

- Yeah.

The star goes
right at the top.

- Is it a unanimous decision?

- That's it.

- That's the tree we want.

- Janet?

- Perfect.

- Alright.

Now here, you pound this
in the ground right next
to the trunk.

- Why?

- Because, whenever
we cut a tree down

we plant one in its
place in the spring.

- Why?

- Well Mother Nature
gives us this tree,

it's only fair to give
her one in return.

- That's great.
I like that idea.

- So did your mother.

She started this custom when
she was just a little girl.

- Timber!

[chopping]

- [Michael] Aren't we going
to take it in the house?

- [Grandpa] We're going to
put a stand on it first.

In the meantime, we'll leave
it here in the barnyard

so the animals can enjoy it.

- Hey you guys,
Merry Christmas.

- Better get inside.

Grandma's gonna have
supper on the table soon.

- Dorothy come here a minute.

- What do you want?

- This goose has a
really big problem.

She's going to die.

- Yeah. And I'm going to eat
her for Christmas dinner.

- Yuck.

- [Janet] Dorothy. Michael.

- Sounds like supper's ready.

Come on.

- Dorothy.

We've got to do something
about this goose.

- Michael you've got to do
something about this goose.

I'm not fighting your
battles any more.

- Nobody's going to
cook you for Christmas
dinner, Brunhilda.

Not while I'm around.

Ouch. 16th time
I've stuck myself.

- Well look try putting the
needle through like that.

- I'm running out of popcorn.

- Well the next
batch is ready.

- I'll get it Janet.

- Thanks Aunt Min.

- When I grow up
and have a wife

and a Christmas
tree of my own

I'm not gonna put
anything on it

but decorations I
buy at the store.

What about you Dorothy?

- I'm not going
to get married.

I'm going to be an old...

a maiden lady.

- What have you got
against marriage?

- I don't see why
anybody bothers.

- I sometimes wonder too.

- Dorothy you're
absolutely right.

Marriage is a
ridiculous arrangement.

I mean imagine two
people pairing off

and swearing before
God and man to

love, honor, and obey
each other until death
do them part.

- Ridiculous.

- On the other hand.

It's an arrangement
that's worked rather
well for some people.

I mean take your grandpa
and me for instance.

I couldn't imagine life
without that old citizen.

- Well I still don't know.

I mean how can you ever be
sure if you'll get along.

I mean sure I want to have
someone I can have fun with,

but how can you
ever be sure?

- [Grandpa] I never saw
you look more beautiful.

- Oh suddenly I don't know
why I'm doing this at all.

- Now if you have
any doubts,

it's a little late
to bring them up now.

- But I don't
know him, Dad.

I don't know the
first thing about him.

And Elyria, Ohio.

I could get
trapped up there.

- I'm sure he'll let
you out for Christmas.

Labor Day?

- He better.

- I like Neil. I liked
him right from the start.

- You don't know him either.

- I expect I know
what's going through
his mind right now.

- What do you mean?

How could you?

- Because I've
been there myself.

I remember standing there,

my best man at
my side, my knees

turning to water,
waiting for your mother

to come down the aisle

and thinking I
don't deserve her.

Please God, make
me a better man

so I'll be all she
expects me to be.

- You think that's what
Neil's thinking now?

- Something like it.

I suspect that's why we
get tearful at weddings.

Two young people
stand at the alter.

Their love for each other
is so visible, so exposed.

Old timers know it won't
always be that way.

Time will take its toll

life will ask steep prices
for all its pleasures,

but just for that one moment

the radiance of two
young people with
their life together

spread out in front of
them gives hope and wonder

and strength to everyone
who witnesses it.

- He's handsome.

Not too handsome, just...

handsome enough
wouldn't you say?

- Yes I would say that.

- Sense of humor.

Whenever I'm low he
can make me laugh.

- That's much to his credit.

- Well I guess...

I better do it.

- He's a good man Janet.

I wouldn't give you away
to him if I had any doubts.

[organ playing 'Here
Comes the Bride']

- Mother, you know
what I really long for?

- Tell me.

