All language subtitles for The.Waltons.S09E17.The.Threshold.1080p.AMZN.DD2.0.x265.HEVC-Bearfish_track3_[eng]

Didn't you tell them about
your television program?

-ELIZABETH: Television?
-What gives?

Well, Dean Beck
has promised me a job

if I can sell the college
trustees

on funding a television
department.

I figured If they're gonna let
him use the school equipment,

I might as well
build a set to watch him on.

This is gonna take....

(GASPS) Jim-Bob!

Dean Beck wants me to make
a speech right on television.

You've made speeches before.

In front of an audience,
where I can see the people.

But in a studio
with the lights, camera,

I get cold feet
just thinking about it.

Given that potential,

we owe it to the future
to search out the good,

so that television becomes
a celebration of life.

JOHN-BOY: The post-war world
was an era of innovation.

We stood upon the threshold
of a new age,

which was ruled
by sudden change.

Technical advancements
in medicine,

science and electronics

had a profound effect on the
way we lived and thought.

None of us dreamed how deeply

we would be affected
by those advancements,

even though we were close by
when it all began.

JOHN-BOY: I've read a lot
about television.

I never thought I'd see it right
here in Jefferson County.

Oh, yes.

The equipment was donated
by an electronics company

on the condition we put in
a television department.

But right now, we're
transmitting one night a week.

This is closed-circuit. Two
drama students down the hall.

You know, this is going to give
Boatwright a head start.

Sooner or later,
colleges all over the country

will be teaching
television techniques.

BECK: I'm afraid our board of
trustees doesn't agree with us.

They're planning to shut
this system down.

According to them,
television is still experimental

and will never
compete with radio.

Ouch.

(BECK SIGHING)

How's the novel coming, John?

-(SIGHING) Not well.
-No?

I thought it might help to put
it aside and try something else.

It's a good idea.

Poetry, short stories,
maybe a collection.

I was hoping that you'd have
an opening

in your English Department.

A professorship or something.

When did you become interested
in teaching?

I'm broke, and if I don't find
something to tide me over soon,

I'll never finish that book.

You don't mean give up writing?

I've got to find
a way to make a living.

Well, I wish I could
help you, John,

but all our positions
are filled up.

Maybe something will open up
next semester.

About that television
department...

What if you let me take a crack
at the board of trustees?

Oh, we've had meetings
and drawn up proposals.

There's not much chance.

Have you thought of using
television to sell television?

What do you mean?

A program produced
right here at Boatwright,

aimed at the board.
An appeal.

Something they could see
with their own eyes.

That's a good thought.
And I suppose, if it works,

you'd be creating a position
for yourself at the same time.

Yes. Now, is it a deal?

I sell the board
on a television department

and you find me a job in it.

What do you know
about teaching television?

Not a thing. And neither does
anybody else.

Is it a deal?

-We could learn together.
-That's right.

What on earth is that?

My brother Jim-Bob.

(BECK LAUGHING)

He brought me over here
this morning.

He must have found his way
into the studio.

It's nice having company along
on a day like this.

Well, after that big lunch you
fixed, I need the exercise.

(CAR HONKING)

-Look out, Rose!
-Oh!

Wasn't that Zuleika Dunbar?

Zuleika Dunbar has never driven
a day in her life!

That's her, alright.
She'll try anything once.

-That woman's a regular caution.
-So they say.

She drives the same way she
cooks. Dangerously.

It's a wonder I survived two
months in her boarding house.

Bit of a man-chaser, I'm told.

Oh, I wouldn't know about that,
Miss Rose.

Corabeth!

It's such a pleasure to see you
two lovebirds

come in here together.

Now, you could hardly call
Mr. Perkins and me lovebirds.

We're just good friends.

Friendship and fondness are
merely steps

along the pathway to amour.

Now, how can I help you?

ROSE: I'd like a slab of bacon,
for one thing.

-Stanley Perkins!
-Oh, Zuleika.

I haven't seen you in ages.

Why, oh, why haven't you come
to visit me?

Well, I've been busy with
my new job over in Rockfish

and trying to make
my apartment livable.

I would think that apartment of
yours could use a woman's touch.

A box of baking soda, Corabeth,
and that will be all.

