06x27 - Love and Learn

[bunniefuu]

(dramatic music)

- [Announcer] Robert Young

and Jane Wyatt

with Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, and Lauren Chapin

in Father Knows Best.

- So then, I guess we'll knock off

these math problems right now

and then that'll leave us free for bowling, tonight.

- Good deal, Dan.

Joe and Freddy said they'd meet us down there.

- Mother wants to see you.

She's in the kitchen.

- Yeah, okay.

Hey look it, you go in and get started.

I'll be right in.

What's she want to see me about?

- You'll find out.

(imitates g*n f*ring)

(audience laughter)

(imitates g*n f*ring)

- You, uh, want to see me Mom?

- I certainly do.

I had a talk with the dean of men

at the college today.

- Uh, you did, why?

- Because he sent me a note.

- Yeah, what about?

- Your English grades.

Now, evidently you're doing fine

in all your engineering courses,

but you're very shaky in English.

- Oh ...

Maybe a little.

But, now important is that, really?

I'm good in all the subjects that count.

I'm gonna be anengineer, not a writer.

- Bud, you have to beable to express yourself

no matter what you do.

And besides, if you flunk English,

you can't graduate,

and you can't get an engineering degree.

- Well, I'll pass English.

Don't worry.

- Not the way you're going, you won't.

Now the dean suggested that we hire a tutor

to help you in English.

- A tutor?

Mom, that's for kids.

- Oh, not necessarily.

- Now, Mom, I see teachers all day long.

I don't want to face one every night, too.

Some old fuddy duddy.

- It won't be.

It'll be a student.

Now, the dean gave me a list of five recommended tutors.

You know, they're just bright students

who earn a little extra, this way.

Fred Orman.

- Fred Orman?

I don't want that squarehanging around here.

- Emily Trebut.

- A girl?

Oh, Mom, that's even worse.

- Robert Lawson.

- This tutor jazz is out, Mom.

- Alice Crowse!

- I'll, I'll work on it.

- Nelda Freemont!

(musical sting)

(audience laughter)

- Who was that last name?

- Um, Nelda Freemont.

Know her?

- I don't know.

Well, I may have seen her, once or twice.

I've uh ...

I've been thinking,

and maybe I do need a tutor.

(audience laughter)

- Well, of course you do, Bud.

And the dean said you should do something about this

before it's too late.

- Oh yeah.

Well, he's right.

So, I'll submit to it,

for a while, anyway.

Let's see, I uh ...

Well I guess any of those cats'll do.

You might try that Nelda person there.

(audience laughter)

- Alright.

I'll call the dean right now

and have him make the arrangements.

We'd better start this tonight, if possible.

While you're in a cooperative mood.

(audience laughter)

What's all this?

- Oh, Wilmer and I are studying in the den.

(laughs)

(sighs)

(phone dial whirring)

Bad news, boy.

I can't go bowling tonight.

- What?

- No, I've got to stayhome and study English,

with a tutor.

- A tutor?

Are you serious?

- Yeah, Dean's orders.

I'm flunking English.

- A tutor,

oh you poor guy.

- Yeah, isn't it awful.

Imagine having to sit in this dungeon every evening

looking at Nelda Freemont.

- Gosh, isn't there some other way you can

pass English than ...

Nelda Freemont?

(audience laughter)

- Yeah.

Isn't that awful?

Having to spend every evening with that ugly wench.

- Ugly?

She's about the best looking gal in the whole school.

- Yeah.

- Oh, you're kidding.

- No, I'm not!

(audience laughter)

My mom's making the arrangementsright now to hire her.

(audience laughter)

- You lucky dog!

(lively music)

(singing indistinctly)

(laughs)

- How come he's so happyover this tutor idea?

Or do you suppose he's forgotten

his first session is tonight

and he thinks he's going out on a date.

- Oh, no.

I'm sure he knows thatMiss Freemont's coming.

She should be here now, in fact.

I don't understand his attitude, either.

At first he was dead set against it.

Then, suddenly, he switched.

(audience laughter)

Well, thank goodness he did.

(door bell rings)

- Yes, you're so right.

- Hello.

- Hi.

