Original subtitles

Since you're so good at making predictions, Mrs. Brimmer,

what do you see in there for me? Besides a baby.

Is something wrong?

It just didn't work, Mary Ellen.

Besides, it's just a silly game.

Let's help Miss Mamie and Miss Emily tidy up.

(ALL CHATTERING)

-You don't need to do that. -Of course we do!

JOHN-BOY: There came a time when everyone

on Walton's Mountain waslooking forward to

a very special event, a blessed one:

the birth of my sister Mary Ellen's baby.

All the neighbors shared our anticipation as it approached,

and only the mother-to-be seemed unconcerned

that a new generation of Waltons was about to begin.

JASON: Oh, no!

Ten, and eleven...

Twelve yards exactly.

You know, this is the very best quality flannel.

Nothing's too good for my first grandchild.

I can take care of that if you want to wait on Cassie.

Is there something you'd like, dear?

A bottle of grape pop.

Grape pop.

-How you feeling, Cassie? -Fine.

When are you due?

I don't know.

Grape pop.

Thank you.

ELIZABETH: Throw it to me, Mary Ellen!

(CHILDREN CHATTERING)

Don't you think she's a little too enceinte

for such strenuous activity?

-Hi, Cassie. -Hi, Mary Ellen.

She's eight months along and never felt better.

I'm concerned about the infant.

I don't know. Maybe it will grow up to be a good shortstop.

Mary Ellen was.

Well, in that case, let us hope the child is male.

ELIZABETH: They're gonna beat up on us now!

JASON: We have before!

-Hi, Corabeth, Mama. -Mary Ellen.

Well, well. Times have certainly changed.

In my day, a young lady was expected to retire

from the public view when she was...

When she became...

You mean just because she was pregnant?

I'll wrap your flannel.

I do think you ought to be more careful.

Why? Curt says it won't hurt me,

and it sure beats sitting around waiting.

There isn't much a mother can say

to a pregnant daughter whose husband is a doctor.

Want to ride home with me?

Elizabeth made some peanut butter cookies.

I better not. Curt doesn't want me to gain any more weight.

Guess you better do as he says.

Thank you, Corabeth.

-Bye-bye. -Bye-bye.

Ike?

-Hi, Mary Ellen. -Can you mail these for me?

And here's the money for the syrups.

-Curt's sending out a few bills. -Yeah.

-Oh, look who's here. -Oh, hello!

Why, Mary Ellen, you are the picture of health!

The Madonna of Walton's Mountain!

Everybody is so anxious for the little stranger to arrive.

Oh, not nearly as anxious as I am.

I suppose you have a name all picked out?

Not yet. Every time Curt and I start to talk about names,

we get into a fight.

A dill pickle?

No thanks, Ike. That's the one thing I haven't been hungry for.

I'll see you all later.

Curt has the afternoon off. We're going fishing.

Oh!

They say the bass are biting something fierce

up along the Rockfish River!

-Bye-bye! -ALL: Bye-bye!

Now, what can I do for you lovely ladies?

-Oh! -Mamie?

Would you fill this order for us, Mr. Godsey?

Well, I'll certainly try.

Let's see. "Crepe paper, invitations..."

-You're having a party. -Indeed we are.

BOTH: A baby shower.

-For Mary Ellen. -Well!

We want you to be sure and come, Corabeth.

Do I get an invitation?

There are some places where a gentleman is not welcome.

One of them is at a party for a lady waiting for the stork.

I'll fill out this order.

Go cancel your letters!

Have you thought about what you would use as a centerpiece?

I think a stork would be lovely.

A stuffed stork,

with a bundle of gifts in his beak.

May I make a suggestion?

-Please do. -Certainly.

Come right this way.

Oh, my! But opening an umbrella

in the house is bad luck, isn't it?

Oh, surely not under these circumstances.

Sister, the umbrella would be for the shower.

Oh.

Oh! Why that's even more appropriate than the stork!

There's World Series pools, football pools, election pools,

why not a baby pool?

It still sounds like gambling to me, Ben.

What do you have to do?

Everyone puts in a quarter and guesses

the date and the time and the closest one wins.

I figure we'll get $2 if everyone puts in.

Is Mary Ellen going to be in this here pool?

No, sir. She'd probably fix it so she'd win.

Ben, Mary Ellen doesn't know

when the baby's coming any more than we do.

She'll probably get inside information from Curt.

Jim-Bob!

Well, I'm gonna make a sign-up list,

anyone can get in. Write down when you think it'll be born.

What is this "it"?

The baby is going to be a girl,

and she will have the name

Esther Elizabeth Willard.

Oh, that's a real sweet name, Elizabeth,

and your Grandma Esther would be highly pleased.

But the fact is, the firstborn in the Waltons

is always a boy,

and he naturally will be called Zebulon John,

after his great-grandfather and his grandfather,

the little fellow,

which information I am about to convey to Uncle John-Boy

so he won't be too surprised about his first little nephew.

Tell him to make a prediction and send me a quarter.

All you talk about is the baby.

Isn't anybody worried about Mary Ellen?

Oh, don't you worry about Mary Ellen.

It's the healthiest time of her life.

She is as strong as an ox.

Yes. Will she get her figure back after all this is over?

Right now she looks awful.

I'm worried about Reckless.

She's been kind of droopy lately.

Oh, she's just fat and lazy.

Won't even chase ground squirrels anymore.

What do you know about dogs, anyway?

How's it look? I think I got the collar a little nicer.

You sure did. I couldn't do better myself.

It's just like having a French maid in the house.

-I just thought of something. -What?

-You're going to be a grandpa. -(LAUGHS) That's right!

(PORCH DOOR CLOSES)

You going to start acting like a grandpa?

Why should I? I don't feel any different. Do you?

I am a little young to be a grandmother.

Come to think of it, I'm a little young

to be married to a grandmother!

Jason, so early?

-Jason, you look awful! -What happened, Son?

We had a fire at the Dew Drop Inn.

-Are you alright? -Yeah, I'm fine.

The kitchen at the Dew Drop is a real mess. It was a grease fire.

It spread all over. A bunch of us put it out.

Anybody get hurt?

No, but they are gonna have to close the place down

for two or three weeks for repairs, so I'm out of a job.

