We'll Meet Again (1982): Season 1, Episode 4 - One Step Forward, Two Steps Back - full transcript

[music playing]

SALLY BILTON: It's
all ready for you.

SERGEANT MAC MCGRAW:
Hey now, that was quick.

Right this way.

We'd have to wait
another week, if we'd

sent it out to a contractor.

Where do you want them?

Are there more already?

We use them up as
fast as they're cleaned.

Is it too much?
- Oh, no.

No.



I can manage.

Through there, please.

You heard the lady.

Good day, ma'am.

You wouldn't happen to
have a cigarette on you,

would you Sally?

You know I don't smoke, ma.

RUBY BILTON: Oh, of course not.

If you don't mind--
one of these.

Oh, thank you, Sergeant.

Keep the pack.

Oh, well, thank you.

That's very kind.

Thanks ever so much.



SERGEANT MAC MCGRAW:
Right, wait outside.

Thank you.

Right.

That's, uh-- 25 sets.

That's uh-- two pounds and uh--

10 shillings, right?

Oh, seems like a lot of money
just for a bit of washing.

Hey now.

I couldn't ask you if we didn't
pay the going rate Mrs. Bilton.

Here.

Hello honey.

Betty take your
finger out your mouth.

She wants something
else instead.

Here.

Here's two candy bars.

That's one for you and one
for your little brother.

Where is he?
- Garden.

Well you be sure to
give it to him now, OK?

- OK.
- There you are.

SALLY BILTON: Betty, say, thank
you, nicely to Mr. McGraw.

Thank you nicely, Mr. McGraw.

Well I uh--

better be getting back.

Thanks again Mrs. Bilton.

Thank you.

Take care ma'am.

Bye bye, honey.

Where's the other one?

Well give it here.

It's William's.

Oh, that's far
too big for William.

I'm going to take care of it.

Now, mind you, give him
a piece of yours, right?

And no arguments.
Out you go.

Go on.

I've got that new--

that new yellow
dress for Betty now.

And shoes for Billy.

What about me?

Anything I save, I'm
going to put by for Stan

when he gets home.

Well, wouldn't want
his mother to go without.

If his mother did
some of the work,

she'd get a share in
what's being paid for.

You did have some all the time.

Oh?

Forgot they was there, didn't I?

Oh, mother.

You're being dumb my girl.

They'd pay twice as much
as what your getting.

I'm satisfied.

Too easily.

Here, you see the way he
looks at the children.

Tell him you need for them,
so you'll have to charge more.

I don't want to
abuse his kindness, ma.

Kindness?
Hmm.

Just like the rest of them--

more money than they
know what to do with.

Behave like they own everything.

And the way they
act with our girls--

descent British girls.

It's disgusting.

They're laughing and
carrying on every night down

by that bridge.

If our girls didn't want to
go out with them, they wouldn't.

Would they?

Distinct improvement
in takeoffs and formation

assembly, but approach
and landing procedures

is still sloppy.

I guess this is the time when
the group is most vulnerable.

[knocking on door]

Yeah?

At ease sergeant.

OK Sergeant,
that's all for now.

I'm not disturbing you am I?

We'll finish it later.

They're sending us
two replacement aircrew.

I had notification this morning.

That's great.

Any combat experience?
- No.

Direct from training an hour.

So they'll be keen, Jim.

Fresh and keen
and rearing to go.

And raw and
undisciplined and a danger

to themselves and others.

Did we get any new
planes that go with them?

No, not this time.

But division has promised
that next month--

Well that's same as
they promised last month.

What do they think we're
going to fight this war with?

Bows and arrows?
- I know.

But it's a matter of priorities.

Other groups have
been here longer

and lost more than we have.

Whatever plans are
available, go to them.

Yeah.

What else?

Oh, I've just been
reading that MP report.

You seen it?

I got to look at it.

Oh, it worries me.

In what way?

Oh, several ways.

But one thing more
than any other--

the friction between our boys
and the local people here.

We always knew there
would have to be a period

of adjustment on both sides.

Yeah, but it's
three months now.

Things should be settling down,
instead of which the situation

is getting worse--

disturbances every time
our boys go into town.

Oh, it's just high spirits.

Oh, it's more than that.

You can expect rivalry
with the RAF boys.

That's normal.

That's healthy.

But there's fights between
British servicemen on furlough

with the guys from the
anti-aircraft units

and the [inaudible] civilians.

And a lot of them
seem to resent us.

Their women don't seem to.

Yeah, well, that's
probably [inaudible]..

Oh, come on Ruf, we
don't exaggerate this.

We've got what?

Over 2,000 men in this base.

Only half of them ever come
in contact with an Englishman.

COLONEL RUFUS KRASNOWICI: Maybe
we should start with them.

How?

I don't know--
notices, lectures.

These people are
our principal allies

and we have to establish a
good working relationship.

What I say is let it alone.

It'll work itself out.

COLONEL RUFUS KRASNOWICI:
I can't do that Jim.

