The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966): Season 2, Episode 27 - The Perfect Pitch - full transcript

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Hi, mom.

Hi, dear.

Mom, guess what?

- Just guess what?
- What?



Greg and me are
trying for the track team.

Greg and I.

Well, they have a junior meet
for all the schools in the city.

Oh, we'll I'll
look forward to it,

I'm sure you'll do very well.

But I'm not in the meet yet.

First, I have to make the team.

Oh, well I'm sure you
will I have confidence...

Jeff, if you're trying to prove
that you're going to eat them

faster than I can
cut them, you win.

Concentrate on this and give
my applesauce a fighting chance.

No, thanks mom, a whole
apple is too much for me.

We're going into training
together, Greg and I?

That's right.



Well, we're going to
run a mile every day.

- A mile?
- Well, sure.

And then after that we
do an hour of short sprints,

you know, for the wind.

I see, but don't you think
a mile is a little strenuous

for boys your age?

Oh, it's a breeze.
I can do five miles.

Oh, I don't know.

Running a mile is nothing.

How did I run out of sugar?

I won't even feel it.

Honey, would you
go to the market

and get me some sugar, please.

To the market?

Can't we borrow
something next door?

The market is four blocks away.

On your mark, get set, go.

Hurry, hurry, hurry.

That's how the mornings go.

And here come the
children home from school.

Hungry for lunch.

So give them something
quick and hearty,

something they really like.

Nourishing Campbell's
Turkey Noodle Soup.

A good, hot start to a
soup and sandwich lunch.

A rich fragrant soup,

one sniff and good
things begin to happen.

They're in a happy mood.

This soup taste so
good, so satisfying.

Tender pieces of light
and dark turkey meat

and rich egg needles
and a rich golden broth.

Campbell's Turkey Noodle Soup,

soothing, relaxing.

It makes you feel good all over.

Now, they'll go back to school
feeling warm and well-fed.

Yes, good things begin to happen

when once a day, every day,

you have Campbell's Soup?

Have you had your soup today?

Well, I'm switching Myrtle

to you refreshment
committee, Doris.

Well, yes, she was on
the decorations committee,

but she tried to bring
in that interior decorator

all the way from New York.

Yes, well you know,
Myrtle is all right,

she just has grandiose
ideas that's all.

But look now, that's the reason
why I'm putting her with you,

I know you're level-headed
and you won't be carried away

by any of her wild notions.

Yes. I'm counting on you, dear.

Wonderful.

Yes, goodbye.

Did you get the sugar, dear?

The applesauce and I
appreciate what you've done for us.

I'm beat.

Honey, how do you expect
to run a mile everyday

if going four blocks to the
market knocks you out?

Well, I walked to the market.

Walking always knocks me out.

I can run all day, but walking?

Whew.

Mom, it's the front door.

Oh, are you sure?

I can never tell the difference.

Well, the front door is F
sharp, back door is F natural.

You see, F sharp, I'll get it.

Thank you.

It's for you, mom,

something you ordered
from the department store.

Uh, ring the bell again.

Hmm? What for?

No, just go ahead, ring it.

It is F sharp.

Well, sure, I told you it was.

Now, the back
door is an F natural

and the telephone is an A flat.

Well, how do you know all this?

Oh, I got that...
what do you call it,

a perfect pitch.

At least that's what the
music teacher in school says.

What's that?

C.

What's that?

E flat.

Well, Jeff that's wonderful.

Perfect pitch.

I'd rather have it in baseball.

I've heard of it, but I've never
known anyone who had it.

You must be very rare.

Oh yeah, I'm the only
one in my class who has it.

Do you want me
for anything else?

No.

G.

- Well, hi, dad.
- Hi, Jeff.

- Guess what?
- What?

I'm going to try out
for the track team.

Wow, wonderful.

I used to be an old
trackman myself,

I may be of some help to you.

Oh, gee dad, that
would be great.

Maybe you can help Greg and I.

Greg and me.

Oh, we're going to
run a mile every day...

Jeff, correction, Greg and
you, my running days are over.

What event are
you trying out for?

Well, I think my best chance
is try to get in the relay team.

Well, wonderful,
we'll work together,

I'll coach you.

- Will you, really, dad?
- Sure.

Oh, gee, thanks.

Hi, darling.

Boy, I had a rough
day at the hospital.

Hi, darling.

I had a rough
day at the hospital.

Alex, I had been thinking,

when a boy has
a special ability,

it's up to his
parents to help him.

Well, I've already
offered to help him.

Well, he should have
professional help.

I mean, someone
qualified to train him.

Darling, aren't you going
a little bit overboard?

I mean, we're not trying
to raise an Olympic athlete,

all we want to do is...

