End of Summer (1997) - full transcript

It is almost

the turn of the century.

Change is in the air.

But not in my world.

I never feel comfortable in

my father's house.

My students love it.

The servants are certainly

at ease.

This is the third message

from the stock exchange this



hour.

Yes, yes, yes?

It is my father's

whole world, with his stocks

and financial dealings.

Otto! Otto!

It's up another 12 points!

Bully!

Even my cousin lucie,

who was my father's favorite,

and her husband, feel more

at home here than I ever will.

We're up another $100,000.

Ah, your latest creation.



Now, the modern factory can

produce this sort of thing

faster, in greater quantity,

and with more regularity.

And cheaper.

Much cheaper.

Father, after class, I shall

be leaving for the summer.

I'm off to saratoga for 80 days.

80 days, is it? My.

In today's world, everyone is

traveling around the globe

in that time, and here you are,

year after year, heading off to

saratoga with all your

paraphernalia.

You've no sense of adventure,

my dear.

Take care of yourself,

father.

Oh, nonsense.

Uncle Ezra's as strong as any

old bull on wall street,

aren't you?

Thank you.

Ah, dear lady.

Your room and your atelier

await you.

And might I say, on behalf of

the entire staff, that it never

truly feels as if the season has

commenced until the arrival of

our own dear muse,

our miss Van buren.

Thank you.

Miss Van buren?

Yes?

Well, have I changed so?

I'm Theo Elliott.

Yes. Of course.

Last time we would've seen

each other was that summer.

It was...

My good word, I think it's

been 20 years.

I regret not inquiring after

you.

I rarely get back east.

What a pleasant surprise to find

you here.

Well, we shall have much

catching up to do.

Meanwhile, welcome.

Thank you.

Till we meet again.

Yes. Of course.

Hello. Good evening.

Christine.

Miss Van buren, the reverend

basil march.

How do you do?

I'm charmed.

Christine, you're just

in time.

The young reverend shall now

lead US in grace.

Go right ahead, dear boy.

Dear lord, who has blessed me

with the company of such

gracious dinner companions,

gathered here in the sight of

nature's beauty.

For what we are about to

receive, may the lord make

US truly thankful.

Amen.

Amen.

So be it, but when

the railroad takes the

civilization of the east out

west, I for one am not so sure

that'll be a very good thing.

But you made your fortune on

the railroad, sir.

True. But fortune is one

thing, peace is another.

Things must be so very...

Dusty. Very dusty.

Different. Different.

The renditions of the west I've

seen have a grand beauty,

but the isolation of it all.

Yes, it is beautiful.

I tell you, that land gets

inside of you.

Gets deeply inside of you.

Goodness!

In the old days, the

help was American.

Now they're all papists.

In the book I'm writing,

I shall demonstrate how the end

of the normal institution of

slavery has led to the

degeneration of the American

republic...

General, I find this

conversation distasteful.

I fear them all... the

papists, the negroid, the

red Indian, the hindu, the

slavics...

I congratulate you, general.

At least you're not prejudiced

in your prejudices.

A lively exchange of ideas.

That's what makes america so

American.

I have also come east this

summer from shaker heights,

Ohio.

I've come to do the lord's

bidding.

Oh, here, in saratoga?

For the moment.

Though he's calling me to

bigger things.

I'm on my way to the big city.

You're looking at the man

who's gonna build the largest

cathedral in the world.

Bigger than St. Paul's, bigger

than St. Peter's.

With ivory and gold and modern

plumbing.

Bravo.

I've heard it said, sir, that

a man goes west to find fortune

or forget misfortune.

Very astute, madam, however

my misfortune was many years

ago.

Affair of a young man's heart.

Christine can attest to my

behavior in those days.

Impractical, romantic,

feverish, foolish.

Really? Well, that's natural

at that age.

Perhaps at any age.

Stand like this.

You'll have more power.

All right?

Pull back.

Just relish the stored tension

there.

It'll heighten the impact of

release.

Focus and impact and release.

All right, let go.

Bull's-eye.

He is smitten with you.

You can believe me.

You have such merry spirits,

Christine.

Let him see that side of you.

Hmm?

Oh, Theo, how pleasant it is

to see you.

