01x15 - Dennis and the Rare Coin

[bunniefuu]

[telephone ringing]

-I'll get it, mom!

Hello?

Sure.

Mom's upstairs sewing a
big feather on her hat,

so it'll look new for
Mrs. Beasley's party.

Say, who is this?

Oh, hi, Mrs. Beasley.

You wanna talk to her?

[theme music]

-Why, really, Mr. Hathaway?

(CHUCKLING) Well, now,
that's very flattering.

Why, yes, of course, I'd
be glad to show it to you.

Around o'clock?

Oh, yes, that'll be fine.

Good bye.

Martha, you will never guess.

That was one of New York
City's most important dealers

in rare coins.

He's heard of my collection
and is coming by to see it.

-Well, that doesn't surprise me.

You have a collection
to be proud of.

-But to have heard of
me in New York City.

Oh, locally, sure, everybody
in town knows I'm a collector.

But New York!

-Well, it just goes to
prove what I've always said.

My George is a champion
in everything he does.

-(CHUCKLING) Oh,
you're exaggerating.

[doorbell rings]

-I'm just an average human being
with weaknesses and failings

like everybody else.

If my collection is
outstanding, it's

only because I
work harder and am

more dedicated than most people.

[doorbell rings twice]

-Coming!

Then I guess that's what
makes a champion, huh, Martha?

[doorbell rings three times]
-Coming!

-Coming!
Coming!

-Hi, Mr. Wilson.

-Oh, hello, Dennis.

-I've been ringing your bell.

-We heard you.

What do you want?

-Just seeing if your
doorbell would work.

-Oh, for christ sakes.

MARTHA (OFFSCREEN): Ask
him to come in, George.

-Hi, Mrs. Wilson!

-Hello dear.

Your mother's been
looking for you.

She wants you to go
to the park with her.

The Ladies Committee of the
Children's Playground Fund

are having their meeting there.

-Jeepers, at lunchtime!

I'm hungry.

-She didn't forget about you.

She's taking a picnic lunch.

-Oh, swell!

You wanna come, Mr. Wilson?

-No, I don't.

-The park's lots of fun.

They got a drinking
fountain that you

can squirt at the girls if
you put your finger on it.

-I am not interested.

Goodbye, Dennis.

-Bye, Mr. Wilson.

See you when I get
back from the park.

-That's what I'm afraid of.

[doorbell rings]

-What did you say?
-Nothing.

That kid drives me crazy.

I wish his parents would
take him on a trip,

even if just for a week.

-Now, dear, don't
think about him,

think about your
coin collection.

-Oh by golly.

Yes, Martha.

You're right.

I better get it out so
Mr. Hathaway can see it.

-George.

-Yes, Martha.

-I know you'll be careful.

-Hmm?

-I mean about the
coin collector.

You know, he's in
business to make money,

and sometimes you're a little
impetuous about buying coins.

-Now, just relax, Martha.

I have no intention of
making any purchases.

And the man doesn't
live who can make

George Wilson buy
something against his will.

[music playing]

-Well girls, let's
get down to business.

-We should hold all our
committee meetings here

in the park, Mrs. Elkins.

It's so peaceful.

-(CHUCKLING) I know.

-Hey Margaret, you
know what we got here?

It's a wading pool.

-That's all you know,
Dennis Mitchell.

That's a fountain.
-Gee whiz, dumb girls.

Come on fellas.

Let's go wading.

[gasp]

-Dennis!
Dennis.

-It isn't deep, mom.

It's only a wading pool.

-It's not a wading pool, Dennis.

It's a fountain.

-I told him so, Mrs. Mitchell,
and I was very polite about it.

I said, Dennis Mitchell,
that's a fountain.

-Jeepers, I'm
probably the only kid

in the whole world
that's hand-picked.

-(STERNLY) Dennis.

Here, wipe your other foot dry.

-What's a matter with
wading in a fountain?

-Well, because fountains
aren't for wading, Dennis.

-Why not?

-Well, because-- because is why.

-There's a law
against it, Dennis.

-Thank you Alice.

I knew there must
be some reason.

-Now, you get your shoes
and socks on, young man,

and stay out of that water.

[music playing]

-I'm sorry.

