There's Always Tomorrow (1934)

[bunniefuu]

-Come get your evening news.

5 o'clock edition.

-Hello, Bill.

Thank you, son.

-Thank you.

-Goodnight.

-Here you are, final edition!

-Nice and fresh,
only $0.10 a bundle.

Nice and fresh,
only $0.10 a bundle.

-Give me a couple of bunches.

-Yes, sir.

-Oh, you better make it five.

-Yes, sir.

Pretty, ain't they?

-Oh swell.

When you see daffodils,
you sure know it's pretty.

-That's right.

You sure do, don't you?

There you are.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

please.

Watch your step.

-Fares?

-Hello, Joe

-Oh hello, Henry.

-What are you doing riding
on a common street car?

-Oh, well I gave the car
to the kids this morning.

-The kids have it
too easy nowadays.

When I was young--

-Oh that's alright.

The young folks
gotta have their fun.

-It's fine if you feel
that way about it.

You celebrating?

-Yeah, you guessed it.

Anniversary.

Little surprise
tonight for the wife.

About once a year is all
I can ever get her out.

The rest of the time she's
too busy with the children.

-How many have you got now, Joe?

-Five.

I only ordered four, but
two of them are twins.

-That's a mean trick
to pull on a man.

Twins ain't fair.

I always maintain it.

-Oh, how is that show
down at The Mason?

-Oh, swell show.

-I mean, it's not too spicy.

I can take the wife?

-Oh, it's a wife's show!

Some of the things are over her
head, but you'll enjoy them.

And she'll ask you what
you're laughing at.

-Well I got a pair
of seats that-- oh!

Do you know a good
restaurant downtown?

-Do I know a good restaurant?

Hey listen, just up
at the?

-Oh yeah, that place?

-Yeah. $1.25, with wine!

And Joe, I'm telling you.

Is it good eats.

First, they give
you-- you listening?

-Yes.

Four.

Then soup.

They pass it around.

Good soup, not dishwater.

And then--

-Spaghetti!

-Joe, it's like-- oh.

Oh thanks.

And that's only the start.

Then you have your
choice of meals.

Oh lovely.

Cooked swell.

Or chicken with cream
gravy, or roast beef.

Good roast beef.

-And how!

-Coffee and a
bottle of red wine.

And here's , they ask
you won't you have some more!

-Throw that guy off,
he's breaking my heart!

-Well it sounds like
a good dinner, Henry.

-Good?

Boy, it's swell!

You can't go wrong.

-Hello, son.

-Hello, Dad.

-Hey, you're in a hurry.

-Yeah.

did my shirt
come back from the cleaners?

Yes dear!

-Oh, hello boys.

Where's your--

-Well, we were just
borrowing one of your ties.

-It looks as though you were
just borrowing two of my ties.

Where's mom?

-Oh somewhere.

-I think she's in Janet's room.

-Hey, Mom!

-Oh Joseph, what time is it?

-Mom, look.

-Pretty, aren't they?

-Yeah.

Don't they make you
think of something?

-Yes, daffodils.

-Oh, Mom.

Don't you remember?

This is our anniversary!

-Oh.

Oh, so it is.

-I put one over
on you that time.

Come on.

Now hurry up into that
new dress of yours.

And if we rush a little, we've
just about got time to make it.

-Make what?

-I've got two swell seats for a
gorgeous musical show downtown.

-Joseph!

-And before that, there's
an Italian restaurant

where we're going to
have a grand dinner.

Hors d'oeuvres, spaghetti--

-We've already had our dinner.

-What do you mean you've had?

Well we had it
earlier.

-Party?

-Yes.

This is the children's
big night for their party.

My goodness, Joseph.

You don't remember anything.

-Well I didn't know about
any party here, Sophie.

told you?

Well, tonight is the
children's party.

I've promised it to
them for a long time.

-Well, that's all right.

Let them have their party.

We won't stop them.

But you and I can
go out and then--

-Now, Joseph.

You know perfectly well
they're lost without me.

-Well, you make
them think they are.

Oh, come on.

Let's forget the kids tonight.

-Forget them?

-Well, they are old enough
to look out for themselves,

you know.

And it's about
time you and I had

a little fun once in awhile.

They're all grown up and--

-Mom, will you hurry, please?

-Just a minute, dear.

-Oh listen, Mom.

Won't you--?

-Now Joseph, you know I
can't leave the children.

-Oh to the devil
with the children.

-Joseph!

-Well, I didn't
mean-- you always

take what I say about the
children so literally.

After all, they're
mine too, you know.

But I don't feel they're
more important than you are.

-Joseph, get somebody
else to go with you.

-I want you to go with me.

-Get Mr.McIntyre.

-No.

-How about Ernie?

-I'm not stepping
out with Ernie.

-I'm sorry.

I thought would
do, but you're so stubborn.

-Mom!

Gosh Mom, I can't wear this.

I told you to get me 15 and
1/2, and this is 14 and 1/2.

-Can't you wear
one of Freddie's?

-He's already got one good
one, and he's wearing that.

And anyhow, I can't
not.

-Joseph, I do wish you'd
speak to those boys.

-Oh Mom!

-Yes dear?

-But Sophie, don't you--

-Here they are, dear.

-I only--

I look away,
above to see where

are prepared for me.

What's the matter, Daddy?

Stop that
, Marjorie.

I'll hurry, dear.

The dining room
is ready for the party.

-Mom?

Why doesn't someone
turn on the lights?

-Where are they?

-I have them, Janet!

-Don't look so disappointed.

You don't have to be a martyr.

-Good evening, Mr. White.

-Oh, good evening Ella.

-I've got your dinner for you.

And don't spoil your appetite
with a snack in between meals.

That's the way I
lost.

Nothing in this world
that he wouldn't eat.

Lots of good meals was the
first nail in that man's coffin.

And a good man he was.

But good enough he gorged
himself straight into paradise.

There he is now.

-How long have you
been a widow, Ella?

-I ain't no widow, Mr. White.

I got my food!

Funny thing about me, somehow
I just can't stay a widow.

