If Winter Comes (1947) - full transcript
It's 1939 in the small English town of Penny Green, and events in Poland are about to change lives. Mark Sabre (Walter Pidgeon), a writer of school text books, has married Mabel (Dame Angela Lansbury) "on the rebound", after his real love Nona (Deborah Kerr) marries some one else. Just as war is about to break out, Nona returns home with husband Tony (Hugh French). Mable is sure she can hold onto Mark, though. But misunderstood good deeds on Mark's part turn life for him upside down when his relationship with a young girl starts tongues wagging. Soon, wartime casualties take their toll in Penny Green as well as on the front, as the death of fighting men affects lives back home.
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# if winter comes
and skies turn gray #
# I'll still love you #
# I'll always have
this summer dream #
# To dream of you #
# When we're far apart #
# Bring back
a thought to mind #
# If winter comes #
# Can spring
be far behind? #
# O wind, ooo-ooo #
# If winter comes #
# Can spring
be far behind? #
Plain talk by the editor?
Mr. Fargus,
what have you been saying?
Just like the woman.
Never any time to read
your husband's
leading article.
Bye, my dear.
Good-bye.
Mark!
Hello.
I've got it.
I've been up with it
ever since you left last night.
But I've done it.
I'll come down.
Right.
Come on.
I've done it.
You think so?
Mm-hmm.
Now, get out of that, my boy.
Now where's your queen?
Poor old Victoria.
Mark, do come to breakfast, dear.
Oh, hello, Mr. Fargus.
I didn't know it was you.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Sabre,
butting in like this.
But you see, I had a problem.
Well, I have a problem, too.
I've just got a couple
of new maids to break in.
You know how it is.
No. I can only
remember how it was.
Good-bye, Mark.
Good-bye,
old boy.
Wonderful manager, your wife.
Yes, but she means well.
Mark, do hurry up.
I want to get breakfast over
before Natalie Bagshaw comes.
Good idea. Before
the milk turns.
Now, you must admit she's amusing.
She can still be amusing
and say something decent
about people occasionally.
She'll be furious when
she sees our new maids.
You know, we've been awfully lucky.
They've been with
the boltons for years,
have characters that long.
Think they'll let me stay?
Don't be ridiculous.
And when you meet them,
do let them understand
from the beginning
that you're the master
of the house.
Sarah, will you
put the tea over here?
This is where I always sit.
Yes'm.
Thank you, Sarah.
Thank you, Rebecca.
This is Mr. Sabre.
Good morning, sir.
Good morning, sir, I'm sure.
Good morning.
They're sisters, you know.
Their name is jinks.
Splendid.
High jinks and low jinks, what?
Sarah, you do warm
the teapot, don't you,
before you make the tea?
Well, never mind now.
And, Rebecca, in future,
we like to use
the China cruets
for breakfast.
You'll soon drop
into our ways, I'm sure.
Yes'm.
Thank you, ma'am.
How do you expect me
to run a house properly
when you say things like that?
Like what?
High jinks and low jinks.
Well, it's funny.
Is it? Why?
Because, don't you see?
Well, it is.
Not to me.
There's Natalie.
Give me
a piece of toast,
will you, please?
Thank you.
Anyway, they'll
always be high jinks
and low jinks to me.
I do wish you'd grow up.
Hello, children.
Good morning, Natalie.
Good morning.
Morning, Natalie.
Would you like
some breakfast, dear?
Oh, no, thank you.
I've had mine.
Just couldn't eat a thing.
But I'll cadge a cup of tea.
Of course.
How are you, Mark?
Uh, marmalade, please.
Enjoying life?
Naturally.
He's got me.
You mean you've got him.
The poor man's so married
he can scarcely move.
He doesn't want to move.
Do you, darling?
Another cup for
Mrs. Bagshaw, Sarah.
Yes'm.
Humph!
How long have you had her?
Since yesterday.
When's she leaving?
Well, not just yet, I hope.
Oh, well,
there's nothing
like optimism.
Although I must say
she's a great improvement
on that doddering
old Selena of yours.
Selena was a dear.
I've been angling
and scheming for weeks
to get us maids
that we wouldn't
be ashamed of,
and you start
sentimentalizing
over Selena.
She was a jolly good
cook in her time.
Really?
Of course, I'm not
old enough to know.
Thank you, Sarah.
Say,
where'd you get that marmalade?
I made it.
Do you like it?
It's scrumptious.
Oh, perfect picture
of domestic bliss.
Positively nauseating.
If you'll excuse me,
I've had enough.
By the way, have you
seen the tybars?
Are they back?
Of course.
The fair Nona has
returned in triumph
with 10 trunks and Tony
on a platinum chain.
Don't pretend you didn't know.
Why should he?
Was it on
the 8:00 news?
Oh, come now.
A rejected suitor always knows
when his former ladylove
swims back into his Ken.
Vibrations set up.
Or have I been misled?
Completely.
that was all over
a long time ago.
Mark's taste has improved
since then.
He knows when
he's well off.
Don't you, dear?
Homemade orange marmalade.
The secret of a happy marriage.
Good-bye, Natalie.
Mark. I'm sure
it was an orange
in the garden of Eden.
Uh, possibly.
Anyway, it was a serpent
that came to breakfast.
Good-bye, Natalie.
Poor old Mark.
I don't think
he liked what
I said about Selena.
No, there's one thing about Mark.
He's terribly faithful.
Let's hope you'll
always find him so.
Meaning Nona Tybar?
Not especially.
But I must say that
he sprang to attention
when he heard they were back.
I'll attend to that, darling.
At any rate,
Nona's not going
to stray far
from all that money.
I wouldn't gamble too much on that.
They tell me that
Tony's racing losses
are colossal.
So is his bank account.
Don't be too comforted, old girl.
If you want the truth,
I'm not comforted at all.
I'm worried.
You can tell me anything, darling.
I know Mark married me
on the rebound.
Who doesn't?
I mean, who doesn't take advantage?
Oh, you know what I mean.
But my conscience is clear.
Of course.
All's fair, you know.
I've given Mark
the kind of background
a man of his position must have,
and I think he's
beginning to like it.
I'll fight to hold Mark
against anyone.
Hmm.
I'm going to be smart, though.
I've got to be smart.
You know how to stop
little boys from
stealing jam?
Lock the cupboard door.
No, unlock it.
Leave the...
leave the lid off
the jam if necessary.
Wonderful!
Give me a little more marmalade.
Morning, Sabre.
Morning, Twyning.
Looks well, don't you think?
Yes, but, uh...
means a partnership, old man.
As of the 15th inst.
I didn't tell you before.
I wanted it to come
as a pleasant surprise.
Did you?
Yeah.
Well, it's a surprise, all right.
Good morning,
Mr. Sabre.
Morning, Bright.
May I speak to you a moment?
Of course, Sabre.
We're all one big,
happy family here.
Well, I'm not happy.
Look here, sir,
you promised me a partnership.
All in good time, my dear fellow.
Your books are selling very well.
They've earned you a good share
of the holdings in the company.
And haven't they
earned me a right
to a voice
in the direction
of the firm's affairs,
just as much as Twyning?
Twyning's been with us longer.
He's a very valuable
member of the firm.
Uh, Twyning.
Come in, will you?
Now, my dear Sabre, as I said,
all in good time.
All in good time.
Not in my good time, I'm afraid.
Trouble with Sabre, sir?
Yes.
About him being made a partner?
Yes, but confidentially,
he'll never be a partner.
I don't like
the Wilder liberal
elements
in his textbooks,
nor do I like Sabre.
I should prefer him
out of the firm
rather than in.
Is there anything
we can do about it?
Unfortunately, no.
Yes?
It's all right.
Hello, Marko.
Nona.
Oh... wait.
There.
I had to come.
Pleased?
How do I look?
Pleased.
Almost as pleased
as I am to be here.
Oh... it's nice.
I always thought
it was the nicest place
in the world.
Now then, tell me
about the new ones.
Uh...
There they are.
They speak for themselves.
They whisper, but they speak.
"Adventures in geology...
Picnics with the poets"?
They don't sound
like school books,
Marko.
I hope they don't
read like them, either.
I've think I've hit
on a new idea, Nona,
something
to make knowledge
go down a little easier.
Tell me about it.
But you haven't told me
what you've been doing.
Oh, that.
Oh, I've been around the world.
It's a big place,
a lot of people live on it.
I met quite a few of 'em,
liked some, didn't like others.
This one...
what's this one about?
That's our own history.
Do you realize
that we know less
about it as a people
than we do about anything?
"This england is yours.
"It has been kept for you,
"not by kings or statesmen alone,
"but by the english people,
people like you.
It is your england,
yours."
Sound stuffy?
Sounds wonderful.
You're great for the morale, Nona.
You're the only one
who gets just what
I'm driving at.
Am I...
Still?
It, uh...
Hasn't been so long
since you went away.
Hasn't it?
I can't quite make out
the postmark,
if it's monte Carlo,
August 3, '36...
That's 3 years ago, isn't it?
"Marko, dear,
"I am marrying Tony Tybar.
"Forgive me.
Nona."
I know it by heart.
"I am marrying Tony Tybar.
Forgive me."
Well, have you?
Forgiven me, I mean?
Of course you have.
You're Marko...
But I've never forgiven myself.
This letter didn't seem
so cruel 3 years ago.
I wonder why I didn't say more.
I suppose I... Couldn't.
You found t that Tybar
was thn u want
to mry, th all.
Hellth
did he t 21r=
Tony, up!
Ll wthe dead!
Apprs rehave.
Did!
Where I belonged.
Now that I am here, I do feel...
Home.
Or thereabouts.
I've been thinkin', sir.
In all our contracts,
there's a whopping long paragraph
that says
the whole thing's
null and void
if we get up to any skylarking.
Ah, yes.
The clause covering immorality.
What's on your mind?
Sabre.
Well, we can hardly hope
to catch Sabre on that.
Chap's a bit of a stick in the mud.
Rbrb21 I'm
you ow what I mean?
No, Twyning.
I'm ID I do not.
Hurr l.
Ng htory.
Rbdo you s that spot?
Now, wst put peth
to Mark the world's
nonstop bicle rerd,
made by m. Sre,
June 16, 1939.
All th
fr the f tree
thtop of fd'hill
tht tohing a p.
Well, never did, s.
Never did, eher, til toda
no there funnth l.
Th stone
th afar I g yterd
der tl th cditi
h d t for th
thno s s, not th bicycles.
Ctrary.
D nk was han.
, rzrzhe mds
evening, sir.
Evening, hi.
That'
oh, uh, Nona Tybar
her tho was in to see me
le b, n'&q this afternoon.
She was saying...
that was nice of her.
How did she look?
What sort of a hat did she have on?
I didn't notice.
That was very tactful
of you, darling.
Does she still call you "Marko"?
Yes. Why shouldn't she?
No reason at all.
Mark, I want you to
do something for me.
Uh-huh?
See a lot of Nona.
Why?
I want to prove something.
Oh, don't think I'm being silly.
I want you
to look at her,
then look back at me...
For good.
See?
Yes, I...
I think you're over her,
but I'm not sure that you know it,
and I want you to.
I'm an extraordinary woman...
Aren't I?
That's why you appreciate me.
Bad luck, old man.
Mr. Sabre,
whatever happened?
Oh, uh, Effie, that's a long story.
Well, it didn't look very long.
Now, look here, Bright...
Sabre! Ha ha...
steady, my girl.
What's all this?
She's mocking my gray hairs.
Hmm. They're
like that
nowadays.
I thought you
were helping
with the tea.
That's right, father.
Come along, Mr. Sabre.
All right.
Harold,
help yourself to one
of them cream buns
and get one for me, will you?
Right-o, dad.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Pardon.
You're the young
Mr. Twyning, aren't you?
Yes, and aren't you
Mr. Bright's daughter...
All grown up?
Yes, that's me...
Effie Bright.
All in the family, so to speak.
Yes.
Well, it's a small world,
as they say.
Harold.
Coming, dad.
Oh... sorry.
Pardon.
Ha ha ha!
Has everybody
got everything they want?
Plenty.
Thank you, sir.
Hello.
Hello.
Better luck
in the next innings,
Marko.
I'll need it.
End of the tea interval, Sabre.
Better get your men
back on the field.
Well, here goes.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Quite like old times.
