Original subtitles

[theme music]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[laughing]

Dennis, please, be careful.

(Dennis) 'Ju-jus-just take it.'

Thank you, thank you.

- Morning, everybody. - Morning, Mr. Moore.

Alright, today..

...presidents as communicators.

Some of them were brilliant at it.

Some were terrible.

For example

here is a quote from a review

of a famous presidential speech.

"The cheek of every American must tingle with shame

"as he reads the silly

"flat and dishwatery utterances

"of a man who has to be pointed out to foreigners

as President of the United States."

[laughing]

Now, name the president and name the particular speech

that this critic was tearing to shreds.

Anyone?

♪ Pum-pum-pum-pum-pum-pum-pa ♪♪

I didn't think so.

So, who was it?

I'll tell you what..

...why don't you find out and tell me?

Excuse the interruption, Mr. Moore.

I've got exciting news for the class.

I just got off the phone.

That is exciting.

New York city is preparing a time capsule

which will be opened in the year 2100.

I have talked them into including a contribution

from the Individual Honors Program.

[indistinct chatter]

Make this your number one priority.

I want those people to look back and realize

that this was Fillmore High School's Golden Age.

I've already taken the liberty of choosing a theme.

It'll be like a yearbook.

A picture, a little biography

and an example of your best work.

We'll call it, "The future so bright."

How does that grab you?

(all) Great.

Good, then let's get on it, immediately.

[indistinct chatter]

So, does anyone have any ideas?

Excuse me, I have a problem with this.

Come on, yearbook, grades, essays.

They're gonna dig it up, they're gonna take

one look at it and they're gonna say

"Now we know why they buried this."

That's not fair, Dennis.

I mean, this could be a very important document.

By then I could be late great president.

Yeah, Arvid here could have made inter-planetary contact

with similar life-forms.

Ooh, a whole planet of people who can't get dates.

What do you think, Mr. Moore?

What about this?

What if, uh, if you had somebody like Benjamin Franklin

had been able to make a time capsule

using all of the resources that you have

then we would see what the man was really like.

But we already know what Benjamin Franklin was all about.

Yeah, how did he look when he walked?

I mean, what-what kind of music did he make

through that glass harmonica that he invented?

What did his voice sound like?

We get the point, Mr. Moore.

But then be creative.

I mean, what is the most contemporary form

of communication you know?

(Charlie) 'Something that gives you an immediate'

visual impression in living color.

Videotape.

What a great idea.

The man's right.

We make our own video.

[indistinct chatter]

Me on tape, I love it.

No, no, no, I don't think this is the kind of thing

Dr. Samuel's had in mind.

Come on, Alan. At least it's worth a shot.

I just wanna go on record, that's all.

Okay, uh, so, good luck on your video.

- Thank you. - Thank you, sir.

Meanwhile, wish me luck completing this lesson.

- Video, I like it. - You do?

Get to know me, Mr. Moore.

Underneath it all, I'm as much a hep cat as the next man.

Hepper.

Video is what's happening.

I could show them the school.

Tell them how I created the individualized honors program.

Don't you think that the video should concentrate

more on the kids?

Of course, the students will be in it, eh, yeah, yeah.

Mr. Moore, this is a fantastic idea.

Ms. Meara, I-I want you to requisition a video camera.

Tape, lights, the works.

Charlie, you're making a video? Oh, that's a great idea.

No, I'm making the video.

Somehow I rashly assumed the kids were making the video.

I-I see what you mean.

But I will need a complete approval of its contents.

I need someone in charge of the project.

A responsible student who knows exactly what I want.

A yes man.

- Alan. - Yes?

- Okay, light's ready? - Ready.

Camera ready?

Is everyone ready?

Alan, just start, okay?

Dennis, is that what you're wearing?

I'm just holding this...thing.

Yearbook video, take one.

[clapping]

Okay, now, act natural. Here we go.

Action.

[footsteps approaching]

"Oh, hello, 21st century.

"I'm Dr. Harold Samuels

"Principal of Fillmore High School.

'"I would like to introduce you to the best and the brightest'

'"of our young people.'

"They all have wonderful futures..

"...ahead of them.

Or behind them when you see this."

Cut.

- How was it? - Oh, perfect.

We'll do it again.

Take two.

[clapping]

"Oh, hello, 21st century."

(Alan) 'Cut.'

'Action.'

"Oh, hello, 21st century.

- My name is Dr.--" - 'Cut.'

Whatever.

"Oh, hello, 21st century.

My name is Dr. Harold Samuels--"

(Alan) 'Cut.'

(Harold) "They all have wonderful futures ahead of them.

Or behind them, when you see this."

It's good, isn't it?

Has Dr. Samuels seen it?

Uh, not yet, I showed it to Mr. Moore and he thought

I should show you first and get your opinions.

