The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 8, Episode 6 - The Starlet - full transcript

All right, everybody, back to
work, you're not acting now.

All right, get this
truck back. Let's go.

Excuse me. Careful
there. Hey, watch it, Larry.

Young lady, excuse me,
but we haven't finished.

- We have work to do.
- And we have a movie to make.

I'm very sorry, but the United
States Army comes first.

Has anyone ever told you how
attractive you are when you're angry?

I've heard that one
before. Excuse me.

There's a quality about you
that I'd love to capture on film.

- What do you say?
- I don't know.

I have a lot of friends
in Hollywood, big friends.



They'll beat a path to your door
once they see you on that screen.

And what's he gonna use you for?

Erin, you don't know
what you're talking about.

But, Daddy, I do. I've
been in front of a camera.

You're not going anywhere.

I knew you wouldn't want to
listen to me, Daddy, but you better.

Because I have enough money saved
up, and if I can get a job, I'm going.

Don't tell Mama and Daddy this, but
Barry said that if this turns out okay,

that I have a chance to
get a job in Hollywood.

Wow.

As World War Il
ranged around the globe,

the peace and quiet
surrounding Walton's Mountain

seemed even more precious.

Throughout the nation, Americans
worked together to maintain freedom



and a way of life that had
made our country great.

Holding down an important
job in a defense plant

was my sister
Erin's contribution,

and she highly resented
anything that interfered with it.

- There she is, our famous lady executive.
- Hi, honey.

I'm sorry I'm late, Mama, but
J.D. has fouled things up again.

You better not think
about J.D. while you eat.

Women executives get
ulcers just the same as men.

Women are doing most
things men do nowadays.

Not me. I'm in a very specialized
category, for women only.

I wish I could trade
places with you.

Sorry, Erin, Cindy's
got a long-term contract.

What's old J.D.
been up to anyway?

He has given permission
for a Hollywood camera crew

to come in and do
a movie at Pickett's.

- Really? Who's gonna be in it?
- Mostly J.D.

Which makes no sense at all,

because the film is supposed to be
about women working in defense plants.

That sounds like a fine idea.

It's about time you all got
recognized for your work.

Might help you recruit
some more female workers.

Well, maybe, but it's really
messing up our schedule.

Every time a director wants to film part
of our operation, J.D. stops everything.

- Would it be all right if I went to see?
- You be careful if you do. You, too, Erin.

I hear the Hollywood
people are kind of wild.

Don't worry, Daddy. I just wish they would
finish so we can get back on schedule.

- That's right. War effort comes first.
- Absolutely.

If J.D. Pickett wants to star in a film
about women working during wartime,

well, it's fine with me, as long
as he does it on his own time.

It was so kind of
you to join us, Jason.

Oh, my, yes. We know how precious
your time is away from the fort.

It's a camp, Miss Emily, and having supper
with you ladies is like being at home.

We really wanted to ask your
advice, you being an Army man now.

It's about the war effort, don't
you know? We want to be part of it.

We've always had a garden,

and so it scarcely seems as
though we're helping in that way.

We do call it our
Victorious Garden now.

And we thought of applying
for work at the Pickett plant.

But Papa never allowed
us to wear trousers.

And then, I read an article
about airplane spotters.

We are excellent bird
watchers, aren't we, Sister?

Indeed, we are.

Why, we can spot a
Scarlet Tanager at 100 yards.

And Blue Jays, they're my favorite.
So colorful. Blue, don't you know?

- So, where should we apply, Jason?
- I hate to disappoint you, ladies,

but there really isn't much call
for airplane spotters in this area.

They need them
mostly on the coast,

near the big cities, around
the defense factories.

- Perhaps around the Pickett plant?
- I don't think it's likely

the enemy would be bombing
a mess kit and canteen factory.

If they come, they will go
for more important targets.

- Oh, dear. We did so want to help.
- It's our war, too, Jason.

You know, there just might
be something you could do,

and both of you would
be just perfect at it.

At least we're good
for something, Sister.

- Well, yes. Whatever could it be?
- Shall we let Jason tell us?

It's really very simple, just what
you've been doing here tonight.

