Father Knows Best (1954–1960): Season 4, Episode 18 - Bud, the Mind Reader - full transcript
At the carnival, Bud is pulled in by a pitchman to play a game of chance. He loses the money meant for his father's pants, and then gets a job at the carnival to get his money back. His family is surprised when he becomes a pitchman as well
[Announcer] Here are...
with Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray,
and Lauren Chapin in...
[chuckles] "Mind reader."
You know, people
sure are suckers.
- They fall for anything.
- Yeah, you said it.
Come on, we better get
inside, or we won't get a seat.
You know, those
eyes make you feel
he really does know
what you're thinking.
Gee, I'd hate to have him
hanging around the house.
Yeah.
Yes. Yes, I'm ready.
I will now tell you what the young
man has written on the slip of paper.
His name is, uh...
His name is, uh...
I can't quite make it out.
Very poor handwriting.
The name is...
Bud Anderson?
The address is 6-0-7...
South Maple.
The proverb...
The proverb he has written...
Well, the young man
has not stated it correctly.
He has written,
"Never burn your
bridges behind you
before you cross them."
I think what the young
man had in mind was,
"Don't cross your bridges
before you come to them."
Miss Florine,
did I read the note correctly?
You are completely
and exactly correct.
[audience applauds]
[Bud] Man, what a mind.
Boy, what I wouldn't
give to be able to do that.
Oh, he can't
actually read minds.
- It's just a trick.
- What trick?
You saw him read every
word that I wrote down,
and you know I'm
not working for him.
No, but that assistant is.
Did you hear her give
him one single hint?
- No, but he got...
- He explained how he did it.
Just makes his mind
a complete blank,
and then gets the thought
waves from somebody else.
I'll bet I could
do it if I practiced.
- Oh, cut it out.
- No, I bet I could.
Look, let's try it.
You think of something
and concentrate on it,
and I'll see if I can't get it.
- Go ahead, think of something.
- I don't want...
[snaps fingers]
Okay, I'll do it.
All right, I'll think
of something.
Tell me what I'm thinking.
- [snickers]
- Guess we better
be getting home.
- That's it.
- Huh?
That's exactly
what I was thinking.
I was supposed to
be home early tonight.
You mean I did it?
I think it was just an accident.
Well, maybe it was,
and then again, maybe it wasn't.
Look, let's reason it out.
Say, could I have that?
- Take it.
- Gosh, thanks.
What do you want
with that thing?
Oh, maybe no reason,
and then again,
this just might be
the profession I'm cut out for.
Washington, D.C.?
And you leave when,
this Friday night?
Yes, and return Monday night.
Well, that'll be the fanciest
debating trip you've ever had.
The debating contest
is just part of it.
We get to tour the Capitol
Building and the White House,
maybe even meet the President.
That sounds like a
marvelous opportunity.
I better start getting
my clothes ready.
I should have a new suit
and a few new dresses
and some shoes...
Wait a minute. Hold it.
You're just going
for the weekend,
not the whole
winter social season.
And you're not sure you're going
to be picked for the trip, are you?
Not positively, no,
but Professor Hart says
that he'd probably pick
two from the boys' team
and two from the girls',
and I'm at least second-best
debater on the girls' team.
- You hope.
- Anyway, what I'd better do...
Oh, hi, Bud.
Guess who I'm going
to meet this weekend.
President of the
United States, naturally.
That's right. How
did you know that?
Honest? Was I right?
Yes, I'm going to Washington
with the special debating squad,
and while we're
there, we're going...
How about that?
That's twice now.
What? Fine brother.
Isn't interested
in my trip at all.
Well, he seems to be wrapped
up in problems of his own.
Well, anyway,
about my clothes...
Don't you think
you ought to wait
and find out for
sure if you're going?
Oh, but I am going. I have to.
I'd just die if I
missed out on this.
Wait, Bud. I'm supposed to
brush my teeth and go to bed.
Listen, it'll only
take a second.
I want to try something on you.
- Now...
- Hey, what's this?
It's just a poster.
Now, all you have to
do is think of something,
like say a number. Yeah.
Between what?
Between anything, just a number
and see if I can tell what
number you're thinking of.
Is this a game?
This may be a lot
bigger than a game.
This may be the
turning point in my life.
Now, come on, think of a number,
and concentrate on it.
Okay.
Have you got one?
Yep, 81.
No. No, don't
tell me what it is.
Just think of it. That's all.
Okay, now, try it again.
Oh, all right.
You got it?
Yep.
Uh...
think harder. You're not
getting through to me.
- 7?
- 81.
Did I do something wrong?
No. No, better try it again.
Okay.
Have you got one now?
Yes, I got one.
Uh...
- 81.
- 7.
Did I do something wrong again?
Maybe you better just brush
your teeth and go to bed.
