see more from The Waltons :
https://rebrand.ly/myTVC-Waltons
https://rebrand.ly/myTVC-Waltons
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00🎵Outro Music Plays🎵
00:30🎵Outro Music Continues🎵
01:01🎵Instrumental Music Plays🎵
01:14In those gray and grinding days of the depression,
01:17we often found comfort in the old familiar proverbs.
01:21We knew that in unity there was strength,
01:23that blood was thicker than water,
01:25that to err was human and to forgive divine.
01:29Usually we never examined these truths too closely,
01:32but in the autumn of 1934,
01:34I discovered, through pain and remorse,
01:37just how profoundly true they were.
01:40Whee! What on earth you got here?
01:43It's a boat.
01:44And it's all ours.
01:45You know Mr. Carmichael, the one that owns that big house on Rockfish River?
01:48Yeah?
01:49Well, it was his.
01:50Well, how much did he pay you to haul it away?
01:53Let's go get Jason and John Boyd.
01:55And Mary Ellen.
01:56Then we can unload it right now.
01:57Don't die. We'll unload it after supper.
02:00In fact, it can wait until after the dishes are done and the homework's finished.
02:03Oh, Daddy.
02:04Daddy's right.
02:05There's nothing more that could possibly happen to this boat that hasn't happened to it before.
02:09We're going to fix it up and sail it on the pond.
02:11And we're going to give it a name and everything.
02:13Why don't we call it Ildefrans?
02:15I think that name's been taken, honey.
02:17Might I suggest Cork?
02:19Cork? Why call it Cork?
02:21Because cork is the floatiest material there is known to man.
02:25And you're going to need all the help you can possibly get for this sorry mess.
02:33You children ought to get a boat more often.
02:35Aaron, I'm not through yet.
02:37Now, Daddy, can we go work on the boat now?
02:40Do your homework?
02:41Yeah.
02:42Well, let's set it up with some sawhorses and they can work on it.
02:45That's one way of keeping her afloat.
02:47There's nothing to fix in that boat. You just put some bandages on it.
02:50Come on, John Boyd.
02:51Bandages? Wait a minute.
02:52What's the matter, college man? No time for us kids in our boat?
03:01What are you smiling at?
03:04Well, I was going to ask you what's wrong, but I knew you'd say nothing, Mama, nothing, so I'm not going to ask.
03:13Well, it's that special riding class I've been trying to get into for a long time.
03:18Is that it? They won't accept you?
03:20Well, if they did accept me, that's the problem.
03:22John Boyd, you've been talking and talking about that class for months.
03:25Are you trying to tell me you don't want to get in it?
03:27I just don't think I belong there.
03:29Everyone else in the class is a sophomore.
03:31They've even got a senior who's supposedly writing a novel in verse.
03:34I'm the only freshman in the entire class.
03:36That's a feather in your cap.
03:38That's true.
03:40I just don't think I want to measure up to it.
03:43Well, brooding about it isn't going to help.
03:45What you need is to keep busy.
03:47Maybe your children can find you something to do on that boat.
03:50Okay.
03:52Okay.
03:54Maybe if we get it into ship shape, I can escape in it before class tomorrow.
04:10Miss Barstow?
04:13Mr. Tadlock?
04:14Here.
04:15Miss Webb?
04:16Here.
04:17Mr. Carpenter?
04:19And, of course, our newcomer, Mr. Walton.
04:23Since you weren't here for the first class, you missed my introductory speech, Mr. Walton.
04:27Yay!
04:30However, so as not to deprive you, I'll repeat it.
04:33Ooh!
04:35In capsule form.
04:36Yay!
04:38In a nutshell, I really can't teach you how to write.
04:42You're either a writer or you're not.
04:45So, class, why don't you tell Mr. Walton about your projects?
04:49Mr. Tadlock?
04:50I'm writing a novella in which all the action is mental.
04:53Have you read Proust?
04:54Some.
04:55Then you know what I'm going for. It's very challenging.
04:58It certainly is.
04:59Miss Barstow?
05:00I'm doing a fantasy about the end of civilization in which just a handful of people are keeping knowledge alive.
05:07But at the end, you realize it's really about the fall of Rome.
05:11In other words, it's prophetic literature.
05:14What are you working on, Walton?
05:18Short stories.
05:19On what themes?
05:23Well, family life.
05:26I'm not too sure, but what regionalism isn't dead.
05:29Really, Miss Webb? Has anyone told Thomas Wolfe?
05:35What approach are you taking?
05:37Pretty realistic, I think.
05:38Well, Sinclair Lewis did some good reportage, but these days I think you need a larger frame.
05:43Exactly.
05:44You know, Mr. Walton, if you can do with your people what Proust did with the French bourgeoisie...
05:49You must have social-political overtones.
05:52Without that, work is meaningless in this day and age.
05:55Well, I just write about my family, the way I see them, the day-to-day experiences and such.
