05x14 - The Christmas Story

[bunniefuu]

(dramatic orchestral music)

- [Narrator] Robert Young.

(bright orchestral music)

and Jane Wyatt.

With Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, and Lauren Chapin,

in Father Knows Best.

(girl humming "Jingle Bells")

- Hey, what's with the little knucklehead?

Isn't she a little old to be playing

tea party with that moth-eaten old bear?

- Oh, shh, don'tmake fun of her.

That's become sort of a Christmas tradition with her.

Well you remember when she got that teddy bear, don't you?

- Oh yeah, that was theone old Nick gave her

that Christmas we got snowboundat that mountain cabin.

I still don't understandwhy she has to--

- Well you see the bear's her one link with old Nick

and the Christmas he made for her.

Or I should say the Christmas he made for us all.

- Yes, and what a weird and wonderful Christmas that was.

I'll never forget it.

- It was a weirdy alright, hey,

how long ago was that anyway?

- Let me see, it must havebeen, oh I think four years ago.

- Four years is right.

I remember very well because that was the year

Father got on thatbig, go up in the hills

and cut your own Christmas tree kick.

- Oh yeah, I remember that bit.

Wasn't he mad at us kidsor something like that?

- He certainly was.

He was pretty upset because he was certain that we just

didn't have the right attitude toward Christmas.

- You didn't have either.

(audience laughing)

All you cared about was howmany presents you could wangle.

How you could Christmasto make a fast buck.

Like that almost sacrilegious job you have at the

used car dealer.

- You mean the Christmas carol deal?

- How that shocked me.

I remember it as thoughit was yesterday.

Your mother and I were wrapping presents.

Suddenly we heard beautiful carols singing outside.

I said, "Aw, at least somebody shares my belief

in an old fashioned Christmas".

So, I grabbed your mother.

We rushed outside.

(carolers singing)

Isn't that beautiful?

- [Voice from inside car] Yes, rest ye merry gentlemen,

in a two-door sedan.

See it now at Big Steve's Used Car Lot.

(audience laughing)

- Control yourself dear.

- Hi ya dad.

Pretty good idea, huh?

Listen to this one.

Start it up Claude.

(Christmas music playing)

Yes friends, oh what funit is to ride in a

club coupe with new seatcovers and overdrive.

(audience laughing)

Buy it today on a low, low down payment from your

used car Santa Clause, Big Steve.

(audience laughing)

- Bud, have you lost your mind?

- Merry Christmas Mr. Anderson.

- Yeah, Merry Christmas.

Bud, get out of there.

- Get out, me and Clause are workin'.

We just came by to surprise ya.

- Tell him about thelast one we dreamed up.

That's a doozy.

- Yeah, get this dad.

I saw mommy kissing Santa Clause in a convertible

with a*t*matic transmission.

- We're makin' a buck an hour.

Some Christmas, huh?

- Some Christmas is right.

Come on Bud, get out of there.

- Bud dad.

- Your father's right Bud.

This is carrying thingsa little too far.

- Come on.

- So long Claude.

What's the matter with it dad?

Big Steve says Christmas is the best time to sell stuff.

- Selling stuff is not the purpose of Christmas.

Big Steve notwithstanding.

- Daddy.

- What is it kitten?

- Have you bought a Christmas tree yet?

- No, not yet honey.

- Good 'cause I saw a really peach one.

It's purple.

- Purple?

A purple Christmas tree?

(audience laughing)

- Father, don't get a purple one, get pink.

They're much prettier.

- Did any of you kids ever hear of a green tree?

- Oh, they're so plain.

- Just like trees.

- What's a Christmas tree supposed to look like?

I swear I don't know what's happened to you kids.

Have you forgotten the meaning of Christmas?

Have you forgotten everything you learned at Sunday school?

- I better call you later Janie.

- I remember when I was a boy.

We used to enjoy Christmas in a nice quiet way

without all this folderol.

My dad used to take meup in the hills and we'd

cut down our own Christmas tree.

- Oh, Father, what do you want us to do, grab an

axe and go charging up into the mountains?

- Well, no, we don't have to do that but it seem to...

Wait a minute.

Why not?

- Huh?

- Why not?

There's some fine spruce trees up on Old Pine Mountain.

We could be back in a couple of hours.

That might be a good start toward learning

what Christmas really means.

You thought I was kidding about going to Pine Mountain.

You all had that, let's humor the old man and he'll

forget about it, look on your faces.

(audience laughing)

I was pretty steamed up.

The first thing any of you knew, we were sailing

along that mountain road.

- You know we have to get back in time to deliver

all those presents I have in the back of the car.

- And I've got to get back in time to dress

for the big party tonight.

