On November the th
Abby and I are
getting married.
Dad, that's three weeks away!
Don't you think we ought to find
out what they really want?
I don't think they know
what they really want.
Black caviar here.
And then in the center
an ice statue of
the bride and groom...nude.
No, mom's not coming back.
Yes, she is.
She's a good mother.
Good mothers don't leave
their kids for ever and ever.
Did you have a fight?
We just wanted this
very simple wedding
and, uh, the kids planned
this very elaborate one.
Do you love Tom?
Yeah.
It's the first ingredient
of a good marriage
and the rest is
just hardwork.
Oh, mom, I really
want it to work but..
...I just don't know
what to do, you know.
Well, the only advice
I can give you is
make up the quarrel
before you get married.
[laughing]
I thought it was, um..
make up the quarrels
before you go to bed.
- That too.
- Ah, mom.
[theme music]
[music continues]
[sawing]
Do they still get a present
if they elope?
Yeah, I guess so, as long as
they're still getting married.
You know what your thing is yet?
Well..
...not exactly.
[horn blaring]
Oh, okay, here comes Abby.
Now you keep quiet and
let me do the talking, okay?
Okay.
Abby, we'd like
to talk to you.
- You're gonna elope!
- Nicholas!
(Tommy)
'Um...could you come
into the house?'
Look, I, I just came back
to, uh, return Tom's car and..
Could you just come into
the house for a minute, please?
W-well..
Nicholas, go get dad.
So, we've decided to keep
our hands off.
It's your wedding,
and if you wanna elope
then you elope.
Of course, we'd
like a wedding.
But we'll just
give it up.
The important thing is
we don't wanna
see you apart
just because of us.
Alright.
Well, if that's the way
you feel about it, um..
why don't you get
out of here
so we can talk about it?
- Okay.
- Alright.
- Oh, yeah.
- Great.
- Come on.
- This is nice.
How are your folks?
They're fine.
What did you say to them?
Not much.
- I cried a lot.
- Oh, shucks.
How's Elizabeth?
Oh, she won't even
talk to me.
David says I should
give her time to adjust
to...to things.
Things?
You mean me, don't you?
No, no, no. I mean, I think
that she would have reacted
this way to whoever was
gonna replace her mother.
Oh, Tom, if one of your
kids runs away because
you're getting remarried,
well, then--
Abby, I can't change my life
because of Elizabeth.
I love her very much, but there
are nine other people involved.
If I had just gone
and got married
and didn't make such
a big deal out of this
she probably would
have accepted it.
- You think so?
- Yes, I do.
Look, what do you
say we elope?
- Elope?
- Yes!
We can get to Reno
in two hours
and be back in
a couple of hours.
Then the whole thing will
be done and over with.
- What do you say?
- Well, that's just it.
It's so, it's so done
and over with.
Well, you better tell me
what you're thinking
before we have
another battle.
I was just thinking
that the kids
are awfully disappointed.
But they said it
would be alright.
T-they just said that,
because they were afraid
we wouldn't get
married otherwise.
Tom, this wedding..
Oh, I mean, if there
really is a wedding.
Look, it's, it's
really for them.
I mean, we've been
married before
and besides I think
it'd be so nice for the kids
to be at their father's
wedding, and, uh..
And, well, maybe
it'll help them accept me
a little more, too,
you know?
When you married Frank,
was it a formal wedding?
It was a justice of the peace.
Mm-hmm.
You want a formal wedding,
don't you?
I want you more.
Why not have both?
Could we?
- But no caterer!
- No affair by Keith!
Just a simple affair.
Small and dignified.
Right.
I love you.
Mm..
We're gonna have
the reception at home.
Yes, I know it's only six days
before the wedding, but..
No, I, I, I don't think
the Country Club does nicer.
Bigger maybe, but not nicer.
Thank you.
Boy, remind me never to have
my wedding reception there.
Who's next?
Keith.
You started the affair
with Keith..
...you finish it.
[sighs]
Okay!
[instrumental music]
You see, I, I was
taught in the, uh..
...seminary to say
something like, uh..
"Now, you two young people..
Do you know what
you're getting into?"
