Original subtitles

Well, we're moving on up. Moving on up. To the side. Moving on up. To a deep.

A wonderful man who tonight will finally receive the honor he deserves.

Here he is. Just a minute. Helen, talent.

A man whose eye for talent is finally being recognized by

his peers. Here, here. I beg your pardon. Helen, brilliance.

No other one in the publishing industry could recognize the brilliance of a

brand -new author except my brilliant husband.

Helen. Huh?

Drink.

Well,

Helen, I just wanted to tell you I thought I saw a bug in your drink.

Oh, Tom.

Oh, thanks for inviting us to this awards banquet, Tom.

Well, I just wanted my best friends to be with me on the best night of my life.

And it was nice of you to invite Mr. Jefferson, too.

Oh, Daddy, I'm really looking forward to tonight.

I mean, just imagine a writer that you discovered getting the Society of

Humanities Award for Talent.

That's quite a mouthful.

Well, we in the business call the award the shaft.

Oh.

The shaft, huh?

I wonder what the statue will look like.

Well, that's why it's now a plaque.

But more important is that the writer that I discovered, that I stood behind,

that I supported, is honoring me tonight in front of 700 of the publishing

industry's best by mentioning my name. Oh, it's right here in the program.

Let's see. Oh, here it is.

And my special thanks to my very good friend, Tom Willig.

Willig!

Why, that lousy hack forgot my name.

Looks like you're both getting the shaft.

Oh, well, look, the most important thing is that we know who he means.

No, the most important thing is that my arch rival, Bob Dudno, will know.

Oh, does Dudno know?

No, dear, Dudno doesn't know now.

Oh, please, let's not get into this again.

What Dudno does know or what Dudno doesn't know doesn't matter.

Wait a minute, I don't know. Yes, you do know Dudno. No, Daddy, I don't know

Dudno. But you did know Dudno.

Do you know Dudno?

No, I don't know Dudno, and I doesn't want to know Dudno.

Hey, it's getting late. We've got to get going. Where's George?

Oh, he'll be here. He knows we are going. He's changing at the store.

Into someone else, I hope.

Oh, Weezy, you look wonderful. Oh, thank you, dear.

Willis, congratulations.

Helen, beautiful dress. Oh, thank you, George. Jenny, good to see you.

Florence,

get serious.

See you in an hour. Oh, wait a second.

What's with this see you in an hour? We're already late.

I know. I forgot it's Thursday. I have to get over to the Queen's store and

check out everything.

I'll be back. Don't worry. But this is important.

But what could be more important than the ceremony?

This is the day George counts his money. Come on, Wheezy, look, I just want to

reassure myself that I'm wealthy, okay?

George, it won't be the same if you're not there.

No, Mr. Jefferson, we even called ahead and ordered you a booth to see.

Florence, this is a big day for Willis. We don't need your insults.

Oh, okay, I'm sorry.

Now go change your dress and put on some makeup. It's the innocent people out

there.

Oh, George, you're going to miss the whole ceremony.

No, I won't. I got the program and the invitation in my pocket. Don't worry,

I'll be there when they mention your name. Oh, thanks, George.

You're welcome, Willie.

Hi. I'm the first dollar George Jefferson ever made.

Take a look at what I've been seeing every Thursday night for the past 15

Watch this.

One's on the left.

Fives in the middle.

Tens on the end.

And twenties in the pocket.

Now take a deep breath.

Check your pulse.

Yep, it never changes.

He's the same little guy I first met 15 years ago.

He was younger and greener.

But then, so was I.

When the new...

Business plan. Make the customers happy, right?

But we're doing it the classy way, with free wine and free cheese.

What's the damage?

Here. Okay.

Six bottles of wine for $3 .50?

What, are you trying to break me?

What did you do, go to France?

George, I tried to stay within our budget, but this is the only wine that

in a six.

Well, it is a special occasion. What about the cheese? Is that classy?

American. Oh.

But each slice is individually wrapped.

Oh, nice touch, Weasley. It looks nice.

One more thing.

Now,

it's perfect.

You know, Weasley, sometimes you touch a woman.

George, why are you wearing that stupid cap?

This is not a stupid cap. This is my lucky cap.

Is it seven o 'clock yet?

No, not yet.

Now, calm down. Everything is going to be fine. I know it's going to be fine,

Weeds. It's just that I've waited so long for this moment. All my life, I've

been working for other people. Now, I'm finally my own boss.

But I didn't do it all by myself, right, Weeds?

I had the help of a real nice person.

Oh, George.

Mr. Demling from the loan office.

Make a note. Send a bottle of wine to Mr. Demling, okay?

Wait, wait, wait. No, no. Don't send him nothing. He don't deserve it.

He's been bleeding us dry with that new interest rate.

Well, it is his bank, George.

Yeah, a number of people are going to get tired of paying 6%. Is it 7 o 'clock

yet? No.

Well, I don't know when I've been this excited. You know why?

Because I want business to be success. I want us to be rich. And you know why?

