-I'll sure be glad to sleep
in my own bed tonight.
I'm tired.
-I am, too.
But it's been a wonderful
trip, hasn't it?
-It sure has, mom.
I'm the only kid I know who's
been all the way to Washington
and had lunch with a
real, live Senator.
-You did a good job
with them, too, son.
Thanks to you, we have
a National Forest right
in our own corner of the state.
-Thanks to Mr. Wilson, too.
I'm sorry he didn't
fly home with us.
-Well, he had to go to New
York to see his publishers.
He'll be home in a few days.
-In a few days?
That means he'll miss
our basketball game.
-I'm afraid so.
-I'm getting worried
about that game.
Sure hope I can help us win.
-Oh, I know you will.
I'll bet you're the
best player on the team.
-Well, I'm one of the best
players on the bench, anyhow.
-On the bench?
-They haven't used him much yet.
-Yeah, but Coach says if we
ever get a -point lead,
he'll send me in just like that.
-They've saving him
for the pincher.
-That's why I got to
get back into practice.
I'm going to get up early
tomorrow and practice
in the yard a little
while before school.
-Early?
How early?
-I think I'll get
up about daybreak
and bounce a few
off the backboard
to kind of sharpen up.
-You wake me up
at daybreak, I'll
bounce a few off
of your backboard.
You practice after
breakfast, OK?
-OK.
I think I'd better.
My backboard's not
made out of wood.
[theme music]
If I do get in the game,
here's what I'm gonna do.
--[laughing] You can
do better than that.
Here, let me show you.
-If I was as tall as
Stretch Nichols, our center,
I wouldn't have to sh**t.
He just stands up there and
stuffs them in the basket.
-You'll never make
the team, Henry.
-Hi, Mr. Quigley.
-Hello, Dennis.
-I guess I am a little rusty.
-Rusty?
I could hear you creaking
three stoplights away.
-Is that so?
What are you doing out of
the grocery store, Quigley?
-Well, I imagine Mrs. Mitchell
would like some groceries.
My delivery boy ran off of
with the circus last week,
and I haven't been
able to get a new one.
Uh, you think you'll
win tomorrow, Dennis?
-Yeah.
Stretch Nichols can
win all by himself
if they just keep
feeding the ball to him.
He's about six feet tall.
-A six footer playing with boys?
-Oh, he's not much older
than the other boys.
He just grew fast.
I was like that myself.
-You ought to see Johnny
Brady try to get the ball away
from Stretch when
we're practicing.
He just holds it up there,
and Johnny can't even get it.
Boy, does he get mad.
-Johnny Brady, huh?
Is he a good player?
-Nah.
But he sure thinks he is.
-Sounds like his father.
-Uh, exactly.
-You know Stretch's dad,
too, don't you Mr. Quigley?
Mr. Nichols, the man who
collects our neighborhood trash
every week.
-At o'clock in the morning.
-Oh, him.
Yes, well, I've never
met the man, Dennis,
but I've heard his work.
-Hey, boy, do you
know what time it is?
We've only got minutes
to get you to school.
Come on, I'll ride you over.
-So long, Mr. Quigley.
-Bye, Dennis.
-All right, now, boys.
We're going to try that
opening play again.
Stretch tips off to Cooms,
Cooms dribbles straight
down court as passes to Stretch
in the corner for a set sh*t.
Brady, you screen for him.
Now let's try it.
-Don't let me out
jump you, Stretch.
-I'll try real hard, Dennis.
[whistle]
-Now what's the idea, Brady?
You were supposed to
screen for Stretch,
not take the sh*t yourself.
-It's the only way I
ever get to take one.
Give it to Stretch,
pass it to Stretch.
I'm on the team, too, Coach.
-It is a team, and you have to
do what's best for the team.
-It's OK with me if you take
a few more sh*ts, Johnny.
-Ah, don't give me
that modest hero stuff.
I don't need any favors
from a big freak like you.
-Another cr*ck like
that out of you, Brady,
and I'll toss you
right out of here.
Now come on, let's
try that play again.
And this time, let
Stretch do the sh**ting.
-Yeah, Johnny.
You almost missed the backboard.
-Come on!
-And the Coach says if the
game goes OK tomorrow night,
he might use me for a few plays.
-I sure hope so, Dennis.
I wish you could play regular.
-Maybe I will next year.
I'm getting better all the time.
-Hey, did somebody
lose a ferry boat?
