Original subtitles

(upbeat folk music)

♫ Now listen here folks, my name is Tom Sawyer

♫ 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 sittin' under a tree, that's me

♫ These are the stories of Tom Sawyer

♫ Me and Huck Finn just playin' by the river

♫ Chasin' that steam boat, teacher let me be

♫ I wanna be free sittin' under a tree

♫ That's me! (laughter)

- [Tom] There are some things in life that you want so bad

you can't hardly stand the waitin' for 'em,

and then when you don't have to wait no more,

turns out not to be half as exciting

as you thought it would.

And sometimes, even downright disappointing.

Well, that's the way I feel

about this year's summer vacation.

I couldn't wait for it to start, and now that it's here,

I'm wonderin' just what it was I was waiting for.

- Hi.

Meow.

(cat meowing)

- [Tom] One of the things I was lookin' forward to

was the Fourth of July parade,

but it rained so hard they had to call it off,

and there was a stage play supposed to come to town

and a big circus too, but they ain't showed up yet.

And everyone said that old Judge Frazer was so sick

that he wouldn't make it past the first of July

and that his funeral would be real big and fancy

with speeches and everythin',

but then he had to go and get well again.

- Now Tom, I'm positive you don't mean that.

- I, uh.

- What a thing to say!

Really Tom, Mr Frazer is a very nice man.

You've got no cause to wish him ill.

- Wishin' for someone's funeral just 'cause you got

nothing else to do ain't very nice, Tom.

- I wasn't wishin'.

All I meant was that St. Pete ain't had

a big fancy funeral in a long time

and it's somethin' to look forward to goin' to, ya know?

- [Mary] Mm hmm, is that what you meant by,

"I hope it won't take too long?"

- What, why Mary, you didn't hear me right!

What I said was that I hope it don't take too long

for Judge Frazer to get well again.

No harm in that, is there?

Boredom can be mighty dangerous.

I got scolded proper for what I said about Judge Frazer,

and the only reason I said it was 'cause I was thinkin'

out loud, and I was only thinkin' it 'cause I was so bored.

Boredom can be more dangerous

than a rattle snake at sheddin' time.

(ship horn)

- [All] Goodbye everyone, goodbye, goodbye!

So long!

- Huh, what party?

I ain't heard nothin' about it at all.

- It's a party for Alfred Temple's birthday, Tom.

I just got the invitation yesterday.

- Birthday party, huh?

When is it?

- Tomorrow afternoon, why?

Didn't you get an invitation?

- Nope, not yet.

- Funny, I was talking to Joe Harper and he said

he got his invitation just about the same time I did.

In fact, I think everybody in our class got one.

- The very first time I met Alfred

I got into a fight with him.

That's why, I reckon.

- As I remember, Alfred won that fight.

And besides, he's not the type to hold a grudge, Tom.

- Well, why haven't I been invited then?

- Hi Tom, hiya Ben!

- [Mrs Thatcher] Good morning, boys.

- [Tom and Ben] Good morning, Mrs Thatcher.

- [Mrs Thatcher] You may visit with your friends

if you like, Becky, but remember, the minister is coming

for lunch today and you mustn't be late.

- Yes'm.

- So, did your Aunt Katie go back to St. Louis, Becky?

- [Becky] Mm hmm, too bad about Huck.

She wanted to adopt him, you know?

- Mm, it's all for the best.

Huck does like to do things his own way.

- Say Becky, did Alfred send you

an invitation to his party?

- [Becky] Yes, I got it yesterday.

We can go there together if you like.

- That'd be just fine with me, except I wasn't invited.

- Oh. - Seems kinda strange,

seeing as how he would've drowned if Tom hadn't saved him.

- [Tom] Shucks, weren't nothing.

- Oh, I remember now.

Your boat sprung a leak and started to sink, right Tom?

- Mm hmm, would've been a goner for sure if I hadn't

have been there, 'cause it so happens Alfred can't swim.

- Yeah, lucky for him you were around.

- Sure was, but if you were the one that saved his life,

then why wouldn't he wanna be your friend

and invite you to his party?

That seems kinda strange, doesn't it?

- Mm hmm.

He might be ashamed to face me

'cause I saw him act so cowardly.

(water running)

- We're sinking and I can't swim!

Oh, no!

Walter, what should I do?

- No need to panic, Alfred.

Steady now, everything will be okay.

- [Alfred] No it won't, ah, ah!

- [Walter] No, if you hold onto me, we'll both go over!

(screaming) - Hey, sit down, you two!

Oh no, stop that, Alfred!

Don't panic!

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

- I'm drowning, I'm drowning!

Please, save me, help me!

