05x38 - The Gold Turnip

[bunniefuu]

(dramatic music)

- [Narrator] Robert Young,

and Jane Wyatt,

(children giggling)

with Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin

in Father Knows Best.

- Oh bud, please don't mess up all your father's things.

- I'm not, just looking for a pair of black socks

to wear the the graduation tea.

I don't know why we have to go to that silly thing.

Teas are for girls.

- Oh no necessarily.

- You know, I suggested the senior class wiener roast.

But oh no, we can't do that.

We have to have a tea.

Why?

Because last years class had a tea,

and the class before that and the class before that.

Why are they so afraid to do something different?

- Well, those are traditions

and they should be preserved.

- Well maybe so, but I resent being

told how to do everything.

I feel like a sheep being led around.

- You shouldn't be fighting this,

you should be enjoying it.

Well, high school graduation's one

of the big events in a persons life,

and it happens only once.

- Right, and because it happens only once

I'd like to see our class show a little originality.

- Oh that part's alright.

- You know, when you get to this age,

a guy should be man enough to make his own plans.

He should, oh my gosh,

is Dad still hanging onto this old watch?

Look at that thing.

Has all the grace of a meatball.

(audience laughing)

Now that's a real turnip.

- Better not let him hear you call that a turnip.

That's a prized possession.

That was given to him by his father, and his father--

- Yeah I know, and his father got it from his father,

and his father, you know that'sjust like our graduation.

- Oh stop it, Bud.

- No, really, Mom.

Look at this relic,it's actually worthless.

- Not to your father.

- Well he can't carry it, it'd rip out his pocket.

It just lies in the drawer gathering dust

and yet we're supposed to think it's something great,

you know that's practically idol worshiping.

- Oh it is not.

- Why it's a throwback to the--

- I think I'll throw you back.

(audience laughing)

From now on, let's not have anymore talk like this.

And no more grippingabout graduation plans.

- They send you to school to learn and think for yourself

but if you try it, down boy.

I don't get it.

(cheery music) (audience laughing)

Now that's the kind of sandwich

a man can sink his teeth into.

- A man can sink his whole head into that.

(audience laughing)

So, you figure you're a man now, huh?

- Well it's high time.

Two more days now and I'll be getting out of high school

and out into the cruel world.

Tell ya, what are you getting me for a graduation gift, Dad?

- Oh I don't know, you got any ideas?

- Yeah, I thought up a couple little knickknacks,

like say a, nice sports car.

(audience laughing)

- Sports car?

- Now that's not so ridiculous.

That's what Joe Phillip's dad is getting him for graduation.

- Oh I doubt that.

- No, really.

And I'll bet he doesn't make the money you do, Dad.

- Oh.

- Do you want Joe Phillip's father to outdo you?

- Yes.

Now what's the next little knickknack on your list?

- No really, Dad.

That old heap I'm driving is falling to pieces.

I couldn't drive it to junior college next fall.

They'd arrest me for dumping trash on public property.

(audience laughing)

- What's next on your list?

- Well a Hi-Fi stereo set.

- Hi-Fi stereo?

Haven't you ever heard of fountain pens

or monogrammed cuff links?

- Gosh Dad, a guy only graduates

from high school once in his life.

- Thank goodness.

Any oftener would put every father in a poor house.

(audience laughing)

(slow music)

- Lucky Joe Phillips.

He'll never have to worry about becoming a criminal

because a boy who had feelings

that his parents don't love him.

- Before you start the violin music,

let me tell you I've already got your graduation present.

- Yeah?

Well, do you fill it with ink or with gasoline?

- Look I'm not gonna give you any hints, so don't badger me.

- Okay, Dad.

But remember I'mloaded with cuff links.

(mimics sports car)

- Hi, whatcha doin'?

- Oh I thought you were Bud.

Come on in, Kath.

You better close the door in case he's snooping around.

- Is that Bud's graduation gift?

- That's right.

- May I see it?

- You not only may see it, you may also wrap it.

(audience laughing)

My wrappings also lookedas though I did them

on horseback in a high wind.

- Is this it?

- Mmhm.

- Couldn't you afford to buy him a new one?

(audience laughing)

- That's worth much more than a new one.

- Daddy, I don't like to say anything

but this is ...

Well to be frank, it's kinda corny.

(Jim chuckles)

- Well that's because youdon't understand what it means.

You see kitten,

this watch is sort of a symbol in the Anderson family.

In this watch I see my father and

my grandfather and my son, and his son.

