Original subtitles

You'd think the Japanese would have come to their senses by now.

I still don't think they know what hit 'em.

If they haven't figured that after Nagasaki and Hiroshima,

then perhaps we'd best continue the bombing.

You know what worries me? I'll tell you what worries me.

The Japanese haven't surrendered.

Do you think it's because they have an atomic bomb?

Won't be long, Ike, before everybody does.

Why can't the Japanese see that it's time to stop fighting?

(SOBBING)

What are they going to do to Ben if they don't even care about their own lives?

(SPEAKING JAPANESE)

Murderers die now!

(SPEAKING JAPANESE)

NORMAN: (WHISPERING) Colonel Mitaui even threatened

to execute all the prisoners today.

It really worries me, Ben. He's crazy enough to do it.

JOHN-BOY: In all our lives, there are moments

we are meant to remember forever,

in every small detail and shading.

To my family, on Walton's Mountain,

such a moment came in the late summer of 1945.

The war in Europe was over.

The worst of the Japanese war still la y ahead.

On that hot Sunday in August,

an unexpected visitor came to Walton's Mountain,

brought by the notion that something was wrong with my brother Jason,

who was waiting to be shipped home from France.

- Hi, Toni! - ERIN: Hi, Toni!

Hi! How you doing?

What brings you here?

It's Jason. I think there's something's wrong.

- What makes you think that? - I got a letter from him yesterday,

and there was just something in his tone.

Well, what did the letter say?

You know Jason. He didn't say much of anything.

But he was obviously trying to hide something. He is so transparent.

Well, now, do you think he's in some kind of trouble?

- No. - ELIZABETH: Well, could he be sick?

I don't think so.

Well, thank the Lord. If he's not sick and he's not in trouble, then he's all right.

Now we can go back to worrying about Ben.

Jason is not all right!

If you say so, Toni.

Well, you've heard from him since we have.

I'm sorry. I didn't come here to upset everybody.

It's just that... I have this feeling.

Look, how about a nice, cold glass of lemonade?

No, thank you. I've got to get to the Baldwins'

before I get back to Camp Rockfish.

What's at the Baldwins'?

Just delivering a present from Jason.

Something he picked up for them, just before I left.

I'll see you all later. Bye-bye.

- ROSE: Bye. - Bye-bye.

(SIGHS)

(CAR ENGINE STARTING)

Well, it looks like Cindy isn't the only one with a premonition.

Either that, or Toni just wanted to make sure that Jason hadn't been here already.

- John-Boy. - Cindy!

- Hi. - Sit down.

I know you wanted to get away from the family.

I hope I'm not bothering you.

Oh, no. It's the work that's bothering me.

Well, I thought I'd get out and take a walk, try and keep my mind off of things.

Cindy, Ben's going to be just fine.

I wish that I could be as sure of that as you are.

At least we know he's a prisoner. That's a lot better than missing in action.

Yes. You know,

I woke up this morning, and all I could think about was

how hot and pasty Walton's Mountain was.

If it's this hot here, what's it like in that jungle on the other side of the world?

If that's where he is, he's probably a lot cooler than we are.

Why?

For one thing, they're used to this kind of weather.

And for another, it's the middle of the night.

(LAUGHS)

(CLANKING)

- (WHISPERING) Hey, Ben? - Yeah?

- It's Norm. Are you okay? - Oh, God! It's hotter than hell in here.

- Here, I brought you some chow. - (EXCLAIMS) Thank you.

- What is this mess? - Chef's special.

I think it started out to be boiled rice and fish.

It's awful.

Yeah, well, the way the war's going, the Nips ain't eating much better than we are.

Sleeping, they aren't doing as good.

Everyone's so nervous in the service out there, huh?

Yeah, every day it's a little worse.

Colonel Mitaui even threatened to execute all the prisoners today.

It really worries me, Ben. He's crazy enough to do it.

- MacArthur starting to worry them? - I bet there's more than that.

Hold it.

What's going on?

(SPEAKING JAPANESE)

You talking.

Come on, Corporal. You can't stop me from dreaming.

Quiet!

What the hell was all that about?

That's Corporal Kiyono. He heard us talking.

Get the hell back to the barracks. Man, he's a weirdo.

Yeah, well, maybe you'd be, too,

if your whole family was wiped out by enemy bombers.

