The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 6, Episode 17 - The Anniversary - full transcript
John and Olivia celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Mary Ellen and Curtis begin to feel the stain of separation due to the war.
What have you got
on that truck, Son?
Nothing, Pa, just
some odds and ends.
- Odds and ends of what?
- Nothing in particular, Pa.
Well, it seems to me you're
going to a lot of trouble
putting a tarpaulin over
nothing in particular.
I just don't want it to
blow off on the way.
- On the way where?
- Where I'm going.
Now, lookie here. I'm your
daddy and as senior Walton
I think I've got a right to know
what you've got on that truck
and where you're going.
I'll see you later, Pa.
Between two people
in a good marriage,
there develops a kind
of silent communication.
Each knows what to expect of
the other, when to offer strength,
where to step lightly.
It is this kind of predictability
that makes the occasional surprise
shine all the
brighter in memory.
A s m y parents' silver
anniversary approached,
my father was to reveal
a side of his nature
that years of hard work
and sacrifice ha d kept secret.
And in doing so, he ma de it an anniversary
that none of us would ever forget.
Hi, Daddy.
Hold it there, Elizabeth. What
are you in such a big rush about?
Today's the first day of
my new job. I gotta hurry.
Better slow down, honey. You'll
be worn out before you start.
Well, not that slow, silly.
Hey, what's got into her?
Elizabeth, you'll
wake John Curtis.
Good, I can't take care
of him if he's sleeping.
Erin?
- Hmm?
- I think I'm gonna put it right here.
What?
The surprise I'm
getting for your daddy.
- Oh.
- You won't forget to order it today?
Nope, I sure won't.
Mary Ellen, please
hurry up. I'll be late.
Mama, tell her I'm
waiting in the car.
- All right.
- Bye.
There she is.
John Curtis likes a little air, so you
can stroll him out on the porch later.
And he'll have applesauce for supper
and some warm milk before he goes to bed.
Come on, Mary Ellen!
Erin, will you call Joe Farran
over at the hardware store
and order a keg of
eight-penny nails, please?
What do you want more
eight-penny nails for?
There's a whole keg
of them over in the barn.
Doesn't hurt to have
extra around, Pa.
I'd appreciate it, Erin. It'd save
me a trip to Ike's to make that call.
I'll be close by
if she needs me.
No, you won't. You're going to
Ike and Corabeth's for supper.
I'm going to take care
of the baby and supper.
I'll tuck him in
before we leave.
Clean pajamas in the
bottom drawer of the dresser.
We know, Mary Ellen.
- Bye-bye.
- Bye.
- Overprotective, isn't she?
- A little.
A little.
Mary Ellen, we're gonna be late.
Well, I put a quart of oil
in and checked the battery.
Thanks, Daddy.
There, now, driver, you can look
ahead and see a lizard in a chuckhole.
Gotta make sure, what
with our girls working nights.
Oh, I'll only be working until Miss
Fanny comes home from vacation.
Good to see you in a
uniform again, Mary Ellen.
- Wish me luck.
- All right.
- Bye.
- Drive careful.
Hey, John.
Do you know the difference between
a telephone operator and a nurse?
No, what's the difference, Pa?
One has patient answers
and the other answers patients.
Nice boy, but he's
got no sense of humor.
This is quite a spread
you got here, Corabeth.
I think the blanquette
turned out rather well, myself.
- Tastes just like veal to me.
- It is veal.
Blanquette is simply a way of
describing how it is prepared.
More pomme fondante, Olivia?
Corabeth's getting to
be quite a gourmet cook.
I never saw anything like these
little baskets made out of oranges.
Oh, Aimee helped
me to prepare them.
She's not too young to begin learning
the fundamentals of French cuisine.
Elizabeth's getting pretty
good at cooking, too.
I think those girls are
gonna make fine wives.
I hope not too soon. I'm not looking
forward to giving away my youngest girl.
John and I will be celebrating our
25th wedding anniversary this month.
Oh, a silver anniversary!
Oh, très romantique!
How are you going
to celebrate it?
Just waking up every morning with this
woman next to me is celebration enough.
Oh, well, that's very pretty,
but a 25th wedding anniversary
requires a special celebration.
Had you thought of using
Godsey Hall for the reception?
John isn't much of a
one for formal doings.
An occasion like this
requires a special celebration.
I think we'll just have a nice, quiet
supper at home with the children.
I talked John into having a formal
wedding ceremony for our 20th anniversary.
The memory of that will
last me for the rest of my life.
I simply fail to understand
how men can be so unromantic
as to ignore a marital
milestone like this.
Well, I don't think Corabeth and
I are gonna have that problem,
because we got
such a late start,
and I don't think we're
gonna make it till our 25th.
Of course, I'm a lot
older than Corabeth.
If you gentlemen will excuse me,
I will see to the soufflé au rhum.
I'll help you, Corabeth.
John, you sure are brave letting
that 25th anniversary just pass right by.
Oh, I'm not letting it pass by,
Ike. I've got a surprise planned.
I don't know how we're going
to keep Mama and Daddy
from finding out about their
surprise anniversary party.
What's this stuff?
It's macaroni and cheese
that got a little crispy on the top.
Elizabeth, you're an inspired
cook. It's just the way I like it.
Crisp on top and
nice and gooey inside.
Well, I've never seen anything
stick together so much as this.
No one's asking you to eat it.
Hey, now wait a second!
Listen, we got to think of a way of
getting Mama and Daddy out of the house
on the afternoon
of their anniversary.
That's so we can set up the
party while they're gone, right?
And none of you better go snooping
around looking for my surprise.
Hey, Jason! Look!
- What? Where is it?
- There.
Very funny, Ben.
Well, I think so.
Benjamin, how many people are you
planning to have at your surprise party?
Just the family, Grandpa,
'cause that's all we can afford.
If we had some more money, we
would have bought them a silver tray.
For the life of me, I can't figure
out what to get your parents
for an anniversary present.
Wait a minute. Isn't that
John Curtis I hear crying?
I don't hear anything.
I do. Listen, Elizabeth.
I better check on him.
See how you like it.
Well, one thing's for sure.
The party will be no fun
if they find out about it.
Corabeth sure knows
how to fancy up a dessert.
I didn't mind the rum
on the rice pudding,
but I didn't think
she'd set fire to it.
Corabeth likes fine things.
You can't blame her for that.
You miss not having an
anniversary celebration?
The important thing
is it's been 25 years
and we still enjoy
being together.
I thought I'd have the house
on the mountain done by now.
You didn't expect to have to
take care of seven children.
Well,
I didn't expect the
Depression, either.
Mind waiting a little longer?
The longer the better. The
first 25 years went by so fast,
I need something to
slow down the second 25.
- Excuse me, is that seat taken?
- No, it's...
- Mary Ellen!
- David!
- What are you doing...
- What are you doing...
Um, there doesn't seem
to be another place to sit.
Well, no, please, sit here.
- Oh, thank you.
- Please.
Well, how have you been? I
haven't seen you in a long time.
Yeah. Not since the night you
walked out on our wedding rehearsal.
Oh, I'm sorry,
really. I'm all over it.
Are you happy?
Well, Curt's in the Army. That doesn't
make me too happy, but otherwise, yes.
We have a baby, John Curtis.
A baby? Well, congratulations.
I'm glad to see you haven't
given up being a nurse.
I just started again.
With Curt gone, I
needed something to do.
I thought you were going
into your father's practice.
Oh, I did. I did. I just came back
here for a residency in radiology.
Uh, if we're going to keep
running into each other,
we'd better get over
being so nervous.
You still know how to come right
to the point, don't you, Mary Ellen?
