Original subtitles

How long are you going to be gone, Uncle Bill?

I'm going to be gone three days, and I want you kids to promise me while I'm

gone, you're not going to make Mr.

French raise his voice.

Can't we promise for two days?

I wish I was going to San Francisco.

Me too.

Any place but school.

Now, what kind of talk is that, huh? When I was your age, I had to walk.

No, come to think of it, when I was your age, that was my motto, too.

Anyplace but school.

Let's go, Bucky, Jody. Get your books.

Bye -bye.

Have a nice trip, Uncle Bill.

I wish I was going to San Francisco.

Everybody wants to go to San Francisco but me.

You know what you kids have done, huh?

Turned me into an old homebody.

Bye, Uncle Bill. Bye, Uncle Bill.

And now be sure to wait for me after school. I'll be coming by for you

of Mr. French.

Why can't he come?

He has to pick up his nephew at the airport.

Nephew's arriving?

All the way from England.

Come on.

Bye -bye. Bye, Uncle Bill. Have a nice trip.

Sissy says you got a nephew coming to town.

Oh, do you sure, son? My brother Algernon's son, David.

Your plane ticket is in the inner pocket, sir.

And I've taken the liberty of enclosing a list of fine small restaurants in San

Francisco.

French, you think of everything.

Only one's duty as a gentleman's gentleman, sir.

Your nephew coming here to work?

No, sir. He's an exchange student on his way to California.

He'll be in the city only until Sunday.

I, uh... I should like to invite him here, sir. That is...

If you have no objection.

Well, I don't have any objections.

Why don't you have him come for dinner and then he can meet Sissy. It'd be nice

for her, exchange student and all that.

No, no, son.

One of the very first rules my father laid down when my brothers and I went

service was that undue familiarity doomed the relationship between master

servant.

Well, I'm not your master and you're not my servant. We just sort of work

together.

A matter of semantics, sir.

However, I do appreciate your kindness.

David will visit us, but not for dinner.

Okay, whatever you say.

First rule my father laid down to me was don't argue with a man who's got his

mind made up.

is our living room.

The interior decorator is world famous.

I say, this is a splashy pad.

Not pad, David.

A gentleman's apartment.

Of course, it's by no means the size of the manor house where your father heads

the staff.

I say, Mr. Davis must be pretty well fixed.

Lots of lolly.

Lolly?

One makes it a rule, David, never to inquire about financial status.

Our panorama of Manhattan is most extraordinary.

Magnificent sweep.

You're lucky, Uncle Nigel.

Yes, our profession is one to make us proud.

Your great -grandfather was a gentleman's gentleman, as was your

your father, and all of your uncles, including myself.

Seems to run in the family. Yes.

And when you finish your education, you too will carry on the family tradition.

I'm afraid not, Uncle Nigel.

I beg your pardon?

I've decided not to become a gentleman's gentleman.

Not a gentleman's gentleman?

What then?

I'm going to be a dentist.

A dentist?

You, the last of the French family? family a dentist that's right uncle

intend to go to work for myself

what

was your father's reaction to your becoming a dentist just about like yours

he sat down like a rock i think i could do with a spot of

tea

Hotel Mundy. Just fun.

From the state you're in, I presume fun started on the way home.

Well, I was a little late picking them up. They were playing leapfrog.

And we missed a couple of times.

Did your nephew get here?

To be sure.

David? Yes, Uncle Nigel?

May I present Buffy, Jody, and Miss Sissy Davidson.

How do you do?

Hello.

Welcome to America.

I win, Jody.

Here's the gob.

Jody said you would wear a funny black hat like he does.

Ballers aren't for me, old boy.

Come along, children.

Scrubbing is in order.

Oh, David, you'll be wanting to return to your hotel. I'll call you this

evening. Okey -doke, Uncle Nigel.

Okay.

Bye -bye, Miss Davis.

Oh, why rush off?

You're the first British boy I've ever met. Except for the velvet vultures. And

I've only heard them on records.

They do have rather a frantic beat, don't they? Rather.

Come on in.

When my uncle mentioned three children in the family, I didn't expect to meet

such a lovely young lady.

Oh, thank you. I've only been in New York for a few months. I was born in

Haute.

Terra Holt?

Indiana.

Last year they had the best basketball team in the whole state.

Don't know much about basketball.

Rugby's more my game.

Rugby. That's like our football, isn't it?

Yes, but far more exciting.

Oh, I wouldn't say that.

Lexi High's playing DeWitt Clinton tonight.

Why don't you come along?

Love to.

What time?

There are a bunch of us kids meeting downstairs about 5 .30. We're going in a

bus. Jolly good.

I'll get back to my hotel and change into something a bit more gear.

You know, less formal.

Still here, David?

Just leaving, Uncle Nigel. Ta -ta.

Oh, David, there's an excellent exhibit of British science at the Coliseum.

Thought you might like to take it in this evening.

Perhaps tomorrow, Uncle Nigel.

