Original subtitles

Merry Christmas, Dad.

Oh, excuse me.

I... didn't mean to disturb you.

I forgot to bring something to light this with.

Oh.

Not a problem.

Who are you here to honor?

An aviator...

Lieutenant Harmon Rabb.

[ opening theme music playing ]

"Little Harm."

That's what your father called you, isn't it?

Yes.

You look so much like him.

Uh, did you know him? You must've been...

I was five.

Last time I saw him, he took me to Mission Park.

We... carved our initials in a roller coaster.

Do you ever go back there?

They tore it down.

How did you know him?

I met him on the USS Ticonderoga.

I was in a U.S.O. Troupe

with Bob Hope on his annual tour.

You're Jenny Lake.

I have your album with Count Basie.

Oh, my jazz experiment.

That was a few years later.

I met your father on December 23...

30 years ago yesterday.

1969.

That Christmas Eve...

He was shot down.

I know.

I was there.

[ shouting]: Next time, we take separate helicopters!

It's not my fault it was crowded.

The only spare inch for your hand was on my chest?

MAN OVER P.A.: Catapult and arresting gear crew assemble at boardroom B.

Catapult and arresting gear crew assemble at boardroom B.

Oh, hello.

Hello, and welcome to the USS Ticonderoga.

That must be the express.

Never mind the noise.

Hope is going to plotz

when he sees this water hazard.

We'll give him a mulligan.

I'm Ensign Kyle Everett

of the Public Information Office.

I'll be your official escort and liaison officer.

Harvey Bambini--

I'm the road manager for this here traveling zoo.

This is Jerry Colonna,

Bob's not-so- straight man

and Les Brown.

I love your band.

[ jet engine roaring ]

Tough act to follow, huh?

Yeah.

Hey, whatever happened to "ladies first"?

I'm Phyllis Diller, cutie pie.

This is Diana Ross.

Thisis Jenny Lake.

The Captain invites you to join him on the bridge.

[ jet engine roaring ]

Ba-dah-boom.

Ba-dah-bing.

[ chuckling]

Folks, I just got word

Mr. Hope's helo had to turn back to Da Nang.

Unfortunately, mechanical problems.

Are they all right?

Oh, they're fine, but won't be able

to join us till tomorrow.

The show's today.

Not without Bob, it's not.

We can do it tomorrow.

There's room on the schedule.

That is, if the skipper will be kind enough

to put us up for the night.

Well, now, women generally aren't allowed

to overnight on American warships.

You're not going to throw us to the sharks, are you Captain?

That'd better than sleeping with the band.

Speak for yourself, honey.

Well, I think we can find accommodations

that are appropriate for all of you.

Excuse me, Captain.

We got us a sick bird coming in.

Who is it?

Rabb.

Panther Tower, this is Badman One,

five miles astern.

Roger, Badman One.

What's the nature of your problem?

Flak damage to the flight control system.

Ailerons are acting up.

Roger. You'll signal Charlie on arrival.

You going to be able to get us down?

RABB SR.: Just keep your eye

on the hydraulic pressure.

Roger that.

Tong, Hammer, you trap first.

What, don't you want witnesses,

or are you afraid you're going to foul the deck?

Both.

Wilco.

See you by the Christmas tree.

Break.

Control, this is Badman Two.

We are first on approach.

Roger, Badman Two.

Call the Ball.

Roger, Ball, two point four.

I can't watch.

It's okay, honey. One's down.

RABB SR.: How's that hydraulic pressure?

It's fluctuating between zero and 1,500 PSI.

RABB SR.: Panther Tower,

2-0-1 Bears abeam.

300 knots.

Roger. Angel on the way.

This is Angel.

We have a visual.

Roll excursions.

Oh...

I'm losing it!

Eject! Eject!

Angel, plane in the water.

Just off the fantail. Two good chutes.

Affirmative. We have two good chutes.

Roger. Angel is there.

I didn't know you were going to have a floor show, Skipper.

Well, it wasn't on the schedule, trust me.

Are they all right?

CAPTAIN: Oh, they'll be fine

if they don't... shrink when they get wet.

