[ %% ]
Christmas decorations.
Sentimental.
Good, you found her.
Wait, don't take her out yet.
Wait for me.
Ok, but I get to put the wings on this year.
Oh, no.
She's much too delicate.
Delicate.
I was ten that year,
And never before had Christmas come so slowly.
My dream was that Santa would bring me a bicycle.
Hey, mom, I'll be back in a while.
Bobby said I can ride his bike.
My parents had insisted
That I could not have one until I was 10,
Old enough to ride safely, they said.
And here I was, months past 10,
And still no bike.
Jerry, wait!
We're taking the bike to get it fixed!
But with a bicycle,
I'd pointed out many times to my parents,
I could get a paper route of my own.
The problem is, the chain comes off and you can't stop.
Happens all the time.
If I could get such a route and build it up, I told them,
I could make $10 or $12 a week.
Big money for an 11-year-old in Thomasville.
[ gasp ]
[ crash ]
Ahh!
[ breaking glass ]
Jerry!
Are you all right?
Jerry.
1950 was also the first time that I saw Jimmy black,
Soon to be called Whitey by us
Because of his hair.
Whitey was new to Thomasville.
He lived in a shabby rental house next to some railroad tracks
With his mom and sister Sandy.
Mrs. Barnes was the den mother of cub scout pack 101.
She had a sweet smile, a good disposition,
And a powerful hankering to perform good deeds.
[ knocking ]
Hello.
Howdy.
Oh, look. The cub scouts.
We thought you might need some things.
Oh...
Well that was very thoughtful of you.
Jimmy, come out here and help your mama.
Don't y'all look cute in your uniforms.
[ laughing ]
Aren't they cute?
Jimmy, look.
Aren't they nice?
They brought us some things.
Hello, sweetheart.
What's your name?
Sandy.
Oh, that's a pretty name.
She's a little shy.
Thank you.
Brought you some books.
Look there.
It's an Angel book.
What do you say to the nice lady?
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Would y'all like a cookie or something?
No, we've got to be going.
We've got a lot of other stops to make.
Ok. Well bye-bye.
Let's go read our new book.
Whitey's shame, humiliation and resentment was so obvious,
That I knew instantly that if I ever felt the urge to commit Charity again,
It would be from a distance...
And anonymously.
I didn't see Whitey very much until later that spring
When he showed up at the tribune looking for a job.
Show him how to do inserts.
Don't do that again.
Do what?
You know what.
Keep it moving, boys.
I didn't do nothin'.
Hey! Hey!
Stop it! Stop it!
What's your problem?
We're not going to have any fighting around here.
Well he started it.
I did not.
What is this all about?
He hit me.
I didn't either.
Don't look at me.
We are not going to have any of that rowdy stuff around here.
You two boys need to apologize to each other.
Go ahead.
[ mumbling ]
What?
Sorry. Sorry.
Now shake hands.
Do it.
That's better.
Now I want to tell you boys something.
Next week,
I'm going to have an opening on a paper route here.
And if you two think you can get along,
I'd consider letting you share it.
What do you think of that?
Sure, I can get along with him.
Me, too.
Good.
Now y'all get back to work.
You, too.
How about we make a bet?
If I make it back it back here first,
You have to give me that baseball glove.
[ laughs ]
Ain't no way you're getting this glove.
[ spits ]
All right, then what do we bet?
Hum...
Whoever makes it back last
Owes the other one a cheerwine at Roudabush's.
Deal.
[ horns blow ]
Ahh. Same bet tomorrow?
I don't know.
How come?
Well, I got nine more houses on my route than you do.
Then you should have plenty of money to by me another cheerwine tomorrow.
Where you goin'?
I got things to do.
What kind of things?
Like, none of your dern business things.
For a hard workin' paper boy.
On the house.
Thank you.
[ laughing ] you're welcome.
Radio: Well, binky, it seems like that old buzzard Chonkey is going to jail after all.
Well, binky, it seems like that old buzzard Chonkey is going to jail after all.
Mom, could you tell him to shut up?
He ruins it every time.
Radio: Get you in a heap of trouble this time.
Get you in a heap of trouble this time.
I think it's cute.
[ gun noises ]
Dad.
Boys, please. I'm trying to read.
[ gun noises ]
Oh.
[ %% ]
[ loud thump ]
[ man and woman arguing ]
Jimmy, look what I found.
Isn't she beautiful?
Hey, this is just like your new book.
I've got an idea.
There we go.
Now she can look over you when I'm not here.
Jimmy, would you do one more thing for me?
Sure.
Once upon a time - oh many, many years ago
As time is calculated by men -
But which was only yesterday
In the celestial calendar of Heaven,
There was, in paradise,
A most miserable, thoroughly unhappy,
And utterly dejected cherub
Who was known throughout Heaven
As The Littlest Angel.