Stanley and I had such fun

when he was living
in my boarding house.

You remember the time we were
playing the piano together?

I forgot I had
my bath water running

and it came pouring
down the stairs.

Stanley was gracious enough
to help me mop it up.

Well...

I never did get
my bath that day!

I have put in a new line
of ladies' dresses.

Perhaps you ladies would like
to spread the word.

I noticed them as we came in.
I better take a better look.

Did you see my car?
I just got it last week.

Well, we could hardly help
noticing it,

seeing as how you
nearly ran us over.

(LAUGHING) Oh, Stanley!

Well, I would have
offered you a lift,

but it's hard to get going
once I have stopped.

Well, perhaps a few driving
lessons would help you.

I've considered that.

Stanley, you could teach me.

You are such a superb driver.

-Please say you will!
-You flatter me.

-Tomorrow morning, then?
-I guess I could manage it.

Oh, you'd do that
for little old me?

Rose, she is crazy about him.

It is written all over her face.

You'd better do something about
it before it gets too late.

-I'll see tomorrow morning then.
-Alright.

Unless I can take you somewhere
now.

No, Miss Rose and I
are planning to walk home.

The long way.

Oh, Rose, I hope you're not
considering that dress.

It's a lovely color,

but I don't think you'll
ever get it in your size.

Goodbye, Stanley.

Toodle-loo, all!

Rose, perhaps you could try
one of those shops in Rockfish

for the stylish stout.

Miss Rose is stylish, alright.

I might just do that.

-Bye, Corabeth.
-Bye-bye.

-Hey, John-Boy.
-Hey.

Can I help you
bring anything in?

No, that's about it.
My total assets.

A typewriter, a suit and a
15-year-old car

with a bad cough.

Sounds like you're a little
down on your luck right now.

It'll pick up. In the meantime,
it's great having you back.

Well, thanks. But it's just till
I get on my feet.

I hate crowding in
on you like this,

They raised the rent on my
cabin. I had no choice.

Anybody seen Jim-Bob?

He brought me home
from Boatwright this morning

and ran off on some
mysterious errand.

-I thought he'd be back by now.
-Jason! That's indecent!

I'm doing something
about it right now.

Let me warn you. Don't leave
your clothes lying around.

Rose will have them
in the laundry

before you can say "Super Suds"!

JIM-BOB: Hey, hey! Coming
through.

-What do you have there?
-Ask Jim-Bob.

I'm only an innocent bystander.

Didn't you tell them about
your television program?

-ELIZABETH: Television?
-What gives?

Well, Dean Beck
has promised me a job

if I can sell
the college trustees

on funding a television
department.

If they are gonna let him use
the school equipment,

I should build
a set to watch him.

-Now I've heard everything.
-How are you gonna do that?

With this kit I bought from
some dumb engineering student.

Would you believe he didn't even
know how to put it together?

What makes you think you can?

(IMITATING ZULEIKA)
"Oh, Stanley, you're such
a good driver.

"Oh, Stanley, it would be such
fun if you were to teach me.

"Oh, Stanley, I forgot
to stop my bath."

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in!

You better take it easy, You're
gonna be stiff in the morning.

I'm in a hurry to get off
a couple of inches.

Corabeth has got
a dress I'd kill for.

A dress is always good
motivation.

That why you wanted this book
from the library,

Nine Days to a Better Figure?

Well, that and Zuleika Dunbar.

Who does she think she is,

pointing out
that I'm overweight?

(SCOFFS) Well, she's not exactly
a string bean herself.

I'm telling you, Mary Ellen,
it was a sight to behold,

the way she was making
up to Stanley.

Giving you a little
competition, huh?

Stanley is a very
good-hearted man.

He could be easily taken in
by a woman like Zuleika,

and I'm not going
to let it happen.

I doubt that you will, Rose,
with or without the new dress.

Well, it'll help.

-Good night.
-Good night.

Size 14, here I come!

(FAMILY LAUGHING)

-Want some bacon?
-MARY ELLEN: Oh, yes.

-Here.
-Thanks.

Now can I have the sugar? Sugar?

Is that all you're eating, Rose?
I've never seen such willpower.

