Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 5, Episode 11 - Alberto - full transcript
It's June 1927 and Georgina has decided to take a turn acting in the movies which has become all the rage. She's introduced to movie producer Paul Marvin by her friend Lady Dorothy Hale and after a few drinks, he invites her to be in one of his films. After seeing an announcement in the paper, James lets her know in no uncertain terms that he's dead set set against it and tells her she's embarrassing herself and the household. Frederick the footman meanwhile is unhappy with his lot in life. It's not just that Edward has been made the under butler, it's that he's beginning to wonder if - and where - the grass might be greener. After flirting with Dorothy he is soon having an affair with her and accompanying her on outings with her friends. Lady Dorothy steps over the mark when as a joke she arranges for Frederick to play the part of her lover in the movie. It might have all blown over if it weren't for the fact that James and Lady Prudence decide to drop by the studio to see Georgina's debut.
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JAMES: Ah, there you are, Pru.
PRUDENCE:
Jolly racing weather?
JAMES: Yes, isn't it.
I've ordered some champagne
to send us on our way.
Bring it out, will you,
Frederick?
FREDERICK:
Very good, sir.
EDWARD:
What orders for the car, sir?
JAMES:
Oh, we'll leave at 10:30.
It's only two hours down,
but there'll be a lot of motors
on the road today.
PRUDENCE:
Yes, I expect there will.
JAMES: Oh.
Well, I must say, Pru,
you look grand.
PRUDENCE: Thank you.
Oh, it is good of you
to take Auntie Pru
as your partner for Ascot,
and not some
dizzy young flapper.
Well, the Boyds
are really mother's friends.
Oh no, no, not that it's going
to be an elderly house, Pru.
To be quite honest, Pru,
I don't know any dizzy
young things these days.
They're either tiresome
or married.
Well, anyway,
it'll be very nice
to have a handsome young man
to escort me to the paddock
between races.
I really am most flattered.
By the way, is my hat
a little too much?
JAMES: No, no, not at all.
Very smart.
It suits you.
PRUDENCE: Good.
Isn't Georgina going
to Ascot this year?
JAMES: No. No, she spends most
of her time with Dolly Hale,
and all those silly,
useless people.
PRUDENCE:
Ah, there.
Look at that to slake
our morning thirst.
JAMES: Thank you, Frederick.
Is it nice and cold?
Should be, sir.
Just off the ice.
PRUDENCE:
Where's Hudson?
JAMES: Oh, father's taken him
to Berlin to valet him.
Said the change
should do him good.
He should enjoy the formality
of the British Embassy.
PRUDENCE:
Oh, is he better?
JAMES:
Oh, yes, yes, yes, much.
Mind you, he has
to take it carefully.
[Laughs] Of course, being
surrounded by all those Huns
might quite easily
bring on another heart attack.
As you know, old Hudson
isn't too well disposed
towards the German race.
Hmm, by the way,
father advised me
to ask you what to back
in the Hunt Cup today.
Said you were
a dreadful old punter,
but you knew a bit about form.
Oh, did he?
Well, I do happen to have
a scrap of information,
for what it's worth.
JAMES:
Oh, let's have it.
PRUDENCE: Well, according
to Willie Aberdale,
Gordon Richards
told Molly at Epsom
that his mount
for the Hunt Cup...
JAMES: Uh, Delius, yes.
PRUDENCE: Delius,
was the biggest certainty
of the meeting,
unbeatable, he says, apparently.
Did he?
Well, it's a clear favourite.
Not very attractive odds --
9 to 2 on,
and napped in The Times.
There you are,
bound to win.
Delius?
Oh, Rose, not a chance.
Look, Priory Park will win it.
J.B. Joel's nag.
MRS. BRIDGES:
How do you know, Edward?
EDWARD: Oh, Jack Fiske,
Lord Morley's chauffeur,
friend of mine up the Mews.
He got it
from Mr. Joel's chauffeur,
in the strictest confidence,
of course.
ROSE:
That's what I'll do then.
- EDWARD: Right.
- MRS. BRIDGES: Rose.
ROSE: Well, there's no harm in
having a flutter now and then.
I'll go and get me purse.
DAISY: That's right.
Eddie can put it on for you.
EDWARD: That's it, with
the greatest of pleasure.
Right, any more wagers,
ladies and gents, please?
Mrs. Bridges?
I don't bet on horses.
You know that, Edward.
It's a mug's game.
EDWARD: Oh, come on,
Mrs. Bridges, just the once.
Well, seeing as I'm going to be
there on the Ascot race course
amongst all the bookies,
I'll get you a good price.
MRS. BRIDGES: Well,
what was the name of that horse
you said just now?
ROSE: Priory Park.
Here you are, Edward.
I'll have a shilling on.
EDWARD:
A bob each way?
ROSE: Yes.
EDWARD: Right, so you'll need
two bobs then.
ROSE: Why?
EDWARD: Well, a bob for a win
and a bob for a place.
No, Rose,
don't you give him no more.
One shillings quite enough.
EDWARD: All right, it'll have
to be a win then.
ROSE: Ah, it could be
sixpence each way. [Laughs]
EDWARD:
Oh, all right, Rose.
Blimey, it's not going
to bust you, is it?
Right, any more wagers?
Now, come on, Frederick.
[Bell rings]
FREDERICK:
Morning room.
EDWARD: Oh, that'll be
the Major wanting to leave.
Right, I'm Off.
ROSE: Bye, Edward.
Don't forget my bet.
MRS. BRIDGES:
And mind you behave yourself.
DAISY:
Oh, he'll have to.
There's no young maids
down at woodoote Lodge.
ROSE: How do you know
there aren't?
DAISY: I happen to know that
Mrs. Boyd has an elderly maid,
and there's only one cook
and two manservants.
They don't take no young maid
down for Ascot week.
EDWARD: Here, you seem to know
an awful lot about it.
DAISY: I made it my business
to find out.
EDWARD: Spoil sport.
Bye.
JAMES: Thank you, Frederick.
We'll be at the Boyds
'til Monday.
You have the telephone number?
- FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
JAMES: Oh, thank you, Frederick.
Right, off we go then.
There...
ROSE:
Cheer up, Fred.
FREDERICK: Eh?
ROSE: You're looking proper
miserable today.
What's the matter?
FREDERICK:
Oh, I got the pip.
ROSE: 'Cause you're not going
to the races, that it?
FREDERICK:
Wouldn't mind going.
Chauffeurs get all the luck.
ROSE: Well, we can't always
have what we want.
I'd like to have gone to Berlin
with her ladyship,
but I've got a job to do here,
seeing to Miss Alice.
And you've got a job,
doing Mr. Hudson's work.
FREDERICK: Yeah, doing his work
Without his wages
or responsibility.
ROSE: Oh, you do have
the responsibility, Fred,
least while Edward's away.
FREDERICK:
Five whole days.
ROSE: [Laughs] well,
make the most of it.
Come on downstairs
and cheer up.
FREDERICK: Cheer up.
[Singing]
[Clock strikes hour]
FREDERICK:
You still here, are you?
DAISY:
Yeah, tidying up.
FREDERICK:
Oh.
DAISY: La-la-la-la
Whoa, cocktails, eh?
FREDERICK: That's right.
DAISY: Who for?
FREDERICK: Miss Georgina's
entertaining.
DAISY: Men, I suppose, seeing as
she's got the house to herself.
FREDERICK:
Not surprising.
Any gent'd fancy a cocktail
with Miss Georgina.
Wouldn't mind one meself.
DAISY: You're getting ideas
above your station.
Aren't you, Fred, eh?
FREDERICK: Seems to me
you're the one
that's getting
the ideas, Daisy.
DAISY: Any girl would,
Fred, about you.
FREDERICK: You're not a girl,
you're a married woman.
DAISY: Yeah, well, it don't
feel like it sometimes,
Eddie going off visiting
like he does all the time.
He's your husband.
I don't have to be
reminded of that,
thank you very much.
Has the evening paper come?
French horse won it, Asterus.
FREDERICK: Won what?
DAISY:
The Hunt Cup at Ascot.
Look. Monsieur Boussads
Asterus, 10 to 1.
Eddie don't know
what he's talking about.
FREDERICK:
Course he doesn't.
If the people that
owns and trains
the blooming horses don't know,
why should Edward know?
DAISY: 10 to 1, eh?
Rose could've made a bob or two
if she'd bet on that one,
not that she needs money.
Coming down, are you?
In a tick.
GEORGINA:
Good evening, Daisy.
DAISY:
Evening, Miss Georgina.
Ah, Frederick.
FREDERICK:
Good evening, Miss Georgina.
GEORGINA: You've brought
the cocktail things up, good.
I think I'll make,
um, a sidecar.
Hmm, now then...
FREDERICK:
Crushed ice to start with.
GEORGINA: Mm-hmm.
FREDERICK: There you are.
Two parts brandy...
one part Cointreau.
GEORGINA: Yes.
FREDERICK: Juice of a quarter
of a lemon, squeezed.
I'll do that for you, miss.
GEORGINA:
Oh, thank you, Frederick.
FREDERICK:
Need a strong arm for this.
[Laughs]
FREDERICK: That's it.
There we are.
And shake well, miss.
GEORGINA: I see.
Thank you, Frederick.
Are you sure this will
be strong enough?
Lady Dorothy
likes her cocktails
with a terrific kick
in them, you know.
FREDERICK: I think you'll
find that quite satisfactory,
Miss Georgina.
GEORGINA: Yes, I'm sure we will.
Thank you, Frederick.
[Doorbell rings]
- Oh, there they are.
- Excuse me, miss.
GEORGINA: Mm-hmm.
FREDERICK:
Lady Dorothy Hale, miss.
GEORGINA: Oh, Dolly!
[Laughter]
- Sorry I'm late, darling.
- You're not.
DOLLY: Oh, Paul's
not with me, but he's coming on.
He telephoned
at the last minute
to say he'd been
delayed at the studios.
Ooh, look,
lovely cocktails.
He'll be here about 7:00,
if that's all right, darling.
GEORGINA:
Oh, yes, yes, fine.
Frederick's been showing me
how to mix a sidecar.
Would you like one?
Oh, yes, please.
GEORGINA:
Oh, thank you, Frederick.
I'll ring if we need
any more ice.
FREDERICK:
Very good, miss.
Hmm, what a divine looking
young man.
GEORGINA: Frederick?
Hmm, yes, he is rather,
isn't he?
Tell me about Mr. Marvin.
DOLLY: Pam?
Well, my dear,
he is said to be Romanian.
GEORGINA: Ah.
DOLLY: He is distinctly oily
and full of artificial charm.
Well, frankly,
I'm rather bored with him,
but I thought he might
do for you,
at least for a week or two
so you could wangle a job
in one of his films.
GEORGINA: Oh, Dolly,
you are kind, thank you.
Oh, wait a minute,
wait a minute.
Mustn't forget the cherry.
It's half the fun.
There you are.
Leave in to flavour.
DOLLY:
Mm, thank you, darling.
That's a divine cocktail.
Mm, beautifully mixed.
GEORGINA: Oh, gosh,
I'll be tight by the time
Mr. Marvin arrives.
DOLLY: Mm, nonsense.
GEORGINA: Supposing
he doesn't think
that I'm pretty enough
for the films, Dolly.
DOLLY: Of course, he will.
Look, it's great fun.
You get 10 shillings a day
just to sit in front of
the cameras and look alluring.
Patsy Cremore
did it a few weeks ago,
out at lslington or somewhere.
They all had
to wear bathing costumes,
and stand round a pool
with no water in it.
[Laughter]
GEORGINA:
Sounds chilly.
DOLLY: Oh, no, apparently these
artificial lamps kept them warm.
They have these very strong
lights everywhere.
I say, where's your tall,
dark, and handsome cousin?
