Original subtitles

[glass breaking]

ALICE MITCHELL (OFFSCREEN): Henry Mitchell!

Ooh, I knew you'd break something

hitting that ball in here.

- Honey, I didn't hit any ball.

I didn't even a ball!

- Just look what you've done!

- Heh, heh, heh. Dennis!

- OK, Dad.

I know what you want.

But first, let me tell you what happened.

- I can see what happened.

Now somebody is gonna have to pay for it.

- You mean, with money?

- Well, that's what's usually used.

- Jeepers, Dad!

I don't much to use.

- And after you pay for glass, Dennis,

who's going to put it in?

- OK. All right.

I'll help him.

I'll show him how.

Dennis is getting old enough now to realize

he has to repair his own mistakes.

- But how am I gonna get the money?

- Work.

Did you ever hear of the term?

You'll just have to take up cutting lawns

on a regular basis.

- Ours, maybe, for $1?

- No, not our, maybe.

But it's our window.

- Dennis, you know I just cut our lawn.

- OK.

I'll go to work, even if I only am in the 5th grade.

- That's the spirit, son.

Maybe cutting a few lawns will develop those muscles

that you keep telling me to feel.

- Jeepers!

If I were to build up my muscles too much,

the next time I throw a ball, it might

go clean through the house!

[theme music]

- I can't get over the fantastic boo-boos

you pulled at Bridge last night.

- Now, dear, I asked Alice, first thing

this morning, whether I wasn't right.

And she said I was absolutely right.

Dear, you shouldn't let things like this upset your rest.

You tossed all night.

- Alice is a very fine woman.

But she is not necessarily an authority on Bridge.

I bid one club, and you gave me a jump raise in clubs.

Now really!

- John, I don't want to argue.

- Naturally, I supposed you held a few trump.

- Hi, Mr. Wilson.

Hi, Mrs. Wilson.

- Good morning, dear.

- Hello, Dennis.

You know you should have held more than you did.

- John, I explained last night.

- Want you grass cut, Mr. Wilson?

- No, I don't.

- The other Mr. Wilson let me cut it sometimes.

- Well, I own the house now. And I don't--

- John!

About last night.

You're East and I am West, right?

- Right.

- And I'm over here.

And my dad says I've gotta earn some money.

- I'm sorry, Dennis.

But there are things going on over here

that have to be straightened out.

Eloise, for the last time-- well, I can't understand!

You're East and I'm West.

Well, I simply couldn't believe it.

You sitting there with one club in your hand,

waiting for me to make a fool of myself!

- Well, I'll try somebody else.

MRS. WILSON (OFFSCREEN): John, you

shouldn't have been trying for a slam.

MR. WILSON (OFFSCREEN): Oh, you slammed me, all right.

MRS. WILSON (OFFSCREEN): John, you're impossible.

- Now, Mr. Bushman used to like a little honey in his coffee.

I used to call him Old Sweetie Tooth.

Now when he went away, he said to me, "Wait.

No matter how long it takes for me to come back for you, wait."

- How long has that been, Esther?

- Well, it's been a lot longer than he figured.

- That's the way it's been with my beau, Elmer.

Now there was a dashing figure of a man.

You know, I still get all fluttery

when I think how he parted his hair in the middle.

And when he got excited, his little mustache would twitch.

- Well, I would trust a man with a twitchy mustache.

[doorbell ringing] - Oh, excuse me.

Oh, hello, Dennis.

- Hi, Miss Cathcart.

Want your grass cut?

Hi, Miss Tarbell.

- Hi, Dennis.

- My grass cut?

- Yeah, I gotta work to earn some money.

I'll cut yours, too, Miss Tarbell.

- Oh, I have an arrangement with a nice gardener, Dennis.

- Yeah, I'm trying to make an arrangement with him, too.

Why don't you cut Mr. Wilson's lawn?

- Well, this is kind of a bad time to bother Mr. Wilson.

He's pretty upset with Mrs. Wilson about something.

- He's upset?

Come on in and have a cookie.

Now sit right down there.

There's your cookie.

What's he upset about?

- I don't know.

I heard him say Mrs. Wilson was going East.

Maybe that's it.

