House Of Toys (1950s)

[music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> How's it going, Bob? Oh, fine, Pastor. They're showing great improvement. At least now when they fight, they use their fists instead of knives. Well, that is an improvement. All right, you guys. That's it for today. I'll meet you inside in about 10 minutes. Now, here comes the one I got my hopes pinned on. Well, how do they look to you today, Alex? Well, they're getting better, but I still don't think we can make a team out of those guys. I hear you're cutting out. Well, yeah, just for a little while. When are you leaving, Bob? Um as soon as I finish up here. Well, are you coming back or is it like permanent? Oh, no, no. It's It's just a little vacation with my folks. I'll be back. You can count on that. You have a God-given ability to work with boys like these, Bob. You're going to make a wonderful teacher. I think you made the right decision. Well, it wasn't easy, Pastor. I know it wasn't, Bob. Having gone this far with your engineering course, your father probably was counting on you to follow in his footsteps. Yes, he was. These boys really feel kind of left out in the world, don't they? Yes. Yes, they do. That's why people like you are needed so badly. >> [music] [music] [music] >> Hi there. >> Hi, Wally. >> [laughter] >> Mr. Bob, how are you? Fine, how are you? I'm fine, yes. Son, how are you doing? How you doing, Dad? Good. I'm I'm sorry we're a little late, but well, we kind of took our time. What he means is we stopped at every town over 10,000 to look at the slums and count delinquents. >> [laughter] >> Oh, she's exaggerating, but we did tour the depressed area of her own hometown. She didn't even know they had one. Bob's idea of entertainment is making surveys of urban blight. >> [laughter] >> Well, the change will do you both good. The lake is absolutely at its best this time of year. It's always so nice to come up here. I love this house. It's the kind of big, beautiful summer home I dream about having someday. That is in 10 or 15 years, after we've solved all the problems of the inner city. Mhm. Uh Well, come on, Masha. I'll take you to your room. I'm sure you want to freshen up after your long drive. >> Thank you, I'd like that. What a girl. Yeah, wonderful. How does she react to your new plans? Oh, I'd say she's 99% convinced. >> Well, that doesn't leave much room for doubt, doesn't it? Say, before it gets dark, come on down to the lake. I got something I want to show you. Fine. >> [music] >> What a beauty. When did you get it, Dad? A couple of weeks ago. Just wait until you get her out on the lake. Open her up. Wow. Boy, I'll bet this really moves. She sure does. Your mother and I are hoping that you're going to come up here and spend the whole summer with us. Well, that would be nice, but like I said in my letter, my plans are all made for the summer. Well, it's only fair to tell you that I'm going to do everything I can to make you change your mind about those plans. Dad, I I've already signed up for a special courses this summer and I've promised Pastor Webster that I I'd help with the boys out at the church. No, I'm talking about the future, beyond this summer. All this talk about giving up engineering, going into teaching. Well, it's it's what I want to do. Well, I can't buy that. And furthermore, I have an obligation to keep you from taking a step you're bound to regret. Well, Dad, I have a commitment. No, I I don't know what God wants me to do with the rest of my life, but for now, I I feel he wants me to to be a teacher and to work with boys like those down at the church. That's all fine, but just don't go overboard about religion, son. Dad, you you can't mean that. I sure do. Now, let's go back up to house. We'll talk about this later. Okay? >> [music] [music] [music] >> These are great pictures, Mr. Baldwin. You're a wonderful photographer. Oh, thank you, Marsha. That was one [music] of Frank's first hobbies. Now, everything's fishing and boats. Did you find that lure you're looking for, Dad? No, not yet, Bob. Hi, honey. >> Hi. I'm just finding out about your deep, dark past. >> Mhm. Well, listen, just uh remember the old proverb, uh don't believe anything you hear and uh only half of what you see. >> [laughter] >> Who's the girl? Well, uh Oh, her. Well, that's my cousin, uh what's her name? >> cousin what's-her-name. Mhm. It seems like you had an awful lot of cousins. Well, you know, big family, can't even remember all the names. Oh, she's lovely. >> [music] [music] [music] >> Hi, Mr. Baldwin. Let's see what you caught. Uh the creel's empty, Marsha. Fish didn't seem the least bit interested. I uh I've been wanting to have a talk with you. About Bob? Yeah. I told him that I would do everything I could to prevent him from taking what I think is a very foolish step. You don't seem surprised. No. Maybe I'm more pleased than surprised. Does Bob know this? No, I haven't been able to tell him. He's so wrapped up in his new plans. It's hard for me to talk to him anymore. Well, I want you to know that uh I'm with you. I want to help. I think Bob is making a big mistake. Mr. Baldwin, I love Bob very much. But if there is any way to make him change his mind, to see things in a different light. You hold key. I wish that were true. I'm not so sure. I keep feeling that I'm playing second fiddle to a bunch of young hoodlums. Why don't you talk to him and tell him exactly how you feel? Not unless I have to. No, I wouldn't do anything to hurt Bob. Not anything. Of course not. I understand. I hope it can be worked out somehow. For Bob's sake. And for mine. >> [music] [music] >> I guess we're going to have