Command is worried about the
situation, not just here,

but everywhere, and we've
been ordered to take any steps

we can to ease the friction.

Well tell them we'll do what
we can, but we're only human.

Look, I know you held your
hand out and you got it bitten,

but we have to keep at it.

We better have another meet
with that goodwill committee.

If you say so.

Oh, and we ought to go see
the Dereham's again, hmm--

thank them for
their hospitality.

After all, they are
the local big wigs.

Husband's in North Africa.

Oh yeah.

Well, uh-- you could uh--

call on his wife.

She turned the dogs on me.

That one's up to you.

Not me.

All that society jazz,
Jim, that's your style.

Now I want you to call on her.

There'd be no point.

She's got me marked down
as a cross between Simon

Legree and Al Capone.

All the more reason
for you to see her--

remind her that you're uh--

really human.

(SINGING) Me--

Anyone else but me.

Dee, dee, dee dee dee.

Oh, the dances have made ever
such a difference, ma'am.

You enjoy them?

The only spot of life
there is around here.

The only fun.

Well not the only fun,
if you know what I mean?

I have a fair idea.

(SINGING) Dee, dee, dee, dee.

Dee, dee, dee, dee.

dee, dee, dee, dee.

I never see you at the
dances, do we Mrs. Dereham?

Well they're not really
my cup of tea, Rosie.

[doorbell]

Oh, now who's that?

The sooner you answer, the
sooner we're going to find out.

Yes ma'am.

It's him, ma'am.

DR. HELEN DEREHAM: Who?

Major Kiley.

DR. HELEN DEREHAM: Here?

The one who's so nasty to
all the boys at the base--

he wants to see you.

Well you better show him in.

Yes, ma'am.

Major Kiley, ma'am.

Good morning, Dr. Dereham.

Good morning, major.

Forgive me for dropping in
like this without phoning.

I was just writing
to my husband.

Oh Yes.

How is Major Dereham?
- He's fine, thank you.

That was quite a fight
they put up in Tunisia.

Yes.

- And your daughter, Pat--
- Yes.

She's fine, too.

Thank you.

I only have a few minutes.

I just stopped by
on the off chance--

DR. HELEN DEREHAM: Luckily,
I wasn't at the hospital.

I already phoned there.

Is there something I
can do for you, major?

Yes.

Both the Colonel and
I feel very badly

about not having thanked you
properly for your hospitality.

I told you that
wasn't necessary.

MAJOR JAMES KILEY: And
for not having made

any attempt to repay it.

Well you have more
important things to do.

Nevertheless, we
have been remiss.

We've also neglected
the Goodwill Committee.

Won't you sit down, major.

Thank you.

I'll level with
you Dr. Dereham--

there's friction between
our base and your community.

Well I really didn't think
that's one-sided major.

I would be the
first to admit that.

But you can't expect
thousands of foreign troops

and airmen in uh--
country districts

not to cause upheaval.

Quite.

And now I don't want to
exaggerate the problem.

Most of the time, there's
full trust and cooperation

between us, but uh--

there are areas where--

If I'm making heavy
weather of this, I'm sorry.

What I mean is that
we naturally want

everything to go as smoothly
as possible while we're here.

Naturally, yes.

MAJOR JAMES KILEY: We
don't want bad relations.

As I said, most of the
time, everything's fine,

but there is friction.

So how can I help major?

You have a great deal of
influence locally Dr. Dereham.

We would like your cooperation
and the committee's cooperation

in this to help
diffuse the situation

before it gets out of hand.

Well, naturally, we'll
do anything we can,

but your liaison officer didn't
even come to the meetings.

I'll make sure you
get someone else.

Well perhaps he'll
tell us if he feels

the men are being ill-treated.

Perhaps he'll have
some suggestions.

Well let's hope we can
come up with something.

Yes.

Well that about
covers what I came for.

Thank you very much for
seeing me Dr. Dereham.

Not at all.

MAJOR JAMES KILEY: Look, it's
been a while since we talked,

and we kind of got
off on the wrong foot.

I'm sorry, I--

I really don't
know what you mean.

You and me--

we-- well we have
to work together

because of the
hospital and so on.

Isn't it time we
buried the hatchet.

What I'm saying is we
haven't had a chance

to get to know each other.

Whenever we meet, it's
formal or in a hurry.

I'm sorry, I really don't
know what you're driving--

I'm asking you to have dinner
with me or at least a drink--

somewhere we can
just be ourselves.

I'm afraid that's
just not possible.

MAJOR JAMES KILEY: Why?

I mean, it's out
of the question.

Besides, I really don't
see how matters between us

can affect anything
we've been talking about.

And you're right
of course, they

don't come into it do they?

He's dead.

Oh, he's dead.

Letty you'll have to
pull yourself together.

Don't start crying
again, please.

We have to decide what to do.

The baby still doesn't
show, but in a month or so

you won't be able to hide it.

Then what?

I don't know.

You'll have to
choose the right moment

and tell mom and dad.

No, I tried to--

Letty, listen.

Tell mom.

