Reserved for Ladies (1932) - full transcript

Subtitles: Lu?s Filipe Bernardes

Taxi!

Taxi!

Taxi! Taxi!

- Taxi!
- Taxi!

Thank you so much.

Grand Palace Hotel, please.

Thank you so much.

Grand Palace Hotel as quick
as possible.

Anything for me?

- Er, nothing for 210, madam.
- Oh, thank you.



- Oh, dear.
- Allow me.

- Oh, thanks.
- Not at all.

- Who's that lady?
- 210, 11, 12.

- Her name.
- Robertson. Miss Robertson.

Miss Sylvia Robertson,
here with her Pa.

Arrived yesterday from Johannesburg.

Leaves tomorrow. Destination,
the Austrian Tyrol.

Age twenty.
Unmarried.

Female.

Is there anything else you'd like
to know?

Not a thing, thank you.

- Good evening, Tom.
- Good evening.

- Third, please.
- Fifth, please.

Third floor.



- Thank you.
- Thank you.

You're very kind.

Madame.

Your Max.

- Hello, Max?
- Oh, hello Peggy, hello.

You are a...

- A scoundrel, and a beast?
- Yes.

- A blaggard, a cad?
- Yes... what were you doing this afternoon?

- This afternoon?
- Yes, between five and seven.

- Oh, between five and seven.
- Yes.

Yes, well, I had a most important
piece of business.

Yes, an... an unexpected piece
of business.

Hm, was she fair or dark?

No, no, no, don't joke, please.

- It was the most serious affair.
- An affair? And you admit it!

And serious.

Why didn't you telephone me?

I couldn't. My friends would
have heard me.

I'm glad you're so careful of
my reputation.

Yes... n-not at all.
My own reputation.

As a businessman.

Oh, you brute, I hate you.

I never want to see you again.

When are you going to come around?

Five o'clock tomorrow?
Oh, no, Max...

- What?
- Tonight.

Tonight? That's too long to wait.

You're so silly.
Tonight then?

Tonight's all right.

Here, take it.
Take this thing.

Aline!

I want to dine at the Grand Palace
tonight.

Ring up and book me a table.

My usual one.

- Good evening, boys.
- Good evening, sir.

- Good evening, Marco.
- Good evening.

- What's that?
- Countess Ricardi.

Oh, yes, number 17.
Lady Thenberg Thine.

Nineteen Miss MacDonald.
Come along.

Plenty of stars on Broadway
tonight.

Let's have a look at the Derby District.

- Lady Watkins.
- Madam Miranova.

Mrs. Greene.

Mrs. Greene is putting on a lot
of weight lately.

Put Mrs. Greene over there.

Still overdoing that bow, Antonio.

Too continental.

Respect should never be shouted.
It should be radiated.

- Is that clean?
- Thank you, sir.

Mr. Lester.

Oh, no, no, no, no.
That's awful.

For a film star, yes.

For a cabinet minister, all right.

But for anyone who wishes
to be taken seriously...

No.

Well, we have a full house tonight.

- Restaurant.
- This is room 210.

We shall want a table for three
for dinner, please.

Wh...wh... I mean, yes, madam.
Very good, certainly.

- How many?
- Three.

Three.
Er... what name?

- Robertson.
- Robinson?

Robertson.

- Lady Robertson?
- No, Miss Robertson.

Miss Sylvia Robertson.

- Oh, Miss Cynthia Robertson.
- Sylvia!

S for stupid, Y for you
and L for... lunatic.

Yes, yes, I get you Madam.
I understand you perfectly.

Sylvia, very good, Madam.
The best table, the best...

Sylvia...

Sylvia.

Sylvia Robertson.

Miss Sylvia Robertson.

Miss Sylvia...

I'm going to the office now.

- Bon soir, Antoine.
- Bon soir.

- Upstairs she look well, huh?
- Oh, she looks marvelous.

But I haven't noticed the color
of her eyes yet.

Oh, what do you have?

I speak of la salle, the dining room,
and you?

- Aha, it is the woman, eh?
- It is a girl.

And when will you look and see
the color of her eyes, eh?

- Tonight.
- She come?

- Yes, she come.
- Oh, it is nothing.

