We'll Meet Again (1982): Season 1, Episode 1 - All Day & Every Day - full transcript
In April 1943 the peace of Suffolk town Market Wetherby is shattered when brash American airmen arrive to take over the local base. Shopkeeper Albert Mundy is resentful but his daughter ...
[dog barking]
Good morning.
Good morning.
ALBERT: Good morning, Jack.
Morning, George.
ROSIE: Good morning, everybody.
Well, what about that.
How has trading been?
[screeching tires]
[dogs barking]
[engine idling]
[murmuring]
[engine stops]
Hi.
[birds chirping]
Say, anybody here speak English?
[MUSIC - DENIS KING, "WE'LL MEET
AGAIN"]
[car horn]
[crashing]
Somebody who speaks English.
You remember them in
France, more than 20 year ago.
With their big ideas.
Turn us out to win the war.
Thus, it have been sweating it
out in the trenches since 1914.
There is not one of them
can stand to attention
or salute their superior
officers properly.
No discipline, see.
No smartness.
No spit and polish.
They don't look like
soldiers and they
don't act like soldiers.
Not supposed to be, are they?
What?
Not supposed to be.
The United States
Air Force, Albert.
All tarred with the same
brush, and only one idea
in their heads.
Here's another one.
I wouldn't give you
tuppence for any of them.
And any man who's fool
enough to let his woman fall--
Cigars.
Cigars?
Yeah, I'm fresh out.
Havanas?
Panetelas?
Coronas?
You know, cigars?
I haven't seen a
cigar since 1940.
Do you know there's a war on?
You ladies want a ride?
[shouting]
MAN: Get out of here!
[honking]
MAN: All right.
Hey!
Hey.
Hey, howdy there.
Hello.
[wolf whistle]
Great piece of ass.
OK, Santorini, OK.
Now you've had a
good look at hers.
How about moving yours?
What have we got here?
That's how they like 'em, Elmer.
Line down.
Farts and bloody Romeos.
[brakes screeching]
[crashing]
[giggling]
Oh, come on.
Just tell us your name.
It's no big deal.
I'm Mario, that's--
Oh god, Letty, tell them then.
All right, Letty.
Rose, you shouldn't have.
Rosie.
I work at The Roxy.
Usherette.
What, a movie theater?
No.
It's a cinema.
Yeah, OK.
How about we pick you
up there about 7:00?
And where do we find you?
Oh, daytimes I work up at
Dereham House with the major.
Evenings?
Most evenings I work
for my dad at the pub.
Really?
Which pub?
- The Plough.
Will you be there tonight?
I might.
Listen, honey.
I got the body,
you got the style.
Do we have a deal?
[raucous yelling]
MAN: Move it.
Move it, soldier!
The hell's happening here?
Would you mind not shouting?
We've had an accident
here, sir, and this guy is--
Yeah, I can see
that, sargeant.
This man has a
fractured right tibia.
Yes, huh?
Who's this?
And severe bruising
to the lower ribs.
He needs medical attention.
As long as he's taking
you back to the base.
The dispensary can't
cope with this.
Take my car, get him over
to combat wing hospital.
If you don't mind him
traveling in my car.
Well, that's
kind of you, ma'am,
but I don't think he'd fit.
No disrespect ma'am, but
is this here a real car?
Certainly it is.
And if it's treated properly,
it behaves perfectly well.
It's also economical
on petrol, which we
happen to think is important.
Careful, there's no
splint on that leg.
He could be seen to right
away at the local emergency
just down the road.
I'm a doctor there,
Helen Dereham.
Major Jim Kiley, ma'am.
How do you do, major?
If you follow me,
I'll lead the way.
I'd better handle this myself.
You get the trucks moving again.
Yes, sir.
OK you guys, you
heard at the major.
MAN: Let's move it!
When you're ready.
I'm ready now, Major.
And may I say that I hope
the American Air Force
flies better than it drives.
A joke's a joke, Mario.
But you got to let us out now.
What's the hurry?
We got all night.
What do you take me for?
Anyhow, I'm supposed to
be up at Dereham house
to get to major's teeth.
What is he, this major?
Some kind of cripple?
- No!
All right.
Let him get his own teeth.
Yeah.
Are you going to stop
this thing or what?
Eh, what do you think, Hymie?
You meet us in
your pub tonight?
I might.
I can't.
I'm on duty.
Aw.
Rosie.
Well, all right.
But you got to let us out now.
Rosie, don't be spoilsport.
This is fun.
Yeah.
Keep talking, baby.
ROSIE: Your dad
wouldn't call it fun.
Not doing any harm, are we?
Nah.
[tires screeching]
OK, baby.
You win.
I'm all yours.
He can be moved back to base
as soon as he's fit to travel.
Yes, they'll let me know.
We'll do the rest.
And thanks for all your help.
- Right.
Mrs. Dereham.
Doctor.
Back there on
that corkscrew road,
when you nearly hit
our lead truck--
When your truck nearly hit me.
I think an
apology is in order.
Oh?
My boys crossed the
highway back there
someplace, middle of nowhere.
Missed the route, recrossed it.
Got the whole convoy screwed up.
By the time they
found the route again,
they were driving on the
right side of the road.
The wrong side.
Well, our side.
Major, you're suggesting
that I apologize.
No.
I'm apologizing, Mrs. Dereham.
Oh.
Doctor.
Thank you.
There really was no need.
It's nice to have met you.
Goodbye, Major.
If nobody else has
done so, Major--
Kiley.
May I welcome you, all of
you, to Market Weatherby.
After 3 and 1/2 years,
you may find some of us
a little war-weary,
a little shabby,
but we are glad to see you.
They'll be coming
in all day and all
night, from all
points of the compass.
They're crossing
the North Atlantic,
connecting in Goose
Bay, Labrador,
Greenland, Reykjavik,
and Prestwick,
up there in Scotland.
Dog-tired.
Not thinking straight.
They need all the
help we can give them.
Radio room and emergency crews
will stay on maximum alert
until our last ship is
back here at the base.
You worried, Major?
Damn right, I'm worried.
The B-17 in the group.
Four squadrons, 50
of the most advanced,
sophisticated, and
expensive bombers
the world has ever seen.
And who's flying them?
A bunch of high school kids.
Hi there, major.
What did he do that for?
He'll land us in the slammer.
Sir.
I want to see that damn
fool pilot in my office.
[yelling]
- Howdy, Mac.
- You made it, captain.
Good to see you here, sir.
Crodnick in yet?
No, sir.
You beat his ass to it.
Well, god damn.
Line up boys.
What's the rush, Elmer?
Hey, what--
No rush.
Just wanted to be the first
to set foot on Merry England.
You damn your decapitated five
senior officers, including me.
I'll have to throw
the book at you.
You want to dock my pay, sir?
It's a good thing
she's permitted.
It'd be more than your
goddamn pay I'd dock.
Yes, sir.
Enlighten me, Red.
What the hell did you do it for?
- A bet, major.
- A what?
A bet with Her--
Lieutenant Herman Crodnick.
He took off from Prestwick
eight minutes ahead of us.
I bet him 10 bucks I'd
beat him back to base.
I did, major.
So I celebrated.
Well, your celebration
damn near cost this
bomb group one brand-new B-17.
And that's without
trying to kill yourself,
which would be no loss.
And your crew of three
other useful officers
and six sergeants.
They all had bets
on it too, sir.
Major, I'm--
[crash]
Shit, major.
I'm sorry, sir.
For the celebration.
But it seems to me in this
life, you have to come in first
or you're dead.
Captain, in this group,
you either do it by the book
or you're grounded for
the next hundred years.
Yes, sir
Which means you're
confined to quarters.
Yes, sir.
And you don't
get off this base
until I figure out what
the hell I'm going to say
to the colonel about you.
But major, it's--
Get out of here!
Who was it?
Hm?
On the telephone.
You know, what with the U-Boat
sinking all that dried egg
stuff they insist on sending
us, the Beatles scuffing
everything else, [inaudible]
Daddy, who was it?
Oh, some American chap.
One of the new lot at the base.
What did he want?
Don't know.
Wanted to thank your mother
for something or another.
Americans.
Mother thinks the same as I do.
What's that?
That they're very
well in their place,
but they should be
kept at arm's length.
Oh yeah?
And I've invited him
over, for drinks.
- When, tonight?
- No, no.
No, no, not tonight, darling.
Saturday.
Why, does that
make a difference?
No.
Except he's going to be lucky
to get anything to drink.
Well, you know, he
seemed a good sort.
I think it's the thing
to do, you know, showing
the natives are friendly.
After all, he is the--
what did-- what did
you say the chap's name was?
Kiley.
Major Kiley.
Kiley, yes.
He's the air executive,
second in command.
Really?
Are you sure that
you don't mind?
Course not.
Why isn't Pat down?
Ah, well.
She's a little
bit cross with me.
I didn't exactly
put my foot down,
but I told her if she
kept on about not going
back to Cambridge, I would.
[knocking]
Yes.
Miss Rosie.
I'm sorry, ma'am.
Dinner will be
another 10 minutes.
That's all right.
Well, maybe 20.
It's the pressure.
I can't do anything with it.
Oh, Rosie.
On Saturday, there will
be a visitor for drinks.
Yes, from the base.
American?
There might be
several of them.
I asked Kiley to bring
some others with him.
Could you stay on, perhaps,
for a couple of hours?
Saturday.
Only, it's Dad's busiest night.
I'd have to ask him.
You don't want me this evening?
No, just Saturday.
Rosie.
I don't suppose your father
would have a couple of bottles
he could let me have.
As a gesture of
Anglo-American unity.
Thanks, Vi.
That was as nice a
piece of shepherd's pie
as ever I tasted.
As good as your
mom used to make.
You tell Rosie when she comes
in, some fella telephoned.
- Oh, she's here now.
- Oh?
Aye, she's upstairs.
I don't know where
she's messing about at.
Still, it's quite enough.
Nothing much lost.
It'd be all the same
if we were packed down.
Hm?
You'll have to
speak to her, Dad.
Oh?
Will I?
Making an
exhibition of herself.
Oh, yeah.
Rosie and Letty Mundy.
Sitting up in one
of them American
jeeps going up the base.
Is that all she was doing?
All?
Albert Mundy would have a fit.
What, just sitting there?
Far as I know.
Oh, then there's no
harm, then, is there?
It was one of them
Americans telephoned.
[singing]
Rosie.
You can't.
Can't what?
Come in here like that.
- Why not?
- Well, blow me.
I mean, haven't you--
What?
You know, gone a
bit heavy with the--
She looks like a tart.
Tart?
Ah, hello, Bellows.
What can I do for you?
Three pints of beer, please.
They're not coming.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Don't be silly.
One of them phoned up.
Their leaves have been stopped.
Now go upstairs and
get that lot off.
Albert.
[plane flying overhead]
Albert!
Albert, don't you
want any dinner?
Dinnertime.
And there isn't
anybody here to eat it.
I'm here.
Where's his lordship?
Over at the hall, practicing.
Practicing.
Well, we don't
have a piano here.
Where else can he do it?
Give him a piano,
and one, he'd drive
all my customers out the shop.
And two, he'd drive me potty.
No, thanks.
And three, he'd never
get himself a proper job.
Sorry I'm late, Mom.
[plane flying overhead]
It's the 20th this morning,
to my certain knowledge.
All very well within
reason, allies.
Hope you have [inaudible] to
come over your deafliness.
Get yourself into a scrap,
you get yourself out of it.
