The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966): Season 2, Episode 5 - The First Child - full transcript

- Well.
- Good morning, dear.

Good morning. It's 1 o'clock.

What are you doing
up at this hour?

- Being a loyal, devoted wife.
- Uh-huh.

I didn't ask what you
were doing out at this hour.

That's one of the
advantages of being a doctor.

We could come home at any hour

without his wife looking
for lipstick marks.

Oh, well, I have
complete faith in you.

I trust you implicitly.

Nothing could shake
my confidence in you.



You passed the test.

Are you tired?

A little.

I was on the way
home from the hospital

when I got another
call from the Brandons.

Oh.

Well, how's the new baby?

In perfect health,

but it took me almost
an hour to convince them.

I've seen anxious
parents before,

but the Brandons...

Well, it's their
first and after all,

it took them 12 years to get it.

They wake the baby up every
20 minutes just to see if it moves.



Apparently, he isn't
getting much sleep.

If they just let that baby

and me sleep through
the night just once...

- Good morning, Mother.
- Good morning, honey.

What time did Daddy get
home from the Brandons?

About 3:30.

Oh, poor Daddy.

Why can't he live a normal
life like everybody else

instead of being dragged out
of bed in the middle of the night?

Honey, your father
spent nine years studying

so he could get a job where
he'd be dragged out of bed.

Oh, Mommy, isn't
Daddy wonderful?

Yes, he is.

You know, I, I don't think
we tell him often enough

how we feel about him.

Maybe you're right.

I'll start serving fan
letters with his oatmeal.

Hey, Mom, look! Our
team is in the paper!

- Shh!
- Shh!

You let your father
sleep, please.

Hey! Where is everybody going?

The party just started.

- Good morning, Daddy.
- Good morning.

- Did we wake you?
- Hey, Dad, read that!

"Championship game, 4 p.m.,

school playground."

Oh, that's wonderful, Jeff.

- Good morning, dear.
- Good morning, dear.

You've been lying there,
soaking up the compliments?

I didn't hear a word.

Dad, you're going to be at
the game tomorrow, aren't you?

Well, I'll try.

That means you won't make it.

You know, you've missed
the last three games.

Honey, Daddy will be there
if he can possibly make it.

Well, all the other
fathers are there,

cheering their sons.

When I make a good play,

I have to stand around,
applauding myself.

Jeff, Daddy missed the
night I danced at school

and I was terribly disappointed,
but I didn't complain about it.

It's very noble of you, dear.

I would have to
start specializing

in some convenient
9 to 5 disease.

Well, I'm afraid we're
just going to have to adjust

to Daddy's schedule.

I'm not complaining that he
almost missed our wedding.

Didn't I call and
say I'd be late?

Good thing you did. We
almost started without you.

But I'm not complaining.

Well, what's wrong
with complaining?

Well, you're all quite right.

A doctor's life isn't his
own. It isn't fair to his family.

Well, Dad, I didn't
say that exactly.

Oh, there's only
one thing to do.

I'll find myself another job.

Now, Daddy, I was only
sorry because I missed you,

not because you missed me.

Well, that's not very
clear, but it's sentimental.

But, Daddy, I don't want
you to stop being a doctor,

except maybe when
we have a big game.

Now, that's very clear,
but not sentimental.

Oh, let's see.

"Wanted, companion
for elderly woman."

Oh, dear, it's not that serious,

I suppose, if you had
missed our wedding.

If you've seen one,
you've seen them all.

Oh, here's something.

"Door-to-door salesman,

good income, to man
of character and ability.

Pleasing personality required."

Well, I've got a
pleasing personality.

Oh, I think you have
character and ability.

But?

You're a good father,
a wonderful husband...

But no pleasing personality?

With all those other
virtues, why do you need it?

"Start your own business.
No capital necessary.

Pleasing personality
not required."

That's it.

- Oh, Daddy, I love you.
- Oh, Daddy, I love you.

Hey, wait a minute.

I don't have to be at the
hospital today until 1 o'clock.

Well, good, where are we going?

Well, now, how would you
both like to go along with me to...

Party is over, whatever it was.

Dr. Stone speaking.

Yes, Mrs. Brandon.

Well, did he sleep
through the night?

Well, why did you wake him?

Mrs. Brandon, the
baby is a fine, healthy...

I see.

Well, if Mr. Brandon is
that upset, I'll come over.

Oh, about half an hour.

All right.

I'm sorry, kids.
Some other time.

Oh, that's OK, Daddy.

We know your
patients come first.

Sure. I'm not complaining.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

They keep waking the
kid up. He's exhausted.

