All language subtitles for The House Without a Christmas Tree 1972

♫ [chimes]

[woman narrating] I live
and work in the city now.

It's a landscape of cement
and noise and crowds.

It's all so different
and so far away

From the little town
where I grew up:

Clear River, Nebraska,
population 1,500.

Clear River was surrounded
by cornfields and cattle

And open Sky.

The tallest building in town
was only three stories.

Most of the streets
were unpaved,

And we didn't even
have a traffic light.

We didn't need one.

Every day,

The union pacific
streamliners roared through,

But they never stopped
in clear River.

I often think
of that little town,

And that special Christmas
in 1946

When I was 10 years old.

This is the house
we lived in then.

Oh, nifty. Know what?
I'm on command--

Addie. Watch
what you're doing.

Do you have to make
such a mess when you eat?

It's my pancake.
I like it this way.

Anyway, listen.
I'm on the committee

To buy a Christmas present
for Miss Thompson.

Please pass
the syrup, Addie.

We sent Miss Thompson
out of the room,

And we had
a secret election--

Addie.

And when the votes
were counted,

I was elected.
Thank you.

So were Carla Mae
and Judy Namey. No boys.

Take your elbows off the table,
Addie, and sit up straight.

We voted to all
chip in a quarter

To buy Miss Thompson
a present,

So I need an extra
quarter, dad.

Please don't reach, Addie.

Pass the syrup, dad.
What?

Please pass
the syrup, dad.

That's better.

Thank you.
[grunts]

There's going to be a special
Christmas show at the movie.

I need a quarter
for that, too.

It's the Christmas Carol
and a bunch of cartoons.

So I need 50 cents
altogether, dad.

Could I please have
50 cents, dad?

Oh, my glory.
[sighs]

Beats me why you don't
put 'em on a plate.

I'll have another
for you in a jiffy.

No, it doesn't matter.
I've had enough.

There you go.

I need two quarters,
dad.

I gave you your
allowance Saturday.

Yeah, but I spent it
on presents.

That's your business.

Will you bet me
something?

If I win, will you
give me two quarters?

No bets. I gave you a quarter.
Take your choice:

Miss Thompson
or the Christmas show.

Addie!

That's Carla Mae.
Got to get going.

Now, sit down and
finish your breakfast.

Come on in, Carla Mae.

Good morning,
Mr. Mills.

Good morning.

Here you are.

Good-bye, mother.

Come on, sit down.

Hi.

Sit down, Carla.

Oh, and take your coat off.

You want a pancake?

Oh, yeah. Please.

[car engine backfires,
chugs]

My dad bought our tree last night.
A real fat one.

Last Christmas,
we had a tall one,

Because when we lived
in Omaha,

Our ceilings
were taller.

You mean higher.

Your dad get you
your tree yet?

Well, did he?

We don't want a tree.

Why not?

They're a waste of money.
They dry up in a week.

A tree's no fun. It stands in a corner.
It doesn't do anything.

But you can look at it.

I can look
at the one at school,

Or at my uncle Will's.

Like my dad says,
"what do I need a tree for?"

Thanks.

My dad wouldn't dream
of not having a tree.

My mom says he acts just like a
little boy at Christmastime.

Well, my dad's grown up,
and he acts grown up.

If you wanted a tree,
would he get one for you?

If I wanted one.
Sure he would.

I bet you're the only person
in town without a tree.

Jesus didn't have
a Christmas tree.

He didn't?

They don't have pine trees
in Bethlehem, you dodo.

They don't even have snow.

Do you miss living
in Omaha, Carla Mae?

I don't know.

How do you like it here?

Don't you know whether
you like it or not?

Come on, we'll be
late for school.

Well, Addie. Carla Mae's
only been here a month.

Maybe she misses
her friends.

Well, now she's got me for a
friend, so she's all set.

Are you going shopping
this morning?

Soon as you two
clear out of here.

Oh, good. Will you get me
a jar of library paste?

Please?

I need some for making
my Christmas cards.

Please.

I'll pay you back out of my
next week's allowance, okay?

All right.

Get a big one
with a paste brush in it.

All right.

Please.

Good-bye.
Bye.

Hi, Mrs. Mills.

Hi, grandma!

Don't forget
my library paste!

[school bell ringing]

[chattering]

Good morning,
Miss Thompson.

Good morning, Miss Thompson. Hi.

Good morning,
Miss Thompson!

Good morning,
Miss Thompson.

Good morning.

Good morning,
Miss Thompson.

Good morning,
Miss Thompson.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

All right, class.

[in unison] I pledge
allegiance to the flag

Of the United States
of America,

And to the republic
for which it stands,

One nation, indivisible,

With Liberty and Justice
for all.

Now, before we begin
our lessons,

I have an important
announcement to make.

Tomorrow afternoon
after school,

There's going to be
a dress rehearsal

Of the Christmas
pageant.

[chattering, laughing]

So report to the stage
in the auditorium

Just as soon as
the final bell rings.

Now, is there anyone whose
costume isn't going to be ready?

What's the trouble,
Stewart?

My mother's sewing machine
is in the repair shop.

She's supposed to get it
back the day after tomorrow.