I don't know how it comes about.

First thing I know,
there I am,.

Well, come on, got your vittles.

-Yeah, looks good!

I love it.

-Daddy?

Mom says for be
in the right evening dresses.

I haven't got an evening dress.

-All right.

poison, huh?

We'll have to wait until you
get home to fix the furnace.

I
always have done it.

-How many husbands
did you have, Ella?

-Well, counting the one I wasn't
married to or not counting?

-Count.

Well, with the
, four.

-Why, four husbands!

-Here they come.

And Marjorie,.

-Oh, hello darling.

Hello, dear.

It looks as though you're
going to have quite a party.

-Oh yes.

-Looks nice, don't it!

-Yes.

-Oh, hello Helen!

Oh, good evening,
Mr. White.

-Oh, no.

No, no indeed.

How's your father?

-He's very well, thank you.

-Dad, what do you think
of Helen's new dress?

sleeves.

Don't you think it suits her
particular type of beauty?

-That's an idiot son
you have, Mr. White.

-No, seriously Dad.

Don't you think it's swell?

-Oh, it's beautiful!

Yes, but even if weren't,
you'd think it was.

So long.

-Daddy, this is the
ladies' dressing room!

-Oh, I-- I'm sorry.

Excuse me.

-You can't come in here, Joseph.

-Oh are you Mr. White?

-Yes.

-Oh, I beg your pardon.

Do the Fairchilds
live on this street?

-Well, I'm sorry.

I couldn't tell you.

I've never heard the name.

Although we've lived here for--

-Why, Joseph White.

It is Joseph White, isn't it?

-Why yes.

But I don't seem to--
it's the light, I--

-Oh, don't tell me
you've forgotten me.

It's Alice Vail.

-Alice!

Alice Vail!

Is it really?

-Uh-huh.

-Well of all things.

Gosh, I'm glad to see you.

-And I, you.

-Think of seeing you again.

Here, let me take a look at you.

Come down to the
light, that's right.

I want to see what you look
like after all this while.

How long is it?

-Oh, you must not say it.

It's too long!

And it seems so much
longer than it is.

-And I've thought
of you so often

and wondered where you were
and what you were doing.

And here you come driving
into my

and right up my front porch.

It's wonderful.

Things do happen, don't they?

-Oh and uh-- yes, yes.

By the nearest chance!

I was looking for some friends.

-Of course, what
name did you say?

-Oh uh-- uh, Fairchild.

Mhm.

J.S. Fairchild I think
the initials are,

but it really doesn't matter.

-Oh, I'll get the
telephone book!

-Oh no, please don't bother.

-Well it's no bother.

Glad to do it.

I won't be a minute.

-Here we are.

Fairchild, eh?

Let's see.

J.S. Imagine finding you again.

Here's a Justin Fairchild.

Joseph E. Fairchild.

-I like your old house.

It's charming.

-Fairchild and Mason.

Yes, it's comfortable enough.

Fairchild M.S. No, there
doesn't seem to be any J.S.

-Please don't bother.

You have a.

-Yes, it's a party.

A children's party!

Oh yes,.

-Yes, they're still fine.

I suppose they're
all grown up, now.

-Yes, mostly.

Come on in and meet them.

-Oh no, not now.

Another time.

-Well come on.

I'll point them
out to you anyway.

There.

Over there, that's Sophie.

That's my wife.

And that's the-- the
girl at the piano, that's

Janet, my eldest daughter.

-Oh, she's very pretty.

-Yes.

-And there are the twins.

That's Nick and Fred.

-Twins?

They don't look
much alike, do they?

-No, not much.

But they're twins just the same.

I know.

And that's Arthur.

That's my eldest
son with that girl.

-He's a good looking boy.

-Yes.

-He looks like you.

-Oh come on, no kidding.

-That's only four.

-Oh that's right.

I did say five, didn't I?

Yes, let's see.

Where's Marjorie?

Oh yes, there she is.

The little one that's
wiping the cookies.

She's the youngest.

Let me see, that--
yes, that makes five.

-Lovely family.

Five children.

That's qutie a family, isn't it?

-Yes.

I'll say it is.

It keeps a man stepping.

-I'll bet it does.

-And where are you now?

What are you doing?

Oh, I'm at.

I'm a foreign buyer there now.

-No!

-Mhm.

-Well isn't that fine.

I always knew you'd get on.

When you left us so
suddenly without giving

anybody a chance to find you.

Why did you run away like that?

-Oh, I wanted to make a change.

I was pretty young
then, you know.

-Oh yes.

But you were never the flighty
sort to do a thing like that.

I was lost when you
left me in the lurch.

-I wasn't that important.

-My right arm gone.

-And I thought I'd
left everything

like clockwork for you.

-Yes, you did.

But it was only clockwork.

It wasn't you.

-I'm sorry.

-Of course you-- you've married.

-M-mm.

-No?

-M-mm.

No.

-You mean never
have been married?

-Not even a divorce
to my credit.

-Well, you must be an
expert at saying no.

-It hasn't been so difficult.

Well--

-Well, I'm sorry I
couldn't help you

find your friends
the Fairchilds.

-Oh, I've forgotten all
about the Fairchilds.

-Daddy?

Mom says please fix the furnace.

You're in there.

-Oh am I?

Well, will you excuse me Alice?

Oh, this, by the way,
is the cookie snatcher.

-Oh it is, is it?

Oh.

-Will you entertain Ms.
Vail here until I come back?

Well-- Ella says that with
three boys around

the place, you'd think they
could fix the furnace once

in a while, when Daddy
gets home tired sometimes.

But they don't ever!

-Oh.

-That's what Ella says.

-And who's Ella?

-She's our maid.

Mom says she isn't
much good, but she's

the best we can afford.

-Well are you have a
good time at the party?

-Not very.

-Aw.

-The older ones shove the
little ones around so much,

I get tired of being pushed out.

-Well that's too bad.

Will you stay right
here and talk to me?

-About?

-Oh let me see.

There's so many things
we can talk about.

I remember once-- oh,
quite a long time ago--

-This is our father's and
mother's wedding anniversary.