You meet her outside.
She come here tonight.

You see the color of her eyes,
she see your uniform and...

voil? tout est fini.
How you say...

It is all off.

She's marvelous, marvelous.

Oh, confound it all.

I'm afraid I'm in love with the girl.

Ah, you see? No clearness of mind.

Ah, you English! If you were Latin,
you would say, "I love that girl."

I would like to marry her, but as I cannot
there is only one thing that I can do, yes?

Yes, I know. I know all about
that Latin stuff.

There you are.
I leave that to the Latins.

Mon Dieu, ces anglais!

- Number 21 wants you, sir.
- All right.

- Madame?
- Oh, Max.

I don't know what to have, Max.
What shall I have?

Might I suggest the tournedos Bordelaise...
pomme souffl?e?

No, no... let me order for you, Madam,
a tournedos Grand-Duc Watteville...

...flamb? au fine champagne.

Oh, Max, that would be marvelous.
Thank you, Max.

Thank you, Madame.

And all you can think of is steak.

Marco...

- Steak.
- Yes, sir.

- Call Max for me.
- Yes, milady.

Max, is that all right or not?

It's perfect, milady.

Are you sure it's really well done?

- Absolutely, milady.
- Not over done?

- No, milady.
- And not too hot?

- No, milady.
- All right, then.

- Thank you, Max.
- At your service, milady.

Max, can you guess what
I'm feeling like?

May I hope, in the interest
of the establishment, Countess,

hungry.

But what for, that's the point.

Oh, no, don't pay any attention
to them.

They don't appreciate you like I do.

- Now, what's it to be?
- Might I suggest a little, er...

- ...caviar with vodka to begin with?
- Yes, that'll do.

- And then?
- And then, er...

- Some soup?
- You know my taste.

Something hot.

Er... and um...

- After the soup, might I suggest...
- Oh, Max, your too consciencious.

You know I'd be perfectly satisfied
if you'd give me...

...what we had uh...
Was it last night?

Thursday, Countess.

- Was it Thursday?
- Yes, Thursday.

Well, of course you'd know.

- Wouldn't they, Max?
- Yes.

Well, that's fine. Go ahead.

At your service, Countess.

- Who's she?
- Countess Ricardi, Your Grace.

- Countess?
- Her present husband is a count.

- He's her second?
- Her fifth.

- The one on her left?
- No, that is Mr. Vanderloo, Your Grace.

- Who's Mr. Vanderloo?
- The financier.

- The financier.
- Yes, Your Grace, the financier.

And who has she got for a lover?

Oh, er... I really don't know,
Your Grace.

But Max, you should know.
Find out.

- And tell me the next time I see you.
- At your service, Your Grace.

You will see the color of her eyes...

...she see your uniform and
voil?, tout est fini.

How you say, it is all off.

Yes, sir, here, sir.

Very good.

Railroad tickets for Miss
Robertson, sir.

Table 24.

The tickets are here, Daddy.

Both of them.

Well, why do you not go and find out
the color of her eyes?

You are afraid, my friend, uh?

Listen, tell Marco to take charge
of the restaurant.

I'm leaving now. I'm going abroad.

Are you crazy? Where are you going?

I'm going to find out the color
of her eyes.

- Carry, madame?
- No, nothing at all.

Oh, dear! My bag.

You pop up everywhere.

- You drop things everywhere.
- I know, I'm an awful girl.

Come on, daughter.

Say, who was that young man
at the customs?

Parsifal? I have no idea?

Yes, but you know his name.

Parsifal? Oh, that's a nickname
I gave him.

It means the pure fool.

What on earth are you talking
about, a poor fool?

Pure, dear, not poor.

Parsifal, the pure in folly.
It's all out of an opera.

Of course you wouldn't understand
about that.

Anyway, I mean to have some
fun with him.

You mean to tell me you've arranged
to meet him again?

- No.
- Well, perhaps you'll never see him again.

- He'll be along in a minute.
- How do you know?

I don't know, but I'll bet you he will.

Well, I don't bet.

And I bet you his compartment
is in this very car.

Well, I hope he won't be such a darned,
infernal, brainless fool.

- You'll see.
- Hm.

What fools men are.

- Are they really, Daddy.
- Ahh...

