I couldn't wait to hear
about my new manuscript.
Sit down, John.
I'm sorry you came
so far for bad news.
The manuscript was rejected.
I wrote you about it yesterday.
- I'm trying to find my brother.
- What's his name?
- John Walton.
- That deadbeat! I threw him out.
I'm going to ask Betty Grable
to go out on a date with me.
We're gonna go dancing.
Hey, watch it, you jerk!
Get your hands off me!
For the first time in years,
I feel like a failure.
Because of one rejection?
I'm thinking about quitting.
JOHN-BOY: On Walton's
Mountain, we marked time
by the passage of the seasons.
In autumn, we'd build fires
in bee trees to gather honey.
Our lives ebbed during the
winter while the earth slept.
Spring crocus brought the first blossoms,
foreshadowing the abundance of summer
with its sweet corn
and lightning bugs.
Generations of
living on the Mountain
yoked us to the
rhythm of the land,
a touchstone to the strength
each of us carries within ourselves.
I was to discover this when I
left my home full of expectations
only to find that m
y destiny was not
where I thought it would be.
JIM-BOB: Sure you don't want a
ride to the bus station, John-Boy?
No thanks. This is my last
chance to see open sky for a while.
MARY ELLEN: I still think you should
let your editor know you're coming.
I don't think it will be a great surprise.
She was very encouraging in her letter.
I'd love to go to New York. J.D.
goes all the time on business.
You think he'd take
me with him some day?
That'll be the day!
Good luck with your book, John-Boy.
I hope you make a lot of money on it.
Look, I just hope I make
enough to find a little apartment,
get settled in and
start on my next novel.
And I'd better get going or
I'm going to miss the bus.
MARY ELLEN: Goodbye,
John-Boy. Don't forget to write.
CINDY: Good luck.
I'm gonna miss ya.
JIM-BOB: Don't forget to
send us some money, okay?
- Bye.
- Bye, John-Boy.
ALL: Bye!
You know what to do if someone
offers you the Brooklyn Bridge!
Let me guess, send it to you?
(ALL LAUGHING)
Look out, New York.
Here comes John-Boy!
- Bye!
- ALL: Bye!
Goodbye!
Congratulations, Belle.
The MacKenzie manuscript
can go right to the typesetters.
- That's marvelous!
- Mr. Fairfield himself said that this was
the best first novel he ever read.
He wants , copies printed
- for the first edition.
- He's a man after my own heart.
Belle, how do you do it?
You've unearthed more fine,
young talent than any editor I know.
I like to read. Scratch a few words on a
piece of paper and I'm a happy woman.
- Almost : . Celebrate?
- I wish I could, Clayton,
but I have more
talent to unearth.
- Another time.
- What about the Walton novel?
- Did you come to any a decision?
- We passed on it.
It got a unanimous thumbs
down at the board meeting.
I don't understand. With a few revisions,
it could be a solid piece of work.
You said so yourself.
Yes, I know. But we've got three
w*r novels in the bookstores now,
and four more coming
out in the next few months.
We just can't afford to
spread ourselves any thinner.
John Walton is going to be a
substantial writer in years to come.
He's welcome to explore
possibilities with other publishers,
but he's going to find that this
is a town full of closed doors.
What am I supposed to tell him?
Tell him to write another book.
Good night.
- Tea, Sister?
- Thank you.
Emily? Tea?
Oh, forgive me, Sister, but I
was reading the news bulletin
from Miss Sophie Bell's
Finishing School for Girls.
- Lyla Thrush Walker has passed on.
- Lyla Thrush Walker. I don't place her.
She pledged with
us at our sorority.
Remember initiation week,
we put Limburger cheese
on all the radiators and
then we locked ourselves
in her bathroom so
we wouldn't get caught?
Ah, Lyla. So filled with vitality!
But then, we all were, in those days.
Such joyful times.
Nothing lasts forever, Sister.
Alas, we too, are mortal.
Do you really
believe that, Mamie?
I do. If anyone was immortal, it was
Papa, and death caught up, even with him.
Sad how all things
come to an end.
Life is so fleeting!
I always thought
it would be lovely
to have one last grand
ball here at the house.
