Original subtitles

Being a country boy on Walton's Mountain

and looking like one...

always seemed as natural and normal as anything to me.

But a few days before my graduation from high school...

I began to look at myself in quite a different way.

I've got it!

Okay, that's fine. Thank you very much.

Mine is good.

Marcia.

Marcia, you didn't write in my autograph book yet.

-Not now. -Why not?

It's a very personal experience for me...

to write in somebody's autograph book, John-Boy...

and I don't want to do it right now.

Okay. I'm sorry.

Alright, graduates, we are gonna go through this once more.

No. Please, miss. I can't do it.

Take your places in line.

Ben, will you watch where you're going?

Mrs. Drip.

She looks like she's going to the altar.

I wish I were.

It'll happen soon enough.

Grandpa, Chance's acting funny.

Chance? What do you mean funny?

She's just lying around. She won't eat or anything.

I'll go have a look at her.

He's coming!

-Hey, everybody. -Hurry.

Hey, come on. Let me in.

He's coming. Everybody get ready!

Turn around.

What's going on around here?

Hurry up, change your clothes, John-Boy.

What for?

Ask us no questions and we will tell you no lies.

Just get dressed, or we'll be late.

-Are we going somewhere? -Indeed we are.

-Where? -It's a surprise.

That's all you're going to know. So go up and get changed.

-But I don't understand-- -Go on up and get changed.

-No, really-- -Go on.

Go get changed.

This family's gone crazy.

-John-Boy, come on. -Hurry up.

John, come here. It's Chance. I think she's feeling real bad.

I'll see how she is when we get back. Come on, everybody in.

Here he comes.

Will somebody please tell me where we're going?

No.

-We're going to New York City. -To see the Yankees play!

-You spoiled the surprise. -I'll figure it out.

-Alright, now where? -Everybody out.

Now where we going?

What are we doing here?

We're going on a shopping spree.

-For your graduation. -Oh, no!

Oh, yeah.

We all decided that you should have new clothes for college.

You'll be the living example...

of what the well-dressed college boy will wear.

Has this family gone crazy?

Graduation present from all of us.

That is gonna be you.

Mama, we can't afford this kind of stuff.

We can and we will.

This means Ben gets John-Boy's knickers.

Why me?

Because I'm too tall for them and Jim-Bob's too short.

-And I'm just lucky. -What's wrong with my knickers?

I can think of a thing or two.

Please.

Looks just fine, don't you think, John?

100%.

Do you think the shoulders are alright?

-Perfect, Grandma. -I've got it.

There.

Gosh.

Clothes sure make the difference, don't they?

-You sure don't look country. -Oh, Daddy.

Now if you'll slip off the trousers

we'll have the cuffs made...

and you can pick them up tomorrow.

Not before noon.

Mama, do you think maybe you could do the cuffs yourself?

If that's what you'd like.

If you're not accustomed to making cuffs...

it'll be a shame to have these trousers look...

improper.

I can make cuffs, and sleeves and shoulders and necks, too.

There's no extra charge for cuffs.

-Just wrap them up, please. -Yes, sir.

Thank you, Mama.

Come on, now's our chance.

Let's get through all the ladies' things.

There's some handkerchiefs.

He doesn't need a cap.

He looks so old in those clothes.

Little bit.

It's just right for college, though.

Handsome. Even if he is ours.

Hurry up, Ben.

$3.98 on the shoes.

These are nice suspenders.

$1.98 on the shirt.

-98 cents for the suspenders. -Okay.

-Everybody put your money-- -45 cents on the bow tie.

Here.

One, two, three pair argyle socks.

-Is that it? -Yes, ma'am.

-Here's the money. -Hurry up.

Now, that'll be....

Eight dollars and sixty cents.

Two cents short.

I'll put in another two cents.

Are you sure John-Boy won't see all this?

Well, if he does, he'll have to lick me first.

$5.75 for the jacket and $3.65 for the pants

and that comes to $9.40.

Alright.

