Original subtitles

As close-knit and self sufficient as our family was

still, neighbors were very important in those days

when we were growing up on Walton's Mountain.

Hey, Harold!

What does Harold think he's doing?

-Walking Erin to school. -John-Boy.

If he wants to walk with Erin, why does he stay way over there?

-Guess that's just Harold's way. -Seems silly to me.

I guess it seems silly to everybody

except for Harold and Erin.

Don't laugh.

Come on.

There were families like ourselves

struggling to keep the land we owned

and there were tenant farmers, at the mercy of the weather

crop prices and absentee landlords.

-Hi, Beth Ann. -Hi.

-What are you doing? -I'm moving.

You're moving, why?

Daddy says the place doesn't belong to us anymore.

Who does it belong to?

All I know is it's something about taxes.

-Where will you be going? -Some other place.

Come.

Gotta help Mama. Bye.

Bye.

Bye, Sara May.

The Littlefields have always lived here.

Must be awful to have to pack up everything you own

-and go to some strange place. -Guess it would be.

Harold, I made you something.

What is it?

See for yourself.

Aren't you gonna open it?

Hey, now come on, Charlie.

Charlie, you give it back! Harold, do something.

Look what she gave to Harold.

A fancy hanky with his initials on it.

Don't just sit there, do something.

My back.

And there's a note.

Don't you dare read that note. Give it back to me.

Give it back! Give it back to me.

Do something.

"To my brave knight, from his lady fair."

Here, Sir Knight. Blow your brave nose.

Give it to me.

Come on Erin, don't let it bother you.

I think she's still mussed up with Harold Beasley.

I think Beasley's a goop.

I'm going to order us some of these new-fangled soybeans.

The problem with Erin is that she just thinks

Harold Beasley's something out of King Arthur's court.

Today she found out he's just plain old Harold Beasley.

That's right.

I think I'll go up and talk to her. Don't anybody eat my pie.

What's this I hear about the Littlefields losing their farm?

That's right, Grandma. They moved out this morning.

The Littlefields have lived here just about

as long as we have, haven't they?

What's gonna happen to the farm?

Graham Foster paid the taxes, he's taking it over.

Graham Foster, if this Depression lasts any longer

he'll own half the country.

That's right, honey.

Yes, sir. Excuse me, here you go. Here's some more pie.

He's coming up tomorrow to get himself a rent collector.

How much does a job like that pay?

Five percent of what you collect

if you can believe that.

Can we go out and play?

After you finish the pie there. Everybody got a piece?

Let's go up to the tree house. Let's go.

Anybody that's going with me, better shake a leg.

I figure Brannigan's Hill will be the best place.

You go there if you want to. I'm headed for John-Boy's Meadow.

If I'd said John-Boy's Meadow,

you'd have said Brannigan's Hill.

Mary Ellen, you may not take my pots. I need them for cooking.

-alright, here. -Mama, here you go.

Give me some of the big ones.

Where's your hand?

Did you ask Erin if she wants to go berry picking with you?

She'd rather stay home and mope about dumb old Harold Beasley.

Ask her.

-Mama. -Nicely.

-Come and go berry picking -No, thanks.

You think if you hang around here

Harold is going to come and apologize?

Maybe he will.

He'll say it a lot sooner if he gets the notion

that you don't give a toot.

That doesn't make sense.

Stop worrying about Harold. Let him worry about you. Come on.

Grandma!

* The bear went over the montain *

* The bear went over the montain *

* The bear went over the montain *

* What did you think he saw *

* He saw another mountain he saw another mountain *

* He saw another mountain What do you think he did *

* He climbed the other mountain *

* He climbed the other mountain *

* He climbed the other mountain what do you think he did *

-What? -We are really proud of you.

* He saw another mountain What do you think he did **

* He climbed' the other mountain *

Don't look now, but Harold's right over there.

Come on, what did I tell you?

* He climbed the other mountain **

Excuse me, sir.

Good morning. What can I do for you?

I'm looking for Mr. Graham Foster.

You've found him. Who are you?

John Walton. John Walton's son.

