Original subtitles

♪ There was a boy ♪

♪ A very strange enchanted boy ♪

♪ They say he wandered very far ♪

♪ Very far ♪

♪ Over land and sea ♪

♪ A little shy ♪

♪ And sad of eye ♪

♪ But very wise ♪

♪ Was he ♪

♪ Very, very, very, very wise ♪

♪ And then one day ♪

♪ A magic day he passed my way ♪

♪ And while we spoke of many things ♪

♪ Fools and kings ♪

♪ This he said to me ♪

♪ The greatest thing ♪

♪ You'll ever learn ♪

♪ Is just to love ♪

♪ And be loved ♪

♪ In return ♪

♪ The greatest thing ♪

♪ You'll ever learn ♪

♪ Is just to love ♪

♪ And be loved ♪

♪ In return ♪

All we want to know is your name.

Just your name.

Why, I tell people my name a hundred times a day.

There's nothing to it, look.

Go ahead, ask me my name.

- What's your name? - George Buzby.

See? That's all there is to it.

Now...

What's your name?

If you just tell us what town you're from.

If you just tell us what school you go to.

Are you hungry, son?

Maybe he wants a lawyer before he'll talk.

Or even eat.

You're just in time.

Picked him up a couple of hours ago.

He must be from some neighboring town,

because we made a local check.

He's not from here.

This is all the identification he carried.

Evening, Doc.

Oh, this is Dr. Evans.

This is Mr. Nobody, who lives no place, doesn't go to school,

has no mother and father, nobody at all.

- Thanks, boys. - You're welcome.

Would you mind sitting here?

I'd like to get the bench cleared.

I hope you'll excuse me, but I didn't have time for supper,

and I'm starved.

Chocolate malted milk. I'm sure I asked for strawberry.

Oh, well.

With or without?

- With or without what? - Onions.

With, please.

What happened to your hair?

I'm not a policeman, I'm a doctor.

- What kind of a doctor? - Oh, just a regular doctor.

Well, as a matter of fact, kind of an expert on boys.

Now, what happened to your hair?

- Cut off! - How?

- Barber. - Why?

It's a long story.

Well, I like long stories.

You wouldn't believe it.

I like long stories that are hard to believe.

Well, I used to have regular hair.

And they didn't have to stay there.

They could've come back.

Then there wouldn't have been any letter

and I wouldn't have to tear it.

What letter?

Well, there was this letter.

Every time I went to live in a new place,

I had to take it along to show it to people.

Like the time I went to live with Gramp.

He put it in a book, and I tore it.

Now, just a minute.

If you're gonna tell me this, you'll, uh --

you'll have to tell it so I can understand it.

Suppose you begin at the beginning.

- The very beginning? - Why not?

Okay, then.

I was born.

Well, uh, do we have to go back that far?

- It started then. - Okay.

It's hard to remember.

But I remember..

I remember a big five-layered chocolate cake

with white frosting,

and Mommy said "Blow."

And I blew.

Then I cried because all the candles went out.

Halloween was scary, but it sure was fun.

Thanksgiving, I sat on some big books

so I could reach the table.

Father carved the turkey but Mother always said

he didn't do it very well.

And even when I woke up so early Christmas morning

that it was still last night,

Mother and Father would open the doors

and there would be our Christmas tree.

That Christmas, I got a Flexible Flyer and a dog.

But then I remember, it got to be summer.

And they'd been gone a long, long time.

And then the telegram came.

Of course I know now

the telegram was about my mother and father.

They were war casualties.

I couldn't stay long with Aunt Lillian.

She said she just wasn't equipped for children.

So then, I went to stay with Cousin Clark

and Cousin Isabel.

But they traveled all the time.

Aunt Mary was nice.

Aunt Mary would have kept me.

Only Uncle Jim got out of work.

Aunt Phoebe and Aunt Gertrude--

Gee, I bet I have more aunts and uncles

than anybody in the whole world.

They said the city was no place for a child.

Then my other uncle had me.

Aunt Helen got very sick

and they had to sell their house and go away.

- What's the matter? - Nothin'.

I was just thinking.

Sure lived in a lot of places.

Then I went to live with Gramp.

Gramp? Your grandfather?

No, he's not even my real grandfather.

But he likes me to call him Gramp.

He's a very famous man. He used to be in show business.

Show business, eh?

An actor? - Yeah.

Well, what kind of an actor?

A... serious actor or a funny actor?

Ooh, a very famous actor.

I remember he told me about a time in Europe

when he met a king.