GEORGINA: Oh, gone down
to stay somewhere for Ascot.
DOLLY: Oh, what a bore.
I was hoping he'd be here.
GEORGINA: Why?
DOLLY: Well, I adore him.
Didn't you know?
GEORGINA:
James? Do you?
[Laughs]
Dolly, seriously?
DOLLY: Of course I do.
But it's not just a...God.
But it is not reciprocated.
He doesn't adore me.
[Doorbell rings]
GEORGINA:
That'll be Paul.
Oh dear,
I'm rather nervous now.
Oh, look, don't be.
Look poised and calm
and disdainful, like, um...
oh, like --
Like what?
Gloria Swanson.
Take your cocktail
in the one hand,
your cigarette holder
in the other,
lower your eyelids
and sort of smolder.
I'll try.
I've never smoldered before.
PAUL: Ah, good evening.
Viscount Bellamy's house?
FREDERICK:
Yes, sir.
PAUL: Paul Marvin.
I am expected.
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
This way, please.
GEORGINA: Oh, Dolly.
DOLLY: Well, hang
seductively over the sofa.
Mm, that's right.
FREDERICK:
Mr. Paul Marvin, miss.
PAUL: Ah, Miss Worsley.
Ah-ha. How delightful.
GEORGINA: How do you do?
I'm so glad that you could come.
PAUL: And my lady Dolly.
I'm sorry if I'm a little late,
my dear.
My star ripped her Paquin dress
in a thousand pieces,
and stood on the set
in her chemise
until they carried her away
screaming to her dressing room,
and gave her smelling salts.
And we shoot no more today.
Maybe tomorrow.
Which star was it?
I must not betray
a studio secret, my dear.
He's making it all up
to impress you.
GEORGINA: Fascinating.
How awful.
Poor you, poor dress.
Oh, we are used to such scenes
in film studios, Miss Worsley.
Yes, I suppose so.
Oh, may I pour you a cocktail?
PAUL:
Oh, thank you, my dear.
GEORGINA:
Won't you sit down?
PAUL:
Thank you so much, mm-hmm.
Ah.
GEORGINA:
What exactly is the film
that you're making,
Mr. Marvin?
Oh, he'll want you
to call him Paul, won't you?
I mean, everybody
calls Paul, Paul.
PAUL: Well, please do.
His film
is called Paris by Night.
Isn't that right?
PAUL: Uh-huh.
I have Carl Brisson
Annie Andre,
Paul Riedler, Zita Young.
Ah, thank you.
And my director, Miles Mander,
who is a master.
Yes. It will be
a superb moving picture.
GEORGINA: It all sounds
terribly thrilling.
PAUL: Mm-hmm.
DOLLY: Oh, Georgina darling,
I simply must fly.
Oh. Must you so soon?
DOLLY: Well, yes.
Much as I'd adore to stay
for another delicious cocktail,
I really must depart in haste.
Dear Robert's taking me
to the Cochran Revue
at The Pavilion.
It's called "One Damn Thing
After Another."
Can you imagine?
Well, apparently a pretty girl
plays marvelously
on a white piano.
I'll give you a ring
in the morning.
Bye, Paul.
GEORGINA: Oh, Dolly, the footman
can get you a taxi.
Oh, can he?
That'd be nice.
GEORGINA: Ah, Frederick, a taxi
for Lady Dorothy, please.
FREDERICK:
Very good, miss.
GEORGINA: Dolly, won't you
sit down until it arrives?
Won't take a couple of minutes
from the rank, miss.
Um, I've got
to get my coat on.
Um, you stay -- talk to Paul,
darling.
Bye-bye.
I'm so sorry about that.
Dolly's always in such a rush.
PAUL: When she
is with one admirer,
she must rush away to
a rendezvous with another, hmm?
GEORGINA: Oh, let me pour you
another cocktail.
PAUL:
Thank you, my dear.
Mm-hmm.
Must be fascinating making
films, isn't it?
PAUL: Yes.
DOLLY: It is Frederick,
isn't it?
FREDERICK:
That's right, my lady.
DOLLY: I thought so.
I remember you
when I came to a fancy dress
party here some time ago,
the night that man
shot himself upstairs.
FREDERICK: That's right,
my lady, I remember you, too.
Do you?
Yes, you was dressed
as a nymph, my lady.
So I was.
How clever of you to remember.
I noticed you special, my lady.
Did you?
Good night.
FREDERICK: I'll see you
to your taxi, my lady.
PAUL: So, Georgina,
I will have the studio people
telephone you next week
for a costume fitting, ah?
GEORGINA:
Oh, yes, I see.
Thank you so much.
I'm so thrilled.
I've always longed
to be in a film.
Oh, you dear, kind man.
PAUL: And as I cannot persuade
you to dine with me tonight,
maybe one day
we lunch together, yes?
GEORGINA:
Yes, if you like.
Oh, Frederick,
Mr. Marvin is just leaving.
Can he get you a taxi?
PAUL: Oh no, no, Thank you.
I shall walk.
My flat is quite close
to Sloane Square.
So, Miss Worsley,
it was delightful.
I'm so pleased
we are to be associated.
And my compliments
to Lord and Lady Bellamy.
GEORGINA:
Yes, well. Thank you.
PAUL: A bientot
GEORGINA: Ah!
Frederick, you'll never guess
what's happened.
You'll never guess.
FREDERICK:
No, Miss Georgina.
GEORGINA:
I'm going to act in a film.
What do you think of that?
FREDERICK:
Very good news, Miss Georgina.
GEORGINA: Yes, well,
I just wanted to tell someone,
that's all.
[Laughs]
[Door closes]
FREDERICK:
Are you still up?
Just finishing off some sewing.
Look at you.
Nice coat.
FREDERICK: Yeah.
Like some cocoa?
FREDERICK: Uh, no, ta.
I'll just smoke a cigarette
before I turn in,
if you don't object.
ROSE: Course not.
Did you enjoy
your evening off?
What's that
you're smoking, Fred?
FREDERICK:
Burley, Turkish.
ROSE:
Bit dear, aren't they?
FREDERICK
Bit. I prefer 'em.
[Rose laughs]
Here, have you come
into money or something?
FREDERICK: Me? No.
I'm careful, thrifty.
ROSE: Oh, that's it, is it?
FREDERICK: Yeah, I don't throw
me money away on the horses,
like you people.
I put me wages by
for a rainy day.
ROSE: Don't look like it.
FREDERICK: Well, you have
to have a new coat some time.
Hmm, Daisy stopped over
'til gone half past 10:00,
hoping you'd be back.
Hmm, she's took quite
a shine for you, has Daisy.
Just as well Edward's
coming back tomorrow.
FREDERICK: Yeah.
I have got to have a costume
to wear in the film,
James, unless you want me
to appear in my birthday suit.
So, I must go
for a fitting for it!
JAMES: Yes, yes,
but why with him?
Why with this wretched man?
Paul? Because he's
the film producer, darling.
He's got to make sure
it fits me.
JAMES: I'll bet he has.
GEORGINA: Look, James,
Paul Marvin
is a well-known film producer.
He's not likely to throw me
on a couch at a costumiers shop
in The Strand at 10:30
in the morning,
and ravish me.
JAMES: You don't know
film producers!
GEORGINA: I know this one
and he's not like that.
At least, I don't think he is.
Anyway,
I met him through Dolly.
JAMES: Dolly Hale's friends
are a rotten, third-rate lot.
Listen, I've heard about
these film people.
They're a greedy, immoral,
irresponsible bunch of people,
and I strongly object to you
being mixed up with them.
GEORGINA: Oh, well,
I am mixed up with them,
so that's that, isn't it?
JAMES: Listen, Georgina,
if you must have
this Dego film creature
at your costume fitting,
I suppose you must, but I...
I beg of you not to be seen
lunching alone with him
at The Savoy afterwards.
GEORGINA: Of course,
I must lunch alone with him.
How else can I pay him back
for giving me a job in his film?
JAMES: Now, you're talking
like a prostitute!
GEORGINA: Well I'm acting
in the film as one, James,
so I might as well
get in some practice.
Look, Jumbo, if you're
really worried about me
undressing in front of Paul,
I will ring up Dolly,
and ask her to come with me
as my chaperone.
Paul won't like it,
but at least he'll have me alone
for lunch afterwards.
I don't care what you do.
Oh, God!
Me chaperone you?
Me chaperone you?
Oh, Georgina,
that's too absurd.
Well, surely there'll
be somebody else there.
The costume fitter presumably.
GEORGINA: Yes, I know.
It's all so stupid.
DOLLY: Well, I'm sorry,
I can't, darling.
I'm going shopping
with my new lover.
GEORGINA: Really?
DOLLY: Mm,
isn't it exciting.
I have found myself
a brand new, divine man.
GEORGINA:
What's his name?
DOLLY: Alberto.
He is terribly handsome,
he dances quite beautifully,
and what's more, my darling,
he's a prince.
Mm-hmm. Italian of the House
of Montefiore di Colonia.
GEORGINA: How exotic.
DOLLY: Isn't it?
Ah, he's here with me now,
but as soon as he's dressed,
We're off to the opera
to join a party.
GEORGINA:
Oh, how lovely, Dolly.
DOLLY: Mm. All my friends
will be madly jealous.
I shall take him everywhere
with me.
Um, I'll have to fly now.
Sorry about tomorrow, darling.
Bye.
GEORGINA:
Bye-bye.
DOLLY: Alberto,
that was your mistress.
FREDERICK: My what?
DOLLY:
Your mistress, Miss Worsley.
FREDERICK: Go on.
[Laughs]
DOLLY: Not go on.
My darling, you must say
"ls not true, uh-uh,"
Come on, try it, huh?
"ls not true, huh?"
FREDERICK:
ls-a not-a true, huh?
DOLLY: Mm, bene, bene mi amore.
We must go now.
We'll need a taxi.
FREDERICK:
Oh, I'll get one.
DOLLY: No, not you, Alberto.
The porter will fetch one.
Oh, yeah, I forgot.
DOLLY: Oh, and for God's sake,
remember, when we get
to Covent Garden,
keep your cloak on until
we reach Lady Pamela's box.
Then you can shed it.
Sit well at the back
and keep your mouth shut.
It's ll Trovatore
but don't try to discuss it.
I'll do the talking.
Understood?
FREDERICK:
Bene carissima.
DOLLY: Mm.
Oh, that's quite good.
Oh, you are learning,
aren't you.
Come along, my lovely man.
[Speaking Italian]
DAISY: Oh, here you are,
"Society girl's film debut.
Shortly to appear in a new
British film Paris By Night,
dark-haired society beauty,
Miss Georgina Worsley,
orphan ward of Viscount Bellamy
of Haversham,
Under-Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs,
'I'm to appear as a lady of easy
virtue in a nightclub scene,'
laughed Miss Worsley,
when our reporter
called at Lord Bellamy's
Belgravia home yesterday."
That's a lovely picture
of her, isn't it?
EDWARD: Hmm, a lady
of easy virtue, eh?
His lordship won't like that.
DAISY: Oh, she'll
only be acting, stupid.
- Here, Rose, have you seen this?
- what's that?
DAISY: It's a picture
of Miss Georgina in The Mirror
all about her film.
ROSE: Oh, yes.
They might have
dug up a more recent took photo
of her than that.
Mm, I remember that one.
That was in The Tatler
just after the war.
In my opinion,
Miss Georgina's prettier now
than what she used to be.
And gets prettier
as the years go by.
DAISY: Oh, well, no blinking
foreigner's asked me
to act for the film so I might
as well go and do my rooms.
EDWARD: Rose.
ROSE:
Mm, what is it?
EDWARD:
What am I to do about Frederick?
I'll have to speak to him.
ROSE: What's he done now?
EDWARD: Well, I asked him
nicely this morning
to go into the pantry and clean
all the cutlery and put it away.
