Original subtitles

Didn't you tell them about your television program?

- ELIZABETH: Television? - What gives?

Well, Dean Beck has promised me a job

if I can sell the college trustees on funding a television department.

I figure if they are going to let him use the school equipment,

I might as well build a set to watch him on.

This is gonna take some editing.

(GASPS) Jim-Bob!

(SCREAMS)

Dean Beck wants me to make a speech right on television.

You've made speeches before.

In front of an audience, sure, where I can see the people.

But in a studio with the lights and the camera,

I get cold feet just thinking about it.

Given that potential,

we owe it to the future to search out the good,

so that television becomes a celebration of life.

JOHN-BOY: The post-war world was an era of innovation.

We stood upon the threshold of a new age, which was ruled by sudden change.

Technical advancements in medicine, science and electronics

ha d a profound effect on the way we lived and thought.

None of us dreamed how deeply we would be affected by those advancements,

even though we were close by when it all began.

JOHN-BOY: I've read a lot about television.

I never thought I'd see it right here in Jefferson County.

Oh, yes. The equipment was donated by an electronics company

on the condition we put in a television department.

But right now, we're transmitting one night a week.

This is closed-circuit. Two drama students down the hall.

You know, this is going to give Boatwright a head start.

Sooner or later, colleges all over the country

will be teaching television techniques.

BECK: Well, I'm afraid our board of trustees doesn't agree with us.

They're planning to shut this system down.

According to them, television is still experimental

and will never compete with radio.

Ouch.

(BECK SIGHING)

How's the novel coming, John?

- (SIGHING) Not well. - No?

I thought it might help to put it aside and try something else.

It's a good idea. Poetry, short stories, maybe a collection.

I was hoping that you'd have an opening in your English Department.

A professorship or something.

When did you become interested in teaching?

I'm broke, and if I don't find something to tide me over soon,

I'll never finish that book.

- You don't mean give up writing? - I've got to find a way to make a living.

Well, I wish I could help you, John, but all our positions are filled up.

Maybe something will open up next semester.

About that television department...

What if you let me take a crack at the board of trustees?

Oh, we've had meetings and drawn up proposals.

There's not much chance.

Have you thought of using television to sell television?

What do you mean?

A program produced right here at Boatwright, aimed at the board.

An appeal. Something they could see with their own eyes.

That's a good thought. And I suppose, if it works,

you'd be creating a position for yourself at the same time.

Yes. Now, is it a deal?

I sell the board on a television department and you find me a job in it.

What do you know about teaching television?

Not a thing. And neither does anybody else.

Is it a deal?

- We could learn together. - That's right.

What on earth is that?

My brother Jim-Bob.

(BECK LAUGHING)

He brought me over here this morning.

He must have found his way into the studio.

It's nice having company along on a day like this.

Well, after that big lunch you fixed, I need the exercise.

(CAR HONKING)

- Look out, Rose! - Oh!

Wasn't that Zuleika Dunbar?

Zuleika Dunbar has never driven a day in her life!

That's her, all right. She'll try anything once.

- That woman's a regular caution. - So they say.

She drives the same way she cooks. Dangerously.

It's a wonder I survived those two months in her boarding house.

Bit of a man-chaser, I'm told.

Oh, I wouldn't know about that, Miss Rose.

Corabeth!

It's such a pleasure to see you two lovebirds come in here together.

Now, you could hardly call Mr. Perkins and me lovebirds.

We're just good friends.

Friendship and fondness are merely steps along the pathway to amour.

Now, how can I help you?

ROSE: I'd like a slab of bacon, for one thing.

- Stanley Perkins! - Oh, Zuleika.

I haven't seen you in ages.

Why, oh, why haven't you come to visit me?

Well, I've been busy with my new job over in Rockfish

and trying to make my apartment livable.

Oh, I would think that apartment of yours could use a woman's touch.

A box of baking soda, Corabeth, and that will be all.

Stanley and I had such fun when he was living in my boarding house.

You remember the time we were playing the piano together?

I forgot I had my bath water running and it came pouring down the stairs.

