Original subtitles

(boy laughs)

(twangy music)

♫ Now listen here folks my name is Tom Sawyer

♫ I don't want to be no doctor or no lawyer

♫ Fishin' by the river that's the only place to be

♫ I wanna be free sitting under a tree that's me

(boy laughs)

♫ These are the stories of Tom Sawyer

♫ Me and Huck Finn just playing by the river

♫ Chasing that steamboat teacher let me be

♫ I wanna be free sitting under a tree

♫ That's me

(pleasant music)

(humming)

- [Mary] Tom Sawyer, you come here this instant.

- [Tom] You tricked me for that

and it don't count as far as I'm concerned.

- [Mary] It'll count when I catch up to you.

- [Tom] You couldn't catch me if I had two broken legs.

- Oh watch out for that vase!

Oh, when I get you.

Tom Sawyer you stop it this instant!

(groans)

Sid you go and fetch your brother Tom.

(pleasant music)

- Hey Jim is it all right if I hide in there?

- Mhmm, he'll be finding me anyway.

- Hey Jim have you seen Tom?

- Not recently.

- But he must have come running right by you.

- Mm-mm, I didn't see nobody.

- I bet you he snuck right by you and hid inside the cabin.

- Are you telling the truth Jim,

or is Tom gotten you to cover for him?

Jim is Tom hiding himself in your cabin?

- Mhmm.

- My friend Jim.

- [Mary] Keep your head still Tom Sawyer

or I'll never get done.

- [Tom] You should have been finished long ago, Mary.

- [Mary] I would be if you'd ever learn to hold still.

- [Tom] I am holding, just get it done with.

- Oh Tom stop your complaining.

We're expecting a visit from Dr. Mitchell

and I don't want you looking like a scamp.

- I look better than he does.

- Don't be nasty, hold still I'll snip off an ear.

- What are you smiling about?

- Stop moving, Tom!

- Why Dr. Mitchell what an unexpected pleasure,

but I don't believe anyone's feeling poorly.

- The fact is Miss Polly I'd like to offer Mary a job.

- Oh!

Come in.

What sort of a job is it doctor?

- [Doctor] Mary inquired about being a nurse

during her last office visit.

Didn't take her too seriously,

but then I got to thinking about it.

- [Polly] My Mary told you she wants to work as a nurse?

- You see, Mrs. Neil, my nurse for so many years

is no longer with me.

- And you think Mary could replace her?

- Well if she has her mind set on being a nurse,

why not come and work for me?

- But your wife's had lots of experience as a nurse.

Seems to me only natural that

Mrs. Mitchell be your first choice.

- Hm, I don't know if that's such a good idea.

- Well I do. - Oh?

- You could do with some more business

before you think about Mary.

Dr. Robinson's patients are in line

before he even opens his doors.

- If he's the type of doctor that likes

to keep his patients waiting, then let him.

Far as I'm concerned it's against the Hippocratic Oath.

- Well I wouldn't know about that,

but I daresay that unless you spend more time doctoring

and less time drinking, in no time at all

you'll find yourself without any patients.

- Maybe.

Now then about Mary.

- I suppose if her heart's set on it,

I'll not stand in her way.

She's old enough to make up her own mind I reckon.

(groaning)

- If you weren't so stubborn

about getting your hair trimmed I--

- If you'd sharpen the scissors maybe they'd work better!

- They'd work fine if you'd comb your hair.

Sid could teach you good grooming, Tom.

- Not in my lifetime.

- You'll look like a real gentleman

with your hair cut, master Tom.

- Watch who you're calling a gentleman!

Mary ain't you ever gonna finish?

- Not just yet, I gotta get rid of those snags and snarls.

They've been there for I don't know how long.

- Ow!

- Dear me we might be at this for quite a little while.

- Well I'm gonna bleed to death before this is over.

- I'm not usually one to go about praising my own doctor,

but Mary's quite capable.

I'm sure she'll make a proper nurse.

- I've never doubted her talents for a moment, Mrs. Sawyer.

I'm sure it'll work out.

- That's it, I'm finished whether you are or not!

- I told you Thomas, you're not getting up

from that chair until I'm finished with you.

- Oh come on Mary, them scissors wouldn't cut hot butter!

- I'm almost finished now.

- Well hurry up.

My hair's growing faster than you're cutting it.

- If you'd wash your hair every now and then it would help.