You see, there are
men at Camp Rockfish

who are hundreds of
miles away from home.

Any one of them would love to have a
chance to visit a beautiful home like this

and enjoy a meal like
you cooked for me tonight.

You could invite a
soldier to Sunday dinner.

What a marvelous idea.

Oh, why just one? We could invite
several. Perhaps an entire squadron.

Oh, thank you, Jason. We
knew you'd think of something.

How do you think we
should dress, Sister?

- I think your light blue might be nice.
- I wouldn't want to appear frivolous.

All right, sweetie,
now just walk slowly.

And remember the
box is heavy, all right?

And, go.

Start getting lower, Larry, lower.
Good. No, no, not you, him. Here we are.

We getting the tops
of the trees, the sky?

I've got it.

You wanna get in
the shot, go ahead.

- Follow her around.
- Got it.

- Good. The box is heavy. Act like it.
- Got it.

Good. Gritty
real... Kill the shot.

And what do you
think you're doing?

I thought I was just
supposed to stand here.

You're supposed to stand over there,
behind the camera, out of the shot.

But it's my factory.

- And it's my movie!
- Barry.

Thank you. You'll get
your chance, Mr. Pickett.

In the meantime, why don't you just
sit over here, sir, in my director's chair

and don't move. We'll
do it again, everybody.

We'll do it until we get
it right. From the top.

- We'll be here all day if we have to.
- First positions, please.

All right, sweetheart. Look, I
want to see some agony, all right?

And sweat. Lots
of sweat. And pain.

Remember, heavy, your
arms hurt and your back aches.

That box isn't heavy. Can't weigh
more than a couple of pounds.

Quiet, J.D.!

- Roll the camera.
- Rolling.

And, action.

Good, sweetheart, good. Play
the heavy. Play the heavy. Good.

Easy. Getting too close to her,
Larry. Okay. Get around and...

- Nice shot.
- J.D., I have to talk to you.

Cut.

Don't bother us, Erin. We're
cutting up a take. Movie talk.

That's too bad.

Because this shipment is supposed to
be at the Quartermaster Depot right now.

It'll just have to be late.

Well, then, I'll let you
explain why to General Wilson.

He's on the phone
in your office.

The General? I'll be right
back. Get that shipment moving.

All right, everybody, back to
work, you're not acting now.

All right, get this
truck back. Let's go.

Hey, careful there.
Hey, watch it, Larry.

Young lady, excuse me,
but we haven't finished.

- We have work to do.
- And we have a movie to make.

I'm very sorry, but the United
States Army comes first.

Has anyone ever told you how
attractive you are when you're angry?

I've heard that one
before. Excuse me.

We're never gonna wrap
this up if she keeps interfering.

We got a deadline to meet.

I've got big plans for
this factory. Look around.

Faces of Appalachia. They're
gonna be the backbone of my movie.

Not if Erin Walton has her way.

Orson Welles wouldn't have allowed
a hot shot teenage girl to stop him,

and neither will I.

Take it easy on her, Barry.
She's only doing her job.

Don't worry about it, Phil. I
am a master of persuasion.

"The Misses Baldwin
cordially invite

"four servicemen to their
home this Sunday afternoon

"for dinner and a musicale featuring
the records of Mr. Enrico Caruso.

"Please sign up below."

Now, isn't that nice of
you ladies to do that?

We would've invited more,
but rationing makes it difficult.

We can invite some
every week, Sister.

- It's our contribution to the war effort.
- How very patriotic.

And perhaps I thought
that in that same vein,

I might offer my services to help
entertain our brave young men.

That's very nice of you,
Corabeth, always generous.

But we are planning a buffet,
and we won't need anyone to serve.

But we'll keep it in mind

in case we ever decide to have
a sit-down dinner some Sunday.

That's not exactly
what I had in mind.

I thought that perhaps I might
recite the various stories of the operas

from which your Caruso
arias are recorded.

I'm sure our young men have
such fundamental knowledge.

They're on our side, you know.

But we thank you,
anyway, dear Corabeth.

I'm sure the boys will enjoy
a good home-cooked meal,

and especially if they
get a bit of the Recipe.