06:01Good enough, Mr. Walton.
06:03You're doing what every beginning writer should do.
06:06Write about what you know.
06:08That's all very well and good.
06:10But maybe he should know more.
06:12Thank you, Miss Webb.
06:14Miss Barstow, why don't you read for us from your new work?
06:18It seemed to Christina that the sound of the train wheels would stay inside her head as long as she lived.
06:23One, two, three!
06:27Pull! Pull! Pull!
06:30Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull!
06:33Pull harder! Pull harder!
06:35I am, Jason.
06:36Ok, ok, ok, ok.
06:38Okay, okay, okay.
06:39It didn't budge an inch.
06:42That's all it has to budge is an inch.
06:44I got an idea.
06:45We bend two trees and tie them,
06:47put the boat in the middle,
06:48and when we cut the trees,
06:49wham, we'll be back together again.
06:51Oh, no.
06:52I saw it in a movie.
06:53I think you made it up.
06:55And I also think we should get Daddy.
06:56No, we promised we'd do it ourselves.
06:58So let's do it again.
06:59Come on.
07:00Okay.
07:01Come on.
07:02You gotta pull as hard as you can.
07:03Don't move it off the bench.
07:05Okay.
07:05Ready?
07:07Come on, Jason.
07:08Go.
07:09Go, Jason.
07:19Just in time.
07:20For what?
07:21Oh, no. I've had a tough day.
07:23Gee, John-boy, you're not the only one who goes to school.
07:25Yeah, I had a tough time.
07:26I got a D in spelling.
07:28You're trying to close that scene?
07:31Do I get to be captain if I figure out a way to do it?
07:33It's a deal.
07:37Let me have the ends of the rope, please.
07:42Jim Bob, I need, uh...
07:44Bring me that length of pipe there, all right?
07:51Okay.
07:53Now...
08:01It's working.
08:03Ben.
08:05Now you see the value of one man with a little know-how.
08:08You're a mechanical genius, and you're smart, too.
08:10Well, I don't know about that.
08:12After all, we did get him to do our work for us, didn't we?
08:14Like Tom Sawyer getting his friends to whitewash the fence.
08:16Jason, you've been reading too many books.
08:18That's bad for you.
08:19It's bad for you, you mean?
08:20Well, I better get in the house.
08:22John-boy, you gonna write about our boat?
08:24I think it would make a good story.
08:26Mary Ellen, last week, I'd have thought so, too.
08:30Right now, I'm not sure at all.
08:32Come on.
08:33Let's get those slats hammered in.
08:35Nails.
08:39John-boy.
08:41Come in.
08:45You didn't eat any supper. I thought you might be hungry.
08:50What's the matter?
08:52Tomorrow, I have to bring in a sample of my work.
08:56With all the scads of stories you've written,
08:58you must be able to find something you think is good.
09:00I think they're all good.
09:02The question is, are they good enough?
09:04Good enough for what?
09:07Mama, the people in this class are...
09:10They're very sophisticated. They're very discriminating.
09:13It's not as easy to impress them as it is to impress you.
09:17Since when have you been out to impress other people?
09:21That's not what I mean.
09:22It's just that they know so much more than I do about these things.
09:25They're interested in very important themes for their work.
09:29You feeling that your stories aren't serious enough?
09:31That's exactly what I'm feeling.
09:34To tell you the truth, I'm wondering if I really have anything at all to say as a writer.
09:38John-boy, that is foolish.
09:40No, Mama, it's a terrible feeling to suddenly wonder
09:42if what you want to say is important or meaningful to other people.
09:46Your feelings are in an uproar
09:47because you're having to prove yourself to strangers for the first time.
09:50That's going to happen all the time from now on.
09:52You're just going to have to get used to it.
09:54That's terrible.
09:57I wish I could help.
09:59When you were little, it was so much easier.
10:02If you fell down, I could pick you up.
10:04If you were afraid of the dark, I could show you that there weren't any ghosts in the corner.
10:09But now there's truly nothing I can do.
10:13Except to tell you when to eat.
10:14And that is now.
10:16Here.
10:18I admit it. I'm starving.
10:22Mama?
10:29Jason?
10:31My brother's trying to work.
10:43Oh, hi, Olivia. Nice to see you.
10:45Well, you know that material you wanted? It's here.
10:47Thanks, Ike.
10:48Jason wanted me to ask if his harmonica's here yet.
10:50Oh, that Jason. He orders a harmonica yesterday
10:52and he expects it to be here tomorrow.
10:55Oh, that Jason. He orders a harmonica yesterday
10:57and he expects it today.
10:58Hey, here's something you might be interested in.
11:00Rogan's department store is having a fall fashion show.
11:03I never miss one of these.
11:08Oh, you're going, huh?
11:10I think I'll skip this one.
11:12It's free.
11:14I don't see any point in going all the way to Charlottesville
11:16to look at a bunch of dresses I can't afford to buy.