Now, Daddy.

Just a tiny little bet that he'll want
to have the seat at our table.

If I win, I'll do just as I like
for 24 hours.

And you won't say a word.

Yes, and if I win, you'll do just
as I like for a week.

Oh, you're a Shylock.
So, it's a bet?

Lord!

Daddy.

You win.

Oh, monsieur. Quel plaisir
de vous voir ici.

How happy I am to see you.

Ah... bon jour, mon vieux.
?a va?

- Very well, thank you.
- Bon, bon.

I hope you will be content here.
Of course it is not your palace...

...but we'll do our best.

I will see the chef myself and I hope
you will be pleased.

J'en suis s?re. Merci, merci.

- Russian.
- Armenian.

Maybe Bulgarian.

Vulgarian.

Whatever he is, he's got
whiskers like a goat.

Confound these French menus.
They're Greek to me.

What the devil's vol-au-vent
Lyonnaise?

Could I be of any help, sir?

That's just a little p?t?,
nothing much, you know.

- Oh, thank you very much.
- Not at all.

And what's tournedos Grand-Duc?

Oh, tournedos Grand-Duc Vladivy.

- That's a steak.
- Oh, steak!

Oh, yes, that's better.

Um...

Pardon, monsieur, this is not
your place.

It is in the fumeur. Smoker.

Ah, va bene.

Thank you so much.

At your service, Miss...
I mean, not at all.

- Let's try it.
- Why not?

- Sylvia!
- What?

Are you off your head?
Stop!

- Why should we?
- Because I say so.

Oh, now, Daddy, who won
that bet, you or I?

You'll have everybody after you
in a minute.

You know, people want to get
a bit of sleep.

Oh, Christmas!

Adorable girl, adorable girl,
adorable girl, adorable girl...

...adorable girl.

I like you a lot, I like you a lot,
I like you a lot...

I like you a lot, I like you a lot,
I like you a lot...

Forgotten the bills, forgotten the bills,
forgotten the bills...

...forgotten the bills, forgotten the bills.

- Go and get your skis and come along.
- I haven't got any skis.

You can get them here.
The place is opposite.

Well, it wouldn't help much because
I don't ski.

Oh... well,

I'd just as soon skate instead.
Shall we do that?

Well, I'm afraid I don't skate either.

E expect Mr. Tracey plays games.

I'm not terribly good at games.

Then what do you do with yourself
the whole time?

Oh, I don't know. I manage
to get along somehow.

Oh, let's be going. Come along.

How is it you never learned
when you were a child?

It seems that my childhood was quite
different from yours.

Why? Tell me.

Your friends are waiting.

Well, I really must go now.

So sorry, Max.

Max?

Because he's like a portrait by
a modern painter?

- He doesn't resemble me in the least?
- No.

No?

I have it!

He doesn't speak, he doesn't skate...

...and he spends the whole day
at the hotel.

Yes. And he looks as dignified
as you do.

Goodbye, Parsifal.

Goodbye.

Good morning, sir.

Would you mind filling in your
registration form?

I see... thank you.
Have you got a pen?

Yes, sir.

I'm delighted to be here again,
Herr Breslmeyer.

Oh, your majesty.

Now, Daddy, you mustn't get excited
when he comes.

We've all been asked not to get
excited because of the presence of him.

Excited over a king.

- Everything all right?
- It is all right, Your Majesty.

Strict incognito.
You may trust Breslmeyer.

Very glad to see you, Mr. Westlach.

Very glad to see you, my friend.

Danke, Herr Breslmeyer.

He's strictly incognito, Herr Breslmeyer?

Oh, most strictly, Countess.
He calls himself Mr. Westlach.

Every year, His Majesty has said
the same thing to me.

I do not want to be taken
any notice of.

And every year he adds how
he is so satisfied...

...with my tact, my discretion
and with my audacity.

Guten Morgen, mein junges Kind

- Eure Majest?t.
- Ah-ah!

Max!

Max!

- Your Majesty.
- Shh.

I'm incognito.

Oh, so am I, sir.

And how go things at the Palace?
All your guests quite happy?

Oh, much the same as usual, sir.

Everyone tends to be pessimistic
before dinner...

