01x23 - The New York Story

[bunniefuu]

[waves crashing]

[music]

The Loretta Young show.

Starring Loratta young.

[clapping]

Hello.

George. Bryan, one of the girls whohelped me get ready for these visits

with you wasjust telling me that

she has a sisterwho has children.

And it seems thatsomeone asked her sister

which one of her childrenshe loves the most.

This was her reply.

The one who's sickuntil he gets well,

or the one who's awayuntil he gets home.

You know, our storytonight is about mother too

but a very different kindof mother than this one.

What did I mean bydifferent kind of mother.

Will let me show you.

Let's pick her upin a PTA meeting.

Which is being heldat the school of her son.

No that's not the lady.No. Not that one either.

Here she is.

Her name is Marcy Thorne.

She looks like she's listening.

She acts like she's enjoying it.

But, oh, boy, her thoughts.

Why do these thingshave to be so dull?

It is well to be concerned.

About the administrativepolicy and the curriculum.

Don't be overly criticalwithout just cause.

But express yourself franklywhen you find reasonable cause.

Women. Oh, it's notthat I don't like women.

Something quite dreadfulhappens when more

than three of us gettogether without men.

And he will just look to the librarybefore you leave this afternoon.

You'll find many books.

Oh, my dear. Howshocked they'd be if

they knew where Iwas going from here.

A cocktail.

With an attractive man.

An attractive bachelorwhom I met only last night

at a cocktail party.

[piano music]

You mean, you're a real life native?

Born right here in New York.

My parents, two andthree by grandparents.

- Manhattan island- I had it's loving.

I can't believe itI was born here, too.

I know.

[smile]

And I'll bet the background toyour novel is New York City, right?

How'd you know I'd written anovel? It isn't even published yet.

-It's still in manuscript form.-Yes, I know.

-But how?-I have my ways.

And I'll bet it couldbe a bestseller

if it's with theright publisher.

You're amazing. You like champagne?

Mhm.

And white violets.

What woman doesn't?

Shall we go?

Where? Anywhere out of here.

Miracle like this deservesfurther exploration. Let's go

someplace and have dinner andtalk about my impending bestseller?

No. Well, I couldn'tdo that because,

you see, I'm herewith my husband.

We'll ask him to have dinnerwith us, only we won't let him talk.

[laugh]

Another time. I'd love it.

Well, tomorrow is another time.

Well.

Tomorrow?

Not for dinner.

The cocktails then?

Yes, that'd be alright.

Where?

Well, I like the goldroom at the Park Hotel.

That makes it unanimous.

Yes, dear.

You're ready to go?Robbie will be waiting.

Yes, dear, I'm ready. You knowMr. Delaney, don't you? Justin.

-I should. How do you do?-Goodbye. Thank you.

Goodbye, Mr. Delaney.

Nice to see you. I havethe Gold Room then at five?

Yes, would befine. Would you mind?

-Oh.-Thank you very much and good night.

-Goodnight.-Nice to see you.

-An attractive young man.-Yes, isn't he?

Another friend, darling.

-Oh, you jealous.-No.

That's better. They sort ofconfirm my taste and my good luck.

You are sweet Justin.

Out of all of these,you've chosen me.

-You ready?-Yeah.

[music]

Gettingawfully late.

Parent organization.Depends on the enthusiasm

of energy parents putinto it. Not just mothers.

I wonder what Marcy's up to now.

She's not dressed likethat just for a PTA meeting.

And there's flowers.

One of her admirers, I suppose.

Some women collectmilk glass. First edition.

But Marcy collects attention.

Young, old, men, women, children.

Anyone old enough topay court to the queen.

We feel it is important to involve

This meeting isn't over soon.I'll never correct my test papers.

And then of course there are otherscholarships and the student loans.

It's funny what happened to Lydia.

When we were in college together.She was the girl with all the bows.

And now an old maid school teacher.

Policy and the curriculum.

I'll be terribly late. I hopeyou won't mind too much.

Why did I come to thistariffs a meeting, anyway?

Ah.

Because Robbie asked me to.

You're so anxious for me to be here.

