( Pachelbel canon playing; main line repeating )
( toy train whistling )
( quietly ): Whoa!
( doorbell rings )
( gasps )
Arthur: Ah! Christmas.
Only three more days until the big day
and this one's going to be the best one ever.
( song changes; upbeat, lyrical melody plays )
♪ Christmas will be magical ♪
♪ just like in a fairy tale ♪
♪ I want so much snow ♪
♪ that I'll use my toes ♪
♪ to pick up the morning mail. ♪
♪ Dinner will be delicious ♪
♪ Turkey and candied yams ♪
♪ Stuffing a mile high ♪
♪ Seventeen types of pie ♪
♪ Do you want some more? ♪
♪ Yes, ma'am. ♪
♪ Our tree will shine so brightly ♪
♪ Our tree will be eight feet tall ♪
♪ Popcorn strung diagonally ♪
♪ Candy canes and silver balls. ♪
( pachelbel canon accompanies ): Here's a saying worth obeying
Please take out a pad and pencil
Nothing is more of an eyesore
Than the excessive use of tinsel.
What? No tinsel?
Not in this dream.
But I want tinsel!
You can have all the tinsel you like...
♪ when you are as old as me. ♪
♪ Is that a guarantee? ♪
( music continues )
Arthur: ♪ Christmas will be special ♪
♪ It'll be magnificent. ♪
♪ Everyone's going to state ♪
♪ Arthur, we think you're great ♪
♪ when they open up my presents ♪
♪ Yes, this Christmas, I suspect ♪
♪ will be perfect in all respects ♪
♪ This christmas will be the best... ♪
♪ Christmas yet! ♪
( plays final notes )
D.W.: Hmm, Arthur!
( yelps )
What are you doing?
Why are you so calm?
Don't you know
There are only three days till Christmas?
So?
So, there's work to be done.
You have to help me write my wish list to Santa.
( clears throat )
My dearest Santa...
No, no, no. That's too gushy.
What about "Hi-ya, Santa!"?
( groans )
That's way too friendly.
Come on, Arthur, I need ideas.
I've only had four Christmases in my whole life!
What should I write?
( sighs )
Well, everything will be almost perfect.
( horn honks )
D.W., come on.
We'll be late for school.
You wrote "Santa Claus," right?
Not "Santa Cruz"?
I don't want it to go to the wrong place.
Yes, D.W.
Mom, could you turn on the radio?
I want to see if it's going to snow.
Woman ( to simple tune ): ♪ What's always at your feet ♪
♪ and is really, really sweet ♪
♪ It's Tina the talking tabby. ♪
( Arthur groans )
Don't even think about touching that dial!
( "Tina" jingle continues )
♪ Just scratch behind her ears ♪
♪ and this is what you'll hear ♪
♪ "I'm Tina the talking tabby" ♪
♪ Oh, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina ♪
♪ Tina, Tina, tiny Tina ♪
♪ Tina the talking tabby ♪
♪ Oh, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina... ♪
Mom, change the station, please!
It's giving me a headache.
( saxophone playing snappy jazz tune )
Mom, that's the toy I really want--
The one I just wrote Santa about.
You put that at the top of the list, right?
Yes, D.W.
Mom, Santa will get it for me, won't he?
Mom: I don't know, honey.
We'll just have to wait and see.
( kids chattering )
Francine!
Hi, Francine.
Only one more day until my big party.
Aren't you excited?
Muffy, I already told you, I can't...
Oh, there's George.
I forgot to invite him.
( sighs )
Hey, Francine, what's wrong?
Muffy-- that's what's wrong.
Francine: She thinks I'm coming to her party
Even though I told her I can't.
Why not?
Because my family's having a Hanukkah party tomorrow.
It's when we light the last candle on the menorah.
Maybe you need to tell her again.
I've already told her like a million times.
It doesn't do any good.
Watch.
Okay, see you there, George.
Muffy, I'm not coming to your party tomorrow.
Oh, guess what.
I got The Squabs-- You know, the rock band.
It's going to be so cool.
See what I mean?
It's like talking to a wall.
Arthur?
( school bell rings )
( sighs )
And in Sweden
They have a parade early in the morning on December 13
where people follow the queen of light
who wears a crown of candles.
( choir singing "Santa Lucia" in Swedish )
My grandparents sent me some lutefisk--
Fish that's been dried and boiled.
Pass it around.
( holds breath )
( kids groan )
Boy: Ah, gross.
Mmm! Not bad.
Every Christmas
My parents and I work at a soup kitchen
and help feed homeless people.
This year I get to make dessert.
( sniffs )
Presenting the Binky Barnes Pecan Pie.
Any volunteers?
