[Birds chirping]
(samantha) it all began
one day last april.
I was living with my grandmary
in mount bedford, new york.
And she was determined
to teach me
to become a proper young lady.
But that day, in particular,
I was more interested
in getting away from my next-door
nuisance, eddie ryland.
Samantha!
You're so dumb, you probably
think 3 times 4 is 12.
3 Times 4 is 12, eddie.
Now, if you don' leave me alone,
I'll find your money jar
and empty it in the river.
You're too dumb to find it.
Eddie ryland, you...
[Shrieking]
[laughing]
(samantha)
come back here, eddie ryland!
[Laughing]
(samantha) and that was the
day I met my new friend,
nellie o'malley.
[Horses neighing]
who are they?
(Eddie)
they're our new servants.
The big one
is my new maid.
But she's too young
to be a maid.
Maybe her mother
is the maid.
[Eddie chuckling]
(bridget)
it's grand, da.
What's that?
Look at that water.
Come along now, bridget.
[Hens clucking]
I'm tired, da.
(Mr. O'malley)
I know. It won't be long.
I know you're hungry, jenny,
but you'll just have to wait.
[Rooster crowing]
it's beautiful.
[Girls chattering]
there'll be one room
for all of you.
This will be fine.
Thank you, ma'am
(bridget)
I'm really hungry, nellie.
Are we going to eat soon?
Look, nellie,
next to the pump.
[Gasps]
(bridget)
oh, nellie.
See what you did.
I didn't do nothin'.
You threw a rock
and broke the window.
And I'm gonna tell
unless you pay me a penny.
I don't have a penny.
She is not paying you a cent,
eddie ryland.
And if you make
any more trouble,
I'll tell your mother tha you took her good petticoa and made a kite's tail
out of it.
Oh, I'm really scared,
samantha.
(Mrs. Ryland)
edward!
Edward!
I have an errand for you!
Edward!
Edward, I'm waiting.
Thank you, miss.
I'm samantha.
I live next door.
I'm nellie,
and this is jenny and bridget.
Pleased to meet you.
Don't pay any attention
to him.
Have to pay
some attention, miss,
if we want to
keep our place here.
Nellie girl,
come along now.
Are you going to
mount bedford school?
Maybe we'll be
in the same class.
I don' go to school, miss.
We're here to work.
[Hens clucking]
may I see you tomorrow?
[Chuckles]
like I said,
I'll be working, miss.
From the size of this place,
from dawn to dusk.
(Mrs. Hawkins)
samantha!
Oh, goodbye, nellie. Goodbye, bridget.
Goodbye, jenny.
(All)
goodbye.
[Women chattering]
(jessie)
they're beautiful.
The rylands
have new servants.
A father and 3 girls.
And one of them
is my age.
Samantha,
look at those stockings.
Your grandmother
won't like that.
No, she won't.
Yes, mrs. Hawkins.
Be sure to
wash your hands now.
Yes, mrs. Hawkins.
Hello, samantha.
Hello, grandmary.
I trust you have
a good explanation
for that tear
in your stockings.
I... I fell. I'm sorry.
You weren't running,
were you?
Not when I fell, no.
Haste makes waste, samantha.
Yes, grandmary.
Did you know
there are 3 girls...
You can tell me
over tea, dear.
Begin practicing.
3 Girls are moving
next door...
Samantha, please begin.
[Playing]
the afternoon mail,
mrs. Edwards.
Thank you, jessie.
You can just leave I on the table, please.
Is there anything
from uncle gard?
We'll open
the mail later, dear.
But he is coming back
when he said?
He didn't miss the boat,
did he?
Samantha, please.
Just finish your practice.
[Continues playing]
[laughing]
hello, miss.
Please don't call me "miss."
Get in trouble
if I don't, miss.
Where did you come from?
Before mount bedford,
I mean.
New york city.
Oh, my uncle gard
lives in new york city.
Dad and I worked
at a factory there.
You worked in a factory?
Yes.
But dad thought we'd be better
off living in the country now.
Is your mother...
She d*ed, miss.
Last winter.
If you don't go to school,
would you like to borrow
some of my books?
Wouldn't do no good, miss,
unless they're all pictures.
Oh.
My mother was going to
teach me to read, but...
I could teach you.
Every day beside the hedge.
Oh, I wish I could, miss.
You can.
You can bring
some work with you,
like darning or mending,
can't you?
You have to
sit down some time.
And... And I could sit with you.
It isn't hard to learn.
Thank you, jessie.
Uh, just leave I on the table, please.
Jessie?
Yes, miss?
How old were you when you firs started to work as a maid?
Would you like
anything else, ma'am?
No, thank you, jessie.
That will be all.
Samantha.
Yes?
We do not discuss personal
matters with the servants.
But in the kitchen
we talk about all sorts of...
This is not the kitchen.
The secret to
a happy household
is for everyone
to know their place.
Do you understand?
Yes, grandmary.
Good.
Are you enjoying
your needlepoint?
Yes, grandmary.
Then I'm sure
you'll have no interes in that package
that's addressed to you.
[Laughing]
oh, it's from uncle gard!
How could it get here
before he did?
He's not due
for 3 weeks.
Oh!
What is it?
[Exclaims]
it's a stereopticon. Oh.
He says,
put in the first slide,
and I will see
where he is right now.
The first slide.
[Exclaims]
oh, my!
It's paris.
The eiffel tower.
As if we were really there.
Uncle gard always gives me
the best presents.
He's taking me
to the exposition in st. Louis
for a whole week in july.
We're going to see
japanese pagodas and temples
and eat peanut butter and
fairy floss and everything.
They make butter
out of peanuts?
That's what uncle gard says.
And what's fairy floss?
Uncle gard says it's made out of
pink sugar and comes on a stick.
Uncle gard is the best person
I know.
Better than
your ma and da?
Did I say somethin'?
Maybe we should star your reading lesson.
I'm sorry
if I hurt your feelings, miss.
