Until They Sail (1957) - full transcript

Four sisters in New Zealand fall for four U.S. soldiers en route to the Pacific theater in WWII

* We'll make each moment *

* So tender *

* Until they sail *

* Fulfill the thrill *

* Of surrender *

* Until they sail *

* The warmth of each kiss *

* A lingering sight *

* Will show we know so well *

* This is goodbye *

* Pretend our hearts *



* Aren't breaking *

* Until they sail *

* Let love be theirs *

* For the taking *

* Until they sail *

* The stars may grow dim *

* The moon might fade *

* But even time
will stand still *

* Until *

* They sail *

Proceed.

Now, Major Harding

did you know Delia Leslie
Friskett personally?

Yes, I knew her
but only casually.



It was the other Americans
who knew her, personally.

Well, will you tell us, in what
connection you knew her mainly?

I was sent to investigate.
That was my job.

- Investigate what?
- 'Her marriage.'

Her marriage to Friskett? Of
what interest was that to you?

No, not her marriage
to Friskett.

Well then, major,
her marriage to whom?

To a marine.

'An American marine?'

Yes, an American marine
wanted to marry her.

But she was already married.

She didn't tell the marine that.

And he applied for
permission to marry her.

'And you were
sent to investigate?'

'Yes.'

Is that customary?

'Yes, always.'

You mean to tell me that
all New Zealand girls

who wanted to marry American
servicemen were investigated?

That's right.

Tell me, major,
what kind of a woman

did you find
Delia Friskett to be?

What kind of a woman was Delia?

Was she so different
from her three sisters?

All four of were lonely.

We lived in a country
of women without men.

Is it so hard to understand?

To forgive?

It happened to us in New Zealand

the way it happened
in other countries

where the men went
marching off to war.

Barbara, there's Mark.

- Mark
- Mark.

Mark.

Aren't you gonna
wave to him, Barbara?

He knows I see him, Evelyn.

Mark, my darling,
I hardly know you.

I hardly know my husband.

A month, a small month.

I don't see Kiff.
Does anybody see Kiff?

He's kissing some Sheila
goodbye, if I know brother Kiff.

Hope he remembers that people
will know his fathers son.

Hope he behaves himself.

I hope he has a fine time.
I hope we all have a fine time.

As fine a time
as they can have. Well I do.

Look, Delia. There's three
of your beaus all in a row.

Nice that they can be together.

They can compare notes.

Evelyn, don't be a tease pot.

Christchurch is going to become
a tea party sort of place.

We're all gonna become gossipin'
old maids and spinsters.

Only without the men,
there won't be anything

to gossip about, anything.

'Delia!'

Hello, Shiner.

Ladies. Fine posse
of men, wasn't it?

My brother Kit's with them
and Barbara's husband, Mark.

Well I decided here was
the place for shining.

Uh, defending my homeland.

'And the honor of the girls
they left behind.'

Well now, one pin for Kit
and one for Mark.

Who'll be in charge of Kits'?

You're one of the bright
particular favorite,

which pin do you want?

'White, red, black, blue?'

Red's a happy color.

Red for brother, Kit.
Where shall I put it?

You can see their ships
going upto Wellington now.

Then I'll put it there.

There you are, Kit.
Have a fine time.

A fine time!

I think I'll take
the white one for Mark.

When Tommy goes, I'll take--

The war will be over
before Tommy goes.

- He's seventeen.
- Well we hope it'll be over.

When Tommy goes,
I'll take the black one.

It's romantic. Black.

That's more than one
you can save for Tommy.

I'm sorry. Somehow I think
there ought to be a pin for dad.

Even though he is gone,
so if nobody minds

I'd like to put one
in for him...there.

Well...I think what we need
is a nice cup of tea. Come on.

Your answer to everything
is a nice cup of tea.

It gives you some thing to do.
Get's you past the moment.

We'll have to drink
an awful lot of tea

to get us past all
the moments we're in for.

Dee..

Alright. Stiff upper lip
and all of that.

It's happened.
It's happened.

- What has, Dee?
- I'm engaged.

I'm engaged.

Well, isn't anyone pleased?
What's the matter with you two?

We're delighted for you, Dee.

Aren't we, Anne?
Who's the lucky man?

- Shiner Phil, who else?
- Shiner?

Well, that's wonderful.
When are you gonna get married?

Yes, when is the happy day?

What's bothering you, Anne?

You parading the fact
that you hate men.

- I don't.
- I know you don't.

Anne..

Dee..

Darling..

...Kit's dead.

Where?

A place called, Lamia.

Where's that?

Greece, but I can't
find it on the map.

Lamia?

And I thought that..

Has anyone told, Evelyn?

'Not yet.'

I better tell her.
I will.

What does it matter
where they die?

They all die
in some horrible lost village.

You know as well as I do that
one by one, they'll all be lost.

'Oh, Barbara. I'm sorry.'

Oh, it's alright.
Mark's alright.

He'll be alright.

Just that I'm sick with fear..

...they'd die out there
and leave us to Shiner.

You know if mother
or dad were alive..

...Shiner wouldn't even
be allowed in the house.

Let alone marry, Delia.

Anne, Delia needs us
very much right now.

It's no use worrying
about Delia. She's lost.

Look here. Delia's going
to be married in this house

and you and I are going
to be very nice to Shiner Phil.

It's our only chance
to save Delia from..

Well, from becoming
a very unpleasant person.

'...giving and receiving
the ring and by joining hands.'

'I pronounce that
you are man and wife'

'in the name of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Ghost.'

'Amen.'

Now don't tell me you don't
see the point of the story.

- You see the--
- We see the point, Shiner.

- Unfortunately.
- Oh.

Oh, you mean it ain't
in good taste?

Sorry.

Knitting that for me, old girl.

No. For the boys overseas.
For Mark.

I got the implication,
thank you.

Well, it may not be long before
I'll be one of them.

'I've got a feeling, the army
is blowing down my neck.'

So, I'm lookin' into
the Air Force.

That's the sorta life.

Give me a light, will you, Dee?

Old girl, If you don't
knit those tighter

they'll make a better
fish net than a sock.

Perhaps you'd like
to show me how.

That's a good girl.

I could if I wanted to.

When I was
knocking around Australia..

...I picked it up.

Did you work in Australia,
some kind of job.

You think I never worked
in my life, don't you?

Well I didn't work much
in Australia, but I've worked.

Just that never knowing when
you're going to get called up.

What's the use of starting
a job you're going to leave.

Besides..

...Dee and I are just getting
to know each other.

'As the reports
of the Japanese attack'

'on Pearl Harbor
spread around the world..'

