Original subtitles

Yes? Oh, a telegram for Mrs. James Hardy. Oh.

Oh.

Millie. Millie, there's a telegram.

Will you sign here, Mrs. Hardy?

Millie, open it and read it. Well, I can't, Emily.

I know it's bad news.

Well, it could be good news.

I know people write good news. Bad news, they always telegraph.

Young man, please open it and read it.

Well, I'm not supposed to, ma 'am, but... Please.

Okay.

Arriving flight 29, 315 this afternoon.

I've heard my dad talk about him. Who?

Andy Hardy.

He's coming home.

Thank you. Thank you.

Carville High School Annual, June 1940.

Yes,

I know how you feel. My wife made me keep mine, too.

There's a lot of wonderful memories in this book.

Is that you?

Yes, that's me.

Who's that?

That's a girl called...

Betsy Booth.

She was a wonderful girl.

Well, just the same, I'd like to show my appreciation some way.

Would you like my pin?

It's your music class pin.

Well... What do you want me to say?

You know what I want you to say.

Well, I won't.

All right, then don't.

Oh, Betsy.

I do.

You do what?

I do what you want me to say, and I won't.

Very much.

Well, that settles that.

Gee,

you know it's good for a man to have responsibility.

Expression on your face. Those must have been unforgettable memories.

Unforgettable. I'll never forget them, believe me.

Some wonderful... Mr. Hardy, fasten your seatbelt, please. Yes, ma 'am. Yes, ma

'am. Thank you.

Oh. Must be getting a little ahead of time, huh?

Do a lot of flying? Oh, quite a bit, you bet.

Mother,

what have you got your eyes closed for?

I almost watched canes come in this way.

You can open your eyes now, Mother.

Gosh, it's good to see you all. Well, aren't you going to say hello to your

nephew? Why, certainly.

Hi,

Uncle Andy.

Yes, hi, Jim.

Boy.

Marion, what have you been feeding this fellow?

Same thing Mother said, you.

So what happened to me?

Come on, let's go, folks.

No, go ahead.

See you, Andy. What do you know, B .C. Boy? How are you? Gee, I just snuck away

from the store long enough to give you the keys to the city. Yeah. How are you?

I'm fine.

Where's the wife and kids? Well, I'm only going to stay for a few days.

Oh, that's too bad. Yeah. Oh, look, keep Wednesday night open. As soon as we

found out you were coming in town, Sally and I organized a little party.

Wednesday night. Wednesday night? Yeah. Well, that's wonderful. You just turn up

the music and leave the latch on the door free, and I'll be there. Okay, pal.

Don't forget now. Wednesday night. Okay, B .C. See you then, kids. Right.

Like old times, right? Right.

Mrs. Hardy, in my meddling years, I haven't lost my touch, have I? Oh,

I fixed your room the way it used to be, just as if you'd never been away. You

better not make me feel too much at home. I'm going to hate to go back to

Angeles.

Know what I got for dinner?

No. Yes. No.

Apple pie with strawberry ice cream and mashed potatoes and gravy, corn on the

cob, peas, and a big, beautiful roast.

But you forgot the sliced tomatoes and the little boiled onions. Forgot them?

Who could forget them? You just call me when dinner's ready, Mom. There won't be

a thing left for tomorrow.

Here, Jim, I'll take that. That's okay. I'll take it. I can handle it. Thank

you.

Uncle Andy.

Yes?

It's all in the wrists, son.

I wish I could get home more often, Mom, but you know how busy I've been. Even

when you were out on the coast, we didn't get a chance to do all the things

wanted to. I went to see Disneyland.

Girls haven't changed.

I thought it would make you feel at home.

Too much at home.

Oh, that reminds me. I know what you want to see.

It's right here on top, I think. Yes, it is.

Beautiful? Andrew.

Oh, isn't Jane lovely?

And aren't they wonderful children? You bet they are. Oh, you better not let

Andy Jr. hear you call him a child. He's almost eight.

That's right, he is, isn't he?

And little Mary, and she must be five.

Five next month?

Gosh, Mother, where does the time fly to?

Oh, I wish you brought them with you.

Well, maybe next time. This was such a hurried trip, and Jane would have had to

do a lot of things to get ready.

Speaking of getting ready, I can remember when Dad used to ask you to go

the 4th of July. He had to ask you way back in May.

I can remember the time that we were all going over to... I remember, too, dear.

You didn't tell me why you're here.

Well, I managed to convince our board of directors and our president, Mr.

Gordon, that Carville would be a wonderful place for a new missile parts

Missile?

Oh, Andrew, all that noise.

Well, this will just be an electronics parts plant. The missiles will be

assembled someplace else. Oh, just thinking.

My boy in charge of an aircraft factory.

Hardly, Mother. I'm just a small part of the legal department.

It must be very big and important.

They wouldn't have got you to do it otherwise.

You know, I wish you owned the company.

My dear. Then I could become the president.

Oh, Andrew.

I'm going to have a look at the roast. All right, Mother.

You know, I don't really know what to do.

Millie likes it rare, Marion likes it medium, and you like it well done.

Well, there's only one rose.

hello hello polly it's not polly

How do you feel?

I don't know yet.

You did kiss me, or am I starting to strip my gears?

Well, I kissed you. It was the most startling thing I could think of.

You see, I'm a psych major.

You're a psych major. Well, I don't know what that is, but whatever it is, I

think I'm going to like it.

Psych major means I major in psychology at college.

I'm doing a term paper on human reflexes. Tell me, what were your

I kissed you?

Panic? Fright?

Or the desire to defend yourself?

The best defense is attack.

