Original subtitles

(cheerful banjo music) (laughs)

♫ Now listen there, folks, my name is Tom Sawyer

(whistling)

♫ I don't wanna be no doctor or no lawyer

♫ Fishin' by the river, that's the only place to be

♫ I wanna be free sitting under a tree, that's me

(whistling) (cheerful banjo music)

(laughs)

(whistling) (cheerful banjo music)

♫ These are the stories of Tom Sawyer

♫ Leaning on fences, playing by the river

♫ Chasing that steamboat, teacher, let me be

♫ I wanna be free sitting under a tree

♫ That's me

(laughs) (cheerful banjo music)

(light country music)

- What?

Goodness gracious, where'd the doorknob go?

I knew that old doorknob was loose and in need of fixin',

but where's it gone?

Hmm,

maybe a pack rat took it.

(softly giggling)

(light country music)

(softly humming)

(water splashing)

(softly exhales)

(softly humming)

- Hmm.

(softly exhales)

What are you doing, what's that you're polishin'?

- None of your business.

- What is it, where'd you get it?

- It don't matter much where it comes from.

- Whatcha got, can I see it?

- Really?

- Mhm.

- You sure you really wanna see it?

- Mhm, mhm.

- Okay, but remember, it's a priceless treasure.

(light string music)

- Huh?

That's a doorknob, that's all.

- Yeah, but watch this!

Look real careful, did you ever

in your life see a thing shine

and sparkle the way this one's doin', well, did ya?

- [Sid] Yes, I have!

- Huh?

Where'd you see one of these before?

- I seen one over at Mr. Roger's store.

- Hm, that's a new one, this is an antique.

- A new one's even shinier.

- You don't get it, a person can't buy somethin'

as value as this.

I found this in a field left behind there by a pirate.

- Hm, really?

Well, I suppose that if it belongs to a pirate,

it could be valuable.

But I don't see how it could

since there's no pirates around here.

- Mhm.

- Pirates, come off it.

- Was so left out there by pirates.

I reckon it'd been out there 100 years before I found it.

(giggles)

- Tom, where are you?

I need you to fetch me some water.

- I gotta do everything around here.

(loudly rustles) - Ah,

oomph, bye, Sid!

(door clatters)

(light country music) - Ain't it just

a splendid day, Tom Sawyer?

- Yes, sir, I reckon it is.

(water splashing)

(light upbeat Dixiland jazz)

Hi, there, Mrs. Hendricks.

- Mornin', young Tom,

your aunt Polly's got you workin' early!

- Sorry, I can't stop and chat with ya,

I gotta get this water home.

- Oh, you poor thing!

(light Dixieland jazz)

(groaning)

(grunting)

(shoes rustling) (light Dixieland jazz)

- Hey, watch out! - Oh, no!

(loudly clattering)

- What are you doin'?

I'm sorry I ran into ya, you didn't get hurt, did ya?

We both could have been a little bit more careful.

- I wasn't the one runnin' around,

not watchin' where he's goin', you were!

Don't bother apologizing 'cause I'm gonna whoop you anyway.

It's time somebody learned you some good manners,

and I'm the one to do it!

- [Boy] Cut it out!

- You lookin' for a fight?

- No, I don't really like to fight, honest.

- Hm?

What's the matter, ya yeller?

- Why, I'm not afraid of nothin'.

- Hm, everyone's afraid of somethin' once in a while.

How come I ain't seen you around these parts before?

Got some kinda name?

- Of course I do, everybody has a name.

- Huh?

Don't be a smart aleck, you either apologize,

or I'm gonna thrash you good.

- Really?

So what?

I'll tell you right now I'm not about to apologize

to the likes of you again.

- You best not get sassy, this is your last warnin', friend,

get while you still can!

- Maybe I don't wanna get!

This is a public street, you get, or else.

- You're askin' for it, mmm, so get ready!

(grunts) Ooh!

(loudly smacks) (groans)

(light harmonica) - I'm sorry,

I didn't mean to hit you, really, I didn't.

I suppose I should have told you

that I was boxing champion at my school in St. Louis.

It was really unfair of me to take advantage of you, sorry.

- Oh, is that so?

Bein' boxing champion at your school don't amount

to a hill of beans around here, I'll whoop ya anyway!