Look, Miss Cathcart, I'll do a really good job

cutting your grass for you.

- East? What's she going East for?

- Maybe it's because she had a club in her hand.

- A club?

- Did she hit him?

- Well, Mr. Wilson said something about getting slammed.

But Mrs. Wilson wouldn't do that.

- Of course, she wouldn't.

He's too nice a man.

- Look, Miss Cathcart, I'll even trim around your flower bed

for you, if you let me-- - Listen, Dennis.

You can cut my lawn for $0.50.

- Oh, boy!

Thanks!

- So the Wilson's are having a bust 'em.

- Now you can't blame him.

Imagine any woman having a man and then hitting him.

- Uh, uh.

Listen, I-- I've got to go, dear.

I've got a million things to do.

- Yeah, so have I. But listen, let's go past the Wilson house.

If she's been after him with a club,

there's no telling what's she's doing now.

Come on.

- John!

MR. WILSON (OFFSCREEN): Uh, coming.

Coming.

Eloise, since you're going to the dress maker,

would you stop at the luggage shop

and see if you can have this handle fixed.

- Ah, yes.

Our old bag.

We took that with us on our honeymoon, remember?

- Yeah.

I guess that's why I'm sentimental about it.

- That's exactly the way I feel about you.

- Ah!

- Even if you do think you're so good at Bridge!

- Look!

- [gasp] Good gracious, me!

Let's get a little closer and see if we can hear anything.

- Well, don't let 'em see us.

They might think we're snooping!

- John, I'm sorry about our disagreement.

It'll be best.

We just won't be partners anymore.

- Yes, I think we had better try it that way.

- Oh, poor man.

- She even took their only car.

- Well, he's probably getting the house.

- Only because it's too big to put in the car.

I bet she didn't leave a crumb for him to eat, in ice box.

- Aw, he won't go hungry.

John Wilson, is-- John Wilson is, uh, very comfortably fixed.

- Yeah , that's what worries me.

Every eligible woman in this town is gonna--

- What's that about every eligible woman, Esther?

- Oh, well, never mind.

Say, I've got a lot of things to do.

Bye. - Bye.

[humming]

- I'm all through with your grass, Miss Cathcart.

- Well, good for you, Dennis.

Now here's your $0.50.

And how would you like to earn another dime in advance?

- Oh, boy, that would be swell!

- OK.

Now all you have to do.

Go down to Mr. Wilson's house.

When he's not looking, slip into his kitchen

and see what he has in his refrigerator.

- Well, what if he sees me and wants to know what I'm doing?

- Under no circumstances are you to let him know who sent you.

This a secret between you and me.

- Oh, boy!

Thanks very much, Miss Cathcart.

I'll be back soon. - OK.

Now I'm not here, I'll be in the dress shop,

or in the beauty parlor on the corner.

- OK.

Miss Cathcart.

- OK.

(SINGING) Honeymoon, uh, keep a-shining in June.

Your silvery beams will bring love's dreams,

we'll be cuddling soon.

Hello, beauty shop?

This is Esther Cathcart.

Can you work me in?

- Miss Cathcart?

It's been so long since we've seen you here,

I thought something happened to you.

- Well, something's gonna happen, kiddo!

Listen, I want a permanent, a tint, a facial, and a manicure.

And what have you got in your bag of tricks?

- That sounds quite important.

What day would you like to come in?

- What day? Are you kidding?

I'm ready now.

This is an emergency!

- Well, we could work you in around, uh, 3:30?

- I'll be there at 3:00.

(SINGING) Honeymoon, a-keep a-shining in June.

A-doo, doo, doo, doo.

Ha!

- Well, Dennis, what are you doing?

Stalking an Indian?

- Oh, uh, hi, Mr. Wilson.

- Where were you headed, young man?

- Um, to your kitchen.

- What for?

- To get a drink of water.

- Oh.

Oh, well, you can get a drink of water from the hose.

There.

- Well, uh, wouldn't the water in your refrigerator

be a lot colder?

- Well, I broke the refrigerator water bottle, this morning.

So go ahead.

- How about if I just looked at your refrigerator?

- Ah, hungry, eh?