We could wear our finest gowns,
- and waltz until morning.
- That is a lovely idea!
We can invite all our old
schoolmates from Miss Sophie's!
A school reunion!
(GASPING) A celebration
of life while we're still here!
We will raise the roof
with our own eulogy.
(MISS MAMIE LAUGHING)
Whatever that means.
Don't you know?
We must start planning at once.
It will be the finest ball
ever held on the Mountain!
(DOOR OPENING)
John! What a surprise!
I hope it's all right that I
burst in on you like this.
I came right over
from the bus station.
It's always a pleasure to
see one of my favorite writers.
I couldn't wait to hear
about my new manuscript.
Every day that's gone by
without knowing has been hell.
Sit down, John.
I'm sorry you came
so far for bad news.
The manuscript was
rejected by the editorial board.
I wrote you about it yesterday.
If it were up to me I'd have
you revise it for publication.
But I have to abide
with the board's decision.
I was so sure
that it would sell.
Where did I go wrong?
The market is glutted
with w*r novels right now.
Your book just isn't strong
enough to compete with the others.
- I'll revise it.
- No. It was rejected for publication.
I suggest you work
on something else.
I was hoping to use the
advance money to get settled in.
I'm terribly sorry.
I know how this
must disappoint you.
(SCOFFS) What a fool I've been.
Everyone at home thinks I've as
much as sold the book and am living
in a penthouse on Park Avenue.
This kind of thing
happens to every writer.
Don't let it discourage you.
You know you have talent.
Right now, it seems I
have a talent for failure.
Don't be so hard on yourself.
Start another book.
Doesn't look like I
have much choice.
(PLAYING LIGHT TUNE ON GUITAR)
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
I'll get it.
Hello, ladies.
- MISS MAMIE: Hello.
- Come in.
- Elizabeth, Mary Ellen.
- Hello, everybody.
We have grand news. Sister
and I are going to give a soiree!
A fancy dress ball for our schoolmates
at Miss Sophie Bell's Finishing School.
It is going to be an extravaganza!
And we're so excited about it.
We were wondering, Jason,
if it is possible for you to
advise us about the music.
MISS MAMIE: Yes, we'd like some
new records for Papa's gramophone.
What kind of music
did you have in mind?
Waltzes! I do so
enjoy a good waltz.
MISS EMILY: Or
perhaps a foxtrot!
I could help you pick some out at
the record store in Charlottesville.
And maybe you'd be
interested in one of those
new a*t*matic record
changers while you're at it.
Would we, Mamie?
Sister, I think we should venture
into this confusing new world gradually.
Well, then, we'll rely on Papa's
gramophone. Thank you, Jason.
Mary Ellen, your mother's recipe for
applesauce cake was the most delicious
- in all the world.
- I'd be glad to give it to you.
MISS EMILY: Oh, thank you. We're
going to have to make enough for .
Well, Mary Ellen
will help you make it.
(MISS MAMIE AND
MISS EMILY EXCLAIM)
Elizabeth, would you
help us with the invitations?
I remember the charming things you
used to fashion out of paper doilies.
That was a long time ago. I...
Elizabeth would love
to make them for you.
MISS EMILY: Wonderful! Oh,
Elizabeth, you've taken a load off my mind.
You are all so kind.
With your help, dear friends, this
party is going to be remembered
- for the rest of our lives.
- Till we die.
- Or live.
- Or both!
(ALL LAUGHING)
Hey, John! Walton!
Mike O'Brien!
- You old snake!
- Glad to see a familiar face!
Me, too! It's been a while.
What have you been doing
since Stars and Stripes?
Looking for my fame and fortune
in the big city. What about you?
I came to take the town by storm, but
it looks like the town took me instead.
I just saw my editor.
They rejected my book.
That's tough. I've been trying to
sell a play I wrote, and not a bite.
What's worse is I spent my money
before I even made it. I'm almost broke.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
Listen, listen, let's step into this
friendly little gin mill down here
and have a couple for
old times' sake, huh?
JOHN-BOY: Sort of k*ll the pain?
O'BRIEN: Well, soften
the sharp edges, at least.
O'Brien, that's the
best idea I heard all day!
- Careful.
