05x23 - Kathy Grows Up

[bunniefuu]

(dramatic music)

- [Announcer] Robert Young

and Jane Wyatt

with Elinor Donohue, Billy Gray, and Lauren Chapin in

Father Knows Best.

[Bud humming]

- Oh, are you going out tonight?

- Yeah, I promised Joyce I'd come over and help her study.

- Well, I wish I'd known.

I was planning on you staying with Kathy tonight.

- Well, can't Betty do it?

- She's going out too.

Your father and I have to go over

to the Phillips's for awhile.

- Well, I guess you'll just have to put

old Kath in the kennels for the night.

- (laughs) You're so funny.

- Well um, maybe we could call up Patty Davis

and see if she'll be home tonight.

- I don't want to spendthe evening with Patty.

Seems like I'm alwaysgetting sent over there.

- But I thought you liked Patty.

- Well she's alright, but she's so juvenile.

And her mother bosses us around like we were

a couple of two year olds.

- Well, let me see--

- Get ready, honey.

We said we'd be there by o'clock.

- Well I have to figureout about Kathy first.

I thought Bud was goingto be home tonight.

- Can't you call Mrs. Brock?

Or what's the name of that other babysitter?

- Babysitter?!

Daddy, I'm not a baby.

You treat me like I was still crawling around in rompers.

- Oh no, we don't.

- Yes, you do.

Betty can go anywhere she wants to.

Bud can go anywhere he wants.

But me, oh no.

- Well, you're younger than they are.

- See, there you go again.

- Now, look angel.

There's nothing else we can do now but call Mrs. Brock.

But tomorrow night, I'll take you and Burgess to the movies.

- Oh sure.

Anytime I go any place I have to be taken by my mother.

How do you think that looks?

- How it looks?

What do you mean?

- Oh, go ahead and call Mrs. Brock.

I don't care.

But please, tellher not to bring

any Piggle-Wiggle books to read to me.

- (laughs) When did this start?

- Oh, it's been coming on the last few weeks.

And up to now, I haven'tfigured out how to cope with it.

- Well, you go up and get your things,

and I'll tell you how.

Just ignore it.

- Now how can I ignore it, when I'm faced with it

all day, every day?

(sighs) Nope, this is going to take

a better solution than that.

Much better.

I was just thinking,Kathy, when you get home

from school today, maybe you and I could go shopping.

- Shopping?

- Mm hmm. I have to buy a dress to wear to a dinner that

your father's club is giving for the wives.

So perhaps you could look at some school dresses.

- Can I get some decentgrown up dresses,

instead of those little...

Hey, that's my place!

- Oh, I'm sorry, but doyou mind if I go ahead

and eat this or I'll be late for school.

It doesn't matter so much about you.

(fridge door slams)

- What do you mean itdoesn't matter about me?

- Well, I mean I haveto be on time, but it's

not so important whenyou're just a little kid

in grammar school, don't you see?

(bowl slams on table)

- [Mom] Kathy, wait a minute,

I'll get you some more break--

(door slams)

- What's the matter with little grumpy this morning?

- You just said the wrongest thing

you could to her, that's all.

Well she's trying to grow up and she thinks we all

treat her like a baby.

- Oh boy I did goof.

- You certainly did.

I just hope that this shopping trip this afternoon

will get her mind offher troubles for awhile.

It was pretty embarrassing at the dress shop today.

Oh Kathy liked the dresses, but she hated me.

No matter what I said or did, it was the wrong thing.

- Well, that won't last long.

Remember when Betty wentthrough the same thing?

Kathy's of the age where she doesn't know

whether she's a little girl or a young lady.

- I wish she's hurry up and find out,

because she's making me wonder

whether I'm a mother or a witch.

(phone ringing)

- I'll get it.

Hello?

Oh, hi Claude, what's on your shriveled up little mind?

Bowling? Tonight?

Girls, huh?

Who'd you have in mind?

Well so what if they can't bowl?

Think of the yells we'll have trying to teach 'em.

Okay, I'll see you Claude, bye.

- Sounds like fun.

- Hmm?

- The bowling deal.

- Oh yeah, it'll be fun.

- I'd like to bowl, Bud.

- Good for you.

- I think I'll go with you.

I think I'll go with you, Bud.

- Oh yeah, yeah,sure, naturally.