Oh, Alex, you haven't
been listening to me.

I'm talking about
Jeff's music lessons.

What music lessons?

The ones that we
should arrange for him.

Alex, did you know that
Jeff is a musical genius.

No, I don't know it.

And to be perfectly
frank I don't believe it.

He has perfect pitch.

The teacher told
him so at school.

Think of it Alex,
Jeff has perfect pitch.

All right. I'll think about it.

But Alex, I think
we owe it to Jeff

to do everything we
can to develop his talent.

I mean, that's why I think he
should have private instruction.

Oh, that's fine with me.

Jeff's the one you'll
have to convince.

Oh, don't worry. He'll
be as anxious as I am.

That's A flat.

Oh, where are you working out?

In the park.

You have your
sweatshirt with you?

Uh-hmm. Right here.

Now, keep it on when
you're not actually running.

OK, dad.

Jeff?

Be sure to come back in an hour
because Mr. Barry will be here

for your trumpet lesson.

That darn old trumpet,
I'm tired of taking lessons.

Well, you've only had three.

I was tired after the first one.

Why do I have to
take trumpet lessons?

I get enough music in school.

I thought you enjoyed it.

Well, I hate it.

I only take music so I
won't have to take art.

I hate that worse.

Honey, you'll thank
us for it someday.

I wish my mother forced
me to take music lessons

when I was a girl.

Well, music lessons are
OK for girls maybe, but...

- What's that?
- C sharp.

Well, it's Greg's mother,

she's going to
drive us to the park.

You know, some fellows have
parents that drive them to the park;

others have parents who drive
them to take trumpet lessons.

I had no idea he hated it so.

Oh, you know, how Jeff
overdramatizes everything.

Darling, do you think it's wise

to force him to take
trumpet lessons?

Well, I think a talent
like his is a responsibility.

You know, they're all the same.

Alex, please believe me,
he'll thank us for it someday.

If we let Jeff get by with
this 10 years from now

he'll regret it and
it will be too late.

Hmm.

All right. We'll
see how it goes.

C sharp.

Just think perfect pitch.

- Hi, mom.
- Hi, honey.

Oh, don't go in the living room,
Jeff is taking his trumpet lessons.

Oh, thank you
mother for warning me.

Could you give me
a hand dear, please?

Oh, sure.

Is one allowed to
have a cup of coffee

while the genius takes a lesson?

Hey.

Jeff is doing all right.

Oh, daddy, that's not
Jeff that's Mr. Barry.

Jeff will be playing
like that before long.

That Mr. Barry is pretty
nervous fellow, isn't he?

Daddy, Jeff armed with a trumpet
would make anybody nervous.

Mr. Barry told me that
he only accepts pupils

who show exceptional promise.

Exceptional promise, huh?

Well, then we have
nothing to worry about.

Oh, dear.

That's Jeff.

No. No. No.

You must make a good clear tone.

Remember, you are
trying to play a trumpet,

not fill a balloon.

Now, try it again.

Think what I told
you about breathing.

You do it through the
corner of your mouth.

Don't breathe
through the trumpet.

You might suck back the
one of the notes you blew into it

that would be terrible.

All right. Try again.

Bye Mr. Barry.

Bye.

Mr. Barry, I know
after only three lessons

it's too early to tell anything,

but don't you think
Jeff has unusual talent?

Oh, most unusual...
most unusual.

Well, how long do you think
it will be before Jeff plays well.

Oh, I don't mean
professionally well,

but well so that...

So one can listen with pleasure?

Yes, that's it.

Well, of course, it
varies with the individual.

But how long would it take with
someone who is really talented.

Well, with someone who
is really talented I would say

a few months and he
would be playing music.

Oh, that's wonderful.

Then in a few months, Jeff
should be playing really well.

- Mrs. Stone.
- Yes, Mr. Barry.

Mrs. Stone... goodbye.

Watch it now.

How's that?

Well, that's much
better boys, much better.

Well, you see when
you pass it like that,

nobody fumbles
it, nobody drops it.

Now, let's try it the
other way around,

- you pass to Greg.
- OK.

Jeff, it's time to practice.

Um, just a couple
more minutes, mom.

No, Jeff, right
now. You promised.

OK. See you tomorrow, Greg.

OK, Jeff, bye Dr. Stone.

Goodbye, Greg.

Oh, don't look
so miserable, Jeff.

You'll thank this
for me someday.

You keep saying that.

You will, you'll see.

Well, he really will, you know.

Yeah, I suppose so.

I just would have let him have
a few more minutes out there.

I don't think he should
do all this running, it's tiring

and it takes away energy
he should put into music.

