The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 6, Episode 11 - The Children's Carol - full transcript
Feeling old and restless, Olivia visits her Aunt Kate in her home town. Jim-Bob wants to get a job but needs both parents to sign a permission slip.
This is Earl Hamner,
creator of The Waltons.
This year, we bring you a
different kind of Christmas story.
World War Il literally
comes to Walton's Mountain
in the form of two English children
seeking safety from the London blitz.
It's a story of courage and faith
and the victory of the human spirit
over the shattering
impact of war.
After this Christmas, never
again will the world be the same.
I invite you to enjoy a
remarkable special broadcast.
I remember that Christmas
when all the sounds and events of
the world spoke against the holiday.
London was being bombed,
the evil of Nazi rule was
spreading across Europe,
and on Walton's Mountain,
Indian summer held
off the snows of winter.
It was a year two young English children
were to seek refuge on the mountain.
And it was a year when my mother's
faith was put to its severest test.
I do hope we have
some snow by Christmas.
It's dry out there, Pa.
- Morning.
- Morning.
Ben, you better
change your shirt.
- And just get the shirt dirty?
- In church?
Well, I thought I'd stay home
and help Daddy in the mill.
Well, think again.
This is the Lord's day,
and he's getting his due.
Well, Mama, Daddy's getting a lot of
pressure from the Defense Department.
Now, Son, if you gotta get
crosswise with somebody,
better the Defense
Department than the Almighty.
Go change your shirt.
Erin, you look so pretty.
I didn't intend to.
It's no sin to look nice.
You'd look even prettier if
you gave us a smile or two.
Oh, Grandpa, lately I
don't feel like smiling.
I hope the Reverend
preaches a short sermon.
Well, it's the first
Sunday in December.
It's bound to be
about Christmas.
"Dearly beloved,
"we are fast approaching that
joyful and generous season."
I guess the Reverend will be
joyful if the congregation is generous.
John.
Mary Ellen, you going to
church looking like that?
I thought I'd stay home today
and take care of the baby.
I don't know, maybe
write a letter to Curt.
It'll do you good to get out. Let
your father take care of the baby.
He's very fussy this morning.
So am I. We'll
get along just fine.
Mama, I'm feeling kind of low.
No matter what kind of
troubles you got or think you got,
the answer is in prayer.
So, in these troubled
and uncertain times,
let's all look into
our own hearts
and try to rekindle the
childlike virtues of faith,
hope and love that will
comfort and sustain us.
And what a better
time to start than now?
When we are once again approaching
the greatest ceremony of innocence,
what we call Christmas.
So, let us pledge ourselves
to become as little children,
secure in the love of our heavenly
Father, resting in His mercy.
Leaning on His everlasting arms.
What a fellowship
What a joy divine
Leaning on the everlasting arms
What a blessedness
What a peace is mine
Leaning on the everlasting arms
See you all at home!
Just a moment,
the door is locked.
Sorry, Corabeth, we
thought you were open.
We saw the Baldwins' car.
Always, always open to you, Olivia.
Mr. Godsey forgot to release this.
Oh, is that something new?
Oh, yes, the very latest
thing in burglar-proof locks.
The Sheriff warned us that there have been
an alarming number of burglaries recently.
And Mrs. Brimmer felt that a
strange man followed her home
from the Ladies' Aid
meeting the other evening.
What is happening to us?
You'd expect something like
that in Richmond or Charlottesville,
but not here on
Walton's Mountain.
Well, what can I do for you?
We need some things
for Christmas cookies.
Oh, Olivia, how nice to see you.
- Hello, Olivia.
- Miss Mamie, Miss Emily.
Sister and I were planning on
paying you a visit after we finish here.
Well, I hope you'll
still come along.
Well, we won't need to intrude.
We simply wanted to enlist your
support, your family's support.
We'll do anything we can.
Oh, Cousin Hilary.
You remember our dear cousin Hilary
who sought refuge with us a year or so ago?
Of course.
Well, Hilary has written, asking us
to give shelter to two English children
who have been
orphaned by the blitz.
Imagine, Sister and me with
two little children in the house.
They're to be brought from
Washington on Wednesday.
So, we're trying to
get everything ready.
Are they boys or girls?
One of each, a
brother and a sister.
Oh, Olivia, we
feel so inadequate.
What do we know about children?
Well, of course, we
were children once.
We'll do anything
we can to help.
Well, we were thinking, the first
hour or two may be the most awkward.
If some of you
could reinforce us?
Wednesday. We'll be there.
- Oh.
- Thank you.
That's nice of you,
Olivia. Thank you.
Now, we'd better get
our packages, Sister.
What was it you
wanted now, Olivia?
- Powdered sugar.
- And cinnamon.
- How you doing, Deputy?
- Fine, Chief.
- We still having that drill tonight?
- You bet.
Oh, hey, I got a whole bunch of
pamphlets here from the War Department,
and I think you'd better read
'em. Look at this one here.
Sure has small type.
Ladies, you know I'm
the chief air raid warden,
and Ben here,
he's my first deputy.
Oh, Mr. Godsey, do you really think
the time will come when we'll be raided?
Well, I certainly hope not.
But if it does happen,
we're gonna be ready for it.
- Right, Deputy?
- Right, Chief.
Seven.
And I thought two dollars apiece
for the cake was a fair price.
It sounds more than
fair to me, Verdie.
I have never tasted anything that
beats your burnt cinnamon fruitcake.
- Oh.
- Golly, I wish I had some right now.
I guess I should've
brought samples.
Verdie, you probably could
get $3, even $3.50 if you wanted.
If I can sell ten or
more at $2 apiece,
that will make a fine Christmas
for the kids at our church.
You can count on
us to buy a couple.
I'll take another and I'm not at all
sure I'd share it with anyone else.
You want us to pay now, Verdie?
Oh, no. No, you pay
when I deliver the cakes.
I hope to have them ready four
or five days before Christmas.
That'll leave me time to buy
clothes and toys for the children.
- If you need any help, let me know.
- Thanks.
- How's John-Boy getting along up north?
- He's doing just fine.
- Please tell him I asked.
- Mmm-hmm.
My, it's dark out there tonight.
You want some company
walking you home?
No, thank you. I'm
not afraid of the dark.
Good night.
- Good night, Verdie.
- Good night, Verdie.
Erin, you're so quiet, I
almost forgot you were here.
Erin hasn't budged from that
chair all during the weekend.
Thought you'd have
a date tonight, honey.
Wasn't Paulie Carruthers
mooning around?
I am not interested in Paulie
Carruthers or anybody else.
My land, we're just about to
miss the overseas news broadcast.
Couldn't we just have
one night in the week
where we don't have to be reminded
of what's going on over there?
Just because we don't tune in,
Liv, doesn't mean it's not going on.
School children will be taken
to homes in safer districts,
where they will be housed by people
who have already offered to receive them
and look after them.
All parents of school children are
strongly urged to let their children go.
Parents will be told
where their children are
as soon as they
reach their new homes.
Mothers and other persons in
charge of children below school age
should take hand luggage
with the same equipment for
themselves as their children.
As for school children,
the names of the children
should be written on strong
paper and sewn onto their clothes.
No one can take more
than a little hand luggage.
Those who can should take with
them sufficient money to tide them over
until they can get regular
remittances from home.
Now, isn't this a lovely home
you two have found
for yourselves?
Oh, yes, ma'am. Just lovely.
Well, it's a long drive
back to Washington.
If we can be of any further
assistance, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Oh, thank you, Mrs.
Rumsen. We will.
But I know everything is
going to turn out beautifully.
Children, let us hear
from you, and God bless.
Oh, you've been
most kind, ma'am.
Pip and me thanks you.
- So nice to have met you.
- Oh, thank you, Mrs. Rumsen.
Pip. That's an interesting name.
Properly, he's
Phillip. Pip's easier.
I hope you like candy. I
baked these cookies myself.
Did you, ma'am?
May I take one for him, too?
Of course. Take
as many as you like.
Now, we know how much
you've been moved around,
but here you can just settle
in and not worry about a thing.
Pip and me,
we manage.
Would you like to
see your rooms?
As you like, ma'am,
but we'll only be
needing the one room.
Oh, we have two
rooms, all ready for you.
Pip and me, we stays together.
The rooms are side by side.
He don't stay by himself
since he can't talk.
He can't talk?
Was he injured?
At the hospital,
they said he could,
if he would.
But ever since the night the
bombs came, he hasn't said a word.
Not one word.
I doubt he ever will.
Mrs. Carruthers was saying,
Paulie just can't understand
why you don't like him.
I have nothing against Paulie.
I just don't feel like dating.
Erin, I know how much you
miss G.W. We all miss him.
I don't want to
talk about it, Mama.
Losing someone you
care for is always hard.
Mama, please?
All right. All right.
There's no complaint on the
quality of the desks, Mr. Walton.
In fact, you may be
making them too good.
The last war, the slogan was,
"Nothing's too good for our boys."
- We're not in the war.
- Not yet.
And most of the materials
issued the selectees
when they come into
camp, are makeshift:
plywood rifles, cardboard
boxes labeled "tanks."
No reason to make
imitation desks, though.
All right, make 'em your way,
but make them a little faster.
Olivia, this is Alan
Timmons. This is my wife.
- Morning.
- Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Walton.
- What do you call that job you got?
- Oh, I'm an expediter.
The word's fancier than
my office or my salary.
Just what does an expediter do?
That means if I'm making 15 desks
a week for the Defense Department,
Alan here nudges me
into making 17 or 18.
Or even 20.
Sounds like very demanding work.
Young man's worn to a
frazzle. Can't you see that?
Wouldn't a nice cup of coffee
and a piece of fresh-baked
marble cake lift your spirits?
Oh, that could just save me
and the whole defense effort.
Just go on in the kitchen.
Oh, thank you.
My daughter's there.
Her name is Erin.
Matchmaking again?
Just doing a little
expediting of my own.
Erin. That's a pretty name.
It suits you.
You're a little young to be
working for the government.
Oh, anyone older would
be too smart to take this job.
Aren't you gonna eat your cake?
Oh, yeah.
I'm sure it's very good.
I guess you travel a lot.
I'm on the road most of the
time, checking on our suppliers.
I can see I'm gonna have to stay
much closer to the Walton project.
Tess?
Pip?
Where are you children?
Tess?
Pip?
Children?
They're not upstairs, Sister.
Oh, dear.
Do you suppose they've run away?
Oh, I hope not.
They certainly haven't
been happy here with us.
Tess?
Tess?
Yes, ma'am?
Well, why didn't you
answer me, dear?
Were you playing
hide-and-go-seek with us?
Something like that.
Aren't you feeling well?
They do seem
to be a little pale.
Is something wrong with your arm,
Tess? You're holding it so strangely.
No reason.
Why, Tess, what in the world?
I'm sorry, ma'am.
There were so many, and
I thought you wouldn't mind
if I took a few, for him and me.
Oh, child.
Child.
You don't have to
hide fruit and rolls.
They're yours.
As many as you like.
Take them, all of them.
I'm sorry, ma'am.
I was only looking to the
day we might be hungry again.
You won't be hungry again.
Can't you believe that?
Well, I can try, ma'am.
Well, is there something
you would like to do?
Do, ma'am?
We want you to be
happy and have fun.
We could take a ride and stop
in Charlottesville and get a soda.
Whatever you say, ma'am.
Pip and me, we'll do just
what you want us to do.
What is it?
Lights in the barn.
What time is it?
About 3 a.m.
Be careful.
I can't really believe this
is happening to me, Allison.
I've been hoping for so long.
And best of all, it turns out
to be somebody like you.
I'm quite as excited as
you are, James Robert.
My scoffing brother will have to eat a
very large slice of humble pie after this.
Do you have a
big family, Allison?
Well, there's just five of us.
There's Mother and
Daddy, and my brother,
and Sister Ann, and there's me.
What's your situation?
Seven kids. I'm
next to youngest.
I suppose you have
a steady boyfriend?
Well, nothing too
serious, you know.
I mean, most boys do expect a girl
to think of nothing but doing her hair,
and primping just
for them, you know?
Daddy, I'm talking
to London, England.
Now, isn't that something?
Hey, Allison, my
Dad just walked in.
Greetings, Mr. Walton.
It's just fine, Son,
but don't you think you could hold hands
across the sea at a decent hour of the day?
Well, it's 8 a.m. over there,
and this is the best time
to pick up overseas signals.
James Robert, I shall
have to say ta-ta for now.
The school bell's
ringing, you know.