- I'm Nelda Freemont.

(audience laughter)

- Oh, yes, Nelda.

Come on in, Nelda.

I'm Bud's father.

- How do you do?

- How do you do?

And, this is his mother.

- How do you do, Mrs Anderson?

- Hello.

We've been lookingforward to meeting you.

I hope you won't find your new uh,

pupil too difficult.

- Oh, I'm sure I won't.

- Hi, Nelda.

(comedic music)

(audience laughter)

I'd like you to meet my father

and my ...

(audience laughter)

- We've met.

- Oh.

Well, uh ...

Well, I uh,

guess we better get to the drudgery, then.

Let's see, the uh,

the den would probably be the best place to work.

So, let's go split a few infinitives.

(audience laughter)

Shall we?

- Excuse us.

- Yes, will you excuse us?

(lively music)

(audience laughter)

- Now I understand Bud's sudden eagerness

in academic life.

(audience laughter)

And to think, she has brains, too.

(audience laughter)

- Well, I just hope he can keep his mind on his work.

(audience laughter)

- ... and I also checked with your English teacher

to find out what your class is currently studying

and try to determine what your particular weakness is.

- Oh, well, I can tell youwhat my particular weakness is.

Blue eyes.

(audience laughter)

- Um, I uh,

looked over some samples of your work

and, I would say your difficulty is largely

lack of application.

And perhaps poor study habits.

Both of which I am sure we can remedy

if you'll cooperate with me.

- Oh, I'll cooperate.

- Cool.

Now, you have a report ...

(audience laughter)

... class, next Friday.

So, I think we'll get right to work on that.

- You mean, right now?

- Of course.

Now, first you'll need a subject.

Do you have any good ideas?

- Yeah, I've got a good idea.

Let's uh ...

Let's take a breather

and slip down to the malt shop.

(audience laughter)

- Thanks, but wedon't have time.

I'm hired for just one hour,

three evenings a week,

and we have to make themost of these evenings.

- That's what I'm trying to do.

(audience laughter)

- We can use this typewriter.

I suggest that from now on ...

- No, that's ...

- ... you type all of your assignments.

It'll make your work look much neater

than it has in the past.

And neatness indicates good work habits.

Uh, do you have any typing paper?

- Yes, I think so.

- Good.

And, will you sit down.

(comedic music)

You should have ahigher chair for typing.

- Well, I think I'll be able to reach it from here.

(audience laughter)

- Fine.

Now, we'll make an outline, of course.

But, first we need a topic.

Now, in choosing a topic, you should

pick one that you know something about.

Well, for our first lesson,

I think we made a good start.

- Hard work.

- Now, I want you to gather material

at the library, on your topic.

Follow the outline andhave a rough draft ready

for our next session.

- Just like school.

- Oh, yes.

And, I want you to read these chapters

on construction, topic sentences, and coherence.

- Well, gosh,

I won't have time to do all that.

- Well, make time.

You can do it, if you budget your time properly.

- I think you can stop worrying about her as a tutor.

- I think you're right.

- Of course it is.

It'll take a lot of workfor you to catch up.

Goodnight, Mrs. Anderson.

- Oh, goodnight, Nelda.

- Goodnight!

- Well, goodnight, Bud.

- Goodnight.

- Work hard, and I'llsee you Wednesday night.

- Yeah, okay.

- How'd the tutoring session work out, Junior?

- Not the way I had planned,

I'll tell you that.

(audience laughter)

- Not giving up, are you?

- Oh no, not me.

I'll melt that beautiful sl*ve driver down into a girl.

- Oh, sure.

- Just give me a couple of more sessions with her.

(scoffs)

- And another thing, Bud,

Your use of relative pronouns is, well ...

It's really weird.

I'm sure you know betterthan this, for example,

"Unfortunately, theboy dropped the package

in some mud, which he was carrying to his mother."

Was he carrying mud to his mother?

- Well, yes.

The old lady needed it for a mud pack.

(audience laughter)

He was very good to his mother.

To his mudder.

Mudder?

(audience laughter)

- Bud, we're discussingrelative pronouns.

- Well, they are.