But, uh, in this situation
it just doesn't, uh..
...doesn't seem to fit.
Something. Help me.
Uh-huh. Well, uh..
Perhaps you could
just say, uh..
"As you approach
your middle years--"
"Middle years?"
Hey, "Middle years."
I like that. Let me just
make a note of that, okay.
Oh, early middle years.
Now what?
Um..
Oh, let's see, um, perhaps
you might say that, uh..
Well, we've both
known love before.
You've both known..
You've both known love before.
Very good love.
Good love.
And, um..
...to base this love on that..
On that? Okay.
And to remember that love..
...but to build
our own together.
Together?
Our own together.
And to honor each other.
And to respect each other.
Respect..
And in that love..
...to allow each other
to grow independently.
Independently.
Wait, just a second, let me..
Let me get all
of this, okay.
Yeah, no, uh, right.
Okay, wonderful, I think it's
going to be a lovely wedding.
Well, maybe we should just write
our own wedding ceremony.
Oh? I thought we just did.
Well, I just hope
your Reverend Lowell
is a little less shaky
then young Reverend Corbett.
Oh, no, Reverend Lowell
is an old pro.
How old?
Well, the Gubernatorial
Inauguration of
he swore in
Goodwin Knight.
Oh, that was before my time.
Huh? Oh, yeah,
sure it was.
Well, you can't blame
a lady for trying.
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[laughing]
(Tommy)
'What's the matter, dad,
did you throw your back out?'
[music continues]
- Did you get a tux?
- Uh, yes.
The same one
that I used to rent
for five dollars more
than I used to pay.
Come on, we have to pick
up your folks.
Oh, j-just let me get this
salad together first--
Why? Isn't anybody
helping you?
Well, Tommy and Nicholas
are, uh..
...are cleaning up
the living room
and I don't know
where anybody else is.
Uh, would you get me
two more tomatoes?
Yeah.
Well, they'll be
your grandparents
in a way, Nicholas.
But actually, they'll
be your stepgrandparents.
What does that mean?
It means don't expect
a whole lot at Christmas.
Okay, boys,
you're in charge.
What?
Look, nobody else is home.
We have to go and pick up
the Mitchells.
So you finish up,
the two of you.
- Uh, finish what?
- Oh, it's easy.
You just, uh, turn off
the oven at :
put the soup on
to simmer at :
'and turn off the burner under
the casserole at o'clock.'
And finish up in here.
Oh, and, uh, set
the dining room table.
Oh, and listen, Nicholas,
if you have time
pick some flowers
for the centerpiece.
What's that?
The decorations for
the middle of the table.
We have to do all of that?
Well, if anybody else
comes home, grab 'em.
[vacuum cleaner whirring]
Hey, Nicholas, you got any idea
what time we're supposed
to do all that junk
in the kitchen?
Nope.
Let's see..
Put a fire under
the casserole at :..
Hey, where you going?
To pick some flowers
for the thing
in the middle of
the table.
Maybe it was...put a fire
under the soup at :.
Hm.
Oh, well.
The point is, they are
getting married
and you're not
gonna stop them.
I'm not trying to stop them.
I just don't wanna
have any part of it.
Sooner or later you're
gonna have to move back in
and live with Abby.
Why? I'm happy here.
Well..
...that makes one of us.
I moved away from the house,
because I wanted to live alone.
Okay.
Then I'll find
someplace else to live.
Fine.
Just be sure to lock the door
on your way out.
If you decide to hang around,
don't wait up for me.
[instrumental music]
[door opens and shuts]
[indistinct yelling in TV]
[music over radio]
[music over record player]
Are you here already?
This is our youngest, Nicholas.
(Abby)
'Nicholas, I want you to meet
my mother and father'
'Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell,
and this is my great aunt.'
She'd be your great,
great aunt, my, my Aunt Fealty.
I thought all great, great
aunts were dead.
And I thought little boys
were supposed to mind
their manners.
Ah..
(Louis)
Okay. Ah, ha ha!
- Well, thank you, Mr. Louis.
- My pleasure, girls.
(Joannie)
See ya.
