Throughout the
show's seven year run,
the writers of
Petticoat Junction
loved to work musical
performances in
whenever the
story called for it.
And this next episode
provided the perfect opportunity
for Pat to show off her
wonderful singing voice.
So here is the episode entitled
"Why Girls Leave Home."
I don't remember this one.
We have to watch
it together. Okay.
But I hear Pat's a great singer.
I've heard that, too. Yeah.
(train whistle blows)
♪ 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)
(woman singing arpeggios)
(woman singing scales)
(woman continues singing scales)
Kate...
Uncle Joe, aren't
you dressed yet?!
What do I have to
wear a collar and tie for?
Out of respect to
Professor Lieberschmit.
I respected Cora Nielson
when Bobbie Jo auditioned her,
and I didn't wear
no collar and tie.
There is no comparison
between Cora Nielson
and Professor Lieberschmit.
She is just a plain
singing teacher,
and the professor
is a music authority.
BOBBIE JO (calls): Mom!
I got to go help Bobbie Jo.
Now, you get dressed!
The sacrifices I go
through for them girls!
Mom, maybe I better
put on another dress.
Mm-mm. This will be just fine.
All it needs is a little
fixing here at the zipper.
How's this?
Oh, it's the wrong color.
Gosh, what is this, an
audition or a fashion show?
Mom, why does everybody
have to argue with me?!
Uh, see if Billie Jo
has another one, huh?
Mom, I want to put
on my black dress.
Honey, if you don't stop
moving, I'm gonna stick you.
(singing arpeggios)
(arpeggios continuing)
BOBBIE JO: Ow!
Ooh, it sounds like
Mom struck a nerve.
Have you got a scarf? Well,
what's wrong with that one?
She doesn't like it.
Well, she should... it's hers.
Go look in my room.
(arpeggios continue)
(singing high notes)
Here are the shoes.
I need blue shoes.
Well, they were blue
before I dyed 'em.
I need blue shoes!
Find a pair, find a pair.
(singing scales)
(scales continue)
I couldn't find a
scarf in your room.
Oh, you better tell
Madame Butterfly.
♪ Ba, ba, ba, ba,
ba, be, bo, boo ♪
Bobbie Jo. ♪ Ba,
ba, be, bo, b... ♪
Oh, that's much
better. Thank you.
Glad you like it.
Mom, what time is it?
Uh, time, it's, uh,
oh, it's almost 8:00.
(singing scales)
I'm so nervous!
Now, honey, calm down.
I tell you what, take
three deep breaths.
Yeah.
(breathing deeply)
(fabric tears)
Oh, Mom!
Put on the black dress! Oh!
You comfortable,
Professor Lieberschmit?
Fine, fine. Good.
W-Would you like
a glass of water?
Uncle Joe, get the professor a
glass of water. No, thank you.
I can't tell you how
much I appreciate
your taking the time
to listen to Bobbie Jo.
It's no trouble at all.
Well, I just had to have
someone who knows
tell me whether she's
got it or she hasn't got it.
She's got it, all right.
Well, now, Uncle Joe,
the professor is the expert.
Let him decide.
Well, I ain't exactly an
amateur when it comes to music.
I've been maestroing the
volunteer fire department band
for over a year.
Uncle Joe, there
is no connection
between the fire
department band and music.
I'd be happy to
give you the benefit
of my meager
experience, Mrs. Bradley.
(laughs): Meager experience!
Oh, you're being modest!
How long have you
been selling piano rolls?
I'm ready, Mom. Good.
Now, Professor, do
you have any favorites?
Oh, yes! 275!
One of my best sellers.
Oh, good.
Uh, p-put on 275.
Billie Jo.
Bobbie Jo, you
stand over there, huh?
(chuckles)
(sighs, clears throat)
Oh! Uh, please. Oh!
I'm sorry.
Uh, now, Professor, uh,
we want you to tell us the truth
about whether
you like her or not.
Why shouldn't he like her?
He's getting his room
for nothing, ain't he?
(piano clanks) (sighs): There!
