♪ Good Times
♪ Anytime you meet a payment ♪
♪ Good Times
♪ Anytime you meet a friend ♪
♪ Good Times
♪ Anytime you're out from under ♪
♪ Not getting hassled Not getting hustled ♪
♪ Keeping your head above water ♪
♪ Making a wave when you can
♪ Temporary layoffs
♪ Good Times
♪ Easy credit rip-offs ♪
♪ Good Times
♪ Scratching and surviving ♪
♪ Good Times
♪ Hanging in a chow line ♪
♪ Good Times
♪ Ain't we lucky we got 'em
♪ Good Times
Father, give me strength.
Rembrandt?
Hey, Rembrandt?
Huh?
Oh, Mama.
I'm glad you woke me up.
I was having this terrible dream.
I dreamt I was commissioned to paint Miss Black America...
nude.
Oh, what's so terrible about that?
It turned out the winner was Moms Mabley.
JJ, I thought I told you
not to use my dish towels to wipe your paintbrushes.
Now, what do you call this?
How about Sunset on the Congo?
How about my hand upside your head?
You're making a mess of this whole house.
My kitchen is spilling over with your stuff.
You know what I almost made for dinner
the other night?
Turpentine soup.
Ma, you've got to do something about JJ.
Now what?
I was going to wash my hair,
and I almost used this tube of paint.
I might have wound up with green hair.
If you were a little shorter,
you'd have been the first black leprechaun.
If I spill this on you, then you know what you'd be?
The ugly Green Giant.
Ho-ho-ho.
All right, stop it, the two of you.
JJ, what were your paints doing in the bathroom?
I never know
where the inspiration may hit me.
In the bathroom?
Some people read. I paint.
Can't a man get some rest in his own house?
You should hear what's going on.
I did. Your voices carried
all the way to the west wing of the mansion.
James, I want you to talk to JJ.
All right, baby.
Hi, JJ. How you doing?
Not bad. Good.
Well, I talked to him.
Now I'm going back to sleep.
Very funny.
Man!
You can't get nothing done in this town!
Now, what's eating you?
I was on this protest march.
We were demanding more black policemen
in the projects area,
but they came and broke it up.
Who broke it up?
Some black policemen.
I'm going back to sleep.
James, before you go,
there's something else we got to discuss about JJ.
What's to discuss, baby?
If the boy made a mess, let him clean it.
It ain't the mess he made.
It's the mess he might be in.
How come all of a sudden he's got so much art supplies?
Where'd he get all that money?
I hope he hasn't been findingthings again.
Junior, have you been findingthings again?
I am no longer forced by economic necessity
to findthings.
I have what we call in artistic circles "a patron."
A patron? What's he talking about?
A patron is a sponsor.
How'd you get a sponsor?
I took a couple of my masterpieces downtown,
and this dude who recognizes true talent
and divine inspiration when he sees it
took one look at my work,
and it blew his mind,
to the tune of $10 for some art supplies.
A man gave you $10?
Yeah, so I could keep on
exercising my ebony genius on canvas.
Hey, how about that?
Take a look at this, baby.
Why, this is art.
I don't know.
JJ, why don't you paint
things like trees, mountains,
green meadows?
As soon as we get some of 'em around here,
I'll paint 'em.
Why don't you paint jolly things...
something gay?
I did, Mama.
This is Sweet Willie Koontz.
Baby, let the boy do his thing.
I mean, he's got a sponsor now, ain't he?
Hey, Junior, who is this cat
that knows the real Evans talent when he sees it?
He owns a little... get this word. "Boutique."
That's a fancy name
for a store where they charge you too much.
When you got a name like "boutique,"
you gots to charge more.
Anyway, you're going to him pretty soon,
'cause he's coming over here.
He wants to pick out two of my paintings.
He thinks he can sell them.
JJ, this could be the big break
you've been waiting for.
Yeah, I'm on my way.
I'm going to be the Hank Aaron of the art world.
Mr. Jackson's even got a little storage room
over his store... pardon me, "boutique."
That word is dy-no-mite!
Anyway, he says I can paint there
anytime I want to.
Now, how about that, baby?
Now Junior's going to have
his own separate place to paint. Won't be no...
Did you say Jackson?
What's his first name?
Leroy. Leroy Jackson.
Hold on, now, James.
It can't be the same one.
How we know it ain't? How we know it is?
What's going on?
I don't want to talk about it.
A long time ago, somebody named Leroy...
I'll talk about it.
Before I married your mother, Junior,
me and Leroy Jackson
was working in a gas station together.
Boy, we was tight.
I mean, we did everything together.
