Original subtitles

What have you got on that truck, Son?

Nothing, Pa, just some odds and ends.

-Odds and ends of what? -Nothing in particular, Pa.

You're going to a lot of trouble

putting a tarpaulin over nothing in particular.

I don't want it to blow off on the way.

-On the way where? -Where I'm going.

Now, lookie here. I'm your daddy and as senior Walton

I've got a right to know what's in the truck.

-And where you're going. -I'll see you later, Pa.

JOHN-BOY: Between two people in a good marriage,

there develops a kind of silent communication.

Each knows what to expect of the other,

when to offer strength, where to step lightly.

It is this kind of predictability

that makes the occasional surprise

shine all the brighter in memory.

As my parents' silver anniversary approached,

my father was to reveal a side of his nature

that years of hard work and sacrifice had kept secret.

And in doing so, he made it an anniversary

that none of us would ever forget.

(CHUCKLING)

Hi, Daddy.

Hold it there, Elizabeth. What are you in such a rush about?

It's first day of my new job. I gotta hurry.

Better slow down, honey. You'll be worn out before you start.

Well, not that slow, silly.

(CHUCKLING) Hey, what's got into her?

(DOOR SLAMS)

Elizabeth, you'll wake John Curtis.

Good, I can't take care of him if he's sleeping.

Erin?

-Hmm? -I'm gonna put it right here.

What?

The surprise I'm getting for your daddy.

-Oh. -Don't forget to order it today?

Nope, I sure won't.

Mary Ellen, please hurry up. I'll be late.

Mama, tell her I'm waiting in the car.

-Alright. -Bye.

There she is.

John Curtis likes a little air, so you can

stroll him out on the porch later.

He'll have applesauce for supper

and some warm milk before he goes to bed.

Come on, Mary Ellen!

Erin, will you call Joe Farran over at the hardware store

and order a keg of eight-penny nails?

What do you want more eight-penny nails for?

-There's a keg in the barn. -Doesn't hurt to have extra.

I'd appreciate it. It'd save me a trip to Ike's.

I'll be close by if she needs me.

No, you won't. You're going to Ike and Corabeth's for supper.

I'm going to take care of the baby and supper.

I'll tuck him in before we leave.

Clean pajamas in the bottom drawer of the dresser.

We know, Mary Ellen.

-Bye-bye. -Bye.

-Overprotective, isn't she? -A little.

A little.

(CHUCKLING)

Mary Ellen, we're gonna be late.

Well, I put a quart of oil in and checked the battery.

Thanks, Daddy.

Now, driver, you can look ahead and see a lizard in a chuckhole.

Gotta make sure, what with our girls working nights.

I'll only be working until Miss Fanny comes from vacation.

Good to see you in a uniform again, Mary Ellen.

-Wish me luck. -Alright.

-Bye. -Drive careful.

(CHUCKLING)

Hey, John.

What's the difference between a telephone operator and a nurse?

No, what's the difference, Pa?

One has patient answers and the other answers patients.

Nice boy, but he's got no sense of humor.

This is quite a spread you got here, Corabeth.

I think the blanquette turned out rather well, myself.

-Tastes just like veal to me. -It is veal.

Blanquette is simply a way of describing how it is prepared.

More pomme fondante, Olivia?

IKE: Corabeth's getting to be quite a gourmet cook.

I never saw anything like these baskets made out of oranges.

Oh, Aimee helped me to prepare them.

She's not too young to begin learning

the fundamentals of French cuisine.

Elizabeth's getting pretty good at cooking, too.

I think those girls are gonna make fine wives.

I hope not too soon.

I'm not looking forward to giving away my youngest girl.

John and I will be celebrating

our 25th wedding anniversary this month.

Oh, a silver anniversary! Oh, tresromantique!

How are you going to celebrate it?

Just waking up every morning

with this woman next to me is celebration enough.

Oh, well, that's very pretty,

but a 25th wedding anniversary requires a special celebration.

