All language subtitles for My Girl 1994 English

♪ [ Gentle Music ] ♪

I remember before I was born...

Wadded up like a fur ball
in the highly overrated fetal
position.

Luckily, I'm not claustrophobic,

but on rainy days I feel
a tightness in my left shoulder.

So now that my stepmother's
pregnant,

I understand what
the baby's going through.

And I'm not jealous at all.
Really...not at all.

-Hey, you're not eating your
meat loaf.
-If I eat it, I'll throw up.

Well, you should at least
try a little bit.

Then I'll throw up
a little bit.

Are you sure you want
to get involved in this?

[ Chuckles ]

♪ [ Singing ]

♪ Sunshine through them

♪ Fiery gems for you

♪ Only for you

♪ Our house

♪ Is a very, very, very
fine house

♪ With two cats
in the yard

♪ Life used to be
so hard

♪ Now everything is easy
'cause of you

♪ [ Humming ] ♪

Vada, try to scrunch
these chairs together a little
more.

Dad, I'm trying. They're chairs.
They don't scrunch.

-[ Doorbell rings ]
-Arthur: I'll get it!

Well, I guess we'll just
set up more chairs in the
library

and pipe the sermon in like we
did
with Old Man Hasselmeyer.

Better fix that speaker.

Makes the minister
sound like an astronaut.

-Oh, hello, Judy.
-Hi, Arthur.

-Hi, Judy, come on in!
-Hi, Mr. Sultenfuss.

-Look who I found.
-Hi, Judy.

Hi.

Come on in.

That's okay.

It's just a corpse.

I know that.

You should be here
when they bring in a body

that's been dead a couple of
days...

And they haven't found it yet
'cause it was in an apartment...

Vada: And no one came to visit.

Or floating in a river.

Then the body starts turning
this weird shade of green,

You know, like watery pea soup?

Vada: The arms and legs
deteriorate first.

The body looks like a raisin
with four fat legs.

Anyway, this is why
I'm seriously considering
cremation.

-Judy?
-[ Door Opens and Closes ]

Vada: Judy?

I think you lost on the raisin
with the four fat legs, honey.

Did you hear that, Dean?
You can stay!

Dean?

Yeah, Dean Martin.
Look at his eyes.

-[ Laughter from television ]
-They're pink.

Exactly! Dean Martin.

[ TV ]
The cage is all set.

Where's the bathroom?

- Are you kidding?
-[ Harry and Shelly laughing ]

- Hamsters don't go to the
bathroom.
-[ Chuckling ]

- Did you look in the bag?
-[ Laughter from television ]

[ Laughing ]

I got a card from your
Uncle Phil in Los Angeles today.

Said he went body surfing.

[ Chuckles]
I don't know if I can picture

Uncle Phil body surfing.

-I don't know if I want to.
-[ Both chuckle ]

Vada, I want to ask you a favor,
and remember, you can absolutely

say no if you want to.

I'm just bringing it up
for discussion.

But, Harry, I thought
we decided we weren't going to
do this.

Do what?

Well, the thing is your room
is right next door to ours.

And so we thought... I thought,
if you were willing,

We might move you to Gramoo's
room and could use your old room

for the nursery.

See, we're gonna be up
half the night with a newborn.

-Harry: It'd be a lot of noise--
-You want me to move?

Well, not far.
Just down the hall.

Plus, Gramoo's room's a lot
bigger, and you get a view

of the whole neighborhood.

[ Quietly ] Okay. No problem.

Harry: Okay, thanks. Atta girl.

[ Tuba bellowing ]

Harry!

Harry!

Harry! I'm sorry to interrupt,
honey, but Vada's upset.

Oh, she's fine.
She'll love her new room.

Look, we react to every kick
this baby gives.

Maybe Vada's trying
to tell us something too.

[ Dog barking ]

The thing to remember is
you must visualize a spare.

The parabola of the arcing ball
must intersect with the pyramid

of the pins at precisely
this angle of attack.

[ Scraping ]

[ Whispers ] Shit.

Visualize a spare?

Well, you know
what I mean.

So, what's on your mind?

Me? What makes you think there's
something on my mind?

You're passing up Archie Bunker
to go bowling.

You've got to have an angle.

No. I just thought it'd be nice
if the two of us had an evening
out...

so we could talk.

-Shelly's already told me all
about sex.
-She told me too.

I mean, she told me
she told you about sex.

I personally knew about sex
long before I met Shelly.

I figured you did.

[ Thud ]

Yes!

Ah! Strike!

Not-- not bad at all.

No, this talk isn't about sex.

It's, well, there have been
a lot of changes,

and I know you're upset
about losing your room.

But the baby's
got to go somewhere!

No, it's okay.
I understand, really.

Honey, that's very mature.

I'm proud of you, Vada.

Maybe I should
just move to China.

One kid per family. That way
you don't lose your room.

Hey. Why don't you just keep
your room, and we'll put the
baby in the backyard?

Don't do that.
You've got the whole garage.

Oh, yeah. Right between
the power mower and the weed
killer.

Dad, I'm kidding.
You can have the room.

Seriously?

Seriously.

-Great!
-I'm thirteen.

Maybe it's about time
I got my own apartment.

[ Thud ]

-My mother can't have any more
kids.
-Neither can mine.

-She's dead.
-It's Shelly who's pregnant.

-What do you think?
-[ Sniffing ]

I think I'm leaning
toward passion flower.

"It combines the traditional
floral scent with the musky
aroma of sandalwood."

-[ Boys laughing ]
-What are you staring at?

Judy: It's Kevin.

I don't want him to see me.

See you?
He can smell you from there.

Oh, God!
He's coming over here.

Act natural.
Totally natural.

-Hi, Kevin.
-Hi.

You look cool, Sultenfuss.
You look like a grasshopper.

[ Snickering ]

-What's the matter?
-He likes you.

Likes me? He said I look like
a grasshopper.

Boys always pretend they hate
you when they really like you.

That's ridiculous!

So, if you really
can't stand someone,

then you pretend you're
really crazy about them?

I don't know, and I don't care!

Kevin's a jerk,
and I don't like him anymore.

He's all yours!

[ Thinking to herself ]
If grasshopper's a term of
endearment,

I've got a lot to learn.

So have you guys thought of
any new names for the baby?

[ Thud ]

Um, yeah. If it's a girl,
I'm kind of leaning towards
Esme.

-Esme?
-Yeah, you know, that kind of
sounds like

a noise your nose makes.

You know, "es-me."
I mean, it's--

-And what if it's a boy?
-Well, Harry Jr. Of course.

Dad, when a boy likes you,
does he pretend that he doesn't
like you?

And if he pretends that he
doesn't like you, how can you
tell

-that he likes you?
-[ Sternly ] What boy likes you?

It's just a question.
It's not about anybody.

-Uh-oh. Here comes puberty.
-Vada, I think what you're
talking about

is the fear of rejection.

See, men will do anything
to avoid looking foolish.

Oh, Shell, that's ridiculous.
Where are my needle-nose pliers?

Listen, if a boy wants to do
homework with you,

It really means he didn't have
the nerve to ask you out on a
date.

So you'll get your homework
together and pretend to be
studying,

and the next thing you know...

You're ordering pizza and
talking about your favorite
movie stars.

So, you're saying...

What are you saying?

Honey, uh...

Guys don't want
to appear overanxious.

So if you think there's a boy
that might like you,

let him know that you like
him...

So he won't feel he's taking
such a risk when he's thinking
of asking you out.

Okay?

♪ I wanna jump
but I'm afraid I'll fall

♪ I wanna holler
but the joint's too small

♪ Young man rhythm's
got a hold of me too

♪ I've got the rockin' pneumonia
and the boogie woogie flu

♪ Some other things
and that ain't all

♪ I wanna kiss her,
but she's way too tall

♪ Young man rhythm's
got ahold of me too

♪ I've got the rockin' pneumonia
and the boogie woogie flu ♪

-Hi.
-Hi.

