Laughter in Paradise (1951) - full transcript

Here, in this mansion,
in a quiet London square,

a man lies dying.

And as he dies, the world remembers
the feats which made him famous.

The outrageous pranks,

which time and again shook
officialdom to its very foundations.

Yes, Henry Augustus Russell will
soon be joining the great majority.

It's hard to believe that
this frail, ghostlike figure

was once the greatest
practical joker of modern times.

The dusky eastern potentate who
so nearly purchased the Albert Hall.

The bronzed Red Indian chief,

feted for swimming the Channel complete
with feathered headdress and tomahawk.



Goodbye, Henry Russell.

Your last practical
joke is done.

Oris it?

Oh!

Telegram

for Miss Agnes Russell.

Thank you.

Oh. Will you please wait here?

Come in.

Excuse me, ma'am,
there's a telegram.

That's no excuse to come in
here looking like a chimney sweep.

Go and put your
apron on at once!

Yes, ma'am.

But the boy's
waiting for a reply.



Well, let him wait.
That's what he's paid for.

Yes, ma'am.

Disgusting.

Ethel, do you see
this photograph?

Yes, ma'am.

Well, don't stand
there. Come here!

- Yes, ma'am.
- It's my brother. He died this morning.

Oh, I am sorry, ma'am.

The photograph is
smothered with dust.

If I'd known the poor gentleman
had passed away, oh, I'd...

It should not be
necessary for people to die

in order to have their
photographs dusted.

No, ma'am.

I'm ever so sorry about
your bad news, ma'am.

You have reason to be.

Because I shall now be able to afford
some servants who know their duty.

You can take a fortnight's
notice from today.

Now go!

Mr Russell, it's
useless arguing.

If every bank clerk in every bank
in England was half a crown short

in his calculations every week, do
you know how much that would cost?

Uh...

If you'd like to let me
have pencil and paper, sir,

I'll work it for you if
you really want to know.

I don't want to know. I
want you to think about it.

Oh, yes, sir.

It's a very disturbing
thought, sir.

But sometimes,
sir, it isn't easy.

If it was easy, Mr Russell, there
would be no need for bank clerks.

Yes... No, sir.

Come in.

Sorry to disturb you, sir.

There's a person in the
bank asking for Mr Russell.

Let one of the other
clerks deal with him.

It's a personal visit, sir,
a lady. A Mrs Goodwin.

Oh? Who might this lady be?

Oh, no, sir, she's not a
lady. She's my landlady.

The bank, Mr Russell, is no
place for a music hall repartee.

Get rid of her at once.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

So sorry to worry you like
this, sir, but she was most...

Wipe that sycophantic
smile off your face.

Hello, Mrs Goodwin.

Oh, Mr Russell, I
thought I'd better pop in.

Just after you left, a telegraphic
communication arrived for you,

and I thought it
might be urgent.

I didn't open it, of course, so I
don't know what there may be in it,

but I think you should be
prepared for some rather sad news.

Oh, Mr Russell. Was
he very dear to you?

Pray accept my
heartiest condolences.

Oh, thank you, Mrs
Goodwin. Thank you.

Not at all, I'm sure.

Well, see you at supper.

Yes.

Not bad news I hope.

Yes, in a way, Miss Heath.

A distant cousin of
mine has just died.

Henry Russell, you
probably read about him.

He was always
telling me that I...

I lack push. Yes,
push, I think it was.

Nonsense.

Why don't you go and ask Mr
Wagstaffe for the afternoon off?

Everyone does
on these occasions.

Oh, no, I couldn't.

Go on. Show you've
got some push.

Go on.

Yes. Why not?

Yes.

I jolly well will.

Come in!

Yes?

I—...

Well?

A distant cousin of
mine has just died, sir.

How distant?

- A long way off, sir.
- What about it, then?

Well, it seems I'm a
beneficiary under his will, sir.

Just because you've
come into a few pounds

doesn't mean that you can
behave like a millionaire.

You'll be asking for
the afternoon off next.

Oh, no, sir.

Oh, no.

No...

I'll raise you a fiver.

Your five...

and ten more, Russell.

Ha, a tenner, huh?

I'll see you.

Fours.

Fours?

How high?

Four kings.

If you beat that,
I'll eat my cigar.

Better start eating, old son.

Four aces.

- Telegram, sir.
- Open it, Benson.

Bad luck, old boy, but I did
have the decency not to raise you.

Very kind of you,
Simon, I'm sure.

Well, I hate fleecing
a pal in my own flat.

What?

Why, this is fantastic.

Well, you'll have to carry on without
me, so make yourselves at home.

There's plenty of whisky.

Oh, I like that.

You must pardon Mr Russell,
sir. He's had some very sad news.

My heart bleeds for him.

Hello? Mr Endicott?
Yes, Simon Russell here.

I just got your
wire. Is it true?

Oh, splendid!

Yes, I thought it might've been another
of those infernal practical jokes of his.

See you on Wednesday
at the celebration.

Huh? Oh, of course, I mean
the funeral. I'm sorry. Goodbye.

I I'm happy as a lark ♪

Benson, my dinner jacket.
I'm celebrating tonight.

Now look here. Get on
to Christine and tell her...

No, no. She drinks too much.

Call Zena and tell her
to meet me at The Garter.

She's always a certainty.

Are you ready, Miss Wilcott?

- Yes.
- Good.

Blood Lust, a novel
by Jeremy Sinclair.

Chapter one entitled
"Sweet Meeting." Paragraph:

I walked into the room
and there stood Petal,

her silken hair languorously
caressing one fair cheek,

her lips red and inviting.

I walked over to her and
slugged her on the mouth.

No, no, no, change that.

Change that, Miss Wilcott,
to "slugged her on the kisser."

Kisser.

Before going down,

she threw me a single glance of
searing hate suffused with scorn.

She was certainly
a swell tomato.

Oh, that's a beautiful beginning,
Captain Russell, it really is.

I'm afraid it's all rather
disgusting, really, but...

Well, they seem to
like the American touch.

Well, um...

To proceed.

[, uh, I leaned over her
as she lay on the floor,

her green eyes half-closed,

her bruised lips curled in a
slightly contemptuous smile.

"Petal," I whispered,
"I love you. I love you."

Uh...

"I love you."

- Three "I love yous"?
- That's right.

Then four dots
and four asterisks.

Ah, bother.

Captain Deniston
Russell's secretary.

Who wants him, please?

Oh, just a moment.

It's your fiancée.

Thank you.

Uh, hello, dear.

Yes. Yes, dear. I said
I'd phone you at 6:00.

Well, it's... It's only two
minutes past, you know.

Sorry, dear.

Oh, just dictating letters,
paying bills, you know?

Yes, dear.

Oh, dear. Really, dear?

Goodbye, dear.

Well, now, where were we, hmm?

Dot, dot, dot, dot,
asterisk, asterisk...

- Four asterisks.
- Oh, yes.

A convulsive tremor shook her
slender frame and Petal moaned.

Miss Wilcott?

Petal moaned.

I know it's none of my business,
but I think you ought to tell her.

Tell who what?

Your fiancée about
you being a writer.

If you're getting
married in a fortnight.

I couldn't do that. Oh,
dear. Good gracious, no.

Oh, she'd never approve.

I mean, it's not as if I
were a Bernard Shaw.

Oh, but she'd be proud of you.

Not many people can
get a book published at all,

and look at you, scores of them.

And under 15
different names too.

Yes, well, I'm afraid Elizabeth
doesn't consider this sort of thing art.