( kids exclaim )
( pie crunches )
( spits )
I believe you have to shell the pecans, Binky.
Oh!
I like it.
Ratburn: Okay, class
before you leave for vacation
there's still the matter of homework.
( kids groan )
I've decided not to assign you any reading.
( kids cheer )
Instead, you can write a five-page essay
describing what you did over the holidays.
( bell rings )
Class dismissed.
( kids groan )
I knew it was too good to be true.
I have to shop.
You want to come?
Nah, I'm going right to bed.
My mother woke me up at 6:00 this morning.
She thought it was Christmas.
She did?
Yeah, it's happened every year
Since my parents got divorced.
Buster: On the days right before Christmas
my mom starts getting up really early.
( gasps ): It's Christmas!
She cooks pancakes and puts out all the presents.
Then I tell her it's only December 23
and she goes back to bed.
Weird.
I think she just gets nervous
that I won't have a good Christmas
because my dad's not with us.
That's too bad.
Yeah, sometimes I wish Christmas wasn't such a big deal.
( gasps )
( trumpets playing fanfare )
I, Muffy, the Princess of Christmas, invite one and all
to my holiday extravaganza!
Her what?
My party!
It's at 5:00 tomorrow.
Presents for everyone.
Oh, Francine, why don't you come early so you can help me set up?
But, Muffy, I told you, I can't come.
( Francine groans )
Why won't she listen?
Lutefisk?
(loud din of crowd )
( people chatter, baby cries )
Wow!
Mom: Wait till you see the line for the bathrooms.
Okay, let's synchronize our watches.
03:15?
Check.
Meet you back at the candy cane
in exactly one hour.
Excuse me.
Announcer: It peels, it cores, it shreds it mashes, it juliennes!
It even cooks for you.
It's an entire kitchen at the press of a button.
It's the Veginator!
Now on sale for only $5.99!
Wow, that's perfect for dad.
Ah, excuse me, Sir...
Sorry, we're sold out.
Oh.
But allow me to show you something else.
( Christmas music plays )
Yes, sir, selling like hotcakes.
Uncle Niko's Olive De-Pitter.
You just stick an olive in...
and out pops the pit.
Um... I don't know.
I'll throw in the olives.
Only one more present to go.
Hmm... What to get mom.
Hey! It's that little glass bird I broke last summer.
( Arthur growling and chomping )
D.W.: Help! Help!
Arthur, leave me alone!
( Arthur growling and chomping )
D.W.: Arthur did it! Arthur did it!
Arthur: Mom loved that bird.
This will really surprise her.
( gasps )
Oh, brother.
( clock ticking; "Jingle Bells" playing )
( yawns )
( snores )
Clerk: Excuse me, young man
may I help you?
Huh?
Oh, yeah.
The little glass bird in the window, please.
I assume that will be cash.
Yes, ma'am.
25, 35, 45...
56, 57, 58, 59.
There: $9.59.
( woman snores )
( gasps )
Oh, yeah, here you go.
Thanks.
Happy holidays.
Oh, no! It's 4:13!
Excuse me, sir, how do I get to the entrance
With the giant candy cane?
Now, which giant candy cane would you be wanting, son?
There's the giant green one in the winter wonderland
and there's a giant pink one by the reindeer stables, and...
the giant red one with the elves.
That would be Santa's workshop.
Quickest way's through toy town.
( gulps )
( jingle plays on P.A. ): ♪ Oh, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina ♪
♪ Tina, Tina, tiny Tina ♪
♪ Tina the talking tabby ♪
♪ Oh, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina ♪
♪ Tina, Tina... ♪
( groans ): That song!
♪ Oh, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina ♪
♪ Tina, the talking tabby ♪
♪ Oh, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina ♪
♪ Tina, the talking tabby ♪
♪ Oh, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina ♪
♪ Tina, the talking tabby ♪
♪ Oh, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina ♪
♪ Tina, the talking tabby ♪
♪ Oh, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina ♪
♪ Tina, the talking tabby... ♪
( groans )
( fading away ): ♪ Oh, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina... ♪
( "Jingle Bells" playing on P.A. System )
Right on time.
Did you get everything you needed?
Yep! How about you?
Well, almost everything.
There was just one thing that was all sold out.
Mom: Now, D.W.
You know that Santa can't always get
exactly the thing you want.
Why?
Because I've been bad?
No, D.W., you haven't been bad.
It's just that, well, there are
a lot of children wishing for the same thing, and...
It's because Arthur wrote my letter all wrong, isn't it?
Boy, if you want something done right
you've got to do it yourself!
Hey, everyone!
I've got a big surprise--
Uncle Fred's Video Christmas card!
Is this thing on?
Oh, it is!
Hi, sis!