[chuckles]
Ah, well, we were gonna
be late for dinner
so Mr. Louis brought us by.
- 'Wasn't that nice of him?'
- Yeah.
Come on, Split, let's
get out of our deserts
and dress for dinner.
Okay, Mode.
[bubbling]
(Tom)
'Just come on in and, ah..'
'Yes, we like it,
it's, so many of us.'
We really need
something like this.
Well, just come on in and relax
and I've arranged for a guy
to take us all through
the capital.
You just name the time whenever
it's, ah, convenient for you.
Oh, well, now that won't
be necessary, Bradford.
We've already made
arrangements to do that.
Ah, Governor Brown,
ah, Pat not Jerry
has asked his son
to be our guide.
Oh, Jerry is, uh, sorry,
you mean the governor
is going to, uh..
Well, his father is
a very old friend of mine.
'How has Jerry been?'
Oh, he seems just..
Oh, I don't even know him
or either one of them,
for that matter.
It's no great loss.
We haven't had a decent
governor since Goodie Knight.
Ah, well, now,
Goodie Knight. Heh heh.
"Goodie."
Well, I'm a fourth
generation Californian.
And I'm fifth.
Heh, that makes me
sixth, I guess.
[chuckling]
Oh, here we are, not ashamed
to admit that we are
home-grown Californians.
And very proud to be.
- That's wonderful.
- Good evening!
Look, who's here. This is
David, my eldest son.
And t-t-his is, uh, Harry
and Katherine Mitchell.
- Hello.
- And this is, uh, Aunt Fealty.
How do you do?
Oh, look, what David
has gone and done.
He went and got some wine.
Ain't that nice?
Right, a French Burgundy.
I figured tonight
was too special
for home-grown Californian.
[boiling]
When are we supposed
to turn this stuff off?
Aah!
Oh! Oh, no!
Whoa! What's happening?
Oh, the..
Uh!
Nicholas, Nicholas..
Go get Abby, okay?
Tommy, help me
with the roast.
What's left of
the roast. Ooh..
[alarm beeping]
Aah! Fire!
- Mary!
- There's no fire.
The roast set off the alarm.
Oh, the roast!
Does anyone want a taco?
It's very California.
[instrumental music]
- Aah!
- Oh, Elizabeth.
Uh, no, guess again.
Uh, listen, Nancy, uh..
you can steal these back
after the shower, okay?
Thanks. I thought
you were Elizabeth.
I thought maybe she'd
come back or something.
Nah, no chance.
You know, I called her,
you know
to remind her
about the shower.
She hung up as soon as
she recognized my voice.
Same here.
- Joannie, what are we gonna do?
- Nothing.
- Yeah, but, Joannie--
- Just forget it.
(Joannie)
'I mean, she has a..'
'...hang up about this'
'and I think only dad can
straighten it out.'
(Nancy)
Yeah, you're probably right.
But he's been so busy lately.
You know, if mom were here,
she'd know how to handle this.
If mom were here, there'd
be nothing to handle.
Yeah.
[sighs]
Hey, Joannie, can I borrow--
Just let me get dressed
first, okay?
And then after that, anything
in my closet is up for grabs.
[instrumental music]
[knock on door]
[music continues]
Hi.
David's not here.
I came to see you.
Well, you've seen me,
now, I've gotta finish up
some things, okay?
Wait, please.
You know how much
you helped me out
with my Halloween
costume, right?
- So?
- So I figured I'd owe you one.
Here, its my old panda.
His ears are about to fall off,
but still works pretty good.
[instrumental music]
'Now I gotta go.'
See you later.
[music continues]
[doorbell rings]
Oh, she's here.
She's here, you guys!
Hey, you guys, she's here!
She came here with
Dr. Maxell and Daisy!
[giggling]
It's time!
(in unison)
Ta-da!
- You ready for this?
- Yeah, come on, let's go.
Oh, this is like Christmas!
I don't believe this!
Oh, dad, you were
supposed to finish.
I know, but I'm having
trouble with this stork?
What is this stork stuff, huh?
- Hi.
- Doesn't Abby look pretty, dad?
- Yeah.
- Will you look at this room.
