Original subtitles

Good evening, fellow creatures.

This evening we are making a daring experiment.

We shall present a blank screen and let your imagination fill in the picture.

Since I have no idea what you are thinking, I have no idea what you are

I understand a good many men watch our show.

Of course, I'm sure their wives occasionally peek in from the kitchen.

But when they see the show hasn't begun, they return to their work.

I'm afraid our experiment may be getting out of hand.

I shall ask our sponsor to fill the screen with his own wholesome,

thoughts. This is especially designed for those of you with nothing at all on

your mind.

In a chair, all by himself on New Year's Eve?

Do you have any suggestions?

I believe in two -fisted drinking, one in each hand. Here, you take one.

Thank you.

Is this the best you can do?

Seems to me a girl would be more fun right now.

Oh, she would, she would.

But I got a wife sitting up there.

In Scarlet Town, where I was born, there was a fair

maid dwellin', made every youth cry well a day.

Her name was Barbara Allen, all in the merry

month of May.

I just love to hear Biff sing.

I guess that's why I married him.

What's the name of that song?

Barbara Allen.

Ted, how about a refill? Oh, sure, Doc. I'll get it for you.

You know, Bob, it isn't very often we get you and Della out to parties. You

leave him alone.

He's having a good time.

There are going to be no babies born tonight, so far as we know.

Don't be too sure.

Spoilsport. Hey, listen, isn't anybody going to drive my goulash? I've been

chained to a hot stove all day.

I bet Bob would like it better than he does mine.

You want some?

Yeah.

Jackie? Hmm? How about trying some of Ken's goulash?

Yeah, sure.

You know, I never met Bish Darby before.

He certainly seems to be in love with the sound of his own voice, doesn't he?

What's he do?

He's a farm equipment salesman. I transferred up here about two months

He seems to be quite a salesman, all right.

Is it true what they say about Dixie?

Well, I don't know Dixie, but I'm sure willing to try.

Hey, it's almost the new year.

Couldn't be any worse than the old one, that's for sure.

I better go and get my wife.

Happy New Year, everybody. It's 12 o 'clock.

Happy New Year, darling.

Okay.

Now, I'm on my way.

Mrs. Powell, she's in labor. Two weeks early.

Hey. Hey.

Hey.

Happy New Year, darling. Happy New Year.

You mean you don't play golf, ma 'am?

No. Oh, you don't know what you're missing.

Oh, all that walking after a little ball.

It's not just a little ball that you're walking after. It's business.

What do you mean?

You want to join a country club, sell some of those plows, huh? Well, you

already got me in the line.

Now, sweetheart, you listen to Ken.

Well, honey, I heard him. I heard him.

After all, I did buy that house on his recommendation, didn't I? That's a good

investment. You'll see.

Darling, we're...

Out of cigarettes, I think I'll pop down to the cross and get some.

Bish, would you mind moving your car from the driveway? It's blocking mine.

No, not at all.

I'll be right back.

Bye -bye, Bish. Bye -bye.

Ken?

Ken, you sure have been a great help to us.

Bish and I were so out of things, and if it hadn't been for you and Elise, we

never would have been accepted.

Oh, it wasn't us. It was Bish's guitar and his husky baritone voice that opened

it.

Door.

My goodness.

Elise is so pretty.

Plenty of cigarettes here. She didn't have to go.

Well, maybe she didn't want to run too low.

Your car is gone. I guess Bish drove her down.

Yes.

Well, they'll be back soon.

Now, what am I going to do with this?

Can I help? No, it's all right, honey. I can manage, thank you. I guess you

really are leaving tomorrow, aren't you? I certainly am, honey. And I need

another week to get ready in, too.

It seems a shame to be leaving with the weather just getting nice. Yes, but I

promised the children that they could visit their grandmother during the

vacation. Will Vic join you later?

Yes. Yes, he can't right now. He's too busy.

Mommy, Mommy, is the train ready?

No, baby, not yet, but it will be tomorrow.

Ah, Maddie, see?

I told you. She would believe me. I believe you both. Come give Auntie Elise

big hug.

Maddie's only... their baby. She doesn't understand about trains. You do,

though. You're a big boy. You better keep an eye on your little sister.

