Good Times (1974–1979): Season 3, Episode 9 - The Politicians - full transcript
Florida and James are on opposite sides of the political fence, and it causes problems and discussions within the family.
♪ Good times Any time
you meet a payment ♪
♪ Good times Any
time you need a friend ♪
♪ Good times Any time
you're out from under ♪
♪ Not gettin' hassled
Not gettin' hustled ♪
♪ Keepin' your
head Above water ♪
♪ Makin' a wave when you can ♪
♪ Temporary layoffs Good times ♪
♪ Easy credit
rip-offs Good times ♪
♪ Scratchin' and
survivin' Good times ♪
♪ Hangin' in a chow
line Good times ♪
♪ Ain't we lucky we got 'em? ♪
♪ Good times ♪♪
Michael, you better stuff
them pamphlets faster.
Look at the big
pile we got left here.
Why do we have to
stuff for Fred Davis?
Because me and your
mother always vote for him.
Daddy, why do you and Mama
always have to vote for him?
Because he's the
best man for the job.
Now, shut up and keep stuffing.
All right, but I'm
stuffing under protest.
What did you say, young man?
I said I wish I was old enough
to vote for Fred Davis.
That's what I thought you said.
You stuffing under
protest too, young lady?
Well, frankly, Daddy, I
don't know about Fred Davis.
The other day,
I heard him talk
for a half-hour,
and he didn't say nothing.
Well, Thelma, he's a politician.
He ain't supposed
to say nothing.
Uh, what I mean is,
uh, he ain't a talker.
He's a doer.
But he's been the
alderman in this ward
for over 20 years.
Don't you think it's time
for somebody with
some new ideas?
You know somebody
better for the job?
Yeah. Jimmy Pearson.
Jimmy Pearson? That kid?
Daddy, Jimmy
Pearson's not a kid.
He's 26, and that's old.
Well, I ain't voting for nobody
that's still wearing Pampers.
That's what's wrong
with this country...
Too many decisions being made
by people still
in their playpens.
That's because all
the old politicians
are in state pens.
Just shut up and
keep stuffing, mister.
Hello, dear brother.
Hello, dear father.
Hello... whatever
that is in a dress.
Well, at least I
fill out a dress.
Paint some numbers on your body
and you'd look
like a thermometer.
You got some nerve,
you old fever face...
All right, will you
two knock it off?
Junior, you get them
Davis posters up
like I asked you to?
I sure did, Dad.
Fred Davis is painted
all over the ghetto.
I put one on the
back of a passing bus,
one on the back of a police car,
and you know that chicken place
with the Kentucky colonel
smiling down at you?
Yeah.
Well, now Fred is
smiling right back at him
from the bucket.
I even put one on
Ned the Wino's chest.
What you do that for, Junior?
Great exposure, Dad.
When people step
over him in the gutter,
they've got to see his face.
I tell you, I use my head.
Only to separate your ears.
Be quiet, Thelma.
Otherwise, I'll put
a Fred Davis poster
on your face.
It'd be a definite improvement.
Look who's talking about faces.
If you ever ran for dog catcher,
you'd lose to the dog.
You, uh, thinking about
running against me?
That's enough of that.
Both of you knock it off
or you gonna be
absentee ballots.
By the way, Dad, uh,
how much we
getting paid for this?
Nothing.
Junior, this is volunteer work.
Why, don't you ever do anything
besides think about money?
Yeah.
I think about girls, which
brings me back to money.
Hi, kids.
Hi, Mom. Hey, Mom.
Hey, baby.
James, you're home.
I thought you went
bowling tonight.
Yeah, I was gonna,
but I promised Fred
I'd get these
pamphlets out for him.
Where you been?
Oh, out.
Out where?
Oh, the usual places:
the market, the bakery,
the five-and-dime,
Jimmy Pearson's rally,
the drugstore, and
then... Wait a minute.
Hold it, hold it,
hold it, hold it.
Back up there a minute.
Where did you say you were?
The drugstore?
No, go back a little bit more.
The five-and-dime.
Back a little bit more.
The market.
No, baby.
Now come forward
just a wee taste.
The bakery?
Uh-uh, not the bakery.
Jimmy Pearson's rally?
Bingo.
Now, Florida, have
you lost your mind?
I mean, that's just like
Reverend Jesse Jackson
cheering for Lester Maddox.
That kid is the opposition.
Oh, James,
I have watched
Jimmy Pearson grow up
since he was a little boy,
and he has really come along.
You know, he's
young, he's bright.
Honey, he is the future.
Yeah, but baby,
where's your gratitude?
If it weren't for Fred Davis,
we would never have
got into the projects.
Well, it's about time
somebody got us
out of the projects.
Well, Fred always helped us
when we needed it.
If it hadn't been for him,
Junior wouldn't have been born.
What?
You remember when
we first got married,
we said we couldn't
afford to have no children
until I got a job?
It was Fred that got me
that temporary job
at the stock yard.
Then we had you.
One more reason to
vote against Fred Davis.
That'll be enough
out of you, young lady.
I think I feel
another hair in
my beard growing.
It must be a full moon
tonight, werewolf.