Had you thought of using Godsey Hall for the reception?

John isn't much of a one for formal doings.

An occasion like this requires a special celebration.

We'll just have a nice supper at home with the children.

I talked John into having a formal wedding ceremony

for our 20th anniversary. The memory of that

will last me for the rest of my life.

I simply fail to understand how men can be so unromantic

as to ignore a marital milestone like this.

I don't think Corabeth and I are gonna have that problem,

because we got such a late start,

and I don't think we're gonna make it till our 25th.

Of course, I'm a lot older than Corabeth.

If you gentlemen will excuse me, I'll see to the souffle au rhum.

I'll help you, Corabeth.

John, you sure are brave letting that 25th anniversary

just pass right by.

I'm not letting it pass by, Ike. I've got a surprise planned.

How we're going to keep Mama and Daddy

from finding out about their surprise anniversary party.

What's this stuff?

It's macaroni and cheese that got a little crispy on the top.

Elizabeth, you're an inspired cook. Just the way I like it.

Crisp on top and nice and gooey inside.

Well, I've never seen anything stick together so much as this.

No one's asking you to eat it.

Hey, now wait a second!

We gotta think of a way of getting Mama and Daddy

out of the house on the afternoon of their anniversary.

That's so we can set up the party while they're gone.

None of you better go snooping around looking for my surprise.

Hey, Jason! Look!

-What? Where is it? -There.

(JIM-BOB CHUCKLES)

-Very funny, Ben. -Well, I think so.

Benjamin, how many people are you planning

to have at your surprise party?

Just the family, Grandpa, 'cause that's all we can afford.

If we had some more money, we'd have bought them a silver tray.

I can't figure out what to get your parents

for an anniversary present.

Wait a minute. Isn't that John Curtis I hear crying?

I don't hear anything.

I do. Listen, Elizabeth.

I better check on him.

See how you like it.

Well, one thing's for sure.

The party will be no fun if they find out about it.

Corabeth sure knows how to fancy up a dessert.

I didn't mind the rum on the rice pudding,

but I didn't think she'd set fire to it.

(OLIVIA CHUCKLING)

Corabeth likes fine things. You can't blame her for that.

You miss not having an anniversary celebration?

The important thing is it's been 25 years

and we still enjoy being together.

I thought I'd have the house on the mountain done by now.

You didn't expect to have to take care of seven children.

Well,

I didn't expect the Depression, either.

Mind waiting a little longer?

The longer the better. The first 25 years went by so fast,

I need something to slow down the second 25.

-Excuse me, is that seat taken? -No, it's...

-Mary Ellen! -David!

-What are you... -What are you...

(BOTH CHUCKLING)

There doesn't seem to be another place to sit.

Well, no, please, sit here.

-Oh, thank you. -Please.

How have you been? I haven't seen you in a long time.

Yeah. Not since the night

you walked out on our wedding rehearsal.

Oh, I'm sorry, really. I'm all over it.

Are you happy?

Well, Curt's in the Army.

That doesn't make me too happy, but otherwise, yes.

We have a baby, John Curtis.

A baby? Well, congratulations.

I'm glad you haven't given up being a nurse.

I just started again.

With Curt gone, I needed something to do.

I thought you were going into your father's practice.

Oh, I did. I just came back here for a residency in radiology.

If we're going to keep running into each other,

we'd better get over being so nervous.

(CHUCKLES)

You still know how to come right to the point,

don't you, Mary Ellen?

I guess I never found that bush I'm supposed to beat around.

If your husband finds out I'm working here,

would that upset him?

Oh, no, not at all. Curt and I trust each other.

(BANGS)

Jim-Bob, what are you doing up here so early?

-I don't know. -You don't know?

Well, what are you doing? Nobody is even up yet.

What are those light bulbs for?

Oh, I was just saving them.

You never know when you might need an extra one.

That's Grandma's old phonograph, isn't it?

