Mannequin (1937) - full transcript

Rags-to-riches Hennessey meets newlyweds Jessie and Eddie from his old neighborhood. Eddie plots to have Jessie divorce him, marry Hennessey, divorce Hennessey, then bring Hennessey's money into remarriage with Eddie. His plan goes awry at several points.

[orchestral music]

[whistle blows]

[workers chattering]

[bell dinging]

- See you on Monday, Jessie.
- Goodnight, Flo.

Get out of the doorway, you
kids! Keep out of the street!

Oh, good evening, Jessie.

[baby crying]

[crying continues]

[baby crying]

- 'Hello, Jessica.'
- Hello, Pa.



- Anything happen?
- Well, no, Jessie.

You see, I've been
waiting for a fellow.

He was coming around today...

But he didn't show up, I know.

[door closes]

You know, it takes time
to do things, Jessie.

I know, Pa.

- Hello, Jessica.
- Hello, Ma.

I'm not late, am I?

The quails haven't been cooking
too long, have they?

It's terrible hot here today.

Must have been worse
for you at that factory.

I've a system.

While I'm running up
hems and sowing up buttons



I just think of green fields
with birds and flowers.

That makes it a pleasure
to be working in that dump.

I know, Jess, but tonight
Eddie can take you some place

'where it's cool and fresh.'

Eddie and Saturday night.

Oh, here. I forgot.
It's saturday again.

Mmm. Thanks.

Reminds me, I must pay
that gas bill.

- Potatoes done?
- They're hot.

Gas bill?

Did I say gas bill?

That gas bill should've
been paid last week.

I know. You gave
the money to him.

No, I didn't.
That is not all of it.

Then you gave part
of it to Clifford.

You mustn't be too hard
on your brother.

- He hasn't found a job.
- Because he doesn't want to.

And why should he? He gets
enough quarters and dimes

from my salary to throw
around that pool room.

- Now, Jessie...
- I'm getting sick of it.

I could've bought
two pairs of stockings

with that two dollars
and I need them.

[sighs]

Leaky faucets, dirt, smells.
What a place to live?

What a place to grow up in?

- Jessie, be reasonable.
- Maybe I don't like it.

I want to spend the rest of my
days in beautiful Hester Street.

I hate it. I'm gonna get out.

I've got to get out, Ma,
before it's too late.

Maybe when I'm gone, they'll
get hungry enough to get a job.

It's been awful lately, Jessie.
Maybe you're working too hard.

Me work too hard?
Don't make me laugh, Ma.

You go and get ready
to meet Eddie.

- I'll peel the potatoes.
- No, you won't.

And I won't either.

Your father doesn't like his
potatoes with the jackets on.

Doesn't he?

If you want these peeled,
peel 'em yourself.

Remember Swing, she ain't a dame
that bounces around corners.

- Lay off.
- So, she's a swell dame?

So, I put on a strut.
And can I do it, Barrel?

The name is Beryl,
not "Barrel". Beryl.

Is Jessie coming down
tonight, or when?

When she does come nobody'll
remember how long we waited.

- Hi, Clifford.
- Hey, slug.

And they call him a fighter?

Go on, you little mutt.

Tell your sister
we're waiting for her.

- Yeah? What will it get me?
- Nice kid, that Clifford.

[humming]

Dogs and the hay again, huh?
What a surprise.

There's nothing wrong with
Frankfurters and Sauerkraut.

Lots of people'll be glad
to have a dinner like this.

Yeah, tell me who
and I'll give 'em mine.

- Hey.
- Okay, pa.

Give me a couple, will ya?

And easy on that grass.

Oh, where's Jess?

Hiya, dynamite.

Stepping out with the big fight
manager, huh? Am I laughing?

[chuckles]

Well, shut up your laughing.

I'm sorry, Ma,
if I said too much before.

- Goodnight.
- You needn't hurry.

That guy won't be
around for an hour yet.

- Scale us a hunk of bread, ma.
- 'Who won't be around?'

That ham-and-egger you go out
with. What a fake that guy is.

I hope you grow up
to be the same kinda fake.

- You'll amount to something.
- I'm ain't saying nothing.

Except he's a lemon, that's all.

- That'll be all, young man.
- What'd I say?

Everybody knows Eddie Miller's
a false alarm.

That ain't no secret.

[door closes]

Why don't you make
Clifford behave himself?

Clifford, you keep
that trap of yours closed.

Eddie Miller is a fine boy.

Sauerkraut.

[baby crying]

Eddie.

I thought I'd have
to wait for you.

You'll never have to wait for
me, sugar. You look terrific.

Swing and Beryl are outside.
Slip me a quick one.

How did I wait
this long for that?

It seems like years
in between, doesn't it?

Sounds like something
good to talk about.

[baby crying]

Let's get out of here.

[carnival music]

What is it about tonight that
makes it seem especially nice?

Saturday. You don't
have to work tomorrow.

It's the moon.

Why do you suppose the moon's
always bigger on Saturday night?

'Cause it don't work
on Sunday either.

Look at it, hanging up there.

Throwing back light of the sun
on the whole world and us.

Turn the dark into light.

[laughing]

Gee, listen to me.
I'll be making poems, next.

I must be in love or something.

Poems don't keep
you warm in the winter.

That's when you need coal.
And I'm getting it, baby.

In a few months
Swing'll be champ.

Then on guys in knee pants
will announce us

- at to the front door.
- I want to think about now.

Look, Eddie. Here's a world.

You and I have this little space
all to ourselves.

What we feel for each other
shuts out all the rest.

So, what more do we need? That's
all people have to fight for..

A little place to themselves.
Do you see what I mean?

Sounds nice, the way
you put it, kid.

Put your arm around me, Eddie.

Can you think of anybody
in the world

that's got more
than we have right now?

- Can you?
- Fine for any man's money.

It's enough for mine, Eddie.

- I'll see you tonight, Eddie.
- I don't think I can make it.

Gotta take swing up the A. C.
Gotta start working him.

- I'll pick you up Monday.
- But that's two days away.

Two years away is more like it.

I'll wait here
till you go upstairs, kid.

[baby crying]

(female)
'Get out of here, you.'

(male)
'Go on, you dirty little rat.'

[door slamming]

(Eddie)
'You okay, baby?'

'How about it, baby?'

Eddie!

- Eddie, I can't.
- What's the matter?

I can't go back up there. I'd
rather die. Take me with you.

- You know how it is.
- I don't care.

I don't care if we have nothing.

We can work that out.
I'll keep my job.

I won't ask you for a thing.
I won't be in your way. Honest.

I'll work hard and I'll do
whatever you say.

Can't we be married now, Eddie?
Can't we be married now?

Sure, kid. Sure.

Oh!

I got you here tonight, boys,
to ask your advice on a matter.

The time has come for John L.
Hennessey Corporation to expand

and I wanted to ask you boys
what you think.

(men)
We're all with you John.

This expanding business means
buying something, right, John?

Yeah. Yeah.
Something like that, Tim.

Then I'm again' it!

Well, maybe you won't be Tim
when you hear the proposition.

Tomorrow morning, boys,
I can close a deal to acquire

the McGuiness Dredging Company.
Lock, stock and barrel.

Twenty four of the finest barges
ever constructed.

[cheers and applause]

I'm still again' it!

[laughter]

Boys, as long as you're all
with me on the proposition..

That is, everybody except Tim..

[laughter]

why, I guess there's
nothing more to say.

I wanted you to know what we're
doing and why we're doing it.

You've strung along
with me this far.

We've built a rowboat into
the world's finest harbor fleet.

And for the benefit of all of us
we want to keep it growing.

Those yearly bonuses
come in handy, huh?

[crowd shouting]

- Any complaints?
- No! No! No! No!

Come on. Come on, now.
How about you, Timmy?

I'm still again' it!

[laughter]

Hey, Tim.

You didn't by any chance
go to Harvard, did you?

[laughter]

You see, Briggs, how can I go
broke with that gang backing me?

How would I know?
I'm a Harvard man.

- Where do we go from here?
- Briggs, you're a lucky man.

I'm about to buy you a mess of
the world's finest Gefilte fish.

- But I don't like Gefilte fish.
- With horseradish, red cabbage?

You're crazy.
Of course you like it?

I'd say we were thousands
of miles away from Gefilte fish.

