Times were hard when I was growing up in the 1930s...
and many people tried to escape those times
by living in other worlds...
created for them by glossy magazines and the movies.
My own family was so close...
and we were so involved with our everyday lives...
that we didn't seem to need those dream worlds.
So it came as a surprise, when one day...
we discovered that our mother had a dream world of her own.
Ike, you reckon anybody's going to buy that thing?
Well, I doubt it. But there's no accounting
for some people's taste.
How do you like the color?
It's bright.
That was the only can of paint I had open.
I like it. I like it.
Yeah, well.
Ike, that truck took 8 gallons of gas.
My mama needs some sugar, I almost forgot.
-Five-pounder? -Yeah.
Okay. Let's see.
-I'll give you a discount on it. -Oh, yes?
That will be $125.
There you go. There's $125.
Ike.
-Hello, John-Boy. -Hi, Curtis.
Bonjour.
That's "howdy" in French.
I got the stuff over here for you.
-Any letters for me, Ike? -Yeah, there was.
A letter came in this morning. Just one.
I think I put it in with the onions.
Get it.
Here it is.
Never thought she'd answer so soon.
-Dear Lord. -Come on, open it up, Curtis.
What does she say?
What?
She accepted.
She accepted my proposal.
Oh, she says:
"I can't wait. And I'm going to be arriving there...
"on the bus at 1:30 today."
Listen to this, "At first, as you know, I had my doubts...
"but like Jeanette MacDonald in Rose-Marie...
"your last beautiful letter swept aside all my doubts."
She really goes on about them movies, doesn't she?
Oh, my. This afternoon.
I've got to get the house ready.
I've gotta shave now. I'm not going to be ready in time.
Don't worry about it. Just go home and shave...
get the house ready, get dressed up. And I'll pick her up.
Can someone tell me what's happening?
Curtis is getting married!
Getting married? Congratulations.
-Who's the lucky girl? -Miss Ann Harris.
She's a secretary from Buffalo, New York.
She was born and raised in Richmond.
He went there for a high school reunion,
and she was there on her vacation.
I only took her out once.
I didn't think she liked me too much that time.
Maybe it's all the letters you've been writing.
I guess it was.
To tell you the truth about those letters...
I didn't really write them. John-Boy--
-I just helped you a little. -More than a little.
Those letters were real romantic and pretty--
I just wrote down what you wanted to say. That's all.
Last three months, I haven't thought about anything...
except wanting to marry that little girl.
I've never been much with the ladies.
I bet I won't be able to think of one thing to say to her.
"Your last beautiful letter completely...
"swept aside all of my doubts."
Dear Lord.
Here, Mama.
-Thank you. -We'll feed the chickens.
Like I said, Jimmy came riding down the hill on his bicycle.
So long, kids.
Elizabeth, sit down, finish your pie.
Everett Cooper stopped by this morning.
-Said how much wood he wanted? -No, he came to see me.
Ben, Jim-Bob.
How many times have I told you to put your dishes in the sink?
Could you mend these overalls I tore up this morning?
I've got a million things to do. Couldn't Grandma?
She's gone off down the road to deliver a baby.
Just put them in the sink.
He wanted to ask me if I'd--
John, hadn't we better be getting back to work?
I'll be right there, Pa.
He wanted to know if I'd come to the church one afternoon.
Who did?
Everett Cooper.
Something important?
Not really, but I was real surprised and flattered.
Anybody seen my purse, Livie?
Never find anything when you're in a hurry.
Mama, I'm sorry, I forgot the sugar.
I bought it at Ike's, but I left it there. I'm sorry.
I'm going to need it before suppertime.
I'll get it if I can, but first I've to go pick up a saw--
-I'll get it. Now you run along. -Thank you.
-Grandma, here's your purse. -I thought I lost it.
-Can you give me a lift? -Which way?
Thelma Pickett's. She's expecting.
Sure.
I've got to get myself to work.
Erin, didn't you hear what I just told Jim-Bob and Ben?
Take your plate and put it in the sink, please.
Seems like nobody around here listens to a word I say anymore.
What were you saying?
Everett Cooper wants me to be the lead singer
in the church choir.
That's real nice, honey.
Mama, I can't eat this pie. It hasn't got enough sugar.
If you're going to be lead singer...
I might even be there. Come on, let me help you with that.
You might be there...
but I'll be here doing dishes and mending clothes.
