Original subtitles

During the time when I was growing up on Walton's Mountain

I heard whispers and rumors about a woman named Victoria Madden.

Some claimed that she was dead.

Others said that she had simply run away from a bad marriage.

Whatever happened to Victoria, she left behind a daughter.

Her name was Nancy

and when my brother Ben became attracted to her

he had no idea what the consequences would be.

Hey, Ben. Over here.

-How's it going? -How're you doing, Ben?

Hey, Orin's going to work as a water boy at the circus in Howardsville.

-They need a couple more kids. -Two or three they said.

We were thinking we could all do it.

-Think your daddy would let you? -Yeah. He might.

It depends on how much work's left at home.

-Well, could you ask today? -Otherwise, it'll be too late.

Yeah, maybe. Well, I gotta think about it.

-Well, not too long. -Yeah, well, I'll let you know later.

-Once they get a hold of you.. - You're life is over.

-Nancy, wait up. What's wrong? -Nothing.

I've been watching you all day. What are you so sad about?

-Maybe I can help. -Nobody can.

Nancy?

Ben, just leave me alone.

Now, I really like you, Nancy. I wish you'd let me help you.

Can you make my daddy let me go to Charlottesville tonight?

Why would you want to go to Charlottesville?

To see my mother.

Your mother?

I thought she was dead.

Everybody thinks so, but she didn't die.

She ran away.

Daddy didn't tell anybody....

and don't you tell, either.

She's living in Charlottesville?

She's just stopping over there on her way to Florida.

She wants to see me.

-How come your daddy won't let you go? -It's a long story.

My mother has been living somewhere up north.

She's moving to Florida to get married again.

And she wrote me she'd stop in Charlottesville

and if I could please try and come to her hotel....

because she wants to see me.

Do you want to see her?

More than anything else in the world....

but daddy says she doesn't deserve to see me.

She ran away when I was a baby.

But, Ben, I just want to know what she looks like....

and what she sounds like.

I just want to see her face and hear her voice.

Well, it seems like you have a right to that.

You tell that to my daddy. He won't listen to me.

I'm afraid if I don't get to see her tonight....

I never will.

Ben....

I did figure out a way I could get there so my daddy would never find out.

How?

You know how to drive, don't you?

Yeah, but I don't have my license. Just got my learner's permit last month.

-No one would ever know. -What do you mean?

You could ask John-Boy if he'd lend you his car.

You could come get me, and I could sneak out.

Oh, no. John-Boy'd never let me take his car.

And even if he did, if your father ever found out, he'd skin me alive.

Mine would, too.

Okay.

I'm really sorry.

It's okay. I'll figure out another way to get there.

The bus, maybe, or I could probably hitchhike.

Now that's crazy. It's dangerous.

Ben, this might be the only chance I'll ever get to see her.

I'll ask John-Boy.

But you gotta promise you won't tell him why you want it.

If nobody knows, then my father can't possibly find out.

He's not gonna let me take the car if I don't tell him what I need it for.

Okay. I won't tell him.

I'll just borrow it.

-Goodnight, Mama. Goodnight, Daddy. -Goodnight, John-Boy.

-Don't study too late. -I'm going to bed right now.

I don't even know what Mama looks like. Daddy tore up all her old pictures.

I bet she's beautiful.

You think so?

Well, you don't look much like your daddy, so....

I don't understand.

Well, you must look like your Mama.

So she's probably beautiful.

Do I have to go in with you?

Good.

-Ben? -Okay. I'll come with you. Come on.

I don't even know what Mama looks like.

-Well, she'll be looking for you, won't she? -Yeah.

But she doesn't know what I look like, either.

I think I see her.

Mama?

Nancy?

I was so young, Nancy....

younger than you are now, when I married Eustace.

And then, before I was 16, I had you.

I understand, Mama.

I just couldn't....

Well, I couldn't take care of you right.

Oh, Harvey, what about this one?

-It's your turn. -Okay.

If I owned this car....

I'd drive it to Hollywood....

and I'd be Jeanette MacDonald.

