The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966): Season 1, Episode 14 - A Very Merry Christmas - full transcript

Donna is frantically making last-minute preparations for Christmas and is vexed when no one seems to care for the fruitcakes she is giving for Christmas presents. Her Christmas spirit is rejuvenated when she learns that no one has planned a Christmas party for the children who cannot leave their ward and return home for the holiday. With the help of the hospital handyman, she tries to rectify the oversight.

Mary, will you answer
the phone, please?

I can't, Mother. I'm busy!

Hello?

Oh, hi, Joan.

Yeah, I think I've
got it. Just a minute.

Yes. 836 South.

You're welcome.

Oh, well, hang on
for your family's sake.

You can collapse tomorrow.

You, too, Joan. Merry Christmas.

- Mother!
- Yes?



Oh, Mother, if I get
Kathy a Christmas present

and she doesn't have one for
me, she's gonna be embarrassed.

Honey, Kathy's probably
at home this minute

trying to make
the same decision.

What am I gonna do?
Tomorrow's Christmas.

- I can't call her.
- Why not? Be subtle.

Just say, "How is your
baby brother's new tooth,

and are you getting me
a Christmas present?"

Oh, Mother.

Wait, I've got an idea.

I can call Karen, and she
can call Kathy's cousin Pamela,

who went shopping with her,
and, well, that way, I'll make sure.

Mary, your Christmas
spirit is touching.

Hey, Mom! Anything
new come for me?



Not in the last 20 minutes.

That Chuck, sending me this
crummy bubble pipe for 35 cents.

I spent a dollar on him!

Jeff, Christmas presents are not
something you weigh or measure.

Well, he's so
sentimental, Mother.

He knows the
price of everything.

Well, I know the price
of this. I sent Jerry one.

You know, I think I'm
gonna lose money this year.

I spent $8, and all I
got back so far is $6.35.

I'm gonna wait until
everything comes in next year

before I start shopping.

That's a beautiful thought.

The Christmas bells are ringing.
Would you answer them, please?

I'll get the door.

Oh, hi, Jim!

Hi, Jeff. Is your mother home?

Sure. Mom, it's Jimmy.
He wants to talk to you.

Oh, just a minute.

Merry Christmas, Miss Stone.

Oh, thank you.

I thought I'd deliver the
paper personally today

instead of throwing it out in
the lawn where it might get wet.

Oh, that's very
thoughtful of you, Jimmy.

Oh, excuse me. Just a minute.

Merry Christmas.

For me? Gosh.

It's fruitcake.

Oh, thanks. Merry Christmas.

He seemed disappointed.

Why didn't you
slip him some cash?

Be sure and call me back, Karen,
as soon as you find out, okay?

Jeff, take the ladder out
to the garage, please?

Mrs. Bennett just
came in with Susie.

She left these
for Jeff and Mary.

Now, there's a woman
with the proper spirit.

Donna, did you get that
present for Miss Clark?

Honey, I forgot.

Darling, she's the head nurse.

I'll be getting that
piercing stare all next year.

Oh, well, I'll run out this
afternoon and get her something.

Do you have any
idea what she'd like?

A husband.

Well, at this late date,

she's going to have to settle
for a blouse or something.

I was hoping we'd be
able to get her something

she wouldn't return.

Oh, the frenzy...
Even in this house.

Look, Mary has to be sure
she'll get before she gives.

Jeff keeps a
profit-and-loss ledger.

Now, counting this, I can't be
stuck for more than 40 cents.

You see what I mean?

Mother, you're not being fair.

I was just trying to
spare Kathy's feelings.

Merry Christmas, everybody!

Merry Christmas, Joe.

Anything for us?

Not a thing. Take
these upstairs, please.

A little Christmas
token from the company.

Thank you, Joe.

- Pretty girl.
- September's a doll.

It was my own suggestion.

I told my boss, "On Christmas,

I don't like to go into anybody's
house empty-handed."

You know what I
mean, Mrs. Stone?

Yes, I do.

It has a lot more
meaning that way.

On my route, I celebrate every
holiday with my customers.

Christmas, Chinese New Year's,

Hanukkah, Bastille Day,

everything.

I'll bring the rest
of the cleaning

late this afternoon, Mrs. Stone.

Oh, please don't
make an extra trip.

No bother.

Even if it was, it's
Christmas, ain't it?

One day out of the year,

you go out of your way
to do things for people.

If you're not around later,
Doc, Merry Christmas.

Oh, well, wait a minute, Joe.

Merry Christmas.

It's fruitcake.