Wanna help me pick out wallpaper
for my new room tomorrow?

-Uh, I don't know. I mean--
-Okay if I drink this?

It's okay with me.
Hi, Kevin.

Well, if it isn't Vada,
the grasshopper girl.

Stop it, Kevin!

I was kidding.
It's a joke, okay?

We were just doing
our homework and studying for
the test.

And the next thing know,
you're ordering pizza

And talking about
your favorite movie stars.

See ya!

[ Thinking ] In the future,
I'll stick to asking dad for
advice on embalming.

♪ [ Harry on tuba ]

♪ [ Shelly ]
Baby, baby

♪ Baby love,
my baby love

♪ I need you
oh, how I need you

♪ Why do you do me
like you do

♪ Haven't I been
good to you

♪ So deep in love with you

♪ Baby, baby ♪

I read an article that says
if you sing to the baby

-it's a calming influence.
-Assuming the baby's a Supremes
fan.

Bet your mom
sang to you.

Well, if there was an article
about it, I'm sure she did. She
was always reading.

Yes, I know. It runs in the
family. New book?

"The Collected Works
of Alfred Beidermeyer."

-Harry: Her favorite poet.
-Never heard of him.

[ Burps ]
Excuse me.

-How 'bout a nice glass of milk?
-With taco chips so I can dunk.

[ Chuckles ]

You know, Vada,
being an older sister,

you're going to be very
important in this baby's life.

[ Laughs ]

They're enormous,
I know.

Is there milk in them
already?

No. The milk comes
when the baby comes.

When did you, um--

-I mean, um--
-Oh.

I was a very late developer.
They used to call me "Shelly
two-backs."

All my friends had real bras,
not like the training ones I
had.

Why do they call them
training bras?

-It's not like learning to ride
a bike.
-I know.

I guess it's just sort of
preparing you
for the rest of your life.

It's not easy
being a woman.

You're telling me.

[ Thinking ] All the great
writers pondered the meaning of
life and death.

I've been thinking a lot
about my mother recently,

Even though I don't have
any memories of her.

I wish I could see her just
once, even if it were only in a
dream.

I know she'd help me
figure things out.

[ Man ] "Bless me now with
your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle
into that good night.

Rage! Rage against
the dying of the light."

What do you think
Dylan Thomas is saying here?

"Rage against the dying
of the light."

He's mad 'cause they shut off
his electricity?

[ Class laughing ]

I think he was referring
to life energy, Mr. Phillips.

Which in your case wouldn't
cause much of a power shortage

-now would it?
-Class: Ooh!

Vada.

The poem's really about
attitude.

It's about not giving up.

It's easy to be
overwhelmed sometimes,

but that's when we should
force ourselves to push on.

Alfred Beidermeyer said:

"To heed the urgent
inner voice,

Embracing destiny, not choice."

That's very good, Vada.

All right, moving on!

I want to give you guys
a chance to write.

-[ Class groaning ]
-Hey, hey, hey! Listen up!

I want you to write about
someone very special.

Someone interesting,
someone you admire.

Someone who's achieved
something worth writing about.

It's got to be a stranger,
someone you've never met.

Mr. Owett: I want you to
investigate the personal side.

Play Perry Mason,
see what you can come up with.

All right?
Any ideas?

Remember two things:

Someone who's achieved
something, and someone you've
never met.

-Kevin.
-Elvis, the king.

Elvis, the king!

-Devin!
-Farrah Fawcett.

I love to watch that girl run.

Why is that, Mr. Reed?

-N-never mind.
-[ Class snickering ]

Vada, what about you?
Who have you come up with?

My mother.

[ Class whispering ]

Your mother?

I never met my mother.

I know my mom's
favorite color was pink,

And she ate peanut butter
and banana sandwiches for
breakfast,

But that's not what I would call
hard-hitting facts.

-I told you about the pumpkin,
didn't I?
-No.

Ha, well. I bought her this
huge pumpkin for Halloween.

But she couldn't bear to carve
it. So she saved it for weeks,

and it ended up under the
Christmas tree.

Then Gramoo said on Christmas
Eve there was this sickening
smell

-permeating the entire house.
-Shelly: Oh no.

Yeah, when I picked it up,
it sort of exploded and
liquefied

at the same time.

It wasn't funny.
It soaked clear through
Gramoo's Oriental.

-[ Shelly laughing ]
-There's still a big spot on
the floor.

Okay, we need wallpaper paste.
Hey, Steve.

Isn't there anything else
you remember?

How did you propose?
Was it romantic?

Well, I kind of just blurted it
out over a root beer float.

Mmm, root beer float.
That sounds good.

Did she mention any contests
that she won?

She must have had some awards.
She was so talented and all.

She was talented. But honey,
I wish I could help you a
little more.

It's just that your mother and
I had kind of a whirlwind
courtship.

She came to town with
this traveling theater group.

I proposed on our second date.
Two weeks later we married,

and almost nine months later,
you were here, and she was gone.

Was it a nice funeral?

Oh, yes, lovely funeral.

Grenaldi brothers
did a beautiful job.

Lots of pink roses,
and I used the white hearse.

Hey, how 'bout
this flowered wallpaper for
your room?

How 'bout this?

[ Students talking indistinctly
]

-Hi, Mr. Owett.
-Hey, Vada.

[ Bell rings ]

-How's your report coming?
-Great!

I have so much to say,
I hardly know where to start.

You know, I've been re-reading
Virginia Woolf.

She'd be a natural for you.

She led a fascinating life.

Thanks, but I think
I'm gonna stick to my mom.

She led a fascinating life too.

I'm sure she did.

-Hey, guys!
-Hi.

Vada, he was giving you
an easy out, so you didn't

have to write about your mother.

-But I want to write about her.
-You're crazy!

What was her big achievement?

-Did she invent gravity?
-No one invented gravity. It
just exists.

Then what did she do?

Well, I'm not supposed to talk
about it, but since I'm gonna
write about it

I might as well tell you.

She was a spy
against the Russians.

Oh, please!
Who do you think you're kidding?

Where did she spy on the
Russians from?
Here in Pennsylvania?

Not here in Pennsylvania!

She went to Russia undercover
with her acting troupe,

and got a lot of
highly-sensitive,
secret plans sent back.

Just when she was about
to go home,

-she got caught and they
killed her.
-All right.

So when did she have you
between all of her acting

and spying and getting caught?

That's simple:
She was pregnant with me...

When she went to Russia,
and she didn't know.

When the Russians found out,
they waited to shoot her...

'cause you're not allowed to
kill pregnant women anywhere in
the world.

So she had you in jail in
Russia?

Well, actually, I was born
in Siberia.

Then they shot her,
and sent me home with my dad.

Vada, if bullshit wore a bra,
you'd be top-heavy.

C'mon, Judy.

Ask anyone.
Ask my dad.

It could be true.

[ Thinking ] How come guys talk
so much when they have nothing
to say,

and girls have plenty to say,
but no one will listen?

I used to come down here
and sleep on this spot when I
was little.

[ Sighs ] My report's gonna be
a disaster.

Everything I know about her
fits into one, little box.

A box?

Oh, Vada!
What a sweet baby book!

It's only filled out
to page two.

Vada: I was eight pounds,
four ounces.

There's so many programs.

She was in a lot of plays.

Dad said when she was on
stage, she held the audience

in the palm of her hand.

What's this?
"December 8th, 1958."

I don't know.
Dad doesn't either.

Well, it must mean something.

She was obviously
very sentimental.

This is one of my favorite
things:
Her passport.

Oh, Vada, she's so beautiful.

