Original subtitles

Yeah, there's a bluebell and some spring beauties over there.

You know, the woods are full of flowers this time of year,

all trying to outdo one another

to attract the birds and the bees to come to them.

Just like those beauty queens down near Atlantic City.

Look, look. Lookie here.

The first pink buds of the trailing arbutus.

You can really hear the spring, can't you, Grandpa?

Indeed you can. Mother Nature's chorus.

Did you hear what I heard?

Indeed I did.

What was that?

The tune was Ben Bolt.

But Mother Nature never played on a trumpet like that.

Spring on Walton's Mountain

was always a welcomed and celebrated event.

Everything that ha d been dormant during the winter came to life.

My grandfather said it was a time of beginning,

when every living thing was given the opportunity to renew itself.

In the spring of 1940, when the world was on the brink of war,

our lives were to change drastically.

- Jim-Bob? - Yeah?

Do you know that new boy?

What new boy?

George Simmons.

I don't know him.

I think he's kind of cute.

Well, if you think he's so cute, why don't you go over there and talk to him?

I couldn't. I mean, not with Aimee there.

Why don't you come with me?

Why?

Well, 'cause I kind of like him and when we're alone, I can't talk.

That's your problem.

Thanks!

Hi, Verdie. Nice to see you.

I don't know why I came by.

I was just out walking around for a while and found myself here.

I guess I just had to get away for a while.

Well, getting away can be good sometimes.

- Would you like some coffee? - No, thank you.

Come on and sit down.

What are you getting away from?

Olivia. Jodie's joined the Navy.

Why do boys try to be men so fast?

Thoughts keep running through my mind.

Things that could happen to him.

Verdie, you've taught him well. He'll carry that with him.

But have I taught him enough?

The Navy's so big,

and war is something I know nothing about.

I can't bear to think that I might never see him again.

Every time I see Jason in his National Guard uniform,

I have the same fear.

I guess all women are feeling that way right now.

Something wrong in that.

We shouldn't have to feel this way.

You and I ought to just sit here and have ourselves a good cry.

I wish I could, but I haven't got the time.

Neither have I.

I didn't know you played the horn, Josh.

I used to know a fellow. He taught me a little.

Sounds like he taught you plenty.

Yeah, well, he was just an old man I met when I was swamping out saloons.

Before Mommy and Daddy took me in.

His name was Hoot. You ever hear such a crazy name?

Did he give you the horn?

No, this is my daddy's.

I never heard Harley play.

I guess he used to 'cause I found it in one of his old trunks.

You want to play something? You and me?

- Sure. - Well, come on.

- In there? - Sure.

That's white folks' place.

Oh, come on.

I never been in here before. This is some kind of place.

It's a lot more fun when there's people and music.

I mean!

What do you want to play?

Uh, it's up to you.

Ever rode a motorcycle?

No, but I'd sure like to.

Well, my daddy's got one.

I expect he'd let you ride it if you wanted to.

Riding a motorcycle's more fun than driving a car.

I've never driven a car.

George, my arms are about to fall off. Would you carry my books?

Sure. Want me to take yours too?

No, thank you, I can carry 'em.

Elizabeth is as strong as an ox.

Mama!

Mama, I want you to meet George Simmons. He just moved here.

Oh, we have a new family in town? Where'd you move here from, George?

Ruckersville, ma'am.

Oh, such a lovely spot.

I cannot imagine why anyone would want to leave such a lovely city as Ruckersville

and move to this provincial little hamlet.

Well, see, my daddy found a job at a factory down at Norfolk

and my mama and me, we moved back here

to the old home place till the war's over.

Oh, the old Simmons place, of course.

Well, I do hope that you've managed to make that place livable.

I should drop by and show your mama some of my home improvement samples.

I think she'd like some of those flowers, ma'am. They sure are pretty.

I just love flowers. I'd die if a boy brought me some.

I got some chores to do. I'll see you all later.

