Original subtitles

- I'm sure glad it's Father's Day, dad.

It's always a swell day.

- It's one of the best, son.

- I'm gonna stay real close to you all day long.

- And that's just where I want you.

- Well, wait a minute.

- Where are you going dear?

- To get Sam, my Frog.

I'm sorta his Father, so today he ought to be with me.

- When we got married, I'll bet you never dreamed

that in 10 years we'd be the grandparents of a frog.

[theme music]

- More coffee, Mrs. Wilson?

- No thank you, Alice.

Henry, I know you must have had a wonderful day.

- It was the best Father's Day I've ever had.

- From the time we got up this morning,

Dennis hasn't left his father's side for one minute.

- He even came into the bathroom and gave me a hug

while I was shaving.

- Well, you're a lucky man to get so much affection, Mitchell.

- And you should've seen the swell dinner we had.

All his favorite stuff to eat.

- Oh, what did you have?

- Hot dogs and three kinds of ice cream.

- That's your favorite food?

- Well, only on Father's Day.

- Fortunately, Dennis happens to like the same things.

- That does work out well.

- Well, it's easy to see Mitchell, you enjoyed yourself.

- I certainly did.

As a matter of fact, I enjoyed myself so much,

I've decided to take tomorrow off and rest up a bit.

- You know, I wish I could look forward to a pleasant day

tomorrow.

I'm afraid mine may be rather unpleasant.

- Is something wrong, Mr. Wilson?

- I'm being faced with a lawsuit.

You know that disagreeable old follow

who lives over on Maple Street?

Old Man Hatch.

- Well, I've seen him but I don't really know him.

- No one knows him.

He's-- he's such an ornery old cuss,

he wouldn't answer you if you spoke to him.

What's he suing you for?

- Well, he claims hat he was over in the park yesterday,

and our little dog Fremont came along and bit him in the leg.

- Boy, he sure did.

- Well, how do you know?

- I saw him do it.

- You actually saw Fremont bite him?

- Yes sir.

I was playing in the park with Fremont,

and I threw a stick near where Old Man Hatch was sitting

on a bench, and that's when Fremont did it.

- Oh, dear.

- Well, that does look bad.

Hatch is sending his lawyer to talk to me tomorrow.

- I can't understand dear little Fremont biting anyone.

- I don't think he would've if Old Man

Hatch hadn't kicked at him first.

- Old Man Hatch kicked at Fremont?

- Sure.

He kicks at every dog he sees.

- Well, if Fremont did it in self defense,

that's a point in your favor.

- Yes.

Dennis, will you tell the lawyer tomorrow just what you saw?

It may help me.

- You bet I will Mr. Wilson.

- You're a good boy, Dennis.

George.

We better be going.

- Oh, you're right, Martha.

I believe in the old saying, there

are two things that shouldn't stay in the house too long.

Fish and company.

- Oh, you're never company to us, Mr. Wilson,

we hate to see you leave.

- That's very sweet of you, Alive.

- Great Scott, what's this?

- Oh, the present I gave dad for Father's Day.

Isn't it swell?

- Dennis, I've seldom seen a more handsome hat.

- Go on, dad.

Show him how good you look in it.

- Well I--

- Yes, do model it for us, Henry.

- By golly, Mitchell, it suits you to a T.

- I picked it out myself.

- I envy you, Mitchell.

I really do.

Means a lot to have a fine boy who

gives you such a nice presents.

- It sure does.

- Bye. - Bye.

- Bye bye.

Well, Mr. Wilson certainly got a kick

out of hearing the details of my Father's Day.

- Yes he did.

It's too bad he never had children of his own.

- Yes, he's missed a lot of pleasure.

And some remarkable presents.

- Well, of course, not everyone can be as lucky as you are,

dear.

- I've got a swell idea, mom.

I know just what I'm gonna do tomorrow.

Hi Mr. Wilson!

- Good heavens, Dennis.

What are you doing here at this hour?

