The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968): Season 3, Episode 21 - Opie and the Spoiled Kid - full transcript
Mayberry is having a bit of a problem with a boy who is continually riding his bike on the sidewalks and knocking people over. The boy, Arnold Winkler, has just gotten his new bicycle and for Opie, it's a beauty. Actually, Opie thinks Arnold, who has just moved to Mayberry with his family, is the luckiest kid around. He not only has a new $70 bike, but he gets a much bigger allowance and doesn't have to do chores to get it. He thinks Opie is a sap and gives him some hints on how to get what he wants out of parents, like stomping your feet, holding your breath and pretending to cry. When Opie tries it with Andy, it doesn't get him very far. When Andy and Barney impound Arnold's bike for again riding on the sidewalk, they get a visit from the boy's father who soon comes to realize just how selfish and arrogant his little boy is.
Starring Andy Griffith...
With Ronny Howard...
Also starring Don knotts.
Morning, miz tarbucks.
Miz tarbucks.
She's getting gray for a woman her
age, ain't she?
Yeah. She's been having a lot
of trouble with Arthur lately.
Oh, yeah?
Like what? What kind
of trouble
oh, you know.
No, I don't know.
What? What kind
of trouble?
Oh, I-I really oughtn't
to say anything...
Well, you can tell me.
I'm your deputy.
Well, it-it...
Wait a minute. She's
looking this way.
Okay. She went
in the drugstore.
Go ahead.
Well... he wants
the whole family
to move out of town.
For Pete's sake, why?
He claims people talk about
other people too much.
Where did he ever
get an idea like that?
Beats me.
Dog-gone that kid.
They know they're not allowed
to ride bikes on the sidewalk.
Oh, dear...
There, there, Mrs. Rodenbach.
We'll give you a hand.
Oh, there ought to be a law
against riding on the sidewalk.
There is.
Did you see who
the boy was on the bicycle?
No, I didn't.
It all happened so fast.
Edith blessing just left
and we were talking
about Mrs. Tarbucks.
My, hasn't she gotten gray?
Well, you know why, don't you?
Barn!
Oh, i-I'm sorry.
Did you see how old the boy was?
No. It was just whoosh,
and he was gone.
If it happens again, try to
remember the following things:
Age of the boy,
color of his hair
new or old bicycle, whether
or not he was wearing glasses
things like that.
I'll certainly try.
We'd appreciate it.
Of course, a really sound
safety procedure
would be to give each
and every citizen in this town
a course
in police identification.
Of course, you know
us trained professionals...
We have photographic minds.
Oh, well, I'm certainly glad
you were here.
Now you know who it was.
Well, golly,
it all happened so fast.
Just whoosh and he was gone.
Hiya, Taylor.
Hi, Arnold.
Hey, you got your new
intercontinental flyer, huh?
Uh-huh. Yesterday.
Boy, it's a beauty.
Wow! Is this real chrone?
There's an "m" in there, Taylor.
I know. Chronium.
How much did it cost?
Seventy dollars.
Seventy dollars?
Gosh, you must have
been savin' up for it
since you was a kid.
My dad bought it for me.
For your birthday or something?
Oh, no. I save my birthday
for something big.
What's bigger than
an intercontinental?
Jillions of stuff:
A pony, a boat,
all kinds of stuff.
Come on, Taylor.
Hop on the rack,
and I'll give you a ride.
I can't. I got to get
this garage cleaned out.
My paw.
Who says?
What happens if you don't?
I don't get my quarter
this week.
A quarter?
For a job like this?
Oh, no. Besides this
I take out the ashes,
keep the woodbox filled
and set the table every night.
Oh, boy, did your
old man see you coming.
What do you mean?
He's taking advantage of ya.
I don't know
what you're talking about.
They owe it to ya.
You're not supposed
to work for your allowance.
What do you think
"allowance" means?
I don't know.
It means money
the kid is allowed to have.
Oh?
And without working for it.
It's for being a kid.
Are you sure?
Seems to me my paw would have
told me if that's so.
They figure
what they don't tell ya,
it won't hurt ya.
Not my paw. He tells me
everything straight.
Okay. So I'm wrong
but who's cleaning
the garage for a quarter
and who's riding a $70 bike?
Wait a minute, Arnold.
What do you mean?
I told you...
Kids aren't supposed to work
for their allowance.
My paw is awful busy.
Maybe he hasn't heard
this new stuff.
Maybe.
If I was you, I'd just
come right out and tell him.
Okay, I'll ask him.
My paw is real good
about things like this.
He'll sit right down with me,
and we'll talk the whole thing
right out in the open.
Boy, you do everything
the hard way.
