The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 5, Episode 12 - The Best Christmas - full transcript
Olivia wants this Christmas to be the best ever. Everything seems to happen to prevent this.
It's snowing again.
Jim-Bob and I had
a snowball fight.
You did? Mmm-hmm.
I never knew anyone
who got the joy
out of Christmas the way you do.
I want this to be the best
Christmas we ever had.
You know those big old trees
over by the north side of the church?
One of them just fell down.
Went right through the roof.
Anybody hurt?
Harley, what are
you doing out here?
Been out in the pond. Miss
Fanny and her little girl's out there.
Car went off the road.
On Walton's Mountain, every
Christmas was memorable.
Each new year held some special
surprise or delight that set it apart.
But I think the one we
all remember most fondly
was what was planned to be
our mother's best Christmas.
It began with a quickening
sense of wonder and astonishment
that always accompanied
the first snowfall.
Drink up. Drink
up. Come on, drink!
What is this?
Oh, come on, you silly.
Picky, picky, picky.
What is this? Are
you not thirsty?
This is the first time you're
drinking for a long while.
It's gonna freeze up in
a minute. Now, drink it.
Okay, your choice.
You little varmint!
You're getting
killed, Elizabeth!
Oh!
Jim-Bob!
Do that again, Jim-Bob!
You're gonna...
It's snowing again.
Jim-Bob and I had
a snowball fight.
You did? Mmm-hmm.
You should have been
shoveling it, not throwing it.
Radio says it's
gonna get colder.
Can I have some cookies?
Not one of those, now.
Your grandpa and I are
taking those to Maude.
Oh, I think Maude can spare one.
Well, just one.
Oh, I hate to think of
her spending Christmas
over in that rest
home in Charlottesville.
So do I. But at least
she's getting good care,
and Curt says she'll be
home by New Year's Eve.
Elizabeth, do you
know that there are only
seven more days until Christmas?
Where has the year gone to?
We have to start getting ready.
What do you think we're doing?
But you're right.
If we're gonna have a white
Christmas on the outside,
we'd better start
fixing up the inside.
Shall I get the
decorations down?
Why don't you wait till
your daddy finds us a tree?
Only one more
week till Christmas.
Livie, the pipes are
beginning to freeze up.
Elizabeth, go find your daddy
and ask him to please wrap
the pipes before they freeze solid.
Sure, Mama.
There's something about
snow on the evergreens
that brings the whole
holiday season to life.
I never knew anyone
who got the joy
out of Christmas the way you do.
It's the happiest
time of year for me.
Family all gathered together.
This time next year, who
knows where the children will be?
They're all growing so fast.
I want this to be the best
Christmas we ever had.
It will be.
Ben?
I wanna show you something.
Here it is. Look at this.
Look what you got here.
You got, "The hostess
served refreshments
"from a beautiful old tree."
That should be "tray." I think
you're getting sloppy, Ben.
What I'm getting is frozen.
Throw some more
wood in the stove, then.
My fingers feel
like 10 little icicles.
Well, why don't you
put some gloves on?
Well, I did. That's how
the "tree" got in there.
Ever tried setting
type with gloves on?
We've gonna have to do something
about warming this place up. Excuse me.
Either that or just
close down till spring.
I'll tell you something, though.
This Christmas issue is gonna
be the biggest and the best yet.
Look. Hmm?
When'd you take up pipe-smoking?
This is for Yancy.
Oh, it's nice.
You know it's hard to get
someone like Yancy a gift.
I know. He likes to
keep his life simple.
Well, Elizabeth,
close that door!
You're letting all
the cold air out!
Do you know that there are only
seven more days till Christmas?
No, I had no idea.
Did you know there are only
seven more days till Christmas, Ben?
No, I never realized it.
My gosh.
Did you get Elizabeth a gift?
No, I haven't had a
chance to get her...
I haven't gotten
anybody anything!
You know, I have a great idea.
Why don't we give her
a free copy of the paper?
The big one. The Chronicle.
Oh, yeah! It's gonna
be a real good edition.
We'll give you a free
copy of that, all right?
- Yeah.
That's a good idea.
You think you're so funny.
Well, that's not what
I came in here for.
It's about Mama.
What about her?
Well, I think we'd better
make this Christmas
real special for Mama.
Well, every Christmas
is special for her.
What's so different
about this one?
While we were
talking in the kitchen,
she was saying how maybe
next year we might not be together
and how she wanted this
Christmas to be the best Christmas
that the family ever had.
Well! Then we'll make sure it is the
best Christmas the family ever had.
Listen, I gotta go pick
up Jason and Erin, okay?
- Okay.
Oh, and listen, don't
tell Mama I told you.
Oh, I'm gonna go in
and tell her right now.
I think she ought to know,
like you said. Definitely.
Think I'll go tell
her. I mean... Stop it!
I'm telling you,
there's gonna be a
deep freeze tonight.
Them twigs on the
trees will be a-snappin'.
Let's thaw out a little
before we unload that truck.
Daddy, think you can get along
without me for about an hour or so?
Got something important to do?
I told Patsy Brimmer
I'd come over.
Oh?
Yeah, we do our
homework together.
She's helping me pass English.
Can't John-Boy help
you pass English?
He could, but it wouldn't
be half as much fun.
Is it all right, Daddy?
All right, go, go.
Oh, Esther, there's nothing
like a cup of hot coffee
to heat up your
gullet and your gizzard
and to warm your heart.
Must have been cold
up on the mountain.
Oh, it sure was.
But we found us
the prettiest Christmas
tree you ever did see.
You didn't cut it, did you? No.
Did you want us to?
No. No, I'd like
to wait a few days.
That way it'll be fresh and
fragrant when we put it up.
Sitting right out there smack dab
in the middle of a lot of young trees.
They'll be the better
off for thinning it out.
I wonder where we
should put it this year.
By the stairs, or in
front of the front window?
Well, wouldn't have to move
so much furniture around
if we put it there
in the stairway.
I think you're right, Pa.
I think I like it better
in front of the window.
That way you can see
the lights from the driveway.
Well, Liv, we'll put it
anywhere you want us to.
I'll think about it.
Half the fun is in the planning.
That's what I enjoy
about Christmas.
The way it gets
her all fired up.
Just like a girl again.
Yes, Mrs. Salter, I'll ring.
I can't leave till Miss
Fanny gets here.
Erin, forgive me.
Oh, John-Boy. Oh, I do hope you
haven't been unduly inconvenienced.
Oh, not at all, Miss Fanny.
I'll take over now, dear.
Jo Ellen, my
sister's little girl?
She's in the Christmas pageant.
And I promised to take her to
rehearsals and drive her home after.
Well, they live all the way
out past Drucilla's Pond.
Even though, I would've
been here in good time.
But Rosemary Fordwick and Corabeth
Godsey got into a disagreement
as to how angels should walk.
I thought we never
would get finished.
I'll see you
tomorrow, Miss Fanny.
Yeah, we got one more
stop to make. Good night.
Night.
Good evening.
Oh, yes. Corabeth.
Well, now, I thought your
point was well taken, Corabeth,
but, of course, never
having actually seen an angel,
I'd hesitate to take sides.
It's good to see
you. Come on in.
Everything's kind
of a mess here,
but maybe we can
find a place to sit.
Well, we weren't really
planning on staying too long.
Mary Ellen. Hi, John-Boy.
Cold nose.
Oh, this is great.
It's just like home.
Yeah, Mama had some left over.
I'll tell you why we came by.
We were kind of wondering what
your plans were for Christmas.
Well, uh, to tell you
the truth, John-Boy,
we've been thinking about maybe
spending the holiday with my family.
I just haven't had the
nerve to tell Mama yet.
You know how she feels
about us all being together.
What about Curt's folks?
Seemed like the fair
thing would be to trade off.
There'll be other Christmases.
I honestly believe Mama thinks
this is gonna be the last holiday
with the whole family together.
Well, maybe it is.
Uh, listen, that's
your decision to make.
