Original subtitles

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[LION ROARING]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[ENGINE REVVING]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[ENGINE REVVING]

[COUGHING]

May I give you a lift, sir?

Thank you, no.

I have an appointment. A lady and gentleman.

Oh, I'm sorry I..

[COUGHING]

I thought you signaled me.

No.

Not yet.

[ENGINE REVVING]

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

[ENGINE REVVING]

- Care for a lift? - Thank you.

Why, welcome, sir. I'm afraid we're not going very far.

- I know. - What's that?

You will take me as far as you are going.

That will be far enough.

[DOOR SHUTS]

[ENGINE REVVING]

[INTENSE MUSIC]

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[CRASHING]

[SIREN WAILING]

It was a doctor's car. See the green cross?

Two people. A man and his wife, I guess.

- Both killed, eh? - Anybody see it?

Yeah, two people were killed, a man and a woman.

Oh.

[CHOIR SINGING]

Oh, dear.

Yes. Yes, I'll go right over.

Ms. Riffle, sit down a moment. Here.

Oh, this is shocking news. I am sincerely sorry.

Can I get something for you? A glass of water?

Susan, my only sister.

I don't know what I'll do without her.

Why, only yesterday she promised me a trip to California.

I've been planning.

[SOBBING] And now..

[SOBBING]

- I must go. - Yes, yes. Just a moment.

[SOBBING]

[SINGING CONTINUES]

[DEMETRIA SOBBING]

Charlie, Ms. Riffle has had some sad news.

Would you get my car and drive her over to Dr. Northrup's home?

Oh, yes, yes, surely.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[CHUCKLES] They tickle.

Eh, don't strangle them that way

son, they got work to do.

- 'Julian.' - Here, put them in the can.

Think we'll catch a lot of fish today, gramp?

Think we'll catch a whole lot of fish?

Well, I guess not, son.

Think we'll catch a whale, gramp?

Well, you can't never tell.

You wouldn't be afraid of a whale, would you, gramp?

You're darn right, I wouldn't.

Not even a great big giant whale?

Well, I never run away from one yet.

Don't never touch this stuff, son.

- Give me some? - No, no. Come on.

- Let's get going. - 'Julian.'

- Just a little taste? - No, you wouldn't like it.

What do you drink it for, gramp?

Oh, on account of my chest.

- 'Julian.' - Well, because I, uh..

Oh, because your granny is yelling for us

to come and take out that smelly dog.

But I like the way Betty smells.

Well, you're welcome to her, son.

When you two get together, you're as deaf as a post.

Whoa, was you calling us, Ms. Nellie? I didn't hear you.

Oh, look at you now, tracking mud all over the place.

Pud, take that filthy thing off the table.

- They're only worms, grandma. - Oh! Put it on the porch.

My goodness, take it away.

♪ Aunt Demetria is a pismire ♪

♪ Aunt Demetria is a pismire Aunt De ♪♪

Say, Pud, you mustn't use that word about your Aunt Demetria.

You said she was a pismire.

Oh, that boy is getting to be the limit.

First thing you know, you'll be teaching him

how to smoke, I suppose

and then drink, and goodness knows what all.

Well, there'll be plenty of time for the what all, old lady.

- Oh, Julian. - Oh, Ms. Nellie.

Here, put those in your pocket.

- Hey, thanks, dear. - He mimics everything you do.

[CHUCKLES]

- Julian. - Yeah?

[CLEARS THROAT] What is a pismire?

A pismire is the meanest ant there is.

And Aunt Demetria is a pismire.

She's a good right-minded woman.

And I won't hear a word against her.

And don't follow me, 'cause I say she's a pismire.

She's no such thing.

She's a narrow-minded, troublemaking

blue-nosed old pismire, and you...

She's a decent self-respecting woman, and..

- Uh.. - Ooh. Oh, dear.

I've got that gas start again.

Every time I get excited, it starts.

Well, then, don't get excited then.

I'll take the worm, shall I, gramp? Shall I take the worms?

- Gramps? - That's right, sonny.

- Here are some cookies. - Heh-heh.

Thank you, Ms. Nellie.

Heh.

- Bye, old lady. - Now go off.

- Bye, grandma. - Bye, Pud.

We're going to catch a whale.

- Darn right we are. - Pud!

[ENGINE REVVING]

I do believe that's Aunt Demetria.

Well, talk of the..

Wonder what that old sour bug wants.

[CAR DOOR OPENS]

[CAR DOOR SHUTS]

Hello, Demi.

[SOBBING] I think we better go inside.

I gotta speak to you alone.

Well, well, what is it, Demi? Oh...

Here, Pud, you hold that. I'll be right out in a minute.

Demi, it-it isn't..

Now, old girl, it can't be nothing serious.

Go on. Go on, dear. Go ahead.

Don't be long, gramps. Will you, gramps?

No, no, no, son. No, no no.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[DOOR SHUTS]

Choo-choo, choo-choo, choo-choo.

Ding-dong. Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo.

Ding, ding, ding, ding. Choo-choo, choo-choo, choo-choo.

- Hello, Mr. Wentworth. - Hello, Pud.

If you wanna see my dad, he's not here.

He went to Gainesville to make a call.

I went to Gainesville once.

- But mom went with dad today. - Yes, Pud.

I'm gonna be a doctor when I grow up.

You bet you are. You're gonna be as good a doctor as your daddy.

Maybe better. Choo-choo, choo-choo.

Here comes Casey Jones and his express!

Get out of the way!

Whoo, whoo-whoo, whoo-whoo!

Oh, really, Mr. Northrup, this is too generous. I..

Well, I don't know what to say.

That's perfectly alright, sir.

It's a real pleasure. It's just what my son would've wished.

That was a grand ceremony you gave for Jim and his wife.

It did me good to hear all the fine things you said about him.

And I thank you kindly.

And how, uh, how is Mrs. Northrup?

Oh, if you could manage to stop by now and again

it'll be a real comfort to her.

I'll be glad to, I've noticed that the Northrup pew

is rather empty these days.

Grandpa and me always run and hide

when grandma calls us to go to church.

- Don't we, gramp? - Heh-heh.

Why, now, young man, wouldn't you like your grandpa

to bring you along some Sunday?

Sure. I wanna hear you talk.

Oh, you do?

Gramp says you talk like an old woman.

[CHUCKLES]

Well, now, young man, you don't lend me much socially.

[CHUCKLES] I think it's high time for us to crawl into a hole.

[CHUCKLES] Good afternoon, sir.

- Good afternoon, Mr. Northrup. - Bye, Mr. Murdock.

Well, son, that's a good deed done, if I do say so myself.

- Did you do a good deed, gramp? - Yup.

I gave a mite more than was expected.

If you do a good deed, you can make a wish and it'll come true.

- Is that so? - That's what my storybook says.

Well, must be so then.

So make a wish, gramp. Make a wish.

Well, I will, son, as soon as I can think up a good one.

Would a giant hit his head on that telephone wire, gramp?

Well, he'd have to duck some.

Can God see through the sky?

- Gramp? - Mm-hmm.

Can he see right through our house?

Right you are, son.

Gramp, where do people go when they die?

[CHUCKLES] Where the woodbine twineth.

Grandfather, are you gonna die?

[CHUCKLES] Not yet a while, son.

- Are you sure? - Don't you be afraid, Pud.

I'll be with you quite a while yet. I feel spry as a cricket.

Oh, I love you, grandpa.

I think I love you best of anybody in the world.

[CHUCKLES] God bless you, son.

That means a lot to me, Pud. Heh-heh. Thank you.

[CHUCKLES]

Oh. Look who's coming.

[ENGINE REVVING]

Let's sneak into Schroder's and get an ice-cream soda.

[THINKING] Hm! Those two.

Thought I didn't see them sneaking into Schroder's.

Pud, of all the nasty ill-bred little brats in Chatfield.

That's Julian's work for you.

- Hello, Ms. Riffle. - Hi.

You look as though you're listening

to the singing of the angel.

I was thinking, Mr. Wentworth.

I've got little Pud on my mind.

Say, hear his dad left him a pot of money.

Jim must have collected some fancy fees for his operations.

He left a lot of insurance, too.

- Heavenly day! - Good thing for the boy.

I was worried about that child.

I always thought Jim spent every nickel he made.

- He was so generous. - Going my way?

I got my little bus at the corner.

No, I, I think I'll run over and visit Grandma Northrup.

- Poor soul. - Well, so long.

See you Friday.

Oh, Demi, I'm tired.

- So tired. - Oh, Nellie.

If it wasn't for Julian and Pud

I declare, I'd give up.

