Father Knows Best (1954–1960): Season 1, Episode 23 - Proud Father - full transcript
Jim runs into an acquaintance who brags about his family members and all their achievements. Jim's family does not measure up, so he decides to encourage Betty, Bud, and Kathy to do their best and excel at something.
Robert Young...
and Jane Wyatt.
With Elinor Donahue,
Billy Gray, and Lauren Chapin...
Hello, Jim.
Hello, Roger!
I was just reading
about your boy.
You must be very proud of him.
Oh, yes. Bill's quite a boy.
Not afraid of anything.
Took a lot of courage to
rescue those youngsters.
That's Bill.
How's your boy, Jim?
Oh, Bud's fine.
Just the other day, he...
Guess you heard about
my oldest daughter Aline.
No, I don't believe I did.
She's in England
on a concert tour.
Is that right?
Who knows?
She may even appear
before the Queen.
Well, my daughter
Betty's going to...
And my youngest
daughter. What a youngster.
Uh, what did she do?
Why, she just skipped
another grade in school.
She's quite a scholar.
Well, that's remarkable, Roger.
She's about the same age as
your little girl Kathy, isn't she, Jim?
That's right.
Kathy skipped any grades lately?
No.
Well, I wouldn't worry about it.
But I was gonna
tell you about Betty.
She's the... Oh, say,
I've got a rehearsal.
I'm master of ceremonies at the
PTA vaudeville show tomorrow night.
That's what I was gonna
tell you. Betty's going to...
My wife's directing
it, you know.
Got a lot of talent
for that sort of thing.
I guess it kinda
runs in the family.
Well, so long, Jim.
So long, Roger.
Margaret, I'm home!
Oh. It's you.
Well, whom were you expecting?
Oh, um... you.
Hmm...
That's better.
Did you hear about
the Darland boy?
I've been hearing about
the whole Darland family
for the last hour.
That's all Roger can talk about.
"My son this, my daughter that."
Well, I... guess he
does have quite a family.
So have you.
Oldest daughter of his
must be pretty talented.
Well, you have a
talented daughter.
Wait till you see Betty dance
at the PTA show tomorrow night.
Well, his daughter's on
concert tour in England.
Roger says she may even
appear before the Queen.
I don't think the Queen will be
able to make it tomorrow night.
But the governor's
going to be there.
Margaret, what, uh,
grade is Kathy in?
3-B.
Is that where she's
supposed to be?
Of course.
Has she skipped
any grades lately?
Kathy?
Silly question.
Hi, Daddy!
Hello, Kitten.
Mmm! Guess what
happened in school today.
Oh, something you're
proud of? Uh-huh!
Something in the line of,
uh, scholastic achievement?
Huh?
Maybe you'd better tell me.
Well, I got three
steelies, two puries,
and one immie off of Butch!
Marbles to you.
And what brilliant
play did you make
to win these marbles?
I told him I'd beat him up
if he didn't give 'em to me.
I wouldn't worry, dear.
It might not be so bad
to have the next featherweight
champ in the family.
If Beanie Brugendorfer
comes to the door,
tell him you never heard of me!
Somebody we know?
Well, he must live here.
He knows where the basement is.
That was Bud!
What's wrong?
He's hiding from Beanie.
Kathy, big boys don't
hide in basements.
Bud does.
Dear, maybe you'd better go
and see what the trouble is.
All right, but I'm sure
there's an explanation for it.
Come on, Kathy. You can
help me set the table for dinner.
Bud?
Bud?
You alone, Dad?
Who'd you think
I'd have with me,
a regiment of Marines?
I wish you did. I
could sure use 'em.
Oh, Bud. What's this all about?
Who is this Beanie,
uh, what's-his-name?
A new tough kid at school.
He's waiting outside for me.
What are you doing down here?
Well, I'm outsmarting him.
Oh?
I'm gonna hide down here
until he gets tired of waiting
and goes away.
Why is he after you?