We've missed this
annual cricket match
in long Meadow.
So have Tony and I.
It's good for everybody
in pennygreen
to get together
for these traditional
gatherings.
Of course it is.
Convention, institutions...
They're important.
They're the foundation
of our security,
our peace of mind.
I've never underrated their value,
particularly
in a community
like pennygreen.
Security...
Peace of mind...
You know, those are the very things
that brought me back home,
and they're going to
keep me here forever...
I hope.
Will there be anything else, madam?
No, thanks.
Mr. Sabre will be over
to collect this parcel.
Very good, sir.
That will be ?3,17
and 8 pence, madam.
Um...
This. How much
is this a yard?
Good afternoon,
Mr. Sabre.
Do you have a parcel here
for Mrs. Perch?
Yes. Just one moment,
sir.
Thank you.
Hello.
Hello.
Shopping?
How did you guess?
Elementary, my dear Watson.
I'm picking up a parcel
for old Mrs. Perch.
I promised
to drop it by
on the way home.
Your parcel, sir.
Oh, thank you.
Look, why don't you
let me drop it for you?
Would you?
Mm-hmm.
Oh, that would be wonderful.
I know she'd love to see you.
I'd love to see her.
Garnet, put this
in the car, will you,
and strap Mr. Sabre's
bicycle to the carrier.
You see, life's quite simple.
Very, if you happen to have
a retinue of retainers.
Thank you for a lovely tea.
It was wonderful,
Mrs. Perch.
I can't think
what's happened
to Freddie.
He said he'd get back
from the flower show
in time for tea.
Well, I'll probably
see him tonight
at the blue boar.
There he is now.
First prize.
Best sweetpeas in the show.
"Frederick Perch,
esquire."
Freddie, that's marvelous.
How are you,
Mrs. Tybar?
How are you, sir?
Congratulations, Freddie.
And the ?10 prize
for the best exhibit.
Oh, Freddie, what's this?
Oh!
Oh, it's lovely!
Oh, you
shouldn't, Freddie.
You shouldn't.
Well, how else
should I spend
my filthy lucre?
You could have put it
towards the first payment
for that motorcycle you want.
Oh, I can always do that.
You must take it back, Freddie.
They'll give you the money!
I don't want it.
You're a very naughty boy.
Now, popsy, how can I
take you out dancing
without a new dress?
I'll do no such thing.
Bless you, darling, but I insist.
Bless you, darling, but I refuse.
Aren't they wonderful?
I told you not to
send the car home,
it was going to rain.
Prophet!
Don't.
Don't do that.
Oh, Marko!
You came to my office the other day
to tell me something.
What was it?
You gave me your hand
and said, "there."
Why did you say that?
Because I had to touch your hand
to live in your world
for a little while.
My world?
Where do you live?
Oh, I don't live.
I drift.
Drift?
The dictionary says of flotsam...
"goods shipwrecked
and found floating
on the sea."
When I read that,
I crossed out "flotsam"
and wrote "Nona."
And don't dare say
I'm feeling sorry for myself,
because I am.
But at least I know it.
I should never have married Tony.
Is that what you came to tell me?
Mm-hmm.
And Tony... he's still
in love with you?
More than ever.
Oh, it's not his fault.
It's just that
I'm so wrong for him.
I thought I wanted
the things he wants.
I thought I wanted him...
But I don't.
I never did.
I realize that now.
All the time, itas you.
All the time it's been you.
Only you.
Good evening, low.
Good evening, sir.
Good evening,
high.
Good
evening, sir.
What happened?
Oh, that's the worst
I've ever done.
Never mind, sir.
That's a sort of a record,
too, in a manner of speaking.
What about a peg
for the best worst?
Well, that's an idea.
Huh?
Hello!
I thought it would
show up better, sir,
with a drop of whitewash.
Oh, and it does, too.
Thanks very much, low,
that's jolly nice of you.
Shall I do the other, sir?
Would you?
Yes, sir.
I made one or two spares
when I was about it,
so whatever
this bicycle gets up to,
we'll be ready for it.
We'll teach it to be, um, uh...
What's that lovely
word of yours, low?
Do you mean "audacious"?
That's it.
That's what the French
would call mot juste.
Ah, they would.
They're always good for a laugh,
aren't they, sir?
Rather.
Mark, what are you thinking about?
I'm thinking of a binge in London,
blowing ourselves
to a week
in the savoy,
doing the shows.
What do you say?
I don't say.
Why?
I don't believe in running away.
Running away?
From all my responsibilities.
I have 3 committee meetings
this week alone.
Perhaps later on, Mark.
Mr. Fargus, ma'am.
Good evening,
Mrs. Sabre.
Good evening,
Mr. Fargus.
Hello, Mark.
Hello,
old man.
What, no chessboard?
I've been waiting for you.
Why...
why should I
ask for a 7?
You asked for it.
I heard you.
Sorry, darling.
I'm afraid
we've disturbed
your shuteye.
We're settling up now.
Anybody got a fountain pen?
Yes.
I have.
Thank you.
You'll excuse me, Tony.
Mm-hmm.
There you are,
Arthur.
All yours.
Young pelham got in over his head.
That's what the shindig was about.
Now, look here, darling...
I don't like young men
losing thousands
of pounds in our home.
I say, you're not
accusing my friends
of cheating, are you?
No, Tony.
I should think not.
I went for quite a bundle myself.
What's the matter, old girl?
Everything, Tony, everything.
Think that's big enough
to keep the light out?
It should.
I know it should,
but what's
the good of that
if it doesn't?
How much?
2 and 11,3.
For that flimsy stuff?
I wouldn't think of it.
Well, everybody else is buying it
since this morning's
news about Poland.
Poland. And who does
Poland think they are
to cost people 3 shillings a yard?
Think that one out,
Mr. Higgins.
And, uh, while you're about it,
my wife would like
another 12 yards
of that blackout stuff.
Hello, Mr. Sabre.
Hello, Effie.
Apparently,
you and I are on the same errand.
Oh, yes.
All these rules
and regulations.
They don't make sense to me.
No. Well, that's
because the government
wants to keep us in the dark.
Yes, but...
oh, Mr. Sabre.
You always make
a joke of everything.
Ah, Effie, how little you know.
Is Bright smile
conceals an aching heart.
Whatever for?
I got married before I met you.
Good-byefie.
I'll pick that up
on my way home,
Mr. higgin
good, rjsir.
There goes
the sweetest man
in the whole world.
I'll take that blackout stuff, too.
Thank you very much, miss.
&5
At's up?
We're going
on a picnic.
Oh, but I...
I've reserved
a tree stump,
a trout stream,
and a lovely bit
of grass. Catering
by Nona Tybar, limited.
Well, I hope
it's not too limited,
because I'm very hungry.
All right, greedy.
Here we go.
Remember our last picnic?
Yes, Marko.
Finished?
Uh-huh.
Oh... there goes
Nona Tybar.
And Mark Sabre.
And Mark Sabre.
Having a pretty rough
passage, aren't we?
Too rough.
Too rough for me to bear.
Oh, Marko,
it's no good.
I can't help it.
I've tried. I've tried
very hard, but I'm
just not good enough.
Nona. Nona, I...
don't look at me.
Say it without looking at me.
I've reached a point
where I can't think
of the rights of others anymore.
I love you.
But you've got to
face what it means.
Once we take
this step,
there it is...
For the rest of our lives.
We'll have to live
with the knowledge
that we took our happiness
at the expense of others.
You know that.
Yes, I know that.
I don't care what happens
to the rest of my life
as long I can spend it with you.
They'll t it, rk people do.
You can't expect us to think m
of what happens to them than to us.
We're human.
R, Mr. t
ing yr fi.
&212to help writ>qjrbrbrr for yo
&m on my home
to tell Nona I'mrbrbrejoinin re9
oh. I didn't
mean to intrude.
You know Tybar?
Indeed. Indeed.
How are you,
Tybar?
Fighting fit, I hope.
Tybar's rejoining
his regiment today.
PR that th be anoth ni
her lse alar
goodye, bre.
I Tony.
And thank heaven r men ready.
Odye.
,
my dear boy.
Hello.
I've seen Tony.
I know he's
been called up.
The idea of Tony in danger...
Knowing I've left him...
Terrifies me.
I... i don't think
he'd try to come back.
Marko, you're strong.
You can stand on your own.
Tony can't.
So it...
It just can't be.
Perhaps it could never have been.
Perhaps what has happened
has just brought us
to our senses
a little sooner.
I understand.
Yes.
You always do.
You're Marko.
When the time comes,
I shall join one of the services.
Of course.
So shall I.
I think it'll...
Be easier to bear.
Easier.
I don't think
anything can
make it that.
Did you ever
see such hats
as that woman wears?
One diamond.
Never. Like
one of those
old pictures
of still life.
2 dead pigeons,
a bunch of grapes, and a pineapple.
Double a diamond.
No bid.
Someone ought
to tell her
to be her age.
"Double a diamond."
Oh, dear. I wish
I could remember
what that means.
Why don't you
take up bridge,
darling?
3 no trumps.
4 spades.
4 no trump.
Double.
That you, Mark?
Yes.
Oh. Good afternoon,
ladies.
Go afternoon.
Good afternoon,
Mark.
Have you, uh,
seen the news
about Poland?
Darling, this is serious bridge.
Oh.
I only have 12 cards.
Can't you
even count?
Really.
I did count.
These were
all I got.
Hannah, see if you're
sitting on a card.
Oh, how can I be sitting on...
ah. Dot look now,
but the queen of spades
is under the table.
Never mind. J
here's tea.
Thank heaven.
You never count your cds.
Hi
Oh, he does, does he?
Oh, yes, owing to the French
having got this imaginary line.
Maginot line.
That's it.
George said
we can all hide
behind that
till we're ready
and then pop out and do 'em all in.
Oh, well,
thank you, low.
That's very reassuring.
Yes, sir.
I thought you'd
like to know.
Mark, I do wish you
wouldn't discuss these
things with the servants
when we have people here.
The servants are
going to be in it
with everybody else...
man, woman, and child...
before this thing
is over.
They'll all have a job to do.
Their job is to look after us.
I didn't spend
6 solid months getting
a staff together
to have the whole thing
upset by a war.
Nor did Hitler.
Can't you read english?
Can't you see what it says?
"To be used only
in case of enemy
action."
What do you
hop it. Hop it.
Hop it. Ff?
Don't you know there's a war on?
Y live to be 90, but not in Ty.
?21&9t know.
&... I've just joined
the Navy.
I abor2
n't a m rbr>r>
top me>1ontorrrre reste:
Oh, sorr
I'm sorry.
It'ste all right ?9
t it.
You suj?
Goodvening.
Nothr>
[he in noj], n't he
loli t.
R(r>rj the tohit
yor ad be itr>
I ll
1, ", tion
re
, nd ul ehr.
U d at
, nd ul I 1eep hereallycan et.
E ppen that's silly, isn't it?
I had the same feeling.
Remember David's lament
for Saul and Jonathan?
"They were lovely
and pleasant
in their lives,
and in their death,
they were not divided."
I know what it meant now
when she called to Freddie.
He w the one person
she could be
absolutely sure of.
I know because that's
the way I felt tonight...
sure of you.
I felt... You were
the one person
I could turn to.
You can always feel that, Effie.
Always.
Mabk, ghen you st out all night,
I do thhnk youight
led me know yourself.
Sorry. Mrs. Perch
isone, Mabel.
Ede's death was too much for he
that's t bad.
Bui do think it
was veryunyfthat miss Bright
to send for you.
After all, the proper
thing to have done...
oh, for Ty's sake,
can't you leave
the girl alone?
I can.
Can you?
I don't understand Mabel.
I thought you were
so sure of our I
of us...
soure at nothing could shake you.
Nayb cldt,
bud th seems to be differt.
It the
nont-eye
lilehi
th@rbe a anio m
ldbe
th@rbe
haou ris?
Wh?
sabrs article
in Fargus' rag. Rbdsgceful!
No, t I'm qt surpsed.
No wonder I
can't do anything
with my boy.
There he is, on his last leave,
hobnobbing with Sabre.
He's undermining him, I tell you.
He's undermining
everybody,
if you ask me.
Have the goodness
to open that door.
Ah, Sabre, come in, will you?
Gentlemen.
how's the book
going?
