Original subtitles

* Good Times *

* Anytime you meet a payment *

* Good Times *

* Anytime You need a friend *

* Good Times *

* Anytime You're out from under *

* Not gettin' hassled Not gettin' hustled *

* Keepin' your head Above water *

* Makin' a wave When you can *

* Temporary layoffs *

* Good Times *

* Easy credit rip-offs *

* Good Times *

* Scratchin' and survivin' *

* Good Times *

* Hangin' in A chow line *

* Good Times *

* Ain't we lucky We got 'em? *

* Good Times *

Say there, Ma.

You know, I gotta talk to you for a minute.

Times are changing, and there's a new morality going around.

Nah, that ain't gonna work.

Hey there, Ma.

Boy, you really looking beautiful today.

You know, at first, I thought Lena Horne had moved in here.

Say...

about that new morality going around...

Nah, that ain't gonna make it.

Hey there, you lovely, open-minded

sweetheart mama of mine.

Guess how your son's gonna make some money.

You sold your brain to the junkyard.

What are you doing sneaking up on people?

I always sneak up on people

when they start talking to thin air.

Well, I'll have you know, ugly little sister,

that I just got commissioned to paint a portrait.

You're kidding?

No, I ain't, and this could be my big chance.

Next thing you know, I'll be hung in a museum.

Oh, it doesn't matter where so long as they hang you.

Who you gonna paint?

Mrs. Charlene Brooks.

The lady who just moved in upstairs?

The one with the shake-em-up shimmy?

The one everybody's talking about?

The only reason they talking about her

is 'cause they jealous.

They don't know that she happens to be a real hip lady

who wears real cool clothes.

Cool is right.

That lady doesn't wear strapless dresses,

she wears dressless straps.

Well, this time her skimp is not the problem.

What is?

The fact is that when I paint her,

she ain't gonna be wearing no skimp at all.

That lady wants you to paint her in the nude?

That's right.

That all-together lady

wants me to paint her in the altogether.

Hey, that's great!

Hey, Thelma, you really like the idea?

Yeah!

You think that Ma will like it, too?

No. She's gonna kill you. That's why I like it.

Hey, Daddy, Ma, guess what J.J.'s gonna do.

Hey, now shut up, Thelma. Let me tell her.

Ma, I got some good news.

And some bad news.

Uh-oh. What happened?

Well--

Uh, Thelma, let me tell it, please.

Well, I just wanna give them the bare facts.

Shut up. This is too important to me.

What is, J.J.?

Well, my open-minded, lovely sweetheart mama--

James, we're in big trouble.

Well, no. It all depends on how you look at it.

How you look at what, Junior?

Okay, I'll tell you.

I've just been commissioned to paint a portrait

of a lovely young lady.

It's a birthday present for her husband.

Oh, J.J., that's wonderful. I'm proud of you.

Yeah, congratulations, Junior.

Thanks, Dad. And I'm getting paid $50 to paint it.

Hey!

Yeah, J.J.

You forgot to tell them what kind of portrait.

I'll get to that.

I know. I can hardly wait.

Thelma, will you shift your lips into park?

Okay, J.J., give me the bad news.

What kind of portrait is it?

Let's hear it straight, Junior.

Well, it all started when I was in the third grade.

The teacher put a paintbrush in my hand--

I said let's hear it straight, Junior. What kind of portrait?

Well, about two weeks ago,

a moving van pulled up front, and then--

Junior, I wanna hear what kind of portrait,

and I wanna hear it in one word.

Nude.

Hmm, what we got cooking here? That's lovely.

Nude?

You gonna paint a woman in the nude?

Us artists call it "oh natcha-all."

And us mamas call it "Oh, no, you ain't."

Aw, Ma, times are changing. Don't be so old-fashioned.

Well, maybe times have changed, but mamas haven't.

I don't see anything so terrible about it.

Thelma, you mean to say you're talking Junior's side?

Well, I guess I am.

Thelma, don't do that.

That could be a shock to my system.

The body is nothing to be ashamed of.

All artists have painted nudes.

That's right.

There was Michelangelo, Picasso, Rubens, Gauguin,

then there was this Spanish dude named Goya

who painted the naked duchess,

and that didn't bother the duke none.

Maybe the duke copped out when the pressure got heavy.

J.J., your father and I know that you're talented,

but why can't you paint fruit or trees?

Or...chicken?

Because nobody will pay $50

for a picture of a naked chicken.

Well, maybe it's not that bad after all.