11:25That dress catch your eye, huh?
11:27Ike, have you finished with this?
11:29Oh, sure, yeah.
11:31Do you mind if I take it with me?
11:33Oh, no, go ahead.
11:37Uh, must be something pretty interesting in there, huh?
11:40Oh, no, it's nothing special.
11:55Oh, come in, come in, Miss...
11:57Mrs. Walton.
11:59Mrs. Walton. Have a seat, please.
12:03Anne, what have you brought us?
12:05You've got a visitor.
12:07Oh, I'm sorry.
12:09Oh, I'm sorry.
12:11Oh, I'm sorry.
12:13Oh, I'm sorry.
12:15Oh, I'm sorry.
12:17Oh, I'm sorry.
12:19Oh, I'm sorry.
12:21Oh, I'm sorry.
12:24You've written a novel, have you?
12:26Oh, no, this is my son's work.
12:28He's 18 and a very fine writer.
12:30At least I think so.
12:32We want to believe that as much as you do.
12:34After all, without new writers,
12:36what would publishers do?
12:40Do you publish short stories?
12:42Certainly, if they're good.
12:44Do I leave these with you?
12:46There are only a few samples.
12:48John Boyer's written a lot more.
12:50You just leave them, Mrs. Walton,
12:53The address is here,
12:55and I'd appreciate it
12:57if you'd send your reply address to me.
12:59My son doesn't know I'm here,
13:01and if you turn him down,
13:03it might be better if he never knew.
13:05You should think more positively.
13:07We just may consider your son's work good
13:09and want to publish it.
13:11Think of that.
13:13I will, but I would appreciate it
13:15if you'd send the reply address to me.
13:17Certainly.
13:19I look forward to reading your son's novel.
13:22A short story, is it?
13:24Right.
13:26And as I said, we'll be in touch.
13:28Thank you for choosing us.
13:32Bye-bye.
13:34Ike, did my harmonica come in yet?
13:36Stop it, will you?
13:38I'm sick and tired of you coming in here
13:40and asking when that harmonica's gonna come in.
13:42You know why?
13:44Why?
13:46Because it came in.
13:48Thanks, Ike.
13:51Cash on delivery.
13:53Got it right here.
13:55Exact change, 94 cents.
13:57Okay.
14:11That's a catchy tune.
14:13Wrote it myself.
14:16Uh, you got any wing cigarettes?
14:18Yeah, sure.
14:20I'll take a pack of them
14:22and, uh, give me my chocolate bars.
14:24Okay.
14:30Here you go.
14:41I, uh...
14:43It's new.
14:45I couldn't wait to try it out.
14:47You play that thing pretty good.
14:49You surely do.
14:53What else do you do?
14:55Oh, I play a little guitar.
14:57I sing.
14:59Ever do it professional?
15:01I won an amateur contest once.
15:03Gonna be professional one of these days.
15:05Maybe sooner than you think.
15:07How's that?
15:09Well, that, uh, that all depends.
15:11Have you ever heard of Bobby Bigelow and the Haystack Gang?
15:13I travel with them, and it just so happens
15:15we need a new man when we're in these parts.
15:17You mean maybe I could play with the Haystack Gang?
15:19Starting when?
15:21Wait a minute. Now, slow down, boy.
15:23Now, like I said, it all depends.
15:25Now, Bobby would have to hear you.
15:27When?
15:29Well, now, don't get your hopes up too much, you see,
15:31because Bobby's pretty picky.
15:33But you show up at the Barn Dance Hall in Scottsville
15:35a week from Friday at 5 o'clock.
15:37Now, if you don't see me,
15:39you tell Bobby that Casper Tice sent you,
15:41I surely will.
15:43Well, uh, what's your name
15:45so I can tell Bobby who to expect?
15:47Walton, Jason Walton.
15:49All right, now, a week from Friday, 5 o'clock.
15:51I'll be there.
15:55Hike,
15:57two weeks from now
15:59I might be a real professional musician.
16:01Your mom and your daddy are gonna have
16:03the biggest surprise of their lives.
16:05You know, I don't think I'm gonna tell anybody
16:07about getting to meet Bobby Bigelow
16:09Well, you'll take all the joy out of it.
16:11No, Hike, really. Promise me you won't mention it.
16:13I'll say I met Mr. Tice,
16:15and then later, if I do get a job, then it's different.
16:17I'll tell the world.
16:19So will I. And I'll keep your promise, too.
16:21Mom's the word.
16:23Thanks, Hike.
16:39Such industry.
16:41Both begin to look real good.
16:43Well, you all are really doing a great job.
16:45Thanks. How was your writing class today?
16:47Oh, not so good.
16:49I read them that story about Benji,
16:51you know, that terrier I had when I was a little boy.
16:53Oh, that one's real good. I liked it.
16:55I thought so, too.
16:57But you know what the class said?
16:59They said it was very nice.