Stanley was gracious enough to help me mop it up.

Well...

I never did get my bath that day!

I have put in a new line of ladies' dresses.

Perhaps you ladies would like to spread the word.

Well, I noticed them as we came in. I better take a better look.

Did you see my car? I just got it last week.

Well, we could hardly help noticing it, seeing as how you nearly ran us over.

(LAUGHING) Oh, Stanley!

Well, I would have offered you a lift,

but it's hard to get going once I have stopped.

Well, perhaps a few driving lessons would help you.

I've considered that.

Stanley, you could teach me. You are such a superb driver.

- Please say you will! - You flatter me.

- Tomorrow morning, then? - Well, I guess I could manage it.

Oh, you'd do that for little old me?

Rose, she is crazy about him. It is written all over her face.

Now, you'd better do something about it before it gets too late.

- Well, I'll see tomorrow morning then. - All right.

Unless I can take you somewhere now.

No, Miss Rose and I are planning to walk home.

The long way.

Oh, Rose, I hope you're not considering that dress.

It's a lovely color, but I don't think you'll ever get it in your size.

Goodbye, Stanley.

Toodle-loo, all!

Rose, perhaps you could try one of those shops in Rockfish

for the stylish stout.

Miss Rose is stylish, all right.

I might just do that.

- Bye, Corabeth. - Bye-bye.

- Hey, John-Boy. - Hey.

- Can I help you bring anything in? - No, that's about it. My total assets.

A typewriter, a suit and a 15-year-old car with a bad cough.

Sounds like you're a little down on your luck right now. It'll pick up.

In the meantime, it's great having you back with us.

Well, thanks. But it's just till I get on my feet.

I hate crowding in on you like this,

but they raised the rent on my cabin. I had no choice.

Anybody seen Jim-Bob?

Yeah. He brought me home from Boatwright this morning

and ran off on some mysterious errand. I thought he'd be back by now.

Jason! That's indecent!

I'm doing something about it right now.

Let me warn you. Don't leave your clothes lying around.

Rose will have them in the laundry before you can say "Super Suds"!

JIM-BOB: Hey, hey! Coming through.

- What do you have there? - Ask Jim-Bob.

I'm only an innocent bystander.

Didn't you tell them about your television program?

- ELIZABETH: Television? - What gives?

Well, Dean Beck has promised me a job

if I can sell the college trustees on funding a television department.

I figure if they are going to let him use the school equipment,

I might as well build a set to watch him on.

- Well, now I've heard everything. - And how are you going to do that?

With this kit I bought from some dumb engineering student.

Would you believe he didn't even know how to put it together?

What makes you think you can?

(SCOFFS)

(IMITATING ZULEIKA) "Oh, Stanley, you're such a good driver.

"Oh, Stanley, it would be such fun if you were to teach me.

"Oh, Stanley, I forgot to stop my bath."

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in!

You better take it easy, Rose. You're going to be stiff in the morning.

I'm in a hurry to get off a couple of inches.

Corabeth has got a dress I'd kill for.

A dress is always good motivation.

Is that why you wanted this book from the library,

Nine Days to a Better Figure?

Well, that and Zuleika Dunbar.

Who does she think she is, pointing out that I'm overweight?

(SCOFFS) Well, she's not exactly a string bean herself.

I'm telling you, Mary Ellen, it was a sight to behold,

the way she was making up to Stanley.

Giving you a little competition, huh?

Stanley is a very good-hearted man.

He could be easily taken in by a woman like Zuleika,

and I'm not going to let it happen.

I doubt that you will, Rose, with or without the new dress.

Well, it'll help.

- Good night. - Good night.

Size 14, here I come!

(FAMILY LAUGHING)

- Want some bacon? - MARY ELLEN: Oh, yes.

- Here. - Thanks.

Now can I have the sugar? Sugar?

Is that all you're eating, Rose? I've never seen such willpower.

Jim-Bob, aren't you coming to the table?

Oh, I'd like to, but I want to get this circuit finished

so that I can get over to the garage and open up.

Jim-Bob is like a mad scientist lately.