I accidentally shoved
him playing basketball,
and he's trying to
get even with me.
Well, didn't you explain
to him it was an accident?
I did! I said, "Beanie,
accidents will happen."
And he said, "Bud, you're right.
And an accident's gonna
happen to you right now."
So I started running. He's
been chasing me ever since.
Bud. Yes, sir?
How old are you?
Don't you know?
Of course I know. You're 14.
How old is this, uh,
Beanie character?
You're very funny, Dad.
He's chasing me
with murder in his eye,
and I'm supposed to stop
and ask him how old he is?
How old is he?
My age, I guess. 14.
Then instead of running away,
why didn't you face up to him?
'Cause I'm trying for 15!
Bud, will you get
away from that window?
Son, sit down and
eat your dinner.
I just lost my appetite.
Beanie's still out
there, stalking me,
just like a cat getting
ready to pounce on a mouse.
Well, maybe he's hungry.
Why don't you invite him in?
What are you trying
to do, get rid of me?
That's a very
interesting question.
And I have a very
interesting answer.
Bud, why don't you go
outside and reason with him?
Because he reasons too hard!
I don't want to get bopped.
Here. You might as
well die on a full stomach.
Kathy, what's your problem?
Why aren't you eating?
I got a loose tooth.
That's what I'm apt to get.
Which one, Kathy?
Back here. See?
Go out and see Beanie.
You'll lose it fast enough.
It's just a baby tooth, Kathy.
You could sneeze it out.
Claude Messner tied his
loose tooth to a slingshot
and shot it out.
I don't want to tie
it to a slingshot!
Don't worry, Kathy.
You don't have to do that.
What was that?
What was what?
Sounded like
somebody on the porch!
It's probably Betty. She
should be home any moment.
I'll bet it's Beanie!
He's coming in after me!
I knew it!
Help! Save me!
Hi, everybody. Sorry I'm late,
but the dress rehearsal
took a little longer.
Hello, Princess.
Well, where's Bud?
Under the table.
Oh. Hi, Bud.
You can come out
now, Bud. It's only a girl.
Okay.
How'd the dress
rehearsal go, Betty?
Oh, just wonderful. Everybody
seemed to like my dance.
I hope you'll all be proud
of me tomorrow night.
Of course we will.
We'll be right down there
in the front row applauding.
Not me.
Why not, Bud?
He'll be there.
Dad, you know
at a time like this,
I can't make a public
appearance in a theater.
Bud, nothing's gonna
happen to you in a theater.
No? Look what
happened to Lincoln.
Oh, Bud.
What's he talking about?
Oh, Bud thinks Beanie,
uh, somebody or other
is after him.
Oh, you mean
Beanie Brugendorfer?
You know him, Betty? I sure do.
He's trying to show everyone
in school how tough he is.
I guess you're
next on his list, Bud.
I know.
Anyway, he's sitting
on our front steps.
He is?
Yeah. And he won't give up
till he gets you, either.
They call him "Killer" Beanie.
Jumpin' goobers.
May I?
Say, Dad.
What is it, son?
Would you drive
me over to Joe's?
It's only a couple of
blocks. Why don't you walk?
Well, you don't want me
to run into Beanie, do you?
Bud, you can't go through life
running away from
people like Beanie.
Jim, will you fix this
slipper for Betty?
Uh, this seems to bother
her. You'd better pull it out.
Honestly, Margaret, I don't know
what's happening to this family.
Everybody's afraid.
Bud's afraid to go outside
because some
youngster's after him.
Kathy's making
a loose baby tooth
sound like a major
brain operation.
Oh, you forget, dear.
She's only a little girl.
Well, Bud isn't.
Oh, Bud exaggerates.
You know that.
You're not really afraid
of that boy, are you, son?
Not as long as he's
outside and I'm inside.
See what I mean?
Where's your backbone anyway?
If I go outside, I won't
have any backbone.
If you stay in here, you
won't have any teeth.
The dishes are all done, Mother.