I have other plans for tonight.

See you later, Miss Davis.

I've invited David to the Lexie High football game.

He's cute.

I must say, American football is smashing. I knew you'd love it.

Do you want to come in and say goodnight to your uncle?

Better not disturb him. It's almost ten. Besides, I'm seeing him tomorrow. He

has some friends he'd like me to meet. Okay. Goodnight, David. Goodnight,

Tiffany.

Miss Sissy?

Good evening. Oh, Mr. French, you should have seen David at the football game.

The way he yelled and cheered.

You'd never know he was your nephew.

For which I can only be grateful.

He's not a bit like you.

Well, I mean, you're very nice, but I just can't imagine you at his age

yourself go the way he did.

But letting oneself go is hardly in the family tradition.

Too bad David isn't an exchange student in New York.

We could have a ball.

Good night.

Good night, Miss Izzy.

After the game, we went to an establishment called a pizza parlor. I

pizzas and a frozen jumbo. Thought I'd never get to sleep.

Well, Mr. Middlebrook and Mr. Withers should be along shortly.

Friends of mine and your Uncle Giles.

I'm looking forward to meeting them.

Sissy and I had a wonderful time last night.

Her name is Miss Sissy.

Isn't that what I said?

Not exactly. You referred to her as Sissy.

Well, what's wrong with that?

Now, let me make myself clear, David. You see, there are certain...

I presume that this is the young visitor to our shores. My nephew, David.

Mr. Withers, Mr. Middlebrook. How do you do?

How do you do?

Your uncle informs me you are here in the States as an exchange student.

Yes, sir, I am.

Then, of course, you will return to England, follow in the family tradition,

become a member of our distinguished profession.

No, sir, I'm going to be a dentist.

You say dentist. Dentist.

Dentist was the word.

Ah, they're a surprise, Mr. French.

Well, I didn't know myself until yesterday.

But the lad is young. He's likely to change his mind.

Indeed.

Indeed, indeed.

No offence, of course.

Hi, David.

Hi, Sissy.

How'd you like to go rowing in Central Park?

Sounds like fun, ducky.

Mr. French, we'll be back in time for dinner.

David, you can eat with us.

Splendid. Nice meeting you, gentlemen.

See you later, Uncle Nigel.

Bye -bye.

Rather chummy, wouldn't you say?

I would indeed.

I believe an apology for David is in order.

Quite.

The young man may be your nephew, but I must say he has overstepped the bounds

of propriety. If any relative of mine were to address the relative of my

employer as ducky, I'd hang my head in shame.

You're right, gentlemen. I shall set David straight this evening.

Robert, good job.

Twenty years of preparing epicurean delights, and I sink to frankfurters and

beans.

Tastes great to me.

Hear that, Mr. French?

He's only been here for two days, and he's practically Americanized.

So it appears.

After dinner, we'll have that little chat, I suppose.

Okey -doke, Uncle Nigel.

Okey -doke, indeed.

for dessert with marshmallows and cherries on them?

After frankfurters and beans, ice cream without accoutrement is quite

sufficient.

Did we ever have a sundae with accouperments?

No. Let's try it sometime.

Yeah.

I've got a brand new Velvet Vultures album.

Well, let's have a go at it, then.

Mr. French, I'll get it. It's Sharon.

David, when you get to be a dentist, will you fix Mrs.

Beasley's teeth?

Why, I'd love to.

Buffy, she doesn't have any teeth.

Well, if David made her some English ones, she could talk pretty.

Him and Mr. French.

Mrs. Beasley shall be my very first patient.

Come on in.

Hi, David.

Hi, Sharon. You're just in time for the record session.

Why stay home and listen to records when we can all go to the jazz festival?

Peter Hoyt had some extra tickets left over. The jazz festival? That's great.

I'm all for it.

Me, too.

Me, too.

Uh -uh. Sorry, you kids. You're too young.

Yeah, you're always too young.

Come along, Jodie, Buffy. Your ice cream is on the table.

Oh, hi!

Good evening, Miss Sharon.

Hi, French.

Oh, Mr. French, guess what?

Sharon's boyfriend had some extra tickets to the jazz festival tonight.

taking David along.

You'd like to go, wouldn't you, David? Love to.

If Uncle Nigel doesn't mind.

Well, I was counting on having a little chat with David this evening.

Can't you talk to him tomorrow? These tickets are practically impossible to

I suppose under the circumstances, we can wait.

Thanks, Uncle Nigel.

We'd better hurry if we want to get there on time.

You ring for the elevator, and I'll go get my coat.

Oh, David, since tomorrow's your last day in New York, why don't we rent

bicycles and go riding in the park?

Splendid, Sissy.

And the treat's on me. Okay, I'll go get my coat.

been bicycling a long time.

Yes, a very long time.

Well, why didn't Sissy take us with them?

Because all her sisters don't want younger kids around when they're out

their boyfriends.