Well, that shouldn't take longer
than an hour, should it?
He's still in there.
ROSE: Well, go in
and tell him to buck up.
You're the under-butler.
EDWARD: Well, I don't like
throwing my weight...
well, throwing
my weight around.
Mr. Hudson
gave you the responsibility,
and if you don't throw
your weight around,
Frederick will
throw his weight around.
Yes. All right.
I'll go and hurry him up.
What is it now?
He's fast asleep.
ROSE: What?
EDWARD: Blooming well
slumped across the table
in his green baize apron,
a candlestick in one hand
and a piece of rag in another.
ROSE:
Well, go and wake him up.
EDWARD:
Well, I didn't want to.
ROSE: Oh, Edward.
I don't know, I really don't.
Come on.
EDWARD:
No, no, leave him be, Rose.
He'll wake up dinnertime,
won't he?
I suppose so.
He's looking ever so washed out
lately, is Fred.
Always yawning.
I don't think
he gets enough sleep.
EDWARD: Ruby told Daisy that
he's getting in ever so late
on his nights off.
ROSE:
How does Ruby know?
Because Frederick's been
bribing Ruby with chocolates
to leave the back door unbolted
last thing at night.
Then you'll have to speak
to Ruby, too.
Tell her not to leave
the back door open.
Oh, what does it matter?
JAMES: It matters a great deal,
Georgina.
What are father's friends going
to say when they read that?
Uncle Richard
is no relation of mine.
You live in his house,
my house!
We're your family.
I am not
giving up my film job,
if that's what
you're trying to say.
It's very exciting
and very glamorous
to be in films nowadays.
JAMES: Rubbish.
GEORGINA: Everybody's doing it
so why the hell shouldn't I?
ROSE: Hello, Fred.
Done the silver?
FREDERICK: Yeah.
I shall have to get you
a new razor for Christmas.
Yeah.
Shows, does it?
Looks a bit stubbly.
Got up in a hurry, did you?
A bit.
ROSE: In late again
last night, was you?
FREDERICK: Must have been.
Oh, I washed
your silk scarf for you.
FREDERICK: Oh, ta, Rose.
ROSE: Got most
of the lipstick off.
FREDERICK:
What lipstick?
ROSE: Oh, it was covered.
Mm, smelled of perfume, too.
Chanel No. 5,
what her ladyship wears.
Very expensive.
FREDERICK:
Lots of ladies use that.
ROSE: Wealthy ladies.
Not people like us.
Here, did you nip into her
ladyship's room on your day off,
put a bit of perfume
on your scarf?
[Laughs]
Cut a bit of a dash, eh?
FREDERICK: I'm not in the habit
of wearing
ladies' perfume, Rose.
ROSE: Oh.
Then your lady friend,
the one what
you're seeing on your days off,
she's got a bit of money,
has she?
FREDERICK:
What lady friend?
ROSE: Oh, you're not spending
your days off on your own,
Frederick Norton.
Don't give me that.
My private life
is private, Rose.
That's what Mr. Hudson says.
We're entitled
to our privacy.
Only teasing.
We all rib each other in this
household, always have done.
Can't be in service
in a large house with a staff,
not but what
you don't know a bit
about each other's
private affairs.
FREDERICK: I agree.
It's one good reason
for getting out of service.
ROSE: Oh?
What's the other?
Well, there's
better things to do
than cleaning silver all day,
in my opinion.
ROSE: I thought
you was contented here.
What's the matter?
FREDERICK: Nothing.
You're tired out,
that's your trouble.
You can't stay up all night,
and then expect to be fresh
for work the next day.
Nobody can.
FREDERICK: I know, Rose.
If I was you, I'd go
to my room after dinner,
and stay there and have
a nice sleep until tea time.
You look as if you could
do with it.
PRUDENCE: I must say,
I'm really looking forward
to this afternoon.
I've never seen
the making of film.
JAMES:
Mm, neither have I.
Well, Helen and Archie Croft
were taken onto the set
in Hollywood
when they were
in California last year.
Apparently, they watched
John Gilbert,
and some heavily painted woman
with a Spanish name
doing a love scene in a gondola,
and met him afterwards.
They said he was charming
but rather common.
Exactly.
Luncheon is served, sir.
JAMES: Oh, thank you, Daisy.
Where's Frederick?
DAISY: Oh, it's
his afternoon off, sir,
but on account
of his headaches,
Edward said he could leave early
in order to go to the doctors.
JAMES: I see.
PRUDENCE: Does Georgina know
We're going out to the studios?
JAMES: No, no, she doesn't.
I thought we could surprise her.
PRUDENCE: Oh.
[Hammering]
[Hammering]
PAUL: Mind where you stand.
There are so many wires
on the floor.
PRUDENCE: My dear,
isn't this wonderful?
It's so realistic.
JAMES: Oh, yes.
One might almost imagine
one was actually in one of those
Parisian night clubs.
PAUL: They are now lighting
the set ready for rehearsal.
I'll find you some chairs so you
can sit and watch, yeah?
MAN: Thank you, sir.
MAN: For Heaven's sake, how much
longer are you going to be?
In a few moments,
we shall rehearse,
and then shoot the brawl scene.
PRUDENCE: Brawl scene?
Oh, my God,
what is going to happen?
PAUL: Some special girls
will be at those tables,
Miss Worsley among them.
And at first,
everybody will be dancing
and making love
as the music plays,
when suddenly
down those steps comes Gaston,
the lover of one of the girls.
Ah, but she is in the arms
of another man.
Hmm, a woman screams,
everybody stands up,
tables are overturned,
a fight starts,
Gaston draws his knife...
JAMES: Oh, I say,
isn't that rather dangerous?
Won't someone get hurt?
PAUL: Oh, the knife is...
ah, the knife, yes.
The knife is a fake.
PRUDENCE:
Ah, isn't that clever!
PAUL: Everything is unreal,
even that wall of stone
is made of soft plaster.
It tears like paper.
Ah, there's Miss Worsley now,
if you would like to speak
with her before we start.
Oh, no, don't disturb her.
We'll just sit here quietly
and watch, keep out of the way.
MAN: Oh, wow, that's going
to be great, Miles.
I got all that.
Okay, now.
Okay, in your positions
everyone, please.
Come here, honey,
will you, and sit there?
Excuse me, sir.
That's right.
Will you sit there?
That's right.
Will you go over there,
lady, please?
Thank you very much.
Okay.
Band on the rostrum, please.
Come on, let's get this show
on the road.
JAMES: By the way, don't tell
Miss Worsley we're here.
We'll wait and surprise her
after she's done her...scene.
PAUL: Oh, yes, good.
And she will not see you
from the bright lights.
Excuse me, please.
PRUDENCE: It's as well Richard
can't see her dressed like that.
JAMES: Oh, well,
she's got damn good legs.
Well, you know, better
than the rest of them.
PRUDENCE:
Yes, she has.
Oh, isn't it all exciting?
MAN: Quiet!
DIRECTOR:
Okay, girls, this is the action.
You'll have a tough guy each
seated at the table with you,
do you understand?
The boys are just coming
on from make-up now.
Now, when we call for action,
I want you to commence
to pet and cuddle.
Make love with your partners,
make it good
and passionate, okay?
Then I'll clap my hands
once and shout "Gaston!"
On that cue, I want you to stop
what you're doing
and look up the stairs, up here
and react to Gaston coming down.
Get up and overturn the tables
as you do so.
Gaston comes down the steps,
and you'll recognize him
immediately, honey.
And he crosses the dance floor,
moving like a panther,
straight up to
your table, dear.
GEORGINA: Mine?
DIRECTOR:
That's right, honey, yours.
He seizes your partner,
pulls him on the dance floor,
there's a fight
and Gaston gets knifed, okay?
And then we cover the whole
scene in close ups, okay?
GEORGINA:
What do you want me to do?
Well, just stand there
and look like you're screaming.
Can you scream, darling?
You mean actually
scream out loud?
That's the ticket.
Looks better.
Make like you're scared,
all of you.
Okay girls?
Ah, here's the boys ready now.
Come on, fellas.
I want one there, please.
Will you sit there?
Thank you.
Will you come over here and sit
next to this young lady?
Right, this is your position.
This young lady's your partner.
Let me introduce you
to your lover, baby.
FREDERICK: Hello.
GEORGINA: Frederick.
FREDERICK: Miss Georgina.
DOLLY:
Do look at their faces.
Freddie will kill me
and so will she.
GEORGINA: Oh, my God.
[Whistle blows]
MAN:
Okay, rehearsal everybody.
Stand boy.
Okay for camera, Charlie?
CHARLIE: Okay, Mike.
MIKE: Okay.
In your positions, please.
Rehearsing.
Now, let's make this real.
Let's make this passionate,
don't forget we're in gay Paris
so let's keep it good
and French, okay?
Now, we haven't got all night.
Band, stand by for music.
Gaston, stand by
for my hand clap.
Well, come on,
get set, you two.
Into your positions, please.
Take the lady on your lap.
What is it?
GEORGINA: Come on,
Frederick, we'll have to.
FREDERICK: Yes, miss.
- GEORGINA: No, you.
- FREDERICK: Oh, yeah.
MIKE: Okay, now I think
We're ready to go.
Okay, Miles, it's all yours.
MILES: Let's go.
MIKE: Turn over.
Action!
FREDERICK: Excuse me, miss.
JAMES: Stop! Just a minute!
GEORGINA: Uh! My God.
James!
WOMAN: That's done it.
Who engaged him, eh?
Who's responsible for this?
That man has no right
to be here, do you hear!
He's one of my servants!
Now who -- who engaged him?
Where's that Marvin person?
DOLLY: James, it was
only a bit of fun.
I had no idea
you were coming down here.
JAMES: A joke? Huh!
I might have known
you'd be behind this.
Now, look, Georgina.
Come out of here, do you hear?
Come out here at once.
I don't know whose idea
of a joke this is, Frederick.
All I do know is you go back
to Eaton Place and wait.
Now that -- that's an order.
I've been engaged
for an afternoon's work, sir.
It's my time off.
JAMES: I don't give a damn
what you've been engaged for.
Now, get out of this ridiculous
costume and go home.
GEORGINA:
You can't do that, James.
You're coming home, too,
Georgina,
now go and get changed.
GEORGINA: I shall
do nothing of the sort.
PRUDENCE:
Dear, oh dear.
MIKE: A bit of trouble over
one of the extras, governor.
PAUL: Well, then clear the set.
Save the lights!
MIKE: Relax, everyone.
Clear the set.
Save the lights.
PAUL: Major Bellamy?
Major Bellamy, now please,
what's the matter?
JAMES: Well,
it's this woman's fault.
It's her idea of a joke.
Thinks it's funny.
I never heard of anything
so stupid and infantile
in my whole life.
How -- how dare she?
Hmm. Come along, Georgina,
you're coming home.
GEORGINA: No, lam not.
I'm staying here
in the studios to do my job.
Now, go away.
You've no business to be here.
Just take Prudence home
and leave me alone.
JAMES: Come along, Pru, we'd
better go and find the car.
PRUDENCE:
Oh, my God, what a to-do!
JAMES: You! You, I've seen
you somewhere before.
Now, what are you doing here?
FREDERICK: I'm sorry,
Mr. Marvin,
there's been a sort of mix up.
I'd better go home now,
if you can find someone
to take my place.
Lady Dorothy will explain.
Excuse me, Miss Georgina,
it wasn't me that did it.
I didn't know.
Honest I didn't, miss.
GEORGINA: I know, it wasn't
your fault, Frederick.
DOLLY: Well, yes, it was
my fault, Georgina, but...
well, really, such a fuss.
Whatever happened to James?
GEORGINA: It wasn't
very amusing, Dolly,
putting our footman
in that position.
I don't like to see
servants embarrassed.