I guess I never did find that
bush I'm supposed to beat around.
If your husband finds out I'm
working here, would that upset him?
Oh, no, not at all. Curt
and I trust each other.
Jim-Bob, what are you
doing up here so early?
- I don't know.
- You don't know?
Well, what are you doing?
Nobody is even up yet.
What are those light bulbs for?
Oh, I was just saving them.
You never know when you
might need an extra one.
That's Grandma's old
phonograph, isn't it?
Yeah, I was, um... I
was just looking at it.
No use keeping
it if it doesn't work.
Buck Vernon's real good
with old things like that.
You know, Daddy, you don't have
to say anything about the light bulbs.
Well, you don't have to say
anything about the phonograph.
I'll just let old
Buck check it out.
John, where are you off
to so early this morning?
Why, I told you last night.
I'm going up to the mountain
to plant some seedlings.
Mighty nippy up
there this time of day.
Yeah, the work'll
warm me up, Pa.
Come on in and have
some breakfast first.
Already had some.
Now, lookie here,
just what have you
got here under this tarp?
Look, I told you, Pa, I'm gonna
take some stakes up to the mountain
- to hold up the seedlings.
- Seedlings.
Why, it'd take you all day to
plant those loblolly seedlings,
and Ben's gonna be needing
the truck this afternoon.
Ben's got plenty
to do around here,
and I'm counting on
you to see that he does it.
Don't you want me to
come along and help?
No, I guess you don't.
You'll wait out here, Grandpa?
You go on ahead. I'll
keep an eye on Livie.
Thanks, Grandpa. We
don't want Mama to know.
Ben, did Mama see
you come in here?
I don't think so.
And Grandpa's standing guard.
I've got to hurry. John Curtis
is taking a nap on the porch.
- Okay.
- Who's got the list?
I do.
Is my surprise on the list?
Jim-Bob, how can your surprise be on the
list? We don't even know what it is, yet.
Okay, let's get
started. The cake.
We could never bake a cake.
Mama would surely find out.
I got it.
Joy's Bakery over in Rockfish
makes real fancy wedding cakes.
Great.
And the centerpiece. Elizabeth,
are you still gonna make it?
Uh-huh. I'm having
all my friends at school
save the tinfoil from
their gum wrappers for me.
Good. And, Ben, the paper
bags and putting candles in them?
Right, but everyone has
to start decorating them.
Have you seen Elizabeth?
No, I haven't, lately.
Where is everybody?
Uh... I don't know.
Um, I don't know.
Would you all please stop?
We still have to plan the menu.
What's going on out here?
Elizabeth, you were supposed
to be tending John Curtis.
Oh, I can hear him
if he cries, Mama.
It was just... I was thinking about
making the shed into a playhouse for him.
I thought you were gonna
study your shorthand.
Oh, I am, inside.
Come on, Elizabeth.
I was just helping Ben, Mama.
I was helping Jim-Bob.
Bye.
I, uh...
I just wanted to practice out here where...
My concerto, where it was nice and quiet.
In the barn, with no piano?
Sure, uh, you know, air piano.
I have never heard so many lame
excuses. And what's all that whistling?
Oh, I was just trying to
whistle Jason's concerto.
Studying?
Not exactly.
Gone with the Wind.
I'm probably the only person in
the country who hasn't read it yet.
Surprised you have time to read.
A job and a baby...
More time than I want.
Must get lonesome
with Curt gone.
It's hard to be lonesome when you
live in a house with nine other people.
You're sort of a Scarlett
O'Hara yourself, you know.
David, what a thing to say. She's
a very spoiled, willful young lady.
She's also beautiful
and fascinating.
Anyway, I didn't grow
up on a plantation.
I brought you a present.
David...
Thank you.
I took it the day of our picnic
up on Walton's Mountain.
I always meant
to send it to you.
Now I can show my children
that once upon a time I was young.
- John Curtis all tucked in?
- Mmm-hmm.
And I sure hope
he stays that way.
He's been cross all
afternoon. I'm pooped!
It's not always easy
being a mother, is it?
He's awfully cute,
makes up for the rest of it.
You were awful cute
yourself, you know.
Take after your mama that way.
Mama's not cute,
she's beautiful.
Tell me about when you
and Mama got married again.
Oh, I already told
you 200 times at least.
Well, tell me again.
All right.
You see, your mama was the
wildest young filly in the county,
and me, I was the pillar
of the Baptist church.
Daddy, you're telling
it all backwards.
It's the way it happened, huh?
Don't look at me,
it's your crazy story.
Your grandpa and your grandma
were so mad, 'cause they didn't
want me to marry this wicked woman.
- You being as angelic as you were.
- That's right.
Anyway, she dragged
me down the courthouse
and we got the license, then
we went over to Preacher Hicks,
but he wouldn't marry us.
He thought I was making a big mistake,
but your mama caused such a fuss.
He gave in, he went ahead and
married us. And that was 25 years ago.
Daddy, you're
telling it all wrong.
I'm telling you, honey,
that's the way it happened.
Oh, no!
I'll see to him.
No, Mama, it's my responsibility.
Mary Ellen's paying me.
That story gets wilder
every time you tell it.
Are you telling me
my memory's failing?
No, I'm just telling you
that's not the way it happened.
I remember how it
happened, all right.
I remember.
Come along, now.
Now, what have we got here?
What's the telephone
company doing here?
Well, I would say he's got lost,
he's trying to find a way to back out.
You see, there are no numbers on
the houses up on Walton's Mountain.
He's cussing us out now.
- Yeah.
- Howdy.
- Is this the Walton residence?
- Yeah.
I'm here about your telephone.
- We don't own a phone.
- You must have the wrong house.
Hardly anybody around
here has a phone.
Jim-Bob, who is it?
Nobody, Mama. Just somebody
from the phone company.
Well, I got an order here.
It says I'm supposed to install
one telephone, one extension.
Party's name is John Walton.
My son is John Walton, but he
wouldn't order a phone without telling me.
I wasn't expecting you
for a couple of days.
Mama, you ordered the telephone?
It's supposed to be a
surprise for my husband.
Our anniversary isn't until
Saturday. Could you come back then?
There's a crew stringing wire
through the woods right now.
I'm supposed to have these phones
ready by the time they get here.
It's now or never, ma'am.
Well, guess it'll
just have to be now.
Looks like John's going to have to
stand in line to get at his own present!
It seemed like a
good idea at the time.
Hey, here he comes.
He's been gone for hours. He ought to have
half that mountain planted with seedlings.
Now, everybody try to act natural.
We don't want to give it away too soon.
Sorry I'm late. There was a fog up on
the mountain and it slowed me down.
Mmm-hmm.
Here's your paper, Daddy.
Think I'm gonna go
outside and stretch my legs.
All right.
Everything all right?
You must be starved. I
guess I'd better start supper.
Hello, Erin? He's home.
Just give me a minute to get back inside
the house and then let it ring, okay?
Okay, Jason. Oh, I
wish I could see this.
All right, bye-bye.
I have a feeling something's
going on around here
nobody wants to tell me about.
All right, Liv. Out with it.
What's that?
Why don't you see for yourself?
Well, I'll be damned.
Surprise!
Happy anniversary, Daddy!
Well, why don't you answer it?
Hello?
Happy anniversary, Daddy.
Happy anniversary from Mama.
Goodbye.
- How'd you ever work this out?
- Oh, I've been saving my money.
It'll be good for business, now.
It's fun, too.
Yeah, just because you called
Patsy four times this afternoon.
I was gonna have it installed on
Saturday, but the man came today instead.
- Do you mind?
- No.
Well, now you've made your
announcement, I've got one to make.