'...semiofficial sources
in London said that'

'the British Empire would carry
out Prime Minister Churchill's '

'promise to give
the United States full support'

'in the event
of hostilities with Japan.'

'The Prime minister..'

- Anything we haven't heard?
- No. The same.

What are you doing
home this early?

I've chucked my job.

You've what?

I've chucked my job.

- Are you taking a new job?
- Yes.

- Doing what? What do you mean?
- Now, Barbara--

Just that even before I've said
anything you make it seem wrong.

- I haven't said anything.
- I know, that's what I mean.

'That is the end
of the news from London.'

Dee, what are you gonna do?

I'm goin' up to Wellington.
The Navy office.

I can't stand
Christchurch another day.

- Now, go ahead and say it.
- What?

- That it's no good.
- Oh, it's not good.

You know yourself, it's no good.

You in Wellington, alone?

You wouldn't
understand, Barbara.

It's the terrible loneliness
of Christchurch.

You walk down
Colombo Street after tea..

All women.

It's like they're
suspending life for two years.

- 'And it'll go on.'
- Dee..

What makes you think
I don't understand?

You love Mark,
and you write to him and..

- I don't know.
- Oh, it's still lonely.

But you're right,
I am luckier than you and Anne.

Dee, you're going to Wellington
because there'll be men there.

Dee..

Do be careful.

You're terribly attractive.

'It was officially
announced that'

'the American fortress
of Corregidor at the entrance'

of Manila bay
surrendered today.'

'It was the second day
of the final Japanese assault'

'started on Tuesday..'

'Stop making those crosses.'

Where's dad with his ship?
where's Mark with

the New Zealand Division?
Where's kit?

You know the men are needed
where they are. Stop it.

And even Shiner,
never thought I'd feel any

loyalty toward Shiner, but
now that he is a prisoner

and God knows
what'll happen to him.

I do, um...sorry we
were so wretched to him.

'Barbara! Anne! Barbara!'

'Listen, listen!'

Barbara!

'Oh, Barbara!'

Barbara, Anne.
Wait till you see it.

You'll never guess
what it is. Oh, look.

- What is it?
- Look. I'll show you.

They say in town
it's the Americans.

It's about time.

They've been about
it long enough.

Alright, you men.
Square wire your gear.

Check your equipment
and standby.

'Alright already, get the
lid up, come on snap it up.'

There is a small charge
for looking at me arms.

What are you looking at?

Ah, they're nuts.

- Hey, come here a minute.
- Why?

- I want to ask you a question.
- What?

Come here.

I'm sorry.

You can't get shot for trying.

- Hey, what's your name?
- None of your business.

The hoity type.
Who cares?

Never seen such a display of
flashing white teeth in my life.

They look as though
they own the place already.

Perhaps they do.

The first sight of a man.

Yes, in many, many months.

It's quite wonderful.

There's nothing
but women in this town.

- Are you complaining?
- No men. Where are the men?

- If you--
- Anne. Anne, please.

Excuse me, I didn't say nothing.

No. No, it's alright.

That one must've killed off all
the guys in this town.

We ought to tell
them where they are.

Why embarrass them,
they'll find out.

I see someone's got
to have a talk with her.

It's the first time
she's had a chance to flirt.

And my sister, Barbara.
She's a wonderful cook.

Tell me something.
How old are you?

Fourteen. Why?

You better wear a sign
around your neck.

"I am only fourteen."

Oh.

These are my sisters.

- Barbara and Anne.
- Hello.

I've just invited Captain Bates
to supper, Friday.

- Oh.
- Lotsa girls are inviting 'em.

This is wonderful. We live way
out of town up in the suburbs.

- You really think you might--
- Oh, it's alright.

I can't come anyway.
I'm on duty.

- My sister didn't mean to be--
- I understand.

Then Saturday?

Well, I have duty Saturday too.
Thanks just the same.

I have to get
my men squared away.

There were so many ships
and only these few men?

There are more
of us in Wellington.

We were there
before they sent us here.

It's much more exciting
in Wellington.

We've got a sister there,
she went up there

because it's much more exciting.

Well, this looks alright
to me. It's a nice town.

I'm sure it's nothing
compared to American towns.

Why, it's different.
It's more like England.

- Oh, you know England?
- Yes.

My sister and I went
back there to school.

- We're glad you're here.
- Thanks.

The way the Japanese
kept coming down the map.

We were beginning to get afraid.

Well, if we weren't afraid
we were lonely.

Honestly.

- All squared away, sir.
- Good.

It's nice to have talked to you.

My name's Evelyn.
Evelyn Leslie.

And these are my sisters,
Barbara and Anne.

You shouldn't just walk up to
a soldier and ask him to supper.

That's the sort of thing I can
see Dee doing, not you.

I'll bet Dee's doing it right
now and having the time--

- Dee is married.
- Oh, that's true.

- But still..
- Now that's enough.

I'm late getting back to work.

Don't pick on Evelyn, what she's
doing is perfectly normal for

a girl and we don't want her
sneaking out behind our backs.

Don't see why I'm the one who's
standing up for decent behavior.

- We all want decent behavior.
- Yes we all want it.

What do we do about it.
You let Dee go--

It was not
a question of letting.

Dee needed to be near family,
especially now.

I think one of us should go up
and see Delia in Wellington.

Dee is a married woman.

I wonder if she's
remembering she's married.

Oh, it's all so crowded.
Let's go somewhere else.

Any place you say,
I'm a stranger here myself.

Come along, I'll show you.

You take the friend.
I'll take her.

I've got a sister who might
like to come along.

I'd love to meet your sister.

I'd like the room number
of Mrs. Philip Friskett please.

No.

She maybe staying
here as Mrs. Delia Friskett.

No Friskett's at all.

Perhaps, Delia Leslie.

Oh, Miss Leslie.
Yes. Room 724.

Thank you.

- Let's have something to eat.
- No. I wanna have a drink.

Come in.

- Oh.
- Dee.

Barbara.
Oh..

You're the last person
I expected to see.

I know.
Let me look at you.

Still the same old
Christchurch girl.

Hardly.

You're not pulling
up stakes too?

- No. I bring news.
- Oh-h.

Shiner's alive.
A prisoner, but alive.

Thank God.

'It surprises you
that I'm glad. Doesn't it.'

No the only time you surprise me

is when you don't surprise me.

I prayed for
the little idiot every night.

I believe you.
He's not so little.

Compared to the Yank's, he is.

I suppose so.

We were wondering, Dee..

If perhaps you might come back
home to Christchurch for a bit.

Why?

Oh, get the family
together again.