Daddy, I don't
see anything wrong
with Mama going to
the Jimmy Pearson rally.
Jimmy Pearson wants
us to have dignity.
He wants us to be able to
walk with our heads high,
and he is for equal
rights for women.
Oh, now, Florida,
what you talking about?
You've always had equal rights
as far as I'm concerned.
Every time we have a problem,
don't I always
discuss it with you first
before I tell you what
we're going to do about it?
But Daddy,
Jimmy Pearson would
really do a better job for us.
Thelma, you just saying that
because he's young
and good looking.
Oh, Thelma, if
it were up to you,
we'd vote for Billy Dee
Williams for president.
What good would it do?
They'd still call it
the White House.
Look, I don't want to hear
no more talk about
Jimmy Pearson,
and that's final.
♪ Hail, hail The
gang's all here ♪
Lord... I think I better
change that song
to "Help Me Make It
Through the Night."
He didn't go bowling, Willona.
Yeah, but there's
a couple of pins
he's about to knock
over right now.
Willona, what you doing
here with that poster?
What poster?
Oh, you mean this poster?
Well, uh... James,
the reason Willona
brought the poster in
is because I invited
Jimmy Pearson over
tonight.
We're helping him
with his campaign.
Oh... Oh, James, come on,
what is wrong with
supporting youth?
Half the population
of this country
is under 40.
Right.
Not your half, sweetie.
Okay, James, I owe you one.
James, you know,
I been voting for Fred
Davis for a long time,
but I'm beginning to realize
he's nothing but
a political hack.
Yeah, he thinks just
because he gives out
free turkeys on Thanksgiving,
everybody's got to vote for him.
Michael, that's the
way the game is played.
I mean, he does small favors,
he gets small favors done back.
It's a case of one
hand washing the other.
Yeah, but they don't get clean
if they're washed
in dirty water.
Whoo!
Yes!
Y'all calling Fred
Davis a crook?
Well, all I figure is,
if any man that can afford
a new Cadillac every year,
spend a month's vacation
in Bermuda every winter,
buy his wife fancy mink coats,
all on an alderman's salary,
is either a crook
or makes a whole lot
on Let's Make a Deal.
I don't want to hear
no more bad mouthing
about my friend Fred Davis,
and I don't want that
Jimmy Pearson in my house.
You keep saying "my house."
The last I remember,
it was our house,
and I did invite
Jimmy Pearson over...
Yeah, well, if that's him,
I'm gonna uninvite him.
Now, James. James. James...
Baby, take it easy.
I'm gonna be polite.
I'm gonna treat him
real gentleman-like.
You ain't welcome here!
Uh, sorry, Fred.
I thought you
was a bill collector.
I know the feeling.
Many a time, the
wolf was at my door.
Yeah.
He probably skinned it
to make another
fur coat for his wife.
What did you say, Willona?
I said... She said, uh...
She hoped you didn't
skin your knuckles
when I slammed the door.
Uh, ain't y'all gonna
say hello to Fred?
Well, hi, everybody.
It's good to see the
Evans family again.
You know, you're
my favorite family
in this whole project.
I had to work like
mad to get you in here,
but it was worth it.
You're good people.
The Evans family
always votes for
the straight ticket,
and you too, Willona...
and that's why I
never forget you.
My goodness, J.J.,
you get bigger
every time I see you.
I'm Michael.
Oh, of course.
I can still remember
the christening
when I held you in my arms.
That was me.
When Michael was christened,
you were in Bermuda.
Oh, yes, one of
my rare vacations.
A man needs a little rest
from the hard work
of helping run the city.
A man needs a lot of rest
if he can't tell a
boy from a girl.
Hey, Mr. Davis.
What's happening?
J.J.
Uh, you are J.J., aren't you?
Am I J.J.?
Are there black
people in Harlem?
Ah, talking about growing,
you're really
springing up there.
And, uh, hey, do I detect
a little beard coming out there?
Yeah, I must have
missed one of the hairs.
Well, two out of
three ain't bad.
And, uh, Mr. Davis,
speaking of shaving cream,
you know, shaving
cream costs money,
and I been doing all
this volunteer work here,
and I was wondering... Junior.
I am very, very happy to do it,
without a doubt.
That's why I love this family...
and you too, Willona.
Everybody pulling
together for the cause.
You know, I've been
in politics a long time.
A long time.
A long, long time.
Let me tell you
what wins elections.
It's good, loyal
precinct workers
like you, James.
Well, I do what I
can to help, Fred.
And I appreciate it.
You know, any time
you got a problem,
you feel free to call on me.
Will do. I want
to be more to you
than just a turkey
at Thanksgiving.
To me, he's a
turkey all year round.
Each of you is a cornerstone
that built my career.
James, Florida...
and you too, Willona.
I can always count
on your votes.
And, uh,
I'm gonna be voting
too this year, Mr. Davis.
It's my, uh, first time.
Oh, that's wonderful.
Welcome to the
American dream, son.
Yeah.
I'm gonna be in
that voting booth,
pulling them levers.
I'll be double
clutching so fast,
I'll punch out the
name Davis three times
before I slap it
back up into park.
No, no, just your one
vote will be enough.