- Well to make this
Christmas absolutely perfect

I think we should have one
of your burnt orange cakes.

- Oh my.

I haven't made one
of those in years.

Not since you were
a little girl.

- Well let me see.

I'll uh, need cinnamon.

Where can I find two
Christmas helpers to go

to the store for me?

- Here.
- Me.

- Well when you get
there I want you to ask
Mrs. Prince to give you

uh, four oranges
and six cinnamon sticks

and two pounds of chestnuts
to stuff the goose with.

Shall I make a list?

- We'll remember Grandma.

- Well don't dawdle.

- I don't even know
what dawdle means.

- It means to walk funny.

- Maybe I better
go along and see

these youngsters
get there and back.

- What do you want
for Christmas, Mike?

- Everything.

- What do you want Aunt Min?

- A rose.

- That's a weird
present to want.

- Then why did you
have to ask me for?

Come on let's get
the shopping done

now scoot both of ya.

[church bell ringing]

- I want to look
at the candy.

- [Minerva] How are you Sara?

- I want some of those.

- You can't get
all of those.

- Come on Dorothy.

- No Michael.

- Minerva.

- Afternoon Abigail.

- Can I help you?

- No I'll just look around.

- Dorothy?

- Oh hello Russell.

What are you doing here?

- I'm spending Christmas
with my grandparents.

- So are we.

- Hi Michael.

- Hi Russ. Read any
good books lately?

- I'm working my
way through the
"Encyclopedia Britannia".

- Russell there is more
to life than sitting in

a library reading books.

- Did you people come
to shop or to talk?

- These are Amanda
and Spencer Fenwick's
grandchildren.

- I memorize you two.

Came here to visit last
summer from out west
somewhere.

- Ohio.

- Janet went out there to
marry a department store.

Did right good for
herself, story goes.

- Did you want something
special Minerva?

- I'll let you know if
I see anything Abigail.

- What can we do
for you children?

- My grandma sent us
to pickup four oranges,

six cinnamon sticks, and
two pounds of chestnuts.

- And what's your grandma
having for Christmas?

- A goose.

- She's finally
cooking old Brunhilda.

- Mr. Prince will you
please just fill the order?

- How about it Dorothy?

- How about what?

- Would you like to go
ice skating with me?

- I don't think I
ought to Russell.

I've got weak ankles.

I'd hate to turn my ankle

and have to be carried
home on a stretcher.

- Did you find what
you want Minerva?

- Yes Abigail thank
you. This'll do it.

- Afternoon Abigail.

- Bye.

- Merry Christmas.

-[Mr. Prince] Merry Christmas
-[Abigail } Merry Christmas.

- [Michael] Hi we're back.

- [Dorothy] Hi Mom.

- Well I was about to
come looking for you.

- Did you find what you
were looking for Minerva?

- Russell is staying
with his grandparents.

- Mrs. Prince sure
hollers at Mr. Prince.

- Never did appreciate
what she got.

- Christmas Ghost
is late this year.

- Who's that?

- Usually come
and gone by now.

- What's a ghost want
around here anyway?

- Well every year a few
nights before Christmas

he comes, leaves a gift,

and then disappears
until next Christmas.

- Who does he
leave the gift for?

- Me.

- Here, put it up.

- Okay.

- Here's the little
blue soldier, Spence.

- Oh that's a good one.

Just about finished.

-[Dorothy] It's so beautiful.

- [Janet] Isn't it?

- [Minerva] The trees
were always prettiest when

your mother chose them.

- Well it's not just the
tree, it's everything.

- Here's the last one.

- Thanks Grandma.

[organ plays 'Silent Night']

- [Michael] Here we go.

- [Minerva] Anybody ready
for a gingerbread man?

- [Janet] Always.

- Amanda.

What is it honey?

- Oh I'm happy.

- Then why the tears?

- I don't know.

It's just having Janet
and the kids home again.

All being together.

And having you, Spence.

- Always my dear.

Well what else is it?

- I suppose I'm afraid.

- Of what?

- Things not being this
way anymore, and...

being alone, and...

of not having you.

- Can't always be the same.

But you are stuck with me.

