Original subtitles

The story of Grizzly Adams is big and powerful and beautiful.

They call me Mad Jack.

And me and my burl number seven been traipsing these slopes and valleys for a

long spell. So I know the story from the beginning. My friend Adams was accused

of a crime he didn't commit.

So he escaped into the mountains, leaving behind the only life that he

knew.

Now, that wilderness out there ain't no place for a greenhorn, and his chances

of surviving were mighty slim.

There was no time at all, for he was beaten down, ragged, and nearly starved.

Long about then, he come upon a grizzly bear cub, all alone and helpless.

Now, Adams knew that little critter couldn't survive without his help, so he

started right down that cliff, risking his own life.

To save it.

Now that cub took to Adams right off.

And that was when he discovered he had a special kind of way with animals.

They just come right up to him like he was a natural part of the wilderness.

But that bear cub, he was extra special.

As he growed, he became the best friend Adams ever had. And together, they

became a legend.

Wilderness is a mighty fine place to live any season of the year, but for

mountain men like me and my friend James Adams, there's a special magic that

comes in the winter.

Because then the great mountains are tucked under their blankets of snow, the

streams sparkle prettier than ever as they tumble down the slopes, and the

glisten proudly with their coats of ice, and best of all, the feel of Christmas

is in the air everywhere.

What do you think of this one, Ben?

Pretty?

That sure looks like fun, Ben.

But first things first.

That means getting this little tree back to the cabin.

It's going to make us a real fine, proud little Christmas tree.

You might say it's become a custom for Adams to find a little tree to decorate

at the cabin, then replant it later someplace that needs it more.

Always with Ben's help, of course, and sometimes with his hindrance when Ben's

feeling so good and wants to play.

All right, Ben.

You win.

Now, while Adams was a -sporting happily with Ben, he had no way of knowing what

a heap of trouble was ahead this Christmas. A situation and an ordeal

for every bit of mountain savvy he had about the high winter danger.

Nope. Right then, he and Ben was just having the bestest of times.

Playing around in the snow, exchanging playful slaps, and enjoying every second

of it.

Meanwhile, I was heading up the slope on my way to Adam's cabin, feeling mighty

proud of something I'd been wanting for a long time.

Number seven, if you'll pardon the expression, just hold your horses.

I did a lot of scrimping and saving to get these new genuine store -bought St.

Louis snowshoes, and they're going to take a heap of breaking in.

Now, my old ones, they was a lot better.

But they was a lot smaller.

These newfangled ones take a slight bit of getting used to.

Yeah. Now, let's see.

Put that foot there and that foot there.

That foot there and that foot there. That foot there. See there?

I'm getting it.

That foot there and that foot there. That foot there. See, this here is what

they call a...

Kennedy Kick.

Yes, sir. Some people call it the Montana Munch, but the secret is to

get yourself a nice, good, stiff -naked kick like that.

Ross

by

Foley. Say, Blizzard, ain't that there our old friend... Mad Jack himself?

Ho, ho, ho, ho!

Ho, ho, ho!

Now, I know.

We're going to have the messiest, meanest,

freezest winter we ever had.

You wouldn't be this far south otherwise.

Now, it is true I am partial to cool weather.

Of course, I don't mind coming down here where it's warm once in a while.

Say, Jack, would you mind telling me something?

Why are you a -sitting there in the snow?

Well, I ain't sitting in the snow.

You ever heard of a snow bath?

It's good for your liver or any other inferior organs you might

have.

See, them is the biggest snowshoes I ever seen in my whole born days.

Them are big enough for a bull moose.

A bull moose, huh?

I tell you, these was made special for me, bought to order in St. Louis.

Then you must have blown up your measures, same as you do your stories.

What in tarnation is them things?

Why, them is skeezers.

And them is the fastest way to get around in the snow.

Why?

Anybody knows that a pair of store -bought St. Louis snowshoes is the

thing there is?

If you wasn't so cantankerous and old -fashioned, you'd know skeezes is the

fastest and the bestest.

Why, you red -nosed old walrus.

Anybody knows that you try to go anywhere on them slippery sticks, you're

go lickety -split to the bottom of the first hill you come to.

Key rep. And that's why skeezes is faster and better.

as any old fumble -footed mountain goat should know.