Okay, I'll pump.
I'll pump... I took more
music lessons than you did.
You turn the pages.
But we don't need sheet music.
Do you want Professor
Lieberschmit to think we're amateurs?
(creaking, clanking)
What's the matter?
Something's stuck.
Oh!
Oh... (barks)
(chuckles nervously)
The-the whole family's musical.
(chuckles)
Here's your bone, Beethoven.
Now?
Now.
(piano plays pleasant
intro, crunching nearby)
(crunching)
Mom, would you
get him out of here?
No eating during
the performance!
Go ahead, Bobbie Jo.
Should I re-roll?
No, just keep going.
(piano playing) ♪ Believe me ♪
♪ If all those ♪
♪ Endearing young charms ♪
♪ Which I gaze on ♪
♪ So fondly today ♪
♪ Were to change ♪
♪ By tomorrow ♪
♪ And fleet in my arms ♪
♪ Like fairy gifts ♪
♪ Fading away ♪
♪ Thou wouldst still be adored ♪
♪ At this moment thou art ♪
♪ Let thy loveliness ♪
♪ Fade as it will ♪
♪ And around the dear ruin ♪
♪ Each wish of my heart... ♪
♪ Would entwine itself ♪
♪ Verdantly still. ♪
(song ends)
(loud clacking)
Well, Professor,
what do you think?
(chuckles): Oh... there's no
doubt about it, Mrs. Bradley.
Bobbie Jo has a
tremendous talent.
(squealing, laughing)
However...
she is going to need
some professional
training... A good coach.
Well, there's Cora
Nielson over in Pixley.
She's the head vocal coach
for the Elks' Fife
and Drum Corps.
I was thinking more of
a New York voice coach.
Well, I don't think we got any
New York voice coaches in Pixley.
(laughs): No. I
mean in New York.
New York!
The Empire State Building!
The Statue of Liberty!
Hey! This means Broadway!
Oh, and a million
flashing lights,
off and on, off and on!
Your limousine, Miss Bradley!
Oh, no, no, not the green one.
I'm in a pinkish
mood this evening.
Miss Bradley's
pinkish limousine!
Poof! Miss Bradley's
pinkish limousine!
Miss Bradley, may I
have your autograph?
Say "cheese"! Oh,
no pictures, please.
My dears, I just
haven't the time.
KATE: Uh, Miss
Bradley? Oh, yes, my dear,
would you like
my autograph, too?
No. I was wondering
if you'd mind
making a personal appearance.
Certainly, darling.
Where? In the kitchen,
in front of a sink
full of dirty dishes.
Oh, Mom! Go ahead.
And take your fan club with you!
(chuckling)
I guess I shouldn't have
mentioned New York.
Oh, when they were younger,
you could've gotten
the same performance
by mentioning Pixley.
You're gonna let
her go, ain't you?
Well...
first, I got to figure
out a few little things,
like, uh, how much
the trip's gonna cost.
How about room and board?
Well, she ought to be
able to get a nice room
for a dollar a
night at the YMCA.
Price is right, but the
roommates are wrong.
(laughs): Oh... I mean the YWCA.
They're exactly the same thing,
except I hear they got
shower curtains at the YW.
Now, let's see, that'll
be seven dollars a week.
Uh, how long you figure it'll
take the coach to vocalize her?
Professor Lieberschmit
said two or three months.
Well, that'd be about $85
in round figures for a room.
I suppose you want her to eat?
Mm, I think it's a good idea.
You better figure about
75 cents for supper,
plus a nickel tip.
They expect that in New York.
Let's see, now, that's
five dollars a week,
so suppers come to $60.
And then she'll need
another five dollars a week
for breakfast and lunch. Yeah.
Uh, what else? Laundry.
Well, she can take her
laundry into the shower with her.
I suppose... as long
as they have curtains.
Well, let's see, we've got
down about everything here
except, uh, vocal lessons.
I think we ought to allow
a dollar each for them.
No, you better figure
a dollar and a quarter,
because we want the very best.