(Daisy)
'It's gonna be yours.'
- Look at the cake, yeah.
- The cake, the cake.
- Behind you.
- Oh, the cake, the cake.
Oh, look at this..
[chuckling]
Um, there's this little
baby on the cake.
What is this baby?
[all laughing]
Girls, this is, uh, uh..
I, I don't know what
but, uh..
Well, I love it.
Well, we figured since
you were getting
eight babies at once,
a baby shower
would be the most
appropriate.
But don't worry,
they told everyone
to bring wedding
type presents.
- Oh!
- Happy shower.
Oh...happy stag party.
Which we better be
getting to.
- Have a good time.
- You take care of him?
- Okay.
- Bye, dad.
- Don't be bad.
- Live it up, father.
[indistinct chatter]
Maybe we should just
go to some little bar.
What, and miss our
stag party?
Whose stag party?
Our stag party.
I thought it up.
Well, you're the one
that's not going.
You can go to the shower.
But I've taken a shower,
I wanna go to the stag party.
When you're over .
But I thought this whole thing
up, I mean, I made the plans
I, I finalized the plans
I, I booked all of the..
...entertainment.
And I wanna thank you
for that, Tommy.
But you see stag parties are
not good for a boy your age.
They, uh...they do things
to the adrenaline.
I'll take some pictures.
And I thought it was
my stag party.
[instrumental music]
This a great party, Greg.
When Tommy and I throw a
party, we through a party!
- Far.
- Far out.
Uh, who's that with David?
He insisted on coming.
Well, now this reminds me of
the Republican Convention
in .
- Or was it '?
- Oh, Goodie.
- Aah!
- Ah!
[indistinct chatter]
She wants a greyhound.
- What?
- I don't know.
Excuse me.
Mary, what's a greyhound?
How should I know?
That is grapefruit juice
and vodka.
Hey, how do you know
those things, huh?
Oh, I picked it up
in the book.
I thought it may come in
handy for my stag party.
Oh..
Well, it'll come in handy here.
So get going and hurry up, huh?
Is anyone around here who know
how to make a vodka giblet?
That's gimlet, and yes,
I've got it.
I think I've poured too much
of this stuff, huh?
Well, somebody's bound
to one champagne I hope.
Nicholas, what are you doing?
Aunt Fealty wanted
a screwdriver.
One screwdriver
coming right up.
[piano music]
You don't wanna miss this!
[indistinct chatter]
[music continues]
[all cheering]
Ta-da!
Tom, from all of us..
...to you!
[all cheering]
It was the ' convention.
[all laughing]
And that's from
Annie V, alright.
That is terrible.
"This is the Fertility God
of an ancient African tribe."
"Use him in good health."
[all cheering]
W-where are we gonna put it?
The closet. Ha-ha!
♪ The girl that Tom marries
will have to be ♪
♪ Able to cope
with bureaucracy ♪
♪ The girl he calls his own ♪
♪ Will wear aprons wash dishes
and gab on the phone ♪
- Aren't they cute?
- Adorable.
Abby, Abby, there's a
long distance call for you.
- Who is it?
- I don't know, it's a lady.
Oh.
- Here it is.
- Oh, thanks.
Now, try it out,
I made it myself.
Hello.
Dottie! Dottie, hi.
Oh, what, d-d-didn't
you get my letter?
Oh, y-you didn't.
Oh, what are you doing
in London, huh?
Oh, what that's, that's great!
Well, see I-I'm getting married,
too, day after tomorrow
and I, I was hoping
that you could, uh..
No, I, I, uh..
I, I guess I can't be your
maid of honor either, huh?
Yeah, well, great minds
and all that, yeah.
Um..
...listen the, the best, okay.
I'll miss you.
I love you.
Buh-bye.
[sighs]
Oh, Mary, Mary, come here.
Um..
[piano music]
She was the prettiest
thing you'll ever see.
And now, I have to give her
to another man.
I sure hope you're going to be
real good to my little girl.
[all cheering]
Oh, is it Tommykin's turn?
Uh, no, no.
It's Davidkin's turn.
- Hey, baby.
- Max.
Max, could I speak to you
for a moment?
