The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966): Season 2, Episode 25 - The Gentle Dew - full transcript

Good morning everybody.

Good morning.

- Darling.
- Good morning dear.

- Don't the flowers
look beautiful?
- Uh-hmm.

The first sign of spring.

Pass the sugar would
you Jeff, please?

Jeff, did you water
these flowers?

Oh, no, mom, I'm sorry.

I had this homework
to do and I forgot it.

Jeff, you promised to
water them every morning.

Yeah, I know,



but gee, isn't homework
more important

than watering flowers?

Yes.

But you should have that
done last night and you too.

I don't know why I had to
remind them to do everything.

Oh, no, dear,

I'm sure Jeff will remember
the flowers tomorrow morning,

won't you Jeff?

Hmm? Oh, sure.

It isn't just the flowers,
it's lots of things.

Now dear, I know
you're perfectly right,

but why get excited
about it, they're children.

In the first place,
I am not excited

and in the second place
they won't always be children.



It's time they started
to get organized.

Mom, can we talk
about this later?

I've got to get these
problems done for this morning.

Yes, and I have to get
this history report in.

Put your books away
and eat your breakfast,

you have to leave
in five minutes.

It's 10 minutes after 8 already.

- It's after 8?
- But mom.

I do have...

At breakfast time,
we eat breakfast.

I have no idea it was so late.

Darling, I'll be at the
clinic until 11 o'clock

then, Dr. Waits and I are
going to play a round of golf.

Oh, well, have a nice game.

Now, darling, don't let
the children upset you.

You've got to learn to take
these things in your stride.

You know the worst
thing you can do

is to let them know
they've got your goat.

I suppose so.

I guess I just got carried away.

Well, people have to
learn to watch that tendency

to exaggerate things.

Now, count to 10,
sleep on it, you know.

Goodbye kids.

- Bye.
- Bye, daddy.

Bye.

Jeff, I'm sorry if I snapped
at you about the flowers.

That's OK, mom.

About your homework...

Oh, it's not your fault mother,

I really should have done
this homework last night.

You're both very
kind and forgiving.

But you better go now
or you're going to be late.

OK, mom.

- Jeff.
- Sir?

My golf clubs are
not in the hall closet.

- They aren't?
- No.

And I distinctly remember you're
coming to me and asking me

if you could make
some extra money

and could you please clean
my golf clubs and I said, yes.

So you did, dad.
And you paid me too.

Well, then where
are the golf clubs?

Well, you see I wanted to
do a real good job on them,

and Zach, well he
has this buffing wheel.

And so I figured they'd
turned out real good and so...

Where are they now?

They're still there at Zach's.

Well, you see, I didn't
get around to buffing them.

Well, I was waiting
until I have time.

Fine. Fine. Fine.

I have one day of the month
I can get a chance to play golf

and then... well, young
man you're going to learn that

things have to be done when
they're supposed to be done.

Alex.

You're going to get organized.

Organized.

And that goes for
you, too young lady.

What did I do?

That's what you didn't
do, your homework.

Alex, they're going
to be late for school.

All right, we can
discuss it later.

But I want you to know
one thing young man...

One, two, three, four, five...

Now, I'm not going
to say I told you so.

But I did, I told you repeatedly
and what is the result?

You've dropped from
an A to a C in history.

But daddy, it's not fair,
Mr. Griffin did it just to be mean.

He did it to teach you a lesson.

That's what teachers are
for to teach you lessons.

Now, if you've gotten
your homework done

and gotten your
paper in on time...

Oh, it would have been an
A, Mr. Griffin said so himself.

Exactly.

But what did you do?

You keep putting it
off and putting it off

like everything
else around here.

Why do we have to tell
you to pick up your things,

we have to tell you
to do your homework,

do this, do that, come to meals,

we have to tell you
everything 18 times.

Well, that's all over
from now on, we...

From now on, we're going to
have a schedule around here

and we're going to stick to it.

Meals will be served
at regular hours

and anybody who isn't
there, it's their hard luck.

There'd be no second
sitting, understand?

Yes, daddy.

Yes, dad.

Homework will be done
immediately after dinner

and I want you both in
bed with lights out by 9:30.

9:30?

That's what I said 9:30.

Can we go now?

If you've got that straight.

Uh, where do you
think you're going?

Oh, just out...

Up to do my homework.

Well, we had our little talk.

Yes, I heard.

You, uh, don't think you're
a little too severe do you?

Honey, you were the one who
was so upset with them this morning.

Well, yes, I know but

I don't think we should
punish the children

just because I got up on
the wrong side of the bed.

Oh, no, no, you were
perfectly justified.

Well, take Mary's
marks for instance.

Well, she's never have
a C in history in her life.

I know, but 9:30?

