Original subtitles

[music playing]

- We know you can do it, Dennis.

- I'm sure glad you think so, Mr. Mayor.

- Now let's run through what you're

supposed to do in Washington just once more.

- All right.

I'm gonna talk to our Senator--

- Senator Philbin.

- That's right and tell him all those woods and lakes

and streams around Hickory Mountain

would make a swell National Forest where men like dad

could take fellows like me on camping trips.

- Good. Good.

That's why we picked a boy your age to do the job.

To show them how much we need a spot where our children can

get away from the city streets and be close to nature.

I'm proud of you.

I was just going over some last minute instructions

with our young goodwill ambassador here.

- Dennis will do his very best Mr. Mayor.

We appreciate the confidence you have in him.

- Oh, I'm sure he'll dramatize our point

much better than any adult could.

- Oh, and Allison I can't thank you

and the committee enough for paying our way too.

- Well, a boy needs his parents to watch over him.

- Boy me, and mom, and dad, and Mr. Wilson

are going to have a swell time.

- Mr. Wilson?

- Oh, our neighborhood, John Wilson.

He writes for a national magazine.

Sold his editor on the idea of coming along

to write an article on what Dennis does in Washington.

- Well, splendid.

- Oh dear.

It still won't close.

- Oh, I'll help you honey.

- Please feel free to call on me from Washington

if you need any help or advice.

As mayor of this community, I do carry some weight,

and it might come in handy there.

- Your weight might come in handy right here Mr. Mayor,

if you could just sit on that suitcase mom can't get closed.

[theme music]

- Yes, Mr. Winfield.

Just what you ordered.

An article on how one small boy with a just cause

can influence the cause of Congress.

The voice of a child heard on Capitol Hill.

That should justify the payment of my expenses.

eh Mr. Winfield?

Right.

Bye.

That takes care of my editor.

Well, did I forget anything?

- No dear, I'm proud of you.

You even remembered your socks.

- I wish you were going with me, Eloise,

but they only offered to pay my expenses.

- Don't you worry about me.

You just get a good story.

- If I wasn't going, there wouldn't be a story.

I'm the one who'll put our National Forest bill across.

- Not Dennis?

- Well frankly, his appointment with our senator

has only sentimental value.

But I know I can depend on my influential friends

such as Senator Beaufort, Judge Kingston.

Dennis may get the glory, but I'll be the power behind him.

- You know dear, it's too bad we don't have time

to buy you a size 48 suit.

- I wear a 44.

You know that.

- Yes, I know dear, but you're a much bigger man in Washington

than you are here.

- Mr. John Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mitchell,

and Dennis Mitchell. - That's me.

I'm going to Washington.

- Yes, he's uh very kindly taking us along.

- Yes, your reservations are confirmed

on Flight 60, nonstop.

- You mean, we won't stop?

- Not until we get there, Dennis.

- Jeepers, that's a long way.

Suppose I want to-- - There's one on the plane, dear.

- A mailbox?

- What?

- I might want to write a postcard to Tommy.

So if there's one on the plane--

- You'd better wait until we get there, Dennis.

- Hey, Dad.

What are you doing with our suitcases?

- Well, this is where they weigh them in, collect them

all together, and put them on the plane.

- I better go along with that one and make sure

it gets on the plane.

All my schoolbooks are in there.

- Well that's wonderful, Dennis, you're

going to study on the trip, are you?

- No, Sir.

I'm taking my books to stand on.

When I talk to Senator Philbin I want

to look him right in the eye.

- Jeepers, this is great.

This is real great.

If I didn't know I was in a plane,

I wouldn't even know I was flying.

- Well, it's official, son.

You're up in the air.

- Way up in the air.

- PILOT (OFFSCREEN): Good afternoon

and welcome to Flight 60.

This is your pilot, Captain Howard Lynch.

- Hi, Captain.

This is your passenger, Dennis Mitchell.

- Dennis, he can't hear you.

- PILOT (OFFSCREEN): We are now cruising

at an average speed of 620 miles per hour

and should arrive at our destination

in approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes.

- Boy, I sure hope he gets us to the right place all right.

- Of course he will. Why shouldn't he?

- If he can't hear, maybe he can't see so good either.

- Look out your window, Dennis.

We're flying over Hickory Mountain now.

- Ah gee, that's pretty.

I sure hope we get them to make a National Forest out of it.

- Have no fear, my boy, we will.

I have some important contacts in Washington

who will pave the way for us.

- I have an important contact in Washington too.

- Indeed?

- Yes sir.