Ha, ha.

Pretty sneaky, my boy.

Well, I can tell you right now, there's

nothing in the refrigerator but two onions

and a crust of bread.

- Is that all?

- That's about the size of it.

- Boy, it's hardly worth a dime to find that out.

See ya around, Mr. Wilson.

- Good afternoon, Mrs. Drum.

- Oh, Miss Tarbell.

What can I do for you?

- Well, uh, have you heard about the Wilsons breaking up?

- Oh, yes.

And isn't it a pity?

- Just awful!

I get so depressed when I hear a terrible thing like that.

And the only thing that boops me up

is to go out and buy a new dress, and all.

So what have you got that's kind of eye-catching?

- Well, I think I have just the thing.

Esther Cathcart simply drooled over this little this number,

but I didn't have her size.

- I'll take it.

- Oh, she's in the dressing room, now, Miss Tarbell.

- (SINGING) Doo, doo, da-doo, doo, da-doo, doo, doo.

- Don't tell her I'm here.

- [gasp] Oh, there you are, Miss Cathcart.

Now I think that outfit is simply stunning on you.

- What I like about it is, it puts the accent

where it ought to be, instead of where it is.

DENNIS (OFFSCREEN): Hey, Miss Cathcart.

I got the dope you wanted on Mr. Wilson.

- Uh, Dennis, I know about Mr. Wilson.

Mrs. Drum and I were just discussing it.

- Such a pity.

I just can't get over it.

- You mean, you already found out that he

has two onions and a crust of bread in his refrigerator?

- Dennis, I just don't want to hear anything that personal.

- Well, then why did you pay me a dime to find out?

- Dennis! Just a moment Mrs. Drum.

I told you this is our secret, didn't I?

- Yeah, but you just said you talked to Mrs. Drum.

- All right.

All right.

How would you like to earn another dime?

- You got another job for me?

- Sure.

Now find out from Mr. Wilson which

he likes best, cherry pie or lemon meringue.

But don't let him know that I want to know.

- Oh, I see!

You're having a surprise party for good ole Mr. Wil--

- Shh!

Listen, I'll be at the beauty parlor.

- OK. Goodbye.

- I'll take this, Mrs. Drum. - Oh, fine.

I'll help you.

- Oh, hi, Miss Tarbell.

What are you're doing in there?

- Just browsing.

Now listen, when you see Mr. Wilson,

don't let on that I asked, but find out

how he likes his chicken cooked.

- Oh, you're joining the party, too, huh?

- Yes!

And I'm gonna be the first one there.

Come back to my house and tell me.

And here's a quarter for your trouble.

- Boy, if this detective work keeps up,

I'm gonna be a millionaire before I'm a teenager.

[knocking]

- Come in.

- Hi, Mr. Wilson.

Boy, am I busy today. - Yeah.

So am I. What's on your mind?

- Well, I've been thinking about things to eat, like food.

- No!

Not again.

- Mr. Wilson, if you had your choice, which would you take,

a squishy cherry pie or a gooshy lemon meringue?

- Dennis, when you speak of cherry pie and lemon meringue

pie, you get me, right here.

I'd say it was a toss up.

- You like both the same, huh?

- In fact, if you did toss 'em up,

I'd eat 'em both before they came down.

- Good.

Now how do you like your chicken?

- Well-- Dennis, are you going to cook my dinner?

- Heck no!

I just wondered how you like your chicken fixed.

- Well, there's nothing like fried chicken.

Fried to a crisp, juicy, golden brown.

I remember when I was a boy, my mother used

to have chicken every Sunday.

Ah, you don't get fried chicken like that anymore.

It used to melt in your mouth.

And those mashed potatoes, covered with gravy!

Dennis, you're making. me so hungry--

Guess he doesn't like chicken.

- Oh, hello, Catherine.

- Why, Mrs. Wilson.

Imagine seeing you.

- Well, I know I didn't have an appointment.

But I simply forgot it.

Now the weekend's on me.

Look, could you possibly sandwich me in,

just long enough to shape me in back?

- Of course, if you don't mind waiting a bit.

I'll just slip you into this first booth

until Sybil is free.