We've sat down the rules
and we have to be firm.

Yeah, I suppose so.

But I, uh... I just wish
we'd taken a little more time

to think about it before
you dived in head first.

- Oh, hi, honey.
- Hi, daddy.

Something on your mind?

Uh, daddy, I believe
you two have met before?

Yes. Yes, of course.

How are you, Herbie?

Roger.

Yes, Roger. Sorry.

Uh, sit down.

Well, I don't mind.

Where's your mother?

She's in the kitchen.

If you'll excuse us.

- Hi, honey.
- Oh, hello there.

The kids staying for dinner?

No, Mary is going out to dinner.

Going out for dinner?

Well, not out to
dinner really, oh,

Roger is taking her bowling

and they're going to
stop by for hamburger.

Oh, wait a minute.

I already asked mother
and she said I could.

Just a darn minute here,

I thought we had
this all out last night.

Daddy, please, not so loud.

What did I tell you?

You said that I had to
finish all of my homework

before I went out.

That's right.

And it just so
happens that meant it.

But daddy, I've already done it.

She started working on it

as soon as she got
home from school.

Well, what about your
room, have you clean that up?

Oh, I cleaned it all
up. Didn't I, mommy?

She really did.

What about that thank you
note that you put off writing

- to your grandmother for
the past three months?
- Oh, now Alex, really...

What's so unreasonable
about asking your girl

to take a few
minutes to sit down

and write a note
expressing gratitude,

plain, simple,
ordinary gratitude

for a gift that was sent her
three months ago by a lonely,

old lady who has a
few pleasures of life.

All right, be home by 9:30.

Daddy, tomorrow night
I'll go to bed at 8:30

maybe even 7:30 if I can...

9:30 and not one minute later.

You better be home at 9:30.

- That's what I just told her.
- Yes, dear, I know.

Now, go speak to Roger, so
he won't think you're mad at him.

Honey, if you have any
dressing you have to do.

Oh, I'll just go get
my sweater and purse.

Sit down. Sit down.

Well, that's OK.

I understand that you and
Mary are going out tonight.

Well, yes sir, well that is
if it's all right with you, sir.

Well, it seems to be
all right with her mother.

Do you smoke?

Oh, no sir, I just
carry matches.

Well, where are you
thinking of going?

Well, I was planning on
teaching her how to bowl.

Well, somebody have
to teach her some history.

Mary? Well, she's
good in history.

It's not what her teacher says.

Oh, well, Mr. Griffin...

Well, I mean, he's
all right, I guess only...

Well, you know,
he's kind of a square.

You know Jeff and Mary
are always talking about these

squares as you call them.

Uh, exactly what is a square?

Well, it's kind of hard to
explain to somebody that's...

Well, that doesn't...

- Well, it's just hard to explain to a...
- A square?

No. No, sir. No.

Shall we go, Roger?

Uh, Roger, I was
just telling Mary,

we expect her home
no later than 9:30.

- 9:30?
- 9:30, yes.

She's a growing girl and
we feel that she should...

Daddy, I'm not a child.

Come on Roger, let's go.

Where is she going?

Jeff, be quiet, let's go.

- Well, goodnight, Dr. Stone.
- Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Jeff.
- Well, goodnight, Rog.

Oh, goodnight, Mrs. Stone.

Uh, goodnight, Roger.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

Goodnight, Dr. Stone.

You can keep the matches.

What a jip, Mary gets to
go out and I have to stay in.

Why?

- Have you done your homework?
- No.

That's why.

- Oh.
- Hmm?

The Wiley's have invited
us over to play bridge tonight.

I hope you don't mind we
have anything else to do.

Sure, fine.

Good. I told them we'd come.

Uh, did Mary know
we were going out?

She may have. Why?

No. No reason.

Oh, why don't we ask the Wiley's
to come over here and play?

Because I've already told
them we'd play over there.

Oh.

Any particular reason why
you want to play at home?

No. No.

It wouldn't be that you
want to check up on whether

Mary comes home
at 9:30, would it?

Oh, darling, don't be silly.

No, I told Mary what
time I expected her home

and I'm sure she'll be here.

She's always
been a truthful girl.

I haven't the slightest
doubt she'll be here on time.

Not a doubt in the world.

I'll tell you one
thing, if she's not.

Oh, gosh, what did I do?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Boy, women.

Well, just because I laughed

when you threw three
straight balls down the gutter

I didn't mean...

Well, that's just
my sense of humor.

I know you're terribly amusing.

I apologize.

Roger, let's not be maudlin.

Well look, if you're so because
I went over and talk to Darlene.

Darlene? Oh, I
couldn't care less.

- Oh...
- Let's not discuss Darlene

because nothing could be farther
from my thoughts than Darlene.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing could
be farther from my thoughts.

