Original subtitles

(SINGING) I hear the cottonwoods whispering above

Tammy, Tammy

Tammy's my love

The old hootie owl hootie-hoos to the dove

Tammy, Tammy

Tammy's my love

Does my darling feel what I feel

when she comes near?

My heart beats so joyfully

You'd think that she could hear

Wish I knew if she knew

what I'm dreaming of

Tammy, Tammy

Tammy's my love

(BOAT WHISTLE BLOWING)

Wish I could see all of me just once.

Seventeen-year-old and I never seen myself altogether yet.

(PLANE WHIRRING)

Some folks get to go places, Nan.

Wonderful places like Natchez and Vicksburg.

You and me, we never get to go no place.

(COWBELL CHIMING)

Hear that, Nan?

I'll bet that's just about the lonesomest sound in the world, a cowbell.

Come on, Nan.

(BLEATING)

Yoo-hoo!

You're late again, Grandpa! Supper's been ready for ages!

Nope. No, sir. No time for eating tonight, Tammy.

We got catfish, collard greens and I baked a hoecake.

Well, business comes first.

You always got business in the swamp, but you won't never tell me what it is.

It ain't the swamp this time, Tammy.

I'm going down the river, down to the whirlpool.

What for?

Well, I hear tell an airplane crashed.

Might be some salvage floating around down there.

Say, get me a lantern, will you?

Uh-huh.

It ain't seemly for a preacher to drink more than a half a bottle at a time.

Even if he is just a kind of off-and-on lay preacher.

And you shouldn't be rowing at night with your rheumatism.

Besides, the authorities will more and likely take charge of any wreckage.

They'll be hunting too far upstream.

They don't know that anything hits the water between here and Vicksburg

ends up down at the big whirlpool!

I'm going with you!

Well, the whirlpool ain't no place for a girl.

I got strong arms.

Well, there's something besides rowing, too.

We're apt to run into a lot of dead bodies.

I got a strong stomach, too!

Better ease up on them oars. We're at the edge of the current.

There's something on that log over there!

Gosh almighty! He's alive!

He's nigh onto gone.

But he ain't plumb gone!

Big danger's pneumony.

I'll get Grandma's brick to heat his feet!

I'm used up.

You call me if you need me.

He's come this far, Lord. It wouldn't be sensible to take him now, would it?

And Grandma, if his soul gets that far, shoo it back.

Shoo it back, ma'am, please?

(MOANING)

"Let not your heart be troubled!" That's from the Bible.

Looks like the fever's breaking.

Oh, thank the Lord!

He's been wrestling the delirium for five days and nights like

Jacob wrestled the angel.

Wonder whether it was the Lord or the onion poultices.

Might have been the onion that broke the fever,

but it was the good Lord that done the rest!

Makes sense.

Hello.

(GASPS)

How long have I been here?

Five days. You had an accident.

Oh, yeah.

Yes, I remember. I was flying Ernie's plane and the engine caught fire.

(SIGHS)

I'm afraid I've been a lot of trouble to you.

Oh, no. It pleasured us no end.

It what? Pleasured us.

Grandpa and me, we live here.

His name's John Dinwoodie, only folks call him Brother Dinwoodie

on account of he used to be a preacher, sort of.

I'm Tammy. My baptized name is Tambrey. It means immortal.

My full name is Tambrey Tyree, only folks call me Tammy.

I'm Peter Brent.

Better not talk too much, Mr. Brent.

I mean, it might bring back on the fever and...

Oh! You must be nigh onto famished!

No, just a glass of water, if you don't mind.

Oh. Spring or river?

Spring tastes better, only Grandpa says river is a sight healthier.

Mud's good for your constitution.

Spring.

Spring.

Bet I got enough mud in my stomach to raise corn. And...

And I ain't never been sick a day in my life.

Grandpa wanted to notify your folks, only he couldn't find no papers in your pockets.

There's nobody who'll be missing me.

(CREAKING)

(MOANING)

I must be weaker than I thought.

It felt as if the room was moving.

(GIGGLING)

You're on a boat. This is the Ellen B. It was named after my grandmother.

Look! See, there's nothing but river and sky.

And over yonder's the Louisiana shore.

You figuring on wearing a hole in the neck of that nightshirt, Mr. Brent?

Hmm? Oh, sorry.

It's one of Grandpa's, we didn't have nothing better to put you into.

We?

Well, Grandpa wasn't strong enough so I just...

I kept my eyes shut most of the time.

I better heat you some soup.

Who's Barbara?

Barbara?

You talked about her when you was out of your head.

Seems like you two was arguing day and night.

Yeah, that's about all we ever do.

I suppose lots of married folks argue.

Mr. Brent?

Hmm?

I said, I suppose lots of married folks argue.

Yeah, I suppose they do.

But, then, I suppose lots of unmarried folks argue, too.

I suppose.

Well, are you gonna tell me or not?

Tell you?

If you are, or you ain't?

If I are, or I ain't what?

Married.

Oh!

Ain't.

Oh.

Ain't.

How's your arm feel?

Almost as good as new.

Almost ain't enough. Come on, I'll give you a rubbing.

(LAUGHING)

You go out first. I'll look the other way.

What for?

Well, I ain't never made no bathing pants before and...

Some of the stitches might have busted.

Every stitch present and accounted for.

What are you thinking about, Tammy? Looking at me so?

How do you mean, "so"?

Well, like something out of the woods, wild and young and wise.

Like a woods owl, maybe.

It wouldn't be seemly, I reckon, to tell you what I was thinking.

Seemly? I thought that word was buried with Queen Victoria.

You're making fun of me 'cause I ain't had much schooling.

Oh, no, Tammy. I just know about

living and dying and getting born.

I don't know about loving.

Except the Bible kind of loving your neighbor and the Lord, thy God.

But I figure I can learn.

My arm feels fine now.

We'd better be moving on.

You sure you won't stay a spell longer, huh?

Well, I wish I could, but I have to let my family know I'm alive.

I mean, they're used to my disappearing, but not for 10 days.