(phone ringing)

- I'll get it.

Hello?

Oh, hi Patty.

Tonight?

Well I'm sorry Patty, Ican't come over tonight.

You see, I'm going out with an older crowd this evening.

Bud and his friends.

- Oh no, wait a minute Kathy.

- Should be yells.

Um, yeah, well I'm sorry too Patty.

Maybe some other time.

Well, okay, goodbye.

- Now, what's--

- I'll change my clothesso I'll be ready.

- Hold up Kathy, you can't go with us.

We got dates.

- You said I could go so I'm going.

- But wait.

I didn't mean that.

I thought you were kidding.

Kath?

(door slams)

Well, we'll see about that.

- Does your dad really think we should take Kathy with us?

- Yeah.

I used to think heunderstood things, too.

(quiet yelp)

Kathy's got ears like a fox.

C'mon Kathy, what do you think you're doing back there?

- I'm going with you, remember?

- You are not going with us.

In the first place, you don't even know how to bowl.

- Well neither do the other girls you're taking.

- Well that's different.

They're old enough to learn.

- Look, Kathy, you wouldn't have any fun.

I mean, just us old folks sitting around,

rolling a ball at some sticks.

Chances are you'd be bored to death.

- I'll take my chances.

- Go on Kathy, you'regoing back in the house.

- No I'm not!

You said I could--

(screaming)

Let me go!

(screaming)

(crying)

- Oh Kathy!

Oh, angel, what's the matter?

What is it, what is it?

- Oh that Bud, he's a big, bad nothing.

And that Claude's a big, bad nothing.

I don't like them or their friends or anybody!

I don't know why I was born!

- Kathy, come back.

- Poor kid, I didn't think that deal with Bud would work.

- Oh I feel so helpless.

I want so badly to do something for her,

but she doesn't want any help from me.

I don't know what to do.

(door slams)

(knocking on door)

- Yeah?

- Betty?

- Oh, hi sweetie, come on in.

How come you're not asleep?

- I've been thinking about life and stuff.

- Well look, if you're still upset about not going

with Bud tonight--

- Oh I'm over that, sorta.

I wouldn't want to go anywhere with him anyway.

- Of course you wouldn't.

- But what I was thinking is how much nicer

you are than Bud, and I like you.

- Well I'm glad you do.

- When is your next date with Ralph?

- Oh, I think he's taking meto a dance next Saturday night.

Why do you ask that?

- Well I was thinking, maybe my boyfriend Burgess and I

could double date with you.

- Double date? You and Burgess?

- Oh, yes.

He can dance ... sorta.

- Well I think it's just a fine idea,

and Ralph and I'd love to have you go,

but, well, there wouldn't be anyone else there your age.

- Why does everybody keep yakking about my age?

What are they tryingto do, stunt my growth?

- No, of course not.

But, well, about the dance,

I can't really say.

You see, well Ralphmight have already asked

someone else to go with us so--

- I get it.

You don't want me either.

Nobody does.

- Oh now wait Kathy, don't feel that way.

Maybe we can work something out.

- Do you really mean that?

- Now look, I'm not promising you can go.

I'm only promising thatwe'll talk about it

some more tomorrow, you understand?

- Yes, but try to work it out.

I just can't stand beingtreated like a baby any longer.

- Well, you go back tobed and get some sleep.

And tomorrow we'll, oh,don't mention this plan

to Burgess until after I talk to Ralph about it, okay?

- Okay.

- Sweet dreams.

Goodnight.

- Night.

- Oh!

- And the worst of it is, we still have the problem

of what to do with her Saturday night.

That's the same night I go with your father

to his club's annual affair for the wives.

- I guess I goofed again, I'm sorry.

- Now, wait.

Suppose before you andRalph go to the dance--

- Shh! Here she comes.

- Well, good morning Kathy!

- Good morning.

Now don't forget Betty, you're going to speak to Ralph

about our date the minute you see him.

- Yeah, I'll--

- Kathy, now we just realized that you have to be

a certain age before they'll allow you at a public dance.

So--

- So I can't go.

Oh I knew it. - Wait, wait.

(utensils clink)

So, Betty and Ralph are thinking about taking you

and Burgess to dinner with thembefore they go to the dance.

Aren't you Betty?

- Yes, yes we are.

Evidently.