* California here I come **

Okay, Harvey, it's your turn.

If I owned this car....

I'd be Al Capone....

and I'd steal a million dollars and I'd give it all....

-Harvey, what is it? -Come here.

-Oh, my gosh! -Come on.

-No, I couldn't. -Well, I can.

Harvey, what if someone sees you?

No one's gonna see us. Come on.

-No. -Okay, scaredy.

I'll be right back, baby, with the loot.

Harvey, you're not really serious about this, are you?

Sure, I am.

What's your name gonna be?

Burns.

His name is Howard Burns.

He's in land development. He's probably gonna get very rich.

What's he like?

He's nice.

He's very kind.

I'm sure I'm gonna be very happy.

I hope you are, Mama.

And I hope you are, Nancy.

Hey! Hey, you! Hey, you, come back here! Stop!

Thank you, ma'am.

I'll take that.

-Thank you, ma'am. -Thank you.

Now you finish school, Nancy.

Don't you quit the way I did.

I won't, Mama. I might even go on to college.

That'd be wonderful.

You just make sure that you're very, very ready....

before you marry anyone....

And....

very, very grown up.

My keys. Must've dropped them.

I left them in the ignition.

Lucky someone just didn't drive off.

Well, John-Boy would have killed me.

Let's get home. It's gettin' late.

-Do you want me to walk you? -No, it's alright.

-You okay? -Yes, and thank you.

You won't tell anyone, will you?

-Are you crazy? -If my daddy ever found out

he'd lock me up and throw away the key.

Well, he's not the only one.

Ben, promise. Please swear.

-Nancy. -Please.

Believe me, I won't tell. I swear.

-Where're you going? -Nowhere. Back to bed.

-What're you doing up? -I'll talk to you tomorrow.

-Ben? -I'm real tired now.

Where's that Ben? He's going to be late.

I couldn't make him get up.

-Mary Ellen, go wake your brother. -Why me?

Because I asked you to.

I think maybe Ben leads a double life.

Schoolboy by day, by night, Dick Tracy.

Yeah, he got hired by the FBI to find out about people who are bank robbers.

Jim-Bob, eat your breakfast. It's too early for you and your imagination.

Well, maybe he just needs more sleep than the rest of you.

He's almost 16, growing like a weed. It's to be expected.

Before long, he'll be getting himself married off.

Married! Who'd want to marry Ben?

Why, I was no older than Ben when I married your grandma.

You were a lot older and you know it!

I don't think Ben's thinking about getting married just yet.

-Got it. -I got it first.

There's enough for both of you.

But the one who empties it has to fill it up.

-And it's always me. -Alright. I'll fill it.

-Look at the goody-goody. -Jason, sit down.

-Erin, you fill that pitcher. -Why me?

'Cause next time you'll watch what you say.

Here's Sleeping Beauty now.

I'm sorry, Mama. I overslept.

Well, help yourself. It's warming in the oven.

Maybe you can grab a nap at school this afternoon

to make up for being out all night.

-I wasn't out all night. -Well, part of it, anyway.

Do you have to tell?

I'm not saying a thing, you are. Every time you open your mouth.

Where were you, anyway? Only The Shadow knows, right?

-Where's the milk? -Right there.

Well, why didn't you fill it up all the way?

I did.

-Easy, Son. -Someone's at the door.

That must be Charlie.

He's come by for a load of lumber.

Oh, hey, Pete.

-Morning, Mr. Walton. -Come on in.

Sheriff Bridges sent me out. He had to go to Richmond.

-You had breakfast? -Yes, sir. Sure have. Thank you.

-You all remember Pete Wallace? -Morning, y'all.

Good morning, Mrs. Walton.

Pete, I hear your mama's feeling poorly.

Yes, ma'am, she was feeling poorly....

but she's mighty fine now.

Would you like some coffee, Pete?

No, ma'am. Thank you, Mrs. Walton. This....

Well, this ain't exactly what you call a social call.

What's the problem then, Pete?

Well, I want to talk to John-Boy.