At any rate, I'll put your notice
up in the Homefront Canteen,

and, you know, a lot of the
servicemen drop by every day.

We'll be in to shop
on Saturday morning.

- And please set aside a nice roast for us.
- We pooled our rations.

- You can count on it. See you Saturday.
- Thank you, Ike.

Come along, Sister,
we have much to do.

Instead of a roast, perhaps we should
serve creamed chip beef on toast.

- They say the boys adore it.
- We can do that next Sunday.

Hello.

Excuse me.

Miss Walton.

- May I see you a moment?
- I'm sorry, but I'm busy.

I must get these
government forms finished.

- Just call me Barry, okay? Erin?
- If you don't mind, I have work to do.

Look, I just want to
apologize tonight, over dinner.

- I'm sorry, I can't.
- Besides, we both have jobs to do.

I was thinking if we
coordinated our efforts,

we'll be out of your
hair a lot sooner.

You should talk to J.D.
about that, Mr. Stone.

Call me Barry.

- He's the boss around here.
- Who's kidding who?

Listen, dinner's
on me. All right?

It would be a lot easier for
both of us if we were friends.

What do you say?

You don't much care
about movies, do you?

I love movies. I just don't see how
they're going to help us win the war.

Making mess kits and canteens
may not seem that important,

- but at least it's a contribution.
- Most movies,

even the entertainment
movies, are about the war now.

We're hoping to encourage
people to do their part.

We're reminding them how
important their way of life is.

- There can't be anything wrong with that.
- There isn't.

I just don't think it should get in
the way of real war production.

Do you know how many factory workers
in other areas are gonna see this film?

Thousands. And it's gonna
inspire them to do better.

But what about my workers?

I'll bet you anything that they become
more productive than they are now,

because they'll remember

that somebody thought they were
important enough to put in a film.

But we still have work to
do and deadlines to meet.

We can't afford to lose contracts
because we're falling behind.

Then work with me,
so you won't lose time.

Erin Walton, you're much too pretty
to be such a tough-minded executive.

What are you doing that for?

I'm just looking at you as
though I were a camera.

- I don't understand.
- You're a natural beauty, Erin. No.

And you know more about Pickett's
operation than he does himself.

I'm gonna feature
you in the film.

I want to give you a
chance to tell the world

what women around
here are really contributing.

And that way you can do more,

much more for the war
effort than you ever imagined.

Barry, I'm very
flattered, but I just can't.

- Why not?
- Because I don't have time.

What are you talking about?

Let Pickett do his own
work for a couple of days.

I promise that's
all it will take.

Besides,

there's a quality about you
that I'd love to capture on film.

- What do you say?
- I don't know.

I have a lot of friends
in Hollywood, big friends.

They'll beat a path to your door
once they see you on that screen.

- There she is.
- About time.

She did call, John. She has a
right to have some fun now and then.

- But with a Hollywood director?
- Why not?

Her work might be important,
but it can get awfully dull.

Believe me, I know.

- What do you think?
- You wouldn't want to hear what I think.

Don't tell me he offered
you a screen test.

Oh, no, Mary Ellen, it's even better.
He wants me to be in his movie.

Oh, Mama, isn't it exciting?

What about your
production schedule?

You sounded a lot
different last night.

That's because now we can do the
film without falling behind schedule.

You see, Barry has explained to
me how important this film would be,

and I just couldn't turn him down.
Oh, my gosh. I have to do my hair.

Mary Ellen, will you help
me with it after I wash it?

- Of course, Miss Walton.
- Okay.

My room is the one
with the star on the door.

Barry.

I don't like it, Liv.

What are you gonna
do, lock her up?

She seems to be running around
with some pretty fast company.

Don't worry about Erin.

Her head might be in the clouds, but
she's got her feet firmly on the ground.

Barry.

You're really gonna be
in the movie yourself?

I sure am.

Don't tell Mama and Daddy this, but
Barry said that if this turns out okay,

that I have a chance to
get a job in Hollywood.

Wow.

Why are they setting
up in your office, Erin?

Because Mr. Stone has
decided to feature me in his film.

After all, it is about
women workers.

