The Fox and the Hound/Transcript

==Transcript==
[We see a black screen momentarily and then hear a judge banging his gavel and yelling "ORDER IN THE COURT! ORDER IN THE COURT!!!" in a rather unconvincing manner. Then the screen lightens up and we see a black-and-white courtroom scene, possibly taken from an old movie. The judge continues speaking. "Respond the question, did you or did you not copy The Fox and the Hound," he says to the guilty man in this scene. We see an old woman shaking and gritting her teeth. "Well," the judge says. "I did," the man says in a disgraceful manner. Everyone gasps and the woman shrieks. "Take him away, boys," the judge says to two policemen. After the guilty man is taken away, the green FBI warnings spin up to us briefly. "Don't even think about copying this videotape," the judge says and we hear the sound of a jail door closing.]
After the green FBI warnings, the teaser trailer for "Aladdin 2: The Return of Jafar" starts playing.
After the Walt Disney Pictures logo, clips of "The Little Mermaid" is shown.
Mark Elliott: Over the years, Walt Disney Studios has taken us on unforgettable journeys. From under the sea in "The Little Mermaid"...
["The Rescuers Down Under" title is revealed]
to the Australian Outback in "The Rescuers Down Under"...
[Clips from "Beauty and the Beast" are shown]
to an enchanted castle in "Beauty and the Beast"...
[Clips from "Aladdin" are shown]
and into an entire new world with "Aladdin".
Screen fades to black, then from black as we see three men riding their horses at nighttime through the sand dunes of Agrabah.
And now, coming only to theaters summer 1994.
Aladdin: Alright, Carpet! (Turns around) Let's go!
Mark Elliott: Walt Disney Pictures presents its 32nd all-new feature-length animated motion picture:
[The title of the movie is shown]
"Aladdin 2: The Return of Jafar".
[Aladdin, Jasmine, and Iago's snippets from this movie are shown]
Starring Aladdin, Jasmine, Iago, and of course...
Genie: Did ya miss me?
[We see a brief clip of Genie]
Mark Elliott: ...The Genie!
[Thunder booms overhead]
Genie Jafar: I AM FREE!! (Evilly laughs)
Mark Elliott: Jafar is back! And he's out for revenge!
Jafar: I'm arranging a little surprise for Aladdin.
Abu: (Hides behind Magic Carpet) Oops.
Mark Elliott: Now, Aladdin will need to use all his tricks to face his biggest challenge ever.
We see early pencil sketch animation for the song, "You're Only Second Rate".
Jafar: (sings) Go ahead and zap me with a big surprise! Slap me in a trap! Cut me down to size! I'll make a grand escape!
It's just a piece of cake. You're only second rate!
You know your hocus-pocus isn't rough enough. And your mumbo-jumbo doesn't measure up.
Let me pontificate upon your disgraceful state, you're only second rate.
[We now cut to the final animations of the finished scenes]
Mark Elliott: Then come join your favorite characters in a brand-new story that continues where "Aladdin" ended, featuring 5 original new songs.
Genie: (sings) I traveled... (Makes two heads burst out from his shoulder caps)
Left Genie head: (singing) East.
Right Genie head: (singing) And West.
All 3 Genies: (singing) And now I'm back again!
Genie: (Lassos his tail at Aladdin and Jasmine and pulls them close to him while singing) And there's nothing in the world quite like a friend!
Mark Elliott: Coming only to theaters this summer, Walt Disney Pictures proudly presents...
The title of the movie is shown once more, during the end of "Nothing in the World" when the camera zooms apart from Agrabah and into space.
"Aladdin 2: The Return of Jafar"!
Genie: I love it!
On the final note, we cut to a black screen, subtitles read "Coming for Summer 1994 from Walt Disney Pictures" until the text fades away five seconds later.
After the Walt Disney Pictures logo, the red subtitle, "ALSO COMING TO THEATERS SUMMER 1994" slowly zooms in and fades out.
[Screen fades from black, revealing the sun rising]
African Singer: (sings) Nants...ingonyama...bagithi Baba!
[Screen cuts to guinea fowls running to the screen with elephants slowly walking from behind them]
Screen cuts to ants walking along a branch as zebras trot underneath. The title logo appears in the next shot, and then the screen fades to the Walt Disney Feature Animation room.
Mark Elliott: Walt Disney Pictures invites you behind the scenes to experience the magic of an extraordinary work-in-progress.
Roger Allers: Sure, sure, and he goes dancing away. (Laughs)
Mark Elliott: Set deep in the heart of Africa, "The Lion King" warns the story of the noble young Simba who's destined to become king of the jungle.
[Adult Simba roars and pounces on Adult Nala]
Only his ruthless uncle Scar stands between him and the throne.
[We fade to a pencil animation test of Young Simba speaking to Scar after rolling off him]
Young Simba: You're so weird.
Scar: You have no idea.
Mark Elliott: Over three hundred artists and performers are hard at work bringing the incredible world of "The Lion King" to life.
Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers: (singing) For the rest of your days!
Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella: (singing) It's our problem-free.....philosophy....Hakuna Matata!
[We cut to Mufasa laughing]
Mark Elliott: "The Lion King" features 7 original songs by rock superstar Elton John, and "Aladdin's" Academy Award-winning lyricist, Tim Rice.
[A demo version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" can be heard]
Male and Female Singers: (singing) Can you feel the love tonight?
Female Singer: (sings) Can you feel the love?
Male and Female Singers: (singing) Won't you stay to see?
Mark Elliott: This summer, go on an unforgettable journey.
Banzai: Did we order this dinner to go?
Shenzi: No. Why?
Banzai: Because THERE IT GOES!!
Mark Elliott: And share the fun of a remarkable motion picture event.
Woman: (singing) In the circle....the circle...of liiiiife!
Mark Elliott: Walt Disney Pictures presents...
[The title is presented on the final note]
"The Lion King"!
The logo cuts to the red subtitle, "Coming to Theaters for Summer 1994 from Walt Disney Pictures" fades in, until it also fades to black.
Screen fades from black, revealing a purple background. The words "Feature Presentation" are written out during a fanfare.
Mark Elliott: And now, our feature presentation.
[The Walt Disney Classics logo is shown and the movie starts]
[It is early morning and the sun is attempting hard to break through the misty country air. Everything is silent as all the creatures of the night have gone home to sleep and all the creatures of the day has not yet woken up.]
Suddenly, the peacefulness is shattered by the emotional sound of some dogs howling in the distance; something or somebody is being chased through the forest.
[In a sunny dappled dewy clearing, the shape of an animal appears, carrying something in its mouth. It is a mother fox, her sides heaving as she fights for breath, for she has been running for miles trying to save the life of her cub and herself.]
After glancing faster this fashion and that, the mother fox sets her cub down on the ground and allows herself a few seconds precious rest. But the baying of the dogs grows dangerously nearer all the time. She has to go ahead.
[Picking the cub up by the scruff of its neck, the mother fox runs blindly from the clearing. On and on through the undergrowth she runs, jumping over fallen franches, ignoring thorny bruises that scratch and tear at her glistening red coat.]
At last, she emerges from the forest and follows the curse of a small river that winds downward toward some farm buildings. The dogs are getting closer now, soon they also will be clear of the trees. She has to find somewhere to hide for cover.
[High up in a tree, a large, sleepy-looking owl emerges from her hole to see what all the fuss is about and swiftly spots the mother fox as she wriggles her road through a gap in one of the farm fences.]
The mother fox stops and looks all around her to make sure she is alone. Satisfied, she grips the cub hard between her teeth and makes her road toward a clump of very tall grass.
[Parting the grass carefully with one paw, the fox gently lowers her son down into his hiding place, unseen by anyone except the watchful old owl.]
With one last sniff of farewell, the mother fox turns and races off down the hill, aware that the dogs are now only moments apart. Soon she disappears from view altogether, and the owl is just wondering if she intends to come back for her offspring, but a shot rings out, almost making the owl fall off her branch. A couple of seconds later come another shot and something in the fresh morning air of the countryside warns the old owl that the mother fox will never be able to return to collect her baby.
[Inside his grassy hideaway, the cub is shivering and shaking with fear. His mother has never left him alone before, except to hunt for food, and then he has always been in the consoling darkness of his den, not cold and frightened and wet with dew as he is now.]
The owl shifts her position on the branch. Clearly something has to be done about the poor more little mite concealed down below. But at that precise moment, she has no idea exactly what.
[Stretching her magnificent wings wide, the owl flies down and lands, as silently as she can, near the clump of grass. A couple of steps and the owl is able to part the tall grass with her beak, to find two huge, very frightened brown eyes peering out at her.]
Big Mama: You poor little fellow. It's alright...Big Mama's here.
The little fox doesn't look a bit consoled. In fact, the sight of the huge old owl holding out one of her wings to him only serves to make him tremble even more.
Big Mama: You know, you're going to need some caring for...now...let's see...you're going to need a brand new mother...
[Big Mama turns and starts to walk astray from the clump of grass. But by now, the little cub has decided that this big feathery creature is certainly friendly and then he has better totter away after her.]
Big Mama: Oh, dear...no...no. Not me...not Big Mama.
Suddenly, they are interrupted by the existent drilling of a nearby woodpecker. The cub starts trembling furiously once again, but the owl seems very emotional by the noise, as though it has given her an extremely nice idea.
[Hurriedly, she pushes the little cub back into the grass.]
Big Mama: Now I won't be long. Don't you move, darling. Big Mama's going to be right back! [With that said, she files away in the direction of the busy woodpecker.]
Dinky perches on a branch and watches as his friend, Boomer, taps off at the tree trunk. As a reasonably-sized hole has appeared, Dinky flies down and stares into the hole.
Small Bird: Nice work, Boomer! We'll get him this time.
[The two woodpeckers lean as far as they can into the hole.]
Dinky: Csendes! I think he's in there.
Suddenly, both birds find themselves almost shaken off the branch as Big Mama arrives on the scene.
Big Mama: Whew! Am I glad to have found you boys, I need your help now. C'mon, follow me, follow me!
[Boomer looks longingly at the hole he has just made in the tree. Just a couple of moments more and that caterpillar in there might have been his breakfast.]
Dinky: Let's go, Boomer. C'mon! [Then the three birds take off together, leaving a frightened but very relieved caterpillar, whose name is Squeeks, to peer out at them from the hole.]
Big Mama takes her two friends to where the little fox cub is hiding.
Boomer: Just look at that poor little fact.
Big Mama: Don't you worry. Now we're going to find someone to look after you.
[Boomer and Dinky look at each other, thinking hard about where they can find a new mother for the fox.]
Suddenly, Dinky gives a little jump in the air.
Dinky: Hey...I think I have an idea.
[The baby fox looks up at the three whispering birds and wish somebody will warn him what's going on.]
Boomer: Leave it to me....leave it to me!
In the house toward which Boomer is heading lives an old widow woman with no children to look after and no friends to call. The Widow is often lonely and wherever she feels that fashion she will go for a walk in the forest and listen to the birds singing and try to catch sight of the little animals that live there, like squirrels or rabbits, hedgehogs or badgers. The forest can always cheer her up.
[As Boomer reaches her house, he lands right on the doorknob of the Widow's front door. Taking a deep breath, he raps on the door as hard as he can with his strong beak.]
Widow: Who is this?
Boomer decides he'll better knock again and this time gives the door everything he has.
[The Widow mutters crossly under her breath and throws the door open wide to see who has been hammering so louder. But nobody's there.]
Poor Boomer has been thrown back against the wall and his beak embedded in the door.
[The Widow looks around suspiciously.]
Widow: Huh...I assure you I heard someone knocking. (Then her eye is caught by something white and floppy moving in the garden.) Oh, dear! My laundry. Stop this...stop that at once, you hear?
But the Widow watches hopelessly as Big Mama and Dinky make off carrying her rather large and stately bloomers between them, one leg in each beak.
Widow: Oh, you pesky birds.... (She decides the only fact for it is to give chase and hope that her neighbor in the farm isn't watching out the window.)
Big Mama: Now! (And suddenly, the bloomers are dropped down......down onto the ground, landing neatly on top of the clump of grass in which the little cub is hidden.)
Widow: Well, I do wonder what got into these birds. Well, bless my soul! Why, it's...it's a baby fox!
The little cub peers out curiously from his clump of grass. He's never seen such a large animal before in his life and never smelled such a peculiar smell either.
Widow: Hello, little fellow. I do wonder where your mother is...
The cub bends his neck as far as it will go and gazes up into the Widow's face. Desperately afraid, but determined not to show it, he swats bravely at the Widow's hand as she bends down to pick him up by the scruff of his neck.
Widow: Oh, c'mon now...I'm not going to harm you. My, but you're a game little rascal, aren't you? There now, calm down. I'm afraid I can't just leave you out here all alone. You'll need to come home with me.
Big Mama, Dinky and Boomer watch as the Widow disappears with the young cub. They are very pleased with their day's work and hope they will get a chance to see the little fellow again sometime.
Back at the house, the Widow searches out a small bottle and makes a teat from an old eye-dropped rubber top, which she has in the medicine cupboard. She warms some milk and watches with delight as the cub drinks hungrily and thirstily while lying in her arms.
Widow: Oh, my, you're such a daring little toddler. Say...that's what I'm going to call you––Tod.
Tod yawns and falls contentedly asleep on the Widow's lap.
Widow: You know what, Tod? I'm not going to be so lonesome anymore.
[Outside the living room window, the three birds are yet preening themselves on the success of their plan until a loud "bang" makes them turn around. It is the Widow's neighbor returning home in his old farm truck, which is bumping and swaying noisily toward his house.]
Amos Slade is humming silently to himself as he clings precariously onto the steering wheel of the truck. Now and again, he will look through the window into the back of the truck and give a self-satisfied growl at the misshapen sack that is being jolted around in there. There is nothing Amos Slade likes better than hunting and now the contents of that sack are going to help him track and murder even more.
[Outside the farmhouse, an old hound-dog called Chief is roused from his slumbers by the coughing and spluttering of his master's vehicle. He sits up and watches as the truck grounds to a stop and Amos Slade gets out and starts rummaging in the back.]
Eventually his master turns and, smirking, holds up the sack for Chief's inspection.
Amos: I have a surprise for you, Chief old boy.
Chief manages to give a sleepy wag of the tail and lumbers forward, thinking that he'll better show a bit of enthusiasm for this "surprise."
Amos: Now take it easy.
[Suddenly, the bag seems to move a little and Chief jumps back in alarm.]
Grinning, Amos pushes his arm deep into the sack and withdraws a wriggling, wet-nosed little puppy dog.
Amos: How's this for a hunting dog?
[Chief sniffs rather haughtily and looks with disdain at the furry bundle being held up for his inspection. Slade lowers the little fellow to the ground and Chief feels a warm, sloppy tongue brush eagerly over his nose as he bends down to give another inspectory sniff.]
Chief jumps back again. Nobody licks his nose and gets away with it, and he is about to issue one of his sternest warnings until Slade seems to realize that his "surprise" isn't going down too well.
Amos: You may as well get used to him, Chief. He's for you to look after from now on. (With that said, Slade turns toward the house, leaving Chief wondering what on earth an old hound-dog like him is supposed to do with a whippersnapper of a young pup.)
[Chief turns to the pup about to deliver a set of rules, which includes not licking other people's noses without an invitation, but to his astonishment the young pup has wandered into the darkness of the large barrel which has served as Chief's kennel ever since he can remember. The very nerve of this.]
Chief stalks into the barrel himself and is about to swat the unfortunate pup until he suddenly realizes the little fellow is grinning at him. His frustration melting, Chief merely paws the pup, whom Slade has already christened Copper, and settles down as comfortably as he can in the remaining space.
[Copper gives one enormous yawn and settles down himself, his head resting trustingly on old Chief's leg. And, though he will never admit it, Chief begins to like the idea of another dog around the place; perhaps he can show the little fellow a moment or two, like how to chase badgers or rabbits or foxes.]
The next morning, Tod the fox cub wanders out of the Widow's house and looks around for something to do. He is yet very mournful that his mother hasn't returned and feels he needs to do something to take his mind off facts.
Tod: Hey, there's Boomer and Dinky, perhaps they want to play.
But Boomer and Dinky have other facts on their minds at that moment.
Dinky: Is this the tree, Boomer?
Boomer jumps along a branch toward a hollow in the tree trunk and puts his head near the bark, listening carefully.
Boomer: This is the place....this is the place. I never forget a tree.
Dinky: He won't get away this time! Hold it, Boomer. I think I hear something.
The two birds listen carefully.
Boomer: Oh, that's him alright, Dinky. Hey, why don't you fly around and look in the other side, but we'll know exactly where the little varmint is.
Dinky flies around to the other side of the tree and presses one eye very close to a small hole in the tree.
Dinky: Would you look at that! Alright, Boomer. He's right there. Yoiks! Watch it!
[Dinky watches, open-beaked, as Boomer's own beak breaks through into Squeeks' home, tearing apart a whole portion of tree trunk and taking Squeeks with it.]
Boomer looks around sheepishly, the piece of bark yet clinging to his beak.
Boomer: There isn't anything in there.
But suddenly, only about half an inch from one eye, Boomer sees the familiar furry shape of Squeeks peering at him from over the top of the speared bark.
Boomer: Why you...!
Boomer gives chase and stabs the trunk once, twice, three times in an effort to skewer the unlucky caterpillar. But Squeeks is far too fast for him, and manages to sneak through another hole and out into some concealing foliage.
Tod: Hi, fellas! What are you doing here?
Dinky looks down, rather annoyed at this interruption.
Dinky: Stay out of this, boy. This doesn't worry you!
Tod watches as Boomer suddenly catches sight of Squeeks disappearing down another hole and starts to peck furiously at the narrow branch, which connects him to the tree.
[But once again, his enthusiasm gets the better of him, and after one gigantic effort, Boomer suddenly finds that he has pecked his branch fully free of the tree and he is left sitting in midair.]
With one beseeching look at Dinky, Boomer takes a speedy downward plunge, landing in an undignified heap near Tod's paws.
Tod: What just happened to you?
Boomer: S-s-shucks! I think I've bent my beak.
A frustrated Dinky flies down and struts over to the pair on the ground. Boomer's beak is his last consideration.
Dinky: Now see what you've done! You've cost us our breakfast!
Boomer: I cost us our breakfast! Why, if you had done a bit more yourself...
[Tod looks from one frustrated bird to the other and decides that neither of them looks as though they want to play with him today.]
Then, pretending to chase a nearby butterfly, Tod runs off.
Tod: Worms for breakfast....yechhh!
Back at the barn, the Widow is busily milking Abigail, the cow, and turns to grin hello as Tod comes in to see what's going on.
[Wherever it's milking time, Abigail always swishes her tail and fro, helping to keep the flies apart from the pure white milk that is spurting down into the bucket underneath her.]
Tod decides that this tail looks the best play fact in the barn and decides to take a swat at it. But Abigail is too clever for him and bowls him over with one swish.
Widow: Tod, stop pestering Abigail.
Tod backs away, nursing his pride, and wanders over to have a look at the mother hen surrounded by her little yellow chicks.
[He only wants to look, but the hen has heard too many tales about foxes––even young ones––––from her own mother, and she pecks out frustratedly at him, chasing him off by her young.]
The hen creates so much commotion that Abigail starts to join in as well, mooing and swaying from side to side, where that the poor Widow loses her balance fully and falls right off her milking stool.
Widow: Oh, mercy!
[Tod looks in surprise at the chaos surrounding him and suddenly feels his tail being nipped by the frustrated hen who considers he is yet far too close for consolation.]
Tod starts to run, the hen at his heels, and doesn't even need time to look around as the Widow calls out.
Widow: Tod...stop this...Abigail!
The cow is really upset by now and is bobbing and stomping as hard as she can. A couple of seconds later and one of her back feet lashes out and knocks the milk bucket all over the floor.
Widow: Oh, dear! There goes my milk!
