There was a boy
♪ A very strange enchanted boy
♪ They say he wandered very far
♪ Very far
♪ Over land and sea
♪ A little shy
♪ And sad of eye
♪ But very wise
♪ Was he
♪ Very, very, very wise
♪ And then one day
♪ A magic day
♪ He passed my way
♪ And while we spoke
♪ Of many things, fools and kings
♪ This he said to me
♪ The greatest thing
♪ You'll ever learn
♪ Is just to love
♪ And be loved in return
♪ The greatest thing
♪ You'll ever learn
♪ Is just to love
♪ And be loved
♪ In return. ♪
All we want to know is your name.
Just your name.
I tell people my name
a hundred times a day.
There's nothing to it. Look.
Go ahead, ask me my name.
What's your name?
George Busby.
See? That's all there is to it.
Now...
...what's your name?
If you'll just tell us
what town you're from.
If you'll just tell us
what school you go to.
Are you hungry, son?
Maybe he wants a lawyer
before he'll talk.
Or even eat.
You're just in time. Picked him up
a couple of hours ago.
He must be from a neighbouring town
because we made a local check.
He's not from here.
This is all the identification
he carried.
Evening, doc.
This id Doctor Evans.
This is mister nobody
who lives no place,
doesn't go to school,
has no mother and father,
nobody at all.
Thanks, boys.
You're welcome.
Would you mind sitting here?
I'd like to get the bench clear.
I hope you'll excuse me
but I didn't have time for supper
and I'm starved.
Chocolate malted milk. I'm sure
I asked for strawberry.
Oh, well.
With or without?
With or without what?
Onions.
With, please.
What happened to your hair?
I'm not a policeman, I'm a doctor.
What kind of a doctor?
A regular doctor.
As a matter of fact,
kind of an expert on boys.
What happened to your hair?
I cut it off.
How?
Barber.
Why?
It's a long story.
I like long stories.
You wouldn't believe it.
I like long stories
that are hard to believe.
I used to have regular hair.
They didn't have to stay there.
They could have come back.
Then there wouldn't have been
any letter and...
Ah, ah. What letter?
There was this letter.
Every time I went to live
at a new place
I had to take it along
to show it to people.
Like the time I went to live
with Gramp.
He put it in a book and I tore it.
Just a minute.
If you're going to
tell me this
you'll have to tell it
so I can understand it.
Begin at the beginning.
The very beginning?
Why not?
OK, then.
I was born.
Do we have to go back that far?
It started then.
OK.
It's hard to remember.
But I remember...
..I remember a big five-layer
chocolate cake
with white frosting
and mummy said, 'Blow.'
And I blew.
Then I cried
'cause all the candles went out.
Halloween was scary
but it sure was fun.
Thanksgiving I sat on some big books
so I could reach the table.
Father carved the turkey
but mother always said
he didn't do it very well.
Even when I woke up so early
Christmas morning
that it was still last night
mother and father would open
the doors
and there would be our
Christmas tree.
That Christmas I got
a flexible flyer and a dog.
But then I remember
it got to be summer
and they'd been gone
a long, long time.
And then the telegram came.
Of course, I know now the telegram
was about my mother and father.
They were w*r casualties.
I couldn't stay long
with aunt Lilian.
She said she just wasn't equipped
for children.
Then I went to stay with cousin
Clark and cousin Isabel.
But they travelled all the time.
Aunt Mary was nice.
Aunt Mary would have kept me
only uncle Jim got out of work.
Aunt Phoebe and aunt Gertrude...
Gee, I bet I have more aunts
and uncles
than anybody in the whole world.
They said the city was no place
for a child.
Then my other uncle had me.
Aunt Ellen got very sick.
They had to sell her house
and go away.
What's the matter?
Nothing.
I was just thinking.
I sure lived in a lot of places.
Then I went to live with Gramp.
Gramp?
Your grandfather?
No. He's not even
my real grandfather.
But he likes me to call him Gramp.
He's a very famous man.
He used to be in show business.
Show business, eh?
An actor?
Yeah.
What kind of an actor,
a serious actor
or a funny actor?
A very famous actor.
I remember he told me about a time
in Europe
when he met a king.
A real king?
Yes, sir.
He was in his dressing room
and the king came right in.
Oh, Gramps, the night
was simply wonderful.
You gave a swell show.
I'm glad you liked it, king.
I'm glad you liked it.