They're pronouns, he and she,

and their relatives, mother and son.

(audience laughter)

- Very funny.

But, if you expect to pass English,

you have to learn the fundamentals.

And, work, work, work!

(audience laughter)

Now, sit down here and rewrite this whole exercise.

(comedic music)

(audience laughter)

And your writing is showing encouraging progress

over the last week.

However, you still seemto be having trouble

with those relative pronouns.

This atrocious sentence for example,

"After which, the storm abated

leaving only onebuilding still standing,

the house of the Indian girl

which was solidly built of adobe."

Is it the girl who was solidly built?

(audience laughter)

- Well come to think of it ...

- Don't answer that.

(audience laughter)

Just get to work on those two chapters.

Our time is running out,

so you'll have to work, work, work!

- Work, work, work, work.

That's all she ever thinks about.

I tell you, Wilmer, it's frustrating.

Being with that beautiful girl

practically every evening, and nothing happens.

I've tried jokes, charm,respect, disrespect.

Nothing works.

(audience laughter)

- Told you you wouldn'tave a chance with her.

- That's it.

To her I'm just a job that pays so much an hour.

And the way she lords it over me.

- Watch it, here she comes!

- Oh, hi, Bud.

All set for your English class?

- Yeah.

- Do you have your assignment ready to hand in?

- Yeah.

- Have your book?

- Yeah.

- Good.

Now, speak up in class.

(audience laughter)

Take part in allthe discussions.

All these things help.

Well, I'll see you tonight.

I have to run.

- Yes, Mother.

(audience laughter)

- Got your pencil Bud?

And your crayon?

- Yeah.

- Did you wash behind your ears, sonny?

(laughs)

(audience laughter)

- Coming in, Bud?

- Yeah.

I'll get even with her, if it's the last thing I do.

- I'm afraid you'll just have to do

that whole composition over, Bud.

It's not good.

- I'll get right on it.

- Oh, don't get up.

You'd better keep working.

I want to talk to Bettyfor a moment, anyway.

So, goodnight, Bud.

- Alright.

(dramatic music)

- Betty.

Could I talk to you for a moment?

- Oh, sure, Nelda.

How's your pupil coming along?

- Frankly, not very well.

Tell me, is thereanything wrong with him?

- Wrong?

- Yes.

You see, at first we got along so well.

He was so nice, but ...

Well, lately, he almostseems to hate me.

- Oh, no.

Don't worry about him.

He goes through a lot of weird stages.

We just ignore them.

- But, he's doing badly again,

and it bothers me terribly.

I've never failed like this, before.

Am I doing something wrong?

- Oh, of course not.

Just pour it on him.

He needs it.

It'll all work out.

(comedic music)

(audience laughter)

- I hope you're right.

- Well, lesson for thisevening over, already?

- [Bud] Yep.

And there's uh ...

There's something wrong in there.

I'm losing ground.

The only explanation I can think of

is that I've gotthe wrong tutor.

Maybe you better fire her and get somebody else.

Sure don't want to flunk English.

- [Mrs Anderson] Now, Bud!

What?

Do you think he really means that?

- Possibly.

You know, I've sort of been keeping my eye on this thing,

and my guess is he resents her authority over him.

- Oh my goodness.

She has to use authority.

That's why we hired her.

To tutor him.

- True.

And that'd be fine if that's all she were to him, a tutor.

But, in this case she also happens to be a girl his own age.

A might pretty one.

- Oh, yes she is, but

that's no excuse.

- Well, if he continuesto lose ground,

we may have to get a different tutor.

But, I'd sure hate to fire Nelda.

- Oh, we couldn't do that.

She's worked so hard with Bud.

I've grown very fond of her.

There must be another solution.

Now, there has to be.

- Mother?

Is Bud home from school yet?

- Yes he is, but he just left.

(audience laughter)

- I have a message for you from Nelda.

- What does she want?

- Well, she can't make it for your lesson tonight,

because of some meeting at school,

but she doesn't want you to miss out,

so she's coming over now.

- Well, now I'm going bowling with Wilmer and Joe.

- Oh well, I took care of that for you.

I saw Wilmer and told him that you couldn't

go bowling because of Nelda.