Yeah, I was, um... I was just looking at it.

No use keeping it if it doesn't work.

Buck Vernon's real good with old things like that.

You know, Daddy, you don't have to

say anything about the light bulbs.

Well, you don't have to say anything about the phonograph.

I'll just let old Buck check it out.

(SIGHS)

John, where are you off to so early this morning?

Why, I told you last night.

I'm going up to the mountain to plant some seedlings.

Mighty nippy up there this time of day.

Yeah, the work'll warm me up, Pa.

Come on in and have some breakfast first.

Already had some.

Now, lookie here,

just what have you got here under this tarp?

I'm gonna take some stakes up to the mountain

-to hold up the seedlings. -Seedlings.

Why, it'd take you all day to plant those loblolly seedlings,

and Ben's gonna be needing the truck this afternoon.

Ben's got plenty to do around here,

and I'm counting on you to see that he does it.

Don't you want me to come along and help?

(CAR DOOR CLOSES)

No, I guess you don't.

(CAR DEPARTING)

You'll wait out here, Grandpa?

You go on ahead. I'll keep an eye on Livie.

Thanks, Grandpa. We don't want Mama to know.

ERIN: Ben, did Mama see you come in here?

I don't think so. And Grandpa's standing guard.

I've gotta hurry. John Curtis is taking a nap.

-Okay. -Who's got the list?

-I do. -Is my surprise on the list?

How can your surprise be on the list?

-We don't even know what it is. -Let's get started. The cake.

We could never bake a cake. Mama would surely find out.

I got it.

Joy's Bakery over in Rockfish makes real fancy wedding cakes.

Great.

And the centerpiece. Elizabeth, are you still gonna make it?

Uh-huh. I'm having all my friends at school

save the tinfoil from their gum wrappers for me.

Good. Ben, the paper bags and putting candles in them?

Right, but everyone has to start decorating them.

(SPUTTERING)

Have you seen Elizabeth?

No, I haven't, lately.

Where is everybody?

Uh...

I don't know. Um, I don't know.

Would you all please stop? We still have to plan the menu.

(GRANDPA WHISTLING)

What's going on out here?

Elizabeth, you were supposed to be tending John Curtis.

Oh, I can hear him if he cries, Mama.

It was just...

I was thinking about making the shed into a playhouse for him.

I thought you were gonna study your shorthand.

Oh, I am, inside. Come on, Elizabeth.

I was just helping Ben, Mama.

I was helping Jim-Bob.

Bye.

I, uh...

I just wanted to practice out here where...

My concerto, where it was nice and quiet.

In the barn, with no piano?

Sure, uh, you know, air piano.

(WHISTLING)

I have never heard so many lame excuses.

And what's all that whistling?

Oh, I was just trying to whistle Jason's concerto.

Studying?

Not exactly.

Gone with the Wind.

I'm probably the only person in the country

who hasn't read it yet.

Surprised you have time to read.

A job and a baby...

More time than I want.

Must get lonesome with Curt gone.

It's hard to be lonesome when you live in a house

with nine other people.

You're sort of a Scarlett O'Hara yourself, you know.

David, what a thing to say.

She's a very spoiled, willful young lady.

She's also beautiful and fascinating.

Anyway, I didn't grow up on a plantation.

I brought you a present.

David...

Thank you.

I took it the day of our picnic up on Walton's Mountain.

I always meant to send it to you.

Now I can show my children that once upon a time I was young.

-John Curtis all tucked in? -Mmm-hmm.

And I sure hope he stays that way.

He's been cross all afternoon. I'm pooped!

It's not always easy being a mother, is it?

He's awfully cute, makes up for the rest of it.

You were awful cute yourself, you know.

Take after your mama that way.

Mama's not cute, she's beautiful.

Tell me about when you and Mama got married again.

Oh, I already told you 200 times at least.

Well, tell me again.

Alright.