Jim-Bob, aren't you coming
to the table?

oh, I'd like to but I wanna get
this circuit finished

so, I can get to the garage
and open up,

Jim-Bob is like
a mad scientist lately.

(IMITATING DR. FRANKENSTEIN)
Not now, Igor, I'm at work!

Jim-Bob, why don't you take the
television to the garage

and work on it there?

That's a great idea. Get that
monstrosity out of the kitchen.

Nobody would want to watch
my program at the garage.

I think the garage
is the perfect place

because Jim-Bob's not gonna get
that thing working.

Well, that just shows you
how little you know.

Well, I certainly hope
you're gonna

straighten up that mess
before this evening.

-I'm having company.
-Oh, yeah, who's that?

Mr. Stanley Perkins is coming
over to sit up with me.

-ALL: Ooh!
-Alright, Stanley!

Rose, you been looking out that
window every two minutes.

Well, I can't help it.
Stanley's late.

-Well, maybe he had car trouble.
-It's not like him not to call.

(CAR APPROACHING)

Oh, thank goodness, there he is.

(SIGHING)

And, Jim-Bob, try and keep the
clatter down out there

while Mr. Perkins is here.

Yeah, Rose, okay.

-Evening, Rose.
-Zuleika!

I hope you don't mind
that I came along.

-Evening, Jim-Bob.
-Evening, Zuleika, Mr. Perkins.

Jim-Bob.

Well, my goodness, Stanley.
I was worried sick.

I thought maybe you'd had an
accident.

As a matter of fact, we did.
A little one, though.

There's no harm done.

Silly me.

Stanley was trying to teach me
how to drive the back roads.

Well, I took a wrong turn,
went right into the mud!

Oh.

STANLEY: It took most of the
afternoon to get out,

then we stopped by my place
so I could change.

Lucky thing I just happened
to have a little food.

Fried chicken, potato salad,

half a devil's food cake.

(ZULEIKA CHUCKLES)

We just sort of made
a day of it.

It's too bad you couldn't be
with us, Rose.

You should have seen Stanley
clowning around.

It was just like old times.

Well, I certainly appreciate
you two stopping by

to tell me what a good
time you had.

I was gonna ask, if you'd like
to come with me

while I drive Zuleika home.

I don't think there'll be enough
room in the car for all of us.

That's right, so why don't the
two of you just run right along?

Goodbye, Rose.

Bye, now.

You sure you
don't wanna come, too?

-I'm sure.
-Come along, Stanley. Bye-bye.

-Good night, Rose.
-Good night.

You working on your television
script, John-Boy?

I was until you all showed up.

Well, this is lunchtime
and this is the kitchen.

Well, writers get so involved
with their work,

they forget about eating.

(SCOFFS) That's why they always
look so unhealthy.

What's your show about,
John-Boy?

I thought I'd make it into
kind of a news program,

show how television
will be important

in the communication
of information.

What are you going to say?

Daisy Barnes bought four pounds
of butter yesterday

over at Ike's store?

Dateline, Rockfish.

Maude Swoop's pigs
escaped from their sty.

It's the third time that Miss
Swoop's pigs have escaped.

JOHN-BOY: You two
are a lot of help.

It just doesn't sound too
interesting, John-Boy.

Now why don't you do a show
about sports?

JOHN-BOY: People
were interested in news

when I ran
The Blue Ridge Chronicle.

John-Boy, this is different.

How are you going to tell people
news from all over the world?

What are you gonna do? Have a
guy sit reading the newspaper?

You need something that will
really excite people.

-Do you have any ideas?
-Do you remember what happened

when Orson Welles did The War of
the Worlds on the radio?

You ought to write a science
fiction thriller like that.

Nobody would ever forget it.

Maybe you ought to do
a romance. Or a musical.

I think you should show
how television

can be used for education.

Why don't I just write
a science fiction musical

about two school teachers
who fall in love?

You're not giving up, are you?

I can't afford to. My whole
future depends on this project.

I'm just starting over.

Somewhere quiet.

(SIGHING)

If there is such
a place around here.

Congratulations, John-Boy.

I understand that we are to have
a television celebrity

in our midst very soon.

I'm not going to be a celebrity,
Corabeth.