(screaming) - Tom Sawyer?

Tom, I sent you out to fetch water,

not to go off and fight!

What do you mean by bullying that boy?

Well, speak up, Tom!

- I weren't fightin', really, Aunt Polly.

- Don't sass me, I saw you fightin',

now you get home with that water.

- [Boy] Sorry, ma'am, it was all my fault.

I ran into him and made him spill the water.

That's what started the fight. - Huh?

Hey, shh, quiet!

Don't worry, Aunt Polly, I'll get some more.

- So, Aunt Polly's what you're afraid of, isn't she, Tom?

- I gotta finish doin' chores now,

your whoopin' gonna have to wait 'til later.

- Whatever you say, bye.

- Hurry up now, Tom, or you'll be late for school!

- [Tom's Voice] That one bucket

of water weren't near enough.

I had to go back and fetch another.

By the time I was done doing that,

I was late gettin' over to school.

All because of that fancy pants kid.

I vowed I'd get back at him before the day was over.

(light orchestral music)

- As you can see by this map, the majority of the population

of the United States lies east to the Mississippi River

and the cities of Boston, New York, and Washington.

Now, can anyone here tell me

how long the Mississippi River is

and Tom Sawyer, you're late!

- Whoa! (chalk thuds)

Sorry, it won't happen again, sir, I'll see to it.

- Now, where were we before we was all rudely interrupted?

Oh, yes, the Mississippi River.

- [Boy] I know that answer.

- Go ahead, Alfred.

- [Alfred] It's 4,240 miles,

that's including the Missouri River as well.

- That is correct!

Alfred is absolutely right, the Missouri River branches off

from the Mississippi here at St. Peters,

and there at St. Louis.

Now, who can tell the name of this city down here?

- [Alfred] That's New Orleans, sir.

- [Teacher] Correct again, Alfred!

The Mississippi River is the great American waterway

which connects to these three cities.

- Then, I seen somethin' that made my blood boil.

Huh?

Oh, no. - [Teacher] Ships that bring

supplies to this part of the country

for those restrictions-- - Hey, who's that kid there?

- [Teacher] I mentioned before, New York,

Boston, and Washington DC-- - Alfred Temple, new kid

around these parts, he's a smart aleck.

- They have to travel

up the Mississipi River-- - He sure is.

- [Teacher] In order to-- - He's down from St. Louis,

that's all I know. - [Teacher] Deliver their

their goods, the only other way to supply goods

to this part of the country-- - Show off.

- [Teacher] Is by railroad.

- And every two years, the steamboats have a giant race

that's run between St. Louis and New Orleans.

But the best thing is all the folks

that come out to watch from river's edge.

It's like a great big festival

with food, and music, and everything!

Anyway, it takes three or four days

til those boats get out from New Orleans,

and really great fun!

- Wow, what fun, what do you reckon it to be worth?

This is a nice thing. - Well--

- I'll trade you for it.

- I don't know. - Huh?

I could part with my slingshot

if I knew I could get it back when I needed to go huntin'.

- I don't want your ratty old slingshot,

but maybe if you had somethin' worthwhile,

I might be willin' to bargain with you,

but it'd have to be really good.

(exhales)

This here ain't just any old doorknob,

it used to belong to a fearsome old pirate, hmm?

Hey, wait, where you goin', Joe?

- Over there.

- What's so interesting there?

- [Joe] I just wanna hear what Alfred's sayin'.

- That guy's too big for his own britches.

- [Joe] Maybe. (snickering)

- Alfred, what's so special about him?

- Those giant steamboats are terrific!

When they come steamin' into St. Louis harbor,

you can see their big wheels churning up tons of water.

It's really an honor for the captain who wins the race.

So when he gets close to the dock,

he blows his whistle like this: ow-woo!

- Ow-woo!

- One year, there was a big fog bank.

We could only hear 'em coming.

- Woo,

ow-woo!

- [Tom's Voice] I ain't gonna sit here

while he's gettin' all the attention.

(grunting)

I'll show Becky my doorknob!

- That's right, it was a 100-piece brass band

playing the national anthem.

- Hey, Tom, why don't you join us!

Alfred's stories from St. Louis are very interesting indeed.

