All language subtitles for A Christmas Without Snow (1980)

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Surely there must be
something involving children.

-Employee would keep watch
while 4 groups of 20 children

take alternating recesses.

-A playground supervisor?

-It pays $3.10 an hour.

-No thanks.

When it comes to baby sitters,
I'm used to doing the hiring.

-How many children do you have?

-Just one.

He's staying with my parents in
Nebraska until I get settled.

Then I'll need
baby sitters again.

-I'll loan you my list.

I have an
eight-year-old daughter

who goes through baby sitters
like Sherman through Georgia.

-How do you manage?

-Day by day.

How's your typing?

-I wish I could say
I don't type at all.

Truth is, I used
to be pretty fast.

I'm awfully rusty though.

Look, I know you're not
going to want to hear this,

but my advice is you polish
up your office skills

and take temporary
assignments until we can find

something better
for your talents.

Pay for office work is OK
and the hours are flexible.

-You know any place
I can hawk a teaching

credential for a typewriter?

-No, but I'll give you
the name of a place

where you can rent one.

Now, look, you take
this home, you practice,

and you call us
when you're ready.

And all the time
you're practicing,

and doing all your assignments,
you keep telling yourself

this is temporary, that you're
moving on to something better,

you're preparing
for bigger things.

[TYPEWRITER CLICKING]

[PHONE RINGS]

[TYPEWRITER CLICKING]

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

-Hi.

Nice to see you again.

-I don't feel great
about being here, Inez.

I should drop the
choir altogether.

-You need some time of your own.

Don't deny yourself something
you've always enjoyed.

You can't spend all your
time at the hospital.

-Zoe, how nice.

You made it.

-Well, I didn't have
anything else planned.

With no TV.

-Well, have you found a job yet?

-I may have to give up
on the teaching job.

But I'll hit the
pavement again tomorrow.

-Oh, I'm sorry.

Zoe Jensen, meet Muriel Moore.

Muriel, Zoe just moved into
the apartment below me,

all the way from Omaha.

-Oh, how do you do?

-Hi.

Are you married, or
still one of us girls?

-No, I'm divorced.

I got the papers this week.

-Oh, I'm so sorry.

-Don't be.

I'm beginning to enjoy
being on my own again.

-Well, I don't know how good
the pickings will be here.

You know San Francisco.

But there's a new conductor.

-I was telling Zoe
that this morning.

-None of us have seen him yet.

But he does have an
interesting name.

-Really?

-Uh huh.

Ephraim Adams.

REVEREND LOHMAN: I won't
try to list for you

all the landmarks of his career.

Let me just say that
he's had a great deal

of experience in
music of all kinds.

He was supposed to have been
retired as of this last year.

But like so many of
our senior citizens,

he didn't relish the
idea of inactivity.

And so he has chosen
to work with us.

No one is expecting miracles.

But I-- I'm sure
we'll have a more

enjoyable year
ahead for all of us.

And now I would like
to introduce you

to your new choir master,
Mr. Ephraim Adams.

-Thank you, Reverend Lohman.

Thank you.

Ladies and gentleman
of the choir,

I don't want take up
valuable time tonight

with a lengthy speech, but
I do feel an obligation

to put our relationship on
as frank a basis as possible.

Just as the Reverend Lohman
was called to his vocation,

I was called to mine,
which happens to be music.

I view music not as
a recreation, nor as

a competitive sport, nor
as a social activity,

nor even as a religious duty.

Music is a craft, a craft
that takes hard work

and perseverance and
rewards us accordingly.

Your minister has said that
he does not expect miracles.

I do.

I fully intend to
make something out

of the cacophony I
heard last Sunday.

It is conceivable
that we may even

achieve the status of a choir.

Whether or not we do that
in the next few weeks

depends upon every one of us.

In addition to the
regular Sunday services,

we will give a special
Christmas performance,

Handel's "Messiah."

I have chose "Handel's
Messiah" precisely because it

is difficult and worthy of
the effort we intend to make.

Now, those of you who wish to
take part in that performance

are invited to stay.

For those who are seeking
a more relaxing pastime,

I urge you to leave
now and make your way

to the nearest hot tub.

[LAUGHTER]

-Hot tub?

REVEREND LOHMAN:
Although I understand

we have some new
members, 19 voices

will not do justice to
Mr. Handel's great work.

We need to build this choir
in theory as well as quality.

And now, I would like to
introduce our new organist,

a former student of mine
who knows my peculiarities

and has a few of his
own, Mr. Seth Ruben.

[APPLAUSE]

CHOIR: (SINGING) Lift up
your heads, o ye gates,

and be ye lifted up--

-Open your mouths.

CHOIR: (SINGING) Ye everlasting
doors and the King of glory

shall proclaim--

EPHRAIM ADAMS: Open
the sound, open.

CHOIR: (SINGING) Who
is the King of glory?

The King of glory, who
is the King of glory?

Who is the King of glory?

The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord strong and mighty,

and our God in battle.

Lift up your heads, all ye
gates and be ye lifted up--

EPHRAIM ADAMS: Get them
out of the throats.

CHOIR: (SINGING) And the
King of glory shall come in.

And the King of
glory shall come in.

Who is the King of glory?

Who is the King of glory?

INEZ: Morning.

-Morning.

-From your boy?

-Yes.

I guess he made this at school.

-He must be awfully sweet.

-He is.

I'm gong to bring him out here
as soon as I can afford to.

-Did you get to meet
everyone last night?

-Well, not everyone.

-I meant to introduce
you to Henry.

-Who?

Henry Quist.

He's Danish, like
you, and a bachelor.

-Inez, I am not Muriel Moore.

-Now, now, dear.

Nobody said you were.

[TRAIN HORN BLOWS]

MAN: Working temp
must be a real drag.

-It can be tiresome.

-How about an early lunch?

Would that pick you up?

-I brought a sandwich.

Thanks anyway.

-See you in an hour.

-Robbie, I miss
you an awful lot,

but I got to talk
to Grandma now.

