The Old Fashioned Way (1934) - full transcript

- Is the show troupe on board?
- Yes.

- Which car?
- This car here.

Wait a minute.
They'll all be off.

Is this the McGonigle Repertory Troupe?

Uh-oh.

Where's the Great McGonigle?

He isn't here but I'm his daughter.
Has anything happened?

Not yet.

But I have something here
I'd like to give him.

I'll see that he gets it.

Not on your tintype.
That's my job.



Well, jail can't be any worse than this.

The best thing we do is to get out of town
one jump ahead of the sheriff.

Yeah, and I can't jump like I used to.

- What's wrong? What'd he do?
- It's what he didn't do.

Snuck out of his boarding house,
didn't pay his board bill, didn't pay nothing.

Nothing!

- Are you McGonigle?
- No.

Pardon me.
Just a little lung trouble.

That's enough of that.
Are you the Great McGonigle?

I am, sir, yes.

Then I have something
to give you. There.

- Thank you very much.
- All aboard!

Just what I've been waiting for.

I thank you.



Thanks for the light.

Good evening, my happy little family.
How are my little children of the theatre?

I've got to have some money.

- Yes, my lad. How much?
- Two dollars.

If I had two dollars
I'd start a number two company.

- For two cents I'd quit.
- Pay him off.

Tickets, please.

Two score and five years ago
when I was playing the Holy City...

Ah, good evening, sir.
How do you do?

I refer you to my amanuensis
Mr Marmaduke Gump, our manager.

I am the owner and the star.

- Excuse me, please.
- Tickets?

- Point out the members of your troupe.
- There's two. There's three.

Here's two. Here's four.

- What have you got under your foot, Pop?
- Huh? Under my foot?

Oh. Nothing, Betty.
Nothing under there.

- The other foot.
- Huh? My other foot?

Oh. Oh, for goodness' sake.

I'm glad you noticed that.
What sharp eyes you have.

That's my sleeping car ticket. I must have
dropped it. Here, I bought it for you.

- You what?
- I bought it for you this morning, dear.

- No, you didn't.
- Huh? I didn't buy it?

I saw that man drop it.

Man dropped it?
Well, that's funny.

Give it back to him.

- Hm?
- Give it back to him, Pop.

Give it back? Oh.
Are you sure he dropped it?

Oh, well, of course,
it would be dishonest to keep it.

I'll give it back but I'd like to know
where that one is I bought for you.

Don't wait up for me, dear. I may play
a little pachisi before coming to bed.

Oh! Pardon me, sir.

- I had a ticket. I think it was upper nine.
- Upper nine.

- Is upper nine made up?
- I'll see. George? Is upper nine ready?

- Yes, sir.
- Thank you. Get me a ladder, please.

- Yes, sir.
- Thank you.

It's stuffy up there.
I'll just push...

Not enough room to swing a cat around.

That gentleman has upper nine.

- Maybe it was upper six.
- No, upper six is occupied.

You don't think I'd lie to you
about a ticket, do you?

Maybe this telegram
will tell you who I am.

J Weldon-Potter,

Grand Mogul to the High Chamber
of Secret Order of Knights and Messiah.

Quiet, please, quiet.
What is this - a cattle car?

Drat!

- Well, I had a ticket...
- Shh. I'll take you round.

Get your valise. Come on.
Keep quiet. Shh, quiet.

- Hello, Betty.
- And where do you think you're going?

- I'm going to Bellefontaine.
- Listen, Wally.

You've got to stop following us
around from town to town.

I'm not following us around.
I'm following you.

- Well, you can't follow me, either.
- Listen. I'm going to be an actor.

I'm crazy about the theatre
and crazy about you, too.

You're just crazy.

You listen to me, young man. You're not
going to get off at Bellefontaine.

- Do you understand?
- Yes.

Stay on the train till you get to college
where you should have been a month ago.

- Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am.
- Are you going to do what I say?

- No, ma'am.
- Oh, you're impossible!

You're... you're a fool.

Yes, ma'am.

Bellefontaine, boss.

Mm.

