Original subtitles

Late in 1935, there came a time of excitement

and anticipation on Walton's Mountain.

Big things, we felt, were about to happen.

Like the rest of the country...

we were inching out of the worst of the Depression...

and on a single day, three of us

attempted to take giant steps.

I was applying for my first job on a newspaper.

Father was attempting to expand his milling operation...

and Jason was only a hairsbreadth away...

from winning a scholarship

at the Kleinberg Conservatory of Music.

We were all convinced that in the months ahead...

we would see the return of prosperity and happier days.

Elizabeth, if you circle that date one more time...

you're going to wear out the calendar.

You should save those crayons for schoolwork.

They cost a nickel a box.

I don't want anyone to forget that this is an important date.

Small chance of that.

-I beat you! -That's not fair.

We've got bread in the oven. You want it to fall?

Sorry, Grandma.

Mama, I'm hungry. Is there anything to eat?

There's some bread dough.

There's warm soup on the back of the stove.

-Well, I'm starving. -Come on, let's go.

You know, I don't feel like vegetable soup.

I'm gonna do my chores.

Mama...

are you really worried about them?

-Well, yeah, I guess I am. -No need to be worried, Mama.

I wish I was as sure of that as you are, Elizabeth.

John-Boy will get the job, Daddy'll get the contract...

and Jason will get the scholarship.

-We'll live happily ever after. -Sure.

What makes you sure of that, Elizabeth?

Because today is the 7th. Seven is our very lucky number.

Superstitious nonsense.

Seven is supposed to be everybody's lucky number.

How'd it get to be our private property?

A gypsy told me.

There haven't been gypsies around in nearly two years.

-You're making it up. -I'm not. Am I, Jim-Bob?

If there are gypsies hanging around, you should've told us.

We saw one when Grandpa took us to Faber.

And Countess Nevita read my palm...

and said that the number seven was very important to us.

Your grandpa took you to see a fortuneteller?

And she only charged us three cents.

Oh, good Lord!

Well, you certainly got your money's worth.

Don't worry, Mama.

John-Boy'll get that job. You just wait and see.

I don't know. He was nervous when he left here this morning.

What did John-Boy have to be nervous about?

I think he'd make a really great reporter.

Took you an hour to do this?

I didn't know you were testing me for speed.

Speed's important, but I put more store by accuracy.

I can vouch for the accuracy of every word there.

-Now, don't flinch. -I can't help it.

Are you sensitive about changes in your work?

No, I realize that when you're starting out

you have to make changes.

Your professor stress terseness in writing?

Terseness? Concise. Brief.

For instance, here you say

"The patrolman erupted in a volcanic fury."

Well, that's exactly what he did.

Could we say, "The patrolman got mad"?

That would be more terse.

Imagine that old man taking Elizabeth to see fortuneteller.

I tell you, Livie, I never know what he's gonna do next.

Well, I hope that fortuneteller was right.

We could use all the luck we can get.

Where have you been? Consorting with the gypsies again?

Never you mind. You seen any of the boys around?

Ben and Jim-Bob are upstairs studying for a test.

If you want, I'll call them.

-Grandpa, are you alright? -Yes.

I could do with a little help lugging the machinery

over to the new mill.

You're not at all well. You're burning up.

I just feel a little achy in my joints, maybe.

I hope you're not coming down with some kind of a germ.

There's a lot of influenza going around.

None of that. I got no time for that.

No? Then you better get to bed. And right now. Come on.

Leave me alone, will you, Esther?

Grandpa, you're not going to do yourself or anybody any good...

if you let yourself get really sick.

Not you, too, Livie.

Sorry. This time it's two against one.

You're just gonna have to listen to us.

-Will you come on? -Alright.

-Come on. -I will go and rest for a while.

I'll be in, soon as I make you a mustard plaster.

Oh, no.

You ladies be good enough to let me know...

the minute John or the boys come home, will you?

Will you get undressed and get to bed?

Alright, well.

Thank you, Miss Marshall.

If you'll just go to the waiting room now.

Well, I guess it's all over but the judge's decision, huh?

-Good luck. -Thank you.

-You sounded really great. -You sounded good yourself.

The way you played that Mozart piece...

I reckon you like him as much as I do.