Yes, Bo. You do that for Mommy, huh? Now, out with you, both of you. Okay.

to play.

That's right.

I'm never going to finish this packing.

I've got to be leaving, too. Oh, don't run off. Oh, I must.

You know, there is something you can do for me, honey. For anything.

It's about Bish.

Yes. Well, I sure would appreciate it if you'd keep your eye on him for me while

I'm gone. Just see that he eats properly and sticks to his diet.

Diet? He's on a diet. Don't tell me. Oh, yes.

He doesn't take it very seriously, but he should. He starts to put on a little

weight, and before you know it... What can I do?

Well, just keep after him. It's really a very simple diet. Tell me what it is,

and I'll nag him to death.

It's just lean meat and no potatoes and no bread and no desserts and just

saccharine in his coffee.

Station tomorrow.

I don't know. That's all right, honey. Best you will. I'll come see you out.

don't bother. Have a good trip. I'll see you when you get back.

Yes, honey.

I will.

I sure will.

Father, oh, Father, come dig my grave.

I'll dig it long and narrow.

Sweet William died for me today.

I'll die for him.

They buried him in the old churchyard.

They buried her beside him.

Through William's heart grew a red, red rose.

Through Barbara's grew a briar.

Where'd you ever learn to play the guitar?

Oh, I never took any lessons. I just sort of started picking at the strings.

Uh, that was yourself, huh?

Play some more.

Oh, give me a chance to get my breath.

That was a big supper we just had.

No one would ever guess you were on a diet.

Well, I'm not. I'm supposed to be, but I just can't seem to get around to it.

Who told you, anyway?

Jackie.

Well, have you heard from her yet?

Yeah, yeah.

I got a wire from her yesterday.

She's at her folks' place.

Oh, I promised Jackie I'd help keep you slim. Now, where's that saccharin?

Well, there's no use. I'll just forget it anyway.

I won't let you forget.

How about a brandy, everyone?

Not me.

No, no, thank you.

I'll take one.

All right.

Ken sure missed a great dinner.

Well, he'd never miss a junior Chamber of Commerce meeting.

You know, he's been after me to join.

I just might do that.

Be good business.

Business, that's all men ever think about.

Is that so bad?

Well, let's just say it's not.

Stimulating. I have a theory.

Men should make money, put it in their wives' checking accounts, and then

about it.

It's a good thing you're not married to a doctor.

Speaking of doctors, I'm reminded that I work 24 hours a day.

It's getting late, honey.

Okay. I'd better go home.

Yeah. I hate to run, but if I should get a call, that fog's going to really slow

us up getting back to town. Don't get up. We had a lovely dinner. Oh, I'm glad

you came.

Thanks. Bye.

Good night, Elaine.

Bye, good night.

Hello? Yes, this is Dr. Hudson's residence.

This is his wife. I'll take a message.

What?

Oh, no. Where?

Yes.

Yes, he'll be over right away.

Bob. Bob, wake up.

Who was it? That was the sheriff.

They want you to go to the Taylor place right away.

Ken Taylor just shot and killed Bish Darby.

I guess there's nothing more we can do, I'm told.

Doc arrives.

Hi, uh, Doc, Della?

What? Yes.

Let... Yeah, I guess so.

Hello, Della.

You do have a cigarette on you. Everyone here seems to have run out.

Thank you. How about some coffee?

I'm going to have some.

Well, there's some on the bar from dinner.

I walked in.

I walked right in.

I'll drink this.

It'll make you feel better.

I can't drink coffee without sugar.

I'll get some.

Oh, don't bother. I'll use this.

They won't do anything to Ken, will they? I don't know.

It was all my fault, I'll say so.

It's rather late now.

Jackie, I... I feel so sorry for her.

Poor little Jackie.

What did she ever do to deserve this?

It was hardly worth it.

I thought I'd die if I couldn't have him.

But it was hardly worth it.

Jackie and the kids without Bish.

The world without Bish.

The guitar without Bish.

I sure fouled this one up, didn't I?

Of course, it was the original mistake.

My mistake in thinking Ken would put up with anything from me.

Is that why you married him?

Yes.

I could have had almost anyone in Belfont.

Your Bob, for instance.

But I didn't want him.

Only Bish.