Thank you. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Joe.

March is attractive, too.

This Christmas hysteria.

What's happening to me?

Nothing, darling.
You look marvelous.

Better than March.

Oh, how are the
fruitcakes holding up?

Two down and eight to go.

Oh, have you finished wrapping
my presents for the staff yet?

- Yes, honey, they're all ready.
- Good.

Alex, was Christmas
always like this?

Darling, Christmas
hasn't changed.

Maybe wrapped up
in too many ribbons,

but it's still Christmas.

Well, I'd like to
see some sign of it.

I better get back
to the hospital.

Oh, hello. Thank you.

Merry Christmas, Mrs. Stone.

Oh, my last delivery.

Oh, well, Merry
Christmas, Mr. Larkin.

Oh, yes.

- Merry Christmas.
- Thank you.

It's fruitcake.

Oh, the missus,
she likes fruitcake.

Merry Christmas.

Bye.

Oh, honey, the Mortons
sent us a Christmas present!

Well, why the panic?
Is it a time bomb?

Well, it might as well be.
I didn't get them anything.

You see, I wasn't sure they
were going to get something for us,

and I was afraid that if
we gave them something

and they didn't get anything...

Honey, Christmas should be
warm and friendly and peaceful.

I agree with you, darling.

And if you want
mine to be peaceful,

don't forget Miss
Clark's present.

Here.

- Thank you, sweetie.
- Goodbye.

Oh, so help me.

Next year, I'll start
shopping in July.

Do you think it's soon enough?

Well, I don't know why I'm
going through all this, anyway.

My sister-in-law
always returns my gift

without opening the package.

Well, in that case,

why don't you get her
a pair of roller skates?

I notice they're not
crowded over there.

38, 38,

38, 32, 40.

Here you are, madam.

Miss, do you have
this blouse in a 36?

No.

We haven't anything
left but 34s in that one.

Well, do you have
it in blue or white?

- Nope, just green.
- Take it.

Your sister-in-law never
opens the package, anyway.

Miss, I'd like this blouse
in a 36... a 40 green.

I'm sorry. We must have sold it.

We don't seem to have
anything but a size 42 in pink.

- Grab it!
- I'll take it!

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Miss, miss! Pardon me!

Miss! Miss! Madam!

For Miss Clark.

Thank you, darling. What is it?

I think it's a blouse.

Oh, honey, if you could have
seen that last-minute hysteria.

Darling, I know.

But you're still thinking of
Christmas as a fresh snowfall,

little blond angels
stealing downstairs

to gaze at the Christmas
tree in childish delight.

Honey, is there anything wrong

with remembering Christmas
as some wonderful magic?

No, of course not.

I promise you tomorrow

I'll pitter-patter downstairs
in my fleece-lined slippers.

Oh, come in.

Well, hello, Charlie.

Doctor, you left
this in the ward.

- Oh, thank you, Charlie.
- Well, hello, Mrs. Stone.

Hello, Charlie. How are you?

Oh, I'm fine. How
are the children?

Oh, they're wonderful.
A little frantic, of course.

Oh, I love to watch
children at Christmas.

It's a shame we took
it away from them.

Well, Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas, Charlie.
- Merry Christmas, Charlie.

You know, he's right. We
did take it away from them.

Well, maybe Santa will bring you

that fresh snowfall in
the morning, darling.

Oh, let's hope so.

By the way, is little
Frankie still in the ward?

Oh, yeah, yeah.

Poor kid was brokenhearted
when I told him he couldn't go home.

Well, I'll stop by and wish
him a Merry Christmas.

You do that, darling.
I'll see you at home.

Oh, what am I giving Mary?

You got her a robe.

Do you know that girl
wears practically my size?

Could anything
nicer happen to a girl?

Bye.

Hi, Mrs. Stone.

Hi, Frankie.

Oh, it's good to see
you looking better.

I almost got to go
home for Christmas,

but Dr. Stone says I have
to stay a few more days.

Oh, I know, but
it won't be long.

Here, meet the gang... all new.

This is Mrs. Stone.

- Hi, everybody.
- Hi, Mrs. Stone.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Who's this?

This is Eric.

He got too close to a box
of matches... skin graft.

Well, how do you feel now?

Fine. I got off lucky.

It could have been
my pitching arm.

Oh, gee, you are lucky.

Well, you take care, honey.

Now, who's this?

This is Mike.

He's stupid.

He ran in front of a car...
A compound fracture.

- Hi, Mike.
- Hi.

Would you like to
sign the visitors' book?