Well, remind her that the
pageant is Friday night.

Gloria?

My mother's sick.

Oh, I'm sorry.

So she can't
make my costume.

Well, I can fix
something up for you.

You're playing one of the animals
in the manger, aren't you?

The cow.

Oh well, we already have the mask,
so all we need is a brown suit.

If you can bring in an old pair
of pajamas, I'll dye them.

I don't think my mother will let me.
I only have one pair.

Well, you and I can figure
it out together at recess.

Remember that Wednesday
is our last day of classes,

And Santa Claus will
be here that morning.

[laughing, chattering]

So be sure all of your
presents are under the tree.

I see there are some here already, but
we don't want anyone to be left out.

Also, don't forget that
the maximum you can spend

On the person whose name
you Drew is 50 cents.

What's the minimum?
Zero.

[laughter]

All right. Let's get on
to our vocabulary.

The first word today is a
very long one: Parsimonious.

How many syllables does that have?
Tanya?

Five?

That's right. And
what does it mean?

Mad?
No.

Angry?
No.

Yesterday, we read
a story about scrooge.

What would you say that Mr. Scrooge's
outstanding characteristic was? Billy?

Stingy?
That's right.

That creepy Billy wild
is parsimonious.

I wonder whose
name he Drew.

I pity whoever it is.

Why is dad
so parsimonious?

That's a pretty fancy word.

It's on the vocabulary
list this week.

It means stingy.
I know what it means.

Well, why is he?

Well, he's not stingy,
he's careful.

He remembers what
it's like to be poor.

Well, he's not poor now. He's
got almost $6,000 in the bank.

How do you know?

The other night, he left his
bankbook on the table, and I looked.

Addie. You mustn't poke your nose
into other people's business.

Well, it was open. You'd have
to be blindfolded not to see.

The other kids think
it's pretty peculiar.

What is?

That I never have
a Christmas tree.

Oh, well, just--
just tell them

We're sharing
uncle Will's tree.

I always say that. They
think it's a dumb reason.

Why do you give a fig
what they think?

Now, let's try this on,
see how it looks.

Now, stand up and, uh,
hold your hands up.

There we go.

Wait a minute.

There.

It's awfully big.
Oh, now.

Get a belt from the closet.
Any old belt.

I want to see
how much it takes up.

How do you know
angels dress like this?

It tells in the bible.

If you paid attention in Sunday
school, you'd know it, too.

Doesn't say they wore
old bed sheets.

Now, stop fiddling.

I bet angels wore
robes of pure silk.

Addie,
will you hold still?

Do you think dad
might do it this year?

Buy me a tree?

Well, I wouldn't nag him
about it if I was you.

I don't nag.
He never listens to me.

I have to ask him
everything a million times.

Now turn around.
Slowly.

He doesn't care
anything about me.

He never pays
any attention to me.

Well, he buys you food
and clothes, don't he?

Pays the doctor
when you get sick.

Pays all the bills
in this house.

But he doesn't
talk to me.

I'm a person, too,
you know.

I like to be talked to.

What'll he say if I ask him
to buy me a tree this year?

[gasp]

[sigh]

Think he'll say yes, or do
you think he'll say no?

Now stand up straight
and hold still.

You said dad always
bought my mother a tree.

How come he wasn't
stingy with her?

Well, things
was different then.

We always spent
Christmas day at home.

Now we go to uncle Will's.

Do you think he might
do it this year?

Buy me a tree?

Well...

There's no harm askin'.

Okay. Tonight, I'm going to
implore him to get me a tree.

Implore means beg,
but it sounds better.

Now, let's see
how this looks.

Oh, yes.

I look
just like an Angel.

[knocking]

Hi. I brought you
your paper.

Thanks.

Addie, weren't you gonna
ask your father something?

I was? What?

You know what.

Oh, that. Well, I think I'll
wait till we finish the dishes.

Why?

I want to finish
the dishes first.

[sigh]

Never saw you so anxious
to do dishes before.

He's not in a good mood.

Any man is in a good mood
once he's had a good meal.

That's when I always used to
ask your grandpa for things.

Grandpa loved you.
I don't think dad loves me.

Of course he does.
You're his child.

He never hugs me
or kisses me.

Well, he ain't very good
at showing how he feels.

When Carla Mae's father
gets home,

He grabs her up in his arms
and twirls her around.

Your dad ain't
the huggin' kind.

He'd love me a lot more
if I was a boy.

Now, that's a gosh-darn
thing to say.

He treats me like a boy. I bet when I
was born, he wanted me to be a boy.

Your dad and mother
waited for you so long,

They thought you were
the greatest baby in the world.

They didn't give a fig
if you were a boy or a girl.

Don't give me a doll
this Christmas.

The way you got them dolls
stuffed in the closet,

You don't deserve
another doll.

I want a pair
of cowboy boots.

Cowboy boots?
What for?

To wear to school.
Like Billy wild.

Thought you hated
Billy wild.

I despise him.

But I love
his boots.

That's enough now.
I'll finish up.

I'll dry them.

No. You go speak
to your father.

Should I cover this
with wax paper?

I'll do it. You were gonna
ask your father something.

Go ask him.

