Original subtitles

[brakes squealing]

Didn't I warn you monkeys about running out in the road?

What's the matter with you two?

- I nearly ran over them. - They ran right in front.

- Where are their mothers? - At the defense plant.

Pickett's put on a lot of women there.

J.D., those are not stray dogs. They're children.

You gotta do something to help them.

From what I hear this is happening to defense plants

all over the country.

I dunno what's happening in the rest of the country.

But I'm won't let it happen right under my nose.

I've just opened a day nursery.

You sure you wanna do this?

The perfect job for me. And I'm certainly well trained.

It'll be like having a whole new family.

(all together) E, F, G.

- Where's Allen? - He went that way.

Don't let any of the others run off.

I'll come by and see you whenever I can.

- Alright, Anna Mae? - Goodbye, ma'am.

Give me a kiss.

It's a real shame.

Never thought I'd see the day when I thought I'd be turning

children away from my door.

[melancholic music]

["The Waltons' Theme" by Jerry Goldsmith]

[music continues]

[pleasant music]

(John-Boy) Although we were thousands of miles from the bombs

of World War II.

Everyday there were reminders that the tranquility

of our lives had been shattered.

As the fighting continued, my mother

became increasingly restless.

She yearned to be active, to make some contribution

that would bring peace again to the world.

(Mary Ellen) 'I bet you're gonna have a girl, Cindy.'

What makes you say that?

Because Ben really wants it to be a boy.

For a nurse, that's not very scientific.

- You ready, Cindy? - Just about.

Where're you two going?

Rockfish, to get some baby clothes. You wanna come?

No, thanks. I'll finish it, Cindy.

Oh, thanks.

Cindy, what do you think you're doing?

Isn't it obvious?

Let everyone else do the lifting.

Momma, will you please remind Cindy to not overdo.

Cindy knows she only has to do as much work as she feels up to.

I played baseball during my pregnancy.

But Cindy's a lot more delicate than you are.

- Thanks. - 'I'm not gonna break, Ben.'

(Ben) 'Alright, just don't forget your morning nap, okay?'

I'll take one if I feel like one after I get back from Rockfish.

Rockfish? I don't think it's a very good idea for you to be

running around this county.

(Cindy) 'Ben!'

Okay. Go.

But, just be careful, okay?

[sighs]

Momma, I'm counting on you to make Cindy sensible.

I'll take a minute, I left my purse up

in Mary Ellen's room, I'll run up and get it.

You're not running anywhere. I'll get it.

Ben, would you tell Elizabeth to hurry up?

I promised I'd drop her off at Ike's.

(Ben) 'Okay, mom.'

That man, he's gonna drive me crazy before this is all over.

John used to be like that when I was expecting.

He calmed down somewhere around the time Elizabeth was born.

Well, I think I'll just have one.

I don't think I could go through it again.

Elizabeth?

[instrumental music]

Didn't I warn you monkeys about running out in the road?

What's the matter with you two?

- I nearly ran over them. - They ran right in front.

This is exactly what I was afraid of.

They've been around the store all morning.

Where are their mothers?

At the defense plant. Pickett's put on a lot of women there.

'You go back to the plant.'

'You've worn out your welcome here.'

What's there for them to do at the plant?

Well, nothing.

But at least I won't feel responsible for them.

You two wanna get in the car? We're going past there.

We'll give you a lift.

Are you alright? That was quite a jolt.

I'm fine. Just don't tell Ben, okay?

My lips are sealed.

- Bye-bye, mama. - Bye Elizabeth.

Bye-bye, Ike.

How's this one, Elizabeth?

Oh, Mr. Godsey.

What...do you think?

Well, it looks nice but isn't it a little dressy for the store?

Doesn't it remind you of something?

Uh...you want me to order fruit.

What?

Well, you're wearing fruit, they're cherries and I thought

that you want me to..

Mr. Godsey.

I had this on, on a very romantic occasion in our lives.

One that happened this very same time of year.

I give up.

This is the dress I had on the night you asked me to marry you.

Oh, yeah.

Well, I thought since our anniversary is coming up shortly

that perhaps we could recreate that romantic occasion

by swaying to the music of Begin the Beguine.

'Corabeth, now, you don't remember that I couldn't'

do them dances then and I can't do them now.

All I can do is that huffing that I do with Ben.