Well, perhaps you young people'd like to come in and have some refreshment?

No, thank you, I gotta get home. Goodbye. Thanks.

Bye, Elizabeth.

Do you like strawberry pop?

Yeah, sure.

We've got a whole cooler full. Come on in.

Jason, Mrs. Wilkens called and wants you to play for her next week.

Who's Mrs. Wilkens?

The Chairman of the Spring Festival.

- You're kidding? - No.

She wants to set up a meeting with you as soon as possible.

- Did she say when she'd be home? - Anytime this afternoon.

She lives right by here.

- Well, let's go. - Okay.

Elizabeth, is it all right if I walk with you?

Sure.

Would you like some strawberry pop?

No. It makes me belch.

Oh. Well, I don't like strawberry much myself.

Well, in fact, I don't like pop that much. I like ice cream.

Yeah. I sure love ice cream. Well, how about you?

- I like ice cream. - You do?

That's great!

Well, I mean, so do I.

Like ice cream, that is.

I'll see you tomorrow, Elizabeth.

Thanks for letting me walk with you. It's nice to have somebody to talk to.

- Bye. - Bye.

You were highly recommended to us by the conservatory, Jason.

I'm very pleased you're considering me for the job.

The festival has quite a reputation to uphold.

Critics come from as far away as Richmond,

and many of our performers have gone on to make a name for themselves.

Therefore, the Committee will ask for an audition.

That's all right with me.

We usually have a program of traditional and folk music, as well as the classics.

And we'd be prepared to pay you five dollars for the day.

That amount would be fine, ma'am.

Well, I think that just about covers everything.

I wish you luck at the audition, Jason.

Thank you very much.

That's a cute little dog you have here.

Erin?

Mmm.

How do you get a boy to fall desperately in love with you?

There's lots of ways. You can flirt.

You can play hard to get.

But the best way is to always make them feel important.

Is there any other way?

Ignore them. Sometimes that drives them crazy.

But you can't ignore them forever, can you?

No. But when they start to like you, then you can start talking to them again.

- See, that's what I can't do. - What?

Well, I can't talk to them.

And I'll get all flustered, and then I start to blush.

Well, I just can't say a single word.

Well, I wouldn't worry about it.

Just say whatever comes into your head.

See, Erin, that's the difference between us.

I've gotta think before I talk.

Remember who you are, Son. Where you come from, who you are.

I will, Daddy.

You stay out of trouble, you hear?

- You gonna write us? - Soon as I get there.

I packed everything you need.

You've got plenty of warm clothing and for reading, I put in a Bible.

Thanks, Mama.

I'm proud of you.

Thanks, Mama.

We're always here if you need us.

I'll be in strange countries, Mama.

Across the ocean where kings live,

islands where people wear flowers around their necks.

Places we don't know about.

Is there anything I can bring you back from my travels?

Yourself.

I will.

All right.

Daddy.

- Stay out of trouble, you hear? - I will.

- Okay. - Okay.

Go on, cry.

Oh, I will. But not now.

He's gonna be all right, Verdie.

It's good for him to get out, see the world.

Where the kings live and people wear flowers.

Harley, he's a baby.

Be a man when he gets back. And he'll get back.

Hey, Josh, how you doing?

Fine, Mr. John. How you doing?

Can't complain. Jodie get off all right?

Yes, sir. You know, Mama didn't cry. That is, until we got home.

Listen, now tell me, Jason says you're pretty good with that thing.

No. I ain't too bad. Listen, is Jason home?

He's in the house practicing, son.

You gonna play that for me sometime?

Yeah.

Well, sometime when I'm sounding real, real good,

- I'll play it for you. - All right.

Elizabeth? Elizabeth, wait.

I was wondering if we could talk.

I'm sorry, George. I gotta get home. Everybody's waiting for me there.

It's terribly important. Excuse me.

Well, maybe some other time.

How's your love life?

I think he likes Aimee.

What are you gonna do about it?

Become an old maid.