The way J.J. paints,

you might not know what it is, anyway.

Dad, now let me appeal to you.

You out there in the street every day.

You know how hard it is to make $50.

Yeah. You got me there, Junior.

You know how much art supplies I can get with that

and how long that'll keep me going?

Yeah. Well, Florida, what do you say?

Well yourself. What do you say? You the head of the house.

Now, wait a minute.

How come I'm always head of the house

when you wanna say no,

but you the head of the house when you wanna say yes?

James, you just not thinking.

Now, we know that J.J. is talented,

and we know the importance of $50,

but what kind of a woman

would pose naked in front of an 18-year-old boy?

What kind, James?

Well, my guess is that she probably--

Oh, never mind.

You're a man. I already know what you guess.

Oh, now come on, Ma. You got the wrong idea.

Mrs. Brooks happens to be a very lovely lady.

Mrs. Brooks?

The Wiggler?

Who calls her The Wiggler?

Anybody with twenty-twenty vision.

She shakes like Jell-O on a roller coaster.

Aw, Ma, she can't help her shake.

It's built in,

like the shimmer of moonlight on Lake Michigan

when you can see through the sewage.

Oh, J.J.

Oh, now come on, Ma. This is my big chance.

One commission could lead to another.

Besides, what's a nude to me? I'm an artiste.

After all, God made the human figure in his own image.

He also made fig leaves.

Aw, Ma, all I know is

that my whole art career is going down the tubes.

Oh, come on, J.J., it's not that bad.

It is, Ma. I don't remember the last time I sold a painting.

I'm beginning to wonder if I really got what it takes.

Maybe I ought to just give up the whole thing.

Aw, now, Junior, you can't be serious about that.

I am, Dad.

I mean, what's the use of knocking your head

against the wall if ain't nothing happening.

Yeah. Well, look, let me and your mother

talk about this alone for a minute.

I'll let you know, hear?

Okay, Dad, but I feel the need for some sympathy.

I think I'll go in the room and cut off my ear.

Now look here, Florida. Maybe we ought to--

James, it just isn't right to paint some man's wife nude.

Well, maybe Junior's right.

Maybe we are being a little bit old-fashioned about this.

I mean, after all, if God didn't intend for man to look at woman,

then why did he give them all them nice, uh...

What I mean to say is, how come he made look so, uh...

Why he make 'em look so beautiful, baby?

Like you, sugar. Heh heh.

James, the thought of J.J. painting a naked woman

is something I just can't accept.

I think we ought to at least talk about the thing some more.

Having another family discussion?

You stay out of this. I'm not even in it yet.

James, why would The Wiggler hire J.J.?

What's a wiggler? Never mind.

'Cause he's the only painter in the projects, he's cheap,

and probably she feels safe undressing in front of him.

Who's gonna undress?

Didn't I say never mind?

I thought you wanted me to participate

in family discussions.

Not in this particular discussion.

Now go do some homework.

I wanna be bused to another family.

If you don't get out of here,

I'm gonna bus you with this belt.

Now, baby, you heard what Junior said.

He's ready to give up on his painting.

I know you don't want that, do you?

Honey, you know I don't.

You know, Florida,

there's a lot of kids like Junior out on the street.

They ain't got no where to go, nothing to do.

At least our son's got a talent. I mean, he can paint.

If Junior ain't got his painting, he ain't nowhere.

Well?

Maybe you're right, James.

He's got to go on painting.

That's right.

I guess I was silly

worrying about J.J. and The Wiggler.

I know we brought him up right.

Sure we did. He's my son.

Mm.

But let's trust him anyhow.

All right, James. If it's okay with you, it's okay with me.

Ha-ha, Dy-no-mite!

Dad, Ma, you gonna let J.J. paint her?

You heard, too, huh?

I just love these little private talks

we have, James.

Thanks, Ma and Dad.

The minute I was born and meet y'all two,

I knew that we would hit it off.

Who are you calling?

I'm calling Mrs. Brooks to tell her it's all set.

Hell-o?

Mrs. Brooks?

Oh, uh, Mr. Brooks.

Yeah, well, this is her hair dresser,

uh, Mr. LeRoy.

Yeah, I'm down here at the beauty saloon...

Yeah ,I'm calling about her hair appointment today.

Yeah, I'm supposed to hot comb her afro.

Yeah, I'll hold on.

Junior, what is this Mr. Leroy business?

Dad, I don't wanna blow the surprise.

Hello, Mrs. Brooks?