- Norm, thanks. - Take care of yourself, Ben.

MISS MAMIE: What a dear, thoughtful boy, Sister.

All the way from Paris, Sister.

- And it's just like the other. - The other?

The one that was broken, dear.

It always stood on the piano until it was accidentally knocked off.

We won't say by whom.

But it was very nice of him to replace it.

(PHONE RINGING)

(EXCLAIMS)

It's the telephone, Sister.

- So it is! - I believe it's your turn to answer it.

I do love the sound of that bell.

(CHUCKLES)

Telephone calls used to be such a rarity, but lately we've become

quite accustomed to them.

(RINGING)

I do hope that's cousin Mirabelle.

She had aphids when we last spoke and we've been most concerned.

We get at least one call a week from the bank in Charlottesville

and several from Corabeth.

And you'd be surprised at the number of

ailing people in Jefferson County who call in need of the Recipe.

Sister, the telephone!

(RINGING STOPS)

Well, it was your turn and you lost it.

The Baldwin ladies are usually always home at this hour.

Well, maybe they heard about Jason and left.

Well, who could have told them?

Yeah, you've got a point there.

I think the operator just got the wrong number.

(RINGING)

- It's the telephone again, Sister. - I'll get it!

I believe it's my turn this time, Emily.

Surely you're not going to count that last turn as a turn.

I most certainly am.

Why don't you let me get it? Excuse me.

TONI: Hello? Yes, it is. This is Toni Hazelton speaking.

Oh, Toni! This is Corabeth.

I have been trying to call Miss Mamie and Miss Emily

and tell them that Jason is home from the war.

He's on his way to the house right now.

(PHONE DISCONNECTS)

(DOOR CLOSING)

Toni?

(ALL LAUGHING)

I just looked out in the yard, and I said, "That can't be Jason!"

- Oh, I can't believe that you're home! - I can't believe it either!

- (EXCLAIMS) You just look terrific, Jason. - And you never looked better.

Oh, Jason!

JASON: Ben will be back with us soon, sweetie.

Oh, I hope so. I'm just so glad that you're home.

Hey, last time I saw you, you were looking forward to a little leisure time

in the South of France.

Yeah, but thanks to an article in Stars and Stripes about active minefields,

they decided to put me on a demolition squad.

(JOHN-BOY LAUGHS)

If I'm not mistaken, that article was written by a certain reporter

I know very well.

(ALL LAUGHING)

- Oh, no, not me. - Where's Daddy?

ELIZABETH: Oh, he had some business in Richmond.

He won't be home till late.

Hey!

- Where did you come from? - Who cares? I'm here, aren't I?

That's my girl. Don't ever change.

- Jason! - Daddy!

(JASON LAUGHING)

I thought I was seeing things, Son.

Why didn't you tell somebody you were coming?

I like surprises.

So do I, especially like this. How long are you home for?

Thirty days.

That's a long furlough, they must have plans for you.

Yeah. They're shipping me out to the Pacific.

You're looking good, Son. You're looking good.

So are you, Daddy.

(LAUGHING)

Go!

NORMAN: Where do you think we're going?

BEN: I don't know. Maybe to build some ditches.

NORMAN: Or graves.

- Good morning, Jason. - Good morning, Rose.

(SNIFFING)

- Mmm, bacon. - And eggs. How's that?

Sounds great. Sure is quiet around here.

Well, everybody thought you'd want to sleep late today.

I don't know why they'd think a thing like that.

What's the news this morning?

Well, President Truman's still not back from Potsdam.

(EXHALING) I'm sure glad I didn't try to get a ride home with him.

(CHUCKLING)

Well, they're sending more Superfortresses to bomb Japan

and there's more fighting in China and MacArthur is closing the trap

on Yamashita in the Philippines.

- Ben could be there, somewhere. - I know.

Cindy seems to be taking it pretty well.

ROSE: Well, she's trying very hard, Jason, she really is.

But doggone it, sometimes it just bubbles over.

It's this...

It's this waiting, that's what it is. This awful waiting.

There's no getting around it.

Wednesday and Thursday Song of Bernadette is playing.

A girl I know said she cried four times.

- Well, that's a shame. - Drew, what did I just say?

Well, you said something about... I don't know.

You wanna get out and walk to Charlottesville or hitch a ride?