Stop dragging others in.
It isn't like that, Dad.
Oh, isn't it?
Even Wellington couldn't
beat Napoleon on his own.
Oh, couldn't he?
Not without Blucher.
Blucher?
Blucher?
The blooming jerry.
Comes in at the
last minute, when
it's all over, and takes all
the credit, just like this lot?
The Duke didn't need no Blucher.
And we don't need this lot
of fancy, blooming Romeos.
Yes, we do.
You calling me a liar?
No, of course he isn't.
It's all right.
Mr. Clever Dick here has
learned it all from books,
but doesn't know anything.
All I'm saying is that
if you're going to fight,
which I don't
believe you should--
Ah, what we want to know
is what you do believe.
If you do, then you need
all the friends you can get.
You call them friends?
Talk with our
military expert, here.
And thank you, mother,
I have not finished yet.
Trouble with him is, he doesn't
know what he's talking about.
Fighting, my son, is one man's
guts and nerve and esprit
de corps against another's.
And no blooming chance of
talking your way out of it.
I don't understand a word
anybody is talking about.
No you should, Letty, my duck.
War is man's work.
Not for softies like him.
We had one of your new friends
in the shop, didn't we, Vera?
The ones I saw.
What about 'em?
They looked nice, like
Clark Gable and Tyrone Power.
Looked?
Looked?
Well, Letty, my duck.
I'll just say this once.
Where those fancy
Romeos are concerned,
you make sure it's only look.
Yes, dad.
(SINGING) Oh, I'm
sorry, Miss Patricia.
It's all right, Rosie.
Can't concentrate, anyway.
Tonight, miss,
they're getting leave.
Who?
The Americans, of course.
First time since they got here.
Can't say I want to
meet any Americans.
I mean, they're hardly
like us, are they?
(LAUGHS) That's true, miss.
Oh, lads.
Galumphing red-faced
lot in their great boots
and their ruffled uniforms.
But them, they're
more like officers.
Officers?
Oh, I don't know.
They seem like officers.
And they're not like anybody
I've ever met in whole life
before.
[crowd hubbub]
Last one in buys the drinks.
Gentlemen.
Gentlemen?
One at time,
please, gentlemen.
OK, OK.
Cut it out.
What do you mean, cut it out?
I want a drink.
I want a--
I know what you want,
Hymie, is to shut it.
Now listen.
For the benefit of you guys
that don't know no better,
this is a quaint
old English pub.
And what they don't
like in quaint
old English pubs is
guys like you guys
acting like know-nothing bums.
So cut it out.
OK.
Now how many we got here?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.
- What about me?
- What about you?
OK, that's 14, plus or minus 15.
Make that scotch on the rocks
for 15 and we'll see how we go,
eh?
I'm sorry sir.
Sir?
- Eh?
- I've got bitter.
Bitter?
Draft bitter beer, sir.
What, no scotch?
- I'm sorry, sir.
- Geez, fella.
I would be obliged if
you'd get down off my--
Listen, you guys.
There ain't no scotch.
Let's see how we make
out someplace else.
[hubbub]
Let's go.
Come on.
Good evening, gentlemen.
[wolf whistle]
Me?
I always liked this
English bitter.
Me too.
Hey, Mario.
You make out someplace else.
What would you like, sir?
Pint or a half?
I-- I'll take a gallon, ma'am.
Well, maybe a half,
just to begin with, eh?
OK.
And make that two.
Make that four.
OK, I'll tell you
what you can drink.
You're all gonna drink.
Draft bitter, sir.
Draft bitter.
When you've got
down off my counter.
OK, OK.
Make that 15 glasses, half pint
glasses of draft bitter beer.
And Rosie, here, gets
to fill the glasses.
[tires screech]
- Hey, come on.
This is it.
Oh, Mac.
Come on in.
Hey, I've seen
this movie six times.
Who cares about the movie?
[instrumental fanfare]
- Letty?
Where are you, Letty?
Letty?
Shh.
Aren't you Letty?
What if I am?
Fellas, this is Letty.
And she kisses like Lana Turner.
[brakes screeching]
Lester?
I'm Jim Kiley.
LESTER: (ON PHONE)
Good morning, sir.
JIM KILEY: (ON PHONE) What?
LESTER: (ON PHONE) Good morning.
Yeah, good morning.
Now get your butt
over here, Lester.
LESTER: (ON PHONE) Major,
it's 5:30 in the morning.
Don't tell me what time it is.
Just get here.
See if you can rustle
up some coffee.
LESTER: (ON PHONE) What's up?
The Colonel is on his way.
Excuse me, sir.
Colonel Krasnowici, sir?
What's the trouble, sir?
No trouble, sir.
You wanted to know when
we got to the base.
We're there?
10 minutes, sir.
Good, good.
While I was asleep, huh?
Oh.
I was dreaming, son.
Just dreaming.
Yes, sir.
Do you ever
dream of a thousand
B-17s in the air together?
All of 'em on the
[inaudible] for Berlin?
A thousand?
My dream, son,
is Reichsmarschall
Hermann Goring's nightmare.
I thought, the hell with it.
Knock him into
sending us some air
crew with combat experience.
They on their way here, now?
Eh, none of them is an
Eddie Rickenbacker, but--
It might be just what we need.
You think so?
Well, it might give
the boys some confidence.
In the first place,
Colonel Rufus Krasnowici
believes his bomb
group has the finest
air crews in the
entire United States
Army Air Force, bar none.
Hasn't anyone thanked me
for going to the wing.
And in the second place, 90%
of our crews are rookies.
Fresh out of stateside training.
And what they need, the
confidence kicked out of them.
Yeah, I guess so.
I know so.
Now, what I want
from you, Lester,
is your report on this group's
state of combat readiness.
Before the colonel flies in.
But Jim, that's impossible.
I don't care what goes in it.
As long as the colonel
is left to no doubt
that in a straight contest
with Sitting Bull, we'd lose.
Vi.
Hello.
Walking about early,
aren't you, Tom?
On leave, innit I?
Go on.
You're always on leave.
All beer and skittles, the army.
So are you.
In The Plough?
I expect so.
We get all sorts
in the Plough now.
You saw me though, Vi?
You said hello, eh?
Oh, I bet you're having
a fine old time on leave.
No worries except where your
next drink's coming from.
No.
Oh?
Well I was looking
forward to it.
Coming back and that.
But there's nothing
happening here.
Nothing is going on.
Oh, I don't know.
I must go.
Get me in the sack, you will.
Vi.
Come out with me, will you?
We could go to the flicks.
Thanks all the same, Tom.
But I--
Humphrey Bogart?
So long, Tom.
You know the old
man, for Christ's sake.
Pretends he's just
one of the guys.
What he really wants
is a 50-man reception,
and the combined Air Force's
band playing Hail to the Chief.
Well, do the best you can.
Yes, that sounds imminent.
Well, I know that if Jumbo's
got his eye on me for the job,
I suppose I should
be only too pleased.
Anyway, thanks.
Thanks for the tip, Bertie.
I'll-- I'll start
polishing up my Sam Browne.
Right.
Bye.
War office.
- Yes.
- Something's brewing.
Darling, I can't
stay here forever.
You haven't been
here very long.
Sorry.
You know, I'm frightened.
Only frightened?
Not for myself, darling.
Jerry isn't beaten yet.
These chaps are going to
be with us a long time.
I expect they'll find us
at something slow, tedious,
not very exciting.
Oh, dear.
Do you thing they're going to
find us slow, tedious, and not
very exciting on Saturday?
Bound to.
Perhaps hoping they won't come.
What about you?
Well, they're
different from us.
Sooner or later, they'll
affect our lives.
I suppose when we learn to talk,
think, and act like Americans,
we will be considered
efficient and modern, hm?
Maybe even rich.
Ronnie?
What are you so afraid of?
The England we've both known
and loved is gone forever.
Ten-hut!
[MUSIC - STARS AND STRIPES
FOREVER]
Good to see you again.
But you don't have
to put on a show.
[rapid gunfire]
[explosive gunfire]
[rapid gunfire]
Move your asses!
That your idea of a
reception committee?
No, sir.
Caught you with
your pants down.
Yes, sir.
Well, maybe that
Crod's done us a favor.
Guns fired in anger, Jim.
My boys have got to face
it at one time or another.
Panic.
They don't know what's happened
to them or what to do about it.
I've had a report
prepared for you, sir,
in this group's state
of combat readiness.
Not interested.
Between you and me,
Jim, this bomb group has
to be combat ready by the 15th.
[engine roars]
[chatter and laughter]
Well, that's it.
Now you've seen everything.
And I couldn't have asked
for a more delightful guy.
Thank you, Pat.
Now, don't think we should--
Much rather talk to you here.
So would I, believe me.
But duty calls.
No, that's Helen Dereham.
I'm just a neighbor and friend.
Well, that's what we
all have to be now, ma'am.
Good neighbors and good friends.
Oh, I do hope so, captain.
I owe you an apology, ma'am.
Oh, surely not, Colonel.
Oh, yes.
You and all the
folks around here,
for the noise that my B-17s are
making all day and every day.
[phone rings]
Your Flying
Fortresses, Colonel?
Right Right.
I've got to keep them in the air
from first light till sundown.
Familiarizing my crews
with your REF emergency
communications procedures.
The SE rescue, the
location of your ack-ack
and balloon barrage sites.
But after all our
previous training
under clear California
skies, I must
say that your English weather
is proving a mite troublesome.
But, Jack-- Colonel, should
you be telling me all this?
Well, I can't see why not.
My husband never does.
I'd like to have a
long talk with him.
My, um-- I don't see him.
No, I think he
was called away just
a moment ago to the telephone.
Something-- something
bothering you, eh?
No.
No, no.
[laughter]
Oh, dear.
Afraid my daughter is
neglecting some of our guests.
Oh, looks as if
my exec isn't giving
her much room to maneuver.
Not that I blame him.
That's when Daddy got his DSO.
Oh?
Thank you.
And in 1940, he was
very nearly captured
by the jerries in Norway.
Got out by the skin of
his teeth, Daddy said.
Let me think.
The end of that year,
he was mopping up
the Italians in [inaudible]
with General Waverly.
Really?
Since then-- thank
you, Rosie-- spent most
of his time in North Africa.
I suppose he's been
quite busy, really.
Not that he's ever tell you.
I'm just beginning to realize.
Everything all right, major?
Thing young lady taking
good care of you?
Ah, yes.
Thanks.
I couldn't be in better hands.
Major Kiley's promised
to show me over the base.
Oh, really?
Well, you mustn't let her
make a nuisance of it, sir.
Not chance.
But you've been
deceiving me, sir.
MR. DEREHAM: Me?
Yeah, I've been hearing
the truth about you.
You told me you were a farmer.
Yes, I am.
Uh-huh?
How was the farming in Norway
and North Africa eh, major?
Did you know that they
built that confounded airfield
of yours on my best land?
Have you seen my
wife about anywhere?
Ah, thank you.
Yes.
Well now, listen.
Don't let this daughter
of mine monopolize you.
(LAUGHS)
When?
Midnight, tomorrow.
I had just got used to
having you home again.
Well we've all got
our wars to fight.
These chaps and their way,
and you and Pat in yours.
She's been very
lively tonight.
Well, you can't blame her, can
you, with all these exotic air
force types about?
Did he say where?
I know, I know.
I shouldn't ask.
Somewhere over the water.
I think it's time we got
shod of this lot, don't you?