If you say so.

Please continue.

I'm sorry I interrupted you.

I enjoy watching you work.

My compliments to you,

Christine.

You really followed your

ambition to create beautiful

things.

Though you appear

afraid to touch it.

I've seen hopi Indian women

make these.

They're celebrated for their

pottery, the hopi women.

They use dark earth colors

and flowers and Clay.

This one.

I didn't know you were

interested in pottery.

This is lovely.

You know, we haven't spoken

about what happened so many

years ago.

Oh. No, we haven't.

Well, it was a long time ago,

Theo.

It is of no avail.

Well...

I'm very happy to see you again.

I'm sorry.

It's nothing.

You know, Christine,

I have thoroughly enjoyed this

last week.

I have enjoyed it beyond

measure.

Yes, I have also.

Living in the west, there's

much here I had forgotten...

Comfort, elegance, grace.

I believe I've found these

things again.

Saratoga can cast a spell.

Saratoga?

But surely you must know I'm not

talking about saratoga.

♪ 'Tis the last Rose

of summer

left blooming alone

all her lovely companions

are faded and gone

no flower of her kindred

no rosebud... ♪

This is the courtier's,

his pride and joy left over from

maypole day.

I find it charming. Get in.

No, no, no.

Oh, but you appear afraid to

touch it.

Get in.

Of course not.

Don't be silly.

Then get in.

Yes?

Yes.

Ready?

Yes.

See, I must tell you

that now that I've made my

fortune, I've come back east

here to enjoy it.

So I've decided to cancel my

return back west and spend the

entire summer here in saratoga,

with you.

Theo!

Pushing so.

Theo.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. Did I frighten you?

Just a little.

Theo, please.

Can I help you with that,

ma'am?

It's lovely Chestnut hair you

have.

And yours is as red as

a fiery sun.

When I was a girl, it was

my bane.

The boys loved to pull on the

red braids.

You know how boys be like.

No, I don't know much about

that sort of thing.

A man I care for

tried to kiss me tonight,

and I turned away.

My father says I have no

sense of adventure.

Jenny, what should I have done?

You should've kissed him,

ma'am.

Yes. Maybe I will.

Maybe I'll kiss him tomorrow.

Theo.

About last night...

Listen, please forgive me.

I was inappropriate, and it

shall not happen again, I

promise you.

Miss Van buren.

That's not what I mean.

Hello!

Oh, Alice, you have such

beautiful things.

Thank you.

You seem surprised to see me.

Mother had written?

Well, I was expecting

someone younger.

You've grown, Alice.

I know.

I can't wait till I stop growing

and just am.

You know, miss Van buren...

Christine.

I'll call you Christine.

I already am a woman in many

ways.

I've had my heart broken

three times.

Really?

Once by a student in

Florence, once by a gondolier

in venice, and once by mother.

Your mother?

When she ordered my return

from Italy.

I have a letter for you from

mother.

Thank you.

"Because she is headstrong

and impetuous and inclined to

having her head turned."

So tell me, Christine,

what exactly does one do here in

saratoga?

As this century draws to

a close, we hear strange and

unchristian philosophies being

spoken.

People say the world is coming

to an end, and that all the

incredible new machines and

inventions we encounter

come out of Satan's workshop.

My friends, I assure you,

this is all stuff and nonsense.

The next century will be the

American century.

A great adventure, and you're

all invited.

I just hope it's not boring.

If we were in Europe, in the

rain, we'd be at a cafe or

somewhere gay like that.

I returned to europa two

summers ago.

It's all changed from the magic

place I recalled it to be when

I was a boy.

During the holy Roman empire.

Be calm, child.

Find a book to read, sit down.

Ugh. So dull.

What is that?

It's an animal.

Why, this is outrageous

for saratoga.

What should we do?

Come back. Don't go forward.

Ha!!

Bully! Well done!

Well, not really.

You see, a cat's instinct is to

chase and kill, and if you just

turn on him and say boo,

they'll run away.

Tell me about him.

Theo?

Um, well, we were students

together.

He was poor, but he won a

scholarship.

Oh, he was quite brilliant.

I always had the feeling that he

was gonna make something of

his life.

He's lived out west, and, uh...