Well, should you need me for any
help whatsoever,

such as in stage presence

or diction, please feel free
to call upon me at any time.

Thank you very much.

And I was wondering,
John-Boy, do you think

you might have
the opportunity to mention

Godsey's in your broadcast?

You know, something like,
"Shop at Godsey's Mercantile.

"The bargains you get,
you'll think it's a steal."

I don't think
that would quite fit, Ike.

I certainly don't think so
either, Mr. Godsey.

I think television was meant
to be more uplifting than that.

I don't know, Corabeth.

It seems everybody
has got a different idea

about what television
is gonna be.

Well, I'm off
to Boatwright. Goodbye.

Oh, and, John-Boy, remember.
Enunciate.

E-nun-ci-ate.

Rose, here comes your
competition.

You just mind your own business,
young lady.

Go on sweeping the porch.

Zuleika, what can I do for you?

Well, I was looking for Jim-Bob.

I went by the garage,
but he wasn't there.

Well, he's not here either.

He's gone into town to get some
parts for that television set.

Well, my car needs
work right away.

Is that right?
What's the problem?

It just won't start properly.

And I need to have it fixed
right away

so Stanley and I can continue
our driving lessons together.

I used to help my husband Bert
work on his car.

Maybe I could take
a look at yours.

Rose, you think
you know what to do?

Well, I'll think of something.

Let's see here now.

-Ha! Well, no wonder!
-What'd you find?

Your distributing wires need
changing.

-Oh.
-Rose!

Land's sake, Elizabeth. Haven't
you finished that porch yet?

There.

-There now, that should do it.
-Well, I sincerely hope so.

I just have enough time
to get over to Rockfish.

Stanley promised me another
driving lesson this afternoon.

Well, then you better hurry,
Zuleika.

There you go.

(CAR ENGINE STARTING)

Oh, it starts up just fine.
I surely do thank you.

Goodbye, Rose. Bye, Elizabeth.

(BACKFIRING)

Rose!

(BACKFIRING)

Isn't that what the boys do
to people's cars on Halloween?

Where do you think
I learned it Elizabeth.

-I'm very impressed, John.
-Thank you.

You've written an original
drama, a very good one at that.

However, I'm afraid
it won't budge the trustees.

But I had them in mind
when I wrote it.

They'll be expecting something
along more academic lines.

Something with scope,

showing how television
could change history.

I thought I'd done that.

That's not quite classic enough.

Okay.

Okay.

If they want something classic,
that's what I'm gonna give them.

That's the spirit! John, I'm
sorry about your drama.

Well, so am I.

-Good luck.
-Okay.

(ALL LAUGHING)

-John-Boy coming for dinner?
-He's up in the attic.

There's a "Do Not Disturb" sign
on the door.

I wouldn't mind putting one
in the kitchen.

There's a lot of people
messing with my TV set,

breaking tubes
and dropping wires.

Well, it's dangerous to walk
across the floor these days.

Jim-Bob, I think it's your turn
to bless the food.

Okay.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the
pot roast with the onions

and the baby carrots
and the new potatoes,

the gravy and the horseradish.

Plus the buttered
biscuits and honey,

and whatever else Rose
has fixed for dessert.

-Amen.
-ALL: Amen.

Nothing like being specific.

(LAUGHING) You know what you're
eating when Jim-Bob says grace.

Thank you.

-Rose, where's your plate?
-It's in the cupboard.

In the cupboard to stay

until the needle on the scale
starts dropping.

Rose, you can't stop eating
altogether.

Well, my book says
that if all else fails,

that's the quickest way
to drop those first few pounds.

Does Stanley know
you're doing this?

Well, he will when
I get into that new dress.

CINDY: Rose, you okay?

I don't think this diet
is very good for you.

Oh, nonsense.
I'm just not as light

on my feet
as I should be is all.

Give me a few days
to get used to this fasting.

Come on, everybody!
Now, serve up.

(ALL CHATTERING)

Zuleika! Whatever
is wrong with your feet?

I walked all the way here from
where my car broke down again!

Maybe you ought to get
rid of that thing.

Ever since you changed
the wires,

that car has been
backfiring and acting up.