What's the hurry?

Go on, Addie.

[sigh]

Maybe I'll wait
until tomorrow.

Never put off
till tomorrow--

I know, I know.

Okay, I'm going.

Going in there
right now.

Go ahead, then.

Okay, I'm going.

I'm sorry.
It just fell out.

You left the paper
in a mess again.

I did?
Mm-hmm.

How many times
do I have to tell you

To put it back
the way you found it?

I'm sorry, dad.

Well...

No wonder
you got stuck

With the crossword
puzzle.

Where?

15 across.
"something to sit on."

You put chair.

It has to be stool. You see there?
You need the s.

"15 down.
A floating object."

Oh, I see. A ship. Mm-hmm.

And the "h" here for
"feminine pronoun" is "her."

You're a lot better
at it than I am, dad.

Well, if you're gonna
do the puzzle,

Do it right
or don't do it.

Ah. Uh...

No. Shouldn't bounce
like that.

Here. Remember
what I told you?

Get you hand flat down on
the floor, like that, see?

Gee, you're good.

Yeah. Now you try it.

No. No, flat. There.

Good! Yeah, good.

Play a game with me,
dad?

No, I'm gonna finish the
paper and turn in early.

Here's something for you.

Thanks.

Don't know
what to use this for.

What?

I can't use this to make
decorations for my tree

Because you won't
let me have a tree.

Starting that again?

Won't you please buy me
a tree, dad, please?

Just a little tree?

I already told you no,
and no means no.

A tiny tree that
wouldn't cost very much?

You spend more
in cigarettes in a week

Than a tree costs.

Addie!

Please,
I implore you!

You do not need a tree.

I do, I do!

What for?

Because it would make
this house happy-looking.

Well, the house
looks all right to me.

But it doesn't look
like Christmas in here.

It doesn't feel
like Christmas, either.

I don't see why I can't
have a tree, dad.

All the other kids do.

Well, you don't have to do
everything the other kids do.

Why not? If the other kids threw
snowballs and broke windows,

I wouldn't do that
because it's a bad thing.

But having a tree is a good thing.
Isn't it, dad?

Oh, Addie, will you stop
pestering me and go to bed?

It's not my bedtime yet.

Addie? I--

Dad, if you let me
have a Christmas tree,

I won't ask you for
another thing the whole year.

Addie.

Will you
bet me something?

If I win, I get the tree,

And if I lose,
I'll never ask you again.

All right. If that's what
you want, I'll make a bet.

Good. What is it?

I'll bet you can't drink
a glass full of water.

Silly. Of course I can.

Show me.

What are you up to?

It's a fair bet,
mother. You'll see.

Drink it.

I won!

I said you had to drink
a glass full of water.

I did!

You drank the glass
empty.

Give me the glass,
Addie.

James, that was cruel.

Well, I was only trying
to have a little fun.

It wasn't funny to her.

Well, where's your sense of humor?
It was only a joke.

You wouldn't play a joke like
that on one of your friends.

James,

Let her have a tree
this year.

It means so much to her.
Why not?

Have you forgotten what it's
like to be 10 years old?

She has to learn. In this life, you
can't have everything you want.

It's Christmas,
for goodness' sakes.

A tree's such a small
thing to make her happy.

You might be surprised
at yourself.

You might enjoy it, too.

You're 100% wrong about that.

You've let your
whole life turn sour.

You've no right
to sour Addie's life, too.

I don't want
to talk about it.

You don't want nothin'
around to remind you.

Well, Addie's around.

You can't look at Addie
and not be reminded.

I don't have to
listen to this.

For 2 cents,
I'd buy her a tree myself!

Don't you do it, mother.

She's my daughter, and I'll decide
what she can and can't have.

[shouting]

Addie, look at your head!

What have you boys
done to Addie?

We didn't do anything.
She hit us first.

That's not true! They started by
making fun of her grandmother!

We were not!
You were so!

It's not our fault that
your grandma's a character.

She is not
a character!

She looks like a nut,
pulling a little kid's wagon.

It's my wagon. She can pull
it any damn time she wants.

Hush, Addie. We don't swear in this school.
Or anywhere else.

She takes it
to the grocery store.

She's too old to carry
big heavy bags.

Know what she does
when she wants Addie?

She opens a window
and blows a police whistle.

That sounds very
sensible to me.

It's nutty.

I'll punch you
in the nose.

All right,
now calm down, Addie.

It seems that we don't
understand the difference

Between a character
and a nut.

Let's take our seats,
and we'll talk about it.

[chattering]

Going somewhere?

Sure got up on the wrong
side of the bed, you crumb.

All right, Addie.

All right,
come to order, class.

Before music period, I want to
discuss something important.

There has just been
a fight in the cloakroom.

Nothing
was settled by it,

Because fighting
never settles anything.

It was a fight
about words,

And about people
using the wrong words.

When you call someone a nut,
what do you mean by that?

They're crazy?
A screwball?

A person who does
nutty things?

All right.
And what do you mean

When you call
someone a character?

The same thing.

No, not at all. Billy?

He's not the same
as everybody else.

He's sort of different.

Go on.

Well, he might act nutty,
or say nutty things,

But they're not nutty.