Can I look at this?
"The Great Endor,
world-renowned mind reader."
Oh, is that what
you're trying to do?
Sort of.
Don't say it. I know
exactly what you're thinking.
You're thinking I couldn't
do it in a million years.
How did you know?
That's exactly right.
- It is?
- Exactly.
How about that?
That's three times now.
Come on, sit down. We're
going to try that number thing.
A lot of cooperation I get.
How do you expect
me to be a mind reader
if no one will
cooperate with me?
That's hardly the future
we had in mind for you.
This'll help me, no matter
what I take up, even in school.
Think of the grades I could
get if I could just sit in class
and read the answers
in the teacher's mind.
Fine.
- Hi, honey.
- Oh, Dad, you're just in time.
Why don't you write
down a proverb for me?
Again? That's all we've
done the last few days.
Seems to me you haven't
guessed one right yet.
That's why I need the practice.
Oh...
This isn't something you
can just pick up overnight.
Takes a lot of
hard work, training.
Don't show it to me. Here...
"Get lost."
That's a fine thing
to write to your son.
Hey, mastermind,
somebody's at the front door.
Guess who it is.
How should I know?
I thought you
were a mind reader.
- Oh.
- It's Kippy.
Oh, yeah.
His name was just
coming into my mind.
Mind reader.
Do you think he can
really read minds?
I mean, sometimes?
No, of course not.
- Come on outside. Close the door.
- What's up, Kip?
You know the show they're putting
on in the auditorium tomorrow night.
Uh, The Mikado or
something like that?
Yeah, that's it. It's, uh, an
opera with lots of singers in it.
Well, you know Eddie
Wardlow. Get this.
Eddie Wardlow
has got a girl cousin
- who sings in the chorus.
- Yeah?
And Eddie said he could
sneak us in the back way,
and we can see
the show for free.
And then his cousin will get
us dates for after the show.
- Yeah?
- Crazy, huh?
Yeah.
This is one of those opportunities
that comes along once in a lifetime.
What's the matter?
You look scared.
Scared? Oh, I'm not scared.
I was just thinking.
How old are these chorus girls?
Oh, well, Eddie says
his cousin's only 18,
and we're practically that.
- We will be next year.
- Yeah, that's right.
We'll be the envy of
every guy in school.
Tomorrow night, huh?
I'm supposed to go with my folks
and drive Betty to the
airport tomorrow night.
She's going to Washington
on the debating team.
Look, are you trying
to weasel out of this?
- No, I just...
- You can see
your sister anytime.
I think you're scared.
I'm not scared,
and what's there
to be scared about?
Don't worry. I'll be there.
Okay, we're supposed
to meet Eddie
at the stage door
at 8:00. Got it?
- Got it.
- [car approaches]
Hey, you won't
chicken out, will you?
- Chicken out... Are you kidding?
- [car door opens, closes.
- [footsteps running]
- Don't worry about it.
I'll be there tomorrow
night, 8:00 sharp.
[Ralph] The world's
not coming to an end
just because this
didn't work out.
What happened?
Who knows? Lover's quarrel.
Look, I'll see you tomorrow
night, 8:00 on the nose.
Yeah.
All the way home I've
tried to console her,
but I don't think she
heard a word I said.
- Oh, the poor girl.
- What happened?
- Why, she was so sure.
- What happened?
I'm afraid she was too sure.
No, I think it's a dirty trick.
What's a dirty trick?
I'll bet I know.
Betty didn't get picked
for the trip to Washington.
Oh, gee, that is a
shame, after the way she...
Hey, you know, I must've
just read your minds.
That's how I knew she wasn't...
Bud, we're in no mood
for mind reading now.
What are we doing,
spraying for moths?
What are you getting so
fragrantly dressed up for?
Kippy and I are going
down to the auditorium
to see a show, The Mikado.
The Mikado? You and Kippy?
Sure, is there anything
wrong with that?
No, but when did you get
interested in Gilbert and Sullivan?
Oh, are they in it?
In it? They wrote it.
Well, I understand they
made it into a musical now.
I like music.
I'm glad you're going
to something like that.
Tell me, do you and
Kippy have dates for it?
Dates? Hm, for it?
No. No, we don't, not
for it. Why do you ask?
Because if you don't have,
- I wish you'd ask Betty to go.
- Betty?
We have to do
something to cheer her up,
take her mind off
missing out on that trip.
She's done nothing but mope
around the house last night
and all day today.
Gosh, Mom, I'd like to, but...
Why do you fellows always act
as though it were some
sort of a big disgrace
to be caught taking
your sister somewhere?
Oh, it's not that,
Dad. Betty's great.
It's just that, well, we have
some dates for after the show.
But I thought you
weren't taking any g...
- After the show?
- After the show?
Yeah.
- With who?
- Some girls.
