A Norman Rockwell Christmas Story (1995)

[bunniefuu]

(sleigh bells)

(bright instrumental music)

- Oh, for crying out loud,
Dobbs, you made me miss the turn.

- Where are we going, Harold?

- Oh, you'll see, Dobbs. You'll see.

- Where is he?

Have you seen him, Jerkins?

- I saw him headed for the
door about a half hour ago.

- Was he?

- Yeah, smiling like some kinda fool.

- Gentlemen, please.

Mr. Cavanaugh has been
delayed at another meeting,

but he should be with you shortly.

If you wouldn't mind waiting?

- Oh, we'll wait.

- I don't get it, Harold.

What are we doing in this burg?

- Yeah well, there's a
lot you don't get, Dobbs.

I've been working on old man Cavanaugh

for a couple of years now and I got him

right where I want him.

- Yeah, but Harold, this
place ain't gonna order enough

to pay for gas to drive out of here.

- See this old guy, Dobbs?

That's Frederick Cavanaugh.

Now, he's the father of the old coot

that we're here to see today.

Owned this store and
several others in the area.

But it seems that he and his son, Samuel,

had a falling out.

So the kid heads off to
Boston to make his fortune.

Founded Cavanaugh's Department Stores.

- The Cavanaugh's Department Stores?

- Boston, Philly, New York,
D.C., all over the place.

(cheerful instrumental music)

- Hey, Michael.

- Watch it.

- Where's you get the stupid skates?

- Or boats.

- Pontoons, Mikey skates on pontoons.

Never seen anybody stand
on their ankles before.

Nasty wind out here today,
you know what I mean?

- Hey, whoa!

Ohh!

- Let's get out of here.

- Are you all right?

- Yeah, I'm okay.

- Those skates are kinda
big for you, aren't they?

- They're my dad's, mine pinch.

- Ah, here come on.

- They're good skates, they
just don't have any brakes.

- (laughing) I know what you mean.

(car horn honking)

I'm coming, I'm coming.

- Whoa, he can skate.

(car horn honking)

- I'm sick of these people.

Con artists, that all
they are, con artists.

(church bell ringing)

- Church bells are off again.

- Aw man, late again.

- Nothing works right anymore.

- He's gonna k*ll me.

- Nothing.

(car horn honking)

- Okay, so then along comes the w*r.

This is World w*r Two now, not Korea.

And by now, our Samuel has a kid.

Except his kid buys the farm
on the first boat ashore

at Normandy, and old Sam goes crazy.

A year later, the Missus dies, too.

So old Sam packs up and comes home to this

wide spot in the road, buys
back the old family home,

buys back the old family
store, and now he runs

this entire huge Cavanaugh
Department Store chain

from this little two-bit office.

- Yeah, but Harold, what
happened to Frederick?

- Frederick?

Dobbs, you haven't heard a
word I've said, have you?

- Yeah Harold, I was just wondering.

- It doesn't make any difference.

He died or something.

He's be older than dirt.

Look, the only thing you
gotta remember is that

I'm about to close on the
biggest deal since the Indians

traded away Manhattan Island.

Do you have any idea the
size of the commission

that I'm going to make on
this deal from good old

Dunkin and Dunkin?

- But Harold, why'd he come back here?

- All right, let's go.

Thank you, Robby.

- You two still here?

Thought you'd be long gone.

♫ Away in a manger

♫ No crib for his bed

♫ The little Lord Jesus

♫ lay down his sweet head

♫ The stars in the sky

♫ looked down where he lay

♫ The little Lord Jesus

♫ asleep on the hay ♫

(baton rapping)

- Michael Grant.

Mr. Grant, t*rd is a
fault I will not tolerate.

It is an insult full of disrespect.

You will stay late and polish pews.

- Yes sir, I'm sorry Mr. Posey.

- And, regrettably, our
young Mary was not listening

for her cue.

Just because your brother
thinks he can waltz in here

whenever he chooses is not re. . .

well, do try to pay attention, Becky.

All right, we shall begin again.

And this time hopefully,

with no further unnecessary interruptions.

And,

♫ Away in a manger

♫ No crib for his bed

♫ The little Lord Jesus

♫ lay down his sweet head

♫ The stars in the sky

♫ looked down where he lay

♫ The little Lord Jesus

♫ asleep on the hay ♫

(children laughing)

- Children,

(children laughing)

children just settle down.

Let's, oh let's just take
a short break shall we?

Children, shh, shh,
stop all this silliness.

John, John would you
help me with this please?

- (sighs) Michael, you may go now.

But next time, try to be on time, eh?

