Aren't those ours?
Hello, Santa Claus.
Hello yourself,
laddy boy.
My name is Nicholas,
just like yours.
Ain't that nice?
- Hey, Mary.
- What?
I don't think Susan's home.
Her bed hasn't been slept in.
- All night, she's not home?
- I don't know.
- Come on.
- What? What?
Didn't you go together
in Alan's car?
Yes, we did.
Didn't they come
back with you?
- They went to midnight mass.
- Midnight mass?
That's what I thought
when she told me
but anybody
who goes to midnight mass
can't be all that bad.
He can be, if he's
going there to confess.
I'll just call her friends.
Maybe they decided to..
I don't know.
I think we should
staff the phone.
'If they wanted to call,
they'd have called us.'
(Mary)
'We've gotta do something.
Call the police?'
(Tom)
'Let's call the police.
We've gotta find her.'
I knew it!
I just knew it.
- What's the matter, Nicholas?
- It's my fault.
- You saw her?
- No, I saw him.
- Harold?
- No. Santa Claus.
That's why I took
all our stuff back.
Come on, I'll show you.
Oh my gosh.
[indistinct clamoring]
What's going on?
Santa Claus stole our presents,
and Susan's been kidnapped.
I think whoever took those...
[indistinct clamoring]
[theme music]
[music continues]
I've got it. Maybe if we
put on some holiday music?
No holiday music.
I mean, why didn't he
at least rip off the elms
along with everything else?
Why'd you let Susan
go out with Harold?
I mean, he's
a total stranger.
Harold's not a stranger.
He's Alan's cousin.
And they were not alone,
they were with us.
At first.
Did we call Alan?
Three times.
Is anyone gonna
eat these?
Uh-uh.
Is there any waffles left?
Here. I didn't touch mine.
I don't believe it.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Susan's here!
Susan! Oh, where had you been?
We were so worried about you.
- Watch it, watch it.
- Oh.
Susan, you've been driving
everybody crazy around here.
We just went up
to the snow.
Yeah. See, I brought
some home for ya.
Yeah.
We better tell dad,
you know.
Do you think he's going to be
disappointed that it's melted?
Harold!
Sure you don't want those?
No.
Hey, aren't you
worried or upset?
About what?
About Susan.
What's going on around here?
Well, the insurance
will pay off all the stuff
and Susan's either living it up
or sleeping it off.
So, why sweat it?
Because your sister is missing.
And because it's Christmas,
and because your brother
is upstairs,
feeling responsible.
- Are you finished?
- No, I'm not finished!
Uh, hey, what's the station
wagon doing on Folsom Street?
- Folsom Street?
- Yeah, at the end of town.
Yeah, we came down out of
the mountains, and there it was.
Oh, come on!
Well, now, wait a minute.
My family is expecting me.
Harold, we're going..
Get in!
Open up this door
back here.
Oh, Elizabeth, you stay home
and tell dad, okay?
No, I want to go!
Christmas is a renewal
of humanity.
The time we spent
thinking about Christmas
the time we spent
planning it.
And, yes, planning
the presents too.
It's all a way of reaffirming
our love for each other.
We honor the man who taught us
to love each other
by loving each other,
and the presents be damned.
(Elizabeth)
'We found the presents!'
- What? Where?
- We found the presents.
- Where?
- Inside the car.
Susan is back.
Thank god.
No, she left
with Joannie and Harold.
- Who's Harold?
- Her date.
Oh, yeah, midnight mass Harold.
- Where'd they go?
- To catch the thief.
What?
- What if they find him!
- Oh, my gosh.
Okay, exactly
where on Folsom?
The last lot before it starts
curving up the mountains.
Listen, Nicholas, you better
stay here with Abby.
But I'm the only one
that knows what he looks like.
That's right. Alright, Abby,
make sure you call the police.
- What'll I say to them?
- Think of something.
- I'll stay and help her.
- And keep her off the lawn.
Please be careful.
Come back safely, okay?
- Bye.
- Bye.
Look, I am not chicken.
I am just tired.
And not calling the police
is ridiculous.
[together]
Chicken.
Ohh.
