The Brady Bunch (1969–1974): Season 1, Episode 12 - The Voice of Christmas - full transcript
The Bradys are excited about spending their first Christmas together as a combined family. Carol has been chosen to sing the solo at the Christmas morning church service, so Mike decides to buy her a tape recorder for Christmas so that she can keep a recording of herself singing. But Carol's practicing and the tape recorder may all be for naught as days before Christmas, Carol loses her voice. Luckily, she finds out that she is afflicted with nothing more serious than vocal strain induced laryngitis, but that still does not provide any comfort in that if it does clear by Christmas, she won't be able to sing at the church service. Regardless, all the Christmas chores still have to get done, and Alice does her part by mixing up a Nelson home remedy, however intolerable, to help Carol get past her laryngitis. But Carol's laryngitis places a pall over the entire family, so much so that the older kids contemplate postponing Christmas altogether until their mother is feeling all right. Six year old Cindy takes this feeling to an extreme when on Christmas Eve as her mother feels no closer to regaining her voice, she asks the department store Santa Claus for her mother's voice back so that she can sing at the church service, to which the Santa, unable to deny Cindy anything she wants, promises that he will do so. This promise brings up a problem for Mike, who has to try and explain to Cindy why her mother probably will not get her voice back by Christmas, while not bursting adolescent Cindy's innocent notions of the magic and spirit of Christmas.
♪ Here's the story
of a lovely lady ♪
♪ Who was bringing up
three very lovely girls ♪
♪ All of them had hair of
gold, like their mother ♪
♪ The youngest one in curls ♪
♪ It's the story of a
man named Brady ♪
♪ Who was busy with
three boys of his own ♪
♪ They were four
men living all together ♪
♪ Yet they were all alone ♪
♪ Till the one day when
the lady met this fellow ♪
♪ And they knew that it was
much more than a hunch ♪
♪ That this group must
somehow form a family ♪
♪ That's the way they all
became the Brady Bunch ♪
♪ The Brady Bunch,
the Brady Bunch ♪
♪ That's the way they
became the Brady Bunch. ♪
♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪
♪ Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la, la, la ♪
♪ Don we now... ♪
There! How's that for
a masterpiece, hmm?
Alice, you did such a
beautiful job with that
I'm gonna let you
help me with this one.
Oh, Mrs. Brady is really going
to be thrilled with
that tape recorder.
Well, she's been rehearsing
her solo day and night
for the church service
Christmas morning.
Thought she'd get a kick out
of putting her voice on tape.
I better get this wrapped
before she gets back
from choir practice.
She's really thrilled
about singing that solo.
I hope they like her.
You kidding? She's gonna knock
that congregation
right out of their pews.
You have a way of
putting things, Alice.
I need your finger.
Press down hard
right there. Okay.
I don't know how
Mrs. Brady does it.
Besides all that singing,
she's been addressing
Christmas cards, shopping...
Alice...
I guess the singing gives
her something to think about
while she's doing
everything else.
Say, now, how's
that going to look?
Alice... Yes, Mr. Brady?
Alice, I hate to be a spoilsport
but I need that finger.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Hey, I got to remember
how I did that.
One of these days,
I'm gonna meet
an eligible bachelor, and I...
Oh, hi, Mrs. Brady.
Hi, honey. What's wrong?
( whispering): I can't talk.
You can't talk!
You lost your voice?!
ALICE: Oh, my!
The Christmas service!
How are you going to
sing without a voice?
Ohh!
MIKE: Yes?
Yes.
Yes, Doctor, she's using it now.
Any further results
of those tests?
Get your head back under there.
Yes, Doctor.
She has what?!
Laryngopharyng...
More commonly
referred to as laryngitis.
Mm-hmm.
I see.
Uh-huh.
Yes, Doctor, I'll tell her.
Thank you very much.
Good-bye.
( Mike sighs)
The Doctor says
all that rehearsing
has strained your vocal chords
and if you want to
sing Christmas morning
you have to have
complete rest and quiet.
