Original subtitles

* Good times Any time you meet a payment *

* Good times Any time you need a friend *

* Good times Any time 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 **

J.J., can I fix you a sandwich?

Just a minute, Ma.

I'm painting an eyebrow on this chick here,

and it's a very delicate job.

I have to have absolute quiet.

[SLAMS DOOR]

Ah!

Now, instead of an eyebrow, she's got a mustache.

Michael, did you have to slam the door like that?

That's the only way I know how to slam it.

Real wise guy, huh?

Well, I would punch you out,

but you outweigh me by 15 pounds.

Yeah? Well, a broomstick outweighs you by five.

You got some nerve, you old cantaloupe-head.

Don't give me none of that.

All right, boys. That's enough.

Yeah, that's right.

That's right, be quiet.

I need absolute quiet for this painting,

because I gotta get this eyebrow...just right.

[SLAMS DOOR]

Oh!

Now, instead of an eyebrow, she's got a goatee.

What's wrong?

I'm trying to paint this chick here,

and she's turning out to look like Bill Russell.

That still makes her better looking

than any chick you've ever taken out.

Look who's talking.

A girl whose face looks like Dog Day Afternoon.

Oh, why don't you stop?

That's right, you old mahogany-face.

Get out of here!

Now, if anybody else slams that door,

they're gonna hear from me,

and they're gonna hear from me good,

because I'm mad!

[SLAMS DOOR]

[SCREAMING] All right!

Now, that was just the final straw--

Hey, Dad.

Would you like to see a... bearded lady?

What's going on here?

You have just disturbed the artiste.

Hey, Junior, who's the fox?

She looks a little bit too old to be one of yours.

Oh, it's, uh... nobody, Dad.

It's just a face in the crowd.

Yeah, well, it looks like somebody I've seen around.

It looks like someone who's been around.

Now that you mention it, James, she does look familiar.

Like somebody in the neighborhood.

Mm-hmm.

Tell you what, Junior, tack another eyebrow on,

and maybe we'll be able to recognize her.

Oh, uh...it's nobody in particular, Dad.

It's just a...face that developed in my head.

Ha, that figures. Your head isa darkroom.

All right, Thelma.

Stop hassling him and let him finish his work.

Oh, James! Ah!

Oh, I'm sorry, baby.

Somebody must have put the booby trap

on the beer again, it's warm.

No.

That refrigerator is out again!

Oh, this is the third time this week, James.

Hi, everybody.

THELMA: Hey, Adrian.

Well, hi, Adrian.

Hey, Picasso, creating another masterpiece?

Well, you know. What can I say?

Ooh, boy,

What you doing, painting Savannah Jones?

Savannah Jones? ADRIAN: Yeah.

That's Sweet Daddy Williams' current fox.

Florida, you was right.

I knew I'd seen that face around here somewhere.

J.J., why are you painting her?

Why didn't you want to talk about the painting before?

Um, how come I didn't want to talk about it, huh?

Well, uh...

Dad, you always said I have a big mouth,

so this time I thought I'd keep it shut.

Uh...

Uh, that's what I did, out of respect to you, Dad.

Now, come on, Junior.

What's the story behind this painting?

Well, uh.

You know, Sweet Daddy Williams digs my artwork--

Now, are you out of your mind

doing business with that hoodlum?

He's the biggest number running in the projects.

That's right. He's a disgrace

to all the Black people in this community.

J.J., you should have more sense

than to associate with a man like that.

Ma, Dad, you're both right.

But this is my big opportunity.

This is not for me.

I'm doing this for my country.

What are you talking about?

Well, you see, Sweet Daddy Williams

is paying me money to do this painting,

and this money can go into the economy.

Now, y'all may not dig it,

but President Ford will be thrilled.

How much are you getting paid?

One never discusses money

when dealing in services with Sweet Daddy Williams.

I'm sure Savannah does.

You ever seen her lately, baby?

Boy, she's about 5'4", pure dumb.

I mean it.

She's the original UFO too: Ugly, freaky, and obnoxious.

[CHUCKLING]

Well, Junior, you got to be out of your mind

doing business with that hoodlum.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

One thing we don't need is money from that parasite.

Say, is J.J. near?

Tell him that Sweet Daddy Williams is here.

Sweet Daddy!

Hey, hey.

There he is, Kid Dy-no-mite himself.

What's happening, my man?

I'm more concerned with what's gonna be happening.

Oh, baby, can I come on in?

