The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966): Season 1, Episode 27 - The Flowered Print Dress - full transcript
After visiting a newlywed couple Donna begins to wonder if her marriage is in a rut.
Excuse me, dear.
How long have the
Berkes been married?
Oh, about six months.
Jim's the best
intern in the hospital.
He'll make a good
doctor someday.
Six months.
They're still on
their honeymoon.
For some couples,
the honeymoon is over
the minute the preacher says, "I
now pronounce you man and wife."
How about us?
Are we married?
Jeff, we watched your
TV show yesterday!
Turn that channel back on!
We're married.
Dear, how would you like
my hair cut shorter, hmm?
Oh, it would be fine.
Mother, I wish
you'd do something
about that son of yours.
Oh, honey, I wish you'd
have a little more patience
with that brother of yours.
Well, how could you and
Daddy raise something like that?
Are you up here
squealing on me again?!
Oh, Mother, he has the
vocabulary of a gangster.
You're dead.
According to the fire
department, it's dangerous
for this room to be occupied
by more than 27 people.
- Out. Out.
- Let Daddy finish shaving.
We're gonna be late.
Alex, do you like this dress?
Very pretty.
How about this one?
Nice.
Good. I'll wear it.
And tomorrow you'll be
dropped from the hospital staff.
Would you like some
more roast, Mrs. Stone?
Oh, it was delicious,
but no, thank you, Jim.
- Doctor?
- No, thank you, Jim.
Carol and I have been talking.
When I finish interning, Doctor,
I'd like to work with children.
Jimmy's just crazy
about children.
It's one of the many
things we have in common.
We're going to have dozens.
Just one at a time, sweetheart.
Well, pediatrics isn't as
lucrative as some other fields,
but it has its rewards.
I'd like to work side
by side with Jim,
just as you do with Dr. Stone.
Well, a wife can be
very helpful, Carol,
but when those
7-pound responsibilities
start coming along, it's
hard to work side by side.
Oh, she's just being modest.
You know, whenever
I go out on a case,
Donna gives me
detailed instructions.
Like, "Don't forget to
bring home the bread."
I only hope that someday
Carol and I will find the
understanding you two have.
The doctors' wives
consider you and Dr. Stone
the perfect couple.
They say you never quarrel.
Well, thank you, Carol.
But you know how people talk.
When the day is over and
the kids are safely in bed,
we go up to our room, and
we fight like cats and dogs.
Oh, I don't believe it.
Neither do I, Carol.
Can I get you something, dear?
Oh, thank you, darling.
Just checking the creamer.
You know, Mrs. Stone, Carol
made the biscuits herself.
Oh, Jimmy.
They were just wonderful.
- Weren't they, dear?
- Yes, dear.
Marvelous.
And before we were married,
she never even baked.
I used a lot of butter.
Well, I could tell, Carol.
Those biscuits were made
with a lot of butter... and love.
Well, I think it's
wonderful liking each other
after being married
all these years.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean it that way.
Well, it was a nice
compliment, Carol.
After all, we have been
married all these years... 15.
You know, it's all
in the inflection.
Donna and I have
been married... 15 years!
It was a nice try, dear.
Well, I think marriage
is a great challenge.
Husband and wife really
get to know each other.
That's true.
Oh, very true, yes.
My older sister Ruth says that
marriage is the end of romance.
Does that have to be true?
Oh, no.
That's not
necessarily true, Carol.
It's a matter of inflection.
A husband can say,
"Darling, what have
you done with your hair?"
Or, "Darling, what have
you done with your hair?"
Darling, what have
you done with your hair?
I was thinking of
cutting it shorter,
but I've changed my mind.
Ruth says that, after a while,
married people
settle into a rut.
They take each
other for granted.
Well, it doesn't have
to happen that way.
If you fight it.
If it ever happened to Jim and
me, I don't know what I'd do.
It'll never happen, angel.
You know, Carol makes
the salad dressing by herself.
Oh, it was wonderful.
Did you ever mix
a salad dressing
before you were married?
Never.
And it wasn't as good
tonight as it usually is.
I was just going to
ask for the recipe,
but I'm sure it's
a family secret.
You didn't like it?
It was marvelous, sweetheart.
I just thought it had a
little too much mayonnaise.
But I used exactly the
same amount I always use.
It was wonderful.
I guess I just never
noticed it before.
Excuse me.
I never realized Jim had
such a savage streak.