Oh, look, Freddie
wouldn't have minded.
It's only because James had
to come down and spoil it all.
Oh, we're old friends,
Freddie and I.
Are you?
Well, you're not
a friend of mine,
not any longer, Dolly Hale.
You've ruined the day
completely! [Cries]
DOLLY:
Oh, look, come along, Georgina.
You're being silly --
GEORGINA: Go away and leave me
alone, will you?
Go away.
MIKE: Okay, stand by
for rehearsal again, everybody.
Into your positions, please.
Into your positions.
Okay, Charlie,
light it up, will you?
GEORGINA: Sorry. I'll go back
on the set now, Mr. Marvin.
PAUL: Oh, no, no, no.
There's no need.
Um, my dear, since I do not wish
to upset Lord Bellamy's family,
I wish you to get changed,
stay in your dressing room,
and I will
drive you home later.
Another scene,
another day, huh?
MIKE: Okay, now I want you
to remember,
you're French
and you're underworld.
Now, when you see Gaston
coming down those steps,
that really frightens you,
because you know what's going to
happen when the knives get out.
But when Gaston himself is
knifed, that really scares you,
because you know there's
going to be the biggest blow up
in gay Paris
since the French Revolution.
MRS. BRIDGES: They wouldn't
let you into the studio
to see Miss Georgina
doing her acting?
EDWARD: No.
MRS. BRIDGES: Oh!
EDWARD: Well, I was
going to later on, see,
but we left too early.
The Major and Lady Prudence
came out to the car,
faces like thunder, told me to
drive straight back to London,
and that's all I know.
DAISY: Pin?
ROSE: Oh, hello, Frederick,
you back?
Had your tea?
FREDERICK: Yep.
MRS. BRIDGES:
There's another cup in the pot,
if you'd like some.
FREDERICK:
No, thanks, Mrs. Bridges.
ROSE:
What'd the doctor say?
FREDERICK: Hey?
ROSE: About your headaches.
Oh, that.
He give me some medicine.
Took rather
a long time, didn't he?
I thought you said you were
seeing him at half past 12:00.
FREDERICK: I did.
Then I went to the park
for a walk after,
listened to the band
for a bit,
and went for a row
on the Serpentine.
All on your own?
That's right.
- DAISY: There you are.
ROSE: Thank you.
Is the Major back yet?
Yeah, he's in the morning room
with Lady Prudence.
She come back for tea.
FREDERICK: Oh.
JAMES: I have
every right to be angry.
My God, for two pins I'd have
strangled that Dolly Hale.
PRUDENCE: I agree she did a very
stupid and improper thing.
An Earl's daughter
should know better.
All the same I -- I do feel you
made rather more of a scene
than was necessary,
in front of all those people.
JAMES: I will not stand by
and see my servants humiliated
by a worthless person
like Dolly Hale.
Is that really why
you lost your temper, James?
Are you sure
it wasn't something to do
with seeing Georgina
made a fool of?
Yes. Yes, of course it was.
I don't like it when people
do cruel things to Georgina.
I never have.
It's very noble
and protective of you, my dear.
But don't you think that
Georgina is old enough now
to choose her own friends?
JAMES:
Yes, yes, I suppose she is.
Oh, why do I have to be
so jealous and envious
when Georgina goes out and has
fun with all her young friends?
I resent it.
I think that I feel...
well, left out,
no longer part of her life.
PRUDENCE: Well, you're in love
with your cousin, aren't you?
You always have been.
I -- I try and tell myself
it isn't true, but...
somehow I know damn well it is.
It's useless though,
I've lost her.
I am sorry.
Truly.
JAMES: Dear Pru.
PRUDENCE: Thank you for taking
me to the film studios.
It was a most interesting
and exciting afternoon.
JAMES: Yes, yes, wasn't it?
I'll ring.
PRUDENCE:
No, don't bother the servants.
Edward's probably
having his tea,
and I don't suppose Frederick's
back on duty yet.
I'll see myself out.
Chin up, darling.
[Bell rings]
[Bell rings]
EDWARD: Morning room.
DAISY: All right.
FREDERICK: I'll go.
If that's Lady Prudence,
leaving I'd rather go myself.
I want to see the Major.
It's your day off, Fred.
It's all right,
I want to speak to him.
EDWARD:
What, in your off duty suit?
FREDERICK:
He won't mind, this once.
Lady Prudence
already left, sir?
JAMES:
Yes, I showed her out myself.
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
JAMES: I rang to have
the tea things removed.
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
JAMES:
I wasn't going to mention
this afternoon's performance
until tomorrow, Frederick,
but since you're here,
I think we better discuss it
now, don't you?
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
JAMES: I am all for
the occasional joke, Frederick.
But you are supposed to be
footman in this house, hmm?
Now, I brought you in after
the war and gave you a job here,
because you'd been my servant
in the Army,
and because I trusted you.
Yes, sir.
I'm very grateful to you, sir.
Yes, well, I don't think
that in all fairness
you can expect me
to turn a blind eye
when you take part in
some stupid practical joke
organized by Lady Dorothy Hale
who, whatever any of us
may think of her,
is nevertheless a guest
in this house from time to time,
and a friend of Miss Georgina's
FREDERICK: No, sir.
JAMES: She should have known
better and so should you.
All you had to do was come
and tell me about it,
and I could have
put a stop to it.
FREDERICK: Beg pardon, sir,
but I didn't know.
JAMES: Yes, yes,
Well I'm prepared
to turn a blind eye this once
but in future --
FREDERICK:
If I might interrupt, sir.
JAMES: What?
- FREDERICK: Just to explain.
You see, I'm very grateful
to you, sir,
and his lordship
and her ladyship.
I've been very happy
in service here, sir.
Only just lately I've been
a bit...well, unsettled.
Oh, yes, because
of Edward's promotion.
FREDERICK:
No, not because of that, sir.
You see, ever since Lady Dorothy
called round here
the other afternoon,
while you was away for Ascot,
and invited me
to join some of her friends
for dinner at a cafe, I've --
JAMES: She what?
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
Well, I've had the opportunity
of seeing how other people live.
They've been very good to me,
and I've found I can like,
well, get on with people,
Lady Dolly's sort of people.
Oh, can you?
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
I've always been
a bit ambitious, sir.
And, so, I've decided
to give up service
and take my chance
in the outside world,
if you'll be good enough
to accept my notice, sir.
Now, just a minute, Frederick.
Are you telling me Lady Dolly's
been taking you
around London with her?
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
She's been very kind to me --
buying me clothes
and nice things.
JAMES: Good God, man,
have you got no pride?
Has she been giving you money,
actual cash to go around
with her?
Yes, sir.
She gave me some money
last week.
Couldn't see no harm in it.
You couldn't see
any harm in it.
You, Trooper Norton
of His Majesty's Lifeguards,
my soldier, servant and footman,
little better than a kept man,
a gigolo.
And you couldn't see
any harm in it.
Are you mad?!
I've nothing
to be ashamed of, sir.
Well, you should have.
FREDERICK: Can I take it
you accept my notice then?
JAMES: What else can I do?
FREDERICK:
Thank you, sir.
EDWARD:
Did the Major say anything?
EDWARD:
Did the Major say anything?
FREDERICK: Eh?
EDWARD: About your suit?
FREDERICK: No.
[Sighs]
Well, time to say cheerio.
MRS. BRIDGES: Cheerio?
FREDERICK: That's right.
I'm leaving.
DAISY: what?
FREDERICK: I'm leaving.
EDWARD:
You never got the push.
Give meself the push.
What's happened, Frederick?
Think I can guess,
Fred, can't I?
Can you?
You've got a wealthy lady friend
what wants to marry you.
DAISY: [Laughs]
Oh, Rose.
EDWARD: Rose, this
is no time for jokes.
ROSE: It isn't a joke,
is it, Fred?
Not exactly.
Well, go on.
Tell us.
FREDERICK: Well,
you might as well know,
seeing as I'll be gone
by tomorrow morning,
'cause I'm not stopping.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Frederick, what have you done?
FREDERICK: I haven't done
nothing wrong, Mrs. Bridges,
I've just...
well, just found out
that life's got more
in it for me
than running up and down stairs
in a footman's livery,
that's all.
EDWARD: Got a better job,
have you?
ROSE: No, he's going
to marry a wealthy lady,
like what I said.
Aren't you, Fred?
FREDERICK: I've been seeing
quite a bit lately of...
Lady Dorothy Hale, you see.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Seeing a bit of...
Seeing all of her
if you really want to know.
Oh!
So, that's who it was.
All that expensive perfume
on your scarf.
I think you'd better
stop talking, Frederick.
It's disgusting.
Oh, no, let him go on.
You've been on intimate social
terms with her, haven't you?
FREDERICK: It's all right,
I've already told the Major.
MRS. BRIDGES: You don't think
you're going to marry
Lady Dorothy, do you?
Because if you do I advise you
to think again, young man.
Lady Dorothy may amuse herself
being friendly with a footman
when it suits her.
I've heard of titled ladies
doing such things.
But just you remember this,
for all she's a mad cap,
and gets her name
in the papers and all that,
she's still the Earl
of Shelburne's daughter,
and you're Lord
and Lady Bellamy's footman.
I don't need to marry
no Earl's daughter,
Mrs. Bridges,
thank you very much,
but I can get on
with her sort of people.
And I can make a good living
on the films and escorting
and dancing with ladies
at these tea dance places.
I know I can because
they all said I can.
Only the other night
at the opera, Lady Dolly said --
MRS. BRIDGES:
Oh, the opera is it?
We go to the opera now,
do we?
Hmm. In the royal box,
I suppose.
No, the one next to it.
[Laughs]
Anyway, Lady Dolly said I was
wasted as a domestic servant.
"With your looks
and your sex appeal,"
she said, "you could
conquer London."
I'm quite sure
you could, Frederick.
If by that she means carrying
on with young society ladies
what's husbands
can't satisfy them.
I don't call that
conquering London,
any more than a tom cat
on the wall in the moonlight.
ROSE: Oh, Mrs. Bridges.
DAISY:
What a thing to say.
EDWARD: Not in front of my wife,
Mrs. Bridges.
Well, it's about time
she learned
a few things about life,
especially if she's going
to stop on in this house.
I don't know!
Well, I'm off to my room then.
Start packing.
DAISY: Oh, Fred, we'll miss you.
EDWARD: Yeah.
Pity. Still.
ROSE: I hope you know
what you're doing, Fred.
Still, suppose
it's too late to change.
You've burned your boat.
FREDERICK: I have.
Well, all I can say is,
thank the Lord
Mr. Hudson isn't here.
If he knew that his footman
was carrying on under his nose
with a lady what's
a friend of the family's,
I think he'd drop dead.
One day,
when I'm a famous film star
out in Hollywood,
I'll send you all my photo,
autographed, of course, and you
can show it to your pals,
and say, "That's Fred Norton
as used to work here
as footman in the old days.
Done well for himself
hasn't he?"
Cheerio.
JAMES: Ah, there you are.
GEORGINA: Yes, I'm back.
You dined, have you?
Oh, yes, thank you,
with Paul Marvin.
Frederick's leaving us.
Why?
JAMES: Well, it seems he's got
his eye on something better
than being a footman.
GEORGINA: Good for him.
I didn't dismiss him,
you know.
He gave notice himself.
Yes, I see.
I would never have
gone down to the studios
if I'd known that Dolly
was going to play that trick
on me with Frederick.
You do know that,
don't you, James?
Yes, yes, I think
I can believe that.
For all your silly, childish,
scatterbrain behaviour,
I think you've got more sense
and good taste than
to humiliate yourself
and a servant.
It must have been a dreadful
experience for you,
that's all I can say.
I felt quite sorry for you.
GEORGINA:
Oh, I'll get over it.
And I'm not silly or childish
or scatterbrain,
Master Jumbo Bellamy.