I know that, but who are they?
Well, I don't know their names.
Don't know their names?
One of them is Eddie
Wardlow's cousin.
Where did you meet these girls?
Uh, we never met them. They're
with the show, The Mikado.
- They sing in the chorus.
- Chorus girls?
- Look, son...
- My son out
with a chorus girl?
Well, we're going out with
Eddie's relatives, you might say.
Chorus girls.
Mom, they're
opera stars, sort of.
Bud, that's not the point.
As far as chorus
girls are concerned,
that's a perfectly good,
honorable profession,
but we don't want you
staying out that late,
and we don't want you dating
girls you don't even know.
In short, we don't
want you to go.
Oh, but I have to. Kippy
will think I'm chicken.
Oh, Bud, this is too
preposterous to argue about.
You're not going.
Well, can't I even
go to the show?
That's culture, and
besides, it won't cost a dime.
Eddie's going to sneak
us in the back way.
Sneak? Well, that does it.
I'm not going to have a son of mine
going around sneaking into theaters.
Well, I didn't mean
sneak, exactly.
Bud, you're not going.
But... But I have to.
Kippy's expecting
me to meet him there.
All right, all you have to
do is call him on the phone
and tell him you can't go.
Tell him I said you couldn't.
- But, Dad...
- Go on, call him.
As if we didn't have enough
trouble with Betty tonight,
and now this.
Fine parents I got.
Don't understan...
Hello, is Kippy there?
Already?
No, no message. Thanks.
Dad, Kippy's already gone.
I'll have to go down there
and tell him I can't make it.
No, you don't. When
you don't show up,
the logical thing would
be for him to call you,
and you can tell him then.
Well, Dad, he won't call.
Him and Eddie will just stand
out there and wait for me,
and you know what
they'll think of me?
- Oh...
- Dad, I have to go down there.
Bud, I don't want to
hear any more about this.
I told you you're not
going, and that's that.
Maybe you better go up
to your room and stay there
until you can understand that.
- Bud, Dad...
- I said it was settled.
Dad, you don't understand.
I have to go down there
and at least tell him.
In fact, I'm going.
Son, if you set one foot
outside this house tonight,
I'll take away your allowance
for the next three months.
Now, go up to your room and
see if you can come to your senses.
[doorbell rings]
Oh, good evening,
Ralph. Come on in.
Hello, Mrs. Anderson.
How's Betty? Is she
feeling any better?
Well, not much.
We haven't been able
to cheer her up at all.
Do you think there's any use
in my asking her to
go someplace tonight?
Oh, I wish you'd try.
Betty, Ralph's here.
She can't sit around and
mourn the rest of her life.
Well, I felt the least
I could do was try
even though I'm pretty
sure she won't want to go.
You're wrong.
I've come to the conclusion
that I've suffered enough.
Where are you planning to go?
Oh, just anywhere you'd like to.
I thought we'd
kind of ad lib it.
Sounds fine with me.
All I ask is that
we don't even talk
about that silly
trip to Washington.
They can have
it. I don't want it.
Who needs it? I don't
even care anymore.
I wish that were true.
I still feel so
miserable, I can taste it.
I really wanted that trip.
Well, there's nothing
I can do about it now.
Well, you go upstairs and get
your wrap and go with Ralph
and maybe you'll
forget all about it.
All right.
It's a horrible
thing to do to you,
inflicting me upon you tonight.
You said it, but I'm a
glutton for punishment.
Oh, boy, I thought you
were never going to come.
I had a tough time
getting out. Where's Eddie?
I don't know. He
hasn't shown up yet.
- I...
- Look, I can't go
on this date tonight.
It's not because
I'm chicken, see.
My folks won't let me.
In fact, they locked
me in my room,
but I snuck out
just to tell you this.
I said I'd be here,
and I'm here.
I've got to get back now
before they discover
that I'm gone,
or I'm really in a jam.
Well, hope you guys
have a good time.
Bud, wait a minute.
- I've got to get home, too.
- Huh?
Yeah, my folks
won't let me, either.
I just came down to let you know
so you wouldn't think
I've chickened out.
You mean, you...
[laughs] You know, I bet that's
what happened to Eddie, too.
And he didn't even have enough
nerve to come down and tell us.
Yeah, old big-talk
Eddie. He sure is chicken.
Come on, we've got to get
going, or I'll be a dead goose.
- Hey, what's the big idea...
- Shh.
- It's my sister.
- Oh.
All I need is for her to see me
and blab it all over the house.
Well, what do you
think of this place?
Think it'll be any fun?
Sure. I've never
been here before,
but are you sure it
isn't kind of expensive?
Oh, look, this is
forget-Washington-at-any-cost
night, remember?
Boy, was that ever a close one.
I can just see three months'
allowance flying away.
Come on, let's
run home. Let's go.