"Margaret Ann Muldovan,

Born in Los Angeles,
California, February 7th, 1936."

Aquarius. Margaret's
my middle name.

Everybody called her Maggie.
Los Angeles.

-Have you ever been there?
-No.

You know, they say
that it never rains.

That you can barbecue
on Christmas Day.

And instead of riding your bike,
you just surf over to your
friend's house.

Oh, and the place is just
crawling with celebrities.

I know someone who saw Walter
Matthau picking up his dry
cleaning.

Is that why Uncle Phil moved
there?

Uncle Phil just needed a change.

A little adventure.

I wonder why she got a passport
if she never went anywhere?

Well, you've got to be prepared.

I'm definitely traveling
someday.

Why not now?

What do you mean?

How would you like to go visit
your Uncle Phil in Los
Angeles...

Next week during
your spring vacation?

You could do research
on your mom!

But what about you and the baby?
You need me.

Oh, but I'm not due to have the
baby for another six weeks or
so.

It would be kind of great.

It would be fantastic!

But Dad will never go for it.

You leave your father to me.

You should encourage her
to spread her wings!

She can spread her wings
right here in Pennsylvania.

You don't send a child
alone to Los Angeles.

She could come back
with her ears pierced, her legs
shaved,

-and God knows what else!
-She is not a child, Harry.

She's a young woman.
She is on the brink of--

Disaster.

-Disaster lurks behind every...
palm tree.
-You're being narrow-minded.

Look, maybe when she's a little
older, I'd be more than happy to
bring up--

-Hi, Vada.
-We were just having a little--

You were just having a fight
about me.

Wouldn't you like
to hear my opinion?

Of course.

I think that if I'm old enough
to accept a new baby,

and I'm old enough to accept a
new room, I'm old enough to go
to California.

Honey, I know it's fun to think
about these things, but--

I already bought a ticket.

What?

I used my own money
and got a great deal.

It's a Q47NR, five-day fare,
which means that I have to
change planes

in Dallas, and stay over a
Saturday. There's no exchanges
or refunds.

So if you don't let me go, then
I will have wasted my entire
life's savings.

Uh, I, I--
but, but--

I, I--

Isn't it against the law
to sell airline tickets to
minors?

Don't tell me you aided
and abetted this little scheme?

Well, Vada needed me.

Besides, the airline requires
the signature of an adult and--

They forgot to ask for one who
wasn't having hormone surges.

Oh, come on, Harry!
We're talking about five days
here!

I really think we're going
overboard for just a simple
school assignment.

Shelly: But it's not
a little school assignment.

Maybe all of this
is happening for a reason.

Harry: Reason? What reason?

Shelly: Phil's moving to LA,
Gramoo's passing,

The baby being born,
Vada's report.

Maybe all of these are signs...

Signs that it's time
for Vada to take this trip.

Signs.
Whoo-oo!

Let me get the Loch Ness
monster on the phone.

You two have a lot to talk
about.

No, I'm sorry. Vada is
not going to Los Angeles.

Now, I have made my decision,
and that is final.

Remember,
don't talk to anyone.

Even if a nun sits next to you,
don't talk to her.

-No nuns. Got it.
-And no boys, promise me.

Those LA People
are all so corrupt.

You'll end up pregnant
and on drugs!

Don't come running to me
when you wake up in city morgue

with a tag on your toe
having been beaten

to an unrecognizable pulp
by some surfer.

And don't make
eye contact!

It communicates an
implied vulnerability.

What does that mean?

It means I'm a paranoid nitwit
who's never let his baby girl
out of his sight

for the simple reason
he's a paranoid nitwit.

So just say, "Oh, Dad,"
and get on the damn plane
already.

Bye, Dad.
I'll miss you.

Thanks.
I needed that.

I'll be back in 137 hours.

Have fun.

♪ Blue-jean baby

♪ LA Lady ♪

Not too much.

♪ Seamstress for the band

♪ Pretty eyes

♪ Pirate's smile

♪ You marry a music man ♪

[ Thinking ] It's hard to
believe that my mother's whole
life

fits into this box.

I've just got to think
of this stuff as clues.

Or good luck charms.

But I need more than luck
to solve this puzzle. I need a
miracle.

♪ Now she's in me

♪ Always with me

♪ Tiny dancer
in my hand ♪

[ Indistinct chatter ]

[ PA System ]
Arriving passengers, Flight 627,

Your baggage is now
available on the carousel.

Arriving passenger, Mrs. Crane,
please see the ticket agent

at the airline reservations
counter.

Arriving passenger, Mrs. Crane,
please see the ticket agent

at the airline reservations
counter.

Are you waiting
for someone?

Excuse me.
I asked you a question.

I'm not supposed to talk
to strangers, not even nuns.

You're Vada, right?

-How did you know my name?
-Your Uncle Phil told me.

-Where is he? He was supposed
to meet me!
-Hey, relax!

Do you think I kidnapped him
or something?

This is California.
Anything's possible.

If I was looking for a victim,
I definitely wouldn't pick

your Uncle Phil, who outweighs
me by about 150 pounds.

Besides, who would I ask
for ransom? You?

Are you suffering from
a chemical imbalance,

-or is it just an attitude
problem?
-My only problem

Is that your Uncle Phil's
giving me five bucks to pick you
up,

-But I don't get paid until
delivery.
-Gee, that is a problem.

Put that down!
I'll call the police!

What are you gonna do?

Tell them a polite person
helped carry your bag?

-I don't think you're polite.
-Yeah, well, I don't think

you've very grateful.

A lot of people in your position
would say thank you.

-Thank you.
-Don't mention it.

-I don't even know your name.
-It's Nick. There you go.

-Okay.
-Thanks.

Oh, great. No cabs.

-I have a gift for you.
-Thanks.

No, thanks.

-He said it was a gift.
-Yeah, right.

-I don't need you to be telling
me--
-Taxi!

Get in!
Get in!

Okay, you look like a man
who knows where he's goin'.

Where're we headed?

Take the 405 to Santa Monica,
Santa Monica to Whittier,

and Whittier to Sunset.

♪ Ooh-ooh

♪ Ooh-ooh
ooh-ooh-ooh

♪ Ooh-ooh

♪ Ooh-ooh
ooh-ooh-ooh

♪ Come on and dance
come on and dance

♪ Let's make some romance

♪ You know the night is fallin'
and the music's callin'

♪ And we got to get down
to Swingtown

♪ We been workin' so hard

♪ We been workin' so hard

♪ C'mon, baby
c'mon, baby, let's dance

♪ Do-do-bump-bump-bump
do-do-bump-bump-bump

♪ Do-do-bump-bump-bump

♪ Ooh-ooh
ooh-ooh-ooh

♪ Ooh-ooh

♪ Ooh-ohh
ooh-ooh-ooh ♪

Nick: Here you go.

See that building?
My grandfather built it.

"Budapest Auto Repair."

That's my room right up there.

One of these days,
this is all gonna be mine.

[ Machines whirring ]

Uncle Phil!

Vada!

Look at you! Oh, hi!

Hi! How are you?
You look great.

-How's Shelly, your dad?
-They're great.

How 'bout Nick?
Did he take good care of you?

He was very polite.
Worth the entire five dollars.

Aha. Well,
good to know.

Thanks.

Give it back, Nicholas!

But we made
a business deal!

What happened to a good,
old-fashioned favor, huh?

Now Irving, our family's been
dealing with your company over
40 years,

Now either the timing chain
is here or it isn't here.

And from what I can see,
it isn't here.

Now you want to come down
and explain to the customers

why we can't reassemble the cars
'cause not all the parts are
here?

Now come on. I have enough
trouble keeping my weight down.

I don't need this flubber from
you. Now are we clear on this,
Irving,

or do I have to speak with your
father? Thank you.