Hi, David, Arthur, D.W. and, of course, wittle Kate!
It's me, your uncle Fred.
( dog barks )
And Rory!
We're sorry, but we can't be with you this Christmas
because we're going to...
- Hawaii? - Hawaii?
Florida!
(lamp crashes )
What the heck was that?
Hey, who turned out the lights?
Hey, Rory, no!
That's not a dog treat!
( slurping )
( static )
( Arthur and D.W. Laughing )
Oh, that Fred.
He's so funny!
Remember last Christmas
he stepped on that tea set dad got for mom?
(laughing )
That wasn't so funny.
( kitchen timer dings )
Dinner!
It's your favorite, Arthur.
Arthur: But won't Christmas dinner be boring
if we have the same thing tonight?
Your father wants
to do something different this year.
We're going to have
a really authentic Christmas dinner--
The kind they might have actually eaten
in Bethlehem when Jesus was born.
Did they have pumpkin pie back then?
Uh, no, the pumpkin is a new world vegetable.
But with the help of this History of Cooking book
I think I can put together a delicious meal.
Let's see, we could have roast lamb with turmeric
unleavened bread and puls--
An ancient roman dish
made from mashed chickpeas and wheat.
Mmm, sounds great!
Daddy, there's sand in my hummus!
And my puls is cold!
Hey, Arthur, want my camel?
Ew!
No, thanks.
...and chocolate-covered dates!
Uh, oh, no, sorry, no chocolate.
That's an Aztec food.
It'll be fun-- Arthur?
I guess.
( snoring )
Rise and shine, sleepyhead!
It's Christmas!
Christmas is here!
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!
Huh?
Pancakes are on the table
and I see lots and lots of presents in the living room!
Oh!
I'm sorry, Buster.
Buster: It's okay, mom.
Hey, at least I get pancakes every morning.
I just can't wait
for the holidays to be over.
Tommy: Hey, look, Timmy!
D.W.'s mailing a letter to Santa!
What a baby!
Are you asking for a new rattle?
For your information
this is not a letter to Santa.
It's to, um, the President of the United States.
So there!
Oh!
So he's the one
who gets us all the presents.
Don't let me down, Santa.
I'm counting on you.
( rock 'n' roll music playing )
♪ May your holiday be merry and bright! ♪
♪ May the season be jolly and out of sight! ♪
♪ Have a boogie-woogie Christmas ♪
♪ and a rockin' and a reelin' new year! ♪
♪ Have you heard the news? ♪
♪ Santa Claus is coming to town. ♪
♪ Yeah! Have you heard the news? ♪
♪ Santa Claus is coming to town. ♪
♪ Hang the stockings by the chimney with care ♪
♪ Turn the stereo up and if you dare ♪
♪ have a boogie-woogie Christmas ♪
♪ and a rockin' and a reelin' new year! ♪
Arthur: Where's the snow?
Christmas is tomorrow
and there's still no snow!
Brain: Well, you know, Arthur
no one actually knows what day Jesus was born on.
The holiday's in December
probably because that's when the Romans celebrated
the winter solstice
and, most likely, they adopted that tradition
from the Babylonians.
I don't care! I still want snow!
( fanfare playing )
Gather round, my subjects.
I, Muffy, the Princess of Christmas
will now give out your presents.
The first one is for...
Francine Frensky!
( feedback on microphone )
I said, Francine Frensky!
Will Miss Frensky come to the stage to accept her present?
Gimmel! I win again! Yes!
( phone rings )
Katherine: Francine, it's for you!
Hello?
Muffy: Where are you?!
Everybody's waiting for you to accept your present
but you're not here!
Muffy, I told you exactly...
five, ten, 15, 20, 25... 28 times
that I couldn't come to your party because it's Hanukkah
but you just didn't listen.
But you can see your family any old day.
Besides, it's not like Hanukkah is as important as Christmas.
( gasps )
Well, it is to me!
( phone beeps off )
( gasps )
How rude!
Okay!
Who wants Francine's present?
( snoring )
Buster, wake up.
Huh? Is it Christmas again?
No, and you have cake on your face.
Oh, that's nice.
Brain: Buster, maybe you and your mom
shouldn't have Christmas.
It just makes you really tired.
I know, but I don't know what else to do.
Why not create your own holiday?
You can't just invent a holiday, Arthur.
Brain: Well, sure you can.
My family celebrates Kwanzaa
and that was invented for African Americans
by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966.
See, Buster? You could celebrate...
Baxter Day.
Hmm... Baxter Day!
I wonder what that would be like.