You have them like
birthdays, only

for getting married
instead of born.

-Oh is that it?

-Daddy has tickets
to go to a theatre,

for Mom and him to go together.

But of course, my mother
couldn't with the party.

-Oh I'm sorry.

That's too bad.

-Oh Mom don't mind.

She'd much rather
stay with us children.

And Daddy and Mom
are going to have

a of a restaurant.

-Oh they were?

-They have chicken and ice
cream and veal and spaghetti

and ice cream and-- oh a lot!

-Oh, it sounds a lot.

-Yes, and my father's
sitting out here

on the porch because their
bedroom, and Arthur's bedroom,

and all the other
bedrooms are coatrooms.

And Daddy had to eat
in the kitchen tonight.

I like eating in the
kitchen, don't you?

-Oh well yes, I like--

-Ice cream and cake
and sandwiches!

-Oh it sounds delicious.

-It is!

I tasted everything.

And the cake is two kinds.

-Oh it is?

-Chocolate cake
and nut chocolate.

Well, I didn't bother to take
a , but Ella says--

-Well Marjorie, did
you entertain Ms. Vail?

-Uh-huh.

Bye, Ms. Vail.

-Goodbye, Marjorie.

-Nice to have met you!

-Oh and I, you.

The furnace all attended to?

-Yes.

What did she say to you?

-You didn't tell me it
was your anniversary.

-Why, did she spill that?

-And more.

-Good heavens.

What else did she say?

-She told me Ella
thought that three

big boys should
attend to the furnace.

-Ah.

-And she told me--

-The family skeleton.

---she told me that
you had tickets

for a musical comedy tonight.

Why didn't you use them?

-Well, Sophie couldn't go.

You know how it is.

I didn't want to go alone.

-But you could have
taken someone else.

-Yes, Sophie wanted me to.

But I--

-It isn't by any
chance The Fallace?

-Yes!

-Oh, I've been dying to go.

Why don't you take me?

Am I pushing myself?

-Of course not.

Would you go?

-Would I?

Oh, I'd be.

-Well this is marvelous.

It's getting better and better.

Oh, oh--

-Why what on earth?

-The tickets.

I threw them over there.

-Were you that mad?

-Yes, here they are.

I got them.

And now my hat.

You're a wreckless
when you just about--

-I am?

-Wasn't she funny?

I expect all night.

-Me too.

Well, they're
still going strong.

I'll bet they haven't
even missed me.

-You win.

-What a night.

-Isn't it gorgeous?

Look at that moon.

-And smell the air.

Mm.

Are you smelling?

-Smells like spring, doesn't it?

-Isn't it grand?

-Grand.

Uh-uh.

Looks like someone else
is being too.

-Isn't it a lovely night?

-Look at that moon.

-That's Arthur, the eldest.

I'll introduce you to him now.

-Oh no.

Don't interrupt them.

Not on a night like this.

Not when the moon is like that.

You know?

You should never
interfere with moonlight.

-That's right.

It lasts a short
enough time anyway.

It's too bad that boy
and girl love has to end.

-Why should it?

I don't believe in
it ending myself.

-What are you going to do?

Responsibilities
of life come along.

Children.

Things change.

Everything changes.

At least, that's the
way it seems to be.

I guess
it takes

to appreciate.

-Well, you can't have
your cake and eat it too.

-Why not?

My parents had their
cake and ate it too.

-But tell me, if your parents
were so happily married,

how is that you've
never been married?

-The man I loved
was already married.

-What about him?

Was he--?

Did he love you?

-I never knew.

He never told me.

He wasn't the kind to--
to sneak around corners.

I must go, it's getting late!

-Oh must you?

-I'm a working woman, you know.

-Oh, I wish you didn't have to.

I haven't felt
like this in years.

You've made me feel young again.

-But you are young.

-Well, perhaps.

But it's been a
wonderful evening.

-I know that someday we may
run into each other again.

-I wonder.

-Well, goodbye.

-Goodnight.

-Goodnight.

And thanks for a grand evening.

-Thank you.

-Oh there you are, Joseph.

Joseph?

Are you asleep?

-Oh no.

-Well I think they
all had a good time.

Don't you?

-Oh, I'm sure they did.

Sophie, do you know
anybody around here

by the name of Fairchild?

-Fairchild?

-No.

I never heard the name.

And I know all the
people on this block.

Why?

-Oh, somebody asked.

-Well, you'd better
come along to bed.

Is that you Joseph?

-Yes, dear.

Will you go
right down and do

something with that furnace?

The house has been
like a barn all day.

-All right, dear.

And you'll have
to fix those front windows

pretty soon.

The wind just
whistles through them.

-Yes, it's been whistling
through my ears all the way

home.

I had a terrible
time getting here.

Oh Mommy, look!

That's cute!

-Now what are those?

-Well, what is all this?

It's the children's
masquerade party tonight.

Oh.

The masquerade-- oh yes!

-Hey Mom, how am
I going to look?

-Like a can of pineapple.

-You look very handsome, Arthur.

I hope it isn't going
to rattle too much.

-Arthur, what's Helen going as?

-Julian.

I didn't know him
or I'd have gone with Romeo.

-Be original.

Engaged couples always
go as Romeo and Juliet.

-Your father's about
to fix that furnace?

-Yep, he did.

Did they make
love in them iron clothes?

-The iron had nothing
to do with it, Ella.

-Not bad, eh?

-Well, what's all this?

Come on now, you've
got to.

-Well, what are you Janet?

-Nell Gwyn.

-Who's Nell Gwyn?

-Charles the II's mistress.

-Better go upstairs
and change if you

expect to get to
your lodge tonight.

-Yes.

-It is his lodge night.

-Yes, of course.

It's Thursday.

-The car.

-The car, Mom!

We've got to have the car.

-What'll we do?

I can't ask Helen to go to
a dance on a street car.

And in these costumes.

Can you see us?

-I have a slight
sore throat, too.

I'd catch more cold.

-Couldn't he stay away from that
lodge just one Thursday night?