- Bellefontaine, boss.
- Belle who?

- Bellefontaine.
- Hello, Belle, dear. How are you?

I'll leave two tickets
at the box office for you.

No, sir. Bellefontaine, next stop.

Uh, yes. Uh...

Yes, so it is. Yes, so it is.

Gosh, I slept well last night.

What are you doing down there?
Who is that? Who is it?

- What is this?
- Who is it?

Who is it?
What... what are you doing?

What are you doing?
You're acting like an acrobat.

What is the idea,
walking around in my nightshirt?

What's the idea of wearing a nightshirt
big enough to walk around in?

- Get in your berth.
- I was, when my face you stepped on.

"Face you stepped on"?
What are you, Chinese people?

You, walking around,
stepping on people's faces!

- I... I break your throat!
- What?

You... you...

Oh! Aargh!

The idea... the idea...

Why...

Was he talking to me?

Pop, he stole my mallet.

You've been creating a lot of disturbance
around here this morning.

You! I get you!

- I break your neck!
- Gangway, please, gangway.

Good morning, gentlemen. I am
the Great McGonigle. How do you do?

Would you mind drawing your legs in?

Thank you.

- Good morning, governor.
- Morning, Marmaduke.

Get my parade costume out.

Immediately.

- Sir.
- Pardon me.

Drat. Thanks.

Good morning, little bright eyes.

- I hope you're well this morning.
- Fine, Pop.

How are all of my little children
of the theatre this morning?

Yes, that's what I thought.

I have a telegram here
which will warm the cockles of your heart.

I received it last night at Pocatello.

"The Great McGonigle,

America's leading tragedian."

It's headed that way.

"Train number 42, upper ber..."
Um... "Private car number three."

"Dear sir. In reply to your telegram,..."

"...the advance sale indicates the best
business this theatre has ever known."

Signed, Snead Earn.
The manager.

I expect the populace down to greet us
at the station, possibly with a brass band.

Bellefontaine. Bellefontaine.

Godfrey Daniel.
Strike me up a gum tree. Here we are.

See? They not only brought a brass band
but they brought out the militia.

I thank you.

My friends...

My...

Thank you. My friends
of the beautiful city of Bellefontaine,

words fail me in expressing our gratitude.

Few of you realise
the penalty of greatness

to which myself
and my company are martyrs.

During our peregrinations
of the seven seas

we have always had a fond spot
in our heart for dear old Bellefontaine.

And in conclusion,
I wish to thank you

on behalf of myself,
the Great McGonigle,

and on behalf of my daughter,
Miss Betty McGonigle,

and on behalf
of the Great McGonigle Company.

I thank you.

I thank you.

I thank you. Don't shove, daughter.
Don't shove, dear.

- Welcome, brothers.
- I thank you.

I...

Friends, your reception
has touched my heart.

The opera house is sold out tonight
but for your benefit

I have ordered 100 more chairs.

But remember,
one and only one chair to each person.

Bring me my cane.

Thank you.

Good morning, my dear Mr Wendelschaffer.
I hope I haven't disturbed you.

Mrs Wendelschaffer, come down here.

By the by, how is the good
Mrs Wendelschaffer this morning?

My dear Mrs Wendelschaffer,
how well you look! I trust you're fit?

Don't use the word "trust" around here.
I hear it too often.

I merely used it as a hyperbole.

Now, listen to me. After you've eaten
my food and slept in my beds,

not one piece of baggage goes out of here
until you've paid your bill.

My dear Mrs Wendelschaffer,

our unimpeachable integrity
has never even been slightly questioned.

Bertha, show them to their rooms.
And don't forget to count the towels.

- Is the dining room open yet?
- No!

Ah, my dear Bertha.
How charming you look today!

Well, pick up your bags. Ain't nobody
gonna help you carry 'em upstairs.

Have we any cigars?

- Yes, sir.
- Thanks.

See if he has any matches.

Thank you.

Gee, it sure is swell out here.

Nice view.

You know, I like these little towns.
Seeing a new one every day.

I hate them.

