(quiet, gentle theme music
begins)
(orchestra plays gentle,
noble theme)
♪ ♪
NARRATOR:
On Christmas Eve,
many years ago,
I lay quietly in my bed.
I did not rustle the sheets.
I breathed slowly and silently.
I was listening
for a sound
I was afraid I'd never hear:
The ringing bells
of Santa's sleigh.
(gasps)
(fingers squeaking on window)
(clattering)
♪ ♪
(turning doorknob)
♪ ♪
(soft footsteps)
DAD:
All right... (grunts)
All right, Sarah,
you had your water.
Now let's get you upstairs
and into bed.
SARAH:
But-but-but I have to...
But he said Santa
would have to fly
faster than
the speed of light
to get to everyone's house
in one night.
And to hold everyone's presents,
so his sled would have to be
bigger than an ocean liner!
DAD:
What, your brother said that?
He was just kidding you.
He knows there's a Santa.
SARAH:
He said he wasn't sure.
He wasn't sure
if Santa was for real.
DAD:
Of course Santa's for real.
He's as real
as Christmas itself.
MOM:
But he won't come
until you're sound
asleep, young lady.
(chuckles)
Sweet dreams.
DAD:
Santa will be here
before you know it.
(whispers):
So go to sleep.
(soft jingling)
♪ ♪
Hm.
Mm-hmm.
(smacks lips)
"Stark... barren."
"Devoid of life."
(footsteps approaching)
(door creaks softly)
DAD (whispering):
He's got to be asleep by now.
MOM:
He used to stay awake all night,
waiting for Santa.
I think those days
are just about over.
Oh, that would be sad
if that were true.
Yeah, an end
of the magic.
Merry Christmas,
sweetheart.
DAD:
See? he's out like a light.
An express train
wouldn't wake him up now.
BOY (voice-over):
"End of the magic"?
(clock ticking)
(ticking grows louder)
(ticking stops)
(soft metallic rattle)
(clattering in distance)
(low rumbling)
(clattering, rumbling
grow louder)
(clattering, rumbling
grow even louder)
(steam whistle blowing)
(train chugging)
(chugging slows)
(brakes squeaking)
(fabric rips)
(marbles clattering)
(train brakes squeaking)
(chugging slows to a stop)
(deep whooshing)
(deep clank)
(squeak, metallic groan)
(squeak echoing)
(steam hisses)
(metallic groaning,
steam hissing)
(steam hissing)
(squeaking)
(hissing, squeaking continue)
CONDUCTOR:
All...
aboard!
All aboard!
(deep, echoing squeak)
(quiet, sustained squeaks)
(train quiets)
Well? You comin'?
(steam hisses)
Where?
Why, to the North Pole,
of course!
This is the Polar Express!
The North Pole?
(smacks lips):
I see.
Hold this, please.
Thank you.
Is this you?
Yeah.
Well, it says here,
no photo
with a department store
Santa this year,
no letter to Santa,
and you made your sister
put out the milk and cookies.
Mm, mm.
Sounds to me like this
is your crucial year.
If I were you,
(quietly):
I would think about
climbing on board.
Come on, come on,
come on.
I've got a...
schedule to keep.
(grunts):
Oh!
Suit yourself.
(steam hisses)
(train whistle blowing)
(train chugging slowly)
(squeaking)
♪ ♪
(gentle, noble theme crescendos)
(train wheels clacking)
(conductor clears throat)
(wheels clacking steadily)
CHILDREN (in distance):
♪ ...ride for free ♪
♪ And join the fun,
if you just say yes ♪
♪ 'Cause that's the way things
happen on the Polar Express! ♪
(singing and playful shouting)
You'll get cooties on 'em!
♪ Ding, ding,
her bell will ring ♪
♪ Golly, look at her go ♪
♪ You can wonder
if she'll get there soon ♪
♪ It's anybody's guess ♪
♪ 'Cause that's the way things
happen on the Polar Express ♪
♪ When we get there ♪
♪ We'll scream "Yay!" ♪
♪ We'll arrive with
a bang, bang, bang ♪
♪ A woo, hoo, hoo,
laughing all the way ♪
♪ With a comfy seat
and lots to eat ♪
♪ Boy, it's just the best ♪
♪ Wish it wouldn't ever
have to end ♪
♪ With a little luck ♪
♪ We'll be on time,
there's no need to stress ♪
♪ 'Cause that's the way things
happen on the Polar Express. ♪
Hey. Hey, you.
Yeah, you. Do you know
what kind of train this is?
-Train!
-Huh?
Do you know what kind of train
this is? Well, do ya?
Uh...
Of course.
It's a magic train.
We're going to the North Pole.
I know it's
a magic train.
Actually, it's a Baldwin 284
S3 class steam locomotive,
built in 1931
at the Baldwin
Locomotive Works.
It weighs 466,100
pounds...
Are we really going
to the North Pole?
-Hey, look, everybody!
-Mm-hmm. Isn't that wonderful?
Herpolsheimer's!
(children cheering)
Whoa...!
("Good King Wenceslas" playing)
Wow, look at all those presents!
I want all of them!
It's so Christmassy
and cozy and beautiful!
CONDUCTOR:
Tickets.
Tickets, please.
Tickets.
Ticket, please.
Try your pocket.
Try your other pocket.
♪ ♪
Thank you, sir.
(sputters)
-Hey, watch out there!
-Oh, look at that!
Thank you, sir.
Ah-ah-ah, that is
a public address microphone.
-It is not a toy, not a toy.
-Boy, that guy sure likes
to show off
with his ticket punch.
Look what that wise guy
punched on my ticket.
L-E. What the heck
does that mean?
CONDUCTOR (over P.A.):
Next stop, 11344
Edbrooke.
We're heading for the other side
of the tracks!
(brakes squeaking)
(deep clanking, steam hissing)
(echoing squeak)
CONDUCTOR:
Well? Coming?
Eh, it's just
another pickup.
