Original subtitles

- And while Mom was in the supermarket doing her shopping,

a lady came out and I said, lady,

would you like me to carry your packages to your car for you?

- I don't see why that made her cry.

- It wasn't then, it was later.

She smiles and she says, why thank you.

Aren't you a little gentleman?

And I said, yes, I am.

So she handed me her packages, and I dropped her eggs.

- Is that when she cried?

- Nope, later.

So then I bent down to pick up her eggs

and I tipped over the bag of oranges.

That sure is a steep hill.

- They get away from you?

- Not all of them.

I dropped the rest of her packages on the cement

and ran after them.

- How many did you catch?

- Four. - Is that when she--

- Nope.

So then I picked up her packages from the cement

and all the containers of milk were leaking.

- Is that when she-- - Nope.

So finally, we got all her stuff in the car,

and she got in and started the motor.

And I said, hey lady, aren't you going to give me a tip?

- How much did she give you?

- She didn't give me anything.

She just snorted and then she started to cry.

- Guess she was just nervous.

- When Mom heard what happened she told me from now on I

can't ask for rewards when I do something nice for somebody.

[theme music]

- Dennis, this is long distance.

Yes, Dad.

Yes, everything's all set.

I'm packing now and Henry's going to drive me up tonight.

- Tell him Grandma's coming to take care of Dad

and me while you're gone.

- Yes, Henry's mother's flying in this afternoon.

- In an airplane tell him.

- He knows that dear.

No, no, Dad, I'm going to stay just as long as you need me,

until you're back on your feet again.

- Oh, tell him I'm sorry he broke his foot.

- You told him that yesterday dear.

- Yeah, but I'm still sorry today though.

- No, Dad, it's no trouble at all.

And I can run the business for you just fine, you know that.

- Tell him I broke a leg one time on the coffee table.

- Just a minute, Dad.

- Dennis, you're going to have to stop interrupting.

- Don't bother your mother, Dennis.

Come away from there.

- Yes, he's full of conversation.

- Is everything OK?

Is he still getting out of the hospital tomorrow?

- Yes, tomorrow morning.

- Does he need anything?

Ask him if we can bring him anything.

- I did dear.

No, Dad, that was Henry.

- Come on, Dennis, let's go in the front room.

Long distance calls cost money.

- Ask Grandpa if he'll call us next time, Mom.

Dad lets me talk as long as I want when it's Grandpa's call.

- Come on, Dennis.

Son, Mom and I are going to be kind of business

today getting ready to leave and all and well,

you're just going to have to sort of stay out of the way,

OK?

- Oh, I will.

Because I'm going to have a busy day too.

You know what I have to do today.

- No, what do you have to do?

- Jeepers, don't you remember, Dad?

You said I could.

You said I could open my piggy banks and--

- Oh yeah, the present for your mother.

- Her going away present from me.

She'll sure be surprised I bet, real surprised.

- Uh, Dennis, what is this big surprise?

- It's a secret.

They got them down at Finch's Drug Store.

I'm going to get my money right now and go down there.

My dad's going to leave Mom and Granddad's house

because Granddad is Mom's dad.

And one of his feet's broken, you see.

- Mm-hm.

- And while Mom is taken care of Mom's dad

Dad's mom is going to take care of Dad and me.

She's my Grandma.

- All right, Dennis.

Is that all?

- That's all I can think of, Mr. Finch.

Unless you'd like to hear more about my grandma.

She's coming on an airplane.

- No, no, no no.

I mean do you want to buy anything else?

- No, sir.

Boy, my mom is sure going to like those earrings I bet.

She loves gold earrings.

- That's $3.42 including tax.

- So if you'll just get it.

Oh, hello, George.

- Oh, hello, there Lawrence.

Well, Dennis, what are you doing here?

- Hi, Mr. Wilson.

You ought to see the swell earrings

I bought my mom for a going away present.

- Well, you haven't exactly bought them yet, Dennis.

Have you got $3.42? - Oh, sure.

I've got lots of money, Mr. Finch.

Wait til I show Mr. Wilson the present.

- Oh.

- Look, aren't they beautiful?