Well, I know your thinker froze up a long time ago. But any day you think

you can outrun me on them things, you just let me know, Wayne.

And you say where?

Well, all right.

If you want to embarrass yourself, I'll just race you from here to Adams Cabin.

And I'll be waiting there for you to say I told you so.

We'll make a line right over here.

All right, Foley.

Right there's a starting mark.

I'll see you in Adams' cabin.

Yeah, and I'll see you there first.

Now, whilst me and Frostbite Foley set out on our big race, Adams was busy

decorating the little tree, preparing to make the cabin jolly and bright for

Christmas.

I can understand Mary Lou and Dan will not remember what a Christmas tree is,

Joshua.

They were pretty young last year.

But I thought for sure you'd remember.

I bet you Ben remembers.

You helped real good with the decorating last year too, Joshua.

Except for that little problem Ben had with the popcorn string.

Oh, not again.

It's all right.

We got another string.

Well, it looks like Mary Lou and Dan are getting a head start on us, Ben.

We ought to go get us some of that real pretty holly.

Jack's on his way.

We should get the cabin decorated before he gets here.

He brings some of that real good plum pudding cake.

I know my mouth's watering, too.

Come on, Ben.

Now in the winter, these mountains sure enough can get even us old mountain men

into some problems.

But to a greenhorn, they can be downright frightening.

Especially to a...

Pioneering family separated because the young and the strong had crossed over

earlier to build cabins and set crops in the rich valley farmland.

And then get ready to welcome the youngsters and the old folks who've

after. Ain't no puzzle why the yearning to be a family together again grows

stronger every day and gets to be almost unbearable with Christmas getting

close.

I'm beginning to think we bit us off more than we could chew.

What we got to do is stay with that wagon train back yonder in the

and then went on across with them in the spring.

But it just wouldn't be Christmas without Ma and Pa.

And you promised, Uncle Ned. All summer you've been promising that we'd be with

Ma and Pa for Christmas.

I didn't know these here mountains was gonna be so high under this here snow so

deep when I promised that.

Well, looks like we're stuck here for a spell.

Give the team a chance to rest, and why don't you young ones run and play a

little bit whilst I do some studying about all these here things.

You hear that, Ben?

Came from over the rise.

All right, John, let's get in the wagon.

Quick, get in.

Come on, Larry.

Sure don't appear like he means us no harm.

I'd best fire off this old blunderbuss anyhow and scare him off.

Now, get.

You hear me?

Go on, get. Adams knew that a loud noise would bring down that snow cone.

Shh.

Don't make a sound.

I can't take me no chances.

Oh, no.

Come on, you first.

Hey, run over there.

Jump.

Me and number seven figured we'd outfox old Frostbite Foley in our race by,

well, just taking a little shortcut.

Lucky thing we was up on the hill and not down in the valley when that

let go.

Gee, that was a big one.

Quiet.

There's Adams and Ben down there. And there's with some people with a...

What are they doing with the wagon here? That must have been who fired the shot.

Well, he's going to need our help.

Now, you're going to be the anchor, see?

And you just stand here good and steady, and I'll let myself down on this rope

nice and easy like.

What do you mean?

Just stop your fussing. I know what I'm doing.

Just hold the anchor there, Seven.

Now, hold steady.

Seven?

Now, Seven?

You're supposed to be the anchor.

Don't... Seven?

Don't...

I'm sorry, Jack. That's a real shame.

Ain't anybody gonna help me up out of here?

Give me your hand.

Watch it, Gary.

Watch your step.

Watch it.

Uncle Matt!

Well, that's all right.

That's just Ben.

He saved your doll for you.

Would you like to bed, Ben?

Yes, sir. Is it all right?

Well, if you walk up nice and easy to him.

You be careful now, honey.

Howdy, Ben.

My dog!

Oh, thank you. You saved him.

My name's James Adams.

Mighty proud to meet you, Mr. Adams.

I'd like you to meet my good friend, Mad Jack.

Howdy.

Howdy, Mr. Jack.

I'm Ned Brewster. Most folks just calls me Uncle Ned.

And these here's my sister Ginny's two young 'uns, Debbie and Billy.

And we're all mighty beholden to you, Mr. Adams.

