The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966): Season 1, Episode 1 - Weekend Trip - full transcript

Mary, Jeff, you'll
be late for school.

I'm never late. Mary's the one.

How can it take 40
minutes just to get dressed?

What does she do? I
make it in five minutes flat.

Any little boy can get dressed
in five minutes flat, dear.

The difference
is that girls wash.

So, 35 extra
minutes just to wash?

How can you get so
dirty just sleeping?

Never mind, Jeff.

Where's the man with
the cribside manner?

Your father is in his office
taking a look at Eddie Barclay.



What's the matter
with Chicken Barclay?

Honestly, you and
your vulgar nicknames.

I'm with you, Mary.

Now, we'll know that

just as soon as your father's
had time to examine him.

And Dad will take time for that.

Gee, I wish he could
take just a little bit of time

- and spend it with us.
- Yeah.

I've about give up hope

that Dad will ever be
able to take me skiing.

Well, your father's
a very busy man.

You know Grace McLane's father?

He takes her up to Mount
Owens practically every weekend.

Well, Mr. McLane's
a schoolteacher



with a five-day week.

Your father's a pediatrician
with an eight-day week.

Well, if Dad had any free
time, he wouldn't spend it skiing.

He'd teach me how to play chess.

Now, there's a game
you'd like. There's men in it.

You know something, Jeff?

If we ever get up
to Mount Owens,

oh, you're going to make a
great abominable snowman.

All right, you two.
Stop squabbling.

We're not squabbling.

According to one of
Dad's medical books,

this is known
as sibling rivalry.

It happens in the
best of families.

Thank you, Sigmund Freud.

Well, what do you call it

when every other kid in town
sees more of him than we do?

Oh, now, Mary.

I remember once, two years ago,

I spent a whole half
an hour with Dad.

I sprained my ankle,
and he was taping it.

Now, listen, you two.

Your father would rather
spend time with you

than do anything else.

But it just so happens
that he's a very...

You're through already?

No, but I've got a
three-minute breakfast break.

Thermometer's in his mouth.

What's the matter
with Chicken Barclay?

Stop using that name.

I haven't found a thing so far.

Boy seems perfectly sound,
but he claims he feels terrible.

Dad, will you take me
up skiing this weekend?

Gosh, Mary, I...

You're gonna be too busy
teaching me how to play chess.

- Aren't you, Dad?
- Well, Jeff, I...

Children, don't
bother your father.

He's only got three minutes
to finish his breakfast.

We have to get going anyway,

but I'm gonna take it
up with you again tonight.

Me too, so you better
practice up on your chess.

Bye, Mom.

- Bye, Dad.
- Bye, Jeff.

Well, you know that
father-son shindig

the Boy Scouts had last night?

Yeah.

Well, I was the
only father there

whose legs got whistled at.

Oh, hon, I'm sorry
you had to fill in for me.

But, well, you know how
things get at the hospital.

Well, that's all right.

But Jeff thinks he'd have
won that tepee-building contest

if you'd been there to
hold the poles for him.

Really?

Well, next year, I'll
just have to make it.

You know, sometimes I feel
like a total stranger to my children.

Just a spectator
watching them grow up.

Look, honey, I've
got a wonderful idea.

Oh? What?

Let's take the kids and go
out of town for the weekend.

What, just close up
shop? Are you kidding?

Well, just for the weekend.

Look, we could go
to Mount Owens.

You could ski with Mary
and play chess with Jeff.

And in the evening, we could
sit in front of a big fireplace.

Oh, now, darling, stop dreaming.

I can't just lock up and leave
like a banker or something.

I'm a doctor, remember?

But doctors take trips
just like other people.

Burt Boland gets
away all the time.

Bo's work is different.

All an obstetrician has
to do is deliver babies.

A mere nothing.

Well, a lot easier to guess
when a baby will arrive

than guess when some
6-year-old will fall out of a tree

or contract mumps and need me.

Oh. Speaking of needing me.

Better get back before
my patient gets impatient.

Dr. Boland, please.

Hello. Bo?

How would Hilldale's
most elusive bachelor

like a good home-cooked
meal tonight?

Wonderful.

Of course I have
an ulterior motive.