Come Saturday, you and me are
going to get dressed up real nice,
go into Rockfish to that photographic
studio and have our pictures taken.
I figure we gotta have something to
remember our 25th anniversary by.
Oh, Liv, easy now. I
only got one layer of skin.
You've got some white paint
on the back of your neck here.
I must've backed into something.
A little lower, little lower.
Over to the right.
Does that feel good!
Liv, I'll tell you, if heaven was
like this, I'd repent right now.
You like your new telephone?
Yeah, yeah. Getting kind
of practical, aren't you?
A few years ago, you would've put little
hearts on a silk handkerchief or something.
After 25 years, it's
about time I got practical.
You're not the most romantic
thing in the world, you know.
Hey, tell me, have you ever
been kissed in a bathtub?
Lots of times.
John, you're wanted
on the telephone.
Now, who could
be calling me now?
Only one way to find out.
Here.
John. John, it's important!
All right!
Hello?
No, Corabeth, I never guessed.
Yes. It was a
surprise, Corabeth.
No. No bother at all.
Appreciate you calling. Bye.
Son, you'd better get upstairs and
dry off before you catch pneumonia.
She wanted to congratulate
me on the new telephone, Pa.
It covers just fine. Ike, I
just didn't order enough of it.
I want another gallon of
white paint. That's right.
- I'll pick it up. Thanks, Ike.
- John!
What are you ordering
all that white paint for?
Pa, I didn't hear you come in.
That Army contract doesn't
call for any white paint.
I gotta get up the mountain,
Pa. I got work to do.
Yeah. This is mighty mysterious.
Seems to me that something's going
on up there besides planting seedlings.
Where is that new coping saw of
ours gone to? Haven't seen it all week.
John!
Hi.
Oh, hi, Mama.
You don't have to help me, Mama.
Just like when you were
a little girl, remember?
You taught me to make hospital corners
a long time before I became a nurse.
I hope you're not
working too hard.
No, it's good being
around people my own age.
This is lovely. I
never saw it before.
David Spencer took it the time
we had the picnic on the mountain.
You see a lot of
him at the hospital?
We have dinner once
in a while in the cafeteria.
He's very easy to talk to.
Mary Ellen, you're a
grown-up lady, and I...
I don't suppose you want
advice from your mother anymore.
But I was about your age
when John went off to war.
I know what it's like to be lonesome
for the sight and touch of a man.
I'm just trying to
tell you to be careful.
Mama, did you ever wonder if you
did the right thing, marrying Daddy?
About a minute
after I said, "I do."
Curt and I hardly knew each
other when we got married.
Now he's so far away. We
don't write like we used to.
Sometimes I can't
even picture his face.
You've got to
believe in yourselves.
Whatever it was that brought
you together is still there waiting,
waiting for the
separation to be over,
unless you let
something get in the way.
Where's Jim-Bob?
He's talking to Patsy. He's trying
to convince her of his true love.
Jim-Bob!
It seems to me every time I
went to use the phone, today,
- one of the young-uns was already on it.
- Now, Jim-Bob!
I'd appreciate it if you
children would remember
that that phone
is for your daddy.
I don't mind you using it once in a while,
but it's gotta be kept clear for business.
Grace.
Father in heaven, we
thank thee that most of us
are gathered together here
on this particular occasion,
the evening before 25 years ago John
and Livie first held hands in matrimony.
We hope that the next 25 years
will be as wonderful, especially me.
- Amen.
- Amen!
Thank you, Grandpa.
Pass the potatoes.
I miss not having Erin
and Mary Ellen around.
Jason would have to work
early at the Dew Drop Inn.
Maybe Thelma needed a little supper
music with her beer and hot dogs.
- I'll get it.
- I'll get it.
Sit down, all of you!
I'm not going to have that
telephone interrupting our meal.
What if it's important?
If it's important, it
will just have to wait.
If it's Patsy, she's
going to be awful mad.
Now, look, do we own that telephone
or does that telephone own us?
Appreciate that gift, Liv,
but I'm beginning to think
we ought to get rid of it.
It makes me nervous.
Hello?
I don't believe it!
I can hear you fine.
Are you all right?
- Did you get my letter?
- It's John-Boy!
How thoughtful of you.
Yes, we're gonna
celebrate it tomorrow.
Your daddy and I are gonna have
our picture taken. We'll send you one.
I think your daddy
wants to talk to you.
John-Boy!
Hello, Son, how are you?
Well, good... Yeah!
We get your letters.
Keep them coming, Son.
John-Boy, there's a whole line here
waiting for you. I'll put Elizabeth on.
Hi, John-Boy!
- Come on, give us a chance.
- Hi, John-Boy, how's your book doing?
Yeah? Here's Grandpa, okay?
Come on home, boy. All
your girls are getting married.
Yeah, your grandma's
fine. She'll be home soon.
Isn't that something?
A son all the way in New York and he
sounds like he's just in the next room.
Still wanna have it taken out?
You could get middle-aged
waiting for this elevator.
Well, it's certainly not the
Dixie Flyer, that's for sure.
They need a gurney
on the top floor.
- Can I catch a ride?
- It's free.
Let me help.
You're off tomorrow. Any plans?
Mama and Daddy are
having a wedding anniversary,
and we've planned a
surprise party for them.
I've been trying to build up
the courage to ask you to go
to Richmond to a concert
with me tomorrow night.
Doctor, you won't have
any trouble getting a date.
There are nurses on
every floor of this hospital
that would love
to go out with you.
It's too bad there's only one
nurse I want to go out with.
David.
Unfortunately, she's busy,
so I thought I'd try you.
I only wish that were true.
I don't like it that you're
so important to me.
David, I don't think we'd better
see each other alone anymore.
I'm sorry.
- Mama, are you awake?
- I am now.
What is this?
- It's your breakfast.
- Happy anniversary, Mama!
Thank you. Where's your daddy?
He ought to be here to enjoy this.
Well, he left early. He said he had
something to do on the mountain.
He said he didn't
want to wake you.
He's acting like
it's just any old day.
You'd think a silver
anniversary ought to be special.
Well, you girls have made it special
by bringing me this wonderful breakfast.
And I get to have my
picture taken today.
What are you going to wear?
Well, I can't seem to decide.
I can't wear my gold lam é,
'cause I lent it to Corabeth.
And my sable coat is in storage.
Well, you could
wear my tap shoes.
Oh, thank you, Elizabeth.
You need a "just married" there.
- They're coming.
- Oh, here they come!
If I had some rice,
I'd throw it at you.
- Too expensive, Grandpa.
- Mama, you look beautiful.
- Thank you.
- How about me?
You look dazzling, Daddy.
You better watch out, Daddy.
They're gonna put your picture
in a movie magazine.
- I cleaned out the car for you two.
- Thank you, Son.
What's that?
Thought it might make
you feel like newlyweds.
Off!
I got all I need to make
me feel like a newlywed.
You sound like you've been
taking lessons from Clark Gable.
Where do you think Clark
Gable takes his lessons?
- Come on, Liv. Watch out.
- Too modest.
I almost hate to go home.
It's such a pretty day.
That's good, because I'm not
planning on taking you home yet.
Thought it might be a nice day
to go for a walk on the mountain.
I'm not dressed to go hiking.
You're dressed just fine, honey.
John, a gazebo. It's beautiful.
This is what you've
been doing all this time.
It's not the house I
promised you, but...
It's better.
Grandpa and the kids can come up
once in a while, but mostly it'll be ours.
May I have this dance?
Man, it could do
with another candle.
Well, here you go, Grandpa.
Well, that looks beautiful,
Elizabeth. Almost looks like real silver.
You know, it's hard to imagine
someone being married 25 years.