(IMITATING DR. FRANKENSTEIN) Not now, Igor, I'm at work!

Jim-Bob, why don't you take the television down to the garage and work on it there?

That's a great idea. Get that monstrosity out of the kitchen.

Nobody would want to watch my program at the garage.

I think the garage is the perfect place

because Jim-Bob's not gonna get that thing working.

Well, that just shows you how little you know.

Well, I certainly hope you're gonna

straighten up that mess before this evening.

- I'm having company. - Oh, yeah, who's that?

Mr. Stanley Perkins is coming over to sit up with me.

- ALL: Ooh! - All right, Stanley!

JASON: Good for you, Rose.

Rose, you been looking out that window every two minutes.

Well, I can't help it. Stanley's late.

- Well, maybe he had car trouble. - It's not like him not to call first.

(CAR APPROACHING)

Oh, thank goodness, there he is.

(SIGHING)

And, Jim-Bob, try and keep the clatter down out there while Mr. Perkins is here.

Yeah, Rose, okay.

- Evening, Rose. - Zuleika!

I hope you don't mind that I came along.

- Evening, Jim-Bob. - Evening, Zuleika, Mr. Perkins.

Jim-Bob.

Well, my goodness, Stanley. I was worried sick.

I thought maybe you'd had an accident.

Oh, as a matter of fact, we did. Just a little one, though.

There's no harm done.

Silly me. Stanley was trying to teach me how to drive the back roads.

Well, I took a wrong turn, went right into the mud!

Oh.

STANLEY: It took me most of the afternoon to get out,

and then we had to stop by my place so I could change.

Lucky thing I just happened to have a little food.

Fried chicken, potato salad, half a devil's food cake.

(ZULEIKA CHUCKLES)

We just sort of made a day of it.

It's too bad you couldn't be with us, Rose.

You should have seen Stanley clowning around.

It was just like old times.

Well, I certainly appreciate you two stopping by

to tell me what a good time you had.

Well, I was gonna ask you if you'd like to come with me while I drive Zuleika home.

Oh, Stanley, I don't think there'll be enough room in the car for the three of us.

That's right, so why don't the two of you just run right along?

- Goodbye, Rose. - Bye, now.

- You sure you don't want to come, too? - I'm sure.

Come along, Stanley. Bye-bye.

- Good night, Rose. - Good night.

You working on your television script, John-Boy?

I was until you all showed up.

Well, this is lunchtime and this is the kitchen.

Well, writers get so involved with their work, they forget about eating.

(SCOFFS) That's why they always look so unhealthy.

What's your show about, John-Boy?

I thought I'd make it into kind of a news program,

show how television will be important in the communication of information.

What are you going to say?

Daisy Barnes bought four pounds of butter yesterday over at Ike's store?

Dateline, Rockfish. Maude Swoop's pigs escaped from their sty.

It's the third time in as many days that Miss Swoop's pigs have escaped.

JOHN-BOY: You two are a lot of help.

It just doesn't sound too interesting, John-Boy.

Now why don't you do a show about sports?

JOHN-BOY: People were interested in news when I ran The Blue Ridge Chronicle.

John-Boy, this is different.

I mean, how are you going to tell people news from all over the world?

I mean, what are you gonna do? Have a guy just sit there reading the newspaper?

You need something that will really excite people.

- Do you have any ideas? - Do you remember what happened

when Orson Welles did The War of the Worlds on the radio?

I think you ought to write a science fiction thriller like that.

Nobody would ever forget it.

Maybe you ought to do a romance. Or a musical.

I think you should show how television can be used for education.

Why don't I just write a science fiction musical

about two schoolteachers who fall in love?

You're not giving up, are you?

I can't afford to. My whole future depends on this project.

I'm just starting over.

Somewhere quiet.

(SIGHING)

If there is such a place around here.

Congratulations, John-Boy.

I understand that we are to have a television celebrity

in our midst very soon.

I'm not going to be a celebrity, Corabeth.

Well, should you need me for any help whatsoever, such as in stage presence

or diction, please feel free to call upon me at any time.