- What's the matter Mother?

- The old girl's
having a good cry.

- Oh I have not.

- Why?

- There are just some
cracks in your mother's
armor.

- Those boys are
tearing up the yard.

Maybe we should go
out and speak to them.

Who are they?

- Well what do
they look like?

- Well one's a little squirt.

The other one's dressed like
a soldier and he's cute.

- The little squirt
would be Raymond.

The cute one is
Chance Mayfield.

New family in town.

- Come on Mike let's
go make some money.

- How?

- We'll sell mistletoe.

I saw a ton of it
out when we went

looking for the
Christmas tree.

- No trouble this
time Dorothy.

- Why do you keep snapping
at those children?

- Well, you're a funny
one to be asking that.

- It's different with me,
I'm an old crab apple,

but you Janet you don't
appreciate what you've got.

- What do you mean?

- You married a fine man
and you have a family

who loves ya, it's about
time you took notice.

[scuffling and yelling]

- You wanna fight huh?

- Up to you.

- Come on Dorothy get him.

- For Pete's sake, cut
it out. She's a girl.

- Thanks for rescuing
a maiden in distress.

- What's your name?

- Dorothy.

- And I'm the Wizard of Oz.

- What's yours?

- Chance Mayfield.

- Chance. What an
interesting name that is.

- It's really Chancellor.

- Chance suits
you much better.

- Would you like to come
to a party, Dorothy?

- I'd like that.

- There's one tomorrow
night at Melody Webber's
house.

- I'm afraid I couldn't
come unless Melody
asked me herself.

- She told us to
ask anybody we like.

It's a costume party.

Everybody's supposed
to dress funny.

- That sounds like
a lot of fun.

I'd like to come.

- Me too.

- C'mon Michael, we're
going to sell mistletoe.

- What'd you do that for?

- Aw, she probably
won't even turn up.

- Well for her sake
I hope she doesn't.

- You really do the most
beautiful work mother.

- Now you know where
you got your talent.

- What talent? I haven't
painted in years.

- I went through
a time like that.

I kept waiting for
the inspiration to

do something extraordinary,
like the Sistine Chapel.

Then one day I decided
to try a snowflake

and found my calling.

- Well maybe that's
where I failed Neil.

Never giving up my
high blown ideas

of becoming a great artist.

- Oh I don't for a minute
agree that you failed Neil.

It seems to me you
gave him your talent

in a very meaningful way.

[knock]

- Yes?

- I'm sorry to disturb
you Mr. Broderick,

but there's someone
outside who insists
on seeing you.

- Who is it and
what does he want?

- It's a woman, she says
she wants to talk to you

about a job in the
art department.

- Well tell her we haven't
got an art department.

- Tell her an ad agency
handles all that stuff.

- But she's very persistent.

I think you ought
to see her.

- I haven't got time
to talk to some lunatic

who's applying for a job
that doesn't even exist.

Send her to the
employment office.

- I really think you
ought to talk to her.

- Alright.

- You stick around in
case we have to throw
her out or something.

- Would you come in please?

- Hi.

- Hey.

- Janet you better wait
outside, there's some

disturbed person
waiting to see me.

- I'm not in the
least disturbed,

but I could create
quite a scene

if you don't hear
what I have to say.

- This is the
applicant I mentioned.

- Oh... thank you
Miss Powers.

- Janet I am trying
to run a store here.

- And I want to help you.

Neil I've been studying
the ads for the store

and the artwork is terrible,
the copy's even worse,

and I'm sure it
discourages more people
than it brings in.

- I've been telling
them that at the agency.

- Well nobody's using that
studio on the top floor.

I want to set up
an office there.

I want to write the
ads, design the copy.

And while I'm at it I
think I can probably

do a better job on
window displays than

whoever's doing them now.

- Janet. A woman's
place is...

- Is beside her husband.

- But you don't have to work.

- But I want to work.

I want to be here.

I want to be with you.

- What about Dorothy?

- Dorothy will be right
beside my drafting table.

- How are you going
to take care of her

and work at the same time?

- All Dorothy needs
now is a lot of love

and a change of diapers.

