Original subtitles

Sook: BUDDY? WHERE ARE YOU?

BABY, IT’S ALMOST TIME TO GO!

BUDDY!

[ goat bleats ]

HEY, BUDDY!

YOU REALLY SHOULD’VE DONE THIS LAST NIGHT,

BUDDY, WHEN YOU HAD THE TIME.

YOU’RE OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW TO PACK BY NOW.

OH, MILLION THINGS TO DO THIS MORNING AS IT IS.

THE GREYHOUND’LL BE COMING DOWN THE ROAD ANY MINUTE.

I DON’T EVEN KNOW HIM.

OH, SURE YOU DO! HE’S THE ONE IN THE PICTURE.

AN IMPORTANT MAN, YOUR DAD IS.

YOU CAN TELL JUST TO LOOK AT HIM,

HOW STRAIGHT HE STANDS.

AND I GET TO RIDE A BUS?

CLEAR TO NEW ORLEANS, ANOTHER WHOLE STATE.

OH, MY, ARE THESE THE BEST PANTS YOU HAVE CLEAN?

TSK. YOUR DADDY’S GONNA THINK

I’M RAISING YOU LIKE A FARM ANIMAL.

WHAT ELSE... WHAT ELSE?

OH! YOUR UNCLE CARL’S SUIT!

OH, HE WORE THIS TO EASTER THE TIME REVEREND STUART

ALMOST DROWNED POOR IDA BECK IN THE BAPTISMAL FONT.

OH! OH, YOU LOOK RIGHT SMART IN THAT.

OH, CARL WOULD LOVE THAT YOU’RE WEARING IT, GOD REST HIS SOUL.

WHY CAN’T I GO WITH YOU, SOOK?

BECAUSE I HAVE TO HELP A SICK FRIEND,

AND WHERE I’M GOING,

THERE’S NO PLACE FOR CHILDREN.

BESIDES, YOU’LL GET THE CHANCE

TO MEET YOUR DADDY.

HE HASN’T SEEN YOU SINCE YOU WERE A BABY.

THEY HAVE SNOW WERE MAMA IS,

AND SHE SAID SHE’D COME IN SPRING,

SO WHY CAN’T I GO THERE?

UH! YOU KNOW, IF IT’S SNOW YOU WANT,

THERE’S SNOW AT YOUR DADDY’S, TOO,

DRIFTS AND DRIFTS OF IT.

I MEAN, A REAL CHRISTMAS.

YOU WOULDN’T WANT TO MISS THAT, WOULD YOU?

[ bus honks ]

OH, LOOK! THERE’S THE BUS.

IT’S THE BUS, BUDDY.

GET YOUR SHOES ON

AND GET THAT FRUITCAKE WE MADE FOR YOUR DADDY.

IT’S ON THE TABLE IN THE KITCHEN.

GO ON, NOW, GET YOUR SHOES ON!

OH! WE’RE LATE.

YES, MA’AM. YOU ALL RIGHT?

I’LL PUT HIS SUITCASE UP HERE ON THE LUGGAGE RACK.

AND DON’T YOU FORGET THE SUITCASE

ONCE YOU GET TO THE CITY.

NOW, HERE’S ALMOST $6

I’VE BEEN SAVING FOR AN OCCASION.

YOU USE IT A LITTLE BIT AT A TIME

FOR SPECIAL TREATS.

MAYBE A PICTURE SHOW!

MM-HMM. HIGH TIME WE SAW ONE.

YOU GO FOR BOTH OF US.

TELL ME ALL ABOUT IT WHEN YOU GET BACK.

WHAT IF HE DOESN’T LIKE ME?

OH... [ chuckles ]

HE ALREADY LOVES YOU.

WHAT ABOUT SANTA?

OH, DON’T YOU WORRY ABOUT SANTA.

LIKE THE GOOD LORD,

HE’LL ALWAYS KNOW WHERE TO FIND YOU.

YOU’LL HAVE A GOOD TIME, I PROMISE YOU!

NOW, HERE’S YOUR SNACK.

HERE’S YOUR DADDY’S FRUITCAKE.

TELL HIM IT’S A SPECIAL BATCH,

AND TELL HIM SOOK SAYS HELLO.

CAN YOU DO THAT? YEAH.

NOW, HERE, I WANT YOU TO HAVE

YOUR MAMA’S LETTERS ON THE TRIP.

KEEP YOU COMPANY.

I’M GONNA MISS YOU.

I’M GON... I’M GONNA MISS YOU, TOO.

FIRST CHRISTMAS WE’VE HAD APART I CAN REMEMBER.

MM-HMM.

I’M SORRY, MA’AM, BUT I’VE GOT A SCHEDULE TO KEEP.

YOU GOTTA GET ABOARD NOW.

SOONER YOU GO, SOONER YOU’LL BE BACK.

COME ON, OLD BOY, HERE WE GO.

WRITE ME A POSTAL CARD IF YOU THINK OF IT!

PICK OUT A PRETTY ONE. YOU KNOW WHAT I LIKE.

BYE, BUDDY.

BYE-BYE, HONEY. BYE-BYE.

THIS IS HIM.

MY COUSIN SOOK SAYS EVERYBODY KNOWS HIM,

BUT HE DOESN’T WRITE MUCH BECAUSE HE’S VERY BUSY.

AND MY MOM IS AN ACTRESS IN NEW YORK CITY.

SHE WRITES ALL THE TIME.

THESE ARE HER LETTERS.

SHE’S A GREAT LADY.

I WAS AN ANGEL IN A CHURCH PLAY.

SOUNDS LIKE A MIGHTY IMPORTANT PART.

MY COUSIN SOOK MADE ME WINGS.

AND I HAD TWO LINES.

"GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH," AND "GLORY, GLORY."

GLORY, GLORY.

WELL, MY GOODNESS.

IT’S A LONG TRIP FOR A YOUNG FELLA ON HIS OWN.

WH-WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO IN NEW ORLEANS?

IT’S GONNA SNOW THERE, SOOK SAYS.

SNOW? NOT MUCH CHANCE OF THAT IF YOU ASK ME.

IF YOU ASK ANYBODY.

SOOK NEVER LIES.

ALL I CAN SAY IS, SON,

IT’S GONNA BE A COLD DAY IN HECK,

YEAH, IN NEW ORLEANS BEFORE IT SNOWS.

[ honks ]

[ chatter ]

NO!

COME ON, LET US WIN SOME OF THAT BACK, NOW.

I’LL SEE YOU LATER, GUYS.

COME ON, LET’S GO!

BUDDY.

ARE YOU BUDDY? IS THAT YOU?

I’M YOUR DAD.

IN THE PICTURE YOU HAVE A MOUSTACHE.

IS THAT BETTER, HUH?

RECOGNIZE ME NOW?

I’M YOUR DADDY.

WELL, BUDDY. HEY, HEY.

WELCOME TO NEW ORLEANS.

THAT YOUR BAG?

GET IT AND LET’S GO.

YOU SURE HAVE GROWN UP, HUH?

HOW OLD ARE YOU NOW, NINE, TEN?

EIGHT.

THIS TRIP WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A SURPRISE FOR ME,

BUT WE’RE GONNA HAVE A GOOD TIME ANYWAY.

NICE FAMILY CHRISTMAS.

IS MAMA COMING?

NO, YOU AND ME. WE’RE FAMILY NOW.

THE FIRST THING WE GOTTA DO,

HEH, IS GET YOU A HAIRCUT.

YOU LOOK LIKE A GIRL.

HOW DO YOU PLAY BALL WITH ALL THAT HAIR?

I DON’T PLAY BALL.

YOU DON’T?

DID YOU EVER HEAR OF JUDGE LANDIS,

THE COMMISSIONER OF BASEBALL?

DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE SAID?

"BASEBALL IS NOT JUST A GAME TO THE AMERICAN BOY."

NO, "IT IS THE TRAINING GROUND FOR FUTURE WORK."

WHAT DO YOU DO?

WHAT DO I DO?

I’M AN ENTREPRENEUR. YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS?

NO.

I AM UNLIKE ANYBODY YOU’VE EVER MET BEFORE.

I HAVE MAGIC, BUDDY.

I CAN LOOK RIGHT INTO SOMEBODY

AND I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT

MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IN THE WHOLE WORLD.

I LOOK ’EM IN THE EYE, SHAKE THEIR HAND, AND I KNOW.

AND THAT’S WHAT I SELL THEM,

THEIR SECRET DREAMS.

IT’S A GOD-GIVEN TALENT.

IT’S A VERY SPECIAL GIFT.

WHO’S THAT?

THE ASSISTANT TO THE MAYOR

JUST WAVED AT YOUR DADDY.

WHAT’S IN THE PACKAGE?

SOOK’S FRUITCAKE. I HELPED MAKE IT.

YOU COOK?

EVANGELINE!

WELCOME TO MY PERSONAL CASTLE.

OH! THIS MUST BE THE BUDDY I’VE BEEN HEARING SO MUCH ABOUT.

BUDDY, SAY HELLO TO EVANGELINE.

HELLO.

YOUR DADDY’S BEEN SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS VISIT,

TALKING AND TALKING ABOUT IT FOR DAYS.

I FIXED UP THE GUEST ROOM FOR YOU.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU LIKE, BUT I BOUGHT YOU A FEW THINGS.

THINK IT’LL DO YA?

IT’S FINE.

IT’S FINE?

LISTEN TO YOU!

"IT’S FINE."

EVANGELINE, WE DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT DINNER TONIGHT.

IT IS MY SON’S FIRST NIGHT IN NEW ORLEANS.

I THINK WE’LL DINE OUT.

THIS IS NOT A MUSEUM.

THIS IS YOUR ROOM FOR AS LONG AS YOU’RE GOING TO BE HERE!

WHERE’D YOU GET ALL THAT MONEY FROM?

DID YOU ROB A BANK?

NO!

JUST KIDDING.

SOOK GAVE ME NEAR $6 FOR SPECIAL TREATS.

THAT’S VERY NICE.

THESE ARE MAMA’S LETTERS.

YOU CAN READ ’EM IF YOU WANT.

YEAH, WELL, MAYBE LATER.

RIGHT NOW, LET’S SEE WHAT YOU HAVE IN TERMS OF CLOTHING.

DON’T TELL ME THAT THESE ARE YOUR BEST.

MM-HMM.

WHAT IS THIS? THIS LOOKS LIKE IT’S 40 YEARS OLD.

SOOK PICKED IT OUT SPECIAL.

I KNOW THESE’LL RIDE IN ALABAMA,

BUT HERE IN NEW ORLEANS,

WOMEN WILL JUST PASS YOU RIGHT BY

AND NOT GIVE YOU A SECOND LOOK!

WHERE’D YOU GET THAT HAT?

WHERE’D YOU GET THOSE SHOES!