I guess you can't hold back time, any more than you can a river.

I'll sure miss you, Pete.

Well, now, aren't you going to walk with me to the edge of the swamp?

Grandpa'll show you the way.

I don't want to scatter my goodbye through the swamp, sort of trailing it out.

I'd rather hold it together.

I'll never forget you, Tammy.

(BOAT WHISTLE BLOWING)

(SOBBING) Oh, Grandma!

I guess I shouldn't have been in such an all-fired hurry to restore his soul.

River's rising. Look at it, Nan.

Stumbling all over itself to get where it's going.

Oh, I wish we was going someplace, too.

All these weeks

and he never even let us know if he got home all right.

GRANDPA: Yoo-hoo!

Yoo-hoo!

Half an hour, Brother Dinwoodie, and no fooling, mind you.

Well, I've give you my word, ain't I?

We'll wait right here.

What is it, Grandpa? Who are those men?

Nothing to fret about, child.

Come inside.

Tammy, child, them men is from the law.

They were taking you to jail!

Yeah, but there ain't no need of getting het-up about it.

It ain't like I done a crime.

All I done was make a little corn liquor.

So that's what you was doing in the swamp! Why'd you do it, Grandpa?

I wanted you to get some schooling Tammy. So you can make out

when your old Grandpa ain't around to pester you.

Oh, Grandpa!

Tell you the truth, Tammy, the years sort of slipped up on me since Grandma died.

I kept thinking you was just a mite of a thing that I could take my time about schooling.

Then one day, quicker than it takes to say it,

you was all growed up.

On account of me!

Ain't no need for you to hang your head

because of some fool law they made up in Washington about corn liquor.

Yes, Grandpa.

Maybe it was meant for me to carry the Word into prisons.

The Lord moves in mysterious ways. Don't forget that.

I won't, Grandpa.

And don't worry. I'll take care of everything till you come home.

You can't stay here alone, child. A young girl like you.

Now Pete and me had a good talk before he left.

Pete? He made me promise to send you

to his house if anything happened to me.

It's called Brentwood Hall and it's just over in the next county.

But, Grandpa! I can't go...

We can't stand here

like a couple of billy goats chewing grass.

You're setting out whilst the sun is still high,

and you're going to Pete's house. You understand?

Yes, Grandpa.

Now, you can go call them men in. I see you got plenty here for company.

(SIGHING)

Come on, now, honey. Get in!

Oh, thank you!

Come on, Nan.

(BLEATING)

Oh, no, you don't!

But... But I...

Pete never told us it was so...

So elegant.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

(MUSIC STOPS)

(ALL GROANING)

Enough of that.

We need more rehearsing on our pilgrimage dances.

(ALL MUTTERING)

Do we have to, Mrs. Brent?

We have two months to get ready on this.

MRS. BRENT: I want this to be the best dancing they've had at any Rebel Ball

since the Natchez pilgrimage began!

WOMAN: Where's Ernie?

WOMAN: Oh, he's late again.

I shouldn't have picked a partner who lives so far away.

You'd think somebody'd tell her, her shirt was sticking out.

MRS. BRENT: Positions, everyone! Come along. Come along.

Peter!

Take your partners.

Barbara.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

What took you so long, Ernie?

This place is jam-packed full of goats.

Pink goats, Ernie?

No. I saw them, you hear? I even smelled them!

Positions again! Positions!

Come here!

Pete's little goat girl.

Not so little. He said she was a child.

Look at that outfit!

Hey, Pete. Come out here.

A little young, but cute.

No wonder Pete was in no hurry to come home.

Hey.

Tammy! Tammy. Tammy.

I'm beat for fair, Pete.

I walked all day.

Tammy.

Your grandfather?

Taken away.

Told me you said I should come.

What in the world, Peter? The child from the river?

Yes, Mother, it's Tammy. Where shall I put her?

Her grandfather?

He's dead, I think.

Oh, the poor dear!

Put her in Aunt Renie's studio.

Well, there's one, anyway!

I told you I smelled 'em!

My japonicas!

(EXCLAIMS)

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

I'm coming!

Coming in just a minute! Just a minute!

Good morning!

Good morning!

It's to wake you up, an old Southern custom.

This is the jouncingest bed, Pete! It's as good as a joggling board!

Oh? What's a joggling board?

Well, I ain't never seen one, but I heard tell it's like a bench

only you can jounce on it.

A little cream and lots of sugar.

A joggling board, huh? Well, what would anyone use it for?

For courting.

Now, Tammy!

Why, you shouldn't go around saying things like that.

A fellow might think you were trying to put ideas into his head.

You can use it to joggle a baby to sleep on, too.

Oh, you can, huh?

Here. Thank you.

Well, I've got to go down now and see how my garden's growing.

Your garden?

Yeah, a little bit of experimental farming.

You see, I've got a crazy notion maybe I can make this old place pay for itself.

Ain't nothing crazy about farming.

Well, that depends.

If my Brentwood Pride Number 6 works out, I'll agree with you.

If not...

What's a Brentwood Pride Number 6?

Oh, that's something I've been working on for the past couple of years.

It's the biggest, plumpest,

reddest early-ripening tomato in the whole state!

They ought to run at least 30,000 pounds to an acre!

Is that a lot? Is it?

Well, you wait till you see them.

Now, meanwhile, that coffee'll have to hold you.

No breakfast today. The cook's temperamental.

Cook?

Yes, Osia.

You mean there's a woman who comes and cooks?

When she's in the mood.

But your mother's here and Miss Renie.

Oh, well, they haven't touched a stove...

Say, didn't you have an old wood burner on the Ellen B.?

Tammy, would you mind terribly...

Oh, no.

I'd be pleasured!

Saved from starvation!

There, you get out of that relic of Aunt Renie's, and I'll get the fire started.

This is the biggest kitchen I ever seen, Pete!

(LAUGHING)

Where do you go for water?

Oh, you don't go, Tammy. It arrives!

Mother wouldn't let us lose any of our pre-war atmosphere!

See? Man over nature.

Oh, it's a wonder!