-Thank you, Ike. -Bye, Livie.
Beautiful, isn't it?
I guess so, if you're in the market for such things.
How much is reasonable?
Well....
Seeing how it's you, Livie, very reasonable.
Heavens, I wasn't thinking of buying it.
I was curious how much second hand bikes cost these days.
-Nice color. -Thanks a lot.
I haven't ridden one of these things in....
Oh, it must be about 25 years.
Twenty-five years. Imagine.
Used to love it, though.
Pedaling along, freewheeling down the hill...
my hair blowing in the wind behind me.
Go on. Take it for a ride.
-Oh.... -Go on.
I've probably forgotten how by now.
Go on. Take it.
Well, now, don't tell anybody.
Will you go on and take her for a spin? Go on.
"Like to the lark arising from...."
Something "earth."
"Sullen earth." I will never remember that word: sullen.
"Sullen earth."
"Like to the lark arising from...."
Hello.
-The US mail got through again? -Yeah.
Listen, I want to show you an order that I got here....
Ma'am, I'm John-Boy Walton.
I'm a close friend of Curtis Norton.
-Where is Curtis? -He asked me to meet you.
Why didn't Curtis come?
He's kind of prettying things up for you.
Congratulations. I don't know if you can say that to a lady.
You can say it to me.
It's not every day a girl ends up marrying
a poetic man like Curtis Norton.
I think we ought to go. My truck's right over here.
-I'll take that for you. -Thank you.
Right over here.
It's so beautiful here.
Just look at that. Look at those mountains.
Did you see the movie The Farmer Takes a Wife?
I reckon not.
I did. I saw it three times.
Henry Fonda and Janet Gaynor.
It looked very much like this.
It was such a romantic story.
I think you're gonna find real life here...
quite a bit different than the way it is in the movies.
When I met Curtis it was just like a movie.
We were in the Richmond High School reunion.
The high school band was playing.
Curtis asked me to dance.
Yeah, he said you are a wonderful dancer.
Curtis was the wonderful one.
Just swept me off my feet.
A real Clark Gable type.
Here we are.
Ann.
Curtis.
How have you been?
Fine.
How have you been?
Been busy.
I've got a mare here about to foal.
I stayed up all night with her.
Oh, that's fine.
-I reckon I'll be leaving now. -No.
I mean, why don't you stay for a while?
Well, sure, Curtis. Thank you.
I'll show y'all around.
That's alright.
It's called The Approaching Storm.
-Belonged to my daddy. -It's beautiful.
-He was real fond of it. -It's real nice.
I'm sorry.
It's alright.
It's okay. Living alone, things just don't get fixed.
That needs a coat of paint, too, you see.
I thought we...
I mean I....
-Well, the both of us could-- -It'll be fun.
And I....
Oh, I could make new slipcovers.
Uh, Curtis, why don't you show me the upstairs?
This way.
This is the linen closet.
That's the bathroom.
This is the medicine cabinet.
Very cozy.
I need that. I forgot it.
Uh, until we....
For the time being, I've moved all my stuff out to the shed.
I'm gonna be sleeping there.
I see.
-I'll show you your room. -Swell.
-I've got to be going. -No, stay.
Curtis, you're going to marry her.
You've to spend some time alone.
-John Boy-- -Curtis!
Dear Lord.
She's not upstairs.
Boy or girl, Grandma?
-It was a boy. -Good.
-Have you seen your mama? -Not since around noon.
Not for the life of me, I just don't understand it.
-What, understand what? -Look.
Eighteen years Olivia's been my daughter-in-law...
and I've never known her to leave the place in such a state.
-Have you ever seen her do this? -No.
John-Boy, Grandma! Come here, quick. Right away.
Alright.
How do you like my new bicycle?
-I like it! -It's great!
This is from Ike's, isn't it?
You don't know where I've been.
Thirty-three...
by twenty-nine.
I'll do the chairs in a flowered cretonne.
Miriam Hopkins had a sofa like it in her last picture.
-Did you see it? -No.
-I don't see many movies. -Why not?
The nearest movie house is in Charlottesville.
That's 28 miles away.
28 miles.
I'm really very happy with my records...
and Victrola here. They're right here.
Get off.
Go on there.
Get down.
Curtis, can you help me....
Can you please get him off the couch? He doesn't smell right.
That's his place. He sleeps there. He always has.
He's going to have to find a new place after we've....
