02x12 - The Christmas Horse

[bunniefuu]

-Jeepers, Santa.

Can't I have that either?

Then how about a BB g*n?

Then how about a real

loud siren for my bike?

Jeepers.

Well, now I'm gonna

ask you for the one

thing I want more than

anything in the whole world.

I ask every store Santa

Claus I see about it.

You know what it is?

A horse.

Can I have a horse?

Boy, I'm gonna go home and

write a letter to the real Santa

Claus.

Merry Christmas.

-Merry Christmas!

Oh, if Dennis Mitchell

gets a horse for Christmas,

I'll move to the North Pole!

Great Scott!

[theme music]

-Man, what a Christmas.

-Oh, it's the best

one we've ever had.

I love my bracelet, honey.

-Good!

-My presents were swell, too.

The only thing is, I

can't find my horse!

-Son, we've told

you and told you.

You're not getting a horse.

-Sure I am, Dad.

Santa Claus has never

let me down yet.

-Well, he didn't

let you down, honey.

He brought you a record player.

-Yeah, but I didn't ask

for a record player.

I asked for a horse.

-Well, Dennis, in

the first place,

you're too young for a horse.

-No, I'm not.

I can comb him, and brush

him, and take care of him.

-Well son, you're

not getting one.

So you might as well forget it.

[horse hooves clattering]

-Sure, I am!

And here he comes now!

-Oh, Dennis.

That's just Mr. Maguire

and his Christmas trees.

-Oh, Mr. Maguire!

Mr. Maguire!

Hold it!

Hold it!

-Whoa, my Cherry.

Well, Merry

Christmas Mr. Wilson.

-Well, Merry

Christmas, Mr. Maguire.

-Was Santa Claus good to you?

-Oh, yes, very generous.

-Oh, how did he treat

little Dennis Mitchell?

Did he get his horse?

-Oh, of course not.

Great Scott!

Well, now let's get

down to business.

Shopping has kept

me so busy I haven't

had a chance to get my tree.

-This is the fifth

year in a row.

You've become one

of my regulars.

And I saved one of my

finest trees for you.

-Well, that's very nice.

-Oh, say, that's

a beautiful tree.

-Nothing like it.

Smell.

-Ah, yes, the smell of

Christmas, the time of giving,

of goodwill toward

man, of charity--

you've forgotten to

lower your price.

-No, that's correct, $.

-But that was your

price before Christmas.

Why do you think I waited?

-You hoped to get

another tree for $..

-Well, of course.

-The price to you

is $, Mr. Wilson.

-Mr. Maguire, I have always

paid $. on Christmas day.

I've become a regular.

-Well, that's why I've

had to keep my price up

on Christmas day.

I can't afford all you regulars.

-Oh, well, stop calling

me a regular then.

I would have gotten

one earlier, but I just

didn't have the time.

-Yeah, well, I'll throw in

a few sprigs of mistletoe.

-Well, I should hope so.

That's the least you could do.

You know, next year I may give

my business to someone else.

-Oh, I'm afraid you'll have to.

You see, I'm retiring.

-Really, Mr. Maguire?

-Mmhmm.

-Well, I'm very

sorry to hear that.

-Well, that's nice

of you to say so.

-Hmm.

Well, you've always had the

prettiest trees in town.

Oh, yes, Mrs. Wilson and

I want you to have this.

Merry Christmas.

-Well, thank you, Mr. Wilson.

-Well, go on, open it.

-Oh, oh yeah.

Ahh.

It's a pipe.

Why, it's a beauty.

-Oh, yes.

You see that little band

that right there on the stem?

-Yes.

-That's real silver.

-You don't say.

-Oh, yes, yes.

You see it says right here.

It says, made in Japan.

Great Scott.

Well, smoke it in good

health, Mr. Maguire.

Merry Christmas to you.

Merry Christmas.

[doorbell ringing]

-Hi, Tommy.

Come on in.

What'd ya get?

-Some swell toys and a

lot of dumb old underwear.