When you shot your gun off, Ned, you loosened that snow cornice up there.

Well, any sharp sound will do that.

A loud whisper in this country will start an avalanche. Didn't you know

No, sir, I didn't. I reckon I got a whole heap to learn if I'm going to get

these young 'uns over the mountains for Christmas.

You're going to...

Boy, there ain't three other men besides myself could cross these mountains in

the wintertime. And nobody could do it with two kids and a team of horses. Why,

not even a first -class mountain man would be able to... Jack, we'll talk

that later.

But we've got to, Uncle Ned. You know we've got to.

Well, since Mr.

Jack said die and I'm feared, we... Well, Ned, maybe Jack and I can help

My cabin's not too far from here. We can head over that way.

Why don't you help Ned with the team?

Ben? You need the way home.

Come on, kids.

Hey, Jack.

Hello, Mad Jack. Where are you?

Well, Blizzard, doggone it.

we won that race far and square.

You reckon we ought to go find old Mad Jack?

By golly, he might be in some snowbank someplace wrong side up or something.

Come on.

Come on, girl. Let's go.

Come on.

Come on.

Now, long about that time, two other greenhorns was venturing into the slopes

the other side of the mountain.

I don't understand it.

The weather was so nice back at the homestead.

Sam, are we in trouble?

Oh, no, not yet, Jenny girl.

We could be.

I don't like the looks of that sky.

You do believe we're going to find the wagon train at the settlement, don't

I'm sure they just got there too late to make the crossing like we figured.

But... But you don't think we're going to get there in time for Christmas, do

you? Traylon's bound to get worse from here on.

Even if that storm holds off, we haven't got more than a pinch of hope.

A pinch is all I need to go on.

I'm bounden to hold Debbie and Bill in these two arms.

With us all singing the old carols by a cozy Christmas fire.

Go ahead.

Mountain didn't seem quite so high or so far over when we crossed last summer.

Well, it makes more of a difference than I reckon.

With all this snow, it's hard to find the landmarks. Another storm's going to

bring more snow.

Oh, Sam.

Everything's lost. Even our compass.

Now what are we going to do?

Let's get this little fire started with some of that dead brush over there.

Starting to cool off a little.

Nothing like a little brisk to make a fella feel good.

Rookie there.

Looks like there's some smoke coming up out of the west pass.

Must be some of them injured people down there.

That's the way to talk to each other, you know.

Never could make head or tail out of that there smoke, right?

Say, Richard, reckon we ought to go down to Adam's place and see if Mad Jack

made it back?

We can rag them a little bit about losing the race, huh?

Come on.

Well, now that you see how we live here, I'd like you to meet Mary Lou and Dano.

And you know Joshua over here, of course.

And Ben over here, well, he'd just like to say how much he appreciates making

your acquaintance.

I've got some other friends I'd like you to meet, too.

Come on.

You stay here and keep an eye on things while we're gone.

Don't you worry, don't you cry Cause you see that by and by

Everything will turn out right And

all your fears will fade from sight

Don't you know you've got a friend A helping hand he adds to him

A friend who'll always see you through In

everything you try to do

Much as they enjoyed the animals, them two youngsters just couldn't forget the

longing for their Ma and Pa.

Ma and Pa had to go away with the first wagon train.

I really do.

There's just not a close walk over those mountains.

A real mountain man would have a hard time getting across those.

Look at Ben.

Looks like he's keeping himself busy.

Well, you look at there. Ben's making a snowman.

Not a snowman. A snow bear.

Can we help him, Mr. Adams?

I'm sure Ben will like some extra help.

You kids go ahead. I'm going to talk to Mr. Jack.

We're gonna help you, Ben.

Mr. Adams said we could help.

How's she coming, Jack?

Well, all right.

You've been needing yourself a new gunstock for some time.

I know that, but still don't make me feel no better about old Bessie here.

that.

Jack, you gotta help me with those young 'uns.

We gotta keep them busy.

Think of something for them to do.

Like a Christmas play.

Like Mary and Joseph.

That's a good idea.

That's enough.

I'll put my mind to it.

I've been working on some things down at the workshop.

A little finishing up, they make some real fine Christmas gifts.

Poor little young 'uns.

It's a dead sure sense they ain't gonna see their ma and pa this Christmas.