Your mama was the wildest young filly in the county,

and me, I was the pillar of the Baptist church.

Daddy, you're telling it all backwards.

It's the way it happened, huh?

Don't look at me, it's your crazy story.

Your grandpa and your grandma were so mad,

'cause they didn't want me to marry this wicked woman.

You being as angelic as you were.

That's right.

Anyway, she dragged me down the courthouse

and we got the license, then we went over to Preacher Hicks,

but he wouldn't marry us.

He thought I was making a big mistake,

but your mama caused such a fuss.

He gave in and married us. And that was 25 years ago.

Daddy, you're telling it all wrong.

I'm telling you, honey, that's the way it happened.

(JOHN CURTIS CRYING)

-Oh, no! -I'll see to him.

No, Mama, it's my responsibility.

Mary Ellen's paying me.

(SIGHING)

That story gets wilder every time you tell it.

Are you telling me my memory's failing?

No, I'm just telling you that's not the way it happened.

I remember how it happened, alright.

I remember.

Come along, now.

Now, what have we got here?

What's the telephone company doing here?

Well, I would say he's got lost,

he's trying to find a way to back out.

There are no numbers on the houses up on Walton's Mountain.

He's cussing us out now.

-Yeah. -Howdy.

-Is this the Walton residence? -Yeah.

I'm here about your telephone.

-We don't own a phone. -You must have the wrong house.

Hardly anybody around here has a phone.

OLIVIA: Jim-Bob, who is it?

Nobody, Mama. Just somebody from the phone company.

I got an order here. I'm supposed to install

one telephone, one extension. Party's name is John Walton.

My son's John Walton, he would not order without telling me.

I wasn't expecting you for a couple of days.

Mama, you ordered the telephone?

It's supposed to be a surprise for my husband.

Our anniversary isn't until Saturday.

Could you come back then?

There's a crew stringing wire through the woods right now.

The phones should be ready by the time they get here.

It's now or never, ma'am.

Well, guess it'll just have to be now.

(ALL CHATTERING)

(CHUCKLING)

Looks like John's gonna have to

stand in line to get at his own present!

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Hey, here he comes.

He's been gone for hours. He ought to have

half that mountain planted with seedlings.

Everybody try to act natural.

We don't want to give it away too soon.

Sorry I'm late. The fog slowed me down.

GRANDPA: Mmm-hmm.

Here's your paper, Daddy.

Think I'm gonna go outside and stretch my legs.

Alright.

Everything alright?

You must be starved. I guess I'd better start supper.

(LAUGHING)

Hello, Erin? He's home.

Wait till I get back inside the house and then let it ring.

Okay, Jason. Oh, I wish I could see this.

Alright, bye-bye.

(LAUGHING)

Oh-hoo!

I've a feeling something's going on around here

nobody wants to tell me about.

Alright, Liv. Out with it.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

What's that?

Why don't you see for yourself?

(GRANDPA CHUCKLING)

Well, I'll be damned.

ALL: Surprise!

BOYS: Happy anniversary, Daddy!

Well, why don't you answer it?

Hello?

Happy anniversary, Daddy. Happy anniversary from Mama.

Goodbye.

(ALL LAUGHING)

-How'd you ever work this out? -Oh, I've been saving my money.

-It'll be good for business. -It's fun, too.

Yeah, just because you called Patsy four times this afternoon.

I was gonna have it installed on Saturday,

but the man came today instead.

-Do you mind? -No.

You've made your announcement, I've got one to make.

Come Saturday, you and me are gonna get dressed up real nice,

go into Rockfish to that photographic studio

and have our pictures taken.

We have something to remember our 25th anniversary by.

Oh, Liv, easy now. I only got one layer of skin.

You've got some white paint on the back of your neck here.

I must've backed into something. A little lower, little lower.

Over to the right.

(MOANS)

Does that feel good!

(CHUCKLING)

Liv, I'll tell you, if heaven was like this,

I'd repent right now.