After I've made the slipcovers.
I don't think he'll like it.
Why don't we train him to sleep in the blacksmith shop?
You know it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
I guess we're all finding that out.
Mary Ellen, help Grandma with the cooking...
and you can all pitch in with the dishes.
-Yes, Mama. -I'll do it, Livie.
Erin, there's ironing to do. Get Elizabeth to help you.
-Yes, Mama. -I'll take care of it, Livie.
I want them to learn how to take care of a house by themselves.
After all, we don't want a couple of maids on our hands.
I'm going to be a bachelor girl.
When are you planning to come home, Mama?
I don't know, John-Boy.
Have a nice day, everybody. See you later.
Bye, Mama.
Livie.
I talked to the children. They know what to do.
Just worried about what people are going to say.
About what? Me singing in the choir?
No, about you riding around on this contraption.
I figure they'll probably say,
"There goes Olivia Walton on a bicycle."
Bye, honey.
Miss Harris, this is my daddy, John Walton. My grandpa.
How do you do? Very pleased to meet you.
-Nice to see you. -Pleased to meet both of you.
What happened?
It's Curtis.
-Something wrong? -No, he's alright. It's just..
He just doesn't seem to be the same man
who wrote me those letters.
Miss Harris, Curtis is a shy man.
But you'd have to go a long way to find a better one.
Look, it's more than that. It's just that I....
It just won't work out.
I think I should leave here right away on the next bus.
If one of you, please, would be kind enough to drive me.
We surely will.
But the next bus doesn't go until tomorrow.
Oh, oh....
You're welcome to stay here.
If you want to wait a while, my wife will be back
and get you settled.
Sure, you can stay in my room. I'll sleep in the barn.
Look, I wouldn't want to inconvenience you.
It's no inconvenience. It's the least I can do.
Come on.
What do you think he meant by, "That's the least I can do"?
[chorus singing]
* Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound *
* That saved a wretch like me *
* I once was lost but now am found *
* Was blind, but now I see *
* T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear *
* And Grace, my fears relieved *
* How precious did that Grace appear *
* The hour I first believed *
Real nice. That one spot needs just a little work.
[humming music notes]
But it's coming along real well.
Ladies, thank you.
Miss Tyler, would you be good enough to gather the hymnals?
Surely, Mr. Cooper.
Do you have time for a cup of coffee?
No, I'm afraid not. I have to get to work.
Time and tide wait for no man.
Neither do the freight trains, I'm afraid.
See you all tomorrow, then?
-Glad you joined us, Olivia. -My pleasure, Mr. Cooper.
It was just lovely.
I'll fix it.
-Coffee, Olivia? -Oh, well....
You are staying, aren't you?
-Just for a little while. -I should hope so.
I always say, what's choir practice
without a little socializing afterwards?
Isn't that right, ladies?
Did you all hear Rudy Vallee last night
on the Royal Gelatin program?
-No, listened to Lanny Ross. -How about you, Olivia?
Yeah, I like him.
Especially when he sings The Rose of Tralee.
She's alright, Curtis.
But she says she is going to leave on the next bus.
What am I gonna do?
Go to the house and talk to her.
I tried talking to her. You saw where that got me.
You're not just going to let her get on a bus
and leave town, are you?
John-Boy...
Do you think I want her to leave?
You think I want to live here...
in this house, all by myself?
Every word that you wrote in those letters...
I really meant.
Then there's got to be some way to keep her here.
I could write her another letter.
Yes, and ask her to stay for a few more days.
And then, maybe by that time...
I'd have something I can say to her.
Curtis, I don't know if I should have written
those letters in the first place.
I'll help you all I can, but I can't write you
any more of those letters.
I can't just let that little girl get on that bus and leave.
If you want to write her a letter, then write her a letter.
I can't.
When I write it, the words don't come out right.
I'm sorry but I can't, Curtis. I just can't write a letter.
Please.
Shoot. alright, I'll write you one more letter,
but this is the last one.
-I better wash my hands first. -Yeah.
I hope you'll be comfortable here.
I'm sure I shall.
I'll have John-Boy take his clothes out of the closet.
-Then you can unpack. -No, please don't bother.
It's only for one night. I don't see any point in my staying on.
-Miss Harris.... -Please call me Ann.
Ann...
I know this is none of my business...
but couldn't you stay on just a little while longer?
I mean, you and Curtis hardly know one another.