Wanted posters came in, Andy.
Oh, good.
File 'em, will you, Barn?
Yeah.
Let's see what we got here.
"Henry 'shopping bag' leonetti...
Grand larceny. $4,000 reward."
"Max 'the tongue' rasmussen...
Grand Theft Auto.
Reward... $1,500."
"Benjamin schuster,
alias benjy schus
"alias Benny shute... forgery.
Reward... $3,000."
You know what this means, ange?
What?
8,500 American silver cartwheels
right in our hands.
Only one small hitch.
We don't know where they are.
Right.
- Hi, paw.
- Hi, ope.
Hi, Barney.
I thought you was supposed
to be cleaning out the garage.
I wanted to have
a talk with you.
Must be pretty important
for you to break off
in the middle of a chore.
It's preying on my mind, paw.
Oh, well, you did
right to come in.
Set down.
Okay.
Ready?
Ready.
Are there rules
for how a paw
should treat his son
if he's a kid?
Uh, well...
Of all the questions
to come up with
if that don't take the cake.
Barney, Opie and I usually keep
these little talks to ourselves.
Oh, sure.
Oh, I understand that.
Oh, I... I got plenty to do
in here anyways.
Are Barney's feelings hurt, paw?
Oh, I don't think so.
I think I can, uh,
speak for my own feelings, Andy.
Why do you ask that, ope?
I don't know.
I heard you were
kind of sensitive.
Sensitive
Barn...
Boy, that's a nice thing
to get started around.
If there's anything
that upsets me
it's having people say
I'm sensitive.
If it's one thing I'm not,
it's sensitive.
You talk about
being misunderstood.
Barney, you're a little flushed.
That's spirit!
I'm a very spirited person!
There's a big difference,
you know.
Go on and have your little talk.
It don't mean
nothing to me anyways.
I'm sorry
I hurt Barney's feelings, paw.
He's very spirited.
Is that like sensitive?
Well, kind of.
What's this about rules
for paws and sons?
This, first:
Hmm...
The 75-cent rule.
The 75-cent rule.
I don't, uh...
I don't believe
I ever heard of that one.
Well, that's what I figured.
Mm-hmm.
What it is, paw,
is that nowadays
kids get 75 cents a week
allowance instead of 25 cents.
75 cents?
That's a lot of money,
and in a year's time
that'd come to... let's see,
there's 52 weeks in a year...
It comes to around $40 a year.
That's a awful lot of money
for a young 'un.
They get it, paw.
They do, huh?
And they don't have
to work for it like I do.
Huh. Well, who is this,
this "they"
you keep talking about?
Oh, Arnold winkler
and everybody.
Arnold winkler.
I don't believe
I know him, do I?
They're new from Raleigh.
Oh, I see,
and the Raleigh rules say, uh
say "75 cents and no work," huh?
I guess.
You want it straight, don't you?
Uh-huh.
Okay. Here it goes.
There are no rules
for paws and sons.
Uh, it's as simple as this:
Each, uh, each mother or father
raises his boy or girl,
as the case may be,
the way that, uh,
he thinks is best
and I think it's best
for you to get a quarter
and work for it.
You see,
when you give something...
In this instance,
cleaning the garage...
And you get something in return
like a quarter,
why, that's the greatest feeling
in the world.
You do feel good after working,
don't you?
Uh-huh. Good and tired.
Well, as, uh, as you get bigger
well, you'll be doing
more and more work
for more and more return
and that good feeling
will get bigger.
You understand what I mean?
I think so.
Good.
I'm not gonna get the 75 cents.
Right.
And I have to work for the 25.
Right. All clear to you?
Yeah. The bigger you get,
the tired-er you get.
Well, uh, you just...
You just think
about that for a while.
Do I have to?
Don't you want
to think about it?
Ii makes me kind of sad.
Well, the thing to do
when you're feeling sad
is to shoot
for the good feeling.
Clean the garage.
Right.
So long, paw.
So long, son.
So long, Barney.
So long, ope, and that
comes to $39 exactly.
Oh.
Kids... what do they know
about life, huh?
Well... I tell you one thing...
A whole lot more
than we give 'em credit for.
Yeah. That's true...
But they need guidance.
Yeah. That's true.
And this time you
really muffed it.
How's that?
Well, not being emotionally
involved with the child,
I think I can be pretty
doggone objective.
Oh.
You been at the magazine section
of the sunday paper again,
ain't ya?
I skimmed through it.
And, uh, on the subject
of child rearing, it said...?
There's a definite trend
towards stronger discipline.
Like what?
Like a good clout
once in a while.
Have you ever known
the magazine section
of the sunday paper to lie?