Demi, sometimes I think you're the person to see to it

that Pud gets the right bringing up when I've passed on.

Me?

And then again I think Julian wouldn't know

how to live without that boy.

Well, Nellie, I've thought about it.

But I couldn't afford to give Pud

the things he's been used to.

I mean, unless Jim left a will

or somethin' like that.

Well, he did, Demi. He left a will.

Well, think of that. And how mu..

I mean, is the lamby well taken care of?

Yes, Jim left $55,000.

Fifty-five..

Well, the dear little lamby.

Maybe you're right, Nellie.

Of course, there's no great rush.

Guess I got a few years left in me yet.

Well, I should hope so.

Fifty-five thou.. Bless his little heart.

JULIAN: 'Hey, you darn young, shy Pud.'

[CHUCKLES] Julian never catches him.

Always starts bellowing, so as to give him time to get away.

Nasty brats. Stealing other people's property.

Stop stealing our apples!

Get the tarnation out of that tree, you boy!

You thieving rascal! I'll give you such a tanning!

- He's getting away, gramp! - Hey, you thieving varmint!

Oh, gramps, he got away. He didn't wait!

Come back here! Stealing my golden russets.

By gosh, I swear.

I wish that anybody who'd climb that tree

would have to stay up there until I let him down.

Gramps, you made a wish! You made a wish!

- Huh? - A wish.

You wished that anybody would have to stay up in the tree

until you let him down!

Yeah, a lot of good it'll do me.

Gee, gramps, I bet we catch one of those bad boys up there

and maybe keep them there till 19 years. Maybe for a 100 years.

[CHUCKLES] Well, it'd serve him good and right. Here.

Thanks, gramps. Maybe a thousand years. Gramps..

Maybe we would never let him go, would we, gramps?

No, son. Heh-heh.

Oh. Hello, Demi.

Poor little lamby. Poor little orphan lamb.

What's the matter, is he still thinking

of his poor mama and papa?

Oh, let him alone for heaven's sake.

- Well.. - Let me go.

There, there, lamby. Your Aunt Demetria understands.

You must be a brave boy, boy.

'Mama's gone to a better place above the clouds.'

- Oh, let him alone. - Let me go!

You deny the poor child loving comfort?

With his parents hardly cold in their graves...

Oh, you're the devil with your loving comfort, you..

- Come here, Pud. - I hate you.

- Now you know. - Do you hear me, Pud?

- Come here to me. - Like heck he will.

[SOBBING] Like heck I will.

See? See? You wicked old man.

You wretched sepulcher!

What did you..

Now, by Jupiter, that does it!

You get out of here. Get out of this house!

And if I ever find you here again

you squid-faced old bird-stuffer

I'll wring your blasted neck and dance on it!

You mischief-making old harridan.

- You pismire! - 'oh!'

[DOOR SHUTS]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[PANTING]

[SOBBING]

Oh, that makes me so mad.

That makes me so god-darn mad!

[PANTING]

Oh, Pud, how about getting me

a nice, uh, cold glass of water?

Sure, gramps.

Ah..

[SIGHS]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[SIGHS]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[SIGHS] Hm.

[SIGHS]

Huh? What's that?

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

Mr. Julian Northrup, I believe.

JULIAN: 'What's that? I didn't catch it.'

[CHUCKLES] Now, most people don't hear me the first time.

How the blazes could I hear you if I was asleep?

You sure you were asleep?

Well, I must have drowsed off.

I, I felt kind of tired all of a sudden.

So who are you? What do you want?

I want you to come with me.

Why, where are you going?

Where the woodbine twineth.

Where the woodbi..

Why, I say that. I made it up.

But it's what you say to a child.

- I ain't no child. - Aren't you?

No, I ain't.

- Say, who the devil are you? - You may call me Mr. Brink.

[SIGHS] Well, now look here, Mr. Brink

I don't like you, and I wouldn't go with you to a rat fight.

- So now you know. - I'm sorry.

I don't like the way you snuck up here.

I don't like the way you talk.

There, you see, it's time for you to come with me.

No, it ain't. No, it ain't. I ain't goin' nowhere!

I'm going to stand right here!

I'm waitin' for Pud.

Get the blazes away from here!

Get off of my son's property! Get off of here before...

- 'Julian?' - Huh?

NELLIE: 'Who are you shouting at that way?'

Well, well, I..

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

There was a fella here. I..

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Hm. Well, I'll be dipped in gravy!

[SIGHS]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[CLATTERS]

Gramps, who was that man?

[SIGHS] You seen him?

- Did you, son, huh? - Sure.

He was coming down the walk. Who was he?

I don't rightly know who he was.

What did he want?

He wanted me to go along with him.

Where?

Where the woodbine twineth.

Eh. Here, son.

It's gettin' kinda chilly out here.

I think we better get away from this place.

[WHEELCHAIR RATTLING]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[CHURCH BELLS TOLLING]

♪ Casey Jones mounted to the cabin ♪

♪ Casey Jones with his orders in his hand ♪

♪ Casey Jones mounted to the cabin ♪

♪ And took his farewell trip to the Promised Land ♪

♪ Casey Jones we're gonna reach 'Frisco ♪

♪ We're gonna reach 'Frisco but we'll all be dead ♪♪

[CHUCKLING]

Gee, gramps, we sure caught a heap of fish, didn't we?

[CHUCKLES]

Come here, you big fisher-isher, you.

[SNIFFS]

Smell, gramp.

Mm, just like violets.

We're gonna eat for dinner, gramp.

- Are we, gramp? - Well, well, I don't know, son.

Mostly have chicken and dumplings on a Sunday.

Hey, put him back in the pail!

[CHUCKLES] You're wearin' him all out.

- There's a speed cop, gramp. - Well, you don't say.

- Better slow down. - Reckon I had.

Must be doin' all of 15.

[ENGINE REVVING]

Give him a raspberry, gramp.

[HONKING]

Little old buttercup here is proud and takes her time

but she always delivers where we're going.

Good old buttercup.

Year in and year out, runs like a song.

Loyalty, that's what I call it. Loyalty.

[ENGINE SPUTTERS]

[ENGINE SPUTTERING]

[ORGAN MUSIC]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[STEAM HISSING]

She sure picked a sweet place to stop.

Sure did, gramp.

[SCATTING]

[BLOWS]

[SCATTING]

Ms. Nellie, that was the finest blueberry pie I ever had.

I'm about to finish this fob for Pud.

Looks pretty good, too, if I do say so myself.

Still mad at me, Nellie?

[CHUCKLES] Well, I like to see you best that way.

E-eyes all shining. That's when you look prettiest.

[JULIAN CHUCKLES]

Oh, fiddlesticks!

Julian Northrup, don't you try to soft-soap me.

I was downright ashamed of you this morning. You and that boy.

I don't know which is the dirtiest.

Julian, you're a bad influence on Pud.

- And it's got to be stopped. - Nellie.

Oh, take that silly thing out of your eye. I'm serious.

I've been closing my eyes to the way you've been ruining Pud.

- Oh, Ms. Nellie. - Uh.. Oh, Julian.

You and I can't raise a little boy all by ourselves.

- We're too old. - Oh, sure we can.

Same way we raised Jim.

[SOBBING]

Oh.

Oh, now. There, there, there, Ms. Nellie.

Now, now, now.

I guess you and me can raise one little boy.

Well, he ain't got one of my bad traits.

He's a spittin' image of you and Jim.

Got the same color, blue eyes as you two. Heh.

He's going to be a fine-looking little cod like his granny.

[CHUCKLES] Say, you look mighty smart in that new dress.

Oh, go along, will you?

Oh, now, old lady, don't you go worrying about Pud.

I'll keep on teaching him to curse

and you keep on teaching him not to curse.

And you see, he'll turn out to be pretty good.

We've got to find some other way to raise that boy.

There ain't nobody else going to raise that boy but us!

Julian, I've heard the voice of heaven.

You've heard the voice of Demetria.

No, it wasn't. It was from above.

It was Demetria.

Julian Northrup, I guess I know the difference

between the voice of heaven and the voice of Demetria Riffle.

DEMETRIA: 'Yoo-hoo, Nellie! Anybody home?'

- Eh, talk of the devil. - Julian.

- Come in, Demi. - Ah..

- Now you mind your manners. - Eh.

[DOOR SHUTS]

I had to stop by and see how you were, Nellie

even if I'm not welcome.

I brought you some of those pills from Lawbecks.

He says they're wonderful for settling gas.

Uh, careful what you're taking there.

♪ Aunt Demetria is a pismire ♪

♪ Aunt Demetria is a pismire ♪

♪ Aunt Demetria is.. ♪♪

- Julian. - I never taught him that.