Apparently been quite

successful with the railroads,

railroad business, and...

You were in love with him.

How could I be?

He was in love with someone

else.

Theo was a dreamer.

He trusted people.

And she was a...

She was a shameless flirt.

She broke his heart.

And then he went away.

And I never heard from him

again.

Last time I saw him,

he was standing on a balcony by

the sea, tears streaming

down his face.

I wished so that I could comfort

him, but how could I?

He'd been so hurt.

So very hurt.

I wondered how someone could be

so hurt and survive.

Well, he was wrong

not to have fought for her.

If I loved someone, I would

fight.

My dear, you look exquisite.

Oh, I thought the colors

would make me look like a piece

of wobbly French furniture.

The only wobbly thing I see

is your walk and posture.

Straighten up.

Remember, a lady always glides.

In Alabama where I come from,

we have a custom.

The youngest lady at the ball

dances the first dance with the

oldest gentleman.

I don't think I'm the

youngest lady.

And I'm really from

Mississippi.

Stunning.

I view heaven as a kind of

spiritual country club.

Only for the right people.

We all need references.

We've all gotta pay dues.

No, thank you.

My, oh, my, she is pretty.

There are many lovely girls

here tonight.

Change partners.

Take care, sir.

She may tire you out.

Madam, I fear you

underestimate me.

My, you're very busy tonight,

Jenny.

Yes. Tomorrow's my day off.

Oh. What do you do on your

day off?

Oh, not much of anything.

I don't really know anybody in

these parts.

I also come from far away,

child.

I'd like you to think of me as

your friend.

My, you've certainly made quite

an impression on that young

Jenny.

I? Really?

Oh, yes.

I swear, it was all she could

talk about.

I shall be walking with her

by the lake tomorrow.

After breakfast.

Well, Mr. Elliott,

it looks like you have cornered

the market.

Yes, they're both quite

lovely, aren't they?

The young one and the older one.

Well, look at it this way.

You choose the young one,

one day, you'll get an older one

thrown into the bargain.

In america, Jenny, a person

can grow above his station in

life.

In Ireland, even the grand

folks seem poor.

People like myself and, for

example, the young reverend

basil march, are Democratic in

our thinking.

Hello.

Oh, basil march!

Why, speak of the devil.

On the contrary.

Oh, drat. I'd so looked

forward to spending the

afternoon finishing reading my

novel, but I've forgotten it in

my room.

My dears, I'll catch up with

you.

Allow me.

Tell me, how many

cards do you have now?

I do not know.

Five? I do believe

I've given you one too many.

It's father.

Oh, my god.

He suffered a stroke.

I must go to him right away.

I shall help you pack.

I'll arrange for a coach.

Christine, wait up.

You know, I can pack a bag in

a minute and come with you.

Oh, dear Theo.

I wouldn't want anyone to follow

me into that hot city.

But this is a difficult

circumstance.

Are you certain you'll be all

right traveling alone?

Yes. I'm quite used to that.

Driver, stop.

Alice?

You must behave, child.

I fear you have no sense of

propriety.

Such high spirits.

What are we to do with you?

In your absence, you can

rely on me to act on your

behalf.

You see, Christine?

Our prayers have been answered.

Come on.

Thank you, Vera.

Safe home.

I shall miss you.

How strange it has been, our

meeting again like this,

after all these years.

And now, this separation.

It's hard to fathom.

God moves in mysterious ways.

His wonders to perform.

Driver.

Till we meet again.

Till we meet again.

Father, I came as soon as

I could.

How are you feeling?

I shall die.

I leave behind nothing.

No good works.

Help me.

Oh, yes.

Please. You. You alone.

Come. You're tiring him.

Be calm, father.

Be calm.

Come, Christine.

We have matters to conclude.

Just a minute.

I'll come back and see you

later.

Father's illness couldn't

have come at a worse time.

For everyone concerned.

I refuse to discuss the will

of a man who is still living.

It's not just the will.

We need your consent to sell

certain properties.

Yes.

We believe that the economy's

overheating.

Father's not the only one who

could keel over.

Don't concern yourself,

Christine.

Your financial needs will be

met.

Yes. We would like you to

dedicate your time to your

lovely object d'art and your

soup tureens.