But, Mike, I have
to decorate the tree
and do my Christmas
shopping and...
And do not try to talk!
Mike, there's so much to do.
Will you relax?
Everything will get done.
When the boys get
back with the tree
we'll all pitch in
and help decorate it.
We'll get the
shopping done, too.
You take it easy
and rest your voice.
Uh-uh-uh!
Don't talk.
( chuckles)
Aw, honey, I know you
don't like to baby yourself
but it's doctor's orders.
This is our first family
Christmas together
and that's the
main thing, isn't it?
( chuckling): Attagirl.
( banging) Now, you just...
GREG: Take it easy!
PETER: Hurry up, will you?
I better give them a hand.
Now, listen, you
don't go anywhere.
You get back under
your teepee, Pocahontas.
Hold it, hold it, we're
breaking the branches.
PETER: I told you
not to buy such a big one!
Well, let's swing it around.
Just a minute, Dad,
we got a problem here.
We're trying to get
the Christmas tree
through the door.
Come on.
Boy, are we dum-dums.
Don't feel bad, fellas.
They didn't give me an
architect's degree for nothing!
Hey!
Now all we got to do
is figure out where to put it.
Honey, you shouldn't
be roaming around.
Okay.
The boys picked out a beauty.
GREG: I picked it out.
PETER: I pointed to it.
BOBBY: I saw it first!
There's enough
credit for everybody.
MIKE: Where would
you like it, honey?
Oh, you're going
to leave it up to us?
All righty!
Let's see.
Hey, how about over there?
Looks great to me.
MIKE: Let's go.
Ally-oop!
Careful, now, we don't
want to break the branches.
Here, let's set it
down here, boys.
Okay, Bobby, Peter,
move the horse.
Don't drop it, fellas.
Put this over here
for the time being.
Okay... into the corner.
There, how's that?
Looks great.
Yeah, perfect, isn't it?
No.
You heard your mother, boys.
She wants it in the entry hall.
Hop to it.
Up we go.
Okay, boys, put it down there.
Hey, hey, hey!
Yeah, yeah!
Yeah, okay.
You're right, honey,
that's the only place for it.
Did you find a spot, honey?
GREG: Where?
That's the first
place we put it.
You heard your mother, boys.
Let's go.
ALICE: Careful, girls,
don't drop those boxes.
We've got enough
Christmas ornaments
to decorate the
whole neighborhood.
That's what happens
when two families get together.
These are heavy.
Where should we put them, Mom?
Be careful with those
ornaments, kids, they're fragile.
What does that
mean... "fragile"?
( sighs)
That's "fragile."
Ugh! That smells
terrible, Alice!
I don't think
you're going to get
Mrs. Brady to try it.
It may not smell like gardenia
but the main thing is
it's a cure for laryngitis.
Aah, that needs more vinegar.
Vinegar! What else have you got
in that witches' brew?
Oh, oil of camphor, tar,
pepper, mustard powder...
My grandmother's secret remedy.
How could she keep it a secret?
You can smell it for 15 miles.
( coughing)
You're going to soak
that cloth in that stuff
and get Mrs. Brady to
wear it around her neck?
That's the idea.
( grunts doubtingly)
Well, none of the other
medicines has worked.
In fact, I'm planning
to exchange
that tape recorder.
Well, there's no need
in reminding her
she can't sing now.
If this works, she might get
her voice back by Christmas.
Yeah, I hope you're right.
I think the best
thing you can do
with that concoction is
to pour it down the drain
and hope it doesn't
wreck the plumbing.
Mr. Brady, many people
have scoffed at this remedy...
GREG: Hi, Dad.
We gonna go shopping soon?
Yeah, in a little while, Greg.
Before we go shopping
I'm going to fix lunch.
Not for me.
I just decided to go on a diet.
Mrs. Brady, this is
my grandmother's
secret remedy for
curing laryngitis.
Stand still, let me wrap
it around your neck.
I know it doesn't
smell very nice
but you'll get used to
it in just a little while.
