Original subtitles

[Eddie] Dad, why do we have rules?

[Tom] Well, so people can live together

in peace and harmony.

[Eddie] Hmm. I don't know if we have too many rules, or not enough.

[Tom] Maybe we have too many people.

[Eddie] Then we need more rules.

[Tom] Then we have less freedom.

[Eddie] What do we do about that?

[Tom] Eddie, you've just put your small thumb

on a big question.

[Eddie] Did you ever try to think of just nothing?

[Tom] Yeah. Pretty hard, isn't it?

[Eddie] Yeah. Something always keeps sneaking in there.

[theme song]

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

♪ Whether we're talkin' man to man ♪

♪ Or whether we're talkin' 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]

Hi, guy, where have you been?

I was at the penthouse apartment.

You know what we did up there?

No, what did you do over there?

We had sensory exploration on Silly Putty.

Mm-hmm.Hmm?

Well, we'd put blindfolds over our eyes

and we felt what Silly Putty really feels like

and that was terrific.

And you know what we did today too?

No, I don't know what you did today too.

We made our own toys.

You made your own toys?

- Mm-hmm. - Oh, that's great.

What is the name of the lady that

you've been visiting upstairs?

- Miss Bessinger. - Bessinger.

- And you know what, dad? - No, what?

She's a nice lady, and she's also pretty.

Are you gonna go up and see her?

[chuckles] Uh, Mrs. Livingston, how soon will dinner be ready?

Almost.

Good.

What's the matter, dad?

Don't you wanna go up and see her?

No. No, no, not particularly.

Oh, I understand.

Dad, Miss Bessinger helped me make this bear.

We named him Uncle Sam.

Well, that's very patriotic, Eddie.

Eddie, that bear looks like he's ma...

May I see that?

♪♪

Well, Eddie, it is.

This has been cut out of an American flag.

[doorbell rings]

[Valerie] Come in, darling.

Oh! You're not darling.

At least, you're not Claudio, darling.

I'm Tom Corbett.

Eddie's father.

- Yes. - Oh, won't you come in?

Thank you.

♪♪

Well, as the old cliche goes...

Quite a place you've got here.

- Thank you. - Mm-hmm.

I suppose you know that I'm

hopelessly in love with your son.

Well, I have a feeling, that the feeling is mutual.

Uh, would you like a, a drink or some Sassafras tea?

Whatever you're having will be fine.

- I'm having tea. - Fine.

Oh, uh, but um, aren't you expecting company?

Oh, Claudio is not company

we're co-chairing an art benefit together.

- Wanna buy a ticket? - Oh, some other time, perhaps.

- Miss Bessinger. - Oh, Valerie, please.

Oh, uh, uh, thank you. Valerie.

I would like to talk to you about the stuffed animals

you had the children make this afternoon.

Oh, right. Weren't they super?

No. Not, not exactly.

Couldn't you have found something else to cut up

other than the American flag?

Well, why?

I mean, I think the American flag is groovy, and, uh...

I wanted the children to be able to relate to it

in a way that was meaningful to them.

I appreciate that.

But there is a codebook

concerning the flag.

When it's not in use, it's to be folded and put away.

- Or to be burned. - Oh.

[laughs] How wasteful.

Well, alright.

[chuckles] Perhaps it is, but...

...still it's the rules.

Oh, Tom.

Now, don't tell me you're gonna get uptight

about some obscure codebook

that has nothing to do

with today's reality.

Valerie, let me rephrase it.

It's a federal offense.

- It is? - Yes.

Oh! A-ha! I didn't know that.

Yeah, well, I guess you weren't a Girl Scout then.

Oh no, I'm afraid not.

You see, I went to school in Switzerland.

Oh, do much skiing?

Hmm. Every chance I get. You?

Oh, little bit, I was thinking of starting Eddie this season.

Oh, you should. He's just the right age.

Yeah.

Well, anyway...

There will be no more cutting up of the American flag, alright?

Right.

And I do want to thank you for heading me off

before I nearly committed a federal offense.

Wanna have dinner tomorrow?

I would love it if you promise not to wear a tie.

I promise.

I'll pick you up at 7:00.

[doorbell rings]

[Valerie] Come in, Tom. It's open.

♪♪

Now, do you believe that I am patriotic?

I believe you're crazy.

Naturally.

All women that men get hung up on...

...are crazy.

Very nice to see you, Tom Corbett.

Ah. Aren't you just a little turned out?