- A real king? - Yes, sir.

He was in his dressing room, and the king came right in.

Oh, Gramp, delightful. Simply wonderful!

Ho-ho! But you gave a swell show.

Well, I-I'm glad you liked it, King, I'm glad you liked it.

I wonder if you'd drop over to my royal palace

next Saturday night and do a few numbers for me?

I'm having some kings and queens over.

And a couple of princes, too.

Well, I'm sorry, King, but I'm all booked up for Saturday.

Oh, my, my, my.

But I'll tell you what I'll do.

I've been rehearsin' a new number,

and I'll come over to your palace two weeks from Saturday.

Oh, splendid! Hmm? Two weeks?

Oh, Gramps, uh, just between you and me.

Now, if it isn't asking too much

I wonder if you could just, uh

do the little number for me right now. Hmm?

- Well, I-I don't usually-- - Oh, now, now, now.

And for you, King, I'll do it.

Oh, thank you. That's swell of you.

Great!

♪ I learned me readin' and writin' ♪

♪ Belly-raggin' 'fore I went to school ♪

♪ 'Twas there that I first learned me fightin' ♪

♪ From the schoolmaster Mickey O'Toole ♪

♪ He and I had many a scrimmage ♪

♪ And devil a lesson I wrote ♪

♪ Oh, if you're in for a wee bit of action ♪

♪ Just tread on the tail of me coat ♪

♪ Oh, tread on the tail of me coat ♪

♪ Ha-ha ♪

♪ Tread on the tail of me coat ♪

♪ If you're in for a wee bit of action ♪

♪ Just tread on the tail of me coat ♪

♪ Oh, a bog-trotter Mickey Mulvaney ♪

I knew him.

♪ Tried to steal me best girl away ♪

♪ He had money and I hadn't any ♪

Poor lad.

♪ So a challenge I sent him next day ♪

Good.

♪ We fought on the plains of Kilhaley ♪

♪ And the Shannon I crossed in a boat ♪

Brave lad.

♪ But I lathered him with me shillelagh ♪

♪ 'Cause he trod on the tail of me coat ♪

♪ Oh, tread on the tail of me coat ♪

♪ Ha-ha ♪

♪ Tread on the tail of me coat ♪

♪ Now if you're in for a row or a ruction ♪

♪ Just tread on the tail of me coat ♪

Ha-ha!

Anyway, that's what Gramp told me.

Gramp sounds okay.

Hmm.

Anyway, I went to live with Gramp.

I gave him the letter.

The one I was telling you about.

I can carry it.

Lights!

I think you better tell me right now

what rooms I'm not to go in and what I'm not to touch.

Why, this is your home, laddie.

There's not a room in the whole house you're not to go into.

In the whole house?

Well, what there is of it.

Oh, and as for touching things,

hah, there's not a single object in the whole house

that's not made especially for handlin'.

Now, then...

How long will I stay?

As long as you like, lad.

As long as you like.

Now, if you just forget your bag for a minute,

just for a minute,

I'll conduct you on a grand tour of the house.

First, the kitchen.

Ah!

I've been meaning to get that vase out of people's way.

I did it on purpose.

I know what you mean, laddie.

- Gramp... - Aye, lad?

I think I'll stay.

Well, that's fine. That's fine.

Of course, that's until my mother and father get back.

Gramp, will you write a letter to Cousin Mary

and tell her to be sure to tell my mother and father where I am?

"Cause they still think I'm with her.

Will you?

I mean, send the letter?

I will, laddie.

Come on, now, Peter.

I'll show you to your room.

Did she die?

She died.

Gee.

I didn't think they ever fell.

They fall.

Then what'd you do?

Ah, then I came to America.

- All alone? - All alone.

It's just the evening mail plane.

Must be carrying a heavy load of mail tonight.

He's gonna be alright.

You're, uh, you're not afraid of being alone, are you?

Me? No.

I'm not afraid of being alone.

I was alone for three days once.

In a cave with a tiger.

You don't say. What happened?

Well, this tiger got loose from a circus,

and I was in the cave and it was a black tiger.

I could hardly get out.

I was there... - Tsk, tsk, tsk.

I had a terrible time getting out of that cave.

Oh, sure, that's what can happen

when you get mixed up with a tiger.

Sure can.

Well, I'm glad to know about that, Peter.

"Cause anyone mixed up with a tiger

wouldn't be afraid to stay home alone.

Of course, if you've got-- - I'm not afraid of being alone.

Ah, that's fine, laddie, "cause I'm a singin' waiter.