Did your father ever hit you?
Well, he couldn't.
I was a lot bigger than he was.
I thought as a child
you were sickly.
Well, he was sicklier.
Now, Andy, the way I'd talk
to a son of mine...
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Just don't start off on that
imaginary child of yours again.
Look, Andy, I'm only trying...
All the theories in the world
don't mean a thing
until you got a child
of your own.
There ain't no use
talkin' about it
'cause you don't know
what you're gonna do
until you're faced with it.
What are you driving at?
Just think about it
and when it clears up
in your mind, do me a favor.
What's that?
Don't be sensitive about it.
...and he said,
"well, when you're sad,
shoot for
a good feelin'."
I said, "clean the garage,"
and he said, "right,"
and here I am.
I knew he'd pull that one,
Taylor.
How?
Because they're all the same.
Taylor, I've never
known a kid yet
who could win in
a man-to-man talk.
I don't know about that.
My paw and I, we decide a lot of
things talking that way.
He's very good at explaining.
I know... at explaining
why you're wrong.
But has he ever explained to you
why you're right?
Not that I remember.
Look, Taylor,
I lived in Raleigh.
I've been around.
Heck, I left home
when I was seven.
You did?
Went to summer camp
for two weeks.
Take it from me,
talking is a waste of time.
You have to take action.
Action?
Sure.
What kinda action?
Temper tantrums.
Why?
To scare 'em;
Shake 'em up a little bit.
Have you ever held your breath?
Swimming under the raft.
No. I mean at home,
to get something you want.
Sounds kind of spiteful.
Listen, it works.
Your face gets kinda red,
and your jaws get tight
and, oh, boy,
do they get scared.
They think you're going to get
seriously sick
or maybe even bust a vessel.
Gee.
Oh, yeah.
There's all kinds of 'em:
Kicking a table leg,
uh, rolling around on the floor,
kicking your feet, pretending
you can't stop crying.
Gosh, I don't know...
Oh, for crying out loud, Taylor.
Hey, Arnold.
Take it easy, Arnold.
I didn't mean to
say nothin' wrong.
I'm sorry, Arnold, I'm sorry.
Get the idea?
And it works?
Every time.
Hey!
Stop that bike!
What's the matter?
You're not allowed to ride a
bike on the sidewalk.
Oh, I'm sorry, sir.
I didn't know that.
Well, now you know.
Bike riding on the streets only.
City statute 249-a,
section Roman numeral v.
I won't do it again,
sir. I promise.
All right.
See that you don't.
Oh, watch it.
Doggone it, I warned him
and he deliberately rode
on the sidewalk again.
Is that true? Did you hear
officer Fife warn you?
Yes, sir.
What'd you do it again for?
Because I wanted to.
What's your name?
Arnold winkler.
Will you let go of my bike?
You have no right
to hold my bike like that.
You just simmer down there,
young fellow.
You're the one that's been
riding around on the sidewalk
knocking folks over, ain't ya?
I'll tell my dad about this.
Then you'll be sorry.
Go ahead. Tell him
and see if we care.
Naaah!
Naaah!
Uh, Barn, let's try to keep this
on an adult level.
Young man, I'm gonna have
to take this bike and hold it.
My bike? You can't take my bike!
It's my bike!
That won't do you any good.
That won't do you any good.
You can't take my bike.
It's my bike, and no one's taking it!
Now, you listen here, young fella...
when an officer gives you a warning
you're supposed to mind,
but I expect you'll know
we're not fooling
when we take this bike
and keep it for a week or two.
You'll see!
I'll tell my father!
Good, good. You tell him to come right
on down, and we'll talk about it.
Yeah. Now get on
off of there.
Now go on home.
You'll see!
I'm gonna tell my dad!
Cocky little devil, ain't he?
Yeah. Imagine him
talking to us like that.
Arrogant little cuss...
Thinks he can make
up his own rules.
Yeah. Well, take the bike
and impound it, will ya?
Yeah.
What are you doing?
No riding on the sidewalk.
How's it coming?
Good. Coming right along.
Got a nice feel to it.
I'll tell you what...
When you're finished with it,
tell me what it is,
and I'll give you
50 cents for it.
Oh, Andy,
I put the bike in the shed.
Good.
Hi, paw.
Oh, hi, son.
Paw, could I talk to you about
something I don't understand?
Sure. Come on in.
Oh, uh, that's nice...
Very nice.
I just don't understand it, paw.
What?
None of the other guys
work for their allowance.
I thought we had this
all thrashed out before.
We did.
Why bring it up again?
'Cause.
'Cause why?
Just 'cause.