Your brother is wrong.

The economy is fine.

We're rich, and we're staying

rich, and we're getting richer

and richer.

Oh, Otto, you are such a

bull.

You're damn right I am.

Look at the products this

country is turning out.

Christine, you'll appreciate

this.

You're artistically inclined.

Huh?

Good heavens!

Ha ha! Gold plated.

How...

Extraordinary.

We never see enough of you.

Make lots of money, darling.

Sit.

So, what does he look like?

Does Theo remember me?

You must tell me everything.

Oh.

Most of these plants here

you can actually grind up and

eat, if it so happens that you

were starving to death.

Matter of fact, the woods are

filled with things you can eat.

We'd better find the others.

Why are you laughing?

This is not funny.

Yes, it is.

How could so great a woodsman

lose the trail?

Let's head for that

barn.

All right, here it is.

Oh, bother.

I'm sure you've seen more than

your share of women in their

petticoats.

Not really. The women out

west don't wear them anymore.

Well, good for them.

They're ridiculous and

cumbersome things.

Listen. Thunder.

You built a lovely fire.

All the logs are crossed,

one on top of the other.

Did you know, once upon a

time, I knew a young blonde

girl just like you,

just as beautiful?

Just as impertinent.

I'm cold.

These clothes are cold.

Make me warm.

We sat out the storm.

Child, you cannot conduct

yourself so.

If I had known Christine would

be away for over a month,

I would never have taken on this

responsibility.

A girl's reputation, once lost...

I would rather lose my

reputation than my health.

Thank you, Daniel.

Oh, it is a shame that you had

to leave at this juncture.

That girl spells trouble.

You must get her back to

Chicago.

Oh, buffalo.

Set your nets, Christine.

I have no talent for that

kind of thing.

Perhaps we could find an

eye-catching daffodil gown

for you to wear, or better

still, cherry pink.

Those colors do not suit me.

You will lose him.

Amuse yourself with him.

Wrap him around your little

finger.

Oh, you have no sense of

adventure.

I would not want him that

way.

You will lose him.

As I once did?

Oh, you are so high-minded,

Christine.

But you have emotions,

good ones and base ones,

just like the rest of US.

You'll hurt someone one day.

As you did?

Do you mean Theo?

I couldn't afford to love Theo.

I was poor, Christine.

That's a station in life you

know nothing about.

I don't think I really hurt him.

We were all too young to feel

pain.

Today, it's different.

For no reason at all, I seem to

succumb to vapors.

What...?

This is cocaine.

It's been used for thousands of

years by the south American

Indians.

I take it on my doctor's advice.

Then depression must be

unknown among the south

Americans.

Yes. They're all ever so

jolly.

You know, it is surprising that

Theo never married.

You said he appears well-to-do.

Hmm?

How gloriously vibrant this

evening is.

Do you feel it?

That's because we are in

love.

We're in love?

Mm-hmm.

What in the realm of day do

you know about being in love?

I've been in love before.

Really? Come here.

What do you mean, you've been

in love?

You see, I've been writing to

the archdiocese for months, and

finally, they've agreed to see

me.

I'm to be offered a ministry

in Manhattan, I'm sure of it.

Just think of it, Jenny.

The fine people I'll meet.

I shall miss you.

Now, now, it's god's plan

for me.

We mustn't fight it.

♪ Mine eyes have seen the glory

of the coming of the lord

he is trampling out the vintage

where the grapes of wrath... ♪

Basil.

Oh, madam Vera.

It's going to happen.

I feel like my prayers are

finally going to be answered.

It is divine to have one's

prayers answered.

You're a woman of the world.

I needn't explain to you the

value of society and the right

sort of people.

Indeed, you need not.

And now, you must give me

money for introducing you to

Jenny Malone.

What?

What you make of your liaison

with the girl is your own

business, but when I perform

this kind of...

Favor... I expect my reward.

Here and now.

After all, it's hardly the kind

of thing for which I can expect

a reward in the next world.

I have neither the resources

nor the inclination to pay you.

Oh, I meant no claim on your

inclination, but as to your

resources, how fortunate that

Providence has chosen this

moment to blow you in the

direction of polite society.

Because I am not polite.