It looks like a ferry
boat drifted in here.
-Give me my shoe, Johnny.
-Shoe?
Lucky it's not a boat.
It's got a leak in it.
-Give him his shoe, you!
-OK, OK.
But no kidding, Stretch.
Looks like your old man could
find you a better pair of shoes
than that with all
the trash he handles.
-Yeah, trash.
-Stretch doesn't get his shoes
out of the trash collection,
and you know it.
-Well, maybe he ought to start.
-Boy, they make me
so mad I could--
-It's OK, Dennis.
They were just kidding.
-Oh, no, they weren't.
Johnny's just jealous
of you, that's all.
You're a lot better
player than he is.
He's just sore because he
can't be the star of the team.
-Never mine.
Let's go.
-You'll show him
tomorrow night, boy.
With you on the
team, we can't lose.
-And with my kid on the
team, we can't lose.
See you around.
-Hi, Quigley.
-Oh, hello, Brady.
-Just talking about the
basketball game tomorrow night.
You going to be there?
-Yes, I intend to.
-Because if you want to
make some fast money,
get a bet down on the home team.
We're a cinch.
-Oh, really?
-My kid Johnny's
playing forward,
and is he terrific, Quigley.
He's going to be just
like his old man.
I was a natural athlete.
-Oh, naturally.
-Yes sir, with my kid setting
the pace tomorrow night,
you're going to see some
terrific basketball.
We'll win by a mile.
-Oh, come now, Brady.
This is just a
grammar school team.
Don't go too far out on a limb.
-Wait a minute, Quigley.
You may be just the
pigeon I'm looking for.
You like to make a little
bet against our team?
-Bet?
No, I--
-Because $ will
get to $ , Quigley.
-No.
No, thank you.
-Yeah, I always figured
you were chicken.
All right, I'll bet
you $ to $ that
Johnny's team slaughters 'em.
-Frankly, I never heard it
referred to as "Johnny's team"
before.
Around school, they consider the
Nichols boy their star player.
-Sure.
He's the Coach's
pet, that's why.
My kid's got it all over him.
Listen, Johnny's not
only great on defense.
He's a great
offensive player, too.
-If you're a boy lived
to be , Brady,
he'd never be as
offensive as you are.
[music playing]
-What you should
have done, you should
have punched Johnny
Brady right in the nose.
Pow!
-Hitting Johnny wouldn't
fix these old shoes.
It wouldn't make any of my
clothes look any better.
-Your clothes look
all right, Stretch.
-I've been thinking about
it all season, Dennis,
and, well, I've got
my mind made up.
I'm going to quit the team.
-Quit the team!
Aw, Stretch, you can't.
Oh, no!
-I've just got to, Dennis.
I don't belong with
Brady and those guys.
I just don't belong.
-But Stretch, jeepers, I mean--
-I don't even like playing ball
with guys that make fun of me.
-But Stretch, if you
don't play tomorrow
night, our team's
going to get fractured.
-Maybe not.
Anyhow, it doesn't even
feel like our team anymore,
you know what I mean?
-Well, I guess so, but I--
-I decided the
thing for me to do
is to get a job
after school helping
my dad in the trash truck.
I might as well start
learning the business.
Well, I'll see you.
[music playing]
-This is about the
worst thing that's
ever happened to our team.
-That's a shame, dear.
-Yes, it's too bad he quit
the team before the big game
tomorrow.
-Hello, folks.
I got that prime rib I told
you about, Mrs. Mitchell.
I thought I'd drop it by.
-Thank you, Mr. Quigley.
-Still no delivery boy, Otis?
-No.
-I'll work for you,
Mr. Quigley, if you
wait till I finish school.
--[laughing] I might be in a
wheelchair by then, Dennis.
Bye, now.
-Goodbye, Mr. Quigley.
-Son, are you sure
he's not going to play?
-Sure, I'm sure.
Well, there-- there
may be an advantage
to Stretch quitting the team.
DENNIS (OFFSCREEN): What's that?
HENRY (OFFSCREEN): Well,
with him out of the game,
you may get to play
more tomorrow night.
-Well, that's right.
The Coach will
really need you now.
-We'll need a lot more
than me with Stretch gone.
I wouldn't even get
$ . on our team now.
[music playing]
[phone ringing]
-Brady.
-Hello, Brady.
Otis Quigley.
Yeah, yeah.
I've been thinking about that
conversation we had today.
-You mean you're going
to be me after all,
against my kid's team?
