The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966): Season 1, Episode 35 - Tomorrow Comes Too Soon - full transcript

10, 9, 8, 7, 6,
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0!

- Oh, Daddy!
- Gee, Pa!

- Off you go, up into space.
- Come on, come on.

Oh, gee, can't we stay
up just five more minutes?

No, no. Let's go. Let's go.

Watch him. He's
small, and he's wiry.

Get upstairs.

I think they're trying
to get rid of us, Jeff.

- But we're so lovable.
- Adorable.

Look, at your age,

you're supposed to have at
least 10 hours' sleep a night.



- Isn't he, Alex?
- Minimum.

24, maximum.

Couldn't I just have nine and
catch short catnaps at school?

I don't need as much sleep
as Jeff, Mother. I'm older.

But weaker.

Physical strength
is all men think of.

No, no. Back you go.

Go on.

- Good night, Daddy.
- Good night, honey.

- Good night, Jeff.
- Good night.

- Good night.
- Good night. Good night.

Good night.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

And what a wonderful
way to kill time.



How was your day, little mother?

Just great.

I feel like it started
two weeks ago.

How was yours?

Well, I got on this treadmill
about 7:00 this morning,

- and since...
- Mother!

Yes, dear?

Can I wear my green
dress to school tomorrow?

Yes, dear.

Would you like some coffee?

No, thanks, darling.

Let's just sit and stare
at each other for a while.

Mother, may I wear
my new shoes with it?

Of course, dear.

Thank you.

Mom!

What is it, Jeff?

Nothing. I changed my mind.

He just doesn't like
to be left out of things.

Mother, you didn't let
the hem out of this dress.

Mary, it'll be
ready for morning.

- But...
- All right.

Hey, where do you
think you're going?

Well, I just wanted to see
what's happening down here.

I get lonely.

We'll give you a detailed
report in the morning.

Upstairs.

- Good night, Daddy.
- Good night.

You know, maybe we
ought to start chaining them

to their beds at night.

Why is it no matter
how much you love them,

you're so relieved
to get rid of them?

Temporarily, that is.

No, don't start feeling guilty.

You know, the battle
to get rid of children

is an American pastime.

Darling, why don't we try
to get away for a weekend,

just by ourselves?

It's a wonderful idea,
but don't even think of it.

Why?

Because every time we plan it,

something awful happens,
and then we're so disappointed.

I can be packed in five minutes.

- Oh, bye, Mommy.
- Goodbye, sweetheart.

- Have a nice day.
- Thank you. I will.

- Bye, Daddy.
- Goodbye, honey.

Sorry, old girl.

- Bye, Mom.
- Goodbye, sweetheart.

- Bye, Dad.
- So long, Jeff.

Be careful crossing Melrose.

That girl's aiming at me!

Well, I'm sorry, Jeff!

Don't forget, you have to pick
me up at school this afternoon.

She can't. She
has to pick me up.

- Well, Jeff!
- Well, let's see.

I'll go shopping, pick up
Jeff, take him to the den... No.

- That'll make me late.
- Mother, I'm late.

I'll go shopping, go to
the dentist, take... No.

That won't work, either.

Why don't you drop the dentist
at school and go bowling?

Did you think of that
all by yourself, dear?

Dad, don't forget, you
promised to give the fellas

a first-aid lesson
this afternoon.

That's right. I did promise.

Well, I got a few house
calls to make after the clinic,

and then I... No, no.

There's a staff
meeting at the hospital.

Should we bowl doubles?

I can be packed in five minutes.

Oh, come on, Mom! We're late!

All right. Wait
for me at school.

I'll pick you up somehow.

Thank you. Goodbye.

Oh!

Why is it everything with
Mary and Jeff is a crisis?

Take three deep breaths

and thank heaven
they're off to school.

You know, when they're
10 minutes late, I'm petrified.

- Then when they get here, it...
- Say it. You're among friends.

- Alex.
- Hmm?

Is there really some chance

we might get away
for a weekend... alone?

Well, we can always
get Mrs. Harris

to take care of the kids.

Then, of course, I'll
just have somebody

to take care of my calls.

But if there's an
emergency, then...

Thanks, anyway, dear.

How could I leave those
angels for a weekend?

Uh-huh.

Well, if we took him in Friday,
he'd be home by Sunday.

There's no danger
at all, Mrs. Burke.

It's a very simple operation.

Oh, I'd have Dr. Mitchell
do it. He's one of the best.

Of course, I'd be there.

Yes, certainly, Mrs. Burke.

All right.

Anytime, Mrs. Burke.

Goodbye.

Well, that rules out
three weekends from now.