Travelling with the girl you love.

Wallace Livingston,
will you talk sense?

Well, I am. I mean, I do...

You ought to be at school,
making something of yourself.

Betty, listen. I'll go back to school
if you'll go with me.

- You know that's impossible.
- But why?

I don't belong there
any more than you belong here.

- What do you mean?
- Well, in the first place you're rich.

My father is, but...

- And I know what rich people think of us.
- You don't know my father.

You wait till he hears about you barnstorming
around the country with a rep show.

Well, he might get mad, a little.

Didn't give them too much soup, did you?
No, that's right.

- Give them plenty of bread and crackers.
- Uh-huh.

Remember, nobody gets
a second helping of apple pie.

And we don't serve ice cream.
That's all you're supposed to know.

- You'd better look out.
- Huh? Oh.

Sit here, my little hourglass.

For the benefit of all those
who do not know me,

I am the Great McGonigle.

The soup sounds good.

Thank you.

Say, what did you tell us
the opera house was sold out for?

- Isn't it?
- No.

The manager told me up till last night
they only had $17.30 in the box office.

- Mr McGonigle, I...
- Quiet. Take off your hat.

Didn't you hear me tell those gilpins
I'd arranged for 100 extra seats?

Why, they went for it like a trout for a fly.

- Oh, fudge!
- Cease!

Don't you use that sort of language
before my innocent little daughter

or I shall be compelled
to lay hands upon you.

- I...
- Hush!

I don't...

Sit down there and have
some of that hot vegetable soup.

Let us finish our repast in peace.

And remember that every cloud
has a silver lining

and every plate of vegetable soup
is filled with vegetables.

Oh, there, dear.

Oh.

Oh, Mrs Wendelschaffer,
Bertha tells me Mr McGonigle is here.

Cleopatra Pepperday, you won't make a fool
of yourself like you did last year, will you?

Why, I don't know what you mean.
I only want him to hear me sing.

Sing? Oh, rats.

Who's the old squidgilum over there?

- That's that Pepperday woman.
- Who?

Don't you remember
how she pestered you last year?

No, I don't recall.
She's all dressed up like a well-kept grave.

Well, she's the richest woman
in Bellefontaine.

Oh?

A cloud with a silver lining.

- What's her name? Quick, quick!
- Cleopatra Pepperday.

Cleopatra Pepperday.

- Mr McGonigle, I'm so glad to see you.
- My dear Cleopatra Pepperday.

How delighted I am to see you.
Remember you? How could I forget you?

- How could anyone forget you?
- Oh, Mr McGonigle.

- Will you sit down here?
- Oh, thank you.

Thank you. It is a pleasure to break bread
with you on this delightful afternoon.

- Thank you, Mr McGonigle.
- Oh, don't mention it.

Well, little man, do you know who I am?

Da-da!

- Come here.
- Boy, you have me wrong.

His name's Albert,
after his dear departed father.

Yes?

- He has a wonderful head.
- Oh, thank you, Mr McGonigle.

Shaped like a Rocky Ford cantaloupe.

Esther.

Are we gonna have him
with us for dinner?

Let me see if I can help you.

Now, come on, dear. Come on.

He's holding onto the floor.

There we are.
There you are.

There you are. I'm just going
to help you in. That's all.

Get up. Now get your foot over there.

There. Where's his other?
Can you see his other foot? Oh, here it is.

- He's such a friendly little man.
- Yes, he is. Yes.

There you are.
Now you're all upright. Oh!

Now I have you.
There. There you are.

Oh, there you are.

- He has a mind of his own.
- Like his father.

As stubborn as can be.
There you are. Look at that. There.

- Now, could anything be nicer than that?
- Dear.

Now, come here. There.

There, little man.

Oh, Mr McGonigle, I do hope
you'll let me sing for you this year.

You were too busy
when you were here last time.

Yes, we were very busy last season, yes.

But you will let me sing for you this time?

I've been looking forward to it for months.

Oh, thank you.

Oh!

Really.

Oh, Albert! Now, you shouldn't have
done that. Whatever possessed you?