- You're a liar. - 'Maybe I am.'

Now, Pud, you go tell your Aunt Demi you're sorry.

That's alright, Nellie.

I know when words are put into a child's mouth.

And has my little boy-boy a great big kiss

for his Aunt Demi today?

- No. - Now, Pud.

You give Aunt Demi a nice kiss.

She kisses awful wet.

[LAUGHS]

Well, I like that.

Good afternoon, Ms. Riffle.

Here's your medicine, Mrs. Northrup.

Oh, thank you, Marcia. Oh, I feel a little rumbly.

You don't mean to tell me you've got

that Marcia Giles in this house!

Why, yes, she came to help us out.

Well, what? She's a good, straightforward girl.

- Isn't she? - Well?

Guess it ain't any of my business.

What are you driving at anyway?

She's carrying on with that young Bill Lowry, that's what.

- Good. - Kissing, in the park!

Kissing like you never saw.

- Fairly made your blood boil! - Good.

When they carry on like that in public

what must they do when they're alone?

Why, Demi, maybe they just kiss.

Nellie Northrup, are you willing to have

that kind of girl in your house around where Pud is?

Well, of course I'd let her go if I...

What do you mean, "That kind of girl?"

- Why, she's nothing but a co... - You're a blasted liar.

Don't talk to Demi like that, Julian. We don't know it.

I know! I knew she was a nice girl the minute I seen her.

Oh, you.. God, that makes me mad.

- That makes me so cursing mad. - Me, too, gramps.

Stop your swearing, Julian Northrup.

If you listen to one word more

this viper has to say, you're just a plain fool!

Why, Julian, don't you call me a fool. Don't you call me...

I'm disappointed in you, Ms. Nellie.

- I'm disappointed in you. - Oh. Oh..

There now, you've tired yourself all out.

You better rest a spell. Let me help you to your room.

- Yes, I guess I will... - No. Clear out of the way.

- I'll help you, Ms. Nellie. - No, you won't, Julian.

I only want them to help me who know how to help me.

[WHINING]

Blue-nosed old bird-stuffer.

Even makes me fight with Ms. Nellie.

Old pismire.

Can't call me a fool.

Can't say he's disappointed in me.

I don't know how you stand for it, Nellie.

- How is your gas? - Mm. Feels a little quieter.

Are you going to speak to Marcia?

Well, I don't know. If you just saw them kissing..

- Why, Nellie Northrup, don't... - Alright, Demi.

But I sure hate to let her go.

'She needs the money so bad.'

This thing's more important than money, Nellie.

I know. Oh.

'I feel kind of funny.'

[SIGHS]

Julian don't mean all the things he says.

'He's just a rough-spoken man is all.'

Hm.

Good-looking man, too, in his day.

I remember he went to party when the old century went out. Hm.

Handsome as anything.

- 'Everybody was after him.' - Hm.

'He was always a pretty good..'

Uh, Demi, would you go and ask Julian

to step in here for a minute?

Now, Nellie, you're not going to forgive him?

Well, I, I just want to talk to him.

Nellie? Nellie?

Don't you think I should go down to Mr. Pilbeam's office

in the morning and have the papers drawn up

for you to sign about the adoption and all?

Adoption?

You said I was the one to bring Pud up.

Oh, I was just wondering about it, Demi.

- You said it, Nellie. - Now see here, Demi.

I never said a word about you adopting Pud.

You're trying to put words in my mouth.

I don't like the way you're acting, Demi.

Nellie Northrup, you said yourself I should bring Pud up.

Well, if I did, I was wrong.

I can see that now.

Oh, dear.

I better talk with Julian.

There now, don't think about it, Nellie.

You have a nice nap, and I'll come and see you tomorrow.

Don't forget to tell Julian to come in here a minute.

I won't.

There's the boy goin' up that apple tree.

I can just catch him nicely. Nasty little thief.

[DOOR SHUTS]

DEMETRIA: Ha, you good-for-nothing, brat. You come down from that...

- Come on, son! - Want your stick, gramp?

- Yes, yes, yes. - You're a thief.

- Hurry up. - Here it is.

DEMETRIA: Come down here this very minute.

- Hurry, hurry. - I can't.

DEMETRIA: 'Come down, or I'll have the law on you.'

I'll teach you to trespass.

- You'll do what? - There's a boy up there.

I should think you'd thank me for catching a trespasser.

And how was you aimin' to teach him not to trespass?

Why, I'd give him a good sound whipping.

- That's what I'd do. - Oh, you would, huh?

Well, thanks for tellin' me.

And seeing as how there's two trespassers here

I'll start on the one handiest.

- Don't be silly, Julian. - Hit her, gramps!

- Hit her a whopper! - You little brat, you...

Brat, huh? Get off of this property.

- Get off our property! - Alright, Julian Northrup.

Maybe you'll find out whose property this is someday.

You will find out that I can look after my own.

Sometimes the law has something to say.

Go on, get out of here!

Go on, Ms. Pickle Face!

[BOY LAUGHING]

Why don't you come down?

My britches is caught.

Go on, son, unloosen your britches

and come down as fast as you can.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Yes, sir.

My britches is loose now.

Oh, gramps! You shouldn't have told him to get down!

We could've kept him up there a million years.

Come here, sonny. Come here.

Now, the next time you want some apples, don't sneak in the back.

Come right up to the front stoop and ask for 'em.

- Here. Will you do that? - Yes, sir.

I bet you will.

[LAUGHS] I used to like to steal apples.

They tasted better that way.

Now you know, gramps. I can't get down until you let me.

That's right.

Hope you don't keep me up here

too long, gramps.

Well, maybe a week, maybe a hundred years.

All depends on how I feel.

Then I'm coming down, gramps.

Well, I guess I'll go along right now.

I'm coming along.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Gramp, I can't get loose!

JULIAN: 'of course you can't get loose till I tell ya.'

Honest, I can't, gramp!

Well, you can't go breaking my spells that a-way.

Let me down, gramp! Let me down, please! My arm's tired.

- Gramp, let me go. Gramp, gra... - Alright, sonny!

Drop down. Let go. What..

Why, boy, what's the matter with you? What is it?

[SOBBING] I couldn't let go.

- Oh, of course you could. - I couldn't, gramp.

Well, I thought you was only foolin'.

[SOBBING] I was foolin' at first. Then my hands couldn't move.

The tree was holdin' me.

By golly, boy, you give a fellow the creeps.

Doggone if I don't believe

you thought that tree really was holdin' you.

- It was, gramp! It was! - Aw, shucks!

That old apple tree couldn't hold nobody.

Yes, it could, gramp. You wished it could.

[SOBBING] Gramp, I hurt my hand.

- I want a heap of tape. - Well, come on, sonny boy.

We'll get some tape. Come on.

Adhesive tape will fix up most anything.

[SOBBING]

Hey, Marcia, hey, slip into the bathroom

for a piece of sticking plaster like a good girl, will you?

- This young man's wounded. - Aw..

- And some Curochrome, too. - What you doin'?

I'm fixin' a cup of tea for Mrs. Northrup.

Good! We'll bring it in to her.

We're in Dutch again, Marcie. Got to make our peace.

Alright, Mr. Northrup. The water will be ready in a minute.

Hey, Marcie, what in blazes do you mean

by kissin' men in the park?

- What? - Don't you know?

It's a sin to kiss men in the park.

Next time, bring him up here and kiss him.

Oh, Mr. Northrup, it's Bill Lowry.

- We've been engaged all summer. - That's fine.

It's time this house had some kissin' in it.

How the heck's young Pud here

goin' to learn anything about kissin'

if he don't never see none of it?

Oh.

["JEANIE WITH THE LIGHT BROWN HAIR" ON RADIO]

NELLIE: 'Is that you, Marcie?'

Yes, Mrs. Northrup.

Is anything wrong?

No, there's nothing wrong.

I'm just kind of tired. Gonna go to sleep in a minute.

Alright, see, there is something

I was supposed to talk to you about.

What was it?

Oh, well, I've forgotten.

Couldn't have been very important.

Marcie.

Yes, Mrs. Northrup?

Marcie dear

just see that Julian always has his pipe.

Will you do that?

Yes, Mrs. Northrup.

You're a good girl, Marcie.

Now go on back to whatever you were doing.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Shall I turn off the radio, Mrs. Northrup?

No, dear. They're playing Stephen Foster's tunes.

I'm hoping they'll play "Beautiful Dreamer."

That's my favorite.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[DOOR SHUTS]

[WHINING]

Is that you, Julian?