Well, what happened?

Johnny Burke's tonsils
will be coming out.

I was beginning to see
the light for that weekend.

Well, I guess
Johnny Burke's tonsils

are more important
than my morale.

If you promise not to tell
the medical association, no.

I promise.

No, darling, I haven't
given up hope.

We'll tear you
away from them yet.

Well, even if we could
get away, you know,

it wouldn't seem quite fair to
go away without the children.

Now, don't start worrying
about the children.

From birth, they have an
advantage over parents,

and they know it.

You make it sound
like a battle of wits.

It is. Parents can't win.

Now, darling, staying
away from the children

isn't unlawful
abandonment, you know?

Well, don't tell them
I want to get away.

- I feel like a traitor.
- All right.

You don't tell the
medical association,

I won't tell Jeff and Mary.

Well, I guess it's
time to start dinner.

Is there anything
special you'd like?

Anything.

How about some fried liver?

Well, I don't especially
feel like fried liver.

Anything.

Oh, Daddy, please don't say
no. Promise you won't say no.

- What?
- Oh, Mother, make him promise.

Well, honey, how
can Daddy promise...

Oh, I knew it! I knew it!

Every time something
wonderful happens...

Mary, would you just tell me

what I'm not
supposed to say no to?

Well, if I tell you, you
promise you won't say no?

What do you think of
this hysteria, Doctor?

I think it has something
to do with her childhood.

Mary, you know Daddy and I

never refuse you
anything that's reasonable.

Oh, thank you, Mother.

Next week, I'll do the
dishes, make the beds,

help with the
laundry... Anything.

Sounds like a good deal.

I wouldn't rush into it. Maybe
we can make a better one.

The roof needs re-shingling.

Oh, I'll do it,
Daddy. I'll do it.

You see, Jeannie
Morgan and her folks

are going down to her
uncle's farm this weekend,

and they have horses and a
barn dance on Saturday night.

Oh, it's just all too
divine. May I go, please?

Oh, please!

You're the most wonderful
mother and father in the world.

Oh, may I go, please?

Well, what do you say, Alex?

I'm not gonna say a thing.

I just want to sit here and
drink in the compliments.

Well, honey, I'll
call Mrs. Morgan.

Oh, thank you, Mother!

We'll miss you, honey,
especially at bedtime.

Oh, well, it'll only be
for two days, Daddy.

Darling, this is one of the
sacrifices parents make

for their children... letting
them go off on their own.

Yes, and it develops our
sense of independence.

Well, that sold me, dear.

I will call Mrs. Morgan.

Oh, I love you! I
love you! I love you!

I've got to go break
the news to Jeannie.

Well, I guess it's
all right to let her go.

The Morgans are nice people.

Yeah, I guess.

Now, if we could
only get rid of Jeff.

I'm sorry.

If fate arranged to get Jeff
away safely for the weekend,

even though we'd
miss him very much,

then we could relax
without feeling guilty.

How's that?

I wonder how we
can get rid of Jeff.

Spoken like an
adoring, weary mother.

All I have to say
is, "It's not fair."

Does everybody have to
talk in code around here?

What's not fair?

Mary's going away for the
weekend. How about me?

Well, have you been
invited someplace?

No, but it's not fair. Why
can't I go someplace?

Say, isn't your troop about due
for an overnight camping trip?

Not for a couple of weeks.

Oh, Alex, if he
hasn't anyplace to go,

let's not sit around
inventing one.

I could think of
someplace to go.

Where?

Jeff, you can do
something with us.

Well, what'll we do? Mary
will be away having fun.

Jeff, sometimes you
don't speak to your sister

for a whole weekend at a time.

Now, why suddenly will
you miss her so much?

Because it's nice
to have her around

in case he thinks of
something nasty to say.

I know!

- Where?
- Mike Sterns.

He's always asking me to spend
a weekend over at his house.

- Jeff, don't be ridiculous.
- Well, Jeff was invited.

Oh, can I go? Please, can I go?

I'll call every
hour on the hour,

and next week, Mom,
I'll do anything you ask.

I'll rake the leaves, I'll
wash the car... anything.

Please!

Well, we've already had
an offer to repair the roof.

Jeff, look, how do you
know the offer still holds?

Well, I'm sure it
does. I'll call Michael.

- Please let me go.
- Who's fighting?

Mom?

Well, I'll call Mrs. Sterns,
and if it's all right, you can go.

Oh, gee, thanks.

You know, for parents,
you're both swell.

Well, goodbye.
I got to call Mike.

They did ask us.

I mean, we didn't force them.

We did our best to keep our
little family group together.