Oh, no, clever people,
these Chinese.

There you are, Briggs, you see,
regular Saturday night party.

Only it isn't a Saturday night.
Must be celebrating something.

- Hello, Horowitz.
- Well, Mr. Hennessey.

What'll it be tonight? Some real
"A" number one Chinese food?

Now, quit stalling, Horowitz,
and bring it on.

- Plenty of that red cabbage.
- Two Gefilte fish, mandarin.

Is there something special going
on there, at the long table?

That one with
the eleven 85-cent dinners?

- They just got married.
- Married? Well, well, well.

Oh, they're still doing it
in Hester Street, huh?

- Got any champagne?
- For you, Mr. Hennessey?

Not for me, for them.

Thank you, Mr. Hennessey.

Well, we put away
a lot of chopsuey.

- Let's lift a cup to the kids.
- That's right.

Everybody get set.
Here's to the bride.

Bride.

It's swell of all you people.
I just don't know what to say.

Sit down, dope.
You ain't the bride.

Somebody got married. I guess
I heard what the man said.

[laughter]

And we heard what the man said.
Didn't we, baby?

I can't remember the words.
Just the music.

Thanks, everybody.

I hope you'll all be as happy
as I am right now... always.

- When do we go home?
- We can't go now, Eddie.

What is this?
We've been married two hours.

- Will we ever get to be alone?
- Shhh. Eddie.

(Horowitz)
'Champagne. Hot stuff, eh?'

[cork pops]

Somebody launching a boat?

- Hey, who ordered that?
- Mr. Hennessey.

- Mr. Hennessey?
- Which Hennessey?

Oh! John L. Hennessey.

The guy who owns all the boats.
Take a look at him, honey.

A big shot. A real big shot.

- You should thank him, Eddie.
- Yeah. I was just going to.

And talk fast. Maybe you can
cut yourself in for a job.

Can't you even shut up
at a wedding?

[chuckles]

- Maybe you better come along.
- Me, why?

A chance to meet Hennessey.
It'll do us some good.

We can't pass up
a bet like this.

Tell him I want
to get married too.

I'll marry anybody
but a flyweight.

Uh-oh. He's bringing
his wife over.

Hmm, and not bad.

Mr. Hennessey.
I'm Eddie Miller.

This is Mrs. Miller,
since an hour ago.

Hello.

My name is Briggs, and I hate
Gefilte fish since all my life.

[light laughter]

Eddie, you haven't thanked
Mr. Hennessey yet.

Oh, sure. Thanks for
the champagne, Mr. Hennessey.

- You're from Hester Street too.
- That's right.

Just got the breaks and went
right up there, huh?

- Eddie, I don't think...
- That's alright.

I'll be up there myself
one of these days.

- 'Plenty of room at the top?'
- That's what they tell me.

Maybe, they would like
to come to our table.

You don't want that tribe
climbing all over him.

But say, maybe, you'd like
to dance with the bride?

- Well I-I...
- I don't think Mr. Hennessey...

Sure, he would. He ain't blind.

- Well, Mrs. Miller.
- Uh... sure.

You see? Come on, honey.
Show him how it's done.

I think your wife is
very charming, Mr. Miller.

You just think it. I know it.

What does a fella say to a new
bride that just got married?

They usually wish them luck,
but I don't need any.

Right there already, huh?
In the promised land.

That's right.

Today and tomorrow, from now on.
It'll always be like that?

Yes, that's right.

That's the stuff.
You got everything, huh?

Well, everything we'll
ever need. Each other.

That's a pretty thought.

- Violets, huh?
- Yes.

I love them. They're so
beautiful and helpless-looking.

You're beautiful.

But I'm afraid the resemblance
ends there.

[chuckles]

Shouldn't we go back
to our table or something?

Huh? What, no encores?

Hey, Briggs, dump a flock of
nickels in that gadget, please.

["Always and Always"
by Joan Crawford]

Oh. Do you mind, Mr. Hennessey?

- What's wrong? Not so good?
- No, it isn't that.

I like to dance with you,
only it's this particular song.

- Why?
- It's ours.

- Eddie's and mine, I mean.
- You mean, you wrote it?

No, we fell in love to it..

And so we always dance
to it together.

That must sound awfully
silly to you.

No. No, it doesn't.

I just didn't think things like
that happened outside of books.

[chuckles]

Uh, Miller?

It's your song Miller,
that leaves it to you.

Anything the matter?

No, I just explained to
Mr. Hennessey about our song.

Oh. But we can skip
this one. Go ahead.

- But Eddie, I...
- No, don't give anything away.

- I wouldn't.
- You're right, Mr. Hennessey.

You don't find them around
every place, huh?

- Goodbye, Mr. Hennessey.
- Goodbye, Mrs. Miller.

And so they were married.

It looks like it might be love.

Might be?

They've even got a song
that goes with it.

* Da da dee da da dum

* Da dee da da dee

* Da dum

* Always and always

* I'll go on adoring *

* The glory

* And wonder of you

* Always and always

* My love will go soaring

* To heaven far under the blue

* Life is strange
and ever changing *

* Doesn't make reason or rhyme *

* But through all the centuries
time endures *

* Darling we'll be together *

* For ever and ever

* For always

* And always

* I'm yours *

- Eddie.
- Huh?

- Guess what?
- What?

We're on our way home.

We're better than that, kid.
We're here.

- How's the outside look to you?
- Oh, Eddie.

Eddie, we're near the river,
aren't we?

You can throw egg shells in it.
That's what you wanted, right?

Oh..

How about it, kid?

Eddie..

Huh? Now, what's the matter?

[chuckles]

Eddie, why am I crying?

There's nothing in the world
that I haven't got right now.

Oh, Eddie.

It's too early morning
to take a clout on the chin.

- Clout on whose chin?
- Yours.

This would be the morning after,
wouldn't it?

After what?

'The wedding.'

Oh, the Miller's.
What brought that up?

Well, I was just thinking...

Well, what I meant to say was...

Don't you think that...

Oh, so that's how it is, huh?

Well, what I-
what I meant to say was

that I thought she was
a sweet kid.

I mean, naive, you know,
both of 'em.

Yes, they were. Wasn't she?

- Darling. Eddie.
- Hmm?

You'll find the toast
and bacon in the oven.

Coffee's on the stove. Don't
forget to turn off the gas.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye?

You saying I'm eating breakfast
alone on the first morning?

- Darling, I haven't much time.
- So, you'll be late. So what?

[chuckles]

- Where am I?
- It's over there.

Oh, pour yourself another cup of
coffee. I'll be right with you.

Alright, darling.

You're a success, baby.
It's a great racket.

Why we didn't think
of it before?

I did.

'Aren't you gonna eat
your toast and bacon"

No percentage in it.

How about that job of yours?

No wife of mine is gonna work
in a dump like that for money.

How'd you like to work in
a Gebhart show? 50 slugs a week?

But you gotta be able to sing
and dance and-and act.

'With your looks they'd hire you
if you couldn't walk.'

I'm yanking you out, as soon as
the dough rolls in off swing.

Don't get the idea I'm letting
any wife of mine earn the cakes.

Maybe, I've got talent
I don't know about.

Maybe, the rich young man who
produces it, might notice first.

Meanwhile, I've gotta run up
some buttonholes for Mr. Jones.

If he says anything, tell him
I said "fish-cakes" to him.

Yeah, sure. I'll be home
as soon as I can.

- And, honey.
- 'Yeah?'

I'm a little short, you know
that blow out last night.

- Have a couple of extra bucks?
- Yeah, I think so, Eddie.

Two? Well, I-I've only got five.

I'll get it changed.
Thanks, babe.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

- Did I kiss you goodbye?
- I kissed you.

Never mind the argument. Who're
gonna think about all day?

You.

- And don't you ever forget it.
- No, I won't.

Bye.

[broadway music]

I'll never learn that finale.

Don't worry. If you lose this
Eddie'll get you another.

He doesn't want me to work.

You've been telling me
that for months.

Why don't you come along
and have some fun?

For a guy that never
used to throw parties

Hennessey throws the best kind
and everybody's welcome.

The battle you put up isn't
worth the chicken salad.

- Eddie wouldn't want me to go.
- Yeah, I remember Mr. Miller.

- Guess he's waiting for you.
- Hasn't missed a performance.