He was exactly four years,
Six months, five days,
Seven hours and 42 minutes of age
When he presented himself to the venerable gatekeeper
And waited for admittance
To the glorious kingdom of God.
[ bee buzzing ]
[ burp ]
[ laughing ]
It was full-blown Summer now -
Hot as blazes during the day
And just perfect at night.
Whitey and I became best friends,
And every day after we finished our paper route,
We'd meet Randy and Let and Billy down at the fort.
[ %% ]
[ car engine rumbles ]
[ boys laughing and talking ]
Oh, that was really fun last night.
Yeah.
Uh, who's there?
Is that you, boy?
Who's this?
This is just my friend, Jerry.
We was just going back to my room.
Y'all don't make no noise.
Who was that?
My mama's boyfriend.
I hate being here alone when he's the only one in the house.
Think you can stay 'til my mom gets back?
Sure.
What's it like living with that man.
You sure do ask a lot of questions.
He's a drunk, and he's mean.
What else is there?
Where's your real daddy?
Oh, I'm sorry.
You don't have to talk about it.
Hey, captain America. He's my favorite.
He's dead.
Huh?
Dead.
My daddy's dead.
How'd he die?
Mama says it was a car crash when I was 6.
Do you remember him at all?
A little.
All I know is we weren't so poor back then.
I saw him...
One time.
You mean, like a ghost or something?
Well, it was sort of like a dream.
He came to me and told me everything was gonna be all right,
With mom and all.
Was it scary?
No, he's my dad.
The only thing that is scary about it is...
I ain't never seen him again.
It's kinda hard for me to talk about it.
Come on. I want to show you something.
Where is she?
Mama probably took her to the county health department.
Sandy isn't feelin' too good.
What's wrong?
Different things.
A lot of things.
That's one of the reasons why we left South Carolina.
She loves angels.
I've noticed.
She likes for me to read this to her all the time.
We checked out every single book on angels down at the library,
But this one's her favorite.
[ woman's voice ] it took us two hours before we could even see a doctor.
You know, I better be going.
Oh, I didn't know you were home.
Mom, this is my friend Jerry.
Hi Mrs. Black.
Hi Jerry. This is Sandy. Can you say hey?
Hey.
Did y'all have fun last night?
Yeah. I did.
Yeah.
Good.
Well y'all hungry?
You want me to fix you something to eat?
I better be going.
Mom's probably wondering where I am by now.
See you at the paper.
Ok.
Bye.
Blessing.
Lord, make us truly grateful for all thy many blessings.
For Christ's sake. Amen.
Amen.
Pass me that yard buzzard.
I'm ready for some cookies.
Not until you've eaten everything on your plate.
How was your campout last night, honey?
Fine.
What'd you do?
Nothing.
Did you stay up late?
I don't know.
Well, what'd you talk about?
All kinds of stuff.
Like what?
Like Randy Clark said he's getting a Schwann black phantom.
Daddy, I really, really want one.
Son, I make $45 a week!
With that, I've gotta pay for
All the food on this table,
Clothes on your back,
And keep your mama in the lap of luxury.
Now I don't know how much one of them bikes costs,
But I know it's too much.
It can't be!
Money don't grow on trees.
Now I don't wanna hear no more about no dadgum bike!
Daddy, all them army trucks...
All those army trucks.
All those army trucks, where are they going?
I think they're setting up some sort of camp outside of town.
Nobody really knows.
Probably just routine maneuvers.
There's something goin' around, isn't there?
They're here because people are gettin' sick.
Everything's gonna be just fine.
The school sent home a letter today
Saying they're gonna have a new trial vaccine
For the kids to try out this fall.
Does that mean I've gotta take a shot?
I ain't takin' no shot.
You'll eat your supper,
And you'll take a shot if I say you take a shot,
Or else you'll end up like them boys in lake hickory.
Jack!
Sorry.
Eat up.
You can't even put food on the table anymore,
And you're drinking up what little we do have!
You're lucky what I do give you!
You give me nothing,
And you're nothing!
You're a bum!
And you made us all sick!
I want you out of here!
Get out! Get out and leave us alone!
Leave us in peace!
Just leave us be!
Look at all this candy.
Want some?
Your daddy gonna catch you.
Not if I...
See all you gotta do is open up the flap.
There they are, ready for taking.
Nobody will ever miss one.
You're the luckiest kid I know.
Movie: Ladies and gentlemen,
This is the third year that you have allowed me to bring here,
Into your theater, for a moment's visit,
Some of the children you are helping in their fight
Against that dreaded enemy of happy childhood,
Infantile paralysis.
I should like to show you that, without your help,
Hundreds of children would be helpless cripples today.