My parents are gone.
Like your mother.
Only, in an accident.
On the river.
Both of them?
That's awful.
I don't know what I'd do
without my da.
You want to see them?
She's beautiful.
And he's so handsome.
She used to sing to me.
Sometimes, I try
to hear her voice.
But it just slips away.
I know.
I wish
I could ask grandmary,
but speaking about mother
hurts her too much.
I keep them close this way.
I like that you're here,
nellie.
I think we'll be
great friends.
I've never had a real friend
outside the family.
Well, you do now,
nellie o'malley.
Friends forever.
Forever.
Come on.
Ok. Now...
Thorn, th...
"Th" sounds like this:
the, that, this.
(Nellie)
then, those, these.
There, thorn, thursday.
Thanksgiving.
[Both giggling]
(samantha) "a roaming ca with a lily fair sa on a rose-blossom ma with a..."
[Exclaims]
stop your fidgeting,
jenny.
Bridget.
You're pulling too hard on her.
Wind slower.
Now stretch your hands.
There you go, jenny.
[Birds chirping]
why doesn't jenny speak?
Hasn't said a word
since ma d*ed.
Did she talk
before that?
Some. And she talks
in her sleep.
That looks like fun.
It does?
Can I try it? Here.
I'll b*at the rug
while you read.
"Cat, sat, m-m-mat."
Good. Go on.
"Fat, rat, hat."
"Cat, fat, rat."
[Both laughing]
[coughing]
[clearing throat]
you girls about through
k*lling the rug?
I'm sorry, mr. O'malley.
It was my fault.
There's no fault to it.
You almost done here?
(Nellie) all done, da.
Good, then.
Get a move on inside. Mrs.
Ryland was calling for you.
Yes, da.
[Girls laughing]
tomorrow, samantha?
Tomorrow.
I wanted to thank you,
samantha,
for your kindness
toward nellie and the girls.
No thanks needed, sir.
Nellie and the girls
are my friends.
[Car honking]
it's uncle gard!
That's my uncle gard.
He's come back
from europe.
Goodbye, mr. O'malley.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, jenny, bridget.
My uncle gard is here.
Goodbye.
[Honking]
well, here we are.
Thank you.
Uncle gard, uncle gard!
My angel.
[Both laughing]
oh, I missed you
so much.
Oh, I missed you so much.
Did you get my present?
Yes, I love it.
It's wonderful.
Well, I have an even
bigger surprise for you.
Oh, what is it?
If I told you,
it wouldn't be a surprise.
[Chuckles]
will you take me
for a ride now?
First I want you
to say hello to someone.
[Birds chirping]
how are we coming
along there, my dear?
Fine. Thank you.
Samantha, you remember
miss pitt, from christmas?
Please, call me cornelia.
Hello.
Can we go now?
In a moment.
Your uncle gard says
you love to read, sam.
My name is samantha.
Very well, samantha.
I thought you might like this.
It's the wizard of oz.
Girls in new york love it.
Thank you.
Come on, you two.
But I thought you said
we were going for a ride.
First we need to say hello
to your grandmary.
Shall we?
Here we are.
[Gasps]
(gardner) mother. Gardner!
[Laughing]
uh, you remember
miss pitt?
W-what a pleasant surprise.
How are you, miss pitt?
Very well, thank you,
mrs. Edwards.
Gardner promised me he would
tell you I was coming.
I can see he didn't.
I like surprises.
Don't you, samantha?
(Grandmary)
I'm... I'm sure we'll have
plenty of time
to catch up later.
For now, mrs. Hawkins can
show you to the guest room.
Thank you.
(Mrs. Hawkins)
this way, ma'am.
Thank you.
[Sighs]
gardner,
you really should warn me when
you're bringing home guests.
You look well, mother.
Oh, this is for you.
Oh, my!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
(Grandmary)
it's lovely.
Has the admiral
been to see you lately?
Gardner.
[Sighs]
let's see.
We were going to
do something now.
[Exclaims]
what?
I don't remember.
Excuse us, mother.
Where are you going?
Gardner.
[Exclaiming]
[squealing]
all right, I'm going to
let it out now. Here we are.
[Honking]
[both laughing]
[screaming]
[honking]
(grandmary)
did you see the mona lisa?
(Gardner) yes, mother,
we saw the mona lisa.
It was delightful.
But what we are
even more excited abou is this new style of ar called impressionism.
Yes.
By a man
named monet.
You've been away
a very long time.
How has your firm
managed without you?
I don't think they even
noticed I was gone, mother.
Nonsense, gard.
Of course they did.
Cornelia is the one who's really
making a difference in new york.
How so?
She's organizing suffrage
meetings all over the city.
Gard, perhaps this
isn't the best time.
I don't really understand
why women need to vote.
Women of my generation
found plenty of ways
to influence
the course of events
without having to stand
on a soapbox.
Yes. Although,
if women are expected
to obey the laws
our leaders make,
shouldn't we have a say
in selecting those leaders?
I believe samantha should have
as much say in her governmen as that little boy
next door.
[Clock chiming]
well, uncle gard, when are you
going to tell us the surprise?
I was going
to wait until...
(Samantha) are you coming
to live in mount bedford?
No. But it is
wonderful news.
Against her
better judgment,
this beautiful woman
has accepted
my proposal of marriage.
(Cornelia) oh, gardner, you
sound so old-fashioned.
We've been talking abou this for almost a year.
And while I was in paris, I was
getting her parents' blessing.
My. Well, then,
I'm very happy
for both of you.
I'm happy for you, too,
uncle gard.
Since cornelia's family
lives abroad,
we were hoping
you would allow us to have the
wedding right here, mother.
We can hold it in
the conservatory.
It's so beautiful here. We
were thinking the end of july.
July?
This year?
Yes, of course,
this year.
Wh-why so sudden?
I don't want to wait. I've
found the woman of my dreams.
I want you to be my bridesmaid, samantha.
Would you?
She's very young.