- While I'm waiting, I'll amuse myself.

- I, uh, uh, I just can't tell you

how sorry I am to hear all those stories going around

about you, Mrs. Wilson.

But you won't have to amuse yourself long,

after you get to Reno.

I hear it's quite lively.

- Well, why would I got to Reno?

- You mean you aren't?

- Oh!

Certainly not.

Who told you I was going to Reno?

- Oh, well, it's-- it's just one of those things one

hears around a place like this.

It was probably some other Mrs. Wilson.

Uh, will you excusee me?

- Oh, hello, Mrs. Simms.

Won't you make yourself comfortable?

Claire will take you in a few minutes.

- Oh thank you.

I'm afraid I'm just a little bit early, anyhow.

[clunking]

- Oh, hello, Miss Cathcart.

My, It looks like you've shopped the works.

- I haven't even started yet, honey.

Ha, ha, ha. Oh, hi, Mabel.

How have you been? - Oh, fine, I guess.

- Uh, why don't you two chat for a sec?

Diane will be ready for you soon.

- Well, Diane to open up all of her magic.

I want one of those new sheik Cleopatra hairdos.

You know, where she's eating the grapes.

- I'll tell her.

- Good.

Say, Mabel, you heard the big news?

- What's that?

Eloise Wilson is leaving that wonderful husband of hers.

MABEL (OFFSCREEN): You don't mean it?

- So help me.

I saw her go, suitcase and all.

She took the car.

All she left him to eat was some onions

and a stale crust of bread.

[gasp] MABEL (OFFSCREEN): Really?

- And I have it on good authority that she

swung on him with a club!

[gasp]

- Eloise must have had some good reason for that.

- Not the slightest.

John Wilson is a perfect gentleman.

- Well, I always did like him.

ESTHER (OFFSCREEN): Oh, he's a doll!

And that poor dear man, of course,

is going to need someone to help you get over it,

so he won't get soured on life, you know,

or anything like that.

- Yes.

[sigh]

- As you say, he's such a handsome man.

- Well, he's 10 years younger than Eloise.

MABEL (OFFSCREEN): I always thought

that she was rather well preserved.

- So is a petrified mummy.

Ha, ha, ha.

But you know, looking back on it,

I know just how it happened.

She was taking her husband for granted,

and she let herself go.

It's a shame.

So many women make that mistake.

But John Wilson, oh, he's a great guy.

You know, chesty, shoulders out to here, then he slims down.

Well, chesty.

[sigh] What a man!

- Will take you now, Mrs. Simms.

- Oh, well, nice seeing you, Esther

- Nice talking to you, too Mabel. Don't let on I said a word.

- I'm back, Miss Cathcart.

- Oh, what did you find out?

Hurry up, while there's no one here to hear.

- Well, Mr. Wilson says it's a toss up

between cherry pie and lemon meringue.

He's keen for both of 'em.

Am I gonna get to come to his party?

- Well, it's kind of a private party, Dennis.

Here's your dime.

- You couldn't make it quarter, could ya?

- A quarter?

- That's what Miss Tarbell gave me

for finding out how he likes his chicken.

- Well, wouldn't that fry ya?

- Hey, that's how he likes it, fried.

Bye, Miss Cathcart.

- Now then, Mrs. Wilson, what you want is a trim.

- No, I-- first, I'd like to ask you a question, Katherine.

How many years have you been married?

- About 26 years.

- Do you think that women our age take our husbands for granted?

- Well, I haven't given it very-- I suppose.

Although, we don't like to admit it, we do.

- Now I'll answer your question.

No.

I do not want a trim.

I want everything you have.

That is, if you have time for it.

- Everything?

- The works.

Just get me out of here before the dress shops close.

- That's the way to do it.

Very neatly done.

- Well, I guess that about finishes it, huh, Dad?

- And you made the money to pay for it,

and you fulfilled your obligation.

That's the best part of it.

I guess you'll be a little more careful

about breaking windows now.

It's expensive.

- OK, Dad.

I'll remember.

- Here, you take the rest of the putty back into the garage,

and you can go out and play until we're ready for supper.

- Boy, what a day I've had.

And I've still got $0.08 left.