[thunder cracks]
God damn English weather.
Rain, mist, fog two
days out of three.
Can't blame my boys losing
each other up there.
Damp.
Moisture getting into
every damn thing.
Guns and gear freezing up.
Frostbite.
What the hell did
the brass expect?
They expect us to be
combat ready by the 15th.
Three days ago.
890 squadron joined up
with the wrong group.
One mid-air collision,
five near misses.
Yesterday, Kefauver comes
down on the wrong airfield.
Tears into a couple of
acres of Brussels sprouts.
We'll be eating the
damn things all week.
How do these crazy
English stand it?
It's been this way so
long, they think it's normal.
Everything else OK?
No problems with
the local people?
Sir, everything you ever
heard about the English,
it's all true and then some.
(LAUGHS)
Bye, darling.
Bye, my love.
Take care.
Keep an eye on Pat.
I will.
And you, you take
care of yourself.
You know the first thing I'm
going to do when I get back?
Take you both on at badminton
and beat you hollow.
I bet you don't.
[train conductor's whistle]
Hello, Patricia.
That half-witted
girl of yours, Rose,
said Helen had gone
to the station.
To see Daddy off.
Oh?
I hate goodbyes.
I wouldn't go.
Is mother expecting you?
I hope so.
We're supposed to
be doing something
about these Americans.
Oh.
Don't you think they're
absolutely divine?
Should be a stamp
in here somewhere.
Last week, I thought
I heard you were
being rather snooty about them.
Before your party.
Thanks.
As a matter of fact--
Yes, dear?
--I've asked one
of them to lunch.
Phyllis.
Have you been here long?
Ages.
Oh, dear.
I am sorry.
- Don't be.
I've been hearing
how Pat has lost
her heart to the Americans.
What?
At your party.
Must dash.
What now?
I'll, uh, miss the post.
The Americans?
Well, one of them.
Presumably the one she was
monopolizing all evening.
I couldn't get
anywhere near him.
Oh dear, have I
put my foot in it?
I don't know.
Have you?
I shouldn't let it worry you.
Get her safely
back to Cambridge,
and she'll probably
forget all about him.
Now, what are we going
to do about them?
What?
The Americans.
Oh, Ronny's idea.
Wasn't mine.
Oh, some sort of
welcome for them.
As well as your party?
Oh, not just the officers.
It's for everybody.
Do you think some
kind of committee?
Another?
What with savings drives, Wings
for Victory, War Weapons Weeks.
Oh, all right.
- She's upset.
PHYLLIS: Helen?
Patricia.
Why not should she be?
My dear, if I were trapping
such a handsome beast in my net.
What?
Major Jim,
whatever his name is.
Didn't you know?
[hammering]
Hey!
Knock it off, you bums!
Why don't you go and tell the
major we're ready to go again?
- No!
- Who said so?
No one.
The men naturally assumed they
were finished for the day.
No.
From now on, Lester,
they can assume they're
never finished for the day.
[phone rings]
Air exec.
Yes, Jim Kiley speaking.
HELEN: (ON PHONE) He--
hello, it's Helen Dereham.
Ah, Dr. Dereham.
Look, I'm sorry, but I've--
HELEN: (ON PHONE) I'm ringing
because there's an invitation
on the way to you.
What-- what kind
of invitation?
It's from Patricia, for lunch.
It's-- it's in the post.
Uh, you-- oh dear.
I'm sorry, this is
terribly embarrassing.
I'm not embarrassed,
Dr. Dereham.
You see, the thing
is that Patricia
is very impressionable.
Dr. Dereham, I shall decline
your daughter's invitation
to lunch, like any
other that comes my way.
Because until further notice,
all leave in this base
has been canceled.
Goodbye.
Dad?
[inaudible] change.
- Yeah, many there.
Is Mom, and her two friends--
an officer from his unit?
Aye.
There would be, at the funeral.
One of them things
comes down out of the sky,
and bang, you're dead.
You all right, love?
All right?
Dad, it was my fault.
No.
Who was it, kept him
going about, gassing?
Me.
Or he'd have been
safely on his way.
A kiss.
That's all he wanted.
Just a kiss.
Poor old Tom.
It's not much to ask or give.
I didn't love him or
anything, but he was alive,
and now he's dead.
There's no sense to it, Vi.
None at all.
Oh, there was a message for you.
For me?
Yeah, on the telephone.
I'll come looking for you.
Chuck.
Chuck.
What about him?
I mean, supposing he comes here?
Give him a drink, Dad.
He saved my life.
[door slams]
Jesus Christ, that guy
Kiley is working us to death.
Gee, bushed.
My radio's brought
up so much juice,
I've still got static
coming out of my ears.
Chuck, you've been through
all this training crap before.
What was it like in 91st group?
Worse.
Yeah?
Listen, you're not going
to play that record again.
I can't stand it.
[jazzy band music]
[music stops]
- Hey.
Told you, I can't stand it.
- I like it.
- Me too.
Like it?
How can you like that crap?
This is the only one we got.
If you play it again,
I'll bust it over your head.
Do you know your
trouble, Mario?
Eh?
You ain't got taste.
(LAUGHS) Who needs taste?
No dames, no passes out,
nothing to see, nothing to do.
I should've stayed in New York.
[record player cranks]
[music resumes]
[music stops]
[shatter]
You lousy, stinking bastard.
Hey, come on!
Beat it, Hymie.
Get lost.
Out.
Out.
But, fellas!
Get out!
Remember that guy, Hymie?
Hymie is OK.
OK.
Flies with
Crodnick, doesn't he?
Crodnick's a bum.
So all his crew are--
Hey.
What's with the--
I'm brushing.
Uh-huh?
- This crap off this jacket.
- Yeah, yeah yeah.
But, uh, you heard
what the man said.
No six-hour passes will be
issued until further notice.
This means you, bud.
I heard.
Shock.
You're not deaf.
You're out of your skull.
It ain't worth it.
You heard what Red was
saying about these English ice
maidens, eh?
No.
They're poison.
What did she promise you, eh?
Who?
The ice maiden.
The one in the quaint
old English pub.
Button your lip, Mario.
Oh, come on, Chuck.
She must have promised
you something.
- She wasn't in.
- Nay, she saw you coming.
OK, OK.
So button it.
OK, OK.
Something else, knucklehead.
OK.
One morning, when you're
sitting in your radio room,
15,000 feet over Berlin,
no place to hide.
FWs coming at you
around the clock.
Cannon shells exploding
under your ass.
You're going to wish
the exec could have
worked us to death some more.
What do you know?
Is this a private necktie
party, or can anybody join in?
Crodnick's bums.
Crodnick's bums were in a war.
Let's give it to 'em.
Anybody wants a war, it's
waiting outside at 20,000 feet.
Not in here.
What's a war?
I don't want a war.
You guys want a war?
They don't want a war.
Yeah, well what do you want?
You got the phonograph.
We got the records.
Higgs.
Pace.
Miller.
We do a deal?
Yeah.
Now, this.
This'll knock you cold.
[swing music]
Enjoy the music, fellas.
Be seeing you.
Hey, were does he
think he's going?
You give me five minutes, huh?
I'm coming with you.
- Sorry, Elmer.
Not this time.
Chuck!
Will somebody tell
me where he's going?
Out.
Without a pass, never make it.
If he don't make, it Major
James Kiley will tear his ears
off, send them to his mother.
It's not fair.
No girlfriends.
Got to live like monks,
Mrs. Dereham said, till they
get back from their first raid.
And that will be
a day to remember.
That-- give Vi a call, eh?
But dad, she's tired out.
No, Rosie.
No, please.
Hello, there.
ROSIE: Vi?
Dad wants you.
Said I'd come back, Mr. Blair.
Aye, so you did.
Is your daughter
in this evening?
Who, Vi?
Well, she told me how
you two first met.
I'll be back in half an hour.
Violet.
I'm here.
Dad said you came 'round before.
Why?
I wanted to see you again.
[slow jazz]
Well, you're the only American
in Market Weatherby tonight.
You're not supposed
to be here, are you?
Violet?
Yes?
Geez.
I had it all worked
out, what I was
going to say, back at the base.
And now I can't say it.
Try.
After that plane came up--
I would have been shot.
Killed, and if you were--
- No, no.
I don't mean mean that.
I do.
There was a moment before
I drove you across to--
Dereham House.
I remember it so clear.
Don't you?
Yes.
Afterwards, I felt just
empty, leaving you there.
Oh, I was all right.
I just had some mud to wash off.
Toughest thing I ever did.
I just knew that, more
than anything else,
I wanted to see again.
Darling, if the
hospital rings,
I'm out for an hour or two.
Would you tell Rosie?
I was in your room,
looking for you.
Oh?
Books all over the place.
Clothes everywhere.
You haven't packed a thing.
- No.
- But, darling.
- Cambridge can wait.
I'll go up again after the
war, if they'll have me back.
You know how Daddy
feels about it.
He will be terribly
disappointed.
Why?
Because-- because I'm
going to join the ATS.
Is that the reason?
Yes.
Everybody else is getting on
with war, doing their bit.
Daddy, and you.
Why shouldn't I?
Because it's such a waste.
I mean, even
the Americans are.
The war will be
over, sooner or later.
And the Americans will go home.
And we'll be left to
pick up the pieces.
In all the rush and
tumble, Daddy was saying--
he was saying that it's--
it's terribly easy to lose
sight of the things that matter.
Did he mean you or me?
All of us.
We just have to try and
keep our balance, perhaps.
The wrong decision
now, a wrong choice
could affect your whole life.
Jim Kiley was
saying, at the party,
that we all have to
live from day to day.
Because for some of us,
there won't be another day.
And the trouble with
choices and decisions,
you don't know until afterwards
whether they're wrong or not.
Ready?
Of course I'm ready.
May not be what
they want to hear,
but it's what
they're going to get.
I meant you won't go
upsetting Mrs. Dereham.
[plane soars overhead]
All the noon and night.
I'm fed up with it.
Albert.
As for upsetting Mrs.
Dereham, I speak to serve
on her committee, innit she?
Wants the benefit of my
experience and advice,
doesn't she?
And another thing.
If I didn't turn
up, Jack Blair would
have things all his own way.
Oh, I won't stand for that.
Bloody welcome ceremony.
Rolling out the
red carpet for him.
Fancy, bloody Romeos.
Ver.
Where's our Letty?
I don't know.
Out.
Out where?
It's no use.
You can't keep her on a
piece of string all day.
You can't?
Can't?
Where those gentry
are concerned,
there's nothing they can't do.
You heard what they're
saying about young Rosie?
What?
First day they
got here, she was
seen in one of their lorries.
Hm.
Only question now
is, which of them
will be the first up the spout?
Her, or her sister?
[argumentative chatter]
Mr. Mundy.
Please.
Please, please, please.
We really haven't made much
progress, ladies and gentlemen.
Suggestions so far are one,
a formal meeting between us,
the goodwill committee, and
the officers at the base.
Two.
An open-air ceremony
in the square.
The whole village.
- You can rule that one out.
MRS. DEREHAM: The officers.
The men.
It'll rain.
Everything else gets
washed out, why not this?
Speeches.
We'll need a
microphone, won't we?
PHYLLIS: God forbid.
Look, if we're going
to have a ceremony,
we've got to have speeches.
And if we have
speeches, we're going
to have to have-- oh, anyway.
The colonel will be
expecting speeches.
Kras?
No?
Wici.
Makes you wonder
whose side he's on.