Tod stops running and looks up at the Widow woman, not altogether sure if he is the cause of her unhappiness or not.
Widow: Easy, now, easy. Steady, Abigail, steady. There, there. (She looks over to where Tod is cowering guiltily.) Tod...you come here! (Tod doesn't like the sound of her voice at all, and tries to hide behind an old barrel.) You come here, I said!
[Tod comes out cautiously, and walks slowly over to the frowning Widow.]
She bends down and picks him up by the scruff of his neck.
Widow: Now just look what you've done!
Tod looks at the milk spewing out all over the floor. He hasn't meant to be naughty and feels really sorry that he has caused the Widow so much damage. He looks around into her face and gives one of her ears a big, apologetic lick.
Widow: Now don't try to butter me up. (But one look into his disgraceful eyes and she can't help but laugh.) Oh, Tod...I just can't stay frustrated with you...you little imp! Now, run along and play, and try to stay out of mischief.
[The Widow places Tod gently on the floor and pushes him slightly toward the door.]
He guesses from the tone of her voice that he is more or less forgiven and, with a little jump of joy, scampers out of the barn and out into the sunlight, where a passing butterfly catches his attention and he gives chase, the hen, the milk and Abigail forgotten fully.
[Copper the puppy dog's morning has been far less eventful. His master has sorted out another barrel and placed it behind Chief's and he has been warned to "stay put" until it's time for lunch.]
Now "staying" is all very well for old Chief, who likes nothing better than to sleep as much of the day apart as he can. But for Copper, the world is a new and emotional place complete with lots of interesting facts and smells to explore. It is just such a smell that is intriguing him at that moment. A smell which makes his nostrils quiver and his tail wag––even though he doesn't know what it is.
Chief: Hey, there, Copper. What are you sniffing at?
Copper sniffs, deep and long, moving his nose from right to left.
Copper: Something I never smelled before, Chief.
Chief: Hmm...let me see. (After a few seconds, he relaxes again, that is an easy joke.) Aw, shucks, Copper. The Master's just cooking grits and fatback. You ought to know that smell by now.
Copper shakes his head emphatically.
Copper: N-no. That's now what I smell. I don't know, Chief. It's something else.
Chief shakes his head and tuts disapprovingly.
Chief: Hey, sonny, you have a lot to learn about sniffing and smelling. Now, where do you think you're going?
Copper has got up, yet sniffing emotionally.
Copper: I have to find out what that smell is, Chief.
[The Chief frowns, the Master isn't going to like the young pup going away like that. But he is a determined little creature and the old hound doesn't rightly know how to stop him once his mind is made up.]
Copper runs away toward the nearby fields.
Copper: I won't get lost, Chief. I can smell my road back.
Chief: Huh. Can't warn these young whippersnappers anything.
[Copper's nose is working frantically as he makes his road across the countryside. He just knows he is on the right trail, although who or what has made that trail he hasn't the faintest idea.]
Eventually, he comes to an old hollow log where the scent is even stronger than before.
[Head down, Copper enters the log, yet sniffing madly. Sniff, sniff, sniff, the trail draws his quivering nose to the roof of the log where a hole leads out and through which he can see the heavens. He puts his nose to the hole and suddenly finds another nose smelling his from outside the log.]
It is Tod, who runs to the end of the opening.
Tod: What are you smelling?
Copper: I'm on the trail of something.
Tod: Trail of what?
Copper: I don't know yet.
The young pup follows the scent all along the top of the log until he appears at the end, where once again the two young animals meet, nose to nose.
Copper: Why...it's...it's you! (He lets out a huge, long howl.)
Tod jumps a little bit at the strange sound and stares curiously at the pup.
Tod: What did you do that for?
Copper kind of grins, and puffs out his chest with pride.
Copper: We're supposed to do that if we find what we've been tracking.
Tod nods, although he doesn't really understand what the pup is speaking about. They regard each other for a couple of seconds and then Tod decides it is time for an introduction.
Tod: I'm a fox. My name's Tod. What's your name?
Copper bounces out of the log and sniffs Tod, knocking him over playfully.
Copper: I'm Copper and I'm a hound dog.
Tod: Gosh, I bet you'd be nice at playing hide and seek. Want to try, Copper?
Copper puts his head on one side.
Copper: Can I use my nose?
[Tod shrugs. He doesn't mind what Copper used, he is simply happy at having found himself a playmate at last.]
Tod decides that he will be the first one to go and hide.
Tod: Alright, now go ahead and close your eyes and count.
The young puppy turns to the log and puts his paws over his eyes.
Copper: One, two, three.
Tod: No, Copper. Peeking's not allowed!
Copper lowers his head again and starts to count.
Copper: One, two, three, four...
Unseen by the two friends, an owl has alighted on a branch nearby and is watching them intently.
Big Mama: Well, just look at that....a fox and a hound playing together. (She shakes her head; never in her long life has she seen such a fact.)
[Big Mama continues to watch as Copper takes his turn at hiding, then Tod again, and then Copper once more. And wherever somebody is "found" there will ensue a playful skirmish with puppy and fox cub rolling over and over together, barking and squeaking in delight at their games.]
At first, Big Mama is very happy to see that Tod has found himself a friend, but slowly, as she watches, she becomes sadder and sadder, for she realizes that this friendship can only last for a little while and that either time or the fashions of the world will separate the playful pair and make their friendship impossible.
[Just as she is thinking all of this, a voice breaks into her thoughts...]
Amos: Copper...Copper! C'mon, boy, you have to come home. Copper!
[It is Amos Slade, the hunter, who has come to look for his missing puppy.]
Copper disentangles himself from Tod and runs a little road toward the voice. He turns back to Tod.
Copper: Sheesh, Tod, I have to go home now. See you! (With that said, he turns and runs as fast as he can, knowing instinctively that his master is going to be frustrated.)
[For the rest of that day, Tod thinks about his game with Copper and tries to think of a fashion to get to see each other again. It is in the middle of the night that he has a brilliant idea, and just as dawn is breaking the very next morning, Tod sneaks from his box in the widow's kitchen, across the fields and over the hill, to the hunter's house where the two dog barrels rest outside.]
Tod creeps up to the smallest of the two barrels. He is sure that this one belongs to his friend.
Tod: Copper! (But all he hears in reply is the snoring of old Chief.) Copper! Are you in there?
This time, Copper's grinning face peeks out from the front of the barrel.
Tod: C'mon, Copper!
[Copper looks concernedly over at the sleeping Chief and then back at Tod. He then wants to go and play, but what if...]
Suddenly he decides, and with a little skip and a jump he is out and past Chief and together they run away over the hill.
[They play tag and hide-and-seek, rough and topple, shivering and licking each other in their emotion. And as it is time to stop for a rest, Tod turns to Copper.]
Tod: Copper, you're my very best friend.
Copper: And you're mine as well, Tod.
Tod: And we'll always be friends forever, won't we?
Copper: Yes, forever.
Then, completely recovered, the pair of them rush away to go swimming, fully forgetting that Copper has to get back home before Amos Slade discovers he is missing.
Amos: Curses! That Copper pup's gone and strayed away again!
Slade summons Chief, and together, they stride away into the fields to search for Copper.
Amos: If that little rascal's going to make a nice hunting dog, he has to learn to obey orders.
Soon they reach the brow of the hill and Slade stops to call out.
Amos: Copper! Come back here, boy!
[Copper stops splashing Tod and looks over his shoulder toward the sound of the voice. He knows he ought to obey, but they are having such a wonderful time and he yet owes Tod for the dunking Tod has given him at the beginning.]
The young animals continue their games until the voice of Slade and the scent of Chief get uncomfortably close to Copper's liking.
[The pup clambers out of the water and shakes himself dry.]
Copper: I must go home.
Tod: Ya have to? We're having too much fun.
Copper: I must...he sounds awful mad.
Tod: I'll see ya tomorrow. And don't forget!
[Copper promises that he won't and disappears from sight.]
That night, Tod can hardly sleep, thinking about all the fun he and Copper has had together early that morning.
[Tod decides that having a friend is quite the nicest fact in the world and can't imagine just what he's done before he met Copper.]
Tod's memories of his mother are getting fainter and fainter all the time. This is not because he hasn't loved his mother very much; he has. But foxes, even if they are living in the wild, know that they have to fend for themselves and cannot depend on anybody. And then, from the day he is born, Tod has been learning to be independent.
[The next morning, just as the dawn is beginning to break, Tod silently sneaks out of the Widow's house and makes his road over to Slade's property.]
It is yet quite dark and sometimes the shadows of the trees make him jump. But he is determined to see Copper and have as much time together as possible, where he keeps on going and soon reaches the little hill, which overlooks the farm.
[Climbing to the top, he looks down and sees Copper's barrel. He makes his road very carefully down the slope where as not to awaken old Chief, and soon is close enough to call out.]
Tod: Copper! Copper! It's me, Tod.
Copper's sleepy face appears at the door of the barrel and blinks hard, trying to make out his friend in the misty light of dawn.
Copper: Oh, Tod...I...er...um...I was just having a lovely dream.
But Tod goes and stands right in front of him and playfully swats one of his ears.
Tod: Never mind about your dream. C'mon, let's go and play in the forest before old Chief and Slade wake up. We'll have lots and lots of time today. I got up specially early.
Copper: Yes, where I noticed. C'mon then, I'll race you up the hill.
[The two of them run and run; up the hill and down again.]
Copper gives him a head start, but soon his active nose sniffs Tod out and he jumps on him from behind a tree. They proceed to roll about on the moss and leaves, scratching and nipping each other playfully, until Copper has seen enough and runs away, with Tod in hot pursuit.
[The forest is getting lighter and lighter all the time, and the pair are getting farther and farther apart from home, so involved are they in their game of tag.]
Suddenly, the sound of running water makes them both stop running and look around. Tod realizes that he doesn't recognize any of their surroundings, and has just started to be a little bit frightened until a silvery light from a nearby clearing makes him want to investigate.
[Copper has seen the light as well, and together the fox and the hound make their road toward the fast running stream, which bubbles and plays its enticing water music to them.]
Copper: Oohhhh!!!! Isn't it beautiful? C'mon, Tod, let's go for a swim like we did yesterday.
Tod doesn't need asking twice and soon the pair of them are swimming from rock to rock, sidestepping and swiping at each other, fully unaware that the current is getting faster and faster.
Copper: Tod! T-o-d! C'mon, stop hiding; I bet you can't reach that pile of twigs before me.
But Tod is nowhere to be seen. Copper begins to get very concerned. He can feel the water dragging him downstream now, and however hard he paddles, it is very difficult to stay in one place.
Tod: HEEELLLPPP!!!
Suddenly, Copper thinks he hears a muffled cry.
Tod: C-C-Cop...
[Copper reaches a boulder sticking out of the water and heaves himself up onto it by his front paws. Looking downstream, he feels his heart miss a beat as he sees a dark, furry shape being tossed and turned hopelessly in a little whirlpool. He just knows that it is Tod. Somehow, he has to try to save him.]
Copper swims to the side of the bank and manages to drag himself out. Not even stopping for breath, which he sorely needs, the pup races along the bank toward the shape of Tod, which is fast disappearing underwater.
Copper: Tod! Hang on! We're coming!
[With that said, the valiant little hound takes a running jump into the rushing water and begins to paddle toward his friend.]
It is very difficult even to see where Tod is, for twigs and green stuff keep getting in Copper's eyes and mouth. But he keeps going just the same, and eventually reaches the thrashing terrified shape that is Tod.
Tod: Copper! Cop...aah! (He tries to reach onto his friend, but foolishly opens his mouth and swallows a bellyful of horrible water.)
[Copper knows that Tod is quite likely to drag both of them under in his panic, well, swimming around, he takes the first opportunity to grab the scruff of Tod's neck in his teeth and, ignoring the resulting cries of pain, pushes away toward the shore.]
Several times Copper is forced to let go, and then he just snaps until his mouth finds a piece of Tod, any piece, he doesn't care. Then he will start swimming and splashing again, determined not to give up.
[Copper's stubbornness is to pay away, and after what seems like an age, the two of them reach the riverbank. Tod is just about able to help get himself out of the water. Then the two of them lay, side-by-side, shivering and gasping for air.]
Tod: Oh, Copper. You...you saved my life. How can I ever thank you?
Copper turns and grins at his friend.
Copper: Oh, shucks! You would have done the same.
The two young animals begin to look around them at the very unfamiliar forest.
Tod: Er...Copper. Do you know the road home?
Copper: Why...of course...it's, er...that fashion. No...no...no...it's that fashion.
The two young animals stand up and shake the water from their coats as best they can.
Tod: Well...which fashion shall we try first?
[Copper looks around carefully and eventually decides, then off the two of them go, each one wondering what their owners will say since they return at last.]
After some time, Tod stops and flops down onto the ground.
Tod: It's no use, Copper. I don't remember this at all. We must be going in the wrong direction.
[Copper is about to suggest trying another route until the sound of wings beating furiously makes them both look up.]
A huge shadow bears down on them from the trees and lands in a flurry of frustrated feathers.
Big Mama: Phew! Oh...I've been flying all morning trying to find you naughty pair. Now just where do you think you're off to? Don't you know that everybody else is awake and looking for you?
Tod: Oh, Big Mama. I'm so glad to see you. You see, Copper and I were playing...tag, and then we saw this stream and Copper jumped in and saved my life and then we...
Big Mama flaps her wings up and down to stop the young cub's chattering.
Big Mama: Yes...yes...that's it...well, never mind about all that now. Let's just get you back home and you can warn me all about it later. (She takes off and circles the two animals on the ground.) C'mon, follow me. I'll try not to go too fast.
[Copper and Tod race along the ground just as faster as they can, while trying to keep an eye on Big Mama up above them. At last, their surroundings become more and more familiar until eventually, they reach the hill and their respective homes.]
Copper is very concerned about Slade's reaction at finding him missing so long and as he gets closer, he begins to drag his steps, much to Big Mama's annoyance, who keeps calling for him to hurry up.
Tod: Well, Copper, I guess you'd better go. I hope everything's alright for you down there.
Copper: Yes...I just can't imagine what he'll do so.
Tod: Well, whatever that is, just keep on thinking that I'll be down for you again tomorrow and no matter how mournful you are, I wish I'll be able to cheer you up somehow. (He grins, and as he gives his friend a little shove down toward the house.)
Copper trots forward and then turns, grinning.
Copper: See you tomorrow then, Tod. Farewell. (With a final brave flourish of the tail, he is off to meet his fate.)
[Tod watches his friend disappear, but makes for home himself, and neither of the two young animals guess for one instant that they have played their last game together.]
The next morning, Tod sneaks out and over the hill as usual to collect his friend, Copper.
[But as he arrives at the house, he finds that the poor young pup has been firmly bound to a wooden stump, with no fashion of getting free to go and play.]
Tod: Hey, Copper. What just happened to ya?
Copper looks mournful and dejected, his ears hanging low and his eyes big and wide.
Copper: My master says that I must stay at home, Tod.
But Tod is yet in the mood for fun and jumps playfully onto Copper's back.
Tod: Well, we can play around here then.
Copper twists his head around, out of Tod's grip and looks anxiously toward Chief's barrel.
Copper: Csendes! Not here, Tod. Not with old Chief over there.
Chief is lying in his barrel, with only his large rump protruding from the front, snoring off as usual.
Tod: Is that him making that awful noise?
Copper: He keeps me awake at night.
[Tod gets up and wanders over to take a look at the snoozing old hound dog, who seems to get larger and larger with every step he takes.]
Copper tries to follow his friend, who is frightened that Tod will get too close.
Copper: Oh, don't go in there, Tod. He can get awful mean. He's cranky!
Tod walks around Chief's rear end and peers into the barrel, trying to see where the huge animal ends. But his curiosity gets the better of him, and Copper watches in horror as Tod begins to slide in alongside the old dog, his eyes wide with amazement at such a size.
Tod: Yeesh, is he big!
Copper has crept over to stand at the end of Chief's barrel, desperately hoping that his friend will stop his foolishness and come out from this particular lion's den.
Tod: Do you know, Copper, his ears aren't as big as yours?
Copper swivels his eyes heavenward and crosses his paws as best as he can.
Copper: That's not the part you must concern about.
But Tod is far too interested to listen and, reaching over with his paw, pushes down the side of Chief's lower lip to examine the array of gleaming white teeth that are at least twice the size of his own.
Tod: Heavens...look at these teeth!
Copper: That's the part you must concern about!
Suddenly, Chief starts to shudder, as though in the middle of a dream. His front paw begins to pound the ground and he starts to mumble.
Chief: I'm gaining on him. He won't get away now!
[Tod watches curiously and doesn't even notice until Copper gets kicked apart from the front of the kennel by one of Chief's jerking back legs.]
Copper creeps painfully back to the hole and tries again to make Tod see sense.
Copper: He's waking up. Unh! Get out, Tod!
By now, Tod is complete with misplaced confidence and leans dangerously on Chief's muzzle, intently observing the old dog's dream.
Tod: No, it's alright, Copper. He's just dreaming. I think he's chasing something.
Copper covers his eyes with his paws and tries not to listen as Chief's mumbles grow louder and louder.
Chief: Now I've had him cornered. Why, it's a big old badger.
Tod: Copper, listen, he's chasing a badger.
Chief: Badger...I'll get him. No! No, it's not a badger.....it's a...it's a...
By now, Chief has moved his position in his emotion and Tod finds himself being pressed up against the back of the barrel by Chief's muzzle.
Chief: It's a fox! A FOX!!!!!
[Copper is so frightened that he can only return to his own barrel and peer around the corner to see what is going on. He watches as Chief's barrel begin to rock wildly from side to side, and doesn't dare to think what may become of poor little Tod trapped inside.]
But Tod doesn't intend to hang around to find out. Using his most cunning moves, he sneaks past the giant frame of Chief, who is snarling and snapping at his heels. Copper watches in relief as Tod's figure races from the barrel and disappears out of the yard.
Copper: Run, Tod, run. (But Chief is tied to his barrel by some rope and although he can just about manage to drag the entire barrel along with him, it means that Tod gets quite a nice head start.)
[In his terror, Tod dashes straight toward Amos Slade's chicken house, under some wire and through a small door to where the chickens are all trying to sleep. At the entrance of the fox, the chickens begin to fly and squawk and make a dreadful noise. But an even bigger shock is in store for them until Chief's huge head and shoulders appear at the entrance to their coop.]
Poor old Chief gets his second awful shock of the morning as it seems that hundreds of petrified chickens begin throwing themselves at his head. Faster, he withdraws from the coop and stands for a moment, shaking the feathers out of his eyes. Looking around, he spies Tod going away in a separate direction and, yet dragging his barrel behind him, he gives chase, this time going around the chicken house and not noticing at all that his kennel is now complete with chickens.
[Amos Slade throws back his shutters and stares in horror at the scene, which meets his eyes. He disappears from view and reappears at the door, attempting to pull up his pants which he's pulled on his over his snazzy cactus yellow pajama suit.]
In one hand, he carries his gun and without bothering to take a very careful aim, begins to fire wildly at Tod's retiring form.
[Tod begins to zig-zag, not knowing which fashion is home and finds himself almost face-to-face with Chief and his barrel complete with chickens. Turning again, Tod races away in the separate direction and Chief turns as well, managing to trip up Amos Slade, who by now has reached the scene.]
High up on a branch, Boomer and Dinky clutch each other in terror at the scene below them and with one mind, take off and head for a nearby mailbox, hoping for some kind of refuge.
[Old Chief is getting further and further behind the young fox, and just as Boomer and Dinky disappear into the mailbox, Tod sees the very same box and jumps up into it, hoping to hide for shelter.]
But Amos Slade has seen Tod's tail disappear, and he begins firing wildly at the box, which soon begins to look like a piece of shredded cheese, it has so many holes.
