The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966): Season 2, Episode 13 - A Difference of Opinion - full transcript

Alex, listen to this.

The last line in
Jeff's book report.

"The main reason I
like this book was..."

Yeah?

That's all.

That boy has an analytical mind.

Mom?

Mom, will you check these
answers for me, please?

Oh. Arithmetic is
your father's field, dear.

Okay.

- Jeff...
- Yes, Mom?



I think this is a
marvelous book report,

but aren't you going
to finish this sentence?

Well, I couldn't think of
any reason why I liked it.

Nothing at all?

Well, it was short.

The reason I liked this
book was it was short.

- Jeff.
- Yes, Dad?

Have you got an eraser?

This should be
a 6 instead of a 7.

9 and 5, 14 and
3... Well, it is a 7.

You're right. I'm sorry.

- Jeff?
- Yes, Mom?

You aren't going to leave this,

this sentence unfinished
like that, are you?



No.

"The main reason I
didn't like this book was..."

Oh, it's easier to find
the reason that way.

Jeff.

Yes, Dad?

The decimal point
is in the wrong place.

No, Dad.

When you convert
percentage to decimals,

you put the decimal
point two places to the left.

Don't appeal to me.
I'm an English major.

Well, this last one checks out.

Thanks, Dad.

I think I'll take a course in
night school next semester.

One out of three wasn't too bad.

- Hi, Mommy.
- Oh, hi, honey.

Hi, baby.

Why, you finished early.
You and Pat through already?

Oh, no, I had to leave early.

Pat's mother and father
were having a terrible quarrel,

and poor Pat, she
was so embarrassed.

Oh, look, I'm sure,
it isn't too serious.

Having a difference of opinion
is just part of being married.

Well, it goes to
the very heart of it.

I know, but this wasn't
just a difference of opinion.

They were screaming
at each other.

Well, why don't we
just say it was a loud

difference of opinion.

Hey, what were
they scrapping about?

Jeff, they were not scrapping.

Okay.

What were they loud
difference of opinioning about?

Jeff, any more answers
you'd like me to check?

No, thanks, Dad.

I think I'll take a chance
on the rest of them.

Mary, why don't you
finish your homework?

And remember, your father
and I often disagree about things.

Well, I know, Mother, but
even while you're disagreeing,

I still get the feeling
you like each other.

Talk about screaming.

You should hear
Zack's mother and father.

- Boy, the way they...
- Jeff...

Anyway, I'm glad I have
parents who get along.

Ha-ha.

You know, I read that when
children grow up with parents

that don't scrap, they usually
get along pretty well together.

Ouch, Jeff.

You're getting fat.

- I am not.
- Yeah you are.

Alex, we're going
to have to get along

for the sake of the children.

What if we get involved
in an argument?

We won't.

- I wouldn't think there's...
- And don't argue about it.

Thank you.

Donna?

- Oh...
- Donna.

How are you and how's Harry?

Fine.

Just this morning, we were
talking about you and Alex.

- Oh really?
- Yes.

And I said, "Harry, it
must be your imagination.

The Stones are not avoiding us."

Oh, well, I'm glad
you said that, Phyllis.

And I'm sorry Harry thinks so.

Well, he does
have a point, Donna.

After all, the last two
times we invited you over,

you just couldn't make it.

Well, Phyllis, as I
told you on the phone,

we started out the door,

but Jeff had been looking
a little flushed all day,

so to play it safe, we
took his temperature.

It was 102.

Oh.. You told me it was a 103.

Well, I must have
been a little upset.

You know how children can...

They sent you... make you
a quivering bag of nerves.

Of course, and it always happens
whenever you're going somewhere.

How about the time before that?

Time before that?

Oh, yes. You phoned

and said Alex had to go to
the hospital on an emergency.

Oh, that's right. He did.

You see, Donna,

I remember your excuses
even better than you do.

Oh, I remember that one.

That's the time
little Conroy boy fell

and fractured his upper...

Oh, we just wanted you
to meet these people.

