Daddy Long Legs (1955) - full transcript

On a trip to France, millionaire Jervis Pendelton sees an 18 year old girl in an orphanage. Enchanted with her, but mindful of the difference in their ages, he sponsors her to college in New England. She writes him letters, which he doesn't read. After 3 years, he goes to visit her at a dance, not telling her that he is her benefactor. They fall in love, but the usual movie-type difficulties get in the way before they can get together at the end.

This is a Renoir.

Actually, it is the painting of the daughter

of the marquis de Marineau...

and was said

to have been done in 1894.

Renoir is famous

for his paintings of children...

but this

is one of his finest.

Here we have a Corot.

In this painting, the foliage, far more than

any signature, proclaims the painter.

Note the rich use

of browns and yellow-

A truly fine example of Corot at his best.

And now, as is customary,

we conclude the tour...

with the Pendleton

family portraits.

Uh, here we have a portrait

of the firstJervis Pendleton...

painted by

James Abbott McNeill Whistler.

Jervis Pendleton II sat,

or stood, as you can see...

forJohn Singer Sargent,

whose portraits are hung...

in every important museum

in the world.

Please, madam.!

Oh, I must insist

that you stay with the group.

Oh, yes, of course. But what is that

in that room up there?

That, madam,

is Jervis Pendleton III.

Who, as you

can see, has, uh...

broken with the family

tradition somewhat.

Griggs speaking.

Baldwin Brothers, 99.

Dexter Chemicals, 35.

Just a moment.

- Good. Buy both.

- Both.

Mr. Pendleton

accepts both offers.

Griggs speaking.

Native Boy, three-eighths of a mile,

34 and two-fifths seconds.

Just a moment.

Your horse.

Your horse!

Mr. Pendleton wants

two dollars across the board.

Griggs speaking!

Oh, yes, that matter will be attended to

immediately. I'll call you right back.

What shall I tell

the man about-

Hey! Hey.

Aw, no!

Griggs. Griggs, you can't

do that to me. You can't d-

The State Department has b-

- State Department has been trying to reach you.

- I don't care who's been trying.

I was right in

the middle of a... thing.

It's about the economic

mission to France.

The secretary must know

your decision about going.

- I was going great. I was with it.

- Aw, Jervis...

it's beyond my understanding

how a man...

who holds the controlling interest

in 34 separate corporations...

can sit all by himself wasting his time

beating these silly tom-toms!

All by myself? Listen, I have one of the finest

record collections in the country.

I play with

the very best bands.

My father used to get up at 6:00

every morning to train...

carrier pigeons,

most of whom never came back.

Did you consider that

childish nonsense?

- That was his hobby.

- Hobby, my foot. That's the way he got his kicks.

Now, if you don't mind,

flip that record.

- I beg your pardon?

- Flip it. Turn it, you know, over.

No, look, the secretary

must have your answer.

The mission leaves tomorrow night

from Idyllwild Airport.

- The seriousness of the problem-

- I thoroughly understand...

the seriousness of

the French economic situation.

Vital lag in

industrial production...

coal mining output

can be stepped up...

electric kilowatt hour

consumption not up to its potential.

Even the agricultural program,

of which France...

has always been the European leader,

can be increased.

Now, flip that record.

- Anything else?

- Yes. Just sit there and listen.

Griggs

because I hold you

In affection

and great esteem

I shall now begin

to instruct you in

What the jazz elite

call the modern beat

A complete anthology

of"Well, all reet"

And how I made the team

Ah!

Ooh, ooh-

Ooh, boy.

Well?

What shall I tell

the State Department?

That we're going,

of course.

Did you say "we"?

Certainly. Everyone knows you make

all my decisions for me.

Everybody but me!

Now, a little more gravel

under that wheel. That's it.

Bring the pole over here. That's it.

Now, give me some of those branches.

- Uh, may I make a suggestion?

- Mr. Pendleton, please.!

Mr. Bronson happens to be our expert

in tractors and farm machinery.

If he can't get us

out of here, no one can.

Thank you for that

vote of confidence.

All ready, Sergeant.

Now, everybody, get behind and push!

Push.! Push.!

Well, I think we finally

struck firm ground.

I think you've struck oil.

But you can have my share.

Uh, do you mind if I go

up the road a piece...

to see if I can find a farmhouse

or a telephone or something?

Good, I knew you wouldn't. Uh, Griggs, why don't

you break out that last bottle of brandy?

Everybody could use a drink.

Right, Mrs. Carrington?

Well!

I don't know what the president

could've been thinking of...

when he appointed that man

to this commission.

Oh!

- Bonjour.

- Bonjour, monsieur.

Est-ce que vous avez

un téléphone?

Un téléphone?

Allô. Allô.

Allô, monsieur.

Est-ce qu'il y a

quelqu'un ici...

- le maître ou la maîtresse?

- Oui. La maîtresse.

- Entrez, monsieur.

- Merci.

- Attendez, monsieur, s'il vous plaît.

- Merci.

Today we speak

only English.

But as a reward, you may have

whatever you want for lunch.

- Marie.

- Ice-cream soda.

One ice-cream soda. One.

- Paul.

- A "hamburgère."

- "Burger," Paul. "Burger."

- A hamburger with chocolate sauce.

- Paul.

- Please, Julie.

One hamburger with chocolate sauce

and three onions.

Claudine-

- Bubble gum.

- Bubble gum.!

Bubble gum!

Bubble gum.

Monsieur.

Bonjour, madame. Uh,

je m'appelle Pendleton.

Oh, an American. How do you do,

Mr. Pendleton? I am Madame Savanne.

Well, that takes

the strain off my French.

Uh, I wonder,

have you a telephone?

A telephone? Oh, no, monsieur.

Why do you need one?

Well, I'm with a group

of people and, uh...

- our car skidded off the road into a ditch.

- No!

No one's hurt. It's just that we can't

seem to get the car out.

Uh, is there a garage nearby?

For whom?

The only car around here for miles is

the one that belongs to our gardener.

Well, your gardener has a car.

That's wonderful.

Oh, you should see it.

It was left here after the war.

- Ajeep?

- Oh, no, no, no. Not that war. The one before it.

Oh. But still, i-it would

be better than nothing.

I'd be very glad

to pay for the use of it.

I think you better see it first. I will ask

the gardener to push it around in the front.

- Push it?

- Oh, only to start it.

After that-

it marches.

Julie! Julie!

Oui, madame?

I was watching that girl. She seems quite unusual.

Has a wonderful way with children.

Perhaps it's because

she is one of them.

I, myself, found her

and named her.

- She has lived her whole 18 years here.

- Is that so?

Oh, but that is not getting

your car out of the ditch.

- I will fetch the gardener. He is working with the potatoes.

- Thank you.

C-A-T spells cat

R-A-T spells rat

Although the cat

can catch the rat

The rat can't

catch the cat

H-E-R spells her

F-U-R spells fur

Just pat her fur

and listen to her

P-U-R-R, purr

Do you see the cow

She is eating hay

She is eating hay

to give her milk

I have spoken

to the gardener.

M- l-L-K

Yes. Every once in a while one meets

a person who has it in her...

to take life and make

something wonderful of it.

Seems a shame.

Oh, I don't mean...

that this isn't a wonderful

place, a good life-

Oh, monsieur, don't apologize.

I do my job very well...

and I know Julie

will even do it better.

- Julie what?

- Julie Andre.

- But, uh, for a young woman to spend her

life here- Oh! - Oh, but she's so attractive.

- Surely there must be some young man who-

- Oh, yes.

There is the widow farmer

who needs a wife.