I could make public my debt,

here in saratoga,

or along fifth Avenue.

You'll build your church.

I build mine.

The bishop has promised me a

parish in Manhattan if I can

distinguish myself with some

great work.

That is good.

Yes. Of course, everyone

sends their affection and

concerned regards.

Oh, it's nice to hear one is

remembered.

What is the latest news from

that happy place, saratoga?

It appears that a group of

the guests had an encounter

with some socialist

free-thinkers.

Really?

And now, miss Alice Anderson

is going around talking

free love.

That's dreadful.

She seems pretty smitten

with Theo Elliott, and they

always seem to be together.

Not that there's anything wrong

with that, but people do love

to talk.

Miss Van buren?

Oh, poor lady.

Alone at this time.

And your father.

It must be hard to see

someone die.

Yes.

Even harder...

To see someone cursing their

life.

My father is not an evil man.

No worse than the times he's

lived in.

He needs to find peace.

He needs references.

Yes, that's it.

That's to be our plan.

References to get into that

great country club.

I beg your pardon.

Please, madam, let me meet

your father and try to comfort

him.

I can be of service.

What is taking so long?

They've been talking all day.

It is in the gospel that you

will find the true shining path

to salvation.

It's here in the good book that

the lord gives US his words.

Here is where we found the peace

that passes all understanding.

What do you remember of your

earlier religious instruction,

maybe when you were a child?

Very, very little.

I want you to feel the power

of this book.

Take it, look at the pages.

We shall pray together for

enlightenment, for peace,

for guidance, for the light.

"For the word was with god,

and the word was god.

All things were made by him,

and without him was not anything

made that was made.

And in him was life.

And the life was the light

of man."

Ezra Van buren, you have done

a powerful thing.

A magnificent thing.

"One generation passeth away,

and another generation cometh.

But the earth abideth forever."

Amen.

Ezra, you're ready.

In the name of the father,

and of the son,

and of the holy ghost,

I baptize thee, Ezra Van buren,

into the holy church.

Amen.

Your father shall live in

eternity.

And we shall construct the

largest cathedral in the

Christian world, all in the name

of Ezra Van buren.

Ezra Van buren and god.

Father.

Oh, father.

A will drawn under those

circumstances will fail.

The lord be praised.

If you contest father's will,

you will find me on the other

side.

Father died in peace, which is

more than we ever gave him.

She turns against her own

family.

Oh, be still, woman.

Father left a fortune, large

enough for all of US.

We shall not go hungry.

Christine, this man used you

to get to father.

Perhaps he did.

Or perhaps that's what he was

meant to do.

Oh, Christine.

God works in mysterious ways.

His wonders to perform.

Oh!

Whoa.

Christine, my sincere

condolences.

I was very saddened to hear

about your father.

It's good to see you again.

We have missed you.

Allow me to help you with

your bags.

That's all right, sir.

I have it.

But you have your own bags

to attend to.

Sir.

Basil.

You must stop calling Theo sir.

You make him sound like an old

man.

Why, yes, basil, do stop.

Christine!

Vera.

Theo.

I loathe bluntness.

Under the circumstances,

I feel I have no other options.

I must protest the fact

that you are amusing yourself

with this child at the expense

of her reputation, and my own.

Your reputation?

As a fit chaperone.

So your only concern in this

matter is as her chaperone.

At her age, passions can

race ahead of judgment.

Passions can race at any age.

And Alice isn't a child.

Theo, I beg you

to understand my predicament.

I stand in the place of her

parents.

I must know...

Your intentions.

I've asked her to marry me.

Then the matter is resolved.

Not in its entirety.

Fact of the matter is,

Alice has not yet replied.

A lady glides.

How dare you write against me?

That was addressed to your

parents in confidence.

Oh, Alice, how could you do such

a thing?

I had a right to hear how you

despise me.

I do not despise you, child.

I just...

I merely did what I felt

I have to do.

I can no longer, as your

parents' agent, condone this

kind of behavior.

You are nothing but a jealous

old maid,

trying to shape me as if I were

a piece of your damn pottery.

All right.

Send your letter.

My parents love and adore me.

They'll understand.

They'll read your letter,

but they will listen to me.

I do believe a great door has

opened in my life, thanks to

you.