[Tod jumps from the box, which seems to explode with departing birds and letters. He isn't sure that he thinks he has a whiff of the scent of home and, with one fast glance behind, makes off in the direction from which it comes.]
Tod races and races. He's gone so far that he has to cross a major road, narrowly missing two passing cars in his desperation to get across. Down a slight hill and Tod comes to a small pond, which he knows he has to cross. Jumping nimbly onto a rock, Tod makes a gigantic effort and manages to make the shore on the other side.
[Chief and the barrel has also reached the pond, but the old hound dog is not renowned for his intelligence and although he is able to jump the pond fully, his barrel is not, and just as he lands on the riverbank, his barrel hits the water with a terrific splash, swiftly filling up and drawing Chief backward through the air.]
Tod takes one look back and almost feels a little very sorry to see the old dog dragged back into the watery kennel, from soon which he appears, heaving and shivering, his cheeks filled with water and his coat absolutely drenched.
[Chief looks up and snarls frustratedly as he catches Tod watching him, but then the sound of a motor engine starting up makes them both look around.]
It is the Widow, about to go into town to deliver the milk to the dairy, and Tod knows that he has to make one last effort to reach her before he will be safe.
[Running as hard as he can, Tod turns the corner of the yard just as the Widow is pulling apart from the front of the barn.]
Tod: Keep running, keep running! (But it's no luck, the Widow is going far too fast.)
[Then Tod has an idea. She has to go under a bridge, and if he can just reach the bridge first by traveling across country, but he could jump down into the back of the truck and be safe.]
Harder and harder he runs, until he can hear the blood stinging in his ears. And soon the bridge is in sight.
[Tod jumps up onto the balustrade and waits, listening to the sound of the approaching vehicle. There it is...now he just has to wait for the right moment and...a loud, pissed off voice splits through the air.]
Tod lands in the middle by some of the milk churns and just as he hits the floor of the truck, a gunshot rings out, hitting the balustrade on which he has been standing.
[Some stones and brick dust clatter down onto the truck, making the Widow turn around in alarm.]
Widow: Tod.
[By this time, Amos Slade, as well, is mobile. He is putting his foot down as well and is pelting along the country lanes in pursuit of the Widow and Tod. Suddenly, they come into view. Slade hangs perilously onto the steering wheel with one hand and tries to take aim at the fox with each other. The muzzle of the gun goes this fashion and that as the old truck bumps along. But Slade is far too frustrated to give up now, and despite the wavering of the gun, he pulls the trigger as hard as he can.]
Bang!
[One of the Widow's milk churns is the unlucky recipient of the shot and bubbly white liquid begins spurting out, leaving a frothy trail for Slade to follow.]
Tod peers gingerly out between the churns and almost slips on all the milk as the Widow swerves wildly from left to right, trying to avoid the shots which Slade keeps on and on delivering.
[The Widow is really frustrated and decides that the only fashion to get out of this mess is to warn that fool Amos Slade exactly what she thinks of his ridiculous behavior.]
Without warning, the Widow brakes hard and comes to a stop. Slade tries to stop as well, but skids on the milk, which is yet spewing out all over the road.
[Tod decides he'll better sit tight, and watches hesitantly as the Widow climbs down from the driving seat and waits, arms akimbo, for Slade's vehicle to complete skidding. Just as the truck comes to a halt, Chief appears on the scene, yet dragging his barrel behind him and shivering hard.]
The Widow marches over to where Slade is recovering from his fright.
Widow: Amos Slade! You trigger-happy lunatic! Give me that gun!
[Slade flinches in his seat and is too shocked to give any existence at all as the Widow reaches through the window and grabs the serious weapon from out of his shaking hands.]
Swinging around, the Widow stomps to the front of Slade's truck, brandishing the gun and takes up a firing position.
[Amos Slade is shaking even more by now, thinking that the Widow actually means to shoot him. He covers his eyes and starts muttering under his breath.]
A shot rings out and Slade jumps about a foot in the air. As he hits his seat again, he pinches himself. Yes...he is certainly yet alive. Then what has the Widow done?
[From the front of Slade's truck, a grand gush of steam is shooting up into the heavens and boiling water is pouring from the big hole in the radiator made by the Widow's shot.]
Amos: My radiator! Why, you blasted female! Change them back, or I'll...
Widow: Now hold it right there!
Amos: Watch it! That fact's loaded.
The Widow turns the gun around and empties all the unspent cartridges down onto the ground.
Widow: Well, now it ain't loaded!
She throws the gun back to Amos.
Amos: Oof! YOU PESKY WOMAN!! YOUR THIEVING FOX WAS AFTER MY CHICKENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Widow: Rubbish and poppycock! I don't believe it. He wouldn't hurt a fact!
Amos: You calling me a liar, you muddle-headed female? Why, I saw it happen!
Widow: Amos Slade, that temper of yours is going to get you into a lot of damage one of these days.
Amos: Temper? TEMPER, WOMAN, YOU AIN'T EVEN SEEN MY TEMPER YET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But if I ever catch that sneaky fox on my property again, I'll blast him! And next time, I won't miss!
[The Widow regards him coolly, like a naughty child and gathering Tod in her arms, turns and leaves Slade to repair his temper and his radiator.]
The following days, Tod is under house arrest in the Widow's house. She is so frightened that Slade will hurt the little fellow that she doesn't dare let him out for fear of him getting into mischief.
Widow: Oh, poor little tyke. It's such a exchange I have to keep him cooped up.
Tod turns to her and looks beseechingly into her eyes and then out again at the world, which beckons him.
Widow: Oh, Tod, don't look at me like that. It's not my fault, you know. You caused a lot of damage over at Amos Slade's and if you...
Suddenly, a dog's barking makes both of them turn toward the window.
Widow: Oh, now what are they up to? Huh...it looks like Amos is going on a hunting trip. A long one from the looks of facts. Well, thank riddance, that's what I say. (And she turns back to her chores, leaving Tod to watch the comings and goings at the farm.)
[Slade is loading up his truck with all manner of parcels and packages and cases, while Chief is barking and bouncing around his feet. Copper is nowhere to be seen, but then Tod hears a familiar howl, which makes him long to see his friend one more time before he is taken apart.]
Glancing around, Tod notices that the Widow is totally preoccupied at the stove and, feeling guilty about disobeying her, Tod creeps up to a slightly open window and pushes it with his snout. It gives just enough for a small fox cub to squeeze through and without further delay, Tod wriggles out and jumps down from the sill, but runs as fast as his legs will carry him toward the Slade farm.
Amos: Blow it! That meddling female really shot up my radiator... (Suddenly, the engine coughs itself to life.) Well, that's more like it....keep running, old girl.
Copper gives a happy bark. Chief has warned him all about hunting trips and they sound like they can be an entire lot of fun.
Amos: Well, Copper, me and old Chief are going to teach you all about hunting. And it's about time as well.
Copper cavorts around his legs.
Amos: Atta boy. You're really going to like tracking down these varmints for me.
[Chief is already installed in the front seat of the truck and Copper bounds up onto the running board and plonks himself next to the old hound dog.]
Chief leans against the young pup and motions to the back seat with his head.
Chief: Uh-uh, let's get in the back, half pint. You must earn your right to sit up front!
Copper looks confused, but he doesn't really mind where he sits and obediently clambers into the back with all the camping equipment and makes himself comfortable.
Amos: Well, boys. We're getting out of here until next spring.
[With a grand roar of protest, the truck lumbers forward, sending Copper sprawling toward the tailgate of the truck.]
The pup pokes his head over the end, hanging on with one paw. And just as he does so, his friend Tod races around the corner and stops short at the empty barrels.
[In all the emotion, Copper has almost forgotten Tod, but now an enormous wave of despair washes over him as he realizes that they won't see each other for months and months, and he lets out a loud, anguished shriek he's ever given in his life.]
Tod watches the truck as it disappears into the distance. Whatever has he done now that Copper has gone?
Big Mama: Tod, darling, what are you doing over here?
Tod looks up as Big Mama flies in and lands on the top of Copper's old barrel.
Tod: Oh, Big Mama, I just wanted to say a farewell to Copper, but it was no use.
Big Mama: What did you plan to do if you ran into old Chief?
Tod: Aw...Chief...I can outfox that dumb old dog any time.
Big Mama flaps her wings crossly, and flies down to give Tod a piece of her mind. Somebody has to watch out for the silly cub's head.
Big Mama: Didn't you learn anything a few days ago? Now you listen to me, young fox, because it's either education or elimination.
[Tod stares wide-eyed at the frustrated old owl. She can be frightening as Chief if she wants to, but at least, she's his friend.]
Big Mama goes onward to warn Tod about all the hunting trips that Chief has been out on and how he is regarded as one of the best hunting dogs in the entire county. What's more, says Big Mama, Chief has the hunter on his side and the hunter has a gun and nobody, but nobody, can argue with a gun and get away with it. Tod looks suitably admonished and kind of agreed with the facts Big Mama has been warning him. But then, she starts to speak about Copper and their friendship and Tod just can't believe his ears.
Big Mama: You see, Tod, Copper is a hound as well, just like Chief. And if he comes back from that hunting trip, he's not going to be a puppy anymore.
Tod: Oh, Big Mama, I know Copper will never track me down. Why...he's my best friend!
Big Mama: Ha! Your best friend! You must realize, Tod, that's all the past now. Copper will hunt whatever Amos Slade warns him to hunt, and that includes little foxes like you.
Boomer and Dinky have flown in and are listening solemnly to everything Big Mama has to say. They really hope that Tod will take notice of the wise old owl, for they like him a lot and doesn't want him to get hurt.
Tod: You mean Copper's going to be my enemy?
The birds all look at each other mournfully. It seems there is only one fashion to make Tod see what danger he can be in if he tries to stay friends with the hound dog.
Dinky: Hey, boy. You'd better step over here and take a brief look.
[Dinky leads Tod toward the barn door and then, with Boomer's help, he opens it to reveal a wall absolutely covered with animal skins of every description; badgers, rabbits, moles, bears and...foxes.]
Tod feels very sick and shakes his head mournfully, hoping that the horrible sight will disappear. But it doesn't.
Tod: Why...why, that's awful! These poor facts!
Big Mama looks at Boomer and Dinky and nods for them to close the barn door. She moves silently over to where Tod is yet shaking and puts her wing gently around him.
Big Mama: I'm sorry, Tod, darling. But Copper is going to come back a completely trained hunting dog...a real murderer.
Tod: Oh...dear...not my friend Copper. He won't ever change!
Big Mama: I hope you're right, Tod.
Tod: We'll keep on being friends forever. Won't we, Big Mama?
Big Mama: Darling, forever is a long, long time. And time has a fashion of changing facts.
[Big Mama shrugs her shoulders. They have done all they can, now it is up to nature to take its curse and only time will warn if Tod is right about his friend. If he isn't....well, Big Mama doesn't like to think about that possibility.]
The following months are very lonely ones for Tod. Somehow, the fields to run in and the pond to swim in just aren't the same without Copper. Of course, Boomer and Dinky try to play with him, but they don't enjoy swimming, and rough and topple is fully out of the question. In fact, if Tod so much as playfully swats at them, they both get very upset and won't come back again for days.
[It isn't long before autumn really takes a hold of the countryside, and Tod loves his newfound game of chasing the leaves as they drop from the trees, swirling and dodging in the wind.]
One day, Tod has been so busy chasing a particularly crafty leaf that he has run straight into the trunk of the tree below, and has raced home to the Widow nursing his aching nose. Another time he has been so busy snuffling around in a lovely soft pile of leaves that he hasn't noticed the new smell that his snout is uncovering, and a furious hedgehog has raced at him, quills bristling. That night, the Widow spends quite some time removing the painful needles from Tod's coat.
[Soon the trees are fully barren and stand out against the landscape like scarecrows without clothes. Winter is almost with them, and the Widow seems to spend most of her days chopping and piling up logs for the long winter nights ahead.]
Tod will sit and watch her for a while each day, and every time the axe falls, the fox will jump a little bit and make the Widow laugh so much that she has to chase him off before she can continue with her work.
[Every morning, Tod will look out from the kitchen window at the frost that decorates the buildings and the trees. Little icicles will hang from the window ledges and Tod's first game of the day will be to rush out and break them apart, one by one.]
He doesn't stay out too long now, for the cold wintry winds will drive him in to sit behind the Widow's cozy fire, and the daylight hours are short and precious.
[Sometimes Tod will wander over to Slade's property and sniff the empty barrels, which yet contain the scents of Copper and Chief. He even has a game where he used to pretend that it is a warm summer night and he is going over to collect Copper for some fun and games in the forest while Chief sleeps onward. Tod will wriggle on his belly through the sparse undergrowth, feeling the ice melting on his coat as he goes. Then he will peer over the hill at the two barrels and give one of their secret calls. Slithering down the slope, he will run joyfully toward Copper's home and then race around to the front. The game always stops here because wherever Tod sees the empty barrel and unused blanket he will become so mournful that the only fact left to do is go home and try and sleep out the rest of the day.]
The first snowfall is fun-filled adventure for Tod. He just can't understand what the tiny white pieces are doing so, falling from the heavens, and spends hours trying to catch one to examine it. But every time he succeeds, they will just disappear in his paw and, try though he may, he never finds out where they have gone.
[But the winter is not so popular with the creatures who don't have the Widow's cozy house to return to every night.]
Poor Squeeks, the caterpillar, digs the deepest hole he possibly can, to try and keep warm, but yet his tunnels are covered in frost and he fears every one of his toes will get fully frozen apart unless he finds somewhere warm soon.
[One day, Squeeks spots the lovely glowing light from the Widow's house as she builds up the fire to chase off the wintry gloom.]
He decides that, somehow, that is the place where he is going to spend the winter and starts to crawl toward the welcoming light. His journey has to take him past the Widow's scarecrow under whose hat Boomer and Dinky are huddling together, hiding from the weather.
Dinky: Brrrrrr...Jiminies...it sure turned cold!
It is so cold that the two birds' breath is making a damp fog inside the hat, and they just don't know what to do to try and stop their beaks from chattering.
Boomer: Yes...I'm freezing!
Suddenly, Dinky glances through one of the holes in the hat and sees something on the ground. He starts, fully forgetting how cold he is, and almost knocks poor Boomer off the scarecrow's head.
Dinky: Hey! It's that fuzzy worm! Let's get him...
Boomer knows immediately who Dinky means. He yet hasn't forgiven Squeeks for escaping last time and can't wait to try and repay him him for the indignities he has suffered.
Dinky: Charge!!!
[But Squeeks has heard the noisy birds in best time and swiftly dives into a nearby snowbank in an effort to escape. Boomer and Dinky throw themselves at the bank, sending grand flurries of snow in all directions as their wings dig into the soft white blanket.]
Suddenly, Boomer's head appears from underneath the pile.
Boomer: Dinky! Faster! Over here! (Then he starts to heave on something as hard as he can.) I...I...f-found him!
But it isn't Squeeks that Boomer pulls triumphantly out from under the snow pile. It is a highly disgusted Dinky, all puffed up and covered with snow.
Dinky: Do I look like a worm? That's who we're after.....c'mon!
[Dinky manages to get himself the right road up and beckons with his wing for Boomer to follow him.]
By this time, Squeeks has actually reached the Widow's front door and is attempting to climb up it as fast as all of his legs will carry him.
[With a gigantic effort, Squeeks reaches the keyhole and throws himself into it, just as his two pursuers have spotted him.]
Dinky is the first to reach the door and, holding onto the door with one of his claws, he squints one eye to peer through the little hole.
Dinky: Huh! Will you look at that?
The sight that meets Dinky's eye is one of Squeeks comfortably ensconced on the side of a flowerpot, which happens to be near enough to the fire for the little caterpillar to roast all his legs quite thoroughly.
Dinky: Why...the little creep. Warm and cozy past the fire!
[Squeeks rubs his several different sets of hands together, and holds some of them out again toward the glow from the fire.]
Boomer pushes Dinky out of the road, where that he can get a look.
Boomer: Let me take a look.
Boomer can't believe his eyes. Squeeks has even brought his knitting with him and is by now leaning back and humming silently to himself.
Boomer: H-how do you like that g-guy? As snug as a bug!
Boomer shivers and looks around at the ice and snow.
Boomer: While we're freezing our beaks apart!
Dinky brushes the snow off his wings. It is certainly time they both make tracks for the nice, warm southern place where all sensible birds go for the winter.
Dinky: Well...yakking and shivering isn't getting us anywhere. Don't worry, Boomer. We'll get that no luck worm if we get back.
The two birds take one last look at the gloating caterpillar and then they are off, for they have a long journey ahead of them and can't afford to wait around any longer.
Dinky: So long, Big Mama!
Boomer: Yes...we're heading s-south!
Big Mama: Farewell, boys! See you next spring!
[From the window of the Widow's house, Tod looks out and sees the two birds disappearing. They have warned him all about how one day in the winter they will have to leave the valley and fly south until springtime. But they wish they may have stayed to say a farewell to him.]
Tod returns to his basket, wondering how much longer the winter can go ahead. Not long, he hopes, for Big Mama has warned him that Copper will be returning in the spring and he can't wait to see each other again.
[Far apart from the farm, Copper is having a much better time. He is learning so many facts and having such a nice time that he has almost forgotten poor Tod.]
Every morning, Slade will awaken early and cook himself and the two dogs breakfast on a small stove. Then it is time to annoy old Chief while Slade gets facts ready for the day's hunting.
[At first, the puppy is happy simply to bound in Slade's footprints, sometimes digging furiously in the snow until a strange new smell catches his attention.]
Copper doesn't know or care that he is supposed to be working. He loves the snow and even as he falls flat on his face and howls louder as the wet, cold stuff gets into his eyes, soon he forgets and goes frolicking away again, much to the disgust of old Chief, who often has to go and dig the young rascal out and carry him through the largest and deepest snowdrifts in his mouth.
[Chief sometimes wonders if Copper is really a hound dog at all, he seems so uninterested in everything he tries to teach him.]
One day, Chief finds a particularly interesting twig, which smells very strongly of rabbit.
[After a nice long sniff, Chief leaves the twig and tries to follow the scent, which has been partly obscured by the falling snow.]
Copper races up to the twig and begins to sniff as well, just like he has seen Chief do many times before. He is just about to gallop away until he suddenly notices Chief rear up and freeze every muscle.
[Chief strikes his best hunting pose and growls menacingly. He has seen a small rabbit busily foraging for food to take home to his family, and the idea of rabbit stew for supper is making his old mouth water nice and proper.]
Copper follows Chief's gaze and spots the rabbit's bobtail dodging about in the snow. Eager to show Chief that he has listened to his teachings, Copper decides that this time he'll show him, and races away in pursuit of the rabbit.
[Chief is just about to spring until Copper races past and bowls him fully in the snow. He makes such a commotion that the rabbit spots him immediately and runs away, easily outdistancing the young pup as he gambols and pushes his road through the snow.]
Soon they come to a fallen log and the rabbit jumps over, scampers under the log and is out of sight.
[Copper comes barreling along and, although he tries very hard indeed so, finds that he just can't stop at the log and skids wildly, landing in a heap of raccoons on a nearby frozen pond.]
Chief strolls over and peers at the unfortunate pup, but shakes his head in disgust and trots back to his master, leaving Copper to untangle himself and get back onto the bank as best he can.
[Poor Copper tries again and again to imitate Chief's tracking powers, but each time he tries it usually ends in Slade laughing until his sides are almost bursting, or getting so cross that he refuses to give Copper any supper.]
The three of them are out in the forest and Copper just knows that today is going to be it.
[Today's the day if he is going to prove to Slade and old Chief that he is as nice a hunting dog as any, even if he dies in the process.]
Sniffing through the snow enthusiastically, Copper suddenly stops and rigidly holds his hunting pose.
[Chief gives him one look and goes away in the separate direction, convinced that it is only another of Copper's silly antics and not to be taken seriously.]
