Original subtitles

♪ People let me tell you about my best friend ♪♪

[birds chirping]

- Are animals neighborly? - Neighborly?

[Eddie] Yeah, I mean, do they have parties

invite other animals

and share things?

[Tom] Well, I guess if they get along, yeah.

[Eddie] What do you mean?

[Tom] Well, some animals are natural enemies of other animals.

- Like people? - No.

[Tom] No. No, people should get along.

We have no natural enemies.

- Just made up ones? - Right.

[Eddie] I wish I could talk to the animals.

[Tom] Oh, really? What would you say?

[Eddie] Be nice. Be nice.

[Tom] Oh, wow.

[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]

[scatting]

♪ Oops ♪♪

[Tom] No, I can't honestly say that I thought

there would be such a response to the article.

Beats me, evidently a lot of people still do remember

when a neighbor was someone you could count on.

Well, Tina, a boss is also someone you can count on

and this boss is telling you to go home.

I don't care about the calls and I don't care

about the telegrams. Go get some rest.

Alright. O-okay. Bye-bye.

[Eddie] "Whatever happened to neighborliness?"

And everybody is all excited about it.

Hm, yeah. Yes, evidently, we hit a nerve.

- Yeah. - Hm.

[doorbell ringing] I'll get it.

♪♪

- Hi. - Hi.

- Oh, hello. - Hi.

- Welcome wagon. - Oh.

Well, uh, there must be some mistake.

Why, we-we, uh, we didn't just move in.

- We've been here for years. - Oh, but we just moved in.

- Right. - Across the hall.

And following the instructions in your article

dropped over to say hello, bearing gifts.

[gasps] Oh, oh, you-you...

- You read the article. - Read it.

Loved it, endorse it.

"Hint number one, state your name loud and clear."

[clears throat] I'm Paul Sterling and this is my wife, Bunny.

Ah. Well, how do you do?

Uh, this is my son, Eddie, and I am Tom Corbett.

And, um, uh, following the article

may we invite you in?

Uh, no, no, no.

Uh, the instructions are very definite.

"Cautiously break the ice, then swiftly retreat."

We have cautiously broken the ice.

And now we swiftly retreat.

[laughing]

Oh, you're having a party?

No, Mrs. Livingston, that is a gift

from our new neighbors, the Sterlings.

- Oh. - They read dad's article.

Oh, I too read the article and it is true.

In old days neighbors were more friendly.

Mm-hmm.

Why aren't they as friendly now

as they were then?

Well, that's the point, sport.

You see, in the old days

people used to depend on each other.

For example, your neighbor would come over

and help you build your house

you'd go over and help him

take in the harvest.

But, today people are more cautious

and they're not as friendly.

Now, we do not seem to be willing

to take the time to be friends.

And speaking of time, you get

your books, we're on our way.

These neighbors seem very friendly.

Mm-hmm.

♪♪

Good morning.

- Good morning. - Morning.

We're your neighbors.

Well, I'm sorry, Tina, I think I'm just upset

about having to work on a Saturday.

- You, too. - No, that's okay.

But it was very nice of you to give up one of your days off.

No, really, that's okay, I probably would've just

wasted the day, anyway

lying on the beach, swimming, relaxing.

[chuckles] Yeah, you're a good neighbor.

- I'm not your neighbor. - Is that right?

Where's my office? Where's your office?

- I am a good neighbor. - That's right.

- You are. - Oh.

[laughing]

How and also what and why

but most of all, how?

- We come bearing gifts. - In exchange for Eddie.

- Oh. - I'm ready.

- Oh. - Ah...

Well, I guess you're wondering

why a grown-up is wearing a feather

when it would obviously look better on you.

Paul, stop teasing him. Give him the feather.

[laughing]

Oh, boy.

Okay, come on, we better get out of here.

These people have work to do.

Not before you try the caviar.

Oh, oh, uh, uh, it's early in the afternoon.

Dad, do you think you could get your work done by tomorrow

so we could go to Jungle Town?

Uh, well, yes, that's-that's why we're working today, sport.

- Maybe we could all go. - Paul.

[laughs] Just a big kid, you know? I think in Jungle Town...

Well, anyway, I mean, uh, you know

it's a, it's-it's an idea, you know?

I-I-I don't--

You don't wanna hurt my feelings.

I don't. I...

I don't wanna hurt your feelings, either.

[laughs]

See, all his life, Paul's been attracted

to fish eggs. I'm a Pisces myself.

Well, what do you say we all swim outta here

so these kids can go to work?

- What are you rushing? - Come on, let's go!

- We're gonna go for the ponies. - Ready?