He's been going there
for the last 20 years.

-Well why couldn't you
all go with your dad

and drop him at his lodge?

-We can't do that.

His lodge is on the north
side, and we're going south.

-Well, we'll see.

You leave it to me.

I'll fix it somehow.

But don't say anything
to your father

until he's had his dinner.

It's a bad time to spring
things-- on an empty stomach.

And am I one that knows it.

Heathens first.

Take your elbows off
the table, Marjorie.

-Children, you know we
shouldn't have started

dinner until your
father came down.

-Well we're in a hurry,
we've got a long way to go.

-Here he comes.

-Mom.

-Do your duty, Mom.

-Well, sorry I was so long.

-Your new suit looks
very nice, Dad.

-Snappy.

-What do you think of that, Mom?

Snappy.

-Do you think he will?

-Well, we're quite a
hungry family tonight.

-I guess pretty sore
because I read his novel.

-You did?

Who let her in my safe?

-It's all about love.

And two girls in it.

One of them is--

-Skip it.

-Speaking of love and one girl,
how about the wedding son?

Any nearer?

-Oh yes, Dad.

But not near enough.

You know, Helen's
used to everything,

and I've got to wait until I
can get at least one more raise.

-Well, you're both young.

-Yes.

But two years is an
awful long time to wait.

-Alice did.

-Nevermind.

-Janet, how is it we don't hear
much about you and a boyfriend?

-I belong to the disillusioned
young generation, Dad.

-Ella says that--

-I don't care what Ella says.

What I say, is I'm not
going to be like Mom.

-What's the matter with Mom?

-Loaded down with a
house full of five brats.

-You're not brats.

-I wouldn't let anybody
else call us brats.

-Well I'm with Janet.

I'm modern, too.

You don't catch me putting
my head in any news,

like poor Pop.

-What's this?

What's this?

Poor Mom?

Poor Pop?

-Ella says--

-Hush, dear.

-Well Ella says poor Pop too.

And now look at the way he
has to give up his car tonight

and go ride in a street car.

Ouch!

-What's all this?

What's the bean
spiller up to now?

-Well Joseph, I thought
just for tonight-- you see,

the children really need
the car with their costumes.

And it's snowing.

-What do you mean just tonight?

It's every night.

-Yes I know, dear.

But--

-Think what a handsome family
you've got to ride in your car,

Dad.

-Let me see.

How many times have I had
this car in the last 30 days?

-Now, Joseph.

You don't have to
be a martyr again.

-Well, if I'm going
to take the streetcar,

it'll take me a little longer.

-Oh Mr. White, there's
cherry pie tonight.

-Well I'll have some
when I come home, Ella.

-My goodness, Joseph.

Do you have to open the lodge?

Well the snow is.

It took me a half hour
longer to come home tonight.

The cars are all blocked
from 6th to Main St.

-Mom, if you'll excuse me,
I'll go get the car out

and warmed up.

-All right, dear.

-Well, goodnight.

Have a good time.

-Snuggling up to
your iron man, Helen?

-Doesn't feel very comfortable.

-But underneath there beats
a great big human heart.

-Come on, Arthur.

Get ahead of that streetcar or
we'll never get to the dance.

-Who's driving this car?

-You are, but your
mind's not on your work.

-Can you blame me?

-Why look, that's Dad, isn't it?

What's he doing way over here?

-Maybe he took the wrong car.

-Well, he seems to
know where he's going.

-Come on, Arthur.

Better get going.

-Maybe we'd better.

-Look!

He's going in there.

-Well that's funny.

Perhaps he--

-Who is she?

-Never saw her before.

-Why, what could Dad--?

-There he is.

-Hm.

He seems very much at home.

She's straightening
his tie for him.

She's pushing an EZ chair up
to the fire for him to sit.

Now she's fixing the fire.

-She's pulled down the shade.

-So this is where he spends
those lodge nights, is it?

-Oh Fred, you don't know.

-This is rotten.

Poor Mom.

-To think that Dad would--

-Oh dear, please.

-She wasn't so bad looking.

-So what?

-You're a bright
boy, aren't you.

-Well let's go on.

It's no good staying here.

-I'm not going to that dance.

You take them Nick.

I'm going to stay here.

Going to wait
until he comes out.

I intend to know
more about this.

-Arthur, I'm going
to stay if you do.

Now, I don't want to
spoil your evening.

-Oh there are
plenty of evenings.

I'm not going to leave you here.

-Well, the rest of
you go one then.

-Not me.

-I don't feel very much
like a party, either.

-Well, I might as well stay too.

No use of the
going alone.

Hey, get off of
my tail, will ya?

-What time is it?

-It's a quarter to 12.

-Well I can't stay here forever.

-There he comes.

-I always hate to see
Thursdays come to an end.

-Well, you could have
stayed five minutes longer.

-Oh no, here comes
the street car now.

-Oh, street cars will
come too soon, won't they?

-Well, goodbye.

-Goodbye Joseph.

-Till next Thursday.

-Next Thursday.

-She's coming back.

Go on, Arthur.

-It's frozen.

-No wonder.

All this.

-This is going to be swell.

-Oh hold your horses.

-She's frozen, I tell ya.

-Well, get out and take a look.

Maybe the carburetor's flooded.

-On a night like this?

-We were-- this is a
masquerade costume.

-I see.

I didn't know what
it was at first.

Can I be of any assistance?

-Don't talk to her.

-Is it gas you need?

Would you like to telephone
to a garage or something?

-No thank you.

-You're welcome to telephone.

-We've got to do something.

Go on, d*ck, telephone.

After all, it's better
than freezing here.

-I've been in predicaments
like that so many times myself.

Well thanks, that's
very kind of you.

-Oh I know what it means.

Won't you come in?

-Thank you.

-Oh, there's the
telephone over there.

-Thanks.

-Have you been out
there very long?

-Hello?

We're stalled.

Can you send somebody
out here to--

-410.

-410--

-Maple Avenue.

-Maple.

What?

A half an hour?

Gosh.

Well hurry.

We've been here
over two hours now.