Yeah, you can come on in.

You can make a U-turn and go on out.

Say, baby, why the hostile attitude?

That ain't no attitude.

I'm hostile.

Well, peace, I mean peace, brother.

I mean Sweet Daddy ain't here for no hassle.

I come to see how blood here was doing.

Well, he's doing just fine, Mr. Williams,

but there's one thing you might as well know

right out front.

We don't want our son doing business with you.

Well, I love doing business with him, you know.

I mean, you got a son who is too much.

I done seen the dude's painting.

He is what you call...

[SUCKS AIR] Out of sight.

Yeah, well, we'd both feel better if you was...

[SUCKS AIR]

Out of sight.

[CHUCKLES]

Say, son,

you gonna be an artist like J.J.

when you grow up?

No, man, I'm gonna be a lawyer,

and I'm gonna clean the ghetto

out of all the lowlifes like you, turkey.

[LAUGHS]

Cute kid.

Like I say, I ain't here for no hassle.

How's the painting coming, man?

It's almost done. Far out, see,

because Savannah's gonna be in from Vegas

in a couple of days.

You know, I want to surprise her.

So, like, can I steal a look?

Ha!

Why not? You steal everything else.

Hey, now, cool. Look here, Mama.

We ever met?

I don't think so.

I've never been in Leavenworth.

She don't know what she missed.

All right. Let's look at the masterpiece.

Oh, yeah, mm-hmm. It's sweet.

I dig that, J.J. I dig it, man.

Thanks, man. Thanks.

Mm, let me tell you something else.

Now, I'm paying good money, you understand me,

good money for this.

So does it have two coats of paint?

Uh, yeah. Anything you want, Sweet Daddy.

Right on.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Say, my throat's dry. Can I get a beer?

J.J.: Uh, yeah, Sweet Daddy,

we got beer, but our refrigerator--

Junior! Now you heard the man.

Show some hospitality, son.

He wants a beer. Get him a beer.

You know, I really hate to bother you,

but, like, the dust in these old, funky buildings

always gets in my throat and makes me choke.

Too bad the condition ain't permanent.

SWEET DADDY: Hey, cool.

Uh, Sweet Daddy, here's your beer,

but I told you before--

Junior, how many times have I got to tell you!

You gonna show some hospitality to the man.

Just give him the beer!

Thanks, man.

Hey... Hey!

I'm sorry about that, Sweets,

but we forgot our refrigerator's broken.

Oh, yeah. Well, no sweat, man.

No sweat, because I got 27 more suits like this

at my apartment...

but this sure is a cold way

to treat J.J.'s sponsor.

Sponsor?

What you talking about, "sponsor"?

Well, for the truth,

I dropped by to lay the big news on you.

You see, I have rented the Rose Room.

You understand me?

The Rose Room at the Majestic Hotel,

and in a week,

there is going to be a one-man art show featuring

none other than James Evans Junior, himself.

The ghetto answer to... Ow! Van Gogh-go.

A one-man art show, me?

Mr. Williams, are you serious?

I don't jive about things like this, Mrs. Evans.

You see,

when Sweet Daddy Williams is behind somebody,

he backs them all the way.

Now, I sent out invitations

to all the most important people in Chicago's art world,

and when Sweet Daddy calls,

you better believe they gonna... Ow! Come on down.

Wow, Dad! I could dig them invitations.

Oh, now, wait a minute. Wait a minute.

Let me get this straight. This ain't no con?

You really gonna put on a one-man art show for Junior?

If you don't believe me,

why don't you call the Majestic Hotel

and check it out.

Now, you still want Sweet Daddy to leave?

Yeah.

Dad! Oh, Junior, now, just be cool.

I don't like the idea of you taking no favors

from no lowlife honky-tonk hoodlum.

That sure is cold, brother,

but you lucky I don't get insulted easy.

Look here, J.J. Look here, man.

There's gonna be a lot of big people there, huh,

who could buy a lot of paintings.

You could be on your way, brother.

Now it's your move, Pops. Pops--

Hang on-- James.

SWEET DADDY: Hey, hey, man.

Maintain your cool... And peace.

Well, James, it is a chance.

Florida, he's a hoodlum, and it would be hoodlum money.

I know it's bad money,

but for once maybe it could be put to some good use.

Besides, you know how we've always dreamed

of J.J. getting his big break.

Yeah, that's right, Daddy. Oh, please, Daddy.