( guitar strumming an introduction )
Buster: ♪ Up in the morning, breakfast in bed-- ♪
♪ Hot fudge sundaes on toast, yum! ♪
♪ Birdies are singing and I'm singing, too ♪
♪ 'cause today's the day I love the most! ♪
♪ and after breakfast, I'll have a snack-- ♪
♪ Two cheeseburgers and pie-- ♪
♪ My friends are coming to watch us go ♪
♪ on a rocket ship-- Let's wave good-bye! ♪
♪ 'cause it's Baxter Day ♪
♪ Oh, yes, it's Baxter Day ♪
♪ Stop whatever you're doing ♪
♪ let me hear you say, "Today is Baxter Day." ♪
♪ I could tell jokes to an alien crowd ♪
♪ somewhere in outer space ♪
♪ What has two heads and giggles a lot? ♪
♪ Do you give up? ♪
♪ I don't know, but it's crawling on your face! ♪
♪ Stop by the moon just to make sure ♪
♪ it's really made of cheese ♪
♪ The thing I love best about this kind of day ♪
♪ is that we can do whatever we please ♪
♪ 'cause it's Baxter Day ♪
♪ Yes, it's Baxter Day! ♪
♪ Stop whatever you're doing ♪
♪ let me hear you say, "Today is Baxter Day!" ♪
♪ No need for presents, there's nothing I need ♪
♪ You won't find it at a store in the mall ♪
♪ We're together and that's my gift ♪
♪ It's the very best present of all! ♪
♪ We could just sleep late if that's what we wanted to do ♪
♪ We could even stay in pajamas all day ♪
♪ and maybe eat a snack or... five. ♪
♪ We could just read books ♪
♪ Stories that would make us laugh ♪
♪ and if we got dirty ♪
♪ we wouldn't even have to take a bath, you know why? ♪
♪ 'Cause it's Baxter Day! ♪
♪ Oh, yeah, baby, it's Baxter Day! ♪
♪ Stop whatever you're doing, let me hear you say ♪
♪ "Today is Baxter Day." ♪
♪ It's just a relaxer day ♪
♪ Yes, today is Baxter Day ♪
♪ All day, that is! ♪
( chuckling )
Yeah, it is a good idea!
But my mom would never go for it.
You don't know unless you ask.
Hmm...
Ech!
Did you put sugar
in these brownies?
Sugar!
So that's what makes them sweet!
( whistling )
What's that?!
It's our tree, silly.
But... But it's all fluffy.
So?
It doesn't look like a real Christmas tree.
What did you have in mind?
Well, you know, a traditional tree
with gold and silver balls
and popcorn-- not unicorns.
You can make the rest of it just how you want it.
I'll help!
No, you won't.
( grunts )
Hmm...
There.
I guess if you cover the bottom part...
Oh, what am I saying?
It's still weird-looking.
Come on, Arthur, we don't want
to be late for church.
Woman ( on radio ): ♪ Tina, Tina, tiny Tina, Tina, Tina, tiny Tina... ♪
( kate giggling )
♪ Tina, the talking tabby... ♪
Dad, can you please put something else on?
That ad is driving me crazy!
Man ( on tape ): ♪ Crazy bus, crazy bus ♪
♪ Riding on that crazy bus ♪
♪ Riding up, riding down... ♪
( groans )
♪ Driven by a funny clown... ♪
( church bells chiming, organ playing )
Hey, Arthur
I've got a Christmas present for you!
Really?
It's the very first slice
of Binky Barnes' Banana Bread.
Uh, thanks.
Well, what are you waiting for?
Aren't you going
to try it?
( gags )
Eww!
Did you peel the bananas?
Peel... bananas.
Arthur: To mom...
Love, Arthur.
There.
Mom is going to be so surprised!
I can't wait till she opens it.
It's not so bad-looking, really.
Good night, tree.
See you bright and early.
Arthur, there's no fire
in the fireplace, is there?
No. Why?
So Santa doesn't get burned, silly!
Am I the only one
thinking of Santa's best interests here?
Here's a little snack for him.
It's a long way from the North Pole
and he has to work all night.
Stop!
Those are Santa's cookies.
It's kids like you
that get lumps of coal, Arthur Read!
Follow me.
There's one more thing we have to do.
What's that for?
The reindeer.
They get thirsty, too.
( gasps )
Look! A snowflake!
I don't believe it!
It's going to...
( thunder rumbles )
Rain.
( sighs )
Oh, well.
Even if it doesn't snow tomorrow, it's still Christmas.
One thing's for sure.
Mom is really going to love that bird.
At least that will be perfect.
Good night, boy.
( whoosh, then thud nearby )
What was that?!
Fred: And I was just coming by to drop off some presents
when the truck started smoking.
I don't know what the heck is wrong!
Arthur, look who's here.
Uncle Fred!
Hey, Arthur.
How the heck are you?
Sorry about the fence.
I had a little trouble parking.