Do you remember I read to you
the other day about Thoreau?

And how he said he marched to the
tune of a different drummer?

Now, this would be
a very boring world

If everyone were alike.

Most of our great discoveries,
our painting, our music,

Have come from people

Who were considered
characters in their own time.

Can anyone give me
an example of that?

Billy?

Christopher Columbus.

Everybody said
the world was flat,

And when he said it was round,
everybody said he was a nut.

That's very good, Billy.

Well,
what do you think, class?

Do you think Christopher
Columbus was a nut?

[together]
no!

Well, all right. I want
you to remember that

The next time
you call anyone a nut.

Now let's get on
to our music.

How many of you are
going caroling tonight?

Good. Well, I think we should spend
this period practicing carols.

Will you turn to page 31?

♫ [pitch pipe]

♫ o Christmas tree ♫

♫ o Christmas tree ♫

♫ our brightest
Christmas symbol ♫

♫ o Christmas tree,
o Christmas tree ♫

♫ our brightest
Christmas symbol ♫

♫ your steeple Grace
and symmetry ♫

♫ look up to God
unceasingly ♫

♫ o steeple Grace
and symmetry ♫

♫ look up to God... ♫

Hey, Addie,
there's Billy wild!

Billy wild!

Hey, look at that thing.
With the tin.

Yeah, that's nice.

You girls
want some help?

Yeah, we're looking for a Christmas
present for our teacher.

Miss Thompson,
fifth grade.

We're the committee.

Oh, I see. How much
do you have to spend?

Everybody chipped in
a quarter. We've got $4.25.

Mm. Let me see.
I know just exactly

What Peggy Thompson
would like.

Sweet pea. She buys
that all the time.

Mm, that's nice.

That's why she smells
so good. Sweet pea.

Quit foolin' around.

We don't want to give her
stuff she buys herself.

We want something special.

Uh, how about
a comb and brush set?

No.
Hand mirror to match.

Looks like real ivory,
don't it?

No, we want something
even specialer than that.

Fond of Peggy, are you?
She's nifty.

Best teacher
we've had so far.

I wish we could have
her again next year.

She says we're the smartest
fifth grade she's ever had.

Well, let's look
around some more.

Curling iron?

She has naturally
curly hair.

No kidding.

That hair style
she wears

Looks just like
Betty Grable.

How much is that?

The tree's not for sale.

But I mean,
if it was for sale.

It's artificial, Addie.
You wouldn't want it.

I don't want it.
I was just wondering.

Oh, lights and all,
cost me about 10 bucks.

Say, how about a manicure
set for Peggy Thompson?

All stainless steel
implements.

That looks nice.
Imported.

And the color's
nice, too.

Don't you like it, Addie?

No, just too--

I wouldn't like it
if someone gave it to me.

We're not buying
the present for you.

Miss Thompson cares
about her fingernails.

She uses polish.
She does not!

Does so.
Colorless polish.

Hurry up and decide. I've got to
get home and help with supper.

This is much more important
than supper, Carla Mae.

Now, do you have something
she'd never think of buying?

Something
absolutely terrific?

Well, I do, but it's...
Kind of expensive.

How expensive?

Let's see if you
like it first.

Wow.

That looks
like something

A movie star would
have on her dresser.

Betty Grable
would like that.

♫ [the Blue Danube]

[music stops]

That is nifty!

Terrific!

What's it for?

Who cares
what it's for?

It's beautiful
all by itself.

Well, Miss Thompson could
keep her trinkets in it,

Or her cosmetics.

Or her love letters.

Love letters?

They'd have to come
from a midget

To fit in there.

How much is it?

5 and a quarter.

Well,
that settles that.

Now wait a minute.
Maybe we can--

Can what? We haven't
got the time

To collect any more money.

Besides, nobody in the
class has a cent left.

Christmas shopping
cleaned us out.

You're right.

I guess there's
nothing we can do.

Come on,
let's go.

Now wait a minute.

Something
I can do, though.

Come on in, everybody!

Okay.

Come on in.
Come on in.

Addie,
you didn't tell me

You'd asked people in
to sing Christmas carols.

I'm sorry. I forgot.

Would you make us
hot chocolate?

Now?

No, no. Afterwards.
Where's dad?

He's in there.

Dad!

Children.

The kids are here now.

We're ready to sing
Christmas carols.

Are you coming?

Okay, come on,
everybody.

Get in line.

Okay, everybody ready?

Yeah.
Yeah.

Okay.

♫

♫ o Christmas tree,
o Christmas tree ♫

♫ our brightest
Christmas symbol ♫

♫ o Christmas tree,
o Christmas tree ♫

♫ our brightest
Christmas symbol ♫

♫ your steeple Grace
and symmetry ♫

♫ look up to God
unceasingly ♫

♫ o your steeple Grace
and symmetry ♫

♫ look up to God
unceasingly ♫

♫ o Christmas tree,
o Christmas tree ♫

♫ our brightest
Christmas symbol ♫

♫ o Christmas tree,
o Christmas tree ♫

♫ our brightest
Christmas symbol ♫

♫ o Christmas tree,
o Christmas tree ♫

♫ true Faith and love
you teach us ♫

♫ o Christmas tree,
o Christmas tree ♫

♫ true Faith and love
you teach us ♫

♫ golden stars to mount
your stately height ♫

♫ which ones to Bethlehem
gave light? ♫

[fading]
♫ golden stars... ♫

[knocking]

Carla Mae,
aren't you early?