I should have
trusted my instincts.
Never trust
a handsome man.
I didn't think
he was so handsome.
Sure he was.
You didn't see him. I did.
No, Nicholas, we're
talking about Harold.
Well, forget it.
I'll explain it later.
At the moment,
would you just hold tight
and pray for a red light?
- This is Folsom.
- I know.
'Lots of cars.'
There's a big yard
in front--
But there's
lots of yards.
Well, I know
it's right near here.
- 'Is this the right street?'
- 'Yes, it's the right street.
A big yard in front.
There it is. There it is.
Right there.
- See that big yard?
- I told you it was here.
- Let's go.
- Wait. What about the police?
All they have to do
is take notes.
I really think we should
send somebody for the police.
And you're
volunteering to go, hmm?
Well, if you insist.
Look, I-I'm not
a chicken, it's just..
Come on, let's go.
Harold, we're not going alone.
Now, get out.
Come on, Harold.
[car honking]
Hey! The cavalry!
Hey, Nicky, this might be
dangerous, you know.
Come on.
Uh, dad, I can
explain everything.
Yeah, we'll discuss
you later.
Right now, we have some
business to attend to.
'Sir, how we're
gonna handle this?'
Who's gonna go
in there first?
Why don't you just
call the police, Harold?
- That's a good idea.
- We already called them.
(Harold)
'Oh, uh, well, then..'
Oh, uh, in that case, I'll just
stay out here and stand guard.
That's a good idea, Harold.
- Stay right where you are!
- Yeah!
Well, now I wasn't
expecting company, I..
I'll just go
put the kettle on.
No, you won't.
What a nice surprise.
The trimmin' does seem
a little skimpy, don't it?
♪ It came up on
a midnight clear ♪
That is my favorite
Christmas carol.
If you're here
to carol, go ahead.
Carol.
Eh?
Don't you remember me?
Can't say I do, laddy boy.
What is your name?
Don't tell him, Nicholas.
Nicholas!
Oh, what a nice name.
Don't you remember?
I told you last night.
Where was that?
At our house,
while you were robbin' it.
[laughing]
'Oh, don't be ridiculous.'
I was here all last night,
trimmin' my little old tree.
If I could only find
some more comic strips
'I might be able
to decorate it here.'
Alright, kids, let's get
this stuff out of here.
What's going on here?
Now, hold it.
Just a doggone moment,
will you?
You can't come
into a man's castle
and steal his presents
just like this.
Yeah, you're absolutely right.
- This is my Christmas present.
- Keep that, keep that.
- I'm gonna call the cops.
- They're on their way now.
Oh, they are.
Well, how about some coffee?
A little tea, perhaps?
A Bourbon?
This is Christmas,
let's have some libation.
That's a present
for my best friend.
Now, if you promise
to leave peacefully
I will not report you
to the authority.
Don't worry,
we will leave peacefully.
As soon as we gather our stuff
and you're on your way to jail.
Why do you want
all of this stuff for anyway?
Oh, come on.
Let's just split it.
Fifty-fifty.
Sixty-forty?
Oh, dear. Ohh.
'Ohh..'
How come you didn't
swipe my presents?
What presents?
The pictures
that were all rolled up.
Were those your drawings?
Ha ha. They were
just beautiful, sonny boy.
Come here, let me
tell you something.
You know, that
those pictures that you made
were a worth
more than anything here
in this whole room.
- You know why?
- Why?
Because you made them.
Because presents
like that are worthwhile
the ones you can't
buy yourself
because they are
made with love.
Not money.
Comin' through.
I wish I had the ability
to make presents like that
for my grandchildren.
How many grandchildren
do you have?
Ten. Ten, yes.
But they don't live with me now.
They live way off
down San Diego way.
Oh, dear.
I just wish I could make
presents like that for them.
You see, I just don't
have any money, Nicholas.
And I can't make presents
like you can make for them.
I don't even have money
enough to buy stamps
to send them
the Christmas card.
You don't know
how awful it is
to live on social security
these days.
Prices just keep
goin' up and up.
Rent goin' up.
And that old social security
stays just the same.
Just don't get any bigger.
