The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 7, Episode 17 - The Pin-Up - full transcript

- John Curtis!
- John Curtis!

- John Curtis!
- John Curtis!

John Curtis! MARY ELLEN:
Do you see him, Daddy?

Not yet, but we'll find him,
honey. He can't have gone far.

John Curtis! John
Curtis, where are you?

In 1942, the coming of
spring to Walton's Mountain

brought a keener appreciation
for all living things than ever before.

With the rest of the world in chaos, here
we felt a sense of life renewing itself.

For my sister, Mary Ellen,

it was a time when she was
emerging from a painful winter

and struggling to achieve
a renewal of her own.



Don't count on John Curtis for
breakfast. I've already fed him.

Good to see you
back in your uniform.

Do you really think I should
be starting to work again?

We've been all through that,
Mary Ellen. You're a nurse.

They need nurses
real bad nowadays.

- What are you doing?
- Trying to match a pair of socks.

You've got one black
one and one blue one.

It's close enough.

You know, with Mama gone I feel like I
ought to be here looking after everyone.

We'll just divide up
the chores differently,

maybe not be so
fussy about things.

Like socks that don't match?

I'll ask Elizabeth to pin them
together next time she does the laundry.

Yoo-hoo!



It's Corabeth, another one
of her missions of mercy.

Come on in, Corabeth.

"Spring, sweet spring

"Cold that doth not sting
The little birds do sing

"Cuckoo, jug-jug,
poo-wee, toowit-toowoo"

That was written
in the year 1600,

but the poet might very well have
intended it for this very morning.

- Here, forsythia.
- Real pretty.

You sure do brighten
things up, Corabeth.

I took it as a vow that when
Olivia was convalescing

I would do my best to console the
family. Mary Ellen, your nurse's uniform?

I'm going back
to work part-time.

Oh! But I thought that you
had withdrawn from nursing

when your mother became ill.

Well, the family thinks
I should try it again.

I think they're getting
tired of having me around.

We don't think it's fair for her to be
stuck in the house taking care of us.

Well, what about John Curtis?

There's always Erin, Elizabeth,
Jim-Bob to take care of him.

I hardly feel that Jim-Bob is the
fitting parental figure for a growing boy.

Well, I'll be spending
plenty of time with him.

Tell your mama to be
on her way, John Curtis.

She'll be late for
her first day back.

Bye, sweetheart. Be a good boy.

Perhaps it'll be
a comfort to you

to know that I am here
in case of an emergency.

Emergency?

The only emergencies you have to
worry about are the ones at the hospital.

Well. I simply
fail to understand.

In my day a young widow withdrew
and took comfort in seclusion.

That's what I'd call being
buried alive, Corabeth.

All right, John Curtis,
now this is middle C.

This is D, next comes E, F,
G, A, B, and back to C again.

You got that?

I think an octave is
enough for his first lesson.

It's time for his bed. Come on.

Hey, you're letting him get away
without telling him to practice.

He's excused until he
can reach the keyboard

without sitting on
somebody's lap.

John Curtis, kiss your
uncle Ben good night.

He's gonna be a famous
photographer. He might teach you how.

Good night, John Curtis.

How did the photo
session go, Ben?

Hey, I got some real nice pictures
of the mountain before it got dark.

How many did you
manage to double expose?

Smile, Jim-Bob.

Hey! I'm blinded!

Do you like my new shorts?

I can see why
they're called shorts.

Hey, Ben. Take a picture
of me. We'll send it to Mama.

Mom would have a
fit seeing you like that.

Besides, I've only have
one more exposure in this roll

and I'm saving it for
something real special.

Well, Ben, when I become a famous model
you can always say you gave me my start.

Okay, I'll finish
up this roll tonight.

Move, Jason. I'm
gonna sit over here.

- I don't get to be in this?
- No.

- Wait, how should I go? Like this?
- Okay. Yeah.

- How's this?
- Okay, smile.

Well, it looks like everybody's
getting along just fine without me.

- Where's John Curtis?
- Elizabeth's putting him to bed.

Oh, well, I'd better hurry
if I'm going to tuck him in.

For someone who's been working
all day, she sure has a lot of pep.

It's nice to see
her smile again.

