Deck the Halls (1994) Movie Script

[music - "deck the halls"]
[ticking]
[music playing]
[ticking]
[brakes squeaking]
That blasted automobile
of hers is a menace.
[music playing]
[tires squeaking]
[whimpering]
[honking]
[door opening]
[door shutting]
Brace yourself.
Here she comes.
Well, I'm here.
We can get on with
it, whatever it is.
What are you doing here, Robert?
Who are those-- those children?
WADSWORTH: If you'll sit down a
minute, Edwina, I'll tell you.
EDWINA: Well, make
quick, Wadsworth.
I haven't got all day.
Well, as you know, Benjamin
and Mary Spencer recently, uh,
departed.
Yes, my cousin and his wife.
I scarcely knew either of them--
beastly tragedy, though.
Well, these are their
children, Alison and Andrew.
How do you do, I'm sure?
WADSWORTH: Well,
you and Robert here
are the only two living
relatives of these children.
And we are here to
find a home for them.
I've already said that I would
be more than happy to have them
come live with my wife and I.
I think that's
a splendid idea.
Is that all?
Well, then it's settled.
Now, Robert, about the
matter of the trust fund--
Trust fund?
What sort of trust fund?
For the care of the
children, of course.
Robert, perhaps I've
been a bit too hasty.
That little shoe box you
live in couldn't possibly
be big enough to keep these
precious little darlings in.
WADSWORTH: But you just said--
Never mind what I just said.
I think I should
be given the chance
to take care of these
children as well.
Very well.
It says here that
the children are
to spend one week
with each of you,
then at the end
of that time, they
are to decide where
they would like to stay.
The children?
What do they know?
WADSWORTH: Oh, they're
wiser than you realize,
Edwina, surely wise enough to
know where they'd like to live.
Now, then, which one of
you would like to take them
for the first week?
Ladies first.
Thank you, Robert.
Well, we will meet
again two weeks from today
and hear their decision.
My word, you children
will get to spend
Christmas Day in your new home.
Isn't that splendid?
[music playing]
And this is the
upstairs, darlings?
How would you like it?
It sure is big.
Oh my, that's pretty.
Is that where I'll be staying?
Of course, dearest girl.
Would you like to look around?
Uh huh.
Come on, Andrew.
But, madam, that
is your bedroom.
Shh!
Quiet, you idiot.
She can have it this week.
Then once they
decide to live here,
they'll both get those
little rooms in the attic.
Oh, madam.
EDWINA: Well, how do you
like your room, dear?
It's kind of dark.
Well, of course it is!
Bright sunlight
causes me to squint,
and squinting causes
me to wrinkle!
I don't like it.
It's too dark.
Baxter!
The drapes, quickly!
BAXTER: Yes, madam, at once.
Ah!
Now isn't that better?
[coughing]
EDWINA: Why-- why of
course it is, dearest.
Of course it is.
This is going to be
a long, long week.
[music playing]
Oh, there you are,
you little precious.
Your dear, sweet little sister
is having a grand adventure
exploring the house.
But you, you're frowning.
You should be smiling like me.
See?
I'm smiling.
There isn't nothing to do!
Well, then, we'll
think of something.
Let's play a game.
What kind of game?
A fun game, of course.
Whatever you'd like.
How about cowboys and Indians?
Why certainly, precious angel.
How do we play it?
Well, I'm the cowboy.
Fine, and who
will be the Indian?
Mr. Baxter can be the Indian.
EDWINA: Marvelous.
And you can be my pony.
Your pony?
Uh, well, I-- I
have a better idea.
I'll be the Indian and
Baxter can be the pony.
ANDREW: Nah, that wouldn't work.
Well, why not?
Your hair's the wrong color.
Oh.
Well, then, how do we begin?
We've got to go outside first.
Outside?
But it's snowing out there!
Well, if you don't wanna--
Oh, we want to.
Don't we, Baxter?
[shrieking]
ALLISON: Oh, Rapscallion!
Look at this.
Isn't she beautiful?
She's the same doll that's
in that picture book.
Oh my, that says Edwina
Benson, age eight.
There's all kinds of
pictures of her in here.
And she's got the doll
in almost all of them.
You know, Christmas is
just around the corner.
I've got to think of
something to get Aunt Edwina.
What if I made a new dress for
this doll and gave that to her?
I'll have plenty of
time to work on it
while we're at Uncle Robert's,
and then I can surprise her.
BAXTER: I say!
