Original subtitles

♫ Now listen folks, my name is Tom Sawyer

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

♫ Fishing by the river that's the only place to be

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

(light upbeat music)

♫ These are the stories of Tom Sawyer

♫ Me and my friends just playing by the river

♫ Chasing that steam boat teacher let me be

♫ I wanna be free sitting under a tree

♫ That's me ♫

(upbeat music)

- I declare I feel so miserable.

I knew the truth and didn't tell it.

And that's really troubling my mind something awful.

I saw Charlie pour the ink on Tom's spelling book.

And Charlie knew it.

Then when Mr. Dobbins gave Tom an awful whipping

for inking the book, I just kept quiet.

Even though I was mad at Tom,

he didn't deserve that whipping.

(knocking on door)

- I see you're awake Becky.

Be best hurry now and get ready for school like a good girl.

What's the matter Becky?

You did hear me now, didn't you child?

- Mama?

It's really powerful hard to tell the truth sometimes,

isn't it?

- Oh, what's this about?

- Bye Mary!

- Study really hard Sid.

- I will.

- Tom Sawyer, you up yet?

Thomas?

Alright, get out of that bed lazy bones

or you'll be late for school again.

(grumbling)

Tom!

(screaming)

My word!

(dog barking)

- You know what Caesar, I think it's high time

that you and I apologize to poor Tom Sawyer

and try to become friends with him again, don't you?

(dog growling)

That is if he'll forgive me for not telling the truth.

You wanna be friends with Tom don't you?

(dog barking)

(gasps) I do believe you are jealous.

- Tom, Tom!

Still sore Tom?

- You just bet I am after getting two whippings yesterday.

- Oh dear.

- And I'm gonna find that no good rascal

who spilled ink all over my speller.

- Oh, do you really mean you didn't do it?

- Amy I swear.

I hope to fall over dead where I'm standing

if I'd done it myself.

Some fella that's jealous of me done it

trying to get me into even more trouble than usual.

(groaning)

- You're in pain Thomas.

But you can lean on me, I'll help.

- Thanks, I really appreciate it.

(bell ringing)

There's the school bell, better hurry.

(kids laughing)

- And a good morning to you Miss Becky.

- Charlie you know I saw you,

so don't try to deny it.

- What do you mean Becky?

- I mean what you did in the classroom yesterday.

You're the one who poured that ink over Tom's book.

- Oh no, Becky.

- I'm just gonna have to tell Tom about it.

I broke off my friendship with Tom,

but now I've decided that it's time to make up.

I think it's awfully unfair that he got the whipping

for something you and I both know he didn't do Charlie.

- Please don't tell him.

He'll whoop me for sure Becky.

- Charlie I realize it's awful hard for you

to make a clean confession of it.

But Tom didn't deserve that whipping.

- Please Becky.

- So take your medicine.

(bell ringing)

- Why can't we forget the whole thing?

- Well, we're gonna be real late Charlie.

We better go inside.

- Wait Becky, don't tell.

- Now you let go of me Charlie!

- Who do you plan to tell on me?

- Tom.

- Anybody else? - No.

- Mr. Dobbins?

- Reckon Tom will tell Mr. Dobbins.

- You won't tell anybody else?

- Why,

telling Tom should be more than enough, let go!

(birds chirping)

(groaning)

- I wanna thank you.

- Still stings a little huh Tom?

- You just bet it does Ben,

you know I was whooped yesterday atleast 50 times

and maybe even more.

- That's a whole lot.

- Half of that was for something that I didn't do.

And when I find that boy who done it by jingle

I'll whoop that critter to a pulp and then some,

I declare I will.

You know it's only fair that he gets the whooping

Mr. Dobbins gave me, aint it?

The way I see it, the person that goes

and does mean tricks behind your back

don't deserve no mercy whatever.

- [Class] Good morning Mr. Dobbins.

- Good morning class.

In place of mathematics class,

first you will study silently at your desks

for a composition test in the second hour.

Get busy now.

- Becky. - What?

- Have any idea what he's reading?

- I'm just dying to find out.

- Wouldn't it be fun if we were the ones to find out?

- Yes!