We drank together, we partied together,
then we decided to go into business together,
so I gave Leroy Jackson $250 of my money
to put on the business,
and you know what? He blew it on a horse.
I mean, he was my friend and I trusted him,
and he blew everything:
The money, the business, and our friendship,
on a horse.
Daddy, the horse lost, huh?
Is an elephant heavy?
James, you're being foolish about this whole thing.
It can't be the same one.
There are at least 200 Leroy Jacksons
in Chicago.
Well, there was 80,000 at Soldier's Field
the night that pigeon picked on your uncle Hector.
James, how long you going to carry a grudge?
The Bible says.
"Love your enemies and pray for them."
Well, baby, when I catch up to Leroy Jackson,
youpray for him,
'cause he's going to need it
to recover from the whipping I'm going to put on him.
That ain't the kind of prayer the Lord had in mind.
The Lord ain't never lost $250 on a horserace.
[KNOCKING]
Hey, Mr. Jackson.
Hello, Junior.
Come on in.
I went you to meet my family.
This is my mother, my brother
and my sister.
How do you do. Hello. Hi.
Folks, this is Mr. Jackson, my jackpot.
I want you to meet the man
who fathered this magnificent talent, my dad.
Daddy, this is... Leroy Jackson.
The only man I ever trusted to go into business with,
and you beat me out of my money.
James Evans!
I can't believe it!
Well, you're going to believe it
after I separate your teeth from your mouth.
James!
Now, there's going to be no violence
in this house.
It ain't going to be in the house.
The first punch is going to knock him
clean out in the hallway!
James, I just want to say one thing.
I don't want to hear it.
I've been trying to say this for 20 years.
I don't want to hear it!
James, let the man speak his piece.
No. Now, Leroy Jackson, get the hell out of my house.
Not until I get this off my chest.
Daddy! Don't throw him out.
He wants to help JJ's career.
There'll be nobody in this family
taking no help from him.
Now split, man!
I said I don't want to hear it.
Now split!
Well, too bad, Junior.
Dad... what are you...?
Mr. Jackson, don't go.
Thanks a lot, Dad.
You just turned my jackpot into two lemons and a plum.
You'd better check yourself, Junior.
I don't need no lip out of you or favors from him.
Just 'cause y'all had a hassle 20 years ago,
I don't see why I've got to suffer.
I wasn't even born yet,
and if I'd known this was going to happen,
I wouldn't even have bothered to show up.
James, you can't let a silly argument like this
stand in the way of your son's future.
Yeah!
Who you saying "yeah" to?
Uh... to whom it may concern?
Can I say something?
This was a big chance for JJ.
The people could have discovered his talent.
Do my ears deceive my face?
Thelma, you saying something kind about me?
I could kiss you.
I didn't say nothing that kind.
Daddy, I'd like to express the black point of view.
The world needs more artists like JJ to represent us.
And I'd like to express myself
on the black father's point of view.
This house can do with a lot less fat-mouthing
from a militant midget like you.
That also goes for the medium and the large.
You ain't heard from the giant economy-size yet.
James, the children are right. You did the wrong thing.
I'm running this house.
I'm not going to have our kids talking to me that way.
Now, Junior, as long as you're living under my roof,
you ain't going to do but one thing,
and that's obey.
Who says I've got to live under your roof?
What are you trying to say, Junior?
I'm saying maybe I ought to leave.
Aw, son, it's rough out there.
You'd be back home
before your suitcase stopped rocking.
I can make it on my own.
Toulouse-Lautrec was 18 when he left home.
I'm a year younger, but I'm a lot taller.
JJ, I think you're letting this go too far.
No, Mama. Mr. Jackson says I could use his storage room.
Maybe I'll take him up on that.
Junior, you mean to say you'd stay with a man
who betrayed your father?
Aw, Dad, that was 20 years ago.
He's my patron now.
Well, son, and that's if you care about being my son,
if you go anywhere near Leroy Jackson's house,
you can forget about ever coming back here again.
Who says I'm coming back? JJ!
You got your hat. Get your coat.
James, please.
That's exactly what I'm going to do.
I'm going to pack.
I'll help you!
JJ, don't leave.
JJ, man, don't do this. I'm being asked to.
James, tell your son this is his house too.
If he sets foot outside that door,
it ain't his house no more.
JJ?
You heard him, Mama.
Goodbye, Mama.
Goodbye, Michael. Goodbye, Thelma.
Goodbye, almost everybody.
James, you remember when Junior was born,
you came into my room,
picked him up in your arms,
and said, "Florida, this boy is going places."
I never dreamed it would be
the storage room over a boutique.