Oh, fairly well, I think.
Perhaps your new book is suffering
because of your other writings.
I refer to this outpouring.
No, I don't think so.
You think this is important?
Very.
Frankly, I don't.
Well, I do.
Then perhaps you
would like to devote
more time to it.
Would you like to be
released from your
contract with us?
I think we can oblige you.
I would not, and may I remind you
that you cannot
dismiss me except on
serious moral grounds,
whatever that may mean.
It means
different things
to different people.
For instance, this.
This is
seriously immoral
from my standpoint.
Then it's a very good
thing for me that you
are not a court of law.
I don't think I shall
give you any reason
to invoke that clause.
If that's all, I'll...
one moment, Sabre.
Please don't bounce
away like that.
You know
Harold's going
on active duty.
Yes, he's made a fine pilot.
You ought to be
very proud of him,
Twyning. I am.
That's easy for you to say.
You're not giving
a son, and you're
not going yourself.
Twyning, that is scarcely fair.
After all, Sabre
is a man of ideals.
Just because
he expresses those
ideals so forcibly,
one need not necessarily expect him
to fight for them.
If it's of any
interest to either
of you gentlemen,
I tried to enlist
the day after war
was declared.
You did? Well, well.
Most creditable,
eh, Twyning?
I was turned down.
Why were you
turned down?
Heart.
Oh, really?
Mmm.
You look so fit.
Do they give you
anything to show
they turned you down?
A slip.
Do you, uh, carry it?
I don't have to.
Nobody who knows me
would doubt my word.
Anyone else can verify it
by going to
the medical examiner
of the district.
It's just across
the street, Twyning.
Thank you, dear.
I must say, a little
of this war work
goes a long way.
It's not so strenuous
as actual nursing.
No, but actual nursing
might be more fun.
Some of those convalescent officers
are most attractive.
Yes, if you could
be sure of getting
officers.
Mmm! This cake's
delicious.
Who made it, Rebecca?
No. Sarah.
Rebecca's gone.
No! And such
a treasure.
What was it, drink?
No, she was called up.
Have you ever
heard of anything
so provoking?
Hello, dear.
How are you,
Natalie?
Very well, except
that I've overeaten.
This war work makes
me simply ravenous.
Say, Mark, I've
been reading that
extraordinary stuff
you've been putting in the papers.
Well, I hope it's
done you some good.
What do you think about it?
Oh, I think it's just a phase.
Well, that's the war for you.
The people that never
said boo to a goose before
suddenly become oracles of wisdom.
What is it, low?
High's here, sir, in the kitchen.
She don't half
look hot stuff
in her uniform.
Oh? I'll go and
have a look at her.
And there's someone else
out there, too, sir.
Wants to see you.
Who?
Effie Bright, sir.
Effie Bright?
What on earth...?
Haven't you heard?
I thought everybody knew.
What is it, low?
She's been turned out...
turned out bag and baggage
by that father of hers.
Turned out?
Whatever for?
Oh, really, Mark.
Must you be
so naive?
She's going to have a baby, sir.
On the wrong side
of the blanket,
as they say.
Well, I'll be getting along.
No, don't go now.
I think I should.
These family crises
are no place for
a non-competent.
I know how you feel, darling...
But you can always come to me.
Now, ducks, drink up
your tea. You'll
feel better then.
Come on, now.
Do as low says.
That's the girl.
Go on, drink it.
Oh, Mr. Sabre,
I know I shouldn't
have come here,
but I had nowhere else to go.
My father said...
Oh, he called me...
Ah, now, now.
Come on, let's sit down.
Sit down and finish
that cup of tea.
That's the girl.
There you are.
Now, drink this.
You'll feel better.
Come on, Effie.
Sarah!
I want some fresh tea...
If you're not too busy.
Try and drink it up.
Sarah, stop that nonsense
and do as you're told.
It's not nonsense.
It's common decency.
But you wouldn't
understand that,
not your sort.
Leave the house this instant.
I'll pay you
till the end
of the month.
Go upstairs and pack your trunk!
In me own time!
You, all dolled up
like a sister of mercy.
Talk about the horrors of war.
She's one.
And what's more,
I wouldn't have
stayed in this house
as long as I did
if it hadn't been for the master.
Get out of my kitchen.
With pleasure.
Come on, I'll help you pack.
And if you take
my advice, Mr. Sabre,
you won't be far behind us.
I'm so sorry,
Mr. Sabre...
To cause all this trouble.
I'll go now.
No, no, Effie, please.
You had every right to come to me.
Yes. I'm beginning
to think she had.
I'd like a word with you, Mark.
I'll be back in a moment.
Now, you stay right there.
Mabel, I'd like you
to apologize to Effie.
Really?
I don't think so.
Do you expect her
to stay in my house?
Why, yes, of course,
until we can find somewhere else.
Why did she come here?
I told her once
she could count on me.
Did you?
How sweet of you.
What claim has she on you?
What claim?
Isn't it enough
that this poor child
has appealed to us in her need...
in her urgent, desperate need
of comfort and kindness?
There's no avoiding it
even if we wanted to,
no turning back,
no crossing
to the other side
of the street.
What a pity
you'll never be able
to take Sarah's advice
and leave me, Mark,
because, you see, I'm leaving you.
Not because
you're jealous
of Effie Bright?!
Jealous?
No, outraged, disgusted, finished.
You don't think
I'm in love with her?
Love? That's
too pretty a word.
Anyway, it's quite obvious
that you're not in love with me,
and it may surprise you to know
that I'm not in love with you.
Perhaps.
But all that's got nothing to do
with that pathetic child
in the kitchen.
No? I happen to think
that that pathetic child
in the kitchen
is nothing but
an ambitious little rotter
trying to better herself.
Mabel.
Come back a moment, will you?
I'll be honest with you.
There is someone else.
Honest? With me?
Can you be?
I'll admit it's difficult,
but I will be.
All right, you've sensed it.
I'm not in love with you.
I am in love with someone else.
I'm sorry, but there it is.
I'm relieved about
one thing, though,
I see it really makes
very little difference
to you.
And the lucky, lucky woman
is not Effie Bright?
It is not Effie Bright.
I'm going now,
and I shan't be back.
I'll divorce you, of course.
And I shall tell everyone
exactly why I've left my own house.
I'm sure you'll tell it, Mabel.
I'm not sure it'll be exact.
Good morning, Effie.
How are you feeling this morning?
Much better, thank you.
Good. What have we
got here?
Oh, kippers.
How did you know I liked them?
Come.
Sit down, and we'll have some.
Come on.
Oh, I couldn't.
I had my breakfast.
I had it early.
Sure?
Oh. Well...
Last night
I said to myself,
Effie Bright,
you ought not to have come here.
Now I know I shouldn't have.
I'll be off as soon
as I've washed up.
You'll do no such thing.
You'll stay till we find
the best place for you to go.
Come. Sit down
here now
and have a cup of tea.
There you are.
Think of all the great decisions
that have been made in this world
over a cup of tea.
First things first.
We'll get in touch with
this young man of yours.
You've told him?
I've written.
Huh.
It's rather difficult these days.
Oh, overseas, huh?
Want a little sugar in here?
No, thank you.
Here you are.
It's no good,
Mr. Sabre.
I couldn't tell you his name.
I couldn't.
Not even you.
I didn't think you would, Effie,
and I love you for it.
There must be somewhere
you can send her,
someone who will take her in.
Have you tried to find
a place in wartime?
But look what it's doing
to your reputation.
You're going to ruin
yourself in pennygreen.
But you know that, don't you?
I'm not worried
about myself, old man.
I'm going to stand by that child.
This firm, with
its ecclesiastical
connections,
cannot afford to have
one breath of scandal
connected with its name.
I'm not sure that girl's
being in your home
for the past week
hasn't already damaged
our reputation.
Restitution must be made.
You must turn her out at once.
I refuse.
Is that all?
Not quite, Sabre.
You're dismissed.
Legal notice of your termination
will be sent to you
by registered mail.
You have violated
the morals clause
of your contract.
I herewith invoke that clause
and all that it implies.
If you mean that I forfeit
my shareholdings in the firm,
you'll have to fight me
in a court of law.
You'll have to prove your case.
I should like nothing better.
Good morning, Sabre.
Oh, look here, old man,
I'm terribly sorry about all this.
About what, sir?
Oh, this scrape
your daughter got herself into.
I have no daughter,
Mr. Twyning.
Watch, steady.
There you go.
Give him this here.
It's a receipt for her furniture.
I shouldn't have done it.
It hers.
Her father ge it to her
for a wedding present.
At's this?
Ceived Mark Sabre,
rtain goods and chattels
belongin
to Mrs. bre.
There, there, there now.
I know where we can
get me more chairs
and tables.
Come on.
There's nothing
to cry about.
I don't understand women.
If Mark had 40 women
in different parts of London
and made nsecret it,
nobody would have said a word.
But because he takes one
poor, abandoned child
into his home...
into his home!
You'll agree it's a bit different.
Oh!
Can't you see
what will happen to you
if Mark Sabre continues
to live with this girl...
And continues to write
for your newspaper?
Strange.
When Mark resigned today,
that's just what he said.
"I'm harming the paper.
I'm undoing
the good it's done."
Well...
Well, I must say
he's displayed
rare good taste,
ich is me than he'done up till no
robertn.
Here.
Edwards.
Here.
Rimes.
Here.
Sabre.
Working
at tidrough plant,
sergeant.
Must be on the late shift.
Jones.
Here.
There's no smoke without fire,
that's what I say.
That ain't good enough for me,
not by a long shot.
No, not for me, neither, it ain't.
I want to hear at he's got to say.
He's resigned
from the newspaper,
ain't he?
Maybe that says it.
But who made him resign?
That's what I want to know.
Well, there'dirty rk
here, if y a me.
He been ying thing
in that paper, he has.
Plenty of thin.
Then why hahe stopped
he's been stopped, I y.
Then why ihe duinus
[ll arguing]
Evening, Effie.
Evening.
Did you e the po
saw it, read it, liked it.
It from, uh, Nona Tybar.
E'ba in ldon.
Asd me tme to seeer tro
il hop up
the fir train
in the mning.
Don't you e, Effie?
Nol t a move on.
E'll know what to do.
You'll hear
from that young man
of yours,
and you'll hear veryoon.
There'a reas you haven't heard.
He's on
a ecial mission,
perhaps he'-
no. I've tried
to think that,
but not any longer.
But, Effie, if your younman...
I have nyounman,
Mr. bre.
It aplain as the no on your face.
Ah, I don't believe it.
Nobody would be fool enough
to give up a girl like you.
It... it isn't
possible.
It happens.
Someone you love doesn't love back.
That's all.
I just want to hear from him again.
Even if he hates me no
I nt to hear from him.
Uld you li a cigarette?
Don't tell me
you manad
to get se today?
A few.
Ere'd you hide 'em this time?
Me pla ausual.
You're a regular magpie
en it me to hiding things.
Well, at least you know
where to look for them.
Oh, after dinner,
Mr. Sabre,
ll y slip er to the chemi
I want a bottle g st
ll y slip er for your gray hat.
Do y, uh, thin I uld talk better
through a Ean hat, Effie?
Au
, you are a ution,
Mr. bre.
You alys ma me laugh.
A load off my mind.
At a pity, mar.
Ju the time en
I could have been
some u tyou,
I was away.
Of course I'll fix everything.
There are a million things
Effie and I can do.
First of all,
you tell her tmeet me
tomorrow at 11:00
at thiaddress.
Uh-huh.
, po darling.
Hoyou must have ffered.
Pennygreen must
have been buzzin
th a venan.
Ll, there ha been a bit of talk.
I a little afraid y'd hear.
I didn want you to aept for me.
Marco, y idi.
I love y
nothinn t I
and it will never an,
expt t.
I a very old wan, itl I be there.
Perhapitl all me that left then.
Don't forget,
tomorr at 11:00.
I an.
Mr ward, at wrong
it-Tony.
He been injured.
Badly?
Terribly, terribly.
[S] it was a hand grenade.
He was trainin new men.
Mryotell Mrs. Tybar
that I'll stay in London tonit,
and I'll be at the cmbs hotel
in the haymarket if e ntme.
All right, Mr. Sabre.
Thanyou.
All right.
Ye
Mark Sabre in?
No.