NOW, THAT IS A GREAT PAIR OF SHOES.

THEY PINCH.

WELL, THAT’S THE SIGN OF A GOOD FIT!

THEY’LL LOOSEN UP AS YOU WEAR THEM.

Man: PAPER, BOY. Paperboy: YES, SIR, FIVE CENTS.

LADIES. MISS JULENE.

FOR GOODNESS SAKES,

JUST THE PERSON WE WERE COMING TO SEE.

MISS IVY.

I DON’T THINK YOU’VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET MY SON, BUDDY.

YOUR SON!

WELL, AREN’T YOU THE SWEETEST THING!

YES, MA’AM.

WE HAD NO IDEA.

I’LL BET YOU’RE SMART,

JUST LIKE YOUR DADDY.

I KNOW THE 23rd PSALM.

YOU DO!

WELL, WHY DON’T YOU SAY IT FOR US?

SOOK GIVES ME A PENNY.

[ laughing ] OH! BUDDY.

OH, NO, THAT’S ALL RIGHT. PLEASE.

WE WERE HOPING TO STEAL YOU AWAY FOR LUNCH.

OUR TREAT.

THERE IS NOTHING I WOULD ENJOY MORE,

BUT I-- I CAN’T TODAY.

OF COURSE.

ANOTHER TIME, THEN.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS. HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

BYE-BYE.

Man: HERE YOU GO, SONNY. Paperboy: THANK YOU, SIR.

DAILY STAR, FIVE CENTS!

WE’LL CATCH ’EM LATER.

ALL THE NEWS THAT’S FIT TO PRINT, FIVE CENTS!

PSST!

I COULDN’T TALK IN FRONT OF JULENE.

YOU KNOW WHAT A TERRIBLE GOSSIP SHE IS,

BUT ONE LOOK AT THAT SWEET FACE,

AND I JUST KNEW THAT AIRPLANE RACE OF YOURS

WAS TOO GOOD TO PASS UP.

I’LL GET YOU A CHECK WITHIN THE WEEK.

ALL RIGHT.

[ inaudible ]

THANK YOU, SON!

FOR WHAT?

MM.

HMM.

I CAN’T BELIEVE YOUR COUSIN THINKS THIS IS A HAIRCUT.

I-I’M IN SHOCK.

WHAT EXACTLY DID SHE USE, A RUSTY KNIFE AND A CEREAL BOWL?

YOU, I WANT YOU TO SHOW THIS YOUNG MAN

A GENTLEMAN’S HAIRCUT. YES, SIR.

AND I’M TALKING ABOUT THE WORKS.

MM-HMM. OKAY.

CHAUNCEY. CHAUNCEY. YOU’RE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT

THE LACK OF OPPORTUNITY IN THIS TOWN.

I’M GONNA GIVE YOU ONE.

YOU WANNA SPONSOR A PLANE?

HOLD STILL, SON.

BOYS, LET ME INTERRUPT YOU FOR A MINUTE.

BRAND-NEW AIRPLANE, BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP.

YOU KNOW GLENN GILMORE.

HE BUILT THAT IN SECRET IN HIS BARN.

NOTICE THE ONE WING, HALF THE DRAG OF A BIPLANE,

650 HORSES. NOW, THAT’S POWER.

LOT OF BIG NAMES COMING INTO BATON ROUGE FOR THIS RACE.

JAY REILLY. DON ROOKER.

NO FACT! THEY’RE NOT FLYING THIS AIRPLANE.

GILMORE PROMISED ME THAT HE WOULD SHARE THE PURSE

WITH HIS INVESTORS. THAT’S YOU.

THE PURSE IS WORTH $30,000.

MM. WHEW!

I’M IN.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

WELL, FOR EVERYBODY ELSE? FIFTY TO ONE.

FOR US, IT’S A SURE THING.

GILMORE NEVER WON A RACE YET, HAS HE?

YES, BUT THAT’S WHY I’M BETTING ON HIM AND NOBODY ELSE IS,

AND I KNOW SOMETHING THAT NOBODY ELSE KNOWS.

THIS PLANE HAS BEEN CLOCKED IN AT 305 MILES PER HOUR.

THAT’S 40 MILES FASTER THAN ANY OTHER PLANE IN THIS RACE.

SUPPOSE WE PUT SOME MONEY INTO THIS,

AND SUPPOSE THIS PLANE WINS THE RACE.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

A SMALL FINDER’S FEE.

PLUS THE SATISFACTION THAT I CLEAR UP

THE BOOKKEEPING ERROR

THAT SURROUNDED THAT PRIZE FIGHT.

OH, GENTLEMEN, I WAS TRULY EMBARRASSED.

YOU KNOW THAT I WOULD NEVER TAKE MORE

THAN THE LITTLE I’M ENTITLED TO.

WELL, IT’S NOT AS STRANGE AS SOME IDEAS YOU HAVE.

Man: I’LL RAISE A NICKEL.

WHERE I COME FROM, THIS IS CALLED A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.

YOU THINK ABOUT IT, OKAY?

YOU KNOW WHAT MY FATHER ALWAYS USED TO SAY?

"YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF NOISE ANNOYS AN OYSTER THE MOST?"

"A NOISY NOISE ANNOYS AN OYSTER THE MOST!"

THEY LOOK SLIMY.

WELL, DON’T THINK OF IT THAT WAY.

THINK OF IT AS A TEXTURE.

AN OYSTER TEXTURE, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

HEY, LOOK. DAB OF TABASCO.

LITTLE LEMON.

THIS IS AN ADVENTURE.

ALL RIGHT. TAKE A RISK.

GO AHEAD, TRY IT.

IT’S NOT GONNA KILL YOU.

WELL, MAYBE IT WILL. OH, JUST KIDDING.

DON’T CHEW IT. DON’T CHEW IT.

LET IT SLIDE. LET IT SLIDE.

GOOD?

ISN’T THAT GOOD, HUH, ISN’T IT GOOD?

Emily: WHY, MR. GRADY, HOW ARE YOU?

I’M JUST FINE, MY DEAR.

CERTAINLY A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

GRADY.

FAMOUS ALL OVER THE STATE.

OF COURSE, I DID A DEAL WITH HIM.

WE BROUGHT IN A GIRLS’ BASEBALL TEAM FROM ST. LOUIS

TO PLAY SOME LOCAL GUYS.

FOURTH OF JULY.

KIND OF A SPECIALTY EVENT, YOU KNOW?

EVERYBODY IS STILL TALKING ABOUT IT.

THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT YOUR DAD, HUH?

YOU LIKE BASEBALL, AT LEAST?

FOOTBALL?

WHAT KIND OF LIFE ARE YOU LIVING THERE IN ALABAMA?

I HELP SOOK MOSTLY.

THAT’S WOMEN’S WORK.

YOU SHOULD BE OUT SWIMMING, FISHING, SCRAPPING.

DOES SANTA ALWAYS WEAR RED?

ONLY ON THE HOLIDAYS.

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF?

LET ME SEE YOUR LEFT HOOK.

SOOK SAYS IT’S NOT RIGHT TO FIGHT.

AND I SAY THAT’S THE QUICKEST WAY

TO A BLACK EYE.

[ distant applause ] WHAT’S BACK THERE?

OH, THAT’S, UM,

MISS CORNELIA BEAUMONT ENTERTAINING SOME GUESTS.

WHO’S SHE?

SHE’S KNOWN AS THE GRANDE DAME OF NEW ORLEANS SOCIETY.

IF YOU’RE IN WITH HER,

DOORS BANG OPEN ALL OVER THE CITY.

DO YOU KNOW HER?

OF COURSE I DO. OF COURSE I KNOW HER.

EMILY, YOU LOOK LOVELY.

HI. PLEASE COME RIGHT AROUND.

NOT AS WELL AS I’D LIKE.

LOVELY TO SEE YOU. AND CORNELIA’S WAITING.

OH, UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WOULDN’T IT BE A DARN SHAME

IF YOU HAD TO TRAVEL THAT FAR, CROSS TWO STATES,

AND NEVER SEE THE INSIDE OF A PRIVATE DINING ROOM?

WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO SEE THAT?

WHAT A GREAT STORY TO TELL SOOK, HUH?

SHE’LL BE REALLY IMPRESSED.

YOU WANT TO SEE IT, DON’T YOU?

GO ON. GO ON.

LEAVE YOUR NAPKIN.

YEAH.

[ "Greensleeves" ]

WELL, WHAT HAVE WE HERE?

MY, YOU’RE A HANDSOME YOUNG MAN.

HAS THE CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE?

BUDDY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? THIS IS A PRIVATE PARTY. LOOK!

BUT YOU TOLD ME... HE’S YOURS?

EMILY, I HAD NO IDEA YOU’D BE HERE TONIGHT.

YOU DIDN’T?NO.

I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU AUNT CORNELIA WAS HAVING AN EVENT.

DADDY, DADDY, YOU TOLD ME I COULD--

YES, BUDDY. THAT WAS THIS EVENING?

WHO’S THAT, EMILY? WHO’S THERE, EMILY?

DO I KNOW THESE GENTLEMEN?

YES, MISS CORNELIA, I WAS JUST APOLOGIZING

TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL NIECE FOR THIS INTRUSION.

[ chuckles ] WE HAVE MET BEFORE.

I HAVE NO SUCH RECOLLECTION.

OH, WELL, IT WAS JUST IN PASSING.

WELL, I MEET A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE JUST IN PASSING.

WHAT’S A CHILD DOING IN THIS ROOM?

HE’S VISITING FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

HE’S NOT VISITING ME, IS HE?

Emily: NO, HE’S-- GOOD. GOOD.

I’M BUDDY.

I DIDN’T ASK YOUR NAME, DID I?

DON’T ANSWER QUESTIONS WHICH HAVEN’T BEEN ASKED.

IF I MAY. YOU MAY LEAVE,

IF THAT’S WHAT YOU’RE ABOUT TO SUGGEST.

I’LL SAY GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

THANK YOU.

BUDDY.

GOD.

WHAT A GROUP.

"AND SOMEWHERE HEARTS ARE LIGHT.

AND SOMEWHERE MEN ARE LAUGHING."

[ laughs ]

"AND SOMEWHERE CHILDREN SHOUT."

HEY!

"BUT THERE IS NO JOY IN MUDVILLE.

MIGHTY CASEY... HAS STRUCK OUT."

YOU HAD A GREAT TIME TONIGHT AT THE RESTAURANT,

DIDN’T YOU?

YOU TOLD ME THEY WERE BACK THERE,

BUT YOU TOLD MISS EMILY YOU DIDN’T KNOW THEY WERE.

OH, I DIDN’T SAY THAT.

WHAT YOU HEARD WAS A POLITE CONVERSATION

ADULTS HAVE TO EASE INTO A PARTY.

IT WAS A LIE!

