Tv, CRICKET ON THE HEARTH - 1967 - Based on a novella by Charles Dickens, CHARLES DICKENS Novels, Movies
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00:00I suppose I had never seen a happier room, and there, in the corner, was the nicest little hearth you could ever hope for.
00:18Christmas is sort of special for everybody, and we have a very special show that I sincerely believe will heighten your Christmas.
00:25Now, as you all know, Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol is one of the most famous pieces in literature.
00:32But very few people know that Dickens wrote another beautiful rendering of Christmas called Cricket on the Hearth.
00:37As a matter of fact, I just found out about it myself.
00:40You never heard of the lucky cricket on the hearth?
00:43Well, it all started in merry old England a long time ago.
00:49Here, lend an ear.
00:55One Christmas morning you may look into your stocking
01:02And find that something shocking has occurred
01:06Among the candy canes and toys
01:10You'll hear a funny little noise
01:13You've got yourself a cricket on the hearth
01:22Cricket on the hearth
01:24Take that horseshoe off your door
01:26With a cricket on the hearth
01:28You can leave that lucky penny
01:31Sitting on the floor
01:34Cricket on the hearth
01:36Throw that rabbit's foot away
01:38Throw that rabbit's foot away
01:39With a cricket on the hearth
01:41You can save that sticky wishbone
01:43For another day
01:45Let him abide by the fireside
01:50And luck will come and knock it on your door
01:55And the spirit of Christmas
01:57And the spirit of Christmas
01:58Will live with you
02:00Forevermore
02:04Cricket on the hearth
02:08See that mistletoe above
02:11With a cricket on the hearth
02:13Cut it down
02:14You'll still be lucky
02:16Step on a crack and spill the song
02:18Cause the captain's back
02:19Catch that smack
02:20Now the thing can haunt your love
02:21When you have a lucky cricket
02:23Bring it on the hearth
02:34Deck of holes with boughs of holly
02:36Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
02:39Tis the season to be jolly-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
02:42What, that cool!
02:44Ah, but it's a chilly one.
02:46Oh, right.
02:47Oh, excuse me.
02:49I'll be with you in a blink.
02:59Home at last.
03:01Well, Merry Christmas to you.
03:04I suppose you're all wondering what me, a cricket,
03:07is doing here on Christmas Eve with a home of me own.
03:12See, I am a part of the family, as it were.
03:16Oh, and it's a lucky household what has a cricket on their hearth.
03:19And indeed, I am good luck.
03:22For if it hadn't been for Cricket Crockett here,
03:24why, there wouldn't be no blinking family.
03:27I'll tell you how it all began.
03:30Long time ago it was.
03:33Springtime, if I remember's correct.
03:38Oh, I was some cracking cricket, I can tell you.
03:41Ready to take on the world I was.
03:45I was looking for a proper family to adopt.
03:48And all of a sudden I spies...
03:53About the happiest house I'd ever seen.
03:57And a toy shop too.
03:59I'll return in a little while.
04:05Here now, here now, you watch it.
04:07But, it's a cricket.
04:09Here now, just watch it, I am very fragile.
04:12There, there, I mean you no harm.
04:15Why, I've heard that you crickets bring good luck with you.
04:18How about staying with us for a while?
04:20Well, come on now.
04:21Just go inside and make yourself at home.
04:24Uh, if you've a mind to.
04:27Oh, well, uh...
04:28Oh, it's not a very exciting place.
04:30Just me and my daughter.
04:32And, of course, the toys.
04:34Sir, I'd be delighted.
04:37Crockett's the name. Cricket Crockett.
04:40I'm Caleb Plummer.
04:42We'll work out the arrangements later.
04:44After I deliver these toys.
04:47Ta-ta.
04:51I suppose I had never seen a happier room.
04:55And there, in the corner,
04:58was the nicest little hearth you could ever hope for.
05:05Perfect.
05:09Here now, what's this?
05:13Oh, Edward.
05:15I shouldn't.
05:17No. No, Bertha.
05:19You go right ahead and cry.
05:21But I don't want you to remember me like this.
05:23All, all teary.
05:25Any memory of you
05:27would be the most precious a man could carry.