That's weird--
I thought you
were supposed to
be the last one.
CONDUCTOR:
Why, to the North Pole,
of course!
This is the
Polar Express!
Suit yourself.
(train whistle blows)
(clanking and hissing)
(train chugging slowly)
♪ ♪
That... hey, that-that kid
wants to get on the train!
Come on!
Hurry up!
♪ ♪
-We have to stop the train.
-I don't know how
-Pull the emergency brake!
-to stop the train!
(grunting)
(deep metallic groan)
(steam hisses)
♪ ♪
Who in the blazes
applied that emergency brake?!
He did!
You.
In case you didn't know,
that cord is for
emergency purposes only!
And in case you weren't aware,
tonight is Christmas Eve.
-(train whistle blows)
-And in case you hadn't noticed,
this train is on a
very tight schedule.
Now, young man,
Christmas may not be
important to
some people,
but it is very important
to the rest of us!
But-but-but-but...
He was just trying to stop the
train so that kid could get on.
Hm.
I see.
Young man,
is that what happened?
(smack lips):
Well...
let me remind you,
we are on a very
tight schedule.
A-And I've never
been late before!
And I am certainly not going
to be late tonight!
Now, everybody,
take your seats, please!
Thank you.
(train rattles, clanks)
(chugging resumes)
(over P.A.):
Your attention, please.
Are there any
Polar Express passengers
in need of refreshment?
CHILDREN:
Me! Me! Me!
I thought so.
(shoes tapping
in syncopated rhythm)
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Ooh! We got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Hey, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Say, we got it ♪
♪ Hot chocolate! ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Oh, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ So, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Yo, we got it ♪
♪ Hot chocolate! ♪
♪ Here we've only got one rule ♪
♪ Never ever let it cool ♪
♪ Keep it cookin' in the pot ♪
-♪ Then you got... ♪
-♪ Hot chocolate! ♪
♪ Ooh! We got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Hey, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Say, we got it ♪
♪ Hot chocolate! ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Oh, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ So, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Yo, we got it ♪
♪ Hot chocolate! ♪
♪ Here we only got one rule ♪
♪ Here we only
got one rule ♪
♪ Never ever let it cool ♪
♪ Never ever
let it cool ♪
♪ Keep it cookin'
in the pot ♪
♪ Soon you got
hot chocolate ♪
(jazzy drums play)
♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Hey, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Oh, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Yeah, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
♪ Whoa, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Yeah, we got it ♪
(breathy):
♪ Hah, hah! ♪
-♪ Oh, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
♪ Yeah, we got it ♪
(trumpets playing)
(music stops)
You know, Montezuma,
the King of the Aztecs,
would drink 50 quarts of
hot chocolate every day.
It was thick
as mud and red
because he put
chili pepper in it,
instead of sugar.
Get it?
Hot chocolate?
How do you know?
That's not true.
Where you going
with that?
It's for him.
I don't think we're
supposed to leave our seats.
Yeah, it's
a violation
of railroad safety
regulations for a kid
to cross moving cars
without a grown-up.
I think I'll be okay.
Are you sure?
(footsteps approaching,
shoes squeaking)
(cup and saucer rattling
quietly)
What about this lad in the back?
Did he get
any refreshment?
Mm-mm.
Well, let's take some to him,
by all means!
Watch your step, now.
Watch your step.
Uh-oh.
She forgot
her ticket.
It hasn't been punched.
Hey, what are
you doing?
You're gonna get us
all in trouble.
(gasping)
(wind gusting)
(wind whistling)
(train whistle blowing)
(howling echoes from distance)
(howl echoing)
(whistle blows,
train rumbling)
(panting, barking)
(whistle blowing)
(eagle screeches)
(waterfall rumbling)
(chirping)
(spitting)
(rumbling)
(whistle blows)
(children singing
indistinctly)
Young lady,
forgive me.
I believe
I have neglected
to punch
your ticket.
May I?
I left my ticket
right here on the seat.
But it's gone.
You mean...
you have lost
your ticket?!
She didn't
lose her ticket.
I did.
I was trying
to return it to you,
but the wind blew it
out of my hand.
(scoffs)
You can have my ticket.
(yells)
These tickets
are not transferable.
Young lady,
you will just
have to come
along with me.
KNOW-IT-ALL:
You know what's
gonna happen
now, don't you?
He's gonna throw
her off the train.
Yeah, he's gonna
probably throw her
right off
the rear platform.
It's standard
procedure.
That way she won't
get sucked down
under the wheels.
They may slow the train
down a little bit,
but they're never
gonna stop it.
Stop it? That's it!
I have to stop the train again!
No, please, don't
do that again!
(indistinct talking)
(panting)
(tracks clacking)
Where'd they go?
What happened to them?!
Please, she's in big trouble!
You have to help me!
(wind whistling)
(dramatic, suspenseful
music playing)
Hey!
I found your ticket!
Wait!
Hey!
Wait!
I have your ticket!
(wind whistling)
(music playing)
(playing "Good King Wenceslas,"
singing indistinctly)
Is there something
I can do for you?
I'm looking
for a girl.
A gir...
(raspy laughing)
(laughing continues)
Ain't we all?
I have her ticket.
Well, lookee...
lookee here.
Oh, this is, uh, this is
an official, authentic,
genuine ticket to ride.
Oh, you better keep this
in a safe place, young man,
if I was you.
I keep all my valuables
right here,
right here in the old size 13.
Experience shows that
this is the safest place.
Not that I have
much use for those.
Tickets. Nah.
I ride for free.
Oh, yeah, yeah.
I hop aboard this rattler
anytime I feels like it.
I own this train. Oh, yeah.
It's like I'm the king
of this train, yeah.
The king of the Pol Ex.
In fact, I am the king
(echoing):
of the North Pole!
(gravelly laughter)
Oh, where's
my manners?
Sit, sit.
Sit, sit, sit.
Take a,
take a load off.
Here, would you
like some joe?
Yeah, nice,
hot refreshment,
perfect for a cold
winter's night.