--[laughs] Well, let's discuss
ways and means to raise money

for the children's
playground fund.

Any ideas?

Well, nobody else has
a better suggestion.

I think I have the answer.

-Hey mom, you got
any more sandwiches?

-Uh, here Dennis.

Here's a deviled egg.

-I don't like deviled eggs.

-Well, keep trying.

You'll learn to like it.

Now run along dear.
We're busy.

-(GRUMPILY) Deviled egg.

Hey, how come it's all
right to say "devil" when

you're talking about an egg?

-Because it just is, that's all.

Now run along.
I'm sorry.

--[chuckles] My idea
is a rummage sale.

Wouldn't that be fun?

-Well, a rummage sale is
always good, Mrs. Elkins,

but the church has just had one.

-Well, what else is there?

A rummage sale or a cookie sale.

And I want to keep
out of the kitchen.

-Here's an idea that might
be a little bit different.

We have a lovely
fountain right here.

Why don't we call
it a wishing well.

The boys and girls
can collect coins,

and the contributions can
be thrown into the fountain.

And everybody who contributes
gets to make a wish.

-Oh, I like that idea.

-Oh, thank you.

MARGARET (OFFSCREEN):
Dennis, you stop that!

-Deviled egg, deviled
egg, deviled egg.

-We're not children.

Mrs. Mitchell, Dennis
swore a naughty word.

-Dennis.

-I said, egg.

[music playing]

-Superb.

-Oh.

Well, they're all in
excellent condition.

Most of them even have
the original mint luster.

-I could tell.

Mr. Wilson, this
is a collection.

-Oh, thank you.

You know, that's very
pleasant hearing it

from an expert, Mr. Hathaway.

-I don't suppose I could
buy it from you in total?

-Oh, no.

No, not a chance.

-Yeah, that's the
story of my life.

But I do manage to pick
up a few good coins.

-Oh, well I'm not in the
market for anything right now.

-(LAUGHING) Oh,
that doesn't matter.

This is just the one
collector to another.

-Oh.

-Mint perfect.

-Oh.

All right.

Mm hm.

A O Liberty Head quarter.

Well, perhaps you noticed
I-- I have one of those.

-Oh, so you have.

-Mm hm-hm.

Oh, what's-- what-- what's that?

-That's already committed
to one of my customers.

Take a look at this dime.

-Oh, a S mint.

Oh ho-ho, well, I-- I already
have one of those, too.

Now, what's-- what's in
that little black bag?

-Oh, I wouldn't want to
show it to you, Mr. Wilson.

I wouldn't be able
to sell it to you.

Take a look at this half dollar.

It's rather good.

-Yes.

Yes, that's very nice.

But I-- well, what's the
harm in my just seeing it?

-Well, Mr. Wilson, the coins
I've been showing you up to now

are one thing, but
this is a-- well,

this is-- I don't even
want to tell you about it.

-Well, Great Scott, man,
what's the difference?

-It's not for sale.

I've already committed it.

-I don't want to buy it.

I wouldn't buy it if I could.

You have my word.

I just want to look at it.

-Very well, Mr. Wilson.

[music playing]

-[gasps] Oh, Great Scott.

A $ gold piece.

Beautiful!

-Rolled edge.

-Beautiful.

-With periods.
-Beautiful!

-And that's how we
planned to raise

money for the children's
playground fund.

-I think it's a wonderful idea,
and I'd love to contribute.

-Make a wish, Mrs. Wilson.

-All right.

Let's see.

I wish--

-Don't say it out loud
or it won't come true.

-Oh.

All right, I made the wish.

-Give me the coin.

-No, dear.

No, I better not.

Mr. Wilson would k*ll me
if I gave away any change

before he had a chance
to look it over.

It's for his coin
collection, you know.

-Oh.

-You come to see me
later on, Dennis,

and I'll give you lots of coins.

-I could come now.

-Later, Dennis.

-Are you sure you wouldn't
like another cup of tea?

-I haven't time.

I haven't even
finished my house work.

Bye.

-Goodbye, Mrs. Wilson.

-I'd like a cup of tea.

-Oh, no you wouldn't.

-If I tried, I could
learn to like it.

[music playing]

-Well, there you
are, Mr. Hathaway.

$ .