My Robbie, the dearestlittle boy in the world.

I could never let himdown. Never ever.

Of course, we all realizethat much of a person's

adult behavior rose outof childhood experiences.

A good relationship.

Now, who's that?

Oh, yes, Mrs. Mason,Albert's mother.

Thanks, little fella. Albert.

She seems very nice, too.

Why did she letherself go like that?

Old shelf and a yard wine.

Won't these womenknow that children like their

mothers to be attractive sothey can be proud of them?

Poor creatures.

In this Policy and curriculum.

No wonder Robbie sucha good looking boy. Takes

after his mother.She's certainly beautiful.

I hope I'll get home in time tomake that meatloaf for dinner.

Albert gets hungry so early.

Let's see. Meatloaf asparagus.

Lemon pie.

And so.

It means that all ofus working together.

With mutual trustand cooperation.

Can build a better futurefor the children we love.

Thank you.

[clapping]

Well, Marcy.

-Fancy meeting you here.-Yes, fancy.

But I promised Robbie and nowI am need for an appointment.

Oh.

Well, I thought youwouldn't be wasting

all this splendorfor a PTA meeting.

Well, nothing's toogood for the PTA.

But I am meeting someone downtown.

When you are meeting someoneit's usually somebody important.

Well, as a matter of fact,it's Lawrence Delaney.

The columnist on the Post?

Yes., he has a noveland he said I can

take a look at it.Justin might publish it.

Oh, of course.

Oh, you lead a veryinteresting life, Marcy.

And you must be agreat help to Justin.

Oh, Lydia.

Justin knows that he and Robbieare the only two people who

are important to my life atall. The rest is just amusement.

Amusing to Justin.

Or to you?

Oh, to Justin too

Because he has no doubtsabout how I feel about him.

You see, the trouble with myhusband is he understands me.

-Marcy.-Yes.

You know, the trouble with you?

-It's your greedy.-Oh, Lydia.

You are the one personin the world who has more

than anyone, ought tohave the right to expect.

But you try to have everything

and you know Marcy.

People who try tohave everything.

Sometimes wind up with

nothing at all.

No, darling, don't be dramatic,huh? We'll have to go. Bye

Mom.

Well, Robbie.

Darling, what are youdoing at school so late?

Waiting for you.

I knew you're comingto the meetings and so

I decided to wait andwalk home with you.

What do you mean?You've been here since .

That's right mom.

Oh, darling,

that was very sweet of you.

And I'd love to walk home withyou, but I'm not going home.

Oh mom.

I'm sorry. I wish I'd known.It had been such fun.

But I had an appointment downtown.

She went. Morning. Absolutelyhave to go downtown?

Yes, dear. I'm sorry. I do.

Can't you do tomorrow?

No, honey, I'm sorry. It'stoo late to change things now.

I'll go with you, then.

Oh, no. No. You couldn't do that.It wouldn't be any fun for you.

Look, darling. It's sortof business. You see, I'm

meeting someone and Ihave a chance to pick up a

manuscript and read itfor Daddy before any other

publisher sees it. And youknow how important that is.

Oh, sure.

Well, I guess I'll go home now.

Yes, darling, you do that. AndI'll get back just as fast as I can.

Taxi.

Robbie, how'd you like a quarterfor some ice cream or something?

No, thanks. I don't feel hungry.

Oh.Well I'll tell you what.

Let's have a date onSaturday, just you and I.

We'll go to lunch and do amovie. Would you like that?

Sure. That'd be keen.

Good.Honey.

Did something happen at school todaythat you wanted to tell me about?

I mean, any special reasonyou waited to see me?

No mom.

One walk home to, that's all.

Well, so long. So long, honey.

Robbie, careful crossing the street.

I will.

[music]

[car door closing]Park Hotel, please.

Yes, ma'am.

[music]

Robbie is very sweet. If onlythis mix up hadn't happened.

Well, relax now, Marcy.

Time to relax.

It's bothering me like alittle like a dust in my eye.

Not painful, but troublesome.

If I didn't know better, I'd saymy conscience was bothering me.