Perhaps it represents a way of looking at immortality.

- Huh?

- In plain words it means when a father hands this watch

down to his son, that son has become a man.

- Bud's a man now?

- He's a man.

I hope.

I'll never forget the night my dad gave this to me.

He ...

Made quite a little ceremony of it.

He wasn't much for that sort of thing,

but that evening he solemnly led me into the living room,

parlor we called it, and sat me in his reading chair,

which in itself was quite a privilege.

That's the first time he calledme James, instead of Jimmy.

- You were called Jimmy?

- Sure, I wasn't always an old man.

So anyway-- - Jimmy.

(laughs)

- So anyway, he made a little speech,

using the same words his father had used.

It began, a generation ago my father stood before me

as I stand before you now.

I can remember the whole thing as if I'd memorized it.

Right down to his closing quotefrom Shakespeare's Polonius,

"this above all, tothine own self be true."

(laughs)

So you see young lady, this corny old clock

isn't entirely worthless.

And you better get busy

and wrap it up before Bud pops in here.

- Oh he won't,

he had to go to a committee meeting at school.

Some big problem came up about the graduation gowns.

- Oh.

He's probably down theretrying to talk them into

wearing green oneswith yellow polka dots.

(audience laughing)

- And it came out a tie,

half the seniors voted for black robes, half for maroon,

and neither side is willing to give in.

So that leaves it up tothe committee to decide.

- Well are the maroon robes more

expensive to rent than the black ones?

- No, same price.

- Well why not let everybody wear the color he wants?

- No, that wouldn't look right.

- Oh I can solve it.

We'll make both sides happy by not wearing robes at all.

(laughing)

- Cut it out Claude,

we don't have time to fool around, now--

- Pardon me, Harold.

Maybe there's somemerit to Claude's idea.

- Bud, you have to wear caps and gowns for graduation.

- Why do we have to?

- (laughs) Just because you do,

and it's traditional.

If you didn't wear them,you'd shock your parents

and the school board out of years of their lives.

(laughing)

- Maybe so but, couldn'twe be a graduating

class that's different?

There are a lot of arguments for--

- Sit down, Bud.

I was only kiddin'.

- Well I'm not.

No there's some good arguments for not wearing robes.

For one thing, the girls have all knocked themselves out

getting fancy graduation dresses

and who'll be able to see them underneath those robes?

- You know, he's right.

- And it's an expense too.

Maybe there are some whoreally can't afford it.

- [Harold] Now look, we're just here to decide

what color we're going to wear.

Not if we're going to wear them.

- [Mr. Duncan] Yes Bud, let's stick to the issue.

- Well this would solve it.

Now why don't we let thewhole class vote on it?

- There isn't time, besides you're out of order.

- Out of order?

- Bud.

This is a very importantevent in your lives

and you should make the most of it by doing it with all

the grace and ceremony possible.

- I agree, Mr. Duncan.

Maybe there are other ways of doing these things.

Maybe even better ways.

- Sit down, Patrick Henry.

(students laughing)

- Every time anyone suggested any change

in our graduation plans, everybody always jumps on him

like he's done some horrible--

- Bud, if you don't pipe down,

I'm gonna have to throw you out of here.

- Throw me out?

Just because I stand up for an idea?

- Come on Bud, let's go out and get some fresh air.

- What are we, a bunch of sheep or something?

We got to be led aroundby a ring on our nose?

We gonna vote or anything?

(audience laughing)

- Bud, it isn't this important.

- To me it is.

Look, I don't want to do this.

They forced me into it.

- Yeah but if you don't--

- All I know is, I can't back down now.

I'm not wearing a capand gown at graduation.

(dramatic music)

- [Betty] Bud, come on, you might as well try this on.

- Where'd that come from?

- Oh Betty was kind enough to go down and get it for you.

Come on, let's go andsee how it looks on you.

Well, come on.

- Well you can try it on me all night,

but I'll tell you right now I'm not gonna wear it.

- Oh Bud, stop saying that.

Of course you're gonna wear it.

There now, turn around,let's see how you look.

- Feel like I'm wearing a night gown.

- Oh.

- Well here's anightcap to go with it.

(audience laughing)

- How can a guy see with this corn silk

in front of his face?

- [Betty] It's supposed to go on the side, dopey.

- There now, you look real nice.

(audience laughing)

We're gonna be very proud of you when

you march up on thatplatform tomorrow night.

Oh now Bud, wait a minute,

I want your father to see you in it.