- Yes, sir, thank you sir, Mr. Posey.

Come on, Becky, we're going to be late.

Hurry, Becky.

Come on, Becky, hurry.

Becky, if you don't hurry
up, we're gonna be late.

And then mom's gonna be ma. . .

what are you carrying?

- I got the baby, Michael.

I was scared he'd be all lonely
in the church by himself.

I'm his mommy and I've
got to take care of him.

- [Michael] Gosh, Becky.

- I wish I had a doll like him.

- You should have left
him in the church, Becky.

He's not yours.

You gotta be real careful.

- Michael, do you think Mommy could buy me

one for Christmas?

- You're nuts, Becky.

Mom can hardly afford to pay the bills

and buy us food and stuff.

- Hey, Michael, your father's
nothing but a stinky cow.

- He is not.

- He is so, he's a stinkin' deserter.

- You're lying, take it
back, he's coming home.

- Oh yeah, he's probably dead by now.

He won't be needing these.

(boys yelling, encouraging Butch)

(boys laughing)

- Ha, look at that.

- Let's get out of here.

- They broke the baby.

- I'm really sorry, Becky.

- What am I going to do, Michael?

Mr. Posey will take away
my part in the play.

- Take this in and put it under you coat.

But don't bother Mom about it.

Tell her I'll be home as soon as I can.

Don't worry, I'll think of something.

Oh no.

- [Santa] Merry Christmas,
Merry Christmas,

(jingle bells jingling)

Merry Christmas, Merry
Christmas young man.

Merry Christmas, h* h*, Merry Christmas.

- The doll.

- [Santa] Merry Christmas.

- Young man, young man,

I'd like to see the china dolls, please.

- Is there a particular
doll you'd be interested in?

- Oh, I'd like to see
the entire collection.

- Of course.

- [Store clerk] These are
our finest European dolls.

- (sighs) My daughter.

Do you know that she
has opened up everything

that I've gotten her for Christmas,

and wrapped it up again.

Isn't that hysterical? (laughing)

Well, at least this will be one thing

that's still a surprise.

What's the price on this one?

- Ah, let's see.

That one is $12.95.

I'll take it, and I'd
like it gift wrapped.

- Yes ma'am, will that be
everything for you tonight?

Probably not.

- Hey, you!

Stop, thief!

- Merry Chris-- uh.

- Stop, stop thief!

- Uh.

- Hold on there young fellow.

Where ya going in such a hurry?

- Uh.

- Don't let that little thief run away.

- I'd hate to be in his shoes.

Probably trying to steal
a Christmas present.

Old Scrooge will probably
make sure he gets life

with no parole.

(knocking on the door)

- Come in.

- Mr. Cavanaugh, this hoodlum was caught

stealing merchandise.

- Yeah well, toss him in
jail and throw away the key,

for all I care.

People who want something for nothing.

I have no patience with that.

- Mr. Cavanaugh, maybe there's some way

we can work this out.

Maybe an arrangement where
he could work this off.

- What kind of work would you . . .

suggest?

Oh well, maybe there's
something that he could do?

- Does that mean you won't arrest me?

- I'm not going to arrest you,

just don't let this happen again, though.

Next time, you might not be so lucky.

- But sir, I caught him red-handed.

- Winston, that's all right,
I'll take it from here.

You just go back to your counter.

- Sir, I don't think we should.

- Winston out, now.

What's your name, son?

- Michael, Michael Grant.

- Well let me ask you something.

I mean, why did you take this.

I mean, a doll?

- My sister, she . . .

- You mean you took this for your sister?

- No, yes, see, Butch beat me
up and took my dad's skates.

And Becca was holding the china babydoll

for a Christmas play.

And she got knocked down and it broke.

- You mean that boy that pushed
you out on the ice today?

- How do you?

Was that you?

- I want you to report to
me, nine a.m. sharp tomorrow,

you understand?

- Yes, sir.

- [Officer] Come on.

(fingers drumming)

- Winston, will you come
in here for a moment?

Does the name Grant mean anything to you?

- You're referring to the
boy who was in here, sir?

- I was.

- I believe his mother is Jenny Grant.

She works over at the diner.

The father is Phillip Grant.

I think he's listed as missing in action.

- Okay, I think you're going to have to

make a delivery for me, Winston.

- The best thing we can
do is just go to Mr. Posey

and tell him what happened.

That Butch is just a
bully, everyone knows that.

It wasn't Becky's fault.

- Mom, Becky will lose her part.

Mr. Posey won't care what happened.

(door bell rings)

- Good evening, Mrs. Grant.

I'm Bob Winston, I work for Cavanaugh's.