Oh, sure. Right here, huh?

There you are.

"Merry Christmas"
on a cast. That's funny.

Well, you keep off skis
for a few weeks, huh?

Come on, Frankie.

Well, who's this
pretty little girl?

She's Lisa, queen of the ball.

Well, how do you
do, Your Majesty?

Hello.

When did you get here?

She came in Monday,
2:00 in the morning...

Had to have an operation.

Well, how do you feel now?

Oh, wonderful.

She came in an
ambulance 70 miles an hour.

And a policeman on a
motorcycle out in front.

It was so exciting,
I forgot to hurt.

I'll bet that's why
they went so fast.

Nobody wanted it to hurt.

Was that it?
Everybody's been so nice.

I'm glad.

Well, now, you take care
and get well real soon.

Come on, honey.

I don't think
she's got a family.

Nobody comes to see her.

Oh, really?

Well, where is your
Christmas tree?

I don't know.

Well, aren't you
going to have one?

The nurse said something
about one, but I don't know.

Well, you go back and finish
your checker game, all right?

Oh, Miss Phillips?

Yes, Mrs. Stone.

The children are going to have
a Christmas party, aren't they?

Oh, Christmas party?

Why, I guess so.

But who's planning
it? Who's in charge?

I don't know.

You might ask Miss
Stafford or Miss Demming.

I go off in 10 minutes.

Would you believe
it, Mrs. Stone?

I haven't done half my
Christmas shopping yet.

Oh, Miss Stafford?

Nobody knows anything about it.

Thousands of people practically
riding to buy last-minute gifts,

and everybody seems
to have forgotten

four children in
a hospital ward.

But every hospital

has a Christmas
party for the children.

I'm sure something
has been planned.

Yeah, well, that's
the prevailing rumor,

but who planned it?

Well, the superintendent
ought to know.

Why don't you
talk to Dr. Florey?

Yeah, I'll just do
that little thing!

Honey, in this mood?

This is Christmas Eve.

How about a little
goodwill towards men?

All right, I'll try
to keep it in mind.

Contracts for construction
of the new surgical room

is subject to
competitive bidding.

Come in.

Oh, come in, Donna. Come in.

Deadline for bids is
the 31st of January.

Hello, Donna. How are you?

I'm fine, Dr. Florey.
It's good to see you.

Nice to see you.
Please sit down.

Thank you.

Dr. Florey, I'm
sorry to bother you,

but I'm concerned
about something.

Do you know the
children in the ward

don't even have
a Christmas tree?

And nobody seems to
be doing anything about it.

Well, that's strange.

For the last 20 years, I know
we've always had a little party.

I'm positive something
has been arranged.

Do you know who's planning it?

Let me check with Miss Clark.

Miss Clark, do you know who
arranges the Christmas party

in the children's ward?

I'll hold on.

She's not sure. She'll
ask Miss Durkey.

Yes?

Miss Durkey isn't sure.

You see? Nobody seems to know.

Miss Clark is calling Mrs. Ryan.

She's been here over 30
years. She should know.

Yes?

Thank you.

Mrs. Ryan thinks it's Charlie.

Charlie.

Come in.

Hello, Charlie.

Hello.

So, you're Santa Claus.

Oh, hello, Mrs. Stone.

No, I'm not Santa Claus.

I'm just a helper.

Well, if I can just
find out who you help,

maybe the kids in the ward will
have a Christmas party tonight.

Oh, well, everybody likes
the kids, and they all pitch in.

I can't find anybody.

Who gets the tree?

Well, I go over to the lot
there where they sell them,

and on the last day, they're
always stuck with a few

and I get one pretty cheap.

And you pay for it?

Well, the man knows
it's for the hospital

and knocks a
little off the price.

I suppose I could talk him
into giving it to me for free,

but I wouldn't like that.

Why not?

Well, if everybody gives the
kids everything they needed,

there wouldn't be
anything left for me to give.

Charlie, how long have
you been doing this?

Oh, ever since I
came to the hospital

32 years ago.

You know, it's beginning to feel
more and more like Christmas.

Yeah, it sure is.

The Ladies Choral
Society came down last year

and sang for the children.

They weren't very good.

The one on the end was flat.

But it was a nice gesture.

And the Ladies Auxiliary
sent this box of toys down.

I haven't fixed them all yet.

Where are all those people
who like kids and pitch in?

Oh, I guess they got
families of their own to think of.

If I had a family, I wouldn't
be here tonight, either.

Don't you have a family?