It's not just Curtis.
It's everything.
I mean, it's his house, as well.
Your house is so nice and pretty.
So is the Norton house.
Yes, but it smells of horse....
Smoke from the smithy fire.
It's just so dark and pokey all the time.
I reckon maybe that's one of the reasons Curtis needs a wife.
Besides, he loves you, doesn't he?
If you need anything, I'll be downstairs.
"So I beg you, do not leave Walton's Mountain in such haste.
"First give me another chance...
"to speak my piece."
Okay, now here.
This you can end with. Here it is.
You can end with this. Listen:
"O! How I faint when I of you do write
"Knowing a better spirit doth use your name
"And in the praise thereof spends all his might
"To make me tongue-tied, speaking of your fame!"
Tongue-tied?
That's just how I feel.
William Shakespeare sure knew
what he was writing about, didn't he?
Okay, now, "O! How I faint...."
-Faint? -F-A-I-N-T.
"O! How I faint when I of you do write" Comma.
-I'll see it five times more. -He sure is light on his feet.
Jimmy Fidler's Hollywood Gossip said...
that they are destined to be Hollywood's biggest new stars.
Did you see the Bride of Frankenstein?
That was really good.
This was, too.
-I really enjoyed it. -Me, too.
There is nothing like a real romantic talkie...
for chasing those blues away.
I think I'll peroxide my hair and cut it short
like Ginger Rogers.
I'd like to be there when Mama sees that.
Here. Curtis gave me this letter to give to you.
He says for you to read when alone.
No, he says it's real important.
I like the silent pictures.
Yeah, I just hope your hero John Gilbert can talk.
Almost done.
Here they are, Fred and Ginger.
You're home early.
Jason didn't want to stay for March of Time.
-I've got homework to do. -Me, too.
Math. Yuck.
Goodnight. Thank you so much.
-Thanks again, Ann. -Goodnight, everybody.
-I'm so glad you enjoyed it. -We did.
How was the moving picture?
It was Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It was swell.
It's their second film. Their first was Flying Down to Rio.
-They did The Carioca. -The Carioca?
I heard that one on the radio.
Old man, now you stop your foolishness.
You'll fall down and break one of your bones.
Only thing likely to fall down around here is your cake.
Did your folks take you to the movies?
No, they were very strict. They never let me go.
They live in Buffalo?
No, they died when I was 14.
I'm sorry.
See, I was sent up north from Richmond to live with my aunt...
my Aunt Agnes.
That's when I saw my very first movie.
Everything back in them days was silent.
Oh, yeah. I remember that afternoon so clearly.
It was winter, and it was cold and dark.
I was coming home from school...
and for some reason, I just didn't go my usual way.
I turned the corner and there it was:
The picture palace...
shining at the end of the street...
with electric light bulbs all lit up
at the end of the marquee.
I paid my 10 cents and I went in.
All alone?
I'll never forget it. The warmth and the darkness.
And, up there, on the screen, all those wonderful stars.
Garbo, and Barrymore...
and Valentino, and the Gish sisters...
and Harold Lloyd, Marion Davies...
and Mary Pickford.
For the very first time in my life...
I felt a part of other people's lives.
It's the same thing every time I see a film.
And then later on, when I walk home...
that glowing feeling stays with me.
It keeps me warm.
And when you get home?
It always sort of goes away.
It evaporates.
I think I should be getting off to bed.
-Ann, won't you have some cake? -No, thank you.
It's time for me to go to sleep.
-Ann. -Mrs. Walton?
You know, sometimes good feelings don't evaporate.
Sometimes they last a lifetime.
-Goodnight. -Goodnight.
Thanks for the treat.
"O! How I faint when I of you...."
What?
-Morning. -Good morning, son.
Morning, John-Boy.
John-Boy.
-Good morning. -I want to talk to you.
-Is something the matter? -Yeah.
Hear this.
This is the matter.
Letter to you from Curtis Norton.
Yeah, it's a letter to me. But it's not from Curtis.
You wrote this letter, didn't you, John?
And all the others?
How funny you must have thought it was.
Sitting there snickering together
writing every one of these lies.
Dragging me all the way from Buffalo, New York.
What a good time you must have had, huh?
Laughing at me.
I just don't understand why you would do such a thing.
No, wait. We didn't mean to deceive you or hurt you.
Well, you have.
-Just when I almost decided.... -Decided?
It doesn't matter.