You'd adore them.

They are absolutely...

Well, they're just
mad, wonderful fun.

You know, the night Jeff's
temperature went to 103...

It was 102.

Well, it was the most
hilarious evening.

I was so weak from laughing

that Harry had to
serve the refreshments,

and then, no one
ate. We just laughed.

And it sounds like fun.

Oh, we'd love to meet
your friends, Phyllis.

Call me some night.
We'll get together.

How about Friday?

Friday?

Yes.

Jeff's temperature
is down, isn't it?

Temperature...

Well, I was just
trying to think.

I'm sure we're
not doing anything.

But you know
how it is with Alex.

Yes, Friday will be
fine. Thank you, Phyllis.

Oh, wonderful.

About 7-ish then?

Oh, you're going to
love these friends of ours.

They're so...

Well, they're just
mad, wonderful fun.

See you then. Bye, dear.

Bye.

Hi, dear.

Dinner will be ready
in a few minutes.

Ah, this will keep me.

Darling, I ran into
Phyllis Baker today.

Yes?

Oh, darling, what could I do?

We're not going.

But darling, don't
you like to laugh?

Honey, you know, the time
we shared the table with them

at the banquet, Harry
told me jokes all night.

Oh, is that why
you look so grim?

Don't you like Harry's jokes?

I don't know. He laughs
all the way through.

But darling, we've
disappointed them twice,

and at the last
minute. It's not fair.

Oh, we can hardly
go out to a gay party

with Jeff's temperature at 101.

It was 102.

I told her it was
103. I was upset.

What about the time before that?

Now, how do we get
a reprieve that night?

You got an emergency call.

Remember that little Conroy
boy fell and fractured...

Hmm, of course, yeah.

Look, honey, we've got so
many close friends we haven't

seen for months
like, Henry and Jean.

We've got so little free time.
Just tell them we can't make it.

Darling, it's easy for
you, but I ran into Phyllis.

I see her at PTA, the
school, stores, market...

Fine, fine.

If you see her so often,
why do we have to go?

Alex, you're being unreasonable.

Me? Why?

Because I'm obviously
not going to call her

and invent some
excuse for not going.

You know, under
some circumstances,

a doctor is allowed
to induce fever.

Well, my temperature
is going up right now.

Honey, all I'm saying
is that we are committed

to Friday evening
at the Baker's.

But it won't end there.

Then, we have to
invite them here.

Then, they'd give us
a return match and,

all of a sudden, I'm
lifelong friends with a man

who tells me jokes
that I can't hear.

Well, Alex, I'm
in a predicament.

Instead of cooperation,
you're giving me logic.

What's the matter with logic?

Nothing, except that's not
helping to solve these problems.

I'm trying to help.

I'm trying to keep you
from getting involved

in a relationship
that, at the very least,

wasn't made in heaven.

The only merciful thing to do
is to stop it now before it begins.

All right. You call Phyllis
and tell her the truth.

A principle you invoke at
the most annoying times.

All right, I will.

Don't you dare.

Darling,

there are so many wonderful
things to battle about,

but the Baker's
are not one of them.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, too, Alex.

I should have anticipated
another invitation

and had an excuse ready.

Darling, it wasn't your
fault. I know she trapped you.

That's it, all right.

Well, we will just have to
make the best of it and go.

Oh no, uh-uh. I'm not
going to the Baker's.

I'm going upstairs and read.

Oh, no, darling, listen to me.

Darling, darling,
darling, listen to me.

- Shh. They'll hear you.
- Let them!

They may as well
learn they live in a world

where people raise their voices.

It's not going to
scar their psyches.

At the moment, they
happen to feel their parents

are intelligent people who
don't lash out at each other.

A fantasy, but let's allow
them to enjoy it for a while.

I can't argue
softly It's unnatural.

Well, train yourself.

If your unreasonable
attitude continues,

we'll be doing a lot of it.

My reasonable attitude?

What are you talking about?
You're the one who's being...

What did you say?

