Saturday's Children (1940) - full transcript

Are you awake, Henry?

Henry?

Henry?

All right, Henry, get up.

None of that now, I know you're awake.

I wish I was so positive about it.

What time it is?

The Jensens' baby is crying,
must be 7:00.

Goodness.
Ten minutes fast.

7:00, get up.

Seven?



That gives me 15 minutes more.

Not on Monday morning, it doesn't.

I don't know why, but it seems to take you

so much longer to get ready
on Monday morning.

Sunday night might have
something to do with it.

Henry Halevy, anyone would think

you were a schoolboy with
a week of school ahead of him.

Let me tell you the
prospect of six consecutive days

working at Martin's mail order house

is nothing to look forward to either.

All right, Henry, get up.

Now for heaven's sake,
Myrtle, let me sleep.

Wasted one out of my 15 minutes already.

Listen, John MacReady,
I wasn't born yesterday.



- You got a...
- Oh, so what?

I don't' have to take this from you.

The best years of my life
I've wasted on you.

- Oh, shut up.
- Shut up!

That's the MacReadys.
It's 7:15.

My clock was right after all.

I prefer to believe the Jensen baby.

Don't be silly, the MacReadys
are much more reliable.

They've started arguing
at 7:15 on the dot for years.

I still stick with the Jensen baby.

No 7-month-old kid is going
to lie about the time.

Well, I give you one more minute,

and if you're not up...

All right, sleep your life away.

Morning, Mom.
Good morning, Bobby.

What's the matter now?
Your father.

Oh, Mom, I wish just once

when Pop did something you didn't like,

you'd refer to him as "my husband"

instead of "your father."

After all, he is your responsibility too.

Well, my husband and your father,

it's going to take an
earthquake to get him out of bed.

I suppose it couldn't be just a tremor.

It would have to be
some shakes of an earthquake.

Say, is that a pun?

Well, Bobby, this is no time for joking.

This is your first day at Martin's,

and your father got you the job.

How is he going to look
if he brings you in late?

He's been bringing himself
in late for 22 years.

You can't expect me to change his life.

Well, you better go in and threaten him

with a glass of water again.

All right. But I'm getting
tired of this every morning.

What we need is an automatic
sprinkler over his bed.

Coffee, some white toast,

no butter, and a poached egg,

and don't make the coffee too strong.

And whatever you do, don't burn the toast.

And be sure the egg is just right,

and if it's not, you'll have to
take it back again, and hurry!

Morning, Willie.

Yeah, what's good about it?

Listen, Bobby,
if a husband murders his wife,

what's the penalty in this state?

Same as any other, $50 or 5 days.

It's worth it;
where's the bread knife?

What's the matter now?

Your sister Florrie dreamt
I was a millionaire last night.

Now she wants breakfast in bed.

That sounds reasonable enough.

Yeah, but she didn't dream I was a chef.

Maybe that was her own idea.

Bobby?

You sure it's cold enough?

Oh, right out of the icebox.

Good.

You can go right on sleeping.

I'm just standing here admiring you.

Hello, Bobby.

You know, your walk sounds
just like your mother's.

You better do something about it.

Here's your water.

Got the lemon?
Here.

I don't know why I have
to drink this stuff.

It settles your stomach.

Who wants my stomach settled?
I lead a dull enough life as it is.

Mother thinks I throw this in your face

every morning to wake you up.

Well, let's keep up the illusion.

Bobby.

What can I do for you, Bobby?

You can get up and get me down

to Martin's on time
for my first day at work.

That's right.

Monday, why couldn't the lord
have rested two days instead of one?

I'm not in a position
to answer that question.

How's the world look to you, Bobby?

It will live.
Now come on.

My solution for the world
is to stay in bed and ignore it.

That's a fine solution.

Oh, all right, Bobby.
I'll give it another chance.

Why don't you retire this old robe?

With what?
Coupons and soap wrappers?

Say, Bobby, do you think
I can do without shaving?

Oh, honey, it will only take 5 minutes.

Five minutes out of my life here,

five minutes out of my life there,

then who wants to bet I'm out of minutes?

Ah, it isn't every girl
who has a crazy father.

Is he up?

Yes, and wringing wet Mom,
how do I look? Let me see.

Willie, where is my breakfast?

Just got to sprinkle some ground glass

over the eggs.

Willie, you oughtn't to talk like that

first thing in the morning.

Get Florrie to lend you
that little pin of hers.

Oh, right.

Morning, Florrie, can I borrow
your pin for my collar?

You mean my good one?

The $1.25 one Willie gave me
for our anniversary?

The very same.

You might lose it.
It isn't insured.

Well, seeing it's your first
day at work, you can have it.

It's over in the jewel box
with the other safety pins.

Oh, thanks.

I don't care for that dress
you are wearing.

Well, I haven't cared for it
for the past two years,

but I suppose it will have to do for a girl

who is trying to earn a living.

Earn a living?

Do you mean to say you are going
to work to earn a living?

Well, I'm not donating
my services to Martin's.

Now listen, little sister,

you better come over here and sit down.

I've got some things to tell you.

Did you ever hear of that
fine old American tradition

of marrying the boss?

There is another fine
old American tradition

that the boss already has a wife.

Then if he has a wife, maybe he has a son.

They make very good
marrying too. Oh, Florrie.

Now don't tell me it's a career

you're interested in, not marriage.

Well, right now...

You listen to your older sister.
You don't want a career.

A typewriter is a woman's natural enemy.

You're 22.
The years go by fast.

First thing you know you will be 25,

second thing you know you will
be an old maid in a public charge.

Now go to the closet
and put on your slinkiest dress.

Look, Florrie, I'm not interested
in the battle of the sexes.

How can you call such
one-sided slaughter a battle?

Women only have one weapon, marriage.

We marry the guys.

That's how we get even with them.

There, Your Highness,
and may I express the hope

that your royal throat chokes on it?

Willie doesn't mean it.

She is a royal liar too.
Willie means every word of it.

I was under the impression
I was marrying a girl

who could cook her own breakfast.

And I was under the impression that a man

who ran a collection agency could afford
a home of his own and a maid and a cook.

It's my business to collect
the bills, not run them up.

That's a last out with you too.

Florrie, I see what you mean
about marriage.

I must try it sometime.
Don't do it.

Come on, Bobby, we're going to be late.

I'll get my jacket.
Did you shave?

Of course I shaved.

But not with much enthusiasm.

As close as
J.B. Martin shaves.

Straighten up, Henry, I
want to see if this sweater fits.

Bobby, you think
if I told Ripley your mother

has been working on this sweater
since the day we were married,

do you think he'd believe me?

If he's married, he would.

Oh, it fits perfectly, dear.
Come on, Bobby.

Yeah, goodbye, Mom.

Oh, goodbye, Bobby, good luck!

Good luck, Bobby.
Bring home the bacon.

I have to start running at this mailbox.

There it is.
What did I tell you?

Come on, Bobby. Come on,
come on, we're going to miss it.

Hey!

Hey, wait a minute!

Oi!

Well, that's the first time
I missed that bus in 16 years,

and it gets to the office
just 3 minutes late.

Oh, I'm sorry, Dad.
I guess I slowed you up.

Hope the conductor isn't worried about me.

Tomorrow we start running
from the newsstand.

Yeah.

Well, I bought you a paper,
gum and I'll pay your fare.

That's 'cause it's your first day.

After this you're on your own.

And it's a wonderful feeling.

Yeah, I guess everything would
feel wonderful to you today.

Well, why not?
It's a beautiful day.

Well, whatever it is, you won't
see much of it from your desk.

You know, only the unemployed
can really enjoy a day like today.

What can we do to get fired?

We can miss the next bus too.
Well, what's in the paper?

Now you read your own.

Oh, I don't want to read anyway,
I'm going to work.

Aren't you excited about it?

I feel awful about it.

You do, why?

Bobby, the minute you
enter the store, I am exposed.

See, I've always been important to you

because in my mild way,
I've been the lord of the manor,

you know, the good provider.

I've even given a few orders
around the house.

But your dad at Martin is
another animal entirely.

There are 20 bookkeepers
and 19 of them wearing

brand-new eyeshades.

Your dad is wearing last year's.

You know, I take orders

from everybody except one office boy.

And sometimes after a little discussion,

it winds up with me
taking orders from him too.

Oh, I don't mind so much about that.

Well, Bobby, you're the only
person I've ever wanted to impress.

Now you're gonna find
your dad's no glamour boy.

Some people have more dignity
taking orders than those giving.

There's the bus.

Miss Mills?
Yes, Mr. Norman.

I want these invoices checked over.

Do you think you could do it by yourself?

Invoices, Mr. Norman?
Invoices is my middle name.

They've got to be out before lunch.

Before lunch it will be.

Very well.

B.N., good morning.
Oh, good morning.

This is my daughter Bobby.
Bobby, this is Mr. Norman.

How do you do?

Glad to have you with us, Miss Halevy.

Thank you, sir.

Mr. Norman will be
your immediate boss.

Thanks, B.N.
See you later, Bobby.

Now, Miss Halevy,
you've been given this job

on your father's recommendation.

He is one of our most trusted employees.

The rest is up to you.

We demand punctuality,
precision and enthusiasm

in your work.