Great little waiter,
Eddie, ain't he?

As long as you like it, baby.

- Hi, Beryl.
- Hello, Superman.

- She'll be right out.
- Going to Hennessey's party?

My report card says
"never absent and never late."

- Goodnight.
- Why ain't Jessie going?

On one for those wild affairs
that Hennessey gives?

You wouldn't want her carried
some night full of sandwiches.

Stop it. I didn't even
know she was asked.

Not that Mr. Hennessey would
be the right man for her.

Sure he would. That's the kind
of people I want her to get to.

Such a smart dame. Only you just
talked Jessie out of some fun.

I would've let her go.
Now, she stays home.

You'll change your mind and hers
too, if she doesn't want to.

'Cause you're the thoughtful
type, ain't you, sweet?

[engine turns over]

[piano music]

Is there any reason,
why you should be alone?

- It's soon to tell, isn't it?
- That's not a bad answer.

- I'm Dave Mclntyre.
- And you worked J. L.

Yes, he's a great guy.
Yes, I'm having a good time.

Yes, I'd like a drink and yes
we'll walk outside afterwards.

Fine, that carries us over about
two hours and brings us up

to the point where I start
talking about your eyes.

- When'll Mr. Hennessey arrive?
- Oh, he's always late.

He likes to let things get
warmed up before he checks in.

- Now, about you and me...
- Sorry, I never ride tug boats.

Even if you are the captain.

Sorry, that's how I got it.

- How late am I?
- Three rounds of cocktails.

- Mrs. Miller's here.
- She is? Good. Good.

It's about time, I was getting
pretty sick of these brawls.

- You're Mr. Hennessey!
- Hello.

- My name is Adair.
- My fans call me Bubbles.

I like chicken legs best
because they..

Because they have
handles on 'em.

Here I am, Mr. Hennessey.
Right here.

Hmm?

Oh, oh yes.

Briggs.

I'll be back in a minute.

Darling, this is, Mr. Briggs.
He-he has no friends.

- John, she's here.
- Yeah, yeah, I know.

He's a Harvard expert on
Economics. He'll entertain you.

- Mike.
- I hate economical evenings.

Get a few plates of food
out on the terrace.

And when you're done, get some
violets. Nice, big bunch.

One for you. One for you.

And one for me.

Thanks for coming
to my party, Mrs. Miller.

Well, you came to mine,
Mr. Hennessey.

- Are we going some place?
- Yeah. Sit here and talk over.

- But talk what over?
- Well, it's your song.

Maybe, you're still dancing
it with Eddie.

You mean are we still together?

But of course.

But I thought...
you're in the Gebhart show.

Yes, but..

Oh, I see, but that's only
for a while.

Eddie, I mean, Mr. Miller,
has the contract on Swing Magoo.

Swing Magoo?

He's a fighter and when
he gets bigger fights

I suppose we'll have lots of
money, but it isn't important.

- It isn't?
- Thank you.

Thanks, Mike. Now, run out
and get those, will you?

- Let's go over there.
- But it's nice here.

- I wanna show you something.
- What if I don't wanna go?

Then we'll stay here.

- What time is it?
- About 12:30.

Oh, don't run away. We'll
be friends after a while.

- You like it from here?
- Mm-hmm. It's beautiful.

Looks like the city was piled up
against the dark.

See way down there
in that corner?

The little red and green lights?
Those are my boats.

They're beautiful too.

I-I must be going now,
it's been very nice.

Yes, hasn't it?

We've been off on the wrong foot
all evening, haven't we?

I thought we'd get it
straightened out.

I didn't think you'd run away
for a few unpleasant minutes.

Goodnight.

So, the money isn't important?

- You can't believe that?
- No.

You've spent your whole life
piling it up, what've you got?

- Pile of money. What about you?
- Three rooms.

And you're married,
and work in a chorus.

You'll go on, trying to keep
those rooms. Fighting to get by.

- That's right.
- Why?

Because I've got them now.
I'm working in a chorus.

I'll work in a laundry. I'll
work till I drop to keep him.

I never knew anything could mean
so much to anybody up to now.

[piano music]

Entertain the kids, Briggs.

[intercom buzzing]

Hello.

Yes, sir.

- Yes. Absolutely. Yes, sir.
- Why are we going up?

That's the only way we can
reach the upper floors.

- Let me out.
- I can't while we're running.

- Then stop it.
- But it's against the law.

I can't let you..

I'll let you out
in just a minute.

Perfect entrance, Mike.

- You forgot these.
- Why are you following me?

I'm not following you,
I'm with you.

Let's start all over.
You proved you're a nice girl.

Let me prove I'm not a bad guy.
Hey, cab!

Let go of me. You can't force
people to do what you want.

You were my guest and I wanna do
things according to the book.

May I see you home? How's that?

Not very good, but you'll
think up another one.

That's right. It's just
something that's got to happen.

[brakes squealing]

I did the wrong thing, didn't I?

- So did you.
- By going to your silly party.

You shouldn't have slugged me.

You must learn to handle such
situations more elegantly.

Always leave the man
holding the bag.

I like my way best.

You really don't blame me
for kissing you, do you?

What do you think that slap was?
A distinguished service cross?

What I mean is,
you were beginning

to add up into something
that a man wants.

'And all that talk about
the things you've got'

'and what you'd
do to keep them.'

You put that with what you offer
to the naked eye..

And, uh, well,
can you blame a man?

Yes, and I'm still glad
I slugged you.

- And you still don't like me.
- Oh, you're a very smart man.

You catch on quickly.
Look, why bother taking me home?

I want to see those
three rooms of yours.

I've been wondering
what makes them mean so much

more to you than anything
I've got means to me.

Wait.

[car door closes]

I don't expect you to like it.

It looks better to me than it
would to others because..

- Well, because...
- Because it's yours.

Yes, because it's mine.

Don't tell me, it was there
when we moved into the joint.

Look here, Eddie.

We let you have it so you'll
have a place after marriage.

(female)
'The least you can do is pay for damage.'

- 'What damage?'
- Keep your chin up, kid.

Maybe I ought to hang one
in your chin?

- Maybe you better try it.
- 'Eddie.'

Hello, honey. You're just
in time to get a load of this.

- Who are these people?
- The people who live here.

They say we burnt their cheap
table with a cigarette.

- I am saying it!
- Honey, tell him.

'Was that table burned
when we moved in or not?'

I-I think we did it, Eddie.

Oh, we did, huh?

Okay, then you win.

Give 'em a couple of bucks,
and let's get outta here.

Nice people. Loan a guy
an apartment and sneak back

in the night and move him out.

That's what I call
doing a guy a favor.

- Will $2 be enough?
- Mmm. plenty.

Sorry to have to move you out,
I told him we wanted it today.

- I guess he didn't tell you.
- Yes, he did, but I forgot.

Thanks for letting us use it.
It was a lovely apartment.

I'll-I'll go pack now.

Wait till I give it some light.

What a dump!

Why do you say that?
It's not so bad.

It's clean and I'll bet
that's a swell bed.

Yeah. That's a swell act.

But it don't fool, Eddie.

'I know what you're thinking.
I'm a heel. You're right.'

Yeah, sure, you're terrible.

So we lost a funny little
apartment. So what of it?

Plenty. I know how you felt
about that joint.

If I was any kind of a guy,
you'd have one for keeps.

Instead, I give you this.

Well, it's better than
a lot of people have.

Anyway, we're not gonna
be in it forever.

Soon Swing'll get a big fight.
We'll get a better place.

So, you see, everything's jake.

Only it ain't. I should've
told you this before.

You've had enough for one night.
Might as well unpack these.

- What is it, Eddie?
- Nothing.

Where do these go?

Look, if anything's happened,
I want you to tell me about it.

Well, if you've got to know...
I don't own Swing anymore.

I lost his contract
in a crap game.

Oh.

Well, start screaming!
Tell me you think I'm a crumb.

Why? Because a couple of things
have gone wrong?

Things go wrong with everybody,
Eddie.

I've still got my job. At least
we know we're gonna eat.

Hey.

Come here.

You're a lot of
swell woman, baby.

And what have
I handed you? Grief.

Eddie, I don't think there's
enough grief in the world

to make up for the happiness
I've had aldready.

Much less of what-
what we're gonna have.

Right now, I'm tired
and I wanna go to sleep.

