Original subtitles

All right, everybody, back to work, you're not acting now.

All right, get this truck back. Let's go.

Excuse me. Careful there. Hey, watch it, Larry.

Young lady, excuse me, but we haven't finished.

- We have work to do. - And we have a movie to make.

I'm very sorry, but the United States Army comes first.

Has anyone ever told you how attractive you are when you're angry?

I've heard that one before. Excuse me.

There's a quality about you that I'd love to capture on film.

- What do you say? - I don't know.

I have a lot of friends in Hollywood, big friends.

They'll beat a path to your door once they see you on that screen.

And what's he gonna use you for?

JOHN: Erin, you don't know what you're talking about.

But, Daddy, I do. I've been in front of a camera.

You're not going anywhere.

I knew you wouldn't want to listen to me, Daddy, but you better.

Because I have enough money saved up, and if I can get a job, I'm going.

Don't tell Mama and Daddy this, but Barry said that if this turns out okay,

that I have a chance to get a job in Hollywood.

Wow.

JOHN-BOY: As World War Il ranged around the globe,

the peace and quiet surrounding Walton's Mountain

seemed even more precious.

Throughout the nation, Americans worked together to maintain freedom

and a way of life that had made our country great.

Holding down an important job in a defense plant

was my sister Erin's contribution,

and she highly resented anything that interfered with it.

- There she is, our famous lady executive. - Hi, honey.

I'm sorry I'm late, Mama, but J.D. has fouled things up again.

You better not think about J.D. while you eat.

Women executives get ulcers just the same as men.

Women are doing most things men do nowadays.

Not me. I'm in a very specialized category, for women only.

I wish I could trade places with you.

Sorry, Erin, Cindy's got a long-term contract.

What's old J.D. been up to anyway?

He has given permission for a Hollywood camera crew

to come in and do a movie at Pickett's.

- Really? Who's gonna be in it? - Mostly J.D.

Which makes no sense at all,

because the film is supposed to be about women working in defense plants.

That sounds like a fine idea.

It's about time you all got recognized for your work.

Might help you recruit some more female workers.

Well, maybe, but it's really messing up our schedule.

Every time a director wants to film part of our operation, J.D. stops everything.

- Would it be all right if I went to see? - You be careful if you do. You, too, Erin.

I hear the Hollywood people are kind of wild.

Don't worry, Daddy. I just wish they would finish so we can get back on schedule.

- That's right. War effort comes first. - Absolutely.

If J.D. Pickett wants to star in a film about women working during wartime,

well, it's fine with me, as long as he does it on his own time.

It was so kind of you to join us, Jason.

Oh, my, yes. We know how precious your time is away from the fort.

It's a camp, Miss Emily, and having supper with you ladies is like being at home.

We really wanted to ask your advice, you being an Army man now.

It's about the war effort, don't you know? We want to be part of it.

We've always had a garden,

and so it scarcely seems as though we're helping in that way.

We do call it our Victorious Garden now.

And we thought of applying for work at the Pickett plant.

But Papa never allowed us to wear trousers.

And then, I read an article about airplane spotters.

MISS EMILY: We are excellent bird watchers, aren't we, Sister?

MISS MAMIE: Indeed, we are.

Why, we can spot a Scarlet Tanager at 100 yards.

And Blue Jays, they're my favorite. So colorful. Blue, don't you know?

- So, where should we apply, Jason? - I hate to disappoint you, ladies,

but there really isn't much call for airplane spotters in this area.

They need them mostly on the coast,

near the big cities, around the defense factories.

- Perhaps around the Pickett plant? - I don't think it's likely

the enemy would be bombing a mess kit and canteen factory.

If they come, they will go for more important targets.

- Oh, dear. We did so want to help. - It's our war, too, Jason.

You know, there just might be something you could do,

and both of you would be just perfect at it.

At least we're good for something, Sister.

- Well, yes. Whatever could it be? - Shall we let Jason tell us?

It's really very simple, just what you've been doing here tonight.

You see, there are men at Camp Rockfish

who are hundreds of miles away from home.