Yeah, the car's on the
other side of the street.

The man says it'll be
a half an hour anyhow.

Well, thanks very much.

-Oh, uh-- but you mustn't sit
out in that cold any longer.

Ask the others to
come in and wait

until the mechanic can get here.
-Oh, it's an imposition.

-Oh, no.

It's no bother at all, if
that's what you're thinking.

It's too cold to leave you
all out there like that.

Please ask the
others to come in.

I'll wait.

-Well thanks,
but-- I don't know.

-The man said it'll be
a half an hour anyway.

And she wants us all to
come inside and wait.

-What do you think I am, crazy?

Go in that house?

-Why not?

After all, Arthur,
it'll give us a chance

to find out what she's like.

What's the harm?

Let's go in.

-Not me.

-It's nice and warm in there.

-Come on, Helen.

Don't stay out here, Arthur.

Come on.

-I'm going in.

-Me too.

-It's too bad you're
stuck like this.

Do come in, won't you?

I know how long these
garage men can be.

At least you can all
get warm in here.

Won't you take your things off?

-I'm afraid it's an imposition.

Oh not at all, you're
disturbing no one.

As a matter of fact,
I'm glad of the company.

A carload of young people
dumped on my doorstep.

Oh, put your things
over there, will you?

I don't know many young people.

You see, I'm a business woman.

I have no time to keep up
with the new generation.

Won't you go in?

Do sit down.

I've let the fire burn out.

I'll put another log on.

So it's a masquerade.

-Yes.

We must look awfully
silly in these costumes.

-Oh no, not at all.

Why, they look charming!

Oh, and he's an elephant.

I can see that.

Pardon.

I mean, they are an elephant.

-Yeah, d*ck's the hind end.

-Oh he is?

And they're?

And what are you my dear?

-Juliette.

-Oh of course.

I should have known that.

And that's a charming
costume, too.

-She's Nell Gwyn.

She's Charles's
the II's mistress.

-Oh but-- wouldn't you all
like a hot cup of coffee?

I always have a hot
drink before I go to bed.

-Oh no thanks, don't bother.

-Oh it's no bother at all.

If you'll excuse
me a few moments,

I'll have it ready for you.

I'm a for romance.

Wedding veils make me
positively.

I suppose it's
because I've never

had a wedding veil to wear.

So I'm trying to live in
others what I've missed myself.

Oh, it isn't because
I've never been in love.

I have been.

All my life.

Well, for a long time, anyway.

I fell in love a long time
ago, with just as handsome

and fine a man as you've
fallen in love with, my dear.

But here's where the
difference comes in, lucky you.

He was married.

He had a wife and a family.

A family of wonderful
children growing up.

-What was the-- the outcome?

-Oh, it isn't a
sophisticated story.

I'm afraid it wouldn't
interest you young people.

-Why not?

It isn't.

And you are.

I never told him my love.

I just ran away.

You see how it is?

-Was he in love with you?

-If he was, I never knew it.

We were with the
same.

He was my boss, as
a matter of fact.

But it was too hard to stay
on seeing him every day.

So I cut and run.

I thought I could
forget that way.

But it didn't work.

So I tried to take an
interest in other men.

Oh yes, there were handsomer
men and richer men,

but none of them would do.

I just seemed to miss
him more and more.

Oh, may I help you
to some more coffee?

-No.

No thanks.

-Have you ever tried
running away from happiness?

Well I can tell you now,
it doesn't do any good.

One night, when I couldn't
bear it any longer,

I went to find him.

I made some silly excuse,
and I did find him.

I caught a glimpse
of his children.

And his wife was a
lovely.

Otherwise, it might have
been a different story.

I remember there was
a party that night.

And he was sitting
on the porch, alone.

I found that that was usual.

He was always crowded out.

I found out too
that he was lonely.

all that big family.

The thing I
discovered that night

made me wish that I
hadn't been so foolish.

-Foolish?

-Mhm.

As to run away.

Wish that I had a more
sophisticated story to tell.

It wasn't that his children
weren't fond of him,

or that his wife
didn't love him.

And yet, that has happened.

-Why?

Did he tell you?

-Oh no.

Not a word of complaint.

He lied to me beautifully.

But I saw through it.

I read between the lines.

He was very proud of his
children, telling me about them

and boasting.

But I soon realized he
was the forgotten man

in that household.

And what do you think the end of
my unlived romance has come to?

What do you think we do now?

-What?

-What?

-Once a week, on lodge
night, he comes here.

We spend that evening together.

And I make a fuss over him.

For one evening, I
make him important.

Oh, it's little enough I know.

But it makes me happy
to do even this.

Then on lodge night,
he comes again.

And that's the way it goes.

He was here this evening.

This was lodge night.

Oh, can I get you
some more coffee?

I'll heat it up.

-Well there, that
must be the man that--

-Oh I'll see.

-How do you do?

-Oh you're the mechanic.

-Yes ma'am.

-You got here.

-Yes sir, sorry I
kept you waiting.

-Well, you won't be long now.

-Mother will begin to worry.

I ought to telephone.

May I?

-Why of course.

The telephone's right
out there in the hall.

-Hello?

-Oh good, she's got them.

-Oh-- oh, hello Dad.

We're stalled, Daddy,
and it may be late.

What?

No, we're all right.

Oh, oh you couldn't find us!

No.

Well you couldn't.

We just wanted to let you know.

Yes, the mechanic's here now.

Don't wait up.

Tell mother not to.

Goodbye.

-Oh, all fixed?

-Yeah, there's just the points.

-I told you.

-Yes you did.

Come on, let's get going.

Hurry up into your.

-All right.

-There.

-And thanks for--
for taking us in.

-You're more than
welcome, my dear.

-Goodnight.

-Goodnight.

I hope everything will
be all right for you now.

-Goodnight.

-Goodnight.

-Goodnight.

And thanks so much.

-Goodnight.

And may I tell you how happy
I hope you're going to be?

And I know that you can be,
with that fine young man

to take care of you.

But oh my dear, take the
word of a soured old woman

and watch your love.