Oh, Mr McGonigle, I'm so sorry.

Very well done.

Boy.

Boy.

I don't know whether to eat from the coat
or from the plate.

Oh, Albert! Look what you've done
to Mr McGonigle's watch. Oh!

Oh, I'm so sorry.
Oh, Mr McGonigle.

- It's all right.
- Such an impulsive nature, like my own.

Don't apologise.
It's just a little child.

- He does the cutest things.
- That he does.

You should see him
when no one's around.

I'd like to catch him some time when... uh,
see him some time when no one's around.

- Albert, why did you do that?
- The minute hand won't be a bit of use.

I hope he hasn't hurt your watch.

Oh, no. How could you hurt a watch
by dipping it in molasses?

- He's never done that before.
- I hope he doesn't again.

Oh, I hope you won't
dislike my little Albert.

It'll make me love
the little nipper all the more.

He's a brat. A brat.

A b-r-a-t.

Brat!

Albert, you mustn't do that.
Naughty, naughty.

Oh, it's all right.
Don't apologise.

Oh, I'm used to that sort of thing.

We stage folks get this all the time.

Listen, folks. There's one of them
new-fangled horseless carriages coming.

All gone. All gone.

OK.

Goodbye. OK.

- Here.
- Don't do that.

- See me at the theatre later.
- Yes, sir.

Oh, Mr McGonigle.
I'm all ready to sing for you.

Oh, fine. I've been waiting for it.

- Bertha, I'm ready.
- Yes, ma'am.

- Did you see the horseless carriage?
- Yes.

All right, Bertha.
Mr McGonigle, you sit here.

Please, don't call me "Mr".
It's so formal.

Call me Mark Anthony.
Mark for short.

- Oh, Marky.
- Marky.

You pierce my heart.

- Now, Bertha, not too fast.
- No, ma'am.

- And don't drown me.
- Yes, ma'am.

Begin, Bertha.

Very good. Very good.

Very good. I...

Righto.

Very good. Very good. Excellent.

Ah. Ah, you're really finished. Fine.
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

You make Jenny Lind sound
like a mangy alley cat with asthma.

Oh, Marky!
Then you really think I can sing?

Why, those last high notes
are still ringing in my ear.

Oh, Marky.

- Uh, will you sit down?
- Oh, thank you.

- My little Rocky Mountain canary.
- Oh...

Oh, Marky. I feel like I'm sitting
on top of the world.

Well, I...

...feel the same way, but I'm not.

Then you really think
I will be a success?

Oh, how can you fail

with those silvery tones

and these golden locks?

Oh! Oh, to think you would give me
so much of your time

when you are such a great artist!

Oh, and it means so much to me, Marky.

Well, it must mean a lot to you, dear.

- It means a lot to us all.
- Oh!

I know you can't fail,
my dear Cleopatra.

Oh, call me... call me
your Rocky Mountain canary.

- Rocky Mountain canary.
- Oh, dear.

Rocky Mountain canary.

Oh!

My...

My little Rocky Mountain... canary.

Oh, Marky.

Here. Quickly.

We must hie ourselves
to the opera house.

- Oh, yes.
- Quickly, dear.

Oh... Mm... Oh...

The old wren couldn't take it.

My little Rocky Mountain canary.

Rocky Mountain goat.

Are you trying to flimflam
that silly old fool?

Rats!

Oh.

Pardon.

You sure your son is here
in Bellefontaine, Mr Livingston?

Yes. He came in
with that theatre troupe this morning.

- Is he a play actor?
- He'd like to be one.

- Stage-struck, huh?
- Mm.

There's a Mrs Pepperday here wanted to
traipse off with that same McGonigle last year,

but she's settled down since then.

In fact, I'm... I'm expecting to marry her.

Last week in Kokomo the house
was sold out. Capacity house.

3,000 people turned away.

Or 2,000, anyway. Come on, girl.

The flies get on her, you know.
Come on, lady.

Well, where will I find
this McGonigle troupe?

Over at the opera house.
I got a telegram to attach the show.

