Original subtitles

[theme music]

[pleasant music]

(male narrator) Many times when I have tripped across those events

in one's life called milestones, I have thought

about how they so often catch us unawares.

There was was, for instance, that unforgettable spring

many years ago when in the same week grandma

had to face growing old, Mary Ellen had to face

the feelings of a woman.

Everything's ready. Everything's been ready.

They don't care. They think it's just tough as shoe leather.

Let it burn.

Come when they're good and ready.

John! Boys! Dinner is ready.

Dinner!

[boys laughing]

'Cut it out.'

I'm not doing anything.

We finished stacking the kindling, grandma.

Do you have anything else for us to do before dinner?

Yes, we're having stew for dinner.

And if you don't like it, you can do without--

- Huh? - But grandma, we never--

I'm sick and tired of hearing your complaints.

Now you just be glad you got what you got.

Grandma, I don't think you understood what Ben meant.

Charlie Sneeds out there, shooting the breeze.

He says the President's gonna talk on the radio tonight.

- Is that so? - Uh-huh.

I think he's gonna talk on the new deal.

Now I'm right sorry about that.

Huh?

Of course, that's onion peel.

How do you think I'm gonna make stew without peeling onions?

Grandma, grandpa didn't say any--

Boys, can I speak to you a minute?

Boys, I want you to stop laughing at your grandma.

She's having a little bit of trouble with her hearing lately.

I'll say.

Cut it out!

Boys, I'm speaking to you.

I'm just trying to get him to be quiet and pay attention.

Her hearing is getting worse and worse

and she doesn't want to let on.

- Grandma's proud. - That she is.

She's bragged all her life about never being sick a day.

But now, she's getting old, she's getting deaf

and she doesn't want to admit it.

Now, you children could help consider by pretending

not to notice it.

Well, I'll be sure to let all the others know.

Anybody who laughs gets a punch.

Thank you, Kendell.

[sighs]

Onion peel?

[both laughing]

Daddy, I've been meaning to talk to you about something.

What is it, son?

- You know the old shed? - Yeah.

I'd like to have it. I could fix it up for an office.

I've always wanted a study of my own.

So it's come to that?

A Walton man leaving and shuttin' himself in an office.

I guess it's come to that.

- Alright, you got it. - Thank you.

Didn't you two hear me call you for dinner?

I heard you, Liv, but I had a little

business talk over with my son.

I won! I won.

I'll race you to the big tree, John-Boy?

- You lost. - 'I did not.'

John Boy, Mary Ellen. Dinner!

You think you got them all grown up

and suddenly they're acting their age.

Well, do something!

Alright.

[laughing]

(man 1 on radio) 'Pray for this administration but there can be'

'no collective security.'

'Without careful attention to the individual security'

'of all citizens.'

'Therefore, we have this day, proposed--'

It sure looks weird. Do you think it works?

I don't know. Girls, please.

(man 1 on radio) 'A plan we call social security.'

'Our plan has a three-fold purpose.'

This sure is a great way for proposing new plans, isn't it?

(man 1 on radio) 'We propose a plan..'

[boys laughing]

Boys, quieten down and listen.

(man 1 on radio) 'A pension ranging from $10 a month to $85 a month'

'to persons over the age of 65 who qualify.'

Whoopie! Now I can retire.

(man 1 on radio) '...we would offer help to our handicapped.'

'To the blind, the deaf the crippled..'

Good lord.

(man 1 on radio) 'We propose these measures so that fear can be banished'

'from the hearts of all..'

Grandma?

I was listening to that.

Grandma, I was listening to the radio.

(man 2 on radio) 'You've just heard President Roosevelt'

'speaking from the floor of the senate.'

What happened?

I turned it off. That's what happened.

What did you do that for?

Man's got a good voice, I hear what he's saying.

I just don't like what he's saying.

He's going to keep on saying the same thing all night.

Frankly, ma, I think we've got a good President there.

Mm-hmm.

I don't know why you're so riled up for tonight.

Whole country's gonna be paupers

if he keeps giving our money away.

Ma..

Well, what sense does it make for a man whose worked hard

to raise a crop to have to turn under half of it

to get a few cents from the government?

I know it sounds strange, grandma, but it does work.

We've been studying it in school.

It's true, grandma. It's called the law of supply and demand.

- The less crops there are-- - The more money he gives away.