- We'll be back in time.

- The paper said it was gonna snow.

- I think we'll find some good trees

just around this next bend.

- Paper said--

- I heard ya.

(audience laughing)

- Dear, if it is goingto snow, don't you think

we'd better turn back?

- There's not a cloud in the sky.

(audience laughing)

- Gee daddy, how much farther.

- Well, I'm sure we'll find some good trees

just around this next bend.

- h Father, we can'teven find the next bend

the way the snow's coming down.

- Yes dear, don't you think we oughta turn around?

- Oh for heaven's sake,what's a little snow?

Just makes it seem more like Christmas.

See how beautiful everything looks?

- Oh sure.

- Look at the size of that drift.

- Where?

- You found it.

(audience laughing)

- We're stuck.

- Awe, there's nothing finer than a simple

old fashioned Christmas.

- [Female] That's just what we need, ice.

(audience laughing)

(soft music)

- Sounds awfully deserted in there.

- Isn't there any other place where we can get help?

- I can see a telephone in there.

- Where?

- Well, a lot of good a phone will do if we

can't get to it.

- We've got to get to it.

We've got to get a tow car out here.

Even if we have to break in.

- Will we get arrested daddy?

- I can't imagine anybody'd be fool enough to come

out in weather like this to arrest anyone.

- We've got to get back.

If I don't get to the Christmas party I'll die.

- Well, don't do it out here.

Wait'll you get inside where it's warmer.

(audience laughing)

- I had to give up a buck an hour for this.

- Well, we'll beoutta here soon.

After all, it isn't the North Pole.

It could be worse.

- Yeah, we could be here in bathing suits.

(audience laughing)

(ringing)

- If ya call Big Steve,he's got a tow truck.

- Deader than a doornail.

- Gosh, you mean we're stuck here?

- We can't be.

We can't stay here.

This is Christmas Eve.

- I know it isprincess and I'm sorry.

I had no idea it was gonna turn out like this.

- Hey daddy, there's somebody living' here.

- What?

(dramatic music)

- See, see there?

- Well, there's stillsome coffee in the cup.

Guess it could havebeen there several days.

- Well, this oatmeal looks freshly cooked, I'd say.

- Yeah?

(dramatic music)

We didn't mean to startle you.

Sorry to barge in on youlike this, but you see

we're stranded.

- Huh?

- Yes, our car is stuck in the snow.

We were just trying to get to a telephone.

- Uh-Huh.

Your car is stuck.

- That's right.

- Well sir, you're mighty welcome.

Yes sir, hate to see anybody having any bad trouble,

but nice to have companyon Christmas Eve.

How'd you folks get in?

- Well, we took a couple of boards off the front window,

but we'll put them back.

- Oh, that's all right.

So, okay, I'm sorry thatthe phone went dead, but

she's shut down for the winter.

Well, hello little one.

Bashful.

- Yeah.

- Well, I reckon I better fix you folks a fire.

Looks like you all got ice in your bones.

- Oh, just a minute.

Do you happen to have a truck that can pull our car out?

Or know someone who has one?

- No ma'am I don't.

Won't do no good anyways.

Driftin' might stout out there tonight.

- We've got to get home or we won't have any Christmas.

- No?

Well now, did you ever think of this?

It's Christmas up here too.

(soothing music)

- Jim, what are we going to do?

All the children's presents are at home.

There must be some way to get out of here.

- Man's gotta know how to build a fire, son.

That's basic.

- You go campin' a lot and cook over an

open fire and all that?

- If you're ever up inthese parts again, son,

I'll show you how to find a whole dinner

right in the woods.

Have you ever smelled the aroma of wild onion stuffed

inside a brook trout, simmering over an open fire?

Ya ever tasted watercress fresh from the stream?

Not your wilted store-bought watercress, sir.

It's so fresh it snaps sweet in your mouth.

What's your name son?

- Bud, sir.

- Bud, sir, good straightforward name sir.

- What's yous?

- Mine?

Mine's Nick.

Or it's old Nick.

Or it's that old man.

A name's a label.

But the label isn't theimportant thing, son.

It's what's inside the package that counts.

- Look sir, are you surethere isn't some way

we can get a message down to Springfield?

Isn't there a ranger station around here?

- No, no I tell you what.

I think what' you all need is some food.

There's a lot of groceries over there doin' nothin'.

I think we can find enough food to keep body and

soul together tonight, and for our big Christmas

dinner tomorrow.

- Tomorrow?

- Oh, don't look so worried little missy.

I'll try to make it as comfortable as I can.

And in the morning, Bud and me will go out and sh**t

a big fat honker andI'll cook you the finest

wild goose dinner you ever set those pretty little

teeth in before.