Not really. But Mozart is sure-fire audition material.

You...

planning on specializing in classical music, if you win?

I want to play with Spitalny.

Who's Spitalny?

Phil Spitalny and his All-Girl Orchestra.

What about you?

I want to compose like Gershwin.

And they have the best classes here in composition and theory.

Well, it's gonna be one of us, so good luck.

But not too much.

Miss Marshall, Mr. Walton.

You have been two of the most skilled finalists we've had.

Unfortunately, there is only one scholarship...

and therefore only one winner.

You boys stop that.

What's the matter, Grandma?

Your grandpa's sick and it just might be influenza.

If we get it, we might be able to stay home from school.

Influenza is nothing to laugh about.

Your grandpa's in there having chills one minute...

and burning up with fever the next.

Want me to go get the doctor, Grandma?

I reckon I know about treating influenza as Doc McIvers.

I'll send for him if I need him.

Okay, Grandma. Sure wish Daddy would get here.

While you're wishing, will you bring in some firewood?

I may keep the fire going all night.

I might sit up with the old man.

-And do it quiet! -Okay, Grandma.

Alright, it'll be there.

Take care of that, will you?

You can't do it, John. There's just no way that you can do it.

Walt, let me worry about that, will you?

You see those?

Oh, in two weeks, I start construction of five of these.

Five, not one.

It's a pretty big operation, John...

and your mill is not geared to cut the amount of lumber I need.

The studding alone on this would--

I can deliver all the studs you need.

All the rafters, all the siding,

all the sheeting, all the flooring.

-Within fourteen days? -I can start delivering in five.

Oh, John.

-I've seen your operation. -Not lately, you haven't.

You know Woody Dawkins, over in Crozet?

Yeah, I knew him. He's dead.

I bought all his equipment from his widow.

All at once?

You win the Irish Sweepstakes, or something?

Wasn't that easy. I had to take a loan from the bank.

You are a rounder. I got to hand it to you.

Here, have some coffee. You look a little tired.

I am. I been working nights at the mill. But I'll get it done.

John.

I've been talking to Cal Smith Lumber

in Charlottesville.

Now, Cal is already geared...

to turn out the lumber in the volume that I need.

I'm closer to you than him. I can deliver cheaper and faster.

Now, Walt, I'm gonna level with you.

I aim to sit right here until I get that contract.

Bandits are over there.

-They're home! -They're here!

-They're home. -They're home!

Hey, everyone.

From the looks of it, we'd better brace ourselves.

I can't believe that.

-2,500 two-by-fours! -That's what he wanted.

That's what he said, I don't know.

Center beams, 12-by-16. It'd take four men just to lift one.

Right. You're absolutely right about that.

Well, why doesn't somebody say something?

-I got the job! -I got the scholarship!

And I got the contract from Walt Catlett for five bungalows.

We got it!

I knew you could do it the whole time.

-How're you feeling, Pa? -I'm stuffed up and aching.

How'd you make out?

Got that contract from Walt Catlett.

He's building five new bungalows...

and we're gonna supply every stick of lumber.

-Hallelujah, that's tall order. -I know, Pa, but we'll make it.

Might as well shoot me for all the good I'm doing you.

-When do you have to deliver? -Ten days.

That's cutting it all-mighty short.

If we don't get a roof on before the rains

why, it'll ruin everything.

I know. I'll have it finished in two days

be cutting lumber in three.

I am awful sorry that I got sick on you, Son.

Don't you worry, Pa.

You just get well.

Jim-Bob, that's the third nail you've lost already.

I wouldn't lose them if you'd stop bumping into me.

I don't care, this frame has to go up.

I've to get this nailed down. I'm as important as you are.

Alright, you boys, stop squabbling.

-Work! -Come on. This isn't even here!

-Don't hammer that in yet, Ben. -Wait a minute.

Esther. What's that noise?

John's back at work and it's not even daylight.

He better be careful or he's going to ruin his health.

You're a fine one to talk.

-You feeling alright, Zeb? -Well, I'll have to say it.

That mustard plaster you put on is not doing a particle of good.

Then I just have to make another one, only this time, stronger.

-Oh, no! -Oh, yes.

Daddy.