'Cause I've got no reason for going there at all.

Well, look, if it means that much to you, just say it again.

I mean, if it's that important.

- I wouldn't dream of it. - Okay. Fine then.

Since about Friday of last week, I don't know what's come over you.

You're thoughtless. You hardly pay attention to anything.

Me! Why, you're not even looking where you're driving.

Well, I'm not the one who goes running his bicycle into trees.

It's not my wheel we're picking up in Charlottesville.

- Drew, there's no bicycle shop here. - Well, I lied.

Oh, you don't have a busted bicycle wheel, is that what you're telling me?

What I'm telling you is that what happened Friday changed my whole life.

Well, a lot happened on Friday. What exactly are you talking about?

What I'm talking about is an army airplane with a jet engine

that flew from Dayton, Ohio to LaGuardia Field.

That's 544 miles and it did it in 62 minutes.

That's not the plane that ran into the Empire State Building, is it?

(SCOFFS) No, that was an old B-25 bomber.

What we're talking about is a Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star.

The fastest plane in the world.

I had a funny idea we were talking about a bicycle.

(SIGHS)

Look, Elizabeth, there's only one thing I want to be now

and it's a jet engine pilot.

- What about us? - War is hell, Elizabeth.

The men got to go, the women got to wait.

And the kids stand around talking dumb.

Look. They are going to need 500 new pilots

for the P-80 Shooting Star and I'm going to be one of them.

When they ask you where your high school diploma is,

just tell them you'll come back when you grow up.

- I thought you were writing today. - Hey, Jason.

No, I got too many other things on my mind, I guess.

Like keeping out the cold weather, huh? What is that stuff, anyway?

It's a secret formula called mud.

(CHUCKLES)

What will they dream up next?

- I've been thinking. - Yeah?

With everything coming up in the Pacific now,

maybe I ought to be out there helping to cover it.

Are you crazy?

As a civilian correspondent, I mean. For one of the magazines.

I've been listening to you now for 24 years

and in all that time, that is the silliest damned thing

I have ever heard come out of you.

How long could it go on? The whole invasion of Germany was only 11 months.

Japan's rugged. We are not going to be able to use any heavy artillery.

Just rifles, bayonets, flame throwers.

That's going to be a pretty hairy invasion.

We might not need an invasion. They've got no planes left.

Like in the Philippines, before we hit the beaches. And then, suddenly...

(SIGHS) Boy!

And no Navy. We could sail right into Tokyo Harbor today.

Sailing is nice. Going ashore is more of a problem.

Whatever happened to the old Jason Walton?

The world's most incurable optimist.

He was standing between two friends in Germany

when they were both killed by sniper fire.

(NORMAN SHOUTS)

(BEN GRUNTS)

- You all right? - I don't know.

I got a gash on my leg.

- KIYONO: Walk. Walk. - Here, let me help you.

(BOTH GRUNTING)

Come on.

I can't go any further.

(PANTING)

Let me take a look at it.

- I think you're going to be all right. - Damn.

What about us?

(SIGHS)

- What are these things? - Sweet potatoes.

Quiet.

Why do I get the feeling this is like the last supper?

Be quiet, Norm, or it just might be.

Walk.

- That's better. - Better than what?

Your whole general attitude these last few days.

Oh, yeah. General Attitude. I served under him in France.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

I'm sorry. I guess I have had a lot on my mind, lately.

Oh, no need to guess.

When something is on your mind, it pops out in all directions.

That's what I've been missing. The abuse.

(LAUGHS)

I'm glad you're back.

It's just the reason you're back that I don't like.

I've been doing a lot of thinking, lately.

You better watch out.

You can get kicked out of the army for that.

John-Boy says I'm not an optimist anymore.

My father said he was always a pessimist, until he got married.

- I said, my father always said... - I heard what your father said.

He was a very smart man.

Toni, your father is not going to Japan.

- I am. - That's why I brought it up,

instead of waiting for you to mention it.

The reason I haven't mentioned it, all the times I've wanted to,

is because I'm going to be gone for a very long time.

- Right now you're here. - Two years, maybe three.

And the ones who get back alive aren't going to be the same people anymore.

What are you saying, Jason? In brief.

- What I'm saying is... - I know what you're saying.

Okay.