It's Krasnowici.
It's not Smith, Jones,
or Robinson, isn't it?
It'd be nice to have a band.
Band?
Band?
Last time we had a band was
May '37, King's coronation.
And where are
those bandsmen now?
Off fighting for his majesty.
Look, ladies and gentlemen.
I really do think we
ought to be moving on.
I don't see we have
to do anything at all.
That's absurd.
Why?
Because we can't ignore them.
Oh, you can.
And so would everybody
else if they had a mind to.
The King and Mr. Churchill and
gentlemen like Major Dereham.
They will be here
long after them.
Them interlopers have
packed their traps and left.
Mr. Mundy.
And good riddance
to them, I say.
Mr. Mundy.
I spoke to my husband less than
an hour ago on the telephone.
And he did say
that he hoped very
much that the plans for
welcoming the Americans
would be a success.
You must realize.
These people have come thousands
of miles, have left everything.
Their homes, their
families, their jobs.
To fight for us here in England.
Well, like them or not,
the Americans are our allies.
Foreigners.
And you can put
your shirt on it.
They're fighting
for us, Mr. Mundy.
Some of them will die for us.
Begging your pardon, Mrs.
Dereham, you being the major's
wife.
But I faced the hunt too.
Just like the major.
Cold steel to cold steel.
I've met frenchies and wops
and dutchies and diggers,
and fellas the color
of boot polish.
And you can take it
from me, one Englishman
is worth three jerries, half
a dozen frogs, and as many
of them as you like.
Rubbish.
Look.
I can't help feeling that we're
looking at this whole question
from too narrow a point of view.
We're forgetting how young
most of the Americans are.
The thing I keep
asking myself is,
if I were thousands of
miles away from my home,
in a foreign country,
how would I like
those foreigners to welcome me?
I don't get it.
Oh, you know the
kind of thing, Jim.
The citizens of Market, eh--
Weatherby.
--welcome the men of
United States Army Air Force,
our gallant allies, etc, etc.
Fine.
Let them hold their
welcome ceremony
and stay out of our way.
Now ease up, Jim.
My boys have got
to relax sometime.
Anyhow, I-- I promised Mrs.
Dereham that I'd go along
with anything she has in mind.
She's onto you.
Within reason.
She's a hell of a fine woman.
And while our own hospital
is out of commission,
and damn little
chance of any stuff
coming through with these
other groups still building up,
I don't want any personal
antagonism fouling up relations
with this local AMS hospital.
Is that clear, Jim?
Yes, sir.
Oh, and I, uh--
I thanked her for
Saturday night's party.
On your behalf, too.
Thanks.
Nobody admires American
womanhood more than me, Jim.
But by God, there
is something special
about these blue-blooded
English women.
Look, get to know her better.
I know Mrs. Ronald Dereham
well enough, already.
And her daughter.
That's an honor, Jim.
- And I wish I didn't.
- Mom!
My lipstick, I
can't find anywhere.
Chest of drawers
in your bedroom,
with all your other
bits and pieces.
I looked.
I'll look again.
I haven't got it.
Shouldn't you be--
Won't take me two minutes.
Hm.
My days of fussing in front
of a mirror for two hours on end
have been and gone.
Home by 11:00 at the latest.
And don't you let her
out of your sight.
That understood?
Don't see it's possible
to keep an eye on Letty
and have a couple
of dances myself.
Don't care how you do it.
Just do it.
If only you'd come to.
[inaudible] welcoming
those tailor's dummies?
Ages since you and me
enjoyed a nice foxtrot.
If things were
going my way, there
wouldn't be no foxtrot tonight.
I'm off, then.
Aw, Peter, you do look nice.
Doesn't he look nice, Dad?
- See you later, Mum.
Nothing wrong with him
a couple years in the army
won't put right.
You're not fair to him.
You never have been.
When is he going to get a job?
As soon as he leaves
school, he'll get one.
Playing the piano a couple
of hours a week, if he's lucky.
You've always
had a down on him.
Always.
What I've always
tried to do is my duty
towards him as a father.
He'll thank me one day.
Yes, Albert.
Talking about it, neither
one thing nor the other
is all very well.
When his call-up
papers drop on the mat,
he'll have to make
his blooming mind up.
Well?
How do I look?
Oh, Letty.
You'll be the belle of the ball.
[upbeat swing music]
I can't go like this.
Why not?
Well, geez.
Look.
You look great, Elmer.
Another Robert Taylor.
Hey.
Hey, guys.
Truck's waiting.
You got two minutes, or walk it.
- Thanks, Skip.
Coming.
So, you're going to
risk it then, eh?
Risk?
Risk what?
Those English girls?
Ha.
One of them gets me in a
corner, I'll shoot my way out.
Hey, fellas?
Don't go without me.
What about this lousy jacket?
What about it, Elm?
Looks just fine.
Hey, uh, this girl of yours.
You want to introduce me to her?
I'll introduce you, sure.
But she's not my girl.
Mario.
Would you look at
the jacket, huh?
I mean, it used to fit me
like it was made for me.
Now look at it.
What's the matter with you?
It's a beautiful jacket.
The only problem
with you, fatso, you
don't fit the jacket.
Come on, we'll miss the trip.
[applause]
Ladies and gentlemen.
[whistle]
Sorry.
Ladies and gentlemen.
[microphone screeches]
Some of you may know my
husband, Major Dereham.
And you may also know that the--
this idea of welcoming our
new American friends was his.
Who's the broad?
Some kind of duchess?
Would you shut up and listen?
She sounds like a duchess.
Shh.
He got called away
to his unit, and, um--
uh, so-- so, you've got me.
[applause]
The arrival in
Market Weatherby--
Isn't she here?
I can't see her.
--of a bomb group of
the United States Army
Air Force is an
extraordinary and momentous
occasion in our lives.
It will not pass unnoticed.
You have all left your families
and friends, everything
you know and love, far behind.
We know very well
that you haven't
come to England by choice.
But, uh, necessity makes
strange bedfellows.
Bedfellows?
Not what you were
thinking, dummy.
For as long as you
are here in Suffolk--
She said bedfellows.
--we hope that
you, our allies,
in this war against a
monstrous evil, will
look upon us as your friends.
And so now, on behalf of
the men, women, and children
at Market Weatherby,
may I now extend to you
a most cordial welcome, Colonel?
To you and to all
your officers and men.
[applause]
Thank you.
Thank you very much,
Captain Dereham.
My name is, um, Colonel
Rufus Krasnowici.
And this is my executive
officer, Major Jim Kiley.
We of the 525th Bomb Group
thank you most sincerely
for your kindness and courtesy.
As the commanding
officer of the group,
I would like to answer
a personal note.
For me, this is the, um,
the second time around.
I am what is called a--
You're going, then?
You look nice.
You'll be all right?
Well, I don't suppose
I'll be rushed off my feet.
Not tonight, at any rate.
Well.
Well, he's a nice lad.
I know.
Well, just say hello, have
a dance see how you get on.
Don't you want to see him?
Oh, yes.
Well, let him do the
talking and you listen.
You don't have to say anything.
Thanks, Dad.
[piano waltz]
I don't believe it.
Huh?
That ain't too bad.
You got to be kidding.
Good evening.
Good evening.
Well.
Aren't you going
to ask me to dance?
Yes.
Of course.
I'll take that, Major.
Thank you.
Good evening, Mrs. Lambourne.
Would you, uh, care to dance?
Oh, I'd love to.
I got your cruel letter.
Cruel?
You turned my
invitation down flat.
No.
I was very hurt.
The Air Force turned
it down, I had no choice.
Honestly?
All leave was canceled.
You would have
come, if you could?
For you, Patricia, anything.
Well, I'll forgive you.
Providing you dance every
dance with me tonight,
and nobody else.
I'm gonna find
that Rosie thing.
Say, Mario?
Hm?
How do I look?
What?
The jacket.
Ugh.
[song ends]
Thank you, Dr. Dereham.
Thank you.
Now if you'll excuse me,
I must get back to the base.
Oh, dear.
Must you?
Against my personal
wish, doctor.
But Jim here will
keep an eye on things,
make sure none of my
boys overstep the waters.
Why don't you stay,
sir, and let me go back?
Oh, oh, I know
just what I want.
I want you, Jim, to stay here
with all these nice people,
and enjoy yourself.
- But sir, I--
No arguments.
I'd take it kindly,
ma'am, if you'd see to it
that he does enjoy himself.
Goodbye, ladies, and
thanks for everything.
I'll find you a driver, sir.
You certainly will not.
I can find my own, dammit.
What's the matter with you, Jim?
Forgotten how to ask
a lady for a dance?
[slow dance music]
I'm afraid you think this
is a great waste of time.
I cannot think that men
need an evening's relaxation.
I don't agree.
It's a break in concentration.
Not much time left.
Time?
For what?
Our first combat mission.
I've still got some
hillbilly sergeant
gunners who think
the sky over Europe
is just another turkey shoot.
I swear when they get up there,
they wont know what's hit them.
So young.
Well, that's the age
for the job, Dr. Dereham.
Well.
I'm sorry about the
break in concentration.
I don't blame you.
I just hope they don't have
to pay for it up there.
I think I may have
misjudged you, Major Kiley.
- Oh, I doubt it.
- Well, you do get--
I bet you figured
me for a calloused,
hard-nosed son of a bitch.
That is the impression, yes.
Mind you, I haven't
seen you when
things were at their worst.
Well, you don't
have long to wait.
And I'm sorry you
don't like my style.
Tell me this.
Who's the prettiest
girl in the room?
Oh, I don't know, Harvey.
Who?
And you all fly together
in just one of them
great, big bombers?
Oh, yeah.
Now, hows about a dance, Rosie?
Rosie, you got
to pick one of us.
All right.
Him.
What did I tell ya.
She didn't like the jacket.
[song ends]
I almost figured
you didn't come.
I nearly didn't.
You didn't want to see me?
No.
I don't get it.
Oh, come on.
Everyone's looking at us.
Vi.
I don't care.
Ladies and gentlemen,
the anniversary waltz.
[slow waltz]
No, I-- I suppose what
it is, I'm frightened.
Of me?
No.
What, then?
Not very long ago, somebody
I used to know was killed.
Let's just dance.
Mario.
Hm?
You awake?
Yeah, sure I'm awake.
What else would I be?
I ain't slept all night.
You'll be OK.
Yeah, sure I'll be OK.
And we're the best air crew
and the best bomb group
in the entire ranked air force.
I guess so.
And ain't I the best radio
operator in the best air crew?
None better.
And ain't this the day, the
big day we've been training
for all our sweet lives?
This is the day.
And ain't I--
gonna throw up.
[retching]
I'll never ask you
for another damn thing.
You've got to let
me come with you.
Jim.
As commanding officer, I have
to fly the first mission.
And by god, I'll
admit that I want to.
If anything happens
to me, I have
to know that the 525th Bomb
Group was in good hands.
Good luck, Rufus.
You bastard.
[brakes screeching]
Hey, this is it.
Clean it out.
Let's get aboard.
I got to take a leak.
You OK, Chuck?
Never better.
Hey, Mario!
What?
Do we turn left or
right at the white cliff?
Done all I can, Red.
Bring her back safe.
[plane engine whirring]
Hey, what's eatin'
all you sad-sacks?
You wanted to travel,
see the sights.
It's your big chance.
Got your stars, mademoiselles,
se oritas, frauleins.
Mario.
Right here, Skip.
Can it.