Any one of them would love to have a chance to visit a beautiful home like this

and enjoy a meal like you cooked for me tonight.

You could invite a soldier to Sunday dinner.

What a marvelous idea.

Oh, why just one? We could invite several. Perhaps an entire squadron.

Oh, thank you, Jason. We knew you'd think of something.

How do you think we should dress, Sister?

- I think your light blue might be nice. - I wouldn't want to appear frivolous.

BARRY: All right, sweetie, now just walk slowly.

And remember the box is heavy, all right?

And, go.

Start getting lower, Larry, lower. Good. No, no, not you, him. Here we are.

We getting the tops of the trees, the sky?

I've got it.

You wanna get in the shot, go ahead.

- Follow her around. - Got it.

- Good. The box is heavy. Act like it. - Got it.

Good. Gritty real... Kill the shot.

And what do you think you're doing?

I thought I was just supposed to stand here.

You're supposed to stand over there, behind the camera, out of the shot.

But it's my factory.

- And it's my movie! - Barry.

Thank you. You'll get your chance, Mr. Pickett.

In the meantime, why don't you just sit over here, sir, in my director's chair

and don't move. We'll do it again, everybody.

We'll do it until we get it right. From the top.

- We'll be here all day if we have to. - First positions, please.

All right, sweetheart. Look, I want to see some agony, all right?

And sweat. Lots of sweat. And pain.

Remember, heavy, your arms hurt and your back aches.

That box isn't heavy. Can't weigh more than a couple of pounds.

Quiet, J.D.!

PHIL: Roll the camera. LARRY: Rolling.

BARRY: And, action.

Good, sweetheart, good. Play the heavy. Play the heavy. Good.

Easy. Getting too close to her, Larry. Okay. Get around and...

- Nice shot. - J.D., I have to talk to you.

Cut.

Don't bother us, Erin. We're cutting up a take. Movie talk.

That's too bad.

Because this shipment is supposed to be at the Quartermaster Depot right now.

It'll just have to be late.

Well, then, I'll let you explain why to General Wilson.

He's on the phone in your office.

The General? I'll be right back. Get that shipment moving.

All right, everybody, back to work, you're not acting now.

All right, get this truck back. Let's go.

Hey, careful there. Hey, watch it, Larry.

Young lady, excuse me, but we haven't finished.

- We have work to do. - And we have a movie to make.

I'm very sorry, but the United States Army comes first.

Has anyone ever told you how attractive you are when you're angry?

I've heard that one before. Excuse me.

(EXCLAIMING)

We're never gonna wrap this up if she keeps interfering.

We got a deadline to meet.

I've got big plans for this factory. Look around.

Faces of Appalachia. They're gonna be the backbone of my movie.

Not if Erin Walton has her way.

Orson Welles wouldn't have allowed a hot shot teenage girl to stop him,

and neither will I.

Take it easy on her, Barry. She's only doing her job.

Don't worry about it, Phil. I am a master of persuasion.

IKE: "The Misses Baldwin cordially invite

"four servicemen to their home this Sunday afternoon

"for dinner and a musicale featuring the records of Mr. Enrico Caruso.

"Please sign up below."

Now, isn't that nice of you ladies to do that?

We would've invited more, but rationing makes it difficult.

We can invite some every week, Sister.

- It's our contribution to the war effort. - How very patriotic.

And perhaps I thought that in that same vein,

I might offer my services to help entertain our brave young men.

That's very nice of you, Corabeth, always generous.

But we are planning a buffet, and we won't need anyone to serve.

But we'll keep it in mind

in case we ever decide to have a sit-down dinner some Sunday.

That's not exactly what I had in mind.

I thought that perhaps I might recite the various stories of the operas

from which your Caruso arias are recorded.

I'm sure our young men have such fundamental knowledge.

They're on our side, you know.

But we thank you, anyway, dear Corabeth.

I'm sure the boys will enjoy a good home-cooked meal,

and especially if they get a bit of the Recipe.

At any rate, I'll put your notice up in the Homefront Canteen,

and, you know, a lot of the servicemen drop by every day.