Well, perhaps, we might have a romantic candlelight dinner.

Hey, that's a good idea.

We could do it some night when I'm having a blackout drill.

Which reminds me, I'm late for a Civil Defense meeting right now.

Tata. Bye kids.

- That man is utterly hopeless. - What's wrong, mama?

I've done everything possible to recreate our

affaire la coeur.

He refuses to take the hint.

- Which anniversary is it? - Our fifth.

I had hoped that we would do something romantic.

Do you know what did last year?

What?

We went to the movies in Rockfish. Abbott and Costello.

Mr. Godsey slept all the way through it.

- Is your papa romantic? - Oh, very.

I wonder if he can give my papa a push.

- Why don't we? - How?

We could make Corabeth an anniversary dinner

with music and candlelight and dancing.

- You heard him. He can't dance. - Well, we could teach him.

I don't know.

(Elwin) 'Thanks, lady. Come on, Rob.'

Hi. What's your name?

Anna Mae.

(Cindy) 'Olivia?'

It's a baby.

The name's Barbara. She's my little sister.

She's very sweet but she's much too young to be left in a car.

Is your mama in there?

She comes out to see us on her lunch hour.

- I'm gonna go talk to Aaron. - Well, what about her?

You keep an eye on her.

- But about all the other kids? - Keep an eye on them too.

What if the boys start a fight and she starts to cry?

You stop the fight and wrap the baby.

It'll be a good experience for you.

Hi mama, have you come to apply for a job?

No, I just came to drop off two little boys

I almost ran into at Ike's.

What are all those children doing in the parking lot?

Their mamas don't have anywhere to take them.

I've been scheduling breaks so they can go out

and check on 'em every once in a while but--

Erin, where are those requisition forms?

Howdy, Olivia. Come to see how your little girl is doing?

I'm more concerned about the girls and boys

running loose outside.

Yeah, they concern me too. Such a nuisance.

Do you intend to do anything about them?

Well, it's not my business. I got a factory to run.

J.D., those are not stray dogs. They're children.

There's a little baby being taken care of by an 8 year old.

Now, you gotta do something to help them.

Why I am! I'm letting them make free with my parking lot.

Can't you find a room that's somewhere here for them to play?

Be sensible, Olivia, there's not a square inch that I don't need.

How about rearranging some of the storage areas?

This is happening to defense plants all over the country.

Don't know what makes you think it oughta be any different here.

I don't know about the rest of the country

but I'm not gonna let it happen right under my nose.

And if you're not gonna do something about it, I will.

Go ahead, I got a war to win. My job's to beat Hitler.

Not to babysit.

Your mother's gotta be about the stubbornest woman I ever met.

- I know. Isn't she wonderful? - Give me that folder.

Thank you.

(Elizabeth) '"How to dance like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers'

'even if you have two left feet."'

- Does Ike have two left feet? - Mm-hmm. Metaphorically, yes.

Well, if you look right here, you've got little footprints

showing you where to put your feet in the step.

All we have to do is transfer them onto the butcher paper.

Did you remember Ike's shoes?

[laughing]

Ah, good.

What in the world are you two girls up to?

Oh, we're gonna teach my papa how to dance.

He has two metaphorical left feet.

It's just a surprise for my mama on her anniversary.

Sort of a crash course.

I don't know. It sounds kind of fishy to me.

You know, I've never put much stock in these magazine articles

that promise miracles.

Well, don't you think that I could do it?

Well, I never knew anybody who learnt to dance from a magazine.

All Ike needs is a good partner.

We don't have anyone like that.

Oh, yes, you do.

I was the queen of the Blue Moon ballroom.

Well, could you teach Ike how to dance?

Well, a couple of lessons from me and Corabeth will

be calling him twinkle toes.

But what about romantic type dances?

Oh. The Samba?

Or better yet, The Tango?

[both laughing]

Oh, these Latin rhythms, I tell you, they really

bring out the best in a man.

Or a woman!

[chuckling]

Great! When can you start?

[machine grinding]

Can you pick it up, Jim Bob? You're dragging!

Why don't you slow down a bit? I am getting tired.

- Hi, mom. - Hi, mama.

Hey, Liv. That was a quick trip to Rockfish.

We didn't go to Rockfish, I got me a job instead.

I thought we talked about that.

I feel it's time I did something for the war effort.