(retching, hacking)
There, bless you.
What about, uh, Santa?
Santa?
Isn't he the king
of the North Pole?
You mean,
you mean this guy?
Huh?
Ho, ho, ho, ho.
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.
Ho, ho, ho, ho.
Oh, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.
Oh, ho, ho, ho, ho,
ho, ho, ha, ha, ha.
What exactly is,
is your persuasion
on the Big Man?
Since you brought him up.
Well... I...
I want to believe.
But...
But you don't
want to be bamboozled.
You don't want to be led
down the primrose path.
You don't want to be
conned or duped.
Have the wool
pulled over your eyes.
Hoodwinked.
You don't want to be
taken for a ride.
Railroaded.
(hissing)
Seeing is believing.
Am I right?
But what about this train?
What about it?
We're all really going
to the North Pole, aren't we?
Aren't we?
Are you saying that this
is all just a... dream?
You said it, kid! Not me.
Ah!
So, let's go find that girl.
One other thing.
Do you believe in ghosts?
Interesting.
Wait!
I have to wake up.
Yeah, I have to wake up.
Wake up. Wake up. Wake up!
Oh, wake up!
Wake up. Wake up.
Wake up! Wake up!
Wake up!
(gasping, spitting)
(train whistle blows)
Kid!
Kid, get your head
out of the clouds!
Wake up, kid!
There's no sleepwalking
on the Polar Express.
We gotta jump them knuckles.
Come on, kid. Flip my shoulders.
Grab my lily.
(grunting)
That skirt you're chasin'
must've moved on ahead.
We gotta hightail it
to the hog, pronto!
To the hog?
The engine.
The engine, you tenderfoot.
We gotta make the engine
before we hit Flat Top Tunnel.
H-How come?
So many questions.
There is but one inch
of clearance
between the roof
of this rattler
and the roof of Flat Top Tunnel.
Savvy?
(chugging slows)
It's just the run-up
to the hump, kid.
This'll be interesting.
(crackling)
(grunts)
(grunting)
Get back on, kid!
Hurry!
Grab my muck stick!
(screaming)
(panting)
(dramatic music playing)
♪ ♪
There's only
one trick to this, kid.
When I say jump...
...you jump!
(screams)
(train chugging at high speed)
You!
I thought you got
thrown off, and...
You're driving the train?
They put me
in charge.
The engineer
had to check the light.
Here's the light!
-I'll get it.
-All right now.
-Hold it. Watch it.
-(grunting)
Oh, I got it!
(shrieking)
Well, how do
you know how?
It's easy.
Come here, I'll show you.
This big lever here,
that's the throttle.
And then this little one here,
that's the brake.
And those are
the pressure gauges.
And that rope
is the whistle.
The whistle.
Mm-hmm.
You want
to try it?
(whistle blows)
I've wanted to do that
my whole life!
(whistle blows)
(high-pitched scream)
Hold still! Hold still!
Don't move!
Look!
(gasps)
What?!
(blubbers)
Stop the train!
Stop... the... train...!
BOY:
What?!
They want us
to stop the train.
(gasps)
Which one of these is the brake?
-He told me this was the brake.
-Who?
The engineer.
-The engineer?!
-Yes.
What about this red one?
It looks like a brake.
No, no, he said
this was the brake.
Are you sure?
Are you sure?!
STEAMER (distant):
The brake!
Pull... the... brake!
Stop the train!
Pull the brake!
(squealing)
(shouting)
(screeching)
Caribou?!
(deep huffing)
(groans)
CONDUCTOR:
There can be no Christmas
without the Polar Express
arriving on time.
Am I the only one
who understands that?
You!
I should
have known.
Young man, are you
bound and determined
that this train never
reaches the North Pole?
But look!
Caribou crossing?!
I make that herd to be
at least 100,000,
maybe even a million.
It's gonna be hours before
they clear this track.
A tough nut
to crack.
We are in some
serious jelly.
In a jam.
Tight spot.
-Up a creek.
-Up a tree.
-Lost in the grass.
-I'll tell you what's grass.
Our a... ow... ooh!
(screeching)
(huffs)
(screeches)
(screeching)
(screaming)
(screeching)
(hoofbeats rumbling)
Problem solved.
All ahead, slow.
(whistle blows)
(steam hisses)
(hissing, clanking)
(chugging slowly)
(grand, noble theme building)
(music crescendos)
(grunting)
BOY:
We're going pretty fast.
Tell the engineer to slow down.
Slow it down!
Watch the speed!
(grunting)
(yells)
Jumping jeepers,
the cotter pin sheared off!
-What?
-The pin!
-Where?
-There!
BOTH:
Oh, no!
They can't hear me.
They can't?
I don't like the look of this.
Quick, under the safety bar.
BOY:
Is every...
Is everything
all right?
What should we do?
Well, considering the fact
that we have lost
communication
with the engineer,
we are standing
totally exposed
on the front
of the locomotive,
the train
appears to be
accelerating
uncontrollably
and we are rapidly
approaching
Glacier Gulch,
which just happens to be
the steepest downhill grade
in the world,
I suggest we all
hold on tightly!
(screaming)
(screaming continues)
BOTH:
Whoa! The pin!
(grunting)
(gulps)
(gasps, gulps)
(shouts)
Jiminy Christmas, the ice
has frozen over the tracks.
(wheels squealing)
(crackling)
(screaming)
Come on.
Watch your step.
Come on, sweetie.
Up you go.
Shh.
Put your feet on here.
On you go.
CONDUCTOR:
Little adventure, huh?
Young man,
quick thinking
on your part.
(spits)
(metallic groaning, squealing)
(creaking, shouting)
(rumbling)
(shouting):
Oh... Oh!
Well...
that is more like it.
What in the name of Mike?
(rumbling, crackling)
Look!
Get us the blazes out of here!
(whooshing)
Turn this sled around!
(wheels scraping over ice)
(rapid chugging)
Look there!