The more money.. What good is it?

If you ask me, we got a crazy man up there in the White House.

Grandma, President Roosevelt is the most wonderful president

this country's ever had.

Speak up. She can't hear you.

Oh, yeah.

He cares about people, Grandma.

And he's doing something to try and help this country.

May I ask why you're shouting at me, Mary Ellen?

[laughing]

Sorry, Grandma.

John, I'm going on up.

I've been on my feet since five this morning and I'm worn out.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight, Livvy.

I'll come along, Liv.

You kids don't be late now.

Esther?

I'm worried about Grandma.

Her hearing's been getting worse everyday

not to mention her temper.

She sure was feisty tonight.

But then this President's done something no one else

has done before.

What's that?

Put her in a box. Tie her string on. Put a label on it.

Who'd ever dare?

She's going to be 68 on Saturday.

That makes her eligible for social security.

Except the newspapers don't call it that.

They call it old age pension.

I don't blame her. I guess I'd resent it too.

No one's ever called her old before.

Now this President's gone ahead and made it official.

Esther, I'd like to talk to you real plain.

The whole world's gone crazy.

It's moving faster than a body can keep up with.

You're not listening to me.

Old woman, you've been of a mean temper lately.

Troubling everyone in the family.

Is something wrong?

Where'd it all go?

Where'd it all go so fast?

I don't even recognize myself.

I look so different.

But I feel the same inside.

There aren't any wrinkles on my mind or spirit.

[melancholic music]

Hello.

Hello. You scared me.

I'm-I'm sorry.

(male1) 'I just came down to do some fishing.'

You live around here?

About a mile up the road.

- Kevin Sturgis. - Mary Ellen Walton.

You don't live right here, do you?

Uh, no. I'm a student at the University of Virginia.

Oh, my brother just got accepted to Bogart University.

He's gonna be a writer.

I'm supposed to start med school.

Could you do me a favor?

Sure.

Let down your hair.

You're beautiful.

I wish I could paint you.

Just as you are now.

I wish I could be a painter.

My dad doesn't understand why a grown man

would want to be an artist.

But I sure do.

Are you a grown man?

I'm twenty. How old are you?

How old do you think?

Sixteen?

Seventeen?

That's close enough.

[romantic music]

I'm sorry. I'm not usually such a gorilla.

I have to go.

- Do you have a phone? - No.

I have some friends of mine meeting me here today.

And then I'll have to go back to school tomorrow night.

I sure would like to see you again before I leave.

Can I come by your house tomorrow?

Yeah. No.

Alright.

Goodbye.

Your house.

- Where is it? - Oh.

First one on the left up the road.

See you tomorrow, Mary Ellen.

Goodbye.

Uh, Livvy?

I'm gonna need your help to see that Esther gets to the doctor.

About her hearing?

Whatever it is just come over.

I found her doubled up over the sink this morning.

She claims it's just a dizzy spell, but..

Sure don't like the sound of that.

She's a stubborn old woman.

You know she hasn't been to see a doctor in over ten years?

I know. I'll see what I can do.

Ah, thank you, Liv.

- Grandpa? - Mm-hmm?

There's one thing I'd like to mention.

What's that?

I don't think you should call grandma old woman.

Oh, why not?

She'll be 68 on her birthday coming up this Saturday.

That's why not.

[children shouting]

Children! Now what is going on here?

Ben won't give Mary Ellen her handkerchief.

Where'd you get that?

I met a boy from the university this morning

and he gave it to me.

Looks very nice. Now who's the boy?

His name is Kevin Sturgis.

He was going fishing and we just met.

Mary Ellen's got a boyfriend.

If he goes to university he doesn't know how old you are.

Enough! Sit down and have your lunch.

A person doesn't get any privacy at all around this place.

- Well, that's for sure. - And where've you been?

Tending to some business, mama.

Yeah? Like what?

I went for a walk, Jason.

I wish I could go for a walk and never return.

You see Mary Ellen primping around with her hair

in front of the mirror. Ooh ooh.

- I hate you! - Mary Ellen, wait!

Ben, you creepy old collie.

Benjamin Walton, you want me to take a switch to you?

What did I do so bad?

You spied and you tattled for one thing.

Well, she always teases me?

You're going through so many stages

I don't know how to keep up.

You just watch your step, Ben Walton.