Ensign Everett will show you

to your quarters, ma'am.

EVERETT: Aye, sir.

Now, if you'll follow me.

Just watch out for the knee-knockers.

Her fiancé was a Marine pilot.

Killed in action?

One week ago.

She shouldn't be here.

She's a trouper.

EVERETT: I sing a little, too, Miss Lake,

but nothing like you.

Well, for one thing your voice would be

a little deeper, wouldn't it?

[ cackling]

Yes, ma'am.

Uh, here you are.

Somebody will be bringing your bags.

Thank you, Ensign.

[ laughing]: Oh...

This place could use some wallpaper.

Phyllis, I shouldn't have come.

I know it isn't easy, kid.

Watching that plane go in the water...

it was like seeing David die.

Look, kid, we're stuck here tonight.

But after tomorrow,

you can get back on a plane to the States.

No...

No, it's only another week.

I... I can do it.

[ chuckling]

Whoa...

Looks like Santa came early.

DILLER: Can we help you gentlemen?

MAN: Yeah, you could, uh, tell us what you're doing

in our stateroom.

This is Phyllis Diller and this is Jenny Lake

from the Bob Hope U.S.O. Tour.

Bob's stuck in Da Nang till tomorrow.

I guess the skipper thought you wouldn't mind.

No. We can, uh, hot-bunk someplace.

How about here?

[ cackling]

Uh, we were just about to grab some chow.

If you ladies would like to join us.

Phyllis, go with them.

No, go. I'm fine, I promise.

Well, if she insists.

[ cackling]

Hoot, I'll, uh, catch up with you.

I just want to grab that combat mission log.

You okay?

Go.

Gone.

Shy little thing, huh?

Yeah. It used to be her act.

Now, she's been doing it so long...

She isher act.

You, I guess, are, uh...

a little newer to show business, huh?

Hey, um, I'll just get out of your way

so you can find that mission log.

[ roaring]

More planes going up.

It's the catapult.

How long does that go on?

Until they launch the squadron.

[ roaring]

Um...

Is there someplace I can go to get away from the noise?

Fantail-- it's the opposite end of the ship.

I can take you there if you like.

Are you Rabb or Gibson?

Rabb.

Mort Reese. I need a picture of the hero

they pulled out of the water.

That was you?

Look brave.

Uh, no, I don't know what papers it's going to be in.

No, I can't give you a copy.

You ready?

[ roaring]

No, I'm kind of getting used to it now.

Hammer...

Oh, uh... sorry to interrupt.

CAG wants to see you on the bridge.

See you later?

Sure.

[ door closes]

RABB SR.: In a clearing, sir, somewhere about here.

"Somewhere."

By morning, those missiles are going

to be dispersed all over the province.

We're sending in an intruder strike tonight.

I can't pinpoint it on this map, sir,

but I could find it again.

You're not qualified on intruders, son.

You'd have to fly the bombardier's seat.

A passenger?

Well, we could always strap you to the bomb rack.

Uh, no, sir. Second seat will be fine.

Then grab some chow.

You launch in an hour.

Aye, aye, sir.

I was mad at your father.

It made no sense.

My father was a pilot who survived, ma'am.

Your pilot didn't.

He reminded of David, too.

Not that he looked like him.

All fighter jocks are kind of alike, they say, ma'am.

Like you?

I was... but not anymore.

When my father got back, did you see him again?

Oh, yes. I saw him later that night.

[ crowd laughing and applauding]

PHYLLIS DILLER: So, Jerry, tell me the truth.

What's that thing on your mouth--

a mustache or a caterpillar?

[ laughter]

JERRY COLONNA: Why don't you kiss me and we'll find out?

AUDIENCE: Whoo!

Well, I guess my insurance is paid up.

[ laughter]

[ crowd whooping]

Something moved.

The earth?

No, your tongue. Blaah!

That wasn't my tongue.

Oh!

I don't think you want to know what it was.

That's the stuff Bob won't let them do.

So, I go to the doctor.

Said, "Doc, I got a pain under my left breast."

Yeah, what did he say it was?

My trick knee.

Shouldn't be talking

this way around all these sailors.