05:30But I promised myself that I'd be brave
05:33and smile to the very end.
05:36Oh, why must you go away?
05:39I must serve out my enlistment.
05:41I must go to sea tomorrow.
05:43For two years?
05:44It's just not fair.
05:46Darling.
05:48I'm a commissioned officer in the Royal Navy.
05:50And...
05:51Oh, I hate that commission.
05:52And I hate that uniform.
05:53And I hate the Royal Navy.
05:55Bertha!
05:57Oh, no, I don't.
05:59Really.
06:01I'm sorry.
06:03I'll release you from your promise, if you want.
06:05Oh, no.
06:07Oh, Edward.
06:10I couldn't help myself.
06:12See, that's the way it is with us crickets.
06:15We get involved.
06:18My darling, you will be here when I return.
06:22Promise?
06:24Oh, Edward.
06:26I love you so.
06:30Don't give your love away.
06:35Wait for me, I will come back to you.
06:39And we'll have a thousand days of May.
06:45Don't give your love away.
06:52I've kissed your smiles away.
06:58I know waiting will be hard for you.
07:02And I wish I could do more than say,
07:08Don't give your love away.
07:15My longest day will be when I remember today.
07:23And I'll wonder if you'll be there if the years haven't touched our love affair.
07:38Still moment, speak for me.
07:46Tell her words are much too weak for me.
07:51What I feel comes to my lips one way.
07:55Don't give your love away.
08:12Well, the time passed right quick.
08:15I suppose it always does when you're busy.
08:17Ooh, and busy we was.
08:19Christmas was getting nearer and nearer.
08:21Two tacks, Cricket.
08:22Two tacks on their way.
08:29More red paint, Cricket, if you please.
08:32Hmm. Make it smiling red.
08:35Smiling red you want, smiling red you get.
08:50How's that, love?
08:51Ooh, divine.
08:52The perfect color for a smile.
08:55I suppose I'm being extravagant with the paint.
08:58But no child wants a doll who can't smile.
09:04Now, now, what's this?
09:06Was that a tear that I saw, Bertha?
09:09Now, you shouldn't get yourself all unhappy and teary over thinking about your young man.
09:13It's been a year and a half since Edward went away.
09:14It's been a year and a half since Edward went away.
09:16And, well, sometimes when I think about him I smile and cry because I'm happy.
09:22If a tear falls when you're smiling and you're still gay inside, then it means that you've found a happiness your tears can never hide.
09:38Smiles go with tears.
09:41Smiles go with tears.
09:42Smiles go with tears.
09:45Sometimes when you're happiest, smiles go with tears.
09:51When you haven't seen a loved one and he suddenly appears, even though you try to control yourself, you'll never hide the tears.
10:06Smiles go with tears.
10:08Smiles go with tears.
10:10Smiles go with tears.
10:13Sometimes when you're happiest, smiles go with tears.
10:21Let a happy little tear fall.
10:24Let it cry right down your face.
10:27Let it say, I love you, I missed you so.
10:31No one can take your place.
10:34Smiles go with tears.
10:37Smiles go with tears.
10:38Smiles go with tears.
10:39Smiles go with tears.
10:40Sometimes when you're happiest, smiles go with tears.
10:42Sometimes when you're happiest, smiles go with tears.
10:55Now for the eyes.
10:56Brown or black or sky blue pink?
10:59Oh.
11:00What, uh, what can I do for you?
11:06You are a certain Caleb Plummer?
11:10I am.
11:11Call me Jeremiah Bleak.
11:13I am a certain agent of Her Majesty the Queen.
11:16Oh?
11:17Oh?
11:18You have a certain Bertha Plummer for a daughter, who in turn was engaged to a certain Edward
11:24Belton.
11:25You mean is engaged?
11:27I am sorry, but it is my melancholy duty to inform you that a certain Edward Belton, late
11:34of Her Majesty's Royal Navy, is lost at sea.
11:38Law have mercy.
11:39No!
11:40No!
11:41No!
11:42No!
11:43His small, mournful effects.
11:45Will to the girl.
11:46Ah!
11:47Bertha!
11:48Bertha, my darling daughter.
11:49It's all a mistake, I'm certain.
11:50It could be a mistake, couldn't it?