"Too much mayonnaise."
Now, Carol, I'm sorry, honey.
How could I have
spoken so cruel to you?
I'm sorry, baby.
Okay, he admits it.
Darling, we shouldn't
be overhearing this.
Do something.
Have you seen this trick?
Say something. Make
some conversation.
What's new?
Marriage, you cynic.
There, there, honey.
There, my sweet, sweet Carol.
When they come out,
ask for some more salad.
Why don't we take
some home in a suitcase?
I'm terribly sorry.
It was such a silly thing to do.
Oh, no, it wasn't. Carol,
tears are never silly.
Thank you.
- Please sit down, Dr. Stone.
- Oh, thank you.
I'll get the coffee.
Carol baked a banana layer cake.
Oh.
Oh.
May I have two pieces?
Of course. You can
have as much as you like.
Oh, good, I love banana cake.
It's his favorite cake.
Here, let me help you, Carol.
Very good, dear.
Donna, wherever
you are, come back.
Oh, honey, they're
so young and in love.
It's beautiful.
Oh, that's not love.
They're like a couple
of kids playing house.
Spoken like a man who's
been married 15 years.
Darling, Dr. Butler has
been married for 43 years,
and he still sparkles when
he talks about his wife.
43 years. Don't be depressing.
Alex.
Yes, dear?
Are we in a rut?
Darling.
What happened to you tonight?
I don't know.
It was like hearing a
song that makes you sad,
because they played
it at your first prom.
Oh, hi, angel.
Did we wake you?
Not really, Mother. Did
you have a nice time tonight?
Oh, marvelous. I had two
pieces of banana layer cake.
Your daddy was a
barrel of fun tonight.
You weren't
quarreling, were you?
Oh, your mother
and I never quarrel.
People are beginning to talk.
Honey, you better go off to bed.
And if we ever
do have a quarrel,
you will be the first to know.
- Okay. Good night, Mother.
- Good night, sweetheart.
- Good night, Daddy.
- Good night, sweetie.
Well, our 15 years
haven't all been uneventful.
There's some things
we can point to with pride.
You're right, dear.
You're right.
Alex?
Alex?
What's the matter?
Talk to me.
What do you want to talk about?
Why don't we ever fight?
What?
Why don't we ever fight?
Darling, why has fighting
suddenly become
synonymous with great love?
Well, all the great loves of
history have been turbulent.
Yeah, well, ours will be the
first one that was lethargic.
Honey, I know we're happy,
but is it an exciting
kind of happiness,
or do we just take
each other for granted?
Darling, we don't quarrel,
because we're civilized people
who don't resolve our
differences of opinion
by shouting.
You're shouting now.
Okay. I'm in love.
Besides, it seems to me we
just had a fight a few weeks ago.
What did we fight about?
I don't know.
Well, we have so few of them,
the least you could
do is remember them.
Next time I'll listen.
Alex!
Yes, dear?
What dress was
I wearing tonight?
Now, stay where you are.
What dress am I wearing?
Look, if this is a quiz game,
give me my money back.
I want to go home.
You refuse to answer
because it might incriminate you.
- That's the one.
- Too late.
Darling, you're a woman.
You're entitled to your moods.
But Jim and Carol have nothing
but the wonderful experience
of being newly
married and together.
The dress she wears,
the mayonnaise...
They're all of
monumental importance.
But we've got children
and a mortgage
and thousands of problems
that go to make up a marriage.
I should have worn the towel.
You might have remembered it.
Darling, I remember
the dresses you wear.
I remember a flowered print
that you looked wonderful.
Why don't you ever
wear that anymore?
What flowered print?
A flowered print.
It had flowers and a belt.
Always be my favorite.
A flowered print?
Darling, I can close my eyes
and know what you look like.
Isn't that better than
remembering a dress?
I'm sorry, dear.
I guess I had an
attack of nostalgia.
Yeah, that's all.
Alex?
Alex?
Alex, what flowered print?
Mother, I'm going to
Karen's house after school.
Can you pick me up?
You don't even like her.
It's that silly looking
brother of hers you're after.
Jeff, do you stay up all night
trying to think up those
nasty, little thoughts?
Well, he's cute. That dimple
in the middle of his head.
Do you suppose we
could have breakfast
without this
background bickering?
I'm sorry, Daddy.
Pop, have you forgotten
freedom of speech?