[phone rings]
Hey, somebody get the phone.
[rings]
Hello?
No, Betty's not
here this evening.
Could I take the mess...
Who?
Oh, yes, Professor Hart.
Oh, really?
Oh, my goodness, I'm
not sure where she went.
Well, don't worry.
We'll find her.
Yes. Yes.
Yes, we will,
and we'll call you just as...
Oh, where are you now?
Oh. Oh, good.
All right. Thank you. Goodbye.
What's up?
The trip, the Washington
deal... Betty can go.
One of the debaters...
One of the boys became ill,
and Professor Hart
wants Betty to go.
Now? My gosh, their plane
leaves in less than two hours.
I know it. That's why we
have to find her right away.
Where did she end up going?
I don't remember her say
where they were going.
I don't, either. We just have
to try all the usual places.
Maybe they went
to the malt shop.
I bet they went to a movie.
I'll go up and
check with the kids,
see if they heard
Betty mention anything.
[rapid knock on door]
Bud, are you in there?
Uh, yeah, Dad. Come on in.
Do you know where Betty went?
Uh, where Betty...
Well, how should I know?
You've no idea?
Why do you ask me?
How would I have any idea,
just sitting here in my room?
I was hoping you might've
mentioned where they were going.
Betty has a chance to
go to Washington after all
if we can find her.
The plane leaves in
less than two hours.
Kathy, do you know where
Betty and Ralph went?
[Kathy] No, Daddy.
Okay, so you know
what I'm thinking.
What do I do now?
Can you tell me that?
If I tell them where Betty is,
I'm just slipping a noose
around my own neck.
And if I don't,
it's my fault Betty
misses her...
Boy, how did I ever get
myself into a fix like this?
Yes, well, look, if you should
happen to hear from Betty,
have her call home right away.
It's very urgent.
Thank you.
Oh, I don't know who else
to call or where else to look.
We checked every malt shop,
every movie, all of her friends.
Yes, and time is
running out, too.
There must be someone
who knows where she is.
If we can only find out
who that someone is.
What are you looking at me for?
Well, I was just thinking.
If you're a mind reader,
why can't you read Betty's
mind and find out where she is?
Are you kidding? I can't...
Well, yeah.
Yeah, yeah, now wait.
Mom, Dad, I know you
don't believe in mind reading,
but in a situation like this,
you've got to try anything.
I'm going to try
and contact Betty.
Yes, I'm getting vibrations.
Oh, Bud, cut
out this silly stuff.
- We haven't
any time for jokes.
- I'm not joking.
I see her in a place where
people are eating and dancing.
Well, look under civic.
Yes, the name of it
is The Cattle Club.
No. No, it's The Castle Club.
Dad, is there such a place?
Sure, but Ralph couldn't
afford to take her there.
- Try it anyway.
- Oh.
At least try The Castle
Club. She might be there.
Bud, don't you
realize this is serious?
Betty's plane leaves
in less than an hour?
I know. That's why
I'm trying to help.
I'm sure that's the name that
keeps coming into my mind.
Why not try it?
But why not?
I admit it's a wild chance,
but that's what we're down to.
Here it is... Castle Club.
Oh, give me that darn book.
We can't afford to waste
time on wild guesses.
- I'll look under municipal.
- Hello?
Oh, I'm trying to locate a young
lady named Betty Anderson.
She may be there. Would
you please page her and see?
Well, this is very urgent.
Let's call the airport and
see if there's a later plane
that'll still get Betty to Washington
in time for the debating...
Betty!
- Betty, hurry... hurry home.
- Oh, my...
Come and get your stuff.
You're going to Washington.
I'll explain later.
Just hurry home.
Yes. Yes. Goodbye.
Oh, we found her. We found...
Bud, how in the world?
Do you get visions or what?
Will you teach me how?
Oh...
Well, not right now. I, uh,
got some homework to do.
Oh, isn't it wonderful to have a
real mind reader in the family?
Yes.
Isn't it?
Well, Endor, old buddy. Thanks.
We sure put one over on
them, didn't we? [chuckles]
[sighs]
All right, will you
stop staring at me?
Okay, so you know
what I'm thinking.
All right, I cheated.
Okay, okay. I'll tell them.
I was just coming
down to tell you the truth.
Good.
I climbed out that window and...
And the Castle Club is practically
next door to the auditorium
where you were
supposed to meet Kippy.
But honest, Dad, I
just went down there
to tell Kippy I couldn't go.
Honest.
Kippy's folks wouldn't
let him go, either.
Gosh, Dad, three months'
allowance... that's an awful lot.
It was meant to be, and it
should stick. Don't you think?
Yes, sir.
But I also want you to realize
the great value in telling the truth,
which you've just done.
That's why I'll give some
thought to a suspended sentence.