-Five, six... -Six.

...seven, eight...

nine, and what? Forty.

Yeah, 40.

Here's...

-forty. -Forty cents, thank you.

Thanks very much.

Mama, I really appreciate this. Daddy.

Sure am proud of the way you look in those things.

-Cost a lot of money. -Money well spent, son.

Where is everybody?

Been right here all the time.

Well.

Sure won't be sorry to get out these knickers.

Surprise!

Handkerchief to go with your new clothes.

Here's some argyle socks.

Shirt from me.

It's blue and it's broadcloth, and a new pair of rubber crepe--

Crepe rubber.

Crepe rubber sports shoes from me.

And here's a bow to go with your stupid grin.

Gosh. What am I going to do with--

Put them on.

Alright.

Mama, look at that.

-You look wonderful. -Not half bad.

Because they go with the jacket.

Nice. You never mind.

-How about that, Daddy? -You look right handsome.

Half the girls in college will faint away at your feet.

I reckon so.

-He's going to college to learn. -That, too!

-Off to bed now, all of you. -Good night, Mama.

Good night, Jim-Bob.

Thank you.

Good night, Grandpa.

-Good night, Daddy. -Good night, sweetie.

Daddy, couldn't we go out and see how Chance is feeling?

Please?

I can tell you how's she feeling.

She can't stand up. She won't eat.

Can't we just see her?

In the morning we'll go and look at her first thing, alright?

-Come on, off to bed. -Good night.

-What's taking so long? -I don't know, Ben.

I got tired of watching them practice.

How's Chance?

Grandpa's in there with her now.

Daddy said not to go in there.

Don't worry, Jim-Bob, they'll be out soon.

Isn't there something we can do?

She's not really in pain, her life is just ebbing away.

Poor old Chance.

I think we can say, "Well done."

She's been a good and faithful servant.

-Don't read it now. -Why not?

Tonight. When you're alone.

Okay.

It sure is gonna seem funny not going to that old schoolhouse.

Or seeing Miss Hunter every day.

That's right.

'Course, you going to be meeting lots of new people at college.

And how. Everybody at college is going to be new people to me.

Lots of new girls.

I know. I was just thinking and feeling sort of blue.

Marcia, we're always going to know each other.

I know, but it'll be different.

You know what most everybody wrote in my autograph book?

-That I was fickle. -They's just teasing.

They wrote, "Little Miss Fickle"...

and they rhymed it with "nickel," and "pickle"...

and "tickle."

Horrace Klinger, right?

He's always writing stupid things all over the place.

Tyler Crofut did it, too.

Well...

The truth is that you have been fickle from time to time.

The wrong times with you.

And now it's too late.

Marcia, will you stop talking like that?

Elizabeth, honey, what's the matter?

I'm never going to love anybody again.

What makes you say a thing like that?

Because it hurts so when they die.

Who died?

Chance.

What did Chance die of?

Old age.

We'll get another cow, son.

The Logans.

I see no reason whatever we can't barter milk...

from them for the next few days.

It's a good idea, Pa. Let's go see if we can make us a deal.

I have something to say about the fix we're in.

The answer is no.

Are you reading my mind?

I appreciate the offer, son, but no deal.

Daddy.

John-Boy, you're not to consider returning those things.

We'll have none of that.

You're going to college wearing long pants like the rest.

Please tell me what else we are gonna do?

Save money till we can buy a cow.

You are not to take those things back to the store.

The way this family drinks milk, and we need...

for cooking and making bread, what else can we do?

We'll work it out.

John-Boy, let us try to find another way, alright?

John-Boy....

Don't worry. I'm just going out to practice my speech.

Exciting time...

to begin an enormous journey.

We, the graduating class of 1934...

begin this journey inspired by the words of our president.

-Hi, John-Boy. -Hi.

-Can I do something for you? -No.

I was just wandering around.

...and now we find Ma Perkins where we left her yesterday.