I wonder if you'd drop over to my
palace next Saturday night
and do a few numbers for me.
I'm having some kings and queens
over
and a couple of princes, too.
I'm sorry, king, I'm all booked up
for Saturday.
Oh, my.
I'll tell you what I'll do,
I've been rehearsing a new number
and I'll come over two weeks
from Saturday.
Splendid. Mm? Two weeks?
Oh, Gramps, just between you and me,
if it isn't asking too much,
I wonder if you could do the number
for me right now. Mm?
Well, I don't usually...
Oh, now, now, now.
For you, king, I'll do it.
Thank you.
That's swell of you.
Right.
♪ I learned my reading and writing
♪ Ballyraggan
Where I went to school
♪ T'was there that I first learned
me fighting
♪ From the schoolmaster
Mickey O'Toole
♪ He and I had many a scrimmage
♪ And devil a lesson I wrote
♪ If you're in for a wee bit
Of action
♪ Just tread on the tail
Of my coat
♪ Tread on the tail of my coat
♪ Tread on the tail of my coat
♪ If you're in for a wee bit
Of action
♪ Just tread on the tail of my coat
♪ A bogtrotter Mickey Mulvaney ♪
I knew him.
♪ Tried to steal my best girl away
♪ He had money and I hadn't any ♪
Poor lad.
♪ So a challenge I set him
Next day ♪
Good.
♪ We fought on the plains
Of Kilohaili
♪ And the Shannon
I crossed in a boat ♪
Brave lad.
♪ I lathered him with my shillelagh
♪ 'Cause he trod on the tail
Of my coat
♪ Tread on the tail of my coat ♪
BOTH: Ha-ha.
♪ Tread on the tail of my coat
♪ If you're in for a row
Or a ruction
♪ Just tread on the tail
Of my coat. ♪
Anyway, that's what Gramp told me.
Gramps sounds OK.
Mm.
Anyway, I went to live with Gramp.
I gave him the letter, the one
I was telling you about.
I can carry it.
Lights.
I think you better tell me
what rooms I'm not to go in and
what I'm not to touch.
This is your home, laddie.
There's not a room in the house
you're not to go in to.
In the whole house?
What there is of it.
As for touching things,
there's not a single object
in the whole house
not made especially for handling.
Now, then...
How long will I stay?
As long as you like, lad.
As long as you like.
If you just forget your bag
for a minute. Just for a minute.
I'll conduct you on a grand tour
of the house.
First, the kitchen.
Ah, I've been meaning to get
that vase out of people's way.
I did it on purpose.
I know what you mean, laddie.
Gramp.
Aye, lad?
I think I'll stay.
That's fine. That's fine.
That's until my mother and father
get back.
Will you write to cousin Mary
and tell her to tell
my mother and father where I am.
They still think I'm with her.
Will you?
I mean, send a letter.
I will, laddie.
Come on now, Peter,
I'll show you your room.
Did she die?
She died.
Gee.
I didn't think they ever fell.
They fall.
Then what did you do?
Then I came to America.
All alone?
All alone.
(Fighter plane roars by)
It's just the evening mail plane.
Must be carrying a heavy load
of mail tonight.
He's going to be alright.
(Hums softly)
You're not afraid of being alone,
are you?
Me? No.
I'm not afraid of being alone.
I was alone for three days once,
in a cave, with a tiger.
You don't say. What happened?
This tiger got loose from a circus
and I was in the cave and
it was a black tiger.
I could hardly get out.
I was there.
I had a terrible time
getting out of that cave.
That's what can happen when
you get mixed up with a tiger.
That's what can happen when
you get mixed up with a tiger.
Sure can.
I'm glad to know about that, Peter.
'Cause anyone mixed up with a tiger
wouldn't be afraid
to stay home alone.
Of course, if you've got any...
I'm not afraid of being alone.
Of course, if you've got any...
I'm not afraid of being alone.
That's fine, laddie,
'cause I'm a singing waiter.
What's a singing waiter?
Well, I'll tell you,
an ordinary waiter
brings you your food
but a singing waiter gives you a bit
of song with your meal like -
but a singing waiter gives you a bit
of song with your meal like -
♪ Oh, Genevieve
Sweet Genevieve
♪ Oh, Genevieve
Sweet Genevieve
♪ The days may come
And the days may go. ♪
See?
Gee.
It's a grand profession.
Of course it requires working
evenings so I'll be out.
You mean, I'll be left alone?