- Yes indeed.

Those are very nice, Dennis.

- $3.42 Dennis.

- OK.

I'll get it out while you're wrapping it up again.

- Oh, no, no I've wrapped it once.

If you want it wrapped again, you do it yourself.

- Oh boy, swell.

Hand me that gold paper and some red ribbon

with some sticky tape and--

- Oh, for heaven's sakes.

Never mind, I'll wrap it myself.

- Oh, come now Lawrence, let's have

a little smiling service here.

Wrap it nicely for the customer.

- Wilson, did you come in here to buy anything

or just to make trouble?

- Why, I just made a large purchase here, Lawrence.

And I must say when I pay a dime for $0.08 worth of stamps that

leaves you a mighty handsome profit.

- I know I get rich off of you, you and this kid here.

All right Dennis, that's it.

- Here's the money for it.

You just take out whatever it costs

and give me back the rest.

I trust you Mr. Finch.

- Hey, hi Dennis.

Hi, Mr. Wilson.

- Hi, Tommy.

You know what I got in this package?

- What?

- I just bought my Mom the prettiest earrings

in this whole town.

- Heck, my mom's got lots of pretty earrings gold

and everything.

- She hasn't got any as pretty as these, boy.

- Bet she has.

- I bet she hasn't.

- I bet she has.

- All right, I'll just prove it to you.

Wait until you see these, Tommy.

- Now, before I finish tying this,

are you sure you don't want to show these to someone else?

- Well, I wanted to show them to Mrs. Wilson,

but she's not home, is she?

- No, she's over at your place helping you mother.

But if she were here, she could do a much better wrapping job.

- Well, I bet nobody could wrap it

any sweller than that, Mr. Wilson.

Tie it up. - All right.

- And would you write the card for me too?

I write pretty big, and this is kind of a little card.

- All right.

Ah, let's see, I think we ought to sign it something nice.

How about lots of love?

- Yeah, that's good.

Uh, from your son Dennis, huh?

- Oh, no, I think we can do better than that.

I think we ought to sign with a pet name of some kind.

- A pet name?

You mean like Rover or Fido/

- No, Dennis.

Uh, what does your mother call you besides, uh, Dennis.

- Well, sometimes she calls me her big boy.

- Oh, that's fine.

That's good.

Lots of love from your big boy.

Ah. Uh-huh.

There you go.

- Thanks, Mr. Wilson.

I'm not going to give it to Mom until just before she leaves.

- Fine.

Now, I've got some work to do here,

Dennis, so you just run along.

- I'll have to find a real good hiding

place so Mom don't discover it.

Where do you think I ought to hide this, Mr. Wilson?

- Oh, that shouldn't be any particular problem, Dennis.

If I were you I hide it on my closet shelf.

Now run along now.

- Hey, that's a good idea.

- All right. Goodbye.

- I wish you'd let me do that ironing.

You must have lots of packing and things.

- No, I'm in fine shape really.

You just sit there and visit.

I have everything I'm going to take all laid out upstairs.

- Well, if there's anything I can do

to help Mrs. Mitchell while you're gone.

- Hi, Mom.

Boy, I sure am going to miss you while you're at Grandpa's.

- Oh, honey, I'm going to miss you too like everything.

- You'll be glad you're going away though

when it's time to go away I bet.

- Glad?

Well, I'm never glad to leave you and Dad.

Why would I be glad to go away?

- Can't you even guess why?

- No, I can't even guess.

- Good, because it's a secret.

And you're not supposed to guess it.

Oh, hi, Mrs. Wilson.

- Hi.

Hello, dear.

Working hard?

- Oh, no, I'm just going over some of the monthly statements.

Oh, say, hand me the paid bill file out of the closet

while you're there, will you dear?

- George, what a nice surprise.

Hand me the bills file out of the closet.

Aren't you the sly one?

- Sly one?

Me?

- I had no idea you remembered. - Remember?

- I wonder what it is.

I love small boxes.

- Oh, well, it's really nothing, Martha.

I mean, well you see, uh--

- Lots of love from your big boy.

George, you haven't signed a card that way in years.