He was my counselor at summer camp last year

and his name is Freddy Thorpe.

He runs errands at the Capitol.

- Oh, a page boy.

- I guess that's what you call him.

Anyhow, Freddy's real smart.

- Well if all else fails, we will use your important contact.

- But I'll talk to the Senator myself first.

- Everybody comfortable here?

- Yeah, we're fine.

- I heard you say you were going to see a Senator?

- That's right.

I'm going to get him to fix up a National Forest for us.

- Really?

- Yes, this young man has been appointed

to make an appeal for one.

- And when we get our National Forest,

Dad's promised to take me camping out

there, just the two of us.

- Why that's wonderful.

- Would you like to go with us?

- Thanks.

But I'm afraid I can't make it.

- I guess three in a tent would be a crowd any way.

- Yes, I'm afraid it would be.

[music playing]

- I'm Henry Mitchell.

This is Mr. John Wilson.

We've reserved two rooms.

- Yes.

We have them Mr. Mitchell.

A room for yourself and your wife, an extra cot for your son

and an adjoining room for Mr. Wilson.

Uh, boy?

806 and 808.

- John.

- Yup.

- Hey, Mr. Wilson.

We're the ones that are here in business.

Shouldn't we room together?

- I requested a room with a single bed.

- Could you move me cot in beside his bed?

- Yes, we could do that.

- Perhaps your parents won't approve.

- How about it, Dad?

It'll just be next door.

- If Mr. Wilson doesn't mind.

- Isn't that great, Mr. Wilson!

We're roommates.

- Splendid.

- Now if we want to discuss business,

we won't have to wait until morning.

We can talk all night.

- But this is a very important matter.

Well, if you just let me speak to Senator Philbin in person,

I'm sure that-- I know he's a busy man, but-- All right.

I'll be there tomorrow morning.

- The senator can't see us today, huh Mr. Wilson?

- So his secretary informs me.

- Well tomorrow will be all right.

- Delay, delay, delay.

It seems to be the watchword here in Washington.

The way politicians put things off

it's a wonder we're not still a British colony.

- Well it's only a day, Mr. Wilson.

When you and Dennis get in to see the senator,

I'm sure it won't take you long to persuade him.

- Sure.

When he hears about all those important connections you've

got, he'll be sorry he didn't see us sooner.

- Well, I suppose you're right.

It's his loss, not mine.

- Well that means we have the whole day to ourselves.

- Oh boy, let's go sight seeing.

- Well I think I'll take this time

to rough out the opening of my magazine article.

You do the town without me.

- You've got to come with us, Mr. Wilson.

- But I've seen it before Dennis.

- That's why we need you.

So you can show us around.

Mr. Wilson really knows Washington.

He can answer questions about it practically in his sleep.

- Yes I proved that all last night.

- Can't the article wait, Mr. Wilson?

- All right, all right, I'll be your guide.

You know, it's too bad the famous Washington cherry

trees aren't still in bloom.

- They still got cherry trees?

I thought George Washington cut them

all down when he was a boy.

[music playing]

- Mr.Jefferson surely was a great man, wasn't he?

- He had a good deal to do with making this a free country back

in 1776.

- He'll always be remembered as the writer

of the Declaration of Independence.

- We learned that in school.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident,

that all men are created equal.

That they are endowed by their creator

with certain inalienable rights that among these

are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

- You certainly learned that well Dennis.

- Some things go right through your head.

But that's the kind of thing that sticks.

- As long as it does, son, this country

will never have to worry.

[music playing]

- Hey Mom, Dad!

I sure had fun going up in George Washington's monument.

You should have walked down like me and Mr. Wilson did.

- The elevator was good enough for us dear.

- But you missed the big memorial stones

that all the states and foreign countries put there.

- That may be but we sure saved our legs.

Where is Mr. Wilson?

- Oh, he kind of slowed down and got behind me.

Here he comes.

- John, are you OK?

- Well of course I am.

I pride myself on keeping in good shape.

- Mr. Wilson, you told me there were 898 steps in the monument.

- That is correct.

- Well, I only counted 895.

- Nevertheless, there are 898.

- Well, I'm going to write to Tommy about it

and I want to be sure.

Let's walk up and count them again

- On second thought, I'm mistaken.

Your count is correct.

[music playing]

- Mr. Lincoln's got a nice face hasn't he?

- He was that kind of man dear.

- He held this nation together during the grimmest chapter

in our history.

It caused him great suffering and pain

but he never lost the quality of kindness.

- Could I climb up there on his lap, Dad?

- Not allowed son.