[plane engine whirs overhead]
Well.
It started.
God knows when
it's going to stop.
[MUSIC - DENIS KING, "WE'LL MEET
AGAIN"]
Good morning.
Good morning.
ALBERT: Good morning, Jack.
Morning, George.
ROSIE: Good morning, everybody.
Well, what about that.
How has trading been?
[screeching tires]
[dogs barking]
[engine idling]
[murmuring]
[engine stops]
Hi.
[birds chirping]
Say, anybody here speak English?
[MUSIC - DENIS KING, "WE'LL MEET
AGAIN"]
[car horn]
[crashing]
Somebody who speaks English.
You remember them in
France, more than 20 year ago.
With their big ideas.
Turn us out to win the war.
Thus, it have been sweating it
out in the trenches since 1914.
There is not one of them
can stand to attention
or salute their superior
officers properly.
No discipline, see.
No smartness.
No spit and polish.
They don't look like
soldiers and they
don't act like soldiers.
Not supposed to be, are they?
What?
Not supposed to be.
The United States
Air Force, Albert.
All tarred with the same
brush, and only one idea
in their heads.
Here's another one.
I wouldn't give you
tuppence for any of them.
And any man who's fool
enough to let his woman fall--
Cigars.
Cigars?
Yeah, I'm fresh out.
Havanas?
Panetelas?
Coronas?
You know, cigars?
I haven't seen a
cigar since 1940.
Do you know there's a war on?
You ladies want a ride?
[shouting]
MAN: Get out of here!
[honking]
MAN: All right.
Hey!
Hey.
Hey, howdy there.
Hello.
[wolf whistle]
Great piece of ass.
OK, Santorini, OK.
Now you've had a
good look at hers.
How about moving yours?
What have we got here?
That's how they like 'em, Elmer.
Line down.
Farts and bloody Romeos.
[brakes screeching]
[crashing]
[giggling]
Oh, come on.
Just tell us your name.
It's no big deal.
I'm Mario, that's--
Oh god, Letty, tell them then.
All right, Letty.
Rose, you shouldn't have.
Rosie.
I work at The Roxy.
Usherette.
What, a movie theater?
No.
It's a cinema.
Yeah, OK.
How about we pick you
up there about 7:00?
And where do we find you?
Oh, daytimes I work up at
Dereham House with the major.
Evenings?
Most evenings I work
for my dad at the pub.
Really?
Which pub?
- The Plough.
Will you be there tonight?
I might.
Listen, honey.
I got the body,
you got the style.
Do we have a deal?
[raucous yelling]
MAN: Move it.
Move it, soldier!
The hell's happening here?
Would you mind not shouting?
We've had an accident
here, sir, and this guy is--
Yeah, I can see
that, sargeant.
This man has a
fractured right tibia.
Yes, huh?
Who's this?
And severe bruising
to the lower ribs.
He needs medical attention.
As long as he's taking
you back to the base.
The dispensary can't
cope with this.
Take my car, get him over
to combat wing hospital.
If you don't mind him
traveling in my car.
Well, that's
kind of you, ma'am,
but I don't think he'd fit.
No disrespect ma'am, but
is this here a real car?
Certainly it is.
And if it's treated properly,
it behaves perfectly well.
It's also economical
on petrol, which we
happen to think is important.
Careful, there's no
splint on that leg.
He could be seen to right
away at the local emergency
just down the road.
I'm a doctor there,
Helen Dereham.
Major Jim Kiley, ma'am.
How do you do, major?
If you follow me,
I'll lead the way.
I'd better handle this myself.
You get the trucks moving again.
Yes, sir.
OK you guys, you
heard at the major.
MAN: Let's move it!
When you're ready.
I'm ready now, Major.
And may I say that I hope
the American Air Force
flies better than it drives.
A joke's a joke, Mario.
But you got to let us out now.
What's the hurry?
We got all night.
What do you take me for?
Anyhow, I'm supposed to
be up at Dereham house
to get to major's teeth.
What is he, this major?
Some kind of cripple?
- No!
All right.
Let him get his own teeth.
Yeah.
Are you going to stop
this thing or what?
Eh, what do you think, Hymie?
You meet us in
your pub tonight?
I might.
I can't.
I'm on duty.
Aw.
Rosie.
Well, all right.
But you got to let us out now.
Rosie, don't be spoilsport.
This is fun.
Yeah.
Keep talking, baby.
ROSIE: Your dad
wouldn't call it fun.
Not doing any harm, are we?
Nah.
[tires screeching]
OK, baby.
You win.
I'm all yours.
He can be moved back to base
as soon as he's fit to travel.
Yes, they'll let me know.
We'll do the rest.
And thanks for all your help.
- Right.
Mrs. Dereham.
Doctor.
Back there on
that corkscrew road,
when you nearly hit
our lead truck--
When your truck nearly hit me.
I think an
apology is in order.
Oh?
My boys crossed the
highway back there
someplace, middle of nowhere.
Missed the route, recrossed it.
Got the whole convoy screwed up.
By the time they
found the route again,
they were driving on the
right side of the road.
The wrong side.
Well, our side.
Major, you're suggesting
that I apologize.
No.
I'm apologizing, Mrs. Dereham.
Oh.
Doctor.
Thank you.
There really was no need.
It's nice to have met you.
Goodbye, Major.
If nobody else has
done so, Major--
Kiley.
May I welcome you, all of
you, to Market Weatherby.
After 3 and 1/2 years,
you may find some of us
a little war-weary,
a little shabby,
but we are glad to see you.
They'll be coming
in all day and all
night, from all
points of the compass.
They're crossing
the North Atlantic,
connecting in Goose
Bay, Labrador,
Greenland, Reykjavik,
and Prestwick,
up there in Scotland.
Dog-tired.
Not thinking straight.
They need all the
help we can give them.
Radio room and emergency crews
will stay on maximum alert
until our last ship is
back here at the base.
You worried, Major?
Damn right, I'm worried.
The B-17 in the group.
Four squadrons, 50
of the most advanced,
sophisticated, and
expensive bombers
the world has ever seen.
And who's flying them?
A bunch of high school kids.
Hi there, major.
What did he do that for?
He'll land us in the slammer.
Sir.
I want to see that damn
fool pilot in my office.
[yelling]
- Howdy, Mac.
- You made it, captain.
Good to see you here, sir.
Crodnick in yet?
No, sir.
You beat his ass to it.
Well, god damn.
Line up boys.
What's the rush, Elmer?
Hey, what--
No rush.
Just wanted to be the first
to set foot on Merry England.
You damn your decapitated five
senior officers, including me.
I'll have to throw
the book at you.
You want to dock my pay, sir?
It's a good thing
she's permitted.
It'd be more than your
goddamn pay I'd dock.
Yes, sir.
Enlighten me, Red.
What the hell did you do it for?
- A bet, major.
- A what?
A bet with Her--
Lieutenant Herman Crodnick.
He took off from Prestwick
eight minutes ahead of us.
I bet him 10 bucks I'd
beat him back to base.
I did, major.
So I celebrated.
Well, your celebration
damn near cost this
bomb group one brand-new B-17.
And that's without
trying to kill yourself,
which would be no loss.
And your crew of three
other useful officers
and six sergeants.
They all had bets
on it too, sir.
Major, I'm--
[crash]
Shit, major.
I'm sorry, sir.
For the celebration.
But it seems to me in this
life, you have to come in first
or you're dead.
Captain, in this group,
you either do it by the book
or you're grounded for
the next hundred years.
Yes, sir
Which means you're
confined to quarters.
Yes, sir.
And you don't
get off this base
until I figure out what
the hell I'm going to say
to the colonel about you.
But major, it's--
Get out of here!
Who was it?
Hm?
On the telephone.
You know, what with the U-Boat
sinking all that dried egg
stuff they insist on sending
us, the Beatles scuffing
everything else, [inaudible]
Daddy, who was it?
Oh, some American chap.
One of the new lot at the base.
What did he want?
Don't know.
Wanted to thank your mother
for something or another.
Americans.
Mother thinks the same as I do.
What's that?
That they're very
well in their place,
but they should be
kept at arm's length.
Oh yeah?
And I've invited him
over, for drinks.
- When, tonight?
- No, no.
No, no, not tonight, darling.
Saturday.
Why, does that
make a difference?
No.
Except he's going to be lucky
to get anything to drink.
Well, you know, he
seemed a good sort.
I think it's the thing
to do, you know, showing
the natives are friendly.
After all, he is the--
what did-- what did
you say the chap's name was?
Kiley.
Major Kiley.
Kiley, yes.
He's the air executive,
second in command.
Really?
Are you sure that
you don't mind?
Course not.
Why isn't Pat down?
Ah, well.
She's a little
bit cross with me.
I didn't exactly
put my foot down,
but I told her if she
kept on about not going
back to Cambridge, I would.
[knocking]
Yes.
Miss Rosie.
I'm sorry, ma'am.
Dinner will be
another 10 minutes.
That's all right.
Well, maybe 20.
It's the pressure.
I can't do anything with it.
Oh, Rosie.
On Saturday, there will
be a visitor for drinks.
Yes, from the base.
American?
There might be
several of them.
I asked Kiley to bring
some others with him.
Could you stay on, perhaps,
for a couple of hours?
Saturday.
Only, it's Dad's busiest night.
I'd have to ask him.
You don't want me this evening?
No, just Saturday.
Rosie.
I don't suppose your father
would have a couple of bottles
he could let me have.
As a gesture of
Anglo-American unity.
Thanks, Vi.
That was as nice a
piece of shepherd's pie
as ever I tasted.
As good as your
mom used to make.
You tell Rosie when she comes
in, some fella telephoned.
- Oh, she's here now.
- Oh?
Aye, she's upstairs.
I don't know where
she's messing about at.
Still, it's quite enough.
Nothing much lost.
It'd be all the same
if we were packed down.
Hm?
You'll have to
speak to her, Dad.
Oh?
Will I?
Making an
exhibition of herself.
Oh, yeah.
Rosie and Letty Mundy.
Sitting up in one
of them American
jeeps going up the base.
Is that all she was doing?
All?
Albert Mundy would have a fit.
What, just sitting there?
Far as I know.
Oh, then there's no
harm, then, is there?
It was one of them
Americans telephoned.
[singing]
Rosie.
You can't.
Can't what?
Come in here like that.
- Why not?
- Well, blow me.
I mean, haven't you--
What?
You know, gone a
bit heavy with the--
She looks like a tart.
Tart?
Ah, hello, Bellows.
What can I do for you?
Three pints of beer, please.
They're not coming.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Don't be silly.
One of them phoned up.
Their leaves have been stopped.
Now go upstairs and
get that lot off.
Albert.
[plane flying overhead]
Albert!
Albert, don't you
want any dinner?
Dinnertime.
And there isn't
anybody here to eat it.
I'm here.
Where's his lordship?
Over at the hall, practicing.
Practicing.
Well, we don't
have a piano here.
Where else can he do it?
Give him a piano,
and one, he'd drive
all my customers out the shop.
And two, he'd drive me potty.
No, thanks.
And three, he'd never
get himself a proper job.
Sorry I'm late, Mom.
[plane flying overhead]
It's the 20th this morning,
to my certain knowledge.
All very well within
reason, allies.
Hope you have [inaudible] to
come over your deafliness.
Get yourself into a scrap,
you get yourself out of it.
Stop dragging others in.
It isn't like that, Dad.
Oh, isn't it?
Even Wellington couldn't
beat Napoleon on his own.
