DAGWOOD: Uh-uh, uh-uh.
Don't touch that dial.
Blondie!
[♪♪♪♪]
[♪♪♪]
[♪♪♪]
[♪♪♪]
Oh, you might as well face it,
Gloria Grant doesn't know
you're alive.
Oh, mind your own business.
And if you dare say anything
to Mom or Pop about this, I'll--
Hurry up, children.
Time for school.
Oh, Alexander, not again.
You haven't eaten a decent meal
for a week.
I just don't feel so good, Mom.
Maybe I ought to skip school
today, huh?
Well, of course, dear.
If you're not feeling very well.
Oh, no, Ma.
Not that awful stuff.
It won't taste so bad
in your orange juice.
I'd rather go to school.
Come on, Cookie.
Blondie, I'm gonna be late
for the office again.
Oh, but, Dagwood,
you're not going to the office,
remember? You're gonna stop by
at the high school first
and see if they know
what's wrong with Alexander.
Oh, yeah.
Well, the sooner I get there,
the sooner I can get
to the office.
Can you whip up some
fast breakfast, huh?
-All right.
-Yeah.
Oh, there's some orange juice.
Huh?
Blondie!
[♪♪♪]
-Blondie? Anybody home?
-Oh, Harriet. Come on in.
I brought back the sugar
I borrowed.
-What's the matter?
-[SIGHS] Oh, it's Alexander.
He keeps insisting
there's nothing wrong
but, well, the way he acts,
not eating enough
to keep a fly alive, well,
I'm really worried.
-I'll bet I know.
-What?
Same thing happened to me.
I was just 13.
Just getting interested in boys.
-Moped around. Couldn't eat.
-Well, what was it?
Adenoids.
Adenoids. But, Harriet,
he doesn't have any.
Oh, there's nothing
to worry about.
Just a simple operation.
No adenoids?
He had them out when he was six.
Oh.
Well, here's your sugar.
[SIGHS]
-Hello, dear.
-Well.
Oh, Harriet. [CHUCKLES]
They do grow back in again,
you know?
-What?
-Adenoids.
Yeah, but-- Huh?
Hey, Blondie--
Oh, what did you find out
at school?
Huh? Oh. Well, I don't know.
His teacher said
he just mopes around
but they don't know why.
Hi, family. I'm starved.
What's for lunch?
Oh, be a good girl
and heat up some soup.
I'm busy with Daddy.
Oh, and... and take this
in the kitchen.
Adenoids.
Now, what did Harriet mean
by that?
Well, when I told her
the strange way
Alexander's been acting,
she thought it might come
from his adenoids.
-Uh-huh.
-[LAUGHS]
Cookie, come here, young lady.
Do you know what's wrong
with Alexander?
I better start the soup.
No. First, we're gonna have
a little family talk.
Yes.
Step right in here.
Now sit down, dear.
Now look, honey,
we're worried about Alexander.
Now, you gotta help us out.
But Mommy told me
I shouldn't stick my nose
in other people's business.
And, besides,
Alexander would k*ll me.
Well, this is a family problem,
dear.
Anyway, we won't tell Alexander
you told us.
-Yeah.
-Can I have two pieces
of cake for dessert?
Yeah. You can have
the whole cake
and lick the plate too.
Well, if you must know,
your son's in love.
In love? [CHUCKLES]
Ah, well, what do you know.
That's why he's been acting
so creepy.
-Do you know who the girl is?
-Gloria Grant.
Her mother is real stuck up
and her father uses a letter
instead of a first name.
Oh, that must be J. Tyler Grant.
[CHUCKLES]
Yeah, he's in on some kind
of deal with Mr. Dithers.
Well, that fixes everything.
[CHUCKLES]
Hey, I know what,
we'll surprise Alexander
and have Gloria over
for dinner, huh?
-Her mother won't let her come.
-No?
Well, why not?
-Well, Alexander says...
-Mm-hmm.
...they won't let her associate
with common people.
We are not common people.
In fact, we're very uncommon.
-Alexander says...
-Uh-huh.
...that we're socially
inferior...
-Mm-hmm.
-...to the Grants.
So I guess he can't date Gloria.
-We'll see about that.
-Yeah.
Now run along, dear,
and fix your soup.
I'll skip the soup.
Won't have room for it
after all that cake.
-[SIGHS]
-Oh, cheer up, Blondie.
We may be bums
but we're nice bums. [CHUCKLES]
Oh, all boys get
those crazy romances.
-He'll get over it.
-I know.