- I'm gonna be bald before you're through.

- Oh stop that now.

Oh no you don't!

Now you hold still 'til I'm finished you hear?

- Let me go Mary, I got better things to do!

- Goodness what's all the fuss about?

Tom Sawyer if you know what's good for you

you'll sit down and be still.

- That's enough!

Mary, a nurse?

Ha, I'd rather be sent to prison

than let her doctor around with my body.

- [Polly] You hush your mouth, Tom Sawyer.

- Oh come on Mary, admit it.

You consider it major surgery when you give me a haircut.

- I almost suffocated when she

practiced on my head this afternoon.

- That's ridiculous, honestly.

As a matter of fact I happen to be

the best nurse in St. Petersburg, Mother, and they know it.

- If Mary's at good at nursing as she was

at cutting my hair then Dr. Mitchell

will lose what's left of his practice.

- I don't think you understand what's going on.

- [Tom] What do you mean?

- Mary's the prettiest girl in town.

The boys will flock to Dr. Mitchell's just to see her.

- [Tom] You must be joshing.

- Sidney what a beautiful thing to say.

Am I really that pretty?

- Sure as God made little apples.

- Do you remember that little box of mine

that you've been after?

Well I want you to have it.

- [Sid] Really?

- [Mary] Come up to my room later and I'll fetch it for you.

- Oh this conversation's getting too mushy for me.

- I'm not joshing Tom, I think Mary's

the most beautiful woman in the world.

- Okay okay, but that still doesn't explain

how you think you're gonna help

Dr. Mitchell with his practice.

- I'll just do the best that I can.

Now I expect you'll take responsibility for things

while I'm gone Tom, and you've gotta help out

your aunt in whatever way you can.

- [Tom] You don't have to worry about a thing,

just leave everything to me.

- I hope you really mean that.

Mother's going to need a great deal of help.

(pleasant music)

Goodbye Mother.

- Bye Mary! - Goodbye!

(pleasant music)

- Ah, one two three four.

One two three-- - What a waste of time.

- Three four, that's enough.

- Chore time.

- [Tom] No Sid I already done my chores.

I'm gonna go see Huck.

- I wish I could come.

- That could be arranged Sid,

if you'd just tell me what's in that box Mary gave ya.

- I don't know what you're talking about.

What box is that Tom?

- Don't you play dumb with me.

- Oh you mean that box, well what about it?

- Can I see it?

- No you can't.

- Well then how about if I trade you something for it?

- No there's nothing you have that I'm interested in.

Anyway, that box is the perfect place

to store my special things in.

- I'll give you my Cardiff Hill treasure map.

- Don't want it.

- All my marbles? - I'm still not interested.

- How about my old British powder horn?

- I'm not trading it Tom.

- Not even if I throw in my cannonball and my fishing rod?

- Not even if you throw in the moon.

- How about this, Sid?

I'll give you my dog collar and my pet frog.

- You'd give me the collar and the frog?

- [Tom] Mhmm, if you trade me.

- Mm.

I don't believe so.

- You make me so mad you can just play

by yourself from now on ya hear?

- Hey Tom, can I come with ya?

(lively fiddle music)

- Hi Huck.

- Huh, oh Tom, howdy.

- And who's our next patient Mary?

- There is no patient doctor, just a young man

with a note from Mr. Rogers.

- It's a bill for last month's groceries.

- He said you have to pay it now

or he wouldn't continue giving you credit.

- Then we'll pay him.

- Where are you gonna find the money

when you haven't any patients?

- I'll find it somehow my dear.

- How?

- Don't worry, there's still lots of folks

around here that have faith in this old country doctor.

Besides, not having any patients

merely indicates how healthy the people are in this village.

- But of late when anybody's gotten sick

they've gone to Dr. Robinson.

- Mary? - Yes sir?

- I'd rather not hear that young man's name

mentioned in this office ever again.

- But it's the truth.

Folks say he's a very good doctor.

- Only a fool would go to a city slicker

like that for doctoring.

- But he does seem to tend to the needs of his patients.

And he seems so very intelligent, I think.

- You mean to tell me you've been taken in

by this imposter like the rest of this town?

- I don't understand why you're

so prejudiced against Dr. Robinson.

To my mind he's done nothing but good for this town.

Is it because people would rather

be tended to by him than by yourself?

