Original subtitles

Over 100 years ago, my grandpa come into this land.

Grandpa climbed this mountain and said, "This is it."

And he built him a sod house, got himself a wife...

and they named the whole mountain after him.

Spencer's Mountain it is to this day.

He could see the sun coming up mornings...

and the sun setting behind the Grand Tetons.

Pioneer French trappers named them that...

'cause the peaks reminded them of big bosoms.

This here's the river my grandpa first come down.

They call it the Snake...

because it kind of winds and meanders down our valley.

He saw plenty of buffalo...

and elk...

and in the ponds, the trumpeter swans would land...

so tame and loving, they'd swim right up to you.

Yep, it's a beautiful valley the Spencers come to.

And they come to stay.

Like this log house my papa built, long time back...

that me and my brothers, and my babies, too, got born in.

All nine of them.

Going to be a fine day.

What are you doing awake already?

It's not time for you to be up.

Now you're gonna have to go back to sleep.

Come on into Mama's bed. That's a good boy.

Clayboy.

Clayboy.

All my brothers is coming for breakfast. We'll need a slew of eggs.

- You want me to milk the cow, too? - I'll do the milking. Let the kids sleep.

Sweetheart?

I'm up.

Better wake Mama and Papa.

They'd never forgive us if my brothers came and went without a hello.

I will.

- I need $18, Clay. - What for?

- Clayboy's graduation ring. - Rings is for women.

- I want him to have one, dear. - Why?

It's kind of a sign, a sign that he's special.

All our kids is special.

Clayboy will be the first Spencer to ever graduate from high school.

He won't be the last. Each one of our kids is gonna do it.

Ain't one of them gonna end up in the quarry or the mill.

Would you draw me the money today?

It ain't there, Livy.

- But I put it in the bank Thursday. - Drew it out last night.

Paid it to Mr. John on a down payment on a power saw.

He had Percy truck it up the mountain last night.

Is that why your brothers had to give up their Saturdays?

I've done as much for them a thousand times.

You've all earned your rest.

I got rocks and log to haul. They borrowed a truck.

This year you're really going to get that dream house I promised.

You've been saying that ever since we got married.

I know, but now I got me this saw.

You know you're never going to get it built.

Right now I'd trade all of Spencer's Mountain for just...

one graduation ring for our boy.

We'll get it, Livy. I'll work overtime.

Yeah.

You know, I've been thinking about our family graveyard...

and wondering how the winter treated it.

Where are my sons?

- Said they'd be here by 6:00, Papa. - Then they will be.

There never was a Spencer that couldn't keep his word.

Give me your hand, Mother.

Haven't seen all my boys in one lump in too long a time.

- Near 6:00 now, ain't it? - Right on it.

- It's Clayboy, Sam! - Man, it's cold!

- Good morning, Clayboy. - Hello, Clayboy.

It's cold enough to freeze the ears off a monkey!

- Breakfast ready, Clayboy? - Let's eat!

Lay it on the table, Grandma.

Mama!

Put her down.

Sit you down and let your mother go.

- Watch what you do! - Come on.

Not so fast.

- Let me have one. - Here we go.

Here's mine. Where's yours?

How they treating you, Papa?

They hide every drop of whiskey I bring into this house.

We'll take care of that.

Drink hearty and eat fast. Got a lot of work to get done before sundown.

I'm going with you.

- Bring you some lunch, Papa. - Thank you, Son.

- Build a good house now. - See you, Papa.

See you later, Papa.

I'm going to have a walk up the porch, right over there.

Every year since Livy and I got married, I dug that basement...

and every winter she's filled up again.

Just so happens that Luke, Matt and John are the best masons in the valley.

I was hoping Clayboy and Ham'd dig the hole and you three'd lay the big rock.

Cement's under the tarp. The rest start hauling and cutting the timber.

- You haul them logs up here yourself? - Sure did.

Ain't she a beaut?

Got her from Mr. John.

Going great, fellas. Come tonight, we'll start pouring.

This will build me a real good house.

Thanks, brothers. I can really start to see it now.

Going to put a deep bed of grass here for my babies to play in.

Thanks again, brothers.

Hi, boys.

Good to see you. Get up there.

Well, Mama, the dream house is finally underway.

Hurry and wash up. Livy's fixed a Saturday night supper...

too good for poor folks.

Are we poor, Grandma?

I'd say we were rich, Becky.

There was a time when we were so poor...

we didn't have nothing to eat all winter except one slice of bacon.

- How many of you was there? - Nine brothers and Grandma and Grandpa.

You all lived off one slice?

How could you?

Grandma tied a piece of string on the piece of bacon...

and let each of us chew on it a while.

Why'd she tie the string on the bacon for?

So if anybody swallowed it, she could pull it out and feed the next one.

Daddy.

- Goodnight, Becky. - Goodnight, Shirley.

- Goodnight, Moby. - Goodnight, Mark.

- Goodnight, Matt. - Goodnight, Dad.

Goodnight, Mom.

Now go to sleep, children.

Goodnight, Clayboy.

'Morning, Chance.

I trust you're feeling romantic this morning.

After breakfast I'll take you to Mr. John's ranch and get you bred.

Remember that handsome old bull, Methuselah?

He's doing the honors this morning.

Thought you'd like to know.

Why, you swaybacked old heifer!

You won't be half so frisky coming home.

How's my saw working out, Spencer?

Cut me enough timber to build me a whole house, Mr. John.

- Remember my boy? - Yeah.

She's a hot little devil, ain't she?

That four-legged butter churn run us all the way here.

- Which way to the bull? - This way.

We need to help?

Methuselah never needs any help.

You watch him when he spots this pretty little heifer.

Here he comes.

How do you like that, Dad?

She races us all the way here, and now pretends he doesn't even exist.

She's just being a lady.

Don't worry, boy, she's got eyes in her rump.

Methu ain't gonna put up with none of that nonsense.

Sure acting silly.

You'll go off your nut, too, boy, when that love bug bites you.

Now look at Methuselah. What'd I tell you?

He's tired of fooling around.

There they go, right into the bridal chamber.

What did I say? Old Reliable, that's Methuselah.

We'll pick the cow up on our way back down the mountain.

- Thanks for the favor, Mr. John. - The pleasure's all Methuselah's.

I know you.

You're Claris Coleman's fella.

Her father manages the quarry.

- You know what? - No, what?

You and me could have some fun.