-Merry Christmas, Mrs. Mitchell.

-Merry Christmas, Tommy.

Take off your things.

-I think I better leave

them on, Mrs. Mitchell.

I just came over to have

a ride on Dennis's horse.

-Dennis didn't get

a horse, Tommy.

-He hasn't gotten here yet.

-And he isn't going to get here.

Dennis, I wish you'd

stop talking about it.

-But, Mom wait a minute, I--

-I can't argue now.

I have to make the beds.

-If you hear anything on

the roof, give me a yell.

First I'll show you my stuff.

Then we can go

over at your house

and play with your

electric train.

-I didn't get it.

-Jeepers, what's the matter

with Santa Claus this year?

-I got a microscope, though.

-A microscope?

What do you do with it?

-You look through it, and

it makes things bigger.

I didn't even ask for it.

-Is it any fun?

-Dad thinks so.

-Look at this

swell wallet my dad

gave me, because my

mom gave him a new one.

-It's coming apart.

-Only on the sides.

And look what I've got in it.

$ from my grandpa!

-Wow!

Do you have to save it?

-Nope, that's the best part.

Grampa's note said it

was spending money.

Boy, if my horse

would only get here,

this Christmas'd be perfect.

-Deck the halls with

boughs of holly.

[hums "deck the halls"]

Martha, you're first in line.

-Oh, oh!

-Merry Christmas.

DENNIS AND TOMMY

(OFFSCREEN): Hey, Mr. Wilson!

Merry Christmas!

-Oh, Merry Christmas, boys.

-Merry Christmas.

Come in, boys.

-Thanks for the paint

box, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson.

Here's something for you.

-Oh, well.

-Thank you, Dennis.

-You know the first thing

I painted, Mr. Wilson?

A picture of you.

-Oh, really?

-Sure, I did it

before breakfast.

When I got through, Dad said you

looked like a Cocker Spaniel.

-Oh, for Pete's sake.

-Open your present, George.

Oh, this is lovely.

-Yeah, it's beautiful.

-What is it?

-It's a bookmark,

so you won't have

to turn down the corners on

that book Mom and Dad gave ya.

-Well, I know I'm going

to enjoy it very much.

Thank you, Dennis.

-What's this?

-They're tickets.

I got some too.

-Each one gives ya a

free ride on my horse.

-Horse, what horse?

-The one Santa Claus brought me.

Only I haven't found it yet.

-But when he does, he's gonna

take everyone on a hayride.

-And you're invited, Mr. Wilson.

-Do you have any

horse around here?

-No, I haven't.

-Can we look in your garage?

-There's no horse in our garage.

-How 'bout your basement?

-No.

MARGARET (OFFSCREEN): Dennis!

-Oh, thank heaven.

Somebody's calling you.

-That's just dumb old Margaret.

If we keep quiet,

she'll go away.

-Oh, Martha.

Great Scott, my stomach's

beginning to grind.

-Boys, why don't you ask

Margaret if she's seen a horse.

-Hey, that's a good idea.

-I think so too.

-Hey, Margaret!

Have you seen a horse?

-Yes, I have.

Come on out.

I want to show you my new doll.

-I don't want to see it.

Now where'd you see the horse?

-I won't tell you unless you

come out and look at my doll.

-Great Scott!

Has she seen a horse?

-Yeah, and now I've got to go

out and look at a dumb doll.

Come on, Tommy.

Oh!

Mom said to remind you about

dinner tonight, Mrs. Wilson.

-We'll be there.

-OK, I've look at your doll.

Now where'd you see the horse?

-You've got to say

something nice about her.

-OK, she's got nice

buttons for eyes.

Now where'd you see the horse?

-You'd make a terrible

father, Dennis!

That wasn't nice!

-Who cares?

I'm not going to have children.

I'm going to have horses.

Now where'd you see it?

-Say something nice.

-Jeepers.

-Better do it, Dennis,

or we'll never find out.

-I can't think of anything.