Woo woo woo woo woo.
What was that?
[chattering]
There, there, pony.
There's nothing to be afraid of.
Your pony is not afraid.
It is cold.
You got to stop talking.
Horses can't talk.
All they can do is whinney.
Whinney!.
Woo.
OK, Mr. Baxter, here we come.
Start firing.
Ready when you
are, Master Andrew.
Then giddy up.
Oh!
[laughter]
Woo hoo!
Woo hoo.
Woo hoo hoo.
Woo hoo.
Baxter, I shall kill you!
Ah!
Ah!
I can't see!
I can't breathe.
Ah!
Baxter, help me!
Ah!
Golly, look at her go.
Merciful heavens.
Ah!
Ah!
Baxter!
I'm dying.
That little beast
wanted to kill me!
He meant no harm, madam.
Well, you certainly
were enjoying yourself.
You were the one
who tried to do me
in with that wretched
snowball in the face.
I am chilled to the bone.
I'm dying.
Don't you think you're
overdoing it a bit, madam?
I mean with the children.
EDWINA: I want that trust fund.
I must make those little beasts
like me, if I have to cheat,
and sneak, and lie to do it.
They'll only like
you if you like them.
You must be sincere.
Cheating and lying are the
only things I can do sincerely,
you dolt. The party on
Saturday ought to do it.
How are the goodies coming?
BAXTER: Very well, madam.
Here, taste this, madam.
It's for the party.
What is that vile concoction?
Why it-- it's
chocolate pudding, madam.
The children like it.
That smell.
It's got sugar in it.
I hate it.
It's so-- so sweet.
And you're not.
What was that?
[tea kettle whistling]
Your water's hot.
Ah!
You mad man!
You're scalding me.!
Ah!
Merry Christmas.
I told you this would be a
Christmas party to remember.
Isn't it splendid?
Uh huh.
I'm getting sick.
Mom always says you
shouldn't eat too much candy.
Nonsense!
It's a special occasion.
You're supposed to break
rules on special occasions.
Here, Allison.
You wouldn't want to pass up
this scrumptious chocolate
pudding.
It's probably poison.
Oh, Andrew.
How silly.
Baxter made this
pudding especially
for you little darlings.
It's wonderful.
You taste it first.
Me?
Why, of course.
Delicious.
I'm getting sleepy.
Oh, nonsense!
It's a Christmas party, and
this is your last night here.
Tomorrow you'll have to
go to Robert's, and I'm
going to miss you so.
I'm sick.
Oh, dear.
Uh, Baxter!
Come and carry
Andrew to his room!
Ow.
It hurts.
EDWINA: Baxter!
ANDREW: Help, Mama!
Daddy!
It's going to get me.
EDWINA: Andrew.
ANDREW: Daddy!
EDWINA: Andrew--
Andrew, wake up.
You were having a bad dream.
There was a monster, a
big two-headed monster.
And it had me, and it was trying
to make me eat more cookies.
Oh, you-- you poor thing.
It's all right now.
Auntie is here.
[music - "jingle bells"]
ROBERT: (SINGING) Jingle
bells, jingle bells,
jingle all the way.
Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, jingle
bells, jingle all the way.
Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh.
[howling]
[laughter]
[howling]
I don't think the dog
appreciates our singing.
Hmm, on the other
hand, maybe it
was so beautiful he just
couldn't resist joining in.
Well, what shall we sing next?
Well, we are
decorating the house.
Hmm.
In that case, I
have just the thing.
(SINGING) It's
Christmas time and here
we are stringing popcorn
and hanging stars.
By the fire, lights glow.
The Christmas spirit grows.
while outside the
world is touched
with a gently falling snow.
[chattering]
Deck the halls with
boughs of holly.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Tis the season to be jolly.
Fa la la la la la la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Troll the ancient
yuletide carol.
Fa la la la la la
la la la la la.
See the blazing yule before us.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Strike a harp and
join the chorus.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
While I tell of
yuletide treasure.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes.
Fa la la la la la la la la la.
Hail the new, ye
lads and lasses.
Fa la la la la la la la la la.
Sing we joyous all together.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Heedless of the
wind and weather.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
[chattering]
[door opening]
[door shutting]
Baxter, bring me
some chocolate pudding.
Pudding again, madam?
EDWINA: Yes!
Oh, it was the worst day yet.
They were singing Christmas
carols around the piano.
We have a piano!
[piano notes]
I should have
learned to play it.
Oh, Baxter, we've lost.
