Catered Affair, The (1956)

The older Classic's that just won't die. Everything from before 1960's.

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The older Classic's that just won't die. Everything from before 1960's.
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Catered Affair, The (1956)

Post by bunniefuu »

Morning, Tom. How's the taxi business? How's the bridge business?

One more day like this, I'll own the bridge.

Hey, Joe.

Hey, Hurley. You driving nights?

Last one this week. Check the carburettor, will you.

How's the folks? They're okay.

Say, Sam Leiter was asking for you. Oh?

Hey, anybody seen Sam Leiter? Over there.

Sam! What?

You looking for me?

We got it. Got what?

This.

It's old McQuade's. He's selling it.

All he's asking is eight thousand.

You know, the medallion goes with the cab.

We chip in four thousand a piece.

We got a business.

What's the matter?

Nothing, nothing. Don't you like it?

Oh no. It looks fine. Looks fine.

Well, what's the matter?

For twelve years we've been saving and waiting.

Yeah.

It's a long time.

Yep.

I'll be over Sunday.

McQuade wants a thousand dollars down.

Five hundred from you and five hundred from me, huh?

Okay?

Yeah.

Yeah, okay. I'll be over Sunday.

Sunday.

Morning Mr Hurley. Just getting home from work, huh?

Yep.

You didn't see by any chance my cat, Angelo?

You know the pink one? No.

Hmm. He's a tramp. I feed him.

The pleasure, he gives somebody else.

I saw Janie last night coming home late.

With a fellow with the eyeglasses.

Angelo!

Is that you, Tom?

Who else would it be?

I didn't b*at the dawn.

I didn't sleep so good myself.

If I b*at the dawn, I can get some sleep.

But now look at that light coming in.

Well wear one of them things like whatsisname who works nights.

Over your eyes you know.

Out to Idlewild this fare wanted me to go.

So I says look, I work uptown.

So he says: so what, you're a cab driver ain't you?

So?

I said, maybe I am, but you can yourself many a hack that's going your way.

So he said he was going to call a Cop and I told him to go ahead.

So?

So I drove to Idlewild and that broke the back of the night.

Anyway, it's my last day of working nights.

Look at that ice. Caked solid.

No. No new contrivances in this house until after I have my own hack.

I didn't say nothing about a new icebox.

Hello, Pop. Who's in the bathroom?

Your uncle Jack.

Eddie up yet? Yeah. He's up.

I heard you coming home late last night.

You were where?

With Ralph. We went to see Father Murphy.

Father Murphy, now.

Ma. Yeah?

Ma.

Ralph and I are getting married.

Well Jane, that is very nice.

Well, what finally decided us was Ralph has this friend in California, but ..

His wife is pregnant so ..

He asked Ralph if he knew someone who can drive his car out for him because ..

He can't drive it out himself you know, because his wife is pregnant .. so ..

Ralph quickly decided we can make a nice honeymoon out of a trip to California.

Tom, your daughter is getting married. I'm not deaf, Aggie.

Jane, that's very nice.

Well anyway, Ralph finishes his school term on November 3rd, that's tomorrow.

That's just three weeks before he starts the winter session.

He's teaching the regular winter session this year, so ..

We decided both of us that November 6th was just perfect.

So did Father Murphy and ..

He's announcing the banns this Sunday at mass and got us a dispensation.

We must invite his father and mother for dinner.

Father Murphy's?

No, Ralph's. Mr and Mrs Halloran. Oh, yeah.

Give me the salt and pepper.

I know it's short notice, Ma. But how about tonight?

Can we have them for dinner tonight?

Well, it's Friday. I'm going to the fish market anyway.

Tonight alright with you, Pa? Huh? Oh it's fine. Fine with me, Jane.

I'm through in the bathroom.

Alright, Jack.

Listen, I'll call Ralph and have him bring them over around seven.

And Ma, don't go to extra trouble.

Just fish and potatoes like we always have on Friday nights.

In fact.

One thing I must get straight right now, there isn't going to be a big wedding.

Just a plain, simple ceremony. That's the best way, Jane.

No wedding reception, no nothing.

Because we want to get an early start for California.

Whole thing will only take ten minutes. That's the best way of all, Jane.

No wedding reception, no nothing.

You don't want the fuss and feathers that goes with all these big weddings.

Cousin John said it cost him $3,000 to give his daughter Caroline her wedding.

Well Jane, if it's a small wedding you want, that's what you'll have.

$3,000 for a wedding breakfast. Why, it's enough to chill your blood.

To take advantage of a honeymoon and car we must get married by November the 6th.

Next Tuesday.

Well Jane, that is very sensible of you.

Anyway, your Pa and me thought we'd give you a check for five hundred.

Five hundred? For heaven's sake, Tom.

Your one living daughter is getting married.

It would cost you more than five hundred if she wanted a reception party.

Well, I didn't say no.

We always said we'd give the kid a check, but we never specified no figure.

Please, we don't want no checks.

We just want to get married.

So, November 6 at St Augustine's. Just you two and Eddie, and ..

And Ralph's mother and father and I'll ask Alice.

Because I was her Maid of Honor and the thing will take only ten minutes.

You'll have to ask your uncle Jack.

Now if we ask uncle Jack, then ..

We must invite uncle Harry and aunt ..

But he lives right here in the house with us.

Ma, just the immediate families.

I'd like to ask uncle Jack but if we do the others will all be mad.

Yes, I suppose you are right.

If you ask one and you're stuck with a bundle. That means having a big party.

But you'd better let me tell him. Jack is a touchy man.

Going to bed.

Jane.

We'll see you tonight, Pa.

Yeah.

Goodnight.

Jane, it's .. Eddie ought to be here tonight.

I hope he hasn't got a date or anything.

Jane, it's a big thing getting married.

What?

I said it's a big thing.

Getting married to somebody.

Why sure it is.

You got to prepare for it.

What do you mean 'prepare'?

Well I was just saying, marriage isn't all roses you know.

Well, who on earth ever said it was.

You got to look before you leap.

Ma, I've known Ralph three years.

I wasn't saying you didn't know him alright.

I'm just saying marriage is a big thing, like some girls don't know nowadays.

And you got to make sacrifices.

And when the children start coming.

You've got to put them first ahead of everybody.

I know, Ma. You can't go throwing money around.

I hope you got more than your Pa and me, but if you don't ..

Don't go throwing it around.

No, Ma.

And then one day you'll find out a lot of time has gone by.

And you'll wake up knowing this is the way it's always going to be.

Just like this.

Day after day. Year after year.

Just the same.

And that's why.

Being married is such a big thing.

The same thing over and over?

Well, what's wrong with that?

What do you expect, a bed of roses?

Ma, I'm only saying what you said.

And don't get married thinking it's only a good time.

It's not a bad time but it's not a good time.

Living all your life with one man and struggling to raise the children decent.

And don't go running around staying out late at night in bars.

Like so many do nowadays. Ralph and me like staying home.

Oh and mind your temper.

Don't let nothing get you down no matter what.

You got to give and take.

Ma, those are all the things you don't do. But what do you do?

I mean, what do you do when you're married?

What do you mean, what do you do?

Your married. That's what you do.

Yeah, but isn't there anything else besides not doing this and that?

Like what?

Well like .. loving somebody.

Well, of course there is, but don't think it's going to be any bed of roses.

And I know you've known Ralph quite a time and ..

And being married, well ..

Well, being married is different from when I was a girl.

Us not knowing about ..

Things in advance.

You know?

Things in advance? Yeah.

Oh, Ma .. that.

Well, it's important.

Well sure it is. They call it compatibility.

Well I don't care what they call it, but just remember it's not the whole thing.

Like so many kids nowadays seem to think.

Which is why there is all this trouble all the time. Marrying and divorcing.