- What are all of these?
The Baldwins' party invitations.
I have a date. How am I
supposed to get dressed?
Step over them.
- What are they doing on the floor, anyway?
- Well, they need to dry.
- Elizabeth, this...
- Careful!
- This is a stupid...
- Erin!
Get these off of me.
Now I have to do
them all over again!
- I said I was sorry.
- And I hate pasting.
Elizabeth, you can be a real
pain sometimes, you know that!
Me? You're the one who's
tromping all over the invitations!
This is my room, too, you know!
How could I forget?
As soon as I get
some spare time,
I'm moving into Mama
and Daddy's old room!
Good riddance!
ERIN: Move.
This play of mine is going to put
my name up in lights, you'll see.
They don't know
anything in this town.
And that editorial
board doesn't know
good writing from a hole in the wall. I
bet there are hundreds of publishers
who would love
to publish my book.
We ought to go to Hollywood.
You ought to take your book to
Hollywood and sell it to the movies.
- California?
- Yeah!
Sure, why not? Faulkner did it.
Isherwood. Scott Fitzgerald, too.
Sure! Sure! I'll
take them my play.
They need great
screenwriters like us.
I'm gonna ask Betty Grable
to go out on a date with me.
We're gonna go dancing.
Hey! Watch it, you jerk!
Get your hands off me!
Look what he
did! I didn't do it!
John!
Hey, Walton! Walton!
Jim-Bob, what are you doing?
I'm moving in. Besides, that other
room's too small for Jason and me.
You can't! I was planning
on using this room.
- I guess I b*at you to it, huh?
- Well, that's not fair!
- Look, Erin, first come, first served.
- You don't need all this space.
- I'm already moved in.
- We should draw straws.
- Forget it.
- It's the only fair thing to do,
since there's only one
room and we both want it.
Look, I'm not moving out!
We'll see about that!
- Hi, ladies!
- Good morning!
These must be the invitations to
your school reunion. Look, Corabeth!
Elizabeth did a simply
splendid job of making them.
If the invitations
are any indication,
the ball should be
a grand success.
I'd like to do this for some
of my classmates sometime.
From Ward-Belmont.
Well, these are going out all
over the country, aren't they?
Well, Miss Sophie's Finishing School
attracted the best girls from everywhere.
Oh, look! Here's one going to
President and Mrs. Harry Truman.
Did Bess go to your school?
Well, no, but Sister and I felt a
few dignitaries should be present.
We must run. We have
simply hundreds of errands.
- Good bye!
- Have a nice day, ladies!
Inviting the Trumans, indeed!
Where else are they
gonna get a piano player?
(CLANKING)
Sorry, it slipped.
Where are we?
My place. Between
the booze and the bump,
you got so stewed last
night you could hardly walk.
It's beginning to come
back to me. I wish it wouldn't.
Here, drink this.
It'll fix you up.
- What is it?
- Hair of the dog that bit you.
This is bourbon!
Drink it. It's the best thing
in the world for a hangover.
(JOHN-BOY SIGHS)
(JOHN-BOY GASPS)
Listen, I've been thinking. You're
broke, you need a place to stay.
Why don't you move in
here with me for a while?
No, I couldn't do that.
How come? We get
along okay, always have.
I don't want to crowd you.
Listen, you'd be doing me
a favor. I'm a little broke, too.
Ten years from now, when
we're both rich and famous,
it'll make a great
publicity story.
- Make that five years, not .
- It's a deal?
Yeah, it's a deal.
- Where's your typewriter?
- Oh, I had to pawn it. How about yours?
It's in a locker at the bus
station with my suitcase.
That's my first stop of the day.
- You going now?
- I have to look for a job.
I'm not rich and famous yet.
So why don't you
give yourself a day off?
I know this restaurant that's got great
Chinese food for practically nothing.
Chinese food for breakfast?
Egg foo yung's just another
word for scrambled eggs.
You know, we have a minister
back home who would tell me
that you are leading me down the
path of wickedness, vice and depravity.
Let's hope he's not too far from
wrong, 'cause it sure is a lot of fun.
This ought to do it.
- We do so appreciate this, Ben.
- Sister and I aren't very handy
- with mechanical things.