She's had a quarrel with Evey...

and refused to help Evey's husband, Willy Fitz, in any way.

Ma?

John-Boy?

I would appreciate it if you would stop that, please.

And turn the radio off.

Ma, what did you think--

-What's the matter with you? -Nothing.

Nothing at all.

I guess I'll get over it in time.

Get over what?

Look, if you really want to know, I'll tell you the truth.

I was hurt that I didn't get invited to your graduation.

Ike, you don't need an invitation

you're automatically invited.

No one said anything, and I--

Ike Godsey is cordially invited to attend...

the 1934 graduating ceremonies of the Walton's Mountain School.

-Ike Godsey cordially accepts. -Alright, good.

What do you want for a present?

Don't you go doing anything like that.

No, I mean I got to get you something.

I've known you since you were practically a baby.

I'll get you something you'll never forget.

I'll get you something that marks you as special in my book.

You know what? You got to get yourself a suit.

You can't graduate in a pair of blue denims or knickers.

You got to get yourself a suit,

so you look like John D. Rockefeller.

It's taken care of, Ike.

Mama and Daddy brought me into Charlottesville...

and bought me a whole bunch of stuff. It was a big surprise.

I'm happy for you.

Even though they did buy it from strangers.

What did they buy for you?

A beautiful blazer and some slacks.

Suspenders, ties, shirt.

I'll bet you really look like a dude.

That's me, alright. A real dude.

Milk, please.

There isn't any.

-Water is the next best thing. -We've got plenty of that.

Besides, your whole body is made of water, anyway.

Not mine.

Mama, can I eat supper over at Loretta's tomorrow night?

Her daddy promised to bring me home after.

What about your homework?

She wants to eat there 'cause they've pitchers of milk

on the table.

That's not true. May I, Mama?

-Good morning. -John-Boy, good morning.

I guess it's alright as long as you do your homework.

-Bread, John-Boy? -Yes, please.

Try these peach preserves of your grandma's on your bread.

-Better than butter. -Is that true?

Listen, I have a request to make of everybody.

Go ahead.

John-Boy, Jim-Bob says my body is made of mostly water.

He's right.

During the graduation ceremony when we march in...

I don't want you all to start laughing and giggling.

It won't bother me, but it'll hurt Miss Hunter's feelings.

Okay.

-I'll try not to. -Try hard.

We'll probably be the only ones who aren't laughing.

I won't laugh unless Grandpa tickles me.

But you look so funny.

Okay.

Anyhow, what're we gonna laugh at?

I'll explain later, darling.

Don't you worry, John-Boy. There'll be no giggling.

-I'll see to that. -Thank you, Grandma.

The last cow I sold brought $25.

$25 is a lot of lumber.

She was a pretty good little milker.

Give you that one for $22.

She's not bad. Looks a little bit like Chance.

I wasn't expecting to go over $18, though.

Might let her go for $20.

-Is she about 4? -Three.

Tell you what, Henry.

I'll fix this roof for you, and the pasture fence.

Use my own lumber as a down payment.

It's cash what I need, not carpentering, John.

Now this roof....

It's sadly needing, I know.

But I gotta have cash, John.

-Now be careful, Tyler. -Don't worry.

-Give me that white flower. -Sure.

Do you think we could put paper from the hoop to the....

Miss Hunter, this isn't finished yet.

Isn't the banner beautiful?

We gotta put it right in the middle, right there.

Here, put it straight.

You know what you are, John-Boy Walton?

-What? -You are a T-E-A-S-E.

How's that?

I just loved what you wrote in my autograph book...

but I'm dying to know how you liked what I wrote...

-and you're just ignoring me. -Oh, Marcia.

I'm sorry. I completely forgot. So much has been happening.

Everything's turned upside down at the house. I feel--

I thought for sure Henry Cottle would be willing to make a deal.

Grandma and me'll try some other places to see if anyone

can use some extra eggs.

-Jason? -Yeah.

You tell Daddy I'll be home as soon as I find out

what it is the Baldwin sisters want, okay?