You know, clumsy me!
( barks )
(laughing )
Cut it out, Rory!
( whimpers )
( barking )
( grunts )
Rory just loves Pal!
( Rory barking )
( Rory panting )
( sniffing )
( growls )
( barking )
( both growling )
Arthur, back to bed.
You'll see uncle Fred tomorrow.
He's staying tonight.
That's great!
Good night, uncle Fred!
Come on, Pal.
Pal?
( gasps )
Oh, no!
( both growling )
( growling )
( gasps )
No!
Rory, Pal, stop it!
( both growling )
Give that back!
That's mom's present!
Hi-ya!
Whoa! Whoa!
Fred: Luckily the truck broke down
near your driveway.
I mean, what a coincidence, right?
Um, Fred, your tea.
Whoops!
Clumsy me!
It's on the floor, too!
I'll get some paper towels.
We've got napkins.
I'll get it!
Both: Ow!
Whoa! Whoa!
Rory, stop!
You'll break it!
That's not a doggy toy!
Oh, no... Pal!
Get out of the way, Pal!
( grunts )
Whew.
( Pal barks )
( Pal moans happily )
Dad: Arthur, back to bed now.
But...
No buts; you and Pal can play with Rory tomorrow.
( barks )
( whimpers )
It'll be safe in here.
It's Christmas!
Wake up, everyone!
It's Christmas!
Arthur, wake up!
It's Christmas!
Huh?
Mommy, daddy, Christmas is here!
Wake up, wake up!
Time to open the presents!
Time to...
( water faucet running )
( water stops running )
( quavering gasp )
Ho, ho, well, hello there!
( gasps )
Ow!
( yawning )
Morning, uncle Fred.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, sport!
Santa's in our bathroom, daddy!
He has a white beard and a red suit
and it was really really him!
( yawns )
All right, all right.
Santa?
Are you through in there?
I want you to meet my dad.
( spits )
( yawning )
I think Santa's a little hard of hearing.
( tinkling )
( gasps )
( yells )
( Arthur yelling )
Arthur: Can't a kid get any privacy around here?
Oops! Sorry!
( chuckling )
Buster: Hey, mom, wake up.
It's Christmas.
It is? Really?
Are you sure it's the 25th?
Yep-- see?
Okay, time for presents!
Time for pancakes!
Let's get this show on the road!
Cool! It's Cyber-Cod!
I'm sorry, Buster.
We can return it.
Huh? Why?
Because you already have that one-- see?
I found it in your room after I bought that.
That's Techno-Trout, mom.
He's very different.
He's speckled
and he doesn't have Cyber-Cod's kung-fu fin!
Oh, thank goodness!
( sizzling )
Oh, no!
The pancakes are burning!
( smoke detector beeping )
It's okay, mom, I like them kind of brown.
( beeping continues )
Or black.
( moans )
Muffy: Got it!
( gasps )
The Cindy Crawfish mini make-up kit!
Thank you, mom and dad!
Let's see, that makes...
37 presents
including the calculator.
This was the biggest Christmas ever!
I can't wait to try this out!
I don't need make-up.
I'm already beautiful.
But Francine doesn't have any and she sure could use some!
Oh, wait...
I can't call her.
We're not friends anymore.
Who am I going to tell about all my cool presents?
♪♪♪
♪ I got a clubhouse ♪
♪ I think it's the biggest in the world ♪
♪ I'd be the princess ♪
♪ and Francine, a servant girl ♪
♪ It'd be so neat ♪
♪ and if she was sweet ♪
♪ I might even let her be queen... ♪
♪ but not this year ♪
♪ 'cause I can't call Francine. ♪
♪♪♪
♪ Check out this toy train ♪
♪ Something Francine would love to use ♪
♪ Maybe she'd drive it ♪
♪ while I ate cake in the caboose ♪
♪ I'd be warm in my stole while she shoveled coal ♪
♪ 'til there was nothing we hadn't seen... ♪
♪ but not this year ♪
♪ 'cause I can't call Francine. ♪
♪♪♪
♪ Oh, these video games are just so lame ♪
♪ when you only play the computer... ♪
( sighs )
♪ and who will I take to see Swan Lake? ♪
♪ I guess I will bring my tutor. ♪
( sarcastically ): That'll be a lot of fun.
♪ Here is a puzzle ♪
♪ It's in 20,000 pieces ♪
♪ Maybe I'll finish it ♪
♪ by the time I have grand-nieces ♪
♪ Oh, I got pretty dolls ♪
♪ stuffed animals ♪
♪ a miniature submarine ♪
♪ but what good are presents, I find them so unpleasant ♪
♪ Who wants presents ♪
♪ if I can't share them with Francine... ♪
♪ Francine... ♪
♪ Francine. ♪
Oh.
