Original subtitles

AN HD PRESENTATION

THE DIGITIZATION OF THIS FILM

FAITHFULLY RESPECTS ALL THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE ORIGINAL WORK. IT WAS CARRIED OUT THANKS TO

BACH AND BROCCOLI

(gusting wind)

(gusting wind)

(soft tinkling)

- My name is Fanny.

My mom and dad died when I was little

in a car accident.

At first, it was really hard.

It hurt.

It's not so bad now.

But still,

at night sometimes...

(soft tinkling)

(gusting wind)

(gusting wind)

(slow, soft music)

♪

(music pace intensifies)

♪

♪

♪

(hamster squeaking)

(hamster squeaking)

- Shh. Keep the noise down.

Your father's fast asleep. You'll wake him.

After I'm settled, I'll come get you all.

Leaving you is tough, even for a while.

But I'll come back, honest.

- ♪ In Dublin's

♪ Fair city

♪ Where girls

♪ Are so pretty

♪ I first

♪ Laid my eyes

♪ On sweet Molly Malone

♪ As she wheeled

♪ Her wheelbarrow

♪ Through the streets ♪

- Grandma? You won't be sick forever.

Can we move back together after you've gotten all better?

- Afraid of moving, Fanny?

- Not a bit.

Of course I'm afraid.

Of being apart, I suppose.

But I'm excited too.

Funny, huh?

Think he'll be married yet?

- Jonathan? No.

That I doubt very much, dear.

- I wonder what kept him from answering that letter.

- Too busy, I guess.

- Hmm.

Gosh, maybe he croaked. - Fanny!

(both laughing)

You two will get along fine.

Don't you worry. - I hope so, but after all,

he's never set eyes on me before.

- He saw you as a baby, and I know Jonathan too.

He'll welcome you with open arms,

I'm sure.

(woman laughing)

- Jonathan!

I want you to meet Sandy and Jennifer.

- Pleased to meet you-- - OH!

(man laughing) - Oh, it's not funny!

- Mark! For crying out loud. What do you say?

- Oh. I'm sorry, Mister. Wait up, Sarah!

- Lively, isn't he?

- He's nothing once you've seen

the other two. - You've got three?

- Sure. You can borrow them any time you want to.

- Ah... oh, thank you, but... uh...

- Excuse me, if I may...

I'd like to take advantage of this...

this festive occasion

to say goodbye

-- temporarily-- to our old pal, Jonathan.

On behalf of all of us, I'd like

to wish you the best as you start your sabbatical year.

And also to wish you

much success in your approaching

competition for the piano.

- Organ, actually.

- A competition for the organ.

And now, for those long hours

at the keyboard, we pitched in

to buy a small souvenir.

Children...

- Thanks, dear.

(exclamations of appreciation)

(clapping)

Thank you. Thank you very much.

- Any good? - Yuck! Grownup food

tastes awful.

(woman laughing)

- Oh, Bernice... you didn't have to.

- Just something to bring you luck.

- It's pitiful. Bernice is dreaming. He's a lost cause.

- Well, he'll never be the one to make the first move.

- Johann Sebastian Bach.

I really appreciate it.

(syllabic singing)

Good evening, Sean!

(screaming) Oh...

Excuse me. Heh, heh, heh.

(syllabic singing)

(keys jangling)

- Did he talk?

- Yes, Mom! He did!

Twice!

(soft clattering)

(Jonathan singing along to opera music)

(chuckling)

- Look out below.

We're in for a little opera tonight.

♪

(singing)

(record scratching) (train horn blaring)

(oboe music)

- Broccoli, keep still!

♪

Stop fidgeting.

We're almost there.

(soft piano music)

♪

(railroad crossing bell ringing)

♪

- Come on. Get in.

( children singing Angels We Have Heard On High )

♪

- He'll remember me? - Sh, sh, sh.

Good morning. - Morning.

- Is Jonathan Barlow in?

- No one by that name here.

(gasping) Sorry.

- Still, I'm sure I'm at the right address.

- We've been here for three years.

- Three years?

- Terry? Ever heard of a Jonathan...

Marlow? - Barlow.

Jonathan Barlow.

- Hmm. Hang on a moment.

- This is awful, Grandma! I told you we should have phoned ahead.

- Yes, Barlow. Jonathan Barlow.

I should've returned it to the mailman, I suppose,

but I kept on forgetting.

- We sure look stupid, you know.

- I'm sure, but it's gotta stop.

I've just had it, you hear?

I mean, Lord knows I do my best,

but you're out of control. You don't listen.

You don't do what you're told.

You're just a bundle of raging hormones.

I don't know what to do with you.

Now, don't get me wrong. I realize adolescence

is a difficult period, but... it's no excuse

for the infantile behaviour you've been displaying lately.

Hockey in the laundry room.

Talking back to the superintendent.

Using slugs in the washing machines.

Disappearing with your friends

for hours at a time.

I don't know. Maybe you're hyperactive.

Maybe you should cut out

white sugar for a while, see if that helps.

- No answer? - I guess he must be out.

But at least I found his number

and his address. - What possessed your father

to buy you that stupid skateboard I'll never know.

It just brings out every aggressive tendency

you've got. Weaving in and out of traffic.

Terrorizing pedestrians.

You're making me a nervous wreck. I...