Hmm. Oh.
Hey!
The trouble is that you are
just a rotten, pompous,
stuck up, prudish goody-goody.
How dare you talk
to me like that?
GEORGINA:
Old fashioned, stuffy...
JAMES: You cheeky, little,
conceited minx...
GEORGINA:
Priggish, boring...
JAMES: You need a spanking.
Subtitling by
Acorn Media (re-sync by moviesbyrizzo)
Acorn Media (re-sync by moviesbyrizzo)
JAMES: Ah, there you are, Pru.
PRUDENCE:
Jolly racing weather?
JAMES: Yes, isn't it.
I've ordered some champagne
to send us on our way.
Bring it out, will you,
Frederick?
FREDERICK:
Very good, sir.
EDWARD:
What orders for the car, sir?
JAMES:
Oh, we'll leave at 10:30.
It's only two hours down,
but there'll be a lot of motors
on the road today.
PRUDENCE:
Yes, I expect there will.
JAMES: Oh.
Well, I must say, Pru,
you look grand.
PRUDENCE: Thank you.
Oh, it is good of you
to take Auntie Pru
as your partner for Ascot,
and not some
dizzy young flapper.
Well, the Boyds
are really mother's friends.
Oh no, no, not that it's going
to be an elderly house, Pru.
To be quite honest, Pru,
I don't know any dizzy
young things these days.
They're either tiresome
or married.
Well, anyway,
it'll be very nice
to have a handsome young man
to escort me to the paddock
between races.
I really am most flattered.
By the way, is my hat
a little too much?
JAMES: No, no, not at all.
Very smart.
It suits you.
PRUDENCE: Good.
Isn't Georgina going
to Ascot this year?
JAMES: No. No, she spends most
of her time with Dolly Hale,
and all those silly,
useless people.
PRUDENCE:
Ah, there.
Look at that to slake
our morning thirst.
JAMES: Thank you, Frederick.
Is it nice and cold?
Should be, sir.
Just off the ice.
PRUDENCE:
Where's Hudson?
JAMES: Oh, father's taken him
to Berlin to valet him.
Said the change
should do him good.
He should enjoy the formality
of the British Embassy.
PRUDENCE:
Oh, is he better?
JAMES:
Oh, yes, yes, yes, much.
Mind you, he has
to take it carefully.
[Laughs] Of course, being
surrounded by all those Huns
might quite easily
bring on another heart attack.
As you know, old Hudson
isn't too well disposed
towards the German race.
Hmm, by the way,
father advised me
to ask you what to back
in the Hunt Cup today.
Said you were
a dreadful old punter,
but you knew a bit about form.
Oh, did he?
Well, I do happen to have
a scrap of information,
for what it's worth.
JAMES:
Oh, let's have it.
PRUDENCE: Well, according
to Willie Aberdale,
Gordon Richards
told Molly at Epsom
that his mount
for the Hunt Cup...
JAMES: Uh, Delius, yes.
PRUDENCE: Delius,
was the biggest certainty
of the meeting,
unbeatable, he says, apparently.
Did he?
Well, it's a clear favourite.
Not very attractive odds --
9 to 2 on,
and napped in The Times.
There you are,
bound to win.
Delius?
Oh, Rose, not a chance.
Look, Priory Park will win it.
J.B. Joel's nag.
MRS. BRIDGES:
How do you know, Edward?
EDWARD: Oh, Jack Fiske,
Lord Morley's chauffeur,
friend of mine up the Mews.
He got it
from Mr. Joel's chauffeur,
in the strictest confidence,
of course.
ROSE:
That's what I'll do then.
- EDWARD: Right.
- MRS. BRIDGES: Rose.
ROSE: Well, there's no harm in
having a flutter now and then.
I'll go and get me purse.
DAISY: That's right.
Eddie can put it on for you.
EDWARD: That's it, with
the greatest of pleasure.
Right, any more wagers,
ladies and gents, please?
Mrs. Bridges?
I don't bet on horses.
You know that, Edward.
It's a mug's game.
EDWARD: Oh, come on,
Mrs. Bridges, just the once.
Well, seeing as I'm going to be
there on the Ascot race course
amongst all the bookies,
I'll get you a good price.
MRS. BRIDGES: Well,
what was the name of that horse
you said just now?
ROSE: Priory Park.
Here you are, Edward.
I'll have a shilling on.
EDWARD:
A bob each way?
ROSE: Yes.
EDWARD: Right, so you'll need
two bobs then.
ROSE: Why?
EDWARD: Well, a bob for a win
and a bob for a place.
No, Rose,
don't you give him no more.
One shillings quite enough.
EDWARD: All right, it'll have
to be a win then.
ROSE: Ah, it could be
sixpence each way. [Laughs]
EDWARD:
Oh, all right, Rose.
Blimey, it's not going
to bust you, is it?
Right, any more wagers?
Now, come on, Frederick.
[Bell rings]
FREDERICK:
Morning room.
EDWARD: Oh, that'll be
the Major wanting to leave.
Right, I'm Off.
ROSE: Bye, Edward.
Don't forget my bet.
MRS. BRIDGES:
And mind you behave yourself.
DAISY:
Oh, he'll have to.
There's no young maids
down at woodoote Lodge.
ROSE: How do you know
there aren't?
DAISY: I happen to know that
Mrs. Boyd has an elderly maid,
and there's only one cook
and two manservants.
They don't take no young maid
down for Ascot week.
EDWARD: Here, you seem to know
an awful lot about it.
DAISY: I made it my business
to find out.
EDWARD: Spoil sport.
Bye.
JAMES: Thank you, Frederick.
We'll be at the Boyds
'til Monday.
You have the telephone number?
- FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
JAMES: Oh, thank you, Frederick.
Right, off we go then.
There...
ROSE:
Cheer up, Fred.
FREDERICK: Eh?
ROSE: You're looking proper
miserable today.
What's the matter?
FREDERICK:
Oh, I got the pip.
ROSE: 'Cause you're not going
to the races, that it?
FREDERICK:
Wouldn't mind going.
Chauffeurs get all the luck.
ROSE: Well, we can't always
have what we want.
I'd like to have gone to Berlin
with her ladyship,
but I've got a job to do here,
seeing to Miss Alice.
And you've got a job,
doing Mr. Hudson's work.
FREDERICK: Yeah, doing his work
Without his wages
or responsibility.
ROSE: Oh, you do have
the responsibility, Fred,
least while Edward's away.
FREDERICK:
Five whole days.
ROSE: [Laughs] well,
make the most of it.
Come on downstairs
and cheer up.
FREDERICK: Cheer up.
[Singing]
[Clock strikes hour]
FREDERICK:
You still here, are you?
DAISY:
Yeah, tidying up.
FREDERICK:
Oh.
DAISY: La-la-la-la
Whoa, cocktails, eh?
FREDERICK: That's right.
DAISY: Who for?
FREDERICK: Miss Georgina's
entertaining.
DAISY: Men, I suppose, seeing as
she's got the house to herself.
FREDERICK:
Not surprising.
Any gent'd fancy a cocktail
with Miss Georgina.
Wouldn't mind one meself.
DAISY: You're getting ideas
above your station.
Aren't you, Fred, eh?
FREDERICK: Seems to me
you're the one
that's getting
the ideas, Daisy.
DAISY: Any girl would,
Fred, about you.
FREDERICK: You're not a girl,
you're a married woman.
DAISY: Yeah, well, it don't
feel like it sometimes,
Eddie going off visiting
like he does all the time.
He's your husband.
I don't have to be
reminded of that,
thank you very much.
Has the evening paper come?
French horse won it, Asterus.
FREDERICK: Won what?
DAISY:
The Hunt Cup at Ascot.
Look. Monsieur Boussads
Asterus, 10 to 1.
Eddie don't know
what he's talking about.
FREDERICK:
Course he doesn't.
If the people that
owns and trains
the blooming horses don't know,
why should Edward know?
DAISY: 10 to 1, eh?
Rose could've made a bob or two
if she'd bet on that one,
not that she needs money.
Coming down, are you?
In a tick.
GEORGINA:
Good evening, Daisy.
DAISY:
Evening, Miss Georgina.
Ah, Frederick.
FREDERICK:
Good evening, Miss Georgina.
GEORGINA: You've brought
the cocktail things up, good.
I think I'll make,
um, a sidecar.
Hmm, now then...
FREDERICK:
Crushed ice to start with.
GEORGINA: Mm-hmm.
FREDERICK: There you are.
Two parts brandy...
one part Cointreau.
GEORGINA: Yes.
FREDERICK: Juice of a quarter
of a lemon, squeezed.
I'll do that for you, miss.
GEORGINA:
Oh, thank you, Frederick.
FREDERICK:
Need a strong arm for this.
[Laughs]
FREDERICK: That's it.
There we are.
And shake well, miss.
GEORGINA: I see.
Thank you, Frederick.
Are you sure this will
be strong enough?
Lady Dorothy
likes her cocktails
with a terrific kick
in them, you know.
FREDERICK: I think you'll
find that quite satisfactory,
Miss Georgina.
GEORGINA: Yes, I'm sure we will.
Thank you, Frederick.
[Doorbell rings]
- Oh, there they are.
- Excuse me, miss.
GEORGINA: Mm-hmm.
FREDERICK:
Lady Dorothy Hale, miss.
GEORGINA: Oh, Dolly!
[Laughter]
- Sorry I'm late, darling.
- You're not.
DOLLY: Oh, Paul's
not with me, but he's coming on.
He telephoned
at the last minute
to say he'd been
delayed at the studios.
Ooh, look,
lovely cocktails.
He'll be here about 7:00,
if that's all right, darling.
GEORGINA:
Oh, yes, yes, fine.
Frederick's been showing me
how to mix a sidecar.
Would you like one?
Oh, yes, please.
GEORGINA:
Oh, thank you, Frederick.
I'll ring if we need
any more ice.
FREDERICK:
Very good, miss.
Hmm, what a divine looking
young man.
GEORGINA: Frederick?
Hmm, yes, he is rather,
isn't he?
Tell me about Mr. Marvin.
DOLLY: Pam?
Well, my dear,
he is said to be Romanian.
GEORGINA: Ah.
DOLLY: He is distinctly oily
and full of artificial charm.
Well, frankly,
I'm rather bored with him,
but I thought he might
do for you,
at least for a week or two
so you could wangle a job
in one of his films.
GEORGINA: Oh, Dolly,
you are kind, thank you.
Oh, wait a minute,
wait a minute.
Mustn't forget the cherry.
It's half the fun.
There you are.
Leave in to flavour.
DOLLY:
Mm, thank you, darling.
That's a divine cocktail.
Mm, beautifully mixed.
GEORGINA: Oh, gosh,
I'll be tight by the time
Mr. Marvin arrives.
DOLLY: Mm, nonsense.
GEORGINA: Supposing
he doesn't think
that I'm pretty enough
for the films, Dolly.
DOLLY: Of course, he will.
Look, it's great fun.
You get 10 shillings a day
just to sit in front of
the cameras and look alluring.
Patsy Cremore
did it a few weeks ago,
out at lslington or somewhere.
They all had
to wear bathing costumes,
and stand round a pool
with no water in it.
[Laughter]
GEORGINA:
Sounds chilly.
DOLLY: Oh, no, apparently these
artificial lamps kept them warm.
They have these very strong
lights everywhere.
I say, where's your tall,
dark, and handsome cousin?
GEORGINA: Oh, gone down
to stay somewhere for Ascot.
DOLLY: Oh, what a bore.
I was hoping he'd be here.
GEORGINA: Why?
DOLLY: Well, I adore him.
Didn't you know?
GEORGINA:
James? Do you?
[Laughs]
Dolly, seriously?
DOLLY: Of course I do.
But it's not just a...God.
But it is not reciprocated.