IF NO ONE GETS HURT, IT’S NOT A LIE.

MORE IMPORTANTLY,

YOU HAD A NEW EXPERIENCE,

AND NEW EXPERIENCES GROW A BOY INTO A MAN,

WHICH YOU WILL LEARN WHEN YOU GET OLDER.

NOW, LOOK, I’M GOING OUT AGAIN.

EVANGELINE PROMISED THAT SHE WOULD STAY

IF YOU NEEDED ANYTHING, OKAY? GOOD NIGHT.

SOOK LISTENS TO MY PRAYERS.

I CAN DO THAT, TOO.

NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP.

I PRAY THE LORD MY SOUL TO... KEEP.

IF I DIE BEFORE I WAKE,

I PRAY THE LORD MY SOUL TO TAKE.

YOU DONE?

YOU DID THAT VERY WELL.

BUDDY, I’M ENTERTAINING

A VERY IMPORTANT INVESTOR TONIGHT,

AND I SURE COULD USE A FEW OF THESE DOLLARS.

IS THAT ALL RIGHT WITH YOU?

IT’S FROM SOOK.

I KNOW THAT SHE WOULD THINK IT WAS JUST FINE.

SHE WOULD SEE THIS AS AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR FUTURE.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, I THINK I’M GOING TO BORROW ALL OF IT,

AND THEN I’LL BRING BACK WHAT I DON’T USE.

IT WILL COME BACK TO YOU A HUNDREDFOLD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, SON. SLEEP WELL.

P.S., DEAR GOD, PLEASE DON’T MAKE ME STAY HERE LONG.

AND LET ME GO HOME TO SOOK AND QUEENIE

IN ALABAMA RIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS.

OR EVEN SOONER.

[ violin playing ]

A LOVELY EVENING, MISS CORNELIA.

HEAR, HEAR.

AS ALWAYS.

WHAT IS IT THAT FASCINATES YOU ALL SO MUCH ABOUT ME?

MY YOUTH? MY CHARM?

AH, YES, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.

WELL, NOW, MONEY ISN’T EVERYTHING.

POSSIBLY NOT, BUT IF YOU’RE EVER ASKED TO CHOOSE

BETWEEN YOUTH AND MONEY, TAKE THE MONEY.

[ laughing ]

I DON’T MEAN TO INTERRUPT, AUNT CORNELIA, BUT IT’S LATE.

LATE, MY FOOT!

SIT. DOWN, DOWN, DOWN.

IS IT HIM, THAT YANKEE WITH THE KID?

WE’RE ONLY HAVING A DRINK TOGETHER.

OOH. ALL HE’S INTERESTED IN IS YOUR BANK ACCOUNT.

YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HIM.

HE’S BEEN IN JAIL. DID YOU KNOW THAT?

IN BIRMINGHAM FOR WRITING BAD CHECKS.

HE TOLD ME.

OH, HE DID NOT.

HE DID NOT.

YOU KNOW YOU CAN’T LIE TO ME AND NEVER COULD.

HE WANTS YOUR MONEY.

AS SOON AS HE GETS IT,

YOU’LL NEVER SEE HIM AGAIN.

GOOD NIGHT, AUNT CORNELIA.

[ chuckles ]

AND WIPE THOSE SMILES OFF YOUR FACES.

AHEM.

GO ON, NONE OF YOU ARE ANY BETTER, AND YOU KNOW IT.

SOMEONE GET ME A DRINK.

[ jazz ]

THOSE BAD CHECKS WERE ALL A MISUNDERSTANDING.

I DID A FRIEND A FAVOR.

HE SWORE TO ME HE’D COVER ME.

I WAS JUST SURPRISED.

NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED.

DID AUNT CORNELIA MENTION ME,

YOU KNOW, AFTER I WAS GONE?

UH...

ASIDE FROM THE BIRMINGHAM INCIDENT.

WE, UM, WE DID HAVE WORDS ABOUT YOU.

MM-HMM.

SHE... CERTAINLY EXPRESSED HER INTEREST.

OH, GOOD.

MAYBE I’LL TAKE TEA WITH HER SOON,

OR BOURBON, WHICH IS MORE HER STYLE.

[ song ends ]

WOULD YOU ASK HER FOR ME?

IF THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF.

SPEAKING OF OPPORTUNITY,

HAVE YOU GIVEN ANY MORE THOUGHT

TO THE INVESTMENT MATTER WE WERE TALKING ABOUT?

IT’S A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY.

MM-HMM. JUST THINK OF IT AS A CHANCE OF A LIFETIME.

I MEAN, THAT AIR RACE WILL BE HERE AND GONE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

ALL I WANT IS ENOUGH TO SEND MY SON

TO PRIVATE SCHOOL IN THE NORTH.

I’M ALL HE’S GOT.

YOU NEVER MENTION HIS MOTHER.

YOU NEVER TALK ABOUT YOUR LIFE BEFORE YOU CAME HERE,

AND I’D TRULY LIKE TO KNOW, HONESTLY.

HONESTLY... I LOVED THE WOMAN.

SHE WAS TOO YOUNG TO BE A MOTHER,

TOO YOUNG TO BE A WIFE,

SO SHE LEFT ME, MOVED TO NEW YORK,

WHERE SHE FOUND HER MAGNOLIA DELIGHTS

DIDN’T PREPARE HER

FOR THE PRESSURES OF LIVING IN THAT CITY.

SHE WAS ALWAYS FRAGILE.

IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SHE BROKE.

BUDDY’S COUSIN SOOK IS UP THERE NOW

TRYING TO GET HER INTO A PRIVATE HOSPITAL.

A SANITARIUM, YOU MEAN?

OH, HOW TERRIBLE.

I HAVE NO IDEA IF SHE’LL EVER GET BETTER.

DON’T TELL MY SON.

OH, OF COURSE I WOULDN’T.

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT BOY NEEDS?

A SOLID FAMILY.

FATHER. LOVING MOTHER.

I AGREE.

TRUE FAMILY.

YOU KNOW, YOU TRY HARD TO HIDE IT,

BUT YOU HAVE A WARM AND LOVING HEART.

OH, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

TONIGHT IT’S ON ME.

[ humming ]

WELL! GOOD MORNING, LITTLE ONE.

HOW DID YOU SLEEP,

FIRST NIGHT IN A NEW BED.

FINE.

YOUR DADDY WON’T BE UP FOR A WHILE,

IF THAT’S WHO YOU LOOKING FOR.

SOOK SAYS MORNING’S THE BEST PART OF THE DAY.

GET UP BEFORE THE DEVIL SO HE CAN’T CATCH US SLEEPING.

WELL, YOUR DADDY KEEPS ODD HOURS.

BEST YOU REALIZE THAT NOW.

OH! YOU HAVEN’T MET MY TOBY YET, HAVE YOU?

NOT OFFICIAL, ANYWAY.

HI.

HI.

HOW COME I NEVER SEEN YOU OUT HERE BEFORE?

I LIVE IN ALABAMA.

HOW COME YOU DON’T LIVE WITH YOUR DADDY?

I JUST DON’T.

YOUR MAMA DEAD?

NO, SHE LIVES IN NEW YORK CITY.

THAT’S WHERE YOU HAVE TO GO TO BE FAMOUS.

YOU LIKE IT THERE?

I ALMOST NEVER HAVE TO WEAR SHOES,

AND I HAVE A DOG NAMED QUEENIE.

DO YOU LIKE IT HERE?

I GUESS SO. NEVER BEEN ANYWHERE ELSE.

MY DADDY SURE KNOWS HIS WAY AROUND THE CITY.

HE KNOWS THE SPEAKEASIES, THAT’S FOR SURE.

HE DRINKS LIKE A FISH ON FRIDAY.

THAT’S WHAT MY MAMA SAYS WHEN SHE DON’T THINK I’M LISTENING.

BUT I LIKE YOUR DAD. I THINK HE’S FUN.

JUST DON’T TALK TO HIM ’FORE NOON,

AND DON’T BE GOING IN HIS ROOM

WHEN THE DOOR’S SHUT, AND YOU’LL BE ALL RIGHT.

WHAT’S ALL THIS TALK SO EARLY IN THE MORNING?

OH, NOTHIN’.

HEY, BUDDY, I CAME UP WITH A GREAT IDEA.

I’M GONNA THROW A PARTY!

I’M GONNA THROW A CHRISTMAS PARTY.

I’M GONNA INTRODUCE YOU ALL AROUND.

IT’S GONNA BE IN YOUR HONOR. HOW DOES THAT SOUND?

SOUNDS OKAY, I GUESS.

ALL RIGHT, THEN THAT’S IT. THAT’S SETTLED.

YOU GO IN THERE, HAVE SOME BREAKFAST,

AND WE’LL-- OH, YOU KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO?

WE CAN GO GET A CHRISTMAS TREE.

ALL RIGHT?

DON’T GET TOO EXCITED.

A BIG PARTY? HERE?

MY MAMA WILL LOVE TO HEAR THAT.

HEY, YOU LIKE LUCKY LINDY?

YOU LIKE PLANES?

WANNA SIT IN A REAL ONE?

YEAH!

AW, I KNEW THERE WAS A REAL BOY IN THERE SOMEWHERE!

Buddy: WHAT’S THIS FOR?

THAT’S THE STICK, SON.

YOU PULL IT TO CLIMB.

YOU PUSH FORWARD, DOWN SHE GOES.

YOU WANNA GO LEFT OR RIGHT, THAT’S AILERONS.

YOU SEE THOSE PEDALS DOWN HERE?

THEY CONTROL THE RUDDER.

HOW FAR COULD IT FLY?

ROUND THE WORLD AND BACK AGAIN.

ANYPLACE AT ALL.

CAN IT FLY TO NEW YORK?

SURE. HEY, BUDDY.

HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING IN THE PLANE

THAT’S GONNA WIN THE RACE?

HOW DO YOU KNOW IT’S GONNA WIN?

’CAUSE IT’S THE FASTEST PLANE IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.

WHAT IF IT’S NOT THE FASTEST THE DAY OF THE RACE?

WITH THIS GUY AT THE CONTROLS,

THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS,

THE FASTEST PLANE IN THE RACE.

IT BETTER BE. YOUR FATHER’S GOT

A SMALL FORTUNE BET ON THE OUTCOME.

YOU KNOW, I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT.

WOULD YOU EXCUSE US FOR A MINUTE?

LOOK, I’M EXPECTING A COUPLE OF HUNDRED MORE.

I’D LIKE TO PLACE THEM RIGHT ON THE NOSE.

CAN YOU HANDLE THAT?

YOUR KID HERE COULD FLY THIS AIRPLANE

AND WE’D STILL WIN. I LIKE THE WAY YOU THINK.

YES, I DO.

HERE HE COMES.

WAVE TO HIM.

ISN’T THAT GREAT? WE’RE GONNA WIN.