-You want to hold her?

-No!

How 'bout this?

It's better than a baby,

'cause it's quieter.

-Well, if that's the best

you can do, I saw a horse.

Only it's a pony, over at

Johnny Fleming's house.

-Johnny Fleming's?

-Yes, he got it for Christmas.

-Jeepers, Tommy!

Santa left it at

the wrong house!

Come on!

-Give him the sugar, Johnny.

-He'll bite me!

-No, he won't bite you.

This is a very

tame, gentle pony.

Here, watch how I do it.

There, now, wasn't that easy?

-Did it hurt?

-Of course not!

Here, you do it.

-He'll bite me!

-Johnny, for the hundredth

time, he won't bite you.

You-- here, I'll do

it once more for you.

Uh, well, we're out of sugar.

Now come around here and

I'll put you in the saddle.

-He'll kick me.

-Johnny, come here.

Don't you like your pony?

-I guess so.

-Of course you do.

Every kid likes a pony.

-Why, when I was your age,

I was crazy to have a pony.

-Why didn't you ask Santa Claus?

He gives them away whether

you want them or not.

-Because-- because my father

couldn't afford to keep one.

When I was your age, I had

to have a paper route just

to get spending money.

-Can I have a paper route?

-No!

Look, come on now.

Get on your pony.

-Bert, don't force the boy.

Give him time to get used to it.

-Why does he have to have

time to get used to a pony?

When I was a boy--

-I know all about it, Bert.

Come on in and make the egg nog.

The people will

be arriving soon.

-All right, honey.

Johnny, I don't want you to ride

your pony if you don't want to.

Now all I ask is that you give

yourself a chance to like him.

Will you do that?

-OK.

-Good.

Now you stay out here

in the yard, while I--

-Alone?

-Yes!

He won't hurt you, I promise!

-OK.

-All right, good.

And I'll be back

out a little later.

-Wow!

There he is!

Isn't he swell?

Hi, Johnny.

-Yeah, look at that saddle.

Hi, Johnny.

-I think I'll call him Prince.

-My dad says his

name is Seabiscuit.

-Seabiscuit?

What kind of a name

is that for a horse?

I'm gonna call him Prince.

Hold still, Prince.

-Gosh, aren't you

scared, Dennis?

-Heck no.

I've had a lot of

experience with horses.

I watch them on television.

-Well, gee, you can ride him

any time you want to, Dennis.

-That's what I want to

talk to you about, Johnny.

Where'd you get

this swell horse?

-From Santa Claus.

-Did you ask for it?

-Heck no.

-Well, I did.

What happened was that good old

Santa Claus brought him here

by mistake.

-Then why was my name on him?

-Santa just got the

tags all mixed up.

-I asked for an electric

train and got a microscope.

-And I wanted a horse,

and I got a record player.

So how about if I trade my

record player for your horse?

-I've already got

a record player.

What I wanted is a typewriter.

-Say, if I can get a

typewriter, would you

trade me the horse for it?

-Sure!

-OK, I'll be right back.

Don't go away or anything.

-I can't go away.

Now that I've got

this horse, they

won't even let me in the house.

-I'll be right back.

-I'm sorry, Margaret.

I heard him in there, talking

with Tommy a little while ago.

But I guess he went out again.

-That's all right,

Mrs. Mitchell.

I've learned to expect it.

Would you please give

him this letter for me?

I'm taking our engagement.

-Oh, I'm sorry.

-I just can't go on like

this, Mrs. Mitchell.

He hasn't even shown me

what he got for Christmas.

-Well, I'd be happy to show

you his presents, Margaret.

-OK, but our engagement

is still broken.

I'd give him back his ring,

but he never gave me one.

-I understand.

Come on in the living room.

Here are things,

right under the tree.

Well, that's funny.

I wonder where his

record player is.

-Hey, Mr. Wilson.

-What now?

-Well, I've been going

all over the neighborhood,

trying to find a typewriter.