(SIGHS)

This is the last time I ever propose to you.

Where are you going?

- Back to Camp Rockfish. - Toni, wait.

Please don't try and stop me. I've had it, Jason.

Really. We are through.

Her jeep's outside. She taking him away again?

She who, honey?

Oh, can't you tell by the tone of her voice, Rose?

It's either Toni Hazelton or Typhoid Mary.

(LAUGHS)

We don't see her for a year at a time

and all of a sudden, she's prowling around every day.

What is she up to?

Anyone who would ask a question like that is too young to get an answer.

Some people's minds don't work like other people I could name.

Oh, get with it, Elizabeth. That woman is 23 years old if she's a day.

And dying on the vine.

Now, if you were an old maid army sergeant

and somebody as absolutely eligible as Jason was wandering loose,

where do you think you would be prowling around every day?

But there are millions of guys in the army.

- Not as gorgeous as your brother. - And not as thick-headed, either.

- When it comes to women, that is. - You three are all alike, you know that?

Everybody's all alike, Elizabeth, when it comes to hunting husbands.

Oh, they hiked out of here about 20 minutes ago,

so I can bet just about where they have gotten to by now.

Or where she's gotten to.

(LAUGHS)

They're probably sitting on Whittler's Rock right now.

(EXCLAIMS) This little one isn't as naive as she looks!

What have you and Drew been up to anyway?

I don't have to take this, especially not from my sisters.

(ALL LAUGHING)

- All right, everybody, warm up the radio! - MARY ELLEN: What is it?

I just heard they are about to make an important announcement.

They have been making a lot of important announcements all through this war,

but none of them seem to bring it closer to an end.

This one is extra important.

MAN ON RADIO: News service has just announced that a single bomb,

described as an atomic bomb,

2,000 times more powerful than any explosive ever before devised,

was dropped today on the important Japanese army center of Hiroshima.

The atomic device was said to have the destructive force

- of 20,000 tons of TNT. - God almighty!

MAN ON RADIO: Details of the bomb's effects are still not known

because of an impenetrable cloud of dust and smoke covering the city.

But it is believed that the devastation must have been total,

with the loss of life numbering into the tens of thousands.

The President said that if the Japanese do not now accept our terms,

they ma y expect a rain of ruin from the air.

I'm sorry, Mary Ellen, but we're all out of canned peas.

MARY ELLEN: How can you be out of peas?

Oh, my suppliers these days are moving like snails.

They all got one ear glued to the radio

and they are waiting for the other shoe to drop.

You'd think the Japanese would have come to their senses by now.

I still don't think they know what hit 'em.

If they haven't figured that after Nagasaki and Hiroshima,

then perhaps we'd best continue the bombing.

Well, it doesn't sound very appealing to me.

Well, I'll settle for just one delivery truck from Richmond.

I know how your suppliers feel.

I haven't had the heart to write a single word all week.

I don't know what to think about the bomb.

If it ends the war, that's fine.

But right now, it doesn't seem to be doing that.

It's such a terrifying weapon.

Well, I would think that it would be obvious to everyone by now

that the cosmic bomb is intended as a weapon of mercy.

All I know is that we dropped one bomb Monday

and probably killed 200,000 people.

Thursday, another 200,000.

How much mercy can these people take?

Mary Ellen, you got to remember, these people are fanatics.

We're wiping out cities half the size of Washington and they're fanatics?

My husband was killed at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese

and I would like to see them brought to their knees for that,

but I'm also a nurse and that part of me

is horrified by what's happening over there.

You know what worries me? I'll tell you what worries me.

The Japanese haven't surrendered.

Do you think it's because they have an atomic bomb?

Won't be long, Ike, before everybody does.

- Why, a face from the past. - Oh, Elizabeth, come on!

I thought you'd be out in the wild blue yonder by now.

Didn't you join the army?

Yeah. Well, I would have. But I couldn't get my parents' permission.

Isn't that just terrible?

If you've come to apologize, don't bother.

Apologize! What for?

For being rude and disagreeable Monday in Charlottesville.

No. Actually, what I came for was to borrow some of

Jim-Bob's books on aviation, if you know what I mean.

No, I don't. If you want to do that, you will have to talk to my brother.

He may be home this weekend, he may not.

There's a war on, you know?

Look, I guess I'll talk to you later.