- Hmm, I ain't interested in his stories,

I wanna talk to you!

- You shouldn't be interrupting us, Thomas.

- [Tom] Listen, you--

- Now, let's see, where were we?

Oh, yes, the 100-piece brass band.

- One time, Pa took us to hear an orchestra--

- Uh, excuse me,

Becky, there's somethin' I wanna give ya.

Somethin' special. - What?

- Hm, what's that?

- A brass doorknob, came all the way from England!

- [Becky] Must be special!

- Yeah, very special, Becky.

That's why I'm givin' it to ya.

- Really?

But Tom, that's far too special

for you to be giving it away.

- Please, Becky, take it.

- [Becky] I couldn't!

- Sure, you could, it belongs to me,

I reckon I can give it to whoever I want.

- [Alfred] She said no,

don't you understand English? - Huh?

I heard her!

- Then drop it, she doesn't want the knob!

- I'm talkin' to Becky, not you, Alfred.

- You're mad 'cause of that whoopin' I gave you.

- What?

We're gonna settle this whoopin' business

right here, right now, so, come on!

- Of course, you realize that you've challenged me to a duel

and I must accept.

- (groans) Quit chattin' and fight!

- We can't fight without witnesses.

- [Tom] Witnesses?

- Witnesses are required when you challenge somebody

to a duel, but you probably didn't know that.

- I know all about witnesses when you do it,

but I think you're just tryna that back out, that's all!

- No, I'm not, we gotta set the time.

- I'll set the time all right!

Tomorrow at two o'clock at Henry's Point,

next to the old sawmill, it's real easy to find,

just a coupla miles down the river.

- Hm?

Down river, do I have to use a boat to get down there?

- Go on foot if you want to,

but takin' the boat's a lot faster.

- Alright, I'll meet you there at two o'clock.

Just don't forget your witness.

- You just worry about your own witness,

mine's gonna be there!

- Hmph!

- [Tom's Voice] It's all set now,

and we're gonna settle this thing, one way or t'other.

Huck, you gotta do it, you just gotta!

Please, Huck!

- But Tom, I don't know nothin' about doin' no witnessin',

so don't ask me.

- There ain't nothin' to it, all you gotta do is watch.

- That don't sound too hard.

- It ain't.

- But it just ain't my style.

- You gotta do it, I ain't got anybody else.

- You know i don't caught into no fightin',

why can you two just try and make up?

- I can't back out of it, Huck,

I was the one who did the callin' out.

Everybody'd be callin' me a coward!

- No one's gonna call you a coward, they all likes you.

Besides, would you rather be a live coward or a dead duck?

- (growling) I don't care, Huck!

He ain't gonna get the best of me!

- Huh? - You're gonna be my witness,

I'm all done talkin' 'bout it.

If I got too, I'll just tie you up and kidnap you

to make sure you don't miss it, got it?

- Hm mm. (gulps)

(crickets chirping) (light marching band beat)

- I had a powerful hard time gettin' to sleep that night.

Huck was right about fightin',

t'aint the best way to settle spats.

But someone had to learn ol' fancy pants

he ain't the know-it-all he thinks he is.

(groaning)

All right, take that! (groans)

Have you had enough, Alfred?

- Hm?

Huh?

Oh.

Hm.

(softly yawns)

- [Tom's Voice] As soon as school let out,

I fetched Huck Finn and we went down to the river

where he had a boat waitin' for us.

(birds chirping)

- [Huck] There it is, Tom, over there!

- [Tom] You didn't steal it, did ya Huck?

- Nope.

- [Tom] Okay! (grunts)

(water splashing) (grunting)

(light music)

There's the sawmill up yonder, I don't see no one there.

Maybe he ain't gonna come.

- [Huck] I reckon he will.

- [Tom] Yeah, you're right, he weren't scared of fightin'.

I seen that already.

- [Huck] If you want me to, I could try to talk to him.

Maybe it ain't too late to stop this here duel,

'fore somebody gets hurt.

- There he is, and he brung his witness.

Let's go, Huck.

- [Huck] (sighs) Okay, it's your funeral.

(boat paddles creaking) (water softly splashing)

(birds chirping)

- The rules of boxing will be observed today.

