The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 6, Episode 16 - The Festival - full transcript

Yeah, there's a bluebell and
some spring beauties over there.

You know, the woods are
full of flowers this time of year,

all trying to outdo one another

to attract the birds and
the bees to come to them.

Just like those beauty
queens down near Atlantic City.

Look, look. Lookie here.

The first pink buds
of the trailing arbutus.

You can really hear the
spring, can't you, Grandpa?

Indeed you can.
Mother Nature's chorus.

Did you hear what I heard?

Indeed I did.



What was that?

The tune was Ben Bolt.

But Mother Nature never
played on a trumpet like that.

Spring on Walton's Mountain

was always a welcomed
and celebrated event.

Everything that ha d been dormant
during the winter came to life.

My grandfather said it
was a time of beginning,

when every living thing was
given the opportunity to renew itself.

In the spring of 1940, when
the world was on the brink of war,

our lives were to
change drastically.

- Jim-Bob?
- Yeah?

Do you know that new boy?

What new boy?

George Simmons.



I don't know him.

I think he's kind of cute.

Well, if you think he's so cute, why
don't you go over there and talk to him?

I couldn't. I mean,
not with Aimee there.

Why don't you come with me?

Why?

Well, 'cause I kind of like him
and when we're alone, I can't talk.

That's your problem.

Thanks!

Hi, Verdie. Nice to see you.

I don't know why I came by.

I was just out walking around
for a while and found myself here.

I guess I just had to
get away for a while.

Well, getting away
can be good sometimes.

- Would you like some coffee?
- No, thank you.

Come on and sit down.

What are you getting away from?

Olivia. Jodie's joined the Navy.

Why do boys try
to be men so fast?

Thoughts keep running
through my mind.

Things that could happen to him.

Verdie, you've taught him
well. He'll carry that with him.

But have I taught him enough?

The Navy's so big,

and war is something
I know nothing about.

I can't bear to think that I
might never see him again.

Every time I see Jason in
his National Guard uniform,

I have the same fear.

I guess all women are
feeling that way right now.

Something wrong in that.

We shouldn't have
to feel this way.

You and I ought to just sit here
and have ourselves a good cry.

I wish I could, but I
haven't got the time.

Neither have I.

I didn't know you
played the horn, Josh.

I used to know a fellow.
He taught me a little.

Sounds like he
taught you plenty.

Yeah, well, he was just an old man I
met when I was swamping out saloons.

Before Mommy and
Daddy took me in.

His name was Hoot. You
ever hear such a crazy name?

Did he give you the horn?

No, this is my daddy's.

I never heard Harley play.

I guess he used to 'cause I
found it in one of his old trunks.

You want to play
something? You and me?

- Sure.
- Well, come on.

- In there?
- Sure.

That's white folks' place.

Oh, come on.

I never been in here before.
This is some kind of place.

It's a lot more fun when
there's people and music.

I mean!

What do you want to play?

Uh, it's up to you.

Ever rode a motorcycle?

No, but I'd sure like to.

Well, my daddy's got one.

I expect he'd let you
ride it if you wanted to.

Riding a motorcycle's
more fun than driving a car.

I've never driven a car.

George, my arms are about to
fall off. Would you carry my books?

Sure. Want me to take yours too?

No, thank you, I can carry 'em.

Elizabeth is as strong as an ox.

Mama!

Mama, I want you to meet George
Simmons. He just moved here.

Oh, we have a new family in town?
Where'd you move here from, George?

Ruckersville, ma'am.

Oh, such a lovely spot.

I cannot imagine why anyone would want
to leave such a lovely city as Ruckersville

and move to this
provincial little hamlet.

Well, see, my daddy found a
job at a factory down at Norfolk

and my mama and
me, we moved back here

to the old home
place till the war's over.

Oh, the old Simmons
place, of course.

Well, I do hope that you've
managed to make that place livable.

I should drop by and show your mama
some of my home improvement samples.

I think she'd like some of those
flowers, ma'am. They sure are pretty.

I just love flowers. I'd die
if a boy brought me some.

I got some chores to
do. I'll see you all later.