Tracks!
Dead ahead!
Right!
Left!
Right!
Hang a Louie!
Toss a Richie!
Port a stern!
To the starboard!
Oh, my slipper!
-You're gonna lose your ticket.
-Right!
It's not my
ticket, it's yours!
-It's my ticket?
-Yes!
All right,
keep up with me: Left!
Right!
Left!
Right! Left!
Right!
Left!
(grunting)
Right!
Left!
Right!
Left!
(crackling, rumbling)
Oh, no! Oh, no!
Right...!
Brace yourselves!
(steam hissing)
(grand, noble theme
crescendos)
Well, that's more like it.
Thank you!
I can't believe
you found my ticket!
Did someone say
they found a ticket?
Well, in that case...
tickets, please.
(rapid rattling)
(spits)
(blows)
Thank you.
L-E?
Hey, just like that
know-it-all kid.
(gentle, noble theme playing)
CONDUCTOR:
Watch your step!
It's tricky walkin' up here.
It's mighty slick,
mighty slick, I tell you.
-(boy shouting)
-Oop! Wa...! The-There you go!
What did I tell you?
Years ago, on my first
Christmas Eve run,
I was up on the roof,
makin' my rounds,
when I slipped
on the ice myself.
I reached out for a hand iron
but it broke off.
I slid and fell.
And yet, I did not
fall off this train.
Someone saved you?
Or some thing.
An angel.
Maybe.
Wait! Wait!
W-What did
he look like?
Did you see him?
No, sir.
But sometimes,
seeing is believing,
and sometimes,
the most real things
in the world
are the things we can't see.
Ah, the forsaken
and the abandoned.
Mind your step now.
These, these poor toys
have suffered enough,
being left to rust and decay
in the back alleys and
vacant lots of the world.
What are they doing here?
It's a new concept
the boss came up with.
Instead of being
thrown away,
they're collected,
refurbished.
He calls it, uh...
re-bi-cycling...
something like that.
GIRL:
Makes me want to cry,
seeing toys that
were treated this way.
CONDUCTOR:
These hopelessly entangled
string puppets,
or marionettes,
pose a particular
problem.
We found that
the nimble fingers
of our work force here
at the North Pole
are best suited
for working out
those knots and tangles,
don't you think?
Uh-oh. Double locked here.
(door clanks shut)
You are just like me,
my friend.
A Scrooge!
(gasping)
Ebenezer Scrooge!
North Pole, Santa Claus,
this train--
it's all a bunch of humbug,
a bout of indigestion.
Oh, yeah, I know
what you are.
You're a doubter!
A doubter!
You don't believe!
-(Boy whimpering)
-You're a doubter!
You don't believe!
(cackling)
(children talking excitedly)
(indistinct conversations)
(train wheels clacking)
Hey, you missed it.
We rode down some
really sharp hills.
And then we were on what
looked like a frozen lake,
but I know it was just
an optical illusion
caused by moonlight
and atmosphere.
He said the train was
actually on the ice,
but I said that was impossible,
because you can't
put a train track...
Hey, where you going now?
(boy singing softly)
Shh.
♪ I'm wishing
on a star ♪
♪ And trying to believe ♪
♪ That even though it's far ♪
♪ He'll find me Christmas Eve ♪
♪ I guess that Santa's busy ♪
♪ 'Cause he's
never come around ♪
♪ I think of him when
Christmas comes to town ♪
-♪ The best time of the year ♪
-(gasps)
♪ When everyone
comes home ♪
♪ With all
this Christmas cheer ♪
♪ It's hard to be alone ♪
♪ Putting up
the Christmas tree ♪
♪ With friends
who come around ♪
♪ It's so much fun when
Christmas comes to town ♪
♪ Presents for the children ♪
♪ Wrapped in red and green ♪
♪ All the things
I've heard about ♪
♪ But never really seen ♪
♪ No one will be
sleeping ♪
♪ On the night
of Christmas Eve ♪
BOTH:
♪ Hoping Santa's on his way ♪
♪ When Santa's
sleigh bells ring ♪
♪ I listen
all around ♪
♪ The herald angels sing ♪
♪ I never
hear a sound ♪
♪ And all
the dreams of children ♪
♪ Once lost will all be found ♪
♪ That's all I want ♪
♪ When Christmas
comes to town ♪
BOTH:
♪ That's all I want ♪
♪ When Christmas comes ♪
♪ To town. ♪
Look!
(gentle theme crescendos)
The Northern Lights!
CONDUCTOR:
Hey!
You three.
We just crossed it.
Latitude 66 degrees, 33 minutes.
The Arctic Circle.
And do you see...
those lights in the distance?
They look like the lights
of a strange ocean liner
sailing on a frozen sea.
There...
is the North Pole.
♪ It's a magic carpet
on a rail ♪
♪ It never needs a rest ♪
♪ Gliding through
the mountains and the snow ♪
♪ Ride for free
and join the fun ♪
♪ If you just say yes ♪
♪ 'Cause that's the way things
happen on the Polar Express ♪
♪ Whoo, whoo!
The whistle blows ♪
♪ That's the sound of singing ♪
♪ Ding-ding!
The bell will ring ♪
♪ Calling you to go ♪
♪ Wonder if we'll
get there soon ♪
♪ Anybody's guess ♪
♪ 'Cause that's the way things
happen on the Polar Express ♪
♪ When we get there,
we'll scream, "Yay!" ♪
♪ We'll arrive with
a bang, bang, bang ♪
♪ A woo, hoo, hoo,
laughing all the way... ♪
(music continues)
CONDUCTOR:
We made it!
With five minutes to spare!
We made it!
(raspy laughter)
(sobbing)
(wheels clacking steadily)
There should be elves.
Where are the elves?
KID:
Yeah! Where are the elves?
KID 2:
Where are they?
CONDUCTOR:
They are gathering
in the center of the city.
That is where Santa will give
the first gift of Christmas.
Who gets the first
gift of Christmas?
