06x08 - Margaret's Old Flame

[bunniefuu]

(suspenseful music)

- [Announcer] Robert Young

and Jane Wyatt

with Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin

in Father Knows Best.

(cheering)

- [Radio Announcer] And what a turnout

for Springfield's annual homecoming parade this is,

everybody's here but everybody,

students, townspeople--

- Everybody except a couple of old grads by the name of

Margaret and Jim Anderson.

- [Radio Announcer] There's an air of excitement

as old friends get together here on the campus tonight,

the wonderful aroma of a huge bonfire

just fills this crisp Autumn evening.

(sighs)

(groans)

Homecoming, there's nothing like it.

- I'll say there isn't,

one dress formal for Betty, $ ,

one cheerleader sweaterfor Bud, $ . .

- [Radio Announcer] Youpeople sitting at home

just don't know what you're missing.

(phone rings)

The color of the pants,

the beautiful floats,

getting the few final touches all ready for the parade.

(cheering)(phone ringing)

That cheer, ladies and gentlemen,

is for Miss Homecoming.

(laughter)

Ah, she certainly is lovely.

- Hello, hello?

Margaret please, I can't hear

myself think. - They're beauties,

every one of them.

On my right is Springfield's own man.

They're all in place in its

colorful uniforms- Hello, oh hey, Ralph,

just a minute, I'll call her.

Betty, telephone.

- [Betty] Coming.

- What's that?

No, we're not going.

I'm afraid that Mrs. Anderson and I

are past the collegiate age.

I said Mrs. Anderson and I are past the collegiate age.

- Don't say collegiate, pop, that really dates you.

- Is that so?

- Hi Ralph, I'm glad you called.

The g*ng wants to get together tonight after the parade.

Is that okay?

Well, I guess the varsity club

if the alums haven't taken that over too.

Oh, and Ralph, as long as you're asking,

my formal for the homecoming dance is white.

An orchid corsage?

Oh, terrific.

- Corsage, does Ralph know what that'll set him back?

- Ralph is a sentimental young man

and he probably feels that homecoming is something

very special.

- It's also something very expensive.

- Well I'll be ready inabout minutes, okay?

Bye.

Oh.

- Where did you put my cheerleader sweater?

- I hung it up in the closet.

- Well no wonder I couldn't find it.

- [Radio Announcer] For all the floats To get in place,

the college band to play the alma mater.

- Jim, they're gonna play the alma mater.

- You'll have to standup for both of us dear,

I'm too busy.

(laughter)

- How do I look?

- You look very handsome, Bud.

- You look a littlelate if you don't hurry.

- Oh don't worry, I'll get there in plenty of time

to add my golden voice to the cheering.

All the feminine hearts are going to have a treat tonight.

- [Radio Announcer] Now we're ready.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the Springfield College alma mater.

(Springfield College alma mater)

- Jim, what does this remind you of?

- Oh, it reminds me of several things,

most of all, that I'm very happy

to be home in ourcomfortable living room

instead of sitting on those hard bleacher seats

and I prefer our own fireplace to a smoky bonfire

and I have a very lovelywife whom I love dearly

in spite of the fact that she's far too sentimental.

- Morning, everyone.

- [Kathy] Oh, morning Betty.

Did you have a goodtime last night, Betty?

- Mmm, I guess so.

I'll be glad when all this homecoming business is over.

- You'll be glad when it's over, why?

- I'm b*at.

I've spent all afternoondecorating the gym,

there's a lunch with the alumni this noon.

- You better eat beforeyou go over there,

that place is loaded with alums.

- I know what you mean.

Every time you turn around

somebody's slapping someone on the back and saying,

"Remember old Pete or old Joe or old Jack?"

- Not old Jack Gluttengrogger.

- Yeah, who is old Jack anyway?

- Oh, old Jack's about the same?

Getting a little punchyaround the equator.

- I get the message, Betty.

- Homecomings sound like fun.

- Well they are if you can live through them.

- This all may be very hilarious to you now Betty

but the time will come

when you wish you could relive some of these moments

that are so boring to you.