Well, perhaps you young people'd like
to come in and have some refreshment?

No, thank you, I gotta get
home. Goodbye. Thanks.

Bye, Elizabeth.

Do you like strawberry pop?

Yeah, sure.

We've got a whole
cooler full. Come on in.

Jason, Mrs. Wilkens called and
wants you to play for her next week.

Who's Mrs. Wilkens?

The Chairman of
the Spring Festival.

- You're kidding?
- No.

She wants to set up a meeting
with you as soon as possible.

- Did she say when she'd be home?
- Anytime this afternoon.

She lives right by here.

- Well, let's go.
- Okay.

Elizabeth, is it all
right if I walk with you?

Sure.

Would you like
some strawberry pop?

No. It makes me belch.

Oh. Well, I don't like
strawberry much myself.

Well, in fact, I don't like pop
that much. I like ice cream.

Yeah. I sure love ice
cream. Well, how about you?

- I like ice cream.
- You do?

That's great!

Well, I mean, so do I.

Like ice cream, that is.

I'll see you
tomorrow, Elizabeth.

Thanks for letting me walk with you.
It's nice to have somebody to talk to.

- Bye.
- Bye.

You were highly recommended
to us by the conservatory, Jason.

I'm very pleased you're
considering me for the job.

The festival has quite
a reputation to uphold.

Critics come from as
far away as Richmond,

and many of our performers have
gone on to make a name for themselves.

Therefore, the Committee
will ask for an audition.

That's all right with me.

We usually have a program of traditional
and folk music, as well as the classics.

And we'd be prepared to
pay you five dollars for the day.

That amount would
be fine, ma'am.

Well, I think that just
about covers everything.

I wish you luck at
the audition, Jason.

Thank you very much.

That's a cute little
dog you have here.

Erin?

Mmm.

How do you get a boy to fall
desperately in love with you?

There's lots of
ways. You can flirt.

You can play hard to get.

But the best way is to always
make them feel important.

Is there any other way?

Ignore them. Sometimes
that drives them crazy.

But you can't ignore
them forever, can you?

No. But when they start to like you,
then you can start talking to them again.

- See, that's what I can't do.
- What?

Well, I can't talk to them.

And I'll get all flustered,
and then I start to blush.

Well, I just can't
say a single word.

Well, I wouldn't worry about it.

Just say whatever
comes into your head.

See, Erin, that's the
difference between us.

I've gotta think before I talk.

Remember who you are, Son.
Where you come from, who you are.

I will, Daddy.

You stay out of
trouble, you hear?

- You gonna write us?
- Soon as I get there.

I packed everything you need.

You've got plenty of warm clothing
and for reading, I put in a Bible.

Thanks, Mama.

I'm proud of you.

Thanks, Mama.

We're always
here if you need us.

I'll be in strange
countries, Mama.

Across the ocean
where kings live,

islands where people wear
flowers around their necks.

Places we don't know about.

Is there anything I can bring
you back from my travels?

Yourself.

I will.

All right.

Daddy.

- Stay out of trouble, you hear?
- I will.

- Okay.
- Okay.

Go on, cry.

Oh, I will. But not now.

He's gonna be all right, Verdie.

It's good for him to
get out, see the world.

Where the kings live
and people wear flowers.

Harley, he's a baby.

Be a man when he gets
back. And he'll get back.

Hey, Josh, how you doing?

Fine, Mr. John. How you doing?

Can't complain.
Jodie get off all right?

Yes, sir. You know, Mama didn't
cry. That is, until we got home.

Listen, now tell me, Jason says
you're pretty good with that thing.

No. I ain't too bad.
Listen, is Jason home?

He's in the house
practicing, son.

You gonna play that
for me sometime?

Yeah.

Well, sometime when I'm
sounding real, real good,

- I'll play it for you.
- All right.

Elizabeth? Elizabeth, wait.

I was wondering
if we could talk.

I'm sorry, George. I gotta get home.
Everybody's waiting for me there.

It's terribly
important. Excuse me.

Well, maybe some other time.

How's your love life?

I think he likes Aimee.

What are you gonna do about it?