I don't mean to
intrude about it. I, uh...
I just wanted to find out.
And I just thought
I'd let you know
how much it means to Mama if we could
all be together this year, that's all.
Hello, everybody!
Greetings.
Hey. Hey.
Two more for supper.
No, Mama. I have supper
fixed for us at home.
Well, I could be
persuaded to stay.
Curt!
Did I say something wrong?
We came to talk about Christmas.
I imagine you two want to spend
Christmas with Curt's parents.
No.
No, uh, we'll go
there next year.
I told you we'd all be
together for Christmas.
Well, then, why are
we all standing around?
Let's have supper and
start getting this place ready.
Do you realize there are
only seven more days left...
Let's eat!
Hurry up, Esther.
Almost forgot the apron.
Give our best to Maude, now.
Well, at least she won't be
alone the day before Christmas.
Pa, I filled her with gas.
She'll get you to
Charlottesville and back.
Don't be late for supper!
Be home before nightfall!
Don't worry.
Drive careful, now, Pa.
Ever seen anything
like that, John-Boy?
I never did.
How come you put it all up here?
Oh, I thought it would
be nicer out here
so everyone could enjoy it.
You know, Corabeth made every
one of them decorations herself.
Labor of love.
I assisted Mama.
You certainly did, precious.
You know, Aimee's getting
more like her mother every day.
John-Boy, have you ever
seen so many presents?
This is before Santa Claus.
Well, this is a very
special Christmas for us
because it's our
first one with Aimee.
Corabeth just won't settle
for anything but the best.
Well,
I got to be going.
Oh, don't run away.
Have some hospitality.
Have some more eggnog.
Oh, I would purely love
to but I've gotta be at
Professor Parks'
house in a half-hour.
Schoolwork on Christmas Eve?
No, it's not schoolwork.
The professor has a
friend from New York
who's a book editor who's
coming this way on vacation
and the professor
wanted me to meet him.
Well, it sounds like it might
be a nice Christmas present.
It most certainly could.
Elizabeth, I'm gonna
pick you up at 6:00.
We've got supper at
7:00 sharp, all right?
Merry Christmas, everybody.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Aimee.
Bye. JOHN-BOY: Bye.
I'll bet you're getting
all that you asked for.
I suppose so.
Sure is a big tree, Daddy.
Best tree we've had in years.
Come on, let's get it inside.
All right, we're coming in,
hon. Now, close your eyes.
Come on, Son. Easy.
Close your eyes. Keep
'em closed. Oh, it's cold!
Easy. Watch the paint.
Close the door. Close it.
Back. Back.
Just a minute! Here we go.
There! Take a look at that.
Oh, John, it's beautiful!
Isn't that a beauty?
That's a beauty.
Where did you find that?
Something sure smells good.
Are you sure Patsy's
coming for dinner?
Well, I asked her.
It will be nice to have her
with us on Christmas Eve.
Well, I sure hope she
doesn't get embarrassed.
I'll be on my best
behavior, Son.
Well, it's Ben and
Jason I'm worried about.
I hope Ma and Pa get
back from Charlottesville
in time for me to
go into Rockfish.
You did good, John.
Yes, sir, John, did real good.
That's my favorite carol, Jason.
It's most appropriate
on this Christmas Eve.
I still haven't got
it quite right yet.
It sounds so simple
but it's so hard to play.
Well, that's just like the
teachings of the Christmas Child.
Nothing could be
simpler to read,
but to put into practice...
The decorations look
real nice, Reverend.
Well, thank you.
Although some Baptists
might take exception.
Some feel that the bringing of
greenery into the church is pagan.
Oh, I reckon you
can find some Baptist
to take exception
to almost anything.
What?
Uh, nothing.
This is a very ancient custom.
Men who worshipped
trees, they were called druids.
Oh. Well, anyway,
I think it looks nice.
I don't see any harm in
making some druid happy.
Well, thank you. I gotta be
getting on over to the parsonage.
Uh, I'd like to stay and
practice a while longer
if that's all right.
Stay as long as you like, Jason.
Thanks, Reverend.
♪ What fun it is to ride and
sing a sleighing song tonight
♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells
♪ Jingle all the way
♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh
♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells
♪ Jingle all the way
♪ Oh, what fun... ♪
Oh, remember, Maude,
when I got stuck down the
chimney of the First Baptist Church
when I was playing Santa Claus?
And you kept playing
louder and louder
to cover up the
commotion he was making.
Well, I was trying to cover
up what he was yelling.
Shouldn't be heard in a
bull hall, let alone a church.
They had to hoist me up
with a block and a tackle.
Oh, I can just see you shouting,
"Ho! Ho! Ho!"
and dangling down by
the seat of your pants!
"Ho! Ho! Ho! Help!
Help! Help! Ow! Ow! Ow!"
Oh, I tell you, we've had some great
Christmases, haven't we, Maude?
This wouldn't have been so great
if it hadn't been for
good friends like you two.
Can't keep a woman
like you down for long.
With your grit.
Yeah. Well, you'll be home soon
wearing that new apron and
fussing around in the kitchen.
Hip bones don't heal
too fast at my age.
But I'm well looked after.
It's just that I hate to be away
from home this time of year.
Home. Well, the
next time we come,
I'm gonna bring you some
milk from your goat, Myrtle.
Oh, that will be nice.
Yes. But we gotta
be getting on home.
Oh, don't go yet.
Oh, I don't like to
drive much after dark.
Well, we promised Livie to
be home for supper by 7:00.
Oh, can't you have
a cup of hot tea
and some of these
cookies you brought me
before you set out again?
Those cookies are for you.
I think a cup of hot tea
would be nice, Maude.
Oh, that's nice.
How about some
hot tea, old dears?
All right.
In the dining room?
♪ We wish you a merry Christmas
♪ We wish you a merry Christmas
♪ We wish you a
merry Christmas ♪
You made this for me?
Me, special?
I tried to think of
something you'd like.
Oh, I like it. I like it a lot.
Move over, Earl!
Sets off my corncob
real fine, don't it?
It sure does.
Maybe sometime
you'll get more than one.
Oh, I'm gonna get five or six of
them and fill up the whole rack.
I'm glad you like it.
That's the first Christmas
present I've had in years.
I don't recollect how it ended.
I just got out of the habit.
Glad you like it.
I gotta be heading
home. Merry Christmas.
Wait, Ben. I got
something for you.
Yancy, I don't want you to go...
Now, now, now.
Got it as a consolation
prize at a party.
Course, it ain't no
consolation to me
'cause I don't shine my shoes.
But I thought you might like it.
A shoe-shine kit. Yes, I would.
Merry Christmas, Ben.
Thanks, Yancy.
Merry Christmas to you, too.
Now I gotta be heading home.
Wait a minute.
I don't want you walking
home in that freezing weather.
I'll drive you in my flivver.
I don't want you
to go to any trouble.
Ben, it ain't no trouble.
Tonight was gonna be the
loneliest night of the year for me,
what with Sissy
home visiting her folks.
But you brung back the
Christmas spirit to me.
Least I can do is
keep you from freezing
your little ears off.
Okay.
I guess the icy roads
between here and Richmond
have got Hank stranded.
I wish he would have telephoned.
I think I ought to be going.
I still got to pick up Erin
at the telephone office.
The weather for Christmas
will be white and cold.
Below-zero temperatures
can be expected
in the mountains.
Many roads are badly iced,
and all holiday motorists
are urged to use
extreme caution.
In other parts of the nation...
I'm gonna go, Professor.
It's Christmas Eve.
Well, I wanted to
get you two together.
Well, maybe next time
he's in town, all right?
Okay, I'll get in touch. Good.
Oh, John. Merry Christmas.
Oh, merry Christmas,
merry Christmas.
Thank you very
much. Okay. Bye-bye.
Jim-Bob?
Patsy will be with
you in just a minute.
She sure takes a long
time getting dressed.
Oh, but, she wants
to look just right
being with your family and all.
Well, Mama was counting
on all of us sitting down at 7:00.