Talk to you tomorrow, Allison.
Dad, you wanna say a few words?
No.
Your voice is going
all the way to England.
- Right?
- Mmm-hmm.
Hello, Allison.
How nice to hear
your voice, Mr. Walton.
May I carry a message to
any of your friends over here?
I don't know anyone
over there, Allison.
What you might do is, if
you see Edward R. Murrow,
tell him to keep
up the good work.
Fix bayonets!
Snap to it, there!
Let’s go! The idea is to
cut the enemy, not yourself!
What have we got here?
The most effective weapon
ever invented for close-in fighting.
A 16-inch blade. The front edge,
razor-sharp for its entire length.
The back edge, starting
five inches from the point.
Attached to your rifle,
the bayonet keeps you greater
than arm's length from the enemy.
It gives you added reach.
Once you perfect the technique,
you'll be able to use
the rifle stock as a club.
First, the grip. Try it!
No, Walton. Hang on to it.
Hang on to your weapon
like that, you'll lose it.
You, higher! Give
yourself maximum flexibility.
So, your commanding officer
has ordered a bayonet charge.
You set yourself so.
You go!
So, why all the yelling?
That's to scare the other man
and give you a sense of power.
Three out of five men will run when
they see a bunch of screaming maniacs
coming at them,
cold steel ready.
So you yell your lungs out!
You pick your man!
You lunge. You parry!
And you drive in low, and
you twist and up and out.
Somebody try it.
Okay, that's not bad,
but too much over-hand.
Remember, in low.
No bones. Then up, then out.
Okay, Walton.
What are you waiting for?
Stand there like that, it'll
be his steel in your guts!
Stick him!
In, twist, up, out!
It's been one of the bitterest
disappointments of our lives, Olivia.
Nearly two weeks.
And we haven't been able to get
close to those poor children at all.
They're as remote and frightened
as the day they came to us.
When you think of what those
two children have been through,
it's surprising they're
able to function at all.
We tried to comfort
and reassure them.
And we have failed, Sister.
It's a galling admission, but it's one we
have to make for the sake of the children.
These things take time. You
mustn't be so hard on yourselves.
Well, we were wondering...
We were wondering if you would
consider letting the children come here.
Temporarily.
If Tess and Pip could
only learn to trust,
to believe...
If they could be with other
children, with a family for a while,
then maybe we would
be able to take over again.
I hate to think of them being
shuffled from pillar to post.
Couldn't you just
try for a little longer?
Well, Christmas is so near.
If they could just share
Christmas with you and your family.
Of course, we realize it's a
tremendous favor we're asking.
But they'll be with
your dear children.
All right, we'll give it a try.
Oh, thank you.
My, my, real quiet around
here. Just the way I like it,
so I can have my say
without any interruption.
Your say is usually said.
You are usually
the chief interrupter.
Pip, Tess, how about it, huh?
I suppose English children are a
lot more polite to their grandpa, eh?
I should think, sir,
some are, some ain't.
You hear that? That young
lady is gonna be a politician.
Pip.
Aren't you gonna
eat your cornbread?
Thank you, ma'am.
He ain't hungry tonight.
I've got this short-wave
radio out in the barn.
I've been talking to
this girl from London.
If there's anybody
you'd like to say hello to...
Um, there's no one. Thank you.
- May I be excused, please?
- What's the hurry?
I have to go to a Civil
Defense meeting at Ike's.
Yes, you air-raiding
wardens better get busy.
The Luftwaffe will
bomb Tess' back pasture.
Yeah, go ahead and laugh.
Everyone laughed at
Winston Churchill at first.
Mary Ellen, where
are you tonight?
Camp Lee.
I wish I were.
Jason, what's the matter with you?
You haven't said two words this evening.
There's nothing to say.
It isn't always like this.
Usually we have some fun.
Pip and me's fine.
Just fine.
There, now. Don't you worry.
Tess is just across the
hall. I'm not far away.
You'll have lots of company.
Jason, Jim-Bob and Ben.
Good night.
This used to be Mary Ellen's
bed, before she got married.
Good night.
Tess.
Now, don't you worry about Pip.
He's perfectly all right. He's
probably sound asleep by now.
I'll see you in the morning.
Good night, ma'am.
Good night, Tess.
- Good night, Elizabeth.
- Good night, Mom.
You know, if you want, you can
have one of my dolls for company.
No, thank you.
Mary Ellen, let's
talk about this.
There's nothing to say, Mama.
We know how you miss Curt,
but running off to a strange
place with a little baby...
It's a mistake.
You're gonna end up in some shabby
rooming house at the edge of the base.
I don't care about any of that.
Honey, be sensible.
I'm too lonely to be sensible.
I miss Curt so much,
I can't eat or sleep.
I need him.
Just look at John Curtis.
He's changing every day.
Curt's missing all the fun
of watching him grow up.
He's due for a
leave soon, isn't he?
I don't want just a few hours, so I
end up lonelier than I was before.
I want to be with him.
What about Christmas?
We'll spend Christmas with Curt.
Nothing you can say is going
to make me change my mind.
The baby and I
will be all right.
And it'll be easier
for you, too.
You can let Tess
and Pip use this room.
Oh, don't look like that, Mama.
If you were in my place, wouldn't
you do the exact same thing?
All right, men. Now, you
all got your assignments.
If there's any violations to the blackout,
you just give the violator a warning.
This being the first drill, Chief,
some people may have forgotten.
Well, be courteous but be firm.
After all, you know, you
got to remind everybody
that the safety of the entire community
depends upon their cooperating.
Okay, now we meet
back here in 30 minutes.
Okay, let's go.
Ike?
Evening, Thelma.
Well, hi there, Ben.
Come on in here, baby.
- Thank you.
- Oh, so nice of you to drop by.
Well, you know we're
having this blackout test.
Yes, I know. How's
it coming around?
It's going pretty good, except you have
a light in your far-west upstairs window.
Oh, that's Mama's room.
Would you please tell her to turn it
off until we have the all-clear bell?
Oh, I've told her. Don't
think I haven't, my goodness.
It won't do any good to tell her
again. Well, you know what she said?
She said, "Well, I've had a light
in my window every Christmas."
She has a little wreath every year and
she said, "I'm not gonna change now.
"Not to suit you, or Mr. Godsey,
or that man in the White House."
She's not too crazy
about Mr. Roosevelt.
I don't think she likes many of
his cabinet, either. She's kind of...
We're supposed to give
you a warning tonight,
but if it happens next week
during the second blackout,
I'm gonna have to cite you.
Oh, that's all right, you go
ahead and do what you have to.
You look so cute
in that little hat.
Now, listen, maybe by next
week, her bulb will have burned out.
Why don't you come in and
have another cup of tea or cocoa?
I'd better not.
Oh, well, you sure you
have to run right out?
Yes.
Sure is dark out there.
Well, that's what you
wanted. Good night.
Good night.
Four eights is 32. Put down
the two, and carry the three.
Four fives is 20.
Twenty-three, and carry the two.
Four sixes is 24.
Twenty-six.
And the answer is 2,632.
You're very good at arithmetic,
Tess. How you doing, Pip?
That's very nice.
I thought you were gonna
write me some words.
He won't write, ma'am,
and he won't talk.
It's just no good.
All right, Pip.
Why don't you take your
crayons and draw a picture?
You can draw anything you like.
- Would you hand me my sewing, Tess?
- Yes, ma'am.
Maybe after the holidays, you'll feel
like going to school with the others.
Oh, couldn't we
keep on as we are?
We'll see how you
feel after the holidays.
I like that color, Pip.
Jason.
Jason, wait.
I've been trying to find some way to reach
Pip to get him to open up his feelings.
He won't speak, so I thought
maybe if we could get him to sing.
If you could play something for
him, some children's song, like
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.
- I'd rather not, Mama.
- Why?
I'm not playing anymore.
You're not playing your music?
Music doesn't seem to fit in with
what's happening in the world,
what's happening to me.
What is happening to you?
I'm trying to toughen up, so I
can do the job I'm being trained for.
Well, if that means giving up your
music, you'd better do something else.
I don't think I have
any choice, Mama.
I don't think any of us has.
This is it.
It's so dark.
It's $12.50 a week.
Two weeks in advance.
$25?
Take it or leave it.
You don't want it,
I'll rent it to somebody
else before supper time.
Girls like you, they come bussing
in from all over, just to be near camp.
What if I agree to take it
for a month? Six months?
The price don't change.
You think you can find something better
or cheaper in this town, start looking.
All right, I'll take it.
You share the
bath down the hall.
And I mean share.
And no radios after midnight,
and no cooking at any time.
Well, I'll have to
warm the baby's bottle.
Oh, of course you will, darling,
and you can use my kitchen.
$2.50 a week extra.
Is there a telephone?
Oh, a pay phone,
foot of the stairs.
And no laundry in the bathroom.
And no smoking in bed.
Greetings from
London, James Robert.
How are things with you?
Pretty good, Allison.
Thanks for taking this call
when it's night time there.
The sirens haven't started yet.
If I should have to cut you
off, I'm sure you'll understand.
My little sister's with me.
Hey, Allison.
I'm happy to know you, I'm sure.
James Robert, what about
the two little English kids?
They're here. I'll put Tess on.
Go ahead, Tess,
speak in the microphone.
Come on.
Are you really in London?
Yes, love. Hampstead.
Just off Finchley
Road, near the Heath.
Our place is... Was
in Bethnal Green.
Poplar flats. Just off
Mile End Road on Layton.
Ah, a bad hit, was it?
Yes.
Your name is Tess?
Tess, that's right, and
my brother's Pip, for Phillip.
And your family?
They wasn't found,
after the bomb.
20 people from our flats,
they wasn't found at all.
What were their names?
Harold Wrayburn
was Daddy's name.
And Mom was Alice.
Tell you what, I'll ask around
a bit for your family and friends.
You needn't bother.
There ain't none
left but Pip and me.
Just the two of us.
Oh, I missed you so much.
You know I missed you, too.
It feels like years
since you held me.
And this little guy.
He's not so little any more.
He doesn't even know who I am.
Give him time.
You look tired.
I can't remember a
time when I wasn't tired.
Well, from now on, I'm
going to take care of you.
Mary Ellen, it's wonderful to
hold you and to see John Curtis,
but this is no place for wives
and babies. Just look at this room.
Oh, I'll find something better.
There is nothing better.
I know I should've called
first and talked to you, but...
Why didn't you?
Because I was afraid
you'd tell me not to come.
We had an agreement.
Well, I can't keep it.
I miss you too much.
And we need you.
I'm so tired I don't
even know my name.
You don't have a monopoly
on tiredness, you know.
You know, I rode
on a bus for 22 hours
with that baby in my lap
just so I could be with you.
I love you. Doesn't
that mean something?
Of course it does.
Well, then tell me so.
Tess?
Do you and Pip wanna
come out and play?
No, thank you.
It's no fun to just sit inside.
We'll play any game you want.
No, thank you.
Well, what are you doing?
Writing a letter.
- To Mary Ellen?
- No.
"Dear Alan..."
Elizabeth, stop.
Well, why are you writing to him?
You only saw him just last night.
Are you in love?
That's my business.
Elizabeth, you better wipe
that frown off your face,
or you'll have wrinkles
before you're 16.
What's the matter with
everyone around here?
People who ask that question usually
mean, "What is the matter with me?"
There's nothing the matter
with me, it's everyone else.
I mean, I think I'm the
only one in this whole house
who knows Christmas is coming.
Yes, there don't seem to be
the usual hullabaloo around here.
People got a lot of
things on their minds.
It'll be here and then it'll
be gone, and no fun at all.
- Aw.
- No snow, no Christmas.
Tell you what, Elizabeth, let's
you and I hike up the mountain
and pick out the Christmas
tree that we'll use this year.
Can it be the one I like best?
I think you're entitled
to pick the one you want.
And furthermore, let's take that
Tess and Pip along with us, huh?
Do they have to come?
Elizabeth.
I'd be willing to bet that those
two never hiked out into the woods
and picked out a Christmas
tree in their entire lives.
Let's go.
Now, you keep a sharp lookout,
you might even see a deer,
or maybe even an Indian or two.
Somewhere around here
there's the perfect tree.
Yes, that looks like a nice
clump right down there.
Well, this is kind of a steep slope, I'll
need some help from you young ones.
You take my hand here, Pip,
and Tess, you come over here.
Now, watch yourself going down.
If I fall, I'm gonna make
smashed potatoes of all of you.
Hold on, now.