Then you were merely startled when I went to work on you.

Lady, you'd startle a mummy, and I'm no mummy. Then you don't mind my testing

your reflexes? Mine. Go to work on me again, quick.

I'll be right down, Marion.

We thank thee, Father, for the food thou hast set before us this day.

Amen.

Uncle Andy, can I have the outside piece, sir?

Yes, sure, sure, Jim.

Mother?

Mother? Yes, dear?

Are you sure you won't be needing the car?

No, positive, dear. I may be gone most of the day. That's perfectly all right.

Are you sure you've got everything?

Yes, I have everything. Well, good luck, dear. Drive carefully. Don't pick up

any hitchhikers. And be sure you've got plenty of gasoline.

I'll check on everything, Mrs. Hardy.

That's a good boy.

May I help you, sir? I was wondering if it would be possible to look at a...

Aren't you Andy Hardy?

Yes, ma 'am, I am. Well, don't you remember me?

I'm Betty Wilson.

Betty Wilson?

You mean you're Alice Wilson's little sister? The one with the braces on the

teeth? I'm all grown up.

Gosh, I'll say you are.

How's your sister?

Oh, just wonderful. She's married now and living in New York.

Oh, what can I do for you?

Uh, well, Betty? Mm -hmm? I wondered if you could show me some land maps of

undeveloped property in Carmel here. Anything special in mind? Well, just so

that it's level and preferably on the south side of town.

Well, we have so many books.

Why don't you come in and sit down and be comfortable and look them over?

Well, thank you. I will.

Thanks.

What was that number again?

Oh, uh...

4 -4 -9 -7 -J.

As I remember it, that piece of property changed hands about two years ago.

That's one advantage of this size town.

Very little property changes hands unless somebody dies.

Here it is.

It belongs to Thomas Chandler.

Chandler? Thomas Chandler? I don't believe I've ever heard of a Chandler

here in Carville. No, you wouldn't. He moved here about four years ago.

Well,

this looks very good.

His office is right across the street in the car building.

You know what? I think I'll go out and look at this property before I pay a

on Mr. Chandler.

I'll just put these away.

Don't bother.

It'll only take me a minute.

Well, thanks for all your help, Betty.

Oh, I'm sure it's all right.

You see, all utilities are available, and it's on an improved road.

Also, don't forget that the railroad spur runs right up to the property.

$1 ,500 an acre. That's right.

Well, I don't see any reason why we can't consummate this deal, Mr.

I'll recommend buying the property.

However, I will have to phone the president of our company, Mr. Gordon, to

his approval for the purchase.

Well, if he approves, do you have the power to... Oh, yes, I... I can execute

all the papers.

Well, in that case, if you like, I can have the papers ready tomorrow

Say, 4 .30, all right? That'll be fine. However, as I said, I will have to phone

Mr. Gordon for his approval of the purchase of the property.

The papers, incidentally, the contract should be made out to a holding company.

Afternoon, sir.

I was wondering if I could possibly get a... Well, Andy Hardy.

I wondered if you were going to stop in to see me. How are you, Doc?

Fair to Midland.

I heard you were coming to town.

Who told you? The telegraph office. It's still the best news source in Carville.

Yeah, I guess so.

Say, where are all the kids, Doc? Don't they hang out here anymore?

Oh, sure. Nothing's changed.

Nothing's changed, huh?

Say, tell me, do you still make one of those famous unk -win -it fountain

specials? Yep. You never know what's in it.

You're so right.

Say, just for old time's sake, how about whipping up one for me? Don't forget,

your stomach's a little older now.

Doc, one unk win it.

Okay, don't say I didn't warn you. Okay. All right.

Here it comes.

Here it comes. It's right.

Hi, Jim. Oh, hi, Uncle Andy.

Wow. Are you going to eat that thing?

Of course.

I used to put away two of these in one afternoon and have a hot dog for

Hey, gang.

Come here.

Gang, this is my Uncle Andy. How do you do?

Hi, neither. Glad to know you. Gee, Mr. Hardy, I heard my mother speak about

you.

I hope it was all good.

Hey, Mr. Hardy, you gonna eat that thing? Well, I'm gonna try.

Cool, man.

Oh, here, these are on me. Come on, gang. There we go. Thank you.

That's yours.

Thank you, Mr.

Hardy. It's all right.

Well, I got split.

I heard him, but what did he say?

He said he was going to leave.

Oh. Well, in my day, he used to say, we're going to scram.

Well, expressions change, Andy, but kids are still the same.

I guess so.

Your uncle seems like a pretty good guy.

Didn't you say he used to know a lot about cars?

Yeah, he still does.

You just say that because he's your uncle.

Try him out, wise guy.

Hey, Mr. Hardy.

Yes. How do you like my short?

Oh, uh... Well, that's a nice -looking iron you have there.

How does it corner?

Well, since I put the big mill in, she doesn't handle anymore.

Well, you might try swinging arm suspension.

That might help it.

Yeah, I could.

And if that doesn't work, you might reduce the unsprung weight.

Yeah. I could slip on a set of mag wheels.

You know what you ought to do? What?

Twist -cheese it.

Gee, thanks, Mr. Hardy.

Say, when I get it fixed, you want to drag the main with me? That's a blast.

Thanks again, Mr. Hardy.

Well?

And he picks up on this stuff, don't he? He's hip.

Well,

Andy, you certainly stopped him.

I just got lucky.

Aren't you going to finish your run, Quintet?

I can't.

It's a little more than I remembered.

I know. As we get older, they seem to get bigger.

You're so right.

What do I owe you for everything, Doc?

The house.

Oh, come on.

Please, my pleasure.