If you put any more
energy into his music,

it would be beyond
human endurance.

Alex, I think Jeff's playing
has improved tremendously.

Don't you think it
sounds better, dear?

Well, let's say he
doesn't sound as bad.

- Hi.
- Hi, honey.

Well, what are you
doing home, Mary?

You usually light out before the
first trumpet note has died away.

You see, Jeff's trumpet
playing isn't as bad as you say,

- is it Mary?
- What?

Jeff trumpet playing
doesn't bother you, does it?

I'm sorry, mother, I couldn't
hear what you were saying.

Now look darling, will you
explain one thing to me.

If Jeff has such
an enormous talent,

why does he sound so terrible?

He's just a beginner, he's
only had a few lessons,

give him a chance.

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Hey, Jeff, watch those arms,
they're going like windmills.

Golly, dad, that always happens.

I do all right on
the straightaways;

- I always lose them
on the turns.
- Yeah.

You know, I sure could
use some track shoes.

Yeah, I suppose
spiked shoes would help.

Oh, I know they would dad,
and they only cost around $9

and they might make
the difference between

my making the track team or not.

Well, let me
think about it, son,

I'll talk it over
with your mother.

Gee, thanks dad, I'd
knew you'd do it for me.

Hey, take it easy, remember I
haven't promised anything yet.

OK, I'll remember.

Jeff.

I got to go in and
blow that horn.

I know, Elaine,

that's why I'm having a
switch to your music committee.

Yes, Myrtle was on the
refreshment committee,

but that didn't work out.

Yes, but you know Myrtle
got one of her wild ideas

and talked Doris into
having the refreshments

flown from Antoine's
in New Orleans.

Well, fortunately I
found out about it in time.

Uh-huh.

Yes.

Uh-huh.

Darling...

No, well, just keep
Myrtle occupied

with your music
committee's smallest details.

Daddy, I have a wonderful idea.

Oh, what's that sweetheart.

Well, tomorrow
when Jeff isn't home,

I'll go into his room, get
his trumpet and bury it.

I'm afraid that isn't a very
practical solution to the problem.

Though I must admit I've
been tempted by the thought

of burying Mr. Barry.

Daddy, he must be the
worst trumpet teacher

in the whole world.

No, that's not likely.

Too much of a coincidence.

The worst teacher and the
worst trumpeter in the world

finding each other.

Oh, daddy, what
are we going to do?

How much longer can this go on?

Yeah, it's been a
couple of weeks now

and he's hardly
improved at all, has he?

Improved? I think he's
going in the other direction.

I mean, every day he
plays a little bit worse

than the day before.

And today he's
playing like tomorrow.

Oh, honey, the trick is to
convince your mother of that.

Well, don't let Myrtle have
anything to do with hiring

the orchestra, it would
be much too dangerous.

Darling.

I've been talking with Jeff and
he wants a pair of track shoes

and I think he should have them.

Oh, how much are they?

Oh, about $9?

- $9?
- Uh-hmm.

Well, don't you think
that's a little extravagant

for shoes that he'll
wear just a few times

and after all, he'll
outgrow them in a year.

Yeah. But the few
times he will wear them

they'll be awfully
important to him,

that will make it
worth the money.

Well, Alex, I do think
when you consider the cost

of Jeff's music lessons...

Well, darling, I was thinking
maybe we ought to drop

Jeff's music lessons,
which he doesn't want

and buy him the track
shoes which he does.

Why Alex, how can you
suggest such a thing?

I think that's your answer.

Do you call that music?

No, Alex you're
right, it's not music,

but that's not Jeff's fault.

It's not?

Well, don't keep me in suspense

if that isn't Jeff playing
that thing, who is?

It's the fault of
the instrument.

He's using an old
beat up rental horn.

Mr. Barry says it's
in terrible condition.

And Mr. Barry had a
suggestion to make about it?

Yes, Mr. Barry has
located a really fine horn,

it's been used very little.

By a little old lady in
Pasadena and only on Sundays.

Alex, seriously.

Mr. Barry can get it for
half of what it cost originally.

Which will make it what?

Uh...$140.

$140?

Darling, I know that
sounds like a lot of money,

but you have to remember
that the instrument really cost

twice that much.

It seems like a lot of money
because it is a lot of money.

Well, no Alex, I don't think
we should let a few dollars

- make this decision.
- A few dollars?

I mean, it's a decision
that's going to influence

Jeff's whole life.

Oh, we're in an agreement there.

It's an important decision
and it rates careful thought

and consideration and
then we'll forget about it.

Dr. Stone speaking.

Well, if she didn't
answer the other phone

because she's in here.

- Elaine.
- Oh.

Yes, Elaine.