(coughing)

Dr. Mitchell I'll do everything

I can to get your practice back,

but you've got to make a commitment to changing your ways

and becoming more involved in your

doctoring than you have been.

- Mary, you know you're right.

I've been a jealous old fool, but there's no reason

I can't start mending my bridges right away.

- Doctor I'm glad to hear you say that.

I'll be proud to work for the best doctor in St. Pete.

- You've given me some real sensibile advice.

You've got a real good head on your shoulders, young lady.

You see, things are getting better already.

- I hope it's a customer.

(pleasant music)

Coming.

The doctor will see you now.

Mother, what are you doing here?

- Hello dear, I've fixed you something nice for lunch.

- Oh Mother now you didn't have to go to all that trouble.

- No trouble at all, it was the least I could do.

- Well that's very nice of you.

- Aren't you going to ask me inside?

- Dr. Mitchell's been doubting himself.

- Have you any idea why?

- No patients have come in.

Mother are you feeling well?

- I'm feeling just fine.

- Any indigestion?

- Can't say that I have.

- Mother can't you please try and find

a tiny little pain somewhere?

- You want me to lie?

- [Tom] Did you ever wish you could fly, Huck?

- I reckon being a bird might have its advantages,

but I'd rather keep both of my feet on the ground.

- How about let's taking a swim?

The water's perfect and I'm hot.

- Mm that sure beats listening to your bird chatter.

- Well let's go!

(yawns)

What in tarnation is that?

Well I'll be, would you look at that?

Come here Huck.

- What is it, huh?

We're being invaded.

- Now don't be silly Huck, I know what it is.

- What?

- That there's a hot air balloon.

- It is, well I'll be.

(men clamoring)

(horse whinnies)

(whistle blows)

(people murmuring)

(crying)

- Mother what's wrong, Mother!

- It be the day of judgment.

- Uh-uh it's the devil.

(yelling)

- [Mr. Rogers] Open the door, let me in, let me in!

Open the door I tell ya!

(yelling)

- Sheriff Collins, Sheriff Collins hey hey!

Come quick it's up in the sky!

Come on, come on!

It's flying above the houses.

- That's a balloon by golly.

- Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name.

- Tom!

Let's get out of here, before that things comes down.

- It's not coming here, it's heading up

towards Cardiff Hill.

- I don't want to be anywhere near

that thing when it lands, Tom.

- Oh don't be such a fraidy cat Huck.

I'm gonna chase it.

- Not without me you ain't.

I'm not waiting around here

for lord knows what to attack me.

I think you're crazy, but I'm going with ya.

- Well let's go.

There's no way of telling where

that balloon's gonna put down.

- I'm hoping it won't put down at all.

Hey, wait for me Tom!

We might as well both die together!

(lively fiddle music)

Wait!

Where did it go?

- It's behind those trees, come on.

- I ain't sure I want to find it.

(lively fiddle music)

Whoa. - See there Huck?

I know what I'm talking about, look!

- It is a monster. - No it's just a balloon.

- Are you sure about that?

I ain't never seen a balloon that big, Tom.

- Don't worry, come on!

- No Tom I ain't going near that thing.

- Oh Huck, you're just being silly.

- [Huck] I hope you know what I'm doing!

This whole thing's too strange for my taste, Tom.

Appears to me the darn thing disappeared into thin air.

- [Tom] Yeah, that's strange.

- Maybe it crashed on the other side of the hill.

- Let's go see.

(wind whistling)

(lively fiddle music)

(yelling)

Help!

Let's get out of here!

(shouting)

- Hey wait a minute, don't run away.

- I think it's gaining on us Tom, run faster!

- Here, grab hold and pull!

- I can't keep this up much more.

(yelling)

- Catch hold onto the rope

and haul the balloon to the ground!

(yelling)

- Grab it! - Hey Tom!

I gotcha! - Don't let him get away!

- Uh Tom I have a feeling we're gonna be sorry.

- That's the way boys, that's the way, pull!

- Tom we ain't gonna be able to hold this thing down!

(yells)

- Hang on, don't let go whatever you do!

- [Huck] We're too young to die, Tom.

- Don't give up hope, we can do it.

Here we go.

(grunting)

There we go, we got it now.

- Take it easy, if you pull too hard

the basket will come down on you!

- Oh no!

- [Balloonist] Grab the rope, grab the rope!