- Well, if you ask me, I think she's a...
- But I didn't ask you, Miss Wilcott.

Now shall we proceed?

A convulsive tremor shook her
slender frame and Petal moaned.

Petal moaned...

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Hello, Deniston Russell here.

What? Telegram?
Yes, yes, I'll take it.

Right.

Just a moment.

Yes.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Well, well, well.

Cousin Henry's dead.

- Murdered?
- No, no, no, no.

Very peaceful.

He seems to have
left me a lot of money.

- Oh, good.
- Good?

No, I was very fond
of Cousin Henry.

He was a remarkable man.

He was rich. He was very rich.

Well, at least this ought to put an end
to my having to write this sort of stuff.

Goodbye to Blood Lust.

Goodbye to Merton Somersby and
Jeremy Sinclair and Gloria Trubshaw.

Captain Russell.

You wouldn't give up writing just
because you got a bit of money.

It would be a
crime, you couldn't.

No, no, no. Of course not, Miss
Wilcott. But don't you see now?

Now I can afford to
write under my own name.

Uh, but good books, great books.

Yes, books that will...
Books that will live.

As you all know,
our old friend Henry

scorned the use of a solicitor in
drawing up of his last will and, uh...

- Testament?
- Thank you.

So he called upon me, his oldest
and dearest friend, to help him.

It was a melancholy occasion

- because he knew that his...
- End.

Thank you.

He knew that his end was near.

With your permission, I
will omit the preliminaries

- and merely read the essential...
- Points.

Items.

Good idea. Let's
hear how much we get.

To each of you he has
left the sum of £50,000.

But before you become
entitled to this money,

there are certain tasks of a
somewhat unusual nature,

which must be carried
out by each of you.

I might've known it.

These tasks must be
carried out to the letter

and may not be divulged,
in any circumstances,

to anybody outside this room.

And each of you must take
a solemn oath to that effect.

Well, what are these
ridiculous provisions?

I will now proceed to read them.

My sister, Agnes Russell,

who, for many years,
has made life a purgatory

for those who she
considers her inferiors,

shall, for a period of not
less than one calendar month

and within one week
of the reading of this will,

obtain a post as a domestic
servant in a middle-class home.

How dare he!

Should she, for any
reason whatsoever,

be dismissed or resign from this
post before the end of this month,

she shall forfeit her
share in my fortune.

I shall contest the will.

I forgot to add that if any
one of you contests the will,

the whole fortune for
all of you will be forfeited.

In that case, Cousin Agnes
will not contest the will.

- But I tell you that...
- My second cousin,

Captain Deniston Russell,
Royal Army Pay Corps, retired,

whose hideous secret I
must now reveal to you,

has become a writer of penny dreadfuls
in the worst possible taste and style.

How on earth did he find out?

You? A writer?

And in the worst
possible taste too.

- Aren't they a bit, uh...
- Certainly not.

The gallant captain shall spend
not less and not more than 28 days

in one of His Majesty's
London prisons...

having been properly sentenced for
a genuine crime committed by himself

within one week of
the reading of this will.

Should he fail in this endeavour, he
shall forfeit his share of my fortune.

Crime?

Prison?

Oh, but I... I'm to be
married in a fortnight.

And to the daughter
of a magistrate.

Well, perhaps you'll
marry her in prison.

Oh, no. That's only
for expectant mothers.

My fourth cousin
twice-removed, Herbert Russell,

who has surely failed in the baking world
owing to his determination to be bullied,

shall, with the aid of a
mask and a toy pistol,

hold up his current bank
manager in his own office

in the manner of one of his
cousin Deniston's fictional gangsters

and will force him to hand
over the keys of the bank.

Should he fail or be unmasked or
overpowered before two minutes are up,

his share of the
fortune shall be forfeited.

Bu-bu-but how... How could [?

How could he...

It's impossible.

Not even a real gangster would
dare to point a gun at Mr Wagstaffe.

Or point anything
at Mr Wagstaffe.

My first cousin, Simon Russell,

who has gone through life at the
expense of others' hearts and pockets,

shall marry the first unmarried
woman to whom he speaks

after the reading of this
will, of no matter what age.

Should his well-known charm fail
to persuade the lady to marry him,

his share of my
fortune shall be forfeited.

Easy!

I always knew he
liked me best. Hmm.

Thanks, Cousin Henry.

Nevertheless, we must all
stand together and contest the will.

Perhaps you'd like to...

You can tell Cousin Agnes that she's
the last woman I shall speak to first.

What's she grumbling
about anyway?

Nobody in their proper mind would
sack a servant with the present shortage.

After all, 50,000
quid is 50,000 quid.

Before we come to the
taking of the solemn oath,

there is one small
formality to be carried out.

We must all rise.

Rise.

All rise.

Come along. Upsy-daisy.

Step this way.

And drink a toast to
our beloved benefactor

while singing a verse of that popular
melody "For He's a Jolly Good"... Um...

- Fellow?
- Exactly.

Face our dear benefactor.

Raise your glasses.

Raise your glasses.

And sing with me.

♪ For he's a jolly good fellow &

♪ For he's a jolly good fellow &

♪ For he's a jolly good fellow &

♪ And so say all of us ♪

♪ And so say all of us ♪

♪ And so say all of us ♪

♪ For he's a jolly good fellow &

♪ For he's a jolly good fellow &

♪ For he's a jolly good fellow &

♪ And so say all of us ♪

Now drink to our dear departed.

Ask Cousin Agnes
if I can give her a lift

to the nearest
employment exchange.

No?

How about you, Herbert?
Can I drop you at the gunsmith?

What for?

Well, you can't hold up a
bank with a fountain pen.

Oh, no. I'm going to
get that at a toy shop.

That's the least of my worries.

It's where I'm going to find
the courage that's puzzling me.

Look, Herbert, there's a little work
of mine called The Bank Bandit.

It might give you
a few pointers.

I'll be glad to put it
in the post for you.

Oh, thank you.

Well, hop in, both of you.

No, I think I'll get
my bus at the corner.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye, Herbert.

Come on, Edgar Wallace.
I'll buy you a snifter.

How-how-how on earth do
you afford a vehicle like this?

I don't, old boy.
Got it on appro.

Just keep it a week, then send
it back. Say you don't want it.

Give you the address
if you want to try.

- Two more large whiskies, please, George.
- Certainly, sir.

Cheer up, old boy.

It's only a matter of time.

Everything seemed
so rosy this morning.

The hope of money to
come, marriage in a fortnight.

But now instead of a
honeymoon in Harrogate,

prison in Pentonville.

I fear I shall lose
my Elizabeth.

Oh, nonsense. She'll stand
by you if she's good, scout.

Elizabeth is an
officer and a lady.

Well, just tell her it's
worth 50,000 smackers,

and I'm sure she'll be
delighted with the whole affair.

I would remind you, Russell, that we
have both taken a most solemn oath

not to divulge the
contents of the will.

Yes, so we have.

Well, look here.

If she does give you the bird,
what about palming her off on me?

Certainly not.

What a disgusting suggestion!

To marry, I mean.

- Thirty shillings for you.
- Huh.

Huh, remarkable thing. I've
come out without my wallet.

Lend me a fiver, old boy.

Thanks.

Better make it a tenner.
Easier to remember.

What on earth's that?

That is Elizabeth.

You're dead right, old
boy. Not my cup of tea at all.

I should hope not.

Look, I must telephone her now.

- Box is over there.
- Oh, thank you.