She won't like it, but
she'll stand by you.

And then let her tell dad.

He'll kill me.

He'll accept it.

He'll have to.

If only Harvey was here.

He said that we was
going to be married.

That it would have
been all right.

You don't know
that for sure, Letty.

ALBERT MUNDY : So I said to her,
if I had any more dried fruit,

Mrs. [inaudible],, you should
have it, for that's the last

in the shop.

It was to make a cake for
her daughter's birthday.

ALBERT MUNDY : And when I had it
all weighed out and wrapped up,

you know what?

She didn't have the points.

First [inaudible]
next month she said.

Well you let her have
it, didn't you Albert?

No, I did not.

It may have escaped
your attention,

Mrs. Hampton, I said,
but there's a war on.

There's regulations,
like rationing,

which even I have to abide by.

You bring me the points,
you shall have the fruit.

We're all in the same boat.

And why didn't you come
into the shop to help?

You know there's always a rush
on just before closing time.

You're not sniveling again?

What is it this time?

You know what it is, dad.

Not still over that Yank.

How can you say that Albert?

The poor boy was killed.

You come back here.

I'm talking to you my girl.

It's not as if
he was a stranger.

He was her friend.

I'm sick and tired
of her sniveling

from morning till night.

No wonder she's upset.

If she'd listened to me
and kept her distance,

there'd be nothing
to get upset about.

Where are you off to?

Piano practice.

Well you can make yourself
useful for a change my lad.

I've had some parcels
of groceries made up.

You can deliver them.

But the vicar
said I could have

the whole till half past six.

I only have an hour.

You do the deliveries first.

I have a reputation to keep up.

I hope I don't
have to remind you

it's what pays for
your bed and board.

No, dad.

Get on with it then.

He'll miss his practice.

ALBERT MUNDY :
It'll do him good.

Time he learned to
pull his weight.

He's your son, Albert.

And don't I know it.

I work my fingers to the
bone for him and Letty.

And what do I get for it?

Nothing but aggravation.

No appreciation.

Nothing.

[interposing voices]

It's Mundy's boy
with the groceries.

Oh, post it on the desk.

- I'll put them in the kitchen.
- Thanks, love.

I thought Mundy had
stopped delivering.

No.
Well, he still does to me.

I asked him to send round
a few things the other week.

He treated me to a long
lecture on the shortage

of men power and the need
to pull one's weight.

Well I suppose he
knows that I'm kept

pretty busy at the hospital.

Horrid little man.

Such a bore having to do one's
shopping oneself these days.

My last girl went running off to
work in that parachute factory

the week it opened.

Didn't even give her notice.

Well I suppose war
work comes first.

War work?

It's the wages they pay.

We'll be hard put to it to find
servants when all this is over.

Probably.

The only good
thing will be one

won't have to be polite to
creatures like Albert Mundy.

I can't think
why you shop there.

He can't resist slipping in an
extra egg or a couple of ounces

of cheese off the ration
just to prove what

an important man he is.

Though how he can get himself
airs with a daughter like that?

Young Letty?

Young Letty has earned herself
quite a reputation with her,

shall we say, friendliness to
our visitors from overseas.

Yes well, that's as may be.

Now, about the committee.

What does your
major want us to do?

Hmm?

Anything to make his men
feel more at home, I suppose.

Well, it's just not possible.

DR. HELEN DEREHAM: Why not?

Well, think of it.

There's an inseparable
gulf, really.

Of course, some of them are very
sweet and willing to please,

but one has to make
such an effort.

You must find it exhausting,
reading, of course.

Culture-- at a party or a
dance it's not so obvious,

but invite one to one's
home and it's more

off-putting to them than to us.

It's really not fair to
make them aware of it.

[music playing]

PATRICIA DEREHAM: I'm
going to catch the post.

Have you finished
your letter to daddy?

Yes, at last.

Oh sorry, you wanted to
put something on the end.

That's all right.

I've written to him myself.

I'll post yours too if you like.

Thanks.

Rosie can do it when she leaves.

No, I'll post them.

I hate to see you
so unsettled Pat.

I wish you'd gone
back to Cambridge.

Mother, we said we wouldn't
talk about it anymore.

DR. HELEN DEREHAM: You said we
wouldn't talk about it anymore.

It's all decided.

As soon as I've done my medical,
I'll be off to training camp.

I'll miss you.

I'm sorry.

I always forget, it must
be much worse for you.

How?

All by yourself
with daddy overseas,

almost nobody to talk to,
except Phyllis Lambourn.

Oh, Phyllis is all right.

She's a predatory man-killer
and a frightful snob.

Yes, she is.

All the parties
you used to have,

all the lunches and dinners--

Before the days of
ration books, my dear.

Besides, there's nobody
left to invite anymore.

There's always a
gallant colonel as you

call them and Major Kiley.

Why on earth
would I invite them?

We are trying to be agreeable.

I should think it would
be a good thing for them

to see what we're like at home.

Phyllis said that.

Well then, why not have
the major to lunch on Sunday,

or at least for drinks?