It's like being in the middle of a big desert tray.

[ laughter]

Watch out, fellas.

She likes to nibble on a few appetizers

before she gets to the main course.

[ laughter]

[ applause]

VOICE OVER P.A.: Now hear this. Now hear this.

Munitions loading about to commence.

The smoking lamp is out throughout the ship.

The smoking lamp is out throughout the ship.

DILLER: I've got underwear older than most of them.

COLONNA: I'm warning you guys, she's been...

You're going to have to put this out.

Mind if I sit down?

Yeah, wherever you want.

I was just leaving.

Hey, if it's on my account, I can eat in my quarters,

or should I say your quarters?

Kind of a confusing night, huh?

Look, Lieutenant...

Harm.

You seem like a nice guy.

I'd like to be alone with my thoughts.

Probably shouldn't be on an aircraft carrier, then, ma'am.

No, I probably shouldn't.

DILLER: When we were flying in,

I couldn't believe how small this deck looked.

The only safe way to get down is to get shot down.

[ laughter]

You almost got killed today.

Wasn't as close at it looked.

Doesn't it bother you?

Not half as much as this chow.

You almost got killed an-and you crack jokes?

What would you suggest I do?

Rabb?

Joe Garcia.

I hear you're looking for a ride downtown.

You my chauffeur?

Yeah, if you know how to work the knobs

in the passenger seat.

I've been studying up on my handy pocket checklist.

You didn't eat much.

Nervous?

I figured you'd be serving a box lunch.

I'll see you when I get back.

If you get back.

She's with the comedy troupe.

Mm.

[ sighs]

Jenny, what the hell are you doing?

Having the time of my life, Les.

Can't you tell?

We're supposed to be cheering these men up.

Well, how about getting them out of here

so they don't get killed.

Wouldn't that cheer them up?

Hey, you're out of line.

Then send me home.

Hey, Harm.

Tong.

I'll see you in the ready room.

Listen, uh...

are you taking a run at that singer?

She looks like she's hurting, Tong.

Well, you might send her to sick bay.

Last I heard, Dr. Hammer was a happily married man.

He still is.

This girl just needs a big brother.

Okay. What does big brother need?

A little sister.

Don't worry about it.

HARM SR.: It must get kind of dull

flying these turkeys every day.

Well, we do kill a SAM every now and then

mostly by accident.

Hope you don't get bored.

I brought a book.

Then mark your place.

This is Sunday

Puncher One taking the pause that refreshes.

Yeee-hah!

Whoo!

How's your book?

Boring.

Good. 'cause we're going feet dry.

[ playing up-tempo music]

Whoo!

All right!

DILLER: Whoa. Here we go.

[ cackling]

Well, it's not the Supremes,

but it does make you want to dance, doesn't it?

Why is that, Captain?

Well, I believe you said it yourself, Diana...

if I may call you that.

"Love is like an itching in my heart."

Hmm. Not the song I had in mind.

What were you thinking of?

"You can't hurry love."

HARM SR.: We're being painted.

Time to go down.

GARCIA: Charlies with the popguns are the worst.

Target should be

about twelve o'clock, five or six miles.

We got that SAM at eleven o'clock.

I don't get excited till three or four are in the air.

What do you say I dispense chaff anyway?

Whatever.

Come two degrees left.

I see the target.

Follow your designator.

Commencing run. Get ready.

Your pickle is hot.

Steady.

Steady.

Release! Release!

Release!

Nailed them.

Outstanding.

We took some flak in the wing tank.

We're streaming fuel.

Our wingman's been hit.

Did they get out?

HARM SR.: I have two good chutes.

Ma'am...

are, are, are you lost?

I'm looking for the fantail.

Fantail? Well, see, that'd be the, uh...

that'd be the hangar deck,

and this is, the, um, this is the 0-2 level.

See, the, uh...

the first two numbers here, um,

they may tell you what level you're at,

and then the next three tell you

what frame you're at and then...

So I have to go up?

Uh, yes, ma'am, down.

Ma'am, you know, the fantail wouldn't be

a real safe place to be right now.

We got some intruders coming in pretty bad shape.

