The popularity and cultural impact
of comic books in our time cannot be overstated.
Superheroes were out, horror and crime comics were in,
and me and my friends were obsessed.
What the hell?
You've got to be kidding me.
Guys, you're not gonna believe this.
Do you remember when I submitted my story to Pep Comics
and I received that asinine form rejection letter?
Well, they stole my story, and published it.
Stole it? You mean word for word?
Well, not word for word, but it's definitely my story.
Well, I should sue 'em, right?
Can you prove it was your story?
Maybe start by giving them a call.
Oh, shucks to that.
Pep Comics is right here in town. I'm gonna go pay 'em a visit.
Who's with me?
Good morning, Riverdalians.
Let's begin with the most exciting news ever,
which is that the entertainment committee,
chaired by yours truly, is hosting its first dance of the year.
Our annual sock hop taking place this Friday night.
As is customary, no shoes will be allowed on the gym floor.
So, boys, before you ask your best girls out,
make sure that your socks match and that they don't have any holes.
In short, the whole event is sure to be the bee's knees and the cat's pajamas.
Tickets will be on sale all week,
and you'll want to snap them up early as I can now confirm
that Kevin and the Crooners will be headlining.
See you all there.
Hey, Veronica?
I was wondering if you wanted to go to the sock hop with me.
That depends.
Can you cut a rug?
Are you a good dancer?
Oh, yeah, of course I am.
Well, I'm sure I believe you,
but I'm still going to need a demonstration, daddy-o.
Toni Topaz. Here to buy your ticket to the sock hop, I hope.
That depends.
Are you asking me out?
What? Why, of course not.
No, I'm... I am hosting the dance.
I couldn't possibly be saddled with a date.
Not to mention that you're... And I'm also...
- Um, and girls don't... - Don't what?
Dance with other girls?
Calm down, Peggy Sue.
No, I'm not buying a ticket.
My pal Fangs here is a singer, and we were hoping
that you could give him a shot at playing at the sock hop.
You should add him to the lineup.
And the Serpents will be there in full force.
Hmm, and start a rumble as greasers are wont to do?
No, thank you.
Kevin and the Crooners will be performing, as previously announced.
Well, we offered.
Good luck selling tickets with that B-grade barbershop quartet.
Later, Midge.
Okay, Bernie, who's the kid?
He's a writer, Al. Says we stole one of his stories.
All right, come on in.
Tell me your tale of woe.
So you're accusing me of what, exactly?
Well, I submitted a story, then you rejected it.
And then, surprise, surprise,
you ran a story that was exactly like it.
Now, you might call that a coincidence, but I...
call it theft.
Well, I hate to burst your bubble, kid,
but, uh, I got news for you.
There are no original ideas.
I mean, I get hundreds of submissions every week.
It's all the same slop.
But the timing, the details.
Oh, you want proof?
These filing cabinets here, they're filled with every single story germ I ever had.
I got a backlog just waiting to be farmed out
to any hack who can string together a semi-coherent sentence.
Waiting?
Like you're looking for writers?
- Always. - Well, I'm a writer.
If I wanted to be considered, what would I have to do?
Well, first off, drop the persecution complex.
Listen, take this log line.
Turn it into a seven-page story by tomorrow morning.
And if it doesn't make me want to puke, we'll talk.
Thanks for helping me out of this jam, Betty.
I panicked, told Veronica that I can dance
when the truth is, I got two left feet.
You remember when I broke Midge's big toe doing the bunny hop.
I do. But don't worry.
We will start with something simple and classic.
The twist.
Okay, so start just by
moving your hips from side to side like this.
Try it.
- Like this? - No, less of shoulders, more hips.
Okay.
Like this? I can't...
No. Maybe you just need to focus on slow dancing.
Everyone knows how to slow dance.
Okay.
One hand goes like this.
The other hand, here.
And then you just sway.
That's it?
Yeah, it's pretty simple, right?
And what exactly is going on here?
Betty was just showing me some moves, Mrs. Cooper.
I'm giving Archie a dance lesson.
He's asking out the new girl.
She's a celebrity from Hollywood.
Goodbye, Archie.
Bye, Betty.
Goodbye, Mrs. Cooper.
Oh, thank your sweet mother for agreeing to chaperone with me.
Give me your expert opinion, Ethel. I can take it.
I'm so jealous of you, Jughead.
It's my life's goal to draw a story for Pep Comics.
They... They work with some of the best artists in the biz.
Oh, come on. You're as good as any of those clowns, Ethel.