He will choose...
one of you.
Look!
Elves!
(kids shouting)
(footsteps marching)
( "O Tannenbaum"
playing as a slow march)
(brakes squeaking)
(whistle blows)
CONDUCTOR:
All right.
All right, ladies and gentlemen.
Two columns,
if you please.
Shorter in the front,
taller in the rear.
Even-numbered
birthdays on the right,
odd-numbered
on the left.
No pushing,
no pushing.
But let's not
dilly-dally.
It's five minutes
to midnight.
Hey, what gives?
It was five minutes
till midnight four minutes ago.
Exactly!
Columns of two.
-One, two.
-Excuse me.
-Question.
-What about him?
No one is required
to see Santa.
Ladies and gentlemen,
you do not have
to hold hands...
Come on!
...but please remain in your
columns while we are in transit.
(ice crackling)
Look, you have
to come with us.
She, she's right.
Christmas just doesn't
work out for me.
Never has.
But Christmas is such
a wonderful, beautiful time.
It's a time for
giving and being thankful.
For friends and family.
People hang decorations
and lights,
and then Santa comes
and leaves presents under
our Christmas trees.
Christmas just...
doesn't work out for me.
(sighs)
Look, I don't know
if Christmas
is going to work
out for you or not,
but this is Christmas Eve,
don't stay here by yourself.
GIRL:
Yes, come with us.
We'll go together.
(deep rumbling, clanking)
(electrical buzzing)
-Oh, no.
-Uh-oh.
BOY:
We're gonna be okay.
(buzzer sounding)
Maybe not!
The emergency brake!
(groaning)
(whimpering)
BOY:
There's no brake!
I can't find the brake!
(clinking)
Take a break, kid!
How about a nice,
good hot cup of joe?
(screaming)
(brakes squealing)
(screaming)
(shrieking)
GIRL:
We're gonna crash!
-(banging)
-(grunting)
(rumbling)
We're spinning!
(over speakers):
♪ Later on ♪
♪ Maybe we'll conspire ♪
♪ As we dream,
a-sittin' by the fire ♪
♪ To face unafraid
all the plans that we made ♪
♪ Walkin' in
a winter wonderland ♪
-♪ Sleigh bells ring ♪
-Shh.
-♪ Are you listenin'? ♪
-You hear that?
The bell!
BOY:
What bell?
GIRL:
The sleigh bell.
-Sleigh bell?
-Don't you hear it?
♪ Walkin' in
a winter wonderland... ♪
It's coming from that tunnel!
♪ In the meadow,
we can build a snowman ♪
♪ And pretend that he
is Parson Brown... ♪
That's the way we should go.
♪ He'll say, "Are you married?"
we'll say, "No, man, ♪
♪ But you can do the job
when you're in town." ♪
-♪ Later on, we'll conspire ♪
-Come on.
♪ As we dream by the fire ♪
♪ We'll face unafraid
the plans that we made ♪
♪ Walkin' in
a winter wonderland... ♪
(music continues)
(gasps, sighs)
(music skipping)
BOY:
What...?
(skipping stops,
music continues)
What?!
GIRL:
Come on.
(over speaker):
♪ And on every ♪
♪ Street corner you hear... ♪
Come on!
♪ Silver bells ♪
♪ It's Christmastime... ♪
We're lost.
♪ ...In the city ♪
♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪
♪ Ring-a-ling...
ring-a-ling... ♪
(record skipping)
GIRL:
Yes.
Yes. I hear it.
LONELY BOY:
I hear it, too!
I don't hear anything.
Okay, it's down this way.
Are you sure?
Absolutely.
BOY:
Why can't I hear anything?
Shh.
Get down. Be quiet.
(over speaker):
♪ Here comes Santa Claus,
here comes Santa Claus ♪
♪ Right down
Santa Claus Lane... ♪
(phone ringing)
(machinery whirring
quietly)
ELF (high-pitched):
Yes? Uh-huh...
Uh-huh... Okay.
Well, that was
the Wrapping Hall, chief.
They just finished the last one.
How's it wrapped?
It's wrapped in
candy-striped red
with a number seven
holly green bow.
A number seven bow?
When we're this close
to lift-off?
What are they
thinking down there?
Are they
meshuggeneh?
What's the routing?
Uh, going
to the States.
Grand Rapids,
Michigan.
(gasps):
That's my town.
I'm from
Grand Rapids.
(alarm buzzing)
ELF:
We got a troublemaker now!
Just what we need!
Things aren't bad enough.
What's his 20?
Apparently some kid
from Maplewood, New Jersey,
stuck some gum
in his sister's hair.
New Jersey?
Is that the same kid
that put the tack
underneath his
teacher's
chair last year?
No, sir, this kid's
name is, uh, Steven.
Steven...
So, what do
we do, chief?
Alert the Big Man?
We talkin' nuttin'
for Christmas here?
(alarm stops)
(ringing tone)
STEVEN:
I didn't do it.
I didn't do it...
Look, it's, uh,
it's almost
Christmas, huh.
We'll cut the
kid a break.
But you put him on
the Check-Twice List
for next year.
All right, boys!
Let's shut it down,
all right?
That's it for this year!
Come on.
Hey, boss,
are we taking
the Pneumatic?
Of course we're
taking the Pneumatic.
It's the only way
to get to the square
on time.
(whispering):
Let's go.
And time
is money!
Ready, and...
mount!
Good.
Close.
(whooshing)
(over speaker):
♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪
♪ Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la ♪
♪ Don we now
our gay apparel... ♪
All right, get in.
♪ Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la... ♪
I don't know about this.
♪ Toll the ancient
Yuletide carol ♪
♪ Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la. ♪
(whooshing)
(Girl groans)
BOY:
Oh!
(whooshing, rumbling)
(thud)
(door hisses open)
(music plays over speakers)
♪ With candy canes
and silver lanes aglow ♪
♪ It's beginning to look
a lot like Christmas ♪
♪ Toys in every store... ♪
GIRL:
I don't hear it. Do you?