In the western part of North Carolina,
Right near the great smokeys,
Lies the little town of hickory.
Last June...
Ladies and gentlemen...
Hey, what about us?
I'm sorry,
But I've just been informed by the authorities
That the movie theater's now closed until further notice.
What?
How come you're getting shut down?
All I can say is that the authorities
Have said no large gatherings in Thomasville...
And that includes the movie theater.
I'm sorry.
Man, the show was just getting' good.
I wonder what's going on.
Maybe the guy hasn't paid his rent?
Maybe the place has got rats.
Hey!
I bet it's got something to do with all that army action.
You think so?
I don't know, but something sure is going on.
He's right. This ain't normal.
Maybe Martians are about to invade us.
Whoa.
Maybe we're about to be invaded by commies.
Commies?
Only one way to find out.
Man, this is great.
Who's on my team?
Not me.
Ok, go on over to that tent,
And Billy and Let have to go over there.
Oh, man, that's way on the other side.
Yeah.
Ok, we'll take that one.
What happens if we get caught?
It's the army. What are they gonna do?
Let's go.
Besides, we're with the paper.
Ok.
All right, now meet us back here after you get the flag.
Ok, go, go, go.
Sergeant, can I get your signature on these papers?
Sure, here you go.
Whitey.
The kid from the football team...
The Sagersons' kid?
Yeah, the sick one, the older one.
The one who's not gonna make it if he coughs again without that mask.
We took it off because of the heat...
[ gasping ]
[ talking ]
Now ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention please.
We are at the beginning stages of what might become a serious polio epidemic.
Is it contagious?
No ma'am, as far as we know it is not.
As far as you know?
Ma'am, could you please take a seat?
Shouldn't you quarantine this camp of yours?
Or the whole county?
Please ladies, one at a time.
This is not yet a quarantine situation.
Why?
Because nobody,
Not even the best doctors in the country,
Know exactly how this disease is spread.
So to start a massive quarantine right now would be futile.
We'd have to quarantine everybody,
And then, by definition, it would no longer be a quarantine.
Now, this camp has been set up to deal with this emergency situation,
And to handle the overflow from area hospitals that are badly overcrowded.
But Colonel Brandeis, if it's not dangerous, then why are you keeping it such a secret?
Crowd jeers.
Excuse me, we had a well-coordinated plan
To inform the community about exactly what was going on
Until that plan was derailed this afternoon.
Well I want to know why we weren't told about this earlier.
Because these things have to be handled carefully, ma'am.
I've seen situations like this turn into an unnecessary
Generalized panic, and that was our only concern.
Concern? You don't seem very concerned about my family.
Rose! Sit down and be quiet.
Well, I will.
But it's going to be far away from him.
His sister's got the polio so bad she can't even walk.
It's true!
I don't want my children around it.
We don't know anything about this disease.
How it's spread. Come on!
Whitey says not everybody can get it.
You have to be suspecticle to it.
[ laughing ]
Ladies and gentlemen, we have informational pamphlets for each of you.
If we have additional information,
We will broadcast it over your local radio stations.
That is all.
Listen, mom wants to see if you could start delivering the paper to our house now.
That's Whitey's route.
I know.
He ain't doing a good job?
No, his sister's got the polio,
Which means...
Ain't nothing wrong with Whitey.
Which means he's touching the newspapers that end up in our house.
So?
You should see it. Mom doesn't even open them anymore.
She picks 'em up with the fireplace tongs
And throws the darn things into the fire.
That's crazy.
Why is that crazy?
Do you know how polio's spread?
Well, do you?
Not exactly.
Mamma says it's a hot weather disease.
You're safe in the winter.
But come summertime...
I would watch out.
What else did she say?
She said it comes from flies, spoiled food
And dirty bathrooms.
Stuff like that.
You ever been to Let's house?
No.
I'd watch out for him, too, if I was you.
Come on.
Come on nothing.
Just because you can't see there ain't nothing wrong with him don't mean he ain't got it.
Get out.
Do you know what polio does to you?
Yeah.
Liar.
What does it do?
Um, well, um...
Contact.
It's like a germ.
You can get it if you touch someone who's got the polio,
Or if you kiss them,
Or if they sneeze on you.
Swimming holes?
You don't catch me going into any pools, creeks or ponds.
What about drinking a drink after somebody?
Absolutely.
Probably just breathing the same air they're breathing.
Let me tell you, this germ gets in you, and it goes straight to work.
It's like a snake.
It gets in your spine...
And it crawls up to your brain.
It's a hungry snake.
It starts eating your brain.
Soon you get bad headaches.
Then you can't walk,
And then you find yourself flat on your back...
Paralyzed.
Last but not least, you can't breathe.
Wanna know what happens next?
Look, Randy, I gotta go.
I'm running late.