You like your new telephone?

Yeah, yeah. Getting kind of practical, aren't you?

A few years ago, you would've put little hearts

on a silk handkerchief or something.

After 25 years, it's about time I got practical.

You're not the most romantic thing in the world, you know.

(SIGHING)

Hey, have you ever been kissed in a bathtub?

Lots of times.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

GRANDPA: John, you're wanted on the telephone.

Now, who could be calling me now?

Only one way to find out.

(SIGHS)

Here.

GRANDPA: John. John, it's important!

Alright!

Hello?

No, Corabeth, I never guessed.

Yes. It was a surprise, Corabeth.

No. No bother at all. Appreciate you calling. Bye.

Son, you'd better get upstairs and dry off

before you catch pneumonia.

She wanted to congratulate me on the new telephone, Pa.

(LAUGHING)

It covers just fine. Ike, I just didn't order enough of it.

I want another gallon of white paint. That's right.

-I'll pick it up. Thanks, Ike. -GRANDPA: John!

What are you ordering all that white paint for?

Pa, I didn't hear you come in.

That Army contract doesn't call for any white paint.

I gotta get up the mountain. I got work to do.

Yeah. This is mighty mysterious.

Seems to me that something's going on up there

besides planting seedlings.

Where is that new coping saw of ours gone to?

Haven't seen it all week.

John!

Hi.

Oh, hi, Mama.

You don't have to help me, Mama.

Just like when you were a little girl, remember?

You taught me to make hospital corners

before I became a nurse.

I hope you're not working too hard.

No, it's good being around people my own age.

This is lovely. I never saw it before.

David Spencer took it the time

we had the picnic on the mountain.

You see a lot of him at the hospital?

We have dinner once in a while in the cafeteria.

He's very easy to talk to.

Mary Ellen, you're a grown-up lady, and I...

I don't suppose you want advice from your mother anymore.

But I was about your age when John went off to war.

I know what it's like to be lonesome

for the sight and touch of a man.

I'm just trying to tell you to be careful.

Did you ever wonder if you did the right thing, marrying Daddy?

About a minute after I said, "I do."

Curt and I hardly knew each other when we got married.

Now he's so far away. We don't write like we used to.

Sometimes I can't even picture his face.

You've got to believe in yourselves.

Whatever it was that brought you together

is still there waiting,

waiting for the separation to be over,

unless you let something get in the way.

-Where's Jim-Bob? -He's talking to Patsy.

He's trying to convince her of his true love.

Jim-Bob!

Every time I went to use the phone, today,

one of the young-uns was already on it.

Now, Jim-Bob!

I'd appreciate it if you children would remember

that that phone is for your daddy.

I don't mind you using it

but it's gotta be kept clear for business.

Grace. Father in heaven, we thank thee that most of us

are gathered together here on this particular occasion,

the evening before 25 years ago

John and Livie first held hands in matrimony.

We hope that the next 25 years will be as wonderful,

especially me.

-Amen. -Amen!

Thank you, Grandpa.

JIM-BOB: Pass the potatoes.

I miss not having Erin and Mary Ellen around.

Jason would have to work early at the Dew Drop Inn.

Maybe Thelma needed supper music with her beer and hot dogs.

(PHONE RINGING)

-BOTH: I'll get it. -I'll get it.

JOHN: Sit down, all of you!

I'm not going to have that telephone interrupting our meal.

What if it's important?

If it's important, it will just have to wait.

JIM-BOB: If it's Patsy, she's gonna be mad.

Do we own that telephone or does that telephone own us?

Appreciate that gift, Liv,

but I'm beginning to think we ought to get rid of it.

(PHONE RINGING)

It makes me nervous.

Hello?

I don't believe it!

I can hear you fine. Are you alright?

-Did you get my letter? -It's John-Boy!

How thoughtful of you. We're gonna celebrate it tomorrow.

Your daddy and I are gonna have our picture taken.