Now, how much does that come to?
Well, let's see, aught
and aught is aught,
and aught is aught.
Five and aught is five.
Comes to about $290.50.
Two hundred and ninety...?
I don't have that kind of money.
Well, Kate, if Bobbie
Jo was my daughter,
I'd sell the store
to raise the money.
I'd sell the hotel, but I don't
think I'd get that much for it.
Kate, well, there ought
to be some way to raise it.
There's one thing I've
been hanging on to,
and I kind of
hate to part with it.
Your engagement ring?!
Yes.
Kate, you can't sell your ring.
It's the only way that Bobbie
Jo's gonna get to New York.
But, Kate... Excuse me.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
KATE: Beautiful stone,
isn't it, Mr. Guerney?
Oh, yes, beautiful.
I've been saving
it for an emergency
when I needed a lot of cash.
A lot of cash? Oh,
yes, I'm gonna need
at last $300 to send
Bobbie Jo to New York.
Three hundred dollars?!
And-and I know how you like
collateral when you lend money,
and Bill always
said that diamonds
are the best collateral.
Oh, yes, diamonds are.
Well, if you're worried
about it being real, uh...
why don't you scratch
it on some glass?
Oh, no, no, I'm sure it's real.
Uh, $300, hm?
Mm-hmm. I don't want to
borrow the full value on it.
Well, uh, I don't know
too much about diamonds.
What do you think it's worth?
Well, Bill always hinted
that he paid Uncle Joe
around a thousand
dollars for it.
Uncle Joe?
(scratching)
Well, I'll be...
i-it is a diamond!
Uncle Joe got
Bill a special price,
through this friend of his
who was a diamond
cutter in Amsterdam.
They certainly know how
to cut diamonds in Holland.
This was Amsterdam, New York.
Oh. Well, uh, Mrs. Bradley,
the bank doesn't like to
lend money on jewelry.
I'm afraid we couldn't
give you what it's worth.
Oh, I'll settle for the $300.
But... Mr. Guerney,
I am a very good
customer of this bank.
Why, I don't think there's
anybody in this whole valley
that owes you more
money than I do.
I know.
I think my goodwill's
worth something.
$275 for goodwill,
$25 for the diamond.
I beg your pardon?
Oh, I was just thinking aloud
that your goodwill is worth
more than the diamond.
What?
I mean to us.
Then I can count on the loan?
Well, I'll have to speak
to my board of directors,
but I am sure I
can force them to...
I mean, convince them.
Oh, thank you, Mr. Guerney!
Here. No, no, you keep it.
Hi, Uncle Joe.
Oh, hi, Kate.
What did Guerney say about
that genuine diamond ring
Bill made me get for him?
He said he'd lend me $300 on it.
He did? Uh-huh.
And the way he acted,
I probably could've
borrowed much more.
I always told Bill he
made a real good buy.
You know, people
don't generally know
the value of them genuine
Amsterdam, New York diamonds.
Well, at the time, I
wasn't sure whether...
But I apologize for
what I was thinking.
Oh, Mom, you mean I'm
really going to New York?
Uh-huh. Oh, Mom!
Now, remember, you're
going there to study.
Oh, I will, I will. You're gonna
have to practice and work hard.
I promise I will, Mom! And
you're gonna have to do...
Oh, I promise, I
promise... Wait a minute
till you find out what
you're promising.
Now, I borrowed
$300 from the bank.
That means you're gonna
be on a very strict budget.
I don't care... I'll live
on bread and water.
I'll starve! You'll probably
wind up doing that.
But if you want a career,
you got to make sacrifices.
Oh, I know, Mom...
I promise I will.
BILLIE JO (calls): Mom?
I'm in Bobbie Jo's room.
Oh, wait'll I tell Billie Jo!
Mom, have I got news!
Have I got news!
Mom's sending me to New York!
Oh, how wonderful!
What's your news?
I'm going to
Hollywood! Hollywood?
Well, I didn't want
to say anything,
but a month ago,
the secretarial school
sent in a picture of me
to Mammoth Studios...
and they offered me a job!