And I remember yours

that Mrs. Wilson

has to change the

ribbon on it for ya.

-What about?

-How'd you like to trade

it for my record player

so I can get my horse?

-Of course not.

If you get a horse,

I'll need the typewriter

to write a letter to my lawyer.

-Hi, son.

-Hi, Dad.

-You been out showing off

your new record player?

-I sure have.

Boy, I must've showed

it to people.

-Did I hear Dennis?

Oh, Dennis, Margaret was here.

-Oh, she's always

hanging around.

-Yes, and you haven't

been very nice to her.

-Jeepers, Mom, she's a girl.

-Well, that doesn't

make any difference.

-Besides, you've

hurt your feelings.

-Here, she left you this letter.

-Hmm, at least be nice

to her on Christmas day.

-Jeepers!

She's broken our engagement!

I better call her

up and apologize!

-Oh, that would be a fine idea.

That was an abrupt

change of attitude.

-A little boy's

mind, honey, always

changing ideas and interest.

Remember this morning?

All he could talk

about was that horse.

-Yes.

-Ah.

-Ohh.

-Hello, Margaret.

This is Dennis.

Hey, you know that

letter you sent me?

Whose typewriter

did you type it on?

-Honey, I don't know

another hour for dinner.

The smell of that turkey's

driving me out of my mind.

-You'll just have to.

[urgent knocking]

-What in the world?

-Mitchell!

Mitchell, I want to talk to you.

-Mr. Wade, what is it?

-Well, merry

Christmas, Mr. Wade.

-Don't you merry Christmas me.

I want Margaret's typewriter.

-I don't have it.

Isn't that Dennis's

record player?

-Yes, it is.

He swapped it for

Margaret's typewriter.

-What in the world

would Dennis want

with Margaret's typewriter.

-He's going to trade

it for the pony Johnny

Fleming got for Christmas.

-Oh, for Pete's sake.

-That boy of yours is juggling

every gift in the neighborhood.

-Well, I'll put a stop

to that, Mr. Wade.

-Yes, and Margaret will

get her typewriter back.

I assure you of that.

-Well, I should hope so.

-I'll call Mr.

Fleming right now.

Excuse me.

-So you know that little girl

of mine is crazy about Dennis.

They're engaged again, you know.

-Yes, I heard him

saying something

about it on the phone.

-He's going around

showing everybody

her engagement string.

-You mean engagement

ring, Mr. Wade?

-No, no, string.

He just tied a

string on her finger.

-Mr. Fleming?

This is Henry Mitchell.

I don't want to alarm you, but

I think my boy is on his way

over to your house to trade a

typewriter for your boy's pony.

--[laughs] I wouldn't worry

about that, Mr. Mitchell.

Naw, Johnny loves his pony.

He wouldn't think of trading it.

Why, a pony's every boy's dream.

Well, I remember

when I was a boy--

-Hey, Dad.

Guess what?

-What's that?

-My typewriter.

-That's not his horse!

That's my horse!

HENRY MITCHELL (ON

THE PHONE): Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

-Hi, Mr. Maguire.

-Merry Christmas, Dennis!

Why it looks like

you're quite alone.

Do you want a lift?

-Yeah, thanks, Mr. Maguire.

I have to take Margaret's

typewriter back to her.

-Yeah, there we are.

-Boy, you're sure lucky.

You've already got your horse.

-Yeah.

You certainly like

horses, don't you?

-Like em?

I love em.

I've loved them all my life.

I was supposed to get

one for Christmas.

-Yeah, I know.

You told me.

Have you ever ridden one?

-Oh, sure, a million times.

Every time I go to

my grandpa's farm,

I go horseback

riding on his cow.

-I think a cow was the

first horse I ever rode too!

-I like cows.

The only trouble is

they're too wide.

-Oh, yeah.

And their spines are too sharp.

-Yeah, if you bounce, it hurts.

It milks good, though.

-Oh, that's true enough.

-Do you have a cow, Mr. Maguire?

-Well, I had one.