I WANNA RIDE IT!

WE’RE GONNA WIN.

HO HO HO.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, SANTA.

HE’LL NEVER MISS IT.

LOOK AT THAT. ISN’T IT SOMETHING?

WOW, THAT LOOKS LIKE ONE COULD SIT IN IT.

YEAH, AND IF YOU PEDALED IT FAST ENOUGH,

IT’D TAKE OFF AND FLY!

OH, NO, LOOK AT THAT.

YOU SEE THE PRICE TAG? SANTA COULDN’T AFFORD IT.

LOOK AT THIS ONE DOWN HERE.

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL, THE BLUE AND YELLOW ONE.

THIS IS THE ONE. THAT ONE UP THERE.

YOU KNOW WHAT, LET’S GO BUY A CHRISTMAS TREE.

BUDDY, LET’S GO BUY A CHRISTMAS TREE.

LOOK AT THIS TREE.

THIS TREE, YOU COULD PUT 1,000 ORNAMENTS ON THAT TREE.

HOW ABOUT THAT TREE OVER THERE? TOO SKINNY.

THAT’S A NICE TREE. TOO SMALL.

[ gasps ] HOW ABOUT THIS ONE!

OH, NO, NO, NO. LOOK, THIS ONE HERE.

NO, THIS ONE.

THIS IS A PAUL BUNYAN TREE.

YOU NEED A BLUE OX TO CARRY THIS THROUGH THE STREETS.

IT’S NOT TOO BIG FOR ME. I CAN DO IT.

YOU SURE?

YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, YOU HANG ON TO THIS TREE. I’LL GO PAY.

DON’T LET ANYONE TAKE IT.

HOW MUCH DO I OWE YOU? $1.10.

YOU’RE LUCKY TO GET A DOLLAR.

OKAY. COME ON, BUDDY, HOW MUCH IS IT, FOUR?

FOUR. DON’T TELL HIM. I JUST GAVE HIM A DOLLAR.

ALL RIGHT, PULL IT DOWN. HE’LL NEVER KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

LOOK WHAT WE GOT, EVANGELINE!

WHAT ON EARTH?

THERE’S NOT A ROOM IN THIS CITY

BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD THAT.

EVANGELINE, I AM SURE THAT WE WILL FIND

A WONDERFUL PLACE FOR THAT TR--

MISS EMILY.

I SHOULD’VE CALLED FIRST.

I NEVER WANT YOU TO CALL FIRST.

WHAT A WONDERFUL SURPRISE.

WELL, I JUST WANTED TO GIVE THIS TO BUDDY.

YOU ARE SO THOUGHTFUL.

NONSENSE. YOU CAN OPEN IT NOW.

IN FACT, LOOKING AT THAT TREE,

I’D SAY THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME.

COME ON, SON. OPEN IT UP.

YOUR FATHER TOLD ME YOU HAVE A DOG.

I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE MISSING HER.

THIS COULD BE SOMETHING SPECIAL TO PUT ON THE TREE.

BUT IT DOESN’T LOOK ANYTHING LIKE QUEENIE.

WELL, HONEY, I HAVEN’T SEEN QUEENIE,

SO I JUST ASKED THE ARTIST

TO PAINT YOU A BEAUTIFUL DOG.

YOU ARE A REMARKABLE WOMAN.

I’VE ALWAYS SAID IT, AND I ALWAYS WILL.

AND WE DEMAND THAT YOU STAY AND HELP US PUT

THE ORNAMENTS ON THAT TREE, DON’T WE, BUDDY?

OH.

WELL, IF YOU INSIST.

WE DO.

BUDDY.

I THINK THE GIFT WAS A MISTAKE.

IT IS WONDERFULLY THOUGHTFUL.

I SHOULD GO.

PLEASE.

THIS IS SO PERFECT, AS PERFECT AS IT COULD BE.

THE VERY FIRST ORNAMENT OF CHRISTMAS.

THIS IS MY MAMA.

SHE’S COMING TO VISIT THIS SPRING.

SHE’S REALLY VERY BEAUTIFUL, BUDDY.

I... I CAN’T STAY, MUCH AS I’D LIKE TO.

AUNT CORNELIA NEEDS SOME THINGS FROM THE STORE.

EMILY. EMILY, PLEASE. DON’T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO HIM.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO.

YES, I DO.

EVANGELINE.

IT’S QUIET AS A LIBRARY IN HERE.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO JUST EXPLAIN YOURSELF?

HOW DID YOU PICK THAT PARTICULAR MOMENT

TO BRING THAT PARTICULAR PHOTOGRAPH

INTO THE DINING ROOM?

SHE’S MY MAMA.

YOU HURT MISS EMILY’S FEELINGS AND YOU EMBARRASSED ME.

YOU EMBARRASSED ME.

NEVER EMBARRASS YOUR FATHER.

DON’T YOU EVER DO THAT TO YOUR DADDY AGAIN.

I DON’T TOLERATE THAT KIND OF BEHAVIOR IN MY HOUSE.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I’M SAYING?

A BOY LISTENS TO HIS FATHER.

A BOY RESPECTS TO HIS FATHER.

YOU DON’T QUESTION HIM.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT WOMAN IS DOING.

I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE’S RAISING YOU,

BUT YOU’RE NOT WHO YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE.

NEITHER ARE YOU!

DON’T YOU EVER USE THAT TONE OF VOICE TO ME.

DON’T YOU DARE,

BECAUSE I HOLD YOUR ENTIRE FUTURE IN MY HANDS.

I CAN SEND YOU BACK TO SOOK,

OR I CAN KEEP YOU HERE FOREVER.

I CAN MAKE IT SO YOU’LL NEVER SEE ALABAMA AGAIN.

ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME? I JUST ASKED YOU A QUESTION.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I’M SAYING?

GOOD. I’M VERY SORRY I SHOUTED.

[ accordion playing ]

Buddy: IT’S GONNA SNOW HERE THIS CHRISTMAS, YOU KNOW.

Toby: IN NEW ORLEANS?

YOU BELIEVE THAT, YOU BELIEVE ANYTHING!

SANTA’S REAL, YOU KNOW.

HE’S REAL AS YOU AND ME.

NAH. HMM-MM.

HOW COME YOU THINK HE’S NOT?

BECAUSE I ASKED FOR A RADIO TWO YEARS IN A ROW,

A BIG ONE WITH FLASHING LIGHTS AND DIAL.

I COULD HEAR CLEAR TO ST. LOUIS,

AND I DIDN’T GET IT.

MAYBE HE HAD A GOOD REASON FOR NOT BRINGING IT TO YOU.

THERE’S A GOOD REASON, ALL RIGHT.

HE DON’T EXIST.

DO YOUR DADDY AND MAMA LIVE TOGETHER?

MM-HMM.

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

THAT’S ALL I THINK ABOUT.

[ car honks ]

HEY, BUDDY, LOOK.

WHERE DO YOU SUPPOSE SHE’S GOING?

SHE CAN GO ANYWHERE SHE WANTS. I DON’T CARE.

WELL, THIS IS A VERY LARGE AMOUNT

YOU’RE ASKING TO WITHDRAW.

A CASHIER’S CHECK WILL BE FINE.

ARE YOU SUGGESTING THE BANK CAN’T AFFORD IT

OR THAT YOU WON’T RELEASE IT TO ME?

I’D APPRECIATE A DIRECT ANSWER.

IS THERE SOME DIFFICULTY?

I’M AFRAID I WOULD REQUIRE YOUR AUNT CORNELIA’S APPROVAL

TO RELEASE SUCH A SUBSTANTIAL SUM.

BUT IT’S MY OWN MONEY, MR. FARRIS.

AH.

IT’S FOR A BUSINESS INVESTMENT,

IN WHICH SHE IS MOST DEFINITELY NOT INVOLVED.

WHAT HAS SHE TO DO WITH MY MONEY?

I-- YOU SEE,

SHE HAS MADE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT...

WELL, AS I SAY, I-I NEED HER APPROVAL

FOR SUCH A TRANSACTION.

BUT-- DOES SHE HAVE THAT POWER

IN THIS PERSONAL AREA?

WELL, YOU KNOW MISS CORNELIA BETTER THAN I, MISS EMILY.

COULD YOU NOT STAND UP TO HER IN THIS MATTER?

COULD YOU?

I’M TELLING YOU, YOU COULD DO A LOT WORSE

THAN STAKING A FEW DOLLARS ON THIS BABY.

MAYBE, BUT MY GUESS IS WE COULDN’T DO MUCH WORSE.

IF YOU’RE BETTING ON IT, I’M BETTING AGAINST IT.

[ laughing ]

[ imitates laugh ]

WELL, LET ME JUST TELL YOU THAT THERE’S ONLY ROOM

FOR A FEW MORE INVESTORS, ALAN,

AND THEN IT’S AN OPPORTUNITY THAT’S JUST GONE FOREVER.

NAH!

YOU WOULDN’T BE RAISING MORE

THAN YOU ACTUALLY NEED, WOULD YA?

NOPE!

PRETTY WELL KNOWN AROUND TOWN

YOU’RE STRETCHED TO YOUR LIMIT

AND SOMEWHERES BEYOND.

[ laughing ]

SEEMS TO ME THAT, UH,

MY LIMIT HAS STRETCHED JUST A LITTLE BIT FURTHER.

Dixon: HEY. THOUGHT I MIGHT FIND YOU HERE.

WELL, IF IT ISN’T THE VERY STURDY DIXON HOBBS.

WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE?

MY SISTER’S MONEY.

DON’T TELL ME YOU HADN’T HEARD I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU.

WELL, WORD IS THAT YOU HAVE SOME CONCERNS

ABOUT AN INVESTMENT THAT SHE’S MADE.

MY ONLY CONCERN IS HOW FAST

YOU’RE GONNA GIVE HER THAT MONEY BACK.

ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT YOU QUESTION

HER ABILITY TO MAKE HER OWN DECISIONS?

LET’S JUST SAY I DON’T THINK

IT’S A SOUND BUSINESS INVESTMENT.

I DIDN’T REALIZE

THE DEPTH OF YOUR CONCERN.

PLEASE, SIR, IT WOULD BE A PLEASURE

TO WRITE YOU A CHECK RIGHT HERE AND--

NO, NO, NO. YOU AND I NEED TO HAVE A LITTLE TALK,

BUT THAT’S NO REASON FOR US TO INTERRUPT THESE GENTLEMEN’S GAME.

WHY DON’T WE JUST STEP OUTSIDE?

WELL, THAT WAS MY NEXT SUGGESTION.

IT WAS THE PROPHET ISAIAH WHO SAID,

"GO AND LET US REASON TOGETHER."

Toby: WHOLE TOWN KNOWS ABOUT MISS EMILY.

EVERYBODY GOSSIPS.