But I thought they was
gonna shoot in my office today.

I think they changed the
schedule. They'll be in here later.

J.D., there are some contracts
here that I think you should look over

and there are some bills to be
paid, and some letters to answer.

And there's a production report from
the OWP that you should check out.

You usually do all this, Erin!

Mr. Stone says I'll be
very busy this morning.

I'll be in here working
all day on this stuff.

Mr. Stone and I figured
out a shooting schedule

that will finish them up in only two days,
and then we can get back to business.

- You mean, I'm not gonna be in it?
- Of course you are, but later.

- Miss Walton, we're ready to roll.
- J.D., your hair's falling off.

When the Pickett Defense Plant
first went into war production,

there weren't many women working here.
But as more and more men were drafted,

we got busy recruiting women
from all over Jefferson County.

- And, cut. Nice job.
- Save the lights.

- Is that all?
- For here.

We'll record some voiceover
for your narration later.

Listen, we'll see you
at the assembly line.

We'll follow you in
a minute, all right.

We're moving to the
assembly line. Let's go.

- Barry, can I talk to you a second?
- Sure.

- What? Something wrong?
- I think it's a mistake to use her, Barry.

Come on. What are you talking
about? Look, we're getting the work done.

What are we gonna do
with all these scenes?

Have you ever heard
of the cutting room floor?

We don't have to use any
piece of film that we don't like.

So you are manipulating that poor
girl, giving her all kinds of false hopes.

This is the most important
film I've ever made.

So, just cut the moralizing,
Phil. You know something?

I'd never cast you as a
preacher. You're lousy.

Are you ready for me yet?

No, Mr. Pickett.
We'll let you know.

Let me see. We have
Mr. Caruso's recording

of Tosca, Rigoletto,
Aida, and Carmen.

What else do you
think we should play?

The Hut Sut Song and
Mairzy Doats and Dozy Doats.

I beg your pardon.

I asked Elizabeth, and she said the
young men would like those selections.

I don't think Mr. Caruso
recorded those arias.

Sister, what do young
men talk about these days?

The same things Jason does, I
suppose, and, of course, martial subjects.

- They are of the military now, you know.
- Then they shall want to hear about

Papa's adventures in the
War between the States.

I'll just get out his journals.

And we'll get out Papa's
saber and polish it.

A capital idea, Sister.

Perhaps one of the young
men could carve the roast with it.

Oh, what fun!

I wish the fashion experts would
make up their minds about hemlines.

Hairdos also. Does it have to
be just the way it was today?

Barry says it has to
match or something.

If you don't hold still, your
fingers will match your nails.

If you were in Hollywood
you'd have experts to do all this.

Are you gonna go?

Not after working my
way up at Pickett Metal.

I don't think it
would be very smart.

At least you might find
some men out there.

The ones around here are
either too old or too young.

- Or married.
- Or too like J.D.

Maybe you should go back
to the hospital, Mary Ellen.

- They have interns there.
- I'm just restless.

Seems like there's a lot
happening these days,

but none of it's
happening to me.

If I knew a director who said he
could get me in to the movies...

- Elizabeth.
- You told me not to tell Mama and Daddy,

but you didn't tell me not
to tell Mary Ellen and Cindy.

Not many girls get
a chance like that.

I'd go in a minute if it weren't
for Ben and my little friend here.

Then we could go visit
you when you're a star.

I don't think Mama and Daddy
would like the idea very much.

- That's putting it mildly.
- She's gonna leave sometime,

and they're just gonna
have to get used to it.

It depends on why she's leaving.

Going to Hollywood is
not a very good reason.

- You clear on everything?
- I say my line here,

and then I go over to the
ladies and pass out soda.

That's perfect. Phil,
you ready? Excuse me.

Did you shake up one of
those bottles I told you to?

Just like you said. It's gonna
squirt all over the county.

Yeah. And then we'll
get a reaction from them.

Ladies, we ready? Good.

- Roll the camera.
- Rolling.

And action, Erin.

A job at Pickett Metal
isn't all work and no play.

Every day the ladies
congregate here to talk and laugh.