Just me in this whole dark house?
Don't be saying dark
like it was something bad.
I remember the time back home
in Ireland
when we voted
to abolish the dark entirely.
You know what happened?
What?
It was abolished. It was terrible.
There we were not knowing night
from day, up from down.
There we were not knowing night
from day, up from down.
We didn't know when to sleep,
when to get up,
when to work or when to play.
We were falling on our feet.
What did you do?
We signed a petition.
We brought the dark back
to its rightful place.
So don't be saying
anything against the dark.
So don't be saying
anything against the dark.
It's a grand thing.
Especially at night.
I don't mind it.
Except when I'm alone.
Ah, so that's it, is it?
Ah, so that's it, is it?
I'll tell you a secret.
There's nothing in the dark that
wasn't there when the light was on.
Nothing at all.
OK, Gramp.
I'm not afraid.
Good night, Peter.
Good night, Gramp.
There's nothing in the dark that
wasn't there when the light was on.
There's nothing in the dark that
wasn't there when the light was on.
Morning, Mr Davis.
Morning, Mr Fry.
My grandson, starting school
this morning.
Fine looking boy.
Let me give you some good advice,
young man.
Study hard. Wish I'd studied hard.
Yes, sir.
You can be anything you want to be
if you study hard.
You can be anything you want to be
if you study hard.
What do you want to be
when you grow up?
A milkman.
My grandson's starting school
this morning.
Nice looking boy.
Morning.
Morning.
My grandson, starting school
this morning.
My grandson, starting school
this morning.
Fine looking boy.
Nice head of hair.
We'll be in one of these days
when he gets a haircut.
Any time, Mr Fry. Any time.
Good morning, Mr Fry.
Morning.
My grandson, starting school
this morning.
Hello.
If you ask me I'd much sooner
go fishing on a day like this.
Hello again.
Fine looking boy.
Throw that away now, Peter.
That's a grand looking school.
Gramp, I didn't tell you about it,
but the last school I went to
the teacher hit me with a stick.
but the last school I went to
the teacher hit me with a stick.
I big fat stick.
A big fat stick, you say?
Yeah, with nails in it.
Not very big nails,
sort of medium sized nails.
There's nothing like that
in this school, lad.
I sure was scared that day.
Course, Gramp was right.
Miss Brand, our teacher,
never hit anybody in her life.
She's pretty.
About the prettiest lady I ever saw.
Jack. OK, you.
Come on.
Hey, you want to play?
Me? I don't care.
OK, I take you.
And after that, boy,
I was really living.
Gramp, bought me a bicycle.
It was a very famous bicycle.
Gramp told me he bought it from
a famous Belgian
who was a six-day bicycle rider.
With it I got a job
delivering groceries
and earned my own money.
♪ ...going round
♪ The shamrock is... ♪
(Mumbles)
Cead mile failte, lad.
What's that mean?
In Irish that's a hundred thousand
welcomes.
Let's open it and
see how much I got.
I wouldn't do that, lad.
Money has a way of disappearing.
I'll show you.
Watch.
Keep your eye on it.
Are you watching?
Can you make more come back
than you started with?
I don't know. I haven't tried.
Staying all by myself
didn't bother me any more.
I wasn't even afraid of the dark.
I didn't even have to take
the baseball bat to bed with me
when I was by myself.
Course, I kept it alongside the bed.
Yep, I was just beginning to think
Gramp and me would work out OK.
At school we were having
a w*r orphan drive.
Gramp borrowed a car at the place
where I worked
to help us collect clothes
to send to the w*r orphans.
He took me and some other kids
around the neighbourhood
to gather more clothes.
♪ Chip, chip, my little horse
♪ Chip, chip again, sir
♪ How many miles to Dublin town?
♪ 4 score and 10, sir
♪ Chip, chip, my little horse
♪ Chip, chip again, sir
♪ Can I get there by candlelight?
♪ You can and back again, sir
♪ Chip, chip, my little horse
ALL: ♪ Chip, chip again, sir
♪ How many miles to Dublin town?
♪ 4 score and 10, sir
♪ Chip, chip, my little horse
♪ Chip, chip again, sir
♪ Can I get there by candlelight?
♪ You can and back again, sir
♪ Chip, chip, my little horse
♪ Chip, chip again, sir
♪ How many miles to Dublin town?
♪ 4 score and 10, sir
♪ Chip, chip, my little horse
♪ Chip, chip again, sir
♪ Can I get there by candlelight?
