-$ prize money?
-Uh-huh.
-Oh, Henry, that's wonderful.
-Sure is, Dad.
Congratulations.
Can I have a raise
in my allowance?
-May I have a raise
in my allowance?
-Yeah, can both of us have one?
-Dennis.
-I'm afraid you're
jumping the g*n, son.
I haven't got the money yet.
I was merely explaining to your
mother that my boss, Mr. Trask,
has offered it to the
employee who comes up
with the best money-saving idea.
-You can't miss, Dad.
Carry it around with you.
It'll bring good luck.
-A rabbit's foot?
Now look at it logically, son.
How could this
mangy piece of fur
possibly influence
anyone's luck?
Can you explain that to me?
-No, sir.
I can't explain
television either,
but I know that when you
turn on the set, it works.
[theme music]
[vacuum running]
-Eloise!
Must you vacuum where
I'm trying to sleep?
-Let me ask you a question.
Must use sleep where
I'm trying to vacuum?
-Eloise, I am exhausted.
I haven't slept
for three nights.
-Now, dear, I know
you're worried.
-Worried?
Eloise, it is incredible,
absolutely incredible.
This last month, everything
that could happen to me
has happened to me.
Nothing, not a single
thing, went right.
I buy stock, blue chip.
Right after I buy it, it
goes down five points.
I buy a new pair of slacks.
I walk out the front
door, rip them on a nail.
I-- ay-yi-yi!
-Ooh, the finger that got
caught in the car door.
-No, the finger I
slammed with the hammer
trying to pound down the
nail I tore the slacks on.
Eloise, if anything
else happens to me,
Congress is going to
declare me a disaster area.
-Oh, now dear, your
luck's bound to change.
-I don't believe in luck.
When things are
good, they are good.
When they're bad, they are bad.
-Now John, you're
not helping matters
sitting around the
house with a long face.
-What do you suggest?
Plastic surgery?
-I suggest that you go outside
and work around the house
and stop feeling
sorry for yourself.
-I am not feeling
sorry for myself.
I'm just--
-Then feel sorry for me.
I have a husband who sits around
the house all day with a long
face, and I cannot
get any cleaning done.
[vacuum running]
-Hi, Mr. Wilson.
-Dennis, have you been
fooling with this hose?
-No, sir, I was walking on it.
-I was trying to water.
-I'm sorry, Mr. Wilson.
Still having all that bad luck?
-Yes.
And it isn't getting any
better with you around.
-Maybe you ought to borrow this.
-Eh, no, thank you.
-It'll bring you good luck.
-Thank you for
the offer, Dennis,
but I do not believe
in good luck.
It's nothing but superstition.
-It sure helped me.
Before I had it,
my teacher always
caught me when I
did something wrong.
-With or without it, I'm sure
your teacher would've seen you.
-She couldn't.
She broke her glasses the first
day I brought it to school.
Wasn't that lucky?
Not only that, I got the
highest mark in my class
on a composition,
and Howie Marshall
paid me a dime he owed
me for a whole year.
-Dennis, it will take
a good deal more than
that to convince me that that
rabbit's foot has the capacity
to bring anyone luck.
-Lots of people carry them.
-So do rabbits.
What happened to the
one that carried that?
-Well--
-Obviously it didn't
bring him any luck.
Now don't bother me.
-Sure works for me.
-Rabbit's foot.
Oh!
-Mr. Wilson, are you all right?
-Oh, this miserable lawnmower.
-I bet this wouldn't
have happened
if you'd have borrowed
my rabbit's foot.
-Oh, Dennis, please.
-Here's the trouble, Mr. Wilson.
There's something
jammed in the blades.
Wow, $ !
What'll I do with it?
-Well, if nobody claims it,
I guess it belongs to you.
-Half of it's yours.
It's your lawnmower.
-Oh, no.
No.
You-- you found it.
-Boy, with the luck this old
rabbit's foot is bringing me,
you sure are making a
mistake not to borrow it.
-Rabbit's foot.
-It sounds like a wonderful
idea to me, Henry.
I'm surprised nobody
thought of it sooner.
I think it will win you
that special prize money.
-Well, it should.
Why, if you realize how much
money that company loses
through inefficiency--
-More than $ ?
-A great deal more.
-Then this doesn't
belong to them.
-Where'd you get that money?
-It was stuck in Mr.
Wilson's lawnmower.
-Stuck?
-Yes, ma'am.
He said I could keep it
if nobody claimed it.
Boy, is my lucky rabbit's
foot working for me.
-Maybe you ought to
take it with you, Henry,
when you go to tell
Mr. Trask your idea.
-Sure, Dad, I'll be
glad to loan it to you.
-No thanks, son.