- Oh, yeah, you like it, huh? - Ah, well, it's beautiful, yes.

But you asked me not to wear a tie.

Oh, well, there has been a last minute addition to our plans.

But it doesn't matter, you look beautiful too.

Oh, you little devil.

[doorbell rings] Ha ha! Excuse me.

Ah! Two more beautiful people.

Senator and Mrs. Goldrich, this is Tom Corbett.

He's a publisher.

- Hello, Mr. Corbett. - Ah, hi.

I'm-I'm not really a publisher, just an editor

and I was asked not to wear a tie.

Wish my wife would tell me that just once.

[Valerie] We just have one short stop to make before dinner.

One stop. Why don't I go downstairs and change first?

Oh, there really isn't time, Mr. Corbett, and besides

everyone knows that you younger people

are doing your thing these days.

[laughs] I don't mind wearing a tie.

Good. Uh, Valerie, why the flag?

This place looks like the floor of the Senate.

Oh, that's for the children in my experimental group.

It's um...

...it's a new concept in group identification.

Let's talk in the car, dear.

You know the protocol about keeping royalty waiting.

- Oh, yes. - Royalty? Royalty?

Oh, you're gonna meet

this swinging prince, Abba.

Are you a vegetarian?

N-no, I'm not, but I can't meet a prince like this.

♪♪

[snaps]

- Hi, Tom. - Hi, Norman.

Broke your pencil, did ya?

- How's Valerie Bessinger? - Oh, she's fine.

Is she really?

How did you know about Valerie Bessinger?

Hmm, it's in the morning paper.

Now, if you'd have told me where you were going for dinner

I would have told you how to dress.

Ah, you buzzed for me, Mr. Corbett.

I did not buzz for you, Tina, no.

Oh, you already have the newspaper.

Yes, I've seen the picture, Tina.

If you'd only worn a tie.

That's it?

There's no more to that sentence?

Oh, well, then I could've sent the picture to my mother.

Oh. Oh, I see.

And now you're not gonna send the picture to your mother.

Because you don't want her to know that you work

for a boss that doesn't know when to wear a tie.

Right.

Back to your desk.

♪♪

Now, Norman. Speak.

I knew a girl like Valerie Bessinger once.

And?

She was rich, gorgeous, famous, sexy...

- But there was just one thing. - What's that?

She drove every man she ever met crazy.

[laughter]

[Tom] You're going to what?

[Valerie] I'm gonna start a movement

to re-flower the whole Earth.

[Tom] Allby yourself.

No.

Senator Goldrich is gonna try and help make it official.

[Tom] Help make what official?

The first annual "Re-flower The Earth Day."

Good idea.

I got it from the group discussion

on ecology with the children.

Out of the mouths of babes.

Anyhow, they are very excited about them.

We are celebrating a week from Friday.

- Celebrating what? - Ugh!

You just haven't been listening, have you?

[together] The first annual

"Re-flower The Earth Day."

Oh, good, you were paying attention.

- I try, I try. - Now come out to the terrace.

You see, we're starting our plants from seedlings, look.

You know, I don't really hear a word that you are saying.

[moaning]

- Tom, you know what? - Hmm.

I'm very happy when I'm with you.

I know.

- Oh, look! - What?

The first star.

Make a wish.

Um... I wish...

Yeah?

That, uh, beautiful Tom Corbett.

Who?

Would use his magazine

to launch the most militant

anti-smog campaign the city has ever seen.

Is that really what's on your mind right now?

Really? Really?

Well, I'm feeling romantic.

When a woman feels romantic, she thinks about the future.

And without clean air, there is no future.

I suppose you have a point.

Well, I've been collecting statistics.

Would you like to hear them?

Oh, alright.

But why don't we go inside?

It's getting a little chilly out here.

Oh, no!

Oh, now, 62 percent

of the trouble is caused by cars.

Sixty-two percent?

However, industry must assume...

Let's hear it for industry.

[indistinct chatter]

For a man in love, you sure look gloomy.

Well, Eddie said something yesterday.

It stuck.

Eddie said something yesterday and you're stuck?

No, itstuck, in my head what Eddie said.

- I know what he said. - What?

He wants you to marry Miss Bessinger.

Exclamation point.

- And you? - Question mark.

I don't know, she's... well, she's fascinating.

She drives me crazy, she plays games on me

but, still, I don't know what I'd do without her.

[lip smacking]

You want my opinion?

I won't give it to you unless I'm asked.