The one thing
that we're proud of
in our Chicago
elections is their honesty.
You know,
it just warms my heart
to see this whole family...
And you too, Willona.
Yes, and you too, Willona.
You know, just
between you and me,
the opposition blew it this time
putting up that young
egghead against me.
And what is wrong with
that young egghead?
Yeah. Yeah, what's
wrong with him?
Same thing that's wrong
with all young eggheads.
He's soft-boiled.
You get the yoke?
And you'll need a
man like me in this area
who understands the problems.
He should understand them.
He created them.
I want to ask you something.
Jimmy Pearson has been trying
to debate the problems with you.
Why do you keep avoiding him?
Oh, I haven't been avoiding him.
Oh, yes, you have.
In fact,
if the poor kid
was here right now,
I'd tear him apart.
Well, here's...
Here's your chance, Mr. Davis.
Meet Jimmy Pearson.
I think the grits
done hit the pan.
How are you, Pearson?
Fine, thank you, sir.
My goodness.
You look younger
than your pictures.
Oh, really?
How old are you, son?
26, sir.
26.
I remember when I was 26.
Just getting started.
Yeah, you and
the Mills Brothers.
No, I didn't have nothing to do
with him coming over here, Fred.
Florida invited him.
I don't know what's gotten
into that woman lately.
What's gotten into
me is some sense.
When Fred Davis
asked me to vote for him
after 20 years of doing nothing,
I say nothing doing.
You know, Mr. Davis,
I've been trying to
get in touch with you
for quite some time now
to discuss the
issues, but it seems
like every time
I call your office,
your secretary
says that you're out.
Well, uh, I can understand that.
I mean,
when a man's messing
with his secretary,
he don't like to
be... interrupted.
You know, the law says
he's old enough to vote,
but they ain't
heard him talk yet.
Nevertheless, Mr. Davis,
I am glad that we had
this opportunity to meet,
because I would like to discuss
some questions
and issues with you.
No more than me, son,
but right now I
have to rush off.
I left my car in a
no parking zone.
That shouldn't bother you.
You fix everybody
else's tickets.
That's cold, Florida...
but I understand.
If you want to vote
for a loser this time...
A loser?
It's okay with me. Goodbye.
No, no, Davis,
please don't rush off.
Let's talk issues.
Tear him up, Fred.
All right.
I'll give you time
for just one question.
Shoot.
All right, Davis.
How come you never
tell what your position is
on the citizen" review board
to handle complaints
against the police?
Well, um... you see, uh...
Cute kid you got here, James.
Real cute.
He's gonna be even cuter
when he's got to sleep
standing up tonight.
Yes, well, I happen to think
it's a very good question,
Mr. Davis.
You're darn right it is,
and I've given it
a lot of thought.
A lot of thought.
Well, what do
you think about it?
I have very definite
opinions about it,
very definite opinions,
and I appreciate an opponent
who's thinking on these matters.
Yes, well, Davis,
you don't have to patronize me.
Okay, now, I have
one more question.
I'm curious to know
exactly how you stand
on something
that is very important
to this community.
Night care centers.
Night care centers?
Well, yes, uh,
night care centers
are merely extensions
of day care centers.
He knows that.
There are a lot of black
women in this community
who work at night,
and they need a place to
leave their small children.
I think that is a
very good idea.
That's wonderful,
Jimmy. About time.
Oh, yes, night care centers.
I have very definite
opinions about that.
One thing about Davis:
he has very definite opinions.
Oh, come on, Davis.
Why don't you just admit it?
You're totally out of touch
with the problems
of this community.
You are a relic of the past.
A relic, huh?
Exactly, sir.
All right, man. That cuts it.
You want to get down,
then let's get down.
You are a real smart dude
with a lot of fancy words
you like to strut,
but when it comes to politics,
you don't know your
head from your butt.
Come on, Jimmy, get him.
Get him, Jimmy.
Look, y'all, no, no.
Hold it, hold it, hold it.
I am not interested
in getting involved
in street games.
Well, if you're not interested
in getting involved
with this one, I am.
So you want to play
the dozens, huh, Davis?
All right.
You stand there
and say you're a
man of the people,
but I say you'd
steal everything,
including the church steeple.
Now, wait a minute, Fred.
Let me come to
your aid here, brother.
Now, your eyes may shine
and your teeth may grit,
but that alderman's
job, you ain't gonna git.
Hold on. Hold on. It's my turn.
Go ahead, Willona.
My turn.
Go ahead.
Now, those speeches
you gave against crime
were real heart tuggers,
only things have gotten so bad
in those streets, the muggers
are mugging the muggers.
Well, well, well.
Let me say something here.
Don't worry about it, Fred.
I'll get all my chicks
to vote for you,
because they don't
picket, and they don't fight.
One taste of these lips
and they follow the
lead of Kid Dyn-o-mite!
Go on, Thelma.
As usual, my brother
the licorice stick
just said something
that proves his head don't tick.
Come on, Jimmy.
I want you to talk to this man.
Come on.
Jimmy, put the tacky
turkey in the oven
and cook.
Please, please. Okay, please.
Look, I am only
interested in the issues.
You know something?