What was it you wanted to see me about, John Walton?

Sir, I'd like to be considered for the job

of being your rent collector.

Two or three are already after the job.

You must still be in school.

Yes, sir, I am, but I think I can do a good job for you

and I'd appreciate the chance to earn some money just now.

Your daddy know you're after this job?

No, sir.

You understand what's involved?

Collecting the rents from 18 tenants

the first of every month.

Checking my properties to see that none are being damaged

and finding new tenants for farms such as this.

I think I could do that.

If you need, I can get you recommendations

from Ike Godsey and Sheriff Bridges

and Rev. Fordwick and....

Well, I don't know.

If it doesn't work out, you can always fire me.

Tell you what, I'm gonna put you on trial.

I'm gonna speak to Ike and the Sheriff

they better give you a good report.

Thank you, sir.

I wouldn't be considering anybody as young as you

but John Walton's son

that's something different.

-Thank you, I appreciate it. -You're welcome, son.

Ben, you're eating more than you're putting in your bucket.

Have to check and make sure they're ripe.

Mama's counting on these berries to make jelly.

It'd be nice if we had some we could sell.

This is fun.

We better get going. Where's Erin?

She went mooning off over there.

Erin! Come on!

Come on, Erin, we're leaving.

-Erin! -I'm coming.

Don't be afraid.

I won't hurt you.

Don't be afraid.

Hi. Where's your mama?

Don't worry, I'll take care of you.

Daddy, I got me a job! I got me a job!

-I got a job! -Hold it, Son!

-I got me a job! -What'd you say?

I got a.... I got a-I got a job.

I've been trying to figure out how to get this encyclopedia

down at Ike's. Now I know how I can do it.

What kind of a job, Son?

You're looking at the new rent collector for Mr. Graham Foster.

I didn't really expect to get that kind of a job.

Of course it's just a trial, really.

I don't think he would have given me the job

if it wasn't for the fact that I was your son.

What's wrong?

I wish you'd asked me about it first, Son.

I do believe he has a grudge against our family.

I'd keep an eye on him, if I were you.

Why?

Your daddy and I had to testify in court against that clan.

Foster clan has been in on one sharp land deal after another

ever since they came into this county.

They'd have most of it if we hadn't stopped their trickery.

Suppose I do a good job?

Your idea and his idea might be different

about what a good job is.

Daddy, if you're telling me not to take this job, then I won't.

No, I'm not telling you that.

I want to warn you what you're in for.

If it's all the same to you, I'll try and see what happens.

Keep going, Pa.

Reckless, you behave yourself. You might scare it.

I think its mama left it over there

just so it'll be safe from dogs.

-How old do you think he is, -It's hard to tell.

Still got its baby spots.

I don't believe it's been weaned for long.

A fawn that size stays pretty close to its mother, doesn't it?

Maybe he ran away from home.

Yeah, for its own protection.

-We did see the warden up there. -Game warden?

Said he was looking for poachers.

We heard some guns, too.

-What's this about guns? -The fawn.

We thought maybe the mama could've been shot.

For heaven's sake.

He was just lying there shivering.

If he's an orphan, he could do with a name.

-How about Skeezix? -No, Orphan Annie.

-He's a boy. -How about Greedy?

Lancelot.

What kind of a name is that for a deer?

I think that's a good name for a deer.

He's mine and his name's Lancelot.

He's not yours, Erin, he's not anybody's.

If I'm gonna collect any rent, I better be on the move.

-Good luck on that job. -See you later.

You found him and fed him, but once he's strong enough

he must go back where he belongs.

No.

He's a wild animal.

He's not. See how gentle he is.

You'll find out how gentle he is

soon as his strength gets back in them hind legs.

There are lot of things this place needs, a deer isn't one.

Once you start interfering with nature,

you'll find yourself in a mess of trouble.

Get those in the house before you eat 'em all.

-Did you hear what your he said? -What?

We are not going to be able to keep him.

But Mama, he's begging to stay.

It's too late to do anything about it now.

We'll give him a day or two. But don't you get too attached.