No, no. And I haven't
forgotten "spare the rod."
Sorry I brought
the whole thing up.
Mom.
Mom! Remember, I have to
get new shoes this afternoon.
Darling, may I have
some coffee, please?
Oh, don't forget we're invited
to the Butlers Friday night.
Alex, are you sure it
was a flowered print?
Certainly I'm sure it
was a flowered print.
What kind of flowers?
Well, I don't know.
Flowers.
What color?
Donna, I'm not a horticulturist.
I'm a husband who
admired a dress.
I'm glad you slept
well last night.
Father, what's
wrong with Mother?
She's been acting
so strange lately.
Nothing, dear.
Something very nice happened
last night at the Berkes,
and Mother's been a
little moody ever since.
Women.
You know, if I ever live to be
16, I'll never understand them.
Donna!
Stay where you are. I
have something to show you.
How do you like it?
It's... interesting.
Oh, do you like it?
It's... striking.
Is that all?
Look, honey. All I want
is an honest opinion.
How do I look in the dress?
All right.
You look like a
dance-hall hostess.
But, honey, I bought
this to wear to the Butlers.
Oh, fine, fine.
I'll wear spats, a pearl-gray
vest, and a diamond stickpin.
Hi, Mommy.
Oh, hi, honey.
How do you like this dress?
Well, it's very...
Zowie!
Come on, Jeff. I think Mommy
and Daddy want to talk privately.
Well, I'll be quiet.
Hey, what's going on here?!
Darling, you went
out and bought a dress
you wouldn't wear
again in a million years.
Why?
I don't know.
Maybe I thought you'd
notice what I was wearing,
like that mysterious flowered
print you remembered so well.
Honey, I associate that dress
with an evening of
very pleasant memories.
That's all.
You have magnified the
incident beyond all proportion.
Just a minute.
That's not it. That's not it.
I'll find it.
Wait a second.
It's got to be in
here somewhere.
It's a dress like that.
A bright flowered print.
If I ever laid eyes
on it again, I'd...
We ought to get a light
in this closet. It's dark.
Well, I've got a patient
in a few minutes.
But I'll find it.
Honey, why don't you admit it?
What?
15 years has put a dull
edge on our marriage.
We're in a rut.
I concede nothing.
From now on, I'll carry
you upstairs every night,
and I'll play the guitar
at mealtime, hmm?
Donna, I've been admiring
your dress all evening.
Well, thank you.
I rather like it, although it
isn't a memorable dress.
Oh, I heard from
Dr. Conroy last week.
It was tough in the beginning,
but now the whole
island lines up for shots.
It's like a holiday.
Well, primitive natives
are not the only ones
who resist progress in medicine.
Hilda will not
take her vitamins.
But what use are
vitamins at my age?
Hilda, ring for Maddie, will
you? I want some more cake.
No more cake, Martin.
You'll be up all night
with your stomach.
Must we discuss my
stomach in public?
No more cake.
And let's not start a fight.
We're entertaining
these young people.
Well, please don't stop
on our account, Mrs. Butler.
We've had our share of
quarrels in 15 years of marriage.
Although something seems
to have gone wrong lately.
We don't fight as
much as we used to.
15 years!
Why, you're practically
on your honeymoon.
Wait till you've been
married 43 years.
Well, I just hope that we can
look as young and be as happy
when we've been
married all those years.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean it
to sound like that.
Don't apologize, my dear.
We've been married
all those years,
and we have seven
grandchildren to prove it.
Oh, can I get you
something, dear?
No. I just wanted some cream.
Oh, let me do it.
Say when, dear.
That's enough. Thank you, dear.
Did you see that, Martin?
Their marriage is
brand-new. He's still jumping.
Not that I have given up
being an attentive husband.
Why, I tell her that I love her
at least once every six months.
Let me.
Thank you, Alex.
You're welcome, Mrs. Butler.
First, Martin stopped
opening doors for me.
Then he stopped
lighting my cigarette.
If you're not satisfied
with me after 43 years,
lighting a cigarette isn't
going to kindle the flame.
Martin means that marriage
has settled into a rut.
There's no use.
Oh, something wrong, dear?
Are you cold? Can
I get your stole?
No, no. Thank you, dear.
It's beautiful.
It's just beautiful
watching you two.
So young and in love.
Are you learning
something, Martin?
Oh, what do they
know about love?
It's like playing house.