- I didn't say anything.
- Shh. They'll hear you.

- Did you pick up my shirts
at the laundry today?
- Shh.

Well, the kids
know I wear shirts.

Did you pick them up?

Right after I met Phyllis.

And just before I learned
I don't have the authority

to accept invitations.

Why is it every time
we have an argument,

you assume that
smug masculine air.

No, I'm trying to be friendly.

Stop smirking.

What's the difference
being a smirk and a smile?

Well, you're smirking.

I'm just trying to prove the
theory that a man and woman

- can be happy though hostile.
- Excuse me.

I know what you're
trying to prove.

You're trying to prove that...
that women are unstable

creatures who can't
discuss a problem

without reacting emotionally.

That's very nicely put.

Now, look, don't
build it up, darling.

We'll really find
ourselves arguing.

Thanks to your stubbornness.

That's exactly what
we've been doing.

Now, wait a minute.

I let you get away with
smirk but not stubborn.

Well, what would you...
let's discuss it now.

What would you call it?

Oh, now, look, darling. If...

- Come in.
- Come in.

- Goodnight, dear.
- Goodnight, Mommy.

- Goodnight, sweetheart.
- Goodnight, Mom.

- Goodnight, Daddy.
- Goodnight, baby.

- Laryngitis, Pop?
- No, no.

No. No, everything's fine.

Okay. Goodnight.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

Now, honey, we're going
to resolve this whole thing

before we go to bed.

Sweetheart, I'm
going to bed right now,

I'm tired.

Now, sweetie, you're shouting.

Come on, Jeff. That's not nice.

Oh, just as it was getting
good, they had to whisper.

Come on.

This is a wonderful
breakfast, Mother.

Yeah, great.

Hmm?

Thank you.

Well, how's everything
going at school, Jeff?

Well, fine, Mom. How
are things with you?

Oh, fine.

Jeff, how did you make
out with your book report?

I got an A. The
only one in the class.

Oh really? Well,
that's wonderful, Jeff.

Well, I guess Mrs.
Jordan gave me an A

because I was the
only one in the class

who didn't like the book.

Don't be modest, Jeff.

Jeff, modest, Daddy?

I see what you mean.

Jeff, anytime you don't
like something, express it.

It may not make you popular,
but it's an act of courage.

But be sure first that you
really have a good reason

for disliking it.

The important thing, Jeff,

is not to let yourself be
influenced by someone

who doesn't feel the
same way as you do.

But be sure you're not
doing what you're doing

just out of sheer stubbornness.

Well, I don't know what you
and dad are talking about,

but when I don't like
someone or something,

you know, I never
keep it a secret.

Well, I'll go along with Daddy.

He screams it to the world.

- Bye, Mommy.
- Bye, sweetheart.

- Bye, Daddy.
- Bye, honey.

- Bye, mom.
- Bye, darling.

- Bye, dad.
- Bye, Jeff.

Would you like some more coffee?

No, thanks.

The cleaner is coming tomorrow.

Anything special
you'd like to send out?

You might send out
my brown sport jacket,

if it's not too much a trouble.

No trouble.

The hospital volunteers
have asked me to be hostess

at the next open house.

Can you think of any
reason why I shouldn't do it?

All right. We'll
go to the Baker's.

Why the outburst?

No, it's an outburst.

Well, yes, it is.

At least anger is
an honest emotion.

Are you implying...

I'm implying that your
controlled restraint is not.

I'm sorry, Alex.

I just don't have anything that
shouting solves many problems.

Oh, the problem is
not going to vanish

just because you don't
want to talk about it.

We'll go to the Baker's.
Now are you satisfied?

I'm not going.

Why not? I said I was willing.

That's exactly why I'm not.

You wanted to go to the Baker's.

I said I wouldn't go.

You advance reasons
why we should.

Convinced, I say I'm willing.

And that's the reason you won't?

I won't because
you really don't.

Oh, I do.

I'll listen to all the jokes.