It certainly is.

Oh, stop, Pete! It's a-wasting!

Oh, I had no notion you lived in such elegance.

Don't be taken in by the glamorous past, Tammy.

If it weren't for the pilgrimage money, we wouldn't even get our taxes paid.

Pilgrimage money?

Yes. Once a year the old homes around here are opened up to the public.

We dress up in costumes of the period and people come from all over just to gawk at us

and they pay an admission fee, just like in a circus.

And if they're lucky, they might get to attend the Rebel Ball.

What's that?

Oh, old-time dances like we were practicing last night.

That girl you were dancing with last night. She's Barbara, isn't she?

Yes, Barbara Gray.

She's mighty pretty.

It's no wonder she was on your mind even when you was out of your mind.

No bacon this morning, Osia.

The cook didn't come.

I fixed breakfast.

Tammy, isn't it?

I'm Professor Brent.

This is Mrs. Brent.

I know which is which.

Well, you really have been making yourself useful, haven't you?

Grandpa told me to.

We were sorry to hear about your grandfather.

Well, I sure miss him.

I wish he could be waking amongst flowers and angels,

but that's not likely.

You don't think he is among angels?

Not where he's gone.

Oh, Nell's bells! I forgot the toast!

Not a sign of proper grief!

(CAT MEOWING)

You're Tammy.

Morning. I'm Miss Renie, Peter's aunt.

Good morning, ma'am.

Keep quiet, Picasso!

Do you like cats?

Sure do.

I have seven.

I have to keep 'em hidden while Ena, that's Mrs. Brent, is here.

She hates 'em.

She does?

Mmm. My, that smells good. I love to eat.

Hate cooking. Never pass a kitchen stove that I don't kick it.

Oh.

One more piece, please.

Picasso adores it.

Here you are. Thank you.

Tammy, I sleep in the room next to the studio.

That's nice.

I...

Well, I heard a man's voice in there early this morning.

That was Pete. He came in to make me welcome.

In your bedroom?

Yes. It's an old Southern custom.

I guess I'm getting too old.

Oh, don't say you're too old, Miss Renie!

Grandpa says you don't begin to live till you're past 70! That's when you're free.

How's that?

Well, you're free of all desires of the flesh.

Did you hear that, Joel?

I'm not as old as I thought I was.

I still have a taste for sin.

Aunt Renie!

No. Allow me.

Much obliged. That was real mannerly.

What's that?

I'm much obliged for you helping me sit.

Although I ain't too weakly to hitch it in for myself.

That was merely a slight gesture of respect.

Oh.

Good morning.

Good morning, dear. Good morning, Pete.

I see you've all met Tammy.

Oh, it's merely a slight gesture of respect.

Well, I wish you'd let us know, Tammy, about your grandfather.

Perhaps we could have helped.

Oh, it all happened so fast, Pete.

Wasn't anything could be done.

How long was he sick?

Sick? Oh, he wasn't sick at all.

He said it was the Lord's will and no sense in kicking.

I daresay that is a comfort to you.

It is. And what's more comfort is knowing he won't

suffer anymore from pains in his joints.

Maybe.

Maybe?

Well, we couldn't be sure, but we figured the dry, warm air would help ease him.

An extraordinary sort of fundamentalism.

No, it's an unusual sort of rheumatism.

Tammy, is or isn't your grandfather dead?

Dead?

Oh, that would tickle Grandpa for sure!

Well, if he isn't in the lower regions,

where would he be in this dry, warm air?

In jail.

Ena, your face!

Well, it isn't amusing.

It's dreadful. It's shocking!

Mother!

Oh, it isn't shocking.

Grandpa never did a shocking thing in all his born days.

It's a matter of personal freedom.

And some fool law they made up in Washington about corn liquor.

Corn liquor!

And me, the Corresponding Secretary of the Ladies' Temperance League!

Mother, I'm sure that...

I reckon you don't want anybody around who's kin to somebody in jail.

So I thank you for the night's lodging and I'll be going.

Tammy! Tammy!

She didn't mean it that way.

It's just that we were so certain he was dead, we were startled.

Tammy, I want you to stay, very much.

You do?

Just as long as you want to.

And that goes for me.

And when Grandpa gets out of jail, he'll be welcome, too.

Maybe Mrs. Brent won't...

This house is mine, as long as I'm alive.

And I've been feeling healthier every minute since you got here.

When I was on the Ellen B., Pete, seemed like I had everything figured.

But here, out in the world, it's all mixed up.

I can't make folks out.

Well, who can?

You'll get onto it, child. More's the pity.

Come on, Tammy. I want to show you my farming.

And there's Nan waiting to be milked.

Gosh almighty! I forgot all about milking Nan!

I better go drain her off before she busts a gusset!

Grandpa says when you've got troublesome things on your mind,

it's best to talk 'em out.

I'm trying to picture Barbara sitting here milking a goat.

Ain't nothing hard about milking. The goat does most of the work.

(CHUCKLING)

Well, Barbara's got some funny notions about living on a farm.

You two fixing on getting married real soon?

That depends on when we get our problems ironed out.

Barbara wants to live in the city, but I don't.

I'm gonna convince her, though,

we can have just as many comforts and luxuries here.

There, Nan. That ought to hold you for awhile.

No sense stripping her dry.

You know...

Adam and Eve had the whole Garden of Eden.

And they wasn't satisfied.

Oh, well, this is no Garden of Eden, Tammy.

When they farmed this place, they didn't know about

soil conservation or crop rotation.

The land's all washed out.

Oh, it's such a place as I used to dream of, Pete, living on the river.

It's set well on solid ground,

with rooms for living and cooking and to put the children in and...

And ground for farming and a garden and space for chickens.

Why, there's nobody could ask for more than that!

Food, shelter, love, children and chickens!

Tammy, is the whole world crazy, or is it you?

And me, listening, almost believing?

Here, let's leave the pail here.

I'll show you the big experiment. It's right around behind the barn.

Where's the rest of 'em?

That's all there are.

I thought you said 30,000 pounds an acre.