Wait till they've been
together 43 years
and have 7 grandchildren.
That is real love.
You know, even though
I don't light a cigarette
and sometimes I
forget to close a door
and you discuss
my stomach in public,
I adore this woman.
You know, Alex,
in their own way,
they're just as much in
love as Jim and Carol.
Yeah, the flame
flickers, but it never dies.
Did you notice how
attentive I was tonight?
Did you have to keep
bouncing up and down
like a jumping jack
every time I moved?
You thought it was
beautiful when Jim did it.
You know, to
Dr. and Mrs. Butler,
we were just like Jim and Carol.
Well, aren't we?
When I look in your eyes,
when I hold you in my arms...
Oh, quiet, you fraud.
Honey, don't look now, but what
color are the shoes I'm wearing?
Green with purple ankle straps.
You noticed.
While we're on the subject,
why did you buy
that ridiculous dress?
I don't know.
Why did you invent
the flowered print?
I didn't invent it. It was...
You had a flowered print once.
I remember it as
though it were yesterday.
Oh, honey, you never
did learn how to lie.
Who's lying? I'm not lying.
Don't you remember?
I remember the night
you proposed to me...
In the restaurant... and you
didn't have enough money.
And you tried to
tell the head waiter...
That's the flowered print.
Yes.
It's the dress I wore
to the restaurant
the night you asked
me to marry you.
See? I associated it
with a glorious occasion.
Oh, yes.
It was.
They gave us a
table near the kitchen,
and the waiter ignored
us all evening long,
and you didn't have
enough money to pay the bill.
Oh, what other husband
would remember a dress
his wife wore 15 years ago?
And forget the one she
wore the night before?
Honey, you might
as well admit it.
Subconsciously, you
want to go back 15 years.
As a matter of fact, I'd
like to go ahead to 43 years
when we'll have 7 grandchildren
and I can say "I love you" on
Christmas and Valentine's Day.
Well, that's a romantic thought.
All right.
I'll get a sign...
A neon sign...
That says, "Alex loves Donna."
I'll put it out on
the front lawn.
It'll flash on and
off all night long!
- Alex, you're shouting.
- I'm not shouting!
But if I want to shout in
my own house, I'll shout!
Alex!
Alex, we're fighting!
Okay! We're fighting!
How else can I prove I love you?
You might kiss me.
How long have the
Berkes been married?
Oh, about six months.
Jim's the best
intern in the hospital.
He'll make a good
doctor someday.
Six months.
They're still on
their honeymoon.
For some couples,
the honeymoon is over
the minute the preacher says, "I
now pronounce you man and wife."
How about us?
Are we married?
Jeff, we watched your
TV show yesterday!
Turn that channel back on!
We're married.
Dear, how would you like
my hair cut shorter, hmm?
Oh, it would be fine.
Mother, I wish
you'd do something
about that son of yours.
Oh, honey, I wish you'd
have a little more patience
with that brother of yours.
Well, how could you and
Daddy raise something like that?
Are you up here
squealing on me again?!
Oh, Mother, he has the
vocabulary of a gangster.
You're dead.
According to the fire
department, it's dangerous
for this room to be occupied
by more than 27 people.
- Out. Out.
- Let Daddy finish shaving.
We're gonna be late.
Alex, do you like this dress?
Very pretty.
How about this one?
Nice.
Good. I'll wear it.
And tomorrow you'll be
dropped from the hospital staff.
Would you like some
more roast, Mrs. Stone?
Oh, it was delicious,
but no, thank you, Jim.
- Doctor?
- No, thank you, Jim.
Carol and I have been talking.
When I finish interning, Doctor,
I'd like to work with children.
Jimmy's just crazy
about children.
It's one of the many
things we have in common.
We're going to have dozens.
Just one at a time, sweetheart.
Well, pediatrics isn't as
lucrative as some other fields,
but it has its rewards.
I'd like to work side
by side with Jim,
just as you do with Dr. Stone.
Well, a wife can be
very helpful, Carol,
but when those
7-pound responsibilities
start coming along, it's
hard to work side by side.
Oh, she's just being modest.
You know, whenever
I go out on a case,
Donna gives me
detailed instructions.
Like, "Don't forget to
bring home the bread."
I only hope that someday
Carol and I will find the
understanding you two have.
The doctors' wives
consider you and Dr. Stone
the perfect couple.
They say you never quarrel.
Well, thank you, Carol.