I'll tell you what. If I can finish these pages and really make them sing,
then I'll put your name forward to Mr. Fieldstone tomorrow.
He's our editor-in-chief.
Really?
Jughead, that would... That would be a dream.
- Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. - Well...
Let's see what he says first.
Yoo-hoo! Sorry to interrupt.
Just wanted to make sure that everyone had their tickets to the sock hop.
Midge Klump? One of my precious Vixens
with a common greaser? Sacrilege!
You get out of that car right this minute!
Calm down! I'm coming.
Go!
Is everything okay, Kev?
Yeah, sure.
Just a little...
preoccupied, I guess.
Thinking about what songs you're gonna sing at the sock hop?
Yeah. Yeah, and other things.
You know, you haven't officially asked me to the sock hop yet.
Oh, uh, well, I'm performing.
So I just kind of assumed you'd come to, you know,
cheer me on.
Right, yeah, of course. That makes sense.
Um...
What is it? Don't you like kissing me?
Of course. It's like I said, I'm... I'm performing
and I don't want to risk catching a cold.
It's always something with you.
What is that supposed to mean?
It means we've been dating for months
and we're still not going steady.
You haven't even pinned me yet.
How am I supposed to pin you?
I don't even play a varsity sport...
Doesn't need to be a varsity pin, Kev.
It can be any old pin.
Can be a ring, even.
Gosh, when did you become such a sex maniac?
For your information,
the fact that I want my supposed boyfriend
to kiss me once every blue moon does not make me a sex maniac,
and I do not have cold germs or cooties,
and I will definitely not be cheering you on at the sock hop.
Betty... Betty.
Well, it's pretentious, clunky, too much dialogue.
But it'll do.
Bernie, get in here.
Wha...
- Yes, Mr. Fieldstone. - We got a live one here.
Now, see who's available to draw a seven-page zombie story
for immediate publication.
So, I'm hired?
A dollar a page. Take it or leave it.
Yeah, I'll take it. And, um, I know an artist, an incredible artist.
Young, hungry, cheap, loves monster movies.
A real fiend for gore.
Okay.
But I want those pages tomorrow.
Yeah, you'll have 'em.
And, um...
Thank you for everything, Mr. Fieldstone.
Sorry, um...
I... I didn't know the music room was reserved.
It's not. I was just horsing around,
but you probably need it to rehearse, I'm guessing.
Uh, my set for the sock hop, yeah.
You're Clay Walker, right?
I am. Just transferred this year.
And you're Kevin Keller. Son of the sheriff,
dating the prettiest girl at Riverdale High.
I've done my research.
Uh, where did you transfer from?
All over. My dad's in the... Was in the military.
Cool. Cool.
Are you going to the sock hop?
I wouldn't have a date. I don't know many people.
Unless, uh, you could think of someone I should ask.
A lot of people go stag here.
It's nice to meet you.
Hey. Uh, so I did a little brushing up
and I'm ready for that demonstration.
How do you feel about slow dancing?
Nothing better.
But upon further reflection,
I have no doubt a Troy Donahue type like you
can trip the light fantastic, Archie.
So does that mean...
But, quite candidly,
I'm also entertaining other offers.
What? Oh...
Wow, okay.
However, being my escort demands more than mere dancing.
It also requires scintillating conversation.
I need to know that you won't be a bore at the sock hop.
So, why don't you clean yourself up
and come by the Pembrooke at 6:00-ish tonight?
I'll be wanting to discuss politics, art, current events.
Dazzle me with your wit.
Okay?
Dazzle you. Okay.
Well, I should motor.
See you tonight.
Archiekins?
I'm rooting for you, stud.
So they just do whatever you say, is that it?
Hmm?
Oh, you mean boys?
Boys aren't too, too complicated.
I wish I had your confidence.
Why don't you?
What do you mean?
I mean, I'm only just getting my sea legs here in Riverdale,
but I can already tell you're a catch, Betty.
A total Marilyn.
You and Kevin the Crooner are going steady, aren't you?
Um, not officially.
We may even be on the rocks.
That's a shame...
for him.
Why don't you invite some other boy to the sock hop?
Get Kevin all hot and bothered.
That's always fun, keeping our beaus on their toes.
Surely there's some He-Man at Riverdale High
you'd like to make time with.
Tickets. Get your tickets to the sock hop.
Buy one, get one free.
You... Dilton Doiley.
- Why haven't you bought a ticket to my sock hop yet? - Uh...
For that matter, why are some people trying to return their tickets?
Um... It might be because of the Serpents.
What about the Serpents?
What are they planning?
