Original subtitles

It was hard to think of my mother and father's marriage...

in terms of years.

As far as we children were concerned...

they'd always been married.

But of course, there had been a beginning to their union.

And when their 20th anniversary was approaching...

we decided to help them celebrate it...

in a very special way.

I don't think we should get them store-bought things.

I think we ought to make gifts for them, you know?

Well, think of something we can all make together.

Why does it have to be all together?

Well, I guess it's because Mama and Daddy...

are celebrating the fact that they're still together.

We can think of something.

Why don't we paint a picture of the house...

with everyone standing outside?

-Now that'd be different. -We can do that with a camera.

Can we do the inside with a camera?

Wait a minute. Why don't we paint the inside of the house?

-What color? -No, I mean like a painting.

Make it look like we're standing out front with the walls off.

-Like a dollhouse. -That's right.

That's dumb.

No, that isn't dumb, that's a good idea.

We could paint all the different rooms inside the house.

Trouble is, you can't see all the rooms from the front.

Jason, we can paint it any way we want to.

We can take a little artistic license with it.

-Can we all paint part of it? -That's the whole idea.

Then we can paint ourselves in wherever we want to be.

That'd put Jim-Bob in the icebox.

And you in the plumbing.

-Me in the plumbing, huh? -Yeah.

I don't want it to be just an ordinary day.

Our 20th anniversary ought to be something special.

We could have a special turkey for dinner.

I had something different in mind.

I'd like us to say our vows over again.

-You mean get married again? -Yeah.

In church?

It doesn't have to be. It could be a family celebration.

Maybe you could bring home a wild turkey...

and I'll bake a special cake and everything will be the same...

except we'd have Reverend Fordwick say our vows for us.

Why would you want to do something like that?

We never really had a proper wedding.

Sure we did. It was all legal.

I know that.

But eloping and worrying if our folks would catch up with us...

I was nervous through the whole ceremony.

This time I'd like to make an event of it, for my own memory.

Do we have to have all kinds of folks?

No.

We don't need anybody else. Just family.

Please?

Come on.

John?

"Mr. John Walton. "The door is open.

I was called to an emergency department meeting.

"Please wait if you can. Professor Parks."

I can wait. Can you wait?

Look, are you in a rush? Because....

Oh, no. It's just, I do have to get some work done...

at the library today, and....

I've got all the agenda and the stuff in my bag...

and I'll just give it to Professor Parks...

when he comes in, if you--

Okay.

-You know what I found? -What?

I found a picture of her.

She is a remarkable-looking woman, isn't she?

Well, when I first started reading her poetry...

I just knew she'd look like that.

The idea of her reading anything that I've written...

scares me to death.

Me, too.

I'm glad you found the note.

-Sorry, but it was an emergency. -Here you are.

I have to go, Professor Parks...

but John has all the information about Miss Bennett's visit.

He can go over it with you.

Miss Bennett's visit is going to present us with a problem.

She's not gonna cancel, is she?

It's worse I think we'll have to postpone her visit.

Oh, no.

The university President has handed me a new project.

He thinks it's time that Boatwright started publishing...

its own literary magazine...

and he wants the first issue ready in a month.

A magazine's not a bad idea...

but what does that have to do with Miss Bennett's visit?

Who's gonna look after her while she's here?

She has a lot of free time between lectures and teas.

She can't just sit in her hotel room staring out the window.

I had planned a tour of the area for her...

including some of the historic homes and landmarks.

Well, one of us could do it.

Oh, sure. What would we have to do?

Well, first she'd have to be met at the station...

and taken to her hotel...

and then escorted to the lectures and the teas.

And unless you'd like to see my marriage fall apart...

escorted to my home for dinner on Friday night.

Well, someone with a car has to do it.

Oh, sure, I have a car, so I could do it.

-What about your classes? -Classes?

I have one class on Thursday. It's a chemistry class.

And Friday I'm free, so I could do it, see?

Well, I could get you out of your lab.

But, Johnny, are you sure you wanna do this?

Artists are sometimes quite difficult.

Of course I wanna do it.

It would be an honor to take such a talented person around.

Well, I'd buy a car if I could, just to drive her around.

No, you don't have to do that.