I'm not even that old yet.
Fortunately, on this
occasion, you're not, yet.
Well, I hardly feel like I've
been married at all, lately.
Well, you and Curt haven't
had enough practice, hmm?
It takes a long while to
get the hang of a marriage.
Well, that's why I'm
staying single. Play the field.
Oh, I'll tell Ruby
you say so, Ben.
Your daddy used
to talk like that.
Mama and Daddy come,
we'll be ready for them.
Except for Jim-Bob's surprise.
Whatever that is.
Here's the cake.
- Well, bring it on in.
- Good.
Let's see it. Bring it on in.
Here it is.
Okay, take it out of the box. It's
part of the centerpiece over here.
Oh, no!
It's the wrong cake.
Well, back to Rockfish.
Wilbur. Somebody named
Wilbur is going to be surprised
he's been married for 25 years.
Grandpa!
Now, I know how you feel about
drinking, Liv, but one glass of champagne
every 25 years won't
turn you into a sinner.
Any more than two or three visits
to church will make you into a saint.
Olivia, this has been the
best 25 years of my life.
Hmm.
Doesn't taste like
I thought it would.
- Want me to finish it for you?
- No.
Mmm.
Well,
I never thought I'd be dancing
and drinking champagne today.
You turned out to be
a regular Sir Galahad.
I'd appreciate it if you
wouldn't let that get around.
- It's good.
- Mmm-hmm.
Well, the sun's
straining to go down.
Maybe we ought to
think about heading back.
Let's just wait a little longer.
I want to make a
wish on the first star.
All right.
The candles went out.
I've never been to a party where
the guests of honor didn't show up.
I guess we did too good of a
job at keeping everything a secret.
I guess I better go put the
cake away before the icing melts.
How long does it take to have
your picture taken, anyway?
Oh, don't worry about them.
The photographer took one
look at your pretty parents
and decided to fill up a
whole album with their pictures.
I'm starving to death!
I've lost my appetite.
That turkey was done hours ago.
Shh.
Hey, everybody, I hear
a car. They're coming!
- Quick, everybody, hide!
- Hide, hide.
- Back here.
- What about me?
- Shh.
- Elizabeth, get down!
Oh, wait a minute.
Somebody turn off the lights!
- Turn out the lights.
- I'll get the lights.
Where's Jim-Bob?
- He's up on the roof.
- What's he doing up there?
Shh! MARY ELLEN:
Be quiet, everybody!
Surprise!
Mary Ellen?
Curt.
Hello.
Curt.
- It's good to see you again, Curt.
- It's nice to see you.
What I can't figure out is, how
did you know I was coming?
Oh, it's Mama and Daddy's
25th wedding anniversary,
and we were planning
a surprise party.
Except the surprise is on
us. They didn't show up.
Well, I'm sorry if I came
at an inconvenient time.
We're glad you could be
here to celebrate with us, Curt.
I didn't exactly come for the party.
Mary Ellen, I have to talk to you.
Well, the best place for you
to talk is out on the front porch
where you can keep an eye
on them when they come, hmm?
Men, come on with me.
Let's go see if we can
save the turkey, Erin.
I've been trying to call you.
There's something I have to tell you.
You've been reading my mind.
I had to see you, I
couldn't write it in a letter.
David Spencer's
working at the hospital.
You never wrote me about that.
It was exciting at first,
seeing him, talking to him,
especially with you so far away.
But it seemed like the more I saw
him, the further away you seemed to be.
Pretty soon I began to
wonder about things, about us.
Well, I know exactly
how you've been feeling.
There's this nurse at the base
hospital. There's nothing to it, really,
just a little bit
of flirting around,
but somehow I never got around
to telling her that I was married.
And so, anyway, last night she
invited me to her place for dinner,
and I started to go.
But then, all of a sudden, I wanted
to see you so bad, Mary Ellen,
that I wangled a weekend
pass, I borrowed a car, here I am.
But I had to remind
myself that you were real
and not just something
that I made up in my mind.
I'm very real.
I sure don't want to hear
about that young doctor
hanging around with you anymore.
No more cute nurses.
No, I think that you're
all that I can handle.
Come on. Come along here,
everybody. Mary Ellen, Curt, come along.
Gather around, everybody. I
think I've got things figured out.
You know, I talked to that
photographer fellow over at Rockfish,
and he said your daddy
and mama left there long ago.
They've had plenty of
time to get back here.
- I hope nothing happened.
- Maybe they had an accident.
No, no, we'd have heard
about it over the phone.
I think your daddy
is up to something.
Ben, can you put some
candles in those bags again?
Sure.
And Erin can you fix us some turkey
sandwiches and bring along that cake?
Grandpa, where are we going?
Well, I've decided if the
mountain won't come to the party,
the party is a-going
to the mountain.
Hey, everybody,
come see how it looks!
- Hmm?
- What'd he do?
I don't know.
- What is he doing?
- I don't know.
- Oh, that looks great!
- Jim-Bob!
- That looks great!
- Beautiful!
- Oh, no.
- Oh, boy.
Jim-Bob, you've
blown the main fuse!
Where was Moses
when the lights went out?
We've about wore
out that record.
Guess we ought to be getting
back. The children will start to worry.
- I hate to leave.
- So do I.
That's them all right. Hello!
Well, that's Grandpa.
Over here!
Bring everything, will you?
He's brought the children!
The old coot. Just like
him to figure me out.
Come on. Out of the way,
boys. Bring everything, will you?
Happy anniversary!
We were gonna surprise you,
looks like you turned the tables.
Curt, where did you come from? You
don't know how glad I am to see you.
Curt, welcome home.
- Mama, have you been drinking?
- Sure have.
Seedlings, huh?
Planted every last
one of them, Pa.
I suppose this here gazebo
sprung up by itself overnight
like some puffball mushroom?
I gave it a little help.
You could have used some of my expert
help in putting in some thingamabobs
and some curlicues,
and... Oh, a heart.
Mama, what's Grandma's
old phonograph doing here?
Your daddy and I
have been dancing.
- Just the two of you, dancing?
- Any law against that?
I've just never heard of
such a thing, after 25 years.
The trouble with you young people,
Mary Ellen, is you're not very romantic.
Oh, look at the stars
out there tonight.
They're pretty.
I don't know how we didn't figure
out about the surprise party, Liv.
I guess we were too busy
with our own surprises.
It's been quite
a night, hasn't it?
- I hate to see it end.
- Uh-huh.
You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss
A sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
A s time goes by
Moonlight and love
songs Never out of date
Hearts full of passion
Jealousy and hate
Woman needs man And
man must have his mate
That no one can deny
It's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world will always
welcome lovers
A s time goes by
Livie, John.
Now, I'm ashamed I couldn't come
up here with some sort of a present.
And I've been giving the
matter considerable thought.
I have come to the conclusion
that the finest sort of
anniversary gift we could give you
is to leave you two up here
by yourselves on the mountain.
Here, here.
You know there's plenty of pine
needles all around for a mattress.
And those blankets
will keep you warm.
And don't worry about
what's going on back home,
because Elizabeth and I
will take care of everything.
Thank you, Grandpa.
- Good night, honey.
- Good night.
- Pick up your garbage here.
- Sleep well, you two.
- Pick up everything.
- Good night, Dad.
Happy anniversary.
- Good night, honey.
- Happy anniversary, Daddy.
Good night, Livie.
Think that record will
take a couple more plays?
The pretty gazebo is gone now,
burned to the ground in a forest
fire that swept the mountain.
But for all of us, the memories remain
of that night when our father and mother,
after 25 years, danced
and were newlyweds again.
Good night, Liv.