Son, that 'causing'
can go on and on
if you give it its head.
Now what's this all about?
I don't want to work
for my allowance.
Opie, I'm very busy right now.
Like I say, we been through
all that before.
I still don't want to work
for my allowance.
Fine.
You don't have to.
Oh, boy!
No work, no allowance.
That's not fair!
Don't raise your voice to me.
Now you get on out of here.
I got things to do.
What are you doin'?
Opie, I asked you
what you're doin'.
I was holding my breath.
Good. Good lung exercise.
Opie, what are you doing now?
I'm crying and I can't stop.
Oh, that's a shame.
What are you doin' now?
I was having a tantrum.
Oh.
Well, don't get your clothes
all dirty.
Sheriff.
Yes, sir.
You the boy's father?
That's right, Simon winkler.
Andy Taylor.
What's this all about?
249-a, section Roman numeral v.
Passenger carrying
wheeled vehicle
making passage
and/or transcending area
designated
for pedestrian traffic only.
Suspect duly warned,
flaunted said warning
and ignoring same, repeated
offense within a 24-hour period.
All right.
So he rode his bike on the sidewalk.
I was there, Mr. Winkler.
Arnold was given warning,
and continued to ride his
bicycle on the sidewalk.
The offense was clearly defined
under normal weather conditions.
There was plenty of room.
I wasn't hurting anybody.
People are coming in
and out of stores
on main street every minute.
You never know when somebody's
will walk in front of ya.
Everybody's against me.
There, there.
Can't even have a little fun.
Now you see what you've done.
You got the boy all upset.
Was it such a crime?
It seems you people would have
more important things to do
than go around,
frightening children.
Now look here, Mr. Winkler,
Arnold was warned
and continued to ride
his bicycle on the sidewalk.
We're gonna impound that bicycle
until he learns to use it
according to regulation.
For heaven's sake.
Can't you see this is
a very sensitive child?
Obviously, you don't
understand him.
Arnold's a good boy.
You just don't understand him.
Oh, I think I understand him.
He's a good boy, really.
A little high-spirited, perhaps,
but weren't we all at his age?
I wasn't.
The law's the law.
If we don't teach
children to live
in society today,
what's gonna happen to them
when they grow up?
For heaven's sake.
The boy's not a criminal.
I didn't say he was.
What he does at home
is none of our business,
but when he gets out
on the street
he's gonna have to answer to us.
I can show you
in the statute book.
The minimum punishment
for this offense
is impounding the bicycle
for one week.
Well, you can't do it.
I demand you return that bike
and now!
Now you look here.
You're that boy's father.
You're responsible
for his actions.
He's too young to be locked up,
but if you're not gonna
take responsibility
maybe I ought to lock you up.
You ever think of that?
Yeah. Well,
my dad ain't scared of that. Are you?
Make them put you in
jail. That'll show 'em!
Go on, dad.
Show them they can't
push me around.
Go on. Put him in jail.
He won't care!
How's that?
My dad'll show ya.
He's tough.
You, uh...
You want me
to lock your father up?
He ain't afraid of ya!
I don't want to lose
my brand-new bike.
I just got it.
You'd rather I put
your father in jail?
I want my bike!
Sheriff, there won't be any need
to impound that bike.
How's that?
I'd like to have it.
I want to sell it.
Sell it?
You're gonna sell my bike?
That's right, Arnold.
But it's my bike!
You can't sell my bike!
Be quiet, Arnold.
Barney, you want
to go get the bicycle?
10-4.
No, no, no, no!
I won't let you!
You can't do that!
Arnold, be quiet.
Mr. Winkler,
would you like to continue
this father and son discussion
in quiet?
I say, would you like
to continue this in quiet?
There's a real nice woodshed
out back.
Woodshed?
Mm-hmm.
A good old
real nice one.
Mm-hmm.
Come on, Arnold.
No, I want my bike!
I want my bike!
I want my bike!
Is Arnie gonna get spanked, paw?
Don't you think he deserves it?
I don't wanna say.
After all,
he is one of my own kind.
Hi, paw.
Hi, son.
Can I talk to you for a minute?
Sure.
What's on your mind?
Well, I've been doing
a lot of thinking.
Good for the head.
And I was wondering
if, by any chance,
you might need a person
to clean the garage
and do odd jobs around.
You know, it's funny
you should ask at this time.
There happens to be a recent
vacancy in that department.
Oh, boy!
Well, what person
did you have in mind?
Opie Taylor.
Uh-huh.
I'm sorry
about the way I acted, paw.
What's done is done.
Well, let's see.
Uh, cleaning out the garage,
hauling out the ashes,
setting the table.