With all this on my mind, I
just cannot face her tonight.

Couldn't face her any night.

Hello.

- Want a ciggy?
- Oh, no, sweetie.

No, I'm smoking
cigars from now on.

What about a date later on this
evening? I feel like celebrating.

Look, I don't want that old goat in
the telephone box to see us talking.

- Why?
- Well, don't think me mad,

but just for the moment I'm
not allowed to talk to women.

Don't I count as a woman?

You see, dear,
something has occurred.

But you promised to take me out
tonight, and I've had a bath specially.

I got some splendid news for
you about my wedding leave.

Commandant Borthwaite's
given me 28 days.

Mmm, 28.

Twenty-eight days?

Oh...

Oh, dear. I know...

Yes, dear, of course, of course.

It could be splendid.
But you see...

Well, you see, he said
you only get spliced once

and might as well enjoy it.

Huh? Huh?

Denny, postpone our
wedding? After ten years?

You're not serious.

You don't mean it.

Well, what am I to say to
Commandant Borthwaite and the girls?

They've... they've bought us
a toast rack and everything.

You're breaking
my heart, that's all.

No, you can't explain.

All right, then. Tomorrow
morning at 11:00.

On the dot!

Daddykins...

Daddy?

Daddy, did you hear that?

Did you hear it?

I told you so. Shifty customer.

Always said so, always will.

Never liked him, never shall.

Sort of fellow who will end
up in the hands of the police.

Now you see,
Scott's got the ball.

He tricks the outside
left, lobs down to Mercer,

Mercer heads it down to Compton,

Compton kicks it
down, passes it to Logie.

Logie to Louis, Louis up to the
outside right, what's his name?

- Roper?
- Roper, Roper.

He slides in and he slams...

- Good evening.
- Yes?

Uh, look, I am most anxious
to go to prison for 28 days,

and I wondered if you
had any suggestions.

Well, have you committed any
crime, felony or breach of the peace?

No, not yet.

Though, within reason,
I am prepared to.

Then get out of here. Can't
you see we're very busy?

Go on, Eddy. Roper had
the ball. What happened?

Wait, I don't think
you quite understand.

For reasons which I cannot
divulge, I must go to prison.

And I've come for your advice.

You've had it. Now hop it.

Oh, look here, my man. I'm
asking a perfectly civil question.

And you got a civil
answer. Now hop it.

I'm a taxpayer.

What is more, I'm a personal
friend of the commissioner.

Then I should go
and see him, sir.

You'll find that he's far
less busy than we are.

Good evening, Benson.

Your lord and master is
now a man of substance.

Congratulations, sir. How much?

50,000 smackers,
Benson. 50,000 iron men.

Splendid, sir, splendid.

In that case, we might have a
little chat about my arrears of salary.

Er, quite. But I shall have
to borrow a few more quid

just to see me through
the testing period.

Oh. Oh, in that case, we haven't
been left anything at all, is that it, sir?

No, it isn't, Benson. Now
sit down. Listen to me.

I shouldn't be telling you this because
I made a solemn oath not to do so,

so I rely on your discretion.

Oh, honour among thieves,
Scout's honour and all that.

Well, carry on, sir.

Well, it's like this.

Now I forfeit the whole darn lot

if I don't marry the first
unmarried girl I speak to.

Of course, I shan't
take any notice of that.

Oh, naturally not, sir.

Ah, but I must choose
carefully, Benson.

In fact, I'm just as keen to find someone
with a tidy bank account of her own.

After all, I don't want to get landed
with a gold digger now that I'm rich.

You listening, Benson?

Oh, yes, sir. I see your point.

Since hearing your bad news,

several young ladies have
telephoned their heartfelt sympathy.

That's what I mean, you
see? They're closing in already.

Shocking bad taste with
the old boy hardly cold.

Oh, quite, sir. Quite.

Well, if I might be allowed
to offer some advice,

why not leave town and
spend a few days on the boat?

Good idea, Benson.
I'll go tomorrow.

I'll take my car... Oh, better send
the other one back to Sports Cars Ltd.

Give them the usual
spiel: I wasn't satisfied.

Then bolt the front door,
disconnect the telephone.

This is worse than
the bailiff's, Benson.

How right you are, sir. But
don't worry, I'll look after you.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

Don't forget tonight.

- 6:30 sharp, best bib and tucker.
- All right.

Oh, Miss Heath.

Uh...

It's such a lovely day today,

I wonder whether you'd like to
come to the pictures with me tonight.

- Oh, I...
- There's a particular picture

that I want to see. It's...

It's all about a hold-up man.

I'd love to, Mr Russell,

but unfortunately, Mr Stewart has
asked me to go out with him tonight.

Mr Wagstaffe's mail, Mr Russell.

Oh, thank you, Mr Stewart.

"Unfortunately" did you say?

Of course, if you'd rather go
out with Handsome Herbert...

Why are you always
so nasty about him?

Little twerp.

Reach! Reach for the sky.

Come on. Stick 'em up.

No mucking about.

Come on. I said
no mucking about.

Reach, brother, for the sky.

Come on. Stick 'em up.

I haven't any time to waste.

Apparently you have.

One of the signs of softening
of the brain is talking to oneself.

Watch it, Mr Russell. Watch it.

- Get back to your work.
- Yes, sir.

Extraordinary behaviour.

- You said something, sir?
- No, I was talking to myself.

- Get out.
- Yes, sir.

Get out!

In your advertisement about a
domestic, you mentioned references.

I haven't done this sort of
work before, so I'm afraid that...

Oh, don't worry about that...

I'm sorry. I've forgotten
your name again.

Miss Agnes Russell.

Well, I'll be frank with you, Agnes.
We've had quite a number of servants here.

Some with excellent references,
but none of them have lasted.

But I'm sure you'll
do us very well.

That'll be my father.

I expect he wants to
see you. Shall we go up?

Aren't men impatient?

You know, my father's
a semi-invalid and...

Oh, but he's not
really very ill. Please.

Father, this is our new helper.

An older instance.
What's your name?

Agnes Russell.

Then it's Bertha
from now on, my girl.

All the others were Bertha,
and a rotten lot they were.

I'm sure Agnes will
do us very well, Father.

We'll see. Can you cook, Bertha?

Yes.

Then you can cook my supper
tonight. There's a steak in the larder.

You don't make
a mess of it, now.

You're a sour face.

I like happy people
about me. Smile.

Go on, smile.

That's better.

He likes you. He
likes you very much.

He does.

I I'm as happy as a
lark A lark, a lark ♪

I I'm as happy as a dog
Bum, bum, bum, bum ♪

Hello, there.

I say, are you in difficulties?

Don't bother, thank
you. I can manage.

Oh, it's no bother at all.

What's the trouble?

I don't quite know.
It just stopped.

- Has it got any petrol?
- Oh, yes.

My chauffeur filled
it up this morning.

Just stubborn,
huh? Got far to go?

Eaton. My brother's at school there,
and I've promised to take him out.

It's maddening.

- Leave it to me.
- Thank you.

- Do you know anything about cars?
- Not a thing.

Fine.

Well, if you ask me,

a circumventer on the...
ubiquitous paraxial is...

What?

Fused or blown.

You can tell just
by looking at it?

Oh, one gets a knack, you know.
Like doctors lifting your eyelid

and knowing your
great-grandmother was a dipsomaniac.

Can I give you a lift somewhere?

If you would. To a telephone.

It's a pleasure. Come along.

I'll ring my chauffeur to come
and collect the beastly thing.