IT’S JUST SOMETHING THEY DO HERE

WHEN REGULAR TALK GETS SLOW.

Buddy: SHE EVER MARRY?

SHE COULD’VE LOTS OF TIMES WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG,

BUT SHE TURNED THEM ALL DOWN

AND NOW SHE’S TOO OLD.

THAT’S JUST THE WAY IT WORKS, MY MAMA SAYS.

DADDY SAYS SHE’S RICH AS ROCKEFELLER.

HER AUNT CORNELIA SURE IS.

SHE COULD BUY THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

AND MAKE IT RUN NORTH.

DOES MISS EMILY EVER COME TO THE HOUSE MUCH?

Dad: LISTEN, PLEASE STOP, WILL YOU?

PLEASE! I’LL GIVE YOU THE MONEY!

COME ON!

OH!

OW! OH!

YOU DISGUST THE GOOD MEN OF THIS CITY,

LIVING OFF ALL THE WOMEN,

ROMANCIN’ AWAY THEIR MONEY TO PAY FOR YOUR HOUSE

AND YOUR CLOTHES AND YOUR BOOTLEG GIN.

I’M JUST TAKING WHAT’S MY SISTER’S.

YOU MIND MY ADVICE AND DON’T YOU SEE HER AGAIN.

YOU STAY OUT OF HER LIFE, AND I’LL STAY OUT OF YOURS.

SHOULD’VE KILLED YOU IS WHAT I SHOULD’VE DONE.

BEEN A PUBLIC SERVICE.

SIR, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

IT’S ME, TOBY.

IT’S TOBY.

[ moans ]

COME ON, BUDDY!

[ crying ]

COULD YOU JUST STOP IT FOR A MINUTE?

MM, MM! YOU FOUND YOURSELF A GOOD FIGHT THIS TIME,

THAT’S FOR SURE.

I DIDN’T FIND IT. IT FOUND ME.

NO MATTER.

GLASS HIT THE FLOOR, FLOOR HIT THE GLASS.

EITHER WAY, IT’S BAD NEWS FOR THE GLASS.

OH, AREN’T WE POETIC.

OH, NOW. NOW, THAT OUGHT TO DO YA.

ANYTHING ELSE?

YEAH, JUST POUR ME ANOTHER DRINK, WILL YOU, PLEASE?

PROBABLY WHAT GOT YOU IN THIS MESS FROM THE START.

I GOT WORK IN THE KITCHEN.

WHAT ARE YOU STARING AT?

WAS IT TRUE WHAT HE SAID,

THAT YOU USE WOMEN AND TAKE THEIR MONEY?

YOU MISHEARD THE GUY.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS A PERSONAL MISUNDERSTANDING,

THAT’S ALL, GOT OUT OF HAND.

IS THAT WHY YOU AND MAMA AREN’T STILL TOGETHER?

NOT NOW, BUDDY.

WHY NOT?

BECAUSE I JUST SAID NOT NOW.

I WANNA KNOW. TELL ME.

I DIDN’T LEAVE YOUR MAMA.

I DIDN’T PUSH YOUR MAMA AWAY.

SHE LEFT US.

THAT’S A LIE.

OH, REALLY?

SHE WANTED A DIFFERENT KIND OF LIFE.

I WASN’T RICH ENOUGH FOR HER.

THAT’S WHAT MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND. MONEY.

MONEY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE.

[ doorbell rings ]

EVANGELINE!

[ doorbell rings ]

I DON’T KNOW WHY I KEEP THAT WOMAN ON.

PLEASE. LET ME GET IT MYSELF.

COME ON IN, GLENN.

THOUGHT I’D STOP BY FOR A MINUTE.

I DON’T MEAN TO BOTHER YOU AT HOME,

BUT YOU’VE GOT TO KNOW.

IS THERE SOMEPLACE WE COULD TALK?

OF COURSE. BUDDY, GO UPSTAIRS. WE’RE GONNA DISCUSS BUSINESS.

COME HERE. FOLLOW ME.

I GOT SOME GOOD NEWS AND SOME BAD NEWS.

MM-HMM?

THE GOOD IS I PUSHED HER

UP TO 310 MILES AN HOUR THIS MORNING.

THAT’S WONDERFUL.

THE BAD NEWS IS I BLEW THE ENGINE.

FIX THE ENGINE.

CAN’T BY RACE TIME.

WELL, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO TELL THE INVESTORS?

THEY TOOK A CHANCE AND LOST.

TELL THEM THE TRUTH.

WHAT ABOUT ALL THAT MONEY I PUT ON THE PERSONAL BET?

I’M COUNTING ON YOU, GLENN. I COULD BE RUINED.

WELL, GET A NEW ENGINE.

THEY’RE NOT FREE.

THE ONE I NEED COULD RUN UP TO $1500.

THAT’S ALL I NEED.

ALL RIGHT. LET’S JUST STAY CALM.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

HERE’S THE DEAL.

IF I CAN GET YOU A NEW ENGINE,

IF I CAN GET IT TO BATON ROUGE BY RACE TIME,

WILL YOU SPLIT YOUR SHARE OF THE PURSE WITH ME?

WE WON’T TELL ANYBODY.

YOU GOT YOURSELF A DEAL.

OKAY. YOU JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU NEED.

I’LL MAKE IT HAPPEN.

IT’S UNBELIEVABLE!

"IT’S NOT AN EASY LIFE HERE, BUDDY,

"BUT ANYTHING WORTH HAVING IN LIFE TAKES WORK,

"AND THAT’S WHAT I’M DOING.

NEVER BE AFRAID OF HARD WORK."

SOOK SAYS THAT, TOO, NEVER BE AFRAID OF WORK.

I AIN’T AFRAID OF WORK.

BEEN DOING THAT SINCE I CAN REMEMBER.

I’D LIKE TO WORK AND MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.

THEN MAYBE I COULD GET MY FAMILY BACK.

BUDDY. BUDDY.

I’M GOING OVER TO SEE MISS EMILY AT HER HOUSE NOW.

I NEED YOU TO COME WITH ME. WHY?

BECAUSE I SAID SO, THAT’S WHY.

NOW, I KNOW THAT YOU’RE ANGRY,

BUT A GENTLEMAN MUST ALWAYS APOLOGIZE

TO A GENEROUS WOMAN.

PLEASE, GET YOUR SHOES ON AND LET’S GO.

MY DAD SAYS I WAS RUDE, AND IF I WAS, I’M SORRY.

I DIDN’T MEAN ANYTHING BY IT.

CAN WE GO NOW?

WELL, THAT’S A LOVELY APOLOGY,

BUT THERE’S NO NEED.

HOW COULD I BE OFFENDED

BY SUCH A SWEET BOY THIS TIME OF YEAR?

I THINK YOU’LL REALLY ENJOY WAITING IN THE ANTEROOM

WHILE MISS EMILY AND I HAVE A PRIVATE WORD.

Dad: DAMN THAT CORNELIA! IT’S YOUR MONEY.

Emily: NOT IN HER MIND.

YOU CAN’T KEEP LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF CORNELIA BEAUMONT.

YOU CAN’T KEEP LETTING HER MAKE DECISIONS THAT RUN YOUR LIFE.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU’RE SAYING, BUT...

YOUR FATHER IS HERE?

YOU CHANGE IT BY CHANGING IT.

HE DOESN’T WANT THE MONEY FOR HIM, MISS EMILY.

HE WANTS MONEY FOR ME.

FOR YOU?

HE SAYS WITH MONEY WE CAN BE A FAMILY.

A FAMILY?

DID YOU?

Cornelia. WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?

WHAT A RARE PLEASURE IT IS TO SEE YOU, MISS BEAUMONT!

YES. WELL, THE PLEASURE IS ALL YOURS.

[ chuckles ] NOW, I KNOW THAT IT’S LATE NOTICE,

BUT WE’RE HAVING A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

AT OUR HOUSE TOMORROW NIGHT.

WE WERE WONDERING IF YOU COULD JOIN US,

RAISE A GLASS TO THE HOLIDAYS.

WHY ON EARTH WOULD I WANT TO DO THAT?

BUT CORNELIA!

FURTHERMORE, I’D VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT

IF YOU WOULD KEEP A RESPECTABLE DISTANCE

BETWEEN YOURSELF AND MY NIECE

AND THIS HOUSE.

CONSIDER IT A PERSONAL FAVOR.

NOW, GOOD NIGHT.

THANK YOU, MISS CORNELIA.

MISS EMILY.

HOW CAN YOU SPEAK TO MY GUEST IN THAT TONE?

IT’S MY HOUSE,

AND I’LL DO AS I DAMN WELL PLEASE.

I GOT ONE ENGINE MIGHT SUIT YOUR NEEDS.

SHOULD BE HALF THE PRICE OF THAT PRATT-WHITNEY.

IS IT NEW?

SHE LOOKS GOOD.

OF COURSE, NOW, I DIDN’T TEAR HER DOWN TO SEE,

BUT SHE MIGHT BE FINE.

SHE MIGHT NOT BE.

BEST NOT RUN HER FULL OUT TILL YOU CHECK.

WELL, HOW LONG DOES THAT TAKE?

THREE, FOUR DAYS. A WEEK, MAYBE.

NO, I GOTTA HAVE IT SOONER THAN THAT.

THE RACE IS TWO DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU.

JUST TELL ME I’M GONNA WIN.

I REALLY HAVE TO CALL

AND GET MISS CORNELIA’S APPROVAL.

YOU’LL DO NO SUCH THING.

THE MONEY IS MINE. WE’VE ESTABLISHED THAT.

YOU CANNOT LEGALLY WITHHOLD IT FROM ME.

WELL, LEGALLY NO, BUT--

AND SHOULD YOU TRY, I HAVE THE ACQUAINTANCE

OF ANY NUMBER OF EXCELLENT ATTORNEYS

IN THIS TOWN WHO WILL BE HAPPY TO SEE YOU

IN COURT TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION.

IN COURT, YOU SAY?

IT’S YOUR DECISION,

BUT EITHER WAY, I’M GONNA GET

WHAT’S RIGHTFULLY MINE.

SO, MR. FARRIS, WHAT DO YOU SAY?

I KNOW IT’S BEEN A FEW YEARS SINCE WE’VE BEEN TOGETHER.

I’M GONNA MAKE IT UP TO YOU, BUDDY, I SWEAR.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO.

NO, I KNOW I DON’T HAVE TO. I WANT TO.

I’VE BEEN BUSY WORKING ON A CAREER.

CAREER IS VERY IMPORTANT TO A GENTLEMAN.

YOU JUST CAN’T MAKE IT YOUR LIFE,

BECAUSE THEN IT BECOMES YOUR LIFE.

THERE’S MORE TO IT THAN THAT-- THERE’S FAMILY.

DID MAMA REALLY LEAVE US?

WAS THAT HOW IT HAPPENED?