We'll send you one. Your daddy wants to talk.

John-Boy!

Hello, Son, how are you?

Well, good... Yeah!

We get your letters. Keep them coming, Son.

John-Boy, there's a whole line here waiting for you.

I'll put Elizabeth on.

Hi, John-Boy!

-Come on, give us a chance. -How's your book doing?

Yeah? Here's Grandpa, okay?

Come on home, boy. All your girls are getting married.

Your grandma's fine. She'll be home soon.

Isn't that something? A son all the way in New York

he sounds like he's in the next room.

Still wanna have it taken out?

(CHUCKLES)

You could get middle-aged waiting for this elevator.

Well, it's certainly not the DixieFlyer, that's for sure.

They need a gurney on the top floor.

-Can I catch a ride? -It's free.

Let me help.

You're off tomorrow. Any plans?

Mama and Daddy are having a wedding anniversary,

and we've planned a surprise party.

I've been trying to ask you to go

to Richmond to a concert with me tomorrow night.

Doctor, you won't have any trouble getting a date.

There are nurses on every floor of this hospital

that would love to go out with you.

There's only one nurse I wanna go out with.

David.

Unfortunately, she's busy, so I thought I'd try you.

(CHUCKLES)

I only wish that were true.

I don't like it that you're so important to me.

David, I don't think we'd better see each other alone anymore.

I'm sorry.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

-Mama, are you awake? -I am now.

What is this?

-It's your breakfast. -Happy anniversary, Mama!

Thank you. Where's your daddy?

He ought to be here to enjoy this.

He left early. He said he had something to do on the mountain.

He said he didn't wanna wake you.

He's acting like it's just any old day.

You'd think a silver anniversary ought to be special.

You girls have made it special by bringing me

this wonderful breakfast. And I get to have my picture taken.

What are you going to wear?

Well, I can't seem to decide.

I can't wear my gold lame, 'cause I lent it to Corabeth.

And my sable coat is in storage.

Well, you could wear my tap shoes.

Oh, thank you, Elizabeth.

(ALL CHUCKLING)

GRANDPA: You need a "just married" there.

-ELIZABETH: They're coming. -Oh, here they come!

(ALL CHEERING)

If I had some rice, I'd throw it at you.

-Too expensive, Grandpa. -Mama, you look beautiful.

-Thank you. -How about me?

-You look dazzling. -You better watch out.

They're gonna put your picture in a movie magazine.

-I cleaned out the car. -Thank you, Son. What's that?

Thought it might make you feel like newlyweds.

Off!

I got all I need to make me feel like a newlywed.

You sound like you've been taking lessons from Clark Gable.

Where do you think Clark Gable takes his lessons?

-Come on, Liv. Watch out. -Too modest.

OLIVIA: I almost hate to go home. It's such a pretty day.

JOHN: That's good. I'm not planning on taking you home yet.

Thought it might be a nice to go for a walk on the mountain.

I'm not dressed to go hiking.

You're dressed just fine, honey.

(GASPING)

(CHUCKLING)

John, a gazebo. It's beautiful.

This is what you've been doing all this time.

It's not the house I promised you, but...

It's better.

Grandpa and the kids can come up once in a while,

but mostly it'll be ours.

(PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)

May I have this dance?

(CHUCKLING)

GRANDPA: Man, it could do with another candle.

Well, here you go, Grandpa.

Well, that looks beautiful, Elizabeth.

Almost looks like real silver.

You know, it's hard to imagine someone being married 25 years.

I'm not even that old yet.

Fortunately, on this occasion, you're not, yet.

I hardly feel like I've been married at all, lately.

Well, you and Curt haven't had enough practice, hmm?

It takes a long while to get the hang of a marriage.

That's why I'm staying single. Play the field.

Oh, I'll tell Ruby you say so, Ben.

(CHUCKLING) Your daddy used to talk like that.

Mama and Daddy come, we'll be ready for them.