Miss Mills will run through
your duties with you.

Miss Mills, this is Miss Halevy.

How do you do, I'm sure.

Now if there is anything you want to know,

I'll be in my office.

And remember punctuality, precision and...

Enthusiasm.

Uh, and enthusiasm in your work.

I'll try my best, sir.

Very well.
We'll see!

He likes you.

Are you sure?
Of course.

If he is gruff, and yells at you,

it means he likes you.

If he's polite,
then you can start worrying.

Gee, if only I could get
a harsh word out of him.

Oh, well, here's your desk
over here. Come on.

You can put your hat in the desk.

It will be all right.
Nobody will bother it.

Thanks.

The girl that used this desk
got married last week.

Her name was Frances.

Tell me, is the work very difficult?

The work?
Oh, no.

If it took any brains,
what would I be doing here?

What's your first name?
Bobby.

Mine's Gertrude.
Bobby is a nice name. I like it.

I never have.
I'm looking for a man to marry

that will change my first name as well.

I'm just looking for a man.
I don't care what he changes.

Now take Frances, she...

Mr. Norman said
you'd show me what to do.

Oh, it ain't much.
We just check the orders

with the bills of lading
to see that they match.

It ain't no fun.
They always match.

Is that all there is to it?
That's all.

I think I'll ask for a decrease in salary.

Don't ask, you'll get it.

Here, wade into this first batch of orders.

And remember, enthusiasm.

Oh, who's that?

That's Rims Rosson.
He never looks where he's going.

Eccentric.
I'll say.

You can take it to the art department.

Sorry.

Sorry.

This time I think he looked
where he was going.

Funny thing though, he
never seems to bump into me.

What's happened?

Evidently a mishap.

What happened?

I don't know.
Something went wrong.

We dropped three floors.

Take it easy now here.

Let's get him over to that bench now.

Get him a cup of water, Rims.

All right.

Here, Bobby, wet this handkerchief.

Take it easy, Joe.

Here.

There.
Here, Joe.

Thanks, Henry.

How do you feel?

Oh, I'm all right, I suppose.

Everything happens to us bookkeepers.

Don't it, Henry?

Didn't use your head, Joe.

If you'd got yourself bumped off,

your missus might've collected
a pretty penny.

I never thought of that.
You'll be all right, Joe.

Come on, Rims. Let's get him
down to the doctor.

What happened, Mac?

Shoes on the Prony brake are worn through.

Here's some orders in Spanish.
At least I think it's Spanish.

What do I do now?

I'll call Norman.
He'll send an interpreter.

We do a big business in South America.

Hello, Mr. Norman?

Miss Halevy has run into
one of them Spanish orders.

Uh-huh.

Oh, thank you awfully,
Mr. Norman.

There will be a Latin up in a minute.

Oh, gee, 4:45. I think I gave
the firm its money's worth.

Aren't you going to finish that stack?

Listen, tomorrow is another day.

And tomorrow brings with it
another stack of orders.

Notwithstanding, I am quitting now.

Go break your head to the firm
and what do you get?

Ulsters.

Oh, it's been a hectic day,
hasn't it, Mr. Rosson?

Yes, it has.

Honest, I'm a wet rag.
The Latin.

I'm going to the washroom.
Pardon my frankness.

If I don't hurry, I'll be
washing on my own time.

Oh, Mr. Norman sent me down
to check those Spanish orders.

Oh, here it is, Mr. Rosson.

How did you know my name, Miss Halevy?

How did you know mine?

I guess somebody told me.

I suppose that's how I got
my information too.

Won't you sit down?

Oh, I'm used to standing.
I've been on my feet all day.

Well, I've been... Go ahead, sit down.

Well, thank you.

Pardon my back.

There's no Spanish blood in
your family, is there, Mr. Rosson?

Oh, no, I used to live
in a Spanish neighborhood,

and the storekeepers
would swear at me in Spanish.

So little by little,
I picked up the language.

I didn't have your opportunities.

No one ever swore at me
in anything but English.

Well, that's unfortunate.

I hope to be speaking Italian soon.

Oh, really?

I live in an Italian neighborhood now,

and I'm pretty unpopular.

They check.

Thanks very much.

You're perfectly welcome.
Call me anytime you wish.

Thank you.

Don't mention it.

We do a large South American trade.

You sure you haven't got
any more Spanish orders?

I didn't run across any.

Sometimes they get stuck together.

Oh, do they?

They're not stuck today.

Well, anyway, as I said before,

we do a large South American business.

So I'll be seeing you again, I hope.

Oh!
Oh!

Beg your pardon.

Oh, it's a pleasure, I'm sure.

That's the first time he bumped into me.

Say, did you ever notice,
the bigger the firm,

the more they skimp on paper towels?

Come on, get your hat.

You stay after 5:00,
it'll look bad for me.

Come on.

Oh, now I can relax.

You can wait for your father out here.

We all come out of the same entrance.

Oh. What do you do nights mostly?

Oh, a book, a movie,
sometimes a concert in the park.

Concerts. What kind of men
can you meet there?

Either they've got hair down to
their shoulder blades or no hair at all.

I usually go for the music.

Music, the Wedding March, all right.

There is a man mixed up in that.

But the rest, listen,
I schedule my evening activities

only where there are men in bunches.

Say, come to think of it,
the Martin Employee Social Club

has a bowling party at the Midtown Casino.

They have one every Monday night.

Men, all shapes and sizes.
Say, why don't you come along?

Well, thanks, I would like to.

It sounds like fun, but I don't
go in much for bowling.

Who goes for the bowling?
Catch wise.

I don't go in for that either.

Oh, no, no, just innocent relaxation,

a chance to ripe an acquaintanceship.

Gert?
Oh, Gert?

That's Herbert Smith, a pest.

He's crazy about me, but I'm aloof.

He takes me home every night.

I shouldn't let him, but it gives me

satisfaction to know
that I am an expense to him.

Come on.

Hello, Gert.

Good evening,
Mr. Smith.

Gee, you look beautiful.

I don't care what anybody says.

I take that from whence it comes.

Oh, where are my manners?

Bobby, I want you to shake hands
with Herbert Smith.

With Rims you've already had the pleasure.

Herbie, this is Bobby Halevy.

Any friend of Gert's
is a friend indeed. How is that?

Very well put. Well, good
night, Bobby, and try to get down

to the bowling, huh?

Oh, uh, you're coming, aren't you?

Huh?
Oh, oh, yes, at 8:30.

Good night. Oh, I'm glad to have met you.

Don't mention it.
So long, Rims.

Good night, Rims.
See you tonight.

Good night, Bobby.
Good night.

Oh, Miss Halevy, your father told me

to tell you
that he's working until 5:30.

Oh! Oh, thanks.

You're perfectly welcome.

Well, good night.

Good night.

Oh, Miss Halevy,

pardon me, but which way do you go home?

Oh, the 5th Avenue bus,

the one that turns up the drive.

Oh, that's the way I like to travel.

Is it?
Uh-huh.

No crowds and it's cleaner.

Of course, it takes a little more time.

Oh, you're absolutely right.

Oh, here, let me open that for you.

A little gadget I invented.

You invent things.

Well, sort of.

Sometimes it works
and sometimes it doesn't.

This seems to be

one of the times that it doesn't.

Wouldn't it be simpler

just to tear it with your fingers?

It would, but this is a machine age,

you're not allowed to be
simple. Oh, simple or not,

I don't think you are going
to sell many of these gadgets.

Well, I admit at the moment

it's commercially impractical.

In fact, all my inventions
are commercially impractical,

the mechanical ones that is.

Say, did you ever see
hemp turned into silk?

No, no, I haven't gotten
around to the World's Fair yet.

Well, they haven't tried it yet,

but I have a few ideas of my own on that.

Of course, the place
to be is the Philippines

right where they grow the hemp.

Right now I'm angling for a job near there.

Yeah, I have it now.

You press your thumb there.

See.

How's that?

Thanks.

I think we better go.

Oh, there is my bus.

Good night.

Aren't you coming?

No, this is the way I'd like to travel,

but the Westside Express
takes me right to my door.

And besides, I have to
get ready for bowling.

Oh, good night.

Good night.

Well, gee, you're a wizard.

Can you give me a few
private lessons personally?

I'm not trying to muscle in,

I'm just trying to make Herbie jealous.

Herbie, how's your foot?

I think I should have an x-ray taken, huh?

We'll all chip in for an operation.

My goodness, all this fuss.

Just because I happened
to drop a ball on his toe.

But, Gert, I didn't say
you did it on purpose.

Well, I did do it on purpose.

I planned it for a week, you satisfied?

You seem to take a great delight

in eating my heart out?

So I'm sadistic, so what?

Come on.
Good night, kids.

See you tomorrow.
Good night!

See you tomorrow.
Right.

Almost too perfect the way
they pair off, isn't it?

Oh, that's been going on since Noah's Ark.

Cab, buddy?

Come alone, didn't you?

Uh-huh.
Me too.

Rates are down this week.

How do you go home from here?

We are not near the bus line.

Well, let's see.

I can take the 8th
or the 7th Avenue subway.

A cab will take you right to your door.

Well, that would be good for me.

Do you mind if I came along?