This could be a big future for J.J.

This might not happen again.

You all be quiet now.

Please, James, just for J.J.

All right, all right.

As much as I'm against this character, Junior,

I ain't gonna stand in your way.

Thanks, Dad!

I knew you would come through,

because you're the greatest dad in the whole world.

You're kind, you're considerate, you're compassionate.

That's how come I love you, Dad.

I love you. I knew you were great.

Thanks, Dad.

Boy, and to think I couldn't wait

till he said his first words

when he was a baby.

Boy, this is great.

[NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE]

Hi.

Michael, what are you doing home so early?

I got a ride in Sweet Daddy Williams' car.

Check it out, Mama.

Two of his dudes picked me up

in his silver and avocado Cadillac.

Mama, that is one bad set of wheels.

It's got tiger-skin upholstery,

a stereo, a TV, a built in bar, and check this out,

they even got a telephone in the car.

A telephone?

Yeah, I guess that's just in case,

you know, they run out of gas.

They can just dial up and order another Cadillac.

Michael, I don't want you riding with them anymore.

Now, we let Sweet Daddy make a fuss over J.J.

because of that one-man show,

but we don't want anything else to do with him.

And he sure is making a fuss over J.J. too.

The other day, J.J. told Sweet Daddy

he couldn't work on the painting

because he had to deliver chickens

for the Chicken Shack.

Do you know Sweet Daddy ordered

all the chickens they had, 400 of them...

and they had to close up.

But what in the world would he do

with 400 chickens?

The next day, he made the man buy them all back...

And charged the dude 50 cent more a chicken.

Well, you can expect anything

from that character.

Lord, forgive him.

He's trying to imitate one of your rainbows.

Well, gang... how do y'all like it?

J.J., man, you look like you fell

into a box of paint.

Enough of the admiration and accolades around here.

Sweet Daddy thought I should go to his tailor

to get some custom-made threads.

It must have been tough making threads for a thread.

Hey.

Now, them clothes may be super fly,

but you're still super-flea.

I should have expected that from you.

The ugly sister being jealous of...Cinder-fella.

J.J., are you really serious

about wearing those clothes?

Well, you know.

Now that I've arrived in the art world,

Sweet Daddy says I should wear threads

more becoming of my stature.

I'm wearing this to the one-man show.

J.J., with that outfit on,

you are a one-man show.

Ma...

Look, J.J., we're happy about your one-man show,

but your daddy and I are not happy

about all the presents Sweet Daddy is giving you,

nor about the way

you're trying to imitate him.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

You just remember who that man is,

and how he makes his money.

Now, we don't want any more presents from him.

This refrigerator is compliments of Sweet Daddy Williams.

He don't want nobody having to drink warm beer.

But we can't keep that thing. We've got to send it back.

We can't do that, Ma.

We can, and we will, you understand?

Ma, we can't do that.

Sweet Daddy's very sentimental

about the presents that he gives.

Matter of fact,

when one of his business associates dies,

he makes sure the widow hits the number for a week.

That's very touching, J.J.,

but what is your father gonna say when he sees this thing?

He'll be furious!

Well, Ma, we'll just tell him the truth.

We tried to make them take it back,

but they wouldn't. Yeah, Ma.

We'd be foolish to give this back.

I mean, look at this.

Automatic ice cubes, crushed ice, ice water.

I bet you there's even a spigot

for Kool-Aid inside here.

Lord have mercy.

Well, you know what they say in that commercial,

"You only go around once."

But the way this is stocked, once is enough.

Your father isn't gonna like this at all.

And J.J., take off those silly clothes.

Oh, Ma, can't I keep it on just a little while longer?

I'm getting used to this silk lining

inside here.

I think I'll go in the bathroom

and give the mirror a thrill.

Oh, this whole thing is getting out of hand.

I bet that refrigerator cost more than $700.

Ma, I have a feeling Sweet Daddy don't buy retail.

That might be the hottest cold refrigerator

you ever saw.

Oh, hi, honey.

JAMES: Yeah.

James, about that refrigerator--

Florida, please,

I am not in the mood to hear a lot of yang-yang

about no refrigerator.

I spent half the day loading up a truck.

After I loaded the truck,

it broke down,

then I had to unload it while they fixed it.

The last thing I need to talk about

is some raggedy refrigerator.

What I need is a beer.

I'm telling you,

if I got to go through another day

like the day I went through today, boy--

What the hell is that?