Jimmy is right.
The issues are the
only thing that counts.
Nothing else.
Okay, Jimmy, you go on...
Well, I've done enough yakking
about the issues.
I got things to do.
Florida, Thelma...
"And you too, Willona"?
Yes, and you too, Willona.
I'm disappointed.
After what I've
done for you all,
I thought I could
count on your support.
Wait, Fred, I'll go with you.
Florida got some people
coming over here
to the house tonight,
and I don't want to hear
nothing they got to say.
Yeah, Dad.
I think I'll go
along with you too.
No, stay here, Junior.
Good idea, Dad.
I'll be the only one here who
could speak up for Fred Davis.
On second thought,
you better come with me.
Excuse me, excuse me.
Mom, Willona, we just
got some more returns.
Hey, gang, more returns are in.
Shh, shh, shh.
For the 21st Precinct...
Oh, it looks good.
Fred Davis, only 74 votes.
And... Hold it.
Jimmy Pearson... three.
Willona, that's our precinct,
and only three
votes for Pearson?
I know you and I voted for him,
but who was the other one?
Well, I helped Ned the
Wino into the voting booth.
Hey, y'all, don't
leave, don't leave.
Come on. Please.
Don't go.
Hey, play something.
♪ Happy days are here again ♪
♪ The skies above
Are clear again ♪
♪ Let us sing a song
Of cheer again ♪
♪ Happy days are here again ♪
♪ Happy days are here again ♪
♪ The skies above ♪
♪ Are clear again ♪
♪ Let us sing a song
Of cheer again ♪
♪ Happy days are here... ♪♪
Well, let's face it, Willona.
Everybody knows we lost.
Yeah, but we tried.
Hey, Florida, we
thought we'd stop by
and invite you over to
Fred Davis' headquarters
for the victory celebration.
Yeah, it's gonna
be a real wild party.
At midnight,
they're gonna drop
balloons into the cheese dip.
Come on, baby, cheer up.
We just want to let you know
what it's like to
celebrate with a winner.
Don't crow too loud, rooster.
You still got a lot of years in
the same coop with this hen.
You take Michael home, J.J.
Okay, Ma.
Come on, Michael.
I'll share a jelly
apple with you
on the way home.
J.J., if I know you,
all I'll get is the stick.
If you're going home with
J.J., you already got the stick.
Y'all are just jealous
because y'all lost.
Get out of here.
Don't feel bad, Ma.
You voted for the right man.
I know I did.
Willona, Thelma, Florida,
I would like to thank all of you
for all the help that
you've given me.
It's all right. You're welcome.
I just can't believe
less than 40
percent of the people
even bothered to vote.
Well, Fred Davis made sure
all his people got to the polls.
Even had a hookup
with the Eternal
Life Funeral Service
to make sure limos
carried his people
to the voting booths.
He probably used the hearses too
and got a vote
from every stiff
in the mortuary.
What's the difference?
Davis is in.
Flo, we just struck out.
Come on, Thelma.
Yeah. Okay.
I'm sorry, Jimmy. Yeah.
Jimmy, I'm sorry.
Maybe next time.
It's okay.
Bye, Daddy. Bye.
You too, Willona.
You know something, James?
You may have voted for a winner,
but that don't mean the
rest of us were wrong.
Maybe you weren't
wrong, Florida,
but Pearson here was.
What?
Pearson, you're a good man,
you got some good ideas
and you're better
educated than Davis,
but when it came time
to talk to the people,
you just didn't reach them.
Like before, when we
were playing the dozens,
you was too high and
mighty to get down.
James, please.
No, no, no, no.
It's okay, Florida.
You know, I've been thinking
about exactly
where I went wrong,
and James makes sense.
He makes a lot of sense.
I just wasn't getting through.
You got through to me.
Yes, Florida,
I got through to you and
maybe a couple of others,
but it was not
the people's fault.
It was mine.
I was talking at them
when I should have
been talking to them.
Well, you let me tell
you something, James.
You know, I'm gonna be
back here for the next election,
and if I have to stand in
the middle of State Street
in my underwear
and do the dozens,
that's exactly what
I'm going to do.
Well, go on! Go on, Jimmy.
You're right.
You tell us.
Yeah, so you tell your man
to watch out, Jack,
because there is no doubt
that I'm gonna be back.
I'm gonna leave you now
without a tear or a sob,
but next time I see you, man,
I'm gonna have that cat's a-job.
All right, all right.
All right.
You know something, baby?
Mm-hmm?
I think he's starting
to get the idea.
Mm-hmm. Who knows?
A couple years from now,
I might even vote
for him myself.
You? Mm-hmm.
Oh... Does this mean
we're friends again?
Oh, even more than friends.
Well, all right.
Now, that's the kind
of election return
I like.
♪ Mm-mm-mm ♪
♪ Just lookin' Out
of the window ♪
♪ Watching the asphalt grow ♪
♪ Thinkin' how It all
looks hand-me-down ♪
♪ Good times Good times ♪
♪ Keepin' your
head Above water ♪
♪ Makin' a wave When you can ♪
♪ Temporary layoffs Good times ♪
Good Times is recorded on tape
before a live audience.