- Darlene.
- Mary?

I mean, how could anybody
get excited over Darlene.

Who says I'm getting excited.

I happen to mention that
she's a pretty good bowler.

That's not getting
excited about Darlene.

Roger, if you don't mind,
I'd rather not discuss it.

Boy, oh boy.

I mean, if some
men are impressed

by girls who are athletic
rather than feminine

that's certainly no reason
for all girls to be athletic.

I'm not the slightest
bit impressed

with girls who are athletic.

Honest, I'm not.

I thought we decided
not to discuss it, Roger.

I'm going to have
another root beer,

do you want one?

No, thank you.

Well, do you mind if I have one?

All right. I'm going
to have one anyway.

I told Ben, he's
just like all fathers,

anything Nina wants.

Now, that's not so.

All she has to do is twist
him around her little finger

and she's just the
one who can do it.

Now, wait a minute,

she didn't get that trip
to Nassau, did she?

No, she got a
wristwatch instead.

But she didn't get
the trip to Nassau.

But it was a wristwatch
she wanted all the time.

My friend, you've been had.

Well, I suppose you've
never been taken.

Oh, Alex is expert
on these matters.

He studied psychology, you know.

Yeah. What's your method, doc?

Well, it's perfectly
simple, you just say no.

Well, I've tried that,

what do you do after
you said "no" eight times.

That's where you're
making mistake,

make them know you
mean it the first time.

Hmm, how do you do that?

He fixes them with
a steely glance.

Consistency, that's
the main thing,

always let them know
exactly where they stand.

Make a rule you have
to follow through on it.

Yeah. Yeah.

Donna, you are a bid.

I haven't got my
cards arranged yet.

Like this evening, for example,
we had a little discussion;

Mary wanted to go out bowling.

I didn't stand in her
way, I said, go ahead,

but be sure you're home by 9:30.

Are you all set?

Do you think she will?

Oh, she'll be home by 9:30.

Are you all set now?

Pass.

One no trump.

What time do you have?

It's 9:25.

Well, come on doc, one no trump.

I think I'll just go
over there and check.

Why don't you call?

Let's not break up the game.

- I'll be right back.
- Alex.

Well, if you'll excuse
me, I think I better go too.

He gets a little carried
away sometimes.

We'll be right back.

Wouldn't you know,

the first good hand
I've had all evening.

Honey, we didn't have to
leave in the middle of a hand.

9:30 is 9:30.

And it's 9:30.

Well, it's just barely 9:30.

I didn't say 9:35, I said 9:30.

Honey, even a parking lot
gives you a few minutes grace.

If that's what
she's counting on,

she'll find out this
isn't a parking lot.

Well, this isn't the
first time it's happened.

The last time she was out,
she didn't come home until 1.

Well that was the annual dance.

Well, this isn't.

I'm not going to have an
annual dance here once a week.

I'm sure there must
be some reason.

Well, it better be a good one.

Honey, the Wiley's are waiting

and I have a feeling
Ben has a good hand.

Well, you better phone them,
tell them we'd be a few minutes.

I don't like that Herbie.
I don't like his looks.

It's Roger, darling.

Or Roger, I don't
like his looks either.

There you are 10 o'clock.

Alex, it isn't like
Mary to defy us.

Maybe something has happened.

Well, something is going to
happen when she gets home,

I can tell you that.

Maybe you want to
call the Wiley's again.

- You call them this time.
- Hmm?

I tell you what I
think you should do

and that's call Roger's
place to see if she is there.

I'm darned if I will.

You can't have me chasing
all over the neighborhood.

It's her responsibility to get
herself home and on time.

If not she pays the penalty.

And the penalty is
going up every minute.

- Alex, if you won't, I will.
- Go ahead.

What's Roger's last name?

Don't ask me. I thought
his name was Herbie.

Derfy, Dunfy, Durfy.

She shouldn't be going
out with boys we don't know.

I know him. He's
around here all the time.

Well, what's name then?

Durfy.

Oh, there's two Durfy's listed.

Well, I guess I'll just have
to close my eyes and...

Hereafter, when she
goes out with anybody,

she's to leave his name
and his telephone number.

She shouldn't be going
out with him in the first place.

I hope this is right.

It's pretty late to be
calling a wrong number.

Oh, hello, Mr. Durfy?

Are you Mr. Durfy who
has a son named Herbie?

I mean Roger.

Well, I'm Mrs.
Stone, Mary's mother.

Oh, I hope I didn't wake you.

Good.

Well, I was just wondering
if Mary is over there

with Roger by any chance.

Well, no, they left
here about 7 o'clock

and I haven't seen them since.

Well, yes, thank you very much.

Goodbye.

Yes, I'll tell him.