Checked the baby
department and they

have lots of diapers.

- I don't know
about this Janet.

- Well while you're
thinking it over,

I'll just go and
check out the studio

and see where we want
to put the baby's bed.

- Janet. You're being very
high-handed about this.

- Wait til you hear
my salary demands.

- [Amanda] Did you find
the mistletoe you were
looking for?

- [Dorothy] Found
it and sold it.

- Russell bought most of it.

He's in love with Dorothy.

I expect he's
planning to kiss her.

- Well he better not
try anything with me.

- That's because she's in
love with Chance Mayfield.

- You want to lose a tooth?

- Dorothy that's enough.

- How come you and Dad
don't kiss any more, Mom?

- Oh, uh...

well sometimes
people just...

grow apart and uh...

they don't...

they have trouble

showing how they really
feel about each other.

- I saved this
for you and Dad.

Oh...

[somber music]

- How do I look?

- Kind a cute.

- Maybe I'll wear this
to the costume party,

except I don't like the hat.

Here's one I like better.

What are you gonna wear?

- I think maybe
I'll go as a clown.

I always did want
to be a clown.

- You know how I'd celebrate
Christmas if I had my way?

- You'd probably
eat all the

turkey stuffing
all by yourself.

- Remember last
Fourth of July,

when we set off
firecrackers?

- I'll never forget it.

- That's how I'd
celebrate Christmas.

I'd set off the biggest
firecrackers I could find.

Hundreds of 'em.

I'd wake the world
up on Christmas Eve.

- That's kind of a good idea.

- Too bad we haven't
got any firecrackers.

- We do.

I hid a whole package
of five inch ones.

Rockets too.

- Hey.

- Mike where are
the firecrackers?

- Right here.

- Just look at those babies.

- Spent just about my
life savings on them.

- Let's set one off.

- No. We're saving
them all to celebrate

on Christmas Eve.

Put 'em back
where I had 'em.

[sighs]

- I never knew you to be
so fuzzy-headed Janet.

Where are you now?

- Mother, can love just die?

I mean can two people just
stop loving one another?

- All couples
go through that.

It's not terminal.

- It feels like it.

[thunderstorm]

[door closing]

I almost wish you'd
taken a mistress.

- Don't come on to me with
that kind of talk Janet.

I put in a hard
day and I'm tired.

- I'd know how
to fight a woman,

but how do I fight work?

- You're talking silly.

You work as hard as I do.

- It's 12:30 and
you're just getting
homefrom the office.

- The days aren't
long enough for all
I have to do.

- And what do you
have to do so late?

- I'm falling behind Janet.

Things are piling up.

Don't you add to it.

- How could anything I say
possibly influence you?

You never hear
a word I say.

- You don't listen.

- What's to listen to?

You never talk to me.

- All right.

I'm listening.

- We've lost something Neil.

- What?

What have I done?

What is wrong between us?

- I wish I knew.

Maybe it's just what
happens to people

when they get older.

- I'm not old and
you're not old either.

So it's not that.

- You used to be so
kind and thoughtful.

You used to call me in
the middle of the day.

No reason at all.

- And when I would
come home at night,

you'd be waiting.

Smelling of perfume and

the table all
lit with candles.

- I suppose it was
foolish to think that

that would last.

- I did for a while.

- Then it went away.

Why?

- I don't know.

- I really don't know.

I don't know. I
really don't know.

- I've seen love survive
where there didn't seem

to be a chance of
either side responding
to the other.

Closer to home
than you'd think.

- What are you
trying to tell me?

- Something about the
power of love to endure,

when you take the
time to look for it.

Work at it.

- Maybe Neil and
I just didn't

take enough time
for ourselves.

- Your father and I did and
we found our secret place.

- Well then show
me how to find it.

- I can't show you dear.

It's not on the map.

And don't go looking in
the geography book for it.

- This is very pretty Mother.

Prettiest one you ever made.

Crowning touch for the tree.

[tower bells ringing]

- [Dorothy] Sometimes you
really get everything right.

You know what I mean?

- [Michael] Like tonight?

- Yeah.