Alright, sure.

-Bye. -Bye.

Ma'am. Excuse me, ma'am. My name is John Walton.

My family and I were here a couple of days ago.

And we bought a suit of clothes which I'll like to return.

Would you-would you take them to the sales department, please.

-Sure. -Thank you.

-That way. -Yes.

Now this is our very latest sports model.

What do you think of that?

-Look good at the prom. -I like this so much better.

Oh, that's very nice.

Certainly, the plaid is good. Goes good with the trousers.

Why don't you take the blue off?

Excuse me, sir. Pardon me.

Could you look around? I'll be with you in just a moment.

Yes, that's good. Yes, very good with the trousers.

Excuse me just a moment. Yes, what is it?

My name is Walton. Perhaps you remember me?

My whole family came here a couple of days ago.

You want us to do the cuffs after all?

No, that's alright. I just have to make a return.

I can't keep the clothes.

-What's the matter with it? -Nothing, they're perfect.

I just have to have the money back.

All sales are final, I'm sorry.

We'll take them both.

That's a good idea. Smart shopping.

Perhaps I could talk to somebody else about it?

Look, they're in good shape.

I just tried them on once, I swear.

They're clean. I haven't dirtied them up.

-I'll talk to the manager. -Thank you.

Thank you.

No, thank you. I really have to be getting home soon.

The reason we invited you here this afternoon, John-Boy...

is because now you're about to graduate from high school....

And go on to college.

Of course, you know some time ago...

Emily was paid court to by a college man.

Ashley Longworth, yes.

He was a student, don't you know,

over at the University of Virginia.

Yes, and you remember one day Papa saw Ashley kiss Emily.

Under the maple tree.

A swirl of autumn leaves came tumbling down...

and Ashley just got carried away.

And papa sent him away, and he never came back.

I know. I'm sorry.

Now you're gonna be a college student.

Quoting poetry and courting the girls.

Yes, ma'am.

And getting carried away.

You've always reminded me of Ashley, John-Boy.

His manners and dress were perfect.

Well, almost perfect.

Which brings us to why we invited you to call.

Oh, yes. Excuse me.

This is the gift I bought for Ashley all those years ago...

but I never had the chance to present it to him

because of his hasty departure.

Now that you're going to be a college man...

I want you to have it, John-Boy.

Why, thank you, Miss Emily.

If you wear that, your tie will always be neat and straight.

And set off by the beauty of the pin.

Why, it is beautiful.

Thank you very much. This is very kind of you.

-I really appreciate it. -You're very welcome, John-Boy.

You will pay careful attention to your appearance.

It's so important when you're in college.

First impressions mean so much.

-And they're lasting. -Yes, ma'am.

Why, this is beautiful.

Thank you.

Miss Mamie. I'll treasure this.

Ah, that bread smells good.

It did until you brought those fish into the house.

I'll have you know...

these fish are the tastiest trout

to ever came out of the Rockfish River.

One of these days I'm gonna have to go fishing with you.

-Have to bait your own hook. -I'm not afraid of worms.

Don't you two ever stop working? It's getting late.

John-Boy, you're beginning to sound old before your time.

How were Miss Mamie and Miss Emily?

Well, I truly love those old ladies, Mama.

Daddy, this ought to help you buy that new cow.

What did you do? Rob Ike's store?

No.

John-Boy, I told....

I told you I didn't want you to do that.

We've scrimped and saved for John-Boy

to get through high school and college and....

Well, it just doesn't seem fair.

What doesn't, Liv?

It's wrong...

for him to have to go to his graduation and to college...

in those silly old knickers.

Now honey, what clothes he's wearing

isn't really important, is it?

Of course not, but I just wanted him to start everything new.

So did I.

Maybe getting him started is gonna have to be enough.

No, I'll think of something.

Livie...

how about Zeb's old suit?

Ma, he wanted to wear that suit to be buried in.