♪ You can and back again, sir. ♪
Peter, you been sitting on my coat.
My rabbit is destroyed.
Peter, you been sitting on my coat.
My rabbit is destroyed.
Alright, take care of him for me.
He looks like you.
He looks like you.
He doesn't look like me.
Yes, he does.
He's a w*r orphan.
You're a w*r orphan, too.
I am not.
Yes, you are.
We asked miss Brand where
your mother and father was.
She told us they were k*lled
in the w*r.
That's a lie.
You are, too, a w*r orphan.
You're a liar.
Your mother and father
were k*lled in the w*r,
that makes you a w*r orphan.
You're a liar.
There, now. What is this?
Did you?
Did I what, Peter?
Did you say my mother and father
were k*lled in the w*r? Did you?
You'll feel better
if you wash your face
before you go back in the classroom.
Let's go in to the office.
I want to know now.
No, lad. It's no fault
of miss Brand's at all.
No, lad. It's no fault
of miss Brand's at all.
You should have been told
a long time ago.
You should have been told
a long time ago.
It's myself should have told you
the first day you came.
It's myself should have told you
the first day you came.
But I just wanted to wait until
we got a little better acquainted.
Your mother and father are dead.
They were k*lled in London.
You should be proud, lad. Proud.
They could have got out.
They stayed behind.
They stayed behind and died.
Trying to save other little boys
and girls.
Trying to save other little boys
and girls.
Like yourself, and like them.
I should have told you sooner.
I should have.
I should have told you sooner.
I should have.
I knew all along my mother
and father were dead.
I knew all along my mother
and father were dead.
I was just pretending
they were away on a trip.
But I knew.
Sure you did.
Of course, lad.
You knew all the time.
And that letter you been carrying
around with you,
And that letter you been carrying
around with you,
written by your own dear father
before he died.
You'll be reading it
one of these days.
Well, I best return the automobile
or Gallagher will have my head.
Would you like to come with me?
I got to stay in school.
Oh.
Oh.
I guess you're right.
I guess you're right.
Well...
..I must be off.
I'll see you later, at home.
Miss Brand, miss Brand, are they
real children or are they made up?
They're real.
Will the children in the posters
will get the clothes we send?
They or other children
just like them.
Do you think they'll like
the clothes?
They need the clothes.
They'll like them.
If they could speak to you,
they would tell you how much these
clothes mean to them.
They'd say, 'Thank you
for remembering us.'
Just look at these headlines.
w*r, w*r, w*r.
Peter, you're just in time to help
me with Mrs Hammond's order.
Yes, sir.
My boy's still stationed over there.
One can of pork and beans.
Did you see what Robert Wilson said
in his column today?
He says unless we're prepared
there's no way of avoiding it.
One can of pork and beans, Peter.
Scientists say we'll be blown
to bits in the next one.
I don't know
what the world's coming to.
Seems like it's human nature
to want to k*ll.
If it's human nature to k*ll,
all the more reason to be ready
in case the other fella
starts something.
Sophie, if that's human nature
we better change it.
or there won't be anything human
left to change.
Nobody wants w*r.
Whatever it is we have to face
we'd better be ready.
We better be ready in our thinking
too, Mary.
Not just with our bombs.
I say we ought to stop thinking
about fighting each other
I say we ought to stop thinking
about fighting each other
and think about understanding
each other.
That means all of us.
When everybody all over the world
talks about nothing but w*r
what do you think we'll get?
w*r.
Right now we better talk about
being prepared
so we'll have time to talk about
peace and understanding.
People say another w*r means the end
of the world.
w*r will come, want it or not.
The only question is when.
Just in time to get more youngsters
like Peter.
Gramp, the world isn't going to be
blown up and everybody k*lled.
Is it, Gramp?
Many's the time I thought it might,
lad.
Especially on a night like this.
When everything is thin and looking
sorry and grey like,
When everything is thin and looking
sorry and grey like,
that's why I keep a bit of green
about always.
that's why I keep a bit of green
about always.
It was Eileen's teaching, it was.
She couldn't stand being without
a plant
or a bit of evergreen about.
It kept her mindful, she'd say,
on a lonely night
that spring would come.
I can remember
how'd she'd turn to me,
looking all mystical and sweet,
and she'd say, 'The wind don't know
what I know.
'Stamping about like an mad old bull
scaring people to an early grave.
'The wind don't know
that spring will come again.