BRINK: 'No, not Julian.'

Who is it?

It's Mr. Brink.

You seem rather tired.

- I am kind of tired, Mr. Brink. - Yes, I know.

Well, you ought to come with me now.

Come with you?

Brink? I don't know any..

See here, what call have you

to come buttin' in to a lady's bedroom?

I usually come to bedrooms.

It's so much more comfortable.

- What is? - To come with me.

Why.. Oh, why should I even want to go with you?

It's customary.

Oh.

Well, you might as well sit down and wait.

You needn't think I'll stir a step until I finish this mitten.

I'm narrowing off at the top now.

Yes, I know you are.

[CHUCKLING] What do you know about knittin'?

I don't mean the mitten. I mean you.

NELLIE: 'What a fool thing to say.'

You ready?

Oh, wait.

[SIGHS]

Just a minute.

I'm almost finished now.

There.

That's about it.

[SIGHS]

Don't the red stripe look well with the gray?

Excellent, my dear. Excellent!

Come now.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[DOG WHINING]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

PUD: 'Knock again, gramps.'

JULIAN: 'Shh!'

'Ms. Nellie, we brought you a cup of tea.'

'Heh-heh. Still mad at me, Nellie?'

[RATTLING]

[SIGHS]

[SNIFFS]

- Gramp. - Hm?

[SNIFFING] This frog's getting kind of old.

Yeah. He does smell kind of rich.

He's a very fine specimen, though.

Yeah. Well, we'll get another one, sonny.

- Gramp. - Huh?

I'll throw this smelly frog where it won't bother us.

Yes. That's fine, sonny. That's fine.

[DOG WHINING]

No, no, Betty. That ain't her.

MARCIA: 'Mr. Northrup, lunch is nearly ready.'

Oh, thank you kindly, Marcie. I don't feel very hungry.

Oh, Mr. Northrup, you haven't eaten a good meal for a week.

And when don't you eat, Pud hardly eats a mouthful either.

That's just what she said.

- "He mimics everything you do." - He does!

Oh, Marcie, if I'd only got there in time.

Oh, don't take it so hard, Mr. Northrup.

Uh..

She died, and didn't forgive me.

Oh, but she did, Mr. Northrup.

Why, she would've forgiven you anything.

Oh, I almost forgot.

The frog won't smell anymore, gramp.

Well, that's good, Pud.

- Uh, lunch is about ready. - I'm not hungry.

Well, hungry or not, you got to eat to keep up your strength.

Hm. It's only me and you left, Pud.

Only you and me.

- We got to hang together. - You're darn tootin'!

Oh, now, don't cuss, Pud. Your granny didn't like it.

Uh..

Let's you and me turn over a new leaf, Pud.

What for?

Well, so as your Aunt Demi

won't keep on sayin' I ain't good for you.

Oh, we'll kill her! We'll kill her!

And we'll put her in the ground

and we'll throw dirt on top of her.

Oh, hush, Pud, hush.

Here's your pipe, Mr. Northrup. I filled it for ya.

- My pipe, Marcie? - Hm.

Oh, no, I don't think I can smoke. Huh.

In fact, I ain't smokin' no more.

Ms. Nellie didn't like it.

Oh, but she did, Mr. Northrup. I know she did.

Nope. She thought it was a dirty habit.

She told me I was always to keep your pipe filled.

[SIGHS] Huh..

Ms. Nellie told..

When?

Just before she died.

She caught hold of my hand and she said..

N-now wait, I'll remember her exact words.

She said, "Marcie

see that Julian always has his pipe."

[GASPS] Now look here, Marcie.

You ain't tellin' me that just to make me feel good?

Oh, no, Mr. Northrup. I couldn't do that.

Give me that pipe, Marcie.

Uh, it's just like Ms. Nellie was handin' it to me herself.

Hm.

[INHALES]

[BLOWS]

Does it taste good, gramp?

Better than anything I ever knew.

[CHUCKLES] What have we got for lunch, Marcie?

- I could eat an ox. - I could eat two oxes.

Right away, Mr. Northrup.

Oh, yes, that, uh, Ms. Riffle phoned again.

She keeps asking about your health.

She does, does she? God-darned old buzzard.

She's just waitin' for me to die.

Confound it, Marcie! I've been asleep at the switch.

We're going to eat a whackin' big lunch.

And then I'm goin' downtown. I got some business to attend to.

Hurry up and get through lunch as fast as you can, Marcie.

Alright, Mr. Northrup.

I gotta put a clean rig on this young fellow.

Gee, gramps. We feel better, don't we?

[CHUCKLES] We sure do, son! We sure do!

Hello, Finn!

- Hello, Mr. Pilbeam. - Hello, Pud. Have a seat.

This is Bill Lowry, my assistant.

Mr. Northrup, Master Northrup.

Oh, you're Marcie Giles' young man.

- How do you do? - You're Bill the kisser!

Hey, young man, I got a brand-new hammock on my porch.

- It is goin' plumb to waste. - Thank you. Thank you.

[ALL CHUCKLING]

Say, Finn, I've been figurin' on makin' some provision

for his nibs here after I am gone.

You know, a guardian for him and his money

so that sanctimonious old she-cat

can't get her hands on it.

I aim to leave my bit to Marcia Giles

'so she can't grab that.'

I see.

Well, as to a guardian

Julian, what you should worry about is not the future

but the present.

The present? Why, I ain't dead yet.

To be plain, Ms. Riffle threatens

to remove the boy from your charge..

Demetria?

PILBEAM: 'To adopt him legally. Now.'

What? What's that?

On grounds that you're not a suitable guardian for a child.

Your religious qualifications, or the lack of them.

Oh, well, maybe we can do somethin' about that.

PILBEAM: 'Best to face facts.'

She's got some pretty strong arguments

to present to a court.

Perhaps you could make some concession.

Well, don't you bother about it, Pilbeam.

I didn't make no concession at Bull Run when I was too young.

And I didn't make none at San Juan Hill.

They said I was too old then.

So I'll be hanged if I'm going to make any now

to any frostbitten, backstabbin'...

- Pismire. - Pismire like Demetria Riffle.

Thank you, boy. I ain't through fightin' yet, Finn.

I'll show this town there ain't nobody can take

what belongs to me away from me.

Give me my hat, boy.

Come on. Let's get..

[CLANKING]

[BELLS TOLLING]

I feel awful funny, gramp.

You got nothin' on me, boy.

This hurts me more than it does you, Pud.

Marcia!

Well, come on, girl. Tell us your worst.

Oh, uh, I'm so sorry, gentlemen

but the Northrups aren't at home just now.

Is that so?

They've gone to church, where all the best people go.

Indeed.

Well, when they come back

will you please tell 'em we was here

and left our visitin' cards?

Good day, ma'am.

Good day, gentlemen.

[DOOR OPENS]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Oh! Gosh, it's hot.

- It sure is. Hot as... - Ah-ah-ah-ah!

At ease, son. At ease.

Golly, this collar is chokin' me to death.

[CHUCKLES]

[SIGHS] Well, we better get started.

Wish it was downhill all the way.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

- What's the matter, gramp? - Oh..

What is it, gramp? What's the matter?

Nothin', son. Just run inside.

And in the pocket of my old coat you'll find a bottle.

- The camel, gramp? - Yeah, my tonic.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Uh..

Ah.

[EXHALES SHARPLY]

[PANTING]

BRINK: 'Mr. Northrup.'

[SOMBER MUSIC]

Huh?

It's you again.

[GASPS]

Can't I shut my eyes without you buttin' in?

What do you want here, anyway?

I thought, perhaps

that now you would like to come with me.

Now look here, Mr. Brink, I ain't goin' with you at all!

I'm going to church with this young fellow here.

And you're about as welcome as a fly on a currant bun!

'So now you know.'

Your similitudes are a trifle earthy.

But your meaning is clear.

Similitude! What kind of talk is that?

Sure, what kind of talk is it?

You can't talk. We're snakes.

Go on, get away from here. Get off of my property!

Let's not be difficult about it.

Your wife was so charming to me.

Ms. Nellie?

I-is she well?

I can only tell you that she has changed.

Ms. Nellie, changed? Ha-ha! That's what you think.

My dear man, let's not argue the point.

This time you can't fight me away.

- Come now. - I can't.

- It's time. Come... - No, no!

Now you go on. Git.

I got to stay and look after my boy.

I got to go to church.

It's so easy, it's so pleasant.

- Look at me. - No, no, I can't. I won't!

[THUDS]

Now.

No, no. Not, not yet, Mr. Brink.

Not yet. Please!