The way things keep changing, Drew Cutler, who can tell?

(DOOR SLAMMING)

What did I ever see in him?

Poured it to him, did you?

Made him choose between the Shooting Star

and the love of a good woman?

All of a sudden, it really didn't seem worth the bother.

I'd worry if I thought you really believed that.

I wonder sometimes. Men!

Elizabeth!

You're a little young to be getting so jaded, don't you think?

I'm also a little young to play second fiddle to an airplane.

- Hey, everybody! - Jim-Bob!

- What's for supper? - What are you doing here?

- I got a pass. - I thought you just had a pass.

Well, if they can't remember, you expect me to?

Well, praise the Lord for army oversights.

You know, I just saw Drew walking down the road a minute ago.

I waved to him, but he didn't see me.

Is there something the matter with him?

Nothing a good clunk on the head wouldn't fix.

- Well, here you go, Jason. - Thanks, Ike.

Your family used to get a lot more mail

before you and John-Boy got back from overseas.

- And the Japanese took Ben prisoner. - Yeah.

Well, we're all praying for him. The whole town is.

Thanks, Ike. That means a lot to us.

Yeah.

(DOOR OPENING)

Jason. Jason! You dear boy.

(BOTH EXCLAIMING)

Hello, ladies.

(ALL LAUGHING)

- Sister, Jason is back. Can you imagine? - I believe I am going to have a vapor.

I shall have to sit down.

Oh, nonsense, Sister. Now, control yourself.

What can I do for you, ladies?

Oh, we came by for a tankful of gasoline.

Coming right up.

Jason, when are you going to come by and serenade us?

Since you went away, Sister and I have been looking forward to your return.

(EXCLAIMS) So have I.

Well, then why don't you come by and have dinner with us this evening?

I'm going to be having dinner with the family,

but I'd like to come by this afternoon.

Oh, that would be lovely!

And be sure and bring that delightful Miss Hazelton along.

Well, I would like to, Miss Mamie,

but I'm afraid we are not exactly on speaking terms right now.

Oh, not on speaking terms?

Sister, I do believe these two dear young people have had a lover's tiff.

Well, we are certainly experienced in that area.

Having had our share of disagreements.

Now, if there are any problems that you have...

Or any advice you need...

Sister and I are quite knowledgeable about such things.

All our love affairs ended in failure.

Well, that's good to know.

(CHUCKLES)

I'll see you ladies this afternoon.

Oh, yes.

(EXCLAIMS)

Sister, I have an idea.

And I know just what it is.

(LAUGHING)

- Oh, Jason, what a treat. - Hello, Miss Emily.

- A most welcome surprise. - I thought you were expecting me.

(SHUSHING) As I was saying, a complete surprise.

Do come in.

- Miss Mamie. - Jason.

- Sergeant Hazelton. - Sergeant Walton.

- Won't you sit down, Jason? - Thank you.

Excuse me.

Isn't this cozy?

MISS MAMIE: Jason, would you care for some ice tea?

Yes, ma'am. I don't think there is any need to put any ice in it.

I think it will chill just sitting there.

- Weren't you going to sing for us, Jason? - Sure, Miss Emily.

I would hope that Miss Hazelton would join him.

Thank you.

I was hoping that Toni would join me for a walk this evening.

Would you please tell Jason that I have a date with an army captain this evening.

- Jason, I believe... - Ask Toni if her army captain

knows any nice, young blonds?

I've always been very attracted to blonds.

Why, thank you, Jason.

- When I was younger... - Tell Jason that my army captain friend

is a nice, young blond. I, too, have always been attracted to blonds.

Jason, I believe you and Miss Hazelton have something in common.

(MISS MAMIE CLEARS THROAT)

If you two young people are going to grace our home with your presence,

you can at least address each other directly.

- Yes, ma'am. - All right.

Jason Walton, you are a cad.

(EXCLAIMS)

But you're still crazy about me. I can see it in your eyes.

I'm not crazy about you.

And if you see anything at all, it is anger, pure and undiluted.

No. No, all I see in there is my own reflection.

You know, in all my travels, I have never met a four-striped sergeant

with such sparkling, elegant eyes.

You can stop right there, Jason.

Sergeant Hazelton is not only very bright and incredibly pretty,

she is also a Staff Sergeant, which is a very high command level

that entitles her to a better berth on the train than mine.