- I'll bet he wouldn't mind.

[music playing]

- Oh, what a lovely mansion.

So beautiful and dignified.

- Yes, a fitting residence for our most important citizen.

- Yeah, nothing's too good for Caroline.

- Oh boy.

Hey Mom!

Dad! Look at the capitol.

- Yes Dennis isn't it beautiful?

- Our nation's capital, where 100 senators and over 400

representatives make our laws.

- They all make the laws?

- That's right.

- Jeepers, Dad.

Maybe you better not go in there.

- Why not?

- Well I heard you say if you ever

met the fellow you made the income tax law,

you'd punch him right in the nose.

500 of them would take all day.

- Yes, I'll try to restrain myself.

- Oh, this has been a fascinating afternoon.

Oh, my feet are killing me.

- Mine too.

We've seen a lot of exciting things today.

- You have a lot to talk about when

you get back to school Dennis.

- I sure will.

And I bet you're going to write a swell article about it too.

Because when I see Senator Philbin tomorrow and-- Freddy!

Hey Freddy!

Mom, Dad!

It's Freddy Thorpe.

You know, my friend's whose a page boy.

- Well hi, Dennis.

Gee what are you doing in Washington?

- I'm here on business, Freddy.

For the Mayor.

He sent him-- oh, Freddy, I want you

to meet by my mom, dad, and my friend Mr. Wilson.

Freddy's my Washington contact.

- We've been hearing a lot about you Freddy.

- Ever since last summer.

- Oh, we had a lot of fun at camp.

Dennis is one of my best men.

I'll tell you what, Dennis.

Why don't you and I have lunch one day while you're here.

- Oh boy, that'll be swell Freddy.

- Oh that's very nice of you.

- You better not make it tomorrow.

- No, Mr. Wilson and I got a business deal tomorrow.

- Make it the next day then, Wednesday.

1:00.

- All right.

I'll meet you right here Freddy.

Wednesday.

1:00. - OK.

Well it was nice meeting you folks.

- Goodbye Freddy.

- Dennis, the people in your town chose wisely

in sending you on this mission.

I'm very proud of you.

- Thanks Senator Philbin.

The mayor said--

- The creation of a National Forest.

Always a splendid idea and I'll certainly give it some thought.

- I knew you'd do it Senator.

How soon can us kids start camping out there.

- Well these things take a little time Dennis.

But you just go on back home, tell them

Senator Philbin said you did a very fine job here.

- Well, just how do you go about a thing like this, Senator.

I'm curious.

- Well any bill having to do with national forests, Mr. Wilson,

has to go through Senator McDermott of the Interior

Committee.

- McDermott?

- Yes a very powerful committee.

And I will mention it to McDermott.

Don't worry.

First chance I get.

- Today perhaps?

Tomorrow?

- Well I will be out of town tomorrow.

It may be a couple of weeks, but you

will be hearing from me as soon as I have any news.

Good day.

- How do like that?

Brushed off like a piece of lint.

- Gee, it sure looks like it's going

to take a long time to get our National Forest, doesn't it?

- If we leave it up to that big windbag, we'll never get it.

- What are we going to do?

All the kids are depending on me and the mayor too.

- We are going to get some action.

That's what we are going to do.

Now is the time to use some of the important contacts I

have here.

- It's lucky you know all those big people.

Who you going to talk to?

- A very dear friend of mine, Dennis.

And one of the most influential men

on Capitol Hill, Senator Humphrey L. Beaufort.

Chairman of the Monetary Disbursement Committee.

- Boy he sure sounds important.

- He'll get our bill through McDermott's office just

like that.

Now I'm going to put you in a taxi cab,

send you back to the hotel.

And I am off to see Senator Beaufort.

- Yes sir?

- Oh, John Wilson to see Senator Beaufort.

- Senator Who-fort?

- Beaufort?

You do know the name of the chairman

of the committee that employs you?

- Oh sure but it's not old Humpy Beaufort, mister.

No.

A funny thing happened to him on the way to the polls.

- He was defeated?

- Seven years ago.

- Oh good heavens.

Oh, this is very distressing.

I need help badly on some legislature

that I'm trying-- Do you know Judge Kingston?

Is he still around?

- Oh sure, he's a very big man.

You know him?

- Do I know him?

Why, Harvey Kingston and I fought all

through the war together, side-by-side.

- Really?

- Oh, yes.

Yes we had adjoining desks at the Pentagon.

Oh good old Harv.

He'll flip when I walk in on him.

- Uh what's his name, Mabel?

John Wilson?