But your story sure does.
Hey, cheer up.
I could use some help.
Sure. What can I do?
Well, there's this,
uh, silver chalice
in far cabinet over there
on the top shelf.
It's an old Bradford family
tradition from what they say.
It's kind of
a funny story, you see.
Grandpa Bradford
won it in a poker game
'the Christmas that he was
engaged to grandma.'
'So she filled it up with wine'
and everybody would take
a sip from it.
Well, here's one of your
presents the burglar didn't get.
"To Tommy from mom.
Don't open till Christmas."
Did you forget about it?
Oh, wow.
No, I-I didn't forget.
I-I'm his step mother,
I'm not his mother.
Oh.
Well, Tommy's upstairs.
Why don't you give it to him?
No, I, um..
I think his father
will wanna do that.
No, no, no, no.
Oh, dad, we can't
take away his Christmas.
What are you talking about?
He took ours.
But he won't have anything
to take to his grandchildren.
No way to get there either.
I could take the bus.
You'll take
the police car.
If they ever get here.
Are we goin' to send
Sam to jail?
No, the police will.
Oh, dad, what about
your Christmas spirit, huh?
Mine? He's the one
who went around--
You can't let police
put this poor man in jail.
Give me one good reason why not.
That would be terrible.
I didn't ask you.
Elizabeth, come on.
He's a thief.
He is a poor old man,
with nothing.
Yeah, nothing.
Nothing.
Well, then he should apply
some place for help.
At Christmas?
But he stole our presents and
everything, you guys. Come on.
Okay, what if we,
we take all our stuff back
and then, just forget
all about it, huh?
Ohh.
Yeah, I mean, that way,
we get everything back
and Sam wouldn't
have to go to jail.
And-and we just pretend
it never happened.
I don't know.
I could borrow your car.
No, you can't.
Just a thought.
Come on, dad. Please!
I don't know. I think
we'll be making a big mistake.
Oh, no, you wouldn't.
It's exactly
the right thing to do.
I will help you
carry the presents.
Excuse me.
Oh! Yes, uh..
Is everything alright?
I-I was very worried.
- Harold.
- Yes.
Open the tailgate, Harold.
Yes, sir, right away.
And don't disappear.
I wanna ask you a few questions.
- Oh, well, sir, my-my family--
- Harold.
Yes, sir.
I don't think
he likes me.
That was a hot tip alright.
Looks like a crime ring.
Better call a back up. It looks
like there's about of them.
Alright, hold it
right there!
(cop #)
'Don't anyone move.'
Keep your hands
where we could see them.
Don't anyone move.
Who's movin'?
No, you don't understand.
Get your hands up.
No, but I'm the one
that called you, officer.
A woman called.
Yes, that's right.
That was my wife.
Then I came here,
and so did they.
Your g*ng?
Oh, no, no, no.
They're my children.
We found the stuff,
and we came to get it.
Us.
How did you find the stuff?
Because my daughter
was passing by
she saw the station wagon
right there. Tell them.
[indistinct clamoring]
Yes, we know
who took it.
He isn't here.
He's left.
No, he got away.
Give me a hand
here, young man.
What's this?
One of your children?
No, no.
But I can explain.
I hope.
Hey, what's everybody
just...standing around for?
Hey, Harry.
Doesn't that look like
the kid reported missing?
Yeah.
So what we have here..
...is kidnappers.
Ha ha.
It's evidence.
We have to hold it.
- Until when?
- The trial.
I'm sorry, Nancy.
Oh, boy, we can't
even have our presents.
Come on, Harold. Get up.
[Sam whimpering]
Oh, Sam.
I told you, we decided
not to book him, officer.
We do the booking,
you do the complaining.
- Who's complaining?
- We made an agreement.
He'd give us our stuff back,
and we wouldn't charge him.
That's a very nice thought,
but it's out of your hands now.
Grand theft, grand theft auto,
grand theft Christmas.
Foster.
Yes.
Grand theft Christmas?
What's with this report?
Why, it's just, uh,
havin' little fun.
Have fun on
your own time, okay?
- Who's married?
- I am.