Yeah, this is your personal portrait painter--

James Evans, Junior.

Yeah, I wanna finalize the arrangement.

Yeah, it's all set.

All you have to do is come down with a small down payment--

say, about 90 percent.

Yeah, okay, I'll see you soon. Bye.

Well, I'm in business. It's all set.

I am in business, and she's on her way down.

Ha ha ha.

Aw, J.J., I'm so happy for you.

Yeah, me too, Junior.

I see you getting ready to meet The Wiggler, too.

You know, I still don't understand it.

What kind of a birthday present is that, anyway?

Why give your husband a painting of yourself in the nude?

Sure beats the hell out them slippers I got.

Uh...

baby, you know I got a birthday coming up soon.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Uh-- James.

I'll get it, Dad.

Hey. Hello, Mrs. Brooks!

Hi, J.J.

Come on in. Thank you.

I want you to meet my family.

Uh, this is my mother,

my sister Thelma, and my dad.

How do you do, Mrs. Brooks?

My, Mr. Evans.

J.J. didn't tell me he had such a handsome father.

[CHUCKLES]

How you doing Miss Wiggler-- uh, Mrs. Brooks?

You'd make a wonderful model yourself.

Yeah...

Me and Jim Brown.

Your stomach just went down one size,

and your head went up two.

I brought the down payment, J.J.

I've only got $25 for now.

Aw, that's fine. When you wanna get started?

How about 5:00 tomorrow?

My husband Calvin thinks I'm getting my hair done.

Ha ha ha ha ha.

Tomorrow will be fine.

You better give me the address of your studio.

Oh, you have the address-- right here.

Here? Here?

Here, J.J.?

Here?

Aw, now take it easy, Ma.

Where else did you think I was gonna paint her?

I never even thought about it, and now that I think about it--

Oh, I don't wanna think about it.

But, Ma...

Don't you "But, Ma" me. There is no way in the world

you gonna paint a naked woman in that living room.

Then I'll paint her here in the kitchen.

Can I just have my deposit back?

Uh, Thelma, don't just stand there.

Do something to help me. I'm desperate.

I agree with Ma and Daddy. It's crazy.

I thought you was on my side.

You knew that wouldn't last.

Aw, this ain't fair. I'm gonna cut off both of my ears.

J.J., will you stop that nonsense?

Now, we gave in to the idea of a nude picture,

but not in our home.

We've got a 12-year-old child here.

Aw, that's okay, Ma, I'll get him a fake ID.

I'll be 13 in two months.

Michael, you shouldn't even be listening.

Go into Thelma's room.

You can hear just as good in there.

I beg your pardon?

I'm going, Daddy.

That's what I thought you said.

Can I have my money back, please?

Just relax, Miss Brooks. I'll think of something.

Uh, how about if I paint you up on the roof?

Junior, why don't you just give the lady her money back now?

Daddy, maybe J.J. can rent a studio.

Are you crazy, girl?

There ain't no studios around here.

Can I have my money back?

Okay, looks like I'm dead. Here you go.

And there goes my whole art career out the window,

and I wish I could go out the window with it.

Just a minute. Mrs. Brooks, I just had a thought.

Now, you wanna give your husband a nice birthday present.

A portrait of yourself, right?

Right.

Well, would it make any difference

if you gave him a picture of you in a bathing suit?

But it's a birthday present.

That's why I wanted it done in my birthday suit.

Well, do you think my husband would like it?

Mrs. Brooks...

I'm sure that with your figure

and my son's imagination,

well, that painting will come out just fine.

Yeah!

Mrs. Evans, I think that's a good idea.

We'll put what talents I have into a bathing suit,

and J.J.'s talents on canvas.

Oh, that's a great idea!

Heh heh heh.

[MOCKS] Heh heh heh.

Thanks, Ma, for coming up with a great idea.

Hey, now that The Wiggler's gonna wear a bathing suit,

is it cool for a 12-year-old kid to come out now?

Well, I'm all set.

All I need now is my model, who shall be here momentarily.

Mm.

Now, Junior, now, the most important thing

about a painting like this is concentration.

Don't let nothing distract you.

What are you talking about, Dad?

Well, what I mean is you can see that even with a dress on

that the woman is, uh, together.

Oh, you noticed?

Well, just giving my son some advice. That's all.

Aw, now you don't have to worry about me.

Being a artiste is like being a doctor.

When I look at the female figure,

all I see is a collection of curves.

Well, don't forget the stop signs.

I don't know what's wrong with y'all.