-Can I get you something? -I just want to get cleaned up.

I don't know how I'm gonna finish paying

for my tuition at school.

I hope the next job he gets is someplace

where they don't serve liquor.

It wasn't the liquor that caught fire, it was the kitchen grease.

Well, the cook was probably drunk!

JIM-BOB: What do you think, Yancy?

Oh, don't rush me, now, Jim-Bob.

I wouldn't want to say that Reckless here

has got the distemper

when all she's really got is the swamp fever.

That bad, huh?

Yeah, I'd say her condition is

very delicate.

What do you think I should do?

Just relax until the puppies come.

-You're kidding! -No.

Congratulations, James Robert.

Reckless is pregnant, and a fine dog.

Pups from a good hunting dog will fetch a fair price.

She sure doesn't show it.

If I sold those pups, I could get a tire for my car.

Sure. I wonder who the papa is.

Beats me.

I thought we had her locked up

when she came in season a couple months ago.

I remember now, Jim-Bob.

I was doing some work for your daddy about that time.

Why, me and old Tiger was over at your place regular.

Tiger?

Were you nosing around that Walton barn?

Did you see the tail? It's him!

It's Tiger! Tiger's the papa! You old devil!

(LAUGHS)

You sure, Yancy? He doesn't have much spunk.

Spunk? Tiger?

Old Tiger, he ain't no fighter, he's a lover!

Tiger-boy!

And you know, as owner of the sire,

I'm rightly entitled to the pick of the litter.

Okay, Yancy, pick of the litter.

Reckless, let's go home and tell everybody the good news.

Take it easy, Yancy!

You take good care of her now, Jim-Bob!

Well, Tiger,

I'm beginning to believe you are the one!

I've never seen you act this way!

-Hi, Ben! -Hey, Ike.

How many gallons can I give you?

-Two inches should do it. -Two what?

(CHUCKLES) The gauge is broken.

-How about a dollar's worth? -Oh! Okay.

We're lucky to have all the gas we want in the United States.

I understand over in England there's a big shortage.

I reckon the price will go up because of the war, too.

That's what I was getting to. The price has already gone up,

and I got to pass it on to you.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I'm also sorry to say I only have 75 cents.

But I'll tell you what, I'll let you in on

this baby pool I started for Mary Ellen.

Everyone puts in a quarter and the winner takes all.

Hey!

This sounds pretty good.

I can keep this under the counter

and then I can sell it to my customers when they come in.

Yeah, sweeten the pot. That sounds great!

There's just one thing.

Mary Ellen doesn't know about it.

Oh. Well, I'll tell you what. I won't tell Mary Ellen

(WHISPERING) if you don't tell Corabeth

that I got a punchboard under the counter.

It's a deal!

-Here you go, Ike. -Okay, Ben.

Bye.

Mary Ellen, I wish you wouldn't do that.

Oh, Curt keeps after me all the time to keep active.

Watch it Mary Ellen.

You're going to bend my great-grandboy out of shape.

"Shape" is not my favorite word at the moment, Grandpa.

I looked in the mirror this morning. I'm shaped like a pear!

I'll do that. Curt may have told you to keep active,

but you don't have to act like a truck driver.

I wish you'd all stop worrying. I'm strong as a horse.

But the baby isn't. You want to exercise, you take a walk.

Ah! Something smells good.

OLIVIA: Hi, Curt. MARY ELLEN: Hi, honey!

How are all the Kohler kids?

Big faces. Mumps all around.

Come on, Mary Ellen, have a carrot,

it's good for what ails you.

I'd much rather have some of Mama's fresh bread.

I could eat a whole loaf.

Just so you won't be tempted, how about one slice?

Whoa. Whoa.

Oh, come on, Curt. I'm eating for two now.

No bread. You're getting fat as a pig.

-Nothing against your baking. -Thank you, Doctor.

You're a hard man, Magee! Mary Ellen.

(CLICKS TONGUE)

Once this baby gets here, if it ever does,

I'm going to eat everything in sight.

Whole loaves of bread. Big chunks of it.

You get bigger, Dr. Alexander is going to charge me double.

You said he wasn't charging you anything.

It really doesn't matter, 'cause I'm not going to him.

Here she goes again.

A Walton baby should be born on Walton's Mountain.

GRANDPA: Amen to that!

This is a Willard child.

It's just as much a Walton as it is a Willard!

If we were stuck out on some prairie

and we couldn't get into town, it would be different.

But Charlottesville and Dr. Alexander

are only 28 miles away, and that's where you're going.

He's right. You listen to him.

Never smells right to me.

-What's that? -Hospitals. They got that...

That smell.

It's disinfectant. It means it's sterile.

Good. Babies can catch all kinds of germs.

You take the safe way, Mary Ellen.

Mama, you had all your babies, except for Jim-Bob, at home.

And besides, we can be just as sterile as they can.

We cannot!

I want my baby's first breath to be good, clean mountain air!

That's right, Mary Ellen.

It sure worked for me that time I thought I was dying.

That's before you came here, Curt.

They put me in a tent right out there,

and it was the good clean mountain air that recovered me.

Zeb, if you're dying, no kind of air is going to revive you.

It did for me, and it wasn't in any old hospital, either.

If you went to the hospital you'd have gotten well sooner.

When I was over in the hospital, half-dead with the pneumonia,

could have used some sleep, they kept waking me

-and giving me those pills. -Got you well, didn't it?

What got me well was wanting to get home!

My baby is going...

OLIVIA: John, that's foolish talk.

No, Livie. They treat you like a string of sausages.

You remember that time I dug up a wild azalea

for Esther in the hospital? They threw me right out.

That's not why. You were disturbing the peace.

I going to have my baby...

He was letting Ma know he was thinking about her.

They got their reasons for what they do.

Mary Ellen, you take my advice

and have my great-grandson right here on the Mountain.

I intend to, Grandpa.

-It's my baby. -You're wrong.

It's our baby, and I'm your doctor,

and you're gonna have it in the hospital.

-OLIVIA: Good for you. -I was born on the Mountain.

My grandfather was born on the Mountain.

(ALL CHATTERING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

Can I help you?

I gotta have a doctor.

Dr. Willard isn't here right now. Can I help you?