- With wild onion and watercress.

- That's very nice ofyou sir, but we have to

get back to Springfield tomorrow morning some way.

Besides, we can't putyou to all this bother.

- Bother?

Since when are friends a bother?

Especially on Christmas Eve?

(uplifting music)

- So, there we were, snowbound.

(group talking)

Seemed like a pretty grim prospect, ha ha.

Particularly to you Betty.

- How well I remember.

- Only Bud foundanything to cheer about.

- I did?

- Yeah, that fine array of shotguns in the lodge.

- Oh yeah, he had a gauge that was out of its mind.

- Fine Christmas Eve this is with old Nick.

- Well, he sure knows a lot of stuff.

- Well, if he knows so much, why can't he figure

out a way to getus back to town?

- Come and get it kids.

What we got ain't fancy, but she's on.

Go right in Miss. Betty.

You like that, son?

- Boy, I'll say.

- Ha, ha, ha.

Well, hurry up little one.

The vittles are on and...

What's this?

Tears on Christmas Eve?

- Well, that's just it,it's Christmas Eve, but

Santy won't everfind us up here.

- Awe, that's how much you know about Santy.

I found out he knows exactly where you are.

- How'd you find out?

- Oh, that's secret stuff, but he'll be here.

He might have a bit harder time finding the house

among these big trees, but he'll find it.

Come on, let's go and have something to eat.

- But, even if he does find us, we won't have any

Christmas tree for him or any carrots for his reindeers.

- Oh, oh, hold on.

Do you know what's gonnahappen here tonight?

A big beautiful Christmas tree is gonna grow up

right through the floor.

About right over there.

- Honest?

- Honest engine.

Scout's honor.

- Are you a boy scout too?

- Tonight Kathy, I'm everybody.

- Huh?

- I'm a man, I'm a little boy, I'm a father,

I'm an uncle, I'm afriend, and a stranger.

And I'm rich because you're my friend.

And because I own tonight.

(mellow orchestral music)

Sorry to hold you up, but we had some important

matters to discuss.

Didn't we?

- Mommy, did you know what?

A Christmas tree is gonna grow right up

through the floor.

- Well, I wouldn't bank on it angel.

- It will.

My friend, Nick, said so.

- Well, I guess we do need some kind of a miracle like

that to make it seem alittle more Christmasy.

- Beans, please.

- Just a minute son.

Nick, we don't always remember to say grace

before our meals, but this is Christmas Eve, and

it's always been the custom in our home...

- Bless this food sir and bless these people and

thanks for guiding them here tonight.

And Lord, we hope you have a Merry Christmas too.

Amen.

(mellow orchestral music)

When you get it all wrapped up, you put it here.

There, that'll just keepyou as warm as toast.

- See?

By the way Nick, how long have you owned this place?

- This place?

Well, if you throw in the streams and the hills and

the trees, a very long time, sir.

Ever since God made them.

Better sleep fast littleone, soon be Christmas.

- Daddy?

I wanna give Nick a Christmas present.

Would you like Butch?

- Take it Nick.

She'd like you to have it.

- I wish we could get home.

Wish we'd never met Nick.

- Betty.

Now, Nick didn't ask usto come up here and he's

certainly trying to be nice.

- I wish I could figure him out.

Sometimes he seems...

Then when you ask hima direct question he...

(chopping)

- What's that?

- Why, that's beautiful!

- How do you like her dad?

- Now that's the kind of a tree I was talking about.

- At least Kathy will have a tree.

Oh, I wish we had some decorations for it.

- Nick, do you have anymagazine we can cut up,

or corn to pop?

- Sure.

- We'll make our decorations the way we used to.

- Hey, I know where there's some holly berries,

Nick showed me.

- That's the Christmas spirit, Bud.

The real old fashioned kind.

(upbeat orchestral music)

Well, there it is.

What do you think?

- Sure is something.

- It certainly is different.

It looks a little bare underneath.

- Kathy will love it Nick.

And she can get her presents when we get back home.

- Presents?

- Mother, those presentsyou put in the car in

the car to deliver.

Mr. Kirkland will never miss it.

Come on Bud, get your coat on.

We're going back to the car.

- Well, follow me.

Nick taught me to walk Indian style in the snow.

- Awe, it does my heart good to see the kids being

such good sports after they way I messed up

their Christmas.

I believe we have somepretty good kids there.

- I'm sure of it.

(mysterious orchestral music)

(mellow orchestral music)

- Jim, you and the misses any good at wrapping presents?

- Oh, now wait a minute Nick, you mustn't do this.

You've done too much for us all ready.