'But I know.
'I know.'
Yes, the bit of green helped her,
it did.
Yes, the bit of green helped her,
it did.
It's the colour of spring.
It's the colour of spring.
It meant hope and
a promise of new life.
(Wind howls)
Oh, hush up, wind.
Hush up.
You don't fool me, either.
Hush up.
You don't fool me, either.
Believe me, laddie,
no matter what people say
at the time
the world will keep on going
for a long, long while.
the world will keep on going
for a long, long while.
And do you know what, me bucko?
I forgot with all my blathering
to tell you the most special
and best thing of all.
There'll be a grand surprise for you
in the morning.
It's the way Gramp was.
Trying so hard to take your mind
off things with surprises.
But I just had a feeling something
terrible was going to happen.
And it did, alright.
The very next morning.
I was taking a bath
and that's when it happened.
Oh, well. What's the use?
You wouldn't believe it anyway.
Oh, well. What's the use?
You wouldn't believe it anyway.
Well, what was it that happened?
It's no use. You won't believe me.
I said I would.
Sure you did. Grown-ups say
a lot of things.
Sure you did. Grown-ups say
a lot of things.
Now, look,
you've eaten my hamburger and
drunk my milkshake.
If you think you're not going to
tell me what happened you're crazy.
You supposed to be an expert
on boys?
You're right.
Alright. Don't tell me a thing.
I'm not even slightly interested.
In fact, I probably wouldn't listen.
OK.
Where was I?
You were taking your bath.
Oh, yeah.
I was taking my bath
and doing a good job, too.
I didn't want Gramp to come in
and say,
'Don't be sparing the soap, lad.
'The shortage is over.
'Under the chin, man,
under the chin.
'The ears, man,
and behind the ears.'
I wasn't expecting anything.
Hey, Gramp.
Aye, lad?
I've got green hair.
You've what, lad?
Green hair.
That's nice.
Hurry up and get dressed now, lad.
Boy, some surprise.
Gramp, how many other people
in the world have green hair?
Not another single one.
Alright, breakfast, lad, breakfast.
Come on. We've been
in an uncommon amount of dallying.
It's not every day
your hair turns green.
No, it's not at that, lad.
(Bottles clink)
That'll be the milkman.
I'll get it.
Morning.
Morning, Peter.
Let's see. This is Thursday.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday.
One quart of milk
and one pint of cream.
Hi, Peter.
Hi.
What happened to your hair?
No cream today.
It turned green during the night.
Just one quart of milk, then, huh?
That's right. Just one.
Pretty good, huh?
Oh, yes.
I think it's super.
(Loud crashing and breaking glass)
What was that?
I think the milkman
just fell down the stairs.
What have you done to your hair,
lad?
It turned green.
All by itself?
All by itself.
You've gone and died it.
U-uh.
How you feeling, lad?
Fine.
No other symptoms?
Pains in your stomach, burning
sensations, fever or anything?
I feel fine.
Maybe you better change it back,
Gramp.
Change it back?
To the way it was.
This is the surprise you promised
me, isn't it?
No, lad.
No.
This is the surprise
I planned for you.
Gee, thanks, Gramp.
It's just what I always wanted.
Gramp, please make it go away.
Maybe it'll go away itself.
I don't want green hair.
I want my own colour back.
Now, now. Let's not be too hasty,
lad.
It's a grand colour.
Why are you always ready
to think the worst?
Maybe it's something good.
Something good?
Well, like a mark or something.
A medal, maybe.
What would I get a medal for?
I haven't done anything.
That's perfectly true.
You haven't done anything,
anything at all.
But you're still young.
You're still young,
and maybe this medal is for
something you're going to do.
But what is it I'm going to do?
That remains to be seen.
But it'll be very interesting
to find out.
And mark my words
it will be something grand.
Do you really think so, Gramp?
I do, lad. I do indeed.
Come on, now. Eat your breakfast.
Fall to, lad.
Peter, I was thinking,
maybe we ought to pay a visit
to Dr Knudson this morning.
What for?
Well, just to make sure it's
a grand thing to have green hair
and we'd have nothing
to worry about.
♪ Oh, the people came from here
There
♪ To see the boy with
The bright green hair. ♪
Hey, Peter. Look at Peter.
Show them your hair, Peter.
What do they want
to see my hair for?
They just want to.
Please.
(All gasp)
Golly.
See what I told you?
Isn't it super?