Bye-bye, Janet.
Everything's just fine.

Give me a call, Mrs. Lenley,
if anything crops up again.

Dinner will be ready in a
half-hour, and Bo's coming.

Good.

Will you be through?

I just have to look
over the Cooper baby

and give him his three-way shot.

What's up?

I want Alex to be
free for the weekend

so that we can all
go to Mount Owens.

Now, could you
take his calls for him?

Is that all? Of course I will.

Sure it won't mess
up your weekend?

Well, I've got a date,
but she won't mind.

If I have any calls,
she can wait in the car.

She's intoxicated
with my personality.

Well, now, we've
got only one problem.

You know how Alex hates
to impose upon his friends.

So I don't know quite
how to tell him about this.

You leave it to old Bo.

I'll make him think
he's doing me a favor.

Hi, Uncle Bo. Hi, Mom.

Hi, Mary. Look, I've
got wonderful news.

We're all going to Mount
Owens for the weekend.

How terrific!

But what about Dad's patients?

Oh, it just so happens that
a very talented obstetrician

is gonna take his calls.

Oh, Uncle Bo, you're dreamy.

Oh, Mother, are we really going?

Yes, on Friday.

Look, we'll rent a cabin
at Timberline Village.

Hey, that's where the
McLanes are staying.

- Really?
- Yes.

Can I phone for
the reservations?

Yeah, sure. Go ahead.

But be sure to get a
cabin with a fireplace in it,

because I want to
enjoy this trip, too.

Hi, Uncle Bo, Mom, and
the queen of the cuisine.

I hear you flunked hard
sauce in cooking class today.

All right, smarty.

It might just
interest you to know

that this family is going to
Mount Owens for the weekend.

And I'm phoning
for the reservations,

and I'm going to ask for
a hard bed just for you.

To Mount Owens? Well,
hey, Mom, that's not fair.

If Dad's gonna be free,
what about my chess?

Well, don't quote me,

but I think he'll be very happy
to spend part of his free time

over a chess board with you.

Now, what kept you so late?

That bully Sloppy Callahan.

He was beating up
on another little kid,

and a bunch of us
had to break it up.

You look like you
handled it pretty well.

You're not even mussed up.

I dazzled him with footwork.

Hey, Mary, you better
get me a decent bed.

Oh, a wonderful boy.

You know, he's
sort of a young me.

Oh, Bo, if you just had a
little more self-confidence,

you could rule the world.

Well, I hope you two are
properly impressed with me.

According to Mrs. Cooper,
I just gave a three-way shot

to the future president
of the United States.

What do you say
to that, delivery boy?

You think that's something?

I'll be able to walk
up to him and say,

"Mr. President, I once
slapped you on the bottom."

Oh, you're lucky to have
such a great wife, Alex.

And that reminds me of
a favor I'd like to ask you.

If you want to borrow
her, the answer is no.

No, not quite that.

Weekend after next,
could you handle my calls?

Yeah, sure. What's up?

Well, I've got a date
upstate with a blonde.

Oh, I don't think
you'll have any calls.

As a matter of
fact, you shouldn't.

That's one good thing
about being an obstetrician.

You can make plans, you know?

I can make dates
months in advance.

In other words,

your pickups don't
conflict with your deliveries.

That's right.

Oh, and, Alex, anytime
that I can take over for you,

why, just say the word.

Well, thanks, Bo.

I don't envy you, being
on call day and night.

No, sir.

So anytime I can take
over for a weekend,

why, just say the word.

Well, say the word.

How about this weekend? We
could go up to Mount Owens.

Oh, that's what all this has
been leading up to, hmm?

Mount Owens.

That's right. Now, can we go?

Not this weekend. Not a chance.

Bo said he'd take
your calls for you.

Yes, I gathered that.

No, that'd be fine if that were
the only problem, but it's not.

I'm a witness on a traffic case

for Hilldale's most
important banker.

George Heiser?

Oh, is that this Saturday?

What's it all about?

George and I were going over
to Woodville, and he got a ticket

for going through a red
light out by the old racetrack.

I remember that light.

All my horses
used to stop at it.

Well, anyway, the light was
just changing as we went through,

so George is going to fight it.

Even if it costs us our weekend?