Thank you very much.

And I was wondering, John-Boy, do you think

you might have the opportunity to mention Godsey's in your broadcast?

You know, something like, "Shop at Godsey's Mercantile.

"The bargains you get, you'll think it's a steal."

I don't think that would quite fit, Ike.

I certainly don't think so either, Mr. Godsey.

I think television was meant to be more uplifting than that.

I don't know, Corabeth.

It seems everybody has got a different idea about what television is gonna be.

Well, I'm off to Boatwright. Goodbye.

Oh, and, John-Boy, remember. Enunciate.

E-nun-ci-ate.

Rose, here comes your competition.

You just mind your own business, young lady.

Go on sweeping the porch.

Zuleika, what can I do for you?

Well, I was looking for Jim-Bob. I went by the garage, but he wasn't there.

Well, he's not here either.

He's gone into town to get some parts for that television set.

Well, my car needs work right away.

Is that right? What's the problem?

It just won't start properly. And I need to have it fixed right away

so Stanley and I can continue our driving lessons together.

I used to help my husband Bert work on his car.

Maybe I could take a look at yours.

- Oh, Rose, you think you know what to do? - Well, I'll think of something.

Let's see here now.

- Ha! Well, no wonder! - What'd you find?

Your distributing wires need changing.

- Oh. - Rose!

Land's sake, Elizabeth. Haven't you finished that porch yet?

There.

- There now, that should do it. - Well, I sincerely hope so.

I just have enough time to get over to Rockfish.

Stanley promised me another driving lesson this afternoon.

Well, then you better hurry, Zuleika.

There you go.

(CAR ENGINE STARTING)

Oh, it starts up just fine. I surely do thank you.

Goodbye, Rose. Bye, Elizabeth.

(BACKFIRING)

Rose!

(BACKFIRING)

Isn't that what the boys do to people's cars on Halloween?

Where do you think I learned it, Elizabeth?

- I'm very impressed, John. - Thank you.

You've written an original drama, and a very good one at that.

However, I'm afraid it won't budge the trustees.

But I had them in mind when I wrote it.

They'll be expecting something along more academic lines.

Something with scope, showing how television could change history.

- I thought I'd done that. - That's not quite classic enough.

Okay.

Okay. If they want something classic, that's what I'm gonna give them.

That's the spirit! John, I'm sorry about your drama.

Well, so am I.

- Good luck. - Okay.

(ALL LAUGHING)

- Isn't John-Boy coming down for dinner? - He's up in the attic.

There's a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door.

JIM-BOB: I wouldn't mind putting one down here in the kitchen.

There's a lot of people who have been messing with my TV set,

breaking tubes and dropping wires.

Well, it's dangerous to walk across the floor these days.

Jim-Bob, I think it's your turn to bless the food.

Okay.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the pot roast with the onions

and the baby carrots and the new potatoes, the gravy and the horseradish.

Plus the buttered biscuits and honey, and whatever else Rose has fixed for dessert.

- Amen. - ALL: Amen.

Nothing like being specific.

(LAUGHING) You always know what you're eating when Jim-Bob says grace.

Thank you.

- Rose, where's your plate? - It's in the cupboard.

In the cupboard to stay

until the needle on the scale starts dropping.

Rose, you can't stop eating altogether.

Well, my book says that if all else fails,

that's the quickest way to drop those first few pounds.

Does Stanley know you're doing this?

Well, he will when I get into that new dress.

CINDY: Rose, you okay?

I don't think this diet is very good for you.

Oh, nonsense. I'm just not as light on my feet as I should be is all.

Give me a few days to get used to this fasting.

Come on, everybody! Now, serve up.

(ALL CHATTERING)

Zuleika! Whatever is wrong with your feet?

I walked all the way back here from where my car broke down again!

Maybe you ought to get rid of that thing.

Ever since you changed the wires, that car has been backfiring and acting up.

Now it won't start at all.

Well, I wonder what I did wrong.

I don't suppose Jim-Bob has time to look at it.

(SCOFFS) You'd think he didn't have any interest in the garage business at all.