Will he know about
paraxial, um, thingamajigs?

I doubt it. Very few people do.

I hate that car anyway.

I much prefer my big one.

- Your big one?
- Uh-huh.

Huh. Well, you'll have
to forgive old Griselda.

Both mine are in dock.

This thing belongs to my butler.

I think she's sweet.

And I'm very grateful
to both of you.

Huh.

What did you say your name was?

I didn't. It's Lucille Grayson.

- How do you do? Simon Russell.
- How do you do?

I'm going to make a very
impertinent suggestion.

Instead of you singing the "Eaton
Boating Song" with your brother,

why not come boating with me?

My cruiser's just along the
road. On the water, of course.

Oh, no, thank you.
I couldn't possibly.

My uncle would raise Cain if he
heard I'd been out with strange men.

Oh. There's only one of me,
and I'm not all that strange.

In fact, I've behaved pretty
normally on the whole.

It's very tempting, Mr Russell.

But I must say no.

- No?
- Yes.

Oh.

Do you really know
anything about cars?

- No.
- Nothing at all?

Nothing at all.

How clever of you.

- Do you like my little boat?
- Mmm, very much.

It's small, of course.

I'm getting another one
soon with a big funnel.

- Comfy?
- Mm-hmm.

Lucky you had two of
these mattress things.

Yes, I was here last
weekend with a business pal.

He left his lipstick behind.

Odd.

I wonder how that got here.

I'm beginning to
wonder how I did.

Not regretting it, are you?

Not yet. But I shall.

My uncle wouldn't
approve of this at all.

Like all very rich men, he
wants to run everybody else's life.

You poor sweet. I know the form.

You can't tell him to go to blazes
or he'll cut you off with a shilling.

No, he can't do that. The
money's in trust for me.

That's good.

That's very good.

No.

No. No!

Deniston, I will not postpone
our wedding without a reason.

No, you can't fob
me off like that.

Fluffy, I wouldn't
dream of fobbing you.

Nonsense!

This is the clearest case of
fobbing that's ever come my way.

You've been dilly-dallying
with my daughter for ten years.

Only because of my
financial situation, Sir Charles.

What's happened to it now?

Nothing, nothing. I only ask for
a slight postponement of 28 days.

Why?

Well, I know you'll
understand when I tell you

that I have given my solemn
oath not to divulge the reasons.

But when we got
engaged, ten years ago...

you solemnly swore we wouldn't
have any secrets from each other.

Except, of course,
official ones.

Oh... Oh, but this
is official in a way.

You see, Fluffy, in strict confidence,
I have to go away for a month.

- Officially?
- Officially.

For the government?

Well, the government will
be paying my expenses.

What's that?

Just a minute. I thought the Pay
Corps kicked you out five years ago.

I shall not be in
uniform, Sir Charles.

At least, I don't think so.

No, well... Will you excuse me?

I really have to go. I
have to catch my train.

Denny, you're not going
behind the Iron Curtain?

Hmm?

I suppose you
could put it like that.

Daddykins, he's in
the secret service,

and all this time we thought
he was doing nothing.

Oh, Denny. My brave Denny boy.

Fluffy, dear.

Look, I promise you that
as soon as ever I am free...

Free to talk... I'll
explain everything.

Oh, no need to
explain when duty calls.

Quite right. Now don't go land
yourself in one of those filthy gaols.

No, but I... No, no.

Well, will you excuse me, Sir
Charles? I must catch my train.

Well, good luck. I'm sorry
I was a bit shirty with you.

I know you won't be able to write,
but I shall be watching the newspapers

and hoping so much there
won't be any news of you.

Oh, the newspapers.

Oh, yes, hope that.
Please hope that.

King's Cross station, please.

Good luck, and if they catch you,
none of those confessions, mind.

- Goodbye, dear boy.
- Goodbye.

Not the railway station,
the police station.

Good morning, Inspector.
Do you remember me?

Yes.

Yes, I do remember you.
Go on, get out of here...

Please, please listen.
You see, I am a writer,

and it's necessary for one of my
characters to go to prison for a month.

I only thought that you might tell
me a few crimes that would fit the bill.

Look, here's a little opus of
mine, if you would care to...

- It's about football.
- It's about football, eh?

The whole of the Cup Final team
get poisoned on the eve of the match.

Death and the FA Cup.

- Ha!
- Oh, no, no, please.

Keep it if you'd care to.

- For me?
- Yes.

- That's very kind of you, sir. Thank you.
- Not at all.

Well, you know, I'm always
ready to support the arts as it were.

I dare say, Archibald
ought to be able to help us.

Oh? Who... who is Archibald?

The encyclopaedia of crime.

Oh, look, I want it to be
a very respectable crime.

Nothing... nothing nasty.

You see, he's a very
upright and honourable man,

and I can't possibly have my...
Uh, his reputation soiled in any way.

Besides, he has
to get the heroine.

- Happy ending, eh?
- Oh, yes.

That's the stuff to give 'em.

I'm so glad you understand.

Now let's see, there's, uh...

There's trains.

There's lots of things
happening in trains.

Oh, you'd be surprised.

Most of them go for
about six months, though.

Oh, no. No, no.

Bag snatching ain't bad.

Look, I'll take a note
of one or two of these.

- Yes, do that.
- If you don't mind.

- Here, borrow this.
- Thank you.

- Bag snatching.
- Bag snatching...

Then there's, uh...

shoplifting.

Yes, shoplifting.

They're getting very down
on that nowadays, you know.

Especially among
the upper classes.

Then there's... Ooh,
I think I got it here.

Well, I may be wrong.

How about stealing
lead from churches?

- Just climb up on the roof and rip it off.
- Oh, no, no. No, I...

Uh, he has no head for heights.

Oh, that's a pity.

Well, um, car stealing is
very popular, you know.

Yes. Yes, car stealing.

- Yeah, put that down.
- Might be excellent.

Oh, all right.

All right, all right, all right!

Shut the window.

My feet are cold!

Don't stand there gaping,
my dinner will spoil.

All right, all right, all right.

Do you have asthma?

- No.
- Then stop puffing like a train,

it gets on my nerves.

You left the door open.

Shut it when you go.

- Is that all you...
- Go on!

Oh!

You're fired!

Mr Webb, I beg you
to reconsider this.

The only matter
for consideration is

whether I kick you out
now or tomorrow morning.

I'm willing to
work for no wages.

Still too expensive.

In fact, I'm willing to
pay you to let me stay.

Eh?

I only ask to remain a month.

If you let me stay, ['ll...

I'll give you £1,000.

What did you say?

- £1,000.
- You're off your head.

- I know it sounds insane.
- Don't come near me.

- But I mean it.
- Go-go-go and lie down.

- I'll put it in writing!
- Get out!

Away with you!

Potty.

Completely potty.

Oh!

You rang for me?

Yes.

But not to appear like
something out of a French farce.

Away, put your clothes on.

Ah, never mind. You
look terrible anyway.

Take those flowers out,
they're eating up the oxygen.

And you dare to send
for me just for that?

Ah-ah. Keep a civil
tongue in your head.

Why should 1? You've
dismissed me, haven't you?

I'll say what I like.

And here and now I'd like to say
that you're the most detestable,

abominable old man it's ever
been my misfortune to encounter.

A pity.

Because I'd changed my
mind about sending you away.

-Anything to say about that?- I-

Mind you, it's not for your £1,000,
which obviously doesn't exist.

But it does and I mean it.

Nor for your beauty or
efficiency, which don't exist either.