Give yourself a nice big
kiss right on the forehead.

ROBBIE (ON PHONE): But how can
I kiss myself on the forehead?

-(ALONG WITH ROBBIE)
Stand on a chair.

I love you, honey.

ROBBIE (ON PHONE):
I love you too, Mom.

OK, here's Grandma.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE):
So how are you?

I've been so worried.

-Mom, I said I couldn't
call too often.

It's expensive.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE):
Well, call collect, dear.

-Well, I can afford this one.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE): You
mean, you found a job?

Wha-- what school?

-I'm not teaching.

I have a temporary office job.

There are no teaching
jobs in this area.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE): Oh, Zoe.

-Mother.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE): Honey, I
just want what's best for you.

It's hard knowing
your daughter's alone,

without a proper job, without
a husband, in a strange--

-Mom, I'll be fine.

Why, right at this
very moment, I'm

in the company of a
rather handsome fellow

with a devastating smile.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE): Oh?

Wh-- what's his name?

-I think it's Jack.

You did say your name
was Jack, didn't you?

What?

Oh, stop it.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE):
Zoe, what's going on?

-Look, Mom, I'm neglecting him.

I've got to go now.

Kiss Robbie for me.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE): I will.

Now, be careful, Zoe.

-Right, Mom.

Bye.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE):
Goodbye, dear.

EVANGELINE: Evangeline Burns.

You remember?

I phoned you on Monday
about my experience.

Well, a long time ago, I
used to sing with this choir.

But it-- it became so,
you know, so discouraging.

So I decided to
look for something

more challenging for me,
you know, light opera, well,

civic light opera, and concerts
uh, here and there with friends

and so forth.

But I've heard such
the wonderful things

about your work that
I decided to come

back and give it another try.

-Well, that is very kind of you.

And I hope you won't
be disappointed.

We are about to begin, so if
you want to hang your coat up

and take a seat, I'll
be with you in a moment.

-Hartley Wood,
reporting for duty.

-I'm glad you decided to
accept my offer, Mr. Wood.

If you'll just take a chair.

-Uh, no thanks.

I think the church
needs it more than I do.

I wouldn't mind
sitting down though.

-Third row, please.

-Ah, suits me.

CHOIR: (SINGING)
All we like sheep.

All we like sheep
have gone astray.

All we like sheep.

All we like sheep
have gone astray.

We have turned.

We have turned every
one to his own way.

-Ladies and gentleman
of the chorus,

may I caution you against taking
this text quite so literally.

"We have turned every
one to his own way"

does not give you
license to become

a conglomeration of soloists.

And "we like sheep
have gone astray"

does not mean that you need
to illustrate it by wandering

from the key in which
we happen to be singing.

And now, before we adjourn,
I have an announcement.

The first half of
next week's rehearsal

will be devoted to auditions
for the four solo parts.

-Do we have to audition in
front of the whole choir?

Last year, we could
audition privately.

-If you wish to perform
"Handel's Messiah" privately

in your closet or bathtub,
you may be audition privately.

Otherwise, your audition is
intended to reflect not only

how you sing, but how
you sing under pressure.

And the pressure in
this room, I assure you,

will not be as great as in
church with 400 people present.

-She really has a
beautiful voice.

-Did you hear her
do that last piece.

-I can't help but hear her.

I can hear you only because
I sit so close to you.

But your voice is really lovely.

-Maisie, you should try out too.

It doesn't hurt.

-No, I don't think so.

-Inez Pfeifer, I
was surprised to see

you here after all these years.

-I love the choir.

It doesn't seem like
a long time to me.

-Well, I think it's
wonderful the way

you keep going in
spite of everything.

[DOORBELL RINGS]

[DOORBELL RINGS]

-Hi.

-Muriel.

-Doing anything?

-Uh, well, I was just painting.

-Oh, what a cute apartment.

-It's only temporary until I
can afford something bigger.

-Oh, but it has possibilities.

It really does.

I just love to help
people decorate places.

-Well, I don't want to spend
too much money on this place.

-Oh, it doesn't have
to cost very much.

I go to garage sales
and I find just

precious things for nothing.

-Well, I don't want
to get too encumbered.

Paring down, you know?

-Oh, I think that is so wise.

I think we should all
do that, don't you?

-Yes, we should.

Would you like some coffee?

-We don't have time.

We're going to have
a girl's night out.

-Look, I can't.

-No, no, no, please.

This is my treat.

I brought my math money.

-I think that man
is watching us.

-What man?

-Over there by the telephone.

-I doubt it, Muriel.

He's probably just
waiting for his date

to come out from the john.

-I don't know.

He had that look in his eye.

I was just very embarrassed.

-Now, what can I
get you tonight?

-Uh, I'll have a
Tom Collins, please.

-Oh, let's see.

I want something special.

Do have anything that
comes in a pineapple?

Was it OK to bring
my drink in here?

-Oh, sure.

Lots of people do that.

-I don't know.

I got some funny looks.

But I don't care
what anyone says.

It's my drink, and I'm
going to finish it.

ZOE: Good for you.

-You know, if we hurry, we
can catch a movie after this.

-Oh, Muriel, I'm going to go
home and collapse for the night

as soon as I've conquered
my shrimp salad.

But if you want to
go to the movies,

please go on without me.

-I wouldn't think of it.

This is our night out.

-How could I forget?

-Nice morning.

-Yeah, it is.

-Is everything all
right, Wendell?

You seemed preoccupied
during the service.

-Why, was I off key?

-No, you are always on key.

It drives me crazy.

Can't you goof up once in
awhile like the rest of us?

-No, I can't.

I'm sorry.

I don't mean to be rude.

It's just--

-If you want to be
alone, I understand.

-Lordy, is it Sunday already?

-Yeah, and the Oreos
come out to play.

-Just keep walking, man.

-Ooh, you hear that, man?

This dude must be bad.

-Bad?

The dude may be bad, but his
dress is strictly off the rack.

-Have you not seen
a choir robe before?