( whispering): Alice, no!
But you've tried all
the other medicines,
Mrs. Brady, and
they haven't worked.
Now, please give it a chance.
Mrs. Brady, don't you trust me?
( whispers): No.
Look, I'll show you
it's not so bad to wear.
( inhales deeply)
See? I can hardly
smell it at all.
Will you wear it?
You won't be sorry, Mrs. Brady.
You'll be cured in 24 hours.
( whispering): 24 hours!
24 hours. Unless
you break out in a rash
and then you
ought to take it off.
You're wearing Grandma's
secret remedy, huh?
Let's hope it does the job.
We're going to go downtown
and finish the shopping.
I'll round up the kids.
Who knows, honey?
It might just work, you know.
Does the smell bother you?
No. No, it's not too bad.
( chuckles)
We better get going...
We won't be too long.
Uh, no.
Oh, it looks like we got here
during the rush hour.
Now, you be a nice little girl
and you'll get that
puppy for Christmas.
I can wait by myself, Daddy.
Well, I did want to
exchange this present.
You sure you don't
mind waiting alone?
Daddy, I'm six years old!
I keep forgetting.
Now, I'll be right back
and you wait right here.
Okay.
Okay.
( elevator bell rings)
Hi, I'm Cindy.
What's your name?
I hate girls.
A basketball and a BB gun
and a four-speed
bike with hand brakes
and a dart game, and
a baseball mitt... lefty...
And a bow and
arrow set, and a...
All right, sonny, I'll
do all I can for you.
Now, you just run
along and be a good boy.
I'm only half
finished. Well, I know,
but I have to go and feed
my reindeer, and besides,
there are a lot of
other children waiting.
I'll read this later.
You might forget.
Oh, I'll never
forget you, sonny.
Merry Christmas.
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!
You're next, little girl.
Well, my sakes!
What's your name?
Cindy Brady.
My, but you are
a pretty little girl!
What toy would you like
to have Santa bring you?
Oh, I don't want any toys.
No toys?
Well, you must want
something for Christmas.
I do... I want my mommy
to get her voice back.
Your mommy's voice back?
Mommy's got
"Larry-gitis" real bad.
Well, that is a shame.
And she has to sing
at church on Christmas.
Well, Cindy, I
don't think I can...
Oh, please, Santa.
It's all I want for Christmas.
Well, you certainly are
a sweet, unselfish little girl.
I'm sure your mommy
will get her voice back.
Oh, thank you, Santa!
( Santa chuckling)
Daddy, Daddy!
What are you so excited
about, sweetie, huh?
Santa's going to give Mommy
her voice back for Christmas.
He's what?
He promised Mommy can
sing on Christmas morning.
Oh, honey, how could he do that?
He's not a doctor.
He's better than a doctor.
He's Santa Claus.
Why would you
make such a promise
to a little girl?
Listen, this is
Christmas, mister,
and I'm Santa Claus.
You know, maybe it's okay
to promise material things
like toys and
dolls and bicycles,
but not voices.
How's Cindy gonna
feel tomorrow morning
when her mother can't even
say "Merry Christmas" to her?
I'm sorry, but that
little kid is hard to resist.
When she looks at you
with those big baby blues
you just want to
give her everything.
Not things you can't deliver.
Look, she believes
in you, you know.
Honest... I only wanted
to make her happy.
That's great for now.
What's going to make
her happy Christmas Day?
I can hardly wait for
Christmas, Mommy.
( raspily): Me, too.
And wait till you see
what Santa's bringing you.
Santa's bringing me something?
Uh-huh. But it's a
secret, so I can't tell you
what it is.
All right, I'll tell.
You're going to
get your voice back
on Christmas.
It's true, Mommy.
Santa promised me.
You asked Santa to
give me my voice back?
Uh-huh. I asked Santa
today and he said he would.
Cindy, can I see
you for a moment?
Sure, Daddy.
Be right back, Mommy.
I told Mommy what
Santa's bringing her.