Come on, there they are. That's
a lovely clump right down there.
Yes, I've seen those
trees there before.
They've grown up so quickly
- in a year or two.
- What type are they, Grandpa?
Well, these are
mostly pines. Aleppo.
Say, that's a pretty tree
right there, isn't it, Elizabeth?
- Yeah, but I like them bushier.
- Mmm.
How about that one right
down there? Where you going?
Elizabeth?
Tess, you come along and pick it out,
too. It's as much your tree as anyone's.
No, thank you.
You ruin everything.
Elizabeth.
That's a hard way to talk to
our company from overseas.
But it's true.
I mean, I'm sorry you've had
such a bad time in London,
but that's no reason for everyone
else to have a bad time, too.
Elizabeth, you just
simmer down, will you?
Stop it. Stop it right now.
Tess and Pip, come on down here.
Come on, now. Let’s rest a
while, right here on the log.
Come along, now.
Elizabeth, I am amazed at you.
Sit down.
Now, Tess, I know that you
don't want to make things
miserable for Elizabeth here.
I know that you don't
want her to be unhappy.
Now, there are lots of ways
to be happy in this world.
And one of the best ways is to
go out looking for a Christmas tree.
I remember one time,
the whole family...
That's before you
were born, Elizabeth.
We all went up on top of the
mountains and we picked out a tree,
almost pierced the
clouds, up so high,
and we took all
day to take it home,
we drug it down,
and there was no way,
just no way to get
that tree into the house.
- What did you do?
- We put it up in the barn.
You know, that year,
all them dumb animals
had a real nice
Christmas with us.
I remember another
time, too, Elizabeth.
We drug a tree home,
set it up in the parlor,
and started to decorate it,
and there in the branches
was a little possum,
hanging by its tail,
playing possum.
Well, he must have known
there was something going on,
some kind of a celebration, and
he wanted to be there to participate.
So, you can't tell. Almost
anything is likely to happen this year.
Well, I should like
to see a possum.
You would? Well, maybe we will.
But for the next half hour, let's work
extra hard to try to enjoy ourselves.
Maybe even put a smile on, hmm?
- Okay.
- All right, let's go.
Come on, let's sing
a carol. Jingle bells.
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
On a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
On a one horse open sleigh
You think because you put on a
uniform that makes you a soldier?
Let me tell you, what's on
the outside doesn't matter.
It's how you think, how
you feel that counts.
And I never hope to see a
sorrier bunch of chicken-hearted,
flabby-gutted
mama's boys in my life.
You hold your weapon
like it's a salad fork.
You run like you're
gonna meet an old friend!
You got one thing to
remember and one thing only!
That's kill him
before he kills you!
What's the matter with you,
Walton? Don't you like that thought?
I can see what you're
saying is true, sir.
All right!
Let me see you hit that
dummy, yelling as you go!
Move!
That's it, Walton, you got him!
Stick him again.
That's it, don't stop.
Stick him again!
Stick him again!
That's it, you got it.
Stick him again, come on!
Get him again, that's
it. Stick him again!
Atta boy, Walton,
get him! That's it!
What's this? The Rockfish
First National Bank?
- What are you doing home?
- We got out early.
"Pin-striped suits,
yours for the tall look.
"Add inches to
your height." $25?
Do you think it will work?
Nope.
- Follow the leader.
- Okay.
Come on, Pip.
Follow the leader.
Mama, can we go this way?
Elizabeth, why don't
you follow me? Come on.
Mama, look.
Tess, Pip, there's
nothing to be afraid of.
It's all right.
Pip, it's all right. I'm here.
We're safe, don't worry.
I'll help you, I'm here.
Pip, please don't cry.
Pip, please believe me.
There's nothing to be afraid of.
That's just a mail plane that flies
over two or three times a week.
We know the pilot.
He's our friend.
That's why he flew so low.
Come on, now, let's
go on to the store.
We got four oranges.
Hi, Olivia.
- Hi, Verdie.
- Hi.
How's it coming with
your Christmas cakes?
Getting there. I needed
some last minute supplies,
and Mr. Godsey has been kind
enough to give me a special discount.
Isn't that neighborly?
Well, it's all for a good cause.
And he's also arranging for us
to get toys at a wholesale price.
Those kids are gonna have
a really merry Christmas.
How many cakes
have you sold so far?
13. Lucky I'm not superstitious.
Ah, $26 will buy a
whole lot of happiness.
Verdie, I'd like you to meet Tess
Wrayburn and her brother, Pip.
- Mrs. Foster.
- Pleased to meet you.
Hello, I've heard
a lot about you two.
Elizabeth, bring them
to our Christmas party.
Bye.
- Bye-bye, Verdie.
- Bye, Verdie.
Oh, Livie, I thought
I heard you out here.
I've just put the kettle on.
Would you like a cup of tea?
Sounds nice,
Corabeth. Thank you.
Leave the children
to get acquainted.
I'll be back in a
few minutes, Ike.
Oh, Livie, I almost forgot.
Got a letter here for you.
It's from New York, New York.
Thank you, Ike.
Aimee, I want you to show
our little refugees your toys,
and then we'll
have a special tea.
You know how partial the
English are to tea. Now, run along.
Olivia, can I take your coat?
- Can I have a minute to read my letter?
- Of course.
What kind of games do you like?
Pip and me, we
aren't much on games.
We could play
"Raising the Family".
I'll be the mother
you can be the father.
Or "Store" is fun.
I'll run the store, and
you can be my customers.
No, thank you.
We'll just watch.
There's always dominoes,
or Rook, or Authors.
No, thank you.
It's no use. All
they do is watch.
Not bad news, I hope.
John-Boy won't be
home for Christmas.
Says it's already
snowing in New York.
Oh, Livie, I hope you'll have time to
help us organize our Bundles for Britain.
It's just heartbreaking when you think
what those people have been through.
And as if that
weren't bad enough,
this is the worst, coldest
winter they've had in years.
I feel that every time we knit a
sweater, or a pair of mittens, or scarf,
we're striking a blow against
that horrible man, Hitler.
They talk about
the faces of war.
Those are the faces of this war.
Those innocent little
children, destroyed.
Thousands like them.
Millions.
I've always hated
even the thought of war,
but I've never felt
so close to it as now.
Seeing it in their eyes.
Hi. Sorry I couldn't
make it sooner.
Nobody to take over.
How long are you
gonna be here for today?
Five minutes, ten? Maybe
a whole quarter of an hour?
It's lucky I got here at all.
Take a quick look, John
Curtis. This is your father's face.
Usually you only see his
back, as he walks out the door.
Hey, look, it's been
a long, rough day.
Oh, and I've been having
a simply wonderful time.
I'm lonelier here
than I was at home.
Well, of course you are.
If you'd stopped to think
about it for ten seconds
before you came rushing down here,
you'd have known how it was going to be.
It doesn't have to be if you'd
just spend some time with us.
I'm trying the best I can.
Well, you walked out of our lives and
now you resent us trying to get back in.
I didn't walk out,
I was called up.
I'm paying now for the benefits
I enjoyed when I was in school.
I have an obligation.
What about your
obligation to us?
I said that I was doing my best.
What does that mean? That
you spend a few minutes with us
when you don't have
something more interesting to do?
I can't think of anything more interesting
to do than quarrel with my wife.
I didn't come here to quarrel.
That's all we ever seem to do.
You seem so
different, so far away.
I'm trying my best
to act like a responsible
human being,
and I strongly recommend
that you give it a try.
Curt, please. I'm
trying to be responsible.
I'm trying to be mature.
Help me.
All right, it's just that I...
I get defensive when I see
you, my wife and my son,
living in this dingy fire trap.
Well, it's not that bad,
especially when you're here.
Let's talk about good things,
happy things, like Christmas.
Oh, yeah, listen.
I'm not going to able to
be with you on Christmas.
- Not at all?
- No.
We have to go to Washington
on a special briefing,
and we'll probably be
away for three or four days.
Well, take us with you.
I can't. There are no
accommodations for family.
So you're just going off and
leave us here on Christmas?
What else can I do?
You don't care.
You really don't care at all.
I cared enough to tell you to
stay where you belong right now,
which is with your folks.
But oh, no, you have no
respect for my judgment,
you have no consideration
for my feelings.
So here you are
like a spoiled brat,
demanding what you can't
have, what I can't give you!
I'm sure we're keeping you
from something terribly important,
like reorganizing the Medical
Corps, or saving the world.
Get out!
And you don't need to come back.
Ever.
Need some help?
Could always use some help, Son.
Better get out of
that uniform first.
I've been thinking, maybe I
never should have put it on.
You look good in it to me, Son.
It's like the Sergeant
keeps saying,
it's not how good you
look that makes a soldier.
You run crosswise with
the Sergeant, have you?
I was doing all right till
we got into bayonet drill.
- Mean business.
- Scares me, Daddy.
When it's not a sack of
straw, but another man,
I don't know if I'll
be tough enough to...
To do what has to be done.
I recollect those thoughts, Son.
- You do?
- Mmm-hmm.
I thought maybe it was just me.
The Army teaches you
to be tough, be mean,
be a killer.
Well, Jason, you
are not a killer.
You got some special feelings.
You've showed that in your
music, and lots of other ways, too.
But it's those special feelings
that get in the way of me
doing what's expected of me.
It seems like I ought to
be able to block them off.
A couple of weeks of drilling, Son,
isn't gonna turn a man completely around.
And I'm glad for that.
But if I'm supposed to be a
soldier, and can't fight like one...
Time comes to defend yourself
or your friends, Son, you'll do it.
Daddy,
- I don't know.
- Well, I do.
I don't have any doubt about it.
In fact, it's your kind of man
I'd like to have in a fight with me,
because you do have those
feelings, the ones that bother you.
I don't understand.
You're not a machine, Jason.
You think, you care, you feel.
It's people like you who give all they
got to defend what they care about. True?
True.
And don't put a hammerlock
on your feelings. Give them air.
Don't let anyone take
away your music, Son,
or the things that
make you what you are.
If we locked off everything that's
that's decent and tender in us,
there wouldn't be anything
worth fighting to save.
I thought you said something
about giving me a hand.
I gotta go change my clothes.
I'll be back in a
couple of minutes.
Good evening, Miss Thelma.
Good evening. Miss
Verdie, come right in.
Just delivering the burnt
cinnamon cake you ordered.
Well, this is such a
wonderful thing you're doing.
Everybody's been real helpful.
Well, they certainly should
be for heaven's sakes.
Now, I wanna give
you $2 for the cake,
but then I wanna give you a little
something extra just for the children.
Oh, thank you.
You know, it looks as
though we'll have almost $30.
- Really?
- I still have three more cakes
to deliver to the Walton's.
How wonderful.
But, now, listen, you
don't want to go out yet,
why don't you wait until
Mr. Godsey sounds that siren
or something to have
that blackout over?
No, no, thank you.
I'd better push on.
Oh, well, I'm sorry, Verdie,
- but thank you so much.
- Thanks, again.
- And listen, have a Merry Christmas.
- The same to you.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight, dear.
Verdie?
I'm all right. Be careful!
He got too much of a head start
on me, but I got a look at him.
He took my little purse.
Made off with all
the Christmas money.
Verdie, I wish you'd let
us take you to a doctor.
Lucky you had that kerchief on. A
blow on the head is a mean thing.
I'm fine.
What's hurt mostly
is my feelings.
I just can't believe that something
like that could happen around here.
He... He must've
been following me,
waiting till I'd collected
most of the money.
And after all the work you
did, baking those cakes.
I guess it just
wasn't meant to be.
I talked to Sheriff Bridges,
and from the description,
he feels it's the same man that
took this lady's purse in Rockfish.
Well, they'd better hurry up and catch
him before he hurts somebody else.
The Sheriff said he'd come by your
house tomorrow and get your story.
I guess I'd best be
going. Oh, thank you.
Ben, thank you very
much for everything.
Daddy, can I take
Verdie home in the truck?
- Sure.
- I'll see you all soon.
Now, Verdie, you be careful.
- Good night.
- Goodbye, Verdie.
- Good night, Verdie.
- Good night.
You all right, Liv?
Verdie's never done anything
in her life but help people.
Tonight she's out doing Christian work,
and a thing like this has to happen to her.
It's a real shame. At
least she wasn't hurt bad.
All right, everybody,
time for bed.
- I guess I'll turn in, too.
- Good night.
- Good night, honey.
- Good night, Daddy.
Tess, I'll be up in a
little while to tuck you in.
You needn't bother, ma'am.