He sells us our eggs every week and lately has

been giving us an extra dozen free of charge.

I am very, very nervous. You know, we need

the eggs for the children, and yet-Aah!

- Handkerchiefs too, huh?

- Oh-ho-ho, you have noticed our ginghams.

A little while back we were notified we were

going to receive 2,000 yards of cloth.

Oh, monsieur,

we were so excited!

And then it came.

All blue and white

checkered.

Oh, sometimes I wish charity

would not be so mechanical, so cold, so-

- So all blue and white.

- Precisely.

Oh, the car is waiting, monsieur.

- After all, that's what I came for, isn't it?

- Yes, but this car...

is not very obedient.

You better think twice before you even get into it.

Hi, Alec!

Stop making noises like an ambassador,

"Alex," and answer the question.

How do I go about

adopting a French orphan?

Now, look, Jerv. You stumbled

into some orphanage.

You're tired. You've been cooped up with

the same people for a couple of weeks now.

All of a sudden you see

the bright, shining faces...

of these unwanted children,

and you catch on fire.

Next thing I know, you arrive here

in a beat-up old jalopy...

- you bang into my Cadillac-

- That's the only way I could stop.

I told you that before.

The car had no brakes.

Now, let's get to it.

What red tape do we have to cut?

Jervis, even you cannot go leaping about

from country to country adopting orphans.

I am not leaping about.

It's only one country and one orphan.

Will you please stop stalling

and get started?

- All right, Jervis, we can try.

- Try? Don't give me that.

- Any time the American ambassador can't-

- Okay, okay.

Now, what's the name

of the orphanage?

Uh, Jeanne d'Arc,

right outside Soissons.

- And the child's name?

- Julie Andre.

A-N-D-R-E.

- Do you know how old she is?

- Yes. Eighteen.

- Let's have another martini.

- Oh, Alec.

- Oh, Jervis!

- Now, if you're gonna take that attitude...

- we won't get anyplace.

- Mm-hmm.

Tell me, has she

got a friend?

This girl has

a gift for life.

I want to send her to America.

I want to educate her.

You can't adopt an 18-year-old girl.

You can't ask me-

They have a name for what

you're asking me to do.

That is narrow-minded,

bigoted and evil.

Jervis, have you any idea how easy it is to lose

a job at the State Department these days?

- But my motives are as pure as-

- Just a moment, Jervis. I, uh-

I think the ambassador fears

that if the press hear about this...

they might conceivably place

a different interpretation...

upon your motives,

however pure in fact they may be.

- Thank you, Griggs.

- Yeah.

Mm-hmm, fair point.

Uh, I have it.

The entire thing

can be done anonymously...

uh, like

a scholarship fund.

There'll be absolutely no contact

between the girl and myself.

She won't even know who I am.

The Pendleton Foundation...

gives lots of scholarships

to American boys and girls.

Why not to this girl?

Why not?

- I don't know why not.

- Well?

But, of course, you're not really

adopting her in this case...

- you're merely sponsoring her.

- Right.

But you want to send her to college.

How do we know she'll qualify?

Qualify. Um-

I'm on the board of trustees...

of, uh, some institution

of learning for young ladies.

- W-W-Which one is it, Griggs?

- Walston College in Massachusetts.

What makes you think

they'll take her?

Uh, what was our

contribution last year?

Sizable.

She is now

an enrolled member...

of the freshman class

of Walston College in Massachusetts.

Here, start writing.

Now, uh, where were we?

"Eighteen years old."

Julie! Everything is true!

Everything is happening!

Look, here is a letter

from the American ambassador.

Your name, Julie Andre.

You-You are going

to America to college.

- How do I go?

- By airplane. Everything has been arranged.

Traveling expenses,

college, clothes to wear.

- And the food too?

- Food, everything that you desire.

- Hamburger?

- Hamburger!

- Ice cream?

- Three times a day!

Oh! Oh la la la la.!

I will send some back

to the children and...

- pictures of Indians a-and cowboys and so.

- Oh!

Maybe where you are going there won't be

any cowboys. Indians maybe, but not cowboys.

Oh la la, m-madame.

Is not possible. Is- Is like a dream.

Is- Is-

Is too-

Who is it that would do that for me?

What's his name? Where is he?

Oh, I cannot tell you his name.

He doesn't wish you to know it.

He-Why- How-

I want to thank him!

He doesn't want any thanks!

He doesn't want any gratitude.

His only wish is that

you write him once a month...

just like he would

be your father...

and tell him the progress

you are making in school.

And, uh,

this is the address:

"Mr. John Smith...

Post Office Box 3642,

New York City."

It's all written out here. Of course,

Mr. John Smith is not his real name.

Oh la la, madame.

- It- It has really happened, eh?

- Mm-hmm.

- Is really true?

- Everything is true.

Go on, Julie.

You go to sleep...

and say a nice

prayer of thanks, huh?

- O-Oh, oh!

- Merci, madame.

- Oh, how beautiful it is!

- It is an American automobile.

- No, no, it is Italian.

- It is not. It's a Cadillac.

- We saw one in the cinema.

- Shh! Kids, what are you doing there?

There is an American automobile with a man.

He has been talking to Emile.

Where? Let me see.

Oh, zut.!

- Did you see him? Did you see his face?

- Yes, I saw him.

You did?

What did he look like?

- Was he old?

- Oh, yes, very old.

- How old?

- Older than him.

Oh! Did you see his hair?

What kind of hair did he have?

- No hair.

- Bald?

- Maybe. He wore a hat.

- We saw only a shadow.

He was very thin and very tall.

Very long legs.

- Comme un faucheux.

- Un faucheux?

Yes, a faucheux.

A daddy longlegs.

Oh, a daddy longlegs!

Yes, a daddy longlegs!

Shh. Now, off to bed,

quickly. Be very quiet.

Don't wake up the others.

Daddy Longlegs.

Papa faucheux.

Daddy Longlegs

Daddy Longlegs

Pretty please make

My little dream come true

Daddy Longlegs

If Cinderella's godmama

Could make her

coach and four

I'm sure a real-live godpapa

Could do

a whole lot more

Make me pretty

Make me witty

Make mejust as nice

As a girl can be

Don't know how

I'll find a way

But I'll pay you

back someday

Daddy Longlegs

Wait and see

Julie, Julie.

Daddy Longlegs

Wait and see

That'll be

a dollar and a half.

Keep the change, please.

Thank you.

- Hi!

- Hi!

Through those portals, sister.

See ya.

See ya.

- Hi!

- Hi there.

- Hi.

- Hi!

Frosh?

- Pardon?

- Freshman. Are you a freshman?

Oui. Uh, yes.

I'm a freshman.

Well, you must be our

French girl, Julie Andre.

Oh. You know

about me, huh?

Yes, I have a list of everybody

and where they come from.

I'm Pat Whithers, senior.

Welcome to Walston College.

Thank you.

You're in Room 205 with Linda Pendleton

and Sally McBride.

Right up the stairs

and down the hall to your left.

Thank you, Miss Senior.

Egghead! Egghead!

Egghead!

Egghead!

Hit it, mama!

- Okay.!

- Come on, everybody.

Welcome, egghead

Wipe that smile off your face

Never speak

until you're spoken to

What an egghead

You're an egghead

But you're soon

gonna be hard-boiled

Blow your nose, dry your ears

Get up and salute when a senior appears

Move your feet

Get out the lead

Put a hat on to cover

the point on your head

Tummy in, sweater out

And eliminate that supercilious pout

But since you are a lady, dear

you're very welcome here

Welcome, egghead

You're an egghead

But you're soon

gonna be hard-boiled

- Oh! Oh, pardon.