( sighs)
Daddy?
Hmm?
Did you bring me out here
to watch you walk?
No, sweetheart.
I have something to say to you
but I'm not sure how to say it.
You're going to scold me?
No, of course not.
I didn't think so.
You always know how to do that.
Cindy, I don't want you
to build your hopes too high
that your mother
will get her voice back
by Christmas.
Oh, she will.
Santa said so.
Well, maybe you
misunderstood him.
Now, he didn't exactly
promise, did he?
Oh, yes, Daddy, he did.
Really he did... and
he's Santa Claus.
( sighs)
Cindy, I don't want
you to expect a miracle.
Oh, I don't expect a miracle.
I just expect
Mommy to sing good.
Now, where would be a good place
to hide the boys' presents?
Do we have to hide them?
It's a surprise!
They'll never expect
to be getting presents from us.
How about in the closet?
No, that'll be the
first place they'll look
when they start snooping.
What makes you
think they'll snoop?
Well, we snoop, don't we?
All right, now, just make sure
the girls don't catch
you hiding these.
If they catch me
should I eat the present?
Eat it?!
He's been watching too
many of those spy programs.
Mrs. Brady?
MAN ( over radio): It is now 11:15
on this night before Christmas.
We interrupt the music
to bring you another
bulletin on Santa Claus.
Our Canadian tracking
station has spotted
his reindeer-powered sleigh
zooming through the
skies over Montreal
and headed for New York.
We'll keep you informed
as further bulletins come in.
And now, back to
Christmas music.
( knob clicks)
Find one of yours?
What did it sound like?
Who cares? I started thinking
about Mom losing
her voice on Christmas.
Yeah, just when she's
supposed to sing her solo.
It's a bum deal.
I thought sure she'd have
her voice back by now.
PETER: Me, too.
Keep it down, would you?
You'll wake everybody up.
JAN: Who can sleep?
Some Christmas!
It's no fun this year.
Aha! I caught you in the act!
Sneaking down, trying to guess
what the presents are, huh?
Nobody feels much
like guessing presents.
You know what I think...
I think we ought to
postpone Christmas
till Mom can talk again.
GREG: I'm for that.
BOBBY: Me, too.
Let's skip Christmas this year.
Okay, it's unanimous...
We'll cancel Christmas.
Take the tree down
get the presents
back to the store.
I'll throw the turkey away.
Of course, it might
disappoint your mother a little.
She's had one
tough break already.
She and your dad
were looking forward
to us all having
a wonderful first
Christmas together.
Well, why worry
about how they feel?
We don't want to
disappoint them.
Of course not.
Well, that's exactly
what you'd be doing.
It was your idea, Marcia.
I only meant it
because Mom can't sing tomorrow.
You can't throw the
turkey away, Alice...
It's got my favorite dressing.
Don't worry, honey, I won't.
I just wanted you all to
realize you didn't really mean
what you were saying.
You sure scared me.
Okay, everybody off to bed now.
Come on, back you go.
Off, Dasher, off,
Dancer, off, Prancer...
Off, Vixen.
On, Comet, on, Cupid,
and Donner and Blitzen.
We were just going back to bed.
Good night, kids.
Mr. Brady, I didn't
know you were there.
Alice, I heard part of
what you said to the kids.
( Carol humming "O
Come All Ye Faithful")
Honey... honey... wake up.
Sing.
( with full voice): Sing?
At this hour?
I can't even talk.
I just did!
Oh, Mike!
I'm not dreaming!
I'm awake! I can talk.
Sing, honey, sing!
♪ O come all ye faithful... ♪
♪ Joyful and triumphant ♪
♪ O come ye ♪
♪ O come ye to Bethlehem ♪
♪ Come and behold Him ♪
♪ Born the King of angels ♪
♪ O come let us adore Him ♪
♪ O come let us adore Him ♪
♪ O come let us adore Him ♪
♪ Christ the Lord ♪
♪ Come and behold Him ♪
♪ Born the King of angels ♪
♪ O come let us adore Him ♪
♪ O come let us adore Him ♪
♪ O come let us adore Him ♪
♪ Christ the Lord. ♪
Cindy, I think it's time
you went to bed, sweetheart.
