As For Me And My House (1952)

Yeah. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Oh, turn around, Grandpa. Now, let me see. Mhm. Oh, Carl. Yes, dear. Would you come here a moment, please? Right away, dear. I'll be back in a minute, Grandpa. You know, Carl is having quite a time trying to tie this thing. Not as easy as it looks. And lots of ways of tying knots, some good, some bad. But there's one knot you ought to be sure you tie the right way. And that's the wedding knot. Say, I'd like to tell you about one that didn't hold so very well. It all started last summer when Julie Desmond, the close schoolmate of Emily's, was vacationing with us while her father was in South America on business. [Music] Julie, what are you thinking about? You look like you're riding on cloud number eight. Oh, I am, Emily. I am. What might that mean? Coming from a girl, it could mean almost anything. Now, Peter, don't pay any attention to him, Julie. You sure do look happy, Julie. I'll bet it's about her boyfriend. Oh, you're so right, Pete. It is about Ned. I was going to surprise you, but I can't keep it any longer. I got a wire from Ned this afternoon. and he'll be here any minute to set the date for our wedding. Julie. Oh, we're so happy for you. I suppose you wait till your father returns from South America. Well, I'd like to, but you know how the exporting business is. Dad can't leave. Well, if you're planning on getting married this summer, Julie, what about school? Ned graduated last week, and he's got a good job in Decar. If we got married this summer, I could go to school back there. Julie, I hope I'm going to be your maid of honor. Oh, by all means. After the ceremony, Julie, we can have the wedding reception here and Pastor Martin can Oh, I'll get it. Ned, Julie, [Laughter] this is Ned. I never would have guessed it. Now, Grandpa, I'm glad to know you, Ned. I'm glad to know you, sir. And this is Anna and Carl. Ned, we're delighted to meet you. We certainly are, Ned. This is Emily. Peter. Hi, Ned. Hi. Hi. Hi. Well, son, we just heard the news. Congratulations. Thanks. Thanks a lot. I am a lucky guy. I'm lucky, too. When's it going to be? Well, that's what I came to find out. Well, just setting the date shouldn't take too long. That is unless you're going to stay around here. I can see I'm going to like you. I hope so. Now, don't you worry about us. You two just run along. Well, if you're sure it's all right, maybe we will. Of course. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Darling, the date you're talking about is 2 months off. I know, but there's so much to do, so many plans to make. Do we have to have all that fuss? Can we just get married? Julie, do you know how much I love you? Oh, Ned, I love you, too. Let's get married tonight. Oh, darling, I wish we could. Why can't we? What's wrong with getting married tonight? Well, Ned, I've always wanted a church wedding with with Pastor Martin and all our friends around us. I've got the license right here, and I've got a ring in my pocket, and I know of a justice of the peace right outside Decar. Oh, no. Ned, what's wrong with that? [Music] The only important thing is is that we love each other. But I'm only going to be married once. And all my life I've dreamed of a church wedding. I know how important a church wedding is to you, but but all those plans will take months. And I want you now. I want you too. And if anyone has any reason why this marriage should not take place, let him speak now. I forever hold his peace. Now, by virtue of the powers invested in me by this state, I pronounce you man and wife. Well, go ahead. Kiss her. Ned and I just married in Decator. Very happy. See you soon. Love, Julie. I just can't believe it. It's not like Julie to do a thing like this. I know. She had her heart set on a wedding at church. Well, apparently that wasn't important to Ned. I hope she hasn't made a mistake. Well, there isn't much we can do about it now. [Music] Well, things went along smoothly for Julie and Ned for a few months. They seemed truly in love and were as happy as any young married couple could be, or at least they thought they were. And then one Sunday morning, breakfast is ready, dear. [Music] Ned, what's the rush? I'm late. Our father, we thank thee. Look, I'm in a hurry. Can we skip that? Oh, Julie, is is it necessary at every meal? Ned, I'm sorry, darling. It seems like such a waste of time. I don't like to hear you talk like that, Ned. But it's the truth, Julie. I just don't get it. I told you before, I don't mind about your church stuff, but you have to bring it home. Haven't you learned by now that what I believe in is a part of me wherever I am? Let's skip it. I got to pick up Harris Simpson at 9:30. Bye, dear. Bye. [Music] Well, this was only the beginning. Oh, they got over it and Julie gave up saying grace, at least out loud. And life returned to what seemed like normal. Hello. Oh, hello, darling. Yes, dinner's nearly ready. Why? We'll have to hurry it up. Harry's giving a party tonight. Wants us to come. But Ned, you know I can't go tonight. Why not? My choir practice. But can't you skip it? Well, ordinarily I could, but Well, I promised I'd do a solo next Sunday, and I have to rehearse tonight. But I promised