What's a singin' waiter?

Well, I'll tell ya.

An ordinary waiter, he just sort of brings your food.

Ah, but a singin' waiter, he gives you a bit of song

with your meal, like..

♪ Oh, Genevieve, sweet Genevieve ♪

♪ The days may come and the days may go ♪

See? - Gee.

Ah, it's a grand profession.

Of course, it requires working in the evening, so I'll be out.

You mean I'll be left alone?

Just me in this whole dark house?

Now, don't be saying dark like it was something bad.

Sure I remember the time back home in Ireland

when we voted to abolish the dark entirely.

You know what happened? - What?

It was abolished. Oh, it was terrible.

Ah, there we were, not knowing night from day, up from down.

We didn't know when to go to sleep and when to get up

when to work and when to pray.

We were falling on our feet.

- What'd you do? - We signed a petition.

We brought the dark back to its rightful place.

So, don't be sayin' anything against the dark.

It's a grand thing, especially at night.

I don't mind it

except when I'm alone.

Ah, so, that's it, is it?

Well, then, we have to tell you a secret.

There's nothing in the dark that wasn't there

when the light was on.

Nothing at all.

Okay, Gramp.

I'm not afraid.

Good night, Peter.

Good night, Gramp.

There's nothing in the dark

that wasn't there when the light was on.

There's nothing in the dark

that wasn't there when the light was on.

- Good morning, Mr. Davis. - Good morning, Mr. Fry.

My grandson, starting his school this morning.

Fine looking boy.

Let me give you some good advice, young man.

Study hard.

Wished I'd studied hard.

Yes, sir.

You can be anything you wanna be if you study hard.

What do you wanna be when you grow up?

A milkman.

My grandson, starting his school this morning.

Nice looking boy.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

My grandson, starting his school this morning.

Oh, fine looking boy.

Nice head of hair.

We'll be in one these days for one of your superior haircuts.

Anytime, Mr. Fry, anytime.

- Good morning, Mr. Fry. - Oh, good morning.

My grandson, starting his school this morning.

Hello.

If you ask me, I'd much sooner go fishing on a day like this.

Hello, again.

Fine looking boy.

Throw that away now, Peter.

Ah, that's a grand-looking school.

Gramp, I didn't tell you about it,

but the last school I went to,

the teacher hit me with a stick.

A big, fat stick.

A big, fat stick, you say?

Yeah, with nails in it.

Not very big nails.

Sort of medium-sized nails.

Ah, there's no thing like that in this school, lad.

I sure was scared that day.

Of course, Gramp was right.

Miss Brand, the teacher, never hit anybody in her life.

She's pretty.

About the prettiest lady I ever saw.

- Jack. - Jack.

Okay, you.

Come on.

Hey, you wanna play?

Me? I don't care.

Okay.

Okay, I take you.

Come on, here we are. Okay.

And after that...

boy, I was really living.

Gramp bought me a bicycle.

It was a very famous bicycle.

Gramp told me he bought it from a famous Belgian

who was once a six-day bicycle rider.

And with that, I got a job delivering groceries

and earned my own money.

♪ ...just going round ♪

♪ The shamrock is forbidden by law to grow on Irish ground ♪

Cead milefailte, lad.

What's that mean?

In Irish, that's a 100,000 welcomes.

Let's open it and see how much I got.

I wouldn't do that, lad. Money has a way of disappearing.

I'll show ya.

Watch.

Keep your eye on it.

Are you watching?

Can you make more come back than you started with?

Well, I don't know. I-I haven't tried that one yet.

Staying all by myself didn't bother me anymore.

I wasn't even afraid of the dark.

I didn't even have to take the baseball bat to bed with me

when I was by myself.

Of course, I kept it alongside of the bed.

Yep, I was just beginning to think

that maybe Gramp and me would work out okay.

At school, we were having a war orphan drive.

Gramp borrowed a car at the place where he worked

to help us collect clothes to send to the war orphans.

And he took me and some other kids around the neighborhood

to gather any old clothes.