Well, not most of
the year, I don't,

but around Christmastime,

there's always someone
in the ward that I can share.

There's a little girl who
doesn't have any family at all.

Lisa?

Oh, I'm fixing
this doll for her.

I better get started.

I got to get the tree
and a new string of lights

and some things to put in...

Oh, Charlie. Let me help you.

I'll get the tree,

and I'll bring a string
of lights from home.

Can you spare them?

Oh, sure. I've got an extra set.

Now, let's see.

Well, who's going
to play Santa Claus?

Yeah, that is a problem.

You see, Dr. Heftor, for
the last nine years has been.

He's a bachelor, you know.

Yeah, but Dr. Heftor
isn't here anymore.

No.

Well, maybe I can get one of
the interns if they're not too busy.

Charlie.

You're going to
play Santa Claus.

- Who, me?
- Yes, you!

Look, look, look.
I've never done it.

Oh, you've played it for
32 years without a suit.

I wouldn't be any good at it.

Oh, you'd be wonderful, Charlie.

The head nurse would be a
better Santa Claus than I am.

- Oh, Charlie, you're too modest!
- Oh, I'm not modest, this, that.

- But I'm not big enough.
- You look just fine.

Charlie, you're the
biggest man I know.

Now, you hurry and get ready,

and I'll be back
as soon as I can!

Mom, we always open
presents on Christmas Eve!

Mother, I won't be able
to sleep the whole night.

Why can't we open them tonight?

Oh, honey, I've
explained it to you.

I have to help with the
Christmas party at the hospital.

Now, I just don't know
what time I'll be back.

Well, why does
it have to be you?

Yeah, isn't there
some organization

that does these sort of things?

Hello, everyone.

- Hi, Dad.
- Hi, Daddy.

Thank you very much.

You're welcome. For what?

Well, I won't be able to tell
you until tomorrow morning.

Why tomorrow morning?

'Cause Mom's changing
the family tradition.

I traced the benefactor
of the children's ward.

It was Charlie.

Charlie, the janitor?

He's been doing it for 32 years.

Only, tonight he's alone
and he needs some help.

Well, what about us?

Honey, you'll have
your Christmas later.

Please try to understand.
I'll be back as early as I can.

All right, darling.

- Okay, bye, Mom.
- Bye, Mom.

- I'll see you later.
- Have a good party, darling.

- Bye, honey.
- Bye-bye.

Mrs. Stone?

If Santa flies
over the hospital,

how's he going to get in?

There's no chimney.

Oh, well, maybe he
can use the elevator.

I wrote Santa a letter last
year, but I played it safe.

I sent it to my
grandfather's house.

Well, you know, Frankie,
Santa has branches everywhere.

If I fall asleep, Mrs. Stone,

will you get Santa's
autograph for me?

Oh, of course I will.

Do you believe in Santa Claus?

Certainly he does. Don't you?

I'm not gonna say
anything against him tonight.

All right, everybody
close your eyes. Tight.

Come on.

Merry Christmas!

Ho, ho, ho!

Merry Christmas.

Lisa.

Thank you, Santa.

You're welcome, sweetheart.

Frankie.

Thank you, Santa.

Mike.

Thank you, Santa.

Eric.

Thank you, Santa.

Many happy returns.

Santa, may the children
open their presents?

Well, I don't see why not.

According to my records,

they've been pretty good
children this past year.

Wonderful. Well, go ahead.
Open your presents, kids.

Don't I know you from someplace?

Yes, you used to
bring me presents

when I was a little girl.

Oh, I remember you now.
Oh, you're all grown up.

And have children of your own?

Yes, I do.

Why aren't you
with them tonight?

Oh, well, I'll see them later.

I just wanted to stick
around until you got here.

Look, Mrs. Stone.

Oh, it's beautiful, Lisa.

Oh, Dr. Florey, thank you.

Are you sure your
grandchildren won't miss them?

They'll get plenty of presents.

Charlie.

He's with his family tonight.

- Hi, Dr. Florey.
- Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Dr. Florey.

I'm so glad you came.

It wouldn't be
Christmas, Mother,

if we weren't all here together.

It's a family tradition.

Mother, do you think we could
give these presents to the kids?

I had some money left over.

I didn't need these.

That's wonderful.
Go pass them out.

Okay.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you, too.

You know what?

We should do something
nobody's ever done before.

Oh, what's that?

Santa? Come here.

This is for you.
Merry Christmas.

Oh, I have nothing for you.

You've already given me mine.

I'll get you a new
robe next week.

Found the real Christmas?

I knew it was somewhere.