Original subtitles

[Eddie] Dad, do you know King Solomon?

[Tom] No, but I read about him.

[Eddie] Well, you see

once there was one baby

and two mothers who both wanted him.

[Tom] Yeah. Well, what did he do?

[Eddie] Well, he had to figure

who was the real mother

and who was just foolin' around.

- Did he do it? - Zap! He did.

[Eddie] And once there was this feller with real long hair

and they strapped him to the temple walls

and he couldn't see, but his hair grew

and he banged on the temple.

[Tom] Eddie, are you trying to talk me out of getting haircuts for you?

[Eddie] Dad, I just wanna learn.

[Tom] Right.

[theme music]

♪ 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 ♪♪

[scatting]

[male 1] Telegram for Mr. Corbett.

Thank you very much.

Well, what is it, Mrs. Livingston?

- A telegram. - Oh, thank you.

It is for Mr. Eddie Corbett.

- For me? - Eddie?

It says so right there.

- Should I open it now? - Sure, why not?

Oh, I don't know, I never got a telegram before.

Oh, well, it's your telegram.

Well, you just open any time you want to.

Okay, I'll open it now.

Good.

♪♪

Excuse me, dad, Mrs. Livingston.

I never got a telegram before.

♪♪

Oh, boy, he's coming, he's coming!

Eddie, who's coming?

Mr. Cooper!

Mr. Cooper who?

- Gordon Cooper. - Go...

Go-Go-Gordon Cooper, the astronaut?

Yeah, I wrote him a letter and invited him over for lunch.

I remember, Eddie wrote to Mr. Cooper

when they studied about space in school.

Well, uh, he might have written to-to, uh, Mr. Cooper

but, uh...

Eddie, could, m-may-may I?

Thank you.

What does it say?

"Dear Eddie, received your letter

"plan to be in Los Angeles weekend of the 30th.

"If your invitation is still open

"thought I might drop over for a visit

"Saturday, at 2 p.m.

"so we can talk about space and things.

Gordon Cooper."

Oh, boy! Gordon Cooper's comin' over here for lunch!

But, dad, why do you think that my telegram

from Gordon Cooper's a joke?

Eddie, I just said it's possible.

Now, I'm sure that Mr. Cooper is delighted

to have a letter from you

but astronauts are very busy people.

And it's not likely that he would put everything aside--

But dad, he says he's coming.

Well, that's the point, Eddie.

I-I know that it says

"Gordon Cooper" on it

but how do you know that he really sent it?

Why not?

Sport, did you tell the kids at school

that you were, uh, well, that you were writing to him?

Sure, I told 'em all.

Ah, that's, that's what I thought.

Eddie, it would be very nice

to have an astronaut to lunch

but you have to remember, sport, that some people send telegrams

um, well, as-as a trick

or as a joke.

Why would they do that?

Well, because they think it's funny.

Gordon Cooper wouldn't do that.

Yes, I know he wouldn't

but some of the kids

at school might, in fun.

Doesn't sound like fun to me.

I know.

Eddie, look, why don't you let me take this telegram to work

and, uh, and verify it

and, which means, you know, to make sure that it's okay.

And if it really is from Gordon Cooper

then you can always take it

to school with you tomorrow.

Okay, dad, but you don't have to worry.

[Eddie] I just know, it's not a trick.

Eddie really thinks

that Gordon Cooper is going to visit him this Saturday.

Oh, Mr. Corbett, it would make such a beautiful story

for the magazine.

"Little boy's dream comes true."

Mm-hmm or "Little boy's heart gets broken."

Mr. Corbett, there must be some way you can find out

if this is real.

That's the strange part.

I've already checked and the telegram

did come from Colorado.

So, that rules out all of Eddie's school friends.

The point of it is, who else would do a thing like this?

Well, it would be a mean, dirty trick.

[telephone beeps]

No, I'll take it I called Research

and asked 'em to check it for me.

Hello?

Yeah.

Sure.

Okay. Thanks, Chuck.

Well, I found out who else would

pull a mean, dirty trick like this.

- Who? - Gordon Cooper, the astronaut.

He has a ranch in Carbondale, Colorado.

Oh, Mr. Corbett, it would make

such an exciting story for the magazine.

It would be like-like if I wrote a letter to Tom Jones

and he wrote back and said he'd have cocktails with me.

Hmm, no.

No, I will not use Eddie for the magazine.

But, Mr. Corbett, this is different.

Eddie might wanna have it for a souvenir.

I don't think he's gonna have to have a souvenir

to remember something like this.

♪♪

[Tom] Eddie was right.

It is for real

and he will be here next Saturday.

See, dad, I told you it wasn't a trick.

Well, yeah, I guess, you did.