[APPLE CLATTERS]

- Gramp! - Shh, boy.

Mr. Brink..

Before I go

could I have one of my golden russets?

I hate to leave 'em when they're spoilin' to be ate.

Oh, very well, but be quick. I have many appointments.

[GASPS] I wonder if you'd kindly get one for me?

They are out of my reach.

Curious request. But why not?

[GASPS]

This one?

Huh. They're riper over there.

This one?

Neither! I don't want none of 'em!

I got you up that tree and I'm going to keep you there

till I say you can come down.

[WIND HOWLING]

[LEAVES RUSTLING]

[CLATTERING]

You got him, gramps! You got him!

By golly, son, I believe I have!

♪ Time dis mornin' like he gwine to leab ♪

Oh. Now..

Mr. Northrup says they're celebrating something.

It's a secret, and they won't tell me.

Secret, eh? Sounds like a big occasion.

You should've seen the supper that they got away with.

Everything Mr. Northrup isn't supposed to eat.

Steak and mushrooms and cucumber salad.

Creamed onions and pickled beets.

And now this. Oh.

♪ He seen a smoke way up de ribber ♪

♪ Where the Linkum gumboats lay ♪♪

- Ice cream! - Oh, boy! Mm.

Uh, what are Lincoln gunboats, gramp?

They was the boats that fought for Mr. Lincoln.

He was the headman on our side during the war.

Yes, sir. He was the greatest man this country ever had.

Talk about it, gramp.

Oh, go along, will you? You know all about that.

Wait. What's that?

[DOG BARKING]

By golly, Betty's after Mr. Brink!

Come on, son!

JULIAN: Come here, Betty. Betty! Come here, Betty.

- 'Good girl. Come here, Betty.' - 'Come, Betty. Come, Betty.

- 'Come on, Betty.' - Betty, come here.

- 'Come on, Betty.' - Betty. Come here, Betty.

- Betty, Betty, Betty, Betty. - Here, Betty! Here, Betty!

Betty, come here.

[DOG BARKING]

Oh! This is the crowning indignity.

I am sorry, Mr. Brink.

I think that, hereafter, I should be invisible.

JULIAN: 'Huh?'

PUD: 'Look, gramp, look!'

He's gone, gramp!

[DOG PANTING]

Mr. Brink!

BRINK: 'it's really less complicated this way.'

Uh, so long as you're still there.

JULIAN: Hey, Betty, come here! Here, Betty!

Betty, Betty, Betty, come here! Betty, come..

[WHINING]

[PUD PANTING]

- Betty! - Wait a minute! Wait a minute!

Something wrong here.

Huh. Yes, sir. She's gone.

- Oh, Betty! - No, no! Get away!

Don't touch anything! Don't touch a thing!

[SOBBING]

Got to do something about this the first thing in the morning.

Yes, sir, that tree is deadly.

[SOBBING]

[HAMMERING]

Hey! Keep away from that tree!

Oh, John, I've told you that.

- I'm sorry. - Well..

Sorry don't do no good.

Say, you fellas can knock off for lunch now.

- But be back on the dot. - On the dot.

You gotta have that fence finished by nightfall

rain or shine.

- Okay, Mr. Northrup. - It'll be done.

Come on, Pud.

[CHUCKLES] Come on, Pud, let's get inside

see what Marcie's got for lunch.

Come in. Come in, Dr. Evans.

They've gone to lunch just as well.

Ms. Riffle, what is this mystery?

I'm a busy man, Ms. Riffle.

I appreciate that, Dr. Evans, but this is urgent.

An hour ago I happened to be passing

and I saw all these pieces of fence being unloaded.

[WOOD CLATTERS]

Naturally, I came back to

find out what was going on.

I did find out, and I telephoned you immediately.

You are Julian's lawyer, Mr. Pilbeam.

And I want you and Dr. Evans

to meet a friend of his, a Mr. Brink.

Alright, alright. Where is he?

Just at the moment he's up the apple tree.

- Where? - Right up in that apple tree.

I don't see anyone up there.

Oh, you can't see him. He's invisible.

- What? - 'He's invisible.'

You see, Betty, the old dog, barked at him.

Mr. Brink didn't like that. So he became invisible.

And right after that, Betty touched the tree

and dropped over dead.

Is this supposed to be a joke, Ms. Riffle?

What would you say if I told you

I believed it was the gospel truth?

Frankly, I'd say you were crazy.

And if I told you I believed that

anyone who touched that tree would die?

I'd say you were positively nuts, Ms. Riffle.

Oh, well, I don't believe it, but Julian does.

Ho-ho-ho! Tut.

I'll be frank with you, Mr. Pilbeam

I intend to take that child away

from this insane man's house

before something terrible happens.

Tonight, if possible.

Let's see what's goin' on out here.

Why, Demi, what in tarnation are you doin' back here?

- Well, Julian.. - Uh, Northrup.

Finn and Evans, too.

What.. By golly, you've told 'em, haven't you?

- No, Julian, I haven't. - Yes.

She told us about Mr., uh, Brink.

- I might've known it. - Well, now..

Northrup, what's the answer?

It's the truth, Evans, just as sure as I'm here.

[CHUCKLES] You mean that somebody's sittin' up in that tree?

Yup. Mr. Brink.

Well, I might as well tell you all about it right now.

Nobody can die no more until I say so.

Well, u-unless they touch that tree

or them apples, or Mr. Brink himself.

You're not serious about this, Northrup?

- Of course he is, doctor! - Yeah.

What are you drivin' at anyway?

- I'm just interested, Julian. - Oh.

Look here, Northrup. Can you talk to this Mr. Brink?

Well, sure I can.

Can you talk to him now, Julian?

Yeah. Why? Oh, you mean, so you can hear him.

Well, I thought, perhaps, if you try to talk to him now

you'll find out he isn't up there anymore.

Julian, do try and make him talk. I'd love to hear him.

Oh, you would, would you?

Well, by golly, I'll let you all hear him.

Uh, can you hear me, Mr. Brink?

BRINK: 'Sir?'

Heh! See? Calls me sir.

- He thinks someone's answering. - Come here, you...

- Julian! - Just a minute now.

Just a minute, I'm goin' to settle this question

about you gettin' Pud and his money once and for all.

Can you see this old battle axe, Mr. Brink?

JULIAN: Her name is Demetria Riffle.

You got anything on your schedule

about when you are supposed to snuff her out?

BRINK: 'Riffle? Riffle, Riffle, Riffle.'

'No such name has come to my attention as yet.'

Oh, it hasn't, huh?

Well, I'm going to keep you up there

until it's time to exterminate her.

BRINK: 'Well, since you and your tree are so tenacious

'I shall have to sit here and wait for Ms. Riffle's call.'

Oh, you think you can hold out that long?

BRINK: 'oh, dear man, a human life'

'is like the twinkling of an eye to me.'

Well, thank you, Mr. Brink.

Well, there you are.

I'm sorry for you, Julian.

- Really, I am. - Why, what do you..

I didn't hear this thing in the tree say anything.

You didn't? Well..

[GASPS] You did, didn't you, Finn?

I'm sorry, Julian, I didn't.

Huh? You?

Mn-mn. No, Northrup, I didn't.

Say, what the dickens is the matter with me anyway?

Am I goin' nuts?

Oh, it's probably some sort of a dream or something, Northrup.

You'll get over it in a few weeks and be alright again.

Well, did, um, didn't none of you hear him say nothin'?

He said the human life was like the twinkling of an eye to him.

Gee, gods, that's just what he said!

[LAUGHS]

See what he's doing to the boy?

Well, you see where that leaves you standin'.

- Northrup. - Huh?

I want to show you something.

Why? What you gonna do?

I'm going to eat an apple for you.

Hey! Wait a minute! Come here!

JULIAN: Why, you goddamn fool!

After all I've told you?

If you make one more move toward that tree, I'll brain you!

DEMETRIA: Aah! He's dangerous!

Alright, alright, Northrup.

Let me up.

I won't go near the tree.

Tryin' to commit suicide.

Alright, Northrup.

I just wanted to make sure you weren't joking.

Are you gonna be home this evening, Northrup?

[CHUCKLES] Where else would I be? Of course I'll be home.

I may come in, and, uh, we'll talk this thing over again.

- Well, sure, come in. - Thanks.

- I must go. - Yes, I..

Uh, I'm sorry I had to be so rough with you.

Oh, that's alright, Northrup. That's alright.

Say, doc, heh-heh, you needn't worry about

any of your patients dyin' yet a while.

[LAUGHING] No, it's alright. Yeah.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Gramp, why can't they hear Mr. Brink?