Thanks, dear.
What is the matter with
you children, anyway?
You can't run away
from problems like this.
You'll have to
learn to face them,
to overcome them.
You must learn to have courage.
Like your sister.
Well, Beanie's not after her!
She's already lost her teeth.
If anyone in this family
has a legitimate excuse
to be scared, Betty does.
Look what she's going
to do tomorrow night.
She's going to make
her debut on the stage
as a dancer for the first time.
She has to appear before
hundreds and hundreds of people.
One lone girl on that
tremendous stage.
Hundreds and hundreds
of eyes focused on her,
following her as she completes
each difficult
and intricate step.
Think of what she
has to remember:
poise, grace, rhythm.
One small, delicate girl
has to keep the attention
of all those people.
But have you heard
Betty say "I can't do it"?
Have you heard
her say "I'm scared!"
Princess!
Betty! Oh...
Feeling better, Princess?
I feel pretty silly.
Would you like some
hot chocolate, Betty?
I'd love some, Mother.
Me, too, Margaret.
All right.
Guess I was more scared
than I realized, Father.
Oh, it's all my fault, honey.
You wouldn't have even
thought of being frightened
if I hadn't put the
idea in your head.
N-No, no, that's not it.
I'm really worried about
giving my dance tomorrow night.
Well, that's better than
being overconfident.
Father, please call
Mr. Darland and...
ask him to get somebody
else to do my dance.
Well, Betty, they're
depending on you.
Father, I've never been
so scared in my life.
I can't do it!
All right. I don't
want to force you
to do something
you don't want to do.
But I think we
should talk about it.
Maybe you're worried about
something that doesn't even exist.
Now, what is it that
you're really afraid of?
I'm afraid I'll get
out on the stage
in front of all those people
and forget my dance routine.
What would happen if you did?
Everybody'd laugh at me.
If you were out in the audience
and there was another
girl up on the stage
who's trying very hard to please
and she forgot, would
you laugh at her?
Of course not.
There you are.
Anyone who would laugh in
a situation like that is a dope.
And we don't care what
the dopes in the world think.
You see, Betty,
you're underestimating people.
Most people are pretty nice
if you give them half a chance.
I'll tell you what.
I'll bet you a new dress
that if you go on
tomorrow night,
even if you forget,
you'll be happier with yourself
than... than if you gave in
to this fear and didn't go on.
I... I don't know.
I do.
Now, look. We'll go
over your dance routine
tomorrow morning, step by step,
until you're absolutely
positive you know it.
I'll help.
That is, if you'll let me.
Madame Ballerina,
Professor Anderson
at your disposal.
♪♪
This is the place
I always forget!
Um... uh, "arabesque."
It's no use,
Father. I can't do it!
Betty, you can do an arabesque!
Are you going on for Betty, Dad?
Of course, Bud.
Your mother's upstairs
letting the seams out of
Betty's ballet costume right now.
You'll look mighty silly.
Not any sillier than you look
hiding in the basement
like a trapped gopher.
Oh, I'm not hiding anymore.
Beanie doesn't seem to
be around this morning.
I guess he finally gave up.
I really wasn't afraid
of him anyway. I just...
I just...
He's back! Outta my way!
Outta my way!
Wait a minute. Let me go, Dad!
We're gonna settle
this once and for all.
You must stop running
away from Beanie!
I intend to.
That's better.
I'm gonna stay right here.
Bud Anderson, this
has gone far enough!
Jim. Mrs. Darland just phoned
about the performance tonight.
She's in charge of it, you know.
They've called it off?
Oh, of course not.
She called to tell
me that Mr. Darland
won't be able to be the
master of ceremonies.
Oh? Why?
Well, he has a very
bad case of laryngitis.
He shouldn't talk so much.
Who's gonna take his place?
Well, Mrs. Darland
asked me if I knew anyone.
Who did you recommend?
You.
I told her you'll be happy to.
Uh, why call on me?
I... I'm not a public speaker.
