Background Blues/And Now Let's Talk to Some Kids Arthur

# Every day you walk down the street Everybody that you meet

# Has an original point of view

-# And I say, hey!

-Hey!

# What a wonderful kind of day We can learn to work and play

# And get along with each other

# You gotta listen to your heart Listen to the beat

# Listen to the rhythm of the street

# Get together and make things better By working together

# It's a simple message And it comes from the heart

# Believe in yourself For that's the place to start

-# And I say, hey!

-Hey!

-What a wonderful kind of day

# We can learn to work and play And get along with each other

# What a wonderful kind of day - hey! What a wonderful kind of day - HEY! #

-Hey, DW!

-Hey...

Oh...

Hi, Hal. How's it going, boy?

Look out, R4!

-3W!!

-I got the kids mittens on sale for only 3 million!

Mom, 3W deleted my hologram!

Why don't you do your homework instead of fighting with 3W?

-COMPUTER: 'Homework done.'

-R4, will you play virtual flingy with me?

Please, please, please, PLEASE?!

All right, quit gleebing!

Stop throwing it so hard - you're hurting me!

-No, I'm not! It's all in your imagination.

-All right, you two.

I want you to sit on the barthazoid and watch a datagram.

-What is it?

-It belonged to your great-grandfather.

They called them videos. You can see what life was like in ancient times.

For next week, research your family history and present it to the class.

I found out some very interesting things about the Ratburns.

As you can see, the Ratburn line can be traced far back into history.

TRANSLATION FROM FRENCH:

What?

TRANSLATION FROM LATIN:

I learned that the Ratburns wouldn't be where they are without hard work.

Let's see what YOU find out.

I can't wait to start. I'll find lots of royalty in the Crosswire family.

I'll find some famous Frenskies. Maybe one was an explorer.

What if my great-grandmother found the land route to the Pacific Ocean?

-Sorry, Francine, but I think Lewis and Clark did that.

-Maybe she helped.

I-I have to stop. I can barely move my arms.

You said it, Clark. I'm bushed.

A bear! We're done for!

-You're right, Clark. This is the end.

-Keep your shirts on.

BOTH: It's Ma Frensky!

Take that!

Take that!

GO, Ma Frensky! Come on! CHEERS CONTINUE

One, two, three, four, five...

six, seven, eight, nine, ten! I win!

-I want you boys to follow this route till you hit the Pacific.

-Good idea!

Why didn't WE think of that?

And stay out of trouble, you hear?

I bet MY ancestor gave YOUR ancestor a medal for being so brave.

-He was probably the president at the time.

-Oh, yeah?

-MY relatives were presidents before AND after him.

-It's not a contest.

I'm sure we're ALL related to some really interesting people.

Grandpa was a tollbooth operator? Wow! And what did HIS father do?

I don't know WHAT my grandfather did. I never asked him.

Now I really wish I had.

I'll check in the library. I bet I find stuff about him there.

Cool! My great-uncle owned a cheese shop! I've found three uncles!

I'd settle for a second cousin. I haven't found anything.

-Hi. D'you know where the Crosswire section is?

-Huh?

-I'll just ask.

No, I'm sorry. We don't seem to have any books on the Crosswires.

-But libraries are supposed to have books on important people.

-Muffy.

-Guess what I just found out. My grandfather owned a castle.

-Really?

-Yep. There's an article here. What d'you find out?

-Oh...

The Crosswires are too important to be HERE. We have private archives.

This is it? But where are the books about us and the family jewels?

Nothing like that. We're plain folks.

Mother, how can you say such a thing?

Visit your great-aunt, Olga Crump.

She'll know some interesting things.

It's my grandfather's lunchbox. My mom found it.

At least now you have a visual aid.

For the world's shortest report!

I can't even open it. It's stuck.

Hi, guys! How's the report going, Francine?

Great! My grandfather's grandfather

-was an adviser to President Lincoln.

-Oh!

I'm off to visit my great aunt.

She's a princess. Bye!

It wasn't REALLY a lie.

She COULD be a princess.

Wait a minute! She's too old to be a princess. She'd have to be a QUEEN!

Then maybe I'M a princess!

-I'm sorry I'm late, Your Highness. The limo had a flat.

-Anastasia?

-No. It's Muffy!

-Ah, well, you'll do. ..Crown her.

I'm the long-lost princess of Translatvia? Cool!

Are you SURE this is the right address?

The Crosswires used to sell used horses, then it was used carts.

And now it's used cars!

-This is Juniper. Thought you'd want him for your report.

-Thanks.

Francine probably has something from Abraham Lincoln!