- I bet you anything they're not old love letters.

- Stop that chattering there young ladies!

- Yes sir.

(upbeat music)

- Here comes Ben!

(kids chattering)

- Okay, now what's this here meeting all about Charlie?

- Let's go down a little farther.

- Well okay if you say so.

(birds chirping)

- Please.

- What in blaze has got into you?

- Please don't whoop me Tom!

- What?

- For sure you'll take it hard when I tell you Tom.

But please don't beat me.

- I declare what's got you going anyway?

- I have to fess up, it was me that put the ink

in your speller that you got whooped for.

- What?

You mean you set me up for a beating?

- I couldn't help myself.

It was a pure accident Tom!

- Why didn't you admit it then?

- 'Cause I'm afraid of whippings Tom.

- But you was ready to let me take your whipping.

- I know what I done was wrong,

I just didn't have the guts to stand up and admit it was me

that done it.

I am powerful sorry.

- I believe I oughta whoop

the living daylights out of you Charlie!

You deserve it!

- Please, I'm begging you to just find it in your heart

to forgive and forget.

- That don't undo the beating I got.

- You're right, I do deserve a whooping.

Maybe you should do it right now.

I deserve to have you grab my windpipe

and squeeze my breath out.

I just couldn't handle getting a whipping Tom!

- You!

There ain't no words for you!

Now you're gonna get it Charlie!

- Go, go, you can do it Ben!

- Ben!

Where's Tom, Ben?

- I believe him and Charlie is having a talk

down yonder Becky.

- Thanks!

(upbeat country music)

- [Tom] That was a mean sneaky trick Charlie

and you're gonna pay for it!

- [Charlie] I said I was sorry Tom!

- How come you decided to tell me about it huh?

- 'Cause Becky saw me doing it,

and she said she was gonna tell you!

- What?

- Go ahead and pound on me 'til you're done.

If you don't feel right hitting me sitting down,

I'll stand.

- Huh?

I please do oblige, I might just knock your head off!

Ready!

- Ain't you gonna whoop me?

- Don't believe I will.

You don't deserve the honor of getting a whooping from me.

- You mean to say a boy has to earn it

to get lift by Tom Sawyer?

- That's right.

Hey!

Uh, I gotta go now.

- My, thanks for letting me pass up the great honor Tom.

(kids chattering)

(suspenseful music)

- Becky?

(screaming)

That there is Mr. Dobbins medical book Becky.

I remember Aunt Poly telling me,

he always wanted to be a doctor.

Oh no, you tore it Becky!

Mr. Dobbins is gonna throw a fit when he sees that!

- There.

(crying)

now see what you made me do

sneaking up behind me like that!

- How was I to know you was looking

at Mr. Dobbins' book, Becky?

I just came to find you.

- I swear Tom, you're the rudest boy ever!

- What did I do?

- You made me tear Mr. Dobbins' secret book!

When he finds out, I just know for certain

I'll get a whipping for it.

I've never been whipped.

(crying)

- Becky you know I wouldn't tell him.

- In all my life I've never been whooped in school before,

I'm afraid, I'm afraid.

- You won't get whipped if he don't know who done it.

- You're gonna tell him on me, aren't you Tom?

- Well of course not!

- Just be that way then!

You have to be as mean as you want Tom Sawyer, see if I

go away!

(crying)

- I don't want Becky to get a whooping

'cause I know what it's like.

(groaning)

I dread to see the look on Mr. Dobbins' face

when he finds that book.

(bell ringing)

(kids chattering)

I was trying to think of something to do.

Because I know poor Becky must be worried sick.

Then it struck me.

If the key disappeared,

Mr. Dobbins couldn't open the drawer.

(humming)

- Tom? - Mr. Dobbins!

- You know you're supposed to be in your seat

at the beginning of class, don't you young man.

- Yes sir.

I had a feeling this was gonna be a long day.

- Let us proceed with this afternoon's lesson.

I will assume that all of you had completed the homework

I assigned to you.

A reasonable assumption I assume?

I referred to the multiplication problems on page 18.

Each of you will provide an answer.

Do you have your papers?