Because we are poor.

That's right.

I want to do it for Lionel, see? I want to send Lionel through college so he

don't have to scrape like we did.

And you know what I want to do for you, Weeds? I want to buy you furs. I want to

buy you diamonds. I want to buy you expensive cars.

Oh, George, you don't have to do that.

Okay, but remember I offered.

Well, is it 7 o 'clock yet?

No.

Weeds, you know what else we're going to get when we're rich?

A watch, I hope.

No. I'm going to get you a maid so you don't have to work no more.

And she's going to treat me with respect. She's going to call me sir.

And we're going to buy a nice little apartment and move into a nice

and live like kings, right?

Tell me the truth, Weas.

You really think we're going to make it, don't you?

No.

I know we are going to make it.

Let's drink a toast to our success.

Great. Okay.

While you're pouring that, I want to read you something, okay?

I, George Jefferson, mogul in waiting, wish to proclaim...

Herewith, henceforth, and every which way, that on this Thursday in the year

our Lord, 1968,

in appreciation for all the bad times, the worst times, and let's not even talk

about your mother, let it be known that my wife, Louise Jefferson, now and

forever, is a 50 % owner of Jefferson Cleaners.

Thank you, George.

Oh.

Now, let's toast. Okay.

To us.

Clink.

Is it 7 o 'clock yet?

7 -0 -2. Oh, what? Wheezy, how could you let this happen? I'm late.

Oh, no. First day opening, we late already. Okay. Make a note.

When reporters ask about this day when we're rich and famous, tell them we

overdone time, okay?

Got it, George.

All right, stand back.

New Yorkers want to start pouring in.

Everything's going to be okay.

Remember, we have only been open for 20 seconds.

I know, Weezy, but to a dry cleaner, 20 seconds is an eternity.

Now, George, there's no need to panic.

I mean, don't forget, we've got a great location here.

Yeah, that's true.

You bet it is.

Ed's Donut City was here before we moved here, and he was so successful, he was

able to retire early and move to Florida.

That's right.

I must be crazy worrying about him, huh? Any minute now, people are going to

start pouring in there.

Excuse me, are you open for business?

Would I tell you easy? Yes. What can we do for you? I'd like a dozen glazed, a

dozen chocolate glazed, eclairs, and a Bismarck. What?

Isn't this Ed's Donut City?

Oh, no.

Ed retired and moved to Florida.

Ah, too bad.

See, George, you lose one customer and another comes in.

Yeah, right. Hey, welcome to Jefferson Cleaners. What can we do for you? I

I'm lost.

Oh, what are you looking for? New York.

You're standing on it. Oh, city or state?

Both. I want a break.

Hey, Jefferson Cleaners.

So you're a cleaner, huh?

Best cleaner in New York.

City or state?

Both.

Another break?

Well, as long as I'm here, I guess my jacket could use a little freshening up.

You notice?

Well, yeah, I notice it. But that's because I'm a professional, see?

I tell you what. Why don't you let me scrape this off of you?

While my wife is filling out your ticket, why don't you help yourself to

free wine and cheese?

Well, I don't know. It's a little early in the day.

I'll pass on the cheese.

Would you like to pick your coat up tomorrow?

When's that?

Tomorrow? Oh, fine, fine.

You could pay us cash or with a check.

Pay?

Well, yes, it's an old American custom.

Oh, I thought I smelled the rip -off. Sure, sure, you spotted it out of town

you think you can take it for a ride, huh?

The affrontily.

I refuse to stay here and take this, sir.

Why, to think I trusted you people.

Why, this probably isn't even New York.

Hey, all I know, I could be in Connecticut.

Yeah, bend over, I'll send you there. George,

don't lose your temper.

Now, another customer is bound to come in. Oh, come on, we ain't no customers

gonna come in here. We gotta go out there and find them. Where are those

we had printed up? Oh, right here, George.

Like the old saying goes, if the mountain don't come to Manhattan,

That means you ain't been advertising, right?

Okay,

weas, here we go.

Jefferson Clean is over for business. First come, first served.

Jefferson Clean is over for business.

Long.

Is this Connecticut?

Yeah. Hey, look here. You want to earn a bottle of wine?

Well, I'd rather have you give it to me.

But I could be flexible.

Okay, I'll tell you what.

If you give out this stack of flyers, when you're all finished, I'll give you

bottle of wine.

Okay, let me summarize.

If I hand out this stack of flyers, and when they're all gone, I get my wine?

Right. Close enough.

You got a deal.

Here.

All gone. Where's my wine?

Get out of here.

Another rip -off.

There is New York.

The lid of the street.

Oh, come on. We've been out here all day. We ain't had one single customer.

might as well go on to plan B.

You ready?

Ready. Great. Now, remember how it goes now. Okay, here comes somebody now.

Go ahead. Get ready. Right. Get what I told you.

Oh,

excuse me, sir.

Can you direct me to Jefferson Cleaners? Never heard of it. Oh!