I was just getting set to go over
when you come in.

You know, I don't monkey none with
these fellows. I close them up like that.

Hey, Sheriff, here comes that actor fellow
riding with your girl.

What?

- Looks like he cut you out.
- Don't they make a handsome couple?

There'll be a hot time
in the old town tonight, Sheriff.

Come on, Livingston.

This, my dear,
is the future temple of your art.

Oh, I'm so excited, Mr McGonigle.

Come, dear.

Just fancy being escorted here

by the Great McGonigle himself.

Nothing, really. Nothing.

Of course, I usually have
my second man do these things.

Come, Cleopatra, dear.

Hello, you little lovebirds.

Precede me, honey.

Children, this is
Miss Cleopatra Pepperday.

She's going to join
our happy little family of the theatre.

Oh, Mr McGonigle.

Come, come, come, folks.
Now for the rehearsal. Come, dear.

Now, children, on with the rehearsal.

- Dick Bronson won't be here. He quit.
- The ungrateful coot.

- I can play his part.
- Anybody can. Can you sing?

Yes, sir. Did you ever hear
"The Seashell Song"?

Uh... yes, yes. Yes, I heard "The Seashell..."
Sing a rondelet.

- Thank you, sir.
- Yes, a little rondelet. One chorus.

Here's one. "Rolling in Love".
I know that one.

- Mm. That's pretty.
- Can you play that?

All right.

- Nervous?
- No.

- Good luck.
- Thanks.

All right.

- That's my son there, Sheriff.
- That young fellow singing?

- Yes.
- Say, he ain't bad at all.

If you can't keep quiet,
please leave the auditorium.

- What's she doing up there?
- Who?

That's my girl, Cleo.

Quiet, please. Quiet.

This is the Great McGonigle
speaking to you.

- A very fine voice.
- Wonderful. Wonderful.

- He can't hold a candle to yours, dear.
- Oh, Marky.

Oh, Marky, Marky!

Power of mischief!
What kind of skulduggery is this?

Get me out of here!
Get me out!

Governor, did you get hurted?

No, I didn't get hurted.
Go, go, go, go, go.

- Get new drums for tonight.
- Yes, sir.

Oh, Marky, are you hurt?

No, I had the presence of mind
to fall on my head.

Go, go, folks. Rehearsal, quickly.

- Are you hurt?
- No.

No, no, no,

and no.

- The part is yours.
- Oh, gee, thanks, Mr McGonigle.

- You won't regret it.
- I hope not.

- Wallace!
- Who's that?

I beg your pardon.
Have I the pleasure of your acquaintance?

Uh, this is my father.
Dad, I'd like to have you meet

Miss Betty McGonigle
and the Great McGonigle.

- Fancy meeting you here in Bellefontaine.
- Bah!

- Bah to you, sir. And double bah.
- I'd like a word with you.

And triple... bah...

Oh. You would? Oh, very well.
I can give you about 15...

That's all I need.

What can I do for you?

I have a telegram here from your friend
the sheriff of Cucamonga.

The sheriff of Cucamonga?

As I thought.

Grave error.
Evidently for Ichabod McGonigle.

Different family altogether. No relation.
Often had mistakes.

- Just a minute.
- Why, Walter, what is this?

I have a telegram from Cucamonga
to attach this show.

- Do you want this back?
- No!

Then tear that up. I'm a member
of the Great McGonigle Company.

Spoken like a real trouper, my dear.

Come. I shall rehearse you in your line.

A pardonable error, sir.

Oh, uh, Dad, Miss McGonigle
is the leading lady with the show.

Yes. I gathered as much.

Excuse me, Wally.

- That wasn't very polite.
- No, and it wasn't intended to be.

Listen here, young man.
I want you to go back to college.

Let's not go all over that again,
Dad, huh?

You don't understand.
I want to stay here.

- Your place is in college.
- But I promised them I'd be in the show.

- You what?
- Sure. I'm gonna act here, on a stage.

I'll go tell Betty you're sorry.

I wouldn't miss seeing Cleopatra Pepperday
making a fool of herself

if it cost a dollar to get in.