Magnesium trisilicate.

A complex formula for a simple antacid.

It tastes like chalk.

Oh, oh-oh, by the way. This is chalk.

'Which we also refer to as calcium carbonate.'

The IHP performs many functions for the school.

Not the least of which is lunch room monitor

led by our lunch room captain, Arvid Engen.

And so as we close our video yearbook

let me say on behalf of Fillmore's Honor Program

'the future is bright.'

But the video is dull.

You can say that again.

Are you kidding? This is a great tape.

What? We could sell these.

(all) What?

New from Fillmore records and tapes.

Yes, for 29.95, 29.95, all this can be yours.

You get this fabulous collection of ten.

That right, ten of the most all time boring students

doing their dullest hits.

Remember, library lethargy.

'Alan Pinkard does it just for you.'

And that's not all, you also get

Dr. Samuels and the dweebs.

Darlene and the dullards. Sarah and the sleepwalkers.

It's so exciting. You'll scream.

You'll grind your teeth.

And to do this, to get all of this, all you have to do

is be insipid, boring and stupid.

[applauding]

No, stop it.

What are you doing? Cut it.

[indistinct chatter]

We-nee-nee-nee. wee-nee-neee-neee.

Well, I see you've looked at the tape.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

We had to do it.

We took one look and realized

it had to die.

Dr. Samuel's opening monologue gone forever.

The world will be a better place without it.

You're not even repentant.

They don't know right from wrong.

But we know good from garbage.

Dennis, you're Drano.

You started this.

You've not only destroyed our chance

to be part of the time capsule..

...you single handedly taken the trust and confidence

that Dr. Samuels has placed in me

and trampled on it.

I'm gonna do everything in my power

to get you kicked out of the IHP.

Alan, take it easy. Dennis..

Now look, I'm not gonna minimize what they did.

But it's not as if they torched the library at Alexandria.

Okay, fine.

But because Dennis turned them into a raving mob

they've blown our chance for the capsule.

Thank you very much.

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, come on, if you don't mind

would you take your seats please.

Now.

The time capsule is not going to be sealed for another week.

Stop me if you get my point.

Stop.

He's right, we do have time to make another tape.

I hope everybody remembers their parts.

Uh, let me give you a hypothetical

historical question.

Say, it's, uh, 1876

uh, Montana, the Little Bighorn.

If Custer had escaped..

...you think he would go back and do it all over again..

...the same way?

He's right, there's no point

in being part of another bloodbath.

Yeah, we should make a video we wanna make.

Yeah, one that can stand the test of time.

Exactly.

You do what you believe in

and let history decide if you make the right choice.

- Alright. - Yeah, that sounds somethin'.

And this time, let's have somebody

really creative in charge.

Great, who?

All of us.

(all) Yeah!

Hold on, what about, Dr. Samuels?

No problem, we don't tell him.

No, I am not gonna be a party to sneaking around

behind Dr. Samuels' back.

Lighten up, senator.

Dennis, Alan is right.

Dr. Samuels has to be told.

You know where his office is.

Don't bother, Muhammad's coming to the mountain.

Or is it the other way around?

I just spoke to the mayor's office and told him

our tape is going to be the smash hit of the capsule.

How's it going?

Dennis, you have something to tell, Dr. Samuels?

Oh, not right now.

I do.

What is it, Alan?

Dr. Samuels, there's something you should know.

- It concerns the video. - Yes.

Working with you on this video has been

the most rewarding experience of my life.

(Harold) Thank you, son.

I feel the same way myself.

[indistinct chatter]

Okay, okay, so I'm not a squealer.

Besides looking at that tape I couldn't even watch me.

And I love myself.

Dennis?

I'll tell him, I promise.

Okay.

Now let's get back to this.

Uh...has anyone identified the president

who was being humiliated by this quote?

I think I have.

- Millard Fillmore. - Good.

Wrong, but it's good.

- Franklin Pierce. - Getting colder.

Is this going to turn out to be a great president

and a really terrific speech?

Oh, she's hot.

Hot, getting hotter, now come on, keep checking.

[instrumental music]

Dr. Samuels, while you're here

how about a couple of extra close-ups?

Close ups of me?

Anytime.

And we'd like to get a few other things.

Whatever you need.

Shoot away.

[instrumental music]

- Good morning. - Ladies and gentlemen.

In the category for best video

made by an IHP class specifically for a time capsule.

The winner is Fillmore High.

[applaud]

Sounds like it's good.

Uh, Dennis, why don't you get Dr. Samuels?

Why?

So he can see it.

Is that really necessary?

You didn't tell him, did you?

Technically, no.

[indistinct chatter]

Oh, come on. Why make trouble?

We make a new tape, we send it in.

It gets buried, by the time they dig it up

Dr. Samuels is fertilizer, right?

Dennis, you're a corrupt low-life.