But purely for my own convenience
until I can find somebody better.

Which shouldn't be difficult.

See the door closes when you go.

Ah-ah.

The flowers.

Hmm, your handsome Herbert
seems to be a little late this morning.

He may not be handsome,

but at least he's not a wolf
at the Hammersmith Palais.

Naughty, naughty.

What on earth are
you doing, Mr Stewart?

Leave that young lady alone.

And in Mr
Wagstaffe's office too.

I think Miss Heath is capable
of looking after herself.

Oh, no, she isn't. Not
while I'm here to stop her.

Thank you, Mr Russell,
but it's quite all right.

Oh, no, it isn't. Now you run
along and leave this to me.

Now look here, Stewart.

I'm not going to stand for
any nonsense with Miss Heath.

Oh, go away.

Go away, little man.

All right! Little man I
may be, but not for long.

Let me tell you that

0-0-0-one day, I'll come
in here in a Rolls-Royce.

And I'll have an
overdraft of 20,000.

Or more! And you'll
be calling me sir.

I'd like to see that.

Yes. Well, sometimes
worms change their...

th-th-th-their spots!

And when I do, I'll march
in here without knocking

and I'll-I'll-I'-I'll
sit on the desk.

And I'll say, "Hello,
Wagstaffe. How's"...

Fool! Look what
you've done to my suit.

Oh, I'm terribly
sorry, Mr Stewart.

You'll pay for this.

Oh, no, it was both
of our faults, really.

Oh, no.

You wait until Mr
Wagstaffe hears about this.

Oh, bother, Mr Wagstaffe.

Mr Wagstaffe, Mr Wagstaffe.

Come on. Don't just stand
there, help me pick them up.

Come on...

And what are you
doing now, Mr Russell?

It's your wife
again, sir. She's...

gone to pieces.

Mr Russell, how long you remain
with us, I don't know, but I hope not long.

But until you go, you won't
set foot in my office again.

Yes, sir. No, sir.

Oh, but sir, I-

That is an order, Mr Russell!

Father, what are you doing?

Searching her belongings.
What do you think I'm doing?

Why, it's a
dreadful thing to do.

You mind your own
business and answer the bell.

- That'll be the detective.
- Detective?

Oh, Father, not again. Just as
we get someone good at last.

- Away you go!
- Oh...

A-ha!

I thought so.

I, um... I have an
appointment with Mr Webb.

If you're from the police,
you're wasting your time.

Oh, I'm not from the police. I'm
a private enquiry agent, Mrs, uh...

- Or Miss?
- Miss.

What private enquiry there can be
about that poor soul, I can't imagine.

- Good morning, sir.
- Your detective.

A bit young, aren't you?

For what, sir?

Never you mind. Listen to me.

Last night, I sacked my maid,

whereupon she offered me
£1,000 to let her stay for a month.

- Did she, now?
- Father, isn't that going a bit too far?

Precisely. That's
why I sent for you.

Nobody in their right mind would stay in
this house a minute longer than they need.

I don't agree, sir.

You're here to do a job
of work, not to be flippant.

- Sit down.
- Sorry, sir.

Now then, either she's cracked
and has escaped from some asylum,

or she's a criminal lying low. I
tend to think she's a criminal.

This identity card,
it's obviously false.

Look at it.

No 30-bob-a-week domestic servant
would live in that neighbourhood.

Certainly looks a bit odd.

- What do you want me to do about it?
- Check up on her.

Find out where she comes from,
where she goes, everything about her.

- Is she here now?
- No.

I gave her the afternoon off.
Didn't want her spotting you.

Well? Will you take the job?

- Certainly, sir.
- Good.

It'll be a pleasure.

Oh, ma'am! I didn't expect you.

I'll just put me apron
on. If I'd known...

It doesn't matter
about the apron.

Come here, please.

Have you found another post?

Oh, no, ma'am. You see, what
with no references from you and...

Ethel, I...

I'm afraid I've been a
little hard on you at times.

One doesn't realise.

If you care to stay
with me, you can.

I shall be away about a month.

- You could have a little holiday.
- Oh.

- Oh, no, ma'am...
- With pay, of course.

I...

I should like you
to stay, if you will.

Oh, thank you very much, ma'am.

- Yes, I will.
- Good.

Well, I'm going
to have a little rest.

I'm rather tired.

Is Miss Agnes Russell in?

Yes. Oh, but she's asleep.

Is she? Good.

I dare say, you can
help me. I'm a reporter.

- Shall we go in?
- Oh, I suppose.

- What's your name?
- Ethel.

Sit down, Ethel.

I know that face.

It's Russell's brother.

He passed away last
week, poor gentleman.

Henry Russell? The joker?

That's right, the
practical joking man.

He left her a
fortune, so they say.

Did he now? How
much did he leave her?

Ethel -Oh! I

Who is this gentleman?
What does he want?

I'm glad to meet
you, Miss Russell.

I'm from the Chelsea Chronicle,

and I wondered if you'd give
me a line or two on your brother.

I have nothing to say.

Ethel, show the gentleman out.

I don't wish to see him again.

- But, Miss Russell, I'd...
- Please.

£5, please.

- Oh, no, you don't understand. [...
- Oh, that's all right, sir. £5.

Oh, yes, of course.
Of course, £5.

Thank you, sir.

£5.

Excuse me, please.

Yes, sir?

Wrong tartan.

Wrong tartan, sir?

I'll be with you
in a moment, sir.

- I'm terribly sorry, sir.
- I beg your pardon.

- I wasn't looking where I was going.
- Kind of my fault.

Excuse me, sir.

- Did you purchase anything in the store?
- No, no.

Oh, yes. Yes, a
pedigree pipe, £5.

- Nothing else, sir?
- Absolutely nothing.

Would you mind just
stepping into the office?

Oh, of course. I'd be delighted.

- Come in here, please.
- Thank you.

Well, gentlemen,
what can I do for you?

Have you any objection
to being searched?

No, not at all. Not at all.
Where would you like to begin?

This pocket.

I've been robbed.
I've been robbed.

My wallet? My wallet!

I demand compensation.
What have you done with it?

My wallet's gone!

I don't understand. I mean,
it doesn't make sense.

- Why is she working here, then?
- Search me.

Either practical jokes run in the family,
or she's cracked as your father suggested.

Well, the doctor's with him now,
but he won't be long. Will you wait?

Best not. Our Agnes may
return. She mustn't spot me.

But there are some more
questions I'd like to ask you.

There isn't much time now

so perhaps we could have some
food together tonight and discuss it.

What questions?

Oh, a few details.

After all, one must go into
details in detail, you know.

Mr Godfrey, I don't
often get invited out.

But if you really want me to come dine
with you, do you mind asking me properly?

Madam, would you care
to dine with me tonight?

I should love it...

if you promise not
to discuss the case.

- Nothing was further from my mind.
- Good.

Champagne, of course.

A bottle of, uh,
Krug '34 to start with.

Keep a cheaper brand
on the ice for later on.

Women never know
the second bottle.

Yes, Mr Simon.

Ah, Ritchie.

This is a very important date,

so pass the word around to the girls
that I'm not on "hello terms" for tonight.

- Yes, sir.
- Mm-hmm.

Hello, darling.

Huh, better take that back.

Russell!

Russell, your man told
me I might find you here.

He had no business.
And why aren't you in gaol?

That's what I've come
to talk to you about.

Oh, is it? Come have a drink.

No, no, no. Look,
Russell. Russell.