(Cornelia) my sister will
be the matron of honor,
her daughter,
my flower girl,
but I don't have
a bridesmaid.
What do you say?
Say yes.
Yes.
(Gardner)
samantha!
Samantha.
Hello.
[Sighs]
I know you're upse with me.
I don't want things to
change anymore, uncle gard.
You've had more change in your
life than anyone ought to have.
But you'll see, cornelia is
going to be a wonderful friend.
And, in fact, if your mother
were still alive,
I'm sure they'd be
the best of friends.
They would?
Oh, yes.
Why, they're quite similar
in many ways.
Your mother was
so full of life,
and questions, and causes, and righ now, she's smiling down on us.
Making fun of
your bushy eyebrows.
How did you know
about that?
She tortured you.
She told me so.
And I miss her
every time I think about it.
You're so like your mother.
You have her spirit.
You have her will
and her curiosity.
Oh.
What's this?
Oh.
St. Louis, the exposition.
Oh, no. I promised
to take you, didn't i?
I'm sorry.
How can I make it up to you?
It's all her fault.
No, samantha.
Cornelia is
a wonderful person.
She's strong and caring,
and she loves children.
You'll have your own family
and forget all about me.
You are my family.
You'll always be
my little girl.
[Piano playing]
that was lovely, samantha.
Thank you, grandmary.
Grandmary?
Yes.
Do you like cornelia?
Do i...
Certainly I do, samantha.
She's going to be
gardner's wife and your aunt.
Our family.
Much as we would like things to remain
as they are, samantha, they don't.
And so we must learn to
accept change with grace.
Do you understand?
Yes, grandmary.
(Nellie) "she gave a
dose of it to peter!
"'One tablespoon to
be taken at bedtime.'
"But flopsy, mopsy,
and cotton-tail
had bread and milk and
blackberries for supper. The end."
I can't believe how quickly
you learned this, nellie.
I think I've been
reading over da's shoulders
ever since I was little.
He says I should star teaching bridget soon.
(Cornelia)
hello there.
I should
get back to work.
Can you stay
a minute longer?
I'm trying to decide what kind
of cake to have for the wedding.
Now, then
have a bite of both
and tell me which one
you like better.
Lemon or almond vanilla.
[Birds chirping]
I like the lemon, but the almond
vanilla is wonderful, too.
Maybe you'd better
taste them again.
I'd say the lemon.
I have to agree.
Lemon it is.
All right then, I'll just give
the rest to the dog.
Oh, no, ma'am,
cake's not good for dogs.
It gives them a tummy ache.
And we don't have a dog.
That's right. I forgot.
Why don't we take them
to bridget and jenny?
Oh, good idea.
Very good.
Thank you, girls.
She's not so bad,
you know.
What did you wear when you
got married, mrs. Edwards?
Oh, belgian lace.
Oh, how elegant.
The gown had tiny pearls
all along the hem
and... And crystal stitching
in between each pearl.
And... And there was a large satin
bow just... Just above the bustle.
Bustle?
Yes, it was the height of
fashion, I will have you know.
Tell her about the veil.
The veil. It flowed from
behind like a waterfall.
My mother wore it, too.
She looked like an angel.
And here's the fabric
for the bridesmaid's dress.
[Exclaiming]
oh, grandmary, look.
It's lavender.
Your favorite color.
It's the prettiest color
I've ever seen.
(Gardner) samantha had her hear set on going to st. Louis.
We have to
make it up to her.
I want her to come
and stay with us for the fall.
You said yourself aunt francis
is not getting any better.
It's impossible.
You'll be newly married.
The last thing you'll need
is a child on your hands.
(Gardner) she can come and
stay with us in new york.
Let us share the burden,
mother.
It's jus for a few months.
[Crickets chirping]
[sniffling]
nellie.
Nellie.
What on earth?
I tried to sleep, but I kep on hearing what they said.
They were talking abou sending me away.
To new york.
Grandmary and uncle gard.
They think I'm a burden.
Look at you, you're shaking.
You're so cold.
How long have
you been out here?
Please come with me.
I don't want to be
by myself.
(Nellie) I thought this
was just a boathouse.
(Samantha) this is my
secret hiding place.
There are so many
beautiful things here.
It's where my mother, father,
and I used to keep our boat.
But after they d*ed,
no one came here anymore.
Sometimes when I come here,
I feel like
they're still here.
What do you do in here?
Read, mostly.
Make wishes.
What do you wish for?
Depends on my mood.
Sometimes I wish for eddie
ryland to run into a tree.
[Giggling]
and other times...
I wish my parents
could be here.
Da says, "no sense thinking
about what you don't have."
Better to think
about what you do."
But I still wish
I could see my ma.
If I go to new york,
I'll miss you so much.
You can write me every day.
And you can write back.
What's her name?
Lydia. Just like my mother.
I've never seen
anything so beautiful.
If I go away,
will you keep her for me?
Do you mean it?
Yes.
I wouldn't trust her with
anybody but my best friend.
You know anything
about stars?
A little.
First star you see,
that's the wishing one.
"Star light,
(both)
"star brigh "first star I see tonigh "wish I may, wish I migh have the wish I wish tonight"
I found you! I found you!
[Laughing]
oh, you get out of
here right now, eddie.
Pay me a nickel
and I won't tell.
How much do you want for
never speaking to me again?
[Laughing]
(eddie) I found them!
I found them!
I found them!
I found them!
(Mrs. Ryland) what do
you think you're doing,
you senseless girl?
You've had the whole
neighborhood looking for you.
This is completely
unacceptable.
The servants in my household do no trespass on other people's property.
Nor do they sleep outside
with the neighbor's children.
I'm so sorry.
I cannot understand
how this happened.
It's my fault,
mrs. Ryland.
It was all my idea.
I asked nellie
to keep me company.
Nevertheless,
I expect my help
to behave respectfully
at all times.
I don't think
the girls meant any harm.
(Mr. O'malley) I promise
you it won't happen again.