He's devoting so much time to that television set.

Well, I suppose I'll just call Stanley

and ask him to take me to the garden meeting tonight.

Let me see if Jim-Bob doesn't have just a little spare time this afternoon.

Oh, don't bother Jim-Bob.

I'm sure Stanley would be delighted to drive me.

Besides, I do so enjoy his company.

(ZULEIKA LAUGHING)

- Goodbye, dear. - Bye.

Don't you ever worry about getting all those parts mixed up?

No.

Well, how does television work?

Well, light and sound are converted into electrical impulses

- and then transmitted by a coaxial cable. - What's that?

Well, it's an insulated conducting tube through which a conductor runs.

Then it's transmitted over the air on a six-megacycle width band

on frequencies below 220 megacycles.

Um, I see. Thanks, Jim-Bob.

- Don't you want to know any more? - I think I know too much already.

Erin, wait. I'm working on a new idea,

and I need somebody to read this script so I can hear how it sounds.

Well, what's your idea?

I want each of the nine muses of Greek mythology

to represent some aspect of television.

That sounds worse than a news broadcast.

All right.

- Okay. Erin, from the top. - All right. Are you ready?

Yeah.

"I am Erato... - "Erato." - Erato.

"I am Erato, muse of love poetry.

"From the well which cures all human ills, all sicknesses and wounds of indifference,

(LAUGHING) "I bring you love."

That doesn't say to laugh.

I know. I'm sorry, John-Boy. Let me try it again.

All right. All right.

"Pindar courted me, and Keats. In their hearts, I blossomed.

(LAUGHING) "And to their lips I brought a kiss."

What is all the giggling about?

It's John-Boy's script. Mary Ellen, it's really funny!

Thank you, Erin.

Maybe you ought to be Thalia, goddess of comedy.

Mary Ellen, do me a favor.

Read Clio, muse of history.

Okay? Go.

You mean, "Action!"

"I am Clio, muse of history, ever watching the passage of events,

"presiding over the march of mankind across the field of time."

ERIN: (IN EERIE VOICE) Clio... Clio...

(IN EERIE VOICE) No, that should be "Chloe! Chloe!"

(ALL LAUGHING)

This is gonna take some editing.

(GASPS) Jim-Bob!

(SCREAMS)

- JOHN-BOY: I can't find the fuses! - They're above the washbasin.

- Jim-Bob, are you all right? - Yeah, I think I'm okay.

Must have connected those wires wrong.

That's no reason to start pulling them out like you're gutting a catfish.

I didn't mean to blow a fuse.

Well, if you didn't, you might have blown your head off.

You really had us scared, Jim-Bob.

Will you look at this thing? I'm going to have to rewire it.

- That's crazy. - Jim-Bob!

You may never get this to work. What you're doing is dangerous.

Now, look, it'll work! All I've got to do is start over.

Not tonight, Jim-Bob. That shock could have killed you.

You're going to get some rest.

All right. But I'm gonna start on that first thing in the morning.

(MARY ELLEN SIGHS)

John-Boy?

What are you doing up at this hour?

I have a meeting with Dean Beck in the morning,

so I'm burning the midnight oil. What are you doing up?

Oh, I had a nightmare. It was just terrible!

There was this whole table full of food spread out in front of me

and I couldn't get to it. I woke up in a cold sweat.

(SOFTLY) Oh, my...

John-Boy?

Do you think Zuleika Dunbar is prettier than I am?

I think you are the prettiest woman on Walton's Mountain, Rose.

Thank you, John-Boy.

Do you think my idea of using the muses in this television presentation

is going overboard?

I think your idea is brilliant.

Thank you, Rose.

- You ready, Dean Beck? - Mmm-hmm.

Enter Urania.

I am Urania. I represent the global importance of television.

As infinite as the stars are the ways I will tie the world together

in modes never thought possible.

Enter Melpomene.

I am Melpomene, muse of tragedy.

To an awaiting public, I will bring the works of Shakespeare and Euripedes.

Moving you through pity and terror

so that when I am through, you will find yourselves forever moved.