Mama, come quick!

Oh. Now what?

Shame, shame, you crazy old caddie..

Mama, Mary Ellen's locked the door and she won't let me in.

I'll see what I can do. Go have your lunch.

- Mary Ellen? - Go away.

'Mary Ellen, it's mama. Please open the door.'

- You wanna talk about it? - No.

They were kind of rough on you, weren't they?

[sighs]

- That's not it. - Honey, what's the matter?

He kissed me, mama.

Kevin Sturgis kissed me.

And he said I was beautiful.

[sighs]

[soft music]

The way I feel right now, mama.

Is this the way you feel when you're in love?

Probably part of it.

How'd you meet this boy, Mary Ellen?

While I was wading in the lake.

Just cooling off.

I turned around and there he was.

Tall, handsome.

The sun making his hair shine.

It was just like a movie.

Sounds like it.

And it all happened so fast

He thinks I'm lots older than I am.

And you didn't bother to correct the impression.

Oh, mama, I just couldn't.

When it was happening I wasn't 14.

Fourteen is just a kid.

Well, I don't really know how to explain it.

But lots of times lately I just don't feel like a kid.

I know.

Body's saying one thing and your motions and experiences

saying something else and they don't always talk together.

That's right. That's it exactly.

Well, some of the kids I've known all my life..

...Swain Carlson for instance..

...every time she sees a boy she starts acting silly.

All she ever talks about is marriage and kids and stuff.

Is that the way it's gonna be?

Well, I guess that depends on you.

Becoming a woman isn't a sentence for heaven's sakes.

It's a-it's a beginning of new possibilities.

'Love, marriage, children.'

'When the time is right and if that's what you want.'

But in any case, it's a natural cycle.

It's filled with joys and sorrows.

Responsibilities.

Like, keep a house and having kids and stuff, right?

No.

Like being one half of the adult human race.

- Mama, would you do me a favor? - I can.

Well..

Kevin said he wanted to see me before he went back to school.

And he said he'd stop by tomorrow.

Well, if he does could you please keep the children away?

Gonna tell him how old you are?

Yeah, I'll tell him.

But I want to see him alone..

...if he comes.

I'll see what I can do.

Come on down and have some lunch.

My first little girl feeling the pangs of romance so soon.

Well, I'd better start saving my money.

Time passes.

The father of the bride pays for the wedding.

Well, ain't that just like a man?

With John-Boy you talk about college

with Mary Ellen, it's automatically wedding.

Well, she's lucky.

And what if she decides not to get married at all?

She does have a choice you know?

You're starting to sound like those sulfur jets.

And you're starting to make me mad.

We've been married all these years.

You still don't know when you're being teased.

- Were you? - Uh-huh.

You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

No, I ought to feel good about myself

'cause of the choice you made.

I love you.

I better get back to work.

Those wedding dresses cost a lot of money.

[children clamoring]

Hey, Mary Ellen..

No, thank you, G.W.

What's the matter with you?

Nothing. Just feel like strolling.

Beautiful day, isn't it?

I'm kind of sweaty myself.

Oh, I think it's beautiful.

You can almost hear the flowers and the sun

talking to each other?

You can?

You want me to take your books or something?

If you like.

[instrumental music]

Grandpa?

Hi, Mary Ellen.

Have you been around here all day?

So far. Why?

A friend of mine said they would stop by.

I was just wondering if anyone had been here.

I haven't seen anyone new like.

- Okay, thanks, grandpa. - Mm-hmm

[slow music]

- It's beautiful. - And it's practical.

And it's cheap.

That's no reason to give grandma something she won't like.

- Who says she won't like it? - I just don't think she will.

Why won't she like something that she really needs?

Would you children please go someplace else to argue?

If you don't believe me ask Mary Ellen.

Oh, please, I'd like to be alone.

Mary Ellen, I'm sorry about yesterday.

That's okay, Ben.

(Ben) 'We need you to decide something.'

We all are pooling in on something for grandma.

We found something on Verne's cart.

It'll make her hear better and everything.

Yeah, and it only costs 35 cents.

It's beautiful, but Erin didn't like it.

See? An ear trumpet.

I think it's very nice.

(Ben) 'What'd I tell you, Erin?'

'Thanks a lot, Mary Ellen.'

[children chattering]

(Ben) 'Let's go downstairs.'