He's got to go.

Where is he going to sleep?

-On the end of my bed. -No, in the barn.

He'll be miserable out there all by himself in the dark.

Deer like the dark.

He stays in the barn or he doesn't stay.

Guess what, Lance? I'm going to sleep with you here, all night.

Bye-bye, Daddy.

-Bye-bye, Son. -Bye, Daddy.

-Bye, Daddy. -Bye, Daddy.

Jim-Bob, you study hard, you hear?

Erin, you are not to take that deer to school.

I want to show him to everybody.

He's not a toy to be paraded around.

-But he'll be so lonely. -You put him back in the barn.

How's the truck doing?

Just tinkered with it, Son, it's fine.

I'd like to borrow it after school.

I gotta collect some more rent

from the other side of the mountain.

Alright, Son. Good luck.

That deer will be just as happy to see you when you get home.

Bye, honey.

Hi, Mr. Roswell.

-John-Boy. -How are you, sir?

-Can't complain. -Good.

How's your folks?

All doing fine.

Granddad catching any fish?

Yeah, he caught a carp the other day last week.

Got away from him, though.

Says it's the biggest fish he'd ever seen.

Says it was the size of a young calf.

It takes a heavy line to catch a carp.

It's not the best eating fish, in my opinion.

I could eat a catfish about everyday.

Don't think I'd walk from here to the door for carp.

How's everybody around here?

Wife's laid up with pleurisy.

She's been doctoring herself with mutton tallow poultices.

I'd rather have the pleurisy

than be doctored with that mutton tallow.

Something I can do for you, son?

Mr. Roswell, I got me a new job.

My hat's off to you, anybody who can find a job these days.

I'm collecting rent for Mr. Graham Foster.

I don't have any kind of experience in this line of work.

$9.

I know your orders are to get $15. But I don't have $15.

And I wouldn't give it to you if I did.

Now, the barley prices are cut in half,

the egg prices are dropping every day.

Everything is down except the rent he charges.

-Mr. Roswell-- -You take the $9 right here.

And if Mr. Foster wants to put us out, he can.

Look, I'm certain that if you just explain it to him.

You explain it to him. Your job, ain't it?

If you just tried to make him understand....

Stop that, you four-legged imp!

Look what you've done!

Oh, my! Stop it. Scat! Go on.

You get! Bad!

That deer! He pulled down the line.

Everything has to be done over again.

They call that a deer. It's a goat.

I don't suppose he said anything about fixing the roof.

No, ma'am.

Two years now we've been asking.

Nice weather it isn't so bad, but in winter....

-And when it rains. -You mean your roof leaks?

That's what put the mister in bed.

We were both soaked that last heavy storm

trying to move things.

I'm going to speak to Mr. Foster about this.

I'm sure we'll fix your roof up right away.

Are you sure of that?

Yes, ma'am.

You are young.

He ate two rows of peas, cropped them right to the ground.

How do you know it wasn't rabbits?

Zeb caught him in the act.

He'll be good from now, I promise.

How can you promise? He's a wild thing.

He just does what nature tells him.

I'm training him to behave. He'll learn.

If you're so bent on having a pet, why don't you get a kitten?

I don't want a kitten. I want Lance.

I'll do anything to make up for the harm.

But don't take him away from me. I'll tie him up.

Who's gonna make her understand that she's got to let him go?

Pour it over, then use the spoon on the scrapings.

-Come here. You wanna try some? -No, no, no.

let her clean up one mess before she starts another. Come on.

I'm not mad at you, Lance, but you've gotta be really good.

Are you listening to me?

Because if you're not good, I'm gonna lose you for sure.

Hi, Erin.

Hi, Grandpa. Hi, Mr. Hennessy.

He's a beauty.

Found him up on the mountain. He was alone and scared.

But he's okay now.

I'm sorry, but the warden tells me it's illegal

for a private person to keep a deer.

Illegal?

I'm afraid that's right. You'll have to turn him loose.

You just wait till my daddy gets home.

It's the law here.

Your daddy, nor nobody else can interfere with it.