In fact, one of them just got shot down.

Who... who was in it?

Well, I-I don't know that, ma'am, but if you'd like

to go see them come in, I can take you

up to vultures' row, and you can watch them come in.

Would you like to, um...

It's this way.

Only one in so far.

Here comes another.

GARCIA: Call my fuel.

1,200 pounds.

I hope this thing gets good mileage.

You don't want to swim twice in one day?

I forgot my flippers.

1,100 pounds.

Paddles, this is Sunday Puncher One.

Intruder Ball one-point-one.

Roger, Ball, you're low.

Get it up. Get it up.

Never had that problem before.

GARCIA: I can't see.

Thank you.

Bad habit. We all had it back then.

MAN: Excuse me.

Miss Lake?

Yes.

Private First Class Philip A. Fields.

First Air Cav.

Till I got shot up at Quan Loi.

You visited me at the hospital

at Cam Ranh Bay.

You and, and-and Bob Hope and that guy with the big eyes.

Jerry Colonna.

I... I had a picture of Jimi Hendrix

on the wall above my bed,

and you told me you liked, uh, "Purple Haze."

Nobody played the guitar like Hendrix.

[ chuckles]

You remember.

Yes.

You kissed me on the cheek

and... I was really hurting. It, it meant a lot to me.

To all of us, and...

Well, I just wanted to say thank you.

No, Private Fields.

Thank you.

[ light chuckle]

Merry Christmas.

That must make you feel good.

Yeah, very good.

Where was I?

The photographer had blinded the pilot with his flash.

Oh, God, I thought that plane was going to go in the water

with your father in it.

I can't see!

-Go around. -No!

I'm getting some of my vision back.

What the hell was that flash?

I don't know. I was looking down.

How's our fuel?

RABB SR.: Point six.

I have the Ball.

A mile and three-quarters.

Check me out. Am I on line?

RABB SR.: To the left.

A little more.

Nose up.

Touch of power.

[ relieved sighing]

That was the one wire.

Was that the one wire?

I thought it was the whitecap.

Well, Hammer, that'll teach you to go flying

in a dump truck, huh?

Didn't do too bad for a blind man.

I'm sorry about the flash.

Really, I had no idea.

I just took a picture.

Just so I get a copy.

He doesn't give his photos away.

Not this batch.

The CAG deep-sixed his camera.

With my picture in it?!

Yeah, there's a loss.

The party's still going on down in the mess.

Come on, I'll buy you guys a root beer.

Maybe later.

-Has anybody seen...? -Jenny Lake?

You know, she watched Garcia there,

almost buy the farm with you on board.

She got so upset, she ran off crying.

Well, I didn't know she cared.

She doesn't care.

Phyllis Diller told me.

Her fiancé was an aviator.

He got killed last week.

♪ Anchors aweigh, my boys ♪

♪ Anchors aweigh ♪

♪ Farewell to college joys ♪

♪ We sail at break of day ♪

♪ Hey, hey, hey! ♪

♪ Anchors aweigh, my boys ♪

♪ Anchors aweigh ♪

♪ Sail on to victory ♪

♪ And sink their bones ♪

♪ To Davey Jones, hooray. ♪

[ soldiers cheering, Diller laughing]

Come on, kid.

You wanted to be a singer.

[ feedback squeal]

[ mellow blues guitar intro]

Great job, Phyllis. Here, take this.

♪ Sittin' in the morning sun ♪

♪ I'll be sittin' till the evenin' comes ♪

♪ Watchin' the ships roll in ♪

♪ Then I'll watch 'em roll away again ♪

♪ I'm just a-sittin' on the dock of the bay ♪

♪ Watchin' the tide roll away ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay ♪

♪ Wastin' time... ♪

You really flew missions into China?

Those missions are secret, Jojo.

I hope I can count on you to be discreet.

The outcome of the war could depend on it.

Bob said we'd meet men like you here.

We don't think of ourselves as brave.

We're just men doing our jobs.

Bob didn't say "brave."

He said "full of crap."

If they fought the communists

as hard as they're fighting to get

into these girls' pants,

this war would have been over a long time ago.