If my idea has any
merit, I'll get the prize
without any good luck charm.
-Sure, but why take a chance?
-Dennis, I do not need
your rabbit's foot.
-That's what Mr.
Wilson said when
I wanted to lend it to him.
And if he'd listened to
me, he'd be $ richer
and his stomach wouldn't hurt.
-Eloise?
Eloise!
Lightning has struck again!
-What?
-He returned my article.
-Oh, that's too bad.
And I thought it
was one of the best
things you'd written
in a long time.
-Oh, well, obviously he
doesn't agree with you.
Just listen to this.
"We are returning
your last article.
With the increase
in postal rates,
it now costs us $ .
an ounce to send back
something we wouldn't
give you $ . for."
-Oh, dear.
You know, dear,
maybe you should have
borrowed Dennis's rabbit's foot.
-Eloise!
-Uninhabited.
U-N-I-N-H-A-B-I-T-E-D.
-Dennis, is your mother home?
-No, sir.
The house is unihabited.
I'm studying that for my
spelling test tomorrow.
-Oh, where is she?
-She might be over
at Mrs. Wilson's.
What's going on, Dad?
-Well, I discussed my
economy plan with Mr. Trask,
and he loves it.
-Oh, boy, that's great, Dad.
And you're going to
get the prize money?
-Well, I don't know.
They're considering several
other ideas along with mine.
-Well, I'm not worried.
My rabbit's foot
got you this far.
-Dennis, your rabbit's foot
had nothing to do with it.
-Unintelligent.
U-N-I-N-T-E-L-L-I-G-E-N-T.
-Well, no, Alice isn't here.
Anything I can do?
-Oh, no, I just wanted to
tell her a little good news.
-Well, tell me.
I haven't heard any
in so long, I've
forgotten what it sounds like.
-Well, it isn't much.
I-- I presented a plan to my
boss and I may get a prize.
Sort of an extra bonus.
-Nice to hear that something
good's happening to somebody.
-Are things still not
going well for you, John?
-It's unbelievable.
-Oh, well, cheer up.
Everything'll change
for the better.
Look at me.
Last week, nothing in sight.
This week, big prospects.
-Yeah, yeah.
[sneezes]
[inaudible]
-Look what, uh, dropped
out of your pocket.
-A rabbit's foot.
Wonder how that got there.
-Yes, how did it?
-I know.
I'll bet Dennis
sneaked it in my pocket
before I went to
work this morning.
-Oh?
-Well, of course
you don't think I'd
carry it with me on purpose.
-Well, you did have it when
you went to see your boss.
-Well, yes--
-And he did say you
might win the prize.
-Yes, but this has
absolutely no connection
with-- with my good
luck, my good fortune,
or-- oh, with what happened.
Of course, if a person
were superstitious,
he might think there was, but--
well, um, I'll be seeing you,
John.
Uh, keep up the old rabbit--
I mean, keep up the old chin.
-No, nobody asked about it,
so I guess it's all yours.
-It really works.
Did you hear what
it did for my dad?
-Oh, yes.
-I'll see you later, Mr. Wilson.
-Uh, Dennis?
-Yes, sir?
-Dennis, I'm, uh, I'm a
little worried about you.
-You are?
-Yes.
-You don't have to be.
Nothing's gonna happen
to me as long as I've
got my trusty old rabbit's foot.
-That's just it.
I'm worried because you're
becoming so reliant on it.
-Oh, I don't rely on it,
except for good luck.
-Did it ever occur
to you that things
might go along just
as well without it?
-Well--
-Now why don't we perform
a little experiment?
-What kind of an experiment?
-Well, why don't you leave that
with me, and see what happens?
-I don't think I'd better.
-But it's the only way
you'll convince yourself.
-I am convinced.
-Now see here!
I-- my boy, I'm
only trying to prove
to you that you don't need it.
-Gosh.
-Please?
-Well, OK.
-Good.
-I'll give it to you
tomorrow, right after school.
-But I-- I--
-I've got a big
spelling test and I
want to make sure
I get a good mark.
-Uh-- uh, Dennis.
Dennis.
You don't think I'd want
you to leave your rabbit's
foot with me if I
believed it would
help you get a good grade.
-No, but I'd rather
not take a chance.
-Well, you've got to learn
the truth sooner or later.
-Gosh.
-I'm your friend.
I'm doing this
for your own good.
-But--
-Good night, my boy.
Good night.
-Hi, Mr. Gordon.
-Hi, Dennis.
-Isn't it a little late
to be delivering milk?
-Oh, I'm not making
any deliveries.
I'm going over my route
looking for something.
You wouldn't happen to
know if anyone around
here found a $ bill?
-Yes, sir, I did.
-You did?
-Yes, sir.
You must have dropped
it on the grass.