Oh, couldn't he?
Not without Blucher.
Blucher?
Blucher?
The blooming jerry.
Comes in at the
last minute, when
it's all over, and takes all
the credit, just like this lot?
The Duke didn't need no Blucher.
And we don't need this lot
of fancy, blooming Romeos.
Yes, we do.
You calling me a liar?
No, of course he isn't.
It's all right.
Mr. Clever Dick here has
learned it all from books,
but doesn't know anything.
All I'm saying is that
if you're going to fight,
which I don't
believe you should--
Ah, what we want to know
is what you do believe.
If you do, then you need
all the friends you can get.
You call them friends?
Talk with our
military expert, here.
And thank you, mother,
I have not finished yet.
Trouble with him is, he doesn't
know what he's talking about.
Fighting, my son, is one man's
guts and nerve and esprit
de corps against another's.
And no blooming chance of
talking your way out of it.
I don't understand a word
anybody is talking about.
No you should, Letty, my duck.
War is man's work.
Not for softies like him.
We had one of your new friends
in the shop, didn't we, Vera?
The ones I saw.
What about 'em?
They looked nice, like
Clark Gable and Tyrone Power.
Looked?
Looked?
Well, Letty, my duck.
I'll just say this once.
Where those fancy
Romeos are concerned,
you make sure it's only look.
Yes, dad.
(SINGING) Oh, I'm
sorry, Miss Patricia.
It's all right, Rosie.
Can't concentrate, anyway.
Tonight, miss,
they're getting leave.
Who?
The Americans, of course.
First time since they got here.
Can't say I want to
meet any Americans.
I mean, they're hardly
like us, are they?
(LAUGHS) That's true, miss.
Oh, lads.
Galumphing red-faced
lot in their great boots
and their ruffled uniforms.
But them, they're
more like officers.
Officers?
Oh, I don't know.
They seem like officers.
And they're not like anybody
I've ever met in whole life
before.
[crowd hubbub]
Last one in buys the drinks.
Gentlemen.
Gentlemen?
One at time,
please, gentlemen.
OK, OK.
Cut it out.
What do you mean, cut it out?
I want a drink.
I want a--
I know what you want,
Hymie, is to shut it.
Now listen.
For the benefit of you guys
that don't know no better,
this is a quaint
old English pub.
And what they don't
like in quaint
old English pubs is
guys like you guys
acting like know-nothing bums.
So cut it out.
OK.
Now how many we got here?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.
- What about me?
- What about you?
OK, that's 14, plus or minus 15.
Make that scotch on the rocks
for 15 and we'll see how we go,
eh?
I'm sorry sir.
Sir?
- Eh?
- I've got bitter.
Bitter?
Draft bitter beer, sir.
What, no scotch?
- I'm sorry, sir.
- Geez, fella.
I would be obliged if
you'd get down off my--
Listen, you guys.
There ain't no scotch.
Let's see how we make
out someplace else.
[hubbub]
Let's go.
Come on.
Good evening, gentlemen.
[wolf whistle]
Me?
I always liked this
English bitter.
Me too.
Hey, Mario.
You make out someplace else.
What would you like, sir?
Pint or a half?
I-- I'll take a gallon, ma'am.
Well, maybe a half,
just to begin with, eh?
OK.
And make that two.
Make that four.
OK, I'll tell you
what you can drink.
You're all gonna drink.
Draft bitter, sir.
Draft bitter.
When you've got
down off my counter.
OK, OK.
Make that 15 glasses, half pint
glasses of draft bitter beer.
And Rosie, here, gets
to fill the glasses.
[tires screech]
- Hey, come on.
This is it.
Oh, Mac.
Come on in.
Hey, I've seen
this movie six times.
Who cares about the movie?
[instrumental fanfare]
- Letty?
Where are you, Letty?
Letty?
Shh.
Aren't you Letty?
What if I am?
Fellas, this is Letty.
And she kisses like Lana Turner.
[brakes screeching]
Lester?
I'm Jim Kiley.
LESTER: (ON PHONE)
Good morning, sir.
JIM KILEY: (ON PHONE) What?
LESTER: (ON PHONE) Good morning.
Yeah, good morning.
Now get your butt
over here, Lester.
LESTER: (ON PHONE) Major,
it's 5:30 in the morning.
Don't tell me what time it is.
Just get here.
See if you can rustle
up some coffee.
LESTER: (ON PHONE) What's up?
The Colonel is on his way.
Excuse me, sir.
Colonel Krasnowici, sir?
What's the trouble, sir?
No trouble, sir.
You wanted to know when
we got to the base.
We're there?
10 minutes, sir.
Good, good.
While I was asleep, huh?
Oh.
I was dreaming, son.
Just dreaming.
Yes, sir.
Do you ever
dream of a thousand
B-17s in the air together?
All of 'em on the
[inaudible] for Berlin?
A thousand?
My dream, son,
is Reichsmarschall
Hermann Goring's nightmare.
I thought, the hell with it.
Knock him into
sending us some air
crew with combat experience.
They on their way here, now?
Eh, none of them is an
Eddie Rickenbacker, but--
It might be just what we need.
You think so?
Well, it might give
the boys some confidence.
In the first place,
Colonel Rufus Krasnowici
believes his bomb
group has the finest
air crews in the
entire United States
Army Air Force, bar none.
Hasn't anyone thanked me
for going to the wing.
And in the second place, 90%
of our crews are rookies.
Fresh out of stateside training.
And what they need, the
confidence kicked out of them.
Yeah, I guess so.
I know so.
Now, what I want
from you, Lester,
is your report on this group's
state of combat readiness.
Before the colonel flies in.
But Jim, that's impossible.
I don't care what goes in it.
As long as the colonel
is left to no doubt
that in a straight contest
with Sitting Bull, we'd lose.
Vi.
Hello.
Walking about early,
aren't you, Tom?
On leave, innit I?
Go on.
You're always on leave.
All beer and skittles, the army.
So are you.
In The Plough?
I expect so.
We get all sorts
in the Plough now.
You saw me though, Vi?
You said hello, eh?
Oh, I bet you're having
a fine old time on leave.
No worries except where your
next drink's coming from.
No.
Oh?
Well I was looking
forward to it.
Coming back and that.
But there's nothing
happening here.
Nothing is going on.
Oh, I don't know.
I must go.
Get me in the sack, you will.
Vi.
Come out with me, will you?
We could go to the flicks.
Thanks all the same, Tom.
But I--
Humphrey Bogart?
So long, Tom.
You know the old
man, for Christ's sake.
Pretends he's just
one of the guys.
What he really wants
is a 50-man reception,
and the combined Air Force's
band playing Hail to the Chief.
Well, do the best you can.
Yes, that sounds imminent.
Well, I know that if Jumbo's
got his eye on me for the job,
I suppose I should
be only too pleased.
Anyway, thanks.
Thanks for the tip, Bertie.
I'll-- I'll start
polishing up my Sam Browne.
Right.
Bye.
War office.
- Yes.
- Something's brewing.
Darling, I can't
stay here forever.
You haven't been
here very long.
Sorry.
You know, I'm frightened.
Only frightened?
Not for myself, darling.
Jerry isn't beaten yet.
These chaps are going to
be with us a long time.
I expect they'll find us
at something slow, tedious,
not very exciting.
Oh, dear.
Do you thing they're going to
find us slow, tedious, and not
very exciting on Saturday?
Bound to.
Perhaps hoping they won't come.
What about you?
Well, they're
different from us.
Sooner or later, they'll
affect our lives.
I suppose when we learn to talk,
think, and act like Americans,
we will be considered
efficient and modern, hm?
Maybe even rich.
Ronnie?
What are you so afraid of?
The England we've both known
and loved is gone forever.
Ten-hut!
[MUSIC - STARS AND STRIPES
FOREVER]
Good to see you again.
But you don't have
to put on a show.
[rapid gunfire]
[explosive gunfire]
[rapid gunfire]
Move your asses!
That your idea of a
reception committee?
No, sir.
Caught you with
your pants down.
Yes, sir.
Well, maybe that
Crod's done us a favor.
Guns fired in anger, Jim.
My boys have got to face
it at one time or another.
Panic.
They don't know what's happened
to them or what to do about it.
I've had a report
prepared for you, sir,
in this group's state
of combat readiness.
Not interested.
Between you and me,
Jim, this bomb group has
to be combat ready by the 15th.
[engine roars]
[chatter and laughter]
Well, that's it.
Now you've seen everything.
And I couldn't have asked
for a more delightful guy.
Thank you, Pat.
Now, don't think we should--
Much rather talk to you here.
So would I, believe me.
But duty calls.
No, that's Helen Dereham.
I'm just a neighbor and friend.
Well, that's what we
all have to be now, ma'am.
Good neighbors and good friends.
Oh, I do hope so, captain.
I owe you an apology, ma'am.
Oh, surely not, Colonel.
Oh, yes.
You and all the
folks around here,
for the noise that my B-17s are
making all day and every day.
[phone rings]
Your Flying
Fortresses, Colonel?
Right Right.
I've got to keep them in the air
from first light till sundown.
Familiarizing my crews
with your REF emergency
communications procedures.
The SE rescue, the
location of your ack-ack
and balloon barrage sites.
But after all our
previous training
under clear California
skies, I must
say that your English weather
is proving a mite troublesome.
But, Jack-- Colonel, should
you be telling me all this?
Well, I can't see why not.
My husband never does.
I'd like to have a
long talk with him.
My, um-- I don't see him.
No, I think he
was called away just
a moment ago to the telephone.
Something-- something
bothering you, eh?
No.
No, no.
[laughter]
Oh, dear.
Afraid my daughter is
neglecting some of our guests.
Oh, looks as if
my exec isn't giving
her much room to maneuver.
Not that I blame him.
That's when Daddy got his DSO.
Oh?
Thank you.
And in 1940, he was
very nearly captured
by the jerries in Norway.
Got out by the skin of
his teeth, Daddy said.
Let me think.
The end of that year,
he was mopping up
the Italians in [inaudible]
with General Waverly.
Really?
Since then-- thank
you, Rosie-- spent most
of his time in North Africa.
I suppose he's been
quite busy, really.
Not that he's ever tell you.
I'm just beginning to realize.
Everything all right, major?
Thing young lady taking
good care of you?
Ah, yes.
Thanks.
I couldn't be in better hands.
Major Kiley's promised
to show me over the base.
Oh, really?
Well, you mustn't let her
make a nuisance of it, sir.
Not chance.
But you've been
deceiving me, sir.
MR. DEREHAM: Me?
Yeah, I've been hearing
the truth about you.
You told me you were a farmer.
Yes, I am.
Uh-huh?
How was the farming in Norway
and North Africa eh, major?
Did you know that they
built that confounded airfield
of yours on my best land?
Have you seen my
wife about anywhere?
Ah, thank you.
Yes.
Well now, listen.
Don't let this daughter
of mine monopolize you.
(LAUGHS)
When?
Midnight, tomorrow.
I had just got used to
having you home again.
Well we've all got
our wars to fight.
These chaps and their way,
and you and Pat in yours.
She's been very
lively tonight.
Well, you can't blame her, can
you, with all these exotic air
force types about?
Did he say where?
I know, I know.
I shouldn't ask.
Somewhere over the water.
I think it's time we got
shod of this lot, don't you?
[thunder cracks]
God damn English weather.
Rain, mist, fog two
days out of three.
Can't blame my boys losing
each other up there.
Damp.