YOUR MAMA LEFT BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO MAKE

HER OWN MARK IN THE WORLD.

SHE HAD A NEED.

IT DOESN’T MAKE HER A BAD PERSON, THOUGH, DOES IT?

I MEAN, EVERYBODY’S GOT THEIR NEEDS.

MAYBE WHAT YOU NEED IS HER.

I DON’T KNOW HOW I MISSED THIS.

I’M LOOKING AT YOU, AND I’M SEEING YOUR MAMA’S FACE.

LOOK AT THAT! YOU’VE GOT HER EYES.

AND YOU’RE AS SMART AS SHE IS, TOO.

DID YOU KNOW THAT? DID YOU?

I DIDN’T MEAN TO GIVE YOU UP TO ALABAMA.

IT’S JUST WHEN YOU WERE BORN YOU WERE KIND OF A SURPRISE.

YOU KNOW, I DIDN’T KNOW WHICH END TO FEED,

WHICH END TO DIAPER. IT JUST...

IT JUST SEEMED BEST AT THE TIME.

WHAT ABOUT YOU AND MAMA GETTING BACK TOGETHER?

EH, SOME THINGS JUST AREN’T MEANT TO BE.

WHAT IF IT’S THE LORD’S WILL

FOR YOU AND MAMA TO GET BACK TOGETHER?

WHAT IF HE GIVES YOU THE MONEY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN?

SEE, NOW YOU’RE TALKING FOOLISH.

SOOK SAYS THAT IF IT’S THE LORD’S WILL,

THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

IT HAS TO HAPPEN.

IT WON’T.

JUST SAY IT’S NOT IMPOSSIBLE.

I SUPPOSE THAT NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.

JIGGLE YOUR CORK THERE.

OH!

Dad: CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE?

CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION?

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO WISH YOU

AN OFFICIAL WELCOME TO MY HOUSE AT THIS CHRISTMAS.

I’M VERY HAPPY THAT YOU’RE HERE.

SECONDLY, I WOULD LOVE TO INTRODUCE YOU

TO A YOUNG MAN I AM SO PROUD OF.

BUDDY, WOULD YOU COME ON UP HERE?

A YOUNG MAN YOU’VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT;

VERY, VERY INTELLIGENT;

A GREAT FISHERMAN, I MIGHT ADD,

A LOT BETTER THAN I AM.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MY SON BUDDY.

I’M SO HOPING THAT HE WILL TAKE AFTER HIS FATHER.

WOULDN’T YOU RATHER HE MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF HIMSELF?

[ women scolding, laughter ]

DON’T YOU TALK ABOUT MY DADDY THAT WAY!

HE’S A FAMOUS ENTREPRENEUR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NOW, AS OUR GOOD FRIEND JUSTIN HAS ALREADY FOUND OUT,

THERE IS PLENTY OF PUNCH.

I WANT YOU TO EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY.

I DON’T WANT YOU TO GO HOME UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO,

AND ON BEHALF OF BUDDY AND MYSELF ONCE AGAIN,

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. THANK YOU FOR COMING!

[ applause ]

I WANT YOU TO MEET MR. LAYTON,

AND THIS IS...

THANK YOU.

SUCH A HANDSOME BOY.

HE’LL BREAK A LOT OF HEARTS WHEN HE GROWS UP.

ALL THAT CHARM OBVIOUSLY RUNS IN THE FAMILY.

THANK YOU. THERE’S SO MUCH RESPONSIBILITY

THAT GOES WITH RAISING A SON,

AND THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT I WANT FOR HIM.

I JUST HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I CAN AFFORD IT.

MM. I THINK I’D LIKE ANOTHER CUP OF PUNCH.

LET ME JUST WARN YOU THAT, DESPITE PROHIBITION,

A GOODLY AMOUNT OF SPIRITS

FOUND ITS WAY INTO THE RECIPE.

[ chuckles ]

ARE YOU INSISTING?

YES! MY PLEASURE.

WELL, AS LONG AS YOU’RE GOING, THEN, JULENE,

BE A DEAR AND GET ONE FOR ME, TOO.

YOU KNOW, SHE IS A SWEET WOMAN,

BUT SHE COULDN’T TAKE A HINT TO SAVE HER LIFE.

I COULDN’T PUT MY HANDS ON THE ENTIRE AMOUNT.

THIS IS THE MAJOR PORTION OF IT.

MISS IVY, YOU ARE FILLED WITH SURPRISES.

BUT THE BALANCE IS NOT ENTIRELY

OUT OF THE QUESTION, YOU UNDERSTAND.

ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP WITH THAT,

YOU JUST LET ME KNOW.

WELL, WE COULD DISCUSS IT

LATER THIS MONTH AT THE OPERA.

MMM.

BE MY GUEST.

YOU MIGHT RECALL I HAVE THAT PRIVATE BOX.

HOW CAN I FORGET THAT?

WOULD YOU EXCUSE ME FOR A MOMENT?

OF COURSE.

I SEE YOU’VE MANAGED TO FRIGHTEN HIM AWAY AGAIN.

YOO-HOO. RIGHT NOW.

I DIDN’T EVEN SEE YOU ARRIVE.

OBVIOUSLY.

THE PARTY’S ON THE INSIDE.

I CAN’T STAY. I, UM...

JUST CAME TO GIVE YOU THIS.

IT’S WHAT YOU’RE REALLY AFTER, ISN’T IT?

TAKE IT.

WHAT IS THIS?

SURELY YOU RECOGNIZE IT.

IT’S NOT THE FIRST CASHIER’S CHECK YOU’VE SEEN.

I DOUBT IF IT’S THE FIRST YOU’VE SEEN THIS EVENING.

YOU THINK THIS IS ALL I WANT FROM YOU?

I’VE HAD NO ILLUSIONS THERE WAS HONESTLY

ANYTHING MORE BETWEEN US.

YOU THINK THAT LITTLE OF ME?

THE ONLY PART THAT HURTS

IS THAT AUNT CORNELIA WAS RIGHT ABOUT YOU.

AUNT CORNELIA ALWAYS THINKS THAT SHE’S RIGHT.

AUNT CORNELIA’S WRONG.

I WON’T ALLOW YOU TO LEAVE.

[ scoffs ] YOU PLAN TO KEEP ME HERE BY FORCE?

I PLAN TO DANCE WITH YOU.

WHAT?

PLEASE, MAY I HAVE THE HONOR OF THIS DANCE?

HERE? HERE! NOW.

PLEASE. PLEASE.

THERE’S NO PRICE TAG ON MY FEELINGS.

WHEN I HOLD YOU AND WE’RE DANCING...

WHEN WE KISS,

THIS IS NOT BUSINESS.

THIS IS AS PERSONAL AS IT GETS.

DON’T.

I’VE HEARD IT TOO MANY TIMES BEFORE.

SO WHY DO YOU PUT UP WITH ME?

I DON’T KNOW.

BECAUSE YOU TRY TOO HARD.

YOU WANT THINGS TOO MUCH.

YOU STILL HAVE DREAMS AT A TIME

WHEN MOST PEOPLE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THEY EVER DREAMED AT ALL.

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN AT HEART.

NOBODY...

HAS EVER SEEN THAT IN ME.

MAYBE NOBODY ELSE TOOK THE TIME TO LOOK.

I LOVE YOU.

DO YOU KNOW THAT?

IT’S NOT A THING OF REASON.

CAN’T EVEN EXPLAIN IT TO MYSELF,

BUT I DO.

THEN WHY DON’T YOU MARRY ME?

WHAT?

I WANT TO MARRY YOU, MAKE IT OFFICIAL.

YOU WANT...

YOU’RE JOKING. HM-MMM.

YOU’RE EITHER DRUNK OR YOU’RE JOKING.

HM-MMM.

IN EITHER EVENT, IT’S A TERRIBLE WAY TO AMUSE YOURSELF.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE SERIOUS IN MY WHOLE LIFE,

MISS EMILY.

HEY, BUDDY. LOOK THERE.

THAT’S YOUR DADDY.

AND THAT FOR SURE AIN’T YOUR MAMA.

LET ME GET SOMETHING TO DRINK.

GENTLEMEN, CAN I BORROW GLENN FOR A MOMENT?

YOUR NEW ENGINE WILL BE DELIVERED FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.

HOW’D YOU DO IT?

I’M A PROFESSIONAL.

[ inaudible ]

OH, WHY, BUDDY!

IT’S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

STAY AWAY FROM MY DADDY, YOU HEAR ME?

YOU’RE AN OLD MAID AND NOT HALF AS PRETTY AS MY MAMA.

JUST STAY AWAY FROM HIM!

[ people murmuring ]

[ door slams ]

YES.

[ thunder rumbling ]

GONNA RAIN LIKE NOAH’S FLOOD.

[ phone ringing ]

WHERE’S BUDDY?

UPSTAIRS, PRAYING FOR SNOW, NO DOUBT.

[ chuckles ]

HELLO.

YES, I KNOW GLENN GILMORE.

I WAS JUST THERE. EVERYTHING WAS FINE.

WHY DIDN’T HE CALL ME HIMSELF?

OH, MY GOD.

WELL, WHAT HAPPENED?

DID THE PLANE JUST COME APART?

WAS IT THE WEATHER?

DID HE HIT SOMETHING?

WHAT HOSPITAL?

THANK YOU.

"TO BUDDY FROM SANTA"

FROM SANTA.

FROM SANTA.

DO YOU GET IT NOW?

I SAW HIM WRAPPING THESE YESTERDAY.

I TRIED TO TELL YOU.

THERE IS NO SANTA CLAUS.

THEY ALL LIE.

THEY JUST DON’T THINK WE’LL EVER FIND OUT.

BETTER PICK THOSE UP BEFORE HE FINDS OUT

YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING IN THERE.

I HATE HIM. I HATE HIM.

WELL, THEN, YOU WON’T LIKE

WHAT I HEARD FROM MY MAMA THIS MORNING.

REMEMBER WHEN WE SAW

MISS EMILY AND YOUR DADDY KISSING LAST NIGHT?

WELL, TURNS OUT HE PROPOSED.

LOOKS LIKE YOU’RE GETTING A NEW MAMMY.

YOU LIED TO ME!

YOU LIED TO ME ABOUT SANTA

AND ABOUT YOU AND MAMA GETTING BACK TOGETHER

AND ABOUT MISS EMILY!

WHAT ABOUT MISS EMILY?

WE SAW YOU KISSING LAST NIGHT,

AND TOBY SAID YOU’RE GONNA MARRY HER!

WHAT ABOUT MAMA?

THE MONEY WAS FOR US!

I’M NOT MARRYING ANYBODY.

YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT LYING?

SOOK LIED TO YOU ABOUT THE SNOW.

NO, YOU LIE. THAT’S ALL YOU DO.

YOU LIE ABOUT EVERYTHING!