-Well, thank you.
Thank you very much.
Dennis, I'm going to
give you a reward.
-That's OK, Mr. Gordon.
I don't want any reward.
-You don't?
Well, suppose I drop off
some chocolate milk for you
tomorrow, free.
-That'll be swell.
-Well, thanks again.
Boy, this is my lucky night.
-It was lucky for me, too,
when I had my rabbit's foot.
[bird chirping]
[imitates bird's chirp]
[bird chirping]
[phone ringing]
-Hello?
Yes, this is John Wilson.
Oh, uh, put him on.
MRS. WILSON (OFFSCREEN): John?
-Eloise, Eloise, long distance.
My publisher.
Oh, uh, hello?
Hello, Mr. Winfield.
Yes, sir?
Yes, sir!
I have it right here on my desk.
Uh, uh, yes, sir.
Right away.
Oh, yes, I-- I understand.
Goodbye.
Winfield changed his mind!
He wants me to send my
article back to him.
-Oh, John, that's wonderful.
-I've got to mail it
to him immediately.
I-- uh-- where are my envelopes?
Where are my envelopes?
Oh.
I'd better take this
to the post office.
Winfield said that if he didn't
get this by tomorrow morning,
he couldn't use it.
Eloise, do you realize this
is the first good news I've
had in weeks?
It looks like my luck
has finally changed.
[doorbell rings]
-Oh, Dennis.
-Hi, Mrs. Wilson.
Is Mr. Wilson home?
-Well, yes, dear, he's
in the living room.
-Hi, Mr. Wilson.
-Oh, hello, Dennis.
I don't have time to
chat with you now.
I'm very busy.
-All I wanted was
my rabbit's foot.
-Rabbit's foot?
What rabbit's foot?
-The one I left
with you last night.
I flunked my spelling test.
-What?
-Yes, sir.
Miss Williams read us our marks.
I got an F.
-Oh, well, you'll
do better next time.
-I know I will, 'cause I'll
have my rabbit's foot with me.
May I please have it now?
-Uh, well, it's around
here someplace, Dennis,
but I don't have time to
help you look for it now.
I have to get down to the
post office before it closes,
post this letter, and--
-There it is!
-Oh, Dennis, I--
-Oh, boy, thanks, Mr. Wilson.
See you later!
-Well, did you give Dennis
back his rabbit's foot?
-What do you think?
-Dennis?
-Yes, Dad?
-You got a telephone
call from your teacher.
-Miss Williams?
-Yes.
She said when she put
on her new glasses,
she discovered she had
misread your grade.
You got an A instead of an F.
-How about that?
You see, Dad?
My rabbit's foot
does work for me.
Without it, I got
an F, and the minute
I got it back from Mr.
Wilson, I got an A.
-Dennis, give me that.
-Did you change your mind, Dad?
Are you going to
take it with you
when you go in to see Mr. Trask?
[phone ringing]
-No.
-Then what do you want it for?
-I'm going to get rid of it.
-But Dad--
-Dennis, I've had enough of this
silly superstitious nonsense.
Now give.
-Dear, Mr. Trask
is on the phone.
-Mr. Trask?
-Mom, can you talk
to Dad an make
him give me back
my rabbit's foot?
-Yes, Mr. Trask?
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir!
Tomorrow?
Well, wonderful!
Thank you, sir.
Alice?
-Yes?
-Ooh!
Honey, guess what?
They've narrowed the ideas down
to two, and mine's one of them.
They're going to make the
final decision tomorrow.
-Wonderful!
-You know, honey, this
could be the beginning
of-- of-- that's ridiculous.
-Thanks, Mom.
You can talk Dad
out of anything.
-John?
-Aaah!
Oh, I wish you wouldn't
sneak up on me like that.
-Isn't that Dennis's
rabbit's foot?
-No, it's mine.
I bought it.
-Oh.
Mail came a little while ago.
I-- isn't this your manuscript?
My--
-Return to sender,
postage due $ . .
-What?
-That means you didn't
put enough stamps on it.
-I know what it means.
Couldn't the post
office have trusted me?
I'm a taxpayer.
I voted.
-John, instead of
sitting there shouting
at the top of your
indignation, why don't you just
put another stamp on
it and mail it again.
-It's too late, Eloise.
Winfield told me if it wasn't
in his office first thing
this morning, he didn't want it.
Well, it looks like it's
starting all over again.
This one doesn't work.
[doorbell rings]
-Hi, Mrs. Wilson.
-Hello, dear.
-Is Mr. Wilson home?
-Well, yes, he is,
but I don't think
he feels like
seeing anyone today.
-Uh, is-- is that
my friend Dennis?
Tell him to come in.
-Go on in, dear.