Well, I'm not a
prize fighter, either.
You don't have to
be a prize fighter
to defend yourself against
Beanie Brugendorfer.
Well, it sure would help.
You want me to get up and dance.
I'm not a professional dancer.
That's different. You've
been taking dancing lessons
ever since you were
old enough to walk.
Speaking in public
calls for someone
who's studied public speaking,
someone with experience.
Well, you don't have to give
the Gettysburg Address, Jim.
You make it sound
like it's easy to get up
in front of a theater
full of people.
Well, gee, Dad, you could
start off with one of your jokes.
That'd clear the
theater right away.
Very funny.
I don't understand you, Father.
Speaking in public's
nothing new to you.
You've done it many times.
Sure, I have. But that was
when I thought I had a
family who was behind me
that gave me
confidence in myself...
Not only as a
speaker, but as a father.
It gives a man a
great deal of pride
to know he's
raised three children
who understand the
value of honor and courage.
But when he finds
out that is not true,
then he realizes he's
a failure as a father.
Margaret, call Mrs.
Darland and tell her
she'll have to get
someone whose children
are not afraid of
their own shadows.
I'm not afraid of my own shadow.
Just don't want to lose a tooth.
A lot of people
get stage fright.
That doesn't mean I'm a coward.
That's right, Betty.
Lots of people get stage fright.
But they go on anyway.
And each time
they conquer a fear,
they're better for it.
Well, I can't fight a guy
that's bigger and
stronger than I am.
Well, he's bigger than
you are and stronger,
but if he wants to pick a fight,
then he's also a coward.
You can always bluff a coward.
You can?
Of course.
Well, don't look at me!
I'm not. Who wants
to look at you?
Oh. There you are.
Well? What about it?
You want me to call Mrs.
Darland and tell her that you won't...
What's this?
My opening remarks
for the program tonight.
Oh!
So you don't want
me to call her.
Certainly not. I'm
gonna be there.
Just hope I'm not alone.
What'd the kids
say after I left?
Well, I didn't have much chance
to find out. Hey, Daddy, look!
Daddy, I did it! I
pulled it out myself!
Well! Congratulations, Kitten!
Do you want me to
put it under my pillow
and wait for the fairy
to leave me a dime,
or do you just want to give
me the money right now?
Father.
Father, I... Dad, w...
Bud and I, w-we're
gonna be there tonight.
Both of us. Yeah.
After all, I'm 14.
I've lived a full life.
Fine.
Then you can count on me, too.
I-I'm not afraid
anymore that I'll...
I-I guess I'd
better go get ready.
Well, I'd better go, too.
They're pretty near as brave
as I am, aren't they, Daddy?
Almost.
They're scared to death.
How do you feel?
I don't know.
I just wish I knew what
was going to happen tonight.
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
our next performer...
Well, our next performer's of...
rather special interest to me,
and I hope she
will be to you, too.
Tonight, she's making her
very first solo appearance
as a dancer.
And here she is now...
Miss Betty Anderson.
Good luck, honey.
♪♪
Oh, that's a shame.
Ah ha ha ha ha!
Ah ha ha ha ha! Ha ha!
Ouch!
Go on.
I'm sorry, Betty.
I apologize for laughing.
That's all right, Beanie.
Go ahead, sis.
You'd better sit down.
Ladies and gentlemen,
if it's all right with you,
I'd like to continue my dance.
♪♪
Hello, Roger.
How's the laryngitis?
Just fine.
Just reading about
your daughter, Jim.
She gave a great
performance last night.
Yeah, Betty's quite a girl.
Lot of courage.
Bud did all right, too.
Now, there's a boy who
isn't afraid of anything.
Say, Jim, there's
something I want to tell you.
What's that?
I really didn't have laryngitis.
You didn't?
No. As a matter of fact,
I had a bad case
of stage fright.
You?
Yeah. That's what happens
when you have a
talented family like mine.
I just can't keep up with them.