It's not me. It's Cassie, my granddaughter. Her time's come.

Bring her in. I'll take a look at her.

It's too rough a trip. I had to leave her.

But she needs help bad.

Miss Fanny, this is Mary Ellen. Has Curt called in yet?

Hold on. Doctor's over in Westham making calls.

-Can't get a hold of him. -This won't wait.

When Curt calls in tell him I'm over at the Hineman place.

I know it's late.

I know there's a storm coming, and I know about my condition.

Just tell Curt to get there as soon as he can.

Ab's granddaughter is having her baby.

Bye-bye.

I need to get a few supplies.

Bring the lamp.

Cassie? Cassie, we got here as soon as we could.

CASSIE: You're too late. My baby's come.

Grandpa? I got me a pretty little girl.

She's so good, she don't even cry.

I'm afraid she never is going to cry, Cassie.

Your baby is stillborn.

No! No, give her back. She's only sleeping.

MARY ELLEN: No, she isn't sleeping.

You got to understand.

I want my baby!

Cassie, listen to me.

She was too tiny ever to live. She just came too soon.

I was going to call her Melinda.

Wouldn't that have been a pretty name?

It's for the best, I suppose.

Mary Ellen, you'd better get out of here.

Not till I've checked you over.

I saw a dead bird yesterday.

It was lying on the windowsill,

and he had his eyes open. I looked right into them,

and they was all yellow and dead.

It's an omen.

Today my baby's dead.

You better get out of here.

I don't see what a dead bird has to do with anything.

Dead bird, dead baby...

You looked into the face of my sweet dead child.

That don't make you scared?

Of course not. That's superstition, Cassie.

My little brother,

why, he only lived about half a day,

and Mama always said it was on account of

she found a dead cat out by the well

the day before he was born.

You better go.

Not until I'm sure that you're alright.

"Look upon the face of death,

never feel your baby's breath."

Cassie, stop it!

Mama taught me that a long time ago,

and now Grandpa's going out to bury my dead baby.

You want your baby to be here for that?

"Look upon the face of death,

and never feel your baby's breath."

Cassie, stop it.

(RHYTHMICALLY) "Look upon the face of death,

"never feel your baby's breath.

"Look upon the face of death,

"never feel your baby's breath.

"Look upon the face of death,

never feel your baby's breath."

Ab! Ab!

(GASPS)

(ELECTRICITY BUZZING)

My God!

(LIGHTNING CRASHES)

(SCREAMING)

(MARY ELLEN SCREAMING HYSTERICALLY)

CURT: It's okay. It's okay. It's alright.

It's alright now. Everything's okay.

Well, thank God, everything seems to be okay.

Boy, I'm gonna tell you,

that was really a dumb thing to do! You know that?

Going up that mountain in that old truck?

You could've lost the baby.

Well, what was I supposed to do?

Call a doctor!

I didn't know where you were!

There's other doctors! There's James over in Scottsville,

there's Clark in Westham.

If only I could have gotten there sooner.

-I could have done something. -No.

No, nobody could've saved that baby.

You've got to stop blaming yourself.

But I shouldn't have run out on her.

I don't know how I let all those wild stories frighten me.

It wasn't your fault, Mary Ellen.

Cassie just kept repeating this verse over and over.

It was like a spell.

And then I saw all those wild lights,

and all I could think about was Cassie's talk about omens.

No, listen.

It takes more than Cassie's rantings

to conjure up St. Elmo's fire.

It's like static electricity.

Pilots see it on the wings of airplanes.

Sailors see it on ships.

You have a logical explanation for everything, don't you?

That's right.

I'm going to get you some warm milk,

and then I'm going to put you to bed.

A little more work, you won't even know

this was blistered in a fire.

Looks just like it did the day John-Boy made it for me.

Mary Ellen suspect anything?

Hope not.

Wonder if she'll think it's too old-fashioned.

(CHUCKLES) She's not very sentimental.

It's about time there was a baby in that cradle.

ERIN: Mama! Daddy! Will you come up here, please?

(RECKLESS WHIMPERING)

Will you look at that?

Dog hair is all over my bed!

I thought Jim-Bob fixed a place in his room. Come on.

Well, she probably likes my bed better!

Pregnant dog, pregnant sister!

Well, you sure won't find me in that condition!

(RECKLESS WHIMPERING)

-I'm glad to hear that. -I mean ever!

I've seen what Mary Ellen has been through.

Morning sickness, swollen ankles,

and now she waddles around like a fat old duck!

Well, no, thank you! That's not for me!

You forget that part of it fast.

There were times when I was carrying John-Boy

I vowed he'd be an only child, and look what happened.

When you hold that new baby in your arms,

it suddenly all seems worth it.

JASON: Mama! Daddy! Where is everybody?

What now?

(SCATTING SOFTLY)

-What's all this about? -Got me a new job.

Well, good! I hope it's not dancing.

Nope. The Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville.

I'm playing in the orchestra. They got this show

that comes on between the movies,

and it pays more than I ever got before.

-Sounds pretty snazzy! -Yep. I'm just filling in.

The regular piano player's gone to Chicago.

Good, I hope he stays there.

Then you won't have to go back to that roadhouse.

-What kind of a show is this? -Vaudeville.

JASON: There's not much room in here.

Don't knock it, kid.

Be thankful we don't have a trombone player.

I thought we were gonna get a chance to rehearse.

MAN: You can read, can't you?

One, two, three, four.

(BAND PLAYING LIVELY MUSIC)

(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)

Yowsah, yowsah, yowsah!

Hey!

Welcome one and all to the Magnolia Blossom Theater!

And now, here's that little lady you all came to see,

Miss Honeysuckle Rose!

Let's make her feel at home! Miss Honeysuckle Rose!

(BAND PLAYING RAUNCHY MUSIC)

(AUDIENCE CHEERING)

(MEN WHISTLING)

(WOMEN CHATTERING)

MARY ELLEN: Mama! Mama.

Now, close your eyes, Mary Ellen.

And don't you peek! We want this to be a surprise.

-MISS EMILY: Ready, Sister? -Ready!

MISS EMILY: Here I come!

MISS MAMIE: Not yet, Mary Ellen, not yet!

Mary Ellen, we're going to count to three,

and then you can open your eyes.