Yeah. She sure was getting
to be a real sourpuss, huh?

Come on, you want to grow up
to be big and strong, don't you?

Well, then eat.

He giving you a hard time?

I have a patient who
won't eat stewed apricots,

only Mr. Whittemore's
84 years old.

How are things at the hospital?

I didn't realize how much
I'd missed it until I went back.

This week has just flown
by. And I'm running late.

Well, go ahead, let me feed him.

Much as I love my work, I always
hate turning him over to somebody else.

That's part of being a parent.

Go ahead, take care of
that. Hold that spoon, now.

No, you eat, you do it.

Now, it won't be long before I
have a fishing pole in your hand.

There'll be no fishing
until he learns to swim.

Your mama's right.
Swimming first, then fishing.

Oh, I have a short shift today. Will
you tell Elizabeth I'll be home early?

- I want to spend some time with my son.
- All right, honey.

Here you go, son. Have some
apricots, they're good for you.

Come on, try it. No?
Here, watch Grandpa.

I think you're right. How
about some oatmeal?

Try this.

Come on, try it, try it.
Mmm. Yum, yum, yum.

More? There you go.
Come on, eat up. Come on.

Okay, John Curtis, to be a good swing
rider you have to hold on to the rope.

- Jason, where are you going?
- Rockfish. You want anything?

- Yeah. Can I come along?
- Sure.

You want to come see
the big city, John Curtis?

Mary Ellen's coming home
early to be with him. I can't go.

You're not the only babysitter
around here. Hey, Jim-Bob!

Jim-Bob, how would you like
to take care of John Curtis?

- It's just till Mary Ellen gets back.
- I've gotta tune my car.

- It's been missing lately.
- Well, he won't stop you.

Well, maybe I can teach
him something about engines.

Come on, John Curtis.

- He'd like that.
- Let's go!

You any good at setting points?

Hey Jim-Bob. You
got a new apprentice?

He's pretty good at
taking things apart,

but he's got a lot to learn
about putting them back together.

Hey, John Curtis, you wanna
come with me over to Ike's

and we'll see if those
pictures are done?

That's of course if Jim-Bob
doesn't need your advice.

I'll manage. Besides,
he likes rides.

You don't want to be a mechanic
when you grow up, anyway.

Don't you wanna be a
photographer like me?

Now, try to say cheese.
Come on, cheese.

- Hey, Ike.
- Hey, Ben.

- I see you brought my favorite customer.
- Oh, he likes cookies.

I've never seen anything like
the way that child changes hands.

Did you get my snapshots
from the developer, Ike?

Oh, yeah. They came
in the morning delivery.

Oh, great!

Photography is such
a worthwhile pastime.

All of those moments recorded which
otherwise might fade from memory.

I got them right here. I
was looking at them earlier.

- Boy, there's some good shots in there.
- Oh, good.

- You're getting better all the time.
- Thank you.

Did you ever think
of selling them?

I've got a long ways to go before
I can submit them to magazines.

Oh, I don't know. I think
they're good enough

for the Charlottesville
Register right now.

You know the Sunday
section? The Rotogravure?

Do they accept pictures
from amateur photographers?

They have a 10-dollar prize
for the one they like the most.

This one right here of Drucilla's
Pond, now that's pretty good.

Oh, yeah.

Now, if I were you,
I'd get in my car right

now and I'd drive
over to Charlottesville,

and maybe you can get there
before deadline for the Sunday edition.

Yeah, well, I can't drag
him all the way over there.

I thought he was used
to being dragged around.

Why don't you let
me look after him?

Mary Ellen's pretty particular
when it comes to John Curtis.

Hey, now, wait a second, nobody's
more particular than Corabeth.

I guess it would
be all right. Here.

It's a good idea. Thank you!

- Bye-bye.
- Good luck, Ben.

You sweet thing.

It's none too soon to begin
training your aesthetic sense.

I know, we'll go bird-watching.

Joanne?

- It's Mary Ellen Walton.
- Mary Ellen?

What is it? What's the matter?

It's Kimmy, my little boy.

What happened?

We were in the kitchen
cleaning up, and...

He was toddling around after me.

And the phone rang.

I went to answer it.

He must have
gotten into something.

Oh, Mary Ellen, when I got
there, he was barely breathing.