I'll pick up some card
tricks and I'll entertain

at the next meeting of
the American Legion.

Alex, you don't
really want to go.

You'll go with the
martyr. I know that look.

What look? Am I smirking again?

The look that
says I love my wife,

but when she's in this mood,

be generous and
thoughtful and say yes.

You read my every emotion.

I stay up night
studying your face.

Honey, please, let's
go to the Baker's.

You want to go
because you want to go?

More than anything in the world.

Alex, they're really
very nice people.

Sure, they are.

Are we friends now?

Well, our friendship
has nothing to do

with a difference of opinion.

I loved you while you
were being impossible.

Oh, ha-ha, this will kill you.

So the man and said,

"Well, I'll make you a
partner in my business.

I'll give you a house
in New Rochelle.

I'll even let you
marry my daughter."

And the Irishman said,

"Well, I may as well.
The train is late anyway."

How about that?

It's a wonderful story, Harry.

We must try to
remember that one, dear.

Oh, it's no use, Donna.

It never comes out
the way Harry tells it.

"I may as well, the
train was late anyway."

Rod is Harry's best audience.

He says, "Boo,"
and Rod collapses.

Well, I think that's a
wonderful quality, Elsie,

the ability to enjoy yourself.

Some people resist it.

You're kind of quiet.

Don't you know
any medical jokes?

Well, actually,
most doctor jokes,

are too specialized to be funny.

Oh, you told me a
funny story once, dear,

about Dr. Joshua.

He's a brain surgeon.

Oh, well, that was years ago.

Oh, come on, give, Doc.

Yeah, come on, come on.

Well, it seems that Dr. Joshua
was called in on a consultation.

The patient was a very
prominent man and,

in the course of getting
some of his medical history,

Dr. Joshua said...

I'm sorry, I can't seem
to remember the rest of it.

Well, I thought it was
hilarious as far as you went.

Well, the first time
Alex told me the story,

I almost dropped a dish.

Well, it started interestingly.

Hey, I have a very funny
story about a doctor.

- It seems...
- Fred...

Now, say, Doc,

you know, this shoulder of mine,

you know, when I
get up in the morning...

Now, honey, the doctor
is here to enjoy himself.

Oh, Alex doesn't mind,
Phyllis, do you, dear?

Well, of course not.

I can't sit here the
whole evening laughing.

It's only when I get
up in the morning.

After that it disappears.

You know, I wouldn't
attempt to diagnose it.

Have you told any
doctor about it?

Do you, by any chance,
sleep on that shoulder?

Why, of course, I do.

How do you like that?

Now, why didn't my
doctor think of that?

Well, I'm sure tests are a
better way of determining

the cause than
just guessing at it.

And besides, you were so
busy telling Dr. Holman jokes,

he didn't get a
chance to examine you.

But how do you like that.
He cured my shoulder.

Going to send me a bill, Doc?

I don't think so and I'd
see your own physician.

Alex's practices
confined to children.

Yes, I know.

Well, if the shoulder
acts up again,

I'll come in wearing knickers.

Oh, this guy. He kills me.

Knickers.

How about that?

Say, Donna, we've all
been taking cha-cha lessons.

Oh, it's such fun.

Do you and Alex cha?

Oh, I'm afraid we don't.

Oh, say, Doc,

why don't you take the little
gal out dancing once in a while?

Just as soon as she finishes
teaching with the Waltz.

Joan and Fred won the
cha contest at the club,

didn't you?

- Yup.
- Yeah, we won a
pair of bongo drums.

Oh, really?

Well, why don't you
give us a demonstration?

- Oh, no.
- Yes, come on.

- Cha-cha-cha.
- Sure.

I'll start the music.

Come on, baby.

And to think I fought
against coming.

Smile.

What made me think I
wouldn't have a wonderful time?

When we get home, dear,

I have some very
funny stories to tell you.

You look lovely.

Come on, Donna.
Let's cha up and storm.

Oh, I don't know how to cha.

Oh, come on. You look
like a smooth dancer.