...and optimistic after dinner.

The ladies?

The sins of the mothers have become
principles of the daughters at the capital.

- And our friends the politicians?
Oh, they never change, sir.

They always sin, and always
on principle.

Well, they haven't any principles.

Breslmeyer!

- Who is he?
- I don't know.

Omelette au gratin.

Oh, omelette au gratin,
that is a good idea.

Give me the registration forms.

Ah, here we are.

No occupation!

Of course, you ought to have
known he was a prince.

- Who, Mr. Tracey?
- Oh, Mr. Tracey!

He is a prince, incognito.

Give me the Almanac de Gotha.

Schafskopf!

Max Egon Quentin Charles Laurence...

...Emile Leon Antoine...
Prince de Westlach!

And so, Max, you're incognito.

And all because of a girl.

Well, you know, Max, this incognito
business is very dangerous.

I remember once when I was
a young man...

I was incognito.

And I met a little girl,
the daughter of an innkeeper.

and her one dream in life was that I
might turn out to be a headwaiter

But I didn't.

Nothing is ever quite right
in this life, Max.

Well, come and tell me your
little trouble.

- Who is he, Sylvia?
- He must be a prince.

- He looks like a prince.
- Who is he?

I don't know. I always thought
he must be something odd.

Surely, sir, I'm as good as any other
man who wants to marry a girl.

Isn't it a shame that between
sitting at a table...

...and waiting at the same table there
should be a gulf as wide as the Atlantic?

- You sit at my table, Max,
- You're kind and wise.

Don't you think a girl, the people,
just for once...

...could be as kind and as wise
as you are?

Well, surely it's your job to handle
people, society people.

- Oh, it is, sir, yes.
- It's mine also.

Now, frankly, what's your
opinion on that?

Well frankly, sir, I think...

I think they're a pack of
backbiting fools.

That's my opinion also.

You can never expect any kindness
or wisdom from them.

You see, Max, a headwaiter
is outside the pane of society.

- Yes, but...
- Yes, but so is a king.

We're both in the same boat.

We're both isolated.

You see?

Did old Breslmeyer deserve that, sir?

It's all right for everyone else,
but I have to know

- Have to know what?
- That you are incognito, Your Highness.

Excuse me, Mr. Tracey.

Ask His Majesty.

If I'd known, you can rely upon
my tact and my discretion...

Mr. Tracey.

I do rely on your tact and discretion...

Herr Breslmeyer.

What is it, Sylvia?

Are you doing this without
the royal permission, Your Highness?

Oh, don't be ridiculous. The king
can't tell me what to do.

If he's just afraid that you might marry out
of your position, you can tell him that...

Yes, that I haven't a dot of chance
as far as you're concerned, eh?

- Exactly. Will you tell him that?
- No.

- Why?
- He'd think I had gone out of my mind.

He's got nothing to do with me.
I'm perfectly free.

If I choose to make a fool of myself
by running after someone who...

...who doesn't care a straw for me,
no one can stop me.

- Is that true?
- Unfortunately it is.

And if I dance with you,
will he come after you and stop us?

- Are you quite sure?
- Absolutely.

Liar!

His Majesty will stop the whole thing.

Honestly, Max, do you think you're
playing a game with that young woman?

I don't know, sir.
But I do know that...

I had a good chance of winning
the game...

...until yesterday.

Until yesterday?
Do you mean that er...

...our acquaintance has compromised it?

Well, er, in a way, sir, yes.

In a way? W-w-what do you mean?

I don't often compromise people.

Well, you see, sir...

these idiots have got it into
their heads that...

...in some way I must be
related to you.

Ah, that might be a drawback.

And that you came here
expressly to er...

put a stop to er...

...a royal romance.

Well, I suppose I ought to make
some sort of reparation.

No, no, no, sir. That would only
make matters worse.

- Oh, very likely...
- Yes, sir.

Yes, you see, I'll have to settle
this situation myself.

With your kind permission, sir.

All right, Max.

Sylvia... just...

Liver?

Liver.

Well, here's to long life and
good livers, Mr. Robertson.

- Do you know my name?
- Oh, I've known it for a long while.

I know your name, sir, but...

I must tell you that by conviction
I'm a Republican.