I'm not having you wearing your self out for some assembly line.

You sure are quick to jump to conclusions.

Why don't you come outside and see what I've been doing?

Alright.

- I just opened a day nursery. - Liv.

Their mothers work at Pickett's.

They needed someone to look after the children.

They know you brought them here or you steal 'em?

Aaron and I talked to the mothers.

[kids chattering]

You sure you want to do this?

It's a perfect job for me and I'm certainly well trained.

It'll be like having a whole new family.

[car honking]

(John) 'I don't remember ours being so young.'

- They're so loud. - Isn't it exciting?

[pleasant music]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this.

It worried me, leaving Anna Mae outside the factory all day.

She's kinda young to be on her own.

I just didn't know what else to do.

I had a baby-tender at first but her husband got drafted.

She followed him up north.

And I tried the neighbors but they're all moving away

getting defense jobs in the cities.

The war has turned all our lives around.

- Where's Anna Mae's daddy? - He's in the navy.

On a destroyer somewhere.

But Anna Mae and I, we get along fine on his allotment checks.

Just our land's been mortgaged, and, well..

'...I kept falling behind on the payments.'

If I don't work we lose everything.

Excepting for Anna Mae, I don't mind doing war work.

Makes me feel close to her daddy.

Is there anything special I should know about her?

Well, I guess you sort of noticed she's

rather fond of that blanket.

My son John-boy used to carry a blanket around

until it was nothing more than a sliver.

He even had a name for it.

Anna Mae doesn't have a name for her blanket.

But she loves it anyway.

[instrumental music]

Morning.

'You looking for someone?'

You looking for Mrs. Walton?

The lady's going to take care of you?

She's downstairs.

Don't you speak?

Is this the bathroom?

No. Bathroom's down the hall to your right.

This is your right.

Come on, I'll show you.

I guess I better be going to work now.

Anna Mae?

Anna Mae, come and kiss your mama goodbye.

Looks like she's sort of wandered off.

She has to do some exploring before she's comfortable here.

And I don't want you worrying about a thing.

- We'll get along just fine. - Thank you.

If you have any questions, you'll call me at the plant.

- Sure. - My shift gets off around four.

How long have you two been here?

Hours and hours ago.

Sounds like you're about ready for a nap.

Well, maybe not that long.

Come on, let's go in the house.

Mama, look what I've got?

Hi Charlie, you've come to play?

Their mama just dropped them off by the mill.

You sure you know what you've gotten into?

Sure.

- In that case, here. - What's this?

Clean diapers. I think you're gonna need them.

- Sooner than you think. - Come here, sweetheart.

Whoops!

Yes, yes!

Rob, you know another tune?

Serena, would you ask grandma to come down here

and take the baby?

I wish you would've gotten more girls.

And not so many boys. Boys are such roughnecks!

That's enough.

Young man.

The concert is over.

Daddy, somebody's locked in the bathroom.

Oh, we got Barbara and Charlie and Ellen and Rob.

It's gotta be Anna Mae.

Any chance of getting her out of there?

She wouldn't say anything but there's part of a blanket

sticking out from under the door.

- It's definitely Anna Mae. - Get the ladder.

We'll have to go in through the window.

Just like the good old days.

This is the part of the old days that wasn't so good.

"Please don't take my baby," she begged him.

"Then guess my name," he said.

(Olivia) '"Is it, um, Willoughby Parker?" she said.'

'"No, he said."'

'"Is it, uh, Lucas Little finger?"'

'"No."'

"Is it, uh...Rumplestiltskin?"

And the little man was so angry that she guessed his name

'that he stamped so hard he went right through the ground'

and nobody ever saw him again.

And everybody lived happily ever after.

[applause]

Don't you know any stories about submarines?

No, but I'll see if I can find you one.

Here, part of your audience is missing.

John says he doesn't need any more help over at the mill.

Next time he has to go to the bathroom, Ellen, looks like I'm

gonna have to come with you.

[chuckling]

How's the babysitting business coming?

Oh, absolutely wonderful. Wish I had her knack.

You have to learn for your own survival.

Well, what brings you two here?

Well, papa promised to learn how to dance.

Are we opening a dancing school too?

Rose has promised to teach me to dance.

- I hope I don't break her toes. - Good luck.

Aunt Olivia, aren't you gonna tell us another story?