I guess the bathroom's
somewhere down the hall.

What kind of a time
did you have tonight?

- Good.
- Meet Hennessey?

- Yeah.
- Some guy, huh?

- He's alright.
- I told you you'd have fun.

Don't I always steer you right?

- Who knows what's best for you?
- You do, Eddie.

[up-tempo dance music]

- Got a Jessie Miller here?
- Give it over.

- What's in it?
- Are you Jessie Miller?

If it's bad news I can't give it
until the final verse.

You wouldn't want an officer
in the finale of your show.

Give it to her now.

- Jessie Miller.
- Yeah?

- For you. A cop brought it.
- Cop?

You got three minutes
to make the change.

- Anything the matter?
- No, no.

Alright, tell me while
you getting dressed.

Beryl, I gotta have some money.
A $100.

I can let you have 60 cents.
What's happened to Eddie?

What makes you think
it's for Eddie?

What if it is?
I've still need it.

When are you gonna get wise?

It's just a matter of time until
he pulls you down to his class.

'Beryl, will you listen
once and for all?'

'Eddie took me away from Hester
Street. Can't you understand?'

A street car could've done that,
and cost you less.

But you don't know,
how nice and sweet he can be.

He remembers the things
that count. Little things.

I'm sick of hearing about men
that do the little things.

Give me a guy that does a big
thing, like paying rent.

But not Eddie.

You lend him two bucks and
he buys you 50 cents of violets.

- Where's the profit?
- Who cares about profits?

There're no bargains between
Eddie and me. No cash sales.

Whatever we have, we share.
That's for profits and losses.

It's got something to do
with love, hasn't it?

- 'Yeah.'
- It's a tough argument to beat.

[knocking on door]

(male)
'Everybody onstage.'

After all my screaming,
all I've got is advice.

- Try Gebhart.
- Okay.

Uh-huh.

I suppose you want
some money again?

Joe make out a draw slip
for five dollars.

But I wanted much more
than that, Mr. Gebhart.

I-I need a $100. You can
take it from my salary.

In a few days, there ain't
gonna be anymore salary.

This show is closing.
Can't run forever, you know.

$100? You're shaking
the wrong tree, kid.

If you want $100 bills, you
better find a millionaire.

- How about a little snifter?
- No, no snifter.

Mike, we're getting
out of this place.

Remind me to tell Briggs
to call a rental agency.

- Something wrong with it?
- Yeah, it's haunted.

Haunted? By a ghost?

Yeah.

It walks the parapet
every night.

Mike, forget what I said.
We'll stay here.

After all, at my age,
why should I worry about ghosts?

I-I had to see you.

Well, for a minute,
I wasn't sure.

- How are you?
- I couldn't go to anyone else.

What's the matter?
Some kinda trouble?

- Yes.
- Sit down.

Mr. Hennessey,
something has happened and..

I've got to have a $100.

Aren't you gonna ask me,
what's it for?

'No.'

Well, there's, there's no reason
why you shouldn't know.

The show is closing, you're
gonna be left high and dry

and you came to me for a loan.
That's fair enough, isn't it?

But you know I want it
for something else.

Well, if you've got to have it,
I suppose Miller's in some jam?

Haven't you ever been
in any trouble?

Plenty. In and out of it
all my life.

In by myself and out by myself.

Alright, Eddie made a mistake.
He did wrong.

He took bets on horse races,
but he did for me.

Well, that's a grand old song.

- Where is he?
- He's in jail.

Well, let's get him out of jail.

He'll be hungry.
He hasn't had any dinner.

- Eddie!
- Hi, baby. Where've you been?

- Well, I-I..
- Oh, I get it.

I couldn't get the money any
place, so I went Mr. Hennessey.

- Got it just like that, huh?
- He didn't even ask me why.

Well, that's mighty sweet
of Mr. Hennessey.

It looks like you got
the worst of it, Miller.

What'll you do?

Take a cruise till the scandal
blows over. Why?

If you didn't have anything in
mind, I might find you a spot.

Anything, all he wants
is a start. Isn't it, Eddie?

- Why?
- Why what?

Why this sudden generosity?
Or is this a habit?

Going around the courts, picking
up guys and giving 'em jobs.

- Are you outta your mind?
- What makes you throw me this?

And way up there on top. Maybe
you like my eyes or my neckties.

I like nothing.

- You've got everything wrong.
- Sure, I'm always wrong.

- Come on, let's go.
- Wait a minute.

- Miller, you're a cheap guy.
- Now, you're asking for it!

- You're still in court.
- Step outside and crack 'em.

I'll make 'em in Macy's window.
You're a small timer.

You'll never get big. You were
born and raised in Hester Street

- and that's where you'll stay.
- You shut up!

I'll handle this. Look, nobody
can deny that a genius like you

is only born once in a century.

All the kids in school read
about how you walk 40 miles

to the public library.

Or was that Abraham Lincoln?

But don't you wish
you had what I've got?

Come on, kid.

Mrs. Miller.

I guess I've spoken
out of turn. I'm sorry.

We all acted a little crazy.
I'm sorry too.

- Thanks for what you did.
- Okay.

It was very nice of you.

Sergeant, did anybody ever worry
whether you had dinner or not?

Can't say as they did,
Mr. Hennessey?

- Me neither. Goodnight.
- 'Goodnight.'

[telephone grinding]

(Jessie)
'Eddie, stop that.'

What am I doin' wrong now?
I put a penny in it.

'Cause it's me,
that's why it don't work.

Eddie Miller can't even
work a slot machine.

You gotta be Hennessey
to get a gum.

That's nonsense.

Hennessey can make sense.
Hennessey can make money.

You gotta be Hennessey to live.

You're having a wonderful
time, aren't you?

You're so sorry for yourself,
you can bust out crying.

Taking it out on him,
on anything, except yourself.

'Cause he did something nice for
you and you couldn't stand it.

- Somethin' nice for me. Yeah.
- Somethin' nice for you. Yeah.

He got you outta jail
and offered you a job.

I can imagine. Swabbing decks
or shoveling coal.

Well, he probably
started that way.

I know all about it.
How he saved his pennies.

He didn't swear.
He was good to his mother.

Alright. That was his way.

- I'll do it my way.
- Okay, Eddie, okay.

The spirit of the helping hand.
That's Hennessey.

Nice lad, Miller.
I'd like to help him.

Or maybe, I can do
alright with his wife.

That's enough.

If you ask him real fast
he wouldn't know whether

he was blonde or redhead. I
guess you got mutual interests.

Like collecting butterflies.

Eddie, please let's not
talk about it anymore.

Don't these trains
ever come along?

You're tired and so am I.

We've, we've still got
each other.

I suppose that's
still enough for you.

Yes.

Yes, it is.

[train approaching]

Maybe, it was a mistake getting
the money from Mr. Hennessey.

I couldn't let you
stay in there.

I'd have done anything
to get you out.

(male conductor)
'42nd Street.'

This is 42nd.
The next is us.

I'm married to you and there
couldn't be anybody else.

You should know that.

(Jessie)
'Oh, look, Eddie.'

They don't care whether
anybody sees them or not.

Kids don't make any bones
about how they feel, do they?

We were the same
when we were young, remember?

[chuckles]

(Jessie)
'We're not so old now.'

That is, not so very.

Sometimes, I feel kind of old.

(male conductor)
'34th next.'

It's because I feel sort of..

Well, responsible for
everything, I guess.

I dumped myself on you just when
you were starting to get ahead.

It wasn't fair.

'It wasn't fair to you.'

But I hated Hester Street so,
and I wanted you.

And I couldn't wait any longer.

I've waited so long.

Oh, gee, they're sweet.

Eddie.

- Just for your own protection.
- What was that?

- We're merely suggesting.
- That I incorporate..

- 50,000 shares of stock.
- To create a reserve fund.

What's to be afraid of?
20 years I've stood my own.

- Who's to knock me off?
- Labor is restless.

We should have a reserve fund
to take care of emergencies.

The boys are right, John.
There's trouble in the air.

Trouble from whom? You're crazy.

My men are twice as well off and
twice as happy than any union.

It's too nice a day to talk this
nonsense. Get out of here.

Hey, boys. Wait a minute.

I got a little excited.
I'm sorry.

What are you laughing at?

- Little jumpy lately.
- Well, what about it?