Roger, old man, let's
have a cup of coffee.
I've got a lot of
things to tell you.
Closed-Captioned By J.R.
Media Services, Inc. Burbank, CA
and Jane Wyatt.
With Elinor Donahue,
Billy Gray, and Lauren Chapin...
Hello, Jim.
Hello, Roger!
I was just reading
about your boy.
You must be very proud of him.
Oh, yes. Bill's quite a boy.
Not afraid of anything.
Took a lot of courage to
rescue those youngsters.
That's Bill.
How's your boy, Jim?
Oh, Bud's fine.
Just the other day, he...
Guess you heard about
my oldest daughter Aline.
No, I don't believe I did.
She's in England
on a concert tour.
Is that right?
Who knows?
She may even appear
before the Queen.
Well, my daughter
Betty's going to...
And my youngest
daughter. What a youngster.
Uh, what did she do?
Why, she just skipped
another grade in school.
She's quite a scholar.
Well, that's remarkable, Roger.
She's about the same age as
your little girl Kathy, isn't she, Jim?
That's right.
Kathy skipped any grades lately?
No.
Well, I wouldn't worry about it.
But I was gonna
tell you about Betty.
She's the... Oh, say,
I've got a rehearsal.
I'm master of ceremonies at the
PTA vaudeville show tomorrow night.
That's what I was gonna
tell you. Betty's going to...
My wife's directing
it, you know.
Got a lot of talent
for that sort of thing.
I guess it kinda
runs in the family.
Well, so long, Jim.
So long, Roger.
Margaret, I'm home!
Oh. It's you.
Well, whom were you expecting?
Oh, um... you.
Hmm...
That's better.
Did you hear about
the Darland boy?
I've been hearing about
the whole Darland family
for the last hour.
That's all Roger can talk about.
"My son this, my daughter that."
Well, I... guess he
does have quite a family.
So have you.
Oldest daughter of his
must be pretty talented.
Well, you have a
talented daughter.
Wait till you see Betty dance
at the PTA show tomorrow night.
Well, his daughter's on
concert tour in England.
Roger says she may even
appear before the Queen.
I don't think the Queen will be
able to make it tomorrow night.
But the governor's
going to be there.
Margaret, what, uh,
grade is Kathy in?
3-B.
Is that where she's
supposed to be?
Of course.
Has she skipped
any grades lately?
Kathy?
Silly question.
Hi, Daddy!
Hello, Kitten.
Mmm! Guess what
happened in school today.
Oh, something you're
proud of? Uh-huh!
Something in the line of,
uh, scholastic achievement?
Huh?
Maybe you'd better tell me.
Well, I got three
steelies, two puries,
and one immie off of Butch!
Marbles to you.
And what brilliant
play did you make
to win these marbles?
I told him I'd beat him up
if he didn't give 'em to me.
I wouldn't worry, dear.
It might not be so bad
to have the next featherweight
champ in the family.
If Beanie Brugendorfer
comes to the door,
tell him you never heard of me!
Somebody we know?
Well, he must live here.
He knows where the basement is.
That was Bud!
What's wrong?
He's hiding from Beanie.
Kathy, big boys don't
hide in basements.
Bud does.
Dear, maybe you'd better go
and see what the trouble is.
All right, but I'm sure
there's an explanation for it.
Come on, Kathy. You can
help me set the table for dinner.
Bud?
Bud?
You alone, Dad?
Who'd you think
I'd have with me,
a regiment of Marines?
I wish you did. I
could sure use 'em.
Oh, Bud. What's this all about?
Who is this Beanie,
uh, what's-his-name?
A new tough kid at school.
He's waiting outside for me.
What are you doing down here?
Well, I'm outsmarting him.
Oh?
I'm gonna hide down here
until he gets tired of waiting
and goes away.
Why is he after you?
I accidentally shoved
him playing basketball,
and he's trying to
get even with me.
Well, didn't you explain
to him it was an accident?
I did! I said, "Beanie,
accidents will happen."