- Oh, well, you see, what I mean, is I'm not a boy anymore.

- Yes, you are. You're my big boy.

You always be.

And you're just as sentimental as ever.

Oh my, aren't they pretty?

And such good taste.

- Oh well, they're not expensive, Martha, just a token.

- They're just lovely.

And anyway, it's the thought that counts.

I'll never accuse you of being forgetful again.

- Oh, well, I may forget the little things sometimes.

- Just the little things.

- Just just the little things.

Well, you didn't expect me to forget

a day like today did you?

- I didn't know.

- Oh, well, I didn't expect to forget a day like today.

No sir, not for a minute.

- They'll go with almost everything.

- Well, no, a day like today, even though it's not

our wedding anniversary or your birthday even,

it's important that--

- Mr. Wilson, are you home?

- Uh, Dennis, stay out there.

- I want to get my present and show it to Dad.

- You and your confounded present got me in a fine mess.

- Huh?

I didn't do anything.

I just got here. - Come over here by the fence.

I've got to talk to you.

So you see, Dennis, there's only one thing to do.

- Sure, we'll just have to tell Mrs. Wilson it's a mistake

and get Mom's earrings back.

- Dennis, no, we can do that.

- Why not?

They're Mom's.

- Yes, I know.

I know, but it's too late for that.

Now, we'll just have to let Mrs. Wilson keep them.

Then you and I will go get your mother an even better pair,

right?

- Well, I'd sure like to help you out,

but I don't think we could find any as

pretty as those for my mom.

- Oh, of course, we can.

We can get her some that are twice as pretty.

- Well, we can go look I guess.

But why does Mrs. Wilson think you're giving her a present?

Is it her birthday?

- No, no, it isn't her birthday.

I don't know what the occasion is.

Our first date?

No, that was in September.

Let's see, uh, the first day we met?

No.

- Why don't you ask her?

- Dennis, I can't ask her.

Don't you understand?

I don't want Mrs. Wilson To know I forgot.

Oh, good heavens this stupid memory of mine.

- Hey, here she comes.

- Maybe I can find out for you.

- Dennis, don't you say anything.

- Hi, Mrs. Wilson.

Gee, those are sure the prettiest earrings I ever saw.

- Well, thank you, dear.

I'm glad you like them.

- I sure do like them. - Dennis.

- I've been crazy about them ever since I first saw them.

Haven't I, Mr. Wilson?

- Since you first saw them?

- Oh well, he means he saw them the minute

you came out the door, Martha.

You know, young eyes never miss a thing see a mile.

- I'm crazy about them too, Dennis.

Mr. Wilson gave them to me.

- Oh I almost forgot.

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Wilson.

- Well, that's a nice wish dear.

It's not my birthday, but thanks anyway.

- Well, gee, if it isn't your birthday what day is it?

When you get presents they have to be for something.

- Oh, it's for something, all right.

Mr. Wilson and I have lots of special little anniversaries,

haven't we, dear?

- Oh, oh, yes indeed.

We have lots of special little anniversaries.

- Well, I have to go downtown.

And I'm going to stop by and see your mother

to see if there's anything else I can do to help.

See you later. - Bye dear.

- Boy, she sure is happy.

- Special, little anniversaries special, little ann--

Confound it, why can't I remember?

- I hope we can find some earrings as pretty

as those for my mom.

- Oh, we will, we will.

- Because I'd kind of hate to take them back from Mrs. Wilson

now.

- Well, oh, for, Dennis, don't even talk of taking them back.

- Well, I'll have to If we can't find any.

- Oh, come on, come on.

Let me get my coat, let's get down to that drug store

right now.

- I don't see anything here that's as pretty

as those other earrings.

- Well, you've been over this $3.00 tray twice so far.

- I know I bought the prettiest earrings in the whole store

the first time.

And now Mrs. Wilson thinks they're

hers so I'll just have to take them.

- Now, Dennis, you just keep on looking.

Now, Mr. Finch has all kinds of pretty jewelry here.

So you keep looking some more.

- Well, now, let's see.

You know the really good stuff, Dennis,

is down on this lower shelf.