We'll be in to shop on Saturday morning.

- And please set aside a nice roast for us. - We pooled our rations.

- You can count on it. See you Saturday. - Thank you, Ike.

Come along, Sister, we have much to do.

Instead of a roast, perhaps we should serve creamed chip beef on toast.

- They say the boys adore it. - We can do that next Sunday.

Hello.

Excuse me.

Miss Walton.

(CLEARS THROAT)

- May I see you a moment? - I'm sorry, but I'm busy.

I must get these government forms finished.

- Just call me Barry, okay? Erin? - If you don't mind, I have work to do.

Look, I just want to apologize tonight, over dinner.

- I'm sorry, I can't. - Besides, we both have jobs to do.

I was thinking if we coordinated our efforts,

we'll be out of your hair a lot sooner.

You should talk to J.D. about that, Mr. Stone.

Call me Barry.

- He's the boss around here. - Who's kidding who?

Listen, dinner's on me. All right?

It would be a lot easier for both of us if we were friends.

What do you say?

You don't much care about movies, do you?

I love movies. I just don't see how they're going to help us win the war.

Making mess kits and canteens may not seem that important,

- but at least it's a contribution. - Most movies,

even the entertainment movies, are about the war now.

We're hoping to encourage people to do their part.

We're reminding them how important their way of life is.

- There can't be anything wrong with that. - There isn't.

I just don't think it should get in the way of real war production.

Do you know how many factory workers in other areas are gonna see this film?

Thousands. And it's gonna inspire them to do better.

But what about my workers?

I'll bet you anything that they become more productive than they are now,

because they'll remember

that somebody thought they were important enough to put in a film.

But we still have work to do and deadlines to meet.

We can't afford to lose contracts because we're falling behind.

Then work with me, so you won't lose time.

Erin Walton, you're much too pretty to be such a tough-minded executive.

What are you doing that for?

I'm just looking at you as though I were a camera.

- I don't understand. - You're a natural beauty, Erin. No.

And you know more about Pickett's operation than he does himself.

I'm gonna feature you in the film.

I want to give you a chance to tell the world

what women around here are really contributing.

And that way you can do more,

much more for the war effort than you ever imagined.

Barry, I'm very flattered, but I just can't.

- Why not? - Because I don't have time.

What are you talking about?

Let Pickett do his own work for a couple of days.

I promise that's all it will take.

Besides,

there's a quality about you that I'd love to capture on film.

- What do you say? - I don't know.

I have a lot of friends in Hollywood, big friends.

They'll beat a path to your door once they see you on that screen.

- There she is. - About time.

She did call, John. She has a right to have some fun now and then.

- But with a Hollywood director? - Why not?

Her work might be important, but it can get awfully dull.

Believe me, I know.

- What do you think? - You wouldn't want to hear what I think.

Don't tell me he offered you a screen test.

Oh, no, Mary Ellen, it's even better. He wants me to be in his movie.

Oh, Mama, isn't it exciting?

OLIVIA: What about your production schedule?

You sounded a lot different last night.

That's because now we can do the film without falling behind schedule.

You see, Barry has explained to me how important this film would be,

and I just couldn't turn him down. Oh, my gosh. I have to do my hair.

Mary Ellen, will you help me with it after I wash it?

- Of course, Miss Walton. - Okay.

My room is the one with the star on the door.

Barry.

I don't like it, Liv.

OLIVIA: What are you gonna do, lock her up?

She seems to be running around with some pretty fast company.

Don't worry about Erin.

Her head might be in the clouds, but she's got her feet firmly on the ground.

(SCOFFS) Barry.

You're really gonna be in the movie yourself?

I sure am.

Don't tell Mama and Daddy this, but Barry said that if this turns out okay,

that I have a chance to get a job in Hollywood.

Wow.

Why are they setting up in your office, Erin?

Because Mr. Stone has decided to feature me in his film.

After all, it is about women workers.

But I thought they was gonna shoot in my office today.

I think they changed the schedule. They'll be in here later.