Just a minute, Mommy.
I want to finish
this thank-you
letter to Santa Claus.
Thank-you letter!
Oh, Santa's gonna like that.
That's very thoughtful of you.
Love...
Cindy.
There, now, it's all finished.
I hope Santa can
read first-grade writing.
Oh, I'm sure he can.
Daddy, I told you
Santa would give
Mommy her voice back.
Yeah.
Well... you were right, sweetie.
Christmas is the
season for miracles, huh?
of a lovely lady ♪
♪ Who was bringing up
three very lovely girls ♪
♪ All of them had hair of
gold, like their mother ♪
♪ The youngest one in curls ♪
♪ It's the story of a
man named Brady ♪
♪ Who was busy with
three boys of his own ♪
♪ They were four
men living all together ♪
♪ Yet they were all alone ♪
♪ Till the one day when
the lady met this fellow ♪
♪ And they knew that it was
much more than a hunch ♪
♪ That this group must
somehow form a family ♪
♪ That's the way they all
became the Brady Bunch ♪
♪ The Brady Bunch,
the Brady Bunch ♪
♪ That's the way they
became the Brady Bunch. ♪
♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪
♪ Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la, la, la ♪
♪ Don we now... ♪
There! How's that for
a masterpiece, hmm?
Alice, you did such a
beautiful job with that
I'm gonna let you
help me with this one.
Oh, Mrs. Brady is really going
to be thrilled with
that tape recorder.
Well, she's been rehearsing
her solo day and night
for the church service
Christmas morning.
Thought she'd get a kick out
of putting her voice on tape.
I better get this wrapped
before she gets back
from choir practice.
She's really thrilled
about singing that solo.
I hope they like her.
You kidding? She's gonna knock
that congregation
right out of their pews.
You have a way of
putting things, Alice.
I need your finger.
Press down hard
right there. Okay.
I don't know how
Mrs. Brady does it.
Besides all that singing,
she's been addressing
Christmas cards, shopping...
Alice...
I guess the singing gives
her something to think about
while she's doing
everything else.
Say, now, how's
that going to look?
Alice... Yes, Mr. Brady?
Alice, I hate to be a spoilsport
but I need that finger.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Hey, I got to remember
how I did that.
One of these days,
I'm gonna meet
an eligible bachelor, and I...
Oh, hi, Mrs. Brady.
Hi, honey. What's wrong?
( whispering): I can't talk.
You can't talk!
You lost your voice?!
ALICE: Oh, my!
The Christmas service!
How are you going to
sing without a voice?
Ohh!
MIKE: Yes?
Yes.
Yes, Doctor, she's using it now.
Any further results
of those tests?
Get your head back under there.
Yes, Doctor.
She has what?!
Laryngopharyng...
More commonly
referred to as laryngitis.
Mm-hmm.
I see.
Uh-huh.
Yes, Doctor, I'll tell her.
Thank you very much.
Good-bye.
( Mike sighs)
The Doctor says
all that rehearsing
has strained your vocal chords
and if you want to
sing Christmas morning
you have to have
complete rest and quiet.
But, Mike, I have
to decorate the tree
and do my Christmas
shopping and...
And do not try to talk!
Mike, there's so much to do.
Will you relax?
Everything will get done.
When the boys get
back with the tree
we'll all pitch in
and help decorate it.
We'll get the
shopping done, too.
You take it easy
and rest your voice.
Uh-uh-uh!
Don't talk.
( chuckles)
Aw, honey, I know you
don't like to baby yourself
but it's doctor's orders.
This is our first family
Christmas together
and that's the
main thing, isn't it?
( chuckling): Attagirl.
( banging) Now, you just...
GREG: Take it easy!
PETER: Hurry up, will you?
I better give them a hand.