If there is a prize for best
costume, I bet I'll win it.

- I'll tell you a secret.

- What will it cost me?

- This one you
can have for free.

I really feel good.

- You look good.

- Yeah, so do you.

- How's my lipstick?

- You've got too much on,

but it's too late to do
anything about it now.

[door chime]

- Well we've been
waiting for you two.

Come on in.

[group laughs]

- Are you alright?

- I keep hoping my
diphtheria shot didn't take

and it'll hit me all of
a sudden and I'll die.

- I'd miss you an awful lot.

- Just go away and let
me cry for a while.

- I'll close the door in
case you make a racket.

[sleigh bells]

Listen.

- What's the matter with you?

- I think it's Santa Claus.

- Oh Michael.

- Intellectually I
know it's impossible,

but emotionally
I keep hoping.

Dorothy come here a minute.

What do you make of it?

- The Christmas Ghost.

Come on.

Quiet.

- [Minerva] Come
in out of the cold.

[grandfather clock chiming]

Thank you.

Made some dandelion
wine last summer.

I put it up to mellow
just for tonight.

- How are you Minerva?

- Well the years are
catching up Hannibal.

- Each one seems to go
faster than the last.

I still love you Minerva.

- To my Christmas Ghost.

[glasses clink]

- [Michael] It's Mr. Prince.

- You've gotten grayer.

- It's about time.

- Well, catch me up.

Tell me all the news.

- Russell's mother and
father are divorcing.

- Oh no.

- Neither of them
seems to want the boy,

so he's with us.

Sweetens my days
to have him there.

And you Minerva?

- Oh, people put up with me.

I'm becoming a sharp-tongued
old woman Hannibal.

But the minute I
say the words,

I wish I could call
them home again.

- I walked to Heaven's
Hill not long ago.

Remember the time we
there and flew the kite?

- Yes.

We couldn't have
been more than 20.

Just the two of us and
that kite, you made

out of wrapping paper.

I can still see the face of
the dragon you drew on it.

And the tail, the tail must
have been a dozen feet long.

Whipping and
snapping in the wind.

I didn't see how anyone
could ever get it up
into the air.

- But the two of us did.

- I remember your
arms around me

and the wind
tugging at the kite.

And the feeling that the
two of us were up there,

soaring on the wind.

You were so close, I
could feel the beating
of your heart.

- Mustn't stay long.

- That was the
bargain, wasn't it?

- Merry Christmas Minerva.

- And to you too Hannibal.

[melancholy music]

[sighs]

- What are you two
doing down here?

- We just saw the
Christmas Ghost.

He was with Aunt Min.

- Is everything
all right Aunt Min?

- What are you folks
doing up so late?

- We saw the man
that was here.

- I didn't see any man,

just a ghost that
comes at Christmas.

- Was he your
sweetheart once?

- Dorothy.

- It's all right Janet.

Yes, he was along time ago.

Oh he was a wild young man.

He was the first
to come to a party

and the last to leave it.

He had a reputation for
being fast with the ladies.

And my mother and
father didn't like that.

So when he asked for my hand,

my family stood in the way.

I ran away with him once,
but they caught us.

Brought me back.

Sent me to Portland
for two years

to live with relatives.

While I was gone,

he married
Abigail Huddleston.

But when he looked at me,

I knew he loved me.

And then one year
on Christmas Eve,

a rose was left
on my window sill.

Year after year,
a single rose.

After a while he started
coming in for a few minutes.

And that would give
me something to...

look forward to, til
Christmas came again.

- Aunt Min didn't you
have another sweetheart?

- For some people
there's only one.

- I love you Aunt Min.

- Come here.

Come here Janet and
let me hug you too.

[Aunt Min] Oh...

Christmas has certainly
crept up on me this year.

Here it is Christmas Eve
and I haven't even
finished my shopping.

Could you use a ride
down to the store Min?

I'll walk. Thank you Spence.

My sciatica is easing
up. Might enjoy the walk.

- Can I go with
you, Aunt Min?

- Well you certainly cannot.

I want your Christmas
present to be a surprise.

- Want to do
something Dorothy?