-I just wanted to see how
you were feeling today.
-Oh, fine, fine.
Thank you, Dennis.
As a matter of fact, I was
going to do a little writing.
I have an idea for an article
on, uh-- on superstition.
-Hey, that sounds interesting.
-Yes.
Uh, do you have your
rabbit's foot with you?
I'd like to see
it-- for research.
-Sure.
-Oh, yes.
I'll take a closer look at that.
Now uh-- oh!
My, how clumsy of me.
Would you pick that up for me?
-Sure.
-Now.
-Here, Mr. Wilson.
-And there you are.
Now run along.
Let me get to work.
-OK, Mr. Wilson.
Bye.
Mr. Wilson, this isn't
my rabbit's foot.
-It isn't?
-No, sir.
Mine is all white.
This has brown fur on it.
-That's strange.
-Mr. Wilson, you're trying
to play a trick on me.
You changed mine
for another one.
-Well, yes.
Yes, I did.
You see, I-- I thought
I'd do you a favor.
I figured you'd worn
all the luck off this,
and I thought a new
one would bring you
a big bunch of new good luck.
Do you understand?
-Yes, sir.
You mean this one of
yours isn't lucky.
-Uh, well--
-That's all right, Mr. Wilson.
Don't you worry.
Now that I got my A in spelling,
it's all right to trade.
-Well, thank you, Dennis.
-Bye, Mr. Wilson.
-Goodbye, my boy.
An article on superstition.
That's not a bad idea.
Superstition.
Yeah.
[ding]
-I've got to get going.
I don't want to be
late this morning.
-Goodbye, dear.
I hope Mr. Trask
picks your idea.
-Don't worry, he will.
-Hey, Mom?
Did you see the rabbit's foot
I left on the hall table?
-No, dear, I didn't.
-Dad?
ALICE MITCHELL (OFFSCREEN):
He left for work.
-Jeepers.
He took the wrong one!
Gosh.
-Come on.
Work for Daddy.
[phone ringing]
-Hello?
No this is not Lucky
Luke's Laundry.
-John-- oh, are you
using the phone, dear?
-No.
-Then may I?
-Certainly.
Uh, which, uh,
piece do you want?
I-- I think I'd better call--
[phone ringing]
-Hello?
Hello?
Hang on, whoever you are.
I think it's for you.
-Hello?
Oh, Alice.
Yes, dear, we're having a
little trouble with the phone.
What?
Oh, that's wonderful!
Really?
Well, give him our
congratulations, dear.
Bye!
-Give who our congratulations?
Henry's idea won the contest.
He's going to get
the $ prize money.
-Good.
-The only thing I didn't
quite understand-- Alice
said Henry took your rabbit's
foot with him to the office.
Now how did he get
your rabbit's foot?
-Well, uh, Dennis conned
me into trading with him.
Well, that means
Henry won the prize
with my lucky rabbit's foot.
-Yes!
-Eloise, how dare he?
-John, I think you've
got a lot of nerve,
rushing over here asking me how
dare I use your rabbit's foot.
-Well, you had no
right to do it.
-What difference does it make?
-A great deal.
You've probably worn
all the luck off mine.
-Well, you've got
Dennis's rabbit's foot.
-Well, it has done
absolutely nothing for me.
-Well, if you didn't want
Dennis's rabbit's foot,
why did you make the
switch in the first place?
-That is beside the point.
I was--
-May I ask a question?
-What is it, son?
-How could either of
those two rabbit's feet
be lucky if my own
father and my best friend
get into an argument over them?
-Dennis is-- is right.
I-- I'm sorry, Henry.
-No, it's my fault.
-Who needs an old
rabbit's foot for luck?
You have mine, Mr.
Wilson, and Dad has yours.
And I found this, anyway.
-Oh, a half a dollar.
-I asked everybody
if it was theirs,
including Mr.
Gordon, the milkman.
Nobody lost it.
I guess I get to keep it.
-I'm glad to see you don't
believe in rabbit's feet
anymore.
-Heck no.
If you want real luck, You
gotta have one of these.
BOTH: A four-leaf clover?
[laughter]
[theme music]
04x34 - The Lucky Rabbit's Foot
Watch/Buy Amazon Merchandise
Follows the Mitchell family – Henry, Alice, and their only child, Dennis, an energetic, trouble-prone, mischievous, but well-meaning boy, who often tangles first with his peace-and-quiet-loving neighbor, George Wilson, a retired salesman, and later with George's brother John, a writer.
Follows the Mitchell family – Henry, Alice, and their only child, Dennis, an energetic, trouble-prone, mischievous, but well-meaning boy, who often tangles first with his peace-and-quiet-loving neighbor, George Wilson, a retired salesman, and later with George's brother John, a writer.