They said they were going to be waiting in the parking lot,
and they're gonna throw rotten eggs at anyone
who tries going to the dance.
Barbarians.
And who, pray tell, is the one making these threats.
Mostly that scary Toni girl.
Of course. It would be her.
Well, this means war.
Dismissed.
Mom?
Can you help?
Hang on.
I might have something that'll do the trick.
Oh, that's more like it.
I think I'll have to let it out a little bit,
but other than that, it fits perfectly.
It's a little old-fashioned, isn't it?
Well, it was your dad's,
but he'd want you to wear it, especially to your first dance.
Well, actually, I need it tonight, Mom.
Yeah. Veronica asked me over.
You're taking her to the dance?
If I'm lucky.
She wants to give me a test run, you could say?
I don't like the sound of that.
A bit haughty, isn't it?
It's not like that.
Veronica is from Los Angeles
and she's practically a movie star.
Standards are different out there.
- Aw, geez, Mom. - I'm fine.
It's just, seeing you here in his suit,
it just brings back so many memories.
You know, your father and I went to the sock hop together.
He was such a romantic
and he wrote me the sweetest poems.
I still have them somewhere.
Poems?
He knew how to make a girl swoon.
This one, I think.
- Yeah? - Mm-hmm.
So, Veronica invited me over to her place tonight, and...
I need to impress her.
So don't laugh...
but I wrote her a poem.
I just need someone to read it and just
tell me if it's crazy to give to her.
Okay. Hand it over, Walt Whitman.
Well, is it terrible?
No.
It's actually really sweet.
You have a poet's soul, Arch.
Who knew?
So this is where the Serpents dwell.
I always imagined it'd be something
more like a biker bar, but this...
- This is... - The Dark Room is
a coffeehouse for bikers, beatniks and badasses.
Which begs the question, what are you doing here, preppy?
Better question.
Why are you so hell-bent on ruining my sock hop
the same way your slimy Serpent pal
tried to ruin my virtuous Vixen?
Okay, Cheryl. You want people at your dance, I dig it.
So I'll pitch it again.
Let my boy Fangs blow the roof off the gym
and we'll pack the place.
For the bazillionth time, I have already booked Kevin and the Crooners.
Yeah, the Crooners are doneskis.
Look, Fangs is about to play.
So why don't you order yourself a cappuccino,
take a load off and hear him play?
Maybe you'll change your mind
and you and I can get better acquainted.
- Archie, you made it. - Am I late?
Oh, not at all, lover boy.
We were just discussing President Eisenhower's decision
to run for a second term.
And let me warn you, the others are very divided.
- I'm sorry. Others? - Come. Come on in.
We're having aperitifs in the parlor.
Mom, can I ask your advice about something?
Well, of course, honey. What is it?
I think I'm having weird feelings about Archie.
Oh. What sort of feelings?
Like, stirrings?
When we were dancing, I felt a flutter in my stomach.
Is it possible that this fluttering is
a reaction to feeling underappreciated by Kevin?
I hadn't thought of it that way.
Which is why it's a good thing that you came to me.
Holy hell, Ethel.
There is no way that Mr. Fieldstone
doesn't hire you after he sees these.
- You really think so? - Yeah.
Even though I'm a girl?
If he doesn't, I'll eat my own crown.
So, uh, Jughead, the sock hop's tomorrow night.
It is?
What if we went together?
Like, for kicks?
Yeah, yeah, just for kicks.
Might be fun.
Could have a decent spread, cookies and whatnot.
Since when are boys allowed in your room?
We're just studying, Mom.
Well, whatever you were doing, you're lucky your father's
working nights at the factory this week.
I was actually just leaving.
I'll see you at school tomorrow.
Excuse me. Sorry.
So then I said, "Sorry, Mr. Sinatra,
- but I think Elvis sang it better."
Oh, no.
Archie, are you all right?
You've been quiet all night.
Yeah, I'm good.
I was just... I was just taking it all in.
- Soaking it up. - Like the sponge that you are.
I see you're admiring the painting.
- It's a... - It's a Monet. Am I right?
Indeed. You have a connoisseur's eyes, Julian.
I appreciate beautiful things.
Every summer, my family goes on an art-buying tour in Europe.
Archie, what do you think of the painting?
Um...
It's beautiful and all, uh...
I guess I just prefer an artist like Norman Rockwell.
Then again, I'm not really an art tour through Europe kind of guy.
- So... - That's obvious from what you're wearing, chump.
Where'd you get that suit?
Some thrift store?
It's my father's suit.