No. It's Cindy's turn now.

But I don't know any children stories.

(Olivia) 'Make something up.'

Okay. Now, there was this old man, okay?

- 'And there was a little girl.' - Won't you come join us?

We're gonna be playing games in a minute.

I'm waiting for Barbara to wake up from her nap.

I ain't supposed to put her out of my sight.

It's good of you to take responsibility that way

but I think you can ease up now.

There are plenty of grownups around to look after her.

I'll wait here until she wakes up.

- How old are you, Charlie? - Eight.

Eight.

Taking care of a baby is a lot of work for an eight year old.

My grandma tended us both but she got laid up with pneumonia

in the spring and now I gotta do it.

Your mama and daddy must be very proud of you.

I don't know if my dad's proud of me or not.

He's out fighting in the war.

[applause]

Okay.

Okay, now, guys, this game's called concentration.

Okay, it goes like this.

You sure you don't want to join us?

Sounds like they're having a good time.

You go on.

I used to have a little boy like you once.

Took care of his brothers and sisters.

Took his chores and his school very seriously.

And when he'd finish, he'd go to his room and write

everything down in a notebook.

Finally, his daddy and I started worrying.

It seemed like he'd forgotten how to play.

So you know what we did?

- We kidnapped him. - You did?

Mm-hmm. We took him up to the mountain with a fishing pole

and we told him he couldn't come out until he caught his limit.

Charlie...there's only one time when you can be a little boy

and that's right now.

You could be of much help to your mama

if you played a little.

Don't worry about your sister.

There's plenty of folks to take care of her.

Now am I gonna have to kidnap you too?

No, ma'am.

Your little boy catch any fish that day?

He caught two rainbow trout and a case of poison ivy.

- Where is he now? - We don't know, Charlie.

He's in the war somewhere just like your daddy.

This old man was a brilliant man. He was a beautiful prince.

And when she grew up she became his queen.

Don't you think that's sweet.

Rose, if this is too much bother

I mean, you feel free to call it off, okay?

Ike, think how happy it's gonna make Corabeth.

Yeah, but, hey, I could buy Corabeth a great big box

of chocolate covered cherries, huh?

But, papa, you promised!

Ike, if music is the language of love

then dance is the exclamation point.

[both laughing]

[sneezes]

Well, what's the matter, are you allergic to dancing lessons?

I don't know. I just got a whiff of that fancy perfume of yours.

Well, it's called Amour amour.

[both laughing]

Ike, we'll start with the most romantic dance of all, the Tango

And the rhythm is thus, slow, slow, quick, quick, slow.

And the feet go like this.

[tango music]

Slow. Slow. Quick. Quick. Slow.

Slow. Slow. Quick. Quick. Slow.

- Got it? - That looks simple enough.

Aren't you supposed to have a rose between your teeth?

That's only for advanced students.

Alright, Ike, here we go.

- Alright? - Yeah.

- Left foot first. - Yeah.

- That's this one. Alright. - Slow.

Wait, I didn't get the whole left foot.

- Just take it easy. - Alright.

Okay, here we go.

Slow, slow. Quick, quick, slow.

Come on now, Ike, you can do it.

Slow, slow.

Quick, quick, slow.

Hey! That's-that's not so bad.

Well, you're doing just fine. Let's try a variation now.

- Variation? - Oh yes, it's a weaving motion.

Now watch me.

Slow, slow.

Quick, quick, slow.

What's that called?

Well, it's still the tango but I call it the butterfly.

[both laughing]

- Alright, let's go. - Yeah.

Slow, slow.

Quick, quick, slow.

I'm a butterfly. What are we gonna do now?

Well, Ike, you've got to watch your shoulders in this.

- Alright. - Very important. Alright now.

Slow, slow.

Quick, quick, slow.

We got whirling and coming out of my cocoon.

- I'm much obliged, Swanson. - No problem.

J.D. was in an awful hurry to get this lumber.

Got any idea what he wanted it for?

He told me he was turning the building here to storage rooms.

A strange place for storage.

Yeah, J.D.'s got some peculiar ideas.

If you're a boss you can get away with that, huh?

Yeah, uh, Mr. Walton..

I hear your wife's looking after the worker's children.

That's right.

I'd appreciate if you take my little girl with you.

My wife's a nurse at the V.A. hospital

so Bernice has been coming here with me.