We're gonna decorate
the tree afterwards.
It's so thoughtful of
you to include Patsy.
She's done so well, being
away from her folks and all,
but Christmas is a time when a
person misses home and family.
Maybe you better tell her it
doesn't matter what she wears.
I don't think anybody will
notice in all that confusion.
I don't think that'd
be wise, Jim-Bob.
Here.
Have a piece of candy.
Merry Christmas.
Yes, Mrs. Ogilvie, I'll ring.
I don't know where
Miss Fanny is.
Merry Christmas.
No, I haven't heard
from her, either.
Do you want me
to call the sheriff?
Well, my brother's
here. I'll tell him.
Maybe he'll know what to do.
That was Miss Fanny's sister.
She's worried about her, too?
Miss Fanny and Jo Ellen left
dress rehearsal 45 minutes ago.
She was supposed to
take Jo Ellen straight home
and then come right back here.
Should I call the sheriff?
No, no. Uh...
Maybe she's got a flat tire
or motor trouble or something.
I guess I better
go try to find her.
Merry Christmas.
You're sure going slow.
A minute ago you said
I was going too fast.
The way the
windshield's iced over,
I don't know how you can
see where you're going.
Just gonna have to trust
your Divine Providence, Esther.
Well, we should
have left before dark.
Having that last cup of tea with
Maude did her a whole world of good.
Zeb, now, you be careful!
Oh, I just can't
see anything ahead.
It isn't safe to go on
any further, Esther.
Well, we sure can't
stay here all night.
Guess we're gonna have
to go back to Charlottesville.
We're not too far out.
You're gonna have
to be my eyes, Esther.
They all knew dinner is at
7:00. Where is everybody?
Radio says the roads
have been turned to ice.
Well, I can understand
Grandma and Grandpa and
John-Boy being stranded in cars,
but what about all the others?
Maybe I better get down
to Ike's and use his phone,
find out what's going on.
Good idea.
Oh, John.
Oh, the ice must've
taken out a power line.
Here's a match.
Here's another one right here.
I hope the power
won't stay out for dinner.
I'll go get those
kerosene lamps.
Jason, where in the
world have you been?
You know those big old trees
over by the north side of the church?
One of them just fell down.
Went right through the roof.
Anybody hurt? No.
But we're gonna have
to... Have to fix the roof
and get that tree out of there
or there isn't going to be any
Christmas service in the morning.
I'll be right with you.
Will you need my help?
Better stay here in
case the others come.
Harley, what are
you doing out here?
Been out in the pond. Miss
Fanny and her little girl's out there.
Car went off the road.
I can't get them out.
Come on, you gotta
help me. Well, get on.
Miss Fanny?
John-Boy! Please,
help us. Hurry!
Miss Fanny, can't
you get the door open?
I already tried, John.
The door's jammed.
Listen, uh, maybe if both
of us tried it. Why don't you...
You grab on to the door.
Grab on to the side
and I'll get the handlebar.
Watch out. Watch out.
You all right?
Okay, ready? Yeah.
Let's go.
Roll the window down!
I can't!
Mmm-hmm.
Mmm-hmm. Hmm. Curt!
That's right.
Curt, they're gonna be waiting.
Hold your horses!
No, no, no, no. Not
you, Mrs. Tolliver.
Uh, I'm... I'm awful
sorry that you feel so bad
on Christmas Eve, Mrs. Tolliver.
But if you'll do
what I told you to,
I think you'll feel
fine by morning.
And if... if you don't,
you just give me a call.
Merry Christmas, Mrs. Tolliver.
Merry Christmas.
Mama expected
us half an hour ago.
Your mother will understand.
She knows Mrs. Tolliver.
Oh, no.
Do we have to answer it?
We do.
Well, 15 seconds later and
we wouldn't have even heard it.
Well...
Let me answer it.
I get less involved.
Hello?
Oh, Mary Ellen, am I
glad to hear your voice.
Erin? Where are you?
Still on the switchboard.
Verdie Foster just called.
Miss Fanny and Jo Ellen were in
a car accident near Verdie's house.
John-Boy's there right
now trying to get them out.
They need you
and Curt right away.
I've got the crowbar!
I've got some blankets!
Here, John-Boy. Here.
Hurry up and get
her out of that water.
The door is jammed.
Harley, I think this
crowbar ought to help.
We're coming, Miss Fanny!
We'll have you out of there!
I can't rouse Jo Ellen.
Listen, Harley, we
gotta take it easy.
If this thing slips into one of those
deep places, we've lost them for sure.
Just easy.
The water's getting higher!
You got a rope in your car?
Yeah, I got a rope
in the rumble seat.
All right. You try
and open it. Okay.
Oh, please, hurry. Hurry!
We're working on it, Miss
Fanny. We're working on it.
We'll have you out of
there in just a minute.
Ike?
Corabeth?
Corabeth?
Heaven help us, Olivia,
if this isn't the strangest
Christmas Eve ever.
Have you heard
anything from my family?
No, I haven't heard anything.
Except that a tree
fell over on the church
and Ike went over there to help.
John and Jason
are over there now.
I have no idea where
Grandma and Grandpa are.
Ben's disappeared.
Curt and Mary Ellen
never arrived for supper.
Well, the snow and the ice
have made driving
almost impossible,
it says on the radio.
I guess I better take
Elizabeth home now.
Oh, she and Aimee
are enjoying themselves.
Why don't you at
least take off your coat
and come back and warm
up before you go, Olivia?
Well, just for a minute.
Why is the house all dark?
We're so late everybody's
probably gone to bed.
Oh, they couldn't have
gone to bed this early.
Why aren't there any lights?
I don't know.
You stay close to me.
I'm scared of a dark house.
Okay, come on.
Lights don't work.
Mama?
Daddy?
Nobody's here.
Where'd they go?
They wouldn't just run
off on Christmas Eve.
Not unless
something's gone wrong.
Whatever happened,
somebody'd be here.
Mama's left the
food on the stove.
This is scary. Take me
home to my aunt's house.
Where could they have gone?
How're you doing? It's coming.
Curt's here. Thank
God you're here, Doctor.
They're gonna need you.
Looks like they could
use me right now.
Be careful. Here, let
me spell you, Harley.
I think it's coming.
Oh, pray... pray
it's not too late!
You got her, Harley? Yeah.
Okay, I got her.
Okay, Miss Fanny.
Just hang on now.
Where's the nearest house?
- Mine.
All right. They're
probably frostbitten.
We got to treat them right away.
Watch your step,
Doctor. It's slippery.
Take her to the van. Get
her out of those wet clothes
and wrap her in anything
you can find that's dry.
Hurry, come here and
give us a hand, will you?
I got you. JOHN-BOY: We
got you. Watch your other leg.
Careful. Careful.
Watch your foot.
You'll be all right.
Can you walk? Oh, I think so.
Can you walk? I'm sorry.
Here, get her over to the road.
It's terrible to take you away
from your warm
homes and families
on this Christmas Eve,
but if there's any way to
save the Christmas services...
Reverend, you sure
would be welcome
to have the services
at Godsey's Hall.
Well, that's very
generous of you.
Reverend? Ike, unfortunately,
there are certain associations
attached to the hall
that might work against
the reverent Christmas spirit.
You know what, Reverend?
I just thought of something.
If we were druids, we would
have been saved all this work.
Druids?
What on earth are druids?
They were these fellows
that lived a long time ago.
They worshipped trees.
We're not druids,
Jason. We're Baptists.
Any chance of you Baptists
getting some work done down there?
Okay.
Sorry about the old flivver
being froze up, there, Ben.
But I say we should
count our blessings.
We got us a nice, warm cabin,
a snug place for the livestock
and us to stay out of the cold.
Yancy, some way or
another, I got to get home.
Home? No place like
home, Ben. No place!
Don't you never forget it.
You forget that and you got
Yancy Tucker to deal with.
Yancy, Mama was counting
on all the family being together
for the best Christmas ever.