Keep some of it always for him.

And when the babies come, don't
let them come between you.

Don't get the loveliest
thing in the world

break up the other
loveliest thing.

Oh, I've seen that
happen so often.

He's a lovey boy.

He deserves your love.

There'll be enough to go around.

Share it.

Never forget that he's a lover.

Children come, but they go.

You two are always together.

Here I am giving advice.

I just can't help it.

Goodbye, and good luck.

-And did that woman lay us low.

She hit the nail on
the head if you ask me.

And I'm willing to admit it.

-Of course Arthur is
extra sore at having

Helen find all this out.

-What do you suppose
he'll do about it?

-What are any of us
going to do about it?

-What do you think
anyway, Janet?

-Oh don't ask me what I think.

I wish to heaven we'd
never found it out.

-Well, goodnight Helen.

I'll call you up tomorrow.

That is if you
still wish me too.

-Oh don't be silly.

And don't take it so hard.

Oh I know, easy for me to talk.

It isn't my father.

I know how you must feel.

But try to cheer up.

And eyes front.

After all, remember
what she said?

She said you're a lovely boy.

And you are.

-Well, what do you
think of your father?

Nice mess, isn't it.

Helen had to find it out.

That's the worst.

To have the girl I'm
going to marry know this.

Mother.

How could we ever go back
and look her in the face?

To think that that
man is our father.

If I'd had a g*n I could have--

-Arthur!

-Well he's right.

We might as well
face the situation.

-That woman trying to tell
us that we were a rotten lot.

Wait till I get him.

I'll tell him.

-There's Dad.

-Well, I'm glad he's up.

-Arthur, please.

Not tonight.

-Hello kids.

Well what happened?

Did you get stuck?

-Oh, well I'm glad
you called up anyway.

We were getting anxious.

Well, how was the masquerade?

A success?

-Oh yeah.

Don't tell me you didn't win
first prize, the.

-Well there-- there
weren't any prizes, Dad.

-No?

Well that's too bad.

I expected my family to
come home with a prize!

One end of the
elephant, at least.

But you had a good time?

-Yes, Dad.

But we're all so tired now.

-Oh yes, of course you are.

-And you must be, too.

Don't catch cold standing
here in the hall this way.

Come on, everybody.

-Is that you, children?

-Yes, Mom.

-Are they all right children?

-Oh sure they're all right.

It's getting awfully late.

Come on up to bed now.

And Joseph?

-Yes?

Give the furnace another
look before you come up,

will you dear?

-Yes, all right.

-You go on up Dad.

Fred and I will fix it.

-Yes.

Let them do it.

It's high time they learned.

-Oh no--

-Go on up, Dad.

We'll do it.

Come on.

-Well, what struck your
brothers this evening Arthur?

They're very energetic.

-Are you hurt?

-I'm all right.

-You better let me fix it.

-I'm going to fix the surface.
-What do you know about it?

-What do you know about it?
-There you are.

-I've been here--

-Leave me alone!

-Well all right.

-Did you hurt yourself?

Well go on upstairs.

-Can't we help?

-No, no.

You can't.

-Arthur, let's go to bed.

What good will it do to
say anything tonight?

-How can he laugh?

How can he joke just as though
everything were all right?

And he'll go upstairs to
Mother and-- no, I can't wait.

I'm going to tell her.

I'm going to tell
mother exactly--

-Tell Mother what?

What?

Why Arthur, what is it?

-Nothing.

Oh, was that you d*ck?

-Yeah.
-Are you hurt, dear?

-Oh no, Mom.

I'm all right.

-Well come along.

Up to bed with you.

Come on there, Janet.

I'll hear all about
everything in the morning.

Come along now.

-We'll come, Mother.

-It was nice of you
not to say anything.

I couldn't.

When I looked into her eyes,
I knew I couldn't tell her.

I couldn't hurt her that much.

But that's not
going to save him.

If he dares to leave this house
next Thursday, if he tries

to put his foot outside that
door, I'm going to stop him.

Some way.

Marjorie?

Marjorie!

Yes, Mom.

Marjorie, go
downstairs and remind Ella

that this is your
father's lodge night.

-Yes, Mom.

And to hurry
up with dinner.

-Yes, Mommy.

Ella!

Dinner!

Ella!

Dinner!

Ella!

Ella!

Mom said to hurry up
with dinner because Dad's

going to lodge tonight!

-I wouldn't take
it so hard, Arthur.

After all, he may
not go tonight.

-And suppose he should?

Have you mapped out
a plan of campaign?

-Close those doors.

You don't want the
whole house to hear you.

I told you there's no use trying
to Pollyanna the situation.

I have waited a week, and
I haven't said anything.

But tonight, if he goes--

-Arthur, I just can't stand it!

-Can't stand what?

Dad's going there again
tonight, or it.

-Either one.

Both.

-Janet, I can't face this
awful disrespect to Mother.

Do you want Mother left in
this humiliating position?

Believing in Dad and
going on like this?

-I wish we'd never found it out.

-The percentage of
divorces has risen to 13%,

according to the last census.

-Who's talking about divorce?

-Well you are, virtually.

-Janet, I'm nearly crazy
with this whole thing.

-Sometimes I get mad at Mom.

Sometimes, I think
it's her fault.

-How do you figure that?

Mom's got nothing
to do with this.

She's been a good wife
to him, hasn't she?

-Oh, I don't mean that they
don't get along all right.

But Mom never acts as
though she cares for him.

-You mean the way that
woman did with him?

-Well yes.

Perhaps if Mother
did that, he'd rather

be with Mom than with her.

-What are you driving at?

Do you think that
he has a right to--

-Oh no.

-Well then, what are
you're driving at?

-Well I-- I just can't help
recalling some of the things

she said.

-Eh.

-No, snotting doesn't make
them any of the less true.

I can't remember a
time when Dad wasn't

just something to threaten us.

Can any of you?

When we were little,
it was always,

wait till your
father comes home.

He'll hear of this.

Dad was always the
bugaboo, the big, bad wolf.

Isn't that true?

-Sure it's true.