What are they doing in
there? Why don't they hurry?

Our doctors are wonderful.
They'll do all they can.

Come on, let's walk.

I have a little boy, too.
His name is John Curtis.

Kimmy is just beginning to talk.

He only says a few words.

Daddy, book.

He's...

He's going to be two on Sunday.

Oh, if I... If I only had
taken him with me.

If I only hadn't left him!

Don't blame yourself.
These things happen.

David?

Oh, God!

Elizabeth?
Elizabeth! John Curtis!

- Where's Elizabeth?
- She went with Jason.

- Where?
- Over to Rockfish.

She took John
Curtis to Rockfish?

- No. She left him with me.
- Well, where is he?

- Ben took him over to Ike's in the truck.
- I just passed by Ike's.

There was no pickup and there
was no sign of Ben or John Curtis.

Well, I don't know
where they went.

Is this the way my family looks
after my son when I'm gone?

By passing him around
like he's a package?

What's the matter with you,
Mary Ellen? John Curtis is all right.

This child is simply not
cut out to be a bird watcher.

He doesn't have
the patience for it.

Oh, it's all right, John Curtis.
I'm not going to leave you.

I'll never let you out
of my sight again.

And how did our young
man enjoy the sermon?

He didn't say.

I've always failed to understand

what a child that age gets
out of a religious service.

Oh, I don't suppose God is particular
about the age of his congregation.

I wish I could get away with
screeching all through the sermon.

Well, Mary Ellen, I understand that
you have given up your job at the hospital.

It just didn't work out.

Well, under the circumstances, I
think that is by far the wisest decision.

- Hey, Ben! Congratulations!
- For what?

Your picture's made
it in the Rotogravure.

No kidding!

I left them those prints, but they
didn't think they had enough room.

Well, they made room for it,
right smack on the front page.

Good going, Ben.

- Which picture did they use?
- Wait till you see it.

Well, it must be the
one of Drucilla's Pond.

Or is it the one when the
sun goes over the mountain?

I know which one, it must be the one that
you're looking down on the logging road.

I don't think I'll tell you. I
think I'll let it be a surprise.

All I will tell you is that it
is a gorgeous exposure.

Come with me, trailing arbutus.

How about that? Front page!

Yes, Liv, I've seen it. I'm
as upset as you are about it.

Don't worry, I'll talk to them
as soon as they get home.

I love you too, honey. Goodbye.

- Something wrong, Daddy?
- Nothing that a switch to Ben won't fix.

- He's right behind us.
- Hey, Daddy, have you seen the paper yet?

- You mean the Rotogravure section?
- Ike says I have a picture in it.

Can't hardly miss it.

Oh, Ben, how could you?

Either of you care to
explain how this happened?

I just left a few pictures
over at the newspaper office.

I never knew
they'd use this one.

Erin, how could you have your
picture taken in an outfit like that?

We were just fooling around.

All the women are
dressing like that these days.

Not Walton women! Not
my daughter! Not in public!

- Well, that part isn't my fault.
- They're your legs.

Nobody should be seen like
this except by her husband.

You know what they call you
here? The Jefferson County Cutie.

Your mama's fit to be tied!

Well, at least they
didn't put your name in it.

Hello?

No, you cannot speak to
the Jefferson County Cutie!

Kind of missed my
grandson this morning.

We usually go exploring while
the rest of you are in church.

I didn't want to
leave him behind.

He has such good hands.

He's going to be a
doctor like his daddy.

A little early to be deciding his
future, isn't it? He might surprise you.

I never thought I'd have a child
who'd study years to be a nurse

and then give it up.

Nursing was something
that I shared with Curt.

And after Pearl Harbor,

it seemed like a way of holding
onto him, being close to him.

But I was wrong.

John Curtis is all I have let of
Curt now, and I belong with him.

Just don't make him your whole
life. That could be hard on both of you.

Mary Ellen, look
at what I've got.

- What'd you do? Rob the post office?
- No, it's fan mail!

- For who?
- For me.

I haven't read it all yet, but
so far I've gotten two proposals,

and one man is writing a
song for me. Now, listen to this.

If I can get it open.

"Your beauty has inspired me
to compose a song in your honor.