Now could I take this to school

and show everybody?

They didn't believe me when I told 'em I got it.

Mm-hmm, well, I, uh, I saw it myself, remember?

And I didn't believe it.

Mm-hmm.

And all the kids wanna come over, Saturday

just in case the telegram is real.

But I told them they couldn't.

They said I was being selfish.

- Are you? - Well, yeah.

It would be fun to have all the kids over.

But I'll bet you, Gordon Cooper

has a gang of kids around him wherever he goes.

Mm-hmm, I think that's probably one of the penalties

of being a-a public figure.

And I just thought, he'd like to have

a nice, private lunch for a change.

I think you're probably right.

And that isn't selfish?

No, I don't think it's selfish.

It sounds very thoughtful.

Now, all I have to do is figure out

what we should have for lunch?

Eddie wants to plan it himself.

Oh, really?

Do you have anything special in mind for lunch?

Well, you know what I always like best.

♪♪

Would spaghetti be selfish?

[telephone beeps]

Hello?

Oh, yes. Will you hold a minute?

It's Mr. Weston for you.

- Who? - From Metro Vista TV?

Oh, oh, yeah, alright.

Uh, look, Tina, would you please

take these down to Norman and see if he has anymore art, okay?

- Wilco. - "Wilco?"

Back to Berlitz.

- Tina? - Um...

Oh.

Hello?

Tina...

Uh, Mr. Weston, hi.

[Tom] Tom Corbett, how are ya?

I'm fine, Corbett, just fine.

[Tom] Good, good, well, what may I do for you?

Corbett, I think what I have in mind

is of mutual benefit to us both.

Now, as you know, my son, Sammy

is in your boy's class at school.

[Tom] Yes, I know.

Well, from what my son tells me

your little guy has really

pulled off quite a stunt here.

Stunt?

Well, this business about

getting one of our astronauts

out here for a private little palaver.

[chuckles]

I don't suppose "Tomorrow Magazine"

had a little hand in this, huh?

[Tom] Well, hey, Mr. Weston I didn't even know that Eddie

had written to Mr. Cooper.

It was just a-a little boy

stating his dream and Mr. Cooper

being gracious enough to respond.

Well, that doesn't matter. However it came about

I'm, uh, sure you're not unhappy about it, huh?

[Tom] I'm very pleased for Eddie.

I think it'll be a very memorable experience for him.

And you and I know how to perpetuate that experience

don't we?

Now, there'll be no conflict, of course.

You'll have the magazine coverage.

All we want is that television exclusive.

[Tom] You have to understand, this is really Eddie's affair.

But, uh, I'll tell you what, I'll be glad

to convey the information for you then I'll call you back.

Well, that's fine, I'll consider the matter settled.

I can't imagine any little guy not wanting to be

on television with his favorite astronaut, huh?

[chuckling]

- Son of a gun... - Well.

Hey, dummy. How's your, uh, how's your lunch coming?

Well, okay, I and Mrs. Livingston

have it all planned out.

Yeah?

All systems are go.

Roger.

- Anyway, everything is A-Okay. - A-Okay.

- Except for the kids at school. - Why?

Well, they still think I'm selfish

because I won't let 'em come.

Oh, yeah, well, that-that sort of figures.

Oh, speaking of the kids at school...

Yeah?

I got a call today

from Sammy Weston's father at the office.

Oh, you did? What for?

Well, he is the manager of Metro Vista TV.

I've heard. Sammy brags about him all day long.

Oh, he does.

Well, he would like to televise

your luncheon with Gordon Cooper.

You mean, come here with cameras and everything?

Mm-hmm.

What did you tell 'em?

I told him that I would have to talk to you first.

Well, I don't think Gordo, umm...

I mean, Mr. Cooper

would like that.

You know, he has to be

on television all the time.

- Even in outer space. - Mm-hmm.

That even be worse than havin' all the kids here.

Yeah. I suppose you're right

with all the cameraman and cameras

and cables and stuff like that.

Yeah, you gotta smile on camera all the time.

Yeah, like that, I suppose you do.

Yeah.

Well, if Mr. Cooper has as much trouble

as I have eating spaghetti

he won't like it at all.

[laughs]

Well, I guess it's just better to tell Mr. Weston no.

Okay.

♪♪

Good to see you again, Corbett.

Yes, you too, thank you.

Yeah, uh-huh.

- Oh. - Oh-oh, yes.

W-won't you, uh... won't you sit down?

Sure.

Uh, I won't waste any words, Corbett.

Uh, I'm sure your time is as valuable as mine

but I think I have something that'll cinch

this TV deal of ours.

But, Mr. Weston, uh, as I explained

in this situation, it's Eddie's decision that's final.