- And we must keep the machine
running at full capacity so we'll
have enough Recipe for the party.
Find anything yet, Ben?
Yeah, the coil is clogged.
It's so nice to have some men
around the house, isn't it, Sister?
Oh, my, yes! By the
way, would either of you
be interested in helping
us out at the party?
Sure, Ben would.
Splendid! Thank you, Ben.
It means so much to us.
What is it you need Ben to do?
MISS MAMIE: We need
someone to park the cars,
the elegant cars that
are certain to arrive.
There are going to be
a lot of fancy cars there?
Oh, we expect
limousines by the dozen.
I wouldn't mind sitting behind
the wheel of a limousine.
(BEN BLOWING HARD)
(MISS EMILY AND
MISS MAMIE LAUGHING)
Well, there you go.
And Jim-Bob and I would be happy
to help you with your parking problems.
MISS EMILY: I can hardly wait to see
the look on Wilma Wigglesworth's face
when she sees our domestic help!
That's right, Sid. Your offer
makes it hardly worth my while.
I mean, who's going to take
care of my penthouse view here?
No, it's not that
I'm not interested.
It's just that they're offering me
$ , more just to stay in town.
Could you hold on a minute? Miss Jones,
would you cut out the typing, please,
I'm talking long distance!
I've got to finish
these job applications!
(O'BRIEN SHUSHING)
(WHISPERING) Do you want
him to think I'm out of work?
You are!
You've been on
the phone all day!
John, I am trying to get us a
job in Hollywood. Trust me, okay.
I'm sorry, Sid. Sid,
wait! Don't hang... Sid...
He hung up.
Well, I'm not surprised, with all
the baloney you were feeding him.
I was tantalizing him.
It's the same old O'Brien. I remember
the time you traded your M r*fle
for a case of French champagne.
Champagne! That reminds me,
I got one more call to
one more Hollywood agent.
Could you hold off on the
typing till I'm done with this, John?
You asked me that two hours ago.
John, this is my last call.
Go ahead.
I'm gonna take the
classifieds and hit the street.
You gotta think big.
Oh, I am, about your phone bill.
Now that Jim-Bob's stuff is out of
here, I can start moving my stuff in!
What do you guys
think you're doing?
I'm moving into Mama
and Daddy's room.
This is my room now.
ELIZABETH: We moved you out.
Elizabeth and I decided that when you
were so unreasonable about drawing straws,
- that all's fair in love and w*r.
- And this is w*r.
- You guys can't do this!
- We just did!
Hey! What do you
guys think you're doing?
Erin! Elizabeth! You're not
going to get away with this!
Oh, look, Sister.
Dance programs. Ha!
Look. Look, Emily. I had the
third dance with Calvin Spencer.
His eyes were so blue,
you could swim in them!
He tripped when
he came in that night
and he blushed to his ears
when he saw that I'd noticed.
He was trying so
hard to be gallant!
He joined the foreign
service, you know.
- Disappeared in the Sahara.
- Oh, look, Sister.
Oh, heavens! Our ball gowns!
(MISS EMILY GASPING)
They were brand new
when we put them away!
- Oh, but, Sister, that was years ago.
- They've faded so.
And the mildew has
gotten to them, as well.
Oh, Sister, we do
need a fairy godmother.
No, we need a sewing
machine and some new material
and we haven't
a minute to spare!
O'BRIEN: Dear John, sorry
to give you such short notice,
but I got a deal put
together and I ha d to run.
I'm off to Hollywood to
seek m y fortune in the sun.
I'm leaving you the rest of
this bottle to keep you warm.
I won't need it where I'm going.
Good luck, old boy.
Sincerely, O'Brien.
P.S., if I see Betty Grable,
I'll tell her you're on your way.
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
I've been waiting
for you to get back.
- What can I do for you?
- That's rich! The rent's due.
- You're the landlady?
- Your friend said you had the rent money.
- O'Brien told you that?
- That's right. Do you?
- How much is it?
- $ .
I'm looking for a job now.
Can it wait a couple days?
I've waited as long as I'm going
to. You can pay now or get out.
It's up to you.
How about if I pay you half now
- and half when I get the job?