"I'm calling it Carin' for Erin,

"and I'll send you the
words as soon as I finish it."

I can hardly wait!

All this because of that
picture of you naked?

One picture is worth a thousand
words, and I was not naked.

What kind of person
would write this?

"Your picture is the
last thing I see at night

and the first thing I
see in the morning.

"And in between I have
wonderful dreams about you.

"Thanks for being what you are."

- Oh, boy.
- I read that one.

He wants to drive all the
way from Camp Lee to see me.

Well, don't get too carried away. The
house could be crawling with soldiers.

Oh, don't worry, I won't.
But you know, Mary Ellen,

they all must be real
lonely to write these letters.

We laugh at them, but
it's probably the first time

these poor guys have
been away from home.

That's true, but don't let
them use that line on you

if you go out with any of them.

They might try and take
advantage of the situation.

I'm not as naive as you think, big
sister. But thanks for the advice, anyways.

After all, it's not like they know you.
They're only after you for your looks.

I know. But isn't it exciting? This
is more fun than playing post office.

- Got you!
- Ben Walton! What did you do that for?

I got this for John Curtis over
at Ike's. You think he'll like it?

You can just take it back. I don't
want my son playing with weapons.

What are you talking
about, Mary Ellen?

- It's only a toy.
- It was no toy that killed his daddy.

Now get that ugly
thing out of here.

- Look, it only shoots water!
- It shoots and that's enough.

If you can't find
better games than that,

then you better not play
with John Curtis anymore.

Now, that's not
fair, Mary Ellen!

You know that John Curtis
and I have a lot of fun together.

Elizabeth and I are on
going over to Camp Lee.

We'll be home in
plenty of time for supper.

And while you're gone, I'm
gonna have to go back to Ike's

and return this deadly weapon.

What's the matter with her? She's
been like an old mother hen lately.

Mothers get that
way sometimes, son.

- I'm sure glad I'm a man.
- Me, too.

Fathers are a lot more sensible.

- Lieutenant Oler?
- Mr. Walton?

Hello, I'd like you to meet
my daughter, Elizabeth.

I'm glad to meet you. We don't
get enough pretty girls around here.

Come in, sit down.

I guess we should get
right down to business.

I've looked over all the estimates
for the barracks lumber job

and I would like
you to supply it

if you can give me a
reasonable delivery schedule.

I can deliver the first half in three
weeks, the rest two weeks later.

That sounds good to
me. The job's all yours.

- Is that it?
- Don't you want it?

Yes, but we could've settled
delivery over the phone.

Mr. Walton, I'm not a very good
judge of people on telephone.

I wanted a chance to meet the man I
was planning on doing business with

- face to face.
- Well, I understand that.

Now, is there anything else I've forgotten
that we should be taking care of now?

- Seems to me you're doing fine.
- Don't you have to sign some contracts?

- Not only beautiful, but smart, too.
- Brains and beauty run in our family.

Here are the papers.
You can be signing

those and I'll break
out a couple of cigars.

All right.

- Elizabeth, what are you dong there?
- I'm just stretching my legs.

Well, honey, you're in the lieutenant's
way. Come over here and sit down.

What's that?

Oh, I got that out of Sunday's
paper. Isn't she a living doll?

That happens to be my daughter.

And I don't like her to
be on display like that.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I had no idea, Mr. Walton.

But I'm afraid every man in this
camp has her picture pinned up by now.

I guess you could say your daughter's
sort of become the sweetheart of Camp Lee.

Put my baby down this instant!

Interference! The ball
goes down right here.

That's where I
would've hit John Curtis.

Or clobbered him! What do you mean
by charging out in the field with my son

as if he were a football?

We used to run that play with
Elizabeth. And you carried her!

And it didn't hurt me any.

He didn't start crying
till you took him!

Yeah, Mary Ellen. You
always loved touch football.

Not when I was a
year and a half old.

Come on, John Curtis, let's
find something safe for you to do.

See you in a few
years, John Curtis.

Or when you can get away
from your mama's apron strings.

He's my son and
I'll raise him my way,

and if you don't like it,
you can stay away from us!

Hey sugarplum, guess how
many letters that Erin got today.

Mr. Godsey, please. I am
trying to compose a letter.

- She got 42, and that's a new record.
- Shocking!