Actual combat film taken
by the photographic unit

during last Tuesday's
raid on Dusseldorf.

Everyone sees it, especially
incoming personnel.

I want to prepare them
for what to expect.

Well, that's the closest
they'll get to the real thing

until they're actually
in the middle of it.

I want ground
crews to see it too.

There's resentment,
naturally enough,

from the guys who were
up night after night

patching up the ships
that the fancy fly

boys throw around in the air.

It would do the ground
crews good to see

what an easy time the fly
boys really have up there.

[laughter]

And it's not just the rookies--

we can all learn
something from it.

[phone ringing]

Kiley

Did you notice that technique
the Germans are using all

the time, shooting
past then turning

to attack high out of the sun?

Dr. Dereham?

I'll catch up
with you guys later.

MAJOR JAMES KILEY: Why
yes, Dr. Dereham, hello.

Well, I'm in a meeting,
but I have a minute.

No, as of the moment it's clear.

Of course, that could change.

As long as that's
understood, I'd be delighted.

About eight.

Well, thank you.

Goodbye.

Dr. Dereham-- she invited
me for dinner on Saturday.

SERGEANT CHUCK ERICSON:
[inaudible] Move in.

Move in.

What do you think I'm doing?

SERGEANT CHUCK
ERICSON: Hey, hey, hey.

Do you believe it, Elmer's
got a date with Rosie?

Yeah?

Can't believe it.

I can't believe it.

Are you taking
her to the movies?

Well, it's not exactly a date.

Elmer?

It's [inaudible]
coming in to look her up.

Look her up and down,
kiddo, but get in the truck.

You're not going
to cut me out?

I'm not even
going to be there.

You're flying solo tonight.

We are going in
to town together?

Yeah, sure we are,
but I get to meet Sid.

You're not going to
be there to help me?

- Eh?
- With Rosie.

What am I going to
talk to her about?

Brother, if you don't know
ain't nobody going to help you.

Now you got 10 seconds,
or we leave without you.

My wallet-- I
don't have my wallet.

I got it.

Why don't you come
with us, Chuck?

I mean, Vi will be there.

She keeps asking for you.

- Well too bad.
- Aw, come on pal.

Well, it doesn't have to be Vi.

Maybe Rosie's got a friend, eh?

Not interested.

What you against girls?

Not a thing.

In the truck.

Why do you waste time
with that Sid character?

His name is [inaudible]
Elmer, until you marry her,

but business is always business.

[inaudible]

Hold it, you guys.

Wait for me.

What you're [inaudible] love?

I thought you'd
gone to Ipswich.

Been and gone and
come back ain't I?

VERA MUNDY : Wasn't
he there then,

that chap you wanted to see?

No, he was there all right.

Proper surprise when I
turned up, I tell you.

Why?

Well, he owed me
money, didn't he?

And what with one thing and
another, he didn't reckon

I'll be around to collect it.

So I had to lean
on him a little.

How do you mean?

Eh?

Oh, I just had to
jog his memory a bit.

That's all.

You said he was in the grocery
trade, like Albert, didn't you?

That's right,
just like Albert.

- Who was he?
- Why?

Well, I might know him.

It doesn't matter, I
won't be seeing him again.

Supper will be quite
a while yet, Sid.

Albert's at one of his
civil defense meetings.

No matter, Vera.

I'm popping out again, me self.

I just thought I'd ask
Letty if she'd like to come.

VERA MUNDY : Oh where to?

A bit of a stroll, maybe
dropping down a [inaudible]..

Letty, do you hear that?

Your uncle Sid wants
to take you out.

Come on, love.

I don't want to go out.

Of course you do.

You're far too pretty to
stay at home all the time.

Hey?

Lots of people are
saying it-- where is she?

Where is Letty?

You'd be surprised.

Of course, you don't look too
pretty at the moment, do you?

More washed out like.

Tell you what--
here, just for you.

It would be wasted on
anyone else around here.

What is it?

It's lipstick-- brand new
shade, blush pink, kiss proof,

just like Lana Turner wears.

Knock em bleeding
dead, that will.

Lana Turner?

Cross me heart
and hope to die.

Now why don't you
put a dab of that

on, run a comb
through the bonnet

and come out with
your uncle Sid.

You haven't been
out much lately, love.

It'll do you good.

Of course it will.

Come on.

That's a girl.

Here.

Come here.

Now you be ready in two
minutes or else I'll

come upstairs and spank ya.

Sid.

Ah.

It's nice of you to
be so kind to her, Sid.

Not at all, Vera.

It's my pleasure.

Believe me.
- Thanks, love.

Thank you.

- Hello, Vi.
- Hello.

Mind if I join you?

Of course not.

PATRICIA DEREHAM: I'll
Just get a cup of coffee.

It's a relief to
see a face I know.

[snickering]

What did I tell you?

It's the place for talent.

I saw her first, mind you.

I usually go straight
home to open the pub.

I just felt like a
bit of a sit down.

Tired?