I always did like the trumpet.

You'd be partial to anything Josh does.

Puts his mind to something, he works hard at it. I like that.

He's a lot like you.

I was thinking maybe someday I'd take up the drums.

You do, and you'll find yourself living in the barn.

- Hello, Verdie. - Evening.

I seem to have lost Josh.

He's in with Jason.

He promised he'd be home before dark.

Supper's been ready for an hour.

Jason and him been playing away. They probably lost track of time.

Is that Josh?

Not bad.

Well, he never let on to me he could play.

Jason says he has a real knack for it.

Why, I believe Jason is right.

- Bravo! - Bravo!

You can beat John Philip Sousa anytime.

Supper's been ready a long time.

It's my fault. I kept him here.

I'm sorry, Mama.

All right, it's time to go.

- Good night, everybody. - Good night!

- Thanks again. You're real good. - Bye-bye.

That boy is something.

I wish you'd take up the horn.

I'd like to know where you got that horn.

It's Daddy's.

Who taught you to play?

I learned when I was on my own.

Well, why didn't you tell us about it?

Well, I thought you wouldn't like it. It was before you all took me in,

when I was sleeping in saloons.

That's all over now, Son.

Playing with Jason is proper to me.

You make that horn sound pretty good.

I do, don't I?

Oh, you.

I didn't even think I still had that old trumpet.

How'd he sound?

Good. I couldn't believe it.

I never could get any music out of that thing.

I wonder where Jodie is by now.

Probably all settled in.

I hope he's not the only colored one.

What are you talking about, woman?

Lots of colored men in the service.

Will they be hard on him?

No more than anywhere else.

He's never been with white folks that much.

He's strong.

We gave him that.

But did we give him enough?

The more he faces, the stronger he'll get.

It's not fair that he has to be stronger than anybody else.

Why does it have to be harder for him?

Because he's colored.

I don't need you to tell me the color of my child's skin.

The hell with skin!

He's a person and he's gone off to fight

for a country that brought his grandparents here in chains.

You trying to say you're sorry he volunteered?

I am saying appreciation is due.

Harley,

I try not to hate.

It's not easy.

Sneaking out in the middle of night to hang around a saloon?

You ain't got a brain in your head!

I wasn't bothering nobody.

You bothering me.

And them white folks inside wouldn't take it too kindly either.

Please don't hit me.

Give me the horn. Now, let's get going home.

I'm driving your mama in to take some washing.

We'll be back this evening.

Yes, sir.

You finish your chores and stay close by.

Daddy,

I'm sorry about last night.

You play your trumpet here if you want to make music.

Well, can I go to the Waltons'?

- You can go there. - Thanks.

I didn't tell your mama about last night.

- That's between you and me. - Yes, sir.

She's got enough on her mind worrying about Jodie.

Yes, sir.

- Let me take that. - There's more inside.

I got it, I got it. Don't worry, I got it.

You know, woman, you look almost as good going as you do coming.

Thank you, sir.

Harley, give him a hand.

- I got it. - Be careful.

Hard-working boy you got there, ma'am.

He takes after his daddy.

- Bye-bye, Son. - Bye, Ma.

See you later, Son.

Where you going?

Heading over to your place,

hoping maybe you'd let me play along with you.

I gotta rehearse. You want to come along?

- Sure. - Hop in.

Just one more stop. These tablecloths for the Dew Drop Inn.

That sounds great, Josh. You've really improved.

Music sounds better in here.

How would you like to play with me at the festival?

He's not playing anywhere!

Wait for me outside.

Mama, it's a chance for me.

Outside. Now.

Tell Miss Thelma I brought the tablecloths.

Verdie...

He wasn't doing anything wrong.

He knows he shouldn't be here.

Why shouldn't he be here?

This is no place for a young boy.

It's my fault. I wasn't thinking.

Excuse me.

Can I come in?

Come in, Jason.

Sorry to interrupt your supper.

- Would you like to sit down? - No, thanks.