And he said, "Bud, you're right.
And an accident's gonna
happen to you right now."
So I started running. He's
been chasing me ever since.
Bud. Yes, sir?
How old are you?
Don't you know?
Of course I know. You're 14.
How old is this, uh,
Beanie character?
You're very funny, Dad.
He's chasing me
with murder in his eye,
and I'm supposed to stop
and ask him how old he is?
How old is he?
My age, I guess. 14.
Then instead of running away,
why didn't you face up to him?
'Cause I'm trying for 15!
Bud, will you get
away from that window?
Son, sit down and
eat your dinner.
I just lost my appetite.
Beanie's still out
there, stalking me,
just like a cat getting
ready to pounce on a mouse.
Well, maybe he's hungry.
Why don't you invite him in?
What are you trying
to do, get rid of me?
That's a very
interesting question.
And I have a very
interesting answer.
Bud, why don't you go
outside and reason with him?
Because he reasons too hard!
I don't want to get bopped.
Here. You might as
well die on a full stomach.
Kathy, what's your problem?
Why aren't you eating?
I got a loose tooth.
That's what I'm apt to get.
Which one, Kathy?
Back here. See?
Go out and see Beanie.
You'll lose it fast enough.
It's just a baby tooth, Kathy.
You could sneeze it out.
Claude Messner tied his
loose tooth to a slingshot
and shot it out.
I don't want to tie
it to a slingshot!
Don't worry, Kathy.
You don't have to do that.
What was that?
What was what?
Sounded like
somebody on the porch!
It's probably Betty. She
should be home any moment.
I'll bet it's Beanie!
He's coming in after me!
I knew it!
Help! Save me!
Hi, everybody. Sorry I'm late,
but the dress rehearsal
took a little longer.
Hello, Princess.
Well, where's Bud?
Under the table.
Oh. Hi, Bud.
You can come out
now, Bud. It's only a girl.
Okay.
How'd the dress
rehearsal go, Betty?
Oh, just wonderful. Everybody
seemed to like my dance.
I hope you'll all be proud
of me tomorrow night.
Of course we will.
We'll be right down there
in the front row applauding.
Not me.
Why not, Bud?
He'll be there.
Dad, you know
at a time like this,
I can't make a public
appearance in a theater.
Bud, nothing's gonna
happen to you in a theater.
No? Look what
happened to Lincoln.
Oh, Bud.
What's he talking about?
Oh, Bud thinks Beanie,
uh, somebody or other
is after him.
Oh, you mean
Beanie Brugendorfer?
You know him, Betty? I sure do.
He's trying to show everyone
in school how tough he is.
I guess you're
next on his list, Bud.
I know.
Anyway, he's sitting
on our front steps.
He is?
Yeah. And he won't give up
till he gets you, either.
They call him "Killer" Beanie.
Jumpin' goobers.
May I?
Say, Dad.
What is it, son?
Would you drive
me over to Joe's?
It's only a couple of
blocks. Why don't you walk?
Well, you don't want me
to run into Beanie, do you?
Bud, you can't go through life
running away from
people like Beanie.
Jim, will you fix this
slipper for Betty?
Uh, this seems to bother
her. You'd better pull it out.
Honestly, Margaret, I don't know
what's happening to this family.
Everybody's afraid.
Bud's afraid to go outside
because some
youngster's after him.
Kathy's making
a loose baby tooth
sound like a major
brain operation.
Oh, you forget, dear.
She's only a little girl.
Well, Bud isn't.
Oh, Bud exaggerates.
You know that.
You're not really afraid
of that boy, are you, son?
Not as long as he's
outside and I'm inside.
See what I mean?
Where's your backbone anyway?
If I go outside, I won't
have any backbone.
If you stay in here, you
won't have any teeth.
The dishes are all done, Mother.
Thanks, dear.
What is the matter with
you children, anyway?
You can't run away
from problems like this.
You'll have to
learn to face them,
to overcome them.