Now, enter Erato.

I am Erato...

- JOHN-BOY: Muse of love and poetry. - Muse of love poetry.

Pindar kissed me, and Keats. No, that's not right.

From the well which cures...

From the well which cures, I bring you...

I'm sorry, John. I just can't remember it.

- Can we begin again? - No! No, no.

Never mind. Never mind. Thank you.

Uh, would you girls excuse us, please?

Thank you. That was very nice. Very nice costumes.

Thank you very much. You did very well.

- Thanks a lot. - Thank you.

Just a minute, girls.

John, would you mind explaining to me what all that was about?

Okay. Each Muse from Greek tragedy represents a department at Boatwright.

It ties the presentation together along academic lines, like you said.

Oh, yes, I did say that, didn't I?

Well, I'm sorry. I was wrong. It doesn't work.

Your point is all swallowed up in those words and images.

- You can't say it's not classical. - Well, that's true.

So, what do we do now?

Well, the board meets and makes its final decision in three days.

We're running out of time.

Okay, maybe if I kept it simple.

Just something straightforward you could read on camera.

Or you could.

(STAMMERING) Me? I'm a writer, I'm not a performer.

You are a respected alumnus of this university,

and you're a published author.

And the board would listen to you. Are you game? Hmm?

Yeah.

Jim-Bob, I wish you would work on that in the kitchen.

I'm trying to keep it clean in here.

- You sure have been crabby lately, Rose! - And with good reason!

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in.

- Miss Rose? - Stanley!

- May I come in? - Are you sure you have time?

I wouldn't want Zuleika to miss a driving lesson.

(STANLEY SIGHS)

Now, Miss Rose, I never intended for Zuleika's driving

to interfere with our friendship.

Stanley Perkins, I have no hold on you.

You are welcome to keep company with whomever you choose.

Well, I thought I had made my choice clear.

You certainly did

the night you brought Zuleika to share our evening with us.

I had no intention of hurting you, Miss Rose!

I mean, Zuleika is a silly and frivolous woman alongside you.

And just the type men like!

Batting her eyelashes and tossing her bleach-blond curls!

Miss Rose, you do me a great honor. I do believe you're jealous!

Jealous? Me jealous of that scheming hussy?

(SCOFFS)

You're welcome to her!

Zuleika and I are just old friends.

As a matter of fact, she's welcome to you, too!

You know, you disappoint me, Miss Rose.

I never did think you were such an unreasonable woman.

Oh, Stanley.

I'm sorry.

You're still the fairest of them all, John-Boy.

I was just trying to imagine how I'd look on a television screen.

Which one of the muses are you going to be?

We've decided to ditch the muses. Listen.

Dean Beck wants me to make a speech right on television.

You've made speeches before.

In front of an audience, sure, where I can see the people.

But in a studio with the lights and the camera,

I get cold feet just thinking about it.

John-Boy, you have been through the war. You survived the London blitz.

You were shot down in the ocean.

Are you telling me you can't do something as simple as this?

I don't like cameras.

I hate having my picture taken.

I guess you'd just better forget the whole thing.

Forget the speech, forget the board of trustees, forget the job.

I mean, cameras and pictures are what television's all about.

Okay, Mary Ellen.

I'll call Dean Beck and I'll have him set the whole thing up.

- That's better. Want a bite? - Sure.

Well, Rose, how are you going to get out of this one?

Hurting the dearest man in the world.

Who's the dearest man in the world?

Oh, the dearest man in the world? Stanley Perkins.

I thought everybody knew.

(SOBS)

Rose, are you all right?

Oh, I just don't know what's wrong with me!

Snapping at Jim-Bob and doubting Stanley.

Rose, I went on a diet once. I think it lasted for two whole days,

and by the end of the second day, no one in the house was speaking to me.

She was a bear.

Well, I have my heart set on getting into that dress. I just...

Zuleika won't have a prayer. I just think once he sees me in...

Rose? Rose! Elizabeth, go get Mary Ellen, quick. Rose?

I told you I feel fine, Mary Ellen.