Now, listen, you
don't go anywhere.
You get back under
your teepee, Pocahontas.
Hold it, hold it, we're
breaking the branches.
PETER: I told you
not to buy such a big one!
Well, let's swing it around.
Just a minute, Dad,
we got a problem here.
We're trying to get
the Christmas tree
through the door.
Come on.
Boy, are we dum-dums.
Don't feel bad, fellas.
They didn't give me an
architect's degree for nothing!
Hey!
Now all we got to do
is figure out where to put it.
Honey, you shouldn't
be roaming around.
Okay.
The boys picked out a beauty.
GREG: I picked it out.
PETER: I pointed to it.
BOBBY: I saw it first!
There's enough
credit for everybody.
MIKE: Where would
you like it, honey?
Oh, you're going
to leave it up to us?
All righty!
Let's see.
Hey, how about over there?
Looks great to me.
MIKE: Let's go.
Ally-oop!
Careful, now, we don't
want to break the branches.
Here, let's set it
down here, boys.
Okay, Bobby, Peter,
move the horse.
Don't drop it, fellas.
Put this over here
for the time being.
Okay... into the corner.
There, how's that?
Looks great.
Yeah, perfect, isn't it?
No.
You heard your mother, boys.
She wants it in the entry hall.
Hop to it.
Up we go.
Okay, boys, put it down there.
Hey, hey, hey!
Yeah, yeah!
Yeah, okay.
You're right, honey,
that's the only place for it.
Did you find a spot, honey?
GREG: Where?
That's the first
place we put it.
You heard your mother, boys.
Let's go.
ALICE: Careful, girls,
don't drop those boxes.
We've got enough
Christmas ornaments
to decorate the
whole neighborhood.
That's what happens
when two families get together.
These are heavy.
Where should we put them, Mom?
Be careful with those
ornaments, kids, they're fragile.
What does that
mean... "fragile"?
( sighs)
That's "fragile."
Ugh! That smells
terrible, Alice!
I don't think
you're going to get
Mrs. Brady to try it.
It may not smell like gardenia
but the main thing is
it's a cure for laryngitis.
Aah, that needs more vinegar.
Vinegar! What else have you got
in that witches' brew?
Oh, oil of camphor, tar,
pepper, mustard powder...
My grandmother's secret remedy.
How could she keep it a secret?
You can smell it for 15 miles.
( coughing)
You're going to soak
that cloth in that stuff
and get Mrs. Brady to
wear it around her neck?
That's the idea.
( grunts doubtingly)
Well, none of the other
medicines has worked.
In fact, I'm planning
to exchange
that tape recorder.
Well, there's no need
in reminding her
she can't sing now.
If this works, she might get
her voice back by Christmas.
Yeah, I hope you're right.
I think the best
thing you can do
with that concoction is
to pour it down the drain
and hope it doesn't
wreck the plumbing.
Mr. Brady, many people
have scoffed at this remedy...
GREG: Hi, Dad.
We gonna go shopping soon?
Yeah, in a little while, Greg.
Before we go shopping
I'm going to fix lunch.
Not for me.
I just decided to go on a diet.
Mrs. Brady, this is
my grandmother's
secret remedy for
curing laryngitis.
Stand still, let me wrap
it around your neck.
I know it doesn't
smell very nice
but you'll get used to
it in just a little while.
( whispering): Alice, no!
But you've tried all
the other medicines,
Mrs. Brady, and
they haven't worked.
Now, please give it a chance.
Mrs. Brady, don't you trust me?
( whispers): No.
Look, I'll show you
it's not so bad to wear.
( inhales deeply)
See? I can hardly
smell it at all.
Will you wear it?
You won't be sorry, Mrs. Brady.
You'll be cured in 24 hours.
( whispering): 24 hours!
24 hours. Unless
you break out in a rash
and then you
ought to take it off.
You're wearing Grandma's
secret remedy, huh?
Let's hope it does the job.
We're going to go downtown
and finish the shopping.
I'll round up the kids.