Oh, I don't know, sonny.

I guess they're too busy, that's all.

BRINK: 'oh, my dear man. That isn't the reason at all.'

PUD: 'Look, gramp, look!'

Hello, Mr. Brink.

Well, how is it that only Pud and me can hear you, then?

I have neither the inclination or the authority

to, uh, dispense information relevant to your inquiry.

- Phew. - He still talks funny.

Yeah. Uh, did you notice the storm last night?

- Yes. - 'Did you get wet?'

- No. - 'Do you mind the rain?'

Oh, I love the rain.

I like sad things.

Uh..

Eh, do you enjoy eternity, Mr. Brink?

Oh, one gets used to it.

I suppose I am to watch you into eternity.

I should, uh, make it sound attractive.

Oh, no, no, no.

All I need is some place near Ms. Nellie

and Susan and Jim.

Someplace I can fix up a mite

while I'm waitin' for Pud here to come along.

T-that is, if it needs any improvement.

Well, well, how about improvements?

The improvements are in the individual.

JULIAN: Oh, I don't think I like that.

I can't stand these holier-than-thou folks.

If a man's a good Republican or a Mason

or an Elk, that's good enough for me.

Live and let live, that's my motto.

Yes, you can hardly expect me to second that.

MARCIA: 'Lunch is ready, Mr. Northrup.'

JULIAN: 'Alright, Marcie, I'll be right with you.'

Hey!

Say goodbye to Mr. Brink.

- Bye, Brink. - Oh, can't you say Mr. Brink?

Goodbye, Mr. Brink. Excuse me.

That's quite alright. Goodbye, Pud.

JULIAN: 'oh, so long, Mr. Brink.'

[ENGINE REVVING]

[CAR DOOR OPENS]

[CAR DOOR SHUTS]

Now I'll stay in the car, doctor

till you and Mr. Grimes bring Julian out.

Then I'll go in and dress Pud, take him home with me.

I'll take over the house tomorrow.

You won't want that straitjacket, Grimes.

Uh, better have it along in case he kicks up a row.

- Yes, you better. - Rubbish.

An old man in a wheelchair..

As a favor to me, don't take it in.

[SIGHS] Okay, doc.

[CAR DOOR SHUTS]

[SIGHS]

[GATE OPENS]

Mr. Northrup, Dr. Evans and a gentleman to see you.

JULIAN: 'Alright, Marcie, be right along.'

- Thank you, Marcia. - You're welcome, doctor.

PUD: 'Goodnight, gramps. Bet I sleep like my top tonight, gramps.'

[CHUCKLING] I bet you do, son.

- 'Goodnight, gramps!' - Goodnight, boy.

Well, good evening, gentlemen.

This is Mr. Grimes, Mr. Northrup. A friend of mine.

[SIGHS] Glad to meet you, Mr. Grimes.

- Yeah. - Uh, sit down, Evans.

Sit down, Mr. Grimes. Have a nip.

Oh, we haven't time for that, Northrup. We...

I've been telling Mr. Grimes

uh, about Mr. Brink and the tree.

Oh, what did you go and do that for?

Well, he's very interested.

Well, I bet you don't believe he's up there.

Oh, sure, sure, I believe it.

I was just gonna ask you to come along with me and talk it over.

There's another fellow I'd like to have you meet

who wants to hear about it.

Well, now, you see, it's this way, Mr. Grimes.

I don't want no more people

to know about it than does already.

You see, it's hard for people to believe.

Now, it ain't everybody can hear Mr. Brink when he talks.

- And I figured... - Oh, what is the use?

Uh, now look here. Try to get this straight, will you?

I'm taking you to the state insane asylum.

[SIGHS]

Demetria.

Evans, where's Demi?

She's outside in the car.

- Mm-hmm. - Waitin'.

Waitin' for Pud.

It is just for observation, Northrup. Uh..

She'll take care of Pud until you get back.

Sure, now you just come along with me and do as you're told

and you may get better soon and come home again.

But there ain't nothin' the matter with me, Mr. Grimes.

- Then we'll find that out. - Oh, but honest.

There ain't nothin' the matter with me.

Now look here, are you gonna come along like a good man

or do I have to put a jacket on you?

[CHUCKLES] Well..

I guess it looks like I got to, don't it?

- That's right. - Heh-heh. Uh..

Well, alright, sir, I'll go right along with you.

I'll say goodnight to Pud.

That won't be necessary. You can see him tomorrow.

She'll bring him up to the asylum.

Come on now, Northrup, you might as well come along.

- Let's get going now. - Alright!

I'll march right up to that bughouse and surprise 'em.

That's right, you surprise 'em. Good idea.

Yes, sir! Yeah.

Oh..

My badge. Hey, I..

You know, the thing I wear in the parades?

- Yeah, I'm a veteran, you know? - Yes, fine.

You couldn't march without your badge now, could you?

Oh, no, siree!

- Yes. Ah. - No, sir.

[CHUCKLES] No, sir.

[CHUCKLES]

[GASPS] Oh!

I thought maybe it was upstairs.

Sometimes the best way is to humor them.

- Now! - Put down that gun!

- Put that thing down! - Heh-heh!

Since you both made up your minds I'm crazy

you must realize it will drive me wild if you don't humor me.

Careful, Northrup, you're gonna get into trouble.

And this is no way of getting out of it.

It's the only way I can think of for the moment.

Get your hands out of your pockets and stay where you are!

- Uh, now listen, Northrup... - No, no, no.

You can't convince me I'm crazy.

I got to convince you I ain't.

And I got to prove that what I've been sayin' about Mr. Brink

ain't a lot of poppycock.

- Y-you can convince us later... - Wait a minute!

Uh, Evans, uh, you got enough poison

in that kit of yours to kill a fly?

What's a fly gotta do with it, Northrup?

I'm going to make a bargain with you.

You take the worst poison you've got

and put it into one of them wine glasses.

[GASPS] Then you take a fly and put him into it.

'And if that fly dies, I'll go along with you.'

Hey!

Mr. Grimes..

[GUN COCKS]

Kindly catch a fly.

[FLY BUZZING]

JULIAN: 'A bet ain't a bet that don't cut both ways.'

if that fly lives, you've got to swear I'm sane.

- Well, I don't know about that. - Don't worry, don't worry.

I know darn well I can kill a fly.

No, you can't!

Alright, he's had time enough.

[PAPER RUSTLES]

Uh, looks kind of sick

don't it?

Never saw anything deader.

He's dead, Northrup.

[GASPS]

Oh, wait a minute.

Give this fly a chance to come to.

Alright, Northrup.

- Well, I'll be jiggered! - Come on, put down that gun.

- Yes, put it down. - Well..

A bet's a bet, I suppose.

Wait a minute!

Wait a minute!

He moved.

[CHUCKLES] By golly, he's drunk as a lord.

EVANS: 'Well, I'll be. Just..'

You didn't give enough poison, doc.

I gave him enough to kill a million flies.

Now you're goin' to believe what I told you about Mr. Brink.

To blazes with that drivel!

Wait a minute, you agreed to it!

- Put that down now. - You promised him, Grimes.

What's a promise to a lunatic?

Oh, so you don't believe it yet, huh?

- Step out, Grimes. - Get out of the way, Evans.

Get out of the way!

So you ain't goin' to keep your word, huh?

Well, by golly, I know another way of provin' what I say...

- Northrup! - He's crazy, he's dangerous!

At this close range, if I was to shoot a man

right through the belly, he'd die, wouldn't he?

- Good heavens, man. - Well, wouldn't he?

- Well, of course he would! - Well..

That's what I'm askin' you.

[GUNSHOT]

[THUDS]

- Well.. - Ah, don't worry, doc.

- He ain't goin' to die. - You..

You crazy fool, he'll be dead in an hour.

We'll have to rush him to the hospital right away!

[GUN CLATTERS]

[DOOR OPENS]

Stay up there, Mr. Brink!

If you come down now

by golly, I'm in the devil of a fix.

[LEAVES RUSTLING]

Pulse normal.

Hello, doc. Say, where in thunder am I?

How do you feel?

Oh, I got a kind of a stomachache.

I think I need some food.

Stomachache? Man, you ought to be dead.

- Doctor. - Yes?

What's the death rate

been in your hospital for the past 24 hours?

Well, no deaths, oddly enough.

We've had three patients hanging on the brink

uh, but they're holding their own. Holding their own.

Hm.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Hello.

Hello, up there.

Hello?

- Hello. - Hello. Oh, oh.

Oh, I'm..

Sorry, Pilbeam, I..

- Feeling alright? - Yes, of course. Why?