♪ Chip, chip my little horse ♪

♪ Chip, chip again, sir ♪

♪ How many miles to Dublin town? ♪

♪ Four score and 10, sir ♪

♪ Chip, chip my little horse ♪

♪ Chip, chip again, sir ♪

♪ Can I get there by candlelight? ♪

♪ You can and back again, sir ♪

♪ Chip, chip my little horse ♪

♪ Chip, chip again, sir ♪

♪ How many miles to Dublin town? ♪

♪ Four score and 10, sir ♪

♪ Chip, chip my little horse ♪

♪ Chip, chip again, sir ♪

♪ Can I get there by candlelight? ♪

♪ You can and back again, sir ♪

♪ Chip, chip my little horse ♪

♪ Chip, chip again, sir ♪

♪ How many miles to Dublin town? ♪

♪ Four score and 10, sir ♪

♪ Chip, chip my little horse ♪

♪ Chip, chip again, sir ♪

♪ Can I get there by candlelight? ♪

♪ You can and back again, sir ♪

Oh, Peter, you've been sitting on my coat.

My rabbit is destroyed.

Alright, take care of him for me.

Top of the day to you.

He looks like you.

He looks like you.

He doesn't look like me.

Yes, he does.

He's a war orphan.

Well, you're a war orphan, too.

- I am not. - Yes, you are.

We asked Miss Brand where your mother and father was,

and she told us they were killed in the war.

That's a lie.

You are too a war orphan.

You're a liar!

Your mother and father was killed in the war.

That makes you a war orphan.

You're a liar!

Let go!

Here, now, what is this?

- Did you? - Did I what, Peter?

Did you say my mother and father were killed in the war?

Did you?

I think you'll feel better if you wash your face

before you go back in the classroom.

Let's go into the office. - I wanna know now.

Now, lad.

It's no fault of Ms. Brand's at all.

You should've been told a long time ago.

Was meself should've told you the first day you came.

But I..

I just wanted to wait till we got a little better acquainted.

Your mother and father are dead.

They were killed in London.

Oh, but you should be proud, lad. Proud.

They could've got out,

but they stayed behind.

They stayed behind and died

trying to save other little boys and girls.

Like yourself.

And like them.

Oh, I should've told you sooner, I should have.

I knew all along my mother and father were dead.

I was just pretending they were away on a trip.

But I knew.

Sure, you did.

Of course, lad, you knew all the time.

And that letter you've been carrying around with you,

written by your own dear father before he died.

You'll be reading it one of these days.

Well, I best be returning the automobile,

or Gallagher will have me head.

Would you like to be coming with me?

I gotta stay in school.

Oh.

Alright, I-- I guess you're right.

Well...

I must be off.

I'll see you later..

At home.

Ms. Brand, Ms. Brand, are they real children?

Or are they just made up? - They're real.

Do you think the children in the posters

will get the clothes we send?

They or other children just like them.

Do you think they'll like the clothes?

You see, they need the clothes.

They'll like them.

Why, if they could speak to you,

they themselves would tell you

how much these clothes really mean to them.

And they'd say, "Thank you for remembering us."

Just look at these headlines. War, war, war.

Ah. Peter, you're just in time to help me

with Mrs. Hammond's order.

You know, my boy, he's still stationed over there.

One can of pork and beans.

Did you see what Robert Wilson said

in his column today?

He says unless we're prepared,

there's just no way of avoiding it.

One can of pork and beans, Peter.

The scientists say we'll all be

blown to bits in the next one.

I declare I don't know what the world's coming to.

Seems like it's human nature to want to kill.

Well, if it's human nature to kill,

all the more reason we should be ready

just in case the other fellow wants to start something.

Well, Sophie, if that's human nature,

we better change it.

Or there won't be anything human left to change.

Nobody wants war.

Anyway, whatever it is we have to face,

we better be ready for it.

We better be ready in our thinking too, Mary.

Not just with our bombs.

I say we ought to stop thinking about fighting each other

and think some about understanding each other,

and that means all of us.

When everybody all over the world

talks about nothing but war,

what do you think we'll get? War.

Well, right now, we better talk about being prepared

so that we'll have time to talk about peace and understanding.

People say another war means the end of the world.

War will come, want it or not.

The only question is when.

Just in time to get more youngsters like Peter.

Gramp...

the world isn't gonna be blown up

and everybody killed,

Is it, Gramp?

Many is the time I thought it might, lad.

Especially on a night like this...

when everything is feeling, looking

sorry and gray-like.

So that's why I keep a bit of green about always.

It was llene's teasin', it was.

She couldn't stand being without a plant

or a bit of evergreen about.

It kept her mindful, she'd say, on a lonely night

that spring would come.

Oh, I can remember

how she turned to me,

looking all mystical and sweet, and she'd say

"The wind don't know what I know

stamping about like a mad old bull

scaring people to an early grave.

The wind don't know that spring will come again.

But I know.

I know."

Yes, a bit of green helped her, it did.

It's the color of spring.