But think of what
he's going through.
That first love
can be pretty tragic.
Alexander.
Alexander,
why aren't you at school?
I got sent home for goofing off
in class.
Look, if you don't mind,
bawl me out later, huh?
I just don't feel so hot.
Blondie, I'm going
to do something about this.
What are we gonna do, huh?
First, you go to the office
and ask Mr. Dithers
-for the rest of the day off.
-Good.
Oh, he'll strangle me.
I've already had
the whole morning off.
But it's for Alexander.
We're gonna show the Grants
we're just as good as they are.
Yes. Right.
Mr. Dithers can't scare me
when my son's happiness
is at stake.
I can be as tough as he is.
I'll show him what happens
when the irresistible force
meets an immovable object.
[GROANS]
Don't try to fire me,
Mr. Dithers because I quit.
I wouldn't work another day
for a man
who's got the heart the size
of a frozen strawberry.
You know there are times
you show real spunk, my boy.
-I like it.
-Oh. [CHUCKLES]
Well, puppy love
can be pretty serious.
I know. I married my puppy love.
And I've been in the doghouse
ever since.
-Oh.
-But I tell you
what I'm going to do.
Mr. Grant is coming here
tonight to sign some papers.
I'll tell him the whole story,
what nice people
you and Blondie are.
-Really build you up.
-Oh. Thank you, Mr. Dithers.
You're the best boss
a fellow ever had.
You know, lots of times,
I'd just love to choke
the living daylights out of you.
-But deep down, Dagwood...
-Uh-huh.
...I look on you
as a backward son.
Oh.
Sometimes I'd love
to choke you too, Mr. Dithers.
-Uh-huh.
-Oh.
But, Blondie, Mr. Dithers says
he'll fix it with Mr. Grant.
Don't you see, dear? That's only
meeting him in business.
-Yeah.
-This is a social problem.
We have to be more subtle.
And that's where Daisy comes in.
Yeah, but--
I found out that Mr. Grant
walks his dog in the park
-every afternoon before dinner.
-Mm-hmm.
Now, you'll be there with Daisy.
[DAISY BARKING]
Just a couple dog lovers
getting acquainted accidentally.
Oh, yeah.
And while you're meeting him,
I'll see Mrs. Grant.
I found out that her hobby
is a little theater here
and she's having trouble
finding people for her new play.
So, I'm volunteering.
I'm going over there
to meet her now.
-Yeah.
-I'll make her like me.
Now, remember,
Mr. Grant, the park.
Yeah. Mr. Grant, the park.
Well, in my autobiography,
I think I'll entitle this...
"Taking the Bum
Out of Bumstead."
Let's go, King Kong.
It's almost dinner time.
Come on, you brute.
Now there he is, Daisy.
Now be a lady
because we gotta make
a good impression on Mr. Grant.
Are you coming or do I have
to drag you out of there?
Come on, King Kong.
I'm getting hungry.
King Kong,
I'm gonna get you home
if I have to pull you
all the way.
Oh, good afternoon, sir.
[CHUCKLES]
Nice weather for us
dog lovers, huh?
MR. GRANT: King Kong, come here.
Oh! [CHUCKLES]
So that's King Kong?
[DOGS BARKS]
Oh.
MR. GRANT: No wonder your dog
was startled.
This thing my wife refers
to as a dog,
is pretty revolting to me too.
Oh, now I wouldn't say that.
You don't have to. I said it.
I wouldn't be seen in public
with this thing
if my wife didn't insist
I take him walking
every afternoon before dinner.
I see you're henpecked too.
Oh, no, sir. Walking the dog
is my own idea.
If there's one thing I dislike
more than a dog,
it's a braggart.
That's a woman's lap dog
if I ever saw one.
Oh, no, sir.
He's just a woman's--
A dog that is. No lap.
[DOGS BARK]
DAGWOOD: Get them.
What are you doing?
Get them away from me.
Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
Now, there's no point
-in getting mad.
-Who are you? What are you...?
Now accidents will happen.
I always say,
no matter if it becomes
monotonous, say it.
-"Accidents will happen."
-Give me that leash.
-Oh.
-[DOG BARKS]
If that dog gets away,
my wife will brain me
-and I'll brain you.
-You got anything to work on?
N... n... now take it easy.
I'll find your dog for you.
-Here, King Kong.
-MR. GRANT: King Kong.
[DAGWOOD WHISTLES] King Kong.
-MR. GRANT: King Kong.
-King Kong.
Come on, King Kong.
[♪♪♪]
Come here.