Know what I mean?

Won't be long before that boy of yours needs a woman, Clay.

I got a healthy young heifer there in Minnie-Cora.

Strong, willing.

Just popped out overnight, Percy.

Coming, Clayboy?

Listen...

whenever you get the urge to...

Just toss some pebbles on my window up there.

I'll come running.

It's not what cows do that seems wrong.

I guess it's just having no choice.

Don't go gettin' any ideas there's anything lowdown about it...

'cause the Lord himself thought it up and made us the way he did.

- Understand that, Son? - Yes, Dad, I think I do.

No, you don't. Nobody understands it.

You be proud you're a human being and have a choice.

Not all humans are that choosy, either.

But how can humans be sure the right couple gets together?

Were you sure, Dad?

Yep, I was.

I was a real heller before I met your pretty ma...

but the minute I met her, I knew. Don't ask me how, but I knew.

Just like you will someday.

When that happens, just remember you ain't any bull...

and that little girl ain't any cow.

Be kind and gentle. If she loves you a little bit before you marry her...

she'll love you a lot more after.

Knock it off, Son, time to quit.

Thought I'd frame the window here...

so as your ma'd have something to look out at while she's washing dishes.

You'll sit on the porch here with your babies on your lap.

You can tell them you helped build it so good...

it won't fall down in a million years.

Sure, Dad, I'll tell them. I'm getting hungry.

Colonel.

Rather not have this week's overtime show on the books.

Here's your $18.

Thanks for feeding the dogs and horses while I was in Washington.

How'd you find your daughter?

She can't wait for graduation so she can get back here for summer.

Claris adopted that family of yours last summer, didn't she?

Or was it your oldest son?

She and Clayboy made up some kind of secret club with passwords and all.

You don't have to worry about him. Girls still scare him to death.

He doesn't worry me...

but Claris seems more sophisticated. She's getting too smart for her britches.

I know you won't take any pay for feeding my animals...

but since the trout season opens Friday...

I thought you could use a day off at the river with pay.

Ollie, Ollie, oxen free!

I see him! Let's go get him!

Stop making so much noise!

Clayboy's up there trying to study for his final examinations!

Over here!

Last one in.

I thought you were going to spend your day off up at the dream house.

First time I ever saw a man build a house with a fishing pole.

Don't you worry.

I'm building you a castle up there fit for a royal-butted king.

You hold your tongue. I've got innocent children around here...

that I'm trying to raise to be good churchgoers.

Nobody turned me into a churchgoer, and look what a tall dog I turned out to be.

One, two, three, a hundred.

One, two...

Daddy spanked Mama!

How can they respect me if you go around whacking my...

Daddy spanked Mama.

There's Mother. Now she'll really think that you are a wilding.

Kiss her again!

Howdy, Mother Ida.

What you doing all dressed up on a weekday?

Livy and I are joining the Ladies Aid Society...

to get the parsonage ready for the new minister.

Yes, Livy did say you were signing a powerful new preacher.

You could come Sunday to hear him.

Lord, if I walked into that church, the roof would fall in on the whole congregation.

You shouldn't make jokes about church, Clay.

Don't you want to save your soul so you can go to heaven...

and be with Livy and decent people when you die?

Mother Ida, your church got one idea of heaven.

I hear the Methodists got another, and the Catholics still another.

I got my own opinion, too.

I can just imagine your idea of heaven.

A fishing pole and a riverbank.

Yes, I guess that's part of it.

I guess I get a little heaven about every day.

Maybe it's just hauling off and kissing my wife...

or having one of my babies snuggle into bed with us at night.

Or just doing a good day's work on my house up on Spencer's Mountain.

No, I don't have to wait for it, Mother Ida. I got heaven right here.

I was a devotee of lzaak Walton when I was but six.

Izaak Walton?

- Live around here? - Across the water.

A century or so ago, he wrote The Compleat Angler.

Let you in on a secret.

This here's the place the great-granddaddy of all trout lives.

Lays right offshore there...

hoping some fat old June bug come floating by his nose.

Would you mind if I joined you?

It's a big river.

I just happen to have my fishing tackle in my car.

- Name's Spencer. Clay Spencer. - Goodson here. Thanks for the welcome.

What'd I tell you?

You're a beauty.

That's one of the grandsons. He'll run about two pounds.

- Here's to fishermen's luck. - What would it be?

- Mosquito repellent. - Thank you.

Take a good slug.

Potent, huh? Stuff's the best in the valley.

Made by two little old ladies from their Pappy's recipe.

I find your mosquito repellent somewhat numbing.

That's the bourbon the little old ladies put in the recipe.

Great jumping balls of fire! You hooked the great-granddaddy!

Sink it home. Reel him in.

Double, triple, eternal damnation! He got away!

Hell's fire devour that...

black-souled, eternally damned devil.

- You shouldn't talk that way. - Why the hell not?

Because I just remembered why I'm here.

I am your new minister.

What? You got to be lying.

You see, I never touched liquor before in my life, so I...

You see anything of my fish?

- Why, Clara, you're a real artist. - Thank you.

It just looks lovely. Simply lovely.

It's all my fault. Seems your preacher never had a bottle to his lips before.

Bless you all.

Merciful heavens, he's drunk.

Splendid service.

Such an honor to have had you with us, Mr. Spencer.

Grandma Spencer.

Serves him right. Nobody came.

Not a soul.

I owe an apology to this community.

My weakness in the eyes of God could mean the end of my ministry...

and I am deeply contrite.

Mother Ida, I'm sure sorry I got your preacher tight yesterday.

I didn't know he was your preacher till it was too late.

It's a wonder the Good Lord don't strike you dead.

I don't see any harm in a man taking a nip now and then.

He's a good man.

Bet he does a lot of good for this community.

Was he powerful in the pulpit? Did he preach a good sermon?

How would we know? We all went to the Mountain Church.

Nobody went to the Church of God this morning. Not a single person.

Why not?

Would you want your children to hear a drunkard preach?

A drunkard? That poor guy never even smelled a cork till yesterday.

You mean not one single hymn-shouting, foot-washing hypocrite showed up?

Hush, Clay. The neighbors. Please.

The Ladies Aid Society voted unanimously...

to transfer in toto to the Mountain Church.

Why, those prissy-panted hypocrites. Don't wait dinner for me.

- Where you going? - I got him into this, I'll get him out.