Zeb looks right handsome in that suit, but I've said all along...

it's not right to be wearing tweed when you meet your Maker.

Well now, even if you do get his consent...

-is there time to alter it? -Sure.

We'll get the girls to do the housework and cooking

and Grandma and I will do the tailoring.

Knit him a pair of socks and make a bow tie.

It won't be perfect but close to what they wear in a college.

Anything's better than those knickers, I tell you.

What the devil are you looking at me like that for?

Uh, Zeb, come on. Sit down.

We've got something to say to you.

Pa, it's about when you meet your Maker.

John-Boy, have you seen the big scissors?

Yes, I have. They're in my desk.

Oh, good. Thank you.

Thank you.

I sure have spent a lot of time sitting at this desk.

It'll feel awful strange not being here anymore.

Well, I'm sure gonna miss you.

Well, I'll be able to come by and visit sometime, won't I?

Of course. I'd be delighted to have you call on me...

whenever you need any help with your college work.

Not that I think you're gonna need any.

Well, I'll always need help from you, Miss Hunter.

John-Boy, there is one thing that sort of disappoints me.

That step, I'll get it right, I promise.

No, it's not that.

What?

You are the only senior that hasn't asked me

to sign his autograph book.

Oh, I thought you'd think that was silly of me.

Have you got it with you?

Yes, I do.

Right here.

John-Boy.

-Can I read it? -Of course you can.

Even though the lines aren't original,

I want you to know I truly believe them.

And I hope you do, too.

"Heights of great men reached and kept

"Were not attained in sudden flight

"But they, while their companions slept

"Were toiling upward in the night.

"You're a talented young man, John Walton...

"and I will always remember you affectionately.

Rosemary Hunter."

Are you the teacher?

Oh, no. The teacher's out. She'll be back in a minute.

Come here. Come on.

Come on.

Sit here.

I'll tell her.

Her name is Miss Hunter. You'll like her.

Watch out! You want to get burned?

But you promised I could help.

-Go set the table. -I don't want to set the table.

I always set the table when I was your age.

The plates and dishes are already out there.

-We'll set the table. -Come here, honey.

Sure smells like it.

If I get to the machine as soon as he's asleep

we'll have just enough time.

If you take the waistband off and unfold it

you can make it wider.

Seems like that's the fashion nowadays.

Coat's big enough so I can use the extra to make wider lapels.

Can I help, Grandma?

Yes, darling. Grandpa seems to need some comforting out there.

Come here, Elizabeth.

My suit. I never did like black.

I'd look real good laid out in this tweed.

Keep the vest.

All the seniors are staying at school for an hour or more.

To rehearse for tomorrow.

Good. We'll move upstairs before John-Boy gets home.

-What's for dinner? -You'll find out soon.

Stay out of my way.

And I'm not cleaning up after dinner.

I've done my work for the whole week.

Sorry, but you children will have to clean up.

Grandma and I'll never finish this

if we worry about the dishes.

But, Mama....

We'll be up half the night as it is.

Alright, but I don't want you boys disappearing after dinner.

You heard Mama. We have to clean up.

That's awful. That's so bad.

I don't want to hear about you having to do homework first.

Everybody helps.

Would you leave it alone?

Aah.

-Here he is! -Mama!

That's better than the other one.

Sure looks better on you than it did on me.

-Alright, everybody. -Pa, isn't it beautiful?

Now, get out of those fancy clothes. We've got things to do.

Get out the plates.

Come on.

-Let's make breakfast. -Looks real good, honey.

Well, it was just like Christmas this morning.

You sure were surprised.

I tell you, that suit of clothes looks every bit as good

as the ones from the store.

Ma and your grandma did a real good job.

They sure did.

Yeah, they did a good job on those college clothes.

They'll still know you're a country boy, though.

Yeah, that's true.

A poor country boy at that. Which is what you are.

Daddy, I don't believe I've ever heard you talk like this.

Does what I say strike you as being true?

Yes, sir.

You know, when I went into the army...