♪ The prettiest sight to see
is the holly... ♪
No.
♪ ...that we see
on your own front door... ♪
I think we should
follow those arrows.
♪ Thumpety, thump-thump,
thumpety, thump-thump ♪
♪ Look at Frosty go ♪
♪ Thumpety, thump-thump,
thumpety, thump-thump... ♪
(holiday music playing
over speakers)
I thought there'd be
a way out.
GIRL:
We're gonna miss everything.
(buzzer blares)
(machinery clanking)
Hey, look.
A present!
It's going to my town.
To someone
named Billy.
My name is Billy!
It's going to 11344
Edbrooke Avenue.
That's my address!
GIRL:
Come on!
Oh!
(yelling)
(screaming)
(squealing)
Wh... Whoa!
(high-spirited theme playing)
(all yelling)
(over speaker):
♪ I'm dreaming ♪
♪ Of a white Christmas... ♪
Look!
♪ With every Christmas card
I write... ♪
It says, "Merry
Christmas, Billy.
From Mr. C."
I think I know what it is!
I wanted one of these
my whole life!
Wait, wait, wait.
Stop. Look.
BILLY:
But I....
Those are the rules.
(rumbling, clanking)
(rumbling, clanking stops)
(explosive popping)
(heavy machinery rumbling)
(heavy-duty motor rumbling)
(propellers whirring)
(grand, noble theme playing)
♪ ♪
(yells)
Something's got me!
It's got my leg!
GIRL:
I can't hold him.
Give me your
other hand!
Give me
your other hand!
I can't!
On three.
One, two, three!
-Look!
-It's still got me!
On three, again!
One, two, three!
-You!
What are you doing here?
Same as you.
I'm checking on
my Christmas presents.
I wanna make sure I'm getting
everything on my list.
All I found was one present
and all it had was
a bunch of stupid underwear!
Look.
( "O Tannenbaum" plays grandly)
ELF (over speaker):
You may start your descent
anytime now.
At your convenience, of course.
(sputtering)
( "O Tannenbaum" continues)
It's still five to.
I think we're gonna make it.
Of course we will.
It's been five to
for the last hour.
We got plenty of time.
We got nothing but time.
We got time to kill.
You know what?
I don't think
we're gonna make it.
I may be
just an old railroader,
and know nothing about
lighter-than-air craft,
but from
my layman's perspective,
you need more altitude!
ELVES:
More altitude!
(over speaker):
Altitude, please.
A bit more altitude, please.
ELVES:
Geronimo!
(music crescendos)
The Flyin' Elves.
They are specialists.
Do not try
that at home, kids.
Do not try that at home.
We're not gonna make it!
(crowd shouting)
(air horn blows)
(shouting)
(grand, noble theme playing)
(cheering wildly)
Like a well-oiled machine.
Whew.
(heavy thudding)
(crowd cheering)
All right,
you stowaways.
Party's over.
I was just following them.
We fell in here by mistake.
Ah, forget
about it.
We knew you was in there
the whole time.
Come on, out you go.
Let's go,
come on.
Step up, step up.
-That's it.
-There we go.
Not a problem.
Come on.
Watch your step.
There you go.
(ticking)
So that nobody
gets hurt,
here's how we're
gonna get you guys down.
Ah, this is simple.
Why, I know...
What do you know?
You're not supposed to be
here in the first place.
But since
it's Christmas,
I'm gonna
let you slide.
-Hey, ow!
-(elves laughing)
CONDUCTOR:
Been looking for you.
(elves laughing)
There you go.
Watch your step.
Careful there.
Beautiful form.
Beautiful.
Nice to see
you again.
Cutting it kind of
close, aren't we?
I'll take
care of this.
Uh-uh.
It's in good hands.
Trust me.
Mm...
(bright, glorious fanfare
playing)
(cheering)
ELVES:
♪ It's the spirit ♪
♪ Of the season ♪
♪ You can feel it in the air ♪
♪ You can hear it
if you listen ♪
♪ Everywhere, so much care,
like a prayer ♪
♪ Wherever it is,
you need to share it ♪
♪ It's the spirit ♪
-Hey!
-♪ Of the season... ♪
(horns blaring bright fanfare)
♪ It's the spirit
of the season... ♪
(crowd cheering)
(drums play interlude)
♪ You can feel it
in the air... ♪
(cheering)
GIRL:
Aren't those bells
the most beautiful sound?
(crowd cheering)
(fanfare playing)
ELVES:
♪ Oh... ♪
♪ You... ♪
ALL:
♪ Better watch out ♪
♪ You better not cry ♪
♪ You better not pout ♪
♪ I'm telling you why ♪
♪ Santa Claus is coming ♪
♪ To town! ♪
(door bangs open)
(crowd cheering wildly)
(swing music playing
over speakers)
♪ You better watch out ♪
♪ You better not cry ♪
♪ You better not pout,
I'm tellin' you why ♪
(cheering)
♪ Santa Claus
is comin' to town ♪
♪ He's makin' a list... ♪
He's here! He's here!
Where?
I see him!
He's over there!
I can't see him!
♪ Santa Claus is comin'
to town ♪
♪ He sees you
when you're sleepin' ♪
♪ He knows when you're awake ♪
♪ He knows if you've
been bad or good ♪
♪ So be good for goodness sake ♪
♪ Oh, you better watch out ♪
-I can't see him!
-♪ You better not cry ♪
-I can't see him!
-♪ Better not pout ♪
♪ I'm tellin' you why ♪
♪ Santa Claus
is comin' to town... ♪
(hooves tapping)
(music slowing)
(slowing):
♪ You better watch out... ♪
♪ You better not cry... ♪
(cheering fades)
(clinking)
♪ I'm... telling you why ♪
♪ Santa Claus... ♪
♪ Is ♪
♪ Comin' to... ♪
♪ Town... ♪
(heart beating very slowly)
(whispering):
Doubter, doubter, doubter...
Okay. Okay.