- Don't bother me Michael,
I'm in a very bad mood.

- She's got a broken heart.

- I have not.

- Well the thing about
a broken heart is that
it mends.

- Not mine.

- Well sometimes it
seems to take forever

and then suddenly
one day you find

the old ticker is just
as strong and as sturdy

as it always was.

- Well if I'm not back by
dark send for the police.

- Spend lots of
money Minerva.

I'm expecting a
very expensive gift.

[laughing]

- Dorothy, let's
do something.

- Leave me alone Michael.

The way I feel I may not
live through this day.

- You nit.

Mom he kicked me.

- Did not.

- Did too. Look, my leg is
bleeding 60 miles an hour.

- Just stop screaming
and yelling you two.

And go outside and play,
and behave yourself.

- I never do anything
right, do I?

- Is that the way
it seems to you?

Those two are where
I've failed the most.

- Oh they don't seem
like failures to me.

I mean all children bicker.

- Oh it's not just
the bickering, Mother.

Dorothy's carrying this
tomboy thing on forever.

And Michael's constantly
in her shadow.

- They're good kids Janet.

And I think they really
love each other.

You must remember
you're an only child.

I think if you can imagine
what it would have been like

if you'd had a
brother, you'd be able

to understand their
relationship better.

- But Dorothy's
always fighting his
battles for him.

Hardly a day goes by,
she doesn't come home

with a black eye.

- I suppose you've
forgotten Pauline Gates.

- Oh that awful girl
I went to school with?

- She stuck chewing
gum in your hair.

- Oh... what made
you think of her?

- As I recall, it
was a landmark.

You graduated from
fighting to name calling.

- How did I manage that?

- You and I had
a little talk.

And I tried to remember how
it felt to be a 13 year old.

- Oh yes.

I remember that.

Want to go for a walk?

- Guess I've got
nothing better to do.

- When I was 13 I
fell out of that tree
right over there.

Broke my arm.

- It's hard to think
of you climbing a tree.

- I was showing off.

For Freddy Thistlewaite.

Oh lord he was handsome.

And he didn't know or
care that I was alive.

Even after I broke
my arm for him.

- Some boys are like that.

- Yeah, but not all of 'em.

- Well sure, Dad's
not like that at all.

You sure were lucky
to find him.

[laughing]

Sluts.

- Dorothy.

- Mom, they're
laughing at me.

- Why would they do that?

- They were at that party,
they thought it was funny.

- Well just be a
lady and ignore them.

- Mom we've to get
one thing straight.

I'm not a lady.

Maybe one day I might
grow up to be one,

but right now I'm 13
and I'm really mad

and if I don't do
something about it

I'm liable to explode.

- Well what do
you have in mind?

- Revenge.

- You mean like this?

- Sluts, trollops,
loose women.

You better watch out
when you're around me

you creeps.

I'll fight you
once and for all.

Don't mess around with me,

cause I'm dangerous.

- You dirt balls.

Low riders.

Scuzz bunnies.

- Mother, where did you
ever learn such language?

- I was 13 too.

- Sometimes I get the
feeling like being 13

is like a fatal disease.

Will I ever live
through it?

- Well don't worry about
getting through it.

Just live it.

I know I haven't
been very good at
showing you but,

I do know what it's like,

and I love you.

- [Grandpa] Okay
everyone, here goes.

- [Michael] All right,
come on Grandpa.

[cheering and yelling]

- [Dorothy] Let's
eat, I'm starved.

- Spencer I'll need you to
kill the goose this evening.

I want her first
thing in the morning,

ready to be stuffed.

- [Spencer] All right.

- [Janet] I'm really
looking forward to that

Christmas Eve service
at church tonight.

- [Amanda] Well we all are.

- [Dorothy] Not
Michael and me.

- [Minerva] Well why
not? It's a tradition.

- [Dorothy] Michael
and I found

a better way to
celebrate Christmas.

Didn't we?

- I guess.

- [Dorothy] You'll
love it Mom

It's a surprise.

You'll get a big
bang out of it.

[laughter]

- May I be excused please?

- What's the matter honey?
Don't you feel well?

