Original subtitles

[Eddie] Dad, what if we found a pot of gold

at the end of the rainbow? What would we buy?

[Tom] Oh, I don't know. What would you like, Eddie?

[Eddie] Roller skates, if there is $4.95.

Dad, what's truth?

[Tom] Truth, is something that always stays the same.

[Eddie] Like, I love you and you love me.

[Tom] Eddie, that's the truth.

[Eddie] Billy Gilbert's mother told him a lie.

[Tom] What lie?

[Eddie] She said that she brought him home

from the hospital in a little black suitcase.

[Tom] Well, how do you know that's a lie?

[Eddie] 'Cause I know how I got home from the hospital.

- How? - In your arms.

[theme music]

♪ People let me tell you 'bout my best friend ♪

♪ He's a warm hearted person who'll love me till the end ♪

♪ People let me tell you 'bout my best friend ♪

♪ He's a one boy cuddly toy ♪

♪ My up my down my pride and joy ♪

♪ People let me tell you 'bout him he's so much fun ♪

♪ Whether we're talkin' man to man ♪

♪ Or whether we're talking son to son ♪

♪ 'Cause he's my best friend ♪

♪ Yeah he's my best friend ♪

♪ La la pa ra ra pa ra ♪

♪ Pa ra ra ra pa ra ♪

♪ Pa ra ra pa ra ♪♪

[scatting]

Tsk.

Here you are, Eddie.

Thanks, Mrs. Livingston.

Eddie, why do you sit like that?

I'm waiting for dad to wake up.

But why do you sit that close?

I thought I gotta catch him as soon as he wakes up.

I have somethin' awful important to tell him.

I see. Drink your milk quietly.

Your father needs his rest, right?

[gargling]

[sighing]

[gargling]

Hm. Um.

Um?

- Hmm. - Um.

[Eddie] I didn't wake you, did I?

- Well, somebody did. - I'm glad it wasn't me.

Because Mrs. Livingston said, you needed your rest.

- Did you have enough? - Um.

Yes, it was fine. Fine.

- Then can we talk? - Mm-hm. Mm-hm.

Shoot.

Eddie, what is it?

I haven't said it out loud before

because I thought it would be easy.

Well, Eddie, that...

...that sounds very serious.

It's about the most serious thing me and you

ever had a talk about.

Oh.

Oh.

Well, uh...

Eddie, why don't you just, um

blurt it right out.

Okay.

♪♪

Eddie, what is it?

♪♪

Eddie?

Dad, I'm in love.

♪♪

You know, dad, I really like airplanes.

Well, so do I.

Hey, I just got a neato idea.

Why don't you buy me an airplane?

Uh, Eddie, last week you wanted a puppy.

You said I was too young.

Well, that's right, a puppy requires a lot of care.

Okay, dad, I'll just settle for an airplane.

Oh, you're absolutely right, Eddie.

This being in love is very serious business.

Yeah, and I've never been in love my whole life.

Um, who's the lucky lady?

Elsie from down the hall.

Oh-ho.

Well, uh, how long have you been in love with Elsie

from down the hall?

- Since last week. - Ah.

But, you know what worries me, dad?

No, I don't.

How do I know if it's really love?

Eddie, poets and philosophers have been trying to figure

that one out for a long, long time.

But I've got to know.

Well, Eddie, uh, I'll tell you.

About the best answer I can give you

right now is that

it's not something that you know.

It's more something that you just feel.

- I sure feel it, boy. - Um.

♪♪

[sighing]

Now, tell me...

...is she in love with you?

I think so.

On account that she's borrowing my sneakers for good luck

to pass her Red Cross swimming test.

Oh, that's why you think that she is in love with you?

- Uh-ha. - Ah.

On account if she still has my sneakers.

She's keeping them 'cause they're mine.

Oh, well, that-that, that makes sense.

- Hey, dad. - What?

[Eddie] Could I have my birthday this week?

Phew. Why?

'Cause if I just ask Elsie to come over after school

or somethin', she might start getting suspicious.

Oh, you mean, that you're in love with her?

- Yeah! - Ah.

I think so.

But, if I ask her to a birthday party

with a whole bunch of other kids

she might, she might think I like her

the same as anyone else.

Yeah, well, I, uh...

I think we can handle that, Eddie.

Except, I'm not sure if I can scare up

a good enough birthday present for you in time.

A puppy would be a nice present.

Eddie!

- Eddie? - Okay, dad.

All I want is the party.

- You got it. - Thanks, dad.