11:51Hardly.
11:52Oh, no.
11:53Oh, no.
11:54No, no.
12:07My poor baby.
12:10My poor baby.
12:15Blimey!
12:20Blimey, that's a day I'd soon as not remember.
12:24The beginning of all our troubles, for you see,
12:27the shock of that awful message delivered the way it was
12:31turned poor Bertha blind.
12:35Oh, my baby.
12:38My poor, poor baby.
12:50Oh, grim times was upon us, I'll tell you.
12:58Oh, how quick everything changed.
13:01Poor dear Bertha, living in her world of darkness.
13:05And old Caleb, beside himself with grief.
13:08All he did was nurse his daughter, didn't touch the unfinished toys,
13:12and Christmas was only a short way off.
13:15And when the happy season came, he wasn't ready.
13:20He didn't sell one toy that year, made nary a hatenie.
13:25Yeah, what money he did have, all went to the doctors he brought in,
13:28but they could do no good.
13:30And Caleb, not thinking, went out and borrowed more and more money,
13:35never having any idea how he was going to pay it back.
13:41And one sad day, they could no longer pay the rent,
13:45and they were deep in debt.
13:47Old Caleb had no choice.
13:50But to pack up and leave.
13:54Oh, they was hard times, I can tell you.
13:59Long, hungry days, looking for a bit of work, anything.
14:03Ooh, and finally, one day.
14:08No use.
14:10Can't go one step farther.
14:13We have no other choice.
14:16No choice, father?
14:18Well, what do you mean?
14:20The poor house?
14:22The poor house?
14:23Oh, no.
14:25You can't give up.
14:26What else can I do?
14:29Oh, if we ever needed a little bit of luck.
14:32Is that what I think it is?
14:39A toy factory.
14:42Now, I'd wager they could use a fine toy maker like you.
14:46Do you think so?
14:48Well, let's find out, mate.
14:49Let's find out.
14:51Cricket, is father seeing Mr. Tackleton now?
14:59Uh-huh, uh-huh.
15:00Shh.
15:02So you want a situation as a toy maker, do you?
15:04Well, toy makers come throppence a dozen.
15:07Correct, Uriah?
15:08But I'm a very good worker, sir, and I have my own tools, and I'm very good, sir.
15:18He's very good, Uriah.
15:22My friend, Uriah Kaur, thinks that's very funny.
15:27I'm sorry.
15:30I really best be going.
15:33Oh, wait.
15:34Caleb Plummer, huh?
15:36I've heard of your skills.
15:38Well, you won't be paid anything, but you can live on the premises, and there'll be leftover food for you.
15:43Whatever you say, sir.
15:46Where are the other toy makers?
15:49Did you hear that, Uriah Kaur?
15:51He wants to know where the other toy makers are.
15:56There are no other toy makers.
16:02Is this our new home, father?
16:06What's it like?
16:08Well, splendid.
16:12Splendid.
16:14Quite palatial.
16:15And Mr. Tackleton.
16:17What's he like, father?
16:19Oh, he's fine.
16:21And he's made me head man of his entire factory.
16:24Oh, father.
16:25How I wish I could see it all.
16:29I'll see everything for you, my dear.
16:32And everything I see shall be beautiful.
16:36I promise you.
16:37Through my eyes, you will see the world as it should be.
16:52Through my eyes, you will see the world as it should be.
16:56Through my eyes, you will see the world as it should be.
16:58Always gay, pretty colors covering the gray.
17:11Through my eyes, you will see the world as it should be.
17:16Through my eyes, let me dry your foolish tears now and forever.
17:27Take my love and throw away the world called never.
17:40Let my heart teach you how to feel.
17:44My love, help you to reveal the secret world, a new world through my eyes.
18:02Through my eyes, through my eyes, you will see the world as it should be.
18:18Through my eyes.
18:22And one day, you'll be happy that you found the way that you saw the world through my eyes.
18:52Through my eyes.
18:54Through my eyes.
19:09Cook?
19:10Oh, I can't call you Cook.
19:12What's your name?
19:13Becky?
19:14You're a very quiet girl, Becky.
19:17And you are Jarvis, are you not?
19:19Yes, my lord.