And that's what it is, Ben.
The best Christmas ever.
And thanks to my
good friend Ben Walton.
"'Tis the season to be jolly."
That's what the song says.
Well, let me tell you
something, old friend.
'Tis the season to be lonesome.
Leastwise for me,
with Sissy gone.
Some way or another,
Yancy, I gotta get home.
I'll walk.
Ben, the bottom's dropped
out of the thermometer.
You'll freeze to
death out there.
I don't care! I have to go home.
You're right, Ben.
This party's over.
If I can't drive you home,
I can walk you home.
♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly
♪ Fa la la la la la la la la ♪
John-Boy?
Erin?
Nobody's home.
Well, there's no one
at home, Grandpa.
Except maybe Jim-Bob and Ben.
Oh, doggone.
Your mother had such high
hopes for this Christmas.
It seems like everything
that could go wrong, did.
You must be wore out, Erin.
Oh, I made some hot lemonade,
and I have plenty
of cough drops.
I just hope Miss Fanny
and Jo Ellen will be all right.
You tell your mother that your
Grandma and I'll be back home
soon as daylight makes
driving a mite safer.
Merry Christmas, Grandpa.
Merry, merry.
Well, Livie's upset,
the power's all out.
We're not the only
ones playing hooky.
Go away for a few hours
and everything goes wrong.
Oh, stop trying to shoulder the
blame of the whole world, hmm?
Or take credit for it, either.
Let's just go to our
room. There are no rooms.
What's that?
The clerk tells me he's been
turning away people by the dozen,
stranded, same as we are.
There isn't an empty hotel
room in all of Charlottesville.
Well, now!
It's too cold to sleep in the
truck, even with you, Esther.
Yeah.
Well, we're gonna sleep
right here in this hotel lobby.
They wouldn't turn us
away on a Christmas Eve.
I've saved the best two
seats with my... with my coat.
Which one do you want?
Esther.
Come along with me.
I will not! Now,
the clerk said...
We are going to
the Jefferson Arms.
Zeb, there are no rooms
at the Jefferson Arms.
And if there were,
we couldn't afford it.
That's the fanciest hotel
this side of Richmond.
Well, if we're gonna have to spend
Christmas Eve in a hotel lobby,
it might as well be
the best one in town.
Come along. Come
along, now. Zeb, no!
Come on. I'm trying to
tell you that we're not...
Toodle-oo, toodle-oo.
Zeb... Excuse me.
Warm enough in here, John-Boy?
Curt says it's all right.
He says he doesn't want
them to get warmed up too fast.
No danger in this house.
Harley's overalls don't fit
you too smart, John-Boy.
Well, maybe not.
But they're a lot
more comfortable
than the clothes
I just took off.
Thank you very much.
Oh!
Watch your coffee,
John-Boy. Watch your coffee.
Thank you, Harley.
How're you feeling?
Uh, fine, fine.
Harley.
Thank you.
What about Curt and Mary Ellen?
They work pretty well
together, don't they?
They sure do.
They know what
to do and they do it.
That's just about the best thing
you can say about anybody, isn't it?
Oh, Doctor, do you
still want cold water?
Well, I think we can
warm it up a little now.
All right.
Mary Ellen?
You think they're
gonna do all right?
The little girl has frostbite
on her legs and feet,
but she seems to be pickin' up.
Thing is, uh, Miss Fanny's right
hand and arm got the worst of it.
That's probably
'cause she was trying to
hold Jo Ellen up out of
the water for all that time.
Doctor? Yeah.
Yeah, that's fine.
How do you feel?
Who, me? I'm all right.
Wading around in
the water all that time,
it's a wonder you
didn't catch pneumonia.
Mmm.
Did you get word to Mama?
No, but I spoke to Erin.
From what I can tell,
there's nobody home at all.
Merry Christmas.
Ho, ho, ho.
♪ Go tell it on the mountain
♪ Over the hills and everywhere
♪ Go tell it on the mountain
♪ Our Jesus Christ is born
♪ Go tell it on the mountain
♪ Over the hills and everywhere
♪ Go tell it on the mountain
♪ Our Jesus Christ is born
♪ Go tell it on the mountain
♪ Over the hills and everywhere
♪ Go tell it on the mountain ♪
Well, Miss Elizabeth,
you said we'd be together for a
lot of Christmases and here we are.
The Godseys had
such a pretty tree.
All the ribbons, and presents.
Well, wait till
you see our tree.
We're not gonna sit
here wringin' our hands
and feeling sorry for ourselves.
We're gonna have the tree all
decorated by the time the others get back.
Let's start with the lights.
Um...
Here, why don't you hang
on to this end of the string...
Elizabeth?
Elizabeth.
All secure up above?
Near as I can tell, Daddy.
Well, barring a hurricane,
that tarp should hold till
we can replace the rafters.
There's gonna be a lot of
cold air blowing under that tarp.
Folks can keep their coats
and gloves on to keep warm.
All but the organist.
The important thing is,
we can have our Christmas
services tomorrow.
When I first saw that tree,
I thought it'd be impossible.
It's always nice to take on
the impossible now and again.
You know, the Christmases since
I've been in the Lord's service,
I've received some
wonderful presents.
But I can tell you there
is nothing to compare
with the gift of
friendship and dedication
you've all made here tonight.
Reverend, you
better get some sleep.
Yeah. Come morning,
you'll be too tired to preach.
I will find the strength.
Good night, Ike.
Thank you, Jason, John.
Merry Christmas, Reverend.
See you later.
Well, you have a nice Christmas.
All right, Ike. Good night.
Oh, Ike, uh, do you
want your lanterns?
I got a light.
Leave them lit, Jason.
We can light our way home.
Verdie? Mmm-hmm?
These clothes look better now
than they did before
I went into the pond.
I've had a little experience
doing washing and
ironing, John-Boy.
What time is it, you reckon?
It's a little past 11:00.
It's almost Christmas.
I feel like we ought to be
doing something to help them.
Oh, I'm sure they're
doin' everything
that can be done.
Can you feel that?
It tickles.
Hey! That's great.
It stings.
Tingles. Sure.
You're gonna feel some pain,
but that's the
best possible sign.
Jo Ellen? She'll make it.
I'm so sorry.
Causin' all this commotion
on Christmas Eve.
Oh, you just take it easy.
Mary Ellen and I are going
to hang around for a while.
John-Boy!
Is he still here? Mmm-hmm.
And Harley? Mmm-hmm.
Right here, Miss Fanny.
Thank you.
Thank you both.
Merry Christmas.
Everybody in that should be in?
All except Grandma and Grandpa.
You were gonna have the whole
family together this Christmas.
We tried.
Well, they weren't
all here with me,
but I never felt closer
to them, or to you.
Come here.
Your feet are cold.
Liv?
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Where is everybody?
Well, they must be inside.
Hope they haven't
opened the presents.
Elizabeth!
Elizabeth! Livie!
Hey, wait for us!
We're home!
Livie?
Now, where is everybody?
Surprise! Surprise!
Merry Christmas!
Hello, Grandpa!
Merry Christmas, Grandma!
You taken the presents?
What've you done? You've
been into the presents already.
Come on!
We're in it too far, Elizabeth!
We didn't get to
open our presents.
I don't think
that's fair at all.
Let's have us a carol.
A little Christmas carol, Jason!
A little Longfellow.
What do you want
to hear, Grandpa?
I Heard the Bells
on Christmas Day.
That's a good one.
♪ I heard the bells
on Christmas Day
♪ Their old familiar carols play
♪ And wild and
sweet the words repeat
♪ Of peace on
Earth Goodwill to men
♪ I thought how,
as the day had come
♪ The belfries
of all Christendom
♪ Had rolled along
the unbroken song ♪
Next morning, the Waltons
were all together again,
in reality as well as in spirit.
Only a few years later,
when circumstances
kept some of us
in the hedgerows of Normandy,
or on Christmas duty in the
emergency ward of a big hospital,
our memories of
Mama's best Christmas
helped to comfort
and sustain us.