- What happens to us after dinner?

- Well, well I'll call Burgess's mother

and we'll work out something.

Perhaps you can go over to Burgess's.

- Will it be a nice fancy grown-up place,

not some little hamburger drive in?

- Oh, yes, it'll be a very fancy place.

- Well okay.

I'll go call Burgess and see if he can go.

Yippee!

- Oh I'm sorry to sneakup on you like that,

but I couldn't help it.

I hope it'll be alright.

- Oh sure, it certainlyeases my conscience.

Might even be fun.

- I hope so.

I hope it'll be a lot of fun.

Well, for her.

- Where's my young double dating partner?

- She's over at Laurie'sborrowing a necklace

to wear tonight.

None of hers were fancyenough, so she said.

- She'd better hurry ifshe expects Ralph and me

to take her to dinner tonight.

Oh that looks cute, Mother.

You'll be the rave of the slaves in that tonight.

- How do you like the color?

- Oh it's perfect, I'lllook wonderful in that.

(phone ringing) - Well not until after I've

had a few chances to wear it, you won't.

- It'll be out of style by then.

Hello?

Oh hi, Ralph.

You can't?

Oh, but you have to.

But I promised Kathy and Burgess we'd

take them out to dinner.

Isn't there some way you can get out of it?

I see.

Well I guess that's that.

And what time will you pick me up for the dance?

Okay.

Sure, I understand.

I'll see you tonight.

Bye.

- What happened?

Does he have to work?

- One of the other fellas went home with the flu.

So Ralph can't leave 'til the night man comes on.

Poor Kathy, what'll this do to her?

- Well ... it can't be helped.

And anyway, she can go to the movies with Burgess--

(Kathy and Bettytalking over each other)

- What shall I wear?

Can I wear lipstick?

Can I? Please?

- Kathy.

Now something has come up.

Ralph just now phoned Betty,

and he has to work tonight.

- You just made that up.

- No I didn't.

No Kathy, honest, I didn't.

- No it's true Kathy.

And it just can't be helped.

Anyway, even if you can't go to dinner,

you're going to the movie with Burgess and his mother.

- Oh sure, "and his mother".

I always get dragged around by a mother.

Well that part I wasn't interested in.

(melancholy music)

Go ahead and call Burgess.

Tell him it's all off.

Everybody's against me.

(cries)

- Oh Kathy, hey wait a minute, come back!

(door slams)

- Gee I feel awful.

- Well it's not your fault.

- Good, you have the new dress on.

Now we can see how this bouquetof dandelions goes with it.

- Oh they're beautiful dear.

But I don't think I'll go tonight.

- What?

You don't think you'll go?

- I thought that you are going.

- Kathy's plan have fallen through again, and I just

wouldn't feel right about leaving her.

- But Mother--

- Jim, would it be too ridiculous an idea

if you take Kathy instead of me?

- Take Kathy?

(laughs)

This is nothing for a child.

In fact, it's specifically for you, for the wives.

- And you bought this lovely dress.

- Oh I know all that, but under the circumstances,

I just couldn't enjoy it.

And maybe it would do wonders for Kathy.

And that would make me happy.

- Well, alright then.

I'll tell you what.

I won't go either.

- Oh no, no that would spoil it.

- Well now wait, let me finish.

We'll go someplace where we can take Kathy with us.

- But that's no good.

She'd still be a little girl tagging along with her mother.

No it's important that I don't go.

With just you two, she'd be the star, the important one.

- Yes, I see, but I hate to see you miss out on this.

- Oh I do too, but rightnow Kathy's happiness

is more important to me.

So, you go ask her, okay?

- Well, okay.

I just hope she doesn't turn me down.

(knocking on door)

- May I come in?

I have a surprise.

- Oh, alright.

- Madame, I've come to ask you to do me a great honor.

- Farm me out anywhere you want to.

Call any babysitter you want to.

I don't care.

- Madame, I request thepleasure of your company

as my partner at a gala dinner dance this evening.

I mean like, wow doll!

Let's us cats cut out for anight of chompin' and stompin'.

I really mean it Kathy.

Will you go with me?

- I thought Mommy was going with you.

- She was, but,

she has to do some child welfare work.

And you'll agree, that's important,

helping a little girl, wouldn't you?

- Would it be just you and me going?