- Yeah, is it serious?
- Very serious.
Talk to me later.
[music continues]
[knock on door]
(man on TV)
'And the TV watcher, few
messages something coming..'
[knock on door]
'Economy is suffering from a
failure of business confidence.'
'Second, business..'
[knock on door]
'...directly into
the administration.'
'Almost everybody agrees
that the United States'
'cannot achieve its economic
goals with radical reduction'
'in unemployment,
controlling inflation'
'and greater
prosperity generally.'
'Unless the economy grows
at a healthy pace.'
Hi.
'...threatened by a shortfall
in capital investment..'
Could I talk to you?
'This shortfall is caused'
'in considerable part
by nail biting.'
Do you mind if I
just turn this off?
I was watching something.
I think this might be
a little more important.
Well, maybe it is to you.
But, ah, not to me.
Elizabeth..
I need your help.
See my friend, Dottie Gordon,
was going to be
my maid of honor,
but she can't.
In fact she's getting married
the day after I am.
Seems to be an epidemic.
I came over here
to ask you if, um..
...if you'd stand up for me?
Me?
Why me?
Um...because, um..
...I'll never really be
a part of this family
until you've accepted me.
You can't be my mother.
I don't wanna be.
I'd like to be, um..
...I was going to say, um..
...your sister, but..
...you have enough
of those, huh?
Maybe, um..
Maybe you could
just think of me
as a special friend.
'You know, someone
to, to lean on'
and, um...to listen to you.
See, I'm, I'm an awfully
good listener.
I don't need a listener.
You don't?
Well, I do. Sometimes.
Like, um...right now.
Why?
Well..
Awful lot is happening
to me, you know.
I mean, all at once.
Pretty soon, um..
...I'm gonna be a
married lady again
and, ah...I'm scared.
So am I.
I'll have eight kids
all at once.
Well, I'll have a new, ah..
...special friend.
I really need you.
I guess I..
...I need you, too.
Will you, um, come back
with me to the shower?
I didn't get you anything.
Elizabeth, all I
want from you..
...is you.
[piano music]
It just makes sense
to do something.
Sure, it does.
Look at old Phil.
Ha ha ha!
I mean, eight kids is enough,
don't you think, Max?
Absolutely,
as a matter of fact
you should've come to see me
a couple of kids ago. Heh.
Look at your new
father-in-law.
Pasadena must be
a wild town.
Oh, no, no, no,
I'm not afraid
of the kids that
I already have.
'I'm asking about the kids
that I'm going to have.'
No, no, I mean, I mean, that
I'm asking about the kids
that I don't want to have.
I mean, there must be some
really fail-safe way,
you know.
There is a fail-safe way.
But it takes the fun out
of being married.
Max, I need your help.
Max!
Tom, the only way to go
is a vasectomy.
I was afraid you'll say that.
There's nothin' to it.
'I've done half the guys
in this room.'
[indistinct chatter]
[music continues]
[indistinct murmuring]
May I have your
attention, please.
Um, it's time for
my gift to you.
Ta-da!
[all cheering]
[all laughing]
[crickets chirping]
- Oh, Mary..
- Um!
It's alright.
I'll get you some more.
[doorbell rings]
- I'll get it.
- Okay.
(Katherine)
'Now, who is it?'
They forgot the guest of honor.
[gasps]
- He is very drunk.
- Yeah.
'Oh, boy.'
Boy, it must have been
some party.
We got some pictures.
[all laughing]
[indistinct chatter]
Oh, he's so cute.
'I hate to ask you'
but they forgot to pay me.
- How much?
- Oh.
Fifty.
- Fifty?
- Ah, j-just a second.
- Can you guys help me out here?
- Yeah, sure.
Is, is that enough? Hm?
- Yeah.
- That's fine.
- Thanks.
- Oh, sure.
- You're the bride, aren't you?
- Yes.
I just want you to know
he's a perfect gentleman.
- You're a very lucky lady.
- Thank you.
- 'Goodnight.'
- Goodnight.
[chuckles]
[instrumental music]
- Hey, Abby!
- Hey.
- Hey, how was the shower?