Me?

Your car was involved in a hit-and-run accident last night in Charlottesville.

What?

I wasn't even in Charlottesville last night.

John-Boy was here doing homework all evening.

Well, the victim took down the license number.

Well, he must have taken it down wrong.

My car was out on the front yard all night long.

What time is this supposed to have happened, Pete?

About 10:30.

Couldn't have been any of us. We were in bed by then.

Well, Sheriff Bridges felt that the fella was probably wrong

but he made such a fuss that he asked me to come out here to see you.

-Well, now you have. -Yes, sir, I have. I sure have.

But now I gotta see the car.

You have to do what you have to do.

You won't find a scratch on that car. John-Boy treats it just like a baby.

-Yes, ma'am. -Let's go look.

Alright, everybody. Stop gawking and eat up. Come on.

Pass the milk.

Man said he was just about to start his own car

when the kid swerved in, hit him and then took off.

Looked like he'd done it on purpose.

-Why would I do that? -I wouldn't know. But he....

Wait a minute. What's that?

This is crazy.

Somebody must have taken it, gotten in an accident, then brought it back.

Probably, but I'm gonna need a statement from John-Boy.

A statement saying what?

Well, saying that you didn't use your car last night.

Saying that you don't know what happened.

Saying that it's your car, legal.

And then there's going to be a hearing.

-Hearing? -Procedure.

-I didn't do anything. -I'm sorry. That's the rules.

I don't understand about it.

-I did it. -What?

I took the car into Charlottesville last night.

Maybe go inside.

Sit down, Ben.

-Pete, have a seat. -Thank you.

John?

Honey, would you send the kids off to school?

We have some talking to do here.

Grandma.

Come on, everybody, off to school. You're going to be late, as it is.

-Go on. -Go on. Go on.

Move!

Alright, Son.

It's what I said. I took John-Boy's car into Charlottesville....

but I didn't hit anybody.

Why'd you go out in the middle of the night in the first place?

-Nothing. I mean, I just wanted to get out. -In my car?

That's not like you, Ben.

-Come on, Son. -There's nothing more to say.

You mean to tell me that you take John-Boy's car....

you drive without a license, you get into a hit-and-run accident

and you sit there telling me there's nothing more to say?

You're saying the car got into a wreck by itself?

Someone stole it and brought it back.

Where were you when this happened?

I went for a walk for some fresh air.

Then how could anyone have stolen it?

I left the key in....

It was there later, after my walk.

Mr. Walton....

you've got to admit that that's a mighty thin story.

I think you all oughta talk it over amongst yourselves

and then come down and see me later.

I got to get a signed statement from you, anyhow.

Alright, Pete. We'll do that.

I sure am sorry to have caused you so much trouble.

Just sit down, Ben.

It's just us now. I want you to start talking....

and I want you to start talking fast.

I have nothing more to say.

You better say something.

I don't know why you took my car in the first place.

-Would you have let me? -No!

You're not supposed to drive....

by yourself, at night, all the way into Charlottesville.

-Were you by yourself? -Yes.

-I want an explanation, now. -No.

-What? -I said, no!

John!

I said I wasn't in the accident and I wasn't!

-Get out of here. -Where do you want me to go?

-You go to school. -Daddy!

I could beat this outta you, but I wish you trusted me enough with the truth.

I do!

Then stop this nonsense and tell me what happened last night.

It's nobody's business but mine. Why don't you all just leave me alone?

You go to school.

When you finish, you go up to your room

and you stay there until you're willing to tell the truth.

What do you suppose is going on?

Ben is willful and full of mischief

but he's not so ornery as to get into that kind of trouble.

I think he just don't understand.

He understands.

I think he's scared to death.

-Is that why he's not talking? -I don't know.

Maybe he got mixed up with a bad bunch of fellas or something.

Why, we know everybody that Ben knows.

I don't see how he could get into any real trouble.

Unless maybe he's covering up for somebody.

That's why we lost that game against the orphanage. Harvey.

Ben, are you alright?