All right, but talk Whitey into swapping paper routes.
I'll tell ya, mom is scared to death.
Going down. Going...
Army one, I'm going down! I'm going down!
[ radio changing stations ]
Jimmy, I forgot a lot of this fraction stuff,
But I think you're supposed to get a common denominator?
Is that it?
Yeah. It says something about that...
[ glass breaking ]
[ car engine ]
Who was that?
Otis?
Mean people. Just mean people.
Let's get ready for bed now, ok?
Don't you worry about Otis, all right?
He's gone. He's gone for good. He ain't never coming back in here.
All right?
What are we gonna do mama?
I don't know.
I don't know, but I ain't leavin' here again.
And they can throw every rock in the county through that window,
But we ain't leavin'.
But what about Sandy?
She don't know nothin' about it.
Besides, she won't have to put up with anything much longer.
What does that mean?
Is somethin' else the matter?
You go on now and read to your sister.
Ok?
Mama just needs a little time.
I just need a little time alone.
Mama..
You're always alone.
[ cries ]
Hey boys, it says here Santa's gonna come ridin' into Thomasville
On top of the new fire truck.
What do y'all think of that?
Oh great.
Wow.
I already know what I'm getting' everybody for Christmas.
Do y'all?
Yeah, what are you getting' your sister, Whitey?
I don't know.
She wants an Angel doll,
But I can't find one nowhere.
Did you try Belks?
Yeah, Belks should have one.
Nope, they don't.
Get out.
[ groaning ]
You boys quit yakkin' and get back to work.
After your route, me and Jerry will help you find one.
%% it's been 10 years ago %%
%% when I ran out of money %%
%% down to my last buck or so, %%
%% and brother that ain't funny %%
%% bet it all at a million to one %%
%% on a horse called the lucky star %%
%% the horse ran fast and far, %%
%% now brother there you are %%
%% I'm a lucky man %%
Sir, do you have anything with angels on it?
%% I don't talk about misfortune %%
%% 'cuz that just don't suit my plan %%
%% thank God in Heaven, %%
%% that I'm a lucky man %%
No thanks. That's not what I'm looking for.
%% I don't talk about misfortune %%
%% 'cuz that just don't suit my plan %%
%% thank God in Heaven, %%
%% that I'm a lucky man %%
%% I'm a lucky man. %%
%% thanks to my pop, %%
%% I'm a lucky man. %%
%% cuz I know that in the end, I'll always be a lucky man. %%
Here you go.
No, I'm saving up for a Christmas present.
That's a good idea. Good.
It hardly makes any sense.
It's Christmastime.
You'd think at least one store would have an Angel doll.
We looked at every shop in town for that dang thing,
And I don't know what else we can do.
I ain't givin' up.
That's all I know.
How about that weird little antique store way down on hill street?
That's a good idea.
We'll check that out next.
Hey, uh, can I have a sip of that?
No, you know, I have a sore throat comin' on.
I wouldn't want you to catch it or anything.
I don't care. Just give me some.
Thanks.
Y'all hear that the Holly festival Queen is gonna be in the parade again this year?
Whew.
Good.
Now, wait a minute. Wait just minute.
It's a pretty big deal to have the Holly festival Queen ride in our Christmas parade.
Sure it is.
Who cares?
If you guys are so smart, how come you can't find an Angel doll?
Ever occur to you to buy a regular doll and fix it up to look like an Angel doll?
Now there's an idea.
You're dern tootin' there's an idea.
That's great, Mr. Roudabush.
Come on y'all. Let's go.
Come on Jerry.
[ %% ]
[ cheering and whistling ]
[ %% ]
The phantom!
Will you hurry up?
There she is.
What?
That's Sandy's Angel doll.
Where?
That...That big one.
I see it.
Mr. Roudabush was right.
She's not an Angel doll yet, but she will be.
%% oh what fun it is to ride %%
%% in a one horse open sleigh. %%
Mom, we've got something to ask you.
What is it, son?
Y'all can come up on the porch.
They don't bite.
That's ok son.
What can I do for you?
Go ahead scardy cat.
See, I always read this book to my sister Sandy, "The Littlest Angel."
She loves angels, and I looked in the sears catalog and they didn't have one either,
So I figured nobody had one in town,
And then at the parade we went to Belks, and they didn't have one either,
And they have trinkets, pictures, ornaments, you know, stuff I didn't want,
You know, even pictures.
But Sandy wants this doll, and she's sick,
And sears didn't have one, and Let and Jerry helped me,
And then on the way back by the five and dime,
She was there with all these other dolls.
I mean, it was her, but only it wasn't her,
You know, it was her but not exactly,
Because she didn't have anything like wings
Or anything like a halo or anything.
But it was her. I found her.
The Angel doll at the five and dime.
