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 ♪♪

Come on, double six. Just what I needed! Thelma, I'm gonna get you now.

Okay, don't cheat too much now.

Hey, Ma, what's for dinner? I'm starvin'.

Well, the chicken dynasty is still on.

Wait a minute. A few days ago, we had chicken breasts.

Yeah, and the day before yesterday we had chicken wings.

Yeah, and yesterday we had chicken legs.

In other words, today's menu is gonna read, "Last exit to Chicken City."

I'm using it all.

We're having chicken stew.

Oh, that figures.

♪ Hi, hi, hi ♪

Well, whatever you're collecting for, count me in!

Come on in here, girls!

Good evening. We deliver singing telegrams.

We're the Real Live Cables.

Well, then. I've always heard it's dangerous to touch a live cable,

but in this case, I'll give it a shot.

J.J.

Girls, I think you're in the wrong place.

Well, this is apartment 17C, isn't it?

- Yes, it is. - Well, we have a message for Pooky-Poo.

Whooky-Who? Sounds like you're looking for someone Hawaiian.

I'm sorry, but Don Ho moved out of the projects years ago.

Now, what kinda weirdo would answer to the name of Pooky-Poo?

Really.

You, Ma?

That used to be my nickname 20 years ago.

Oh, my goodness. I bet I know who...

♪ Cousin Raymond's comin' at you Pooky-Poo ♪

♪ Cousin Raymond's comin' at you Pooky-Poo ♪

♪ Yes, a happy future beckons ♪

♪ He'll be here in just a second ♪

♪ So get ready for your cousin Pooky-Poo ♪♪

And now, here's Raymond!

Raymond.

Raymond. Come here, boy.

Oh, Raymond.

Pooky-Poo!

My little cousin Pooky-Poo! Let me take care of some business here.

Well, here you are, my little warblers.

This will take care of your fee,

and here's a nice little tip included.

And get yourself an arranger, hear?

Thank you, Cousin Raymond.

Thank you, girls.

Hold on there, girls.

Uh, what can the kid get for a quarter?

This... ♪ Good-bye ♪

Pooky, it's good to see you.

Raymond, you're a handsome man!

Thank you. And what a lovely woman you are.

You look just the way you did 20 years ago.

And 30 pounds ago.

Just more of you to admire, Pook.

And what a lovely family you've got.

Oh, I've been keeping tabs on ya.

Now, this lean bean here...

This must be, uh, J.J.

J.J., I've heard you're quite a man with the ladies.

Well, you know, what can I say?

Obviously, you've been reading the society pages.

No, uh, Fish and Stream.

And this must be Michael, the legal eagle. Right again.

Cousin Raymond, Mama has told us a lot about you.

Good to meet you, man. It's good to meet you too, Michael.

All right.

And this... Not Thelma.

But I can't believe my eyes.

Why, the last time I saw you, you were wearing diapers.

I remember holding you. I remember changing you too.

Uh, the way I remember it,

it was you who had to change your suit.

Oh, Ma.

Cousin Raymond, I'd like you to meet my husband, Keith Anderson.

Nice to meet you, Raymond. You too, man.

Thelma, honey, you've done all right for yourself I see.

Yeah, he used to have a Cadillac.

Raymond, let me take your coat.

Thank you, darlin'. And you sit down and make yourself comfortable.

It isn't much, but we call it home. Sit down, sit down.

What she means is, it's home, and we call it "not much."

Sit on down here.

You know, Raymond, I got a bone to pick with you.

I'll bet.

Why'd you disappear off the earth? I thought maybe you died.

Girl, if I died, you know I'd come and tell you personally.

Kids, did your mama ever tell you how when my mama passed...

she took me in to live with her and her family?

Yeah, your mama raised me almost single-handed.

And this was the hand that did it, remember? Mm-hmm.

Let's just say that I've got it etched in my, uh, memory.

Yeah, but there was love in every swat.

Mind you, there were some days when I felt

there was a little bit too much of that love.

I ought to swat you again!