Vingal Frensky advised Abe Lincoln to trim his beard...and he did!

Want the photo to show your class?

Oh, that's all right. I'll describe it to them.

How about this one? It's of the Hamburger Castle I used to own.

-Hmm...OK.

-I have more stuff in the garage. I think there's a box

with some of Lincoln's beard.

Now it looks like the type of castle Muffy's family might have.

I'll say the bottom was cut off.

And then the Crosswires owned ALL of England and France, too!

-But they sold that to the Germans.

-I have a picture

-of my grandpa standing outside his castle.

-We owned 100 castles!

-A Frensky advised Lincoln.

-So? Lincoln was my second cousin!

I think my ancestors were all taken away on a spaceship.

That makes everything I've said sound believable!

-I knew it!

-Ohhhh, it's no use!

None of my relatives were rich OR famous. They were just plain folks.

I bet they're still pretty interesting.

Your relatives actually DID exciting things,

like own castles and advise presidents.

They really DID do those things... right?

Oh, yes. Definitely. My ancestors were all really important people.

Hiya, Francie. I found some more photos for you.

Terrific pictures of the inside of the Hamburger Castle.

Uh...thanks.

I'm sure it's going to be a great report.

Make the Frenskies proud.

-Goodnight.

-Goodnight!

Grandpa would be hurt if he knew I was trying to make us seem exciting.

Maybe I should just tell the truth.

Here's my grandfather making a hamburger. ..Here he is mopping...

-SNORING

-This is a picture of a salt shaker.

And I thought MY relatives were boring!

Hi, son. I stopped by to give you this palmetto

-and wish Francine good luck with her report.

-She just left.

She left the photo album behind. She's going to need that.

'So, from covered wagons to Cadillacs, the Crosswires

'have kept the transport industry alive in the US for over 100 years.'

That's the way it was. This has been Wolf Blitzen. Thank you!

Very impressive, Muffy. Francine...

My most important relative was Vingal Frensky,

advisor to Abraham Lincoln.

Here's a dramatic recreation of one of their important conversations.

Francine! ..Sorry to interrupt, folks. ..Here, Francie.

You left this at home.

Would you like to stay for the report?

Like to? I'd LOVE to!

Uh...

Uh...

This is a picture of my grandfather's castle.

Hamburger Castle.

A Hamburger Castle! Cool! Which one?

-The one right outside Elwood City.

-I've eaten there!

-I love it there!

Vingal Frensky DID advise Abe Lincoln. But just to trim his beard.

He was a barber. I have some of Lincoln's beard...

WOW!!

Fascinating!

That was a great report, Francine.

Sure it wasn't a REAL castle?

-Yeah.

-You're such a good friend!

I thought this was all I would have and my report would be boring.

But then I found this sandwich inside. It's from 1955!

Mmm! Baloney!

EUGH!!

Is that really what life was like 100 years ago?

-I guess so.

-I liked it. But it didn't make a lot of sense.

-I mean, what's a hamburger?

-Beats me!

Have you ever noticed how people's personalities fit them perfectly?

- We need more homework and quizzes. - I love jokes! They're funny!

-I'm playing soccer. And so are you.

-Oh, you are so rude!

Imagine if they had different personalities. Weird!

BUSTER'S VOICE: And for tonight's homework, everyone find a joke.

If I laugh, you get an A.

I'm playing soccer... and so are you.

MUFFY: Oh, you are SO rude! I'd rather go to the mall.

-MR RATBURN: Arthur!

-Aaagh!

Are you daydreaming? 7 x 3 is NOT 28, it's 21.

7 x 1 is 7....

-7 x 2 is 14...

-OK! OK! ..You see how weird that would be?

It's much better when people act like themselves.

-Well, MOST of the time.

-And then... I want you to scratch behind my ears.

Yee-ha!

# There's a level and a rule

# And keys for all the padlocks

# Tools don't have to go to school They learn in the magic toolbox! #

What do you think Sammy Screwdriver's REALLY like?

-I like Newt the Nut.

-I like the part where real kids talk.

It's coming on, so be quiet!

Gravity makes us stick to the Earth.

Without it, we'd float away.

Gravity makes an apple hit you on the head.

I wonder how they choose these kids.

-Their parents work on the show.

-Imagine if they picked YOU!

"My name is Arthur and my dog is named Pal. Blah, blah, blah!

"Isn't that interesting?" Here's the audience watching Arthur.

-Very funny, DW(!)

-I always think snoring is funny.

For this geography quiz, fill in all the country names in the world.

As always, spelling counts.

Who can tell me where THIS is?

Earth?