[ Chuckles ]

Yes, yes.
I love you, too, Irving.

You must be Vada!

Oh, what a face!
Oh!

If I had a face like that,
I wouldn't have to yell so much.

I'm Rose. Rose Zsigmond,

-Nick's mother, among other
things.
-You're Nick's mother?

What, did you think he was
raised by a pack of wolves?

-Don't be misled by the haircut.
-Oh, mom!

Who knew when I started working
in the finest foreign car shop
in LA,

-I would also find the light
of my life?
-Yeah, well, he left out a
couple steps.

Look, I've got to get back to
these bills. Phil, will you help
Vada get settled?

C'mon, I'll show you
where you're gonna stay.

Here we go!

Not what you expected
from downstairs, right?

Now, we'll put your stuff
over here in this closet.

-You can unpack later.
-[ Door closes ]

And this is where you sleep.

Luckily, this sofa bed
is really comfortable.

I can tell you that
from personal experience.

Bathroom.

You have to...?

Rose and my room.

She lives here too?

Uh, that's right.
One big happy family.

This is Nick's room.

Are you engaged
or something?

Dating.
Seriously dating.

You're thirsty.
Want something to drink?

Sure you do!
Been a long trip.

You see, Vada, marriage...

Marriage is a very big step.

And...

Not something to be
entered into lightly.

See, I just...

I just want to make
very sure...

That everything is
absolutely right...

Before I go jumping into
some kind--

Sounds like you have
a fear of commitment, Uncle
Phil.

[ Chuckles ] That's ridiculous.
I'm very...what do you call it?

-Committed?
-Committed.

Does that mean that you
sleep here every night?

Yes, it does.

Well then, that's not
exactly dating, is it?

Vada, I know that
traditionally...

You're not supposed to do
a lot of these things...

Before you're
officially married.

But these are very, very
special circumstances.

[ Thinking ] When sex is
involved, it's always special
circumstances.

My parents had a brief,
but intensely fulfilling
relationship.

She's remained a woman
of mystery to this day.

And you're gonna
solve the mystery?

I've got it figured out.
I know she went to Wilson High
School.

So first thing tomorrow,
I'm gonna go there

and get a copy of her yearbook.

That way, I can get the names
of all the people she was in
clubs with,

-And find out who her friends
were.
-Then you'll be all set.

-Sounds like you're
very organized.
-I have to be. I
only have five days.

[ Sighs ] So, just point me
in the right direction.

I'll do better than that. I'll
send you off with your own,
private guide.

Me?

I'd consider it
a personal favor.

Phil: It's not like you had a
whole lot
planned for this week right?

It'll be okay.

Hey, here you go.

-What's that?
-Ten bucks.

What's it for?

For the mini-bike fund.

Wow.

Phil: Well I know you're not
crazy about taking Vada around
tomorrow, so...

I just want you to
know I appreciate it though.

No problem.

You're a good man, Nicholas.

Phil, I think you
should consider...

♪ Doctor my eyes
have seen the years

♪ Through a slow parade ♪

I thought my mom went to school
in LA, we've gotta be closing

in on the Grand Canyon.

But I'm sure for a trip
to the Grand Canyon

You'd charge a little more
than ten dollars.

You know eavesdropping
is a very unattractive habit.

I wasn't eavesdropping,
I was overhearing.

I didn't ask for the money,
Phil just gave it to me.

Well look, I know that
all you care about

is your precious mini-bike.

It's obvious you have no sense
of historical perspective,

-I think we're here.
-[ Dings ]

Getting off, please.

Excuse me, pardon,
thank you, excuse me.

Vada: Where's the school?

"Due to a devastating fire
June 17, 1963

Wilson High School
was closed."

I can't believe it!

My mother's high school
burned down.

They have no sense
of historical perspective
either.

It's not funny!
I mean, what am I gonna do?

Without that yearbook, I'm lost.

I can't just walk around town
looking for someone

with a Wilson High School
letter sweater!

-Vada?
-What?

Calm down. We just have to ask
ourselves where yearbooks come
from.

I mean, they don't appear
out of thin air.

Watch these machines now.

This is really very nice of you.

It's no problem.
I had a mother once myself.

-[ Machines whirring ]
-[ Door opens ]

If it's in here at all,

It's in the back two rows.

-Vada: Okay, thank you very
much.
-Happy hunting.

I don't mean to alarm you, but
I'm getting a nosebleed from the
altitude.

Just remember the needle
in the haystack.

I never did understand that
story.

Did someone find a needle or
not?

What difference
does it make?

A big difference.

If someone found it,
we should keep looking.

If they didn't,
we're just wasting our time.

Oh, my gosh!
Here it is!

Look, here she is.
"Margaret Ann Muldovan.

"Newspaper, Literary magazine,
French Club, Drama Club

Glee Club, girls' basketball
and swim team."

"With Maggie's combo of
good looks and talent,

We're sure to be seeing
her name in lights."

She was going to be famous.

Year books always set you up
for disappointment.

I want mine to say:

Nick probably won't
amount to much.

So don't be surprised if you
never hear anything about him
again.

Can we go?

It's smells like someone
left their gym bag in here.

It's the leather bindings.

I love the fragrance
of vintage books.

I love the fragrance
of chili dogs.

He was on the school paper
with my mom.

Great. A full page of Tanakas,
fifteen with the initial "D."

-This is gonna be tough.
-Don't forget,

the girls changed their names
if they got married.

-I'd never do that.
-Get married?

Change my name.

What? You think the guy
should change his name?

I don't think anybody
should change their names.

That way you can find them
when you need them.

What if you
don't want to be found?

[ Sighs ] Why do you argue
with everything I say?

-[ Indistinct conversation ]
-[ Phones ringing ]

-[ Typewriters clicking ]

-Hi.
-Can I help ya?

Um, yeah. Does someone named
Daryl Tanaka work here?

Hey, Tanaka!
You got company!

It's too bad about your mom,
but at least she went
peacefully.

I've seen a lot of people go out
the hard way.

What do you remember
about her?

Well, we worked
on the school paper together.

I remember when
the Legion of Decency

declared Rebel Without A Cause
unfit.

Boy, that Jim Backus,
what an actor, huh? What an
actor.

[ Chuckles ]

She wrote this article about
censorship and the First
Amendment.

She was really something.

Graduation? Some big
congressman saying

Senator McCarthy was
the greatest American ever.

Maggie gets up in front
of 500 people, walks out.

Couple people
followed her too.

-Took a lot of guts.
-Wow, you walked out with my
mother?

Are you kidding?
My parents would've shot me.

I was the president of
the Young Republicans.

Nisei, second generation.

Hall monitor.
I didn't want to start World
War III.

You saved a lot of lives.
You should be very proud.

Um, I'm trying to find out
her greatest achievement.

[ Chuckling ]

She was the first girl
ever suspended for smoking.

Suspended from school?
My mother?

Everyone was really surprised
when Maggie was turned in.

She got kicked out
for two weeks.

What kind of sleazoid geek
would turn her in?

-I would do it again in a
minute!
-You ratted on my mother?

Who are you?
Hitler's hall monitor?

Maybe you should join
a hippie commune.

But let me tell you something,
sooner or later

it's gonna be your turn
to take out the garbage.

What about giving
the other guy a break?

What about living
in the real world, pal?

[ Buzzing ]

[ Intercom ]
Tanaka, got a minute?

I'll be right there.

Oh, uh...

I'd be a little more careful
of who I hung around with.

Care for a smoke?

This'll be great
in my report.

My mother was suspended
for smoking.

I think it's cool.

You would.

You'd rather have a mother

that's a member
of the police state?

Rules are made
to be broken.

[ Nixon talking on TV ]

Just ask him.

[TV ] ...that the president
has nothing to hide

In this matter.