That green paint from the
shingles clashes with your tie.
You better change your trousers
before we take
Betty to the airport.
Closed-Captioned By J.R.
Media Services, Inc. Burbank, CA
with Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray,
and Lauren Chapin in...
[chuckles] "Mind reader."
You know, people
sure are suckers.
- They fall for anything.
- Yeah, you said it.
Come on, we better get
inside, or we won't get a seat.
You know, those
eyes make you feel
he really does know
what you're thinking.
Gee, I'd hate to have him
hanging around the house.
Yeah.
Yes. Yes, I'm ready.
I will now tell you what the young
man has written on the slip of paper.
His name is, uh...
His name is, uh...
I can't quite make it out.
Very poor handwriting.
The name is...
Bud Anderson?
The address is 6-0-7...
South Maple.
The proverb...
The proverb he has written...
Well, the young man
has not stated it correctly.
He has written,
"Never burn your
bridges behind you
before you cross them."
I think what the young
man had in mind was,
"Don't cross your bridges
before you come to them."
Miss Florine,
did I read the note correctly?
You are completely
and exactly correct.
[audience applauds]
[Bud] Man, what a mind.
Boy, what I wouldn't
give to be able to do that.
Oh, he can't
actually read minds.
- It's just a trick.
- What trick?
You saw him read every
word that I wrote down,
and you know I'm
not working for him.
No, but that assistant is.
Did you hear her give
him one single hint?
- No, but he got...
- He explained how he did it.
Just makes his mind
a complete blank,
and then gets the thought
waves from somebody else.
I'll bet I could
do it if I practiced.
- Oh, cut it out.
- No, I bet I could.
Look, let's try it.
You think of something
and concentrate on it,
and I'll see if I can't get it.
- Go ahead, think of something.
- I don't want...
[snaps fingers]
Okay, I'll do it.
All right, I'll think
of something.
Tell me what I'm thinking.
- [snickers]
- Guess we better
be getting home.
- That's it.
- Huh?
That's exactly
what I was thinking.
I was supposed to
be home early tonight.
You mean I did it?
I think it was just an accident.
Well, maybe it was,
and then again, maybe it wasn't.
Look, let's reason it out.
Say, could I have that?
- Take it.
- Gosh, thanks.
What do you want
with that thing?
Oh, maybe no reason,
and then again,
this just might be
the profession I'm cut out for.
Washington, D.C.?
And you leave when,
this Friday night?
Yes, and return Monday night.
Well, that'll be the fanciest
debating trip you've ever had.
The debating contest
is just part of it.
We get to tour the Capitol
Building and the White House,
maybe even meet the President.
That sounds like a
marvelous opportunity.
I better start getting
my clothes ready.
I should have a new suit
and a few new dresses
and some shoes...
Wait a minute. Hold it.
You're just going
for the weekend,
not the whole
winter social season.
And you're not sure you're going
to be picked for the trip, are you?
Not positively, no,
but Professor Hart says
that he'd probably pick
two from the boys' team
and two from the girls',
and I'm at least second-best
debater on the girls' team.
- You hope.
- Anyway, what I'd better do...
Oh, hi, Bud.
Guess who I'm going
to meet this weekend.
President of the
United States, naturally.
That's right. How
did you know that?
Honest? Was I right?
Yes, I'm going to Washington
with the special debating squad,
and while we're
there, we're going...
How about that?
That's twice now.
What? Fine brother.
Isn't interested
in my trip at all.
Well, he seems to be wrapped
up in problems of his own.
Well, anyway,
about my clothes...
Don't you think
you ought to wait
and find out for
sure if you're going?
Oh, but I am going. I have to.
I'd just die if I
missed out on this.
Wait, Bud. I'm supposed to
brush my teeth and go to bed.
Listen, it'll only
take a second.
I want to try something on you.
- Now...
- Hey, what's this?
It's just a poster.
Now, all you have to
do is think of something,
like say a number. Yeah.
Between what?
Between anything, just a number
and see if I can tell what
number you're thinking of.
Is this a game?
This may be a lot
bigger than a game.
This may be the
turning point in my life.
Now, come on, think of a number,
and concentrate on it.
Okay.
Have you got one?
Yep, 81.
No. No, don't
tell me what it is.
Just think of it. That's all.
Okay, now, try it again.
Oh, all right.
You got it?
Yep.
Uh...
think harder. You're not
getting through to me.
- 7?
- 81.
Did I do something wrong?
No. No, better try it again.
Okay.
Have you got one now?
Yes, I got one.
Uh...
- 81.
- 7.
Did I do something wrong again?
Maybe you better just brush
your teeth and go to bed.
Can I look at this?
"The Great Endor,
world-renowned mind reader."
Oh, is that what
you're trying to do?
Sort of.
Don't say it. I know
exactly what you're thinking.