Striking your opponent shall be done

by utilizing your hands and a clenched fist.

There is no kicking.

Further, the two-knockdown rule will be in effect.

Are the opponents ready to commence?

- Yes! - I'm ready.

- Boy, rules and everything.

I reckon next, they'll have people comin' up

to watch and cheer 'em on.

- You just stay out of the way and do your witnessin'.

Here, take my hat.

- We'll move back to give them room.

- Don't hit him too hard, Alfred, it makes him mad.

- Say when.

- [Walter] All right, boxers, get ready, and box!

(light music)

- Ha!

That mighta worked good for you yesterday,

but it ain't gonna do you no good here.

- Hmph!

- Are you ready to get whooped, Alfred?

(grunting) Ah, ooh!

Ah! (loudly smacks)

(thuds)

- Well, come on, Tom.

(grunting)

- Ooh! (grunting)

(groaning) All right.

(grunting)

- I declare this fight over.

You're both the winner.

- [Alfred] Hm, a draw?

Hmm. - Okay, I'll agree to that.

- Well, there you go, boys.

Now that you've got that out of your systems,

you can become friends.

- My name's Alfred Temple, nice to meet ya.

- Tom Sawyer, the pleasure's mine.

You're okay.

(light music) (water splashing)

(blowing raspberries in water)

Ouch, that stings!

- Tom, was this really worth it?

- You don't look so good, I bet that hurts, doesn't it?

- Yeah, some.

- Don't be rubbin' it,

ya oughta put some witch hazel on it, Tom.

- I'll just spit on it, that oughta fix I right up, huh?

- Yeah, I reckon that'll work too.

Why, it's just like I said, fightin' never settled nothin'.

- I guess you was right about that, Huck.

- Mhm, but you wouldn't listen.

- I'da a worked him if Walter hadn't stepped in

to call the fight off.

- Oh, I don't know about that.

He looked pretty good to me.

- You don't know nothin' 'bout witnessin'.

- I was too busy watchin'.

- Oh.

- Hey, can I ask a favor?

- What? - Huh?

- Can we ride back with you in your boat?

That is, if it isn't too much trouble.

- Shucks, it ain't no trouble, but where's your boat?

- I didn't know that I could use one.

So, Alfred and I walked all the way out.

- Why don't we walk?

Come on, it's not far.

- I'm not hurt, really.

- But it'll take an hour, and you're just too exhausted.

Thank you, we'll join you.

It'll take us a few minutes to gather our things,

and then we'll be right down.

- Hey, I reckon that'll be fun.

Plus, it'll be an adventure between us new friends.

(light orchestral music) (birds chirping)

- Holler when you get tired and I'll take over, Huck.

(light orchestral music)

- Huck, you've got a real knack for seamanship.

You'd make a fine sailor one day

if you choose that as your calling.

(light orchestral music)

(ominous orchestral music)

- Huck, is that water supposed to be comin' in?

- Water?

Uh oh, we might have to swim for it.

- What do you mean swim?

Didn't you know this boat had a leak in it

before you took it onto the river?

- Well, it was okay comin' over.

I reckon the extra weight of you two must be too much

for this old boat.

- What are you telling me, the boat's gonna sink

because Walter and I are in it?

- It won't sink, I guarantee it.

There's not anything for you to be scared of, Alfred.

- I'm not scared, what's to be scared of?

- You're trembling, what's wrong, Alfred?

- Nothing, Walter, I'm fine.

- [Huck] Hey, Tom, how much farther do you figure

it is back to the bar?

- Not too far, about one more mile, want me to row?

- [Huck] No, it ain't that, I just might need you

to do some bailin' that's all.

- Maybe we oughta bail some water now,

what do you think about that, Huck?

- [Huck] It's okay for now, I just gotta row a might faster.

- I could help you do that, Huck.

(water splashing) (paddles creaking)

- Faster, faster, you gotta row faster!

The water's too high!

- We're rowing fast, don't worry about it, we'll get there.

- Don't worry, if it sinks, we can just swim--

- I don't wanna swim.

- It ain't far, Alfred, the shore's just yonder.

Lookie over there!

- Huh?

It looks pretty far to me.

This is hopeless!

The boat's too full, it's gonna sink!