- How are you gonna cut that in?
- Mind your own business, Phil.

Great shot! Excellent.
You get that, Larry?

No! I can't see a thing.
There's gunk all over the lens.

What are you talking
about? Are you kidding?

Look at it.

Sorry, ladies, we'll have
to go from the top again.

- So much for surprises.
- Yeah.

And action, Erin.

And now, I'd like to introduce to you
the head of Pickett Metal Products.

Without this man, none of this
would be possible. Mr. J.D. Pickett.

Thank you, Erin.

We are very pleased to
be a part of this movie film...

- I mean, documentary.
- Cut.

You're a natural,
J.D. Thank you.

All right, that's a wrap.
Let's load this equipment up.

- Barry, we're ready to move.
- All right.

Erin, thanks so
much for your help.

Listen, if you ever come
out to the West Coast,

give me a call, look me
up. Here's one my cards.

Do you really think I could
do something out there?

It's a crazy business, huh,
Phil? Anything can happen.

Yeah. Crazy town, too.

You don't know how lucky you
are to be living in a spot like this.

You might not say that if
you'd been here forever.

Don't listen to this
character, Erin.

Like most assistant directors, he's
a bit sour on the rest of the world.

We're late, Barry.
Let's go. Thanks, Erin.

Well.

You might do
good in love scenes.

Take care.

Are you sure he isn't
just interested in you?

I've read in movie magazines
about directors and casting couches.

Oh, not Barry. He's almost
old enough to be my father.

At least you'd be going
into it with your eyes open.

Sure, I would. Besides,
I'm still in love with Ashley.

You haven't heard from
him lately, have you?

No, his ship is somewhere
in the South Pacific.

I guess they don't have too
many mail boxes out there.

Also, Ashley would probably
come back to the West Coast.

- And if he did, I'd be there.
- I see.

So it isn't just a movie
career you're after.

Of course not.

I also wouldn't have
to give up my war work.

How do you figure that?

Why don't you just stay here and listen
while I explain it to Mama and Daddy?

We've been waiting for you
to get back from your walk.

- Want some pie?
- Looks good to me.

Your prosperity is becoming
quite evident, Mr. Walton.

Liv, I've got to find some
way to keep my pants up.

That's why firemen
wear red suspenders.

Mary Ellen, that joke
is older than Daddy.

Why is everybody picking
on me? What's this?

- Here, allow me.
- "Bunny..."

"Barry Stone, Director,
Hollywood, California."

He gave that to me this
afternoon before he left.

- I'm glad that Hollywood bunch moved on.
- I didn't even get to meet them.

I'll introduce you to them,
Mama, when you come to visit me.

I want to go to Hollywood.

- You what?
- Daddy, it's not just to be in the movies.

I'm certain I can get a job
in a defense plant out there.

We get letters every day
looking for qualified workers.

If I got on a swing shift, I could
visit the studios in the morning.

And Barry said he'd help me get an
agent and I can use him as a reference.

And what's he gonna use you for?

Erin, you don't know
what you're talking about.

But, Daddy, I do. I've
been in front of a camera.

Mama, this is my chance
to do something exciting.

Erin, this could
change your whole life.

And it could ruin your
life too, young lady.

You're not going anywhere.
Forget it, and that's final.

I knew you wouldn't want to
listen to me, Daddy, but you better.

Because I have enough money saved
up, and if I can get a job, I'm going.

Come back here, young lady.

- Erin! Come here!
- John.

It's not gonna do any
good to talk to her now.

It sure won't.

She's not making any sense at
all. Someone's got to talk to her.

Neither of you know what
it's like to live here at our age.

You've got each other. It's your
whole life. Erin's is just beginning.

- Liv, has everybody gone crazy?
- The whole world has.

It isn't easy living
in these times.

Especially if you're young
and have dreams of the future.

- I thought I heard somebody up here.
- I couldn't get to sleep.

I started thinking about
these movie magazines

that I'd stored away up here.

I remember when you
used to look through those

and talk about being in
the movies or on the stage.

These were my dream books.

Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard,
they were all my own secret friends.

- Sounds kind of silly now.
- Not really.