17:01They said it was a good job.
17:03They said it was a good job.
17:05They said it was a good job.
17:07They said it was very nice.
17:09Nice!
17:11Well, they could have said it was lousy.
17:13Well, that's true.
17:15Of course, I wasn't thinking about it that way.
17:25I'm home.
17:27Sorry I'm late. I was at the library.
17:29John boy, I thought you'd never get home. Here.
17:31What's this?
17:33Read it.
17:35Mrs. John Walton, this is yours.
17:37John boy, please open it and read it.
17:39Okay, all right, I'll read it.
17:43Dear Mrs. Walton, congratulations.
17:45Your son is an exciting new talent
17:47in the regional vein.
17:49What is this?
17:51Go on, read it.
17:53We are most eager...
17:55We are most eager to publish his short stories.
17:57What?
17:59Is this real?
18:01They're going to publish me?
18:03Daddy!
18:05Mama!
18:07Grandpa!
18:09Jason!
18:11I'm going to be published!
18:13Look at this!
18:15I can't believe it!
18:17I have been writing in my diary
18:19every night since I learned how to put words on paper
18:21and it's going to happen!
18:25Listen, listen.
18:27We are most eager to publish his short stories.
18:29We will need at least six more stories
18:31and if they are of the same caliber
18:33as the ones we've read, a contract will be forthcoming.
18:35They want six stories!
18:37I'll send them sixteen!
18:39Hey, you want to hear something?
18:41John was going to have a book come out!
18:43Look at this!
18:45They're going to publish me!
18:47Congratulations!
18:49And Mama did it all by herself.
18:51They say that behind every great man is a woman.
18:53You just bear that in mind, Dad.
18:55Get thee behind me, old woman.
18:57Boys, it's Sunday for this family.
18:59I'm going to dedicate this book to you.
19:01To Olivia Walton.
19:03Say, everybody, I met this man...
19:05I'll dedicate it to Zebulon and Esther
19:07and John and Olivia
19:09and Elizabeth and Jason and Mary!
19:13Easy now, easy now.
19:15Easy.
19:25Easy now.
19:29Easy.
19:41Have you heard anything from your publishers yet?
19:43No, I imagine it takes a little while.
19:45I've sent them the six other stories they requested, though.
19:47And the contract, has it arrived yet?
19:49Maybe today.
19:51Which ones did you send them, John?
19:55Well, I sent them some that I haven't brought in here
19:57and I sent them the one about the dog.
19:59You remember I read that in class last week?
20:01Yes, I remember.
20:03You think that was a wise choice?
20:05Oh, yes.
20:07I think it has the right sort of innocence
20:09to put into a collection of early work.
20:11Possibly.
20:13At any rate, I think people will find it pleasant reading.
20:17Well, I hope I get a stronger response than that.
20:19Then I hope so, too.
20:21Well, for the moment, let's get back to the business of the class.
20:23Miss Barstow, are you ready to read?
20:27Yes.
20:29When her mother started to cry,
20:31Edna ran out into the street.
20:41Well, hello there.
20:43Mr. Tice.
20:45Hey, Bobby.
20:47Come on.
20:49Here's that boy I've been telling you about.
20:51What did you say your name was?
20:53Jason Walton.
20:55Well, I've admired your playing for a long time, sir.
20:57Well, not too long, I hope.
20:59I'm barely out of diapers myself.
21:01Casper here tells me you play real good.
21:03And he liked the way you look.
21:05How'd you like to play with the Haystack Gang?
21:09Well, let's see what you do.
21:11Now?
21:13No time like the present, I always say.
21:15You said you could sing.
21:17Yes, sir.
21:19Well, do us a chorus of something.
21:21What do you like?
21:23Sweet Betsy from Pike be all right?
21:25You bet.
21:27Let her rip.
21:35Don't you remember
21:37Sweet Betsy from Pike
21:39Who crossed the big mountains
21:41With her lover Ike
21:43They had two yonker boxers
21:45And an old yellow dog
21:47A tall Shanghai rooster
21:49And a big spotted hog
21:51They said goodbye to Pike County
21:53Goodbye for a while
21:55We'll come back again
21:57When we've panned out our piles
22:01On an evening quite early
22:03They camped on the flat
22:05Near by the road
22:07On a green shady flat
22:09Uh, Jason, Jason.
22:11Yes, sir?
22:13Let me tell you, son.
22:15You're good. Real good.
22:17What'd I tell you?
22:19You play real good, don't you?
22:21He's really good.
22:27If I sign this, it means I'm a professional writer.
22:29Let me have a look at that, son.
22:31No, no, it's just a standard writer's contract.
22:33I checked it out.
22:35Another minute won't make a difference.
22:37I just want to say one thing before I do sign this, though.
22:39This really is the happiest day of my life,
22:41and none of it would have been possible
22:43without every one of you all.
22:45All right, son, now let me see this.
22:47I want to get the end.