What you doing awake, Michael?
You like to sleep late on Sunday mornings.
I ain't been sleeping too good since JJ left.
I'm used to having him in bed with me.
I know, son.
I keep dozing off,
but every time JJ don't kick me, I wake up.
I haven't been sleeping too good myself
these last few days.
Yeah, I heard you and Daddy arguing all night.
We were not arguing. We were discussing the problem.
Sure was a loud discussion.
Mama, when's the problem, coming home?
I wish I knew, child.
I sure do hope it's soon,
'cause I need JJ to kick me to sleep.
Why don't you get washed up?
Breakfast will be ready soon.
Hey, mister, what you doing up so early?
I had a bad night.
You've got Mama to argue with.
I ain't got nobody.
You'd better pull that lip in.
Good morning, baby.
It's morning,
but there ain't nothing good about it.
Will you stop looking at me
like I'm an imperial wizard of the Klan?
If the sheet fits...
Oh, now, baby, I'm still your husband,
and you're still my wife.
We're also the mother and father
of a son that's not here.
James, we could get that boy back
if you'd just be reasonable.
I am reasonable.
Then why don't you tell JJ it's all right
for Jackson to help him?
Now, Florida, my mind's made up, and that's that.
Lord, make this man more reasonable.
I don't want you doing no praying for me, woman,
without my permission.
James Evans, you watch your mouth.
How do you know the Lord won't reach down
and punish you for that?
Well, the Lord is my friend too.
Hey, we're running buddies, ain't we, Lord?
James, that is blasphemy,
and the Lord is going to show you a sign
and make you know it.
All right.
I'll give him 10 seconds to show me a sign.
You ready, Lord? Let's go.
James, you put that watch back on
and apologize.
Now, you stay out of this, woman.
This is between me and the Lord.
You hear that, Lord?
This is James Evans talking!
You've got 10 seconds to do your thing!
James, you ain't doing yourself no good
carrying on like that!
Well, time is running out.
He ain't laid a glove on me yet.
Ten. Nine. Eight.
James, give me that dumb watch.
Seven. Six. Five.
Five. Five. Five.
Uh-huh.
Maybe he didn't lay a glove on you,
but he sure punched a hole in your watch.
Baby, that's just a coincidence.
Coincidence? That ain't no coincidence.
I warned you about flying in the face of the master.
Having another one of those discussions?
This was a three-way discussion.
Go finish setting the table.
Yes, ma'am.
Sure does seem funny
setting the table for four instead of five.
Well, just do it
without any references to number five, will you?
Okay, but it's going to be weird
sitting around eating
without once hearing somebody say,
"Dy-no-mite!"
Now, you keep that up, and we're going to be down
to a setting for three, number four.
Morning.
Good morning, sweetheart.
Hey, morning, baby girl.
Why you so down?
You had all the time you needed in the bathroom this morning.
That's the trouble, Daddy.
It's no fun without JJ pounding on the door
and yelling, "Get out of there, girl,
"you've been going steady with the bathroom mirror
long enough."
Well, that's enough of that.
Let's just sit down and eat our breakfast
and that's all.
Michael, say the blessing.
Thank you, God, for the grits we are about to receive.
And... And when you're finished with us,
say hey to JJ.
Now, what kind of blessing is that?
The Lord ain't got nothing against a good PS.
Let's face it, James.
The children miss JJ, I miss him,
and in your heart, you know you miss him, too.
Why don't we just ask him to come home?
He ain't setting foot in this house again
until he can show some respect for his father.
Now, can we eat, please,
before I lose my appetite?
I already lost mine.
Thelma, baby, when you're all finished,
clear the table for me.
Okay, Mama.
Hey, baby, where are you going?
Your Highness has had his breakfast served,
and I'm going to church.
It's Sunday, remember?
Uh, look here, uh, I ain't busy this morning.
You want me to go with you?
No, I don't think so.
The sermon this morning
is going to be about the prodigal son.
[KNOCKING]
Come in?
Hi, Junior.
Oh, hi, Mr. Jackson.
How's it going?
Not too good.
All this quiet is disturbing my concentration.
I could bring the radio up.
No, I don't mean that kind of noise.
I mean family yapping kind of noise.
That's music to paint by.
I'll bring the radio up anyway.
It might help.
Thelma, will you stop looking over my shoulder
and making dumb remarks about my paintings?
My remarks ain't half as dumb as your paintings.
You couldn't paint a white line down the middle of a road.
I'd like to paint a stop sign over your big, fat mouth.
Now, why don't you shut up
and let me concentrate, ugly sister?
Ugly?
Who you calling ugly, ugly?