Well, anyway, I'll tell the club that it's all set then, huh?

Okay.

-See you later. -Bye.

-Bye-bye, Miss Webb. -Bye.

Well, John there's a problem solved. Thank you.

Excuse me, could I speak with you for just a minute?

-Sure, Son, come on in. -Thank you.

I wanna tell you the news. That famous lady writer...

I'm always telling you about, Madeline Bennett?

Well, she's coming to the university to speak.

You must be thrilled. You're always talking about her poems.

It's wonderful. The thing is that the plans went haywire...

and Professor Parks isn't gonna be able to spend time with her.

So he asked if I would like to be her escort.

What does that mean?

It means I'd pick her up at the train station

and drive her to classes and then...

when she has some free time, I'd show her the sights.

-Sounds like an honor. -Oh, it is. It is.

I wanted to ask if it would be okay to stay at the dormitory.

It would just be easier for me.

You mean you won't be here at all?

Well, just for Thursday and Friday nights, that's all.

Don't forget about the anniversary celebration.

She's leaving on the 9:00 a.m. train, Saturday morning...

I'll take her to the station and then come on home, alright?

If it's okay with you.

I guess so.

Just get back in plenty of time, Son.

It's not every day a son gets to see his parents get married.

I wouldn't miss that for anything in the world.

Maybe I could even give the bride away.

I'm gonna go pack.

And maybe I could even give the bride a kiss.

Are you looking for me?

Yes.

How did you know?

I didn't, but I hoped.

I saw you and I thought, "Please let it be that boy...

"and not some intense young woman...

"who thinks she wants to be me when she grows up...

"and therefore treats me like I was made of glass."

Besides, no one else has a bouquet.

I'm John Walton, Junior, of the Boatwright Literary Society...

and it's a pleasure to have you here with us.

The flowers are for you, and they're from Professor Parks.

And he wanted to tell you...

that he regrets that he cannot be here to show you around...

has to do some business for the President of the university...

and so I was elected to escort you...

if you have some free time, and take you to classes...

-if you don't mind. -It's fine with me.

-Do you have any luggage? -Yes.

Alright.

-This way. -Okay.

-You had a pleasant trip? -I certainly did.

Good.

We'll get you to your hotel right away, you can freshen up.

Oh, I'd like that.

You know, I think that the series of analogies is amazing.

You know, the one where you compare it to the river...

I thought that was particularly fascinating.

You know, in my mind, it's so perfect, because a river...

sort of flows on and on...

but never really flows away, you know?

That's interesting. I didn't have that in mind...

when I wrote it.

That's funny, because in the piece just before that...

I thought you were leading to that particular analogy.

-Did you read the piece before? -I've read the whole cycle.

-I think it's absolutely-- -Oh, you have?

Thank you, Miss Bennett.

-I'll put these in water -Thank you.

What time is the lecture?

The lecture, 2:30. 2:30.

Then why did they ask me to come on the 9:00 a.m. train?

Because the only other train gets in at 9:00 in the evening.

I've been too long in New York.

You're not originally from New York, are you?

Rockville, Maine.

Population: 11,500.

-New Englander. -Until I was 17.

I left during my birthday party. It was then or never, I thought.

You would have become a great poet even if you never left.

That was inevitable.

I would have become a great lobster fisherman...

if I'd never left.

What do we do until 2:30?

Well, my instructions are to see that you are entertained.

What do you suggest?

Well, I could show you the town.

How long does that take?

About 35 minutes, if I drive real slow...

and we cover every inch of space.

And if it's alright I'd like to talk about your work.

You've just found the way to my heart.

And I know it's one of the ways to yours.

Are you working on anything?

Me?

Well, actually, yes, I am.

I just started a novel.

That sounds very presumptuous, doesn't it?

It sounds like we're going to have a lovely morning.

Let's go someplace where the view is spectacular.

Well, alright, that shouldn't be too hard to find.

We've got plenty of those.

Good. I long to see cows on a hillside.

I've seen too many skyscrapers.

Alright, we'll find you some cows.

Should be someone from your side of the family, Olivia...

to give you away.

Maybe one of my brothers could come.

Now, just a minute, Liv. We agreed...

only members of the immediate family.