Are you not feeling well?

I could not sleep again

last night.

My head is so full of plans.

My father's bequest would serve

as a good foundation for

your cathedral.

But I should like to introduce

you to other enlightened people

who might be interested in your

great work.

Dear lady, dear friend,

I do believe I should call you

that.

However shall I repay you for

your kindness?

Maybe we can think of a way.

"So I summon you here with

all the urgency at my command

and I beg you not to think too

harshly of your ineffectual

friend, Christine Van buren."

Pshaw, Christine's too hard on

herself.

That child's a hellion.

I suppose we'll have to go.

Oh, we're getting off easy

this time, father.

It's only six hours' ride to

saratoga.

Mother, we sent her to

england, and she got engaged.

We sent her to Italy, and she

got engaged twice.

She even found a way of getting

engaged at an all-girls'

boarding school.

Mother, I ask you.

What's next?

Argentina.

When your father asks me if

we're engaged, what should I

tell him?

Fine. When he asks me,

I'll kiss him.

I hope all this awful

attention we're receiving will

die down.

I don't think I could bear it

much longer.

Oh, stop it. You love it.

I can't deny, I do enjoy

watching Christine squirm.

Sometimes, you do act like

a child.

And sometimes, you like it.

She despises US both.

She herself is truly hateful.

Don't say that.

Christine only did what she

thought she had to do.

Where are you going?

Alice! I was looking for you.

Basil.

I was working on a new sermon

I think you'll enjoy.

I'll be addressing the rights of

women and negroes.

Basil, what rights?

Well, we're all part of god's

plan, and with the new century

coming on, maybe it's time to

reexamine that plan.

Do tell me more.

Jenny.

Jenny!

Oh!

Here. Do it.

Alice, I wanna speak to

basil, leave US alone.

Theo, don't be jealous.

Just leave US alone.

Elliott, I can assure you,

nothing transpired with...

That girl, Jenny Malone,

is pregnant.

And I shall pray for the

poor creature.

Oh, horseshit!

You're the father of that child,

and you know it.

You're a man of god, now honor

your commitment to him.

It would be with my back to

god.

I'll never be able to serve him

in the style I had planned on

if I'm tied to a girl like that.

Well, you have no choice.

No one else knows about this

unfortunate matter, do they?

So what?

I warn you, sir.

If you denounce me, you will

only ruin Jenny by making public

her shame.

Reverend, you are beneath

contempt.

Really?

Well, you'd know what it was

like to spurn one woman when

something better comes along.

Stop it, lads.

Stop it!

Stop it, lads.

Stop it or I'll thrash you both.

Elliott, Elliott.

Are you all right, son?

Theo. How could you?

Is there nothing left of the

man I once knew?

The matter has gone further

than Jenny and myself.

She's pregnant.

Yes.

Once again, I can be of

service to you.

I can only assume this shan't

be an instance of Christian

charity.

I'm shocked at your lack of

faith in pure human kindness.

Madam Vera says she'll be

introducing me to other

gentlemen in New York

who'll help me, like she did

with the reverend basil march.

You don't have to worry about

madam Vera.

You're not going to New York.

I have a letter of introduction

for you to my friend John

Marshall, quartz hill, Oklahoma

territory.

He's a good man.

This is money for the train,

also a little extra.

This is the letter.

It introduces you as a recent

widow and a friend of mine.

John Marshall will find you

employment.

Listen to me, Jenny.

Oklahoma is very, very hard

work.

But you'll have great rewards,

and a great adventure.

God bless you, sir.

Driver.

Christine was right about

you.

You're quite amusing for a man

of god.

I like to think of myself

as a man of god, and a man of

the future.

I do try to keep an open mind.

I'd like you both to come to

church on sunday.

I'm going to arrange a special

mystery event in your honor.

Alice.

Alice was right about basil.

He cuts a fine figure.

I like Mr. Elliott, too.

Seems a fine man.

Yes, a fine man.

Not a fine young man.

But a fine man.

Jenny, could I please have

a cup of tea?

Jenny's gone, ma'am.

She left all of a sudden.

They say she was in trouble.

In a family way.

I'm so sorry.

She's a lovely girl.

Too lovely, if you ask me.