There ain't hardly enough here for a good salad.

That comes later. I'm raising these for seed.

Oh.

Look at it! It seems fair itching to grow for you, Pete.

I hope so.

Number 5 was doing all right, though, until a late cold spell finished them off.

Well, don't you think you set these out a mite too early?

Well, that's just it. You see, I'm after a new type of plant, Tammy.

Sturdy, wilt-resistant.

Something that'll be strong enough to withstand anything this climate has to offer.

See, then I can get to the market weeks before any other grower.

Sounds real exciting.

Make enough money from seed for farming equipment,

then I'll put all our land under cultivation

and make Brentwood Hall self-sustaining again.

Like it was in the old days.

I know you'll do it, Pete.

If it isn't Number 6, then maybe it'll be Number 7.

I wish Mother and Barbara shared your confidence, Tammy.

They think all this is just a waste of time.

Nell's bells, Pete!

You got to do what you figure is best, and leave the rest to the Lord.

I envy those who can do it. Can you?

Mostly I do, but it ain't always easy.

Like Grandpa says, folks used to leave a few things in the hands of the Lord,

like the last day and the end of the world. Now they took it on themselves.

That's how come everyone's so unsure.

They don't trust each other or themselves like they used to trust the Lord!

Oh, Tammy! I'm glad you're around.

Everything looks much better when you're here.

Come on.

(SINGING) I hear the cottonwoods whispering above

Tammy, Tammy

Tammy's in love

The old hootie owl hootie-hoos to the dove

Tammy, Tammy

Tammy's in love

Does my lover feel what I feel when he comes near?

My heart beats so joyfully

You'd think that he could hear

Wish I knew if he knew

what I'm dreaming of

Tammy, Tammy

Tammy's in love

That was very nice, Tammy. Don't stop.

Whippoorwill, whippoorwill You and I know

Tammy, Tammy

Can't let him go

The breeze from the bayou keeps murmuring low

Tammy, Tammy

You love him so

When the night is warm, soft and warm

I long for his charms

I'd sing like a violin

If I were in his arms

Wish I knew if he knew

what I'm dreaming of

Tammy, Tammy

Tammy's in love

Just think, Miss Renie, that same moon, shining on me this very minute,

is shining down on Pete's tomatoes.

Now, don't forget, Osia! Behind the stove and all the corners!

Yes'm.

Ena, if you ask me, all this cleaning a month in advance is a waste of time.

Brentwood Hall must be spotless.

Our reputation is at stake.

Oh, fiddlesticks!

If we'd just leave the blinds shut like we do the rest of the year,

nobody'd see the dust!

I don't care how you keep house the rest of the year, Renie,

but Pilgrimage Week is my responsibility!

I leave it to you with pleasure.

Come, Picasso!

Tied down to this place all my life. Never could do the things I wanted to!

What is it you were always wanting to do, Miss Renie?

Paint!

You've seen my paintings, Tammy. What do you think of 'em?

Well, I think...

On second thought, you better not answer that!

If it hadn't been for this place,

I could've lived in New Orleans in the French Quarter.

An exciting, unfrustrated, bohemian life!

You could still do it.

Now? I'm too old. Besides, I can't afford it.

I been here nigh onto a month and I still can't figure you folks out.

Y'all talk so poor when you've got so much!

MRS. BRENT: Oh, Tammy!

Excuse me.

Tammy, would you mind dusting off the top shelves?

I don't think I can manage.

I'd be pleasured, Mrs. Brent.

Thank you.

Every year the same argument, Joel.

Renie doesn't realize I do all of this for Peter.

He has a position to maintain.

If I was the Lord, I reckon I could nigh onto make a man out of this much dust!

And coming off books, he'd more'n likely be a learned man.

Joel, you shouldn't sit in here with all this dust.

Well, he likely don't notice it.

A man's got more hair in his nose than a woman and he don't breathe it like we do.

Tammy.

We do not discuss the hair in a man's nose.

Oh. I'm sorry, Mrs. Brent.

Gosh almighty!

It says here a human's entrails is around 30 feet long!

Tammy.

Yes, ma'am?

Please come down here.

Yes, ma'am.

Now, listen to me carefully, Tammy.

A lot of important people will be visiting us during Pilgrimage Week.

You often say things, unexpected things, that can upset people.

So between now and then would you please learn not to talk too much?

That's all I ask of you.

Tammy, she didn't mean to be sharp with you.

There were times when she was sweet and gentle, like you.

And there was laughter in her voice.

That was a long time ago.

Professor Brent.

Yes?

Could you...

Do you think I could learn to talk so's it wouldn't sound different from other folks?

Well, that's one of the things that can be learned, Tammy.

But there is one thing that can't be.

To have something worth saying when you do talk.

Oh, that's a thousand times more important.

But that's something you have, Tammy.

That's something you have.

You reckon?

I reckon.

Miss Tammy, telephone.

Oh, it must be Grandpa!

Must be he's dead or something!

If he's telephoning, he isn't dead, that's for sure!

What's the matter? Has the phone gone dead?

It hasn't spoken yet.

ERNIE: Hello, Tammy?

Hello, Grandpa?

Grandpa?

Grandpa?

It must be the life I lead!

No, this is Ernie.

It ain't Grandpa, dead or alive! It's somebody named Ernie.

We've already met. Rather informally.

I'm driving out that way today.

If you're half as interesting as Pete says you are,

we could sure have a lot of fun together.

I'd like that!

Good. I'll pick you up in an hour.

We'll drive over here to Fairville and paint the town red!

Fine!

Did Ernie invite you out?

Yes. We're gonna have some fun painting houses or something.

Tammy, we think the world of Ernie.

He's Peter's best friend.

But his idea of fun...

Well, it may not be altogether desirable.

You mean it might be of a carnal nature?

Hi, sugar. Hop in.

You Ernie?

Nobody else but.

Say, you're even cuter with your eyes open.

I'll be right back.

This is like riding in Elijah's chariot of fire.

Like going to heaven in a whirlwind.

Speaking of heaven, it must have been real cozy for you and Pete

all alone on that boat.