Maybe for a good spill afterwards.

Jack, they said that them homesteaders have...

He moved in down at the bottom of the pass.

How long do you think it'd take a fellow to get down there and back?

Well, if he didn't fall in one of them crevices in the snow fields or get

caught under an avalanche or find himself out in the blizzard that's going

here in three, maybe four days, why, he could probably make it in about...

Are you thinking about what I think you're thinking about?

Once a greenhorn, always a greenhorn.

That's her stock gear carvings for Mr.

Jack, ain't it?

Yeah. I've been working on it for quite a spell.

Right here's a mighty smart carving old man.

I made that for Debbie.

This little sled's for Billy. I can't wait to see his face come Christmas

morning.

He's going to be mighty proud of that.

I wish I could give them what they really want for Christmas.

Mr. Adams, there just ain't no way nobody could do that. Not even you.

You know, you remind me of young Sam.

Jenny, too. They'd be the very same way.

Well, if they had any idea that them wagons were stopped at the settlement,

they'd be on their way up that mountain right now, trying to get to Billy and

Debbie. Well, if I thought that was true, Uncle Ned, I'd be leaving right

Let's head back to the cabin.

Because old Mad Jack's going to start up his beehive oven.

Now, it may not look like much, but I tell you right in there, I can cook some

of the most mouthwatering... Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to one and all. You too, Jack.

Look, Debbie, it's him. It's really Santa Claus.

It ain't Santa Claus. That's Frostbite Foley.

Foley? Where you been? I thought we was having us a race. We was. Where you

been? Well, you frozen old piece of blubber. I stopped and helped Adams do

rescuing, and I've been waiting here for you for hours. Why, I'll have you know

I've been here and gone. Matter of fact, I was so worried about what happened to

you, I went out looking for you, and now I'm sorry I went.

Well, you call it a tie.

This here is Billy, and this here is Debbie.

Youngin's giving us a visit. Well, it's a pleasure.

Oh, and this here's Blizzard.

And he's got a world treasure of trade goods right on his back. Now, you just

ask me for something, anything.

Come on, ask me for something.

A pack of fine point needles and a spool of sat black thread.

Needles and thread.

What about you, young fella?

And there's your peppermint stick. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you, sir.

We don't have any... Oh, don't you worry about that. First time out with

Frostbite Foley is for free.

Thank you, sir. You're welcome, son.

See that?

Whilst I was out looking for you, I seen some Indian smoke signs over by the

West Pass.

You didn't see no Indian smoke signs. They don't make smoke signs in the

wintertime. Don't you tell me what I see when I...

Indians don't make folk signs in the... Here's Adams. We'll let him settle.

Mr.

Adams, Uncle Ned, look at it.

Brown needles and thread.

Mr. Foley gave them to us.

Well, it always seems a lot more like Christmas when you show up, Frostbite.

Thank you, Adams.

Howdy, I'm Frostbite Foley. Howdy.

Call me Uncle Ned. Sure, I'm happy to know you. Nice to meet you.

Uncle Ned, are we going to be riding horses or the rest of the way tomorrow,

Just awful hard for me to say.

Jack, what about that Christmas party we were talking about having?

Think those poles behind the cabin make a nice stable?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. They'd make a good stable. And number seven here, he could

play the burl.

Who do you reckon we could get to play Mary and Joseph?

We could.

Why, I could be Mary and Billy here could be Joseph.

We did it once in Sunday school.

Well, I've got some blanket ends and some gunny sacks in the cabin.

Come on.

Jumping penguin here that the Indians don't make smoke signals in the

wintertime. They don't, Frostbite. It's the truth.

But I seen it. I seen smoke coming right up out of that west pass.

You saw smoke coming out of the pass? I sure did.

You know, someone coming up from the homestead, they'd be coming right that

Could be Sam and Jenny.

Well, whoever it is, they're going to need help and they're going to need a

minor fast.

Now, wait a minute, Adams.

You thinking of going out there?

There's a blizzard blowing up.

That'd just be foolhardy.

You know, we're just wasting time.

Ben, I'm going to need your help.

You'd better have seen what you said you saw.

I told you, I seen what I said.

Ben?

Thank you, Ben.

Here, I'll take that.

If he's gonna be foolhardy, guess we might as well help him.