OH, YEAH? TO EVERYBODY!

THEN HERE’S SOME TRUTH FOR YOU.

YOU’RE NOT GOING BACK TO ALABAMA.

YOU’RE GONNA STAY HERE WITH ME, AND THAT’S FINAL.

NO MORE FANTASIES.

NO MORE LIVING HOPING FOR THE BEST,

BECAUSE THE BEST NEVER COMES NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY.

THERE IS NO POT OF GOLD FOR ME.

THERE IS NO SNOW FOR YOU.

OH, AND AS FOR YOUR MAMA, AS FOR MOM...

WHAT IN THE WORLD!

YOU KNOW HE’S GOING OUT THERE IN THAT STORM?

YEAH, SO WHAT? HE’S BEEN BABIED WAY TOO MUCH. LEAVE HIM ALONE.

BUT HE CAN’T GO OUT THERE ALL ALONE.

I SAID LEAVE HIM BE.

HOPEFULLY HE’S SMART ENOUGH TO COME IN FROM THE RAIN.

COME ON, SNOW!

[ thunder rumbles ]

SNOW!

[ honks ]

AAH! ARRGH!

THAT WAS FOOLISH OF YOU, FOOLISH!

YOU COULD’VE BEEN KILLED!

DUMB!

WHAT KIND OF MAN LETS HIS SON RUN LOOSE

LIKE A WILD ANIMAL IN THIS KIND OF WEATHER?

DO YOU HAVE A VOICE?

YES, MA’AM.

THEN WHY DON’T YOU TALK?

YOU SCARE ME.

[ chuckles ]

WELL, I SCARE ANY NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

I SCARE MYSELF.

BUDDY?

PHONES WENT OUT ALONG WITH THE WEATHER.

GO-- GO AND FETCH THE BOY’S FATHER.

I DON’T WANT TO SEE HIM!

WELL, YOU’RE GONNA SEE HIM ANYWAY.

DON’T JUST STAND THERE. DO AS I SAY.

I JUST WANNA GO HOME TO ALABAMA.

BUT IF YOU WANT TO GO HOME HEALTHY,

YOU’VE GOT TO DRY OFF FIRST.

ARE YOU REALLY AS MEAN AS YOU SOUND?

OH, ABSOLUTELY.

I’M WORSE.

[ knocking ]

[ door opens ]

Evangeline: OH, MISS EMILY, I THOUGHT YOU WERE BUDDY.

Emily: HE’S SAFE.

WELL, THANK THE LORD HE’S SAFE. AS FOR HIS FATHER...

WOULD YOU FETCH SOME HOT COFFEE?

THANK YOU.

YOUR SON’S AT CORNELIA’S. HE NEEDS YOU.

NO, HE DOESN’T.

HE DOESN’T NEED ANYBODY. HE TOLD ME.

NONE OF US NEED ANYBODY.

RUNS IN THE FAMILY.

YOU’VE BEEN DRINKING.

STEADILY SINCE 1913.

BUT NEVER TO EXCESS.

HERE, LET ME HAVE THAT.

THERE’S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM.

EVANGELINE’S BRINGING COFFEE.

DON’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO.

IF I WANT COFFEE, I WILL ORDER IT MYSELF.

IF WE’RE GOING TO BE MARRIED...

THERE’S A RUMOR TO THAT EFFECT, ISN’T THERE?

A RUMOR?

LAST NIGHT IN THE GARDEN...

LAST NIGHT WAS HOURS AND HOURS AGO.

A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN THAT TIME.

THE WHOLE WORLD COULD END.

YOU PROPOSED.

WELL, WE ONLY HAVE YOUR WORD FOR THAT,

DON’T WE?

YOU’VE BEEN TRYING TO TRAP ME SINCE WE MET.

BUT I’M NOT SO EASILY CAPTURED.

I’VE BEEN MARRIED ONCE.

ONCE WAS QUITE ENOUGH, THANK YOU.

SO, IF THAT’S YOUR GAME, WHY DON’T YOU PICK UP

YOUR SNARES AND YOUR NETS AND YOUR HOOKS.

GO FIND ANOTHER PIGEON.

WELL, THEN.

I GUESS THERE’S NOTHING MORE TO SAY.

IF I DIDN’T HAVE TO STAY TO SEE I GET

ALL THE BACK SALARY YOU OWE ME, I’D QUIT.

♪ I COULD FIRE YOU

NO, YOU COULDN’T.

NO ONE ELSE WOULD WORK FOR YOU.

YOUR PROBLEM IS YOU’VE BEEN LIVING LIES SO LONG

YOU WOULDN’T KNOW TRUE LOVE NOW IF YOU HAD IT.

YOU’RE LONG IN NEED OF A GOOD WOMAN,

AND ONE OF THE FINEST JUST WALKED OUT THAT DOOR.

I NEVER HAD ANY CHILDREN OF MY OWN.

FRANKLY, I DON’T MUCH CARE FOR THEM.

ARE YOU ALL RIGHT? DO YOU WANT SOMETHING?

I DON’T WANT ANY MORE LIES.

SO, IT’S THE TRUTH YOU’RE AFTER.

A HIGHLY OVERRATED COMMODITY,

IF YOU ASK ME.

IS THERE SOME PARTICULAR TRUTH

YOU WERE LOOKING FOR?

DOES IT SNOW IN NEW ORLEANS?

ALMOST NEVER.

WHAT ABOUT SANTA?

SANTA CLAUS, YOU MEAN IS THERE OR ISN’T THERE ONE?

MY FRIEND TOBY SAYS THERE’S NOT.

OF COURSE THERE’S A SANTA CLAUS!

IT’S JUST, WELL,

IT’S JUST THAT NO SINGLE SOMEBODY

COULD DO ALL THAT HE HAS TO DO,

SO THE TASK HAS BEEN SPREAD AMONG US ALL.

THAT’S WHY EVERYBODY IS SANTA CLAUS.

I AM. YOU ARE. YOUR FATHER IS.

EVEN THIS TOBY OF YOURS IS.

THAT’S CONFUSING.

YES. LIFE IS CONFUSING.

[ chuckles ]

THAT’S THE NATURE OF IT.

LIFE IS CONFUSING,

BUT WE MUDDLE THROUGH.

NOW, YOU JUST RELAX.

YOU BE A CHILD WHILE YOU STILL CAN BE ONE.

COUNT-- COUNT STARS.

THINK OF THE QUIETEST THING, LIKE SNOW.

SNOW...

SNOW FALLING THROUGH THE STARS.

FEELING BETTER?

REMEMBER WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT?

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED HERE?

IS MY DAD WITH YOU?

NO.

BUT I’LL TAKE YOU HOME IF YOU LIKE.

NO.

WHATEVER YOU WANT.

SOOK WOULD BE SO MAD THE WAY I YELLED AT YOU,

AND IT WASN’T EVEN YOUR FAULT.

HE LIED TO ME ABOUT SO MANY THINGS.

PEOPLE LIE. IT’S A FACT OF LIFE.

THEY DON’T USUALLY MEAN ANY HARM BY IT.

THEY’RE JUST TRYING TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

FROM WHAT?

FROM BEING HURT.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO DECEIVE OURSELVES

JUST TO GET FROM DAY TO DAY

BECAUSE THE TRUTH

IS OFTEN MORE THAN WE CAN BEAR.

SO WE MAKE OURSELVES BELIEVE.

WE TELL OURSELVES WE’RE STILL PRETTY,

THAT THERE’S STILL A CHANCE FOR US,

THAT SOMEONE LOVES US.

AND WE HOPE AGAINST HOPE

THAT BELIEVING STRONGLY ENOUGH

WILL MAKE IT TRUE.

I HAD NO IDEA YOU WERE SO GOOD WITH CHILDREN,

THOUGH I SHOULDN’T BE SURPRISED.

BUDDY IS THE ONE COMPLETELY GOOD THING

THAT I CREATED IN THIS WORLD.

HIS LOVE IS REAL IF YOU’LL ALLOW IT.

ALLOW IT?

IT’S ALL I WANT.

I JUST DON’T HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TO GO ABOUT IT.

OKAY, LOOK.

I DID TERRIBLE THINGS.

AH, TERRIBLE.

THERE ARE NO EXCUSES.

BUT IF YOU CAN SEE IT IN YOUR HEART,

I CAN GIVE YOU A LIFE...

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER,

THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE OF MARRIAGE PROPOSALS,

BUT I CHOSE TO BE INDEPENDENT.

I CHOSE TO LIVE ALONE,

TO READ, PAINT, TRAVEL.

SO THE MEN TOOK THE MARRIAGE-MINDED DAUGHTERS

OF NEW ORLEANS AND LEFT ME ALONE WITH MY BOOKS AND CANVASES.

IT WAS SATISFYING FOR A LONG WHILE.

IT’S BECOME LESS SO.

BUT THAT’S MY CHOICE.

AND I LIVE WITH THAT.

BUT I’M HERE TO TELL YOU

THAT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THAT.

I THINK BUDDY NEEDS TO GO HOME NOW.

CHRISTMAS.

IT’S BEAUTIFUL.

IT WAS YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S,

WHO GOT IT FROM HER GRANDMOTHER.

AND SO ON, AND SO ON.

IT’S TIME IT CAME TO YOU.

I LOVE IT.

GOOD.

WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT THE, UH, PROPOSAL?

WELL?

IT’S TRUE, HE PROPOSED.

TWICE, IN FACT.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

WELL, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

YES OR NO?

IT’S POSSIBLE HE’S MY LAST BEST CHANCE.

OH, COME, COME.

I’VE FUSSED OVER YOU.

I’VE TRIED TO GUIDE YOU,

GIVE YOU THE BENEFIT OF MY YEARS.

IT’S TIME TO MAKE YOUR OWN CHOICE,

RISE OR FALL.

AND IF I SHOULD DECIDE--

IT’S YOUR DECISION.

DECISION YOURS ALONE.

I’VE ALWAYS LIVED MY LIFE EXACTLY AS I WANTED.

I’VE TRIED TO PLEASE NO ONE BUT ME, ME, ME,

AND VERY LIKELY DISPLEASED A GREAT NUMBER OF THE PEOPLE

IN THE PROCESS.

BUT I’M ENTIRELY CONTENT.

I CAN SIT BACK IN MY OLD AGE,

NOT REGRET A SINGLE MOMENT,

NOT WISH TO CHANGE A SINGLE THING.

WHAT I WISH FOR YOU, MY DEAR, A LIFE...

A LIFE WITH NO REGRETS.

FOR YOU.

I THOUGHT FOR SURE YOU’D BE OPENING

ALL YOUR PRESENTS THAT SANTA GAVE YOU.

YOU MEAN SANTAGAVE ME ALL THESE PRESENTS?

EACH AND EVERY ONE. ISN’T HE WONDERFUL?