We found this letter
on the old man.
We have to keep it as evidence,
but I don't know of any law
that says you can't read it.
- What is it?
- I don't know.
I made it, I made it!
Made what?
I made medical school!
Yes, Nicholas,
I agree with your daddy.
Santa Claus is mostly
just a spirit.
Yeah, well, I was hoping
he really was a Santa Claus.
I should hope that
there's considerable
of the old Nick in me.
Is that why you're gonna take
all those presents
to your grandchildren?
Yeah.
[chuckles]
Come on, old timer,
let's go.
Are you going
to put him behind bars?
Uh, yes, but
it's a very nice cell.
Yeah, but remember.
He has one phone call, you know.
He's gonna call his lawyer.
I should know,
I was in jail once before.
You were?
Sure. I burglared a cat.
I had to do some
pretty hard time.
No television for two hours.
'Can you believe that?'
'Oh, boy.'
Just play it cool,
so they won't slap
anymore charges on you.
Alright, Santa Claus.
Let's go.
(Joannie)
I thought you wanted
to celebrate Christmas.
Give me a break, will you?
You'll be eating
Christmas dinner
while poor old Sam's
in jail.
We're havin' turkey today.
- Turkey?
- Yeah. Pressed.
Hey, what do you think
this is, the Ritz?
Come on, let's go.
- Bye, Sam.
- Bye.
(Nicholas)
Merry Christmas.
(Nancy)
Dad, they're all wrong.
- Yeah.
- I think it's mean.
Aren't you forgetting someone?
Harold.
Harold.
Come on, Harold. Come on.
I hate that name.
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[doorbell rings]
There's somebody
at the door.
Maybe they'll go away.
Oh, come on, you guys.
It's Christmas.
It is?
- Merry Christmas.
- Oh, hi.
Where is everybody?
Everyone's in
the living room.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
Is there, uh,
something wrong here?
We've been robbed.
- What?
- That's terrible.
It's been a rough
Christmas, Daisy.
Oh, it's been
a real gas, yes.
Yeah. Sam stole all
our presents and took our car.
Sam? Well, who's Sam?
Oh, some old man with
ten grandchildren in San Diego.
Oh.
[grunting]
You better stretch
before you try and sit up.
Huh?
I slept there last night.
I'm Noreen.
Oh, yeah. We kissed.
'The mistletoe, remember?'
So..
You can't get out
of this place either?
Nope. My parents are furious.
- Where are they?
- Monterey.
Oh, yeah?
It's a nice place, Monterey.
Yeah.
My parents went to visit
my grandparents up north.
I am supposed
to be with them.
You don't have any place
to spend Christmas?
Only here.
Yeah.
To tell you the truth
we spent most of Christmas
in the police station.
Not exactly your
traditional Christmas.
Yeah. No presents.
Well, we brought you
some presents.
I baked a fruit cake.
Nobody's hungry.
Be quiet, Nicholas. That was
very nice of you, Daisy.
Thank you.
Oh, and, uh, I brought you
a little something, Tom.
A present for me?
For Christmas?
Ohh..
Christmas present.
Oh, my goodness.
You know, ha ha..
Oh, yes.
This is, uh, it's..
Isn't that something?
It's my Christmas column.
- Perma Plaqued.
- Right..
I wanted to get
something original.
Yeah, well, that is,
it's original, alright.
I-I got you a present too.
- Oh.
- But..
Yeah, it's in jail with Sam.
Yeah. Here.
I have it right here.
Merry Christmas.
- What is it?
- Your present.
Number ?
'You know what it is.'
It's-it's a claimed check
for, uh, you know
for impounded evidence.
You can pick it up
anytime you want.
'As long as
it's after February th.'
Yeah, that's when
Sam goes to court.
Oh, well, thank you.
This certainly is original.
It's nothing. I wanted
to have it Perm Plaqued.
Ha ha.
Well, um..
Daisy, I think maybe
we should be getting on?
Oh, yes. We have
a few more stops to make.
- very, uh..
- Oh, uh.
And, um, thanks.
Merry..
Thanks for the cake.
Oh, humbug.
Think it's the same kind
as last year?