Expeinhim ba sn?
Ll, I've just had
a telegram from him.
He's at the ombs hotel in ldon.
He may be back tomorrow.
. Name of
Effie Bright
ye I Effie brit.
T a little present for you.
[Bing], no!
[Bbin
[bing]
Oh, excu me.
Me o ye
I ha a ltl prest for you.
, thanyou.
I'm fr hile & bartle,
representing Mrs. bre.
Quite a bit trouble findinyou.
Ju misd you at pennyeen.
Your girlfriend quite put t
en I gave her he
bit o
at did y say
I ying you're a...
as I was sayin
en I served the it the yng lady,
e emed quite on ed.
Eh, rt of hyerical,
in a manner speakin
I ll...
I'm an officer the crt, I am!
You better be reful!
, t t.
This Ian insult, an outra.
Thifell ces upstair
and ve
that other fello-
e at time the next train
leaves f tidborough, plea.
Ye sir.
Hierin
that other fello
but there mu be a reply.
There must be a reply.
And threaten
the her fell
th violence.
I tell y, I n't and for it, r.
Hel leave this hel
immediately. I...
ex me.
I'm loin mre.
M Mark Sabre.
I'm inector bruster fr stland yard.
At the matter?
I'm afraid I have me
rather bad newfor you.
At iit at iit
I thinyou better
me along with me
to yr ro.
Ere uld e t pois
I'm very sorry,
Mr. Sabre,
but there are one two fmalities
with which you must comply.
They have
removed the body
to the mortuary...
I never, never ould have left her.
Why? Why did I
leave her?
I have to tell you this...
why did I leave her?
Because of your
relationship
with the deceased,
your presence will be
required at the inquest,
which will be held tomoji mni
in the blue boar at pennygreen.
Inquest?
Inquest?!
Sorry we're late,
but the line from town
was blitzed last night.
All right, inspector.
Mr. Sabre, are you
legally represented?
No.
You may be if you wish.
Medical testimony
has been given to the effect
that the deceased, Effie Bright,
died from the effects
of oxalic acid poisoning.
This bottle of oxalic acid,
used for cleaning purposes,
was found near the body
of the deceased
in the kitchen of Mark Sabre's home
at the crosshores, pennygreen.
Can you identify that bottle
as the one you sold 2 nights ago?
That's it, sir,
or a likely
facsimile.
Who was the purchaser?
Here it is in my poison book, sir.
Mark Sabre,
of crosshores,
pennygreen.
Silence!
Mr. Coroner, sir,
I represent
the deceased girl's
father, Mr. Bright,
and with your permission,
I should like
to ask the witness
a question.
Very well, Mr. Pettigrew.
When you
sold the customer
the poison,
was there anything
odd in his manner?
Well, eh...
He sat down while he bought it.
Is that, uh, unusual?
Very.
Why?
Because usually there
aren't any chairs there.
Silence.
Silence, please.
That will be all,
Mr. broadhurst.
William Bright.
It was June.
Can't be sure of the day.
Towards the end, I think.
Leastways it was late
at night, that I know,
when Effie came in.
I should have known.
I should have realized
then who Effie had been
staying out with.
I say, look here!
Silence!
But I want to...
in the course of these proceedings,
you will be called upon
to state what you know
about this tragedy.
Please wait until then.
Mr. Bright...
Was the deceased the sort of girl
who would meditate
taking her own life?
Never. Never.
Had the deceased
ever betrayed signs
of loose character
while living beneath your roof?
Never. Never.
Have you any knowledge
as to whether Mr. Sabre
was a frequent visitor
at the place of the
deceased's situation?
Constantly.
Night after night he was there.
And who else
was in the house
on these occasions?
An old lady, past 70,
and my daughter Effie.
Do you know who was responsible
for the condition
of your unhappy
daughter?
Yes. There.
There.
And then not satisfied,
he took her to live in his house,
for everyone to see
and point a finger at.
Please, Mr. Bright,
allow me...
I shall not warn you
again, Mr. Sabre.
Thank you, Mr. Bright.
S.j. Gibbons.
5:00 in the morning. 5:00.
Spent the night...
openly.
Excuse me.
Brazen. Right in
his own backyard.
Other occasions.
Intimacy.
Innumerable occasions.
Innumerable.
Filth. Living proof.
Open association.
Open association.
Ecclesiastical connections.
Highly moral tone.
Anybody could see
what was going on.
Answer, sir!
Answer!
Reluctantly attribute, base motive.
Answer!
Undue intimacy.
Undue intimacy.
Occasions.
Remonstrate.
The truth, the whole truth.
Is it a fact that your wife
has instituted
divorce proceedings
against you?
Look here,
that has nothing to do
with this inquiry.
Is it a fact that
in these proceedings
the, uh, the deceased woman
was named
as co-respondent?
Look here!
You keep asking me
to look here, sir,
but you tell me nothing.
I ask you plain questions,
please answer them.
Is it a fact that these proceedings
were served on you in London
on the occasion of your flight?
Flight. Flight?!
Or was it a little holiday
to get away from it all?
Oh, no, no, no.
Then what were you doing in London?
I was making arrangements
for Effie to leave pennygreen.
Ah, and before you left for London
to make these "arrangements"
to get rid
of your obligations
to this child,
you made a purchase.
No. Nothing in particular.
Yet you heard
Mr. broadhurst,
the chemist
from fair mile,
tidborough,
give evidence.
Oh, yes. I bought
some cleaning fluid.
Then why did you
go all the way
to fair mile
on the outskirts of tidborough,
when there was a shop
in pennygreen?
I wanted...
I wanted to walk.
Let's come to the purpose
of this oxalic acid purchase.
Cleaning fluid, cleaning fluid.
Yes, cleaning fluid.
Oxalic acid, a deadly poison.
You know. You signed
the poison book.
What did you want it for?
Effie asked me to get it
to clean my gray hat.
And did she
carry out her
intention, sir?
Did she clean it?
You don't appear to
be wearing it today.
Pray then, where is this hat
for which
you obtained
the oxalic acid?
Is it at your house?
No.
Not at your house?
Odd. Where, then?
Look here...
where, then?
Answer the question,
Mr. Sabre.
Where is the hat?
The wind, under a lorry in London.
I left it...
I left it in the gutter.
You left it in the gutter?
Stop it, stop it!
You're killing him, all of you!
Stop it, I tell you!
- Silence!
- Who are you?
I'm Nona Tybar.
Everybody in pennygreen knows me.
Oh, yes, indeed.
The wife
of major Tybar
of northripps.
I was.
Major Tybar died this morning.
Allow me to offer you
my deepest sympathy.
Now, if you have anything
that would help
materially
in this inquiry,
we should be glad to hear it.
By the death of Effie Bright,
Mark Sabre lost a dear friend,
a friend he was trying to help.
She turned to him because
there was no one else
she could turn to,
and because he was the only one
with the courage and
decency to stretch out
a hand to her.
But, Mrs. Tybar,
this is irrelevant.
I have known Mark Sabre
all my life.
He is a kind and honest man.
If any one of you here
were in trouble,
you could go to him
and he would help you.
Love, kindness, decency...
those are precious things.
Don't destroy them,
don't destroy them.
Mrs. Tybar, this is
not a court of law.
We are not trying
Mr. Sabre.
We are inquiring into the death
of that unhappy girl Effie Bright.
Please take a seat.
That will be all,
Mr. Sabre.
Gentlemen of the jury,
you have now heard
all the evidence.
It consequently becomes your duty
to return a true verdict
on your findings of fact.
Gentlemen of the jury,
are you agreed upon the verdict?
Yes, sir.
In the case of Effie Bright,
our verdict is suicide
whilst of unsound mind.
Gentlemen of the jury,
I thank you
for your verdict,
in which I heartily concur.
Yes, Mr. foreman?
The members of this jury
wish to add their
most severe censure
of the conduct of the witness,
Mark Sabre.
Oyez, oyez, oyez.
All manner of persons
with anything to do
with this court
before the king's Coroner
for this county,
touching the death
of Effie Bright...
Mark, Mark.
Nona, go away.
Go away, please.
You must keep out of this.
Mrs. Tybar,
it will be better,
perhaps,
if we leave him alone for a while.
Listen, we boys, we're his friends,
and we don't believe all this.
Mr. Fargus,
you'd better do
something about it
in your paper.
Yeah.
Yes, I will, boys.
I will.
You come with me,
Mrs. Tybar.
Dear Mr. Sabre,
you have been my one friend,
and in return
I've brought you
only trouble and shame.
Perhaps with me gone,
a little of what
I've done to you
will be undone.
I feel I ought to tell you now,
before I leave this world,
what I never was able
to tell you or anyone...
the name of the boy
is Harold Twyning.
He used to be in your office.
We had been secretly
engaged a long time,
and we were going to be married.
Then he had to go
overseas suddenly,
and he was afraid
to tell his father.
So that was how it all was.
And, dear Mr. Sabre,
I do trust you to be with Harold
what you have
always been with me
and with everyone...
gentle and understanding things.
And I shall tell
the perches, too,
about you.
Good-bye,
and may god bless and reward you
forever and ever.
Effie.
Cab.
Tidb, to ftu, & t
Mark!
,
Twynin
twynin ie me
to speak tyou
abt your s!
Bre.
Sabre, have you heard?
Heard?
[Obs] killed.
My Harold, my boy.
My boy Harold.
Lo, bre, bre...
[S my boy... b.
[Bing]
It's good of y to come, Sabre.
I feel it.
After all that business,
I'm sorry about it, Sabre.
I feel your goodness in
coming to me like this.
You know...
you always knew what
my boy meant to me.
My hard.
Oh, Harold.
All my life, Sabre,
fiting and scrambling
li a pig at a trough.
And for what?
To get on, to get ahead.
To make re
that my Harold
had a tter pla
in the wld than what I ever had.
Puinpele t my y.
Inthem, fiti edy, hating, lyin
now he's gone.
I say, Sabre, what's the matter?
I can't... I can't...
Marco.
Something's happened to Sabre.
Oh, call the doctor,
quickly! Quickly!
Marco.
Hello, hello.
This is tidborough 992 speaking.
Please send a doctor at once.
Mrs. Tybar's
right there, sir.
Hell Nona.
Hell Mr. Fargus.
Are the doct he yet
mm-hmm.
At the verdi
don't ow.
Han't seen them.
Theye up n givhim a nal examinatio
no o kne about that heart sre.
He ner mentd it
Mark wldt.
Na, you have de a I
Andi by him all these ek
nce he been ill
and inhe and lointe thin
all th I very poant, m far
all that mattno ith marts wl
d ain a
al that...
I thintheye mi d
he gng tbe o all rit.
Crse he I
I ju heard the London eciali
say that he
won't have to come
see him anyme.
That means he's
out of the wds,
all rit.
Ll, the tea'ready.
I made se ni
tercress sandwiche
for him.
, he likes a bit wateres
cor!
Lo at the time!
I hate tthinat
the rgeant will y
if we're late.
That serant ain't no lady.
He w refuse to see me no wl he
d le da I w
he still r
s
Ll it hu I it?
Ll, oht to dhi
heh heh heh heh.
Than dto I yo trouble
I agreed with you
not to sho e brht lte
to t the mt,
t t for
to u the infti to clear m
I th th up to m
the to kp
th t, t th cldt.
Bhe
le
Tht f
didn thi m
y sl.
T bter
you mu gay and t me bhe
yolonged t, darlin and I let you.
Don't asme to dthat ain.
But at have I left to offer y
all your troubleno
and all your j en they me bac to y.
Ye and all my shame.
Pele feeling sry for you.
I can't ta y into that.
Don't you e, darlin
I'm all finied
here, and, perhaps,
everywhere.
Heh, y d ppe anyone
uld publish my sl bono
Marc thiis
a nfused and
frightened wld,
but it a wld tlive in,
not to run ay fr.
All rit, it'll be hard.
Me people ll reject you,
refu tlien tyou,
but that mustn stop you.
Nothinmu stop you.
I want you tgo.
No, you don't, darling.
And the only way you n ma me
is ttell me that
you don't thin
I'm real enough
hest en to make you happy.
Tell me that, and I'll g
no.
Oh, darlin I'll never leave y.
Never, never.
It I gng to be ea.
I don't asfor it tbe.
You didn a for it tbe easy.