Well, what made you stay away so long?

Pook, you remember the time we used to always talk about making it big?

I remember you talking about trying to make it big.

You did the talkin'. I just listened.

Oh, Raymond, I had such high hopes for you then.

I dreamed of you being the first black president.

Well, if you ever make it, brother,

don't forget to appoint me as ambassador to Lola Falana.

Well, maybe you didn't make president.

From the way it looks, it seems most of your dreams have come true.

Well, Pook, you know, I made up my mind that

I wouldn't come back until I'd made my own.

And now, I'm not ashamed to say, I have made it.

All right.

So I'm here now to share some of that with my people.

Boy, and I can feel my love bloomin',

especially with all that green to fertilize it.

- J.J. - You appear to have a lot of cash stashed somewhere.

How you make your money?

Michael, shush! Forgive him, Raymond.

He didn't mean to pry. Well, that's all right.

But where did you make your money?

Oh, well, um, I made some good investments.

- Oh, you play the market? - Something like that. Yeah.

Yeah, well, I'm in the market myself.

A&P, Shop n Bag, Finer Foods.

I invested in lettuce when it was at 29. Should've held on to it.

But old Thelma over there ate up a tomato and lettuce and mayonnaise sandwich...

and messed up the whole investment and everything.

Crazy. J.J., you are funny.

Oh, before I forget. I brought some presents here for everybody.

Whoo-hoo! Look out!

Presents? Hey, Cousin Raymond... Hey, man, you shouldn't have.

Oh, Raymond, this isn't necessary!

Oh, come on, Flo. I got a lot.

It gives me great joy to share with the ones I call my family. All right.

Come on. Let's not deny the man his joy.

Whoo! Look at this. Great Painters of the World. Thanks, Cousin Ray Ray!

Yeah, and when the next edition comes out, I expect you to be in it.

Ma, look at this! Ohh.

Isn't this dress beautiful?

Thelma, it is lovely.

Oh, I don't know what to say.

You said it beautifully, darling.

- Hey, a gold watch! - Now, that just ain't a watch, boy.

This watch has its own minicomputer. Yeah?

Look here. Hey, it sure does.

Look at it. It says exactly half past the square root of 35.

- Hey, thanks a lot. - Hey, y'all, an alligator wallet!

And there's $100 in there for good luck...

which is more than the alligator could say.

Well, I can't accept it.

Uh, no, I insist.

Well, if you insist.

Pooky-Poo, your present is so special that it's gonna have to wait till after dinner.

Oh. I'm inviting everybody to dinner this evening at Yamadori's,

the finest Japanese restaurant in town.

Ah, so!

Number one son-in-law of Pooky happy to join you in bowl of suki.

A lot different from the old days, eh, Pook? Remember?

We used to be so down sometime, we had to reach up to tie our shoes.

What shoes?

Hi. Hi, hi. Hi, Willona.

Thought it was the right time for me to bring

back this cup of sugar I borrowed from you.

I bet. Willona, this is cornmeal!

You might want to fry some fish. Oh!

Hi. Let me introduce myself.

I'm Raymond Brown, the coolest man in town.

I'm Willona Woods, I think.

And you're coming to dinner with us this evening.

Well, uh, I'd love to. Of course.

Uh, don't be so shy, you two.

Hey, speaking of dinner, what am I gonna do with all that chicken stew?

Lord, did I hear chicken?

Aha!

That's right. Give all the chicken ends to Buffalo Butt.

Buffalo... Uh... Oh!

Mr. Bookman, this is my cousin Raymond Brown.

Raymond, this is Nathan Bookman, our super.

How you doin', Bookman? Hey, man, tell me something.

Is that your big limo down there that's blocking 34th Street,

35th Street and 36th Street?

Now wait a minute. Lay off it a little bit there.

Man, I've always wanted to sit in something

that looked like a hearse and not be lying down.

Be my guest.

Well, of course, you know, I hate to just sit

around on an empty stomach, Mrs. Evans. So...