(screeching)

(doorbell playing complex musical tune)

(children talking and shouting indistinctly)

(sighing)

- Yes? - Hello.

We're looking for Jonathan Barlow.

- Mr. Barlow lives upstairs. - Oh. I'm his aunt.

- Ah. - And this is his niece.

- Just a minute. Sean!

- Sean, your mom!

- Huh? - Come here, sweetheart.

Can you go check if Mr. Barlow's in, Sean?

Here, come in. - Oh, you're very kind.

- Hello.

(doorbell playing complex musical tune)

(whistling a tune)

Mr. Barlow?

(classical music playing on headphones)

Mr. Barlow! (knocking)

- Ah!

- Got him for you. He's coming.

- Did you have to do that?! - Hmm?

- You scared me half to death!

Ah, go on, the two of you!

- Well anyway, thanks. - Sure.

(tapping)

- Hmm. So you're my Uncle Jon.

- (Jon): Would you like some milk?

- (Grandma): I take my coffee black.

Remember? - Oh.

Would you like something to eat? - No, thanks.

- Did you just get in today? - Mm-hmm.

Early this morning. - You came by bus?

- No, I prefer the train.

- It's amazing how much Fanny's grown.

She looks so much like her mother.

- Well, she does have

her smile, but... the eyes are Jerome's.

(curtain rod rattling)

You seemed to drop out of our lives. Why?

- I wanted to write to you after I left.

And to write Jerome.

But I couldn't. Just came up empty.

The papers all covered the accident, of course.

I thought of you and Fanny.

It's good to see you. You're looking well.

- I'm not, though.

I've come to ask you to take care of Fanny, Jonathan.

- Temporarily?

- I go into a home a week from today.

- Oh. Now, wait a minute. Hold on.

Well, impossible. Absurd.

You know what I'm like. It's...

Well, you can't leave her here.

I'd be all wrong for her. I've lived by myself all my life.

Besides, I don't know

the first thing about children. Haven't a clue.

- You're the only person in the world

we can turn to, Jonathan.

Do it for her father.

(sighing)

For her mother?

(frame creaking)

- Hmm. Learn something every day.

Well...

Hey...

I took this picture.

Hang on.

- Hey, you expect me to sleep uphill?!

(giggling)

All right.

- Come here.

- There's one of you. - Right.

- Hey, that's me! - Sure is.

- You came to my birthday? - That's right.

And you couldn't say Jonathan, so you called me Jojo.

(laughing)

- You were skinnier back then.

- Hmm. I was.

- Oh. Chess. Who won?

- I won, as usual.

- Hmm... - I am rather good.

- Did you really love my dad?

- Mm-hmm.

We spent all our summers together up there.

With your grandma.

- How come if you loved each other you stopped talking?

- Oh...

You know how grownups can get.

- Did you ever fight with my mother?

- Oh, no!

No.

Never.

- She's pretty.

- Oh, yes.

(soft music)

♪

- I'm really glad to be here.

- I'm happy you're here too.

Plus, I promise you won't be stuck here long.

We're gonna find you a family.

A real family.

Well...

I'll leave you. You must be tired, huh?

(clock ticking)

(snoring)

- Come on before I freeze!

(soft pattering)

Come on!

Shh.

Shh. You're going to come sleep with me, Broccoli.

(kissing sound)

But don't wake Jonathan.

We'll let him get used to me

before we tell him about you.

(snoring)

(snuffling)

(oboe music)

♪

- Hmm... Hmm...

Hmm...

♪ Re, re, la, ti, so, fa, mi

♪ Fa, re, re, la, ti, so, mi, mi ♪

(playing organ music)

(oboe music)

♪

♪ Re, mi, fa, so, fa, mi

♪ Re, do, ti, so, so

♪ Ti, do, do, mi, mi, fa

♪ Do, mi, mi, fa, mi, re, do, ti, la ♪

♪

(engine turning off)

(door closing) - Hey, Fanny! We got our tree!

Look, a real-life scots pine!

- That's not pine.

That's spruce.

See? The needles go

all the way around the branch. - Big deal.

- Well, just not as bushy. That's all.

- Well, who wants a bushy Christmas tree? Come on.

- (Sean's mother): Come on, Sean. Bring in the tree.

Let me see what you got. - Well, it's only a spruce.

Hmph!

- ♪ Do, re, mi, fa, mi, re, do

♪ Ti, la, fa ♪

Uh-huh. (syllabic humming)

(door opening)

Hey, take off your boots, huh?

- I already did.

Um... Ow! Ooh! Something is

really hurting the back of my neck. Ooh! Ah!

Oh...

Psst!

(snuffling)

Psst!

- Well, don't move, Fanny!

- (whispering): Move it!

- Strange, I... I don't see a thing.

What was it? - Nothing at all.

Guess I imagined it.

(organ music)

♪

♪

- (Sean's mother): Heh, heh, heh! I got you. Didn't I,

little stinker? Look at these ears! You haven't touched them

with the soap! Come on! Scrub! - (Sean): Oh, no! Ah!

- Scrub! Come on! Put a little muscle into it!

- OK, OK! I'll do it! OK, OK! - All right. Behind the neck.

- No, no, no! Wait! I'll do it!

- All right! See that you do. - No! No! Don't! No! Stop!

- Don't want your new girlfriend to think you're a slob,

do you? (both laughing)

♪

- That's beautiful. - Oh, it...

it's Bach.