-[ Engine rumbles ]
-[ Tires squeal ]

[ Bell clanging ]

♪ [ Classical music playing on
radio ] ♪

-Hello.
-Hi.

-What can I do for you?
-I'm staying at The Chateau,

and the guy who runs the garage
there said you're the best Jag
people in town.

Well, Enrique is great,
and we are the best.

-Well then, I have come to the
right place.
-I guess you have.

I'm Sam Helburn.
Sam.

Rose.

-So, what's wrong?
-Nothing. Nothing at all.

I mean...with your car.

Oh! Uh...oil change.

I just drove in
from Chicago and...

-Nice hair.
-Excuse me?

I was commenting
on your hair.

Oh, are you
a hairdresser?

[ Chuckles ]

I'm a pediatric
cardiologist.

Oh, you mean you...

Fix the hearts
of little babies?

Mostly little babies,
but not exclusively.

Sam: It's all in the hands.
You know, you have nice hands.

-Do you operate?
-[ Chuckling ] Yes, I do.

So, I guess
I'll always teach.

You know, it makes a good relief
from the operating room.

-I feel I have an obligation
to--
-Hi. Phil Sultenfuss.

Oh, sorry.
Some kind of problem here?

No, there's no problem.
Dr. Helburn just needs

to have his oil changed.

Oh, I see.

'Cause usually that doesn't
require
such a lengthy consultation.

[ Chuckles ] Well, Rose was
being
very thorough.

Was Rose?

Uh, Dr. Helburn, why don't you
come in tomorrow morning at
8:00.

That's when we open.
We'll get you started.

-I'l be here.
-I look forward to it.

Oh, I'm sorry.
I'll get that for you tomorrow.

Whoa!
Made it worse. [ Chuckles ]

Get that for you in the morning.
Nice wheels.

-[ Engine turning over]
-Thanks.

-[ Tires screech ]
-[ Engine revs ]

[ Bell clanging ]

What's with the touching?
Why was he touching you?

He wasn't touching me.
He was just...gesturing.

-He was caressing.
-Phil, for God's sake!

God? No. I didn't think you'd
want to invoke God, Rose,

because he saw even more than I
did.

Look, Phil, if you want
the rights of a husband,

you're gonna have
to ask me something.

But if not, you're gonna
have to get accustomed

to the rights of what you are.

Oh?
What's that?

Right now?

An intimate boarder
with mechanical skills.

-Hi.
-Oh, hi. How's the
investigation going?

-Just call us the dead end kids.
-May I use the phone please?

Oh, yes. Sure.
Help yourself.

Anyone with taste,
anyone with breeding--

A gentleman would choose
British racing green...

with maybe a tan interior.

But when you buy a red car...

With a black interior
and wire wheels,

You have only one thing
on your mind and one thing only.

And I'm too much of a
gentleman to say what that one
thing

is in front of the children.

Even if I am
just a glorified boarder.

♪ [ Radio blasting rock music ]
♪

♪ ♪

Hi. I'd like the number for
Stanley Rosenfeld Photo Studios.

♪ Close your eyes
and I'll kiss you

♪ Tomorrow I'll miss you ♪

You know, photography is an art
form if you take it seriously
enough,

which I happen to do.

Esther, Esther, you gorgeous
thing, you!
Smile for the birdie.

-Hold, hold!
-Stomach in, Harold.

Beautiful!

-Thank you.
-Stanley: Thank you!

Your mother was something
special, Vada.
To tell you the truth,

-I had quite a crush on her.
-Really?

Who didn't?

She could play basketball
like Jerry West.

She danced like Cyd Charisse.

Then she'd look at you with
those big, blue eyes! Forget
about it!

I asked her out a couple times,
but she always said no.

Lenny, Nancy,
you just got married!

Look happy! Look Happy!
Look like you mean it.

Beautiful!

Stanley: I remember those days.
Then we all went off to UCLA,

and she started hanging around
with those drama department
types.

There was this one guy, Peter
Webb, he's become a big director

in Hollywood now.

The reason I know him at all
is that we were all together

in this big poetry class
with this crazy guy,

-Albert Boderfelder.
-Beidermeyer?

Beidermeyer, that's it!
What a mad man!

-He's a great poet!
-He is?

Did you know him?

Everybody did.

Walk along Citrus between
Fountain and Sunset any
afternoon.

He'll remember my mother
for sure.

It was a big class,
Vada, and...

But, of course he'll remember.
Who could forget Maggie?

Just one more thing.
Does this mean anything to you?

No, it doesn't,
but I wish it did.

Well, thanks for your help,
Mr. Rosenfeld.

And I'm sorry my mother
wouldn't go out with you.

I'm sure she would've had
a really great time.

I would have tried
to show her a good time.

I promised her when she left
that I would never forget her,

and I never did.

Stanley Rosenfeld
does not forget.

[ Dogs barking ]

This is the street
he walks down every day.

-When he needs inspiration--
-Boy, you're really into this!

He is one of the great poets.

I think it's him.

He's writing.

Hello?

If you're selling Girl Scout
cookies, I'm borderline
diabetic.

You're Alfred Beidermeyer,
aren't you?

You had to remind me?

Are you writing a poem?

No, I'm writing
the phone company...

Because they keep charging me
for calls to Caracas, Venezuela.

Do you know anybody
in Caracas, Venezuela?

-No.
-No.

-Neither do I.
-[ Alarm ringing ]

"Ask not for whom
the bell tolls."

Time for my medication
and my nap.

-[ Crash ]
-Oh! Oh.

Here. We'll help you carry
this stuff.

I can handle it.
I can handle that!

Oh, thank you.
I'm in the penthouse.

Penthouse "A."
It's there over on the left.

If he has a heart attack,
you're carrying the body down
yourself.

[ Panting ]

At least it gives you
plenty of exercise.

It keeps me young.

Um, where do
you want this?

Just put it over there.

-Do you still teach?
-No, no, no.

I gave it up ten years ago.
Actually, it gave me up.

My mother took this course
with you at UCLA.

"Foundations of
Poetic Thought."

UCLA.
My cardigan sweater period!

Her name was Maggie Muldovan.

Oh.

-Remember her?
-I've been blessed with a very
bad memory.

People say
she looked like me.

I was drinking a little
in those days.

I'm drinking a little
these days too.

I'm sure she found
your lectures fascinating.

Oh, I doubt it.

Writers are
notoriously boring.

No, they're not.

Vada: I want to be a writer.
I want to be just like you.

[ Chuckles ]

Me? My dear,

This is not a country
that rewards poetry.

This is a country
that rewards gas mileage.

Besides, people don't read
poetry anymore.

They watch television.

Don't be a poet.
Be a TV repairman!

Vada, c'mon.

Got a place I always go
when I need cheering up.

The tar pits? This is where you
come
to get cheered up?

Look at it this way.
However bad I feel,

It isn't as bad as becoming
extinct
in a bottomless pit of tar.

And I thought
I was weird!

You are weird.

-Let's just go.
-Oh, no. Wait.

I like that
you brought me here.

Hey, what do I care?
I mean, consider the source.

A chick from Pennsylvania
who wears a mood ring.

This isn't just
a mood ring.

Does it work?

Well, it doesn't open cans
or anything,

But it's sort of a reminder
of a friend of mine.

Boyfriend?

Well, he was a boy.
He was my friend.

He was my best friend.

When we were kids,
we were gonna move out here

and live with the Brady Bunch.

Then I lost this ring
in the woods.

And when he went
to find it...

He got stung by bees, and he
died.

Do you think your friend's
up in heaven now,

Lookin' down on you
and watching you all the time?

Well, I hope he's not
watching me all the time.

[ Chuckles ]

Let me see if it changes colors
on me.

Uh, okay.

But be careful.

It has a lot
of sentimental value.

Maybe it'll fit
my pinkie.