- Excuse me.

Hi. I'm Sally McBride.

This is Linda Pendleton.

- Hi.

- Hi. Hi, Miss Pendleton. I am Julie Andre.

We've heard about you. We're both signing up

for French and we expect to get straight A's.

You know, I'd help you with English,

but I'm a total loss at it myself. I smell.

Oh! You do?

- At English.

- Oh!

However, I have got a brother

at Harvard who's real smooth.

So if I were you, I'd cultivate me.

You better cultivate Linda too...

because her folks are big

muck-a-mucks around here.

Every time you need a new building or

something, her uncle coughs up the mazuma.

Oh, pipe down, Sally. Look, have we said

anything that you can understand yet?

Well, most of the words, yes,

but the meaning, l-

- I thought so.

- Don't worry. You'll get with it.

Uh, one of us has to sleep

in a room by herself.

Would it bother you

if you slept alone?

Alone?

A bedroom for myself?

Oh, no. No, no, that would

not bother me at all.

Good, then that's settled.

Now, uh, where's your trunk?

Uh, l- I don't know.

What do you mean you don't know?

Didn't you pack?

Oh, yes, but, uh-

All I packed was this.

She's smart.

She believes in traveling light.

Well, surely those aren't all the clothes

you have for the whole year, are they?

I don't know. Uh-

Uh, come in.

Miss, uh, Julie Andre?

- Yes, that's me.

- We got a couple of trunks for you.

Oh!

- Okay.

- Oh-

- Oh, you-

- If I didn't-

Good night!

Why, I've never seen anything so big.

- Oh, Julie.

- I don't believe it.

- Miss Andre?

- Yes?

Will you sign here, please?

- And you were the girl who didn't have any trunks?

- Here?

- Yes, please.

- Oh, and she believes in traveling light.

Oh!

Look at them-

at two of them.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

- Well, come on! Aren't you gonna open them?

- Open them!

Ooh, yes. Yes.

- Hurry.

- Well, uh-They are locked.

Well, of course they're locked!

Where are the keys?

Oh, uh-

Oh, the keys!

- The keys!

- Of course, the keys.

Oh, well, uh, I am tired

of saying I do not know...

but I do not know.

Well, look, we'll try my nail file.

It works great on my sister's diary.

- Yes?

- Julie?

- Yes?

- This just arrived, special delivery.

- Oh, thank you.

- Now, don't get used to this kind of service.

- It's only the first day.

- The keys!

- I think it's the keys.

- See if you're right.

- There they are. There they are!

- Will you come on? Hurry up.

- I am.

- Hurry! I have a strange feeling...

I'm gonna be

the best-dressed girl on campus.

- Oh!

- Oh, my heavens. Look at them, will ya?

Oh!

- Oh, wow!

- Wow!

- Wow!

- Oh!

- Whoo! Ooh.

- Oh, get a load of these labels.

- It's from my guardian.

- Are you sure he's your guardian?

Oh, yes,

that I do know.

- Oh, there's so many of them.

- Oh! Ooh, here it is.

- What? Oh.

- They're beautiful.

- Oh, this is the one that I like.

- Oh.

- Pardon. Yes, I'll be back.

- Isn't this a beauty?

Look, Linda. You know,

if I lose about five pounds-

- I can step right into this one.

- Oh, that's beautiful.

- How did he know my eyes were blue, the darling?

- Julie?

Julie, I'll swap you a date with my brother

for a chance to wear this dress.

- Eh?

- Swell, it's a deal.

- There's still some more in there.

- Oh, my heavens, look-

- Oh, I've never seen so many.

- Aren't they beautiful?

- Sally?

- What?

Sally, do you think

he's really her guardian?

- Huh?

- Well, I don't care what his intentions are.

His taste is divine.

- Julie? Julie?

- Coming.!

Eh, behold-

an American "froshman."

Oh, you look-

Look!

"Dear Daddy Longlegs...

"or perhaps I should say-

Dear kind person...

who sends orphans

to college."

Yesterday morning...

I was in France.

And tonight...

I am...

sleeping in...

Massach-

Walston.

"It is strange to be writing letters

to somebody you don't know.

"It is very strange for me

to be writing letters at all.

"Never before had I

anyone to write to.

But now I belo-"

"But now I belong

to somebody...

"and it is a very

comfortable sensation.

"I will try

to make you proud of me.

Yours very respectfully,

Julie."

Is, uh, Mr. Pendleton

to see this?

No. No, Miss Pritchard.

Just start a new file.

"Andre." "Julie Andre."

Yes, Mr. Griggs.

"Dear Daddy Longlegs, I doubt

that it will interest you...

"but this semester

I have moved up two places.

"I am now 12th

in my class.

My average is just above a 'B'."

Griggs speaking. Yes.

Oh, she is?

Uh, just a moment.

- Yes, Griggs, old boy. - Jervis, your

sister-in-law, Gertrude, is on the phone.

I just left

for Alaska.

She's called five times.

It's about your house

at Murray Bay.

She's decided to spend

the summer there with Linda.

She wants you to have

it redecorated. French provincial.

She wants me to have

my house redecorated...

- so she can use it for her vacation?

- Yes.

For Gertrude, it seems

a fairly reasonable request.

Well, you can tell my

sister-in-law she can-

Uh, tell Mrs. Pendleton

Mr. Pendleton...

will be very happy

to have her use the house.

Yes, he agrees with her that French

provincial should be most attractive.

He wonders why he didn't

think of it himself. Yeah.

Now, where was I?

"My average

is just above a 'B'."

- What?

- The Andre letter.

Oh.

Uh, file it.

You didn't finish

reading it!

"It is very hard to go on

writing to a- a thing.

"You never answer my questions. You never

show the slightest interest in anything I do.

"You don't praise,

and you don't scold.

"It's like having

a machine for a father.

"I love college,

and I love you for sending me...

"but couldn't you write

just one letter?

Not too respectfully yours,

Julie."

- File it, Miss Pritchard.

- Isn't somebody, someday going to answer that poor child?

All right, all right!

Dear Miss Andre...

your letter

of the 23rd received.

Mr. Smith's attention

will be called to your progress.

I'm sure he'll be pleased

with the report. Very truly yours.

That's a cheerful, breezy little note.

I'm sure that'll warm her up!

What do I know about

writing to a young girl?

All right, destroy my letter.

Continue the old arrangement. File it under "A."

Yes, Mr. Griggs.

Mr. Griggs!

A person is not a corporation.

A person is- is, uh,

flesh and- and blood and-

and feelings!

On slide three,

I don't like the word "coach."

Pendleton Airways is selling something

better than coach travel.

We must find a new phrase.

Yes, Griggs.

- Jervis, a person is not a corporation.

- Really?

Uh, "Cabin Clipper"just occurred to me.

How does that strike you?

A person is flesh and blood and feelings

and has to be treated as such.

- I'll vote for that. Where do I register?

- Your treatment of her...

- has been absolutely shameful.

- She's a monster.

Sometimes I think my poor brother gave up

the ghost just to get away from her.

Not your sister-in-law.

I am referring to Miss Julie Andre.

- Miss Julie Andre?

- Oh, I'm not in the least surprised!

- Yes, sir?

- Miss Pritchard, bring in that file.

- Which file, Mr. Griggs?

- The one you've been crying into.

Crying in the file?

Not only does it sound inefficient...

it sounds like a tune

on the hit parade.

Say, what's going on

around here?

Nothing is going on around here,

and it's all your fault!