I'm getting a little desperate. It
may be easy for people like you,

but I just don't seem to
be able to get into prison.

Well, don't be
silly. Anyone can.

What's in there?

Oh, burglar tools.

Oh, do keep your voice down.

Burglar tools.
Come and sit down.

What are you going
to do with them?

Well, I...

You see, I thought a little
housebreaking might do the trick.

Oh, well, I wish
the best of luck.

Yes, but the trouble is that
some people are inclined

to be a little rough
with burglars,

and well, I thought, with
your permission, of course,

I might break into
your flat tonight.

What? It's quite
out of the question.

I shall be using
it tonight, anyway.

All the better. All the better! Then
you can catch me red-handed.

Now look here, old boy. I've got
very important plans for tonight,

and catching burglars
isn't one of them.

Now you pop off and
burgle someone else.

I couldn't possibly burgle
somebody I didn't know.

Wouldn't be playing the game.

Oh! Do you mind? Go and
pinch a car or something.

Do you mind... Quick
as you can. Please, pop...

Lucille, darling, you
look quite heavenly.

Who on earth is that?

Oh, he's some old crook
with a hard-luck story.

Used to flog petrol coupons.

Lives on charity now.

Costs me a fiver
every time I see him.

You're much too nice,
Simon. That's your trouble.

Nonsense.

Are these things yours, sir?

No, no, no. I borrowed, uh...

Yes. Yes, they're
my burglar tools.

Burglar tools? What
do you want with them?

- Refuse to say.
- Oh, well, in that case, sir,

I shall have to ask you to come
along with me to the station.

Oh. Certainly.

- That's, uh...
- I'll take the bag, sir.

Yes, you take the bag.

Sergeant, I picked this man
up with a set of burglar tools.

Oh, yeah? Name?

So it's you, you
naughty boy. Ha!

After a bit of local colour, eh?

You want to be careful, sir, or
you will land yourself in the clink.

- But I want...
- That's all right. I quite understand.

It's okay, Cafferty. I
know this gentleman.

Jeremy Sinclair,
the famous author.

You know, sir, I've been enjoying
that book of yours very much.

Very good stuff.

I'll lay six to one the referee
murdered the outside-left. Am I right?

No, I'm afraid it was the
goalkeeper's daughter.

What? But that's impossible.

Well, look, if you don't
want me any more, I'll...

No, sir, you run along and
drop in any time you're passing.

- Always welcome. Goodnight, sir.
- Goodnight.

One moment, sir.

Might I have your
autograph, please?

Lucille, darling, you know, I'm
serious. This isn't just casual fun.

Let's sit down, shall we?

- But what did I do?
- Nothing.

- I swear to you I only...
- Before you say anything more,

I think I'd better tell you something
about myself which you don't know.

What?

I've lied to you about myself.

You... You mean you're
not what you pretend to be?

No, I'm a fraud.

Mr Simon?

No, hold it, Gustav. I
may not be needing that.

You better explain yourself.

That first day we met, I wasn't
going to Eaton to see my brother.

Why not?

I haven't got a
brother at Eaton.

In fact,

I haven't got a brother at all.

I see. So you've
been fooling me. Why?

I was on my way
to meet the man...

The man my uncle
wants me to marry.

He's rich, he has a title and
everything a girl could want

but I didn't want to meet
him before I met you.

Then you came along and I...

Is that all?

Gustav, where's that
bottle of champagne?

But I haven't told my
uncle yet. Or the other man.

I haven't dared to until I knew
whether you were serious about me.

Serious? I'm crazy about you.

Lucille, darling,
will you marry me?

Oh, Simon. Yes, please.

When will you tell your uncle?

- Would you like me to ring him now?
- Yes, do. I'll come with you.

I've got a call to make too.

Mr Simon?

- Gustav, make that a magnum.
- Very well, sir.

Thank you.

- Darling.
- Darling.

Benson?

It's in the bag!

Well, put a couple of bottles
on the ice and go to bed.

My heartiest
congratulations, sir.

A notable achievement.

Uncle Arthur? Lucille speaking.

He's hooked. Open up a bottle of
champagne and have one on me.

My heartiest
congratulations, my dear.

Oh, a notable achievement.

These flowers have
just been delivered.

Who for?

For you, I suppose.

Why? I'm not dead yet.

- You sent me those!
- I did no such thing.

You must have done. Nobody
likes me enough to send me flowers.

Without wishing to
appear rude, Mr Webb,

I don't like you enough either.

Oh, yes, you do. Enough to offer
me £1,000 to let you stay here.

But don't imagine that smothering
me in blooms is gonna do the trick.

You'll leave when
I want you to leave.

I have no illusions about that.

What lovely flowers.
Give them to me

- and get a vase and some water, will you?
- Yes, Miss Webb.

Who are they from?

More bribery and corruption
from that idiotic maid.

Why are you all
dolled up this morning?

- What are you grinning at?
- The flowers are meant for me.

- Who from?
- Your detective.

- Why is he sending you flowers?
- Well, because he likes me, I suppose.

He has no business liking you.
He's not paid to send you flowers.

Well, it helps him to buy them.

This must stop at once.

He has a perfect right to send me
flowers, and I hope he goes on doing so.

I was out with him until
midnight last night...

and I expect to be
much later tonight.

You'll stay in your room!

I'm sorry, Father. I won't!

You've successfully wrecked
every chance I ever had.

But it can't go on like this.

It's no good, Father.

You can't want me to
waste my life and become...

Well, something like that
batty old spinster out there.

While the doctor's upstairs, I
thought you might like a cup of tea.

Thank you, Agnes. That
was very thoughtful of you.

Miss Webb,

I couldn't help overhearing
what you said about me upstairs.

I'm very sorry. I was
overwrought and I...

Oh, don't apologise. Please.

I know well enough what I am.

It takes some people a long
time to find out about themselves.

And when they do...

it's too late to do
anything about it.

It isn't too late for you.

How is he, Doctor?

Your father's an old
humbug, my dear.

He enjoys bad health
more than anyone I know.

You see, the trouble with
these hypochondriacs is

they can make themselves
just as ill as they want to be.

He has a dicky heart,
there's no denying,

but it's not going to kill
him unless he wants it to.

- What can I do?
- Be gentle with him.

Try to not to cross him in any
way. That might be dangerous.

- Well, there's not much else you can do.
- I see.

Thank you, Doctor.
I'll do what you said.

Goodbye, my dear.

- I'll look in again tonight.
- Yes, Doctor.

Why, Captain Russell.

I thought you were going away.

Ah, yes, yes. I am
going very shortly now.

What on earth
have you got there?

A brick.

A brick?

I do hope you'll be back soon.

I'm just longing to
get on with Blood Lust.

- Ah...
- It's the best yet, you know.

Dear Sheila.

That's the first time you've
ever called me Sheila.

Oh, is it?

Well, do forgive me.
I'm not feeling very well.

In fact, I'm not myself...

Don't move, Sheila.

Now listen, dear. Don't ask any
questions and don't look back.

I'll explain everything later.
Please go away quickly, Sheila.

As quickly as you
can. Hurry, dear.

Deniston!

Oh, Fluffy.

So this is your secret service?

I haven't gone yet, Fluffy.

Daddy was quite
right. He warned me.

- No, please. Please, listen, Fluffy...
- Don't call me that.

How could you do it? You're supposed to
be behind the Iron Curtain and look at you.

Who was that woman?
What were you giving her?

- Nothing, dear. Nothing.
- What's in that parcel?

A brick.

This is no moment
to start being funny.