-Hey, this dude
got the same tail,

but he talk kind of funny.

-No, see, he's
the organ grinder.

This here is the monkey.

-All right, you
guys, cut it out!

-Come off of him!

Perhaps you better move on!

Move on!

-We'll be back, man!

We'll be back!

-Move it!

-What you doing up?

-Uh, studying.

I have exams this week.

-What is that you're drinking?

-Coffee, Granny, just coffee.

Can I make you some breakfast?

-Wendell, you get yourself
back to the books.

I take care of the kitchen.

-You take your kitchen.

You take of the cleaning
and the money making.

All I do is study.

-Well, that's the
hardest work of all.

So what you carrying on about?

-You know, Grandma, if I-- if
I could switch to night school,

get a full-time job,
we'd have more money

and we'd both be happier.

-Listen, I'll be happy when
you're schooling's finished

and you get yourself a
job that means something.

Now why are you
going to make me wait

four years for that when
you can do it in two?

-Because I want to
help you now, Grandma.

You're 70 years old.

And cleaning offices all
night is hard on you.

Why should you have to
work so hard for me, huh?

You're all I got, Wendell.

I'll do as much
for you as I want.

-(SINGING) The trumpet shall
sound and the dead shall be

raised and the dead shall
be raised incorruptible.

-Thank you, Mr. Quist.

You may resume your position.

-Thank you.

-Any other candidates
for bass solo?

Mr. Wood, would
you care to solo?

-Well, I gave it up
for Lent, Mr. Adams.

-I think we are well
past Lent for this year.

-And I'm well past
singing solos.

I'm not past
everything, however.

-(SINGING) Rejoice greatly,
oh daughter of Zion.

Shout oh, daughter of Jerusalem.

Behold thy King
cometh unto thee.

Behold thy King
cometh unto thee.

-Thank you, Mrs. Burns.

Any other soprano
solo candidates?

Mrs. Kim, step
over here, please.

Mrs. Kim, you have
your selection?

-Number 45, sir.

-Proceed.

-(SINGING) I know that my
redeemer liveth and that He

shall stand, shall stand on
the latter day upon the earth.

I know that my redeemer
liveth and that he shall stand

on the latter day upon
the earth, upon the earth.

-Oh, Maimy?

-It's Maisie, Mrs. Burns.

-Oh, sorry.

I just wanted to say how
sweet I think your voice is.

-Thank you.

-I've heard of so few
singers among your people.

-We do a variety of things.

-Well, you keep
up the good work.

With training, I think
you show real promise.

-What's he doing in bed?

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE): He's
being disciplined, Zoe.

He came home two
hours late yesterday.

Maybe he had a good reason.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE): The reason
is his mother's a thousand

miles away and he thinks
no one cares what he does.

Are you coming home
for Thanksgiving?

-I can't afford to.

You know that.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE): Oh.

Still at the same office?

-I wish.

I'm in the third
office this week.

Choir makes up for it though.

We had solo
auditions last night.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE):
Oh, did you get one?

-I didn't try for one.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE): You
could get a solo in Omaha.

-I don't want one, Mother.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE):
And we need teachers too.

Why, I heard just this
last week that the school

board has decided that--

-I'm in San Francisco,
and I'm staying.

It's time you accept that.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE):
Well, I can't accept it.

There you are all by yourself
without a decent job,

without a husband, without
a proper place to live.

I don't know, Zoe.

I just don't know.

Are you listening?

[PHONE RINGS]

[TYPEWRITER CLICKS]

[PHONE RINGS]

-Couldn't get used to
the idea of a Christmas

without snow either.

We transferred here
from East Lansing.

Matt wanted to take
on the challenge

of an inner city church.

-Do you have any children?

-Just one, Terry.

He's 17.

He came today to lend a hand.

He's so helpful.

As soon as Matt mentioned the
choir needed more members,

Terry offered to join.

-Is he improving at all?

-I don't know.

It's so-- so complicated now.

-Well, we're praying for you.

-I'm praying too.

-Muriel just acquired another
piece for her hope chest.

-Good heavens.

What was it this time?

-A fork, I think.

-I'll just have to get a
husband for that woman.

I don't think the
church can withstand

her being single much longer.

-All right, people, people.

We want to get some
pictures of the bride

and my handsome new son-in-law.

Jerome has his new camera.

Now, let's see.

First of all, I want
to get Reverend Lohman

and his lovely family up
here with Jackie and Bob.

Oh, Reverend Lohman, please.

Alice, you come over and
get here with your cousin.

Now, let's see.

Where's Terry?

-Terry?

-Oh, Terry, come on.

Come on.

-Jackie, scrunch
in closer to Bob.

You just married him after all.

-I'm glad you decided
to come on a hike.

Danes got to stick together.

-Is it uphill or downhill?

-A little of both.

-I only go on downhill hikes.

-Oh, well, then
maybe I could, uh--

-Henry?

I was just kidding.

How'd you find
this place, Henry?

-Old friends.

It was started by a
German hiking club.

-My grandmother was German, the
only one among all those Danes.

And you still don't
like the sauerkraut?

-Not when I have five
miles to climb uphill.

-Fill the yellow tea kettle?

-Yeah.

The coffee stuff's on the
counter next to the stove.

-I see it.

How do the feet feel now?

-I don't know.

Dead dogs don't talk.

-What?

-It's an old Nebraska saying.

Dead dogs don't talk.

-Oh.

Well, you should have told
me about sooner, you know?

I mean, I always
carry a first-aid kit

in case of blisters.

Ah, here.

Off with the sock.

-Um, all right, I can do it.

-I'm sorry, Zoe.

I didn't mean.

-Wow, these sweat socks
sure earn their name today.

Oh, Henry.

Henry?

This just doesn't seem to
be working out too well.

Can I just be alone now please?

-Good night.

CHOIR: (SINGING) And with His
stripes, and with His stripes

we are healed.

With his stripes we are healed.

And with his stripes
we are healed.

And we are healed.

With his stripes we are healed.