Slade is just about to follow in Chief's direction, until Copper suddenly lets out a loud, anguished shriek as he races toward a tree.
[Amos Slade watches in amazement as a flurry of pheasant birds fly out, flushed out by Copper's cries, and in a second has his gun aimed and is bringing them down at a tremendous rate.]
As he has bagged as many as possible, Slade races over to Copper and affectionately rustles his ears this fashion and that.
Amos: Nice boy, Copper. Nice dog. I knew you can do it!
[From that day on, Copper often takes the lead until they go out. He becomes expert at picking up the slightest trail and can't wait to be away wherever he sees Slade getting ready for an outing.]
Copper never takes much notice of the guns or the traps which Slade carries.
[And even as he helps Slade shoot a bird or an animal, it doesn't really upset him.]
For hunting is in a his nature. It gives him such a thrill of emotion as he sniffs out a rabbit warren or a badger's set, that he doesn't really notice what just happened afterward.
[Copper is simply growing up into what nature has intended him to be a very nice hunting dog and a faithful friend to his master.]
At the beginning of the trip, old Chief pushes the young pup out of the road wherever there is work to be done, and very often has to go and retrieve him until Copper gets stuck in a hollow log or falls down in a deep snowdrift.
[But as time wears on, both Chief and Slade realize that Copper is becoming more and more useful, and soon it is Copper who leads the road wherever a new scent or trail appears.]
By the time spring has come around, Copper has grown almost as big as Chief, and Slade is as proud as proud can be of his two grand hunting dogs.
[All of them are very mournful until at last, it is time to return home, and Copper doesn't think once that it will give him his first opportunity in months to see his old friend, Tod.]
The coming of springtime at the farm brings grassy fields for Tod to roll in flowers for him to smell.
[The Widow has no fears for his safety while Amos Slade is off, and he has become used to roaming free during the day and returning home for his meal and his nice comfortable basket in the evenings.]
He has almost become used to being on his own and doesn't think about it so much anymore, except if he goes out to swim and can almost hear Copper splashing about behind him like he does since they are young.
[One day, Tod is on his road to a nearby meadow until he passes under Big Mama's tree and hears a peculiar kind of brushing noise.]
As he looks up, he sees a huge pile of old leaves being swept out of her hole.
[Big Mama is doing her spring cleaning.]
No use, realizes Tod that Big Mama hasn't heard him arrive, and with one tremendous final sweep, the entire pile of leaves land on his head, making him cry out in grand agony.
[Big Mama flies out of her hole and down to the moving pile of leaves just as Tod pokes his head out.]
Big Mama: Well...look who's here! Oh, my heavens! I'm sorry, Tod, darling!
Tod doesn't really mind and is just about to ask if there is anything he can do to help Big Mama, until the sound of wings flapping makes them both look up.
[It is Boomer and Dinky, who have just flown back for the summer.]
Big Mama jumps up and down with emotion, and walks over to the fence on which the two birds have landed.
Dinky: Hi, Big Mama! We're back! We flew all the road!
Boomer: Oh, yes...yes...we did so!
Big Mama: Welcome home! You know it's been kind of lonesome around here without you boys!
Tod: Hi, fellas! (He has walked silently toward the fence and sits looking up at the three birds.)
Boomer: Hey, who's that? Who's that?
Dinky isn't so concerned. He takes off and flies around Tod, looking him up and down.
Dinky: Say, this can't be that scrawny little fact we found past that fence post, can it?! C'mon now!
Boomer rubs his eyes and breathes a sigh of relief.
Boomer: I just don't believe it!
Tod laughs as Dinky circles nearer and nearer. He enjoys being center of so much attention.
Tod: Oh, it's me alright.
Dinky: Hey! Lookee here, he's had himself a real fancy collar.
Boomer, as well, has taken away and inspecting his old friend, Tod.
Boomer: Yes...and just look at this bushy tail...b-b-beautiful!
Big Mama and Dinky chuckle hopelessly as Boomer suddenly tosses Tod's tail around his neck, for all the world like some big bushy red scarf.
Tod: Aw, cut it out! You guys are always teasing me!
[Boomer drops his tail as the sound of the Widow's creaky front door disturbs his antics.]
Flying back to the fence to join Dinky and Big Mama, Boomer sees the Widow emerge from her house carrying a very mournful-looking pot plant that has certainly seen better days.
[The Widow puts the plant down on the ground. She has decided that the few barren stems that are left on the plant does nothing to adorn her house, and that the best fact is to put the plant outside in the sun and see if it improves.]
Suddenly, the well-trained eyes of the two birds see a familiar figure appear over the edge of the pot.
Dinky: Look! It's him! (Then he turns to Tod.) Look, boy, we'll see you later. Boomer and me has some incomplete business to take care of.
With that said, the two birds hastily leave the fence and fly away toward the Widow's house and the pot, which has been Squeeks the Caterpillar's home for winter.
Widow: I don't understand. It was so healthy.
[Squeeks has ducked down underneath the soul until he hears her voice. He feels very appreciative that the Widow has grown such a delicious plant to keep him fed and happy during the winter months, but doesn't really think that she will see it that fashion.]
As she turns to go back indoors, Squeeks puts out his head and gets drowned by a sudden shower of pouring rain.
[It is the Widow's watering can as she decides to give the plant one last nice soaking before she leaves.]
Widow: There, that ought to perk it up a bit.
Squeeks: Ah...ah...achoo!
Boomer: Where'd he go, Dinky? Where'd he go?
Dinky looks around and suddenly catches sight of the back end of Squeeks disappearing up the pipe.
Dinky: He's going up that drainpipe! We'll head him off! Alright, Boomer. We've had him trapped! Let him have it!
Boomer braces his beak and then starts tapping at the metal base of the pipe.
Boomer: Rat-a-tat-tat....rat-a-tat-tat....
[But Boomer is tapping so hard that the vibrations knock Dinky fully off his perch at the top end, and just as he is attempting to recover his balance on the roof.]
Squeeks crawls out of the top of the pipe and along the roof, separate from his predators.
Boomer: Did you get him?
Dinky: NO!! Did you?
Boomer: N-no.
Dinky is jumping mad by now and looks this fashion and that, trying to see the fat little creature.
Dinky: Look!
(Squeeks has crawled from the roof onto the telephone wire and is making for the post, meaning to go down it to the ground.)
But as he sees Boomer and Dinky flying toward the post to wait for him, he hurriedly turns tail and ducks into the glass insulator, and sits, trembling, wondering what will happen next.
[Boomer and Dinky leave the post and fly onto the wire, which leads to the insulator box.]
Boomer: Ha...ha...caterpillar under glass...ho...ho...ho!
Poor Squeeks begins to tremble even more violently as Boomer stuffs his beak to attack the insulator box.
Boomer: Rat-a-tat-tat! Rat-a-ta...OOWWWW!!!!
[Suddenly, the insulator box shorts out and gives the two birds a rather nasty taste of electricity, singeing their wings and making them leave the telephone wire at double fast speed.]
The glass of the insulator box is fully shattered and a rather dazed Squeeks peers out from underneath the remaining shards.
Boomer: H-o-l-y s-m-o-k-e!
[Dinky regards his friend in horror, for not only are Boomer's feathers a very retrospective shade of black, he is also breathing out smoke, like a burned-out dragon.]
Squeeks takes the opportunity to climb out of the box and along the wire. He also has had a shot of electricity and appears to be glowing as he disappears down onto the roof.
Boomer: How'd he do that, Dinky? How'd he do that!
But Dinky is gazing far away into the distance where he can see a tiny speck approaching, and he can hear the coughs and splutters of old Slade's truck as it wends his road toward home.
Amos: (sings) I ain't have no job. I'm a hunting man and I'd rather have a dog than a dollar, then let's go banjo ringa linga ding...
[Amos Slade is singing at the top of his voice as he drives his old truck back toward home.]
In between verses, he glances back at Chief, who has somehow had relegated to the back of the truck while Copper occupies the prized position of front seat.
Amos: Aw, c'mon, Chief...just because you're not sitting up front, that ain't no reason to be a sorehead. Why, if it wasn't for you, old Copper here would never have turned out to be such a nice hunting dog.
Chief turns his head away in disgust. Huh! Nice hunting dog indeed so! That mongrel is yet the no-luck whippersnapper he always is, only now he has learned how to get into the master's best books. Slade leans back and gives Chief a friendly pat, and Copper tries to reach to lick him. But Chief is having none of it.
Amos: Yes, sir. Now I have the best two dogs in the entire county. Right, Copper?
Slade removes his beaten-up old hat and places it at a jaunty angle on Copper's head. Copper howls with pleasure and nuzzles his master's arm.
Amos: Isn't he something, Chief?
As they near the farm, word has already reached Tod that Copper and his family are returning, and he is racing up the hill where that he will be able to spot the truck until it appears on the horizon. He is so emotional about seeing Copper again that he can hardly make his legs move fast enough, and his tail stands upright and bushy in greeting.
Tod: Look, Big Mama! Copper's back!
Tod and Big Mama settle themselves on a best vantage point and watch as the truck gets nearer and nearer the farm, until at last it comes to a rustling standstill outside the door. Copper jumps from the truck and sits expectantly waiting while Slade lowers himself from the driving seat.
Tod: Boy, has Copper grown big!
But Big Mama is not so proud, or pleased to see Copper.
Big Mama: Yes, and look at that big pile of skins he helped track down!
Tod: I know, Big Mama. He's a hunting dog now.
Big Mama: You're right! And you're a fox.
Tod looks pensively down at the scene below and longs to race down and roll in the dust with Copper, just like they use to.
Tod: I just have to find out if he's yet my friend.
Big Mama: (shrugs) Well, darling...just don't get your hopes too high.
Tod: Look, don't worry....I'll be careful. I'll go over tonight when Chief and the Hunter are sound asleep.
Copper: Boy! It's grand to be back home, isn't it, Chief?
Chief: Huh...huh.
Copper walks over to the front of the barrel and addresses Chief's rear end.
Copper: Aw, c'mon, Chief...you aren't yet sore, are ya?
Chief turns himself around in his kennel and, head on paws, gazes morosely at Copper, whom he has not yet forgiven for taking his precious place up front of the truck.
Copper: Hey, let's scuffle! We ain't scuffled in a long time! C'mon, Chief, let's have some fun!
Much against his better judgment, Chief finds himself beginning to enjoy Copper's puppy-ish wrestling and even starts to join in a little bit.
Chief: Cut this out...ah! Why, you overgrown pup, let go! I say, let me go!
By this time, Copper has gone a little bit too far and Chief gives a serious warning growl.
Copper: Alright. That's it.
Chief gives his ruffled coat a few soothing back to his own barrel.
Chief: You know, that was your danger on the hunt. There's far too much puppy dog yet left in you. Smelling and tracking just isn't enough to make a nice hunter. You have to think nasty as well!
[Copper breathes a deep sigh. He is just about fed up with Chief treating him like a six-week-old pup, and after all the best tracking he's done while they are off as well. But he knows better than to try and argue with the older dog, where he simply growls and settles down to rest, while Chief's head disappears back into the depths of his barrel.]
Later that night, as the moon has risen and the entire valley is bathed in a warm yellow glow, Copper starts as he hears some twigs snapping nearby. He lifts his head and his ears tingle expectantly while his nose twitches as a familiar scent wafts toward him on a light breeze.
Tod: Copper...psst! Hey, Copper, over here. It's me, Tod.
Cautiously, Tod emerges from behind a bush and stands sheepishly smirking at the now completely awake Copper.
Copper: I thought that was you, Tod. I heard you coming. Boy! You've really grown.
Tod: You have as well, Copper. I saw you coming back with Chief and the Hunter.
Copper looks slightly uncomfortable. Perhaps he doesn't like the idea of Tod seeing him return with all the skins.
Copper: It's grand to see you, Tod. But ya know, you shouldn't be over here. You're...you're going to get us both into a lot of damage.
Tod tries not to notice the rather cold note in Copper's voice, why, he is probably just emotional to see him.
Tod: Look, I just wanted to say hello. We're...we're yet friends. Aren't we?
Copper looks down toward the ground. He is feeling very awkward, for something has to be said and he doesn't really know how to say it without hurting Tod dreadfully.
Copper: Tod, these days are over. I'm a...I'm a hunting dog now. Hey, you'd better get out of here before old Chief wakes up.
Tod: Oh, Chief doesn't concern me.
Copper: Tod, I'm serious. You're fair game as far as he's worried.
[Suddenly, Chief's barrel almost rocks as a tremendous growl emits from it and Chief's face appears in the doorway, his teeth bared ferociously.]
Tod doesn't stop to argue anymore and starts to run for dear life is worth back toward the Widow's house.
[Amos Slade has been awakened by Chief's frustrated barking and soon appears in the doorway, gun in hand.]
Amos: It's that fox again.
[Chief wastes no time in running after Tod, and Copper races after Chief, not knowing whether he is emotional about the prospect of a chase or concerned for Tod's safety.]
The two dogs are making so much noise that they awaken the Widow, and she swiftly appears at her doorway carrying a lantern.
Widow: Oh, dear, no. They're after Tod!
Amos: After him, boys, go git him!
[Tod throws himself under the fence and over a large log, stumbling as another blast narrowly misses him. He spies some bushes and makes for them with Chief close behind. On and on he runs, his sense of direction destroyed by his fear. Around the trees, through a stream, deep, deep into the undergrowth, and yet Chief is only a few yards behind him.]
A steep hill almost makes him give up, but the frustrated growling from behind forces him to carry on. Soon they come to a railroad and Tod spies a bulky container lying near the tracks. He's gained a little on Chief and decides that it's worth a try. Then he slinks behind the container and waits as Chief runs on, not noticing that the scent has stopped.
[Tod breathes deeply. He knows it is only a matter of moments before Chief turns around and he has to make the most of it.]
But before he has expected it, a loud sniffing makes him turn in alarm.
Amos: Copper!
The two animals look deep into each other, neither of them knowing what to do so, their instincts battling with their memories.
Amos: Copper! Copper!
He turns back to the fox.
Copper: Tod, I––I don't wanna see you get murdered, but...
Amos: Track him down, boy!
Copper: Look, I'll let you go this one time.
With that said, he turns and makes it in the separate direction, letting out a huge howl to draw Slade apart from Tod's hiding place.
Amos: Don't lose him!
Tod watches them disappear, and slinks out from behind the container. He races uphill, following the tracks closer and has just reached the straightaway until a shape jumps down onto the line in front of him. It is Chief, his face a picture of pleasure as he regarded the tired fox. Tod does a U-turn and starts back in the direction from which he has come, with Chief barking and snapping at his heels and letting out a loud, anguished shriek. Amos Slade stops following Copper and turns toward the noise.
Amos: There they are! Old Chief has him on the run!
[Slade begins to run. He is sure that this time he'll be lucky. Tod has just about reached the top of the hill until his eye is caught by a flash of light in the distance. He keeps on running, but suddenly realizes that the light is an oncoming train and he is on the tracks. Taking a sideways curve, Tod leaves the tracks just before they wind higher with a steep slope on one side and a sheer drop on the other.]
But Chief is too busy to notice that the fox is no longer on the tracks. In fact, he doesn't even notice the oncoming train, or the rumbles and moans that the lines are making underneath his paws.
[Amos Slade has noticed though, and stands rooted to the spot as his dog races toward certain death.]
Amos: Jump, Chief! Jump!
[Only then does Chief look ahead into the darkness. With a fast glance toward the unthinkable slope on his right, Chief obeys his master's orders and jumps, closing his eyes as he does so.]
Down, down, topples the old dog until at last his body lands with a resounding splash into the shallow river below.
[Tod peers down from his hiding place at the top of the hill and watches as Copper and Slade race toward Chief's silent body.]
Copper: Chief! Chief? (But yet, he doesn't move.) Oh, dear...no! (Suddenly, he spies Tod looking down on them and a low growl comes from his snarling mouth.) Tod! If it's the last fact I do, I'll...I'll get you for this!
Widow: Tod! Tod? Tod! (This time another, a frantic voice calls out of the darkness and Tod glances behind to see the Widow's waving lantern appearing a little road off.)
With one more look down, Tod races off toward the light and the Widow stuffs him up in her arms, just like she used to since he is a cub.
Widow: Oh, Tod! Thank heaven you're safe!
Copper's howling makes them both look up, and the Widow clutches Tod even tighter.
Widow: Something has had to be done.
[With Copper's help, Amos Slade manages to get Chief back to the house. Luckily he has only been knocked unconscious by his fall, and apart from a few very painful bumps and bruises, he is yet the same old Chief he used to be. Copper has been sent outside to sit in his barrel while Slade makes Chief a comfortable bed inside the house and heats up some warm soup to make him feel better.]
After a little while, the door to the house bursts open and Slade strides out, clutching his gun.
[Copper retires hastily back into his barrel, not knowing if Slade is aware just how much at what just happened has been his fault.]
But Amos Slade carries right on walking, toward the lights which burn from the Widow's house.
[Boomer and Dinky are sleeping peacefully a few branches above Big Mama's hole, and Dinky is awakened by the noise of the Hunter's footsteps.]
Watching carefully, Dinky decides he'll better do something about this; somehow he knows that Tod is in horrible danger.
Dinky: Big Mama! Big Mama! Big Mama, wake up. There's danger!
[The birds watch as the Hunter storms up and hammers on the Widow's front door.]
Tod has already sensed the danger and has jumped out of his basket and is hiding behind the stove.
Widow: Tod, what is this?
The hammering continues.
Amos: Widow! You get out here this moment!
Widow: What on earth... (She undoes the latch and gapes in amazement at the sight of Amos Slade, who is almost bursting with frustration and brandishing his gun.) Why...Amos...what?
Amos: Where is he? I know he's in there.
The Widow has now recovered from her surprise and is beginning to get very infuriated by Slade's manner.
Widow: Now just a moment! You can't come barging onto my property, Amos Slade!
This time, Slade isn't about to let himself be bullied.
Amos: That fox of yours almost murdered Chief! And I'm going to get him!
The Widow has had seen enough of this treatment and shoving the Hunter backward, she shuts the door in his face and bolts the lock.
Amos: You can't keep him locked up forever! (But for the moment at least, Tod is safe.)
Boomer, Dinky and Big Mama have watched all this going on and silently cheer at the Widow's actions. But Slade is right, she can't keep a fox locked up in a house forever; not only will that be cruel but, knowing Tod, it will also be impossible.
[Slade paces up and down the Widow's front garden for about half an hour then, muttering, turns and heads for home, vowing that "that fox's" days are numbered.]
The rest of the night the Widow rocks silently in her chair, while Tod sleeps uneasily in his basket. She seems to be in deep thought and, now and then, will look toward the little photograph of Tod as a cub which is hanging on the wall, and wipe off a tear.
[In the morning she and Tod have breakfast together as usual, but Tod watches in confusion, as the Widow begins to put on her hat and coat. Where can she be going? It isn't market day today, and it isn't time to take the milk churns to the dairy farm.]
As she is ready, the Widow beckons to Tod, who jumps up and runs into her arms.
[Yet carrying the fox, the Widow opens the door and starts toward the truck.]
Tod willingly jumps into the front seat of the truck. He always enjoys their short excursions together.
[The Widow gets into the driving seat and gives Tod a very funny look. Then, staring determinedly ahead at the road, she begins to drive much faster than usual toward wherever they are going.]
As they pass the Hunter's house, Amos Slade is walking toward his door carrying a load of wood. Hearing the Widow's engine, Amos stops and peers curiously at the fox staring out from the side window. Now, he wonders, where can the Widow woman be away to with that murderous creature?
[Above the truck, two woodpeckers circle and dip as though following the vehicle.]
It is Boomer and Dinky, who have strict instructions to report Tod's whereabouts at all times to Big Mama, who is very concerned since the happenings of the night before.
[Inside the cab, the Widow is looking lovingly at Tod and speaking silently to herself. From the snatches he can hear, Tod thinks she seems to be remembering their very first meeting and how she has fed him milk from a make-do bottle.]