Super.
Come on. We're going to be late
for school.
Bye, Peter. See you later.
♪ Chip, chip, my little horse
Chip, chip again, sir... ♪
And what about the lad?
He has green hair.
There's nothing wrong with him?
Nothing that I can find.
I've given him every test
I can think of.
Is there any medicine,
something that will make my hair
come back the way it was?
Nothing that I know of.
Doctor, have you ever had a case
like this before?
No, and I don't know of anyone else
who has, either.
He's making medical history.
Peter, you are making
medical history.
Yes, sir.
But I'd rather have my hair back
the way it was.
It isn't everyone who has the chance
to make medical history.
It'll do no injury?
I don't think so.
But I don't know.
I want my hair back the way it was.
Maybe we can dye it back?
You mean paint it?
Like ladies do?
No one's going to paint my hair.
I want it the way it was.
You can always cut it off.
All of it?
Mm-mm.
No one's going to cut my hair off.
I want it the way it was.
I want to be like everybody else.
Well, I'm sorry.
I won't go to school
with green hair.
But, laddie...
Dr Knudson, maybe if he stayed home
for a while.
Maybe the green hair will go away?
Perhaps.
Alright. That's what we'll do, then.
Who knows? By the morning you might
have your own colour back.
I'm not going to cut it off
and I'm not going to paint it.
I want it the way it was.
Alright. Let's go home.
See what'll happen
by tomorrow morning.
Don't you worry about this, Peter.
There's nothing the matter with you.
No, sir. Nothing.
Except I've got green hair.
(Kids play outside)
Peter, lad. Watch closely now.
Watch closely.
You can't stay couped up here
forever, lad.
I know.
It'll be nothing at all.
I'll walk with you to school myself.
After the first few minutes
they won't pay the least bit
of attention to you.
You know what it's like?
It's like once I had a patch
in the seat of my trousers.
I was afraid to walk down
the street.
You know what the truth was?
People hardly noticed it at all.
OK, Gramp.
(Dog barks)
We were just talking about
the new tax bill.
Were you now, indeed?
Well, in reference
to the new tax bill
the lad did not dye his hair green.
There's nothing he ate or drank
or caught.
If you have any questions ask.
He didn't dye it?
That's what I said.
You've heard of people's hair
turning green overnight?
The lad's turned green.
Not contagious?
You think it's the milk?
The milk.
People have been drinking our milk
for years. More likely the water.
The water. I have been in charge of
the water supply...
It's not the water.
It's not the milk, either.
The lad's in fine health.
It's not contagious.
Well, well, well.
Well, well, well what?
Well, nothing, I guess.
Nothing, he says.
Sure.
You been thinking
it's a strange that happened.
You're not sure
you're going to like it.
Perhaps something ought to be done.
It is a little peculiar.
Very strange.
Strange, indeed.
Let me tell you this,
my grandson's hair turned green
just as natural as the sun comes up
in the morning.
If it goes it'll go the same way.
Right, laddie?
I guess so.
You bet.
Alright. Come on, Peter.
Pardon me.
It's enough
to make one's blood boil.
Don't like it indeed.
The doctor said
it will make medical history.
Peter, now I'm sure there's a grand
reason for your green hair.
I'm sure it's a reason that'll make
us all proud. Right?
Sure. But, Gramp...
Aye, laddie?
If it wants to go away
all by itself,
we won't try and stop it, will we?
Well...
Hi, Peter.
Peter Fry's got green hair.
ALL CHANT: Peter Fry's got green
hair. Peter Fry's got green hair.
Peter Fry's got green hair.
Peter Fry's got green hair.
Peter Fry's got green hair.
Hi, Peggy.
Mother's awfully worried.
Mother said it might be catching and
I shouldn't get too close.
Tell your mother
she doesn't have to worry.
He can't go to school anyway.
Why can't I?
'Cause you can't.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah.
They won't let you in school
with green hair.
You'll have to cut it off.
I won't.
(School bell rings)
Can't tell. Green hair
might be catching.
Maybe it'll rub off on you.
What's wrong with green hair?
How'd you like to have your sister
marry somebody with green hair?
Morning, miss Brand.
Morning, Danny.
Morning, miss Brand.
Morning.
Morning, miss Brand.
Morning.
How many children have black hair?
How many children have brown hair?
Blonde?
Green hair?
And red hair?
4 children have black hair.
11 have brown hair.