J.D., there are some contracts here that I think you should look over

and there are some bills to be paid, and some letters to answer.

And there's a production report from the OWP that you should check out.

You usually do all this, Erin!

Mr. Stone says I'll be very busy this morning.

I'll be in here working all day on this stuff.

Mr. Stone and I figured out a shooting schedule

that will finish them up in only two days, and then we can get back to business.

- You mean, I'm not gonna be in it? - Of course you are, but later.

- BARRY: Miss Walton, we're ready to roll. - J.D., your hair's falling off.

When the Pickett Defense Plant first went into war production,

there weren't many women working here. But as more and more men were drafted,

we got busy recruiting women from all over Jefferson County.

- And, cut. Nice job. - Save the lights.

- Is that all? - For here.

We'll record some voiceover for your narration later.

Listen, we'll see you at the assembly line.

We'll follow you in a minute, all right.

We're moving to the assembly line. Let's go.

- Barry, can I talk to you a second? - Sure.

- What? Something wrong? - I think it's a mistake to use her, Barry.

Come on. What are you talking about? Look, we're getting the work done.

What are we gonna do with all these scenes?

Have you ever heard of the cutting room floor?

We don't have to use any piece of film that we don't like.

So you are manipulating that poor girl, giving her all kinds of false hopes.

This is the most important film I've ever made.

So, just cut the moralizing, Phil. You know something?

I'd never cast you as a preacher. You're lousy.

Are you ready for me yet?

No, Mr. Pickett. We'll let you know.

Let me see. We have Mr. Caruso's recording

of Tosca, Rigoletto, Aida, and Carmen.

What else do you think we should play?

The Hut Sut Song and Mairzy Doats and Dozy Doats.

I beg your pardon.

I asked Elizabeth, and she said the young men would like those selections.

I don't think Mr. Caruso recorded those arias.

Sister, what do young men talk about these days?

The same things Jason does, I suppose, and, of course, martial subjects.

- They are of the military now, you know. - Then they shall want to hear about

Papa's adventures in the War between the States.

I'll just get out his journals.

And we'll get out Papa's saber and polish it.

A capital idea, Sister.

Perhaps one of the young men could carve the roast with it.

Oh, what fun!

I wish the fashion experts would make up their minds about hemlines.

Hairdos also. Does it have to be just the way it was today?

Barry says it has to match or something.

If you don't hold still, your fingers will match your nails.

If you were in Hollywood you'd have experts to do all this.

Are you gonna go?

Not after working my way up at Pickett Metal.

I don't think it would be very smart.

At least you might find some men out there.

The ones around here are either too old or too young.

- Or married. - Or too like J.D.

Maybe you should go back to the hospital, Mary Ellen.

- They have interns there. - I'm just restless.

Seems like there's a lot happening these days,

but none of it's happening to me.

If I knew a director who said he could get me in to the movies...

- Elizabeth. - You told me not to tell Mama and Daddy,

but you didn't tell me not to tell Mary Ellen and Cindy.

Not many girls get a chance like that.

I'd go in a minute if it weren't for Ben and my little friend here.

Then we could go visit you when you're a star.

I don't think Mama and Daddy would like the idea very much.

- That's putting it mildly. - She's gonna leave sometime,

and they're just gonna have to get used to it.

It depends on why she's leaving.

Going to Hollywood is not a very good reason.

- You clear on everything? - I say my line here,

and then I go over to the ladies and pass out soda.

That's perfect. Phil, you ready? Excuse me.

Did you shake up one of those bottles I told you to?

Just like you said. It's gonna squirt all over the county.

Yeah. And then we'll get a reaction from them.

Ladies, we ready? Good.

- Roll the camera. - LARRY: Rolling.

And action, Erin.

A job at Pickett Metal isn't all work and no play.

Every day the ladies congregate here to talk and laugh.

- How are you gonna cut that in? - Mind your own business, Phil.

(LADIES SCREAMING)

Great shot! Excellent. You get that, Larry?

No! I can't see a thing. There's gunk all over the lens.

What are you talking about? Are you kidding?