Johann Sebastian Bach.

The greatest composer in history.

- Which one?

(laughing)

- Oh, they're both Bach. - Oh. Heh.

Can I try?

(organ notes)

♪

- Oh, yes.

♪

That's it?

(playing the song from Fanny's dream)

♪

♪

- That's the tune Mom liked.

You knew that, didn't you?

- Oh, yes.

- She used to love playing the piano.

You both did.

- Mm-hmm. - You could have been

a professional if you practiced.

(chuckling)

- Oh, it's never too late though, is it?

- You're much too old now.

- Well... you'll find out what an old man's capable of.

A few months from now...

I'll be playing for a panel of judges

in an organ contest.

- You'll come in first, huh?

- I'll try to.

- Could you win something?

- Oh...

I could win a little six month trip, yeah...

to tour Europe and give concerts.

- Wow!

I've never been to Europe.

I'll be your secretary.

- Oh, for heaven's sake, don't be silly!

You coming too

would be out of the question. - But why?

- Um, well...

because...

you can't be off from school.

Besides...

you'd be miserable in two weeks.

I couldn't look after you.

What you need is a proper family,

and I promise that I'm gonna find you one.

- Just keep your proper family. I'm OK.

I'm happy right here.

Look, I promise I won't get in your way.

Prove to you

no one's gonna look after me once and for all!

"I'll find you a proper family."

Hmph! I'm sick of him mentioning this family.

Hmm, Broccoli?

As if we needed one.

(meowing)

Oh!

I'd love to open the door, but Broccoli's temperamental.

Hmm. I could get you a bowl of milk.

A nice big bowl.

(alarm blaring) (gasping)

- Oh!

- Hey! - Whoa!

Hey, he could spray you! Move out of the way!

- What's going on?!

- Now, get out of here! It might spray the rest of the house!

Just leave the... - Come here, Broccoli.

Don't be frightened.

- It's safe to get down,

Mr. Barlow. I don't think it's dangerous.

- Get your playmate out of this house

this instant! - If Broccoli's leaving,

then I'm leaving with her! - It's winter! You can't

throw Fanny out. She'll freeze!

- Well, I'll throw you out instead then! Scram!

(sighing)

(sighing)

Your pet we'll deal with later,

but from now on, leave the cooking to me!

April 14th she'll be 12.

- Fanny, a rather unusual name.

- Well, Fanny's an unusual girl.

- I'll file your application for adoption today.

In the meantime, we could place her

in an institution. - No.

I spent all of my childhood in an orphanage.

It's out of the question.

- Very well.

You'll provide for her 'til she's taken then?

- Will that be soon?

- Impossible to say.

I'll keep you informed.

(oboe music)

♪

(door creaking)

- OK. Stay here. Don't move.

Ow! (objects clattering)

(groaning)

There.

- She'll freeze to death! - If she can live in the woods,

she'll be able to sleep here. (sighing)

Come on, Fanny.

She's kept me up three nights in a row.

- Have to curl up. It's cold tonight.

I'll come and rescue you in the morning.

- OK. Time to go in.

(clicking her tongue)

I should've known your father would be the one to give you

such a dumb present in the first place.

Broccoli! (scoffing)

(Jonathan grunting)

(object clanking)

(Jonathan grunting)

(sighing)

- Who's the girl?

- You've got some nerve, I must say,

going through my things.

- Just tell me who.

Nope. You tell me or I'll stick her in the shed,

just like Broccoli.

- She's just someone I know from work.

- Give me her name, please.

- Bernice. (laughing)

- Bernice? (laughing)

- Bernice.

- What kind of a name is that?

(laughing)

(sighing)

(80s rock music playing on stereo)

♪

Gives the place a lot more zap, huh?

- Lovely.

- You're right. I'll have a lot more room in here.

- Fanny...

Fanny!

Uh... uh, listen...

turn down the music. It's up awful loud.

- Not bad, huh?

Broccoli?

Where are you, Broccoli?

Broccoli...

(sighing)

Come on out, Broccoli! Good girl!

(clicking her tongue)

(sighing)

There's too much junk lying around here.

(grunting)

- HEY!

Just crazy.

Nuts.

Are you trying to kill me?

- She's depressed, poor thing.

- Look at this place. I'd be depressed too.

- She hardly has room to breathe in here.

- Hey!

I've got a great idea. Hah!

(organ music playing on headphones)

♪

- Some tree this is. It's ridiculous.

(doorbell playing complex musical tune)

- Excuse me, did I mix up the address?

Is this Mr. Barlow's-- - Yeah! Sure is.

- Uh... Is he home and available?

- I'm not supposed to disturb him, actually.

- Oh. - He's practicing.

(sighing)

- You at the door, Fanny?

- Yes, I am! Your girlfriend's here!

- Go on in. Sit down.

No, no!

Oh, I'm sorry. (gasping)

Oh, she's been fixed.

Come on, Broccoli.

Oh, it's just...

Here, Fanny, your bag.

This is Fanny, my little niece.

She'll be living with me

for a... for a while.

Fanny, allow me to introduce Bernice.

- He has a picture of you

hidden in one of his books. That's how I knew you.

- Listen, if you'd rather practice, please don't--

- Oh, I can play after! I'm happy you dropped in.

- How have you been doing?

- Well, I've chosen the piece, but... it's difficult.

But I'm making progress.