It's a matter of
principle with him.

Hello?

Oh, yes. Bo, it's for you.

Girls, girls, girls.

Hello?

What?

Mrs. Harper's there?

Oh, but she's not due until...

What?

Came in with a police escort?

Holy smoke. I'll be right there.

I knew I couldn't
trust that woman.

- I'll see you later.
- Goodbye, Bo.

I'm sure glad you talked to
me before you told the kids.

- Well...
- About the weekend.

- The weekend?
- Yes.

If they thought I was
taking them someplace

and I had to disappoint them,

you know how
rough that would be.

Listen, I got it.

It's cabin 32, and it's got
a fireplace and everything.

I'm gonna go up and
find my snow things.

Me too. And I'm gonna
get the chess set out.

We're gonna have a ball.

Well, Alex, it just...

Darling, you know there's
nothing I'd like better

than a couple of
days with my children

and a couple of nights
with you in front of a big fire.

But we can't do it.
Not this weekend.

Well, Alex, what are you
going to tell the children?

- What am I gonna...
- There's nothing worse

than making a promise
that you can't keep.

That's right. So you tell them.

Me? But how can I?

There's only one way for a
brave person to face a difficult task,

and that's to do it.

For a brave person, sure,
but what about us cowards?

Hello, Mr. Heiser.

Well, hello, Mrs. Stone.

Come in. It's nice to see you.

- Thank you.
- Won't you sit down?

Well, I can only stay a minute.

I just wanted to stop in

and wish you luck
in court on Saturday.

Well, thank you very much.

You know, I'm a man

who just doesn't want
to be taken advantage of.

I don't blame you.

And that ticket was unjust.

The light hadn't turned to
red when I went through.

Alex was with me. He knows.

Yes indeed. He's your witness.

In fact, if I hadn't
had all that money,

I wouldn't have
signed the citation.

I'd have made them drive
me right down to the station.

Money in the car?

Yes, the lumber company
payroll. I had it in satchel.

That's where I was going
when they stopped me.

Oh, well, I think
it's just inspiring

to see a man stand up for his
rights no matter what it costs.

Costs?

So many people wouldn't
have the courage in your position

to put their reputation
on the block like that.

My reputation? On the block?

Well, they'd rather pay the fine
to keep out of the newspapers.

Oh, you're a
fighter, aren't you?

Well, I pride myself...

Newspapers?

Oh, I don't think they'd be
interested in a traffic case.

With a man like you involved?

Oh, you're too
modest, Mr. Heiser.

The Sentinel loves
a story like this.

The Sentinel?

It did happen near
the racetrack, didn't it?

Well, yes, the old racetrack.

It's been closed
for years, of course.

The way The Sentinel makes
up headlines, it's just a shame.

They'll probably print
something utterly ridiculous,

like "Banker nabbed
near racetrack

with a satchel full of
money" or something.

Oh, no. They couldn't
print a thing like that.

That's libel.

Well, I guess they
could say that I was...

Nabbed.

"Banker nabbed near racetrack
with a satchel full of money."

- Oh, yes. Well...
- And you know how people are.

They never read the whole story.

They just look at the
headlines and run for the bank.

Oh, I do admire your
courage, Mr. Heiser.

Well, I've got to be
running along now.

- Good luck.
- Thank you.

Oh, sure.

Goodbye.

George Heiser dropped the case.

Really?

I can't get over it.

George Heiser, of all
people, backing down like that.

Well, I wonder what happened.

Did he say why he
changed his mind?

No.

Just said he'd
been thinking it over

and decided a
traffic ticket like that

wasn't worth
wasting his time with.

Said he just went quietly down
to see the judge this afternoon,

paid his fine, and went home.

You realize what this means?

We can go away for
the weekend after all.

And isn't it lucky I didn't
speak to the children?

Well, the way things
are working out for us, I...

I feel like I've got a guardian
angel standing right beside me.

With a dinner plate in her hand.

I know you went to the bank.

Hi.

Hi, darling.

Are we taking all this?

We'll probably need everything.

Do you remember this?

Yeah. Of course I do.

I bought it for you
on our honeymoon.

You look mighty cute in it.

Still do.

Thank you, sir.

Seems to me there was
something about this hat I didn't like.