I would no sooner
finish one little weed

and then thin it out.

We have to start all over again.

Why don't I give
you a hand tomorrow?

You don't want to
spoil your holiday.

I'm not on Holiday.

Thank you.

Have you heard from your dad?

Mother's had a few letters.

There always weeks out of date.

That always makes you
wonder what happened

to them since they last wrote.

Here Vi, who's your friend?

They're all the same.

They think they're too
good for the likes of us.

I mean the [inaudible]
up there, they're nothing

like this dump, I can tell you.

They're all marble and plush.

As for Scotties,
Lyon's corner house,

London's the place, my girl.

You'd really like it there.

Do yourself a bit
of good and all.

How?

Well all sorts of
ways, couldn't you?

I mean, I'd look after you.

See you right.

Daddy'd never let me go.

Well, that's a pity isn't it?

Still, maybe one day.

Mario, my old son, this
is an unexpected pleasure.

Yeah.

Hey Sid.

Hello, gorgeous.

Come on, grab
yourself a chair, boys.

Well, just for a while.

He's got a big date.

PATRICIA DEREHAM: I wanted
to do something useful.

So I thought if I
joined the [inaudible],,

I'd have a better chance
of being stationed

not too far from home.

Hello, Vi.

Hello.

This is Chuck, Chuck Ericson.

Pat Dereham.

Hello.

Hello.

Long time no see.

Yes.

I heard you'd been busy.

Well, major doesn't believe in
letting us sit around too much.

Elmer told me you'd been asking.

I was just wondering
how you were.

So, so, I guess.

It's not so easy to
get a pass these days.

But I got one today.

Maybe we could do something?

I can't.

I've got to work in the pub.
- How about now?

We could take a
walk or something?

Dad's expecting me.

Look, um--

I've got to be going.

It's nice to meet you.

SERGEANT CHUCK ERICSON: You too.

Some other time?

Some other time, then.

I'm glad you're all right.

He was a good scout, Harvey.

The best.

SOLDIER: Thought a lot of you.

I have to be going, uncle Sid.

SID DAVIS: Oh come
on, it's early yet.

Sorry, I have to--

I'll walk you to the
end of the street, Letty.

Thank you.

Hey.

[laughter]

Enjoy your trip.

What was that for?

You want to watch where
you're going fat boy.

You did that on purpose.

SOLDIER: Rubbish.

What's the big idea?

- I said you want to watch it.
- Or what?

You want to make
something of it?

What's going on?

This guy-- he tripped me.

He probably couldn't help it.

Some guys are just clumsy.

let's go.

Hold on, Chuck.

Come on.

Well?

It's all fixed.

I can get the stuff.

[inaudible]

Just two things, old buddy.

I want to know what my cut is.

Listen, we're
partners ain't we?

50-50, straight down the middle.

And two, I don't want
to be caught by the MP's

with a load of hot merchandise.
- Don't worry.

I'll handle all that.

I've got a perfect
outlet, ain't I?

Yeah, well it better be.

No.

You leave it all to me.

In a week or two,
we'll be rolling in it.

We're in business, my son.

Will you have another
piece of apple pie?

SERGEANT MAC MCGRAW: Oh,
I don't think I could.

There's only one piece left.

Go on, you have it Mr. McGraw.

Well, you know,
I think I will.

What's your real name?

McGraw.

BETTY BILTON: No,
you're a real name.

Oh, it's uh--

Joseph.
Joe.

Joe.

G.I. Joe.

Most of my
friends call me Mac.

BETTY BILTON: I don't
want Joe to go away.

There's no fear
of that, honey.

It looks like we're
going to be around

here for a good long time.

But Grandma said
you were leaving,

and the sooner the better.

I did not.

I never said no such thing.

But grandma, you--

That's a wicked lie.

Well, I might have
said that I heard

something like that in town.

But I never said it though.

It just what some folks say.

And a lot more
of them think it.

Why would they
say that though?

Well uh-- people see our
guys kidding around while

they're off duty
and they uh-- start

to think about their own--

well, like your husband.

They've had it pretty rough
these past three years and it

looks like we're having a pretty
easy ride and people resent it.

Anyone who's met
your men, like I--

like we have, knows they're
decent, and just as brave

as ours.

That's mighty kind
of you, Mrs. Bilton.

Betty, if you've finished, you
better go and have your bath.

- But I--
- Go along now Betty.

Grandma will take you.

Come along down pat.

Get you ready for bed.

Ah, good night, honey.

Give your little brother
a kiss for me, OK?

And I'll tell them
how kind you have

been to me and the children.

SOLDIER: Two pints, please?

But when, Rosie?

You'll have to ask me again.

It's always the same.

I think we got a
date, but then you

say, no, I'm wrong, ask again.

Well if you're not interested.

You know I am.

Oh, gee.

I always say, wherever I
go, nobody pulls a pint like

Jack Blair at the [inaudible].

And no one can down
them like Sid Davis.

How about a movie next week?

We'll see.

What about the
dance on Saturday--

why don't I take you?