-Don't force it.
-You'll break it.

I'm not gonna break it.
I just want to see it change
colors.

I want it back now.
I never should've taken it off.

-I want it back.
-Hey, relax. I'm not gonna
break it.

-Give it to me.
-Come and get it!

-Just give it to me!
-It's right here. Just come and
get it.

-Come on!
-It's right here.

-Don't! Come on!
-Watch it!

-Don't!
-[ Laughing ]

Uh-oh.

What do you mean,
"uh-oh"?

I dropped it.

-Vada: In the tar?
-[ Bubbles ]

It was an accident.
I'll get you a new one.

Where are you going?

Vada, wait up!
Wait!

What are you doing?
You can't go in there.

Oh, no?

-It's dangerous.
-Leave me alone!

That ring is the only thing
I have left of Thomas J.

I have to get it!

You mean this ring?

[ Chuckles ]

Jerk!
You idiot!

You hit pretty good...
For a girl.

-[ Rose whispering ] Nicholas!
-[ Sighs ]

What are you
doing up?

Uh, i--

-I'm thirsty.
-There's water in your bathroom.

I want juice.

-Don't wake up Vada.
-I won't.

Peter Webb: I think Maggie
could've been a major player.

She had talent.

God knows, that face
was made for close-ups.

Everything was magic
with Maggie!

I remember walking down
Hollywood Boulevard.

We put our feet in
the stars' footprints like
tourists do.

Maggie could not believe it.
Her feet were the same size as
Judy Garland.

Of course, mine matched
perfectly with Orson Welles.

[ Chuckling ]
Just kidding.

[ Snaps ] You should call
Hillary Mitchell.

She and Maggie
were very close.

She's got this funky
clothing store over here on
Melrose.

I'd call her for you,
but well, we kind of had this
thing,

you know. It got a little messy.

Thanks.

Mm, would you know what this is?

Well, not really.

Could be the date of
an opening, an audition.

Uh, birthday? Hmm?
Not my birthday.

I don't know. Who writes
dates on paper bags?

My mom.

Whoa! I have got to get the
dailies. Gotta break this up.

Well, thanks for your time.
I know you're very busy.

You are Maggie
all over again!

You let me know if you ever
want to be a movie star.

-You've got the face for
close-ups too.
-Thanks.

Nick: What a doofus.

[ Horse grunting ]

We may go out for coffee after
the meeting,

so don't expect us
before midnight.

-There's plenty of fruit.
-You know where the fire
extinguisher is.

If the fruit bursts into flames,
I'll be prepared.

You're so clever!

Are you all right, honey?

I'm just tired.

All right. Well, get to bed
early, and don't let anybody in.

-Bye.
-Phil: Lock the door.

We have liftoff.

Vada: Joan Crawford!
Oh, I love her.

There's the
Marx Brothers.

-Carole Lombard. My
dad's favorite.
-Nick: Never heard of her.

Vada: Montgomery Clift!
Wait 'til I tell Shelly.

Here's Judy Garland!

My mother stood
on this very spot.

I'm afraid your feet
won't fit there.

That's 'cause I was cursed
with Sultenfuss bear claws.

My hands fit.

Big deal.

[ Coughs ]

What's he smoking?

What do you think?

Really?

♪ She's got electric boots,
a mohair suit

♪You know I read it
in a magazine, oh

Hey, look.

♪ B-B-B-Bennie and the Jets

Nick: This is a totally
barbaric custom.

So, if Phil marries my mom,
she'd be your aunt, right?

-Right.
-And you'd be my cousin?

Yeah, I guess.
Sort of.

But we wouldn't really
be related, right?

Oh, no. We wouldn't be
from the same bloodlines or
anything.

We'd be like two
total strangers,

who accidentally had relatives
who got married.

Good. I mean...

Marriage can really
complicate things.

So, aren't you going to say
anything about my earrings?

I already did.
It's a totally barbaric custom.

But on you...

It looks good.

♪ B-B-B-Bennie and the Jets

-We should've called.
-It's not that late.

[ Door opens ]

-[ Nick sighs ]
-[ Door closes ]

-You're grounded 'til you're 50.
-You're overreacting.

Make that 60. And I'm docking
your allowance for two weeks.

-Mom!
-You think this is easy for me?

You go on the town,
and I get to be the bad guy.

Look, I don't want you to be
some punk hoodlum delinquent,

but I can't do my job as a
parent if you don't do your job
as a kid.

-It's not his fault.
-No. It was me.

I'm sorry, mom. Really. Just
tell me what to do. I'll do
anything.

Go to your room.

And you, I don't suppose your
father gave you permission

-to pierce your ears, did he?
-Not exactly.

Well, just don't
shave your legs.

He'll never let you visit us
again if I send you home
hairless

and full of holes.

[ Engine revving ]

[ Door closes ]

-Good morning.
-Well, maybe for you.

-Something wrong?
-Well, let's say you're lucky
you deal

with kids who are under
anesthesia.

Well, even without anesthesia,

I always tell my patients
to...relax.

Isn't it time for
your coffee break or something?

-There must be someplace we can
go, talk.
-Oh, no, I couldn't.

-You couldn't?
-Well, I'm sort of involved.

-Sort of.
-Let's just say...I'm involved.

Where I come from,
involvement generally calls

for a pretty substantial
piece of jewelry.

Oh, well. I don't wear
a lot of jewelry.

All right, so you don't like
jewelry.

but you do like good music.
Liszt, one of my favorites.

Liszt was my parents' favorite.
They were Hungarian.

Hungarian.

Famous for their beautiful
music, their beautiful women.

Dr. Helburn!
What a surprise!

Last couple of days we've
changed your oil, relined your
brakes,

balanced and rotated
your tires,

aligned your front end, and
flushed out your entire cooling
system.

I really didn't expect
to be seeing you for another
3,000 miles.

[ Chuckles ] What can I say,
Phil? It's just I feel so
welcome here.

And you are.

Uh, why don't I come in first
thing in the morning?

You can check out
that left blinker for me.

Oh, sure, okay.

I'll see you then.
I look forward to it.

-[ Door closes ]
-[ Engine turns over ]

[ Tires screech ]

We really Oughta flush out
that line of bullshit he's got.

"Hungarians are famous
for their beautiful women."

What's wrong with
a little flattery?

What's wrong with a little
appreciation?

Wait, are you saying
that I don't appreciate?

I'm saying, he asked me out
for coffee like a real date.

When was the last time
you did that?

W-what do you mean?

-We have a date every night.
-No, that's not a date.

A date is when I don't cook.

[ Door closes sharply ]

I do the dishes.

[ Thinking ]
I'd go to a fortune teller,

but they can only predict
the future.

I need someone
who can predict the past.

[ Bells jingle ]

[ Door closes ]

Hi.
Can I help you?

Are you the Hillary Mitchell
who went to school

with Maggie Muldovan?

Maggie Muldovan!
Did you know her?

She's her daughter,
Vada.

Oh, of course!

Oh, look at you.

Well, it's the eyes, mostly,
and the hair too.

And now she's gone.
She's gone.

She'll never get to see
how well you've turned out.

[ Gasps ] Oh!
Oh, my god!

[ Sobs ] Maggie!
You poor thing!

[ Cries ]

It's okay, really.
I was just a baby.

I'm sorry,
it's just...

I've been taking all these
seminars to get in touch with my
feelings,

and sometimes it gets
out of hand.

Here.

Oh, thank you.
You're very sweet.

So how did you find out
where I was?

Peter Webb told us.

Peter?

You saw Peter?

[ Sobs ] Oh, God!

Oh, forgive me.
I'm making such a scene here.

-Why don't you have a seat?
-Thanks.

I remember Maggie,
and your dad too.

You know, we used to all pile
into his old '54 Ford pickup.