Okay, Bookman. This oughta keep you for a half an hour.

Oh, Mrs. Evans, come on. I can not eat a whole pot of chicken stew...

without some bread and butter, french fries and a little fruit cocktail.

Bookman, get on outta here with yourself.

At least give me something to rinse this stuff down with. Try Lake Michigan.

You got a straw? Get on out!

Leave!

Cousin Raymond, I just can't wait to see what you have for Pooky-Poo.

All right, Thelma. You see what you started?

No, no, no.

No, that one's gonna have to wait till after dinner.

Mmm. Yeah, I'm gonna savor this one to the very last drop.

But I promise you one thing. You won't be disappointed.

You know, there's an old Japanese saying.

When Raymond Brown comes to town, he really knows how to get down!

Lord, give me strength!

Oh, boy. This place is beautiful, Raymond.

Yeah, but did they have to steal your shoes?

J.J., it's just a tradition.

Aren't you familiar with Japanese culture?

Oh, yeah. I've seen all of "Gonzilla's" movies.

The last time I sat like this was when we got behind in the payments,

and they repossessed our furniture.

Well, those days are gone forever.

Rioko, the very best for my family. Yes.

Suki gomo.

Panasonic to you too, mama.

Provocative little beverage.

Hey, stuff, what do you call this?

- Suki gomo. - No, but in American, what you call this?

Finger bowl.

You know, J.J., I tell you, man. You got too much class.

Too much class.

Would you care for some before dinner? Sure.

Mmm.

Whoo-whee! That's the real stuff!

100% Mount Fuji.

Willona, Mount Fuji is a volcano.

Tell me about it.

Can I have a refill of lover? I mean, lava. I mean, drink.

If you do not wish to use chopsticks, I will bring forks.

No, the kid wants to eat with some chopsticks.

I don't believe it... a chopstick eating with chopsticks.

Mr. Brown, you have a telephone call.

Thank you, Rioko.

Excuse me a moment.

Imagine that. Getting a telephone call in a restaurant.

You know, Raymond must be important.

J.J., what's the matter? I'm sure the fish is fresh.

It's fresh all right. It's still trying to get away!

Don't you all know that raw fish is a Japanese delicacy? Raw?

Excuse me, everybody, but I just remembered I've got to tell Raymond something.

That's the kind of news I love to hear.

Sir Gallian came in in the ninth and paid 10-to-one?

Why, that's another 20 grand.

Man, I'm on a real hot streak, do you hear me?

Yeah, I'll be down in the morning to pick up that money personally.

It's closing day at Arlington Park.

Man, the way my luck is running, I got the feeling I might take home the track.

See you, baby.

Raymond, is this your investment business?

The horses?

That's where it's at. Oh.

Gambling.

- I enjoyed that meal. - It's greasin' down on my face.

Eatin' that food. Gettin' to it!

Cousin Raymond, I want you to know, I'll always have a warm spot for you right here.

Yeah. That raw fish will do it to you every time.

Well, I'm gonna be saying good night.

Well, don't forget. We got a date for tomorrow night.

I know. Raymond, I never believed in Cinderella,

but after an evening with you, I'm gonna go home and hot wax my feet,

'cause I want the glass slipper to fit.

Well, don't worry about it too much, Willona. I got one for every size.

Lord, Lord, Lord.

You know, you have a way of making a woman feel like she's a teenager,

even though she's only 22.

Good night. See ya later. Good night.

- Pooky-Poo! - Yes.

Well, it's time for that present I promised you.

Gather round, everybody.

Here it is.

Keys! I hope to Fort Knox.

Not quite.

This is the key out of the ghetto...

to a three-bedroom apartment on Lakeview Drive.

Ooh!

Raymond.

And this is a cashier's check for $10,000 to pay for the first year's lease.

We have won! We have won!

Raymond, I don't know about that.

You don't...

Oh, Ma, now come on. This is what we been waiting for.

It's perfect. A three-bedroom apartment? That means Michael has his own bedroom.