Moisture getting into
every damn thing.
Guns and gear freezing up.
Frostbite.
What the hell did
the brass expect?
They expect us to be
combat ready by the 15th.
Three days ago.
890 squadron joined up
with the wrong group.
One mid-air collision,
five near misses.
Yesterday, Kefauver comes
down on the wrong airfield.
Tears into a couple of
acres of Brussels sprouts.
We'll be eating the
damn things all week.
How do these crazy
English stand it?
It's been this way so
long, they think it's normal.
Everything else OK?
No problems with
the local people?
Sir, everything you ever
heard about the English,
it's all true and then some.
(LAUGHS)
Bye, darling.
Bye, my love.
Take care.
Keep an eye on Pat.
I will.
And you, you take
care of yourself.
You know the first thing I'm
going to do when I get back?
Take you both on at badminton
and beat you hollow.
I bet you don't.
[train conductor's whistle]
Hello, Patricia.
That half-witted
girl of yours, Rose,
said Helen had gone
to the station.
To see Daddy off.
Oh?
I hate goodbyes.
I wouldn't go.
Is mother expecting you?
I hope so.
We're supposed to
be doing something
about these Americans.
Oh.
Don't you think they're
absolutely divine?
Should be a stamp
in here somewhere.
Last week, I thought
I heard you were
being rather snooty about them.
Before your party.
Thanks.
As a matter of fact--
Yes, dear?
--I've asked one
of them to lunch.
Phyllis.
Have you been here long?
Ages.
Oh, dear.
I am sorry.
- Don't be.
I've been hearing
how Pat has lost
her heart to the Americans.
What?
At your party.
Must dash.
What now?
I'll, uh, miss the post.
The Americans?
Well, one of them.
Presumably the one she was
monopolizing all evening.
I couldn't get
anywhere near him.
Oh dear, have I
put my foot in it?
I don't know.
Have you?
I shouldn't let it worry you.
Get her safely
back to Cambridge,
and she'll probably
forget all about him.
Now, what are we going
to do about them?
What?
The Americans.
Oh, Ronny's idea.
Wasn't mine.
Oh, some sort of
welcome for them.
As well as your party?
Oh, not just the officers.
It's for everybody.
Do you think some
kind of committee?
Another?
What with savings drives, Wings
for Victory, War Weapons Weeks.
Oh, all right.
- She's upset.
PHYLLIS: Helen?
Patricia.
Why not should she be?
My dear, if I were trapping
such a handsome beast in my net.
What?
Major Jim,
whatever his name is.
Didn't you know?
[hammering]
Hey!
Knock it off, you bums!
Why don't you go and tell the
major we're ready to go again?
- No!
- Who said so?
No one.
The men naturally assumed they
were finished for the day.
No.
From now on, Lester,
they can assume they're
never finished for the day.
[phone rings]
Air exec.
Yes, Jim Kiley speaking.
HELEN: (ON PHONE) He--
hello, it's Helen Dereham.
Ah, Dr. Dereham.
Look, I'm sorry, but I've--
HELEN: (ON PHONE) I'm ringing
because there's an invitation
on the way to you.
What-- what kind
of invitation?
It's from Patricia, for lunch.
It's-- it's in the post.
Uh, you-- oh dear.
I'm sorry, this is
terribly embarrassing.
I'm not embarrassed,
Dr. Dereham.
You see, the thing
is that Patricia
is very impressionable.
Dr. Dereham, I shall decline
your daughter's invitation
to lunch, like any
other that comes my way.
Because until further notice,
all leave in this base
has been canceled.
Goodbye.
Dad?
[inaudible] change.
- Yeah, many there.
Is Mom, and her two friends--
an officer from his unit?
Aye.
There would be, at the funeral.
One of them things
comes down out of the sky,
and bang, you're dead.
You all right, love?
All right?
Dad, it was my fault.
No.
Who was it, kept him
going about, gassing?
Me.
Or he'd have been
safely on his way.
A kiss.
That's all he wanted.
Just a kiss.
Poor old Tom.
It's not much to ask or give.
I didn't love him or
anything, but he was alive,
and now he's dead.
There's no sense to it, Vi.
None at all.
Oh, there was a message for you.
For me?
Yeah, on the telephone.
I'll come looking for you.
Chuck.
Chuck.
What about him?
I mean, supposing he comes here?
Give him a drink, Dad.
He saved my life.
[door slams]
Jesus Christ, that guy
Kiley is working us to death.
Gee, bushed.
My radio's brought
up so much juice,
I've still got static
coming out of my ears.
Chuck, you've been through
all this training crap before.
What was it like in 91st group?
Worse.
Yeah?
Listen, you're not going
to play that record again.
I can't stand it.
[jazzy band music]
[music stops]
- Hey.
Told you, I can't stand it.
- I like it.
- Me too.
Like it?
How can you like that crap?
This is the only one we got.
If you play it again,
I'll bust it over your head.
Do you know your
trouble, Mario?
Eh?
You ain't got taste.
(LAUGHS) Who needs taste?
No dames, no passes out,
nothing to see, nothing to do.
I should've stayed in New York.
[record player cranks]
[music resumes]
[music stops]
[shatter]
You lousy, stinking bastard.
Hey, come on!
Beat it, Hymie.
Get lost.
Out.
Out.
But, fellas!
Get out!
Remember that guy, Hymie?
Hymie is OK.
OK.
Flies with
Crodnick, doesn't he?
Crodnick's a bum.
So all his crew are--
Hey.
What's with the--
I'm brushing.
Uh-huh?
- This crap off this jacket.
- Yeah, yeah yeah.
But, uh, you heard
what the man said.
No six-hour passes will be
issued until further notice.
This means you, bud.
I heard.
Shock.
You're not deaf.
You're out of your skull.
It ain't worth it.
You heard what Red was
saying about these English ice
maidens, eh?
No.
They're poison.
What did she promise you, eh?
Who?
The ice maiden.
The one in the quaint
old English pub.
Button your lip, Mario.
Oh, come on, Chuck.
She must have promised
you something.
- She wasn't in.
- Nay, she saw you coming.
OK, OK.
So button it.
OK, OK.
Something else, knucklehead.
OK.
One morning, when you're
sitting in your radio room,
15,000 feet over Berlin,
no place to hide.
FWs coming at you
around the clock.
Cannon shells exploding
under your ass.
You're going to wish
the exec could have
worked us to death some more.
What do you know?
Is this a private necktie
party, or can anybody join in?
Crodnick's bums.
Crodnick's bums were in a war.
Let's give it to 'em.
Anybody wants a war, it's
waiting outside at 20,000 feet.
Not in here.
What's a war?
I don't want a war.
You guys want a war?
They don't want a war.
Yeah, well what do you want?
You got the phonograph.
We got the records.
Higgs.
Pace.
Miller.
We do a deal?
Yeah.
Now, this.
This'll knock you cold.
[swing music]
Enjoy the music, fellas.
Be seeing you.
Hey, were does he
think he's going?
You give me five minutes, huh?
I'm coming with you.
- Sorry, Elmer.
Not this time.
Chuck!
Will somebody tell
me where he's going?
Out.
Without a pass, never make it.
If he don't make, it Major
James Kiley will tear his ears
off, send them to his mother.
It's not fair.
No girlfriends.
Got to live like monks,
Mrs. Dereham said, till they
get back from their first raid.
And that will be
a day to remember.
That-- give Vi a call, eh?
But dad, she's tired out.
No, Rosie.
No, please.
Hello, there.
ROSIE: Vi?
Dad wants you.
Said I'd come back, Mr. Blair.
Aye, so you did.
Is your daughter
in this evening?
Who, Vi?
Well, she told me how
you two first met.
I'll be back in half an hour.
Violet.
I'm here.
Dad said you came 'round before.
Why?
I wanted to see you again.
[slow jazz]
Well, you're the only American
in Market Weatherby tonight.
You're not supposed
to be here, are you?
Violet?
Yes?
Geez.
I had it all worked
out, what I was
going to say, back at the base.
And now I can't say it.
Try.
After that plane came up--
I would have been shot.
Killed, and if you were--
- No, no.
I don't mean mean that.
I do.
There was a moment before
I drove you across to--
Dereham House.
I remember it so clear.
Don't you?
Yes.
Afterwards, I felt just
empty, leaving you there.
Oh, I was all right.
I just had some mud to wash off.
Toughest thing I ever did.
I just knew that, more
than anything else,
I wanted to see again.
Darling, if the
hospital rings,
I'm out for an hour or two.
Would you tell Rosie?
I was in your room,
looking for you.
Oh?
Books all over the place.
Clothes everywhere.
You haven't packed a thing.
- No.
- But, darling.
- Cambridge can wait.
I'll go up again after the
war, if they'll have me back.
You know how Daddy
feels about it.
He will be terribly
disappointed.
Why?
Because-- because I'm
going to join the ATS.
Is that the reason?
Yes.
Everybody else is getting on
with war, doing their bit.
Daddy, and you.
Why shouldn't I?
Because it's such a waste.
I mean, even
the Americans are.
The war will be
over, sooner or later.
And the Americans will go home.
And we'll be left to
pick up the pieces.
In all the rush and
tumble, Daddy was saying--
he was saying that it's--
it's terribly easy to lose
sight of the things that matter.
Did he mean you or me?
All of us.
We just have to try and
keep our balance, perhaps.
The wrong decision
now, a wrong choice
could affect your whole life.
Jim Kiley was
saying, at the party,
that we all have to
live from day to day.
Because for some of us,
there won't be another day.
And the trouble with
choices and decisions,
you don't know until afterwards
whether they're wrong or not.
Ready?
Of course I'm ready.
May not be what
they want to hear,
but it's what
they're going to get.
I meant you won't go
upsetting Mrs. Dereham.
[plane soars overhead]
All the noon and night.
I'm fed up with it.
Albert.
As for upsetting Mrs.
Dereham, I speak to serve
on her committee, innit she?
Wants the benefit of my
experience and advice,
doesn't she?
And another thing.
If I didn't turn
up, Jack Blair would
have things all his own way.
Oh, I won't stand for that.
Bloody welcome ceremony.
Rolling out the
red carpet for him.
Fancy, bloody Romeos.
Ver.
Where's our Letty?
I don't know.
Out.
Out where?
It's no use.
You can't keep her on a
piece of string all day.
You can't?
Can't?
Where those gentry
are concerned,
there's nothing they can't do.
You heard what they're
saying about young Rosie?
What?
First day they
got here, she was
seen in one of their lorries.
Hm.
Only question now
is, which of them
will be the first up the spout?
Her, or her sister?
[argumentative chatter]
Mr. Mundy.
Please.
Please, please, please.
We really haven't made much
progress, ladies and gentlemen.
Suggestions so far are one,
a formal meeting between us,
the goodwill committee, and
the officers at the base.
Two.
An open-air ceremony
in the square.
The whole village.
- You can rule that one out.
MRS. DEREHAM: The officers.
The men.
It'll rain.
Everything else gets
washed out, why not this?
Speeches.
We'll need a
microphone, won't we?
PHYLLIS: God forbid.
Look, if we're going
to have a ceremony,
we've got to have speeches.
And if we have
speeches, we're going
to have to have-- oh, anyway.
The colonel will be
expecting speeches.
Kras?
No?
Wici.
Makes you wonder
whose side he's on.
It's Krasnowici.
It's not Smith, Jones,
or Robinson, isn't it?
It'd be nice to have a band.
Band?
Band?