-Mr. Wilson, I
tip my hat to you.

When you want something, you
keep after it until you get it.

-Oh. [laughs] Well, I suppose
it's my background in business.

-[laughs]
[door opens]

MARTHA (OFFSCREEN):
George, I'm back.

-Oops, it's my wife.

If you don't mind, let's
keep this little transaction

between ourselves until I've
had a chance to talk with her.

-I understand.

I'm a married man myself.

-Oh, Martha, dear, come on in.

I want you to meet Mr. Hathaway.

-How do you do?

I hope you've had a
pleasant afternoon.

MR. HATHAWAY (OFFSCREEN):
It's been most enjoyable.

-Yes, you might say it's
been mutually profitable.

[laughter]
-Profitable?

Oh, well, as long as you
two experts are here,

you might check the
contents of my coin purse?

-Oh, (CHUCKLING) well, you
see, I-- I always go over them.

-Of course.
-No.

Martha, there's nothing today.

-Well, it's been
wonderful meeting you two,

but I really must run.

Could you call me a cab?

-Cab?

Nonsense!

I'll drive you
back to your hotel.

-Thank you.

Thank you.

Well, goodbye, Mrs. Wilson.
-Goodbye.

-Thank you.

[music playing]

DENNIS (OFFSCREEN):
Hello Mrs. Wilson!

-I'm in here, dear.

-Did you know your
kitchen door was unlocked?

-Well I do now.

I suppose you've come
over for your coins.

There they are in the ashtray.

You can have all of them.

-Gee, thanks.

Hey.

There's one on the floor.

Finders, keepers?

-Losers, weepers.

-Gee, thanks, Mrs. Wilson.

You know what, Mrs. Wilson?

You're swell.

[music playing]

[music playing]

-Don't shove.

You're always shoving.

-I gotta shove.

You're so slow.

-I am not.

-You are too!

-Dennis, Margaret.

Now, children, don't argue.

Margaret, you go first.

-I wish everybody's
wish comes true.

-I wish mom's wish comes true.

I wish dad's wish comes true.

I wish Miss Cathcart's
wish comes true.

I wish Mrs. Wilson's
wish comes true.

I wish Mrs.--

-Dennis, we can't
stay here all day.

-But it wouldn't be fair
to leave anybody out

after they gave
me their pennies.

-I wish Mr. Quigley's
wish comes true.

I wish Mr. Quigley's
sister-in-law's wish

comes true.

I wish Mrs. Wilson's
wish comes true.

I wish Mrs. Wilson's
wish comes true.

-Dennis, you've said Mrs.
Wilson three times, dear.

-I know it.

That's on account of that
special penny she gave me.

I wish Mrs. Anderson's
wish comes true.

[music playing]

-Are you looking for something?

-Did you find it?

-Find what?
-Well, never mind what.

Tell me what you found.

-I didn't find anything.

But if you're looking
for your pipe cleaners,

they're right in the
kitchen where you left them.

-Oh.

Thank you, dear.

-Now, don't stay up too long.

-All right, Martha.

-Oh, George Wilson,
you're a fine one.

Only a chump would spend
$ for a $ gold piece.

And only a super
chump would lose it.

Oh, it's got to be
here somewheres.

It's just got to be.

[music playing]

-With a vacuum cleaner.

[music playing]

DENNIS (OFFSCREEN):
Hello Mr. Wilson!

[gate flaps closed]

-Oh, Dennis, be quiet.

You'll wake everybody up.

Why aren't you sleeping?

-I've been sleeping all night?

Want a pickle?

-At o'clock in the morning?

No!
-OK.

I'll save it for you for later.

What are you doing?

-Oh.

-Are you grumpy
today, Mr. Wilson?

I guess you haven't
had your coffee yet.

My dad's always grumpy
'til he's had his coffee.

-If I were your dad, I'd
be grumpy hours a day.

-Oh, I know what you're doing!

You're cleaning Mrs.
Wilson's vacuum cleaner.

You sure are a good
husband, Mr. Wilson.

-Now Dennis, I am warning
you, I am not a well man.

I haven't slept all night.

I'm right at the breaking point.

I don't know how much
longer I can go on this way.

-Poor Mr. Wilson.

I'll help you.