- Good morning, Clay. - Hey, folks.

How are you?

Do you folks recall, down the years...

every time you needed anything fixed, you always called on me?

You're the handiest man with a tool I've ever seen.

Thank you, ma'am.

Remember how I worked all one weekend to get your windmill working?

Times I fixed your pump and put on your new roof?

- You're a good neighbor, for a fact. - Now all that's ended.

I'm sending a bill for every stick of work I ever done on your place...

unless every last one of you shows up at the Church of God services tonight.

But, Clay, I'll be expelled from the Ladies Aid.

Don't worry about the Ladies Aid.

I've fixed enough iceboxes, washing machines and electric cords...

in six months to put them all into bankruptcy.

You spread the word, Lucy, real quick.

I'm collecting in full from everybody who don't show up at that church tonight.

I see, you have quite a congregation. Have a good day, sir.

- Good day, Col. Coleman. - Good day, Clay.

Don't tell me you're joining our church, too.

Me and church don't mix.

I just got to worrying about that family of skunks...

you smelled back there and want me to clean out.

I got this awful feeling they'll show up under your church tonight.

- Unless... - Unless what?

Unless you and your flock goes up to the House of God tonight...

to make that new man know he's welcome here.

Wouldn't you say that's the Christian thing to do?

I've heard rumors...

He never had a drink in his life before I poured it down him.

I'd sure hate to see your congregation get stunk up tonight.

Once them skunks start spraying their skunk juice around...

they say you never get the stink out.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

I'm deeply honored.

Good evening, Minister.

I'm deeply moved.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

I don't understand.

- Good evening. - Howdy, Mr. Goodson.

As one colleague to another...

have you ever seen reference to blackmail in the Good Book?

I'm delighted to welcome you here.

To commemorate this occasion...

I think we should sing a hymn which has a special meaning to me:

Shall We Gather At The River?

- Roust them out, Clayboy. - Happy Graduation Day, Son!

Rise and shine. Sun's up. Come on.

Come on, you guys. Get dressed for my graduation. Come on.

Come on, Becky, Shirley. Time to wake up. Come on.

Kiss me awake, Clayboy.

- Now pick me up to the toity. - Okay.

Golly, look what I got. Bosoms.

Good morning, Pattie-Cake. 'Morning, John.

'Morning, Luke. 'Morning, Shirley.

'Morning, Mark. 'Morning, Becky.

'Morning, Matt.

Look at them babies, sweetheart. Ever seen anything prettier?

How I wish we could keep them all babies.

I hate to think of them growing up, leaving us one day...

not knowing what'll happen.

They'll be all right. They're thoroughbreds.

May I now present the graduation class.

The senior class teacher, Miss Parker...

will present the scholarship medal.

I have been teaching school here in New Dominion...

for all of my teaching life.

Many of my former pupils now sit before me in this audience.

I have taught our boys and girls...

about the beauty and wisdom they can find in books.

I've taught them how our government works.

I hope I have instilled in them some idea...

of the majesty and wonder of people governing themselves.

I have tried in geography to teach them...

that there lies an enormous world outside...

that dwarfs even our immense valley.

A world full of opportunity...

for growth and learning and achievement.

Every once in a while, a young student comes along...

with a hungry look in the eye...

who's not content just to memorize facts, who wants to know...

who has an inquiring mind.

And everything he learns...

only whets his appetite to learn more.

The student who will now receive our highest award...

is such a student.

Will Clayboy Spencer please step forward?

Bully for you, boy!

I want the Spencer family to know this.

I have taught your boy everything I know...

but he's still hungry.

If the day ever comes when I go by that quarry...

and I see Clayboy Spencer covered with dust...

instead of learning to be a leader...

I think I shall give up the teaching profession.

Clayboy, I give you these words to live by:

"The world steps aside to let any man pass...

if he knows where he's going."

- What you doing out there? - Waiting for Pop.

Your supper's on the table.

You think Pop's getting drunk?

He does have cause to celebrate.

It isn't every night that a Spencer has a boy graduate from high school...

let alone win the school medal.

We can't wait supper much longer. The children are starving. Come on.

If he's drunk, I'll die.

He never gets that drunk.

Mother, tonight Miss Parker and the preacher are coming to call.

I wanted to keep it a secret but now I can't.

Keep what a secret?

They think they can get me a college education.

I vow, sometimes educated people got less brains than fools.

Wouldn't you want me to go?

I'd rather you go to college than anything in the whole world...

but just where do they think we could raise that kind of money?

Your father even had to work overtime to get you a graduation ring.

Did you ever see university boys?

They're rich boys, their daddies have got money...

or they wouldn't let them inside the gates.

But they can get me a scholarship at the university.

That's what they are coming to talk about.

You think I'm so dumb that I don't know what scholarships are for?

They're for tuition, but that doesn't take care of half the expenses.

You still have to live, you have to eat.

You have to wear decent clothes, you have to buy hundreds of books.

We're poor people, Son.

I could get a job nights. I could earn money here all summer.

That's wishing for the moon, Clayboy.

All I'm asking is that you and Pop hear what they got in mind.

If they got in mind some way to raise money for this college education...

then I'm all for it.

But if they're coming here to put foolish ideas into your head...

Just listen! That's all I'm asking.

If Pop's drunk, I'll kill myself.

All we can do about that is pray, Son.

Now, whose turn is it to say the blessing?

It's my turn.

Thank you for the food we eat.

Thank you for the world so sweet.

Thank you, God, for the birds that sing.

Thank you, God, for everything...

including getting Clayboy graduated.

Amen.

Becky didn't say amen.

I did, too, say amen.

- You did not if nobody heard you. - That's because I whispered it.

Why did she whisper it for?

I wanted to see if God could hear me.

Did he hear you?

I don't know. I'm testing him.

Of course he heard her. God hears everything.

I hope he didn't hear Matt today.

You shut your yap, if you know what's good for you.

That's no way to talk to your sister.

Matt's going to hell.

Today he mashed his finger and said a whole string of bad words.

Like what?

He said, "Damn, damn, double damn, triple damn, hell!"

- Did you, Matt? - Daddy says it all the time.

The next time you talk like that, I'll wash your mouth out with lye soap.

I don't want Matt to go away.

Matt's not going anywhere. Now eat up your soup. Go on.

He is, too. Becky said so.

He's going to hell for saying bad words.

I want to go, too. I want to go to hell with Matt.