- Nah, don't spoil my fun.

Here you take these things and go what you can with them.

I ain't got no fancy wrapping paper, but

do the best you can.

- Hello Nick.

- Hi ya Les.

Merry Christmas to you.

Come on in, meet myfriends, the Andersons.

This is Les Turner.

He's the ranger around these parts.

- How do you do?

- Well, Merry Christmas to you Les.

We got kinda stranded up here but old Nick took us

in and fed us and warmedus and now he's making

a Merry Christmas for us.

- Yes, I see.

Nick, could I talk to you a minute?

- Sure, Les, sure.

But I know what you want.

You want me to go with you and check the deer herd.

Ain't that right Les?

- Yeah, that's right.

- Are there deer around here?

- Well, there are tonight, ma'am.

You see the snow's bringing them down out of the

mountains for food and we've got to see

that they find it.

- Yeah, Les is the boy to do it.

He can tell you what the size of the deer herd is,

what condition they're in, where they're feeding.

Why, they think he'spractically one of them.

Yeah, old Les is the best ranger they ever had up

in these parts.

Yes, siree sir.

I'll get my things together Les, and I'll

be right with ya.

- Nick's a wonderful person.

He's been wonderful to us.

- Yeah, Nick is quite a guy.

- Les, who is Dan Crowley.

- Crowley, he...

Well, he's the fellow that owns this lodge.

- That's about what I figured.

- But I thought that Nick was...

- Just how does Nick fit in?

- Well, to be honest, he doesn't.

Nick's a great old guy.

He knows more about these hills than any man alive.

But, he sorta insists on living his life

by his own rules.

I knew he was hold up somewhere for the winter, but

well, I probably would have never found him if it

hadn't been for smoke from the chimney and the lights.

(mellow orchestral music)

- I, I can't believe it.

How did you find out about Mr. Crowley?

- Well, Nick made a record of everything he took.

The food we ate, these presents, everything.

Owed to Dan Crowley, signed Nick.

- When Nick signs his name to anything, he figures

that makes it honest.

Even though he knows he can never pay it.

- Well, what else have you got Nick for?

- Trespassing.

Breaking in.

- Oh, we're the ones who broke in.

We took the boards off the window.

Look, put the charge on us.

We'll make everything good.

- Well, I a...

- And whatever you do, don't let Nick know that we know.

We'd like him to still think that he's our host.

- [Nick's voice] He might have a bit hard a time

finding the house amongthese big trees, but

he'd find it.

("Jingle Bells")

- Mommy, daddy.

- [Les] Nick, wait Nick.

You can't run out on your guests like this.

- My guests.

- Friends can't very well have a Christmas party

without their host.

- Thanks Les.

- How come a smart old coot like you

gave himself away?

You knew what smoke in the chimney would

lead me right to ya.

- Yeah, I should've.

But you gotta take chancesú when you're lonely.

- You lonely?

- Being alone ain't whatmakes a man lonesome.

There's just times when a man needs more.

You take like, like Christmas Eve.

- And I saw his reindeers too.

Prancer, and Blitzenand Thunder and Blister.

(audience laughing)

All of them, honest I did mommy.

- Oh, I'm sure you did dear.

- They were right out in back and...

Oh Nick, guess what?

Oh Nick, I saw him.

He found us just like you said.

- You saw him?

Where?

- Right out there.

I looked through thewindow and there he was.

Had his big toy bag overhis shoulder, and his

reindeers and his sled.

Didn't I mommy?

- Well, that true?

- And look.

A tree did grow there.

- Well, what do you know about that.

- And look at all the decorations.

I never saw anything like it before.

Oh, daddy, I feel kind of all shivery inside.

- That's all right baby.

You know something?

So do I.

Merry Christmas Kathy.

- You know, I think thatwas the best Christmas

I ever had.

- It was probably thebest Christmas any of us

ever had.

- What makes me saidis that we never saw or

heard from Nick again.

- Maybe you never heard from him again, but I did.

- You did kitten?

When was that?

- The night we got home.

It happened while I was giving a tea party

for this bear Nick had given me.

- What happened angel?

What do you mean?

- Well, don't laugh, because I'm sure it really happened.

But that night the bearand I were sitting here,

just as we are now, and Ipoured him some tea and I said,

"I'm glad you could cometo my Christmas party."

- [Nick's Voice] I wouldn't have missed it for

anything, little one.

- You know, sometimes I'm not quite sure who you are.

Are you a bear?

Or are you...

[Nick's Voice] I'm whatever you want me to be.

If you just believe hard enough.

That's the important thing Kathy.

Believing.

(audience laughing)

("Jingle Bells")