And with his stripes--

EPHRAIM ADAMS: Very good.

CHOIR: (SINGING) And with
his stripes we are healed.

And with his stripes
we are healed.

-Well, as you know,
I am not one who

is given to showering praise
impetuously or without reason.

Nevertheless, that was
a distinct improvement.

We shall return to that
part of the score later.

Before we go on to
the next section,

there are some
announcements to be made.

It is never easy to choose one
person over another, especially

when the factors of
talent and experience

can be so vastly different.

Nevertheless, music and
life require such choices.

The bass soloist for the
"Messiah" will be Mr. Garner.

The alto solos are the
responsibility of Ms. McGuire.

Tenor solos will be
sung by Mr. Jefferson,

and the soprano
solos by Mrs. Kim.

Are there any questions?

Very well.

If you will please turn to
section 28 in your score,

Mr. Ruben will give
us a starting chord.

CHOIR: (SINGING) He trusted in
God that he would deliver him.

Let him deliver him,
if he delight in him.

He trusted in God that
he would deliver him.

Let him deliver him,
if he delight in him.

He trusted in God that
he would deliver him.

Let him deliver him,
if he delight in him.

He trusted in God that
he would deliver him.

-Mrs. Burns, blend.

CHOIR: (SINGING) --if
he delight in him.

Let him deliver him,
let him deliver him,

if he delight in him.

-Mrs. Burns, There is
no solo in this section.

There are no solos for anyone.

-I'm not sure, Mr.
Adams, you'd know

a soloist if you heard one.

-I know an ego when I hear one.

You have a very impressive
voice, Mrs. Burns.

There's no denying that.

But it is what I think of as an
operatic voice, one not easily

suited to music sung by a group.

-A group of amateurs who
can't even sing on key!

-Mrs. Burns is right, of course.

You are amateurs, unlike
certain pseudo professionals

like myself who
insist on slave wages.

Your voluntary and steadfast
attendances at these rehearsals

fully qualifies you for any
definition of the word amateur.

But what Mrs. Burns and
many others are wrong about

is the meaning of
the word, which

has to do with
motivation, not quality.

Now, you will remember amo,
amas, amat, the Latin verb

to love.

The meaning of
amateur is he or she

who does a thing
for the love of it.

There is no higher
reason for singing

than the love of doing it.

And in that respect, you do
indeed qualify as amateurs.

And I salute you for it.

Now, shall we get on?

[SEAGULLS CRYING]

ZOE: Is this Mr. Adams?

HARTLEY: Yep, taken
before the war.

ZOE: How did you two meet?

-Longshoreman strike, 1934.

-Which side was he on?

-Dab smack in the middle.

He was reporting
for a newspaper.

Ephraim saved my life
during that strike.

-How?

-Well he, uh, sort
of distracted a goon

who was trying to finish
me off with a baseball bat.

-And you didn't
invite him today?

Oh, I quit inviting him
any place years ago.

He's a loner.

And I think he
likes it that way.

-Watch your step there.

OK, just right along here.

-Well, welcome
aboard, Mrs. Curtis.

I'm Hartley Wood, the
captain of this rig.

-Pleased to meet you, I'm sure.

-Here, let me give you a hand.

-How you doing Hartley?

-Good.

-There you go.

-Is it ready?

-Well, if it gets any more
ready, it'll fall apart.

Can we eat?

-Not until we're all here.

Well, can we let it
sit for a bit, then?

-Good.

Just don't let it get too cool.

-Oh, there's still plenty
of heat in this old carcass.

-That's no way to talk
about yourself, Hartley.

-Yeah.

-Hey, everybody,
uh, Henry's here.

Now we can eat, huh?

Hello, Henry.

Happy Thanksgiving.

-And the same to you, Zoe.

Uh, I'm glad you're here.

-OK, everybody.

Find your places.

-This is terrific.

Two of the most wonderful
turkey cookers I've ever met.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

INEZ: Mrs. Curtis, how can
we get you to join the choir?

Wendell tells us you
have a wonderful voice.

-Oh, did that boy say that?

Well, I always did
like to sing in church.

But I work nights.

Besides, where I growed up,
we didn't read the music,

you know?

You folks read your
music, don't you?

-Well, some of them do.

Some of us just
make a stab at it.

-What denomination do
you belong to, Mr. Wood?

-I belong to the church
of beautiful women.

I am a recent convert.

Uh, now, teach us some songs
that we don't have to read.

-Well, um, I don't know.

ZOE: Maybe there's some
hymns we both know.

Then we can teach them
to these heathens.

-Oh.

-(SINGING) What a fellowship,
what a joy divine,

leaning on the everlasting arms.

What a blessedness,
what a peace is mine,

leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe
and secure from all alarm.

Leaning, leaning, leaning
on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning.

it

-(SINGING) The glory of the Lord
is risen, is risen upon thee,

is risen, is risen upon thee.

Oh, glory.

Oh, glory.

The glory of the lord is
risen, risen upon thee.

CHOIR: (SINGING) Oh, thou that
tellest good tidings to Zion,

get thee up into
the high mountain.

Oh, thou that tellest
good tidings to Zion,

good tidings to Zion, arise.

Arise.

-Thank you, tenors,
for paying attention.

It's a great relief for me to
know that I'm waving my arms

here not simply to
ventilate the place.

That is the seventh time
we have tried that section.

There's no point in finishing
it unless we can get it right.

So I am going back to the
beginning, including the solo.

And this time, I want to hear
your voices, all your voices.

Ms. Moore.

-What?

-Would you please give me the
text of measures 43 to 48?

-OK.

Uh, was that, um-- was
that-- was that before

or after the, uh-- (SINGING)
The cities of Judah?

-Measures 43 through 48.

-Well, um, Mr. Adams,
I don't-- I um--

I don't seem to have
those numbers on my score.

-Why not?

-Well, I know you told
us to, uh, measure--

to number all the measures,
but, um, I don't-- um,

numbers and music don't
seem to go together for me.

-Music is fraught with numbers.

