05x24 - A Man of Merit

[bunniefuu]

(dramatic music)

- [Announcer] Robert Young

and Jane Wyatt.

(peppy music)

With Elanor Donahue, Billy Gray,

and Lauren Chapin

in Father Knows Best.

- Ah I see tonight's the night

the Chamber of Commercelocks itself up

in a secret meeting to choose it's Hall of Merit man.

- What's that?

Hall of Merit Man?

- Don't you read the papers?

They choose one every year.

- Okay so what is it?

- Oh it's Springfield'soutstanding citizen,you might say.

All around sort of fellow.

Business, social, civic affairs, church.

They scratch his name on a big bronze plaque

that hangs in the Chamber of Commerce building

and they honor him at abanquet tomorrow night.

- Who do you think they'll choose this year?

- I don't know.

I think if I were on the committee I'd vote

for Judge Pettigrew, he deserves it.

- Say dad?

How come you never get elected to things like that?

- I'm to fat. (audience laughs)

- It would be nice if you could be something

we could write about once in awhile.

(audience laughs)

- Oh there are a lot ofthings about your father

you can brag about.

- Sure he's the only banjo player in the world

who can play anything

except music. (audience laughs)

- Alright you wise acres,

on your way to school before I throw you out of here.

- Good idea.

- Bye dear. - See you tonight.

- Mother I'm gonna be home-- - Good night daddy.

(chatter)

- Hurry up now, bye.

(sighs)

- Well you can see whereI stand around here.

- Well nevermind what they say.

I say you're a good man Hubert.

- Well thank you.

- And you rate pretty high in my hall of merit.

- You know it's kind of silly but

I wish someday I would win that merit award.

Oh I know it's out of the question.

- I don't know that it'sso out of the question.

I don't know anyone in town more deserving than you.

(laughs)

- I'm hardly the type,

but it would be a nice feeling to give your kids

a reason to be proud of you.

- They're proud of you, what are you talking about?

- I mean really proud, for something outstanding.

Maybe I'd even like it myself.

Oh I guess every man hopes

that somewhere along the line he'll receive

an indication that he'sdone a little something

with his life.

And so much for dreams and vanity.

I better get back to the cruel hard world

or I won't even be able to make a living.

I'll try to get home early tonight.

So I can play the banjo for you.

(audience laughs) (peppy music)

Bye dear.

(peppy music)

(peppy music)

Morning Miss Dallas.

- Good morning Mr. Anderson.

- Did we hear anything from Mr. Duram

on that group insurancedeal over in Hills...

What's the matter with you today?

- Oh with me?

Oh nothing at all.

- Well then why are you grinning

or whatever you're doing?

Is there something wrong with me?

- No you look fine.

- Then what is it?

Are you getting married?

- Oh you dreamer. (audience laughs)

No I just feel good today

and the weathers fine and everything.

Here's the letter for Mr. Duram.

I'm afraid it's bad news.

The deals fallen through.

- Oh no, I can'tlet that happen.

Oh I've got to make a trip over there.

Today's impossible, I'll go tomorrow.

- Tomorrow? Oh no.

- What do you mean oh no?

I have to go.

Call Mr. Duram and make an appointment

for late tomorrow afternoon.

- Well I think day aftertomorrow will be better.

Uh that is, I mean...

Well after all what's one day?

- One day can mean an awful lot.

Call Duram and tell him I'll be there.

- But you just can't.

Oh darn it, I guess I'lljust have to tell you,

but don't you dare tellthem that I told you.

- Told me what?

- Well you are going to be chosen

for the Hall of Merit award.

- What?

Me?

Oh you're kidding.

- I am not so you see you just can't leave town tomorrow.

You've got to be here for the banquet.

- Wait I don't believe it.

How would you know?

- Well the committee called me

to get some background on you.

It's not final of course until they vote

at the meeting tonight.

It's boiled down to two candidates.

You and Judge Pettigrew,

but from the way they talked you're in

and the voting'll be a mere formality.

- I still don't believe it.

- Alright, but don't be surprised when a telegram arrives

at your house tonight at nine o'clock notifying you

of your election.

- Is that how they do it, a telegram?

- That's it.

- Get Mrs. Anderson on the phone for me.

Oh wait no, don't do it.

I want that telegram tobe a surprise to her.