Seems like everybody in town
had the same idea.

Mrs Middleton, I'll find your husband if
he's in New York, jailhouse or no watch...

Here comes the prince.

Here comes the prince.

Here comes the prince.

- Mr McGonigle, can I see you about?
- Not now.

What's the lowest you'll take
for your rotten carcass now? You rascal!

Well, Squire, what's the lowest?

Let me read that for you.

"What's the lowest?" You see?
Give it the gesture. Give it the gesture.

What's the lowest you'll take
for your old carcass now?

- You rascal.
- Here comes the prince.

Godfrey Daniel! Do it again.

- What's the lowest you'll take for your?
- Here comes the prince.

- What's the?
- Here comes the prince.

There goes the prince.

What's the low?

Another Gildersleeve.

Sheriff, can't you wait?
My girl's got a part in the show tonight.

I can't help that. I didn't come all the way
from New Philadelphia to see her.

Well, well, my old friend
Sheriff Prettywillie.

How are the elks
over in New Philadelphia?

- Waiting for the money you owe 'em.
- They are?

- And I'm here to get it.
- Aw.

- Another Valentine, eh?
- What are you up to now, Walter?

Just an attachment on scenery, costumes,
and box office receipts.

- Anything else?
- I'll be responsible for the amount.

But, Cleo, you don't know
what you're getting into. Don't do that.

Then don't interfere with my career.

Cleo, that little investment of yours
will garner you a million dollars.

Here, take it back.

Places, everybody, quickly.

- What's the lowest you'll take for your?
- Here comes the prince.

- Who was that?
- That's my girl.

She owns half the town.

Oh.

I have just come from the cottage
of the widow Wilson and her daughter.

The widow and the child
must quit the cottage.

Here comes the girl now.
I must watch her closely.

I have now nearly reached
the old mansion house.

In a few moments I shall see this Edward
Middleton, this dissipated collegian.

Ah.

I see a gentleman approaches.

My fears tell me
that this is the man I seek.

I shall pause till he has reached the house.

Good day, fella, my old friend.
I've been looking for you.

Mr Cribbs, any friends of my father
are always welcome.

Nobly said. I wish to speak to you
with regard to the cottage

you recently inherited from your late
father. I have an opportunity of selling it.

- Why, a widow and her only daughter...
- Who are in arrears for rent.

To turn them forth
in the present condition of the old lady...

In short, I cannot think of depriving them of a
home dear to them as the apple of their eyes.

You are pleased to be pleasant today,
Mr Middleton.

Good day.

Good day.

The blessing of the widow
and fatherless be upon thee.

This, then, is the widow's daughter.

Nurtured in the wilderness, she knows not the
cold forms of the fashionable miscalled world.

Oh, stay, sir, I pray you.
This is part of the rent which...

Nay, dear girl.
Keep it as a portion of your dowry.

Sir!

Little did I think, when I thought
of selling that old cottage,

that it should be regarded as a casket
invaluable for the jewel which it contained.

- Are you hurted again?
- Never mind hurted! Get the curtain!

What are you doing now?

Put it down.

Here comes the prince.

Here comes the prince.

When's Cleo gonna act in this show?

Uh, Cleo... Oh, yes. Yes, yes.

Uh, she's probably going on
right after the epilogue.

Don't be impatient, dear.
Don't be impatient.

Ah! That is good brandy, landlord.

- I'll take another glass.
- Certainly.

He's not here. Oh!

Fancy meeting you here, Mr Middleton.

- Fill her up, barkeep.
- Come, gentlemen.

Come one, come all. Let's drink
to the health of my old, tried friend Cribbs.

Again, Mr Middleton. To my health.

Health.

Hey.

What's the matter with you?
Why don't you join us?

I drink when I'm dry
and when I drink, I pay for it.

Be off. You're drunk.

Drunk? Death and fury!

Why...

A fight!

Ow!

Edward.

Wrong exit.

Henry, remember your heart.

Mr Middleton. Where is he?

Lord have mercy, what's this?