We should lend Dixie and Jojo

to the South Vietnamese.

They've got a great defense.

♪ Looks like nothing's gonna change ♪

♪ Everything still remains... ♪

You know, I was a very big supporter

of the Reverend Martin Luther King.

♪ ...I can't do what ten people tell me to ♪

Honestly.

♪ So I guess I'll remain the same... ♪

She lived next door to me.

We used to play in my tree house.

She was the only girl I ever loved.

"I know we made promises.

"Maybe I'm just weak, but I honestly believe

I've fallen in love with Dennis..."

My best friend.

We were on the tennis team together.

"It happened after a Jefferson Airplane concert in Hartford.

"I'm sorry if this hurts you,

"but waiting for you...

"not knowing if you'd ever make it back,

it was just too much for me."

I'm thinking about joining the priesthood when I get home.

"Dear Reggie..."

I thought you said your name was Archie.

It is.

She called me Reggie-- a pet name, you know.

Really.

♪ ...My home in Georgia ♪

♪ And I headed to the Frisco Bay ♪

♪ 'Cause I got nothing to live for ♪

♪ No, nothing's gonna come my way ♪

♪ I'm just a-sittin' on the dock of the bay ♪

♪ Watchin' the tide roll away ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay ♪

♪ Wastin' time ♪

♪ It looks like nothing's gonna change ♪

♪ I can't do what ten people tell me to ♪

♪ So I guess I'll remain the same ♪

♪ Sittin' here restin' my bones ♪

♪ And this loneliness won't leave me alone ♪

♪ 2,000 miles I roamed ♪

♪ Just to make this dock my home ♪

♪ I'm just a-sittin' on the dock of the bay ♪

♪ Watchin' the tide roll away ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay ♪

♪ Wastin' time... ♪

Were you really going to jump?

Yes, I think so.

What happened?

Your father happened.

It doesn't have any right

to be this beautiful, does it?

My grandmother was born in South Dakota.

Died in South Dakota.

Never saw the sea until she was 75.

My father put her in his Plymouth

and drove her out to California,

walked her out on the Santa Monica Pier...

she looked out at the ocean.

You know what she said?

No.

"Oh, my God, it's big enough to hold South Dakota."

You know the view is much nicer from this side of the rail.

I'm all right, I promise.

Just leave me alone.

I don't think I can do that.

Why not?

'cause I need somebody to talk to.

[ playing electric blues]

You're not bad, kid.

Navy got an exclusive contract on you?

Only for another two years, four months and three days.

You're not counting the hours?

Four hours.

The plane exploded.

There were two chutes.

A skinny kid from Chicago named Rodgers

and a loudmouth called O'Rourke,

who thought he could bluff at poker.

We haven't heard a damn thing from them since.

They're alive?

Maybe.

Maybe they got shot on the ground.

Maybe they landed in a river and drowned.

Maybe they're being marched to a P.O.W. camp right now.

That would be the worst thing.

Worse than dying?

People who love you should have closure.

Who loves you, Lieutenant?

My wife.

My son... little Harm.

He's all boy.

Drives his mother crazy.

You must miss them very much.

Miss? Oh...

They send me letter tapes.

I listen to them till my roommate screams.

He can recite them along with me.

"Hey, Dad.

"Went to Marineland today.

"Mom bought me a shark's tooth.

Got one for you, too."

That's a hell of a way for me to talk to a woman

who's just lost her fiancé--

running on about my family.

Oh, it's, it's better than someone trying to cheer me up.

What was his name?

David.

He was an aviator, like you.

Did you love the part of him that made him an aviator?

You mean did I love the thing in him

that got him killed?

Yeah.

Yeah.

I wanted to have babies with David.

[ crying]

Hey.

Hey.

It's all right.

You're kissing him.

Who are you kissing?

OFFICER: I don't know, sir.

He should be here soon.

Morning, sir.

CAG: Well, I'm glad you could join us, Lieutenant.

Sorry, sir.

Bob Hope just arrived, gentlemen,

and I'm going to say hi.

I hope you enjoyed that impromptu show last night

because you're going to miss the one today.

CAG will brief you.