Well, thanks very much.

I'll see you around.

Okay, Andy. Drop in again.

Hello, Mr. Hardy. Come on, Mr. Hardy. Come on. Mr. Hardy. Oh, no.

No, I'm just kidding. Come on. Come on.

No,

I'm...

I'm fine.

Well, nice meeting you all. I've got to split.

See you later, Mr. Hardy. Bye.

Aren't the pictures of Andy's children delightful?

Oh, aren't they?

You know, I'd give anything to see them both.

All right, let's fly back with Andy. Oh, Millie, too many things to do here.

My goodness, time flies through. It seems we're not through with your spring

cleaning, then we start decorating Christmas trees.

We could have a short visit before school starts.

School? Seems just yesterday that Andy started kindergarten, doesn't it?

But it would be nice to take a trip.

Wouldn't it be wonderful sometime to take a trip around the world?

Oh, I don't know. I'd rather go someplace else.

Good deal.

Aunt Millie.

Looks like my deal is going to go through. All I have to do is get Mr.

okay. Isn't that wonderful?

Do my eyes deceive me, or is that a chocolate cake?

Go ahead, Andy.

And delicious.

Excuse me, I've got to go call friend boss.

Thank you.

He hasn't changed, has he? Not a bit.

Then the price sounds reasonable to you, Mr. Gordon?

You've done a good job, Hardy. It's better than I expected.

Go ahead and close the deal.

Good. First thing in the morning, I do done it.

What did you say, Hardy? I can't quite hear you.

Excuse me, Mr. Gordon, but my aunt just made a cake, and I was sort of licking

the bowl, you know what I mean?

That's all right, Hardy. I used to do the same thing myself.

Now get busy and close the deal.

Yes, sir.

And right away.

Right away, sir.

Thank you. Goodbye, Mr. Gordon.

Operator, I want Santa Monica, California, person to person, Mrs.

And the number is Xbrook 09020.

Oh, darling, I think it's wonderful.

But I'm not the least bit surprised.

Mm -mm.

Oh, darling, we better hang up.

Oh, honey, we've been talking over three minutes.

All right, just a minute. Now talk to her just for a second.

Here, darling, say hello to Daddy. Hello, Daddy.

I ate some library paste this afternoon.

That's a good... You... You ate what?

How do you feel?

Fine. And Andy Jr.

tripped me, and I scared my knee.

And I couldn't drink all this milk and... Say goodbye to Daddy.

But I just wanted to tell Daddy something.

But, darling, he'll be home in a couple of days, and then you can say anything

you want to. Now say goodbye.

Goodbye, Daddy.

Hurry home. Be sure and bring me a nice present.

Goodbye, darling.

I love you.

Bye.

Oh, good afternoon, Mr. Hardy. Good afternoon, Mr.

Chandler. Good time, I see. I believe in being prompt.

Well, you must be anxious to get my property.

Well, I'm anxious to bring to Carville an industry that will be beneficial to

all concerned.

Well, here it is.

I even provide the pen. Oh, thank you. If I just may read this over.

Well, they're all in order.

I have a first -class lawyer.

He may not be as good as you, but he's a smart man just the same.

Oh, thank you. That's very nice of you to say so.

Mr. Chandler, here in paragraph A, it states that said property is to be sold

for $3 ,000 per acre. I believe yesterday we decided upon a price of $1

acre.

Oh, I believe there was a mention of that.

There was no mention of it. It was a set price.

28 acres at $1 ,500 per acre. What difference does it make to a big, rich

company like Gordon Aircraft?

Besides, I've thought the matter over and decided I was letting it go too

cheaply.

Mr. Chandler, before I came to Carville, I investigated what land was worth, and

I believe that $1 ,500 per acre is a very fair price.

Hardy, how would your wife like a nice fur coat?

Mr. Chandler, I don't believe that you and I have the same opinion as to how

business should be conducted.

We decided upon a price of $1 ,500, and I'm afraid I'm going to have to hold you

to it. Stop talking like George Washington.

Let's be practical.

Let's be honest.

Let's be honest.

If you insist on being a fool, that's your affair.

My price is $3 ,000 an acre, and I'm afraid you're going to have to accept it

leave it.

And remember, mine is the only property with a railroad spur on it.

I'm afraid we won't accept that price, Mr. Chandler.

Good afternoon.

Imagine a man like Chandler going back on his word.

Yes, and there doesn't seem to be any other property that'll suit our purpose.

Gosh,

it's almost 8 o 'clock, and I'm supposed to be at Beezy's party.

Beezy's party? Well, I'm supposed to be there, too.

You are?

Oh, I'm terribly sorry that I kept you here so late.

Oh, that's all right. I know how important this is.

I know what I'll do. I'll call my date and ask him to meet me there.

You don't mind driving me over, do you? No, not at all. I'd rather be Betty.

May I have an outside line, please?

It's such a lazy summer night

There's not a moving thing inside

Hiya, Benny. Gee, it's good to see you. Here we are.

How are you, pal? Better late than never, pal. We've been waiting for you.

are you playing? Helen, how are you?

Say, where have you been? Jack's over there and he's doing a slow burn.

He burns awfully easy.

Hiya, Max.

Vivian. Hiya, Max.

Tommy.

I see you finally got here.

What took you so long?

I'm sorry. We were delayed at the office.

Oh, just a few days. How big is Andy Jr. now?

Well, he's so big I'm cutting his clothes down to fit me.

Hey, come on, folks.

There's a lot of good music on the way.

Let's go.

Oh, you're driving a real tough party.

All the way.

You haven't changed.