Alright, now, look.
We can just sit around here
and feel sorry for ourselves
for the rest of the day
or we can celebrate
with what we've got left.
What have we got left?
- Nicholas's presents.
- Oh, yeah.
Sam did say
they were the best ones.
I'm sure they are. So,
come on, let's open 'em.
Yeah, okay, I'll help you.
Alright. What
do we have here?
This is, uh, David's.
This is dad's.
That's, um, Abby's.
- Where's mine? I want mine.
- Okay.
Oh, these are
pretty good lightings.
King of the house. Yeah!
Alright, Abby,
it's your turn.
Okay, okay.
'Here goes.'
Oh, I love it.
Look at this, with
all these little babies.
(Abby)
'You're so talented.
That's great.'
Ohh, look.
Those are muscles.
Ha ha. Yeah, yeah.
Definitely.
I can't believe this.
Ouch.
- Oh, no.
- Oh, yes.
On the phone.
How appropriate.
'Ohh.'
'Geronimo!'
Oh-ho. Look.
Ah.
(Tom)
'Oh, that's nice.'
This last one's for Tommy.
Oh. By the way,
where is Tommy?
Tommy's in the kitchen
having his snack.
Yeah, but, we're
gonna have dinner soon.
Said he didn't
wanna eat dinner.
That he was going over
to Danny's.
Tom, wait. There's
something that, uh..
Listen.
I don't know what's
going on in your head.
But your owe
this family something.
There comes a time
when I don't ask, I tell.
This family has been
through the wringer.
But we're trying to hold on
to some part of Christmas
and right now
that consist of dinner.
So, we are, all of us
going to have
Christmas dinner together.
I have to eat
when I'm not hungry?
You look pretty hungry to me.
- When's dinner?
- In one hour.
I'll be in my room.
He used to come to me every time
something bothered him.
Why won't he tell me anymore?
Is it because he couldn't
get a date last night?
- I don't think so.
- Well, then what is it?
Well, I found this
is in the chalice.
I guess, um, Joan like to do
her Christmas shopping early.
Well, all year long, she would
keep her eyes open for him.
For a personal gift
that would make..
...each child's
Christmas special.
'And in other one year'
it was only two days
after Christmas
that she came home with this,
uh, silver antique compact
for Nancy.
And I said to her, "What are you
gonna do with that?"
And she said, "Just wrap it up
and forget about it
till Christmas."
Nancy still cherishes
that compact.
I guess
this year, all Joan
had time for was Tommy.
Must be a very special gift.
I thought you'd um..
I thought you'd
want to give it to him.
Considering the mood
that Tommy is in
I-I don't know
how he'd take it.
I wonder if she's
at Gary's house.
Elizabeth, why don't you
just let her have him
whoever the heck
she is anyway.
Where'd she go now?
On the phone again?
- Who is she?
- Noreen.
Last time I saw her,
she was huddled with him
on the screen porch.
- Who's him?
- Harold.
Harold, Harold..
Harold?
- They're gone.
- Seems like it.
Oh, where did you
think they went?
Maybe they eloped.
Uh, David, come on.
Harold and Noreen?
Why not? They should get
along pretty well together.
Come on, Susan.
Tell me the truth.
Did you really care
about Harold?
Yeah. I thought he was cute.
Honestly..
...a bit after lunch.
Uh, David,
what about Noreen?
- Honestly?
- Yeah.
She was a big headache.
[both laughing]
- Did you guys find them?
- Nope.
Where did they go?
- Think they ran away together.
- Two less for dinner, dad.
Good riddance.
Yeah, I just wish we had
our own ornament back.
Why don't we
make another one?
It wouldn't be the same.
Oh, Nicholas.
I knew this family
once in Pasadena
you know,
that was my hometown
and, uh, they didn't have
any money for Christmas
not even a Christmas tree.
There was a poor family
in Pasadena?
Hmm. They must
have been an exhibit.
Let Abby finish this story.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Anyway, so this family, see,
they weren't starving
to death or anything
but they shouldn't have
enough money for extras
'and they wanted to give
each other presents.'
Well, what'd they do?