Good night, nothing.
I'm gonna dance
till the sun comes up.
English -SDH
on that truck, Son?
Nothing, Pa, just
some odds and ends.
- Odds and ends of what?
- Nothing in particular, Pa.
Well, it seems to me you're
going to a lot of trouble
putting a tarpaulin over
nothing in particular.
I just don't want it to
blow off on the way.
- On the way where?
- Where I'm going.
Now, lookie here. I'm your
daddy and as senior Walton
I think I've got a right to know
what you've got on that truck
and where you're going.
I'll see you later, Pa.
Between two people
in a good marriage,
there develops a kind
of silent communication.
Each knows what to expect of
the other, when to offer strength,
where to step lightly.
It is this kind of predictability
that makes the occasional surprise
shine all the
brighter in memory.
A s m y parents' silver
anniversary approached,
my father was to reveal
a side of his nature
that years of hard work
and sacrifice ha d kept secret.
And in doing so, he ma de it an anniversary
that none of us would ever forget.
Hi, Daddy.
Hold it there, Elizabeth. What
are you in such a big rush about?
Today's the first day of
my new job. I gotta hurry.
Better slow down, honey. You'll
be worn out before you start.
Well, not that slow, silly.
Hey, what's got into her?
Elizabeth, you'll
wake John Curtis.
Good, I can't take care
of him if he's sleeping.
Erin?
- Hmm?
- I think I'm gonna put it right here.
What?
The surprise I'm
getting for your daddy.
- Oh.
- You won't forget to order it today?
Nope, I sure won't.
Mary Ellen, please
hurry up. I'll be late.
Mama, tell her I'm
waiting in the car.
- All right.
- Bye.
There she is.
John Curtis likes a little air, so you
can stroll him out on the porch later.
And he'll have applesauce for supper
and some warm milk before he goes to bed.
Come on, Mary Ellen!
Erin, will you call Joe Farran
over at the hardware store
and order a keg of
eight-penny nails, please?
What do you want more
eight-penny nails for?
There's a whole keg
of them over in the barn.
Doesn't hurt to have
extra around, Pa.
I'd appreciate it, Erin. It'd save
me a trip to Ike's to make that call.
I'll be close by
if she needs me.
No, you won't. You're going to
Ike and Corabeth's for supper.
I'm going to take care
of the baby and supper.
I'll tuck him in
before we leave.
Clean pajamas in the
bottom drawer of the dresser.
We know, Mary Ellen.
- Bye-bye.
- Bye.
- Overprotective, isn't she?
- A little.
A little.
Mary Ellen, we're gonna be late.
Well, I put a quart of oil
in and checked the battery.
Thanks, Daddy.
There, now, driver, you can look
ahead and see a lizard in a chuckhole.
Gotta make sure, what
with our girls working nights.
Oh, I'll only be working until Miss
Fanny comes home from vacation.
Good to see you in a
uniform again, Mary Ellen.
- Wish me luck.
- All right.
- Bye.
- Drive careful.
Hey, John.
Do you know the difference between
a telephone operator and a nurse?
No, what's the difference, Pa?
One has patient answers
and the other answers patients.
Nice boy, but he's
got no sense of humor.
This is quite a spread
you got here, Corabeth.
I think the blanquette
turned out rather well, myself.
- Tastes just like veal to me.
- It is veal.
Blanquette is simply a way of
describing how it is prepared.
More pomme fondante, Olivia?
Corabeth's getting to
be quite a gourmet cook.
I never saw anything like these
little baskets made out of oranges.
Oh, Aimee helped
me to prepare them.
She's not too young to begin learning
the fundamentals of French cuisine.
Elizabeth's getting pretty
good at cooking, too.
I think those girls are
gonna make fine wives.
I hope not too soon. I'm not looking
forward to giving away my youngest girl.
John and I will be celebrating our
25th wedding anniversary this month.
Oh, a silver anniversary!
Oh, très romantique!
How are you going
to celebrate it?
Just waking up every morning with this
woman next to me is celebration enough.
Oh, well, that's very pretty,
but a 25th wedding anniversary
requires a special celebration.
Had you thought of using
Godsey Hall for the reception?
John isn't much of a
one for formal doings.
An occasion like this
requires a special celebration.
I think we'll just have a nice, quiet
supper at home with the children.
I talked John into having a formal
wedding ceremony for our 20th anniversary.
The memory of that will
last me for the rest of my life.
I simply fail to understand
how men can be so unromantic
as to ignore a marital
milestone like this.
Well, I don't think Corabeth and
I are gonna have that problem,
because we got
such a late start,
and I don't think we're
gonna make it till our 25th.
Of course, I'm a lot
older than Corabeth.
If you gentlemen will excuse me,
I will see to the soufflé au rhum.
I'll help you, Corabeth.
John, you sure are brave letting
that 25th anniversary just pass right by.
Oh, I'm not letting it pass by,
Ike. I've got a surprise planned.
I don't know how we're going
to keep Mama and Daddy
from finding out about their
surprise anniversary party.
What's this stuff?
It's macaroni and cheese
that got a little crispy on the top.
Elizabeth, you're an inspired
cook. It's just the way I like it.
Crisp on top and
nice and gooey inside.
Well, I've never seen anything
stick together so much as this.
No one's asking you to eat it.
Hey, now wait a second!
Listen, we got to think of a way of
getting Mama and Daddy out of the house
on the afternoon
of their anniversary.
That's so we can set up the
party while they're gone, right?
And none of you better go snooping
around looking for my surprise.
Hey, Jason! Look!
- What? Where is it?
- There.
Very funny, Ben.
Well, I think so.
Benjamin, how many people are you
planning to have at your surprise party?
Just the family, Grandpa,
'cause that's all we can afford.
If we had some more money, we
would have bought them a silver tray.
For the life of me, I can't figure
out what to get your parents
for an anniversary present.
Wait a minute. Isn't that
John Curtis I hear crying?
I don't hear anything.
I do. Listen, Elizabeth.
I better check on him.
See how you like it.
Well, one thing's for sure.
The party will be no fun
if they find out about it.
Corabeth sure knows
how to fancy up a dessert.
I didn't mind the rum
on the rice pudding,
but I didn't think
she'd set fire to it.
Corabeth likes fine things.
You can't blame her for that.
You miss not having an
anniversary celebration?
The important thing
is it's been 25 years
and we still enjoy
being together.
I thought I'd have the house
on the mountain done by now.
You didn't expect to have to
take care of seven children.
Well,
I didn't expect the
Depression, either.
Mind waiting a little longer?
The longer the better. The
first 25 years went by so fast,
I need something to
slow down the second 25.
- Excuse me, is that seat taken?
- No, it's...
- Mary Ellen!
- David!
- What are you doing...
- What are you doing...
Um, there doesn't seem
to be another place to sit.
Well, no, please, sit here.
- Oh, thank you.
- Please.
Well, how have you been? I
haven't seen you in a long time.
Yeah. Not since the night you
walked out on our wedding rehearsal.
Oh, I'm sorry,
really. I'm all over it.
Are you happy?
Well, Curt's in the Army. That doesn't
make me too happy, but otherwise, yes.
We have a baby, John Curtis.
A baby? Well, congratulations.
I'm glad to see you haven't
given up being a nurse.
I just started again.
With Curt gone, I
needed something to do.
I thought you were going
into your father's practice.
Oh, I did. I did. I just came back
here for a residency in radiology.
Uh, if we're going to keep
running into each other,
we'd better get over
being so nervous.
You still know how to come right
to the point, don't you, Mary Ellen?
I guess I never did find that
bush I'm supposed to beat around.
If your husband finds out I'm
working here, would that upset him?