- That's right.

This will be your night.

- Could we stay up real late?

- 'Til all hours.

So how about it, will you go?

- Will I?

Hey Betty, Ma, guess where I'm going!

Look at the pretty corsage Daddy gave me.

(music)

- Oh Kathy, you're dazzling.

Bud, guess who this is.

- (gasps) Brigitte Bardot!

- Okay, where's my date?

Ah, there she is.

Man, I'll be the envy ofthe whole club tonight.

Goodnight, my dear.

Shall we go, madame?

Don't wait up for us, we may not be home for several days.

- [Kathy] Bye!

(music)

- Oh this is the mostbeautiful place I've ever seen.

It's even fancier than the new supermarket.

- Is this fun?

- Oh yes.

I feel like,

like I was really somebody.

- You are somebody.

A very pretty somebody too.

Say, that music sounds good.

I mean, cool.

Shall we dance?

- I don't think we better.

You and I don't dance a line.

- Oh what do we care?

We're out for a big time tonight.

Besides, our dinner companions are late.

(music)

- I'm embarrassed with them staring at us.

Let's sit down.

- Okay.

The reason they keep staring is because they don't

often see such expert dancing.

- What's that?

- Oyster cocktail.

- Is it alright for me to have a cocktail?

- Well I'd say if it's okay for the oysters,

it's okay for you.

- There's Mr. And Mrs. Yeager, they're going to eat with us.

Frank, over here.

- Hi Jim, sorry we're late.

Right at the last minute, we had to take our boy

over to a ... well.

- I don't believe you know my grown up daughter, Kathy.

Mr. and Mrs. Yeager.

- [Mr. and Mrs. Yeager]How do you do, Kathy?

- My, you look pretty tonight.

What a lovely corsage.

- Thank you.

- Where's Margaret?

- Well she didn't feelwell tonight, headache.

It's a long story.

- Oh I'm sorry to hear that.

Doesn't seem right without her.

- [Frank] Well it certainly doesn't.

Why, this was especiallyfor her tonight.

Nothing serious, is it?

- Oh no, no, she'll be alright.

You were saying something about your boy?

- Oh, just the reason we were late.

Right at the last minute, we had to drive him over

to a party at Patty Davis's house.

- Patty Davis?

- Oh you know her?

- My best friend.

Is she having a party tonight?

- Oh, not really a party.

She just called up a few friends.

Seems her father brought a tape recorder home from the

office and they're going tohave a big time with it tonight.

I just can't get overMargaret not being here.

- Daddy,

shall we dance?

- Dance? But I thought you--

- Come on, I want to.

- Alright.

Excuse us.

- Daddy, would it be awful bad manners if I asked

you to take me home?

- Take you home?

Well aren't you having fun?

- I don't know.

But I know one thing.

Mommy didn't really have to do welfare work tonight

because just now you told the Yeagers she couldn't come

on account of a headache.

- Well, you see--

- I'm the girl she was trying to help, aren't I?

- Well you see, Kath,she loves you very much.

- She did this for me, after the awful way

I've been treating her lately.

Will you take me home?

- Kathy, Mommy'd be awfully disappointed if she

found out that you weren't having a good time tonight.

- But I'm not.

Oh, it's not on account of you, Daddy.

You're nice, but when I heard that Patty was

giving a party, I knew that's where I wanted to be.

But I've even spoiled that.

Patty didn't even invite me.

- Oh well I think it evidently is one of those

last minute things, and so--

- I want to go home.

Please?

- Okay honey.

- Ah, here we are.

You're home.

- What happened?

You didn't stay long.

- We decided it was a pretty dull affair so we came home.

- It wasn't dull at all!

It was very nice.

But I asked Daddy to bring me home because I want you to go.

- Me to go?

But, why?

- Well, Daddy can explain it better than I.

All I know is that you belong there, not me.

And I'll be glad to stay home,

so call up Mrs. Brock to stay with me.

- Well, perhaps we won't have to do that.

Right after you left, Patty David phoned,

and she wanted you to come over tonight.

- She did?

- Yes.

So maybe if you call her right away ...

Well what on earth happened tonight?

I'm dying to know.

- Well, I guess what happened was,

our little girl grew up tonight.

And you know how? (Kathy talking on the phone)

By going back to her own age.

(applause)

(music)