John-Boy, it looks to me you've got some explaining to do.
and he said to the woman:
"In that case, madam, perhaps you'd be
better off with a larger size."
Did you all hear the Little Audrey joke...
about the man who jumped off the top
of the Chrysler Building in New York?
Yes, I heard it three weeks ago.
But I'll bet none of you have heard this one.
More coffee, Olivia?
No, thank you, Martha.
Livie, where's your mind?
Just trying to think of something special
for John's supper tonight.
Livie, are you new here.
Little while, we'll have you just like the rest of us.
The men at home...
taking care of themselves and fixing their own suppers.
No, I don't think so, Martha.
Livie, did you hear about that?
About Cora Mae Merkel and the butcher down at Carter's Bridge?
No, I didn't.
I'm afraid I don't have time.
Where are you going?
Home.
-Bye, everybody. -Bye.
Grandma! Children!
Oh, Erin.
Liv.
Yeah.
-Just looking. -Just looking?
This place...
our home....
Seems like I never really saw it before.
Sorry for running off.
Leaving you all to fend for yourselves.
Dreaming silly schoolgirl dreams.
Thinking some day I might be a great singer.
Is that what you was dreaming?
Sometimes.
Especially when I was wheeling along on that bicycle.
You'll probably laugh at this...
but I even dreamed that maybe one day...
I'd sing at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
Dear Liv...
Is that what you want?
Mrs. Walton...
Mrs. Walton, excuse me.
I would like to say goodbye.
I know you're angry with my son.
I wish you weren't leaving.
It just didn't work out.
What are you gonna do when you get back to Buffalo?
I will get my job back--
And sit in dark theatres dreaming other people's lives?
There's no harm in dreaming dreams.
No.
They're part of our lives.
But when they keep you away from life...
from loving, sharing, then I think there is harm.
Well, that's all very well for you to talk.
You have your husband and your house...
-Children. -You could have it, too.
With Curtis?
You came all this way to marry him.
Why not give him another chance?
-I can't. -Why not?
Because I'm looking for something else.
Don't wait for it too long, Ann.
Because whatever it is you think you're looking for...
you may never find it.
-Ann. -I have nothing to say to you.
I've got something to say to you.
Curtis, you just stay away from me.
-Not until I've said my piece. -I don't want to hear it.
You just think you're so smart, with all your citified ways.
I'm not listening.
You talking about motion pictures and the movie stars.
I may not be no Jimmy Gable or Clark Stewart.
-Clark Gable or Jimmy Stewart. -What?
I know I don't talk fancy.
There's many things I don't know...
but there is one thing I do know, and that is...
I love you.
Looks like he's finally found his voice.
I can't hear you.
I said I love you!
I have ever since the first time I laid eyes on you.
Would you please stop that and come down off that thing?
-No. -Thought she couldn't hear him.
Alright, now listen to me.
I want you to marry me.
I want you to be my wife!
If you don't come right now...
I'm going to get in that truck and just drive off.
And I'll never bother you again.
Alright. That's it.
This kid deceived me. Curtis, you lied to me.
You and John-Boy, you deceived me.
-How can I trust you after that? -We did not deceive you.
I wrote what he said, but couldn't find the words for.
I wrote down what was in his heart.
-But that is deceitful. -It is not deceitful.
What about the actors you always talk about?
You think they write their own words? They don't.
-What do you mean? -I read it in a fan magazine.
They hire writers to write down those lines for them.
John-Boy, get him back here.
-You get him back here. -Stop the swing.
Mrs. Walton.
Do you think he'll talk about this?
There's only one way to find out.
Would you like me to take you in the truck?
No, thank you. You have helped me enough already.
Mrs. Walton, may I borrow your bicycle?
I don't see why not.
Thank you.
After all, I won't be needing it anymore.
-Do you know how to ride it? -I don't know.
Just get on, we'll help you.
Put your foot on this pedal here.
Get her on the other one.
-Go. -Pedal, that's it.
Go get him.
Thank you!
Curtis, wait!
Wait for me, Curtis!
Please wait.
Curtis, wait.
My mother never sang in grand opera...
but her voice never failed to fill
our house with a glad song...
as she went about the job of caring for us all.
I can still remember when the hour grew late...
I would be writing in my room...
and she would be working at some chore in the kitchen...
and her voice would drift upward.
-Goodnight, Mama. -Goodnight, John-Boy.