- Ahem.

- Would you like something to drink?

- Oh, no, no, no. I was just passing.

I wonder if you weren't too busy,

if you'd come to a Christmas Eve party.

I'm having a few friends over, and...

- I'd be honoured, Bernice. (chuckling)

- Goodbye.

And merry Christmas. I hope your practicing goes well.

- Thank you, Bernice. - Goodbye.

- And merry Christmas to you. - Oh, thanks.

- You'd rather have gone to her party, huh?

- Uh, no, no. No, no.

Hey, let's have our own party for Christmas Eve, Fanny. Hmm?

(indistinct speaking)

- Stand back, please! Stand back!

- What a smell!

- Come on, they're beautiful!

They're grouper. They're great!

- They may be great, but they stink.

- No, the other cash. - Two pounds. Two pounds!

- Sir?

Two lobsters. - Two?

- Not too big. - Right.

How's this? - Yes, that's fine.

- This one? - Perfect.

- OK.

- Hello!

(screaming)

- Hey! Hey, hey, hey! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!

Lay off my lobsters, will you, kid?

(crying)

- These are supposed to be pinned, for God's sake!

They're only taped! - Now, wait a minute--

- The Food Inspector's gonna hear from me!

- Well, listen, I-- - This little girl just might've lost her finger!

Come on, Fanny. Does it still hurt?

(sighing) (splashing)

- She was on the floor?! - Yeah, she was training the dog

to fetch the paper, so I walked in, she's on all fours

with a paper in her mouth. (laughing)

- (Sean): Oh, come on! Stick!

What's the matter with you?!

Darn it!

I said stick! Ugh!

(grunting)

Aww, go on!

I put lots of glue on you!

Stick!

Oh, hello. - Wallpaper?

Where'd you get it? - From my mother.

- Uh, my... my stuff's gone.

Where'd you put my stuff, Sean?

- Oh, don't worry, Mr. Barlow.

I took it all downstairs to our locker.

(door creaking)

- It's beautiful. - Yeah!

And I'm not finished yet.

(sniffing)

(sniffing)

Ugh, it stinks!

Ugh! - It's our Christmas supper.

Oysters, lobster.

- You don't mean you'll be eating it? Yuck!

- Hmph!

(door creaking)

- Thank God for good old turkey.

(giggling)

- You don't scare me anymore!

They're brown and lobsters

are always red in pictures. - They will be,

after I've boiled them.

- After you've boiled them?! Not for me, thanks.

Uh-uh. - Not for you, Fanny?

Look, there's a lobster for you and one for me.

- You're not boiling mine! That's murder!

You're just a killer!

- Come off it now, Fanny, huh?

- I don't kill your friends!

Jojo.

If you'd rather do it on New Year's...

- Coming. Coming.

- That's some suit.

You look great!

- You look pretty good yourself!

- You sit over here.

First, you open yours.

- It's beautiful.

You went to a lot of trouble. Thanks.

Looks more like a valentine card, doesn't it?

Listen, now it's your turn.

(paper crinkling)

Uh...

They're the best quality you can get!

Those gloves will last for years and years!

Well, it's no problem.

We'll just exchange them.

It's never been my forte, shopping for children.

(Jonathan chuckling)

- I'm not a child!

(sighing)

(indistinct speaking)

(upbeat music)

♪

- Fanny?

Fanny...

come out of the cold before you freeze.

(lively indistinct speaking downstairs)

(slurping)

(laughing downstairs)

(cheering downstairs)

(rhythmic clapping downstairs)

(indistinct singing downstairs)

( piano rendition of Angels We Have Heard on High )

♪

- They're really beautiful. Thanks.

♪

♪

(coughing)

(coughing)

I hope you're OK soon.

- Is everything going all right with Jonathan?

- Oh, yeah.

He'll survive. (Grandma laughing)

Grandma, we better go.

We have to stop at the Wagner's before we go back.

( Tampico Hermoso by Samuel M. Lozano playing )

♪

(hamsters squeaking)

(birds chirping)

Could've asked before you folded up the tree.

Didn't even make it to New Year's.

- It just seemed to be cluttering up the music room

for nothing. - Where am I supposed to put

Grandma's gift you gotta buy me? I saw her give you the cash

for my present, you know.

- No, that cash is for some clothes for you,

not a present, Fanny.

So you won't be introduced to a new family in rags.

- Listen, Grandma never said

anything about a new family.

Right from the start, she said I'd live with you here.

- Then she mustn't have been aware

of the law.

It's impossible for bachelors to adopt anyone.

They don't allow it.

- You'll be the first then, OK?

- Fanny...

The pants are finished. Why not go

feed your rats and birds, huh?

- They are not rats!

They're hamsters! Thank you!

Oh...

(sighing)

Living here is OK, isn't it?

Food, comfort, company.

How about you guys? Settled in yet?

- Hey! We were in the country visiting my aunt.

Look what she gave me! A chicken!

It'll lay eggs for us. - Hey! Hold it!

Have you gone nuts, Sean?! If it sees Broccoli, it'll fight her!

- Broccoli just has to spray it.

- She had an operation! I told you no spray!

Got it? She's helpless in a fight! Get it out of here!

- Skunk!

A useless animal. At least mine lays eggs.

- You dodo.

You don't know much at all, do you?

You've got a problem, Sean! - Problem? Why?