- Oh, I don't know-- - 'Bernice..'

Come out here now and meet this nice man.

This is Mr. Walton.

(Bernice) 'Are you the man I'm going with?'

I did kind of mention to her that maybe you'd take her in.

I guess one more won't make any difference.

- Thank you, Mr. Walton. - Alright.

Come on, little lady.

You can call me Bernice.

I can read and write and do my multiplication tables

up to the sevens.

And I'm only eight years old.

- How old are you? - I'm too old.

You be good.

Goodbye.

Okay, you can do multiplication till when? Seven?

- Yeah. - How much is seven times six.

- Forty two. - Hey! That's right!

[Ike groaning]

What is it?

- Are you in pain? - Yes. Right across here.

- Your sacroiliac? - Yeah.

Whatever from?

Yesterday I was moving about a little bit more than I'm used to

and I-I must be out of condition, I guess.

I think I'll go take a hot bath and relax.

[Ike groaning]

How odd.

Perfume.

Cheap French perfume.

H, I, J, K, L, M, N.

I got all the way to N. I'm the best.

Not everyone's had their turn yet.

- Elwin, how about you? - I don't want to.

Jumping rope is for girls.

Well, the girls played marbles with you.

Aunt Olivia, why don't you take a turn?

Oh, goodness. I haven't jumped rope for a hundred years.

- Come on, Olivia. Try it. - Come on, Aunt Olivia.

(all) Come on, come on, Aunt Olivia.

Alright, I'll have a try at it.

(Olivia) 'Ready?'

[Olivia laughing]

Faster!

Apple, jelly, my jam tart.

(Cindy) 'Tell me the name of your sweetheart.'

A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

Looks like we're gonna have to find you a boyfriend

with a name that starts with G.

[machine grinding]

- Where's Elwin? - He went that way.

Don't let any of the others run off.

Okay, come on, Anna Mae. You ready?

- A. - I wasn't ready.

Alright, c'mon.

Is he alright?

I thought I told you to stay out of the mill.

It's my fault. I took my eyes off him for 30 seconds.

I wasn't doing anything.

You know you could've cut yourself real bad?

Ben, will you take him back to Cindy?

Sure, mama. Come on.

Liv, I don't know if this is gonna work out.

It's just too dangerous.

We've raised seven of our own here.

Ours understand about machinery, Liv. They grew up with it.

These kids don't know anything about it.

It's too risky.

Somebody's gonna get hurt real bad.

I don't want that either but I just can't stand the thought of

sending them back to that parking lot.

We may have to.

I understand, reverend, It wouldn't have been

the best place for the children to play anyway.

It's just that I'm desperate.

If you can think of anything, will you let me know? Thank you.

Any luck?

They're renovating the school from top to bottom.

It's gonna take another month.

Did you try the old Bonner cabin?

It's there. It's empty but the roof caved in.

- 'How about you?' - Nothing in Rockfish.

Between the Army camp and the defense plant

every room, storefront and public building is full up.

- How about the church? - Meetings all the time.

Red Cross, Gold Star Mothers, volunteer services.

What with Ike's Civil Defense work in the canteen

Godsey's Hall is being used most of the time.

I don't know which way to turn.

You can't say you didn't try. Something's gonna turn up.

I know it wasn't much, but at least

I felt like I was doing something useful.

C'mon, honey. Let's go to bed.

You're gonna wear out that glass, mama.

I may not be able to operate a nursery

for children, but I sure can clean windows.

I'm sorry it didn't work out for you.

- How sorry? - I'm very sorry.

Then you'll feel better giving me a hand.

How about brushing up that screen?

Okay.

It was real good that Cindy worked with all those kids.

Especially with the baby.

Reminded me of how you used to be with us

which was real patient, you didn't yell at us.

Seems to me, I used to holler at you on occasion.

Like when?

Like when you climbed down that rope

into that well we used to have.

Why would I do something like that?

You said you were trying to get to China.

- Well, that makes sense. - You scared me to death.

- Did you spank me? - I should have.

But, no, I hugged you to pieces and smothered you with kisses.

I still feel like doing that from time to time.

Why don't we finish that window, okay?

The canteen will be closed tomorrow

so we can have the anniversary dinner there.

We can work on it all afternoon, and mama will never know.

What kind of romantic foods we're going to make?