You're sweet, Barbara.

Anne wouldn't have put
it quite so nicely.

'I suppose all sorts
of gossip has been..'

...trickling back
to Christchurch. Hm?

How about coming home, Dee?

- I can't.
- 'Think about it.'

But I can't.

Shiner's been away how long?

And he'll be away,
God knows how much longer.

Mark's been away too, Dee.

'But you love Mark.'

That's a terrible thing
to say, isn't it?

But you knew it all along.

So you have someone
to think about, plan for.

I only want Shiner to come back
so that we can get a divorce.

Well that's honest,
but...still..

I know you don't like
the Americans.

They're not...English
and all that.

But I like them.

And someday I might like
to go to America.

I would give anything
to go to America.

But I'm married.

And these boys are
going off to the island.

We only see each other
until they sail.

I don't know how
to talk to you, Dee.

I wish you wouldn't.
It's hard enough.

- Hiya, honey.
- Andy, you made it.

Oh, I told the commandant
I had a little girl

who didn't like her..

This is my sister, Barbara.

Well, hi.

- Hello.
- Hello.

You, uh..
You sure don't look much alike.

- Oh, Dee is the pretty one.
- No. No, no, you both..

- This is Andy.
- Yes, how are you?

I'm fine.

Well, let's have a drink.

You're sister looks okay,
doesn't she?

Yes. Fine.

- Andy bought me this dress.
- It's lovely.

Say we got
enough glasses, honey?

Oh, none for me, thank you.
Think I better be getting back.

- But you just arrived.
- I know, but..

Barbara..

I know this is tough to take.

I was brought up
the same as you and Delia.

Thanks.

Let's bottoms up a couple
of these and hit the town.

I'd like you to meet a guy.

I rather not.
Thank you.

Hello. Hello Captain Harding's
room, please.

Well, try anyway.

Sometimes he doesn't answer
till he gets mad at the phone.

I'm meeting Sally
at 2 o'clock and no room.

- Said he was in here somewhere.
- Hello, Andy.

- How you feeling boy?
- All spoken for, son.

- Where is that guy?
- Why don't you join us, Andy?

Suddenly, I'm the
most popular guy.

Hey, Andy,
there's room over here.

- Hiya, Del.
- Hello.

- De, I'm gonna duck outta here.
- Oh, please hang on.

- He said he'd meet here.
- I don't wanna meet anyone.

- I haven't seen you in months.
- Delia, how are you?

Come on, honey. Come on.
He must be over here somewhere.

Trust this guy
to find a corner to hide in.

Right. That's all
we've been talking about.

I know that you love
your wife and I love..

Dr. Livingston, I presume?

- Hi. Hi, Delia.
- Hello, Jack.

How come you wanted
me to horn in your act?

This is Barbara.
Barbara, this is Jack Harding.

Five bucks
if you can make him smile.

Order us
a couple of whiskeys, will ya?

- But Andy--
- Come on, honey.

Oh, De.

- I'm sorry.
- Why?

Being thrust at you like this.

Well, uh,
Andy's not very subtle.

He's made it his primary mission
in life to get me a girl.

He seems to think I need

the same kinda set up
like he has with Delia.

Delia is my sister.

- Sorry.
- And I'm married.

Congratulations.

It's funny you know.

You Americans coming here
sweeping all before you

with you charm and your money.

Then you look down on the girls
who are nice to you.

Yeah, you're right.

I'm sorry I sound dreadful..

No, no, I understand,
you've had it up to here.

They're not like this at home.

Delia's not like this
at home either.

In war, I guess
nobody's really at home.

Is your husband..

Last time I heard North Africa.

Wow!

That's a great game
of musical chairs.

The New Zealanders
go to North Africa

the North Americans
come to New Zealand.

And every place you've got this.

Well, war makes
strange bedfellows.

Sorry.
That was a poor joke.

'Hi, Jack.'

- Oh, hi.
- Hello, Jack.

He's got a nice wife
in California

and a baby on the way.

And you?

Oh, I'm newly unmarried.

- Sorry.
- So am I.

It's not the way
I wanted it but..

...we were very modern.

Are you very modern here
in New Zealand?

Oh, people fall in and out
of love here too. Yes.

You smiled.

Hell.
I smile all the time.

Oh, steward.

- What do you want to drink?
- I'll have a whiskey.

Four whiskeys, please.

Hey, five.

Closing down your drinking
places the way you do

at 6:00 makes everybody
tank up before sundown.

Do you want a cigarette?

Yes, thank you.

Keep 'em.

Legal tender of the occupying
army. No, thank you.

My wife was a chain smoker.

And I could
understand her doing..

...practically anything
for a cigarette.

Sad.

Uh, would you excuse me
for a moment?

I have family here in Wellington

and I promised
I'd call them before 5:00 and..

Well, I'll be back.

I don't blame you
for clearing out.

It's a little
confusing to me too.

I wish I could go home.

I hope your husband's alright.

He's very lucky.

Thank you.

Dear Mark, I love you
and I miss you.

And as I read
our poems each night

I am close to you
and think of you.

And I'm grateful
that I have you to keep me..

To keep me what?

To keep me decent.

It's not decent, it's not decent

or proper the behavior
of these..

Well, is it decent?

What's happened to De,
and the way they act.

Nothing happened to Delia.

She rushed
into the experience herself.

- And you left her there.
- Yes, I left here there.

Yes?

- Yes?
- May I help you?

Uh, is this
what they call sheer?

Sheer? Where did you
learn a word like that?

- What's the matter with you?
- Sheer?

Is this the sheerest you got?

Sheerest. Sheer, sheer.

Come on, shut up.

- Yes, it is.
- Looks pretty cheesy to me.

Cheesy, it's sheer,
you dope, look.

Down, Rover, down, down, down.

- Is this for that penguin?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

- How much is this?
- That's one pound six.

- What is that in legal money?
- A buck and a quarter.

A buck and quarter,
this is sheer.

Why don't you look
where you're going.

That's $4.20.

- I'll take it.
- What size do you want?

I don't know. Your size.
If it fits you, it'll fit her.

This will be alright then.

Uh, you wanna
hold it up so I can see?

Very nice.

How'd you like
one of these for yourself, huh?

Will that be all?

- Pardon me for breathing.
- What's the matter with you?

Don't you know
a nice girl when you see one?

Alright, show me one.
Go ahead.

Pigs.

- Thank you.
- Don't mind my friend, miss.

He didn't even wear shoes
before he joined the marines.

- Pig. Come on.
- This is what they call sheer.

This man that Delia's with
I suppose he calls her pig.

Your sister a pig.

I don't think so.