♪ Ain't we lucky we got 'em? ♪
♪ Good times ♪♪
you meet a payment ♪
♪ Good times Any
time you need a friend ♪
♪ Good times Any time
you're out from under ♪
♪ Not gettin' hassled
Not gettin' hustled ♪
♪ Keepin' your
head Above water ♪
♪ Makin' a wave when you can ♪
♪ Temporary layoffs Good times ♪
♪ Easy credit
rip-offs Good times ♪
♪ Scratchin' and
survivin' Good times ♪
♪ Hangin' in a chow
line Good times ♪
♪ Ain't we lucky we got 'em? ♪
♪ Good times ♪♪
Michael, you better stuff
them pamphlets faster.
Look at the big
pile we got left here.
Why do we have to
stuff for Fred Davis?
Because me and your
mother always vote for him.
Daddy, why do you and Mama
always have to vote for him?
Because he's the
best man for the job.
Now, shut up and keep stuffing.
All right, but I'm
stuffing under protest.
What did you say, young man?
I said I wish I was old enough
to vote for Fred Davis.
That's what I thought you said.
You stuffing under
protest too, young lady?
Well, frankly, Daddy, I
don't know about Fred Davis.
The other day,
I heard him talk
for a half-hour,
and he didn't say nothing.
Well, Thelma, he's a politician.
He ain't supposed
to say nothing.
Uh, what I mean is,
uh, he ain't a talker.
He's a doer.
But he's been the
alderman in this ward
for over 20 years.
Don't you think it's time
for somebody with
some new ideas?
You know somebody
better for the job?
Yeah. Jimmy Pearson.
Jimmy Pearson? That kid?
Daddy, Jimmy
Pearson's not a kid.
He's 26, and that's old.
Well, I ain't voting for nobody
that's still wearing Pampers.
That's what's wrong
with this country...
Too many decisions being made
by people still
in their playpens.
That's because all
the old politicians
are in state pens.
Just shut up and
keep stuffing, mister.
Hello, dear brother.
Hello, dear father.
Hello... whatever
that is in a dress.
Well, at least I
fill out a dress.
Paint some numbers on your body
and you'd look
like a thermometer.
You got some nerve,
you old fever face...
All right, will you
two knock it off?
Junior, you get them
Davis posters up
like I asked you to?
I sure did, Dad.
Fred Davis is painted
all over the ghetto.
I put one on the
back of a passing bus,
one on the back of a police car,
and you know that chicken place
with the Kentucky colonel
smiling down at you?
Yeah.
Well, now Fred is
smiling right back at him
from the bucket.
I even put one on
Ned the Wino's chest.
What you do that for, Junior?
Great exposure, Dad.
When people step
over him in the gutter,
they've got to see his face.
I tell you, I use my head.
Only to separate your ears.
Be quiet, Thelma.
Otherwise, I'll put
a Fred Davis poster
on your face.
It'd be a definite improvement.
Look who's talking about faces.
If you ever ran for dog catcher,
you'd lose to the dog.
You, uh, thinking about
running against me?
That's enough of that.
Both of you knock it off
or you gonna be
absentee ballots.
By the way, Dad, uh,
how much we
getting paid for this?
Nothing.
Junior, this is volunteer work.
Why, don't you ever do anything
besides think about money?
Yeah.
I think about girls, which
brings me back to money.
Hi, kids.
Hi, Mom. Hey, Mom.
Hey, baby.
James, you're home.
I thought you went
bowling tonight.
Yeah, I was gonna,
but I promised Fred
I'd get these
pamphlets out for him.
Where you been?
Oh, out.
Out where?
Oh, the usual places:
the market, the bakery,
the five-and-dime,
Jimmy Pearson's rally,
the drugstore, and
then... Wait a minute.
Hold it, hold it,
hold it, hold it.
Back up there a minute.
Where did you say you were?
The drugstore?
No, go back a little bit more.
The five-and-dime.
Back a little bit more.
The market.
No, baby.
Now come forward
just a wee taste.
The bakery?
Uh-uh, not the bakery.
Jimmy Pearson's rally?
Bingo.
Now, Florida, have
you lost your mind?
I mean, that's just like
Reverend Jesse Jackson
cheering for Lester Maddox.
That kid is the opposition.
Oh, James,
I have watched
Jimmy Pearson grow up
since he was a little boy,
and he has really come along.
You know, he's
young, he's bright.
Honey, he is the future.
Yeah, but baby,
where's your gratitude?
If it weren't for Fred Davis,
we would never have
got into the projects.
Well, it's about time
somebody got us
out of the projects.
Well, Fred always helped us
when we needed it.
If it hadn't been for him,
Junior wouldn't have been born.
What?
You remember when
we first got married,
we said we couldn't
afford to have no children
until I got a job?
It was Fred that got me
that temporary job
at the stock yard.
Then we had you.
One more reason to
vote against Fred Davis.
That'll be enough
out of you, young lady.
I think I feel
another hair in
my beard growing.
It must be a full moon
tonight, werewolf.
Daddy, I don't
see anything wrong
with Mama going to
the Jimmy Pearson rally.