Y'all don't understand. This is my profession now...

and it don't bother me being around beautiful females.

They just call me the long Toulouse-Lautrec.

[POUNDING ON DOOR]

James--

Uh, I'll get it.

Hello, Mrs. Brooks.

Hi, J.J., Mr. and Mrs. Evans.

Miss Brooks, how you doing?

Well, I'm all ready for you.

All you have to do is go hang up your coat over there.

Oh, thank you.

Here you go, son.

Well, how do you want me to pose?

She's talking to you, Too Loose.

How do you want me to pose?

Uh...

any way is fine.

Uh, I can't miss you.

Well, how is this?

Uhh...

Or this?

Ooh!

Or maybe, uh, this?

Aah.

Well, how do you want me to pose?

Uh, that'll be fine.

Okay, I'll do this. Okay.

Ahem. Uh, I think I can handle this alone, Dad.

Of course, Junior. You're on your own, son.

Heh heh heh.

[MOCKS] Heh heh heh.

You think my husband will like his birthday present?

Yes, Lord!

James.

[TELEPHONE RINGING]

I get it, baby.

Heh. Hello.

No! Not-- No!

Of course that ain't Florida.

Junior, pull the shade down.

Well, what's your jaw so tight about?

What do you mean, "No, no. Of course that ain't Florida?"

What I meant was, baby,

if that was you standing there in a bathing suit,

why, all the windows in the projects

would be wide open.

I hope I'm not bothering anybody.

Oh, no, no, no, no!

This is a typical evening in the Evans home.

Heh. Yeah, no trouble. No trouble at all, Miss Brooks.

James... Yeah.

J.J. is doing the painting.

There's no need for you to do the looking.

Aw, Florida, what you talking about?

I ain't paying that girl no mind.

Mm-hmm.

Hey, this stuff is cold.

Give me another cup of thigh, will you?

Can I see it now?

Well, not until it's finished.

Well, this session will rap it up, Ms. Brooks.

Uh, I think that's about it.

Good. I've been lying to my husband for six days,

sneaking around, trying to keep him from following me.

He's getting wise, and I'm getting pneumonia.

Well, I got to get another tube of paint.

I'm running out of flesh tones.

Uh, you use up a lot of that.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Calvin, what are you doing here?

I've got a better question, baby.

What the hell are you doing here?

Calvin, wait. There's an explanation.

Yeah, I'll bet there is. Now, who's the dude?

The dude?

Well, let's get at it.

Hey!

Hey.

Who are you?

He's my husband.

Oh, nice to meet you.

You owe me $25 for services rendered.

This beat my time?

I don't believe it.

I don't believe it.

I mean, you messing around with this mess of bones?

Wait a minute. You think that me and her were--

You're damn right!

Heh heh. Well, sometimes these things happen

between a model and a artiste.

Oh, Calvin, wait!

Hey, now wait a minute.

I was just immortalizing her on canvas. What I mean was--

I know what you mean, dude.

Wait a minute. I got something to say.

Yeah, like what? Help, police!

Now say your prayers, sonny.

Ma!

Hey, hey, hey! What the hell's going on here?

Man, this brown bag of bones been messing with my wife.

Yeah, well, just lighten up, brother,

'cause this brown bag of bones happens to be my son.

That's right. You lucky my dad got here.

Right, brother.

J.J., stop that nonsense before something falls off.

And if you'd open your eyes, you'd see what's going on.

That's right, honey.

He was painting my picture as a birthday present for you.

Oh.

Hey, that's not what I was wearing.

Well, that's the way I see it.

Well, do you like it?

Charlene, you're something else.

Well, the something else is the bathing suit,

compliments of yours truly.

Hey, when I sign that painting,

I'm gonna sign it, "J.J. Evans and Mama."

Honey, you did this for me?

I sure did.

Aw, baby, you're fantastic!

Ahem. She wasn't fantastic by herself.

It was a collaboration between artist and model.

Aw...

J.J., you're a genius.

I know.

Yeah, and, folks, that's some artist you got there.

[LIKE J.J.] We know. [LIKE J.J.] We know.

[APPLAUSE]

* Just lookin' Out of the window *

* Watching the asphalt grow *

* Thinkin' how it all looks hand-me-down *

* Good Times Good Times *

* Keepin' your head Above water *

* Makin' a wave When you can *

* Temporary layoffs *

* Good Times... *

JOHN AMOS: Good Times

is recorded on tape before a live audience.

* Ain't we lucky We got 'em? *

* Good Times *