I believe.
(ringing)
(gasps)
(gentle, noble theme plays)
What was that you said?
I... I believe.
I believe.
I-I believe...
that this is yours.
Well...
thank you.
KNOW-IT-ALL:
Me, me!
Pick me, Santa!
GIRL:
Shh!
What are you
doing? Stop it!
KNOW-IT-ALL:
Pick me, pick me!
-Shh! Hush!
-I want the first gift!
I want the first gift.
Young man...
patience.
And a smidgen
of humility
might also
serve you well.
Yes, sir.
And you,
young lady--
a lady of decision,
full of confidence and spirit.
Christmas spirit.
(chuckles warmly)
Keep up the good work.
Thank you.
And Billy.
It is Billy.
I see you've made
some new friends.
Yes, sir. I sure have.
He's a lucky lad.
There's no greater gift
than friendship.
And speaking of gifts...
...let's have this
young fellow right here.
(crowd cheering)
(grand, noble theme playing)
♪ ♪
(noble theme quiets, continues)
Now... what would you
like for Christmas?
Me?
You.
(whispering)
Yes, indeed.
Hmm.
Yes, indeed.
The first gift of Christmas!
(crowd cheering)
(music crescendos)
This bell is a wonderful symbol
of the spirit of Christmas.
As am I.
(chuckles)
Just remember...
the true spirit of Christmas
lies in your heart.
(bells ringing brightly)
Merry Christmas.
Better keep that
in a safe place.
(bells jingling)
(dinging)
Oh... (clicks tongue)
(shoes squeaking)
Hey, hey!
Hey, man alive,
are you lucky!
(whip cracks, bells jingle)
Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!
Ho, ho, ho,
ho, ho!
Pull, Comet!
Pull, boy!
(bells jingling)
Prancer, that's a girl!
Oh, ho-ho!
Ho, ho, ho, ho!
Good boy, Donder!
Stop pushing!
(instrumental version
of "Jingle Bells" playing)
Ho, ho, ho!
(whip snaps)
On, Dancer!
On, Prancer and Vixen!
(whip snaps)
Ho! Ho!
It's everything I
dreamed it would be.
Could all...
Could all this
be nothing but a dream?
No.
(whip snaps)
(cheering)
SANTA:
To the top of the roof,
to the top of the wall!
Now dash away, dash away,
dash away all!
(bells jingling)
(jingling slowly fades)
(soft fizzing, tinkling)
(tinkling continues)
ALL:
Yippee!
(cheering)
-(lively percussion playing)
-All aboard!
(whistle blowing)
ELF:
One, two,
one, two, three, go!
♪ Rockin' on top of the world ♪
♪ Rockin' on top
of the world ♪
♪ The place is hopping,
there ain't no stopping ♪
♪ Rockin' on top of the world ♪
♪ Lift your spirits,
swing that girl ♪
♪ Rockin' on top of the world
tonight, yeah ♪
♪ Come on, shorty! ♪
(vocalist trilling)
♪ Ai! Ai! Ai! Ai! Ai... ♪
(vocalist improvising)
(music continues in distance)
CONDUCTOR:
Show your tickets.
Have your tickets ready.
Thank you.
And remember,
eat the five basic food groups.
Ticket, please?
And please brush
after every meal.
(loud clank)
(all grunting)
(laughing)
CONDUCTOR:
All right, you.
-(Boy clears throat)
-Ticket, please.
"Lean"?
Whatever that's
supposed to mean.
"Lean" is
spelled with four letters.
I believed I punched... five.
Hey,
are you saying
I don't know how to...
Oh. I'm sorry.
It says "learn."
My mistake.
Lesson learned.
Ticket?
♪ ♪
That is some
special ticket.
Sure is.
So,
can you count on us to get
you home safe and sound?
Absolutely.
Me...
and my friends.
Ticket.
It says "lead,"
like lead balloon.
I believe it also is
pronounced "lead,"
as in "leader,"
"leadership,"
"lead the way."
Follow you anywhere, ma'am.
Ah, yes.
The young man
with all the questions.
Ticket?
It says...
Doh...!
It's nothing
I need to know.
(children talking excitedly)
Come on,
show us the bell.
Come on...
Come on, show us the bell.
Yeah, let's
see the bell.
It's gone.
-(children murmuring)
-Where is it?
I lost it.
I lost the bell
from Santa's sleigh.
(soft gasps and murmurs)
Don't worry.
We'll...
we'll find it.
-Yeah, we'll find it.
-Yeah, we'll help you,
all of us.
Yeah, let's hurry out
and find it right now.
(train rattling)
(slow chugging)
It's too late.
Gee, that's
really too bad.
Really.
(quiet, gentle theme plays)
I'm sorry.
(chugging continues)
♪ ♪
CONDUCTOR (voice-over):
11344 Edbrooke.
Next stop,
11344 Edbrooke.
Hey, where you going?
Home.
Oh. Okay.
Merry Christmas.
Thanks for stopping
the train for me.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Watch your step, please.
And Merry Christmas.
( "Deck the Halls"
playing softly)
Look!
(train rattling)
Santa got to Billy's
house already!
Look! Look!
Santa got here!
Isn't that amazing?
It is amazing.
Look!
It is amazing.
♪ ♪
(train chugging)
(sprightly melody plays)
(brakes squeak)
Gee, I'm sorry
about the bell.
It was a really
special present.
Well, you know
what they say:
It's the thought
that counts.
Yeah.
Well... see ya.
See ya.
♪ ♪
Watch your
step, please.
Thank you.
No. Thank you.
One thing about trains:
It doesn't matter
where they're going.
What matters is deciding
to get on.
♪ ♪
CONDUCTOR (in distance):
Merry Christmas!
Wh-What?
Merry Christmas!
(train chugs slowly)
(soft rustling)
♪ ♪
SARAH (voice-over):
Wake up!
Wake up! Wake up!
Santa's been here!
Hurry up! Hurry up!