But then it'll be too late.

All you'll be able to do is to look back

and wonder why you didn't appreciate your college days more?

- Mother--

- I wish I could grow up faster

so I could start lookingback on things sooner.

- That day will be heresoon enough, angel.

You'll be wearing alovely formal like this

going to all the dances and parties,

your biggest problem in life will be

which boyfriend to take to the prom,

which dress to wear.

Press the neck line a little bit, Betty,

that should finish it.

(whistling)

- Oh hi.

Boy am I starved.

- [Betty] Mother.

- Your breakfast is on the table dear.

- Mother.

- What's the matter with your mother?

- I think I hurt her feelings.

- She feels bad because shehas to look back on homecomings

instead of looking forward to 'em.

- Honey.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

It's just that,

oh you're right,

I get too sentimental over homecomings.

Darn it, I resent growing older.

I know it's wrong but I do,

particularly when I don't feel any older

than I did when I was in college.

Do you?

- No, I don't

until I look for my best tie

and find it on Bud.

(chimes ringing)

- Do you hear those chimes, Jim?

- Uh huh, they're beautiful.

- When I was in school

I never thought of themas being beautiful.

They were just a signal

that something special was going on in the auditorium.

- And that we had a legitimate reason for cutting class.

(Springfield College alma mater)

- Remember that last homecomingdance we went to, Jim?

- I sure do.

We drove miles to get there

and once we got there,we couldn't turn around

and get home fast enough.

- I'm talking about when we were in college, my last year.

- Oh, that dance.

How could I forget it?

That's the dance you got so mad at me

'cause I danced twice with that good looking red head.

- You danced three times with her.

Oh.

- What was her name?

- Evelyn.

- Oh, yes

and then there was Joyce,

ah, what a crush she had on me.

- She had a crush on anyone who so much as looked at her.

- And then there was Gloria.

You know, Margaret,

all of a sudden I'mgetting sentimental too.

(laughter)

- Jim, haven't you gone to work yet?

- Oh I just got to looking

through one of my old college yearbooks, Margaret.

Guess what I found?

- Moths?

- Hardly.

Evelyn's picture, look.

- Funny, I didn't remember she was a discus thrower.

- Margaret, this is Evelyn.

- Oh, oh this one.

- Beautiful girl, wasn't she?

- I wonder if she's still fighting a weight problem.

- Ah, here's a picture of Joyce.

Wow, what a bundle of charm she was.

- Oh I understand she'sa grandmother now.

Grandma Joyce.

- So she married young.

Here's the picture Iwas looking for, Gloria.

(growls)

- Jim, aren't you overdoing the sentiment a bit?

- Oh I don't know honey,

it just seemed like the more I reminisce,

the more nostalgic I become.

As a matter of fact,

I might even be talked intogoing to that homecoming dance.

- Jim, really?

- Why not?

- Oh, I see, so you look

for some of those old memories of yours.

Is that it?

Like Evelyn and Joyce and Gloria?

- That's right, honey,

so I can see them and be eternally grateful

that you were the luckygirl who finally got me.

(laughter)

- Oh, there you are.

- Oh I gotta change clothes and hurry back to the gym.

Mother--

- Take your father's tuxedo upstairs,

will you Betty?

- Oh, looks like you trapped him

into going to that dance tonight.

How did you do it?

- Oh he got a little sentimental

over some of hisold girlfriends.

- Well, don't let that bother you.

It just so happens

that I met one of your old boyfriends this noon.

- Well, which one was it,

old Pete or old Tom or old Jack Clulugaga?

- Old Daniel.

- Not Daniel!

You mean, Daniel Harrison?

- He came to the alumni luncheon

and when he found out I was your daughter,

he couldn't ask enough questions.

- Daniel Harrison.

- He's kind of cute, even now.

- He was kinda cute even then.

(doorbell rings)

- I'll get it,

that's probably my corsage, I hope.

(playful music)

Mother, it's for you.

- For me?

- What is it dear?

- Oh, I don't know.

- Open the box, let's see.