At this very moment,
I am writing a letter

to the editor of the
Charlottesville paper,

protesting the

"demoralizing influence

"of pin-up photography."

Well, I don't see anything
demoralizing about it.

Nonsense. You said
there were 42 letters today.

That's 42 more men
"inexorably driven

"to lustful feelings"

by that photograph of Erin.

- Corabeth, it's just fan mail.
- But what kind of fan mail?

They are not fans of
her personality, but of her

"bare young limbs."

I understand the soldiers at Camp
Lee have made her their official pin-up.

You see what comes of making
the human body an object of desire?

What is that?

Oh, this is that corduroy that
we ordered special for Mary Ellen.

She's going to make a
suit out of it for John Curtis.

Now there is a
sensible young woman.

She's trying to make a life for her
son in the face of tragic circumstances,

which only goes to prove
that there are still lasting values

to be found in today's world.

Come in.

Oh, Ben, I thought
you might be Daddy.

Well, he was almost over being
mad at us for taking that picture

until he went to Camp Lee.

- I sure am sorry, Erin.
- What for?

- For getting you into all this trouble.
- Oh, I'm not. It's worth it.

Well, who would
have ever thought

that Erin Walton would become
the pin-up girl of an army camp?

Ben, look.

I was lucky to even
get one letter a month.

You better not let Daddy
know you're answering all those.

Well, I hate to deceive him,

but a lot of these soldiers
don't have anybody to write to.

You know, you're right.
You're doing a patriotic service.

I mean, you must be an inspiration
to all those boys at Camp Lee.

I mean, it must be like
the flag or apple pie.

- And you're responsible.
- Yeah.

Well, I think I'm gonna be going
back to taking pictures of scenery.

- Bye-bye.
- Bye.

- David, come in.
- Hi.

Cleared out your
locker like you asked.

Thanks, I didn't know when I'd get
a chance to go over to the hospital.

Just put it on the chair.

Well.

John Curtis has been
keeping you pretty busy, huh?

How's he doing?

I'd let you see for yourself,
only he's napping right now.

Good, good. It'll give me
an excuse to come back.

- Won't you sit down?
- Well, thank you.

Aren't you even going to ask how
things are going at the hospital?

Sure.

Well, everyone down
there really misses you,

especially that old
codger, Mr. Whittemore?

I beg your pardon. You mean
Lewis Bliss Whittemore the Third?

He's not so old.

He sure seems
older since you left.

He's lost all his spunk. He's
even started being nice to nurses.

I think he actually believes that he
drove you away by being so crotchety.

- Tell him I left him for a younger man.
- Why don't you tell him yourself?

Will you cut this?

Why don't you
come back for a visit?

Or, better still, why don't
you come back to work?

You're not going to be happy
unless you do. I know you.

- No, you don't.
- Hey, remember me?

I'm the guy who
almost married you.

I've worked with a lot of nurses
since I started practicing medicine,

but I've never seen anyone
take the joy in it you do.

I'm sorry David,
John Curtis needs me.

Mary Ellen, look.
You're a good nurse,

one of those rare people who
doesn't turn her back on pain

and who knows when to let go.

Now, the time is coming when
you're going to have to start

letting go of John Curtis.

Turning your back on your profession?
No, uh-uh. That's not a good way to start.

John Curtis cannot fill
that void left by Curt's death.

That's too much
to ask of any child.

David, that's not fair. I'm
his mother, not his nurse.

And I think I know
what's best for my son.

I hope so, Mary Ellen.

I told Mary Ellen I'd get some
vitamins for John Curtis at the drugstore.

Meet me down there.

- I'll be along in a minute.
- All right.

That's the girl in
the newspaper.

- Go on, I dare you.
- Okay, okay.

Hey!

I'm sorry, I've never done
anything like that before.

It's just, I've loved you ever
since I first saw your picture.

You're even more
beautiful in real life.

- Do you know this young man?
- We just met, sort of.

- Well, soldier?
- Wallace, Charles. Private.

United States Army,
serial number 27271014.

He didn't harm me, Daddy.

Private, you're wearing
a man's uniform,

but the way you're acting, I
ought to take you over my knee.

Yes, sir.

I'm not sorry I kissed you.
I'll remember that always.