Become an old maid.

I always did like the trumpet.

You'd be partial to
anything Josh does.

Puts his mind to something,
he works hard at it. I like that.

He's a lot like you.

I was thinking maybe
someday I'd take up the drums.

You do, and you'll find
yourself living in the barn.

- Hello, Verdie.
- Evening.

I seem to have lost Josh.

He's in with Jason.

He promised he'd
be home before dark.

Supper's been ready for an hour.

Jason and him been playing away.
They probably lost track of time.

Is that Josh?

Not bad.

Well, he never let on
to me he could play.

Jason says he has
a real knack for it.

Why, I believe Jason is right.

- Bravo!
- Bravo!

You can beat John
Philip Sousa anytime.

Supper's been ready a long time.

It's my fault. I kept him here.

I'm sorry, Mama.

All right, it's time to go.

- Good night, everybody.
- Good night!

- Thanks again. You're real good.
- Bye-bye.

That boy is something.

I wish you'd take up the horn.

I'd like to know where
you got that horn.

It's Daddy's.

Who taught you to play?

I learned when I was on my own.

Well, why didn't
you tell us about it?

Well, I thought you wouldn't like
it. It was before you all took me in,

when I was sleeping in saloons.

That's all over now, Son.

Playing with Jason
is proper to me.

You make that horn
sound pretty good.

I do, don't I?

Oh, you.

I didn't even think I
still had that old trumpet.

How'd he sound?

Good. I couldn't believe it.

I never could get any
music out of that thing.

I wonder where Jodie is by now.

Probably all settled in.

I hope he's not the
only colored one.

What are you talking
about, woman?

Lots of colored
men in the service.

Will they be hard on him?

No more than anywhere else.

He's never been with
white folks that much.

He's strong.

We gave him that.

But did we give him enough?

The more he faces,
the stronger he'll get.

It's not fair that he has to be
stronger than anybody else.

Why does it have
to be harder for him?

Because he's colored.

I don't need you to tell me
the color of my child's skin.

The hell with skin!

He's a person and
he's gone off to fight

for a country that brought his
grandparents here in chains.

You trying to say you're
sorry he volunteered?

I am saying appreciation is due.

Harley,

I try not to hate.

It's not easy.

Sneaking out in the middle of
night to hang around a saloon?

You ain't got a
brain in your head!

I wasn't bothering nobody.

You bothering me.

And them white folks inside
wouldn't take it too kindly either.

Please don't hit me.

Give me the horn. Now,
let's get going home.

I'm driving your mama
in to take some washing.

We'll be back this evening.

Yes, sir.

You finish your chores
and stay close by.

Daddy,

I'm sorry about last night.

You play your trumpet here
if you want to make music.

Well, can I go to the Waltons'?

- You can go there.
- Thanks.

I didn't tell your
mama about last night.

- That's between you and me.
- Yes, sir.

She's got enough on her
mind worrying about Jodie.

Yes, sir.

- Let me take that.
- There's more inside.

I got it, I got it.
Don't worry, I got it.

You know, woman, you look almost
as good going as you do coming.

Thank you, sir.

Harley, give him a hand.

- I got it.
- Be careful.

Hard-working boy
you got there, ma'am.

He takes after his daddy.

- Bye-bye, Son.
- Bye, Ma.

See you later, Son.

Where you going?

Heading over to your place,

hoping maybe you'd let
me play along with you.

I gotta rehearse. You
want to come along?

- Sure.
- Hop in.

Just one more stop. These
tablecloths for the Dew Drop Inn.

That sounds great, Josh.
You've really improved.

Music sounds better in here.

How would you like to
play with me at the festival?

He's not playing anywhere!

Wait for me outside.

Mama, it's a chance for me.

Outside. Now.

Tell Miss Thelma I
brought the tablecloths.

Verdie...

He wasn't doing anything wrong.

He knows he shouldn't be here.

Why shouldn't he be here?

This is no place
for a young boy.

It's my fault. I
wasn't thinking.

Excuse me.

Can I come in?

Come in, Jason.

Sorry to interrupt your supper.