You could be a witch doctor
and use your real face as the voodoo mask.
Yeah?
Yeah!
Mama, you hear that?
She called me ugly.
Yeah, I heard.
Well, then talk to Thelma.
I'd better talk to you.
I think you've flipped.
Hey, I'm beginning to sound like Mama.
Mama!
JJ, what's happening? Are you all right, son?
Sure.
I was just trying to recreate
the peaceful sounds of home.
Yell at me!
I didn't come here to yell at you.
I came to see how you were, and I see.
You're just as lonesome for us as we are for you.
Yeah, I'm getting flaky having a bathroom all to myself.
And look out that window.
No kids playing stick ball,
Ned the Wino not passed out in the gutter,
nobody mugging nobody...
all this quiet is just too much for me.
This is the only thing I've painted so far.
Well, you're sure holding up a sign to me.
You want to come home.
I don't know.
If Dad wasn't so hung up about Mr. Jackson,
I could stay at home and paint,
and Mr. Jackson could still sell my paintings.
I'll keep working on your daddy.
I want you home too, son.
In the meantime, I'd better go.
I told James I was going to church.
JJ, you need any money?
No, I'm all right, Mama.
All right, but if you need anything,
you be sure and let me know, you hear?
I will.
Bye, son.
Bye, Mama.
James!
What you doing here, woman?
I thought you were supposed to be going to church.
Well, I was,
but the Lord detoured my footsteps
in this direction.
What you doing here?
Well, I... That is to say, I...
You sound just like the heads of one of them oil companies
trying to explain gasoline prices.
What am I doing here?
I'll tell you what I'm doing here.
I'm missing my red checkered shirt,
and I thought Junior
might have packed it in with his stuff by mistake.
That's what I'm doing here now.
Well, that makes sense, except for one thing.
You're wearing it.
Oh, James, come on now, admit it.
You want JJ home as much the rest of us do,
and you came over to ask him home.
No, that's the last thing on my mind, baby,
but I'm still the boy's father,
and I came over here to warn him
about that no-good crook Jackson,
'cause, Junior, once a crook, always a crook.
And once a stubborn ox, always a stubborn ox.
James!
Leroy Jackson, get the hell out of my house!
What?!
Man, this is my house.
Then get the hell out of your house.
I ain't going nowhere.
Now, look here, Jackson... No, you look.
You been woofing so much,
you give nobody else a chance to woof.
Amen.
Just be quiet, Florida. Now, Jackson, I...
I'm going to talk this time, James Evans,
and I don't care what happens after,
but I'm going to say something
I've been wanting to say all these years,
something you never gave me a chance to say,
but it's on my mind,
and I'm going to say it now.
After I blew that $250 on the race that day,
I came by your house to tell you this,
but you slammed the door in my face.
I tried to explain it the other day,
but you threw me out of your house.
Well, you're in my house now,
and after 20 years,
I'm finally going to say it, and you're going to listen.
You all ready for this, folks?
Here's a man, my blood buddy,
broke my heart, beat me for my money,
now he's going to come up with a 20-year-old excuse.
Well, this ought to be good. Go ahead and say it, Jackson.
James, I'm sorry.
Is that what you was trying to say 20 years ago?
Yeah, man.
Ain't that a whip?
Baby, how do you answer "I'm sorry?"
You don't answer it, honey.
You accept it.
Oh, Jackson, you always did fight dirty, man.
Well, I hope you'll let me keep helping your son,
'cause I think he's really got talent.
Well, if you think you can help him, go ahead.
If somebody really wants to help me,
ask me to come home.
Well, James?
Aw, Junior, you can come home anytime you get ready.
Would immediately be too soon?
Immediately would be right on.
Dy-no-mite!
I'm going to call Thelma, then I'm going to pack.
What do you got to call Thelma for?
I want her to lock herself in the bathroom,
then when I get home, I'll holler,
"Girl, when you getting out of there?"
And she yells back, "Never. Hold it in till you bust!"
Then I'll know I'm home.
Hey, baby, where's JJ?
Jackson sold one of his paintings,
so he's out buying some new things.
Now, what in the world is that?
When you're an artiste, you gots to keep up the image.
♪ Mmm...
♪ Just looking out of the window ♪
♪ Watching the asphalt grow
♪ Thinking how it all looks hand-me-down ♪
♪ Good Times Good Times ♪
♪ Keeping your head above water ♪
♪ Making a wave when you can
♪ Temporary layoffs
♪ Good Times
NARRATOR: Good Times is recorded on tape
before a live audience.
♪ Ain't we lucky we got 'em
♪ Good Times