Dennis, go get Dr. Samuels.

Tell him we have a new tape for him to see.

I don't think he really wants to see--

- Dennis. - Right.

- Now! Right. - Now? Hmm.

Mr. Moore, what if he doesn't wanna submit it?

Convince him.

Stand behind your work.

If-if you think it's good

and you want it in the time capsule. Tell him.

What if he still refuses?

Oh, why don't we jump off that bridge when we come to it.

[instrumental music]

You demolished it?

Demolished is such a harsh word.

Let's just say rearranged.

What do you mean, "Rearranged?"

We prefer to call it a new version.

What's the matter with the old version?

Well, uh, it didn't hold together the way we hoped.

(Charlie) Uh, kind of unraveled.

Even though a lot of it ended up on the floor.

Let's see it.

I'll deal with you later.

You're going to love this.

Yeah, that's what someone told me

about pink flamingos.

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

♪ I study nuclear science ♪

♪ I love my classes ♪

♪ I got a crazy teacher ♪

♪ He wears dark glasses ♪

♪ Things are going great ♪

♪ And they're only getting better ♪

♪ I'm doing alright ♪

♪ Getting good grades ♪

♪ The future's so bright ♪

♪ I gotta wear shades ♪

♪ I gotta wear shades ♪

♪ I've got a job waiting ♪

♪ On my graduation ♪

♪ Fifty-thou-a-year I'll buy a lot of beer ♪

♪ Things are going great ♪

♪ And they're only getting better ♪

[instrumental music]

♪ I am doing alright ♪

♪ Getting good grades ♪

♪ The future's so bright ♪

♪ I gotta wear shades ♪

♪ I gotta wear shades ♪

[instrumental music]

♪ Well I'm heavenly blessed ♪

♪ And worldly wise ♪

♪ I'm a peeping Tom checking ♪

♪ With X-ray eyes ♪

♪ Things are going great ♪

♪ And they're only getting better ♪

[scream]

♪ I'm doing alright ♪

♪ Getting good grades ♪

♪ The future's so bright ♪

♪ I gotta wear shades ♪

♪ I gotta wear shades ♪

♪ Ow ow ow ♪

[instrumental music]

[cheering]

[music continues]

♪ I study nuclear science ♪

♪ I love my classes ♪

♪ I got a crazy teacher ♪

♪ He wears dark glasses ♪

♪ Things are going great ♪

♪ And they're only getting better ♪

♪ I'm doing alright ♪

♪ Getting good grades ♪

♪ The future's so bright ♪

♪ I gotta wear shades ♪

♪ I gotta wear shades ♪

♪ I gotta wear shades ♪

♪ I gotta wear shades ♪♪

[instrumental music]

[all cheering]

Dr. Samuels, I would like to say something.

Um, this may not be our original concept.

'It may not have the substance that you and I'

originally hoped for.

But this one had something that ours didn't.

This one is good.

He means it's great.

You may hate it, but at least this is something

we did ourselves.

That's right, we made it, we're proud of it

and we understand that you may not like it.

But at least, we did it our way.

[all cheering]

I liked it. I think it's brilliant.

[all cheering]

But I won't submit it.

(all) Why?

Because I don't want future generations

thinking we're crazy.

It won't stand the test of time.

Abraham Lincoln.

What?

That's who the critic was talking about.

Abraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg address.

- Right? - Right.

Well, Dr. Samuels..

...if a critic a 100 years ago thought

that the Gettysburg address was silly, flat and dishwatery

well, who knows what people might think of, uh, a 100 years

from now, uh, about our video?

Right.

We have to care about what we do now

and not worry what people will think.

- That's right. - Right.

Well, what do you think, Dr. Samuels?

No, I don't think so.

But there is, uh, another consideration.

When they open the time capsule in the year 2100

and see something so innovative

so ahead of its time.

They've gotta say to themselves

"Who was the visionary responsible for this?

'"Who is the inspiration'

'"whose name will go down in history as the guiding force'

behind the Fillmore High School Individual Honors Program.

Yeah, he's right.

Mr. Moore, you make a compelling argument.

But before I make my decision, let's get one thing clear.

You don't change my mind, I change my mind.

- And? - And I've changed my mind.

I'll submit it.

If there's one thing I want the 21st century to know

it's that our kids are bright.

You may have bad taste in music, but who knows..

...a 100 years from now, this could be opera.

Dr. Samuels, you, you surprise me.

You're so much hepper than I thought.

And I always will be.

[instrumental music]

Is that fixed yet?

Dr. Samuels, why are you making us do this?

Yeah, why?

Why? Because you destroyed school property.

And because you need to be taught a lesson.

Dennis, don't you think the man's wife is entitled

to see his opening monologue?

Well, if that's all he's looking for, I think..

...this is it.

[theme music]

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