And since we've got older,
he's just the family checkbook.

To pay the bills and
no questions asked.

He has been left out everywhere,
just plain pushed out.

Stop that woman!

-Arthur!

Careful.

-Well, that's what she said.

-There's a lot of it true.

-Arthur, if Dad ever finds out
that we know-- if you bring

this out into the open
it'll spoil everything.

Our home will never be the same.

-Janet's right, Arthur.

There's a lot in what she says.

-Well that woman's won you
all over as well as Dad.

-Hey Mom, they're
fighting in there!

It's about some woman, I think!

-That isn't nice, Marjorie.

-Oh, eavesdroppers never
hear any good of themselves.

Don't listen at doors, dear.

Hello in there!

Where's my paper?

Oh, here it is.

Did I hear somebody say
something about dinner?

-I think it's ready, Dad.

-What'd you shut the doors for?

there
suddenly wins.

Well, that's more like it.

-It's uh-- it's not
so cold this evening.

-No.

But wasn't last Thursday cold?

That was winter.

How's Helen, son?

-Helen is fine.

-Well you haven't seen
her in quite a while.

Don't be stingy with her.

Ella says
come on, dinner's ready!

Ella's going to
take me to prayer

meeting some Wednesday night.

-If you behave yourself
and don't shout.

-What a treat.

-Prayer meeting
never hurt anyone.

-Hm.

It's a nice change from
pictures every night.

-Can I pray out
loud if I want to?

-Eat your dinner.

-Sophia?

-That's not my name.

-Aren't you getting
just a wee bit plump?

What do you say, children?

Shouldn't we begin
to diet Mother?

-Joseph.

-Well it's not a sin
for a mother of five

to keep her figure
these days, you know.

All in the line of duty, now.

-I've got no time
to be bothering.

-Well, it's just a suggestion.

But wouldn't you
bet that Arthur's

Helen takes time off to bother.

Nice girl, Helen.

By the way, has the
date been set yet?

-No, not yet.

-Well I don't sometimes
catch up with these things

but after they're over.

I don't want to miss
out on the first family

wedding, that's all.

I'd hate to come home
some night and find

the bathroom full
of wedding gown.

-Marjorie!

What are you doing?

-Well, everybody was so quiet,
I thought I'd say something.

-Well, your conversation is a
little over our heads, darling.

What's the matter?

Is there anything wrong with me?

Am I eating my soup a
little too conversationally?

Well, what's new?

Isn't anybody
broadcasting tonight?

-I went to the five-and-ten
with Lucy and we saw some

beads
and Ella said--

-Eat your dinner, Marjorie.

-Whew.

Aren't there--

-Must you all talk at once?

-Well I didn't.

-Eat your dinner.

-Looks as if you've
all lost your tongues.

-Well, I didn't.

You ain't
even touched yours.

-Well, I haven't lost
my appetite, Ella.

-So I see.

-Why Arthur, don't
you like your chicken?

-Oh yes, sure.

-Well you children
are not eating either.

Don't you feel well?

-Sure.

-Ella says when people don't
eat it's a sign they're in love.

-Marjorie.

-Helen said she'd be over
this evening, by the way.

-Well, it's high
time she came over.

Mm, 7:30.

-What, no dessert again, Joseph?

-Well I must diet if you don't.

-What do you care at your age.

-My age?

I like that.

I was young as ever.

-You're telling us.

-I don't care for any
dessert Mother, thanks.

Excuse me.

I want pie.

I want a big piece.

Don't be greedy.

-Can we go the pictures tonight?

-We'll see.

-Ah gee, Mommy.

-Oh Ella?

-Yes Ma'am?

-There's a piece of
pie for Mr. White.

What is going on here tonight?

-Nothing, Mom.

-May I be excused
too, please, Mom?

-Yes.

-Excuse me.

Cherry pie anymore.

-Can't we do something
to stop Dad from going?

We must do something.

-Wait a minute.

Hello, Dad.

-Hello, son.

-Say Dad, must you
go to lodge tonight?

-Huh?

-Do you have to?

-Well I-- I'm afraid so, son.

-We could play
bridge if you'd stay.

We're all of us here,
and it'd be nice.

Everybody's home tonight.

It'd be nice if you'd stay.

-Well I'm sorry, son.

If you had said something
about it earlier.

-Oh.

All right, Dad.

I just thought it-- Dad,
your shoelace is undone.

-Oh yes, so it is.

-Let me tie it.

-Thanks.

It's a funny thing, Fred.

You know I hardly know you boys.

A minute ago you
were little kids,

and here you are-- well
what are you, anyhow?

A man already or a boy?

Damned if I know.

Well I think we ought to
get acquainted and find out.

-Well, sure thing, Dad.

Let's.

And if you stay tonight,
it'd be a good time to begin.

Wouldn't it?

-Well I-- I'm sorry, Fred, but
we'll make it tomorrow night

though, huh?

-Say, Pop.

You're a whizz at puzzles
See if you can do this.

I bet you can.

It's got me.

-I haven't time now, Dave.

-Aw come on, just a minute.

-Well it's pretty late to work
on one of these crazy things.

-Ah, go on Dad.

Please give it a try.

Once you get started on one
of these things,

it's--

-Dad can do it if anybody can.

I guess that's why we let him
do everything around the house.

I guess Dad it's
because you fix furnaces

better than anybody else.

Eh, Daddy?

Go on, try it for him.

-I didn't know I had
such a good reputation.

It's embarrassing.

Suppose I can't do it?

-Well sit down for it at least.

That would help.

-Joseph, what are
you doing there?

-He's working a puzzle for d*ck.

-Well you'd better stop
putting those puzzles

if you want to get to
your lodge tonight.

-Oh Mom, leave him
alone, will you?

-What is it, dear?

-Oh nothing Dad,
only every time we

try to do anything,
somebody interrupts.

-There.

That's where I got it,
then I lost the darn thing.

Now, which way do you--

You asked us to
dinner for you.

-Oh Mom, leave him
alone, can't you?

-Why, what is it dear?

Marjorie, don't put such
a big piece in your mouth.

