Daddy's Gone A-Hunting (1925) - full transcript
Julian (Percy Marmont) is a poor artist who lives with wife Edith (Alice Joyce) and their newborn baby in Harlem. Struggling to make ends meet, he foregoes his artistic calling and draws for magazines. Reaching his limits, Julian convinces his wife he could reach higher grounds if he went to Paris, and he moves to Paris while Edith works at a shop on Fifth Avenue. Their lives evolve differently from then on: Edith is courted by a wealthy suitor, whom she ignores while pining for her husband; while Julian fails to meet his goals in Paris and returns to New York City three years later. Their meeting highlight how different their routes have been.
DADDY'S GONE A-HUNTING
Directed by Frank Borzage
Six Acts of Marital Life...
Robert!
Edith! To see you after
such a long time!
When I was the age of
that young man,
I never hesitated before
kissing a girl...!
I left my parents' home...
You know, my only
passion is Art...
I want to be a painter!
All I strive for is a little
happiness...
and I don't stay long in any place.
...but now that I've met
you again, Edith...
I notice how I need you.
You're mine... I'll never
let you go away again.
Setting to work was
hard until now...
But from now on, I'll know
of no obstacles!
-And some years later...-
- Tired?
- Yes, tired of the eternal routine...
Tired of this bourgeois life...
Of these bleak walls...
This is what I've been working
on for seven years!
Yes, the pictures are good...
But I'm capable of big things!
How I envy those artists
who travel abroad...
...looking for new ideas
for their creation!
But... you could travel
abroad for a while?
You are right. I'll set off
for Paris today...
I'll find new vital
energies there!
(Illegible. Edith's letter?)
Oscar, a lively tramp,
epitome of the Parisian Bohemia.
How long are you intending
to work without a break?
A man has to consider his
physical well-being too.
Mrs. Lester
You're so patient and obliging...
that I really love coming here!
Tell me... ?how's your child?
Walter Lester
Mrs. Fields, this is my son Walter.
This is the charming lady
I've talked you so much about.
It's almost closing time,
shall we accompany you home?
The negligent and charming Bohemian
scene that Robert...
thought would be a
source of inspiration...
Olga... Arousal for men.
Scandal for women.
In a few months, Robert comes
back home with new experience...
...while his wife looks forward
to seeing him back.
SCHOOL REPORT: Reading "Very Good",
Writing "Good", etc.
Daddy is coming home!
I've come to invite you to spend the
next weekend with us in the country.
But I'd hate if this humble
invitation of ours...
disturbed you in
such happy hours...!
Mommy! It's Daddy!
He's coming!
Dunno... I guess it's Daddy...
Hello... ?Nobody home?
Ah, the ghastly wallpaper!
My wife, Edith...
My friend Oscar.
That damn voyage left me crippled!
His wife? Really? Poor thing...!
He isn't worth much, really...
But he's got talent...
Mommy, may I go playing downstairs?
I'm not hungry...
Who are these people, Robert?
They're friends of mine.
I'll set for two more at table then...
Good heaven! You mean eating?
At this hour?
And now for some music.
Where's the piano?
We have no piano.
You live WITHOUT A PIANO?
How come? NO piano!?
This place is a grave...
And you're eating!?
If I'm hungry, no need for music.
OK... Having a bite won't hurt us...
*(Illegible. A note by Walter Lester?)*
What's wrong with you, Robert?
I'm back but the love you
expected is not, Edith...
I prefer to speak frankly.
You love another woman...?
Good heavens, no!
Have you been... faithful to me...?
No.
I once thought love was the most
powerful force in the world...
But now I'm not sure anymore...
All I can say is I have changed...
But I rather don't speak
further... Lest I hurt you.
Where are you going?
No idea. I don't mean
you any harm.
I rather take a walk.
I'll be back later.
Sing me a nice song, Mommy...
Why did you stop? It's
Daddy you're thinking of?
When does he come back?
Only God knows!
"Dear Mrs. Lester... "
(illegible)
Look how he treats his wife!
This man lacks character!
-Next afternoon...-
How do you do, Edith?
Hasn't he changed?
He's out and hasn't come back yet.
Which one of these you think
my mother would like most?
Would you mind my keeping it...?
Until he comes back...?
Perhaps it'd make him think
another man is courting me...
And so he would reconsider...
Can I ask you a huge favor?
Would you please kiss me...
as soon as he opens the door?
Like in the theater...!
Water isn't much warm today...
Where is Mommy going?
Only God knows, darling.
"Dear Robert... I'm at the Lesters'.
Walter Lester will fetch Janet...
"...to bring her here.
(Illegible) Edith"
Will you come too, Daddy?
You already know why I'm here,
I suppose?
I love your wife and I'll take
her from you as soon as I can.
If she agrees... my only hope is
you make her happy, Lester.
Happiness is the thoughest thing.
Everybody strives after his own.
Disappointment.
A wonderful painting...
Even if it is so sad!
I'll call it "Disappointment".
I've always said
you have talent!
Today you should be the
happiest man on Earth!
The only person I wanted to
see here hasn't come.
Just to think I had to kill
love to find myself...
You're too good to me...
But we cannot stay here forever.
We won't hear of letting you go!
You and your daughter belong here.
I've given up my great love,
so if you accept...
my sincere affection,
I'll be your wife.
I feel confident she'll get better
if no complications set in.
Hopefully we can take her back
home in a couple of days!
Mommy... Where?
Where... is Daddy?
When... is Daddy... back?
I feel so happy!
Our fears were unfounded!
Not even the pass of time
could bring consolation...
I cannot stay with you.
I must go back to him.
I must!
For God's sake! Don't pity me...
I don't deserve it!
Robert!
Now we are both alone in the
world. We need each other.