Because she's going
with me fatso, that's why.

Who says?

Tell him, Rosie.

First I've heard of it.

What do you mean?

You always go with me.

Not if you haven't
asked me, I don't.

Well I'm asking you.

Yeah.

So am I.

There's only one
thing for it then.

You'll have to both take me.

Well, I want to thank
you for one of the best

home-cooked meals I've had in--

- It was just--
- --longtime.

--simple.

More than I'm used to.

It must be awful being
away from home for so long.

Still, at least
you've got something

to look forward to going back.

Nothing To go back to.

I don't have a home--

only the Air Corps.

SALLY BILTON: You mean there's
no one waiting for you?

Ah, no.

- I'm sorry, I thought perhaps--
- No need to be sorry.

It's just the way
things have turned out.

Just, with you being
so good with the children

and everything--

Don't let my boys hear you say
that, I'd never live it down.

It seems silly to
leave just one scone.

You have it.

Well, if you're sure.

I been too busy these
last couple of months

to think much about eating.

Grab a sandwich and
get back to work.

What's your husband like?

Oh, quite ordinary.

He's a good mechanic
[inaudible]..

He was doing quite well
before the war came along

and then, well, we
were trying to save up,

get a better house and things.

What's wrong with this place?

Nothing fancy, but it's
got everything you'd want.

He's lucky to have it to come
back to, and the kids, and you.

Hey now, what a pretty picture.

Is uncle Joe staying
the night, mommy?

SALLY BILTON: No, of course not.

No, honey, I got
to get back to base.

Anyway, I'm glad you're
not going, uncle Joe.

Hey, I'll tell you a secret.

So am I.

I haven't actually met one.

I can see them about [inaudible]
extraordinary [inaudible]

How do you mean?

Lounging around,
hands in their pockets,

about as soldierly as a troop
of half trained [inaudible]..

And that's not saying much.

MRS. TROUGHTON: I'm
so glad to hear you've

left Cambridge, my dear--

much better be at
home, these days.

Well, I left to join the
forces, Mrs. Troughton.

[inaudible]

I thought it was
the least I could do.

How very enterprising then.

Actually, [inaudible]
home guard, they said.

Go and guard
someone else I said.

[inaudible] off

Goodness.

If you'll excuse me,
sir, I'll [inaudible]

Mommy, what have you
invited all these people for?

It was the best I
could do at short notice.

They're all ghastly.

What's Major Kiley
going to think?

It would have been
much better if it

had just been the two of us.

- Don't be silly, Pat.
- I'm not late, I hope.

Not in the least.

Do come on.

It's kind of you to invite me.

Chocolates?

An old American custom.

Well, thank you very much.

- And I hope you don't mind--
- Oh, I couldn't possibly.

I remember your husband saying
it's difficult to come by.

I really couldn't--

Let's just say it's
[inaudible] lease.

I can't take it back.

Do come in major.

[interposing voices]

Now, may I introduce lady
Melee, Sir Arthur, Major Kiley.

How do you do?

DR. HELEN DEREHAM:
Mrs. Troughton,

and Mr. Powell, director.

Oh, Phyllis, of course--

Mrs. Lambourn you know.

Yes indeed.

DR. HELEN DEREHAM: And
Colonel, and the honorable Mrs.

Riggs-Danby.

MAJOR JAMES KILEY:
How did you do?

How do you do?

And Pat, Hello there.

Hello.

May I offer you a
glass of Sherry, Major?

[interposing voices]

[inaudible]

Same as usual?

You're late tonight.

What do you mean fatso
and me both take you?

Who you are with?

Both of you.

Who gets to see you home?

Both of you.

Two's company,
three's a crowd.

I like crowds.

You're going to have trouble.

Quit shoving, will you?

Fill them up.

And how about talking
to us for a change.

- I don't know what you mean.
- No?

It was king enough before
these [inaudible] come in.

- Hey, watch it--
- Get.

- [inaudible]
- What did you call me?

Hey, no.
Please?

JACK BLAIR: Hey
now, come on boys.

Hey, stop this!

Stop it.

[interposing voices]

I'll kill you.

[interposing voices]

Whose side are you on?

I'm warning you, Jack.

No, I'm warning
you [inaudible]

I'll ban the lot of you!

Let go of me, Mac!

[interposing voices]

[inaudible]

[music playing]

How you doing Louie?

OK Mac.

Good evening.

Well, well thank you, Helen.

You said something
about a yacht.

I have a summer
place on Nantucket.

I keep a boat there.

COLONEL: Flying,
yachting, polo--

how did you find
time for it all?

Fruits of a misspent
youth, Colonel.

[laughter]

- Major?
- Oh, thank you, Helen.

I think you're
being modest major.

You were talking about
the America's Cup.

Does that mean you enter for it?

Yes.

So this boat can
hardly be a little skiff.

Well, no.

It's a new design.

I was hoping to try it out.

One of the things I
regret most about the war.

- But you have competed before?
- Yes.

My family's been trying to win
an off and on for the last 50

years or so.