Oh, Della, just look at me.

Tell me, was I meant for just one man and one life?

Was I meant to be dedicated to the gods of Belfont respectability? You could

have gotten out of Belfont.

Ish was the only one.

The only one since I was married.

The only one I was serious about.

I guess the gods of Belfont respectability weren't working for Bish

when they sent them here.

Stella.

Let's see you in a moment, please.

How's she taking it?

She's all right.

Do you think you should call Jackie?

No, I think you better call her. Not me.

I'm sure she'll let her best friend do it.

I feel so odd all the time.

Odd.

I'll get Bob to give you something.

No.

No, don't bother.

I'll just lie down here for a while.

Where did Ken get the gondola?

How long do you suppose he's had it?

I don't know.

Ken walked in. He just stood there. Then he said, I've waited long enough, but

I've got you now.

And then he just took out the gun.

I try not to think about it.

We ate steak for dinner because Bish is dieting.

He always diets when he thinks he's putting on a little weight.

Jackie and I laughed about it.

Bish is dead, and I'm talking about him as if he isn't.

With Ken's coming back, they did it.

I forgot about the Jaycees letting their meetings out early on foggy night.

It... It was the fog.

They always come home early when it's foggy.

So many of them live on the lake.

You're talking too much.

Now try and get some rest.

You gonna call Jackie for me, hon?

I couldn't. I'd make such a mess of it.

Look, if you knew about Fish and Elise, why didn't you at least try to warn

Jackie? I hadn't seen her for ages.

Besides, she knew.

I guess I should have tried.

You think it would have helped?

Well, an unfaithful husband is better than a dead one.

Come on, Ken.

We're going downtown now.

Finished with the report yet, Doc?

No, just the preliminary.

What about Mrs. Taylor?

Can we get hold of her family?

I don't think they're likely to show up.

Well, doesn't she have any friends she can go to? None that I know of.

Can you stay with her just for tonight?

Looks like she's in a pretty bad state of shock.

There's no one else to do it, is there?

Good night, Doc. See you in the morning.

Good night, Clint.

Might as well call Jackie now.

I'd like to place a long -distance telephone call on Hunterville,

That's good.

Just a minute.

Hon, do you happen to know Jackie's name before she was married?

Uh, parents' name?

I don't know. I don't think I ever knew. Her name is Bliss.

Her father's name is Beauregard Bliss.

Elise, you're drinking too much coffee.

What you need is sleep.

Beauregard Bliss.

That's right, operator.

Oh, operator.

When you get the Bliss residence, I'd like to talk to a Mrs. Bishop Darby.

Darby, yeah.

That's her.

All right, I'll hold on, operator.

I feel awful.

I'm going to stay with you tonight.

Thank you.

I keep thinking of that song Bish used to sing.

Barbara Allen. Do you know her? Yes, I know her.

When he was dead and laid in grave Her heart was

struck with sorrow Oh, mother, mother, make

my bed For I shall die tomorrow

Oh, mother, mother, make my bed

Oh, make it long and narrow.

Sweet William died for me today.

Mrs. Darby?

Jackie? Jackie, this is Bob Hudson.

Hello, Bob.

I'm afraid I have bad news for you, Jackie.

It's Bish.

He's dead.

What was that?

I said, you want me to give myself up to the authorities here?

Or should I come back there?

But Jackie, I'm afraid you don't understand.

I mean, who should arrest me?

I'm trying to tell you that Bish has been killed.

He was shot.

It was... Ken.

It was Ken.

Jackie, do you mind if I speak to your mother or your father, please?

If Ken shot Bish, there's something that you'd better do.

I don't know what you're talking about.

You'd better do something about that saccharine.

Saccharin.

Yes.

The saccharin that I left for Bish.

It was poison.

Bob!

She's dead.

Oh, well, we all make mistakes. Poor Jackie Darby had no way of telling that

rival shared her husband's diet.

Now, here's another commercial after which I shall return.

Some of you have inquired about the small bullet holes in the commercial you

have just witnessed.

This should explain.

The preceding film was selected and shown to the armed forces.

Actually, it was nothing.

30 caliber and under.

But next time, we hope to persuade the sponsor to make a personal appearance

instead. Now, until next week, good night.