Well Ma, honestly, Ralph and me are not going to have any trouble that way.

Oh.

I mean we're both grown up.

Sure sugar, I know all that and it think it's nice you're so sensible.

Except that after a while it's just not that important or anything.

Oh Eddie, your sister is marrying Ralph.

Oh that's good.

Is that all you got to say?

Congratulations.

Eddie, your sister is marrying Ralph.

I heard you. That's what she said. She's got him, so good.

I've never seen less family spirit.

Who's got spirit? I got nothing.

Next month, Fort Dix. Then the Army has got nothing.

Well, as long as you live here ..

Eddie, Ralph's family comes to dinner tonight. You must be here to meet them.

I told the guys I'd see them early.

You be here.

See, I've got no rights. Well, I've got to call him.

Ma, will you talk to uncle Jack? You'll explain to him?

Yeah, I'll talk to him.

Jane.

Yes, Ma?

Well ..

It's a big thing you're doing.

Well .. I'm late.

So Jane is getting married at last.

I can't say it was a surprise or anything.

The first one.

The first one to be married.

It will be nice for Jane being settled with Ralph.

And raising her own family.

I wish we could give her a real wedding.

But she's got a good head on her shoulders.

I was talking to her just now about ..

About being married.

She's got some funny ideas. Most girls do.

But I talked sense to her.

I told her what it was like.

What it was like being married.

Well Jack, would you like to hear some news?

What are you doing to yourself?

I'm counting the beats of my heart.

Oh Jack, you're as healthy as anybody.

It's a fast unsteady b*at.

And the blood pressure has gone up again. I can feel it pounding.

My cousin Timothy passed over from the very same thing.

Two years younger than me he was and a man of iron, they say.

Do you know, I .. I think I'll ..

Drop in and see the doctor.

Jane is getting married at last to Ralph Halloran.

Ah, that's great news. Ha-ha.

That's great news.

Where is she now, in the kitchen? She just now went to work.

Well, this is a day I thought I'd live to see.

Is it the fellow with the glasses? The same.

She's having the banns announced at Sunday mass.

With the wedding on the 6th. Next Tuesday.

Ah, we'll give them a party like none other.

We'll put a barrel of beer in the kitchen ..

And we'll pile the rooms high with cousins, uncles and aunts.

Jack, tie your shoe before you trip and fall.

See, Aggie.

Why don't you rent a hall the way John did with his Caroline?

Jack.

I will pay for the rent of the hall. Jack, it's not going to be that way.

She's just having a small wedding early in the morning.

That's all. Why is that?

Because that's what she wants.

And there are ..

Other complications.

So long, Mom.

Don't you be late, Eddie. See, there is this ..

This fellow who's got a car and they are moving to California.

But his wife is pregnant. What's that?

Who is pregnant? The other fellow's wife.

But the thing is this, Jack. Now .. now don't be touchy.

You know how dear you are to all of us.

But if we invite you, we got to invite Michael and Tom and Joe.

And all the cousins and before we know it there will be hundreds and hundreds.

So, we decided ..

Just the simplest ceremony with only with only immediate family.

And would I not be considered one of the 'immediate family'?

Jack, you see it is very important they're married on the 6th because ..

I see .. then I'm not to be invited to the wedding, huh?

Jack, you can see that if we invite you ..

We got to invite Tom and Michael and Joe and all of Frank's bunch.

My coat. I left it around here somewhere.

Jack, for heaven's sake. We want to have you but you can see what would happen.

And tie your shoe.

The boy's parents are coming to dinner and we wouldn't think not to have you.

Seven o'clock it is, so don't be coming home late.

Oh Jack, you know you don't have to be down to the Union Hall until 11 o'clock.

I think I'll call in and see the doctor. I don't feel ..

Any too hearty.

Well, be home early. They're coming at seven. Now don't forget.

And Jack, tie your shoe before you trip and fall.

The eggs you loaned me ..

They were a lifesaver, Mrs Hurley.

Thanks for bringing them back.

Hey, have you got a little cup of coffee for me?

Yeah.

Yeah.

You know, this varicose vein of mine.

It's m*rder.

I'm telling you .. plain m*rder.

I don't know, maybe I'm getting too old. I know that.

I can't walk. I can't stand up.

And .. how is your daughter, Jane?

She always goes out with that fellow with the glasses.

She's getting married on November the 6th.

Married?

Ah, congratulations, Mrs Hurley.

Hey, that must be a load off your back. Ha-ha.

I know.

I married six girls.

And it was a stone off my back every time.

Ralph is a nice boy.

Look. Froze solid.

He's well fixed, huh?

He's a teacher.

Well, that's alright.

His father is in real-estate.

Doing very good.

They live in one of those big apartments.

Buildings with three elevators.

You know the kind? When you want to see a person, you phone from downstairs.

Yeah, I know.

Because my girl, she says that she has one of them things in their apartment.

And you know which one?

You know, she's the one that has so much trouble.

But she married good.

Until now. I don't know why.

Well.

The wedding is going to be next week, huh?

So soon, ain't it?

Yeah .. just a small, quiet affair. No fuss.

No reception.

Won't take ten minutes.

Ralph has got the loan of this car and they're going off to California.

So it's going to be a quiet affair, nobody around, huh?

Yeah, that's what she wants.

You see, this fellow's wife is ..

Pregnant. So Ralph has got the use of his car.

Pregnant?

And how are you, Mrs Hurley today? Pretty good.

Got company for dinner. The usual?

No, I thought I'd have something special.

How do you like that?

A beauty.

So you're having your in-laws over for supper?

Yeah, that's right.

How did you know? Hello, Mrs Casey.

You've met my daughter-in-law? I used to be in school with Jane.

It's wonderful her getting married and everything.

Yeah, it is.

Too bad she has to rush things so.

Well that's just what Jane wants. She don't want no fancy wedding.

You don't believe that, if that's what she said?

That's what she said.

Joe.

Did you ever know a girl that didn't want a fancy wedding?

And wear a white dress that trails ten feet behind her.

It's a big thing in a girl's life.

Well Jane is not that type, she's just a down-to-earth girl.

No .. no nonsense.

Ten minutes in the morning with Father Murphy.

And that's the story.

Ten minutes in the morning?

Why, that don't even sound religious to me.

Well I guess Father Murphy knows what's ..

Religious and what ain't.

Is she in trouble?

Is who in trouble?

Well, your daughter.

What do you mean 'is she in trouble'?

Well, I mean if she's getting married in such a rush, what's all the hurry for?

For heaven's sake, Mrs Casey.

Look, they got the loan of this car.

I think it's swell Jane don't put you to a whole lot of expense you can't afford.

When lots of girls in her place .. Look, we're not exactly on relief.

And we can afford to give our girl a big wedding if that's what she wants.

But you see. They got the loan of this car.

Is she in trouble? Look.

The other fellow's wife is having the baby.

I understand.

Hello. Is Ralph Halloran there?

Thanks, Jack.

Hello?

Ralph?

Hi.

About tonight, can your family make it?

What?

Well no, Ralph.

I was just thinking about you.

I know it's going to be kind of rough for a couple of hours.

It is something everybody getting married has to do.

Getting their families together.

Honey.

Honey, it's not important if your people or my people like each other.

"They'll size each other up."

"And my family will figure you're lucky and your family will figure I'm lucky."

So don't worry. I'll pick them up and be over about seven.

"Goodbye, honey."

Hi.

Well Ralph. Well, hello.

How's the boy? Sit down and take the load off your feet.

How are you, kid? Long time no see.

Well, sit down, sit down.

We were looking at this man that brings the teenagers up on stage to do things.

The way Major Bowles used to. My, they are talented.

I hear we go to a big blowout tonight? Yeah.