19:21Well, that'll be all, Jarvis.
19:23You can have the night off.
19:25Thank you, my lord.
19:27And it was like we lived in two worlds.
19:30What was real for us, and what was real for blind Bertha.
19:36Oh, of all the blinkety blooming hearts in all the blinkety blooming world, this hearth is the blinkiest and the bloominest.
19:52Oh, well, what's the use?
19:54Make do, Cricket Crocket.
19:56Make do.
19:57Make do.
19:58Blink!
19:59Evening, matey.
20:01We got no place for bugs around here.
20:07Hello, hello.
20:08Are you calling a bug?
20:09I am an insect I am.
20:12I will thank you to address me by my proper rank.
20:15I loves to mangle insects.
20:19Uriah!
20:20Uriah!
20:21Uriah!
20:22What are you doing out here?
20:24Naughty, naughty birdie.
20:25Come to bed by now.
20:26Into your cage, Uriah Corr.
20:27It's late.
20:28Oh, phew.
20:29We.
20:30We.
20:31We.
20:32We.
20:33We.
20:34We.
20:35We.
20:36We.
20:37We.
20:38We.
20:39We.
20:40We.
20:41We.
20:42We.
20:43We.
20:44We.
20:45We.
20:46We.
20:47We.
20:48We.
20:49We.
20:50We.
20:51We.
20:52We.
20:53We.
20:54We.
20:55We.
20:56Nighty-night little friend.
21:04Well, it was obvious one of us had to go.
21:07Oh, yeah, but I'm getting ahead of my story.
21:09It was about a week before Christmas, and poor old Caleb Plummer was working night and
21:15day to keep up with the demands of the season, yet, as it were.
21:18Plummer?
21:19You're using entirely too much paint on the dolls' faces.
21:21Just trying to give them nice smiles.
21:24Who the Blazers cares about smiles? A dot and a half is enough for any doll. Paint costs money.
21:31Yes, sir.
21:32Oh, but Tackleton Toys was mean and grubby things. Oh, all he cared about was the shillings and pennies they'd bring.
21:40But Caleb, oh, he couldn't see them go out into the world like that.
21:45So, every night, me and him would sneak in and fix them up proper, then pop them back in their boxes by morning so Tackleton wouldn't find out.
21:58It was just two days before Christmas when we met up with him.
22:02Oh, excuse me, sir. I had so much in my arms that I couldn't see.
22:06No, no, it was my fault, I assure you. Here, allow me to help you pick those up.
22:15What is it, sir?
22:18My bones ache so terribly. I've no money for a room. I've been sleeping out of doors.
22:26Why, that's terrible. In this weather. Oh, you must come home with me.
22:31I haven't much to offer, but you're quite welcome to share it with me.
22:36Bless you, son. Bless you.
22:39He was a funny, quiet sort of fella. Wouldn't hardly say boo.
22:43Just sat there looking at Bertha with them sad old eyes.
22:47We're so glad you could stay with us.
22:49Oh. Oh, it is my pleasure indeed.
22:54Bertha.
22:56What is it?
22:59The way you said my name just now is...
23:03I'm sorry. Indeed, I am. I was too forward. Miss Plummer, I meant to say.
23:14Hear now, hear now. No serious formalities. For we're all one family and it's almost Christmas.
23:20And we're going to have a splendid Christmas this time, aren't we, Father?
23:25With mistletoe and a big tree and decorations and everything.
23:31Oh, promise me, Father. Oh, promise me.
23:36Even though I cannot see them, you will have those things.
23:44But, of course. Of course.
23:48Now, Caleb had been stretching the truth for a long time now to keep Bertha happy.
23:54But when it came to fibbing about Christmas, well, he just wasn't quite up to it.
24:02Would it be Christmas without the mistletoe?
24:09Would it be Christmas without the window sill?
24:14No fireproof, no Christmas tree, no decorations, just you and me?
24:24Would it be Christmas then?
24:32On the first Christmas, there was no mistletoe.
24:39No fireproof, no fireproof, no Christmas tree, no decorations, just the Wiseman tree.
24:56And it was Christmas then.
25:01The holiday season has changed.
25:11But the reason we celebrate remains.