Why, not at all.
Let's take the 8th.

I hear they're running it a lot.

All right.
I'll get a cab.

Yes, sir.
You will not.

Well, I'm sorry, buddy.

So what did you encourage me for?

This would have been a great
night for a drive in a car.

Hmm, an open car.

I had a car once about 7 years ago.

No top, no running board,

no cylinders, no nothing.

Four of us boys in the
neighborhood owned that car,

we never bought more than
4 gallons of gas at a time.

It made the bookkeeping easier.

Oh, pardon me.

Here it is.

I had another car.

I, uh...

Well, all the talk's been about me.

What about you?

Tell me about yourself.

Well, to begin with, I'm 22.

Well, your father told me 20.

Oh, Dad always adds
two years to Mother's age

and takes two off mine.

No, I'm 22 and...

and sometimes when I read, I wear glasses.

You're a straightforward person.

Will you be as honest when you're 30?

Oh, oh, no, sir, no, sir.

By then I'll be using Dad's arithmetic.

I'm 25.

Well, it doesn't make
any difference to the man.

You know, you're a very honest person.

You said that.

Oh, that's a miracle worth repeating.

You're one girl in a million. Well, thanks.

Of course I am exaggerating.

I hope so.

But not much.

Another thing about you,

you're a very comfortable
person to be with.

Well, look at me, I am perfectly relaxed.

If it should so happen
that I had holes in my socks,

I wouldn't be ashamed to tell you

because I know you'd understand.

I-I think I would.

Of course, it so happens that
these are brand-new socks.

You know, I never thought of myself

as being so honest,

but it's a very nice compliment,

especially coming from a man

who is going to be famous someday.

Me?
Famous?

Well, sure, sure.

When you... When you go to the Philippines

and turn silk into hemp or hemp into silk.

Say, did I tell you about that?

Uh-huh, this afternoon.

That's right.
I tell everybody.

Funny, you should remember.

Nobody else does.

Well, after you do that,

you'll be
the famous Mr. Rosson.

Will you like that?

Oh, sure I would.

I'm a full-time daydreamer myself,

like everybody else.

I like to picture myself
walking into a hotel lobby

and people pointing me out
and recognizing me.

You know something,

famous people get recognized

in other places besides hotel lobbies.

I know, but every time I picture myself

being pointed out,
it's always in a hotel lobby.

I don't know why.

I don't know why.

I wonder if Florrie is listening upstairs.

Have you got the time?

Oh, sure.

The minute hands off but I
could tell by the shadows.

It's 12:30.

Well...

thanks a lot for bringing me home.

I'm just as honest as you are.

I enjoyed taking you home.

Good night.

Good night.

Say...

why not make my dropping

by next Monday night a date?

Well, if it isn't too much trouble.

We can take the 7th instead of the 8th

for variety.

Anything you say.

We can switch off,

one week the 7th, the next the 8th.

Fine, good night.

Good night.

Say, that's a thought.

Why not make my dropping by

and picking you up a regular
Monday night appointment?

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Then let's say tentatively

I'll pick you up next Monday night.

Good night.
Good night.

Oh, why should it be tentative?

Let's make it definite.

All right, it's definite.

Good night.
Good night.

Chelsea 50783,

this is Bobby Halevy speaking.

Is Rims Rosson there?

Oh, when did he leave?

He was expected here an hour ago.

Would you try his room?

Maybe he's working on a new invention.

How to vanish before he's handcuffed.

Willie?

Coming, Simon, coming.

What's at the movies?

Lock and Turn on 65th street

Carson City and Why Marry?

Do we have to go to the movies tonight?

Well, what else is there
to do on a Monday night?

There is a concert...

Is Rims Rosson there?

I'll call up and find out

what time Carson City goes on.

I wonder what railroad
gets built in this one.

Care to go to the movies, dear?

Oh, thanks very much.

No, Mom, this is bowling night.

It's Errol Flynn.

Well, is the boy wonder in?

No, he's probably on the way over.

He's entitled to be late one Monday night.

I think he's entitled not to come at all.

That's your line
for the evening, now shut up.

Yes.

You know, one thing about
Rims I don't understand,

why does he only
take you out Monday nights?

Do you turn into a witch the
other six nights of the week?

Well, Saturday night he bathes. All night?

I don't know.
I never watched him.

He isn't a rich executive.

What about his inventions?
Don't they pay off?

I told you, they're
commercially impractical,

and well, besides, he has his pride.

A man in love has got
no right to have any pride.

And we'll do without that comment from you.

Who says we're in love?

We... We like each other a lot.

Hasn't he said anything?

Hasn't he dropped a hint?

Maybe he has. I'm not very
good at recognizing hints.

Well, hasn't he ever acted,
you know what I mean?

No, he hasn't.

Have you ever let him know
how you feel about the matter?

Florrie, you keep up
this cross-examination,

they'll be booming you for president.

You've known each other quite a while now,

you should've had him ready to propose.

Why does he have to propose?
I never proposed. I married.

Listen, I went through all this

before Florrie married you.

See what you did.
I called up.

Carson City doesn't go on again till 11:50.

Oh.

Now we can all go to sleep
and set the alarm for 11:30.

Oh, it must be Rims.

I wish you would stop interrupting

when I am trying to talk to my sister

and giver her some good
advice. You jabber when you talk.

Hello, Rims.

Hello, hello.

Pardon me, but which
way to the Philippines?

The Philippines?
Sure.

Buenos noches, señorita.

What are you talking about?

Well, from now on I'm speaking Spanish.

Remember that job I told you
about the Philippines?

Well, it's come through.
How do you like that?

Oh, oh, that's wonderful.

I'll say.

Here's a six-page letter of resignation

I've written to Martin's.
Half of it's in Spanish.

Buenos noches, señoras y señores.

Don't be surprised if your next
silk petticoat is made out of hemp.

Hemp, H-E-M-P.

What's the matter with him?

Oh, he's going to the Philippines.

When do you leave?

Oh, not for a couple of days yet.

tickets, clean shirts...

Say, instead of going bowling,

how about coming on a shopping spree

with me tonight, huh?

Oh, oh, no, thanks, Rims.

I... I was just telling the folks
I have a headache.

Yeah, we all got headaches.

Oh, well, that's too bad.

But I have to be at the
photographer's in 15 minutes,

but I'll see you before I leave.

Say, I'm awfully sorry
about the bowling tonight.

Oh, Rims, the Philippines
is an awful lonely place

for a single man to be.

Huh?
Yeah, that's what I hear.

Well, I'll... I'll get me a roommate.

So long, folks.

Oh...

Adios, señoras y señores.

Adios, you sawed-off señor.

Now you can come to the movies
with us, dear.

Oh, oh, no, thanks, Mom.

Believe it or not,
I really have got a headache.

That young lady needs some good advice.

Just a minute, Florrie.

As one moviegoer to another,
let's get going.

Go on, Pop's right.

Mind your own business, will you?

If I had 5 bucks, we'd go out
and get plastered.

Uh-huh.

Huh?

Uh-huh.

Uh-uh.

Uh-huh.

Hmm.

Sorry if I talk too much.

Uh-huh.

But I'm just trying to
make it easier for you, dear.

You're in love with Rims, aren't you?

No. Bobby, you are in love with him.

I'm not in love with anybody

who isn't in love with me.

But he is.
No, he isn't.

If he was, he...
Oh, well, it doesn't matter.

Only I do wish you'd leave
me alone. Bobby, I'm telling you,

you're going about this thing
in the wrong way.

Florrie, will you do me a favor
and mind your own business?

Let him go.
I'm not mad about it.

Oh, you're such a sap.

If I had another sister, I'd disown you.

You haven't the least idea
what it's all about.

Hello?

Oh, hello.

This is Rims Rosson speaking.

Hello, Mr. Rosson.

Yes, she is.

I don't know.
I...

I think she's taking a bath.

Who is it?

Just a moment. It's that
guy you weren't mad about.

Rims?

Why didn't you tell me?

You let me talk to him.

Quiet.
Hello.

Why, she's in the tub, and I hate to...

Yes, she is going out.

Florrie!

No, I'm afraid it
isn't to your farewell party.

She has a date with someone else.

You fibber!

This not being Monday night,
you understand.

I'm pretty sure it's the Rainbow Room.

You give me that phone.

Hello.

Hello, Bobby.

Why, your sister said
you were taking a bath.

Yes, yes, I was, but I heard the phone.

Well, aren't you coming to the party?

Oh, of course I'm coming to the party.

No, I haven't any engagement.

It's just that infernal sister of mine.

Anyway, I'll be there, yes.

Goodbye.

Thanks, next time
I'll answer the phone myself.

Listen, he is in love with you.

I know by his voice over the phone.

Oh, you know everything.
I know this.

If you want him, you can have him.

But he is going to the Philippines

to invent silk or
something. It will take years.

Don't let him go. If he wants
to go, why shouldn't he?

He is free, and he's young enough

to think he can turn hemp into silk.

But you'd be much happier
if he stayed here, wouldn't you?

What difference does that make?

Plenty.
You know what will happen.

Some other dame will get him.

One of those hula-hula
or wicky-wicky numbers.

Oh, so what? There's
nothing I can do about it.

Oh, yes, there is.