I just might take it, too.

- They are talking, Sister. - I would prefer to hear them sing.

So would I.

From dawn till dusk.

From dawn till dusk, for the rest of our lives?

If the Japanese won't surrender, how can you expect me to?

That does it.

(EXCLAIMS)

Ladies, thank you for your hospitality. Please excuse me.

- Where are you going? - I have a date, remember?

(DOOR CLOSES)

Would you have more tea, Jason?

You wouldn't happen to have a little of the Recipe, would you?

Well... Yes, of course! Of course we have.

Saw the light on. Thought you might be working.

Trying to work. Just can't seem to keep my mind on it.

Guess we're both thinking about the same thing.

I guess we are.

- (SOBBING) I want Ben to come home! - Oh, honey, he's going to come home.

He's going to come home.

Why can't the Japanese see that it's time to stop fighting?

I think they see the handwriting on the wall.

(SOBBING)

Throughout this whole war, they've fought to the death!

These kamikaze pilots, they would rather die than surrender.

What are you trying to say?

Can't you see? What are they going to do to their prisoners?

What are they going to do to Ben if they don't even care about their own lives?

(BOTH PANTING)

KIYONO: Quiet!

- I don't hear anything. - Quiet!

(SPEAKING JAPANESE)

Murderers die now!

(SPEAKING JAPANESE)

Where he takes you, you will die anyway.

- Hello. - ROSE: I thought you were going to spend

the rest of the day doing your rounds.

None of my patients are where they're supposed to be.

Grandma Floyd is over at Ronie Cotter's

and George Meeker decided to ride his mule over to visit his cousin

in Fluvanna County and Amy Cavanaugh's daughter

drove her into Charlottesville to visit with her family.

If you've got any medicine in that bag,

I'm sure we could all use some to make the waiting a little bit easier.

The only medicine I know is the same thing my patients are using,

just visiting with family and friends.

If the war is over all of a sudden, what would be the first thing you'd do?

Well, I think I'd sleep till supper and then I'll think about it later.

Well, I wish you'd think about supper, too,

because I may be off dancing up a storm.

(CHUCKLING) Take me with you, Rose.

What about you, Cindy?

Oh, I don't know.

Here, take a look at this.

If it's more war news, I don't want it.

ERIN: No, it's not. Take a look.

All of the hairdressers in London got dressed up for a fancy ball in Albert Hall.

(EXCLAIMING) Look at these hairdos!

ERIN: They're sensational.

I know one fellow who would absolutely die if I walked around looking like this.

Might do him some good.

You know, I think I'm going to do a little experimenting.

- MARY ELLEN: Good luck. - Excuse me.

I hate the waiting as much as you do, Cindy, if it's any comfort.

ERIN: We all do.

Thanks.

Just look what it's doing to Jason and Toni and Elizabeth and Drew.

We decided to take the rest of the day off.

ROSE: Oh, join the crowd!

I haven't got the willpower to even look at a mop, much less use one.

The way I'm feeling today, I can turn a ten minute job

into a full day's work.

MAN ON RADIO: With the growing indications that the Japanese

are moving closer to surrender, there are also growing concerns

for the safety of American prisoners of war.

Throughout the history of the war in the Pacific,

there have been numerous, isolated instances of Japanese captors

killing their prisoners when faced with defeat.

Excuse me.

Poor child.

Damn!

Don't worry, Daddy, Ben will be okay.

That's just what I'm hoping for, Son.

Cindy.

I'm afraid that I'm not very good company today, Rose.

And you shouldn't be, either.

I just won't believe that anything has happened to Ben.

I just won't.

(CRYING)

Hey, Drew. Give me a hint. You're looking for somebody, right?

Yeah, I'm looking for Elizabeth. Is she around?

- Just a minute. - All right.

Drew, what do you want?

Well, I was talking with my parents.

They didn't seem to want to listen.

- They didn't? - No. I...

Thought maybe I'd come talk with you.

Well, look, Drew. If it's about the airplanes...

The airplane? What airplane?

NORMAN: I have a fever, Ben. I can feel it.

BEN: Come on, Norm, it's just hot today.

(BOTH PANTING)

Now I feel like you must have felt in that hot-box.

My leg is burning up.