Occasionally, the Widow will laugh if she recalls the games they use to play and the mischief Tod will get into almost every day. But then, her voice changes and she begins to look so mournful that Tod wishes he can cheer her up, and he puts a paw tenderly upon her arm.
Widow: Farewell may seem forever, Tod. But always remember, you'll always be with me, in my heart and my memories.
Tod gazes up at the Widow tearfully; he doesn't understand what is going on at all. Where can they be going to, so far apart from home? And why are the Widow's eyes leaking all the time?
[He looks out at the surrounding countryside. It certainly is beautiful here, specially down the tiny little lane into which the Widow has only just turned. Deeper and deeper into the forest they drive, until eventually the Widow pulls off the road slightly and stops the truck.]
She turns off the engine and clambers down from her car seat. Coming around to Tod's side of the truck, she opens the door and gathers him in her arms. Tod might have preferred to walk, there is such beautiful springy moss on the ground and such wonderful new smells everywhere. But he doesn't want to upset the Widow anymore where he lays silently in her arms as she walks further and further into the depths of the forest.
[At last, she stops walking and looks around her as though inspecting the area. Tod gives her a grand enormous lick down one side of her face and the huge hug which the Widow gives him almost takes his breath apart. As the hugging is over, she leans down and sets him on the ground.]
Without a word, she turns and begins to walk back in the direction of the truck, where Tod decides he'll better follow her.
[The Widow turns and shakes her head mournfully, her eyes leaking really badly again.]
Widow: No, Tod. Not this time.
Tod sits down again. Surely, she can't actually mean to leave him here? Emotional though this new place is, he doesn't want to be left here all alone.
[But the Widow walks onward and not once does she turn around to call him.]
Tod watches as the tiny figure of the Widow eventually reaches the truck. She gets in very slowly and peers out through the window at the silent figure of the animal she loves so much. But she knows that Tod's very life will be in danger if she gives in and takes him home. Then she resolutely starts up the truck and drives away as fast as she can without a second look around.
[Tod shivers as a sharp wind suddenly blows up, rustling the trees of the forest and making an eerie whistling sound above his head. A storm is beginning to brew and Tod jumps hesitantly as lightning streaks across the heavens. Another flash and Tod is running toward the cover of some leafy bushes from which he peers out as the other animals of the forest begin to run for cover as well.]
A brown squirrel runs toward the tree under which Tod is sheltering and, scampering up the trunk, runs along a low hanging branch and springs across to his nest, sending a shower of raindrops pouring down onto Tod's head.
[The fox shakes himself crossly and decides to try and find a drier place to stay. Soon he finds quite a large hole about two feet from the ground in an old gnarled oak tree.]
Tod climbs up and gingerly sticks his nose into the hole. But a warm dry smell of fur and food warns him that the hole is occupied, even before he sees the family of raccoons staring up at him from their snug little home.
[Unknown to Tod, a friendly pair of eyes have been watching him as he looks for a place of refuge from the dripping rainwater.]
Porcupine: Oh, what an exchange. I bet he's a stranger and had no place to stay.
[More lightning zips through the forest and Tod starts to run in blind fear. He has to find somewhere out of this storm.]
At the foot of a tree, a large gaping hole seems to beckon to him as he runs, but as soon as Tod's head is inside the hole, he finds himself nose-to-nose with a very unfriendly badger.
Badger: Hold it, sonny! Back off! Where in tarnation do you think you're going to?
The badger shoves Tod rudely toward the outside of his set.
Tod: Oh...oh...excuse me. I...I...I...I was, I was just trying to......
Badger: You barge in on somebody's house like you own it! Tarryhooting around them woods, waking up folks in the middle of the night.
Tod blinks. He is sure it is yet daytime. He doesn't know that, to a badger, who sleeps all day and hunts all night, daytime is nighttime.
Tod: I honestly didn't know anybody lived here, and I...
But the badger is having none of it.
Badger: Well, you know now! Then get of my property! Go ahead...beat it!
Tod continues to apologize as he backs out of the hole. Suddenly, he finds his rear end stinging rather painfully.
[The Porcupine has followed Tod and has been listening to the argument outside the badger's hole.]
Tod moves sideways and rubs the spot where the quills have pricked him, while Mr. Porcupine chortles guiltily.
Porcupine: I've been watching you, sir. You can stay with me if you want.
Tod looks over the prickly little animal and thinks better of the idea.
Tod: Oh, well...look, that's very nice of you, but...ah...oh, I think I've just seen a place...right over there. Thanks just the same. (With that said, Tod moves off toward a nearby cave he has just spotted.)
The Porcupine frowns underneath his quills. That silly fox is going to get himself into even more danger, he just knows it.
[And the Porcupine is right. For just as Tod flops down behind what he thought was a very convenient rock, the rock opens its eye and suddenly turns into a huge bear who is not exactly over pleased at the arrival of this uninvited visitor.]
The bear lets out an enormous roar of frustration, and Tod is away like a shot. He doesn't need to be warned twice.
[Outside the cave, the Porcupine is yet waiting to see what will happen, and a very embarrassed Tod decides to ask if his offer is yet open.]
Porcupine: Oh, yes, you're more than welcome. Come with me.
Tod follows the Porcupine through the forest, keeping well back from the dangerous quills. By now, it is beginning to get dark and Tod is feeling very tired.
Porcupine: Here, you can sleep in my bed. It's nice and warm.
Tod flops down onto the bed and falls asleep almost immediately.
Porcupine: After a best night's sleep, facts will look much better in the morning.
But after an hour or then Tod awakens. He is missing his old basket and the warm smell of cooking, which always seems to hang around the Widow's kitchen. He doesn't like this strange forest and he likes the animals in it even less. If only his friends Dinky and Boomer and Big Mama are here, they will know what to do, thinks Tod, who spends the rest of the night tossing and turning in an uneasy dream-filled sleep in which he dreams Copper is his friend again and the two of them are swimming and playing in the pond, just like they used to.
Big Mama: Tod! Tod! (A concerned call echoes through the early morning forest as she looks this fashion and that trying to find the missing fox.)
The old owl lands in a rather ungainly fashion on a branch and puffs noisily.
Big Mama: Oh, boy! These old wings aren't what they used to be. Big Mama, you'd better lose a few pounds in weight before you try this kind of flying again. (Suddenly, she spots the glint of a red-brown coat through the trees.) Oh...oh...oh...there he is...there he is. Tod! Tod!
Big Mama takes off again and flies down between the trees to land on a branch near the fox.
Vixey: Oh, hello, Big Mama. (Two big brown eyes peer up at the old owl as she looks up to see her visitor.)
Big Mama: Oh, it's you, Vixey!
Vixey: What brings you all this fashion from home?
Big Mama: I'm looking for a fox named Tod. He's new here in the forest.
Vixey turns around and looks up, interested.
Vixey: New? Huh...well, what does he look like?
Big Mama: Oh, he's young and about your age. Very handsome.
Vixey: Handsome? Oh, well...er...I'm not doing anything. I'll help you find him.
Big Mama laughs and takes off again.
Big Mama: Come along then, darling. He has to be around here somewhere.
Inside his home, the Porcupine is beginning to stir at the call of the brand new day. He's fully forgotten that he has a visitor and begins his usual enormous stretch, which spans from one side of his hole to the other. Whatever it is, this time Tod is in the road.
Tod: Ow!
In his terror, Tod panics and falls out of bed, hitting his head and landing on yet more porcupine quills. The two of them begin to do a silly kind of dance as they try to avoid each other in the confined space, until at last Tod falls backward out of the hole and lands, although he doesn't know it, at the other entrance to the badger's set.
Tod: Wha–What just happened? Where am I?
He is swiftly about to find out.
Badger: Well! It's you again, right? You barged in on me last night and now you...
Tod has jumped faster out of the hole and is trying hard not to tremble so much.
Tod: I...I didn't mean to.
Suddenly, the badger's home turns into a pile of earth and rocks as the ceiling and sides cave in where Tod has fallen.
Badger: Just look at the mess you've made! Dad rat it, you clumsy bonehead!
Tod: I'm sorry. It was an incident.
Badger: Bah! Excuses...excuses!
Porcupine: Mr. Digger, sir...it really was an incident.
Badger: You keep out of this.....you walking pincushion!
The Porcupine begins to climb up the tree again, thinking that it will be just a little bit foolish to stay on the ground until the badger is in such a dreadful mood.
Porcupine: Ah...you...you shouldn't be so grumpy to someone who's new in the neighborhood.
The badger turns back to deal with Tod again.
Badger: A stranger, right? Well, why don't you go back where you came from? Well, go ahead...get going...git, I say! (With that said, he raises a very dangerous-looking paw and Tod decides he'll better "git" as faster as he can, and runs off without even having time to say "thank you" to the Porcupine for his night's rest.)
[Eventually, Tod stops running and slows to a very dejected walk. He is hungry and thirsty and lonely. Oh, why has the Widow done this to him?]
A little road apart, Big Mama and Vixey have spotted their prey.
Vixey: Oh, gosh...he seems so...I don't know...so downhearted, Big Mama.
Big Mama: Well, you can't blame him, darling. You see, he was just dropped here and left all alone without a care in the world.
Vixey stops staring at the other fox and turns to Big Mama.
Vixey: Perhaps there's something I can do...you know...cheer him up.
Suddenly, Big Mama seems to perk up. She shakes her wings and blinks her eyes wisely. It may just work....
Big Mama: Darling, you just said the magic words!
The big owl ushers Vixey to a clearing in the forest and whispers something into her ear.
Vixey: Oh, Big Mama, I don't know...I...
Big Mama: Darling, don't move an inch. You look beautiful!
The little fox preens herself at this; she always makes a point of keeping her coat clean and her tail neatly brushed.
Vixey: Thank you.
Then Big Mama flies away toward where Tod is sitting dejectedly pawing a clump of daisies.
Big Mama: Morning, Tod.
Tod: Oh, hello, Big Mama.
Big Mama: Last night was pretty miserable for you, wasn't it, darling?
Tod: Just horrible.
Big Mama wraps a consoling wing around the fox.
Big Mama: Well, cheer up and look around. The forest is beautiful this morning.
[At first, Tod isn't a tiny bit interested in the wretched forest. But after more encouragement from Big Mama, he takes a deep breath and looks around him.]
Big Mama waits expectantly and then suddenly notices Tod's mouth drop wide open in astonishment.
Tod: Wow! Who...who is that?
Big Mama brushes away a piece of twig from one of her wings and shrugs non-committedly.
Big Mama: Oh, just another fox.....a lady fox!
Tod: Golly...is she beautiful. I do wonder what her name is.
At that moment, Vixey turns around and gives him one of her prettiest grins where that Tod blushes the deepest shade of red underneath his thick coat.
Big Mama: Well, why don't you go and ask her?
Tod: Yes...yes...I guess I will. Ah...I'll just go up to her and I'll say...you're the most gorgeous.....no...no...that's not right. Er...I've never seen anybody quite as won––
By this time, Tod has almost reached Vixey's side and his heart is thumping so much that he isn't really sure he will be able to say anything at all.
[Vixey sits up and waits patiently as her admirer approaches.]
Tod: H...hi!
Vixey: Hello. (That does it–––suddenly, they both start speaking ten to the dozen and both end up in fits of chortles, after which Vixey manages to splutter that Big Mama has warned her all about Tod.)
Tod: May I call you by your first name?
Vixey: Oh...oh...sure, why not?
Tod grins at her forgetfulness.
Tod: Uh...thanks. But what is your first name?
Big Mama watches, a delighted look on her face as the two young foxes exchange names. They seem to be getting on really well, just as she has hoped. Perhaps now Tod won't feel so alone and lost in the big forest.
Boomer: It looks like that farm boy is making a hit with her.
Big Mama grabs his beak between her claws and clamps it tight shut. She doesn't want anything to go wrong with her little piece of matchmaking.
Big Mama: Now just keep it down.
Vixey: Uh...Tod...you know something? This stream is just complete with trout. Do you think you could catch one?
Tod: One what?
Vixey: Fish. Silly!
Tod looks from her to the stream and eventually gets the message.
Tod: Oh...yes, of course. A fish...why, my darling young lady, you happen to be looking at an expert fisher fox. (He just about manages to keep his balance as he gingerly steps along the log to the end.)
Oh, Tod, thinks Big Mama, you really must stop showing off, it'll only end up in more danger.
[But Tod is enjoying himself now and is out to impress this beautiful female at any cost.]
Tod: Oh, yes, I know all the tricks.....in fact, I never miss.
Big Mama: Please let him catch a fish.
Tod: Oh...oh...here comes a whopper! Now, watch closely.
Tod raises an arm while yet balancing on the log with his other paws. Then, swift as a flash, he's stuffed up the fish and thrown it toward the shore. Straight into Vixey's face.
[She might have been very cross indeed as the fish has made her soaking wet, but a second later she watches as Tod fully loses his balance and goes plunging into the bubbling water, closely following the fish who has bounced straight back.]
Vixey: Tod...do you need help?
Tod: No...no...I...I always fish this fashion...ah!
Tod fails to catch the fish for the fourth time and then suddenly realizes that he has something firmly clenched between his teeth. Thinking it may be the trout, he emerges dripping from the water, ready to present his trophy to Vixey.
Tod: I've had him! (For there are Boomer and Dinky, Big Mama and Porcupine, and lots of other forest animals, all smirking apart at his misfortune. He feels very cross and highly embarrassed and Vixey doesn't seem to care one jot.)
Vixey: Oh...oh, Tod. You're the funniest fact I ever saw!
Tod: Go ahead...go ahead and laugh, you're just like everyone else around here.
Vixey: I'm sorry, I can't help it. You were so funny!
Tod: Well...I can't fish...why, you're a silly, empty-headed female!
Vixey: Now just a moment.....I mean, you've had nerve. Why don't you just grow up?!
Big Mama decides that the time has come to intervene. Unless she does so, and faster, she can see the beginning of the end of a beautiful friendship.
Big Mama: Tod! That's no fashion to speak to Vixey.
Tod looks up at the owl through his soaking fur and growls slightly.
Tod: Raspberries! I've had it!
Big Mama: Darling, don't stay mad. You must be natural, that's the trick.
Tod looks over his shoulder to where Vixey is sitting, stubbornly refusing to look in his direction.
[Big Mama looks from one to the other in absolute distraction. It seems like all her plans are being laid to waste because of one silly little incident.]
Big Mama: Tod...you can't really blame Vixey for laughing, you know. After all, you had claimed to be an expert fisher fox and look what just happened! Everyone at some time or another wants to impress somebody else, but believe me, Tod, you'd impress Vixey an entire lot more if you just acted like your normal, lovable self.
Tod is beginning to look very mournful and feel very foolish about his empty boasting. He hasn't actually meant to lie about his fishing abilities. But somehow, it has just slipped out and now the beautiful lady fox will probably not want anything more to do with him. Tod raises his head and finds himself staring into Vixey's liquid brown eyes. Perhaps all is not lost after all.
[Tod tries a grin, but immediately Vixey turns her head sharply away and begins to study the leaves above her head intently.]
Big Mama nods encouragingly at Tod, as though she really thinks that, despite all he has done, Vixey may be won over again. But Tod knows better and, head down, starts to leave the little clearing. Just as he gets to the edge of the trees, he spots a patch of sweet smelling blue flowers. Suddenly, an idea hits him and with a fast glance backward to make sure Vixey isn't looking, he bends down and picks one of the flowers between his teeth.
[Hesitantly, he turns and makes his road back to where the other fox is cleaning one of her paws. Several times he feels like running off, but Big Mama keeps nodding and grinning at him, where he decides to give it one last try.]
Actually, Vixey has already seen Tod coming toward her, flower in mouth. But she wants to let him suffer just a little bit longer for his foolishness, where she pretends not to notice him until he is standing directly in front of her.
[Tod holds out his flower for Vixey's inspection and, grinning slightly, Vixey leans forward to smell it. But the lovely flower is fully complete with pollen, and as soon as Vixey gets near it, she feels a sneeze thundering its road toward her nose.]
Vixey: Ah...ah...achoo!
They grin at each other coyly and Vixey licks some of the pollen from Tod's cheek. The fish, the argument and Big Mama forgotten, the two animals nuzzle and lick each other affectionately. A small chuckle comes from the branch overhead as Boomer and Dinky watch the two lovers. Big Mama swiftly flies up and buffs Boomer on the beak, she isn't having anything else disturb her proteges. Then she leaves the branch and summons the two birds to come away with her.
Boomer: But, Big Mama. It's just getting interesting!
Big Mama: Csendes!
Vixey: Tod, I just know you're going to love the forest. Listen, why don't I show you around?
Tod: Sure.
Vixey shows Tod all the very best spots of the forest. The many little streams and sparkling fresh water to drink, the clearings where the sun plays people with the trees and where the moss and lichen make the most comfortable places to rest, and every now and again she will stop and show him where one of her friends or acquaintances live, in a tree or down a hole.
[Suddenly, a family of quails cross the path in front of them and Vixey grins as she counts all the baby quails trailing behind their mother.]
Vixey: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven...oh...look!
The last little bird is the comedian of the family and almost falls over as he pecks and chirps at his surroundings.
Vixey: Oh, I think six would be just right.
Tod: Six?
Vixey turns and gives him a kind of secret look.
Tod: Six what?
Vixey chortles outrageously. He'll find out sure enough. She is sure that Tod will make a very best father indeed so.
[All the road back home, the Widow can't stop herself weeping at the thought of poor Tod left all alone in the forest.]
Several times, she stops the truck and contemplates going back to fetch him. But then, she thinks of Amos Slade's dangerous threats and knows that she may not put Tod's life in danger by keeping him. He is yet a wild animal, even though he has been reared in captivity, and she is sure that, after a little while, he will learn to survive in the safety of the game reserve.
[As her trucks nears home, two pair of eyes anxiously watch to see if Tod is yet with her.]
Amos Slade and Copper have been waiting a long time for her return and as they spot the truck, they sneak over toward the Widow's house and watch as she alone gets down from the truck's cabin.
Amos: Well, I reckon she dropped that fox away in the game reserve, that's for sure. We'll get him now, that's for sure.
Copper looks up at his master as a huge streak of lightning lights up in his face and its evil smirk.
[Copper yet hasn't forgotten or forgiven Tod for what just happened to Chief, but he doesn't like the look of Amos Slade's face at all, and shivers, hoping he'll soon be allowed back to the safety of his nice warm barrel.]
Back inside the Hunter's house, old Chief is having himself an absolute whale of a time.
[His fall has resulted in one broken leg and one very shocked and winded dog for about half an hour. Once his leg has been fixed and bandaged up, old Chief feels just dandy. But he isn't letting on to Slade or Copper that he feels fine. No, sirree. By letting them think he is yet a poorly invalid, he is given all the best food and allowed to sleep on a nice soft cushion indoors instead of outside with Copper. Yes, Chief is certainly getting a taste of being "ill" and means to continue for as long as possible.]
Chief has watched as Copper and Slade go over to see the Widow's return. He is certainly glad that he doesn't need to go traipsing around in that storm. Brrr! It is enough to make your tail drop away.
[Through the window, Chief sees that the pair are returning to the house. Swiftly, he leaves his vantage point and returns to his nice rug and cushion past the fire, pretending that he's never moved an inch.]
Chief: Well, now, if you're going to have a busted leg, this is the fashion to do it. Nice food, soft pillow, warm stove...sure beats sleeping in that barrel.
Footsteps approach the door and Chief puts on his most pained expression.
Chief: Well, now, here come visitors to see the invalid.
Chief notices Slade and Copper walk right past the door to his room without even so much as a passing glance. This is no fashion to treat an invalid.
Chief: How do you like that? They didn't even ask how I'm feeling...huh!