It meant hope and a promise of new life.

Oh, hush up, wind.

Hush up. You don't fool me either.

Believe me, laddie.

No matter what people say at the time,

the world will keep on going for a long, long while.

And you know what, me bucko?

I forgot with all me blatherin'

to tell you the most special and best thing of all.

There'll be a grand surprise for you in the morning.

It's the way Gramp was.

Trying so hard to take your mind off things

with surprises.

But I just had a feeling something terrible

was gonna happen.

And it did, alright.

The very next morning.

I was taking a bath,

and that's when it happened.

Oh, well, what's the use?

You wouldn't believe it anyway.

Well, what was it that happened?

It's no use, you won't believe me.

I said I would.

Sure you did.

Grown-ups say a lot of things.

Now, look.

You've eaten my hamburger and you've drunk my milkshake.

If you think you're not gonna tell me what happened,

you're crazy.

You're supposed to be an expert on boys?

You're right.

Alright, don't tell me a thing.

I'm not even slightly interested.

In fact, I probably wouldn't listen.

Well, okay.

Where was I?

You were, uh, taking your bath.

Oh, yeah.

I was taking my bath.

And doing a good job, too.

I didn't want Gramp to come in and say

"Now, don't be sparing of the soap, lad.

The shortage is over.

Under the chin, man, under the chin.

The ears, man, and behind the ears."

I wasn't expecting anything.

Hey, Gramp!

Aye, lad?

I've got green hair.

You've what, lad?

Green hair.

Well, that's nice.

Hurry up and get dressed now, lad.

Boy, some surprise.

Gramp, how many other people in the world have green hair?

Not another single one.

Alright, breakfast, lad, breakfast.

Come on now, we've done an uncommon lot of dallying.

It's not everyday your hair turns green.

No, it's not at that, lad.

Now, that'll be the milkman.

I'll get it.

Good morning. - Good morning, Peter.

Now, let's see, this is Thursday.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

One quart of milk and one pint of cream.

- Hi, Peter. - Hi.

What happened to your hair?

No, no, cream today.

It turned green during the night.

Just one quart of milk then, huh?

That's right, just one.

Pretty good, eh?

Oh, yes, I think it's super.

What was that?

I think the milkman just fell down the stairs. Heh.

What have you done to your hair, lad?

It turned green.

- All by itself? - All by itself.

Ah, you've gone and dyed it.

Unh-unh.

Hmm.

How you feeling, lad?

Fine.

No other symptoms? Pains in your stomach?

Burning sensation? Fever or anything?

I feel fine.

Mm-hmm.

Maybe you better change it back, Gramp.

Change it back?

To the way it was.

This is the surprise you promised me, isn't it?

No, lad. No.

This is the surprise I planned for you.

Gee, thanks, Gramp.

It's just what I always wanted.

Gramp, please make it go away.

Well..

Maybe it'll go away itself.

I don't want green hair. I want my own color back.

Now, now, now, let's not be too hasty, lad.

It's-- It's a grand color.

Why are you always ready to think the worst?

Maybe it's something good.

Something good?

Well, uh, I-like a mark or something.

A-A medal, maybe.

What would I get a medal for?

I haven't done anything.

Well, that's perfectly true.

You haven't done anything, anything at all.

But you're still young.

You're still young, and maybe this medal is--

Is for something-- something you're going to do.

But what is it I'm going to do?

That remains to be seen.

But it'll be very interesting to find out.

And you mark my words, it'll be something grand.

Do you really think so, Gramp?

Oh, I do, lad, I do indeed.

Come on now, eat your breakfast.

Fall to, lad.

Uh, Peter, I was thinking

maybe we ought to pay a visit to Dr. Knudson this morning.

What for?

Well, just to make sure it's a grand thing

to have green hair, then we'd have nothing to worry about.

♪ All the people came from here and there ♪

♪ To see the boy with the bright green hair ♪

- Hey, Peter! - Peter!

- Oh, look at Peter! - Peter.

Show 'em your hair, Peter!

What do they wanna see my hair for?

- 'Cause they just want to. - Please?

- Golly! - See what I told you.

- Isn't it super? - Super!

Oh!

Come on, we're gonna be late for school.

Bye, Peter. See you later.

♪ Chip, chip my little horse, chip, chip again, sir ♪

♪ How many miles to Dublin town... ♪

And, uh, what about the lad?

He has green hair.

There's nothing wrong with him?

Nothing that I can find.

I've given him every test I can think of.

Is there any medicine?