I can't understand you, Barbara.

I just know
they were happy together.

Happiness.
But what about decency?

Stop using that word.

I've been thinking about writing

to the papers
about the way they behave.

Been other letters
on the subject.

- Oh, Ann.
- I'm going to.

Nice girls with husbands
and sweethearts away at war.

- Pigs.
- It's been 13 months.

Some of them don't even remember
what their husbands looked like.

Try to understand them.

I know you don't think I can.

Yes? Oh, hello.

Hello,
I've come from headquarters

to apologize on behalf
of the marine corps

who to Anne Leslie.
Are you Anne or Barbara?

I'm Anne.
What're you apologizing for?

It's your letter
in the paper today

headquarters
is very upset about it.

Didn't realize
it would attract such attention.

I have been instructed to say
that America appreciates

deeply the courtesies your
country has extended us.

We know our intrusion
is bound to cause friction.

'We regret that.
Indeed we do.'

Oh, thank you.

Won't you come in?

Thanks.

Headquarters wants to know

if you wish to make
any specific complaint.

No, I'm sorry, I really don't.

Thanks for taking that attitude.
That's very generous of you.

I'm sure they have reasons.
Men away from home..

You people have been
kind in that respect.

Letting the men in your homes.

I'm sure the boys
that you've entertained

didn't act the way
these men did in the store.

The truth is that
we haven't entertained any.

I suppose we should have.

You see, both
our parents are dead

and it makes it
a little more difficult.

You have a lovely place.
It's like an English cottage.

Yes, you said you had
been in England, didn't you?

Yes, I-I was at Oxford,
I was a Rhode scholar.

Well..

Have you, I mean, I suppose
you've had lots of invitations.

Actually none since your
little sister's that first day.

'Anne, who is it?'

Well, that was
my fault I'm afraid.

But you all did seem rather
overwhelming that day, right?

I guess we did.

You thought that we'd bring our
trucks to dinner or something.

I don't know what's for supper
but you can come if you like..

...and give me a chance
to apologize for my rudeness.

Oh, I'm afraid I trapped you
into that invitation.

We usually have supper at 6:30.

Can I bring something
and help out?

Oh, no thanks.
We've quite enough.

'Anne.'

Who on earth
are you talking...oh!

- Hello, I'm Richard Bates.
- Yes.

I've invited Capt. Bates
for supper tonight.

Good.

He came to apologize for
the marine corps in my letter.

Yes, her letter was referred
to our office and I..

...well, I..

- Supper's at 6:30.
- I've already told him.

- Oh.
- 6:30 then.

He said that the boys
who were entertained

by families here acted better.

- Thought we oughta do our bit.
- Of course.

We'll have coffee
in the other room by the fire.

Can I help with the dishes?

What's the matter?

- That's women's work.
- Oh, not where I come from.

Oh, no, no, really.

Is it a crime for
a man to wash dishes?

I can just see dad
doing the dishes.

We'll, do them later, thank you.

Shiner left some cigars.

Oh, darling, it's been
so long, they dry out.

Oh, that's alright,
I've got cigarettes.

Obviously this is where
I'm supposed to sit.

- It was dad's chair.
- And Marks.

Well, I'm an unworthy successor
but I won't complain.

Capt. Bates, what color
do you want to be?

What do you mean?

Well, this is Mark.
And this is Shiner.

He's Delia's husband.
That's our sister in Wellington.

This is where dad's ship sank.

And this is Tommy.
A friend of mine.

You can be purple, orange, pink.

I don't think
I really belong up there.

Why not this green one
to match your uniform?

I still don't think
Irate it, but thanks.

It will give Anne
a pin to move around..

Where'd you hang my coat?

- Oh, you're not going?
- No.

It's in the hall.

Evelyn, come and help
me do the cleaning.

- Oh, no please don't.
- You can clean up later.

I want to look at him.

I have something for you.

Probably wrong kinds.

Perfume but it's all PX had.

You can give 'em
to someone else.

Not me.

Evelyn, if I remember right,
this is spring fancy.

- Very appropriate.
- Thank you.

Barbara, here's something
called heaven scent.

S-C-E-N-T.

Did you know this is the first
present I've had from a man?

Well, it's about time.

And because you're the one
who invited me, Anne.

This is called, believe it
or not, merci bien.

'Or as we say in Oklahoma,
thanks a lot.'

I'm sorry.

Well, it's...it's just
that today's my birthday.

So many of the girls

have been getting gifts from
you Americans, you know?

Americans like to give gifts.

Oh, you're very generous.

But it's all got involved with..

...well..

What do I do now?

You said you could wash dishes.

I'm sorry, Barbara.

It's just that,
he was, well, so nice.

And all of a sudden those
presents from the PX

and then we were like the other
girls scavenging from Americans.

My mother
always taught my sisters

it was alright to accept
the following gifts from a man

candy, flowers and perfume.

Even asked him to dinner
that very first day.

Come on.

Wonder where.

- 'He'll be back.'
- 'Of course.'

No rumors even to go by.

At the shop today, they said

our troops are farther west
then that in North Africa.

- Oh, where? Did anyone know?
- Hmm, Tobruk.

It's a wire.

I-I saw him coming up
the path from my window.

I-it's Richard telling you
he can't come tonight.

Yes, Mr. Hall.

Evelyn.

Oh, Anne.

'The official communicate
goes on to report'

'that the six months
long battle for Guadalcanal'

'is now in its final stages.'

'Casualties are heavy,
and more American marines'

'have been flown to New Zealand
for hospitalization.'

'"So that was Christmas..'

'"You'll be pleased to know
that Betty and I'

"are doing our patriotic bit
by going to the USO and dancing.

"If you can call it dancing,
with the boys.

"Some of them are real creeps,
some real cute.

"Some French sailors
in the other night..

"...believe it or not

"and my high school French
came in mighty handy.

"Particularly, the word no.

"Well, Dick, that's all
the sisterly chatter for now.

"Get someone
to write a letter for you.

Love from us all, Audrey."

Oh, you've got a visitor.

It's Anne Leslie.

Oh. I'm sorry I couldn't
make it for dinner.

- Previous engagement.
- I'll clear out now, Dick.

- Thanks, doc.
- See you later.

I brought a few flowers
from our garden.

Flowers in January?

This is sure
an upside down country.

How'd you find I was here?

I asked.

Why?

I wanted to know.

- How are you?
- Oh, I'm fine.

Don't let this thing on my eyes
frighten you. They'll be fine.

They don't want me
looking at things yet.

I'd like to come
and read to you if they allow.

- Sure.
- Or write letters for you.

Thanks.