( crying )
I've got an idea, sweetums.
Let's take the rolls out for a spin.
Maybe it'll take your mind off things.
( cooing )
( Kate laughing, dogs barking )
Great coffee, David!
It's not coffee.
It's ground bark.
They didn't have coffee in ancient Jerusalem.
Oh!
And what does your brother Fred do, dear?
He works in a china shop.
( giggling )
You wike the wittle wattle, don't you?
Don't you?
Oops.
(laughs )
I'm telling you, it was Santa in the bathroom!
It was probably just uncle Fred.
( Kate laughing )
Since when does uncle Fred have a white beard?
Why would Santa be here now?
He does all his work at night.
He was running a little late
Probably because you wrote my first wish list all wrong!
( clinking )
( dad clears throat )
Attention everyone.
It's time we got started on those presents.
Finally!
Arthur: Wait a minute.
I'll be back.
Wait for me.
Oh, this is going to be so good!
I can't wait to see mom's expression!
( mom gasps )
This is beautiful!
It's the best present I've ever received.
Arthur, you're perfect!
She's right, Arthur.
You are perfect.
You're a grade-a grandson!
Here, dear
it's the Little Angel award...
Wow!
A special prize only given to perfect children!
D.W.: What about me, grandma?
Aren't I perfect, too?
You're almost perfect, honey!
We better hurry or we'll be late for the parade.
( marching band playing, crowd cheering )
Announcer ( over loudspeaker ): What a turnout for this "Heroes of the 20th Century" parade.
There's Albert Einstein
moving much slower than the speed of light
And Mahatma Gandhi, showing no resistance--
passive or otherwise-- to this adoring crowd.
And is that... Yes! Yes, it is!
It's the Arthur Read balloon!
( cheering )
The crowd is going wild, and with good reason!
Arthur is the perfect eight-year-old boy!
All ( chanting ): Ar-thur! Ar-thur! Ar-thur! Ar-thur!
Ar-thur! Ar-thur! Ar-thur!
Ar-thur! Ar-thur! Ar-thur! Ar-thur...
( panting )
( straining )
Ooh!
( gasping )
( sighs in relief )
( glass clinks )
( gasps )
Oh, please, please, just don't be...
Oh, no!
And for Monsieur--
Fromage Americaine in a blanket of hen eggs.
Huh?
I thought I ordered a cheese omelet.
( sighing ): It is a cheese omelet.
Wow! This is the smallest piece of broccoli I've ever seen.
That's parsley.
It's just a garnish.
Mmm! It's delicious.
Could I have a side order of that?
( sighs )
Are you having
a good christmas so far, sweetie?
O-oh, yeah... Great.
It's just...
What?
It's the restaurant, isn't it?
It's the place for brunch
but we can leave if you don't like it.
Buster: You've got to say something!
Just tell her Christmas doesn't have to be such a big deal.
Mom...
Uh, everything's just great!
( sighs happily )
Here, Monsieur
Herring puree with melted gruyere...
Whoa!
On your clean white shirt.
Buster: Sorry!
( sighs )
( D.W. Groans )
This is torture!
Can't... wait... much... longer!
Where's Arthur?
He did say he'd be down in just a minute.
I'll go get him.
Hey, little buddy!
( crying )
Everybody's waiting for you.
What's wrong?
This is what's wrong.
( sniffling ): It was my present for mom and I broke it!
Yikes! Maybe we could glue it back together.
No, it would look terrible.
Everything's ruined!
Gee, that's a shame.
But Christmas is about more than just presents.
That's what grown-ups always say
but she was really going to like this!
( sniffling )
Well, it's not over yet.
There's still the whole day ahead of us.
Let's go back down.
Yeah, with my luck, I'll probably knock over the tree.
Hey, that's my job!
( sniffles )
Ta-dah! One Kwanzaa cream special!
The pistaccio scoop symbolizes freedom; the licorice-- unity;
and the raspberry-- the African struggle for freedom.
Thanks, but I'm not hungry.
Why aren't you at home?
Today's a holiday.
Not for me.
Kwanzaa doesn't start until tomorrow.
Oh... Daddy, next year can I have a Kwanzaa party
instead of a Christmas party?
Uh, sure, Pookie.
Why?
'Cause maybe Francine will be able to come to that one.
( sighs )
( bell ringing )
(laughing )
Another Veginator!
Well, now I'll have a backup if these two break.
( ball squeaking )
( Pal barking )
( barks )
( ball squeaking )
( Pal barking )
( whimpers )
I know what this must be!
It's...
A duck.
But it's not just any duck, honey.
It's a duck that can say 5,000 different things.
Can it say, "Meow"?
Um, probably not.