Mama's got some breakfast for you.

I had my breakfast at 4:00, Son.

Well, she's got a plate of eggs cooked up...

and some fresh coffee, and some hot biscuits.

Sure could use some coffee.

You know, Daddy, I wish you wouldn't overdo.

The boys will be out to help you right after school.

There'll be plenty for them to do when they get here.

Yeah, I've got to go over to the newspaper after class...

I promise to make it up on the weekend.

You say something about coffee, Son?

Yes, sir. I'll get it for you.

-Got some more soup, Liv? -There's plenty.

You just take your time eating it...

'cause you're not gonna work on that mill anymore today.

I got to.

You're sick. I can see it in your eyes.

-Just tired. I'll be alright. -John, I want you to stop now.

Grandpa'll be up in a few days, the boys can help after school.

Rafters are next. No job for young boys or old men.

How much can you ask of yourself?

Liv, I owe $500. There's no time to slow down.

There's no point in talking to you. You won't even listen.

-There's a storm coming up. -You'll work right through it.

-Yes, I will. -I know you will.

-Liv, I got to get that roof on. -In the pouring rain?

-Will you leave me alone? -Well, I might as well.

It's like talking to stone wall trying to get you to listen.

John.

-He's sick, Livie. -I know, Grandma.

You speak to him. He won't listen to me.

It won't do any good.

I'm sick of this damned Depression.

-Livie! -Well, I am.

He wouldn't be there killing himself if things were better.

He's your son. Why don't you go and talk to him...

ask him what earthly good it does if he ruins his health?

-But-- -Grandma.

-I'll try. -Thank you.

John! John Walton!

-What is it, Ma? -You come down here.

Ma, if it's not important don't bother me.

I'm heading down the home stretch.

You're heading for the sickbed.

Johnny.

John?

John-Boy! Jason!

John-Boy!

Calling Dr. Stevens. Dr. Stevens, please.

Would you please check with the nurse on duty....

Calling Dr. Dennis. Dr. Dennis, please.

Mama?

It's alright, it's just me. It's just me.

I've come to take you home. You've been here for 12 hours.

Mama, I spoke with Doc McIvers.

He says the best thing you could do now...

is go home and get some rest.

I rested just fine right here.

Mama, you need all the strength you can muster up...

when Daddy's home to get well.

Sitting here exhausting yourself hour by hour...

is not gonna do you or anybody else any good.

Mrs. Walton, you really must go home.

We'll take care of your husband.

I'm gonna be here when he wakes up.

We have the number of that store in Walton's Mountain.

We can let you know when there's any change in his condition.

Mrs. Walton, I'm gonna have to insist.

Visitors are allowed only during visiting hours.

Nurse, I'm sorry about your rules, but I'm staying here.

Excuse me.

Why don't you just--

John-Boy, will you go find Dr. McIvers...

and make the proper arrangements, please.

Yes, ma'am.

Livie, as long as there are no complications

he's gonna be fine.

Why don't you go home and get some rest?

No.

What's gonna happen to that brood of children...

if their mother and father both get down sick?

What's gonna happen to John if he wakes up alone in a hospital?

Mama, please.

John-Boy, will you go home and help Grandma?

It's alright.

I'll arrange for your stay.

Thank you.

If you need me, just call the store, alright?

He's still got his fever.

He's getting better.

Thank you, Grandma.

-Is he going to get better soon? -I hope so, honey.

How long does he have to stay in the hospital?

About 10 days.

Ten days? What about the new mill and the saw?

We might say fare-thee-well to Walton and Sons Lumber Yard...

if we don't get that Catlett order cut and delivered.

First things first, old man...

I say that we should get John out of that hospital.

We can take good care of him right here.

Yeah, I can stay home and be his nurse.

No. Everybody has got to go about their daily business.

Grandma, he is getting the best care he can, right where he is.

John-Boy, we're gonna owe that hospital an arm and a leg.

I'm bringing home a paycheck every week.

It's not much, but it'll help.

I can get extra work with Bobby Bigelow...

if Mama'd let me work weeknights.

That's right, Jason.

With help, I could cut and deliver Catlett order myself.

I don't care if Catlett ever sees that order.

John's worked himself into the hospital

and you're just out of sick bed.