Oh, no, not at all. Curt
and I trust each other.
Jim-Bob, what are you
doing up here so early?
- I don't know.
- You don't know?
Well, what are you doing?
Nobody is even up yet.
What are those light bulbs for?
Oh, I was just saving them.
You never know when you
might need an extra one.
That's Grandma's old
phonograph, isn't it?
Yeah, I was, um... I
was just looking at it.
No use keeping
it if it doesn't work.
Buck Vernon's real good
with old things like that.
You know, Daddy, you don't have
to say anything about the light bulbs.
Well, you don't have to say
anything about the phonograph.
I'll just let old
Buck check it out.
John, where are you off
to so early this morning?
Why, I told you last night.
I'm going up to the mountain
to plant some seedlings.
Mighty nippy up
there this time of day.
Yeah, the work'll
warm me up, Pa.
Come on in and have
some breakfast first.
Already had some.
Now, lookie here,
just what have you
got here under this tarp?
Look, I told you, Pa, I'm gonna
take some stakes up to the mountain
- to hold up the seedlings.
- Seedlings.
Why, it'd take you all day to
plant those loblolly seedlings,
and Ben's gonna be needing
the truck this afternoon.
Ben's got plenty
to do around here,
and I'm counting on
you to see that he does it.
Don't you want me to
come along and help?
No, I guess you don't.
You'll wait out here, Grandpa?
You go on ahead. I'll
keep an eye on Livie.
Thanks, Grandpa. We
don't want Mama to know.
Ben, did Mama see
you come in here?
I don't think so.
And Grandpa's standing guard.
I've got to hurry. John Curtis
is taking a nap on the porch.
- Okay.
- Who's got the list?
I do.
Is my surprise on the list?
Jim-Bob, how can your surprise be on the
list? We don't even know what it is, yet.
Okay, let's get
started. The cake.
We could never bake a cake.
Mama would surely find out.
I got it.
Joy's Bakery over in Rockfish
makes real fancy wedding cakes.
Great.
And the centerpiece. Elizabeth,
are you still gonna make it?
Uh-huh. I'm having
all my friends at school
save the tinfoil from
their gum wrappers for me.
Good. And, Ben, the paper
bags and putting candles in them?
Right, but everyone has
to start decorating them.
Have you seen Elizabeth?
No, I haven't, lately.
Where is everybody?
Uh... I don't know.
Um, I don't know.
Would you all please stop?
We still have to plan the menu.
What's going on out here?
Elizabeth, you were supposed
to be tending John Curtis.
Oh, I can hear him
if he cries, Mama.
It was just... I was thinking about
making the shed into a playhouse for him.
I thought you were gonna
study your shorthand.
Oh, I am, inside.
Come on, Elizabeth.
I was just helping Ben, Mama.
I was helping Jim-Bob.
Bye.
I, uh...
I just wanted to practice out here where...
My concerto, where it was nice and quiet.
In the barn, with no piano?
Sure, uh, you know, air piano.
I have never heard so many lame
excuses. And what's all that whistling?
Oh, I was just trying to
whistle Jason's concerto.
Studying?
Not exactly.
Gone with the Wind.
I'm probably the only person in
the country who hasn't read it yet.
Surprised you have time to read.
A job and a baby...
More time than I want.
Must get lonesome
with Curt gone.
It's hard to be lonesome when you
live in a house with nine other people.
You're sort of a Scarlett
O'Hara yourself, you know.
David, what a thing to say. She's
a very spoiled, willful young lady.
She's also beautiful
and fascinating.
Anyway, I didn't grow
up on a plantation.
I brought you a present.
David...
Thank you.
I took it the day of our picnic
up on Walton's Mountain.
I always meant
to send it to you.
Now I can show my children
that once upon a time I was young.
- John Curtis all tucked in?
- Mmm-hmm.
And I sure hope
he stays that way.
He's been cross all
afternoon. I'm pooped!
It's not always easy
being a mother, is it?
He's awfully cute,
makes up for the rest of it.
You were awful cute
yourself, you know.
Take after your mama that way.
Mama's not cute,
she's beautiful.
Tell me about when you
and Mama got married again.
Oh, I already told
you 200 times at least.
Well, tell me again.
All right.
You see, your mama was the
wildest young filly in the county,
and me, I was the pillar
of the Baptist church.
Daddy, you're telling
it all backwards.
It's the way it happened, huh?
Don't look at me,
it's your crazy story.
Your grandpa and your grandma
were so mad, 'cause they didn't
want me to marry this wicked woman.
- You being as angelic as you were.
- That's right.
Anyway, she dragged
me down the courthouse
and we got the license, then
we went over to Preacher Hicks,
but he wouldn't marry us.
He thought I was making a big mistake,
but your mama caused such a fuss.
He gave in, he went ahead and
married us. And that was 25 years ago.
Daddy, you're
telling it all wrong.
I'm telling you, honey,
that's the way it happened.
Oh, no!
I'll see to him.
No, Mama, it's my responsibility.
Mary Ellen's paying me.
That story gets wilder
every time you tell it.
Are you telling me
my memory's failing?
No, I'm just telling you
that's not the way it happened.
I remember how it
happened, all right.
I remember.
Come along, now.
Now, what have we got here?
What's the telephone
company doing here?
Well, I would say he's got lost,
he's trying to find a way to back out.
You see, there are no numbers on
the houses up on Walton's Mountain.
He's cussing us out now.
- Yeah.
- Howdy.
- Is this the Walton residence?
- Yeah.
I'm here about your telephone.
- We don't own a phone.
- You must have the wrong house.
Hardly anybody around
here has a phone.
Jim-Bob, who is it?
Nobody, Mama. Just somebody
from the phone company.
Well, I got an order here.
It says I'm supposed to install
one telephone, one extension.
Party's name is John Walton.
My son is John Walton, but he
wouldn't order a phone without telling me.
I wasn't expecting you
for a couple of days.
Mama, you ordered the telephone?
It's supposed to be a
surprise for my husband.
Our anniversary isn't until
Saturday. Could you come back then?
There's a crew stringing wire
through the woods right now.
I'm supposed to have these phones
ready by the time they get here.
It's now or never, ma'am.
Well, guess it'll
just have to be now.
Looks like John's going to have to
stand in line to get at his own present!
It seemed like a
good idea at the time.
Hey, here he comes.
He's been gone for hours. He ought to have
half that mountain planted with seedlings.
Now, everybody try to act natural.
We don't want to give it away too soon.
Sorry I'm late. There was a fog up on
the mountain and it slowed me down.
Mmm-hmm.
Here's your paper, Daddy.
Think I'm gonna go
outside and stretch my legs.
All right.
Everything all right?
You must be starved. I
guess I'd better start supper.
Hello, Erin? He's home.
Just give me a minute to get back inside
the house and then let it ring, okay?
Okay, Jason. Oh, I
wish I could see this.
All right, bye-bye.
I have a feeling something's
going on around here
nobody wants to tell me about.
All right, Liv. Out with it.
What's that?
Why don't you see for yourself?
Well, I'll be damned.
Surprise!
Happy anniversary, Daddy!
Well, why don't you answer it?
Hello?
Happy anniversary, Daddy.
Happy anniversary from Mama.
Goodbye.
- How'd you ever work this out?
- Oh, I've been saving my money.
It'll be good for business, now.
It's fun, too.
Yeah, just because you called
Patsy four times this afternoon.
I was gonna have it installed on
Saturday, but the man came today instead.
- Do you mind?
- No.
Well, now you've made your
announcement, I've got one to make.
Come Saturday, you and me are
going to get dressed up real nice,
go into Rockfish to that photographic
studio and have our pictures taken.