As big as a surprise to her as it's supposed to be to me.

(audience laughs)

Oh I could just see the kids faces.

(laughs)

Of course I haven't won yet.

Maybe I won't.

That's another reason I don't wanna make the call.

I don't wanna raise their hopes

and then disappoint them.

- Yes, yes I understand.

- I'm done with Libby.

I forgot that term paper.

- Well fine and if you needany other information about him

just call me.

What?

Oh it's South Maple.

I mean it's , no, it's .

My goodness I'm so nervous I don't even know our address.

(audience laughs)

What?

Oh well don't worry no one will find this out from me.

Thank you very much Mr. Elliot, good bye.

- What's this all about? - Oh Betty you'll never guess.

- You'll never guess.

Besides I can't tell you. (audience laughs)

- What? - Your father.

- He's getting the Hall of Merit award.

- He is?

But I thought they didn't vote on that until tonight.

- Well they don't, theystill have to vote.

There are two candidates.

Judge Pettigrew is the other one

but from the way Mr. Elliottalked your father's a shoe in.

- Oh isn't that wonderful?

Father will die he'll be so surprised.

- Yes, oh but you mustn't tell him.

He's not to know until he gets the official telegram

tonight at nine.

- Nine?

Oh I can hardly wait to see his face.

- Oh now don't tellanyone at school either.

No one is supposed toknow who they've chosen

till it's announced at the banquet tomorrow night.

- Oh how come they told you?

- Well they needed someinformation on him.

They also needed my help to make sure he'd be available

at the banquet tomorrow night.

- This is the most wonderful,

hey we outta get up a surprise celebration for him tonight.

Right after he gets the telegram.

- Yes, I'll bake a big cake

and we'll put congratulations on it.

- Yeah.

- Oh of course now we mustn't go to fast.

After all he hasn't beenofficially chosen yet.

- But the man you were talking to said he was a shoe in.

- Well he didn't actually put it that strongly.

I mean I gathered that from his remarks.

- But if it weren't so he wouldn't even dare

to hint that to you

and he certainly wouldn't be making arrangements

for you to get father to the banquet.

- You're right.

I guess it's all so wonderful.

I'm just afraid that something will happen

to make it untrue.

(audience laughs)

- Mr. Chairman, members of the Chamber of Commerce.

I wish there was some way that I could convey to you

what this moment means to me.

Many years ago-- (audience laughs)

- Did I hear you talking to someone?

- Huh, no, no.

No one here.

- Oh. (audience laughs)

You know, Mr. Anderson I was just thinking

that you really ought to be preparing

a little acceptance speech

to use at the banquet tomorrow night.

(audience laughs)

- Oh, well um, that might be a little presumptuous.

After all they haven't voted yet.

It could be Judge Pettigrew, you know.

He deserves it more than I do.

- Maybe so but who are you

to argue with the whole committee?

If I were you I certainlywould have a few remarks ready.

(audience laughs)

- Maybe you're right.

- I know I'm right, so stop being so humble and modest,

and do it.

- Alright I will.

- How's this? (audience laughs)

- Hooray for papa.

Now that's clever, did you think that up all by yourself?

- Well it's a lot better than any I've seen you turn out.

Come on, get to work.

We don't want father to come home and catch us doing this.

- Oh which reminds me.

I won't warn you again Kathy,

not to say a word toyour father about this.

Not even a hint.

- I'm not going to.

Why do you always tell me that?

- 'Cause you always come up

with some brilliant ad lib's like

"Here daddy, let me hang your hat in the Hall of Merit.

I mean hall closet."

- I do not. (laughs)

- Come on work, boy.

- Well I have to get an idea first.

Let me see yours. (audience laughs)

- It's not finished.

- Banjo player makes good. (audience laughs)

- You like that? - Yeah that's funny.

- Mr. Chairman and members of the Chamber of Commerce,

I wish there was some way

that I could convey to you

what this moment means to me.

Many years ago when I was a boy

I dreamed of owning a basketball.

I knew we couldn't afford it but still I dreamed.

Then one Christmas morning, there it was.

Under the tree, speechless.

(audience laughs)

Speechless, I grabbed it.

Bounced it on thefloor, it flew back up,

hit my chin and knocked me out cold.

(audience laughs)

No boy was ever knockedout so blissfully.