And I have no intention of spending my time...

going to funerals of my son and my husband...

seeing them put underground because of their foolishness.

What are you doing out of bed?

You want the children to catch that germ?

Now, you get back to bed.

I'll admit your grandma is right for once.

I don't feel quite up to it just now. I'll go sweat it out.

Come on. And that goes for you, it's late.

Excuse me.

-Daddy and Grandpa gonna die? -Of course not.

All they need is a little rest.

In a couple of weeks, they'll be back to their old selves again.

Come on, why don't you children do what Grandma says?

-Just go to bed, alright? -It's a good idea.

-Good night. -Good night.

-Good night. -Good night, honey.

Good night.

Is Daddy really gonna be okay?

Jason, you ought to see him in that oxygen tent thing.

It just....

He's gonna be alright. It's....

That's not really what worries me.

How are we gonna get that loan payment out

by the first of the month...

if the mill isn't operating and don't get Catlett order out?

That's something I don't know.

If we don't come up with the money,

we could lose the house, couldn't we?

Yes, we could.

-Amen. -Amen.

He's awake.

That's good news, Mama.

Sent me home to rest. He sends his love to everybody.

Well, I'll go by and see him later.

I've grown to hate this place.

It's a strange thing. Couple of days ago...

it looked like everything was going so well for this family.

Maybe we're being told not to get too prideful.

"Pride goeth before destruction."

Mama, pride doesn't have anything to do with this mill.

Daddy's been struggling to build this...

just so that he could make things better for us.

I know.

I get so afraid when I think of us going into debt.

Maybe losing the house.

Or remember, the Bible also says:

"They saw the Lord was with them and He caused them to prosper."

Well, I don't doubt that the Lord is with us.

He just hasn't seen fit to send us much prosperity lately.

Well, I'm working, and Jason's working. That should help some.

I'm going to get a job, too.

What? Are you serious?

It seems you've got enough of a job...

taking care of this house and this family.

Grandma will just have to take over for a while.

Did you speak to Daddy about this?

No, I thought I'd wait until it's settled.

Well.

Well, other women have done it, I don't see why I can't.

You better come in the house before you catch pneumonia, too.

Olivia Walton.

You left a lot of information off your form, Mrs. Walton.

I'm sorry, I've never really worked in business before.

You take Gregg or Pitman?

I don't understand.

Shorthand.

How many words a minute?

How many words a minute, what?

How many words a minute do you type?

I don't type.

"Typing: none."

Mrs. Walton...

this agency provides skilled personnel

for business and professional people.

Exactly what skills do you have...

that might make you a person of value

to one of our prospective employers?

Well, I've never really worked before.

I mean, I've worked, but not in an office.

You see, my husband is in the hospital and I....

Thank you for your time.

Excuse me.

Margaret Allen.

He told Jim-Bob, he'd give him two cents...

if he went on the roof and crowed like a rooster.

Jim-Bob told Elizabeth he'd give her five cents...

if she'd go up to the tree house and flap her arms.

Hi, Mama.

Excuse me, Mary Ellen, while I kiss your father.

Hello, honey.

Well, I guess I'll leave you two lovebirds alone.

-Bye-bye, Daddy. -Bye, honey.

Excuse me, miss, could you help me? I dropped that magazine.

Thanks a lot.

-My name is Joseph Wilkes. -I'm Mary Ellen Walton.

My Daddy has the pneumonia. What are you in for?

Well, I fell out of my tractor. Broke my leg in four places.

-That must be uncomfortable. -Yeah.

Why don't you sit down and I'll tell about it.

-No, thanks, I can't. Goodbye. -Bye.

-How's Elizabeth? -She really misses you.

John-Boy?

His part-time job is working out alright.

Says the boss is hard on him, but he's learning a lot.

And how are you?

I'm having the time of my life. All kinds of new experiences.

Liv, I wanna talk seriously to you.

Do I have to be serious? I wanna just enjoy being here with you.

I've been thinking, Liv.

I over-extended myself.

There's no way I'm going to make those bank payments.

We'll find a way.

I want you to go home.

Tell Grandpa and John-Boy to sell the new equipment.

John, there's got to be something we can do.

I'll go back to the old operation.