When did you get home?

Just a little while ago.

Mama, this is terrible.

Lots of people don't have money.

They get upset like it's my fault, the rent's too high

and the places need fixing up.

Makes me feel like some kind of a criminal.

You have to be callous to do the job.

I'm just not cut out for it. I'm going to quit tomorrow.

Probably a good idea.

'Course, I hate to quit.

Those tenants need somebody who can speak up.

I think maybe I could do that kind of thing.

You could.

Maybe I'll just give it another try.

Good.

-Thanks, Mama. -You're welcome.

Thought you might need this.

Why can't I keep him, Mama?

We have been over and over that.

You knew he had to leave in a few days and tomorrow's the day.

But why?

Because that's the way things are.

No, Lance is different. He needs somebody to take care of him.

He hasn't got anybody else, Mama. What'll happen to him?

-He'll be just fine. -I know he won't.

I'd just like to take Lance and run away from home.

What good would that do him?

We'd be together and I could take care of him.

And who'd take care of you?

I don't care.

Mama, I know he'll die out in the woods all by himself.

Erin, the reason you are so upset

is because you need Lance much

much more than he needs you.

He's got to go back where he belongs

and you've gotta get rid of the notion

he can't manage without you.

He can and he will.

Poor Erin, she's so unhappy.

Lance acts like he knows something's going on.

If we can have dogs and cats, cows and chickens

why can't we have a deer?

Don't ask me, I didn't make up the dumb law.

What time is Mr. Hennessy coming?

He said sometime this afternoon.

Is Erin going to stay in the barn all day?

I'll see if I can get her to come out.

Erin, come on out.

No, I want to stay with Lance.

Come on, Elizabeth. I got an idea.

Think I'm going to talk to Mama.

I got two cents. Let's go down to Ike's

and get Erin the licorice she likes.

On time, too.

It's hard to find a punctual man in these parts.

How did you do with the job?

Here, I'll let you be the judge of that.

What have we here?

A handwritten report.

I'm impressed.

"Rents due. Rents collected.

"Agent's commission."

Mustn't forget that.

"Recommendation."

Alright.

I've read the figures, now, where's my cash?

Here it is.

$190.

$190. Where's the rest of it?

That's all of it.

That is not all of it.

There's $208 due me.

You're $18 short.

This is all itemized in the list here.

The point is, you are $18 short in your collections.

Mr. Roswell says the rents are too high

compared with other prices.

Mrs. Crofut wouldn't give me a penny till I had the roof fixed.

I'm not interested in excuses.

I contracted with you to collect all my rents

not part of them.

And how come you haven't found a new tenant for this place?

I've shown it to several people

but no one's going to rent it until it's fixed up some.

Like the Tennyson's chimney and the Crofut's roof?

-Yes, sir. -You do a better job telling me

how to spend my money than you do collecting it.

As your agent, I felt I had some responsibility to the tenants.

I'm not operating a charity.

I'm disappointed in you, son.

-Sir, I did my best. -It's not good enough.

Not nearly.

I hoped you might be different,

but it's plain you're your daddy's son.

Yes, sir, I am.

I'm proud of that fact, too.

The Walton pride.

Very poor collateral, if you ask me.

I'll have to find someone else.

I'd like my wages, sir.

You didn't earn any wages.

I collected $190, sir.

Five percent of $190 is $9.50.

I'd like my wages.

You're short $18.

Take away the $9.50 you claim

by my calculations you still owe me $8.50.

I want my wages, sir.

You didn't fulfill the contract.

So, I don't owe you a cent.

I should have listened.

To your father?

Go right on listening to John Walton

and you'll end up just like him.

Keep your wages.

Erin.

Are you feeling sorry for that deer or for yourself?

Please leave me alone, Grandma. I'm not bothering anyone.

You're bothering me.

Feeling sorry for yourself is just a waste of time.

Believe me, time's too precious to waste.

If you're going to just sit there and do nothing

at least keep busy.

I just can't stop thinking about him going away, Grandma

and if he'll be alright.

Just give yourself a chance, child.