-One, two, three! -One, two, three!

Oh, it's beautiful!

-Oh, thank you. -Oh, you're welcome!

-Do you like it? -I love it. It's just beautiful.

-Mom, isn't it beautiful? -It's just lovely, Mary Ellen.

-You like it? -Oh, I love it!

FLOSSIE: Ah, Elizabeth. I see a restless night ahead for you,

and perhaps some bad dreams.

Not about a Ferris wheel, I hope?

No. No, I see a huge cake

like the delicious one we just had,

and you are having to eat every bit of it!

I am kind of full.

That's because you had three pieces!

That's what I mean.

Anyway, Miss Emily, the best way to predict the future

is to keep your eyes open in the present.

I do wish you'd look for some sign of Ashley Longworth.

I hardly think you'll find Ashley in a tea cup.

As I recall, he preferred the Recipe.

Flossie, you underestimate your occult powers.

The last time you read the tea leaves for me,

you said that Ike and I would take a trip

and come back with a new member of the family.

We all knew about that, Corabeth.

But you were the only one who said

it would be a young lady we would bring back.

-And we did. -Corabeth is absolutely right.

Flossie Brimmer has the gift.

She predicted the flood back in '34.

Now, Maude! It was raining extra hard.

And the first time I was on my death bed

Flossie made me some tea,

looked into the cup, and told me I'd live to a ripe old age.

And here I am!

Well, since you're so good at making predictions,

what do you see in there for me?

Besides a baby.

Mary Ellen, you know there's nothing to these superstitions.

I'm surprised you'd ask.

Oh, it's just for fun, Mama.

I'm beginning to feel like some kind of gypsy.

Well? Is something wrong?

It just didn't work out, Mary Ellen.

Besides, it's just a silly game.

Let's help Miss Mamie and Miss Emily tidy up.

-You ladies need not do that! -Oh, of course we do!

(ALL CHATTERING)

(MOANING SOFTLY)

CASSIE: "Look upon the face of death,

"never feel your baby's breath.

"Look upon the face of death,

"never feel your baby's breath.

"Look upon the face of death,

"never feel your baby's breath.

(GROANING)

-Look upon the face of death.. -No!

Mary Ellen.

-No... -Take it easy.

Okay.

You were dreaming.

It was Cassie.

She was staring in the baby's bassinet,

and she kept repeating that verse over.

Gosh, I thought you'd forgotten all about that.

I thought I saw her tonight,

looking in the window at the Baldwins'.

Are you kidding?

Cassie would hardly walk down out of the hills at night

just to spy on a bunch of ladies at a baby shower.

You okay?

Okay.

(SIGHS)

Mrs. Brimmer saw something in my tea cup.

Swimming or floating?

She was telling fortunes by reading tea leaves.

When she got to mine, she acted sort of strange

and she wouldn't tell me what she saw.

You're just determined to buy trouble, aren't you?

You're right. It's all in my mind.

It's your imagination.

Now, try to sleep.

(WHISPERING) Okay.

Curt?

Mmm?

Everything's alright with the baby, isn't it?

You're not keeping anything from me?

That baby's got only one problem.

Getting enough sleep, just like his old man.

Now go to sleep!

(GIGGLING)

You're a rotten person, you know?

Yeah, I know that!

Go to sleep. Goodnight.

Goodnight.

It's beautiful, Mary Ellen.

It is nice, isn't it?

What's bothering you?

(SIGHS)

It just all seems too perfect.

I just feel like something's got to go wrong.

The last weeks are always the hardest.

All sorts of little fears start nagging at you.

I'll just be glad when I see my baby and know it's alright.

Even after you've counted all the toes and fingers,

you still worry. It goes with being a mother.

You know how people used to believe

that a baby could be marked by something

that frightened the mother?

I remember when I was expecting,

I went upstairs to the attic to get some baby clothes,

and I reached into the trunk, and the biggest spider

I ever saw started crawling up my arm! Scared me half to death.

But my baby was born perfect.

Which one of us was it?

You.

Howdy, Ab.

Doc Willard.

Been trying to catch up with you for over a week now.

Kind of late to do us any good.

-How's Cassie doing? -Well enough, considering.

I'd like to see her if I may.

She does as she pleases these days.

What got her into trouble.

You know where she is?

She might be down at the old cabin

where she lived before her folks died.

Okay. Thanks, Ab.

Cassie?

Cassie.

Cassie? How are you?

You better not be worrying about how I am.

You better be worrying about Mary Ellen.

Oh, well, Mary Ellen is just fine.

But you've had a very hard time.

My baby girl was born dead.

Grandpa buried her next to Ma and Pa.

I go and sit with her every day.

That must be a comfort to you.

Mary Ellen looked right into her sweet, sleeping little face.

Well, Mary Ellen is a nurse.

She's seen death lots of times.

Nothing's gonna save your baby.

It always happens.

It happened with my little brother,

just like it happened with Melinda.

Oh, Cassie, that's just superstition.

Now, those things happened by accident.

I don't want you thinking that something you did

had anything to do with your baby's dying.

She was just born too soon.

I wish I'd told Mary Ellen to walk backwards

when she left that time.

That might have broke the spell.

Cassie,

I'm going to have your grandpa bring you in

to my office to see me.

I want to make sure you're okay.

(HUMMING)

AIMEE: I hear a heartbeat!

It's the baby!

She moved!

Golly, we must have woke her up!

She doesn't spend much time sleeping these days.

I think she's going to be a dancer.

She can take lessons from Mama when she gets older.

You two are good company for a fat lady,

but I've got work to do.

Okay, Mary Ellen, see you later.

See you later, Esther Elizabeth.

Bye-bye.

Miss Fanny? This is Mary Ellen.

Could you get a hold of Curt for me, please?

I think he's over at the Campbells'.

I do wish that Mary Ellen would use some discretion

in what she exposes these little girls to.

There seems to be almost nothing Aimee doesn't know.

It's not what children know that's likely to hurt them.

More often it's what they don't know.

(PHONE RINGING)

I'll get it.

I happen to believe that little girls have very delicate minds.

I am most selective in what I tell Aimee regarding

biological matters.

I've always wanted my children to have

all the knowledge they could.

Olivia! They're gone. They're going.