a pretty good rain tonight. Yeah, I hope it keeps up till the morning. I'll go fishing. They seem to bite better in the rain. Hey, maybe Marsha will go with me. Hey, uh, speaking of Marsha, you been doing any more thinking about that decision of yours? Yeah, I uh I've been thinking quite a lot. You not forgetting that uh Marsha is involved? Oh, no, I'm not forgetting that. I I think she understands pretty well. Yeah, I wish I did. I don't figure you at all. It's uh not very complicated, Dad. I I I just want to do something with my life that that makes sense to me. Something perfectly sane and worthwhile. And you seem to think it's a big mistake. It is a big mistake, son. I want you to stop to think of the wonderful opportunities that you're just throwing away. Opportu- What opportunities? Money, success, what? Well, what's wrong with that? Maybe I am being materialistic wanting enough money to live comfortably. Is there any sin in that? Everybody's doing it. It's the way of life. Well, it may be a way of life to some people, but I I want my life to add up to something more. What started you looking at things like >> this, son? Oh, I don't know. I I guess when I first met Pastor Webster down at that slum area church. Dad, it's a beautiful old church. It's just that the neighborhood's run down. Well, anyway, I a good friend of mine was going down on weekends to help Pastor Webster with his youth work. And he asked me to take his place one weekend. So, I went down, you know, more as a favor to a friend than anything else. But I certainly got my eyes opened. Here Here Here was a minister working with a with a gang of fellows he called his boys. You know, potential hoods who probably end up in jail before they were old enough to vote. But he saw them as God saw them. Not not as juvenile delinquents, but as as individuals desperately needing an understanding friend and and needing to know that God loved them. Uh Tell me, Dad, are uh are you happy? Happy? Well, that depends on what you mean by happiness. I know I've been hard to please. Uh good round of golf, 3-lb trout on the end of the line, no worry to about health or finances. Know what I mean? Yeah. But uh isn't happiness also in serving others? You know, loving, giving, of of of being involved in the world and its problems, of being part of uh well, part of something constructive and good. Well, maybe some men are born to live dedicated lives like that. But, how are you >> Oh, yes, I know. I know. How can I be sure that this is what I want to do with my life? Well, I I can't explain it, Dad. I it's just a feeling I have, you know, inside. A feeling of Well, a feeling of want to help wanting to help those boys down at the church, of of wanting to help them well, rise above their surroundings, to well, to let them know what Christ can mean to them and what he can do for them. And, uh you told Marsha all this? Oh, many times. I uh I don't know whether she feels the same way about it yet that I do, but I think she understands. Well, don't take too much for granted, son. What does that mean? Just don't take too much for granted. Marsha has her life to live, too. >> [music] [music] >> Why would a fish bite better when it's raining? Now, how would a fish know about the weather? Bob. Mhm. You haven't heard a word I've said. Oh. I'm sorry, honey. I I was just thinking. About us? Mhm. About us? Oh. I guess I just want to hear you say you'd be happy being the wife of a school teacher instead of an engineer. I'll be happy as your wife, Bob. I know I will. Honey. Honey Honey, look at me. I'm sorry. It's unfair of me to resort to tears, isn't Bob, I want to tell you exactly how I feel. And I want you to hear me out. First, I love you very much. And I want to be your wife. But I want so many other things out of life, too. I'm afraid that's going to affect my decision. Oh. What does that mean? What What is it you want out of life? The good things. The nice things. You know me, Bob. I'm the spoiled kid that never saw the wrong side of the tracks in our own hometown until you showed me. Honey, we'll have enough. It's all according to what's enough. Where would we be living? Well, in the city, near the kids, near the school. Where I can work with them, where I can help them. So, there'd never be a nice little house in the suburbs for us. Probably be a grubby little flat in the dirt and noise of the city. Because you want to be with these people all the time, night and day. Not just seeing that they get an education, but saving their souls as well. And as your wife, I'd be expected to make a lot of sacrifices for this call of yours. I don't know whether I could do it, Bob. I don't think I'm that good a Christian. I'd probably hinder you rather than help you in your work. Oh, honey. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. But that's the way I feel. Goodnight. >> [music] >> I thought Marsha was with you. Oh, uh she just turned in. I think you better get a little yourself if going to fishing in the morning. Uh I was going to raid the refrigerator before going to bed. How about some milk? Piece of pie? Oh, I I don't think so, Dad. Trouble with Marsha? Well, I uh I guess you were right. She does have her own ideas about what kind of life she wants to live. That's what I've been trying to tell you, son. I don't like to see you take a step that you're bound to regret. Well, I I wouldn't have any regrets. It's it's Marsha I'm thinking about. Well, that's why you shouldn't be hasty. See, you're taking a step that will affect your whole life and hers. Dad, we're living in a troubled world with a lot of problems, and I want to be part of the answers to those problems, not