Good night, Pip.
In just three days, we
will have Christmas,
a time, I think, for most of us,
when we feel a special closeness
for our brothers and sisters,
a oneness with Our
Heavenly Father.
We are comforted and sustained
when we hear the story of Christmas,
and are reminded that hope was born
into the world on that first Christmas Day,
and continues to live on
in the hearts of all of
us who make room for it.
So, friends, let us
bow our heads and pray
that the peace and
joy of Christmas
lives on with us, not
just for a single day,
but throughout the whole
difficult and uncertain year ahead.
Now, will you join me
in the Lord's Prayer?
"Our Father, which art in
Heaven, hallowed be thy name.
"Thy kingdom come,
"thy will be done on
earth, as it is in heaven.
"Give us this day
our daily bread,
"and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
"And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
"For thine is the kingdom, and
the power, and the glory, forever.
"Amen."
Well, did the preacher fill
you with the Christmas spirit?
I don't know about Livie.
First time I ever seen
her walk out of church
right in the middle of a sermon.
It was stuffy in there.
I needed some air.
- You're all right now?
- I'm fine.
Ben, the Sheriff came
by, wants you to call him.
They caught that fellow
who took Verdie's purse.
Well, good for Ep.
If he keeps up like that,
why, we'll lose him to
the FBI or Gang Busters.
What about the money?
I guess he spent it over
at the Blue Ridge Tavern.
He got talking free
and gave himself away.
They find Verdie's purse?
No, I guess he
threw that away, too.
Wish we could find some way to
help Verdie give those kids a Christmas.
We'll sure do what we can.
Guess we'd better start
thinking about Christmas here.
I thought after dinner
we'd go up to the mountain
and cut down that tree
Elizabeth picked out.
Think we can find
it again, Grandpa?
Why, sure. I could find
that tree blindfolded.
But don't put me to the test.
- You sure you're all right?
- I'm fine.
Someday, I'm going
to grow Christmas trees
with branches all on one side,
so they can fit into the odd corners.
Grow it with a stand on it, will
you, Pa? So they don't tip over.
Live ones are the best.
You know, it's really a pretty tree. I
hope we have enough decorations.
You like it, Tess?
It's very nice.
Very nice, indeed.
Hand me some.
I think we better start
testing these lights.
Oh, that will take us till
New Year's, James Robert.
One thing you can always to
be sure of is plenty of popcorn.
Anything we grow on the place.
Where's the hooks?
There's the hooks.
That's nice.
I'm trying to write
a Christmas carol.
It's good to hear you
playing music again.
I was so wrong, Mama.
It's times like these when
we really need music.
We need all the
comfort we can get.
Good morning.
Ben. Would you like to come in?
Oh, I can't stay. My
family's decorating the tree.
Oh, Harley's off getting ours.
I found your purse.
Where did you find it?
It was in the bushes right
near where the man took it.
I'm real glad to have it back
and it was nice of you to...
My money...
But Sheriff said that
no-good spent it all on liquor.
That sure looks
like money to me.
Oh, praise be.
Well, what's the matter?
Well, the bills I had in
here were mostly ones.
And here's a ten, a five and...
- Ben...
- That's your purse, isn't it?
It is.
If I tell you that that's your money,
are you going to call me a liar?
Liar would not be
the word I'd use.
Well, then it's settled.
I keep thinking of you as a boy,
a little boy.
Now I see you're
a man, a big man.
And very special, Ben Walton.
Merry Christmas, Verdie.
Merry Christmas, Ben.
Who is it?
- Did you forget something?
- Yes.
Can I come in?
Looks like I almost missed you.
Well, the bus
leaves in 45 minutes.
Mary Ellen, I've been thinking.
If you've come to beg
us to stay, forget it.
It's no use. You were right.
- Do you have to say it like that?
- Shh.
Do you have to say it like that?
Well, why not?
Makes me so mad that
you were right, but you were.
Well, don't be mad at me.
I didn't invent the US Medical Corps,
and I didn't start the war in Europe.
Well, I have to blame somebody.
And what's the use of having a
husband if I can't lay the blame on him?
I want to be with
you and the baby,
but this just isn't our time.
Well, it's not fair.
We have lots of company.
Is that supposed to
make me feel better?
Maybe this will.
- What's that?
- It's for Christmas.
It's a camera, so you can
take lots of pictures of the baby,
and he can take lots of you.
I don't think he's
quite up to that.
Don't underestimate this boy.
He's going to be another Edison.
Are you going to be all right?
You know me. I have
to see things for myself.
I've seen what this is
like. No good for anybody.
So I think I can go
home and handle it.
Our time will
come. I believe that.
I thought you were asleep.
No, ma'am.
When it's quiet like
this, I do some thinking.
So do I.
Sometimes I lie there
wondering about what's past
and worrying about what's ahead.
I don't worry.
That's good.
What's the use?
Him and me, we'll
be looked after.
You just relax and put
yourself in God's hands.
God I wouldn't know about, ma'am.
I look after Pip. Pip looks after me.
Try to get some sleep.
Good night.
Aren't you coming to bed?
I'd just keep you awake.
I wanna read for a while.
Liv, what's wrong?
All my life, whenever
I've had troubles,
when one of the children was
sick, or I was worried for you,
one thing I could always count
on was being able to pray for help.
Now you can't?
This because of
the English children?
English children, French
children, Dutch children,
what's happened, what's
happening, what will go on happening.
I've always reached out to a
power that was kind, that cared.
Now, Liv, I'm not much...
I'm never one to talk
about religion, but...
Maybe what you're
doing is asking God to
act the way you want him to,
so that you can understand him.
I don't think it
works that way, Liv.
I can't pray, John.
The words don't mean anything.
I can't believe they're
reaching anybody.
- Alan?
- Oh, hi.
- Why are you wearing that uniform?
- Oh, I wanted to give you a thrill.
You're in the Army?
Well, sure I am, yeah.
But you've always worn civilian
clothes when you came here.
The rules on the
base are very relaxed.
Why? What difference
does it make?
Erin, what's the
matter with you?
I don't want to talk about it.
Well, I'm sorry, but I think
we have to talk about it.
You're not just turning me
off without an explanation.
What have you have
against guys in uniform?
Nothing.
But when you see me in the
uniform, suddenly I'm the enemy. Why?
There was a boy, I told you.
The boy who was killed
in training maneuvers.
And because of that, you've decided
to rule out everybody in a uniform?
It isn't just the uniform.
You're going to be a very
lonely person the next few years.
Well, there are a lot of
things worse than being lonely.
We didn't want you to
think that we'd forgotten you.
And we certainly didn't
want you to forget us.
No, ma'am.
These are a few little things
that we hope will help
make your Christmas merrier.
Tess, why don't you
put them under the tree?
Yes, ma'am.
Oh, isn't that a beautiful tree?
Did you help decorate it?
No, ma'am, we didn't care to.
You two can go outside
and play, if you like.
Go upstairs and get your things.
We'll say goodbye
before we leave.
Yes, ma'am.
Being here hasn't helped.
They don't feel anything
at all. They're numb.
I think after the holidays,
we ought to send them back
to that center in Washington.
Yes.
Maybe there's some course
of treatment they might have.
Been a lot of children
through this house.
I've never felt so
totally shut out, helpless.
Olivia, you shouldn't
blame yourself.
Oh, dear, no.
It was so good of you to
come to our assistance.
It's doubly sad to see them
like that at this time of year.
Al, when you're done
roping that down,
why don't you
meet me in the office
to sign the papers? Thank you.
- Wanna know a secret?
- If you like.
You're gonna be going to
Washington DC right after Christmas.
Well, how do you know we are?
I overheard Mama talking
to the Baldwin ladies.
Think you're gonna like it?
It don't matter to us.
Washington DC now, is it?
Well, you and me, we don't
need them fussing about us.
Sending us here
and sending us there.
We don't really belong to
anyone, except each other.
So, why shouldn't it be
us decides when we go,
and where we go?
See you next week.
Keep up the good work.
Well, thank you.
- See you later.
- Bye.
Come on, Jim-Bob.
You fellows working mostly on
P-38 Lightnings or P-47 Thunderbolts?
Me, I'm mostly
working with desks,
showerheads and pots and pans.
Well, I guess they got all
kinds of jobs in the Air Corps.
They sure do.
Well, I like to feel that each
job is as important as the next.
Well, that's what I
keep telling myself.
Were you gonna pay me the $2 in
cash, or am I gonna bill the government?
No, I'll pay you in cash.
- $2. Coming right up.
- There you go.
You know, I'm the air raid
warden chief here, locally.
That must be quite a challenge.
Sure is. Good luck.
Whatever possessed those two kids to
go riding off that way in an army truck?
It's all my fault, Mama.
I told them about them going
to Washington after Christmas.
Elizabeth, what on earth
would make you do such a thing?
I don't know.
It's just, I thought they'd
be happy to be leaving.
They're not happy here.
Liv, you and me
will go get them.
We can stop at Ike's on the
way and telephone the base.
Daddy, can I come with you?
It's gonna be a long,
cold ride, honey.
Well, I've gotta talk to Alan.
All right, get your
things and come on.
You sure they didn't get off the
truck before it got to the base?
Well, the only place we
stopped was Ike Godsey's.
They didn't get off there.
If they're here, we ought
to be able to find them.
I'll alert the MPs.
Pip!
Pip, come on. Please,
come on or we'll be killed!
Oh, Pip!
John!
Please!
Pip.
However did you get here?
We followed you.
Why did you bother?
Because we care.
It's all right, Pip.
It's all right. You're fine now.
It's all right.
Oh, ma'am. I was scared.
I was proper scared.
So was I, Pip. Proper scared.
But everybody's safe now.
You're all right.
Let's go home.
Mama, Daddy!
Everybody! It's
Allison, from London!
Erin, it's snow... Oh, my
God, everyone, come on!
Come on!
Oh, it's snowing! It's
snowing, everybody!
It's snowing, it's snowing.
Snowman's blowing.
Jason! Tess!
- Do you all get snow like this in England?
- It's perfect!
Let's take a look at
what Jim-Bob is doing.
James Robert, am
I coming through?
Loud and clear.
It's been a lovely Christmas
morning here in London.
All my family's
standing here with me.
They doubted me, I think, when
I said I've become fast friends
with people who live 3,000 miles
away in a place called Walton's Mountain.
So I felt Christmas would be the
perfect time to bring us all together.
Over.
My family's here with me, too.
Most of our family are here,
too, including our dog and an owl!
That's my Grandpa.
Well, hello, Grandpa.
So nice to hear your voice.
James Robert, are Tess
and little Pip there with you?
Yes, they're here.
Well, there's someone here
who'd like to talk with them.
Tessie, love, little Pip.
A merry Christmas.
Mum?
It's our mum. Pip, do you
hear that? It's our mum.
Oh, Mummy, where are you?
I've been in hospital
all this while, dears,
but I'm doing fine now.
Mum,
is Daddy there, too?
Oh, no, my dears.
I'm afraid we lost Dad.
They told me I'd lost
the two of you in the fire.
And I'm sure you thought
the same had happened to me.
But I'm doing very well now.
If everything goes all right,
they say I can come over there
soon, and we'll all be together.
Did you hear that?
Oh, Mummy, come soon.
We'll be waiting for you.
Merry Christmas, loves.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Mum.
Oh, children, he is one of us
Untouched by hate or fear
Oh, children, we
are one with him
This joyful time of year
JASON: Everybody.
Join hands Join hearts
And sing his song of
peace and men's good will
Shout out the birth
of the Christmas child
That child is with
us still Join hands
Join hearts
And sing his song of
peace and men's good will
Shout out the birth
of the Christmas child
That child is with us still
Oh, children, wise
men bid us doubt
Their wisdom is despair
Oh, children, hope
is ours to know
When simple faith
we share Join hands
Join hearts
And sing his song of
peace and men's good will
Shout out the birth
of the Christmas child
That child is with
us still Join hands
Join hearts
And sing his song of
peace and men's good will
Shout out the birth
of the Christmas child
That child is with us still
It was the last Christmas
before we were drawn
into the war in Europe.
And we didn't know it then,
but it was the last Christmas ever
that we would all spend together.
- Grandpa?
- Yes, Elizabeth?
- You've seen a lot of Christmases.
- Um, 70 odd.
Some odder than others.
Out of all those Christmases,
which do you like to think about best?
- None.
- None?
The Christmas I like to
think about, Miss Elizabeth,
isn't this year's, last year's
or the one in ought-six,
it's next year's Christmas.
