Original subtitles

Uncle Bill, it's okay if I spend the night at Sharon's, isn't it? She's

ten girls over for a slumber party.

Okay. Uncle Bill, are you going to be home in time to take me to dancing

today? No, honey, Mr. French will take you. Now, it isn't very often I can get

away on a Saturday.

I'm going to play golf.

I'll see you tonight.

Uncle Bill.

Yeah.

Why are you going to play golf? I thought we were going to go to the zoo.

No, that's next weekend, the zoo. This weekend, golf.

But next weekend's years from now.

I know.

I have it, sir.

Unless it's urgent, I shall put them off, sir.

Oh, hello.

Davis residence here.

Oh, Mr.

Perkins.

Well, sir, could you possibly call back this evening, later? Yes.

Hmm?

Oh, yes, I see, sir.

I'm sorry, sir, but it does seem rather urgent.

Yeah. The what?

Turn on the TV. Get the news program.

Look, just give me all the information.

Yeah, yeah, whatever's available.

I'll be there in an hour.

And we do not know the full extent of the disaster.

The dedication ceremony had been scheduled for next week.

This bridge was intended as a vital link between the newly emerging African

countries of Matango and Nubwanda.

American relations with the government of Matango have been excellent.

In fact, the bridge was being built by an American company, the William Davis

Corporation of New York.

It is hoped that casualties are minimal since the bridge was not yet in use.

The bridge would have been a monument to American cooperation with Matango.

No one can now predict what will happen.

The population of Batongo is 8 million.

They have a democratic form of government.

Isn't that any detail? All we know is the bridge collapsed.

Sir, I shall remain available to take messages and forward them to you.

Uncle Bill, can we do anything to help?

Yes, I'm not going to be here, so you just do everything Mr. French says,

Right.

Answer that, will you?

Hello?

Yes, this is the Davis apartment.

Just a minute, please.

Uncle Bill, it's one of those big wire services.

Just tell them I don't know any more than they do. If they want to call me

again, I'll be at my office.

Sir?

Mr. Davis just heard about the bridge a few minutes ago, and he's on his way to

his office.

Yes, that's right.

Okay, goodbye.

You see, Uncle Bill looked awful worried.

Well, of course he's worried.

A bridge that he was building in Africa collapsed.

But Uncle Bill wasn't building it. He was here with us. So it's not his fault.

Yes, but it's his company. And anything that his company does, it's just like he

did it himself.

Now look, you guys.

The best thing we can do is just stay out of Uncle Bill's way, right?

Hi. We can watch television for news bulletins.

Tango Ambassador's been calling from Washington.

We finally got through to the construction site. There was only one

Clark McAllister.

How bad is it?

Very bad. Yeah, they think his back may be broken.

He was alone on the bridge Saturday morning making a last -minute

Yeah, luckily it wasn't open. If it had been, it would have been a major

disaster.

Okay, well, first let's make sure he's getting the best care that's available

over there and see if we can charter a plane and fly him out of there, get him

over here and hire the best orthopedic man in town.

Now, what's this about the inferior materials? What's that all about?

Just rumors so far.

With McAllister there, you can be sure all the materials were checked and

rechecked. Right.

Okay, John, you stay here and compile all the reports as they come in. I'm

to Washington.

Washington? Right.

I imagine the ambassador's been hearing those rumors, too, so I'd better see him

make the arrangements on the way to the airport. Bill, Bill, I know you're

terribly worried and upset, but remember one thing. You're not personally

responsible. Whatever happens, it's the William Davis Corporation, not William

Davis.

Send him in.

Mr.

Davis? I got here as soon as I heard the news, Ambassador.

You heard anything since the first bulletins?

Just that your Mr. McAllister has been taken to our military hospital for

emergency treatment.

And that Prime Minister Caledon has ordered an immediate and thorough

investigation.

Oh, good.

We should check out our materials.

I'd like to get those rumors stopped. You know, we don't do business that way.

Mr. Davis, let me assure you, no one in our government has made any statements

regarding your engineering.

We don't know where these reports are coming from.

Fine. We want to cooperate with your government, but we'd also like to make

investigation of our own.

Good.

Well, if we're responsible in any way...

My company will assume the loss.

I've got my word on that.

Very well.

I shall notify my prime minister that you were concerned enough to come to

Washington and give me your personal word.

Thank you, sir.

Our insurance won't pay a dime of the loss if the reports are true about

inferior materials.

Well, reports can't be true with McAllister in charge.

The policy says losses due to or caused by the use of substandard materials,

violations of the pertinent building codes and or methods are not covered by

pertinent of this policy. Okay.

Any loss that isn't covered by the insurance will be covered by us.

The William Davis Corporation doesn't have that kind of assets.

All right.