Well, Addie invited me
for breakfast.

Breakfast? My glory.

We got to decide on a Christmas
card for Miss Thompson.

Well, come on in, child.
I'm freezing.

Addie!

Hi!

Hi.
Good morning.

You didn't tell me

You asked Carla Mae
for breakfast.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Well, it's all right.

I made plenty oatmeal.

You're invited
to my house for lunch.

Oh, that's nice.

Terrific. Can we play
with the train?

If my brothers
will let us.

Mm.

Okay.

What shall I make?

A snowman.

That's baby stuff.

Uh...

How about a Santa Claus?

He could have a big sack
on his shoulder

That says
"for Miss Thompson."

That's corny.

What do you want to make?

How about a Santa Claus
in his sleigh

With reindeer pulling it?

But I said Santa Claus,
didn't I?

Be right back.

That's my father
when he was a boy.

Oh.

Here they are
on their wedding day.

My mother was 18.

She's pretty.

And 10 years later,
I came along.

You look like a balloon.

[giggling]

There they are
on a camping trip.

Here they are
at a party.

Why do they have
those funny hats on?

It's a new year's Eve
party, you dodo.

Here's what I've
been looking for.

That's them
on a sleigh ride.

What a big,
beautiful sleigh.

I'm gonna copy it.

Yeah, but it has
horses pulling it.

That's okay. I can
make them into reindeer.

That's good.
You can really draw.

Shall I put
"for Miss Thompson"

Or "for Peggy Thompson."

Miss.

How about
"for miss Peggy Thompson"?

Sounds good.

I wish
my name was Peggy.

If your name was Peggy,

Your real name
would be Margaret.

Anything's
better than Adelaide.

When I grow up,
I'm gonna change it.

You can't
change your name!

You can do anything you want
when you're grown up.

I'm gonna wear a long
white dress and a veil

And get married.

Uch. I'm gonna be
a famous painter

And live in Paris, France,

And never get married.

Let's put "from her
smartest fifth grade."

Doesn't that
sound stuck up?

Mm-mm.

Is that your mother?

Yep.

She was the smartest girl
in her high school class.

When she graduated,
she won a silver cup.

I guess you get
your brains from her.

My dad's not dumb.

I get my brains
from both of them.

Tanya Smithers.

Merry Christmas
to you, my dear.

Ho ho ho!

"Merry Christmas
and happy new year

To Tanya Smithers
from Adelaide mills."

Adelaide mills.

Merry Christmas
to you, my dear.

[high voice]
thank you, Santa Claus.

[laughter]

"Merry Christmas
and happy new year"--

"to Adelaide mills
from Billy wild."

Woo! Oh! Hey, Billy!

[Miss Thompson]
hold it up, Addie.

Oh! Yeah! Nifty!

To miss Peggy Thompson.

[applause, cheers]

What a pretty package,
Santa Claus. Thank you.

You've been a good girl,
Miss Thompson.

Oh, what a pretty card.

I'll bet I know
who made it.

"To miss Peggy Thompson,

"merry Christmas and love

From her smartest
fifth grade."

What a big box.

Wow.
How neat.

Ah, man.

♫ [the Blue Danube]

Oh, that sounds nice.

That sounds nice.

Yay! Yay! Yay!

Well, that is the
nicest, nicest present

That anyone
has ever given me.

Thank you,
boys and girls.

Thank you
very, very much.

Yay! Yay! Yay!

Now, class, I have
a question to ask you.

Is there anyone here who
doesn't have a Christmas tree?

Shh!

What's the matter,
Addie?

Don't you have
a Christmas tree?

Oh, I see.

Well, as you know,

Most of the classes leave their
trees here over vacation,

And then we have a big
bonfire in the playground

When we get back to school,

But this year I thought
it would be better

If we could give our tree

To someone who doesn't
have a tree.

Since there are two people,

I think we'll have to, um...

I know what we'll do.

We'll ask Santa Claus

To write down a number
between 1 and 10,

And then we'll
ask Gloria and Addie

To guess what the number is,

And whoever
guesses the number

Closest to the one
that Santa Claus has picked

Wins the tree.

Ready, Santa?

Gloria?

7.

6.

Well, let's see
what number

Santa Claus
has written down.

You sure were lucky.

Wasn't luck.
I knew how to win.

My dad taught me.
How?

You have to play the odds.

You go first,
you choose 5 or 6.

So you get most of the
numbers higher or lower.

If you go second,

Choose the number right next
to the other player's.

That way you get
all the numbers

Higher than his
or lower than his.

Get it?
All right, look.

Gloria picked 7, right?

I picked 6.

The number was 5,
so I won.

Yeah, but you could
have guessed 8,

And then Gloria
would have won.

But I just explained to
you why I didn't pick 8.

So it's true what I said.
You were lucky.

Mm-mm. You're just
no good at arithmetic.