- It's by the month, in advance.
- This is all I got right now.
- I don't like installment payments!
You get the rest or out you go!
Make it honest, Ben.
- Why would I cheat?
- Because the men in this family
- have a habit of sticking together.
- I don't know why we're doing this
in the first place.
Because all four of us should
have had a chance for it, Jim-Bob.
Take heart, Jim-Bob. At
least the odds are even.
Okay. Here's four straws, shortest
one gets Mama and Daddy's room.
Elizabeth won!
Wait, let me see that. I don't
think it's the shortest one!
Oh, Jason, she
won fair and square.
- When are you moving in?
- Right away!
Before they try and
make it two out of three.
- And I'll help her.
- (CHUCKLING) Good idea.
How much did she pay you, Ben?
Oh, come on,
Jim-Bob, I didn't do that!
You look healthy enough.
You get sick much?
No, sir.
It says here you were a
journalist for Stars and Stripes.
That's right.
- You've had two novels published?
- Yes, sir.
- That's very impressive.
- Thank you.
Well, son, you seem
bright, you seem honest,
but I'm afraid I
can't offer you a job.
But I'm willing to do anything.
I'll run errands, whatever.
That's not it.
You're a poor risk.
You only want to
work until you can find
another writing job,
then you're gonna quit.
Look, I'm desperate. I've been
all over this town looking for a job.
I've run out of money. I'm about
to be thrown out of my apartment.
Artists, actors, writers, they just
don't last long at these desk jobs.
We need somebody more stable.
I see.
I hope you understand.
How could I? I'm too unstable.
CORABETH: Mr. Godsey,
are all these for the Baldwins?
IKE: That's right.
- How odd.
- Why?
Some of these look as though
they've never been opened.
Some of them haven't.
- Well, we can't give them these!
- Corabeth, it says "Return to sender."
They were sent out
by the Baldwin ladies,
and they are going to be
returned to Miss Emily Baldwin
and Miss Mamie Baldwin.
Those poor dear girls
will be disconsolate.
This one says, "Party deceased."
It is illegal to tamper with
the United States mail.
Mr. Godsey, I'm not suggesting that
we tamper with the United States mails.
What I am saying is that we
should hold some of these back
until we get enough acceptances
to make up the difference.
I can't do it.
Oh, Mr. Godsey, you are
a cruel and heartless man.
(BELL TINKLING)
- Hello, Corabeth.
- Hello.
Do we have any mail, Ike?
- No, not today.
- Are you sure?
Positive.
MISS MAMIE: Well, it certainly is
peculiar that we haven't heard anything.
We should have heard
from the White House.
I'm sure that there are dozens
of acceptances in the mail.
- It's simply a matter of patience.
- Corabeth's right, Sister.
Perhaps we'll hear tomorrow.
- Morning!
- ALL: Oh, hello, Mary Ellen.
Ike, a list for you.
- IKE: Okay, Mary Ellen.
- How are the plans for your ball going?
We've just returned from
the florist in Charlottesville.
And he's making us the
loveliest arrangements.
Oh, I do hope that the Charlottesville
Courier is going to cover it,
because I know that real
estate prices are going to ascend.
It sounds like you're
going to a lot of trouble.
Well, Sister and I feel
it would be worthwhile.
If only for the memories
we shall have to cherish.
MISS MAMIE: Everything
must be momentous.
Oh, that reminds
me, Sister, our gowns.
I know an excellent little
gown shop in Charlottesville.
Well, Sister and I had planned
to make them ourselves.
- But Mama's sewing machine is broken.
- We were wondering if Olivia's machine
- is operable, Mary Ellen.
- Yes, you're welcome to use it.
Thank you. Tomorrow,
then, if that's not inopportune?
MARY ELLEN: That
sounds fine, Miss Mamie.
- We'll see you then.
- MARY ELLEN: Good bye!
- Good bye!
- Good bye!
Can you imagine those poor
dear girls with a sewing machine?
That sounds very interesting.
Interesting? It's
positively dangerous.
Here's your order and
a letter from New York.
- It's from John-Boy.
- It sure is.
How is he progressing?
Last letter, he wrote that he'd
found a wonderful apartment
and was starting on a new book.