Rose, you would say that if you had been run over by a truck.

I just need to stir around a bit.

You're not going to move until you get your strength back.

I've got some soup for you, Rose.

Oh, I've got such a good start on my diet.

If I could just hold out a little longer...

You've got to try and eat.

That's the only way you're going to feel better.

I know you girls mean well, but I just don't feel like it right now.

Rose, we're not going to let you starve, so have some soup.

Thank you, dear, but I'll feed myself, if you don't mind.

Just set it on the bureau over there.

I'll be all right, girls.

- Well, what do you think? - I like the lines.

It's the fabric I'm worried about.

Oh, that dress is simply stunning on. All my customers have admired it.

Yeah, Corabeth had that one in the window.

Well, I can see why. It's very showy.

Yeah, she had it right next to the radishes.

Mr. Godsey! If you had your way,

we would have no ladies' fashion department at all.

That'd suit me just fine.

Well, you have to notice the fullness of the sleeves.

- And the collar. - And it also opens down the back.

- Do you like this dress? - Oh, we love it.

$16.95 plus tax.

- Oh, Corabeth, we don't want to buy it. - But thank you for letting us look.

- Bye-bye. - Bye-bye.

(SIGHS)

Where's Rose?

She's in her room. She's been there all day.

Come on, Mary Ellen. It's clear.

Did you get it?

We had to go all the way to Charlottesville,

but we got everything we need.

- Does she suspect anything? - Not a thing.

Let's get it upstairs before she sees it. Come on.

Hey, come on, you guys! Can't you hear me? It's finished!

JASON: Will you quit hollering down there?

Well, if you don't hurry up, you'll miss the demonstration!

What is it, Jim-Bob? You'll wake the dead!

Rose, I've been working on my TV all night. It's finished!

Oh, my!

ERIN: Jim-Bob, what are you screaming for?

MARY ELLEN: Jim-Bob, what did you get us up for?

ELIZABETH: Jim-Bob, I got them.

Elizabeth said it was important.

Gather round, everybody. You're about to witness a modern miracle

brought to you by James Robert Walton.

JASON: It'll be a miracle if it works.

JIM-BOB: Keep your eyes fastened on the screen, folks.

- Nothing's happening, Jim-Bob. - It's warming up.

ERIN: Well, how long is it supposed to take?

Don't give up. It's got to work.

- I'm going back to bed. - That's a good idea.

Hey, wait a minute, everybody!

ELIZABETH: Hey, look!

ROSE: Oh! ERIN: Oh, it is working!

Aren't we supposed to see something?

They're transmitting a test picture. I'll try and tune it in.

Looks like a bad snowstorm.

I know what it is. The antenna's not high enough.

Well, don't worry about that, Jim-Bob.

The important thing is you made a television set.

We'll never be able to see John-Boy through all that confetti.

ERIN: Where is John-Boy?

Did somebody call me?

- JASON: You all set? - Yup.

- Okay, let's go! - Okay.

How'd you ever talk me into this?

- What's he doing? - He's putting up an antenna.

What for? A radio?

No. Television. We're gonna watch a show tonight.

Television? Wow!

Yeah.

Okay, let's go.

Hey!

- You two want to give us a hand? - Sure!

IKE: Hey, Jim-Bob, you be careful now! Don't step through the roof!

- Mr. Godsey, there's somebody on our roof! - It's only Jim-Bob, Corabeth.

Jim-Bob, what on earth are you doing up there?

Sorry to bother you, Corabeth. But it's an emergency!

Jim-Bob got his television working.

Okay, now, we'll meet you over on the roof of the barbershop, okay?

Here, hold this, Corabeth.

"And we must recognize that television is the frontier of today.

"It will" affect

"the future of our world

"in ways we can only begin to guess."

That bad, huh?

I hope you're not planning to become a writer.

Everybody thinks they can tell you how to do it better.

Here, maybe you'll like this part.

"Art, music and literature are not passive. They demand someone to look, to listen,

"to think and respond.

"It will be the same with television.