All right, come here.

1, 2, 3,

4, 5, 6...

Hey! I told you
to keep the door open.

Don't pull so fast, Addie.
Hold it.

Okay, okay,
you move this way.

Okay, wait a minute.

Ouch.
Where do you want it?

All right, back right over there.
Okay.

Ow!

I'm sorry.

Doesn't it look nifty?

Ohh...
Looks okay.

I didn't care
whether I won it,

But since I won it,
it looks okay.

It's almost up
to the ceiling.

Not bad
for a free tree.

Addie, you are so late.

Grandma!
It's from school!

Miss Thompson said whoever
guessed the right number

From 1 to 10
could have it.

And I guessed
the right number.

Your father's
gonna have a fit.

Why?
It didn't cost anything.

That's not the point.

Well, then what
is the point?

Lord, it's a beauty.

It must be 7 foot,
maybe 8.

Yeah, but why
won't dad like it?

Maybe it'll be all right.

When he gets home,
we'll see.

Now, quick! Off with
your boots, you two.

Snow is melting
all over the rug.

Grandma, could I have
a hairpin, please?

Yes, you can.

Oh, my. Here you are. Thank you.

Well, a little skimpy
in there.

We're not finished yet.

Will you put the star
on the tree for us?

Oh, why don't you
ask your father?

He's tall enough.

What if he
won't do it?

Now, you don't expect me to get on
that, do you, with my rheumatism?

Besides,
I might get dizzy.

No you won't.
We'll hold you.

All right.

Do you wear those moccasins
because you're a character?

Who says I'm a character?

Miss Thompson.

Oh, she did.
Did she?

Oh, my...

How'd Miss Thompson happen
to say a thing like that?

A character is
a good thing to be.

It means somebody
like Columbus

Who does what other people
are afraid to do.

It doesn't give a fig
if they laugh at him.

How come Miss Thompson was
hooking me up to Columbus?

Some kids were
making fun of you,

So Addie punched them.

Got yourself into
a fight again, did you?

Good for you, Addie.

Glad your dad
taught you to box.

There.

That looks nifty,
grandma.

Thank you.
You're welcome.

When I grow up,
I'm gonna be a character.

So is Carla Mae.
I am?

[automobile approaching]

He's home!
I've gotta go.

Oh, now,
wait a minute.

Oh, now,
wait a minute.

Oh, my.
[groans]

Evening, Mr. Mills.
Bye, Addie! Bye!

Evening.
Hi, dad.

Good evening, Addie.

Evening, James.

Evening, mother.

Now, supper's ready
in 20 minutes.

You leave her
something every day.

Can't eat two cupcakes.

Well, that's the last time
I pack you two.

Where in the hell
did that come from?

I won it.

I won it by
figuring out the odds

On a number
between 1 and 10,

Just the way
you taught me.

It's you who
really got the tree--

Where's it from?

School.
Miss Thompson asked

Who didn't have
a Christmas tree,

So Gloria Cott and I
raised our hands--

You and Gloria Cott raised your hands?
Yes, and Miss Thompson--

Think we're like
the Cotts, do you? Huh?

That we take Charity,
is that what you think?

Of course not, dad.

It's just that Gloria
and I didn't have a tree.

How come Gloria
didn't take it home?

I told you. I won it,

Because you taught me
how to figure odds.

Carla Mae and I
carried it home.

Dragged it through
the streets, you mean,

Letting the whole town
think we take castoffs.

James, that tree
isn't hurting anything.

I do not take Charity.

It isn't Charity.
She won it fair and square.

If I want a tree,

I could damn well
buy one for myself!

She's the one that
wants it, not you.

Yeah?
Well she has to learn

She can't have
everything she wants!

Not in this life!

I don't have
anything I want!

You think I want to work
a crane 52 weeks a year?

I'd like to go sit
in the sun someplace

And forget all of you!

Now, I want that tree
out of my house!

You heard what I said.

It's my house, James,

And I say that tree
can stay right where it is.

I'm sorry, James,
but--

You don't want me here.

I'll be glad to move out
and take Addie with me.

Oh, don't be a fool.
Think it over, mother,

Because I'm telling you,
if I stay here,

I'm not having you interfere
between me and my daughter.

She's more than
your daughter, James.

She's a human being.

And she's got feelings,

Even if you haven't.

James...

I'm your mother,
and I'm speaking to you.

Last person you felt
anything for was Helen.

Leave her out of this.

Oh...

I know you were
brokenhearted, James,

But you're not
the only man on earth

Who's lost a wife.

It's been almost
10 years, James.

That kind of grief
is selfish.

That child
needs your love.

I proved I loved her,
didn't I?

I didn't let Will
and Nora take her.

I kept her with me.

I took
the responsibility.

While she was a baby,
that was all right.

You could carry her around
like a doll,

Plop her in the crib when you
didn't feel like carrying her,

And chuck her under the chin
and shake a rattle for her.

But she was a baby then.

She couldn't disagree
with you,

Couldn't talk back.

Now she's growing
into a person.

You don't know
what to do with her.

You just holed
yourself away.

You live in this house
like a stranger.

When she's older,
she's gonna leave you, James.