That ought to be worth
about, oh, say, uh...
25 cents a week, okay?
Sounds fine to me, paw.
Good.
Ope.
Yeah, paw?
It was kind of hard
for you to apologize, wasn't it?
Kind of.
Well, suppose we make that,
uh, 27 cents a week.
That's a dollar more a year.
Yeah.
What you gonna do
with all your money?
Save up for a bell.
A bell?
Uh-huh. Then save up for a bike
to put under it.
With Ronny Howard...
Also starring Don knotts.
Morning, miz tarbucks.
Miz tarbucks.
She's getting gray for a woman her
age, ain't she?
Yeah. She's been having a lot
of trouble with Arthur lately.
Oh, yeah?
Like what? What kind
of trouble
oh, you know.
No, I don't know.
What? What kind
of trouble?
Oh, I-I really oughtn't
to say anything...
Well, you can tell me.
I'm your deputy.
Well, it-it...
Wait a minute. She's
looking this way.
Okay. She went
in the drugstore.
Go ahead.
Well... he wants
the whole family
to move out of town.
For Pete's sake, why?
He claims people talk about
other people too much.
Where did he ever
get an idea like that?
Beats me.
Dog-gone that kid.
They know they're not allowed
to ride bikes on the sidewalk.
Oh, dear...
There, there, Mrs. Rodenbach.
We'll give you a hand.
Oh, there ought to be a law
against riding on the sidewalk.
There is.
Did you see who
the boy was on the bicycle?
No, I didn't.
It all happened so fast.
Edith blessing just left
and we were talking
about Mrs. Tarbucks.
My, hasn't she gotten gray?
Well, you know why, don't you?
Barn!
Oh, i-I'm sorry.
Did you see how old the boy was?
No. It was just whoosh,
and he was gone.
If it happens again, try to
remember the following things:
Age of the boy,
color of his hair
new or old bicycle, whether
or not he was wearing glasses
things like that.
I'll certainly try.
We'd appreciate it.
Of course, a really sound
safety procedure
would be to give each
and every citizen in this town
a course
in police identification.
Of course, you know
us trained professionals...
We have photographic minds.
Oh, well, I'm certainly glad
you were here.
Now you know who it was.
Well, golly,
it all happened so fast.
Just whoosh and he was gone.
Hiya, Taylor.
Hi, Arnold.
Hey, you got your new
intercontinental flyer, huh?
Uh-huh. Yesterday.
Boy, it's a beauty.
Wow! Is this real chrone?
There's an "m" in there, Taylor.
I know. Chronium.
How much did it cost?
Seventy dollars.
Seventy dollars?
Gosh, you must have
been savin' up for it
since you was a kid.
My dad bought it for me.
For your birthday or something?
Oh, no. I save my birthday
for something big.
What's bigger than
an intercontinental?
Jillions of stuff:
A pony, a boat,
all kinds of stuff.
Come on, Taylor.
Hop on the rack,
and I'll give you a ride.
I can't. I got to get
this garage cleaned out.
My paw.
Who says?
What happens if you don't?
I don't get my quarter
this week.
A quarter?
For a job like this?
Oh, no. Besides this
I take out the ashes,
keep the woodbox filled
and set the table every night.
Oh, boy, did your
old man see you coming.
What do you mean?
He's taking advantage of ya.
I don't know
what you're talking about.
They owe it to ya.
You're not supposed
to work for your allowance.
What do you think
"allowance" means?
I don't know.
It means money
the kid is allowed to have.
Oh?
And without working for it.
It's for being a kid.
Are you sure?
Seems to me my paw would have
told me if that's so.
They figure
what they don't tell ya,
it won't hurt ya.
Not my paw. He tells me
everything straight.
Okay. So I'm wrong
but who's cleaning
the garage for a quarter
and who's riding a $70 bike?
Wait a minute, Arnold.
What do you mean?
I told you...
Kids aren't supposed to work
for their allowance.
My paw is awful busy.
Maybe he hasn't heard
this new stuff.
Maybe.
If I was you, I'd just
come right out and tell him.
Okay, I'll ask him.
My paw is real good
about things like this.
He'll sit right down with me,
and we'll talk the whole thing
right out in the open.
Boy, you do everything
the hard way.
Wanted posters came in, Andy.
Oh, good.
File 'em, will you, Barn?
Yeah.
Let's see what we got here.
"Henry 'shopping bag' leonetti...
Grand larceny. $4,000 reward."
"Max 'the tongue' rasmussen...
Grand Theft Auto.
Reward... $1,500."
"Benjamin schuster,
alias benjy schus
"alias Benny shute... forgery.
Reward... $3,000."