It's not much, but at least it paid the bills.

I'm not going to take the chance of losing our home.

Are you sure that's what you want?

Yes, Liv. I'm sure.

Please go home and tell them my decision.

Once upon a time, like today...

me and Jim-Bob went down to Ike Godsey's store.

Ike and Corabeth were hollering at each other something awful.

Mr. Godsey...

this General Merchandise Store...

is in bad need of a coat of paint.

Corabeth, do you think my pockets are lined with money?

Mr. Godsey, I do not intend to exist...

in this rundown shack one more minute.

We'll have us both in the poorhouse, before you know it.

Then Mrs. Essie Davis came in...

and said that we'd probably go to the poorhouse.

She said that Franklins had a mortgage like us...

and the bank made 'em go to the poorhouse.

Well, the next time you hear anyone say that...

you just tell them to watch their tongue.

Alright, now, down off that table.

Nobody in this house is going to end up in the poorhouse.

Excuse me, Grandma. Mama's home.

-Is Daddy okay? -He's much better, honey.

Is John-Boy here?

He's upstairs working on an assignment for a paper.

Will you get him, Ben? Where's Jason?

Sulking. Grandma made him stop practicing the piano.

-Was too much. Tell about John. -He's feeling better, Grandma.

You can go see him tomorrow if you want to.

-Me, too? -Me, too?

I'm sorry, only children over 16 are allowed in.

But we'll take him all your messages.

Mama, how is he?

He's coming along fine, John-Boy.

Your daddy has something he wanted me to tell you.

You better all sit down.

Your....

Your daddy feels it might be better if we...

put off opening Walton and Sons Lumber Yard...

-until another time. -Oh, no.

Grandpa, he wants you to sell everything...

except the old mill equipment as quickly as you can.

Then when's Walton and Sons Lumber Yard going to be?

I suspect the Lord'll make that happen when the time is right.

-I suspect the time is now. -I agree with John-Boy.

That mill is sitting out there practically built.

-We've got to finish it. -I vote yes on that.

-So do I. -Yeah, me, too.

We can all help.

I don't think you children realize how serious this is.

If we don't sell that equipment, we can't meet the loan...

if we don't, we've to sell the house.

Your father has made a decision and we must respect it.

Mama, if we try to sell that machinery...

it's gonna take days to find a buyer. We can't give up now.

No, no, with all of us working...

before you go to school, the young'uns, I mean...

and after school they come out and help.

I know we can do it. That includes me.

This is an emergency.

I know what I gotta do. I don't know about the rest of you...

but I cannot leave this house for another morning...

and go off to college knowing what's happening here.

I'm sorry. Now, I'm gonna go out there and work.

-Me, too. -Let's all go. Come on.

John-Boy, hold on there now.

-Hold on. -Grandma, what do you think?

I think you better change your clothes. We've got work to do.

I'll go change. You take the children their coats.

Oh, darn it all.

-Timber! -Very funny.

-Ben, hurry up now. -I am!

Sit still!

-Hurry up. Here.

Okay. I'll hold them up in another minute.

-Jim-Bob. -Come on, Jason.

-Do you want the nail? -Yes, I want the nail.

Why don't you take time, Jason?

-Jim-Bob, get over here. -Get to work, Jim-Bob.

-John-Boy. -Just wait a minute.

Would you listen to me?

I've found out what's the matter with this.

-Listen, please. -Grandpa.

I can tell you what's wrong.

-What? -There are parts missing.

Jim-Bob, girls are doing more work than you are right now.

-Will you get going? -I'm tired.

So are we all, you baby.

Will you just stop it, please? I can't even hear myself think.

Alright now, Grandpa, there's parts missing.

Tell me what, let me go to the store, and get them.

Yes, you'll have to be ordering them.

It'll take time for them to get here.

Well, I cannot sit around here and wait for parts to come!

Let's go see if we can get that shaper in some condition.

Come on.

Let me look at these plans here.

-What's the matter with you? -I hit my thumb with the hammer.

Look, Grandpa.

-Which of you bumped the ladder? -It was Mary Ellen!

-Wait a minute! Wait a minute! -What?

None of you are doing any good. Why don't you--

-John-Boy, calm down. -Mama....