You've humiliated
me quite enough.

I shall apply to Commandant Borthwaite
for an immediate posting overseas.

- Elizabeth...
- No!

Elizabeth!

- Did you do that?
- Yes, he did. I saw him.

You?

What are you doing here?

Don't worry, it's
nothing to do with you.

Where's Joan?

Now what's all this about?

Please go away. You have
no right to come in here.

I have every right to know why
you're out every time I telephone.

Why you've locked yourself
up in this dismal house

as if you were terrified
of the sight of me?

I just...

Just don't want to see
you any more, that's all.

- Liar.
- Roger, please go.

Oh, no. I'm not
going to stand by

and watch you waste your
life on that old fraud upstairs.

I'm going to see him now.

Roger, please try to understand.

I'm the only one
he's got and I...

I can't leave him.

You listen, you little fool.

I want to marry
you so badly that...

I'm even prepared to let
your father live with us.

Ever seen one of these?

It's for a special licence.

We're going to use it tomorrow.

Oh, no.

He'd never stand the shock.

Joan, if you don't make up
your mind, it will be too late.

Please, could you leave
us alone for a moment?

Just for a minute.

I only want to
help you if I can.

Please.

All right, but only
for a moment.

You've probably found out by now
that I live alone on a small income

and that I'm rather a
friendless sort of person.

But...

perhaps you don't know why.

The answer's a simple one.

I sacrificed my youth as you are
doing for someone like your father.

Like you, I received
no gratitude.

No reward.

Only misery...

- and loneliness.
- But...

- but someone must look after him.
- I will.

- You?
- Yes.

I'll stay here with him for
as long as is necessary.

Go and marry your
young man tomorrow.

Then come back and
worry about your father.

- He'd never stand it.
- Yes, he will. Go on.

Go on!

Thanks.

We're very late this morning.

A hold-up I suppose?

- Hmm?
- A hold-up on the trains.

Train. Yes.

Your hat.

Thank you.

Good morning, Mr Russell.

Miss Heath.

- Is Mr Wagstaffe alone just now?
- Yes.

I was afraid he would be.

- Huh?
- Hmm?

Well, you know he never sees
anyone between 10:00 and half past.

Well, I wanted to see him
on a rather personal matter.

Would you mind stopping
anyone coming in until I've...

- till I've finished with him.
- Of course.

Is something on your mind?

Yes.

I hope one day you'll let me
take you out to dinner and explain.

Ask me and see.

I only hope you'll
come, after...

after...

Hmm.

Mr Russell has all day
to badger Mr Wagstaffe.

These two gentlemen have
an appointment with him.

I'm sorry, but there's
nothing in the book about it.

Then he must have
forgotten to put it down.

This way, gentlemen, please.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

In on holiday yet, gentlemen?

No? I'm going next
week. Camping.

Athletics.

Bit of an amateur boxer.

Two gentlemen to see you, sir.

All right, put 'em up!

Reach! Reach for the sky!

Well done, Russell.

Then I-I levelled
the pistol at them...

After a brief sort of
struggle, they capitulated.

Unconditionally, eh?

Absolutely terrific, Mr Russell.

Now, tell me, what are
you plans for the future?

Well, I understand I'm to be offered
a branch managership immediately.

Absolutely terrific.

Now tell me one last question.
Why do you carry a water pistol?

Oh... Oh, well...

Well-well, it was...
It-it-it was a sort of a...

A sort of a surprise
for somebody.

Absolutely terrific.

Your family's getting up to some
funny pranks these days, eh?

- I brought you the evening papers.
- Thank you.

Where's that daughter of mine?
She should've been back hours ago.

She's here now.

She wanted you to meet her
husband before they go away.

Huh? What did you say?

She's just married that young
detective you hired to spy up on me.

She's married... detec...

- This is your doing!
- No, it's yours.

You brought him into the house.

Oh, dear, you needn't
put on a show for me,

"cause I shan't send for
the doctor, even if you do."

- How dare you!
- Now, now, now.

As far as you're concerned,
there's no need to worry

because I promised your
daughter to stay here with you

for as long as it
may be necessary.

You...

Smile, Mr Webb.

Look. Over there.

Congratulations, my dear.

I hope he makes a better
husband than he does a detective.

Oh, thank you, Daddy!
I was so worried.

Oh, very foolish of you.
You don't have to worry.

It's poor Bertha who
must bear the brunt.

It won't be for long, Daddy, and
then you'll come and live with us.

Live with a detective?
I'd never feel safe.

We'll try to make you feel
at home in spite of that, sir.

- That's remarkably kind of you.
- Daddy, we must fly.

Our train leaves
in half an hour.

- I'll look after her, sir.
- You better.

Thank you, Agnes,
for everything.

- Good luck.
- Thanks.

A touching little scene.

Thank you for taking it so well.

Ha! I'm never one to shut the
door after the horse has bolted.

Though I'm sometimes liable
to look a gift horse in the mouth.

That was a noble
gesture of yours,

offering to stay indefinitely with
an unpleasant old man like me.

I made few such
gestures in my life.

- I was happy to do it.
- Aye.

But it was only necessary
to stay a month, wasn't it?

Yes.

Well, I don't think such
unselfishness should go unrewarded.

I'm prepared to
make a sacrifice, too,

and do without you
and your £1,000.

- But...
- You're fired, Miss Russell.

Pack your bags and go now!

I might've expected that.

Aye, I think you might.

I don't know what you're
losing, but it must be worth a lot.

It was.

But I think I've gained
more in other ways.

Goodbye, Mr Webb.

And... congratulations.

Enjoy your weekend?
You're for the high jump.

There's a new beak
on the bench today.

He's up from the East End courts where
they look down on the upper classes.

Number one on your
list, Deniston Russell.

Elizabeth.

Excuse me.

- Hey, what are you doing?
- It's all right.

I think I've changed my mind.

- I'm innocent.
- I know, I know.

James Deniston Russell.

You are charged that on the 14th
instant, at number 121 Mayfair Street,

you caused wilful damage to a
plate glass window valued at £15.

You are further charged that you
did, at the same time, date and place,

assault Charles Baker, a
constable in the Metropolitan Police,

by striking him
with your umbrella.

Do you plead
guilty or not guilty?

- Hmm?
- Do you plead guilty or not guilty?

Well it's, uh... It's true that certain
unfortunate circumstances did,

well, force me
into certain actions.

But I mean, if I'd dreamt that
I'd be meeting you, Sir Charles,

or dear Elizabeth here...

We shall take that
as a plea of not guilty.

I swear by almighty God that the evidence
I shall give the court will be the truth,

the whole truth and
nothing but the truth.

Charles Baker,
police constable 149...

Whatever it is, he didn't do it!

- But I've got to tell him, I...
- All right.

You mustn't come in here.

You can't put me off like that.

- He's innocent.
- They all are, miss.

I want to give evidence.

Well, if you just wait a
moment, I'll see what I can do.

The accused thereupon assaulted
me in the course of my duty

by striking me with his
umbrella, Your Worship.

You heard the constable's
evidence, Captain Russell.

Do you wish to ask
him any questions on it?

Oh, no, no. No, thank you.

Have you anything
you wish to say?

Uh, no, no. Not at present.

Although, I'll be most happy to explain
it all to you personally in 28 days time.

Now is the time if you
want to say anything at all.

Have you no witnesses
you wish to call?

Uh, no. No, no.

Excuse me, sir. There's a lady outside who
would like to give evidence on his behalf.