- Alfred, let go! - I don't wanna drown!

Help me, help me, save me! (Walter coughing)

Help me, I'm drowning, I'm drowning!

(soft upbeat music)

- Very good, Master Alfred, very good indeed,

but you mustn't bend your knees like that.

It weakens your kick and slows you down.

That's it, much better!

Well done!

Fine, now swim back to shore, Master Alfred.

It's time you took a rest. (splashing)

We should be going soon.

- Not yet, I wanna swim across once more.

- Considering the fact that you began your lessons

only a few weeks ago, I do think your swimming ability

is a truly remarkable achievement.

- He's right. - Huh?

- You swim real good now.

- Huck, you saw me?

- [Huck] I'll say this for ya, ya sure are a fast learner.

- [Alfred] Thanks.

- [Huck] You can swim better than I can.

- Listen Huck, I want you to do me a favor.

Please don't tell anyone that

I'm learning how to swim, alright?

- Hmm?

No reason to talk about it I reckon.

- Gee, you won't tell anyone?

I really appreciate that, thanks a lot.

- Sure, but what's the big secret?

- Huh?

I don't swim as well as the other kids yet, and I don't want

any of them to know 'til I'm as good as they are.

- You kiddin'?

You were swimmin' like a fish just now.

- Thanks very much, I'm working at it,

but I still want your promise not to tell anyone, alright?

- Mm hmm.

- I'm gonna swim across the river one more time.

If I'm doin' wrong, lemme know.

- I shall, Master Alfred.

(splashing)

Good swimming there, sir!

That's it, sir!

(harmonica music)

- Huckleberry, ya home?

It's me.

Shucks, must be off fishin'.

(upbeat jazzy music) Like I said before,

boredom's a dangerous thing,

and even more so when you're feelin' bad,

like when you ain't invited to a birthday party,

'cause if you're feelin' low down and bored

at the same time, ya ain't yourself,

and you might do just about anything.

Hi Jim, how ya doin'?

- Just fine I reckon.

- Say Jim, anything I could do to help ya out?

- Hmm?

- You name it Jim, anything at all.

- Well now, you've been workin' mighty hard, ain't ya?

That's some load of firewood you go there.

You saved me a heap of trouble, Tom.

I appreciate it, thanks.

- [Tom] I've just about run outta logs.

Only got one left.

- There ain't no need to chop any more.

What you got there is plenty.

- I might as well, nothin' better to do.

- You ain't used to such heavy work, Tom.

You better be careful, and come tonight,

you're gonna be awful sore.

- Nah, I'm strong as a horse!

See, plenty of good, strong muscle, that's me.

Now, what else can I do for ya?

Oh boy, that sun's murderin'.

(groaning)

(panting)

- Phew, it's hot out.

(soft quirky music)

- [Tom] Oh, boy!

(groaning)

- Tom, what's wrong?

What's the matter, are you sick?

- No, I'm (groaning) fine.

- I don't understand,

why are you crawling up the stairs like that?

- 'Cause I can't stand up, that's why!

(groaning)

- Oh my goodness, why not?

- (groaning) 'Cause it hurts too much!

Every muscle in my body is sore.

- You must have been playin' an awful rough kinda game.

- (groaning) I was choppin' wood, Mary.

And haulin' water.

- You? (huffing)

- I was! (sighing)

(groaning) But I learned my lesson!

Hi, Sid.

- Alfred Temple's here to see you.

He's downstairs talkin' with cousin Mary.

- Alfred Temple?

Did he say what he wanted?

- [Sid] Said he wanted to give you some kind of invitation.

- Are you sure about that?

- I think it's an invite to his birthday party.

- Well, I'll be a monkey's (groaning).

- [Sid] Tom!

Tom, are you alright?

- Yeah, sure.

(groaning)

- Hey, you sure you can make it downstairs?

- [Tom] I'll make it.

(crashing)

- Goodness, oh.

- Good gracious. - Tom, what happened?

Are you alright?

- Still in one piece, I reckon.

- You've gotta be more careful.

You could've been badly hurt.

- I'll keep that in mind next time.

Oh, well good afternoon, Alfred.

- Hello, Tom.

The reason I came by is 'cause I'm havin'

a big birthday party tomorrow.

Can you come?

- Sure, that'd be great.

- Are you sure?

- Huh?

Of course I am, I'll be alright tomorrow.

(groaning)

Don't worry.

You see, no problem.

- The party's gonna be in my backyard and we'll have dancing

and games and a whole bunch of contests like running

and jumping and mumbly peg and things like that.

You think you're gonna be well enough?

- Well sure, Alfred, I wouldn't miss

comin' to your party for anything!

