Original subtitles

Hello, son.

Dad. What's this, the fatherly approach?

Pass on that. You know, I don't think anyone wants you here. Except your

He's the only one happy. He's not an actor anymore.

I'm alone now.

On my own now.

Yo, what are you doing? Hey, why don't you cut it out?

I think it stinks.

I think this show stinks.

I don't need any of it. I don't even need this place at all.

big dreams.

You want fame.

Well, fame comes.

And right here is where you starve pain and sweat.

I hate dreams like they're too weird.

Who wants to be trapped in an elevator 236 floors up?

Even in a dream, this is scary.

Mr. Crandall?

Yeah, hi. Listen, I was just coming up to see you and the elevator stopped.

Well, I was wondering if you could do anything about it.

Yeah, I know it's just a dream, but if you're the one who's having a dream,

not just a dream.

Yeah, and I think there has to be some reason that you're in this dream with

And maybe it's so that you can help me get this thing started up again.

Mr. Crandall, the elevator dropped.

You gotta help me. Wake me up, Mr. Crandall, please!

I

get

it. This is an acting exercise.

Or an improv, or... Mr. Crandall!

Danny,

are you all right?

Yeah, Mom. Fine.

No problem.

All right. Go back to sleep now.

I've never known anyone with a radio show before. You must be very proud.

Mrs. Berg, it's four weeks on a college FM station answering questions about

English literature and hardly on the charts with a bullet.

You're not what?

It's no big deal. Oh, well, maybe not to you it isn't, but I think it's simply

wonderful that you're finally getting into the performing area.

Thank you very much.

I have a small favor to ask.

Do you suppose you could say my name?

What? On the radio show, I mean. I've never heard my name on the radio, and I

think it would be so thrilling.

You could say, I was talking to my friend Mrs. Berg about Oscar Wilde, and

said, and then you could just make up something about what I said, but at

I get to hear my name.

Mrs. Berg, I can't promise.

I'll do the best I can.

I'll be listening.

Mr. Reardon, you still have some phone messages left from yesterday.

I couldn't help but notice they're all from the same person, your father.

They certainly are.

But I thought I heard you tell Mr.

Sharofsky that your father was dead.

He was.

Well,

congratulations on his... What an interesting day it's been so far.

Mrs. Burke?

It's Murphy Hospital.

They need to speak to you.

Hello?

They always encourage you to go out.

Come on.

Please.

No. It was Crandall. Late or sick or something.

Perfect. I need extra time for history.

I guess all this talent here just wore him out.

Hey, guys, I think we got a present.

Looks like a free period.

I have an announcement.

Mr. Crandall... Mr. Crandall will not be here today.

We have a substitute coming in to take over his classes.

And for the rest of the day, I will try to conduct class until he or she

arrives. I bet he got the flu or something.

If someone would be so kind as to tell me what the assignment is, I'll try

You could just tell me what your individual projects are, and then the

class can discuss them.

Mrs. Berg, are you okay?

Oh, yes, yes.

Thank you.

I think possibly you had better just all

study quietly by yourselves.

That might be the best thing.

Crandall's dead.

Isn't he? Crandall's dead.

What did you know?

We received word a few minutes ago that Mr. Crandall...

Mr. Crandall apparently had a heart attack.

last night.

He was taken to Mercy Hospital.

He died there this morning.

I'll be here with you until the substitute arrives and we...

Oh, but you're not... Let him go, Mrs. Berg.

You know what time he died, Mrs. Berg?

No, I don't.

I do.

Someone will have to go through his desk.

his things for his family.

Listen, I can do that.

It'd be a lot easier for me than the rest of you.

Hey, what are you doing?

I was just helping out.

Putting away some of Crandall's papers.

Mr. Crandall.

Right.

Putting away some of Mr. Crandall's papers and things.

Okay.

Danny, I was wondering, do you know what the project was that Mr. Crandall was

working on? I mean, what the theme was?

Kept most of his notes and stuff in here.

His theme was that there's a part inside of us that's a kid.

And that keeping that kid alive is what performing's all about.

Want to spend some time in here alone? I can do this later.

Nah.

Hey, do what you gotta do.

It's going to be a tough act to follow.

Every teacher has those kids who try to make him into a hero.

But I went a bit further with Greg and Danny.

Danny's in a lot of trouble with his father.

No communication, they'd say, in a social worker's report.