- Mary Ellen? - Yes?

Can I meet him?

- Meet who? - 'Your boyfriend.'

Erin..

First of all, he is not my boyfriend.

Second, I don't even know if he's coming by.

No, you can't meet him.

'Okay. That's okay.'

Just wanted to see if he looks like a movie star.

You read my diary?

Well, it was just lying there open.

I didn't think you'd mind.

You didn't think I'd mind if you read my innermost thoughts?

Well, we always share everything, don't we?

Well, if we do, it's not by my choice.

(Olivia) 'Grandma.'

Grandpa said he found you doubled over the sink.

'Were you in pain? Or was it a dizzy spell or what?'

Well, probably just a case of pure aggravation

at an old man making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Mom, I just have to take a room of my own.

I want some privacy.

Your mother and I were talking.

Now, what is it you want?

Oh, never mind, grandma. You wouldn't understand.

Well, I understand one thing.

And that is you're getting too big for your britches.

'If I-I spoke to my grandmother like that'

'I would've had my mouth washed out with soap.'

Grandma, when the children need correcting, I'll do it.

She's just a child!

(Olivia) 'Grandma.'

What is it around here lately?

Everybody's snapping at everybody else.

I know.

I'm sorry, mama, but I'll just go crazy

if I don't have a place to myself.

Can I have the old shed? Please?

I don't know, Mary Ellen.

John-Boy was studying in there today.

Yeah, but he can write on a tree.

He doesn't care.

Well, will you promise to fix it up and take care of it properly?

Will I?

You just watch me.

What do you think, John-Boy?

What're you doing?

Fixin' up my new room!

Come on and look.

Isn't it beautiful?

I told momma to come out and see.

Mama, what is Mary Ellen doing in my study?

I mean, she's moved in lock, stock and barrel.

- Your study? - Yeah.

Last night daddy gave it to me. He said it was mine.

Oh, I didn't know anything about those arrangements.

I didn't know anything either.

But you don't really mind, do you?

You have a room of your own. We knew you'd understand.

Oh, of course, John-Boy's the oldest.

And he always understands.

I mean, girls are girls.

You've got to be patient. You've got to understand.

Jim-Bob, he's just a little boy.

So you got to be patient.

'And Ben and Jason, they're in the middle.'

That's always difficult. So you've got to be patient.

But never worry about old John-Boy's feelings.

He's practically a man

and you don't have to understand him.

I'm tired of being so-so understanding

and so patient.

I'm tired of giving into everybody else.

And right now I'm gonna have things my way.

[dramatic music]

I thought I told you to take it easy, old woman.

You're not gonna make an invalid out of me, old man.

Esther.

Boys? John-Boy!

She come tearing outta the house like she usually does.

Grabbed hold of the screen door, swayed a little

then fell right on the ground.

She's a strong woman, pa.

She's gonna be alright.

It was only two or three steps.

By the time I got to her she was out.

Dr. Vance is with her, grandpa. He'll take care of everything.

John-Boy?

Come outside.

Really worried about grandma.

- I wish we knew what was wrong. - She's getting on, son.

We just have to wait and see what Dr. Vance has to say.

About the shed, John-Boy.

And you blowing up at Mary Ellen.

'You know, your mother and me got our wires crossed.'

You see, daddy.

It's just that someone around here always seems

to want something that I have.

Yeah, I know.

But Mary Ellen didn't know that I gave you the shed.

Look, daddy, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to blow up at her. That was wrong.

It's just that she was being so selfish at the time.

John-Boy, you remember how it was

when you first started to feel like a man?

Yeah, I think I know what you mean.

Well, Mary Ellen's had..

...some attention paid to by young man.

What's that got to do with the shed?

Well, now, don't be stubborn, son.

When a girl begins to feel like that

she seems to need a nest.

And Mary Ellen's made that shed into her nest.

Why can't she find another nest?

I did have first dibs on that shed.

That's right, you did.

You think about it, will you?

Yes, sir.

Alright.

- How is she? - Full of spit and vinegar.

Told me she keeled over from the heat

and I should mind my own business.

- You think it was the heat? - No.

I suspect some trouble in the inner ear.

I want her to see a doctor in Charlottesville

- If we can get her to go. - I'll get her to go.

Esther, you are without doubt the stubbornest woman

in the county.

I got a touch of light headedness from the heat.