- Great, guess I'll see you tomorrow then!

Thank you for your hospitality.

- You're quite welcome.

(groaning)

- Mary?

- Yes, Tom?

- Where's the invitation,

the one to Alfred's birthday party?

- In the kitchen.

- Would you mind gettin' it for me? (groaning)

- Not at all, Tom, I'll go get it.

- Contests like running and jumping, ugh,

that's just great. - Here it is, Tom.

Looks like Alfred's planned events for the whole day.

It should be a lot of fun.

- It says here that they're gonna have

boxing matches and handstand races.

Hmm, I sure wish Alfred had invited me before I ran into Jim

and offered to help him do all that work.

If I hadn't chopped all that firewood and drawn all

that water, I'd have a chance of winnin' tomorrow.

- Honestly Tom, you're the biggest liar I've ever known.

- Huh?

Hey, I'm not lyin' Mary!

Oh! (sighs)

(children laughing)

- [Woman] A nice big piece, there you are.

- Thanks!

(jazzy music)

- Great party, huh Ben?

- Yep, good food.

- The girls want us to ask them to dance.

Are you through eatin'?

- Nope, not even close.

- [Alfred] Like the party, Becky?

- Yes, everyone's having a great time.

- Well, here I go.

(laughter)

(chatter)

- [Crowd] Ready, set, go!

(groaning)

- (laughs) You win, Tom.

- Open the door, (mumbling), come on in!

(laughter) (Irish dancing music)

(applause)

- I want to welcome each of you

to this birthday celebration for my son, Alfred.

We're glad you could all come.

Alfred is 12 today.

How nice that you, his best friends,

could be here to share this special occasion with him.

And now, Alfred would like to say a few words.

- Thank you, father.

First of all, I wanted you all to know

how happy I am that you're here.

You can eat as much as you want or play games or dance

but the one thing you gotta do is have fun,

'cause that's what we're here for.

(clapping) (cheering)

And now everybody, it's time to start

this afternoon's first contest.

- Ah, just what sorta contest you talkin' about Alfred?

- Any kind you want, Tom.

You can pick whatever you're best at.

Whoever the challenger is can pick any event he wants,

but he has to beat me in order to win the special prize.

- Now then, the rules are as follows.

Master Alfred is ready to face up to three challengers

in every event, and here is the special prize,

which will go to the first challenger to win an event.

As I'm sure you can see, it's a beautiful book

that you'd all want to own.

Now, which of you would like to compete?

- Me!

- I do! - Here!

(panting)

(cheering)

- Alright now!

- Alfred!

(cheering) (intense violin music)

(applause)

(cheering)

Not again.

- Ah!

(clapping)

- Oh no.

- Well done, Master Alfred.

You've won every event!

It would seem that there are no more challengers,

Master Alfred, which means the contests are over.

- You could beat him.

Of course, it would have to be at swimmin'.

- Hm?

- I could beat him at eatin'. - Ooh, yeah!

- What a pity that none of the challengers won.

It's such a nice book.

- Swimmin', there's no way he could beat me at swimmin'.

That's it!

- I suggest we choose the prize winner

by drawing numbers perhaps, Master Alfred.

- Hold on a minute.

I have a question about the contest.

- What would you like to ask, Master Tom?

- Would it be alright for the contest to be in the water

instead of on land?

- That's not fair, you know he can't swim.

- Is the young lady correct, Master Tom?

Are you suggesting that swimming be the contest?

- Yes I am, is that alright?

- Mm hmm.

I said you could pick any event you want.

- Hmm?

You really mean it?

- The rules of competition are as follows.

You will each swim to the opposite shore and back again.

The first one to reach the starting point is the winner.

- Alfred, you don't have to do this.

You know you can't beat me.

- I guess we'll just have to see about that.

- I guess we will.

Well alright, Walter, whenever you're ready.

- Ready, get set, go!

(cheering) (intense violin music)

- Think I might've won the foot race at least

if I hadn't have been so sore from workin' yesterday.

Ya wouldn't have believed it, Huck.

Alfred went and beat every challenger that faced him.

- Then he went and beat ya at swimmin' too.

- How was I supposed to know he could swim?

I wasn't hardly tryin' when we started.

If I'd known he'd been takin' lessons,

it would've been different.

- But he won all the same, Tom.

- Mm hmm.

He's as stubborn as an old mule, I reckon.

He just won't give up, Huck, know what I mean?

- I was watchin' from the bluff when you two were swimmin'

and the most amazing part was that your friends

started rootin' for Alfred instead of you.

- Yeah, I noticed that too, Huck.