Over two years ago,

you impulsively, capriciously...

against the better judgment

of the American ambassador and myself...

picked a young girl

out of a French orphanage...

and deposited her

in Walston College.

- Oh, thatJulie Andre.

- Yes, thatJulie Andre!

She's been kicked out!

Griggs, how could you let this happen...

- after all we do for that college?

- She has not been kicked out.

She stands 12th

in her class.

She's a lovely, sensitive, marvelous girl,

one that any parent should be proud of.

And yet, no one pays

the slightest bit of attention to her.

- Thank you, Miss Pritchard.

- Thank you, Mr. Griggs.

For a moment I was afraid

there was a baby in it.

- What kind of a performance was that?

- For more than two years...

that poor girl has been pouring her heart out

to you in those letters.

And you haven't

answered one of them.

You haven't even

bothered to read one!

Now, wait a minute.

That was the arrangement.

l-lt had to be done anonymously,

remember? Alec insisted upon that.

At least you could've asked about her.

Shown some compassion, some humanity.

Hmm. Oh, I see.

I see.

You're in love with her.

Y- No, Jervis, it's

much worse than that.

- She's in love with you.

- Y-What?

Although you don't know it, you've been

a thoughtful and considerate guardian.

She spent the last two summers

on your farm in Nova Scotia.

Although she thinks

Linda's responsible for that.

- Linda?

- Your niece.

Gertrude's daughter. The one

you haven't seen since she was born.

- Oh, yes. Horrible looking baby.

- Well, she's no longer...

a horrible looking baby,

and she's Julie's roommate.

- Who put them together?

- You did.

It was the only way you could arrange for Miss

Andre's summer vacations without causing talk.

And last Christmas,

you sent her a nice present.

- I did? What?

- Three pairs of... silk pajamas.

- Griggs-

- All right. Miss Pritchard selected them.

All in all, Miss Andre

has a lot to thank you for...

and she's very

devoted to you.

She calls you her

"Dear Daddy Longlegs."

Y-

"Dear Daddy What-legs?"

Well, it has something to do with

your shadow crawling on the wall...

- or a spider, uh, uh-

- Oh.

- Jervis, I think you'd better read these letters.

- I think I better read 'em too.

"Dear Daddy Longlegs."

Hmm.

Hmm, she's a prolific

little thing, isn't she?

Uh, Griggs, uh, w-will you

tell Miss Pritchard...

to hold all my calls

until she hears from me?

Dear Daddy Longlegs,

you never answered my questions...

and they were

very important.

Are you very bald?

Orjust a little bald?

Are you very old?

Orjust a little old?

Oh, well, on second thought,

please don't answer.

Not that you will.

It is just as much fun...

not knowing

anything about you.

It leaves me free to imagine

whatever I want.

You could be anything.

Sometimes I think

that you are...

a Texas millionaire.

That's what you are.

And you are so rich...

that there is a special department

in the United States Treasury...

which works only on

your income tax report.

Down in Texas

where the stars are bright

Down in Texas where they treat you right

Everybody sings

this little song

Daddy, Daddy

why's your legs so long

Love your figure

'cause it's so corn-fed

Love that hair

upon your pumpkin head

- Though you're richer than Vanderbilt

- Yoo-hoo!

Daddy, Daddy

where'd you get them stilts

Now, chicken in the bread pan

pickin'up dough

Stick out your hen

and pick out your rooster

First prize is a block of stocks

Second prize is Fort Knox

Let me introduce

that dancing fool

Long-leg Tex

with the big, fat wallet

Wait'll he starts

to walk the dog

He'll bug out your eyes

like a stomped-on frog

Alouette left

and Alouette right

Parlez-vous

and "FrèreJacques"

Both feet up

Make a hole in the ground

Hands up high

and the gents go under

Grab your gal

and swing her like thunder

Kiss her once andjump forjoy

Kiss her twice-

Well, maybe not.

You're probably

an international playboy.

No, no, no, no, no.!

l- I don't like you like this.

I prefer

to think of you...

as my guardian angel.

Oh, it's very confusing.

I wish I knew

who you really are.

I wish- I wish one day

you would write and tell me.

Your lonesome... Julie.

Will you get my sister-in-law

on the phone, please?

- Who, sir?

- My sister-in-law, Gertrude Pendleton.

Oh.

Hello.

Hello, Gertrude.

Tell me. How's Linda?

Who is this?

Jervis?

I don't believe it.

You've been drinking.

No, no. Not a drop. l- I merely called up

to find out about my niece.

Uh, tell me.

How is she enjoying college?

Jervis, this is very peculiar.

Linda is 20 years old, and you haven't

seen her for more than 19 and a half.

Oh, you're so right.

You're so right, Gertrude.

l- I've been the worst

of all possible uncles. I'm sorry.

Uh, say. How about you and me

driving up to see her?

But this is insane. All I wanted you to do

is writeJulie a letter.

Will you keep quiet?

No, no, no. Not you, Gertrude.

l- l-There's a mechanical device

here that produces strange noises.

Uh, w-

Uh, spring dance? Saturday?

Oh. Sounds charming.

Fine. Uh, we'll

drive up together.

Wonderful. Wonderful.

See you then. Good-bye.

But you can't do this. You can't go to

the school and reveal yourself to that girl.

It's violating your-

your promise to Alec.

Griggs, how you do carry on.

I have no intention of revealing myself.

I'm simply going up there

to visit my niece.

And while I'm there,

I'll get a look at my orphan.

But-

Mrs. Gertrude Pendleton on the phone.

Put her on.

Yes, Gertie.

Why, of course it was me

you were talking to a moment ago.

Who else? Who else

but Linda's UncleJervis?

Oh, Jervis, please remember

that you're with me and don't leer.

I wasn't leering.

I was just looking around.

I hope you'll remember,

they are very young.

Time cannot wither nor custom stale

your infinite charm, Gertrude.

I don't know what wild plans you have,

Jervis, but I don't propose to-

- Ah, here comes Linda.

- Oh!

Linda, darling.

Can you ever forgive your UncleJervis?

- For heaven's sake, Jervis. That's not Linda.

- Oh, I am sorry.

- What in the world are you doing here anyway? Linda, dear.

- Mother.

I don't suppose you remember your UncleJervis,

but that's perfectly all right.

- He doesn't remember you either.

- Hello, UncleJervis.

Linda, dear. I-I've been very foolish

in not coming to see you more often.

- You're lovely.

- Why, thank you.

Mm-hmm. Well, I guess

I haven't made a mistake.

- What?

- Well, I took the liberty of-

- That is, the girls insisted I fill out a dance card for you.

- Sounds charming.

So if you just go

and stand under your initial...

you'll be claimed like

a piece of luggage at an airport.

A well-traveled piece of luggage.

Linda, dear, do I have the pleasure

of a dance with your mother?

- Why, no. Oh, I mean- Well, it never occurred

to me when l- - My, my. Isn't it a shame?

Well, here I go.

- Come off it, McBride.

- You can't keep her to yourself.

Sorry, boys. I gave up one dance to

somebody's uncle, and that's as far as I'll go.

- I beg your pardon, Professor.

- That's quite all right, fella. Quite all right.

Only I don't happen

to be a... professor.

- Mr. McBride.

- Yes, Miss Andre.

- I believe this is our dance.

- Thank you, ma'am. Pardon us, Professor.

I told you

I was not a prof-

- Oh, you must be UncleJervis.

- Oh.

- Well, I'm Sally McBride, Linda's roommate.

- I thought Linda's roommate was-

Oh. You mean the vision of loveliness

that just danced off with my brother?

Well, that's Julie Andre.

She's the third cell mate.