25:20It can be Christmas without the mistletoe.
25:27It can be Christmas without the mistletoe.
25:36No fireproof, no Christmas tree, no decorations, just you and me.
25:43It can be Christmas then.
25:44It can be Christmas then.
25:50For Christmas lives in the hearts of men.
26:05We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
26:29Well, the following day it was Christmas Eve.
26:33Oh, and we were really busy.
26:40Rest period, do take a rest.
26:43I've decided to give you a Christmas bonus.
26:47Four whole shillings.
26:49Here, a shilling for you, girl.
26:51Hmm, I hope it doesn't bankrupt the old skin flint.
26:55Actually, I must confess to an ulterior motive.
27:02This is a lonely old place for me, and I finally decided that what I need is a wife.
27:10A wife, sir? You?
27:13And why not? I cut a splendid figure.
27:17Oh.
27:19You say something?
27:21No, sir.
27:23Hmm.
27:24Well, to get to the point, I'm happy to inform you that I've decided that the girl I would most like to so honor
27:30is none other than your own dear, lucky Bertha.
27:35Bertha.
27:37What?
27:38No, we could be wed tomorrow.
27:39It's Christmas, a holiday.
27:41That way we wouldn't lose a day's work.
27:44Oh, sir.
27:45No, you don't have to make up your mind right away.
27:48Take your time, think it over.
27:50I'll give you an hour and fifteen minutes.
27:53Meanwhile, back to work.
27:56Oh, Father, I'm so very honored.
28:00But...
28:01But, my dear, you're just a child.
28:03Father, I haven't been a child for a long time.
28:08You've just got to accept the fact that I am a big, grown-up girl now.
28:15Lullabies and fairy tales
28:20Pinafores, piano scales
28:24Satin bows and cheeks of rose
28:28That was yesterday
28:31Little girl above your knee
28:37That was what I used to be
28:41Funny knows, but heaven knows
28:45That was yesterday
28:48So look up, your little girl's a lady
28:52With a weighty problem
28:56Daddy is her problem
28:59He thinks she's still a child
29:03Carousels and wishing wells
29:07Golden shoes with silver belts
29:11Starry eyes and cherry flies
29:14That was yesterday
29:15That was yesterday
29:16That was yesterday
29:17Carousels and wishing wells
29:19Carousels and wishing wells
29:21Carousels and wishing wells
29:24Golden shoes with silver belts
29:27Starry eyes and cherry flies
29:28Carousels and wishing wells
29:29Carousels and wishing wells
29:31Carousels and wishing wells
29:33Carousels and wishing wells
29:35Carousels and wishing wells
29:37Golden shoes with silver belts
29:38Golden shoes with silver belts
29:40Starry eyes and cherry flies
29:42Carousels and wishing wells
29:43Carousels and wishing wells
29:45Carousels and wishing wells
29:46That was yesterday
29:47Yesterday
29:49Yesterday
29:51Miss Plummer.
30:00Who's that? The old gentleman?
30:02I have happy news, sir.
30:04And I've something to tell you.
30:07I've waited too long.
30:09No, no, no. Let me tell my news first.
30:12For it is bursting inside of me.
30:14The most wonderful man in the whole world has asked me to be his wife.
30:19Indeed.
30:19Indeed. I offer you then my heartiest congratulations.
30:25They don't sound very hearty.
30:28And now, what had you to tell me?
30:32Well, I, uh, that is...
30:35Oh, blast all this telling one another!
30:39We've got no time for it. This is an emergency!
30:42Why, Cricket, what a thing to say.
30:44Excuse me.
30:46What's wrong with the old fellow?
30:52Never mind him! Think of her!
30:55What can I do?
30:58Have I deceived her all this time but to break her heart at last?
31:02Father, I've made up my mind.
31:06When Mr. Tackleton returns, I shall tell him that I accept his proposal.
31:11See, I was determined that Bertha would never get a chance to say yes.
31:18So, I called together some of me mates.
31:21Well, right on the dot, he arrives.
31:24Do come and sit beside me, Mr. Tackleton.
31:27I've made tea.
31:28I shall.
31:29Oh, I shall, me pretty little lady.
31:31One lump or two?
31:33Two.