Nothing, I was just wondering..

Wouldn't be a woman, would it?

Now, I forgot the number
I was gonna call.

I tell you, me boy, it's
the system that's all wrong.

All the money's
in certain pockets.

And anybody can see
that it ain't right.

Agree with me there?

Well, it ain't my pockets,
I know that much.

Where have I got after all these
years? And where would I've got

if I'd had some money
to work with in the beginning?

[chuckles]

Tell us where, pa?

Now, nobody asked for any side
remarks from you, young man.

What you doing
with them there cards?

A little trick.

Always trying to figure out
some skin game.

You can't get something
for nothing in this world.

Some people can. When a guy
can parley a rowboat

into half a dozen steamship
lines, he's copping some sneak.

Pa could have done it
only he never had a rowboat.

Once more, young man, and then
it's a clout in the head.

About you and Jessie,
now, Edward..

Have you been
figuring on anything?

Well, Jessie's been trying
to connect with another show

but you know how
I feel about that.

A man don't like to have
his wife working.

No, no, that's right.
A woman's place is in the home.

I'm glad to say
that Jessie's mother

never had to get out
and do a day's work.

Get out?

[chuckles]

Ma ain't been outta
the house in five years.

[sighs]

This is a big country, Edward.

With enough for everybody to
have three square meals a day.

Yeah, all you gotta do
is get them.

All you have to do is
to go after them.

Now, I'm not going to see you
and Jessie going around hungry.

And I know some influential
people and I can fix it for you.

- What's the answer?
- Relief.

- 'I can fix it'.
- 'Oh, relief, huh?'

Sure. If the country
can't provide you with a job..

Well, they'll certainly
owe you a living.

Yeah, I know. But that relief
business, sorta like charity.

Man don't like to take
that kinda dough.

What is it tonight,
as if I didn't know?

Frankfurters and sauerkraut.

[chuckles]

And they call it relief.

Jessie, tell your mother
it's after seven.

What of it?

Maybe your mother knows, what
time I like to have my dinner.

A man oughta run his family
like it was an army.

And he was a... general.

Ma, aren't you ever gonna
get this leaky faucet fixed?

Repairs cost money, Jessica.

Yeah, everything costs money.
Everything you want.

Even if you don't
want very much.

There's nothing so hard to get
ahold of as a little bit money.

Yet, we have to have it.
Haven't we?

Somehow.

If not, it looks as if
the future is gonna be the past.

- Jessica?
- Yeah, Ma.

There's some things I've been
wanting to tell you.

I don't talk much.

Maybe I'm kind of not
in the habit anymore.

- What's it about?
- You. You and Eddie.

What you got and what you want.
You are a woman, Jess.

You want to have some say
about the life you live.

A woman's supposed
to lead a man's life.

Her man's life.

We're made that way, usually.

A women's weakness is supposed
to fit into a man's strength.

Her respect pays for
the security a man gives her.

That's with most women. Your
father doesn't like potatoes

with the jackets on.
But not you, Jessica.

You've got strength of your own.

You can do things.

Not just dream about them
like... like most women.

What are you trying
to tell me, Ma?

Live your life
for yourself, Jess.

Remember what it was you hated.

Always remember what it is you
want, did it... anyway you can.

If you have to, get it alone.

I came from a farm,
Pennsylvania.

The grass was the greenest
you ever saw.

We used to make our own butter.

I cried myself to sleep in
this flat every night for years.

Your father was the spitting
image of Eddie..

Only handsomer.

I... I was pretty too.

(Pa) 'How long has the man
do wait for his supper?'

Coming, Pa.

It's stuffy in here.

- Warm nights.
- One, two, three..

Ain't gonna be warm much longer.

- Rent's due Saturday.
- Nine, ten..

Imagine paying rent
for a dump like this.

Gotta get a medal
for living in it.

We've got enough for coffee
and doughnuts in the morning.

- Ain't that a thrill.
- 21, 22, 23..

Suppose we do pay the rent
Saturday, so what?

We got to have more than that.

We got to get us a good chunk
of mazuma right away somewhere.

I think you've got
an idea there.

- 32, 33, 34..
- Maybe I have.

- Maybe I got a great idea.
- 39, 40, 41.

What is it this time?
Digging for oil in central park?

You're in no mood to hear it.
You ain't receptive.

Keep brushing your hair.
You left off at 42.

Suppose we had a chance
to take down some big dough.

Enough to take us over the hill
and set us on the street.

What would you do
for a chance like that?

I'd want to keep
out of jail, Eddie.

They couldn't put
you in jail for this.

They couldn't even..
Ah! Forget it.

Make believe I never
brought it up.

Let's get some shut-eye.

If there's any chance of getting
that money, I wanna know.

If it's on the level, I'll do
it. I'll do anything.

We'd be fixed for life.
No more grief, no more worrying.

We'd be sitting on a front porch
with the white folks.

- What's it worth to you?
- Anything.

- You sure?
- You oughta know that by now.

Marry Hennessey.

- Marry Hennessey?
- He is crazy about you.

He'd sail in a minute,
if you went at it the right way.

But you don't mean that, Eddie.
You must be kidding.

It's being done every day. Pick
any newspaper, what do you see?

"Jane divorces millionaire after
six months, collects plenty."

- It's smart stuff.
- But, Eddie, I..

I'm married to you, Eddie.

That's easy. Look,
I do a quick fade out.

You get a divorce, and in six
months, we're in the money.

Don't look at me like that.

Anybody'd think I'd run
a knife into you.

What does it mean? In six
months, you're back with me.

- And we'll have all the money.
- Stop it.

- We could get a 100 grand.
- Stop it!

- We'll be set forever.
- Stop it!

Well, you asked for it,
and I gave it to you.

It's the only way I know.

The only way you know.

And who knows best?

Eddie, I know that look
in your eyes.

You're saying,
what did I do wrong now?

You didn't do
anything wrong, Eddie.

You never have I guess, for you.
And you never will, because..

You don't do things for the
same reasons as other people.

You don't even live
in the same world.

'You got one all for yourself'.

A world by, for,
and with Eddie Miller.

Nobody's gonna ever share
your life, are they, Eddie?

They're just gonna
help you live it.

- Isn't it, Eddie?
- I guess so, yeah.

You're agreeing because it's
the easiest way out of a spot.

No, I'm not.

This is been coming up
for a long time.

When we were kids, you'd wanna
save up pennies for movies.

I'd wanna sneak in the back way.

You'd say, "I was wrong", and
I'd say "Well I got in, right?"

I grew up like that. Everybody
telling me I was wrong.

And me knowing, I was right.
So now, that's the way I am.

But, if you was to give me
a chapter a day

maybe I'd know
the whole thing before long.

It's an awful long book, Eddie.
You'd get bored.

So, you're gonna walk out on me?

No, Eddie.
You walked out on me.

Women are weak
and men are strong.

My mother wasted a lifetime of
strength trying to prove that.

Goodbye, Eddie.

[door shuts]

- They've gone out.
- Who's gone, where?

The Long Sherman of
San Francisco, they walked out.

I knew it. Don't those guys
ever learn to settle a strike?

You can't get along
in the shipping business

without longshoremen.

- Get Sullivan San Francisco.
- 'There's a Ms. Cassidy, sir.'

Cassidy? Never heard her.

I hate to bring up the matter
of surplus we haven't got.

- Don't be silly.
- Seattle will be out by night.

[intercom buzzes]

(female on phone)
'San Francisco is ready.'

Ms. Cassidy, asked me to give
you this in a message.

She said you'd know,
There's a $100 in it.

A hu..

- Where is she?
- She's left, Mr. Hennessey.

Yes, but San Francisco, John.

You take it, I forgot
what I was gonna say.

Hey.

What's the idea of Ms. Cassidy?
You're using an alias now?

- You know, that's my name now.
- Oh.

Oh. Tell me about it.

Well, how long has this been
going on or rather off?

- About three months.
- Three months?

Well, why wasn't
I told about it?

- Three... smoke?
- No, thanks.

Three months is a long time.
Lot of things could've happened.

I wanted to wait until
I could bring the money back.

- Sure you won't need it again?
- No, thanks. Never again.

So you finally got wise? Or
don't you want to talk about it?

Look, can't we just say
things didn't work out?

We can do better than that.
We won't even remember things.