- I feel awful.

- Oh. Well.

You go upstairs and
lie down I'll come up

and see you in
a little while.

- [Spencer] What's
the matter with him?

- [Dorothy] I don't know.

[loud overlapping
conversation]

Brunhilda.

Brunhilda.

- Good girl.

C'mon.

Stay.

Good girl.

I know where there's
this old empty barn

and you're gonna stay there.

And after Christmas is over
I'll come back for you.

And you'll be safe
again for another year.

[goose honking]

No Brunhilda. Wait!

Stop Brunhilda.

No wait!

[crashing]
Ahh!

Help! Help!

- Sorry Brunhilda.
It's a hard fact of
life on the farm.

[geese quietly honking]

- Oh didn't take long.

Where's the goose?

- That's what I'd
like to know.

- Oh I've been
fattening that bird

for a whole year,
don't tell me

she decided to fly to
Florida for the holidays.

- I think I'll have a little
talk with my grandson.

- Well he's supposed
to be upstairs in the
children's room.

Janet went up to
check on him.

- Where's Michael?

- He's probably
in the bathroom.

I haven't seen him.

- Well I just passed the
bathroom, he's not in there.

- [Grandpa] Michael?

- He's not up here Grandpa.

- What do you want him for?

- I suspect he's run off
with the Christmas goose.

- Oh Michael.

- Hannibal?

Hannibal we've got a
missing child out here.

Could you take a look
around down there

and see if there's
any sign of him?

At the bus stop maybe.

He might have a
goose under his arm.

Well thank you.

- Did Mike give you any
idea what his plans were?

- No, but he sure is
crazy about that goose.

- Well he can't have
gone far. I'll find him.

- I'll go with you.

- Now, I'll catch up with
him sooner if I'm alone.

Now don't worry I'll have
that rascal home in no time.

- I suppose I could
have asked him

to kill me another goose.

but I just didn't
have the heart.

I'm going to go
down to the cellar

and see if I can
find a ham to bake.

- Michael.

Michael.

[goose honking]

- Any luck?

- No. I looked in the
attic, he's not there.

I'm going to look for him.

- Oh I wish I'd realized

how much that goose
meant to Michael.

I forgot that city bred
kids aren't used to

the way we do things out
here in the country.

- He, uh, he might
have got out on the
mill pond somehow.

There's a hole in the ice.

Janet wait until
we get some help.

- I gotta go find him Dad!

[foreboding music]

- What can we do?

- Pray.

[clicking phone]

- Janet I'll take you home.

- No. Not...
not til I find him.

- I heard about Mike.
I'm sorry Dorothy.

- He's not dead.

I just know it.

He's not dead.

- They're going ahead with
the Christmas service.

- Mealy mouth hypocrites.

How can they celebrate
Christmas at a time
like this?

- It's not a celebration.

My grandfather said it
was an offering to God,

to ask him to help
bring Mike home.

- He's not dead.

He's lost and I'm
going to send out a
signal to help him.

- Can I help?

- You sure can.

Help me haul out the
firecrackers he buried.

- Neat.

Let's set off
arocket first.

[match striking]

- This one's
for you Michael.

Hear it and follow it home.

[rocket fizzes and bursts]

♪ Silent night, Holy night

♪ All is calm, all is bright

♪ Round yon Virgin,
Mother and Child

[firecracker explosion]

♪ Holy infant

♪ So tender and mild

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace

[firecracker explosion]

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace.

- Michael!

Michael where are you?

Michael. Michael.

- We're all out of
fireworks Dorothy.

- If Mike hasn't
heard us by now,

he's not going to.

- Michael. Michael.

Mic... oh...

[sobbing] Neil. Neil.

[barking]

Can't find him anywhere.

Mother?

- Yes dear?

- You're dead aren't you?

- Yes Janet.

I was so touched by the way

you stayed behind
after my funeral.

It's a wonder you didn't
catch your death of cold.

- Father's dead too.

And Aunt Min.

This is a dream.

- Oh yes it's a
dream all right.

But we're the authors
of our own dreams.