- Roses, how beautiful.

- How many?

- Looks like a couple of dozen.

- Well this must be a joke of some kind.

- Pretty expensive joke.

- What does the card say, mother?

- "To Margaret Andersonfrom an old flame."

- What?

- What old flame?

- How exciting!

- How romantic!

- How come no name?

- Pretty sneaky, if you ask me.

- Sneaky and wonderful.

- Now who do you suppose would--

- Of course, Daniel.

- Daniel?

- Sneaky Daniel.

- Oh, I should've known right away.

- Who is Daniel?

- Oh, just an old memory of mine dear.

- Daniel?

Hey!

- Oh, sorry dear.

- I brought all the oldyearbooks I could find.

- Oh bring them, put them right there.

Let me see, it's oh , here, there, there.

- Wow, who sprung for the roses?

- Oh an old boyfriend of mom's.

- Honest?

- Well where do I find his picture mom?

- Well look in the hall of fame division.

- [Kathy] What's his name?

- Daniel, Daniel Harrison.

- [Jim] I don't know what makesyou so sure it was Daniel.

There was no name.

- Well who else could it be, Jim?

After all, we were engaged once

and he is in town.

- [Bud] Oh, here's a picture mom.

- Oh, he was voted man of the year, you know?

- Yeah and best allaround track star, too.

- How come you didn't marry him, mommy?

- He may have been a track star, Kathy,

but he couldn't run fast enough to catch your mother.

I hold the record there.

- Maybe he's an endurance runner.

years later and he'sstill running after her.

- Somebody better informhim the race is over.

- Betty, come here, we're looking at mommy's old boyfriend.

- Well I haven't time right now.

Mother, may I see you a minute?

- Are you sure you don't want to stay

and join the fun, Betty?

We're having a hilarious time.

- I'll be right back.

- You'll find more about Daniel

in the most likely to succeed department, too Bud.

He really was quite a young man.

What is it Betty?

- Forget Daniel.

- What?

- Ever know anyone by the name of Fred?

- Not Fred Archer?

- Class of ' ?

- Don't tell me he's in town, too?

- Blazer, turtleneck sweater, raccoon coat and all.

Seriously though,

he's on the same committee I'm on for the dance tonight.

We got to talking and he said he knew you very well.

- Well we were kind of a thing once.

- I think he sent the roses.

- Maybe.

He was always very sentimental.

He sent me flowers on my birthday and all.

- He's good looking, too,

tall, slender, little gray at the temples.

- Oh, I wish I knew!

Oh how stupid of me,

I know how to find out.

Turn the radio on, Betty,

I don't want your father to hear.

I'll call the florist.

He'll tell me,

after all, I know him.

Oh, watch the door dear.

(phone ringing)

- Good afternoon, Springfield Florist.

- Oh, Mr. Thorne.

- Yes?

- Oh, yes Mrs. Anderson,

uh huh,

uh huh,

uh huh,

uh uh.

(laughter)

- I've got to know.

It's very important.

- Mrs. Anderson, believe me,

this project is highly classified,

top secret

till I'm cleared through security.

- Alright, Mr. Thorne.

I may have to resort to espionage.

- Not even a lead?

- Nothing.

Oh, I think I'll do a little reconnaissance.

- You better hurry.

The enemy forces are moving in closer.

- Margaret?

Oh, I'm sorry, pardon.

- She just left.

Mother went to the market for a little amm*nit*on

and sugar.

- Oh, well I have to go down to the office

for an hour or so.

- Okay, I'll tell her.

- Betty,

just between you and me,

who do you think sent those roses to your mother?

- Why ask me father?

After all, you know moreabout her past than I

or do you?

- Well I thought I did.

- Oh honestly, Betty,

I wish you could've been at the florist shop with me.

It was so easy.

Well even Mr. Thornedidn't know I was there.

I just walked in and before I could figure out my strategy,

in came my secret admirer.

- It's a wonder he didn't see you.

- Oh he would have

if it hadn't been for a split phoradendron.

- And he's sending you acorsage, too, besides the roses?