But you know how people talk.
When the day is over and
the kids are safely in bed,
we go up to our room, and
we fight like cats and dogs.
Oh, I don't believe it.
Neither do I, Carol.
Can I get you something, dear?
Oh, thank you, darling.
Just checking the creamer.
You know, Mrs. Stone, Carol
made the biscuits herself.
Oh, Jimmy.
They were just wonderful.
- Weren't they, dear?
- Yes, dear.
Marvelous.
And before we were married,
she never even baked.
I used a lot of butter.
Well, I could tell, Carol.
Those biscuits were made
with a lot of butter... and love.
Well, I think it's
wonderful liking each other
after being married
all these years.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean it that way.
Well, it was a nice
compliment, Carol.
After all, we have been
married all these years... 15.
You know, it's all
in the inflection.
Donna and I have
been married... 15 years!
It was a nice try, dear.
Well, I think marriage
is a great challenge.
Husband and wife really
get to know each other.
That's true.
Oh, very true, yes.
My older sister Ruth says that
marriage is the end of romance.
Does that have to be true?
Oh, no.
That's not
necessarily true, Carol.
It's a matter of inflection.
A husband can say,
"Darling, what have
you done with your hair?"
Or, "Darling, what have
you done with your hair?"
Darling, what have
you done with your hair?
I was thinking of
cutting it shorter,
but I've changed my mind.
Ruth says that, after a while,
married people
settle into a rut.
They take each
other for granted.
Well, it doesn't have
to happen that way.
If you fight it.
If it ever happened to Jim and
me, I don't know what I'd do.
It'll never happen, angel.
You know, Carol makes
the salad dressing by herself.
Oh, it was wonderful.
Did you ever mix
a salad dressing
before you were married?
Never.
And it wasn't as good
tonight as it usually is.
I was just going to
ask for the recipe,
but I'm sure it's
a family secret.
You didn't like it?
It was marvelous, sweetheart.
I just thought it had a
little too much mayonnaise.
But I used exactly the
same amount I always use.
It was wonderful.
I guess I just never
noticed it before.
Excuse me.
I never realized Jim had
such a savage streak.
"Too much mayonnaise."
Now, Carol, I'm sorry, honey.
How could I have
spoken so cruel to you?
I'm sorry, baby.
Okay, he admits it.
Darling, we shouldn't
be overhearing this.
Do something.
Have you seen this trick?
Say something. Make
some conversation.
What's new?
Marriage, you cynic.
There, there, honey.
There, my sweet, sweet Carol.
When they come out,
ask for some more salad.
Why don't we take
some home in a suitcase?
I'm terribly sorry.
It was such a silly thing to do.
Oh, no, it wasn't. Carol,
tears are never silly.
Thank you.
- Please sit down, Dr. Stone.
- Oh, thank you.
I'll get the coffee.
Carol baked a banana layer cake.
Oh.
Oh.
May I have two pieces?
Of course. You can
have as much as you like.
Oh, good, I love banana cake.
It's his favorite cake.
Here, let me help you, Carol.
Very good, dear.
Donna, wherever
you are, come back.
Oh, honey, they're
so young and in love.
It's beautiful.
Oh, that's not love.
They're like a couple
of kids playing house.
Spoken like a man who's
been married 15 years.
Darling, Dr. Butler has
been married for 43 years,
and he still sparkles when
he talks about his wife.
43 years. Don't be depressing.
Alex.
Yes, dear?
Are we in a rut?
Darling.
What happened to you tonight?
I don't know.
It was like hearing a
song that makes you sad,
because they played
it at your first prom.
Oh, hi, angel.
Did we wake you?
Not really, Mother. Did
you have a nice time tonight?
Oh, marvelous. I had two
pieces of banana layer cake.
Your daddy was a
barrel of fun tonight.
You weren't
quarreling, were you?
Oh, your mother
and I never quarrel.
People are beginning to talk.
Honey, you better go off to bed.
And if we ever
do have a quarrel,
you will be the first to know.
- Okay. Good night, Mother.
- Good night, sweetheart.
- Good night, Daddy.
- Good night, sweetie.
Well, our 15 years
haven't all been uneventful.
There's some things
we can point to with pride.
You're right, dear.
You're right.
Alex?
Alex?
What's the matter?
Talk to me.
What do you want to talk about?
Why don't we ever fight?
What?
Why don't we ever fight?