We all need a break now. Jason, you alright?

-It's coffee time. -Yeah.

-Can we have hot chocolate? -Yes, you can.

We did plenty of work, John-Boy.

Will you shut up, Erin?

Jason, will you come here? Come let me have a look at you, son.

Please, Grandpa, don't--

There's nothing wrong. It isn't broken.

I know there's nothing wrong with it.

Why don't you go back upstairs instead of complaining...

-about a thumb. Go back to work. -It's not just a bruised thumb.

I have to play a barn dance Saturday night.

How am I gonna play guitar--

It was pretty careless of you to hurt yourself.

-You go back up and get to work. -You're pushing us too hard.

I'm tired. I can't see straight.

Jason, I am not making anyone do more than I'm making myself do.

You understand?

You are, John. You're pushing us too far.

You yourself, and we are being pushed too far.

And we're through, we're just--

We are not through! We're going to work until we drop.

And we still won't be finished, John-Boy.

-John-Boy, Grandpa's right. -He's not right.

Yeah?

It's me. Can I see you for a minute?

I don't really wanna talk to anyone right now, Jason.

It's important. It'll only take a second.

Alright, come on in.

You know, Jason, I....

I didn't mean to be so rough on you there.

It's just been an awful day.

I know. Don't worry about it.

I had an idea.

Yeah?

If I was to start working with Bobby Bigelow, full time...

traveling with him...

I'd be earning a considerable amount of money every week.

-You can't do that. -Now, listen. Hear me out.

See, the band travels in the bus.

I wouldn't need to pay for rooms or anything. Just food.

Bobby provides the uniforms.

And the scholarship at Kleinberg goes down the drain.

John-Boy, I'm only 17. I can go to the Conservatory anytime.

Mama and Daddy are not gonna let you throw away that scholarship

to go running around with a bunch of country musicians.

That's all there is to it.

Anyway, you still want to write music?

Sure, but what's that got to do with anything?

You say you can go to the Conservatory anytime.

Come on, Jason. That scholarship is for right now...

not for when things get better.

-What's this? -It's a letter...

notifying the Conservatory I'm letting go of the scholarship.

What?

I'm letting go of the scholarship.

You can't send this.

After all it took for you to get that scholarship?

After all the convincing it took to get Daddy to go with it?

You can't throw that away, Jason.

Anyway, I have an idea of my own.

You figure out how to turn sawdust into money?

No.

I got a way to keep our heads above the water for a while.

How's that?

I'd rather nobody knew about it just yet.

You know, Jason...

I don't want you to think I was making light of this.

I know how much it took for you to write it.

Believe me.

Mr. Fletcher.

I promise you, you won't find a harder working man.

I don't doubt for a minute. I wish I had more like you.

-Then what's the problem? -You're quitting college.

Only for a year, if I can work it out.

How'll I know you won't quit me?

Mr. Fletcher, I've made my decision.

If you don't want to give me work on your paper...

I'll just have to find it someplace else.

Have you told them at the University you're quitting?

I'm going to speak to Dean Beck on Monday about it.

How long before you think you can start here?

As soon as I've spoken with him.

I've to clean out my locker, say goodbye to professors.

Are you sure you know what you're doing?

Yes, sir.

Report here Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.

Thank you.

I'll see you Tuesday, sir.

Walton...

if you want writing for a career...

it's practical day-to-day experience that counts.

You learn more here in a year, than four at the University.

Son, you've made a smart decision.

Your daughter tells me she wants to be a nurse.

She'd make a good one, too.

You got a son in college, and one at music school...

and a daughter that's going to be a nurse. Not bad.

Darn tooting, that's not bad.

-John-Boy. -Daddy.

-Joseph. -Hey, John.

-Well, how's the food? -Not like your mama's.

You don't have to tell me. I remember well.

Daddy, I'd like to say something to you.

-Sure. -Could I draw the curtain?

-Alright. Excuse us, Joseph. -Sure.

I don't think you'll like what I have to say...

but my mind is made up.

So I'd appreciate it if you'd just listen to me.

Mr. Fletcher at the newspaper...

says that I can work for him full time, starting Tuesday.

Says he'll give me $13.50 a week...

plus money for my gas, 'cause I travel more than 25 miles a day.