You're thinking I couldn't
do it in a million years.
How did you know?
That's exactly right.
- It is?
- Exactly.
How about that?
That's three times now.
Come on, sit down. We're
going to try that number thing.
A lot of cooperation I get.
How do you expect
me to be a mind reader
if no one will
cooperate with me?
That's hardly the future
we had in mind for you.
This'll help me, no matter
what I take up, even in school.
Think of the grades I could
get if I could just sit in class
and read the answers
in the teacher's mind.
Fine.
- Hi, honey.
- Oh, Dad, you're just in time.
Why don't you write
down a proverb for me?
Again? That's all we've
done the last few days.
Seems to me you haven't
guessed one right yet.
That's why I need the practice.
Oh...
This isn't something you
can just pick up overnight.
Takes a lot of
hard work, training.
Don't show it to me. Here...
"Get lost."
That's a fine thing
to write to your son.
Hey, mastermind,
somebody's at the front door.
Guess who it is.
How should I know?
I thought you
were a mind reader.
- Oh.
- It's Kippy.
Oh, yeah.
His name was just
coming into my mind.
Mind reader.
Do you think he can
really read minds?
I mean, sometimes?
No, of course not.
- Come on outside. Close the door.
- What's up, Kip?
You know the show they're putting
on in the auditorium tomorrow night.
Uh, The Mikado or
something like that?
Yeah, that's it. It's, uh, an
opera with lots of singers in it.
Well, you know Eddie
Wardlow. Get this.
Eddie Wardlow
has got a girl cousin
- who sings in the chorus.
- Yeah?
And Eddie said he could
sneak us in the back way,
and we can see
the show for free.
And then his cousin will get
us dates for after the show.
- Yeah?
- Crazy, huh?
Yeah.
This is one of those opportunities
that comes along once in a lifetime.
What's the matter?
You look scared.
Scared? Oh, I'm not scared.
I was just thinking.
How old are these chorus girls?
Oh, well, Eddie says
his cousin's only 18,
and we're practically that.
- We will be next year.
- Yeah, that's right.
We'll be the envy of
every guy in school.
Tomorrow night, huh?
I'm supposed to go with my folks
and drive Betty to the
airport tomorrow night.
She's going to Washington
on the debating team.
Look, are you trying
to weasel out of this?
- No, I just...
- You can see
your sister anytime.
I think you're scared.
I'm not scared,
and what's there
to be scared about?
Don't worry. I'll be there.
Okay, we're supposed
to meet Eddie
at the stage door
at 8:00. Got it?
- Got it.
- [car approaches]
Hey, you won't
chicken out, will you?
- Chicken out... Are you kidding?
- [car door opens, closes.
- [footsteps running]
- Don't worry about it.
I'll be there tomorrow
night, 8:00 sharp.
[Ralph] The world's
not coming to an end
just because this
didn't work out.
What happened?
Who knows? Lover's quarrel.
Look, I'll see you tomorrow
night, 8:00 on the nose.
Yeah.
All the way home I've
tried to console her,
but I don't think she
heard a word I said.
- Oh, the poor girl.
- What happened?
- Why, she was so sure.
- What happened?
I'm afraid she was too sure.
No, I think it's a dirty trick.
What's a dirty trick?
I'll bet I know.
Betty didn't get picked
for the trip to Washington.
Oh, gee, that is a
shame, after the way she...
Hey, you know, I must've
just read your minds.
That's how I knew she wasn't...
Bud, we're in no mood
for mind reading now.
What are we doing,
spraying for moths?
What are you getting so
fragrantly dressed up for?
Kippy and I are going
down to the auditorium
to see a show, The Mikado.
The Mikado? You and Kippy?
Sure, is there anything
wrong with that?
No, but when did you get
interested in Gilbert and Sullivan?
Oh, are they in it?
In it? They wrote it.
Well, I understand they
made it into a musical now.
I like music.
I'm glad you're going
to something like that.
Tell me, do you and
Kippy have dates for it?
Dates? Hm, for it?
No. No, we don't, not
for it. Why do you ask?
Because if you don't have,
- I wish you'd ask Betty to go.
- Betty?
We have to do
something to cheer her up,
take her mind off
missing out on that trip.
She's done nothing but mope
around the house last night
and all day today.
Gosh, Mom, I'd like to, but...
Why do you fellows always act
as though it were some
sort of a big disgrace
to be caught taking
your sister somewhere?
Oh, it's not that,
Dad. Betty's great.
It's just that, well, we have
some dates for after the show.
But I thought you
weren't taking any g...
- After the show?
- After the show?
Yeah.
- With who?
- Some girls.
I know that, but who are they?
Well, I don't know their names.
Don't know their names?
One of them is Eddie
Wardlow's cousin.
Where did you meet these girls?