- No, he's seen theseMother Hubbard's before.

Look at this thing, thesame ol' black color.

You know, they had a chance to do something

a little different, getmaroon ones, but oh no.

Right back to the black,wouldn't you know it.

- Oh oh.

You think he reallyintends not to wear it?

- I don't know.

But I see now I should've rentedhim a straitjacket instead.

(audience laughing)

- And Daddy's giving you that special gift.

- Do you know what Dad's giving me?

- Sure I do, but I'm notsupposed to tell you.

- Could you give me a hint?

- Nope.

- Vegetable or mineral?

- It's not a vegetable.

Or wait, it does have vegetables in it, carrots.

- Carrots?

Oh you gotta be kidding,

well what could I possibly want with carrots in it?

How big is it?

- Mm, about this big.

- Well now I know you're kidding.

Dad wouldn't give me anything that dinky.

- No, I'm not kidding.

It's sort of round, very old and has wheels in it.

- Has wheels?

Is it a sports car?

- No, silly.

I said it was only this big.

- And has carrots in it?

- But not the kind you eat.

And I'm not gonna give you a single hint what it is.

(audience laughing)

- Carrots.

Gold.

And it's round.

It's got wheels in it.

And it's very old.

Oh no, that old watch.

Is that all he thinks of me?

- Glad you're home dear.

- Got your suit from the cleaners, father.

- Oh thanks Princess. - Say, have you talked to Bud?

- No, why?

- Oh he has a new development now.

He says he's not going to graduation tonight.

- Not going?

What does he mean?

- Well just that.

This notice was handed to the seniors today at school.

That did it, he said.

- Regulation cap and gown must be worn

at the graduation exercise this evening.

Any graduating senior not so attired

will not be permitted to take part in the ceremonies.

- You mean he'dactually miss out on it,

rather than wear the gown?

- Oh surely he wouldn't do that.

- Well he claims it's a matter or principle with him.

- Oh phooey.

- Do you know where the box the cap and gown came in?

- It's in the closet.

- Yeah, there it is.

- Just a minute.

What do you want that for?

- I'm gonna take the gown back.

There's no use paying rent

for something that's not gonna used.

- Now just a minute, son.

- Bud, why do you wannacause all this trouble?

- I don't wanna cause any trouble,

I never did wanna cause any.

I wish you people could understand

that I was pushed into this position.

- Oh fiddlesticks!

- Well I was, and now I've gotta stand my ground.

- Now look here, son.

- Besides, this thing tonight is just a ceremony.

It's not the important part of education.

The important part is what you've learned,

and that's all done in my record.

When you go to college or try and get a job,

they don't care how pretty you looked in a gown,

they just want to see your record

and that's therefor them to see.

- Now hold on, son.

We've put up with all this nonsense we're going to.

Now you better figure on wearing that robe tonight

because you have to go to that graduation.

- Why do you sayI have to do it?

Doesn't a guy ever reach an age where he has something

to say about what he does?

(slow music)

Don't I have any right?

Besides, let's you careabout my graduation.

- Now what did he mean by that last cr*ck?

- Who knows.

I'm going up andpound some sense

into that fat little head of his.

- No don't do it, Betty.

We could force him to go,

but that's no good.

- But he just can't miss out on his graduation exercises.

- I agree.

But on the other hand,

it's no fun dragging a prisoner down there.

I ...

Don't quite know how all this happened.

But I do know that all the joy has gone out of it.

What a disappointment.

- But Jim, if he doesn't go,

he'll regret this the rest of his life.

- Sure he will.

I'm not gonna enjoy unwrapping that watch

and putting it back in the drawer either.

- Well, what about the--

- That goes back too.

- Maybe if you told him about that.

- No no no, I'm not gonna bribe him into going.

That's no good.

(Betty sighs)

- You're really gonna take it back?

- It's the only sensiblething to do now.

(doorbell rings)

Thanks for going down and getting it for me though.

- [Jim] Oh good evening,Mr. Messner, come on in.

- [Mr. Messner] Oh thanks but,

I'm in kind of a hurry, Mr. Anderson.

I just dropped by tofind out if you're gonna

take your camera tothe graduation tonight,

take some pictures of Bud.

- Pictures of Bud?

Well, uh.

- Well the reason that I'm asking

is that my camera's not workingso I thought I could buy

some film for yours and well, maybe you could take pictures

of both Bud and my son, Claude.

- Oh I see.

Well, why don't you just take the camera.