Oh, I just wondered.

What do you wanna speak to me about? You got me out of bed.

Thought I might need you.

Oh.

Hear you didn't lock Julian up last night.

He isn't crazy.

Oh.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

- What you got here? - Fishing pole.

- Goin' fishing? - Been fishing.

Catch much?

- Well, that's a mouse. - Yeah, it's a mouse.

W-What in the name of.. W-What's the matter with you, Evans?

Now don't get excited. We've gotta keep our heads.

Northrup shot Grimes last night

right through the belly.

- Good heavens! Why? - He was experimenting.

- Experimenting? - Now wait a minute.

- Grimes is alright. - Alright?

But according to what I know about medicine

Grimes should've died last night.

But he didn't.

[SIGHS] Lots of things should've died last night.

But they didn't.

'I was up all night'

experimenting with anything

I could get my hands on.

But I couldn't kill a thing.

Except that mouse.

You know how I killed him?

I tied it to the end of that pole

and touched it to that tree.

JULIAN: Oh, good mornin', Evans!

Good mornin', Finn!

- 'Hello.' - 'Hello, Julian.'

Ah, you fellows are up kind of early, ain't you?

Yeah. How is my friend Mr. Grimes today?

He seems to be doing alright.

Oh, well, I'm glad to hear that.

[CHUCKLES] It was kind of a nasty accident, wasn't it?

[CHUCKLES] Sit down.

I owe you an apology, Northrup.

No, you don't.

I wouldn't have no respect for a man

who'd believe a thing like that right off.

Sit down, Finn, sit down.

[CHUCKLES] It's kind of interesting, though.

- Ain't it? - Why, y-yes.

He's an awful nice fellow, Mr. Brink.

- So friendly. - 'Thank you very much.'

Oh-ho! Good mornin', Mr. Brink! Heh.

JULIAN: 'I didn't know you was up yet.'

Say, Marcie's makin' some coffee for us. Would you like a cup?

BRINK: 'No, thanks. I've just had an apple.'

[LAUGHING]

He's full of fun, too.

BRINK: 'I've had a lovely morning. I've had a mouse in my face.'

Go along.

Say, Evans, what's this about Mr. Brink

havin' a mouse thrown in his face?

Good heavens, Julian, uh, how do you know that?

Well, Mr. Brink just told me.

Oh, good heavens, I've gotta go.

- No, don't go, Pilbeam. - Gotta get to the office.

Work to do. Goodbye, Julian. Goodbye, Evans. Goodbye..

[JULIAN CHUCKLES]

He looks all shot to pieces, don't he?

Huh? Oh.

Say, breakfast will be ready in a minute.

Why don't you stay and have some with Pud and me?

I can't.

Thank you all the same.

- Northrup.. - Huh?

- You've got to let him down. - It's no use, Evans.

You know what this is gonna mean to the world?

To people suffering incurably?

With only one hope, the blessed release of death.

Well, I'm sorry, Evans. I'm sorry for them people, too.

But I got Pud to look after.

What's going to happen, Northrup, in the next few days

when people find out there's no more death?

Think of it, man. No more death.

Have you ever seen a man over a hundred years old?

Sure I have.

Old Fred Brown's father.

Poor old fella. Uh..

Well, what are you driving at?

By the time Pud's a young man

you'll be getting to be that age yourself.

You've got to let him down, Northrup.

Oh, I wouldn't like to become a nuisance to Pud.

You've got to let Mr. Brink down today.

I warn you, Julian, I'm gonna do

everything in my power to make you. I must!

Think it over. I'll see you later.

And thank you for not letting me eat that apple yesterday.

You can have one now if you want.

No, thanks.

Goodbye, Northrup. And I'm sorry.

Goodbye.

[SIGHS]

Hey, Mr. Brink, if I let you down

you're bound and determined to take me, is it?

You will be the first.

Yeah, that's what I thought.

I guess there's no way out of that.

- 'None.' - Nope.

I didn't think there was.

Well, uh, I wonder if Evans is right about Pud and me.

About my becomin' a nuisance to the boy.

BRINK: 'My dear man, there's no doubt about it.'

[PUD HOOTING]

Grandpa, here she comes!

[IMITATES TRAIN HOOTING]

[IMITATES TRAIN CHUGGING]

Ding, ding, ding!

I love you, gramp! I love you more than my engine!

[CHUCKLES]

[PAPER RUSTLES]

"Dr. James Evans, having testified

"that the said Julian Northrup

"is incapable of managing himself and his property

"it is the order of this court that he be committed

"to the Gainesville Institution For The Insane

"'according to the laws of the state.'

"And it is further ordered that the custody of the child

"John Gilfred Northrup

be awarded to his aunt, Demetria Riffle, who is... "

Thanks. Thank you, sheriff. Thank you.

[PAPER RUSTLING]

Well, Evans, you fixed me up good and proper, didn't you?

I warned you I'd do everything I could.

- Hm. - Come now, Pud.

You're to come home with me now.

Gramp.

[SOBBING]

Well, come along, Northrup.

Just a minute, sheriff.

I, I'd like to speak to Pud first.

Please, miss.

Well, Evans, heh

you're a pretty smart fellow, ain't you?

You figure I won't go to the nuthouse

and, uh, that I'll let Mr. Brink down instead.

I'm hoping you will.

Yeah. You're a pretty smart fellow.

[EXHALES SHARPLY]

What's the matter with Dr. Evans, gramp?

Oh, I don't know.

Guess he is kind of sorry.

What's he sorry for?

Pud, I'm goin' away.

Where, gramp?

Where the woodbine twineth.

You're going with Mr. Brink?

Mm-hmm. I'm goin' with Mr. Brink.

You see, your gramps has got to be a pretty old man.

And when you get to be a pretty old man

you get kind of tired.

- Are you tired? - Yes, Pud.

At this minute I'm pretty goldarn tired.

Just lay down and rest.

Well, that's what I'm going to do, Pud.

But the only way for an old man to really lie down and rest

is to go with Mr. Brink.

I'll go with you, gramp.

Oh, no, sonny. You, you can't do that.

You got your whole life ahead of you.

[SOBBING] Don't want my whole life ahead of me.

I wanna go with you. I love you, gramp.

Well..

Well, now

you shouldn't love me that much, son.

And maybe

maybe it ain't right for you

to be livin' here with me anymore, Pud.

And maybe your Aunt Demetria

ain't as much of a pismire as we thought she was.

- Gramp.. - No, no.

Now, that's right, sonny, maybe she ain't.

And maybe it'd be better for you to go and live with her.

Don't you, don't you love me anymore, gramp?

Why, boy, I'm only tryin' to make you understand.

Gramp, you don't love me anymore.

Of course I do, boy, but I got to go away.

But I'll go with you, gramp.

No, no, you can't, son. You can't.

Please, gramp, please..

No!

[SOBBING]

Then I don't love you anymore either.

I don't love you anymore either!

I don't love you anymore either!

JULIAN: 'Pud!'

[PUD BAWLING]

Pud, come here, Pud.

Pud! Come here, boy!

[DOOR SLAMS]

[DOOR SHUTS]

Pud!

[WHEELCHAIR RATTLING]

JULIAN: Where are you, boy? Pud!

BRINK: 'He will forget.'

Eh..

Maybe so.

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

There he is.

Come along now, Northrup.

Why, sheriff, I ain't goin' with you.

I'm goin' with Mr. Brink.

Didn't, didn't Dr. Evans tell you about Mr. Brink?

Yeah, he did. Well, get it over with.

MALE #1: 'You and me's gotta be on our way.'

EVANS: 'Hm, take it easy, sheriff, take it easy.'

Northrup, would you, would you rather we left you alone?

No. As a matter of fact, I'd rather have someone around.

Ah.

- Demi. - Yes, Julian?

Will you promise me you'll be kind to Pud?

Of course I will.

And see that he gets

some fun out of life?

Oh, he'll have his play period, of course.

But now he'll have education, too.

I shall begin to form his mind.

Why, his mind is forming alright as it is.

I'll teach him little poems to recite.

How to say "Yes, sir," and "No, sir."

- And how to curtsy when... - Curtsy? Pud?

And when Ms. Roycraft's school open...

Roycraft? Well, well, that's a girl's school!

Yes, Julian, but she's agreed to take Pud if he's refined.

Oh, she has, has she?

Ah, you're still a pismire!

Goin' to make a sissy out of Pud.

[INHALES SHARPLY] Oh..

[EXHALES SHARPLY]

Well, there ain't nothin' I can do about this.

[CLICKS TONGUE]

Goodbye, Marcie.

