05x04 - Voice from the Past

[bunniefuu]

(dramatic orchestra music)

- [Narrator] Robert Young and Jane Wyatt.

(laughing)

With Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, and Lauren Chapin

in Father Knows Best.

(orchestra music)

- Margaret, I'm home.

- Oh, father, I'm glad you're home.

- Oh hello, princess.

- Hello dear.

- Hi honey.- [Younger Girl] Daddy.

I've missed you all day.

- Well, it be allowance time.

- Oh, I'd love you even if it wasn't allowance time.

- Oh.

- Here, I'll get your coat, Father.

- Oh, thank you.

Wait a minute, let me get the...

(laughing)

Ooh, don't tear it. That's it.

They're in the back, that's fine.

- Oh you had a tiring day.

- No, no it wasn't so bad.

- [Woman] There you are.

- [Father] Hey, thank you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

(door closing)

- Hi everybody. I'm home.

(laughing)

- We hear you, and you don't have to shout.

(laughing)

- Why can't you learn to close the door

without slamming it?

(laughing)

- Go wash up, son.

And please don't use every towel in the house.

(laughing)

- Oh, thank you, dear.

(sighing)

(orchestra music)

- [Bud] Dad.

- Hmm.

- How do you do it?

- Do what?

- Get a reception like that.

- Oh (laughs).

- All you have to do is open the door and stand back,

everybody thunders toward you like a

bunch of buffalo stampeding.

(laughing)

- That's just because Ihaven't been home all day, Bud.

- Well, neither have I.

When I come in though, you'd think I was a tax collector

or something. (laughing)

- Oh, I think you're exaggerating a bit.

- No.

I think it's because people respect you.

They're always glad to see.

You go to work in the morning, your secretary probably bows

and says something real nice to you.

- Like good morning, I need a new typewriter.

- Waiters give you good tables.

Children follow you, women smile.

Me, I'm nothing.

Home. School.

Nowhere.

- It just takes a littletime to earn your place

in the world, son.

You're young yet.

- Well, age doesn't haveanything to do with it.

No, it's what you're born with.

Either you've got it or you haven't.

I haven't got it.

(laughing)

- Hey Bud, congratulations.

- Hmm, for what?

- You mean you don't know.

- Would I be standing here asking you silly questions

if I did?

(laughing)

- Good going, Bud.

- You're a big wheel man.

- Who me?

- Hey, Bud, congratulations.

- Thanks.

Come on Claude, what's the scoop?

- Nope, Bud's not home.

Yes, I'll tell him.

I think every boy in school is trying to get in

touch with Bud.

- He probably owes them money.

(laughing)

- When are boys gonna start calling me like that?

- Well, you keep beatingthem in baseball.

(laughing)

- Good evening one and all. (laughing)

- Thank goodness you're home.

I've been taking so manycalls for you today,

I feel like an answering service.

- Well, that's the price you have to pay

when you're the motherof a very important man.

- Let us in on the big secret, son.

- We're all waiting to hear.

- Well, this says itmore eloquently than I.

- [Father] Oh.

- Ah, fame. At last it has come home.

(laughing)

- Nothing on the front page.

- Nor on the second page.

- Try the lost and found department.

(laughing)

- It's right here. I don't know how you could miss it.

- Oh, I think I see it.

Bud Anderson, junior class was elected chairman

of the decoration committee for homecoming week.

(laughing)

- Well.

- I knew you'd be impressed.

- Congratulations, Bud.

- Are you a big wheel now, Bud?

- Oh I guess it's a start, huh Dad?

- Of course it is, son.

- I hear there's a lot of responsibility in this job.

You know, important decisions to be made.

- You know, like deciding whether to use daisies

or petunias and decorating the gym.

(laughing)

- My dear egghead sister,

(laughing)

when you hear the revolutionaryidea I have for this

year's homecoming decorations, I dare say you'll be proud

to say that you breakbread with Bud Anderson,

junior executive, future leader.

(laughing)

(phone ringing)

That'll be for me undoubtedly.

It's probably the g*ng waiting to hear about my idea.

I think I'll take it in the hall,

away from this mishmash of chatter.

(laughing)

- Hello?

Yes, d*ck, Bud'll be with you in a minute.