- You got a rooster! - Mean something?

- The eggs come from the hen you ninny, you!

- Yeah, that's it.

Know it all, don't you?

Tell me about how dumb I am!

Tell me about spruce and pine!

Tell me about what the different animals do

because I'm too stupid to know! Because I never lived

in the stupid country!

- It wasn't me that said I knew it all. You did.

Like for example, I don't know about the city. I'm lost here.

(birds chirping)

- I know every inch of it.

(upbeat 80s music)

♪

- ♪ Take me there - Where the streets invite us ♪

- ♪ Take me there, won't you take me there? ♪

♪ Take me there

- ♪ Where our hearts can guide us ♪

- ♪ Take me there, won't you take me there? ♪

- ♪ Show me where

♪ Every streetlight knows you

- ♪ Follow me

♪ To the place I go

- ♪ Share the secrets

♪ You keep inside you

♪ Take me where only your dreams can go ♪

♪ Take me there

- ♪ I can't wait to show you

- ♪ Take me there

♪ Won't you take me there?

♪ Take me there

- ♪ Where the world will know you ♪

- ♪ Take me there, won't you take me there? ♪

- ♪ When I'm here

♪ Winter seems much warmer

- ♪ On these streets

♪ It is always fair

- ♪ Show me all

♪ That they have to offer

♪ Tell me secrets

♪ Only friends can share

♪ Take me there

- ♪ Where the streets invite us ♪

- ♪ Take me there

♪ Won't you take me there?

♪ Take me there

- ♪ Where our hearts can guide us ♪

- ♪ Take me there - Hello, doggie!

- ♪ Won't you take me there ?

♪ Take me there

♪ Take me there ♪

♪

- Bernice, I can't thank you enough.

- Will you stop thanking me, Jonathan?

I've already said it was a pleasure.

- Fanny? - SEAN!

SEAN!

What's my extension doing up there?!

- I don't have the faintest idea.

- Can't go! My block's frozen!

(door creaking)

SEAN!

- They've flown the coop. (birds chirping)

(meowing)

- Is... is that mine?

- No, no, no, no. That's mine.

I'm sure of it.

(meowing)

- (Fanny): We built this thing to play in in the summer

out of all the junk in the yard. - It's about time.

- It was great! It had a turret and a secret entrance.

That was the underground tunnel. And inside, we put a whole-- - SEAN!

- Fanny!

- Uh oh. Good luck. - You too.

- My extension is

for warming the car, not warming up the neighbour's shed!

- Johann Sebastian Bach is a composer of music,

not a zookeeper!

- Inside!

- Inside.

- That's pretty.

- I'm not nuts about it.

- Give this a try?

- Sure, if I gotta.

- Fanny, I'm sorry about all this.

- It's not your fault.

(Christmas music playing)

♪

That's pretty, hmm?

- A bit young for me though.

- You're not too old for anything!

- No?

- I bet you'd look wonderful in that, Bernice.

(syllabic singing)

♪

(80s rock music playing on headphones)

♪

Did you ever get married?

- Oh, yes. - Did it last a long time?

- Let me see...

about three years.

- But then he split?

- No, I'm the one who split.

- Have you known my Uncle Jon long?

- I've known him for three years.

- He takes special handling, hmm?

(both laughing)

- I suppose so.

- You love him too?

(sighing)

(door opening)

Hey, look what I got!

- How was it?

- Didn't get a thing for me but bought some pretty

beautiful stuff for Bernice. Show him your dress!

- Now Fanny, I hope you weren't too rough on Bernice.

- She was great. We've become good buddies.

It might be fun

sometime to go out, all three of us together.

- How's that?

(laughing)

- We got carried away.

- So I see.

I'm hoping you'll stay for supper?

- Oh, yes. My pleasure.

- Here's that thing

I told you about. - Oh, yeah?

- Here's Dad, my mom...

Grandma...

and now I've got Uncle Jon!

- Oh, really?

Where did this picture come from?

- Out of your album.

- I don't believe it.

I don't believe it. My...

Get out of here. Go on.

Go into the kitchen and stay there. I don't wanna

see your face for a while!

(soft crying)

- Jonathan, please. It's only a photograph.

- It was the photograph I valued most in my life.

- But Fanny couldn't possibly have known that!

And if she did what she did, it's because...

because you're very important to her.

- I'm not going to be her substitute father. I'm sorry!

(sighing) - I better go, Jonathan.

Somehow, I'm not hungry.

(door closing)

- I'm sorry. I didn't know.

- It's all right.

- Goodnight.

I love you a lot, Uncle Jon.

Bernice and I had a really great time.

I like her a lot.

- Sleep well, Fanny.

(soft piano music)

♪

(rooster crowing)

(sighing)

(rooster crowing)

(groaning)

Bloody rooster.

- Better off here than out in the streets, aren't you boy?

(meowing)

Warm, lots to eat. You'll love it here.

- I have never seen such an ugly dog.

- What's eating you today anyway?

- He came to interview me, the homewrecker.

- Who's he? - Mr. Ménard.

Médéric Ménard. Name's a joke.

Asked me a bunch of questions.

Went on and on. Said he'd find me a real family.

Real family!

He's a real pain in the neck.

Who asked him to run my life?

- Things are moving forward but nevertheless,

we'll be looking at two or three months.

- Well, if that's what it takes, fine.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

- Ah, school, you'll remember to register her?