22:49Well, now, look here.
22:51It says you have to be over 21 or a parent or guardian
22:53has to sign along with you.
22:55Where?
22:57Now, let's just calm down a bit. Maybe I missed some other things here.
22:59Just a minute.
23:01Daddy, if it's all right with you, I'd like Mama to be the one to sign it
23:03since she started all this.
23:05Now, Libby, just a second. Lib.
23:07Lib.
23:15You write good and clear now so they can read it.
23:17Maybe you ought to practice it a few times.
23:19I'm just going to sign my name.
23:21Does it say anything there about your picture on the cover?
23:23Mama.
23:25I'm serious. If it doesn't, you ought to write it in.
23:27Here it goes.
23:29Ah.
23:39Maybe I ought to see you about a contract.
23:41Are you going to be a writer too, Jason?
23:43No, but see, I might get to play with Bobby Bigelow soon.
23:45Do you know what happened to me today on my way to class?
23:47A girl stopped me and asked me for my autograph.
23:49I always thought you were real important.
23:51Yeah, some movie star.
23:53Can I mail it?
23:55John Boy said I could.
23:57You both wash your hands.
23:59You can't arrive all messy.
24:01Please, watch your hands.
24:03Just a minute, Jason.
24:05Now, will you two stop that or I'll mail it.
24:07Now, this is important.
24:09Mama, if it's all the same to you, I'd like to mail it.
24:11I'd like to get a little fresh air
24:13and just sort of think about all of this.
24:15Can we go with you and watch you put it in the box?
24:17Thank you, Jim Bubbit.
24:19I'd like to be by myself for a little while.
24:21Why don't we go work on the boat?
24:23Come on, everyone.
24:25A professor I'd never even seen in my life
24:27came up to me in the hallway and said,
24:29Mr. Walton, you're getting to be
24:31a regular literary lion around here, aren't you?
24:33Gralidon?
24:39I don't know how important this is to John Boy,
24:41but, you know, signing a contract
24:43and having a book published is a serious matter.
24:45He's running off to mail it so quick.
24:47It's just so exciting.
24:49Imagine, our son, a literary lion.
24:55Good.
25:01I'm glad you're still up.
25:03John Boy.
25:05It's been quite a day for you, son.
25:07Yes, it has.
25:13I wanted to talk to you about that.
25:17I was thinking, out there on the road...
25:21I don't really know how to say this.
25:25Well, it seems to me that from now on,
25:27a lot more is going to be expected of me.
25:29I mean, from my fellow students and teachers
25:31and...
25:33everywhere.
25:35And I think I'm going to need
25:37a little bit more time to myself.
25:39Jason's already taken over
25:41a big share of your chores, son.
25:43I know that. That's true. But that's not what I mean.
25:45I'm talking about the children.
25:47Now, I'm not going to be able to jump every time they call me,
25:49like with this boat business here.
25:51I'd like you to tell them that for me,
25:53they're my feelings.
25:57If you're needing more time to yourself, son,
25:59maybe you ought to explain it to them.
26:01They'll understand. They know how much all this means to you.
26:05Well...
26:07Sure, okay.
26:13I guess I'd better go upstairs and do some reading.
26:19I might have to come up with a second collection
26:21before you know it.
26:25Imagine that.
26:27Second book.
26:35Mr. Parks?
26:37Yes?
26:39Do you know the name of the youngest writer ever published?
26:41I don't believe I do, Mr. Walton.
26:43But I could try and find out for you.
26:47Or you could avail yourself of the library.
26:49Yes, I think I'll do that.
26:53John,
26:55I belong to a literary society
26:57that meets in Weston twice a month,
26:59and I was telling them about you,
27:01and they would like you to come and speak on the short story
27:03as a literary forum.
27:05Me?
27:09I guess I could give it a try.
27:11Then I'll tell them you accept?
27:13Sure.
27:15Okay.
27:17There's been another request for you to speak.
27:19Yes, sir?
27:21Are you familiar with a program called The Roving Reporter?
27:23Yes, my family listens to it at home all the time.
27:25Well, Timothy Collins,
27:27that's the reporter's actual name.
27:29He's a next-door neighbor of mine,
27:31and when he heard about your good fortune,
27:33he expressed an interest in having you interviewed on his program.
27:35He's going to put me on the radio?
27:37If you're willing.
27:39He wants to come right in here into the classroom
27:41and cut what he calls an electrical transcription.
27:43That's one of those...
27:45those record things,
27:47and then they replay it when the program is broadcast?
27:49That's right.
27:51So you can be home in your living room
27:53listening to the sound of your own voice in comfort.
27:55Progress sure brings strange things with it.
27:57Well, John, you don't have to make up your mind just this minute,
27:59but I presume you could use a little publicity,
28:01be kind of good for book sales,
28:03that sort of thing?
28:05Oh, yes, yes, I'd like to.
28:07Maybe I could read a story, and we could discuss it after.