What he's trying to say
Is can you help him make an Angel doll
Out of this regular doll we saw in the window at the five and dime?
No, what he wants to know is,
Will you make a doll for Sandy?
Well I don't see why we couldn't.
Well great. Great. Sandy's got her doll. See?
But, wait a minute.
What would you charge me?
Well, the money's not the important thing here.
I want to pay.
Ok, we can work something out.
Thanks Mrs. Pearl.
I can't thank you enough.
Come on y'all. Let's go in.
We've got some cookies.
So, you finally decided to come home?
Well, I've just gotta go back to my room for a minute.
Then we've gotta go finish collecting from our route,
And I've just got a couple of other things I need to do.
Well, I need you to be doing some things around here, too.
Mom, I've got to do this. I can do whatever you want me to do later.
Aren't we the busy beaver?
Could you not watch me please?
Please?
Face the door, and close your eyes.
Are your eyes closed?
Yes.
Ok, good.
Ok, you can turn around now.
Thanks a lot.
My best friend doesn't even trust me.
How much is that?
Ten dollars.
Is that enough?
More. The doll costs $8.99,
And with tax, it's only $9.18.
You ready?
Yeah. Come on, let's go.
You know what...
Maybe you might want to go on in there
And tell your sister a little bit about the parade, huh?
I'll wait outside.
Bye.
She's asleep.
She ain't gettin' no better, is she?
Can't wait 'til baseball season.
Me, too.
Come on, Let.
[ laughing ]
Here he comes.
Boys, we've got a lot of papers to fold.
Whitey!
Whitey, what's the matter?
I lost my money.
What money?
You know, the money I had in my glove.
The money I was gonna use to get that doll.
Maybe we can still find it.
But I've looked everywhere.
Ok, how did you lose it then?
I don't know. It just fell out, I guess.
I reached in to check on it, and it wasn't there.
Well then where were you when it happened?
I was leaving Mrs. Bell's house.
Well that's where we've gotta start.
Come on, let's retrace every step.
[ thunder ]
Hey, Whitey!
I'm sorry.
I won't be able to get that doll now.
And that means Sandy...
Don't worry. It'll turn up.
Whitey, it's getting dark soon.
My mom's probably wondering where I am.
We better call it a day, ok?
[ sigh ]
Look, you heard what everybody said.
If they found it, they'll let you know.
They promised.
I need a flashlight.
My daddy's got a couple.
Come on, boys. Let's go.
Come on Whitey.
I'm stayin'.
I'll work my way back home, but I ain't givin' up yet.
Tell you what,
I'll make another pass by here in about 30 minutes.
If you're still here, I'm taking you home.
Ok. Good night.
Is he gonna be all right?
Yeah.
Whitey, he's a tough kid.
One way or another,
It'll all work out for the best.
Let's go home.
[ %% ]
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Where do you think you're going?
Oh, I told Mr. Parker I'd help him deliver and stack firewood this afternoon.
Oh no you don't.
I don't want you going anywhere.
But mama, I told him I'd help him.
No!
Why not?
Because I need you here to help me.
I'm tired.
Mama...
Mama nothin'!
I've got to do this.
I've got to earn some extra money so I can get Sandy that Angel doll.
That ain't important.
Now you do what I say.
Yes ma'am. I'll just tell him I can't make it.
That's right.
They cut it off yesterday.
That's fine.
Hey.
What you writing?
I'm supposed to do a paper for Mrs. Jenna's class about president Roosevelt.
Oh, really?
You know, he had polio.
Look what he did.
Hey mom?
Mmm hmm?
How come Randy Clark is gettin' so mean?
Mean?
What makes you say that?
Well, he's just not very nice to Whitey or Let.
Is he mean to you?
No, he thinks I'm his friend.
Are you?
I'm not sure anymore.
Why not?
I don't now. It's just...
He's so much like his mom.
They're both always complaining about everything.
Well, like a lot of people right now, she's scared.
About the polio?
Yep.
She's scared of Let?
That's different.
How come?
Honey, there's a difference between being scared
And just not...
Understanding.
What's the difference?
Ok...
When people come from different places or backgrounds...
Sometimes...
They just don't understand.
Sometimes they just don't want to understand.
But when people are sick,
Especially with something like polio,
That we don't know anything about,
It's easy to get scared.
But he's mean to Let, too.
And Let's not sick.
Nobody in his family has polio.
Uh, let me try to explain it this way.
You know your uncle Bill?
Says all them bad words you don't like.
Yes, all those bad words.
Well, he's like Mrs. Clark.
On the other hand, your daddy...
He don't cuss.
Right, he doesn't cuss.
He chooses not to.
So the difference is...
Daddy chooses not to be scared.
Exactly!
Your daddy ain't...
Oh...