- I'd end up likin' him more than you

if you don't beat him at somethin'.

- If I'd known he could swim so good

I would've tried harder!

- Guess you'll have to challenge him again, Tom.

- Yep, but it's gotta be at somethin' I'm sure to win.

Now, I wonder what that is.

(whimsical music)

Nobody I know can hold their breath as long as me,

so I figured I'd finally come up with a contest

that Alfred couldn't win.

- [Alfred] Are there any rules to this contest?

- [Tom] Whoever stays under the longest wins.

- [Alfred] But when you hold your breath underwater

it's only natural for a person to float up to the surface.

- You're right as rain, Alfred,

and that's why I chose this particular spot.

You see, we'll be under these logs

and that way we won't float.

- Well, I'm ready whenever you are.

- Seein' as how it's your idea, Tom,

maybe you outta go first.

- You be in charge of keepin' time for us, Huck.

And keep your mind on it, hear?

- Don't worry, I will.

(Tom breathes deeply)

(splashing)

One and a two and a three.

And a seven and a eight and a nine and a 10.

11, 12, 13, 14, 15. - Down by the river, Becky.

Alfred and Huck are down there.

- [Becky] Oh good, I'm so glad we found them!

- [Ben] Hey Huck, what's goin' on?

- [Becky] Hey Alfred, where's Tom?

- [Alfred] Underneath the logs holding his breath.

- 41! (panting)

I counted off 41 seconds, Tom.

- [Tom] Shoot, is that all?

- Alright, now it's my turn.

(Alfred breathes deeply)

- [Huck] One. (splashing)

Six, seven, eight--

- How long do you think he'll be able

to stay under the water?

- Tom can do it longer than anybody else,

and his longest is 50 seconds.

- It seems awfully dangerous.

I hope he doesn't get hurt.

- It's just a contest, Becky.

He'll be just fine.

- 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30.

(dramatic violin music) (groaning)

35, 36, 37, 38.

43, 44, 45, 46.

50, 51, 52, 53, 54.

- Huck, I think he's in trouble!

- Really?

- Yeah!

(gasping)

(dramatic violin music)

- Oh no, please save him!

Don't let him die, oh!

- Push as hard as you can.

- I am, Huck.

- Harder.

(groaning)

(coughing)

- Look, I believe he's comin' around.

- Yeah Ben, I think you're right.

It's okay, Alfred.

(sighing)

- [Becky] Oh, thank goodness!

- Hey, now you talk about your close shades,

well that was sure enough of one them.

- Huck's right, if we hadn't have come after you

when we did, you would've drowned under those logs.

Are ya feelin' alright now?

- Mm, I'm okay.

I might sick to my stomach.

- (gasps) Alfred's alright!

- Yeah.

- (crying) Oh thank goodness, oh!

- He's gonna be just fine, Becky.

- Hey.

- Yeah Alfred, what is it?

- Just how long did I stay under?

- Huh? - Huh?

- How long was it, exactly how many seconds?

- Huh?

- It was a real close call, you were nearly drowned.

- (sighs) I know, exactly how long was I under?

- [Tom] What was the count when we dove in, Huck?

- [Huck] Well, let's see now.

As I recall, it was 54.

- I think you did 41, Tom.

And that means I won, isn't that right?

- Yeah, ya satisfied now?

- [Becky] There's absolutely no doubt about it,

Alfred Temple is the most stubborn person I've ever met.

I suppose it's a very fine quality

in a peculiar sort of way.

He never gives up, does he?

- Yep, I 'spose you're right, Becky.

- He's nice, though.

- Yeah, as long as he wins.

- He didn't even bother to thank you and Huck

for saving him though, did you notice that?

- Yep, I guess he's just

a little bit absentminded, that's all.

- What?

- Don't hold it against him.

- I, um.

- [Tom] Yeah, you what, Becky?

- Love you.

- (gasps) Huh?

Did you just say what I think you said?

- I do believe I did.

Bye! (giggles)

(Tom gulps)

- Wait a minute, Becky!

I don't think I heard you right!

- [Becky] Tom Sawyer, I think you're the sweetest tempered

boy I know, and unless you've gone deaf all of a sudden

you heard exactly what I said and you know it.

See you tomorrow, that is if you wanna see me!

- [Tom] Uh, sure, yeah, right.

See ya tomorrow, bye.

Well, I may have lost a few contests today,

but I won Becky's heart, and that was the best prize of all.

(upbeat folk music)

♫ These are the stories of Tom Sawyer

♫ Me and Huck Finn just playin' by the river

♫ Chasin' that steam boat, teacher let me be

♫ I wanna be free sittin' under a tree

♫ That's me! (laughter)