Then Danny found a man like Crandall who was all communication and managed to

communicate caring and humor You've got yourself quite a problem my friend

Any final decision on what to do about the project?

I think we ought to go ahead with it I mean a lot to him and we might even make

it kind of a memorial to the guy very well As long as you truly remember who

what the guy was he was full of zest And joy and laughter.

If there is the slightest sentimental twaddle in the piece about our loss,

you'll have me to contend with.

Not to mention the ghost of Greg Crandall who kicked your cassava around

block.

I get your little hint, Ben. I'll get to work on it.

I'm curious.

How old was he?

Oh, 55, I think.

Something like that.

55, 56. Why?

Uh, nothing.

About the same age as my dad.

Later.

I thought about him all weekend.

Saturday was really tough.

But Sunday I started thinking about what he taught us about comedy.

How you can't explain humor. You either get it, or you don't.

I miss him.

But I think it's going to be okay.

For some people, maybe.

But not for my pal, Amatulo.

That's why I need the number one cello player.

Come on, Miller. It's one theme. What could it hurt?

My grade point average is what it could hurt if I don't get it done.

I thought Danny was doing the theme with you.

Well, that was the plan.

You know what a plan is.

That's when you work at something till life comes along and kicks you in the

nose. I don't think I'm a two -lookin' handler.

Come on, Miller.

I'd like to help out, really. Well, then tell me why not. You at least owe me a

why not.

My class from Grand Rapids gets a mid -Sebastian break after finals.

And you're going on a school trip.

If this gets any more exciting, I don't think I can stand it. They're coming

here, to New York.

Well, so a bunch of your friends from your old town are coming to visit you.

that such a terrible thing?

No, no, wait. I get the picture.

You want to ditch school so you can go hang out with your friends. Hey, that's

pretty cool. No.

I want to ditch school so they won't come by here.

Some of these kids are farm kids.

You probably wouldn't understand, but they really do get up at five in the

morning to do chores before school.

This place would feel like Mars to them. They're bound to feel so out of place.

Culture shock.

Right.

So why did you invite them?

I didn't invite them. You know, we write letters. We stay in touch. They know I

go to school here. And now you're afraid that they're going to suffer from an

advanced case of culture shock.

Exactly. Are you sure about that?

Sure.

What other reason would I have?

Well, it could be that you're ashamed of us.

I mean, we're not the kind of people around here that Grand Rapids is used

That's not so.

Just speculating, dear girl, just speculating.

Now, today... Mrs. Burke?

I heard some of your show Sunday night. It was very nice.

Thank you, then. Very sweet.

I missed the first ten minutes or so.

Were you able to do it?

Your name?

No, I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't. Oh, well, maybe next time. Mrs. Berg, I have

class.

Well, I won't keep you any longer.

After all, you have a class to teach.

Amatulo, you're late. I'm going to have to write you up. I'm honored. Never been

written up by a Pillsbury doughboy before.

Hold on now. You've got to sign it. Get your hands off me.

Have you been drinking?

And what's it to you?

I'm going to have to write you up for that, too.

You'll have to go to student court. You know what?

Stick it.

Just a minute.

Danny Amatulo, don't you dare. If you ever did a thing like that, you'd be

expelled.

Since when did I get to be his advisor?

Shirovsky, I am the worst possible person for the job.

You could have argued with me a couple of seconds over that at least.

Because he hates me, isn't that reason enough?

All right, all right, he's in.

Yes, I know he's hurting and he's confused and all that stuff, but I still

you ought to find another teacher that... Ben, I'm going to have to call

back. Somebody's at my door.

Yeah, okay. I'll call the kids house last time. I checked they didn't know

he was Okay. Okay. Goodbye.

Come in

Hello

son Dad

I know we talked about getting together tomorrow, but I had your address and I

was in the neighborhood

It's been six years, so... Here I am.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, you are.

So what are you up to?

Um... Just trying to find a lost kid who hates me.

Me too.

You're not making this very easy for me. Should I?

Maybe not.

But you could at least hear me out.

Be civil.

Civil?

Why? Because you woke up one morning and remembered you had a son? I never

forgot, not for a minute.

I tried to keep track of your life.

I heard about your marriage.

Too bad you couldn't make it to the wedding, not the divorce.

How about my career? Did you keep track of that, too?

I tried.