We fought like
tigers, didn't we?

Like tigers.

Hi, Jim.

He'll be right out.

Now, Jeff, when Mrs.
Sterns says bedtime, go.

- Well, you know me, Mom.
- Oh, we sure do.

You'll fight them
on the beaches.

- Mary, did you pack your robe?
- Yes, I did.

- Bye-bye, Jeff.
- Have fun, sweetheart.

I'm sorry about leaving
you and Daddy alone.

Oh, we have your pictures, baby.

- Okay.
- Bye-bye.

If you miss the sound of
my cheerful voice, just call.

- Oh, don't worry.
- Bye!

Bye-bye, kids! Have fun.
Take care of yourselves.

Oh, they're off.

Must you use that inflection?

Oh, honey, I'm as
heartbroken as you are.

Well, I will miss them.

So will I.

I'll count every tranquil
moment until they return.

Oh, honey, they'll be fine.

Well, we've got tonight, all
day tomorrow, and Sunday.

What would you like to do?

Let's just sit and
stare at each other.

All right.

Tomorrow night,
I'll take you dancing.

Tonight, we stare.

You're a good man, Alex.

Tell me, what's a nice girl like
you doing in a place like this?

Well, you see, I left
the farm when I was 18,

and I met this man...

Aha!

The old story.

A city slicker, huh?

No. He was a country
bumpkin like myself.

We fell in love, got married,
and lived happily ever after.

So far.

Did anyone every tell
you how beautiful you are?

Not lately, dear,
so please hurry up.

Why don't we go up to my place
later and listen to some music?

Dear, would you
stop leering at me?

What's wrong with a
husband leering at his wife?

That's right. We are
married. I'd almost forgotten.

Now, look, if your husband...

More coffee?

Please.

Alex, do you think I ought to
call Jeff and say good night?

Jeff? Jeff?

Your son, remember?

He's about this
tall, has black hair,

and is an angel
most of the time.

Yes, I have a vague
recollection of a piercing voice

that ricocheted off the walls.

That's our son.

Maybe I ought to call Mary.

She was supposed
to call us today, and...

Mary?

Mary?

Oh, now, honey, if
anything was wrong,

we'd hear from the Morgans.

She forgot. She's
having a nice time.

And so are we, if
admitting it is not disloyal.

Donna!

- Oh, hi!
- Well, Patty, Phil.

- How are you?
- Hello, Alex.

Are you just coming in?
Why don't you join us?

We're just leaving
to join some friends,

but we have a few minutes.

- Then, sit down.
- Thank you.

Thank you.

Would you like some coffee?

- No.
- No, thank you.

Well, what are you two doing
out on the town and way out here?

Well, our children have
deserted us for the weekend.

They're staying with friends.

- How are yours?
- Oh, fine.

Well, you seem to be
enjoying your stolen weekend.

We are, but we're keeping
it a secret from the kids.

Parents are supposed
to be miserable

away from their children.

Wait a few years.

You'll never see them.

Oh, well, I think we have

quite a while to go
before that happens.

Not too long.

Helen's only 18.

How old is Mary?

She's almost 15.

Get ready to lose her.

About once a day, a
blond flash simmers by me,

kisses me on the
top of the head,

and mutters something
like, "See ya, Dad."

That's Helen?

Well, actually,
Mary's only 14 1/2.

- How old is Matt?
- 16.

He wouldn't be caught
dead out with his parents.

How old is Jeff?

He's almost 12.

Patty, is Matt that crew
cut I see once a week

around allowance time?

A friendly sort of chap.

That's the one.

Well, Jeff is
really only 11 1/2.

Oh, don't be unhappy, darling.

They're still ours
for a little while.

Helen's been going steady.

I have a feeling
she's going to spring

a wedding announcement
on us pretty soon.

Well, Jack's a nice boy.

Must he keep
pounding me on the back

and calling me
"Pop" so jovially?

He's about 9 feet tall.

I think any time a
father sees a boy

around his daughter fairly
often, the boy gets very tall.

All I ask is that he stop
pounding me on the back.

Phil, we must go. We'll be late.

Okay, Patty.

Funny.

You want them to grow up,

and then they do, and
suddenly you're sad.

We'd better go.

Goodbye, you two. Have fun.

Thanks, Phil. So long, Patty.

Hello out there.

- They're still babies.
- Oh, of course.

Why, we practically have to

carry them up to
bed every night.

Alex, I know they
have to grow up, but...

Oh, I'm sorry. I'm being silly.

No, you're not. You're
just being a mother.

Well, shall we go
somewhere and dance?

Oh, how about a long drive?