Going to meet the new in-laws? It's just supper. That's all.

I can't wait to meet Jane's family. But I'll never understand why they ..

Have you got a cold? Look. No sweater on you.

Say, how about a snort, Ralphie? I got a bottle of rye.

A brand-new bottle. Just waiting for an excuse to open it.

No, no thanks, Dad. Ralph.

I wish you weren't going off like this without a proper party or anything.

It seems so kind of cold-blooded. Yeah, your Mom is right, Ralphie.

You know, it does seem like a shame not having a real party.

Of course, if Hurley hasn't got the money to spend ..

Dad, Dad .. Mom .. Mom.

We don't want a party.

If my daughter was marrying I'd spend my last penny to give her a real wedding.

Say, what about me putting up the money? Huh?

Listen, I could get the ballroom at the St Moritz hotel ..

We couldn't do that, Joe. No. Only the bride's father can do that.

I'm sure the Hurleys wouldn't object. If we ..

Dad, please, please.

Please wait a minute.

All we want to do is get married.

You know, quietly. And then take a trip and that's all.

Yeah, but I bet deep down in her heart Jane would like a real wedding.

Well never mind. What Ralphie wants is final. Let's let it go at that.

I must change my clothes. Have to look my best.

About 4 o'clock in the morning.

I heard these owls again, so I turned to Mary and I said ..

Honey, I said, do you hear those owls? She said 'no'.

I said this is the last honeymoon I'm ever going to spend in this wilderness.

She said this is the last honeymoon you're going to spend, period!

The joke of it is we never did get to Niagara Falls.

You know it reminds me of a story when a fellah went ..

Can I fix you one more of those drinks? Why yes, you may sweeten it up a bit.

Just on the rocks, please.

That reminds me of a story .. Can I get you another one?

Oh goodness, no thanks. I'm still too light-headed from the last one.

It was so strong.

It reminds me of the time our Irene was married.

Ma, did you tell uncle Jack 7 o'clock? Yes, I did.

Oh thank you. Thank you kindly, ma'am.

Hurley, Ralphie here tells me that you're in the taxicab business.

Well it's by way of being my livelihood. Yes.

It's interesting work, I'd say.

It has that side of it.

I expect you get to see quite a bit of the ..

Passing parade, as it were ..

Now and then, I sorta get a look at it.

I've a little mirror over the windshield.

That's good that is.

The little mirror over the windshield.

I guess uncle Jack isn't coming home.

I'd better go and start.

Oh, I'll help. No.

No, you stay with our guests. Eddie.

Pull the table out.

Excuse me.

You own your own cab, do you?

Well, I have plans on buying one, yes.

But first you got to get this medallion.

A medallion? That's right.

It's a city license.

You see the city won't license more hacks so you have to wait until ..

The fellah who's got a medallion wants to sell.

And the going price right now is in the neighborhood of eight thousand dollars.

Get some ice out right away.

What for? For the ice water.

You don't need anything for that.

We're going to serve this dinner proper if nothing else.

What do you mean 'nothing else'?

This was going to be dinner like we always have on Friday night.

Somebody's got to do something about our only daughter getting married.

Ma, we already decided.

So, instead it's being done like it was shameful and secret.

What do you mean, 'shameful and secret'?

I hope we gave them the right whiskey.

Ralph says his father drinks too much.

It's no concern of ours this night.

Ma, what's wrong? Stop acting so nervous.

Come on, take the tray in and get them started.

Be careful.

I thought it was just dinner as we always have.

Go on, be quick.

Oh, it feels like I've eaten myself half to death.

That was a swell feed, ma'am. A real swell feed.

You're welcome, I'm sure.

I do hope it wasn't too much trouble. I mean, so many at one time.

No, we always eat this way.

I'm going to meet the fellows, huh Ma? Oh Eddie.

I was wondering Mr Hurley whether you .. You know what I'll do for you kids?

I've got this apartment in mind for you.

It's a three-room apartment in the Bedford Park section.

It's not big, but it's got a nice kitchen.

Living room 18 x 11.

And the rent, 81 dollars a month.

And the first year's rent.

That's my wedding present to you.

Very sweet of you, Mr Halloran but Ralph and I ..

It sure is, Dad but ..

I figured it was the least we can do for the young ones as they leave the nest.

Yes sir, they leave the nest.

The oldest boy Joe, he's been married ten years now.

And he's got two fine children.

Doing very well in these .. plastics.

The two girls. Irene ..

She's been married now to a skin doctor down in Washington DC.

They got a very stylish house, you know.

Yes, they're up in the northwest section.

It's a ranch-type place.

That's awful nice but ..

When Irene got married we took the grand ballroom at the Bedford Plaza Hotel.

I liked the Bedford Plaza. I thought it would be nice to live in a hotel.

We had over 400 guests there.

Yeah. The table of hors d'oeuvre alone cost me almost fourteen hundred dollars.

Fourteen hundred.

Of course, when the other girl got married, that was the real blow out.

We took the Grand Ballroom downtown at the St Moritz hotel that time.

Well, we thought we'd give the kids a check for a wedding present.

You know, to do they want to with.

To the amount of .. a thousand dollars.

You were saying something, Tom?

Of course I know that the kids here say that they don't want a catered affair.

But when my daughter Irene got married ..

I was .. unavoidably detained.

Dinner is over.

A few old friends and I met by chance in the Green Grass Grill.

And I was .. detained.

This is my brother Jack Conlon, Mr and Mrs Halloran, and Ralph you know.

Blessed to know you.

Pleased to meet you, Mrs Hannigan.

And to welcome you to this house.

Jack, Mr 'Halloran'.

He was just telling us about his daughter's wedding.

Only immediate family.

Huh? What's that?

Only the immediate family would be welcome to the wedding of my niece.

Now, uncle Jack.

Well, what do you think of that, Hannigan?

'Halloran'.

Oh, Halloran is it? Yeah.

No relation by any chance to my friend, Michael?

d*ed of drink last month, at the Bellevue hospital?

No, no, no.

Well, it is a common name, but he was an uncommon man, Michael Halloran.

You were telling us about your daughter's wedding.

The whole affair let me say was fully discussed in the Green Grass Grill.

That I wasn't to attend the wedding of my niece.

Oh well, it was a fine dinner, Mrs Hurley.

I don't know when I've seen Joe eat so much.

Twelve years I've lived in this room.

Twelve long years in this very room.

This very room?

That's my bed you're sitting on. Ha? Oh.

I didn't know. I didn't know.

Ralph, I think we'd better be going.

Don't disturb yourself, Mrs Halloran.

Mr Conlon wants to go to sleep.

As a matter of fact, I could do with a little rest.

My heart is overtaxed today and I .. need my beauty sleep.

Jack is just carrying-on. That's all.

Carrying on, is it?

I should think my last night in this house might be ..

Your last night?

Yes, Aggie. I'm moving out tomorrow.

To find some residence elsewhere.

Now, one and all, goodnight.

Goodnight, Ralph. Goodnight, Mrs Hurley.

Jane, I've been thinking.

Well you heard him tonight. You saw what happened.

Giving away apartments right and left they were. Buffalo this, Niagara that.

Don't worry. We'll not take any apartments.

And your uncle Jack coming home like a crazy man.

Jane.

You got to have a real wedding.

Ma, we can't. That's all. There isn't time.

Oh just think, you can doll up in a beautiful dress ..

With Alice as your Matron of Honor.

Well, who gets married on five days' notice?

Ralph and me.

Down at the market Mrs Casey all but accused me of trying to hush things up.

I'll be right out.

And Mrs Musso, that old cat.

She says you must be in trouble.

Oh, ma.

Tom .. we've got to have a real wedding.

Come on now, Aggie. Take it easy, let's not get in an uproar about this.