Bobby, if you knew just
half a dozen sentences

to say that would make him
propose to you tonight,

would you say them?

No, I wouldn't.

What kind of sentences?

Just a few simple ones.

Now you listen to your older sister.

When he asks you if you were
really going out tonight,

tell him you were going out
with somebody named Fred.

I'd better write it down for you.

Can you read my
shorthand? I guess so, go on.

Well, you're going with Fred
to the Rainbow Room, see.

Now Rims will ask you to stay.

Then you say you told Fred
to call you at the party,

and you'll call it off when he telephones.

Then I'll telephone.
Isn't it easy?

Oh, Florrie, you're wasting your time.

It's so silly, I'm not a bit interested.

Well, then what?

Well, then he'll ask
if he can take you home,

and you suddenly take out your hanky

and begin to cry a little.

Cry?
Me?

Yes, you cry, and he'll ask you
what the matter.

And you say,

"Oh, I'm so tired of everything, Rims,

and I'm afraid
I'm not very good company."

And he'll say, "Oh, yes, you are,"

and he'll put his arm around you.

Or would he? Now how could he help it?

Well, after that it gets easier
all the time.

You just say, "Rims, dear,

sometimes you're the only person
in the world I can talk to."

That's good.

"Sometimes I can't bear to be
with anybody else."

Oh, Florrie, I couldn't.

But that's exactly what you've got to say,

and you go right on and say, "Rims,

don't you ever get tired
of poor little me?"

Then he'll say "never," of course.

That's right.

And you say,
"You're such a darling."

And "it's going to be
awfully difficult."

What is?

That's what he'll say, what is?

And you say
"marrying somebody else."

Then he'll draw back and say,
"You're getting married?"

And you say, "Well, a girl's
got to get married sometime,

you know,
while she's got chances."

And he'll say,
"Do you get many chances?"

And you'll say modestly,
"You know how it is,

not a month goes by," et cetera, et cetera.

And then you'll say...
No, no, I won't.

Yes, you will.

You'll say, "Well,
Fred wants me to marry him.

He's awfully in love with me,

and I don't want to go on
working forever."

And then he'll say,

"Well, if you're getting
married this season,

why not marry me?"
And there you are.

I tell you it's in the bag.

Oh, he'll never fall for that. Why not?

He isn't such a fool
for one thing, and for another,

I don't think it's fair.

My darling, how do you think
people get married?

I don't know.
I'll say you don't.

Honestly, do you think a person
with any sense would fall

for a deliberate trap like that?

Why, honey, hundreds of
thousands of them fall for it every year.

Well, I think it's humiliating
and degrading,

and I'll have nothing
to do with it. Good night!

You'll probably remember the system anyway.

It comes natural.

♪♪ He's a jolly
good fellow ♪♪

♪♪ For he's a jolly
good fellow ♪♪

♪♪ Which nobody
can deny ♪♪

♪♪ Which nobody can deny,
which nobody can deny ♪♪

♪♪ For he's a jolly good fellow,
he's a jolly good fellow ♪♪

♪♪ For he's a jolly
good fellow ♪♪

♪♪ Which nobody
can deny ♪♪

Oh, pardon me.

Hello.

Hello.

I... I thought you'd
never get here.

Oh, well, well, some friends called.

Oh, well, let's check your coat.

Say, that's a nice dress.

Why haven't I seen that on before?

I just made it.

You made it?

I wish you'd make my clothes for me.

You never asked me.

Oh.

Uh, you don't want to dance.

Let's talk.
All right.

Your sister said you had
a previous engagement.

Well, I didn't.

You're a poor liar, Bobby,
if that's anything against you.

But I say I didn't have a date.

Anyway, I feel sorry for the other guy,

and sweet of you to turn down
the Rainbow Room for me.

Wait a minute,
I haven't turned it down yet.

You mean he's coming here?

Oh, no, he's going to telephone me here.

Oh, you know, I've been
wanting to talk to you.

I haven't seen you for days.

That isn't my fault.

I know.

I've been pretty busy
getting ready for my trip.

I understand.

Have you got a match?

Sure.

Say, I wish you were coming along with me.

Maybe you could use a stenographer.

No, not a chance, not on my salary.

Miss Halevy?
Are you Miss Halevy?

Why, yes.
Telephone.

For me?
Yes.

Hello?

Hello, Bobby, Florrie.

Now let's see how good you are.

Tell him you're busy, will you?

Do you really want me to stick around?

Sure, I do.

Fred, I'm awfully sorry,
but I can't go tonight.

You're all right, keep it up.

No, no, really I can't.

Oh, it isn't that, uh...

No, Fred, please don't come over here.

I'll tell you what I see.

Yeah, goodbye.

There.

That's swell of you, Bobby.

You sure you didn't want to go?

If I'd wanted to, I would have.

I'm glad.

Something is pressing on my mind.

Bobby, do you think it's a good idea

me going to the Philippines?

It's an awfully good chance.

Well, what I mean is,

maybe I can invent
something really important,

something that will revolutionize things.

And well, that's why I am going.

Do you think I ought to?

It's an awfully good chance.

I guess I said that already.

It's a chance of a lifetime.

Rims, we did have a good
spring together, didn't we?

Yeah.

Time certainly flew by.

Yeah, it's autumn now.

Bobby, my boat leaves in the morning.

A thought strikes me.

I never kissed you.

Do you mind if I kissed you goodbye?

Well, seeing as it's a goodbye occasion.

Thank you.

Bobby?

Bobby?

Look what you've done to my lipstick.

What's the matter?

Oh, Rims, I'm afraid
I'm not very good company.

Maybe you better take me home.

Oh, yes, you are.

But what's wrong?

Well...

Well, Rims, sometimes
you're the only person

in the world that I can talk to.

Yeah?

The only person I can bear to be with.

Gee, that's a genuine compliment.

Rims, don't you ever get
tired of poor little me?

What?

Well, I should say not, never.

Oh, Rims, you're such a darling.

Well, I wouldn't say that.

Oh, oh, but you are, and... and...

and it's going to be awfully difficult.

What is?

Marrying somebody else.

You're getting married?

Well, well, a girl's
got to get married sometime

while she's got chances.

Do you get plenty of chances?

Oh, oh, well, well, you know how it is.

Why, hardly a month goes by.

Don't tell me you're really
contemplating marriage,

I mean, with somebody definite?

Well, well, Fred is awfully
in love with me and...

and well, Rims, I don't want
to go on working forever.

I see, yeah, I see.

I didn't know you felt that way.

I thought when I got back
from the Philippines a success,

I was hoping that maybe you and I...

Oh, no, Rims, no,
you go on to the Philippines.

That's what you were cut out for, and me...

and me, well, I'll get married

and live on Long Island,

and have a couple of blonde kids.

Fred's blonde too, you know,

and well, that's what I was cut out for.

Gee, that sounds great.

I-I mean the picture of marriage.

It sounds better than the Philippines.

Oh, oh, no, no, Rims, you go on.

You... You must go.

Besides, Fred's asked me to marry him.

Oh, what's wrong with me asking you?

In fact, I am asking you!

You are?

Yes!
Will you marry me?

Oh, well, Rims, the Philippines?

Well, the Philippines can go to the devil.

There's enough silk in the world
anyway. Well, what do you say?

Well, I'll... I'll have to think it over.

Well, you certainly won't think it over.

Shh!
Quiet, please.

Herbie has a few words to say.

Say it, Herbie.

Yeah.

Well, Rims, parting is such sweet sorrow.

That's from Shakespeare,
a writer, one of the best.

And we thought, well, well,

to cut a long story short...

I can see he means to take all night.

Here's the situation, Rims.

All of us kids got together
seeing you're taking a trip,

and donated a sum pro rata

to get you these genuine
leather traveling bags.

The rest is in my heart, and theirs.

Goodbye, and good luck.

Yeah.

Come on.
Speech.

Well, thank you very much.

I'm afraid I won't be
able to use these bags.

I'm not going to the Philippines.

You're not going to the Philippines.

Why not?
Well, what do you mean?

Well, I want you to meet
the future Mrs. Rosson.

Wait, wait!

What are we gonna do with these bags?

They cost a nice piece of
coin. What's the crying for?

I purposely told them
to leave out the initials.

Go on.
Kiss her, do something.

Come on.
Go on, kiss her.

Hey, you're certainly
getting a wonderful girl.

Good morning,
Mr. Ruxton.

Good morning, Miss Rosson.

What's the trouble?

She's stalling all the time.

Rims.

I was just about to anchor
the furniture down.

Oh, good morning, darling.

Good morning. I'm glad to see you're up.

Say, whose idea was it
to live over a garage?

Now don't you complain,
this is the only flat

in New York City with a garden
for $22.50 a month.

It may have a garden,
but it's also got the DT's.

Rims, it's stuck again,

that automatic combination lock of yours.

I get locked in here 10 times a day.

Still, it's not a bad idea.

You press a button
and the lock opens by itself

and nobody can come in from the outside.

Yeah, but it takes an hour and
a half to get out from the inside.

What will I do in case of fire?

Well, just yell fire

and put on your best-looking pajamas.

See.

Now get into your bath
and I'll fix you breakfast.

What have we got this morning?

Eggs.
Eggs.