Darling, why has fighting
suddenly become
synonymous with great love?
Well, all the great loves of
history have been turbulent.
Yeah, well, ours will be the
first one that was lethargic.
Honey, I know we're happy,
but is it an exciting
kind of happiness,
or do we just take
each other for granted?
Darling, we don't quarrel,
because we're civilized people
who don't resolve our
differences of opinion
by shouting.
You're shouting now.
Okay. I'm in love.
Besides, it seems to me we
just had a fight a few weeks ago.
What did we fight about?
I don't know.
Well, we have so few of them,
the least you could
do is remember them.
Next time I'll listen.
Alex!
Yes, dear?
What dress was
I wearing tonight?
Now, stay where you are.
What dress am I wearing?
Look, if this is a quiz game,
give me my money back.
I want to go home.
You refuse to answer
because it might incriminate you.
- That's the one.
- Too late.
Darling, you're a woman.
You're entitled to your moods.
But Jim and Carol have nothing
but the wonderful experience
of being newly
married and together.
The dress she wears,
the mayonnaise...
They're all of
monumental importance.
But we've got children
and a mortgage
and thousands of problems
that go to make up a marriage.
I should have worn the towel.
You might have remembered it.
Darling, I remember
the dresses you wear.
I remember a flowered print
that you looked wonderful.
Why don't you ever
wear that anymore?
What flowered print?
A flowered print.
It had flowers and a belt.
Always be my favorite.
A flowered print?
Darling, I can close my eyes
and know what you look like.
Isn't that better than
remembering a dress?
I'm sorry, dear.
I guess I had an
attack of nostalgia.
Yeah, that's all.
Alex?
Alex?
Alex, what flowered print?
Mother, I'm going to
Karen's house after school.
Can you pick me up?
You don't even like her.
It's that silly looking
brother of hers you're after.
Jeff, do you stay up all night
trying to think up those
nasty, little thoughts?
Well, he's cute. That dimple
in the middle of his head.
Do you suppose we
could have breakfast
without this
background bickering?
I'm sorry, Daddy.
Pop, have you forgotten
freedom of speech?
No, no. And I haven't
forgotten "spare the rod."
Sorry I brought
the whole thing up.
Mom.
Mom! Remember, I have to
get new shoes this afternoon.
Darling, may I have
some coffee, please?
Oh, don't forget we're invited
to the Butlers Friday night.
Alex, are you sure it
was a flowered print?
Certainly I'm sure it
was a flowered print.
What kind of flowers?
Well, I don't know.
Flowers.
What color?
Donna, I'm not a horticulturist.
I'm a husband who
admired a dress.
I'm glad you slept
well last night.
Father, what's
wrong with Mother?
She's been acting
so strange lately.
Nothing, dear.
Something very nice happened
last night at the Berkes,
and Mother's been a
little moody ever since.
Women.
You know, if I ever live to be
16, I'll never understand them.
Donna!
Stay where you are. I
have something to show you.
How do you like it?
It's... interesting.
Oh, do you like it?
It's... striking.
Is that all?
Look, honey. All I want
is an honest opinion.
How do I look in the dress?
All right.
You look like a
dance-hall hostess.
But, honey, I bought
this to wear to the Butlers.
Oh, fine, fine.
I'll wear spats, a pearl-gray
vest, and a diamond stickpin.
Hi, Mommy.
Oh, hi, honey.
How do you like this dress?
Well, it's very...
Zowie!
Come on, Jeff. I think Mommy
and Daddy want to talk privately.
Well, I'll be quiet.
Hey, what's going on here?!
Darling, you went
out and bought a dress
you wouldn't wear
again in a million years.
Why?
I don't know.
Maybe I thought you'd
notice what I was wearing,
like that mysterious flowered
print you remembered so well.
Honey, I associate that dress
with an evening of
very pleasant memories.
That's all.
You have magnified the
incident beyond all proportion.
Just a minute.
That's not it. That's not it.
I'll find it.
Wait a second.
It's got to be in
here somewhere.
It's a dress like that.
A bright flowered print.
If I ever laid eyes
on it again, I'd...
We ought to get a light
in this closet. It's dark.
Well, I've got a patient
in a few minutes.
But I'll find it.
Honey, why don't you admit it?
What?
15 years has put a dull
edge on our marriage.
We're in a rut.
I concede nothing.
From now on, I'll carry
you upstairs every night,
and I'll play the guitar
at mealtime, hmm?