28:09Well, it's only a three-minute interview.
28:11Oh.
28:13Well, that's all right. I'd love to do it.
28:15Just tell him I'll do it whenever it's convenient for him.
28:17Good.
28:19Well, now that that's taken care of,
28:21let's get back to class.
28:27You have last week's assignments in front of you,
28:29and I think I have graded them rather generously.
28:31B-minus.
28:33As I say, John,
28:35I think I have graded them rather generously.
28:43Mary Ellen,
28:45what's the point in putting that in right now?
28:47Because they're ready, and it makes the boat look nice.
28:49Yeah, but when you paint all around it,
28:51it's going to get all smeared up.
28:53Ben, you're so logical.
28:55And you act just like a girl.
28:57Maybe that's because she is one.
28:59Why do you girls stick together anyway?
29:01Well, we need to.
29:03What for?
29:05Because, I don't know, Mary Ellen said so.
29:07Yee-haw, me hearties!
29:09Eh?
29:11And a bottle of the recipe
29:13for the launching.
29:15Oh, you've changed your tune, old man,
29:17but I've known all along they'd get this boat in order.
29:19Esther, for your faith in this project,
29:21I will carve a figurehead
29:23and use you as a model.
29:25Oh, stop that.
29:27You've got a nasty mind, old man.
29:29My intention was to carve you
29:31with your dress and your apron on.
29:33Look to your own mind.
29:37Hey, Daddy, what time is Jason coming home?
29:39We need him to help us.
29:41Early, I guess.
29:43It's something to do.
29:45Let's go ask John-Boy. He can help us.
29:47Okay.
29:49I'm staying here.
29:53Hey, John-Boy!
29:55John-Boy!
29:57Hey, John-Boy, are you deaf?
29:59No, but I will be
30:01if you don't stop hollering like a banshee.
30:03Come on, we need your help.
30:05What for?
30:07You're the captain, you know.
30:09Sorry. Sorry about what?
30:11I'm busy.
30:13John-Boy, you've been saying that all week.
30:15I'm sorry, but that's the way it has to be.
30:17I have a radio speech to get ready,
30:19and I have galleys to read.
30:21Listen, if you don't help us finish,
30:23you're off the boat.
30:25No more sailing privileges.
30:27Ben, that is just childish nonsense.
30:29Now stop bothering me.
30:31Now who's gonna be captain?
30:33Me.
30:35How about my giving you a hand?
30:37Sure, Grandpa. Here.
30:39Great.
30:41Now, for the first time in long years,
30:43I'd like to give a hand on John-Boy's bottom.
30:45I know he's acting foolish.
30:47He's been writing and writing
30:49practically since he could walk
30:51with no encouragement.
30:53He's riding a little high.
30:55He'll come down to earth.
30:57He'll come down with a thump if he doesn't watch out.
30:59He'll come down with a thump if he doesn't watch out.
31:29My wife and I lived all alone
31:31in a little log hut we called our own.
31:33She loves gin and I love rum
31:35to tell you we had lots of fun.
31:37Ha, ha, ha, you and me,
31:39Little Brown Jug, how I love thee.
31:41Ha, ha, ha, you and me,
31:43Little Brown Jug, how I love thee.
31:55Ha, ha, ha, you and me,
31:57Little Brown Jug, how I love thee.
31:59Ha, ha, ha, you and me,
32:01Little Brown Jug, don't I love thee.
32:11Looks like you got yourself a job, Jason.
32:13You mean it?
32:15Do I look like a fella
32:17that says things you don't mean?
32:19Three dollars a night, anytime we play this area.
32:21Three dollars?
32:23Okay, okay, $3.50,
32:25but don't hang on the bandstand.
32:27It's not professional.
32:29I wish I was single again.
32:39Oh, I wish I was single again.
32:43I wish I was single again.
32:47Cause when I was single,
32:49my pockets would jingle.
32:51Oh, I wish I was single again.
32:55Mike?
32:57Mike?
32:59Yeah, it's here. I got it right here.
33:01Came in about a half an hour ago.
33:19It's blue.
33:21Oh, Mom,
33:23it's beautiful.
33:25It's so beautiful.
33:31Look at that.
33:33Short Stories,
33:35a collection by John Walton Jr.
33:41This is for you, Ike.
33:45I'd be proud to accept it.
33:47Would you write your name inside it?
33:49Would you write your name inside it?
33:55Of course.
33:57And say something special, you know.
33:59All right.
34:13That's right, nice job, boy.
34:15To my friend Ike Otzi,
34:17one of the people who made it possible
34:19for me to write these stories.
34:21Sincerely, John Walton Jr.
34:25Well, it's the first one out of the box
34:27and the first one I autographed
34:29and the first of the first edition.
34:33Thank you, Ike.
34:35Bye-bye, let's get this home.
34:37Bye-bye.
34:47Daddy, here they are.