Sure, the offer's
still open, pigeon.
Five to one odds.
-Yeah, I'll bet $ , Brady.
-Oh!
This is like finding
money in the street.
Uh, too bad some
of my friends can't
get a piece of the action.
-I doubt if you have
many friends, Brady,
but feel free to tell
anyone you like that I'll
cover any bets
they care to make.
-Oh, am I glad I was around
when you flipped your wig.
So long, sucker.
[laughing]
[music playing]
-You're not eating, dear.
-Worried about the game, son?
-Well, sort of.
-Well, don't worry about it.
There'll be lots more games.
-There won't be for Stretch.
Playing basketball made
him feel important.
But Johnny Brady
rode him so hard
he-- he just couldn't
take it any more.
That's wrong, isn't it?
-It certainly is.
-Because Stretch needed
something to make
him feel important.
He's not lucky like me.
I've got you, and dad,
and-- well, everything.
-We're all lucky, Dennis.
-Stretch doesn't even
have a good pair of shoes.
Jeepers, you bought me enough
shoes for a caterpillar.
-Well, fortunately,
we're able to, son,
and we enjoy giving you things.
-I enjoy getting them, too,
but I'd sure enjoy 'em more
if guys like Stretch
had 'em, too.
I told him I'd meet him
in the park this morning.
Is it OK if I go now?
-Certainly, honey.
Run along.
-Well, looks like
our son's beginning
to figure things
out for himself.
-I like that.
A boy should be able
to find his own way.
-Well, at lest he's headed
in the right direction.
-I sure with you'd change
your mine, Stretch.
-Can't do it, Dennis.
I told my old man
about it, and he
said if I wasn't good
enough for those guys,
I was a dope to win
the games for 'em.
-But you are good
enough for 'em, Stretch.
You're better than they are.
-Are you kidding?
They live in swell houses.
I live in a dump.
-It doesn't matter
where you live, Stretch.
How about lions?
They live in smelly old caves,
but nobody pushes them around.
-I just don't fit, Dennis.
And when you don't
fit, you butt out.
Well, I'll see you.
[music playing]
-So if you were the best
basketball player in school,
you'd know how
important it is to have
Stretch back on the team.
-Yes, I can see that, Dennis.
-Thanks for the ice
cream, Mr. Quigley.
When I'm in trouble,
I always think
a lot better eating ice cream.
-Well then, you must be
quite a lot, I guess, huh?
-So I thought maybe if
you talked to Stretch,
you might get him
to play tonight.
-Oh, I couldn't do that.
I've already made a bet--
it's really none of my affair.
-But it's such a
problem, Mr. Quigley.
-Oh, come now, Dennis.
What difference if your
team does get beaten?
Remember, it matters not
whether you win or lose
but how you play the game.
-Oh, I'm not worried
about losing.
I just want Stretch to belong.
-Belong to what?
The team?
-Well, not exactly.
It's kind of hard to explain.
You see, Johnny Brady
made fun of Stretch
because his father
is the trash man,
and Stretch has to wear
b*at up old clothes.
And it hurt his feelings
so bad, he just quit.
-Well, he'll get over that.
-Not unless somebody helps him.
Can't you think of
something, Mr. Quigley?
It's not right for a fellow as
tall as Stretch to feel so low.
-Well, it-- it really
doesn't concern me.
-Well, it ought to.
-Why?
-Because you're one
of the good guys.
-I am?
-Yeah.
If you were a cowboy,
you'd wear a white suit.
-That's very flattering,
Dennis, but I, uh--
-And good guys help each other.
Suppose you were poor and
lived in a crummy house,
and felt awful because the
bad guys made fun of you.
Wouldn't your friends try
to make you feel better?
-Y-yes, yes, I suppose so.
-Of course they would.
They'd know you weren't
poor on purpose,
and neither is Stretch.
-That's true.
-So we ought to concern you.
-Thank you, Dennis.
-Huh?
What are you thanking me for?
-For giving me a good, swift
kick in the conscience.
-Did I do that?
-Don't worry, I deserved it.
Say, I've got an idea that
might help get Stretch back
on the team.
-I know you liked
basketball, Mr. Quigley.
-You go get Stretch and meet me
on the corner in half an hour.
-Oh, boy, I sure will!
Thanks, Mr. Quigley!
[music playing]
-Over here, boys.
-Boy, Stretch, you
sure do look sharp.
-Here you are, fellas.