We owe it to the family. People will say we're on relief of something.

Well we're not and we know we're not.

And the wedding presents. I've given away so many wedding presents.

That it they were piled high they'd be as big as the Empire State.

I'd like to get some of them back.

Am I right, Tom?

Yeah, you're right, Aggie.

Ma.

We're not going to have any big weddings and that's all there is to it.

Hey, I'm through.

Put your shoes on.

You remember what happened at Caroline's wedding?

Aunt Emma won't talk to them as they wouldn't sit her at the bride's table.

And Kathleen Riordan was the Maid of Honor ..

Went and bought an organdy dress.

For forty-two dollars.

And Caroline wouldn't let her wear it because only the bride can wear white.

And they had that big fight.

Well, thank you very much.

But I don't want all the fuss and fights and screaming that always goes on.

Am I right, Pa? Yeah, you're right.

How can she be right and she be right? How can they both be right?

And you're right, too.

Well, all I know is I've deeply offended my brother, Jack.

Boy, he sure hung one on tonight. Shut up.

I'm accused of atheism.

Of not loving my children and of being a ward of the state.

Ma, it's my wedding. Let me run it my own way.

And that Halloran.

Giving them an apartment.

What are we giving them for a wedding present? Just a check for some money.

What have we ever given that girl?

Her coming unexpected and us favoring Terence.

God rest his soul.

And I feel very guilty.

I feel we owe her a big splash for a wedding.

Maybe it costs us two thousand dollars. Two thousand?

Oh.

So you're awake now, are you?

You're not sleepy when there are no guests to be run out of the house.

Ma. Ralph only has three weeks off and it's important that he sees New Mexico.

And if we want to take advantage of that car, we ..

That car!

I've been explaining about the fellow with the car.

And the wife who's regnant in California.

And every time I tell it, it sounds sillier.

How are you feeling, uncle Jack?

Don't talk to me.

Oh for heaven's sakes.

I've lived in this house for twelve years.

And if that isn't 'immediate family' I don't know what is.

Oh, Jack ..

Well there you are.

Your uncle Jack who lent us the money when we was broke.

Who pays his share of the rent here.

Moving out because he's hurt.

Well, I'll tell you something.

You're going to have big wedding whether you like it or not.

And if you don't like it you don't have to come.

I'm right, Tom. I know I'm right about this.

It's all for her. Something for her. Before it's too late.

Well?

I'm going to bed. Well, am I right?

Aggie.

Two thousand dollars is half of everything I ever saved.

Look, Tom.

Think of that girl leaving this house.

With nothing to show for her whole life with us.

Just moving out like ..

Like she was changing her place to live.

We've been like nothing at all to her.

Just strangers.

Living in the same house.

[ Door knocks ]

Jane, I'm sorry about just now.

About losing my temper, I mean.

But I meant it.

Every word I said.

About being so worried about what the neighbors said?

Afraid they thought I was in trouble?

No, no. That don't matter. I mean what I said.

Well, we never done anything for you.

But Ma ..

We aren't asking for anything.

Oh, I know it's not much of anything after all these years.

Just to give you a fine party but your Pa and me ..

Well, your Ma wants this wedding very much.

Ma .. I don't know.

I don't know.

Jane, I never had a proper wedding.

I was married all in a rush one Saturday morning.

And me in this old cotton dress not fit to be seen on the streets with ..

Let alone be married in.

I know I said I didn't mind.

But I did.

To this day.

Look.

I want you to have this one fine thing.

With all the trimmings.

Something to remember when ..

Well, when the bad days come and ..

You are all wore out.

And growing old.

Like me.

Ma.

Alright, Ma.

I'll tell Ralph.

But he isn't going to like it. Oh sure he will.

At least that will keep uncle Jack from moving out.

Yeah. Poor man.

I felt so high when I had to tell him he was not to see you married.

It will take a lot of figuring out. Yeah.

Sending out invitations and ..

We won't be able to have the trip. So you go someplace nearby.

I got to go to bed. I got a lot to do tomorrow.

See you in the morning, Jane.

Goodnight, Jane. Goodnight, Ma.

[ Telephone ]

Hello? "Hello, Ralph?"

"I'm sorry about waking you up."

Janie, what's the matter?

No, nothing is the matter.

I'm fine.

Sure I'm sure.

Ralph.

Ralph.

I just want to tell you something.

But it will keep until tomorrow.

I'm wide awake now, honey.

You might as well tell me now.

It's nothing, Ralph. I got to be downtown tomorrow anyway.

And I thought we'd meet and have coffee and talk a little.

I'm sorry about waking you up.

Goodnight, Ralph.

Hi.

Hi .. you're late.

You should have started without me.

Listen. What was all the mystery about?

Mystery?

Well, yeah.

Calling me in the middle of the night.

Start to tell me something. Stop. Start.

Stop. Tell me not to worry, so I spend half the night worrying.

Ralph. Yeah?

Nothing.

Janie, what is the matter with you?

I can't talk to you when you're in a mood.

I'm in a mood?

Well, stop building it up in your mind.

Alright.

Ralph. Uhuh.

Ralph.

Do you love me? No.

I'm marrying you because I don't love you.

Well, I mean nothing could spoil it for us, could it?

Like what?

Like having a wedding party .. or a catered affair.

A wedding party? Now don't get ..

I thought we decided about the .. I know, I know.

I know but ..

Ma asked me tonight if we could have .. Ma ..

Well you heard them. You know the way your folks carried on about ..

The big weddings they gave your sisters and ..

All that talk about giving away apartments.

Okay, so what's wrong with them giving us an apartment?

There is nothing wrong.

But Ma near blew her top listening to the things your folk did for their kids.

While she and Pa ..

Haven't done a thing about us getting married.

Because.

They are ..

They haven't got any money.

Ralph, if you don't want this thing, we won't have it.

We're the ones that are getting married. Right.

It will k*ll Ma if we don't have this wedding party.

I guess it must mean something special to her. And I thought we could ..

I told her I'd ask you.

And meet her downtown and ..

We'd look at some bridal gowns.

Ask me ..

You're not asking me, honey. You're telling me.

Ralph.

Are you mad at me?

Your mother wants a big, fancy, extravagant wedding.

Your cousins want it, your uncles want it, now you want it.

In fact the whole Irish population of the Bronx wants a catered affair.

Leave the poor Irish out of it .. I'd like to leave everyone out of it.

Can we talk a minute? I must go to the library. I'm late.

Wait. Please wait.

If you want a big affair, we'll have a big affair.

It's just that I never knew it was that important to you.

Not to me. To her.

To Mom.

What it means to her.

If it takes a catered affair to bring love to the world.

You got my approval. Okay?

Alright.

You're very understanding.

Frankly, I don't understand it at all.

Looks like we've all been deserted.

Jane out somewhere at the cr*ck of dawn, I go tending to the invitations.

You wouldn't by any chance be going in the direction of the Green Grass Grill?

Yeah, yeah. It happens. Come on.

I'm having tea with Mrs Rafferty.

Ah yes, it was a great idea to give the girl a fine wedding.

To launch her down the ways, you might say ..

Like a fine ship, all flags flying.

All things considered, it's wise to give the youngsters a swell, bang-up wedding.

Yeah. Two thousand dollars. That's 'bang-up' alright.

Well, you know don't you that I'm willing to contribute any sum that ..

No, no, no .. no, Jack.

No, this is Aggie's party.

Well, Aggie had the right idea.

Hire a big ballroom. Give her a great party.

Yeah, the women.

Ah, the ladies. God bless them.

What would we do without ladies?

I ain't noticed you getting married to one, Jack Conlon.

Oh, I reserve my company for the world.

Oh yeah.