- Barbara, Barbara.
- Hmm.

Are you awake?

Well, I am now.
What is it?

- You would never believe it.
- Believe what?

- Iceberg Anne.
- Who?

Anne. She's out front
nicking her head off.

Well, of course I believe you.
Now go to sleep.

I think it's wonderful.
Our Anne and an American.

Evelyn, do you know
what a peeping Tom is?

How am I ever going
to learn anything?

Believe me.
Not by watching.

- Is she going to marry him?
- None of our business.

Now get back to bed.
Go on.

Scoot.

Tell me, what do you think
of all the marriages

between Americans
and New Zealand girls?

I don't think
you wanna know what I think.

I think you wanna tell
what you think.

One girl married
a man from California.

When she got there,
she took one look at his home

and turned right around
and came back.

Could happen.

I-I haven't heard of anyone

who went to your state
Oklahoma and came back.

That's nice to know.

Tell me, do you approve
of these marriages

between Americans
and New Zealand girls?

Evelyn, curiosity
killed the cat.

And satisfaction
brought him back.

Okay, okay.
I was going to ask Barbara

if it'd be alright
for me to marry Anne.

You seem to be
the most concerned.

- So do I have your permission?
- You bet.

Do we have your
permission too, Barbara?

Of course.

When? Where? How?
What are the particulars?

Well, there's only
one particular. Admiral Halsey.

Permission?

Yes, but I'll start
the machinery tomorrow.

- Give us a little warning.
- It'll be a while yet.

Sometimes
they act a little faster

for men who may be moving north.

Nobody knows when,
but the press would..

Well, I will be going sometime.

So if you'd like
to think it over, Barbara.

You and Anne
have thought it over.

That's the only important thing.

Perhaps they'll decide
to leave you behind this time.

And anyway,
we have until you sail.

'Along with the displeasure
of the point of attack'

'of theAmerican marines'

'came reports of staggering
numbers of casualties.'

'The marine landing on Tarawa'

'may perhaps be
the costliest operation'

'to date in the Pacific War.'

'Early reports indicate that the
landing was a Persian force'

'with the marines having
to dig in on the beaches'

'only a few feet
from the point of landing.'

Tarawa.
That's where they've gone.

Where's that?

One of the Gilbert Islands.
It was due north.

I've never heard of it.

First reports of casualties..

No names yet,
just fantastic numbers.

Richard will be alright.

When he comes back, permission
will have to have gone through.

You'll be married
and it won't all be so rushed.

Barbara,
I'm going to have a baby.

Oh, Anne.

Dick will come through alright.

We both knew the ships were
sailing soon, some other island.

Anne, you don't have
to justify yourself to me.

Everything's changed so much.

The way I used to feel
about Delia and..

Now I understand her a little.

Of course it's convenient for me
to understand her now.

Makes me feel a little less
alone and guilty.

Darling..

What should we do, Barbara,
if Dick doesn't get back?

He will.

It would be unfair if this
family loses anyone else.

If he doesn't, I'd like to have
the baby here if you let me.

Let you? Whose home
do you think this is?

How Delia would laugh.

I don't think so.

I'd like to phone Delia.

Oh...I won't say anything
about Dick and..

Well...I won't say anything
probably, but..

...just to talk to her.

Suddenly feel
I want to talk to her.

Hello, I want
a personal call, please.

To Mrs. Delia Friskett at the
St. George Hotel in Wellington.

Oh, uh, Delia Leslie.

Oh, um, Delia Leslie.

Thank you. I'll hold on.

'Let it ring.'

'Let it ring, Delia.'

Hello.

Yes, this is Delia Leslie.

It's my sister.

Hello, Anne, hello.

No, nothing's wrong.
We just thought we'd call.

I'm fine. How are you?

Oh, I'm fine.

Uh, how's Barbara?

Yes, yes, I'm fine.
How's Evelyn?

Oh, Evelyn's well. She's
not here but Barbara's here.

Say hello to Barbara.

Hello, De. How are you?

Yes, fine. I take it
everything's good with you?

Yes, I'm well.

Well, I mean to write..

Yes, I'm fine. Fine.

Well, it's good to talk to you.

We will.
Say goodbye to Anne.

Goodbye, De. Keep well.

And remember,
we love you and miss you.

Goodbye, De. Take care.

I will. And thank you
for calling. Goodbye.

'Give me a beer, huh?'

- 'Now what?'
- Will you shut up?

Why do they have to call me?

- You've gotta go back now.
- Why?

Oh, you. Always asking why
when you know perfectly well.

Why? You got some kinda
monster inside that house

you don't want me to see?

I bet one of your sisters
have got two heads.

- Go on home.
- Home? what do you mean home?

I only meant
I've gotta go in now.

I'll see you when
you get off next.

Well, maybe you will
or maybe you won't.

When I was a kid I used
to carry girls books home.

- Well, I ain't no kid no more.
- Well, that's up to you. Bye.

Lots of girls walk
with American soldiers.

They're real keen.

- Darling, you're only 15.
- He's only 18.

I wish you wouldn't go
with soldiers.

Oh, for a couple of years yet.

Iceberg Anne went with one,
and everything turned out swell.

Maybe not so...swell.

Why?

Because...Anne's going
to have a baby.

Oh!

Alright, I'll do what you say.

I won't walk with Americans
till I'm 17.

What's this about Americans?

I just met a nice Yank.
We've been walking together.

Let's agree on one thing.

If you wanna talk to a soldier

you'll bring him home
to meet us.

That's fair enough.

Anne, you ruined it.

She just promised not to see
any Americans until she was 17.

But, Barbara,
she's almost grown.

- Hello.
- Hello.

- This is a surprise.
- Yes.

I met this officer
up in Wellington

when I went to see Delia.

For about ten minutes.

Uh, I'm looking for Anne Leslie.

- I'm Anne Leslie--
- Oh, I'm sorry.

This is my sister.
Anne, major..

Harding.

Has something happened
to Richard Bates?

No, no, nothing like that.

I've been given the hazardous
duty of checking on girls

that Americans wanna marry.

I looked over the forms
that Bates filled out

and I've interviewed
your minister, your friends

your neighbors
and you're as good as married.

Oh, and the, uh,
the American government

out of the goodness of its heart
wants to give you this present.

Oh, thank you.

If you're going
to live in Oklahoma

we want you to learn about it.

We give lectures
for brides-to-be

at the Young Eagles Club.

Uh, the lecturer's a bore,
but he means well.

I guess all bores do.

Well, you can tell your captain
that everything's cleared.

He's at Tarawa.

Is there any way
you could find out?