I'm going with you, Mr. Adams.

I'd like you to stay here, Ned.

Whatever happens, I want you to show those kids a nice Christmas.

We'll do our level best.

Adams, I ain't never saw another man like that.

What's his chance of finding somebody out yonder and getting them back?

Some were twigs, slim and none.

If it was anybody else but Adams, he wouldn't have no chance at all.

Well, Adams got his job, we got ours.

Let's make it Christmas for them young.

Little Ned doesn't think the horses can carry us over the mountains.

I know he doesn't. He didn't say no for sure.

We ain't going to be with Ma and Pa for Christmas, are we?

Don't think about it. It's worse when you think about it.

Maybe we'll never see Ma and Pa again.

Don't ever say that.

Are you praying?

What for?

For the Lord to take care of Ma and Pa till we're all together again.

I'm going to pray too.

That you and me and Ma and Pa is all together

for Christmas.

Christmas is tomorrow.

Do you know what we're asking the Lord for?

A miracle.

It's a...

As long as you're listening, sir.

Any help you could give Adams out there, I'd greatly appreciate it. And if you

could just hold that blizzard off for half a day, maybe.

Thank you, sir.

I know these snowfields can be dangerous any time, Ben.

I haven't seen any tracks anywhere.

So that means the animals haven't crossed through here.

But you heard what Frostbite said, didn't you?

He said he saw that smoke coming up from the west pass.

We can save ourselves a whole lot of time if we cut through these snow

What we'll do is we'll walk along the top of the ridge.

You let me get a good head start on you.

Then you follow right behind me.

You stay in my tracks.

Even the herd animals, the deer and the elk, seemed to sense the importance of

Adam's search.

It was almost like they was approving and wishing him well.

Adams, like no man I ever know, was one that sets his mind to doing something

that needs doing and nothing or nobody can turn him away from it. No matter

the problems and dangers that might be laying in wait every step of the way.

Like the blizzard of gathering up so mean and mad.

Developing bone -chilling winds that rip and tear at anybody caught in its

fierce gusts.

And them fearsome comers of snow ready to crash down without warning.

Then there's the whiteouts that blow up sudden and a man can't find his hand in

front of his face.

And killer freezes in the hollers and canyons with drops in temperature severe

enough to crack open full -grown trees.

And them snow fields.

They're so innocent and pretty looking, but sometimes the thin crusts hide deep

crevices a man could get trapped in and never get out.

Ben, come on.

Here's some wolf tracks.

my pride.

Thank you, Ben.

I'll tie my snowshoes up, Bennett.

Oh, follow that big old lobo wolf.

He went off that way.

He looks like he knows what he's doing.

Thank you.

Now, the bitter cold and deep snows was beginning to take a terrible toll on Sam

and Jenny. Oh, Sam.

It's so cold.

We still got plenty of daylight left.

Jenny, are you hurting?

It's my fingers. I don't have any feeling left in them.

It gets worse before it gets better.

The feeling's coming back now.

Oh, Sam, it's so cold. I wish we had a little fire like we had back on the

trail. There's nothing here abouts to burn.

We've almost reached the top of the pass. There's bound to be some trees up

there. We'll get us some candy.

Let's go, Sam.

We've got to keep going.

Well, Debbie girl, I'm doing my dibbly dab best.

I ain't never even heard of no ragdoll sheep, let alone a raccoon and two skunk

sheep.

Number seven of me's finished practicing.

We got it perfect now.

Billy Wilson, you're not supposed to be jumping around when you're St. Joseph.

Well, I'm not really Joseph.

Underneath this sack, I'm just plain Billy.

Oh, what's it you're being, Uncle Ned?

I'm the shepherd.

Want to trade?

No, sirree. Just your shepherding's about all I can handle.

Now, just once, you little scamp. Get down from there.

Sheep ain't supposed to be crawling all over the ceiling, don't you know that?

Hey.

What am I seeing such a long face on such a pretty girl for?

It just don't seem like anything's going right this Christmas.

Mr. Adams would know what to do.

Where'd he go?

When's he coming back?

Well, he's off on very important business.

These sweet potatoes are all ready for baking. I've got to get them in

Melbourne.

Sweet potatoes. I dearly love them.