Yes, it was.

I'll bet he didn't waste much time.

No, he didn't.

How do you like that guy? Real cute!

Yes, very.

Well, how about a little smooch for Pete's best friend?

Smooch?

Oh, you mean you want me to kiss you!

Well, no sense letting a beautiful, secluded spot like this go to waste.

That wouldn't be seemly.

Oh, it's Pete!

Yes, so it is.

Come out of the car, Tammy.

Well, but I...

What's the big idea, Pete?

What's eating you, anyway?

I don't like you taking off with Tammy like this.

Oh, stop acting like an angry father.

Tammy's my responsibility! That means hands off.

Suppose you listen to me, Pete.

I stepped aside for you once.

Not that you asked me to, but... Well, I did.

I'm not doing it again.

Just because you're marking time, getting all your psychological knots untied,

don't think the rest of us are going to sit around twiddling our thumbs.

We've been friends for a long time, Ernie. Let's keep it that way.

So long, sugar. I've got to go get my horns manicured.

Are you mad at Ernie on account of me?

You wouldn't understand, Tammy.

I wish you'd stop thinking I'm a child. I'm old enough!

Old enough for what?

To know what's what.

Well, if you're so anxious to take a drive to town, you tell me!

All right, I'm telling you now!

All right!

Tammy, I'm... I'm sorry, Pete.

Oh, you look funny when you're mad.

Well, so do you.

I still don't see what's so wrong about me going out with Ernie.

Well, you...

You see, you've lived a sheltered life on the river, Tammy.

You don't know about wolves on the make.

Wolves on the make?

Yes. They all have the same old routine.

First, an arm around you, and then the old line begins.

Line?

Yes.

You're wonderful, Tammy.

I'm crazy about you.

You are?

Well, that's the line.

Oh. You better please show me the rest, just so's I can protect myself.

Well...

From the first moment I met you,

I said, "This is it.

"The real thing! You're not like the others. You're different."

And then the next thing you know, I try to kiss you.

Oh, we'd better get into Fairville. It's a long drive.

Oh, such a power of people!

All going somewheres they ain't.

Come on. I'll buy you a soda.

No soda. My stomach's all right.

Your stomach?

Grandpa always took soda when his innards were disquieted.

You'll like this kind, Tammy.

Like the soda?

Mmm.

Tickled with a straw!

Never knew what that meant till now.

How about the hot dog?

"Hot dog"?

Is that what they are?

Oh, is something wrong?

No. I...

I reckon there's lots of things I ain't... I'm not rightly acquainted with.

I've had enough, thank you.

Thank you.

It's a wonder how many bottles they got!

Must be living in town makes people sickly.

This reminds me of Barbara.

I don't know what she calls it, but it sure stinks.

Sort of hangs on like a spirit haunting some place when the body's gone.

Oh. You're too free with your money! Look what you forgot on the counter!

Oh, thanks.

(HUMMING)

(EXCLAIMS)

Sure have a lot of contraptions for sick folks!

Whatever is that?

Well, to put it delicately...

No, there's just no way of putting it delicately. Come on.

(SCREAMS)

Gosh almighty!

Oh! Oh, it's a false figure!

Oh, I declare I've seen so many wonders today, I...

I couldn't be more amazed if it had been a live one!

Well, that would have amazed me, too.

Say, you know? It might be a good thing at that!

What?

Well, not if folks really went around naked, but if they just remembered

they was naked underneath,

might make 'em be less apt to starting wars all the time!

Now how'd you start thinking about that?

Well, then they'd know every minute they weren't anything

but blood and bones and flesh and purely mortal.

Oh, Tammy, the things that go through your mind!

I know. Your pa says it's a virgin page.

Know something, Tammy? I'm having fun for the first time in a long while.

Oh, I'm glad, Pete!

I reckon all the folks at Brentwood Hall would have more fun

if they didn't go around feeling scared all the time.

Scared?

Miss Renie, she's scared to do the things she always wanted to do.

Your Pa, he's afeard of coming out of his books, seeing the world.

He's a fox dug himself a hole.

If he'd come out of his hole, maybe your ma wouldn't be so scared.

Mother? Why, most people are afraid of her.

Oh, she's the most scared of all, Pete.

Oh, now!

That's why she keeps plucking at things around her.

Now what would Mother be afraid of?

Well, it's dying she's scared of.

And me? What am I afraid of?

You?

Well, Pete, you're scared of being a failure.

You're worried for fear things might not turn out the way you want.

You're like driftwood out in the river, with the current pulling one way

and the eddy going another.

Driftwood. Is that what I am?

I reckon so.

Till you come out of puzzling and take up your life.

Yes, I have been driftwood ever since the war.

You make it sound so darned simple, Tammy!

(CHUCKLES)

I tell you what.

Why don't you help me to do the things I really want to do?

Help me to find myself?

Oh, Pete! I'd be pleasured for sure!

Okay.

Tammy... Don't worry, Pete.

I'm not a wolf on the make!

Or am I?

"After my last sermon, the judge was all for cutting my sentence short.

"But your Grandpa's in no hurry to leave this place.

"It's the first time I ever had a gathering

"that couldn't walk out on me.

"Besides, I haven't had a single twinge of rheumatism

"and I reckon that after this tussle with that fool law in Washington,

"everything is gonna be all right.

"Love, Grandpa."

(CAR HONKING)

Oh, I guess they've come.

That's Barbara and her uncle!

Okay. Come on, we'd better get cleaned up.

You bring in the bags?

Yes, sir.

And Peter has always had such tremendous admiration

for your great success, Mr. Bissle.

I know he's going to... Peter!

Come on in and meet Uncle Al.

Well, here he is.

Well, well, well! So you're Peter!

Delighted, my boy. Thank you, sir.

He seems to be all that you claimed, Barbara.

Ah! And is this the daughter of the house?

Oh, no, sir. I'm only staying here until Grandpa gets out of jail.

I'm sure you'll like Osia's cooking, Mr. Bissle. Especially her spoon bread.