No. Everything's terrible.

I keep hearing these awful stories. I've been worried to death.

Orin said he heard that you hit someone, they got killed and then you ran off.

Right now, wish someone had hit me and I'd gotten killed.

Oh, Ben.

Look, Nancy....

-I gotta ask you something. -What?

D'you think it'll be alright if I told my daddy and maybe John-Boy?

Oh, no. If my daddy ever found out

he'd take me out of school and I'd never get out of the house as long as I live.

The truth is, you didn't do anything.

Isn't that right?

I didn't do any of the things they think I did.

-So it'll be alright. -Not at my house.

I'm in the worst hot water I've ever been in.

But you can't be put in jail or anything....

if you're not guilty of something.

But I can't prove I'm not guilty unless I tell.

And you'd have to back me up when I'm saying the truth.

You swore you wouldn't ever.

I know I did, but I gotta break my word.

You swore.

Okay.

Okay, I won't tell....

and you don't have to.

Ever.

Ben....

you're wonderful.

Get him, Reckless!

Ben, why don't you come down here and help?

Can't right now, Jase, thanks anyway.

Come on away from that window, Ben. I'm not through talking to you.

John-Boy, please leave me alone.

I don't think you realize how much trouble you're in.

I'm not guilty of anything. Nothing can happen.

-What about a police record? -For what?

I didn't steal your car. I just borrowed it.

Ben, there was a hit-and-run accident.

You haven't been able to prove that you're not guilty of that.

You were driving without a license. That's bad enough.

But hit-and-run is hopeless.

Well, there's nothing I can do about it.

Is there a witness? Have you got a witness?

Is there somebody who can prove your innocence?

-Can you get a witness? -How can I do that?

Well, I think you're protecting somebody.

Were you with a girl?

Mind your own business, John-Boy.

-You pig-headed dumbbell. I'm trying to help you. -I don't want your help.

Who do you think you are, asking me questions?

-I'm your brother. -Stop acting like you're the law.

-You have-- -I have every right!

And I don't have to answer any of them!

You've got your own room. What're you doing in mine?

Wasting my time.

Mary Ellen, come here.

Can you tell me anything about Ben? You know everything that goes on at school.

-Like what? -Anything to get him outta this mess.

I don't know anything special.

Has he been palling around with any new characters lately?

John-Boy, you would know everybody Ben does.

Even if I did know, I wouldn't stick my nose into his business.

I'm not being nosy. I'm worried about what's going to happen to him.

He doesn't realize how serious this is.

-What d'you mean? -If he ends up in court, he could get into trouble.

Would they put him in jail?

Well, if they find him guilty, sometimes they put minors

in reform schools or correctional institutions.

-Nancy Madden. -Erin.

Ha?

Well, Ben would just go crazy in jail. He'd be so lonely.

I don't think she knows anything about it. She's doesn't talk to too many people.

Except Ben.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's in love.

If children that age can be in love.

Thank you, Mary Ellen. That's a good start.

Nancy?

It's John-Boy Walton.

I gotta talk to you for a minute.

I know you're up there.

I've gotta talk to you.

If you don't come down, I'm gonna go inside.

I'll be right down.

My daddy doesn't like boys coming around here, especially when he's not home.

I just wanted to ask you a question.

Do you know anything about Ben taking my car into Charlottesville

last night and getting into an accident?

Ben wouldn't do a thing like that.

He admits he took the car. Says he didn't get into trouble though and says nothing more.

I thought maybe you could help.

-Why me? -Well, the two of you are pretty close.

Maybe he confided in you.

He really could use some help now, Nancy.

There isn't anything I can do.

Anything at all.

There's nothing, John-Boy. I'm sorry.

Well, thanks. It was just a try.

John-Boy?

Is Ben in real bad trouble?

-Yes. It was a hit-and-run accident. -Was anybody hurt?

No, but somebody's car was pretty badly smashed up.

Ben says it wasn't him and we believe him but we need more.

Fact is, I think he knows who did it and he's just covering up for him.

That's awful.