Look out!

Oh, my God! His neck's broke!

Run, Clayboy, quick, and get the doctor!

- Mother! - Here, Clayboy.

You'd hardly been gone a minute when he came to.

Just knocked the breath out of him, I guess.

How did you get your clothes so dirty?

You little mutt! What do you mean scaring me that way?

Clayboy didn't mean that. Hush, Clayboy.

Go on up and see if the children have brushed their teeth and are tucked...

You do it!

- What was that? - Mom, I got to get away from here.

All I'm good for is running for doctors, going to the store...

feeding the kids, putting them to bed, giving them baths...

milking the cows, plucking the chickens and churning the butter...

But you're the oldest son.

Then I'm tired of being the oldest.

That's one thing I can't do anything about.

What you get in life is what you're stuck with...

and you're stuck with being our oldest.

You're just going to have to make the most of it.

Here, will you take care of Pattie-Cake?

- What do you want? - I have to do a wee-wee.

- You know where the bathroom is. - It's too high. Won't you lift me up?

All right.

Come in.

I told Mother you'd be coming.

- Hi there, Pattie-Cake. - Hi.

Clayboy's going to lift me on the toity.

- Mother! - Yes?

- They're here. - Entertain them. I'll hurry.

I was just saying that someone around here certainly has a green thumb.

- It's Mother. She loves to grow things. - I must find out the secret of her success.

It's mostly cow manure.

I trust both your parents will be here.

Dad had this sudden work come up down at the mill and...

- Good evening, Mrs. Spencer. - Good evening.

Good evening. I'm so happy to see you both.

And, Miss Parker...

I was so pleased today to hear all the fine things...

- you had to say about Clayboy. - They were all true.

I'm just so sorry that Mr. Spencer can't be here, too.

You see, he's gone to Jackson about some...

pigs he's going to buy.

Clayboy, now would you tuck me in?

- What're you kids doing here? - Listening.

Back to bed, all of you.

And if you get up another time tonight...

I'm going to spank your behind so shiny you can see yourself in it.

I love you, Clayboy. Kiss me goodnight.

Okay, now you go upstairs.

After the graduation, I took the liberty of calling the university.

One scholarship's left, if Clayboy gets in his application immediately.

However, as I told Clayboy...

the scholarship available is of a rather specialized nature.

But it's an education.

The only scholarship left is one for studying as a minister of the gospel.

That does it. His father would just blow up.

But I understood Clay to say he had a great respect for education.

He has, but...

I'm afraid his father would rather see Clayboy...

burn in hell than become a minister.

- He allows you to attend church. - Your children go to Sunday school.

Clay was never one to forbid us from seeking God in our own way.

It's just that...

Must you? We've got company.

I'm going to haul off and kiss those ruby lips right off of you.

Clay, now stop it!

Behave yourself!

- The minister and Miss Parker are in there. - Good for Miss Parker.

Clay, stop. Stop, Clay.

- I love you, woman! - Clay, stop...

Hi, Doc. What are you doing here?

According to my blackboard, Donnie has a broken neck.

That's what you've been trying to tell me.

He's fine. He just had the wind knocked out of him.

He's fine, Doc, but do come in...

because I'm going to make some black coffee for Clay.

After that Bibb birthing, I could use some, too.

He bought the pigs and got back.

Clayboy, please get a pot of black coffee and some cups.

Please sit down.

Miss Parker and Mr. Goodson seem to think that our boy has...

a pretty good chance of winning a scholarship at the university.

Some kind of contest?

No. You just have to sign this application.

And I'll send a copy of his excellent scholastic record.

I'm sure they'll accept him.

I could work nights and study.

Come here, Son.

You've never been outside this valley.

You've never seen a city like where that university is.

Everybody's in a hurry. They got...

freeways, cars going every which way, and a couple of hundred thousand people.

- You'd get lost the first day. - You could buy me a map.

Maybe he would get lost for a while, but not for long.

That boy could find his way through life if given a chance.

I brought Clayboy into the world. I could write a character recommendation.

I could, too. I graduated from there.

I'll tell you something.

I never had no education myself.

Just went to school a couple of weeks...

long enough to learn to write my name, learn enough...

arithmetic to make sure the company wasn't cheating me on my pay.

I went into the quarry alongside my papa when I was 10 years old.

I've been there ever since.

Maybe that's why I admire a man with an education.

What I can tell you...

it's always been my heart's craving for my babies to get better than I had.

- You really want it, don't you, boy? - Yes, sir.

What if you go down there and fall on your butt?

I'd never let you down, Pop.

You will sign his application.

I sure as hell will.

Run and get the coffee, quick.

The little woman's shaking her head at me for cussing.

I'll tell you, ma'am, I learned to cuss before I learned to walk.

I'm too old a rooster to change my ways at this late date.

I always say, in his own home, a man's got a right to talk...

the only way he knows how.

Them that don't like it can always march their tail right out. That right?

Damn tooting!

Here's to the world outside, boy.

Did you see what your father and I had written inside your ring?

"Victory with honor."

It's one of them mottos.

Your mother picked it out of a book.

Come in.

Miss Parker!

Last time you came calling was...

to tell me my daughter simply had to wear panties to school.

I suppose now that summer's here, we'll be seeing Claris any day now.

Col. Coleman...

your company owns that old abandoned shack across from the office.

- On Friendship Corner. - I'm going to board it up.

The men use it for gambling and drinking instead of going home.

I have a better use for it: A library.

You have to be kidding. Half the people can barely write their names.

Mr. Goodson and I are going to solicit every library in the state for duplicates.

We're going to print pleas in the papers.

The shack's yours if you clean it out yourself.

Thank you.

Now, how much are you willing to pay Clayboy Spencer to run it for you?

Pay him? To run it for me?

I think you should pay him $20 a week.

If the company heard I paid $20 to a librarian, they'd fire me.

Charge it to public relations!

If you were a man, I'd throw you through that door.

Hide it under miscellaneous.

Because he's Clay Spencer's son, I'll give him $10 a week, not a cent more.

Why, that's only $120 for the entire summer.

If you don't accept that offer, Miss Parker, and get out of here...

I'll have that shack burnt down today. Take it or leave it.

I'll take it.

This is a lovely place you have here.

It's pretty ghastly, all right, but it'll do.

We can start cleaning it up.

They've come! They've come!

Beautiful.

Green Mansions.

War and Peace.