Are you upset?
No.
I wanted Tina the talking tabby!
I wanted Tina...
( D.W. Sobbing )
I wanted tabby...
Santa, how could you?!
This is the worst Christmas ever!
Hello. I'm Quackers.
I love you.
Do you love me?
( sniffles )
You're kind of cute for someone who's not a kitty.
Quack-a-doodle-do.
(laughing )
( both sigh in relief )
Oh, dad, this is lovely.
Well, nothing's too good
for my little girl.
Arthur: Oh...
Mom probably thinks I just forgot her present.
I should explain.
( all laughing and talking )
Mom: Twice?
I can understand breaking my bird once, but twice?
Dear, I hate to tell you this
but he's inherited the clumsy gene.
He's even worse than me.
( all gasp )
( mom crying )
Doofus!
(laughing )
Binky, what are you doing here?
You're not supposed to be in this fantasy.
Oh, sorry.
Try my peach cobbler?
Get out!
Arthur: I'd rather have mom think I was a doofus
than that I didn't get her anything.
( all chatting )
Oh, this isn't going to be easy.
Mom, I've got something to tell you.
Wait a minute.
There's still one more present under the tree.
It's for you, Jane, from Arthur.
It is?
Mom: Arthur!
This is beautiful!
It's the tea set that Fred broke last Christmas.
Better keep it away from me this year.
( chuckles )
Thank you, Arthur.
I'm really touched.
But... But I...
There's a tow truck outside.
The mechanic came through.
I didn't think anybody would be able to fix my truck
on Christmas day
but I guess miracles do happen.
More lo mein, Franky?
( sighs )
I'm stuffed.
( doorbell rings )
That's weird.
Who could that be?
Muffy?
Hi, Francine.
We were, uh, just in the neighborhood
and decided to drop by.
Here, we got you a ham.
Um... Thanks.
Come on in.
( Muffy sighs )
Muffy: Okay, I'm sorry
I didn't listen to you.
It's just that you're my best friend
and that party was really important to me.
Come with me.
I want to show you something.
This is our menorah.
My great-grandmother brought it
all the way from Poland.
On the last night of Hanukkah
all my relatives who live near Elwood City
come over to our house.
Everyone brings a dish of food they've made...
( inhales deeply )
Mmm!
and we have a pot luck dinner.
You're going to love my kugel, bubalah.
Family: ♪ Baruch ata ado-noi ♪
♪ Elo-heinu melech haolam ♪
♪ Asher kid-shanu bi-mitzvo-sav vit-tzee-vanu ♪
♪ Li-had-leek ner shel Chanukah. ♪
♪ Amen. ♪
After we say the prayer and my dad lights the candles
we put the menorah in the window.
It's a really beautiful moment.
It kind of makes me feel
like I'm a part of something special.
Do you understand why that's really important to me?
Yeah, I do.
I'm sorry.
I should have listened to you.
Mr. Frensky: There's another special tradition
we have, Muffy.
It's something we do every year
when Christians are celebrating Christmas.
What's that?
Both: Go to the movies!
Come on, get your coat.
Buster: This profiterole keeps rolling away.
I should have had the ice cream.
We've got tickets for the Penguins-on-Ice
Christmas Special. - Mom!
Then I'll put the roast in and make
the pudding - Mom.
and then we'll watch
It's a Wonderful Life...
Mom!
Yes, dear?
This has been a really great Christmas so far.
It has?
Oh, I'm so relieved.
But maybe it doesn't have to be so great every year.
Maybe Christmas could be a day where we just relax.
Relax? On Christmas?
You could sleep late.
Hmm...
And we don't even have to call it Christmas.
It could be our own holiday-- Baxter Day.
Check, please!
Uh...
( sighs )
Sorry.
( both laughing )
Grandma Thora: David, you really outdid yourself.
Oh, I'm going to have to get a new belt.
Mmm, this halvah is delicious.
I want to eat like this every Christmas.
Could you pass the dates, mom?
I love this new olive de-pitter, Arthur.
Fred: Hey, good news!
I just called the garage.
The mechanic was able to fix the truck.
Looks like we're going to Florida after all, Rory.
( barks )
That was your present for mom, wasn't it?
Yeah, but it was a whole lot nicer coming from you.
Thanks, uncle Fred.
You were right--
It was a pretty good Christmas after all.
Remember Arthur, you don't always get what you want in life.
Sometimes you get something better.
Grandpa Dave: All right, let's get you two
down to the garage.
( barking )
( engine starts )
Mom and Dad: Good-bye.
Safe trip.
Bye-bye, uncle Fred.
I love you.
So long, everyone.
(laughing )
Sorry!
( sighs )
Like father, like son.
It's snowing.