Except for Jim-Bob's surprise.

Whatever that is.

Here's the cake.

-Well, bring it on in. -Good.

-Let's see it. Bring it on in. -Here it is.

Take it out. It's part of the centerpiece over here.

JASON: Oh, no!

It's the wrong cake.

Well, back to Rockfish.

Wilbur. Somebody named Wilbur is going to be surprised

he's been married for 25 years.

(ALL LAUGHING)

Grandpa!

Now, I know how you feel about drinking, Liv,

but one glass of champagne

every 25 years won't turn you into a sinner.

Any more than two or three visits to church

will make you into a saint.

Olivia, this has been the best 25 years of my life.

Hmm.

Doesn't taste like I thought it would.

-Want me to finish it for you? -No.

Mmm.

Well,

I never thought I'd be dancing and drinking champagne today.

You turned out to be a regular Sir Galahad.

(CHUCKLING)

I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't let that get around.

-It's good. -Mmm-hmm.

Well, the sun's straining to go down.

Maybe we ought to think about heading back.

Let's just wait a little longer.

I want to make a wish on the first star.

Alright.

The candles went out.

I've never been to a party where the guests of honor didn't show.

I guess we did too good of a job at keeping everything a secret.

I guess I better go put the cake away before the icing melts.

How long does it take to have your picture taken, anyway?

Oh, don't worry about them.

The photographer took one look at your pretty parents

and decided to fill up a whole album.

I'm starving to death!

I've lost my appetite.

JASON: That turkey was done hours ago.

(SHUSHING)

Hey, everybody, I hear a car. They're coming!

-Quick, everybody, hide! -Hide, hide.

BEN: Back here. ELIZABETH: What about me?

-Shh. -ERIN: Elizabeth, get down!

Wait a minute. Somebody turn off the lights!

-Turn out the lights. -I'll get the lights.

(CAR DOOR CLOSES)

Where's Jim-Bob?

-He's up on the roof. -What's he doing up there?

ERIN: Shh! MARY ELLEN: Be quiet, everybody!

ALL: Surprise!

Mary Ellen?

Curt.

Hello.

GRANDPA: Curt.

-It's good to see you again. -It's nice to see you.

What I can't figure out is, how did you know I was coming?

Oh, it's Mama and Daddy's 25th wedding anniversary,

and we were planning a surprise party.

Except the surprise is on us. They didn't show up.

Well, I'm sorry if I came at an inconvenient time.

We're glad you could be here to celebrate with us, Curt.

I didn't exactly come for the party.

Mary Ellen, I've to talk to you.

The best place for you to talk is out on the front porch

where you can keep an eye on them when they come, hmm?

Men, come on with me.

Let's go see if we can save the turkey, Erin.

I've been trying to call you.

There's something I have to tell you.

You've been reading my mind.

I had to see you, I couldn't write it in a letter.

David Spencer's working at the hospital.

You never wrote me about that.

It was exciting at first, seeing him, talking to him,

especially with you so far away.

But it seemed like the more I saw him,

the further away you seemed to be.

Pretty soon I began to wonder about things, about us.

Well, I know exactly how you've been feeling.

There's this nurse at the base hospital. There's nothing to it,

just a little bit of flirting around,

somehow I never got around to telling her that I was married.

Anyway, last night she invited me to her place for dinner,

and I started to go.

But all of a sudden, I wanted to see you so bad, Mary Ellen,

that I wangled a weekend pass, I borrowed a car, here I am.

But I had to remind myself that you were real

and not just something that I made up in my mind.

I'm very real.

I sure don't want to hear about that young doctor

hanging around with you anymore.

No more cute nurses.

No, I think that you're all that I can handle.

Come along here, everybody. Mary Ellen, Curt, come along.

Gather around, everybody. I've got things figured out.

I talked to that photographer fellow over at Rockfish,

and he said they left there long ago.

They've had plenty of time to get back here.