- Bye, dad. - Yes. En-en-enjoy yourself.

Uh, uh, see you later.

♪♪

- I hate caviar. - I love it.

The average person will benefit

no, make that gain

uh, by the exchange of ideas.

Yeah, yeah. Now read that back to me, would you?

Read what back?

The words I just dictated to you.

I'm, I'm afraid I-I missed a few.

What was the last thing you got?

An upset stomach. I love caviar.

- But it just doesn't love me. - Oh.

Goodnight. Goodnight, Ms. Rickles.

- Goodnight, Mrs. Livingston. - Goodnight, Mrs. Livingston.

And you have a very nice weekend, what's left of it.

Think I will enjoy the quiet and peacefulness of my apartment.

Yes, well, I envy you enjoying the quiet and peacefulness

of your apartment without neighbors.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

Hi, good evening, Mrs. Livingston.

- Good evening. - Mr. Corbett.

Read your article, Corbett. Enjoyed it.

Good point you got there.

♪♪

Well...

- Still don't feel any better? - Uh-uh.

I'm sorry, Mr. Corbett, I really haven't been much help, have I?

Well, Tina, there are some days

when nothing is any help.

[scoffs] Tsk, but this will all be over next Monday.

You know what, if we really got to work right now

really fast and worked real hard, I bet we could--

- Hi, dad. - Oh, hi.

- Did you have a nice time? - Sure did.

I got to ride the ponies 11 times.

- Eleven times? - Well, don't look at me.

I'm only responsible for eight of them.

[laughs] I'm guilty of the other three.

I can't deny him anything.

- Well, so you had a nice time. - It was a terrific day.

- We had a lot of rides. - A million-skillion rides.

- In fact, the pony died. - No, it didn't.

- I'm kidding. - He's kidding, honey.

Paul, what's the matter with you?

He's kidding. Look at that face. Come here.

Let your Aunt Bunny squeeze you.

- You never do that to me. - You don't look that good.

- So, you had a nice time. - And you know what?

We're gonna top it all off with beer and pizza

and all that fattening stuff you're not supposed to eat.

Oh, uh, thank you very much

but, uh, but Mrs. Livingston already has prepared

some, uh, some food for us.

All I have to do is heat two pots.

Ah, come on now.

You're not gonna let us kill ourselves

eating all that pizza alone? Come on--

I'll go get the rest of the caviar.

No, no, no, that's alright. You don't have to.

Listen, you just go back to your work

don't pay any attention to us.

B-but it isn't, it isn't necessary. We-we...

Thank you very much, but, uh...

[sighs] This is my idea of living.

Everything in cardboard containers.

- No dishes to wash. - Oh, in that case, I'll dry.

No, please, don't anybody go to any trouble.

I'll just clean this up later, alright?

Are you serious?

You expect us to enjoy your hospitality

and then leave a mess?

[chuckles] Besides, we're here anyway.

Tom, would you mind if I turned the ballgame on?

Real quiet. Our set isn't connected yet.

W-w-well, it's-it's-it's awfully hard to concentrate

with the TV going.

Paul, the man has to work.

Real quiet.

I'll turn it on real quiet.

[sighs]

Hm...

Well, shall we take another crack at it?

Monday. Monday, Monday. Yeah.

- We'll work Monday? - No.

They are leaving on Monday

and then we can work any time.

Uh, Eddie...

But, dad, we just ate.

Yes, but we ate late. Come on, sport.

It's Saturday night.

[Tom] And it is after his bedtime.

I'll come in and say goodnight to you in a few minutes, huh?

Okay. Goodnight, Tina.

Goodnight, Eddie.

Goodnight, Uncle Paul.

Goodnight, skipper.

Good night, Aunt Bunny.

Come here, sweetheart, let me squeeze that face.

Hm, look at those cheeks.

[chuckles]

- Some kid. - Some kid, alright.

[yawns] Well, well, well...

Why don't we get some, uh, some sleep?

- I'm tired. - Tom.

Yeah, maybe we can get a, a start t-tomorrow.

Uh, I'm not gonna get any work done tonight.

- You work too hard. - No, no, no.

Uh, uh, we oughta all get some sleep.

Get a fresh start in the morning.

- Shall I come back tomorrow? - Oh, I couldn't ask that.

- Uh, I'm glad to hear that. - Ah, oh.

But there is one thing that I-I would like to ask

of-of-of you two and, uh, I know, uh

I know that you'll, you'll-you'll understand.

Now, first of all, I want you to know

that I, I appreciate what you've done.

He appreciate. Ha-ha-ha!

And I know that you've had the best intentions.

Now, there's no need to thank us.