- Oh, we'll go tomorrow.

Hmm.

And once we've packed her off to school,

I'm gonna have all day to play.

(organ music) - I told her she was fat!

- Well, she's asking for it. - She picked on her so bad!

I told her if she did that again, I'd punch her head in!

- Yeah! Good for you! - But then I felt bad, so I

tried to be nice and said look, you've got pimples, but nobody

calls you Crater Face. - Hello!

All of us hate doing homework alone.

You sit there, Jenny. - Where?

- On the radiator! There's only two chairs.

- Ugh. - Don't worry. It's turned off.

- It's hard! - What do you expect?

It's a radiator.

Well, what subject first?

- How about math? - Oh, please! Math's a pain!

- Come on, we'll finish it fast. (organ music)

- Oh Lord, give me strength.

♪

(sighing)

(organ music playing on headphones)

- What's he doing, Fanny? - Oh, he's practicing.

He entered a contest. - Could he win a car?

- Nope. A trip.

(classical music playing on headphones)

♪

♪

♪

- All right, that's very funny.

Now cut it out, please.

Have you finished your lessons now? Then I think

it's time you girls went home. - Come on.

- See you. - So long.

- So long.

(sighing)

- My new friends and you gotta put them out?

You could've been more polite.

- Well, you could've been more thoughtful.

- Is anything wrong?

- No, it's nothing. I have a bit of a cold.

- Go lie down until supper.

I'll fix up the table.

- Hmm.

(Jonathan sniffling)

Vegetable? - Uh-huh.

- Well, at least it's not chicken noodle again.

There we go.

Thanks.

Mm! - Look out! It's hot, you know.

- Isn't it, though?

(blowing) - You took both capsules?

- Sure. - And your syrup?

- And my syrup.

I'm grateful to you.

- If you want, I can stay with you today.

- On Saturday? Come on. Go and have some fun, Fanny.

Don't worry. I can manage on my own.

(rooster crowing)

(grumbling)

(rooster crowing)

(phone ringing)

(upbeat 80s music playing)

(phone ringing)

♪

Hello?

Oh, just a second. Fanny!

Fanny, the phone. Come on.

Unbelievable how one person can have so many friends.

- 'Cause I'm not always grumpy, I suppose.

(sighing) Hello? Oh! Hi, Karen!

♪

Oh, sure!

Yeah, I'm listening to it right now. It's super!

♪

- If spaghetti sticks, that means it's ready to eat.

(laughing)

- No, I'm still on the line. It's just my uncle's throwing

spaghetti at me, that's all.

I'm serious! It's true!

- Now, problem number 10.

You have to buy a lot of supplies for camp.

Fanny!

- It's 7. I told Sean I'd go out to the shed now.

- You have to do your homework first.

Now, you have to buy a lot of-- - But he's supposed to have

something special though. - Fine, but your homework

still comes first.

You have to buy a lot of supplies for camp with $300.

A good compass costs $20.

New boots $40.

A bathing suit...

- Hello, Mr. Barlow. Coming?

- Not now. We have work to do. - Oh, but I gotta show her

what I got. - Uh, put it down there.

- See you tomorrow.

- Now... a sweater

$19 and a raincoat $32.

When it comes time

to total the bill, will the cashier...

- You're the one that told Sean to leave it there.

They're cute though, hmm?

(tinkling sound) (sighing)

♪ With an old swaybacked horse and a young spotted hawk ♪

♪ Singing too-re-li too-re-li

♪ Too-re-li yay

I told you it has a lot of animals in it!

Wanna try it again? - Sure!

- (Fanny and Sean): ♪ Oh, do you remember sweet Betsy from Pike ♪

♪ Who crossed the great mountains with her lover Ike ♪

♪ With a tall Shanghai rooster and a big yellow dog ♪

♪ With an old swayback horse - Wait, wait! Wait a second!

- What? - What's a Shanghai rooster?

- I don't know! I asked Grandma but she didn't know either.

Keep going! It's the last line you gotta get.

♪ With an old swayback horse

♪ And a young spotted hawk, singing too-re-li too-re-li ♪

♪ Too-re-li yay Let me hear you!

- ♪ With a young swayback horse ♪

♪ And an old spotted hawk, singing too-re-li ♪

♪ Too-re-li too-re-li yay

Pretty good, huh? - No! The horse is old

and the hawk is young! You got it backwards!

- I didn't! The last time, you said the hawk was old

and the horse was young! - You're crazy!

But never mind, it doesn't matter. Wanna see

how loud I can sing? Listen to this!

♪ Oh, do you remember sweet Betsy from Pike ♪

♪ Who crossed the great mountains with her lover Ike with a tall Shanghai rooster ♪

♪ And a big yellow dog, with a young swayback horse ♪

♪ And an old spotted hawk ♪ - See? See, you did it again!

- Huh?!

(rooster crowing)

(sighing)

(rooster crowing)

Oh, listen. I almost forgot.

My teacher wants to see

all the parents tomorrow at 7:30 about going

on that nature trip. - Tomorrow?

I'll be there.

- You seem real enthusiastic.

- I'll go. 7:30.

- Hey, I read about your Mr. Bach.

Had a few kids of his own, huh?

Did you know how many?

20!

There's a fellow who loved kids.

He played and composed music and made time for his family too.

Of course, he was a genius. But still!