I must write him to tell
him how much we miss him.
I'm sure he'd like that
very much, Corabeth.
He said things are going so
well, he's planning to stay up there.
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
- You've gotta cut out that racket.
- I'm only typing.
That clickety clack is
driving me crazy. I can't sleep.
Look, I'm a writer. I'm working.
And I'm a movie star!
Look, you're creating a nuisance.
I'm asking you nicely to stop.
And if you don't, I'll
have you out of here
and I'll get a nice, quiet
tenant in your place.
- Okay, I'll stop typing.
- And another thing.
I'm tired of waiting
for the rest of your rent.
I haven't even got eating money!
You pay up or get out!
- Who is it?
- It's me.
What are you
doing here? It's late.
I couldn't sleep in
Mama and Daddy's room.
- It's your room, now.
- Can't I stay in here tonight?
All right. I couldn't get to
sleep, anyway. It was too quiet.
Thanks.
- Good night, Erin.
- Good night, Elizabeth.
They say that Dolly Davis
got so mad at her husband
that she threw all his
clothes out of the house.
I also heard that she
threw a bucket of water
out the upstairs window
and got him soaking wet.
- I'm surprised he returned home!
- He didn't! Not after that!
(LAUGHS)
You know, this reminds me of the quilting
bees we used to have in the old days.
It's been ages since I
caught up on all the gossip.
I'm sure we would never
have finished our gowns in time
if it weren't for your help.
We know Mama's sewing machine.
- It has some funny quirks.
- Like sticking my thumb with its needle.
- CINDY: That could happen to anybody.
- But to both of us? Twice?
I'm off to New York!
Surely you're taking
more than that small bag.
Why, your riding habit, an evening
dress, another pair of shoes...
I have everything I need
packed in the suitcase.
MISS MAMIE: How clever!
Did you hear that, Sister?
I'm only going for one day.
I still don't know
how you swung it.
J.D. has never let you
go anywhere in his place.
He uses any excuse he
can to get away from his wife.
That's exactly what I
threatened to tell Mrs. Pickett.
- CINDY: You didn't.
- I did.
I cannot wait to see the
look on John-Boy's face
when he opens the
door to his apartment.
Come on in.
The apartment comes with a
hotplate. If you want a refrigerator,
you'll have to supply
one of your own.
I'm not here about
the apartment.
I'm trying to find my brother.
He's supposed to live here.
What's his name?
- John Walton.
- That deadbeat! I threw him out.
I'm sorry, there must
be some mistake.
My brother's a writer,
he's not a deadbeat.
Yeah, he said he was a writer.
Besides, he was always making
a racket. Couldn't pay his rent.
Liquor bottles
all over the place.
- John-Boy?
- "John-Boy"? Who?
I'm certain we must be
talking about a different person.
Let me show you
a picture of him.
My brother has sold two
novels. Here's here on his third.
That's him, all right!
Didn't look that good
when I kicked him out of
here. Looked kinda like a ghost.
Well, where he is? Did he
leave a forwarding address?
Girl, he could be in
Florida, for all I know!
MARY ELLEN: I think we're getting
concerned before there's any reason to.
John-Boy's old enough
to take care of himself.
ERIN: Mary Ellen,
what if he's sick?
You didn't hear the way the
landlady talked about him.
MARY ELLEN: She
probably exaggerated.
- Welcome home!
- How was New York?
New York was fine, but
I couldn't find John-Boy.
He got thrown out
of his apartment.
And that's not the worst part.
His apartment isn't anything
like he wrote in his letters.
It's dark, dirty and small.
Do you think we
ought to look for him?
ERIN: No, we'd never find him.
I think we should all have
a little faith in John-Boy.
- We'll hear from him. I know we will.
- I think Mary Ellen's right.
At least we ought to give
him a little time. Come on.
What can I get you?
- Nothing, thanks.
- Come back when you're thirsty.
- I'm looking for a job.
- You are, huh?
You ever tended bar before?
No, but I could learn.
(BARTENDER CHUCKLING)
Every Tom, d*ck and Harry
that's ever mixed a martini
thinks he's a
world-champion bartender.