Suppose we start at dinner
tonight at Louise.

Mock turtle soup
and Gefilte fish?

I've had this planned
a long time.

I am sorry, Mr. Hennessey.
I can't.

- Tomorrow night?
- No.

- Maybe the next night?
- No, no night at all.

Any particular reason?

Well, it's..

It's just that I'm alone now,
and I want to stay that way.

If you change your mind,
where could I call you?

If I change my mind,
I'll call you.

What for are you working?
Maybe I could help.

That's just it, no.

Well, you can't say
that I don't take punishment.

You've got a great
straight left there.

You're the kind of girl
that doesn't change her mind.

I guess I'm not doing so good.

I just want to bring back
the money I borrowed.

You've been swell

and I appreciate everything
you've done and tried to do.

So, let's-let's let it
stay like that, please.

So, it's hello and goodbye,
Jessie Cassidy.

It's hello and goodbye,
J L. Hennessey..

With thanks.

Oh, and don't bother
phoning the elevator man.

I'm going to walk down
this time.

Sullivan says things are a mess.
He wants you to go to the coast.

Briggs, I wanna send a field of
violets to Ms. Jessie Cassidy.

Not a bunch, a field,
about an acre and a half.

This wouldn't have happened if
gefilte fish wasn't invented.

- Hmm?
- I said, what's the address?

I don't know the address,
Briggs, yet.

But every time I find her,
she goes and moves.

What do you expect? She'll put
out a flag or shoot sky-rockets?

- She's smart.
- Yes, sir.

- You know an Eddie Miller?
- Yeah, why?

- He's here. You wanna see him?
- Yeah, send him in.

Now, you find that girl.
If you cant, get a detective.

- But I am a detective.
- The crack still goes.

- What's on your mind, Miller?
- A lotta things.

Some of 'em
ain't so easy to say.

Don't tell me there's anything
that isn't easy for you.

Still don't rate
so good with you, huh?

- Nope.
- You and Jessie, both.

Me and the kid
ain't together anymore.

- You probably know that.
- Yeah, she told me.

- Been seein' her a lot?
- Once, weeks ago.

You said you had
something to tell me.

Did, uh, did Jessie
tell you why we split up?

(Hennessey)
'No.'

I'll tell you why. It's because
I couldn't take it anymore.

- 'You couldn't take what?'
- Hennessey, that's what.

Why ain't I more like Hennessey?

I had to work like you,
look like you, think like you.

After a while,
I began to figure things out.

(Eddie Miller) 'I figured, maybe,
Jessie wasn't in love with me anymore"

Oh.

Well, I still don't know
why you came here tonight.

'Cause Jessie was right.
And so were you.

That's what I came here
to tell you, first.

Second, I hear you've been
trying to find her.

(Eddie Miller) 'She's working as a
mannequin at Trinette's and Park Avenue.'

'And since
you were both so right'

'maybe a couple of right people
ought to get together.'

- Alright, what's your angle?
- What do you mean, angle?

Don't give me that.
I know you got some

cheap chisler working.
I wanna know what it is.

How do you like that? A guy
tries to do the right thing

and he gets called a chisler.

Alright, wise-guy,
forget it.

Say hello to the kid for me.

- How'd it go?
- Okay.

You know, Smooch,
he's a smart guy.

You can't pay rent
in there with sawdust.

That joint must
be full of smart people.

Yeah, and you know who's
as smart as any of them?

Eddie Miller. All my life
they been telling me I'm wrong.

I still know I'm right.

Hello? Hello, Briggs?
Did I wake you up, Briggs?

Oh, well, that's too bad.

Say, Briggs, what does
a fella wear to a fashion show?

Huh?

Striped pants?

What, are you kidding?

Thanks.

[serene orchestral music]

For a luncheon.

[music continues]

Lunch sounds great. Will you
wear what you've got on?

No.

A hostess motif
for afternoon tea.

[music continues]

I've never had afternoon tea.
Will you wear that gown?

No.

For dinner.

[music continues]

Now, uh, dinner
is something I know about.

You've got on just the right
clothes for gefilte fish.

No.

For my ladies' good work.

No.

[John chuckling]

This is very pleasant,
Mr. Hennessey.

Let's take care of
that Hennessey thing right away.

The first name is John or Jack.

I like "John".
What does the "L" stand for?

I don't know.
What does the "L" stand for

in John L. Sullivan?
That's who I was named after.

I imagine the old man
was full of beer at the time.

- Say it again, will you?
- What?

Oh, John L. Sullivan Hennessey.
John, for short.

Sounds like something I've
wanted to hear for a long time.

Let's go to work on that basis.
First, about your clothes.

Will you go and get
whatever you want at Trinette's?

And, uh, what kind
of a car do you like?

I was afraid
of something like that.

It's been a lovely evening,
Mr. Hennessey. Can I go home?

Wait a minute.

I-I forgot the most important
thing, didn't I?

What I meant to say was, uh..

Would you marry me?

- Well, I...
- Please, don't thank me.

A woman always thanks
a man who proposes to her

if she doesn't wanna marry him.

I wasn't gonna thank you.

- Don't laugh.
- I wasn't gonna laugh.

You weren't, by any chance,
going to say "yes?"

- No.
- What were you gonna do?

I-I don't know.

Take a drink of water, light
a cigarette or something.

I don't know.

It's a tough spot when
a man you don't love

asks you to marry him, isn't it?

Yeah.

Well, uh, shall we dance?

That will give you something
to do while I talk about.

[ballroom music]

- Pretty music, isn't it?
- Yeah.

A man can't look
at you and say what he thinks.

You mind puttin' your head
back where it was.

It all started
when you slugged me.

Like somebody hit me with a
hypodermic needle full of love.

And it's pretty bad now,
Jessie. It's getting worse.

I'm afraid it's one of those
incurable things.

How often have you
been in love that way?

I've never been in love.
I'm not even sure

that I'm in love with you now.

I know that I feel things
and I-I call them love because

I think, maybe,
that's what they are.

What sort of things?

I want to give you everything
with nothing in return.

And I know that
no matter how long we live

I won't have time
to do all the things.

And I'm not afraid
because you don't..

I mean, I-I think that
I have enough of whatever

it is for both of us.

And I know if I don't have you,
I won't have nothing.

Would you call that love?

I wouldn't know, John.
I've never been in love.

Oh.

It seems they're playing
that song again.

Really?
I hadn't noticed.

[grandeur music]

[knock on door]

Ready.

Hi, Jess.

Hello, Eddie, how are you?
Won't you come in?

Thanks, Jess, I will.

Take off your hat and sit down.

What do you want?

I got a date with President
Roosevelt and Congress.

And I don't wanna
keep 'em waiting.

What do you want?

It's all about,
honesty is the best policy

and don't chisel people if you
don't want people to chisel you.

Violets are in season again.

- For the blushing bride.
- Thanks.

Will you tell me
what you came here for?

Maybe I came to tell you
how much I love you.

Maybe to ask you,
"Can you lend me 5 bucks?" or

"Can I be the one to give the
bride away?" But I'm not.

'I came here to tell you,
you can't get away with it.'

With what?

Don't give me those
big blue eyes. You know what.

Marrying Hennessey.

Oh. Oh, I get it.

You mean, I stole your idea.

I thought your idea of marrying
Hennessey for six months

in for a lot of money was good
that I wanted it for myself.

What else?

Trouble with you is, Eddie,
that every where you look

you look into a mirror.

Everything you think about
and everybody who know you..

You think of in terms
of your own cheapness.

I don't wanna talk
about it anymore.

I don't wanna
look at you anymore.

You're not gonna go
into that routine again.

- 'Get out of here.'
- Why're you marrying Hennessey?

If I'm not being
too cheap for asking.

I suppose you're
in love with him.

You spent the nights
drawing circles in the sand

and telling him about
the moon and the stars.

And he chased you down
the stairs

beggin' you to marry him.

He'd do anything for you if
you'd take him outta his misery.

'Get apt to yourself, Jess.
Get honest.'

Maybe I'm lookin' at mirrors,
maybe everybody is the way I'm.

'And maybe I'm just the guy
that knows it.'

Alright, Eddie, maybe that's it.

You're agreeing with me
to get out of a spot.

Only, I'm not finished.

Go ahead and marry Hennessey.
Go to Europe, have fun.