'Will you keep an eye on Pud?'

Yes, Mr. Northrup.

[INHALES SHARPLY]

[GATE UNLOCKS]

[GATE OPENS]

[SIGHS]

Well, Mr. Brink, if you remember

the only reason I got you up in that tree

was to keep Demetria from getting the boy.

BRINK: 'I've taken that into consideration.'

Uh-huh. Yeah, hey!

[CLAPS] Get away from there!

Go away! Get away from there! Ge..

See that bird?

It was singin', and touched the tree.

- 'Dead.' - Yes, it's dead.

- 'So what of it?' - Say, Mr. Brink.

I don't expect you've got no news yet

about when you're to take Demetria.

BRINK: 'No, there's been no call for Ms. Riffle.'

What's that? You were supposed to take her an hour ago?

BRINK: 'No, no, I said I wouldn't take her for years.'

Well, well, by golly, why didn't you tell me that before?

If you were supposed to take her...

BRINK: 'But I'm not supposed to take her.'

Northrup, did he really say that?

Yup! That changes everything.

- Come on, Demi. - No! No, Julian.

This is absurd. This is..

Dr. Evans, Dr. Evans..

I'm sorry, Ms. Riffle

but when a person's time comes..

But there isn't really anything in that tree.

Say, what goes on?

Say, I wonder if you'd mind

takin' the sheriff for good measure.

- Hey, what in blazes... - Good heavens, Northrup.

- This is practically murder. - Well, d-doctor...

Listen, all of you, Northrup's as sane as any of you.

Sane? Hey, what is this anyway?

Death is up that tree. Northrup's talking to him.

If he lets him down, you're as good as dead, both of you.

- I don't believe it. - 'This is ridiculous!'

[SHUSHING] He's speakin'.

BRINK: 'This is the wildest absurdity I ever heard.'

'You know perfectly well that I've no authority'

'to take any of these people.'

Oh, what's that, you're going

to take the sheriff, too?

Thank you, Mr. Brink. I appreciate that.

I don't believe it. You can't frighten me.

DEMETRIA: 'I didn't hear a blessed thing up in that tree.'

- Ha-ha. - Me neither.

MARCIA: 'I did.'

I heard him.

You didn't!

I did! I heard Mr. Brink just as plain as I hear you.

And he said if he could just come down

he'd take anyone Mr. Northrup asked him to.

- You can't scare me. - 'She can't hear a word I say.'

BRINK: 'She's the most inordinate liar I ever met.'

That's exactly what he said!

[INHALES SHARPLY] Come on now, let's get started.

- No use makin' him any angrier. - 'That would be impossible.'

Come on, Demi. Come on, sheriff.

Line up, here we go.

Off to glory!

- Sing, Demi! - Oh.

♪ Glory glory hal ♪♪

- Sing, sheriff! - Hold on, you know! Hold on!

BRINK: 'Stop that monkey business and let me down!'

EVANS: Stop it, Northrup! We'll do anything you ask.

Look, Northrup, look.

Alright!

I'm resigning my office tomorrow.

The Democrats can have it for all of me.

Will you let my boy alone?

Oh, Julian, I will.

Will you get the tarnation away from me, too?

I'll get the tarnation away from you, too, Julian.

Alright, then, clear out of here, the lot of you!

I'm gonna stay here and look after Pud.

I don't care what becomes of the rest of the wo..

Get off of my property!

If you ask me, you're gettin' off mighty easy.

I'm sorry, Evans

but I am keepin' him up in that tree.

[SOBBING]

Now, Marcie, ain't no need to cry.

What you done was fine, and I love you for it.

That's alright, Mr. Northrup. I'm glad they believed it.

[CHUCKLES] We're all going to be happy now.

Wait till I tell Pud.

Oh, Pud! Where..

Come on, Marcie, he may have gotten back in the house.

- Help me find him. - Yes, sir.

Oh, Pud!

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Oh, Pud!

MARCIA: 'Pud!'

Hey, Marcie!

Oh, Bill, didn't any of the neighbors see him?

- Nobody's seen him. - Ah. Ju..

You go look through the woods down there

and I'll go down to the creek.

Maybe he's fallen asleep in the boat.

- Yes, sir. - Alright.

Oh, Pud!

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[SOBBING]

[SOBBING]

[SNIFFLING]

[SOMBER MUSIC]

[SOBBING]

[BLOWS]

[SOBBING]

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

[DOOR SLAMS]

Pud.

Oh. Hi, Mr. Brink.

What's the matter?

My gramp doesn't love me anymore.

- He doesn't? - No.

Didn't you follow the conversation?

Yes. What are you going to do?

I'm gonna run away. Then he'll be sorry.

Oh, I wouldn't do that.

You're not big enough to run away, my little man.

I am so. And I'm not your little man.

I'm not a little man at all. I'll spit in your eye.

You'd find that rather difficult.

Why?

I'm afraid you couldn't reach me.

- I could, too! - 'You'd be afraid.'

I'm not afraid of the biggest giant on Earth.

And how do you know that I

that I'm not the biggest giant on Earth?

I don't care a hoot if you are.

- You're not very polite. - I'm politer than you are.

You big squashapashosapuss.

I never heard that word before.

Neither did I.

- You can make up words? - Sure, I can do anything.

No, you can't.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

You can't even climb this tree.

Oh, I can, too.

I've climbed that tree before you got up it.

And I climbed down again.

That's more than you can do.

But you couldn't do it now.

'You couldn't even climb this fence.'

I could do it with one hand.

- 'Let's see.' - Alright.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Ah! Oh.

Splinter's hurt my hand.

Guess I'll have to get myself a heap of tape.

Baby calf. Baby calf.

Who's a baby calf?

BRINK: 'That's right.'

Why, you're stronger than I thought.

Come on now. Just a little more. Careful.

Get one leg over.

That's right.

Splendid!

Why, I guess you can do anything.

[PANTING]

Golly!

I can see far up here.

Can you see me now?

Yes.

Gee.

Why do you make your voice so whispery, Mr. Brink?

- Don't you like it? - Uh-huh.

[PANTING]

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

I'm as high up as you are now.

Look at me.

Gee, you got funny eyes, Mr. Brink.

They make me dizzy.

Look at me again.

That's right, keep on looking.

Come now.

Give me your hand.

Lean forward.

[SCREAMING]

[THUDS]

[SOMBER MUSIC]

[SLOSHING]

How is he?

[SOBBING] He'll never be able to walk again, Bill.

[SNIFFLES]

The specialist said he couldn't understand

how he was still living.

[SOBBING] Oh, Bill..

[PUD SOBBING]

- Gramp? - Yes, boy?

- Gramp. - Yup.

[WHIMPERING]

[GATE CREAKING]

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

Mr. Brink.

BRINK: 'Yes?'

Why did you let him do it?

BRINK: 'I didn't mean to hurt him. I only meant to take him.'

'He was my only hope of getting down from here.'

[PUD GROANING]

Oh.. He's in such terrible pain.

BRINK: 'Think of the pain he would miss.'

'Now you understand how much it means to your whole world'

'to deny me.'

Eh.

I guess I tried to bite off more than I could chew.

BRINK: 'Much more.'

[PUD GROANING]

Mr. Brink

will you please come down and take us both?

[SOMBER MUSIC]

Gladly.

No, you are first.

'There.'

'That's better, isn't it?'

I..

He..

He was quite a load at first.

Now he's light as a feather.

Here.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

Hello, Mr. Brink.

Hello, Pud.

Gramps, you're walkin'!

By golly, so I am, son!

[CHUCKLING] Say, why didn't you tell me

it was goin' to be like this, Mr. Brink?

My dear man, I've been tryin' to tell you

how pleasant it is to go with me.

But you wouldn't listen to me.

You talk so funny, Mr. Brink.

Never mind me.

Come on now.

Come along.

- Where are we going, gramp? - Yes, t-that's important.

- Where are we goin'? - You'll find out.

Look, gramp!

Gee, it smells good here, gramp.

That's the woodbine, sonny.

How long are we going to be here, Mr. Brink?

- For eternity. - How long's eternity, gramp?

That's a right smart piece of time, boy.

Anyway, we'll be together, won't we, gramp?

Oh-ho, you're darn tootin' we will, boy. You're darn tootin'.

NELLIE: 'Julian!'

'Julian!'

'Do you have to use such language in front of the boy?'

It's granny! We're comin', granny!

Hey, Mr. Brink, I thought you told me she'd changed.

Comin', Ms. Nellie! Comin'!

Comin', grandma!

[BETTY BARKING]

[VOCALIZATION]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[VOCALIZATION]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]