-Thanks, Mr. Quigley.
-It was well of you to buy me
these new clothes, Mr. Quigley,
but, well, isn't it
kind of like charity?
-Oh, no, not at all, my boy.
-Well, I don't know--
-Now, look, if it'll
make you feel any better,
you come in after
school and on Saturdays
and be my delivery boy,
and work it off that way,
because I think you deserve
to know what it feels
like to have a new
suit on your back.
-Yes, I'd like to do that, sir.
-Good.
-Old Johnny Brady can't
laugh at those shoes.
They're shinier than
his and twice as big.
-First real new ones I ever had.
Who do I feel so
different, Mr. Quigley?
I'm the same guy
under these clothes.
-Of course you are, my boy.
The same boy that Johnny
Brady tried to hurt because he
was jealous of you.
-What he says won't
bother me anymore.
-Are you going to play tonight?
-You bet I am.
I'm going to walk over
to Coach Gilmore's house
right now and tell him.
-That's the spirit.
-Then I'm going to walk by
Johnny Brady's house and Froggy
Bates's house and show them
they've got nothing on me.
-And don't forget, you're
having dinner at our house,
and we'll all go to
the game together.
You're invited too, Mr. Quigley.
-Well, thank you, Dennis.
-I'll be there, Dennis.
Thanks again, Mr. Quigley.
-Look at him, Mr. Quigley.
He's walking tall
like he ought to.
-You know, Dennis, I
feel taller myself.
[music playing]
-I'm glad you're going
to meet Stretch, mom.
He's a swell guy.
-Yes, I was greatly
impressed by the lad.
-Well, I hope he
likes fried chicken.
[doorbell]
-Hey, there he is now.
Hi Stretch.
Come on in.
-Hi, Dennis.
--Hey, mom, dad, I want you to
meet my pal, Stretch Nichols.
-Hello, Stretch.
-Hi.
-Hey, Stretch, you're limping.
-What's the matter, son?
Did you hurt yourself?
-It's my new shoes.
They're k*lling me.
-Well, good Christopher, boy,
why didn't you take them off?
-I wanted everybody to see them.
I walked all over town.
-Do you think you'll
be able to play?
-I'll sure try, but
my feet do hurt.
-We better get him
right over to the gym.
Coach Gilmore will
know that to do.
-I'm sorry, dear, we won't
be able to have the dinner.
This is an emergency.
-Of course, go ahead.
-Wait a minute.
-Maybe if we rubbed your
feet with ice it'll help.
-Or soak them in hot water.
-Gee, I'm sorry to
cause all this trouble.
-Here, Stretch.
Here's some of
mom's fried chicken.
It may not make your
sore feet feel well,
but it'll sure take your
mind off of them for a while.
-Come on, let's get going.
[music playing]
-How do they feel?
Any better?
-Did the rubbing
alcohol do any good?
-Not much, Coach.
They're still swollen.
-See if you can get
your shoe on now.
-Nope, I can't make it.
-Haven't you got a bigger pair
of shoes he can wear, Coach?
-His are the biggest.
Even mine are too small for him.
-Jeepers, Stretch, your feet
should stop growing a while.
-You're wasting your
time playing basketball.
With feet like
that, you could get
a job stamping out forest fires.
-Oh, now, that's just
enough of you, Brady.
Now go on, you get out of her.
Go, go.
-OK, OK.
Come on, Froggy.
-What are we going to do, Coach?
-Well, we better start soaking
his feet in hot Epsom salts,
try and reduce
the-- the swelling.
-We'll have to hurry.
-Yeah, I know.
Oh, I've got to get the boys
out on the floor right now.
Come on, boys.
-Yeah, well, you
go ahead, Coach.
We'll take care of Stretch.
-Oh, very good.
And you'll find a tub in that
closet and the Epsom salts
in the cabinet.
Just start soaking.
Maybe he can play
some of the game.
-I'll soak real hard, Coach!
COACH (OFFSCREEN): OK.
Good luck, Stretch.
[groans]
-They're eight
points ahead already.
-And the game is hardly started.
-We sure do need
Stretch in there.
[groans]
-Well, there goes another one.
-I'll call time, Dennis.
You go see how Stretch is doing.
-OK.
-Keep your feet in
here, now, Stretch.
This'll help.
-Are they shrinking
any, Stretch?
-Not yet.
How's the game going?
-They're ahead to .
-Well, we're counting
on the Epsom salts.