Everybody dreams about romantic
and glamorous things when they're young.

- I know I did.
- About being an artist?

Partly. Mostly, I dreamed about
a city where I could study art.

Paris. I used to read
everything I could about it.

I even studied
French for a while.

It's kind of sad to think
of the way Paris is now.

Yeah, it hurts.

But, back then, Paris was
making history with its art.

I used to dream about
studying with a famous painter,

living in a garret and maybe even
meeting a dashing Frenchman.

- But you met Daddy instead?
- That's right.

And then I found I had
another dream all along.

- Your father, and all of you.
- I thought I'd forgotten all about this.

But now, all of a sudden,
it's all coming back to me.

Mama, I have a
chance to go to my Paris.

Erin, nobody can take
your dreams away from you.

Or stop them from coming
true, if they're strong enough.

But you're too young to be going
3,000 miles away all by yourself.

Now, let's see. We've got the roast
and the potatoes, the corn, the coffee,

the butter, and five
pounds of sugar?

We simply have to have
it for a baked Alaska.

Papa loved it so.

Papa was a soldier,
don't you know?

It sounds awfully fancy, and
sugar is awfully scarce, you know.

And the soldiers probably never
heard of it, anyway. I mean, I never did.

Mr. Godsey, please,
do not judge others

by your own shortcomings.

It is truly an
exquisite dessert.

I shall be happy to
loan you my own recipe.

We have one, Corabeth. We call
it our baked Alaska Recipe recipe.

You do?

You'd be surprised what a touch of
Papa's Recipe will do for a baked Alaska.

Or for most anything,
for that matter.

You know what, ladies? With
recipes like that, five will get you ten,

that your dinner and your musicale
are gonna be a tremendous success.

Erin? You're the one who
wanted to go to lunch. Come on.

I'm sorry. Take a look
at some of these letters.

They're just a few of the ones I've
gotten from defense plants in California.

I called one this morning.
You know what they said?

They'd send me money for
transportation, find me a place to live,

and I could start work next
week. That is if I decide to go.

- No kidding?
- And I'll tell you something else.

They pay a lot
more than J.D. does.

This one says that they provide
child care for women with children.

A lot of them do, and free health
care, paid vacations and bonuses.

It sounds good. Now if you can
just convince Mama and Daddy.

That's the hard part.

Erin, you really let things go
when that movie outfit was here.

I've been having to do
all your work around here.

That's good, J.D. Now you
won't miss me when I'm gone.

I certainly won't, and the sooner
the... When you're gone where?

- To California.
- But you can't.

- Yes, she can.
- You stay out of this, Mary Ellen.

You're always causing trouble.

- Now, Erin, you listen to me.
- J.D., I think I'll give you another week.

- I'll give you a raise, 10%.
- No thanks, J.D.

- 20%. 30!
- Sorry, J.D.

- Mary Ellen, let's go to lunch.
- Mind if I take these with me?

Oh, sure. I'd like to look
at them again, myself.

I can't let you do this, Erin.
You're making a big mistake.

By going to lunch? Oh, don't worry, J.D.
We're not eating in the plant lunch room.

- That would be a mistake.
- Bye-bye.

Hello?

Erin, you come on back here!

Hello, General.

It sure is nice to come home on the
weekend to a cheerful family supper.

We're sorry, Son. Erin has some
wild idea about going to California.

I've heard all about it. In fact, that's
all I've heard about since I got home.

Maybe Mary Ellen will
be able to talk her out of it.

I don't think Mary Ellen
will be the one to do that.

She's just as stubborn
as Erin is about this.

I'll go with her.

The 17-year-olds are gonna be
working in the defense plants now,

and I can do that till
I join the Air Corps.

There's a simple matter of
finishing high school first, young man.

- Then you can go to the moon if you want.
- I just might try that someday.

Hi, everyone. We have great
news, something really special.

Daddy, you don't have to worry
about me going to Hollywood anymore.

I'm glad to hear that.

That's right, Daddy, because
I'm going with her. John Curtis, too.

You see, we called
an aircraft company

near Los Angeles this morning,

and they want us both
to go to work for them.