Oh, I see.

- Well, uh, shall we have a go at it?

- Why, uh-

Of course, if this is too bluesy for you,

we could sit this one out.

- Well, I'll do my best.

- All right.

- I, uh- I can do the box step.

- Oh.

One, two. One, two.

Well, you're quite good.

Thank you. I'm glad those lessons

weren't a complete waste.

- Oh.

- Last week they put me on Spanish rhythms.

Hmm. Mr. McBride seems to be

quite taken with Miss Andre.

Taken? He's Georgia,

and she's Sherman marching through.

- Uh, she the same way about him?

- She'd be a darn fool if she weren't.

Hmm.

- Am I leading?

- Well, up to now, I think it's a tie.

That's a fault of mine.

It comes of going to a girls' school.

- Well, that's that.

- Thanks a lot.

Oh, and, uh, you won't forget.

Tomorrow afternoon we're playing Vassar.

- I do hope you can be there.

- Good luck. Although I'm sure you could beat Yale.

Why, thank you!

Mr. Pendleton?

I am Julie Andre.

How do you do?

Is this our dance?

Yes. If you'd rather

not dance, we can talk.

Oh, I think I'd like that. Isn't there,

uh, someplace we could go?

In the garden perhaps? Or maybe that

would be bad for your reputation.

Uh, it would.

Come on. Let's destroy my reputation.

Spring is in the air,

isn't it?

Yes. Isn't it?

Now, uh, where do you suggest

we have our flirtation?

Well, one usually

goes that way.

- Tell me. Haven't we met somewhere before?

- No.

That sounds like what the boys

usually say, but haven't we?

No. No. l- I'm sure

I would have remembered.

I have the funniest feeling-

- Of course. I know. Come on.

- Where?

- You'll see.

- Oh!

I'm sorry. I beg your pardon.

I was just, uh-

- Miss Andre, where are you taking me?

- You'll see.

There you are.

Grandfather.!

What a wonderful way to end his days:

in the middle of a girls' school.

Ah. Did he have

a weakness for ladies?

Oh, no. Great strength.

Ah. Did you inherit

that tendency?

That is a very

direct question.

Ah. Suppose it is.

But, you know,

I never talked to an uncle before.

How do I talk

to an uncle?

Very respectfully.

And you don't ask questions. You answer them.

Now, sit down,

and do just that.

- Yes, sir.

- Not quite that respectful.

- Yes, UncleJervis.

- That's better.

I take it that you haven't

any uncles of your own.

No uncles, no aunts,

no cousins...

no brothers,

no sisters, no nothing.

- Isn't there anyone who-

- Oh, it's a very sad story.

My father and mother were the duc

and duchesse de Monchartres...

and they both died

before I was born.

- Both.

- Yes.

It was during a typhoon.

Our yacht overturned

in the Sargasso Sea...

and I was

the only survivor.

Hmm.

- If you don't believe my story,

I have several others...

which are much more interesting.

I'm sure you have.

I only tell the stories

because nobody believes the truth.

Would you like to dance now?

Uh, yes. l- I would.

Uh...

would you tell me

what the truth is?

Yes. I have a guardian.

I see. Now, what

sort of man is he?

Oh, he's tall

and very skinny.

He always walks with a cane,

and he's bald up here.

But he has a lovely fringe

of white hair all around.

- All around?

- Uh-huh.

Sounds perfectly stunning.

Oh, don't you make fun of him.

I love him very much.

- When I get out of college, I'm going to live with him.

- Huh?

- You are?

- Yes.

But it's a surprise. He doesn't know it yet.

I have it all planned.

I'm going to read aloud to him

and plump his pillows...

and warm up his slippers...

and always make sure he wears

his galoshes when he goes out.

From the way you describe him...

I don't think he'll be going out very often.

Oh, well. He's not a boy anymore.

That is, uh,

probably true. Uh-

Does he ever come

to see you?

- No.

- Well, why not?

Well, he doesn't care

anything about me really.

Oh. Now, I'm sure he does.

Oh, I just pretend. One must have

somebody to love, you know.

So I make believe

that he really cares.

- Maybe he does care, more than you think.

- Oh, he does, huh?

I write to him all the time whenever

I get lonely. He doesn't even read my letters.

- How do you know?

- He throws them in the wastebasket.

He does no such thing.

I mean, I, uh, uh, don't think he does.

Then why

doesn't he ever answer?

Dropsy.

Probably can't hold a pencil.

Oh la la.

Hey, you.

Oh. It's only you, Professor.

I was gonna punch somebody in the nose.

- Hey, Julie. We missed a dance.

- Oh. Sorry, Jimmy.

This is Mr. Pendleton.

He's not a professor.

- Oh.

- Mr. Pendleton, Jimmy McBride.

- How do you do?

- How do you do, sir? Natural mistake, of course.

- Of course.

- Come on, Julie. They're gonna do "Sluefoot."

Oh, good.

Excuse us, UncleJervis.

Thank you for keeping

Little Red Riding Hood away from the wolves.

Now hear this

Now hear this

Everybody

everybody, everybody

Get ready for sluefoot

Go!

You want a dance

that's easy to do

Then dig the one

I'm hippin' you to

I'm gonna teach you

to fall in on what they are callin'

The sluefoot

You make your right foot

point to the north

You make your left foot

point to the south

And then you stroll

sort of westerly

Slow and "siestally,"Sluefoot

Don't be an oddball

and don't be a fig

Try

Why be shy

After all, it's even better

if your feet's too big

You put the old

posterior out

Then you manipulate it about

It is the most

"lackadaisiest"

I mean the craziest

Sluefoot

You gotta rock

like a rockin' chair

The step is clocklike

but slightly square

You count to

one, two, three, four

- Then you holler

- Sluefoot

- You put your toe out

You drag it back

- You really go out, You ball thejack

- Terribly sorry. l-

Do what you done, done before

when you holler

Sluefoot

Well.

All right.

Sluefoot

- Go, Julie!

- Yeah!

Don't stop now.

Hey. That's it!

- My, my, my!

- That's it. Keep goin'.

Stay with it!

Yeah, yeah!

- Good morning, sir.

- Good morning.

Thanks.

Hello, Jervis.

Oh, hello, Griggs.

Wonderful day, isn't it?

Yes. The market opened

very strong.

- Bring the mail?

- Did I ever fail to bring it, Jervis?

No.

My dear fellow, what are you in

such a foul mood about?

The first days of spring

always affect me this way.

Oh. Oh, Griggs. Uh, will you please

have this record sent to Miss Andre?

- And who is sending the record?

- I am, of course.

Yeah. I'm aware of that, Jervis,

but in which incarnation are you sending it?

Jekyll or Hyde?

UncleJervis or Daddy Longlegs?

Jervis Pendleton, and you can leave off

the "uncle," if you don't mind.

What you're looking for

is in the personal file.

Thank you, Griggs.

"Dear Daddy Longlegs, l-"

"I'm- I met

Linda's UncleJervis.

He seemed very nice."

"He seemed very nice."

"He seemed very nice."

"But an awful thing has happened.

Oh, not to me, but toJimmy McBride.

"He's had a dreadful

disappointment.

He was all set to go to South Africa

as a mining engineer when the project blew up."

"lmagine. Only about a month

from graduation...

"and he considers himself

a failure.

"If he would follow my advice,

he'd stay in this country...

"and work in his father's

overalls factory.

But he hates it."

Hmm. "I can't tell you

how miserable I feel for him."

- Griggs.

- Yes, Jervis.

- Would you come here a moment, please?

- I'll be right there.