He doesn't adore me.
[Doorbell rings]
GEORGINA:
That'll be Paul.
Oh dear,
I'm rather nervous now.
Oh, look, don't be.
Look poised and calm
and disdainful, like, um...
oh, like --
Like what?
Gloria Swanson.
Take your cocktail
in the one hand,
your cigarette holder
in the other,
lower your eyelids
and sort of smolder.
I'll try.
I've never smoldered before.
PAUL: Ah, good evening.
Viscount Bellamy's house?
FREDERICK:
Yes, sir.
PAUL: Paul Marvin.
I am expected.
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
This way, please.
GEORGINA: Oh, Dolly.
DOLLY: Well, hang
seductively over the sofa.
Mm, that's right.
FREDERICK:
Mr. Paul Marvin, miss.
PAUL: Ah, Miss Worsley.
Ah-ha. How delightful.
GEORGINA: How do you do?
I'm so glad that you could come.
PAUL: And my lady Dolly.
I'm sorry if I'm a little late,
my dear.
My star ripped her Paquin dress
in a thousand pieces,
and stood on the set
in her chemise
until they carried her away
screaming to her dressing room,
and gave her smelling salts.
And we shoot no more today.
Maybe tomorrow.
Which star was it?
I must not betray
a studio secret, my dear.
He's making it all up
to impress you.
GEORGINA: Fascinating.
How awful.
Poor you, poor dress.
Oh, we are used to such scenes
in film studios, Miss Worsley.
Yes, I suppose so.
Oh, may I pour you a cocktail?
PAUL:
Oh, thank you, my dear.
GEORGINA:
Won't you sit down?
PAUL:
Thank you so much, mm-hmm.
Ah.
GEORGINA:
What exactly is the film
that you're making,
Mr. Marvin?
Oh, he'll want you
to call him Paul, won't you?
I mean, everybody
calls Paul, Paul.
PAUL: Well, please do.
His film
is called Paris by Night.
Isn't that right?
PAUL: Uh-huh.
I have Carl Brisson
Annie Andre,
Paul Riedler, Zita Young.
Ah, thank you.
And my director, Miles Mander,
who is a master.
Yes. It will be
a superb moving picture.
GEORGINA: It all sounds
terribly thrilling.
PAUL: Mm-hmm.
DOLLY: Oh, Georgina darling,
I simply must fly.
Oh. Must you so soon?
DOLLY: Well, yes.
Much as I'd adore to stay
for another delicious cocktail,
I really must depart in haste.
Dear Robert's taking me
to the Cochran Revue
at The Pavilion.
It's called "One Damn Thing
After Another."
Can you imagine?
Well, apparently a pretty girl
plays marvelously
on a white piano.
I'll give you a ring
in the morning.
Bye, Paul.
GEORGINA: Oh, Dolly, the footman
can get you a taxi.
Oh, can he?
That'd be nice.
GEORGINA: Ah, Frederick, a taxi
for Lady Dorothy, please.
FREDERICK:
Very good, miss.
GEORGINA: Dolly, won't you
sit down until it arrives?
Won't take a couple of minutes
from the rank, miss.
Um, I've got
to get my coat on.
Um, you stay -- talk to Paul,
darling.
Bye-bye.
I'm so sorry about that.
Dolly's always in such a rush.
PAUL: When she
is with one admirer,
she must rush away to
a rendezvous with another, hmm?
GEORGINA: Oh, let me pour you
another cocktail.
PAUL:
Thank you, my dear.
Mm-hmm.
Must be fascinating making
films, isn't it?
PAUL: Yes.
DOLLY: It is Frederick,
isn't it?
FREDERICK:
That's right, my lady.
DOLLY: I thought so.
I remember you
when I came to a fancy dress
party here some time ago,
the night that man
shot himself upstairs.
FREDERICK: That's right,
my lady, I remember you, too.
Do you?
Yes, you was dressed
as a nymph, my lady.
So I was.
How clever of you to remember.
I noticed you special, my lady.
Did you?
Good night.
FREDERICK: I'll see you
to your taxi, my lady.
PAUL: So, Georgina,
I will have the studio people
telephone you next week
for a costume fitting, ah?
GEORGINA:
Oh, yes, I see.
Thank you so much.
I'm so thrilled.
I've always longed
to be in a film.
Oh, you dear, kind man.
PAUL: And as I cannot persuade
you to dine with me tonight,
maybe one day
we lunch together, yes?
GEORGINA:
Yes, if you like.
Oh, Frederick,
Mr. Marvin is just leaving.
Can he get you a taxi?
PAUL: Oh no, no, Thank you.
I shall walk.
My flat is quite close
to Sloane Square.
So, Miss Worsley,
it was delightful.
I'm so pleased
we are to be associated.
And my compliments
to Lord and Lady Bellamy.
GEORGINA:
Yes, well. Thank you.
PAUL: A bientot
GEORGINA: Ah!
Frederick, you'll never guess
what's happened.
You'll never guess.
FREDERICK:
No, Miss Georgina.
GEORGINA:
I'm going to act in a film.
What do you think of that?
FREDERICK:
Very good news, Miss Georgina.
GEORGINA: Yes, well,
I just wanted to tell someone,
that's all.
[Laughs]
[Door closes]
FREDERICK:
Are you still up?
Just finishing off some sewing.
Look at you.
Nice coat.
FREDERICK: Yeah.
Like some cocoa?
FREDERICK: Uh, no, ta.
I'll just smoke a cigarette
before I turn in,
if you don't object.
ROSE: Course not.
Did you enjoy
your evening off?
What's that
you're smoking, Fred?
FREDERICK:
Burley, Turkish.
ROSE:
Bit dear, aren't they?
FREDERICK
Bit. I prefer 'em.
[Rose laughs]
Here, have you come
into money or something?
FREDERICK: Me? No.
I'm careful, thrifty.
ROSE: Oh, that's it, is it?
FREDERICK: Yeah, I don't throw
me money away on the horses,
like you people.
I put me wages by
for a rainy day.
ROSE: Don't look like it.
FREDERICK: Well, you have
to have a new coat some time.
Hmm, Daisy stopped over
'til gone half past 10:00,
hoping you'd be back.
Hmm, she's took quite
a shine for you, has Daisy.
Just as well Edward's
coming back tomorrow.
FREDERICK: Yeah.
I have got to have a costume
to wear in the film,
James, unless you want me
to appear in my birthday suit.
So, I must go
for a fitting for it!
JAMES: Yes, yes,
but why with him?
Why with this wretched man?
Paul? Because he's
the film producer, darling.
He's got to make sure
it fits me.
JAMES: I'll bet he has.
GEORGINA: Look, James,
Paul Marvin
is a well-known film producer.
He's not likely to throw me
on a couch at a costumiers shop
in The Strand at 10:30
in the morning,
and ravish me.
JAMES: You don't know
film producers!
GEORGINA: I know this one
and he's not like that.
At least, I don't think he is.
Anyway,
I met him through Dolly.
JAMES: Dolly Hale's friends
are a rotten, third-rate lot.
Listen, I've heard about
these film people.
They're a greedy, immoral,
irresponsible bunch of people,
and I strongly object to you
being mixed up with them.
GEORGINA: Oh, well,
I am mixed up with them,
so that's that, isn't it?
JAMES: Listen, Georgina,
if you must have
this Dego film creature
at your costume fitting,
I suppose you must, but I...
I beg of you not to be seen
lunching alone with him
at The Savoy afterwards.
GEORGINA: Of course,
I must lunch alone with him.
How else can I pay him back
for giving me a job in his film?
JAMES: Now, you're talking
like a prostitute!
GEORGINA: Well I'm acting
in the film as one, James,
so I might as well
get in some practice.
Look, Jumbo, if you're
really worried about me
undressing in front of Paul,
I will ring up Dolly,
and ask her to come with me
as my chaperone.
Paul won't like it,
but at least he'll have me alone
for lunch afterwards.
I don't care what you do.
Oh, God!
Me chaperone you?
Me chaperone you?
Oh, Georgina,
that's too absurd.
Well, surely there'll
be somebody else there.
The costume fitter presumably.
GEORGINA: Yes, I know.
It's all so stupid.
DOLLY: Well, I'm sorry,
I can't, darling.
I'm going shopping
with my new lover.
GEORGINA: Really?
DOLLY: Mm,
isn't it exciting.
I have found myself
a brand new, divine man.
GEORGINA:
What's his name?
DOLLY: Alberto.
He is terribly handsome,
he dances quite beautifully,
and what's more, my darling,
he's a prince.
Mm-hmm. Italian of the House
of Montefiore di Colonia.
GEORGINA: How exotic.
DOLLY: Isn't it?
Ah, he's here with me now,
but as soon as he's dressed,
We're off to the opera
to join a party.
GEORGINA:
Oh, how lovely, Dolly.
DOLLY: Mm. All my friends
will be madly jealous.
I shall take him everywhere
with me.
Um, I'll have to fly now.
Sorry about tomorrow, darling.
Bye.
GEORGINA:
Bye-bye.
DOLLY: Alberto,
that was your mistress.
FREDERICK: My what?
DOLLY:
Your mistress, Miss Worsley.
FREDERICK: Go on.
[Laughs]
DOLLY: Not go on.
My darling, you must say
"ls not true, uh-uh,"
Come on, try it, huh?
"ls not true, huh?"
FREDERICK:
ls-a not-a true, huh?
DOLLY: Mm, bene, bene mi amore.
We must go now.
We'll need a taxi.
FREDERICK:
Oh, I'll get one.
DOLLY: No, not you, Alberto.
The porter will fetch one.
Oh, yeah, I forgot.
DOLLY: Oh, and for God's sake,
remember, when we get
to Covent Garden,
keep your cloak on until
we reach Lady Pamela's box.
Then you can shed it.
Sit well at the back
and keep your mouth shut.
It's ll Trovatore
but don't try to discuss it.
I'll do the talking.
Understood?
FREDERICK:
Bene carissima.
DOLLY: Mm.
Oh, that's quite good.
Oh, you are learning,
aren't you.
Come along, my lovely man.
[Speaking Italian]
DAISY: Oh, here you are,
"Society girl's film debut.
Shortly to appear in a new
British film Paris By Night,
dark-haired society beauty,
Miss Georgina Worsley,
orphan ward of Viscount Bellamy
of Haversham,
Under-Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs,
'I'm to appear as a lady of easy
virtue in a nightclub scene,'
laughed Miss Worsley,
when our reporter
called at Lord Bellamy's
Belgravia home yesterday."
That's a lovely picture
of her, isn't it?
EDWARD: Hmm, a lady
of easy virtue, eh?
His lordship won't like that.
DAISY: Oh, she'll
only be acting, stupid.
- Here, Rose, have you seen this?
- what's that?
DAISY: It's a picture
of Miss Georgina in The Mirror
all about her film.
ROSE: Oh, yes.
They might have
dug up a more recent took photo
of her than that.
Mm, I remember that one.
That was in The Tatler
just after the war.
In my opinion,
Miss Georgina's prettier now
than what she used to be.
And gets prettier
as the years go by.
DAISY: Oh, well, no blinking
foreigner's asked me
to act for the film so I might
as well go and do my rooms.
EDWARD: Rose.
ROSE:
Mm, what is it?
EDWARD:
What am I to do about Frederick?
I'll have to speak to him.
ROSE: What's he done now?
EDWARD: Well, I asked him
nicely this morning
to go into the pantry and clean
all the cutlery and put it away.
Well, that shouldn't take longer
than an hour, should it?
He's still in there.
ROSE: Well, go in
and tell him to buck up.
You're the under-butler.
EDWARD: Well, I don't like
throwing my weight...
well, throwing
my weight around.
Mr. Hudson
gave you the responsibility,
and if you don't throw
your weight around,
Frederick will
throw his weight around.