part of the problems. And I don't want my life all cluttered up with a lot of meaningless little games. Are you trying to say that a career in engineering is a meaningless little game? Have you ever stopped to think that I might like my work and get a certain amount of satisfaction out of it? Well, then why not let me have the satisfaction of feeling the same way about my work? Of feeling that I am building my life on something solid and worthwhile. >> Here we go again. >> Oh, Dad, can it be that you have never had to make a decision like this before? Have Have you ever honestly faced up to what God might want you to do with your life? No, I never have. And furthermore, I don't see any need to. >> [music] >> Oh, there you are. Hm, is uh Dad up yet? Yes, he's having his breakfast now. Uh Mom, why why is Dad so upset about my plans? That what you were talking about last night? Yes. He seems to think that I'd be throwing my life away. Mom, since I renewed my faith in Christ, the most exciting things that ever happened to me were while working with those boys, winning their confidence, actually helping them to know what Christ can do for them. That's why I want to be a teacher, so that I can work with boys like that. You have no idea what what it's like to see them come alive. Bob, what about Marsha? I guess I haven't quite convinced her yet. I don't really think she knows what it's about. But, you understand, don't you, Mom? Yes. Yes, I understand. Well, tell Dad I'll meet him down by the boat. >> All right, dear. All set? Yeah, in a minute. I thought I heard Bob talking in here. >> You did. He's just gone down to the boat. >> Uh-huh. Fay, I don't know what to do about that boy of ours. Suddenly, our worlds seem far, far apart. Maybe they are. What do you mean? He's our son, isn't he? After all, we have a lot of hopes and dreams tied up in that boy. Right, maybe he has some dreams of his own. That is exactly what I've been trying to get him to see. Here he is with a fabulous future ahead of him. And he wants to throw the whole thing away for some intangible dream. Maybe that's only the way you look at it, Frank. If that's his idea of of his dream, why don't we let him fulfill it? He Well, I better go get the fish or I'll miss him again. All right, have a good day, dear. >> [music] [music] >> Mrs. Baldwin, what shall I do? Please help me make my decision. Come with me, Masha. I want to show you something. Just look at this room. The history of Bayard Frank Baldwin is written in the things you see here. >> [music] >> Look at all this junk. How many hundreds of hours have we spent on golf courses and tennis courts and bowling alleys and archery ranges knocking ourselves out to win some meaningless trophy. The biography of the Baldwin family is written with trophies. Surely you must be kidding. I was never more serious. Look at all the discarded play things that have been shoved back into corners to make room for the new play things that we buy to keep ourselves amused. Now it's a boat. Maybe we'll win a race. Get another trophy to add to all those here. And next year it'll be something else. We move from one thing to another and grow without ever growing up. But there's nothing wrong with these things. That is not in themselves. No, but sometimes I wonder if that's all we were put here for. To play games, to live in a house full of toys. When we're gone, what will we leave behind? This. And a lot more of the same thing in our house in town. And who in this whole troubled world will be any better or any happier because Fay and Frank Baldwin wasted 30 or 40 years accumulating a lot of grown-up play things? Marsha, I love my husband. But somewhere along the line we we drifted away from church and from Christian friends. And I think we lost a lot of convictions that make life worthwhile. You used to be active in church. Yes. You know, I think I'm beginning to understand some of the things Bob has been talking about. Like the difference between getting and giving. I've always wanted things. Things like you have in this room that spell fun. But I see what you mean about there being toys of no real value. That's all they are. But I didn't know it until Bob made his decision. I think I see where the road leads now though. It's the only way that life makes sense. There can't be any true happiness living in a house of toys. Oh, thanks. Bob? I'm so glad you're back. What's the matter? Alex called. He sounded like he was on the verge of tears. Why? What's the matter? Another gang fight. Pastor Webster's been hurt. Oh, no. How badly? I know he'll probably be all right, but Alex is afraid there's more trouble brewing. He He begged you to come back. Well, uh I better go, I guess. Well, we can leave right away. I've packed everything. Did you say we? Yes. I realize now what Christ means to you. What an influence he's been on your life. I want to go in that direction, too. Do I understand what you mean, Marsha? Well, I guess I simply mean that my eyes have been opened to a lot of things in the last few days. I'll always be grateful to Mrs. Baldwin. And to you. What did I do? More than you'll ever know. I'm beginning to see things the way Bob does. You know, he wants something very wonderful out of life. I want it, too. I want to build my house with him. Uh then uh you're going along with Bob's plans. That's right. Well, you'll be leaving right away, then. Yes. But uh we'll be back as soon as possible. Come on, Marcia. Goodbye. >> Goodbye, dear. Goodbye. Bye. Bye. I don't get it. I just don't get it. Oh, I do. They found something, Frank. Something we need. >> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Mhm.