Jimmy Pearson wants
us to have dignity.
He wants us to be able to
walk with our heads high,
and he is for equal
rights for women.
Oh, now, Florida,
what you talking about?
You've always had equal rights
as far as I'm concerned.
Every time we have a problem,
don't I always
discuss it with you first
before I tell you what
we're going to do about it?
But Daddy,
Jimmy Pearson would
really do a better job for us.
Thelma, you just saying that
because he's young
and good looking.
Oh, Thelma, if
it were up to you,
we'd vote for Billy Dee
Williams for president.
What good would it do?
They'd still call it
the White House.
Look, I don't want to hear
no more talk about
Jimmy Pearson,
and that's final.
♪ Hail, hail The
gang's all here ♪
Lord... I think I better
change that song
to "Help Me Make It
Through the Night."
He didn't go bowling, Willona.
Yeah, but there's
a couple of pins
he's about to knock
over right now.
Willona, what you doing
here with that poster?
What poster?
Oh, you mean this poster?
Well, uh... James,
the reason Willona
brought the poster in
is because I invited
Jimmy Pearson over
tonight.
We're helping him
with his campaign.
Oh... Oh, James, come on,
what is wrong with
supporting youth?
Half the population
of this country
is under 40.
Right.
Not your half, sweetie.
Okay, James, I owe you one.
James, you know,
I been voting for Fred
Davis for a long time,
but I'm beginning to realize
he's nothing but
a political hack.
Yeah, he thinks just
because he gives out
free turkeys on Thanksgiving,
everybody's got to vote for him.
Michael, that's the
way the game is played.
I mean, he does small favors,
he gets small favors done back.
It's a case of one
hand washing the other.
Yeah, but they don't get clean
if they're washed
in dirty water.
Whoo!
Yes!
Y'all calling Fred
Davis a crook?
Well, all I figure is,
if any man that can afford
a new Cadillac every year,
spend a month's vacation
in Bermuda every winter,
buy his wife fancy mink coats,
all on an alderman's salary,
is either a crook
or makes a whole lot
on Let's Make a Deal.
I don't want to hear
no more bad mouthing
about my friend Fred Davis,
and I don't want that
Jimmy Pearson in my house.
You keep saying "my house."
The last I remember,
it was our house,
and I did invite
Jimmy Pearson over...
Yeah, well, if that's him,
I'm gonna uninvite him.
Now, James. James. James...
Baby, take it easy.
I'm gonna be polite.
I'm gonna treat him
real gentleman-like.
You ain't welcome here!
Uh, sorry, Fred.
I thought you
was a bill collector.
I know the feeling.
Many a time, the
wolf was at my door.
Yeah.
He probably skinned it
to make another
fur coat for his wife.
What did you say, Willona?
I said... She said, uh...
She hoped you didn't
skin your knuckles
when I slammed the door.
Uh, ain't y'all gonna
say hello to Fred?
Well, hi, everybody.
It's good to see the
Evans family again.
You know, you're
my favorite family
in this whole project.
I had to work like
mad to get you in here,
but it was worth it.
You're good people.
The Evans family
always votes for
the straight ticket,
and you too, Willona...
and that's why I
never forget you.
My goodness, J.J.,
you get bigger
every time I see you.
I'm Michael.
Oh, of course.
I can still remember
the christening
when I held you in my arms.
That was me.
When Michael was christened,
you were in Bermuda.
Oh, yes, one of
my rare vacations.
A man needs a little rest
from the hard work
of helping run the city.
A man needs a lot of rest
if he can't tell a
boy from a girl.
Hey, Mr. Davis.
What's happening?
J.J.
Uh, you are J.J., aren't you?
Am I J.J.?
Are there black
people in Harlem?
Ah, talking about growing,
you're really
springing up there.
And, uh, hey, do I detect
a little beard coming out there?
Yeah, I must have
missed one of the hairs.
Well, two out of
three ain't bad.
And, uh, Mr. Davis,
speaking of shaving cream,
you know, shaving
cream costs money,
and I been doing all
this volunteer work here,
and I was wondering... Junior.
I am very, very happy to do it,
without a doubt.
That's why I love this family...
and you too, Willona.
Everybody pulling
together for the cause.
You know, I've been
in politics a long time.
A long time.
A long, long time.
Let me tell you
what wins elections.
It's good, loyal
precinct workers
like you, James.
Well, I do what I
can to help, Fred.
And I appreciate it.
You know, any time
you got a problem,
you feel free to call on me.
Will do. I want
to be more to you
than just a turkey
at Thanksgiving.
To me, he's a
turkey all year round.
Each of you is a cornerstone
that built my career.
James, Florida...
and you too, Willona.
I can always count
on your votes.
And, uh,
I'm gonna be voting
too this year, Mr. Davis.
It's my, uh, first time.
Oh, that's wonderful.
Welcome to the
American dream, son.
Yeah.
I'm gonna be in
that voting booth,
pulling them levers.
I'll be double
clutching so fast,
I'll punch out the
name Davis three times
before I slap it
back up into park.
No, no, just your one
vote will be enough.
The one thing
that we're proud of
in our Chicago
elections is their honesty.