Please forgive her, mum.
She's still young
and forgets her place.
I'm so sorry, ma'am.
I knew better. I did.
It's all right, nellie.
Mother.
(Grandmary)
huh?
What's this?
Pictures of lydia.
Lydia's journal.
Samantha.
(Grandmary) a few months in new york
city might be good for samantha.
If you're sure
you can manage.
(Gardner)
oh, I am.
(Samantha)
yes, grandmary.
I have some
wonderful news.
Your uncle gard has invited
you to spend a few months
in new york city with him
and cornelia this fall.
And with you
in the city,
I thought I would take the opportunity
to visit great-aunt francis.
I'm sorry I put mother's
pictures in the boathouse.
This is no a punishment, dear.
I'll never do it again,
I promise, grandmary.
When all we have left of someone
is our memories of them,
then we must keep
those memories close.
I'd be disappointed
if you didn't have
a special place
for your mother.
She did
the very same thing.
My mother?
She once had
a kitten named mabel.
It was fluffy and gray
and a little cross-eyed.
Cross-eyed?
And she loved that kitten
more than anything.
One day, mabel didn' come home.
She took all of
mabel's favorite things
and she placed them
in the boathouse.
She did?
Just like you.
(Grandmary)
samantha!
[Exclaiming]
my.
Oh!
Isn't it the most wonderful gown
you've ever seen, grandmary?
The most wonderful.
I was just on my way up
to see cornelia. Join me?
You look
like a fairy tale.
Just like a princess.
I have some pieces here.
They've been in the family for years.
I do feel you must wear them.
(Cornelia) oh, mrs.
Edwards, thank you so much.
(Agatha)
oh, my! They're so pretty.
(Women) oh, my goodness,
they're so delicate.
They're wonderful.
They're lovely.
Don't feel obligated.
(Cornelia)
thank you so much.
[Cornelia laughing]
[screaming]
[all exclaiming]
your veil is ruined.
[Agatha crying]
(agatha) I'm sorry, aunt cornelia.
I didn't mean to.
[Sighing]
it's all right, agatha.
Don't be upset.
(Cornelia)
you look lovely.
Would you like to wear
my mother's veil?
Oh, I couldn't.
You must.
Oh, it's so beautiful.
Thank you both so much.
Would you help me?
[Music playing]
[people chattering]
[both chattering]
wilt thou, gardner,
have this woman
to thy lawful wedded wife,
to live together after
god's ordinance
in the holy estate
of matrimony?
Wilt thou love her,
comfort her,
honor and keep her
in sickness and in health,
and, forsaking all others,
keep thee only unto her,
so long as ye both
shall live?
I will.
Wilt thou, cornelia, have this
man to thy wedded husband,
to live together after
god's ordinance
in the holy estate
of matrimony?
Wilt thou obey him
and serve him,
love, honor, and keep him
in sickness and in health,
and, forsaking all others,
keep thee
only unto him,
so long
as ye both shall live?
I will.
I now pronounce you
man and wife.
[Bells chiming]
(samantha)
agatha, pull harder!
[All laughing]
[music playing]
[people chattering]
[laughing]
[chattering]
thank you.
Thank you so much.
What a pleasant occasion.
And he's a fine catch.
Mmm.
But then again, we always
knew she'd marry well.
Not so well.
What do you mean?
His niece is coming to stay
with them till christmas.
Poor cornelia.
A ready-made family less than
a month after her wedding.
(All)
goodbye!
[All cheering]
goodbye. Thank you.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, mother.
[All applauding]
we'll be back in a month,
and then we'll have
many wonderful adventures.
How does that sound?
[People chattering]
are you ready?
[Women giggling]
[women exclaiming]
ooh.
Letting cornelia have
your mother's veil
was very generous, samantha.
I did it for you.
I know.
(Grandmary)
have a wonderful time.
[Gardner laughing]
(all)
goodbye.
Goodbye, uncle gard.
(Nellie)
samantha, over here.
Look what I found.
No.
Yes. Eddie ryland's money jar.
I watched him when he bullied
the milkman this morning.
And then I followed him and
found his secret hiding place.
The well.
Whatever should we
do with it?
I know the perfect place
for it.
Thank you.
Good morning.
[Coins jangling]
[giggling]
amen.
Shh.
Is tha everything?
Yes, dear. It's all here.
(Samantha) I will write
to you 3 times a day.
I'll miss you so much.
I am going to miss you somethin'
awful, samantha parkington.
You promise
you won't forget me now?
Forget you? I will be back
before you know it.
And we'll celebrate christmas
after christmas together.
That sounds grand.
I promise.
Not even new york city can keep us apart.
You'll see.
[Birds chirping]
[horses neighing]
[hooves clomping]
[people chattering]
(samantha) dear nellie, today,
uncle gard, aunt cornelia,
and I went on a tour
of new york city.
First we stopped in
the madison square
and saw the magnificen fuller building.
I sent you a slide.
They call it the flatiron now.
Isn't that silly, naming
a building after an iron?
Oh, nellie, there are
so many people here
from all over the world,
speaking different languages,
and shouting, and laughing,
that it makes my ears hurt.
And the streets were so full
of carriages and automobiles
that there were times
when we could hardly move.
Uncle gard says
that next month
an underground train
will open.
It's called a subway,
and it can take a person
from city hall
to the harlem meadows
in less than 15 minutes.
Imagine that!
Oh, and I tried the chestnuts
like you said.
I like the smell
better than the taste.
Hello.
Hello.
One, please.
There you go, miss.
Thank you, sir.
You're welcome.
(Samantha) school is
going fine, I suppose.
I'd like to introduce
a new student,
samantha parkington, who comes to
us from mount bedford, new york,
which is quite a change.
Isn't that right,
samantha?
Yes.
Maybe you would
like to tell us
a little about your life
in mount bedford?
Well,
first,
m-m-mount bedford
is not a mountain.
It's houses
a-and churches
and a river.