And you better shut your trap, Blossom.
Wasn't he buried in his suit?
Or did he have more than one?
He was buried in his uniform.
Well, I, for one, think you look very striking, Archie.
And I like a bit of variety in my men's attire, as well as in my men.
So, who's up for charades?
You know, Veronica, it has been a real swell night,
but, uh... I think I'm just gonna blow out of here.
If I stay any longer, I might be liable to spill someone's blue blood
all over your nice, expensive things.
Good morning, Mrs. Andrews.
As you may know, I'm Veronica Lodge.
Is Archie home, by any chance?
He's at the grocery store.
Shopping? This early?
Archie told me everything that happened last night.
Well, that's actually why I'm here.
I feel terrible about it.
I didn't mean for things to happen the way they did.
My Archie is not some Hollywood playboy.
He's a simple boy. So simple that he's mad at Julian Blossom
and himself for what happened at your little soiree,
when you and I both know who the real villainess was.
I mean, what kind of person
auditions boys to go to a sock hop?
Well, when your parents are actors...
Sorry. That's not an excuse.
Listen, if you hurt my boy,
you and I are going to have some serious trouble,
Little Miss Femme Fatale.
- Thanks for stopping by, Kevin.
- High Point? - Okay.
So, Betty tells me that the two of you
have had some troubles as of late.
Would you agree?
I feel awful, Mrs. Cooper.
It's like... Betty wants these things from me,
but I'm not sure if I can give them to her.
It's perfectly normal for girls Betty's age
to have certain...
expectations of what their boyfriends are willing to do.
May I make a suggestion?
I'm going to give you this.
You see, Betty just wants to be pinned.
She wants to feel appreciated.
And then all of those... feelings will settle.
But won't a pin mean she'll expect more from me?
Oh, no. A pin takes off the pressure.
You see, it's a symbol for what every girl craves.
They just... They just want a fella
that's going to carry their books home from school
or take them to the movies Saturday night
or call them on the telephone before supper.
Is that all?
A pin is a promise, Kevin.
Don't tell anyone, but this is the actual pin
that Mr. Cooper gave me back in high school.
See, this pin
somehow answered a desire that we both were feeling,
and then things were fine and pure from that point forward.
You're a good boy, Kevin.
And Betty is a good girl.
And I believe that this pin will take care of everything.
Tickets. Get your tickets for tonight's sock hop.
- Hurry up! - You, four eyes.
Get your tickets to the sock hop yet?
Uh... no.
Well, pony up, poindexter,
because my pal Fangs Fogarty is performing.
And trust me, you'll be kicking yourself if you miss it.
I'll take one.
Five. I'll take five.
By the way, did you, uh, break the bad news to Kevin yet?
No. But I will.
Can you dig it?
Putting aside the fact that you were drawing
while Dr. Doiley was lecturing,
in and of itself a flagrant violation
of school etiquette.
Dr. Werthers and I are also
deeply concerned about what you were drawing.
Where did the vision for this come from, Ethel?
Your subconscious? A nightmare? The movies?
They're for a story.
What kind of story?
A comic book.
That I'm on deadline to finish.
That's why I was drawing in Dr. Doiley's class.
I'm... I'm trying to get a job at Pep Comics.
They're based here in town.
I'm sorry, Ethel, but your budding career
as an illustrator of lurid comic books
doesn't remotely justify this behavior.
You have a week's detention, starting today.
Veronica.
Archie. Hi.
Look, about last night...
I'm sorry I rushed out of there like that.
I, uh...
I sincerely was going to rip Julian Blossom's head off.
Well, he would have deserved it.
And I'm mortified about what he said to you.
I truly had a good time getting to know you better.
Well, um, in that case,
if you haven't made your decision yet,
I'm still keen on taking you to the sock hop tonight.
I would love that, Archie,
but I've already made my selection.
And... I'm not going with anyone.
What? Why?
With so many excellent options, it's simply impossible for an it girl to choose.
Options like Julian Blossom?
You know, I don't get you, Veronica.
I mean, what was last night's dog-and-pony show all about then?
I mean, forget last night. This entire week.
Making us... Making me jump through hoops like that?
It was a game, Archie.
The queen of the hive gets all her worker bees abuzz
and then flies away before... Before anyone's stung too badly.
So, have you made your pick yet?
Here's a late-breaking scoop for Hedda Hopper.
Socialite Veronica Lodge has decided to go stag to the sock hop.
Well, what happened? What about Archie?
I'm in the midst of a rude awakening, Betty.
Turns out I've been careless and thoughtless
with a lot of the boys at Riverdale High.