It isn't really necessary, seeing as how...

it's not actually the original marriage.

Good.

What else is there?

I'd just like to go over the actual ceremony with you both...

so you'll know what to do.

I tell you, I'm looking forward to that turkey dinner, too.

We all are, Reverend.

I'll see you Saturday evening, then.

-Alright, thanks for coming. -My pleasure.

Oh, Livie.

I put a new collar and cuffs on your Sunday dress.

It'll look just pretty for the ceremony.

Thank you, Grandma.

You know, I thought you'd be pleased.

I am.

But let's face it, no matter what you do to that thing...

it's still the same old sick and tired dress.

Well, if you start right now...

you can make yourself a brand-new one for the ceremony.

Somehow I just don't feel like making one myself.

Anyway, that dress will do just fine.

-You alright? -No.

Heard you talking to Ma about the dress.

-Doesn't sound like you, Liv. -Why not?

Why shouldn't I want a brand-new, store-bought dress...

like other women have?

You can have one. Just go to town and get anything you want.

I don't want a dress.

Liv.

Anyway, it's not the dress. It's just that....

I get the feeling you don't want this ceremony at all...

that you think it's silly, us taking our vows over again.

Well, you know, Liv...

I don't like ceremony.

I take our vows very seriously.

It's just that this is between you and me.

-And the children. -Well, not even them.

Marriage is a very private thing, between you and me.

What a lovely thing for you to say.

I think I'd like you to say exactly that at our ceremony.

I just said it. You still want me to say it at the ceremony?

Yes, I do, and you are not going to back out on me, John Walton.

I don't believe it. Somebody checked it out.

Oh, no, no, it's here. It's just wedged way in the back.

If it was in an easier position to see, it'd be taken out more.

-Here it is. -How did you know where it was?

Well, I checked it out yesterday.

-For the first time? -For the third time.

Thank you.

Summer Days and Other Stories by Madeline Bennett.

Oh, that picture, yuck!

I like it. I think it's beautiful.

You can't imagine how many students are looking forward...

to hearing you.

I'm pleased about that, truly.

I like to talk to people who care about words.

You know, if it wasn't against my principles...

I'd take this and ask you to sign it for me.

I promise you, when I get home...

I'll send you a copy signed personally.

Would you, really?

Thank you, that'd be very special. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

I wanna tell you a secret.

After I published my first book...

I went to the branch library near my home...

and looked it up in the card catalogue.

And then, on the spur of the moment, I took the card.

-I have it home, framed. -Really?

It's almost as important to me as the book itself.

-I'm glad you did that. -Why?

I don't know, I just.... It was a good idea.

I bet you'd do something like that, if the time was right.

Well, we've seen the Westham Public Library.

I hate to tell but we've not only seen...

the Westham Public Library we've seen Westham.

Unless....

Well, there's a....

There's a malt shop down the street.

If you like, we could go have some ice cream or something.

-Lovely, lets go. - Okay.

If you are people constrained by what you think you ought to do.

And therefore choose to ignore what you want to do...

do not hope to become writers.

But if you do choose to become writers...

remember, remain curious.

Imagination dies when one is no longer curious.

About new things, or even about things...

which you think have already been explored to the fullest.

There's a short poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay...

called The First Fig.

I think it says best what I've been trying to say about...

experiencing all that is available to you.

"My candle burns at both ends

"It will not last the night

"But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends

"It gives a lovely light!"

Thank you for inviting me here...

and thank you for your kind attention.

Where are we going now?

Well, we could just take you back to your hotel, if you like.

Do you have any plans for the evening?

No, I don't.

Can you pull over right there?

Sure.

Don't go anywhere.

I'll be back in a minute.

May I have this?

I'm sorry I took so long.

Here.

Thank you.

-What's that? -A picnic, if you like.

Alright.

Good. Hop in.

This alright?

Let me help you with some of that.

-Take the blanket. -Okay.

It's beautiful here. Makes me feel joyous.

Is this alright here with the tree and the....

Okay.

Smooth it for you.

This is such a good idea.

Wine would have made it perfect.

It is perfect.

"Your touch has words that speak to me

"Its syllables are sweet"

I don't recognize that. What is it?

I just made it up.

Finish it.