Anything you can tell me, I'd appreciate.

John-Boy....

I don't know anything about it. I barely even know Ben. I'm sorry, John-Boy.

-Afternoon, Mr. Madden. -John-Boy, you want to see me?

No, sir, I just wanted to ask your daughter something.

We were just talking, Daddy.

I set up some rules around here. You think I don't mean what I say?

I didn't even ask him into the house. I can't help it if he came here.

There's not supposed to be any boys here when I'm not home.

-But I didn't-- -You shouldn't have opened the door.

I told you to never open the door when I'm not home.

Now, you get upstairs and don't you come back down until I tell you to.

-Mr. Madden. -And you get out of here!

-Mr. Madden, I'd like to-- -Get out of here now!

Hey.

The deputy sheriff come back.

Everyone knows that he's gonna swear out complaint.

-Complaint about what? -Ben taking car without asking.

He wants me to swear out a complaint against my brother?

I think I'll do my complaining directly to Ben, thank you.

-Anything else? -Wants us to come back for a hearing.

I had an idea. I went over to see Nancy Madden.

-Eustace's girl? -Yeah.

Eustace Madden, I'd sooner meet up with a nest of wild hornets.

Well, she and Ben are....

They have a little crush on each other.

I thought maybe she'd know something.

She was talking and Eustace drove up, she froze up on me.

Scared her to death.

Ben just better find himself a new girl.

Eustace Madden won't tolerate anyone hanging around his women.

He was pretty hard on her.

Yeah, that fender's still there.

I know. I hate it.

Daddy, where's the car wax?

You had it last.

Yeah.

Daddy, come here.

Look at this.

Hotel in Charlottesville.

-You been there? -Not lately...

but it looks like my car has.

Ben?

Maybe I'll take a drive over there and see if I can find out.

Is that alright with you?

I guess so. He's got his heels dug in. He's not gonna speak up.

Wish me luck.

-He has real red hair. -Yeah.

-Yeah, about 15 or 16. -That's right.

There was a kid here the other night like that.

It was odd because he sat by himself and ate his ice cream.

And then he sat and played with some matches...

-while they talked over at this table. -Who's they?

A nice-looking woman and a girl.

A girl. What did she look like?

Just a girl, kind of scared and pale-looking.

Did she have long hair, blonde?

-Yeah, she did. -She did, huh?

-Well, who was the woman? -The woman was an overnight guest.

I know that 'cause she signed a check.

It's room 201, if I remember correctly.

-The desk clerk can help you. -Thank you very much. I'll ask.

Ben?

John-Boy's just gotten back from Charlottesville.

We know all about it, Son.

-You can't! How can-- -Ben, Ben.

I spoke to the waiter at the Virginia Manor Hotel.

I know that you were with Nancy Madden and her mother.

Come on, Son. It's time we talked about this.

I can't! I swore to Nancy I'd never tell.

She wasn't supposed to go in the first place.

Her daddy's real strict and he doesn't like her mama

and, well, I just can't tell.

Ben, I'll talk to Eustace Madden if you want me to.

No! Just leave Nancy out of this.

Ben, it's gone too far for that now.

But I promised!

Ben, this thing has gotten out of hand.

It's got to stop!

Talk to Nancy and tell her you're gonna break that promise.

Hey, Ben, where're you going?

-Can I come with you? -No, you can't.

Cake! What's the occasion?

Nervousness.

So upset about Ben, I had to have something special to do.

Rate I'm going, there won't be any left to give him.

Well, I could use a piece myself.

-It'll spoil your dinner. -I'm nervous, too, Mama.

You knew Eustace Madden's wife, didn't you?

It's funny, I was just thinking about her this morning.

Nobody's heard a word from her in years.

She left when Nancy was just a baby.

Just left, huh?

Well, it was a little more complicated than that.

Her family moved here when she was just 14.

They were very poor.

She always felt ashamed of the way she looked.

She didn't even stay in school a year.

She just left? Why not?

She quit to marry Eustace Madden.

When she was 14?