Who knows, honey?
It might just work, you know.
Does the smell bother you?
No. No, it's not too bad.
( chuckles)
We better get going...
We won't be too long.
Uh, no.
Oh, it looks like we got here
during the rush hour.
Now, you be a nice little girl
and you'll get that
puppy for Christmas.
I can wait by myself, Daddy.
Well, I did want to
exchange this present.
You sure you don't
mind waiting alone?
Daddy, I'm six years old!
I keep forgetting.
Now, I'll be right back
and you wait right here.
Okay.
Okay.
( elevator bell rings)
Hi, I'm Cindy.
What's your name?
I hate girls.
A basketball and a BB gun
and a four-speed
bike with hand brakes
and a dart game, and
a baseball mitt... lefty...
And a bow and
arrow set, and a...
All right, sonny, I'll
do all I can for you.
Now, you just run
along and be a good boy.
I'm only half
finished. Well, I know,
but I have to go and feed
my reindeer, and besides,
there are a lot of
other children waiting.
I'll read this later.
You might forget.
Oh, I'll never
forget you, sonny.
Merry Christmas.
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!
You're next, little girl.
Well, my sakes!
What's your name?
Cindy Brady.
My, but you are
a pretty little girl!
What toy would you like
to have Santa bring you?
Oh, I don't want any toys.
No toys?
Well, you must want
something for Christmas.
I do... I want my mommy
to get her voice back.
Your mommy's voice back?
Mommy's got
"Larry-gitis" real bad.
Well, that is a shame.
And she has to sing
at church on Christmas.
Well, Cindy, I
don't think I can...
Oh, please, Santa.
It's all I want for Christmas.
Well, you certainly are
a sweet, unselfish little girl.
I'm sure your mommy
will get her voice back.
Oh, thank you, Santa!
( Santa chuckling)
Daddy, Daddy!
What are you so excited
about, sweetie, huh?
Santa's going to give Mommy
her voice back for Christmas.
He's what?
He promised Mommy can
sing on Christmas morning.
Oh, honey, how could he do that?
He's not a doctor.
He's better than a doctor.
He's Santa Claus.
Why would you
make such a promise
to a little girl?
Listen, this is
Christmas, mister,
and I'm Santa Claus.
You know, maybe it's okay
to promise material things
like toys and
dolls and bicycles,
but not voices.
How's Cindy gonna
feel tomorrow morning
when her mother can't even
say "Merry Christmas" to her?
I'm sorry, but that
little kid is hard to resist.
When she looks at you
with those big baby blues
you just want to
give her everything.
Not things you can't deliver.
Look, she believes
in you, you know.
Honest... I only wanted
to make her happy.
That's great for now.
What's going to make
her happy Christmas Day?
I can hardly wait for
Christmas, Mommy.
( raspily): Me, too.
And wait till you see
what Santa's bringing you.
Santa's bringing me something?
Uh-huh. But it's a
secret, so I can't tell you
what it is.
All right, I'll tell.
You're going to
get your voice back
on Christmas.
It's true, Mommy.
Santa promised me.
You asked Santa to
give me my voice back?
Uh-huh. I asked Santa
today and he said he would.
Cindy, can I see
you for a moment?
Sure, Daddy.
Be right back, Mommy.
I told Mommy what
Santa's bringing her.
( sighs)
Daddy?
Hmm?
Did you bring me out here
to watch you walk?
No, sweetheart.
I have something to say to you
but I'm not sure how to say it.
You're going to scold me?
No, of course not.
I didn't think so.
You always know how to do that.
Cindy, I don't want you
to build your hopes too high
that your mother
will get her voice back
by Christmas.
Oh, she will.
Santa said so.
Well, maybe you
misunderstood him.
Now, he didn't exactly
promise, did he?
Oh, yes, Daddy, he did.
Really he did... and
he's Santa Claus.
( sighs)
Cindy, I don't want
you to expect a miracle.
Oh, I don't expect a miracle.
I just expect
Mommy to sing good.
