(train whistle blows twice)
♪ Come ride the little train ♪
♪ That is rollin' down the
tracks to the Junction ♪
(bell clanging)
♪ Forget about your cares ♪
♪ It is time to relax
at the Junction ♪
(whistle blows twice)
♪ Lots of curves, you bet ♪
♪ And even more when you get ♪
♪ To the Junction ♪
♪ Petticoat Junction ♪
(snare drum plays train rhythm)
♪ There's a little hotel called
the Shady Rest at the Junction ♪
♪ Petticoat Junction ♪
♪ It is run by Kate, come and
be her guest at the Junction ♪
♪ Petticoat Junction ♪
♪ And that's Uncle Joe,
he's a-movin' kinda slow ♪
♪ At the Junction ♪
♪ Petticoat Junction! ♪
(train whistle blows twice)
Ma, train's coming.
Yeah, I heard it.
Swimming in the water
tower again, weren't you?
Yes.
Some day that
train's gonna sneak in,
drain out all the water
before you can get out,
and leave you high dry and bare.
Gee, Mom, it's hot.
Where else can we swim?
JOE: Don't worry
about that, girls.
I got plans for a
big swimming pool.
We're gonna put it
right out here in front.
A swimming pool?
Olympic-sized, Kate.
Then in the wintertime,
we'll turn it into a skating rink.
It'll give the hotel class.
Uncle Joe, with
business as slow as it is,
we're losing money now.
I know we are, but with a
swimming pool and a skating rink,
we can raise the rates.
(bell clanging,
brakes squeaking)
Going to Hooterville, Kate?
Give you a free ride.
Oh, yeah, Charley,
be right there.
What's the matter,
you hear something?
The Cannonball's
a-wheezin' this morning.
Everything all right, Charley?
Yeah, she's just getting a
little old, like the rest of us.
I wonder what kind of
engines they're running
on the main line now.
I wouldn't know, Floyd.
It must be 20 years since
we've seen the main line.
Yeah. You reckon they'll
ever put that trestle back up
so we can get there?
No. Floyd, if you ask me,
the folks have forgotten
all about us back
at the C. & F.W.
Gentlemen, this
supercharged diesel locomotive
is now standard equipment
on the entire C. & F.W. system.
Five short years ago,
you brought me out
here from the East
to do a job for you.
Well, gentleman, I think
you'll agree that today
we have the most modern,
the most progressive
the most...
(whispers): What is that?
(whispers): Looks
like a branch line.
Branch line to where? For what?
That doesn't even
connect to the main line.
I'll check into it.
Well, fast.
You charter a plane to
this town of Hooterville
and ride that branch
to the end of the line.
I want a complete report.
Right away.
Yes, well... Well,
uh, gentlemen,
Mr. Bedloe here is
flying out to Hooterville
to look into a branch line.
Morning, Floyd.
GIRLS: Hi, Charley.
Good morning.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Well, it's all right.
We're in no hurry.
Kate, should I put
on my conductor suit
or is it just home
folks getting on?
Just home folks, Floyd.
Well, in that case... Board!
Drop us off at Drucker's
store, will you, Charley?
Fine.
Come on, girls.
Hey, Charley, I'd go along, too,
but I'm afraid with
one more passenger
the old Hooterville meatball
couldn't make the grade.
That's Cannonball.
FLOYD: Come on, Charley.
Kate's in a hurry
to get to Hooterville.
She is?
Well, in that case,
I better go tell her
to get off this thing
and start walking.
Don't pay any attention
to him, Charley.
(both laugh)
Bye, Kate.
(whistle blowing)
(engine huffing, bell clanging)
Bye, girls! Bye, Kate!
Have a good time in Hooterville!
Hey, it didn't stop!
They overshot the station.
No, they didn't.
They'll stop down
at the general store.
General store? But
the station's up here.
Yeah, but they're letting
Kate and her girls off
to do their shopping.
Who in the blue blazes is Kate?
Runs the hotel
between here and Pixley.
You must be from a long ways off
you ain't never heard of
Kate Bradley and her girls.
Hi, Mrs. Bradley.
Hello, Herbie.
Hi, Herbie. Hello, Herbie.
Hi, Herbie.
Hi, Billie.
(clears throat):
Herbie, we don't want
to keep the train
waiting too long.
Yes, Mrs. Bradley.
I've already got some
of your regular order
ready in the back.
We figured you'd be in today.
Come on, girls. Let's get busy.
Are they just gonna
park there and wait
while that woman
does her shopping?
They usually do.
The boys are real fond of Kate.
Well, what do the boys
think they're operating,
a train or a taxi?