34:49Grandma, Grandpa,
34:51look at this, look at that.
34:53Well, look, isn't that beautiful?
34:55Isn't that beautiful?
34:57Look at that.
34:59My own words in print.
35:01It's a strange thing.
35:03Listen to this.
35:05At night, across Virginia,
35:07where gold fought upon earth,
35:09there comes a sweet darkness
35:11that seeps down from the mountains
35:13and, laden with the scent of dogwood,
35:15flows across the hills
35:17and into the valleys.
35:19Oh.
35:21Here's a letter.
35:23Must be a covering letter of some sort.
35:25Um...
35:29Wait a minute, this can't be.
35:31This can't be, right?
35:33Well, what is it?
35:35This is a bill for $50.
35:37Look, it says, $50,
35:39cost of the entire first printing.
35:41Please remit. You may order more if you wish.
35:43You mean they print them up, they send them to you,
35:45and they charge you for it?
35:47It's a racket.
35:49It's a racket, that's what it is.
35:59Yeah, it's a very slick contract.
36:01Very slick.
36:03Couldn't be more so.
36:05I hate to disappoint you people,
36:07but this document is ironclad,
36:09and Olivia's signature as parent here
36:11settles that.
36:13Didn't anybody read this?
36:15Well, I thought I did.
36:17Well, I wish you would have
36:19brought this in to me before you signed it.
36:21I could have told you there was a catch.
36:23You mean they can just get away with that racket?
36:25Oh, it's no racket, John.
36:27You see, the name for this kind of publishing
36:29venture is called a vanity press,
36:31and a good name it is, too.
36:33You see, these printing houses, they appeal
36:35to the vanity of anyone
36:37who is hankering to be published and is willing
36:39to pay for it.
36:41Well, we didn't know we were getting into that kind of a deal.
36:43We thought it was a legitimate publishing offer.
36:45Did you get 50 books
36:47bound and all? Properly bound?
36:49Yes.
36:51So they lived up to their contract.
36:53You can't very well call that a racket.
36:55Goffey's right. There's nothing we can do about it
36:57except figure out how to pay.
36:59I don't want that.
37:01I don't want the family paying for my vanity.
37:03Well, it was my fault.
37:05Mama,
37:07once that letter came, I would have done anything
37:09to get those books.
37:11And I guess that's just what those people count on.
37:13You're so busy thinking
37:15about your name on the spine of a book
37:17that you don't read the fine print.
37:19Daddy was trying to tell us that.
37:21I guess we all went overboard when we got that letter.
37:23Well, I just kept right on going, didn't I?
37:25Well, thank you, Sam.
37:27You're welcome.
37:29I guess I better take this home with me.
37:31It'll do good to look at it from time to time.
37:37The vanity press, they call it.
37:39Well, the scriptures said it.
37:41All is vanity.
37:43Vanity.
37:45I don't know how many times I've told this family
37:47never to sign anything
37:49unless a lawyer reads the fine print upside down
37:51and inside out.
37:53Lots of times, Pa.
37:55Except I didn't hear you say anything the other day
37:57when John Boy was signing that contract right here.
37:59Well, I...
38:01I wish he'd come out.
38:03He hasn't budged from his room since we got back.
38:07He's embarrassed about
38:09facing all his friends at school.
38:11I'll go fetch him.
38:13Leave him be. He needs to be alone right now, Pa.
38:15Boat's almost painted.
38:17How's she look?
38:19Come on out and see.
38:21Oh, okay.
38:23Uh, Daddy, can I use the truck again tonight?
38:25Well, well, now,
38:27what are you doing on the side?
38:29Some sort of new romantic business,
38:31like bootlegging?
38:33Zeb, hush up.
38:35No, just someplace I have to go.
38:37Well, it's the third time he asked for it this week, son.
38:39I gotta ask you where you wanna go.
38:41I have a job.
38:43A job?
38:45Mama, it's terrific.
38:47I'm playing guitar and harmonic and singing
38:49for the Haystack Gang.
38:51Your what?
38:53How long has this been going on?
38:55Well, I met this man at Ike's.
38:57It was the day Mama got the letter
38:59about John Boyd being published.
39:01And, uh, well, there was all that excitement
39:03about John Boyd, so...
39:05What about this man you met?
39:07Well, he had me come and try out for Bobby Bigelow,
39:09and he liked me.
39:11So I work for him whenever they play around here.
39:13I get $3.50 a night.
39:15Got almost $9 saved up.
39:17Couple of times, but, well,
39:19everything was happening so fast with John Boyd,
39:21didn't wanna steal his thunder.
39:23Jason.
39:25It's okay.
39:31Daddy, can I use the truck?
39:33I gotta be in Scottsville by 8 o'clock.
39:39Why don't we all go along?
39:41Would you like to?
39:43It might be just what this family needs.
39:45They're all scrubbed up.
39:47They must be just covered with paint.
39:49They are.