You won't have
the responsibility.

And you won't have
a daughter, either.

It was my fault.

People don't have
to die of pneumonia.

Having the baby
weakened her.

It was pneumonia, son.

It happened.

No good can come
of laying blame.

Why couldn't
the baby have died

Instead of Helen?

That's...

What I kept
asking myself.

That's what I wished.

How long
you gonna cry?

I don't know.
Maybe all night.

Don't you worry.

He'll get over it.

He's so mean.

He's not mean.

Jamie's a good man.

Jamie?

That's what we used to call
him when he was a boy.

He was proud then,
too.

Oh, he always had
a lot of pride.

What's so good
about pride?

Well, it's a way of
thinking well of yourself.

You've got it.

That's why you hit
those kids today.

Was that pride?

You were sticking up
for me,

'cause you love me
and I'm your family.

And your father insists
on paying our way

'cause he loves us
and we're his family.

He's always been the kind wouldn't
take nothing from nobody,

Even if we were starving.

10, 15 years ago, during the
depression, we almost did starve.

What's the depression?

Weren't no jobs.

Nobody had any money.

A lot of people had
to go on Charity.

But your father wouldn't even
take the flour and potatoes

The government
was handing out free.

Dad have let you
died of hunger?

Of course not.

But he was always
mighty stubborn

About accepting anything
he hadn't earned.

Would he take a present,

Like a Christmas present?

Is that Charity?

Oh, no.

That's a whole
different thing.

A present is something

From somebody
wants to make you happy.

He doesn't love me.
He just doesn't love me.

Now, I'm not
listening to such talk.

The truth is...

Your daddy just
hasn't wanted

A Christmas tree
in this house

Because, I guess...

It reminds him
of your mama.

Makes him feel bad.

I didn't know that.

He misses her
an awful lot.

You mean that
I upset him so much

That he might be in his
room crying right now?

Maybe.

But don't you worry.

This isn't your fault.

Someday,
he'll get over it,

And things will be
all right.

Think you can go
to sleep now?

More coffee, James?

No, thanks.

There's another doughnut,
if you'd like it.

No, thanks.

Mighty cold out today.

Yeah, 16 degrees.
Heard it on the radio.

Now, this one
is for the Cotts,

And this one
for the Hendersons.

Well, why can't Addie
take them over?

Oh, now, they're both
on your way, James,

And it means so much more
if you take them yourself.

Makes it more
of a family gift.

[door rattling]

Oh, Mr. Mills!
Come on in.

I have something for you
from my mother.

Christmas cookies
for the children.

Oh, how nice of her.

Tell her the children
will be very, very grateful,

And wish her
a merry Christmas.

We found that on our
doorstep this morning.

Isn't it beautiful?

And it had a note.
It said "from Santa Claus."

I'm gonna be
late for work.

Good-bye, Mrs. Cott.
And, uh, merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas
to you, Mr. Mills.

And I put a note on it.
It says "from Santa Claus,"

So they wouldn't get mad
and think it was Charity.

That sure was a nice
thing you did, Addie.

I'm too grown up
for trees.

Trees are for little kids.

Well, I'm sure it isn't a very
good Christmas at Gloria's house.

She doesn't know how
to figure odds the way I do.

She never would have won it.

I know.

Only way for her
to get a tree

Was for me
to give it to her.

Well, I'm sure you
made her real happy.

By the way,

I never got around
to asking you,

How did Tanya Smithers
like her mittens?

She hated them.
I knew she would.

That's why I bought them.

Call that
Christmas spirit?

Tanya Smithers is my worst
friend in the fifth grade.

You don't expect me to give her
something she likes, do you?

Well, you ought to be
ashamed of yourself.

Who got your name?

I'm not telling.

Was it a boy
or a girl?

Somebody you like
or don't like?

Did he give you something
you like or you don't like?

How do you know
it was a he?

Was it a she?
No more questions.

I'm not saying
anything more.

You looked
in my private drawer!

Addie, nobody
in this house looks

In anybody else's
private drawer.

Oh, I know.

Under your pillow.

I meant to hide it
this morning, but--

You had a lot of things
on your mind.

Isn't it disgusting?

I think
it's real pretty.

From Billy wild?

How'd you guess that?

Oh, 'cause I'm
a smart old character.

I'm never gonna wear
this disgusting thing

As long as I live.
Why not?

Because if I wear it,
he'll think I like him.

He likes you,
all right.

Ha!

How do you know?

Well, you wouldn't
give a heart locket

To somebody
you didn't like.

You like him
a little, too.

I've told you a thousand
times, I despise him.

I won't even speak to him.

[singsong]
hmm-hmm.

What do you mean,
"hmm-hmm"?

Well, lots of folks
don't speak to people.

It doesn't mean they
don't feel anything.

Smells good.

No, don't touch
until they cool.

Grandma, doesn't he look
just like Billy wild?

Well, he does at that.

Good, 'cause I'm gonna
bite his head off

And chew him up.

Oh, Addie.

What's so funny?

I pity the fella

You really fall for
someday.

He's gonna be
black and blue

Before he realizes

That's your way
of liking.

My glory.

It's all right
to let on

You like somebody
if you do.