Mr. Cavanaugh asked me to
deliver this for the children.

It's for their play.

I believe the children need a baby.

- Oh thank you, thank you.

But how did Mr. Cavanaugh know?

- I was just asked to deliver it, ma'am.

- [Mrs. Grant] Thank you.

It's from Mr. Cavanaugh,
down at the store.

But how did he know?

- Dad.

Mom, it's really late.

- Yes it is, Mister, and
what are you doing up?

- I was thirsty.

- Okay, well get yourself a
drink and then get back to bed.

(water running)

- Mom, do you miss Dad?

- Come here, Michael.

Of course I do, you know that.

We all do.

- Well, Butch says Dad's
a coward and is dead.

I'm starting to forget what Dad's like.

I really hate this dumb w*r, Mom.

- Oh honey, we all hate the w*r.

But it will over soon.

And we got to keep hoping and
praying that he's all right.

We can't give up, right?

- You should get some sleep too, Mom.

You're working too much.

- I'll be okay.

Now, get to bed, I love you.

- Good morning.

- I said I'd give you an
answer soon, and I will.

Now good-bye.

(phone receiver slams)

- I'm reporting for duty, sir.

- Dunkin and Dunkin, they
think they can pawn off

anything on you.

And don't you even think of
taking that coat off, young man.

I want you to carry out some
experiments for me, all right?

I want you to test some toys
and some sports equipment.

Let's just, well let's call it science.

- Science?

- Yes, science.

And we're going to start with
Dunkin and Dunkin toboggans.

Those idiots, those
idiots think that I'm some

stupid old man that's gonna discontinue

with my old manufacture people

that I have worked with for years,

and sign an exclusive
with them just because

they did a little underbidding?

Well, there's such a thing as quality,

and there's such a thing as safety.

I know when a product is cheaply made,

but I need proof, huh?

That's where you come in, young man.

- Yes, sir?

- I want you to take that toboggan

down the roughest terrain.

Son, do you know what
the word terrain means?

- Uh, big mountain?

- No, it means ground, rough ground.

I want you to put it through its paces.

I want you to pile on
as many kids as you can.

And then I want you to
report back to me at 3:15.

Is that understood?

- Yes, sir.

- Let me see your mitts.

Not good enough, come with me.

(light-hearted instrumental music)

(Michael screaming)

(crashing and cracking)

- Yes, but Mr. Cavanaugh, we can show you

how to substantially
improve your profit margin

on your entire sporting goods line.

(knock at the door)

- Come in.

- Oh, sorry, sir, I'll wait outside.

- No, Michael, come in, come in,

and bring that toboggan with you.

- Looks like you made
mincemeat out of that, huh son?

What happened, boy?

- Well, it's hard to steer.

- Look, this is preposterous.

You can't give some kid a
piece of equipment like this

and expect any kind of reliable. . .

- Who better to determine
if a toboggan is good?

Are we selling to martians,
or are we selling to children?

- Uh, he's right there, Harold.

- Oh, shut up, Dobbs.

- Excuse me, Michael.

Crabbe, if you want Cavanaugh business,

you're gonna have to do better than that.

Thank you very much.

- Then you're not mad at me?

- I couldn't be happier, Michael.

I've been trying to get rid
of that fast-talker for weeks.

Hey, that gives me another good idea.

How would you like to
test some skates today?

- Skates?

Yeah, sure, as long as
I'm back for rehearsal.

- We won't be late.

Come here. (laughing)

Uh, I don't think so.

I definitely do not think so.

Hey, give me that hat.

Oh, oh, I got it, I got it, I got it.

Perfect.

(upbeat instrumental music)

♫ Away in a manger

♫ No crib for his bed

♫ The little Lord Jesus

♫ lay down his sweet head

♫ The stars in the sky

♫ looked down where he lay

♫ The little Lord Jesus

♫ asleep on the hay ♫

(children cheering)

(energetic instrumental music)

(chidren cheering and laughing)

- Michael, I want you
to take this toboggan

for a good test drive.

I want to know if it's
worth re-ordering, okay?

- Yes, sir, I'll report back.

Hey, why don't you come with me?

- Me?

No, I'm too busy.

- Please?

- No, I am too busy.

- Please?

- Okay.

(energetic instrumental music)

- Come on, get back there.

- I want a ride.

- Everyone ready?

Let's go. (children cheering)

- A new record time. (laughing)

Well come on, fellas, come on, join in.

- Go on and go, I know you want to.

- Are you sure about this?

- Go on!

- Come on, fellas. (laughing)

Why doesn't Butch join in?