And what river is that?
The husson.
[Girls giggling]
the houson.
The hudson. Sorry.
That's all right.
We're all nervous
when we come to a new place.
The river is
the hudson river,
the same one that runs down
the west side of manhattan.
(Samantha) it would be so much
more fun if you were with me.
I miss you so, nellie.
Please write back soon.
Your best friend, samantha.
(Nellie)
dear samantha,
I'm sorry I haven' written much,
but da's been
under the weather,
and I've had to
take on more chores.
Your uncle's house
sounds grand,
all stone and marble,
like the fine houses
in the gramercy park
that da used to point out.
I miss you, too, samantha,
and I can't wai until you get back.
Love,
from your friend, nellie.
Mrs. Vandergeld has
installed a shower.
Passing fancy.
Like a rain shower?
Exactly.
Only it's inside the house,
and you stand underneath,
and then the water falls.
A ridiculous contraption.
Absurd.
Prone to breaking,
I'm sure.
I'm sure.
And you'd like one,
i... I suppose?
Absolutely.
[All laughing]
oh, from grandmary.
She has been
to see the admiral.
[Both chuckling]
what's so amusing?
Well, the admiral
proposed to mother
twice a year for the las dozen years, I'd say.
Oh. Oh, no wonder she though we were rushing things.
[All laughing]
[girls chattering]
good morning, class.
(All)
good morning, miss stevens.
Today, I have
a very exciting announcement.
The school is conducting
a speaking contes on the subjec "progress in america."
You can write on
a topic of your choice.
Anything modern and new.
Yes, edna.
Could I write
about the telephone?
The telephone is
an excellent example.
Anyone else?
Samantha?
Factories?
Another good idea.
A single factory can do the work of an
entire town in one day. Think of it.
Yes, emma.
My uncle runs a factory.
May I write on that, too?
You all may write
on anything you wish,
but only 12 speeches
will be chosen.
And those chosen
will be presented
in front of the entire school
at the christmas program.
Your speeches are due
by thanksgiving.
(Cornelia) the time has come
to change the old ways.
Women must vote.
The time has come for
all of us to speak ou and in support, mrs. Winthrop
and mrs. Vandergeld
will organize
a peaceful gathering
at madison square park
a week from tuesday.
Women in all 45 states will be holding
similar gatherings on that day.
[All exclaiming]
[all chattering]
(woman)
she works so hard.
I'm very pleased
to have met you, samantha.
I'm pleased to
have met you, too.
I'm always
greatly encouraged
when young people
join our discussions.
Are you anxious
to vote one day?
I'm not sure.
No.
Then you won't have to.
Isn't that right,
mrs. Vandergeld?
Oh, quite... Quite right.
It's the right to vote we're
fighting for, not the requirement.
[Laughing]
good night, samantha.
Good night.
Thank you.
Thank you.
(Cornelia)
excuse me.
Good night.
(Woman)
goodbye.
...will soon be replaced
by those made by machines.
Uncle gard.
Hello, my angel.
How was school today?
It was good, thank you.
I'm practicing my speech.
Would you like to hear it?
Of course.
Factories are the foundation
of progress in america.
They can make perfect products every
time, and plenty of them, too,
enough for everyone
all at once.
They will provide jobs for
everyone who wants one, too.
Products that are made by hand
will soon be replaced
by those made by machine.
I am impressed.
Afternoon mail.
Hello, sweetheart.
Anything for me?
Well, there is a postcard here
to all of us from grandmary.
Nothing from nellie?
No, I'm afraid not.
I haven't heard
from her in weeks.
Oh. There's a letter here
from mount bedford.
From mrs. Hawkins.
What does it say?
Oh, dear.
What?
Nellie's father has d*ed.
From influenza.
Oh, no.
[Whispering]
poor nellie.
May I see?
She says that mrs. Ryland
has sent them to an orphanage
in new york city.
Cold rock house.
Do you know where it is?
I-is it near?
It shouldn't be
hard to find.
Can we go see them,
uncle gard?
I will get the address and stop at the
orphanage on my way home tomorrow.
(Samantha) dear nellie, I jus received word about your dad.
I'm so sad for you
and the girls. We all are.
But uncle gard is going
to arrange for me to see you,
and I'll be there in no time.
Write me back
soon as you can.
Your friend, samantha.
[People chattering]
[dog barking]
I'm practicing
for my piano lesson.
I'd like to stay and listen.
Do you mind?
That was lovely, samantha.
Would you
like to help?
Uncle gard told me
you remind him of my mother.
I take that as
a great compliment.
I remember her hair
in my face when
she would kiss me good night.
And I don't know
why I thought of this,
but she hated chickens.
[Giggling]
chickens?
She hated them.
It's gard.
Uncle gard.
Hello, ladies.
[Gardner sighing]
look at you two.
I'd say I'm the luckiest man
in new york, wouldn't you?
Did you find
the orphanage?
I did.
Oh, wonderful.
How is nellie?
Well,
they didn't let me see her.
What do you mean?
The orphans are not allowed to
have visitors who are not related.
Unless they are serious
about adoption.
That's preposterous.
Why?
Each institution
has its own rules.
There must be some way
that I could see her.
Mr. And mrs. Vandergeld donate a
great deal to new york orphanages.
One of them could
well be cold rock.
Excuse me.
(Cornelia)
hello?
Could you connect me, please, to the
vandergeld residence on 5th avenue?
I'm mrs. Edwards.
I telephoned earlier
about seeing mrs. Frouchy.
Thank you.
She'll be righ with you.
You must be mrs. Edwards.
We've been expecting you.
Pleased to meet you.
Mrs. Vandergeld sen word of your arrival.
She spoke
very highly of you.
And of you,
mrs. Frouchy.
Mrs. Vandergeld is our
most generous benefactor.
Would this be a convenien time for a tour?
Uh, yes. Yes, of course.
Uh, lillian.
Thank you.
Hello.
Thank you.