Something that'll make my hair come back the way it was?

Uh, nothing that I know of.

Doctor, have you ever had a case anything like this before?

No, and I don't know of anyone else who has either.

He's making medical history.

Peter, you are making medical history.

Yes, sir.

But I'd rather have my hair back the way it was.

Ah, it isn't everyone who has a chance to make medical history.

- It'll do him no injury? - I don't think so.

Of course, I don't know.

I want my hair back the way it was.

Well, maybe we can dye it back.

You mean paint it?

Like ladies do?

No one's gonna paint my hair.

I want it the way it was.

Of course, you can always cut it off.

- All of it? - Mm-hmm.

No one's gonna cut my hair off.

I want it the way it was.

I wanna be like everybody else.

Well, I'm sorry.

I won't go to school with green hair.

But, laddie...

Now, Dr. Knudson.

Maybe if he stayed home for a while

maybe the green hair would go away?

- Perhaps. - Alright!

That's what we'll do then. Who knows?

By the morning, you might have your own color back.

Well, I'm not gonna cut it off

and I'm not gonna paint it.

I want it the way it was.

Alright. Let's go home.

See what'll happen by tomorrow morning.

Now, don't you worry about this, Peter.

There's nothing the matter with you.

Oh, so, nothing.

Except I've got green hair.

Throw the ball over here.

Peter, lad.

Watch closely, lad, now.

Watch closely.

Now, you can't stay cooped up here forever, lad.

I know.

It'll be nothing at all.

I'll walk with you to school meself.

After the first few minutes,

they won't pay the least bit of attention to you.

You know what it's like?

It's like once I had a patch on the seat of me trousers.

I was afraid to walk down the street.

You know what the truth was?

People hardly noticed it at all.

Okay, Gramp.

Well, we were just talking about the new tax bill.

Were you now, indeed?

Well...

In reference to the new tax bill,

the lad did not dye his hair green.

It was nothing he ate or drank or caught.

If you've any questions to ask, ask him straight up.

- Didn't dye it? - That's what I said!

You've heard of people's hair turning gray overnight,

haven't you?

Well, the lad's turned green. - Not contagious?

Eh, do you think it could be the milk?

The milk? People have been drinking our milk for years.

More likely, it's the water. - The water?

Let me tell you something, I've been

in charge of the water supply--

Uh-uh, it's not the water. It's not the milk either.

The lad's in fine health.

And it's not contagious! Is there anything else?

- Well, well, well... - Well, well, well, what?

- Well, nothing, I guess. - Hah!

Nothing, he says. Sure.

You've been thinking it's a strange thing that happened.

You're not sure you're gonna like it.

Perhaps something ought to be done about it.

Oh, well, it is a little peculiar.

- Very strange. - Strange, indeed.

Why, let me tell you this.

My grandson's hair turned green

just as natural as the sun comes up in the morning.

And if it goes, it'll go the same way!

Right, laddie?

- I guess so. - You bet.

Alright, come on, Peter.

Pardon me.

Oh, it's enough to make one's blood boil!

Don't like it, indeed.

And the doctors say it'll make medical history.

Peter.

Now I'm sure there's a grand reason

for your green hair.

And I'm sure it's a reason that'll make us all proud.

Right? - Sure.

But, Gramp. - Aye, laddie?

If it wants to go away all by itself,

we won't try and stop it, will we?

Well...

Hi, Peter.

Peter Fry's got green hair!

♪ Peter Fry's got green hair ♪

♪ Peter Fry's got green hair ♪

♪ Peter Fry's got green hair ♪

♪ Peter Fry's got green hair ♪

♪ Peter Fry's got green hair ♪

♪ Peter Fry's got green hair ♪

Hi, Peggy.

Mother's awfully worried.

Mother said it might be catching

and I shouldn't get too close.

Ah, tell your mother she doesn't have to worry.

He can't go to school anyway.

- Why can't I? - 'Cause you can't.

- Oh, yeah? - Yeah.

They won't let you in school with green hair.

You'll have to cut it off. - I won't!

You can't tell. Green hair might be catching.

Maybe it'll rub off on you.

Oh, what's wrong with green hair?

How'd you like to have your sister

marry somebody with green hair?

- Good morning, Ms. Brand. - Good morning, Danny.

- Good morning, Ms. Brand. - Good morning.

- Good morning, Ms. Brand. - Good morning, Jane.

How many children have black hair?

How many children have brown hair?

Blonde?

Green hair?

And red hair?

Four children have black hair,

11 have brown hair,

nine have blonde hair,

one has green hair, and one has red hair.