Yes. All right.
I'll go and hurry him up.
What is it now?
He's fast asleep.
ROSE: What?
EDWARD: Blooming well
slumped across the table
in his green baize apron,
a candlestick in one hand
and a piece of rag in another.
ROSE:
Well, go and wake him up.
EDWARD:
Well, I didn't want to.
ROSE: Oh, Edward.
I don't know, I really don't.
Come on.
EDWARD:
No, no, leave him be, Rose.
He'll wake up dinnertime,
won't he?
I suppose so.
He's looking ever so washed out
lately, is Fred.
Always yawning.
I don't think
he gets enough sleep.
EDWARD: Ruby told Daisy that
he's getting in ever so late
on his nights off.
ROSE:
How does Ruby know?
Because Frederick's been
bribing Ruby with chocolates
to leave the back door unbolted
last thing at night.
Then you'll have to speak
to Ruby, too.
Tell her not to leave
the back door open.
Oh, what does it matter?
JAMES: It matters a great deal,
Georgina.
What are father's friends going
to say when they read that?
Uncle Richard
is no relation of mine.
You live in his house,
my house!
We're your family.
I am not
giving up my film job,
if that's what
you're trying to say.
It's very exciting
and very glamorous
to be in films nowadays.
JAMES: Rubbish.
GEORGINA: Everybody's doing it
so why the hell shouldn't I?
ROSE: Hello, Fred.
Done the silver?
FREDERICK: Yeah.
I shall have to get you
a new razor for Christmas.
Yeah.
Shows, does it?
Looks a bit stubbly.
Got up in a hurry, did you?
A bit.
ROSE: In late again
last night, was you?
FREDERICK: Must have been.
Oh, I washed
your silk scarf for you.
FREDERICK: Oh, ta, Rose.
ROSE: Got most
of the lipstick off.
FREDERICK:
What lipstick?
ROSE: Oh, it was covered.
Mm, smelled of perfume, too.
Chanel No. 5,
what her ladyship wears.
Very expensive.
FREDERICK:
Lots of ladies use that.
ROSE: Wealthy ladies.
Not people like us.
Here, did you nip into her
ladyship's room on your day off,
put a bit of perfume
on your scarf?
[Laughs]
Cut a bit of a dash, eh?
FREDERICK: I'm not in the habit
of wearing
ladies' perfume, Rose.
ROSE: Oh.
Then your lady friend,
the one what
you're seeing on your days off,
she's got a bit of money,
has she?
FREDERICK:
What lady friend?
ROSE: Oh, you're not spending
your days off on your own,
Frederick Norton.
Don't give me that.
My private life
is private, Rose.
That's what Mr. Hudson says.
We're entitled
to our privacy.
Only teasing.
We all rib each other in this
household, always have done.
Can't be in service
in a large house with a staff,
not but what
you don't know a bit
about each other's
private affairs.
FREDERICK: I agree.
It's one good reason
for getting out of service.
ROSE: Oh?
What's the other?
Well, there's
better things to do
than cleaning silver all day,
in my opinion.
ROSE: I thought
you was contented here.
What's the matter?
FREDERICK: Nothing.
You're tired out,
that's your trouble.
You can't stay up all night,
and then expect to be fresh
for work the next day.
Nobody can.
FREDERICK: I know, Rose.
If I was you, I'd go
to my room after dinner,
and stay there and have
a nice sleep until tea time.
You look as if you could
do with it.
PRUDENCE: I must say,
I'm really looking forward
to this afternoon.
I've never seen
the making of film.
JAMES:
Mm, neither have I.
Well, Helen and Archie Croft
were taken onto the set
in Hollywood
when they were
in California last year.
Apparently, they watched
John Gilbert,
and some heavily painted woman
with a Spanish name
doing a love scene in a gondola,
and met him afterwards.
They said he was charming
but rather common.
Exactly.
Luncheon is served, sir.
JAMES: Oh, thank you, Daisy.
Where's Frederick?
DAISY: Oh, it's
his afternoon off, sir,
but on account
of his headaches,
Edward said he could leave early
in order to go to the doctors.
JAMES: I see.
PRUDENCE: Does Georgina know
We're going out to the studios?
JAMES: No, no, she doesn't.
I thought we could surprise her.
PRUDENCE: Oh.
[Hammering]
[Hammering]
PAUL: Mind where you stand.
There are so many wires
on the floor.
PRUDENCE: My dear,
isn't this wonderful?
It's so realistic.
JAMES: Oh, yes.
One might almost imagine
one was actually in one of those
Parisian night clubs.
PAUL: They are now lighting
the set ready for rehearsal.
I'll find you some chairs so you
can sit and watch, yeah?
MAN: Thank you, sir.
MAN: For Heaven's sake, how much
longer are you going to be?
In a few moments,
we shall rehearse,
and then shoot the brawl scene.
PRUDENCE: Brawl scene?
Oh, my God,
what is going to happen?
PAUL: Some special girls
will be at those tables,
Miss Worsley among them.
And at first,
everybody will be dancing
and making love
as the music plays,
when suddenly
down those steps comes Gaston,
the lover of one of the girls.
Ah, but she is in the arms
of another man.
Hmm, a woman screams,
everybody stands up,
tables are overturned,
a fight starts,
Gaston draws his knife...
JAMES: Oh, I say,
isn't that rather dangerous?
Won't someone get hurt?
PAUL: Oh, the knife is...
ah, the knife, yes.
The knife is a fake.
PRUDENCE:
Ah, isn't that clever!
PAUL: Everything is unreal,
even that wall of stone
is made of soft plaster.
It tears like paper.
Ah, there's Miss Worsley now,
if you would like to speak
with her before we start.
Oh, no, don't disturb her.
We'll just sit here quietly
and watch, keep out of the way.
MAN: Oh, wow, that's going
to be great, Miles.
I got all that.
Okay, now.
Okay, in your positions
everyone, please.
Come here, honey,
will you, and sit there?
Excuse me, sir.
That's right.
Will you sit there?
That's right.
Will you go over there,
lady, please?
Thank you very much.
Okay.
Band on the rostrum, please.
Come on, let's get this show
on the road.
JAMES: By the way, don't tell
Miss Worsley we're here.
We'll wait and surprise her
after she's done her...scene.
PAUL: Oh, yes, good.
And she will not see you
from the bright lights.
Excuse me, please.
PRUDENCE: It's as well Richard
can't see her dressed like that.
JAMES: Oh, well,
she's got damn good legs.
Well, you know, better
than the rest of them.
PRUDENCE:
Yes, she has.
Oh, isn't it all exciting?
MAN: Quiet!
DIRECTOR:
Okay, girls, this is the action.
You'll have a tough guy each
seated at the table with you,
do you understand?
The boys are just coming
on from make-up now.
Now, when we call for action,
I want you to commence
to pet and cuddle.
Make love with your partners,
make it good
and passionate, okay?
Then I'll clap my hands
once and shout "Gaston!"
On that cue, I want you to stop
what you're doing
and look up the stairs, up here
and react to Gaston coming down.
Get up and overturn the tables
as you do so.
Gaston comes down the steps,
and you'll recognize him
immediately, honey.
And he crosses the dance floor,
moving like a panther,
straight up to
your table, dear.
GEORGINA: Mine?
DIRECTOR:
That's right, honey, yours.
He seizes your partner,
pulls him on the dance floor,
there's a fight
and Gaston gets knifed, okay?
And then we cover the whole
scene in close ups, okay?
GEORGINA:
What do you want me to do?
Well, just stand there
and look like you're screaming.
Can you scream, darling?
You mean actually
scream out loud?
That's the ticket.
Looks better.
Make like you're scared,
all of you.
Okay girls?
Ah, here's the boys ready now.
Come on, fellas.
I want one there, please.
Will you sit there?
Thank you.
Will you come over here and sit
next to this young lady?
Right, this is your position.
This young lady's your partner.
Let me introduce you
to your lover, baby.
FREDERICK: Hello.
GEORGINA: Frederick.
FREDERICK: Miss Georgina.
DOLLY:
Do look at their faces.
Freddie will kill me
and so will she.
GEORGINA: Oh, my God.
[Whistle blows]
MAN:
Okay, rehearsal everybody.
Stand boy.
Okay for camera, Charlie?
CHARLIE: Okay, Mike.
MIKE: Okay.
In your positions, please.
Rehearsing.
Now, let's make this real.
Let's make this passionate,
don't forget we're in gay Paris
so let's keep it good
and French, okay?
Now, we haven't got all night.
Band, stand by for music.
Gaston, stand by
for my hand clap.
Well, come on,
get set, you two.
Into your positions, please.
Take the lady on your lap.
What is it?
GEORGINA: Come on,
Frederick, we'll have to.
FREDERICK: Yes, miss.
- GEORGINA: No, you.
- FREDERICK: Oh, yeah.
MIKE: Okay, now I think
We're ready to go.
Okay, Miles, it's all yours.
MILES: Let's go.
MIKE: Turn over.
Action!
FREDERICK: Excuse me, miss.
JAMES: Stop! Just a minute!
GEORGINA: Uh! My God.
James!
WOMAN: That's done it.
Who engaged him, eh?
Who's responsible for this?
That man has no right
to be here, do you hear!
He's one of my servants!
Now who -- who engaged him?
Where's that Marvin person?
DOLLY: James, it was
only a bit of fun.
I had no idea
you were coming down here.
JAMES: A joke? Huh!
I might have known
you'd be behind this.
Now, look, Georgina.
Come out of here, do you hear?
Come out here at once.
I don't know whose idea
of a joke this is, Frederick.
All I do know is you go back
to Eaton Place and wait.
Now that -- that's an order.
I've been engaged
for an afternoon's work, sir.
It's my time off.
JAMES: I don't give a damn
what you've been engaged for.
Now, get out of this ridiculous
costume and go home.
GEORGINA:
You can't do that, James.
You're coming home, too,
Georgina,
now go and get changed.
GEORGINA: I shall
do nothing of the sort.
PRUDENCE:
Dear, oh dear.
MIKE: A bit of trouble over
one of the extras, governor.
PAUL: Well, then clear the set.
Save the lights!
MIKE: Relax, everyone.
Clear the set.
Save the lights.
PAUL: Major Bellamy?
Major Bellamy, now please,
what's the matter?
JAMES: Well,
it's this woman's fault.
It's her idea of a joke.
Thinks it's funny.
I never heard of anything
so stupid and infantile
in my whole life.
How -- how dare she?
Hmm. Come along, Georgina,
you're coming home.
GEORGINA: No, lam not.
I'm staying here
in the studios to do my job.
Now, go away.
You've no business to be here.
Just take Prudence home
and leave me alone.
JAMES: Come along, Pru, we'd
better go and find the car.
PRUDENCE:
Oh, my God, what a to-do!
JAMES: You! You, I've seen
you somewhere before.
Now, what are you doing here?
FREDERICK: I'm sorry,
Mr. Marvin,
there's been a sort of mix up.
I'd better go home now,
if you can find someone
to take my place.
Lady Dorothy will explain.
Excuse me, Miss Georgina,
it wasn't me that did it.
I didn't know.
Honest I didn't, miss.
GEORGINA: I know, it wasn't
your fault, Frederick.
DOLLY: Well, yes, it was
my fault, Georgina, but...
well, really, such a fuss.
Whatever happened to James?
GEORGINA: It wasn't
very amusing, Dolly,
putting our footman
in that position.
I don't like to see
servants embarrassed.
Oh, look, Freddie
wouldn't have minded.
It's only because James had
to come down and spoil it all.
Oh, we're old friends,
Freddie and I.
Are you?
Well, you're not
a friend of mine,
not any longer, Dolly Hale.
You've ruined the day
completely! [Cries]
DOLLY:
Oh, look, come along, Georgina.
You're being silly --
GEORGINA: Go away and leave me
alone, will you?