'Get used to being
Mrs. Big-shot.'

'When you come back,
I'll be here.'

And you'll pay off. Get it?

I wanna be paid off.

I'm not marrying John that way.
Believe me, Eddie.

The point is, will he believe me
when I tell him, it did.

He's gonna put a lot of things
together and get a wrong answer.

Look, Eddie, I'm not in love
with him and he knows it.

'He doesn't care because
he's in love with me.'

He'd never get over
if I'd let you hurt him.

I'd rather walk out and I will.
Remember that, Eddie.

I wonder.

[knock on door]

Ready, Jess?

Just leaving, Mr. Hennessey.
Just dropped in to say good luck

andbon voyage, to the kid here.

'Same to you.'

So long, Jessie.

Ready, darling?

Ready.

[grandeur music]

Divorce, married
and everything. Now, where?

This is gonna hurt me
more than it is you

but there is
a very famous saying...

Some cheap objection
to three on a honeymoon.

What are you?
Old fashioned?

Mrs. Hennessey thanks you
and I thank you.

Goodbye, darling.
Save enough to get home.

Good luck, kid.

Only, you won't need it this
time. You hit the jackpot.

You got something here, friend.
I'd say you deserved her.

Only, I don't think
any man's worth any woman.

Imagine, I can afford
a honeymoon without a husband.

- Au revoir.
- Bye.

- Hey!
- Huh?

Do you know that
we're married, you and me?

That's what the interpreter
said the man said.

Wanna go to Egypt
and buy snakes?

- That sounds fun.
- And then where?

- Venice?
- Venice? Mm-hmm.

- Moscow?
- Yes.

Budapest? Vienna? Minsk? Spince?
Jakarta? Milwaukee? St. Bart's?

And now, Ireland. The greenest
grass that ever grew.

I wanna go where
the policemen come from.

We're gonna go
where the Hennessey's grown.

Hmm, nice people,
the Hennesseys.

Always lived in a little white
house at the end of the street.

Lovely woman,
Mrs. Hennessey.

I've always heard it's
Mr. Hennessey that's nicest.

Isn't that funny, I don't know
how things like that get around.

As a matter of fact,
he's kinda low-down.

Came from no-place, climbed a
mountain, found her at the top.

- Just a lucky guy.
- A swell guy.

You are, you know?
An awful swell guy, John.

Well, what brought all this on?

Nothing.

Can't I cry if I want to?

[chuckles]
Sure.

[both chuckling]

[pleasant music]

Mornin' to you, honey.

Haven't you learned
to stop that bicycle yet?

How do you like this skimmer?

Do I look like
a spalpeen or not?

What is it?
Something to lay eggs in?

That's it, I'm not gonna
tell you what I brought you.

What is it?

[John mumbling gibberish]

Which one's that?

That's "I love you"
in, uh, Russian.

I keep getting it mixed up with
the one we learned in Vienna.

- What are you making?
- A cake.

- Any good?
- I hope so.

Not bored yet?

Bored? With what?

With these three rooms.
Just chock-full of atmosphere.

Are you?

Me? With you? You're crazy?
I could live in a phone booth.

Then that's settled.

You sure, darling?
It seems so little for you.

It's such a big world, so many
things in it I want you to have.

No. I want my world
to end down there.

Where the road
turns into the woods.

What'd you bring me?

I'll tell you later.
I got this, though

from the post office, for you.

A cablegram?
From whom?

I don't know, darling,
it's for you.

I'll save it and we'll read it
together after dinner.

- What if it's bad news?
- Then we'll cry about it.

- If it's good news?
- Then well laugh about it.

John L. Hennessey, I'll have
my present now and no foolin'.

- Well, uh, it's, uh...
- Go on!

I said I'd have it now!

Well it's kinda silly, it's uh..

Aww, violets.

Yeah, they were so beautiful.

I thought maybe you'd think
they were pretty, too, from me.

I've never seen any in my whole
life that were prettier.

You know, I finally found out
the secret of the Irish?

It's these crazy clay pipes.

Can't get 'em lit.

Even if you do get 'em lit,
they won't stay lit.

If they do stay lit,
they burn your tongue.

If they burn your tongue,
you bite the stem.

If you bite the stem,
you swallow the pipe.

If you swallow the pipe,
you're in trouble.

If you're in trouble, you're an
Irishman. A vicious circle.

They're wonderful
for blowing soap bubbles.

Soap bubbles?
Oh, I get it.

I thought, all that time,
I was smoking dirt.

Did you ever watch
a soap bubble grow?

When it's little,
it's strong... and steady.

The bigger it gets,
the shinier and shakier it gets.

But it keeps reaching and
stretching to get bigger

and then...
back to soap suds.

The moral must be
"Stop on the way up."

That's right.

You can move ahead if you like,
you don't have to go back.

Well, that's alright for lady
soap bubbles, but you know

there's something in a man
that makes him want to go ahead.

Makes him wanna see how big
he can get without busting.

There's something in a man that
makes him wanna build a home.

To put a family in it.
To keep it warm and safe.

Yeah, there's that
in a man, too.

You haven't read your cablegram,
don't you think you'd better?

Yeah.

- Mr. Briggs.
- Briggs? What does he want?

He says everything's fine
and he hopes we're very happy.

Briggs knows how it is with me.

He was the only one
till you came along.

You see, Jessie, I've worked
a lifetime to build something.

And now I have, and it's become
bigger than I am.

And I couldn't just stand still
and watch it fall to pieces

at my feet, because along the
way I picked up responsibilities

there are those who look to me
for the things they wanna build.

'I can't let them down.'

'You understand?'

Everything I want in life
is around me this minute

here.

And everything
I hate is back there.

But it isn't my life
any longer, is it?

It's yours.

'Cause I love you.

We've got to go back, John.

[fog horn blowing]

- Hello, Martin.
- Hello.

- Hi.
- Hiya, Briggs.

- Mrs. Hennessey.
- Hello, how are you?

- Hello, Mike.
- Hello.

Well, Briggs,
let's have the bad news.

They've walked out, John,
every man, Jack with them.

Ten days ago, they're meeting
now at Seaman's hall.

Alright, we'll take it in. Do
you mind going home with Mike?

No, of course, not.

- No riots, now.
- No riots, unless I start 'em.

- Come, Briggs.
- Glad to see you back.

Thanks, Mike.
I'm glad to be back, I..

(Mike)
'The baggage is all taken care of.'

Home from here?

No, you go ahead, I'll take
a cab, I have a meeting.

Yes, ma'am.

You saw me pick up 60 bucks
today, didn't you?

60 bucks.
If a man really hustled

he could make himself
four-five hundred a week.

And what can they do?
Nothing.

The labels are phony
but the stuff is perfume.

Ten cents a quart it costs us.

[knock on door]

Cover up, quick.

Yeah.

Forgot I locked it.

(Eddie)
'Oh, hello.'

'Come in, kid.'

Honey, this is Smooch Hanrahan.
Smooch, this is, uh, Mrs. Smith.

Mind taking a walk
for a couple of minutes?

- You know how it is.
- Yeah, sure.

Say, maybe you could fix up
a little party tonight.

You know, with a friend.
Just the four of us?

You must've come
right from the boat.

'How'd you know
I was still in this dump?'

- You'll always be here, Eddie.
- Not always.

Let me take
a look at you, close up.

A million bucks, no less.

I've come to tell you
to lay off John and me.

- Just like that, you're...
- I wouldn't ask for anything.

Not anymore, you wouldn't.

Right now, I couldn't
buy you a pair of shoes.

But I remember when
I gave you plenty.

Now I want some
of what you've got.

- It isn't mine to give.
- 'It's yours to take.'

- You've no right to it.
- I can get it.

If you went to him,
he'd know you were lying.

- He'd throw you in the street.
- That's home to me.

He'd laugh at you and he'd know
you are a cheap blackmailer.

What are you getting
excited about?

You're gonna have
a big laugh, you and him.

- So what are you worried about?
- I'll tell you what.

It's something
you wouldn't know.

I'm in love with the swellest
guy I've ever known.

He always has been.

It has a funny effect
on you, love has.

It makes you want to give
and not take.

Sounds wonderful.
Almost like a fairy story.

Swinging through life together,
hand in hand.

What's it worth to you?

I knew that was coming
even before you said it.

Even before I came here.