Well, I know, but, you see

I think what I've got to say will take this, uh...

...proposition out of the Little League, so to speak.

Corbett

since I spoke to you this morning...

...I've been in touch

with the network boys.

The guys from the network anyway are having this space special.

And, uh, they thought it'd really be dynamite

to have your kid tete a tete

with Cooper as a segment on it.

Well, I don't think that--

Your cut of the pie

is a 1,000 smackaroos.

How 'bout that?

Y-y-y-yeah, well, I-I-I appreciate that

but as I was about to say, uh...

I-I can't see that-that would in any way alter the situation

because, well, you see

Eddie would like to have

just a, uh, nice...

...private little lunch.

Well, I think Eddie has gotta realize

that Cooper's a national hero.

I mean, he's a public figure.

He has no life of his own.

Y-y-yes, I-I imagine it isn't, most of the time

but while he is

Eddie's guest, it will be.

Thousand dollars would buy the little guy a lotta lollipops.

[laughing]

Well, I thought the decision was his, anyway.

Yes, of course, it is

and I will be glad to go back

and relay the information to Eddie.

I'll tell ya, if you don't mind, I think

I'll talk to the little guy myself

I'll put it in my own way, you know.

Why, I don't think that'll be necessary.

Don't you trust your kid, Corbett?

Well, I mean, you wouldn't try to influence him

in any way, now, would you?

[stammering]

Well, you know, in-in that case

I think you had best come

and present your proposition yourself.

Oh.

Uh-huh.

♪♪

- Hi, sport. - Hi, dad.

Uh-ha, what're you doing?

I know Mrs. Livingston cleaned up this table real good

but I'm just checking it over again.

You know, astronauts sure don't like dust particles.

Oh, you're right.

Eddie, do you remember, Mr. Weston, Sammy's father?

- Hi, there, young fella. - Hi, Mr. Weston.

Young man, I'd like for you and me

to have a business talk together.

If your father will excuse us.

Well, I never have business talks without my father.

In fact...

...he's the only one

I even have business talks with.

Yeah, well, uh, I-I don't wanna interfere in any way

uh, b-believe me, this is purely Eddie's business.

Well... very well.

Eddie, um...

Do you know how much money a thousand dollars is?

- Huh? - Yeah, it's a lot.

It sure is.

Eddie, uh, what would you do if you had $1,000, huh?

[birds chirping]

[Mr. Weston] You know what? You could get a new bicycle.

Or, uh, hey, maybe your own color television.

You know what, Ed?

You could, uh, take a trip

if you wanted to.

Eddie, I am pleased

to inform you

that $1,000

is precisely the amount of money

you'll receive

if you'll please

let us televise your visit

with Gordon Cooper.

[Eddie] Well, that sure is an awful lot of money.

[Mr. Weston] It sure is.

But I didn't invite Mr. Cooper over

to be on a TV show.

I just want him come for lunch.

So, that wouldn't be fair.

Sorry, Mr. Weston.

No television.

You know, that was quite a thing

that you did today, Eddie.

And you don't care if we don't

get a $1,000 to take a trip?

No, I do not care because I think

a person's right to privacy

should have no price tag on it.

I'll bet you Gordon Cooper will be glad to stay here

and have a nice quiet lunch with nobody bothering him.

Except me.

Give us a kiss, love.

You missed.

Bombs away!

♪♪

Hi, you remember me. I'm Mr. Weston?

Of Metro Vista TV?

And Sammy's father.

- Yeah. - Yes, sir.

Psst!

Mr. Weston's here again.

- What does he want? - I don't know.

- Send him in. - Yes, sir.

Well, Mr. Weston.

What, uh, what can't I do for you today?

Corbett, I think I have an answer for both of us.

One that will give us our little hunk of film

and at the same time satisfy you

and your son's altruistic notions.

Mr. Weston, I don't think you understand.

The ante's raised to $2,000

and it goes to your favorite charity.

Think of what it'll mean to a hospital

full of crippled children?

Mr. Weston, that is a very clever device

for clouding the issue.

But you can't lay the guilt of the world on me that easily.

The answer remains the same

and this time

I speak for Eddie.

♪♪

Okay.

- Hi, Eddie. - Hi.

Well, what's the matter?

Tomorrow is your big day

and you look so unhappy.

I wish I hadn't even wroten

that dumb letter.

Oh.

Mr. Cooper doesn't think it was dumb.

I think he like it very much.

That's why he's coming here to have lunch with you.

Yeah, but I didn't think

all the kids in school

were gonna be mad at me.

Oh, they're probably mad at themselves

because they didn't think of it first.

Well, yeah, but today Sammy Weston told everybody

in the whole school that my dad

was the meanest man in the world.