You keep busy.

I'd like to be alone with Lance.

Okay, but we got something for you.

-It's for you. -To make up for Lance.

We'll take it up and put it in your room for you.

You'll like him. You can name him anything you want.

Thanks, Elizabeth. I'll see you later.

-Hi, kids. -Go away.

Trade you a frog instead. A thoroughbred.

I don't have my frog cage.

We're gonna get Reckless to eat you up.

-I'll get her, Mr. Hennessy. -How do you do, Mrs. Walton?

-Erin, Mr. Hennessy's here. -No, Mama. He can't have Lance.

Erin, you bring that deer out here right now, please.

She's very upset.

You do understand, if we don't get this animal

back where he belongs he'll soon forget where he came from.

Yeah, but she's just a little girl

and she can't let herself believe that.

Easy, boy.

What a night.

Erin won't come out of her room. The rest of the kids won't eat.

You haven't said a word since you got home.

I'm sorry. I just got a lot on my mind.

You certainly were right about Graham Foster.

Was it bad, Son?

It was terrible.

You still working for him?

No, he fired me.

Did he pay you?

No, he never intended to.

Daddy, when you're right, you're right.

Being right in this case doesn't give me any pleasure, Son.

You want me to have a talk with him?

You don't have to do anything.

I made a fool out of myself today and I know that now.

Graham Foster is real good at making people feel foolish, Son.

Yeah, well, he taught me a lot.

I'll see if I can take something from what I learned

and use it to get what's due me.

If you need my help, you just let me know.

Mama. Daddy.

Mama, Daddy, something terrible has happened to Lance.

-What's wrong, honey? -Something's happened to Lance.

He'll be fine.

I know something awful has happened to him.

It'll take a while to get used to the woods but he'll be fine.

I've got to find him.

Erin, that deer is where he belongs.

Daddy, please.

I can let Lance go as soon as I know he's okay.

Mama, don't you have feelings for the people you care for

and don't you have to do what those feelings tell you?

We can't go thrashing in the middle of the night.

We don't know where Hennessy put the deer.

Couldn't you ask him, Daddy? Please.

Alright, first thing in the morning.

Thank you, Daddy.

Get some sleep. Stop worrying.

-It's only a fawn. -Meat is meat, Lester.

I hiked in about a mile, set him loose by a creek up here

where I saw some deer tracks.

He could be on the other side of the mountain by now.

Give it a try.

Lance!

Lance, where are you?

Daddy, he's hurt!

He's just grazed. Come on.

You boys just bring those guns on up here to me.

You won't be using them for a while.

Come on, get up here.

Give me that gun.

I'm ashamed of you boys.

He'll be fine in a couple of days, honey.

Mr. Hennessy might not have caught those poachers

if wasn't for Lance.

That's right. Lance is a hero.

Right now, he needs plenty of peace and quiet.

I'm glad I was there when you needed me, Lance.

-Come in and get cleaned up. -Daddy.

What?

I think I got an idea how I can get what's due to me.

Is it a good idea?

Jason seems to think so.

I'd like to borrow him and the truck for a couple of hours.

-You got it. -Thank you.

Jason.

I'm glad we're doing this.

Makes me feel better about the Littlefields having to leave.

I know what you mean, Jason.

I don't believe it. I just don't believe it.

I thought if we were ever going to have a roof over our heads

we'd have to find the money for it ourselves.

Jason and I are going to do it for you right now.

However did you persuade Graham Foster to do this?

If you're going to be a good landlord, you'll have to give

as well as take.

Graham Foster said that?

Not exactly, but the important thing

is you'll have a roof over your head.

Yes. I was wrong about you, John-Boy.

How do you mean?

You're not as young as you look.

Well, ma'am.

-Excuse me. -Sure.

You realize, now I'll be obliged to ask you for the rent you owe.

And I'll be obliged to pay it to you.

Excuse me.

Come on, Jason, let's get to work.

I've been thinking about you and your friend here.

It's a special case

but there's no way under the law I can let you keep that deer.

-Are you sure? -I'm afraid not.