Now, these $10.00 items are very nice.

- $10.00?

- Well, leave them there.

What are you trying to do, Finch, rob me?

- Oh, no, George, you're one of my most valued customers.

I don't know what I'd do without your postage stamp business.

You see anything down there you'd

like me to pull out for you, Dennis?

- No, thanks.

I don't even like those $10.00 earrings as good as the ones I

bought.

- Well now, I guess we'll have to decide

on some other kind of a present, say

a nice bottle of, uh, cologne or perfume maybe.

- Why that's a good idea, Dennis.

Your mother loves perfume.

- Well, she does like to smell good all right.

- Well, that's fine.

Make a perfect going away present.

All right, give us a nice $3.00 bottle of perfume.

Wrap it up prettily.

- Oh, I wouldn't sell this boy a cheap bottle of perfume,

not for his mother, no sir.

- Huh?

- No, your mother wouldn't like $3.00 perfume, Dennis.

That's no present for a boy to give his mother.

- It isn't?

- Now, now, look here, Finch.

- However, I have got a very nice bottle of cologne.

I'm sure she'd love it.

$15.00 a bottle. - $15.00?

Oh, no sir.

No you don't, Finch.

No, indeed.

- Boy, it sure must smell swell.

But I guess that's too much money Mr. Finch.

I don't want you to spend that much money.

- Well, don't you worry, Dennis.

I'm not going to.

- So I think the best thing to do is

what I started to do in the first place.

I'll just tell Mrs. Wilson that she's

wearing my mother's earrings because you

forgot what day this is.

She'll give them back to me.

She's a real nice lady.

- Dennis.

Wait.

Oh, Lawrence $15?

- Plus tax.

- Oh, they're lovely.

And they'll go perfectly with your new dress.

- You have the best dressed ears in town.

- Oh, they're just little, inexpensive things, Alice.

But it always pleases me when George

remembers an anniversary or something.

- Of course, we women do love a sentimental husband.

- Well, while you two are being sentimental,

I'll go do something practical.

- Hm?

- I'll write you a check.

You may need some money while you're away.

- Well, that's a nice sentimental gesture too.

- Dad!

Dad!

I was just coming in and look who got out of a taxi cab

out in front. - Mother.

It's good to see you.

- It's good to be here, Henry.

- Alice, Mother's here.

I'll go get your bags.

- Oh, thank you dear.

- Wow, I better hide my Mom's present.

- Oh, Mother Mitchell.

- Oh, good to see you again.

- Why didn't you call from the airport?

- Oh, I just jumped in a cab.

Alice, you look wonderful.

- Hello, Mrs. Mitchell.

Did you have a good trip?

- Mrs. Wilson, how are you?

Yes, the trip was fine.

- OK, son, here, help take Grandma's bags up to her room.

- OK.

Boy, this suitcase feels like it's got presents in it.

And we have to be careful, don't we, Grandma?

- Is it time to go, Dad?

Is Mom ready?

- Just about.

She's upstairs talking to Grandma.

- Boy, I think it's about time for me

to give her her going away present finally.

- Yes, and I want to see that present.

We've been so busy.

[doorbell] - I'll get it.

Hi.

- The Wilson's.

You look like New Year's Eve.

- I want you to know my husband is taking me in town tonight

to dinner and a theater.

- Wonderful.

Alice is upstairs with Mother.

- Yes, sir, Mitchell, we're certainly

going to do the town tonight.

I had to move heaven and Earth to do it.

And it cost me $14 besides, but look at that.

Two on the aisle for that big musical, right from New York,

you know.

- You are a sport. Come on in and sit down.

- Yes, be right there.

Ah.

- Here it is, Dad.

Come look.

- Gee, that's swell, son.

Dennis opened his piggy bank this morning

and bought his mother a going away present.

It with his own idea.

- Yes, I know about it.

- Boy, does he ever know about it.

He knows all about it, Dad.

Isn't this swell?

- It's terrific, son.

- I'm going to write this card myself.

Love Dennis, I'll say.

- Good.

- Say Mrs. Wilson showed us those earrings you bought her.