WHAT DID YOU GIVE ME, DADDY?

I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD LET YOU PICK OUT SOMETHING SPECIAL.

IS THERE ANYTHING PARTICULAR YOU WANT?

YEAH.

JUST ONE THING.

YOU NAME IT AND IT’S YOURS, BUDDY.

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

I WANNA GO HOME.

IS HE REALLY GONNA LET YOU GO?

SOOK’S BACK FROM HER TRIP, AND IT’S WHAT I WANT.

DOESN’T USUALLY MATTER WHEN PARENTS IS CONCERNED.

I MIGHT COME BACK SOMETIME.

SOOK SAYS ONLY GOD KNOWS WHAT ROADS LAY AHEAD OF US.

SHE TALK MORE THAN ANY RELATIVE I EVER KNEW.

YOU NEED ANY HELP WITH THAT PACKING?

NO. I’M OLD ENOUGH TO DO IT BY MYSELF.

I GUESS SHE WAS RIGHT ABOUT THAT.

OH, I DON’T THINK SHE EVER REALLY MEANT TO LIE TO YOU, BUDDY.

I-I THINK SHE BELIEVES WHAT SHE SAYS.

MY MAMA’S LETTERS! WHERE ARE THEY?

OH.

YOUR MOM IS SOME LETTER WRITER, HUH?

SHE KNOWS ME VERY WELL.

I’M A MUCH BETTER TALKER, MYSELF.

IF YOU’RE DONE, CAN I HAVE THEM BACK?

SURE.

BUDDY.

I’M FEELING ANOTHER CHRISTMAS PRESENT...

IN THIS HOUSE. DO YOU FEEL IT?

NO.

HERE?

IT’S NOT IN THIS-- IT’S NOT IN THIS ROOM.

WHERE?

THEN WHERE COULD IT BE?

ALL RIGHT, CLOSE YOUR EYES.

IS IT IN THIS DIRECTION? NO, IT’S NOT.

WHERE IS IT?

SPINNING AROUND, HE’S TWISTING,

AND HE’S HEADING RIGHT FOR IT.

OPEN YOUR EYES.

THE PLANE!

GET IN, YEAH!

THAT’S FROM NOBODY ELSE BUT ME

TO NOBODY ELSE BUT YOU.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE THE FEELING

THAT YOU’RE OLD ENOUGH NOW

FOR US TO HAVE A MAN-TO-MAN TALK,

YOU KNOW, STRAIGHT OUT. DO YOU AGREE?

THAT’S WHY I’M GONNA TELL YOU SOMETHING

I’VE NEVER TOLD ANYBODY ELSE IN MY WHOLE LIFE,

SOMETHING THAT WE’RE GONNA SHARE TOGETHER FOREVER.

LIKE A PIRATE OATH?

EXACTLY LIKE A PIRATE OATH.

THERE’S NOT GOING TO BE AN AIR RACE FOR ME, BUDDY.

THE PLANE CRASHED AND THE PILOT WAS HURT.

IS HE HURT BAD?

BAD ENOUGH FOR HIM TO BE IN THE HOSPITAL.

AND THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE THAT IT WAS MY FAULT.

I BOUGHT AN ENGINE THAT WASN’T UP TO SNUFF.

I TOOK A CHANCE I SHOULDN’T.

I CAME THIS CLOSE TO KILLING A MAN.

SO, WHY AM I TELLING YOU ALL THIS?

YOU ACCUSED ME OF BEING A LIAR,

AND I NEED YOU TO KNOW

THAT EVERYTHING I’M SAYING IS TRUE.

BECAUSE I NEED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT YOUR MAMA.

WHAT ABOUT HER?

SHE LOVES YOU VERY MUCH,

BUT SHE’S NOT COMING TO VISIT YOU THIS SPRING.

WHY NOT?

WELL, SHE’S BEEN ILL FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW.

SHE DIDN’T WRITE ME THAT.

BECAUSE SHE DOESN’T KNOW HOW SMART YOU ARE.

SHE DOESN’T KNOW THAT YOU SEE THINGS

WITH SUCH A CLEAR AND UNDERSTANDING EYE.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH HER?

[ groans ]

WELL, YOU KNOW HER LIFE IS NOT GOING

EXACTLY THE WAY THAT SHE HAD PLANNED IT.

NOW, SHE TRIED HARD,

BUT HER DREAMS WERE JUST TOO BIG AND BEYOND HER.

AND SOMETHING IN HER MIND

JUST COULDN’T HANDLE THAT.

IS SHE CRAZY?

NO. SHE’S NOT CRAZY.

WHAT SHE NEEDS IS SHE NEEDS SOME TIME TO REST,

TO SORT THESE THINGS OUT.

DOES SOOK KNOW?

YES. SHE DIDN’T WANT TO WORRY YOU,

BUT THIS CHRISTMAS THAT’S WHERE SHE IS.

SHE’S IN NEW YORK WITH MOM TRYING TO GET HER

INTO SOMEPLACE THAT CAN HELP HER.

MAYBE I CAN HELP.

OF COURSE YOU CAN.

YOU CAN KEEP HER IN YOUR PRAYERS.

AND SHE’LL GET BETTER?

GOD WILLING.

YOU KNOW WHAT I’D LIKE FOR CHRISTMAS?

I’D LIKE YOU TO STAY WITH ME.

WHAT WOULD SOOK DO WITHOUT ME?

WHAT WILL I DO WITHOUT YOU?

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TILL NOW?

Evangeline: WELL, COME ON IN.

BUDDY HAS SUCH AN IMAGINATION.

I THOUGHT HE MIGHT GET SOME PLEASURE OUT OF THIS.

WELL, I KNOW HE’LL LOVE THAT!

BUT CAN YOU WAIT A MINUTE?

I’VE GOT SOMETHING ON THE STOVE.

NO, I HAVE TO RUN. YOU GO ON.

I’LL SET THIS DOWN AND LET MYSELF OUT.

IT’S BEEN TOO MANY YEARS, BUDDY.

YOU’RE NOT THE SON I EXPECTED.

BUT, THEN AGAIN, I’M NOT THE FATHER YOU DESERVE.

THE TRUTH IS, BUDDY, WE’RE ALL BORN

WITH A POCKET FULL OF MAGIC.

I USED MINE EARLY,

TOSSED IT AROUND UNTIL THERE WAS NONE LEFT.

THERE’S NO ONE TO BLAME BUT MYSELF.

SO IF I HAD ONE THING TO TELL YOU...

DON’T WASTE YOUR MAGIC, BUDDY.

TREASURE IT.

MAKE IT LAST.

IT’LL TAKE YOU TO PLACES YOU’VE NEVER DREAMED OF.

COME HERE.

LOOK. THERE’S JUST ONE MORE THING.

DO YOU THINK THAT I COULD HEAR THE WORDS "I LOVE YOU, DAD"?

THE BUS WILL BE LEAVING SOON.

RIGHT. THE BUS WILL BE LEAVING SOON.

WHAT’S THAT?

IT’S A RADIO!

WELL, WHO SENT IT?

I DON’T KNOW.

EMILY!

EMILY!

EMILY!

EMILY!

BUDDY JUST OPENED HIS RADIO.

YOU SHOULD’VE SEEN HIS FACE.

THANKS.

I’M GLAD.

EM.

EM.

LET ME JUST LAY MY CARDS FLAT ON THE TABLE.

WILL YOU MARRY ME?

NO HESITATION. NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

JUST THE MOST HONEST AND PLAIN DEAL

I’VE EVER MADE IN MY WHOLE LIFE.

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

YOU HAVE MANY FINE QUALITIES,

BUT I CAN’T SPEND MY LIFE WITH YOU.

YOU HAVE A RECKLESS STREAK,

NOT JUST WITH YOURSELF, BUT WITH ME,

WITH YOUR SON.

BUT EM, EM, WHAT IF THINGS WERE DIFFERENT?

JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU NEED,

AND I’LL MAKE IT HAPPEN. WHAT THEN?

YOU HAVE TO BEGIN

TO PAY YOUR OWN WAY IN THE WORLD.

THEN, MAYBE...

FOR NOW AT LEAST,

I HAVE TO SAY GOOD-BYE.

SAY GOOD-BYE TO BUDDY FOR ME, WILL YOU?

HE’S A FINE BOY.

YOU LOOK SO GROWN-UP ALL OF A SUDDEN.

DO I?

TOO GROWN-UP IF YOU ASK ME.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WAS EVER WORRIED ABOUT.

YOU KNOW, I DON’T REMEMBER PACKING

THE RADIO THAT MISS EMILY GAVE YOU. WHERE IS IT?

SOOK AND ME, WE ALREADY HAVE A RADIO.

MOM, I GOT A RADIO! IT’S FROM SANTA. MAMA!

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU GET THAT PLANE UP TO SPEED,

I WANT YOU TO COME BACK HERE TO NEW ORLEANS

AND TIP YOUR WINGS FOR EVANGELINE, TOBY, AND ME, OKAY?

IT’S THE BEST GIFT.

ALL RIGHT, HERE’S YOUR BAG.

HERE’S A TICKET.

GIVE IT TO THE MAN WHEN HE ASKS.

YOU KNOW, THERE’S STILL THE MATTER

OF THE MONEY THAT I BORROWED, HUH?

YOU GAVE ME SIX.

I’M GOING TO GIVE YOU BACK SEVEN.

NOT A BAD RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT.

REMEMBER TO TELL SOOK.

ALL RIGHT, ANY OF YOU FOLKS

SUPPOSED TO BE ONBOARD, LET’S GO!

I HAVE TO GO NOW.

HEY.

CAN I HAVE A HUG?

GLORY, GLORY, LOOK WHO’S HERE.

I GOT THE ANGEL RIDING WITH ME AGAIN.

GET ABOARD NOW.

THAT’S A BOY.

IS THIS FROM YOU?

"DEAR DADDY, I HAD A GOOD TIME."

SO DID I.

"IT WAS GOOD TO SEE YOU, AND I KNOW YOU NEED ME,

"BUT SOOK AND QUEENIE NEED ME MORE.

THANKS FOR THE PLANE AND THE CLOTHES."

YOU’RE WELCOME.

"AND THANKS EVEN FOR THE HAIRCUT.

AND YES, I LOVE YOU. BUDDY."

I LOVE YOU, TOO.

GET BACK IN THOSE SEATS NOW. WE’LL BE PULLING OUT.

BYE! LOVE YA!

[ wind whooshing ]

IT’S SNOWING, BUDDY!

IT’S SNOWINGFOR YOU!

IT’S SNOWING!

IT’S SNOWING FOR YOU!

BUDDY!

IT’S SNOWING FOR YOU, BUDDY!

IT’S SNOWING FOR YOU!

HEY, YOUNG FELLA.

HMM?

MERRY CHRISTMAS.