But as a compromise

we could turn Lance loose in the State game park.

Of course, he'd be protected, all fenced in.

And I could go see him sometime.

That's the idea. It's up to you.

I'll tell you what.

I'll give you a couple of days to think about it.

You make up your mind and I'll come pick him up.

You'd be safe, Lance. I wouldn't really be losing you.

Well, I got to get back to work.

I'll see you in a couple of days.

Come on, Lance. Thanks.

Come on, son, I'm in a hurry.

I'd like to talk to you for a minute, sir.

If you're back to ask for money, don't waste your time.

I did a pretty foolish thing the other day, I know that.

If you're gonna get ahead in the world

you're gonna have to find a better way to turn the tables

I think I may have found a way, sir.

-I've got a something for you -What's that?

$1.83.

I collected the Crofut's rent

and spent $6.67 for roofing, nails

and pitch for their new roof.

You had no right to spend that money.

And I deducted $9.50 for my work as your agent.

That left the balance of $1.83.

And I had you figured for a woolly lamb.

I think I aged considerable working for you, sir.

I might just give you another chance

now that you know the ropes.

I'd like to take you up on it, sir

but I wouldn't want to get myself hung.

Thanks all the same.

That's quite a bit of money, Son.

It's the hardest $9.50 I'll ever earn.

How do you feel?

I feel good. Graham Foster doesn't feel so good, though.

He's not used to being taken.

He wanted to give me a second chance

I've had enough rent collecting to last me the rest of my life.

Someday, I'm going to write a story about that man.

You ought to write a story about your poor sister and that deer.

How's she doing?

She's still out in the barn with him, feeling miserable.

I thought Hennessy was supposed to come pick him up.

He is sometime today, finally.

Getting him ready for his trip?

I don't think he likes me to brush him anymore.

He's growing up.

He'll probably never be brushed after today.

I'm not too sure about that, honey.

From what I've seen, they pamper their animals up there.

I hope Lance will like it there.

He'll be contented, maybe.

He won't know what's all about

he'll never know the pleasure of running free

picking out a mate

grazing in the high wild pastures.

He'll be safe. That's all I care about.

It is best for him to go to the park, isn't it, Grandpa?

I don't know that I can answer that question, honey.

A lot of people think they know

everything about wild animals.

Me, I'm not too sure.

Sometimes it's best for them to live out their life

in their own way.

-With all the dangers? -And all the pleasures.

Hi, Hen.

Hi. How are you?

-Is my passenger ready? -Erin is fetching him out.

-Taking it alright, is she? -Well....

All set.

Mr. Hennessy

do you think it'd be better for Lance to go to the park

or to be free in the forest?

I don't know, Erin.

It's hard to say. They do get awful fat and lazy in the park.

They seem happy enough, though.

Fencing Lance up in the park

would be the best thing for me

because I'd know he'd be safe, well-fed

and maybe I could go and see him sometime.

I think that can be arranged.

I don't think that'd be the best thing for Lance.

I want him to go free.

-Okay, let's go. -Mr. Hennessy

I'd like to set Lance free all by myself, please.

Alright, Erin.

Go on, Lance, it's the law. You gotta be free.

Go on.

Please go, Lance.

My sister Erin gave Lance his freedom

and he took it gratefully.

Bye, Lance.

We never did see him again

although two years later, we did glimpse a doe and a fawn.

The little one looked so much like Lance

we told ourselves that this must be his son.

Erin decided to give boys another chance

and if Harold Beasley wasn't exactly

a knight in shining armor

he was devoted and persistent.

I never regretted my brief fling as a man of business.

When I'm reminded from time to time

of the lessons Graham Foster taught me

memory carries me back to that Depression time

and the voices of my family.

I wish today could just go on and on.

Sounds like you must've had a good time.

This was the best day of my life and now it's almost over.

-Tomorrow may be just as good. -That's right, or even better.

Goodnight, Jim-Bob. By the way, where's that frog?

Gee, Mama, I don't know. It was here a minute ago.

-Goodnight. -Oh, Lord. Good night