Well, I'm not gonna ask you, so you don't

have to worry about it.

- You're not gonna ask me? - No.

My opinion is to think about it twice.

Why?

Valerie Bessinger has been engaged to an airline pilot

playwright, a movie star

a congressman, and has never been married.

Well, maybe she's just never found the right guy, that's all.

She never will, she doesn't wanna get married.

Which, I must admit, for a woman

is a rare and admirable trait.

Unless, you're a father

hung up on raising an 8-year-old child.

Hmm!

Hello! Ooh-hoo! Go, go, go! Hello, Wiley.

[Valerie] Okay, now we're gonna wrap up the lesson, alright?

We learnt to say today, je m'appelle

which means, my name is, and say your name

Tammy and Patrick and Eddie.

And... alright, you ready?

[speaking in French]

It is 5 o'clock, which means it's time

for everybody to go home, I'll see you tomorrow.

Give me a kiss. Come on.

Goodbye Tammy. Hey! Kiss!

Yes, right here, a kiss.

Okay, scram.

- I love you. - Bye.

- Hi, dad! - Hey, hi, guy!

How are you? Up we go.

Hup! That's it, that's the longest ride.

Hey, you wanna see something terrific?

I do indeed.

- Hey, come on, follow me. - Oh!

Voila,look my flowers

are startin' to come up through the Earth.

I made real flowers come up through the Earth.

Eddie, that's beautiful.

Some people just have the ability

to make some things grow.

And tomorrow is the first annual

of the "Re-flower of the Earth Day."

We're gonna plant 'em outside in the park, aren't we, Valerie?

Yes, we are. Where everybody can enjoy them.

[faux French accent] Well, I think that calls for a celebration.

Oh, I'll cook.

Hey, you know how to say hamburger in French?

- No. - Hamburger.

[Tom] Didn't know French was so easy, huh?

Oh, may I have a friend of mine over? Norman Tinker.

He's not only a big ecology buff

but he's a big food eater.

Oh, well, okay, your house so Mrs. Livingston

can go home early.

[Valarie] Eddie? Could you come here and help me?

Sure! She needs me to help her all the time.

You're a good sport. Norman?

- Hmm. - I have a question for you.

- Question? - Can my lady cook?

Or, canmy lady cook?

- Answer, your lady can cook. - Mm-hmm.

[Valarie] Here we come.

- Ta-da! - Oh, well, make way! Make way.

Specialty of the house.

Oh, wow.

Hey, uncle Norman, look. Hot peaches.

Kid's right lady, your peaches are on fire.

Oh, you are a classy act, you two.

Here, give this to Uncle Norman.

Thank you, my dear.

Norman, I will have you know that my lady learnt to cook

at the Cordon Bleu in Paris.

Well, I'll have you know I learnt to eat

at the automat in New York.

Hmm. I'll get the tray.

- Oh, thank you. - May I seat the pretty lady?

Oh, why, thank you.

Ah, voila! What does that mean?

- Move the chair. - I see.

Valerie, I have to tell you it's been a beautiful dinner

a great table

and I will not ask about the flags.

- Oh. - No, please, don't.

That is a family joke.

I'll tell you all about it later, Uncle Norman.

- Mm-hmm! - Thanks, champ.

Oh, well, in that case

I think it is past your bedtime

before you blow the whistle on me, come on, tiger.

Brush your teeth.

Thanks, I couldn't do it either.

Okay, I'll be in to say goodnight.

Alright, goodnight, Uncle Norman

Goodnight, champ.

Ah!

Let me tell you something.

That is not only a super lady

but she has such a love for life.

You wanna know something else, you thought, when you invited me

over here tonight, you thought I was gonna

tell you everything I thought, right?

Oh, yeah.

You're in for a big surprise,

for the first time in my life

I'm gonna keep my mouth shut.

It's your ballgame.

Really?

You sound like me when I tell Eddie to make his own mistakes.

You said it, I didn't.

♪♪

Good morning, Mrs. Livingston.

Good morning, Mr. Eddie's father.

Eggs this morning?

Yes, I'll have eggs and cereal

and toast and some little pink sausages.

Eddie was too excited to eat anything.

Really? I bet I know where he is.

Probably at Miss Bessinger's, hmm?

Well, I have never seen him so excited.

Yeah, I know.

Hi, guy!

Hi.

Eddie, is something the matter?

We're not gonna plant my flowers.

You're not? Why?

Miss Valarie has to go away.

♪♪

Where?

I don't know.