I figure we gotta have something to
remember our 25th anniversary by.
Oh, Liv, easy now. I
only got one layer of skin.
You've got some white paint
on the back of your neck here.
I must've backed into something.
A little lower, little lower.
Over to the right.
Does that feel good!
Liv, I'll tell you, if heaven was
like this, I'd repent right now.
You like your new telephone?
Yeah, yeah. Getting kind
of practical, aren't you?
A few years ago, you would've put little
hearts on a silk handkerchief or something.
After 25 years, it's
about time I got practical.
You're not the most romantic
thing in the world, you know.
Hey, tell me, have you ever
been kissed in a bathtub?
Lots of times.
John, you're wanted
on the telephone.
Now, who could
be calling me now?
Only one way to find out.
Here.
John. John, it's important!
All right!
Hello?
No, Corabeth, I never guessed.
Yes. It was a
surprise, Corabeth.
No. No bother at all.
Appreciate you calling. Bye.
Son, you'd better get upstairs and
dry off before you catch pneumonia.
She wanted to congratulate
me on the new telephone, Pa.
It covers just fine. Ike, I
just didn't order enough of it.
I want another gallon of
white paint. That's right.
- I'll pick it up. Thanks, Ike.
- John!
What are you ordering
all that white paint for?
Pa, I didn't hear you come in.
That Army contract doesn't
call for any white paint.
I gotta get up the mountain,
Pa. I got work to do.
Yeah. This is mighty mysterious.
Seems to me that something's going
on up there besides planting seedlings.
Where is that new coping saw of
ours gone to? Haven't seen it all week.
John!
Hi.
Oh, hi, Mama.
You don't have to help me, Mama.
Just like when you were
a little girl, remember?
You taught me to make hospital corners
a long time before I became a nurse.
I hope you're not
working too hard.
No, it's good being
around people my own age.
This is lovely. I
never saw it before.
David Spencer took it the time
we had the picnic on the mountain.
You see a lot of
him at the hospital?
We have dinner once
in a while in the cafeteria.
He's very easy to talk to.
Mary Ellen, you're a
grown-up lady, and I...
I don't suppose you want
advice from your mother anymore.
But I was about your age
when John went off to war.
I know what it's like to be lonesome
for the sight and touch of a man.
I'm just trying to
tell you to be careful.
Mama, did you ever wonder if you
did the right thing, marrying Daddy?
About a minute
after I said, "I do."
Curt and I hardly knew each
other when we got married.
Now he's so far away. We
don't write like we used to.
Sometimes I can't
even picture his face.
You've got to
believe in yourselves.
Whatever it was that brought
you together is still there waiting,
waiting for the
separation to be over,
unless you let
something get in the way.
Where's Jim-Bob?
He's talking to Patsy. He's trying
to convince her of his true love.
Jim-Bob!
It seems to me every time I
went to use the phone, today,
- one of the young-uns was already on it.
- Now, Jim-Bob!
I'd appreciate it if you
children would remember
that that phone
is for your daddy.
I don't mind you using it once in a while,
but it's gotta be kept clear for business.
Grace.
Father in heaven, we
thank thee that most of us
are gathered together here
on this particular occasion,
the evening before 25 years ago John
and Livie first held hands in matrimony.
We hope that the next 25 years
will be as wonderful, especially me.
- Amen.
- Amen!
Thank you, Grandpa.
Pass the potatoes.
I miss not having Erin
and Mary Ellen around.
Jason would have to work
early at the Dew Drop Inn.
Maybe Thelma needed a little supper
music with her beer and hot dogs.
- I'll get it.
- I'll get it.
Sit down, all of you!
I'm not going to have that
telephone interrupting our meal.
What if it's important?
If it's important, it
will just have to wait.
If it's Patsy, she's
going to be awful mad.
Now, look, do we own that telephone
or does that telephone own us?
Appreciate that gift, Liv,
but I'm beginning to think
we ought to get rid of it.
It makes me nervous.
Hello?
I don't believe it!
I can hear you fine.
Are you all right?
- Did you get my letter?
- It's John-Boy!
How thoughtful of you.
Yes, we're gonna
celebrate it tomorrow.
Your daddy and I are gonna have
our picture taken. We'll send you one.
I think your daddy
wants to talk to you.
John-Boy!
Hello, Son, how are you?
Well, good... Yeah!
We get your letters.
Keep them coming, Son.
John-Boy, there's a whole line here
waiting for you. I'll put Elizabeth on.
Hi, John-Boy!
- Come on, give us a chance.
- Hi, John-Boy, how's your book doing?
Yeah? Here's Grandpa, okay?
Come on home, boy. All
your girls are getting married.
Yeah, your grandma's
fine. She'll be home soon.
Isn't that something?
A son all the way in New York and he
sounds like he's just in the next room.
Still wanna have it taken out?
You could get middle-aged
waiting for this elevator.
Well, it's certainly not the
Dixie Flyer, that's for sure.
They need a gurney
on the top floor.
- Can I catch a ride?
- It's free.
Let me help.
You're off tomorrow. Any plans?
Mama and Daddy are
having a wedding anniversary,
and we've planned a
surprise party for them.
I've been trying to build up
the courage to ask you to go
to Richmond to a concert
with me tomorrow night.
Doctor, you won't have
any trouble getting a date.
There are nurses on
every floor of this hospital
that would love
to go out with you.
It's too bad there's only one
nurse I want to go out with.
David.
Unfortunately, she's busy,
so I thought I'd try you.
I only wish that were true.
I don't like it that you're
so important to me.
David, I don't think we'd better
see each other alone anymore.
I'm sorry.
- Mama, are you awake?
- I am now.
What is this?
- It's your breakfast.
- Happy anniversary, Mama!
Thank you. Where's your daddy?
He ought to be here to enjoy this.
Well, he left early. He said he had
something to do on the mountain.
He said he didn't
want to wake you.
He's acting like
it's just any old day.
You'd think a silver
anniversary ought to be special.
Well, you girls have made it special
by bringing me this wonderful breakfast.
And I get to have my
picture taken today.
What are you going to wear?
Well, I can't seem to decide.
I can't wear my gold lam é,
'cause I lent it to Corabeth.
And my sable coat is in storage.
Well, you could
wear my tap shoes.
Oh, thank you, Elizabeth.
You need a "just married" there.
- They're coming.
- Oh, here they come!
If I had some rice,
I'd throw it at you.
- Too expensive, Grandpa.
- Mama, you look beautiful.
- Thank you.
- How about me?
You look dazzling, Daddy.
You better watch out, Daddy.
They're gonna put your picture
in a movie magazine.
- I cleaned out the car for you two.
- Thank you, Son.
What's that?
Thought it might make
you feel like newlyweds.
Off!
I got all I need to make
me feel like a newlywed.
You sound like you've been
taking lessons from Clark Gable.
Where do you think Clark
Gable takes his lessons?
- Come on, Liv. Watch out.
- Too modest.
I almost hate to go home.
It's such a pretty day.
That's good, because I'm not
planning on taking you home yet.
Thought it might be a nice day
to go for a walk on the mountain.
I'm not dressed to go hiking.
You're dressed just fine, honey.
John, a gazebo. It's beautiful.
This is what you've
been doing all this time.
It's not the house I
promised you, but...
It's better.
Grandpa and the kids can come up
once in a while, but mostly it'll be ours.
May I have this dance?
Man, it could do
with another candle.
Well, here you go, Grandpa.
Well, that looks beautiful,
Elizabeth. Almost looks like real silver.
You know, it's hard to imagine
someone being married 25 years.
I'm not even that old yet.
Fortunately, on this
occasion, you're not, yet.