[DOG BARKING]
Oh. Oh, Mr. Grant.
Mr. Grant. Mr. Grant.
Hey, I got your King Kong.
Mr. Grant?
Where's--
Oh. Hi, Mr. Grant.
Oh, I'm sorry.
-Here, let me help you. Oh.
-Hey.
Wait a minute.
I'll see you later, Mr. Grant.
Here, Daisy.
[WHISTLES]
-Come on, Daisy.
-[DAISY BARKS]
[♪♪♪]
Daddy sure messed things up
with Mr. Grant, didn't he?
Well, it really doesn't matter
now that Mrs. Grant and I
are such good friends.
Yes, this afternoon
was well spent.
Did you ask Mrs. Grant
if I could be in her play,
-Mommy?
-No, dear.
Anyway, there aren't any parts
for children.
Why not? It's a little theater
and I am little enough.
Daddy is gonna do
the acting in the family.
It certainly was lucky
that Mrs. Grant
couldn't get a man in town
to play the part.
So, naturally, I volunteered
for Daddy.
What kind of a part is it?
You'll see. He's upstairs
trying on his costume now.
DAGWOOD: Blondie.
I don't know about this.
[DAISY BARKS]
Huh?
Wonderful, dear.
You'll make a perfect
Charley's Aunt. [LAUGHS]
[♪♪♪]
[♪♪♪]
No, no, Daddy. Not like that.
Like a movie actress.
You gotta have glamor
in you walk.
Huh? Well, I'll try.
[♪♪♪]
Oh, oh, oh.
Now, as you walk across
the garden
with Lord Percy at your side,
you laugh gaily.
DAGWOOD: Yeah, my feet hurt.
"A trilling laugh,"
the script says.
-Uh-huh.
-You know...
[LAUGHS]
[LAUGHS, COUGHS]
Then you say, "Oh, Lord Percy,
I'll bet you say that
to all the girls,"
talking as you walk.
Now go on, dear.
Oh, Lord Percy. Oh, Lord. Oh.
Look, I appreciate
what you're trying to do
but couldn't it
be something else?
Don't you see, dear?
The little theater group
will help to bring
Gloria's family and our family
together as social equals.
Yeah. But it'll make me
a social leper.
You know, I think puppy love
is harder on us
than it is on him.
HERB: Are you home, Blondie?
We're in here, Mr. Woodley.
-Oh. I beg your pardon, madam.
-French.
Hey, it's me, Herb. [LAUGHS]
I knew he was gonna flip
someday.
Is there something
I can do, honey?
[LAUGHS] Oh, Herb.
He's rehearsing for a play.
Oh? Oh.
Well, for a minute there
I thought we lost you, buddy.
Who you supposed to be?
Aunt Whistler's mother,
Grandma Moses, or ZaSu Pitts?
[CHUCKLES]
I'm Charley's Aunt.
Poor Charlie. Say, honey,
Harriet is having a lot
of trouble with your ham recipe.
Would you mind going over
and help her out?
All right. Here's the script.
You can be Lord Percy.
Come on, Cookie.
Let's help Harriet with her ham.
Okay. Aunt Agatha,
let's you rehearse.
Yeah. Gee, It's nice of you
to help us out like this, Herb.
Think nothing of it, old pal.
What are good friends for
except to help each other
in their problems, right?
-Right. Right you are.
-Good.
Now, how about loaning me
your driver?
You're gonna be too busy
to play golf.
I knew it.
I knew you wanted
to borrow something.
Look, Herb, you're not going
to get my new driver.
I only used it once myself.
Then it's not really new.
It's used.
You're not going to borrow it,
Herb.
Now come on. Let's rehearse.
Okay. Put on your shoes.
Herb, can I rehearse
with my stocking feet?
What do you think
Lady Agatha is?
A bobbysoxer? Put them on.
Of course, if you could see
a way clear to let me have
your driver, you could rehearse
in your golf shoes.
No!
[GROANS]
[LAUGHS]
Sorry I'm so late, Dithers.
I had a very difficult day.
That's all right, Mr. Grant.
Now, if you'll just sign
both copies, we're in business.
Just before dinner,
I had a run-in
with some clumsy oaf
in the park
while I was walking
my wife's dog.
Ooh, if I ever get my hands
on him, I'll break--
Well, I hope it didn't spoil
your dinner.
No. My wife spoiled that.
I had an argument with her
about my daughter, Gloria.
You know, that's a coincidence.
A man works for me
Dagwood Bumstead
has a son who's crazy
about your daughter, Gloria.