You know what this means, ange?
What?
8,500 American silver cartwheels
right in our hands.
Only one small hitch.
We don't know where they are.
Right.
- Hi, paw.
- Hi, ope.
Hi, Barney.
I thought you was supposed
to be cleaning out the garage.
I wanted to have
a talk with you.
Must be pretty important
for you to break off
in the middle of a chore.
It's preying on my mind, paw.
Oh, well, you did
right to come in.
Set down.
Okay.
Ready?
Ready.
Are there rules
for how a paw
should treat his son
if he's a kid?
Uh, well...
Of all the questions
to come up with
if that don't take the cake.
Barney, Opie and I usually keep
these little talks to ourselves.
Oh, sure.
Oh, I understand that.
Oh, I... I got plenty to do
in here anyways.
Are Barney's feelings hurt, paw?
Oh, I don't think so.
I think I can, uh,
speak for my own feelings, Andy.
Why do you ask that, ope?
I don't know.
I heard you were
kind of sensitive.
Sensitive
Barn...
Boy, that's a nice thing
to get started around.
If there's anything
that upsets me
it's having people say
I'm sensitive.
If it's one thing I'm not,
it's sensitive.
You talk about
being misunderstood.
Barney, you're a little flushed.
That's spirit!
I'm a very spirited person!
There's a big difference,
you know.
Go on and have your little talk.
It don't mean
nothing to me anyways.
I'm sorry
I hurt Barney's feelings, paw.
He's very spirited.
Is that like sensitive?
Well, kind of.
What's this about rules
for paws and sons?
This, first:
Hmm...
The 75-cent rule.
The 75-cent rule.
I don't, uh...
I don't believe
I ever heard of that one.
Well, that's what I figured.
Mm-hmm.
What it is, paw,
is that nowadays
kids get 75 cents a week
allowance instead of 25 cents.
75 cents?
That's a lot of money,
and in a year's time
that'd come to... let's see,
there's 52 weeks in a year...
It comes to around $40 a year.
That's a awful lot of money
for a young 'un.
They get it, paw.
They do, huh?
And they don't have
to work for it like I do.
Huh. Well, who is this,
this "they"
you keep talking about?
Oh, Arnold winkler
and everybody.
Arnold winkler.
I don't believe
I know him, do I?
They're new from Raleigh.
Oh, I see,
and the Raleigh rules say, uh
say "75 cents and no work," huh?
I guess.
You want it straight, don't you?
Uh-huh.
Okay. Here it goes.
There are no rules
for paws and sons.
Uh, it's as simple as this:
Each, uh, each mother or father
raises his boy or girl,
as the case may be,
the way that, uh,
he thinks is best
and I think it's best
for you to get a quarter
and work for it.
You see,
when you give something...
In this instance,
cleaning the garage...
And you get something in return
like a quarter,
why, that's the greatest feeling
in the world.
You do feel good after working,
don't you?
Uh-huh. Good and tired.
Well, as, uh, as you get bigger
well, you'll be doing
more and more work
for more and more return
and that good feeling
will get bigger.
You understand what I mean?
I think so.
Good.
I'm not gonna get the 75 cents.
Right.
And I have to work for the 25.
Right. All clear to you?
Yeah. The bigger you get,
the tired-er you get.
Well, uh, you just...
You just think
about that for a while.
Do I have to?
Don't you want
to think about it?
Ii makes me kind of sad.
Well, the thing to do
when you're feeling sad
is to shoot
for the good feeling.
Clean the garage.
Right.
So long, paw.
So long, son.
So long, Barney.
So long, ope, and that
comes to $39 exactly.
Oh.
Kids... what do they know
about life, huh?
Well... I tell you one thing...
A whole lot more
than we give 'em credit for.
Yeah. That's true...
But they need guidance.
Yeah. That's true.
And this time you
really muffed it.
How's that?
Well, not being emotionally
involved with the child,
I think I can be pretty
doggone objective.
Oh.
You been at the magazine section
of the sunday paper again,
ain't ya?
I skimmed through it.
And, uh, on the subject
of child rearing, it said...?
There's a definite trend
towards stronger discipline.
Like what?
Like a good clout
once in a while.
Have you ever known
the magazine section
of the sunday paper to lie?
Did your father ever hit you?
Well, he couldn't.
I was a lot bigger than he was.
I thought as a child
you were sickly.
Well, he was sicklier.
Now, Andy, the way I'd talk
to a son of mine...
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Just don't start off on that
imaginary child of yours again.
Look, Andy, I'm only trying...
All the theories in the world
don't mean a thing
until you got a child
of your own.