-Yeah.

-Don't let us down now, Dad.

I'm afraid you boasted
a little too soon.

-I know you can do it Dad,
if you just keep at it.

-Well, steady.

Now, now, don't rattle me.

There it is.

Well.

Well, I guess I just
about saved my reputation.

-I wish you could stay, Dad.

We could have some fun.

-I can't, Fred.

If I'd known about it.

-Oh gee, Dad.

Can't ya?

-I'm sorry, Nick.

-Dad, I want to have
a talk with you.

-Well, some other time, Arthur.

I'm late now.

-Perhaps it might be better if--

-Hello, Joseph.

-Why, hello Alice.

-Well?

Aren't you going to ask me in?

-Why yes, of course.

Do come in.

I can only stay a moment.

I'm leaving tonight
for New York,

and catching the
for Paris.

Think of it, Joseph, Paris.

Why hello there!

Young lady, do you know that
you left your purse at my house

on Thusrday night?

-My purse?

-Yes.

Oh, did you know that
I met the children?

Well I did, when their car was
stalled in front of my house.

And I couldn't leave
the Nell Gwyn and two

hobs of an elephant to freeze
to death on Maple Avenue,

to say nothing of
a knight in armor.

So I invited them
in from the cold,

and we had coffee
and sandwiches,

and made quite a good start
at getting acquainted.

Little knowing, of course,
that they were your children.

Oh--

-Oh Sophie.

This is my wife, Alice.

-How do you do?

-How do you do.

-Sophie, this is Alice
Vail, an old friend.

-An old friend
indeed, Mrs. White.

Your husband used to
be my boss long ago.

-Oh yes?

-Well do come in and sit down.

-I can only stay a moment.

I'm taking the
plane tonight, and I

still have a million
things to do.

I was just explaining how
I met your young people

the other evening, the
night they were stalled.

And I only found out after
they'd gone who they were.

I suppose it was very
stupid of me not to ask,

but as I think it
over, I guess it

was because I did
all the talking.

You know, sometimes we'll
say things and tell things

to strangers that we wouldn't
if we knew each other.

I guess it was the
night or the open fire.

And then I found out that your
oldest boy and that nice girl

were engaged.

And that set me off.

I told them all about myself.

And among other things, that
I'd been in love all my life.

But I forgot to
tell them one thing.

The most important thing.

That the man wasn't
in love with me.

And that I shouldn't
ever want him

to find out that I
was in love with him.

It would destroy a
beautiful friendship

and might cause
unhappiness to others.

Now that I look at
your ,

I wonder how I ever failed to
recognize him as Joseph's son.

He looks just like him when he
was young, don't you think so?

-Yes.

I always say that Arthur
takes after his father's

side of the family.

-I'd love to stay
a little longer,

but I'm afraid I must run along.

Did you all get home all right?

-Yes we did, thanks.

-The coffee helped.

-Oh it did?

I'm glad of that.

-It was very kind of you.

I'm sorry that I can't have
them all over again, sometime.

-Good evening.

Oh, how do you do?

-Hello.

-I'm so glad of the chance to
offer you my good wishes again.

-Thank you.

-Oh yes.

And you too, lucky young man.

Send me an invitation to
your wedding, will you?

I'd like to send your bride
something nice from Paris.

Goodbye, Mrs. White.

-Goodbye.

-Goodbye, twins.

-Goodbye.

Goodbye.

-Goodbye my dear.

-Goodbye.

-Oh, your purse.

-That isn't mine.

-Oh no?

But your card was in it?

-That's mine, I think.

I must have had one
of your cards, Janet.

-Goodbye.

-Thanks.

-And thank you for everything.

-I'll see you to your car.

-Oh thanks.

-A very nice person.

What's her name?

I didn't quite catch it.

-It's Ms. Vail I think, Mother.

-Well I believe your
father's going to be late

for his precious
lodge, after all.

It'll be the first
time in years if he is.

-Mommy, aren't we going
to the pictures tonight?

-I guess so.

-Goody!

-Go along and get ready.

-Well?

-She said he never loved her.

She's going away.

-That's why she came, I guess.

So we wouldn't spill it.

-Of course that's why.

-First, I was going to telephone
and tell you not to come.

Then Helen called
me, and told me

that the children were hurting.

I was afraid that they
might do something.

Something that
couldn't be undone.

So I thought it
best to come here

and clear it all up, frankly.

Helen gave me her
purse as a pretext.

And, well, you know the rest.

-But you-- you told
them I didn't love you.

-That was my only lie.

Don't you see, dear?

It can't go on.

If those children had been
what I first thought they were,

it might have been different.

But they are fine,
splendid children.

I almost feel jealous
they're not mine.

They need you.

They've got to have a father
that they can be proud of, not

one that they have
to make excuses

for every Thursday night.

-You're really not
going to Paris?

-Yes.

-You don't have a job there.

-That was a lie, too.

I'm running away again, Joseph.

-I can't let you go.

-It isn't easy for
me either, dear.

I've loved you for a long time.

Long before you ever knew.

We haven't seen much of
each other, you and I.

But it has meant
everything to me.

-Then why are you going?

-Because you belong to them.

I sometimes wish that
we should.

Wouldn't they, Joseph?

-Alice.

-Don't make it too hard, dear.

Just say goodbye.

Goodbye, Joseph.

-Have a good time, Mom.

-Oh thank you, dear.

Joseph?

You didn't go to
your lodge after all?

-No.

No, I didn't go.

-Would you like to go
to the pictures with us?

-Why yes, I'd like to.

If you'd like to have me.

-Well of course we'd
like to have you.

-Joseph, what do you
think Janet just asked me?

-Don't know.

-She was looking at
that old picture of you.

And she asked me if
I still loved you.

And she talked a lot of
foolishness about things.

-Things?

-Oh love and romance.

About it's flying
out of the window.

It made me think.

Joseph, you know I haven't
changed, don't you?

Not really, I mean.

Of course, when you've been
married a number of years,

I suppose there is
a change, outwardly.

But not really, Joseph.