He thought Roger was over here.

He says send him
home if he shows up.

I'll send him home all right.

Alex, I'm worried.

Well, I'm mad.

Suppose there's been
an accident or something.

Where are you going, Alex?

To get the car out, I've
got a few places in mind.

Alex, if you find her...

Count to 10.

What have you done with Mary?

- Mary?
- Yes, Mary.

Who do you think?

Well, I haven't seen her, sir.

- Well, I mean I...
- Where is she?

Well, I don't know,
she walked out on me.

I mean, we had
this little argument.

Don't you usually
see a girl home?

Well, yes sir, only it
has happened this way.

She bowled three straight
balls right down the gutter

and well even though it
was just my sense of humor,

she didn't think
it was very funny

especially when I brought
it up about Darlene.

She didn't even
want to discuss it.

I actually think
she did because,

well when I went
to get a root beer

and I come back,
she disappeared.

Huh!

Well you see, sir, she
bowled three straight balls

right down the gutter...

Never mind that,
which way did she go?

I don't know, sir,
I didn't see her.

Your father says go home.

Yes, sir.

I think we should
call the police.

Alright, you call the police.

I feel like a darn fool
already running all over town.

Well, there's no telling
what she might do.

Children are sensitive
particularly girls,

you can't just dictate to them.

They're human beings too.

Well, so are we.

But so are they.

Well, we are too.

Parents have some
rights, you know.

I don't know if they are though
if you can't suggest to them

that they'd be home
at a reasonable hour...

Oh, Alex, you did
more than suggest,

you practically threatened her.

I did not.

All right, I threatened her.
What did I threatened her with?

Withholding affection.

Oh, Donna, that's nonsense.

Alex, really for a
licensed pediatrician

who spend his whole
life dealing with children

who's supposed to
know about these...

Well, I deal with
children all day long,

do I have to deal
with them all night too?

I may not be the world's
greatest disciplinarian,

but at least I've never driven
our daughter out of the house.

Who's driving her
out of the house,

I asked her to come home.

That's all I did.

I ask her kindly to walk that
door at a respectable hour and...

- There you are,
where have you been?
- Alex.

You had your orders young lady
and know exactly what they were,

you should have been
in bed and asleep too.

What are you doing
in your bathrobe?

How long have you
been asleep dear?

Oh, since about nine
o'clock I guess, why?

What's the argument all about?

Well, your father who's supposed
to know all about these things

was under the mistaken
impression that...

Oh, let's not bother to
get into that shall we.

- Well, goodnight, mommy.
- Goodnight, honey.

- Goodnight daddy.
- Goodnight.

Well, I didn't like that.

Here I am out
chasing all over town

and she's in bed all the time.

She was just doing
what you told her too.

Well, how did I know
she was going to do it?

Come on. Let's go to bed.

There, I just finished
watering the flowers.

Thank you, dear.

Jeff, Mary, I think I should
explain something to you.

Your father is a very fine
man and he works very hard.

Sometimes he gets
a little nervous and...

Well, he says things that
he really doesn't mean.

Well, we know that.

Well, take yesterday,
for example.

Uh, pass the sugar, dear.

Yes, mom.

- Good morning, darling.
- Good morning, Alex.

It's too bad dad, you missed it.

Missed what?

Breakfast.

Oh.

I guess I am a little at that.

Well, that's OK,
dad, only kidding.

After all we all goof up
now and then even me.

- Daddy, all for you.
- Well, thank you honey.

They're beautiful.

You know, mom grew
this right out of an envelope.

Your mother is a
remarkable woman,

in more ways than one.

Well, I'll go get
you some juice,

it's good for the nerves.

Such service.

Uh, honey,

I'm afraid I owe you an
apologize about last night.

Oh, daddy, that's
all right, forget it,

I'll go get you breakfast.

- Here you go, dad.
- Oh, thank you Jeff.

- Dad, do you know what's I'm
going to do this afternoon?
- Hmm?

I'm going to
clean up the cellar.

Hmm? On a day like this?

Well, I know how it's been
getting on your nerves.

Oh, relax, enjoy yourself.

Today, we're just going
to play things by ear.

Oh great.

Hey, Mary, dad says
we can go to the movies.

Oh, wonderful. Thank you, daddy.

When did I say that?

Well, we already planned it.

Wait a minute, how are
you going to the movies

and clean out the
cellar at the same time.

Oh heck, I knew you
wouldn't make me.

All right. Just this once.

But beginning
tomorrow understand.

Oh absolutely, dad, absolutely.

All right. We'll relax today,

but tomorrow we're
going to get organized.

We're going to get on
schedule around here and...

You don't seem
to think I mean it.

Oh, absolutely.

What's the use. I'm outnumbered.