- Well, that's the worst thing you could have told him.

- Well, why?

You know, you can't afford to miss

any of these sessions with Nelda.

- Hello?

- Hi, Bud.

I was wondering if Joe cold borrow your bowling shoes

as long as MotherNelda won't let you go.

(audience laughter)

- What do you mean, "Won't let me go?"

I'll be there.

So what?

Look, she's not my boss.

I'll be there.

- Wait, you can't go.

- Well I have to, or drop out of the human race.

- But, you know how your English grades are falling,

and you have thefinal coming up.

- Well, I'll pass!

Someway.

I don't need that sl*ve driver.

She might have checked with me,

before she went around changing the schedule.

So long!

- What'll we tell her?

- Well, you can tell heras far as I'm concerned,

the tutor has tooted her last toot.

(audience laughter)

- Well uh ...

Wait, Bud!

(doorbell rings)

- Hello Mr Anderson.

- Oh, hello Nelda, come in.

- Did Bud get my message?

- Yes he did, but I'm afraid there's been a mix up.

He, uh ...

(tires squealing)

(audience laughter)

... just left.

- Oh.

Oh, that's too bad.

I was hoping he'd be here,

because he needs all the help he can get.

Frankly, I'm worried about him.

I'm afraid I'm failing with him in more ways than one.

And, I've never failed like this before.

But, I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

- No, I'm sure you don't.

And, I probably don't either.

But, I have a vague hunch.

- Well, if you could give me any advice,

I'd certainly appreciate it.

- Well, I'm hardly the one to be giving you advice.

I'm not your father andnot particularly smart.

But, Bud, like all boys,likes to feel important.

Especially where girls are concerned.

- Well, I'm trying to help him be important,

to graduate and become an engineer.

- True.

But, uh ...

Tell me, Nelda, do youhave a steady boyfriend?

- Um, no.

But what does that have to do with this?

- Perhaps nothing.

But I'm sure a good looking girl like you has

plenty of opportunities.

Do you um,

discourage them?

- No.

But, oh I don't know.

Most boys seem so shallow.

It seems like a waste of time.

- Well, perhaps youdon't give them a chance

to show you their good qualities.

- Mr Anderson, dating is not my problem.

My only concern now is that ...

- I know, that'smy concern, too.

And the dating is none of my business.

My only point is, well,

look, you're blessed with both brains and good looks.

You're also veryself sufficient.

And, strong willed.

Which is good.

Except that, sometimes ...

Wait a minute.

(laughs)

I've had a wild idea.

Are you any good at bowling?

- Bowling?

No, I'm not, but what ...

- Good.

I'm not so hot at it myself.

Margret, will you comein here a minute please?

- Look I don't have time to bowl.

- Well, consider it part of your job.

Honey, I want you to change your clothes.

We're all going bowling, Nelda too.

- You can't drag Nelda down there.

That's where Bud is.

That'll just make him rebel all the more.

- Rebel?

So, that's what it is.

Well, now I know I'm not going.

- I don't care.

You just listen to me.

- If he's rebelling against me,

I'm certainly not goingto crawl after him.

- But you don't have to.

You won't even have to speak to him.

You're just going bowling with us.

- No, no, I'm not.

- Just what are you trying to accomplish?

- I know it sounds crazy.

I'll explain on the way down.

Now you girls start to get ready.

Find something for Nelda, too.

You better hurry.

I want to get there before Bud leaves.

- Now, Jim.

Are you sure you know what you're doing?

- Probably not!

Now hurry.

(audience laughter)

(cheery music)

(bowling ball striking lane)

(bowling ball hitting pins)

- Lucky guy.

- Lucky nothing.

It was pure skill.

- Oh, sure.

- Uh oh, you better watch out.

Here comes Mother Nelda after you.

(audience laughter)

- What?

(bowling ball striking pins)

Oh, that nosy ...

- You better scram.

- Scram nothin'.

I'm staying right here.

As far as I'm concerned,she doesn't even exist.

- [Nelda] I've changed my mind.

- I'm up.

- Oh, no there's (indistinct)

Well, look who's here!