Acting? Typing. With a
chance for a screen test.
What? Well, they had a contest
for beautiful secretaries, and
the ones that they selected
will get a chance to try out
for their new picture called...
The Perfect Secretary.
I know you'll get a part.
And just think, you'll
be a star in Hollywood,
and I'll be a star in New York!
And I'll be a nervous
wreck in Hooterville.
Oh, Mom, I can go, can't I?
They're gonna pay
all my expenses. Oh!
Except my fare. Oh.
Well, that won't be so much.
Well, whatever it is,
it's a small price to pay
to launch one on
the road to stardom.
Well, it would be if I
hadn't borrowed $300
to send Bobbie Jo to New York.
Well, Mom, now, that isn't fair.
If she can go to New
York, I can go to Hollywood.
BOBBIE JO: Well, I asked
first. Well, what's the difference?
Mom said I could go. But
she could change her mind.
No, she can't. Why not?
Because she can't! She might!
She won't!
Hold it, hold it!
The argument's over.
The dog's head's
gonna come loose.
Oh, Mom, you made all those
promises... Mom, it's not fair!
Time! Time, time.
Now, look...
maybe... and I
just said maybe...
I can work it out
for... both of you to go.
(gasps) Oh, Mom! Oh, Mom!
Oh, Mom!
275, 280, 290, 300.
And I wish Bobbie
Jo the best of luck.
Oh, thank you.
And I know you wish
Billie Jo the same, too.
Billie Jo?
She's going to Hollywood.
Hollywood?
I-I-I'm gonna need $200 more.
What?
She's gonna get a screen test.
Mrs. Bradley, you don't
know what trouble I had
convincing the board of
directors about that ring.
I can't possibly go back
to them for any more.
Well, do you think that's fair?
Letting Bobbie Jo
go and not Billie Jo?
Me? I...
Would you like me to send
them in and you tell them?
Oh, no, no, no.
Uh, would another hundred help?
I think the girls could
squeeze by on $200 apiece.
Fine.
Five, ten, 15...
Well, I did the best I could, but the
most I could borrow was another hundred.
Which makes $200 apiece, and I
don't think it's gonna be enough.
All we got to do is get there.
If you'd just wait another
year. Another year?
Mom, I'm gonna be an old lady!
(chuckles): Well, I
wouldn't worry about that.
Well, I do... you know how
old age creeps up on you.
Y-You talking to
Bobbie Jo or me?
Mom, we got to go.
Hi.
Hi. Hi. What's going on?
Well, she's going to New York,
and I'm going to Hollywood.
That's great! And I'm
going to New Hampshire!
That's wond...
you're going where?
Oh, Cromwell Hall... It's a
school in New Hampshire.
What are you talking about?
Well, you know how
everybody always laughs at me
'cause I play shortstop with the
Hooterville Hawks? Mm-hmm.
Well, it paid off.
My gym teacher got me
a scholarship in phys ed.
I get free tuition,
room, board, books.
Everything except
clothes and transportation.
Oh, I can go, can't I,
Mom? No, you can't.
I've got barely enough to
send Bobbie Jo and Billie Jo.
Well, if they can go, I can go.
Well, we can't all go.
Why not? Hold it, hold it.
You know, you girls should
be ashamed of yourselves.
It used to be that you were
one for all and all for one,
and now you're all for
yourselves. We're sorry, Mom.
It's just that it's so
important to all of us.
Well, I realize that.
But I also realize
that it's pretty foolish
to try and divide $400
between the three of you.
Or even two of you.
What the sensible
thing to do would be:
one of you should go.
Which one? Which one? Which one?
That's gonna take
a little thinking.
Billie Jo, Bobbie Jo, Betty Jo.
Which one?
It's a tough problem.
Billie wants to be an actress,
Bobbie wants to be a singer,
and Betty wants
to be a shortstop?
Oh, that wasn't
hard to figure out.
I got an actress and a singer.
'Course, logically speaking,
a girl has about as much chance
of becoming a Hollywood star
as winning the sweepstakes.