[rapping on door]

[James]
Addie, open the door!

Hello, Addie!

Well, don't just stand there.
Give me a hand.

There-- careful-- careful of those.
They're breakable.

[gasp]

James.

Well, if we're gonna
have a tree,

We can buy one
ourselves.

Isn't it beautiful?

And all
the decorations.

Addie, oh, my.

Look.

Silver icicles.

Oh, and lights.

You can leave them on

Until you go
to bed at night,

And turn them on first
thing in the morning.

Show up much better
in the dark, though.

Is there a star?

Well, let's see.

I don't-- no, I don't
think there is.

James,
you forgot the star.

The one I made
is on the other tree.

Do you think you can
make another one?

We only have one piece
of foil left.

Maybe Carla Mae
has some.

Why don't you run
next door and see?

She won't have
to do that, mother.

It's the niftiest star
I ever saw in my whole life.

Where'd you get it, dad?

It was put away.

It was?

I was saving it.

For what?

Well, for our tree, I guess.

Gee, it shines.

This must have cost
a lot of money.

Your, uh, mother made it.

My mother made this?

She must have been
an artist.

Well, she liked to paint
and draw the way you do.

I didn't know that.
Nobody ever told me that.

She made that star
for your first Christmas tree.

I don't remember.

I don't remember.

Well, you were only
a few weeks old.

She made presents
for you, too.

What?

Well, uh, knitted, uh...

Boots, and a sweater,
and, uh...

One of those whatta-ya-ma-callits,
you know, uh...

A bib with a big yellow duck
right in the center of it.

A bib? Was I a messy
eater then, too?

Yeah.

Didn't my mother
give me any toys?

There was a thing.
It was, uh--

It was like a bunch
of jingle bells

Suspended on a ribbon.

We tied it across
your crib,

And when you kicked at it,
the bells rang.

Wow.

Do you think
I look like my mother?

Grandma says I do.

Well...

You have the same hair.

Yeah, you look like her,

Especially when you smile.

Did I smile a lot
when I was a baby?

Yeah, but your mother
said it was indigestion.

She'd put you on her
shoulder and rub your back.

I wish I could remember.

What else
did my mother do?

Well...

She sang to you.

Is my voice like hers
when I sing?

The other night, during
the Christmas Carol...

Yeah, you sounded
like her.

Boy, I'm gonna be a real
combination, aren't I?

'Cause I'm gonna be
very tall like you.

Put it on the tree, dad.

That looks nifty, dad.

It's yours now, Addie.

Mary packed what they
would need for the trip

In a cloth bundle
and set off for Bethlehem,

Where Joseph's ancestors
had lived and he was born.

Finally they arrived
in Bethlehem.

They left their donkey
grazing in a field

And went into town.

Where are we going
to sleep?

Let's try this house.

Good people, we have come
all the way from Nazareth.

Please take us in.

Many travelers
have come today.

We have no beds left.

What do we do now,
Joseph?

Don't worry.
We'll find someplace.

Addie.
Who's that?

Gloria.

Gee, you're a terrific cow.
I didn't even know you.

And you look angelic.

I hear you got
a great big Christmas tree.

So have we.
Santa Claus brought it.

You're wearing
your locket.

Oh, I didn't want to.

My grandmother
implored me to.

Shh! Hurry up.
Get in your places.

And don't push.
You'll tear your wings.

Let the people
who can't see through.

Let the cow go first.
Shh.

Don't tear your--
don't step on--

[applause]

And so there in the stable,
in the middle of the night,

Mary's baby, Jesus,
was born.

She laid him
in the manger

And covered him with the
clothes she had brought,

And with hay so that
he would not be cold.

The only people
awake that night

Were a few shepherds

Watching over their sheep
on a hill near the town.

They huddled about a fire
and warmed their hands.

Suddenly, a bright light
shone above their heads.

Where does that
light come from?

Look! What a huge star
shines over Bethlehem.

I have never seen
such a star.

What does it mean?

I am frightened.

Fear not.

For behold,

I bring you good tidings
and great Joy,

Which will be
to all people.

For unto you
is born this day

In the city of David

A savior which is
Christ the Lord.

And this shall be
a sign unto you.

Ye shall find the babe,
wrapped in swaddling clothes,

Lying in a manger.

[angels]
glory to God in the highest.

And on this earth,

Peace and goodwill
towards man.

[applause]

[applause continues]

[adult Addie] we never
talked to each other

About what happened
to us that Christmas.

We still weren't much for telling
our feelings in my family.

And I won't pretend that it solved
everything between my father and me.

We continued to do
enthusiastic battle

With each other
for another 20 years.

But after that,

Each of us knew that there
was a person somewhere

Behind the defenses
on the other side,

And we never forgot it.

We had a Christmas tree
every year after that.

Even after my grandmother
had died

And I had moved away
to the city

And my father
was there alone,

He would have a tree
waiting in the living room

When I came home
for Christmas,

And we would
decorate it together.

And when it was
all finished,

I would unwrap the star

And put it on the top.

Then we would both
stand back and admire it

And not say much.

But I know
we were both thinking

Of that same Christmas
in 1946.

the end---