Now, where would be a good place
to hide the boys' presents?
Do we have to hide them?
It's a surprise!
They'll never expect
to be getting presents from us.
How about in the closet?
No, that'll be the
first place they'll look
when they start snooping.
What makes you
think they'll snoop?
Well, we snoop, don't we?
All right, now, just make sure
the girls don't catch
you hiding these.
If they catch me
should I eat the present?
Eat it?!
He's been watching too
many of those spy programs.
Mrs. Brady?
MAN ( over radio): It is now 11:15
on this night before Christmas.
We interrupt the music
to bring you another
bulletin on Santa Claus.
Our Canadian tracking
station has spotted
his reindeer-powered sleigh
zooming through the
skies over Montreal
and headed for New York.
We'll keep you informed
as further bulletins come in.
And now, back to
Christmas music.
( knob clicks)
Find one of yours?
What did it sound like?
Who cares? I started thinking
about Mom losing
her voice on Christmas.
Yeah, just when she's
supposed to sing her solo.
It's a bum deal.
I thought sure she'd have
her voice back by now.
PETER: Me, too.
Keep it down, would you?
You'll wake everybody up.
JAN: Who can sleep?
Some Christmas!
It's no fun this year.
Aha! I caught you in the act!
Sneaking down, trying to guess
what the presents are, huh?
Nobody feels much
like guessing presents.
You know what I think...
I think we ought to
postpone Christmas
till Mom can talk again.
GREG: I'm for that.
BOBBY: Me, too.
Let's skip Christmas this year.
Okay, it's unanimous...
We'll cancel Christmas.
Take the tree down
get the presents
back to the store.
I'll throw the turkey away.
Of course, it might
disappoint your mother a little.
She's had one
tough break already.
She and your dad
were looking forward
to us all having
a wonderful first
Christmas together.
Well, why worry
about how they feel?
We don't want to
disappoint them.
Of course not.
Well, that's exactly
what you'd be doing.
It was your idea, Marcia.
I only meant it
because Mom can't sing tomorrow.
You can't throw the
turkey away, Alice...
It's got my favorite dressing.
Don't worry, honey, I won't.
I just wanted you all to
realize you didn't really mean
what you were saying.
You sure scared me.
Okay, everybody off to bed now.
Come on, back you go.
Off, Dasher, off,
Dancer, off, Prancer...
Off, Vixen.
On, Comet, on, Cupid,
and Donner and Blitzen.
We were just going back to bed.
Good night, kids.
Mr. Brady, I didn't
know you were there.
Alice, I heard part of
what you said to the kids.
( Carol humming "O
Come All Ye Faithful")
Honey... honey... wake up.
Sing.
( with full voice): Sing?
At this hour?
I can't even talk.
I just did!
Oh, Mike!
I'm not dreaming!
I'm awake! I can talk.
Sing, honey, sing!
♪ O come all ye faithful... ♪
♪ Joyful and triumphant ♪
♪ O come ye ♪
♪ O come ye to Bethlehem ♪
♪ Come and behold Him ♪
♪ Born the King of angels ♪
♪ O come let us adore Him ♪
♪ O come let us adore Him ♪
♪ O come let us adore Him ♪
♪ Christ the Lord ♪
♪ Come and behold Him ♪
♪ Born the King of angels ♪
♪ O come let us adore Him ♪
♪ O come let us adore Him ♪
♪ O come let us adore Him ♪
♪ Christ the Lord. ♪
Cindy, I think it's time
you went to bed, sweetheart.
Just a minute, Mommy.
I want to finish
this thank-you
letter to Santa Claus.
Thank-you letter!
Oh, Santa's gonna like that.
That's very thoughtful of you.
Love...
Cindy.
There, now, it's all finished.
I hope Santa can
read first-grade writing.
Oh, I'm sure he can.
Daddy, I told you
Santa would give
Mommy her voice back.
Yeah.
Well... you were right, sweetie.
Christmas is the
season for miracles, huh?