Well, a little of
both, I reckon.
When I get through,
won't be either one.
I'll melt that thing
down for paperweights.
(train whistle blows)
Oh, Floyd and Charley
must be tired of waiting.
Let's get the rest
of the supplies
out to the platform.
I'll go see if Billie
needs any help.
Mom, oh, can we get
some new swimming suits?
No, we cannot.
Summer's over; put 'em back.
Okay.
HERBIE: I'll help you, Billie.
KATE: Come on, girls.
FLOYD: Aboard!
Get a move on,
girls. Train's waiting.
Sorry, Kate, but them
traveling salesmen we picked up
are anxious to get to Pixley.
Yeah, sure sorry
to rush you, Kate.
Worked out fine, Charley.
Got all our shopping done.
Good.
All right, let's get
the baggage aboard.
Don't bother about it, ladies.
Ol' Floyd and I will
put it on there for you.
Oh, they can help a little.
Here.
When they get
their supplies loaded,
are they gonna back
up that train for me?
Wouldn't count on it.
They don't even
know you're here.
Well, then by thunder,
you're gonna hightail it
down that track and tell 'em.
I wouldn't count on that either.
What's your name?
Sam Drucker. What's yours?
Homer Bedloe. And you're fired.
Now there's another
thing I wouldn't count on.
Mr. Drucker, I happen
to run this railroad,
and you're no
longer working for it!
Never did.
I happen to run
the general store.
What the devil are
you doing here?!
Why aren't you
down at your store?
Well, I'll tell you...
You see, Kate
ain't got the money
to pay for all them
supplies she just bought.
And it's a heap less
embarrassing for her
if I ain't there.
Well, if this isn't
the nuttiest...
CHARLEY: Heave!
Looks like that'll do it, Floyd.
Well, best we get rolling now.
Betty Jo, would you
like to take the throttle?
Can I, Mom?
You always do going home.
Get me up a good
head of steam, Charley.
I have to highball it
to make the hotel
in time for supper.
Right.
Take it easy on Deadman's Curve.
Come on, Billie Jo.
In a minute, Mama.
Bobbie Jo?
I'm here, Ma.
Oh.
FLOYD: All aboard!
Hey, he yelled "All aboard."
Yeah, if you want
to catch your train,
you'd better start
shanking it down your track.
I'll melt the whole works
down for paperweights.
(train whistle blowing)
Halt! Wait a minute!
Stop the train!
Hey, wait!
Hey, come here!
Hold the train!
Wait a minute!
You got a lot to learn
about trains, mister.
The Hooterville
Cannonball waits for nobody.
That's what I'll melt it
down for... cannonballs!
Where's your sister?
Oh, you mean Billie?
Now who else would I mean?
Well, I think she's
back there, Mom.
(indistinct conversation)
Back there, all right.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
I want to talk to my daughter
about the menu for my hotel.
Train gets there just
about suppertime.
She and her sisters wait
table in the dining room.
Sisters? You got more like her?
Oh... (chuckles)
three in all.
Uh, Billie Joe, I think
this evening we'll have
fried chicken, mashed
potatoes with cream gravy,
corn on the cob with
fresh-churned butter,
hot biscuits and jam,
fresh apple pie with
homemade ice cream and, um...
Let's see. What else?
Does the train stop long enough
for us to eat at your hotel?
Oh, I think it can be arranged.
But the safe thing to do
is plan to spend the night.
You'll never get up
to a better breakfast
than at the Shady Rest.
Come on, Billie Jo.
Excuse me.
(whistle blowing to rhythm
of "Shave and a Haircut")
What kind of a
railroad signal's that?
Deadman's Curve.
You better grab hold
of something and...
(wheels squealing)
Whoever's highballing
that locomotive up there
is either drunk or crazy.
I'll thank you not
to talk like that
about my little girl.
Your little girl's running
this locomotive?!
She always does on
the way back from town.
She and Charley
are just like this.
Who's Charley?
The engineer.
Look, uh... scoot over.
It's hard to talk
across the aisle.
You one of those reporters?
In a way, yes.
Well, Charley Pratt's
the best engineer
that ever popped
a head of steam.
And he's letting your
child drive this locomotive?
Been driving it since she
was knee-high to a cowcatcher.
(playing sprightly tune)
How come she's spouting
so much black smoke?
Floyd's been burning
railroad ties again.
Oh.
Charley, take a look.
All the pressure
I can get's 135.
Well, that'll hold you.
Don't push her too hard.
You know what I think?
The Cannonball
needs a boiler wash.
Yeah, I reckon she's got
some mud in her belly, all right.
Let's wash her out
when we get to the hotel.