That is all that is the matter with me.

Now stop bothering me.

I want you to get yourself dressed.

And come to Charlottesville with me to see the doctor.

I am not budging from this chair.

If you want me to go to.

You're gonna have to drag me there. Now leave me alone.

[door slamming]

Hey, grandpa.

Don't speak to me while, I fit to be tired.

I'm trying to walk it off.

'What's the matter? Is it grandma?'

Oh, yes.

You know, she says she won't go to the doctor

unless I drag her there.

Well, then drag her there. She's gotta go.

Heck.

[sighs]

[laughing]

This is mighty pretty spotted.

It sure is.

Always remember the first time I found this pond.

Wasn't any road on here then.

And I was out walking with a girl.

I ever tell you about that girl?

Mm-mm.

I was a raw bone, green behind the ears

country boy.

She was a pretty little thing with long brown curls.

Everyone around here called her, Sissy.

I never have..

...before or since that summer.

Felt the way I did about a girl.

She was so young.

So full of dreams.

You know, in a way, she was considerably

the way Mary Ellen is right now.

Ha-ha.

That Sissy, she wasn't like the other girls.

She wasn't even thinking of settling down.

She was real handy with a needle.

And it was her aim to go over to Richmond

and start up a dress shop of her own.

Only 18 years of age and already thinking that way.

Yes, siree.

There's something real special about that Sissy.

Smart as a whip.

Pretty as a picture.

And she could hold her own with any man.

In a way I feel real sorry..

...whenever I think of Sissy.

'Cause none of her dreams ever amounted to much.

What happened to her?

I married her.

[pleasant music]

[bells chiming]

- Hey, Ike. - Hey, John-Boy.

- How are you? - What can I do for you?

I'd like a birthday present for grandma's birthday tomorrow.

Under 50 cents if you can manage that.

I reckon we can find something.

I hope so.

Hey, how about this for grandma?

That'll be good for her curiosity shelf, huh?

- Wow! - It's pure China.

That's a mighty, pretty little figure but..

How much for it?

Let's see.

It's marked at 50 cents.

For you, 75.

No, 35 cents.

Oh, wow! Yeah, well, I'll take that.

- Thank you. - I'll wrap it up.

Thank you.

- Oh. - Oh, no, John-boy.

You don't get those. I grew those myself.

And they are not for sale.

You know, it took me two seasons to grow those.

I cultivated them. Nurtured them.

'Until they came to be the beauties they are.'

Those are most beautiful flowers I've have ever seen.

It's just pure pleasure just to stand here and look at them.

Mm.

Of course.

If you did plan on selling them.

I don't suppose they'd go for any 15 cents would they?

[laughing]

Fifteen cents?

'No, John-Boy.'

Not even for you. Not 15 cents.

No. Ha-ha.

[pleasant music]

Now, how did I let him talk me into that?

[music continues]

Grandma gonna be up for dinner, mama?

The doctor wants her to stay in bed.

Oh, Mary Ellen, will you take these to your grandma?

Thank you.

In my day, people knocked.

I'm sorry, grandma, but I had my hands full.

Mama asked me to bring you this tray.

I never had a meal in my life and I don't intend to start now.

- But grandma the doctor said-- - The doctor said what?

That I was too old and too feeble

to come to the table like everyone else.

- But no grandma-- - You think so too?

Let me tell you something, young lady.

I cleared the ground this house stands on.

Side by side with my husband.

I planted crops with him.

I bore three children and never missed a day's work.

I milked cows, I did all the meals.

I even took care of the chickens.

And now just because I've had a dizzy spell

they wanna put me out to pasture?

Well, you tell them, they can give their

old age pension to somebody else.

Because I don't need it.

Please, take that tray outta here.

Grandma?

Grandma?

What?

Well, today, before I came home.

Was anyone around, asking for me?

Yes, around noon time. There was a young man here.

What did you tell him?

I told him, you were in school with the other children.

With the other child..

He was here mom, and now he's never gonna come back.

Hey, girl! Where you going like that?

Oh, you wouldn't understand. Nobody could understand.

[soft music]

Well, try me.

Someone thought I was beautiful.

Someone, just once, took me seriously as a woman.

And now he's found out, I'm just a grade school child.

And he's gonna feel like a fool. And I feel like a fool.

- Well, you shouldn't. - Why not?