What was the first part of it again?

"Your touch has words that speak to me

"Its syllables are sweet"

"Your touch has words that speak to me

"Its syllables are sweet

"They say that here beneath this tree

"It was meant for us to meet"

That's bad poetry.

-What is it? -It's us.

Good Lord! In the middle of the night?

What do you want? Something wrong?

We got to show you something.

-Can't it wait till breakfast? -No, it's important.

Oh, well, come on. Come on in.

Now, what's this all about?

-It's a present. -For Mama and Daddy.

You'll love it.

It looks like our house.

It is You have to paint yourselves in.

That's the whole front end.

You want me to paint myself in here?

Well, if you could. You see, it takes a while to dry.

John-Boy hasn't done it yet.

He said he would, though.

Lookie there, there's a radio.

That's where I'll paint myself in...

sitting right alongside the radio where I always like to be.

Well, now, where will I put me?

-In the kitchen. -In the bedroom.

-Yeah. -At the ironing board.

Don't tell me where to go. I know where.

I want to be by the stove.

I spent half my life there, that is where I wanna be remembered.

You think Mama and Daddy will like it?

-I'm sure they will. -They'll just love it.

-Well, might as well get-- -It's good.

Where's the bathroom? You forgot the bathroom.

Well, we couldn't fit it in.

Alright, come on, let's get started.

I'm gonna show you a real arty..

Terribly forbidding man. Thick, bushy eyebrows...

and never known to smile in his life.

I was terrified of him, but still I said:

"Mr. Wagner, if you don't want the story the way...

"I wrote it, then I'll give you back the advance...

and you don't have to publish it at all."

I love you.

I'm trying to tell you a story.

-How do you love me? -Don't know. Tell your story.

Oh, Mr. Wagner.

Well, thank goodness, he published the story.

Because I'd already spent the advance money...

ages ago on shoes.

Every time I sell something, I buy myself a pair of shoes.

After I sold my first book, I bought 10 pairs.

What color?

-Why? -Why what?

-Why what color? -Because I want to know...

everything about you. What color?

All colors. Even pink, which I loathe.

Anyway, I bluffed Mr. Wagner, and luckily, I won.

You know, I really do love you. Very much.

You really shouldn't, you know.

-Don't say that. -Alright, I won't.

I put this on so tight, I can't budge it.

-Thank you. -You can do better than that.

Thank you, sir.

Now that is better.

I'm beginning to like the idea of getting remarried.

You are shameless.

Isn't that why you married me?

Partly.

I gotta go to town for some business.

-What kind of business? -Monkey business.

Well, don't let me keep you.

"Empty, weatherworn home."

It does exactly what it should do...

conjure up an image of a deserted place.

-Thank you, Miss Bennett. -One thing, though.

It really isn't a home, is it?

The way you describe it, empty, decaying...

it may have been a home once, but it isn't anymore.

Well, I wanted to say "house." "Empty, weatherworn house."

But it didn't rhyme with "roam."

Well, it's empty because the people who used...

to live in it roamed.

The essence of poetry is the right word for the thought.

Sacrifice the rhyme before you sacrifice the idea.

That's what Professor Parks always says.

Of course he does. I didn't make it up.

It's in the nature of a rule about poetry.

And the rules have to be obeyed...

or the work won't be truly first-rate.

And yours has every chance of being just that.

Mr. Walton.

Yes.

Well, this is called The Sailor.

Poem or story?

Story.

"The Sailor.

"When people asked Ned Stratton if he was...

glad to be home again...

"he always smiled broadly and answered, 'You betcha.'

"Then the one who'd questioned him would nod...

"as if he'd gotten the answer he expected and go away happy.

"But the minute Ned was alone again, he stopped grinning...

"for it wasn't true.

"With all his heart, he longed to be back at sea.

"The sea was his home now.

"He was a stranger in this town where he'd grown up...

"married. Father had five children."

No.

I think, that's not the kind of dress she usually wears.

Is it the color?

No.

She's got blondish, reddish hair, blue eyes.

-She sounds lovely. -She is.

They're a little fancy. I was hoping for...

something..

-She's kind of elegant. -What a nice thing to say.

May I ask what the occasion is?

We're getting married.