I, um...

I just came by to ask if you might think it over

and let Josh play at Spring Festival.

Josh knew he was wrong to be in that place.

But the festival would be a great opportunity for him.

It's not like the Dew Drop Inn.

That festival is for white folks.

Now, Harley, that has nothing to do with this.

I think it does.

I'd take the responsibility for Josh.

We'd go to the festival and play for 'em, and then we'd come right back home.

And he'd get his share of the pay.

I'm not thinking about money.

Josh,

are you sure you're ready for this?

I want to try, Mama.

Does it really mean that much to you?

More than anything.

If it's all right with your daddy,

it's all right with me.

I'd sure like to do it, Dad.

You promise to take care of him?

I will. Don't worry.

Then I guess you can go.

That's great!

Put her there, partner!

You make sure he comes back happy.

He will. He will.

We were very pleased with your performance, Jason.

Thank you, ma'am.

There's only one misgiving about your program.

It's a little bit too long.

Maybe you could shorten it

if you'd cut that tune with the little boy with the trumpet.

Well, if it's just the length that bothers you,

I'd just as soon keep Josh's number in and cut something else.

Jason, there's a certain festival tradition we must uphold.

A person of color has never been part of our tradition.

What are you talking about?

That little boy who plays the trumpet is a Negro.

Are you saying Josh can't perform because he's colored?

We wouldn't want anyone to feel uncomfortable.

What'll happen if I don't take Josh out of the program?

Well, I think you know the answer to that.

And I'm sure you'll make the right decision.

I hope we'll see you on Saturday.

What did she say?

We're not playing at the festival.

Why not?

They didn't like our music.

Come on, let's go home.

Let's get together tomorrow, and I'll teach you some more

about reading music.

Why didn't we get the job?

The committee didn't like the audition.

It's because of me, isn't it?

Yeah.

It's because I'm colored, isn't it?

She didn't say so, but that's what she meant.

And I wanted to make music for them old women.

It's wrong, Jason.

'Course it's wrong.

That's why I told them I wouldn't play.

It's wrong that you don't get to play.

Look,

just forget about me.

And, um...

Take the job anyway.

Josh?

Josh, is that you?

Josh?

Josh, where are you?

How'd it go, Son?

- Not so good. - What happened?

The committee won't let Josh play.

- Because he's colored? - That's it.

Maybe you ought to let those people know how you feel about their damn festival.

- How did Josh take it? - Hard.

Harley tried to tell me this'd happen.

I just don't know what to do.

I feel like I let Josh down.

I just can't see any clear way of setting things right.

Tell you what, Son.

Why don't you have that festival around here

just to show that you don't need those old-fashioned folk?

I wouldn't know how to do it.

You just let Corabeth know about it, she'll open up Godsey Hall

and then stand back.

I'm gonna talk to Ike and Corabeth about using the Hall.

Well, we can all help with the food

and I suppose Corabeth will want to handle all the decorations.

- Yeah. - Corabeth gets going at it,

she's likely to wind up decorating the whole side of the mountain.

We should have a parade,

decorate all the cars and drive up and down the road.

And I could make the posters for the advertising.

Well, it sounds like everybody knows what to do.

Let's stop talking about it, get busy, do it, do it, go!

I sure hope Curt can get a weekend pass.

- Lonely without him, isn't it? - Sure is.

You should invite George to the festival.

Jim-Bob, don't tease me.

What did I say?

Don't worry about it, Jim-Bob. You know how women are.

I'm not sure I do.

Hey Josh. I got good news.

Take a look at this. We're having our own festival.

I can't.

Why not?

Not playing the horn anymore.

What do you mean?

I just can't let anybody make me feel like a nigger.

I came to tell Josh we're having our own festival.

He wasn't much interested, but maybe you'd like to come, Verdie.

I know what you're trying to do, Jason, but it won't work.

Maybe you're right.

He's not angry with you, Jason. He's been hurt.