-No!

-Wh-- yes, yes, yes.

Maybe you can at that.

Here now, your
fingers are small.

See if they can go
inside that tube.

I'm-- I-- see if you
can feel anything.

-I feel something!
-You do?

What?
-Dirt!

-Oh.

Oh, Dennis, come on.

Try again, Dennis.

I'm looking for a gold coin
about the size of a quarter.

-You are?

When I was getting the
coins from Mrs. Wilson,

I found a shiny
one on the floor.

-Great Scott!

That was my $ gold piece.

Well, where is it, Dennis?

-I threw it into the fountain.

That means you get a free wish.
-Free wish.

Oh, I wish--
-Ah!

Don't say it out loud,
or it won't come true.

-I wouldn't dare
say it out loud.

All right, Dennis.

Now you show good
old Mr. Wilson where

you threw his nice, shiny coin.

Heh?

Come on.

All right, drop the vacuum hose.

Well, put--

-I can't.

My finger's stuck in it.

-Oh.

-Boy, just look
at all that money.

-Well, where did you
throw my coin, Dennis?

-I don't know.
When I wish, I close my eyes.

-Oh.

Well, come on.

Let's see if we can find it.

-Are you sure it's
OK, Mr. Wilson?

Mom says fountains
weren't to wade in.

-Well, your mom is
perfectly right.

-She said there was a law.

-I know there's a
law, Dennis, I know.

But this is an emergency.

-I like going to the park
with you, Mr. Wilson.

We ought to do this
every morning, huh?

-[grunts] [gasps] Oo!

-It's pretty cold at first.

But once you're in,
it's nice and warm.

-Oh.

Oh.
Ew.

I'm in, but it's still cold.

-Do you want to
splash me, Mr. Wilson?

We'll take turns.

-I'd like to splash you, Dennis.

You have no idea how much
I'd like to splash you.

But I've got to find that coin.

-Is this it, Mr. Wilson?

-No.

Well, wait a minute.

Don't be in such a hurry.

Now, that looked like
an old Indian Head.

Some of those are
pretty valuable.

-Are these valuable old
Indian Heads, Mr. Wilson?

-I don't know, Dennis.

Put them over
there on the ledge,

and I'll look them over
before we throw them back.

-Boy, I'll bet we're the only
people in the whole world

up this early, huh, Mr. Wilson?

[music playing]

-There it is.

I see it.

-I'll get it.

-Oh!

I almost had it,
I almost had it.

-You have had it, mister.

Now, get out of there before
I have to drag you out.

-See, Mr. Wilson?

I told you there was
a law against it.

-Do you know who
you're talking to?

-Well, that's what
we're going to find out.

Come on, let's see
your identification.

-Well, I-- I-- I don't
have my wallet with me,

but I'm George Wilson.

And I live right down the street
a few blocks at Elm Street.

I'm a law-abiding citizen,
and I can explain everything.

-Explain this.

-Hey, don't do that.

That's evidence.
-Evidence?

Why, surely, officer,
you don't think

I had any intention of
stealing those miserable coins.

-No, they just jumped into
your shoe all by themselves.

-No they didn't.

I helped him.

-Oh, shame.

You not only steal the coins
that the little kiddies

collected for their
playground, but you

get another little
kiddie to help you.

Mister, we're going to
throw the book at you.

-What book?

-Now wait a minute,
officers, please.

You're making a mistake.

Tell them, Dennis.

-He only wanted them
because they were valuable.

-Now-- now look here officer,
I'll have you know Chief

Steward is a friend of mine.

-Oh, trying to
intimidate an officer.

-Take your hand off me!

-Oh, resisting arrest, huh?

-Well at least let
me get my shoes on.

-No, you can't put them
on, they're evidence.

[music playing]

-Hi Sargeant Mooney!

Remember me?

-Heh, like the day
I broke my leg.

-Am I going to
get fingerprinted?

-Now Dennis, they're not going
to fingerprint a little boy.

-Why not?

I was in there breaking the
law just as hard as you were.

-Dennis!

-All right, all right.

What's the charge?

-Oh, we found him
filching pennies out

of the fountain in the park.

Caught him red-handed.

-Get hold of Mr. Hathaway
at the Imperial Hotel.