They won't let us have
the casualty list yet. Red tape.

You know, I often think that
it must be harder on you people.

I mean, waiting for word
from Africa and now Tarawa.

Barbara's husband
was killed last year.

I'm sorry. I didn't know.

How could you?

Well, don't forget
your homework.

Don't worry.

You'll be in Christchurch
for a while then?

I'll be in and out

until they certify me
for combat duty again.

Why do American lighters
always work?

You were very nice to Anne
at the meeting tonight.

- Thank you.
- Line of duty. No, she's nice.

- This Bates..
- He's nice too.

Maybe it will work.

It's more than you think
of most of these war marriages

I take it?

Mm-hmm.

Why?

Because most of the people
involved were just lonely.

You know these guys
come in and they say

they never knew what true love
was before they met the girl.

Well, the truth is,
they, they never knew

what real loneliness was
before they came here.

Yeah, but the girls..

Well, it's a little easier
to understand them

when you realize that our

men have been away
for more than three years.

So, there's
loneliness everywhere.

And hunger, yeah.

There you are.

Come on, let's get out of here.

Eat, drink and make love,
for tomorrow we die.

That's Delia's way
of fighting the loneliness.

Yes.

Anne's is another.
A different way.

But if Richard Bates is dead
in Tarawa, where's she?

She's gonna have a baby,
isn't she?

Yeah.

Now, why do I wanna say
that's nice?

'Cause it isn't nice.

Not according to the standards
that I was brought up by

and you too, I'm sure.

But I wanna say that's nice.

For them to have known, uh

the sweetness and the comfort
of love before he dies.

He mustn't be dead.

Yeah, but if he is..

...then the sweetness turns
sour. Time will see to that.

And Bates' a nice guy.

While he lies dying in a ditch,
what's he gonna think?

Poor Anne, what did I do?

And there you are.

Oh, that's where Delia,
Anne and Dick are, but..

...where are you?

This is what I
spend the night with.

And no regrets.

Oh, I get a gentlemanly hangover
in the morning, but no regrets.

And nobody gets hurt.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

Okay. What's your solution?

Well, you said it was..

...three years of hunger
and loneliness.

I've gotta go in now.
Evelyn's alone.

No, don't bother.

I hope everything's alright.

Thank you.

What do you do now?

Go to your quarters
and get drunk?

- Cold-blooded, isn't it?
- Yes.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

Barbara, uh, this is Max.

- Max Murphy.
- Hi.

Hello, Max.

Babs, Max thinks
you make wonderful cakes.

- Oh, yeah, they're great.
- Well, thank you.

I was just down learning
a lot about your country.

A meeting where
they're indoctrinating

prospective American brides.

Are you one of them?

No. Just curious.

You sure don't look like
most of them look.

I saw the last bride ship
leave for the States.

I wouldn't touch 'em with
someone else's ten-foot pole.

- Have another cake, Max.
- Oh, that's alright.

You know, I think most
of the guys just got hooked.

- Some gratitude.
- Gratitude? For what, Max?

Oh, I mean, savin' your country.

Oh, well, were you
at Guadalcanal, Max?

Well, no. I just come off from
Hawaii a couple of weeks ago.

Oh!

But I'm away from home now,
for over a year, trainin'.

- Have you now?
- Have you really?

Yeah, it's been plenty rugged.

Anne, this is Max.
Max Murphy.

- Hello, Max.
- Anne.

Barbara.

Oh, Evelyn, you entertain Max.

Excuse me.

- What's the matter?
- I don't know.

I think your sister
Barbara's mad at me.

That crack about the bride ship.

- No.
- Is she married, Barbara?

- She's a widow.
- Oh!

What about Anne?
Is Anne married?

Anne's...not married.

'You've changed the way
you wear your hair.'

When I left it was different.
Or is this an optical illusion?

Can I cut in?

Thank you.

- Hello, where have you been?
- Up in Wellington.

- Investigating brides?
- Yup. Same hazardous mission.

Oh, did you see Delia
by any chance?

No.

- How's Anne?
- Fine.

I understand that the
permission for her marriage

came through a week ago.
It's filed.

- Does she hate Dick Bates now?
- No.

- Herself?
- No, nobody.

That's nice.

Has she been advised
of her rights?

What do you mean?

There's a board
she can appeal to

for the support
of the illegitimate--

We don't need that.
Thank you.

We don't like
thinking of it in that way.

Alright.

However, it's nice of them
setting up a board

to have the whole
thing organized.

Anne may not hate anybody,
but you do, don't you?

No.

Just the war.

Sorry.

What are you doing here anyway?

I didn't think
you came to dances.

It's part of my job
to show up at this..

How about you?

Oh, I'm chaperone, you know.
Old married woman.

Who chaperones the chaperons?

- No, did someone bring ya?
- No.

'Barbara.'

I told you that practice
is gonna pay off, huh?

Just stay loose, kid,
'cause here I go.

Whole new bunch got in today.

Most of mine leave
from the forward areas.

Oh!

And tomorrow morning

the office will be swarming
with guys with hangovers

muttering that they never knew
what true love was before

and please
can they marry the girl.

I've got a car with some $100
punch in the glove compartment.

- Would you like to, uh..
- No, thank you.

Okay.

So you're still carrying on
your hot affair with the bottle?

Yup.

I'll hear from that
in the morning.

And what will you say to him?

Same thing my father said to me
when I wanted to get married.

Oh!

I met my wife..

...during Easter vacation
in Bermuda.

I was a senior in college.

I'd never seen her before.

The setting was perfect.
Just like this one.

The girl was beautiful.

And there she was
shimmering in the moonlight.

Don't make fun of it.

Maybe I shouldn't.

Well, my father..

"What do you know
about the girl?

What she likes and dislikes?"

"Dad," I said, "she likes
to kiss in the moonlight.

"And she dances like a dream.

And I was never in love before
and I never will be again."

Sounds lovely.

Yup, and so they were married.

Six years later

they became a statistic
in the divorce records.

I loved her,
but I didn't like her.

And she liked me,
but she didn't love me.

How was a guy supposed to know?

So, do you tell the boys
that once back in Bermuda

there was a moon like this one

a girl you'd only known for
a week, et cetera, et cetera?

No.

But I try to talk
some sense into them.

Like recommending the bottle.

- Somehow that's cheating.
- What?

The bottle.

How?

Removing you from it all.

Might make you slightly
patronizing to the boys

who are not afraid
to get involved.

I'm sorry.

Barbara.

Yes.

I don't..

I don't love you.

I know.

And I don't want to marry you.

But I..

Oh, my darling.