31:34Oh, yes, two, my pretty.
31:36Two, he says.
31:38Coming up, matey.
31:41Was anything wrong?
31:44Uh, no.
31:45And now, my dear, we come to the reason for my presence here.
31:52That's what you think, chum.
31:55Pepper.
31:56And have you made up your pretty little mind?
32:01Well, to tell the truth, kind sir.
32:04Yes.
32:08Oh!
32:09Oh, what was that?
32:11Never mind.
32:12Now, uh...
32:12Well, what on earth?
32:15Excuse me, my pretty little...
32:17It was that cricket made a fool of me.
32:25Uriah.
32:26Get rid of him once and for all.
32:30And this time, no slip-ups.
32:33Get professional help so you won't bungle the job.
32:36I want that cricket eliminated.
32:53All right, quiet!
32:55Shh!
32:55Small's gonna say.
32:56Ah, shut up!
33:04Diamonds, furs, and ocean trips
33:06They don't go with tuppence tips
33:09Don't feed me champagne talk
33:12When we're eating fish and chips
33:14Half of pints and smoky kips
33:18We're never meant to touch my lips
33:21We're never meant to touch my lips
33:21Don't speak those platinum words
33:24When we're eating fish and chips
33:26Can't you get out of the habit?
33:30Sayin' mink when you're saying sable when you can't afford raccoon
33:36You've got caviar tastes and shat-roof pockets
33:44And you'll never ever find me the moon
33:48With my life I've come to grips
33:53Throw away your clever quips
33:56I'm prepared to love you
33:59And to love my fish and chips
34:01Hello, strangler slink
34:11I've got a proper evil proposition to put to you
34:15What's the job this time, Uriah Kaur?
34:19We eliminate some annoying cricket
34:22A cricket?
34:24Not that easy
34:27He's a clever one, he is
34:28But he must be put away
34:31I have a better idea
34:34We'll capture him
34:36I know the captain who pays well for captured crickets
34:40Sells them in China for good luck faces
34:44Hello, I
34:52Now, where's our pay?
35:07I've got your pay off right here, lad
35:12Oh, I'd hitched up with a lovely crew, I can tell you
35:19And there I was, setting sail for China on Christmas Eve
35:24Leaving poor Bertha in the hands of that
35:27Coo
35:29What'll my family do without their lucky cricket on the hearth?
35:34Aye, you'll fetch a purty price, you will
35:50A bolt of silk or a crate of tea
35:54What be the matter with you?
36:00Oh, deader than a doornail he be
36:04Dead cricket's no good to me
36:09My plan worked perfect like
36:12I only overlooked one thing
36:15Crickets can't swim
36:17But luck was with me
36:20For another thing I forgot was
36:22Crickets float
36:24Now, I know you're not going to believe how I got back to land
36:28But this is the way it happened
36:30Look, so help me
36:31I know you're not going to believe how I got back to land
36:35It's the way it's only going to be
36:36Yeah, I know you're not going to believe how I got back to land
36:37And I don't know how to make a battle
36:39I can't wait
36:39Oh, I can't wait
36:40I can't wait
36:40I can't wait
36:41I can't wait
36:42I can't wait
36:45It was just before midnight when I got back.
37:13Home at last.
37:17Coo.
37:19A wedding dress.
37:22She's going to go through with it.
37:24Coo.
37:26It's midnight.
37:28Midnight on Christmas Eve.
37:30The one hour in the year when magical things are supposed to happen.
37:35Oh, look, maybe this bloke's still in luck.
37:38Hello, hello. Here now.
37:41What's up?
37:44Climbing.
37:46The toy.
37:48It's coming to life.
37:51Coo.
37:52Coo.
37:53Coo.
37:54Coo.
37:55Coo.
37:56Coo.
37:57Coo.
37:58What a sight.
38:00Bravo.
38:01Bravo.
38:02Oh, lovely.
38:05Simply lovely.
38:07Oh, we've been absurd.
38:11Deary, humans must never see toys come to life.
38:15Those are the rules.
38:17Here now.
38:18Save your worries.
38:19I'm no human.
38:20I'm a...
38:22Blimey, no.
38:24I am a cricket.
38:26Coo.