There ain't no use
talkin' about it
'cause you don't know
what you're gonna do
until you're faced with it.
What are you driving at?
Just think about it
and when it clears up
in your mind, do me a favor.
What's that?
Don't be sensitive about it.
...and he said,
"well, when you're sad,
shoot for
a good feelin'."
I said, "clean the garage,"
and he said, "right,"
and here I am.
I knew he'd pull that one,
Taylor.
How?
Because they're all the same.
Taylor, I've never
known a kid yet
who could win in
a man-to-man talk.
I don't know about that.
My paw and I, we decide a lot of
things talking that way.
He's very good at explaining.
I know... at explaining
why you're wrong.
But has he ever explained to you
why you're right?
Not that I remember.
Look, Taylor,
I lived in Raleigh.
I've been around.
Heck, I left home
when I was seven.
You did?
Went to summer camp
for two weeks.
Take it from me,
talking is a waste of time.
You have to take action.
Action?
Sure.
What kinda action?
Temper tantrums.
Why?
To scare 'em;
Shake 'em up a little bit.
Have you ever held your breath?
Swimming under the raft.
No. I mean at home,
to get something you want.
Sounds kind of spiteful.
Listen, it works.
Your face gets kinda red,
and your jaws get tight
and, oh, boy,
do they get scared.
They think you're going to get
seriously sick
or maybe even bust a vessel.
Gee.
Oh, yeah.
There's all kinds of 'em:
Kicking a table leg,
uh, rolling around on the floor,
kicking your feet, pretending
you can't stop crying.
Gosh, I don't know...
Oh, for crying out loud, Taylor.
Hey, Arnold.
Take it easy, Arnold.
I didn't mean to
say nothin' wrong.
I'm sorry, Arnold, I'm sorry.
Get the idea?
And it works?
Every time.
Hey!
Stop that bike!
What's the matter?
You're not allowed to ride a
bike on the sidewalk.
Oh, I'm sorry, sir.
I didn't know that.
Well, now you know.
Bike riding on the streets only.
City statute 249-a,
section Roman numeral v.
I won't do it again,
sir. I promise.
All right.
See that you don't.
Oh, watch it.
Doggone it, I warned him
and he deliberately rode
on the sidewalk again.
Is that true? Did you hear
officer Fife warn you?
Yes, sir.
What'd you do it again for?
Because I wanted to.
What's your name?
Arnold winkler.
Will you let go of my bike?
You have no right
to hold my bike like that.
You just simmer down there,
young fellow.
You're the one that's been
riding around on the sidewalk
knocking folks over, ain't ya?
I'll tell my dad about this.
Then you'll be sorry.
Go ahead. Tell him
and see if we care.
Naaah!
Naaah!
Uh, Barn, let's try to keep this
on an adult level.
Young man, I'm gonna have
to take this bike and hold it.
My bike? You can't take my bike!
It's my bike!
That won't do you any good.
That won't do you any good.
You can't take my bike.
It's my bike, and no one's taking it!
Now, you listen here, young fella...
when an officer gives you a warning
you're supposed to mind,
but I expect you'll know
we're not fooling
when we take this bike
and keep it for a week or two.
You'll see!
I'll tell my father!
Good, good. You tell him to come right
on down, and we'll talk about it.
Yeah. Now get on
off of there.
Now go on home.
You'll see!
I'm gonna tell my dad!
Cocky little devil, ain't he?
Yeah. Imagine him
talking to us like that.
Arrogant little cuss...
Thinks he can make
up his own rules.
Yeah. Well, take the bike
and impound it, will ya?
Yeah.
What are you doing?
No riding on the sidewalk.
How's it coming?
Good. Coming right along.
Got a nice feel to it.
I'll tell you what...
When you're finished with it,
tell me what it is,
and I'll give you
50 cents for it.
Oh, Andy,
I put the bike in the shed.
Good.
Hi, paw.
Oh, hi, son.
Paw, could I talk to you about
something I don't understand?
Sure. Come on in.
Oh, uh, that's nice...
Very nice.
I just don't understand it, paw.
What?
None of the other guys
work for their allowance.
I thought we had this
all thrashed out before.
We did.
Why bring it up again?
'Cause.
'Cause why?
Just 'cause.
Son, that 'causing'
can go on and on
if you give it its head.
Now what's this all about?
I don't want to work
for my allowance.
Opie, I'm very busy right now.
Like I say, we been through
all that before.
I still don't want to work
for my allowance.
Fine.
You don't have to.
Oh, boy!
No work, no allowance.
That's not fair!
Don't raise your voice to me.
Now you get on out of here.
I got things to do.
What are you doin'?
Opie, I asked you
what you're doin'.