- Call her, then! Call her.
- Yes, sir.

Captain Russell, you poor
dear. What are they doing to you?

Don't you worry. I'll
get you out of this.

No, no. No, no, no.
Please, please. No, no.

Take the book in the right hand
and read what it says on the card.

I swear by almighty
God to tell the truth,

the whole truth and nothing
but the truth, so help me God.

Sheila Wilcott, 21 Juniper Drive, Eating.
I'm the secretary to the captain here.

I don't know what you think
he's done, but it's all a lie.

Quiet!

- Hmm?
- It's a lie.

Captain Russell admits throwing a
brick through a shop window, Miss Wilcott.

Oh. Oh, well then he's suffering
from strain and overwork.

I always said he would.

It's medical attention
he needs, not this.

Just a minute. I understood he
retired from the army five years ago

and has had no employment since.

Ah, that's because he's
too retiring to talk about it.

Captain Russell is one of the
most successful writers of the age.

Writers? What's he write?

Books. Hundreds of them.

I read a good deal.
I've never heard of him.

Ah, no, you wouldn't.
Not by Captain Russell.

But no doubt you'll have
heard of Merton Somersby,

Jeremy Sinclair
and Gloria Trubshaw.

Gloria Trubshaw? Who's she?

What's she got to do with it?

Well, it's one of the
captain's names, sir.

Alias, you say?

Here's Bloody Justice for you.

What's that?

Bloody Justice.

Give it to me.

Thank you.

Bloody Justice by
Gloria Trubshaw?

Do you admit to writing
this, Miss Trubshaw?

I mean, Captain Russell.

Thank you, Miss Wilcott.

I admire your spirit
in coming here,

but the fact that Captain
Russell has written these things

does not alter the
facts of the case.

Though my own private view is

this type of literature encourages
hooliganism and crime.

- Well, you're wrong. Just because...
- I thank you, Miss Wilcott.

I'm much obliged.

- But you don't understand.
- I'm much obliged.

Don't take any notice of them.

I find the case proved.
Anything previous?

No, sir. He had an
excellent record in the army.

It's a tragedy to see a man in
your position standing in this court.

Had you shown the slightest
desire to defend yourself,

I might have been able
to take a different course.

However, I have no option
but to send you to prison.

You may not realise it,

but it's in my power to send you
away for at least three months.

Oh, no.

However, I'm inclined to think

that a total of 14 days in
gaol will probably be enough.

Fourteen days?

Oh, but that's not enough.

Did you say something?

Yes.

Yes, I... I said that you
were a pompous ass.

Very well.

Fourteen days on the first
charge and seven on the second.

Twenty-one days in all, hmm?

That's still not enough.

Pompous ass I said and
pompous ass I meant.

You, you're not fit to conduct a
bus, let alone a court of justice.

And a further seven
days for contempt of court!

The sentences to
run consecutively.

Twenty-eight days in all! Hmm!

Twenty-eight days.

Thank you. Thank you,
Sir Charles, very much.

I'm terribly sorry.

I suggest he's medically
examined by the prison doctor.

No, no, no. No need for
that, Sir Charles, I assure you.

- Take him away!
- I'll explain...

Take him away! Take him away!

- Elizabeth.
- Yes, Deniston?

I... I wanted to give you this.

Oh, Elizabeth.

I have permission to see you
because there's something I want to say.

- I...
- Wait. Please, listen, Elizabeth.

You have no idea what it cost
me to be rude to your father.

Or, for that matter, what it would
have cost me if I hadn't been.

But, look, I promise
you that in one month

you'll understand the
awful predicament I was in.

I have no wish to hear your
excuses now or at any other time.

Apart from behaving as a complete
rotter to poor darling daddykins, I...

I couldn't possibly marry
someone who's deceived me.

Deceived you?

Oh, but I haven't.

I mean about your profession.

I-I could... I could never marry a man
who earns his living in such a low way.

If I found one of my girls reading
such rubbish, I'd punish her.

It's-it's-it's trash!

All right.

Trash it is.

But at least it doesn't
pretend to be important.

Perhaps I'd be happier with someone
who thinks that what I do is good.

Even if it isn't.

You better marry
your secretary then.

All right, Constable.

I've finished with him.
Come take him away.

Yes, sir

I-I mean, ma'am.

Come along, then.

Keep your chin up.

- It won't be long.
- Of course it won't.

- And then back to Blood Lust.
- Yes, Blood Lust!

We'll finish it together!

- What are you looking so happy about?
- Oh, why not?

It's the happiest
day of my life.

It's the happiest day
of my life, Mrs Russell.

If I may say so, sir,

it's an honour to be a witness
on such a happy occasion.

Dear old Benson, I wouldn't
have had any other witness.

You've no idea of the
scrapes he's got me out of.

If it hadn't been for Benson,
I wouldn't be with you now.

I can believe you, darling.

See you in a couple weeks,
Benson. Thanks for everything.

- Thank you for everything too.
- Thank you so much. Very kind of you.

I wish you every
happiness, Mrs Russell.

- Thank you.
- Bon voyage!

- Goodbye!
- Cheerio!

- Goodbye Mrs Russell.
- Goodbye.

Goodbye!

Have a jolly good time! I hope.

Don't think me fussy old girl,

but I shouldn't make a
habit of kissing Benson.

Why not, darling? He's my uncle.

What?

Benson's your uncle?

Yes, my mother's
brother. Didn't I tell you?

But... you-you...

- Cheating little fraud!
- Oh, we both are, darling.

We're going to get on fine.

Oh! You... I...

- Oh. Oh, ma'am.
- Yes?

I'm going out now, Ethel.

Will you be back for
dinner tonight, ma'am?

Yes. I'll be back.

I've nothing to celebrate.

Today I might've claimed
a fortune. But I can't.

All right, Ethel.

What are you doing here?

I... I thought I'd just...

pop round and see you.

Why?

I wondered if maybe you'd be so
kind as to come have a meal with me.

- Why?
- Call it a Celtic conscience.

A notion you sacrificed a
lot to put my girl on her feet.

Yes. A fortune.

So if you have any ideas
about claiming that £1,000...

Oh, good gracious,
no. I've plenty of money.

Nobody to spend
it on but myself.

It's a gloomy discovery to make

that there's not a soul in the
world that wants to dine with you.

Won't you help me out?

Please?

Is there any reason
why I should?

None whatsoever.

- Ethel.
- Yes, ma'am?

I shan't be in to
dinner tonight.

Thank you.

The deceased
left a sealed letter

with instructions that it
should not be opened or read

until you had all
completed your tasks.

I will now proceed to read it.

"I trust that you've all gained
something from the tasks I set you

apart from the material
consideration involved.

I have always been
a practical joker,

"but practically all my jokes
have had some practical intent."

Dear me, what a
complicated sentence.

As the one who has failed,

I would like to say at once how
deeply grateful I am to my brother

for bringing me a measure of happiness
I never dreamt of finding in this world.

Well, now, Cousin Agnes,
I'd like to second that.

It's true, I win my fortune, but
I also benefited enormously,

in... in other ways.

Here, here. I feel
a new man too.

Well, jolly good
luck to you all.

But I don't mind saying that
the cash is my one consolation.

And knowing my dear wife,

well, that's not going
to last very long.

If I might be able
to continue, please.

"I sincerely hope that you've
all gained a little something,

for now comes the
biggest joke of all.

I died flat"...

"Flat"...

Not broke!

Broke! That's it!

"Flat broke."

There isn't a penny
for any of you.

Good!