-She was almost 15 by then. -Fifteen?

Well, he offered her security, food.

She looked a little less hungry after she married him.

And then she had Nancy right away, before she was even 16.

I always thought that was too much for her.

All her friends were still young...

and wanting to stay that way...

having fun and all.

Eustace wouldn't even let her see them.

He wouldn't let her out of his sight.

And then one day she just up and left.

Now he's making Nancy pay for it, huh?

Mr. Madden, I just wanna talk to Nancy.

I don't want you around here, boy.

Now you hightail it back where you come from.

Will you let me ask her just one question, Mr. Madden?

This is my private property, boy. Now you get off it.

Let me have just one minute with her. Just one minute.

Not one second.

I know about you, Ben Walton.

It's all over the county about you being a hit-and-run driver.

Daddy, Ben didn't do it.

You stay out of this, girl.

And get back upstairs like I told you!

Please, Mr. Madden.

If you're not gone by the time I count three....

Move!

Hey, Ben!

Hey, Daddy!

-Well, Son? -He wouldn't let me see her.

Did you tell him what happened?

I couldn't, Daddy. He ordered me off the place.

That man is so hateful. You can't talk to him.

-Daddy, what should I do now? -You come with me.

John-Boy, tell your ma we'll be back.

Alright.

Morning, Eustace.

John, I've got no business with you or that boy of yours.

Now you just get off my property.

My son here has some business he hasn't finished yet.

He's got no business here.

He wants to talk to your daughter, Nancy.

Not without my say-so, he hasn't.

Now you go on home and don't come back.

You got troubles, boy? Don't you bring them around here.

-Daddy, maybe I can help Ben. -No, you can't, young lady.

Let the girl talk, Eustace.

She's not gonna say anything, John

especially not to that hit-and-run criminal boy.

I don't know what problems you have with her

and it's none of my business...

but this trouble my son is in, is my business.

And your daughter has something to say about it.

I want to hear it. I think you should, too.

Daddy...

Ben got in all this trouble

because he drove me to Charlottesville.

-What? -He took me to see Mama.

I thought I forbid you even to write to her.

I made Ben take me to where she was staying in Charlottesville.

And I saw her and talked to her, and, Daddy, I liked her.

But she left you.

I told you she just up and walked out on you

when you were a little baby.

She's sorry now, but she couldn't help it then.

-Nancy! -That's not going to help....

Eustace, that's not going to help anything.

Ben's the one that caused this trouble between Nancy and me.

None of this would have happened if he hadn't....

If he hadn't taken her into town

to see that mother of hers.

John, I'm sorry

but I'm always so worried.

I know that some day I'm gonna come home

and Nancy's gonna be gone.

She's gonna leave me, too.

She's gonna go and live with that....

Her mother.

Listen, Eustace.

Nancy's here 'cause she wants to be here

'cause this is her home.

You took care of her.

You love her. She knows that.

John

do you really think she does?

She's here, Eustace.

She could be in Charlottesville with her mama.

But, Eustace

why don't you let her lead a normal life

like the other girls around here?

I've always been so afraid to try that, John.

She's here because she wants to be, Eustace.

I know there's not a lock world

to keep somebody in if they don't wanna be.

Daddy.

Oh, honey.

Come on, Son.

Well, now I can get that dent fixed.

John-Boy, why don't you let me and Nancy

take care of that for you?

No, Ben'll do it, Eustace.

He's got a lot of taking care of to do.

-Yeah, well, see you later. -Eustace.

See you in school, Ben.

Nancy Madden remained in Walton's Mountain

with her father.

She was graduated from Miss Hunter's school

and was courted by several young men,

including my brother, Ben.

But she never married.

As her father grew old

he came to depend on Nancy, totally

and she nursed him until he died.

She still lives in the old Madden home

is active in missionary work

and on Sundays, she sings in the choir.

-Daddy? -What do you want, Elizabeth?

When I grow up, can I marry you?

Afraid I'm already taken, honey.

-Goodnight anyway, Mama. -Goodnight, Elizabeth.