Look at it.

Sorry, ladies, we'll have to go from the top again.

(LADIES EXCLAIMING)

- So much for surprises. - Yeah.

BARRY: And action, Erin.

And now, I'd like to introduce to you the head of Pickett Metal Products.

Without this man, none of this would be possible. Mr. J.D. Pickett.

Thank you, Erin.

We are very pleased to be a part of this movie film...

- I mean, documentary. - Cut.

You're a natural, J.D. Thank you.

All right, that's a wrap. Let's load this equipment up.

- Barry, we're ready to move. - All right.

Erin, thanks so much for your help.

Listen, if you ever come out to the West Coast,

give me a call, look me up. Here's one my cards.

Do you really think I could do something out there?

It's a crazy business, huh, Phil? Anything can happen.

Yeah. Crazy town, too.

You don't know how lucky you are to be living in a spot like this.

You might not say that if you'd been here forever.

BARRY: Don't listen to this character, Erin.

Like most assistant directors, he's a bit sour on the rest of the world.

We're late, Barry. Let's go. Thanks, Erin.

Well.

You might do good in love scenes.

Take care.

MARY ELLEN: Are you sure he isn't just interested in you?

I've read in movie magazines about directors and casting couches.

Oh, not Barry. He's almost old enough to be my father.

At least you'd be going into it with your eyes open.

Sure, I would. Besides, I'm still in love with Ashley.

You haven't heard from him lately, have you?

No, his ship is somewhere in the South Pacific.

I guess they don't have too many mail boxes out there.

Also, Ashley would probably come back to the West Coast.

- And if he did, I'd be there. - I see.

So it isn't just a movie career you're after.

Of course not.

I also wouldn't have to give up my war work.

(DOOR OPENS)

How do you figure that?

Why don't you just stay here and listen while I explain it to Mama and Daddy?

We've been waiting for you to get back from your walk.

- Want some pie? - Looks good to me.

Your prosperity is becoming quite evident, Mr. Walton.

Liv, I've got to find some way to keep my pants up.

That's why firemen wear red suspenders.

Mary Ellen, that joke is older than Daddy.

Why is everybody picking on me? What's this?

- Here, allow me. - "Bunny..."

"Barry Stone, Director, Hollywood, California."

He gave that to me this afternoon before he left.

- I'm glad that Hollywood bunch moved on. - I didn't even get to meet them.

I'll introduce you to them, Mama, when you come to visit me.

I want to go to Hollywood.

- You what? - Daddy, it's not just to be in the movies.

I'm certain I can get a job in a defense plant out there.

We get letters every day looking for qualified workers.

If I got on a swing shift, I could visit the studios in the morning.

And Barry said he'd help me get an agent and I can use him as a reference.

And what's he gonna use you for?

JOHN: Erin, you don't know what you're talking about.

But, Daddy, I do. I've been in front of a camera.

Mama, this is my chance to do something exciting.

Erin, this could change your whole life.

And it could ruin your life too, young lady.

You're not going anywhere. Forget it, and that's final.

I knew you wouldn't want to listen to me, Daddy, but you better.

Because I have enough money saved up, and if I can get a job, I'm going.

Come back here, young lady.

- Erin! Come here! - John.

It's not gonna do any good to talk to her now.

It sure won't.

She's not making any sense at all. Someone's got to talk to her.

Neither of you know what it's like to live here at our age.

You've got each other. It's your whole life. Erin's is just beginning.

- Liv, has everybody gone crazy? - The whole world has.

It isn't easy living in these times.

Especially if you're young and have dreams of the future.

- I thought I heard somebody up here. - I couldn't get to sleep.

I started thinking about these movie magazines

that I'd stored away up here.

I remember when you used to look through those

and talk about being in the movies or on the stage.

These were my dream books.

Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard, they were all my own secret friends.

- Sounds kind of silly now. - Not really.

Everybody dreams about romantic and glamorous things when they're young.

- I know I did. - About being an artist?

Partly. Mostly, I dreamed about a city where I could study art.

Paris. I used to read everything I could about it.