Harry we'd come. I'm sorry, Ned. I I just can't. You know, Julie, this is beginning to happen too often. Ned, is this affair so important? Never mind. You go to your choir practice and I'll go to Harry's and don't wait up for [Music] me. Well, Julie didn't wait up for him. As a matter of fact, she cried herself to sleep long before Ned came home. But as young people in love will do, they kissed and made up. And for a few weeks, things went along pretty well. And then one evening early in December. Dear Julie, a few lines to say hello. And we were so glad to learn that Ned is to have two weeks vacation at Christmas time. We would love to have both of you spend it with us. And the choir could certainly use you for our special Christmas music. Let us know if you can make it. Looking forward to seeing you and Ned with love from all the fishes. Emily. Oh, Ned. Let's do it. You'll love Middberg at Christmas time. I'm not so sure. What do you mean? Well, I thought we were going to have a good time on my vacation. The sound of that letter, you'd be spending most of your time at the church. But it'll be Christmas. Sure. And there are lots of parties here in town. We've been invited to. I know. But I'd rather be in Middberg. Oh, for heaven's sake, Julie. This is our first vacation. Let's go out and go places and get a little excitement. Ned, spending Christmas in Middberg can be exciting, too. Maybe your idea of excitement differs from mine. How do you know you won't like it? I just don't want to get mixed up in that kind of stuff. Besides, the fishes are my type of people. But Ned, they're just like me. And while we're on that subject, another thing about all this money you're giving to the church. You still don't understand how much a part of my life my religion is, do you? You're not going to start that again. No, Ned. I think it's time we finished it. I've come to realize that this isn't just a little difference between you and me. It's It's a whole world. Well, maybe I have been a little too critical about your church activities. No, it's not the criticism. I know now that we're living for different things. It's deeper than you think, Ned. I'm beginning to think we're different types of people. Now, look, Julie, aren't you being a little ridiculous after all? No, Ned. I mean it. Julie, don't you love me anymore? Oh, Ned, it's because I do love you that I want you to understand that that there's something missing in our marriage. Now, what do you mean? A faith in Christ, a common faith, a faith in which we both can share. Oh, for the love of Mike. This is what I mean, Ned. You think that my belonging to church is like your belonging to your golf club? Ned, my religion is not a hobby. It's as as vital to my life as as breathing itself. Okay. Okay. Now, look, this is our first Christmas together. Let's not spoil it by having a silly argument. It isn't a silly argument. It's something that has to be settled once and for all. Julie, aren't you being a little dramatic? I'm being realistic, Ned. Either you believe in Christ or you don't. If you do, you go in one direction. If you don't, you go in another. Oh, Ned, don't you know I want us both to go in the same direction. Julie, I can't change myself. You say you love me. Well, this is my way of life. And if you want to share it, it's up to you. Then all the things I've been saying don't mean anything. Well, they can mean something to you if you want them to. But don't try to force it on me. Now, now let's forget it. I can't forget it. If you can't forget that, maybe you can forget me. [Music] angels. [Music] Glorator, this is Ned Thomas. Are you sure there haven't been any calls for me? Thank you. [Music] [Music] Julie. [Music] Julie [Music] [Music] Good afternoon. You're Ned Thomas. Yes. I'm Pastor Martin from Middberg. Oh, yeah. I heard Julie talk about you. Well, come in. Thank [Music] you. Sit down. [Music] How'd you know where to find me? You've seen Julie? No, I was indicator on business and I I wanted to say hello. So, I went to the address Julie had given me, but there was no answer. And the manager there told me that your mail was being forwarded to this address. I think you'll find Julie in Middberg at the Fisers. Oh, I see. I suppose you'll be joining her there for the Christmas holidays. H. Well, I'm not so sure I'd be welcome. Oh, since we'll find out anyway, I might as well tell you, pastor. Julie and I, well, we've sort of come at a crossroads in our marriage. Can I be of any help? I doubt it. What was it? What came between you, Ned? Religion. I see. I believe. I understand. Julie has always been a fine Christian girl. Yes, but she took her religion too seriously. too. Seriously? That's right. When I finally got fed up, we began to argue. Has it occurred to you, Ned, that the things about Julie you've argued over were the very things that made her the lovely girl you married? But I love Julie and and I think she loves me. When we were married, that's all that counted. And we were happy. But now the whole deal's changed. Perhaps you were both wrong in thinking that love was the only thing that mattered at the time you were married. It never is, Ned. That's what I don't get. Why isn't it? I believe you're an architect, aren't you? Yeah. I