Do you realize it's barely 6:00.

- Happy Father's Day, Mr. Wilson.

- Happy what?

- This is your special Father's Day.

I've decided to have one just for you.

- But why?

- Because you never had a boy of your own,

so today, I'm going to be your boy

and stay with you every minute, and do all kinds of things

for you, just like I did for dad yesterday.

Here's your present.

Dad says he wants you to have it.

- Good heavens.

- Bend down, and I'll put it on for ya!

Would you like some more toast, Mr. Wilson?

Sorry, Mr. Wilson.

- Thank you, Dennis.

- If you change your mind, just let me know.

I'm here to help you today.

- Imagine having a Father's Day of your very own, George.

I can't get over it.

- I may not, either.

- Would you like some more coffee, Mr. Wilson?

- No, thank you.

- If you were drinking what Dad had for breakfast yesterday,

I bet you'd want some more of it.

- What was he having, dear?

- Root beer.

On Father's Day, that's his favorite!

- Where a going, George?

- To get the morning paper.

I was up so early this morning, it hadn't been delivered yet.

- I'll get it for you, Mr. Wilson.

- That won't be necessary, Dennis.

- I brought Dad his paper yesterday.

Now sit down, and let me bring yours.

- Dennis, I'm quite capable of picking up my own newspaper,

thank you.

Now, he usually throws it out about--

- Here it is!

Oops.

- Dennis, now look what you've done.

You've ruined my paper.

- Gee, I'm sorry, Mr. Wilson.

Don't worry.

I'll go over to my house and get our newspaper for ya.

Happy Father's Day, Mr. Wilson.

- Happy, happy.

- Martha, I tell you, my nerves won't stand it.

Now, I know Dennis' intentions are good,

but that boy has got to stay home.

- Now, you're not being very fair to the boy, dear.

You're ready to throw him out now,

but you'll want him back later to testify

for you when the lawyer comes.

- When my mental welfare's at stake, I-- oh, you're right,

Martha.

Oh, I won't spoil Dennis' Father's Day for him.

He can stay right by my side every minute.

- Even after the lawyer leaves?

- Why, of course.

You don't think I'm just being nice because I want a favor?

Why, what sort of a man do you take me for?

- The same kind you've always been.

Real cute.

- Cute?

- Hi, Dad.

- Morning, Dennis.

- How soon will you be through with the paper?

- Well, I just started, son.

Why?

- Well, today's Mr. Wilson's Father's Day,

and I wanna take it to him.

- Wouldn't it be a better idea to bring Mr. Wilson his own paper?

- I tried to.

But it, uh, sort of got ripped.

- I see.

Well, you can have this just as soon as I've finished.

- Could you finish faster if I turned the pages for you?

- Look, Dennis, this idea of your giving

Mr. Wilson a Father's Day is fine.

I'm all for it.

But, well, when I'm having my coffee in the morning,

I like something to read.

It's a habit.

- Oh.

Be right back, Dad.

Here, Dad.

- What's that? - A book.

If you want something to read, you can read this,

and I'll take the paper over to Mr. Wilson.

OK? Well--

- Thanks, Dad!

- Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.

Jack fell down and broke his crown,

and Jill came tumbling after.

- I got your newspaper, Mr. Wilson.

Now, you sit over here in your easy chair.

- Oh, good.

Thank you, Dennis.

- Now, you sit over here and read your newspaper.

- Oh, all right.

- Would you like me to bring you your slippers?

- I'm wearing them.

- Oh, yeah.

I didn't notice.

Something for ya.

Would you like me to take off your slippers

and bring you your shoes?

- No, thank you, Dennis.

I prefer it this way.

Must you?

- Oh, sure.

This is part of Father's Day.

I sat in Dad's lap yesterday, and he read me the funnies.

- Well, I never read the funnies.

- You don't?

- Well, occasionally I do glance at "Little Orphan Annie."

But only because she teaches many worthwhile lessons.