Isn't scared.
So then I don't need to be scared about playing with Whitey and Let?
They're your friends, aren't they?
Yes ma'am.
Well there's your answer then.
Hey, mom?
Mmm hmm?
You ain't scared neither?
Not a lick.
Now eat your sandwich.
[ %% ]
[ door opens ]
I'll take her.
[ knocking ]
I found it! I found it!
What in blue blazes is that?
I found it!
Oh, Whitey, that's wonderful!
Well, where on earth did you find it?
It was really strange.
You now, sometimes when I can't sleep,
I like to play catch.
When I was putting my glove on, there was something in it.
I have no idea how it got there.
I mean, it was the last time I saw it,
And then it was gone,
And suddenly it came back.
It was almost like somebody...Like an Angel or something put it in there.
Where is it now?
It's right here.
You don't have a hole in that pocket, do you?
No ma'am. I checked.
Why don't you sit down and have some oatmeal?
Oh, no, I'm fine. I can't eat. I'm too excited. I gotta go get that doll.
Just sit down, let Jerry finish his breakfast,
And then in a minute, y'all can go down to the five and dime.
Yeah, sit down, Whitey.
Come on Jerry.
Thanks anyway, Mrs. Barlow.
Oh!
[ humming ]
Uh, excuse me.
Yes?
There was a doll in the window the other day.
It had on a pink dress.
Yes, that was the only one we had like that.
Oh, did somebody buy it?
I'm not sure.
See, a lady came by yesterday morning to look at it,
And we took it out of the window for her.
I thought she might come back for it,
So I stuck it under the counter.
But I didn't work last night,
So I don't know if she came or not.
You know, somebody else might have got it.
Well, could you look?
Sure.
I want to buy it.
She's expensive.
Oh, don't worry. I've got the money.
She sure is a pretty thing.
Somebody's gonna be awfully happy this Christmas.
I know she is.
Here you go.
[ cash register ringing ]
Hey y'all.
You know, you could say hey.
Hey.
[ laughing ]
Here comes trouble.
Where y'all been?
We just dropped the doll off at Let's house.
That's great.
I know everybody's gonna be happy.
Whitey, y'all got yourself a Christmas tree yet?
No, not yet.
I don't know what my mama was planning to do.
You wanna come with us?
Yeah, we're going right now.
Ok. Sure.
All right. Watch your fingers.
Hey Larry! Let's go, cowboy. We're moving out.
Hon, we'll see you in a couple shakes.
Bye.
Bye, mom.
[ engine starts]
Everybody in?
[ knocking ]
Hello?
Can I help you.
Oh, hi.
Yeah, hi.
I'm...Mary Barlow.
Jerry's mom.
I'm Fronia.
It's nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
I...I'm sorry.
Would you like to come in?
Thank you.
Here, sit down.
Ok.
Thanks.
Can I get you something hot to drink?
No, no, I'm fine.
Do you have any idea where the boys are?
Oh, they're with Jack.
He's my husband.
They went out in the country to find some Christmas trees.
That's nice.
I hope he's not in the way.
Oh heavens no. No!
Jerry and Jack wanted him to go.
I bet he'll bring you a Christmas tree to boot.
Jerry's a good boy.
He's a real good friend.
We really enjoy Whitey.
And he told us all about Sandy.
Would you like to meet her?
I'd love to.
Come on.
She's in here.
Sandy...
Oh, she's sleepin'.
She is so Precious.
Look at all her angels.
They bring her Joy.
Well, in fact, that's really why I'm here.
Jerry talked our choir director into changing the Christmas pageant this year.
So...
Instead of doing the nativity,
They're gonna do The Littlest Angel.
Oh.
The littlest Angel?
Mmm hmm.
And, uh, we would like to invite you and your family to come and see it with us.
We'd love to go.
Well, great!
So, uh, we'll...We'll pick you up at 4 o'clock on the 24th.
Ok.
Uh...
Sandy's really beautiful.
Thank you for thinking of us.
Yeah.
Bye.
[ %% ]
Mama!
[ knocking ]
Come in.
Oh hi, boys.
Hi Mrs. Pearl.
Wow!
It looks just like an Angel.
Oh, so I didn't do so bad after all?
Oh no ma'am. You did fine.
She's beautiful.
How much do I owe you?
Well, let's see.
It didn't take much time after I figured out what to do with the halo and the wings.
So, oh I don't know...
19 dollars.
[ laughing ]
Whitey, child, you need to relax.
One dollar. One dollar will cover my expenses.
Is that too much?
No, no ma'am. One dollar's fine.
Are you sure that's enough?
That's plenty.
Could you do one more huge favor for me?
Talk to me.
Do you think you could keep her 'til Christmas morning?
I want this to be a big surprise for Sandy.