Andy, I want you to meet Jack Bailey. He's the athletic director at Carvel

How do you do, Jack?

How do you do?

Glad to know you.

I'm, uh...

terribly sorry that I kept Betty so late.

I'm sure she didn't mind.

Hello, Betty.

Andy. Hello, Sally.

How wonderful to see you again.

Thank you. Jack.

Uh, Andy, may I see you for a moment?

Will you excuse us, please? Sure.

Excuse us. Yeah.

Beezy, why don't you start the refreshment?

Well, I must say you weren't the most charming person in the world.

You know I don't like last -minute changes.

I said I was sorry. Would it help any if I cry?

Would it upset you to dance with me?

Okay.

Your enthusiasm is contagious.

Look, what's so important you couldn't wait until tomorrow?

Well, it's confidential.

Well, I hope I'm not intruding.

Oh, Jack, stop it. You act as if something were wrong. What is there?

Look, I've got to tell you, he's in the strictest of confidence.

And he's here to buy some property for the Gordon Aircraft Corporation.

Well, he thought he had a deal set up with Tom Chandler.

And the whole thing fell through. So it worked out great for my mother -in -law.

And it worked out great for my father.

He's a good...

Say, Andy, you've been dragging ever since you came to the party.

Sorry, Busy, I didn't know it showed.

Well, what's the matter?

Oh, I just got a few things on my mind, that's all.

Well, you want to talk about it? Oh, no, I don't want to bother you with my

problems. Well, wait a minute, I'm your buddy. Well, I know, but you probably

got things on your mind, too. What are buddies for?

You can talk to me.

What's bothering you?

Well, you know, I work for the Gordon Aircraft Company, right? Right.

Well, yours truly went way out on the limb. I talked to my boss, Mr. Gordon,

the board of directors, and I got them to agree that they should build a plant

here in Carville.

You're going to build a plant here in... Wait a minute.

That's a wonderful idea.

I tried to do business with a fellow called Chandler in town.

Tom Chandler? That's the man. Oh, forget it. Anyway, he reneged on the price

that we set per acre, and now we...

Well, the deal is cold.

And that's your big problem?

Well, it'll do for a start. You can imagine how I look to the company.

How much land do you need for this project?

Oh, at least 20 or 30 acres.

Do you know Puddle Creek, where we used to go swimming?

Puddle Creek? Will I ever forget it? I almost drowned there.

Is that too far out of town for you? Why?

Just answer my question. Is it too far out? No. Why? Well, then your problems

are all over.

How do you figure?

My father left me 80 acres at that creek.

What? It starts there and runs clear right down to the turnpike. You can have

any part of it.

Are you kidding me? I'm not kidding. We can buy property there, Beezy? Any part

of it.

Beezy, do you know what this means, buddy?

Why, it's terrific.

Why, this is just like old times. When can I see the property? Annie, look,

me at noon at the store and we'll drive down and take a look. All right, fine.

That's a date.

Oh, it's like old times. You saving my neck again, huh, B?

Just like old times. Busy to the rescue.

Only this time, Andy, I'm going to drive a hard bargain.

What do you mean, a hard bargain? You know what I mean.

I don't know what you mean. You know what I mean.

What do you mean?

Remember the time you looked after that girl for me, that blonde, when I was on

Christmas vacation?

What blonde are you talking about? You remember the one. Oh, come on. I don't

know what you're talking about. Does the name Cynthia ring a bell?

Cynthia? The one that liked to play kissing games?

That's Cynthia. Yeah.

You charged me a whole month's allowance for that job.

Eight bucks.

Cynthia. Oh, there you are.

Cynthia. I thought, though, you're out here having a good time while I do all

the work.

Cynthia. Honey, you sound just like a wife. Come on out.

Cynthia.

Well, I don't think you're very amusing, Andy.

What else is there to do at a pool except swim?

Well, if you can't think of anything to amuse me.

Okay, okay. Watch me.

need to practically drown me.

I'm sorry.

Come on in. The water's sweat. Oh, my hair will get wet.

Oh, well, can't you dry it?

Really, Andrew, I have an ordinary hair like some girls. Special hair like mine

is a great responsibility, and I never get it wet. Oh, you can't go swimming

because it'll get your hair wet, and you can't play tennis because it'll give

you muscles. Well, there's plenty of other boys who'd be glad of a chance.

don't get mad, Cynthia.

But I don't see why you have to put on a bathing suit to sit around. Can't you

think of something else to do?

Well, we, uh, we could take a walk.

That's not a bad idea. I know just the place.

It's a little longer than a regular way home, but... Whoa!

Well, I finally found something you like to do.

Well, doesn't it interest you?

Well, I'm not exactly doing you any favors.

Would you rather be swimming?

What do you think?

Come on in and join the party. It's for you, you know.

I'm sorry, I'll be right in. Okay.

Vivian, may I get you something? No, thanks, honey. How about you, Murray?

Betty,

may I speak to you for just a second, please?

Would you excuse us just a moment, Jack? Well, uh... Oh,

have I got good news for you.

The Marines have just landed. What do you mean?

Well... The busy boy has come through with 30 beautiful acres. He's got a

Isn't that wonderful?

Oh.

And believe me, Betty, I didn't even know Jack had gone until everybody

to leave.

Honestly, he's getting so he acts like he owns me.

I'm sorry to have to trouble you. Oh, it's no trouble at all, Betty. I don't

mind driving you. Good night. Good night,

Andy. Good night, Sally.

Thanks for a wonderful time. I wish Jane could have come. Well, so do we. All

right. See you tomorrow at noon. Right, right.

Betty, are you sure you don't want to wait for Jack?

No.