-I hope nothing happened. -Maybe they had an accident.

No, we'd have heard about it over the phone.

I think your daddy is up to something.

Ben, can you put some candles in those bags again?

Sure.

And Erin can you fix us some turkey sandwiches

-and bring along that cake? -Grandpa, where are we going?

I've decided if the mountain won't come to the party,

the party is a-going to the mountain.

(ALL CHUCKLING)

JIM-BOB: Hey, everybody, come see how it looks!

-GRANDPA: Hmm? -What'd he do?

I don't know.

ERIN: What is he doing? JASON: I don't know.

-Oh, that looks great! -Jim-Bob!

-That looks great! -Beautiful!

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

-Oh, no. -Oh, boy.

Jim-Bob, you've blown the main fuse!

GRANDPA: Where was Moses when the lights went out?

(SOFT JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING)

We've about wore out that record.

Guess we ought to be getting back.

The children will start to worry.

-I hate to leave. -So do I.

(CAR APPROACHING)

That's them alright. Hello!

Well, that's Grandpa.

Over here!

Bring everything, will you?

(ALL CHATTERING)

He's brought the children!

The old coot. Just like him to figure me out.

(ALL CHATTERING)

GRANDPA: Out of the way, boys. Bring everything, will you?

ALL: Happy anniversary!

JASON: We were gonna surprise you,

looks like you turned the tables.

Curt, where did you come from?

You don't know how glad I am to see you.

Curt, welcome home.

-Mama, have you been drinking? -Sure have.

Seedlings, huh?

Planted every last one of them, Pa.

I suppose this here gazebo sprung up by itself overnight

like some puffball mushroom?

I gave it a little help.

You could have used some of my expert help

in putting in some thingamabobs and some curlicues, and...

Oh, a heart.

Mama, what's Grandma's old phonograph doing here?

Your daddy and I have been dancing.

-Just the two of you, dancing? -Any law against that?

I've just never heard of such a thing, after 25 years.

The trouble with you young people, Mary Ellen,

is you're not very romantic.

CURTIS: Oh, look at the stars out there tonight.

ELIZABETH: They're pretty.

I don't know how we didn't figure out

about the surprise party, Liv.

I guess we were too busy with our own surprises.

GRANDPA: It's been quite a night.

-I hate to see it end. -Uh-huh.

(SINGING) * You must remember this *

* A kiss is still a kiss *

* A sigh is just a sigh *

* The fundamental things apply *

*As time goes by *

* Moonlight and love songs Never out of date *

* Hearts full of passion Jealousy and hate *

* Woman needs man And man must have his mate *

* That no one can deny *

* It's still the same old story *

* A fight for love and glory *

* A case of do or die *

* The world will always welcome lovers *

* As time goes by *

Livie, John.

I'm ashamed I couldn't come up here with a present.

And I've been giving the matter considerable thought.

I have come to the conclusion that the finest sort of

anniversary gift we could give you

is to leave you two up here by yourselves on the mountain.

JASON: Here, here.

There's plenty of pine needles all around for a mattress.

And those blankets will keep you warm.

Don't worry about what's going on back home,

because Elizabeth and I will take care of everything.

Thank you, Grandpa.

-Goodnight, honey. -Goodnight.

-Pick up your garbage here. -BEN: Sleep well, you two.

-JIM-BOB: Goodnight, Dad. -BEN: Happy anniversary.

(ALL CHATTERING)

-Goodnight, honey. -Happy anniversary, Daddy.

GRANDPA: Goodnight, Livie.

Think that record will take a couple more plays?

(CAR DRIVING AWAY)

JOHN-BOY: The pretty gazebo is gone now,

burned to the ground in a forest fire

that swept the mountain.

But for all of us, the memories remain

of that night when our father and mother,

after 25 years, danced and were newlyweds again.

Goodnight, Liv.

Goodnight, nothing.

I'm gonna dance till the sun comes up.