Who?

That was Miss Fanny on the phone and Curt's passing word...

-Mary Ellen? -They're going to the hospital.

-Oh! -IKE: Where are you going?

To the hospital. Our first grandchild!

ERIN: Are they here yet?

No, not yet.

Didn't know having a baby took this long.

It takes hours and hours. Days sometimes.

Especially if it's your first one.

I don't think I can wait days.

How do you think Mary Ellen feels?

In the morning, I think I'm going to clean up Miss Margaret,

wash all her clothes.

I thought you quit playing with dolls.

I did, but I've got to get her ready for Esther Elizabeth.

Oh, why do people have to grow up, anyway?

Yes, it's gonna be a long time before she can play with her.

It used to be I couldn't wait for Mary Ellen to move out.

Now I'd give anything to see her back here in her old bed.

Maybe I'd better wait to give it to her till she's older.

Having a baby hurts, doesn't it?

I'm never going to get married.

-Jim-bob. -Yeah.

-I think I heard voices. -You did.

Erin and Elizabeth are awake.

I guess they're worries about Mary Ellen.

Those girls are always worried about something.

Well, why are you awake?

Is on account of that Norby Bush.

Says my looks like a load of scrap iron.

Well, that's keeping you awake?

No, I keep thinking about what I should've said to him.

Who come you can't sleep?

I guess it's that chicken that Erin made for supper.

Dumpling weighed a ton.

-Who are we kidding? -Yeah.

Grandpa says family's like an engine.

If something wrong with one part the whole things bound to knot.

I wish they get back soon.

They're here! Mary Ellen had her baby!

Ben! Jim-Bob! Mama and Daddy are here!

What is it? What's the baby?

ELIZABETH: We're gonna find out!

BEN: If the baby's born before midnight, Grandpa wins the pool.

-What is all the yelling for? -Mary Ellen had her baby!

-Boy or a girl? -BEN: We'll know soon enough.

Curt?

Well, here I am!

-You didn't have the baby! -You don't have to tell me!

It just isn't time yet, that's all.

-BEN: Well, is something wrong? -False labor. Nothing unusual.

You went through all that for nothing?

-Just call it a practice run. -Everybody back to bed now.

It's tough getting to be an uncle!

JOHN: You heard your mama. Scoot!

ALL: Goodnight.

GRANDPA: Goodnight. Oh, dear.

Well, you can't say you didn't try.

Better luck next time.

I'm so fed up with this.

Now everybody's going to be saying,

"I thought you had your baby!"

You can't blame yourself, honey.

I'm not setting foot out of the house until this baby comes.

If it ever does.

Wouldn't Corabeth like that?

(IMITATING CORABETH) "Every well-bred young pregnant lady

"should stay behind closed doors!"

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Come on in, Grandpa.

What's going on?

Ben, I want to talk to you.

What have I done?

Ben, you've been growing up considerably of late.

Especially up there.

It's high time that you began to share with me, man to man.

Well, sure. What about?

Now, I don't want your mama or papa to know about this

but Yancy Tucker tells me that

that theater over in Charlottesville

where Jason's working

has a very interesting stage show.

I got a hunch what Yancy means by "very interesting."

Since you're growing up to be such a man,

I think you and I ought to go over there

and see what Jason is up to at this "interesting show."

Oh, I think we should.

If we leave right now, we can get there for the first show.

With a performance like that,

we ought to get seats down in front.

I know I agree.

I will buy the tickets, and you can drive the car.

But what am I gonna drive?

Jason's got John-Boy's car, and Daddy has the truck.

Well! Now, this is just the young man we're looking for.

What are you two cooking up?

-We need to use your car. -What for?

Ben and I have some highly personal and important business

to take care of in Charlottesville.

We'll make it worth your while.

We would like the use of your splendid machine.

-What for? -Don't be such a grouch!

Just particular about who drives my car. Not being a grouch.

Every time you drive it, you wreck it!

Oh, James Robert! I will be sitting right alongside Ben.

I don't wanna be disrespectful, Grandpa,

but you're a worse driver than he is. My car is very delicate.

Let's talk turkey.

I'll buy the gas. There's 50 cents in the deal for you.

Will you quit being so stubborn?

I'm not being stubborn!

If you want to go to Charlottesville, I'll drive you.

What do you have to do there that's so important?

Think he's old enough?

(SIGHING) Well, If he's not now, he soon will be.

(BAND PLAYING RAUNCHY MUSIC)

(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)

(MEN WHISTLING)

(BALLOONS POPPING)

(AUDIENCE CHEERING)

(AUDIENCE CHEERING)

(SINGING)

* Would He devote that sacred head *

* For such a worm as I? *

*At the cross, at the cross Where I first saw the light *

*And the burden of my heart rolled away *

*It was there by faith I received my sight *

*And now I am happy all the day! *

*At the cross, at the cross Where I first saw the light *

*And the burden of my heart rolled away *

*It was there by faith I received my sight *

* And now I am happy all the day! *

Please be seated.

How wonderful it is to see

the ranks of our congregation growing.

Here, in our little church, we've got three generations

of a well-respected family represented,

with a fourth one doing its best to be born.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if that kind of growth and stability

were present in the churches of our nation's big cities?

We are blessed to live in this beautiful countryside,

unspoiled by billboards advertising cigarettes,

fleshpots, liquor and nightclubs.

All of those things that flourish in the big cities.

But we have to face it. Those places do exist.

Daily, some mother's son,

some innocent youngster who doesn't know

what he's getting himself into,

is lured into the places that God has forsaken.

But has God forsaken their souls?

I say he has not.

I say our God is a loving God.

Our God is a forgiving and caring God.

And if his eye is on the sparrow,

then it is also on the weak and the misguided

who may have gone astray.

Does it not say in Luke 15, verse 7,

that, "There shall be more joy in heaven

"over one sinner who repenteth

"than over 90-and-nine who need not repentance"?

That is why I ask you this morning to pray with me.

Pray with me for those who have fallen into the devil's ways,

and may heaven rejoice over their salvation!

"Hear us, O Lord, as we seek thy guidance down the path of life.

"And lead us not into temptation

"but deliver us from evil.

"For thine is the kingdom and the power

"and the glory, forever."