I knew you'd do it.

But, Mr. Eddie's father I do not understand

why does Eddie want his party

before his real birthday time?

Oh, well, um, it's a man reason, Mrs. Livingston.

I see.

I would like to give the party for Eddie

as my gift to him.

Oh, no, Mrs. Livingston, now we couldn't allow that.

That would be an imposition.

Besides, there are people who, well, have a business

of throwing parties for children.

- A business? - Oh, sure, they do everything.

Cake, candy, ice-cream, games.

They clean up the whole mess after.

No.

No, what?

The party for Eddie should be for love

not business.

With your permission I would like to give

this party to Eddie.

May I?

Mrs. Livingston

you just made yourself a deal.

And, uh, thank you.

You're very welcome.

There is one condition, however.

Yes?

You will allow me to clean up

all of the crushed candy in the carpet

and all the melted ice-cream

and all of the sticky fingerprints.

- It is agreed. - We have a deal.

Dad... I'm tryin' to figure out

who to invite to my birthday party.

Hm.

That's a pretty small list. Hmm?

I know it, I just want to have a little party.

You know, like the ones you give.

- Inta... Inta... - Oh, oh, yeah.

[chuckles]

- Intimate. - Yeah.

I'm gonna invite Emily Ruth Gustafson for sure.

'Cause she's a real neat shover.

- Neat-neat what? Shover? - Um.

Yeah, you give her a shove, she'll shove you right back.

It's, um, sort of a tribal way

of saying hello.

Oh.

And I'm gonna invite Frank and Dick and Max.

But I still can't make up my mind about Richard Katkov.

Oh, Richard Katkov is a very nice looking boy.

Yeah, I know it.

You think he's better looking than me?

Eddie, I do not think

anyone is better looking than you.

Good, then I'll invite him.

Eddie, you know that little girl

uh, just moving to the new apartment

down the hallway?

Are you not going to invite her?

[gasps]

Dad, you told!

You told Mrs. Livingston about Elsie.

And you said that was a secret.

That's about the worst thing--

Hold it, now. Eddie, hold it!

Now, I did not tell Mrs. Livingston

anything about Elsie.

Oh-no, then how come she's hintin' around

for me to invite her.

Well, Eddie, Mrs. Livingston has a very kind heart.

And maybe she just thought that Elsie being new in town

would like the opportunity of...

Well, meeting some new friends at your party.

You didn't tell I was in love with Elsie?

Honest? You didn't tell her about the sneakers?

Eddie... have I ever lied to you?

No.

I'm sorry, dad.

[whispers] Okay.

♪♪

[engine revving]

Why did Mrs. Livingston want us out of the house

while she fixed the party?

Well, so it'll be a surprise.

Elsie was surprised when I invited her.

I don't think she suspects anything.

Oh, that's good. That's good.

Are you going to invite Richard Katkov, dad?

Um-hm. Yeah, he's a nice boy.

Then I guess I'm glad I invited him too.

Hey, dad, I just thought of something.

What's that?

Maybe I should've shaved for the party.

You're a big boy, sport, but you're not that big.

- Maybe next year. - Yeah, maybe.

- Dad? - Mm-hm?

Did you know that Richard Katkov's taller than me?

- He is? Hm. - Uh-ha.

'Cause once, me and him stood back to back and he's taller.

Mm, I see.

And so is Elsie from down the hall.

What? Uh, uh, taller than you?

- Um-hm. - Um-hm, I see.

We stood back to back once too.

- Oh. - She's taller.

Well, it doesn't seem like such a tragedy.

You know, you can always stand on your tip-toes.

Hey, dad, that's a great idea.

[chuckles]

♪♪

- Dad, do I look okay? - Yeah, you look just fine.

Now, you. Now, how do I look?

Good. But I don't think I look that good.

- You look just fine. - I don't think so.

Uh, Eddie, alright. Here we go. See?

- Dad... - Hm? What?

A whisker.

- Hi, Eddie. - Hi, Elsie.

I'm not early, am I?

Well...

Uh, as a matter of fact, you're right on time.

- I'm Eddie's father. - How do you do, Mr. Corbett?

Hello, Elsie, why don't you come in?

♪♪

Here's your birthday present.

Oh, Elsie, you didn't have to bring me a present.

I know. But why don't you open it now?

Oh, okay.

Gee, my sneakers, just what I always wanted.

I cleaned them up for you real good.

Yeah, no wonder they look so nice and clean.

But that's not the present.

The present is the shoelaces.

They're plaid black and white.