"He was all set to go to South Africa as

a mining engineer when the project blew up."

Uh, Griggs, I'd like to do something

for a young chap I know.

Name's McBride.

Brilliant mining engineer.

Do we have an opening for him?

Well, our New Jersey lab

can always use a bright young man.

No, no. Not- Not, uh- Not New Jersey.

He- He's the adventurous type.

He- He'd want to go far away.

You know, see the world kind of thing.

I see. Someplace

out of the country, eh?

He'd sign up for a year's contract.

As a matter of fact, he wants to.

He's a good man.

Very highly recommended.

- By whom?

- By-

By me. l- I, uh- I met him at

that college dance recently.

He's a friend of Linda's.

I was quite impressed with him.

I, uh- I have an eye for these young people

who are going places, you know.

Going places.

How about our tin mines in Bolivia?

- Bolivia?

- Would that be far enough away for you?

- It's not for me. It's for him.

- Oh. Of course.

I can't imagine what

I was thinking of.

- Our mines in Bolivia sound ideal.

- Oh, they are.

Almost inaccessible. Takes two days to

reach them after you get off a burro's back.

Fine, fine. Uh, will you get

Miss Pritchard in here, please?

- Miss Pritchard?

- Yes. I want her to take a letter now.

I thought perhaps you wanted

to teach her the sluefoot.

Hi, Jervis.

Oh. Hello, Larry.

How are you?

- Fine, fine.

- Good, good.

- Meeting someone?

- Yeah. My niece Linda and her roommate.

They're coming down

from college.

- Oh, yes? I wish I knew she was on the plane.

- Yeah. Oh.

- Jervis, how are you?

- Hello, Julie. So good to see you. How was the flight?

- Just wonderful. Wonderful.

- Well, Jervis, I'll just-

Pardon me. Uh, M-Mr. Hamilton,

Miss Andre. Uh, uh-

- How do you do?

- Where-Where's Linda?

- She couldn't come.

- She couldn't come?

- No.

- Well, as I was saying, Jervis, I'll just be buzzing along.

Uh, three's

a... you know what.

- Very happy to have met you.

- Good-bye.

Uh, uh-

What happened to Linda?

Oh, she woke up this morning

with the sniffles...

and she told me her colds always

get much worse before they get better...

so I just let her-

- Shouldn't I have come alone?

- Oh, yes. Of course. Certainly.

I'd have been very disappointed

if you hadn't.

- Oh.

- Really. Are these your baggage checks?

- Yes.

- John, will you handle these for Miss Andre, please?

Yeah. Sure.

This way, please,

Mr. Pendleton.

Oh. Jervis,

you know, it's-

It's just beautiful.

Count four towers over

and nine towers to the right.

In the basement of the 10th tower

there's a lovely little restaurant.

I thought we might

have dinner.

Why don't we have it right here

so we can see the lights of the city?

Don't they teach you

anything at that college?

You know what

they'll be thinking.

Oh, it's ridiculous.

What time would you like to dine?

Oh, anytime.

- Be back at 7:00.

- Mm-hmm.

- Black tie?

- But of course.

You know, Jervis. I've worked out

your whole past.

That doesn't surprise me

in the least.

There was someone years ago.

She was tall, slender...

blonde, very beautiful,

and you loved her madly.

But she married

someone else.

- Oh, she was very foolish.

- Thank you.

So you never loved

anyone else since.

Is that the way it was?

No. There never was

a tall, slender blonde...

but there was a short

little redhead.

And then there was

a very large brunette.

And then there was someone

I met in Switzerland.

- And then there was-

- Hmm. Oh la la.

- And you loved them all?

- Madly.

Hmm. And why didn't you

ever marry?

I didn't love them

that madly.

I don't think

you ever will.

Marry?

Hmm.

That all depends.

You know,

there's an old theory.

I mean-

When an irresistible force

Such as you

Meets an old

immovable object

Like me

You can bet

as sure as you live

Something's gotta give, Something's gotta give

Something's gotta give

When an irrepressible smile

Such as yours

Warms an old

implacable heart

Such as mine

Don't say no

because I insist

Somewhere, somehow

someone's gonna be kissed

So, en garde

Who knows what the Fates

have in store

From their vast

mysterious sky

I'll try hard

Ignoring those lips

I adore

But how long

can anyone try

Fight, fight, fight, fight

Fight it with

all of our might

Chances are

Some heavenly

star-spangled night

We'll find out

as sure as we live

Something's gotta give, Something's gotta give

Something's gotta give

When an irresistible

force

Such as you

Meets an old

immovable object

Like you

Your morning paper.

Oh.

Uh, did anything

happen yesterday?

- A man got robbed.

- Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk. What a shame.

A girl got married.

Ah. That's nice.

Who did she marry?

- A man.

- Oh.

They've been in love

for a long time.

Oh.

Anything else happen?

Yes. But it's not

in the paper.

- Oh.

- Good night, Julie.

Good night, Jervis.

Excuse me,

Mr. Ambassador.

- Right this way, Mr. Ambassador.

- Thank you.

I think you'll find this to your liking.

This wing is very quiet.

- How much is it?

- It's worth $200,000.

- Did you say something, Griggs?

- l-

- I was merely inquiring about the price, Jervis.

- Hmm.

Uh, have you something simpler?

Much larger, but simpler.

Yes, Mr. Pendleton.

I think we have the very thing.

Hmm.

Well.

$300,000.

I, uh- I think that's

kind of cute, don't you?

Very cute.

Oh. Very cute.

Well, that's it.

I'm glad you all agree.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a breakfast

appointment. Good-bye.

Uh, uh, you understand, of course,

this is subject to the lady's approval.

Naturally. But I think

you should know, Mr. Griggs...

it's been our experience

that a diamond of that quality...

never comes back.

Never.

Thank you.

- Coffee now, Jervis?

- Yes, please.

You know, last night was the most

wonderful night of my life.

- I'll drink to that.

- Yes.

And let's drink to today.

Look how beautiful it is.

I'm glad you like it. I ordered it especially for you.

I suppose if you're

a Pendleton you can make anything happen.

- Can't you, Jervis?

- Mmm. Not quite.

Some things are

in the lap of the gods.

You know, Jervis, yesterday

when I arrived from college...

and you looked so stern, and you thought

that I should not have come alone-

Well, I have

a confession to make.

I was really terribly afraid and unsure.

But it's been very wonderful.

You know, last time I came in that airport

was when I arrived from France.

Was that only three years ago?

Seems like forever.

Let's drink to France

for having sent you here.

To America

for letting me come.

Connect me

with 3203, please.

- Hello?

- I'd like to speak with Mr. Pendleton, please.

Oh. Just a minute.

Jervis, it's for you.

- Hello.

- Jervis, you are the most contemptible...

deceitful, dishonorable character

it has ever been my misfortune to know.

Who is this? Who?

Oh, uh- Oh. Well, yeah.

I think so, Alec.

Well, all right. I will.

Right away. Yeah.

Um, Julie, I'll be right back.

Uh, just a few minutes.

- Where are you going?

- Some friend of mine wants to see me.

You finish breakfast.

It won't be long. Just-

Hi.

Well, I'm waiting.

Say something.

All right.

Why aren't you in France?

I am here to report

to the secretary of state.

- Then why aren't you in Washington?

- I'll be there tonight.

Now that I've answered your questions,

suppose you answer mine.

- What are you doing in that next suite?

- Why, you evil-minded-

Jervis, the last time you accused me

of being evil-minded...

was when you wanted to bring that young

French girl to this country to "educate."

- Alec- - Never mind what the

newspapers would make of all this.