French haute cuisine.

I learned all about it in my cooking class.

- We'll start with escargot. - Escargot? What's that?

- Snails. - You gotta be kidding.

No, really. Snails are really chic food.

I hope Ike and Corabeth know that.

The French eat them all the time.

Well, Ike and Corabeth aren't French.

Yes, but mama's a gourmet.

Are you going to bring the records?

Sure. It'll be a night made for love.

Yes, and mama and papa will dance.

I can see it now.

Corabeth, my sweet, may I please have

the pleasure of this dance?

Of course, Mr. Godsey.

You dance divinely, Mr. Godsey.

Oh, Corabeth, my sweet

you dance and you look like an angel.

[exclaiming]

[bell ringing]

What is going on?

Oh, we were just practicing our dancing.

Ah.

Well, if that is to be one of your heart's desires

you had better make sure that whoever your partner

is in life, also appreciates the art of Terpsichore.

Yes, mama.

What is it?

The two of you are positively giddy.

Well, I think it's just a phase we're going through.

(Aimee) 'Can we go now, mama?'

Very well, but please, if you wish in the future

to appear graceful, do not giggle.

[both giggling]

It is most unladylike.

[giggling continues]

[bell ringing]

[Ike whistling]

Mr. Godsey, that is an interesting tune.

What?

The tune that you've been whistling so gaily.

It is from the opera, Carmen.

A tale of mystery, passion and intrigue.

Ha-ha, I didn't even know I was whistling.

- Where are you going? - I've some errands I gotta run.

Mr. Godsey, you've gone on an errand every day this week.

Corabeth, I gotta go.

(John) 'Ike.'

Hi, John. Corabeth will take care of you.

Corabeth, what's the matter?

- John, I'm so distressed. - What happened?

I strongly suspect that Mr. Godsey

is keeping company with another woman.

Corabeth, where did you ever get that idea?

Well, he makes some feeble excuse every morning

to go on an errand.

'And then, when he comes back'

'he's whistling some provocative tune.'

And he always reeks of perfume. Strong, French, cheap perfume.

Corabeth, I think you're getting yourself

all worked up over nothing.

Is this my imagination?

I found it among his things.

Who is she, John?

As a matter of fact, there is another woman, but--

Is she attractive?

It has nothing to do with love, Corabeth.

- Trust me. - Trust you?

I doubt that I'll ever be able to trust another man again.

Now, what do you want?

Hi, John.

How do I look?

You look like Rudolph Valentino.

- All you need is a camel. - Ha ha.

- Wanna try it, John? - No, thank you.

I'll just sit this one out.

There's something you two should know.

What's that?

Corabeth thinks Ike's seeing another woman.

[Ike exclaiming]

Now, whatever would give her a crazy idea like that?

Among other things, she found one of Rose's handkerchiefs.

Did it have morning glories all over it?

As I recall, it did.

Oh, I've been looking everywhere for that hanky.

It was given to me by an old beau.

He was wild about me and he is a wonderful dancer.

Oh, how he could dip!

- Is Corabeth really jealous? - Good and jealous.

Mr. Perkins from Howardsville, Virginia.

Who would've ever thought of that?

Corabeth jealous.

(Rose) 'A traveling man.'

He sold neckties and patent leather shoes.

Well, that is just too much. Corabeth jealous.

Well, now, maybe we ought to stop the dancing lessons.

Oh, nothing doing.

That will make the surprise tomorrow all the better.

Well, it'll give me an extra day to be a femme fatale.

That's what Mr. Perkins always called me.

Who's Mr. Perkins?

[upbeat music]

Dance, Ike. Your superb.

Mama, I called you the minute I found out.

- Where's J.D. now? - He's inside.

They just brought the bar in.

Thanks for letting me know, Erin.

You better get back to work. I'll handle J.D. Pickett.

- I sure would like to see this. - You better not.

You might find out that your mama's

less of a lady than you think.

Howdy, Olivia.

J.D., three days ago you assured me

you had no space for the children.

- True then, true now. - What about this room?

Well, this is a tavern, not an oversized playpen.

After all, my workers need a place to unwind.

You're making it sound like charity.

All you're doing is taking back

the hard-earned money you pay them.

Now, now, Olivia, don't you think

you should spend more time looking after your own brood

and less time worrying about my business?

Those children are everybody's business.