I took a lot of joshing about being a country boy, a hayseed.

Same thing will probably happen to you.

I reckon so.

As long as you remember who you are, you'll be alright.

Who am I?

You're the eldest of the Walton children, son.

You are loved and respected by your whole family

and by a lot of other people, too.

You're held in high regard by your teacher.

As long as you remember all that, son...

you don't have to worry about being called country.

Come on.

Hi, Grandma.

Ben, have you seen my harmonica?

Olivia?

Olivia?

Oh.

Oh, yeah. Um....

Hurry up, now. Y'all gonna be late.

You're gonna be late.

Come on, John-Boy, it's time.

Did you ever think to yourself

this moment is never gonna come again?

No.

After this, everything's gonna be different

for all our time on earth.

I don't like to think of things like that.

It's happening.

You look just like a college man already in those new clothes.

I wish you were coming with me.

Did you read what I wrote in your autograph book?

Yes, I did.

Tell me how it went.

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."

You did read it.

I'll never forget it.

Promise you won't forget me?

Ahem.

-John-Boy. -Ike.

Your graduation present.

That's beautiful, thank you.

Write good.

Goodbye.

Where are Marcia and John-Boy?

-Are you ready? -Yes.

On this commencement day, you are beginning a new life.

We encourage you and support you in whatever course you may take.

Your teacher and your parents have brought you this far...

and now it is with hope that we send you on your journey.

I know I speak for your teacher and your parents and friends...

when I say we are all very proud of you.

Thank you, Reverend Fordwick.

And now, I'd like to call on the young man

who is our class valedictorian...

who won the Dabney Scholarship to Boatwright College:

John Walton, Jr.

What an exciting time to be alive...

to be venturing out into the world...

to begin an enormous journey.

We, the graduating class of 1934, begin this journey

encouraged by the words of our President,

Franklin Delano Roosevelt...

who said when he was inaugurated a year ago:

"This great Nation will endure as it has endured...

"will revive, and will prosper.

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

This is a wonderful day.

A day of hope and promise for me and my fellow students.

A day without fear.

New laws have just been passed

to eliminate child labor in factories.

Man's working hours have been shortened...

and no man can be paid less than the new minimum wage.

It's been a long time since any banks closed down

in this country.

And truly, our land is a land of progress and opportunity.

As high school graduates...

we will be able to take full advantage

of these opportunities.

That we are high school graduates...

we owe to some very special people.

Our parents.

Our fathers have put in hours of backbreaking labor

to keep us in school.

I know in my house many winter coats my mother went without...

in order that books could be bought for my schooling.

Above these sacrifices, they have given us their support...

their guidance and their love. And we are deeply grateful.

There is someone else to whom we owe so very much.

She has given generously of her time and her intelligence...

and of her love for learning.

And it is with sadness that we leave Miss Rosemary Hunter.

But with the promise that we will strive

to maintain her high ideals...

as we come to this parting of our ways.

This is a landmark that we will never forget.

The day that we, the graduating class of 1934...

set out on the great adventure of our lives.

Thank you.

Everyone, please rise.

* The son of the God *

* Goes forth to war.. **

We couldn't have known then the great and momentous events...

that were to happen in the decades to follow.

But that small school

and those teachers like Miss Hunter had prepared us...

and that preparation helped sustain us

through those turbulent years...

through war, the death of kings and presidents...

and through those lesser day-to-day experiences...

which added together make up the fabric of our lives.

He'll be learning so many new things:

Science, biology, foreign languages.

That's what he's going to college for.

To find out what the world's all about.

If John-Boy learns all those foreign languages...

will we still be able to talk to him?

He probably won't want to talk to us.

You're all talking as if I suddenly turned

into a different person, and you're making me very nervous.

Don't be nervous.

You'll be the smartest boy in that whole school.

-Mama, please. -Alright.

Sleep tight. Goodnight, everyone.

Goodnight.

-John. -Hmm?

He will be smartest, I just know it.

Mama.