I even studied French for a while.

It's kind of sad to think of the way Paris is now.

Yeah, it hurts.

But, back then, Paris was making history with its art.

I used to dream about studying with a famous painter,

living in a garret and maybe even meeting a dashing Frenchman.

- But you met Daddy instead? - That's right.

And then I found I had another dream all along.

- Your father, and all of you. - I thought I'd forgotten all about this.

But now, all of a sudden, it's all coming back to me.

Mama, I have a chance to go to my Paris.

Erin, nobody can take your dreams away from you.

Or stop them from coming true, if they're strong enough.

But you're too young to be going 3,000 miles away all by yourself.

Now, let's see. We've got the roast and the potatoes, the corn, the coffee,

the butter, and five pounds of sugar?

We simply have to have it for a baked Alaska.

Papa loved it so.

MISS MAMIE: Papa was a soldier, don't you know?

It sounds awfully fancy, and sugar is awfully scarce, you know.

And the soldiers probably never heard of it, anyway. I mean, I never did.

CORABETH: Mr. Godsey, please, do not judge others

by your own shortcomings.

It is truly an exquisite dessert.

I shall be happy to loan you my own recipe.

We have one, Corabeth. We call it our baked Alaska Recipe recipe.

You do?

You'd be surprised what a touch of Papa's Recipe will do for a baked Alaska.

Or for most anything, for that matter.

You know what, ladies? With recipes like that, five will get you ten,

that your dinner and your musicale are gonna be a tremendous success.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Erin? You're the one who wanted to go to lunch. Come on.

I'm sorry. Take a look at some of these letters.

They're just a few of the ones I've gotten from defense plants in California.

I called one this morning. You know what they said?

They'd send me money for transportation, find me a place to live,

and I could start work next week. That is if I decide to go.

- No kidding? - And I'll tell you something else.

They pay a lot more than J.D. does.

This one says that they provide child care for women with children.

A lot of them do, and free health care, paid vacations and bonuses.

It sounds good. Now if you can just convince Mama and Daddy.

That's the hard part.

(DOOR OPENS)

Erin, you really let things go when that movie outfit was here.

I've been having to do all your work around here.

That's good, J.D. Now you won't miss me when I'm gone.

I certainly won't, and the sooner the... When you're gone where?

- ERIN: To California. - But you can't.

- Yes, she can. - You stay out of this, Mary Ellen.

You're always causing trouble.

- Now, Erin, you listen to me. - J.D., I think I'll give you another week.

- I'll give you a raise, 10%. - No thanks, J.D.

- 20%. 30! - Sorry, J.D.

- Mary Ellen, let's go to lunch. - Mind if I take these with me?

Oh, sure. I'd like to look at them again, myself.

I can't let you do this, Erin. You're making a big mistake.

By going to lunch? Oh, don't worry, J.D. We're not eating in the plant lunch room.

- That would be a mistake. - Bye-bye.

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello?

Erin, you come on back here!

Hello, General.

It sure is nice to come home on the weekend to a cheerful family supper.

We're sorry, Son. Erin has some wild idea about going to California.

I've heard all about it. In fact, that's all I've heard about since I got home.

Maybe Mary Ellen will be able to talk her out of it.

I don't think Mary Ellen will be the one to do that.

She's just as stubborn as Erin is about this.

I'll go with her.

The 17-year-olds are gonna be working in the defense plants now,

and I can do that till I join the Air Corps.

There's a simple matter of finishing high school first, young man.

- Then you can go to the moon if you want. - I just might try that someday.

Hi, everyone. We have great news, something really special.

Daddy, you don't have to worry about me going to Hollywood anymore.

I'm glad to hear that.

That's right, Daddy, because I'm going with her. John Curtis, too.

ERIN: You see, we called an aircraft company

near Los Angeles this morning,

and they want us both to go to work for them.

They're gonna find a place for us to live near the plant,

and they have a child care center for John Curtis.

ERIN: Mary Ellen will be working in the health department,

and she'll be making twice what she got at Pickett's.