Rhythms are numerical
relationships.

And measures need
to be numbered if we

are to have some
common reference

to find our way through
this piece of music.

I suggest that you
number your score or find

a choir that is less demanding.

Now, Mr. Goodman,
would you please

read me the text of
measures 43 to 48?

-"Lift up thy voices
with strength.

Lift them up.

Be not afraid."

-Again, please.

-"Lift up thy voice
with strength.

Lift it up.

Be not--

-Be not afraid!

Now, all of you, not just
Ms. Moore and Mr. Goodman,

lift up thy voices
with strength.

Are you here to sing or
to swallow your words

and hold back and mouth your way
through a great piece of music?

Well, it's a waste of
time, yours and mine.

We have four weeks, four weeks.

-Three?

-Yes.

My daughter's 12 now.

It's time she got some culture.

-Thanks.

The church could
use a full house.

-Mr. Charleton
Marchetti, good morning.

Yes, this morning.

-I know it's been bad before.

But this, this is a lot worse.

-Can we get another loan?

I don't know.

We'll have to get a
new treasurer just

to sort this thing out.

I wonder if we could cut down
on the maintenance expenses.

-I'm sorry to interrupt.

-Yes, Terry?

-Could I borrow the
car Wednesday night,

because some of the kids are
going to the beach for a cook

out and I said that
maybe I could drive.

-Sounds fine to me.

Matt?

Isn't that the day
you volunteered

to drive for the
senior citizens, son?

-Yeah.

Uh.

-Well, Matt, maybe.

-No, uh, never mind.

I'll just tell them
some other time.

-Sure.

We'll help you plan it.

You know, one thing we could
use is some more fund-raising.

[CHOIR SINGING]

-Well, that was much better.

Next week, we'll
go into part two

and hope that the
improvement continues.

In the meantime, I
want you all to work

on your vocal exercises.

So thank you very much.

I'll see you next week
at our usual time.

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

-Mrs. Pfeifer, may I speak
with you downstairs, please?

-Yes, Mr. Adams.

-Thank you for coming down.

I want to thank you also
for that jar of marmalade.

I did not think it
appropriate to mention it

in front of the entire
choir, but I did appreciate.

-I gave them to several people.

The recipe makes a big batch.

What did you want to talk about?

-Well, I wanted to
discuss several things.

You've been a member of
this choir for a long time.

So I think you understand what
this choir means to the church.

And I hope you understand
what I'm trying to do here.

-Yes, I understand all of that.

-Good.

I think you also understand
that in any group endeavor,

the ultimate
consideration has to be

what is best for the group and
for the goals of that group.

-You want me to drop out
of the choir, don't you?

Mr. Adams, I'm 72 years old.

I know my voice is not
what it was when I was 20.

I just wanted to sing as
long as I could, as long

as it was acceptable.

If it's not, that's
your decision.

You have every right
to make that decision.

-It is my responsibility
to make that decision.

And it's not easy.

-I know.

And I appreciate how
you're changing this choir.

I really do.

And I don't want to
stand in the way of that.

But I can't stop coming here.

Giving up all this
would be like dying.

-What can we do?

-I've thought of something.

I think you need an assistant.

There are so many things
that need to be done.

People in the choir keep
losing parts of their score.

There's a lot of
organization needed.

I can run a copy machine.

And I'm good at notation,
at least on paper.

Also, the robes need a good
overhaul before Christmas.

They're in terrible shape.

I don't think you've
noticed how they're

falling apart, have you?

-No, I haven't.

-Well, I have.

We are going to make this not
only the best sounding choir

this church ever had,
but also the best

looking one and
the most organized.

I appreciate what you've
tried to say, Mr. Adams.

I really do.

But I hope you never
have to be told

to stop doing something
you love as much as this.

I don't know if
you could take it.

WOMAN (ON INTERCOM): Dr.
Gordon, call 32, please.

-I'm so sorry.

I thought the treatments
were going so well.

-They liked.

The treatments just
prolonged his pain.

-I don't think they lied, Cora.

I'm sure they did
the best they could.

Doctors are not infallible.

-Matt, what do I
tell the children?

-Sometimes God's reasons
are difficult to fathom.

-How do I tell that
to a six-year-old?

What do I say?

-Uh, maybe I better
drive you home.

-What are you,
God's taxi service?

-Cora.

I want to know why Rory died.

Ask God why a beautiful man
dies in the prime of life.

-Maybe I'd better
take you some place

where you won't be
disturbing others.

-Oh, am I disturbing others?

But I'm disturbed!

My husband just died.

People die in this place!

Does that disturb you?

It disturbs me!

I wanna know why
God let Rory die!

[CRYING]

-So even if we spend
the $5,000 now,

we've got to follow
it up with another 10

to get the thing
in tip top shape.

I'm just wondering,
gentleman, if this may not

be the best time to
write off this organ

and use the insurance money
to make a better investment.

-Such as?

-An electronic organ.

I own a piece of an
ice skating rink.

We just put in one
there for $6,000.

It sounds great.

$6,000, complete?

-Complete.

Now, we may need a
bigger model here.

But for 12,000 to 15,000, you
can get the top of the line.

The maintenance is nothing.

It's all solid state.

-Ephraim, sir, what do
you think about that?

-I think that to write off this
noble instrument is criminal.

-You'd be surprised
by what they can

do with electronics these days.

-I know what an
electronic organ can do.

And I know what it cannot do.

At least this side of your
Heavenly gates, Reverend

Lohman, there is no substitute
for the sound of a pipe organ.

-Seth, are you totally
opposed to this as well?

-No, not totally.

I mean, I have some very-- but
they're not quite the same.

If we could get
this organ repaired.

-Gentlemen, I did
not finish my report.

The problem is not only money.

It is time.

There are only three companies
who do this kind of work.

And none of them can get
to it before February.

-What about an out
of town company?

-It's the worse time of year.

Every church who can
afford it schedules

a servicing before Christmas.

-On the electronic, we can get a
free trial demo, no obligation,

for two months.