I know.

And that's something that stays in your heart for the rest of your life.

Unless you take a second chance and get it out.

Colored people can't afford second chances.

Hope we see you on Sunday, Verdie. We want all our friends to be there.

We've been invited to a spring festival.

I think we ought to go, don't you?

No, Mama.

What if I said I thought you should?

Mama, please don't make me.

Josh, when I took you in for my own,

I promised I'd raise you to be a proud man.

You have nothing to be ashamed of.

A proud colored man wouldn't be going to any white folks' festival.

He would if they were his friends.

That's not the way it is.

Maybe not now, maybe someday.

Someday? What good is it going to do us then?

May not do us any good. Could do a lot for Josh or Jodie.

Verdie, stop filling him up with your dreams.

Dreams are all we have right now.

Dreams are for sleeping.

Then wake up, Harley.

I woke up long time ago. Just wish you would.

Say, everybody, I'm home!

- It's Jodie. - Jod...

- Jodie! Oh, Jodie! Oh! - Mama! Oh!

Why didn't you let us know you were coming home?

I wanted to surprise you all.

You look wonderful.

I feel good, Mama. I feel good.

Daddy!

- They treating you right, Son? - Just fine. Just fine.

Come on over here and sit down. I want to hear all about everything.

Well...

Well, besides missing you all a lot, I really like it. I even like the food.

Of course it's not as good as your cooking, Mama.

- Are you hungry now, Son? - Always. Always.

Boy, have I got a story to tell you.

Good to see you, Son.

Glad to be home. I really am.

Did you tell Josh?

Yeah. He doesn't want to come.

I was afraid of that.

I don't know what else I can do.

You tried, Son. Maybe he'll change his mind.

I think I know how he feels.

Things like that are pretty hard to understand.

We're on our way to the festival.

Josh, you sure you don't want to come?

Josh and I will be fine right here.

I'll say hello to all of our friends for you.

Daddy, remember when I wanted Mr. John to adopt me?

Yeah.

Well, he said maybe in ten years, a hundred, things would be different.

For now, the less you have to do with white folks, the better off you'll be.

But Mr. John and Jason are my friends.

You keep your place in this world and you won't be bothered.

Ring around the rosy Pocketful of posies

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down!

Hey, Josh, what're you doing here all alone?

Just sitting, Mr. John. Just sitting.

Well, now, son, you're missing the festival.

Yeah, I know.

I had to wait for a load of lumber. What's your excuse?

Daddy said if I keep my place in this world, I won't be bothered.

What's your place, Josh?

I ought to be as good as anybody else.

You are, son.

But you just say that 'cause you're my friend.

No, I'm saying it 'cause it's true. Do you think I'd lie to you?

No, sir.

Well, why don't you get off your behind and prove it to me then.

I brought you some ice cream.

Thank you.

Mind if I sit down?

Have you been mad at me about something?

Oh, no. Guess I should explain it to you.

It's gonna sound kind of silly.

See, the reason I've been acting so strange is 'cause I like you.

You do?

See, I wanted to say the right thing.

And I was kind of afraid to talk.

Everything I said wasn't really what I meant.

I was trying too hard.

Well, you're very honest, Elizabeth.

And...

Well, I like that in a woman.

Thank you very much.

Hey, maybe after the festival, I could walk you home.

Sure and we can talk.

Hi, George.

He's mine.

Josh ran off.

I figured he'd be here, dreaming again.

Look around you, Harley.

No dreaming here.

That was an important spring da y

for Josh and my brother Jason.

And it was the beginning of a friendship that was to last a lifetime.

- Daddy? - Yes, Elizabeth.

I think George Simmons kissed me today.

You think?

Maybe I kissed him. I'm not sure.

Well, he's a good-looking young man.

Just wanted you to know. You don't have to worry.

We're not planning on getting married right away.

Well, I'm glad to hear you're not rushing into things, honey.

- Good night, Daddy. - Good night.

English -SDH