♪ Every day when you're walking down the street ♪ ♪ Everybody that you meet has an original point of view.

♪ ( laughs ) ♪ And I say hey!

♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ ♪ If we could learn to work and play ♪ ♪ And get along with each other ♪ ♪ You got to listen to your heart ♪ ♪ Listen to the beat ♪ ♪ Listen to the rhythm, the rhythm of the street ♪ ♪ Open up your eyes, open up your ears ♪ ♪ 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 ♪ ♪ If we could learn to work and play ♪ ♪ And get along with each other.

♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ ♪ Hey!

What a wonderful kind of day.

♪ Hey!

ARTHUR: Hey, D.W. Hey!

Whoa!

( crash ) Last night, we slept over at Grandma Thora's and learned some terrible things.

GRANDMA: After supper how about if we play Parcheesi?

D.W.: Thank you, Grandma but we'd prefer to watch TV.

Well, you know I don't have cable but I do get public television clear as a bell.

( groaning ) Then it got worse.

GRANDMA: I don't have many goodies.

My doctor's getting very strict with me.

Here we are-- no-salt, low-fat potato chips.

And if that wasn't bad enough... ( D.W. screaming ) What?

What?

It's teeth, Grandma's teeth.

Ugh.

We didn't get much sleep.

GRANDMA: It's so nice having you here.

I get lonely without you sometimes.

Grandma Thora must be the saddest person in the world-- No cable, no-taste potato chips and her teeth are in a glass!

And she gets so lonely without me.

Arthur, we have to do something.

( barking ) Wait!

ARTHUR: Isn't that a good idea?

A party for Grandma Thora.

But what's the occasion?

The kids are upset because she seems a little sad.

It's a great idea.

Sort of a Grandma Thora Appreciation Day.

I like it.

We could invite her friends.

Decorate the house-- Make it look festive.

BOTH KIDS: Wait!

It was our idea.

And we want to do it all by ourselves.

Planning a party is a lot of work, you know.

But you just invite people and they come.

Let's keep this small-- just Grandma's closest friends.

That's no fun.

Can't we rent an elephant?

No elephants, D.W. Just a nice, small, quiet party.

Are you listening, Arthur?

Yeah, "a nice, quiet..." FRANCINE: Party?

MUFFY: Where?

( kids cheering ) No, no!

I was only asking Mrs. MacGrady.

It's for my grandmother and you can't come.

I mean, you wouldn't want to come, right?

It's for old people.

If you don't want to include us with your older friends that's okay, we understand.

( whining ) Oh, all right, you can come.

Just don't tell anyone else.

( cheering ) KIDS ( chanting ): Party, party, party, party!

D.W.: We're ruined.

We've only been planning for one day and we're ruined.

Maybe they'll forget.

Anyway, it's only... 25 people.

Mom will freak!

MOM: Arthur, D.W.!

You're so quiet.

What are you up to?

We're writing our lists.

To make the party perfect.

Sounds very responsible.

Let me know if you need any help.

BOTH: We won't.

Thanks, D.W. We're in this together.

If you go down the drain, I follow.

At least we got the first thing done.

Tomorrow we can buy the food.

MOM: I'm not sure I like you shopping without me.

Mom, we want to do it... Yourselves, I know.

Okay.

Whoopee!

Don't worry about a thing!

ARTHUR: D.W., Come on.

Uh-oh, I forgot my list.

Don't worry, I have mine.

D.W., this is just scribbles.

It is not.

See, it spells "candy."

It spells "suh-pikstah."

Oh, Arthur, I'll read and you buy.

Didn't you get anything besides candy?

It was all D.W. had on her list.

Besides, it was cheap and we need a lot of food.

How many people did you invite?

Oh, I don't know, about.... ( mumbling ) What did you say?

ARTHUR: I couldn't help it!

They all like Grandma... D.W.: I knew it was wrong.

He never listens to me.