(NORMAN SCREAMS)

(VEHICLE APPROACHING)

Americans! Americans!

I your prisoner.

I don't get it.

I do. Don't you see? We're his ticket to safety.

All this time, he's been leading us to our troops.

(BEN CHUCKLES)

MAN ON RADIO: The sense of anticipation here at the White House

is as great as it has ever been at any time since the start of the war.

A large crowd has gathered outside

to await the appearance of President Truman,

who is scheduled to address the nation in just a few minutes.

Until then, our recorded music continues.

(SOFTMUSIC PLAYING)

(CAR DOOR OPENING)

MISS MAMIE: May we join you?

(LAUGHS) Well, I should say so, Mamie.

- Thank you, Rose. - Emily.

We couldn't bear being alone and listening to the radio.

Well, I don't blame you. Hello, Toni.

- Hello, Jason. - Hello, ladies.

Hi.

I've missed you.

You may have gotten on my nerves lately, but at least you're not dull.

Like your army captain friend?

Besides, with all the news today, I don't know,

Camp Rockfish just wasn't where I wanted to be.

When you could hear the news with me?

- You are so presumptuous, Jason. - Yup.

JOHN: You looking for company? CORABETH: As a matter of fact, we were.

IKE: We just heard there's going to be an important message

on the radio in a few minutes.

JOHN: Come on in. Half the Mountain's here already.

IKE: Yeah.

JASON: Hey, Corabeth, Ike.

IKE: Is it on yet?

Not yet, we're waiting. Have a seat.

(ALL SHUSHING)

MAN ON RADIO: There is great excitement here,

and continued speculation.

The crowd began gathering early this morning

here at the White House.

(PEOPLE APPLAUDING)

La dies and gentlemen, the President of the United States!

TRUMAN: I have received this afternoon a message from the Japanese government

in reply to the message forwarded to that government

by the Secretary of State on August, 11th.

Say it, Harry.

I deem this reply a full acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration,

which specifies the unconditional surrender of Japan.

It's over.

(ALL CHEERING LOUDLY)

ROSE: I don't believe it!

I don't believe it!

That's right.

Oh, that's the best news I ever had.

All right, Sergeant, outside. That's an order.

- An order? - On the double.

(JASON CHUCKLES)

All right, I'm here. Now, what's your next command?

You want me to present arms?

You don't have the War to hide behind anymore.

You got to fish or fall off the boat.

What are you talking about?

As if you didn't know! Are you going to marry me or not?

You mean right now?

More or less.

You have strung me along and bandied me about for a year now.

This is kind of sudden. I'm going to need a little time.

Time? For what?

Well, as much as I love you, which is ridiculously much...

Then prove it!

I don't usually marry a lady until I've had a little time to court her.

I do not believe it!

(SIGHS)

Okay, Jason. Court.

(PHONE RINGING)

(LAUGHING)

Who? What, from where?

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

Honolulu?

What? Oh, just a minute, don't go away.

Cindy! Cindy!

Telephone. It's a shortwave radio operator in Charlottesville.

I don't know anybody in Charlottesville.

Well, they're talking to somebody in San Diego,

who's on the phone with somebody in Honolulu,

who's got somebody in Manila.

Do you want to talk to your husband or don't you?

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

Daddy, it's Ben. He's alive, he's safe!

Ben? Ben, is that really you?

(LAUGHING)

Of course, I'm crying and laughing and smiling. We all are.

Ben, I love you.

Dear Lord, our hearts are full today

and we thank you for bringing this terrible war to an end.

And we thank you especially

for keeping our boys safe and alive.

We hope you're gonna be with all those folks on both sides now,

who have to live with the death and destruction of this war.

JOHN-BOY: The words of blessing were also a memorial,

for lost, missing in action, somewhere in that war,

was the world we ha d grown up in.

My father's world and Jason's.

Gentle and generous, naive and optimistic.

Some other sort of world would begin on Wednesday morning. Until then...

ELIZABETH: Daddy? JOHN: Elizabeth?

ELIZABETH: It's the middle of August and it feels like a Christmas carol.

Peace on earth.

ERIN: Goodwill to men.

JOHN-BOY: From Heaven's all-gracious King.

ELIZABETH: The earth in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

JOHN: Good night, everybody.

English -SDH