I bought you a present.

How'd you like to read a good book?

Nope.

- What's the password? - Gobbledegook.

Is that all you'll say to me after a whole year?

You've grown.

34-22-34.

- What's that stand for? - What you're gawking at.

Aren't you going to ask me in?

Yeah. Come on in.

Say, what's this about you going to college?

I have a scholarship application in. We're waiting to hear.

Mother says I'm at the dangerous age. Whatever that is.

- She stuck me in a girls' academy. - What was your major?

- Phys Ed. - Phys Ed? What's that?

Murder, you are dumb.

Look.

One, two...

three, four.

One, two...

three, four.

That's Phys Ed.

You know what class I like best in school?

Marriage and the Family.

Boy, could I tell you a thing or two.

Go ahead.

- I'd have to whisper. - Okay.

- How do you spell it? - Where's your dictionary?

I haven't got one.

There was one at school. I used to save up the words for then.

The two most important books are the Bible and the unexpurgated dictionary.

I'll buy you one, and we can look up words together.

We'll expand your vocabulary.

Last year I was as dumb as you are. I didn't know anything.

Now I know everything.

Ask me something.

There's nothing I want to know right at this minute.

Aren't you even going to kiss me hello?

I'm sure glad you're home.

Me, too.

I'm going to ride up and have a reunion with your family.

See if the kids have grown as much as you have.

See you there, lover.

The bathwater's ready.

Donnie took his nap in the fetal position.

In what?

Fetal position. The way he was curled up inside your womb.

Claris!

We don't talk about such things in this house.

I'm terribly enthralled with human reproduction right now.

We've been studying the development of the fetus...

from the time the sperm and the egg unite.

The only eggs these children hear about come from chickens.

I was only trying to make interesting conversation.

Then make it about something else.

Now that I'm home, I'm going to give you and Mr. Spencer a week's vacation.

That's one thing I've never had. It ought to be interesting.

Bathe and dress all the kids.

Make the dinners, and wash the dishes, and make the beds...

while you and your husband just go off on a second honeymoon.

We haven't had the first one yet.

Clay always said that we're going to spend it at that dream house, but...

- Where would you suggest we go? - Ever been to Sun Valley?

- Only valley I've been to is this one. - Then that's where you'll go.

Summer's not too expensive, and there's swimming and dancing and sunbathing.

- You don't even have to dress for dinner. - Wow! That's real nice to know.

- I'm sure you'd enjoy it immensely. - I'm sure I would, dear.

But I'd consider it a vacation if I could sit down for 10 minutes on that porch.

Sure you can't stay to supper?

No. First night home, Daddy will be...

Here. I'll take care of Donnie.

You go on out and look at the sunset with Clayboy.

Guess what? Your parents are going to Sun Valley on their second honeymoon.

We're going to be papa and mama while they're gone.

- What do you think about that? - What do I think?

I think you're crazy.

Here's a dictionary with all the naughty words underlined.

I've seen all those.

Look at this one.

Holy smoke.

- How did you find them? - Study hours.

Look at that.

Soon as you find out what they mean, erase the underline.

I know them all by heart anyway. Look up "friction."

The girls at the academy thought it was a dirty word.

So they went around saying, "Friction, friction".

It does sound dirty.

What do you know?

Isn't that a kick?

Now, if you'll just friction me a little I'll ride home to supper.

You are nuts.

- Go ahead or I'll start screaming. - Okay, scream.

All right. What do you want me to do?

Just friction me for 10 seconds.

That's all you get this time.

Livy!

Lordy, lordy, if little Claris ain't gone and turned into a woman.

I'm so pleased to be home.

You're just in time for Clayboy's big moment. Come in.

Livy!

Come on!

Gather around.

Here's the good news, hot from the post office.

"Mr. Clay Spencer, Jr."

I never saw it spelled out that way before. Have you, Son?

- Why don't you open it? - Got your name on it.

- What if they turned me down? - That wouldn't be the end of the world.

It would be for me.

Open it, Son, take it like a man, whatever it says.

"The Dean announces the following selections for scholarship:

Lawrence Adams." It's alphabetical.

Skip to the S's.

They haven't got all the education locked up in that one cheesy university.

You could write down there and ask them what books they're teaching.

You could get them sent up here...

and study them right in front of your own fireplace...

like Honest Abe did.

Might take a bit longer without them professors...

but it's a way, boy.

It's a way.

If I had my way, you'd be President of the United States.

Clayboy, it was like reaching for...

the sun and the moon and the stars.

Wasn't it, dear?

Maybe it's a mistake.

Maybe it's one of them clerical errors.

Who's kidding who? They don't want me! Can't you see that?

Time for supper.

Come on. You, too, children.

Wouldn't surprise me if the Good Lord himself...

kept Clayboy from getting that scholarship.

Why would the Lord do that?

After the graduation, we were all so puffed up and bragging about him so.

"Pride cometh before a fall"

If the Lord put you on this earth to be poor, poor you're going to be.

If you're born ignorant, you're destined to die ignorant.

Where the hell did you pick up that information?

- In the Bible, and stop swearing. - Show me where it says that.

I can't exactly show you where, but I heard a preacher...

Woman, you've been listening to too many preachers.

Anybody in the world could find something wrote down somewhere...

to prove what they want.

Because it's wrote down don't make it so.

You think you know more than the preachers?

Maybe I do, maybe I don't.

Maybe I ain't been baptized or nothing.

The Good Lord my mama told me about, and the one I been praying to...

wouldn't set his foot down on any of my kids...

trying to better himself in this world.

What hurts most is knowing there must be thousands of boys...

in colleges everywhere who don't have half the heart or mind...

or craving to learn our boy has.

That's what I've been afraid of from the start.

That Miss Parker and the preacher would...

open a window for Clayboy and show him the world outside...

and make him want it with all of his heart and all of his soul.

Then just slam it shut in his face.

God forgive me.

I hate them for...

letting our boy get hurt like that.

I think I'm getting me drunk.

Ain't going to take this lying down.

No Spencer ever did.

Nobody gonna tell my boy there ain't room for him outside this valley.

No siree.

Going down there and...

talk to this Dean fellow who turned down my boy.

You do that, Clay.

I'll make you a loan of my pickup truck.

Won't even let you in the gate, Clay.

They're educated.

I've talked to lots of educated people in my time.

Lots of them make more sense than some ignoramuses I know.