He even said that my dad had a chance to give $2,000

to the crippled children

to help 'em

but he wouldn't do it.

Well, Eddie, some people try to use

all kinds of reason to hurt you

when they cannot have their way.

[Tom] Eddie, don't you understand that-that

well, in the name of charity

they were still trying to buy off a person's privacy.

Now, you still feel that Gordon Cooper would rather not

have his picture taken at that lunch, right?

[Eddie] Yeah, especially when he's eating spaghetti.

[Tom] Right, well, then that's the way it's gonna be

no matter what anybody says, okay?

- Okay. - Good.

- But only... - What's up?

[Eddie] What about the crippled kids?

[Tom] Ah.

Well, we will just have to find another way

to take care of them and we will, okay?

- Right. - Right.

♪♪

- Eddie? - Yeah?

I, uh, I forgot to tell you

it's Colonel Cooper.

Okay.

[man 1 on radio] 'Minus 40.

Need to check pressurization.

[indistinct speech]

- Bring into operation. - Roger.

[male 1 on radio] Mercury capsule, go.

All pre-start paddle lights are correct. The ready light is on.

Eject Mercury umbilical. Or evacuate.

[man 2 on radio] Mercury umbilical clear.

[indistinct radio chatter]

[man 1 on radio] Oh, recorder's too fast, T minus 18 seconds

and counting. Engines start.

[man 3] You have firing signal.

- Good lord ride all the way. - Godspeed.

- Ten, nine, eight, seven. - Ten, nine, eight, seven.

- Six, five, four, three. - Three.

- Two, one. - Two, one, zero.

[doorbell ringing]

That's him!

Hi.

You must be Eddie.

I sure am glad you could come, colonel.

Thank you. I'm happy to be here, Eddie.

I brought you a little souvenir.

This is the Kennedy hard hat

like we give the President when he comes visiting.

Gee, thanks! Come on.

Hey, that's some souvenir sport.

- This is my father, colonel. - Tom Corbett.

It's a pleasure to meet you, colonel.

Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Corbett.

And this is Mrs. Livingston.

[speaking in Japanese]

Thank you.

I want you to know how much

I appreciate your coming.

It's a pleasure being here.

I remember when I was Eddie's age

and wrote to a hero of mine

and he didn't have the time to answer it

just how disappointed I was.

I can understand that.

Would you gentleman like your lunch now?

Okay, Mrs. Livingston.

I sure hope you like spaghetti, colonel.

It's one of my favorite foods.

Well, then in that case

I will leave you to your lunch, enjoy.

- Thank you. - And you enjoy, too.

- Okay, dad. - Okay.

♪♪

Come on, colonel. We'll eat over here.

Okay.

So, now this spacecraft is in the lower orbit.

It moves forward at a faster speed.

And as it moves on up, it can get into position

to do the final rendezvous.

And so that's how we rendezvous two spacecraft.

Oh, I see.

Colonel Cooper

there's just sort of one thing that's bothering me.

What's that, Eddie?

How do I know it's really you?

Well, I guess I could show you

what's on the back of my watch.

♪♪

Astronaut Leroy Gordon Cooper.

To mark man's conquest of space

with time, through time and on time.

Mercury nine, Gemini five.

- Yep, guess it's you, alright. - Yep, I guess it is.

What's it like out there in space, anyway?

Well, it's very spectacular out there, Eddie.

It certainly is all one big beautiful world.

One thing you can note is that you don't see

any of these boundaries between countries from up there

and you realize that all these are just man-made boundaries.

Also, you can note that man is rapidly polluting his world.

You certainly see that when you fly over Los Angeles

so many times, and can't even see the city.

Eddie, I think, probably, Colonel Cooper

has some appointments he has to keep.

I do, as a matter of fact.

Business appointments

now that I'm in business.

But, Eddie, it certainly has been a very real pleasure

being here with you for this

nice private lunch that we've had.

Aren't you glad we didn't have any

television cameras around here

or anything like that?

I sure am, sometimes it's fun

to be famous but not always.

My dad says that the most important thing to a person

is his privacy.

And your dad is right and that's something

we always have to remember.

[Eddie] Yeah.

Maybe, we will go to the moon together

and kick around some moon dust.

Well, of course it's gonna be lonesome up there

without Uncle Norman.

He told me, if everybody's going to go to the moon

he's gonna stay down here, and take over.

He said Horace Greeley did the same thing.

He told everybody to "Go to the West, young man"

and he stayed in the East and made a fortune.

And Mrs. Livingston said she's far enough

awayfrom home as it is.

It's just you and me together on the moon, dad.

[Tom] Terrific.

♪ People let me tell you about my best friend ♪

[scatting]

♪ 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 ♪♪

[scatting]