He must think a lot of you, making an offer like that.

Well, it was my idea.

I....

I thought maybe that I would...

leave college for a year.

-No. -Just wait a minute.

I told you, I've made up my mind. I can leave college...

and work it out so that I don't lose my scholarship.

Now, Mr. Fletcher thinks it's a wonderful idea.

He says a year of practical experience will be good for me.

I don't need to be in college to write.

I can write any place that I've got a paper and a pencil.

I can read anything I want, it's....

I look at this job as the beginning of real career.

I'm looking forward to working on the paper.

I said no.

-Why not? -'Cause you're kidding yourself.

You drop out for a year, you may never get back.

Life has a way of tying you down with responsibilities, John-Boy.

This is your time. I'm not going to let you throw it away.

Daddy...

if I bring home that money every week...

then you won't have to get rid of the mill or the equipment.

And we can have Walton and Sons Lumber Yard...

-Is that John Walton? -They're having a disagreement.

The bank won't take anything away from us...

the hospital won't have to wait for us to pay bills.

No.

Please, would you let me do this for you and Mama?

No!

Alright, I can be as stubborn as you can.

I'm telling you, my mind's made up.

John-Boy, I said, no!

-I'm sorry, it's already done. -Undo it!

I'm sorry, I don't really want to talk about it anymore.

I want to talk about it, Son.

-Sorry Daddy, not now. -Come back here.

-Not now, I'm sorry. -Come back here!

Hi, John.

What's going on here?

-Mama. -Zeb.

There's Ike Godsey.

I guess we better get started by putting up that siding there.

Somebody show Ike how to drive a nail.

Somebody show Zack how to use a hammer.

Go along, Ike.

Born with hammer in one hand, fistful of nails in the other.

Built a building by the time I was six.

-What did you build, a privy? -No.

-A bear trap. -Did you get any bears?

No. No bears where I come from. It's too poor.

We were so poor nobody ever died. Couldn't afford to.

-You ain't too poor to work? -No.

Let's go.

-They've come to help. -Let's get to work.

Who told them we needed help?

I don't know.

-Excuse me. -Grandma.

Looks like we're gonna be making a lot of coffee today.

Zebulon, come in here and....

Oh, that old fool.

Ike, you are a good man.

We could've done this three or four days ago...

if you folks hadn't been so all-fired proud.

Ike Godsey, are you responsible for this?

I wish you wouldn't go listening on private conversations.

John-Boy, I don't have time...

for your high falluting, philosophical conversations.

We're too busy.

Zeb, you know, I think you could be more use to us...

if you were dressed a little bit less casual.

I don't see any ladies present, but for you, I'll put pants on.

-Thank you all. -Ike...

-thank you very much. -You're welcome, John-Boy.

Finished? Everything?

Just sitting waiting for you to go to work.

I can't believe it.

The bank agreed to give a short extension on the first payment.

There's only one bad thing, though.

Mr. Catlett gave our order to somebody else.

He did?

John Walton, the mill is there, waiting for you to go to work.

If there's one Mr. Catlett, there's bound to be two.

Where am I gonna get another order like that?

You hurry up, get out and start looking.

Otherwise, we might end up in the tree house.

Wanna hear some good news about John-Boy?

You tell that son of yours I wanna talk to him.

Brought you a message from him.

He's starting back to school and keep his part-time job.

Mr. Fletcher was kind of mad at him...

he said it was alright as long as he didn't change his mind.

Liv, I wanna go home right now.

Only got another day to go.

My clothes are over there in that closet. C'mon.

-Oh, John, you can't do that. -Come on.

-John, see? -Come on.

-John. -Come on.

Doc McIvers is going to be mad at me.

-Walton and Sons Lumber Yard. -That's something.

Fellas, you done good.

The Depression wasn't over by a long sight...

and prosperity wasn't anywhere near around the corner...

but we had taken a giant step forward, as a family.

-Daddy? -What is it, honey?

If you died when sick, would you've gone to heaven or hell?

I don't know. What do you think?

Well, you could have probably made it to heaven.

Night, Daddy.

Good night, Elizabeth.

John, I really wish you'd start going to church on Sundays.

-Night, Liv. -Night.