"Chuck the Truck,"
we used to call it.

It was pitch black
with red leather interior.

Does he still
drive that?

No, but sometimes
he drives a hearse.

He's an undertaker.

You're kidding.

Jeffrey Pommeroy's
an undertaker?

[ Chuckles ]

His name's
Harry Sultenfuss.

Oh!

Oh.

What are you saying?

Um, look, I...

Are you saying my mom
had another husband?

Oh, honey.

Back then,
people did crazy things.

They sure did!
They got kicked out of school.

They married truck drivers!

These are my mother's
greatest accomplishments?

I'm sure glad I came
all the way out here to find
them out.

-[ Bells jingle ]
-[ Door opens ]

Vada, wait up!

Just because your mother
was married before...

It doesn't mean...
It doesn't mean anything.

Maybe not.
But maybe it does.

If no one told me
about this, I mean...

-Maybe they're trying to
hide something. -Like what?

Maybe this Jeffrey guy
is my real father.

I mean, look at me.

I have the hair
of a dead person.

And my nose.

No one in my family
has this nose.

It could be the nose
of a complete stranger.

I mean...

I came out here to find out
about my mother, and I found...

Oh, God.

Don't cry.

Come on.

The lady in there
looked pretty flaky to me.

How about Phil?
Maybe he knows something about
all this.

At least you should talk to him
before you get worked up.

[ Chuckles ]

Before I get worked up?

You don't think
this is worked up?

That thing you said
about your nose?

It was a stranger's nose?

Well, it's not.
It's...I mean...

It's yours.
You know?

-Nick?
-Yeah?

This has been
a real confusing day.

How could dad let me visit here
and find out like this?

I'm going to call him
and make him tell me everything.

Ah, sweetie, [ Stuttering ] I
wouldn't...

Don't worry, I'll do it
in my own subtle way.

[ Receiver ringing ]

Harry : Hello? Sultenfuss
parlor.

-Hi, Dad.
-Hi, honey!

I just called to say
that I'm having a really great
time.

Good. You should go over
and watch them tape Carson.

Actually, I want
to see Jeffrey Pommeroy.

Is he some kind of
new rock star or something?

Yeah.

-Totally groovy, huh?
-Totally.

Ask him if he needs
a good tuba player.

I will.
How's Shelly?

Ah, she's fine.

Uh, the just doctor told her to
stay in bed, get a little rest

and, and stay quiet,
just to make sure that...

[ Sighs ] Okay.

Bye, Daddy.
I love you.

-I love you too, sweetie. Bye.
- My love to Shelly.

Shelly's sick. I have to get to
the bottom of this whole thing
and get back there.

She'll be all right, baby.

Yeah. Right.

It's pointless to worry.

I'm not authorized to trace
licenses for civilians.

His name is Jeffrey Pommeroy
and he used to drive a '54 Ford
pickup,

black with red interior.

Please?

Give us a break.
All you have to do is make a
phone call.

I thought I told you
to lose this guy.

Nick: Look, Sergeant,

I know I said some things last
time that I shouldn't have said
at all, but...

I think the phrase
was "sleazoid geek."

I'm sorry.
Okay?

We gotta find this guy
because he knew Vada's mom,

and he could tell her stuff
that no one else knows.

You're still asking me
to break the law.

No, we're asking you to stand up
with Maggie Muldovan

like you should've years ago.

[ Sighs ]

Yeah, this is Sgt. Tanaka
from Hollenbeck.

I need a current address
for a Jeffrey...

Pommeroy.

Pommeroy.

He may or may not be driving
a black, '54 Ford pickup.

Monday.

I'm leaving Sunday.

Could you hold on
for a second?

Look, I can't get priority
without a criminal charge.

So, charge him with something.
Who's gonna know?

Me! I'll know.

Do you want to be
a hall monitor all your life?

Hello. I'm going
to need this right now.

This guy...

Well, we think he might be
going after the governor.

Twenty minutes?
Fine.

[ Receiver clicks ]

So, give him a call. The worst
he can do is hang up on you,
right?

I feel like before I can talk
to him, I have to see his face.

How's this
for a solution?

We'll take a drive
over to his place.

-You can introduce yourself.
-I'd like to see his house,
but...

I don't know if I'd have the
nerve to just go up knock on his
door.

I don't think I can
go through with it.

Then we'll keep driving.
You'll decide.

♪ [ Radio ] Someone like you

♪ makes it hard to live
without somebody else

You're awfully quiet.

Do you think I should tell my
dad about Jeffrey Pommeroy?

I don't know. He's got an awful
lot on his mind right now.

Maybe someday
when the time is right.

Maybe.

Then again...

Your dad's got his own memories
and his own life now.

I think this is a secret just
between
you and your mom.

A secret.
I like that.

[ Engine rumbling ]

This is it,
I guess.

Well, we've come this far.

The least I can do
is knock on the door.

-Want me to come with?
-I should do this myself.

Okay.
Take your time.

I'll go for a walk around.

[ Door opens ]

[ Door closes ]

[ Birds chirping ]

Go ahead, honey.
Go ahead.

[ Doorbell rings ]

[ Door opens ]

Hi, there.

Can I help you?

Are you Jeffrey Pommeroy?

I sure am.
Who are you?

I'm Vada Margaret Sultenfuss.

My mother was--

Maggie.
You're Maggie's little girl.

I was hopin'
I'd get to meet ya.

You mean...

You knew about me?

-Woman: Who is it, honey?
-It's Maggie's girl, Vada.

Oh. Oh, my.

-This is my wife, Emily.
-Hi.

Hi.

Um, can you come in
for a minute?

I'd like to.
Thanks.

[ Door closes ]

Mommy, daddy, I painted you
a rainbow. Come and see!

This is Vada.
Vada, this is our little girl,
Katie.

Hi.

Hi.

Um, why don't we let Daddy
and Vada visit for a little
while?

-Okay?
-Okay.

-Bye.
-Vada: Bye.

he looks a little like me
when I was a little girl.

Does she?

I'm glad you're here.

You are?

Yeah.
Come on, let's talk.

Vada: We had this school
assignment to write about
somebody we never met,

and I chose my mother.

She was born
in Los Angeles.

And since my Uncle Phil
moved out here, I came in to
visit him.

And then I looked in her high
school yearbook, and I called a
few people.

One guy said that she went
to UCLA,

Another guy said that I should
call Hillary Mitchell so--

Hillary Mitchell.
How's she?

Oh, she's great.
She's a little crazy, though.

Anyway, Hillary said you had
a black Ford truck.

And this policeman I know got
in touch with Motor Vehicles,

and he gave me your address.
And here I am.

[ Laughing ]

-I told you it was a long story.
-That's all right.

You know what? You sounded just
like your mother. She told great
stories.

Stories with crazy accents
and special effects.

-Special effects?
-Yeah.

Like switching a lamp on and off
when she was talking about
lightning.

Audiences love stuff like that.

And your mom knew how
to work an audience.

I don't know
very much about her.

I was hoping
that you could help me.

I'll try.

No one else knows what this
means.

[ Sighs ]

[ Sighs ]

See...

The thing is always wanted to
work
in the theater...

So we drove out
to New York,

to Broadway
where it was,

Where it was
all happening.

And...New York was just full
of fancy French restaurants,

And we wanted
to get married in one.

But we were
totally broke.

So your mom found this little
coffee shop
with tables around the back

and real tablecloths on them.

And a minister
who worked cheap.

When we got down to
the coffee shop,

There was a sign on the door
that said,
"closed by the Board of Health."

By that time it had
started snowing,

so we just got married
right outside in the snow.

It was freezing.

But it was wonderful.

For our wedding feast, we had a
bag of hot roasted chestnuts.

This is the bag.

She saved it.

Well, we didn't have a camera,

so she just wrote the date
on the bag and said,

"This will be our wedding album.