They seem like--
like a real family.
It's always so dark in here!
Turn on some lights!
And do you have to be so quiet?
Why can't you make any noise?
It does seem
dreadfully dull, madam,
ever since the
children went away.
Oh, Baxter, I've ruined it.
I did everything
wrong and Robert
is doing everything right.
Oh well, madam.
It wasn't that
much money, anyway.
You certainly don't
need that trust fund.
Trust fund?
Money?
Have you gone mad, Baxter?
The money isn't
important anymore.
Oh, I don't know.
It's the principle of the thing.
Oh.
Well, I don't know
what madam can do.
Well, I have an idea.
It's drastic, but it's the only
thing I could come up with.
It's Christmas Eve, and
there's only one way
to undo the fun in
Robert's house--
take their Christmas presents.
Steal the children's presents?
Oh, Baxter, we're not going
to steal them, you fool--
just move them to our house.
Then tomorrow morning I'll go to
Robert's and tell the children
that Santa Claus has delivered
all their gifts here.
Don't you see?
That will convince them
to come home with me.
Madam, that is outrageous!
I am afraid I cannot
participate in such shenanigans.
Now remember, Baxter, don't
let the rope out too quickly.
Yes, madam.
And don't make any noise.
You'll wake them up.
As you say, madam.
Back up.
Keep the rope taut.
[music playing]
Ah!
You imbecile.
You're going the wrong way.
Baxter, where are you?
Get a hold on, madam.
I'm cutting myself free.
EDWINA: What did
you say, Baxter?
I couldn't hear you.
Ah!
Wait till I get my hands on him.
[playful music]
ALLISON (VOICEOVER):
Dear Aunt Edwina,
I found this in the attic and
I thought you might like it
if I fixed it up for you.
Merry Christmas-- love, Allison.
[sad music]
Andrew needed me
and I was there.
And-- and Allison, I
can't believe she'd
go to so much
trouble just for me.
Oh, what I fool I've been.
What a blind, selfish fool.
And now it's too late
to do anything about it.
Well, madam, where
are the presents?
EDWINA: I couldn't
do it, Baxter.
The children are
where they belong.
Let's go home.
[sad music]
Merry Christmas, madam.
Merry Christmas, Baxter.
The turkey is cooking.
EDWINA: I'm not hungry.
I made some more
chocolate pudding.
You know I don't
like sweets, Baxter.
BAXTER: Well, if
madam will excuse me,
I have to get some
more wood for the fire.
You're excused.
If-- if it's any
consolation to you, madam,
I wish they would have
come to live here too.
Well, they won't.
Wadsworth was right.
Children are smart.
I'm sure they saw
right through me.
Go on, Baxter.
Get your firewood.
Yes, ma'am.
ALLISON (VOICEOVER): Oh, my.
That's pretty.
Is that where I'll be staying?
ANDREW (VOICEOVER): You've
got to stop talking.
Horses can't talk.
All they can do is whinney.
BAXTER (VOICEOVER): Why, it's
chocolate pudding, madam.
Children like it.
ANDREW (VOICEOVER):
There was a monster,
a big two-headed monster.
And it had me, and it was trying
to make me eat more cookies.
[laughter]
BAXTER: No, no, Master Andrew.
ANDREW: I got him!
I got him!
BAXTER: So you
did, a direct hit.
ALLISON: Andrew!
Stop throwing snowballs
at Mr. Baxter.
Merry Christmas, Edwina.
I-- good grief.
Andrew, you're messing
up your Sunday clothes!
I-- I--
I don't understand.
They made up their
own minds, Edwina.
Don't ask me to explain it.
Baxter, are they here to stay?
[coughing]
Ha, indeed they are, madam!
Indeed, they are!
Allison, Andrew, I just
don't know what to say.
I don't understand.
You-- you looked so
happy at Robert's.
Well, Uncle Robert
already has a family.
Well, yes, he-- he does.
When mommy and daddy went
away, we didn't have anybody.
And when we went away,
you didn't have anybody.
We figured you needed us.
Don't ya?
Oh, yes.
Baxter, don't just stand there.
Don't you know
it's Christmas Day?
Where is the turkey dinner?
Co-- coming right up, madam.
Coming right up.
[music playing]
(SINGING) Deck the halls
with boughs of holly.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Tis the season to be jolly.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Toll the ancient yuletide carol.
Fa la la la la fa la la la la
fa la la la la la la la la la la
la la la.
[music - "deck the halls"]