(Matron)
nancy, you wait.
[Girl whispering]
no speaking!
[Sighing]
ma'am.
I'm sure
you must understand
the importance of rules
for girls like this.
Obedience, order,
and discipline.
These are the things that will
enable them to find homes.
Here is the dormitory
for the younger girls.
[Girl crying]
are there always
this many?
There are not enough beds
for these children.
2 Of the girls
are leaving today
to a good home,
in the country.
We'll have a party
for them later.
[Exclaiming]
here we have the dormitory
for the older girls,
9 to 16.
May my niece
hand out fruit?
Yes, of course.
What a lovely,
well-behaved child.
Thank you.
(Cornelia)
now then, mrs. Frouchy,
how many children do you have
in this dormitory?
(Mrs. Frouchy) the number
of children ranges from...
[Samantha whispering]
nellie.
[Exclaiming]
samantha.
What are you
doing here?
Are you all right?
You are so pale.
And look at your hands. Here.
Take my gloves.
Did you see bridget and jenny downstairs?
Are they all right?
You mean you don' get to see them?
They won't let us
play together.
I'm sure they think
I've abandoned them.
You cannot stay here.
Are you ever
allowed outside?
Only when I take ou the ashes around the back.
Every day at 4:00.
We must le the girls rest now.
Um, samantha,
are we ready?
I'll come to the alley, 4:00.
Ready.
[Girls chattering]
[girls chattering]
what's the basket for?
It's for coats.
Coats go
in the coat closet.
This is for old coats
that you don't want anymore.
Why do you wan our old coats?
It's for an orphanage.
They need all kinds of things,
like hats and gloves
and a-anything that's warm,
really.
They're stuck there,
and we need to help them.
Maybe you do.
I have some old coats
at home.
They don't fit anymore.
And gloves, too.
I'll bring them in tomorrow.
Thank you.
I... I like your pilgrims.
Thank you.
[Door knocking]
[people chattering]
yes, mrs. Edwards.
Mrs. Frouchy
is expecting you.
I have a hamper here
full of pumpkin pies
and thanksgiving treats
for the children.
May we bring them
into your kitchen?
I'll take that for you.
Follow me.
Oh, I'll just wait outside.
All right.
[Dog barking]
(samantha)
nellie.
Nellie!
You found me.
Here, I brought you some
rolls, with cheese inside.
Thank you, samantha.
Mrs. Frouchy says she'll place
me out if I don't behave.
What's that?
Sending me away on
the orphan train,
to get adopted
by a family far away.
Mrs. Frouchy says
girls with my training
go really fast in
the farm country.
And, jenny and bridget?
No, they're too young.
If she sends me, I'll never
get to see them again.
Oh, you cannot go!
The three of you have
to stay together.
I have to think
about what to do.
I'm not going to let this
happen to you, nellie. I'm not.
Did you hear, gertrude,
that our samantha
has been chosen
out of all the girls
in her school
to speak a the christmas program?
Isn't that wonderful?
It's not just me.
There are 12 of us.
That is quite
an accomplishmen to be one of the 12,
samantha.
It is a shame tha mother won't hear her.
I think grandmary will
have the pleasure of
hearing only samantha
when she returns.
(Gardner) oh, now,
will you look at that.
(Cornelia) it looks
splendid, doesn't it?
Beautiful.
Our first thanksgiving.
I wish everyone had all the
blessings that we have tonight.
That's very thoughtful,
samantha.
Shall we?
(All) father, we thank
thee for this food,
for health and strength
and all things good. Amen.
Nellie!
Come on. Everything's ready.
We need to hurry.
What?
What are you talking about?
Look, if we don't go now,
we never will.
Go? Where?
With me.
I'm taking you all.
What's wrong?
I'm scared.
It'll be all right.
Go get bridget and jenny,
and I'll meet you
in front of the coat closet.
I'll meet you there
in 5 minutes.
[Horse neighs]
go now.
[Girls chattering]
(bridget)
jenny, jenny, look!
Come on, girls.
We need to go now.
(Matron)
what's it for?
(Samantha) I came here to bring donations.
For the girls.
Yes.
I usually come here
with my aun who is very good friends
with mrs. Vandergeld.
We usually just leave the
boxes beside the coat closet.
Fine, off you go.
Thank you.
[Whispering]
nellie? Where are you?
Samantha.
I'll deposit the donation
money monday, mrs. Frouchy?
Best give it to me.
I'll hold on to it.
For safekeeping.
Yes, ma'am.
[Mrs. Frouchy chattering]
get in.
Bridget, under the desk.
Mmm.
[Sneezes]
who's there?
[Door creaking]
(samantha) run! What?
[Shrieking]
(samantha)
bridget, come on.
Stop! Wait! Help!
Stop them!
Help! Stop them!
Stop!
[Mrs. Frouchy screaming]
hurry.
Don't stop.
(Mrs. Frouchy)
stop!
Thief!
Run!
Run!
Hurry, let's go!
(Mrs. Frouchy)
police, help!
[Panting]
someone took my babies and the
donation money. All of it.
(Nellie)
which way?
Keep on running, nellie.
Don't stop.
Bridget, hurry.
[Police whistle blowing]
(samantha)
come on, jenny, run!
Go, go up.
(Nellie) come on. Come on.
Go, jenny. Go!
(Bridget)
dinner!
Shh! Shh!
Bridget, be quiet.
If we get caught,
we'll get in trouble,
and so will
samantha's family.
Why can't we live here?
We're wards of the state.
That's wha mrs. Frouchy calls us.
We belong to them.
To the state?
Yes, and if anyone
finds us here,
they'll be made
to turn us in.
So you must be quiet now.
Do you understand?
It's all right for now.
Eat up.
There's turkey and dressing
and cranberries.
Slower, jenny.
I put fresh pajamas
on the bed.
How did you ge all this up here?
I told gertrude it was
for a family in need.
And it is.
It's so nice and warm.