More or less since it started.

Do you mind?

No, of course not.

Can I tempt you?
[interposing voices]

Yes

Certainly tempt me anyway.

How about you, Colonel?

Splendid, thanks.

Well, what about yourself?

No.

I'm afraid I have to
drink up and be going.

Oh, must you?

I'm sorry, but
I really have to.

I have a briefing for tomorrow.

Oh.

I understand your chaps have
had a bit of a going over?

I don't imagine it's a secret.

We've had losses.

We've had a lot to learn.

I believe we've
learned our lesson

so well we're going to give Mr.
Hitler the shock of his life.

COLONEL: Good man.
SIR ARTHUR: Bravo.

Bravo.

I'm sorry, I
really must be going.

Well you must look
us up some time.

Helen has the address.

I'd like that very
much Sir Arthur.

- Thank you.
- Yes, we just keep in touch.

Absolutely.

Good night, ladies.
- Good night, major.

- Nice to see you all.
- Yes, indeed.

Thank you.
- Good night.

- Good night.
- Good night.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Thank you.

What a pity you have
to leave so early.

Hardly early,
but it is a pity.

And thank you again for
a delightful evening.

Not at all.

PATRICIA DEREHAM: You
must drop in again,

whenever you feel like it.

You can depend on it.

Good night, Helen.
- Good night, Jim.

Pat.

I'll show you out.

Thank you.

How dare you say
he was a monster.

He's absolutely gorgeous.

Yes.

I think your mother wanted
to keep him all to herself.

Don't be ridiculous Phyllis.

Oh, come off it, Helen.

You're the only one he
had eyes for all evening.

PATRICIA DEREHAM: Mother,
what a funny idea.

DR. HELEN DEREHAM: Shall
we join the guests?

Morning, Albert.

Here-- where's Vera?

Gone to church with Letty.

Oh, church.

Peter gone as well is he?

He's playing the organ.

Oh, yeah?

We take our civic
responsibilities seriously.

You're not with
them then Albert?

I was out late last night--

civil defense duties.

The vicar understands.

I'll bet he does.

Yeah.

Is there a cup of tea going?

ALBERT MUNDY: Breakfast
was over two hours ago.

There was tea then,
if you'd wanted it.

And while we're about
it, how many weeks

is it since you first asked if
you could stay here for a week.

Well time does fly when you've
been made welcome, Albert.

I see your leg's better.

Nearly.

I just thought--

May I inquire how long we are
to be honored by your presence?

As soon as I've heard
from me friend who is going

to fix me up with a new flat.

[inaudible] Albert.

You go on about London
so much, I'm surprised you

can bear to be away from it.

SID DAVIS: Yeah, I know.

Letty tells me you
offered to take her there.

No.

All of you, Albert, to
repay the hospitality like.

Mm.

I certainly wouldn't let
her go off on her own.

Well, of course
you wouldn't Albert.

I mean, not that you'd
need to worry, mind you.

I mean, you have brought
up properly ain't you?

Still.

I should be off in a day or two.

I do have my business
to take care of.

What business?

Uh-- foodstuffs and that.

You know, in a
small way of course,

I'm a sort of middle man.

ALBERT MUNDY: For what?

Well, you see, hotels
and restaurants and that,

they don't like to hang
onto their stock too long,

even in these days, so they pass
it on to the small retailers

and make a bit on the side.

You know what I mean?

Anyway, it's nothing
very exciting.

It's mostly canned goods.

You know, peaches,
meat loaf, dried

milk-- that kind of thing.

ALBERT MUNDY: That's illegal.

Legal, illegal, don't
bleeding come into it.

It's an old custom, Albert.

I mean, the Ministry of Food
may clamp down on it one day,

but till then, nobody bothers.

How do you get hold of it?

Eh?

Well, I have my
regular suppliers.

I mean, it might only
be a few tins of stuff.

Then again, could be
a whole load of stuff.

You never know.

You've been here
all these time,

and you never
mentioned it before.

Well, I never thought
you'd be interested, Albert.

ALBERT MUNDY: A biggest
headache a shopkeeper

has nowadays is supplies.

Well, strictly
speaking, this is not--

well, it's not the kind of
stuff that you put on the shelf.

You know I mean?

It's more under
the counter, like.

What makes you think
I'd be interested?

It was you who
was asking, Ailbert.

Sounds to me like a
matter for the police.

The police don't know
about it, nor do they care.

Why the bleeding hell
should they, hey?

All it is, is redistributing
surplus supplies.

That's all.

I can imagine the kind of
businesses you deal with.

Yeah.

Ordinary little shops
like yours, Albert.

They don't see
anything wrong in it?

They're sensible.

These are hard
times, isn't they?

And for the sort of
goods I'm talking about,

they can charge
quite a bit more.

Know what I mean?

I came to thank you
again for last night.

DR. HELEN DEREHAM:
But you already did.

And to prove it didn't work.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

Come on, Helen.

You're trying to freeze
me out, only it backfired.