- Good night, Grandpa.
- Good night, Elizabeth.
English -SDH
creator of The Waltons.
This year, we bring you a
different kind of Christmas story.
World War Il literally
comes to Walton's Mountain
in the form of two English children
seeking safety from the London blitz.
It's a story of courage and faith
and the victory of the human spirit
over the shattering
impact of war.
After this Christmas, never
again will the world be the same.
I invite you to enjoy a
remarkable special broadcast.
I remember that Christmas
when all the sounds and events of
the world spoke against the holiday.
London was being bombed,
the evil of Nazi rule was
spreading across Europe,
and on Walton's Mountain,
Indian summer held
off the snows of winter.
It was a year two young English children
were to seek refuge on the mountain.
And it was a year when my mother's
faith was put to its severest test.
I do hope we have
some snow by Christmas.
It's dry out there, Pa.
- Morning.
- Morning.
Ben, you better
change your shirt.
- And just get the shirt dirty?
- In church?
Well, I thought I'd stay home
and help Daddy in the mill.
Well, think again.
This is the Lord's day,
and he's getting his due.
Well, Mama, Daddy's getting a lot of
pressure from the Defense Department.
Now, Son, if you gotta get
crosswise with somebody,
better the Defense
Department than the Almighty.
Go change your shirt.
Erin, you look so pretty.
I didn't intend to.
It's no sin to look nice.
You'd look even prettier if
you gave us a smile or two.
Oh, Grandpa, lately I
don't feel like smiling.
I hope the Reverend
preaches a short sermon.
Well, it's the first
Sunday in December.
It's bound to be
about Christmas.
"Dearly beloved,
"we are fast approaching that
joyful and generous season."
I guess the Reverend will be
joyful if the congregation is generous.
John.
Mary Ellen, you going to
church looking like that?
I thought I'd stay home today
and take care of the baby.
I don't know, maybe
write a letter to Curt.
It'll do you good to get out. Let
your father take care of the baby.
He's very fussy this morning.
So am I. We'll
get along just fine.
Mama, I'm feeling kind of low.
No matter what kind of
troubles you got or think you got,
the answer is in prayer.
So, in these troubled
and uncertain times,
let's all look into
our own hearts
and try to rekindle the
childlike virtues of faith,
hope and love that will
comfort and sustain us.
And what a better
time to start than now?
When we are once again approaching
the greatest ceremony of innocence,
what we call Christmas.
So, let us pledge ourselves
to become as little children,
secure in the love of our heavenly
Father, resting in His mercy.
Leaning on His everlasting arms.
What a fellowship
What a joy divine
Leaning on the everlasting arms
What a blessedness
What a peace is mine
Leaning on the everlasting arms
See you all at home!
Just a moment,
the door is locked.
Sorry, Corabeth, we
thought you were open.
We saw the Baldwins' car.
Always, always open to you, Olivia.
Mr. Godsey forgot to release this.
Oh, is that something new?
Oh, yes, the very latest
thing in burglar-proof locks.
The Sheriff warned us that there have been
an alarming number of burglaries recently.
And Mrs. Brimmer felt that a
strange man followed her home
from the Ladies' Aid
meeting the other evening.
What is happening to us?
You'd expect something like
that in Richmond or Charlottesville,
but not here on
Walton's Mountain.
Well, what can I do for you?
We need some things
for Christmas cookies.
Oh, Olivia, how nice to see you.
- Hello, Olivia.
- Miss Mamie, Miss Emily.
Sister and I were planning on
paying you a visit after we finish here.
Well, I hope you'll
still come along.
Well, we won't need to intrude.
We simply wanted to enlist your
support, your family's support.
We'll do anything we can.
Oh, Cousin Hilary.
You remember our dear cousin Hilary
who sought refuge with us a year or so ago?
Of course.
Well, Hilary has written, asking us
to give shelter to two English children
who have been
orphaned by the blitz.
Imagine, Sister and me with
two little children in the house.
They're to be brought from
Washington on Wednesday.
So, we're trying to
get everything ready.
Are they boys or girls?
One of each, a
brother and a sister.
Oh, Olivia, we
feel so inadequate.
What do we know about children?
Well, of course, we
were children once.
We'll do anything
we can to help.
Well, we were thinking, the first
hour or two may be the most awkward.
If some of you
could reinforce us?
Wednesday. We'll be there.
- Oh.
- Thank you.
That's nice of you,
Olivia. Thank you.
Now, we'd better get
our packages, Sister.
What was it you
wanted now, Olivia?
- Powdered sugar.
- And cinnamon.
- How you doing, Deputy?
- Fine, Chief.
- We still having that drill tonight?
- You bet.
Oh, hey, I got a whole bunch of
pamphlets here from the War Department,
and I think you'd better read
'em. Look at this one here.
Sure has small type.
Ladies, you know I'm
the chief air raid warden,
and Ben here,
he's my first deputy.
Oh, Mr. Godsey, do you really think
the time will come when we'll be raided?
Well, I certainly hope not.
But if it does happen,
we're gonna be ready for it.
- Right, Deputy?
- Right, Chief.
Seven.
And I thought two dollars apiece
for the cake was a fair price.
It sounds more than
fair to me, Verdie.
I have never tasted anything that
beats your burnt cinnamon fruitcake.
- Oh.
- Golly, I wish I had some right now.
I guess I should've
brought samples.
Verdie, you probably could
get $3, even $3.50 if you wanted.
If I can sell ten or
more at $2 apiece,
that will make a fine Christmas
for the kids at our church.
You can count on
us to buy a couple.
I'll take another and I'm not at all
sure I'd share it with anyone else.
You want us to pay now, Verdie?
Oh, no. No, you pay
when I deliver the cakes.
I hope to have them ready four
or five days before Christmas.
That'll leave me time to buy
clothes and toys for the children.
- If you need any help, let me know.
- Thanks.
- How's John-Boy getting along up north?
- He's doing just fine.
- Please tell him I asked.
- Mmm-hmm.
My, it's dark out there tonight.
You want some company
walking you home?
No, thank you. I'm
not afraid of the dark.
Good night.
- Good night, Verdie.
- Good night, Verdie.
Erin, you're so quiet, I
almost forgot you were here.
Erin hasn't budged from that
chair all during the weekend.
Thought you'd have
a date tonight, honey.
Wasn't Paulie Carruthers
mooning around?
I am not interested in Paulie
Carruthers or anybody else.
My land, we're just about to
miss the overseas news broadcast.
Couldn't we just have
one night in the week
where we don't have to be reminded
of what's going on over there?
Just because we don't tune in,
Liv, doesn't mean it's not going on.
School children will be taken
to homes in safer districts,
where they will be housed by people
who have already offered to receive them
and look after them.
All parents of school children are
strongly urged to let their children go.
Parents will be told
where their children are
as soon as they
reach their new homes.
Mothers and other persons in
charge of children below school age
should take hand luggage
with the same equipment for
themselves as their children.
As for school children,
the names of the children
should be written on strong
paper and sewn onto their clothes.
No one can take more
than a little hand luggage.
Those who can should take with
them sufficient money to tide them over
until they can get regular
remittances from home.
Now, isn't this a lovely home
you two have found
for yourselves?
Oh, yes, ma'am. Just lovely.
Well, it's a long drive
back to Washington.
If we can be of any further
assistance, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Oh, thank you, Mrs.
Rumsen. We will.
But I know everything is
going to turn out beautifully.
Children, let us hear
from you, and God bless.
Oh, you've been
most kind, ma'am.
Pip and me thanks you.
- So nice to have met you.
- Oh, thank you, Mrs. Rumsen.
Pip. That's an interesting name.
Properly, he's
Phillip. Pip's easier.
I hope you like candy. I
baked these cookies myself.
Did you, ma'am?
May I take one for him, too?
Of course. Take
as many as you like.
Now, we know how much
you've been moved around,
but here you can just settle
in and not worry about a thing.
Pip and me,
we manage.
Would you like to
see your rooms?
As you like, ma'am,
but we'll only be
needing the one room.
Oh, we have two
rooms, all ready for you.
Pip and me, we stays together.
The rooms are side by side.
He don't stay by himself
since he can't talk.
He can't talk?
Was he injured?
At the hospital,
they said he could,
if he would.
But ever since the night the
bombs came, he hasn't said a word.
Not one word.
I doubt he ever will.
Mrs. Carruthers was saying,
Paulie just can't understand
why you don't like him.
I have nothing against Paulie.
I just don't feel like dating.
Erin, I know how much you
miss G.W. We all miss him.
I don't want to
talk about it, Mama.
Losing someone you
care for is always hard.
Mama, please?
All right. All right.
There's no complaint on the
quality of the desks, Mr. Walton.
In fact, you may be
making them too good.
The last war, the slogan was,
"Nothing's too good for our boys."
- We're not in the war.
- Not yet.
And most of the materials
issued the selectees
when they come into
camp, are makeshift:
plywood rifles, cardboard
boxes labeled "tanks."
No reason to make
imitation desks, though.
All right, make 'em your way,
but make them a little faster.
Olivia, this is Alan
Timmons. This is my wife.
- Morning.
- Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Walton.
- What do you call that job you got?
- Oh, I'm an expediter.
The word's fancier than
my office or my salary.
Just what does an expediter do?
That means if I'm making 15 desks
a week for the Defense Department,
Alan here nudges me
into making 17 or 18.
Or even 20.
Sounds like very demanding work.
Young man's worn to a
frazzle. Can't you see that?
Wouldn't a nice cup of coffee
and a piece of fresh-baked
marble cake lift your spirits?
Oh, that could just save me
and the whole defense effort.
Just go on in the kitchen.
Oh, thank you.
My daughter's there.
Her name is Erin.
Matchmaking again?
Just doing a little
expediting of my own.
Erin. That's a pretty name.
It suits you.
You're a little young to be
working for the government.
Oh, anyone older would
be too smart to take this job.
Aren't you gonna eat your cake?
Oh, yeah.
I'm sure it's very good.
I guess you travel a lot.
I'm on the road most of the
time, checking on our suppliers.
I can see I'm gonna have to stay
much closer to the Walton project.
Tess?
Pip?
Where are you children?
Tess?
Pip?
Children?
They're not upstairs, Sister.
Oh, dear.
Do you suppose they've run away?
Oh, I hope not.
They certainly haven't
been happy here with us.
Tess?
Tess?
Yes, ma'am?
Well, why didn't you
answer me, dear?
Were you playing
hide-and-go-seek with us?
Something like that.
Aren't you feeling well?
They do seem
to be a little pale.
Is something wrong with your arm,
Tess? You're holding it so strangely.
No reason.
Why, Tess, what in the world?
I'm sorry, ma'am.
There were so many, and
I thought you wouldn't mind
if I took a few, for him and me.
Oh, child.
Child.
You don't have to
hide fruit and rolls.
They're yours.
As many as you like.
Take them, all of them.
I'm sorry, ma'am.
I was only looking to the
day we might be hungry again.
You won't be hungry again.
Can't you believe that?
Well, I can try, ma'am.
Well, is there something
you would like to do?
Do, ma'am?
We want you to be
happy and have fun.
We could take a ride and stop
in Charlottesville and get a soda.
Whatever you say, ma'am.
Pip and me, we'll do just
what you want us to do.
What is it?
Lights in the barn.
What time is it?
About 3 a.m.
Be careful.
I can't really believe this
is happening to me, Allison.
I've been hoping for so long.
And best of all, it turns out
to be somebody like you.
I'm quite as excited as
you are, James Robert.
My scoffing brother will have to eat a
very large slice of humble pie after this.
Do you have a
big family, Allison?
Well, there's just five of us.
There's Mother and
Daddy, and my brother,
and Sister Ann, and there's me.
What's your situation?
Seven kids. I'm
next to youngest.
I suppose you have
a steady boyfriend?
Well, nothing too
serious, you know.
I mean, most boys do expect a girl
to think of nothing but doing her hair,
and primping just
for them, you know?
Daddy, I'm talking
to London, England.
Now, isn't that something?
Hey, Allison, my
Dad just walked in.
Greetings, Mr. Walton.
It's just fine, Son,
but don't you think you could hold hands
across the sea at a decent hour of the day?
Well, it's 8 a.m. over there,
and this is the best time
to pick up overseas signals.
James Robert, I shall
have to say ta-ta for now.
The school bell's
ringing, you know.
Talk to you tomorrow, Allison.
Dad, you wanna say a few words?
No.
Your voice is going
all the way to England.