They gave each other things
that they didn't have to buy.
- Like I did?
- Yeah.
- What kind of things?
- Let me see if I can remember.
- 'Um..'
- Don't.
What?
Don't remember. It might be
the same thing I'm thinking of.
Excuse me.
No peeking.
I'm not peeking.
Aren't you finished yet?
Masterpieces take time.
Hmm.
Cut it out.
'Look at that.'
- That's so pretty.
- Yeah.
Even better
than the original.
I think we've come up with
a new Bradford family tradition.
It's nice.
It's just not fair.
Oh, what's that, son?
Sam.
We don't have presents,
and he don't have presents.
But we're still havin' fun
and he's in jail.
- Come on, can't we..
- Please, dad.
Wait a minute.
Just as the police say
it's out of our hands.
We can't get him out.
We can bail him out.
We don't know if they'll
let him out on bail.
- Yes, they will.
- Yeah, it's only $.
[indistinct clamoring]
[mellow music]
And your addressing,
Mrs. Bradford.
Your dressing
is magnificute.
Thank you, Sam.
Thank you again.
I think somebody should
make Tommy come down here.
We can't force him
to come down.
We'll just send
a tray up to him.
Ready for another
helping, Nicholas?
I'm not very hungry.
I guess not
if you don't want thirds.
Yeah, well,
I was figuring.
Can we have desert after
we open the presents?
Ah-ha.
Now we know.
'You young whipper-stopper.'
[all talking]
"Whether I become a world
famous physician or a quack
"I hereby offer free,
excellent medical service
"to my entire family
and offspring thereof
for the rest
of their natural lives."
Aww.
My turn? Me, me, me.
"This coupon is redeemable
for free tutoring in all sports
from motocross to sky diving
to anyone who wants it."
I do, I do!
And Sam, um, even though
it doesn't say so
includes you too.
Oh, no, thanks.
My sportin' days are over.
I think I'll stick to
station wagon.
No.
Okay, it's my turn.
Okay, Joannie.
Have you been looking..
...for this?
My bikini! I have been
looking all over for this.
- She blamed me for this one.
- Yeah.
Well, that's my
Christmas present to everyone.
I'm returning everything
I ever borrowed.
[instrumental music]
Okay, now, you guys,
you all read your present.
Yeah, you too, Sam.
You all read it
off the card out loud.
Now, this is, um..
This is what
I would give you all..
...if I could.
Starting on my far right.
Okay, um..
"A month long honeymoon
in Europe with Tom."
Oh, I'd like that.
Now, here's mine.
"A month long honeymoon
in Europe with Abby.
Okay, you.
"A complete album
of Christmas music."
Thanks a lot.
They grow on you though.
Yessie.
Thank you, Joannie.
Thank you.
"Officer Foster
on a silver platter.?
Well, I have
a date with him tomorrow.
So, who knows!
Ah-ha. Very intelligent.
"A Greek God
not named Harold."
(Abby)
'Your turn.'
Mansion big enough
for all my grandchildren.
And Christmas all year long.
I love mine. My own telephone
with three separate lines
and a secretary.
- You need that.
- I know.
[telephone ringing]
That's probably
for Elizabeth.
Why don't you let your
secretary answer it for you?
That woman is never
around when I need her.
Hey, hey, listen to this.
To be the oldest kid
in the family for one whole day.
Good one.
Mine is..
"A Greek goddess
not named Noreen."
It's alright. She's
not your type anyway.
Well, there's
just um, Tommy's left.
- Should I read that?
- Yeah, you do it.
Well, a date with
Wendy Springer.
He'd like it.
Your turn, David.
To my family, I promise
never to being dead enough
so that I have
to move in on you.
But my door's always open if
you ever have to move in on me.
Aww, that's sweet.
- It's for you.
- Who is it?
Noreen.
That kiddo costs me money
even when she's not around.
Harold.
Noreen, where are you?
Monterey.
Well, how'd you get there?
Harold's got
his mother's car.
Harold.
Yeah, how's Harold?
They're in love.
Ohh.
Hey, that's
terrific, Noreen?
Really terrific.
Good luck.