Are you kidding? I wouldn't mind keeping her at all.
As a matter of fact, I've gotten used to having her around.
Me, too.
I'll be back with the drinks.
There she is.
They ain't coming.
Thank you.
Come here.
Oh.
Look how handsome you look.
Why don't you go?
I just wanted all of us to go.
Oh, I know.
Sandy's sick, sweetheart, and mommy's gotta stay here and take care of her.
I just thought Sandy would really enjoy seeing the pageant.
She...
She wants you to go.
I want you to go.
Please.
Would you go for both of us?
Ok.
[ %% ]
Mama...
The littlest Angel, he's the same age as me, isn't he?
Yes he is, sweetheart.
Want mommy to read to you?
[ clapping ]
Good evening.
I want to thank you all for coming this Christmas Eve.
We have what I think will be
An event filled with Joy and the hope of the Christmas season.
Now when little Jerry Barlow came to me,
I was at first worried that changing the pageant wouldn't be possible.
But after hearing the story,
I knew it was the right thing to do.
So, without further ado, I'd like to invite the first Methodist church
To watch The Littlest Angel.
[ clapping ]
This time, I'm gonna tell you a story mama.
Ok, baby.
Once upon a time - oh many, many years ago, time is calculated by men -
There was in paradise, a most miserable,
Thoroughly unhappy
And utterly dejected cherub,
Who was known throughout Heaven as The Littlest Angel.
He was exactly four years, six months,
Five days, seven hours and 42 minutes of age
When he presented himself to the venerable gatekeeper
And waited for admittance to the glorious kingdom of God.
And waited for admittance to the glorious kingdom of God!
[ crowd laughs ]
The littlest Angel soon became the despair of all heavenly hosts.
Yes, and on top of that,
He inevitably and vociferously sang off key
At the singing practices of the heavenly choir.
[ boys sings off key ] %% once in royal David's city %%
%% stood a lowly cattle shed %%
%% where a mother %%
%% laid her baby %%
%% in a manager for his bed %%
[ laughing ]
%% Mary was the mother mild %%
%% Jesus Christ %%
%% her little child. %%
%% he came down to earth from Heaven, %%
%% who is God and Lord of all %%
The time came that Jesus, the son of God,
Was to be born of Mary in Bethlehem.
The angels and archangels,
The seraphim and cherubim,
The gatekeeper, the wingmaker,
And yes, even the halosmith,
Put aside their usual tasks
To prepare their gifts for the blessed Infant.
What could he give that would be most acceptable to the son of God?
What, oh what,
Could a small Angel give
That would please the holy Infant?
%% he was little, weak and helpless, %%
%% tears and smiles like us he knew %%
What would you give him?
I would give...
My life for you.
My baseball glove.
What would you give him?
My book.
There was a breathless pause,
And then, the rough unsightly box of the littlest Angel began to glow
With a bright, unearthly light.
Earthly eyes, blinded too by its splendor,
Could never know that the lowly gift of The Littlest Angel
Was what all men would call forever
The shining star of Bethlehem.
Mama, will I be a Angel?
You already are one.
%% amen. %%
[ clapping ]
[ whistling ]
Shhhhh.
Present for Santa.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you.
Hey Larry.
Shut up, Jerry. Go to sleep.
Larry.
What do you want?
I don't think I'm gettin' it.
What?
The bike, I don't think I'm gettin' it.
How come?
Well, I'm usually pretty good at finding mom and dad's presents,
But not this year.
See a bike is too big to fit inside the house,
And I checked the trunk of the car,
And dad's truck is full.
I don't know where they might've hidden it.
Which can only mean one thing...
I'm not gettin' a bike this year.
I guess a bike is pretty expensive.
Do you know how much a Schwann Black Phantom costs?
No.
Neither do I, but I know it's a lot.
Maybe I should get another job.
If I was real careful about what I spent and saved my money,
Maybe then I'd get to buy myself a bike by next Summer.
A used one, of course.
I could fix it up and things.
Think I should get another job?
Larry?
Jerry!
Wake up.
He's been! He's been!
Come on!
Look! I got a lone ranger set!
Shhh.
You got it. You got it!
Is a J.C. Higgins the same thing as a Schwinn Black Phantom?
No, a Schwinn is built by Schwinn,
And J.C. Higgins is built by sears.
But didn't you want a Schwinn Black Phantom.
It doesn't matter. This is perfect, just perfect.
Isn't she a beauty?
Yeah.
You boys get back to bed.
[ shooting sounds ]
Come here cowboy.
Stick 'em up.
Make sure you put that jacket on.
Where are you going?
You haven't even opened your grandma's present.
You can open it, Larry.
It's just some socks.
Be careful!
Hey Randy!
Dang it, Jerry, you scared the dickens out of me.