You needn't bother going to John

because when you do, I won't be
there, he won't know where I am.

It's gonna hurt him... and me
as long as I can remember.

But I'm gonna be the one
to do it, not you.

I'm gonna walk out on him.
That's what it's worth to me.

'Jess.'

You wouldn't be
kiddin' me, would ya'?

I've never kidded you
for one minute.

- I'm pretty much of a heel.
- Yes, Eddie, you are.

We've talked about that
once before.

I cant help it.
It's the way I am.

I don't believe you'll
walk out on him, Jess.

So, I'm coming up to collect.
It's too bad.

Yeah... it's too bad for you
and me, and everybody.

(John)
Well, boys, what's the trouble?

Come on, come on,
tell me about it.

Well, if you haven't got any
troubles you can talk about

I don't think you've got
any troubles.

So, I'll suppose
we all go back to work.

If you're getting enough money
for too many hours

send your delegate up
and we'll fix it.

We've done it all before.

So that settles that, huh?

Well, does it or doesn't it?

'Tim, you've always spoken up.
What about this?'

'Are you for it or against it?'

'Scotty, Abe, Rocko,
how about this?'

But men, you can't do this.

Every nickel we've got in the
world is tied up in those boats.

We've built them up through
years of hard work.

You can't throw them away for
something you won't talk about!

Well, why don't you
say something?

If there's a man here
who has something against me

let him come up here
and tell me what it is.

It ain't you, John.
It's the others.

We're out on account of them.
We gotta stick together

to win their fight.

But it's their fight.

Why take it out on yourselves?
Why take it out on me?

I've always split everything
I've got with you.

Don't you see, there won't be
anything to split if you're out?

I haven't got a nickel
of reserve capital.

I tell ya', every dime I've got
is tied up in those boats.

If I'm bankrupt,
you're bankrupt.

Men, can't you see
what you're doing?

Can't you see what you've done?

Okay.

So that's the way
its gotta be, huh?

Okay, fellas.

John.

We would not do this to you for
anything, but we can't help it.

Look, I would like to work too.
You say you'll be bankrupt.

I'm sorry, John.

My little boy didn't have
any supper last night.

And... so..

Who was it once said
"There's always something doing

in the lives of famous men?"

The sale of the ships
will take care

of the forfeits
on the contracts.

Adding the final touch is easy.
All you do is sign your name.

Sounds quite simple.

And there you have it.

But, its been fun.

Sort of like playing
with building blocks.

I guess, a kid must feel
pretty awful

when someone knocks over
his little house.

[melancholic music]

I've always liked this window,
looking out over the city.

Sort of a nice feeling
goes with that.

Makes a man feel he's on top.

It's been a nice, big window.

Gets dark early
these nights, doesn't it?

And when night comes,
a man goes home.

- You smiling, Briggs?
- No.

You never thought
I'd get going home, huh?

That shows that there are
great many things going on

that you know
nothing about, Briggs.

Right now, I'm what you might
call a "stable citizen."

Yes, sir, that's me now.

And it's nice to know
that when the worst comes

a man doesn't have
to go it alone.

I've got something there,
haven't I, Briggs?

I guess, a man could do
without a lotta things

for a bit of that, John.

And never miss 'em.
Goodnight, Briggs.

Goodnight, John.

I'll see you, boy.

[music continues]

Hello, Macushla.

I'm sorry I'm late,
but I was very busy.

Darling, there's something
you've got to know about.

It'll take
quite a lot of telling.

But it's a little
for Christmas, isn't it?

Why, Jessie?

I wasn't going to be here
when you got it.

That's what it says,
but it doesn't say why.

I'm taking nothing
but the things I have on.

- Is it something I've done?
- No, John.

- Is it something you've done?
- No.

Must there be a reason
for everything?

Well, things like this
just don't happen.

A man's life just doesn't walk
out the front door like that.

A woman's life does, though.

Please, Jessie,
tell me what it is.

Things just haven't worked out
with us, John, leave it at that.

Oh, no. Not this time.
Because they have worked out.

You've made me happier than
I ever thought I could be.

- And I've made you happy.
- Have you? The door.

[doorbell ringing]

Let it ring.

Jessie, I've loved you with
my whole heart, you know that.

Every time I've looked at you,
I've touched you, you knew it.

[doorbell ringing]

And I think, in the end,
you loved me too.

You did love me,
didn't you, Jessie?

Let's say that
I tried very hard.

That was our agreement,
wasn't it, that I was to try?

And I did try, so hard that
sometimes I kidded myself

into believing I really
did love you, but..

But I don't, John.

I know that I couldn't love you
any more than I do right now.

I'm glad I've made you happy.

Might wanna remember that
in case you ever wanna remember

anything about us.

It isn't as though we didn't
know what we were getting into.

It was sort of a business
agreement, that's all

from the very beginning.
Well, let's end it like one.

Partnerships dissolve
when they don't work out.

It happens all the time.

We both got what we started with

and maybe a little
bit more. Isn't that so?

Goodbye, John.

[dramatic music]

I rang the bell,
but nobody answered.

So I tried the door,
and it wasn't locked.

- What do you want?
- Just dropped in.

If you're busy, I'll
come back another time.

No. This is the time.
What is it?

What a reputation I've got.
Always after something.

Well, I came to pay my respects
to the bride and groom.

I'd have brought a present, but
Tiffany's is closed at night.

And besides, you probably
don't need a gravy bowl.

You two don't need anything.
You've got each other.

That's enough.

Remember that circle
you drew in the sand, Jess?

Draw another one now,
around you and him.

And don't let this one
wash out on you.

That's what I came
to say. Good luck.

Wait a minute, Eddie.

You haven't turned
noble on us, have you?

Who me? Haven't
you read the papers?

The guy's broke.
He's flat, washed up.

Me and Hennessey
are in the same gutter now.

Only, I know
all the warm places.

Miller.

What does my going broke
got to do with you being noble?

Nothin' much. Just somethin'
Jess and I had figured out once.

Somethin' we were countin' on.

What is this?

The way you look at me,
I was some kind of a trap.

Go on, get out.

What was it
you both figured out once?

- Nothing.
- What were you counting on?

- Nothing.
- You won't tell me anything.

- You want me to guess?
- No.

No, I should have told you.

I started to,
a dozen times, but..

I thought it was something
you never had to know.

I left Eddie
because he wanted me to

marry you and walk out with a
lot of money and I wouldn't.

- 'Wouldn't you?'
- No, I wouldn't.

Then why did you marry me?

- 'You were in love with me.'
- We're not talking about that.

You made a point
of looking me up.

- To return the hundred dollars.
- So you told me.

I tried to find you.
He told me where you were.

I didn't know
anything about that.

Of course, not.

I found him with you
Just before we left for Paris.

I didn't have
anything to do with that.

In Ireland, you were happy,
the perfect life.

You didn't wanna come back.

You didn't want to come back
because you didn't wanna payoff.

And when we did come back,
it was to save your investment.

- Have you finished?
- I haven't even started.

But this makes
going broke a pleasure.

I had no idea it was going to be
funny, but it's a panic.

After all you've been through

after months of being my wife

you wind up
behind the eight ball.

What a laugh.

Now, get out. Get out
while I'm still laughing.

I won't go.

I'm clean, washed up,
in the gutter.

And he knows
all the warm places.

If you hurry, you can catch him.

Not me.
I've got a job to do.

- Talk fast.
- I'll talk as I please.

You've got a wonderful case
worked up against me.

Women have been hanged for less.
I won't even start to explain.

We've got plenty
of time for that.

- Just forget all of it.
- Not all about it.

I'll be reminding you of it
for the rest of your life.

- Are they clear?
- Yeah. They're yours.

The point is, are they
yours if you want them?

- Mmm-hmm.
- Good.

We'll hock 'em the first thing.

They're waste of money anyways.

It'll give us
enough to start on.

Give us enough for three rooms.

Then you go to work.

Do you hear me?
You go to work!

All that being washed
up in the gutter.

You oughta
be ashamed of yourself.

You start tomorrow morning.
What you did once

you can do again.
Are you listening to me?

Me, I-I'm gonna
be around all the time.

I'm gonna take care of you.

I'm gonna see you
don't get so big, you burst.

Am I?

Am I, John?

There you go, slugging me again.

Well, it worked the last time.

[grandeur music]