- If you'll excuse me, I just have to listen in on

this revolutionary ideaby our junior executive.

I'll tell you, it's a lulu.

- Well, sure d*ck, actually I got it all figured out.

Hey, look, you got a pencil?

Well first, we got to have a theme, right?

Our theme is gonna be the space age.

And you know that old Bremington statue

that's out in front of the auditorium?

Well, we're gonna start with that.

(orchestra music)

You see, Dad, the statue of old Bremington for the

base of the satellite launching platform.

And then on top of that,we'll have a rocket

and the satellite.

Now, now, wait. Here'sthe piece of resistance.

- Go on.

- The satellite is gonna bemade out of plastic, and in it,

get this Dad, in it we're gonna put Suzy Banks.

- Suzy Banks?

- Homecoming queen.

We'll have her wearing something kind of abbreviated.

A bikini I think, yeah that's it.

A bikini with a few spangles on it.

(laughing)

We'll have the spotlights on her.

As Suzy sits on the satellite on top of the statue,

the band will play.

Man, I can see it now.

You know, I figured out this whole earth shaking idea

in just one afternoon.

Bet you didn't think you're little old son.

(laughing)

Dad?

Where are you?

- Here.

- Oh, I thought I lost you.

- You have.

- You don't like my idea?

- I think it is without a doubt, the most impossible,

far fetched.

- Oh Dad, the rocket's not gonna be for real you know.

It's just gonna look like one.

- I hardly expect to pick up the paper and read where

Suzy Banks is orbiting around the earth.

(laughing)

Bud, haven't you any respect for tradition,

for what this statue represents?

John R. Bremington was one of our greatest educators.

He came to Springfield at the turn of the century

when all there was in the way of education was a

wooden (mumbles) they called a schoolhouse.

He saw to it that goodschoolhouses were built.

Playgrounds were organized.

He made education something to be proud of.

To be desired.

He dedicated his life tothe cause of education.

And you want to use thisfine wonderful statue

as a perch for Suzy Banks in a spangle bikini?

- We could leave off the spangles.

(laughing)

Dad, we just want to have a little fun at the homecoming.

Where's your sense of humor?

- Bud, there's a fine line between humor and ridicule.

This statue was a symbol.

It represents dignity, learning,and culture to many people,

strangers, friends, and descendants of Mr. Bremington.

And if you go throughwith this plan of yours,

you'll not only be ridiculing education,

you'll be teaching other boys and girls to do the same thing

because you're a leader,

you're the one who's setting the pace.

Believe me, Bud, if there ever was a time

when we needed people, young and old, to uphold education,

this is it.

I'm sorry, I have to be the one to throw cold water

on your revolutionary idea, son, honest.

- Some big wheel I am.

(orchestra music)

- Bud, I have it.

Why don't you go up in the attic and look through

some of our old yearbooks.

You might find lots of ideas for decorations there.

- Mom, this is the th century.

(laughing)

- For your information,it was that when we went

to school too.

- Mom, you don't understand.

This is the space age.

We think in terms of jets, not horse and buggies.

I got to come up with a modern idea, something spectacular.

I'd have to be desperate to dig up an old moth-eating

moldy outdated idea from the dark ages.

Real desperate.

And I'm desperate.

(orchestra music) (laughing)

- Bud.

- Yeah?

- Father said you were looking through some of his

old school yearbooks.

Find anything?

- A few moths.

- Who is this?

- Well, that's Dad.

It was taken when he graduated from high school.

- James Jimmy Anderson, he was cute.

(laughing)

- He was young like me once.

- He had a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

- Oh, he was a real cut up.

President of his class,division champ, basketball team,

editor of the school paper.

He warmed up in his junior year though.

He led his class in a tug of w*r with the West High School

Rogues at the annual picnic.

Can't find nothing on a homecoming though.

Well, I'll be, I don't believe it.

- What?

- It can't be.

- Let me see it.

- Dad, of all people.

- Well, for Pete's sake, Bud, what is it?

- Listen, Jimmy Anderson, senior and editor

of Whim Wham High School Magazine, was brought before

the board today to explain his proposed contest

to find (laughs).

(laughing)

Dad (laughs).