How you enlisted the services of the

United States government in your enterprise.

Never mind the part I played.

Let's leave all that out. Think of the girl.

She is here

on a student's visa.

Her behavior is subject

to constant scrutiny.

She could be expelled,

her passport picked up-

Now, wait a minute. Now, wait a minute.

Alec, it is nothing like that.

Jervis, I was on the terrace.

Now, I'm no eavesdropper...

but I'd have to be deaf

not to overhear the conversation...

- you and the young lady were having at the breakfast table.

- Like what?

"Jervis, last night was

the most wonderful night of my life."

Even the most generous

interpretation of that is horrifying.

And serving her cocktails

at this hour.

- Cocktails? Are you nuts?

- I distinctly heard the glasses clink.

It was orange juice.

Nobody clinks orange juice glasses.

I haven't been out of the country that long.

- Alec, you've got it all wrong. I'm in love with the girl.

- Is she in love with you?

I don't know. I was just about to ask her

when the darn phone rang, and it was you.

I'm glad I was in time. What could

the poor girl have said but "yes"?

- She could have said "no."

- Don't be ridiculous.

You've obviously

swept her off her feet.

You're older than she is.

That's always very attractive.

- You're rich, and that's even more attractive.

- Mm-hmm.

You've changed her life completely,

for which she must be very grateful.

She doesn't know anything about that.

She doesn't know that I'm her Daddy-

Daddy what?

Daddy Sugar?

Oh, shut up.

She only knows me as Jervis Pendleton,

the uncle of her roommate.

The uncle of her roommate.

Doesn't that at least give you pause?

Not particularly. I'm not the only man

she's met in America.

Uh, she's also interested

in a Harvard graduate.

Can he afford to bring her to New York

and entertain her in this style?

- Well-

- Of course not. He's probably out looking for a job.

He is not. He's working in Bolivia

in the tin mine. Now, if you'll excuse me-

It wouldn't by any chance happen

to be the Pendleton tin mine, would it?

Well, uh, he- he-

he needed a job, uh-

And, well, what's the matter

with helping young people? Uh-

It's an interesting hobby.

You seem to have embraced it vigorously.

Well, he applied for a job in Africa.

The project blew up, and-

and I just happened to have

an opening in Bolivia.

King David.

What are you

talking about?

David sent Uriah into battle

because he coveted Bathsheba.

Oh, no. Oh, no.

Oh, I've had just about enough.

Now, look here, Alec.

There's nothing underhanded

or deceitful about this.

l-lt is true

I sent that young man-

Well, he was going

out of the country anyway.

He needed a job,

and- and I sent him.

Oh, sure. Sure the girl

is much younger than I am.

l- I'm not denying that.

Sure I'm rich.

There's no question about that.

Certainly I did everything possible

to sweep her off her feet.

But doesn't every man

who's in lo-

Ah, you're absolutely right.

It's insane.

What was I thinking of?

I don't know.

- You got a cigarette here?

- Hmm.

She must be

very attractive, Jervis.

Very.

I'll, uh-

I'll- I'll bring that boy

back from Bolivia.

Alec, have you any idea how many hotels

there are in New York?

- Not the slightest.

- There are hundreds, thousands.

But, Jervis,

I always stop here.

3203, please.

Jervis, where are you?

What are you doing?

Uh, I'm downstairs

in the lobby.

Uh, listen. Something terribly important

has just come up...

and I'm afraid I won't be able to

get back there to see you.

No, no. No.

I'm- I'm all right.

It's just-just business.

You know, uh, State Department.

Um-Well, it's rather

hard to explain.

Uh, there are certain things about it

that I'm not at liberty to discuss.

- Can you understand that?

- Of course I understand. When shall I see you?

Well, uh-

They may-They may

want me to go abroad.

In which case, uh,

l- I won't see you for quite some time.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh, l- I see.

I see. Oh.

Well-

Oh, no. I'm-

I'm not upset. I'm...

just disappointed.

Uh, Julie, um,

I want you to see New York.

And, uh, I'll send the car and the chauffeur

or anything you want.

Thank you very much.

Did you say something?

Well...

bon voyage.

Thank you.

Take care of yourself, Julie.

Good-bye.

- Hey, Linda. Catch.

- Hey. You sure this is mine?

Positive.

How am I ever gonna fit this in?

Oh. How do you suppose we ever

accumulated so much junk in only four years?

- Say, Linda. Is this yours?

- No.

Well, I don't know who it could belong to.

Anyone belong to this? Hi.

- Hi.

- Hi, Julie.

- Last call. Anyone belong to this?

- Oh. Sally. Sally, it's mine.

Oh. I never

saw you wear it.

- Yeah. I know, but it's mine.

- Oh.

Hey, Julie.

Aren't you gonna pack?

Oh. We have

plenty of time.

There's a whole week

till graduation.

Well, don't you want your things

to get there before you do?

Yeah.

I guess so.

Do you know something?

I don't even think

she knows where to send her trunks.

- No, it's not that. It's that darn UncleJervis of mine.

- Yeah.

Now you see him, now you don't. There they

were having a perfectly wonderful time...

and suddenly he calls her up

and says he has to go away.

He's been traveling ever since.

Last time I heard, he was in Madrid.

- I thought he was in Calcutta.

- That was three cities ago.

- Last week he was in Hong Kong.

- Oh, the beast.

Still, he can be awfully nice when he wants to.

Look how nice he's been toJimmy.

- Yeah.

- Brought him back to New York.

- Raised his salary. Raised it twice.

- Hmm.

And you can hardly say

Jimmy's been a success.

You know, that new experiment

of his nearly blew up the whole lab last week.

I know. My UncleJervis

is very strange.

Very.

Rio. Jervis Pendleton in Rio.

Personality of the week in India.

Lisbon.

Spain. Oh-

The Opera of Paris.

Oh, zut.

Dear Daddy Longlegs-

May I please come to see you?

I am desperately...

in need of advice.

And there is no one...

I can turn to but you.

Something's gotta give, Something's gotta give

Something's gotta give, Something's gotta give

Something's gotta give

Something's gotta give, Something's gotta give

Something's gotta give

Julie. Julie.

Huh? Oui?

- Oh, Linda.

- I was just going down to the post office.

Want me to mail that

for you?

Oh. Oh, yes. Please.

- Can you wait a minute?

- Sure. Take your time.

- Mr. Griggs.

- Yes.

- You are critically ill.

- I am?

- The doctors have no hope for you.

- They haven't?

We must cable Mr. Pendleton

to come home immediately.

- There's been another letter from that girl.

- Yes, Mr. Griggs...

and what are we

going to do about her?

You can't just hand somebody the world

and then take it away from them.

Well, I'm in the process

of drafting a letter to her now.

- I've been told that she's to be married shortly.

- Oh, a lot you know.

Well, in the event that she doesn't,

a trust fund is being established.

And from that she'll be given

a sensible income each month.

- She'll have security for the rest of her life.

- Security?

I have security,

and believe me, it's nothing.

You have security,

and a duller life nobody ever led.

Well, I'm glad to know what you think

about security, Miss Pritchard...

because you may be

about to lose yours!

I can't, Mr. Griggs, because I qualified

for my pension last month.

Maybe that's why I don't care. But if you won't

cooperate with me, I'll send the cable myself.

Y-

- Well, if you qualified for your pension, how about a drink?

- Bourbon on the rocks.

Uh-

What do you plan

to say in that cable?

"Griggs critically ill.

Imperative you come home immediately.

Doctors have no hope."

Oh, that's fine.

Thank you.

If I'd offered you a drink 25 years ago,

you'd have slapped my face.