( sighs ) D.W.: Boy, if I were Mom I'd make you go live in the garage.

What's next?

"Ways to invite Grandma Thora."

Hmm... We'll send this right out, D.W. MACGRADY: "Pzcowah zuh-zuh."

What does this mean?

That must be for me.

"Please go to D.W.'S house for a surprise party."

That is so ridiculous.

Only because you didn't think of it.

Let's just call her on the phone.

Which leaves only one more thing to do-- decorate.

Here, Arthur.

What is this?

It's a balloon.

Balloons are round, D.W., not flat.

Don't blame me, I have small lungs.

ARTHUR: Now I have to do all the balloons plus all the decorating.

You're not helping.

( yells ) MOM: How's it going?

Want some help?

Yes.

No, we're doing it by ourselves.

We'll never get done by tomorrow.

Yes, we will, if you'd stop goofing around.

MOM: Why, hello, Thora.

How nice to see you.

BOTH: Grandma.

You'll never believe it.

My car went bust at the end of your street.

Did you hear that, kids?

( yelling ): Grandma's coming in the house!

Are you all right?

Fine, just fine.

( yelling ): Is everything okay?

Fine, just fine!

GRANDMA: If this is a bad time I can walk home and call from there.

MOM: No, come on in.

How come you're staying overnight?

Why don't you go home?

Because hank can't fix my car until tomorrow.

I'll just stay put.

But you'll hate it here.

You won't get your beauty rest.

We don't have extra toothpaste... Arthur!

ARTHUR ( whispering ): D.W.?

( whispering ): Ready.

Ugh!

Remember, we have to be very, very quiet.

( squeaks ) ( gasps ) Shh!

Whoa... ( yells ) That's it.

That's the last thing on the list.

We can finally go to sleep.

I think you forgot something.

"Bake the cake."

Oh, no!

That's a pretty cake.

It's too complicated.

This one is simpler.

Now what?

We have to read the recipe.

"One lb flour."

What's a "lb"?

Okay, skip that part.

"Two sticks of butter and one cup of milk."

Ready?

Ready.

Turn it off!

I can't see!

Hi, what's up?

ARTHUR: Mom... Dad...

Son...

BOTH: Help!

Here we are, one beautiful cake and four cupcakes.

Can we stay up late tomorrow and make taffy?

BOTH: No.

( moaning ) ( snoring ) It's the darnedest thing, Hank.

You'd think they'd been up all night.

THAT'S FINE.

I'LL WAIT FOR YOU OUT IN THE DRIVEWAY.

( laughing ) MOM: Okay, everybody find a place to hide.

You did tell Grandma to come at 2:00?

BOTH: Oh, no!

She's not answering.

I can't believe We forgot to invite Grandma.

Why didn't you put it on your list?

What about your list?

I can't write.

Kids, there's only one thing to do... Party!

Good thing there was pizza in the freezer.

Almost ready.

Thora, thank goodness.

Could you... Thora!

Grandma!

Grandma, you came!

I was worried about you.

You were all so tired and acting so strangely.

What's going on?

Uh, nothing.

Just stay there.

Arthur: Grandma, could you come here?

Surprise!

But why?

It's not my birthday.

We know.

But we didn't want you to be sad.

Sad?

I'm not sad.

But we thought you were sad.

We made this party so you wouldn't be sad.

Oh... that's right, D.W., I was a little sad.

But now, after this party I'm the happiest grandmother in the world!

All right!

KIDS: And now... we're having a surprise party.

We're having a surprise party for Mrs. Armstrong because we like her.

We're decorating.

Some kids made popcorn.

It smells good.

Some kids made invitations.

An invitation for me?

We decorated the cake.

It says "surprise."

GIRL: I'm making a banner for the surprise party.

We're almost ready.

One, two, three.

KIDS: Surprise!

Surprise?

Oh, my goodness.

I smell food.

Very good.

All: Surprise!