- Right?
- Mmm-hmm.
Hello, Allison.
How nice to hear
your voice, Mr. Walton.
May I carry a message to
any of your friends over here?
I don't know anyone
over there, Allison.
What you might do is, if
you see Edward R. Murrow,
tell him to keep
up the good work.
Fix bayonets!
Snap to it, there!
Let’s go! The idea is to
cut the enemy, not yourself!
What have we got here?
The most effective weapon
ever invented for close-in fighting.
A 16-inch blade. The front edge,
razor-sharp for its entire length.
The back edge, starting
five inches from the point.
Attached to your rifle,
the bayonet keeps you greater
than arm's length from the enemy.
It gives you added reach.
Once you perfect the technique,
you'll be able to use
the rifle stock as a club.
First, the grip. Try it!
No, Walton. Hang on to it.
Hang on to your weapon
like that, you'll lose it.
You, higher! Give
yourself maximum flexibility.
So, your commanding officer
has ordered a bayonet charge.
You set yourself so.
You go!
So, why all the yelling?
That's to scare the other man
and give you a sense of power.
Three out of five men will run when
they see a bunch of screaming maniacs
coming at them,
cold steel ready.
So you yell your lungs out!
You pick your man!
You lunge. You parry!
And you drive in low, and
you twist and up and out.
Somebody try it.
Okay, that's not bad,
but too much over-hand.
Remember, in low.
No bones. Then up, then out.
Okay, Walton.
What are you waiting for?
Stand there like that, it'll
be his steel in your guts!
Stick him!
In, twist, up, out!
It's been one of the bitterest
disappointments of our lives, Olivia.
Nearly two weeks.
And we haven't been able to get
close to those poor children at all.
They're as remote and frightened
as the day they came to us.
When you think of what those
two children have been through,
it's surprising they're
able to function at all.
We tried to comfort
and reassure them.
And we have failed, Sister.
It's a galling admission, but it's one we
have to make for the sake of the children.
These things take time. You
mustn't be so hard on yourselves.
Well, we were wondering...
We were wondering if you would
consider letting the children come here.
Temporarily.
If Tess and Pip could
only learn to trust,
to believe...
If they could be with other
children, with a family for a while,
then maybe we would
be able to take over again.
I hate to think of them being
shuffled from pillar to post.
Couldn't you just
try for a little longer?
Well, Christmas is so near.
If they could just share
Christmas with you and your family.
Of course, we realize it's a
tremendous favor we're asking.
But they'll be with
your dear children.
All right, we'll give it a try.
Oh, thank you.
My, my, real quiet around
here. Just the way I like it,
so I can have my say
without any interruption.
Your say is usually said.
You are usually
the chief interrupter.
Pip, Tess, how about it, huh?
I suppose English children are a
lot more polite to their grandpa, eh?
I should think, sir,
some are, some ain't.
You hear that? That young
lady is gonna be a politician.
Pip.
Aren't you gonna
eat your cornbread?
Thank you, ma'am.
He ain't hungry tonight.
I've got this short-wave
radio out in the barn.
I've been talking to
this girl from London.
If there's anybody
you'd like to say hello to...
Um, there's no one. Thank you.
- May I be excused, please?
- What's the hurry?
I have to go to a Civil
Defense meeting at Ike's.
Yes, you air-raiding
wardens better get busy.
The Luftwaffe will
bomb Tess' back pasture.
Yeah, go ahead and laugh.
Everyone laughed at
Winston Churchill at first.
Mary Ellen, where
are you tonight?
Camp Lee.
I wish I were.
Jason, what's the matter with you?
You haven't said two words this evening.
There's nothing to say.
It isn't always like this.
Usually we have some fun.
Pip and me's fine.
Just fine.
There, now. Don't you worry.
Tess is just across the
hall. I'm not far away.
You'll have lots of company.
Jason, Jim-Bob and Ben.
Good night.
This used to be Mary Ellen's
bed, before she got married.
Good night.
Tess.
Now, don't you worry about Pip.
He's perfectly all right. He's
probably sound asleep by now.
I'll see you in the morning.
Good night, ma'am.
Good night, Tess.
- Good night, Elizabeth.
- Good night, Mom.
You know, if you want, you can
have one of my dolls for company.
No, thank you.
Mary Ellen, let's
talk about this.
There's nothing to say, Mama.
We know how you miss Curt,
but running off to a strange
place with a little baby...
It's a mistake.
You're gonna end up in some shabby
rooming house at the edge of the base.
I don't care about any of that.
Honey, be sensible.
I'm too lonely to be sensible.
I miss Curt so much,
I can't eat or sleep.
I need him.
Just look at John Curtis.
He's changing every day.
Curt's missing all the fun
of watching him grow up.
He's due for a
leave soon, isn't he?
I don't want just a few hours, so I
end up lonelier than I was before.
I want to be with him.
What about Christmas?
We'll spend Christmas with Curt.
Nothing you can say is going
to make me change my mind.
The baby and I
will be all right.
And it'll be easier
for you, too.
You can let Tess
and Pip use this room.
Oh, don't look like that, Mama.
If you were in my place, wouldn't
you do the exact same thing?
All right, men. Now, you
all got your assignments.
If there's any violations to the blackout,
you just give the violator a warning.
This being the first drill, Chief,
some people may have forgotten.
Well, be courteous but be firm.
After all, you know, you
got to remind everybody
that the safety of the entire community
depends upon their cooperating.
Okay, now we meet
back here in 30 minutes.
Okay, let's go.
Ike?
Evening, Thelma.
Well, hi there, Ben.
Come on in here, baby.
- Thank you.
- Oh, so nice of you to drop by.
Well, you know we're
having this blackout test.
Yes, I know. How's
it coming around?
It's going pretty good, except you have
a light in your far-west upstairs window.
Oh, that's Mama's room.
Would you please tell her to turn it
off until we have the all-clear bell?
Oh, I've told her. Don't
think I haven't, my goodness.
It won't do any good to tell her
again. Well, you know what she said?
She said, "Well, I've had a light
in my window every Christmas."
She has a little wreath every year and
she said, "I'm not gonna change now.
"Not to suit you, or Mr. Godsey,
or that man in the White House."
She's not too crazy
about Mr. Roosevelt.
I don't think she likes many of
his cabinet, either. She's kind of...
We're supposed to give
you a warning tonight,
but if it happens next week
during the second blackout,
I'm gonna have to cite you.
Oh, that's all right, you go
ahead and do what you have to.
You look so cute
in that little hat.
Now, listen, maybe by next
week, her bulb will have burned out.
Why don't you come in and
have another cup of tea or cocoa?
I'd better not.
Oh, well, you sure you
have to run right out?
Yes.
Sure is dark out there.
Well, that's what you
wanted. Good night.
Good night.
Four eights is 32. Put down
the two, and carry the three.
Four fives is 20.
Twenty-three, and carry the two.
Four sixes is 24.
Twenty-six.
And the answer is 2,632.
You're very good at arithmetic,
Tess. How you doing, Pip?
That's very nice.
I thought you were gonna
write me some words.
He won't write, ma'am,
and he won't talk.
It's just no good.
All right, Pip.
Why don't you take your
crayons and draw a picture?
You can draw anything you like.
- Would you hand me my sewing, Tess?
- Yes, ma'am.
Maybe after the holidays, you'll feel
like going to school with the others.
Oh, couldn't we
keep on as we are?
We'll see how you
feel after the holidays.
I like that color, Pip.
Jason.
Jason, wait.
I've been trying to find some way to reach
Pip to get him to open up his feelings.
He won't speak, so I thought
maybe if we could get him to sing.
If you could play something for
him, some children's song, like
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.
- I'd rather not, Mama.
- Why?
I'm not playing anymore.
You're not playing your music?
Music doesn't seem to fit in with
what's happening in the world,
what's happening to me.
What is happening to you?
I'm trying to toughen up, so I
can do the job I'm being trained for.
Well, if that means giving up your
music, you'd better do something else.
I don't think I have
any choice, Mama.
I don't think any of us has.
This is it.
It's so dark.
It's $12.50 a week.
Two weeks in advance.
$25?
Take it or leave it.
You don't want it,
I'll rent it to somebody
else before supper time.
Girls like you, they come bussing
in from all over, just to be near camp.
What if I agree to take it
for a month? Six months?
The price don't change.
You think you can find something better
or cheaper in this town, start looking.
All right, I'll take it.
You share the
bath down the hall.
And I mean share.
And no radios after midnight,
and no cooking at any time.
Well, I'll have to
warm the baby's bottle.
Oh, of course you will, darling,
and you can use my kitchen.
$2.50 a week extra.
Is there a telephone?
Oh, a pay phone,
foot of the stairs.
And no laundry in the bathroom.
And no smoking in bed.
Greetings from
London, James Robert.
How are things with you?
Pretty good, Allison.
Thanks for taking this call
when it's night time there.
The sirens haven't started yet.
If I should have to cut you
off, I'm sure you'll understand.
My little sister's with me.
Hey, Allison.
I'm happy to know you, I'm sure.
James Robert, what about
the two little English kids?
They're here. I'll put Tess on.
Go ahead, Tess,
speak in the microphone.
Come on.
Are you really in London?
Yes, love. Hampstead.
Just off Finchley
Road, near the Heath.
Our place is... Was
in Bethnal Green.
Poplar flats. Just off
Mile End Road on Layton.
Ah, a bad hit, was it?
Yes.
Your name is Tess?
Tess, that's right, and
my brother's Pip, for Phillip.
And your family?
They wasn't found,
after the bomb.
20 people from our flats,
they wasn't found at all.
What were their names?
Harold Wrayburn
was Daddy's name.
And Mom was Alice.
Tell you what, I'll ask around
a bit for your family and friends.
You needn't bother.
There ain't none
left but Pip and me.
Just the two of us.
Oh, I missed you so much.
You know I missed you, too.
It feels like years
since you held me.
And this little guy.
He's not so little any more.
He doesn't even know who I am.
Give him time.
You look tired.
I can't remember a
time when I wasn't tired.
Well, from now on, I'm
going to take care of you.
Mary Ellen, it's wonderful to
hold you and to see John Curtis,
but this is no place for wives
and babies. Just look at this room.
Oh, I'll find something better.
There is nothing better.
I know I should've called
first and talked to you, but...
Why didn't you?
Because I was afraid
you'd tell me not to come.
We had an agreement.
Well, I can't keep it.
I miss you too much.
And we need you.
I'm so tired I don't
even know my name.
You don't have a monopoly
on tiredness, you know.
You know, I rode
on a bus for 22 hours
with that baby in my lap
just so I could be with you.
I love you. Doesn't
that mean something?
Of course it does.
Well, then tell me so.
Tess?
Do you and Pip wanna
come out and play?
No, thank you.
It's no fun to just sit inside.
We'll play any game you want.
No, thank you.
Well, what are you doing?
Writing a letter.
- To Mary Ellen?
- No.
"Dear Alan..."
Elizabeth, stop.
Well, why are you writing to him?
You only saw him just last night.
Are you in love?
That's my business.
Elizabeth, you better wipe
that frown off your face,
or you'll have wrinkles
before you're 16.
What's the matter with
everyone around here?
People who ask that question usually
mean, "What is the matter with me?"
There's nothing the matter
with me, it's everyone else.
I mean, I think I'm the
only one in this whole house
who knows Christmas is coming.
Yes, there don't seem to be
the usual hullabaloo around here.
People got a lot of
things on their minds.
It'll be here and then it'll
be gone, and no fun at all.
- Aw.
- No snow, no Christmas.
Tell you what, Elizabeth, let's
you and I hike up the mountain
and pick out the Christmas
tree that we'll use this year.
Can it be the one I like best?
I think you're entitled
to pick the one you want.
And furthermore, let's take that
Tess and Pip along with us, huh?
Do they have to come?
Elizabeth.
I'd be willing to bet that those
two never hiked out into the woods
and picked out a Christmas
tree in their entire lives.
Let's go.
Now, you keep a sharp lookout,
you might even see a deer,
or maybe even an Indian or two.
Somewhere around here
there's the perfect tree.
Yes, that looks like a nice
clump right down there.
Well, this is kind of a steep slope, I'll
need some help from you young ones.
You take my hand here, Pip,
and Tess, you come over here.
Now, watch yourself going down.
If I fall, I'm gonna make
smashed potatoes of all of you.
Hold on, now.
Come on, there they are. That's
a lovely clump right down there.
Yes, I've seen those
trees there before.
They've grown up so quickly
- in a year or two.