You must learn to have courage.
Like your sister.
Well, Beanie's not after her!
She's already lost her teeth.
If anyone in this family
has a legitimate excuse
to be scared, Betty does.
Look what she's going
to do tomorrow night.
She's going to make
her debut on the stage
as a dancer for the first time.
She has to appear before
hundreds and hundreds of people.
One lone girl on that
tremendous stage.
Hundreds and hundreds
of eyes focused on her,
following her as she completes
each difficult
and intricate step.
Think of what she
has to remember:
poise, grace, rhythm.
One small, delicate girl
has to keep the attention
of all those people.
But have you heard
Betty say "I can't do it"?
Have you heard
her say "I'm scared!"
Princess!
Betty! Oh...
Feeling better, Princess?
I feel pretty silly.
Would you like some
hot chocolate, Betty?
I'd love some, Mother.
Me, too, Margaret.
All right.
Guess I was more scared
than I realized, Father.
Oh, it's all my fault, honey.
You wouldn't have even
thought of being frightened
if I hadn't put the
idea in your head.
N-No, no, that's not it.
I'm really worried about
giving my dance tomorrow night.
Well, that's better than
being overconfident.
Father, please call
Mr. Darland and...
ask him to get somebody
else to do my dance.
Well, Betty, they're
depending on you.
Father, I've never been
so scared in my life.
I can't do it!
All right. I don't
want to force you
to do something
you don't want to do.
But I think we
should talk about it.
Maybe you're worried about
something that doesn't even exist.
Now, what is it that
you're really afraid of?
I'm afraid I'll get
out on the stage
in front of all those people
and forget my dance routine.
What would happen if you did?
Everybody'd laugh at me.
If you were out in the audience
and there was another
girl up on the stage
who's trying very hard to please
and she forgot, would
you laugh at her?
Of course not.
There you are.
Anyone who would laugh in
a situation like that is a dope.
And we don't care what
the dopes in the world think.
You see, Betty,
you're underestimating people.
Most people are pretty nice
if you give them half a chance.
I'll tell you what.
I'll bet you a new dress
that if you go on
tomorrow night,
even if you forget,
you'll be happier with yourself
than... than if you gave in
to this fear and didn't go on.
I... I don't know.
I do.
Now, look. We'll go
over your dance routine
tomorrow morning, step by step,
until you're absolutely
positive you know it.
I'll help.
That is, if you'll let me.
Madame Ballerina,
Professor Anderson
at your disposal.
♪♪
This is the place
I always forget!
Um... uh, "arabesque."
It's no use,
Father. I can't do it!
Betty, you can do an arabesque!
Are you going on for Betty, Dad?
Of course, Bud.
Your mother's upstairs
letting the seams out of
Betty's ballet costume right now.
You'll look mighty silly.
Not any sillier than you look
hiding in the basement
like a trapped gopher.
Oh, I'm not hiding anymore.
Beanie doesn't seem to
be around this morning.
I guess he finally gave up.
I really wasn't afraid
of him anyway. I just...
I just...
He's back! Outta my way!
Outta my way!
Wait a minute. Let me go, Dad!
We're gonna settle
this once and for all.
You must stop running
away from Beanie!
I intend to.
That's better.
I'm gonna stay right here.
Bud Anderson, this
has gone far enough!
Jim. Mrs. Darland just phoned
about the performance tonight.
She's in charge of it, you know.
They've called it off?
Oh, of course not.
She called to tell
me that Mr. Darland
won't be able to be the
master of ceremonies.
Oh? Why?
Well, he has a very
bad case of laryngitis.
He shouldn't talk so much.
Who's gonna take his place?
Well, Mrs. Darland
asked me if I knew anyone.
Who did you recommend?
You.
I told her you'll be happy to.
Uh, why call on me?
I... I'm not a public speaker.
Well, I'm not a
prize fighter, either.
You don't have to
be a prize fighter
to defend yourself against
Beanie Brugendorfer.