9 have blonde hair. 1 has green hair
and 1 has red hair.
Are there any questions?
No questions.
We'll go on with our history lesson.
I knew miss Brand
was trying to help me
but she couldn't.
The whole thing started
when they went away.
And that letter they left.
'To my son, Peter.
'To be read on his 16th birthday.'
They didn't care about me.
They just cared about saving
other children.
They didn't care
what happened to me.
It was just no use.
Now I knew I couldn't stay
in Northmount, either.
It seemed as though
there wasn't any place
where a w*r orphan could
settle down.
GIRL: Peter.
Peter.
Look, it is the boy
with the green hair.
We were waiting for you.
You mean, I was supposed to come?
We were hoping you would.
What for?
Your green hair is very beautiful.
Beautiful.
Yes. Green is the colour of spring.
It means hope.
A promise of new life to come.
About your hair, do people
take notice of you?
About your hair, do people
take notice of you?
Do people take notice of me?
We thought they would.
But why were you crying?
Because...
Why?
Just because.
Wouldn't you cry
if you woke up one morning
and for no reason at all
you had green hair?
No. I would not cry.
You wouldn't?
No.
Because there is a reason
for your green hair.
A reason?
Yes.
A real reason?
He did not know.
Can you tell me?
It is a mark of something good.
Like a medal.
A medal?
There is no one else
in all the world with green hair.
I know. I'm making medical history.
It is hard to have green hair.
I don't want to be different,
I want to be like everybody else.
If it is too hard to have green hair
you don't have to.
But then of course,
nobody will notice you.
Nobody will ask
why you have green hair.
Nobody will ask
why you have green hair.
Everywhere you go, people will say,
they will say, 'There is the boy
with the green hair.'
And then people will ask,
'Why does he have green hair?'
So you will tell them,
'Because I am a w*r orphan
'Because I am a w*r orphan
'and my green hair is to remind you
that w*r is very bad for children.'
You must tell all the people -
the Russians, Americans, Chinese,
British, French,
all the people all over the world -
that there must not be another w*r.
Gee.
If enough people believe you
there never will be another w*r
and there never will be
any more w*r orphans.
But they don't know that.
They think everybody
has to get k*lled.
The world doesn't have to be
blown up.
I got to hurry.
I'll tell them. I'll tell everybody.
It's no fault of the lad's.
Certainly none of his doings.
I'm not saying it is, Mr Fry,
but the fact remains
that I've been losing...
♪ Chip, chip... ♪
That'll be himself. Not a word.
♪ ..4 score and 10, sir
♪ Chip, chip, my little horse
♪ Chip, chip again, sir
♪ Can I get there by candlelight?
♪ Chip, chip, my little horse. ♪
Hell, Mr Davis. Dr Knudson.
Hi, Gramp.
Hello, Peter.
Hello, Peter. Well,
I guess I'll be going.
Just a minute.
Are you sick, Gramp?
Sick? Oh, no, lad. I never felt
better in all my born days.
I suppose you've come to talk about
what I'm telling everybody.
In a manner of speaking.
Anything wrong?
Er, it seems to be the colour
of your hair that's wrong.
People have been saying
it's the milk.
I've been losing customers
right and left.
I've been losing customers
right and left.
Of course it's not the milk
but that doesn't matter.
What's important is that Mr Davis
has been losing trade.
They want me to cut my hair off.
Do you, Gramp?
Not if you don't want to, Peter.
But the doctor here said if you did
cut off your hair
it'll come back
to its original colour.
I said it might,
I didn't say it would.
I'm not going to cut my hair off.
I want it the way it is.
It's important.
It has a meaning.
Alright, Peter.
Well, that's the way
it's going to be.
I had to get away and think.
I went back to the glade.
I thought maybe the children
from the posters could help me.
Who's got the scissors?
I have.
Come on. Let's get him.
Help. Help. I lost my glasses.
I can't see without my glasses.
Help me.
Who's there?
Don't leave me alone. Where are you?
I'm here.
Peter.
I lost my glasses.
I've got them.
Give them to me.
Please, give them to me, Petie.
I won't hurt you. I won't
do nothing. Honest.
I've got him. I've got him.
Hold him.
You promised.
You thought just because I wear
glasses I was a sissy.
You thought I'd let you go.
Get your bikes.
Gramp? Gramp?
What is it, Peter?
What's the matter?
I ran away. They tried to cut
my hair off.
But I wouldn't let them.
Who was it?