'Our neighbor across the street'

says that decorating Christmas
trees is a nasty German custom

and she's not
gonna do it this year.

Her contribution
to the war effort.

Well, ready for the lights.

Oh, Anne,
we're gonna light the tree.

- 'Coming.'
- Would you get the light?

Oh, how lovely.

Ooh, see the pretty tree.
See that?

Oh, do you remember?

Father always said something
at this moment.

You do it, Anne.

God rest all the men who fought
for us all over the world.

God rest the Americans
who were with us

'and the nice ones
who've been to our house.'

Dick and...John.

Evelyn, uh, should we
include Max Murphy?

No, he was a drip.

Tommy will be home soon.

And God rest
all those that have gone.

Mother, dad..

Kid..

Dick..

And Mark.

'And may the war end quickly'

and may everyone come home.

Well, that's all in this.

May I make a wish for your son?

Please do.

Well..

I just hope that
when all this is over

we'll have a world where..

...where he can grow up
and grow old.

'Where he can become,
well, a fine boy..'

...a husband,
father, grandfather.

Whatever else
he wants to become.

Did you hear that? You're going
to become a grandfather.

'It's almost midnight now.'

and Christmas starts
around here at dawn.

You could sleep here.
Kid used to bunk out here.

And once in a while Dick Bates.

Take a look at the view.

Remember, Barbara,
we'd lie here and look out..

...and you'd tell me things.

Yes, I remember.

So, it's all set up.
You'll stay?

I'm afraid not, Evelyn.

I have to report back
to the base tonight.

Oh, gosh.

Oh, I've gotta help Anne.

She's absolutely no good
at changing nappies.

Instead of teaching her
all about Oklahoma

you should have taught her
how to change a baby.

'Night.'

The reason I can't stay tonight

is I'm not gonna
be here tomorrow.

Oh!

I'm sailing.
Shoving off.

Some battleship admiral
took a look

at what he had coming to him
in the way of his staff.

Discovered he raided a marine
major and didn't have one--

- Whereabouts, do you know?
- I don't know.

Up north of here
around Ulithi I guess.

I'm really not
very happy about it.

I'm not a sea-going marine
sitting around doing staff duty.

It'll be better than

investigating
prospective brides.

Maybe.

Thank you for my lighter.

Merry Christmas.

Happy New Year.

I wish I had stuck to my bottle.

Do you?

Really?

I don't know.

I, I know what you mean

but these have been nice months.

I think we've both been..

...a little less lonely.

That's for sure.

You know, this may sound
funny to you, but..

...you're the first girl
that I ever really liked.

Well, that's nice.

It means a lot more
than it sounds.

I know.

I don't know.

Just...hanging
around the house..

...watching you
and your sisters just living..

Well, it's a way that I never
got to know a girl before.

And you leave a wiser
and no sadder man.

Wiser, yeah.

No sadder?

I don't know where I'm going.

I don't know
what's gonna happen.

I suppose, sooner or later

we're gonna have to land
on the Jap mainland..

Well, if that happens,
it'll make

Guadalcanal and Tarawa

and the rest of them
look like kid stuff.

But, at least..

...it won't be like
with the others.

You worrying whether I'm dead

or me lying in a ditch
full of guilt.

- That's something.
- It is.

And we've had a good time.

Wonderful.

I guess you must've thought
it strange the times that I..

...times that I..

...I told you how wonderful
it was just to hold you..

...and to have you hold me
and nothing more.

Some people couldn't
understand that.

I do.

It's funny.

It is.

Well..

When I know where I'm going,
I'll write.

I'll write too.

There's Tommy.

Look, he's grown a mustache.

Oh, that's not such a tragedy.

I've never kissed a man
with a mustache before.

Well, maybe
he'll shave it off for you.

It's good to have it
over with, isn't it?

I mean, our part of it.

I know you're thinking
about Okinawa, Barb--

Oh, it's good.
You be happy.

Go on. Go on about
Italy, Tommy.

Go on about Italy.

Evelyn, for a week you've done
nothing but ask Tommy questions.

Well, I could've been interested
in a big batch of these scones.

- Did you like the socks?
- They were great.

Only, I'll never wear another
knitted thing in my life.

I was wondering if I might have
a few words with you, if I may?

Oh, of course, Tommy.

Um, Evelyn, why don't you go
and make some fresh tea?

- Oh, Barbara, I'd--
- Come on.

What is it, Tommy?

Well, I..

I-I've got a good job promised
to me in Oakland after my leave.

And I've, I've managed to
save up some from my army pay..

Well...well, I love Evelyn.

Oh, Tommy.

You don't need to ask.

The government is offering all
returned men temporary passes

on trains and planes.

They want us to, to see
the land we were fighting for.

Wives can get along, so..

I saw the bloke and he said it'd
be alright if Evelyn went along.

We'd, we'd end up
in Oakland and..

...we'd be married
at my uncle's place up there.

Of course, you can go.
When do you plan to leave?

Oh, Barbara,
I knew you'd say yes.

We'll have to get you
all done up a proper bride.

Oh, Tommy.

If only you knew
how lonesome I've been.

Oh, yes.
With all those Yanks around.

They didn't make
any impression on me.

'The casualties continue
to mount at Okinawa.'

'The heaviest toll thus far,
has been among the destroyers'

'on picket duty off the
northern end of the island.'

'And that's the end
of the news from London.'

'There is still no report
on the actual effects'

'of the atom bomb
on the city of Hiroshima.'

'An impenetrable cloud
still hangs over the city.'

- Yes?
- Miss Anne Leslie, please.

- I'm Anne Leslie.
- 'What is it, Anne?'

I've been instructed
to give you these funds.

Five hundred pounds
and this cable.

'And that is the end
of the news from London.'

"Beloved daughter,
come home at once. Bring child.

Funds with this cable.
Mother."

But, I-I don't understand.

Darling,
I wrote to Mrs. Bates.

What?

You know the notices
in the paper.

You've seen them.

But you didn't mention it to me.

Uh, if you would sign
for the funds, please.

Go ahead.

Perhaps you will care
to verify the amount.

No. It's okay.

Uh, if the bank can be
of any further assistance..

Thank you.
Thank you very much.

Barbara.
Barbara, should I?

- Well, of course you should.
- But there's you and De.

I know.
But Shiner will be home soon.

They'll find him in a prison
camp and they'll live with me.

Oh!

- Miss Anne Leslie?
- Oh!

United States Marines,
at your service.

What is it?

We received the following cable
from the American Embassy.

"Representative Webson, Oklahoma

"demands immediate
passage, states

Anne Leslie and son,
Christchurch, expedite."

I'm here to expedite.