- Read it to me, huh? - All right.

Now today, Little Orphan Annie and her dog Sandy

are walking through a dark forest,

and Annie says to Sandy, jeepers, it's scary out here.

I hope we aren't lost.

Sandy says, arf!

- Boy, you'd make a swell dog, Mr. Wilson.

Even better than Dad!

Do it again, will ya?

- Arf, arf!

Arf!

- Aren't we having a swell Father's Day, Mr. Wilson?

- Well, yes, Dennis.

We really are.

Now--

- Henry, can you come help me in the kitchen a minute, please?

- Sure, honey. What's the matter?

- Oh, those darned ice trays are stuck again.

I'm trying to defrost the refrigerator--

- Relax.

I'll be right there. - Thank you.

- It's nothing to it.

Is just a matter of applying a little in the right spot,

and an ice tray's got to give.

- Oh, Henry, you are a genius.

- Well, let's just say I'm smarter than the average ice

tray.

- Close your eyes, Mr. Wilson.

Open your mouth, and close your eyes.

- What, Dennis?

I'm trying--

- No fair peeking.

Close your eyes.

It's not to keep.

It's Dad's pipe.

It's just to smoke today.

- Oh?

Well, that's very nice, Dennis-- What have you

got in this thing, anyhow?

- Just tobacco and grass.

- Grass?

- Yeah.

I fell down with it in the front yard,

but I couldn't find all the tobacco.

You sure do like a dad with that pipe.

Happy Father's Day, Mr. Wilson.

That sure was a good lunch, Mrs. Wilson.

- Thank you, Dennis.

But George, you hardly ate a thing.

- Well, I'm worried about that confounded lawsuit, Martha.

It takes a man's appetite away.

- Oh, it may not be as bad as you think, dear.

I don't see how little Fremont could

have really hurt that man.

- I don't know.

He sure hollered awful loud.

- Oh, fine.

- You mustn't just give up, George.

- Mr. Hatch has hired a lawyer.

Shouldn't you have some legal advice?

- But Martha, lawyers are so expensive.

Even the cheap ones.

- What about your friend, Judge Hayworth?

Couldn't he at least advise you?

- Why, o of course!

Judge Hayworth.

Why, that's a splendid idea, Martha.

Best legal mind in town.

And he won't charge me a nickel.

- Boy, he's really cheap.

- Hello.

Is Judge Hayworth in, please?

George Wilson calling.

Martha, I feel better already.

Hello, judge?

George.

How's every little thing in court?

Well, I have a, a little problem,

and I thought you might help me with.

Well, now, this man claims that my dog bit him.

Oh, well, yes, he did bite him.

- Boy, I'll say he did!

Wow!

- But the man started it.

He tried to kick my dog.

No, no.

The man wasn't on my property.

- It was in the park.

Tell him it was in the park.

- Come on, Dennis.

Let's not bother Mr. Wilson.

- No.

No, no, no.

It happened across the street, in the park.

What?

No, the dog wasn't on a leash.

He-- oh, I see.

Oh, I see.

Thank you, Judge.

Bye.

- Well?

- I should have called a doctor.

- A doctor?

Why?

- According to the judge, I'm fractured.

Oh, I'll probably have to settle with Hatch.

- I'm sorry, dear.

Why don't you lie down over there and have a nice nap?

- Well now, I'd love to, Martha.

But how?

How can anyone take a nap around here?

- Oh, that's easy, Mr. Wilson.

Dad takes naps all the time.

All you have to do is lie down on the divan,

loosen your necktie, kick off your shoes,

and go to sleep like this.

[snoring] - See?

It's easy!

You can do it!

- Yes, George.

Go ahead.

I have to go downtown right away on a lot of errands.

And Dennis, you can come along and help me.

- Oh, I'd like to help you out, Mrs. Wilson,

but I'll be too busy doing things for Mr. Wilson.

- Dennis, you've done enough for me to last me all my life.

Now you run along and have fun.