Mr. Bissle, I'd like you to meet a friend who is staying with us.

May I present Miss Tambrey Tyree.

How do you do? I'm pleasured.

Barbara tells me you're anxious to break into the advertising business.

Well, frankly, Mr. Bissle, that depends on whether or not

I can make Brentwood Hall self-sustaining.

An admirable bit of sentiment, my boy.

But in this world, ham and eggs are more important than sentiment.

This place has had its day.

Oh, I'm not so sure about that, Mr. Bissle.

Oh, it's all right as a curiosity. A relic of the past.

But nowadays, you've got to look to the future.

Move with the tide if you ever hope to become rich.

Pete's already rich with all this good land just itching to grow things.

(MR. BISSLE LAUGHING)

My dear child, I saw this "good land" as I drove up.

Furrowed and hilly.

Probably played out years ago.

Anyone with land is rich.

Really, Tammy!

It ain't like the river that flows away underfoot.

It's always here, solid and secure.

It's like Grandpa always says.

There's two ways in which man comes nigh onto doing the work of God,

the bringing of life.

One's in the growing of things out of the soil,

and the other's in having children.

Naturally you're an expert on both, Tammy.

Well, I...

(STAMMERING)

That Barbara! She don't have the least notion how to love one man and no other.

If she did, she'd want to do what's best for Pete,

and not what's easiest for her.

If I was as pretty as Barbara, know what I'd do?

I'd stop her from ruining Pete's life

somehow.

(BLEATING)

Yes, I would!

(MOANING)

Shh!

You didn't come back. I was worried about you.

Oh, Nan and I was just kind of talking things over. I guess I fell asleep.

Well, you can just tell Nan she doesn't need to worry any longer.

I've turned down Mr. Bissle's offer.

Oh, I'm glad, Pete.

Well, I only wish that Mother and Barbara felt that way.

I know how it is with you, Pete.

You feel for people, and that's why they can pull you this way and that.

And when you love 'em and you can't go their way, it hurts.

You're a funny one.

You're so wise and yet so young.

I'm not so young! And I wish you wouldn't keep a-saying it!

All right, old lady. Now, off to bed with you.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Come in.

What in the world's this?

Thought you might like your breakfast brung up, you being a guest.

Battercakes, sausages, molasses and coffee.

Never take anything but dry toast and coffee. Indigestion.

Probably poisonous to the liver.

I made 'em myself.

The cook was busy.

I suppose I should eat them

now that you brought 'em.

Might as well eat. Couldn't sleep a wink.

Why? Something wrong with the bed?

No, not the bed.

That young fool, Peter, turning down my offer to remain in a place like this.

Pete's not a fool! He's wonderful!

Sit down, girl.

Not bad.

Just how wonderful is this Pete?

The most wonderful there is.

Thought my niece had a mortgage on him.

She wants him, if that's what you mean. For richer, but not for poorer.

Can't blame her. In this world you gotta look out for number one.

Not when you're supposed to be in love.

(SCOFFS) Love's a disease.

Ain't you never loved a woman?

Too busy getting where I am.

A man travels faster when he travels alone.

It's a curious thing to see a man alone.

Alone with nothing to show for his life but indigestion.

Well, I got to go now.

Don't you want a tip?

Tip?

Money for extra service. It's customary.

Well, I...

Gosh almighty! The money Pete left in the drugstore!

I bet he's been laughing at me all the time.

Get my pants.

All right.

The ones on the end.

MRS. BRENT: Tammy!

Oh, just a minute. Just a minute.

I'll be right down, just as soon as I give Mr. Bissle his pants.

Tammy, come down at once.

In a minute. He's gonna give me some money.

Joel, did you hear?

And Mr. Bissle, of all people!

Now, Ena, I'm sure it's nothing at all.

Nothing! How can you say that, Joel, when you...

Look! Mr. Bissle gave me a half a dollar just for bringing up his breakfast.

It's called a tip.

Excuse me.

What's wrong, Osia?

Every year, come Pilgrimage Week. Same old thing.

I figured you'd be excited with all them visitors coming today.

It's this here slave-time bandana Miss Brent makes me wear.

Pete told me everybody's going back into old times, dressing like other days.

Yeah, I know, but a bandana don't let no air in.

Your brains circulate better when they ain't so confined.

Oh!

I ain't never seen anything so pretty in all my born days.

It's like a blue cloud.

Ah, that Miss Barbara.

She don't wear nothing but the best.

Must be pure silk for sure.

Well, Miss Tammy, you bring your dress here, and after I hang this up

I'll come in and iron it for you.

Well I, I reckon this here suits me better than anything fancy.

I ain't a fancy person.

Wouldn't be no use putting on.

No, ma'am. You ain't fancy, Miss Tammy. You ain't silk or satin.

But you're pure 100%, whatever you is!

Oh, hello, Miss Renie.

Ain't that something!

You look beautiful, Miss Renie.

You don't need to be polite, Tammy.

Let's just say it's artistic.

I designed it myself.

I have to have a little fun.

You look like the Queen of Sheba!

Well, that's something, anyhow.

Now, you come with me.

I've got just the thing for you to wear.

For me?

But nobody said anything about me dressing up.

Well, I'm saying it now.

Come on, child. Don't keep the Queen of Sheba waiting.

(GASPING)

Wow.

It's beautiful!

These things were Grandmother Cratcher's.

She was Peter's great grandmother.

This is a comb she wore.

You must wear your hair like her portrait.

Ena won't have it downstairs, not glamorous enough.

She walked barefoot beside her father's wagon all the way from Virginia.

They were robbed on the way by some bandits.

There was nothing left but the cow and a few chickens.

That's too bad.

And then one day, she came to this house to sell eggs.

My grandfather saw her and fell in love with her on sight.

They were married the next day.

And lived happily ever after. It's like a fairy tale!

I didn't know I was going to dress up from the skin out,

drawers and everything.

Nice lines.

I never would have suspected it in those things you've been wearing.

Now then, the dress.

Oh.

Here...

(GROANING)

Here we come. Oh, Miss Renie!