Last time we had a band was
May '37, King's coronation.
And where are
those bandsmen now?
Off fighting for his majesty.
Look, ladies and gentlemen.
I really do think we
ought to be moving on.
I don't see we have
to do anything at all.
That's absurd.
Why?
Because we can't ignore them.
Oh, you can.
And so would everybody
else if they had a mind to.
The King and Mr. Churchill and
gentlemen like Major Dereham.
They will be here
long after them.
Them interlopers have
packed their traps and left.
Mr. Mundy.
And good riddance
to them, I say.
Mr. Mundy.
I spoke to my husband less than
an hour ago on the telephone.
And he did say
that he hoped very
much that the plans for
welcoming the Americans
would be a success.
You must realize.
These people have come thousands
of miles, have left everything.
Their homes, their
families, their jobs.
To fight for us here in England.
Well, like them or not,
the Americans are our allies.
Foreigners.
And you can put
your shirt on it.
They're fighting
for us, Mr. Mundy.
Some of them will die for us.
Begging your pardon, Mrs.
Dereham, you being the major's
wife.
But I faced the hunt too.
Just like the major.
Cold steel to cold steel.
I've met frenchies and wops
and dutchies and diggers,
and fellas the color
of boot polish.
And you can take it
from me, one Englishman
is worth three jerries, half
a dozen frogs, and as many
of them as you like.
Rubbish.
Look.
I can't help feeling that we're
looking at this whole question
from too narrow a point of view.
We're forgetting how young
most of the Americans are.
The thing I keep
asking myself is,
if I were thousands of
miles away from my home,
in a foreign country,
how would I like
those foreigners to welcome me?
I don't get it.
Oh, you know the
kind of thing, Jim.
The citizens of Market, eh--
Weatherby.
--welcome the men of
United States Army Air Force,
our gallant allies, etc, etc.
Fine.
Let them hold their
welcome ceremony
and stay out of our way.
Now ease up, Jim.
My boys have got
to relax sometime.
Anyhow, I-- I promised Mrs.
Dereham that I'd go along
with anything she has in mind.
She's onto you.
Within reason.
She's a hell of a fine woman.
And while our own hospital
is out of commission,
and damn little
chance of any stuff
coming through with these
other groups still building up,
I don't want any personal
antagonism fouling up relations
with this local AMS hospital.
Is that clear, Jim?
Yes, sir.
Oh, and I, uh--
I thanked her for
Saturday night's party.
On your behalf, too.
Thanks.
Nobody admires American
womanhood more than me, Jim.
But by God, there
is something special
about these blue-blooded
English women.
Look, get to know her better.
I know Mrs. Ronald Dereham
well enough, already.
And her daughter.
That's an honor, Jim.
- And I wish I didn't.
- Mom!
My lipstick, I
can't find anywhere.
Chest of drawers
in your bedroom,
with all your other
bits and pieces.
I looked.
I'll look again.
I haven't got it.
Shouldn't you be--
Won't take me two minutes.
Hm.
My days of fussing in front
of a mirror for two hours on end
have been and gone.
Home by 11:00 at the latest.
And don't you let her
out of your sight.
That understood?
Don't see it's possible
to keep an eye on Letty
and have a couple
of dances myself.
Don't care how you do it.
Just do it.
If only you'd come to.
[inaudible] welcoming
those tailor's dummies?
Ages since you and me
enjoyed a nice foxtrot.
If things were
going my way, there
wouldn't be no foxtrot tonight.
I'm off, then.
Aw, Peter, you do look nice.
Doesn't he look nice, Dad?
- See you later, Mum.
Nothing wrong with him
a couple years in the army
won't put right.
You're not fair to him.
You never have been.
When is he going to get a job?
As soon as he leaves
school, he'll get one.
Playing the piano a couple
of hours a week, if he's lucky.
You've always
had a down on him.
Always.
What I've always
tried to do is my duty
towards him as a father.
He'll thank me one day.
Yes, Albert.
Talking about it, neither
one thing nor the other
is all very well.
When his call-up
papers drop on the mat,
he'll have to make
his blooming mind up.
Well?
How do I look?
Oh, Letty.
You'll be the belle of the ball.
[upbeat swing music]
I can't go like this.
Why not?
Well, geez.
Look.
You look great, Elmer.
Another Robert Taylor.
Hey.
Hey, guys.
Truck's waiting.
You got two minutes, or walk it.
- Thanks, Skip.
Coming.
So, you're going to
risk it then, eh?
Risk?
Risk what?
Those English girls?
Ha.
One of them gets me in a
corner, I'll shoot my way out.
Hey, fellas?
Don't go without me.
What about this lousy jacket?
What about it, Elm?
Looks just fine.
Hey, uh, this girl of yours.
You want to introduce me to her?
I'll introduce you, sure.
But she's not my girl.
Mario.
Would you look at
the jacket, huh?
I mean, it used to fit me
like it was made for me.
Now look at it.
What's the matter with you?
It's a beautiful jacket.
The only problem
with you, fatso, you
don't fit the jacket.
Come on, we'll miss the trip.
[applause]
Ladies and gentlemen.
[whistle]
Sorry.
Ladies and gentlemen.
[microphone screeches]
Some of you may know my
husband, Major Dereham.
And you may also know that the--
this idea of welcoming our
new American friends was his.
Who's the broad?
Some kind of duchess?
Would you shut up and listen?
She sounds like a duchess.
Shh.
He got called away
to his unit, and, um--
uh, so-- so, you've got me.
[applause]
The arrival in
Market Weatherby--
Isn't she here?
I can't see her.
--of a bomb group of
the United States Army
Air Force is an
extraordinary and momentous
occasion in our lives.
It will not pass unnoticed.
You have all left your families
and friends, everything
you know and love, far behind.
We know very well
that you haven't
come to England by choice.
But, uh, necessity makes
strange bedfellows.
Bedfellows?
Not what you were
thinking, dummy.
For as long as you
are here in Suffolk--
She said bedfellows.
--we hope that
you, our allies,
in this war against a
monstrous evil, will
look upon us as your friends.
And so now, on behalf of
the men, women, and children
at Market Weatherby,
may I now extend to you
a most cordial welcome, Colonel?
To you and to all
your officers and men.
[applause]
Thank you.
Thank you very much,
Captain Dereham.
My name is, um, Colonel
Rufus Krasnowici.
And this is my executive
officer, Major Jim Kiley.
We of the 525th Bomb Group
thank you most sincerely
for your kindness and courtesy.
As the commanding
officer of the group,
I would like to answer
a personal note.
For me, this is the, um,
the second time around.
I am what is called a--
You're going, then?
You look nice.
You'll be all right?
Well, I don't suppose
I'll be rushed off my feet.
Not tonight, at any rate.
Well.
Well, he's a nice lad.
I know.
Well, just say hello, have
a dance see how you get on.
Don't you want to see him?
Oh, yes.
Well, let him do the
talking and you listen.
You don't have to say anything.
Thanks, Dad.
[piano waltz]
I don't believe it.
Huh?
That ain't too bad.
You got to be kidding.
Good evening.
Good evening.
Well.
Aren't you going
to ask me to dance?
Yes.
Of course.
I'll take that, Major.
Thank you.
Good evening, Mrs. Lambourne.
Would you, uh, care to dance?
Oh, I'd love to.
I got your cruel letter.
Cruel?
You turned my
invitation down flat.
No.
I was very hurt.
The Air Force turned
it down, I had no choice.
Honestly?
All leave was canceled.
You would have
come, if you could?
For you, Patricia, anything.
Well, I'll forgive you.
Providing you dance every
dance with me tonight,
and nobody else.
I'm gonna find
that Rosie thing.
Say, Mario?
Hm?
How do I look?
What?
The jacket.
Ugh.
[song ends]
Thank you, Dr. Dereham.
Thank you.
Now if you'll excuse me,
I must get back to the base.
Oh, dear.
Must you?
Against my personal
wish, doctor.
But Jim here will
keep an eye on things,
make sure none of my
boys overstep the waters.
Why don't you stay,
sir, and let me go back?
Oh, oh, I know
just what I want.
I want you, Jim, to stay here
with all these nice people,
and enjoy yourself.
- But sir, I--
No arguments.
I'd take it kindly,
ma'am, if you'd see to it
that he does enjoy himself.
Goodbye, ladies, and
thanks for everything.
I'll find you a driver, sir.
You certainly will not.
I can find my own, dammit.
What's the matter with you, Jim?
Forgotten how to ask
a lady for a dance?
[slow dance music]
I'm afraid you think this
is a great waste of time.
I cannot think that men
need an evening's relaxation.
I don't agree.
It's a break in concentration.
Not much time left.
Time?
For what?
Our first combat mission.
I've still got some
hillbilly sergeant
gunners who think
the sky over Europe
is just another turkey shoot.
I swear when they get up there,
they wont know what's hit them.
So young.
Well, that's the age
for the job, Dr. Dereham.
Well.
I'm sorry about the
break in concentration.
I don't blame you.
I just hope they don't have
to pay for it up there.
I think I may have
misjudged you, Major Kiley.
- Oh, I doubt it.
- Well, you do get--
I bet you figured
me for a calloused,
hard-nosed son of a bitch.
That is the impression, yes.
Mind you, I haven't
seen you when
things were at their worst.
Well, you don't
have long to wait.
And I'm sorry you
don't like my style.
Tell me this.
Who's the prettiest
girl in the room?
Oh, I don't know, Harvey.
Who?
And you all fly together
in just one of them
great, big bombers?
Oh, yeah.
Now, hows about a dance, Rosie?
Rosie, you got
to pick one of us.
All right.
Him.
What did I tell ya.
She didn't like the jacket.
[song ends]
I almost figured
you didn't come.
I nearly didn't.
You didn't want to see me?
No.
I don't get it.
Oh, come on.
Everyone's looking at us.
Vi.
I don't care.
Ladies and gentlemen,
the anniversary waltz.
[slow waltz]
No, I-- I suppose what
it is, I'm frightened.
Of me?
No.
What, then?
Not very long ago, somebody
I used to know was killed.
Let's just dance.
Mario.
Hm?
You awake?
Yeah, sure I'm awake.
What else would I be?
I ain't slept all night.
You'll be OK.
Yeah, sure I'll be OK.
And we're the best air crew
and the best bomb group
in the entire ranked air force.
I guess so.
And ain't I the best radio
operator in the best air crew?
None better.
And ain't this the day, the
big day we've been training
for all our sweet lives?
This is the day.
And ain't I--
gonna throw up.
[retching]
I'll never ask you
for another damn thing.
You've got to let
me come with you.
Jim.
As commanding officer, I have
to fly the first mission.
And by god, I'll
admit that I want to.
If anything happens
to me, I have
to know that the 525th Bomb
Group was in good hands.
Good luck, Rufus.
You bastard.
[brakes screeching]
Hey, this is it.
Clean it out.
Let's get aboard.
I got to take a leak.
You OK, Chuck?
Never better.
Hey, Mario!
What?
Do we turn left or
right at the white cliff?
Done all I can, Red.
Bring her back safe.
[plane engine whirring]
Hey, what's eatin'
all you sad-sacks?
You wanted to travel,
see the sights.
It's your big chance.
Got your stars, mademoiselles,
se oritas, frauleins.
Mario.
Right here, Skip.
Can it.
[plane engine whirs overhead]
Well.
It started.
God knows when
it's going to stop.
[MUSIC - DENIS KING, "WE'LL MEET
AGAIN"]