- Well, cutting lawns is good, healthy exercise,

and profitable, too.

- Yeah.

But a detective makes more money.

[doorbell ringing]

- Oh, coming! Coming!

- Mr. Wilson!

I have a little surprise for you.

- Miss Tarbell, how-- how nice of you.

Uh, won't you come in?

- Oh!

- Eloise isn't here at the moment.

- Oh, you don't have to explain.

I fixed a big platter of fried chicken.

And I thought we might share dinner together.

- Oh?

- Why don't I put it in the oven to keep warm?

That is, if you don't mind my, sort of, taking over,

under the circumstances?

- What circumstances?

- Oh, ha, ha.

Ha, ha, ha, ha.

- You were right about making Dennis earn the money

to pay for the window, dear.

- Well, you can be sure It won't happen again.

Breaking windows is just a result of carelessness.

Hey, look at that!

- You were saying about carelessness?

- I'll pay for it, honey.

But look at that!

- Ooh!

- Isn't that Esther Cathcart?

- Looks like a poor man's Cleopatra, to me.

Miss Tarbell just went in there a few minutes ago, all done up,

too.

What's going on over at the Wilson's?

Is somebody sick?

- John, dear.

I had pies in both hands, so I had

push the doorbell with my foot.

Working on all cylinders, eh, beau?

- I-- I don't quite understand why you're here.

- Well, you know the old saying, ours not

to wonder why, ours but to do or die trying.

Sweets to the sweet.

- Well, Esther Cathcart, we didn't expect to see you.

But how nice of you to bring desert.

- Didn't expect to find to here, either, honey.

Would you mind taking these out to the kitchen on your way out?

- You take care of your pies, dear.

I have to look after John.

- Would you ladies kindly explain what this is at about?

- You've had a hard day, John, dear.

You ought to relax.

- I am relaxed. Please!

Let go of my--

- And sitting there in that tight collar and tie.

Here, let me loosen this. - What is this?

Some kind of a joke?

- I was never more serious in my life!

I want you to be comfortable.

- I am comfortable!

- Now let's slip out of this coat, you poor, neglected man.

You're not used to being fussed over.

[doorbell ringing]

- Am I intruding? - Oh, no!

Not another one!

There are two women here already, who had-- Eloise?

Eloise!

Well, but look at you!

- Mrs. Wilson!

- We thought you flew the coop.

- I?

Why should I?

When I found out we were having fried chicken and cherry

and lemon meringue pie, well--

- Yeah, there's just one thing I want to know.

What is this all about?

All right .

Which one is going to talk first?

- You know, honey, I can't get over

how great Mrs. Wilson looked when

she came home-- if it was Mrs. Wilson.

- But if they're having a party, I

can't understand why we didn't know about it.

- Dennis!

Dennis Mitchell!

- Oh, hi, John.

You want something?

- Yes, I want to know why Dennis said

Eloise was chasing me with a club!

- Dennis! - Oh!

[doorbell ringing]

- Now young man, you just march right up to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson

and apologize to them.

- OK, Dad.

- They're very angry with you for what you did.

And we don't want to lose their friendship.

- Heck no! Gosh!

- Dennis!

All the Mitchells, come on in.

Come on in.

Eloise, we have company.

- Wonderful!

- Mr. Wilson, I want to apologize for--

- Apologize?

Forget it, my boy.

Forget it.

You are just in time, all of you,

to share some fried chicken and cherry pie.

- Unless you prefer lemon meringue.

- Oh, boy! That would be neat!

- You two look simply elegant.

- Yes, doesn't she?

- Well it's-- it's sort of an occasion.

- It is an occasion.

You might say, we're celebrating a-- a second honeymoon.

- Well that's nice, isn't it, dear?

- I think it's lovely.

- Mr. Wilson, I'm sure glad you're not mad at me anymore.

- So am I. Now how about that pie?

- Swell! - All of you, go on in.

- All of you, go on in. Go on in.

Make yourselves at home.

Now which do you like, cherry or lemon meringue?

- Well, it's like you said, Mr. Wilson, it's a toss up!

I'll take some of both!

[theme music]

NARRATOR: This has been a Screen Gems film production.