♪ With peace on
Earth Goodwill to men ♪
Jim-Bob and I had
a snowball fight.
You did? Mmm-hmm.
I never knew anyone
who got the joy
out of Christmas the way you do.
I want this to be the best
Christmas we ever had.
You know those big old trees
over by the north side of the church?
One of them just fell down.
Went right through the roof.
Anybody hurt?
Harley, what are
you doing out here?
Been out in the pond. Miss
Fanny and her little girl's out there.
Car went off the road.
On Walton's Mountain, every
Christmas was memorable.
Each new year held some special
surprise or delight that set it apart.
But I think the one we
all remember most fondly
was what was planned to be
our mother's best Christmas.
It began with a quickening
sense of wonder and astonishment
that always accompanied
the first snowfall.
Drink up. Drink
up. Come on, drink!
What is this?
Oh, come on, you silly.
Picky, picky, picky.
What is this? Are
you not thirsty?
This is the first time you're
drinking for a long while.
It's gonna freeze up in
a minute. Now, drink it.
Okay, your choice.
You little varmint!
You're getting
killed, Elizabeth!
Oh!
Jim-Bob!
Do that again, Jim-Bob!
You're gonna...
It's snowing again.
Jim-Bob and I had
a snowball fight.
You did? Mmm-hmm.
You should have been
shoveling it, not throwing it.
Radio says it's
gonna get colder.
Can I have some cookies?
Not one of those, now.
Your grandpa and I are
taking those to Maude.
Oh, I think Maude can spare one.
Well, just one.
Oh, I hate to think of
her spending Christmas
over in that rest
home in Charlottesville.
So do I. But at least
she's getting good care,
and Curt says she'll be
home by New Year's Eve.
Elizabeth, do you
know that there are only
seven more days until Christmas?
Where has the year gone to?
We have to start getting ready.
What do you think we're doing?
But you're right.
If we're gonna have a white
Christmas on the outside,
we'd better start
fixing up the inside.
Shall I get the
decorations down?
Why don't you wait till
your daddy finds us a tree?
Only one more
week till Christmas.
Livie, the pipes are
beginning to freeze up.
Elizabeth, go find your daddy
and ask him to please wrap
the pipes before they freeze solid.
Sure, Mama.
There's something about
snow on the evergreens
that brings the whole
holiday season to life.
I never knew anyone
who got the joy
out of Christmas the way you do.
It's the happiest
time of year for me.
Family all gathered together.
This time next year, who
knows where the children will be?
They're all growing so fast.
I want this to be the best
Christmas we ever had.
It will be.
Ben?
I wanna show you something.
Here it is. Look at this.
Look what you got here.
You got, "The hostess
served refreshments
"from a beautiful old tree."
That should be "tray." I think
you're getting sloppy, Ben.
What I'm getting is frozen.
Throw some more
wood in the stove, then.
My fingers feel
like 10 little icicles.
Well, why don't you
put some gloves on?
Well, I did. That's how
the "tree" got in there.
Ever tried setting
type with gloves on?
We've gonna have to do something
about warming this place up. Excuse me.
Either that or just
close down till spring.
I'll tell you something, though.
This Christmas issue is gonna
be the biggest and the best yet.
Look. Hmm?
When'd you take up pipe-smoking?
This is for Yancy.
Oh, it's nice.
You know it's hard to get
someone like Yancy a gift.
I know. He likes to
keep his life simple.
Well, Elizabeth,
close that door!
You're letting all
the cold air out!
Do you know that there are only
seven more days till Christmas?
No, I had no idea.
Did you know there are only
seven more days till Christmas, Ben?
No, I never realized it.
My gosh.
Did you get Elizabeth a gift?
No, I haven't had a
chance to get her...
I haven't gotten
anybody anything!
You know, I have a great idea.
Why don't we give her
a free copy of the paper?
The big one. The Chronicle.
Oh, yeah! It's gonna
be a real good edition.
We'll give you a free
copy of that, all right?
- Yeah.
That's a good idea.
You think you're so funny.
Well, that's not what
I came in here for.
It's about Mama.
What about her?
Well, I think we'd better
make this Christmas
real special for Mama.
Well, every Christmas
is special for her.
What's so different
about this one?
While we were
talking in the kitchen,
she was saying how maybe
next year we might not be together
and how she wanted this
Christmas to be the best Christmas
that the family ever had.
Well! Then we'll make sure it is the
best Christmas the family ever had.
Listen, I gotta go pick
up Jason and Erin, okay?
- Okay.
Oh, and listen, don't
tell Mama I told you.
Oh, I'm gonna go in
and tell her right now.
I think she ought to know,
like you said. Definitely.
Think I'll go tell
her. I mean... Stop it!
I'm telling you,
there's gonna be a
deep freeze tonight.
Them twigs on the
trees will be a-snappin'.
Let's thaw out a little
before we unload that truck.
Daddy, think you can get along
without me for about an hour or so?
Got something important to do?
I told Patsy Brimmer
I'd come over.
Oh?
Yeah, we do our
homework together.
She's helping me pass English.
Can't John-Boy help
you pass English?
He could, but it wouldn't
be half as much fun.
Is it all right, Daddy?
All right, go, go.
Oh, Esther, there's nothing
like a cup of hot coffee
to heat up your
gullet and your gizzard
and to warm your heart.
Must have been cold
up on the mountain.
Oh, it sure was.
But we found us
the prettiest Christmas
tree you ever did see.
You didn't cut it, did you? No.
Did you want us to?
No. No, I'd like
to wait a few days.
That way it'll be fresh and
fragrant when we put it up.
Sitting right out there smack dab
in the middle of a lot of young trees.
They'll be the better
off for thinning it out.
I wonder where we
should put it this year.
By the stairs, or in
front of the front window?
Well, wouldn't have to move
so much furniture around
if we put it there
in the stairway.
I think you're right, Pa.
I think I like it better
in front of the window.
That way you can see
the lights from the driveway.
Well, Liv, we'll put it
anywhere you want us to.
I'll think about it.
Half the fun is in the planning.
That's what I enjoy
about Christmas.
The way it gets
her all fired up.
Just like a girl again.
Yes, Mrs. Salter, I'll ring.
I can't leave till Miss
Fanny gets here.
Erin, forgive me.
Oh, John-Boy. Oh, I do hope you
haven't been unduly inconvenienced.
Oh, not at all, Miss Fanny.
I'll take over now, dear.
Jo Ellen, my
sister's little girl?
She's in the Christmas pageant.
And I promised to take her to
rehearsals and drive her home after.
Well, they live all the way
out past Drucilla's Pond.
Even though, I would've
been here in good time.
But Rosemary Fordwick and Corabeth
Godsey got into a disagreement
as to how angels should walk.
I thought we never
would get finished.
I'll see you
tomorrow, Miss Fanny.
Yeah, we got one more
stop to make. Good night.
Night.
Good evening.
Oh, yes. Corabeth.
Well, now, I thought your
point was well taken, Corabeth,
but, of course, never
having actually seen an angel,
I'd hesitate to take sides.
It's good to see
you. Come on in.
Everything's kind
of a mess here,
but maybe we can
find a place to sit.
Well, we weren't really
planning on staying too long.
Mary Ellen. Hi, John-Boy.
Cold nose.
Oh, this is great.
It's just like home.
Yeah, Mama had some left over.
I'll tell you why we came by.
We were kind of wondering what
your plans were for Christmas.
Well, uh, to tell you
the truth, John-Boy,
we've been thinking about maybe
spending the holiday with my family.
I just haven't had the
nerve to tell Mama yet.
You know how she feels
about us all being together.
What about Curt's folks?
Seemed like the fair
thing would be to trade off.
There'll be other Christmases.
I honestly believe Mama thinks
this is gonna be the last holiday
with the whole family together.
Well, maybe it is.
Uh, listen, that's
your decision to make.
I don't mean to
intrude about it. I, uh...
I just wanted to find out.