- Most kissable lips in school.

A most kissable lips contest?

(laughing)

The enterprising young man defended his idea

for such a contest by explaining (laughs)

that he was merely trying to stimulate.

(laughing)

(kicking)

- Old good old Dad, goodold high buckled shoe,

(mumbles) Dad.

- My father sponsoring a most kissable lips contest.

Well, just think, Father, if we hadn't gone through

these old books and paper, we'd a never known about

your past.

(laughing)

- I don't consider one silly kid's prank my past.

- Kids prank (squeals).

- I thought you were both going to the

homecoming rally tonight.

- What, leave now?

(laughing)

- Here's an article that tells about your father's

winning essay on the early life of Lincoln.

- Oh here's an articlein the Springfield Star.

The other day the idea of the century sprang

from the brain of a young high school student

who had the most kissable lips in school (laughs).

Here, Betty, it gets me here.

(laughing)

- Why not decided by a free for all kissing contest

like in a beauty contest, the young Mr. Anderson suggested.

(paper rustling)

- I can see it now.

(lips smacking)

(laughing)

- Testing, testing.

(lips smacking)(laughing)

(humming)

(laughing)

- Father, were you one of the judges?

- Of course not.

- Well, he didn't get a chance.

The contest was called off officially.

- No wonder you didn't dig my idea about

putting Suzy Banks on top of old Bremington statue.

That's really cold potatoes alongside

a kissable lips contest.

- Now, see here, Bud.

- I finished the dishes.

What you looking at?

- Nothing kitten.

- You're too young.

- Let me see.

- It's your bed time, Kathy.

- [Betty] It's later than you think.

- Good night, kitten.

- Come on up.

- You're a boring nanny.

I know when something's going on I'm not suppose to see.

And the earlier I get drug off to bed,

the better it usually is.

- Well, I guess I'veseen all I need to know.

Hey, if I missed anything, you let me know, huh.

- [Betty] Oh I will.

(laughing)

- Excuse me.

- Where you going, Bud?

- I'm gonna go round up my committee and tell them

to start counting down.

Suzy Banks takes off in her satellite as per schedule.

(laughing)

- Alright, Bud.

This has all been very cute and we've had

some laughs tonight, but that doesn't alter my opinion

about the statue one bit.

- Dad, you had fun whenyou were in school.

Now let me have fun my way.

Oh and Dad, if you're worried about the word getting out

that you once sponsored a kissable lips contest, don't.

It'll be our secret.

(laughing)

- Don't be upset, Father.

I bet you were one of the cutest judges

that ever smooched a contestant.

- So why don't you and Mother go to the

homecoming rally tonight?

After all, you're one of us now.

(laughing)

(cheering) (clapping)

- [Man] Let's go Springfield cheer,

let's really give it now.

Here we go.

- [Crowd] Raaaar, Springfield!

- Oh we haven't been to ahomecoming rally in years, Jim.

- We don't have to, we can get this much static at home.

- Hey, what's the matter, aren't you two

gonna cheer old Springfield?

Oh, excuse me, you must be a couple of the alums huh.

- and .

- Well, say we've got a specialsection for the old timers.

(laughing)

- Oh.

- Yeah, over by the fence. It's warmer there.

And if you want a blanket, we're renting them tonight.

We don't want any of you older folks to catch cold.

(laughing)

- Ah well, there's always penicillin.

- You know whose idea this was,

taking care of the old timers I mean?

- I can't imagine.

- Good old Bud Anderson, the best homecoming chairman

this old school has ever had.

(laughing)

- Well, when you see good old Bud Anderson, you tell him

a couple of old alums aregrateful for his consideration.

- You bet I will.

Well, don't forget what I told you about the blankets.

- We won't.

(laughing)

If you think your tired old bones can make it,

I know a better place than the alum section.

- I'm with you old timer.

(orchestra music)

Do you really think Bud intendsto go through with his idea?

- He'll probably try.

After tonight, I wouldn'texactly say I was in a position

to stop him.

I can't forbid to do something when I did something

almost as ridiculous.

- Contest?

Oh that was harmless nonsense.

Well, everyone who matters said that.

It was the papers that made such a publicity

stunt out of it.