Now it won't start at all.

Well, I wonder what I did wrong.

I don't suppose Jim-Bob
has time to look at it.

(SCOFFS) You'd think he didn't
have any interest

in the garage business at all.

He's devoting so much time
to that television set.

Well, I suppose
I'll just call Stanley

and ask him to take me
to the garden meeting tonight.

Let me see if Jim-Bob doesn't
have just a little

spare time this afternoon.

Oh, don't bother Jim-Bob.

I'm sure Stanley would be
delighted to drive me.

Besides, I do so enjoy
his company.

(ZULEIKA LAUGHING)

-Goodbye, dear.
-Bye.

Don't you ever worry about
getting those parts mixed up?

No.

Well, how does television work?

Light and sound are converted
into electrical impulses

and then transmitted
by a coaxial cable.

What's that?

It's an insulated
conducting tube

through which a conductor runs.

Then it's transmitted
over the air

on a six-megacycle width band

on frequencies below
220 megacycles.

-Um, I see. Thanks, Jim-Bob.
-Don't you wanna know any more?

I think I know too much already.

Erin, wait.
I'm working on a new idea,

and I need somebody to read this
script so I...

can hear how it sounds.

Well, what's your idea?

I want each of the nine muses
of Greek mythology

to represent some
aspect of television.

That sounds worse
than a news broadcast.

Alright.

-Okay. from the top.
-Alright. Are you ready?

Yeah.

"I am Erato...

-"Erato."
-Erato.

"I am Erato,
muse of love poetry.

"From the well which cures
all human ills,

all sicknesses
and wounds of indifference,

(LAUGHING) "I bring you love."

That doesn't say to laugh.

I know. I'm sorry, John-Boy.
Let me try it again.

Alright. Alright.

"Pindar courted me, and Keats.
In their hearts, I blossomed.

(LAUGHING) "And to their lips
I brought a kiss."

What is all the giggling about?

It's John-Boy's script.
Mary Ellen, it's really funny!

Thank you, Erin.

Maybe you ought to be Thalia,
goddess of comedy.

Mary Ellen, do me a favor.

Read Clio, muse of history.

Okay? Go.

You mean, "Action!"

"I am Clio, muse of history,

ever watching
the passage of events,

"presiding over the march
of mankind

across the field of time."

ERIN: (IN EERIE VOICE) Clio...
Clio...

(IN EERIE VOICE)
No, that should be "Chloe!
Chloe!"

(ALL LAUGHING)

This is gonna take some editing.

(GASPS) Jim-Bob!

JOHN-BOY: I can't find
the fuses!

They're above the washbasin.

-Jim-Bob, are you alright?
-Yeah, I think I'm okay.

Must have connected
those wires wrong.

That's no reason to start
pulling them out

like you're gutting a catfish.

I didn't mean to blow a fuse.

If you didn't, you might have
blown your head off.

You really had us
scared, Jim-Bob.

Look at this thing?
I'm gonna have to rewire it.

-That's crazy.
-Jim-Bob!

You may never get this to work.
What you're doing is dangerous.

Now, look, it'll work! All I've
got to do is start over.

Not tonight, Jim-Bob. That shock
could have killed you.

You're going to get some rest.

Alright. But I'm gonna start on
that first thing in the morning.

(MARY ELLEN SIGHS)

John-Boy?

What are you doing
up at this hour?

I have a meeting with Dean Beck
in the morning,

so I'm burning the midnight oil.
What are you doing up?

Oh, I had a nightmare.
It was just terrible!

There was this whole
table full of food

spread out in front of me

and I couldn't get to it.

I woke up in a cold sweat.

(SOFTLY) Oh, my...

John-Boy?

Do you think Zuleika Dunbar
is prettier than I am?

I think you
are the prettiest woman

on Walton's Mountain, Rose.

Thank you, John-Boy.

Do you think my idea
of using the muses

in this television presentation
is going overboard?

I think your idea is brilliant.

Thank you, Rose.

-You ready, Dean Beck?
-Mm-hmm.

Enter Urania.

I am Urania.

I represent the global
importance of television.

As infinite as the stars

are the ways I will tie
the world together

in modes never thought possible.

Enter Melpomene.