You must be new in the country.

Well, let me tell you.

Jefferson Cleaners, when they clean your clothes, you not only look better, but

you feel better. What?

Let me let you in on a little secret.

You see, there's a rumor going around that the starch that Jefferson uses in

shirts cures the common cold.

That's impossible.

What are you talking about? Look, I didn't make the story up. Ask anybody.

I hear somebody now. Excuse me, miss.

Oh, I'm sorry. I'm in a rush. I'm on my way to Jefferson Cleaners. My mother's

got the sniffles. Oh.

Tell me, miss.

Is it true about the Jefferson Cleaners prices?

Oh. If the prices were any lower, they wouldn't be prices. See what I mean?

Oh, well, what do you know?

All this time, we've been standing right in front of that legendary store.

I tell you what. Why don't you run home, grab all your dirty clothes, and bring

them back here, and I'll do the same thing.

Mr., uh, Casey.

Officer Casey, Bunker Squad.

You know, I'd like to meet this Jefferson guy.

He ought to be warned that he's real close to perpetrating a fraud.

Oh, when I see him, I'll tell him.

I'd appreciate that.

It's a lovely dress, Mrs. Jefferson.

Oh, thank you.

Officer.

George,

what are you doing?

I'm packing up.

George! Look, when we decided to go into our own business, I picture it better

than this. I thought there'd be customers lying out the door, the cash

ringing, people with smiling faces. Look, ain't no customers here.

Don't look much like a dream now.

George, I won't let you talk like that.

You can't give up because I won't let you.

Now, I can say that because remember, you gave me 50 % of Jefferson Cleaners.

Big deal.

What did I give you? 50 % of nothing.

It's a good thing we don't have no customers. I probably don't even know

handle one.

some cleaning here.

Oh!

Well, fortunately, you caught me at a time when I'm not too busy. And

fortunately, I may add, that you are by far the loveliest customer we've ever

had. Why, thank you.

And thank you for bringing your clothes to Jefferson Cleaners. And your clothes

will thank you also, because we are the best darn cleaner west of the

Mississippi.

Oh, excuse me, east of the Mississippi.

Give me your clothes, please.

Do you offer prompt service?

Oh, well, sure. As a matter of fact, we offer both prompt service and slow

service. But most of our customers, like yourself, prefer prompt service. Just

how prompt is your service?

Oh, very.

Look around.

Do you see any clothes waiting to be cleaned?

I wouldn't take my clothes to such a small cleaners, but I have always been

the little man.

Well, I'm little.

And a new business tends to be hungry.

Oh, we're definitely hungry.

So I'll give you a chance.

Now the name is Cody, Mrs. Cody.

Well, Mrs.

Cody, you won't be sorry.

And we are looking forward to having you as a satisfied customer for a long time

to come.

Well, I don't know about that. You see, my husband is doing quite well, and we

expect to be moving to a better area soon.

Ah, so do we.

Now, can I pick up my clothes tomorrow?

Uh, oh, uh... Yeah, I'm sure I can squeeze you in. Oh, good.

Now, you will discover that I am very fussy.

So, never forget, light on the starch, blouse in a box. Good. Now,

you do a good job for me, and I'll be glad to tell all my friends about you.

Oh, thank you, Mrs. Cody. We hope you're very popular.

By the way, do you have change for a dollar?

Change, change.

I'm parked at a meter.

Oh, yeah. Here you are.

Thank you. Thank you.

By the way, good luck.

I hope you make it.

Oh, thank you. Thank you very much.

Hey, look at that, Weez.

History of the making. Our first dollar. Oh, yes. Well, it's not exactly profit,

but it's a start.

I'm going to hang it up.

I know you had your doubts, Weez. You're always ready to bail out, right?

One of us had a backbone.

Ain't that beautiful?

Gorgeous, George.

I'm never going to forget Mrs. Cody.

Because after her, there's going to be many, many more customers coming through

that door.

And we're moving on up. We're going to make it big. We're going to be rich.

Because you know why, Weez? I want to give you everything you want because you

deserve the best.

Oh, George.

As long as I have you, I'll always have the best.

Hi, Mrs.

Cody.

Hello, Mr. Jefferson. I'm sorry I'm a little late tonight.

Oh, that's okay.

I got all your stuff right here just the way you like it. Light on starch,

blouse in the box.

Thank you, Mr. Jefferson.

I'm afraid, Mr. Jefferson, that I don't have money for the cleaning again today.

I'm really sorry.

But since my husband died... It's all right. It's all right. I understand.

You will put it on my account.

Oh, okay.

Thank you, Mr. Jefferson.

You do such nice work.

You know, I tell all my friends about you.

I know you do, Mrs. Cody. Thank you very much. Good night.

You know, Mr. Jefferson, you look so nice in your tuxedo.

Oh, thank you.

See you next Thursday.

Good night.

Good night.

Yep, same thing every Thursday.

Not a bad guy, huh?

See you, old buddy.

Good night, George.