Air date: May 20, 1993
Thomas Stories: Tender Engines
Stacy takes a call from J.B. King who asks her to make a new freight schedule to accommodate a train of livestock coming through the valley and stopping at Shining Time Station. Realizing that she doesn't have much time, she joins Billy in his workshop for his help compiling the freight schedule. As passengers come through the station, one man stands out as he glances around, seemingly impressed by what he sees. This draws the attention of Mr. Conductor, who appears briefly to mimic the man's actions a few times before vanishing. Midge approaches the stranger out of curiosity and is flattered when he begins paying attention to her. The man surmises that Midge knows everything and everyone in town. Midge replies that she does know everyone, except him. The man introduces himself as Barry Prince, a self-proclaimed famous film director. Midge is enthralled and mentions that she once tried out for the part of Ms. Hannigan in "Annie", and she recites a few lines from the play. Prince reacts by pleading that she not be another actor, and tells Midge that he needs to find someone who works at the station. Prince notices Felix entering the station, and as Midge makes introductions, the director tells him that he's making a movie and will need Felix's help. Felix is starstruck and asks if he really wants him, but the director counters that he's not so sure; he really wants to capture the atmosphere of the station, the railroad, the "classic American thing" as he puts it. The Director shouts for help in anguish at having encountered yet another actor, and tells Felix that he thought he worked on the trains. Midge reveals that he’s actually a bus driver, but Felix interjects to say that he's primarily an actor and driving a bus is just his hobby. An exasperated Prince informs everyone once again that he's looking for someone who actually works at the station; he's a busy man and is late for a meeting with the mayor of East Shemp. Felix offers to drive him there, while Midge promises to give him a list of people he needs to see such as Stacy and Billy. Prince agrees to see them, but requests that Midge and Felix not tell anyone that he'll be filming a movie. Midge begins shouting for Stacy and Billy to come out of the workshop, declaring that Hollywood is calling. Midge breathlessly tells them how she is going to be a star, and that the famous director Barry Prince will be shooting a movie at the station. She then confides to Stacy and Billy that Prince wants to see them for a part in the movie. When Billy asks what the movie is about, Midge can’t describe it as anything but a 'classic.' Her answer bewilders Billy as he glances around trying to figure out what would be so special about the station. Midge begins complimenting Stacy for being perfect for the movie since she's so young and pretty, and suggests that she can be Midge's understudy! Midge takes her leave and runs off to spread the word, as Stacy becomes excited and asks Billy if he thinks it's true that there will be a movie shoot at the station. They both begin to get caught up in the hype about being in a movie, but come back to reality when a train arrives, reminding them to get back to work updating the freight schedule. Later, Stacy is practicing making exaggerated facial expressions just as Dan, Becky and Kara arrive. When asked, Stacy gives the excuse that she's only testing her new mirror, but Becky thinks that she's practicing for a part in a movie, and Kara asks when the film's movie stars will arrive at the station. Stacy reminds them not to believe every rumor they hear, especially if it comes from Midge Smoot. Dan reveals that his mother thinks she once met a movie director in Barton Winslow's store. The kids admit that they'd all like to be in a movie, and Stacy excites them even more by suggesting that perhaps there will be parts they can try out for. She tells them acting requires a lot of imagination because you need to portray yourself as being real and honest in a make-believe situation. When the kids ask Stacy to show them how, she leads them in a game of pretend. Stacy applauds their performance just as Mr. Conductor appears dressed up as a movie director with a movie camera. He reveals that with everyone talking about a movie, he thought he'd make one himself. The kids find it neat and Kara asks him what his favorite movie is. Mr. Conductor replies that it’s The Wizard of Oz, especially the scene where the Munchkins greet Dorothy, adding that he could've played the former part. Kara tells that that her favorite movie is the one she'll be in. The kids become dreamy as they describe how they'll become famous movie stars and move to Hollywood. Mr. Conductor expresses his relief as Stacy tries to reason that they might not get a part in the movie, and if they do, it may just be a very small one. Midge is dressed exotically with a fruit arrangement on her head and a Spanish formal dress. When Stacy asks if her costume is in any way connected to the fact that a famous movie director is in town, Midge, thinking he's at the station, whirls