Mom, Dad,
wake up, wake up!
Santa's been here!
Mom, Dad, look!
He brought us
all kinds of stuff!
Look! A train!
A train!
Look! Look what he brought us!
(chugging)
(bright melody playing)
SARAH:
This is the most beautiful-est,
most wonderful-est
Christmas ever!
Wait, look.
There's one more.
Has your name on it.
(gentle theme plays)
(ringing)
SANTA (voice-over):
Found this
on the seat of my sleigh.
Better fix that hole
in your pocket.
Mr. C.
(ringing)
Oh, what a beautiful
bell-- who's it from?
Santa.
Santa?! Really?
(no ringing)
Oh, that's too bad.
What's this? Hm?
(no ringing)
Broken. Huh.
Sorry about that,
sport.
(ringing)
MOM:
Come on, kids.
We don't want
to be late.
(gentle, noble theme
plays quietly)
NARRATOR:
At one time,
most of my friends
could hear the bell,
but as years passed,
it fell silent for all of them.
Even Sarah found one Christmas
that she could no longer hear
its sweet sound.
Though I've grown old,
the bell still rings for me,
as it does
for all who truly believe.
(music crescendos)
♪ ♪
♪ Children sleeping ♪
♪ Snow is softly falling ♪
♪ Dreams are calling ♪
♪ Like bells in the distance ♪
♪ We were dreamers ♪
♪ Not so long ago ♪
♪ But one by one, we ♪
♪ All had to grow up ♪
♪ When it seems the magic
slipped away ♪
♪ We find it all again
on Christmas Day ♪
♪ Believe in what
your heart is saying ♪
♪ Hear the melody
that's playing ♪
♪ There's no time to waste ♪
♪ There's so much to celebrate ♪
♪ Believe in what
you feel inside ♪
♪ And give your dreams
the wings to fly ♪
♪ You have everything you need ♪
♪ If you just believe ♪
♪ If you just believe. ♪
(noble, gentle theme playing)
♪ ♪
(lively music playing)
CONDUCTOR:
All aboard!
Tickets, please! Tickets!
Well? You comin'?
♪ It's a magic carpet
on a rail ♪
♪ Never takes a rest ♪
♪ Flying through
the mountains and the snow ♪
♪ You can ride for free
and join the fun ♪
♪ If you just say "Yes!" ♪
♪ 'Cause that's the way things
happen on the Polar Express ♪
You bet!
♪ When we get there ♪
-Yeah!
- ♪ We'll scream "Yay!" ♪
♪ We'll arrive with
a bang, bang, bang ♪
♪ A woo, hoo, hoo,
laughing all the way ♪
♪ If you want to join us,
come along ♪
♪ You can be our guest ♪
♪ 'Cause that's the way
things happen on the roller ♪
♪ Coaster ♪
♪ The Polar Express! ♪
(quiet intro plays)
♪ I'm wishing on a star ♪
♪ And trying to believe ♪
♪ That even though it's far ♪
♪ He'll find me Christmas Eve ♪
♪ I guess that Santa's busy ♪
♪ 'Cause he's never
come around ♪
♪ I think of him when
Christmas comes to town ♪
♪ The best time of the year ♪
♪ When everyone comes home ♪
♪ With all this
Christmas cheer ♪
♪ It's hard to be alone ♪
♪ Putting up
the Christmas tree ♪
♪ With friends who come around ♪
♪ It's so much fun when
Christmas comes to town ♪
♪ Presents for the children ♪
♪ Wrapped in red and green ♪
♪ All the things
I've heard about ♪
♪ But never really seen ♪
♪ No one will be sleeping ♪
♪ On the night
of Christmas Eve ♪
♪ Hoping Santa's on his way ♪
♪ When Santa's
sleigh bells ring ♪
♪ I listen all around ♪
♪ The herald angels sing ♪
♪ I never hear a sound ♪
♪ And all the dreams
of children ♪
♪ Once lost will all be found ♪
♪ That's all I want ♪
♪ When Christmas comes to town ♪
♪ That's all I want
when Christmas comes ♪
♪ To town. ♪
(swing intro playing)
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Ooh! We got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Hey, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Say, we got it ♪
♪ Hot chocolate! ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Oh, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ So, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Yo, we got it ♪
♪ Hot chocolate! ♪
♪ Here we've only got one rule ♪
♪ Never ever let it cool ♪
♪ Keep it cookin' in the pot ♪
-♪ Then you got ♪
-♪ Hot chocolate! ♪
(jazzy drums play)
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Oh, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ So, we got it ♪
-♪ Hot, hot! ♪
-♪ Yo, we got it ♪
♪ Hot chocolate! ♪
♪ Here we only got one rule ♪
♪ Here we only
got one rule ♪
♪ Never ever let it cool ♪
♪ Never ever
let it cool ♪
♪ Keep it cooking
in the pot ♪
♪ Soon you got
hot chocolate. ♪
(orchestral intro plays)
♪ It's the spirit
of the season ♪
♪ You can feel it in the air ♪
♪ You can hear it,
if you listen ♪
♪ Everywhere, so much care,
like a prayer ♪
♪ Wherever it is,
you need to share it ♪
♪ It's the spirit
of the season ♪
♪ You can feel it in the air ♪
♪ People smile
as they pass you by ♪
♪ The day will be here soon ♪
♪ Dreams are dancing
in the children's eyes ♪
♪ Hearts are singing,
bells are ringing, too ♪
♪ It's the spirit
of the season ♪
♪ Human hearts
are bonded there ♪
♪ There's a shining star
of Christmas everywhere ♪
♪ Leads you there ♪
♪ Like a prayer ♪
♪ Wherever it is,
you need to share it ♪
♪ It's the spirit
of the season ♪
(horns playing brightly)
♪ You can feel it in the air ♪
♪ It's the spirit
of the season ♪
(horns playing brightly)
♪ You can feel it everywhere. ♪
(orchestra playing
grand, noble theme)
♪ ♪
(music ends gently)