This will teach him a lesson.

I found that girls that say, this will teach him a lesson, they usually end up

by going home and crying themselves to sleep.

What are you doing up at this hour? Don't you feel well? Yes, I'm all right,

dear. Just I never can get to sleep till I know my children are home and safe.

I guess when Cricket and Andy are old enough to go out, Jane and I will do the

same thing.

Well, of course you will, dear. That's part of being a mother.

Or a father, too, for that matter.

I remember when you were just a little bit of a thing in your skin and knee.

Come to me to kiss it well.

May not have helped your knee, but it did me an awful lot of good.

Did you have a nice time at the party, dear?

Oh, a swell time.

Like something to eat before you go to bed?

Eat? Oh, no, Mom. I had 12 barbecued ribs, and they're sitting right here.

Well, maybe just a glass of milk and a piece of cake.

Maybe just a little bicarbonate of soda will settle everything for me.

Oh, okay, dear. It's up in the cabinet on the second shelf. Remember when we

always used to keep...

Hello, Mother.

I just had a call from Karen.

She told me that Betty Wilson came to the party with Andy instead of Jack.

Not only that, but Andy took her home.

Well, you know how rumors start.

Now, I just wanted to tell you before somebody else told you a worse story.

All right, Marion.

Goodbye, dear. I'll talk to you later.

I do wish Andy had brought Jane with him.

You see that hill out there?

The property goes way beyond that.

And not only that, you still have the same access to utilities as you did with

Chandler's property. The reason we wanted to buy Chandler's property is

it had a spur on it. Oh, well, don't worry about that. When you build a

here, the railroad would be happy to build a spur.

Well, I... What would you say to $500 an acre?

$500 an acre? That's what I said. Are you kidding me? I was going to have to

Chandler $1 ,500 an acre. You said you were going to drive a hard bargain,

buddy. I own 80 acres out there, Andy.

Can you imagine what that property's gonna be worth once you build a factory?

You're a smart businessman.

Is it a deal? It's a deal. Let's go back to the office. We'll sign the papers

and have some lunch. Good.

Lunch. What's the matter?

I had an Octavian club meeting today. I forgot all about it.

Oh, well, it's too late now. Come on, hop in.

Gentlemen,

let's all sing the Octavian song.

out showing that property of his to Andy Hardy.

Property? I hope Hardy has stopped trying to push that plane factory

Well, now, I don't know. What's this about a plane factory?

I thought you knew, Mr. Mayor. No.

He tried to buy your property, didn't he?

Hardy and I had just about come to terms when he told me what he wanted the land

for.

What's wrong with a factory here in Carville? You know what that would lead

This lovely place would become a typical dingy factory town.

slums, migrant workers, crowded schools, carousing, drunkenness.

We'd have to increase the police force, and that'd be higher taxes.

Absolutely. There'd be smoke and smog and dirt, and all our property values

would go down.

Well, we can't always remain a sleepy little town. Why not?

I like Carville just the way it is, and so does my family.

And it's easy to do.

We just rezone, making all factories illegal in that part of town.

appoint a committee to get a petition to that effect from our citizens. They'd

be glad to sign it.

Somebody will have to have that committee. How about you, Chandler?

People might think I had a personal interest in the matter.

What about you, Bailey?

Oh, well, I don't know.

Do you want your school crowded with dirty, ragged kids with coals and runny

noses? Of course not.

Then you're our man.

You've got a job, Jack.

Maybe I should help.

What do I do?

Well, first you go over to City Hall and get a legal description of the property

to be rezoned.

Speak a little louder. I can't quite hear you.

Oh, well, I didn't say anything.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I thought I heard you apologize for the way you acted at the party.

Oh, well, I'll take that up with you later.

Right now I'm here in sort of official business.

Official business?

Mm -hmm.

I'd like to see the legal description of B .Z. Anderson's property.

Why? Are you going in the real estate business?

No, it's a...

About that airplane plant of Andy's, we had quite a discussion about it at the

Octavian meeting.

But you promised me you'd keep Andy's business a secret.

This concerns the people of Carvel. Why keep it a secret?

Because Andy confided in me, and you betrayed that confidence.

Nevertheless, we're getting our petitions to stop that plant. You can't

Jack. I'm sorry, Betty, but we all feel it's for the good of Carvel.

It's remarkable how your civic pride seems to be closely linked to last

party at Beevy's.

What are you talking about? Just plain old -fashioned jealousy.

It has nothing to do with that.

May I have the maps, please?

There you are, Mr. Bailey.

Betty, Betty, please.

It isn't that I don't trust you, Beattie.

It's just that after you sign this written option, then I can call my boss,

Gordon, and everything... Oh, am I glad I found you two. What's the matter,

Betty? Oh, it's all my fault. If it hadn't been for me, they wouldn't be

up the petition.

Oh, I wish I'd hit Jack over the head with that MacBook. Wait, just a minute.

What are you talking about? Your property, the plan. What about the

the plan? Oh, Andy, it's all my fault.

Well, last night I told Jack, never dreaming he'd say anything.

Now he's getting ready to draw up a petition to stop you from building.

Well, how can he do that? It's my property.

They're going to get the town council to rezone it so you can't build a factory

there.

I'm sorry, Andy.

Oh, that's all right, Betty. It isn't your fault. It's my fault. I should have

spoken to the town council at the start.

Well, there goes the sale of my land right out the window.

Well, don't look now. I think my job just went with it.

Good morning. Would you mind signing this petition for the rezoning of...

bet you life I will.

I'm starting a nice new page here. Yeah? You think we'll make it? It has to go

through.

I'll tell all my friends about it. Good.