-ALL: Amen. -Amen.

(DISSONANT CHORD SOUNDING)

(PLAYING A HYMN)

(LAUGHING)

JIM-BOB: What's everybody doing after dinner?

Why don't we go swimming down at Drucilla's Pond?

Can you see me in a bathing suit?

It's too soon after dinner for anybody to go in the water.

(ALL GRUMBLING)

ELIZABETH: What's a fleshpot?

-What? -A fleshpot.

Reverend Buchanan was preaching about them?

(BOTH STIFLING LAUGHTER)

Why don't you ask Jason?

-JOHN: What's so funny? -BEN: Oh, nothing, Daddy.

Jim-Bob's about to blow a gasket.

(ALL LAUGHING)

JOHN: How about letting us in on the joke, Son?

It's about where Jason's working.

We went to see the show yesterday.

You what?

BEN: Oh, it's real fun.

CURT: We ought to all get over to see it.

ERIN: Well, hey, Jason, about free passes?

-I'd like to go. You, John? -Why not?

Uh, I don't think it's exactly the kind of show

-you'd approve of. -Why not?

Well, it's...

It's pretty sophisticated,

but, well, not the way you might think.

See, when Reverend Buchanan was going on and on

about fleshpots and dens of depravity, and...

I bet he's never even seen a burlesque show.

Jason, are you trying to tell us you're playing music

in a burlesque house?

JASON: Yes, Daddy.

Mama, it's only for a couple of weeks. I need the money.

Jason, you are grown up now,

and as a man you can do what you please.

But how you can play for a trashy girlie show

on a Saturday night and then go to church on Sunday

is more than I can understand!

Excuse us.

Now, just a minute, you two.

I want to talk about walking off the job to see that show.

John, I'm afraid it was my fault.

I was the one that took them there.

Well, I can't make you mend your ways, Pa,

but these two can hear about it. Come on.

Thanks anyway.

Well, Elizabeth, I guess you know what a fleshpot is.

It's kinda sad music, isn't it son?

Kinda goes with the way I'm feeling.

Mama, made me feel like some kinda sinner.

Now, it's not being a sinner that worries your ma

it's becoming one.

You just watch your step with those dancers.

Your ma will come around to accepting what you doing.

Sure hope so.

There's nothing colder than a cold shoulder.

Well, I guess you get kinda used to it, huh?

Used to what?

Watching all those girls shimmying around up there.

Well, I guess I should.

But still keep on looking.

Hello, Cassie.

Mary Ellen had her baby yet?

My sweet baby died.

We were all very sad to hear about that Cassie.

Why don't you come home, I'll fix you something to eat.

-Mary Elle gonna be there. -She might be.

I don't wanna see her.

-Why not? -She's under a spell.

We don't believe in that kinda superstition, Cassie.

Bad luck's coming her way.

You just wait and see.

From here, that appears to be James Robert Walton!

Hey, Yancy, how's it going?

Slow but sure. Slow but sure.

-Where's your pa and grandpa? -They're out making deliveries.

Something you need?

No hurry. Just dropped by for some lumber.

Gonna build me a dog house, with two rooms.

I figured when Tiger gets a family of his own,

he may want a room of his own.

Where's the little mother?

-Mary Ellen? -Reckless.

She's probably sleeping.

That's all she does, is sleep and eat.

Good for her. Have healthy pups.

(HORN BLARING)

Thanks for the ride, Jason.

Move you stupid dog!

(HORN BLARING)

He's not about to move for anything, is he?

A smart dog knows how to conserve his strength.

Easy to teach a dog to roll over.

Hard to teach him good health habits.

I understand Mary Ellen had a round trip

to the hospital the other night.

She's getting pretty tired of waiting.

No account to the ways of nature sometime.

Jim-Bob, get up here! It's Reckless!

You hear that, Tiger?

Tiger! Congratulations, boy! You just may be a pappy!

Reckless, are you okay?

Mother and puppy are just fine, Jim-Bob.

Why did she have to have it on my bed?

One pup!

Appears she went for quality rather than quantity.

Well, one is enough for me.

Please call me when I can have my room back, Jim-Bob.

Erin's not too crazy about motherhood these days.

How am I going to get my tire with just one pup?

YANCY: Hard to say, Jim-Bob.

Especially since you promised me the pick of the litter!

-Hello, Cassie. -Hello, Mary Ellen.

It's good to see you up and around again.

My baby came too soon.

Looks like yours ain't gonna come at all.

CORABETH: Good afternoon, Mary Ellen.

Well, hi, Mary Ellen. Anything new?

Does it look like there's anything new?

They say that an overdue baby spends most of its life

trying to make up for lost time.

I was late myself, and I never seem to get caught up.

Mary Ellen has no time for small talk.

I'm sure she's anxious to be on her way.

Mary Ellen, you didn't need to come all the way over here.

We do deliver.

Oh, dear.

-Can I get something for you? -A dill pickle.

Ah! I knew you'd get a craving for a dill pickle.

It's not for me, it's for Curt. He likes it in his potato salad.

-Hi, Mama, Daddy, Mary Ellen. -Hi, Aimee.

Hi, Aimee. Well, I see school's out.

I better get ready for the jawbreaker crowd.

AIMEE: Gee, Mary Ellen, you're getting

to be awfully overdue, aren't you?

You're about the 17th person to ask me that today.

Well, that's on account of the pool.

CORABETH: What pool, dear?

Uh, Aimee, would you hand me that cigar box over there?

The Mary Ellen Walton Willard Baby Pool.

People have been signing up here.

Whoever guesses when your baby comes wins a lot of money.

"When my baby comes"?

Well, your brother Ben and I just thought

it would be kind of fun.

You know, I mean, everybody's interested in the blessed event.

Ben? Running a contest on me?

Just what do you think I am? Some kind of a brood mare?

Mr. Godsey! Gambling on the arrival of a baby!

I vow and declare I have never heard of anything so tasteless!

Oh, come on, Corabeth! We were just having...

Ike, have a pickle!

Wait until I get my hands on that rotten brother of mine!

Mary Ellen, it was all in fun!

I sure feel sorry for Ben when Mary Ellen gets a hold of him.

No! It was all Ben's idea! I mean, I just went along with it.

Didn't I?