Thanks for the loan of the truck.

When you hear that siren, you stop.

- A man's bleeding in there. - You'll be bleeding...

- Think he'll live? - How should I know?

You're not going to live long driving like this.

- I was trying to find the university. - You're in front of it.

I was looking for the boss or foreman, whoever runs the place.

This is the administration building.

The boss man works in there. Now get over there.

Over here.

'Morning, ma'am.

- I'd like to see the head man. - What about, sir?

My boy's Clay Spencer, Jr., and we put in for this scholarship...

and we didn't get it. I come down to find out why.

Yes, sir. Just a minute.

I'll be right back, sir.

They look smart, but I wonder if any of them ever did an honest day's work.

Please go in, Mr. Spencer.

I remember your son's case very well. What can I do for you?

Give my boy another chance at them scholarships.

That's impossible. They're all gone.

- Where did my son fail? - Fail?

Nowhere.

His grades, recommendations and qualifications were excellent.

But he had one insurmountable deficiency. He had no Latin.

Latin is an absolute prerequisite for his chosen vocation.

Won't you sit down, please?

May I remind you, many of America's great men never went to college.

That won't be much comfort for my boy.

It ain't only for himself. But he's got this dream...

of leading the way for his brothers and sisters.

- How many children do you have? - Nine of the finest kids you ever seen.

I broke my back keeping them all in school. But I swore to God...

that every one of them would have what I never got.

- Which is? - High school education.

My first-born has made it with honors, but now he's got this...

deep craving for more.

His mama and me would make any sacrifice to see he gets it.

I'm sure if your son wants to be a minister strongly enough...

Wants to be what?

If he wants to preach the gospel.

He don't want to preach no gospel. He wants a college education.

He applied for a ministerial scholarship.

And you signed it.

Friend, somebody's got things royally fouled up.

I'd as soon see my boy in jail as have a pulpit.

That's a strong statement. What do you have against preachers?

It's what they preach against I'm against.

- I'm afraid I don't understand. - They're against everything I'm for.

They don't allow drinking or smoking...

card playing, pool shooting, dancing, cussing...

or hugging, kissing and loving. And, mister, I'm for all of them things.

I got me a good God-fearing wife. I let her raise our kids that way.

But I'll be triple-damned in hell before I'll have a parson in my family.

That seems pretty final.

Don't you teach nothing else around here besides this preaching business?

Yes.

We teach Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry...

Law, Medicine, Business Administration, the Social Sciences, the Arts.

Good.

If my boy learns himself this Latin before college starts, will you let him in?

There'd be no more scholarships. He'd have to pay his way.

- Lf I can swing it, will you take him? - What if the answer were no?

This ain't the only gol-darned college in the country.

Sir, I just don't want to break my boy's heart.

I don't think you'll need to, Neighbor Spencer.

If young Clay can complete his Latin, bring him down to see me.

If the boy's anything like his father, I think he'd be an asset to all of us.

Thank you, sir.

Bravo!

What else could I do? He's right.

"This ain't the only gol-darned college in the country."

Sorry.

I thought Clayboy was here.

I found out why the college wouldn't let him in: No Latin.

Then that was my fault. I've never taught it.

- I talked to this nice fellow Beck. - Dean Beck?

Seems as if he'd some fool notion that Clayboy wanted to be a preacher.

They got that fool notion from me.

You see, ministry scholarships were the only ones left.

We thought that what mattered most was Clayboy continuing his education.

Don't worry. I squashed that preacher idea right away.

Dean says that if Clayboy gets his Latin someway, he can choose his own trade.

I won the Latin medal when I was there. I could teach him what I know.

You could certify he studied the course. Passed the examinations.

Dean Beck ought to honor that. He taught me Latin. Gave me "A plus".

- What would you charge to teach him? - Charge?

After you saved me a whole congregation?

We'll call it "bread on the water".

Don't give me that Bible stuff. No, sir. We make a fair and square deal.

I know what would be fair for me.

I trust you. What's fair for you is fair for me. You name it, I pay it.

You insist?

Then the only payment I want is to see you at our church, Sundays.

Do we have a deal?

Thanks, Preacher.

Thanks very, very much.

Isn't it wonderful?

Why, Miss Parker, I didn't know you cared.

I do! I do!

Look!

Never thought I'd see the day.

- Pay up, Guzzler. - He ain't gone in yet.

Say it isn't so, Clay.

You're damn right it is. It wouldn't hurt you heathens none to come in, too.

Colonel.

Welcome to the house of the Lord, Clay Spencer.

Right proud to be here, Mother Ida.

On this very auspicious day...

I suggest that instead of hymn 142...

we all sing hymn 37.

"When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there."

Now translate from the sixth book of Caesar's commentaries...

on the Gallic War.

"The British chiefs..."

"Magna moliri: To be busy with ambitious projects".

- Sicilia. - Sicily.

- Taurus. - Bull.

- Templum. - Temple.

Perfect. Do the next 10 pages for tomorrow.

- Conjugate me, big boy. - You name it.

Conjugate "to love".

Okay. Let's.

- Let's what? - Let's make love.

- Where? - Right here.

- You're nuttier than a fruitcake. - Nutty about you, hillbilly.

You're going to have to cut your hair differently when we get married.

Do we have to wait four years?

Can't we start practicing now?

Beat it, will you?

I'm trying to study for my Latin finals. I can't do it with you blowing in my ear.

I've decided what we're going to be.

- Archaeologists. - Yesterday it was baby doctors.

We'll have our pictures in the papers, write books together.

We'll give lectures together.

Travel all over the world seeking relics.

You don't have to go that far.

There's a place on Spencer's Mountain loaded with Indian relics.

- Take me there. - No, it's a secret place.

Nobody's been there but me.

I've always wanted to go somewhere where nobody's been.

- Come on. - Claris, I got to study.

Honest, I really do.

I can read your mind.

You're wondering what it would be like up there, just you and me.

It's not safe.

- What do you want? - Mama says to come to lunch.

- Tell her I'm coming. - I'll wait and go with you.

You do what I tell you. I got things to do here first.

I bet you have. With her.

I got to close windows and lock up, and things like that.

- Go on. - I won't.

- You will, or I'll spank your bottom. - I'll tell Mama what I saw.

All you saw, Miss Smarty-Pants, was your brother getting something out of my eye.

His hands weren't even near your eye.

You're telling a lie. You'll go to hell.