- Oh, it was lovely.
- How was the stag party?
- Oh! I got so drunk.
Oh, so I noticed.
- But when I get sober..
- What?
I'm gonna have a vasectomy.
It's my wedding present to you.
B-but I don't want it.
We're gonna have
our little babies?
Well, not know, but, but
what if I do someday, huh?
Oh, what if? That's
a good question.
Hey, you won't, um, you won't
be upset if you don't have it?
Oh, no. I'll do anything
you wanna do.
- Oh, Abby.
- What?
Do you love me?
- Very much.
- Good.
'Cause I think
I'm gonna be sick.
[instrumental music]
- Okay, you can open 'em now.
- Well..
I couldn't wrap it so good,
you'll get the idea.
- Go ahead, open it.
- Yeah?
Well..
This is exciting.
[music continues]
I give up.
It's...your wedding gift.
You mean, you don't
know what it is?
Swizzle sticks?
No, chopsticks!
Oh, of course.
Yes, chopsticks.
Oh, that's nice.
It's just what I needed.
Well, you see, it started
out as a table
and then it was chair
and then it turned
into bookends
and the wood just kept getting
smaller and smaller
until that was all I had left.
Oh, this is nice.
Abby and I can...share them.
Oh, no, no, no, I'm gonna
go get another load of wood
and make you another pair.
Well, listen, don't worry,
it's the thought that counts.
This is nice, Tommy.
- I like it.
- Right.
After all, what do you get
the man who has...nothing?
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
Oh.
Why can't you sleep?
- You're gettin' married.
- No, that's my reason.
How are you?
I'm just trying to remember
if I was this nervous
before my first wedding.
Got this tick in my eye.
Guess getting married
to somebody you love
always makes you nervous.
I do love Abby.
And of course,
I'll always love Joan.
I'm just trying to figure
if that makes sense.
(Mary)
Of course it does.
You and mom had
years together.
You don't just forget that.
I know.
Part of me feels like
I'm betraying her.
Like I'm hurting Joan
in some way.
How can something so right
hurt anybody?
It is right.
I just wish it was over.
Yeah.
[instrumental music]
(Tom)
'It's my wedding!'
(Joannie)
'I know, but that doesn't'
'change the rules, dad.'
'Now, just wait in line.'
Why don't you wait in line
for your own bathroom?
- Yeah!
- Nancy is in my bathroom.
- 'Oh.'
- Oh!
What's taking Elizabeth
so long anyway?
Yeah, she's been in
there ten minutes.
Let me handle this.
Elizabeth.
I just got into this wedding,
I've got to catch up.
Well, catch up
on your own time.
Daddy, this is a special
occasion for me too.
I wanna look especially
beautiful for you.
Oh, you are beautiful,
Elizabeth.
Oh, daddy, you just
ruined my make-up!
Now, I've gotta
start all over.
Boy, you really handled
that one, dad.
Listen, every time
I talk to that girl
even when we agree,
she winds up
closing the door
on my face.
No!
(Nicholas)
'Dad, telephone.'
Oh, ah, save my place.
Uh-aah! No saving.
Okay, thanks.
Hello.
Oh, w-well, where
are you going?
Oh, no, no, no, not you.
It's somebody else.
'You've got your pajamas on.
Where are you going?'
Across the street. They said
I can use the bathroom.
Oh.
Hello.
Uncle Henry! Where are you?
At the Sacramento airport.
Oh, no, what?
Dad, they're bringing
the tables and chairs in.
Oh, yeah, um..
Oh, gosh, that's wonderful,
Uncle Henry.
J-just, just sit tight.
Don't make a move without me.
'Right, you can't. I'll be,
I'll be right there.'
Oh, listen, David, can you pick
up Uncle Henry at the airport?
I thought you didn't
invite Uncle Henry.
So did I,
but I don't know, can you?
No, I can't. I've gotta pick up
the cake after I finish this.
Oh, hi. Listen, can you
pick up Uncle Henry?
Ah, no, dad. I won't even
get in the bathroom
for another half an hour.
- Uncle Henry?
- Uncle Henry.
[snickers]
[tapping]
[gasps]
What're you doing?