Just be sure he gets back here when that lawyer comes, Martha.

- What time is he coming?

- Well, he's going to call.

I don't know what time.

I'm going to need Dennis.

Dennis!

Oh dear.

Better let Dennis stay here, I guess.

- Well, try and get some rest, dear.

- All right, Martha.

Now, Dennis.

I really would like to get some rest,

so if you want to make this a good Father's Day for me,

you'll be very, very quiet, OK?

- I'll be real quiet. - Good.

- I won't even talk.

- All right. [inaudible].

- (WHISPERING) I'll just whisper.

Happy Father's Day, Mr. Wilson.

- Dennis.

Don't just stand there staring at me.

Go sit down someplace.

- OK.

- Oh great Scott.

- You sure are having a hard time getting to sleep,

aren't you, Mr. Wilson?

- Oh yes I am.

- Would you like me to sing to you?

You're kinda big to rock, but I can sing to ya.

[barking]

- Oh, what's the use?

Oh, Fremont, get off the couch. Here.

You take him, will you, Dennis?

[phone ringing] - Yes, sir.

- Oh!

Hello?

Who?

Oh, you must be old man Hatch's-- I mean, Mr.

Hatch's attorney.

Well, that's as good a time as any, I suppose.

I'll be expecting you.

Good bye.

- Was that the man that Fremont bit in the leg's lawyer?

- Yes.

Now look, Dennis, you're my witness on this,

and I want you to tell that lawyer exactly what happened.

Now, let's go over it a little first.

- OK.

- Now, you're sure that Fremont actually

did take a nip at this man, are you?

- Did he?

You should have seen him!

I thought he was going to tear a leg off!

Grr, he said.

Grr!

He grabbed old man Hatch by the leg and chomped down!

- All right, all right!

Just forget the colorful details.

Let's just have the facts.

- Yes, sir.

- Now, you threw a stick for Fremont,

and this man kicked at him.

Right? - Yes, sir.

And Fremont let out a roar.

Didn't you, Fremont?

And then he went into action!

He was like a lion!

Grr, he said.

Grr!

He bared his fangs, and tore right in there!

- Oh, for heaven's sakes, Dennis.

Fremont's fangs are about that long.

Here. Look.

- Yeah, and they're mighty sharp, too.

Ask old man Hatch.

The way he went limping off after Fremont bit him?

- Oh, Dennis, stop that.

For heaven's sakes.

Now, look.

If, if the man hadn't kicked at Fremont,

he wouldn't have bitten him, would he?

- Oh, no, sir.

Fremont's a swell little dog.

He likes everybody. - Good.

Now, that's what I want you to tell

the lawyer when he gets here.

Understand?

- Yes, sir.

- Maybe I can talk him out of this some way.

I hope so, because--

- Why don't you go talk Mr. Hatch out of it?

He's the one that got bit.

- I can't.

Old man Hatch won't even talk to me on the phone.

- Well, maybe if you went to see him--

- Now, look, Dennis, I have to get

some rest before that lawyer gets here.

Now, you sit on the front steps and watch for him, OK?

- But Mr. Wilson! - I'll rest a while.

Good bye.

TOMMY (OFFSCREEN): Hey, Dennis!

Whatcha doing?

- Hi, Tommy!

Say, do you know where old man Hatch lives?

- Sure.

He lives way over past my house.

Why?

- Well, I'm gonna do something for good old Mr. Wilson.

And you can come with me.

Come on, I'll tell you all about it on the way.

- Ah, how do you do? Mr. Wilson?

- Oh, uh, come in.

- Thank you.

You must be mister, uh--

- John McRae, attorney at law.

I'm representing Mr. Hatch.

- Oh, Well, I hope he won't be too unreasonable about this,

because--

- Oh, I don't think so.

Oh, we do have a case, however.

Now, ah, you admit your dog did bite my client, do you?

- Well, I understand he sort of took a nip at him.

- I believe there was a witness.