Hi Bud, how's the game going?

- Just great.

(clapping sound)

- [Mr Anderson] That's it.

(sighs)

- It's not gonna work Dad.

- Huh?

- You're not dragging mehome to work with her.

I'm through.

- Who said anythingabout dragging you home.

We're just here for a little recreation.

Go on with your game.

(laughs)

- Come on, let's go, Bud.

(audience laughter)

- Come on, show her Bud.

- A light one around here, somewhere.

(ball hits ground)

(audience laughter)

- Is it too heavy?

I know it, he's getting the shakes.

Don't be nervous.

(audience laughter)

(ball striking pins)

- Very good!

Alright, Nelda.

You're first.

- Oh no.

- Oh, go on Nelda.

- I can't.

- There's nothing to it.

It's a lot of fun.

Come on, I'll show you.

- But I feel so silly I can't bowl.

- Why should you?

No, it's fun.

Here, just stand right here.

Now, your two middlefingers right in there.

That's it.

That's it, that's it.

Now you just roll it.

- Oh!

(audience laughter)

- I know it is, honey.

Just roll it, back andforth like that, honey.

Just swing it.

Let it go.

- I feel so silly.

- Oh now, come on.

- Oh, come on.

- Look, there'snothing to worry about.

It's not gonna bite you.

Just swing it and roll it.

Let it go.

Whoop, that's it!

See?

(sound of ball rolling on alley)

(audience laughter)

(laughs)

You're even worse than I am.

(audience laughter)

Here, I'll give you a few pointers.

- Alright.

- Now this time, take a good firm grip on the ball.

That's it, real tight!

- Mm hmm.

Alright.

- Now, you stand about here,

and take three steps, and roll it.

See?

- Four.

(audience laughter)

- Hmm?

- Four steps.

And, you don't take a tight grip, you relax.

- Oh, well, anyway.

You hold the ball and you take three or four steps.

- Four.

And you've got her standing too close.

Move her back.

- Okay.

I doubt that it matters very much.

Now, oh the swing, on the back swing,

bring the ball up as high as you can.

- No, Dad, you bring it back waste high.

- Look if you know so much more about this than I do,

why don't teach her?

- Oh no.

I'm not gonna teach her anything.

Teach her?

(audience laughter)

- Yeah.

- Yeah, I'll uh ...

I'll see what I can do with her.

You guys go on with the game.

- Well, there's no usein me wasting my breath

around here anymore.

Come on, let's get a soda or something.

Come on!

(ball striking pins)

- First, we better determine your particular weaknesses.

(ball strikes floor)

(audience laughter)

Obviously there's a lackof coordination here.

(audience laughter)

(audience laughter)

Let's face the alley squarely.

Now, the big factors here are

concentration, timing and rhythm, and relaxation.

Now, let's try a relaxed swing.

(audience laughter)

No, no.

You're much to tense, child.

Bend forward.

Now, let's try an easy swing,

like a pendulum.

- You think you'repretty smart, don't you?

- Well, you know what they say.

Father ...

- ... crows best.

(audience laughter)

- First you've got to learn the fundamentals

and then work, work, work.

- But Bud.

Bud!

You can stop talking like a mule driver.

I get the message.

- Hmm?

- And I'm truly sorry, Bud.

I must have been an unbearable tutor.

- No, no, no.

I wouldn't say unbearable.

- Yes I was.

- No, no.

Well, come to think of it, you were.

(audience laughter)

Not that I was uh ...

I was no bargain, either.

I uh ...

I thought these tutoringsessions would be

one continuous swinging date.

With a gorgeous tutor,

which was solidly built.

(audience laughter)

Whom's or who?

(audience laughter)

I still don't dig thoserelative pronouns.

(audience laughter)

Maybe we better take those up again,

in our next session.

- Our next session?

You mean you really want me back?

- Well, sure I do.

I need you.

I need the work, work, work.

- Whatever you say.

You're the boss.

Well now, show me that pendulum swing again.

- Just relax.

You know, I think I'm gonna like bowling.

(audience laughter)

(musical stinger)

("Waiting" by Don Ferrisand Irving Friedman)

(Colex jingle)