-Come on, lift
your feet, Stretch.
Let's make 'em real salty.
[music playing]
[groans]
-Doesn't that make you sick?
Isn't just like Johnny Brady?
Thinks he can win
it all by himself.
[groans]
-They're murdering us.
-Dennis, go check Stretch again.
-OK, Coach.
-Come on.
Hurry up, Stretch.
-We're coming up to
the fourth quarter.
Can you get his shoes on yet?
-We're just about
to another try.
-Are we doing any better?
When I left, it was
to in their favor.
-Oh, no.
Still can't get it on.
-Oh, this is nerve-racking.
-Jeepers, take you
sock off, Stretch.
You don't want to shrink that.
-Oh, brother.
-Jeepers, we'll never catch up.
Stretch sure didn't help us any.
-Push, Stretch!
Push!
-It's no use, Dennis.
I just can't make it.
-Well, the heck with your shoes.
Come on and play
with your socks.
-My socks?
I couldn't do that.
I'd slip and slide
all over the place.
-Then play barefooted.
I just figured it out.
All you have to do is
stand under the basket
and let the other guys
feed the ball to you.
We only got four
minutes left, Stretch,
and we've got to try everything.
-You know, it might work.
-Let's go!
-Hey, another one!
Oh, it worked, Dennis!
-If they'll just keep
feeding the ball to Stretch.
-Johnny!
[groans]
-What does that Brady
think he's doing?
Brady.
Wait until I get a hold of him.
-Send me in, Coach.
If Brady won't pass the
ball to Stretch, I will.
-Get in there, Dennis.
Time!
[buzzer]
[whistle]
-You're out, Brady.
The Coach sent me in.
-Oh, brother.
Now we've got to lose.
[whistle]
-Stretch!
COACH (OFFSCREEN): Come on!
Let's make it, Stretch!
And we've still got
a few seconds left!
-Take it away!
Take it away from him!
-Stretch!
-Come on, Stretch!
-Make it, Stretch!
[cheering]
[buzzer]
-Nice going, boys!
Great game!
Great!
-Congratulations, Coach.
-Thanks, fellas, but you
better congratulate them.
They're the ones that did it.
Congratulations, boys.
-Thanks, Coach.
[music playing]
-And I want to thank you and
Dennis for all you've done.
-Oh, don't thank us, Stretch.
We thank you.
-Boy, I'll say.
-No, if you hadn't talked
me into it, Dennis,
I would have never even played.
-Oh, that's just team work.
-Well, I'll be wearing these
as soon as I can get into 'em.
[laughter]
-See you all later.
-So long.
-Goodbye, Stretch.
-Get your shirt on, son.
Your mother's waiting for you.
-OK, dad.
BRADY (OFFSCREEN): Hey, Quigley!
-Oh, excuse me.
My public calls.
-You were trying to hide.
It didn't work.
Pay me.
-OK, Brady.
-Of course, we'd have
really wiped them it
they'd left my boy
Johnny in there.
-Huh, your boy Johnny.
Here you are, Brady,
$ , which I pay gladly.
-Gladly?
Well, that's not
like you, Quigley.
-Yeah, I know.
That's a feeling you
wouldn't know much about.
-Huh!
MOONEY (OFFSCREEN):
Hey, Quigley!
-Well, Mooney.
Say, great game, wasn't it?
-That's what I like,
a cheerful loser.
I'll take $ .
-What are you talking about?
I had no bet with you.
-You told Jack Brady you'd cover
any bet anybody wanted to make.
I took you for $
on the home team.
-But that's not ethical.
I didn't dream he'd go
around making bets for me.
-Well, Jack said you would.
Of course, if you
want to be a welcher.
-Oh, all right.
-Thanks, Quigley.
And while I'm here, I'll
collect for the other guys.
-Other guys!
-You had $ with Finch
and $ with Crinky.
I'll see that they get it.
-Mooney, this is rank piracy!
-It's not as bad as betting
against the home team.
And brother, if
you don't pay off,
your name is going to
be mud in this town.
-All right.
-So long, Quigley.
Sweet dreams.
-Boys decided to have a
little celebration, Quigley.
-Yeah.
We're going to the
drug store and have
a big mug of root beer.
-Say, that's a good idea.
-It's been a swell
day, hasn't it?
-Yes, my heart is full.
But my wallet is empty.
[laughter]
[music playing]
04x21 - The Big Basketball Game
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.