Gee, thanks Elsie.

If you lend them to anybody out for the swimming test

don't forget to take the laces out, they might fade.

I wouldn't lend 'em to anyone else.

- You wouldn't? - Heck, no.

[Elsie] I'm certainly glad.

[Eddie] Well, maybe if someone needed 'em real-real bad.

Eddie, why don't you show Elsie your goldfish

until the other guests arrive?

Okay, well, come on, Elsie.

I'd also like to use the powder room.

One of my hair ribbons is coming loose.

I guess I dressed too fast.

Oh, okay, well then, Eddie, would you go up and show her?

Okay, come on, Els.

I'll only walk you half way there.

Boy, one thing you've got to say for Eddie.

He's got a great little soul.

Oh, speaking of great, Mrs. Livingston.

I hope he will like it.

Wow!

I think he likes it.

I'm glad.

Eddie, before your guests are arrived

I would like to give you a present, from me.

Gee, Mrs. Livingston, I thought the birthday party

was my present.

Yes, but this is a special present.

It is an ancient Japanese haiku.

What's a haiku?

Haiku, is, uh, a small poem

with beautiful words and wisdom.

I would like to share this one with you.

I guess it's sort of like, um...

...when you share your ice-cream cone with Mrs. Livingston.

That's right.

It means, "From time to time

"while looking at the moon

the clouds will come to give you rest."

Gee, Mrs. Livingston.

- That sounds pretty. Thanks. - You're welcome.

Is it still okay if I don't know what it means?

Oh, that's alright, Eddie.

Because you will understand haiku

at the time when you need to understand.

[telephone ringing]

[Tom] I'll get it.

Hello?

Oh, yes, just one second please.

Eddie, it's Richard Katkov.

Hi, Dick, hey, if you are wondering

if it's okay if you can't come

to the party, it's okay.

I don't know, I have to ask.

Richard Katkov wants to know if he can bring a friend.

He says she has this long brown hair and everything.

I will be happy to make room for his friend.

Thanks, Mrs. Livingston.

It's okay, you can bring her.

I'm kinda glad Richard Katkov's bringin' a friend.

Yes, a girl with long brown hair and everything...

...never hurt a party.

I'm glad because if he has his own girl

he won't go around fussing with mine.

Like, you-you know.

Um, standin' right beside her

and being tall and all that stuff.

Eddie, just between us

uh, from what I've observed.

I don't think you could shake Elsie loose if you tried.

- Honest? - Honest.

♪♪

You know, what that is? That's a pinata.

My Uncle Norman sent it from Mexico.

Pinata, there's no such word as that.

[Eddie] That's how much you know, Emily Ruth Gustafson.

That's a Mexican word.

Okay, you two, now that's enough shoving.

Is it really full of presents like your father said?

If he said, sure it is.

Okay, now the question is who gets to bust it?

I think we oughta let Stretch do it.

What'd you call her?

You heard me, Stretch.

[Elsie] I'm gonna tell your mother what you said.

I'm gonna do worse than that.

Okay, tiger...

It's okay, Eddie.

Sticks and stones will break my bones

but names will never hurt me.

[doorbell ringing]

- Eddie. - Um?

That is quite a girl you've got there.

- Yeah. - Yeah.

Hi, Richard, come on in.

Here's your present, Eddie.

Happy birthday!

Come on in.

♪♪

Eddie, this is Margaret.

- Hello, Margaret. - Hello, Eddie.

Well, Eddie, would you like to introduce

Margaret to your, uh, guests?

Oh, oh yeah. Come on.

♪♪

[Tom] Eddie?

Okay, see, this is Max, this is Frank

this is Emily Ruth Gustafson, this is Dick.

This is Elsie. And you already know Richard.

- Hello. - Hi, I'm Frank.

I'm five years old.

You sure are short.

I know, Eddie. They say I'm like my mother.

I'll always be small.

Gee, that's neato!

Alright, everybody

now, we're gonna find out

who is going to break the pinata.

I still think we ought to let Stretch do it.

How about Eddie? It's his party.

Alright. Alright now, ladies and gentlemen

you'll notice that I'm using a blindfold.

At no time do his eyes get to look at the big bird.

Now, we're gonna turn him around until he gets dizzy.

And, then, he will swing

and all the little gifts will fall on the floor.

Around and around and around we go.

Then now we stop. Alright, now.

Let's see if you can go ahead and hit that pinata.

♪♪

[all screaming]

Ooh. Ooh.

Ooh...