Well, if I can't agree with you,
that is because of my profession.

I have to be a monarquist.

Yes, pretty tough job being
a king nowadays.

Well, that depends.

I happen to be one of the sort
who wants to remain a king.

And that sometimes becomes,
as you describe it, a pretty tough job.

Yes, a God darn tough job.

Well, here's health.

And may long Your Majesty live
to keep your job.

Are you mad?
You'll freeze to death.

- I just want one word with you.
- Well, I don't want one.

Good. I'll freeze.

In the morning when you come out there
will be two snowmen under your window.

Al right. Come up then,
you eskimo Romeo.

Well, what is it?

I've come to tell you who I really am.

I'm not interested in who you are.

I know what you are.

The most ridiculous thing in the world.
A man running after a girl, eh?

Exactly. No one can look
dignified running.

- I agree with you.
- Least of all, such an exalted personage.

Absolutely. To blazes with dignity.

Who cares about social differences
in the twentieth century anyway?

- Who, nobody but fools.
- Fools?

- I'm glad you know.
- Only too well.

If two people are in love, social
differences don't count a hang.

- Say that again.
- You heard me.

I found it too good to be true.

- If two people are in love...
- "If" two people are in love.

- There's no if about one of them.
- No?

No. How about the other?

Well... I'm not quite so sure
about the other one.

Sylvia.

Oh, how warm you are
for a snowman.

Warm? I've melted.
Listen, Sylvia.

No, you must be careful. There are
a lot of royal espies about here.

Listen, did you mean what you said
just now about social differences?

Every word of it.

I'm so happy.
I'm going to tell you something.

- Not now.
- Yes now, this very minute.

- Listen, my sweet...
- Shh!

- There's my father.
- Confound your father.

- Good night, Miss Robertson.
- Good night.

Good night.

- Aline, Aline!
- Oh, mon Dieu, I'm here.

Pack at once. What time is it?

I want two trunks and I'll travel
in my black ermine.

You'd better go and find out what time
the Golden Arrow goes...

...and order a car.

- Is my bath ready?
- What's the matter with you?

Aha, that's why you want
to go away in such a hurry.

Hello, Sylvia.

Hello, Max.
Are you coming in for hot milk?

Uh... yes, uh...

- Yes, I'll be with you in two minutes.
- All right, I'll meet you there.

Oh, Max!

What do you suggest for dinner, Max?

Do the waiters in this hotel
sit down with the guests?

Smile.

Go on, smile or I'll slap you.

Darling, why did you leave London
without a word?

You blaggard.

- I was ill, dearest.
- Where's the woman, you liar.

There isn't any woman. Really, there isn't.
You can see for yourself.

- There aren't any Englishwomen here.
- Americans are even more dangerous.

Oh, but nobody's dangerous
when you're about.

Peggy, you look more irresistable
than ever.

Um, I um...

You must excuse me now,
I'll be back in a moment.

Is it very important, darling?

Well, it's an appointment...

- ...with a gentleman.
- Oh.

- You really must excuse me.
- Go ahead, darling.

- Yes.
- I'll come with you, darling.

Well... it isn't so important
after all.

Oh, do you think the sight of me would
be too painful for this... gentleman?

Why, you're a feast for any man
to look at.

Of course... this is a very
peculiar gentleman.

Oh, and is this peculiarity that he
happens to be a lady?

No, no, no, no...

- He's a king.
- You should present me.

Oh, I'm afraid that's quite
impossible, darling.

You'd better do what I ask,
darling.

Otherwise I shall jump onto
this seat...

...and shriek at the top of my voice,
this is Max,

Max, the headwaiter from the
Grand Palace Hotel, London.

Will you do it, darling?

Well, I must ask him first,
mustn't I?

Go and ask him, darling.

Well, all right.

A ghost of the past, Max?

A particularly lively ghost,
Your Majesty.

Well, every must play his own ghost.

You're excused for the evening.

- Your Majesty.
- Anything else?

Er... the ghost wishes to be
presented to your majesty.

- With what idea?
- Well, er...

The idea seems to be that uh...

a king in a winter sports hotel...

- ...is really just a tired businessman.
- What?

Oh, a very, very high-classed business,
of course, Your Majesty.