Wait a moment, I'll get it for ya.

- Well what about you, and Bud?

- Oh, we can take pictures of Bud later.

- Well I sure appreciate this.

You know, Claude, he didn'twant me to bother with a camera.

Couldn't understand why we were making so much fuss.

I guess a boy never does understand until he grows up

and has children of his own.

Graduations are really for the parents.

You know, every time I see one of mine graduating,

it makes me feel so so, well I can't even explain it.

- You don't have to, I know.

I've been through it once myself.

Oh I guess you know how to work this.

- Oh sure.

I certainly appreciate this.

Well I gotta dash home,change my clothes.

By the way, we'll begoing by here on our way

to graduation exercises, why don't we pick you folks up?

- Well thank you very much, but we might be a little late.

Have a few things to do first.

- Oh I see.

Well, okay then, see you at school.

Thanks very much.

- Not at all.

- You know, dear, I just can't believe we're not going

to that graduation tonight.

- Boy, Mr. Messner really hit the nail on the head,

when he said graduations are really for the parents.

- [Margaret] What childcould ever realize that?

- I remember when Betty marched up

on that platform to get her diploma.

I didn't think it would affect me the way it did.

But there I sat, all those feelings of joy and pride,

and a little sadness too, welling up inside of me.

- Same with me.

I felt somehow that,that moment justified up

everything we'd gone through with her.

- Yes, everything.

Because there she was, standing up there,

a part of us being accepted by the world.

I guess that's the feeling, I don't really know.

All I know is, it's a moment you sure don't wanna miss.

But there's no use standing around

torturing ourselves about it.

Hey maybe we outta go someplace tonight,

a movie or-- - A movie?

- Someplace where we can our minds off--

- Hey Dad?

- Why, Bud.

- You guys better start getting dressed

or you're gonna belate for my graduation.

- Yes of course.

Sure, come on honey.

We better get dressed.

What's the matter with us,

we're standing aroundlike a couple, oh wait!

Before we do anything else,

there's a little ceremony we have to preform.

Let's see, yes there's time if we hurry.

Where's Kathy?

- Upstairs.

- Will you run upstairs and tell her.

- Kathy!

- Bud, you come down here.

Come in the living room.

- Goodness sake, Bud, what do you have that on for?

- He's graduating tonight, didn't you know?

(audience laughing)

Now you sit here, in my chair.

- Well, what for, Dad?

- You'll see in a moment.

This is a fairlysolemn occasion.

Did you find it, Kathy?

- I've got it!

- Good!

James Junior,

James Junior,

A generation ago my father stood before me

as I stand before you now,

and spoke these exact words.

"Life my boy, is a process of growing.

"You've grown from a child to a boy,

"from a boy to a man.

"A man I judge to be worthy of this.

"Today marks not the end, but the beginning of your growth.

"Your mental growth, andyour spiritual growth."

That watch, James Junior,

measured the growth of three generations before you.

May it through you, measure long and well.

And always remind you of this precept,

"This above all, tothine own self be true.

"And it must follow, as the night the day,

"Thou canst not then be false to any man."

I think maybe that's what you've been

trying to do this past week,

be true to your convictions.

Don't ever lose that.

But, try using it in places

where it counts a little more.

Where it's constructive,not destructive.

Remember, there's somevalue in tradition too.

- I know that now.

I used to think this was just an old watch.

It means a lot to me now.

Boy, how things can change.

- Things don't change, Bud.

It's we who change.

And that's part of the growth.

And by growing into a man,

there's something you've earned.

So come along, I'm gonna show it to you!

- Yes, come on! - What, where are we going?

- [Jim] Ah, look out now, back up.

Here we are, turn the light on, that's it.

- What's this?

- This is called I believe, a car.

(audience laughing)

- Is it mine? - Yeah!

It is new and it's not all paid for.

(audience laughing)

Needs a little paint here and there,

but it's all yours.

- Wow.

(audience laughing)

(smooth music)

Hey, do you think there's any paint stores open tonight?

(audience laughing)

- You can't paint tonight Bud,

you have to graduate, remember?

- Oh my gosh, yeah, I nearly forgot.

(audience laughing)

Why don't you guys go in and get dressed

and I'll be right in.

- Okay let's go then,we don't wanna be late.

- Hey Bud, I'll go--

- Come on, come on.

(laughs)

- I'll get your things ready, Bud.

- It's the blue suit, Mom.

(soft music)

Old turnip.

Thanks.

(upbeat music) (audience applauding)