A young lad.

Dennis Mitchell?

- Oh, yes. Yes.

Dennis.

He's right out here.

He'll tell you exactly how it happened.

Dennis?

Dennis!

How do you like that?

Under my feet all day, and now when I need him,

he's disappeared.

- Oh, now, I don't we'll have any problems, Mr. Wilson.

You see, my client does not want to take you to court at all.

- Oh, well, good.

Good.

- Unless he has to.

You see, he hopes that you and I will

be able to work out an amicable settlement.

Now, he feels that $500 would be a proper amount.

- $500?

Why, that's absolutely ridiculous, Mr. McRae.

He can't kicked my dog!

Oh, can't we talk this thing over?

Get Mr. Hatch on the phone.

Maybe $100?

- All right, sir.

Yes, sir, I'll tell him.

- Well, what did he say?

What did he say?

- He will settle the claim for $200.

That is this bottom figure.

- Well, of all the-- well, he's a pirate, that's what he is.

A dirty old pirate. - Mr. Wilson!

Now, this is my first experience with Mr. Hatch,

and I will admit he can be a bit difficult.

But pirate?

That is a very strong word, sir.

- Well, by golly, I-- - Hey, Mr. Wilson!

Mr. Wilson! Guess what?

- Oh, Dennis, now for heaven's sakes, don't bother me now.

- But wait 'til I tell you that--

- Dennis, I don't want you to tell me anything.

Now be quiet, both of you.

Now, what was I saying?

Oh.

Yes I was saying that, that old man

Hatch is a dirty old pirate, McRae, and you may quote me.

- Regardless of what you may think of him personally,

the fact remains that he was bitten by your dog on the right

leg between the ankle--

- That's the one! That's the one!

- Yeah, the right leg! - That's it!

- The wooden one!

- Dennis, for heaven's sakes, will you-- What did you say?

- Mr. Hatch's right leg.

Where Fremont bit him.

It's a wooden leg!

- Yeah, wood!

- Are you sure? - Yeah!

We were just over to see him, and he was washing his car!

- And his pant legs were rolled up.

- And he's got a wooden leg.

The right one.

You wanna go see it?

- That dirty old pirate!

You must believe me, I-- I knew absolutely nothing about this.

I-- I sincerely apologize.

- And I think you should, Mr. McRae.

Goodbye, sir.

Well.

Well, Dennis, you've saved me a substantial sum of money.

Just sit right down here.

I'd like to do something for you in return.

What do you want?

- Well, let's see.

I know.

Show Tommy here how good you can bark like a dog!

- How good I-- Oh, you mean, uh, oh!

Ha. [barking]

- Well, my special Father's Day is over.

He's your boy again.

But I don't mind telling you I hate giving him back.

- Oh, Mr. Wilson, there's nothing we'd rather hear you say.

- Really Alice, it was a day that George and I will never forget.

- I'll never forget it either.

Boy, you should've seen the swell dinner we had.

And you know what Mr. Wilson's favorite food is?

Hamburgers and three kinds of pie.

- Only on Father's Day, of course.

- Oh, oh, it tasted great.

I may have it every day.

- Well, Martha.

We better be heading for home.

It's probably close to Dennis' bedtime.

- Dennis.

Thank you for making us both very happy today.

You're a fine boy.

- Ah.

Mr. Wilson, that suits you to a T.

- Thank you, Mitchell.

I expect to get a load of wear out of it.

- Bye. - Goodnight.

- Oh.

- Well, I have never seen Mr. Wilson in such good spirits

before.

- Well, having his own Father's Day has sort of perked him up.

- I just had another swell idea, dad.

- What's that, son?

- Father's Days are the best fun of all,

so why don't you stay home tomorrow

and I'll have another special one for you.

- Thanks for the thought, son, but let's

wait until next year, huh?

[theme music]

NARRATOR: This has been a Screen Gems film productions

from the Hollywood studio of Columbia Pictures.