I have my own bedroom. You have your own bedroom.

We can leave ol' Thelma and Keith right here.

Very funny, J.J.

Ma, just think of what a new apartment would mean to us.

When we'd walk into the lobby, we'll be

stepping on real carpet instead of Ned the wino.

Thelma, I'm still not sure!

When you rode up on the elevator, you'd have Lake Michigan to look at,

not "For a good time, call Roxanne."

Mama, aren't you the one who's saying that

you always wanted to get out of the ghetto?

This doesn't make any sense.

Maybe not.

But before you all decide,

maybe you should know how your Cousin Raymond makes a living.

- He's a gambler. - I play the horses.

Whoo! That was close.

Boy.

For a minute there, I thought he did something crooked, like being a politician.

Raymond is still a gambler.

Now listen, everybody. You're just gonna have

to give me some time to think about this.

What's there to think about, Pooky?

When you had a dime, you gave me a nickel.

All I want to do is give back some love to the only people I call family!

Raymond, you gamble for a living.

But what's wrong with that?

Huh? It's not as if I'm stealing the money.

I have heard about these "yesterday millionaires."

Big diamond ring today, and then the pawn shop tomorrow. No, Raymond, no!

Not me, Pooky.

When I play the horses, I win.

Every time?

If we did move into that fancy place,

I can't expect you to keep coming around like some Santa Claus...

bringing expensive toys,

like-like an apartment that we can't even keep up!

Yeah, hold on. Well, Ray, maybe Ma's right.

Thank you. Maybe an apartment is a little too much.

Make it a Cadillac. J...

Well, I think it's time for Keith and I to

say good night. Good night, Cousin Raymond.

Nice meeting you, man. Bye-bye. Night, y'all.

Night, children.

Now look here, Pooky.

I want you to take this $10,000.

And don't worry about keeping up the apartment.

I'll be here to help out.

But... That's my Pooky.

Good night, boys.

Whoo! I wish I was at that racetrack now with Cousin Ray, boy.

I'd put two dollars down on that daily double.

I'd have so much bread, next time I go to

McDonald's, I'd just order two all-beef patties.

Yeah J.J., and I'll get a chauffeur to drive me to college.

That'll give me more time to study.

What is happening to you kids?

Ma, just preparing for wealth.

You know what I mean? Whoo!

We're gonna dance our way through life.

From now on it's gonna be good-bye, ghetto. Hello, disco!

Party! Hey! Party!

Hey! Party! Hey! Party! Hey!

Raymo! How'd it go at the track?

Raymond! What's the matter? Are you sick? Sit down.

No, darling, I just came by to say good-bye. I'm leaving town.

I had a bad day at the track. Oh, what's the big deal, Ray? You had one bad day.

You gotta take the good with the bad, the

bitter with the sweet, the up with the downs.

I lost everything... $80,000.

Eigh...

Pardon me while I go jump out the window.

Cousin Raymond, you lost $80,000?

All the stake I had. But, Ray, I thought you had a system. You couldn't lose.

Well, I knew that, and you knew that,

but the horses didn't know it.

Wiped me out.

You're not wiped out.

You know that $10,000 you gave me?

Well, I didn't take that apartment.

I never intended to, Raymond. This is your money.

No, no, no. I can't take it.

I gave that money to you.

Well, it's here if you need it.

Bye, boys.

Bye, Pooky.

Uh...

They are... The ponies are runnin' at, uh,

Hollywood Park.

I just know I'm gonna be a big winner.

I can feel it.

I'll run it up for you. You'll have that apartment.

You might even get a condominium! Bye, Pooky!

We'll be here when you need us.

Still a dreamer.

But I love you, Raymond.

♪ Keepin' your head above water ♪

♪ Makin' a wave when you can ♪

♪ Temporary layoffs ♪ ♪ Good times ♪

♪ Easy credit rip-offs ♪ ♪ Good times ♪

♪ Ain't we lucky we got 'em ♪

♪ Good times ♪♪ Good Times was videotaped before a studio audience.