I was holding my breath.
Good. Good lung exercise.
Opie, what are you doing now?
I'm crying and I can't stop.
Oh, that's a shame.
What are you doin' now?
I was having a tantrum.
Oh.
Well, don't get your clothes
all dirty.
Sheriff.
Yes, sir.
You the boy's father?
That's right, Simon winkler.
Andy Taylor.
What's this all about?
249-a, section Roman numeral v.
Passenger carrying
wheeled vehicle
making passage
and/or transcending area
designated
for pedestrian traffic only.
Suspect duly warned,
flaunted said warning
and ignoring same, repeated
offense within a 24-hour period.
All right.
So he rode his bike on the sidewalk.
I was there, Mr. Winkler.
Arnold was given warning,
and continued to ride his
bicycle on the sidewalk.
The offense was clearly defined
under normal weather conditions.
There was plenty of room.
I wasn't hurting anybody.
People are coming in
and out of stores
on main street every minute.
You never know when somebody's
will walk in front of ya.
Everybody's against me.
There, there.
Can't even have a little fun.
Now you see what you've done.
You got the boy all upset.
Was it such a crime?
It seems you people would have
more important things to do
than go around,
frightening children.
Now look here, Mr. Winkler,
Arnold was warned
and continued to ride
his bicycle on the sidewalk.
We're gonna impound that bicycle
until he learns to use it
according to regulation.
For heaven's sake.
Can't you see this is
a very sensitive child?
Obviously, you don't
understand him.
Arnold's a good boy.
You just don't understand him.
Oh, I think I understand him.
He's a good boy, really.
A little high-spirited, perhaps,
but weren't we all at his age?
I wasn't.
The law's the law.
If we don't teach
children to live
in society today,
what's gonna happen to them
when they grow up?
For heaven's sake.
The boy's not a criminal.
I didn't say he was.
What he does at home
is none of our business,
but when he gets out
on the street
he's gonna have to answer to us.
I can show you
in the statute book.
The minimum punishment
for this offense
is impounding the bicycle
for one week.
Well, you can't do it.
I demand you return that bike
and now!
Now you look here.
You're that boy's father.
You're responsible
for his actions.
He's too young to be locked up,
but if you're not gonna
take responsibility
maybe I ought to lock you up.
You ever think of that?
Yeah. Well,
my dad ain't scared of that. Are you?
Make them put you in
jail. That'll show 'em!
Go on, dad.
Show them they can't
push me around.
Go on. Put him in jail.
He won't care!
How's that?
My dad'll show ya.
He's tough.
You, uh...
You want me
to lock your father up?
He ain't afraid of ya!
I don't want to lose
my brand-new bike.
I just got it.
You'd rather I put
your father in jail?
I want my bike!
Sheriff, there won't be any need
to impound that bike.
How's that?
I'd like to have it.
I want to sell it.
Sell it?
You're gonna sell my bike?
That's right, Arnold.
But it's my bike!
You can't sell my bike!
Be quiet, Arnold.
Barney, you want
to go get the bicycle?
10-4.
No, no, no, no!
I won't let you!
You can't do that!
Arnold, be quiet.
Mr. Winkler,
would you like to continue
this father and son discussion
in quiet?
I say, would you like
to continue this in quiet?
There's a real nice woodshed
out back.
Woodshed?
Mm-hmm.
A good old
real nice one.
Mm-hmm.
Come on, Arnold.
No, I want my bike!
I want my bike!
I want my bike!
Is Arnie gonna get spanked, paw?
Don't you think he deserves it?
I don't wanna say.
After all,
he is one of my own kind.
Hi, paw.
Hi, son.
Can I talk to you for a minute?
Sure.
What's on your mind?
Well, I've been doing
a lot of thinking.
Good for the head.
And I was wondering
if, by any chance,
you might need a person
to clean the garage
and do odd jobs around.
You know, it's funny
you should ask at this time.
There happens to be a recent
vacancy in that department.
Oh, boy!
Well, what person
did you have in mind?
Opie Taylor.
Uh-huh.
I'm sorry
about the way I acted, paw.
What's done is done.
Well, let's see.
Uh, cleaning out the garage,
hauling out the ashes,
setting the table.
That ought to be worth
about, oh, say, uh...
25 cents a week, okay?
Sounds fine to me, paw.
Good.
Ope.
Yeah, paw?
It was kind of hard
for you to apologize, wasn't it?
Kind of.
Well, suppose we make that,
uh, 27 cents a week.
That's a dollar more a year.
Yeah.
What you gonna do
with all your money?
Save up for a bell.
A bell?
Uh-huh. Then save up for a bike
to put under it.