You must have been thrilled at my lack of success.

Well, you may be surprised to hear that no, I wasn't.

Look, I'm not apologizing for wanting you to come into business with me.

In fact, there's no higher compliment a father could pay his son.

But I am sorry that I drove you away. I didn't mean to do that.

I was hurt.

I was disappointed.

And I was wrong.

Why now?

Dear God, why not now?

In fact, I was going to ask you the same question.

I've been phoning you here and at your school for the past couple of weeks.

What suddenly prompted you to return my call?

We had this guy, a teacher, passed away unexpectedly and...

David, do I have to pass away before we can get back to what we used to be

again?

You will be very pleased to know that I have decided to stop nagging you about

the scene.

And I do want custody of the Mercedes.

Oh, no.

Excuse me.

You wouldn't happen to be from Grand Rapids, Michigan, would you?

Well, yeah. How'd you know?

Is there anything I can help you with?

Well, yeah. I'm looking for a friend of mine. Julie Miller?

She's a student here.

She's sick.

And I'm lying.

Doris.

Doris. You?

Lester. Lester.

Lester. May I call you Lester? Sure.

See, it's a long story.

Takes me back.

Takes you back to what?

You don't play an instrument?

Or do you?

A little piano.

But I haven't played for years and years and years.

I guess there's a lot you don't know about me, David.

I wasn't born selling hardware, you know.

Did I ever tell you that when I was a teenager I wanted to be a circus clown?

Did I ever tell you that?

No. It's true.

Just remember, I told your father that we went to a revival at the Thalia and

that there was a power shortage in the R .I .T. and you had to stay over at my

house. I don't know.

Hey, what's happening upstairs?

You're down for cutting class and smacking Dwight. Student court is

for Friday, and the betting is you'll be expelled.

Hey, I'll have to pay you back for the chili dogs. I have, like, no money.

You meet Crandall?

What do you think?

Have you cried?

What? Have you cried about Crandall dying? Have you cried?

No, no, no, I don't buy that stuff.

I mean, I'm disappointed, and I like the guy, and he meant a lot to me.

But he's gone, and you can't bring him back.

And life goes on.

You know, if you get kicked out of school, you're out of the project

was putting together, and I think that's a shame, because Crandall would have

wanted you to be in it. Yeah, well, it looks like no one's gonna get what they

wanted this time around, all right?

As long as I'm still in school, I may as well go to class.

Look, I hate to cut things short for you, but I gotta get back to it. No

problem. I can find my own way out.

Thank you for letting me come today, David.

I really had a good time.

So did I.

You seem to fit in here very well.

I'm proud of you.

And I don't quite know what to say, except I got a class to teach.

Would it be all right if I looked around by myself for a while? I won't get in

anybody's way.

Yeah, sure.

Just let him know who you are, okay?

Hey, I'm your father.

You bet I'll let him know.

Right. I got a class.

David, I'll come by about 8. I'll spring for dinner.

Right.

Be there.

Down All the Day by Christy Brown.

In many ways, this book is the ultimate example of an outsider who refused to

remain an outsider.

A man who went through incredible pain and sacrifice to make people read about

and understand his life.

Now, his situation was a unique one, but... No, it wasn't.

I mean, he had a physical handicap.

But everybody's an outsider in one way or another.

Okay. How many agree with Doris?

Julie?

In a way, I agree, but it's more complicated than that.

It's like a kid might fit in at one school, but not at another.

But at least he has that one school.

You can get to be an outsider by trying to do too much, be everywhere.

You know, all things to all people.

That sounds like you're saying a person should find a niche and never try to get

out of it.

Sometimes that's not a bad idea.

When I first came here, I was sort of set apart.

Because they play the sousaphone.

People don't understand what a really lovely instrument it can be.

Also, it's hard for a sousaphone player to get dates because no one wants to

kiss a person with a highly developed armature.

I think it's very intimidating.

So I thought I would try to fit in by getting on the hall patrol.

It hasn't helped me fit in.

I think maybe I should have just stayed where I was and let my sousaphone do my

talking for me.

I'm a Tulu.

What do you think about that?

I don't know. I didn't finish reading the book.

Why not?

I figure I'm going to be expelled Friday night, so what's the difference?

Excuse me.

I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but I was watching you two

class earlier, and I have to tell you how impressed I was with your dancing.

All right.