Archie most especially, and most undeservingly.
Did you not like his poem?
What poem?
Archie wrote you a poem. Did he not give it to you?
Not that I know of.
Not that I deserve, in any case.
Wait a minute. So who's Archie going to the sock hop with?
No one, as far as I know.
I'll tell you one thing, though.
Whoever does end up going with Archie,
she is one lucky girl.
Hey, Betty, can I talk to you for a second?
It's important.
Sure, let's talk.
Cheryl bumped me and the Crooners.
Fangs Fogarty's performing.
Apparently, he's God's gift or something.
I heard. Kev, I'm sorry.
No, uh... I'm sorry.
Betty, I'm really... I'm really sorry.
I was a dope.
And you are the most wonderful,
most ginchiest girl in the world, and I took that for granted.
That won't happen again. Um...
Betty Cooper, will you go steady with me?
- Kevin... - Things will be different this time.
I promise. I...
I love you, Betty. I do.
And you make my heart feel full.
So will you be my girl?
Will you go to the sock hop with me?
Yeah, of course.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
All right.
Um...
Uh...
How do I... - I'll... I'll do it.
Okay.
All right.
Guess who didn't show up for her assigned detention?
The Muggs girl.
I'm concerned, Felix. I... I think we should speak to Ethel's parents.
God knows what's troubling that girl.
Now, you want me to believe that a girl, this girl,
generated these pages?
Yes, and she's currently skipping detention
because of how badly she wants to draw comic books for you,
Mr. Fieldstone.
Well, young lady, let me congratulate you.
These are the most putrid pages I've seen in a long time.
And that's the highest compliment I can give any artist.
Freckles, you have some real talent.
What's your name?
Ethel.
Thank you, Mr. Fieldstone.
Well, freckles, you and boy wonder here make a terrific team.
So, what are you, boyfriend-girlfriend?
Uh, no.
We are just creative partners.
- But we are going to the sock hop together. - Ah.
Smithers. I'm about to put my face on.
My apologies, Miss Veronica.
But I was emptying the bins and came across something
that I believe belongs to you.
What's this?
It seems to be a poem, miss.
Mom, Dad, is everything all right?
We got called down to your school.
They said you're acting like some delinquent.
Drawing dirty pictures.
On top of staying up at all hours,
inviting boys into your bedroom
and now missing detention?
We did not raise you this way, Ethel.
Maybe if you didn't drink so much, Mom.
And maybe if you weren't so miserable all of the time, Dad.
The hell did you just say to me?
Never mind.
Where do you think you're going?
I'm going to the sock hop with Jughead.
Over my dead body, you are.
If it isn't Kevin of Kevin and the Crooners fame.
Yeah, hardly.
Just plain old Kevin Keller tonight.
I was sorry to hear that tonight's lineup had been changed.
Oh, easy come, easy go.
Supposedly, Fangs is an out-of-this-world singer.
Yeah, and he sure is easy on the eyes.
But I can say the same about you.
Anyway, I was...
I was really looking forward to seeing you perform tonight.
Maybe you can give me a private concert one of these days?
Yeah.
Um, look, Clay, uh, Betty's waiting for her punch,
- so if you'll excuse me? - Of course. Have fun tonight.
Good evening, Riverdale High.
Who's ready to rock 'n' roll?
Well, in that case,
find somebody to hold on to...
because we're about to shake things up.
Told you Fangs was the next Chuck Berry.
I wouldn't go that far.
Come on, let's see your moves.
I'm fine supervising from right here.
- Thank you very much. - One boogie woogie
and I'll stop hassling you if that's what you really want.
Fine. But just one dance.
I got the poem you wrote for me.
Or at least I think you did.
"A stolen look across the hall.
I hope she hears my silent call.
Dreams of walks through moonlit nights
with the girl more beautiful than all the cosmic sights."
It's beautiful, Archie.
Um... It barely rhymes.
How do you feel about a do-over?
Or, to put it in other words,
Archie Andrews, may I have this dance?
I'm sorry, Veronica.
Maybe next time.
Will you excuse me?
Of course.
Veronica Lodge.
Julian Blossom.
Where have you been keeping yourself?
Oh, I've been around. Waiting for my moment.
You could do a lot worse, you know.
Why not?
Boys and girls dancing in chaste harmony.
Just as God intended.
Wouldn't you agree, Ms. Blossom?
Yes, everything is as it's meant to be.
Ethel?
Ethel! Ethel.
Ethel.
Is this blood?
Jughead...
Something terrible has happened.