-Looks like we have
very few choices.

-Very few.

-Please, no applause.

I'll go on all day.

What do you think?

-Uh, well, Mr. Luke, the
volume is certainly impressive.

But the choice in the--

-And that was only 60% of
max output from these amps.

This model can
blow your roof off.

-What we do for an encore?

-Listen, encores,
preludes, processionals,

funeral stuff, this
model can do it all.

You've got your string effects,
your harpsichord, your brass.

-Could I, uh, try
something a little more

like the music we
play on the organ?

-Hey, listen, you're the expert.

What do I know?

Be my guest, Sid.

Do you mind if I call you Sid?

-I think his parents
might object.

-My name is Seth, Seth Ruben.

-Seth, of course.

Here, we've got an
adjustable bench.

Make yourself comfortable
and play whatever you want.

Wow, that's really nice.

-That's not too bad, is it?

-It's a good imitation
of a great sound.

CHOIR: (SINGING) Glory be
to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Ghost, as
it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall
be, world without end.

Amen, amen.

-"And she brought forth her
first-born son and wrapped him

in swaddling clothes and
laid him in a manger,

because there was no room
for them in the inn."

The Bible tells us the child
was born in utmost simplicity.

Shouldn't we at least
reflect that simplicity

in our celebrations?

The birth of Christ required
no complicated attendants.

Why then should our
celebrations of that birth

be attended by such
rabid commercialism?

[RADIO CUTTING IN AND OUT]

Is it really necessary--

[RADIO CUTTING IN AND OUT]

-Is it really necessary
in an age when

one quarter of the
world's population

goes to bed hungry to consume
the meaningless, disposable

products of a civilization
steeped in gluttony?

MAN (ON RADIO): Dispatch?

Can we do that after lunch?

[LAUGHTER]

-I had a feeling it was going
to be one of those days.

[LAUGHTER]

-Matt?

-Uh huh?

-That was one of your
better sermons, I must say.

-Oh, really?

Well if it's going to be that
entertaining ever Sunday,

maybe we should just
keep the damn thing.

DOOR BUZZER RINGS]

-Who could that be?

[DOOR BUZZER RINGS]

-Oh.

-Oh, no, it's all right, Terry.

I'll-- I'll pick them up later.

-No, I'm sorry.

-And you don't have to say
you're sorry about everything,

OK?

-Oh, Reverend, thank
god you're home.

It wouldn't be
right if you heard

about it from
somebody else first.

-Heard-- heard what?

-Well, I've been thinking
it over in my head

a million times.

And after the fight,
well, I-- I felt

he must be capable of anything.

I-- I know I'm right.

-Right about what?

-The vandalism.

I know who broke the organ.

I saw him leave the
church that night.

It was Wendell Curtis.

-Well, you know, Muriel,
you-- you're clearly mistaken.

I mean, perhaps if somebody
just talked to Wendell, he--

-No, no.

The police are
questioning him right now.

-The police?

-They told me I acted
very responsibly.

-I have to get down
there right now.

Sorry about lunch.

I'll be back as soon as I can.

REVEREND LOHMAN: I got
here as soon as I could.

-Did my Grand-mama call you?

-No.

I heard about it from Muriel.

-Muriel?

Well, Muriel is a crazy woman.

That woman is crazy.

And they believe her.

-What do you mean?

-Man, I know she saw me come
out of the church that night.

But I was practicing
man, just practicing.

All I wanted to do
was see what my voice

would sound like in the church.

Man, I didn't break nothing.

I swear to God I
didn't break nothing.

-Wendell, it's going
to be all right.

If you're innocent
like you say you are,

then you've got
nothing to worry about.

-Would he talk to you?

-Not much.

-Do you still want to press
charges against him or not?

-I-- I don't even
know if he's guilty.

-That's what jury
trials are for.

-He told me he didn't do it.

-Hey, then he'll get off.

-What's the good of
pressing charges?

-Have it your way.

-Excuse me, are you in charge?

-That's right.

What can I do for ya?

-Uh, I got to confess something.

-Terry!

-Was it like a black out?

I mean, did you know
what you were doing?

-No, it wasn't a blackout.

I remember everything, even
how it looked and what I did

and how it felt.

-Did-- did it feel good?

-What do you mean,
did it feel good?

-I mean, whatever
you were angry about,

did it feel good to get it out?

-I don't know.

I-- I was just walking
behind the altar.

And I saw this vase of flowers.

And I felt like
knocking it over.

So I knocked it over.

And then I saw something else.

And I hit that.

And I just kept going, you know?

I remember I felt just a lot
of-- a lot of energy, you know?

And then I started
laughing because some

struck me as funny.

-What was so funny?

-I-- I thought about what
people always say about

destroying private
property, you know?

And I wondered whether this
was private property or not.

I mean, I still don't know.

I mean, who does the
church belong to?

Well, we live here.

And we're it all the time.

But does it belong to us?

Or does it belong
to the congregation,

or does it belong to anybody?

-Of course it
belongs to use, not

like a car or a bank account.

But my god, Terry, this
is our life's work.

This church means more to me
than anything in the world,

and to your mother.

-The warpage isn't
to bad in there.

But several pieces have
to be made from scratch.

-I know this metal.

I could work this with my tools.

-It might look easy, Henry.

But it's going to take
very precise tolerances.

-In Denmark, I was
apprenticed to a silversmith.

But it's going to take
more than one person.

-Well, you've got me.

All we need now is a woodworker.

-Maisie Kim's husband
works in a cabinet shop.

-If he can join us, we
might be able to get

it back together by Christmas.

It would be a wonderful
surprise for Ephraim.

-My lips are glued.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Do you think maybe Terry should
be here helping us with this?

-He's doing volunteer work
through a probation officer.

-Maybe he can't bring
himself to come back here.

-That boy's been
over churched anyway.

He ought to do his
penance somewhere else.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Mr. Adams, good morning.

Thank you for coming early.

-Any Sunday morning in which I
mus forgo my second cup of tea

and my Times crossword
is not a good morning.