There you are.

Oh, thanks.

Say, you look pretty good this morning.

It must be this new shade of lipstick.

How long have we been married, Bobby?

Well, let's see, we have paid
six installments on the radio,

that's six months.

Uh-uh, eight months.
We missed two payments.

What's the matter, Rims?
Don't you like the biscuit?

Just because every young wife

is supposed to make bad biscuits

is no reason you can't break the tradition.

Oh, Rims, nobody could cook

in a tiny combination
kitchen-bath like we have.

Just you wait till the landlord
builds a new one upstairs

and then you'll see.

Are you sure you want that kitchen?

You won't have an alibi then.

I won't need one.

And it's gonna cost us
$10 more a month in rent.

We're both working.
We can afford it.

Yesterday when the landlord was here,

I made him a cup of coffee.

After he tasted it he said,

"I don't know what you folks
want a kitchen for,

you should
eat out more."

Maybe if both of us got a
raise, we could do that too.

Oh, Rims.
Oh, I'm just kidding.

How about a kiss, huh?

Are you happy, Rims?

Oh, sure.
Why do you ask?

Oh, I'm just collecting
answers for the Gallup poll.

According to the comic strips,

no married man has a right to be happy,

but I'm happy.
I'm very happy.

How about you?

I'm not exactly miserable myself.

Is that fair to the comic strip writers?

We'll never tell them.

The European orders.

Gee, I'm worried.

The orders gets smaller
and smaller all the time.

It's the war. You can't
send things over there

even if they have the money
to pay for them.

Wouldn't you think people would get tired

of hearing speeches and brass bands?

You'd think they'd stop
and realize how silly it all is.

If you ask me it's psychological.

Yeah, people like to push
other people around,

especially the big ones the little ones.

You know what I think?

I think if they had a couple
of football games

to go to on Saturdays,
they wouldn't have any wars.

They could use up their perspiration there

if you'll pardon my manner of speaking.

Hello. Mrs. Rosson?

Yes, sir, she is right here.

Yes, sir, I'll tell her.

Mr. Norman, he wants
to see you in the office.

I wonder what for.

A friendly chat.
Oh!

Take it easy, he's got a wife
who understands him.

The inventory ready by Monday.

Come in, Mrs. Rosson.
Sit down.

Thank you, Mr. Norman.

Well, how are things going
with you and Rims?

Marriage agreeing with him?

Oh, yes, we... we like it

so well we're telling
all our friends about it.

Well, I'm glad to hear it.

We have a great deal
to contend with these days.

Tough on people, what with
unemployment and war.

Oh, yes. Gertrude has a way
to end all wars,

the football games.

She says if everybody went to a...

Yes, I suppose she is amusing as usual.

But you see the war has crippled

our European business badly.

Yes, I've been noticing.

With the result that we have to cut down,

and we feel,
that is, Mr. Martin feels,

that where the husband is already working,

the wife should be let out.

Oh, I see.

Just a temporary measure, of course.

We hope soon to resume normal operations.

But in the meantime, I'm forced to give you

your notice as of tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow?

I'm sorry.

Thank you very much.

I know.

That's what he calls a friendly chat.

It's only a job.

Bobby, it's no use...

Do you know what we're going to do?

We're going to celebrate.

Celebrate?
Yeah, celebrate.

Starting tonight, we're going
to celebrate in style.

Dad, you think he's crazy too, don't you?

Sure, any man marrying to the Halevy family

is a little insane.

Wait a minute, you don't get my idea.

Look, Rims, I lost my job.

What are we celebrating?

The fact I can sleep late every morning?

Well, we can celebrate
that too if you want to,

but mainly it's because you lost your job.

Crazy, I told you.
No, no, I'm not crazy.

Look, that's what we're
going to do from now on.

Celebrate every bad break
that comes into our life.

Not the good ones,
there won't be enough of those,

just the things that crush most people.

That's what the Rossons celebrate.

Don't you see that?
Oh, Rims.

Don't you get it?
It's thumbing our noses

at everything that's hitting us
and keeping us down,

don't you see that?

Yeah, yeah, Rims.
Yes, I see.

Well, then let's eat.

Gee, what time is it?

7:00.

Gee, we certainly must have
celebrated last night.

There's an awful hammering in my head.

Oh, me too.

Not only that, I feel as if
I'm being sawed in half.

Me too, I hope it's the same half.

Rims, it's the carpenters.

They're starting on the new kitchen.

Don't you think you ought to say something?

Holy cats!

Gee, I don't know what to say.

What do you think I ought to say?

Oh, you'll think of something.

Huh?

Good morning.

Oh, good morning.

Good morning.
Good morning.

Sorry, we woke you folks up,

but we want to get this thing
started. That's quite all right.

Yeah, as soon we get the
framework up, it won't be so noisy.

I'm sure of it, but you see, fellas,

we have to call it off.

Oh, now wait a minute.
What's a little noise?

We'll have this thing up in a few days,

you'll have yourself a love nest.

It'll be just like a dream.

We still have to call the whole thing off.

Why?
What's the matter?

Well, you see we... we can't afford it.

Can't afford, why not?

Well, there was two salaries
coming in, now there's only one.

Oh. Did you get that?
Yeah.

And what's my little lady going to say?

When I left her this morning,

she said, I'll bet you don't work today.

Maybe she was right.

Yeah. Now what
am I going to tell her?

Oh, what's the use of complaining? Come on.

Let's get around the Strand Theater

before they change the morning prices.

Sorry, fellas.

It's all right, buddy.
Better luck next time.

My wife must be psychic.

For your hope chest.

I guess this is what the judge meant

when he said for better or for worse.

Personally I thought he was kidding.

Rims, did you ever see a scene in a picture

where the whole world
was against two people

trying to pull them apart?

I think there was one picture
in which I didn't see it.

Well, that's how I feel.

Like we were standing high on a rock,

and there was thunder and lightning

and the wind was howling,
but... but we wouldn't care

because... because we'd have each other.

We'd not only have each other,
we'd have pneumonia too.

Uh, darling, while we're out here,

how about taking a sunbath, huh?

Oh, no, you'll be late
to the office, come on.

What a door.

I don't like the expression on your face.

You look troubled.

I'll give you
the bad news in just a minute.

It's slowly dawning upon me

why we got this apartment so cheap.

Glad somebody is working overtime.

Well, the treasurer's report
is all ready.. Want to hear it?

Spare me the horrible details.

We earn $101 a month, and we spend $108.

Well, at least it's round numbers anyway.

But Rims, what are we going to do?

Either we've got to cut down
on expenses or earn more money.

That's the only way we can keep
our heads above water.

Why try? It might be pleasanter underwater.

Oh, please Rims, I'm serious.

So I'm clowning.

We need a balanced diet anyway.

Rims, you know what I've been thinking?

Make it good.

Well, I was thinking that
if I don't get a job pretty soon

and we don't win the sweepstakes,

well, there is still my daybed
at home, it pulls out.

No, I-I was just thinking
that two can sleep in it

as uncomfortably as one.

Listen, if it ever comes to the point

where we have to live with your folks...

$101 coming in and $108 going out,

it may come to that pretty soon.

Yes, Rims, it may.

Gee, six people and one bathroom.

We'll need ration cards to get in.

Well, what do you think marriage
is, a pretty postcard picture?

Lots of people get married

and go through what we're going through.

All right, I have a right to
complain about it, haven't it?

All right, complain!

All right, I am.

All right!

Oh, Bobby, what's the matter with us?

When I'm at the office I keep thinking

about coming home and seeing you.

When I get here, we always
get into an argument.

I don't know, Rims,
it's the same way with me.

All day long, I think
how marvelous it will be

when you come home and...

and then you do
and it isn't marvelous at all.

It's a problem.

Well, Dad always says
when you have a problem

you can't solve, go to bed and ignore it.

Yeah, but your father
doesn't live over a garage.

Oh, Rims, we left the lights
on in the living room.

Well, I like to leave 'em on,

it makes me feel like a spendthrift.

Listen, we can use the money

better than the electric company.

All right, but if I was single

I'd leave them on just as a gesture.

Rims, come here.

Sit down.

Rims, do you ever feel sorry

about not going to the Philippines?

Oh, no, I never give it a thought.

Even if you had gone,
I know it's more practical

than your other ideas;
still, silk from hemp.

Well, I was pretty sure it would work.

I'd get silk or pretty close to it.

As a matter of fact
they're getting it from almost

coal, vegetables,

well, everything.

I never should've let you marry me.

I should've made you go.

Hey, that's treason.

I did want to go.

Yes, I know.

But then that night at the party, well, I...

I just had to have you, that's all.

No, it was my fault, I...
I just had to have you.

You know, sometimes I almost wish

I was somebody else's wife.

Then-Then you could be my boyfriend,

and-and you could come to see me.

Well, I-I don't know about that.

Oh, not really, I mean, but
don't you see it would be better

because then you'd always like me,

and you'd always want to see me,

and we'd have to scheme to meet places

and-and you'd hate
the old brute that owned me.

Yeah, but I'm the old brute that owns you.

Well, I didn't mean it that way.

You're not an old brute.

You're the dearest,
sweetest guy in the world.

Well, if you feel that way about it,

what do we care if we're rich or poor?