Well, honey, I
understand how they feel.

It is their first child.

His first words aren't going
to be "Mommy" or "Daddy,

they're going to be,

"Why didn't you let me
sleep when I was a baby?"

If they just let that kid sleep
through the night just once,

then they'd find out it could
be done and they'd relax.

Well, most parents
are over-anxious

about their first-born.

Remember how I was with Mary?

Yeah, but when you called
in the middle of the night,

I could come rushing
over in my pajamas.

It's such a helpless feeling
when they just lie there.

At least when they cry,

you know they're trying
to tell you something.

Well, I'm going to
prescribe a sedative.

For the baby?

No, for the Brandons,
so the baby and I

can get a good night's sleep.

Honey, you know you're
going to go rushing over there

just as soon as
the Brandons call.

You, you always
do it to your patients.

You just can't help it.

I know it and you know it,

but I'm trying to keep
it a secret from them.

- Alex?
- Hmm?

You do have a
pleasing personality.

Oh, thank heaven.

Now, I can get that job
as door-to-door salesman.

- Oh, Dr. Stone.
- Good morning.

Oh, thank heavens you're here.

You know, you, two, are
going to need medical attention

if you don't stop
worrying about Norman.

He's one of the healthiest
babies I've ever seen.

I'm sure you know
your business, Doctor,

but little Norman
looks so fragile.

Fragile?

He weighs 11 pounds,

that's well above
average for his age.

But isn't that dangerous,
being overweight?

Well, we'll take him
off Pie a la Mode.

No, it's not dangerous.

We tried to keep
from calling you again,

but he sneezed.

- Twice.
- Twice?

When did he sneeze
a second time?

Joe, why didn't you tell me?

Honey, you were
mixing the formula.

I didn't want to bother you.

Oh, I'm sure it's
nothing serious.

Sneezes usually come in pairs.

Shall we, uh, have a look?

Are we being ridiculous?

Babies are so delicate.

No, it's, it's an
intelligent precaution,

especially if it helps
your peace of mind.

Doesn't he look wonderful
when he's sleeping nicely?

He sleeps an awful lot.

Yes, uh, do you think
that's a sign of, um,

uh, lack of energy?

It's a sign that he's
a perfectly normal,

healthy baby.

You see, as we grow
older, we need less sleep.

For example, in
the last few weeks,

I found that I'm averaging
about four hours a night.

That's too bad.

Doctor, have you tried taking
hot milk before you go to bed?

I never thought of that.

How is his soft spot?

Nice and soft.

The woman next door who's
been very helpful said that,

that sometimes it's a sign of...

I suggest you bar this helpful
neighbor from your house

for a couple of weeks.

You see, Louise?
I, I told you so.

Uh, Doctor, uh, how soon
will it be before the baby starts

turning over by himself?

Oh, in about a few months.

The neighbor downstairs
said her child turned over

when he was five weeks old.

I suggest the next time this
helpful neighbor from downstairs

comes to visit,

you send her to see the
helpful neighbor from next door.

Maybe they can help each other.

Now, would you, uh,
leave me for a moment?

I'd like to take a
look at Norman.

Why did he send
us out of the room?

Now, honey, he's the doctor.

Uh, maybe we make him nervous.

Why should he be nervous?

They teach doctors in medical
school never to get emotional.

Now, honey,

how many doctors would
come running over here

every time we call them?

Joe, do you think we might
be over-anxious parents?

No, I don't.

I, I think we're being
perfectly normal.

How is he?

He's just fine.

Now, look, concern is normal,
but your kind of anxiety isn't.

I want you, two, to
relax, and above all,

tonight, I want you to
promise me you'll let him sleep

through his 2 a.m. feeding.

Promise?

- We promise.
- All right.

Call me when it's necessary,
but only when it's necessary,

absolutely necessary,
and let him sleep, hmm?

It's good for babies.

Good, uh, good
for grownups, too.

Uh, I'm going to send
you a little present.

Uh, it's a book about babies.

It'll show you that everything
you're worried about

is quite normal.

I want you both to read it, hmm?

Thank you, Doctor.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye, Doctor.

Dr. Stone's office.

Is Dr. Stone in?

No, he isn't. I expect
him in a minute.

May I take a message?

This is Mrs. Brandon.
Is this Mrs. Stone?

Oh, yes it is, Mrs.
Brandon. How's the baby?

The doctor says he's
absolutely adorable.

Thank you.

The doctor was just here and
the moment his car drove away,

little Norman started to cry.

He must be in pain.

Mrs. Stone, what can I do?

Oh, well, uh, as one
mother to another,

have you checked the pins?