And you know what, dad?

- What? - She promised.

Yes, I know she did.

And she even said that the... well...

That the "Re-flower of the Earth Day"

was even more important than Christmas.

And now, she doesn't even care.

Eddie.

Hey, Eddie.

I think maybe I better go upstairs

and find out about it, huh?

Valerie?

Tom?

Oh, you won't believe what arrived

at 7 o'clock this morning.

I got a, oh, where is it? Oh, here.

A telegram from Washington.

I have been appointed by a very important personage

to head up a women's sub-committee on health

education and welfare. Now, isn't that wild?

Yes, it is. Listen, couldn't you go tomorrow?

Oh, no, I can't.

There's much, too much to do. Excuse me.

Wait, it's that big box in the corner.

Come here, I'll show you. Al-Alley?

Alley, would you show him which box it is?

And bring the other two bags through when you can.

Tom, this is gonna give me a chance to affect

some really important legislation, I...

It's like a dream come true for me.

And what about the dreams of the children

that have been looking forward to this day for so long?

Oh, I feel terrible about that, I...

I told them I'd make it up to them.

How are you gonna do that, Valerie?

Eddie believed you.

Well, I don't know.

These things come up, I...

I, uh, I'll write him a letter

and, uh, when I get back, I'll have a long talk with him.

A-Alley, would you bring my jacket with you?

Yes, ma'am.

Um.

Valerie, uh, when are you gonna do that, now, uh, in six months?

In a year?

Well, uh... I don't know.

I mean, things come up.

♪♪

Tom, you and I never had

any promises between us.

Just an episode, in an episodic life.

Life is moments.

And I wanna...

...savor all the flavors and the colors I can get.

I contribute.

Yes.

But I did just realize something about you, Valerie.

You're not committed.

But you are fashionable.

[laughs]

Well, that's the difference between us, huh?

I am fashionable.

You are hopelessly old fashioned.

Well, if old fashioned means, uh

keeping promises to children and...

...respecting some traditions like the flag and marriage

if that's what you want.

Yeah, you're right.

I'm hopelessly old fashioned.

But that's what's great about today.

You march to your drummer

and I'll march to mine.

Well...

Goodbye, Valarie Bessinger.

And listen here...

...there will be no more cutting up of the American flag.

Alright?

Bye, Tommy.

I'll see you when I get back.

I don't think so.

But you have been an experience.

- Uncle Norman. - Hmm.

Do you think they'll grow out here?

Terrific.

I mean, just as good as in the park.

Yeah, but you gotta thin 'em out just a little bit

so that they don't get so crowded.

I hope Miss Bessinger has a nice flight.

Yes, that'd be a nice wish for her.

What do you mean by a nice wish?

Well, well, uh...

Eddie, remember the birds we saw last week?

Yeah.

Well...

...some birds were meant to nest...

...some birds were meant to fly.

Mm, she wasn't too crazy about nesting, huh?

No, not too crazy.

She's gonna go to Washington, isn't she?

- Mm-hmm. - Wonder what she'll do there.

Oh, she'll probably do something very important.

Like get her face on a wristwatch.

- Right? - Right.

Right.

[Eddie] Why do nuts have shells?

[Tom] To protect them.

[Eddie] How come people don't have shells to protect them?

[Tom] Well, lots of them do.

[Eddie] They do?

Then how do you crack 'em?

[Tom] You have to talk 'em open.

[Eddie] Dad, do I need glasses?

[Tom] What gave you that idea?

[Eddie] I'm your son and you wear glasses.

[Tom] I do a lot of things that you don't.

- Like what? - Shaving.

[Eddie] If I shave, will you get me some glasses?

- You know what eyelids are? - What?

[Eddie] Curtains for the windows of your eyes.

Dad, I know what poetry is.

[Tom] What's poetry?

[Eddie] It's when the words match.

[Tom] Very good. Do you know what prose is?

[Eddie] Sure, the Rams, the Green Bay Packers

the Cleveland Browns.

♪ People let me tell you about my best friend ♪

♪ Pa ra ra ra pa ra ♪

♪ People let me tell you about my best friend ♪

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

♪ People let me tell you about my best friend ♪

♪ He's a one boy cuddly toy ♪

♪ My up my down my pride and joy ♪

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

♪ Whether we're talkin' man to man ♪

♪ Or whether we're talkin' son to son ♪

♪ 'Cause he's my best friend ♪

♪ La la pa ra ra pa ra ♪♪