"And audiences must learn to participate intelligently,

"for they will share the responsibility for what they see."

You're right. It's dull, pedantic and dry. And it's all I've got.

Any suggestions, John Curtis? You're kidding! You want...

I've got to be in Boatwright in less than an hour,

and you want to show me your picture book?

Okay, you win.

"Simple Simon

"met a pie-man going to the fair.

"Said Simple Simon to the pie-man, 'Let me taste your ware.'"

See, there's Simple Simon. He's a bear.

Keep moving!

ALL: Keep going! Keep going!

- JIM-BOB: Okay, stop! - Okay, hold it, Jason!

Hey, Jason, go over to the other side of the road, okay?

MAN 1: Keep going, keep going! MAN 2: A bit closer.

- Okay, hold it, Jason! - MAN: Hold it, hold it!

IKE: Hey, look who's here!

JIM-BOB: Hey, John-Boy!

Jim-Bob, how's it coming?

Well, okay, as long as this wire holds out.

- You all set? - No.

- Wish me luck. I'll need it. - Yeah, me, too.

Okay.

Okay, move it out!

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in.

ALL: Surprise!

(ROSE EXCLAIMS)

- What is it? - Open it up!

Hurry!

Rip it!

Oh!

It's my dress!

Where in the world did you find it in my size?

We made it especially for you, Rose.

Oh!

- Come on, try it on! - Go try it on!

- Let's see. You have to model it for us. - Oh! It's just beautiful. Thank you!

And, Rose, when you've finished trying it on,

come into the living room. There's another surprise for you there.

What...

JIM-BOB: Stop!

Okay, Ike, I want you to run that up to the tree house.

Okay.

Okay, Bill, why don't you get over to the top of the barn over here?

And, Jason, you get on the roof over by the back door.

Ladies, it's just beautiful!

(GASPS)

(SIGHS) Stanley!

These are for you, Rose.

I'm sorry to hear that you've been under the weather.

Oh, it was all my own foolishness. I'm feeling much better now.

You don't have any cause to change yourself on account of me, Miss Rose.

You always were the apple of my eye.

I can't imagine whatever made me doubt you.

I hope you'll forgive me.

Do you feel up to going dancing with me tonight?

Oh, my.

It'll have to be right here. John-Boy's on television.

Right here will be just fine, Miss Rose.

Where did she get that dress?

It's amazing, isn't it? It kind of looks like the one in your store.

It's about five feet short!

- Haul in the slack! - Okay.

JIM-BOB: Well, that does it.

Well, it should be on any second now.

- Rose. - Oh!

- New dress? - It's a present.

Zuleika.

Dean Beck and the members of the board of trustees

of Boatwright University...

BOY: There he is!

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

(SOMEONE SHUSHING)

I labored for many hours trying to prepare this speech,

and I didn't get it right until I ha d a meeting with m y nephew John Curtis

just before I came here.

He wanted to show me his new picture book,

and as we turned the pages together, I suddenly ha d a glimpse into the future,

where the pictures were alive and moving

and where boys and girls growing up in out-of-the-way places,

like the hills of Virginia,

could share in things they might not otherwise see.

Things like opera and ballet and concerts and theater.

Television will take them across the world into other lives,

so that for John Curtis and his generation, there will be no strangers,

just people who accept and understand each other.

Given that potential,

we owe it to the future to search out the good,

so that television becomes a celebration of life.

Here at Boatwright, thanks to a generous contribution...

JOHN-BOY: The board of trustees did decide

to develop a television department at Boatwright.

Not only did it enable me to complete m y book,

but it was a turning point in m y career as a writer.

Television became the most awesome tool in mass communications

ever to be developed.

And all our lives, on and off Walton's Mountain,

were never to be the same.

ELIZABETH: John-Boy? Were you nervous on television?

Not once I got started.

ELIZABETH: Maybe you'll have your own television show one day.

Mmm. I'd like that, Elizabeth.

- What would you call it? - I don't know.

Since I write best about this family, I guess I'd call it The Waltons.

- Good night, Elizabeth. - Good night, John-Boy.

English -SDH