But I sold it, now

that I'm retiring.

-Are you retiring, Mr. Maguire?

Aren't you gonna sell

Christmas trees anymore?

-No, this is my last year.

-Jeepers.

What are you going to do

with good old Mercury there?

-Oh, Mercury's retiring too.

I'm gonna put her

out to pasture.

-Jeepers.

If you sold your

cow, did you ever

think about selling your horse?

-Oh, Mercury.

Mercury is a little bit special.

-I'd buy her from ya.

I've got $ and a nickel.

-Is that money yours to spend?

-Sure.

My grandpa sent me the $

as a Christmas present.

I'll bet this is

just the way Santa

Claus wanted me to get my horse.

So will you sell me

good old Mercury?

-Well, I don't know.

-I'd take awful

good care of her.

Please, Mr. Maguire.

-All right, Dennis.

You bought yourself a horse.

-Wow!

I'm the first kid on

my block to have one!

-Yeah, I imagine you are.

-So here's the $.

-Oh, no.

The price to you

is only a nickel.

You might need

that $ for feed.

Whoa, Mercury.

-Gee, thanks, Mr. Maguire.

Here's the nickel.

-Oh, well, thank you.

Thank you, Dennis.

And now I'll just to make

this all legal and proper,

I'll write you out

a bill of sale.

-Boy, I've never had

a bill of sale before.

-Sold to Dennis Mitchell

for the sum of $. one

horse named Mercury.

Now I'll sign it.

There.

The horse is now legally yours.

-Gee, is Mr. Wilson

gonna be excited.

Say, where you gonna keep her?

-In the garage next

to the lawn power.

-Plenty of room?

-I think so.

-Well, at least she'd be able

to stretch her legs, roaming

around the neighborhood

while you're in school.

-Jeepers!

She can't do that.

Mr. Wilson'd be awfully mad

if she got in his flowers.

-Oh, well, I suppose

she'll get used

to being kept in

the garage all day.

-Where'd you keep her

when she was your horse?

-Well, at night I

kept her in the barn.

But during the day, I let

her run in the pasture.

Oh, you ought to see our

pasture in the spring time.

It's just full of buttercups.

-Really?

-Yeah, oh and does

Mercury love em.

-Say, Mr. Maguire,

you think I could

rent that pasture from ya?

I've still got my $.

-Oh, well, as a matter

of fact, that pasture

is going to be quite

a problem to me.

-Why's that, Mr. Maguire?

-The weeds.

Yeah.

You know, I may have to

hire a horse from somebody

to keep those weeds down.

-Jeepers, why don't you rent

good old Mercury from me?

You could keep her

in the pasture,

and I could come out and

visit her whenever I wanted.

-Well, I don't know.

She might be too expensive.

See, all I can

afford is a nickel.

-Really, Mr. Maguire?

You know something?

That's just my price.

-Well, there you are.

[laughs]

-Look at this thing.

Isn't that clever?

-You know, George hasn't

eaten a think since breakfast.

He's been saving his

appetite for your dinner.

-Oh, that's right, Alice.

I'm--

-I got it!

I got it!

I got my horse!

-What?

-I bought it from Mr. Maguire.

Here's a bill of sale.

-I told you so much.

I told you!

I'll tell you one thing, Dennis.

I am not going on any hayride.

[laughter]

-How do you like my driving?

-It's fine, son.

But shouldn't we be

thinking about getting back?

We've been out

several hours already.

-Aw, jeepers.

-Aw, jeepers, Mr. Mitchell.

Can't we sing just

one more carol?

-What do you say, Annie?

-Oh, jeepers, Mr.

Mitchell, why not?

-OK.

One more!

-And Mr. Maguire

gets to pick it.

-Well I guess my favorite has

always been "Silent Night."

-Mine too.

-(SINGING) Silent

night, holy night.

All is calm.

All is bright.

Round yon virgin,

mother and child.

Holy infant so tender and mild.

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Sleep in heavenly peace.

[theme music]