What are you supposed to be? Why, one of the wise men. Who else?

Well, who ever heard of a wise man that runs around the mountains on a pair of

skids? Oh, you're just put out because I beat you in that race.

Here.

Feed me.

Oh, now, young 'un.

Now's no time to be sad.

Christmas is a time for being happy.

I want to be happy. I really do.

But it just don't seem to come.

And it don't really seem like Christmas. Like when you're with your ma and pa,

and you just can't hardly wait for Santa to come.

Besides, I don't think he's going to come this year.

What makes you think that, son?

Because we ain't with ma and pa, and he won't know where to find us.

Why, don't you worry, nun.

Santa finds you no matter where you are.

Jack, we got us a problem. What's that?

Well, them young 'uns is awful sad.

Because they don't think Santa Claus is going to be able to find them because

they ain't with their folks.

I've been trying to tell them that Sandy knows where all the little young 'uns

is at Christmas time. But seeing Sam and Jenny ain't here, I reckon they ain't

been too convincing.

Well, don't worry about Santa not showing up. I got an idea about that.

Them young 'uns is going to get a visit from Santa Claus.

Because I'm going to be him.

I'm going down that Injun village and ask them ladies to make me a Santa suit.

Well, I got to go pick up my plum pudding. It's been aging for a month. It

wouldn't be Christmas without one of my plum puddings.

And don't worry about Santa Claus showing up. I got that all took care of.

you fixing to go down your Injun village and get your Santa suit made up, are

you? How'd you guess?

Well, never mind.

Just don't let the young 'uns find out about it. But Frostbite Foley... Foley,

don't worry about him.

Remember I told you there's only three or four men besides me that could cross

these mountains in the wintertime?

Well, I hate to admit it, but Foley's one of them.

Well, supposing this here turns into a pearl -button -bangle blizzard before

get back?

Well, just keep the young 'uns inside where it's warm.

And keep a lantern hanging outside lit day and night.

I'll do it, Mr. Jack.

You be careful now.

You hear me? Come on, Seven.

Look,

Ben.

The wolves have found something at the top of the ridge.

It's going to be tough going, but we can save a lot of time.

Dig in, Ben. Let's go.

Close one, Ben.

Well, let's head out.

Knowing the wild critter so well, Adams figured that lone wolf might just lead

him to what he was a -seeking.

But another pack of wolves had already found Sam and Jenny, a new threat to add

to their miseries.

Sam, they're coming in closer.

I know.

I couldn't find anything for a fire to keep them away.

Sam, I'm so afraid. What are we going to do?

I don't know.

I sure wish we had us a fire.

Hi there, Lobo.

I know we're trespassing, but we don't mean you any harm.

I've been following your tracks for almost an hour.

I heard your friends, too.

Sounds like they found somebody we're looking for.

Ben, look down there.

We don't have any time to explain to those wolves. We're going to have to run

them off.

Jenny, look!

Don't be frightened.

This is just Ben, and he's mighty happy to see you too.

I can't believe you'd find us.

I heard of a man who lived in these mountains with a grizzly bear, but... I

always thought it was just some kind of tall tale.

Well, you've just got to be Sam and Jenny.

Billy and Debbie's folks.

Debbie and Billy. Oh, thank God. Where are they?

They're at my cabin.

Safe and sound.

Just waiting for you to come and make them the best Christmas they've ever

I'm James Adams.

This is a miracle.

Oh, take us to them, Mr. Adams.

Well, just as soon as you both feel up to it.

Oh, we've never been up to anything so much in all our lives.

Ben, let's head back to the cabin.

Now, that storm was a -moving real fast across those mountains, and I was

worried about Adams. But I knowed worrying wasn't gonna help, and I still

make Christmas for Debbie and Billy, like I promised.

So I headed over to get my plum pudding cake that had been aging up a tree.

You know...

I've been letting this age for a month.

This is a pretty nice Santa suit those ladies made me down in the village.

They whipped it out in jig time, too.

Yes, sir.

You know, it was almost as if they'd done it before.

But it sure looks real fine. And you look fine, too, as Santa's faithful

reindeer.

Smell that.

You know, it takes a heap of looking and finding and baking to make a

good plum pudding cake.

Yes, sirree, Bob.