You know, I can't say for sure about everything you told me,
But you were dead wrong about Whitey and Let.
They are both my friends, and always will be.
And you know something else?
You are not big enough to get on that bike.
[ crash ]
Is Whitey home?
He's not here.
Do you know where he is?
Son, this ain't a good day.
He ran off a while ago.
We ain't seen him since.
I bet I know where he is.
Don't worry. I'll find him.
If you find him, send him home.
His mama's worried sick about him.
Hey, Whitey!
[ door squeaks open ]
Whitey, what's wrong?
Sandy died.
When?
Last night.
We took her to the hospital,
But they couldn't do nothing.
She told me,
The angels was comin'.
She could see 'em.
She said, "look, Jimmy. Look."
But I couldn't see nothin'.
And then,
After a little while, she just...
Breathed away.
Her book's gone.
I searched all over, but I can't find it.
I wanted to take it to the funeral home, but
It's not in the house no more.
Hey,
I...I got a bike.
Do you wanna ride it?
No...
I'm just gonna walk for a little bit right now.
I've gotta try to help mama after a while.
She's not doin' too good.
[ door shuts ]
Tell Let's mama she can take that doll and
Give it to whoever can use it.
And you might wanna tell her to put them old clothes back on her.
Nobody else'll probably want a dumb old Angel.
[ %% ]
[ whistle blows ]
Well, you got your wish. Your own paper route.
What do you mean my own paper route?
Whitey ain't comin' back, son.
What do you mean?
I mean, he's gone.
He's left town.
Him and his mama took off for South Carolina.
To bury the little girl, I reckon.
Sooner or later,
Everybody loses a friend in their life.
See you tomorrow.
If Whitey had ever come back,
He didn't let anybody know.
I kept thinking I'd hear from him somehow.
A letter, something.
But I never did.
[ thump ]
Nobody would've guessed it,
But I went out into the world
And became a successful writer.
When I published my first book,
Some relatives and a few friends
Showed up at a book signing.
In the small crowd was a lady
Whose face was vaguely familiar.
Mrs. Pearl?
[ laughs ]
Everybody in town is so proud of you.
How are you?
How's Joe and Let?
Oh, Joe died some years ago.
But Let's still over at the factory.
He's a foreman now.
I'm mostly alone except for Let and my grandchildren.
Well please tell Let I said hello, would you?
I certainly will.
I've got something for you.
It's a present.
Excuse me.
For me?
Whitey never came back for it.
I kept thinking that he would, but he never did.
I never could find out where they moved so I could send it to him.
I've kept it all these years.
Never opened it.
Never.
Except right here in this box.
Nearly drove Let crazy...
But it just didn't seem right to open, I don't think.
I thought you would want it.
Thank you.
My son Kyle was 10 then.
He got his first bike that year,
And we started what is now a yearly tradition...
Placing the Angel doll next to our tree.
Recently, while away at a conference,
A young couple came in and sat at a table near me.
They had their daughter with them.
She was four or five.
We need to get to ST. Jude's by about 10 o'clock.
Thank you.
Anyway, I hadn't paid any attention to them,
When I noticed the little girl was clinging to a doll.
It was smaller,
But as I looked,
I saw it was a perfect replica of the doll I knew.
I feel better now.
I think the doctors are gonna take really good care of her.
The doctors and my Angel.
That's right.
You're my little Angel, aren't you?
[ %% ]
Excuse me.
The dolls, where do they come from?
I wish I could tell you, but we don't have the faintest idea.
It's been going on for years, even before I came here.
Somebody just sends them every December
With instructions to give one to every child who wants one.
And you know, we always have enough.
Thank you.
I think I know who that might be.
Hi.
That's a pretty doll.
Thanks.
Hi.
Hey.
She looks just like me.
She sure does.
I even try finding Whitey sometimes.
In a given town, I'll search the phone directory for anyone named black,
And even call a few.
But none acknowledge ever living in Thomasville.
I soon realized that even if I find Whitey,
I wouldn't know what to say.
I feel that it's enough to know that he's out there,
And that' he's obviously doing well,
And that he, as I,
Learned from our experience so long ago,
That the gift of Christmas is the gift of love.
And every year since then,
My family gathers to open presents and experience the Miracle...
The littlest Angel...
And if it's ever looked upon as an ordeal,
We have all tolerated it for the sake of a foolish and softhearted man named Jerry.
So every year after I call the hospital and find out that the dolls have arrived,
I know it's time to fetch the tree
And bring down the box marked "Christmas, sentimental."
Linda finishes her work,
I put the doll beside the tree,
And we offer this little wish:
"Merry Christmas, Whitey old friend.
Some day I may come looking for you.
But in the mean time, may she ever bring you love.
[ %% ]
{{{ the end }}}