Robbie. About Robbie.

Robbie's fine.Everything's fine. I'm

going to have acocktail with a friend.

[car sound]

[music]

It was charming of him to sendwhite v*olence. Orchards are

expensive, but dull and gardeniasare obvious and they spoil quickly.

But white v*olence are unusualand delicate not easy to find.

[music]

Keep him Madam?

Oh, no, thank you. Not yet.

There's one thing I hate, it'sbeing kept waiting by a man.

Especially in a public place there'ssomething so exposed about it.

Still, I am nearlya half hour late.

He's probably inside having a drink

I'll look.

Perhaps madam would likeme to page your companion?

Oh, no, thank you.

[music]

Just can't go in.It's like running

the gauntlet. Allthose people staring.

[music]

Oh, Might.Quite alright.

Lobby.

He thinks we're in the same boat.

I could k*ll him.

Not even a place to sit down.

How can I stand here and notlook like a woman waiting for a man?

Maybe he's in the other lobby.

No, he distinguishesat the Gold Room .

?

But it's now.

Maybe he got tired ofwaiting and went away.

Maybe he never came at all.

Marcy Thorne stood up by a man.

How Lydia would laugh at that.

It's absurd.

A man who's gone to the troubleof sending white violet to him in

the morning would hardly be likelyto stand her up in the afternoon.

Oh.

I know that look.

I've used it myself sooften on other women.

I must get away from this place.

Even if he finds me now, it wouldn'tdo any good. The mood's gone.

I'm going home.

[music]

Robbie.

[door opening]

Robbie.

[door closing]

Robbie.

Good evening Mrs. Marcy.

Good evening, Lulu.Where's Robbie?

I don't know I haven't seen him.

He hasn't been in sincehe left this morning.

But he'll be here ina minute. Though he

knows I'm baking hisfavorite cookies today

and he'll come aroundbegging for some before.

Lulu.

You mean he hasn't comehome from school at all?

No ma'ambut

what's the matterdon't you feel while.

Yes, I feel fine.

I just think I'll go outand look for him now.

No, Mrs. Thorne,you're not going to start

fretting about Robat this age, are you?

The boy can takecare of himself just fine.

Know he can, Lulu. I know that.

But it's after andhe's getting chilly outside.

And I want him home.

No, Mrs. Thorne, please.

Never mind, Lulu. Just walk Robbiehome and I want him home right now.

[music]

Robbie.

Robbie.

[music]

I know what's the matter with me.

This afternoonwhen I left Robbie, he

looked hurt and aloneand it's bothering me.

I let him go home alone so Icould keep a date with a man.

Man who didn't need to show up.

There's absolutelynothing to be jittery about.

Nothing.

Where is he?

Maybe he's over by the swings.

[childern shouting]

There's some boys.

Please let one of them be Robbie.

[music]

[screaming]

But it could have been.

It could have been robbie.

No, I've got to stop this.

Boys, boys. Tell me,

do any of you knowRobbie Thorne?

Sure

Well, have you seen himaround here this afternoon?

No.

You're sure?

I don't know. Maybe I saw him.

Here on the playground?

I don't know.

They're digging a newsewer line down the street.

Some of the kids went there.

Oh, I see. Thanks.

I don't even know wheremy child plays after school.

Oh, he's at the excavation,just like the boy said.

It's getting dark. Imean, don't work this late.

I'll go home, that's what I'lldo. Surely he's there by now.

Listening to the radio,eating one of his cookies.

[music]

No, I'm afraid to go home.

I'm afraid.

He isn't there.

No, I'll go on the excavation.

Robbie.

They both too big.

No. Now, I'm not going tolet myself think these things.

Policeman.

Maybe I'll stop him. But

But what I say.

I want to report a missing child.

No, I can't do that. Because

when you say things,sometimes it makes them happen.

Robbie.

Robbie.

[music]

[breathing]

[music]

No, robbie can't be hurt.If he had been, I'd have

known it by now. His nameand address are in his clothes.

Could be hurt.

And if he uses myfault, it's my fault.

[music]

What was it Lydia said to me today?