Huh?
I tht I burned thi
ll, then.
I al thought
I uld never
e you again.
If ye in to share
what the future holds for me,
you have much more right than I
to say
at you want done
th that letter.
Mu me rit.
Thank you, darling.
My darling.
Tutaptioned by the national
ptioning institute
...ncicap. Org...
Turner entertainment group
# if winter comes
and skies turn gray #
# I'll still love you #
# I'll always have
this summer dream #
# To dream of you #
# When we're far apart #
# Bring back
a thought to mind #
# If winter comes #
# Can spring
be far behind? #
# O wind, ooo-ooo #
# If winter comes #
# Can spring
be far behind? #
Plain talk by the editor?
Mr. Fargus,
what have you been saying?
Just like the woman.
Never any time to read
your husband's
leading article.
Bye, my dear.
Good-bye.
Mark!
Hello.
I've got it.
I've been up with it
ever since you left last night.
But I've done it.
I'll come down.
Right.
Come on.
I've done it.
You think so?
Mm-hmm.
Now, get out of that, my boy.
Now where's your queen?
Poor old Victoria.
Mark, do come to breakfast, dear.
Oh, hello, Mr. Fargus.
I didn't know it was you.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Sabre,
butting in like this.
But you see, I had a problem.
Well, I have a problem, too.
I've just got a couple
of new maids to break in.
You know how it is.
No. I can only
remember how it was.
Good-bye, Mark.
Good-bye,
old boy.
Wonderful manager, your wife.
Yes, but she means well.
Mark, do hurry up.
I want to get breakfast over
before Natalie Bagshaw comes.
Good idea. Before
the milk turns.
Now, you must admit she's amusing.
She can still be amusing
and say something decent
about people occasionally.
She'll be furious when
she sees our new maids.
You know, we've been awfully lucky.
They've been with
the boltons for years,
have characters that long.
Think they'll let me stay?
Don't be ridiculous.
And when you meet them,
do let them understand
from the beginning
that you're the master
of the house.
Sarah, will you
put the tea over here?
This is where I always sit.
Yes'm.
Thank you, Sarah.
Thank you, Rebecca.
This is Mr. Sabre.
Good morning, sir.
Good morning, sir, I'm sure.
Good morning.
They're sisters, you know.
Their name is jinks.
Splendid.
High jinks and low jinks, what?
Sarah, you do warm
the teapot, don't you,
before you make the tea?
Well, never mind now.
And, Rebecca, in future,
we like to use
the China cruets
for breakfast.
You'll soon drop
into our ways, I'm sure.
Yes'm.
Thank you, ma'am.
How do you expect me
to run a house properly
when you say things like that?
Like what?
High jinks and low jinks.
Well, it's funny.
Is it? Why?
Because, don't you see?
Well, it is.
Not to me.
There's Natalie.
Give me
a piece of toast,
will you, please?
Thank you.
Anyway, they'll
always be high jinks
and low jinks to me.
I do wish you'd grow up.
Hello, children.
Good morning, Natalie.
Good morning.
Morning, Natalie.
Would you like
some breakfast, dear?
Oh, no, thank you.
I've had mine.
Just couldn't eat a thing.
But I'll cadge a cup of tea.
Of course.
How are you, Mark?
Uh, marmalade, please.
Enjoying life?
Naturally.
He's got me.
You mean you've got him.
The poor man's so married
he can scarcely move.
He doesn't want to move.
Do you, darling?
Another cup for
Mrs. Bagshaw, Sarah.
Yes'm.
Humph!
How long have you had her?
Since yesterday.
When's she leaving?
Well, not just yet, I hope.
Oh, well,
there's nothing
like optimism.
Although I must say
she's a great improvement
on that doddering
old Selena of yours.
Selena was a dear.
I've been angling
and scheming for weeks
to get us maids
that we wouldn't
be ashamed of,
and you start
sentimentalizing
over Selena.
She was a jolly good
cook in her time.
Really?
Of course, I'm not
old enough to know.
Thank you, Sarah.
Say,
where'd you get that marmalade?
I made it.
Do you like it?
It's scrumptious.
Oh, perfect picture
of domestic bliss.
Positively nauseating.
If you'll excuse me,
I've had enough.
By the way, have you
seen the tybars?
Are they back?
Of course.
The fair Nona has
returned in triumph
with 10 trunks and Tony
on a platinum chain.
Don't pretend you didn't know.
Why should he?
Was it on
the 8:00 news?
Oh, come now.
A rejected suitor always knows
when his former ladylove
swims back into his Ken.
Vibrations set up.
Or have I been misled?
Completely.
that was all over
a long time ago.
Mark's taste has improved
since then.
He knows when
he's well off.
Don't you, dear?
Homemade orange marmalade.
The secret of a happy marriage.
Good-bye, Natalie.
Mark. I'm sure
it was an orange
in the garden of Eden.
Uh, possibly.
Anyway, it was a serpent
that came to breakfast.
Good-bye, Natalie.
Poor old Mark.
I don't think
he liked what
I said about Selena.
No, there's one thing about Mark.
He's terribly faithful.
Let's hope you'll
always find him so.
Meaning Nona Tybar?
Not especially.
But I must say that
he sprang to attention
when he heard they were back.
I'll attend to that, darling.
At any rate,
Nona's not going
to stray far
from all that money.
I wouldn't gamble too much on that.
They tell me that
Tony's racing losses
are colossal.
So is his bank account.
Don't be too comforted, old girl.
If you want the truth,
I'm not comforted at all.
I'm worried.
You can tell me anything, darling.
I know Mark married me
on the rebound.
Who doesn't?
I mean, who doesn't take advantage?
Oh, you know what I mean.
But my conscience is clear.
Of course.
All's fair, you know.
I've given Mark
the kind of background
a man of his position must have,
and I think he's
beginning to like it.
I'll fight to hold Mark
against anyone.
Hmm.
I'm going to be smart, though.
I've got to be smart.
You know how to stop
little boys from
stealing jam?
Lock the cupboard door.
No, unlock it.
Leave the...
leave the lid off
the jam if necessary.
Wonderful!
Give me a little more marmalade.
Morning, Sabre.
Morning, Twyning.
Looks well, don't you think?
Yes, but, uh...
means a partnership, old man.
As of the 15th inst.
I didn't tell you before.
I wanted it to come
as a pleasant surprise.
Did you?
Yeah.
Well, it's a surprise, all right.
Good morning,
Mr. Sabre.
Morning, Bright.
May I speak to you a moment?
Of course, Sabre.
We're all one big,
happy family here.
Well, I'm not happy.
Look here, sir,
you promised me a partnership.
All in good time, my dear fellow.
Your books are selling very well.
They've earned you a good share
of the holdings in the company.
And haven't they
earned me a right
to a voice
in the direction
of the firm's affairs,
just as much as Twyning?
Twyning's been with us longer.
He's a very valuable
member of the firm.
Uh, Twyning.
Come in, will you?
Now, my dear Sabre, as I said,
all in good time.
All in good time.
Not in my good time, I'm afraid.
Trouble with Sabre, sir?
Yes.
About him being made a partner?
Yes, but confidentially,
he'll never be a partner.
I don't like
the Wilder liberal
elements
in his textbooks,
nor do I like Sabre.
I should prefer him
out of the firm
rather than in.
Is there anything
we can do about it?
Unfortunately, no.
Yes?
It's all right.
Hello, Marko.
Nona.
Oh... wait.
There.
I had to come.
Pleased?
How do I look?
Pleased.
Almost as pleased
as I am to be here.
Oh... it's nice.
I always thought
it was the nicest place
in the world.
Now then, tell me
about the new ones.
Uh...
There they are.
They speak for themselves.
They whisper, but they speak.
"Adventures in geology...
Picnics with the poets"?
They don't sound
like school books,
Marko.
I hope they don't
read like them, either.
I've think I've hit
on a new idea, Nona,
something
to make knowledge
go down a little easier.
Tell me about it.
But you haven't told me
what you've been doing.
Oh, that.
Oh, I've been around the world.
It's a big place,
a lot of people live on it.
I met quite a few of 'em,
liked some, didn't like others.
This one...
what's this one about?
That's our own history.
Do you realize
that we know less
about it as a people
than we do about anything?
"This england is yours.
"It has been kept for you,
"not by kings or statesmen alone,
"but by the english people,
people like you.
It is your england,
yours."
Sound stuffy?
Sounds wonderful.
You're great for the morale, Nona.
You're the only one
who gets just what
I'm driving at.
Am I...
Still?
It, uh...
Hasn't been so long
since you went away.
Hasn't it?
I can't quite make out
the postmark,
if it's monte Carlo,
August 3, '36...
That's 3 years ago, isn't it?
"Marko, dear,
"I am marrying Tony Tybar.
"Forgive me.
Nona."
I know it by heart.
"I am marrying Tony Tybar.
Forgive me."
Well, have you?
Forgiven me, I mean?
Of course you have.
You're Marko...
But I've never forgiven myself.
This letter didn't seem
so cruel 3 years ago.
I wonder why I didn't say more.
I suppose I... Couldn't.
You found t that Tybar
was thn u want
to mry, th all.
Hellth
did he t 21r=
Tony, up!
Ll wthe dead!
Apprs rehave.
Did!
Where I belonged.
Now that I am here, I do feel...
Home.
Or thereabouts.
I've been thinkin', sir.
In all our contracts,
there's a whopping long paragraph
that says
the whole thing's
null and void
if we get up to any skylarking.
Ah, yes.
The clause covering immorality.
What's on your mind?
Sabre.
Well, we can hardly hope
to catch Sabre on that.
Chap's a bit of a stick in the mud.
Rbrb21 I'm
you ow what I mean?
No, Twyning.
I'm ID I do not.
Hurr l.
Ng htory.
Rbdo you s that spot?
Now, wst put peth
to Mark the world's
nonstop bicle rerd,
made by m. Sre,
June 16, 1939.
All th
fr the f tree
thtop of fd'hill
tht tohing a p.
Well, never did, s.
Never did, eher, til toda
no there funnth l.
Th stone
th afar I g yterd
der tl th cditi
h d t for th
thno s s, not th bicycles.
Ctrary.
D nk was han.
, rzrzhe mds
evening, sir.
Evening, hi.
That'
oh, uh, Nona Tybar
her tho was in to see me
le b, n'&q this afternoon.
She was saying...
that was nice of her.
How did she look?
What sort of a hat did she have on?
I didn't notice.
That was very tactful
of you, darling.
Does she still call you "Marko"?
Yes. Why shouldn't she?
No reason at all.
Mark, I want you to
do something for me.
Uh-huh?
See a lot of Nona.
Why?
I want to prove something.
Oh, don't think I'm being silly.
I want you
to look at her,
then look back at me...
For good.
See?
Yes, I...
I think you're over her,
but I'm not sure that you know it,
and I want you to.
I'm an extraordinary woman...
Aren't I?
That's why you appreciate me.
Bad luck, old man.
Mr. Sabre,
whatever happened?
Oh, uh, Effie, that's a long story.
Well, it didn't look very long.
Now, look here, Bright...
Sabre! Ha ha...
steady, my girl.
What's all this?
She's mocking my gray hairs.
Hmm. They're
like that
nowadays.
I thought you
were helping
with the tea.
That's right, father.
Come along, Mr. Sabre.
All right.
Harold,
help yourself to one
of them cream buns
and get one for me, will you?
Right-o, dad.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Pardon.
You're the young
Mr. Twyning, aren't you?
Yes, and aren't you
Mr. Bright's daughter...
All grown up?
Yes, that's me...
Effie Bright.
All in the family, so to speak.
Yes.
Well, it's a small world,
as they say.
Harold.
Coming, dad.
Oh... sorry.
Pardon.
Ha ha ha!
Has everybody
got everything they want?
Plenty.
Thank you, sir.
Hello.
Hello.
Better luck
in the next innings,
Marko.
I'll need it.
End of the tea interval, Sabre.
Better get your men
back on the field.
Well, here goes.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Quite like old times.
We've missed this
annual cricket match
in long Meadow.
So have Tony and I.
It's good for everybody
in pennygreen
to get together
for these traditional
gatherings.
Of course it is.
Convention, institutions...
They're important.
They're the foundation
of our security,
our peace of mind.
I've never underrated their value,
particularly
in a community
like pennygreen.