Well, it sure would help.
You want me to get up and dance.
I'm not a professional dancer.
That's different. You've
been taking dancing lessons
ever since you were
old enough to walk.
Speaking in public
calls for someone
who's studied public speaking,
someone with experience.
Well, you don't have to give
the Gettysburg Address, Jim.
You make it sound
like it's easy to get up
in front of a theater
full of people.
Well, gee, Dad, you could
start off with one of your jokes.
That'd clear the
theater right away.
Very funny.
I don't understand you, Father.
Speaking in public's
nothing new to you.
You've done it many times.
Sure, I have. But that was
when I thought I had a
family who was behind me
that gave me
confidence in myself...
Not only as a
speaker, but as a father.
It gives a man a
great deal of pride
to know he's
raised three children
who understand the
value of honor and courage.
But when he finds
out that is not true,
then he realizes he's
a failure as a father.
Margaret, call Mrs.
Darland and tell her
she'll have to get
someone whose children
are not afraid of
their own shadows.
I'm not afraid of my own shadow.
Just don't want to lose a tooth.
A lot of people
get stage fright.
That doesn't mean I'm a coward.
That's right, Betty.
Lots of people get stage fright.
But they go on anyway.
And each time
they conquer a fear,
they're better for it.
Well, I can't fight a guy
that's bigger and
stronger than I am.
Well, he's bigger than
you are and stronger,
but if he wants to pick a fight,
then he's also a coward.
You can always bluff a coward.
You can?
Of course.
Well, don't look at me!
I'm not. Who wants
to look at you?
Oh. There you are.
Well? What about it?
You want me to call Mrs.
Darland and tell her that you won't...
What's this?
My opening remarks
for the program tonight.
Oh!
So you don't want
me to call her.
Certainly not. I'm
gonna be there.
Just hope I'm not alone.
What'd the kids
say after I left?
Well, I didn't have much chance
to find out. Hey, Daddy, look!
Daddy, I did it! I
pulled it out myself!
Well! Congratulations, Kitten!
Do you want me to
put it under my pillow
and wait for the fairy
to leave me a dime,
or do you just want to give
me the money right now?
Father.
Father, I... Dad, w...
Bud and I, w-we're
gonna be there tonight.
Both of us. Yeah.
After all, I'm 14.
I've lived a full life.
Fine.
Then you can count on me, too.
I-I'm not afraid
anymore that I'll...
I-I guess I'd
better go get ready.
Well, I'd better go, too.
They're pretty near as brave
as I am, aren't they, Daddy?
Almost.
They're scared to death.
How do you feel?
I don't know.
I just wish I knew what
was going to happen tonight.
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
our next performer...
Well, our next performer's of...
rather special interest to me,
and I hope she
will be to you, too.
Tonight, she's making her
very first solo appearance
as a dancer.
And here she is now...
Miss Betty Anderson.
Good luck, honey.
♪♪
Oh, that's a shame.
Ah ha ha ha ha!
Ah ha ha ha ha! Ha ha!
Ouch!
Go on.
I'm sorry, Betty.
I apologize for laughing.
That's all right, Beanie.
Go ahead, sis.
You'd better sit down.
Ladies and gentlemen,
if it's all right with you,
I'd like to continue my dance.
♪♪
Hello, Roger.
How's the laryngitis?
Just fine.
Just reading about
your daughter, Jim.
She gave a great
performance last night.
Yeah, Betty's quite a girl.
Lot of courage.
Bud did all right, too.
Now, there's a boy who
isn't afraid of anything.
Say, Jim, there's
something I want to tell you.
What's that?
I really didn't have laryngitis.
You didn't?
No. As a matter of fact,
I had a bad case
of stage fright.
You?
Yeah. That's what happens
when you have a
talented family like mine.
I just can't keep up with them.
Roger, old man, let's
have a cup of coffee.
I've got a lot of
things to tell you.
Closed-Captioned By J.R.
Media Services, Inc. Burbank, CA