-It's the electronic organ.

-That monstrosity.

[ORGAN PLAYING]

CHOIR: (SINGING)
Hallelujah, hallelujah,

hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah.

Hallelujah, hallelujah
hallelujah hallelujah

hallelujah.

For the Lord God
omnipotent reigneth.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah.

For the Lord God
omnipotent reigneth.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah.

-And I was just getting
used to the police calls.

[LAUGHTER]

[PHONE RINGS]

[PHONE RINGS]

[PHONE RINGS]

-Hello?

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE):
Zoe, where have you been?

I've been calling all afternoon.

I've been out trying to
find something for Robbie

for Christmas.

ZOE'S MOM (ON
PHONE): Zoe, that's

what I've been trying
to reach you about.

We can't find him.

-What?

How long has it been?

ZOE'S MOM (ON
PHONE): Well, I put

him to bed early last night.

But his bed wasn't slept in.

-All night?

Did you call the police?

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE): Yes,
we've talked to everyone.

He got very upset the
other day and threatened

to go to San Fransisco.

You don't think--

-Did you check the bus station?

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE): Yes,
but they don't keep records.

You don't suppose
he'd hitchhike?

-Oh, my god, I hope not.

Oh, well, I don't
know what to do.

I can't come there.

He might be on his way here.

ZOE'S MOM (ON PHONE):
Oh, I don't know, Zoe.

I don't know what
more any of us can do.

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

[DOORBELL RINGS]

[DOORBELL RINGS]

MAN: Are you sure this
is the right place, kid?

ROBBIE: Yeah.

MAN: Well, it better be.

Otherwise, we're heading
straight for the cops.

I don't have time--

-Robbie!

ROBBIE: See, I told
you the right address.

MAN: Right, right.
-Are you all right?

-Yeah.

-Oh, my god.

I've been so worried.

-Well, the fair is $3.50, lady.

-Oh, oh, sure.

There you go.

Thank you very much.

-Wow!
This is a neat place!

-Ah, you're welcome.
Well, merry Christmas.

-Merry Christmas.

Robbie, where have you been?

-Hiding on that dumb
bus for two days.

That's where I've been.

And they only had one bathroom.

And you know what?

-What?

-That didn't work.

-Oh, no.

-I thought I was gonna--

-You thought you
were gonna what?

-You know.

-Did you eat anything?

You must be starving.

-Well, I made myself a couple
of peanut butter sandwiches.

But I think I used
them up before Utah.

-Utah?

What did you eat between
Utah and California?

-Oh, I had a hamburger
at a place called Reno's.

Boy, they have a lot
of slot machines there.

I used up most of my
money on the hamburger.

But I had a quarter left.

And I snuck in and tried it.

-Oh, Robbie, that was crazy,
when you don't have anything

left to use it on
a slot machine.

Well, at least you found out
what a gyp they are, right?

-Right.

-You can pay for
the call to Grandma.

CHOIR: (SINGING) Unto
us a son is given.

For unto us a child is born.

For unto us a child is born.

Unto us a son is given.

Unto us a son is given.

For unto us a child is born.

For unto us a child is born.

Unto us a son is given.

Unto us a son is given.

Unto us, unto us, a son
is given, a son is given.

And the government shall
lean upon his shoulders.

And the government shall
lean upon his shoulders.

And the government shall
lean upon his shoulders.

And his name shall be called--

-Come on now.

Not having money
can be good for you.

It forces you to be creative.

What should we make for Grandma.

-We could draw
her some pictures.

-That's a start.

Why don't we put the
pictures on a calendar?

-Yeah.

And we can mark the
days that are special.

-Like what?

-Like March 19th.

-Look, smarty pants, we'll put
everybody's birthday on it.

-OK, but mine's in red.

What can I get Daddy?

-I don't know, honey.

He's always been difficult.

-I know what I'd like.

-What?

-To all be together like it was.

-Don't start now, Robbie, OK?

-How come?

-Because it's not
going to happen.

I told you that
back home in Omaha.

-Daddy said you were the
one who wanted a divorce.

-Damn him.

-Mommy.

-He knows very well.

-You mean, Daddy lied to me?

-We all lied to
ourselves for too long.

-So in addition to Terry's
apology to you and mine,

the three of us were picked
as sort of a committee

to come here and tell you
that everybody misses you

and that we're all sorry
about what happened.

And we hope you'll
come back with us

as soon as you feel like it.

-It's OK.

You didn't have to bother.

-It's no bother, Wendell.

Something terrible happened.

You got caught in the middle.

We don't want it to happen
to you or anyone else again.

-You can't play hooky, Wendell.

We need all the tenors we get.

Otherwise, the basses
will wipe us out.

-There is a dinner
planned for the Friday

before the performance, pot
luck with lots of good food.

Everybody will be there.

We'd love to have you, Wendell.

-Well, uh, thanks
for the invitation.

I'll try and make it.

-Well, thank you for
being so understanding.

-Take it easy, son.

-Yeah, I will.

-Wendell, why aren't you mad?

-What?

-Angry.

Why aren't you angry?

You have every right to be?

Uh, It's nothing to be angry
about. it was just a mistake.

It was more than
that and you know it.

We all know it.

It was terribly unfair.

-Zoe, sometimes life is unfair.

You can't expect
justice all the time.

-No, you can't.

But when life is that lousy,
when people act that way

and we bear the brunt of
it, we have every right

to hit the ceiling, to hit
something, a wall, a door.

Do it when we leave.

But do it, Wendell.

Get it out.

-Egg nog?

-No, thank you.

I'm already way over
my calorie count.

-Isn't that what a party's
for, to stop counting.

-Normally I'd agree with you.

I seem to have lost my appetite.

I guess I've got stage
fright a day early.

-Hey, my brother is
one of your soloists.

And, uh, he's so nervous,
he can't stop eating.

-Your Will's brother?

-Yes, but I'm
thinking of resigning.

Until then, my
name's Dan Gardner.