Yes.

Oh, no.

You mean, when we were
talking on the phone a minute ago,

Myrtle had already done it?

What's the matter?
What's happened?

Oh, it's disaster,
this is utter disaster.

Oh, that Myrtle is an
absolute incompetent,

we can't afford to pay...

But that's wonderful.

Myrtle is an absolute genius.

Dear old unpredictable Myrtle.

Yes, yes, we can have the
meeting at my house on Thursday

that would be wonderful.

Fine. Goodbye Elaine.

Well, what's Myrtle done now?

Nothing much, she
just picked up the phone,

called Hollywood

and got Larry Wagner
and his orchestra

to play for the club dance.

Larry Wagner?

Yes, and he's
donating his services.

Oh, I've been so
unfair to Myrtle.

I think I better...

No, I have to use
the other phone.

Hey, wait a minute,
what have we decide,

trumpet or track shoes?

You know, I've played
a lot of dates like this

and usually it's
panic time all the way.

Lots of nice ladies
going round in circles,

but nobody knowing
what they're doing.

This is the first it
hasn't been that way.

Well, we had our
share of confusion,

but we straightened it
out before you got here.

Well, I must say it certainly
seems well-organized.

Well, thank you.

But don't let it go around,

next year we'd like
Donna to be able to go

to the club dance with
just to enjoy herself.

They'll never get
a word out of me.

Well, uh...

Uh, Larry, you know how
doctors are always being asked

to give medical advice at
parties, people's houses,

places like that.

I've heard about it happening.

I guess you must run into
the same thing all the time?

Nobody ever asked
me for medical advice.

No, I mean, well people
must have asked you for advice

about music all the time.

Yes, but they don't usually beat
around the bush quite so much.

Your son or daughter?

Oh, neither.

It's Jeff's trumpet
we'd like you to look at,

the horn itself.

I'd be very happy to look at it.

And I like to hear
the boy play too.

Well, we wouldn't want to
impose on you that much.

But that's very kind of you.

Dear, why don't you ask
Jeff to bring his trumpet down.

Yeah. Excuse me.

Actually, Jeff's had
only a few lessons

and he has perfect pitch.

- Perfect pitch?
- Uh-huh.

Jeff.

Will you bring your
trumpet down here, please?

OK.

That's very rare, isn't it.

Yes, I guess it is.

You see, we've been told
that Jeff's trumpet is no good

and before we spend
a $140 on another one

we'd appreciate having
your opinion to guide us.

Trumpeters are
just naturally noisy.

Jeff, Mr. Wagner would like
to take a look at your trumpet.

OK, here you go.

Go ahead and play it, I'd
like to hear what it sounds like.

I think I get the idea.

Do you need me
for anything else?

No, dear, that's all.

OK, bye, Mr. Wagner.

So long, Jeff.

So you see how badly
he needs a new horn.

I mean, this is in
terrible condition.

That's wonderful.

I forgot what a trumpet
could sound like.

Thanks.

Well, you can't expect a
child to play like Larry Wagner.

Just because you
can get music out of it

doesn't mean that
an instrument like that

isn't a handicap to a beginner.

You want it straight
or sugar-coated?

Straight. We can take it.

Well, the trumpet
is pretty beat up.

But even the best
horn won't play itself.

If Jeff were my boy,

I'd try to discourage his
interest in the trumpet.

Discourage it? He hates it.

What's he doing it for then?

Well, with his talent
and having perfect pitch,

we thought it was our
responsibility to develop it.

Perfect pitch and musical
talent are two different things.

Most musicians don't
have perfect pitch.

I don't think Jeff will have
talent if he studies for 30 years.

Well, then do you think
we should drop the lessons.

If you force him on them,
you won't make him a musician

and you're liable to ruin his
chances of ever enjoying music.

Well, if you really think so.

I'm afraid I do.

- Well, I got to get down the
hall and check the boys out.
- Oh, yeah.

We'll see you later, Larry.

Gee, I enjoyed the dinner,
it was just wonderful.

Thank you.

Well, thank you Larry. We
appreciate your honesty.

Of course and there's a
good side to this whole thing.

Think how quiet
the house will be.

And how happy Jeff will be.

Thanks again, I'll
see you at the dance.

Yeah.

Oh, by the way, doc.

I keep getting a
pain in my shoulder

every time I lift the trumpet.

Oh, let's see... is it.

Yeah, that's OK.

Uh-huh.

Yeah, I can make it both days.

OK, thanks. Bye.

They changed the schedule
for the track workouts.

- Jeff, did you draw this?
- Uh-hmm.

Why it's very good.

It shows real talent.

Well, it isn't really very good.

Just some old doodling.

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