You mean you're buying your fiancé a wedding dress?

Oh, no, no, no. We've been married for 20 years.

This is...we're retaking our vows.

Oh, my, that is lovely. Just a minute.

I think I might have just what you're looking for.

Do we really have to go to dinner tonight?

Couldn't we just call Professor Parks and say:

"Sir, we really appreciate the invitation...

"but under the circumstances--"

Beneath that choirboy's face...

there lives a hot-blooded young man, doesn't there?

That's my father.

-Let's go in. -Oh, no, we can't.

Don't be silly, come on.

Daddy, what a surprise! What are you doing here?

This is Madeline Bennett. Miss Bennett.

This is my father, Mr. Walton. John Walton.

How do?

I'm pleased to meet you. John talks about you so much.

-Does he? -What are you doing here?

Buying a dress for your mama, for the ceremony.

One of these might be just what you're looking for.

Oh, they're lovely.

-Does Mama know about this? -No, it's a surprise.

I kind of like that green one.

-So will she. -It's beautiful and elegant.

Well, that's the one.

I'll get it packed up for you right away.

Your wife will be real pleased.

We really should run, because we have to be at...

Professor Parks' house...

this evening for dinner and all sorts of things.

I gotta be getting along, too.

If I were Mrs. Walton, I'd love the dress.

-Bye. -Bye, John.

Miss Bennett.

Nice to meet you, Mr. Walton.

I'm not making fun of it. If I were married...

to someone for 20 years, I'd want a ceremony, too...

certainly a celebration.

Well, I'll see that you get one.

You think we'll last that long?

The smell of your hair drives me absolutely crazy.

-I'm serious. -I'm lyrical.

You're crazy.

Well, I've got you in my blood like a fever.

You make me delirious.

-You're impossible. -No, I'm serious.

I thought you were lyrical.

Come here.

You know...

I've never been in love like this before.

Maybe I have, but it wasn't like this.

When I'm away from you, it just makes me ache inside.

When I whisper your name, my brain goes crazy.

Do we really have to go to that dinner tonight?

Yeah. No. I don't know.

Yes, of course we do. Yes, we do. We really have to go.

Race you to Professor Parks'. Catch me if you can!

You don't even know where he lives!

Come back here.

Yes, with as many as 20 extra students...

in the poetry class alone...

the number of submissions was staggering.

Of course. Everybody's dying for a chance...

to see themselves in print.

Yes. I've noticed that. I've gotten as many as...

three or four submissions from some students.

Like John Walton, Junior, for instance?

-How did you guess? -So I always used...

to nag my parents to get there early.

Then, when we got there, I'd stand in the lobby and gape...

as the people came in all dressed up.

Oh, I love to do that, too.

Now, we only get to the city three days...

at a time, at the most. So it's a mad rush.

Theaters, museums, and shopping.

But still, it's the only place where fashion reigns.

Where fashion reigns.

It's going to be a royal wedding...

the way everyone's carrying on downstairs.

-Liv? -I'm deciding what to wear.

Whatever you do, don't wear that thing.

It's easy for you to say.

Now turn around. Come on, turn around.

Close your eyes. Close your..

Don't open them.

Liv, happy anniversary.

Oh, John.

It's beautiful. John, you must have spent a fortune.

Don't you think it's kind of elegant?

-Happy anniversary, darling. -Let me get your present.

-Which hand? -This one.

Come on.

-You recognize any of it? -It's beautiful.

I saved one sweater from each of the children.

This blue here is John-Boy's sweater.

The yellow is Mary Ellen's. And this yarn, I had...

to use two strands, that's Elizabeth's baby sweater.

Oh, and that green one's Jason when he was little.

And this is Ben's. Liv, it's just beautiful, honey.

-John, please. -I don't understand you.

You tell me you like it here, it's beautiful and restful.

I don't understand why you wouldn't want to come here...

where there's no noise and no distractions.

You make it sound as if I live in New York against my will.

I don't. I love it. I love stopping work...

in the evening and going out onto the street...

meeting friends, talking, having coffee with them.

Just walking in the evening.

The light is so beautiful as you walk toward the river.

Those are just excuses, distractions...

to keep you away from your work.

Don't be rude. I'm a very disciplined writer.