How do you know?

You never asked me.

Helen Adams.

Julie Andre.

Sue Anthony.

Mary Armstrong.

Patricia Benton.

Margaret Benson.

Come in.

Congratulations, my dear.

Congratulations.

- Well, thank you.

- I had a lovely cry too.

This is the first graduation

I've been to since my own.

Well, I don't want to appear impolite,

but should I know you?

There's no reason why you should.

I'm Alicia Pritchard.

- And I've come to take you to seeJohn Smith.

- Oh. John-John Smith?

Daddy Longlegs.

Oh.

He wants to see me.

Well, let's say

he's going to see you.

Oh.

- Who is he?

- I think he should tell you that himself.

Now you hurry and change

because we're going to New York.

Oh.

- We go to New York today?

- Today.

- Today? She's bringing her here today?

- Very shortly.

That cablegram was right.

Brother, you are sick. Sick in the head.

Don't you know about that girl and Jimmy

McBride? Why, they're suited to each other.

They'll be married,

happy and have children.

Why, ifJulie comes here today and-

and finds out that I did everything...

she'd- she'd be beholden.

She'd fling herself into my arms

out of gratitude. Now, who wants that?

Don't you know that's just

the reason I went away?

Jervis, if I were you,

I'd pull myself together.

Miss Andre will be coming through

that door very shortly.

Oh. Well, when she does, do you know who

she's gonna find sitting behind that desk? You.

- Me?

- Yes. You started all this, and you can handle it.

- You are Daddy Longlegs. Sit down.

- But-

She's never seen you before.

You fit her description of me...

better than I do myself,

you old fuddy-duddy.

But this is ridiculous.

What would I say to her?

I don't give a hang what you say to her.

You can propose marriage for all I care.

Let's keep this thing tucked around you

so you'll look properly feeble.

Keep your head down. You know, you haven't

the strength to keep your chin up anymore.

- You've been very ill. Remember?

- Oh!

Okay. That's good.

Ah. Whistler's father.

You may accept my resignation from your

employment- effective as of this moment.

It's too late now. Don't you dare move. Yeah?

- Mr. Pendleton-

- Fine. Have her come right up.

- Yes, sir.

- Now, Jervis, don't be a fool.

Look. I'm an expert

at being a fool.

That's why I know

I'm not being one this time.

Y-Y-

Uh, come in, my dear.

Sit down, my dear.

The-The time has come

to tell you...

I am John Smith.

Well, I am

not Pocahontas.

I'm Linda Pendleton,

and I want to see my UncleJervis.

- Linda. Linda.

- Well, w-

- Hello, my dear.

- Hello, UncleJervis.

Now how did you know

I was back?

I have a very nice spy

who works for you.

- That doesn't surprise me a bit.

I am surrounded by spies.

UncleJervis, I have

a dreadful problem. I must talk to you.

Go right ahead.

- Oh, I have no secrets from Griggs.

- Well, I have.

Thank you. Thank you very much,

Miss Pendleton.

I am so glad

to be out of something.

- Well, don't go far.

- Hmph!

Sit down, honey. Tell me.

Uh, what's on your mind?

UncleJervis, I'm in love,

and I want to get married.

Well, there's no problem there.

Sounds very nice and natural.

Mother's very much against it.

She doesn't approve of him.

Well, if your mother doesn't approve,

you've probably made an excellent choice.

Why don't you just elope?

Or is that too old-fashioned?

No, but I would like

a big wedding.

Silly of me, I suppose,

but I'm only planning to be married once.

- That is old-fashioned.

- Don't joke, UncleJervis.

I thought perhaps

if you talked to Mother...

told her how well he's doing at the lab,

what a wonderful future you see ahead for him...

well, she might forget

that his father manufactures overalls.

I think she's afraid his whole family

will attend the ceremony in overalls.

Uh, Linda. Linda.

Uh, you couldn't by any chance

be speaking of oneJimmy McBride?

The one and only.

Jimmy McBride and you?

How perfectly wonderful.

l-lt's sensational.

But tell me.

Uh, uh, when and how?

I got him on the rebound,

UncleJervis...

- but I got him, and that's all that I care about.

- Well, congratulations, my dear.

Your mother will give you the biggest

wedding this town has ever known.

- Do you think so?

- I know so. You know why?

- Because I'm going to pay for it.

- Oh, thank you!

I hope you'll be very happy.

Now, make a list of the presents you want.

A long, long list.

Don't stint.

- You're only doing this once, you know.

- Oh, UncleJervis, I love you.

- I love you. If you'll excuse me, I'm expecting-

- Of course. I understand.

Oh, oh. Listen, honey.

Uh, how is, uh-

Uh, how- how is Julie?

- Julie Andre?

- Mmm.

She's- Oh, she's having the most

dreadful time. She's terribly unhappy.

Is she?

I thought you'd be glad to hear that.

Good-bye, UncleJervis.

- Good-bye. Good-

- Thank you.

Thank you.

- Griggs.

- Yes?

- Have I been rude to you?

- Most.

Forgive me.

You're utterly charming.

You're a little fat boy with wings

and a bow and arrow, and I'm very fond of you.

Mmm. You're a dandy.

Here we are.

This is where he lives.

- Who shall I ask for?

- Don't worry about it. You're expected.

Thank you, Miss Pritchard.

Thank you for everything.

- Miss Andre.

- Yes.

May I take your coat?

Wait just a moment, please.

- As we continue to view-

- Thank you.

this truly remarkable

collection of art...

one feels more and more

a sense of debt toward its donor.

Now we come to

some of the impressionists...

a group of painters who have always

been a subject of great controversy.

Their break with the past was viewed

with great horror by the academic school...

who had for so long

reigned supreme in French art.

This is a Renoir.

Actually, it is a painting of the daughter

of the marquis de Marineau...

and was said to

have been done in 1894.

Will you please

stay with the group, miss?

- Me?

- We cannot have people wandering off by themselves.

I must insist that

you stay with the rest of us.

Renoir is famous

for his paintings of children...

but this is

one ofhis finest.

Here we have a Corot.

- In this painting, the foliage,

far more than any signature-

proclaims the painter.

- Note the rich use of browns and yellows.

- Jervis.

A truly fine example

of Corot at his best.

For him, the countryside was

a constant source of inspiration.

The homely, rustic scene is brought

to life here with great sensitivity.

Hello, Julie.

Hello.

- What are you doing here?

- Shh! Quiet, please. Quiet.

- Do you know my guardian?

- Oh, yes. Yes. Very well.

- Oh. You never told me before.

- He asked me not to.

But I knew you were coming here today,

and I had to see him first because...

there was something

very important I wanted to ask him.

Now, ladies and gentlemen,

as is customary, we conclude the tour-

- I'm so happy to see you again.

- with the Pendleton family portraits.

Here we have the portrait

of the firstJervis Pendleton...

painted by

James Abbott McNeill Whistler.

Jervis Pendleton II sat, or-

stood, as you can see,

forJohn Singer Sargent...

whose portraits are hung in every

important museum in the world.

This is

Jervis Pendleton III...

who, as you can see, has broken with

the family tradition somewhat.

Well, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

That concludes our tour.

Thank you very much.

Oh, miss. The tour is o-

Oh. I beg your pardon, sir.

Yes. Of course, sir. Good day, sir.

Tell me.

When you saw John Smith...

what did you ask him?

Since he's your guardian,

I felt I should ask his permission...

before asking you

to marry me.

Oh. What did he say?

He said I'd have to

wait my turn-

that he wants to

ask you himself first.

Ah.

Well, why don't you?