Security...
Peace of mind...
You know, those are the very things
that brought me back home,
and they're going to
keep me here forever...
I hope.
Will there be anything else, madam?
No, thanks.
Mr. Sabre will be over
to collect this parcel.
Very good, sir.
That will be ?3,17
and 8 pence, madam.
Um...
This. How much
is this a yard?
Good afternoon,
Mr. Sabre.
Do you have a parcel here
for Mrs. Perch?
Yes. Just one moment,
sir.
Thank you.
Hello.
Hello.
Shopping?
How did you guess?
Elementary, my dear Watson.
I'm picking up a parcel
for old Mrs. Perch.
I promised
to drop it by
on the way home.
Your parcel, sir.
Oh, thank you.
Look, why don't you
let me drop it for you?
Would you?
Mm-hmm.
Oh, that would be wonderful.
I know she'd love to see you.
I'd love to see her.
Garnet, put this
in the car, will you,
and strap Mr. Sabre's
bicycle to the carrier.
You see, life's quite simple.
Very, if you happen to have
a retinue of retainers.
Thank you for a lovely tea.
It was wonderful,
Mrs. Perch.
I can't think
what's happened
to Freddie.
He said he'd get back
from the flower show
in time for tea.
Well, I'll probably
see him tonight
at the blue boar.
There he is now.
First prize.
Best sweetpeas in the show.
"Frederick Perch,
esquire."
Freddie, that's marvelous.
How are you,
Mrs. Tybar?
How are you, sir?
Congratulations, Freddie.
And the ?10 prize
for the best exhibit.
Oh, Freddie, what's this?
Oh!
Oh, it's lovely!
Oh, you
shouldn't, Freddie.
You shouldn't.
Well, how else
should I spend
my filthy lucre?
You could have put it
towards the first payment
for that motorcycle you want.
Oh, I can always do that.
You must take it back, Freddie.
They'll give you the money!
I don't want it.
You're a very naughty boy.
Now, popsy, how can I
take you out dancing
without a new dress?
I'll do no such thing.
Bless you, darling, but I insist.
Bless you, darling, but I refuse.
Aren't they wonderful?
I told you not to
send the car home,
it was going to rain.
Prophet!
Don't.
Don't do that.
Oh, Marko!
You came to my office the other day
to tell me something.
What was it?
You gave me your hand
and said, "there."
Why did you say that?
Because I had to touch your hand
to live in your world
for a little while.
My world?
Where do you live?
Oh, I don't live.
I drift.
Drift?
The dictionary says of flotsam...
"goods shipwrecked
and found floating
on the sea."
When I read that,
I crossed out "flotsam"
and wrote "Nona."
And don't dare say
I'm feeling sorry for myself,
because I am.
But at least I know it.
I should never have married Tony.
Is that what you came to tell me?
Mm-hmm.
And Tony... he's still
in love with you?
More than ever.
Oh, it's not his fault.
It's just that
I'm so wrong for him.
I thought I wanted
the things he wants.
I thought I wanted him...
But I don't.
I never did.
I realize that now.
All the time, itas you.
All the time it's been you.
Only you.
Good evening, low.
Good evening, sir.
Good evening,
high.
Good
evening, sir.
What happened?
Oh, that's the worst
I've ever done.
Never mind, sir.
That's a sort of a record,
too, in a manner of speaking.
What about a peg
for the best worst?
Well, that's an idea.
Huh?
Hello!
I thought it would
show up better, sir,
with a drop of whitewash.
Oh, and it does, too.
Thanks very much, low,
that's jolly nice of you.
Shall I do the other, sir?
Would you?
Yes, sir.
I made one or two spares
when I was about it,
so whatever
this bicycle gets up to,
we'll be ready for it.
We'll teach it to be, um, uh...
What's that lovely
word of yours, low?
Do you mean "audacious"?
That's it.
That's what the French
would call mot juste.
Ah, they would.
They're always good for a laugh,
aren't they, sir?
Rather.
Mark, what are you thinking about?
I'm thinking of a binge in London,
blowing ourselves
to a week
in the savoy,
doing the shows.
What do you say?
I don't say.
Why?
I don't believe in running away.
Running away?
From all my responsibilities.
I have 3 committee meetings
this week alone.
Perhaps later on, Mark.
Mr. Fargus, ma'am.
Good evening,
Mrs. Sabre.
Good evening,
Mr. Fargus.
Hello, Mark.
Hello,
old man.
What, no chessboard?
I've been waiting for you.
Why...
why should I
ask for a 7?
You asked for it.
I heard you.
Sorry, darling.
I'm afraid
we've disturbed
your shuteye.
We're settling up now.
Anybody got a fountain pen?
Yes.
I have.
Thank you.
You'll excuse me, Tony.
Mm-hmm.
There you are,
Arthur.
All yours.
Young pelham got in over his head.
That's what the shindig was about.
Now, look here, darling...
I don't like young men
losing thousands
of pounds in our home.
I say, you're not
accusing my friends
of cheating, are you?
No, Tony.
I should think not.
I went for quite a bundle myself.
What's the matter, old girl?
Everything, Tony, everything.
Think that's big enough
to keep the light out?
It should.
I know it should,
but what's
the good of that
if it doesn't?
How much?
2 and 11,3.
For that flimsy stuff?
I wouldn't think of it.
Well, everybody else is buying it
since this morning's
news about Poland.
Poland. And who does
Poland think they are
to cost people 3 shillings a yard?
Think that one out,
Mr. Higgins.
And, uh, while you're about it,
my wife would like
another 12 yards
of that blackout stuff.
Hello, Mr. Sabre.
Hello, Effie.
Apparently,
you and I are on the same errand.
Oh, yes.
All these rules
and regulations.
They don't make sense to me.
No. Well, that's
because the government
wants to keep us in the dark.
Yes, but...
oh, Mr. Sabre.
You always make
a joke of everything.
Ah, Effie, how little you know.
Is Bright smile
conceals an aching heart.
Whatever for?
I got married before I met you.
Good-byefie.
I'll pick that up
on my way home,
Mr. higgin
good, rjsir.
There goes
the sweetest man
in the whole world.
I'll take that blackout stuff, too.
Thank you very much, miss.
&5
At's up?
We're going
on a picnic.
Oh, but I...
I've reserved
a tree stump,
a trout stream,
and a lovely bit
of grass. Catering
by Nona Tybar, limited.
Well, I hope
it's not too limited,
because I'm very hungry.
All right, greedy.
Here we go.
Remember our last picnic?
Yes, Marko.
Finished?
Uh-huh.
Oh... there goes
Nona Tybar.
And Mark Sabre.
And Mark Sabre.
Having a pretty rough
passage, aren't we?
Too rough.
Too rough for me to bear.
Oh, Marko,
it's no good.
I can't help it.
I've tried. I've tried
very hard, but I'm
just not good enough.
Nona. Nona, I...
don't look at me.
Say it without looking at me.
I've reached a point
where I can't think
of the rights of others anymore.
I love you.
But you've got to
face what it means.
Once we take
this step,
there it is...
For the rest of our lives.
We'll have to live
with the knowledge
that we took our happiness
at the expense of others.
You know that.
Yes, I know that.
I don't care what happens
to the rest of my life
as long I can spend it with you.
They'll t it, rk people do.
You can't expect us to think m
of what happens to them than to us.
We're human.
R, Mr. t
ing yr fi.
&212to help writ>qjrbrbrr for yo
&m on my home
to tell Nona I'mrbrbrejoinin re9
oh. I didn't
mean to intrude.
You know Tybar?
Indeed. Indeed.
How are you,
Tybar?
Fighting fit, I hope.
Tybar's rejoining
his regiment today.
PR that th be anoth ni
her lse alar
goodye, bre.
I Tony.
And thank heaven r men ready.
Odye.
,
my dear boy.
Hello.
I've seen Tony.
I know he's
been called up.
The idea of Tony in danger...
Knowing I've left him...
Terrifies me.
I... i don't think
he'd try to come back.
Marko, you're strong.
You can stand on your own.
Tony can't.
So it...
It just can't be.
Perhaps it could never have been.
Perhaps what has happened
has just brought us
to our senses
a little sooner.
I understand.
Yes.
You always do.
You're Marko.
When the time comes,
I shall join one of the services.
Of course.
So shall I.
I think it'll...
Be easier to bear.
Easier.
I don't think
anything can
make it that.
Did you ever
see such hats
as that woman wears?
One diamond.
Never. Like
one of those
old pictures
of still life.
2 dead pigeons,
a bunch of grapes, and a pineapple.
Double a diamond.
No bid.
Someone ought
to tell her
to be her age.
"Double a diamond."
Oh, dear. I wish
I could remember
what that means.
Why don't you
take up bridge,
darling?
3 no trumps.
4 spades.
4 no trump.
Double.
That you, Mark?
Yes.
Oh. Good afternoon,
ladies.
Go afternoon.
Good afternoon,
Mark.
Have you, uh,
seen the news
about Poland?
Darling, this is serious bridge.
Oh.
I only have 12 cards.
Can't you
even count?
Really.
I did count.
These were
all I got.
Hannah, see if you're
sitting on a card.
Oh, how can I be sitting on...
ah. Dot look now,
but the queen of spades
is under the table.
Never mind. J
here's tea.
Thank heaven.
You never count your cds.
Hi
Oh, he does, does he?
Oh, yes, owing to the French
having got this imaginary line.
Maginot line.
That's it.
George said
we can all hide
behind that
till we're ready
and then pop out and do 'em all in.
Oh, well,
thank you, low.
That's very reassuring.
Yes, sir.
I thought you'd
like to know.
Mark, I do wish you
wouldn't discuss these
things with the servants
when we have people here.
The servants are
going to be in it
with everybody else...
man, woman, and child...
before this thing
is over.
They'll all have a job to do.
Their job is to look after us.
I didn't spend
6 solid months getting
a staff together
to have the whole thing
upset by a war.
Nor did Hitler.
Can't you read english?
Can't you see what it says?
"To be used only
in case of enemy
action."
What do you
hop it. Hop it.
Hop it. Ff?
Don't you know there's a war on?
Y live to be 90, but not in Ty.
?21&9t know.
&... I've just joined
the Navy.
I abor2
n't a m rbr>r>
top me>1ontorrrre reste:
Oh, sorr
I'm sorry.
It'ste all right ?9
t it.
You suj?
Goodvening.
Nothr>
[he in noj], n't he
loli t.
R(r>rj the tohit
yor ad be itr>
I ll
1, ", tion
re
, nd ul ehr.
U d at
, nd ul I 1eep hereallycan et.
E ppen that's silly, isn't it?
I had the same feeling.
Remember David's lament
for Saul and Jonathan?
"They were lovely
and pleasant
in their lives,
and in their death,
they were not divided."
I know what it meant now
when she called to Freddie.
He w the one person
she could be
absolutely sure of.
I know because that's
the way I felt tonight...
sure of you.
I felt... You were
the one person
I could turn to.
You can always feel that, Effie.
Always.
Mabk, ghen you st out all night,
I do thhnk youight
led me know yourself.
Sorry. Mrs. Perch
isone, Mabel.
Ede's death was too much for he
that's t bad.
Bui do think it
was veryunyfthat miss Bright
to send for you.
After all, the proper
thing to have done...
oh, for Ty's sake,
can't you leave
the girl alone?
I can.
Can you?
I don't understand Mabel.
I thought you were
so sure of our I
of us...
soure at nothing could shake you.
Nayb cldt,
bud th seems to be differt.
It the
nont-eye
lilehi
th@rbe a anio m
ldbe
th@rbe
haou ris?
Wh?
sabrs article
in Fargus' rag. Rbdsgceful!
No, t I'm qt surpsed.
No wonder I
can't do anything
with my boy.
There he is, on his last leave,
hobnobbing with Sabre.
He's undermining him, I tell you.
He's undermining
everybody,
if you ask me.
Have the goodness
to open that door.
Ah, Sabre, come in, will you?
Gentlemen.
how's the book
going?
Oh, fairly well, I think.
Perhaps your new book is suffering
because of your other writings.
I refer to this outpouring.
No, I don't think so.
You think this is important?
Very.
Frankly, I don't.
Well, I do.
Then perhaps you
would like to devote
more time to it.
Would you like to be
released from your
contract with us?