Ain't it the truth.

Kiss me.

Rims, I... I think you can turn

the light out in here too.

There you are, sign here please.

Thanks.

Would you mind saving those
stamps for me, Mrs. Rosson?

I'm a philatelist, you know.

Oh, sure.

Thanks.

Dr. Cramer wants to see you
again in about a month.

I'll call you to remind you.

Oh, would you mind
calling me during the day?

I'd rather my husband didn't know just yet.

Oh, certainly.

Goodbye, Mrs. Rosson.

Goodbye.

Rims!

Oh, hello, Bobby.

Didn't you see me pass?

No, I-I didn't notice you.

Most men whistle when I go by.

Did you just get home from work?

Yeah.

What are you doing out here?

Oh, just thinking.

You can think upstairs too.

What have you got there?

Oh, just cold cuts.

Mom called up this morning

and I expect the family for dinner.

Oh, that's nice,

but how would you like to go
out and celebrate tonight?

Bad news?

Uh-huh.

Norman called me in

and presented me with a 10% cut.

Oh, Rims.

But he says it's only temporary.

In a month it may have to be a 20% cut.

Whoopee.

It seems that three more ships
were sunk today.

I don't get the connection.

Anyway, we're still on that rock together.

Yeah, but how it's raining.

I'll tell you what we'll do.

I'll go to the store
and I'll get some chops

and some confetti and some
tin horns and we'll all celebrate.

You go upstairs and peel the potatoes.

I don't mind taking a cut, but gee,

somebody else's war.

Well, don't take it out on
the potatoes, just the skins.

Oh, hello, Willie, come in.

Thank you.

I thought it was Bobby.

Sit down.

No, thank you, I'll stand.

What's biting you?

I have a bill here for
$73.28 which you owe to

the Fishker and Vandenberg
Furniture Company.

They've turned the bill
over to me for collection.

Messrs. Fishker and Vandenberg
have made a wise choice.

Frankly, I'm worried about this bill.

Why should you worry for three other guys.

Let them do their own worrying.

What do you intend doing about this bill?

I'll pay it when I have the money.

And when will that be?
Better ask my boss about that.

He just presented me with a 10% cut.

You know the law in this state
concerning unpaid bills?

No, but I'm willing to let you tell me.

The law provides for a full civil action

against deadbeats like you.

A judgment can be obtained.

We can garnish your salary,
attach your property,

and then hold you in contempt of court if...

It's 6:00.

I'm on my own time now.

Let the whole thing drop.

You got a drink?
No.

What's the idea of calling me a deadbeat?

Well, professionally
to me you're a deadbeat.

Personally I like you.

Till 6:00,
I'll hound you to death.

After that you're my brother-in-law.

You had me worried for a while.

Well, I guess you're just
doing your duty to your clients.

Fishker and Vandenberg?

Ah, I don't care
if you never pay those heels.

Say, what was that about a 10% cut?

Starts tomorrow.

In a month, it may be 20.

Just one thing after another.

I guess you'll have to sell the yacht.

When I was single
I never had an unpaid bill.

Now I'm always broke.

Two can live as cheap as one,
if one don't eat.

Yeah.

You know, Willie,
things are just piling up on me.

Me too.

Marriage, it's something
they slipped over on us

while we were in the trenches.

Oh, marriage is all right,

I guess, but not for poor people.

It ain't even all right for rich
people. They're humans too.

Someday we men will get
together and revolt.

The only way we can stage a revolt is
to have the Army and Navy behind us.

And most of those boys are single.

That's right.

Funny thing though, Willie,

I'm still in love with Bobby.

I'll tell you something even funnier.

I'm really in love with Florrie.

Maybe it's the times.

Maybe it's us.

Maybe it's us and the times.

Maybe it's everything.

Say, we're talking as if we
had a couple of drinks in us.

It's an idea.

Let's start a revolt with a few beers

before the family gathering.

All right, we'll go out the back way.

Say, how much dough you got on you?

Oh, about a dollar.

I've got two, that makes three.

We can't stage much of a revolution on $3.

Well, the air is like wine.

We'll go out and breathe deep.

This is a fine dinner party,

where could he have gone?

I don't know.

Well, it's 9:20. If you ask
me, we're being stood up.

I say let's eat.

If I'd known we were going
to wait like this,

I'd have brought my knitting.

Here, Mom, eat an olive.

Don't worry, Bobby,
Rims can take care of himself.

Well, I hope nothing's happened to him.

That's not what I'm hoping.

Maybe we ought to call the police.

Do you think we ought to bother them?

They work so hard.

Say, you two didn't have
a fight or anything, did you?

Of course not.

Are you sure? What was the
last expression on his face?

Well, he was pretty unhappy
about taking the cut.

It that all?
Yes, that's all!

You can tell us, you know,
we're still in the family

unless you're ashamed of us.

Florrie, I tell you we didn't
have an argument.

Don't lie to me, something happened.

Rims just doesn't walk out of the house.

Oh, Florrie.

I'll bet something did
happen. I'll find out.

Why can't you leave the girl alone?

Now don't get sore, Bobby.

I'm only trying to help.
You can tell me.

You and Rims aren't getting along, are you?

Whatever made you think that?

Ten years of married
life made me think that.

We're getting along as well as
can be expected on $22.50

a week minus 10%.

Oh, if it's just the
money, you'll be all right.

Florrie, I'm afraid I'm gonna lose him.

No, you won't. A few bumps
won't bust up any marriage.

It will ours.

He didn't want to get
married in the first place.

He was tricked into it.

A marriage like that
can't take those bumps.

You know what I think?

I think it's time for you
to resort to female tactic

number one, a baby.

There's nothing like a good
fat baby to tie a man down.

What are you laughing at?

Nothing, nothing,
only that's a trick, isn't it,

like the questions on the pad?

Sure, it's a trick.

But that's not what you're laughing at.

No.

No, it isn't.

Bobby, what's the matter?

Dad?
Bobby?

Dad?
Dad?

Hmm, what's the matter?

Bobby, there he is.

This way, pal.

Thank you, pal.

It's locked.

That's a remarkable invention.

Tell them, that's what
you've got, tell them.

Shh!
That's right.

That's right, they may be here already.

Let's take a look, huh?

Not a soul.

We're perfectly safe.

Have a seat, pal.

Thank you, pal.

When they do get here,

we'll be very stern with them

about being late.

Why can't people be on time?

Time, time is relative.

I read a book once.

Did I read it or did I write it?

I never wrote anything before,

I guess I must've read it.

Where are those potatoes we were peeling?

Now you listen to me, pal.

Anyway there's a very dull
chapter in this book

which I shall describe to you in detail.

Willie!

Do you hear anything?

Not a thing.

Must be my conscience.

To continue...

My conscience is developing a punch.

You listen to me, Willie Sands.

Rims, I don't think we are alone.

Mrs. Livingstone,
I presume.

Don't you Mrs. Livingstone
with me.

Willie, have you had a drink?

Frankly, I'm too drunk to remember.

Wait till I get you home.

When you get him home, Florrie,

you'll tuck him into bed with
honor. The boys are wonderful.

I haven't see a real drunk since repeal.

Best thing about this guy
is his understanding heart.

That's right, understanding heart.

Hey, Popsy, did you hear about my cut?

Yes, I heard all about your cut.

Well, that's what Willie
and I were celebrating about.

We took a trip to the Philippines.

Yes, sir, had a drink in every stopover...

Newark, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh.

At Kansas City, the bartender
had to give us credit.

Such nonsense.

That's right.

And you know what else we did?

We made the rounds
of all the hotel lobbies,

just for an experiment, you understand.

Just to see how many people recognized me.

But who recognized me?
Who?

Nobody.

Not a single individual.

In fact, not a soul.

I could've been
in the Philippines right now,

giving orders instead of taking
and working and doing something.

Yeah, maybe.

You know who I am?

I'll tell you who I am.

I'm just the guy that
missed the boat on everything.

Now I'll tell you folks something else...

I'm not in the very best condition.

Oh, Dad!

Is he hurt?

Poor fellow.
No.

He'll be all right.
Yeah.

We'll put his head under the pot.

Hey, we who are
about to lie down salute you.

Oh, no, you don't.
Mom, give me a hand.

Willie!

Let me go.
I want to see my pal.

Dad, give me a pillow, will you?

You can't take me home.
Willie.

We'll drink from the same bottle

and we'll sleep in the same bed.

Oh, Willie.

I'll get a wet towel.

Thanks, Bobby, for a lovely dinner.

Good night, pal.

Come on, Willie.

Don't worry, Bobby dear.

Oh, no, no, Mom, I won't.

You go on with the others, good night.

Good night, darling.

Now just let him rest.

I'd better get Willie home

before he goes off on another tour.

I'm sorry, Bobby.

That's all right, Rims.

Now you go to sleep.

I'm glad one of us celebrated.

Hello, Bobby.

Did you see my glasses around?

Did you forget them?
Mm-hmm.

They're right in your pocket.

Well, I had to have some excuse to be alone

with my daughter for a few minutes.

How's the boyfriend?

Oh, sound asleep.

He'll be all right in the morning.

That's not what I'm worrying about.

We're moving in with you folks tomorrow.