[Door opening]
oh, no. They're home.
I'll try
to come up after.
How can I ever thank you?
You're my friend.
That's what friends do.
Samantha's been here
all afternoon.
Are you certain?
Samantha?
(Samantha)
yes?
Any further questions?
My matron informed me
that she was at the orphanage
a short while ago.
A few of my girls have since
gone missing along with $200.
(Gertrude)
what are you implying?
If I find tha she has been involved,
I'll report her
to the authorities.
You'll no make threats here.
[Door opening]
(gertrude)
good day.
I said good day.
[Door closes]
(nellie) I hope they
don't find out.
Do you think she knows?
I am not sure.
She said she'd go
to the police
and that we took money.
That is a terrible lie.
Oh, samantha,
I don't want you
to get into any trouble
on my account.
I'm going to find
a job as soon as I can
so we can ge a room of our own.
Someone will hire me.
I miss my da.
Don't worry, nellie.
I'm not going to let anything
happen to any of you.
I promise.
Gertrude had
a visitor today.
Mrs. Frouchy.
What did she want?
Hard to say, madam.
But it seemed to me she was
accusing our samantha of stealing.
Gard, we must do something
to stop this woman.
[Piano playing]
[crackling]
(samantha)
dear grandmary,
it's almost christmas,
and I can't wait to see you.
Cornelia and I
are making our own ornaments
for the christmas tree.
And making cookies and fruitcakes
and even plum pudding,
though I'm no sure we did it right.
Since nellie is
in new york city now,
all that's missing is you.
Love, samantha.
[Birds chirping]
[moaning]
[clock chiming]
[footsteps pattering]
jenny, what are you
doing down here?
Is something wrong?
What's the matter?
What is it?
All right,
I'll come with you.
[Bridget coughing]
bridget?
Are you all right?
You're so hot.
Burning up.
Do you know
where nellie went?
Was she looking
to find a job?
[Moaning]
is this where she went?
[Baby crying]
[people chattering]
[cart squeaking]
put your name
on that list.
If you can't write,
make an "x."
Then get in line
behind them.
[Boy screaming]
my finger's stuck!
(Supervisor) hold on now!
No, please! Ow!
If that needle breaks,
it comes out of your pay.
[Screaming]
[yelling]
oh, look,
the needle broke.
(Boy)
no! No!
Now see
what you've done.
(Supervisor)
go on, get out of here!
Come on up here,
and we'll have a look at it.
[Crying]
(woman) hold it tight now.
Hold it tight.
(Supervisor) all right,
we've got an opening now.
[Door opening]
come on, hurry up.
Sir,
sir, I'm looking
for my friend.
This ain't a tea party.
You wanna see your friend?
Get in line behind them.
Wait till 7:00.
No, sir, I can't wait.
This is an emergency.
Oh, there she is.
Hey!
Nellie, nellie,
come quick.
Hey, leave the machine,
lose the machine.
Them's the rules.
Bridget is sick.
Come on.
You decide, girlie. You leave
now, you don't come back.
[Sewing machines whirring]
all right,
we got an opening now. Next!
[Door closing]
why didn't you tell me
what factory work was like?
Nobody wants to know
where their frocks come from,
just so they keep coming.
[Dog barking]
are all factories
like that?
All the ones I've seen.
I'm worried, samantha.
I don't wan to lose bridget, too.
Come on, let's run.
[Moaning]
she's burning up, samantha.
I've never seen her this bad.
It's my faul for leaving.
It's so cold in here.
Hello, angel.
The big day is coming,
isn't it?
How's the speech?
Are you nervous?
(Cornelia) I can't wait to
hear it all the way through.
I need to talk
to you. Both.
We're listening.
I did something wrong,
and I need help.
Nellie's sister,
bridget, is sick...
Upstairs.
Upstairs?
Upstairs?
She's quite dehydrated.
Under my orders, you are not to
move her, at least for a few weeks
until she gets
her strength back.
Of course, doctor.
Any improvement?
Not yet.
All the girls are to stay here
until the patient recovers.
(Doctor) I'll be back in the
morning to check on her.
(Cornelia) thank you, doctor.
I'll see you out.
Gertrude's made up
beds for you
in samantha's room.
Go on up now.
I'll go sit with bridget.
Samantha brought us here
to save me from being sent on the
orphan train without my sisters.
They're not supposed
to separate families.
Ma'am, they do a lot of things
they're not supposed to.
Good night, and thank you
for your kindness.
Good night, nellie.
Good night, nellie.
Good night, jenny.
Gertrude.
Good night, jenny.
Good night, nellie.
I'm sorry, uncle gard,
aunt cornelia.
You can't break the law,
samantha,
even when a law
seems unfair.
But I had no choice.
You always have the choice
to come to me. You know that.
But you don' even want me here.
Why would you want 3 girls
who aren't related to you?
Who says we don' want you here?
Aunt cornelia's friends.
My friends?
At the wedding.
They said it was a shame
that I was coming here.
(Cornelia)
oh, samantha.
Don't think for a minute
that's how I feel.
They were just jealous
and mean and petty.
You're our family, samantha,
I want you here.
Yes, aunt cornelia.
No one touched
mrs. Frouchy's money.
We know that.
Please don't make
nellie go back.
They can't go back there.
I have no alternative,
samantha.
I must inform the authorities
they are here.
No!
No, thank you.
I'll be brief.
Before you speak,
I'd like to say
that we're not going to press charges
against the parkington girl,
as long as she returns
the money she took.
She claims
she didn't take it.
Well...
[Exhales]
with christmas coming,
we may have to rely
once more
on generous benefactors
such as yourself.
We don't wan to disappoint the children.
No, we don't.
Which is why, mrs. Frouchy,
we're replacing you.
What?
You're what?
The board of directors
is unhappy
with the way you've been
running cold rock.
It was never our intention
to fund a prison.
And there have been indications
for some while that funds...
Have been misappropriated.
You simply
can't be serious?
Yes.