These young ones get ideas in

their pretty heads.

They haven't yet to taste the

bitter dregs of life.

They ain't sensible like you and

me.

We know no one's gonna come and

carry US off on a white horse.

After my next sermon,

I shall present a motion picture

of a gigantic steam engine.

A motion picture?

It's the newest of god's

tools for mankind.

It's a series of photographs

projected sequentially on

a wall.

The enormous locomotive will

appear to get larger and larger

until it comes at the viewer.

How exciting.

I've also arranged

a crankie sound recording for

a full synchronicity of effect.

The thought of it takes my

breath away.

But, basil, will the churchgoers

appreciate it?

I am confident that they

will recognize the

far-sightedness of my most

powerful message.

And the motion picture will be

the greatest religious

experience of the 20th century.

The motion picture.

I'll see you anon.

Mr. Elliott, won't you be

coming in?

My church is outside, Mrs.

Anderson.

I'll be right over there.

All summer, we've been

talking about the coming new

century, and the marvels it

holds in store for US.

And I've tried to stay your

fears, because you are all

so very important to me,

so very dear to me.

Now it's true, I'm off to the

big city, to New York,

the new Jerusalem of our age,

but you'll always be on my mind

and in my prayers.

So I leave you with this

Do not fear the light

of progress!

No, no, you don't understand.

Please. You have nothing to

fear.

You have nothing to fear.

Someone fetch a doctor.

Theo?

He suffered a serious

concussion, and one leg is

broken, that much I can tell

you now.

Time will answer all other

questions.

Poor dear. Such a brave man.

He's a damn fool to try and

play the hero.

He's too old for what he

tried to accomplish.

And now, Alice will have to

stay here all the time.

Yes, I suppose I will,

won't I?

Well, he's still unconscious,

but I hear he's improving.

Then my prayers have been

answered.

That's kind of you.

I feel responsible.

Oh, basil, you shouldn't.

You tried to show those people

a wonderful vision of the

future.

They weren't ready for it.

They were just too frightened.

Once before, mankind was not

ready for a vision they were

shown.

I hope you're right.

I know I am.

It's at times like this that

our faith is most needed.

Theo.

Theo?

It just wasn't meant to be,

but I'll never forget you.

I'm going to go to buffalo for

a time, and then I've decided

to follow the example of basil

march and dedicate my life to

god.

And then I'm gonna work in the

Belgian Congo as a missionary.

Perhaps you will.

Young girls often change their

minds.

Good-bye, Alice.

Hello.

Hello, Theo.

Well...

I'm afraid I shan't be doing

much dancing anymore.

I'll have this memento

the rest of my natural life.

I wanna thank you for coming to

the hospital so often.

I'm very grateful that you did.

You are an old friend, Theo.

I suppose you've heard i'm

not keeping company any longer

with Alice Anderson.

Yes. Um, there is very little

else newsworthy on the porch

these days.

Yes, I'm afraid I tire of

society around here.

You're not thinking of

leaving, are you?

Yes, I've come to say

good-bye.

I think I'm best on my own.

Yes.

It is like that for some people.

Tell me something, Christine.

Why did...

Why did you never marry?

I was, um... hurt.

Like you, I have no talent for

this business.

Oh, we could form a parade.

A parade of broken hearts.

It's good that you can laugh

about it.

Well, good-bye, Christine.

Till we meet again.

Till we meet again.

♪ wait till the sun

shines, Nellie ♪

Extra, extra, read all

about it.

Read all about it.

♪ Be happy, Nellie

don't you sigh

down lovers' Lane we'll wander

sweethearts, you and I

wait till the sun shines, Nellie

by and by ♪

So sad to be leaving before

the summer has ended.

My dear, summer has ended.

I wanna thank the board for

inviting me to New York for

this meeting.

Can we beat the Europeans?

The French and the British,

they're already there.

We can beat them, Mr.

Stockton, we beat them in the

rockies, we'll beat them in the

himalayas.

Bully! I'm sold.

Good.

Tell US, Elliott, this limp.

Did you get that fighting the

red Indians out west?

No, sir. I got this limp

fighting for a woman in saratoga

Springs.

Did you prevail?

Fortunately, I did not.