I think we can oblige you.
I would not, and may I remind you
that you cannot
dismiss me except on
serious moral grounds,
whatever that may mean.
It means
different things
to different people.
For instance, this.
This is
seriously immoral
from my standpoint.
Then it's a very good
thing for me that you
are not a court of law.
I don't think I shall
give you any reason
to invoke that clause.
If that's all, I'll...
one moment, Sabre.
Please don't bounce
away like that.
You know
Harold's going
on active duty.
Yes, he's made a fine pilot.
You ought to be
very proud of him,
Twyning. I am.
That's easy for you to say.
You're not giving
a son, and you're
not going yourself.
Twyning, that is scarcely fair.
After all, Sabre
is a man of ideals.
Just because
he expresses those
ideals so forcibly,
one need not necessarily expect him
to fight for them.
If it's of any
interest to either
of you gentlemen,
I tried to enlist
the day after war
was declared.
You did? Well, well.
Most creditable,
eh, Twyning?
I was turned down.
Why were you
turned down?
Heart.
Oh, really?
Mmm.
You look so fit.
Do they give you
anything to show
they turned you down?
A slip.
Do you, uh, carry it?
I don't have to.
Nobody who knows me
would doubt my word.
Anyone else can verify it
by going to
the medical examiner
of the district.
It's just across
the street, Twyning.
Thank you, dear.
I must say, a little
of this war work
goes a long way.
It's not so strenuous
as actual nursing.
No, but actual nursing
might be more fun.
Some of those convalescent officers
are most attractive.
Yes, if you could
be sure of getting
officers.
Mmm! This cake's
delicious.
Who made it, Rebecca?
No. Sarah.
Rebecca's gone.
No! And such
a treasure.
What was it, drink?
No, she was called up.
Have you ever
heard of anything
so provoking?
Hello, dear.
How are you,
Natalie?
Very well, except
that I've overeaten.
This war work makes
me simply ravenous.
Say, Mark, I've
been reading that
extraordinary stuff
you've been putting in the papers.
Well, I hope it's
done you some good.
What do you think about it?
Oh, I think it's just a phase.
Well, that's the war for you.
The people that never
said boo to a goose before
suddenly become oracles of wisdom.
What is it, low?
High's here, sir, in the kitchen.
She don't half
look hot stuff
in her uniform.
Oh? I'll go and
have a look at her.
And there's someone else
out there, too, sir.
Wants to see you.
Who?
Effie Bright, sir.
Effie Bright?
What on earth...?
Haven't you heard?
I thought everybody knew.
What is it, low?
She's been turned out...
turned out bag and baggage
by that father of hers.
Turned out?
Whatever for?
Oh, really, Mark.
Must you be
so naive?
She's going to have a baby, sir.
On the wrong side
of the blanket,
as they say.
Well, I'll be getting along.
No, don't go now.
I think I should.
These family crises
are no place for
a non-competent.
I know how you feel, darling...
But you can always come to me.
Now, ducks, drink up
your tea. You'll
feel better then.
Come on, now.
Do as low says.
That's the girl.
Go on, drink it.
Oh, Mr. Sabre,
I know I shouldn't
have come here,
but I had nowhere else to go.
My father said...
Oh, he called me...
Ah, now, now.
Come on, let's sit down.
Sit down and finish
that cup of tea.
That's the girl.
There you are.
Now, drink this.
You'll feel better.
Come on, Effie.
Sarah!
I want some fresh tea...
If you're not too busy.
Try and drink it up.
Sarah, stop that nonsense
and do as you're told.
It's not nonsense.
It's common decency.
But you wouldn't
understand that,
not your sort.
Leave the house this instant.
I'll pay you
till the end
of the month.
Go upstairs and pack your trunk!
In me own time!
You, all dolled up
like a sister of mercy.
Talk about the horrors of war.
She's one.
And what's more,
I wouldn't have
stayed in this house
as long as I did
if it hadn't been for the master.
Get out of my kitchen.
With pleasure.
Come on, I'll help you pack.
And if you take
my advice, Mr. Sabre,
you won't be far behind us.
I'm so sorry,
Mr. Sabre...
To cause all this trouble.
I'll go now.
No, no, Effie, please.
You had every right to come to me.
Yes. I'm beginning
to think she had.
I'd like a word with you, Mark.
I'll be back in a moment.
Now, you stay right there.
Mabel, I'd like you
to apologize to Effie.
Really?
I don't think so.
Do you expect her
to stay in my house?
Why, yes, of course,
until we can find somewhere else.
Why did she come here?
I told her once
she could count on me.
Did you?
How sweet of you.
What claim has she on you?
What claim?
Isn't it enough
that this poor child
has appealed to us in her need...
in her urgent, desperate need
of comfort and kindness?
There's no avoiding it
even if we wanted to,
no turning back,
no crossing
to the other side
of the street.
What a pity
you'll never be able
to take Sarah's advice
and leave me, Mark,
because, you see, I'm leaving you.
Not because
you're jealous
of Effie Bright?!
Jealous?
No, outraged, disgusted, finished.
You don't think
I'm in love with her?
Love? That's
too pretty a word.
Anyway, it's quite obvious
that you're not in love with me,
and it may surprise you to know
that I'm not in love with you.
Perhaps.
But all that's got nothing to do
with that pathetic child
in the kitchen.
No? I happen to think
that that pathetic child
in the kitchen
is nothing but
an ambitious little rotter
trying to better herself.
Mabel.
Come back a moment, will you?
I'll be honest with you.
There is someone else.
Honest? With me?
Can you be?
I'll admit it's difficult,
but I will be.
All right, you've sensed it.
I'm not in love with you.
I am in love with someone else.
I'm sorry, but there it is.
I'm relieved about
one thing, though,
I see it really makes
very little difference
to you.
And the lucky, lucky woman
is not Effie Bright?
It is not Effie Bright.
I'm going now,
and I shan't be back.
I'll divorce you, of course.
And I shall tell everyone
exactly why I've left my own house.
I'm sure you'll tell it, Mabel.
I'm not sure it'll be exact.
Good morning, Effie.
How are you feeling this morning?
Much better, thank you.
Good. What have we
got here?
Oh, kippers.
How did you know I liked them?
Come.
Sit down, and we'll have some.
Come on.
Oh, I couldn't.
I had my breakfast.
I had it early.
Sure?
Oh. Well...
Last night
I said to myself,
Effie Bright,
you ought not to have come here.
Now I know I shouldn't have.
I'll be off as soon
as I've washed up.
You'll do no such thing.
You'll stay till we find
the best place for you to go.
Come. Sit down
here now
and have a cup of tea.
There you are.
Think of all the great decisions
that have been made in this world
over a cup of tea.
First things first.
We'll get in touch with
this young man of yours.
You've told him?
I've written.
Huh.
It's rather difficult these days.
Oh, overseas, huh?
Want a little sugar in here?
No, thank you.
Here you are.
It's no good,
Mr. Sabre.
I couldn't tell you his name.
I couldn't.
Not even you.
I didn't think you would, Effie,
and I love you for it.
There must be somewhere
you can send her,
someone who will take her in.
Have you tried to find
a place in wartime?
But look what it's doing
to your reputation.
You're going to ruin
yourself in pennygreen.
But you know that, don't you?
I'm not worried
about myself, old man.
I'm going to stand by that child.
This firm, with
its ecclesiastical
connections,
cannot afford to have
one breath of scandal
connected with its name.
I'm not sure that girl's
being in your home
for the past week
hasn't already damaged
our reputation.
Restitution must be made.
You must turn her out at once.
I refuse.
Is that all?
Not quite, Sabre.
You're dismissed.
Legal notice of your termination
will be sent to you
by registered mail.
You have violated
the morals clause
of your contract.
I herewith invoke that clause
and all that it implies.
If you mean that I forfeit
my shareholdings in the firm,
you'll have to fight me
in a court of law.
You'll have to prove your case.
I should like nothing better.
Good morning, Sabre.
Oh, look here, old man,
I'm terribly sorry about all this.
About what, sir?
Oh, this scrape
your daughter got herself into.
I have no daughter,
Mr. Twyning.
Watch, steady.
There you go.
Give him this here.
It's a receipt for her furniture.
I shouldn't have done it.
It hers.
Her father ge it to her
for a wedding present.
At's this?
Ceived Mark Sabre,
rtain goods and chattels
belongin
to Mrs. bre.
There, there, there now.
I know where we can
get me more chairs
and tables.
Come on.
There's nothing
to cry about.
I don't understand women.
If Mark had 40 women
in different parts of London
and made nsecret it,
nobody would have said a word.
But because he takes one
poor, abandoned child
into his home...
into his home!
You'll agree it's a bit different.
Oh!
Can't you see
what will happen to you
if Mark Sabre continues
to live with this girl...
And continues to write
for your newspaper?
Strange.
When Mark resigned today,
that's just what he said.
"I'm harming the paper.
I'm undoing
the good it's done."
Well...
Well, I must say
he's displayed
rare good taste,
ich is me than he'done up till no
robertn.
Here.
Edwards.
Here.
Rimes.
Here.
Sabre.
Working
at tidrough plant,
sergeant.
Must be on the late shift.
Jones.
Here.
There's no smoke without fire,
that's what I say.
That ain't good enough for me,
not by a long shot.
No, not for me, neither, it ain't.
I want to hear at he's got to say.
He's resigned
from the newspaper,
ain't he?
Maybe that says it.
But who made him resign?
That's what I want to know.
Well, there'dirty rk
here, if y a me.
He been ying thing
in that paper, he has.
Plenty of thin.
Then why hahe stopped
he's been stopped, I y.
Then why ihe duinus
[ll arguing]
Evening, Effie.
Evening.
Did you e the po
saw it, read it, liked it.
It from, uh, Nona Tybar.
E'ba in ldon.
Asd me tme to seeer tro
il hop up
the fir train
in the mning.
Don't you e, Effie?
Nol t a move on.
E'll know what to do.
You'll hear
from that young man
of yours,
and you'll hear veryoon.
There'a reas you haven't heard.
He's on
a ecial mission,
perhaps he'-
no. I've tried
to think that,
but not any longer.
But, Effie, if your younman...
I have nyounman,
Mr. bre.
It aplain as the no on your face.
Ah, I don't believe it.
Nobody would be fool enough
to give up a girl like you.
It... it isn't
possible.
It happens.
Someone you love doesn't love back.
That's all.
I just want to hear from him again.
Even if he hates me no
I nt to hear from him.
Uld you li a cigarette?
Don't tell me
you manad
to get se today?
A few.
Ere'd you hide 'em this time?
Me pla ausual.
You're a regular magpie
en it me to hiding things.
Well, at least you know
where to look for them.
Oh, after dinner,
Mr. Sabre,
ll y slip er to the chemi
I want a bottle g st
ll y slip er for your gray hat.
Do y, uh, thin I uld talk better
through a Ean hat, Effie?
Au
, you are a ution,
Mr. bre.
You alys ma me laugh.
A load off my mind.
At a pity, mar.
Ju the time en
I could have been
some u tyou,
I was away.
Of course I'll fix everything.
There are a million things
Effie and I can do.
First of all,
you tell her tmeet me
tomorrow at 11:00
at thiaddress.
Uh-huh.
, po darling.
Hoyou must have ffered.
Pennygreen must
have been buzzin
th a venan.
Ll, there ha been a bit of talk.
I a little afraid y'd hear.
I didn want you to aept for me.
Marco, y idi.
I love y
nothinn t I
and it will never an,
expt t.
I a very old wan, itl I be there.
Perhapitl all me that left then.
Don't forget,
tomorr at 11:00.
I an.
Mr ward, at wrong
it-Tony.
He been injured.
Badly?
Terribly, terribly.
[S] it was a hand grenade.
He was trainin new men.
Mryotell Mrs. Tybar
that I'll stay in London tonit,
and I'll be at the cmbs hotel
in the haymarket if e ntme.
All right, Mr. Sabre.
Thanyou.
All right.
Ye
Mark Sabre in?
No.
Expeinhim ba sn?
Ll, I've just had
a telegram from him.
He's at the ombs hotel in ldon.
He may be back tomorrow.
. Name of
Effie Bright
ye I Effie brit.
T a little present for you.
[Bing], no!
[Bbin
[bing]
Oh, excu me.