I am Melpomene,

muse of tragedy.

To an awaiting public, I will
bring the works

of Shakespeare and Euripedes.

Moving you through pity
and terror

so that when I am through,

you will find yourselves
forever moved.

Now, enter Erato.

I am Erato...

JOHN-BOY: Muse of love
and poetry.

Muse of love poetry.

Pindar kissed me, and Keats.

No, that's not right.

From the well which cures...

From the well which cures, I
bring you...

I'm sorry, John. I just can't
remember it.

-Can we begin again?
-No! No, no.

Never mind. Never mind.
Thank you.

Uh, would you girls
excuse us, please?

Thank you. That was very nice.
Very nice costumes.

Thank you very much.
You did very well.

-Thanks a lot.
-Thank you.

Just a minute, girls.

John, would you mind explaining
to me what all that was about?

Okay. Each Muse
from Greek tragedy

represents a department
at Boatwright.

It ties the presentation
together along academic lines,

like you said.

Oh, yes, I did say that,
didn't I?

Well, I'm sorry. I was wrong.
It doesn't work.

Your point is all swallowed up
in those words and images.

You can't say it's not
classical.

-Well, that's true.
-So, what do we do now?

The board meets and makes its
final decision in three days.

We're running out of time.

Okay, maybe if I kept it simple.

Just something straightforward
you could read on camera.

Or you could.

(STAMMERING) Me? I'm a writer,
I'm not a performer.

You are a respected alumnus
of this university,

and you're a published author.

And the board would listen
to you. Are you game? Hmm?

Yeah.

Jim-Bob, I wish you would
work on that in the kitchen.

I'm trying to keep it
clean in here.

You sure have been crabby
lately, Rose!

And with good reason!

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in.

-Miss Rose?
-Stanley!

-May I come in?
-Are you sure you have time?

I wouldn't want Zuleika
to miss a driving lesson.

(STANLEY SIGHS)

Now, Miss Rose, I never intended
for Zuleika's driving

to interfere with our
friendship.

Stanley Perkins,
I have no hold on you.

You are welcome to keep company
with whomever you choose.

Well, I thought I had made
my choice clear.

You certainly did

the night you brought Zuleika
to share our evening with us.

I had no intention of hurting
you, Miss Rose!

I mean, Zuleika is a silly and
frivolous woman alongside you.

And just the type men like!

Batting her eyelashes and
tossing her bleach-blond curls!

Miss Rose, you do me
a great honor.

I do believe you're jealous!

Jealous? Me jealous
of that scheming hussy?

(SCOFFS)

You're welcome to her!

Zuleika and I are just
old friends.

As a matter of fact,
she's welcome to you, too!

You know, you disappoint me,
Miss Rose.

I never did think you were
such an unreasonable woman.

Oh, Stanley.

I'm sorry.

You're still the fairest
of them all, John-Boy.

I was just trying to imagine how
I'd look on a television screen.

Which one of the muses
are you going to be?

We've decided to
ditch the muses. Listen.

Dean Beck wants me to make
a speech right on television.

You've made speeches before.

In front of an audience,
where I can see the people.

In a studio with
the lights and camera,

I get cold feet
just thinking about it.

John-Boy, you have been
through the war.

You survived the London blitz.

You were shot down in the ocean.

Are you telling me you can't do
something as simple as this?

I don't like cameras.

I hate having my picture taken.

I guess you'd just better forget
the whole thing.

Forget the speech, forget the
board of trustees,

forget the job.

I mean, cameras and pictures
are what television's all about.

Okay, Mary Ellen.

I'll call Dean Beck and I'll
have him set the whole thing up.

-That's better. Want a bite?
-Sure.

Well, Rose, how are you
going to get out of this one?

Hurting the dearest man
in the world.

Who's the dearest man
in the world?

Oh, the dearest man in the
world? Stanley Perkins.

I thought everybody knew.

(SOBS)

Rose, are you alright?

Oh, I just don't know
what's wrong with me!

Snapping at Jim-Bob
and doubting Stanley.

I went on a diet once. I think
it lasted for two whole days,

by the end of the second day, no
one was speaking to me.

She was a bear.