Put it in? I'll put it in myself.

Personally? That's why you have a corporation.

Look, the William Davis Corporation is me. I'm the company. We're one and the

same thing.

And the corporation is for operational necessity. It's not set up to be in

of integrity.

So I'll stand by the company if it takes every dime I've got.

I understand how you feel, but, Bill, that means everything you've got, and I

mean everything.

I know, John, I know.

Oh, Jody, you may close the door, please.

Jody, one does not close the door with one's foot.

Sorry, Mr. French, but my hands were busy.

My feet weren't doing anything except walking.

Never the less.

Hi. Mr. Davis. Michael Davis. I had no idea you were back from Washington, sir.

Is there any further news?

I'm only starting investigations. If the disaster turns out to be our fault in

any way, why... Elton.

Hello. Yes, speaking.

Oh, what's the latest on Clark?

Yeah. The chartered plane... Where?

Kennedy at 910.

Okay. I'll be at the hospital.

Right. Mr.

McAllister, sir?

Well, they're flying him to New York, so at least he can be moved. That's

something.

Uncle Bill, none of this was your fault.

You were here right with us. All the time.

Yeah. Maybe I should have been in Motongo, too.

Listen, um...

This outfit's liable to be headed for some kind of rough times.

I gave my word I'd stand behind any losses that might be the fault of my

company.

We'll stand behind them with you, Uncle Bill.

Well, we might just have to give up this apartment, too.

It's a nice place, but we don't mind moving as long as we all move together.

I don't need my own big room all by myself.

I can share with Mr.

French.

We'll work it out some way, Uncle Bill. Just as long as we're together.

Please?

Please? Please?

It's hard to tell. He doesn't seem to be in any pain.

Well, I'm going to... Could you wait here? I want to talk to the lady.

Oh, you're a mess.

Hi, Bill.

How do you feel?

I don't say.

What kind of a hospital is this?

No color television?

I ordered pretty nurses for you. Look at them.

Good old Davis Construction.

Great fringe benefits.

Yeah. Listen, we're flying in a guy from Johns Hopkins.

He's a top orthopedic man, okay?

Yeah. Look, until this guy from Johns Hopkins gets here, let's talk about the

bridge, huh?

Right. And you know what happened?

Well, I went out there to check some unused cable.

I was checking it against the invoices when I heard a...

A sound, a kind of a weird sort of sound.

Next thing I know, everything just... Well, the bridge just fell apart.

Fell apart?

Did you notice any cracks, a shift of stress, anything like that?

No.

Just slid away, it seemed to.

Well, I don't know, it just went in all different directions, and that was it. I

tried to run, but I never had a chance, Bill.

Did you notice anything unusual going on during the construction?

Not at all.

The local workmanship was the best I've ever seen.

These fellas worked at it like they were, you know, like they had a great

in finishing on schedule.

Best workman I've ever been with.

I don't know what happened.

Well, I should have been over there with you.

Bill, it would have been the same thing if you'd been out there.

Believe me.

Sorry, sir. It's time to leave.

Okay.

Now, look, I don't want you to worry about anything. Just think about getting

well. You don't worry about Barbara, the future, nothing. You get that?

I won't.

I know you too well, Bill.

I'm going to do everything you've done for me, you know.

I know.

But seeing him in bed like that... Sure.

How do you think I feel? I sent him to Matongo.

You know what he's worried about?

Me, finishing college.

Lots of people don't finish.

Anyway, he'll probably get a scholarship.

It's not really very important.

If it's important to him, that's good enough for me.

Mr. Davis, no one's blaming you.

I am.

Mr. French, that was a great beef wellington.

Thank you, Suzanne.

That was the first time I ever saw beef in a pie.

And it wasn't even dessert.

Are you keeping some warm for Uncle Bill?

Oh, I'm afraid Mr.

Davis will be rather late.

Are you ready for bed, Buffy?

Yes, sir.

Mr. French, can we ask you something?

Anything, of course.

Uncle Bill is having so much trouble.

And he's afraid he'll have to move.

To a teeny little plate.

Well, you see, we've been separated before, and we never want to be

again.

We never want to leave you or Uncle Bill.

So please tell us everything will be just fine.

I'm sorry, children. I wish I could, but there are some quite awesome

possibilities.

But I don't want to live with any old relatives.

And I don't want to be sent back to Aunt Fran.

Growing children needs certain things. I mean, suitable clothes, a place to

live, school, you know.

But not as much as they need people.

Do you think we love you and Uncle Bill just because you buy us nice things?

If a family's a family...

It doesn't get sent away all the time.

Or go bluey because things are rough.

Quiet.

Quiet.

Oh,

now look, you guys.

Mr. French is going to pick you up after school, and you tell him I'm going to

be a little late.