Says he's an old friend of mine?

Oh, all right.

Send him in.

- Harvey!

By George!

It's good to see you.

- How how are you, Wilson?

- Fine, just fine.

Say, you look wonderful.

You haven't changed a bit.

- Well it's, it's been a long time.

- 1944.

I bet the old Pentagon hasn't been the same since we left.

- Probably not.

Well, it's nice to see an old buddy again.

So what can I do for you, Don?

- John.

- John, of course.

- Well I just came by to kind of kick around

old times, sort of reminiscence.

- Yeah, that would be nice.

- There is one small favor I need and I

know you can do it for me just like that.

[snaps]

- And my good friend Judge Kingston

said your department would handle the matter for me.

- Judge Kingston is a nut.

- What?

- We got nothing to do with getting

a bill like that passed.

What you got to do is go down to the Public Land's office.

- Oh.

Thank you.

- No, the place to go with that is

the Fish and Game Commission.

- No, the place to go with that is the Bureau of Conservation.

- No, the place to go with that is the Monetary Disbursement

Committee.

- But that's where I started.

Oh, I give up.

Well, I'm not sure whether our bill will be passed or not

but I have a great new angle for the story.

A small boy's impressions of Washington.

It-- you don't want a small boy's impressions

of Washington.

Well I--I know I promised you a story on how a child could

influence Congress but you see, I-- You what?

Pay my own expenses?

Mr. Winfield do you realize how much it costs to-- Goodbye.

- That sounds like trouble, Mr. Wilson.

What's the matter?

- Everything's the matter.

If that National Forest bill doesn't go through,

the magazine won't buy my story.

Not only that, I'll be stuck with all my expenses,

including that $0.80 piece of cake you're eating.

- Well, I'm not worried Mr. Wilson, not with

all those important contacts you've got in the government.

- And I'm happy to say that at lat, I've got some action.

Where's Dennis?

- Oh, I just dropped him over the Capitol, John.

- He's having lunch with Freddy Thorpe today.

- Oh yes.

Yes, I forgot.

Well, I got so sick and tired of the pushing

around I got yesterday that I went over

to Senator McDermott's office and I camped there

until his secretary gave me an appointment.

- Oh good.

- 2:00 today.

From 2:00 until 2:15, Senator McDermott is all mine.

- I wish Dennis could go with you John,

but I don't think he'll be back here by 2:00.

- No.

Freddy has an uncle here in town and he's

taking them both out someplace.

- Oh, well I'm sure he'll be disappointed.

But I'll see that he gets full credit for it back home.

- Oh that's very kind of you, isn't it Henry?

- Yes it is John. - Yes.

He'll have his picture in the paper

as the boy who delivered our National Forest.

And now I want to take you both to lunch to celebrate,

and then you can go with me to Senator McDermott's office.

Miss, please cut in.

My appointment was 2:00 and it's now--

- I'm sorry Sir.

But I cannot break in on the meeting.

Excuse me, please.

- John, we can wait just as long as--

- Well I am not waiting any longer.

I don't believe he's having a meeting.

I think he's taking a nap or something.

- John!

- Senator, I I-- Oh, good heavens.

- Do you have an appointment?

- Hi Mom! Hi Dad!

Hi Mr. Wilson.

Boy, we had the swellest lunch ever.

And you know what Uncle Charlie's going do?

- Uncle Charlie?

- Senator McDermott is my uncle.

- Jeepers.

I almost forgot my manners.

Come on Mom.

Senator McDermott, I want you to meet

my mom, dad, and Mr. Wilson.

- How do you do Mr. Wilson?

- He wants me to call him Uncle Charlie.

And guess what?

I told Uncle Charlie all about Hickory Mountain

and he's going to do it.

- You mean the Senator-- the National Forest?

- This boy of yours would make a fine ambassador, Mrs. Mitchell.

He's charmed me completely.

- Well I, we--

- I thoroughly agree your state needs

a recreational area and the Hickory Mountain section

is the one.

I'm putting a bill into my committee tomorrow.

Oh, uh, I believe you wanted to see me

about something Mr. Wilson.

What can I do for you?

- Not a thing, Senator. Not a thing.

I'm just there visiting here.

Just a sightseer, that's all.

- Boy, it sure is a good thing that you

met Mr. Wilson, Uncle Charlie.

- Oh?

- Yeah.

Because he's got a lot of swell contacts here in Washington.

And if you ever need any help with anything,

he'll handle it for you.

Won't you, Mr. Wilson?

[theme music]

- This has been a Screen Gems film production.