- Would you like to sit down?
- No, thanks.

I, um...

I just came by to ask if
you might think it over

and let Josh play
at Spring Festival.

Josh knew he was
wrong to be in that place.

But the festival would be
a great opportunity for him.

It's not like the Dew Drop Inn.

That festival is
for white folks.

Now, Harley, that has
nothing to do with this.

I think it does.

I'd take the
responsibility for Josh.

We'd go to the festival and play for
'em, and then we'd come right back home.

And he'd get his
share of the pay.

I'm not thinking about money.

Josh,

are you sure you're
ready for this?

I want to try, Mama.

Does it really mean
that much to you?

More than anything.

If it's all right
with your daddy,

it's all right with me.

I'd sure like to do it, Dad.

You promise to take care of him?

I will. Don't worry.

Then I guess you can go.

That's great!

Put her there, partner!

You make sure he
comes back happy.

He will. He will.

We were very pleased with
your performance, Jason.

Thank you, ma'am.

There's only one misgiving
about your program.

It's a little bit too long.

Maybe you could shorten it

if you'd cut that tune with
the little boy with the trumpet.

Well, if it's just the
length that bothers you,

I'd just as soon keep Josh's
number in and cut something else.

Jason, there's a certain
festival tradition we must uphold.

A person of color has never
been part of our tradition.

What are you talking about?

That little boy who plays
the trumpet is a Negro.

Are you saying Josh can't
perform because he's colored?

We wouldn't want anyone
to feel uncomfortable.

What'll happen if I don't
take Josh out of the program?

Well, I think you know
the answer to that.

And I'm sure you'll
make the right decision.

I hope we'll see
you on Saturday.

What did she say?

We're not playing
at the festival.

Why not?

They didn't like our music.

Come on, let's go home.

Let's get together tomorrow,
and I'll teach you some more

about reading music.

Why didn't we get the job?

The committee
didn't like the audition.

It's because of me, isn't it?

Yeah.

It's because I'm
colored, isn't it?

She didn't say so, but
that's what she meant.

And I wanted to make
music for them old women.

It's wrong, Jason.

'Course it's wrong.

That's why I told
them I wouldn't play.

It's wrong that you
don't get to play.

Look,

just forget about me.

And, um...

Take the job anyway.

Josh?

Josh, is that you?

Josh?

Josh, where are you?

How'd it go, Son?

- Not so good.
- What happened?

The committee
won't let Josh play.

- Because he's colored?
- That's it.

Maybe you ought to let those people know
how you feel about their damn festival.

- How did Josh take it?
- Hard.

Harley tried to tell
me this'd happen.

I just don't know what to do.

I feel like I let Josh down.

I just can't see any clear
way of setting things right.

Tell you what, Son.

Why don't you have
that festival around here

just to show that you don't
need those old-fashioned folk?

I wouldn't know how to do it.

You just let Corabeth know
about it, she'll open up Godsey Hall

and then stand back.

I'm gonna talk to Ike and
Corabeth about using the Hall.

Well, we can all
help with the food

and I suppose Corabeth will
want to handle all the decorations.

- Yeah.
- Corabeth gets going at it,

she's likely to wind up decorating
the whole side of the mountain.

We should have a parade,

decorate all the cars and
drive up and down the road.

And I could make the
posters for the advertising.

Well, it sounds like
everybody knows what to do.

Let's stop talking about
it, get busy, do it, do it, go!

I sure hope Curt can
get a weekend pass.

- Lonely without him, isn't it?
- Sure is.

You should invite
George to the festival.

Jim-Bob, don't tease me.

What did I say?

Don't worry about it, Jim-Bob.
You know how women are.

I'm not sure I do.

Hey Josh. I got good news.

Take a look at this. We're
having our own festival.

I can't.

Why not?

Not playing the horn anymore.

What do you mean?

I just can't let anybody
make me feel like a nigger.

I came to tell Josh we're
having our own festival.

He wasn't much interested, but
maybe you'd like to come, Verdie.

I know what you're trying to
do, Jason, but it won't work.

Maybe you're right.

He's not angry with you,
Jason. He's been hurt.