Are there any questions?

No questions?

We'll go on with our history lesson.

I knew Ms. Brand was trying to help me,

but she couldn't.

The whole thing started when they went away

and that letter they left.

"“To my son, Peter.

To be read on his 16th birthday."

They didn't care about me.

They just cared about saving other children.

They didn't care what happened to me.

It was just no use.

Now, I knew that I couldn't stay in North Mont either.

It seemed as though there wasn't any place

where a war orphan could settle down.

Peter.

Peter.

Look.

It is the boy with the green hair.

We were waiting for you.

You mean I was supposed to come?

- We were hoping you would. - What for?

Your green hair Is very beautiful.

- Beautiful? - Yes.

Green is the color of spring. It means hope.

A promise of new life to come.

About your hair, do people take notice of you?

Do people take notice of me?

We thought they would.

But why were you crying?

- Because... - Why?

Just because!

Wouldn't you cry if you woke up one morning

and for no reason at all, you had green hair?

No. I would not cry.

- You wouldn't? - No.

Because there is a reason for your green hair.

- A reason? - Yes.

A real reason?

He did not know.

Can you tell me?

It is a...

A mark of something good.

Like a medal.

A medal?

There is no one else in all the world with green hair.

I know. I'm making medical history.

It is hard to have green hair.

I don't wanna be different, I wanna be like everybody else.

If it is too hard to have green hair,

you do not have to.

But then, of course nobody will notice you.

Nobody will ask why you have green hair.

Everywhere you go, people will say...

They will say "There is the boy with the green hair."

And then people will ask "Why does he have green hair?"

So, you will tell them, "Because...

I am a war orphan.

And my green hair Is to remind you

that war is very bad for children."

You must tell all the people.

The Russians, Americans,

Chinese, British, French.

All the people all over the world

that there must not ever be another war.

Gee.

If enough people believe you,

there never will be another war.

And there never will be any more war orphans.

But they don't know that.

They think everybody has to get killed.

The world doesn't have to be blown up.

I gotta hurry.

I'll tell 'em, I'll tell everybody.

No fault of the lad's.

Certainly, none of his doings.

I'm not saying it is, Mr. Fry.

But the fact remains that I've been losing--

That'll be himself. Not another word, now.

♪ Four score and 10, sir ♪

♪ Chip, chip my little horse ♪

♪ Chip, chip again, sir ♪

♪ Can I get there by candlelight? ♪

♪ You can, and back again, sir ♪

♪ Chip, chip my little horse, chip ♪

Hello, Mr. Davis. Dr. Knudson. Hi, Gramp.

- Hello, Peter. - Hello, Peter.

Well, I guess I'll be going. - Uh, just a minute.

Are you sick, Gramp?

Sick? Oh, no.

Oh, no, lad, I-I never felt better in all me born days.

I suppose you come to talk about what I'm telling everybody.

In a manner of speaking.

Anything wrong?

Uh, it seems to be the color of your hair that's wrong.

People have been saying it's the milk.

I've been losing customers right and left.

Of course it's not the milk, but that doesn't matter.

What's important is that Mr. Davis

has been losing trade.

They want me to cut my hair off.

Do you, Gramp?

Not if you don't want it, Peter.

But the doctor here said that if we did cut off your hair,

that it'll come back to its original color.

Now, I said that it might, I didn't say that it would.

I'm not gonna cut my hair off. I want it the way it is.

It's important.

It has a meaning.

Alright, Peter.

Well, that's the way it's gonna be.

I had to get away and think.

I went back to the glade.

I thought maybe the children from the posters could help me.

- Who's got the scissors? - I have.

Come on, let's get him.

Help! Help!

I lost my glasses.

I can't see without my glasses. Help me!

Who's there?

Don't leave me alone. Where are you?

I'm here.

Peter, I lost my glasses.

I've got 'em.

Give 'em to me. Please, give 'em to me, Petey.

I won't hurt you. I won't do nothing. Honest.

Hey, I've got him. I've got him.

- Hold him! - You promised.

You thought just because I wear glasses I was a sissy.

You thought I'd let you go.

Get your bikes.

Gramp! Gramp!

What is it, Peter? What's the matter?

I ran away.

They tried to cut my hair off,

but I wouldn't let 'em.

- Who were they? - Timmy and Joey.

They came after me with scissors.

But I ran away. - Alright.

N-N-Now, now, sit down. Uh, try and catch your breath.

I guess Dr. Knudson was right.