But she can't go out with him
because your families
haven't met socially.
Well, what are these Bumsteads
like anyway?
Oh, a fine upstanding
American family.
Backbone of the nation.
And as normal as apple pie
and cheese.
Wow. They sound like
the kind of people
I'd like my daughter to meet.
Oh, you'd approve of the boy
and of his father too.
Say, let's meet this family
right now.
Let's see. It's only 8:30.
We can drop by my house.
Pick up Gloria, and get
the young people together.
The least I can do for her
is introduce her
to some nice simple folks
for a change.
Well, that's the Bumsteads.
You'll see for yourself
the moment you see them.
Dagwood Bumstead
is as simple as they come.
For the 19th time,
come to my arms, Agatha.
Oh. [GRUNTS]
I can't do it. I can't do it.
HERB:
Courage, man. Courage.
Remember, you're doing this
for little Alexander.
Come on, lace up your corset
and pull yourself together.
Now we better have
a coffee break.
I think you need
a little strength.
[GROANS]
-[DOORBELL RINGING]
-Huh? Oh.
Oh. Hi, Mr. Dithers.
W... what the...
Oh, you remember me,
Mr. Dithers.
-I'm Dagwood's mother.
-Mother?
Well, how do you do,
Mrs. Bumstead.
Uh... I'm Mr. Grant
and this is my daughter Gloria.
I'm glad to know you,
Mrs. Bumstead.
We just dropped by
to meet Dagwood
but perhaps he isn't home.
Oh, yes. That's right.
Daggy is not home.
I call him Daggy.
He's just a little boy to me.
Won't you come again sometime,
Mr. Grant?
Well, if he's coming right back,
we'll just wait for him,
if you don't mind.
Oh, no. Indeed he do.
And do come in.
Huh? Oh, you're already in,
aren't you? Well...
Oh, do sit down.
Oh.
Sweet old lady, isn't she?
I suppose Dagwood
is just like her?
You'd be amazed.
If you'll excuse us a moment,
I have something to say
to Mrs. Bumstead.
Just make yourself at home.
You know, Gloria,
Mrs. Bumstead's face
is very familiar to me.
I'm sure I've met her before.
-Really?
-Hey, what's going on here?
Shh. Well, I... I couldn't let
him recognize me.
I met him while he was walking
his dog in the park.
So, you're the clumsy oaf
he was talking about?
Of all the stupid...
Listen, he was even more oafier
than I was.
Oh, you'll have to tell him
you're out of town.
Yeah, okay.
Oh, excuse me.
I didn't know we had company.
Well, you must be Dagwood.
My name is Grant
and this is my daughter, Gloria.
I bet you've heard all about her
from Alexander, haven't you?
-Daddy.
-So you're Mr. Grant, eh?
That's right.
I'm sorry to barge in
on you so unexpectedly,
but I just had to meet
what Dithers tells me
is such a fine, normal family.
Well, normal isn't the word
for it. [CHUCKLES]
Oh, Mr. Grant, I just
remembered I'm out of town--
I mean, Dagwood is.
Well, I... I just met your son.
Huh? Oh. Wonderful things,
the airplanes.
People just go and come back
before you know it. [CHUCKLES]
Now, forget about the coffee,
Dagwood.
You just sit down
and tell me all about yourself.
Oh, mother will tell you all
about him.
He's more than just
a wonderful son.
He's a good friend
and a good neighbor
who'll always help a pal when
he's in trouble won't you, dear?
Yes, Mother, especially
if the price is right.
[CHUCKLES]
You know, Mrs. Bumstead,
I was just telling my daughter,
your face looks very
familiar to me.
Haven't we met before?
Well, I have sort
of a familiar type face.
Well, now that you've met
Dagwood,
perhaps we'd better be
running along, huh?
Look, Pop. I've been thinking
this thing-- Gloria.
-Hello, Alexander.
-Hi, Gloria.
We just dropped in
for social call.
I want you to meet my father.
Well, I'm glad to know you,
my boy.
What a fine-looking young man.
Yes, sir. I like you.
And I must say,
I like your father too.
You do? Gee, that's swell, Pop.
Over here, son.
[CHUCKLES]
Mother, we must
get the boy glasses.
Well, now, we better be running
along.
Oh, yes. If you have to be going
you must.
-If you have to, you must.
-No, Mother Bumstead.
The children haven't had
a chance to get acquainted yet.
Alexander, why don't you take
Gloria and show her around, hmm?