Do you have to?
We're pretty awful people.

We're a month behind in the rent now.

I suppose it's all my fault.

At my age I should've been a rich man,

president of Martin's.

If you were president of Martin's,

you wouldn't have let me marry Rims.

I shouldn't have let you marry anybody.

Marriage is no love affair, my dear.

It's a house, bills, dishpans,

and family quarrels.

That's the way the system beats you.

They beat the wedding and the romance,

hang a 300-pound landlord around your neck

and drown you in grocery bills.

If you're in love with a man,
sow a few oats.

Why the devil should the boys

have a monopoly on violence?

Yes, I see.

Maybe I should...

No, no, I shouldn't have said that.

Marriage is fine.
It's grand.

It's the cornerstone of progress,

backbone of civilization.

Don't you believe anything against it.

I won't if you tell me.

Dad?
What?

Getting married stopped him
from the only real thing

he wanted to do, and I tricked him into it.

Oh, I've heard all about that,

but show me one man who ever got married

because it was his own idea.

If he were free,

he could go to the Philippines right now.

He got a letter.

I didn't tell him.

Do you think I should?

Do you want him to go?

Well, I...

Do you want to lose him?

No.

Then don't say a word.

But isn't that another trick?

Sure, it is. You started
married life on one,

now you'll find one trick
will pile up on another.

I guess you're right.

Florrie just suggested
even another trick to hold him.

She said I should start
thinking about having a baby.

Oh, did she?
Well, your sister's right.

That will hold him, I'll vouch for that.

Could you stand a good joke on Florrie?

Mm-hmm.

I am going to have a baby.

Bobby!
A-Are you sure?

Does Rims know?
No.

Then tell him, and you can
tell him too about the letter.

He'll stay.
It's simple.

Oh, yes, it's simple, he'll stay.

He'll become the usual doting father.

In time he'll forget silly things

like turning hemp into silk.

Oh, he'll be tied down all right.

Are you proud of me, Father?

Bobby?

What is it, dear?

Oh, is there any aspirin in the house?

I don't think so.

I'll run down to the drugstore
and get some.

Wait a minute, Popsy.

Don't you Popsy me.

Put 'em up, young man.

Get yourself a reputation first.

I hand you the pearl of Washington Heights.

When I come back I'll beat
the stuffing out of you.

Stuffing's all out of me already.

Then I'll beat it back into you.

You better come inside,
dear, you'll catch cold.

Oh, nothing can make me
feel any worse than I feel now.

Can I get you something hot to drink?

No, thanks.

I think the aspirin will fix me up.

You know, a little while back
I was seeing you double

and both of you were beautiful.

Thanks.

Here, let me help you.

Rims, there's something
I've got to talk to you about.

Yeah, what?

We can't stay here any longer.

We're behind last month's rent.

We can't pay this month's,
and next month is almost here.

We've got to get out.

Gee, isn't there anything
we can do about it?

Nothing except move in with the folks.

Holy cats.

How did all this happen to me?

Did I bother anybody?
Who's got it in for me?

Well, I've lived in hall bedrooms before,

but at least they were my own.

Well, all right then,
do something about it.

Don't take the cut.

Tell Norman you get
your full salary or you quit.

Sure, I'm indispensable to them.

Martin's can't open their doors without me.

Listen, they fire me
and their stock goes up.

Well, then get another job.

There are other things you can do

and there's a million jobs
in New York. Name one.

Well, Rims, if you're just going to sit
in that chair and adopt that attitude...

I'm not adopting any attitude!

Listen, I hate the job at Martin's.

I hate any other job.

There's only one thing
I want to do and I can do.

Oh, what's the use?

Rims, there's something else
I want to tell you.

Yeah, what?

That job in the Philippines,
it's still open.

What did you say?

I said that job in the Philippines,

it's still open.
How do you know?

A letter came for you this morning.

I read it.
This morning?

But that's the answer I've
been waiting for. Where is it?

I tore it up.

You tore it?
You tore it up?

I didn't mean to, Rims, honest,

I just couldn't help myself.

What was the idea?
I was afraid.

Afraid of what? Afraid
I'd run out on you? Yes.

Well, you don't have to worry
about that. I'll stick around.

I'm trapped, trapped, just as if I was a...

I'm...

I'm sorry, Bobby.

You know how it is, with a married guy.

Well, you can't do the...

Well, things kind of close in on you.

You know what I mean.

Sure, I know what you mean.

Ah, how about a kiss, huh?

And you relax, and I'll fix the dishes.

Rims?

Rims, I've been thinking,
maybe we'd be happier...

Well, it's worked with lots of people.

Maybe if we...

If we what?

If we had a baby.

A baby?

That's a brainstorm.

Well, where did you get that idea?

Well, Rims, when a woman's
really in love with a man,

the thing she wants
most is to have a child.

That's very nice, Bobby,

but use your head, it's simple arithmetic.

We haven't got enough to get along on now.

I-I know, but people
say a baby brings luck,

and the baby wouldn't care
if we were rich or poor.

I know, but I care, I care a lot.

When you have a kid,

you want to give it some advantages.

Well, what could we do for it?

What could we do with it?

Where could we put it?

But Rims, there's a million people

getting along with less than we have.

I know, but by the skin of their teeth.

I don't call that living.

Bobby, it's ridiculous.

But Rims, maybe...

I tell you it's impossible.
For heaven's sakes, forget it.

Maybe you're right.

Well, what's the matter, Bobby?

Nothing, Rims.

We'll forget about it, just as you say.

Well, wait a minute.

I didn't know you felt that way.

Well, there's nothing I'd like better.

It's crazy, but maybe we...

Bobby, you're not...
you're not gonna have...

Oh, no, no, no, Rims, I'm not.

Tell me the truth.

Honest, I'm not, I swear it.

Don't lie to me, why'd you
bring it up if you're not?

I-I was just trying to rope you in, Rims.

I was afraid I was going to lose you,

and I was trying to find a way
to hold on to you, but I won't do it.

If I can't keep you on the level,

then I'll just have to lose you.

What are you talking about?

Honest, there isn't any baby, Rims,

you've got to believe me.

It-It was just a trick.
Trick?

Well, people don't trick about
a serious matter like babies.

That's exactly what I was doing,

and it isn't the first time.

I never should've married you.
I tricked you into that too.

What are you saying?

I tricked you, I tricked
you! Can't you understand?

Those questions, they were
all prepared, rehearsed.

What questions?
What goes on?

The night of the party,
the night on the balcony,

all that stuff about Fred, it was lies.

Couldn't you see?

There never was any Fred or anybody else.

It was just a trick
to rope you into marrying me

to keep you from going to the Philippines.

Holy cats.

Well, I'm glad you know.

I couldn't keep it in me any longer.

I remember now.

It comes to me like a flash, roped in.

How do you like that?

Boy, oh, boy!

And you were the girl that was
so honest I fell in love with,

the girl who wouldn't lie
to me about her age,

the girl who wouldn't let me take a taxi,

the girl I-I felt so comfortable with,

I'd show her the holes in my socks.

Roped in, how do you like that?

Boy, oh, boy, oh, boy!

Well, all right,
we'll wash everything clean.

We'll call it quits. You're
still single, you never met me

and you never took me bowling.

You can go to the Philippines,

and there's nobody and
nothing to stop you. You're free!

What is this?
Another trick?

I'm only telling you this so you can go.

Don't press me,
I'm contemplating it seriously.

Well, go on, what's keeping you?

Pack your bags and go.

All right, I will.

Boy, what a fella gives up
when he gets married.

As long as he's single, he owns the earth,

but when he's married
his time's not his own,

his money is not his own.

He's got to keep on working
whether he wants to or not.

When I got tired
of a job before, I just quit,

that was all.

I could've been
in the Philippines right now,

but no, I had to let you rope me in.

Boy, oh, boy, oh, boy!

Boy, oh, boy, oh, boy!

If you think a man gives up
a lot when he gets married,

so does a girl, and don't you forget it.

I spend the whole day here

taking care of this place for you,

cooking your meals and washing your dishes.

We never go anywhere
because we can't afford it,

and every time
I spend a dime, I feel guilty.

It's degrading, that's what it is.

Throw it up to me, I don't earn enough.

That's right, throw it up to me.

Well, you don't!

All right, I'll go to a place where I can.

And all I got to say is that we're lucky

we hadn't got anything to tie us together.

Yes, we're lucky, we're very lucky.

A baby.
Boy, oh, boy, oh, boy.

Roped in, I ought to have my head examined.

3-2-1.

Goodbye!

Bobby?

Bobby?

I had to go four blocks before I
could find a cut-rate drugstore.

Where's Rims?

He's gone.

What do you mean gone?
Where?

A hotel I suppose, then Manila.

Manila?
That's crazy.

How could he leave you now?

I told him he could.

You...

You told him you were gonna
have a baby, didn't you?

No, I didn't.

Then I certainly will.

No.
No, let's don't.

It... It's just another trick

even though it's one of nature's.

I'm through with tricks.

Will you take me home?

Where's your coat?

Here.

Are you proud of me now, Father?

You crazy fool, no.

All right.

All right.

But, Gertrude,

just because Bobby and Rims
came to a parting of the ways,

must you take it out on me?