Skiing? Aquaplaning?

Home?

- Would you mind, dear?
- No.

Oh, waiter. Check, please?

Oh, if your husband
should happen to call...

What's funny?

Oh, I was just
thinking about that time

we went to the Chinese
restaurant for dinner

and we parked Mary in her
buggy out by the front window.

You're going a long way back.

Oh, not so long ago.

And while we were eating,

we could see that chubby,
little foot waving in the air.

Remember?

Uh-huh.

You don't remember.

Certainly I do. We
had lobster Cantonese.

Oh, my.

Where in Mary's
infancy are we now?

Jeff.

When he got his first haircut.

And he kept waving
his chubby, little foot

at the barber's knee.

Kicked him twice, I believe.

And when he went to
cut those baby curls,

I had to hide so Jeff
wouldn't see me cry.

- Remember?
- How could I forget?

Jeff was screaming,
you were crying,

and the barber was threatening
to sue for a broken kneecap.

Alex, why is it that
fathers are so...

Honey, before you
give me a lecture

on the insensitivity of the
male, let me tell you something.

Fathers feel everything
about children that mothers do,

but we can't go
through life wailing,

"My baby is growing up."

Well, I guess mothers are
allowed to express themselves.

Well, don't think
I'm looking forward

to the day a 9-footer slaps me
on the back with a "Hiya, Pop."

You know, I have a feeling that
Mary will want to finish college

before she rushes into
marriage, don't you?

Why? You were married at 18.

Oh, well, that was different.

Sure, it was different.

Your mother worried.

Good night, Donna.

Good night, dear.

Oh, look, Alex, I want
our children to grow up,

have families, and be
happy like everybody else.

But why does it have
to happen so soon?

I mean, every time
you turn around,

they're bigger,
they need you less.

One day, Mary will
meet a boy and...

Mother and Daddy,
this is Jim Harper.

How do you do, Mrs. Stone?

How do you do, Dr. Stone?

Hello, Mother Stone.

Hiya, Pop!

Alex?

Alex!

Alex! Alex!

What?

Darling, what's the matter?

You're crying.

Mothers always cry at weddings.

Well.

I hope Mary doesn't forget
to pick up Jeff at the Sterns'.

You know, when they do arrive,

they're liable to get the idea
you're happy to have them home.

Oh, well, I had nothing
else to do, so I baked a cake.

Of course, I will be
glad to see them again.

But did you have to spell out
"welcome home" with your tears?

Oh, now, don't give me
that fatherly indifference.

Admit you'll be
glad to see them.

Sure.

But they'll have to drag
the admission out of me

with torture.

Let's be casual.

Mom! Dad! We're home!

We're home!

We're home!

- Mom! Dad!
- Hey!

- Hi!
- Hi, Dad!

It's so good to see you!

Hi, baby.

Hi, Mom!

Oh, my! Honey, did
you have a good time?

Oh, I had a wonderful
time, Mother,

but it's so good to be home.

I'm glad, baby.

Anybody want to know
how I enjoyed myself?

Yeah, tell us, Jeff. How
did you enjoy yourself?

It was miserable.

Mrs. Sterns made
us go to bed at 8:00.

Oh, I'm sorry, honey.

Oh, it's good to have you home.

Well, would you like
some cake and milk?

- Yeah!
- I'd love some, Mommy!

Oh, Mother and Daddy,

thank you so much for
letting me go this weekend.

I just had a wonderful time.

I had a miserable time.

Well, you can list
your complaints

in the thank-you note.

It's a shame you and Daddy
had to stay home alone.

Did you do anything special?

Well, last night, Daddy
took me out to dinner

at a very elegant restaurant.

Really? Did you enjoy yourself?

Oh, the restaurant
was wonderful,

but later on, your
mother went to a wedding.

Ruined the whole evening.

Well, now, how do
you like the cake?

It looks great.

- Gee, Dad!
- Daddy!

You'll take that one tonight.

I sure will. Come on, Jeff.

I don't want to go to
bed. I want to watch TV.

Jeff!

Oh, no, young man. Let's go.

I don't want to go to bed.

Oh, come on. Upstairs.

Good night, Dad.

- Good night, Mom.
- Sleep well.

- Hey! Come on.
- Off you go.

- Good night.
- Good night.

- Good night.
- Good night. Good night.

Mother!

Yes, dear?

Mother, can you pick me up
at dancing school tomorrow?

I think so, Mary.

And would you mind
driving Helen home, too?

Of course not, dear.

Thank you, Mother.

- Dad!
- Mother!

Nothing has changed.

And isn't it wonderful?