And I can clean the grates
and ash pad at the same time.
Betty Jo, you're
getting to an age
of where the boys have
got their eye on you,
and it just ain't the most
romantic thing in the world
for the love of your life
to come crawling out
of a locomotive boiler.
(harmonica playing resumes)
As far as I'm concerned,
Billie Jo can have the boys.
I'm in love with the
Hooterville Cannonball.
Well, that's fine for now, hon,
but one of these days,
you're gonna want
to be huggin' something
that can hug you back.
Uh, Betty Jo, you change
places with your sister.
Mama, I like riding backwards.
I know what you like.
Now, do as I say.
Bobby Jo, take Betty's seat.
Only one thing on
her mind... boys.
Oh, Bobby, don't
you ever get tired
of just reading about love?
Don't you ever want to
do something about it?
Sure.
If I could meet a man
like Robert Browning...
Well, where we live, we
don't get much chance.
Unless he's a
traveling salesman.
Gee, I wish we
lived in the city.
Love can happen anyplace, Billy.
Who knows? A Prince Charming
could come walking
right through that door.
That's quite a load of
supplies you put on, Kate.
Uh, yeah, Floyd... how
much you going to charge me
for freighting all
that up to my hotel?
I reckon that's going to
cost you two chicken dinners.
Why, that's robbery.
But I guess I'll have to pay it.
Isn't Floyd a card?
He sure is.
What's his last name?
Smoot. Floyd Smoot.
He and Charley been
on this line for years.
They say they'll never
stop running this old train.
Well, I wouldn't bet on that.
All right, folks, get
your fares ready.
Oh, uh, how much for me
and my three daughters,
Mr. Conductor?
Well, let's see.
All over 12?
Mmm... Yeah.
Including me.
(snickers)
Reckon that's gonna cost
you two fresh-baked apple pies.
What prices!
Railroad's got to make a profit.
Say, if you want
fresh apple pie,
you'd better get
up to the locomotive
and tell Betty Jo to stop the
train at Ben Miller's orchard.
FLOYD: Right you are, Kate.
Did I hear right?
You're going to stop
this train to pick apples?
Well, I kind of
think we have to.
The trees sit a quarter
mile from the track.
This isn't a train, it's
a rolling booby hatch.
(steam hissing)
Hi, there.
Mind if I have an apple?
Help yourself.
Excuse me.
This what you're after?
Oh. Yes, ma'am.
I've been just looking
out the window there.
Boy, I sure love this country.
Everything's so green.
Not as green as you think.
Yes, ma'am.
Well, I... Thanks for the apple.
Put your feet down.
Sit up like a lady.
(whistle blowing)
Ah, almost there.
Almost where?
My hotel, the Shady Rest.
I don't see any hotel.
Sets up above the
tracks on a little rise.
(bell clanging)
Folks, there'll be a two-to
three-hour layover here
whilst we go up to
Kate's hotel for supper.
What do you mean, two-
or three-hour layover?
According to this timetable,
this train's not supposed
to stop here at all.
Is that a fact?
Hey, Charley, come
on in and take a look.
Feller in here's
got a timetable.
We ain't seen one
of these in 20 years.
Anybody want to help me and
my daughters tote the supplies,
why just come right this way.
Now hold it! Hold it!
This train is supposed to go
to the end of the line... Pixley.
As a matter of fact,
we're due there already.
So am I.
So let's get rolling.
What seems to be
the trouble here, Floyd?
Fella here wants to go on
to the end of the
line right away.
Says it's a schedule.
Is that a fact?
What do you think
we ought to do?
Well, I reckon
the fair thing to do
is to put it to a vote.
A vote?!
Good idea.
All those in favor
of going up to Kate's cool,
comfortable Shady Rest Hotel
for some delicious fried
chicken and apple pie,
served by her three
beautiful daughters,
hold up your right
hand. Right here.
Sure! Appears to
me, you're outvoted.
Right through
there to the kitchen.
Charley, Floyd,
show them the way.
I appreciate this very much.
Just set it down in
the kitchen anywhere.
Oh, me.
Uncle Joe found his Indian.
Hide it again, girls.
Hey, this is quite a place.
You even got an elevator, eh?
Oh, it doesn't run.
Uncle Joe bought it.
He said it gives
the hotel class.
Oh, yeah?
Honey, I'm gonna tell you
what gives this hotel some class.
(squawks): Step back!
Going up! Going up!
(chuckles): It's Uncle
Joe's mynah bird.
We use this for a cage.
Well... now then.
Going up! Second floor!
On the way, my daughter
gets off in the kitchen.
Charley, Floyd,
show the gentlemen
where to wash up for supper.