Okay, thanks a lot. Good luck to you. Yeah, boy.

Oh, hello. Would you like to sign the petition for the rezoning? You're just

man I'm looking for.

Bring this to my home tonight, and I'll have three more signatures for you.

Well, thank you. I'll do that.

Thank you. Oh, uh, lady.

Good morning, sir. Would you mind signing the petition for the rezoning of

Peter? I certainly will not.

I've been out of work for three months. Now you want me to sign a paper to keep

a new factory from opening again? Yes, sir. This is hard enough to get going.

Yes, sir. Thanks a lot. You leave me alone.

Hello, Mr. Keller. How are you? I do.

Would you like to sign the petition for the rezoning?

Well, I don't know.

Well, I don't know whether you know it or not, but your wife and brother -in

-law signed it this morning. They did?

Well, then maybe I better sign it, too. Be a good idea.

Well, what can we do? Start our own petitions?

No. What we need is a good word -of -mouth campaign.

Now, if you'd make it a point to talk to everyone that comes into your store and

explain to them how this plant will benefit Carbo, we might make some

I'll do what I can.

Let's get together with Hardy and discuss some plan of action.

I sure hope the people of this town have more sense than Chandler thinks they

have.

Hello, Andy.

It's Bees.

Listen, can you meet me over here with Councilman Warren?

Yeah, right away.

Mother.

Thank you.

Mother has millions.

Beesie and Councilman Warren are for me 100%. They're going to put on a campaign

to put my deal over. I told you.

Isn't it wonderful?

You're a hardy, Andrew, and the name of hardy is far from forgotten in this town

of college.

Why don't you two get dressed in your best bib and tucker and I take you

downtown to the hotel and we'll have a big dinner to celebrate. It's expensive.

Expensive? What do I care? I just saved my job. Come on, get ready. Let's go.

Shut this off and let's go. Come on now, ladies.

Sally.

Oh, hi, honey.

I'm sorry I'm late.

Honey, I got tied up at the office with Andy and Councilman Warren. Seems that

there's been some difficulty over the property I'm going to sell Andy and

Yes, I know.

You know?

How'd you find out?

Well, I've had quite a few phone calls.

Feezy, do you know what you're doing?

Well, sure. I'm helping Andy get his factory here in Carville. And you may

be getting yourself out of business.

Everyone that's called has been upset by this whole affair.

Honey, I know that there are a lot of people who are against this thing. But I

also know that this is a great thing for Carville. Why? Because Andy told you

so? No, no. It's just good common sense.

Do you realize you have to live here and do business with the people in this

community? Yes, yes, I do. And I also know that a man has to think of...

of progress, as well as stick up for his friends.

You put your friendship for Andy above the good of your family.

Honey, I didn't say that.

You keep on with this, Bevy, and you may not have a customer left or a friend.

But Andy... But Andy doesn't live here.

His only interest is making a good deal for his company, and then he'll return

to the coast.

But you do live here and have to stay in business.

No, I think you're making too much of the whole thing.

Dear, I know he's your friend.

And I admire you for standing up for him.

But don't you see, it's our future that's at stake.

Andy, I'd cut my right arm off for you. You know that.

But I'm in a spot.

Yeah, I guess you are.

Guess we both are.

I feel like a dog letting you down like this, but... Well, you gotta realize

that I... I realize, I realize.

If I were in your shoes and Jane felt the way that Sally does, I'd probably do

the same thing.

Of course, if... If they don't rezone that property, Andy, I... I understand,

.C.

Well, so long, Andy.

So long.

Mr. Gordon, this whole thing was completely unforeseen. Why didn't you

written option from Chandler?

I tried to.

I thought you told me these people were your friends, you could trust them. They

are my friends.

Now, don't forget this.

The board would never have okayed Carville if it hadn't been for that pep

you poured into their helpless ears.

I know.

I know this, too.

If you're not successful, you're going to put me in the position of having to

stand up before that same board and apologize for having recommended putting

this matter in your hands.

Goodbye, Hardy.

Goodbye, Mr. Gordon.

Bad news, dear?

Oh, it'll be all right, Mom.

I just may have to stay here longer than I expected.

Oh, my honey, that's wonderful.

How long?

Maybe a couple of weeks.

Andrew, why not have Jane and the children come for a visit?

That's a wonderful idea, ma 'am.

Hello, long distance.

I want Santa Monica, California.

Andy, Cricky!

Daddy! Daddy! Daddy, we're here!

Daddy! Daddy!

Don't run too fast now.

Daddy! Hi, Andy, Cricky.

How are you?

You look pretty. Hello, darling.

Oh, God, did I miss you.

Daddy, can I have some bubble gum? Me too.

All right, bubble gum coming up. Here you go. There you go, Cricky. Here you

Andy. Darling, you sounded strange on the phone. Is anything wrong? I'll tell

you all about it on the way home in the car.

Daddy, we have a grand time to play.

Oh, good.

So, Jane, it looks like I've made a pretty serious mistake.

Petitions are coming in daily.

Well, that's about the size of it.

Dad, what's petitions mean?

Andrew, remember what I told you about talking with your mouth full?

Don't let it bother you, Andy.

You did what you thought was right, didn't you?

I wish Mr. Gordon felt the same way. Come on.

I hope the children don't wear Jim out.

Oh, no, dear. He loves it.

Well, folks, it looks like I'm the only one that ever read his own obituary.

Obituary? Set a trail on the front page. Listen.

Does industry mean progress for Carville? The responsible citizen can

this question for himself.

In fact, hundreds of them are doing it every day. They are signing petitions.

Petitions that the city council can't ignore.