You have to stay after school?

No. I'm going to look for a part -time job.

You a job?

Well, maybe I won't make much money, but every little bit helps.

Maybe I could run errands for people.

What could I do?

Maybe babysit in the park.

Good. I like babies.

Or at least dogs.

And here's the bat mark.

And over here's the green paint. That's from the rail on the bleachers.

How much do you want?

Lots. A dollar?

Not enough.

Two dollars.

How about you?

Well, I don't have any money. But if I did, I'd give you five dollars.

Boy, I wish you had money.

Two dollars cash and I'll owe you another dollar.

You've got a deal.

It's made out of genuine gum wrappers.

I'll give you a quarter.

A quarter? It's got five flavors.

Thirty -five cents?

I made it myself.

Thirty -six cents?

Okay.

Sorry, but my Uncle Bill needs the money.

I've separated your corporate holdings from your personal assets. I see no

reason why they should be mingled.

I know one good reason. I gave my word.

Bill, do you really understand what that means? You wouldn't be out of hock for

the rest of your life.

I know that, John.

Well, what about your kids?

Well, I guess they took me for better or worse.

Okay.

Then let's separate your personal assets that would be involved from those that

nobody can touch.

No, I said all my assets, John.

Um, I wonder if you've been aware of what the children have been doing

sir? Oh, I've been a little busy.

Well, to be sure, sir, but I thought you'd like to know, sir, that they've

taking on rather odd jobs about the neighborhood lately, not to mention

various prized possessions.

What for?

I think, sir, they're trying to rally to your assistance in every way possible.

You, uh, you want to make sure I take it seriously enough, huh?

Well, the thought crossed my mind, sir.

For also there, a few pennies will hardly subsidize a major disaster.

Hey, what's going on here?

Oh, we were just talking about your problems.

And how it's kind of rough.

But when a family faces the troubles together, it's not so hard.

So I got a part -time job this afternoon at a dress shop for $1 .50 an hour. And

I won't get behind at school one bit.

It's just time I would have been goofing off. No, you see, this way, I'll be

able to make enough for my own lunches and my car fare and my clothes and...

this is for you, Uncle Bill. $4 .75 and an IOU for $1.

That's a whole lot of money.

I sold Jimmy Douglas my autographed Mickey Mantle baseball.

And I got paid a lot for running errands for neighbors.

I bet I'll make even more next week.

Thanks very much, Johnny.

Uncle Bill, this is for you. But I only have $2 .36.

That's a whole lot of money, too.

I sold my gum wrapper belt, the one with the five flavors.

And I walked a French poodle, and I walked a beagle.

Then a Great Dane walked me.

Well, this is going to help.

I'm going to take it easy as long as I can get away with it.

The surgeon you flew in from, Johns Hopkins, has finished his preliminary

but he can't be sure yet.

Can't be sure of what? A complete recovery.

It gives me an 85 % chance to recover.

I'd have settled for less. I'd have settled for 10.

Isn't that wonderful news?

Yeah.

Yeah.

He's here.

Your office.

Hello? Yeah.

What for?

Okay. Well, just let him know I'm on the way, yeah.

Yeah, I can be in Washington in a couple hours.

The ambassador of Matongo wants to see me personally.

I wonder what that's all about.

Well, if rooting for you would help.

You might.

You can wish me luck.

The best.

Davis, thank you for coming to see me. I thought you might have some more word

from Matongo.

There is word.

Prime Minister Caledon called.

I am directed to extend an apology.

Apology? For any blemishes to your reputation.

We now have proof that your company was in no way responsible for the collapse.

What happened?

The specifications were altered.

It was a conspiracy.

most of your men could not have known what was going on.

Who would do a thing like that?

Enemies of our government.

Now that the plot has been exposed, the people are stronger than ever behind our

cause.

Ambassador, I'd like to talk about resuming construction at some later

Right now I've got some family problems I've got to take care of.

I hope they're not too serious, Mr. Davis. No, not serious. I've just got to

find somebody named Jimmy Douglas and buy back a baseball, and then I've got

locate a gum wrapper belt made in five flavors.

Goodbye, sir. Good night.

Hey, Puffington, come here, everybody.

Uncle Bill!

Hi, Uncle Bill.

Hi.

Hi.

What happened in Washington?

Well, they found out why the bridge collapsed, and it's not our fault, and

company is exonerated.

What does exonerated mean?

If it means what I hope it means, we're going to stay with Uncle Bill.

Right. There you are, Jody.

Thanks. My Mickey Mouse baseball.

That's for you, Buffy. You're coming back in style.

I want to go there.

Now, you can quit that job and go back to goofing off after school, all right?

All right.

Now, it looks like you are going to be around with us for a while yet.

Sir, there was never any question.