Bobbie Jo gets it.
Wait a second.
An education is...
much more
important than singing.
(chuckles): Eh,
Betty Jo's the choice.
On the other hand...
Billie Jo's a real beauty,
and there's no doubt
if she got a screen test
she might become a big star.
Well... guess it's Billie Jo.
Then again, that's not fair.
Bobbie Jo's got a lot of talent,
and Betty Jo might not get
a wonderful offer like that
from Cromwell Hall again.
You pick one.
It's no easier for me.
(exhales)
Billie Jo gets it.
I think I ought to
make it two out of three.
Mom, have you
made a decision yet?
Uh, not exactly. We have.
We decided Billie ought to go.
She's the oldest... this
may be her last chance.
Thanks. You see, we figured
if Billie goes to Hollywood
and gets the screen test,
she's got to be a big star.
So when she starts making
money, she can send it to Bobbie Jo.
Then Bobbie Jo can go to New
York and take singing lessons.
And when she gets a job singing,
she can send me the money to
go to school in New Hampshire.
It's the fairest way
we could figure it out.
It's not the fairest way,
'cause you all deserve to go.
But if you decided
it's gonna be Billie Jo...
Ah. That does it.
Hm. Want to lick the bowl?
She was talking to me! (yapping)
Uncle Joe...
you can have it
when he's through.
Uh, what time's
everybody getting here
for Billie Jo's surprise party?
About 7:00. Uh-huh.
Good evening, Mother.
Billie Jo, you're not
supposed to come in here!
Come in where?
You feel all right?
Oh, I feel the best I've
ever felt in my whole life!
Billie Jo?
Billie Jo?
Mom, I finally met him.
Who's him? Neal Greeley.
Ooh, Neal Greeley.
Isn't that a dreamy name?
He's tall and handsome
and he's got wavy
hair and blue eyes.
No, Mom, I'm in love. Oh.
Oh, I know I've said
that to you before,
but... this is the real thing.
You said that before. No,
Mom, this is the real, real thing.
Oh, well, it's a shame you met him
just when you're going to Hollywood.
Hollywood? Who wants
to go to Hollywood?
I thought you did.
Well, that was yesterday...
before I met Nealy.
Mom, let Bobbie
Jo go to New York.
If you're sure that's
what you want.
You're not gonna change
your mind again in two weeks?
Mom, you don't understand...
This is the real thing,
this is forever.
Three weeks?
Never.
Okay.
Uncle Joe... I-I...
Scratch Billie Jo. What?
She's changed her mind...
She's not going to Hollywood.
She's in love, and this
time it's the real thing.
Who's the
three-weeker this time?
Neal Greeley.
Well, uh, what about
the party and the cake?
We'll take Billie's name
off and put Bobbie's on.
BOBBIE JO: Mom? Where are you?
In the kitchen,
but don't come in.
Well, how's the
surprise party coming?
Well, it's gonna be more
of a surprise than I thought.
You see, Billie Jo
changed her mind.
She met something
called, um, Neal Greeley.
Oh. Well, I guess the party's
gonna be for Betty Jo, then, huh?
No. It's gonna be for you...
You're going to New York.
Well, no, I'm not.
You're not? No. I've been
talking to Mrs. Nielson,
and she said that a good
New York voice coach
costs about $15 a lesson.
Well, I'd last about two
lessons in two weeks.
Yes, but, Bobbie Jo, I
borrowed the money so...
No, Mom, let Betty
Jo go to Cromwell Hall.
That's your decision? It is.
Mom, what time
is the party? I...
What's that?
You're going to New Hampshire.
Oh, no, I'm not. What's
the matter with you?
I thought you wanted
to go to Cromwell Hall.
I did... till I found out.
It's a girls' school!
I can't play
baseball with girls!
What are you gonna do now?
You going anywhere?
No.
Neither am I.
Well, for the time being,
let's just make it:
"To Whom It May Concern."
♪ Petticoat Junction. ♪
This has been a
Filmways Presentation.