And I just thought
I'd let you know
how much it means to Mama if we could
all be together this year, that's all.
Hello, everybody!
Greetings.
Hey. Hey.
Two more for supper.
No, Mama. I have supper
fixed for us at home.
Well, I could be
persuaded to stay.
Curt!
Did I say something wrong?
We came to talk about Christmas.
I imagine you two want to spend
Christmas with Curt's parents.
No.
No, uh, we'll go
there next year.
I told you we'd all be
together for Christmas.
Well, then, why are
we all standing around?
Let's have supper and
start getting this place ready.
Do you realize there are
only seven more days left...
Let's eat!
Hurry up, Esther.
Almost forgot the apron.
Give our best to Maude, now.
Well, at least she won't be
alone the day before Christmas.
Pa, I filled her with gas.
She'll get you to
Charlottesville and back.
Don't be late for supper!
Be home before nightfall!
Don't worry.
Drive careful, now, Pa.
Ever seen anything
like that, John-Boy?
I never did.
How come you put it all up here?
Oh, I thought it would
be nicer out here
so everyone could enjoy it.
You know, Corabeth made every
one of them decorations herself.
Labor of love.
I assisted Mama.
You certainly did, precious.
You know, Aimee's getting
more like her mother every day.
John-Boy, have you ever
seen so many presents?
This is before Santa Claus.
Well, this is a very
special Christmas for us
because it's our
first one with Aimee.
Corabeth just won't settle
for anything but the best.
Well,
I got to be going.
Oh, don't run away.
Have some hospitality.
Have some more eggnog.
Oh, I would purely love
to but I've gotta be at
Professor Parks'
house in a half-hour.
Schoolwork on Christmas Eve?
No, it's not schoolwork.
The professor has a
friend from New York
who's a book editor who's
coming this way on vacation
and the professor
wanted me to meet him.
Well, it sounds like it might
be a nice Christmas present.
It most certainly could.
Elizabeth, I'm gonna
pick you up at 6:00.
We've got supper at
7:00 sharp, all right?
Merry Christmas, everybody.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Aimee.
Bye. JOHN-BOY: Bye.
I'll bet you're getting
all that you asked for.
I suppose so.
Sure is a big tree, Daddy.
Best tree we've had in years.
Come on, let's get it inside.
All right, we're coming in,
hon. Now, close your eyes.
Come on, Son. Easy.
Close your eyes. Keep
'em closed. Oh, it's cold!
Easy. Watch the paint.
Close the door. Close it.
Back. Back.
Just a minute! Here we go.
There! Take a look at that.
Oh, John, it's beautiful!
Isn't that a beauty?
That's a beauty.
Where did you find that?
Something sure smells good.
Are you sure Patsy's
coming for dinner?
Well, I asked her.
It will be nice to have her
with us on Christmas Eve.
Well, I sure hope she
doesn't get embarrassed.
I'll be on my best
behavior, Son.
Well, it's Ben and
Jason I'm worried about.
I hope Ma and Pa get
back from Charlottesville
in time for me to
go into Rockfish.
You did good, John.
Yes, sir, John, did real good.
That's my favorite carol, Jason.
It's most appropriate
on this Christmas Eve.
I still haven't got
it quite right yet.
It sounds so simple
but it's so hard to play.
Well, that's just like the
teachings of the Christmas Child.
Nothing could be
simpler to read,
but to put into practice...
The decorations look
real nice, Reverend.
Well, thank you.
Although some Baptists
might take exception.
Some feel that the bringing of
greenery into the church is pagan.
Oh, I reckon you
can find some Baptist
to take exception
to almost anything.
What?
Uh, nothing.
This is a very ancient custom.
Men who worshipped
trees, they were called druids.
Oh. Well, anyway,
I think it looks nice.
I don't see any harm in
making some druid happy.
Well, thank you. I gotta be
getting on over to the parsonage.
Uh, I'd like to stay and
practice a while longer
if that's all right.
Stay as long as you like, Jason.
Thanks, Reverend.
♪ What fun it is to ride and
sing a sleighing song tonight
♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells
♪ Jingle all the way
♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh
♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells
♪ Jingle all the way
♪ Oh, what fun... ♪
Oh, remember, Maude,
when I got stuck down the
chimney of the First Baptist Church
when I was playing Santa Claus?
And you kept playing
louder and louder
to cover up the
commotion he was making.
Well, I was trying to cover
up what he was yelling.
Shouldn't be heard in a
bull hall, let alone a church.
They had to hoist me up
with a block and a tackle.
Oh, I can just see you shouting,
"Ho! Ho! Ho!"
and dangling down by
the seat of your pants!
"Ho! Ho! Ho! Help!
Help! Help! Ow! Ow! Ow!"
Oh, I tell you, we've had some great
Christmases, haven't we, Maude?
This wouldn't have been so great
if it hadn't been for
good friends like you two.
Can't keep a woman
like you down for long.
With your grit.
Yeah. Well, you'll be home soon
wearing that new apron and
fussing around in the kitchen.
Hip bones don't heal
too fast at my age.
But I'm well looked after.
It's just that I hate to be away
from home this time of year.
Home. Well, the
next time we come,
I'm gonna bring you some
milk from your goat, Myrtle.
Oh, that will be nice.
Yes. But we gotta
be getting on home.
Oh, don't go yet.
Oh, I don't like to
drive much after dark.
Well, we promised Livie to
be home for supper by 7:00.
Oh, can't you have
a cup of hot tea
and some of these
cookies you brought me
before you set out again?
Those cookies are for you.
I think a cup of hot tea
would be nice, Maude.
Oh, that's nice.
How about some
hot tea, old dears?
All right.
In the dining room?
♪ We wish you a merry Christmas
♪ We wish you a merry Christmas
♪ We wish you a
merry Christmas ♪
You made this for me?
Me, special?
I tried to think of
something you'd like.
Oh, I like it. I like it a lot.
Move over, Earl!
Sets off my corncob
real fine, don't it?
It sure does.
Maybe sometime
you'll get more than one.
Oh, I'm gonna get five or six of
them and fill up the whole rack.
I'm glad you like it.
That's the first Christmas
present I've had in years.
I don't recollect how it ended.
I just got out of the habit.
Glad you like it.
I gotta be heading
home. Merry Christmas.
Wait, Ben. I got
something for you.
Yancy, I don't want you to go...
Now, now, now.
Got it as a consolation
prize at a party.
Course, it ain't no
consolation to me
'cause I don't shine my shoes.
But I thought you might like it.
A shoe-shine kit. Yes, I would.
Merry Christmas, Ben.
Thanks, Yancy.
Merry Christmas to you, too.
Now I gotta be heading home.
Wait a minute.
I don't want you walking
home in that freezing weather.
I'll drive you in my flivver.
I don't want you
to go to any trouble.
Ben, it ain't no trouble.
Tonight was gonna be the
loneliest night of the year for me,
what with Sissy
home visiting her folks.
But you brung back the
Christmas spirit to me.
Least I can do is
keep you from freezing
your little ears off.
Okay.
I guess the icy roads
between here and Richmond
have got Hank stranded.
I wish he would have telephoned.
I think I ought to be going.
I still got to pick up Erin
at the telephone office.
The weather for Christmas
will be white and cold.
Below-zero temperatures
can be expected
in the mountains.
Many roads are badly iced,
and all holiday motorists
are urged to use
extreme caution.
In other parts of the nation...
I'm gonna go, Professor.
It's Christmas Eve.
Well, I wanted to
get you two together.
Well, maybe next time
he's in town, all right?
Okay, I'll get in touch. Good.
Oh, John. Merry Christmas.
Oh, merry Christmas,
merry Christmas.
Thank you very
much. Okay. Bye-bye.
Jim-Bob?
Patsy will be with
you in just a minute.
She sure takes a long
time getting dressed.
Oh, but, she wants
to look just right
being with your family and all.
Well, Mama was counting
on all of us sitting down at 7:00.
We're gonna decorate
the tree afterwards.