Uh, we never met them. They're
with the show, The Mikado.
- They sing in the chorus.
- Chorus girls?
- Look, son...
- My son out
with a chorus girl?
Well, we're going out with
Eddie's relatives, you might say.
Chorus girls.
Mom, they're
opera stars, sort of.
Bud, that's not the point.
As far as chorus
girls are concerned,
that's a perfectly good,
honorable profession,
but we don't want you
staying out that late,
and we don't want you dating
girls you don't even know.
In short, we don't
want you to go.
Oh, but I have to. Kippy
will think I'm chicken.
Oh, Bud, this is too
preposterous to argue about.
You're not going.
Well, can't I even
go to the show?
That's culture, and
besides, it won't cost a dime.
Eddie's going to sneak
us in the back way.
Sneak? Well, that does it.
I'm not going to have a son of mine
going around sneaking into theaters.
Well, I didn't mean
sneak, exactly.
Bud, you're not going.
But... But I have to.
Kippy's expecting
me to meet him there.
All right, all you have to
do is call him on the phone
and tell him you can't go.
Tell him I said you couldn't.
- But, Dad...
- Go on, call him.
As if we didn't have enough
trouble with Betty tonight,
and now this.
Fine parents I got.
Don't understan...
Hello, is Kippy there?
Already?
No, no message. Thanks.
Dad, Kippy's already gone.
I'll have to go down there
and tell him I can't make it.
No, you don't. When
you don't show up,
the logical thing would
be for him to call you,
and you can tell him then.
Well, Dad, he won't call.
Him and Eddie will just stand
out there and wait for me,
and you know what
they'll think of me?
- Oh...
- Dad, I have to go down there.
Bud, I don't want to
hear any more about this.
I told you you're not
going, and that's that.
Maybe you better go up
to your room and stay there
until you can understand that.
- Bud, Dad...
- I said it was settled.
Dad, you don't understand.
I have to go down there
and at least tell him.
In fact, I'm going.
Son, if you set one foot
outside this house tonight,
I'll take away your allowance
for the next three months.
Now, go up to your room and
see if you can come to your senses.
[doorbell rings]
Oh, good evening,
Ralph. Come on in.
Hello, Mrs. Anderson.
How's Betty? Is she
feeling any better?
Well, not much.
We haven't been able
to cheer her up at all.
Do you think there's any use
in my asking her to
go someplace tonight?
Oh, I wish you'd try.
Betty, Ralph's here.
She can't sit around and
mourn the rest of her life.
Well, I felt the least
I could do was try
even though I'm pretty
sure she won't want to go.
You're wrong.
I've come to the conclusion
that I've suffered enough.
Where are you planning to go?
Oh, just anywhere you'd like to.
I thought we'd
kind of ad lib it.
Sounds fine with me.
All I ask is that
we don't even talk
about that silly
trip to Washington.
They can have
it. I don't want it.
Who needs it? I don't
even care anymore.
I wish that were true.
I still feel so
miserable, I can taste it.
I really wanted that trip.
Well, there's nothing
I can do about it now.
Well, you go upstairs and get
your wrap and go with Ralph
and maybe you'll
forget all about it.
All right.
It's a horrible
thing to do to you,
inflicting me upon you tonight.
You said it, but I'm a
glutton for punishment.
Oh, boy, I thought you
were never going to come.
I had a tough time
getting out. Where's Eddie?
I don't know. He
hasn't shown up yet.
- I...
- Look, I can't go
on this date tonight.
It's not because
I'm chicken, see.
My folks won't let me.
In fact, they locked
me in my room,
but I snuck out
just to tell you this.
I said I'd be here,
and I'm here.
I've got to get back now
before they discover
that I'm gone,
or I'm really in a jam.
Well, hope you guys
have a good time.
Bud, wait a minute.
- I've got to get home, too.
- Huh?
Yeah, my folks
won't let me, either.
I just came down to let you know
so you wouldn't think
I've chickened out.
You mean, you...
[laughs] You know, I bet that's
what happened to Eddie, too.
And he didn't even have enough
nerve to come down and tell us.
Yeah, old big-talk
Eddie. He sure is chicken.
Come on, we've got to get
going, or I'll be a dead goose.
- Hey, what's the big idea...
- Shh.
- It's my sister.
- Oh.
All I need is for her to see me
and blab it all over the house.
Well, what do you
think of this place?
Think it'll be any fun?
Sure. I've never
been here before,
but are you sure it
isn't kind of expensive?
Oh, look, this is
forget-Washington-at-any-cost
night, remember?
Boy, was that ever a close one.
I can just see three months'
allowance flying away.
Come on, let's
run home. Let's go.
[phone rings]
Hey, somebody get the phone.
[rings]
Hello?
No, Betty's not
here this evening.
Could I take the mess...
Who?