MARY ELLEN: And Erin will be in personnel at three times her salary here.

And on my spare time, I'll call Mr. Stone.

I've already sent him a special delivery letter to tell him I'm coming.

Don't worry, Daddy. I'll keep an eye on him.

We better go, we have a million things to do.

We'll tell you all about it later.

(SINGING) California, here we come Right back where we started from

- Do you think I should bring this one? - If you've got room. I've always loved it.

Would you look at all this stuff?

Maybe I should just buy new things for John Curtis when we get there.

California's climate is a little milder, so maybe you should wait.

I remember when I was packing to go to Hawaii.

I don't think any of us will ever forget that day.

I remember you had second thoughts

about taking John Curtis away from the Mountain.

MARY ELLEN: I thought he should grow up here.

Are you sure you really wanna go? I don't want you to go because of me.

We can always come back after the war.

Mama's gonna miss not having her little grandson around. Daddy, too.

MARY ELLEN: I suppose we should have gone to church with her this morning.

I suppose. But we have so much to do and we work all week.

I hope Grandma Floyd gets along okay without me. The others, too.

I know what you mean. No matter how impossible J.D. is to work with,

I can't help but feel sorry for him and worry about the plant.

You sound like you're not quite so excited about going.

Oh, I am. It's just real hard to leave things behind.

- We'll have each other. - And Mr. John Curtis.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

ERIN: Come in.

I usually get to spend some time with John Curtis on Sunday mornings.

You're welcome to him. Maybe we can get something done.

May be my last chance for a while.

Daddy, I want you to understand why we're leaving.

It's not because we don't love it here.

We just feel we should do something different with our lives.

I guess I'm getting used to the idea.

It's just always hard to see the young ones leave the nest.

I understand that feeling more every day now that John Curtis is growing up.

I just want you to know you're always welcome here.

Thank you.

- Or you can stay if you change your minds. - Thank you.

Come on. Let me get out of here. Come on, son. Let's go for a walk.

Sister, I do believe we have been stood off.

That's stood up, Sister, and it appears that you are quite right.

They could at least have called their regrets.

I thought the Army made gentlemen of them.

The Army only makes gentlemen of officers, Sister.

How unfair. The enlisted man has a perfect right to become a gentleman, too.

You don't suppose an alert has been called?

But, of course! They must have been confined to the fort.

What a shame. All that food and punch will go to waste.

Not necessarily, Sister.

Splendid idea, Sister.

Since we can't depend on the younger generation anymore,

we'll have our own party.

- To the past, dear Mamie. - When men were men.

And ladies were glad of it.

- Jason. - Ike.

Now, like I told you in church, nobody's signed up.

Word got out that the Baldwins were a couple of little old ladies,

and nobody wants to go.

Hi, Sergeant, what are you up to?

I'm looking for four men who are looking for a good time.

You mean that invite there? Forget it.

Let's put it this way,

either you enjoy a nice dinner today or sweat out a lot of extra KP next week.

Now, any volunteers?

- May I have this dance, Miss Emily? - I would be honored, sir.

Oh, my. Isn't this wonderful, Sister? Such gallant young men.

I do believe the Army does very well with the enlisted men.

Such fine gentlemen.

Sweet Billy, what are you doing down here?

Just waiting a pretty piece to talk to you.

- I had to go over to Rockfish. - Yeah, well, Ronie sent me.

Sam and Lady plumb drank up all that cod liver oil last night.

I don't know what possessed them 'cause I ain't got no stomach for it myself.

Don't worry about it. There's plenty more where that came from.

I can give you enough to last six months.

Whoa. Wait, don't run off yet. I got a whole list of things.

Ronie needs some iodine and some sterile bandages.

Seems like a day don't go by

what Sam gets himself a sliver or scrapes a knee or something.

And Jimmy Jenkins' come down with the croup.

He's been chewing mints and going around with mustard packs.

But Grandma Floyd told him about you,

and I'm supposed to take him some medicine back.

- You're reading that list. - I sure am. I wrote it.

Ronie's learning me to read out of that book you give me.