- What type are they, Grandpa?
Well, these are
mostly pines. Aleppo.
Say, that's a pretty tree
right there, isn't it, Elizabeth?
- Yeah, but I like them bushier.
- Mmm.
How about that one right
down there? Where you going?
Elizabeth?
Tess, you come along and pick it out,
too. It's as much your tree as anyone's.
No, thank you.
You ruin everything.
Elizabeth.
That's a hard way to talk to
our company from overseas.
But it's true.
I mean, I'm sorry you've had
such a bad time in London,
but that's no reason for everyone
else to have a bad time, too.
Elizabeth, you just
simmer down, will you?
Stop it. Stop it right now.
Tess and Pip, come on down here.
Come on, now. Let’s rest a
while, right here on the log.
Come along, now.
Elizabeth, I am amazed at you.
Sit down.
Now, Tess, I know that you
don't want to make things
miserable for Elizabeth here.
I know that you don't
want her to be unhappy.
Now, there are lots of ways
to be happy in this world.
And one of the best ways is to
go out looking for a Christmas tree.
I remember one time,
the whole family...
That's before you
were born, Elizabeth.
We all went up on top of the
mountains and we picked out a tree,
almost pierced the
clouds, up so high,
and we took all
day to take it home,
we drug it down,
and there was no way,
just no way to get
that tree into the house.
- What did you do?
- We put it up in the barn.
You know, that year,
all them dumb animals
had a real nice
Christmas with us.
I remember another
time, too, Elizabeth.
We drug a tree home,
set it up in the parlor,
and started to decorate it,
and there in the branches
was a little possum,
hanging by its tail,
playing possum.
Well, he must have known
there was something going on,
some kind of a celebration, and
he wanted to be there to participate.
So, you can't tell. Almost
anything is likely to happen this year.
Well, I should like
to see a possum.
You would? Well, maybe we will.
But for the next half hour, let's work
extra hard to try to enjoy ourselves.
Maybe even put a smile on, hmm?
- Okay.
- All right, let's go.
Come on, let's sing
a carol. Jingle bells.
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
On a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
On a one horse open sleigh
You think because you put on a
uniform that makes you a soldier?
Let me tell you, what's on
the outside doesn't matter.
It's how you think, how
you feel that counts.
And I never hope to see a
sorrier bunch of chicken-hearted,
flabby-gutted
mama's boys in my life.
You hold your weapon
like it's a salad fork.
You run like you're
gonna meet an old friend!
You got one thing to
remember and one thing only!
That's kill him
before he kills you!
What's the matter with you,
Walton? Don't you like that thought?
I can see what you're
saying is true, sir.
All right!
Let me see you hit that
dummy, yelling as you go!
Move!
That's it, Walton, you got him!
Stick him again.
That's it, don't stop.
Stick him again!
Stick him again!
That's it, you got it.
Stick him again, come on!
Get him again, that's
it. Stick him again!
Atta boy, Walton,
get him! That's it!
What's this? The Rockfish
First National Bank?
- What are you doing home?
- We got out early.
"Pin-striped suits,
yours for the tall look.
"Add inches to
your height." $25?
Do you think it will work?
Nope.
- Follow the leader.
- Okay.
Come on, Pip.
Follow the leader.
Mama, can we go this way?
Elizabeth, why don't
you follow me? Come on.
Mama, look.
Tess, Pip, there's
nothing to be afraid of.
It's all right.
Pip, it's all right. I'm here.
We're safe, don't worry.
I'll help you, I'm here.
Pip, please don't cry.
Pip, please believe me.
There's nothing to be afraid of.
That's just a mail plane that flies
over two or three times a week.
We know the pilot.
He's our friend.
That's why he flew so low.
Come on, now, let's
go on to the store.
We got four oranges.
Hi, Olivia.
- Hi, Verdie.
- Hi.
How's it coming with
your Christmas cakes?
Getting there. I needed
some last minute supplies,
and Mr. Godsey has been kind
enough to give me a special discount.
Isn't that neighborly?
Well, it's all for a good cause.
And he's also arranging for us
to get toys at a wholesale price.
Those kids are gonna have
a really merry Christmas.
How many cakes
have you sold so far?
13. Lucky I'm not superstitious.
Ah, $26 will buy a
whole lot of happiness.
Verdie, I'd like you to meet Tess
Wrayburn and her brother, Pip.
- Mrs. Foster.
- Pleased to meet you.
Hello, I've heard
a lot about you two.
Elizabeth, bring them
to our Christmas party.
Bye.
- Bye-bye, Verdie.
- Bye, Verdie.
Oh, Livie, I thought
I heard you out here.
I've just put the kettle on.
Would you like a cup of tea?
Sounds nice,
Corabeth. Thank you.
Leave the children
to get acquainted.
I'll be back in a
few minutes, Ike.
Oh, Livie, I almost forgot.
Got a letter here for you.
It's from New York, New York.
Thank you, Ike.
Aimee, I want you to show
our little refugees your toys,
and then we'll
have a special tea.
You know how partial the
English are to tea. Now, run along.
Olivia, can I take your coat?
- Can I have a minute to read my letter?
- Of course.
What kind of games do you like?
Pip and me, we
aren't much on games.
We could play
"Raising the Family".
I'll be the mother
you can be the father.
Or "Store" is fun.
I'll run the store, and
you can be my customers.
No, thank you.
We'll just watch.
There's always dominoes,
or Rook, or Authors.
No, thank you.
It's no use. All
they do is watch.
Not bad news, I hope.
John-Boy won't be
home for Christmas.
Says it's already
snowing in New York.
Oh, Livie, I hope you'll have time to
help us organize our Bundles for Britain.
It's just heartbreaking when you think
what those people have been through.
And as if that
weren't bad enough,
this is the worst, coldest
winter they've had in years.
I feel that every time we knit a
sweater, or a pair of mittens, or scarf,
we're striking a blow against
that horrible man, Hitler.
They talk about
the faces of war.
Those are the faces of this war.
Those innocent little
children, destroyed.
Thousands like them.
Millions.
I've always hated
even the thought of war,
but I've never felt
so close to it as now.
Seeing it in their eyes.
Hi. Sorry I couldn't
make it sooner.
Nobody to take over.
How long are you
gonna be here for today?
Five minutes, ten? Maybe
a whole quarter of an hour?
It's lucky I got here at all.
Take a quick look, John
Curtis. This is your father's face.
Usually you only see his
back, as he walks out the door.
Hey, look, it's been
a long, rough day.
Oh, and I've been having
a simply wonderful time.
I'm lonelier here
than I was at home.
Well, of course you are.
If you'd stopped to think
about it for ten seconds
before you came rushing down here,
you'd have known how it was going to be.
It doesn't have to be if you'd
just spend some time with us.
I'm trying the best I can.
Well, you walked out of our lives and
now you resent us trying to get back in.
I didn't walk out,
I was called up.
I'm paying now for the benefits
I enjoyed when I was in school.
I have an obligation.
What about your
obligation to us?
I said that I was doing my best.
What does that mean? That
you spend a few minutes with us
when you don't have
something more interesting to do?
I can't think of anything more interesting
to do than quarrel with my wife.
I didn't come here to quarrel.
That's all we ever seem to do.
You seem so
different, so far away.
I'm trying my best
to act like a responsible
human being,
and I strongly recommend
that you give it a try.
Curt, please. I'm
trying to be responsible.
I'm trying to be mature.
Help me.
All right, it's just that I...
I get defensive when I see
you, my wife and my son,
living in this dingy fire trap.
Well, it's not that bad,
especially when you're here.
Let's talk about good things,
happy things, like Christmas.
Oh, yeah, listen.
I'm not going to able to
be with you on Christmas.
- Not at all?
- No.
We have to go to Washington
on a special briefing,
and we'll probably be
away for three or four days.
Well, take us with you.
I can't. There are no
accommodations for family.
So you're just going off and
leave us here on Christmas?
What else can I do?
You don't care.
You really don't care at all.
I cared enough to tell you to
stay where you belong right now,
which is with your folks.
But oh, no, you have no
respect for my judgment,
you have no consideration
for my feelings.
So here you are
like a spoiled brat,
demanding what you can't
have, what I can't give you!
I'm sure we're keeping you
from something terribly important,
like reorganizing the Medical
Corps, or saving the world.
Get out!
And you don't need to come back.
Ever.
Need some help?
Could always use some help, Son.
Better get out of
that uniform first.
I've been thinking, maybe I
never should have put it on.
You look good in it to me, Son.
It's like the Sergeant
keeps saying,
it's not how good you
look that makes a soldier.
You run crosswise with
the Sergeant, have you?
I was doing all right till
we got into bayonet drill.
- Mean business.
- Scares me, Daddy.
When it's not a sack of
straw, but another man,
I don't know if I'll
be tough enough to...
To do what has to be done.
I recollect those thoughts, Son.
- You do?
- Mmm-hmm.
I thought maybe it was just me.
The Army teaches you
to be tough, be mean,
be a killer.
Well, Jason, you
are not a killer.
You got some special feelings.
You've showed that in your
music, and lots of other ways, too.
But it's those special feelings
that get in the way of me
doing what's expected of me.
It seems like I ought to
be able to block them off.
A couple of weeks of drilling, Son,
isn't gonna turn a man completely around.
And I'm glad for that.
But if I'm supposed to be a
soldier, and can't fight like one...
Time comes to defend yourself
or your friends, Son, you'll do it.
Daddy,
- I don't know.
- Well, I do.
I don't have any doubt about it.
In fact, it's your kind of man
I'd like to have in a fight with me,
because you do have those
feelings, the ones that bother you.
I don't understand.
You're not a machine, Jason.
You think, you care, you feel.
It's people like you who give all they
got to defend what they care about. True?
True.
And don't put a hammerlock
on your feelings. Give them air.
Don't let anyone take
away your music, Son,
or the things that
make you what you are.
If we locked off everything that's
that's decent and tender in us,
there wouldn't be anything
worth fighting to save.
I thought you said something
about giving me a hand.
I gotta go change my clothes.
I'll be back in a
couple of minutes.
Good evening, Miss Thelma.
Good evening. Miss
Verdie, come right in.
Just delivering the burnt
cinnamon cake you ordered.
Well, this is such a
wonderful thing you're doing.
Everybody's been real helpful.
Well, they certainly should
be for heaven's sakes.
Now, I wanna give
you $2 for the cake,
but then I wanna give you a little
something extra just for the children.
Oh, thank you.
You know, it looks as
though we'll have almost $30.
- Really?
- I still have three more cakes
to deliver to the Walton's.
How wonderful.
But, now, listen, you
don't want to go out yet,
why don't you wait until
Mr. Godsey sounds that siren
or something to have
that blackout over?
No, no, thank you.
I'd better push on.
Oh, well, I'm sorry, Verdie,
- but thank you so much.
- Thanks, again.
- And listen, have a Merry Christmas.
- The same to you.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight, dear.
Verdie?
I'm all right. Be careful!
He got too much of a head start
on me, but I got a look at him.
He took my little purse.
Made off with all
the Christmas money.
Verdie, I wish you'd let
us take you to a doctor.
Lucky you had that kerchief on. A
blow on the head is a mean thing.
I'm fine.
What's hurt mostly
is my feelings.
I just can't believe that something
like that could happen around here.
He... He must've
been following me,
waiting till I'd collected
most of the money.
And after all the work you
did, baking those cakes.
I guess it just
wasn't meant to be.
I talked to Sheriff Bridges,
and from the description,
he feels it's the same man that
took this lady's purse in Rockfish.
Well, they'd better hurry up and catch
him before he hurts somebody else.
The Sheriff said he'd come by your
house tomorrow and get your story.
I guess I'd best be
going. Oh, thank you.
Ben, thank you very
much for everything.
Daddy, can I take
Verdie home in the truck?
- Sure.
- I'll see you all soon.
Now, Verdie, you be careful.
- Good night.
- Goodbye, Verdie.
- Good night, Verdie.
- Good night.
You all right, Liv?
Verdie's never done anything
in her life but help people.
Tonight she's out doing Christian work,
and a thing like this has to happen to her.
It's a real shame. At
least she wasn't hurt bad.
All right, everybody,
time for bed.
- I guess I'll turn in, too.
- Good night.
- Good night, honey.
- Good night, Daddy.
Tess, I'll be up in a
little while to tuck you in.
You needn't bother, ma'am.
Good night, Pip.