around in an excited state as bananas fall off her headdress and onto the floor. Stacy offers to have Billy fix her hat with his glue gun, but Midge declines exclaiming that she doesn't have time and needs to rehearse. Stacy offers her help if they need it as she returns to the workshop. Schemer bounds into the station dressed in a superhero costume asking in baritone if someone called for help. He asks where the "die-rec-tor" is. Stacy doesn't know, he adds that a lot of people are looking for him hoping for a part in the movie. At this, Schemer tells Stacy not to make him laugh as he works on (inflating) his shoulders. Stacy warns him that perhaps he should first wait to see what the director needs, but Schemer lectures her that the director needs someone who can sell movie tickets. Stacy tells him that he's unbelievable as he hams it up, then tries to demonstrate his super-strength. he begins to demonstrate martial arts moves and hurts his hand when he lands a karate chop on top of the jukebox. Schemer’s cries attract Billy out of the workshop who points out that he's all puffed up. Schemer tries unsuccessfully to mask his pain as he informs Billy that he's a superhero and offers him an autograph. Billy turns down the offer, telling him that he'll get the autograph later. Inside the workshop, Billy is impressed at how he replied to Schemer, and begins to deliver lines like a Clint Eastwood western character, then switches to a southern drawl. Felix dressed as a buccaneer enters the station, also looking for the director. Stacey reminds herself that if she doesn't finish sorting out the new freight schedule, the place will be just like a zoo with the livestock waiting in the trains outside. Felix then asks Stacy for her honest opinion of his costume and acting. She replied it's good. Later, Schemer, Midge and the kids gather around wondering where the director is. Kara is dressed as Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz,” accompanied by a West-Highland Terrier, while Dan is dressed as a trapper with a pair of bear paw snowshoes. Midge spots Mr. Prince returning to the station and everyone mobs the startled man. Inside the jukebox, Tito complains that they are trying to steal their show, so the band begins playing and singing "There's No Business like Show Business." As they perform, Mr. Prince is chased all over the station by the wannabe actors and Mr. Conductor films the mayhem from on top of the station clock, while in the workshop Billy puts the finishing touches on his Clint Eastwood movie cowboy costume. By the time the song is over, the costumed crowd has Barry Prince cornered, but he manages to crawl out of the melee just as J.B. King storms into the station. He demands to know where Stacy is. As Stacy enters, Mr. King then asks Stacy where Billy is. The workshop door swings open and Billy emerges in his desperado outfit. Becky then arrives dressed as Cinderella to address J.B. as "the King" and the director as the "Prince". This prompts the rest of the costumed characters to noisily imitate Becky to get the director's attention. Barry Prince begins to scream "CUT" and J.B. tells them to stop. Mr. King reveals that Barry is a friend of his and that he gave him the idea for his new movie. The director informs everyone that he was going to film a movie at the station until he got caught up in this indescribable mess. Their antics made his decision easier; he’ll be instead doing the filming in Eggywegg where there are no actors. The crowd plead and chase after him as he leaves. Stacy rushes outside to handle the livestock, while Billy takes off his costume in disappointment. Later, Mr. Conductor appears, asking about the filming and saying he managed to shoot a lot of footage. The kids tell him it went wrong. Stacy tells them that they should be proud of themselves as Mr. Conductor adds that they let their fantasy run too far ahead of them. Stacy confesses that she was also distracted by the hype about the movie which led to her falling behind with her railroad work. Mr. Conductor asks Stacy to lower the station window's shade, so he show them his movie. Mr. Conductor then projects the film footage he'd candidly taken earlier and everyone laughs as they watch their antics. As they watch the hilarity, Stacy formally presents the film, and asks Mr. Conductor for its title which he gives as "A Little Light Madness", starring everyone.
Tropes:
- Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: Schemer states that J.B. King needs big star names like John Wayne, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Big Bird.
- Shout-Out: As it's a movie-based episode, there's tons of references to then-released movies
- Mr. Conductor states that his favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz "especially the part where the munchkins welcome Dorothy".
- When Stacy teaches the kids acting, she does so by having them reenact a scene from Cinderella.
- Felix states that he played Linus in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
- Midge states that she tried out for the role of Ms. Hannigan in Annie.