I'll see you in the ballroom of the Concourse Plaza at 5 o'clock.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Well, Mrs Rafferty.

There has been a chance in the situation since we met at the Green Grass Grill.

Oh?

I have the kettle boiling for your tea, Mr Conlon.

Yes, Jane's wedding is going to be a proper affair after all.

And you will be going, after all?

I'll be going and so will you, Mrs Rafferty.

Oh, now I couldn't do that, Mr Conlon.

Why, I don't know your people.

Well, you'll get to know them at the reception.

What changed their minds now?

Oh, the firm stand I took.

I told them I was moving out so they came round fast.

Would you ..?

Would you really have moved out of your sister's apartment?

Well, perhaps it was an idle thr*at.

But where would I go?

Well .. there is something to be said for not living with in-laws.

But you like living with your married daughter, don't you?

Especially now she's not underfoot since she took that job working all day.

True.

I have the whole place to myself.

But after all, it is companionable living with your own kin.

When you've no husband or wife of your own.

I've been a widow a long time.

Well, better to have loved and lost, as they say.

Oh?

Oh yes. Of course, I myself belong to a long line of bachelors.

That is to say my uncles were all bachelors.

Yes, it's a matter of pride in a man avoiding the pitfalls of matrimony.

I've got three bachelor brothers living together back in the county Limerick.

Well, think of that.

My sister Mary was born here first, then Aggie.

Ah, you'd have loved Mary.

I'm sure I would.

She kept house for me for twenty years and never got married herself.

Oh, a striking girl.

Weighed near two hundred pounds.

My, my, my.

A fine, big jolly girl with a smile like the morning.

Yes.

She dropped dead one night listening to a joke I was telling.

You know, the one about the lady missionary and the cannibals?

Oh, that one!

Keeled over dead.

A fine way to go.

Laughing at a funny story with a bottle of beer in your hands. Ha-ha.

It was so.

Well Mrs Rafferty, shall we have a bit of a game?

I was hoping you might suggest it.

I feel luck in my bones today.

Will it be one or two Canastas to go out?

Let's play two. And pick up two cards.

Good.

And how does the count stand, as of now?

I am in debt to you to the amount of ..

Twenty-four thousand seven hundred dollars.

Well then, let's see if we can make it an even twenty-five thousand.

Oh sorry, Miss. Hold your breath in.

I'm not going to be able to breathe in this thing.

You want no waist, I'll give you no waist.

We can let it out after the wedding if you need the gown for a formal.

A formal?

Well, you wouldn't want all this expense just for one time would you?

Is that all, Mr Meyer? That's all.

Where's Alice? I thought you said she was going to meet you here.

She's be along.

You know what she said when I told her I was getting married?

She said .. 'so what else is new'.

It sounded funny the way she said it over the telephone.

I know one thing. I don't want to be around ..

When Pa finds out this dress alone is going to cost $120.

Hello, Alice.

Alice .. look.

Oh, Jane. It's beautiful.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could dress up like this all the time?

I wonder how it would look on me.

You got to admit it is kind of stylish like I always dressed.

And now Alice here is going to find out what she's going to wear.

I was thinking rose might be alright with this.

Yeah, I ..

Well, here are the shoes we wanted.

This is Alice Scanlon. She is going to be my Matron of Honor.

Well I'm sure we can find something special for our Matron of Honor.

Come on, you'll love blue.

Come on, let's go to a floral dress.

No. Not right now.

You go ahead while I change.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

It's been nice shopping together.

We never did that before.

I want you to know I'm sorry we never went shopping together before, Jane.

You know what I mean, Jane?

I mean, I'm sorry I didn't take more interest in you when you was little.

I was always ..

Well, we've had the curse of money over us all our lives, your Pa and me.

You're spending a lot today.

It was your idea. Remember that when he hits the ceiling.

Well, all he has to do is to think of how we was married.

The only reason he married me ..

Was that my father, God rest his soul, met him one day at the Union Hall.

They was both house painters, you know.

And he said: 'Hurley ..'

'I'll give you $300 if you will marry my daughter'.

And he said he would and he did.

I never heard that story, Ma.

Oh sure, sure.

Of course I'm exaggerating a little, but ..

But that's the gist of it.

Oh, he's a good man, your father.

When Terence was k*lled in Korea.

I think I'd have d*ed myself.

If it hadn't been for the steadiness in your father.

But he's a very close man with the money.

I never knew that story about you and Pa.

Oh, I thought you knew.

Jane, we was never very close.

It's all my fault.

No reproach to you.

But when you start getting on like me.

You start looking back at things.

Look, this is dumb.

Don't listen to a word I said. Come on.

I got a million things to do.

We found her this lovely blue organdy.

But she feels it doesn't suit her.

I'll tell you about it at lunch, Jane. We did want something in rose.

Who do I make the deposit to? I'll be right back.

You go on, girls. I've got to make the deposit.

Alright. See you tonight. I'll have dinner with Ralph.

Yeah, well don't stay out until all hours.

Oh Jane, the deposit is going to clean me out.

Could I have a dollar for bus fare? Oh sure.

Will that be enough? Yeah, sure. Thanks.

Nice to have seen you, Alice. Nice to have seen you.

I'll get you the dollar back tomorrow.

I don't know what Pa is going to do when he finds out how much money we've spent.

At this point, I don't care.

I mean if we're going to have a big wedding, let's have one.

Two coffees please.

Before I forget. Let's make a list of bridesmaids.

I wrote down some names last night.

First of all we've got to have Mary Elisabeth.

You know, because she had us as her bridesmaids.

She's a wonderful girl. Jane.

Jane, I don't want to be a Matron of Honor.

What do you mean?

You've got to swear to God you'll never tell anybody about this because I ..

Alice, what's the matter?

Jane.

I can't tell you how ashamed I feel about this.

But we don't have the money to spend on that blue organdy or anything.

Oh, for heaven's sake.

That dress alone costs thirty-five dollars, Jane and ..

You know .. Bill is out of work.

He don't even sleep nights now, with worry.

We haven't got one cent.

But look ..

And even if I could afford the dress, Bill has got to have a tuxedo.

He doesn't have to wear a tuxedo.

If I wear the gown, he's got to wear a tuxedo.

That costs 15 to 20 dollars to rent.

He doesn't need to wear any tuxedo.

Just a plain blue suit.

He don't have a blue suit.

Don't you remember?

I told you last week how embarrassed I was he don't even have a blue suit.

Alice, the trouble with you is you're too ashamed of these things.

So, he has to go out and get a blue suit.

That will cost him 60 bucks. And that ..

Blue organdy is 35 bucks and I ..

I got have shoes to match the dress and a bag to match the shoes.

So.

For me, to be your Matron of Honor.

Is going to cost Bill and me a hundred dollars.

We can't afford that.

And that's that.

Please.

Don't ever tell anybody about this.

You're broke.

What's so terrible?

Jane, I'm very sensitive about this. You know that.

Alice.

I can loan you the money for the dress. I don't want to talk about it.

Don't be so touchy.

Jane, you say one more word, I got to get up and get out of here.

Alright.

Alright.

Alice.

Leave me alone.

I arrived a bit early. Sort of examining the premises, you might say.

Where's Aggie?

I thought she was coming with you.

No.

You see the manager yet?

He's inside his office waiting for us. Look, look. Look at that.

Isn't that magnificent. I bet it cost a mint.

I was so far downtown.

Isn't it fine.

Well let's get it over with. I got to be going soon, huh.

Oh Jack, you should have seen Janie and me today.

It was something.

We picked out a lace wedding dress which goes right down to the floor.

Sounds mighty fine.

Oh it was something. She looked just like ..

Look, if you don't mind, I got just so much time.

We'll see the manager now and get the bad news?

I was just telling Jack something.