Well, I have my heart set on
getting into that dress. I just

Zuleika won't have a prayer. I
just think once he sees me in

Rose? Rose!

Elizabeth, go get Mary Ellen,
quick. Rose?

I told you I feel fine,
Mary Ellen.

Rose, you would say that if you
had been run over by a truck.

I just need
to stir around a bit.

You're not going to move until
you get your strength back.

I've got some soup
for you, Rose.

Oh, I've got such a good start
on my diet.

If I could just hold out
a little longer

You've gotta try and eat.

That's the only way
you're going to feel better.

I know you girls mean well, but
I don't feel like it right now.

Rose, we're not going to let you
starve, so have some soup.

Thank you, dear, but I'll feed
myself, if you don't mind.

Just set it on
the bureau over there.

I'll be alright, girls.

-Well, what do you think?
-I like the lines.

It's the fabric
I'm worried about.

Oh, that dress is simply
stunning on.

All my customers
have admired it.

Yeah, Corabeth had
that one in the window.

Well, I can see why.
It's very showy.

Yeah, she had it right next
to the radishes.

Mr. Godsey! If you had your way,

we would have no ladies' fashion
department at all.

That'd suit me just fine.

Well, you have to notice
the fullness of the sleeves.

-And the collar.
-And it opens down the back.

-Do you like this dress?
-Oh, we love it.

$16.95 plus tax.

Oh, Corabeth,
we don't want to buy it.

Thank you for letting us look.

-Bye-bye.
-Bye-bye.

Where's Rose?

She's in her room.
She's been there all day.

Come on, Mary Ellen.
It's clear.

Did you get it?

We had to go to Charlottesville,
but we got everything we need.

-Does she suspect anything?
-Not a thing.

Let's get it upstairs
before she see's it.

Hey, come on, you guys! Can't
you hear me? It's finished!

JASON: Will you quit hollering
down there?

If you don't hurry up,
you'll miss the demonstration!

What is it, Jim-Bob?
You'll wake the dead!

Rose, I've been working on my TV
all night. It's finished!

Oh, my!

ERIN: Jim-Bob,
what are you screaming for?

ELIZABETH: Jim-Bob, I got them.

Elizabeth said it was important.

Gather round, You're about to
witness a modern miracle

brought to you
by James Robert Walton.

JASON: It'll be a miracle
if it works.

JIM-BOB: Keep your eyes
fastened on the screen, folks.

-Nothing's happening, Jim-Bob.
-It's warming up.

ERIN: Well, how long
is it supposed to take?

Don't give up. It's got to work.

-I'm going back to bed.
-That's a good idea.

Hey, wait a minute, everybody!

ELIZABETH: Hey, look!

ROSE: Oh!
ERIN: Oh, it is working!

Aren't we supposed to see
something?

They're transmitting a test
picture. I'll try and tune it.

Looks like a bad snowstorm.

I know what it is.
The antenna's not high enough.

Well, don't worry
about that, Jim-Bob.

The important thing is
you made a television set.

We'll never see John-Boy through
all that confetti.

ERIN: Where is John-Boy?

Did somebody call me?

-JASON: You all set?
-Yup.

-Okay, let's go!
-Okay.

How'd you ever
talk me into this?

-What's he doing?
-He's putting up an antenna.

What for? A radio?

No. Television. We're gonna
watch a show tonight.

Television? Wow!

Yeah.

Okay, let's go.

Hey!

-You two want to give us a hand?
-Sure!

IKE: Jim-Bob, you be careful
Don't step through the roof!

Mr. Godsey, there's somebody
on our roof!

It's only Jim-Bob, Corabeth.

Jim-Bob, what on earth are you
doing up there?

Sorry to bother you, Corabeth.
But it's an emergency!

Jim-Bob got his
television working.

Okay, we'll meet you over on the
roof of the barbershop, okay?

Here, hold this, Corabeth.

"And we must recognize

that television
is the frontier of today.

"It will

"affect

"the future of our world

"in ways we can only begin
to guess."

That bad, huh?

I hope you're not planning
to become a writer.

Everybody thinks they can tell
you how to do it better.

Here, maybe you'll like
this part.

"Art, music and literature
are not passive.

They demand someone
to look, to listen,

"to think and respond.