They're gonna find a place
for us to live near the plant,

and they have a child
care center for John Curtis.

Mary Ellen will be working
in the health department,

and she'll be making twice
what she got at Pickett's.

And Erin will be in personnel
at three times her salary here.

And on my spare
time, I'll call Mr. Stone.

I've already sent him a special
delivery letter to tell him I'm coming.

Don't worry, Daddy.
I'll keep an eye on him.

We better go, we have
a million things to do.

We'll tell you
all about it later.

California, here we come
Right back where we started from

- Do you think I should bring this one?
- If you've got room. I've always loved it.

Would you look
at all this stuff?

Maybe I should just buy new things
for John Curtis when we get there.

California's climate is a little
milder, so maybe you should wait.

I remember when I was
packing to go to Hawaii.

I don't think any of us
will ever forget that day.

I remember you
had second thoughts

about taking John Curtis
away from the Mountain.

I thought he should
grow up here.

Are you sure you really wanna go? I
don't want you to go because of me.

We can always come
back after the war.

Mama's gonna miss not having her
little grandson around. Daddy, too.

I suppose we should have gone
to church with her this morning.

I suppose. But we have so
much to do and we work all week.

I hope Grandma Floyd gets along
okay without me. The others, too.

I know what you mean. No matter
how impossible J.D. is to work with,

I can't help but feel sorry for
him and worry about the plant.

You sound like you're not
quite so excited about going.

Oh, I am. It's just real
hard to leave things behind.

- We'll have each other.
- And Mr. John Curtis.

Come in.

I usually get to spend some time
with John Curtis on Sunday mornings.

You're welcome to him. Maybe
we can get something done.

May be my last
chance for a while.

Daddy, I want you to
understand why we're leaving.

It's not because
we don't love it here.

We just feel we should do
something different with our lives.

I guess I'm getting
used to the idea.

It's just always hard to see
the young ones leave the nest.

I understand that feeling more every
day now that John Curtis is growing up.

I just want you to know
you're always welcome here.

Thank you.

- Or you can stay if you change your minds.
- Thank you.

Come on. Let me get out of here.
Come on, son. Let's go for a walk.

Sister, I do believe
we have been stood off.

That's stood up, Sister, and it
appears that you are quite right.

They could at least
have called their regrets.

I thought the Army
made gentlemen of them.

The Army only makes
gentlemen of officers, Sister.

How unfair. The enlisted man has a
perfect right to become a gentleman, too.

You don't suppose an
alert has been called?

But, of course! They must
have been confined to the fort.

What a shame. All that food
and punch will go to waste.

Not necessarily, Sister.

Splendid idea, Sister.

Since we can't depend on the
younger generation anymore,

we'll have our own party.

- To the past, dear Mamie.
- When men were men.

And ladies were glad of it.

- Jason.
- Ike.

Now, like I told you in
church, nobody's signed up.

Word got out that the Baldwins
were a couple of little old ladies,

and nobody wants to go.

Hi, Sergeant,
what are you up to?

I'm looking for four men who
are looking for a good time.

You mean that
invite there? Forget it.

Let's put it this way,

either you enjoy a nice dinner today
or sweat out a lot of extra KP next week.

Now, any volunteers?

- May I have this dance, Miss Emily?
- I would be honored, sir.

Oh, my. Isn't this wonderful,
Sister? Such gallant young men.

I do believe the Army does
very well with the enlisted men.

Such fine gentlemen.

Sweet Billy, what are
you doing down here?

Just waiting a pretty
piece to talk to you.

- I had to go over to Rockfish.
- Yeah, well, Ronie sent me.

Sam and Lady plumb drank
up all that cod liver oil last night.

I don't know what possessed them 'cause
I ain't got no stomach for it myself.

Don't worry about it. There's
plenty more where that came from.

I can give you enough
to last six months.

Whoa. Wait, don't run off
yet. I got a whole list of things.

Ronie needs some iodine
and some sterile bandages.

Seems like a day don't go by

what Sam gets himself a sliver
or scrapes a knee or something.

And Jimmy Jenkins'
come down with the croup.

He's been chewing mints and
going around with mustard packs.