Donna, I've been admiring
your dress all evening.
Well, thank you.
I rather like it, although it
isn't a memorable dress.
Oh, I heard from
Dr. Conroy last week.
It was tough in the beginning,
but now the whole
island lines up for shots.
It's like a holiday.
Well, primitive natives
are not the only ones
who resist progress in medicine.
Hilda will not
take her vitamins.
But what use are
vitamins at my age?
Hilda, ring for Maddie, will
you? I want some more cake.
No more cake, Martin.
You'll be up all night
with your stomach.
Must we discuss my
stomach in public?
No more cake.
And let's not start a fight.
We're entertaining
these young people.
Well, please don't stop
on our account, Mrs. Butler.
We've had our share of
quarrels in 15 years of marriage.
Although something seems
to have gone wrong lately.
We don't fight as
much as we used to.
15 years!
Why, you're practically
on your honeymoon.
Wait till you've been
married 43 years.
Well, I just hope that we can
look as young and be as happy
when we've been
married all those years.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean it
to sound like that.
Don't apologize, my dear.
We've been married
all those years,
and we have seven
grandchildren to prove it.
Oh, can I get you
something, dear?
No. I just wanted some cream.
Oh, let me do it.
Say when, dear.
That's enough. Thank you, dear.
Did you see that, Martin?
Their marriage is
brand-new. He's still jumping.
Not that I have given up
being an attentive husband.
Why, I tell her that I love her
at least once every six months.
Let me.
Thank you, Alex.
You're welcome, Mrs. Butler.
First, Martin stopped
opening doors for me.
Then he stopped
lighting my cigarette.
If you're not satisfied
with me after 43 years,
lighting a cigarette isn't
going to kindle the flame.
Martin means that marriage
has settled into a rut.
There's no use.
Oh, something wrong, dear?
Are you cold? Can
I get your stole?
No, no. Thank you, dear.
It's beautiful.
It's just beautiful
watching you two.
So young and in love.
Are you learning
something, Martin?
Oh, what do they
know about love?
It's like playing house.
Wait till they've been
together 43 years
and have 7 grandchildren.
That is real love.
You know, even though
I don't light a cigarette
and sometimes I
forget to close a door
and you discuss
my stomach in public,
I adore this woman.
You know, Alex,
in their own way,
they're just as much in
love as Jim and Carol.
Yeah, the flame
flickers, but it never dies.
Did you notice how
attentive I was tonight?
Did you have to keep
bouncing up and down
like a jumping jack
every time I moved?
You thought it was
beautiful when Jim did it.
You know, to
Dr. and Mrs. Butler,
we were just like Jim and Carol.
Well, aren't we?
When I look in your eyes,
when I hold you in my arms...
Oh, quiet, you fraud.
Honey, don't look now, but what
color are the shoes I'm wearing?
Green with purple ankle straps.
You noticed.
While we're on the subject,
why did you buy
that ridiculous dress?
I don't know.
Why did you invent
the flowered print?
I didn't invent it. It was...
You had a flowered print once.
I remember it as
though it were yesterday.
Oh, honey, you never
did learn how to lie.
Who's lying? I'm not lying.
Don't you remember?
I remember the night
you proposed to me...
In the restaurant... and you
didn't have enough money.
And you tried to
tell the head waiter...
That's the flowered print.
Yes.
It's the dress I wore
to the restaurant
the night you asked
me to marry you.
See? I associated it
with a glorious occasion.
Oh, yes.
It was.
They gave us a
table near the kitchen,
and the waiter ignored
us all evening long,
and you didn't have
enough money to pay the bill.
Oh, what other husband
would remember a dress
his wife wore 15 years ago?
And forget the one she
wore the night before?
Honey, you might
as well admit it.
Subconsciously, you
want to go back 15 years.
As a matter of fact, I'd
like to go ahead to 43 years
when we'll have 7 grandchildren
and I can say "I love you" on
Christmas and Valentine's Day.
Well, that's a romantic thought.
All right.
I'll get a sign...
A neon sign...
That says, "Alex loves Donna."
I'll put it out on
the front lawn.
It'll flash on and
off all night long!
- Alex, you're shouting.
- I'm not shouting!
But if I want to shout in
my own house, I'll shout!
Alex!
Alex, we're fighting!
Okay! We're fighting!
How else can I prove I love you?
You might kiss me.