People who try to had everythingopen ended up with nothing.

Nothing at all.

Nothing at all.

I can't bear this.

I've got to know. Anything'sbetter than not knowing.

I've got to go home.I've got to find out.

[music]

[breathing]

It's so quiet in here.

If we were home,surely I'd hear him.

Something hashappened to him. I know.

Justin. Justin will help me.

Justin.

Justin.

Oh, I didn't see that bishop.

I'm going to lose my queen.

Well, you can take itback if you're up, Dad.

I can't do that.

One very importantthing in chess, Robbie.

Never take back a move, nomatter what the consequence.

Hello, darling.

What's the matter?You look like a ghost.

Nothing really.

This is cold outsideand I've been running.

And this crazy ideathat Robbie was lost.

-What?-Lost? Crazy idea is right.

Baby unity frightened me to death.

I've been running all over theneighborhood looking for you.

-Where were you?-At Albert.

Albert.

I never even thought of Albert.

Why didn't youanywhere where you were.

Well, I was going ata new puppet theater.

They were putting on a show.

Oh.

But you could have phoned Lulu.

You know you're alwayssupposed to be home before .

Well, I forgot about the timeand they were letting me help him.

He really wasn't very late.

Whose day is Albert Got a brother?

No, it was his mother.

You see.

You ought to seeher rook those strings.

She's keen.

You will get

Keen.

Albert's mother

that punchy woman.

he thinks she's keen.

This afternoon I wasfeeling sorry for her.

I was laughing at her.

I think I'll go up and change.

Alright dear.

Robbie.

I'm going to call up right nowand order those fever tickets for

Saturday and you decide whereyou'd like to have lunch, all right?

I can't, mom. This Saturday.

I promised Albert Ihave lunch over there.

We're going to doanother puppet show.

With his mother?

I suppose so. She'salmost always home.

and I'm not. That's what he means.

No, he doesn't.

He didn't mean anything by it.

Is simply reject menow for the very same

reason I rejectedhim this afternoon.

Something else he'd rather do.

Somebody else it.

Rather be with.

[music]

Lydia's right. I've lost him.

I've lost him to Justin.

Who gives him companionship.

Lost him to Lulu, whobakes his favorite cookies.

Lost him to Albert's mother,

who's almost always home.

Maybe if I try very hard,maybe I can win him back.

Oh, it'll take time, ofcourse, and devotion.

Doing the thingsthat he wants to do.

Really being a mother, not just

playing a prettylittle game about it.

[door knocking]

Yes.

[door opening]

[door closing]

I was wondering if you wereabout ready for dinner, Mrs. Thorne.

-Yes, I'm almost ready. Lulu.-And here's a message for you.

I left it in the hall, but I guessyou didn't see it when you came in.

Mr. Delaney.

Yes, that's the name. Avery nice spoken gentleman.

He was called to Philadelphia thisafternoon, he said. And he said,

be sure to tell you that it wassudden and that he was very sorry.

What time did he call, Lulu?

About or ,something like that.

I'll be right in five minutes.

Yes, I'll be right down.

If I'd walked home withRobbie when he asked me

to this afternoon, I'd havefound this message and

I'd have been spared all this agony.

But should I have been spared?

No.

No, it's better this way.

[tearing message]

I learned the hard way.

I'll tell you the limitsDelaney cards again.

I'm out.

[music]

Well, you two men thinkyou can pull yourselves

away from this gamelong enough to eat?

And if you insist. This fellowhas me just about legged anyway.

One more minute, mom.

Okay, Son, never let it besaid we made a lady wait.

Oh, Marcy what are yousmiling about? What's funny?

No.

It's a long story,darling, but it is funny.

The joke's on me.

Someday when I'm very old,I'll tell you all about it. alright.

You look pretty, mom.

-Thank you, dear.-I'd like to second that compliment.

Wow. Consideringthe source is the nicest

compliment I'veever had. Shall we?

[music]

It's very old fashioned indeed itgoes way back to BC.

Listen,

children are the anchorsthat hold a mother to life.

Good night. See you next week.

[clapping]

[music]