[Margaret] Oh, what a cute bracelet.

[all cheering]

Then you can have it, Margaret.

Why, thank you, Eddie.

Mr. Eddie's father, it is time for the cake and ice-cream.

Okay, everybody, food now, games later, ha.

Uh, Eddie, Eddie.

[laughing]

- What? - Well, I-I'd...

I just, I'd like to talk to you for a second, that's all.

Yeah, but, can you make it quick?

I wanna sit next to Margaret.

[Tom] Yeah, that's what-that's what I like to talk to you about.

Eddie, do you think it's fair?

Do you think it's kind...

...to just ignore, Elsie?

But if I start payin' attention to Elsie

then Margaret is going to be thinking.

Then Richard will...

Dad, what am I gonna do?

There are something's that every man has

to decide for himself, Eddie.

I'm not a man, dad.

You even said I'm not big enough to have a puppy.

You said.

♪♪

[indistinct chatter]

Okay, let me get the presents.

[indistinct chatter]

Bye!

- Best party. - Best party.

[all] Bye.

- Bye. - Bye.

Goodbye, Margaret.

I'm having a party next Saturday, can you come?

Oh, gee, sure I can.

Oh, no, I guess not.

I'm going to a party at Elsie's.

That's good, I was only pretending to invite you anyway.

Come on, Richard.

- I'm not having a party. - I know it.

But you could have gone to Margaret's.

I know it.

I have a new paint set.

Do you wanna come over and help me paint?

Yeah. Neato.

- See you later, Elsie. - Bye, Eddie.

♪♪

[sighing]

[Tom laughing]

Did I do okay, dad?

You did very okay, Eddie.

Mrs. Livingston...

...before I clean up that melted ice-cream

and those finger prints, like I promised.

- Yes. - Do you know what I'm gonna do?

- No. - Gonna have a good stiff drink.

But, Mr. Eddie's father does not usually

have a drink so early.

Well, Mr. Eddie's father does not usually realize

what kind of a boy Eddie's mother is not here to love.

♪♪

- Eddie. - Um?

You are supposed to be asleep.

I know it, I was just thinking about Mrs. Livingston's haiku.

- Oh. - Will you read it to me?

Sure.

"From time to time

"while looking at the moon

the clouds will come to give you rest."

I think I understand it now, dad.

Oh... you do?

Take Margaret

she's more like the moon.

You couldn't touch her.

Aah.

- But take Elsie. - Yeah.

She's more like a cloud.

- You could touch her. - Oh.

Oh, yes, well, uh...

Eddie, what do you think she'd feel like

when you touched her?

Nice and soft like I remember mom.

I'm glad you remember, Eddie.

Will we ever have one that's nice and soft as her again?

Well, not nice and soft in the same way.

But nice and soft, someday.

Hey, dad, for now why don't we get our own

nice little soft puppy?

Me and you could take care of it with each other.

Okay, I think you made yourself a deal, sport.

Thanks, sport.

[laughs] But... I want you to know

why I finally decided to let you have your puppy.

Why?

Because I think that tonight

you have finally proven to me

that you are a responsible little human being.

Gee, dad, and I didn't even know what was happening.

[chuckles] Goodnight.

Goodnight, dad.

- Dad. - Yeah?

I think I just figured out

how to tell if it's really love.

That's some figuring. How can you tell?

It's really love, if she doesn't have real long brown hair

or anything.

'Cause I'd be still thinking she's real neat.

- That's really love. - Goodnight, dad.

Goodnight, Eddie.

Dad, my favorite animal in the whole world

is the brown furry crusted river possum.

What's yours?

Definitely the brown furry crusted river possum.

I knew it.

Well, on important matters we always agree.

I'm gonna take seven baths today, dad.

Seven baths? What for?

So I won't have to take a bath all week.

After you're born you don't have to do anything

for a long time.

Yes.

But then when you're about six or seven

they decide you're gonna be a doctor or somethin' like that.

- Oh, then what happens? - You start to worry.

♪ People let me tell you 'bout my best friend ♪

♪ Pa ra ra ra pa ra ♪

♪ People let me tell you 'bout my best friend ♪

♪ He's a warm hearted person who'll love me till the end ♪

♪ People let me tell you 'bout my best friend ♪

♪ He's a one boy cuddly toy my up my down my pride and joy ♪

♪ People let me tell you 'bout him he's so much fun ♪

♪ Whether we're talkin' man to man ♪

♪ Or whether we're talking son to son ♪

♪ Cause he's my best friend ♪♪