Isn't it lovely? Now, step into it.

Don't bust it. Careful. Now.

Now, put your arm in the sleeve. There!

Now, tuck those under.

Better not eat with this on.

You have to make sacrifices for beauty.

Pull in! Pull in harder. There!

Do I look all right?

See for yourself.

Oh!

I never seen my figure out so plain to be seen.

Is it decent?

It's charming.

Do I look growed?

Definitely, and the word is grown.

Now then, some lipstick.

There, now.

Now, I'm going to get downstairs and watch their faces, especially Peter's.

I never did think Barbara was right for him in the first place.

Oh, Miss Renie!

I could just lie down and die of pure pleasure!

Now, remember, no shoes.

I can't wait!

Come on, Picasso.

(MEOWING)

Can't understand it.

Two stacks of battercakes and no indigestion.

My doctors told me...

(EXCLAIMS)

I come from Virginny, sir.

I've been walking all the way alongside the wagon, ox-drawn.

I've been sleeping on the ground by night and walking all the day.

I come to this great house to sell fresh eggs, a-toting 'em in my bonnet.

Oh, won't you come in.

We have need of eggs.

It would pleasure me, sir, for sure.

Did you hear that, Ena? Sounds authentic.

May I present Great Grandmother Cratcher, just come from Virginny

to take the pilgrimage.

Of course, these people aren't born yet, but they don't know it.

Now I know why my grandfather fell in love with her.

It's that dress. It's so quaint and charming.

You mean Tammy's charming.

Do you think I look growed? Grown?

I can't believe it, Tammy.

I kept thinking right along you were hardly more than...

I have an idea.

You've been worried about Tammy's speech, Ena.

Why not let her continue to be Grandmother Cratcher, or anyone else of the period?

Splendid!

It would cover any mistakes in grammar.

Do you think you could do that, Tammy?

What? Oh, yes'm. I won't be shy of folks if I'm pretending I'm someone else.

Well, then, that's settled. It'll be a relief...

Barbara! How lovely!

You look simply breathtaking, my dear!

Oh, how sweet of you.

You'll be the envy of every girl at the Rebel Ball!

Don't you think so, Mr. Bissle?

Not a doubt of it!

PETER: You do look lovely, Barbara.

Lovely is hardly the word.

Now's your chance to get Peter to change his mind

about the advertising business, Barbara.

I don't think any man could say no to a girl who looks like that, eh, Peter?

Peter?

Oh, it wouldn't be easy, sir.

Care to wet your whistle, ma'am? Like to cool your throat, sir?

No, thank you.

You are now in the main part of the house, built in 1832.

And this is the library.

You'll notice the original wood paneling's done by a slave artist.

And over here, if you'll just step this way...

And remember, gentlemen, the mint must be crushed slowly and gently.

Care to wet your whistle, sir?

These masterpieces were all painted by a slave artist.

Each one is a work of genius.

The owners might be tempted to part with one or two of 'em, at a price.

This silver was the old judge's gift to his bride

and the plates came from Paris to match the dinner service.

Care to cool your throat, ma'am?

Oh, no, thank you.

That's a lovely gown you're wearing.

It was made in Virginny.

My mammy sewed it for me with a needle and fine thread.

She made it strong for lasting because it was a far piece to come.

I'd like to hear about that.

Do you mind?

No. Not at all.

We came a-walking all the way, with the wagon creaking loud

and the oxen moving slow.

We come over the mountains and down by the trace.

Mammy and Pappy and me, and one crawling babe that had to be toted

and some odd-sized sisters, two or three. That's how we come.

Anyone in the mood for a drink?

Please go on. What happened?

A sight of strange things happened.

Powerful strange.

My pappy was a musical man.

He had him an old board fiddle strung with hairs from a horse's tail.

His music was so sweet, it drawed the birds down from the trees.

And they flew along with us, singing before and behind.

That's what brought us our grief.

Howdy, folks! Help yourselves!

Well, tell us some more, sister.

How could the birds make you trouble?

Well, there was a robber in that country went by a musical name.

Played the harp like an angel. And they called him Little Harp.

Now, he noted the birds was all a-leaving him.

The mocking bird, the jay, the little brown thrush and the sparrow,

till the only thing left was the buzzards.

When they lit out, he followed through the swamp

till he came to the edge of the trace.

And there was all the birds a-roosting whilst we was a-sleeping!

It were in the middle of the night by then and the campfire burning low.

We lay on our blankets sleeping.

Mammy and Pappy and me and one crawling baby that had to be toted

and some odd-sized sisters, two or three.

Now, Pappy used to hide his bag of gold

in the same leather bag that he used for toting his fiddle.

And Little Harp sneaked in whilst we slept and stole the leather bag!

That's how Little Harp not only burgled Pappy's horse-hair fiddle

but stole our treasure and left us all a-weeping with nothing,

excepting this family gown my mammy fashioned for me.

Well, I...

I reckon that's all the telling of it.

You haven't told how you came to live in this house.

That part was nigh onto a miracle for sure.

We were penniless, but we made out by nipping and tucking and selling fresh eggs.

Then one day, I come up the driveway yonder

wearing this very gown, for I owned no other.

I was toting fresh eggs in my bonnet.

I come up the driveway singing.

And the young man of the house, he come out

and he took me by the hand and he said,

"I'll take the eggs, I'll take the bonnet,

"I'll take the gown and what's in it."

And he kissed me then and there!

And he made me into a fine lady

and he carved this comb for my hair.

That's how I come to this great house,

and how I lived here happily ever after.

Tammy, it was just like a song. Every word of it.

You wasn't weary of listening, Pete?

Oh, no!

Tammy, I don't know how to say this.

Up until today, I...

Peter?

Would you mind helping me with my group?

Of course not, Barbara.

Excuse us.

Tammy, you were great.

Oh, thanks, Ernie.

Care to wet your whistle?

No, thanks! Not with that stuff!

Listen, Tammy, the last time I invited you out it was, well, for laughs.

But if you'd go out with me again, it would be different.

Dinner, dancing. Anything you want.