I mean, what's his problem?

- I don't know, he's just Butch.

- Hey, Ralph, isn't it?

- Yeah.

- Come on, what's the real story?

- Um, ah.

- Come on.

- Well, don't tell him I told ya.

Well, he's mad 'cause his father died.

He died in the w*r.

- Yes, that could make you angry.

Very angry.

- Oh hi, honey.

- Hi Mom.

Mr. Cavanaugh, this is my mom
and this is my sister, Becky.

- Hi, I'm Jenny.

- Hi, I'm Becky.

- Well, Merry Christmas, Becky.

Merry Christmas to you too, Jenny.

- I want to thank you for all
that you've done for Michael.

- Oh, believe me, it's nothing compared

to what he's done for me.

- Thank you.

- Oh, (laughing)

- Well, I guess we'd better go, kids.

- [Mr. Cavanaugh] Good night.

- Good night.

- Good night, Michael.

See you tomorrow.

Good night, Becky.

(dog barking in the distance)

(clock ticking)

- Thank you for my mom, my sister,

and thank you for my
friend, Mr. Cavanaugh.

And please take care of
my dad, I know he's alive.

And if you can find a way,

please bring him home for
Christmas, he's all I want, amen.

- [Becky] Amen.

(door bells clanking)

- All right honey, we'll see you later.

- Bye.

- Have a good day.

- Good morning.

- It is a good morning,
Michael. (laughing)

There we go.

Michael, hand me that bow, will ya?

- Yeah, here.

- Thank you.

How's it look?

- Great.

- All right.

Well sir, let me ask
you something Michael.

If you could have anything
you wanted for Christmas,

what would it be?

- Anything?

- Yes, anything.

- If I could just have one
wish, I'd wish for my dad

for Christmas.

I pray that he'll come home every night.

- I used to pray.

Pray that my son would come home.

Even after we got the
news that he was k*lled,

I kept praying.

Praying there was some mistake,
that he'd been, you know,

taken for someone else, and
that, well, he'd come home.

- I kind of look like him, huh?

- Yeah.

- Is that why you're so nice to me?

- Well, maybe at first.

Not anymore.

(church bells ringing)

Well, there's those bells again.

And they're off, it's no the hour.

Some people say that when
those bells toll at odd hours,

like right now, it means that your prayers

have been answered.

You keep asking, Michael.

Don't ever give up.

My prayers were answered.

I mean, not in the way I expected.

But they were answered.

(sleigh bells jingling)

(children cheering, playing excitedly)

(lively instrumental music)

(children cheering)

(lively instrumental music)

- You know I'd help you if I could, Jenny.

But I'm barely making it myself.

I had hoped that the Christmas season

would make a difference, but.

- I. I just, I don't
know what I'm gonna do.

I mean, the government money
helps, but I may just have to

leave the kids at Phil's
mother and look for something

out of town, maybe even out of state.

We just . . .

Becky, come here, come here honey.

Stay right here.

Michael?

Honey?

I'm sorry you had to hear that.

- I don't want you to
go away and leave us.

- Oh, I don't want that
to happen, either honey.

But we, we just, we
can't make it on our own.

- I'll help, I'll get a job.

I won't eat so much.

Just don't go off and leave us.

- Oh, I wouldn't just
go off and leave you.

You'd be staying with your
grandma for a little while.

It wouldn't be for very long.

- But Dad will be coming home soon,

and then things will be okay.

- I hope so, Michael, I hope so.

(birds chirping)

- Michael, you don't seem too happy today.

Is something bothering you?

- Nah, I'm okay.

- Well, if you want to talk
about it, I'm your man.

- I'm worried about my mom.

She's working too hard.

- Hey everybody, gather around.

There's another train comin' in.

I just heard a news report.

There's another troop train
coming through tomorrow night

and there will be men from
all over the state on it.

And they say there might be some wounded

and missing in action.

- [Winston] We gotta get
everybody down to the train.

- Yes, let's go down and
wish them a Merry Christmas.

- Mr. Cavanaugh, did
you hear what he said?

- I heard, Michael.

- My dad's on that train, I know it.

- Well, I'll tell you
what, I'll come by tomorrow

and I'll pick up your mother,
and your sister, and you

and take you to that train, okay?

- That would be great.

- Mom, mom, mom, mom, dad's coming home.

It was on the radio, and Mr.
Cavanaugh said he'd take us

down to the train.

- I know honey, I heard it, too.

- But Dad's coming home and. . .

- Michael, I don't want you
to get your hopes up too high.

We haven't heard anything official.

- But Mr. Cavanaugh said if
I keep praying and asking,

my prayers would be answered.