Oh, thank you very much, mister.

Reardon, I'm David Reardon's father. He's been showing me around.

Listen, do you mind if I ask you a question?

No. Oh, shoot.

Well, frankly, I'm very pleased that my son is teaching here now and not just

out looking for acting jobs. That seems like a very hard life to me.

But this...

This seems like the ideal situation all around. Now, am I crazy or is that so?

Well, we're not drama majors, but from what I hear, he's doing just fine.

Yeah, just fine.

Amitulo.

Sit down.

I seem to be unable to do much of any good around here.

as far as you're concerned.

And I know you think I'm trying to take Crandall... Mr. Crandall's place.

But I'm not, and that's the truth.

All I'm trying to do is help out.

Now, I know you got this thing coming up with the student court tonight.

Like it or not, I'm your advisor.

So why don't you tell me what it is I can do to help out? You know, what's

the fatherly approach?

Pass on that. You know, I don't think anyone wants you here, except your

He's the only one happy, not an actor anymore.

Wait a minute, what are you talking about?

Hey, I was out in the hall. I heard him say it.

I don't understand why you're so upset over something that one kid said.

Yes or no, did you say it or not?

Yes, I said it.

And I don't like your tone very much right now. I can't believe what a

sentimental jerk I've been.

You're here for the simple reason that now I have a respectable profession.

David, I don't care what you do for a living. Then where were you all those

years when I needed your support?

You mean money?

No, I don't mean money.

The kind of support I'm talking about you can't find in a checkbook.

But the fact that you thought I was talking about money, I think that says

all. Well, what do you want from me?

What can I do?

Except try to make it up to you.

I honestly don't think you can.

Don't you understand?

I'm your son.

Whether I'm selling encyclopedias door to door or I'm digging clams on the

beach, you can't decide to love me just because I'm doing things the way you

would have done them.

If you could love me for me...

That's a much bigger compliment than asking me to go into the family

David, no.

No. It's not going to work.

Families are the one thing in life that's supposed to go on and on.

It's sad when one of them passes away.

How's it going?

You up next?

Still running a little late, huh?

I guess.

I think Martelli's rehearsing in the auditorium. Why don't you stick your

in? What's the point?

You here for student court?

Yeah.

That was really beautiful.

Oh, thanks.

Wish I could move like that.

Well, you're welcome to my class anytime.

I'd like to dance, not die. You got a minute?

Sure. What's on your mind?

Roger.

What about the club?

I don't think I'm the right person to hold up the dramatic end of things.

Cello backing up synthesizer.

I don't know. It's going to sound dumb.

What do you mean it'll sound dumb? It's going to sound great.

Look, the only reason you don't want to play is because you don't want your

friends from your old school to see you.

Look, I haven't seen my old friends in a year.

And it's been a year when I've done more growing, more changing, more everything

than I've done in my whole life.

I'm just scared to death that if I get with them, there's going to be a huge

wall between us.

I'd so much rather they remember me the way I used to be.

One of the gang.

And I'll remember them the same way.

And we'll both have our memories.

And we'll let it go at that.

So you're not ashamed of us? You're afraid of them?

Something like that.

Yeah, well, I think you're being paranoid.

Why don't you just shut up and listen to the song?

Bruno put this together in memory of Mr.

Crandall.

It's too good to do without you.

I'm alone now On my own now

You're not standing here beside me I

can't count on you to guide me through I

looked around for you But you're not

Just when I

So much more.

I think it stinks.

I think this show stinks. I think this place stinks.

I mean, the first time you grab onto someone, they go and die on you.

I don't need that. I don't need any of it. I don't even need this place at all.

Split no neck. I'm bailing out. No student card for me.

Amatillo, where are you going?

Out of this place. That's where I'm going.

Well, well, what have we here?

If it isn't good old Danny.

What's going on, kid?

You packing it in?

Huh? Are you giving up?

Well, come on, what's the matter? No, let me guess.

Things got a little too tough for you here, right? It's none of your business,

all right? Hey, I'm cool.

I'm just here to help.

I said, why don't you just butt out?

Come on, you don't want to do this stuff alone, do you? Why don't you let me

help?

Yo, what are you doing? Just play, sing, don't need these things anymore. Hey,

what'd you cut it out, huh?

What, Randall taught you to quit?

I guess he wasn't such a good teacher after all, was he?