You know,
it just warms my heart
to see this whole family...
And you too, Willona.
Yes, and you too, Willona.
You know, just
between you and me,
the opposition blew it this time
putting up that young
egghead against me.
And what is wrong with
that young egghead?
Yeah. Yeah, what's
wrong with him?
Same thing that's wrong
with all young eggheads.
He's soft-boiled.
You get the yoke?
And you'll need a
man like me in this area
who understands the problems.
He should understand them.
He created them.
I want to ask you something.
Jimmy Pearson has been trying
to debate the problems with you.
Why do you keep avoiding him?
Oh, I haven't been avoiding him.
Oh, yes, you have.
In fact,
if the poor kid
was here right now,
I'd tear him apart.
Well, here's...
Here's your chance, Mr. Davis.
Meet Jimmy Pearson.
I think the grits
done hit the pan.
How are you, Pearson?
Fine, thank you, sir.
My goodness.
You look younger
than your pictures.
Oh, really?
How old are you, son?
26, sir.
26.
I remember when I was 26.
Just getting started.
Yeah, you and
the Mills Brothers.
No, I didn't have nothing to do
with him coming over here, Fred.
Florida invited him.
I don't know what's gotten
into that woman lately.
What's gotten into
me is some sense.
When Fred Davis
asked me to vote for him
after 20 years of doing nothing,
I say nothing doing.
You know, Mr. Davis,
I've been trying to
get in touch with you
for quite some time now
to discuss the
issues, but it seems
like every time
I call your office,
your secretary
says that you're out.
Well, uh, I can understand that.
I mean,
when a man's messing
with his secretary,
he don't like to
be... interrupted.
You know, the law says
he's old enough to vote,
but they ain't
heard him talk yet.
Nevertheless, Mr. Davis,
I am glad that we had
this opportunity to meet,
because I would like to discuss
some questions
and issues with you.
No more than me, son,
but right now I
have to rush off.
I left my car in a
no parking zone.
That shouldn't bother you.
You fix everybody
else's tickets.
That's cold, Florida...
but I understand.
If you want to vote
for a loser this time...
A loser?
It's okay with me. Goodbye.
No, no, Davis,
please don't rush off.
Let's talk issues.
Tear him up, Fred.
All right.
I'll give you time
for just one question.
Shoot.
All right, Davis.
How come you never
tell what your position is
on the citizen" review board
to handle complaints
against the police?
Well, um... you see, uh...
Cute kid you got here, James.
Real cute.
He's gonna be even cuter
when he's got to sleep
standing up tonight.
Yes, well, I happen to think
it's a very good question,
Mr. Davis.
You're darn right it is,
and I've given it
a lot of thought.
A lot of thought.
Well, what do
you think about it?
I have very definite
opinions about it,
very definite opinions,
and I appreciate an opponent
who's thinking on these matters.
Yes, well, Davis,
you don't have to patronize me.
Okay, now, I have
one more question.
I'm curious to know
exactly how you stand
on something
that is very important
to this community.
Night care centers.
Night care centers?
Well, yes, uh,
night care centers
are merely extensions
of day care centers.
He knows that.
There are a lot of black
women in this community
who work at night,
and they need a place to
leave their small children.
I think that is a
very good idea.
That's wonderful,
Jimmy. About time.
Oh, yes, night care centers.
I have very definite
opinions about that.
One thing about Davis:
he has very definite opinions.
Oh, come on, Davis.
Why don't you just admit it?
You're totally out of touch
with the problems
of this community.
You are a relic of the past.
A relic, huh?
Exactly, sir.
All right, man. That cuts it.
You want to get down,
then let's get down.
You are a real smart dude
with a lot of fancy words
you like to strut,
but when it comes to politics,
you don't know your
head from your butt.
Come on, Jimmy, get him.
Get him, Jimmy.
Look, y'all, no, no.
Hold it, hold it, hold it.
I am not interested
in getting involved
in street games.
Well, if you're not interested
in getting involved
with this one, I am.
So you want to play
the dozens, huh, Davis?
All right.
You stand there
and say you're a
man of the people,
but I say you'd
steal everything,
including the church steeple.
Now, wait a minute, Fred.
Let me come to
your aid here, brother.
Now, your eyes may shine
and your teeth may grit,
but that alderman's
job, you ain't gonna git.
Hold on. Hold on. It's my turn.
Go ahead, Willona.
My turn.
Go ahead.
Now, those speeches
you gave against crime
were real heart tuggers,
only things have gotten so bad
in those streets, the muggers
are mugging the muggers.
Well, well, well.
Let me say something here.
Don't worry about it, Fred.
I'll get all my chicks
to vote for you,
because they don't
picket, and they don't fight.
One taste of these lips
and they follow the
lead of Kid Dyn-o-mite!
Go on, Thelma.
As usual, my brother
the licorice stick
just said something
that proves his head don't tick.
Come on, Jimmy.
I want you to talk to this man.
Come on.
Jimmy, put the tacky
turkey in the oven
and cook.
Please, please. Okay, please.
Look, I am only
interested in the issues.
You know something?
Jimmy is right.
The issues are the
only thing that counts.
Nothing else.