There's a need, believe me, it's time--

It's too bad you'll be gone by Monday.

- Yes, uh... - Uh, Mr. Corbett.

I could come back tomorrow if you like.

[sighs]

Tina, do you really know

this man you work for, Tom Corbett?

Have you any idea

have you any idea of the kind of person he is?

Tell her what her boss is really like.

- The man is a prince. - He's a prince.

[Bunny] Feeding perfect strangers, would open his home.

- His heart. - A prince.

- A great guy. - I mean.

You don't meet this kinda person

every day of the week.

A genuine, warm human being.

[sighs] Well, Tina, I'll just say thank you very much

for everything that you, uh, tried to do.

Oh, that's right. It's been interesting.

- Yeah. - Nice meeting both of you.

And you. You're a wonderful person.

A princess.

[sighs]

[cheering on TV]

[gunshot on TV]

Well, that's it. That's the ball game.

Wait, wait a minute.

There might be another one on another channel.

No, I think that's enough. No, no, don't you think so, Paul?

- Huh? - Uh, Paul.

[chuckles]

I think Tom is hinting.

What is he hinting?

That it's time to go.

Isn't that what you were hinting, Tom?

Yes, Bunny, that's what I'm hinting.

Well, Tommy, you don't have to beat around the bush with us.

You're tired, you wanna hit the sack, just say so.

I'm tired. I wanna hit the sack.

- Tom, you can level with us. - I leveled.

[chuckles]

We'll see you tomorrow.

- How 'bout breakfast? - No, uh, not tomorrow.

- Okay, Paul? - We'll see.

Listen, I got a great idea.

Why don't I dream of something special

like, uh, sturgeon and eggs?

You like sturgeon and eggs?

Bunny, Paul, not tomorrow. Okay?

But tomorrow's Sunday. We've got all day.

Your gonna die when you hear this, Tom

but you know, meeting you

and-and making friends with you and-and Eddie...

...it's meant so much to us.

Here it comes, another weather report.

- Well, it's-- - It's raining in Omaha.

We've canceled our trip.

[laughs]

We just don't wanna go!

[Paul and Bunny laughing]

You're kidding.

- No. - No.

Something's wrong.

Tom, you can level with us.

Can I?

Right. Right smack in the face.

- Whatever. - We are friends.

Are we friends or are we neighbors

who have, perhaps, spent too much time together too soon?

I told you.

Look, you're both very nice people

whom I know casually.

We're not friends or neighbors

but we could become friends someday

if we just let it happen

if we don't...

...smother it

with too much involvement. Ah--

No, no. Uh, we know.

- You do? - I don't know what it is.

I mean, we...

You know, we get involved too quickly

and, uh, we scare everybody off.

Uh, we don't mean to do it. Do we mean to do it?

[chuckles] We don't mean to do it, but--

No, see, we don't mean to do it

but... I guess

we don't make friends too often.

And then when we do...

...we push too hard.

Why is it important?

Everybody needs a friend.

Yes.

But aren't you overlooking the most important people?

Each other.

Oh, sure. I mean, of course we have each other.

I mean, after all--

He knows something. Tell us.

I'm sorry, I have no right to tell people

how to live their lives.

[Paul] No, no, tell us.

Please, Tom.

We ask you.

It seems to me...

...the best friend that a husband

can ever possibly have should be his wife

and vice versa.

That's why I think you're looking in all the wrong places.

You seem to be trying desperately

not to be alone together.

And why? You are nice people.

You should discover each other.

You should enjoy each other.

Well, huh, we asked and we got.

And we oughta be grateful.

[chuckles] You know something?

I, uh, think we are gonna stick to our original plan

and, uh, take that trip.

Then when we get back...

...maybe we can start fresh.

I'd like that.

Thank you.

Thanks, Tom Corbett.

- Ah... - There.

Ah, well...

You know, I, I got something out of tonight.

I think we both got something out of--

I think we all got something out of tonight.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

Goodnight, neighbor.

♪♪

[Eddie] If I have a cup of sugar

and you wanted a cup of sugar

should I loan you my cup of sugar?

[Tom] That would be nice.

[Eddie] Is that what's called being neighborly?

[Tom] Well, some people say

good fences make good neighbors

and some people say that good neighbors are good friends.

Some people say, "Love thy neighbor."

[Eddie] Oh.

- What do you think? - Think what?

[Tom] Makes a good neighbor.

[Eddie] Someone who has a lot of sugar.

♪ People let me tell you about my best friend ♪

♪ Pa ra ra ♪

♪ 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 '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 ♪

♪ La la pa ra ra pa ra ♪♪