He was saying before, in the...

strange way he has of speakin'.

He was saying...

Peter will learn it's a dangerous thing

for a man to have green hair.

Can't be done.

Do you want me to cut my hair off?

Oh, no, laddie.

I don't know what's right.

People have been saying all manner of things

like it's the water or the milk.

Parents have been complaining to the school board.

Peter. Peter.

You know it's the last thing in the world I wanna do,

to hurt you.

But people have been talking.

But the doctor did say if you cut your hair,

it'll come back, it might come back in its original color.

You didn't believe me either.

Oh, no, laddie, it's not that.

But you...

Such strange fancies have been cluttering up your heart lately.

I want you to be happy...

and carefree like other boys your age.

The barber promised to keep his shop open.

We'll get it done. Make the world of difference.

Ah! You'll feel like a new man.

Peter, lad, I can remember when I was a boy.

In the summer time, I used to have my head shaved.

Till it shined just like ivory.

And cool, too.

Nobody believed me.

Nobody listened.

Oh, don't take it like that, lad.

It's only-- - Alright, I'll go.

It'll be nothing. It'll be for the best.

Alright. I'll go.

Sure, it's nothing at all.

Peter, I...

I..

Anybody want a souvenir?

Don't you want it for a keepsake, Mr. Fry?

Wasn't my idea.

Here.

Everybody makes fun of me "cause I wear thick glasses.

Well, laddie, it's done.

Everything will be fine now.

We'll do all manner of great things together.

Peter, I want you to drink this warm milk

a-a-and get some sleep.

I'm not going to work tonight.

I'm stayin' home.

Peter, you've gotta talk to me.

Peter...

Oh, it isn't that you're not eating

and that you're not talking to me.

It's just knowin' that...

Maybe it's too late.

It's that...

I'm sorry.

I-I'm sorry I had anything to do with cutting off your hair.

I feel ashamed.

I wanted you to know that.

You can drink the warm milk or not.

Just as you please.

That was last night.

Gee, it sure seems like longer ago.

Well, do you believe it?

No.

That's what I thought.

Why should I believe it? You don't believe it yourself.

Of course I believe it. Happened to me.

When somebody really believes something,

they don't get discouraged and run away

just because they haven't

convinced everybody the first try.

Thanks for your story anyway.

Where are you going?

- Away. - Away?

It's dark and cold out there.

You gonna let me?

No.

Dr. Knudson drove us down.

Nice of him, wasn't it?

Peter, lad...

The letter from your father.

He wanted you to have it on your 16th birthday.

I think you're old enough for it now.

Would you like to hear it?

"My dear Peter.

Your mother isn't here, and I will not be for long.

She had many things to say to you.

I will try to say them for both of us.

We left you, Peter, because we had to.

We had a job to do.

Try and understand it was because of

our great love for you

and all the world's children.

You are old enough now to know that death is a sad thing.

Because it takes away the great gift of life.

But it need not be sad

if the gift has been well used.

Don't be sad for us, Peter.

Remember us as having died

with millions of other people

for something fine and worthwhile.

It will have been fine,

it will have been worthwhile

if those who did not die

will not forget.

If they forget,

remind them.

Remind them, Peter."

The letter stops there.

Do you believe what the letter said, Gramp?

Oh, I do, lad. I do.

I'll save it, Gramp.

I'll put it together and save it.

Goodbye, Peter.

It's nice to have known you.

When my hair grows back,

it's gonna grow back green.

Bright boy, isn't he?

Very.

An interesting case.

Very.

Any, uh, any questions?

No.

Doctor, I'm-- I'm not really concerned

with whether the boy's hair was green or not.

I believe in what he was trying to say.

I guess I do, too.

Well, that's all that matters then, isn't it?

- Good night. - Good night, doctor.

- Night, sir. - Good night.

Goodnight and thanks.

♪ Chip, chip my little horse ♪

♪ Chip, chip again, sir ♪

♪ How many miles to Dublin town? ♪

♪ Four score and 10, sir ♪

♪ Chip, chip my little horse ♪

♪ Chip, chip again, sir ♪

♪ Can I get there by candlelight? ♪

♪ You can, and back again, sir ♪

♪ Oh, chip, chip my little horse ♪

♪ Chip, chip again, sir ♪

♪ How many miles to Dublin town? ♪

♪ Four score and 10, sir ♪

♪ Chip, chip my little horse ♪

♪ Chip, chip again, sir ♪

♪ Can I get there by candlelight? ♪

♪ You can, and back again, sir ♪