Say that again and I'll clobber your jaw so hard...

you'll look backwards the rest of your life.

I'm telling Mama on you.

Here, take the key and lock up. Close the windows and things like that.

Becky! You wait there!

Becky, I'm going to clobber you.

And Clayboy said he'd slap my face if I told you.

Just exactly what is this child trying to tell me?

I don't know. What did she say?

She said you and Claris were doing something bad.

- We weren't. - They were so.

They were all wrapped together like two worms.

We were not.

Go on. Go on out. Gather the eggs.

Honest, Mom. All we were doing was kissing.

I believe you. Go on. Eat your lunch.

Read me some Latin.

- What does that mean? - It means, "Laurentia wants meat".

Well, imagine that.

Oh, my goodness. If it weren't for me...

you men in this house would starve to death.

Your father and grandfather have gone up the mountain and forgotten their lunches.

- I'll take them. - All right.

Hey, Son...

I keep having nightmares about this tree falling on our graveyard.

I'd hate to see all our stones get knocked every which way.

I'll chop her down for you, Papa.

Good boy.

Hey, Son.

My toy bank.

Hey, Son. My toy bank.

Had it when I was a boy.

Papa!

Papa, go back!

Dad.

Grandpa!

God, help me.

Don't let my dad die.

Please. I'll give up anything.

College, everything. Dad, please don't.

I'll get help. Don't die, Dad. Please.

On the mountain. Pop's hurt. I'm going for help.

I'll go right up.

Dad and Grandpa! Up on the mountain!

Accident! Bring axes and saws!

Dad and Grandpa, they're bad hurt. A tree fell on them.

Up on the mountain! Dad and Grandpa! Tree fell on them!

Old Mr. Spencer's near the front of the tree.

His son's under here.

He's under here.

Papa's under there. Get Pop out.

Take it easy.

- That ankle bone's busted bad. - Damn it, Doc. Get Pop out.

Cut the pants leg.

Then pour a giant slug of this down him. He's gonna need it.

Give me the slug before the pants leg, Son.

Thought Papa was down at the graveyard.

I hollered at him, but he froze.

Bone's sticking out, Pop.

Papa dead?

No. He's alive, Clay, but...

it can't be for long. He's broken nearly every bone in his body.

I gave him enough morphine to get him down the mountain.

Better get down there, Son.

Prepare the women for bad news.

Probably the only time the old man ever whipped me.

I remember that. Shouldn't have sassed him.

You never did that again.

Best hunter from the valley, he was.

Till his eyes went bad on him.

I hope Clay ain't hurting too bad.

Doc put him to sleep.

Your papa's gone.

Here lies a man who brought his bride to Spencer's Mountain...

over 70 years ago.

Whose children were born on this very summit.

Where his son now builds a house...

for his children, and for generations to come.

Nine fine sons...

and 32 grandchildren...

owe their being to this fine old man.

The fountainhead of the Spencers of this valley.

It was his request that this goodbye be kept simple.

That for the comfort of his beloved wife and family...

this hymn be sung.

Would my sons gather around?

You, too, Clayboy.

We got to go back to the business of living.

So I want you to hear what your papa and me writ down.

His last will and testament.

"The old woman writes this for me..."

"'cause I never did learn to write myself."

"Remember when you boys got married..."

"I divided up my homestead...

on Spencer's Mountain amongst you."

"So I got nothing left to give nobody...

but this $37..."

"I tucked away for a rainy day."

"Now I'm facing the Old Master."

"It's my heart's wish...

that this savings do some good."

"So I'm leaving it to Clayboy...

to help him get to that there college he's got his heart set on...

knowing he'll pioneer the way...

for his brothers and sisters to follow."

"Good luck, Clayboy."

"Aim for the stars."

- I can't take Grandpa's money. - That was his way of showing his faith.

- So you could make it through college. - But I'm giving up college.

You mean you can't lick this Latin?

- I made a promise to God I'd give it up. - Why would you do a thing like that?

When the tree fell, I promised it if he let Dad live.

Damn it, boy, I think that's one promise the Lord won't be asking you to keep.

'Night.

- Goodnight, sweetheart. - Goodnight.

Thanks for giving me a son like that.

Which one will be our bedroom?

- Where did you come from? - I brought us up a picnic.

Where will we sleep?

- You kill me. - Come kiss me in the bedroom.

- I don't know where it'll be. - Come up here and we'll figure it out.

Seems kind of indecent.

- What does? - Kissing in broad daylight.

That's what makes it sexy.

You shouldn't have come up here, you could fall and break your neck.

It is a long way down.

- Hold me. - Why did you come up here?

So we could do this.

- Do you always plan things? - One of us has to.

Like our picnic. I planned where we'll have it.

- Where? - At your secret place.

- Is that all you want to do there? - No.

But we could eat first.

- Carry me downstairs. - Come on.

- Or am I too heavy? - Of course not.

I know what you're thinking.

It's been on your mind since you planned this picnic.

- I didn't plan it, you did. - That's right, blame it on me.

It's been on your mind ever since I mentioned the secret place.

I knew you wanted to get me there so you could try something.

All right, then let's not go.

Don't worry, if you don't have any will power, I do.

Lead me to it.

Here it is.

Look, something's been here.

Only a deer, that's where he spent the night.

It's still warm from its body.

It's been gone since sun-up. It's just warm from the sun.

We'll have our picnic here.

Just think...

only a few short hours ago, some wild, beautiful thing lay here.

Now look.

It's not like him to miss supper.

We used to stop and smooch a little on the way, remember?

We never did smooch, not before marriage.

Depends on what you mean by smooching?

- Means making love. - Not really.

Only around the edges...

like you used to let me.

Stop it.

The kids will see us.

I wish I'd never told her that you sent him up there.

Nothing they can do up the mountain they can't do behind our morning glories.

I was up at the house, see. Me and Claris had this picnic...

Everything's fine up there, Dad, I mean it's okay.

- Your supper's in the oven. - Not hungry.

Not hungry?

But that's not like him.

Did his face seem sort of flushed to you?

Do you think he is coming down with something?

Yep, hell of a case of first love.

Clayboy won't let me in the bathroom.

Then you just have to wait your turn.

- He's putting ointment all over him. - Ointment?

I think you better go upstairs and find out what's going on.

Let me in, Son.

That's quite a sunburn.

Wow, what a sunburn.