- You do look somewhat like your mom, but your character

is your dad's completely! - Hmph!

I'm ignoring that remark. Bye. 20!

- 20?

(sighing)

(indistinct overlapping speaking)

- Hello there.

- Yeah but really, it's no problem for us to add an extra guide.

Someone local who knows the area.

- Excuse me. - I've gone cross-country skiing

up there. It's beautiful! - We've been up there too,

for a long weekend. - Of course we have. I forgot.

- Fanny asked me to come. She said you wouldn't be free.

- Oh...

She has more nerve...

She's impossible!

- (woman): Good evening.

- I'll go you if you prefer. This meeting isn't--

- Oh, no! No.

- (woman): Good evening. Would you please take a seat?

Well... first, I'd like to thank

you all for coming to discuss

this year's nature trip which this year, as your children have

probably told you, they'll go away for four days.

Tuesday to Friday next week. - Hope you'll come

and see us soon. We've... we've missed you.

(floorboards creaking)

(classical music playing loudly)

♪

(volume lowering)

♪

♪

- Well, hello.

How'd the meeting go at school?

- The meeting at school?

- Hmm...

You loved my mother very much, hmm?

- Very much.

- Did you ever tell her?

- No. Never said a word.

- But why?

- It got too complicated.

Now... now, it's late.

Go to sleep, hmm?

- Sweet dreams, Jojo.

Uncle Jon? - Mm-hmm?

- You could tell Bernice that you love her.

That would be nice.

"Can't wait for spring.

"Well, bye for now. Write again soon.

"Hugs and kisses and with all my love darling,

"and the same for Jon too.

Be good to each other. Grandmother."

Oh, and there's a bit more. (phone ringing)

"P.S. How's Broccoli doing?"

Hello?

Unbelievable!

- It's for me?

Surely it's a mistake.

(Fanny giggling)

Hello? Oh, Mr. Ménard.

(melancholy music)

♪

Could you hold on a second?

I'll talk to him in the other room.

Here.

(door opening)

You can hang up now, Fanny!

♪

(exhaling heavily)

- He's confident he'll be able to find a family.

- Better talk to your uncle. He'll stop if you get him

to come around. - He might stop it

if he weren't obsessed. Dumb contest!

The only thing he worries about in the whole world.

- Coming through! (indistinct)

- Hey! Hey, what if we did something nice

to show him how much you care?

Show him what he's got. - What he doesn't want,

you mean.

- I'll find something.

- (Jonathan): And they're on horses?

- (Fanny): Usually.

Two beautiful black ones.

- That doesn't surprise me much.

Your mom and dad both loved horses.

- So do I! I wish I had one.

(chuckling)

(meowing) (dog whimpering)

(meowing)

- (Sean): Easy, boy. Easy.

- (Jonathan): Does the crow have a name?

- (Sean): Yeah, Midnight because he's so black, you know.

- (Jonathan): Oh, of course. - (Fanny): Sean picked it.

- (Jonathan): Quite an assortment, huh?

Do you know how many you have?

- (Sean): Uh, don't know. 47? 48?

- (Fanny): More now. The mother hamster had

her babies this morning. - (Jonathan): Really?

- Oh! Then I told Miss Moore this aft...

"The rhythm of nature. So the papa

"and the mama hamster got together in their abode

"and created marvelous little babies, did they?

Well, you know, that's the mystery of life, dear."

The mystery of life!

Someone ought to talk to that poor girl.

(all laughing)

- A cold front's supposed to be forming.

You better make sure this door is shut tight tonight.

(rooster crowing)

(grumbling)

(rooster crowing)

(meowing)

(birds chirping) (meowing)

(rooster crowing)

(rooster crowing)

(cawing)

(birds chirping)

- I'll fix it. Don't worry.

- Fanny...

If you'd just...

If you don't mind, please tell me

why you depend so much on these animals.

- Because I like them!

And because they let me like them!

(soft crying)

- Stick to the rules.

You can keep them, but if I find them in the kitchen again,

they've had it!

Packed everything, have you? - Don't worry.

(birds chirping)

(rooster crowing) Hope you're satisfied!

(pensive music)

♪

♪

(indistinct overlapping speaking)

- I think I forgot my skis at home!

- Give me a kiss goodbye.

- Come on already, Christopher! I wanna get a good seat!

- Well, have a good time, Fanny.

- Thanks. Same to you.

- I forgot my teddy bear!

I can't leave without it. - It's time.

- Get on there. - Bye.

- Bye-bye. - Get on. Come on.

- Come on. - Bye, Dad.

- See you soon. - Hey, you there!

Pull up that window! It's freezing in here!

(indistinct overlapping speaking)

- Hey, there's Jerry. Hey Jerry, come on!

You're gonna miss the bus!

- Hurry! Hurry!

(organ music)

♪

♪

- (Fanny): I love you a lot, you know.

(merry classical music)

♪

(indistinct speaking)

- My skis are falling off!

(birds chirping)

(birds chirping)

- Is that a sparrow?

- A sparrow's song's much simpler.

- That's right, it is.

That's a mockingbird singing.

(sighing) It's beautiful.

(boy whistling)

(piano music)

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

(indistinct overlapping speaking)

- Are you boys all right?

- Yeah, we're just talking about what we saw today.

- He saw two deer out on the forest!

- Really? You saw some too? - Yeah, but they were far away.