don't suppose you'd think of starting a building using two architects, each with a different set of plans, would you? Of course not. It's pretty much the same with marriage. Up to a point, you can build a marriage without religion. They'll both hold together for a while, just as you can build a house without reinforcement. But when there's a heavy strain, the only strain in our marriage was caused by religion. Could it be, Ned, that it's just a case of one architect wanting to pay the price for a solid reinforcement while the other architect doesn't believe in it? You see, Julie's plans for a happy and lasting marriage go back to a designer who builds forever, not just for a day. Well, I don't know. I guess I'm all mixed up. Ned, may I be very frank with you? Sure. Sure. Go ahead. You need Julie, but much more than Julie. You need someone else. In a few days, we'll be celebrating his birthday. Why don't you come to church this Christmas and learn what Christ has meant to Julie and what he can mean to you? Do you still think I did wrong? Julie, you did a number of things you really shouldn't have done. I know, but I've been so mixed up. It's hard to know what is right. Look, Julie, I don't like to say this, but your elopment, but you know, that wasn't the way to start married life. I know. I was sorry the very next day. And Julie, these arguments you've been having, that isn't what the Lord expects from a Christian wife. If Ned didn't believe in Christ, it was your duty to be such a good Christian, such a loving and beautiful wife that finally someday he may have said, "That's the kind of faith in life I want to have. I want to believe and be the kind of person Julie is." But that's what I was trying to do. Really, I was. That's what you wanted to do, dear. But by your arguing, you've done just the opposite. Come on, girls. We have to get down to church. Well, that's right. We've got to help with the decorations. I'll drive the car around while you get your coats. Come along, dear. It'll help put your mind on something else. We won't be gone too long. That's all right. We'll keep busy, won't we, Freddy? Yeah. Ready? I'm going to make a real long strength. Thank you. Thank you, Peter. Goodbye. Good night. Get me some back. Okay. Night. Hey, hey, wait a minute. You're going to eat us right out of business. You know, we're supposed to make strings with that young fella. Just testing it, Grant. Just testing. You're always testing when there's popcorn around. You're still testing. I see. [Music] Well, well, Ned, how are you? Come in. Hi, Grandpa. Hi, Ned. Hi, boys. Is Julie here? Why? No, Ned. She isn't done at the church helping with the decorations, but she'll be back soon. Come in and sit down. No, thanks, Grandpa. I'll go down at the church. I want to talk with her. All right. We'll see you later then. Yeah. Yeah. Good night, son. Night, good night, Ben. [Music] into this holy estate you now intend to enter. You have done well, my friends, choosing as your wedding text those well-known words of scripture. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Christ is to be the head of your house, the unseen guest at every meal, the silent listener to every conversation. Throughout those happy days that lie ahead, his presence will go with you, hallowing every precious moment that you spend together. As soon as we get through packing these candy boxes, we can go and help mother and dad with the treat. We're just about out of cartons. Could I get some more? There's some more in the sack, Christie. There will always be the three of you. Christ and you, Martha, and you, Robert. And as long as each of you will put your hand into the hand of Christ by faith, no power on earth can divide you. As you begin today to build the structure of your future happiness, make sure that Christ is the cornerstone, the firm foundation upon which shall rest the ultimate achievement of all your fondest hopes and dreams. Marriage, as we know, is an estate instituted by God himself. Marriage, therefore, is holy and acceptable to our Lord. How blessed indeed is that marriage where not only two hands are joined in wetlock but where two hearts are knit together in a common faith in Christ the savior. Troubles there will be pains, heartaches, disappointments. But your hearts having been joined in a common faith in Christ the Savior. You will be able to walk hand in hand bringing your common problems to a common father. And as you stand together in his presence, you will find peace and pardon and the power to surmount every circumstance of life. And now I ask you before God, Julie, Ned, how wrong I was. Julie, can we start all over again? Like that? Yes, like that. [Music] Oh, and now I pronounce you husband and wife in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. [Music] Yes, sir. That was a mighty happy moment. And a few days later, Ned had a long talk with Pastor Martin. Told him that he'd come to see things Julie's way and wanted their marriage based on a common faith in Christ the Savior. Fact is, right now we're all getting ready to go to church for the consecration of their marriage. Okay, Dad. I can finish that tie now. There, that does it. Now it's finally tied the way it ought to have been. [Music]