Hey, why don't you just leave me alone and mind your own business, all right?

That's it.

There's something I want you to see right now.

Come on, my stuff, all right? Get it, man.

You were his favorite student, Danny. Don't you know that? Now you're letting

all his work go to waste. You know you're a crazy teacher. Yeah, I know

So Crandall let you down.

Whitten died on you.

Well, people do die, and when they do, you use what they taught you so that

their life meant something.

And when people reach out, try to help, you don't shut them out.

You got to mend your fences, Danny.

Keep your friends and family.

I have something here for Mr. Crandall.

I want you to read it out loud.

Student evaluation.

Danny Amatulo.

I find Danny to be dedicated and sincere about his career.

There is enormous potential here.

The only thing that can stop Danny is Danny himself.

His overactive ego can be grating, but it's only a front.

He hides behind it, more so than most.

But this brash exterior only hides his sometimes overwhelming insecurity.

He reminds me of myself in that respect when I was young.

I see a bright future here.

And it pleases me to be part of the process.

Danny's a real challenge.

He questions everything and makes me come up with the answers.

That's good.

That's what makes teaching worthwhile.

If carefully nurtured, this kid's going to be all right.

Mr. Crandall.

Gregory Crandall wasn't wasting his time.

So, what happened at student court?

Well, if Dwight told him that he and Danny were rehearsing a scene, the whole

thing was a misunderstanding.

It's not exactly true, is it?

Mr. Reardon, when you play the thusophone, you learn to go that added

step.

nice of you last night, but really you went much too far.

Please? I just wanted my name mentioned, but to call me a genius for heaven's

sake. I called you a genius?

An immortal prose stylist. An artist of incomparable depth.

The program I did last night was on Gertrude Berg. I know, but I still don't

think you should have done it. The sweetest thing as it was to do.

And how did you know my first name, anyway?

Miss

Julie Miller

will now play for our honored guests.

We love you, and they miss you.

And this is not a bad problem to have.

Hi.

Hi.

Well, your friend Doris, she said you're really getting good on that thing.

Doris is absolutely right.

You got to call her. What? None of the costumes fit. What are you talking

I was talking to Michelle. She said a costume didn't fit. I was just down

It's not fine.

Yeah,

I couldn't believe it either, but... Hey, keep your family. Maintain

your fences.

You give good advice.

You know how to take it.

It called.

Said you wanted to see me.

I guess the kid was lying.

He was hoping.

They tend to be big believers in happy endings around here.

Kids often are.

I guess you get to be an adult when you...

Realize that the reason some ships pass in the night is to avoid a collision.

You know, we're just from different worlds.

And we might as well admit it.

Well, you got a show to do.

Technically, it was fine. I can't fault you for the execution.

But, I don't know, it just... It was dull.

It wasn't exciting. It was kind of flat.

Right, David?

I don't think we did very well for Greg Crandall.

Energy levels were... Look, whoever's playing the piano, you want to knock it

off? Energy levels were down. There was a lack of commitment.

Knock off the piano playing, please!

I mean, this is supposed to be a special show, right?

Jimmy, what the hell is going on out there?

I want us to be in different worlds, David.

These are the only two things I can do in yours, so I'm doing them.

You know, it's not just kids who believe in happy endings.

At least, I hope not.

Lydia?

Everybody?

This is my father.

Good evening.

That's your father?

Yeah. Oh.

Hi, Mr. Reardon.

Nice... Honey, will you like that out there doing the whole show?

Couldn't watch the show. I had to be in makeup.

I'd like to take another run at the song.

What? Dan, the show... Yeah, but see, Reardon's father's a nutso, like

was. That's the same kind of person. Come on. Come on, everyone. You want to

it right?

Yeah. Come on, honey,

find yourself a thing before they all take it.

Y 'all get it right this time.

Nice seats. I got a contact here. My son's a teacher.

Act sometimes, too.

He's a hell of a kid.

The secret of life is in the living.

Not just standing there and watching life go by.

And the secret of love...

You've got to open up by reaching deep inside.

Be sure.

Just jump right in and live it Every single minute The secret

of love Celebrate love each moment of every day

You'll end up having more love When you've given love

away The secret of life Celebrate life in every way you can

Just jump right in

This one thing.

This episode of Fame is lovingly dedicated to the memory of Michael Toma,

Mr. Crandall. He will be missed.