Hey, Frankie, have you seen Ivan's pictures of the woods?

Oh, they're great! He's been working on them since supper.

- Dear Uncle Jon,

I'm fine.

I hope you are too.

I hope you're not still angry about the animals.

You're right. There are a lot of them.

And I love them all.

But you're the one who I love the most.

Soon as I get back, I'll find homes for all of them.

Even Broccoli, if that'll help.

Can't wait to see you.

Big hugs and kisses, Fanny.

P.S. I won't send this

because we're coming home tomorrow.

It'd just be silly. I love you.

(door creaking)

Hello!

- Hello, Fanny.

- Hello, hello, hello!

- Have a good time? - Yeah, super!

- Good for you. - I've got a big surprise...

- Later. There's someone here. - It's all here in this letter.

- Good morning, Fanny.

My, you look good today.

I have good news for you. You're going

to have a new family. A mom and dad,

two brothers, and even

a little sister.

They're all very anxious to meet you.

They live fairly close to here too.

Now, at first, you'll only go

for a few hours at a time, then come back to your uncle.

But you'll settle in quickly, I'm sure.

(paper tearing) They have a lovely home.

Well, it's not new, but it's quite comfortable.

And you'll even have your own room.

And they're very nice people, Fanny. You'll see.

(soft music)

♪

♪

- "Dear Fanny,

"You looked so peaceful.

"I didn't want to wake you up.

"My contest is today, remember?

"I'd like very much for you to come.

"Bernice will be by to pick you up.

"Wish me luck.

Uncle Jonathan."

(birds chirping)

- Please come. It's important to him, Fanny.

That contest means more

to your Uncle Jonathan than-- - Than me, Bernice!

That's why I'm not going.

- Go, Fanny.

(organ music)

♪

♪

(sighing)

(ringing)

- Contestant #3,

Jonathan Barlow.

(wooden seat creaking)

♪

♪

♪

(Fanny's mother's song)

♪

- You can keep your lousy music!

(door opening and closing)

(organ music)

- What's the matter, Jonathan?

- I never saw what a fool I was being!

I spent so many years trapped in

some dream world! When a chance to live came along,

I didn't know it was there!

I couldn't open my mouth to say...

I'm unhappy because she's leaving me

to live somewhere else! - Shh!

- (shouting): That when she's gone, the house feels empty!

I feel alone!

I can't open my mouth just to say how...

...to say how much I love her! Plus it's the same!

I'm the same with you. I haven't yet been able to say it.

- Excuse me! If you please!

- Better go.

(indistinct overlapping speaking)

- So cute! - Did you see the puppy?

- Hey, let me through! Come on! - Come on!

- Yeah, wait your turn! - I live here!

Will you please let me through? - You can still wait your turn!

- Oh, get out of the way! - Hey, wait a minute!

- Let me through! NO!

That rooster's mine! Wait! - Take it, then.

- I wanted it!

- What did you get? - It looks like

some kind of rat. - Hey, wow!

- Hey, they're pretty! Give me those. I'll give you my canary.

- Are you nuts? I just got them! - You won't miss them, then.

Come on, he's pretty too! - Give Broccoli away too, Sean.

- No! You're not supposed to go today!

The family won't be ready!

- Then they'll have to get ready!

- But it's 10 blocks away from here!

- Where is she going? I don't know!

- Go away. No more handouts today!

Oh, come on, Fanny!

FANNY, COME BACK!

I'll miss you, Fanny.

(melancholy music)

♪

(car motor rumbling)

- Hey, Jamie! Come and see my hamsters!

- You want a canary? - Ugh, they look like rats!

- No they don't, you dum-dum!

- SHE'S GONE! I HOPE YOU'RE SATISFIED!

YOU FINALLY DROVE HER OUT, THE BEST FRIEND

I'VE EVER HAD!

You probably don't care.

Well, from now on, I'm never speaking to you again.

(sighing)

(cutlery clinking)

(cutlery clinking)

(doorbell ringing)

(door opening) - (woman): Yes?

- I'm Jonathan Barlow. - Oh, yes. Come in.

- Is Fanny here? - Yes. We weren't expecting her

'til next week, but please come in.

- Thank you. - Fanny?

- Fanny...

If we could have a talk?

Who knows, if we made a new start?

(aggressive syllabic singing)

♪

Try to forgive me, Fanny.

I love you.

(door opening and closing)

- DON'T GO!

Uncle Jon finally found me a proper family.

He convinced Bernice

that our flat was big enough

for three people, an organ,

a skunk,

and maybe somewhere down the line,

a few more little critters.

I think I could learn to live with that.

- You expect me to eat all that? - What's the matter?

Afraid you'll get fat? (Jonathan laughing)

- Very funny!

- Hey, look. You missed a spot

right down there. - Where?

(all laughing)

(violin music)

♪

- ♪ For a heart

♪ That will not say it

♪ For every day

♪ We'll stay here

♪ Together

♪ It's the same

♪ I know

♪ You love me too

♪ For every day

♪ You're waiting

♪ You know

♪ My heart is aching

♪ Until you say

♪ The words

♪ I know you love me too

♪ As long as

♪ We're together

♪ The truth

♪ Won't take forever

♪ In my heart

♪ I believe

♪ I know

♪ You love me too ♪

♪

Closed Captioning by SETTE inc

♪

♪

♪

♪