Chief lumbers to his feet and wanders across the room where Slade is hanging his coat behind the door. Pushing through into the room, Chief lets out an earsplitting howl, followed by a very authentic low moan, just to keep them on their feet.
Amos: Chief, get back in there before I break your other leg!
The old dog turns, satisfied that at last he's received some attention, however grudging.
[Amos Slade begins to poke around in the depths of an old cupboard. Now that he knows where that dratted fox is hiding out, he doesn't intend to waste any time in getting him nice and proper.]
Eventually, he withdraws something from the cupboard and stares at it, a huge smirk spreading from ear to ear.
Amos: Copper! Copper, look here.
Copper bounds into the room and sniffs around Slade's trousers.
[Slade bends down and shows the heavy iron object to Copper, who doesn't like the smell of this fact one little bit.]
Amos: If that fox comes traipsing along, suspecting nothing.....
And, winking an eye at the apprehensive Copper, Slade pushes the end of a stick in between the metal jaws which suddenly clamps shut, so hard that they fully shatter the stick.
[Copper jumps back in terror, and tries not to think about what will happen to a living paw or leg trapped tight within these bars.]
Slade spends the rest of the night polishing and oiling the trap where that it will work smoothly and without a hitch. He warns Copper that tomorrow is the big day, the last day for Tod, and that they will both be able to be in on the murder.
[No hunting, says a big white sign at the entrance to the forest game reserve.]
Amos Slade chuckles as he reads these words.
Amos: No hunting! Well...now...we ain't going to do none of that. Are we, Copper?
Copper looks up at the iron trap which Slade carries in his arms and waits for an explanation.
Amos: No! We're just going to get us a no-luck fox.
Slade pulls his pair of wire cutters from his pocket and snips easily through the fence which surrounds the game reserve. He makes a hole just large enough for himself and Copper to squeeze through.
Amos: Alright, boy, get tracking! Smell him out.
For some reason, Slade follows on Copper's heels. He hopes the young dog isn't leading him astray again as he has done that time near the railway tracks.
[But Copper seems very sure of himself this time, and stops only once to rest his front paws on top of a rock and sniff the air, before heading on further and further into the forest.]
The trail leads him right up to the Porcupine's home where Tod has spent his first night, and Copper stops to investigate the now quite old scent. The Porcupine sticks his head out of the hole, about to welcome a new arrival, but as soon as he sees Copper, he shrinks back into the safety of his home. He's heard some horrible stories about hunting dogs and doesn't want to get involved with one at all.
[Copper finds the trail that leads apart from the Porcupine's hole and starts following it eagerly toward the nearby stream where Tod has performed his amazing fishing trick.]
Sniffing around the rocks, Copper begins to get rather concerned that perhaps he has lost the trail, or that the stream has washed off the scent.
[Up and down he goes, nose furiously poking here and there, looking for some clue as to where the fox has gone next. But all sorts of other confusing smells keep getting in his road.]
Suddenly, his entire body goes rigid and having one last humdinger of a sniff, Copper lets out a bloodcurdling howl.
Amos: What have you got there, boy?
Very faster, he spots the tracks of the fox and Copper continues to growl.
Amos: Nice work! He'll be coming right through here heading for water. But he won't be drinking any!
Far off in the forest, Tod and Vixey emerge from their new burror in which they have set up home together. Tod feels that he's never been so happy in the entire of his life.
Tod: What a grand day to be alive, Vixey!
Vixey nuzzles him gently. She is very happy as well, never has she dreamed that she will find such a handsome mate.
Vixey: Oh, Tod. Me as well!
Scampering and rolling together as they go, Tod and Vixey leave the burrow to go to the stream for water, chortling all the road.
Amos: That does it! Amos, you crafty old coot. The Devil himself couldn't have done no better.
He ruffles Copper's ears and looks around him. Now all they have to do is wait.
Vixey: Tod...Tod, wait a moment.
Vixey is looking around her as though spooked. But Tod has seen or heard nothing.
Tod: What is this, Vixey?
Vixey: I don't want to go in there...it's too silent. (She moves up closer to Tod and whines slightly, glancing all the time this fashion and that.)
Tod: Ah...Vixey.
Tod tries to urge her into the forest, but she trembles as though she can almost hear the cruel words of Amos Slade as he drizzles the final few concealing leaves over the waiting trap.
Amos: There, we'll come back in the morning and find us a trapped fox.
But Copper isn't listening. His ears are cocked and his nose twitching slightly as he peers into the distance. He isn't sure....but possibly....yes...yes...it certainly is.
[Copper gives a low, long growl and Slade raises his hand to shield his eyes as he looks toward where Copper is staring.]
Now even he can see the figures of the two foxes, and the Hunter gives a little jump of pleasure that his prey shall be arriving so soon.
Amos: He's heading this fashion.
Vixey: Tod...be careful...
Against all her instincts, Vixey decides to follow him, jumping at every loose twig and every footfall on the ground.
[Suddenly, Tod also hears a noise and jumps at least three feet sideways as a leaf floats innocently down onto the ground. Phew. He breathes again, and proceeds cautiously toward the stream, not seeing Amos Slade and Copper concealed behind some bushes.]
Slade watches as the fox walks obligingly toward his trap, and can hardly contain himself as Tod's leg hovers dangerously over the very spot where the wicked iron jaws wait underneath the leaves to snap and tear into his leg.
[But Tod has sensed danger at last and stands, one paw held in the air, directly above the trap.]
Slade can stand it no longer. He decides to take a shot and give up on the idea of the trap. Slowly and carefully, he cocks his gun.
[Click, goes the mechanism and Tod freezes, every sense shrieking at him to get out of that place.]
Hesitantly, he begins to back up. But as he moves, he disturbs the undergrowth surrounding the trap and the jaws spring together, catching nothing but air. SMASH!!
[Tod springs as high as he can and then, as soon as his feet touch down, begins to run and run, blindly, panic-stricken, apart from the dreadful place.]
It takes Slade a second to realize that his prey is getting away. Then, realizing there is no need for silence any more, he also jumps up from his hideaway and begins firing wildly at the retiring fox.
[Vixey, who has been waiting for Tod at the entrance to the forest, is trembling uncontrollably by now. She wants to run as well, but she refuses to leave without Tod and then forces herself to stay put. Bang...bang...bang, goes Slade's gun, and with every bullet Vixey becomes more and more terrified.]
Tod is coming toward her at breakneck speed, with Copper hot on his heels.
[Seeing a hollow log, Tod runs through it, hoping to shake Copper off the scent. But Copper is game for anything now, and follows Tod into the log, bullets smashing around them.]
Amos: Dad blast it, he's getting away!
Tod: Quick, Vixey!
As they come over a hill, Tod realizes that they have been able to gain a little on Copper and decides it's time to split up.
Tod: Go ahead. Head for the burrow!
With one last look at Tod, Vixey runs away, leaving Tod to face the enraged Copper.
[The fox climbs up onto a rock and crouches, waiting for the dog to appear.]
After a couple of seconds, Copper appears barking, over the brow of the hill. He stops, seeming to sense that it is no longer necessary to keep running. A low growl comes from deep inside his throat as he realizes that his enemy is right there, behind him, ready to fight.
[Tod throws himself down from the rock and lunges at Copper. Taking a savage bite at his neck he jumps clear again, knowing that to stay will mean certain death.]
Running hard toward his burrow, Tod can almost feel Copper's breath on his heels. It is uphill all the road and Tod is not at all sure that he is going to make it.
[But then, he sees the welcoming hole and dives in, much to Copper's outrage.]
The poor dog begins digging madly with his paws. He is much too large to follow Tod, where the only one alternative is to dig him out. Stones and soil are going everywhere, and it is difficult to make out Copper's front paws, they are going so fast.
[Inside the burrow, Tod shivers his road toward a waiting Vixey.]
She is so relieved to see him and has just started to nuzzle him welcomingly, until Copper's muzzle appears at the entrance to the burrow. A horrible growl echoes down through the earth as Tod and Vixey realizes that Copper is making the hole bigger by the second.
[They stare at each other in sheer panic. Then with one accord, they both turn to make for the rear exit, which they have built for emergencies.]
Cautiously, Tod sticks his head through the hole, and Vixey squeezes hers up behind him.
Vixey: Tod!
Tod turns toward the horizon and his stomach turns as he sees the Hunter appear over the brow of the hill, his rifle aimed directly at the burrow.
[The two foxes dive back into the burrow, narrowly missing the gunshot that screeches past the hole.]
Slade has seen them as well and as soon as he reaches the burrow, he pokes his rifle as far into the hole as possible and begins firing as fast as he can.
[Tod and Vixey dodge from one side of the tunnel to the other as bullets follow them along. Without thinking, they are racing back to the other entrance, but as soon as it comes into sight, both of them skid to a halt in shock. For Copper has very almost succeeded in making the hole big enough to squeeze through, and his massive paws are yet scrabbling off, sending showers of earth all around in his emotion.]
Bravely, Tod waits for the right moment, but jumps in and bites Copper's paw soundly.
[The paw disappears very faster and Copper howls in pain and he nurses his wound. But soon, the howling stops and the hound dog is even more furious than before and starts to dig again, this time harder and faster than ever.]
The two foxes retire to the middle of their tunnel and lean against each other for support. It looks like they are trapped and the chances of getting out of there alive are very slim indeed so.
[At the other end of the tunnel, Amos Slade is busily making a small bonfire of grass and weeds. As he has a nice big pile, he takes out some matches from his pocket and strikes one, shielding it from the slight breeze until the grass starts to flicker and smoke.]
At last, the fire takes hold and Slade removes his hat and starts to fan the smoke down into the tunnel.
[It isn't long before the evil fumes reach the two frightened foxes who begin coughing and spluttering, hardly able to breathe.]
Slade hears the coughing and laughs out loud and long. Soon he'll have two more pelts to hang in his barn. It is just a question of time.
Amos: Copper! Copper! We have him now for real. This is their only road out.
Slade aims his gun at the hole and waits, Copper ready to spring at his side.
[They hear some movement from within the tunnel and Copper almost jumps forward, ready to attack.]
Amos: Easy, now! Easy.
But no foxes appear.
Vixey: Tod! We're trapped!
Tod looks toward the hole and can just about see Slade's hobnail boots and Copper's claws outside. Then...they are both waiting at that end, are they?
[Vixey slumps to the floor, her coughing getting worse all the time. They don't have much longer now.]
Tod prods her gently to her feet and then helps her along the tunnel toward the smoke. At first she tries to exist, but then she seems to get beyond caring and just goes where Tod pushes her, her eyes big and streaming with tears.
[Tod feels horrible that he has brought so much damage into her life and even more horrible that now he is going to have to force her even further into the smoke. But he knows that, if they are to survive, there is only one fashion out of there and that is actually across the fire.]
Tod: This is our only chance!
They can hardly see any daylight at all through the hole, just gray and white smoke and orange flames. It is against all their instincts to do so, but the two foxes take as deep breaths as they can manage and plunge up and out through the furnace.
Amos: Oh, dear! Oh, dear...no! I just don't believe it!
Copper does so though, and without waiting for the instruction, he jumps away to pursue the two fleeing foxes.
[Refreshed by the cool, clean air in their lungs, Vixey and Tod seem to fly far from Copper and swiftly disappear into the rocks and bushes.]
Tod looks around at the countryside while he is running and, motioning for Vixey to follow, runs straight toward a steep escarpment. He knows that Copper and the Hunter will get on their trail very soon, and across open country the bullets will have no damage finding their mark.
[Up and up they climb. Several times Vixey almost falls and might have given up fully, but for the horrifying sound of Copper barking not very far below them.]
Soon the climbing gets easier and then the land levels out where that they find themselves on a small plateau.
[Vixey collapses and draws in long deep gulps of air. But Tod will not rest. He knows they have to find a road of losing Copper, who is yet determinedly following the foxes up the cliff face.]
A little road along the plateau, Tod can hear the sound of running water. As he investigates he find that it is a waterfall, which bubbles and froths down to the valley below. Across the top of the waterfall, a tree trunk has had caught among the rocks. Suddenly, Tod has an idea.
[He races back to Vixey and warns her that they have to go ahead. She has just begun to think the very same fact as the scent of Copper is getting stronger all the time.]
Tod leads her along to the top of the waterfall. She looks puzzled, for there doesn't seem to be anywhere to go from there.
[Curiously, she waits as Tod warns her to watch him carefully.]
Jumping up a small tree, Tod runs along one of its branches which overhang the water and, pausing to check his balance, suddenly jumps from the branch onto the tree trunk which straddles the waterfall.
[Luckily, the surrounding rocks are holding the trunk quite firmly, and Tod is able to walk along it to dry land without much difficulty. As soon as he lands, he turns and motions for Vixey to follow him.]
Vixey looks dubiously from the branch down to the tree trunk. She's never really been one for climbing or jumping, but it looks as though she doesn't have any choice.
[Tod grins and waves to her encouragingly. Then, gathering up all her courage, Vixey makes her road toward the little tree and gets ready to jump.]
She finds it surprisingly easy to get along the branch, but the sight of the flowing water underneath her almost makes her lose her balance.
[She looks over toward Tod, who is getting very anxious lest Copper shall arrive on the scene.]
Seeing his frightened glance toward the edge of the cliff wall, Vixey throws herself toward the tree trunk, and then races along it and onto the shore.
[Tod is very proud of her and intends to warn her where as soon as they have the time. Right then, they need to get out of there where that Copper won't see them and after a fast nuzzle, they are off running and dodging through the trees as fast as they can.]
Poor Copper hasn't found it as easy to climb the cliff face as the foxes. His claws aren't half as sharp and he has a lot more weight to carry.
[At last he reaches the plateau, he also collapses in a big furry heap of pheasants, expecting to find his victims trapped before him. But, of course, they are nowhere to be seen.]
Copper frowns. They have to be here. There is just nowhere for them to go, the plateau is surrounded by water.
[He pulls himself to his feet and starts to sniff around. Their scents are very strong, then why can't he see them?]
His nose leads him to the small tree from which they have made their escape. But suddenly, his head jerks up as a new and rather...well...frightening smell assails his nostrils.
[He bends his head and sniffs again. At that time, Amos Slade arrives shivering on the scene.]
Amos: Copper!
But Copper is far too interested in his new discovery to pay any attention to Slade.
[If only he can remember where he has smelled that scent before. He sniffs really hard, wondering why he feels so uneasy.]
Slade just thinks that the two foxes are hiding somewhere around the tree and starts to aim his gun, ready to shoot until they emerge.
Amos: We've trapped him now!
But then, his grin fades as a huge black shadow rears over the ground in front of him.
[Slade turns in terror as the gigantic frustrated bear lashes out with his paws.]
He swings his gun around and fires, too afraid to take very best aim.
[The shot tears across the clearing and simply grazes the shoulder of the grizzly, who bellows in rage and lunges forward to attack the pathetic human.]
Slade backs away, not knowing that the edge of the cliff wall is directly behind him. Frantically, he pulls another bullet from his pocket and loads the gun with his shaking hands.
[But just as he raises the gun to fire, the bear swipes the weapon fully out of his hands, knocking the Hunter way off his balance.]
With a horrible shriek, Slade falls backward and begins to topple down among the rocks and tufts of grass.
[The big grizzly is so frustrated by now that he wastes no time in pursuing the rag doll-like fashion of Slade down the steep slope, grumbling and growling all the road.]
At last winded and frightened, Slade comes to a rolling stop at the bottom of the cliff face. He sits up and shakes his head to clear it of the ringing, which goes from ear to ear. But out of the corner of his eye, he spots the bear toppling down after him.
[Slade gives a little shudder and jumps to his feet, taking a couple of steps backward and keeping his eyes fixed on the snarling bear.]
But as he walks, his foot lands in one of his very own traps and Slade falls hopelessly onto his back, waving his other leg in the air.
[Desperately he pulls and yanks at the trap, but the iron is so heavy and so old that he needs some kind of leverage to get it open, and doesn't stand a chance with just his bare hands, which are by now bleeding with the effort.]
Slade looks from one side to the other for something to lever the trap open, and as he turns his head, grand beads of sweat are shaken off into the grass.
[Just as the bear reaches the level ground, Slade spots Copper just behind him.]
Valiantly, Copper jumps in between his master and the bear and growls ferociously.
Copper fearlessly lunges at the bear by jumping onto his back, and bites into his neck, and tries to fight him while snarling and biting and trying bravely to defend his injured master.
[The bear stops, surprised more than anything that such a shall animal shall dare to challenge him. But soon his surprise disappears and he lunges toward Copper, meaning to swat him out of the road with one of his huge paws.]
But Copper is too fast for him, and dodges out of his road, yet snapping and snarling to distract his attention.
[The bear looks at Slade, as though wondering whether to bother with Copper at all, but the dog takes his chance and throws himself onto the bear's back and sinks his teeth in as far as he can.]
The bear is absolutely livid and howls in frustration. A huge paw comes around and smacks Copper loose from his neck to land sprawling on the ground.
[Copper rolls over back onto his feet and narrowly misses being flattened by the lunging bear. He jumps again and reaches the same target on the bear's neck as before, and feels the warm sickly taste of the bear's blood as his teeth sinks even deeper than before.]
This time Copper is determined to hang on...and hang on he does so, despite the painful smack from one of the hefty paws. The bear attempts to swing the dog loose, but yet he hangs on, thinking that at last he is getting somewhere in his fight.
[But the big grizzly knows more tricks than that, and rolls his huge body down onto the ground, smashing poor Copper under his head where that his teeth are almost knocked into the back of his throat.]
Copper wriggles and kicks and bites any bear that comes within an inch of his mouth, and at last manages to free himself.
[But now Copper has been severely winded, and knowing that, unless something happens, the bear is bound to murder him.]
As Copper throws himself at the bear's head, Slade looks around desperately as he attempts to remove the yet tightly clenched trap. A glint of metal in the bushes suddenly catches his eye.
[It is the gun. It has fallen there until the bear has swiped it from his hands, and now it is just a little far apart, lying in the undergrowth.]
With one look at the bloody fight yet continuing, Slade drags his painful leg toward the gun. Inch by inch, he crawls and scrambles, stretching out his hand, groping and clawing toward the weapon which can save his and Copper's lives.
[Far from the battleground, Tod and Vixey are getting higher and higher up the mountain. They are a little bit puzzled why they have not heard Copper's barking for some reason, but just suppose that he is not as nice at climbing as they are.]
Tod notices that the air is getting cooler and he will stop every so often to see if he can hear or see either one of their pursuers.
[Suddenly, an anguished cry echoes around the valley.]
Vixey just keeps on running, her curiosity fully outweighed by her fear. But Tod skids to a halt and listens carefully.
[From far down below he senses, rather than heard, Copper's cries as the bear comes nearer and nearer to triumph.]
Vixey: Tod!
Tod looks from his mate to the valley below. Despite everything that Copper has done, Tod cannot bear the thought that he may be murdered. But then, he doesn't want to lead Vixey back into danger. Poor Tod just doesn't know what to do.
[Down below the foxes, Slade has yet not succeeded in reaching his gun, and every time he looks at Copper, the brave dog seems to be bloodier and bloodier.]
The bear has sensed that his opponent is tiring and lashes out with his paws, leaving horrible scratch marks all over Copper's body.
[Eventually, Copper is beaten to the ground and despite several attempts, finds that his trembling legs just refuse to carry his weight any longer.]
The grizzly snarls. Now is the time for the murder. He pulls himeslf up to his gigantic complete height and raises one of his front paws for the final blow.
[Copper closes his eyes and waits for death. But the blow is never to strike home. For just as the bear's paw begins its downward strike, Tod throws himself at the animal's huge head and sinks his teeth into one of his ears, drawing a fountain of grizzly blood.]
The bear bellows with pain and frustration, his head jerking backward in an attempt to shake away his attacker.
[Eventually, he can hang on no longer and feels himself flying toward some nearby rocks. He rolls once, twice and then swiftly regains his footing, knowing that the bear will strike back, and that the only fact to do is to run and try to lead him apart from Copper.]