That's right. Very good. Cookies for everybody!

I'm so sorry to interrupt a quiz...

..but I have exciting news.

The TV show, Magic Toolbox,

is coming here to make a Let's Talk To Some Kids segment!

Because Mr Ratburn's class is the hardest working, you've been chosen!

EXCITED CHATTER

I can't believe we're gonna be on TV!

The camera won't be able to resist focusing on ME!

They'll put me on the show for sure!

Here's the new star of Magic Toolbox...

FRANCINE FRENSKY!

I'd better prepare for this. See ya!

Think she'll get all the attention?

TV shows need ACTION.

I've gotta go, too. Bye!

What would YOU do on TV?

I won't even think about it. I'm working on a science project.

I'm not thinking about it either.

Bye!

Gravity is the only scientific principle

that can hurt your backside.

What time is it when an elephant sits on your watch?

Time to get a new watch! Thank you! Thank you!

-What are you doing?

-Preparing for TV. Maybe I'll get my own show.

YOU?!

Hey, DW!

-Hey!

-Ohhhh!

-I knew it!

I knew there were little people in the TV! MOM!

-If I become famous, you can be on TV with me.

-No, thanks.

You'd try to make me look like a brat.

BUSTER LAUGHS HYSTERICALLY

"There is no joy in Mudville..."

Hi, guys.

-Arthur says you're not gonna prepare anything.

-No. I'm busy...

-working on my science project about nanoseconds.

-Oh, yawn!

-This could be your big chance!

-What would he do on TV? Think(?)

# Every day When you're walking down the street

# You stop and think... #

I'm thinking about getting a puppy.

That would be entertaining(!) ..I'm being sarcastic.

Being on TV isn't important to me.

-The Brain really DOESN'T care.

-This is the saddest thing I ever saw.

Including me not getting a puppy!

We must help him realise that he's good at things he could do on TV.

-Really?

-Believe me. I know people.

Behind all that confidence, he's shy.

You're good at a lot of cool stuff.

Basketball, baseball...

that thing with all the numbers...

Math? Yeah. You're good at lots of things.

What's your point? (What...?)

-I don't know!

-I remember!

There's plenty of stuff you can do on TV.

I don't care. I tried everything!

-There's no reason you shouldn't be confident.

-I AM confident.

-He's not. He just won't admit it.

-It's OK if you're afraid.

-I'm not!

-See you tomorrow.

-Poor guy!

KNOCKING Francine?

You don't want the boys to know you're afraid.

-I have ideas to help make you interesting.

-Francine...

Can you do any imitations? Frog? Cow?

Can you juggle? Or skate?

Skating's catchy. Very TV.

I'm really busy with my science project.

-But that isn't on TV!

-It's important!

Goodbye!

You could be Kazoo Boy!

Goodbye!

-He didn't want to be Kazoo Boy!

-I offered him my best jokes.

-Maybe he really DOESN'T care.

-You don't understand!

Which of these will photograph best?

Muffy, please be seated.

I'm just trying to project an effective media image.

The crew will be talking about the solar system.

-Tell me something about the solar system!

-Me, too!

Me, too! OK. There are nine planets.

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

The solar system is really...

BIG!

Even compared to me.

Eh...all the planets are moving... around the sun.

That's called...

orbits!

Phew!

Eh...

A poem about the universe.

Twinkle, twinkle...

little star... How I wonder what you are.

The...universe is...

so big... that nobody's ever seen it all.

I think. ..Right?

I know!

Eh...

-Francine, the...

-I can't hear you! Speak up!

Mars is called the red planet and the camera's right behind you!

Mars is my...

Mars is my favourite planet.

It is the fourth planet from the sun and it is red, my favourite colour.

So it is my favourite planet, the planet red. I mean, Mars! ..Ohh!

'I mean, Mars. ..Ohh!'

Boy, we were better than I thought.

-Everything I said was what Brain told me.

-Me, too.

-And The Brain never said anything.

-Poor guy! He'll never be on TV.

'Topping a lifetime of accomplishments...

'Professor Brain perfected teleportation.

'More later on the Professor Brain Network!'

Didn't you once say Brain would never get on TV?

-They've got a whole channel for him!

-Channel-schmanel!

He never got to be on The Magic Toolbox.

Wanna watch it?

-Look, there's me!

-That's Muffy!

Oh, yeah. And there's Buster Baxter.

-Whatever happened to him? Remember the song?

-Who could forget it?!

# There's a level and a rule

# And a key for all the padlocks

# Tools don't have to go to school They learn in the magic toolbox! #

Subtitles by Janice Hamilton BBC Scotland, 2001

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