Buffy, David is not Miss Sissy's boyfriend.

Oh, Miss Sissy, but where's David?

Oh, he said to tell you that he's going back to the hotel to write some

postcards. Mr. French, we'll need somebody to stay with Buffy and Jody

go with him to the airport.

We?

David asked me to go along and see him off.

I'll call Sharon and see if she's beat him on the twins.

So you see, David, being a gentleman's gentleman means more to me than any

occupation I could wish to follow.

The same, I can safely say, applies to your father.

You understand?

Well, no, not exactly.

I'm suggesting, David, that under the circumstances, it is highly irregular,

to say improper, that you have the niece of my employer come to see you off.

But, Uncle Nigel, I'm not a gentleman's gentleman.

I'm going to be a dentist.

However, at the moment, you are not a dentist. You are my nephew.

It isn't a matter of subservience, Dave. It's simply that one behaves with

proper dignity.

I understand, Uncle Nigel.

You want me to call Sissy and... Miss Sissy.

Miss Sissy and ask her not to come to the airport.

I can only suggest, David, the decision must be yours.

Then you will call her.

I don't know. I'm going to have to think about it.

I'm sure you will arrive at the only logical conclusion.

I shall pick you up at five, David.

Where's French and the kids?

Mr. French said he had to go out on an errand.

The twins are upstairs with Sharon.

She's miming them while we're seeing David off at the airport.

David? Oh, yeah, French's nephew.

Oh, he's very nice.

And very British.

What's he look like? Rex Harrison?

Richard Burton?

Oh, I'm glad you had fun. Look, I'll be back soon as I get comfortable.

She had to go to the airport.

What?

Well, I don't understand, David.

Well, it will be sort of hectic, but I thought... Yes, of course.

Well, have a nice trip.

Goodbye, David.

Mr. French.

I see Mr. Davis has arrived.

I just got the oddest phone call.

From David.

He doesn't want me to come to the airport.

He sounded so formal.

Almost as if we were strangers.

I have just left, David and Sissy.

The suggestion that you not go to the airport was mine.

Yours?

I shall try to explain.

My nephew David is, in a sense, an extension of myself.

In much the same manner as you, Miss Sissy, reflect your uncle's background.

I still don't get it.

Now, please let me continue, Miss Sissy.

David's familiarity with you during the whole of his stay has proved most

embarrassing.

You mean just because you work for Uncle Bill that David... and I shouldn't have

gone out and had fun together?

That is exactly what I mean. Well, what about David?

Does he feel the same way?

I must say that he does not. However, he respects his uncle's wishes.

But, Mr.

French, I don't see why I can't just say goodbye to David.

He's just my friend.

Hiya, French.

Oh, welcome home, sir.

You'll be back.

What's all the trouble?

Mr. French and I are just having a difference of opinion.

Well, I know. I could hear you all the way back there.

Honey, will you go out and get the kids now?

If anybody's going to babysit them tonight, it's going to be me.

Okay.

And, Mr. French, I'm sorry I raised my voice.

I must apologize, too, sir.

It wasn't my intention to upset Miss Sissy.

She and your nephew got kind of chummy, huh?

Yes, sir, to my embarrassment.

I just don't understand the teenage generation, sir.

Well, you're not alone there, neither do I.

Well, I know one thing, they're the same all over.

Pardon, sir?

The same, you know, equal.

For instance, your father laid down certain rules for you to follow.

You went along with him because you agreed with him, right?

Most heartily, sir.

Well, apparently David doesn't go along with those rules, and neither does

Sissy.

I mean, you can lead your own life, but you can't lead theirs.

Yes, I see your point, sir.

It may be difficult to explain to Mr. Withers and Mr. Middlebrook.

Well, don't tell them.

Yes, sir. I shall let them lock horns with their own nephews.

Hi, Uncle Ed! Hi, kids!

Oh, you're glad to see me?

You bet.

So did Mrs. Beasley.

Want to say hello to her?

Yeah, let's go see her.

Well, Miss Cicely, may I suggest a slack ensemble is hardly correct for seeing a

dear friend off at the airport?

Most improper.

Hey, Buffy.

Here's another funny -looking stamp.

C -A -N -A -D -A.

Uncle Bill?

Yep? Could I have this stamp from C -A -N -A -D -A?

Oh, Mr.

Giles. Giles French, Ottawa, Canada.

My dear Mr. Davis, the royal tour of the Commonwealth capitals has reached

Ottawa.

Final stop before returning to London.

At this point, I will take my leave of Her Majesty's service and you may expect

me next week.

Sincerely, Giles French.

Well, Mr. French is coming back.

Wonderful!

Mr. French comes back, won't Mr.

French have to leave?

Uncle Bill, couldn't they both stay?

Yeah.

They could have my room and I could sleep with you.

No, Mr.

Nigel French was just helping us while Mr. Giles French was away. And now Mr.

Nigel French has to go back to his old job, see?

get one with