Jane, give me a kiss. I got a reason.

You didn't have to have a reason. Yes, I did. Why?

Well, I was 99 % sure, honey, of what I was going to do, and the kiss just made

it unanimous.

Unanimous about what? About what I'm going to do.

Well, what are you going to do?

I'm going to fight. I'm going to fight back.

I just came from a room where I used to take all of my problems.

My father once told me that it's no disgrace to lose. The disgrace is not

fighting for what you believe in.

That's what I'm going to do. I'm going to fight back.

Tomorrow it's going to read like a court case. The city of Carville versus

Andrew Hardy.

Jim, would you go up in about an hour and make sure the children are covered?

I'll take care of everything. Thank you, dear. Jim, be sure and watch the

children. We'll do. Good night, Jim.

Jim, if you need us for anything, we'll be at the council hall.

Oh,

hi,

gang. I was just going to call. We thought we'd make time, ma 'am. We came

the back door as soon as we saw your family leave.

Well, keep it down. The kids are asleep upstairs.

Let's... Let's go in the living room.

Hey, how about those records your Uncle Andy got?

He's got some of the craziest stuff you ever heard. Come on, I'll show you.

Boy, those look like museum pieces. Oh, where do you hear some of the bands?

Here's Orrin Tucker.

Who?

Blue Baron.

Hey, guys, dig this.

Ozzie Nelson with a band.

Get this.

Chet Fields.

This I gotta hear.

Oh, wow. I don't believe it. And my mother complains about Jimmy Rogers.

I can't stand it.

Take it off, Jim. Here, I got some real records.

How could they have listened to that stuff?

I guess I just don't dig older people.

What are you two doing downstairs?

Will you please turn the bat down? Some of us are trying to sleep.

I just don't know where all the people get their energy.

The chair

will

now recognize anyone wishing to speak on this matter. You start.

Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Fitzgerald.

Mr. Chairman, members of the council, citizens of Carville.

I'd like to bring up a few points that I think are pertinent to the subject

under discussion.

Now, the first point is that in all of its history, and the eighth and final

point is that the beautiful city of Carville doesn't need manufacturing of

kind. Therefore, I feel that we should... Thank you very much, Mr.

Fitzgerald.

Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Hughes?

A factory always brings with it a lot of undesirable people, such as transients

and floaters and the like. The broken windows from sonic booms and factory

noises keeping us from sleeping all night.

But that won't bother Andy Hardy.

His home is 2 ,000 miles away.

I say no.

I say no.

And I say no.

Mr. Chairman, I think the best evidence of Carville's sentiments in this matter

are contained in these signed petitions, which I submit to... Mr. Mayor.

Mr. Harding.

This isn't a court of law, but we have a very fine custom in America that the

accused, if he chooses, may be heard in his own behalf.

I feel like I'm the accused, so I respectfully would like to be heard.

I think that's fair, Mr. Mayor.

I see no objection.

Go right ahead, Mr. Harding.

Mr. Mayor, members of the council, citizens of Carville.

Tonight I've been accused of being a stranger.

Someone who lives at the other end of the world.

Well, I'm no stranger.

I was born, went to school, and was brought up here in Carville.

I learned many things here, and all of them were good.

But there's one thing I'd never learned, and that was to lie. Not one bit.

Now, the Gordon Aircraft Company wants to take a piece of undeveloped property

south of town and to build a beautiful modern building on it.

A building that any community would be proud to have. A building that would

provide jobs for two or three hundred people.

Maybe you'd like to see what kind of people would be employed at this plant.

All right.

Look around.

Now, it doesn't make any difference to the Gordon Aircraft Company whether they

build a plant here or a thousand miles from here, but it does to me because I

love carving.

And I want to see it grow.

If you want to know some of the benefits from the Gordon Aircraft Company, they

would be in the payrolls to be spent in our local stores. And the taxes would go

for improving roads and new schools and other things too numerous to mention.

I had an idea that when the plant was... And I didn't even tell my wife or any

other member of my family, for that matter, that when the plant was

was going to ask my boss, Mr. Gordon, if I could come back here to Carville and

live and work here so that my children might experience some of the childhood

happiness that I had known.

I wanted to come home.

I said a...

A little while ago that I was no stranger.

I was wrong. I am a stranger.

I'm a stranger to this new thinking that any one of the Hardys would do anything

to hurt the town of Carville.

Well, I guess that's that.

Jane, I guess we'd better pack. We'll be leaving for L .A. tomorrow.

Oh, Andrew, isn't there something you can do?

I wish there was something I could do, Mother.

Funny, I never thought I'd live to see the day that I'd be happy to be leaving

my own hometown.

Oh, you don't mean that, do you?

What did I do to make them hate me?

Oh, darling, they don't hate you?

Well, they gave a pretty good imitation of it.

People that I've known all my life, people I grew up with, went to school

standing up there talking about me, looking at me as though they wanted to

and feather me.

I guess I just don't belong here anymore. Oh, don't.

Don't say that. Mother, don't.

Don't be upset.

You know I love Carver.

I guess I always were way down deep inside. You know that.

That was a carvel I knew as a boy.

Why do things have to change?

Jane, I'll be up in a minute.

Come in.

Dad?

Andrew, isn't it a little bit past your bedtime?

Dad, I want to have a man -to -man talk.

Well, son, can't it wait until tomorrow?

No, sir, I couldn't sleep. That's the reason.

All right, close the door and come in.

All right, Andrew.

Now, what's your problem?

I'm all mixed up. Everything I'm going to do is going to be wrong.

What do you mean?

Well, if I tell you the truth, you won't give me this week's allowance.