Okay, Jimmy, you go on...
Well, I've done enough yakking
about the issues.
I got things to do.
Florida, Thelma...
"And you too, Willona"?
Yes, and you too, Willona.
I'm disappointed.
After what I've
done for you all,
I thought I could
count on your support.
Wait, Fred, I'll go with you.
Florida got some people
coming over here
to the house tonight,
and I don't want to hear
nothing they got to say.
Yeah, Dad.
I think I'll go
along with you too.
No, stay here, Junior.
Good idea, Dad.
I'll be the only one here who
could speak up for Fred Davis.
On second thought,
you better come with me.
Excuse me, excuse me.
Mom, Willona, we just
got some more returns.
Hey, gang, more returns are in.
Shh, shh, shh.
For the 21st Precinct...
Oh, it looks good.
Fred Davis, only 74 votes.
And... Hold it.
Jimmy Pearson... three.
Willona, that's our precinct,
and only three
votes for Pearson?
I know you and I voted for him,
but who was the other one?
Well, I helped Ned the
Wino into the voting booth.
Hey, y'all, don't
leave, don't leave.
Come on. Please.
Don't go.
Hey, play something.
♪ Happy days are here again ♪
♪ The skies above
Are clear again ♪
♪ Let us sing a song
Of cheer again ♪
♪ Happy days are here again ♪
♪ Happy days are here again ♪
♪ The skies above ♪
♪ Are clear again ♪
♪ Let us sing a song
Of cheer again ♪
♪ Happy days are here... ♪♪
Well, let's face it, Willona.
Everybody knows we lost.
Yeah, but we tried.
Hey, Florida, we
thought we'd stop by
and invite you over to
Fred Davis' headquarters
for the victory celebration.
Yeah, it's gonna
be a real wild party.
At midnight,
they're gonna drop
balloons into the cheese dip.
Come on, baby, cheer up.
We just want to let you know
what it's like to
celebrate with a winner.
Don't crow too loud, rooster.
You still got a lot of years in
the same coop with this hen.
You take Michael home, J.J.
Okay, Ma.
Come on, Michael.
I'll share a jelly
apple with you
on the way home.
J.J., if I know you,
all I'll get is the stick.
If you're going home with
J.J., you already got the stick.
Y'all are just jealous
because y'all lost.
Get out of here.
Don't feel bad, Ma.
You voted for the right man.
I know I did.
Willona, Thelma, Florida,
I would like to thank all of you
for all the help that
you've given me.
It's all right. You're welcome.
I just can't believe
less than 40
percent of the people
even bothered to vote.
Well, Fred Davis made sure
all his people got to the polls.
Even had a hookup
with the Eternal
Life Funeral Service
to make sure limos
carried his people
to the voting booths.
He probably used the hearses too
and got a vote
from every stiff
in the mortuary.
What's the difference?
Davis is in.
Flo, we just struck out.
Come on, Thelma.
Yeah. Okay.
I'm sorry, Jimmy. Yeah.
Jimmy, I'm sorry.
Maybe next time.
It's okay.
Bye, Daddy. Bye.
You too, Willona.
You know something, James?
You may have voted for a winner,
but that don't mean the
rest of us were wrong.
Maybe you weren't
wrong, Florida,
but Pearson here was.
What?
Pearson, you're a good man,
you got some good ideas
and you're better
educated than Davis,
but when it came time
to talk to the people,
you just didn't reach them.
Like before, when we
were playing the dozens,
you was too high and
mighty to get down.
James, please.
No, no, no, no.
It's okay, Florida.
You know, I've been thinking
about exactly
where I went wrong,
and James makes sense.
He makes a lot of sense.
I just wasn't getting through.
You got through to me.
Yes, Florida,
I got through to you and
maybe a couple of others,
but it was not
the people's fault.
It was mine.
I was talking at them
when I should have
been talking to them.
Well, you let me tell
you something, James.
You know, I'm gonna be
back here for the next election,
and if I have to stand in
the middle of State Street
in my underwear
and do the dozens,
that's exactly what
I'm going to do.
Well, go on! Go on, Jimmy.
You're right.
You tell us.
Yeah, so you tell your man
to watch out, Jack,
because there is no doubt
that I'm gonna be back.
I'm gonna leave you now
without a tear or a sob,
but next time I see you, man,
I'm gonna have that cat's a-job.
All right, all right.
All right.
You know something, baby?
Mm-hmm?
I think he's starting
to get the idea.
Mm-hmm. Who knows?
A couple years from now,
I might even vote
for him myself.
You? Mm-hmm.
Oh... Does this mean
we're friends again?
Oh, even more than friends.
Well, all right.
Now, that's the kind
of election return
I like.
♪ Mm-mm-mm ♪
♪ Just lookin' Out
of the window ♪
♪ Watching the asphalt grow ♪
♪ Thinkin' how It all
looks hand-me-down ♪
♪ Good times Good times ♪
♪ Keepin' your
head Above water ♪
♪ Makin' a wave When you can ♪
♪ Temporary layoffs Good times ♪
Good Times is recorded on tape
before a live audience.
♪ Ain't we lucky we got 'em? ♪
♪ Good times ♪♪