Well, I hardly feel like I've
been married at all, lately.
Well, you and Curt haven't
had enough practice, hmm?
It takes a long while to
get the hang of a marriage.
Well, that's why I'm
staying single. Play the field.
Oh, I'll tell Ruby
you say so, Ben.
Your daddy used
to talk like that.
Mama and Daddy come,
we'll be ready for them.
Except for Jim-Bob's surprise.
Whatever that is.
Here's the cake.
- Well, bring it on in.
- Good.
Let's see it. Bring it on in.
Here it is.
Okay, take it out of the box. It's
part of the centerpiece over here.
Oh, no!
It's the wrong cake.
Well, back to Rockfish.
Wilbur. Somebody named
Wilbur is going to be surprised
he's been married for 25 years.
Grandpa!
Now, I know how you feel about
drinking, Liv, but one glass of champagne
every 25 years won't
turn you into a sinner.
Any more than two or three visits
to church will make you into a saint.
Olivia, this has been the
best 25 years of my life.
Hmm.
Doesn't taste like
I thought it would.
- Want me to finish it for you?
- No.
Mmm.
Well,
I never thought I'd be dancing
and drinking champagne today.
You turned out to be
a regular Sir Galahad.
I'd appreciate it if you
wouldn't let that get around.
- It's good.
- Mmm-hmm.
Well, the sun's
straining to go down.
Maybe we ought to
think about heading back.
Let's just wait a little longer.
I want to make a
wish on the first star.
All right.
The candles went out.
I've never been to a party where
the guests of honor didn't show up.
I guess we did too good of a
job at keeping everything a secret.
I guess I better go put the
cake away before the icing melts.
How long does it take to have
your picture taken, anyway?
Oh, don't worry about them.
The photographer took one
look at your pretty parents
and decided to fill up a
whole album with their pictures.
I'm starving to death!
I've lost my appetite.
That turkey was done hours ago.
Shh.
Hey, everybody, I hear
a car. They're coming!
- Quick, everybody, hide!
- Hide, hide.
- Back here.
- What about me?
- Shh.
- Elizabeth, get down!
Oh, wait a minute.
Somebody turn off the lights!
- Turn out the lights.
- I'll get the lights.
Where's Jim-Bob?
- He's up on the roof.
- What's he doing up there?
Shh! MARY ELLEN:
Be quiet, everybody!
Surprise!
Mary Ellen?
Curt.
Hello.
Curt.
- It's good to see you again, Curt.
- It's nice to see you.
What I can't figure out is, how
did you know I was coming?
Oh, it's Mama and Daddy's
25th wedding anniversary,
and we were planning
a surprise party.
Except the surprise is on
us. They didn't show up.
Well, I'm sorry if I came
at an inconvenient time.
We're glad you could be
here to celebrate with us, Curt.
I didn't exactly come for the party.
Mary Ellen, I have to talk to you.
Well, the best place for you
to talk is out on the front porch
where you can keep an eye
on them when they come, hmm?
Men, come on with me.
Let's go see if we can
save the turkey, Erin.
I've been trying to call you.
There's something I have to tell you.
You've been reading my mind.
I had to see you, I
couldn't write it in a letter.
David Spencer's
working at the hospital.
You never wrote me about that.
It was exciting at first,
seeing him, talking to him,
especially with you so far away.
But it seemed like the more I saw
him, the further away you seemed to be.
Pretty soon I began to
wonder about things, about us.
Well, I know exactly
how you've been feeling.
There's this nurse at the base
hospital. There's nothing to it, really,
just a little bit
of flirting around,
but somehow I never got around
to telling her that I was married.
And so, anyway, last night she
invited me to her place for dinner,
and I started to go.
But then, all of a sudden, I wanted
to see you so bad, Mary Ellen,
that I wangled a weekend
pass, I borrowed a car, here I am.
But I had to remind
myself that you were real
and not just something
that I made up in my mind.
I'm very real.
I sure don't want to hear
about that young doctor
hanging around with you anymore.
No more cute nurses.
No, I think that you're
all that I can handle.
Come on. Come along here,
everybody. Mary Ellen, Curt, come along.
Gather around, everybody. I
think I've got things figured out.
You know, I talked to that
photographer fellow over at Rockfish,
and he said your daddy
and mama left there long ago.
They've had plenty of
time to get back here.
- I hope nothing happened.
- Maybe they had an accident.
No, no, we'd have heard
about it over the phone.
I think your daddy
is up to something.
Ben, can you put some
candles in those bags again?
Sure.
And Erin can you fix us some turkey
sandwiches and bring along that cake?
Grandpa, where are we going?
Well, I've decided if the
mountain won't come to the party,
the party is a-going
to the mountain.
Hey, everybody,
come see how it looks!
- Hmm?
- What'd he do?
I don't know.
- What is he doing?
- I don't know.
- Oh, that looks great!
- Jim-Bob!
- That looks great!
- Beautiful!
- Oh, no.
- Oh, boy.
Jim-Bob, you've
blown the main fuse!
Where was Moses
when the lights went out?
We've about wore
out that record.
Guess we ought to be getting
back. The children will start to worry.
- I hate to leave.
- So do I.
That's them all right. Hello!
Well, that's Grandpa.
Over here!
Bring everything, will you?
He's brought the children!
The old coot. Just like
him to figure me out.
Come on. Out of the way,
boys. Bring everything, will you?
Happy anniversary!
We were gonna surprise you,
looks like you turned the tables.
Curt, where did you come from? You
don't know how glad I am to see you.
Curt, welcome home.
- Mama, have you been drinking?
- Sure have.
Seedlings, huh?
Planted every last
one of them, Pa.
I suppose this here gazebo
sprung up by itself overnight
like some puffball mushroom?
I gave it a little help.
You could have used some of my expert
help in putting in some thingamabobs
and some curlicues,
and... Oh, a heart.
Mama, what's Grandma's
old phonograph doing here?
Your daddy and I
have been dancing.
- Just the two of you, dancing?
- Any law against that?
I've just never heard of
such a thing, after 25 years.
The trouble with you young people,
Mary Ellen, is you're not very romantic.
Oh, look at the stars
out there tonight.
They're pretty.
I don't know how we didn't figure
out about the surprise party, Liv.
I guess we were too busy
with our own surprises.
It's been quite
a night, hasn't it?
- I hate to see it end.
- Uh-huh.
You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss
A sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
A s time goes by
Moonlight and love
songs Never out of date
Hearts full of passion
Jealousy and hate
Woman needs man And
man must have his mate
That no one can deny
It's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world will always
welcome lovers
A s time goes by
Livie, John.
Now, I'm ashamed I couldn't come
up here with some sort of a present.
And I've been giving the
matter considerable thought.
I have come to the conclusion
that the finest sort of
anniversary gift we could give you
is to leave you two up here
by yourselves on the mountain.
Here, here.
You know there's plenty of pine
needles all around for a mattress.
And those blankets
will keep you warm.
And don't worry about
what's going on back home,
because Elizabeth and I
will take care of everything.
Thank you, Grandpa.
- Good night, honey.
- Good night.
- Pick up your garbage here.
- Sleep well, you two.
- Pick up everything.
- Good night, Dad.
Happy anniversary.
- Good night, honey.
- Happy anniversary, Daddy.
Good night, Livie.
Think that record will
take a couple more plays?
The pretty gazebo is gone now,
burned to the ground in a forest
fire that swept the mountain.
But for all of us, the memories remain
of that night when our father and mother,
after 25 years, danced
and were newlyweds again.
Good night, Liv.
Good night, nothing.
I'm gonna dance
till the sun comes up.
English -SDH