I simply can. Good day.
(Emma) factories will produce
many goods at the same time,
and that's why factories are
the golden future of america.
And the final speaker
will be samantha parkington.
Americans are very proud
of being modern.
We are proud of our progress,
and we're proud of the
machines in our factories,
and the products
that they make.
But americans are proud
of being truthful, too.
Last week,
I went to a factory
and what I saw was nothing
like what I had been told.
There were children,
younger than I am,
working from early morning
until after dark.
They were dirty,
they were cold,
and they couldn't leave.
They don't have time
to go to school,
and they're too tired
to play.
Children are hur in these places.
I know. I saw one.
If our factories
can hurt children,
then we have not made
good progress in america.
These words are not the words
I had written,
but are the words
that I need to say.
Americans are good and kind,
and good and kind people
take care of children,
even if they are
not their own.
And once we do that,
we can truly be proud of our
factories and of our progress.
Thank you.
(Man)
bravo!
(Man)
she was marvelous.
Wonderful, samantha!
We're proud of you.
Grandmary.
You were here?
Yes.
Oh, I missed you.
I missed you, too.
Did you know
they were coming?
We wanted I to be a surprise.
You were magnificent.
How did you know
about factories?
Because of nellie.
I went to go get her
at her work and...
Oh, forgive me, you remember
admiral bemmis?
Very nice
to see you again, admiral.
That was a very impressive
speech, samantha.
No wonder your grandmother
talks about you so much.
(Teacher)
excuse me.
Samantha, that speech was not the
speech that you entered in the contest.
I changed I when I saw the truth.
I'm afraid you've been
disqualified from the competition.
Disqualified?
For telling the truth?
She won me over.
And I'm a much harsher judge,
I can assure you.
I believe it takes two
to speak the truth.
One to speak I and the other to hear.
I beg your pardon.
(Cornelia) I'd like you
to give that speech
to my women's group,
samantha.
(Gardner)
we're very proud of you.
How do you feel,
samantha?
I feel that gertrude
is overworked.
Which is why
she's so slow.
Slow?
She needs help.
Cornelia, you've created
a crusader.
After all, it is a very large
house for one person to keep.
And how many more maids
do we need?
Which is really 4,
counting gertrude.
Besides, if I come
to visit more often...
What do you mean if?
...you're going
to need more help.
I'm a handful.
[Chuckling]
samantha,
cornelia and I were hoping
that you'd like
to come stay here with us.
Permanently.
You mean
leave mount bedford?
For good?
But what about grandmary? I
don't want her to be all alone.
She won't be.
Because grandmary
has finally decided...
No.
Yes.
She has accepted
the admiral's proposal.
Which is why we hoped you'd
consider staying with us.
What do you say,
samantha?
Will you adopt us?
[Horse neighing]
will i?
Yes.
[All laughing]
[sighing]
(grandmary)
thank you.
(Admiral)
thank you.
Here you are.
[Glass clinking]
oh, it's so beautiful.
Oh, grandmary.
Oh, samantha.
Who did all this?
I did, miss.
With a little help.
It's the prettiest tree
I've ever seen.
You're probably worn out.
You should rest.
Really.
Save your strength.
Can we open
presents now?
Not now.
No, not until tomorrow.
But you can start working
on your notes to santa.
And there's hot chocolate
in the kitchen.
(All)
ooh!
Um, gertrude. Go on.
Uncle gard,
does santa know that nellie
and her sisters are here?
Believe me, samantha,
santa knows everything.
Oh, just a moment, let me
get the notes for santa.
Nellie and jenny. Yes.
Do you want to do bridget's,
too, samantha? Ok.
Girls, milk for santa.
I imagine
he'll be very thirsty.
[Chuckling]
what is all this?
(Samantha)
it's for the orphanage.
Quite a bounty.
Oh, this is nothing.
Cornelia's arranged for a whole
christmas feast tomorrow.
She's got half of new york donating
presents, clothes, and food.
May I help?
Of course.
(Samantha)
I can't believe we're here.
It's so wonderful that we
can be together, nellie.
This is my
favorite christmas eve.
I wonder where
we'll be next christmas.
Let's make a wish.
Up there someplace
is our wishing star.
Make your wish, nellie.
Close your eyes tigh and wish like
you've never wished before.
I'm wishin', samantha,
I'm wishin'.
Merry christmas, bridget.
(Cornelia)
merry christmas.
(All)
merry christmas!
Bridget! How's our patient?
Hungry.
[All laughing]
let's go for christmas.
[All chattering]
[giggling]
[girls chattering]
wait, wait, wait, wait, wait,
before you start screaming
at all the silly little things
santa has left you.
There's something
we need to tell you.
Uncle gard.
Samantha asked
if we would let you
3 girls come and be maids.
Oh, yes, sir.
We will work very hard.
Morning to night, sir.
But we do not need
any more maids.
However, samantha's gonna
live with us permanently...
[Bells tolling]
and there is one thing
she needs
that we would
love to give her.
She needs 3 sisters.
[Gasping]
[exclaiming]
but not just any 3 sisters.
She needs you.
All of you.
What do you say?
Oh, yes!
Sisters, samantha.
Sisters!
Aunt cornelia and I want all
4 of you to be our girls,
to live here in this house and
grow up together as one family.
Would you like that,
bridget?
Oh, yes.
Jenny?
Jenny?
Jenny says...
Jenny says, "yes, sir."
[All gasping]
(samantha)
she spoke!
That's my girl.
(Girls)
merry christmas.
[All chattering]
this is for you.
Here you go.
Thank you,
and merry christmas.
I'm waiting to see
all their happy faces.
Merry christmas.
Merry christmas.
(Samantha)
merry christmas, everyone.
[All chattering]
(man)
merry christmas.
For you.
[Girls chattering]
christmas, samantha.
Do you think we're dreamin'?
If we are,
I hope we never wake up.
Samantha: An American Girl Holiday (2004)
Moderator: Maskath3