38:27Crickets don't count.
38:29And let me be the first to say that I am happy to have you on my side.
38:33Aw.
38:34Well, you're all going to help stop poor Bertha from marrying that crow-loving skinflint, aren't you?
38:39We'd do anything for Caleb and Bertha.
38:41If it wasn't for them, we'd be ugly.
38:44Mwah.
38:45Mwah.
38:46Mwah.
38:47Mwah.
38:48Hush, hush.
38:49Oh, but we haven't much time.
38:51In a moment, we'll have to go to sleep again.
38:53Ooh.
38:54That's the rules.
38:55The rules.
38:56The rules.
38:57The rules.
38:58The rules.
38:59Yeah, you can't break the rules.
39:00So let's get cracking.
39:03Any ideas?
39:04Conference!
39:07Mwah-mwah!
39:11All right, break it up.
39:13Enough talk.
39:14Let's have the little action.
39:16Right-o.
39:17Follow me, lads.
39:26Why are we bothering with that old gazer?
39:39Blimey.
39:40Our lord is coming apart.
39:42Coo.
39:43That is not an old man.
39:45That's...
39:47Edward Belton.
39:48Oh, but it couldn't be.
39:51You were lost at sea, you...
39:53Oh, kindly allow me to explain.
39:55You see, Edward Belton didn't drown when his ship went down.
40:00He built himself a raft and sailed to a beautiful unchartered island.
40:05And he was there.
40:06And he was there.
40:07Oh, please, sir.
40:08And he was there two years before a whaler found him and brought him back to England.
40:14But then why the disguise?
40:16Well...
40:18Uh-oh.
40:19Our time is up.
40:20What's the matter with you toy blokes?
40:21I ask a simple question.
40:22I expect a simple answer.
40:23My beard.
40:24My wig.
40:25Cricket crock, it's on to you.
40:26Now speak up.
40:27The whole story.
40:28Well...
40:29I may as well tell you.
40:30I was shipwrecked, you see.
40:31I know all that.
40:32The raft and the island and the whaler.
40:33What I don't understand is, uh, the whiskers and the wheeze.
40:34I came directly to her, but then I saw she'd gone blind.
40:36And I realized it was my fault.
40:37I couldn't just step back into her life after what I knew.
40:39I knew.
40:40I knew.
40:41I knew.
40:42I knew.
40:43I knew.
40:44I knew.
40:45I knew.
40:46I knew.
40:47I knew.
40:48I knew.
40:49I knew.
40:50I knew.
40:51I knew.
40:52I knew.
40:53I knew.
40:54I knew.
40:55I knew.
40:56Back into her life after what I'd done to her.
40:59Oh, come on now.
41:00She needs you more than she needs six new eyes.
41:04That's what I hoped.
41:05But I had to be sure, you see.
41:07And so I adopted the disguise.
41:10This way I could be near her without anyone knowing.
41:13Blimey!
41:14Oh, there were a thousand times I was on the verge of telling her.
41:17But something always interrupted.
41:21And yesterday I made up my mind.
41:24You remember.
41:25I came in to tell her.
41:27Only to see her radiant face.
41:30Radiant because the most wonderful man in the world had asked her to be his wife.
41:36Those were her very words.
41:38Oh, you, you, you, you, you, you, you nincompoop.
41:41Paying any attention to the words of a gushing female.
41:44Oh, no.
41:45I could tell she meant it.
41:47And he has so much more to offer her.
41:50I'm still poor.
41:52Poor?
41:53Oh, why, she wouldn't trade the Bank of England for you.
41:56I wish I could believe that, Cricket.
41:59I came back tonight for one last look at her.
42:03I, I guess I just fell asleep watching her.
42:07Oh, yeah, you're asleep all right.
42:10Asleep all over.
42:12Oh, why, you romantic, sentimental ninny.
42:15She don't love nobody else but you.
42:18If I could only believe that.
42:20Bertha, love.
42:23Bertha?
42:24Yeah, wake up now.
42:28Ow.
42:29Gentle.
42:30Come on, gentle.
42:31It's only me.
42:32Oh.
42:33Oh.
42:34Oh, Cricket.
42:35You're back.
42:36You're safe.