Sweet Daddy sent it over.

They put the old one down in the basement.

Yeah, well they can get it out of here!

FLORIDA: Oh, James.

And they can get whatever that is

out of here too!

But, Dad, it's me, your oldest.

Yeah, I know you're my oldest, but my oldest what?

I suppose Sweet Daddy gave you these clothes

and them gators too, huh?

Naturally.

Well, Junior, only because he's giving you

this one-man show am I not interfering,

but that refrigerator's got to go.

I ain't taking nothing from that hoodlum!

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Now what's his phone number?

I'm gonna call him and tell him to come over here

and get his oversized beer cooler.

But, Dad, you can't call him.

THELMA: Daddy!

I don't care if he gets mad.

Hey, hey, hey.

Well, you right on time, man.

About that refrigerator, that thing has got to--

It's cool, Pops.

You don't have to thank me, my friend.

It was my pleasure.

Everybody, I want you to meet

Sweet Daddy's main lady.

This is Miss Savannah...

Jones.

Hi, y'all. Just flew in from Vegas.

DC-10, first class,

window seat right next to Billy Eckstine.

He's a real gentleman.

Billy got up for me every time I had to go to the john.

Ain't she something?

Yep, she's something all right.

Hey, look, man, about that refrigerator.

Now, I mean it-- Hey, cool, cool, pops.

You don't have to thank me.

Hey, baby, that's J.J.,

the one I was telling y'all about.

Your official portrait painter.

Ooh, I can tell you a real artist.

J.J.: Well, you know.

You look like you're starving.

You ain't got no idea how excited I am.

This is the first time

I've ever been... immoralized on canvas.

All right, and she is dying, you hear me,

dying to see the picture.

Ooh, yes. Hey, is it finished?

It's done!

SWEET DADDY: Well, go get it.

Let's see the...masterpiece.

Man, about that refrigerator--

Cool, man. Later on, man.

Well, here's the painting.

[ANGRILY] Who is that?!

Uh, that's you.

That ain't hardly me. You jiving me, sucker?

Well, I, uh, took it from the photograph

that Sweet Daddy gave me.

Huh, see! I don't look like that,

and I ain't got no hard lines in my face like that.

I'm sweet.

Ain't I sweet, Sweet Daddy?

Oh, yeah, baby, you sweet. You real sweet.

Well, I figured they retouched the photograph a little bit,

so I un-retouched it

to make it look like the real you.

You skinny alligator.

If this purse didn't cost me 150 bucks,

I'd go upside your head--

Now, just a minute here.

[SHOUTING AT ONCE]

Just a minute.

Uh-uh, uh-uh-uh-uh!

Don't you "just a minute, baby, here," me.

You is gonna have to buy me

a couple of more of them fur stoles

before I forget this here one, uh-huh.

And as for you,

bean pole,

you ought to know a lady when you see one.

Well, when he sees one, he'll paint one.

Sucker.

JAMES: Skank.

Okay, I want you to know, man, you-- All right.

Take it easy, Sweet Daddy.

I mean, I can do something else.

I could really make her look good.

Hey, man, look here.

In my organization, nobody, you understand,

gets a second chance, man.

You made Sweet Daddy look like a fool

in front of his woman.

And listen, Sweet Daddy is finding it hard,

you understand, very hard to maintain his cool.

Dig?

The other day, you liked that painting...dig?

Well, I plead temporary insanity.

Now, you get yourself another backer,

you skinny stick.

Hey...but what about my brother's one man show?

It's canceled.

Hey, you going back on your word, man?

What you think you doing here?

Oh, I see what you're doing.

Hey, boys, go get my stuff.

Hey, what's going on here?

Hey, I do not give no presents to no losers.

The hat and the watch.

Ma, Dad.

They weren't yours to begin with, J.J.

The overcoat

and the under coat.

The shirt and the shoes.

[VOICE CRACKING] The shirt and the shoes?

Mm-hmm.

And...

The pants?!

Ma, Dad.

Oh, yeah, and I'll be back tomorrow

for the refrigerator.

Peace.

Well, J.J...

It's a case of bad news and good news.

The bad news is that you're not gonna

have the one-man show.

Yeah, and the good news is that those

could have been... Sweet Daddy's drawers!

Come on. Laugh it off, Junior.

Laugh it off.

[***]

* Mm-mm-mm *

* 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 *

ANNOUNCER: Good Times is recorded on tape

before a live audience.

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

* Good times **