-Mama, where is Ben? -What's the matter?

Nothing that hitting him with a big baseball bat

-won't solve real fast! -What did he do now?

He's been conniving with Ike Godsey!

(GROANS)

Better get you inside.

-What's wrong? -OLIVIA: Go get Curt.

Tell him to hurry. This time it's for real.

You're doing just fine.

(GROANING)

Don't fight it. Just go with the pain.

Well, you're going to get your way after all, Mary Ellen.

I might have known.

What do you mean?

The baby's going to be born right here.

No time to move you.

What do you want me to do?

Better stick around. I'm going to need your help

more than Mary Ellen will.

Have Jim-Bob get these things at the office, please.

And bring in some towels.

Jim-Bob, Curt wants you to go to his office and get these things.

Run!

Elizabeth, what are you doing?

Boiling water. That's what they do in the movies.

(ENGINE PUTTERING)

(ENGINE BACKFIRING)

(CAR STALLING)

(ENGINE TURNING OVER)

(ENGINE STARTS)

(MOOING)

(CAR STALLS)

(ENGINE BACKFIRING)

(MARY ELLEN GROANING)

(CAR STALLING)

(SIGHS)

(BACKFIRING)

I do hope for Mary Ellen's sake that that baby is born soon.

I should think Dr. Willard would be concerned.

Well, he's not happy about it

but I don't think he's that worried.

He says Mary Ellen's just going through

a slightly longer gestation period.

Animals gestate, dear.

People develop.

Well, you know how Curt talks.

I fail to understand how he can be so clinical

about his firstborn.

I believe those guitar strings will work just fine.

I don't see why they shouldn't.

Let's go before Ben blows his top, alright? See you later.

-ERIN: Thank you. -Bye.

You know I've had those strings in stock since 1922?

Well, I hope you corrected the price.

Things have gone up since then, Mr. Godsey.

(CAR STALLING)

Hey, Ben, there's Jim-Bob.

JASON: Pull over, Ben.

BEN: Hey, Lindbergh, you need a ride?

I've got to get these supplies to Curt!

Mary Ellen's having her baby!

(CAR APPROACHING)

Hope it's Jim-Bob.

(MARY ELLEN GROANING)

Mama, is Mary Ellen going to be alright?

Mary Ellen's fine. I want you all to go to Mrs. Brimmer's

and wait there until we call for you.

-Why? -Because Mary Ellen's

got a lot of hard work ahead of her,

and I want you all out of the way.

Same as when you were born. Come on, Elizabeth.

-I'm not going, Mama. -I don't have time to argue.

Mama, I'm not going either.

I don't want to be treated like some child.

Then keep busy and stay out of the way.

(SCREAMS)

Hang on. Hang on, it won't be long.

Jason, what are we supposed to be doing?

Keeping busy. You know we agreed to clean up the barn.

But you call this cleaning up?

All we're doing is taking junk from one place to another.

It'll look exactly the same once we're through.

You're right.

I'll be right back.

This labor's going on far too long.

It's not the length of the labor that worries me.

It's the dilation. I'd hate to have to do a caesarian.

(MARY ELLEN SCREAMING)

Damn, I hate waiting.

I always have.

Miserable, isn't it?

I used to take comfort in the old saying,

"They also serve who only stand and wait."

Only I never could figure out how.

We've had a lot of experience, haven't we, Pa, between us?

Sure have, only this time you're the "grand" and I'm the "great."

(MARY ELLEN GROANS)

Easy.

Easy there, Son.

All of us hope to ease the pain of a loved one,

and it's almost impossible.

You know, you gave life, you and Livie,

to Mary Ellen in there. Pain is very much a part of life.

(MARY ELLEN GROANING)

I wish you girls would eat my brownies.

It's a new recipe. I need to know what you think of it.

I'm not very hungry.

And chocolate's bad for your skin.

What's wrong with you guys?

I'm worried about Mary Ellen.

Oh, Mary Ellen will be just fine.

And before you know it,

you'll have a brand-new addition to the family!

That's what we thought when Mama was pregnant.

Mary Ellen is a strong young woman, Elizabeth.

There's no reason to think

that she or the baby will have any problems.

Except for whatever you saw in those tea leaves.

Oh! The day I believe what I read in those tea leaves

is the day they can cart me away to the state hospital.

Well, I'm going to pour me a cup of coffee,

then I'm going to teach you kids how to play five-card stud.

(MARY ELLEN GROANING)

We're almost home, Mary Ellen. One more time.

(GROANING)

(MARY ELLEN PANTING)

It's all over now, honey. You're a mother.

(SLAPS BABY)

(BABY CRYING)

(BABY CRYING)

John, meet your new grandson.

Aw!

Wow. Wow. Whooppee!

-Hi. -Mmm.

Hi. Can I see him again?

As soon as his grandparents get through admiring him.

Silly how I was worried about him.

He's just perfect, isn't he?

I guess he's just about the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.

Smart, too.

Timing his arrival so his daddy would have to deliver him.

I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Well, you did real good, considering it's your first son.

You didn't do so bad yourself.

Go, Mama!

Hi, there! How are you?

(FAMILY CHATTERING)

MARY ELLEN: I love the cradle. His first bed.

It's going to get good use.

I don't think we ought to move you for a while.

You'd get an argument if you tried.

Somebody else is going to have to cook supper.

I'm going to start spoiling my grandson.

(ALL LAUGHING)

-JOHN: Livie? -Yeah?

-I wanna see that baby. -Has anybody told John-Boy?

-Grandpa's gone to call him. -Come on, it's my turn.

-Look at that. Look at that. -Be careful. Don't drop him.

I've held more than 50 pounds of newborn Waltons in my time.

Sure didn't need another boy!

I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I know how much you wanted a niece.

If I can get used to Jason, John-Boy, Ben and Jim-Bob,

I suppose I can get used to...

What are you going to name him?

Well, we had a long talk with Grandpa,

and he helped us to pick out a boy's name.

CURT: We didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings,

especially Grandpa's. Go ahead, tell them, Mary Ellen.

MARY ELLEN: His name is John Curtis Willard.

How about that?

I can't think of a better name.

We can call him Little John!

Listen, James Robert, the baby's name is John Curtis!

-Erin? -Would it be alright?