She married a preacher.

Overcharging me. I won't pay.

That's all there is to it.

I can no longer extend you

any credit.

Never been so insulted in my

life.

Lucie beidermayer?

Hello, lucie.

I'll pay.

But of course, darling,

I lost everything.

My house, my jewelry,

my beautiful gowns.

Poor Otto.

Suicide.

I'm ruined. Desperate.

I'm sorry.

And what about you?

Me?

I was desperate once.

Ruined by a young woman who I

loved a long, long time ago,

but inspired me to make a

fortune.

I just never really enjoyed

having it.

Oh, silly boy.

That's because you never had

anyone to share it with.

I would have perished if I

hadn't discovered laudanum.

It's made up of ground-up gold

and pearls and opium.

Thank god the price of opium

has at least stabilized.

Is that really well-advised?

Oh.

Ah!

Life is so short.

I thought we'd all stay gay and

young and rich, like our

country.

Country is still young,

lucie.

There are still fortunes to be

made by new people with new

ideas.

Oh! Like Christine Van buren.

Now there's one for you.

Christine.

That damn pottery of hers,

it's all the rage.

She makes money.

The last thing she needs.

Christine. I should so like

to see her again.

You'll find she still hates

me.

She is jealous of me.

She's still jealous that I stole

you away from her,

and that I could have you back

any time I wanted.

Eat something.

You'll feel better.

Waiter.

Hello, Christine.

Dear Christine.

It's good to see you again.

It seems it is destiny,

always meeting again.

Have you come back for the end

of the season?

No, as a matter of fact,

it's business brought me back

east this time.

I trust all is well.

All is well.

You, you look...

You look lovely.

You haven't changed a bit.

Well, this time, it's only

been five years rather than 25.

Yes.

So much else seems to have

changed.

Well, what would life be

without change?

Seasons.

Surprises.

Well, this room hasn't changed

any.

I remember this, that's for

sure.

Theo, I have begun using

darker colors.

Colors of the earth, as you

once suggested.

Colors of the earth.

It's beautiful.

I love you.

I love you, too.

Yes, Theo, I do love you.

I am sure that I have always

loved you.

I love you, Christine.

I always knew that, one day,

I would hear those words.

I never knew I would say

them.

We should be married then.

Marry me.

Never.

Never?

Did you suppose that I was

merely waiting for that girl to

come to her senses,

dragging you to yours?

That I would always be there

waiting for you as I have done

before?

Oh, god, how much you...

How you must despise me

to speak of a future,

knowing our history.

Despise you?

Are you mad?

I've come here to marry you.

You have come too late.

How can you say that?

You just told me you loved me.

Yes, I love you.

I blush and burn at the shame of

loving you, but I will never

marry you.

I can at least keep some trace

of self-respect.

I would like you to go.

No, I will not.

Then I shall.

You think you're blameless

in this?

You loved me 25 years ago just

as you love me at this instant.

You could've told me you loved

me then.

Why did you wait so long?

Mr. Elliott.

Can it be?

Madam Vera.

You look like you've seen

a ghost.

No.

It's rather I've become one.

Surely you're not going

so soon.

Yes, there's no point in me

staying here.

Summer's over and the season's

in mist entirely.

Not quite, sir.

Look at this bush.

Yesterday, there was but one sad

Rose, now there are more and

more blossoms.

They're blooming late this year.

Mother nature always has

surprises.

Look around you, Mr. Elliott.

♪ beautiful dreamer

wake unto me

starlight and dew drops

are waiting for thee

sounds of the rude world

heard in the day

lulled by the moonlight

have all passed away

beautiful dreamer

queen of my song

hear while I sing

their soft melody

gone are the cares of

life's busy throng

beautiful dreamer

awake unto me

beautiful dreamer

awake unto me ♪

♪ In these bodies

our two hearts are beating

as one

all these years

I've been sleeping

now life has begun

now I find do I pray

that you'll stay by my side

keep me safe till the darkness

subsides

like the stars shining down

on US here

you shine brightly and lighten

my spirits, my dear

I can barely believe

what this heart has begun

when you come to me now

like a dream

'cause you are the dreamer

that came back to me

came back to me

you are the dreamer

that came back to me ♪