Timmy and Joey.
They came after me with scissors
but I ran away.
Alright. Sit down. Try and catch
your breath.
I guess Dr Knudson was right.
He was saying before in that strange
way he has of speaking,
he was saying,
Peter, learn it's a dangerous thing
for a man to have green hair.
Can't be done.
Do you want me to cut my hair off?
Oh, no, laddie.
I don't know what's right.
People have been saying
all manner of things
like it's the water, the milk.
Parents have been complaining
to the school board.
Peter...Peter,
you know, it's the last thing
in the world I want to do
to hurt you.
But people have been talking.
The doctor did say
if you cut your hair
it might come back
in its original colour.
You didn't believe me, either.
No, laddie, it's not that.
But such strange fancies have been
cluttering up your heart lately.
I want you to be happy
and carefree
like other boys your age.
The barber promised to keep his shop
open. We'll get it done.
Make the world of difference.
You'll feel like a new man.
Peter, lad, I can remember
when I was a boy,
in the summertime I used to have
my head shaved
and it shined just like ivory
and cool, too.
Nobody believed me.
Nobody listened.
Don't take it like that, lad.
It's only...
Alright. I'll go.
It'll be nothing.
It'll be for the best.
Alright. I'll go.
It's nothing at all.
Peter, I...I...
Anybody want a souvenir?
Don't you want it for a keepsake,
Mr Fry?
Wasn't my idea.
Here.
Everybody makes fun of me
'cause I wear thick glasses.
Well, laddie, it's done.
Everything will be fine now.
We'll do all manner
of great things together.
Peter, I want you to drink this warm
milk and get some sleep.
I'm not going to work tonight.
I'm staying home.
Peter, you've got to talk to me.
Peter, it isn't that you're not
eating or not talking to me,
it's just knowing that...
Maybe it's too late.
It's that...I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I had anything to do with
cutting off your hair.
I feel ashamed.
I want you to know that.
You can drink the warm milk or not,
just as you please.
That was last night.
It sure seems like longer ago.
Well, do you believe it?
No.
That's what I thought.
Why should I believe it?
You don't believe it yourself.
Of course I believe it.
Happened to me.
If somebody
really believes something
they don't get discouraged
and run away
just because they haven't convinced
everybody the first try.
Thanks for your story, anyway.
Where are you going?
Away.
Away?
It's dark and cold out there.
You going let me?
No.
Dr Knudson drove us down.
Nice of him, wasn't it?
Peter, lad...
..the letter from your father.
He wanted you to have it
on your 16th birthday.
I think you're old enough
for it now.
Would you like to hear it?
'My dear, Peter,
'your mother isn't here and
I will not be for long.
'She had many things to say to you.
'I will try to say them
for both of us.
'We left you, Peter,
because we had to.
'We had a job to do.
'Try and understand it was because
of our great love for you
'and all the world's children.
'You are old enough now to know
that death is a sad thing
'because it takes away
the great gift of life
'but it need not be sad
'if the gift has been well used.
'Don't be sad for us, Peter.
'Remember us as having died with
millions of other people
'for something fine and worthwhile.
'It will have been fine,
it will have been worthwhile
'if those who did not die
will not forget.
'If they forget, remind them.
'Remind them, Peter.'
The letter stops there.
Do you believe
what the letter said, Gramp?
Oh, I do, lad.
I do.
I'll save it, Gramp.
I'll put it together and save it.
Goodbye, Peter.
It's nice to have known you.
When my hair grows back,
it's going to grow back green.
Bright boy, isn't he?
Very.
An interesting case.
Very.
Any questions?
No.
Doctor, I'm not really concerned
with whether the boy's hair
was green or not,
I believe in
what he was trying to say.
I guess I do, too.
That's all that matters then,
isn't it?
Good night.
Good night, doctor.
Night, sir.
Night and thanks.
♪ Chip, chip, my little horse
♪ Chip, chip again, sir
♪ How many miles to Dublin town?
♪ 4 score and 10, sir
BOTH: ♪ Chip, chip, my little horse
♪ Chip, chip again, sir
♪ Can I get there by candlelight?
♪ You can and back again, sir
♪ Chip, chip, my little horse
♪ Chip, chip again, sir
♪ How many miles to Dublin town?
♪ 4 score and 10, sir
♪ Chip, chip, my little horse
Chip, chip again, sir
♪ Will I be there by candlelight?
You can and back again, sir.
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