Oh, yes, Professor Hart.
Oh, really?
Oh, my goodness, I'm
not sure where she went.
Well, don't worry.
We'll find her.
Yes. Yes.
Yes, we will,
and we'll call you just as...
Oh, where are you now?
Oh. Oh, good.
All right. Thank you. Goodbye.
What's up?
The trip, the Washington
deal... Betty can go.
One of the debaters...
One of the boys became ill,
and Professor Hart
wants Betty to go.
Now? My gosh, their plane
leaves in less than two hours.
I know it. That's why we
have to find her right away.
Where did she end up going?
I don't remember her say
where they were going.
I don't, either. We just have
to try all the usual places.
Maybe they went
to the malt shop.
I bet they went to a movie.
I'll go up and
check with the kids,
see if they heard
Betty mention anything.
[rapid knock on door]
Bud, are you in there?
Uh, yeah, Dad. Come on in.
Do you know where Betty went?
Uh, where Betty...
Well, how should I know?
You've no idea?
Why do you ask me?
How would I have any idea,
just sitting here in my room?
I was hoping you might've
mentioned where they were going.
Betty has a chance to
go to Washington after all
if we can find her.
The plane leaves in
less than two hours.
Kathy, do you know where
Betty and Ralph went?
[Kathy] No, Daddy.
Okay, so you know
what I'm thinking.
What do I do now?
Can you tell me that?
If I tell them where Betty is,
I'm just slipping a noose
around my own neck.
And if I don't,
it's my fault Betty
misses her...
Boy, how did I ever get
myself into a fix like this?
Yes, well, look, if you should
happen to hear from Betty,
have her call home right away.
It's very urgent.
Thank you.
Oh, I don't know who else
to call or where else to look.
We checked every malt shop,
every movie, all of her friends.
Yes, and time is
running out, too.
There must be someone
who knows where she is.
If we can only find out
who that someone is.
What are you looking at me for?
Well, I was just thinking.
If you're a mind reader,
why can't you read Betty's
mind and find out where she is?
Are you kidding? I can't...
Well, yeah.
Yeah, yeah, now wait.
Mom, Dad, I know you
don't believe in mind reading,
but in a situation like this,
you've got to try anything.
I'm going to try
and contact Betty.
Yes, I'm getting vibrations.
Oh, Bud, cut
out this silly stuff.
- We haven't
any time for jokes.
- I'm not joking.
I see her in a place where
people are eating and dancing.
Well, look under civic.
Yes, the name of it
is The Cattle Club.
No. No, it's The Castle Club.
Dad, is there such a place?
Sure, but Ralph couldn't
afford to take her there.
- Try it anyway.
- Oh.
At least try The Castle
Club. She might be there.
Bud, don't you
realize this is serious?
Betty's plane leaves
in less than an hour?
I know. That's why
I'm trying to help.
I'm sure that's the name that
keeps coming into my mind.
Why not try it?
But why not?
I admit it's a wild chance,
but that's what we're down to.
Here it is... Castle Club.
Oh, give me that darn book.
We can't afford to waste
time on wild guesses.
- I'll look under municipal.
- Hello?
Oh, I'm trying to locate a young
lady named Betty Anderson.
She may be there. Would
you please page her and see?
Well, this is very urgent.
Let's call the airport and
see if there's a later plane
that'll still get Betty to Washington
in time for the debating...
Betty!
- Betty, hurry... hurry home.
- Oh, my...
Come and get your stuff.
You're going to Washington.
I'll explain later.
Just hurry home.
Yes. Yes. Goodbye.
Oh, we found her. We found...
Bud, how in the world?
Do you get visions or what?
Will you teach me how?
Oh...
Well, not right now. I, uh,
got some homework to do.
Oh, isn't it wonderful to have a
real mind reader in the family?
Yes.
Isn't it?
Well, Endor, old buddy. Thanks.
We sure put one over on
them, didn't we? [chuckles]
[sighs]
All right, will you
stop staring at me?
Okay, so you know
what I'm thinking.
All right, I cheated.
Okay, okay. I'll tell them.
I was just coming
down to tell you the truth.
Good.
I climbed out that window and...
And the Castle Club is practically
next door to the auditorium
where you were
supposed to meet Kippy.
But honest, Dad, I
just went down there
to tell Kippy I couldn't go.
Honest.
Kippy's folks wouldn't
let him go, either.
Gosh, Dad, three months'
allowance... that's an awful lot.
It was meant to be, and it
should stick. Don't you think?
Yes, sir.
But I also want you to realize
the great value in telling the truth,
which you've just done.
That's why I'll give some
thought to a suspended sentence.
That green paint from the
shingles clashes with your tie.
You better change your trousers
before we take
Betty to the airport.
Closed-Captioned By J.R.
Media Services, Inc. Burbank, CA