I'm about to lose my
temper with you, son.

Yes, sir, good-bye, sir!

- Bye, beautiful.
- That's enough!

Looks like John Curtis is
going to get himself a new outfit.

He's outgrown practically
all of his clothes.

I've been so busy working at the hospital,
I haven't had time to keep up with him.

Now, you're gonna make
up some lost time, huh?

Is there anything
wrong with that?

Kind of touchy,
aren't you, Mary Ellen?

I'm sorry. It's just that
everybody's been on my back.

The boys, David. I figured
you were about to start in on me.

To be a part of a big family

you've just gotta be able to
take a whole bunch of advice.

How'd you ever manage
to raise seven of us?

Hmm. I don't know.

Some kind of miracle
you're all grown and healthy.

I remember when
John-Boy was just a baby.

Your mama just wouldn't
let him out of her sight.

Then the rest of you started coming
along and she eased up a little.

And I guess all of you got
plenty love and affection.

John Curtis is my only one.

I just can't help wanting
to keep him safe.

Mmm-hmm, I know.

But fear is not a very good
foundation for mother and her loving.

You remember when he
first started taking steps?

If you hadn't let him fall once in a while,
he never would have learned to walk.

- He'll learn a lot faster if I'm with him.
- Well, that's true.

Just don't think you can
keep him from every little hurt

that might come along in life.

'Cause you can't.

You got to turn him over to
something bigger than yourself.

You know, when I went to
France during the last war,

I just couldn't stand the fact I
wasn't going to be around to protect

John-Boy and your mama.

- I just had to turn them over to the Lord.
- I tried that once.

And now I have to be
mother and father both.

I understand the problem.

- Hello, Erin.
- Hey!

How can I help you?

Well, I need some stamps. Fifty
should be enough to start with.

I imagine that's
for the fan mail?

I think a more apropos
term would be masher mail.

Ha! Well, you can call it what you
want, but she got 276 letters today,

and they're all from Camp Lee.

Erin, perhaps I could
help you with this deluge.

I could compose a form letter

that could be sent to
discourage repeat offenders

of unsolicited billet-doux.

Well, I couldn't trouble you with
my correspondence, Corabeth.

Oh, well, no trouble is too great
when a young girl's honor is at stake.

Well, I think I can manage,

except for the requests
for the locks of my hair.

I'd be bald if I gave in to
everybody who wanted one.

Today your tresses.

Tomorrow, who knows
what they'll be asking for?

Well, I guess that's the price you
pay for being a patriotic inspiration.

You know, I expect Erin's
popularity is just beginning.

I would expect that
someday she'll be so

famous, they'll name
a battleship after her.

Thanks, Ike.

- These must all be invitations.
- Listen to this.

"My dear Miss Walton, your
presence is cordially requested

"as guest of honor at our inspection,
parade and review this weekend."

He writes like Corabeth talks.

"As camp protocol officer,

"I will be calling you Friday
night..." That's tonight!

"at 2000 hours to set up an
escort for Saturday's festivities.

"With sincere respect and
admiration, Major John P. Callison."

How about this one? "Hiya, baby,
all us guys think you're some looker,

"so we want you to come to
a little shindig we're having."

- Are there any normal boys there?
- I don't know.

Shh! Is that John Curtis?

- I didn't hear anything.
- I thought you left him napping.

I thought we'd managed to get
her away from him for five minutes.

Still sleeping?

Well, he could
have been in trouble.

- I wonder what I should wear?
- When?

- When I go to Camp Lee.
- You mean you're really going?

Well, I couldn't let so many
GI's down. I'd feel like a traitor.

What time is 2000 hours?

- 8:00.
- What about Daddy?

Well, you two will have to keep
him far away from the house

when my escort calls.

You mean trick him.

Well, on the outside it might look
like Daddy doesn't want me to go,

but deep down he
understands things like duty.

There just isn't enough
time to get deep down.

- Besides, our fighting men need me.
- Correction, want you.

Thanks.

What happened?

- He got a small splinter in his hand.
- It was the size of a tree. I got it out.

Let's put these away.

You took half your finger with
it. Why didn't you leave it for me?

Consider yourself lucky, Ben.