(laughs)

That's how I feel tonight.

I know I don't measure up to the kind

of person I should be to deserve this,

but believe me from now on I'm going

to try my best to beworthy of Springfield's

Hall of Merit.

(claps)

- Oh that's good.

I think that's very good.

- Hope I get to use it.

- Oh don't worry, you will.

- Oh I wonder if you'd call the Queen's Restaurant

and reserve a tablefor about : tonight?

Sort of a little family party.

I know I shouldn't take the kids out on a school night,

but this is a special occasion.

- It is indeed.

- Maybe just better make that a tentative reservation.

This still isn't in the bag.

- I'll make the reservation definite.

(peppy music)

(happy humming)

(peppy music) (audience laughs)

- Dear?

Aren't you a little nervous tonight?

- Me? No.

I'm not nervous.

- You've probably been working to hard.

Maybe you better go to bed early tonight?

- I think maybe I will.

Pretty soon now. (audience laughs)

Oughta get some rest.

I have a pretty heavy day ahead of me tomorrow.

- Boy I'll say you have.(audience laughs)

What I mean is, well...

- Maybe you better go to bed early tonight too Squigy.

- Not yet, it's not nine yet.

(audience laughs)

- I'll go with you.

It's pretty dull aroundhere tonight anyway.

No reason to stay up. (audience laughs)

- Boy a fella would surehave a hard time seeing

our house number withoutthe porch light on.

(audience laughs)

- Why would anyone wannasee our house number

at this hour of night?

(audience laughs)

- Oh um, no reason.

None at all.

(audience laughs)

(audience laughs)

- Nothing very interesting in the paper tonight.

(audience laughs)

- I won't say anything.

I haven't given it away.

- No but you've been trying awfully hard.

(clock chimes)

(dramatic music)

- It's almost after nine.

Do you suppose something went wrong?

- I still think we oughta turn on the porch light.

(audience laughs) (melancholy music)

- Why is everyone sitting up tonight?

Why don't you go to bed?

- Well we were just going.

I wanted to finish this first (audience laughs)

but it's done now.

Come along all of you, upstairs, come on.

(melancholy music)

(door bell chimes)

(peppy music)

- Is Mr. Anderson home?- Yeah.

- Daddy it's for you.

(audience laughs)

- Who in the world could that be?

- Good evening Mr. Anderson.

Do you subscribe to Field and Fish Illustrated?

(audience laughs)

- What did you say?

- Well during this lastweek of our contest

we have a special clubrate on Field and Fish,

The Home Gardener, and Science Thrillers.

- No thank you, it's all I can do to read the newspapers.

Sorry.

(melancholy music)

Fine time to be selling magazines.

I thought you people were going to bed?

- Yes, we're going Father.

(melancholy music)

(peppy music)

- [Betty] What do you suppose went wrong?

- Maybe nothing.

Maybe their meeting is taking longer than expected?

I'm gonna call the Chamber of Commerce and find out.

Bud, you go out in the kitchen

and keep your father out there 'till I finish phoning.

- Check.

- Queens Restaurant?

I have a reservation there for : .

I'd like to cancel it.

The name is Anderson.

I thought, oh ah yes I'll talk

to you about that policy tomorrow.

(audience laughs)

You bet.

Goodbye.

Thought you were going to bed.

- Hey I started to but I just remembered this funny story

that I heard today and I wanted to tell you.

- Frankly Bud I'm not much in the mood

for a funny story tonight.

You can tell me tomorrow.

- Oh but you'll get acharge out of this one.

It's a real funny one.

It's about this horse player (laughs).

He goes to the psychiatrist (laughs).

- No you don't understand.

I'm trying to find out about the meeting.

The voting for the Hall of Merit.

- Shh, not so loud.

- What?

Oh.

Well who are you?

I see.

Well, thank you anyway.

- What did he say? Who were you talking too.

- The janitor, he said the meeting was over early.

About eight o'clock. - Eight o'clock?

- And that everyone had left.

- Oh they had plenty of time to send the telegram.

- More than plenty.

By now I guess Judge Pettigrew is a pretty happy man.

- You mean daddy didn't get it?

- Oh I'm afraid not angel.

- Oh that's mean.

- After all those signs we made

and that beautiful cake.