And now you're taking her out to dinner and to the theater,

what's the occasion?

- I haven't the slightest idea.

I just don't know what the occasion is.

- But you bought her a gift.

- That's just the point.

I didn't buy her a gift.

I haven't the slightest idea what today is.

- I bought those earrings that Mrs. Wilson's wearing myself

for Mom with my own money. - You bought them?

But why?

- Mr. Wilson signed the card for me.

And it said, lots of love from your big boy.

- Dennis, uh.

- And I hid it in Mr. Wilson's closet,

and Mrs. Wilson thought it was for her.

Because today is some kind of a special anniversary.

Never mind Dennis.

- And Mr. Wilson can't remember what it's all about.

And I promised I wouldn't tell Mrs. Wilson.

Boy, am I in trouble now.

- You're not in any trouble, Dennis.

I'm very glad to hear this.

So you don't know what day it is?

- Now, Martha, please don't make it any worse for me.

- Well, I don't know what day it is either.

- You what?

- Well, at first I thought I did.

I thought it was the date of our senior prom.

And then I realized it wasn't.

- But you said it was a special occasion.

Martha, you are the one who started it.

- Well, I found that gift, and the card

was in your handwriting.

- Lots of love from your big boy, it said.

- So I thought I'd forgotten a special occasion.

- Well, I'll be darned.

If this isn't the silliest thing.

By golly, this is marvellous.

You know, I don't take you out often enough.

It's about time we had a night on the town together.

- It's been quite a mix up, hasn't it?

- Hasn't it, though. - It sure has.

And I'm going to give Mom her present right

now before anything else gets mixed up.

- I don't blame you.

- Oh, that smells just lovely.

Isn't that beautiful?

- Mm, that is good.

- I picked it out.

You'll be the best smelling mom in the whole world I bet.

- I bet I will.

And every time I smell it, I'll think of you.

It's a wonderful present, dear.

- Well, I guess we better get going.

- Oh, I'll help you load the car.

- Me too, Dad, I'll help you.

- I got your heavy coat out, dear.

- Oh, thank you, Mother Mitchell.

You know, I just don't know what I would have done without her.

- Well, I'm glad to be here.

Now, you go look after your dad.

Don't worry about the boys.

I'll take good care of them.

- And I'm right next door if she needs anything.

- OK.

Is there anything else?

I'll see if you've forgot anything.

- I don't think so, dear.

- Be careful on the back steps, it's dark out there.

Boy, it's a good thing I came back all right.

- Oh, I hope they have a fine trip.

Why don't you sit down and visit for a while?

- Oh, thank you, Mrs. Mitchell, but we

have a dinner reservation.

- I think we better be going.

My husband's taking me to a big New York show.

- Oh, how nice.

- You've had a pretty exciting day today,

haven't you, Mrs. Wilson?

- I certainly have, Dennis.

- It's almost like a birthday with a present,

going out tonight, and everything.

- And she owes it all to you, Dennis.

If you hadn't put your mother's present on my closet shelf,

none of this would have happened.

- That's OK, Mr. Wilson.

I'm glad to do it.

- Now, do you have your wallet?

- Oh, of course.

- And the car keys?

- Oh, yes.

- And you do have the theater tickets, don't you?

- Well, of course I have the theater tick, wait a minute.

This isn't my coat.

- Where'd you get this overcoat from the chair there?

- No, from the newel post.

- Jeepers, was that your overcoat on the chair, Mr. Wilson?

I thought it was Dad's.

- What?

- I gave it to Mom just before they left.

- Oh, $14.00 worth of theater tickets great Scott.

- Now, don't fret, dear.

- Dennis, how in the world did you do that?

- It was easy, Grandma.

I just came in the door here and I went to the chair

and I pick up the coat.

Oh, hi, Dad.

- I got halfway down the block before I

realized I had on your coat.

- Mitchell, am I glad to see you.

Oh, there.

- Oh, boy.

This is sure one special day you'll remember next time,

won't you Mr. Wilson?

- You said it.

[theme music]

- This has been a Screen Gems Film Production

from the Hollywood Studios of Columbia Pictures.