Of course we've been over multiplication problems

many times before, so I'm sure none of you

had any difficulty with this page.

But in case you did, we can have a long chat about it

after class.

Let's go ahead.

Ben Rogers, 12 times 27?

- Um, 324 sir.

- I was beginning to hope

we might squeak through the afternoon without any trouble,

but Becky was so jumpy.

I was afraid Dobbins would notice

- Now let us all proceed to the next problem,

Miss Becky Thatcher.

Do you suppose that you're up to it?

- Huh?

- Miss Thatcher?

Are you feeling alright?

- Yes sir.

- You're not feigning illness are you?

- No Mr. Dobbins.

- I am correct, am I not in the assumption

that you have today's assignment prepared Miss Thatcher?

- Yes sir, my homework is ready.

- [Mr. Dobbins] Then is something else troubling you?

- No Mr. Dobbins, nothing is sir.

- Then you must act accordingly.

Now then, the next problem.

Hmm, what on earth do you suppose ails the girl?

(screaming)

Do I believe my (screaming)

One of you has been looking at my book.

And that person has torn a page of my book.

(gasping)

- Uh-oh.

- I require that the delinquent who destroyed my book

identify himself immediately!

Hmm?

Speak up this instant whoever you are!

Benjamin Rogers, did you tear my book?

- No sir-ee.

- [Mr. Dobbins] Joseph Harper, did you tear it?

- No, it wasn't me.

- [Mr. Dobbins] Are you certain of that?

- Sure as rain.

- Amy did you tear it?

- No sir.

- Gracie did you? - No sir.

- Do you know who did tear it?

- No sir.

- Did I overlook someone?

Do you know anything about this?

Becky Thatcher, who tore my book?

Have you nothing to say Becky?

I feel very sure you know something about this,

Miss Thatcher.

Hmm?

You seem to be trembling Becky.

Becky Thatcher, is it possible that you're trembling

with a guilty conscience?

- Uh, sir.

You want me to tell who tore the book?

- Of course, and you're about to tell me aren't you?

- Uh, sir I think.

- Look at me.

Look me in the eye and tell me who tore my book

Becky Thatcher?

No one will leave this classroom before I ascertain

who tore my book, and you know who the culprit is!

- I'm the one that done it sir.

- Hmm?

Excuse me?

- It was me that tore your book Mr. Dobbins,

I didn't do it on purpose of course.

But I am the one that done it.

- You have the temerity Mr. Sawyer.

- No sir, I didn't touch your temerity,

it was only the book that I tore.

- Come here Tom, right now!

- Yes sir, but remember now,

I didn't do it on purpose okay.

- You will remain for two extra hours after school

and get a beating too!

- [Tom] Aw!

(whipping)

- Tom, oh Tom!

Oh, my poor Tom!

- Whoa!

You've been waiting for me?

- Oh, Tom!

I'd had waited for you even if I had to wait 'til tomorrow

no matter what!

- Honest?

You mean it Becky?

- Tom, you're just about the sweetest, bravest boy

I ever knew.

- Shucks, a whooping ain't nothing.

- Oh Tom Sawyer, how could you be so noble!

(dog barking)

Hello there Caesar!

I told you this morning that I'd make friends with Tom again

and that's just what I did.

(dog growling)

- You'd already decided?

- Yes I did!

Tom, I really can't stay mad at you

about Amy Lawrence forever after all.

- You coulda fooled me.

- I need to go in the house

and tell mom I'm back from school.

I'll be back in a minute, play with Caesar huh.

- Hey, don't leave me alone here with Caesar!

Um.

Becky and me are friends again.

That means you and me oughta be friends too,

don't it Caesar?

Could be I'd be dropping by once in a while and

(dog sniffing)

Becky?

Becky could you come back and explain to Caesar.

I'm not a bad sort of fella,

you might get to like me if you only tried to.

(growling)

Becky!

I don't deserve this, after all I've done

and this is how I'm being rewarded.

(screaming)

♫ These are the stories of Tom Sawyer

♫ Me and my friends just playing by the river

♫ Chasing that steam boat teacher let me be

♫ I wanna be free sitting under a tree

♫ That's me ♫