Me o ye
I ha a ltl prest for you.
, thanyou.
I'm fr hile & bartle,
representing Mrs. bre.
Quite a bit trouble findinyou.
Ju misd you at pennyeen.
Your girlfriend quite put t
en I gave her he
bit o
at did y say
I ying you're a...
as I was sayin
en I served the it the yng lady,
e emed quite on ed.
Eh, rt of hyerical,
in a manner speakin
I ll...
I'm an officer the crt, I am!
You better be reful!
, t t.
This Ian insult, an outra.
Thifell ces upstair
and ve
that other fello-
e at time the next train
leaves f tidborough, plea.
Ye sir.
Hierin
that other fello
but there mu be a reply.
There must be a reply.
And threaten
the her fell
th violence.
I tell y, I n't and for it, r.
Hel leave this hel
immediately. I...
ex me.
I'm loin mre.
M Mark Sabre.
I'm inector bruster fr stland yard.
At the matter?
I'm afraid I have me
rather bad newfor you.
At iit at iit
I thinyou better
me along with me
to yr ro.
Ere uld e t pois
I'm very sorry,
Mr. Sabre,
but there are one two fmalities
with which you must comply.
They have
removed the body
to the mortuary...
I never, never ould have left her.
Why? Why did I
leave her?
I have to tell you this...
why did I leave her?
Because of your
relationship
with the deceased,
your presence will be
required at the inquest,
which will be held tomoji mni
in the blue boar at pennygreen.
Inquest?
Inquest?!
Sorry we're late,
but the line from town
was blitzed last night.
All right, inspector.
Mr. Sabre, are you
legally represented?
No.
You may be if you wish.
Medical testimony
has been given to the effect
that the deceased, Effie Bright,
died from the effects
of oxalic acid poisoning.
This bottle of oxalic acid,
used for cleaning purposes,
was found near the body
of the deceased
in the kitchen of Mark Sabre's home
at the crosshores, pennygreen.
Can you identify that bottle
as the one you sold 2 nights ago?
That's it, sir,
or a likely
facsimile.
Who was the purchaser?
Here it is in my poison book, sir.
Mark Sabre,
of crosshores,
pennygreen.
Silence!
Mr. Coroner, sir,
I represent
the deceased girl's
father, Mr. Bright,
and with your permission,
I should like
to ask the witness
a question.
Very well, Mr. Pettigrew.
When you
sold the customer
the poison,
was there anything
odd in his manner?
Well, eh...
He sat down while he bought it.
Is that, uh, unusual?
Very.
Why?
Because usually there
aren't any chairs there.
Silence.
Silence, please.
That will be all,
Mr. broadhurst.
William Bright.
It was June.
Can't be sure of the day.
Towards the end, I think.
Leastways it was late
at night, that I know,
when Effie came in.
I should have known.
I should have realized
then who Effie had been
staying out with.
I say, look here!
Silence!
But I want to...
in the course of these proceedings,
you will be called upon
to state what you know
about this tragedy.
Please wait until then.
Mr. Bright...
Was the deceased the sort of girl
who would meditate
taking her own life?
Never. Never.
Had the deceased
ever betrayed signs
of loose character
while living beneath your roof?
Never. Never.
Have you any knowledge
as to whether Mr. Sabre
was a frequent visitor
at the place of the
deceased's situation?
Constantly.
Night after night he was there.
And who else
was in the house
on these occasions?
An old lady, past 70,
and my daughter Effie.
Do you know who was responsible
for the condition
of your unhappy
daughter?
Yes. There.
There.
And then not satisfied,
he took her to live in his house,
for everyone to see
and point a finger at.
Please, Mr. Bright,
allow me...
I shall not warn you
again, Mr. Sabre.
Thank you, Mr. Bright.
S.j. Gibbons.
5:00 in the morning. 5:00.
Spent the night...
openly.
Excuse me.
Brazen. Right in
his own backyard.
Other occasions.
Intimacy.
Innumerable occasions.
Innumerable.
Filth. Living proof.
Open association.
Open association.
Ecclesiastical connections.
Highly moral tone.
Anybody could see
what was going on.
Answer, sir!
Answer!
Reluctantly attribute, base motive.
Answer!
Undue intimacy.
Undue intimacy.
Occasions.
Remonstrate.
The truth, the whole truth.
Is it a fact that your wife
has instituted
divorce proceedings
against you?
Look here,
that has nothing to do
with this inquiry.
Is it a fact that
in these proceedings
the, uh, the deceased woman
was named
as co-respondent?
Look here!
You keep asking me
to look here, sir,
but you tell me nothing.
I ask you plain questions,
please answer them.
Is it a fact that these proceedings
were served on you in London
on the occasion of your flight?
Flight. Flight?!
Or was it a little holiday
to get away from it all?
Oh, no, no, no.
Then what were you doing in London?
I was making arrangements
for Effie to leave pennygreen.
Ah, and before you left for London
to make these "arrangements"
to get rid
of your obligations
to this child,
you made a purchase.
No. Nothing in particular.
Yet you heard
Mr. broadhurst,
the chemist
from fair mile,
tidborough,
give evidence.
Oh, yes. I bought
some cleaning fluid.
Then why did you
go all the way
to fair mile
on the outskirts of tidborough,
when there was a shop
in pennygreen?
I wanted...
I wanted to walk.
Let's come to the purpose
of this oxalic acid purchase.
Cleaning fluid, cleaning fluid.
Yes, cleaning fluid.
Oxalic acid, a deadly poison.
You know. You signed
the poison book.
What did you want it for?
Effie asked me to get it
to clean my gray hat.
And did she
carry out her
intention, sir?
Did she clean it?
You don't appear to
be wearing it today.
Pray then, where is this hat
for which
you obtained
the oxalic acid?
Is it at your house?
No.
Not at your house?
Odd. Where, then?
Look here...
where, then?
Answer the question,
Mr. Sabre.
Where is the hat?
The wind, under a lorry in London.
I left it...
I left it in the gutter.
You left it in the gutter?
Stop it, stop it!
You're killing him, all of you!
Stop it, I tell you!
- Silence!
- Who are you?
I'm Nona Tybar.
Everybody in pennygreen knows me.
Oh, yes, indeed.
The wife
of major Tybar
of northripps.
I was.
Major Tybar died this morning.
Allow me to offer you
my deepest sympathy.
Now, if you have anything
that would help
materially
in this inquiry,
we should be glad to hear it.
By the death of Effie Bright,
Mark Sabre lost a dear friend,
a friend he was trying to help.
She turned to him because
there was no one else
she could turn to,
and because he was the only one
with the courage and
decency to stretch out
a hand to her.
But, Mrs. Tybar,
this is irrelevant.
I have known Mark Sabre
all my life.
He is a kind and honest man.
If any one of you here
were in trouble,
you could go to him
and he would help you.
Love, kindness, decency...
those are precious things.
Don't destroy them,
don't destroy them.
Mrs. Tybar, this is
not a court of law.
We are not trying
Mr. Sabre.
We are inquiring into the death
of that unhappy girl Effie Bright.
Please take a seat.
That will be all,
Mr. Sabre.
Gentlemen of the jury,
you have now heard
all the evidence.
It consequently becomes your duty
to return a true verdict
on your findings of fact.
Gentlemen of the jury,
are you agreed upon the verdict?
Yes, sir.
In the case of Effie Bright,
our verdict is suicide
whilst of unsound mind.
Gentlemen of the jury,
I thank you
for your verdict,
in which I heartily concur.
Yes, Mr. foreman?
The members of this jury
wish to add their
most severe censure
of the conduct of the witness,
Mark Sabre.
Oyez, oyez, oyez.
All manner of persons
with anything to do
with this court
before the king's Coroner
for this county,
touching the death
of Effie Bright...
Mark, Mark.
Nona, go away.
Go away, please.
You must keep out of this.
Mrs. Tybar,
it will be better,
perhaps,
if we leave him alone for a while.
Listen, we boys, we're his friends,
and we don't believe all this.
Mr. Fargus,
you'd better do
something about it
in your paper.
Yeah.
Yes, I will, boys.
I will.
You come with me,
Mrs. Tybar.
Dear Mr. Sabre,
you have been my one friend,
and in return
I've brought you
only trouble and shame.
Perhaps with me gone,
a little of what
I've done to you
will be undone.
I feel I ought to tell you now,
before I leave this world,
what I never was able
to tell you or anyone...
the name of the boy
is Harold Twyning.
He used to be in your office.
We had been secretly
engaged a long time,
and we were going to be married.
Then he had to go
overseas suddenly,
and he was afraid
to tell his father.
So that was how it all was.
And, dear Mr. Sabre,
I do trust you to be with Harold
what you have
always been with me
and with everyone...
gentle and understanding things.
And I shall tell
the perches, too,
about you.
Good-bye,
and may god bless and reward you
forever and ever.
Effie.
Cab.
Tidb, to ftu, & t
Mark!
,
Twynin
twynin ie me
to speak tyou
abt your s!
Bre.
Sabre, have you heard?
Heard?
[Obs] killed.
My Harold, my boy.
My boy Harold.
Lo, bre, bre...
[S my boy... b.
[Bing]
It's good of y to come, Sabre.
I feel it.
After all that business,
I'm sorry about it, Sabre.
I feel your goodness in
coming to me like this.
You know...
you always knew what
my boy meant to me.
My hard.
Oh, Harold.
All my life, Sabre,
fiting and scrambling
li a pig at a trough.
And for what?
To get on, to get ahead.
To make re
that my Harold
had a tter pla
in the wld than what I ever had.
Puinpele t my y.
Inthem, fiti edy, hating, lyin
now he's gone.
I say, Sabre, what's the matter?
I can't... I can't...
Marco.
Something's happened to Sabre.
Oh, call the doctor,
quickly! Quickly!
Marco.
Hello, hello.
This is tidborough 992 speaking.
Please send a doctor at once.
Mrs. Tybar's
right there, sir.
Hell Nona.
Hell Mr. Fargus.
Are the doct he yet
mm-hmm.
At the verdi
don't ow.
Han't seen them.
Theye up n givhim a nal examinatio
no o kne about that heart sre.
He ner mentd it
Mark wldt.
Na, you have de a I
Andi by him all these ek
nce he been ill
and inhe and lointe thin
all th I very poant, m far
all that mattno ith marts wl
d ain a
al that...
I thintheye mi d
he gng tbe o all rit.
Crse he I
I ju heard the London eciali
say that he
won't have to come
see him anyme.
That means he's
out of the wds,
all rit.
Ll, the tea'ready.
I made se ni
tercress sandwiche
for him.
, he likes a bit wateres
cor!
Lo at the time!
I hate tthinat
the rgeant will y
if we're late.
That serant ain't no lady.
He w refuse to see me no wl he
d le da I w
he still r
s
Ll it hu I it?
Ll, oht to dhi
heh heh heh heh.
Than dto I yo trouble
I agreed with you
not to sho e brht lte
to t the mt,
t t for
to u the infti to clear m
I th th up to m
the to kp
th t, t th cldt.
Bhe
le
Tht f
didn thi m
y sl.
T bter
you mu gay and t me bhe
yolonged t, darlin and I let you.
Don't asme to dthat ain.
But at have I left to offer y
all your troubleno
and all your j en they me bac to y.
Ye and all my shame.
Pele feeling sry for you.
I can't ta y into that.
Don't you e, darlin
I'm all finied
here, and, perhaps,
everywhere.
Heh, y d ppe anyone
uld publish my sl bono
Marc thiis
a nfused and
frightened wld,
but it a wld tlive in,
not to run ay fr.
All rit, it'll be hard.
Me people ll reject you,
refu tlien tyou,
but that mustn stop you.
Nothinmu stop you.
I want you tgo.
No, you don't, darling.
And the only way you n ma me
is ttell me that
you don't thin
I'm real enough
hest en to make you happy.
Tell me that, and I'll g
no.
Oh, darlin I'll never leave y.
Never, never.
It I gng to be ea.
I don't asfor it tbe.
You didn a for it tbe easy.
Huh?
I tht I burned thi
ll, then.
I al thought
I uld never
e you again.
If ye in to share
what the future holds for me,
you have much more right than I
to say
at you want done
th that letter.
Mu me rit.
Thank you, darling.
My darling.
Tutaptioned by the national
ptioning institute
...ncicap. Org...