It's snowing!
Wow! This has been a perfect Christmas.
♪♪♪
♪ Snowflakes falling real slowly ♪
♪ Everything looks so pretty ♪
♪ The day's almost done ♪
♪ I wonder what everyone's doing in Elwood City. ♪
( singing carols in Swedish )
( African music playing )
Excellent.
Mmm... These are terrific, son.
Thanks.
(laughing )
Mr. Ratburn: Let's see, we'll have a math test on January 15
and a history test on January 20
a geography quiz on February 1.
Oh, this is going to be such a good year.
(laughter )
How about that?
Is that a U.F.O.?
Mmm... No, that's just a satellite.
Happy Baxter Day, mom.
( whirring )
♪♪♪
♪ Sometimes the thing you hope for isn't the thing you get ♪
♪ but after today, I just have to say ♪
♪ this was the best Christmas yet. ♪
D.W.: Arthur!
You better come inside before you catch pew-monia.
So, D.W., do you still like Santa
even though he didn't get you what you wanted?
Of course.
He knew that I would like Quackers
much better than Tina.
Look, I can even make him sing.
♪ Quick-quack-quaddy-quack ♪
♪ Squeeze my belly, squeeze my back ♪
♪ Kwooky-quicky- quacky-kwoh... ♪
Oh, no!
♪ Pull my bill, pull my toe ♪
♪ Quicky-quacky-doodly-doo ♪
♪ You love me and I love you. ♪
Happy holidays, everyone.
Quackers: ♪ Quick-quack-quaddy-quack... ♪
Arthur: D.W., turn that thing off!
You might want to know the secret formula ♪♪
for drawing Arthur.
We'll do two letter O's,
Hook them together with a little upside-down letter U.
Then we'll do a larger letter U like this.
We'll do a straight line here.
Two dots here.
Two lines here.
Two dots here.
A curved line for his mouth.
I will add his ears.
And there's Arthur.
That's great!
Hi, everyone, it's me, Buster.
If you like all the traditions we have in Elwood City,
you'll love what I've seen on my travels with my dad.
There are all sorts of cool things
other kids are doing with their families and friends
to celebrate their way of life.
I've filmed amazing things with my video camera
and I'm sending it all back to my friends
on my very own video postcards.
They're Postcards from Buster.
♪ Have a boogie-woogie Christmas ♪
♪ and a-rockin' and a-reelin' new year ♪
♪ Have a boogie-woogie Christmas ♪
♪ and a-rockin' and a-reelin' new year ♪
♪ May your holiday be merry and bright ♪
♪ May the season be jolly and out of sight ♪
♪ Have a boogie-woogie Christmas ♪
♪ and a-rockin' and a-reelin' new year ♪
♪ Have you heard the news? ♪
♪ Santa Claus is coming to town ♪
♪ Yeah, have you heard the news? ♪
♪ Santa Claus is coming to town ♪
♪ Hang the stockings by the chimney with care ♪
♪ Turn the stereo up, and if you dare ♪
♪ Have a boogie-woogie Christmas ♪
♪ and a'rockin' and a'reelin' new year. ♪
[captioned by The Caption Center WGBH Educational Foundation]
♪ Well, it's one for no money, two for your snow ♪
♪ have a boogie-woogie Christmas ♪
♪ and a-rockin' and a-reelin' new year. ♪
Kids: And now...
Well, you know,
a lot of the characters in the Arthur stories
are based on people that I knew in my childhood,
and Arthur's grandma Thora is my grandma Thora.
Every child needs one person that really believes in them.
Very good!
Brown: And for me, it was my grandma Thora.
You did it, so I loved it.
The idea for D.W. came from my three younger sisters,
Bonnie, Colleen and Kim.
The three of them together make D.W. triply lethal.
(yelling)
"Crazy Bus" is gone!
My best friend, Terry Johnson,
became the inspiration for Buster.
One summer we woke up
and we read about aliens that had landed on the beach.
My friend Terry Johnson and I speculated about what landed,
what sort of creatures may have been in there.
Who knows how many of them walk among us?
This happens to be Ruth Ann Uliano and me,
and she was my first girlfriend
and actually the inspiration for Sue Ellen.
Well, that's good.
You might have been embarrassed.
I said some pretty nice things about you.
The teacher that stood out for me
was my seventh-grade Algebra teacher.
Here he is, The real Mr. Ratburn.
Mr. Ratburn: Ms. Frensky-- superb!
Brown: He would hand back your tests
in order of who got the highest grade first.
Mr. Read, review those multiplication tables.
Brown: I was a lot like Arthur.
Yeah, I even looked like Arthur, I think, in third grade.
I wore a lot of bow ties when I had to get dressed up.
I think the best things happen in real life.
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