Please, you gotta get me to shore right now!

I'm scared, I don't know how to swim!

- [All] Huh?

- [Walter] Alfred, how come you didn't say something to us?

- I didn't want anyone to think I was scared.

Please, you gotta get me back!

- Alfred, we can't promise to do that,

the boat's goin' down.

- [Walter And Huck] Huh?

- It's really sinking!

Oh, no!

Walter, what should I do?

- You've gotta steady yourself, Alfred.

Don't panic, everything will be okay.

- No, it won't!

- No! (Alfred whimpering)

if you grab onto me, we'll both go over!

- Hey, stop rockin' the boat! (Alfred screaming)

Watch out, Alfred, don't panic!

If you do, you'll both be in trouble.

- I'm drowning, please save me!

Walter, help me, I don't wanna drown!

- Alfred! (grunting) - Please, somebody, help me,

save me, please! - Please, let go!

- Help, help, help! (Walter screaming)

I'm drowning, I'm drowning! (Walter screaming)

- Hey, looky, there, look like somebody's be drownin'!

- Uh oh.

You folks need any help?

(ominous music)

- Who is that?

- Yo, that's young Tom Sawyer!

- [Man] Close call. - [Man] Who's the other kid?

(crowd talking) - [Man] Is that your son?

- [Man] I think his name's Alfred.

- [Man] No, oh, is that who it is?

- Yeah, how is he, Tom, is he all right?

- He's gonna be all right, he took in one powerful gulp

of water when he went overboard, that's all.

- You've had a bad shock, Alfred, but you'll be fine now.

(light orchestral music)

- [Tom's Voice] Alfred was in a shaky state after his scare.

I guess it's really true,

everybody is afeard of somethin' sometime.

- Hm?

Hey, Tom, what are you boys doing there?

- Hey, Becky.

- [Becky] Goodness, you're all soaked to the bone.

- We all went swimmin' unexpectedly

when our boat kinda sank to the bottom of the river.

- Not really?

- Yes, and if it hadn't been for Thomas,

Alfred would have drowned!

He certainly was a courageous young man.

- Huh?

Thomas, what happened, what were you doing?

Tell me!

- I don't really know, it all happened so sudden.

- Oh, I remember it perfectly well.

With no regard for his own life,

Tom dove in and rescued him! - Aw!

- Tom, you're so brave!

I knew it, now, you and Alfred are friends!

- Yeah, I guess so, I better catch up,

I wanna see if he's all right.

- [Becky] Okay, bye, Tom. - Bye!

(giggling)

Oh, oh, oh!

(light orchestral music)

Oh, yeah!

Hey, wait a minute! - [Becky] What is it Tom?

Almost forgot, I wanted to give you somethin'.

Here you go. - Hm?

Tom, I told you, I can't take your doorknob.

- [Tom] But Becky, it's real special,

I wanted you to have it.

- I couldn't take it, please Tom, do you know why?

- Huh, no, why?

- Because Tom, if you give a thing to a girl that's special,

then you're courtin', and if a girl were to take

that special thing, then she'd be courtin' right along.

Is that what you wanna do, go courtin', Tom?

- [Tom] Well, I never said-- - That's all right.

Why don't you come over to my house

for dinner tomorrow night

and you can tell all about saving Alfred, okay?

- That's sounds fun!

- Great, bye!

(light orchestral music)

- Girls, I'm never gonna understand them.

- [Sid] Hello, Aunt Polly!

- Hello, Sid.

- Is dinner ready?

- I'll call ya.

- I'll be in my room doin' my homework.

(shoes clattering)

(door clatters)

Huh?

That's odd, isn't this a new knob on the woodshed door?

- That's right, Tom put it on there where he got home,

muttering somethin' about how it's so special

and how it oughta be used on something

that'd take a liking for.

Your brother sure has

some strange ways about him. - Huh?

Yes, he most certainly does.

Oh, well.

(light orchestral music)

(light music) (whistling)

♫ These are the stories of Tom Sawyer

(light whistling)

♫ Leaning on fences, playing by the river

♫ Chasing that steamboat, teacher, let me be

♫ I wanna be free sitting under a tree

(light music)

♫ That's me

(laughs)

(light banjo music)