In just three days, we
will have Christmas,
a time, I think, for most of us,
when we feel a special closeness
for our brothers and sisters,
a oneness with Our
Heavenly Father.
We are comforted and sustained
when we hear the story of Christmas,
and are reminded that hope was born
into the world on that first Christmas Day,
and continues to live on
in the hearts of all of
us who make room for it.
So, friends, let us
bow our heads and pray
that the peace and
joy of Christmas
lives on with us, not
just for a single day,
but throughout the whole
difficult and uncertain year ahead.
Now, will you join me
in the Lord's Prayer?
"Our Father, which art in
Heaven, hallowed be thy name.
"Thy kingdom come,
"thy will be done on
earth, as it is in heaven.
"Give us this day
our daily bread,
"and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
"And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
"For thine is the kingdom, and
the power, and the glory, forever.
"Amen."
Well, did the preacher fill
you with the Christmas spirit?
I don't know about Livie.
First time I ever seen
her walk out of church
right in the middle of a sermon.
It was stuffy in there.
I needed some air.
- You're all right now?
- I'm fine.
Ben, the Sheriff came
by, wants you to call him.
They caught that fellow
who took Verdie's purse.
Well, good for Ep.
If he keeps up like that,
why, we'll lose him to
the FBI or Gang Busters.
What about the money?
I guess he spent it over
at the Blue Ridge Tavern.
He got talking free
and gave himself away.
They find Verdie's purse?
No, I guess he
threw that away, too.
Wish we could find some way to
help Verdie give those kids a Christmas.
We'll sure do what we can.
Guess we'd better start
thinking about Christmas here.
I thought after dinner
we'd go up to the mountain
and cut down that tree
Elizabeth picked out.
Think we can find
it again, Grandpa?
Why, sure. I could find
that tree blindfolded.
But don't put me to the test.
- You sure you're all right?
- I'm fine.
Someday, I'm going
to grow Christmas trees
with branches all on one side,
so they can fit into the odd corners.
Grow it with a stand on it, will
you, Pa? So they don't tip over.
Live ones are the best.
You know, it's really a pretty tree. I
hope we have enough decorations.
You like it, Tess?
It's very nice.
Very nice, indeed.
Hand me some.
I think we better start
testing these lights.
Oh, that will take us till
New Year's, James Robert.
One thing you can always to
be sure of is plenty of popcorn.
Anything we grow on the place.
Where's the hooks?
There's the hooks.
That's nice.
I'm trying to write
a Christmas carol.
It's good to hear you
playing music again.
I was so wrong, Mama.
It's times like these when
we really need music.
We need all the
comfort we can get.
Good morning.
Ben. Would you like to come in?
Oh, I can't stay. My
family's decorating the tree.
Oh, Harley's off getting ours.
I found your purse.
Where did you find it?
It was in the bushes right
near where the man took it.
I'm real glad to have it back
and it was nice of you to...
My money...
But Sheriff said that
no-good spent it all on liquor.
That sure looks
like money to me.
Oh, praise be.
Well, what's the matter?
Well, the bills I had in
here were mostly ones.
And here's a ten, a five and...
- Ben...
- That's your purse, isn't it?
It is.
If I tell you that that's your money,
are you going to call me a liar?
Liar would not be
the word I'd use.
Well, then it's settled.
I keep thinking of you as a boy,
a little boy.
Now I see you're
a man, a big man.
And very special, Ben Walton.
Merry Christmas, Verdie.
Merry Christmas, Ben.
Who is it?
- Did you forget something?
- Yes.
Can I come in?
Looks like I almost missed you.
Well, the bus
leaves in 45 minutes.
Mary Ellen, I've been thinking.
If you've come to beg
us to stay, forget it.
It's no use. You were right.
- Do you have to say it like that?
- Shh.
Do you have to say it like that?
Well, why not?
Makes me so mad that
you were right, but you were.
Well, don't be mad at me.
I didn't invent the US Medical Corps,
and I didn't start the war in Europe.
Well, I have to blame somebody.
And what's the use of having a
husband if I can't lay the blame on him?
I want to be with
you and the baby,
but this just isn't our time.
Well, it's not fair.
We have lots of company.
Is that supposed to
make me feel better?
Maybe this will.
- What's that?
- It's for Christmas.
It's a camera, so you can
take lots of pictures of the baby,
and he can take lots of you.
I don't think he's
quite up to that.
Don't underestimate this boy.
He's going to be another Edison.
Are you going to be all right?
You know me. I have
to see things for myself.
I've seen what this is
like. No good for anybody.
So I think I can go
home and handle it.
Our time will
come. I believe that.
I thought you were asleep.
No, ma'am.
When it's quiet like
this, I do some thinking.
So do I.
Sometimes I lie there
wondering about what's past
and worrying about what's ahead.
I don't worry.
That's good.
What's the use?
Him and me, we'll
be looked after.
You just relax and put
yourself in God's hands.
God I wouldn't know about, ma'am.
I look after Pip. Pip looks after me.
Try to get some sleep.
Good night.
Aren't you coming to bed?
I'd just keep you awake.
I wanna read for a while.
Liv, what's wrong?
All my life, whenever
I've had troubles,
when one of the children was
sick, or I was worried for you,
one thing I could always count
on was being able to pray for help.
Now you can't?
This because of
the English children?
English children, French
children, Dutch children,
what's happened, what's
happening, what will go on happening.
I've always reached out to a
power that was kind, that cared.
Now, Liv, I'm not much...
I'm never one to talk
about religion, but...
Maybe what you're
doing is asking God to
act the way you want him to,
so that you can understand him.
I don't think it
works that way, Liv.
I can't pray, John.
The words don't mean anything.
I can't believe they're
reaching anybody.
- Alan?
- Oh, hi.
- Why are you wearing that uniform?
- Oh, I wanted to give you a thrill.
You're in the Army?
Well, sure I am, yeah.
But you've always worn civilian
clothes when you came here.
The rules on the
base are very relaxed.
Why? What difference
does it make?
Erin, what's the
matter with you?
I don't want to talk about it.
Well, I'm sorry, but I think
we have to talk about it.
You're not just turning me
off without an explanation.
What have you have
against guys in uniform?
Nothing.
But when you see me in the
uniform, suddenly I'm the enemy. Why?
There was a boy, I told you.
The boy who was killed
in training maneuvers.
And because of that, you've decided
to rule out everybody in a uniform?
It isn't just the uniform.
You're going to be a very
lonely person the next few years.
Well, there are a lot of
things worse than being lonely.
We didn't want you to
think that we'd forgotten you.
And we certainly didn't
want you to forget us.
No, ma'am.
These are a few little things
that we hope will help
make your Christmas merrier.
Tess, why don't you
put them under the tree?
Yes, ma'am.
Oh, isn't that a beautiful tree?
Did you help decorate it?
No, ma'am, we didn't care to.
You two can go outside
and play, if you like.
Go upstairs and get your things.
We'll say goodbye
before we leave.
Yes, ma'am.
Being here hasn't helped.
They don't feel anything
at all. They're numb.
I think after the holidays,
we ought to send them back
to that center in Washington.
Yes.
Maybe there's some course
of treatment they might have.
Been a lot of children
through this house.
I've never felt so
totally shut out, helpless.
Olivia, you shouldn't
blame yourself.
Oh, dear, no.
It was so good of you to
come to our assistance.
It's doubly sad to see them
like that at this time of year.
Al, when you're done
roping that down,
why don't you
meet me in the office
to sign the papers? Thank you.
- Wanna know a secret?
- If you like.
You're gonna be going to
Washington DC right after Christmas.
Well, how do you know we are?
I overheard Mama talking
to the Baldwin ladies.
Think you're gonna like it?
It don't matter to us.
Washington DC now, is it?
Well, you and me, we don't
need them fussing about us.
Sending us here
and sending us there.
We don't really belong to
anyone, except each other.
So, why shouldn't it be
us decides when we go,
and where we go?
See you next week.
Keep up the good work.
Well, thank you.
- See you later.
- Bye.
Come on, Jim-Bob.
You fellows working mostly on
P-38 Lightnings or P-47 Thunderbolts?
Me, I'm mostly
working with desks,
showerheads and pots and pans.
Well, I guess they got all
kinds of jobs in the Air Corps.
They sure do.
Well, I like to feel that each
job is as important as the next.
Well, that's what I
keep telling myself.
Were you gonna pay me the $2 in
cash, or am I gonna bill the government?
No, I'll pay you in cash.
- $2. Coming right up.
- There you go.
You know, I'm the air raid
warden chief here, locally.
That must be quite a challenge.
Sure is. Good luck.
Whatever possessed those two kids to
go riding off that way in an army truck?
It's all my fault, Mama.
I told them about them going
to Washington after Christmas.
Elizabeth, what on earth
would make you do such a thing?
I don't know.
It's just, I thought they'd
be happy to be leaving.
They're not happy here.
Liv, you and me
will go get them.
We can stop at Ike's on the
way and telephone the base.
Daddy, can I come with you?
It's gonna be a long,
cold ride, honey.
Well, I've gotta talk to Alan.
All right, get your
things and come on.
You sure they didn't get off the
truck before it got to the base?
Well, the only place we
stopped was Ike Godsey's.
They didn't get off there.
If they're here, we ought
to be able to find them.
I'll alert the MPs.
Pip!
Pip, come on. Please,
come on or we'll be killed!
Oh, Pip!
John!
Please!
Pip.
However did you get here?
We followed you.
Why did you bother?
Because we care.
It's all right, Pip.
It's all right. You're fine now.
It's all right.
Oh, ma'am. I was scared.
I was proper scared.
So was I, Pip. Proper scared.
But everybody's safe now.
You're all right.
Let's go home.
Mama, Daddy!
Everybody! It's
Allison, from London!
Erin, it's snow... Oh, my
God, everyone, come on!
Come on!
Oh, it's snowing! It's
snowing, everybody!
It's snowing, it's snowing.
Snowman's blowing.
Jason! Tess!
- Do you all get snow like this in England?
- It's perfect!
Let's take a look at
what Jim-Bob is doing.
James Robert, am
I coming through?
Loud and clear.
It's been a lovely Christmas
morning here in London.
All my family's
standing here with me.
They doubted me, I think, when
I said I've become fast friends
with people who live 3,000 miles
away in a place called Walton's Mountain.
So I felt Christmas would be the
perfect time to bring us all together.
Over.
My family's here with me, too.
Most of our family are here,
too, including our dog and an owl!
That's my Grandpa.
Well, hello, Grandpa.
So nice to hear your voice.
James Robert, are Tess
and little Pip there with you?
Yes, they're here.
Well, there's someone here
who'd like to talk with them.
Tessie, love, little Pip.
A merry Christmas.
Mum?
It's our mum. Pip, do you
hear that? It's our mum.
Oh, Mummy, where are you?
I've been in hospital
all this while, dears,
but I'm doing fine now.
Mum,
is Daddy there, too?
Oh, no, my dears.
I'm afraid we lost Dad.
They told me I'd lost
the two of you in the fire.
And I'm sure you thought
the same had happened to me.
But I'm doing very well now.
If everything goes all right,
they say I can come over there
soon, and we'll all be together.
Did you hear that?
Oh, Mummy, come soon.
We'll be waiting for you.
Merry Christmas, loves.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Mum.
Oh, children, he is one of us
Untouched by hate or fear
Oh, children, we
are one with him
This joyful time of year
JASON: Everybody.
Join hands Join hearts
And sing his song of
peace and men's good will
Shout out the birth
of the Christmas child
That child is with
us still Join hands
Join hearts
And sing his song of
peace and men's good will
Shout out the birth
of the Christmas child
That child is with us still
Oh, children, wise
men bid us doubt
Their wisdom is despair
Oh, children, hope
is ours to know
When simple faith
we share Join hands
Join hearts
And sing his song of
peace and men's good will
Shout out the birth
of the Christmas child
That child is with
us still Join hands
Join hearts
And sing his song of
peace and men's good will
Shout out the birth
of the Christmas child
That child is with us still
It was the last Christmas
before we were drawn
into the war in Europe.
And we didn't know it then,
but it was the last Christmas ever
that we would all spend together.
- Grandpa?
- Yes, Elizabeth?
- You've seen a lot of Christmases.
- Um, 70 odd.
Some odder than others.
Out of all those Christmases,
which do you like to think about best?
- None.
- None?
The Christmas I like to
think about, Miss Elizabeth,
isn't this year's, last year's
or the one in ought-six,
it's next year's Christmas.
- Good night, Grandpa.
- Good night, Elizabeth.
English -SDH