Go away.
MIKE: Okay, stand by
for rehearsal again, everybody.
Into your positions, please.
Into your positions.
Okay, Charlie,
light it up, will you?
GEORGINA: Sorry. I'll go back
on the set now, Mr. Marvin.
PAUL: Oh, no, no, no.
There's no need.
Um, my dear, since I do not wish
to upset Lord Bellamy's family,
I wish you to get changed,
stay in your dressing room,
and I will
drive you home later.
Another scene,
another day, huh?
MIKE: Okay, now I want you
to remember,
you're French
and you're underworld.
Now, when you see Gaston
coming down those steps,
that really frightens you,
because you know what's going to
happen when the knives get out.
But when Gaston himself is
knifed, that really scares you,
because you know there's
going to be the biggest blow up
in gay Paris
since the French Revolution.
MRS. BRIDGES: They wouldn't
let you into the studio
to see Miss Georgina
doing her acting?
EDWARD: No.
MRS. BRIDGES: Oh!
EDWARD: Well, I was
going to later on, see,
but we left too early.
The Major and Lady Prudence
came out to the car,
faces like thunder, told me to
drive straight back to London,
and that's all I know.
DAISY: Pin?
ROSE: Oh, hello, Frederick,
you back?
Had your tea?
FREDERICK: Yep.
MRS. BRIDGES:
There's another cup in the pot,
if you'd like some.
FREDERICK:
No, thanks, Mrs. Bridges.
ROSE:
What'd the doctor say?
FREDERICK: Hey?
ROSE: About your headaches.
Oh, that.
He give me some medicine.
Took rather
a long time, didn't he?
I thought you said you were
seeing him at half past 12:00.
FREDERICK: I did.
Then I went to the park
for a walk after,
listened to the band
for a bit,
and went for a row
on the Serpentine.
All on your own?
That's right.
- DAISY: There you are.
ROSE: Thank you.
Is the Major back yet?
Yeah, he's in the morning room
with Lady Prudence.
She come back for tea.
FREDERICK: Oh.
JAMES: I have
every right to be angry.
My God, for two pins I'd have
strangled that Dolly Hale.
PRUDENCE: I agree she did a very
stupid and improper thing.
An Earl's daughter
should know better.
All the same I -- I do feel you
made rather more of a scene
than was necessary,
in front of all those people.
JAMES: I will not stand by
and see my servants humiliated
by a worthless person
like Dolly Hale.
Is that really why
you lost your temper, James?
Are you sure
it wasn't something to do
with seeing Georgina
made a fool of?
Yes. Yes, of course it was.
I don't like it when people
do cruel things to Georgina.
I never have.
It's very noble
and protective of you, my dear.
But don't you think that
Georgina is old enough now
to choose her own friends?
JAMES:
Yes, yes, I suppose she is.
Oh, why do I have to be
so jealous and envious
when Georgina goes out and has
fun with all her young friends?
I resent it.
I think that I feel...
well, left out,
no longer part of her life.
PRUDENCE: Well, you're in love
with your cousin, aren't you?
You always have been.
I -- I try and tell myself
it isn't true, but...
somehow I know damn well it is.
It's useless though,
I've lost her.
I am sorry.
Truly.
JAMES: Dear Pru.
PRUDENCE: Thank you for taking
me to the film studios.
It was a most interesting
and exciting afternoon.
JAMES: Yes, yes, wasn't it?
I'll ring.
PRUDENCE:
No, don't bother the servants.
Edward's probably
having his tea,
and I don't suppose Frederick's
back on duty yet.
I'll see myself out.
Chin up, darling.
[Bell rings]
[Bell rings]
EDWARD: Morning room.
DAISY: All right.
FREDERICK: I'll go.
If that's Lady Prudence,
leaving I'd rather go myself.
I want to see the Major.
It's your day off, Fred.
It's all right,
I want to speak to him.
EDWARD:
What, in your off duty suit?
FREDERICK:
He won't mind, this once.
Lady Prudence
already left, sir?
JAMES:
Yes, I showed her out myself.
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
JAMES: I rang to have
the tea things removed.
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
JAMES:
I wasn't going to mention
this afternoon's performance
until tomorrow, Frederick,
but since you're here,
I think we better discuss it
now, don't you?
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
JAMES: I am all for
the occasional joke, Frederick.
But you are supposed to be
footman in this house, hmm?
Now, I brought you in after
the war and gave you a job here,
because you'd been my servant
in the Army,
and because I trusted you.
Yes, sir.
I'm very grateful to you, sir.
Yes, well, I don't think
that in all fairness
you can expect me
to turn a blind eye
when you take part in
some stupid practical joke
organized by Lady Dorothy Hale
who, whatever any of us
may think of her,
is nevertheless a guest
in this house from time to time,
and a friend of Miss Georgina's
FREDERICK: No, sir.
JAMES: She should have known
better and so should you.
All you had to do was come
and tell me about it,
and I could have
put a stop to it.
FREDERICK: Beg pardon, sir,
but I didn't know.
JAMES: Yes, yes,
Well I'm prepared
to turn a blind eye this once
but in future --
FREDERICK:
If I might interrupt, sir.
JAMES: What?
- FREDERICK: Just to explain.
You see, I'm very grateful
to you, sir,
and his lordship
and her ladyship.
I've been very happy
in service here, sir.
Only just lately I've been
a bit...well, unsettled.
Oh, yes, because
of Edward's promotion.
FREDERICK:
No, not because of that, sir.
You see, ever since Lady Dorothy
called round here
the other afternoon,
while you was away for Ascot,
and invited me
to join some of her friends
for dinner at a cafe, I've --
JAMES: She what?
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
Well, I've had the opportunity
of seeing how other people live.
They've been very good to me,
and I've found I can like,
well, get on with people,
Lady Dolly's sort of people.
Oh, can you?
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
I've always been
a bit ambitious, sir.
And, so, I've decided
to give up service
and take my chance
in the outside world,
if you'll be good enough
to accept my notice, sir.
Now, just a minute, Frederick.
Are you telling me Lady Dolly's
been taking you
around London with her?
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
She's been very kind to me --
buying me clothes
and nice things.
JAMES: Good God, man,
have you got no pride?
Has she been giving you money,
actual cash to go around
with her?
Yes, sir.
She gave me some money
last week.
Couldn't see no harm in it.
You couldn't see
any harm in it.
You, Trooper Norton
of His Majesty's Lifeguards,
my soldier, servant and footman,
little better than a kept man,
a gigolo.
And you couldn't see
any harm in it.
Are you mad?!
I've nothing
to be ashamed of, sir.
Well, you should have.
FREDERICK: Can I take it
you accept my notice then?
JAMES: What else can I do?
FREDERICK:
Thank you, sir.
EDWARD:
Did the Major say anything?
EDWARD:
Did the Major say anything?
FREDERICK: Eh?
EDWARD: About your suit?
FREDERICK: No.
[Sighs]
Well, time to say cheerio.
MRS. BRIDGES: Cheerio?
FREDERICK: That's right.
I'm leaving.
DAISY: what?
FREDERICK: I'm leaving.
EDWARD:
You never got the push.
Give meself the push.
What's happened, Frederick?
Think I can guess,
Fred, can't I?
Can you?
You've got a wealthy lady friend
what wants to marry you.
DAISY: [Laughs]
Oh, Rose.
EDWARD: Rose, this
is no time for jokes.
ROSE: It isn't a joke,
is it, Fred?
Not exactly.
Well, go on.
Tell us.
FREDERICK: Well,
you might as well know,
seeing as I'll be gone
by tomorrow morning,
'cause I'm not stopping.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Frederick, what have you done?
FREDERICK: I haven't done
nothing wrong, Mrs. Bridges,
I've just...
well, just found out
that life's got more
in it for me
than running up and down stairs
in a footman's livery,
that's all.
EDWARD: Got a better job,
have you?
ROSE: No, he's going
to marry a wealthy lady,
like what I said.
Aren't you, Fred?
FREDERICK: I've been seeing
quite a bit lately of...
Lady Dorothy Hale, you see.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Seeing a bit of...
Seeing all of her
if you really want to know.
Oh!
So, that's who it was.
All that expensive perfume
on your scarf.
I think you'd better
stop talking, Frederick.
It's disgusting.
Oh, no, let him go on.
You've been on intimate social
terms with her, haven't you?
FREDERICK: It's all right,
I've already told the Major.
MRS. BRIDGES: You don't think
you're going to marry
Lady Dorothy, do you?
Because if you do I advise you
to think again, young man.
Lady Dorothy may amuse herself
being friendly with a footman
when it suits her.
I've heard of titled ladies
doing such things.
But just you remember this,
for all she's a mad cap,
and gets her name
in the papers and all that,
she's still the Earl
of Shelburne's daughter,
and you're Lord
and Lady Bellamy's footman.
I don't need to marry
no Earl's daughter,
Mrs. Bridges,
thank you very much,
but I can get on
with her sort of people.
And I can make a good living
on the films and escorting
and dancing with ladies
at these tea dance places.
I know I can because
they all said I can.
Only the other night
at the opera, Lady Dolly said --
MRS. BRIDGES:
Oh, the opera is it?
We go to the opera now,
do we?
Hmm. In the royal box,
I suppose.
No, the one next to it.
[Laughs]
Anyway, Lady Dolly said I was
wasted as a domestic servant.
"With your looks
and your sex appeal,"
she said, "you could
conquer London."
I'm quite sure
you could, Frederick.
If by that she means carrying
on with young society ladies
what's husbands
can't satisfy them.
I don't call that
conquering London,
any more than a tom cat
on the wall in the moonlight.
ROSE: Oh, Mrs. Bridges.
DAISY:
What a thing to say.
EDWARD: Not in front of my wife,
Mrs. Bridges.
Well, it's about time
she learned
a few things about life,
especially if she's going
to stop on in this house.
I don't know!
Well, I'm off to my room then.
Start packing.
DAISY: Oh, Fred, we'll miss you.
EDWARD: Yeah.
Pity. Still.
ROSE: I hope you know
what you're doing, Fred.
Still, suppose
it's too late to change.
You've burned your boat.
FREDERICK: I have.
Well, all I can say is,
thank the Lord
Mr. Hudson isn't here.
If he knew that his footman
was carrying on under his nose
with a lady what's
a friend of the family's,
I think he'd drop dead.
One day,
when I'm a famous film star
out in Hollywood,
I'll send you all my photo,
autographed, of course, and you
can show it to your pals,
and say, "That's Fred Norton
as used to work here
as footman in the old days.
Done well for himself
hasn't he?"
Cheerio.
JAMES: Ah, there you are.
GEORGINA: Yes, I'm back.
You dined, have you?
Oh, yes, thank you,
with Paul Marvin.
Frederick's leaving us.
Why?
JAMES: Well, it seems he's got
his eye on something better
than being a footman.
GEORGINA: Good for him.
I didn't dismiss him,
you know.
He gave notice himself.
Yes, I see.
I would never have
gone down to the studios
if I'd known that Dolly
was going to play that trick
on me with Frederick.
You do know that,
don't you, James?
Yes, yes, I think
I can believe that.
For all your silly, childish,
scatterbrain behaviour,
I think you've got more sense
and good taste than
to humiliate yourself
and a servant.
It must have been a dreadful
experience for you,
that's all I can say.
I felt quite sorry for you.
GEORGINA:
Oh, I'll get over it.
And I'm not silly or childish
or scatterbrain,
Master Jumbo Bellamy.
Hmm. Oh.
Hey!
The trouble is that you are
just a rotten, pompous,
stuck up, prudish goody-goody.
How dare you talk
to me like that?
GEORGINA:
Old fashioned, stuffy...
JAMES: You cheeky, little,
conceited minx...
GEORGINA:
Priggish, boring...
JAMES: You need a spanking.
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