It's so thoughtful of
you to include Patsy.
She's done so well, being
away from her folks and all,
but Christmas is a time when a
person misses home and family.
Maybe you better tell her it
doesn't matter what she wears.
I don't think anybody will
notice in all that confusion.
I don't think that'd
be wise, Jim-Bob.
Here.
Have a piece of candy.
Merry Christmas.
Yes, Mrs. Ogilvie, I'll ring.
I don't know where
Miss Fanny is.
Merry Christmas.
No, I haven't heard
from her, either.
Do you want me
to call the sheriff?
Well, my brother's
here. I'll tell him.
Maybe he'll know what to do.
That was Miss Fanny's sister.
She's worried about her, too?
Miss Fanny and Jo Ellen left
dress rehearsal 45 minutes ago.
She was supposed to
take Jo Ellen straight home
and then come right back here.
Should I call the sheriff?
No, no. Uh...
Maybe she's got a flat tire
or motor trouble or something.
I guess I better
go try to find her.
Merry Christmas.
You're sure going slow.
A minute ago you said
I was going too fast.
The way the
windshield's iced over,
I don't know how you can
see where you're going.
Just gonna have to trust
your Divine Providence, Esther.
Well, we should
have left before dark.
Having that last cup of tea with
Maude did her a whole world of good.
Zeb, now, you be careful!
Oh, I just can't
see anything ahead.
It isn't safe to go on
any further, Esther.
Well, we sure can't
stay here all night.
Guess we're gonna have
to go back to Charlottesville.
We're not too far out.
You're gonna have
to be my eyes, Esther.
They all knew dinner is at
7:00. Where is everybody?
Radio says the roads
have been turned to ice.
Well, I can understand
Grandma and Grandpa and
John-Boy being stranded in cars,
but what about all the others?
Maybe I better get down
to Ike's and use his phone,
find out what's going on.
Good idea.
Oh, John.
Oh, the ice must've
taken out a power line.
Here's a match.
Here's another one right here.
I hope the power
won't stay out for dinner.
I'll go get those
kerosene lamps.
Jason, where in the
world have you been?
You know those big old trees
over by the north side of the church?
One of them just fell down.
Went right through the roof.
Anybody hurt? No.
But we're gonna have
to... Have to fix the roof
and get that tree out of there
or there isn't going to be any
Christmas service in the morning.
I'll be right with you.
Will you need my help?
Better stay here in
case the others come.
Harley, what are
you doing out here?
Been out in the pond. Miss
Fanny and her little girl's out there.
Car went off the road.
I can't get them out.
Come on, you gotta
help me. Well, get on.
Miss Fanny?
John-Boy! Please,
help us. Hurry!
Miss Fanny, can't
you get the door open?
I already tried, John.
The door's jammed.
Listen, uh, maybe if both
of us tried it. Why don't you...
You grab on to the door.
Grab on to the side
and I'll get the handlebar.
Watch out. Watch out.
You all right?
Okay, ready? Yeah.
Let's go.
Roll the window down!
I can't!
Mmm-hmm.
Mmm-hmm. Hmm. Curt!
That's right.
Curt, they're gonna be waiting.
Hold your horses!
No, no, no, no. Not
you, Mrs. Tolliver.
Uh, I'm... I'm awful
sorry that you feel so bad
on Christmas Eve, Mrs. Tolliver.
But if you'll do
what I told you to,
I think you'll feel
fine by morning.
And if... if you don't,
you just give me a call.
Merry Christmas, Mrs. Tolliver.
Merry Christmas.
Mama expected
us half an hour ago.
Your mother will understand.
She knows Mrs. Tolliver.
Oh, no.
Do we have to answer it?
We do.
Well, 15 seconds later and
we wouldn't have even heard it.
Well...
Let me answer it.
I get less involved.
Hello?
Oh, Mary Ellen, am I
glad to hear your voice.
Erin? Where are you?
Still on the switchboard.
Verdie Foster just called.
Miss Fanny and Jo Ellen were in
a car accident near Verdie's house.
John-Boy's there right
now trying to get them out.
They need you
and Curt right away.
I've got the crowbar!
I've got some blankets!
Here, John-Boy. Here.
Hurry up and get
her out of that water.
The door is jammed.
Harley, I think this
crowbar ought to help.
We're coming, Miss Fanny!
We'll have you out of there!
I can't rouse Jo Ellen.
Listen, Harley, we
gotta take it easy.
If this thing slips into one of those
deep places, we've lost them for sure.
Just easy.
The water's getting higher!
You got a rope in your car?
Yeah, I got a rope
in the rumble seat.
All right. You try
and open it. Okay.
Oh, please, hurry. Hurry!
We're working on it, Miss
Fanny. We're working on it.
We'll have you out of
there in just a minute.
Ike?
Corabeth?
Corabeth?
Heaven help us, Olivia,
if this isn't the strangest
Christmas Eve ever.
Have you heard
anything from my family?
No, I haven't heard anything.
Except that a tree
fell over on the church
and Ike went over there to help.
John and Jason
are over there now.
I have no idea where
Grandma and Grandpa are.
Ben's disappeared.
Curt and Mary Ellen
never arrived for supper.
Well, the snow and the ice
have made driving
almost impossible,
it says on the radio.
I guess I better take
Elizabeth home now.
Oh, she and Aimee
are enjoying themselves.
Why don't you at
least take off your coat
and come back and warm
up before you go, Olivia?
Well, just for a minute.
Why is the house all dark?
We're so late everybody's
probably gone to bed.
Oh, they couldn't have
gone to bed this early.
Why aren't there any lights?
I don't know.
You stay close to me.
I'm scared of a dark house.
Okay, come on.
Lights don't work.
Mama?
Daddy?
Nobody's here.
Where'd they go?
They wouldn't just run
off on Christmas Eve.
Not unless
something's gone wrong.
Whatever happened,
somebody'd be here.
Mama's left the
food on the stove.
This is scary. Take me
home to my aunt's house.
Where could they have gone?
How're you doing? It's coming.
Curt's here. Thank
God you're here, Doctor.
They're gonna need you.
Looks like they could
use me right now.
Be careful. Here, let
me spell you, Harley.
I think it's coming.
Oh, pray... pray
it's not too late!
You got her, Harley? Yeah.
Okay, I got her.
Okay, Miss Fanny.
Just hang on now.
Where's the nearest house?
- Mine.
All right. They're
probably frostbitten.
We got to treat them right away.
Watch your step,
Doctor. It's slippery.
Take her to the van. Get
her out of those wet clothes
and wrap her in anything
you can find that's dry.
Hurry, come here and
give us a hand, will you?
I got you. JOHN-BOY: We
got you. Watch your other leg.
Careful. Careful.
Watch your foot.
You'll be all right.
Can you walk? Oh, I think so.
Can you walk? I'm sorry.
Here, get her over to the road.
It's terrible to take you away
from your warm
homes and families
on this Christmas Eve,
but if there's any way to
save the Christmas services...
Reverend, you sure
would be welcome
to have the services
at Godsey's Hall.
Well, that's very
generous of you.
Reverend? Ike, unfortunately,
there are certain associations
attached to the hall
that might work against
the reverent Christmas spirit.
You know what, Reverend?
I just thought of something.
If we were druids, we would
have been saved all this work.
Druids?
What on earth are druids?
They were these fellows
that lived a long time ago.
They worshipped trees.
We're not druids,
Jason. We're Baptists.
Any chance of you Baptists
getting some work done down there?
Okay.
Sorry about the old flivver
being froze up, there, Ben.
But I say we should
count our blessings.
We got us a nice, warm cabin,
a snug place for the livestock
and us to stay out of the cold.
Yancy, some way or
another, I got to get home.
Home? No place like
home, Ben. No place!
Don't you never forget it.
You forget that and you got
Yancy Tucker to deal with.
Yancy, Mama was counting
on all the family being together
for the best Christmas ever.
And that's what it is, Ben.
The best Christmas ever.
And thanks to my
good friend Ben Walton.