But Grandma Floyd
told him about you,

and I'm supposed to take
him some medicine back.

- You're reading that list.
- I sure am. I wrote it.

Ronie's learning me to read
out of that book you give me.

You done a fine job up
there, Nurse Mary Ellen.

Ronie's sure took a shine to
you. All us folks up there has.

J.D., this is the OWP form.

You might wanna look
at it before you sign it.

I'm sure it's just fine, Erin.

Erin, my offer of a
pay raise still stands.

Thank you, J.D., but
I've made up my mind.

Sit down a minute, will you?

I think you're making a mistake.

Fact is, it's gonna hurt
me more than it is you.

I'm sure you can find
another assistant manager.

But not one that everybody
likes the way they like you.

You'd be surprised how many of
the folks here have been telling me

they don't want
to see you leave.

I know, they've told
me, too. I'll miss them.

Erin, I hate being nice.

I really do, especially to you,
after all the pain you've caused me.

But the truth is, without you
Pickett Metal Products would be

in the salvage business by now,
and don't you think I don't know it.

That's not true, J.D.

For all my bragging about
who runs things around here,

I know who's really in charge.

I was hoping someday to make
you a partner, expand the business.

- You were?
- Absolutely.

Erin, I want you to stay on.

And I want you to know that there
will always be a place for you here.

Thank you, J.D.

Mary Ellen.

I just came by to see how
you were doing on your last day.

It's less than that.
It's my last 15 minutes.

It's hard leaving a place
you've practically lived in, isn't it?

This dump? No. But I still feel
bad about leaving Mama and Daddy.

I know. I feel a little
bit like a deserter.

Pickett Metal.
No, Bess, I can't.

Because if I bend the schedule for
you, I'll have to do it for everybody else.

Goodbye.

- The voice of authority.
- I know.

And in Hollywood I'll
just be one among many.

- Or a starlet.
- I wonder about that.

Sweet Billy, Ronie Cotter's
brother, he came by the house today

to pick up some more cod
liver oil for the Beasley kids.

You're going to miss
those people, aren't you?

I didn't even get a chance
to say goodbye to them.

I'll call Barry, and tell him
we'll be a few days late.

You don't have to do that.

Mary Ellen, I can't tear you away
from those people so suddenly.

I thought you wanted
to get right to Hollywood.

Few days won't hurt.

Operator.

- Phil Baker here.
- Hi, this is Erin Walton.

- Oh, hi, Erin, how you doing?
- Fine. Is Barry in?

No, I'm sorry, he's not.

Listen, I understand you're
coming in to Los Angeles.

Yes, I am. With my sister.

- To work in a defense plant?
- Mmm-hmm. How did you know?

This town's full of females
working in aircraft factories at night

and trying to get into
pictures during the day.

Barry said he could get me in touch
with some people in the business.

Yeah. That's old
tall-tale Barry for you.

Promise you anything to get the job done.
Anyway, he's gone for a couple of months.

Out shooting a new documentary.

I'm here editing the one we
just finished, in the meantime.

Then I guess it'll be all
right if we're a few days late.

Now listen, Erin. I
should level with you.

You're not gonna be
in this film very much,

so don't count on it
to get you another part.

I see. Thank you.

- What do you think?
- That's so cute.

Here they come.

- All right. Places, everybody.
- You sound like a movie director.

- Surprise!
- Surprise!

I'm afraid we're the ones
that have the surprise.

We're not going.

- I suppose you wanna know why.
- Sure do.

- You're messing up our surprise party.
- There's even more reason for a party now.

We're happy.

Well, it's nice to
have you back.

Erin and Mary Ellen returned to
their important work in our community.

It was years later when my
sister finally did come to Hollywood.

She visited me and my family,

and we spoke fondly of the
one film in which she starred.

Hey, Elizabeth, what
do you think about

people who get
going away presents

and then don't leave?

I think they ought
to give them back.

How about that stationery
I gave you, Mary Ellen?

I'll write you a
letter tomorrow.

Jim-Bob, I'll let you use that perfume
you gave me any time you want.

Good night, Erin.

Good night, everybody.
- Good night, everybody.

English -SDH