- You can walk, can't you?
- Walk? Why, yes, I can walk.

Oh! What's the matter
with my head?

- Blood!
- You have been fighting.

Fighting?
Oh, shame, shame!

Pray give me your pardon, sir.
Oh, I wish I'd died before I'd seen this.

Drunk. Fighting.

Oh, my poor wife!
My poor child!

Oh, agony!

Agony!

Left out that third "agony".

- Has Mr McGonigle called me yet?
- He won't let you set foot on that stage.

All he wants is your money,
Mrs Pepperday.

Here comes the prince.

Places!

- Julia, where's your mother, darling?
- Shh.

~ Wine cures the gout ~

Oh, Bill, I've had the most glorious time.
You know old Cribbs...

- Father, dear Father.
- Edward! My mother!

- Mary!
- She's dead!

Oh, horrors, and I the cause!
I cannot bear this. Let me fly!

- Do not leave me, Edward, love, husband.
- Call me not "husband".

Curse me as your destroyer.
Loose your arms. Leave me.

- Edward, brother.
- Father. Father.

Loose me. Why fasten me down on fire?
Madness is my strength.

My brain is liquid flame.
I'll flee. Farewell forever.

- Oh, husband! Oh, heavens.
- Edward, my brother!

Father! Father!

Say, it don't look as if Cleopatra
is going to be in the show at all.

Maybe she played the part
of the dead mother.

Maybe.

Oh, dear Mother, I am so cold.

Oh, darling.

Alas.

Where is he on this bitter night?

Isn't it wonderful?

- Do you think this is a good play?
- Oh, yes.

Who can that be?

Ah, should it be Edward?

It ain't a fit night out for man or beast.

Mrs Middleton, pardon my intrusion
at this unearthly hour.

I see you still persist in living
in these squalid quarters.

When last we met,
I suggested a change.

Heaven help me.
Where would you have me go?

Return to the village?
I will not.

I must remain and find my husband.

He would laugh in his drunken ribaldry
could he hear you speak thus.

Most contemptible of earthborn creatures,
it is false.

Ah, my proud beauty,
you are in my power.

It is late. You are unfriended.

What's the lowest you'll take
for your rotten carcass now?

Curse you! I shall be revenged for this
if there is law or justice.

Get out.

Curse you!

Kind generous friend,
how came you here so opportunely?

- And what of my poor husband?
- Come, Mrs Middleton.

I'll find him if he's in New York,
jailhouse or no jailhouse,

watch-house or no watch-house.

Just a minute.
Who plays this prince?

You've nonplussed me for the moment.
I've a very bad memory for names.

She ain't going to put no money
to back this show unless she's in it.

Fred... Oh, that's a foregone conclusion.
Excuse me a moment. All right, go ahead.

- Wally, that was marvellous.
- Thanks.

Did you really like it, Betty?

- Shall I rise the curtain, governor?
- Rise it, yes, yes, rise it.

Stop it! Stop it!

Stop it.

Take it up. Take it up.

Yes?

- May I speak to you a moment?
- Y-yes, sure.

Thank you.

- Miss McGonigle.
- Yes, Mr Livingston.

- This is no life for my son.
- I know it.

I've been trying to send him back
to college for four weeks.

- You what?
- Yes.

But he won't go.

Hm.

I think I've been wrong. I'm very sorry
for what I said this afternoon.

- Yes, Wally told me.
- Oh, he did?

Mm-hm.

Well, maybe you and I ought
to work together on this thing.

Oh. Hello, Dad. How do you like the show?
Come on, Betty, we're on.

- Gosh.
- You'd better get out in front, Dad.

- I'll see you later. Come on, Betty.
- Excuse me, Mr Livingston.

Here comes the prince.

This is the last act.
If you ain't in that, you ain't in nothing.

- Oh, Walter, what a fool I've been!
- There, there. Just forget it.

- Oh, I'm so humiliated!
- Don't cry.

And now a special added attraction
for Bellefontaine only.

The Great McGonigle will entertain you
with his extraordinary feats of conjuring

with which he has mystified
the crowned heads of Europe.