Better let me give you a hand.

Your mother was worried.

Anything you want to tell your old man?

Like what, Pa?

A young lad's up on a mountain most of the day with a lively little filly like Claris...

lead his mother to imagine all sorts of things.

Next time, if I was you, I'd try to find a shady place.

You didn't stop at the crosswalk for the girl.

I'm sorry, Sheriff.

This here's my son. You may see him around after next week.

It's the most beautiful place on earth.

- I am gettin' kind of scared. - Don't worry. He's not the scary type.

"To whom it may concern."

"This certifies that Clay Spencer, Jr. Has completed the equivalent of...

one college semester in Latin...

passing final examination with a grade of 95."

"Clyde Goodson."

Please place this in the Clay Spencer, Jr. File.

Then add his name to the roster of the freshman class entering on the 10th.

- Don't he have to talk Latin to you? - Goodson's endorsement's enough.

By the way, Neighbor Spencer, is he a good preacher?

I've been a heathen all my life. He has me sitting in the amen corner every Sunday.

Converted you?

No. That's the price he charged for giving my boy lessons.

- Come see me when you enroll next week. - Thank you, sir.

You were able to raise the money?

I can now. All I needed was the boy being accepted.

He's my collateral.

You must live for days like this.

- Them all yours, Spencer? - Sure are. This here's their ma, Livy.

And starting with the baby that's asleep, that's Donnie, John, Pattie-Cake...

Luke, Shirley, Matt, Mark, Becky...

and you've met this boy here, the day we was breeding the bull.

He just got accepted, starting next week, at the university...

and I'd like to use him as a collateral on a new loan.

Never went to college myself. I've done pretty good.

- How much do you want this time? - Got it all wrote down right here.

Let's see.

"First year tuition fees, college fees, activity fees, contingent fees, lab..."

"$528!"

- How will you pay all this back? - Just like the power saw.

Clay and I figured we could pay you $10 each month for 53 months.

With him still on a cane? What if next time you break your neck?

The quarry has got a $500 policy on all its employees.

If anything should ever happen to Clay, I'd endorse it over to you.

I give you my word, sir.

Mr. John, you come over here. I want words with you.

Minnie-Cora, come on out here and meet the Spencers.

I met them already and I ain't presentable. You come on over here.

You hear about my foreman furnishing me this heifer to look after me.

I up and married her. One of them May-November weddings.

- How soon do you need the cash? - You quit that yapping and get over here.

They're sucking around after money, ain't they?

- Shut up, baby doll. - You got me to come here and play house.

- You said you'd name me in your will. - So I did, I did.

The money is already mine and if you let them have any of it...

you don't come messing around me again, you hear?

- Hush, they'll hear you. - Let them.

Come along, children. We'll wait for Daddy back in the truck.

I ain't forgot Clayboy never bothered to come calling.

Now let 'em beg.

- Now take it easy, baby doll. - You lend them the money and I move out.

Of course, I would be glad to pay interest, Mr. John.

He'll be glad to pay us interest.

- You see how it is? - Yes, I see how it is.

- A man my age, he gets lonesome. - Sure, sure.

- Thanks just the same, sir. - You might try Col. Coleman.

He's already advanced me pay every week till my leg mends.

You're the only hope we had.

Clayboy, take them inside. See that Grandma changes their Sunday clothes.

All right.

For the first time in my life, I wish I could swear.

Real bad.

Don't cry, sweetheart, you'll get me bawling, too.

Why shouldn't we bawl?

All of our life, reaching out for something better for our kids...

than we ever had for ourselves.

And the one time we go beggin'...

all we get is a slap in the face.

Why? Just because that little harlot said no.

We still got a week to find a way.

No, we got to stop torturing ourselves...

and our boy with false hopes.

There is no way.

Clayboy is going to end up his life slaving in that quarry...

and so are his brothers.

So let's stop this dreaming.

I got to get this truck back to Slim.

Is it safe for Dad to drive?

Claris left this note to meet at the library. Says it is terribly important.

All right, but let's keep our failures to ourselves, shall we?

I'd rather the whole world didn't know it, at least not for a little while.

I am in no mood for sympathy.

My, do I have a surprise for you.

- Admitted? By September 10? - Yes, that's my big surprise.

We're going to be together. We're going to be matriculated next week.

Matriculated?

For the next four years, we are going to college together.

I was in the top 10 percent. You proud of me?

Won't we have fun?

Claris, you'll miss your plane.

That's Daddy. He's taking me to the airport.

Better unlock the door so he won't think this is another secret place.

What's the matter?

Is anything wrong?

Isn't it just like a dream come true?

Don't worry about having to spend money on me for dates. I know how it is.

We'll just take long walks nights around the lake.

I'll meet you at 8:00 a.m. Monday on the steps of the administration building.

Do you know where it is?

I love you.

We've got to stop torturing ourselves and our boy...

with false hopes.

There is no way.

Clayboy is going to end up his life slaving in that quarry...

and so are his brothers.

So let's stop this dreaming.

Where have you been all evening?

Gone crazy or something?

I'm going to fix this whole place up for you, honey.

I'm gonna get you a brand-new sink, paint the walls...

screen in the front porch so you can sit and watch the kids play.

I thought we were going to do all that at the dream house.

Would you mind something terrible if this was our home for always?

Of course not.

I love this house. It's where my children were born.

That other house was your dream, not mine.

Honey, that dream has gone up in smoke.

Col. Coleman's always been after that property.

I sold it to him tonight. All except the graveyard grove.

Come morning, our boy's going out to that college.

If he makes good, he's going to help his brother Matt...

and Matt will help Becky and right on down the line.

Oh, Clay.

Clay, of course they'll make it.

They're all thoroughbreds. There's not a throwaway in the bunch.

God knows, they'll turn out to be doctors and nurses and lawyers, even presidents.

I got Clayboy a going-away suit.

I don't want no son of mine looking like a hillbilly.

Oh, Clay, darling!

Good luck, Clayboy. God bless you.

Don't you dare unpin your college money until you're face to face with the Dean.

Don't take up any fancy ways, boy. Trust in God and go to church.

Amen.

Make us proud.

Say goodbye to your brother.

- I wanna go with Clayboy. - Come here, Pattie-Cake.

I love you.

Now, be good. Come here.

Someday it will be your turn, dear.

Just remember how much you're loved.

Give them hell, kid.

Going far, son?

Right far.

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