And we can make happen
whatever we want to happen.

- It's good to have
you home again Janet.

- You were the one I always
felt sad about Aunt Min.

It was a way you had of
standing at the window

and looking out.

Always waiting for someone.

- Don't be sad
for me. He comes.

I'm a grown woman now.

I have a family.
Home of my own.

- We're proud of you Janet.

- But I'm losing them Dad.

Somewhere along the line
I've, I've lost my marriage.

- Then you must find it.

- Where do I look?

- First look inside yourself.

That's the secret,
you always wanted us

to tell you about.

- The secret place.

- The secret place
is inside you.

Within you.

- I've never been
able to find it.

- Sometimes you have
to reach down deeper

inside yourself than
you've ever been.

You have to find a faith
that's greater than

anything you could
possibly imagine.

You'll find the strength
that's in all of us.

If only we have the grit
and the guts to discover it.

It's in you. It's
in each of us.

- Neil. Oh Neil.

Neil I'm so glad
you're here.

- I heard your voice,
I knew you needed me.

- Michael's disappeared,
we can't find him anywhere.

- We'll find him.

- But... but he's
been gone for hours.

- I know, but we'll find him.

- I want to tell
you something.

I love you.

- I love you too.

- Oh we haven't said
that in so long.

- So many times I
wanted to tell you

how much I loved you,
how much I needed you.

- I've wanted to call
you back as you were

leaving the house, just
to touch you, feel you.

Something to hold onto until

we could be alone
again at night.

- How did we lose that?

- Maybe we just didn't
realize what a lovely
thing we had.

We drifted away from being
young and all that passion.

Somewhere along the
way we lost each other.

- We are getting older Janet.

- Is that so bad?

- No. I don't think
that's bad at all.

In fact, I think
it's wonderful

that we've come this far.

I love you Janet.

I remember something
your mother once said.

"In the presence of love
there are miracles".

[moaning]

[moaning]

- Oh Mike...

- Mom what's the matter?

- Well... You've
been gone all night.

I thought I'd lost you.

I thought I'd never
see you again.

- Now I remember.

I fell through the ice.

I thought I was gonna die.

I was really scared.

But I'm all right. I'm fine.

- Oh you are so fine and
I love you so much.

- I love you too Mom.

But what's the matter?

- Well uh... how
did you get here?

- The whole time I was
lost I heard sounds

like somebody shooting
off firecrackers.

- Oh that was your sister
trying to help you find
your way home.

- Sorry I worried you all,

but I guess saving
Brunhilda was my job.

- Well you're a
very brave young man

and I am very
proud of you.

- Could we go home now?

- MmHm. Yes.

We can go home now.

Neil.

- Where've you been?

You slept all night
and all day too.

How do you feel?

- I don't know.
All right I guess.

- Can I... can I
get you something?

- No just hold me.

- You seemed so far away.

I was afraid I'd
never see you again.

- There's a place we're
going to build together.

A secret place. For
just the two of us.

- Janet we've lost so much.

There's no money.
There's nothing.

- We have everything.

We have each other.

We have love.

We have children.

Merry Christmas.

- Oh Mamma.
- Are you all right?

- Are you okay?

- Mom should you
be out of bed?

- I'm much better Dorothy.

- You slept the
longest kind of time.

- Well it was just
what I needed.

- We were sure worried
about you, Mom.

- Thank you darling,
but I'm fine now and
it's Christmas Eve.

And in a few days it'll
be a brand new year.

And look at what
you've done!

It's beautiful.

- We put it all
on ourselves.

- We put up all the
ornaments by ourselves.

- We decorated
all by ourselves.

- Time for that.

- All right. Here we go.

- Ok!
- Put on the star Daddy.

- Ok.

- How's that? Huh.

- Ah lovely.

- O that's great yeah.

- Hey it's the carolers.

- Invite them in. Go on.

♪ Above thy deep
and dreamless sleep

♪ The silent stars go by.

♪ Yet in thy dark
street shineth the
everlasting Light.

♪ The hopes and fears
of all the years

♪ Are met in thee tonight.

[uplifting music with
horns and sleigh bells]