Tod scrambles up the hill, glancing over his shoulder to see the bear clumsily trying to follow him. But soon the fox comes to a kind of rift in the ground. He tries to jump across to a ledge, but his judgment and energy have been severely damaged by the day's events and, missing the ledge fully, Tod topples down the slope toward the waiting bear.
[The puzzled bear looks down as a heap of fox lands right between his legs. But Tod is too fast for him, and as a hairy paw lashes out for his eyes, Tod races off again, the bear lumbering after him.]
Tod is breathing heavily and notices that he is following exactly the same path toward the waterfall that he and Vixey have taken earlier. Maybe, he thinks to himself, I can lose the bear exactly the same fashion that we lose old Copper.
[But the bear knows the mountain much better than either Tod or Copper and, realizing the spot toward which Tod is running, he takes a different path and arrives there at exactly the same time as the shivering fox.]
The two animals regard each other for a second. The bear snarls, showing an endless row of gleaming white teeth.
[But Tod is unimpressed and, not even waiting for the bear to make the first move, he springs up toward the teeth and bites their owner's cheek as hard as he can.]
Thinking it's very unwise to hang around near the mouth of the bear, Tod lets go pretty faster this time and jumps sideways to the ground as the grizzly's back foot comes down to smash him flat.
[Now the bear is on all fours and Tod takes the opportunity to take a lump out of his neck––in the same place where Copper has struck home before.]
The bear is really in pain now. He just can't believe that two such smaller animals will dare to attack him, let alone be able to hurt him, and he is beginning to feel dazed and confused.
[He lashes out at Tod again, this time hitting complete in the face and sending him sprawling toward the log that spans the top of the waterfall.]
Tod lands half in the water and half on the log itself, and just manages to drag himself up out of the rushing torrent.
[But the bear is wasting no time and already has one paw on the edge of the log, which is wobbling dangerously with his weight.]
One step...two...and SNAP!!
[With just one paw left on dry land, the bear suddenly finds that the trunk has snapped fully in two and his half is rushing toward the edge of the waterfall at an alarming rate.]
At first Tod thinks his dangers are over, but as the trunk splits, his half rebounds into the side of the cliff walls and the jar sends Tod smashing into the water as well.
[In his panic, he grabs the first fact that comes in sight...which just happens to be the piece of trunk to which the bear is clinging as well.]
The bear, seeing his hated opponent, forgets all about the impending danger and starts to inch along toward the soaking fox.
[Tod just has time to feel the thwack of the bear's paw until the two of them find themselves falling down...down over the edge of the waterfall to the rocks below.]
Both animals disappear into the swirling waters, and for a few seconds, the surface is silent.
[Then Tod's head appears, gasping and spluttering as the water gushes into his eyes. his ears and his mouth. Choking wildly, he manages to claw his road to the bank where he collapses onto the pebbly sand in exhaustion and terror.]
Tod closes his eyes in pain as his flooded lungs try to empty themselves of saltwater. He gags and leaves a little pool of water in front of him, until he moves to a drier spot.
[A sixth sense suddenly warns him that he is not alone anymore and he raises his head, not particularly caring whether it is the bear or not.]
It is Copper, who breathes a sigh of relief at finding Tod yet alive.
[The dog approaches warily. He has so many facts he wants to say to Tod, after all he owes him his life, but after everything that has happened he isn't sure what to do or say.]
The two animals stare at each other, not moving a muscle. But then, the sound of a gun being cocked makes both of them start and look around.
[It is Amos Slade and he has his gun aimed directly at Tod.]
Copper's eyes widen in horror and disbelief. Surely, his master can't mean to murder Tod now, he might have seen how he has saved his life. He whines slightly as Slade's finger moves toward the trigger.
[Tod rests his head wearily on his paws; he has no energy left for running or fighting, it is all over now.]
But Copper is not done yet. He limps toward Slade and places himself directly in front of the gun, fully obstructing the Hunter's aim.
Amos: C'mon, Copper. Get out of the road!
But Copper stands his ground. Slade will need to murder him first if he wants Tod so badly.
[Slade looks down at his dog and then raises the gun threateningly and takes aim once again, hoping that it will frighten Copper out of the road.]
But Copper sits very, very silent, and stares up at Slade, pleading, begging, willing him to relent.
[Slowly...very slowly....Slade lowers his gun and gives a little shrug of disbelief at what he has just witnessed.]
Amos: Well, c'mon then, let's go home.
Copper waits for a second or two and then starts to limp after his master.
[Tod shakes his head and gets to his feet, willing to say a farewell. He is about to call out until Copper turns, but yet neither of them have any real words to say to each other. Then, just before Copper leaves the clearing Tod grins, a warm, friendly grin which the dog returns instantly. And then he is gone, limping after the man who tries to teach him to hunt every living fact...but hasn't quite succeeded.]
Big Mama is awakened from her owly dreams by the familiar sound of pecking. She opens one eye and looks up sleepily to where Boomer is busily hammering off at the tree trunk while Dinky looks on.
[As Boomer feels he has pecked enough, Dinky squeezes through his legs and peers into the resting hole.]
Dinky: Csendes! This is it. We've had him for sure this time. (He motions for Boomer to stop his guffawing.)
Inside the hole, strange shapes and colors begin to move and the two birds can no longer make out the shape of the hairy little caterpillar they are trying to catch.
Dinky: Hey! What's going on?
Boomer: Oh, my gosh!
Dinky shakes his head and clings onto Boomer, hoping it is all a dream.
Dinky: Wh-what's going on?
Suddenly, a spectacularly colored vision bursts out from the black hole in the tree. The two birds' eyes swim with reds and blues and yellows and oranges as the beautiful butterfly flaps its wings and flutters around them.
Boomer: Hey! There's something very familiar about these eyes!
The butterfly bats its eyelids coyly at the surprised bird and jumps up and down a few times very cheekily. Somehow the butterfly seems to be displaying himself to the birds, as though he wants to show them something.
Dinky: Nah...it couldn't be!
But it is. Yes, Squeeks the caterpillar has metamorphosed into one of the most beautiful butterflies ever, and now he wants to show off his wonderful new colors to the two birds who have been trying to catch him for so long.
[Squeeks decides that it is time to go, and flutters down past Big Mama's hole.]
Big Mama: Bye, Squeeks. Farewell...good luck, darling!
And the birds all watch as the stunning little creature disappears into the forest.
Amos: Ouch! You're hurting me....ow! (A rude voice breaks into the peacefulness of the day and makes the birds all turn toward the Widow's house.)
It is Amos Slade, who is having the bandage on his foot removed by the Widow.
[Upon his return from the forest, he has thought that the least he can do is let the Widow know that Tod is yet alive and well. He has felt secretly guilty about what just happened, and the sight of Copper defending his friend to the last has mellowed even the Hunter's hardened old heart.]
As the Widow has seen Slade's torn and bleeding foot she has immediately ordered him into the house and proceeds to nurse him. She even quite enjoys it, for since Tod has gone she has had nobody but herself to look after.
Widow: Amos Slade, will you hold silent? You're behaving like a child!
Amos: Well, for heaven's sakes! You're hurting my foot, woman!
The Widow regards Slade's unbandaged foot and gives it a soothing pat.
Widow: Nonsense! Your foot is mending fine!
Amos Slade grimaces, as though in the most horrible pain and cries out in grand agony, hoping to evoke some sympathy as he is getting to like being nursed and mothered by the Widow.
Widow: You'll soon be your old self. Oh, landsakes! I don't know if I like that.
Slade crosses his arms and sulks. In truth even he doesn't like his old self very much, but he isn't going to admit such a fact to the Widow.
Amos: Oh, do be careful! Ooh! Ow! Ouch!
Chief: Huh! He's sure making a big fuss over a little hurt foot.
Copper looks over at the old dog in disgust, remembering the moans and carryings-on he has had to listen to as if old Chief's leg is hurt. He growls and decides to say nothing, he is far too sleepy to have an argument with Chief.
[Copper lays his head on his paws and closes his eyes again, sliding back immediately into a twilight world of dreams and half remembers memories.]
Young Tod: Copper, you're my very best friend.
The hound-dog's eyes flicker slightly as the voice of Tod drifts into his mind.
Young Copper: And you're mine, as well, Tod.
Young Tod: And we'll always be friends forever, won't we?
Young Copper: Yes, forever.
Far off, on the top of the hill, Tod and Vixey look down toward the buildings at the bottom of the valley. They can't actually see the two barrels that belong to Chief and Copper, but Tod knows they are there.
[Like Copper, he is also remembering their promises from so long ago, and the words of Big Mama since she has warned him that forever is a long time.]
Tod grins. Big Mama has been wrong. They are yet friends, even though they will probably never meet again, and they will both always remember the days until they are young.
[He turns to Vixey and nuzzles her gently. Now he has a new life and a new family of his own to look forward to, and he hopes that Copper will always be just as happy as he feels right there and then.]
(Screen fades from black, revealing the title card, "Now on Videocassette")
Brian Cummings: Now on videocassette!
(After the black-and-gold Walt Disney Home Video logo, the screen fades to reveal silent clips of "The Little Mermaid" as the title music plays)
Mark Elliott: Three years ago, we took you on a magical journey under the sea.
(Triton's castle under the sea is revealed. After a thunderclap, we transition over to Beast's castle, with silent clips of "Beauty and the Beast" playing as its respective musical score plays)
Last year, we took you to a place where a beautiful girl looked into the heart of a beast and found the man of her dreams.
(An instrumental version of Aladdin's deleted song, "Why Me?" plays as clips from "Aladdin" are shown now)
Now come with us and enter an entire new world beyond your imagination where a boy discovers a magic lamp and a genie who can make all his dreams come true.
(Genie rises from the magical clouds as he shrieks. Then the music stops as his neck cracks)
Genie: OI! Ten-thousand yeeeeears will give you such a crick in the neck!
(Genie magically tears his head apart)
WOAAHHHH!!!!
(Genie sticks his head back into place)
WOW!!
(Aladdin collapses after Abu and Magic Carpet pull him down)
Then what'll it be, master?
Aladdin: I must've hit my head harder than I thought.
Mark Elliott: Walt Disney Home Video presents "Aladdin".
Aladdin: You're a genie?
(Genie slaps a graduation cap and scroll on Aladdin)
Genie: That's right! He can be taught! (sings) You ain't never had a friend like me.
(Genie bursts out of the lamp and grows)
Ha ha ha!
(Genie appears in a giant form, but we cut to him controlling Magic Carpet as they break from under the Cave of Wonders)
Mark Elliott: Imagine an entire new world of emotion.
Aladdin: A magic carpet.
Mark Elliott: Danger.
Aladdin: Woah! Carpet, let's move!
Mark Elliott: And enchantment. It's the story of a poor boy from the streets and a beautiful girl from the palace.
Razoul: Princess Jasmine!
Abu: (Waves in front of Aladdin's eyes) Hello?
Mark Elliott: They were two very different people.
Sultan: The law says you....
Together: Must be married to a prince!
Mark Elliott: Brought together by one incredible wish.
Genie: What is this (Taps Aladdin's nose) you want most?
Aladdin: There's this girl.
Genie: Pretty?
Aladdin: Beautiful!
(We cut to Abu and Magic Carpet tapping their wine glasses as Genie smokes a heart around them)
Genie: C'est l'amour.
Aladdin: But she's the princess. To even a chance, I'd have to be....
Genie: Say the magic words.
Aladdin: Genie, I wish for you to make me a prince!
Genie: (Throws his book over) Alright! (Rolls up his sleeves) Hang onto your turban, boy! We're gonna make you a star! (singing) Prince Ali, mighty is he, Ali Ababwa!
Mark Elliott: But the evil sorcerer Jafar has learned the secret of Aladdin's power.
Jafar: He has the lamp.
Mark Elliott: And he'll stop at nothing to steal it apart.
Jafar: It's time to say a farewell.
Aladdin: We'll just see about that!
(Jafar's staff gets destroyed, but we cut to Jafar pulling out a vial)
Jafar: This is not done yet, boy! (Hits the vial and disappears in a pink cloud of smoke)
Mark Elliott: Imagine the world at your command.
Aladdin/Prince Ali: Genie, I need help! Jasmine won't even let me speak to her. (Walks off the edge of the balcony)
Jasmine: No!
Mark Elliott: Only to discover the biggest power is within.
Bee Genie: (To Aladdin) Remember, "bee" yourself.
Aladdin/Prince Ali: (Sticks his hand out to the camera) Do you trust me?
Jasmine: (sings) An entire new world!
Aladdin/Prince Ali: (singing) Don't you dare close your eyes!
Mark Elliott: "Aladdin". Featuring six new songs from the Academy Award-winning composer of "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast".
Genie: Come over here, big group hug! (Stretches his arms and hugs Aladdin, Jasmine, Abu, Rajah and Magic Carpet) Group hug! (sings) Never...had a...friend...
Mark Elliott: On video for a limited time, it's Walt Disney's classic, "Aladdin"!
Genie: (singing) You ain't never had a friend like me. Ha!
(Suddenly, the film is grabbed "off the projector", the Genie lifts it up and looks at the audience)
Made ya look.
(Screen fades from black, revealing the black-and-gold Walt Disney Home Video logo)
Mark Elliott: 50 years ago, Walt Disney created a motion picture masterpiece that would become one of the biggest films of all time. And brought to life characters known and loved the world over.
Jiminy Cricket: Nice piece of wood as well.
Mark Elliott: Now, that timeless classic is on videocassette. It's Walt Disney's one and only "Pinocchio".
Pinocchio: (sings) I have no string to hold me dow––
(Pinocchio trips down the stairs and lands on the stage floor with his face)
Mark Elliott: "Pinocchio". The story of the wooden puppet who wanted to become a real boy.
Pinocchio: I'm going to school.
Jiminy Cricket: That's the stuff, Pinoke!
Mark Elliott: And set off on a fantastic adventure with a very special friend.
Jiminy Cricket: Cricket's the name!
Mark Elliott: Jiminy Cricket!
Honest John: (singing) Hi-diddle-dee-dee! An actor's life for me!
Mark Elliott: "Pinocchio"!
Pinocchio: What just happened?
Mark Elliott: With its unforgettable characters.
The Blue Fairy: (Chuckles) Would you like to be Pinocchio's conscience?
Jiminy Cricket: Well...uh-huh.
Mark Elliott: Its memorable moments.
(Monstro splashes into the water)
And its wonderful music.
Jiminy Cricket: (singing) If you wish upon a star...
Mark Elliott: No family should be without the masterpiece that's touched the hearts of millions.
Geppetto: You ARE a real boy!
(Figaro jumps into the fish bowl and kisses Cleo)
Mark Elliott: And now, this magical movie is on videocassette.
Jiminy Cricket: I think it's swell.
Mark Elliott: It's the last time this century you can own Walt Disney's classic, "Pinocchio". For anyone who's ever wished upon a star!
(Screen fades from black, revealing the Family Home Entertainment logo)
Robyn Starling: (sings) Do I miss you, count the stars, multiply by ten?
Aunt Figg: Good night! Sleep tight! And don't let the spiders and monsters and eerie facts... (locks the door) bite!
Charles Aidman: Once upon a time, an evil guardian named Pristine Figg kept a little girl named Robyn locked off in an attic. Until, something wonderful happened.
Robyn Starling: Who are you?
Charles Aidman: Well, two facts.
Jerry: He's Tom and I'm Jerry!
Robyn Starling: Throw this end out the window.
Jerry: Down, please!
Tom: I'll get you down!
(They both fall down)
Aunt Figg: (gasps) She's escaped again!
Ferdinand: (speaking gibberish)
Agatha Trunchbull: They're getting away!
Charles Aidman: Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
Robyn Starling: They're following us! We need more steam!
Captain Kiddie: You are the lucky guest of Captain Kiddie!
Squawk: Awk!
Robyn: (laughing) He's funny!
Alley Cat: You're dead if you're not outta here! I wanna make that very clear!
Tom: (sings) We two, we're friends to the end.
Charles Aidman: Family Home Entertainment presents, Tom and Jerry, the brave...
Butch: (growls)
Charles Aidman: Tom and Jerry the sensitive, and for the first time in history, "Tom and Jerry: The Movie". After years of fighting, they eventually discover something worth fighting for, each other!
Chorus: (singing) We're friends to the end!
Mark Elliott: Your family are invited to celebrate the magic of an all-new "Snow White" in Filmation's "Happily Ever After". Starring Ed Asner.....
Scowl the Owl: This is what I call a festival!
Mark Elliott: Dom DeLuise, Phyllis Diller, Tracey Ullman and Grammy Award winner Irene Cara.
Snow White: I'm Snow White.
Mark Elliott: The largest all-star cast ever assembled in an animated motion picture, "Happily Ever After". Rated G. Now available on videocassette!
Brian Cummings: Also from Walt Disney Home Video. Two unforgettable motion pictures audiences of all ages will love. The Emmy award-winning film: "Anne of Green Gables" and "Anne of Avonlea", its enchanting sequel. These inspiring films warn the story of a precocious orphan and her journey from awkward girl to mature woman. In the grand Disney tradition, these classic films come from the Wonderworks collection and feature a cast of award-winning stars, including Richard Farnsworth, Colleen Dewhurst, Frank Converse, Dame Wendy Hiller and Megan Follows as Anne. "Anne of Green Gables" and "Anne of Avonlea" are heartwarming epics of friendship and love. Cinematic treasures from award-winning director Kevin Sullivan. High-spirited, warmhearted fun you can enjoy again and again. Collectible films you can own and cherish forever. "Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea". From Walt Disney Home Video!
Ludwig von Drake: La, da, la, da, dee, ba, ba! Oh, that's beautiful! Sing along! Heigh-ho...oh. I'm trying to find the right note here. Because we have a lot of other sing along songs to sing along with heigh-ho! Oh, dear, I...I must get ready here. Heigh-ho-oh! Oh, there it is!
Seven Dwarfs: (singing) Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's home from work we go.
Ludwig von Drake: These little guys are so cute.
Seven Dwarfs: (singing) Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, heigh-ho, heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's home from work we go!
Ludwig von Drake: And we've had "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah", zip-a-dee-day!
Uncle Remus: (sings) My, oh, my, what a wonderful day.
Ludwig von Drake: And then "You Can Fly" or better yet, sing with Peter Pan and the Wendy person.
Chorus: (singing) And bid your cares farewell. You can fly, you can fly, you can fly!
Ludwig von Drake: And look for "The Bare Necessities". These kooky bear necessities.
Baloo: (singing) Forget about your concerns and your strife, I mean the bare necessities, old Mother Nature's recipes that bring the bare necessities of life.
Ludwig von Drake: And there's Fun with Ludwig. (chuckles) No, I mean "Fun with Music". And with that Dodger from "Oliver & Company", you gets nothing to concern about.
Dodger: (singing) Why should I worry? Why should I care? It's just be-bopulation and I got street savoir faire!
Sebastian: (sings) Under the sea.
Ludwig von Drake: We can also sing along "Under the Sea" and other wet places.
Sebastian: (singing) Darling it's better, down where it's wetter, take it from me!
Ludwig von Drake: What else we have there? Oh, "Disneyland Fun"! I'm gonna need a lot of fun singing about Disneyland. Because you know, Disneyland's a nice place to have fun.
Children: (singing) It's a small world after all. It's a small, small world!
Uncle Albert and Bert: (singing) We love to laugh!
Ludwig von Drake: And, and then there's "I Love to Laugh"! (laughing) Actually, I love to laugh, you love to laugh, we all love to laugh. Everybody loved to laugh and sing about it then, whatever. And from "Beauty and the Beast". We can all sing along with the pots and the teacups and the vases. Everything but the kitchen sink in "Be Our Guest".
All: (singing) Be our guest, be our guest, our command is your request.
Cogsworth: (simultaneously) Let's go, people. Fun's over. Over here. Line up. Not...aahhhh!!!!