She took a splinter out of my foot
once, and I couldn't walk for a week.

I'd like to have a nickel for every
time I've bandaged the two of you.

Look who's talking.

You've fallen out of more trees
and had more scrapes and bruises

than all of us put together.

- Poor John Curtis.
- What's that supposed to mean?

He'll never know the glory of
a black eye or a skinned elbow.

- You're under him every time he falls.
- That's not true.

You know, it's natural for
boys to get cuts and bruises.

I mean, it's as natural as
having a dog or playing hooky.

Ouch!

Or eating too much ice
cream and getting sick.

- Aren't you going to let him have any fun?
- Not the kind you're talking about.

It's sad to think of our little nephew as
growing up and being a mama's boy, huh?

When and if you're ever a
parent, you'll understand.

In the meantime, would you stop
meddling with the way I'm raising my son?

Here, tape it yourself.

Little hot under the
collar today, aren't we?

She's a lot of help, isn't she?
Could have done this myself.

Listen carefully. During your
speech, you have to smile a lot.

Look around, eye contact is
very important. Now rehearse.

Oh, but Elizabeth, it's almost 8:00.
The officer is calling in a few minutes

and I don't want Daddy
to answer the phone.

You also don't want to make a
fool of yourself in front of 300 fans.

All right.

"Dear fighting men, I'm
very happy to be here today.

"Some of you may be sent far
away to defend our way of life.

"Those of us who
must stay at home

"want you to know that our thoughts
and prayers will always be with you.

"Your courage and bravery
make us all very proud.

"I want you to know there is one girl
who will always be with you in spirit."

They'll love you. Now practice
throwing kisses to the crowd.

No, Elizabeth, that's stupid.

No, it's not. All the
big stars throw kisses.

- What's going on in here?
- I was just leaving.

Elizabeth and I were
just horsing around.

Daddy, don't you think we should try
and give of ourselves to the war effort?

What exactly do you
mean by giving of yourself?

Well, it makes me sad to
think of the soldiers over there

without a female face to look
on, except for maybe a pin-up.

You know how I feel
about your picture

being plastered over
every wall at Camp Lee.

Well, if I went there in a
dress that covered my knees,

they'd see I was a nice girl.

Is that why Elizabeth was
asking you to throw kisses?

I've been invited there
as a guest of honor.

I will not have my daughter being
ogled at by hundreds of leering men.

I'd only be ogled at for a
few short hours. It's tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

The officer of protocol is calling
in a few minutes to get my answer

and to arrange for an escort.

Looks like I found out
just in time, doesn't it?

I'm sorry, Daddy, but this my chance to
feel like I'm part of something important.

Erin, the answer is no!

Please, Daddy! I
can't tell them no!

- Well, I can!
- Daddy!

"I hope you don't mind getting
this letter from a total stranger.

"Since I saw your picture
in the Sunday paper,

"I haven't been able to
get you out of my mind.

"You remind me very much of a
girl I know back home in Kentucky.

"Her name is Mary Beth. I
don't have a picture of Mary Beth.

"In fact, she doesn't
know how much I like her.

"I guess I'm just too
bashful to tell her.

"Anyway, I was using your
picture in place of one of her.

"But the trouble is, somebody
swiped it and now I don't have one.

"I wonder if you could send
me one that I could keep.

"It doesn't have to be the one in the
paper. A snapshot would do just fine.

"I'm sure that Mary Beth would
understand, and I hope you will, too.

"Maybe your picture will
help me to tell her how I feel.

"Thanks. Most sincerely,
Billy Gene Wozier, Private."

- Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.
- What do you mean?

Well, I missed out on being
Queen for Jefferson County Days.

And I lost our class
election by four votes.

And if Daddy didn't come
in when he did last night,

I'd be on my way to Camp Lee.

He would have found
out sooner or later,

and then there would
have been plenty of trouble.

- If Mom were here, I bet she'd let me go.
- I wouldn't be too sure of that.

It was the biggest thing that
almost ever happened to me.

Mary Ellen, look!

- Lieutenant?
- Mr. Walton, you remember me?

Sure do. Why are you over?
Checking on your order?

No, sir. I'll trust
you to do that.

And now I'm hoping that maybe
you can put a little trust in me.

I don't understand.