[tapping]
What you doing
with my doors?
No, you can't have doors
between rooms at a reception.
Interrupts the flow.
But I just..
Well, be careful
with those now.
- W-where does this go?
- Oh! Uh..
The Sequoia National Forest.
Don't waste my time, man,
I got too much to do.
There's...looks like a good
place. Right there.
Sorry.
[phone ringing]
Uh, is this where
Thomas Bradford lives?
Oh, I'm Tom Bradford.
Hello.
I'm Tom Bradford, too.
♪ Happy wedding to you ♪
♪ Happy wedding to you ♪
♪ Happy wedding Tom and Abby ♪
♪ Happy wedding to you ♪♪
Best wishes, James
and Lila Harrison.
Oh, that was beautiful.
- Oh, you liked it?
- I loved it.
Thanks.
That was Dr. Max.
'He's trying to deliver a baby
before the wedding.'
Gee, I'm sorry. I don't think
I have anything on me.
Oh, no. That's okay, dad.
I'll take care of it.
Well, ah, what time
do you get off work?
[instrumental music]
Mary?
Tommy?
Tommy?
Where is everybody? Mary?
[music continues]
[music continues]
Nobody told me a thing. I didn't
know they were all going.
Mary had to go pick up Abby,
and all those other people..
[phone rings]
And Tommy had to go pick up
that other mister.
'And David had to pick up
the cake and stuff.'
Hello, hello, hello.
Ooh, Uncle Henry.
Ah, oh, gosh. I forgot that..
Well, listen, why, why..
Hello. No, why don't you just..
Take a cab!
Oh, no. Don't tell me I have
to drive Abby's car!
Just a second, dad.
[engine cranking]
[engine revving]
[indistinct chatter]
- 'We're late.'
- 'Come on, dad.'
Come on, you guys.
[organ music]
(Susan)
Quick! Get out your flower.
- Where have you been?
- Oh, I was...never mind.
Dad, dad. Which minister is
supposed to speak first?
Well, how should I know.
(Tommy)
'Well, they are fighting
over it.'
Well, then, t-tell them
to toss a coin.
How do I look? Alright?
Ah, nervous.
Yeah, I should look
nervous 'cause I am.
Ah, come on, you guys, they're
gettin' ready to start.
Alright.
I-is everyone out here ready?
Uh, Nicholas,
do you have the ring?
[all cheering]
Oh, thank goodness.
Mr. Bradford, look, we gotta get
down front now, come on, okay?
- Okay, you like it?
- Okay, okay, you look fine.
- Goodbye.
- Okay, you come with us.
- Come on.
- Let's go.
- See ya.
- Hey, you guys.
- What?
- Come on.
Thanks.
Dad, there is nothing
to be nervous about.
Remember, you've done
this before.
Well, some things don't
get easier with practice.
Well, just remember
you're among friends.
["Wedding March" on organ]
Dearly beloved,
we are gathered here
for the most wonderful
and yet demanding
of institutions.
'The act of matrimony.'
'Both these people
have known love before'
and yet it is this past love
on which they're going
to base their future love
to work and grow together.
'They both know honor
and respect'
'yet can remain independent'
'and still act as one'
'when faced with
the trials of life'
'and the demands of family.'
(Reverend Lowell)
'Tom, Sandra Sue "Abby."'
You both bring
to this marriage
a maturity that will
be your greatest tool.
This combined with endless
patience and compassion
will seal your destinies,
and that of your children.
'In times of stress,
try to recall what first'
'brought you two together.'
And let that memory
be the touchstone of
your decisions.
God bless you, Tom.
'God bless you, Abby.'
May I have the rings, please?
Tom, Abby.
With this ring,
I thee wed.
With this ring,
I thee wed.
I now pronounce you
husband and wife.
[organ music]
[music continues]
[theme music]
02x09 - Children of the Groom, Part II
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The show was modeled on the life of syndicated newspaper columnist Tom Braden, a real-life parent with eight children, who wrote a book by the same title.
The show was modeled on the life of syndicated newspaper columnist Tom Braden, a real-life parent with eight children, who wrote a book by the same title.