You done a fine job up there, Nurse Mary Ellen.

Ronie's sure took a shine to you. All us folks up there has.

J.D., this is the OWP form.

You might wanna look at it before you sign it.

I'm sure it's just fine, Erin.

Erin, my offer of a pay raise still stands.

Thank you, J.D., but I've made up my mind.

Sit down a minute, will you?

I think you're making a mistake.

Fact is, it's gonna hurt me more than it is you.

I'm sure you can find another assistant manager.

But not one that everybody likes the way they like you.

You'd be surprised how many of the folks here have been telling me

they don't want to see you leave.

I know, they've told me, too. I'll miss them.

Erin, I hate being nice.

I really do, especially to you, after all the pain you've caused me.

But the truth is, without you Pickett Metal Products would be

in the salvage business by now, and don't you think I don't know it.

That's not true, J.D.

For all my bragging about who runs things around here,

I know who's really in charge.

I was hoping someday to make you a partner, expand the business.

- You were? - Absolutely.

Erin, I want you to stay on.

And I want you to know that there will always be a place for you here.

Thank you, J.D.

(DOOR OPENS)

Mary Ellen.

I just came by to see how you were doing on your last day.

It's less than that. It's my last 15 minutes.

It's hard leaving a place you've practically lived in, isn't it?

This dump? No. But I still feel bad about leaving Mama and Daddy.

I know. I feel a little bit like a deserter.

(PHONE RINGING)

Pickett Metal. No, Bess, I can't.

Because if I bend the schedule for you, I'll have to do it for everybody else.

Goodbye.

- The voice of authority. - I know.

And in Hollywood I'll just be one among many.

- Or a starlet. - I wonder about that.

Sweet Billy, Ronie Cotter's brother, he came by the house today

to pick up some more cod liver oil for the Beasley kids.

You're going to miss those people, aren't you?

I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to them.

I'll call Barry, and tell him we'll be a few days late.

You don't have to do that.

Mary Ellen, I can't tear you away from those people so suddenly.

I thought you wanted to get right to Hollywood.

Few days won't hurt.

Operator.

(PHONE RINGING)

- Phil Baker here. - Hi, this is Erin Walton.

- PHIL: Oh, hi, Erin, how you doing? - Fine. Is Barry in?

No, I'm sorry, he's not.

Listen, I understand you're coming in to Los Angeles.

Yes, I am. With my sister.

- PHIL: To work in a defense plant? - Mmm-hmm. How did you know?

This town's full of females working in aircraft factories at night

and trying to get into pictures during the day.

Barry said he could get me in touch with some people in the business.

Yeah. That's old tall-tale Barry for you.

Promise you anything to get the job done. Anyway, he's gone for a couple of months.

Out shooting a new documentary.

I'm here editing the one we just finished, in the meantime.

Then I guess it'll be all right if we're a few days late.

Now listen, Erin. I should level with you.

You're not gonna be in this film very much,

so don't count on it to get you another part.

I see. Thank you.

- What do you think? - That's so cute.

Here they come.

- All right. Places, everybody. - You sound like a movie director.

- Surprise! - Surprise!

I'm afraid we're the ones that have the surprise.

We're not going.

- I suppose you wanna know why. - Sure do.

- You're messing up our surprise party. - There's even more reason for a party now.

JOHN: We're happy.

JASON: Well, it's nice to have you back.

JOHN-BOY: Erin and Mary Ellen returned to their important work in our community.

It was years later when my sister finally did come to Hollywood.

She visited me and my family,

and we spoke fondly of the one film in which she starred.

JIM-BOB: Hey, Elizabeth, what do you think about

people who get going away presents

and then don't leave?

ERIN: I think they ought to give them back.

ELIZABETH: How about that stationery I gave you, Mary Ellen?

MARY ELLEN: I'll write you a letter tomorrow.

ERIN: Jim-Bob, I'll let you use that perfume you gave me any time you want.

JIM-BOB: Good night, Erin.

MARY ELLEN: Good night, everybody. ERIN: Good night, everybody.

English -SDH