X.O., you got it.

CAG: The powers that be don't think Uncle Ho deserves a break

just because it's Christmas Eve

and they don't think you deserve one, either.

What's the mission, sir?

A SAM site that's taken out three of our aircraft.

It's got to go.

The mission's an iron hand.

So we're going to be giving them

some early Christmas gifts-- us.

You let their radar lock on

so your missiles can follow it home.

Fire and run like hell.

You know the drill.

Nobody talk, nobody move.

I got to get this eyelash back on.

Very delicate.

It's been with me since Guam.

Ta-dah!

Now for my next trick.

[ cackling]

do you have to go? Now?

It isn't exactly voluntary.

And you...

I think you need a good-bye kiss for luck.

[ cackles]

Why, thank you.

Jen, give me a zip.

DILLER: I think we need a little alone time.

But just don't start anything

unless you're prepared to finish me.

[ cackles]

DILLER: You're kind of cute. Whoa.

DILLER: Whoa-ho, ooh!

I'd better chaperone that poor boy.

Well, you'd better come back before I leave.

Well, let's see. You and 3,000 sailors

or a North Vietnamese P.O.W. Camp?

Don't do that brave joke crap with me, Harm.

It's all we have, Jenny.

You can't take that away.

Harm...

Jenny, if this was another life...

Well, you just get back here

for the life you have.

I'm going to have a life now, too,

because of you.

Here, take this for luck.

There's something I want you to have.

Your wings?

It's Christmas Eve.

Everybody should have something.

[ upbeat big band music playing]

Every Christmas, someone brings

a little bit of the United States

out here to us far from home.

And no, I don't mean Santa.

It's a great honor for me to welcome this man

and his U.S.O. Troupe to the USS Ticonderoga.

Mr. Bob Hope!

[ sailors cheering and applauding]

[ big band music continues]

Hello, sailors.

HOPE: "Hay, cameraman"?

Where'd you learn to spell?

"Hay, cameraman"-- h-a-y.

I don't know how you got that high.

I want to tell you that.

I just... Where the hell are we, anyway, here?

Oh, yeah, the Ticonderoga.

Hey, we're very, very thrilled.

Hello, you Ticotigers.

[ sailors return greeting]

Oh, isn't this a pretty sight?

Isn't this beautiful?

Who are these kids over there?

Are they on our side?

[ sailors laughing]

It's amazing the change, though,

that comes over the crew

when you bring five beautiful girls aboard.

We got more steam on deck than we have

in the catapults.

[ applause, cheers]

They were pretty nice to me.

I had to go over

to the North Hollywood draft board and report in.

They gave me a physical,

but I thought they were pretty rude about it.

Theyburned my draft card.

[ laughter]

All right, enough about me.

Here's the one I know you guys will welcome--

Miss Jenny Lake.

[ cheers and applause]

[ soft music playing]

♪ I'm dreaming tonight of a place I know ♪

♪ Even more than I usually do ♪

♪ And although I know it's a long road back ♪

♪ I promise you ♪

♪ I'll be home for Christmas ♪

♪ You can count on me ♪

♪ Please, have snow and mistletoe ♪

♪ And presents under the tree ♪

♪ Christmas Eve will find me ♪

♪ Where the lovelight gleams ♪

♪ I'll be home for Christmas ♪

♪ If only in my dreams ♪

♪ Christmas Eve will find me ♪

♪ Where the lovelight gleams ♪

♪ I'll be home for Christmas ♪

♪ If only in my dreams. ♪

♪ I'll be home for Christmas ♪

♪ If only in my dreams. ♪

JENNY: We never heard from him again.

His worst fear.

You know all that.

I didn't know about you and him.

Harm, he loved your mother very much.

And you... he would be so proud of you.

I finished that tour and I came back every year

until all our boys were home...

one way or another.

I fell in love with a bass player in the band

and I have two wonderful children

who wouldn't have existed if your father hadn't chased

a mixed-up girl out to the fantail of an aircraft carrier

in the middle of a crazy war.

I was going to leave these at the memorial,

but they belong to you.

My father's wings.

No, they belong to him.

[ closing theme music playing]