This will be a day
we'll never forget."

We never did.

Do you have
any pictures of her?

I've got something better.

[ Projector clicking ]

We called ourselves
"The Appearing Nightly Players."

[ German accent ]
Darling, where is my chauffeur?

You don't want I should
walk to the stage.

An actress of my
overwhelming talent.

[ Chortles ]

[ Door closes ]

She's beautiful!

[ Door closes ]

[ Women laughing and shouting ]

Jeffrey: We performed
on the beach one summer.

[ Chuckles ]
Everything went wrong.

[ Laughing ]

[ Chatting, laughing ]

[ Applause ]

-Send me away happy.
-Send him away!

[ Laughter ]

[ Clears throat ]

♪ Smile though your heart
is aching

♪ Smile even though
it's breaking

♪ When there are clouds

♪ In the sky you'll get by

♪ If you smile

♪ Through your
fears and sorrows

♪ Smile and maybe
tomorrow

♪ You'll see the sun

♪ Come shining through

♪ If you'll

♪ Light up your face
with gladness

♪ Hide every trace
of sadness

♪ Although a tear

♪ May be ever so near

♪ That's the time

♪ You must keep on trying

♪ Smile, what's the use
of crying

♪ You'll find that life

♪ Is still worthwhile

♪ If you'll just

♪ Smile ♪

-Group: Aww.
-Jeffrey: Thank you.

Man: That was beautiful.

Thanks. You do it.
You do it all the time.

-That was beautiful.
-Thank you.

[ Sighs ]

She had a [ Clears throat ]
Beautiful voice.

Would you like to have
these movies?

Ah... More than anything
in the world.

It's good to see
Maggie again...and you.

Didn't you ever wonder
about me?

Well, I didn't know about you
until after she was gone.

I thought that maybe you'd
be curious about how I turned
out.

-I'd say you turned out just
fine.
-I guess what I mean is,

my mother married my dad
after you, and then I was born.

So I thought that maybe you got
divorced because of me.

Wait, whoa, whoa!
Wait a minute.

Do you think
I'm your father?

Well...

Honey, I'd be proud
to be your father.

Really.

It just isn't so.

[ Door creaks open ]

Maggie wanted to have
a baby.

And, uh... I didn't.

Oh.

She didn't want to miss out
on anything, especially
motherhood.

It got to be
a real problem with us.

I thought she had plenty of
time. She didn't.

Anyway, that's why I was
grateful when she met your
father.

He had the sense to love her
the way she deserved.

Most of all,
I was glad when she had you.

The baby she always wanted.

I want you
to know that.

Vada: And I'm gonna use the
movies
when I give my report.

Jeffrey says audiences
love special effects.

You better ace it. We sacrificed
our whole vacation.

Well, it's a wonderful story
with a very happy ending.

[ Engine revs ]

Sorry, doc. We closed
for business at 3:00 today.

[ Door closes ]

This isn't business.

You know, I found this wonderful
little Hungarian restaurant

that makes its own strudel.

I thought you might like
a taste of the old country.

See, there's apple in there,
and cherry, and this is cheese.

But I gotta say I think
the cherry is really...

Phil: Okay, that does it.
That does it. The strudel does
it.

First it's the brakes,
then it's the light...

I mean, I'm not going to let
some podiatrist with a Jaguar
full

of strudel come waltzing in
here and--

I'm not a podiatrist.
I'm a cardiologist.

Who cares?
Rose, tell him we have an
arrangement.

-Well, what kind of arrangement?
-Yes, what kind of arrangement?

I'd be interested to know what
kind of arrangement we have.

You know exactly
what kind it is.

Come on, Rose,
what do you want from me?

I don't want anything
you don't want to give me.

And you certainly shouldn't
settle for any less than you
deserve.

You stay out of this!
Look, if I had a red XK150

with black interior, I sure as
hell wouldn't be handing out

relationship advice.

I don't think the color
of the interior is--

Rose, this is not the place
to be having this--

I think this place is just fine.

You know how I feel
about you.

You like the way I cook?
You think I make out a great
invoice?

You and Nick and this garage
are my whole life.

I love you.

Sure, you don't have
the greatest taste in music,

but there's not another woman
who could look so sexy in that
smock.

What I'm try--
what I'm trying--

What I mean to say--

Rose, will you marry me?

You really think I look sexy
in a smock?

Is that a "yes"?

[ Sighs ]

[ Jet engines buzzing ]

Thanks for everything.
You're the best.

No, you're the best, and I
don't want you talking to
anybody on the plane.

Dad already gave me
this lecture.

He's gonna meet me at the
airport.

Then we'll go for some pizza
and have dinner in bed with
Shelly.

Sounds great. Well, you give
'em both one of these for me.

Bye, Aunt Rose.

Bye, niece Vada.

Thanks.

Well, bye.

Um, listen, I'm sorry.

You had to sacrifice
your entire vacation.

Some sacrifices
are worth it.

You mean, it wasn't that
terrible?

I wouldn't say
it was terrible.

It was kind of...

An adventure?

Part adventure...

Part miracle.

Write me a poem?

-No?
-I'll write you ten poems.

[ PA System ] Ladies and
gentlemen, this is your final
boarding call.

-Bye.
-Bye.

Look in
your backpack.

Okay.

♪ Ah, ah, ahh...

♪ Ah, ah, ahh...

[ Seat belt sign beeps ]

♪ Well, it's been building up
inside of me

♪ For, oh, I don't know
how long

♪ I don't know why,
but I keep thinking

♪ Something's bound
to go wrong

♪ But she looks in my eyes

♪ And makes me realize

♪ And she says
don't worry, baby ♪

[ Thinking ] "In memory of
barbaric customs. Love, Nick."

♪ Don't worry, baby
don't worry, baby ♪

Life is full of barbaric
customs.

I just hope they all end
with a kiss like that.

[ Plane screeching ]

[ Indistinct conversation ]

-Arthur, where's my dad?
-Well, he took Shelly to the
hospital.

-Is she okay?
-Well, she was making a lot of
noise.

-[ Motor running ]
-[ Tires screech ]

-[ Phones ringing ]
-[ Voices over PA system ]

Dad!

-What happened to Shelly?
-She just had a baby, that's
all.

-We have a baby?
-Mm-hmm. A boy.

You've got a new brother.

-Can I see him?
-You can do anything you want.

You're his sister.

Hey, what's on
your ear?

-Shelly?
-Hey!

[ Baby coos ]

Mmm, look.

-[ Laughing ]
-He's so tiny.

I know.
Look at his little hands.

I'm sorry I couldn't come
pick you up, honey.

Oh, I was pushing
as fast as I could.

Did it hurt a lot?

[ Chuckling ] You have no idea.

-[ Crying ]
-Shh.

-Here. Let me hold him.
-Okay.

-Got his head?
-Yeah.

You like that.
Yes.

Maybe he's wet.

Maybe he's hungry.

He's okay.
You just have to sing to him.

♪ Smile though your heart
is aching

♪ Smile even though
it's breaking

♪ Although a tear

♪ May be ever so near

♪ That's the time

♪ You must keep on trying

♪ Smile, what's the use
of crying

♪ You'll find that life
is still worthwhile

♪ If you'll just smile ♪

[ Thinking ] Thing's haven't
exactly calmed down around here.

I got an A+ on the report.

Dad's getting used to my
pierced ears, and Nick's coming
to visit this summer.

Other than that,
I'm busy being a big sister.

I like to tell my brother
about my mom.

How I got to meet her friends
and find out how special she
was.

I mean, she may not have
her footprints in cement,

but she definitely left
her imprint on the world.

And I told him that even though
it sounds conceited,

her greatest achievement was me.

♪ [ "My Girl" performed by
The Temptations ] ♪