They deserve our help. Yours and mine.

Deserve?

Now you're overreacting just like a woman.

'This is my land to do with as I please'

and you've no legal rights to object.

How about moral rights?

Look, Olivia, if you want to play

goody-two-shoes to those kids, fine.

But don't expect me to do the same.

I'm doing what I want with this building.

Now, if you'd care to come back in a few days

I'd be honored if you'd join me in a free beer.

J.D., I just might be sorely tempted

to pour it down your neck!

[knock on door]

Good morning, Mrs. Kass. Didn't you get my message?

Oh, I'm sorry to hear about the day nursery.

I came by to see if it was something Anna Mae did.

No, of course not. It just couldn't be helped.

If it's money, I could pay you a few dollars.

(Olivia) 'No, it's not the money.'

It's just that my husband runs a business here.

There's lots of equipment in and out all day dangerous machinery.

We couldn't take a chance

that one of the children might be hurt.

(Kass) Anna Mae was real happy here.

She doesn't like having to go back to the parking lot.

I don't like to think of her having to go back there.

I'll come by and see you when I can alright, Anna Mae?

- Goodbye, ma'am. - Give me a kiss.

It's a real shame.

I never thought I'd see the day when

I'd be turning children away from my door.

Liv, I just can't take the chance

of a serious accident happening.

I know.

But it doesn't ease my heart when I have to tell the parents.

(Aimee) How's that?

No, it's way too tall.

They won't be able to gaze into each other's eyes.

Alright. I'll put it over here.

We've done just about everything.

It just doesn't look that romantic.

With the candlelight and music, it'll be very romantic.

I got the champagne.

Oh, I knew you could do it. Close the door.

I couldn't have done it without the help

of a certain United States Army corporal.

I had to get him out of guard duty for a whole week.

Jason, you're a real pal.

Yeah, this looks real nice.

Wouldn't mind bringing a girl here myself sometime.

Not tonight.

- Oh, well, good luck, you two. - Okay.

- Happy anniversary, Ike. - Oh, thanks, Jason.

Papa, what are you doing here?

The surprise isn't for half an hour.

Well, I just had my last lesson from Aunt Rose.

- It's not bad. - Not bad? It's superb.

You bought her a present?

What do you think, I'm not romantic?

[humming]

Papa's turning out to be a pretty smooth dancer.

Too bad we can't teach him to whisper sweet nothings

in Corabeth's ear.

Wonder what he got her.

W-what is this?

It is a suitcase, Mr. Godsey, as any fool can plainly see.

Yeah, but what are you doing? I mean, I don't understand.

I don't wish to discuss it any further.

I've spent a considerable amount of time

finding just the right words.

I've put it all in this letter. It is my final comment.

You didn't have to take time to write it out.

You could've just told me what you wanted to tell me.

See what it says here "Dear Mr. Godsey, I'm leaving you."

You didn't say anything else, and didn't even sign it.

Who else would be sending it? It's over, Mr. Godsey, over!

Corabeth, now, hold on.

To what? Our crumbling marriage?

I believe in fidelity. It's a pity you don't.

Corabeth, I love you.

You have a fine way of showing it.

Slipping around with some home-wrecker!

Well, I can explain that.

Well, I'm waiting.

- I just can't explain it yet. - Well, then, I am leaving.

I'm not spending another night with a Casanova.

Alright, go.

But go tell Aimee that you're leaving.

I'm taking Aimee with me.

I do not intend to leave her under the bad influence

of a philanderer.

Alright, ask her. I'll bet you a nickel she stays.

Aha! You see, you've added gambling to your sins.

Aimee!

Corabeth, Aimee is in the canteen.

You see what a bad influence you are!

Letting her run around with soldiers!

(both) Happy anniversary!

Happy anniversary, honey.

Oh, Mr. Godsey.

I am overwhelmed.

Now, that's from me. But Aimee and Elizabeth did all the work.

I donno what to say.

[tango music]

Before you desert me, may I have this dance?

A tango, Mr. Godsey?

You know, Rose was the other woman.

She taught me how to dance. But that's all she taught me.

Oh!

I'm so ashamed.

Well, the best thing for that...is to dance.

Mama.

[chuckling]

[music continues]

[music continues]

It's been so quiet around here today.

I hardly know what to do with myself.

It seems like you've been developing

quite a way with children.