- Check the pins.
- Check the pins.

When he cries, I
feel so helpless.

Oh, well, Mrs. Brandon,

he, he's just trying
to express something

and the only way
he knows how, loud.

- Pins OK.
- Pins OK.

Take a look at the diapers.
Maybe they're too tight.

- Diapers too tight.
- Diapers too tight.

Mrs. Stone, did your
children behave this way

when they were babies?

Oh, of course,

and, and look, I, I realize
that with your first child,

there's this terrible
feeling of helplessness...

- Diapers OK.
- Diapers OK.

Well, try turning him over.

- Try turning him over.
- Turn him over.

Oh, oh, here's the doctor now.

Just a minute.

It's Mrs. Brandon.

What happened, Mrs. Brandon?

Well, Dr. Stone, I'm so sorry,

but the moment you
left, he started to cry.

Did you wake him?

No, but he was sleeping
with his nose wrinkled

and Joe wanted
to take his picture.

I guess when the
flash bulb went off...

Mrs. Brandon, if the baby
is still crying in five minutes,

call me and don't
take any more pictures.

- But Doctor— - Call
me in five minutes.

All right, Doctor. Thank you.

What did he say?

- Call back in five minutes.
- Call in five minutes.

If she calls back,
I'm not going.

Look, honey, you're the doctor,

but I remember
how I felt with Mary.

It's such a terrible,
helpless feeling to,

to just leave them lying there.

It's so cruel.

So, you locked
yourself in the closet?

Oh, but I, I did pick her up.

Honey, the Brandons
have got to steel themselves

to get through one crying spell

even if they have to tie
themselves to the furniture.

I know they're suffering,
but it's got to be done once,

and if they call back,
for their own good,

I'm not going.

Hello?

Mrs. Stone?

I'm sorry. I just
couldn't wait any longer.

Well, uh, Mrs. Brandon,
Dr. Stone is on his way.

Bye.

Well, wish me luck, Mom!

I hope you hit five home runs.

Well, gee, thanks,
but one will be enough.

Oh, but I wish, I wish!

Hey, stealing home!

Out!

Yeah, nice play, Dad!

You're going to be at
the game later, aren't you?

Oh, keep your fingers crossed.

I'll get all the house
calls straightened away,

including the Brandons.

Dad, in practice,

- I've been hitting and
fielding like a million!
- Yeah?

Excuse me.

Don't leave your game
in the locker room.

Don't worry. I won't.

Oh, no.

Dr. Stone speaking.

Yes.

I see.

Well, of course I'll be
there, in about 10 minutes.

All right. Goodbye.

- The Brandons?
- No, the hospital.

Jeff, I'm sorry.

I, I, I'll try to make the
last few innings, huh?

Oh, I understand. I'll
just cheer for myself.

Yay, Jeff! Nice stop, Jeff!

Way to go, Jeff!

Gee!

Poor darling.

Oh, I guess expecting kids
to understand is really unfair.

Well, don't feel
too badly about it.

Jeff cheers very
nicely for himself.

- Goodbye, honey.
- Goodbye.

They lost.

Clobbered, 16 to 3.

Well, at least you
made three runs.

That's better than nothing.

Oh, sure, it is, Jeff.

I struck out three times
and I made two errors,

right through my legs.

Well, you know
what they say, Jeff,

it isn't whether
you win or lose,

it's how you play the game.

Well, tell that to the
coach, he's benching me.

Am I glad that Dad wasn't there.

Hi, dear.

Well, Happy New Year.

They lost.

Clobbered, 16 to 3.

- Well, you know, Jeff, it isn't
whether you win or lose— - Dear. Dear...

Well, you'll get
it next time, Jeff.

Oh! How about a movie tonight?

Everybody is invited.

Oh, I can't, Daddy.

I promised to go to
over to Melanie's house.

I'm going over to Zack's house

and practice
picking up grounders.

At night?

Maybe I can do
better in the dark.

Well, that leaves
you. How about it?

Well, I'd love to go,

but you haven't had a
good night's sleep in a week.

Don't you just want to
stay home and relax?

Oh, I'll relax.

I'll sleep through
the second feature.

- Let's see what's playing.
- Here you are.

Oh.

Two, please.

- Good evening, Doctor.
- Good evening.

I almost forgot this
message for you.

A woman called 10 minutes
ago, said it was emergency.

Oh, thank you.

I'm not going.

Yes, dear.

If the baby needed me, I'd go,

but I'm not going to cater
to the parents' neuroses.

There's nothing
wrong with that baby.

Yes, dear, you're
absolutely right.