But still, more or less, just
a tired businessman.

In need of cheerful feminine
companionship.

Would it help you very much, Max?

Oh, it would indeed, sir.

Well, I'm sorry, it can't be done.

Your Majesty positively refuses
to be cheered up?

To that extent yes.

Well, he won't.

- Oh... is the queen here?
- No. He just won't.

Wait and see.

Darling, don't you think you ought
to be getting dressed for dinner now?

Are you so anxious to get rid of me?

Well, are you so anxious?

Not any more.

What do you mean not anymore?

Not any...

Not at all, darling!
No, absolutely, not at all!

Not at all.

Daddy, tomorrow we shall leave.

- So you hate the place again.
- I hate it!

- Is Mr. Tracey here?
- He will be down at any moment, Countess.

Well, I'm only a silly old man,
not a wise young girl.

- But when I was young...
- Oh, please, Daddy.

Yes, we used to hate the place too.

Even in those remote days
we began to hate the place.

But we didn't run away at once.

- Oh, what can one do?
- Stand and fight.

And then you'll begin to like
the place again.

Do we go?

No. We shall stay.

Tell me, sir, who is that young man?

Don't you know? He's incognito.

Yes, but you're incognito too.
Everybody knows who you are.

Ah, but I'm afraid I mustn't
give away his incognito.

Max! Oh, Max!

Max, do you know Miss Robertson?

Yes... yes, yes.
Yes.

Yes, we have met once or twice.

Sylvia is the most enchanting girl.

Peggy's the darlingest woman
I have ever met.

It's amazing you haven't fallen
in love with her already.

In fact, I think it's quite
impardonable of you.

No man could fall in love with any girl
after having met you, dear.

- Oh, darling.
- Darling Peggy.

Dirty weather on the port bow.
All hands on deck.

Come along.

With Your Majesty's permission,
Countess Ricardi.

- Most delighted.
- How do you do, sir?

- Mr. Robertson, Countess Ricardi.
- How do you do?

Milady.

Dinner is...

Dinner, sir.

- Shall we go in, darling?
- Yes, darling.

- May I have one?
- Certainly.

Thank you.

- How about a dance? (Both)

Yes, I'd love to.
Of course.

Perhaps I may have the privilege
this time.

- Sorry, Max.
- Not at all.

A waltz, please.

I want to say two words to you.
Won't you stay here?

Won't you come out, please?

Well, it's a command, sir.

- Will you excuse us?
- I'll excuse you for his majesty...

...and for the countess.

Well, here we are.
What are the two great words?

Good bye, Sylvia.

- Are those the two words?
- Just those.

- Good bye.
- Oh...

All the evening you've seemed
so hesitating.

- Now you're so calm, so manly.
- I was wretched all evening.

Just a poor, weak, defenseless male.

But now, with manly determination,
I've decided to flee.

- Tomorrow I leave.
- But shall we never see one another again?

I think never.
I hope never.

You hope?
You say you hope?

Yes, for your sake I hope.

Come on, Sylvia.

I think we've said everything.

Have we... really said everything?

Come on.

Come on, Sylvia, you're shivering.

I'm not shivering because I'm cold.

You're a very bad liar, Sylvia.

- Was that a lie, too?
- Yes, that was a lie too.

What was it?

It was a kiss, Peggy.

It seems to me, darling, that you have
some old account to level.

I'll leave you with His Highness.

What's she babbling about
His Highness?

You forget, darling that I'm incognito.

Oh, darling, thank you so much
for reminding me.

Now go ahead and jump on the table
and tell them all about your incognito.

Well?

I wouldn't, Peggy.

The truth can be very
painful sometimes.

You know that.

I know.

Besides, think of us here, with all these
rich people, millionares, kings...

Is it necessary for them to know
all about our past?

No, no, no.

No...

I'll tell you what's best.

We're leaving here and you
can come to me.

Not now, darling. Remember, this is
a most respectable hotel.

A winter sports hotel. You're telling me
what winter sports hotels are?

I'll see you later, shall I?

Meanwhile, let's go out
and before all those people...

...you will bid me a magnificent
good night.

- A queenly fairwell.
- Watch me.

Are you really leaving?