"It will be the same
with television.

"And audiences must learn
to participate intelligently,

"for they will share
the responsibility

for what they see."

You're right.

It's dull, pedantic and dry.
And it's all I've got.

Any suggestions, John Curtis?

You're kidding! I've gotta be in
Boatwright in less than an hour,

and you want to show me
your picture book?

Okay, you win.

"Simple Simon

"met a pie-man going
to the fair.

"Said Simple Simon
to the pie-man,

'Let me taste your ware.'"

See, there's Simple Simon.
He's a bear.

Keep moving!

ALL: Keep going! Keep going!

-JIM-BOB: Okay, stop!
-Okay, hold it, Jason!

Hey, Jason, go over to the other
side of the road, okay?

MAN 1: Keep going, keep going!
MAN 2: A bit closer.

-Okay, hold it, Jason!
-MAN: Hold it, hold it!

IKE: Hey, look who's here!

JIM-BOB: Hey, John-Boy!

Jim-Bob, how's it coming?

Well, okay, as long
as this wire holds out.

-You all set?
-No.

-Wish me luck. I'll need it.
-Yeah, me, too.

Okay.

Okay, move it out!

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in.

ALL: Surprise!

(ROSE EXCLAIMS)

-What is it?
-Open it up!

Hurry!

Rip it!

Oh!

It's my dress!

Where in the world
did you find it in my size?

We made it especially
for you, Rose.

-Come on, try it on!
-Go try it on!

-You have to model it for us.
-It's just beautiful. Thank you!

And, Rose, when you've finished
trying it on,

come into the living room.

There's another surprise
for you there.

What...

JIM-BOB: Stop!

Okay, Ike, I want you to run
that up to the tree house.

Bill, why don't you get to the
top of the barn?

And, Jason, you get on the roof
over by the back door.

Ladies, it's just beautiful!

(GASPS)

(SIGHS) Stanley!

These are for you, Rose.

I'm sorry to hear that you've
been under the weather.

Oh, it was all my own
foolishness.

I'm feeling much better now.

You don't have any cause
to change yourself

on account of me, Miss Rose.

You always were the apple
of my eye.

I can't imagine whatever
made me doubt you.

I hope you'll forgive me.

Do you feel up to
going dancing with me tonight?

Oh, my.

It'll have to be right here.
John-Boy's on television.

Right here will be just fine,
Miss Rose.

Where did she get that dress?

It's amazing, isn't it?

It kind of looks like
the one in your store.

It's about five feet short!

-Haul in the slack!
-Okay.

JIM-BOB: Well, that does it.

Well, it should
be on any second now.

-Rose.
-Oh!

-New dress?
-It's a present.

Zuleika.

Dean Beck and the members
of the board of trustees

of Boatwright University...

BOY: There he is!

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

I labored for many hours
trying to prepare this speech,

and I didn't get it right
until I had a meeting

with my nephew John Curtis
just before I came here.

He wanted to show me
his new picture book,

and as we turned the pages
together,

I suddenly had a glimpse
into the future,

where the pictures
were alive and moving

and where boys and girls growing
up in out-of-the-way places,

like the hills of Virginia,

could share in things
they might not otherwise see.

Things like opera and ballet

and concerts and theater.

Television will take them

across the world
into other lives,

so that for John Curtis
and his generation,

there will be no strangers,

just people who accept
and understand each other.

Given that potential,

we owe it to the future
to search out the good,

so that television becomes
a celebration of life.

Here at Boatwright, thanks
to a generous contribution

JOHN-BOY: The board
of trustees did decide

to develop a television
department at Boatwright.

Not only did it enable me
to complete my book,

but it was a turning point
in my career as a writer.

Television became the most

awesome tool in mass
communications

ever to be developed.

And all our lives,
on and off Walton's Mountain,

were never to be the same.

ELIZABETH: John-Boy?
Were you nervous on television?

Not once I got started.

ELIZABETH: You'll have your own
television show one day.

Mmm. I'd like that, Elizabeth.

-What would you call it?
-I don't know.

Since I write best
about this family,

I guess I'd call it The Waltons.

-Good night, Elizabeth.
-Good night, John-Boy.