And I make the best they is in these hills.

Do you hear that?

What do you mean you didn't hear it?

There it is again. Do you hear it?

Well, you can't. hear nothing.

I've been hearing it ever since we left the village.

Now there's something dogging our trail.

I'm going out there and find out what kind of varmint it is.

Now you just stay here and be real quiet like this.

Don't you move.

Now, I had no idea what I was expecting to find out there, and I certainly

wasn't expecting to get the surprise I got.

Now this is just getting plum frustrating.

I'm going to give him one more chance.

You're him, ain't you?

You're... What, you're... Are you who I think you are?

You thought I was him, and I thought you was him.

Frostbite Foley, what are you doing in that Santa Claus suit?

I'm fixing to play Santa for them two young 'uns.

No, you're not. If anybody's gonna play Santa Claus, it's gonna be me. Why?

I'm a whole lot jollier than you are.

I cannot jolly you from here to the Saskatoon's and back again. Oh, yeah?

Well... I'll tell you what.

It can't be two sandals.

I got it.

You can be a helper elf.

And you can wear my hat. It's my sleeping hat, but it'll fit.

I don't want to wear that hat.

Good thing I remembered about then how partial frostbite was to plum pudding

cake. Just a sniff had set him adroon.

ain't that nice.

If my nose ain't dreaming, that there's one of them plum pudding cakes right

there in that there sack.

You know good and well that's a plum pudding cake, because I make the best

pudding cake in all of these mountains. You know, my teeth ain't bitten into one

of them in years on years.

They ain't going to, neither.

No, sir, I ain't going to give none of this plum pudding cake to any sneaky old

chilblain that's going to beat me out of my Santa Claus job.

But then on the other hand, if it was for a little elf Santa's helper, he'd be

entitled to a great big slab of that plum pudding cake.

He would?

Well, I guess I've been plum pudding caked right into elf hood.

Now, Jack, let me help you. It ain't hee -hee -hee. It's ho -ho -ho.

Adams and Penn was a -pushin' along as hard as they dared.

They wanted to reach the cabin before that blizzard struck with all its sting

and fury.

Now, Adams knowed that Sam and Jenny was mighty near the end of their rope.

But with him leadin' the way and the thought of Debbie and Billy waitin' for

him, he figured that'd give them the strength they needed to keep a -movin'.

I'm all right now.

Can we stop here for a while, Mr. Adams? Jenny's just about all worn out.

We'll rest for a minute or two.

We've got to get through the narrows up there.

We don't have much time.

When we get to the other side, we can rest.

Jenny needs to rest now.

If that storm covers up that gap, there's no other way out of here.

The slopes and the peaks are too slippery to climb through.

I'll be all right, Sam.

We're in Mr. Adams' hands now.

He knows what has to be done.

I'll help Jenny, Sam.

You stay behind Ben.

Follow Ben's trail.

gonna make it, Jenny.

Mr. Adams says it's not too far through the gap.

We can rest on the other side.

Don't worry about me, Sam. I'm holding up.

Sam, we're gonna have to pass through this gap real quiet.

We won't be able to make a sound.

Are you both ready?

Did you hear that?

What is it?

It's thunder.

There's a new storm moving in.

We won't be able to pass through the gap now, Sam.

That thunder might knock that snow cornice loose.

It'll bury the gap and everything that's in it.

I don't hear anything now.

Maybe there won't be any more thunder.

Find another way out of here.

Ben spotted something.

I see him, Ben.

See the cougar up on the slope?

What does it mean?

It means he knows the trails around here.

You stay here with Ben.

Well, it's good to see you.

I guess maybe you call these parts around here home, huh?

Maybe you might know another trail around the gap.

I'd sure appreciate it if you'd show us.

Stay with him, Ben.

We'll be right behind you.

You really believe that cougar can lead us around the gap?

Animals have ways of knowing things we don't.

Stay right in my tracks.

Then that's awful. We might have been down there.

Yep.

Come on, let's go.

Well, if any critter, two -legged or four -legged, ever deserved a medal,

cougar did.

Because he found the only trail there was on the high side of the gap.

Wow.

I'm mighty beholden to you.

Thank you.

But their troubles was far from over. The weather was a -worsening, and they

a -facing some mighty rough traveling still ahead.