Well, how'd it go
this afternoon?

Oh, I went over to
the Barclays' again.

Little Eddie's
still sick in bed.

I just can't quite
figure this thing out.

The boy seems perfectly healthy,

and yet he complains
about pain in a dozen places.

Maybe he's faking.

It's possible.

Well, anyway, I think
he'll be up tomorrow.

Well, then, our
weekend's all set.

Except for about 5 million
odds and ends I've got left to do.

Oh, not another
interruption. Excuse me.

Oh, hello, Marge. Come on in.

Hi.

Say, I just finished
this salad mold

for the club
luncheon on Saturday.

It's beautiful.

I don't have room for
it in my refrigerator,

so I brought it over here to
see if you could put it in yours.

Well, yes, we can
find room someplace.

Good.

But I'll have to take it to
Peg Draper's tomorrow.

Peg Draper's?

We're going out of town for
the weekend tomorrow afternoon.

Honey, you're not
going anywhere.

What do you mean?

Peg Draper isn't having
the luncheon this month.

She's out of town.

You're having it right here.

What?

But nobody said a
word to me about it.

Didn't Alex give
you the message?

I called him.

Alex.

Sorry, hon. I've got
to run to my office.

A man's life may
depend on it. Mine.

Alex.

Did you take Marge's call?

Yeah, I'm afraid I did.

Oh, honey, why didn't
you tell me about it?

Well, I'm sorry, hon, but I...

Well, I had to go
out right after that,

and I just completely forgot.

Honestly, if you can't trust
your doctor these days,

who can you trust?

Now what are we going to do?
We've made all the reservations.

We can't call it off and
disappoint the children.

Oh, all right.

I guess I can handle
the luncheon this month.

Oh, Marge, you're beautiful.
I promise to have it next time.

You sure it's all right?
It isn't too much trouble?

If you call the girls.

I phoned them once to
change it to your house.

25 of them.

Oh, I'll do it with
pleasure. Thanks, dear.

The next case of colic
in your family is on me.

Don't you forget it.
Have a good time.

- Thanks.
- Bye, Marge.

Well, everything
worked out fine after all.

I'll be home about
6:00, dear. Starving.

What's for dinner?

Anything you can
find in the refrigerator,

because I'm going to be
busy from now until midnight

on the telephone.

- Boy, today's the day.
- Right.

You two hurry home
right after school.

We want to leave about 5:00.

If there are any fights, let
someone else stop them.

You get home.

There won't be any fights today.

Sloppy Callahan's moving
to California permanently.

Who's Sloppy Callahan?

He's just a
character in my class.

Always beating up on
kids smaller than he is.

Sounds like a good
guy to get rid of.

Yeah.

When he told us yesterday, I
could hardly keep from cheering.

So I just applauded a little.

Remember, when you get home,
I want you to help pack the car.

We've got so much stuff,

I don't know how we're going
to find room for everybody.

Grace McLane and her folks
asked me to ride up with them.

- Could I?
- Well...

Oh, please, Mother.

Grace and I have
so much to talk about.

And then you'll have
room for the luggage.

I think that'll be all right.

Wonderful.

Dr. Stone speaking.

Oh, yes, Mrs. Barclay.
How's the boy?

Old Chicken Barclay again.

I wish you wouldn't
use that nickname.

It's not a nickname.
It's a description.

I'm off to the
halls of learning.

I see. Any temperature?

Mom, I hope you'll have time
to fix that rip in my ski pants.

I'll take the time.
It's in a critical spot.

All right, Mrs. Barclay.

I'll make it my first
house call this afternoon.

Yes. Right.

Goodbye.

What's the matter?

I hate to say this, honey,

but we may not be
able to go after all.

Oh, Alex.

Why not?

Little Eddie Barclay again.

His mother says
he's sicker than ever.

Which isn't sick
at all, you said.

Not so far as I
could see yesterday.

And there's nothing
in the lab tests.

I'm up a tree.

And if I can't diagnose it,
I won't throw it in Bo's lap.

Well, what have
you been giving him?

- Placebo.
- What's that?

Oh, big red sugar
pill that tastes fine,

makes the patient happy.

I didn't want to give
him anything else.