And this dress goes out to here ..

It's that kind of thing.

With orange blossoms on the top.

Mrs Hurley, I'm pleased to see you.

Mr Conlon, we've already met.

Mr Hurley.

We've come to talk about our daughter's wedding.

Yes, I know. Now I've got together a few things.

Our rates and so on.

How much is this going to cost?

Well first I have to have an idea what you have in mind.

Also the next availability of the ballroom.

How much will this come to?

Well that depends on how many people you have for the wedding breakfast.

Now here are some pictures of one of our buffets, by the way.

How many do you think, Tom?

Close to two hundred, I'd say.

Two hundred? Yes.

Where do you get two hundred? We don't even know fifty people.

We've got to cut the list down as it is.

Two hundred people? How do you get two hundred people?

Excuse me.

Oh yes, yes. Of course.

Now look, Tom. There is Harry and Barney and Joe and all of that crowd.

Oh and then there is the Dennisons. There must be eighteen of them.

And then what about your brother, Jack?

Oh and then there is Harry and then Helen ..

Harry is not coming all the way up from West Virginia.

Oh sure he will, and the cousins.

What about them? And Jane must have some friends of her own she'll want.

Why, there could be more than a hundred and fifty than a hundred.

I thought they was just being invited to the church.

I didn't know I was going to pay for their breakfast too.

Let's say in round numbers, a hundred for us, and a hundred for the groom.

How much would that be?

Well now, the breakfast is five dollars apiece.

Now there are the flowers of course.

Here are some models of our table decorations.

This is a single.

And this is a double.

This one is twenty dollars apiece.

You see, you get from us the ballroom, the breakfast and the catering.

Now if you want hot and cold hors d'oeuvres ..

Liquor, photographers ..

Limousine service ..

Flowers ..

Limousine service? Limousines. Great idea.

Well Tom, you got to drive people who haven't cars from the church to here.

Of course. Why, it's not so awful far.

Just twenty or, thirty blocks by subway.

Excuse me.

If we're going to do this at all we may as well do it right.

Look Aggie, there is $4,400 in the bank that I scrimped and saved for.

For I don't know how many years to get my own cab.

You scrimped? What about me? So we both did.

So I can't see throwing away $4,400 on one meal.

I'm willing to give the girl a fancy party.

But throwing away our whole life savings on one meal, and a breakfast at that.

No!

You skimped on me all my life.

You'll not skimp on that girl.

I've done the best I could for my kids.

Look Tom, we've had it hard between us.

But I'll not haggle and bicker with you now.

But this girl is going to have a wedding she'll remember until the day she dies.

She's going to have a big, white, satin photograph album.

That she can look at when the bad years come.

And maybe then she'll have a kind thought for her father and mother.

Who've never given her nothing at all.

And you're as bad as me.

But this .. she is going to have.

I'll tell you that.

So we decided.

To hold the wake in the Green Grass Grill itself.

Very funny indeed.

We were just discussing the guest list.

If you want to think it over and come back another time?

No, no. This is the place.

Fine. Now, about the floral decorations.

Don't we get sent flowers at a wedding?

Couldn't we just take the flowers we get down here after the service?

Tom, you can't take them out of the church.

Tom .. when you put a flower in the church, you know ..

Yes.

And how about the limousine service?

How many can you squeeze into one of them limousines?

Well, I'd say about ten, I guess. Speaking off the top of my head.

Well then, we'll have ten limousines.

Then a hundred can ride. Ten?

These are the wedding cake ornaments.

How much would that be?

Well, I think we'd better start at the top of this list.

Let's see now.

Six gallons of assorted cocktails and 28 dollars a gallon.

28 bottles of champagne for the toast at 6 dollars a bottle.

12 bottles of rye at 8 dollars a bottle.


12 bottles of Scotch at 11 dollars a bottle.

Ten limousines.

An orchestra. Flowers.

Bridal table flowers 20 dollars.

20 dollars apiece, yes.

50 percent on the food take, 20 cents per person for the check room.

200 match books. That would be 14 dollars.

Wedding album, 25 pictures. That's 75 dollars.

What a day.

When she said Bill didn't have a blue suit, well ..

She started crying.

Oh, I don't know.

What do you do when your best friend just breaks down and cries?

I don't know, honey.

We're in the same trap.

I know Bill didn't have a job.

You know how Alice felt about things.

The thing is why didn't we think about it before we hurt their feelings?

It's getting to be such a mess.

Oh.

Why don't you fix this thing? It sprays all over the place.

Well, just wait until you hear how many people ..

My folks have asked to the party that your old man is paying for.

As of this afternoon, my mother found we were related by blood to ..

To 46 people, and by marriage to 81.

And on top of that there are some 40 odd close friends ..

Who deserve the rare privilege of seeing me marry you.

That's over 150 already.

Oh Janie, let's leave Tuesday like we planned.

Leave? Leave.

What about all the arrangements?

Cancel them. It won't k*ll anybody.

Ralph. Listen, Janie.

Ralph, I can't. That's all.

Ralph, I want to do it for Ma. That's all.

What do you do to your shirts. Losing your buttons all the time.

Ralph.

I was wondering today ..

Listening to Ma.

If she and Pa ..

Ever said they loved each other.

I don't think they ever did.

I know they never did.

It's not necessarily something you say.

It's something you do. It's ..

It's the whole way you live.

That's love.

I know.

I know, but ..

Sometimes.

When things aren't said.

After a while they aren't true anymore.

I don't know.

I don't know what I believe.

You mean, I never told you what I feel about you.

Yes.

Oh yes.

But don't ever stop telling me.

If we're going to the movies, we'd better get going. Huh?

Hmm.

You really want to go?

Hmm.

I don't know.

Do you want to go?

If you want to go.

Jane.

Ralph.

I think we'd better go to the movies.

You're up early, Ma.

Yeah. I'm going over the guest list and guess what?

You in trouble?

I got the list down to 94 for our side. That's a saving of 30 dollars.

Tom, I saved us 30 dollars.

How?

We're inviting 94 people instead of the hundred.

Our 94 and the Halloran's hundred.

No.

Ma. What?

Ralph told me his mother is inviting about ..

A hundred and sixty people.

How many?

A hundred .. a hundred and sixty?

But I told her there would be a hundred for each of us.

I made a big thing yesterday.

A hundred and sixty you say? Ralph is mad about it too.

What is 160 times five dollars? Pa, don't ..

I'm asking for a bit of information.

What is 160 times 5?

Now Tom, Ralph must be wrong.

160 times 5 on top of 3,100 dollars all to be thrown down the drain on this ..

Criminal breakfast for serving a bunch of strangers.

Now, now Tom. Relax a minute.

I'll call Mrs Halloran.

There must be some mistake.

There's a mistake alright, Aggie.

You're spending every penny I ever put aside ..

And before you're through you'll have me up to here in debt.

Ma. Maybe we'd better call the whole thing off?

No I won't. Anyway, we can't.

Ralph must be wrong.

Mrs Halloran?

This is Agnes Hurley.

Oh yeah, we're fine.

And how are you?

Well that's nice.

Look, I was just going over my list and I was ..

I was wondering about your list.

Oh sure, I know we won't be inviting the same people but ..

How many do you think you'll be asking?

One hundred and eighty-six!

A hundred and eighty-six! No, no ..

No, well I thought we agreed there would be a hundred for you, a hundred for us.

Yeah well .. I'll be talking to you.

Yeah. Goodbye.

[ Doorbell ]

I don't know what to say to your Pa.

Go and fix him some breakfast. Maybe it will make him more peaceful.

Hello, Agnes.

Is Tom in? In the kitchen.

Thanks.

Jane.

Hello, Tom.

Want any breakfast, Mr Leiter. No thank you.