Wait. Let me talk to Harold.
Hi.
Yeah. There's something
you oughta know.
She gets headaches.
You know, I..
I'm giving him my gift.
Oh, Sam, you don't
have to give us anything.
There's somethin' I'd like
to give to all of you.
Oh, you gave us yourself
for this, um, crazy Christmas.
That's enough.
I mean it. I really do.
The gift I want to give
to all of you
is just get out
of your lives.
Oh, we don't mean that.
Sam!
I'd give anything to be able
to go down San Diego way
to see my grandchildren.
Sam.
I wouldn't have to take 'em
any presents, you know.
But just hasn't
got the money..
Oh, daddy, please!
No..
Dad, please.
Alright, Nicholas, alright.
How much is the car fare
to San Diego?
Bus fare.
There's one born
every minute.
Daddy, thank you.
Merry Christmas, Nicholas,
and ho ho ho.
Merry Christmas, Sam.
Don't forget to show up in court
on th of the month.
And, David, don't you drive him
any further than the bus depot.
Oh, dad..
Hey, could you possibly stop
and buy me a six-pack?
Merry merry.
Ho ho ho!
♪ Jingle bells jingle bells.. ♪
[mellow music]
[telephone ringing]
I'll get it.
If that's what's
her name again, nobody's home.
Ha ha ha. Yeah.
Hello. Yeah,
hold on, just a minute.
Elizabeth, you sure could
use that secretary, you know.
I know.
Hello.
Hah. He did?
She did?
'They did?'
Hey, thanks
for lettin' me know. Goodbye.
- Did what?
- Well..
...Gary told her that
he liked me, and she got mad
and she left
with her mother.
Merry Christmas.
- Yeah, Merry Christmas.
- I win.
- Oh, no.
- Hey.
You're gettin'
too good for me.
- Hey, where is all the popcorn?
- Let's make some more.
No butter.
Uh, yeah, butter,
lot's of butter.
You can help me.
Why don't you get me some salt?
Okay.
Did you get this for Tommy?
No, um...it's um..
...it's from your mother.
[melancholic music]
[music continues]
Hey, Tommy, um,
everybody's downstairs
tryin' to make themselves
a Christmas, and uh..
Well, we need
all the help we can get.
Hey, you know, it's-it's been
a lousy holiday for all of us
but we, well, we can't stop
tryin' to make it work.
Hey, you know, we were
downstairs really miserable too
and, uh, well, we got
this terrific idea
and-and, and maybe
if you'd come downstairs..
Tommy, what's wrong?
Look, I'm not tryin'
to mother you or anything.
That's it, isn't it?
'That your mother's
not here for Christmas?'
Please get outta my room.
[music continues]
No one can
take her place, but..
...if there's
anything I can do..
You can get out.
[music continues]
(Tom)
'He wouldn't come out
of his room.'
'Not even for dinner.'
- After I demanded.
- Tom, he couldn't.
He just couldn't. I mean..
...don't you see, this-this
house was so full of Christmas
and everything, I mean,
in spite of the theft..
'Tommy just had
to block it all off.'
Wouldn't that make him
feel even worse?
See, I think
this is the reason
that he can't
deal with Christmas.
Obviously, it's because
Joan isn't here.
So maybe, maybe if we
could just have her here
even if it was
just for a moment or so.
Come on, Tommy, we
can give it a chance, okay?
It's gonna be okay.
C'mon, Tom.
Do you want us
to go with you?
I'm goin' to Danny's.
Tommy, wait.
This is for you.
Well, how come
Santa didn't steal it?
It was hidden away
in the kitchen.
That's clever.
Tommy..
...please, take it.
Read the card.
It's from mom.
Open it.
[melancholic music]
It's a book.
E. E. Cummings.
It was mom's favorite.
[music continues]
"My dearest Tommy.
"It is not unmanly
to be sensitive.
"Be happy that you are.
"It makes you
even more than a man.
"It makes you
a human being.
"Merry Christmas.
I love you."
[sobbing]
[instrumental music]
[theme music]
02x14 - Yes, Nicholas, There is a Santa Claus Pt. 2
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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.