- Yes.
- For good?

Yes.

Then I shall never see you again?

No.

Well, that's good!
I never want to see you again!

- Is that what you came to tell me?
- Yes.

No!
I came...

to tell you I think you're a...

- A coward?
- Yes.

How did you know?

Probably because I...
I am a coward.

Scared stiff by the unbridgeable
gap of social differences?

Yes, exactly.

I'm scared stiff by the unbridgeable
gap of social differences.

You coward!

Well, now you've told me
what you came to tell me.

And I can go?

Well, I won't go.

I... I want to talk to you.

I want to pack.

Excuse me.

- Well, I must say you're a...
- A magnificent packer, eh?

You seem to read all my thoughts.

Well...

Do you know what I'm thinking now?

I'll tell you.

This is what you're thinking.
It's the middle of the night,

...here I am in his bedroom.

And?

And he's a coward.

Are you really a coward...

Parsifal?

Sylvia, for heaven's sake.

You must go.

Don't you see? I haven't the right.

You must forget me.

And now I suppose you'll go
to that woman.

Oh, no, I'm not going to her.

But this... this is impossible.

Oh.

Well...

So... this is good bye.

Good bye.

Good bye.

- Hello?
- Max, you're worse than I thought you were.

- You're terrible. You know what you are?
- Yes, a coward.

- Well, when are you coming.
- Soon, soon as possible.

Yes, darling. No, darling.

Yes, darling.

Yes... no.

Yes.

Cheat! Liar! Cad! Rotter!

Blaggard! Beast! Brute!

Oh, cheat! Liar! Cad! Rotter!
Blaggard! Beast! Brute!

Sylvia.

Sylvia.

I swear I wasn't going to her.

But I heard you say you'd see
her at midnight.

I was lying.

Well,... I'll believe you...

If you'll...

Come in here with me now.

No, no, no, someone might
see us.

Later.

Kiss me.

No, no, later.
I'll come back.

Oh, my little girl, what's the matter,
what's happened?

I told him to come to my room.

Him? Who?

- Tracey?
- Yes. He'll be here any minute.

Have you lost your senses?
Why did you do it?

- I'll teach him a lesson!
- You'll do nothing of the kind!

What, coming into a girl's room
after midnight?

- Leave him alone!
- I'll smash him when he comes in!

- What is it?
- It's a letter, sir, for Miss Robertson.

All right... yes.

There are social differences
that cannot be bridged over.

Please forgive and forget me.

The braggard!

- Hey, porter!
- Yes, sir?

- Has that gentleman gone?
- Yes, sir. Gone on the midnight train, sir.

He's s scoundrel!

- What's the matter?
- He's gone on the midnight train.

Then he's an honest man.

Just tell me who he is,
what he is and where he lives...

and I'll have five minutes with him...

I can't tell you now.

But I leave tomorrow for London.

If you'll give me the pleasure of your
company next Wednesday night...

...at the Grand Palace Hotel,
I'll tell you.

Send Max for me, please.

Mother, will you tell me who
on earth this Max is.

- Oh, a man of the world.
- A philosopher.

He knows more about smartness
than the whole of Bond Street.

And more about women...
than Your Majesty.

Now then, now then..

Oh, a young man about town.
One of the smart set.

He doesn't belong to any set.

- The king.
- What?

- The king.
- All right, thank you.

Your Majesty. Your Grace.

Well, here he is.

- You've never really seen Max?
- No, I've never seen him.

Well, I'll be darned.
You bet your life I have.

I'm sorry, sir. I'm afraid
you're mistaken.

You are mistaken, Daddy.

Waiters do sometimes remind you
of... gentlemen.

- Where have you been?
- On my holidays, Your Grace.

- Did you have a good time?
- A splendid time, Your Grace.

Well, it doesn't seem to have done you
much good. You look dreadful.

What's the matter, my dear boy?
Don't you feel well?

I never felt better in my life,
Your Grace.

Well, what do you think of
my friend, Max.

I like the man, sir.

Your friend, sir?

I'm afraid kings have a privilege that is
denied to us ordinary mortals.

We cannot choose our friends
from headwaiters.

Max, who in his way is a philosopher,
would agree with you.