- I know, Michael.

But I don't want you to be disappointed.

- Becky, Becky, did you hear about Dad?

(sighs)

- Merry Christmas, good night.

- Jenny, what are you doing
here, it’s Christmas Eve.

Michael went home hours
ago, he was so excited.

- That’s why I’m here, Mr. Cavanaugh.

- Well, I don’t understand, Jenny.

- I don’t want Michael and
Becky to be disappointed.

And I don’t want you
to fill Michael’s head

with too much. . .

- Hope?

Listen, Jenny, I, uh, I lost
a son in the w*r at Normandy,

and there was never any hope.

But now I believe in
hope, because of Michael.

And I want Michael to believe in hope.

We must never deny him that.

I mean, isn’t that what
this season is all about?

The hope of peace,
goodwill among men, huh?

Now I am going to give you a lift home.

You’ve got a big day tomorrow.

♫ Away in a manger

♫ No crib for his bed

♫ The little Lord Jesus

♫ lay down his sweet head

♫ The stars in the sky

♫ Looked down where he lay

♫ The little Lord Jesus

♫ asleep on the hay

♫ The cattle are lowing

♫ The poor baby wakes

♫ But little Lord Jesus

♫ No crying he makes

♫ I love thee, Lord Jesus ♫

- Good night, sweetie, Merry Christmas.

- Night, Mommy.

- Good night, sweetie.

- Good night.

- Sleep tight.

- I will.

- Good night.

- Good night.

(“Away in the Manger” instrumental music)

(train whistle)

(Happy bells)

- [Mrs. Grant] Let's see, open it up.

What's in there, hurry up.

Quick, quick, quick, what’d you get?

- A teddy bear!

- Here Michael, open that.

Do you like him?

Merry Christmas.

Come on, tear it open, Michael.

- Cool, a scarf, thanks Mom.

(Clock chimes and ticks)

- Oh sweetie, there you go.

- Dad’s coming home on the train.

- [Children] Hi, Mr.
Cavanaugh, Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas,
everybody, well here we go.

Here we go.

- Don’t let yourself get too excited.

We still haven’t heard anything yet.

He may not be there.

- We know, Mom.

- (laughing) Well come on, scoot over.

I’m gonna go, too.

(train whistle)

(anticipatory music)

- Come on, Mom, hurry up.

Mom, mom, do you see it?

(long train whistle)

- (whispers) Michael.

Look.

- Look, look, it’s the train.

(train whistle blowing)

Becky look, there it is.

(train whistle blowing)

(people clapping and cheering)

Look Mom, it’s soldiers.

(Band playing “Hark the Herald”)

Do you see him?

(clapping and cheering)

Dad?

- Welcome home.

- Dad?

- Merry Christmas.

- Do you see him?

- No, honey.

- Don’t worry.

(People welcoming home soldiers)

(People wishing soldiers Merry Christmas)

- I don’t see him, Mom.

- That’s it.

- Dad.

- There’ll be more trains, I know it.

(train whistle blows)

- [Conductor] All aboard.

- Aw, Michael, honey, I’m so sorry.

I’m sorry, Michael.

(train bell clanking)

- He heard me, he heard me.

- Michael.

- Michael?

- You’re home.

- Phillip!

- Jen, Jen!

- I knew you’d come home.

(train whistle blowing)

- There’s a cinnamon roll missing.

(laughter)

- Who took the cinnamon roll?

- Michael.

- Michael.

- I was hungry.

- He was hungry.

- Well, I was hungry too.

To tell the truth, I
took the cinnamon roll.

(glass clanking)

Shall we?

- Yes.

- Let’s give thanks.

(Door bell chimes)

I wonder who that is?

- Excuse me, sir, but
there’s a young man here.

- Well bring him in,
Mildred, bring him in.

Well, come in Butch, come in.

- Your dad’s gonna be needing these.

- Thanks, Butch.

- I’m glad you’re home.

- Thank you.

- Butch, have you eaten?

- Well, kinda.

- Oh, kinda isn't good enough.

Mildred, bring this young man a chair.

And Mildred, I think
we'll need one more plate,

(laughter)

unless you don't want to eat.

(laughter and chatter)

- [Becky] Look, it's snowing.

- [Mr. Cavanaugh] Oh,
it looks like it's going

to be a white Christmas after all.

- [Mrs. Grant] Merry Christmas, everybody.

- [Everyone] Merry Christmas.

- [Mr. Cavanaugh] Merry Christmas, Butch.

Merry Christmas, I'm so glad you're here.

I'm so glad you're all here.

(lively instrumental music)