-HERB: Mother dear.
-DAGWOOD: Yes?
I just remembered, Herb Woodley,
wants to borrow my driver.
He's my neighbor.
Wonderful chap,
salt of the earth.
Oh. Now, Daggy boy,
don't you let that big heart
of yours run away with you.
Besides, that driver
is part of a match set.
Oh, you're right, Mother.
We can't break up a match set.
I'll just loan him
all the clubs.
And I think I'll throw in
a dozen new balls too,
eh, Mother? Thank you, Mother.
[CHUCKLES]
Mrs. Bumstead, that's what
I call true generosity.
I'm a golfer myself,
so I know what that means.
You should be
mighty proud of him.
Oh, I am. I am.
I am I just don't know
what I'd do without him.
Sometimes I'd like to try.
Try...
Now, that you've met
all the Bumsteads,
perhaps we better be
running along.
BLONDIE: Dagwood, are you still
rehearsing or...
Blondie! [CHUCKLES]
We have guests.
Mr. Dithers brought
Mr. Grant over
to meet my son, Dagwood.
Mr. J. Tyler Grant.
You're son Dagwood?
But you're...
Oh, Harriet. I want you
to meet Mr. Grant.
I feel as if I already know you.
I met your charming wife.
This is our neighbor,
Mrs. Woodley.
How do you do? Oh, I've heard
all about your husband.
He must be a fine man.
Well, maybe it's because
I'm stupid but I'm confused.
Oh, dear.
DAGWOOD: One minute!
Well, now that you've met
all the Bumsteads,
we must be running along.
-But the door is that way.
-Goodbye, Mr. Grant.
Oh, goodbye. Oh, I just wanna
say I think Gloria
is a lucky girl to know a boy
from such a fine family.
Thank you. And you have
a lovely young daughter.
Oh, thank you. Goodnight.
Goodnight, Mrs. Woodley.
Goodnight, Mother Bumstead.
Mother Bumstead?
Here I am.
I just found a moth in the rug.
Toodle-oo.
Toodley--
You know, I could swear
I've seen that face somewhere.
MR. DITHERS: Time to go.
Oh, oh. Just a minute.
Where's Dagwood? I wanna say--
oh, there you are, Dagwood.
-Goodnight, sir.
-MR. GRANT: Goodnight.
Oh. So that's Dagwood.
And I'm Blondie.
Who are you?
Shh.
Hey, those are beautiful clubs.
You know, we must have a game
sometime.
That is if you can put up
with an old duffer
with a creaky backswing.
I can cure that
in one easy lesson.
-Really?
-All a matter of how
-you swing, sir.
-Oh.
HERB: I'll show you.
-Uh, stand right over here, huh?
-All right.
[DAGWOOD LAUGHS NERVOUSLY]
Daggy boy, be careful
with those new golf clubs.
Yes, Mother.
Now here's the secret.
Slow with the arms
and fast with the hips.
And swing.
I better replace my divot.
So, I thought I recognized
that silly face.
You're the fellow who almost
k*lled me in the park.
-[DAISY BARKS]
-And there's that dog.
Now, wait, Mr. Grant.
It was all a mistake.
Now don't get upset, Mr. Grant.
So this is your fine, normal
American family, is it?
Well, I wouldn't let my daughter
come near this
bunch of screwballs.
I'm through.
Now just a minute, Mr. Grant.
What kind of a husband
have you got
who'd wear a get up like that?
If he doesn't wear that costume
in the play,
do you know
who's gonna end up in it? You.
Me?
That's right. Your wife
was planning to put that dress
on you until Dagwood
agreed to do it.
Oh, no, no, no.
Take the dress off, Dagwood.
Mr. Grant can wear it back home.
He might just as well start
getting used to it.
I... I... I'm sorry. I...
This might look very cute
on you.
No. No, not this.
I met your wife,
and she'll make you do it too.
You're so right. Please.
Can you forgive me?
Oh, well, that's more like it.
You know, Dagwood isn't wild
about the part either
but he's doing it
for a good cause.
Now, I'm all straightened out.
That's Mother Bumstead.
[♪♪♪♪]
[♪♪♪]
[♪♪♪]
Alexander.
All right, Alexander.
What is it now?
He's in love again.
Yes, we know. It's Gloria Grant.
Her name is Cathy Steele.
Cathy Steele?
I feel miserable.
Don't tell me we have to go
through this all over again?
What happened to Gloria Grant?
That's what's so awful.
I'm in love with her too.
[♪♪♪]
[♪♪♪]