He can tell you how this
whole miserable thing started.

And I demand to see my lawyer.

-Are your hands red, Mr. Wilson?

-Ooh, Dennis, can't you be
quiet for one miserable minute?

-Don't you talk to
the kid that way.

-Take him inside and get him
into something warm, huh?

-Come on, son.

-And watch him, he's
a tough customer.

Not him, the little one.

Mrs. Mitchell?

This is Sergeant Mooney
at the police station.

-Yes?

MR. MITCHELL
(OFFSCREEN): Dennis!

-Yes, I-- I see.

Yes, we'll bring
Mrs. Wilson along.

MR. MITCHELL
(OFFSCREEN): Dennis!

-Warm clothes, certainly.

Thank you very much for calling.

-I wonder where that kid can be.

-He's in jail.

-Oh.

Jail!

-Go get-- get Mrs. Wilson.

And tell her to bring some
warm clothes for Mr. Wilson.

And I'll go upstairs and
get some things together

for Dennis.

-Wait a minute.

What's Dennis doing at
the jail, and what's this

got to do with Mr.
and Mrs. Wilson?

-No, it's Mr. Wilson
who got arrested,

and Dennis just
happened to be with him.

That doesn't sound
right, does it?

Well, what's the difference?

My little boy is in jail.

Who cares how he got there?

-Your little boy's father!

-Oh, thank you.

-Warm milk.

Last time I was here
I got ice cream.

MRS. MITCHELL
(OFFSCREEN): Where is he?

-George, George,
are you all right?

-Martha.
-I've been so worried.

-I will explain everything.

-Hi, everybody!

Boy, have we been having fun!

Huh, Mr. Wilson?

-No.

-Do you need a
lawyer, Mr. Wilson?

-Everything's straightened
out, Mr. Mitchell.

Don't worry, Mr. Wilson.

If your gold coin is in the
fountain, my men will find it.

As a matter of fact, that
ought to be back any minute.

-Gold coin?

Won't somebody please
tell me what's happened?

-Well, I-- I was going
to tell you, Martha.

But then I was ashamed to admit
I had been so extravagant.

And then I lost it, and I
couldn't find it, and then--

-Now, now, George, you know I
don't care how much you spend.

-If you do get your coin
back, I think you oughta

donate $ to the
children's playground

fund in lieu of a fine.

-Well, if they find my
coin, I'll donate $ .

-We found it!

-Oh, let me see it.

Yes.

Yes!

Oh, it is my coin, my
beautiful gold coin.

And the water didn't hurt it.

-Good old Mr. Wilson.

-OK, I said $ , and $ it is.

Thank you, Sergeant.

Thank you, officers.

I'm going to tell Chief Steward
he can be proud of you men.

-Oh, Mr. Hathaway.

-Oh!

Oh, I'm sorry to have
troubled you, sir.

I don't need you after all.

But I can't tell you how
much I appreciate it,

a man of your position
coming all the way down here.

I want to shake your hand.

-Do you know this man?

-Wh-- wh-- ay-- uh.

-He's John Higgins,
alias Jonathan Hathaway,

confidence man and bunko artist.

-He's been flooding the
town with phony old coins.

-Phony!

But I paid $ for this coin.

You mean to tell
me it's worthless?

-I'm afraid so, Mr. Wilson.

-Oh, I--

-Don't cry, Mr. Wilson.

You still got your
$ wish coming.

-Oh ho-ho, Martha.

Martha, take me home.

I want my nerve medicine. [sobs]

-Now just relax, dear, and
forget the whole thing.

-I'll never forget it.

This is the worst
day in my life.

-Oh, don't say that, dear.

At least you got you check back.

DENNIS (OFFSCREEN):
Hello, Mr. Wilson!

-Don't let him in.

-I won't, dear.

Dennis, it's not a good
time for you to come in now.

-Jeepers, I haven't
got time anyway.

Just tell Mr. Wilson I won't
be able to play with him next

week, because I'm
going to my grandpa's.

Bye!

-Goodbye.

-Martha, did I hear correctly?

Did I hear him say he was
going away for a week?

-That's right, George.

-Well then, this wasn't
such a bad day after all.

Martha, that fountain works.

My wish came true!
[applause]