* Uh he'll be coming round the mountain when he comes

(audience laughs)

- Well if no one else in this family has enough sense

to go to bed, I have.

Goodnight. (melancholy music)

- What's the matter dear?

- Hmm? Oh nothing.

Just can't sleep, that's all.

- Are you ill?

- No, no, I'm fine.

Probably went to bed to early.

I think I'll get something to eat.

- I'll fix you something. - No, no, no.

- You stay right there honey.

No need the both of us strutting around.

Hurry back to sleep honey.

(melancholy music)

Oh.

(peppy music)

Congratulations Father?

(peppy music)

Banjo player makes good?

Hall of Merit?

They knew all about it.

(melancholy music)

Look who's famous.

(melancholy music)

Must have worked allday long on this stuff.

(melancholy music)

Oh this one does it.

Hooray for papa. (doorbell chimes)

(peppy music)

- Oh, why Mr. Kramer.

- Hello Mrs. Anderson, I'msorry to disturb you this late.

I saw your light still burning

and I thought this might be important.

- Telegram?

How did you happen to have this?

- [Mr. Kramer] Our babysitter accepted it

while we were out for the evening.

You see it has your name but our address.

instead of .

- Oh I must have mixed them up.

Oh thank you so much for your trouble.

- [Mr. Kramer] Not at all.

- Jeb! (audience laughs)

Telegram for you.

- For me? (audience laughs)

I can't understand how, what...

(inspirational music)

Honey!

I've been chosen for the Hall of Merit!

(inspirational music)

Oh kids (mumbles). (laughs)

(inspirational music)

Where are they going?

- I have no idea.

Maybe we oughta go and find out.

- No it's the middle of the night,

we have to go back to bed. (audience laughs)

- Come on, maybe we wantto make a cup of cocoa.

Oh after all we should celebrate a little.

- Well maybe you're right. (audience laughs)

(peppy music)

- [Group] Ta dat dat da.(audience laughs)

- How did you?

Why you sneaky varmints.(audience laughs)

Banjo player makes good (laughs).

- Alright banjo player, come over here to the hot seat.

- Wait is this seat wired?

(laughs)

- Proclamation.

Where as James Anderson is a great business leader.

- Whenever I go into some crackpot business

he always leads me out of it.

(laughs)

- Where as James Anderson is a great civic leader.

(audience laughs)

- Whenever I try tosneak away from studying

my civic book he alwaysleads me back to it.

(audience laughs)

- Whereas James Anderson is a great social leader.

- Whenever we become socialand go dancing he always leads.

(audience laughs)

- Whereas he is such a great leader

and because we love him, in spite of it,

we now elect him to theAnderson Hall of Merit.

(group cheers loudly)

- Oh a cake.

When did you do all this?

Hurry up get me a fork so I can start eating it.

- Oh no wait, you have to make a speech before you can.

(group cheers loudly)

- After all that a speech.

Yeah, speech.

You gotta say somethingafter all this.

- Well alright I'll try.

- But keep it short, I'm hungry.

(audience laughs)

- Mrs. Chairman and members of the Chamber of Andersons.

I wish there was some way I could convey to you

what this moment means to me.

Many years ago when I was a boy,

I dreamed of owning a basketball.

I knew we couldn't afford one but still I dreamed.

Then one Christmas morning there it was, under the tree.

Speechless I grabbed it,bounced it on the floor.

It flew back up, hit my chin,

and knocked me out cold.

(laughs)

No boy was ever knockedout so blissfully.

- Oh.

- That's how I feel tonight.

I know I don't measure up to the kind

of person I should be to deserve this

but believe me from nowI'm going to try my best

to be worth of theAnderson Hall of Merit.

(claps loudly)(cheers loudly)

- Hooray for papa.

Now lets eat.

- Alright get (mumbles).

(background noisedrowns out other sounds)

- You know dear,

you're very good atextemporaneous speaking.

Well that's speech was as good as if you'd prepared it.

(audience laughs)

- Yes Father, in fact if you just changed

Anderson Hall of Merit to Springfield Hall of Merit

you could use that exact speech

at the banquet tomorrow night.

- Oh no, you really think so? - You certainly could.

- Well by George that's an idea.

I may just do that.

Yes sir, I may just do that.

(audience laughs)

(peppy music)

(peppy chimes)