Well, here I am.

Well, it's Sunday.

Down payment on the hack? Yeah, yeah.

I'm sorry, Sam.

I forgot it.

I got a lot on my mind.

Say that's right.

Hey, I heard you're going to get married, Jane.

Many happy returns I'm sure.

Thank you.

Well it's a deal for McQuade for the hack.

Give him the down payment. We're in business.

No.

No I can't, Sam. I'm sorry. Not now.

What?

I .. I changed my mind.

You've changed your mind?

For years we planned this.

And you changed your mind? That's the trouble.

We waited too long.

If you don't do it young, you get kinda past the point. You know what I mean.

No, I don't.

Your own business.

You fill out all those papers morning, noon and night.

So maybe you make a bit more money.

You're working as hard as you did before and twice the responsibility.

No, no. No Sam. Not now.

Are you alright, Tom?

Anything go wrong? Any trouble?

No, no. There is no trouble, Sam. Just time.

There's time passing, and ..

Well, you know.

Well.

I'd better be on my way.

See you around.

Yeah, see you around.

You find somebody else, huh?

Goodbye, Jane.

Goodbye.

Goodbye, Agnes.

What did Sam want?

Ma ..

You two better get fixed if we're going to make 9 o'clock mass today.

They're reading the banns today.

Everybody up?

Ah there you all are.

As bright a picture as the day itself.

Getting ready for mass. Well, that's fine.

Oh, I mailed them invitations for you.

I took them personally to the mailbox.

Thanks. I'll mail the rest tomorrow.

Oh and Tom.

You'll be glad to know that O'Casey and O'Reagan are coming to the reception.

And of course Mrs Rafferty will be there too.

Three more, huh? Well, I'll pay for them.

You asked Mrs Rafferty?

I did. But we don't know her.

Well she don't know you, but she'll come.

Now Jack, I'm sure she's nice and all that ..

Oh you know she's nice?

Well.

What do you think of me saying a thing like that?

Now don't get on your high horse.

Well let me tell you.

There will be no Casey, no Reagan and no Mrs Rafferty!

Now look here, Tom. You always .. Ah, shut up!

And don't go shouting at Jack.

I'll shout at whoever I want.

Fine, fine. If that's the way you feel, I'll not go to the wedding.

I'll not sleep another night in this house.

Goodbye!

Now look what you've done.

Aggie ..

We're poor people.

A table of caviar for a bunch of people who'd be happy enough with corned beef.

And carting them around in limousines like they was landlords.

Tom, my head is splitting with all this bickering and haggling.

And what about my head, Aggie? Huh?

You've always ragged me about what a miser I am.

Well, I've found dollars hard to come by and I'm proper leery of letting them go.

And I'm sick of being put up in front of my children as a penny-pinching miser.

Of denying them college educations.

I've done the best I could.

And it was never good enough for you.

Stop it! Nothing was good enough!

Stop it both of you.

Friday we decided to have a big wedding.

And in two days my best friend Alice hates me.

My uncle is moving out. My mother and father are breaking up ..

I've lost my honeymoon. Pa's lost his cab ..

And Ralph is so sore he may walk out on the whole thing!

So.

Let's call the whole thing off!

I know we put $50 down on the ballroom and $50 down on the bridal gown.

50 dollars? For the love of heaven if it is $50 down, how much will this come to?

Okay!

Okay, we're calling it off.

The invitations went out this morning.

We'll have to write everybody and say the plans were changed.

Uncle Harry is coming from Virginia. Okay, so maybe it's embarrassing.

But it's better than having Pa go broke and Ralph and me lose our honeymoon.

Alright, alright! We won't have a wedding.

Alright.

Ma.

I understand why you wanted the big wedding and I appreciate it.

I swear I do.

Right.

I'll call the Hallorans.

No .. I'll call them.

It's my place to call them.

Well .. I'll go call Halloran.

Ma.

Get your clothes. It's time for mass.

Mrs Halloran?

No consideration. No gratitude. No loyalty.

Vanity, all the time, vanity. Hello there, Jack.

Hello there.

You look quite hearty, Mr Conlon.

What I've been through this last hour has aged me a hundred years.

A jigger of rye, Jimmy.

Isn't it a bit early for you, Mr Conlon?

It's my heart. Bad palpitations brought on by the unkindness of others.

What happened?

I'm leaving that house for good and all.

Oh?

No consideration, no gratitude, no loyalty.

That does sound bad.

Ah, Mrs Rafferty, today I've seen all the blackness of the human heart.

And it had to do with your inviting me.

It had.

I appreciate that, Mr Conlon.

You know, I think that sister of mine is losing her senses.

I was the one who planned the wedding.

I was the one who made all the arrangements.

Interviewed the caterers. And my reward?

I asked to bring my best friend in all the world.

And there is this ugly quarrel.

Well .. it will be alright again, soon.

Yes, but I'm still moving out.

But where one earth would I go?

Well ..

It just happens.

I know this place not a stone's throw from where we're sitting.

A room? A small apartment.

And ..

And ..

It's a nice sized place.

Big enough for two.

For two?

I'll say no more, Mr Conlon.

Ah, for two did you say, Mrs Rafferty?

I did.

And be willing to leave your married daughters out?

I would.

Hey.

Yeah, and two can live as cheap as one.

So I've always heard, Mr Conlon.

Well, now things look very bright.

They do at that.

A jigger of rye, Jimmy.

Shall we have a bit of a game?

Yes. Let's have a game to celebrate.

Two Canastas to go out?

And pick up two cards.

Well, it's a grand day after all, Mrs Rafferty.

It is, Mr Conlon.

Hi.

Hi Alice, Bill.

How are you, Bill? And you, Ralph?

Fine. Just fine, Bill.

Come on now. What is so exciting you couldn't tell me on the phone?

A job.

Bill has a job with an insurance company.

Yeah.

The one I put in for last year .. it came through.

It finally came through.

So I can get the dress, and Bill can get the suit.

And I can be your Matron of Honor like we always wanted.

Alice.

Alice, there isn't going to be any big weddings.

What do you mean?

It was all set.

We're getting married tomorrow, like we always planned.

I was going to call you tonight to tell you.

Just wear what you always wear.

Gee, it's kind of a shame isn't it.

What's a shame?

Not having the big wedding and all.

Jane, your mother ..?

It's okay with her?

Sure.

Sure it is.

Ma is the practical one in the family.

It was her idea to call it off.

Let's dance. Okay? Sure.

He hasn't got a job.

No. I know.

They probably borrowed the money for the organdy dress and the blue suit.

Jane, darling.

Your Ma will be alright.

I'll never forget the look on her face.

When I told her we weren't having a big wedding.

I'll never forget the way she looked.

Like I'd hit her in the face. Shush.

And I keep thinking about that house.

The two of them alone.

Living there the rest of their lives.

Never talking.

Never loving each other.

Ralph.

We will never be like that. No, honey.

Why hello there, Tom.

Is Aggie about? She's in the bedroom.

Are you really moving out?

Yes, sir. Jack Conlon's word is as good as his bond.

Jack, I ..

Well, I guess you know what you want.

Well I tell you I think we'd be a little pinched for space.

With you and Aggie, and me and Mrs Conlon.

'Mrs' Conlon? Yes, sir.

Mrs Rafferty has finally consented to be my wife.

Why Jack, that's wonderful. I'm glad to hear the news.

Yes, I've decided to narrow my activities from the whole wide world ..

Down to Mrs Rafferty.

I didn't think you'd have the nerve.

It was quite painless.

I didn't feel a thing. Hey, Aggie.

Jack's getting married.

Well, what do you think of the news, Aggie?

Well, that's very nice. We ought to have a beer to celebrate.

Some other time. You see, we're moving into the new apartment tonight.