Please, Mr. Smith,

I find your presence here very stuffy.

Please eliminate yourself at once

if you'll pardon my manner of speaking.

Go figure out women.
What's the matter?

I was personally instrumental

maybe in the disruption of their marriage?

Here he is now.

I won't even say hello to him.

Hello, Rims.

Oh, hello, Herbert.

Oh, I could punch you in the nose

for what you did to my love life.

You better hurry up and do it.

My boat leaves at midnight

when the tide comes in or
goes out, I don't know which.

And Bobby left alone here in New York.

I suppose you're not even
going to spend a nickel

to call her up and wish her bon voyage.

I'm calling her tonight.

Oh, a regular cavalier.

Sure you're not going
to reverse the charges?

I thought you wasn't even
going to say hello to him.

I didn't say hello to him,

and I'm not going to say goodbye to him.

But in between I can tell him a few things.

Don't mind Gertrude, she don't
mean 90% of what she says.

I'll meet you
at the boat at 11:30.

Gertrude, please!

Oh, hello, Rims.

Oh, hello, Pop.

I hear you're sailing tonight.

Yeah, at midnight.

How's Bobby?
Awful.

Well, I don't feel exactly
like a rose myself.

Will you tell her I'll call her
later this evening?

Sure.

Have you got a minute?

Yeah.

Glad to see you're not angry.

Huh?
At what?

Oh, everything, the trick.

Oh, no, I'm not angry at the trick.

As a matter of fact,
after thinking it over,

I'm flattered.

Nobody else ever wanted me that much.

Isn't there any way
you can take her with you?

What would we live on?
Bananas?

If I only had some extra money,
a thousand would do,

we could stretch it out.

I've got $130 in the bank in dimes.

How far could you stretch that?

Who's the villain in the piece, Pop?

Certainly it isn't Bobby.

I don't think it's me.

See, I've tried hard enough.

It could be me.

Oh...

Any father-in-law with only
$130 in the bank is a heavy.

No, it's not you, Pop.

Well, I guess
it's the $1.000 I haven't got.

Now you're getting warm.

There must be a simple
solution to it somewhere.

It's only $1.000.

Lots of people got $1.000.

Lots of people haven't.

And of all the people
who haven't got $1.000,

I haven't got it the most.
Well, it's all over.

Rims, there's something
about Bobby you got to know.

What?

No, I'm not the one.

She'll have to tell you
herself. Tell me what?

Ah, forget it, it's not that important.

Goodbye.

I'm glad to have had you in the family

for a while anyway.

Give my love to the rest of the folks.

Ain't it a mess?

Why don't you sit down and
relax, Dad? Bobby's all right.

What time did you say
she left? Just after dinner.

Only, she didn't have any dinner.

Did she say where she was going?

She's just walking up and down the street.

I don't know what good that's going to do.

At least she won't
have to listen to her sister

telling her it's all for the best.

I know a couple of things
that could happen to you

that would be all for the best.

Don't tempt me, they may happen.

Very funny.
Say, don't do that, Florrie.

You know I've got a weak heart.

Will you straighten up, Henry?

I want to see if this sweater...

Oh, for heaven's sake, Myrtle,
stop bothering me with that nonsense.

Well, how can I finish it?
I don't care!

Henry! I don't care if you never finish it!

Dad, you're taking this whole thing

much harder than Bobby is.

What if I am? I hate to see
Bobby go through all this.

One Halevy has a right to be happy.

That must be Bobby.

What did I say?
Oh, Mom.

Hello, Bobby.

Hello, Dad.

How about your dinner?

I don't want anything to eat,

I'm too tired.

Did Rims call?

Not yet.
He said he would.

He will.

Oh, Dad.

Oh, Bobby.

Bobby?

That's not like you.

Come and lie down in Florrie's room.

Hmm?
Have a rest.

Come on, Bobby, you're
taking this much too hard.

Would you like to hear
a few proverbs or something?

A few maxims?
No.

Good, because I don't know any.

I don't know, I don't feel sorry for you.

Me, I feel sorry for myself.

I guess what's happening to you
is the final defeat for me.

Do you know when I stopped living?

When I was 43.

I realized then what the end
of my life would be,

exactly what it had been up to then.

You know, repetitious,

dull, completely worthless to anyone.

Dad...
Yes, it is.

But at least there was
one thing left for me.

I could see to it that
it didn't happen to you.

Oh, Florrie, well,
she can take care of herself.

But I had a different sort
of life path for you, not this.

None of your dad's pitfalls.

Please, Dad.

Yeah.

I was going to see to it.

I can't even scrape up the few pennies

to keep you and Rims together.

Only $1.000.

Dad!

Huh?

What's the matter?

I guess I'd better get out of here

or I will be giving you proverbs.

Why, you haven't done
that since you were a kid.

Did I do that?
I don't remember.

You wouldn't.

It's what I live for.

It's a father's privilege to remember.

Henry, where are you going?

Oh, I... I got a call to do
some work at the store.

Oh, that's too bad.

Well, it means overtime.

Well, try and get back as early as you can.

Myrtle, I'm sorry I lost my temper.

When?

You know, before, about the sweater.

Oh, that, I never listen to you anyway.

Yeah, that's the best way.

How's it coming?

Getting along.

Looks good.

Thank you.

Wish Bobby and Rims would get together.

I want to start a sweater for him too.

Well, maybe you will.

Night, Myrtle.

Good night, Henry.

Good night, dear.

Oh, Henry, you'll probably
be back before we are.

We're going to the movies.

Good night,
Mr. Halevy.

Good night.

Hello, Mrs. Rosson.

This is Pete, the night watchman

down at the store.
Yeah.

Your father had an accident.

Oh, where is he?

He's at the City Hospital.

Oh, thanks.

Hello.

Hello, Bobby, this is Rims.

Rims, I can't talk to you now.

Something's happened to Dad.

Where is he now?

City Hospital.
Please.

Then I shut off the power.

The brakes wouldn't hold.
She was still going down.

It's the second time it happened this year.

But they were supposed to fix
the brakes, weren't they, Pete?

Yes, they were, but that didn't help any.

The whole system is no good.

Well, what was he doing upstairs?

I-I don't know.

I thought he had gone home for the night.

How is he, doctor?

Well, he's shaken up a bit.

But it doesn't seem to be anything serious.

I'll have a look at the x-rays

and let you know more about it.

You may go in now.

Thanks.

Dad?

Hello, Bobby.

Hello, Rims.

You bookkeepers, how do you feel?

My arm hurts a bit.

I guess I'm all right.

You gave me a pretty
big scare, Mr. Halevy.

Did I, Pete?
Yes.

Well, I'm glad you're okay now.

Well, I have to get back to work.

See you soon,
Mr. Halevy.

Good night, all.

Oh, Pete.

Thanks, Pete.

Oh, forget it.

Good night.

Good night.

Where's Mother and...

Oh, they're still at the movies.

Good.

What were you doing up on the 10th floor?

Oh, I went up to get a ledger,

the store vault's up there.

Dad, that was no accident.

What are you saying, Bobby?

She's just being silly, isn't she, Pop?

Sure.

Why did you do it?

Oh, well, I thought that you and Rims,

with the compensation money...

I guess I couldn't even put
over a little thing like that.

Well, I got bad news
for you, Mr. Halevy.

The x-rays don't show a thing.

I think you can go home in the morning.

Oh, thanks, doc.

Couldn't I go home now?

I'd like to be with my family tonight.

Why, I suppose so,

but you'd better rest
for an hour or two first.

Gee, do I have to, doc?

Yes, you better, dear.

You go to sleep, I'll be outside.

It isn't every girl
who can have a crazy father.

Thank you, doctor.

Rims?

What a thing to do.

Yeah.

What a guy!

Your boat leaves at 12:00,
doesn't it?

Yeah.

Gee, the hour hand is off now.

It's 20 minutes
to 11:00.

You haven't got much time.

That's right. I still have
some packing to do.

Don't you think you better hurry.

Bobby.

No, no, Rims.

Let's not talk about it anymore.

There's still no answer.

I hope you'll be happy,

and I hope you'll turn hemp into silk,

and I hope it will be
commercially practical.

I'm sorry our marriage
wasn't commercially practical.

Bobby, seeing that
this is a goodbye occasion...

Mrs. Rosson,
your father wants to see you.

He says he can't sleep.

Thank you.

I have to go now.

Goodbye, Rims.

Goodbye, Bobby.

Thank you.

Rims!

I thought you went home to pack.

I did, but on my way down
to the boat, I got to thinking.

Any guy that did what you
did to keep two kids together,

then nothing in the world
has a right to keep us apart.

Nobody has to try to bump
themselves off for us.

I'll find something.

I got a new idea for that
combinational lock of mine.

I'll work on it.

If it's a flop, I'll try something else.

If we can't get
to the Philippines this year,

we'll get there next.

If we can't get there next year,

what the heck, we're Saturday's children.

We've a long way to go.

We're young.

That's the best guarantee for the future.

And don't give me any of that

"we're on a rock
and it's raining" business.

It won't rain for a while yet.

Bobby, I think you can tell him now.

Tell me what?

You'd better sit down, dear.

No.

Yes.

Boy, oh, boy, oh, boy!