42:38Cricket?
42:39Cricket?
42:40Cricket?
42:41Oh.
42:43Oh.
42:44Oh.
42:45Oh.
42:46Oh.
42:47Oh.
42:48Oh.
42:49Oh.
42:50Darling.
42:51Am I dreaming?
42:54I...
42:55Oh, Edward.
42:58Edward.
42:59Oh, Edward, you're alive.
43:03You're alive, Edward.
43:05Oh, you're alive.
43:09Edward.
43:11Do you know about me?
43:16I'm...
43:17I'm...
43:18Through my eyes, you will see the world as it should be.
43:33Through my eyes.
43:35Through my eyes.
43:40And one day, you'll be happy that you found the way.
43:54That you saw the world through my eyes.
44:11Justine records...
44:12Oh, there never was such a Christmas morning.
44:14Everybody happier than Lark's.
44:16All except...
44:17There I was, waiting at the church.
44:21What's this, what's this?
44:26What's going on here, anyway?
44:28This just isn't fair.
44:30There I was, waiting at the church.
44:33What's this? What's this?
44:36What's going on here, anyway?
44:38This just isn't fair.
44:41After all I've done for you.
44:45Oh, Mr. Tackleton.
44:47Mr. Tackleton, I'm so terribly sorry.
44:51But you see, my heart belongs to Edward.
44:54It always has.
44:56Nobody loves me.
44:58But we all love you.
45:00And there will always be a place in my heart
45:03for a fine and kind and noble and handsome gentleman such as you.
45:11Fine, kind, noble, and handsome.
45:21But of course.
45:24Tell me, I feel good all over.
45:28Nobody ever said such nice things to me before.
45:30I feel as light as a lark, happy as a hummingbird.
45:35Why? Why? I wonder why.
45:38Maybe because it's Christmas.
45:41It really is Christmas.
45:43But of course.
45:44Merry Christmas.
45:45Of course.
45:48Merry Christmas.
45:49Merry, merry Christmas.
45:54GRANDALL CC
45:59Oh, Cricket.
45:59You're the luckiest thing that ever happened to anyone.
46:05GRANDALL CC
46:11Well, that's my story. Ended happy it did. Here's hoping all your stories end happy too.
46:27May you all have good health, good cheer, and a good Merry Christmas.
46:33And above all, may you never, never be without a cricket on your heart.
46:41Cricket on the heart, see that mistletoe above. With a cricket on the heart, cut it down, you'll still be lucky. Cricket on the heart.
46:59I thoroughly enjoyed playing Old Man Plummer, and my daughter Bertha in the play was played by my real-life daughter, Marlo Thomas.
47:11And her boyfriend, Edward Benton, was Ed Ames.
47:14And the singing cat was delightfully played by Miss Abby Lane.
47:19And gruff old Tackleton, that fine actor, and my dear friend, Hans Conrad.
47:22And our wonderful narrator, the lucky cricket Crockett, was marvelous actor Roddy McDowell.
47:29And in the song, The First Christmas, there are the lines,
47:34The holiday season has changed, but the reason we celebrate remains.
47:40Yes, that reason hasn't changed since the very first day,
47:43when the wise men presented their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
47:47And on that subject, there's a lovely poem by the author Edmund Cook that sums it up pretty well.
47:54Mr. Cook wrote,
47:55"'Tis not the weight of jewel or plate, or the fondle of silk or fur,
48:00"'Tis the spirit in which the gift is rich, as the gifts of the wise men were.
48:05"'And we are not told whose gift was gold, or whose was the gift of myrrh.'"
48:12No fireplace, no Christmas tree, no decorations, just you and me.
48:22It can be Christmas then, for Christmas lives in the hearts of...
48:42No!
48:43No!
48:43No!
48:43No!
48:43No!
48:44No!
48:45No!
48:46No!
48:47No!
48:48No!
48:49No!
48:50No!
48:51No!
48:52No!
48:53No!
48:54No!
48:55No!
48:56No!
48:57No!
48:58No!
48:59No!
49:00No!
49:01No!
49:02No!
49:03No!
49:04No!
49:05No!
49:06No!
49:07No!
49:08No!
49:09No!
49:10No!
49:11No!
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