This is a surprise.

Yeah. There is that element in it isn't there.

Where is the place you're moving to?

Oh, it's about six blocks as the crow flies.

And we'll be over often enough. And you can come over to see us too, of course.

Oh, sure.

You know, ever since my decision in relation to Mrs Rafferty.

I've been seeing things in what you might call a new light.

What am I, I ask you after 61 years?

An uncle. That's all.

No children. No grandchildren. No wife of my own.

No home where I belong. No ..

Jack.

This is your home.

Ah no. It's yours and Tom's.

I've just been scavenging here for a bit of warmth ..

I should have found long ago with somebody like Mrs Rafferty.

And you know, if it wasn't for this breakup ..

I'd have gone on being just an uncle for the rest of my days.

Look, you're not rushing into this because of what happened?

There is not going to be any big wedding, you know.

Everything is going to be like it was before.

Sure it is. Sure it is.

And we'll be nearby, hopping over whenever you like.

Eating in, mostly.

Because these restaurants all have fried food that don't agree with me at all.

Look Aggie, for some peculiar reason the world seems to be divided into pairs.

There is little Janie and her Ralph. There is me and Mrs Rafferty.

And there is you and Tom.

You've got him. He's got you.

Yeah, that's fine, Jack.

Well Aggie my girl, I'm on my way.

Aggie.

I'll talk to her, Jack. Yeah.

See you at the church. Okay.

Aggie.

Aggie.

Well.

Well that was a dumb .. thing to do.

You feel alright now?

Yes. Sure.

Sure.

Has Jack gone? Yeah, he's gone.

Turn around.

Jane is not home yet?

No.

Aggie, what's the matter with you?

I cried, for Pete's sake.

That's all. I cried. So what?

Aggie, don't feel that .. I don't want to talk about none of it.

Aggie, you've gone right off your rocker over this wedding.

It's not the wedding.

You are a senseless and stupid man.

You don't care your daughter is getting married. Not a living thing.

Alright, alright.

I just wanted to do a little something for her.

The same tune for all these years.

And I'm sick and tired of hearing it.

That's all I ever get out of you. The sharp edge of your tongue.

It's always me, it's always my fault.

You're the good one, the never-failing one.

They'll be thinking of canonising you.

Well hear me now, Aggie.

You're no fancy bargain. I can tell you that.

You got your three hundred dollars' worth.

Don't you ever mention that three hundred dollars to me again.

Do you hear me?

I'm sick and tired of hearing it.

You think you had it so bad.

Well let me tell you about me.

About the times I wanted to quit the whole business.

To pack a bag and go out to Arizona or something like that.

The times I put the hack in the garage ready to throw the whole business.

For the love of heaven, don't you think I want to give Jane a decent wedding?

And don't you think it's a living shame ..

That my only living daughter comes up to me and says I want to go to college.

And I had to say to her .. 'no'.

Go get a job.

We need the money.

[ Door knocks ]

I can hear you in the hall.

Go to bed. It's between mother and me. There's no big wedding.

It's nothing to do with the wedding. Now go to bed and close the door.

Ma. Go to bed.

You had your sister Mary live with us.

Then your brother Jack for twelve years. And it was always to make them happy.

Then it was to make the kids happy.

Them it was nothing but Terence had got to m*llitary school.

And now it's this wedding to make the girl happy.

Well what about me?

I'm your husband. What about something to make me happy?

Jane is getting married.

Eddie will be in the draft any day.

Your brother Jack is marrying and moving out.

And it's just me you got left in your old age.

It's me you got to worry about.

I tried to make you happy.

But I can't afford no big wedding.

Why can't you sympathise with that instead of with everyone else?

Pa.

[ Door knocks ]

Ma.

I want to tell you how sorry I am about the way everything has been.

About the big wedding being called off and ..

Jack moving out.

Huh?

I said I was sorry.

Oh that's alright, Jane.

I know how disappointed you were.

I just wanted to do a little something. That was all.

Where is your Pa now?

Drinking beer.

With a mean expression on his face.

Well, let him be.

Turn out the light, Jane.

Go to sleep now.

Tomorrow is the biggest day of your whole life.

Make it start good.

I will, Ma.

That's the whole trick.

Make it start good.

Well I'm .. I'm all packed.

I heard you up at dawn, banging around.

Yeah. Couldn't sleep all night long.

I didn't sleep so good myself.

How is Pa feeling?

Well, the way you'd think, considering he drank up all the beer in the icebox.

He's still sleeping.

And he'd really better be getting up soon. It's nine o'clock and ..

Father Murphy starts at ten o'clock on the dot.

Eddie?

Are you ready?

We taking the southern route or the northern route?

The southern, coming and going. Because of the winter roads.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

You'll be housekeeping yourself soon.

Yeah .. I was thinking about that.

Well it's not the easiest thing, day after day.

But you'll get used to it.

Like everything else.

I feel so jumpy.

I don't know why.

There is no reason at all.

Well I should hope .. a girl on her wedding day should be a little jumpy.

That's nothing to be ashamed of.

It's funny.

We was never alone.

Your Pa and me was never alone together from that first day we was married.

I know, Ma.

It's a funny thing.

There was always so many people around.

I guess you'll miss them.

We never talked together.

Your Pa and me. In all that time we never talked together once.

Why, sure you did.

I was always minding the kids or doing the housework.

And he was out driving the hack all day, and then he'd come home and ..

Eat and go to sleep.

Maybe uncle Jack will move back in again.

No.

Nobody is ever moving in again.

All alone.

Something new: your Pa and me together.

You aren't mad at him?

Mad?

How could I be mad at what has been my whole life.

And will be until the end.

I'm glad.

I'm going to get my bag and put it in the hall.

Well ..

I guess I'll be moving into her room tonight.

Yeah.

It's going to be kinda quiet around here for a change.

Uncle Jack and Jane both gone.

Yeah. It will be quiet.

Then, December 15th.

I'm off to Fort Dix.

Well there's no w*r. That's a blessing. Not like when Terence went.

Come on, Eddie. Do up your coat and tie. Hurry up.

Get going.

We're better get started, Ma. I'm ready. What about Pa?

You two go on. I'll wait for your Pa.

Ma, don't be late. Don't worry.

It's ten sharp and we can't keep Father Murphy waiting after all he's done.

Eddie?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

What do you think happened to him?

Ralph .. Ralph. Just a second.

Be very happy, Jane.

Thanks, Alice.

Uncle Jack, where are they? Are they with you?

No.

Maybe they're not coming at all after all the fuss that's been made.

Oh don't be silly, uncle Jack. Of course they will.

This is Mrs Rafferty.

Who will soon be Mrs Conlon.

Many happy returns of the day I'm sure.

Same to you, Mrs Rafferty.

And this is .. mister .. Halligan?

How do you do.

How do you do.

Look at them, the two brides.

May and September.

Early September.

Mr Conlon.

Yes, we're getting married next month. A simple ceremony.

0nly 'immediate family'.

It's a good day for the wedding.

A good day.

Where is the girl?

Gone to the church.

About last night.

You were right.

About wanting to do something about having a big affair for the girl.

No Tom, I was wrong.

I was wrong.

I pressed your suit this morning.

Tom.

Jane is getting married this morning the way she wants to.

And that's all that matters.

That and you and me being there together.

After this long time.

Together in the church.

Watching our girl get married.

Beginning this new life.

It's a long time we've been married.

Too long?

Too long a time?

To know somebody?

It's like a day, Aggie.

Come on, wash your face. We're late.

Hurry up, Tom.

Mister Leiter.

Sam, this is Aggie.

Yeah, about the taxi.

Taxi, mister?

What are you doing here? Taking you to church in a new cab.

Right, Agnes?
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