"'Tis the season to be jolly."
That's what the song says.
Well, let me tell you
something, old friend.
'Tis the season to be lonesome.
Leastwise for me,
with Sissy gone.
Some way or another,
Yancy, I gotta get home.
I'll walk.
Ben, the bottom's dropped
out of the thermometer.
You'll freeze to
death out there.
I don't care! I have to go home.
You're right, Ben.
This party's over.
If I can't drive you home,
I can walk you home.
♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly
♪ Fa la la la la la la la la ♪
John-Boy?
Erin?
Nobody's home.
Well, there's no one
at home, Grandpa.
Except maybe Jim-Bob and Ben.
Oh, doggone.
Your mother had such high
hopes for this Christmas.
It seems like everything
that could go wrong, did.
You must be wore out, Erin.
Oh, I made some hot lemonade,
and I have plenty
of cough drops.
I just hope Miss Fanny
and Jo Ellen will be all right.
You tell your mother that your
Grandma and I'll be back home
soon as daylight makes
driving a mite safer.
Merry Christmas, Grandpa.
Merry, merry.
Well, Livie's upset,
the power's all out.
We're not the only
ones playing hooky.
Go away for a few hours
and everything goes wrong.
Oh, stop trying to shoulder the
blame of the whole world, hmm?
Or take credit for it, either.
Let's just go to our
room. There are no rooms.
What's that?
The clerk tells me he's been
turning away people by the dozen,
stranded, same as we are.
There isn't an empty hotel
room in all of Charlottesville.
Well, now!
It's too cold to sleep in the
truck, even with you, Esther.
Yeah.
Well, we're gonna sleep
right here in this hotel lobby.
They wouldn't turn us
away on a Christmas Eve.
I've saved the best two
seats with my... with my coat.
Which one do you want?
Esther.
Come along with me.
I will not! Now,
the clerk said...
We are going to
the Jefferson Arms.
Zeb, there are no rooms
at the Jefferson Arms.
And if there were,
we couldn't afford it.
That's the fanciest hotel
this side of Richmond.
Well, if we're gonna have to spend
Christmas Eve in a hotel lobby,
it might as well be
the best one in town.
Come along. Come
along, now. Zeb, no!
Come on. I'm trying to
tell you that we're not...
Toodle-oo, toodle-oo.
Zeb... Excuse me.
Warm enough in here, John-Boy?
Curt says it's all right.
He says he doesn't want
them to get warmed up too fast.
No danger in this house.
Harley's overalls don't fit
you too smart, John-Boy.
Well, maybe not.
But they're a lot
more comfortable
than the clothes
I just took off.
Thank you very much.
Oh!
Watch your coffee,
John-Boy. Watch your coffee.
Thank you, Harley.
How're you feeling?
Uh, fine, fine.
Harley.
Thank you.
What about Curt and Mary Ellen?
They work pretty well
together, don't they?
They sure do.
They know what
to do and they do it.
That's just about the best thing
you can say about anybody, isn't it?
Oh, Doctor, do you
still want cold water?
Well, I think we can
warm it up a little now.
All right.
Mary Ellen?
You think they're
gonna do all right?
The little girl has frostbite
on her legs and feet,
but she seems to be pickin' up.
Thing is, uh, Miss Fanny's right
hand and arm got the worst of it.
That's probably
'cause she was trying to
hold Jo Ellen up out of
the water for all that time.
Doctor? Yeah.
Yeah, that's fine.
How do you feel?
Who, me? I'm all right.
Wading around in
the water all that time,
it's a wonder you
didn't catch pneumonia.
Mmm.
Did you get word to Mama?
No, but I spoke to Erin.
From what I can tell,
there's nobody home at all.
Merry Christmas.
Ho, ho, ho.
♪ Go tell it on the mountain
♪ Over the hills and everywhere
♪ Go tell it on the mountain
♪ Our Jesus Christ is born
♪ Go tell it on the mountain
♪ Over the hills and everywhere
♪ Go tell it on the mountain
♪ Our Jesus Christ is born
♪ Go tell it on the mountain
♪ Over the hills and everywhere
♪ Go tell it on the mountain ♪
Well, Miss Elizabeth,
you said we'd be together for a
lot of Christmases and here we are.
The Godseys had
such a pretty tree.
All the ribbons, and presents.
Well, wait till
you see our tree.
We're not gonna sit
here wringin' our hands
and feeling sorry for ourselves.
We're gonna have the tree all
decorated by the time the others get back.
Let's start with the lights.
Um...
Here, why don't you hang
on to this end of the string...
Elizabeth?
Elizabeth.
All secure up above?
Near as I can tell, Daddy.
Well, barring a hurricane,
that tarp should hold till
we can replace the rafters.
There's gonna be a lot of
cold air blowing under that tarp.
Folks can keep their coats
and gloves on to keep warm.
All but the organist.
The important thing is,
we can have our Christmas
services tomorrow.
When I first saw that tree,
I thought it'd be impossible.
It's always nice to take on
the impossible now and again.
You know, the Christmases since
I've been in the Lord's service,
I've received some
wonderful presents.
But I can tell you there
is nothing to compare
with the gift of
friendship and dedication
you've all made here tonight.
Reverend, you
better get some sleep.
Yeah. Come morning,
you'll be too tired to preach.
I will find the strength.
Good night, Ike.
Thank you, Jason, John.
Merry Christmas, Reverend.
See you later.
Well, you have a nice Christmas.
All right, Ike. Good night.
Oh, Ike, uh, do you
want your lanterns?
I got a light.
Leave them lit, Jason.
We can light our way home.
Verdie? Mmm-hmm?
These clothes look better now
than they did before
I went into the pond.
I've had a little experience
doing washing and
ironing, John-Boy.
What time is it, you reckon?
It's a little past 11:00.
It's almost Christmas.
I feel like we ought to be
doing something to help them.
Oh, I'm sure they're
doin' everything
that can be done.
Can you feel that?
It tickles.
Hey! That's great.
It stings.
Tingles. Sure.
You're gonna feel some pain,
but that's the
best possible sign.
Jo Ellen? She'll make it.
I'm so sorry.
Causin' all this commotion
on Christmas Eve.
Oh, you just take it easy.
Mary Ellen and I are going
to hang around for a while.
John-Boy!
Is he still here? Mmm-hmm.
And Harley? Mmm-hmm.
Right here, Miss Fanny.
Thank you.
Thank you both.
Merry Christmas.
Everybody in that should be in?
All except Grandma and Grandpa.
You were gonna have the whole
family together this Christmas.
We tried.
Well, they weren't
all here with me,
but I never felt closer
to them, or to you.
Come here.
Your feet are cold.
Liv?
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Where is everybody?
Well, they must be inside.
Hope they haven't
opened the presents.
Elizabeth!
Elizabeth! Livie!
Hey, wait for us!
We're home!
Livie?
Now, where is everybody?
Surprise! Surprise!
Merry Christmas!
Hello, Grandpa!
Merry Christmas, Grandma!
You taken the presents?
What've you done? You've
been into the presents already.
Come on!
We're in it too far, Elizabeth!
We didn't get to
open our presents.
I don't think
that's fair at all.
Let's have us a carol.
A little Christmas carol, Jason!
A little Longfellow.
What do you want
to hear, Grandpa?
I Heard the Bells
on Christmas Day.
That's a good one.
♪ I heard the bells
on Christmas Day
♪ Their old familiar carols play
♪ And wild and
sweet the words repeat
♪ Of peace on
Earth Goodwill to men
♪ I thought how,
as the day had come
♪ The belfries
of all Christendom
♪ Had rolled along
the unbroken song ♪
Next morning, the Waltons
were all together again,
in reality as well as in spirit.
Only a few years later,
when circumstances
kept some of us
in the hedgerows of Normandy,
or on Christmas duty in the
emergency ward of a big hospital,
our memories of
Mama's best Christmas
helped to comfort
and sustain us.
♪ With peace on
Earth Goodwill to men ♪