And if I tell you a lie, you won't give me this week's allowance.

So what am I going to do?

Andrew, it sounds like you've got quite a problem there.

Suppose you tell me just what the whole thing is about.

Well, this afternoon I got into a fight and I tore my gray pant.

And if Mom finds out, she's going to wonder what happened.

Andrew, you shouldn't fight with other boys.

But you told me a half a dozen times to stand up for something I believed in.

I know I did.

Well?

Well, what was it you believed in?

You.

You see, this kid, this boy, he was calling you a

lot of names.

He told me that his father said you were trying to put something over on the

people of Carmel.

So I hit him and I tore my gray pants.

Andy, I'm very proud of you.

I'm glad that you stood up for him.

I appreciate it.

But, son, when you fought with this boy and you tore your pants, did you

convince this other boy that what he said about me was wrong?

No.

I don't think so.

Well, then it was just a good fight wasted.

You see what I'm trying to tell you?

No.

I think so.

I hit him, he hit me, we rolled on the ground, and it was all over.

I couldn't convince he was right, and he couldn't convince I was right.

You're right. It was just a good fight wasted.

Let's go to bed, Andrew.

Tell me, what was the name of this boy you had to fight with?

I think his name was Chandler.

Mother Hardy.

Oh, dear.

Thank you for everything.

It's a shame things worked out the way they did.

Jane, dear.

Come and sit down. I want to talk to you.

Jane, dear.

I'm not going to tell you not to worry.

You wouldn't be human if you didn't.

Besides, you wouldn't love my Andrew if you didn't.

But this isn't the end of the world, believe me.

Tomorrow morning he'll come around just the same.

And you'll wake up with an adoring husband and two wonderful children.

If nobody ever builds a factory here, anywhere in the world.

You know, I was married to Andrew's father for 29 years.

We had $39 after we paid the minister.

He had $35 and I had $4.

But it was the beginning of a more wonderful marriage than anybody's ever

written a book about.

And your Andrew has his father's blood.

And Jane, it's mighty fine blood.

Blood that rises above one little disappointment like this.

Two or... Ten, for that matter.

Besides, he's my son, too, you know.

And you're wonderful.

Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be? My goodness, my son's got nothing to lose.

Any help or anything else he wants, he'll get from you, Jane.

That's part of your job, you know, dear.

All along with the cooking and the cleaning.

Bless your heart.

Mother, Jane, we're ready to go.

Chin up.

Jim, have you got everything in the car, all the bags? Yes, Aunt Annie. And my

briefcase? That too. Good.

You're all set, aren't you, huh? You too, Marion?

Andrew. Yes, Mother. Before you leave, I want to give you something your father

prized very highly.

Thanks, Mother.

He always said if he ever needed an extra second or two to collect his

just a glance at that watch did the trick.

To Judge James K. Hardy for his many loyal years of service from his friends,

the citizens of Carville.

Can I see outside a minute?

Well, we're just about to leave for the airport.

This will only take a minute.

All right.

Excuse me.

What's on your mind, B .T.?

What

is this?

Well, Andy, we... I don't know how to tell you, and... Well, none of us do for

that matter, so we asked Mayor Benson to come over and tell you for us.

Andrew, last night you made us all realize something.

You made us realize that this is your hometown, too.

Most of us had forgotten that.

We'd also forgotten that what your father stood for, you stand for.

We realize now if the Gordon Aircraft Company comes here, this little town of

ours can grow and prosper as your father hoped that it would and you know that

it will.

Last night, after your speech, that rezoning bill was defeated unanimously.

We want the plant here. We need it and welcome it.

Mr.

Mayor, thank you very much for taking the trouble to come over like this on

behalf of the... Gosh, I wish I could find something clever to say.

Folks, we did what we came for. Let's go home.

So long, Andy.

So long, Beezy.

See you later, Andy. Bye, Sally.

Andy, I've been wrong about a lot of things.

Thanks, Jack.

Thank you.

Bye, Andy. Bye, Betty.

Well, Mr. Mayor, this is certainly... I have something more to talk to you

about. Could we go to your father's study?

I think that's the proper place for what I have to say.

I'd like you to hear this too, Mrs. Hardy.

Well, yes, Mr. Mayor, come in.

Thank you.

of your father, Andy. Yes, it is.

After he passed away, Judge Potter was appointed in his place, but he's been

moved up to the Court of Appeals now, so naturally that leaves a vacancy here.

Well, last night the counsel and I discussed the matter, who'd be best

to fill the post, and it seems we're all agreed that what Carville needs is

another Judge Hardy.

Andrew, would you accept the appointment?

All right, a judge.

You.

Oh, Mr. Mayor.

I'm just a lawyer, Mr. Mayor.

I don't expect you to make up your mind immediately. Take your time. Think it

over.

Well, I certainly appreciate the great honor that you've bestowed upon Jane and

myself.

I don't know how to express my gratitude.

That's all right, Andrew.

Talk it over with your wife here.

It'll mean a big change in her life.

Well, in all your lives.

Mayor Benson, the reason that I hesitate to answer is... Well, Mr.

Gordon... He says he hates to lose you, but you should most certainly accept.

You talked... I talked to him on the telephone.

Let me know your decision.

Me a judge, Jane, it's... It's ridiculous.

Perfectly ridiculous.

You mean we'd have to sell our house?

We just got it paid for.

There are men much better qualified, Jane, than I am for this position.

Much better.

What would you do, Jane, if I told you that I was going to accept?

I'd say I knew right from the start, Your Honor.

You may now be seated.

Let's have order and no talking.

That looks real cool.

Jackson versus Ackerman.