Your friends turned out to be
more fun than you expected.

You charmed them, you mean.

You see.

Why?

I had to put a stop to it.

There's only one way
to stop me pestering you,

by coming out with me.

Look, I'm a married woman.

MAJOR JAMES KILEY: Your husband
would want you to sit home

and mope in your ivory tower.

Much-- even if I'd
like to, I really can't.

I'm much too well known here.

There must be something
nobody could object to.

How about a walk?

[music playing]

Of course, you were
going to be an architect?

Yes.

When you don't need
to work, to study,

you don't have that
extra compulsion.

So, it was all
true last night?

What?

The yacht?

The polo?

I was very impressed.

You didn't show it.

You must be quite rich.

Hasn't helped me
make much of my life.

You have.

The country's hardly been in the
war a year, and you're a major.

I joined before Pearl Harbor.

What made you do that, Major?

Jim.

I'm sorry, we just--

it's just not the custom.

It's an old American custom.

If we're not on first names with
someone within five minutes,

we start wondering when
he's going to shoot us.

So why did you
join up so early?

[inaudible] I could see we'd
be in the war sooner or later.

The sooner the better.

I really was enjoying
myself last night.

Yes I knew you were.

You have a problem there.

Oh?

Pat.

Ah I only have one problem--

you.

We mustn't do this again.

SID DAVIS: [inaudible]

You sure?

[inaudible] and his brother
in law can't wait, can he?

Now we play him along--
just a few things at first

until he's begging for more.

Terrific.

Listen, listen, if I'm seen
hanging around his shop,

some wise guy's going to
put two and two together.

You don't have nothing to
do with Albert-- not ever.

Now as for me, that's all right.

Yeah.

Hold the phone.

You got the perfect
reason, ain't ya?

That's like dead man shoes.

Lighten up, my son.

It's business.

First house doors open
at 6:00 o'clock today.

[inaudible] performs at eight.

That's the one we're going to.

Oh, why don't you
come with us, Peter?

It's Betty Grabo.
- No.

I have to play
for even the song.

Oh.

You ought to play the
organ in the picture house.

You'd make good money.

[inaudible]

I don't believe, the three
prettiest girls in town

all in one place.

You're a lucky guy.

Hey, you going?

I have to get to work.

I'll walk you around.

Uh-uh, sorry kid,
can't allow it.

Fair madam, permit
me to escort you.

Don't do nothing
I wouldn't do.

PATRICIA DEREHAM: I've
been trying to find you.

I was at the hospital.

I rang.

They said you left hours ago.

What's the matter?

PATRICIA DEREHAM: There was
a call from the war office.

Oh no.

It was a tank
battle and daddy--

he's been wounded.

Badly?

Pat, badly?

No, no, no.
No.

This is on me.

Thanks for last night.

I didn't do anything.

Yeah.

You stopped those children
behaving like children.

I thought they were going
to break the whole place up.

I don't know what
gets into them.

It's the war.

By the signs, it
can only get worse.

Well, maybe it needs
to come to a boil--

show everyone how stupid it is.

Here's to you.

You see, the thing is, I don't
want to have to ban anyone.

What they need is a shock--

remind everyone we're
on the same side.

Yeah, but the folks around
here have had a bit of a shock.

Major Dereham has been
wounded, and some of the lads

from around here in the
same tank unit in Tunisia.

And some of them won't
be coming back at all--

there's Harry Oaks, Stan Bilton.

Stan Bilton?

Yeah.

He's a nice bloke--

wife and two small kids.

Well, he's gone.

[music playing]

Uncle Joe, uncle Joe.

Hello, honey.

Come on, let's go play outside.

MAN (ON TV): Here is the
world view in pictures

and it is "Pathe
Gazette" screening it.

[inaudible] received the
royal family on arrival

for the state's presentation
of Irving Berlin's

all-American musical, "This
is the Army," sponsored

and all proceeds
distributed by the British

Service Charities Committee.

American charity is propertied
by 3 million pounds--

Chuck?

Hmm?

Do you want to move?

Told you she'd be here.

Button it--

[interposing voices]

Shut up, [inaudible].

Hello, Letty.

Hello.

[inaudible] Give us a kiss.

Come on.

No.

Hey you, leave her alone.

What's going on?

Come on, lads.

[screams]

That's Letty.

Bloody Yanks.

[inaudible] Limeys.

[interposing voices]

Come on.
Come on.

Come on.

Letty-- get Letty.

[interposing voices]

Who started it then?

I don't know, dad.

It was kind of hard to
see anything Mr. Blair.

The police arrived
just as we left.

I wonder what's
happened to the others.

Letty.

[interposing voices]

Are you all right, Letty?

Yes, I'm fine.

I was just scared.

Thank you, boys.
I'm very grateful.

Thanks.

You OK, Mario?

Sure.

I kind of enjoyed it.

Yeah, me too.

It was just like
being in New York.

ROSIE BLAIR: Enjoyed it?

Yeah, it was more
fun than the movie.

[laughter]

[music playing]