- You know Betty,

I feel almost like I wasback in college again

going to my first homecoming dance.

I'm really very excited.

(playful music)

- Thank you.

Well whoever's sending those flowers around here

is yelling it out loud.

- Oh, thanks Bud.

For me, too?

- I wish they'd yell my way.

- Are you ready this time?

- Well, it's about time.

- [Jim] Margaret?

- How lovely.

- Honey, aren't you ready,

what's that?

- Oh just an old orchid corsage.

- [Betty] It's even bigger than mine.

- Fred was always very generous.

- Fred?

- What happened to old Daniel?

- I think he's out of the running.

- Fred who?

- Oh don't tell me you've forgotten Fred Archer?

Class of ,

president of the student body,

cadet colonel.

- I don't remember him.

- I don't know how you could forget

anyone as important as Fred.

I'll show you his picture.

Where is that yearbook we were looking at this afternoon?

- I don't know.

- Oh here it is.

Oh surely you remember the big m*llitary ball?

Fred led the grand march.

I'll never forget how handsome he looked in his uniform.

Oh, here he is.

Here, this is Fred (growls).

- He probably doesn't look so (growls) now.

After all, it's been years since you've seen him.

- Well I hate to disappointyou father but I saw him today.

- You did?

- All I can say is wowy wow wow.

- I'm beginning to feelsorry for old Daniel.

- I'm beginning to feel a little sorry for old Jim.

- Maybe you'd better read the enclosed card, mother,

just to make sure it's Fred.

- Oh, there's no doubt in my mind.

Of all the boyfriends I had,

Fred was the most romantic.

"Dear Margaret,

"one of my fondestmemories of college days

"was our first waltz together."

Fred was a magnificent dancer.

"Remember?

"You waited for me on a moonlit balcony

"wearing the corsage I sent you."

- Oh, it gives me goosebumps.

- Well go on, don't stop now.

- "For the sake of old times, Margaret,

"may I have the first waltz tonight?"

That's Fred alright.

- Did he sign his name this time?

- No, it just says fromyour same old flame.

(jazzy music)

(applause)

- Well, it turned out to be a pretty good homecoming dance.

- Oh, it's wonderful, Jim,

but I wish they'd hurry up and announce the first waltz.

- Don't tell me you're actuallygonna keep that rendezvous

with whatever his name is?

- Fred?

Well of course I am, dear.

- What am I supposed to do

while you're dancing with somebody else?

- There's always Gloria.

- Honey, look.

- Ladies and gentlemen - Shh.

- [Announcer] Choose your partners

for the first waltz of the evening.

(applause)

- Jim, this is it.

- Margaret, wait a minute.

- Now you promised me

that I could have this one dance with my old flame.

- Okay.

I certainly don't want to cramp your style.

(romantic music)

- [Jim] Margaret.

- Jim Anderson, you promised.

- Margaret, honestly, Ihate to disappoint you--

- If you don't leave, you're going to spoil everything.

- If I do leave, you're gonna be sitting here alone.

- What?

- I sent you those roses, honey,

and the corsage.

- You mean it wasn't Fred?

- No.

- Or Daniel?

- No.

Old Jim.

I guess you're stuck with the same old flame you've had

ever since he saw you for the first time

standing on a balcony in the moonlight

looking prettier thanany flower ever created.

Oh honey, don't cry, please.

If it'll make you feel any better,

I'll try to find Fred for you or Daniel or anybody.

- Oh Jim, I can't keep it any longer,

I knew it was you all the time.

- What?

- Do you think for one moment

that I wanted it to be anybody else?

- Margaret Anderson, that's the lowest, meanest trick

you've ever pulled on me in your whole life.

- I know but I had to have some answer

to Joyce and Evelyn and Gloria.

Jim, for the sake of old times,

will you dance with me?

- Margaret, how do I know

you knew that I was your old flame?

- You don't

but in the years to come

when you're sitting in our comfortable living room

dreaming in front of the fireplace,

it'll give you somethingto think about.

(laughter)

(applause)

(upbeat music)