- Bud doesn't know that.

I can't understand why he's so determined

to do something startling.

- I do.

Why he feels just the way you felt when you were

elected editor of that humor magazine.

You wanted to show everyone what a wise choice

they'd made in selecting you.

You wanted them to knowthat you were full of

revolutionary ideas, full of imagination.

That's why you came upwith that silly contest.

And that's why Bud has dreamed up this wild scheme

to turn a statue into a satellite.

(sighing)

- I never thought aboutit that way (chuckles).

I guess I get a littleunreasonable when anyone

belittles education.

- Well, actually, I think Bud's idea of using

the space age as a theme is a good one.

He just needs a little help.

Something a little more constructive.

He needs some professional guidance.

- Oh. (Laughing)

Excuse me, I just came over to make sure

you were getting along okay.

(laughing)

Which I guess you are.

I guess you don't need this blanket anymore huh.

- No son, but thank you for the thought.

(laughing)

(orchestra music)

(door closing)

Bud.

- Well, Dad, I thought you'd be in bed.

- Well, I decided to stay up for a while.

I'm sorry we missed you at the rally.

We looked for you.

- Well, I was at a committee meeting.

- About the decorations?

- Yeah.

- What did you decide to do?

- Well, after the way you explained how you

felt about everything,I decided to put my idea

up for a vote.

- How did it turn out?

- Well, there were two no votes.

Mr. Bremington has a grandson.

He was one who voted against it.

- Who was the other?

- Me.

- You voted against your own idea?

- Yup.

- Why Bud?

- You know, Dad, you may not believe this,

but everyone once in a while, you get through to me.

- Right now, you maynot appreciate how much

those words mean to me, Bud, but someday,

when you're a father, you'll know.

- Well, now that I've scorched my own idea,

I'm right back where I started. I'm nothing.

- Oh, I wouldn't say that.

I might have an idea or two for you.

- [Bud] Your ideasscare me a little, Dad.

(laughing)

- I don't blame you.

But why don't you try me out before you pass judgment?

- Okay, Dad, I'm with you.

- Ah, you know that ideaof using the space age.

(big band music)

- Just once more Dad, I want to make sure

I don't forget my welcome speech.

- Bud, you've rehearsed this speech so many times,

even I know it backwards.

- But there's a lot of people her, Dad.

I'm nervous.

- Alright, but hurry up.

Your mother will think I disappeared into outer space.

- I'm gonna try it with the space helmet this time.

- Don't tell me you're gonna wear that.

- Sure, I got to be authentic.

- Look Bud, right now, you're a hero.

Everybody's praising you for the original decorations.

- Huh?

- I said you're a hero, but you can't make a speech

through that thing.

- Yeah, I knew you'd like it.

(laughing)

- How's the speech?

- Nobody'll hear you, Bud.

Oh, Bud.

- Bud, you're on.

What's the matter with him?

(knocking)

- Take your helmet off.

The zipper's stuck.

We've got to get this thing off so he can talk.

- It'll probably be a better speech now.

We won't be able to hear him.

(laughing)

- [Man] Cut the cloth. - [Father] Give me a hand.

Watch, watch it.

- Betty, get a blow torch.

- This way.

- I'll get a hammer.

(laughing)

- Come on, Nick.

- [Man] Better call the fire department.

- That's it, come on.

More, more.

- [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, Springfield proudly

presents its homecomingchairman, Bud Anderson.

(big band music)(applause)

(laughing)

- Ladies and gentleman, as you know in this space age,

there are many problems yet unsolved.

My son Bud just encountered one.

(laughing)

And so, with your permission, I will try to

interpret his welcome speech to you.

(applause)

(knocking)

(laughing)

Students, alumni, guests.

(applause)

We welcome you to our annual alumni homecoming dance.

- Isn't that Jimmy Anderson speaking, the class of ?

- Yes.

Did you know him?

- My dear.

Did you ever hear aboutthe most kissable lips

contest he once staged?

- I heard rumors.

- Well, I was one of the contestants.

- Really?

- Hmm.

- Well, I won it.

(laughing)

- And so be our guests,and we sincerely hope

that you all have a wonderful time.

(applause)(big band music)

(orchestra music)

(easy listening music)