No, I just can't take a chance.

This might be the one
time the baby needs me.

Do you mind, honey?
It's just a few blocks away.

Of course not, but let's
hurry up and come back,

so you can take your nap.

OK.

I really don't mind waiting
in the car, Mr. Brandon.

No, please.

We feel so terrible about
dragging the doctor out at all hours.

You know, if Norman
swallowed that pin,

I'll just never forgive myself.

Oh, that's almost impossible.

I'm sure he'll find
the pin, someplace.

Well, I sure hope so.
Uh, right down the hall.

I just turned away for a
minute, and when I turned back...

His breathing is normal.
He seems to be all right.

- Hello, Mrs. Brown.
- Hello, Mrs. Stone.

What did I do with the pin?

Oh. Good heavens!

How did it get there?

It's just an old mother's trick.

I, I guess you put
it there instinctively.

Mrs. Stone, uh, how long
do parents go on like this,

having a, a crisis every minute?

Well, your problems change...

Oh, we really couldn't
say. Our oldest is only 14.

Did you ever have
an experience like this

when your children were infants?

Well, uh, Donna was once
sure that Mary had swallowed

a rubber ball.

Oh, yes, I couldn't
find it at any place.

Oh my, what a sweet baby.

Would you like to pick him up?

- May I?
- Hmm-hmm.

Oh, please.

Oh.

Oh, he's just adorable.

Oh, he's so sturdy-looking.

Don't get worried. She
doesn't mean over-sturdy.

OK.

Uh, Louise, look how Mrs.
Stone holds little Norman.

I'm always afraid
to hold him tight.

I'm afraid I'll crush him.

Oh my, don't be.

To a baby, all that
pressure means love.

Here, try.

It feels good.

Don't you think
he looks like Joe?

Oh, Louise, uh, he's
a dead ringer for you,

don't you agree?

Uh, as a doctor,
I can't take sides.

Oh, I think he's inherited the
best qualities of both of you.

Oh, he's just adorable.

Well, I think we better
be running along.

Well, Doctor, we just
can't thank you enough.

And we'll try not
to bother you again,

so often, I mean.

Well, uh, just remember,
he's stronger than you think

and if you don't believe it,

you try screaming your
lungs out for 10 minutes.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Good night.

And thank you again, Doctor.

You're welcome, Mrs.
Brandon. Good night.

It hardly pays to go to sleep.

The Brandons will
be calling at 2 o'clock.

Oh, he's such a beautiful baby.

You know, honey, you got
the same look on your face

you had when Mary was a baby.

- Have I?
- Uh-huh.

Oh, that's funny.

I've been thinking
a lot about Mary,

when she was a baby.

Honey, wasn't she the most
wonderful baby you ever knew?

Uh-huh.

Well, good night,
honey. Until 2 o'clock.

Good night, Alex.

Hello?

Hello, Mrs. Brandon.
This is Donna Stone.

Well, I was just wondering
how the baby is this morning.

You didn't call last night.

Oh my gosh. Excuse me.

Mrs. Stone, we overslept

and there he is,
smiling and laughing.

It's wonderful.

Oh. Now, you see,

you passed your
first big hurdle.

Yes.

I suppose other
problems will come up.

Well, uh, I just can't imagine
any real happiness without them.

Incidentally, I'm
sorry if I woke you.

Oh, it was a nice awakening.

Please come see the baby?

Oh, I will, Mrs.
Brandon. Thank you.

Bye, Mrs. Stone, and thank you.

Goodbye.

Now, there's a
switch. We woke them.

- Good morning!
- Oh, good morning.

- Good morning, Mommy!
- Good morning.

Did you get any
sleep last night?

Yes, I did, dear.

Peace has come to our valley.

The Brandon baby and your mother

will be sleeping
through the night.

What does that mean?

Nobody knows.

Come on. Let's get
ready for breakfast.

Jeff, next weekend, you
and I go to the ball game.

You better not promise, Dad.

Oh, no, I, I'll make
arrangements.

You deserve some reward
for that A in Arithmetic.

Dear, you couldn't
possibly improve

your History mark, could you?

I don't think so, Mom.

I won't have to know
much history on my job.

Do you have your
career all picked out?

Well, sure. I'm
going to be a doctor.

You're going to
be a doctor, Jeff?

Of course.

With strange hours
and never being sure

of when you can keep a promise?

Oh, that.

Honey, I, I think
it's just wonderful,

but, uh, what are you
going to tell your son

when he is unhappy because
you can't watch him play ball?

He'll understand.

Why should he? You
don't always understand.

Well, maybe my son will be
more understanding than yours.