Well, I could wash
dishes, clean up.
Living in the street, are you?
Uh, no, I'm looking
for an apartment.
Yeah, I'll bet you are.
Haven't I seen
you in here before?
Yeah, I was here once.
Yeah, I remember you.
Got yourself in a fight.
Look, I'm just not
used to drinking.
Yeah, I've heard
that one before.
Sorry, buddy.
Listen, I need a job, any job.
I'm a hard worker and I don't drink.
Forget it.
- MISS MAMIE: Good morning, Ike.
- Good morning, ladies.
MISS MAMIE: We've come
to check our mail again.
Yes, I know, you've been
here quite a bit recently.
Well, Sister and I are
extremely anxious about our ball.
Of the numerous
invitations we've sent out,
we received only a
handful of responses.
And for reasons of distance and health
those who have responded have declined.
And we don't understand what
has happened to our other invitations.
Ladies, I have a
confession to make.
Mr. Godsey, I hardly think we
are of the proper denomination
to hear your confession.
(MISS EMILY AND IKE CHUCKLING)
Our invitations!
- They haven't even been opened.
- I'm sorry about all this.
"Return to sender,"
"Forwarding address unknown."
Oh! Sister! This one's
marked, "Deceased."
Poor Alvira Stoakes.
I was hoping you could see some
acceptances before you saw all these.
We can only hope that these
responses are not typical.
Sister, I believe we've waited
too long for our school reunion.
No, you haven't. I don't think
you should let this bother you.
I think you should go
ahead and have your ball.
Of course. Sister,
we can't give up hope.
This represents only half
the invitations we sent out.
And surely some of our
old friends intend to come.
You mean they've just
been late in answering?
That's it! And if no one comes, we'll
just simply have to celebrate by ourselves.
I try every day, Sister. I
grow tired of my own company.
Surely there must be some
rewards for people of our age.
There are, Sister! There are!
If no one comes, why,
we'll just make the most of it!
Hey, what are you doing?
- I'm moving back to my old room.
- Where's Erin moving?
- Nowhere.
- Great! I'll move my stuff back in here.
- I don't think so.
- Why not?
I thought this could be
my room, but I was wrong.
It's Mama's and Daddy's.
And it always will be.
I think we should
leave it that way,
so when Mama gets better,
she'll know it's waiting for her.
Hey, Elizabeth, remember when I made this
for Mama when I was in the sixth grade?
I dreamt that they were home last
night. Mama better. Daddy smiling.
We were all standing in the
doorway. We woke them up.
Everybody was happy.
It was just the
way it used to be.
I guess you're right, Elizabeth.
This always will be
Mama and Daddy's room.
Come on, I'll give you
a hand with your stuff.
Thanks.
- You got everything?
- Mmm-hmm.
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
BELLE: Come in.
John! Are you all right?
- Yeah.
- Well, you look terrible!
I ran out of money,
couldn't find a job.
Lost my apartment,
had my typewriter stolen,
sold my suitcase and clothes
to get some money for food.
Been living on
ketchup and hot water.
Not the kind of nutrition that
produces good writing, is it?
I haven't written a thing
since I got to New York.
You've got such
a special talent.
I hate to see you misuse
it feeling sorry for yourself.
For the first time in years,
I feel like a failure.
Because of one rejection?
I'm thinking about quitting.
I'm going to get a job that's not
filled with so many disappointments.
Sure, you could always ignore
your talent and take the easy way out.
I've seen it happen before.
But you won't be happy.
You're a writer, and all the security in
the world won't make a bit of difference.
Yeah, I used to believe that.
Do you think that by
not writing anymore
you can protect
yourself from failure?
Well, let me tell you
something, life isn't like that.
The only way you can fail
is to refuse to participate.
What am I supposed to do?
Go back to your
mountain, start a new book.
I can't go back there. I don't
know how I could face them.
If they're anything like the characters
you described in your first book,
they'll understand.
I'll give you the money to get home.
Consider it an advance on a new book.
What is there to keep you here?
I had such big plans.
Make new ones.
I don't know if I
can do that, Belle.
Then you're in
trouble, John Walton,
and you're the only one
that can get you out of it!
Get off your rear and get busy!