Sure, I'll show you fellers.
Hey!
Heh?
This place got a telephone?
You betcha it has.
It's the only telephone
between Hooterville and Pixley.
I was the one that got it
and put it in... Never
mind that. Where is it?
Oh.
Say, mister, I'd like
to tell you a story
about that telephone.
I was out... Just
tell me where it is!
Well, you go through that door,
it's on your wall to the right.
Hello, operator.
Operator, operator!
What you trying to do, mister?
What's it look like
I'm trying to do?
I'm trying to get the operator.
You ain't gonna get
her on that phone.
Why not? Ain't connected.
What do you mean? Ain't no
telephone wires to connect it to.
What's it doing here then?
It gives the hotel class.
That's the only telephone
between Hooterville and Pixley.
Why didn't you tell
me that outside?
Well, I did start,
and you cut me off.
Never mind now.
Where can I wash my hands?
Ooh, uh... second floor.
BIRD: Going up. All aboard.
Oh. Good.
Step back.
Step back in the car.
What you doing in there, mister?
I'm going up to
the second floor.
Not on that elevator you ain't.
What do you mean?
Ain't connected.
Oh, my aching ulcer.
Going up.
Going up.
She's a mynah bird.
The only mynah bird
between Hooterville and Pixley.
Answer me a question:
What have you got an
elevator for that doesn't run?
Oh, gives the hotel class.
That's the only
elevator... Oh, shut up!
Don't worry about the washroom.
It's connected.
Hey... somebody
hid my Indian again.
Whoo-hoo!
Kate, that was the best meal
that ever stoked a man's boiler.
Really delicious.
Always did say if
this hotel was in town,
Kate'd be turning
the people away.
Who built it way out here
in the middle of nowhere?
Her muley grandpa, that's who.
Stubbornest man that ever lived,
wasn't he, Kate?
Well, the way it happened...
he was planning to build
down the track at Pixley.
But the flatcars that
were hauling his lumber
tipped over when they
hit the curve out in front.
So grandpa just went ahead
and built the hotel right here.
Well, let's all go in
and do some singing.
Singing?!
We're four hours
late for Pixley now.
We always sing after
supper, Mr. Bedloe.
Nothing better for
settling your food.
I'm going to go to Pixley
and you're going
to take me... now!
I don't think these
folks want to leave yet.
It wouldn't pay to make the
run with just one passenger.
No, they say the railroad's
losing money now.
How could that be?
CHARLEY: Well,
the answer's simple.
Those folks up
at the main office,
they just don't know anything
about running a railroad.
That's a fact.
Now let's all go in
and do some singing.
Now you just hear this!
For your information,
I'm one of the fellas
at the main office.
As a matter of fact,
I'm one of the main
fellas at the main office.
And I got news for you:
The train from
Pixley to Hooterville
is no longer in operation.
It's scrapped. Junked.
And everybody connected
with it is discharged.
Fired!
Now go in and sing on that.
If you scrap the
train, it'll ruin this hotel.
That's your problem.
Why, you no good...
Now, Uncle Joe, angry words
never settled any problem.
Let's just...
let's just all go in
and decide what we're gonna do.
Those in favor,
raise your hands.
Well?
Have you decided
what you're going to do?
Yes, we have, Mr. Bedloe.
We put it to a vote...
Again with that vote?!
That's the democratic
way, ain't it?
Well? What'd you vote?
Everybody voted to
spend the night here
and settle the problem
with the train tomorrow.
Can't you get it
through your heads
that that train hasn't
got any tomorrow?
It's through. Finished.
Now I'm going to Pixley.
How? You fired
Floyd and Charley.
Listen, if your little
daughter can run that train,
I can run it.
What's the matter?
Why won't you run?
Maybe you haven't
got enough pressure.
Try the whistle.
(whistle blows
weakly, then fades)
Mr. Bedloe,
you've been working
now for three hours.
Why don't you come on up,
take a nice hot
bath and go to bed?
No! This is my train
and I say it'll run.
(cr*ck) Oh!
Oh...!
My hand's full of splinters
from that stupid wood,
and I smashed my finger
on that stupid firebox door.
Now I've busted my stupid foot.
You know what I think? What?
I think I ought to
go back to the hotel,
have a hot bath and go to bed.
And we'll settle the problem
of the train tomorrow.
That's a good idea.
Tomorrow. Help him down, boys.
(wailing): Oh...!
How do you two fellas
run this crazy thing?
I've been railroading
for 32 years,
but I couldn't get a
pound of pressure.
Don't you worry, old girl.
We've been
through a lot together
and we'll get through this, too.
(theme music playing)