That other time, Ernie, when Pete showed up,

you said you stepped aside for him once.

Did you mean Barbara?

Yes. But when I saw it was Pete all the way, I stepped out of the picture.

Then it wouldn't be right, you and me going out together.

Why not?

I promise I'll wear my shiniest halo.

No, Ernie.

You'd be wishing all the time I was Barbara. And I'd be wishing you was Pete.

It wouldn't be no fun.

Pete?

So that's how it is.

Mmm-hmm.

That's how it is.

Well, Tammy, I guess you're right.

It wouldn't be no fun.

Oh, care to cool your throat, sir?

Oh, thanks.

That sure was a cute skit, miss.

Where'd you get your material?

Material?

The story you were telling.

I got some of it from Miss Renie

and I tacked it onto one of Grandpa's old stories.

Grandpa? Well, then, you're a relative of the Brent's, huh?

Oh, no, I'm only staying here until Grandpa gets out of jail.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

It's no use, Tammy!

No! They're done for!

No, no, Pete! There's gotta be some left! There's bound to be!

Why did it have to come like this, Pete? Why?

It just did.

Maybe there! Along the side of the barn!

Please, God, let there be some! He's gotta have 'em!

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

Never mind, Tammy!

We can set 'em out again, Pete! The sun'll bring 'em back to life!

If they got any innards, they'll make out!

I'm slow at figuring things out, Tammy,

but this is plain enough even for me to understand!

I was crazy to think I could make this place pay for itself!

Don't give up, Pete! You mustn't!

You told me once I was afraid of being a failure!

Well, you're right!

No! Can't you see, Pete?

You're just one of a line that goes back beyond the time of knowing!

A line of people that ever wrestled with the earth to get their living from it!

You can't feel like a failure, Pete, when you're part of a line!

Thanks, Tammy.

I guess I'm just still driftwood.

Hey, you're cold. Better go in.

Well, I'll be along in a minute. I want to see if Nan's all right.

Oh, Nan!

(SOBBING)

Good morning.

Good morning, Mr. Bissle.

Good morning. Help yourself.

Thank you...

Ahhh.

I thought that was quite a successful opening for Pilgrimage Week, Mrs. Brent.

Yes. Last night went off splendidly, thanks to Tammy.

Quite a hail storm, too.

Fortunately it did no damage.

I wonder.

I have some wonderful news, Mr. Bissle.

Peter has decided to accept your offer.

A wise decision, my boy.

Barbara will be delighted!

As I was saying to her only last night...

Good morning.

Oh, good morning. Good morning, Aunt Renie.

Joel...

How do you think I'll look with a short haircut and a long cigarette holder?

What? I don't follow you.

Tammy has made my mind up for me.

Come the end of Pilgrimage Week, I'm moving to New Orleans.

I'm going to do nothing but paint.

If Grandma Whozitz can do it, I can.

What about Brentwood Hall?

Ena, if Peter doesn't want it, I'm gonna sell it. Even to a Yankee.

Oh, I wouldn't be in a hurry to sell, if I were you, Miss Renie.

That's quite an about-face, isn't it?

Yes, I guess it is...

But seeing this place come to life for a few hours last night,

watching Tammy, like a ghost out of the past, with all the warmth

and charm of a more leisurely era, made me realize something.

She called me a lonely old man with nothing to show for my life but indigestion.

In a way, she was right.

Seems as if Tammy's had quite an influence on all of us.

She opened my eyes to a lot of things.

Made me realize that I'd been running away, hiding myself.

When you needed me most, Ena, I failed you.

Excuse me, folks.

Miss Tammy's took off.

I checked her room and her things are gone.

The goat, too!

Peter! Peter, wait!

Peter!

Just where do you think you're going?

To bring her back.

You'll do nothing of the sort.

It's my fault she left. I let her down,

disappointed and hurt.

I know, but you'll only make it worse.

If you don't know by now that Tammy's in love with you,

you're just plain stupid, Peter. Even for a man.

You'll only break her heart again by bringing her back.

Unless, of course, you're ready to do something about it.

Have you seen this morning's paper?

Well, you'll have to excuse me, Barbara. Hi, Ernie.

Hi. You'd better look at it.

What've you got to say about that?

That's a good picture of Tammy, isn't it?

You won't treat it so lightly when you read what it says.

"At Brentwood Hall, an original touch was added to the usual pilgrimage routine

"in a charming sketch by Miss Tambrey Tyree...

"...romantic story explained her presence at Brentwood Hall.

"It has to do with her daring river rescue of Peter Brent."

I don't see anything so terrible about that, Barbara.

The Pilgrimage could do with a little publicity.

Read the rest of it.

"Her grandfather, John Dinwoodie, now an inmate of Forestville Jail,

"preaches daily to his fellow prisoners.

"Brother John claims to be the victim of a law unfavorable to human freedom

"especially with reference to the making of corn liquor."

That's Grandpa, all right.

Well, I don't think your little goat girl is going to be around very long

when your mother reads that.

Tammy's gone. She left last night.

Well, it's just as well.

She'll be a lot happier back on the river.

Yeah, I'm sure she will.

But will I?

What are you getting at, Pete?

Barbara, we've both refused to face something we've known for a long time.

We don't have the right kind of love for each other.

Not the kind of love Tammy calls the "till-death-do-us-part" kind.

Tammy again?

Yes, Tammy again.

She's made me realize that when people are really in love

they should be willing to make sacrifices for each other.

And that's what's missing between you and me.

You're in love with her!

I reckon I'll just get lonesomer and lonesomer for the rest of my living days.

You don't ever have to be lonesome again, Tammy.

Now, what would you know about love, Nan? You're only a...

Peter!

Oh, Peter!

GRANDPA: Yoo-hoo!

That's Grandpa!

Yes. You see, after you left, I stopped by the jail to talk to him

and there were so many people trying to get in to hear his sermon,

they just had to kick him out.

He's waiting at the edge of the swamp.

Waiting? Why doesn't he come on over?

Well, I told him you and I had some unfinished business.