KIDS: And now... FERN: Now that you are all gathered here I can reveal the name of... Oh.

Um... hello.

Uh, I don't really have anything to say, um... Well, hello.

Have you introduced the show yet?

No.

Well, speak up, sweetie.

When Arthur does it he looks right into the camera.

Watch me.

The last scene is so...

Mom, don't give it away.

But... just go to the title card.

( barks ) Hi.

MAN: Open house time, huh?

Nice borders.

You're really creative, Mrs. Walters.

Thanks-- Fern is very creative, too.

What do you like to do, Fern?

Sing?

Draw?

Sculpt?

Read.

100 copies, please.

Look, Fern.

Corky's Computer Corral is sponsoring a children's workshop.

We should sign you up.

Why?

Dad taught me about computers.

Exactly-- you'd know more than anyone else.

You could teach everyone.

I have just invented artificial intelligence-- a thinking, talking computer.

( audience exclaiming ) I will recite a poem of my own composition entitled "01 11 01".

( exclaiming ) ( clears throat ) 01 11 01 00 11 11 00 00 00 11 00 11.

( cheering wildly ) Um, this is my, um... Computer, her computer.

I began life as a chip off the old block.

My parents were clones of an expensive system so we got no respect.

( wild laughter ) But seriously, folks...

The worst display space, no dual-page ads in P.C.

Magazine.

No respect.

( laughter ) Just like an inventor I know.

( laughs condescendingly ) Just kidding, Fern.

( sighs ) 2,000 signatures!

I wish we had three more of you, Doria.

Fern will be helping.

She's a wonderful speaker.

She could charm the fish right out of a fishbowl.

REPORTER: Fern, tell us what you accomplished this week.

Well, I ended global warming patched the hole in the ozone layer and found a completely natural oil spill cleanser.

DORIA: She could charm the fish right out of a fishbowl.

Um, the state of our oceans is, um, very important.

( reporters snoring ) Not very good.

We need to... um, stop polluting our, uh, precious, um... our most precious resource.

What I mean to say is that, um... although, although our ocean house, open house... Well, I hope we'll see you at the open house.

Ready to go, Fern?

ARTHUR: They all look different, Mrs. Walters.

Yes, each cookie is a different landmark.

Fern, why don't you...

I'll do it, Mrs. Walters.

A cookie to suit every personality.

Here, Arthur, you get the liberty bell because you're cracked.

What a pretty bracelet!

My mother bought it.

It looks Egyptian-- Maybe it's Cleopatra's.

It says "Made in Japan."

That's to fool the Romans so they wouldn't steal it.

( kids chatting ) ( sighs downheartedly ) FRANCINE: This one must be for you.

I don't know what personality it is.

FERN: Aha!

These cookies contained an East Bora Boraian peanut that turned the eater into a mindless zombie.

Another case solved by the brilliant Fern Watson.

Holmes, it's time to feed the hound of the Baskervilles.

Honey... what have you wanted more than anything?

A detective kit?

Don't be silly.

The one thing you've always wanted to have is... A slumber party.

Oh.

Hosting a party is what you need to develop your social skills.

Put away that stuff and let's start planning.

Okay-- I'll do the invitations.

They're done!

Well, the design is very nice, Fern but where is the information?

That is the information!

I've put the date, time and place in a secret code.

What if the girls can't decode it?

They'll be happy-- they don't want to come anyway.

I'm boring and my party will be boring.

Fern, nobody thinks you're boring.

FRANCINE: My mom's making me go to Fern's boring party.

MUFFY: I should wear my sleeping bag.

I'll be falling asleep so fast.

But I bet Fern's mother makes cookies and cakes and pizzas... one cannot spend an entire party eating.

Speak for yourself, Muffy.

FRANCINE: We just have to make our own party, that's all.

I bet Fern will be relieved.

We're saving her from being dull.

SUE ELLEN: I can bring my portable trampoline.

MUFFY: I'm bringing my new decathlon Debbie.