Well, I'm getting a little bit better at it.

But I still don't know whether I want

oodles of children or maybe just one.

You've got plenty of time to make up your mind.

I'm sorry it didn't work out.

- Hello, Cindy. - Hi.

Maybe I'll take John Curtis into bed.

It's about bedtime.

- Goodnight, John. - Bye-bye, goodnight.

[both sighing]

Looks like I'm a lady of leisure again.

I'm sure it won't do you any harm.

I should have thought it through before I went ahead with it.

Liv, you saw a bunch of kids hanging around

with nothing to do and you pitched in.

I would've been disappointed in you, if you hadn't.

A worthy failure.

You'll find something else to do.

Those children are victims of war too.

I just wanted to help them have some normal days again.

It's even more than that.

I think in some strange way

I...I felt like I was caring for John-Boy.

By helping those children..

...in some way, I was helping him too.

I understand that.

How can J.D. Pickett be so uncaring?

He won't change. It'd take an army to do that.

Maybe I've got one.

- Hi, Anna Mae. - Looks like you've been missed.

Let's round them up.

Cindy, will you get Barbara and Charlie?

(John) Is this your army?

(Olivia) I'm gonna draft the whole bunch of them.

Bernice, Rob, Elwin. Come here. I want to talk to you.

Come on, you two.

You and me and Barbara have a lot of work to do.

How'd you like to have a place all your own

where you can read and draw, and play games?

We've an idea on how to get a safer place to play.

Let's go over and listen to what she's saying.

Mama said we can't come back to your house anymore.

That's why we've to find another place.

You all come with me, and we'll see what we can do.

- What's next, boss? - We're gonna storm the place.

(John) 'Let's go. Come on. John Curtis, come on.'

There you go, catch up, come on.

'Come on, let's go, John Curtis. Come on, pick him up.'

'Come on!'

Olivia, what in hell are you up to now?

I'm running a day nursery for the children

of the employees of Pickett Metal.

Come on, children, sit down. I'm gonna tell you a story.

Damned if you will.

Watch your language, J.D.

This is my property

and I want you all outta here, on the double!

- We're staying. - I'll throw you out!

You can bully us as much as you want but we're not leaving.

John, talk some sense into your wife.

Sounds like she's making sense to me, J.D.

John, I don't want to use force, but I will if I have to.

You got the wrong man.

Livi's running the nursery school.

And we're going to be meeting here every day from now on.

Not on your life!

Okay, boys, start carrying them out.

Well, come on, Swanson, Miller, hop to it.

Mr. Swanson, I don't think you want to throw Bernice out.

Swanson, what are you doing?

We need a place for the children

worse than we need a tavern, Mr. Pickett.

I'll go along with that.

You too, Erin? My own right-hand man?

I can't stand by you in this, J.D.

Well, you've all gone plumb crazy!

I'll call the sheriff. You'll all be arrested!

Think of the headlines

J.D. Pickett throws children of defense workers

out onto the streets.

This is blackmail!

On the other hand, you could be a real hero, J.D.

Well..

...I suppose I could let you use the place when business is slow.

7:00 to 5:00.

- 7:00 to 3:30. - 4:15.

- 4:00. - Deal.

Deal.

[kids cheering]

J.D., I don't want to find any cigarette butts lying around

when I get here in the morning.

I better not trip over any toys.

- No poker chips. - No crayon marks on my walls.

And no empty beer bottles lying around.

Olivia, I'd rather deal with the whole German Army

than have to bargain with you.

Thank you, J.D.

[all cheering]

(John-Boy) The war of the children had been settled

but not the war between my mother and J.D. Pickett.

He complained if a baby bottle happened to be left on the bar.

She complained if a beer bottle had been left on the floor.

Only at the end of the war was peace declared

between the two of them.

(Olivia) 'Goodnight, Elizabeth.'

(Elizabeth) 'Mama, I've got a great idea for your day nursery.'

'Why don't you teach the kids how to dance?'

(Olivia) 'Elizabeth, some of them can barely walk.'

(Elizabeth) 'No problem. After all, we taught Ike.'

- 'Goodnight, Elizabeth.' - 'Goodnight, Elizabeth.'

(Elizabeth) 'Goodnight, everyone.'

["The Waltons' Theme" by Jerry Goldsmith]

[music continues]