I know.

And that's something that stays
in your heart for the rest of your life.

Unless you take a second
chance and get it out.

Colored people can't
afford second chances.

Hope we see you on Sunday, Verdie.
We want all our friends to be there.

We've been invited
to a spring festival.

I think we ought
to go, don't you?

No, Mama.

What if I said I
thought you should?

Mama, please don't make me.

Josh, when I took
you in for my own,

I promised I'd raise
you to be a proud man.

You have nothing
to be ashamed of.

A proud colored man wouldn't
be going to any white folks' festival.

He would if they
were his friends.

That's not the way it is.

Maybe not now, maybe someday.

Someday? What good
is it going to do us then?

May not do us any good.
Could do a lot for Josh or Jodie.

Verdie, stop filling him
up with your dreams.

Dreams are all
we have right now.

Dreams are for sleeping.

Then wake up, Harley.

I woke up long time
ago. Just wish you would.

Say, everybody, I'm home!

- It's Jodie.
- Jod...

- Jodie! Oh, Jodie! Oh!
- Mama! Oh!

Why didn't you let us know
you were coming home?

I wanted to surprise you all.

You look wonderful.

I feel good, Mama. I feel good.

Daddy!

- They treating you right, Son?
- Just fine. Just fine.

Come on over here and sit down.
I want to hear all about everything.

Well...

Well, besides missing you all a lot,
I really like it. I even like the food.

Of course it's not as good
as your cooking, Mama.

- Are you hungry now, Son?
- Always. Always.

Boy, have I got
a story to tell you.

Good to see you, Son.

Glad to be home. I really am.

Did you tell Josh?

Yeah. He doesn't want to come.

I was afraid of that.

I don't know what else I can do.

You tried, Son. Maybe
he'll change his mind.

I think I know how he feels.

Things like that are
pretty hard to understand.

We're on our
way to the festival.

Josh, you sure you
don't want to come?

Josh and I will
be fine right here.

I'll say hello to all
of our friends for you.

Daddy, remember when I
wanted Mr. John to adopt me?

Yeah.

Well, he said maybe in ten years,
a hundred, things would be different.

For now, the less you have to do
with white folks, the better off you'll be.

But Mr. John and
Jason are my friends.

You keep your place in this
world and you won't be bothered.

Ring around the rosy
Pocketful of posies

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down!

Hey, Josh, what're you
doing here all alone?

Just sitting,
Mr. John. Just sitting.

Well, now, son, you're
missing the festival.

Yeah, I know.

I had to wait for a load of
lumber. What's your excuse?

Daddy said if I keep my place
in this world, I won't be bothered.

What's your place, Josh?

I ought to be as
good as anybody else.

You are, son.

But you just say that
'cause you're my friend.

No, I'm saying it 'cause it's
true. Do you think I'd lie to you?

No, sir.

Well, why don't you get off your
behind and prove it to me then.

I brought you some ice cream.

Thank you.

Mind if I sit down?

Have you been mad
at me about something?

Oh, no. Guess I
should explain it to you.

It's gonna sound kind of silly.

See, the reason I've been acting
so strange is 'cause I like you.

You do?

See, I wanted to
say the right thing.

And I was kind
of afraid to talk.

Everything I said wasn't
really what I meant.

I was trying too hard.

Well, you're very
honest, Elizabeth.

And...

Well, I like that in a woman.

Thank you very much.

Hey, maybe after the
festival, I could walk you home.

Sure and we can talk.

Hi, George.

He's mine.

Josh ran off.

I figured he'd be
here, dreaming again.

Look around you, Harley.

No dreaming here.

That was an
important spring da y

for Josh and my brother Jason.

And it was the beginning of a
friendship that was to last a lifetime.

- Daddy?
- Yes, Elizabeth.

I think George Simmons
kissed me today.

You think?

Maybe I kissed
him. I'm not sure.

Well, he's a
good-looking young man.

Just wanted you to know.
You don't have to worry.

We're not planning on
getting married right away.

Well, I'm glad to hear you're
not rushing into things, honey.

- Good night, Daddy.
- Good night.

English -SDH