Mary Ellen.

These are for you.

They're beautiful.

Why?

I don't know.

Just...sometimes a man has to give flowers to a woman.

Even if it's own sister.

Oh, John-Boy.

Shh.

[pleasant music]

You know.

You-you can have the shed.

'If you want the shed'

''cause I really study much better in my own room.'

'So if you want it, you can have it. Okay?'

Okay.

[music continues]

- Morning daddy, John-boy. - Morning, honey.

What are you gonna do? A little farming?

Oh, I thought, I'd plant a few roses outside my room.

See ya.

That was a nice thing you did for your sister yesterday, son.

Well, daddy, I may not always like it.

But like it or not, I am the oldest I guess.

I think we had you first.

Stubborn, my foot. Look who's callin' the kettle black.

You're stubborn. You're stubborn.

Well, I've convinced her.

We are going to Charlottesville to see the doctor.

And we'll be back in plenty of time for your party.

Well, I am feeling just fine today.

Today is your birthday.

Yeah, and you're using it to get your own way.

I told her there is an old Chinese custom

that you're suppose to give a gift to the other fellow

on your birthday.

Your gift to me is to go to Charlottesville

to see the doctor because I am tired

of picking you up off the ground.

Makes good sense to me.

We'll be back in time for supper.

Chinese custom, my foot.

Well, the Arabs have a custom of five or six wives

would you like try that one?

No, I've trouble enough with the one I've got.

Mama?

Why do grandpa and grandma always act like

they are mad at each other when they're not?

Some people have different ways of showing their love.

- Hi, Mary Ellen. - Hi, G.W.

Whatcha doing?

Planting flowers outside my room.

What room?

This is my very own private apartment.

Looks like an old shed to me.

Not inside, it doesn't Come on, I'll show you.

Of course, it needs some fixing up.

I gotta paint this old closet and get the doors on it fixed.

Where did you get those?

Oh, you mean those flowers?

Somebody die or something?

G.W. it just so happens those were presents from an admirer.

What kind of admirer?

What kind do you think, silly? A man, of course.

A man? Who?

Oh, women don't talk about presents they get

from one man to another.

Bet your daddy don't know you're getting presents.

'Who are from, Mary Ellen? I wanna know.'

G.W. Haines, I do believe you're jealous.

I don't know if I am or not.

Never had a girlfriend before.

Am I your girlfriend?

I dunno. I told you. I never had one before.

G.W.

Do you suppose you could fix the hinges

on this old closet for me?

Of course, I could.

Oh, good.

Can I help with the cakes?

No, Elizabeth. You'll get your fingers burnt.

Can I help spread the icing?

Not right now. You gotta wait till the cake's cool.

(Mary Ellen) 'This one's done.'

(Erin) 'Okay.'

Can I draw on the card?

No, you'll mess it all up.

Can I do anything?

Yes, Elizabeth, you can lick out the bowl

when we are done icing the cake.

Thanks, Mary Ellen.

There we go.

"To our dear grandmother.

"May your joys be as deep as the ocean.

"And your troubles as light as the clouds.

Elizabeth, Ben, Jim-Bob and Mary Ellen."

[talking indistinctly]

It'll go great with the gift.

- What are you gonna give her? - It's a secret.

It's a good secret.

Maybe.

I made grandma something that she'll really like.

- What is it? - What does it look like?

Never saw anything like that before.

It's a muffler.

Oh, that's a muffler alright?

How is that supposed to fit?

[all laughing]

I thought, I was doing it right, mama.

Don't you worry, Erin. The color is just beautiful.

And it's exactly the right size for a..

For grandma to wear over her knees

when she is listening to the radio at night.

First time I ever heard of a knee muffler.

(Erin) 'There are such things, aren't there, mama?

(Olivia) 'Absolutely. They're the latest rage in Europe.'

This sounds like a happy group.

- Is grandma back yet? - Not yet, John.

What's everybody laughing at?

They are laughing at the birthday present

I made for grandma.

Well, now. That's nothing to laugh about.

That's beautiful, honey.

That's very original too.

I don't believe I've ever seen a..

knitted dish towel before?

[all laughing]

[footsteps approaching]

- Here they come, mama. - Here they come.

Children!

Your grandma's here. Children!

(all) 'Happy birthday!'

[mouth organ playing]

[indistinct chattering]

Happy birthday.