Well, sir, I came here

to persuade you to allow me to
escort your daughter to Camp Lee.

Mary Ellen.

Lieutenant, I told whoever
called yesterday she can't go.

Yes, sir, I know that,
and that's why I'm here,

to ask you to reconsider.

- Do you have any daughters?
- No, sir.

Well, if you did
you'd understand

why I don't want her parading
in front of a bunch of GI's.

Now who's being over-protective?

Excuse me, Lieutenant.

She's right, Daddy.

I'm still your daughter, but
I'm not a little girl anymore.

I do not want you being
treated like some kind of dame.

Excuse me, Mr. Walton.

The men only think of your
daughter as a beautiful girl next door.

We've put her on
a kind of a pedestal.

And believe me, if any wolf
does try to come near her,

there'll be more
than 300 well-trained

infantry men who'll
just leap to her rescue.

Daddy, how do you expect me
to be able to let go of John Curtis

if you're afraid
to let go of Erin?

- Can't you trust me just a little?
- I trust you.

Enough to go to Camp Lee?

I don't want you wearing
shorts. And keep your clothes on.

Is this all right?

You look gorgeous.
Have a wonderful time.

I'm gonna hold you
responsible, Lieutenant.

- Yes, sir.
- Thank you.

All right, honey.

You let me know if anybody bothers
you, I'll come over there with my shotgun.

- How'd I do?
- You did great.

Maybe you'll let me take
John Curtis fishing now.

We'll both go.

- John Curtis?
- John Curtis?

See him anywhere?

You look inside. I'll
look around outside.

John Curtis?

John Curtis? Sweetheart?

John Curtis?

What's wrong, Mary Ellen?

John Curtis wandered
off. We can't find him.

- I'll go get Elizabeth.
- Tell her to check upstairs.

John Curtis!

John Curtis!

He isn't inside.

Ben, is John Curtis
in there with you?

- No, what's wrong?
- He wandered off somewhere.

We can't find him anywhere.

John Curtis is missing. Find
Jason, check the smokehouse,

behind the barn, work your
way down the woods to the pond.

We'll go south of the pond.

Don't you worry, Mary
Ellen. We'll find him.

We gotta find him before dark.

If he's in those woods
anything could happen!

Just don't let your imagination run
wild. Now come on, let's start looking.

John Curtis?

John Curtis?

John Curtis?

John Curtis? John?

John Curtis!

John Curtis!

John Curtis!

John Curtis? John Curtis!

John Curtis!

John Curtis!

John Curtis!

John Curtis!

John Curtis!

John!

John Curtis!

- He's not by the big rocks.
- I've checked the smokehouse.

He's not around here, either.

- Better keep looking.
- All right.

John!

John Curtis!

John Curtis?

John Curtis, where are you?
Sweetheart? John Curtis?

- Daddy, anything?
- Not yet.

Oh, where could he be?
He should've heard us calling.

- Unless something awful's happened!
- He's gonna be all right.

Oh, Daddy, something terrible's
happened, and I'm to blame!

Mary Ellen, that kind of
talk's not gonna do any good.

He could be lying
hurt or unconscious!

If I see him again, I'm never
gonna let him out of my sight!

Mary Ellen! No child's had
more looking after than that child!

You can't keep life from
happening to your kid!

Oh, Daddy!

It's all right, honey. If I could
have spared you this, I would.

Oh, I feel so helpless.

I've felt like that ever
since John-Boy was a baby.

Daddy.

Shh. Don't startle him.
He might start towards you.

Honey, easy now, go
that way. Go that way. Shh.

Come on!

John Curtis, what were you doing
wandering around all alone out here?

He wasn't alone, was he, Daddy?

Mary Ellen and John Curtis
survived their morning in the woods

and during this crisis,
Mary Ellen found

the strength to start
letting go of her son.

Once again, she was
sharing John Curtis with us.

As the years went by the bond between
mother and son continually deepened,

nurtured not by fear,
but by trust and love.

Hey, Erin, how'd you
entertain the troops?

- I smiled a lot.
- Did you kiss any of them?

Good night, Ben.

Good night, Mary Ellen.
Good night, John Curtis.

Shh! He's asleep.

Not anymore. MARY
ELLEN: Good night, everyone.