Don't forget, folks, tomorrow night
East Lynne. And now the Great McGonigle.

Drat!

- Telegram, governor.
- What's in it?

Hold that.

Let's see.

"The Great McGonigle...
The Great McGonigle Company..."

There's no answer, no answer. Pull up
your socks. Go on, quick, quick, quick.

Who is it?

- Can we come in?
- Sure.

- Dad has something to tell you, Betty.
- I have to turn these things in. Sit down.

Be back in a minute.

Never mind this. You go to the boarding
house and pack all the trunks.

- Where are we going, governor?
- Go, go! Quick! Hurry!

- You really don't object any more, Dad?
- No. You can marry Betty tomorrow -

if you find a way to get rid
of the Great McGonigle.

I won't have it known that we're even remotely
related to that egotistical windbag.

Why, the man is an out-and-out rascal.

- But you don't know him, Dad.
- I don't want to know him.

- He's a great actor.
- A great actor?

Oh, Wally, don't let anybody
ever hear you say that.

Why, he's a disgrace to his profession.

There's a blunt fellow there.

No, Wally.
You've a lot to learn about people.

- Well?
- Well...

Well, maybe I'd better let Wally tell you.

I love you, Wally, but I'll never leave Pop
as long as he needs me.

Uh...

Hello, dear. There you are.
I've been looking for you. Uh...

Um, excuse me.

- I'm going to close the show.
- Why, Pop, there was a full house tonight.

I know there was, dear. I didn't see
the receipts but they sounded very good.

What happened?

I got a very flattering offer
to come to New York.

- New York?
- Yes.

- Gee.
- When are we going?

Uh, unfortunately
I have to go alone, honey.

I know that you wouldn't stand
in the way of my success.

I'll send for you later on. In the meantime,
you shall receive your allowance.

You won't have to do that.
She can go home with Dad and me.

- What's this?
- Well, sir, we're gonna get married.

- What?
- I mean, if you'll give us your consent.

Isn't it wonderful how everything
rounds itself out eventually?

My little daughter happily married

and I on my way to greater triumphs.

Bless you, my children.

Fine boy.

If you need me at any time,

financially or otherwise,

I am at your beck and call.

Pop!

Goodbye.

Goodbye, dear.

Goodbye.

That's funny.
He never acted like that before.

What's going on here?

Oh.

Ah, my good Mrs Wendelschaffer.

I regret having awakened you
at this unearthly hour,

but a friend of mine, Charlie Bonaire,

the top man of the Glins-Ready family,
is coming to spend a few days with me.

We're bringing his trunk in. Come.

- No, you don't.
- Huh?

I've had enough of your kind.
Take that trunk right out of here.

Mrs Wendelschaffer.

Go on. Go on, go on.

However, you are mistress
of this establishment.

Poor, dear Charlie.
How my heart bleeds for him.

Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry.

I wonder where he'll sleep tonight.

You'll regret this in the morning.

Isn't this great, honey?
Are you happy?

Mm-hm. I kind of wish Pop were here.

Oh, he's all right.
He's probably in New York by now.

I know.
I hope he'll take care of himself.

I suppose New York
is the ambition of every actor.

- It's always been Pop's...
- Telegram for Miss Betty McGonigle.

- Telegram for Miss Betty McGonigle.
- Oh, here. Yes, boy, here.

- Why, it's from Pop.
- What does he say?

Ladies and gentlemen, it has been
my great privilege many years ago

whilst travelling through
the mountains of Paraguay

to find the Yack Wee Indians
drinking the juice of the cacti -

the only real cure for hoarseness
known to medical science.

I have here tonight a few bottles
which I am selling for one dollar.

It can cure the most stubborn
case of hoarseness.

I have been a martyr to the disease
of hoarseness for many years.

This malignant disease.

Whenever speaking in public as I do
and I drink it, it cures hoarseness.

It'll cure the most stubborn cases
of hoarseness.

One little sip from the bottle cures...

It cures hoarseness!

Who'll be the first to buy a bottle?