The Americans.
Expedite.

I trust that was expeditious
enough for the congressman.

You've been very kind.
Thank you.

It was my pleasure, ma'am.

It was nice of you
to fly down to see Anne off.

I didn't come just for that,
Barbara.

Shiner gets in tonight.

Tonight?

Barbara, would you
do me a favor?

Let Shiner and me have the
cottage alone for a day or so.

It's going to be difficult
and I want to be alone.

I'm going to ask him
for a divorce.

Now, don't lecture, Barbara.
Don't lecture.

De, you can't just wash away
responsibilities like that.

Barbara, I'm going
to California.

With Joe, if he gets
back from Okinawa.

Oh, De.

I don't know, Shiner.

I wouldn't know him
if he came down the street.

Well, 'course it will be hard.

What about your
fellow in Okinawa?

If he return and ask you
to marry him, you'll run off--

- I don't run off with Yanks.
- Well, 10,000 girls did.

And you'd be a fool not to.

And you can, just like that.

Because Mark was killed
and you're free.

Don't talk like that.

But Shiner's alive and he's
going to be here tonight.

I want you to leave the cottage

so that we can have
this out alone.

'Ladies and gentlemen,
the war is over.'

'Word has just been received'

'that the Japanese
have offered to surrender.'

'I repeat. The war is over.'

'Word has just been received'

'that the Japanese
have offered to surrender.'

You know, I never would've
recognized you, girl.

I know. You said that.

Would you have recognized
your old Shiner?

- No.
- Alright, what you got to say?

- What do you mean?
- You got something to say.

It's been hanging right there
ever since I got in. What is it?

We heard what went on down here.

Are you going to tell me
something like that?

Are you?

There's no other way
of saying it, Shiner.

- I don't love you anymore.
- You never did.

What difference does it make?

You're mad at me because

I was the only thing
around in trousers.

- Well, it was alright with me.
- That's not true.

If you're going to lie, shut up.

If you're saying how you
caught it on with Americans

like your damn sisters, shut up.

- I want a divorce.
- No.

Now come to bed.

Shiner.

- I'm going to get a divorce.
- No.

- It's been four years.
- And how many Yanks?

I'm going to marry one of them.

The hell you are.

Proceed.

So then, your sister
did confide in you.

From time to time.
Yes.

Now, she went to Wellington
in the early part of the war.

'Didn't she tell you why?'

She told me she was going
to get a job with the..

...navy office there.

She wanted to feel that she
was helping the war effort.

Directly, I mean.

'Mm-hmm. And you visited
her on one occasion'

'in Wellington, you say?'

'To bid her word,
I believe that her husband'

'was saving
a prisoner of war.'

'Is that true?'

'Is that true?'

'The witness
will please answer.'

Oh, yes, yes.

Was she happy to hear
of her husband's safety?

'I asked, was she happy to learn
of her husband's safety?'

Oh, yes, very.

We made plans that after
the war Delia and her..

...her husband would..

'...live at the cottage
in Christchurch with us.'

'I see.'

You'd say then that your sister
was a happily married woman

eagerly anticipating
the return of her husband.

Yes.

She was a lovely girl.

'Thank you.'

'The hearing is
about to resume.'

Yes, I'm afraid public
opinion will be biased, Barb.

Are you gonna give
evidence for Shiner?

Barbara, I was ordered here
from my ship to give evidence.

- Barbara, please.
- Please, what?

- It's nothing to do with us.
- It didn't happen in a vacuum.

American supermen
with more money

than they've ever had
before in their lives.

Dazzling little girls
who were lonely.

It wasn't us.
Now we kept it from being us.

After they release me here,
probably tonight

they're gonna fly me
up to Wellington.

And then a ship home.

Come with me.

You're going in there and saying
terrible things about Delia

and then you expect me to pack
my bag and follow you home.

- Barbara--
- Why did you come here?

Why did you all ever come?

We came because there was a war.

'Major Harding, you mean to tell
me that all New Zealand girls'

who wanted to marry American
servicemen were investigated?

- That's right.
- Why?

- Well..
- Come on, major, speak up.

Tell us why.

Well, we didn't, that is,
the government...didn't want..

Didn't want what?

Didn't want people entering
the country...who were..

'Undesirable is the word you're
looking for, isn't it, major?'

- Yes.
- Yes, undesirable.

Your government did
not want undesirables

such as, shall we say,
racketeers and gangsters.

'Now, of course,
you wouldn't want'

'people like that in America.'

'Now, tell me, major,
what kind of a woman'

'did you find
Delia Friskett to be?'

Attractive and intelligent.

No, I mean morally.

Well, since I didn't
know she was married

I judged her to be satisfactory.

What did you think later?

- I didn't think anything, sir.
- Quite correct.

It wasn't your job to think.
But what did you report?

'Major, I said
what did you report?'

That, um...she was
living with a lieutenant

before she met the marine
who wanted to marry her.

- 'An American lieutenant?'
- 'Yes.'

'Before that there
was another American.'

Yes.

'And another and another'

'and another.'

- 'Yes.'
- 'Speak up, major.'

'I said three anothers.'

- 'Yes.'
- Yes.

Now, I'm gonna ask you, major

how many Americans in all
you reported Delia Friskett

as having been intimate with?

Seven.

I really do apologize, major,
but you must speak up.

- Seven.
- 'Thank you.'

That is all, Your Honor.

The court will adjourn until
this afternoon at 2 o'clock.

'Here is the news.'

'The trial of Phil Friskett
on a charge of murder'

'took a surprising
turn this morning.'

'An American officer
took the stand to disclose'

'the sensational nature..'

Barbara

after they release me here,
probably tonight

they're gonna fly me
up to Wellington

and then a ship home.
Come with me.

You're going in there
and saying terrible things

about Delia
and then you expect me

to pack my bag
and follow you home.

Why did you come here?
Why did you all ever come?

We came because
there was a war.

Is Major Harding
staying here, please?

Room 822.

Thank you.

Hello.

You don't have to knock.
Just walk right on in.

- Major Harding's room?
- It sure is. Come on in.

Hey, look what I found.

Wait a minute.

- This is Major Campbell.
- Hi.

And this is Mrs. Campbell.

Hello.

This is Barbara.

Oh!

- Come on, Bob.
- Barbara?

That's right. Barbara.

- Oh! Sure.
- Come on, let's go.

This is the hotel where
I lectured Delia about

running away with Americans.

This is different.

It's always different, isn't it?

If my father could read
the history of his daughters..

He'd understand.

As they say,
to understand is to forgive.

Or is it, to understand
is not to forgive?

I can never remember.