Grandpa, is something wrong?

What's the matter, pa?

The doctor says

that this old sweetheart of mine

is going to be around for another 20 years.

[cheering]

Now stop it.

She is as fit as a fiddle.

The doctor examined her from head to toe.

Of course, he had to do it under the sheets.

[laughing]

You should have heard the carryings-on.

(male #1) 'What was it?'

(Zebulon) 'It was viral ear infection, just like Doc Vance said.'

And nobody's gonna have to yell anymore.

'Cause I got some medicine to fix up my hearing.

(Zebulon) 'That was her best birthday present.'

Here's your other one.

Open it up.

'Only wish it was solid gold.'

'Found it in a dress shop in Charlottesville.'

'Thought maybe you'd like it.'

See, I remember, Sissy.

Sissy.

Zeb, you old fool.

(John) 'Now if everyone's giving presents we might as well.'

[indistinct chatter]

Ben, Jim-Bob, Elizabeth. Can I see you for a minute?

What do you want, Mary Ellen?

I've done something really awful.

You asked me for my advice and I wasn't listening.

What I'm trying to say is we can't give grandma

the ear trumpet, especially not now.

I know what you mean. With her hearing coming back and all.

Well, that and besides she doesn't seem old anymore.

- You know what I mean? - No, she's still old.

Real old.

Besides, it's the only thing we can give her.

Well, leave that to me.

I made you something for your curiosity shelf too, grandma.

Oh, Jason. You carved that all by yourself?

Yes, ma'am. I know how much you love to feed the chickens.

So I thought we should get a cackle outta it.

Well, they're both beautiful.

Open mine now, grandma.

Alright.

Why Erin, this is just fine.

Oh, it's a beautiful thing.

- It's lovely. - What is it?

Why, Zeb, surely you know what this is.

Anybody can tell what it is.

It's a beautiful..

..a pillow case?

'I know, but I'm not going to tell anybody.'

Happy birthday.

Happy birthday, grandma.

Oh!

"To our dear grandma.

"May your joys be as deep as the ocean.

"And your troubles and light as the clouds.

"Elizabeth, Ben, Jim-Bob and Mary Ellen."

Oh, that's lovely.

John-Boy, you wrote that, didn't you?

Oh, my. I really dreaded this day.

Turning another year older.

And you all of my very dear family.

Turned it into the happiest birthday of my life.

So far.

[children chattering]

John-Boy, how would you like to get your office back?

What happened?

Well, I decided I'm not ready for privacy.

I didn't sleep a wink last night.

I've never been so lonely in my life.

- Well, if you-- - Thanks!

Here.

For me? Aww, thank you, G.W.

What's the occasion?

Well, what are you doing here, John-Boy?

Where's Mary Ellen?

Here I am, G.W. You're it.

Imma get you, Mary Ellen.

[laughing]

Isn't there an old saying

that the more things change, the more they're the same?

I believe so, yeah.

Oh, Livvy, I can't tell you how good it feels

to feel good again.

There is only one thing troubling me now.

What's that grandma?

What is this anyway?

[laughing]

(male narrator) Mary Ellen's new found maturity was with her one day.

Then gone the next.

In time it was to come to stay.

Today she lives in Richmond, Virginia.

The wife of a professor

at Virginia Commonwealth University.

And the mother of two sons.

We see each other when we can.

And our talk is after return to those days

during the depression.

Which these many years later

still seemed filled with wonder.

(Ben) 'John-Boy?'

(John-Boy) 'Yes, Ben?'

(Ben) 'Does the world go around the sun'

'or does the sun go around the world?'

(John-Boy) 'I believe the earth circles the sun, Ben.'

(female #1) 'I wish you'd stop talking about things that go around.'

'You're keeping me awake.'

(female #2) 'I can't sleep either. Just lying here tossing and turning.'

(Jim-Bob) 'Let's go downstairs and have some cocoa.'

(Elizabeth) 'That's a good idea, Jim-Bob.'

(Ben) 'Can we, mama?'

(Olivia) 'Would I be crazy if I said yes?'

(John) 'You would go ahead anyway.'

(Olivia) 'Alright, but don't dirty the kitchen.'

(all) 'Yay!'

(John) 'You know, cocoa's not a bad idea.'

'Want some?'

(Olivia) 'Why not?'

[theme music]