He seemed so normal.

He's always seemed
healthy to me.

Oh, he's healthy, all right.

A little small for his
age, maybe, but healthy.

He is small for
his age, isn't he?

Well, goodbye, honey.

Bye.

Look who came to
see you, Edgar dear.

Mrs. Stone.

Hello, Eddie.

Hi, Mrs. Stone.

Well, I know the
doctor will be by later,

but I just wanted to say
hello and bring you something.

Well, for later, when
you're feeling better.

Oh. Thanks.

How are you feeling?

Oh, I...

He seemed just
fine this morning.

Ate a big breakfast.

But after breakfast,

he complained
about the pains again.

Did the doctor give you
some pills yesterday?

Yeah. Big red ones.

Well, when they cure you,

those pills will cure you
all at once, just like that.

You'll see.

Oh, by the way,
Jeff said to say hello.

Oh. Okay.

And he was telling me that
one of the boys in your class

moved away this morning.

Who?

A boy by the name of Callahan.

Sloppy Callahan, I think it was.

He did? Sloppy
Callahan left town?

Went all the way to
California for good.

Gee!

Aren't you feeling better?

You look a lot better to me.

Yeah. I'm all well.

Hey, Ma. I'm all well.

Oh, now, now.

Be careful, dear.
You may be weak.

I'm gonna watch TV for a while.

When the kids get out of
school, I'm gonna play football.

Oh, but wait.

I think he'll be all
right now, Mrs. Barclay.

It's just amazing.

The doctor will be
by in a little while.

He can tell for sure.

The wonderful things

that husband of yours
does, Mrs. Stone.

Thank you.

Mother, have you
seen my mittens?

I can't find my mittens.

Look on the bed.

Well, they're not here.
I'm sitting on the bed.

Try standing up.

Oh! Yeah, thanks. I found them.

Hi.

I've just got one
question, Dr. Stone.

What did you do
to the Barclay boy?

- Who, me?
- Yes, you.

He was playing
football in the yard.

His mother said he got
well while you were there.

Oh, well, you doctors don't
know everything, you know.

- Mary! The McLanes are here.
- I'm coming.

Have fun, now. We'll
be there about 7:30.

Okay. I hope I have
some skiing in by then.

- Is Grace a good skier?
- Oh, she's great.

Her brother taught her,
and he's just the greatest.

Is he going, too?

No. He was up there last
week, and he broke his leg.

I'm using his skis.

Bye-bye.

- Well, you all packed?
- Yes.

Good. Then all we have to
do is load up the car, and...

- Yeah.
- Where's Jeff?

He's in his room. He
was packed hours ago.

Oh, good.

Oh, just think.

I won't have to answer a phone
for two whole days, you know?

What am I standing
here for? Let's go.

Yeah.

Come on, Jeff!

I'm coming.

Don't forget your chess set.

I got it.

Well, snap to it, boy.
Let's get this stuff in the car.

Jeff, do you feel all right?

I guess so.

Well, let me look at your face.

What's the matter?

Did he forget to
wash behind his ears?

Dr. Stone.

I think you better put
that suitcase down

and pick up your
little black bag.

Why?

Look.

Have I got something?

Can't I go? Can't I play chess?

Nothing's gonna stop
you from playing chess,

but I'm afraid we're gonna
have to play it at home.

My young friend,
you've got chicken pox.

How is he?

He's fine. No fever.

But two or three hours at a
time is a lot of chess for me.

- Is he asleep?
- Yeah, finally.

What time is it?

9:00.

That takes care of our weekend.

I had a hunch from the
start it'd never work out.

Well, I'll go call Bo and
tell him to forget about it.

Wait.

Now, what was it we were
looking forward to anyway?

Getting away from your work
and all the telephone calls.

Sure, but with Jeff
sick in bed, we can...

Come with me.

Bo's going to take care
of all of your patients

and all of your calls.

Jeff isn't very sick.

The McLanes have offered to
put up Mary for the weekend.

And look.

And here we are in our very
own log cabin with our own fire.

And there won't
be any interruptions.

You know, Mrs. Stone,
you're a remarkable woman.

That's what my doctor says.

I knew there was something
about this hat I didn't like.

Now, let's try that again.