I used to trust you with my dolls.

Now, you be careful there, honey.

Hello, John Curtis, I'm your aunt Erin.

Aw! Corabeth, it's beautiful! Thank you!

Aimee did the stitchery, and I stuffed it

with the softest feathers I could find.

-Aimee, do be careful! -I will, Mama.

Thank you, Aimee, I love it.

Well, we must be going.

Oh, but you can't. Mama's fixing some lemonade.

Aimee, that baby is only five days old!

Don't worry, Corabeth, she's holding him just fine.

He likes me, Mama. I can tell.

She does seem like a natural little mother, doesn't she?

AIMEE: I held a lot of babies at the orphanage.

Aimee's had more experience than most little girls her age.

Why, I suppose you're right.

Of course, I had no control over her activities

before she came to me.

In fact, I was somewhat shocked to discover

how much she knew about your condition, your pregnancy.

But I understand there is a new school of thought

regarding that, more open.

Since I do not want to appear unprogressive,

I suppose I must have a long talk

with Aimee sometime very soon.

I'd like that, Mama.

(SNORING)

Huh?

OLIVIA: Spectacles were cutting off your wind, Grandpa.

(GROANS)

Getting kind of late, isn't it?

It's almost time for John Curtis' last feeding.

I'm gonna wait till Mary Ellen finishes nursing him,

and then I'll change him for her.

I'll sit up with you.

It'll be like old times.

-Hi! -JOHN: Son.

You still up?

You are looking at the night shift.

It's amazing how one little baby can keep so many people busy.

He's a very active little boy, in every way.

How was work, Son?

If you two are going to talk about that show, I'm leaving.

No, wait a minute, Mama. I want to tell you about my new job.

You ever hear of the Old Dominion Gospel Singers?

I listen to them every Sunday night

on the Charlottesville radio station.

I'm going to be their new accompanist.

-Jason! -Congratulations, Son.

How did you get a job like that?

Well, see, Mr. Bassett, he's the director of the singers,

he came by and heard me play for one of the shows,

and came backstage to talk to me.

You mean Mr. Bassett went to see that show?

Well, he only came for the movie.

He said.

Then it must be so.

Mary Ellen?

I didn't mean to make you feel bad about the baby pool.

It just sort of seemed kind of natural.

I suppose it would to you.

Yeah.

I just guess it wasn't that good of an idea.

I tried to give all the money back,

but everybody that put in refused.

They wanted me to get something for the baby.

So here.

Are you trying to bribe your way back into my good graces?

Oh, Ben, they're beautiful.

Thank you, Brother.

Sure.

By the way, who won?

Who else?

See you later.

Ben's been making his amends, I see.

More things for you to wash. Seems like you spend

all your time at the clothesline these days.

It's nice finding baby things in the laundry.

You finished making out all your announcements?

Just about. Seems like Curt must have a hundred relatives

waiting for news.

Mary Ellen, you don't have to do that.

Oh, I'm trying to get my strength back.

Gonna be going home soon.

Well, you'll be ready for a goodnight's sleep when I do.

Speaking of sleep, he's been awful quiet this morning.

I'll go check on him.

I'll be right back, Mary Ellen.

John!

-John, the baby's gone. -What do you mean, gone?

He's not in the room!

Maybe Elizabeth has him! Or Erin...

No, they're not in the house, and the window is wide open.

Mama! Mama! Daddy!

Mama! Daddy! Grandpa!

-Curt, you've got to find him! -Okay. Okay, honey. Okay.

Ben's calling the sheriff, but I know where to look first.

-The Hineman place? -Yeah, it's got to be Cassie.

I wanna go with you.

-No, you're staying here. -I'm going! He's my baby, too!

-It's a rough trip. -I'll stay with you.

Liv, come with me. I'm liable to wring her neck.

JOHN: Let's go.

-We'll find him. -Right.

Zeb, take care of her.

I love you.

Mary Ellen and I'll stay here and take care of one another.

(CASSIE SINGING)

I've a little doll And her eyes are bright blue

And she can open and shut them And she smiles at me, too

In the morning, I dress her And we go out to play

But I like best to rock her At the end...

Morning, Cassie.

May I come in?

It was such a lovely day, I thought I'd come calling.

Of course, I probably shouldn't have.

Even though my children are almost all grown,

there's still a lot to keep me busy around the house.

Cooking, cleaning, washing.

Course, you know what it's like to take care of a house,

and tend to a young one.

Mary Ellen really appreciates

the way you've taken care of the baby this morning.

She knows that you love John Curtis,

and she knows how gentle you are with him.

Has he cried?

He's a good baby.

But let me tell you, when that little fellow gets hungry,

he lets out a holler that's piercing!

You just wouldn't believe it!

(BABY WHINING)

My baby didn't cry.

Someday you'll have a baby that will cry, Cassie.

This is Mary Ellen's baby.

Mary Ellen's baby was supposed to die.

I waited,

but he didn't.

So I figured it was a sign

that he was supposed to take the place of my baby.

She misses him, Cassie.

He's a sweet thing, alright.

It's almost time for his morning nursing.

Would you like to take the baby to Mary Ellen yourself?

We'll give you a ride, Cassie, save you the long walk back.

(SIGHS)

Here you go, Mary Ellen.

-The baby's fine! He's alright. -Where is he?

OLIVIA: Cassie?

Give him to me.

(BABY COOING)

Now you stay away from him!

(BABY CRYING)

I'd never have hurt him.

I just wanted to pretend for a little while.

JOHN-BOY: No child was ever so prized

as that first grandchild to arrive in our family.

The arrival of subsequent grandchildren

was equally wondrous,

as we watched our family renewing itself

and a whole new generation beginning all over again.

Today, there are 16 grandchildren in the family,

and already my mother is looking forward

to holding her first great-grandchild.

ERIN: Goodnight, Jason.

Goodnight, Erin. Goodnight, Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH: Goodnight, Jason. Goodnight, Mama.

OLIVIA: Night, Elizabeth. Night, Ben.

BEN: Goodnight, Mama. Goodnight, Daddy.

JOHN: Goodnight. JIM-BOB: Goodnight, Mary Ellen!

MARY ELLEN: Will all of you please shh?

(BABY WAILING)