All: (singing) It's ten years since we've had anybody here and we're obsessed!
Ludwig von Drake: And you ain't never had a friend like this one. He's that big blue kooky fella. It's the very friendly Genie from "Aladdin". And he's had some wishes to grant in a "Friend Like Me".
Genie: (sings) Like...meeeee!
Ludwig von Drake: Now you at home, yes! You can join in the fun. Sing, dance and play along to your favorite Disney songs!
(After Abu stuffs up as much gold into his cap, we cut to Genie's body forming a tornado and sucking everything off)
Genie: (singing) You ain't never had a friend like me. Ha!
(Screen fades from black, revealing the Alvin and the Chipmunks Sing-Alongs logo)
Brian Cummings: Now on videocassette, it's a grand new sing-along from "Alvin and the Chipmunks".
The Chipmunks: (singing) Oh, let's all sing with the chipmunks, follow the bouncing ball.
Alvin Seville: Alvin!
Simon Seville: Simon!
Theodore Seville: Theodore!
The Chipmunks: (singing) Will drive Dave up the wall.
Dave Seville: ALVIIIIIN!!
The Chipmunks: (singing) But we all love to dance and sing and if you sing along. We promise fun for everyone, come join us in our song!
Brian Cummings: It's the Chipmunks' first sing-along. Get in on the fun and sing along to these favorite songs.
The Chipmunks: (singing) Yippee-ki-yi-yo, get along little little doggies. It's your misfortune, and none of my own. While strolling in the park one day, all in the merry month of May. Oh, I'm off to Louisiana, just to get my Susianna, sing polly wolly doodle all the day. Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O. Cha-cha-cha! Alouette, je te alouette. Alouette, je te plumerai! Ooh, ee, ooh-ah-ah ting tang, walla walla, bing bang. Ooh, ee, ooh-ah-ah ting tang, walla walla, bing bang!
Brian Cummings: No one makes sing-alongs more fun than "Alvin and the Chipmunks", eleven wild and wacky songs. Now available on videocassette!
Kath Soucie: Come along and join your friends, Ariel, Flounder and Sebastian for an ocean complete with fun in five under-the-sea adventures. It's "The Little Mermaid" collection: "Ariel's Undersea Adventures".
Ariel: Oh, it's gonna be wonderful, Flounder!
Kath Soucie: "In Harmony" begins as danger spreads throughout the kingdom, but Ariel comes to the rescue.
Ariel: Deep down, Atlanticans really love each other!
Kath Soucie: She brings everyone back together into a friendly world of dance and song.
All: (singing) In harmony. Harmony!
Ariel: (sings) You're you, I'm me. Together, we can live in harmony!
Kath Soucie: And in "Ariel's Gift", it's Father's Day.
Ariel: This year, I'm getting Daddy something really special.
Kath Soucie: Then she teams up with Urchin and Flounder...
Flounder: Grand idea!
Kath Soucie: And sets off on a wondrous search to find a special treasure for the king. It's a "Whale of a Tale", as Ariel brings home Spot, the music-loving baby whale.
Ariel: He thinks I'm his mother.
Triton: Well, you're not!
Kath Soucie: But it soon turns out to be a ton of fun. Then...
Ariel: It's a giant seahorse.
Kath Soucie: Saddle up with "Stormy the Wild Seahorse" for fast-paced adventure.
Ariel: That was some ride!
Kath Soucie: Ariel's horsing around will take you for the ride of your life! And in "Double Bubble", Ariel has both hands complete with danger...
Triton: Ariel, babysitting is hard work.
Sebastian: I know how to handle babies!
Kath Soucie: That'll tickle your funny bone with twice as much fun.
All: (singing) This is the life, this is the life. Music and rocking.
Sebastian: Everybody!
All: (singing) Join the applause, clap with the claws. Open the jaws and sing. Yes!
Kath Soucie: Join all the fun under the sea with the full "Little Mermaid" collection, "Ariel's Undersea Adventures". Five emotional videos in special, sparkling glitter boxes. From Walt Disney Home Video!
Brian Cummings: Everyone loves a grand story, and now Disney's "Favorite Stories" Collection brings you four fun-filled classic children's stories on videocassette. First, there's adventure in every twist and turn of "Mickey and the Beanstalk".
Mickey: I sold the cow for some magic beans!
Brian Cummings: Where Mickey Mouse and his friends try bravely to rescue the golden harp from a very big giant.
Willie the Giant: Fee-fi-fo-fum!
Brian Cummings: It's a tall tale with a really smashing ending. Then a-hunting we all go in the timeless story of "Peter and the Wolf". Come along with this band of fearless friends as they set out to bag a big bad wolf. It's a memorable musical journey and a wild pursuit that will have you rooting for Peter and his brave pals. Plus there's lots of fun and thrills to follow in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow".
Abigail Gabble: (sings) It's the new school master.
Amelia Gabble: (singing) What's his name?
Ichabod Crane: (singing) Ichabod, Ichabod Crane!
Brian Cummings: He's a popular school teacher with a huge appetite for life, but since he bites off more than he can chew, Ichabod just might not have a ghost of a chance. And there's double danger throughout the kingdom in "The Prince and the Pauper". It's Mickey Mouse and Mickey Mouse.
Archbishop: Which one is which?
Brian Cummings: Until a wealthy prince and a poor peasant decide to change places.
Mickey: If my friends could see me now.
Pete: He's an imposter!
Brian Cummings: It's a case of mistaken identity that's twice as much fun.
Both: What a time I've–––– (laughing)
Brian Cummings: Treat yourself to four timeless tales filled with lots of laughs and fun. The "Favorite Stories" Collection from Walt Disney Home Video!
Laurie Main: Winnie the Pooh.
Rabbit: Who said that?
Tigger: It's the narrator.
Laurie Main: For a bear of very little brain, he certainly finds quite a lot of emotion.
Pooh: Who, me? Oh, I'm just looking for some honey. Would you happen to need any honey?
Laurie Main: I'm sorry, Pooh, I don't. But I do have four classic stories in the Hundred Acre Wood with you and Tigger and Eeyore and Christopher Robin. You're all so much fun.
Roo: Hooray!
Rabbit: Exactly!
Pooh: Well, actually, Mr. Narrator, I'm rather hungry. I do almost anything to fill my tummy.
Laurie Main: Sounds familiar, Pooh. Did you forget in "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree", you take to the air if your old honey pot is bare?
Pooh: I shall fly like a bee, up to the honey tree. You see?
Laurie Main: Then it's a windy day in the Hundred Acre Wood in the Academy Award-winning "Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day".
Pooh: That's until I saved poor little Piglet, and everybody threw a feast, just for me. Whee!
Christopher Robin: You are a hero!
Laurie Main: And do you remember "Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too"?
Tigger: Hello, Pooh! Rrrrow!
Pooh: Think, think, think, what is that song that Tiggers always sing?
Tigger: (singing) The wonderful facts about tiggers, is tiggers are wonderful facts! Their tops are made out of rubber, their bottoms are made out of springs! They're bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy. Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun! But the most wonderful fact about tiggers is I'm the only one!
Pooh: Oh, yes, that was the time we all tried to take the bounce out of Tigger.
Tigger: Oh, don't be ridiculous.
Pooh: It didn't work out very well.
Tigger: Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
Pooh: That is, not as well as Eeyore's birthday festival.
Laurie Main: That's right. In "Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore", Eeyore thinks everyone's forgotten his birthday.
Eeyore: Nobody cares.
Laurie Main: But you and your friends proved him wrong with a surprise feast.
Owl: Oh, this is so emotional!
Laurie Main: I wish children of all ages would really have fun sharing these adventures with you, Pooh, and all your friends from the Hundred Acre Wood.
Tigger: Why, certainly!
Laurie Main: There's one, two, three, four.
Pooh: Pots of honey?
Laurie Main: No, four Winnie the Pooh storybook videos.
Pooh: Oh, bother.
Laurie Main: There's nothing more fun than collecting all four. Except collecting honey, of course!
Tigger: T-T-F-N, ta-ta for now! (laughs)
Jeff Bennett: Hey, guys, now there's three new "Winnie the Pooh" videos for playtime fun with Pooh and all his friends.
Male Singer: (sings) Hey, it's playtime, yippy-yay time. A world of adventure is waiting for you. You'll adore these playtime stories with three types of fun and three times as much Pooh!
Jeff Bennett: Take a wild ride with "Cowboy Pooh".
Tigger: Toot-toot!
Jeff Bennett: All aboard for a fun ride on a crazy choo-choo train into the old West with Pooh and his pals. And it's "Detective Tigger". He's the only one who can locate the missing honey.
Rabbit: Amazing!
Jeff Bennett: You'll also find lots of laughs along the road. Then you're invited to a "Pooh Feast".
Tigger: It's festival time!
Jeff Bennett: Pooh has the perfect plan to make Rabbit's big bash a jumping best time.
Male Singer: (singing) Pooh is making friends and taking a journey to somewhere emotional and new.
Chorus: (singing) Emotional and new!
Male Singer: (singing) You can go there, now you know where to find the adventures of...can you guess who? Hooray time! It's playtime with Winnie the Pooh!
Jeff Bennett: Collect all three Playtime videos and play along with Winnie the Pooh!
Seymour S. Sassafras: (sings) Here comes Peter Cottontail...
Brian Cummings: Watch for all of the Easter magic. Available to you on videocassette from Family Home Entertainment.
All: Hurray!
Brian Cummings: First, Danny Kaye sings and voices one of the best-loved Easter productions of all time. "Here Comes Peter Cottontail". Then, it's Margery Williams' classic story of the toy bunny who wins a young boy's heart.
Robert: That's not a toy, Nana. He's real.
Brian Cummings: "The Velveteen Rabbit".
Rocksteady: Easter greetings, everybody!
Brian Cummings: Join the famous Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for an Easter eggstravaganza.
All: Turtle power!
Brian Cummings: "The Turtles' Awesome Easter".
Aggie: We are referred to as Norfins. We are trolls! The original trolls.
Brian Cummings: And brand new to video, a comical clan of mystical trolls use their magic to solve a super sweet mystery. "The Norfin Adventures: The Grand Easter Egg Robbery".
Brer Rabbit: Yoo-hoo!
Brian Cummings: Also new to video, Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear have delighted children all over the world. Now, their timeless stories come alive in "Brer Rabbit Tales".
Peter Cottontail: Happy Easter, everybody!
Brian Cummings: Look for these and other Easter delights on videocassette from Family Home Entertainment!
(Screen fades from black, revealing the Jim Henson Video logo)
Brian Cummings: Now on video, join Kermit and his new friend Billy Bunny in their very first Muppet sing-along video: "Billy Bunny's Animal Songs". Come along for rapping and roaring with some furry bears.
Bears: (singing) Roar! Roar!
Billy Bunny: (sings) That is what we really do so, yow!
Brian Cummings: It's loads of fun, there's jamming and playing with lots of new friends.
Frogs: (singing) Ribbit, croak, needeep, croak, ribbit.
Brian Cummings: Plus singing and swinging with the frogs.
Frogs: (singing) Needeep, croak, ribbit, croak, needeep.
Brian Cummings: "Billy Bunny's Animal Songs".
Frogs: (singing) There's so much to say, and we have all day.
Frog #1: (sings) Needeep.
Frog #2: (singing) Croak.
Frogs: (singing) Ribbit!
Brian Cummings: Now on video!
(Screen fades from black, revealing the VHS cover on the left side and the subtitles "NOW ON VIDEO" on the right side)
Brian Cummings: Now available from Jim Henson Video, it's a new Muppet sing-along: "It's Not Easy Being Green". And here's one of Kermit's favorite songs!
(At a tropical resort, many Muppets are singing while we pan around the luau area with some oysters singing)
Oysters: (singing) Aruba, Jamaica, ooo, I wanna take you.
Bermuda, Bahama, c'mon, pretty mama.
Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don't we go.
Jamaica...
(Then, up comes two dancing hula girls before out comes a familiar green frog in Hawaiian clothing playing the ukulele)
Kermit: (sings) Off the Florida Keys!
There's a place called Kokomo.
That's where you wanna go to get away from it all.
(As he walks around the beach, he notices a parrot drinking some coconut milk before nearing where a bunny named Be-Bop is playing kettle drums and a Coffee Guy is watching)
Bodies in the sand.
Tropical drink melting in your hand.
(An Inkspot is drinking a reptile's drink before he turns, noticing Inkspot smirking sheepishly before being kicked off by him)
We'll be falling in love.
To the rhythm of a steel drum band.
Down in Kokomo.
(Then he begins dancing with the hula girls)
All: (singing) Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you.
To Bermuda...
Inkspot: (singing) Bahama!
(The reptile glances at where he burst up before Inkspot ducks down)
All: (singing) C'mon, pretty mama.
Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don't we go.
Fishes: (singing) Down to Kokomo.
Kermit: (singing) We'll get there fast.
And then we'll take it slow.
All: (singing) That's where we wanna go.
Way down in Kokomo.
(Then Inkspot appears as he sings his line with a shark bursting from behind)
Inkspot: (singing) Martinique, that Montserrat mystique.
(Inkspot yelps, noticing it before the gremlin runs with the shark chasing him. Then Kermit nears where the birds are while Whatnots dance a bit)
Kermit: (singing) We'll go out to sea.
And perfect our chemistry.
By and by, we'll defy a little bit of gravity.
(At that point, a coconut hits the sparrow on its head, but falls as it knocks over many other birds in a domino-style fashion. All while Kermit sits down at a beach chair, looking at a picture of Miss Piggy)
Afternoon delight.
Cocktails and moonlit nights.
That dreamy look in your eye.
Under a heavenly tropical island.
Way down in Kokomo.
(Then, they begin dancing with Kermit on ukulele)
All: (singing) Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you.
To Bermuda....
Inkspot: (singing) Bahama!
All: (singing) C'mon, pretty mama.
Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don't we go.
Fishes: (singing) Down to Kokomo.
Kermit: (singing) We'll get there fast.
And then we'll take it slow.
All: (singing) That's where we wanna go.
Way down to Kokomo!
(The Jim Henson Video logo appears)
Beau Weaver: Now available from Jim Henson Video.
(Screen fades to and from black, revealing the Hollywood sign)
Hollywood, the pot of gold at the rainbow's end.
(Screen spirals fast, transitioning to Kermit, Fozzie and Gonzo at the car shop)
Kermit the Frog: Hey, we're all going to Hollywood. You wanna come with us?
Sweetums: Hollywood?!
Beau Weaver: It's time to grab your pack, stick out your thumb and hitch a ride for the adventure of your life.
Sweetums: Hey, wait for me!
Beau Weaver: It's Jim Henson's "The Muppet Movie"!
Kermit and Fozzie: (singing) Moving right along.
Fozzie: (sings) Footloose and fancy free.
Dr. Teeth: (To Crazy Harry) You know, I hear this movie is dynamite.
(Crazy Harry hits down the TNT plunger and causes an explosion from inside the theater room)
Beau Weaver: It's a story of the open road, where hopeful hitchhikers come past a carload.
Fozzie: Want a lift?
Big Bird: No thanks. I'm on my road to New York City to try to break into public television.
Fozzie: Oh.
Beau Weaver: There's Fozzie at the wheel.
Fozzie: A bear and his natural habitat, a Studebaker.
Beau Weaver: Kermit guiding the road.
Kermit: Turn left if you come to a fork in the road.
Fozzie: Fork in the road.
(The Studebaker drives past an actual giant fork in the middle of the road)
Kermit: I don't believe that.
(Miss Piggy enters the restaurant in her new dress)
Male Announcer: And a roadside distraction named "Miss Piggy".
Kermit: Wow.
Male Announcer: "Hogging" the spotlight.
Miss Piggy: Here I am. I'm packed! Hyah! (Throws her laundry case to the backseat in between Gonzo and Rowlf)
Beau Weaver: Now, it's all aboard....
Kermit: (To Doc Hopper) Alright, everybody, on to Hollywood!
Beau Weaver: As the Muppets hit the jackpot.
Lew Lord: Stuff the standard rich and famous contact for Kermit the Frog and company.
Beau Weaver: And Hollywood's greatest stars get into the act. Milton Berle, Richard Pryor, Bob Hope, Steve Martin, and others.
Kermit the Frog: Will you taste it for us, please?
(The Waiter takes a sip of the wine and does a spit take)
The Waiter: Excellent choice.
Beau Weaver: And now, Hollywood will never be the same.
Kermit the Frog: Stand by! Here we go!
(Crazy Harry pulls a few levers, and the balloon prop Gonzo was holding onto smashes into the fake rainbow)
Beau Weaver: Soon you can own "The Muppet Movie" on videocassette!
Gonzo: Cheese.
Beau Weaver: A spectacular motion picture event.
Miss Piggy: I shall accept nothing less.
Beau Weaver: The one movie that has it all. "The Grand Muppet Caper".
Kermit the Frog: Let's go for it.
Together: Ye-ee-ee-es!
Beau Weaver: It's the story of a daring jewel heist. The target: Diana Rigg as wealthy Lady Holiday.
Lady Holiday: I feel as if thieves are breathing down my neck.
Nicky Holiday: Thieves weren't breathing down your neck.
Beau Weaver: The culprit: Charles Grodin as her dastardly brother.
Kermit the Frog: Why are you doing this?
Nicky Holiday: Because I'm a villain.
Beau Weaver: And the prime suspect.....
Gonzo: I think I found a picture of a thief!
Beau Weaver: A beautiful young pig.
Lady Holiday: Miss Piggy stole my necklace!
Beau Weaver: And now, it's up to Kermit the Frog...
Kermit the Frog: We're about to embark on a potentially dangerous mission.
Together: Woaahhhh!!!!
Beau Weaver: Fozzie Bear...
Fozzie Bear: We don't want the bad guys to win.
Beau Weaver: The Grand Gonzo....
Gonzo: I heard them planning to steal the Baseball Diamond.
Beau Weaver: And a heroic band of festive animals...
Kermit the Frog: We're gonna have to catch these thieves red-handed.
Beauregard: What color are their hands now?
Beau Weaver: To save the day.
Kermit the Frog: There could be physical violence...
Miss Piggy: Aahhhh!!!!
Kermit the Frog: There could be gun-play.....
Nicky Holiday: Alright. Back off!
Kermit the Frog: And there's a slightest chance that somebody might even get murdered.
Floyd Pepper: I'm out.
Dad: Uh, I've had a dental appointment.
Beau Weaver: It's Muppet action and adventure like you've never seen before.
Lady Holiday: It is rather breathtaking, isn't it?
Beau Weaver: All wrapped up in the wildest Muppet motion picture ever.
Miss Piggy: Well, you wanted emotion.
Beau Weaver: Now you can own "The Grand Muppet Caper" on videocassette!
Miss Piggy: Need I say more?
(Screen fades from black, revealing a window of Doc's workshop)
Brian Cummings: Now available from Jim Henson Video, it's "Fraggle Rock", a special underground world inhabited by the Fraggles who adore music and love to play.
Fraggles: (singing) Dance your cares apart, concern's for another day. Let the music play, down to Fraggle Rock.
Doozers: (singing) Work your cares apart, dancing's for another day.
Fraggles: (singing) Let the Fraggles play. We're Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober, Red!
Gobo Fraggle: Wowee!
Junior Gorg: Ooo! A Fraggle! Ha-ha! Hey, look, Ma. I caught a Fraggle!
Ma Gorg: Aah!
Fraggles: (singing) Dance your cares apart, concern's for another day. Let the music play, down in Fraggle Rock. Down in Fraggle Rock!
Boober Fraggle: Down at Fraggle Rock.
(Screen fades from black, revealing the title card, "Watch Out for Future Releases from Walt Disney Home Video")
Mark Elliott: Watch out for future releases from Walt Disney Home Video.
(Screen fades to black, ending the VHS tape)
Category:Transcripts
Category:Disney Transcripts