I'm afraid Jenny ain't gonna make it if we get much farther to go.

It's not too much farther now, Sam.

You all right, Jenny?

Thank you, Mr. Adams.

Now, don't you worry about me. I'm tired, but I'm gonna make it.

When Billy and Debbie have a mile, they can be right proud of.

Sam, hand me this rope.

We're gonna be going down through the draw now. It's gonna get a lot worse.

We're going to tie this rope around ourselves.

It'll keep us from getting separated.

In case we run into a whiteout.

What's a whiteout?

The winds blow the powder snow up to you like a dust storm.

You can't see anything.

Not even one another.

Tie this around your waist, Sam.

This rope will keep us from getting separated.

I'm going to loop this around you.

What child is this who lay to rest

on Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with

anthems sweet while shepherds watch.

Why do we have a lantern if it's still daytime outside, Uncle Ned?

Well, because that's what Mr.

Jack told me to do.

There's going to be a big old blizzard, isn't there? And it's going to cover

this whole cabinet. Now, Debbie girl, you quit fretting on things that ain't

even happened yet. Because everything happens for the best, I'll guarantee

Santa himself.

Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas!

Ho, ho, ho, ho.

Merry Christmas from Santa and his trusty reindeer.

And that goes double for me.

Santa's a number one helper elf.

Mr. Jack, you sure look funny. I thought for a minute that you were... You

thought that I was really Santa Claus, didn't you?

No. One time a pocket all dressed up like that. Remember, Debbie?

I don't know.

Elfin ain't quite what he used to be.

Well, do something.

My heart was aching something terrible for them poor little youngsters, along

and so hard for their ma and pa. And there was the twins there, too, for,

for Adams. And it seemed a fitting time for a little silent prayer for all of

them.

Then tell them we're coming.

Go on.

It's too... It's too much for her.

I'm afraid we ain't gonna make it.

We're gonna make it, Sarah.

Sit down, Jenny.

Take this rope, Sarah.

All right.

Put your arm around him, Jenny.

All right, Sam, hang on to me.

The cab is just over the next rise.

We'll make it.

Well, the wind's died down some.

Might be a good sign.

Seems like... No.

There it goes again.

Well, so I'm going to be... Holy jumping jihasa frat, that's bad!

Thank you, sir.

This is going to be the best Christmas we ever had, isn't it? Yes, darling.

We give Debbie Sashay to Mr. Jack for Christmas and my genuine cowbell to Mr.

Foley for Blizzard. That's good.

Well, you gave me five new friends and five of the happiest hearts I've ever

seen.

Come on, Billy. Let's start the play.

Mr. Adams, if thanks were gold, ours would make you the richest man in these

mountains. I already am, Sam.

Yes, I believe you are.

Thank you.

Come on, Sam. We've got parts in this, too.

We're waiting for you, Jack.

with the place.

Jack?

Looks like that Evening Star's gonna be out early tonight, doesn't it?

Oh, yeah.

It's a... Oh, Adam.

Adams, you're a... You're a double -ring -tailed wonder.

That's what you are.

It's beautiful.

Thank you.

Merry Christmas.

Adams?

Why don't you go up by the manger and it's like you did that first Christmas

was up here?

All right, I will.

Is everybody ready?

We're ready.

Well, it happened something like this.

Once upon a starry night, a long, long time ago, and far, far away, it

seemed that the government figured that all the people needed to be counted.

So he ordered all the folks to go to town and to be counted.

Well, by the time Mary and Joseph had gotten there, all the rooms in the inn

were full.

The answer was the same everywhere they went.

And then Joseph met this friendly innkeeper.

He had no room either.

But he offered Mary and Joseph his stable.

And in that little stable, that's where the little Lord Jesus was born.

And then Mary wrapped the baby in swaddling clothes and laid him in the

And the angels went to the nearby hills.

And they told the shepherds of the miracle.

And the shepherds went down to the stable.

And they took their sheep with them.

And the farmers came too.

And last came the three wise men.

And they followed the bright star across the sky that led them to the little

stable.

And they laid down their precious gifts beside the manger.

And they called him Emmanuel.

The Lord is with us.

That's the way it was on the first Christmas.

Long ago.

Far, far away.

Once upon a starry night.

Right.