He once told me that he thought
it was a shame...

that between waiting at a table and...
What was it, Max?

- Your Majesty?
- Oh, yes. Between waiting at a table...

and sitting down at the same table
there was a gap as wide as er...

- The Atlantic.
- Nobody ever waded the Atlantic.

No, madame. But several have
flown it.

All the women are in love with him.

A dangerous man. For kitchen maids,
and waitresses.

- For all women.
- All women?

- Certainly not for me.
- Oh, certainly for me.

Have a care, young woman.
You've protested too violently.

I've always been safe from
romantic headwaiters.

Have you?

- Oh, Max.
- Yes, madame?

I want to give a dinner and I would
like you to look after it for me.

I appreciate the honor, madam,
but er...

I'm afraid I can't undertake anything
outside this restaurant.

You see, the private routes are all
tended by another... headwaiter.

Daddy, you go to the manager,
pay whatever they ask...

...but I must have Max!

All right, all right.

- Where is Max?
- He'll be here directly, madam.

Monsieur Max arrive always
last minute, madame.

- Never too late.
- Here he comes, madam.

- Good evening, sir.
- Good evening.

Beg your pardon, madame.

- Please, just a minute.
- Madam?

Are headwaiters supposed to wear
white ties with their tailcoats?

You can depend on Mr. Max being
absolutely correct, madam.

He chooses his tie according
to the occasion.

He wears a white tie only for the
higher upper classes...

...and never for the lower
upper classes.

- Thank you!
- I beg your pardon.

Max, where are you going?

My professional duties, madam.

Why didn't you pick it up?

I?

Oh, no, madam, that would never do.

Not when I'm on duty.

It would establish a personal
relationship with the guest,

which I am always most anxious
to avoid.

Haven't waiters got to do whatever
a guest may want?

Oh, yes, madame. And the first duty
of a waiter is to keep perfectly calm...

...no matter how excited the
guest may become.

Like servants in a country house?

Like doctors in a lunatic asylum.

Well, is everything all right here?

- Perfect, madame.
- No, it's not.

- There are no flowers.
- There will be flowers.

Flowers.

- Flowers.
- Flowers.

- Flowers.
- Flowers.

Max.

Why are you wearing a white tie, Max?

Do you want to be taken
for a gentleman?

I like waiters in their proper place.

Very good, madam.

At your service, madam.

I hate that girl.
I'd like to give her a good smack.

- Duchess!
- Oh...

I wish someone would give that
girl a good smack.

- Dinner is served, madam.
- Thank you.

Say...

Do you think I'm a darned fool
going to pretend not to know you?

Why...

How are you?

- Not so well, Mr. Robertson.
- No, and I'm not so well either.

- Mr. Robertson...
- Hm?

I want to tell you how deeply I regret
all this has happened.

- Why should you?
- I... I was forced into it...

...step by step, and I'm so sorry.

There's a lady in there says she'd like
to give that girl a good smack.

And someone ought to do it.
But not a woman, a man.

And you're the man to do it.

But you always seem to forget
what I am. I'm a waiter.

You're a darned fool. You know what
I was when I first went to Johannesburg?

I was a dishwasher in an eating house.

But I knew what I wanted,
and I went after it.

And I got it.

- Do you really mean...
- I mean.

Go and get it.

Why are you standing still? Why aren't
you going to look after my guests?

You said everything would be
all right.

Don't you ever keep any of
your promises?

I'm going to keep one now.

In the mountains I promised to come
into your room and kiss you, didn't I?

I mean it.

No, no, Max, not here.

Well?

I beg your pardon.

Will you excuse me just..
just a minute?

- Is this a blackmail?
- Absolute blackmail.

A gentleman wouldn't do it.

I'm not a gentleman.

I'm beginning to like that girl.

I think perhaps I had better
go and find out...

...what has happened to our
charming hostess.

I gather we shall all have
to wait a little while.

Max.

Lend me your handkerchief.

Ride right on.

Mind you, I'm not the sixth son
of an earl...

No.

My five elder brothers will never
break their necks out hunting.

No.

- I'll never be an earl.
- No.

- You'll never be a countess.
- No.

You'll just be...

Yours.

Subtitles: Lu?s Filipe Bernardes