FRANCINE: This party will be great.

You know, you don't need to stick around when everyone gets here.

But, I... you take charge.

You won't see me until dinner.

( doorbell chimes ) I need help with my luggage.

( panting ) What on earth did you bring, Muffy?

I have to be prepared for all weather.

Indoors?

( girls exclaiming over food ) I have some ideas for games.

We brought games with us.

Don't worry about entertaining us.

Aren't you relieved?

Oh, well... good.

I win again!

My bracelet is ancient... and lucky!

Let's play something else.

Well, I thought... paddle ball contest!

( all groan ) We're not playing something you'll win.

I may not win, Sue Ellen.

MUFFY: Time to bring out Decathlon Debbie.

I brought Amazonia, Warrior Princess.

She can wrestle Debbie.

Decathlon Debbie doesn't wrestle.

Ugh!

I brought a label maker.

Let's decide on something.

Jenna and Muffy should be doing this with us.

It's fun!

Hey!

You ruined her hair.

If she loses over this, you're in big trouble.

( Muffy yawns loudly ) This is stupid.

I can play by myself at home.

Dinner will be ready soon.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

What's everyone doing?

Being bored.

( Francine shrieks ) My bracelet!

It's gone!

Calm down, there's a simple solution.

Where did you last put it down?

If I knew that, it wouldn't be lost, would it?

Organize a search party!

Boredom, then loss of valuables.

What a disaster!

My bracelet.

What if it's gone forever?

I know where it is.

What?

Where is it?

I could tell when the party began strange forces were afoot.

When Francine arrived, I saw the distinctive piece.

Other guests arrived, hidden motives safely tucked away.

As the clock struck 4:00 The bracelet had not left its owner's arm.

But then... That's right.

I took it off.

And I put it... now it's gone.

Okay, who took it?

Not me!

I didn't take it!

I didn't!

FERN: Please.

All in good time.

FRANCINE: Muffy, you took it.

MUFFY: I did not!

FERN: Francine, you can't keep accusing people.

It takes too long.

FRANCINE: Sorry.

FERN: It was Jenna's turn to play a part.

SUE ELLEN: Jenna, want to watch a video?

Jenna, you ate my bracelet?

ALL: Francine!

Mrs. Walters will be mad if you make a mess.

Stupid fringe.

( thunder crashes ) JENNA: I don't remember a thunderstorm.

SUE ELLEN: Shh, it's atmospheric.

But as dinner hour approached... FRANCINE ( echoing ): My bracelet!

So we return to the scene of the events.

The question is-- who took the bracelet and where is it now?

It is time to reveal all.

FRANCINE: My bracelet!

So, how did it end up there?

The key was Prunella's neatness.

Someone had cleaned the table and I knew who that someone was.

Oh, Jenna!

SUE ELLEN: Fern, you are so observant.

You're a regular Encyclopedia Brown.

He's a bit of an amateur, actually.

The truly great detective is... FERN: "Mr. Holmes, they were the footprints "of a gigantic hound.

"They had gone a mile or two when they passed one of the night shepherds..." ( to herself ): I knew this party was a good idea.

Hi, everyone, it's me, Buster.

If you love the great food we get to eat in Elwood City, you won't believe all the great food I'm trying on my trip with my dad.

Mmm... don't you just want to eat some?

I'm tasting everything and I'm sending it all back to my friends in Elwood City on my very own video postcards.

They're Postcards from Buster.

The Caption Center WGBH Educational Foundation] ♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ ♪ If we could learn to work and play ♪ ♪ And get along with each other ♪ ♪ You got to listen to your heart ♪ ♪ Listen to the beat ♪ ♪ Listen to the rhythm, the rhythm of the street ♪ ♪ 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 ♪ ♪ If we could learn to work and play ♪ ♪ And get along with each other ♪ ♪ Hey!

What a wonderful kind of day!

♪ ♪ Hey!

♪