39:51I think I'd like to ask John Boyd myself.
39:53I wish you would, Jason.
40:07John Boyd?
40:09It's me, Jase.
40:11Can I come in?
40:13What?
40:15The door's open.
40:25John Boyd?
40:27The family is going into Scottsville
40:29to hear me where I'm working.
40:31Where you're working?
40:33I'm singing and playing with Bobby Bigelow.
40:35Would you like to come along?
40:37That's wonderful.
40:39When did that happen?
40:41A couple of weeks ago.
40:43Why didn't you tell me?
40:45Well, I tried to.
40:49Yeah, I was just too busy
40:51thinking of myself as the next
40:53Pulitzer Prize winner, wasn't I?
40:57Come on with us.
41:02I wouldn't miss it for the world, Jason.
41:04Good.
41:06I'll meet you downstairs.
41:08Okay, I'll be there in a minute.
41:10Okay.
41:40♪
42:11♪
42:24That's my grandson up there.
42:26The red-haired one.
42:28His name's Jason.
42:30What?
42:40♪
42:54♪
42:56♪
42:58♪
43:00♪
43:02♪
43:04♪
43:06♪
43:08♪
43:10♪
43:12♪
43:14♪
43:16♪
43:18♪
43:20♪
43:22Hey, son.
43:24I've been looking for you.
43:26If I, uh...
43:28I guess I kind of overlooked you lately.
43:30Nothing I noticed.
43:34I feel bad.
43:36I was worried about John-boy.
43:38He seemed so discouraged.
43:40And then when all that book business started, I...
43:44I guess I just didn't give much thought to other people.
43:48Well, you can't be everywhere at once.
43:52Jason.
43:56I gotta get back to work now.
44:06♪
44:12John, you're late.
44:14Yes, sir, I have to speak to you for a moment about...
44:16John, I want you to meet Timothy Collins.
44:18Tim's the roving reporter, and John Walton here is, uh...
44:20Well, I guess a new star in the literary firmament.
44:22Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about.
44:24Excuse me, Mr. Collins.
44:26We're going, John.
44:28Now, don't worry about a thing.
44:30Don't be nervous.
44:32Testing. One, two, three, testing.
44:34This is Timothy Collins, your roving reporter.
44:36And our local luminary for this evening
44:38is a young man who's destined for fame as a writer.
44:40His name is John Walton, Jr.
44:42He's a freshman at Boatwright University,
44:44and he's already begun his career
44:46as a professional writer.
44:48His first book, a collection of short stories,
44:50is on its way to being published...
44:52Excuse me, excuse me, that isn't really true.
44:56I mean, it's partly true,
44:58but, uh...
45:00Well, uh, there's a lot more to it than that,
45:04and everybody doesn't know the whole story about it.
45:17Well, I've always wanted to be published,
45:20but, uh, I guess I've always dreamed about being published.
45:25But it wasn't the publishing company that deceived me.
45:29I really deceived myself.
45:31I just, uh, became so self-important
45:34that I really don't see how my family ever lived with me,
45:38or how my classmates could even put up with me.
45:41And I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt.
45:45Uh, my professor said once
45:48that it's an arrogant thing to be a writer,
45:51to think that you could create a world
45:54that's so interesting that people will pay money for it
45:57to buy your books or read your short stories.
46:00So maybe I just got a little too arrogant.
46:04Um, I'd just, I'd just like to say
46:07that it's a fine thing to be a writer.
46:11There's a very secret and wonderful joy
46:15when you put down a few words
46:17that really say what you meant to convey in the first place.
46:21And I'm just gonna keep on trying.
46:28All right, everybody, upstairs and do your homework.
46:31Come on, Elizabeth.
46:45It was a nice talk, son. You said some good things.
46:48Oh, thank you. I meant them.
46:50I'm sure you did.
46:52He's a good guy.
46:54I meant them.
46:56I'm sure you did.
46:57These haven't been my best days, Daddy.
46:59I know. I guess they're about over, though, huh?
47:02Yes, they are.
47:04The family's gonna be mighty pleased to hear that.
47:08Come on, Jack!
47:10Come on, Jack!
47:12Come on!
47:14Come on!
47:16Come on!
47:18All right, I'm coming!
47:20The scars of that first disappointment
47:23were a long time in healing, but they did heal.
47:26The best medicine, as always,
47:28was the sympathy and understanding of my family
47:31and a ridiculous little rowboat
47:33that went a long way in helping me to forget
47:37John Boy, now that I'm making money,
47:39I can help you out with that bill for the books.
47:42No, Jason, I'm gonna pay for that myself.
47:44Sure, now. Glad to help out.
47:47No, really, Jason, but thank you.
47:50John Boy?
47:52Uh-huh?
47:53I'm kinda glad you didn't take me up on it.
47:55Good night, Jason.
47:57Good night, John Boy.
48:06© BF-WATCH TV 2021
48:36© BF-WATCH TV 2021