I'm at my desk at 10:00 every morning...

until 6:00 in the evening. I don't court interruption.

I'm sorry.

Don't you see? I'm just saying whatever comes into my head...

trying to make you change your mind...

just change your mind, so that you'll stay here.

You know I don't wanna just walk away from you, don't you?

If you didn't want to, you wouldn't.

John, I'm who I am. And that person lives in New York.

And gets up when she pleases, goes to bed when she pleases.

The things you found attractive about me...

in the first place are...

the things you want me to ignore now.

I would die in a small town like this.

It just isn't me.

I'll go to New York.

-Of course you'll come there. -I'm not joking, I mean it.

-I would like that very much. -I mean it.

I'll get into a school there. I'll get a part-time job.

You'd like my place.

I have a fireplace in my living room...

and in the winter, I make a pot of tea...

and toast muffins in the fire.

Can't you wait a few hours?

We'll take the night train out of here together, alright?

I'll meet you there.

Please, please wait for me.

I've gotta go home for the ceremony...

and I'll be back in just a few hours.

Alright.

I'll meet you at the station.

John-Boy, I was so worried. You're the only one left.

-What are you talking about? -The house painting...

the one we're giving Mama and Daddy for a present.

C'mon, you gotta paint yourself in it.

-I'm coming. -It takes time to dry...

we gotta wrap it.

-Alright. -Come on.

Don't worry, honey.

-Are you finished yet? -Oh, no, not yet.

-Well, you better hurry up. -I will.

Where are you going to paint yourself, anyway?

I don't know. I guess I'll just paint myself...

in my room, sitting at the desk.

You don't seem to be there much anymore.

If you were gonna make it true to life...

you'd put yourself in your car, going off somewhere.

Of course you should paint yourself at the desk, silly.

Do it and hide it under the bed...

until I can come back and get it. Okay?

Daddy, this is a difficult letter for me to write.

I don't really know how to begin.

I suppose after..

I think I'll set this chair next to Daddy's...

so Mama can sit next to him during supper.

-Stop it there. -Alright, Ma.

That's a good idea. Reverend can sit in Mama's place.

-John-Boy, you look handsome. -So do you.

Good to have you back. We missed you.

Thank you.

Miss Bennett make her train alright?

No, she's leaving on the evening train.

-Fine-looking woman. -Yes, sir.

Everything alright, Son?

-Mama. -Oh, you look beautiful.

-Mama, you're so gorgeous. -Mama, you look so pretty.

You like it? Let me see your sweater.

Oh, yeah, remember this? Now look at this.

This hour is holy and happy because...

these two devoted hearts are about to give themselves...

once more in marriage. For 20 years, John and Olivia...

have shared their lives and their love.

Now they solemnly declare before God...

and this congregation of their family...

that their love will bind them for the rest of their future.

John. Olivia.

These rings are circles with no end.

They have not and will not tarnish...

for they are of a precious metal...

signifying your love, precious and untarnishable.

John, do you continue to keep Olivia...

as your lawful wedded wife?

Do you continue to love her, to comfort her...

to keep her in sickness and in health...

forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?

I do.

Olivia, do you continue to keep John...

as your lawful wedded husband?

Do you continue to love him, to comfort him...

John and Olivia...

I pronounce you, once again, man and wife.

Congratulations.

Can I kiss the bride?

When do we get to eat the cake?

When we got back to our folks and told them...

they wouldn't talk to her for a month.

Those cakes are something, too.

-How is Miss Hunter? -She's very good.

We should get married more often.

When is the honeymoon?

John-Boy?

All aboard!

Your bag, sir?

Madeline and I were to correspond...

and we were to see each other again.

In the meantime, I remained on Walton's Mountain...

continuing that life which prepared me finally...

for a place in the larger world.

Mama, do you remember the exact moment...

-you fell in love with Daddy? -Afraid not, Mary Ellen.

I'm surprised at you, Liv.

John, I've got a terrible confession to make.

I didn't marry you for love. I married you for your money.

-Olivia Walton. -That was a joke.

You're getting to be a regular Fanny Brice.

You want me to tell you another one?

Liv, will you shut up so I can kiss you goodnight?

Whatever you say