Do you mind, Doc?

Well, of course not.

I want the little
gal to have fun.

Oh, really? Oh.

Oh.

Oh, my goodness.

Oh, no, Fred, really,
really. I had enough.

I haven't danced
in such a long time.

Oh, you were marvelous, Donna.

I owe it all to my partner.

Donna, we take lessons
every other Thursday.

Why don't you and
Alex join our class?

Oh, Phyllis, we'd love to,

but Thursday is a night for the
staff meetings at the hospital.

Darling, don't you think
we ought to be going home?

Oh, no.

It's not that late, Alex. It's
the shank of the evening.

I'll make us all some
fresh coffee, huh?

Yeah.

Doc, what do you think about
the international situation?

It's pretty complicated.

Yes, it is.

Do you think the United Nations

will ever be able to
do something about it?

Well, that's hard to say.

There is more to it
than meets the eye.

That's true.

Harry, why don't you tell
the Stone's that story about

the couple who were
married 38 years?

Oh, yeah, yeah.

Well, there was
this couple, you see.

And they... oh, have
you heard this one?

- No.
- No, go ahead
and tell it, please.

Oh, well...

They've been
married for 38 years

and on their anniversary,
the husband...

I thought I was charming.

Charming? The way you laugh?

Jeff, we shouldn't be listening.

Mother and Daddy are
having a private quarrel.

It's a wing-ding.
More than normal.

- Oh, come on, Jeff.
- Oh.

You're no fun.

- Donna?
- Alex?

I'm not apologizing, mind you.

I don't want you to apologize.

I just don't want
to argue anymore.

Well, arguments are normal

as long as they
don't become chronic.

I know. They're inevitable.

Now, it's the aftereffects
that are dangerous,

little resentments
that are dragged in.

Yes.

Like the aftereffects of a cold.

Actually, darling,
you were right.

I shouldn't have
been so bullheaded.

I should have tried to
understand your position.

No, honey, I was wrong.

I should have had more
respect for your feelings.

Now, why weren't
we this reasonable

when the situation
first came up?

- Impossible.
- Why?

You want to go through
life without arguments?

Oh, a horrible prospect.

- How do you like that?
- What?

I just called Phyllis to
thank her for last night

and who do you think was
the smash of the evening?

Who?

You.

I told you I was charming.

You did hardly more than grunt.

But profoundly.

That's exactly it.

The consensus of the guests
was that you didn't say very much,

but when you did, it
made a lot of sense.

That's a very perceptive
group. I like them.

I invited them all over
to the house next week.

Oh, wonderful.
They're very nice,

and by next week, I'll
think of Dr. Joshua's joke.

Aren't you proud of me, dear?

Oh, I'm bursting with pride.

Of course, I am, dear.

Good morning, Dad.
Good morning, Mom.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

Good morning, Daddy.
Good morning, Mommy.

Good morning, Mary.

Could we talk to you about
something kind of personal?

- Why not?
- Well, certainly, go ahead.

Well... Well, I...

It's about the scrap
you two were having.

Scrap? Who's scrapping?

And how did you hear it?

That's right.

We were whispering
so low I barely heard it.

Well, you weren't whispering
when you came home last night.

I didn't mean to
listen, honest, but...

I was sleepwalking.

I'm sorry.

Your daddy and I
did have some words,

but it wasn't anything
serious and it's all over now.

Well, Mother, when I
was talking about Pat,

well, I met parents who
are constantly bickering

and in front of strangers.

Well, that's the part
that was unpleasant.

Then you're not worried anymore?

Well, of course not, Mother.
Jeff and I are grownup.

We know parents have
to argue part of the time.

Well, sure.

If you're having a battle,
go ahead and slug it out.

You and dad
don't fight too often,

so you may as well enjoy it.

Aren't we lucky to have
such understanding children?

We sure are.

And I promise you,

the next time Daddy and I
have a difference of opinion,

we won't keep it a secret.

Certainly not. You'll
be the first to know.