-I'm Zoe Jensen.

[SINGING HAVA NAGILA]

[APPLAUSE]

-Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

-Thank you.

Mr. Adams, that's
very nice of you.

But you know what the rules
of the gift exchange were.

-Yes, Mrs. Pfeifer.

Yes, I knew what the rules
of the gift exchange are.

I'm also a man who
normally sets great store

by rules, as you all know.

I am also a man who makes
great demands on people.

And therefore, I am just trying
to find a way to thank you

all for your effort and for your
devotion to our common goal.

If you'll excuse me for
being a little out of breath,

the bus to go down this evening.

And I took to the
sidewalks, forgetting

about our San Francisco hills.

So if you don't mind,
I'd like to sit down.

Thank you very much.

[APPLAUSE]

-Wendell, I want you know I
didn't accuse you of anything.

I just told people what I saw.

I hope you're not angry with me.

-I am.

Maybe you should figure out
what you're angry about.

-You know, Ephraim, these
shirts were a nice thought.

But, uh, it's not that
easy to get off the hook.

No, we've been slaving
for you long enough now.

So before you get
your piece of cake,

you're going to have
to sing for yourself.

Oh, he can sing, you know?

It's just that he's a
bit backwards sometimes.

Come on up here.

[APPLAUSE]

-Now, at least I'm not going
to ask him to do a solo.

This is a song that he and I
sang together many years ago,

down to the waterfront.

Let's see who remembers
it the best, huh?

All right, Seth.

-(SINGING) If the river were
whiskey and I was a duck,

I'd dive to the bottom
and never come up.

Oh, how long will
I have to wait?

Can I get you now?

Must I hesitate?

I was born in Alabama, I
was raised in Tennessee.

If you don't like my
peaches, don't shake my tree.

Tell me how long
will I have to wait.

[SIREN WAILING]

-Any news?

-The nurse said the
doctor's still with him.

Well, we should
hear something soon.

Now, who wanted cream and sugar?

I hope I got it straight.

-Oh, I'm sure you did.

-Thank you.

-Seth, there's one for you.

-Seth, you can go
home if you want to.

-I can't go home.

He's dying.

-He is not going to die.

It may be serious, but I
don't think he's going to die.

-He is!

He's dying right now.

He's dying, and we're
out here drinking coffee!

-Is anyone here a
relative of Ephraim Adams?

-No, Ephraim's all alone.

-Is it serious?

-It was a mild stroke.

How he recovers is a
matter of physical therapy

and his own will to improve.

-Well, if it's only
a matter of will,

there's nothing to worry about.

He's got plenty of that.

-I talked with his
doctor again about noon.

And he said he was doing
fine, despite the paralysis.

I-- I think he's a good
doctor for Ephraim.

He said when a patient starts
ordering the staff around, even

on note paper, it's a
sure sign of recovery.

However, the question remains
what do we do about next week?

I suppose that the easy thing
to do would be to cancel.

But I'd just hate to see
all your wonderful work go

for nothing.

Seth, isn't it possible that
somewhere we could find a choir

director who was familiar enough
with the "Messiah" to step in?

-No.

Uh, I know how individual
Ephraim's vision of this music

is.

It's not something
you can just hand over

at the last moment
to someone else.

-Since you do know
it so well, Seth,

wouldn't it be possible
for you to conduct?

-It's true.

You're the only one who knows
the music as well as Ephraim.

-No, I can't play and
conduct the choir.

-I'll turn pages for you.

-No.

I-- I just can't do
that kind of thing.

I know some people can.

But I can't.

Then we can't go on
with the performance.

-Can't died in the cornfield.

-What did you say?

-Can't died in the cornfield.

It's an old Nebraska expression.

I just remembered it.

-Can't died in the
cornfield, Seth.

-That's right, Seth.

Can't died in the cornfield.

-(TOGETHER) Can't
died in the cornfield.

Can't died in the cornfield.

Can't died in the cornfield.

Can't died in the cornfield.

Can't died in the cornfield.

-OK, OK.

Can't died in the cornfield?

-All right!

[ORGAN PLAYING]

MAN: (SINGING) Comfort ye.

Comfort ye, my people.

Comfort ye.

Comfort ye, my people,
saith your God.

Saith your God.

Speak ye comfortably
to Jerusalem.

Speak ye comfortably to
Jerusalem, and cry unto

her, that her warfare, her
warfare is accomplished.

CHOIR: (SINGING) And the
glory of, glory of the Lord

shall be revealed,
shall be revealed.

And the glory, the glory
of Lord shall be revealed,

shall be revealed.

And the glory, the glory of
the Lord shall be revealed.

And all flesh shall
see him together.

And all flesh shall
see him together.

-(SINGING) All nations I
shake, the heavens, the earth,

the sea, and the dry
land all nations I shake.

And the desire of all
nations shall come.

CHOIR: (SINGING)
And he shall purify.

And he shall purify
the sons of Levi.

And he shall purify.

And he shall purify.

And he shall purify.

And he shall purify
the sons of Levi.

And he shall purify.

And he shall purify.

-(SINGING) And suddenly, there
was with the angel a multitude

of the heavenly host
praising God and saying--

CHOIR: (SINGING) Glory to God.

Glory to God in the highest.

And peace on earth.

-(SINGING) Rejoice, greatly,
oh, daughter of Zion.

Shout, oh daughter of Jerusalem.

Behold thy King
cometh unto thee.

Rejoice.

-(SINGING) And he shall
gather the lambs with his arm,

with his arm and carry
them in his bosom.

CHOIR: (SINGING) And with his
stripes, and with his stripes

we are healed.

And with his stripes
we are healed.

And with his stripes
we are healed.

And with his stripes, and with
his stripes we are healed.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah,

hallelujah.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah,

hallelujah, for the Lord
God omnipotent reigneth.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah,

for the Lord God
omnipotent reigneth.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah.

And he shall reign
for ever and ever.

The king of kings
and lord of lords.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah.

Hallelujah.