(yelling)

(groaning)

- Is he alive?

- He looks like he's still breathing.

- Yeah but he could still be hurt bad.

We better check him for broken bones.

You all right mister?

- I'm still in one piece far as I can tell.

- See if you can move.

You could have some broken bones you know?

- I don't believe so.

- That's a nasty bump you got on your head.

(sighs)

- Come to think of it I am feeling a bit shaky.

- Let me help you.

- Thanks for helping.

My back seems to be out.

Maybe I'd better sit a while.

- Hey mister, where in the world did you come from?

- My name is Arthur O'Connor.

I'm in the army corps of engineers.

- Then you're a soldier,

and that's a reconnaissance balloon ain't it?

- Yes it is lad, how'd you come to know that?

- Mm, well I read a lot of magazines.

Anything about flying and such.

I read an article about it just recently.

It's fascinating.

- It's uncanny, I'm astonished that someone

as young as you would know anything at all about ballooning.

Say.

Could one of you boys please tell me where I am?

- [Tom] This is St. Petersburg.

- I've never heard of St. Petersburg.

What state is it in?

- [Tom] Missouri.

- Missouri eh?

So the wind hasn't really taken me that far after all.

- Really?

How far, where'd you take off from Mr. O'Connor?

- Talking to you would be a lot easier if I knew your name.

- Tom Sawyer.

- And you?

- I'm Huckleberry Finn.

- Well now, since we're not strangers anymore

I feel a whole lot more comfortable.

But the army has regulations you see,

and if I were to tell you where I came from

I'd be breaking the rules, understand?

All I can tell you for now is that a sudden wind came up

and blew me off course.

- Golly willikers, then you're on

some sort of secret mission I reckon.

- Well now if I were, I certainly

couldn't tell you about it now could I?

But I guess it'd be all right to tell you this much,

that I'm an engineer on a test flight

for the United States Army.

- Sounds awful important, Mr. O'Connor.

- Why don't you just call me Arthur?

If we're gonna be friends I think it's only right

that you call me by my given name all right?

- Suits me. - Right.

- Good enough.

Now here's the situation.

It's essential that I contact the local authorities.

I need help.

I've got to find a way to transport

this balloon to Chicago, Illinois.

Come on, we're wasting time, let's go.

- Uh-oh.

- I think my ankle's sprained.

I can't put any weight on it.

- We'd better fetch a doctor for ya.

Easy now.

- No I don't need a doctor.

You just go and get some help, I'll be all right.

- Uh-oh.

Looks like the town folk have formed a posse.

(crowd muttering)

The sheriff's with 'em.

Reckon they want to know what you're up to.

- That's perfect.

I'm not surprised they're curious.

Not many folks have seen a balloon.

(crowd muttering)

- Release those boys immediately

and come forward with your hands up.

- What?

What's he talking about?

- If you don't come out from behind

that tree, we'll drag you out.

- [Huck] Hey sheriff Collins, he don't mean no harm.

He's from the army.

His balloon crashed and he needs help.

- Tell him to come out and show himself.

- His name is Arthur O'Connor.

He's with the army.

He just wants to speak with you about getting his balloon

out of the tree and back to Chicago sheriff.

- [Sheriff] Balloon huh, that so?

(crowd muttering)

(sighs)

- Good day sheriff, my name is Arthur O'Connor.

I'm an army engineer and I'd be much obliged for your help.

- Tell you the truth, Mr. O'Connor,

when I saw that balloon fly over,

scared those townsfolk half to death,

but I didn't know what we were up against.

For all I knew that contraption of yours

was trying to attack the town.

I had no idea.

- You see I'm on a test flight for the army, sheriff.

I'd greatly appreciate some help getting

my balloon down so that I can repair it.

(crowd muttering)

- [Tom Voiceover] Me and Huck's had a lot of adventures

but today sure put the crown on the chimney.

So anyway, that's the story of how the first balloon

in America came to St. Petersburg.

It sure is exciting to know that human beings

are finally going to be able to fly.

When I grow up, I want to become

a flier just like Arthur O'Connor.

And if I had my way, I'm gonna get a ride

in that balloon before he leaves here.

♫ These are the stories of Tom Sawyer

♫ Me and Huck Finn just playing by the river

♫ Chasing that steamboat teacher let me be

♫ I wanna be free sitting under a tree

♫ That's me