I would have thought we would
have heard from John-Boy by now.
I can't get that dingy little
apartment out of my mind.
Well, if he couldn't afford that,
I wonder where he's living now.
Nowhere. He didn't even
leave a forwarding address.
- Hi, everybody.
- Jason,
how would you like
to go to New York?
I can't. I'm late for
the Dew Drop already.
It's not a joke. I really think
we should try and find John-Boy.
ELIZABETH: What's that?
It's a bus ticket for New York
City. I'm leaving in the morning.
Did you two parking attendants decide
to abandon the Baldwin class reunion?
- Nope, the reunion decided to abandon us.
- It was supposed to start two hours ago.
They didn't even
have a single guest.
Those poor ladies.
After all the
trouble they went to.
They intend to go ahead with
their plans. I don't know what for.
The reunion isn't
going to happen.
Why not? Why should the
ladies' evening be ruined
just because their
guests didn't show up?
(MISS EMILY SIGHING)
If I blow up one more
balloon, I shall faint.
Well, I think perhaps
we have enough.
- Mamie, I don't believe anyone is coming.
- Now, after all the work we've gone to,
- don't you even think such a thing!
- I'm sorry, Sister.
I know. We shall dance.
Yes, but who with?
Why, with each other, of course,
the way we used to do when we
were girls practicing for the cotillion.
Yes. Yes, we did, didn't we?
(WALTZ MUSIC PLAYING)
(GRAMOPHONE NEEDLE SCRATCHING)
Sister, we must stop pretending.
I know. No one is coming.
It was a foolish dream.
Mamie, I must tell
you a dreadful secret.
I am not in a receptive mood
for dreadful secrets, Sister.
I feel old.
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
Someone is here!
MISS EMILY: Oh!
Ladies. We just happened
to be in the neighborhood
and we thought we'd drop in!
(ALL LAUGHING)
MISS MAMIE: Hello there!
It's wonderful. I'm so...
Isn't that wonderful?
Hello! Anybody home?
Mary Ellen! Erin!
Jim-Bob! Where is everybody?
(ALL CHATTERING)
Sister, they're all so happy.
(CHUCKLING) Oh, no. No.
(WOMEN LAUGHING)
CORABETH: Quiet,
everyone, please!
I think, at this point, it
would be most appropriate
if we had a few words
from our hostesses.
MISS MAMIE: First of all, we
are most grateful for your company.
My sister and I had planned
this party as a celebration
of the precious time we
have here on this earth.
MISS EMILY: A tribute to all the
beautiful things that make up our lives.
We have not been so much
participants in life, as observers.
And we feel most fortunate
to have lived in this
special place and time.
Most especially do we treasure
our friends and memories.
It seems to us that there
are many memorable events.
The turning of the seasons,
the vibrancy of spring.
MISS EMILY: When life
renews itself with daffodils
and crocuses blooming
along the walkway,
dogwood, redbud.
MISS MAMIE: And the indolence of
summer and the coming of autumn.
MISS EMILY: And the incredible
beauty of a shower of golden leaves.
Having someone to love.
And someone who
loves you in return.
And kisses are important.
Most especially are
kisses to be remembered.
MISS MAMIE: We are
here for such a brief time,
but if we can make some sense out of life,
and look at it with wonder and amazement,
leave some record of it
behind for those who follow us,
then we have
made a contribution.
MISS EMILY: And it
has all been worthwhile.
Amen.
(ALL EXCLAIMING)
JOHN-BOY: I ha d returned
to the Mountain once again
to find the inspiration
I needed to write.
Soon I was back in New York
City laboring over another book,
and because of the renewed
courage they brought me,
I would never forget Miss Mamie
and Miss Emily and their zest for life.
I hope that you will
remember this house as I do.
The mystical blue ridges that
stretch beyond it into infinity.
The sound of warm voices
drifting out upon the night air,
a family waiting and a light
in the window. Good night.
English -SDH
09x22 - The Revel
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A popular, long-running drama about a close-knit family in rural, Depression-era Virginia, sharing their trials and triumphs.
A popular, long-running drama about a close-knit family in rural, Depression-era Virginia, sharing their trials and triumphs.