Original subtitles

DANNY WILLIAMS: Save your sorrow, for tomorrow,

and smile a while today.

Gee.

Well, what are you two so happy about?

How are you?

Yoo hoo.

What's the matter?

Somebody put a sour pickle in your mouldy milk?

What's wrong?

Oh, Daddy.

Oh, Daddy what?

You wouldn't understand.

How do you know I wouldn't understand?

You just wouldn't.

Try me.

Maybe I'll understand.

All right.

We're not going Alpha.

What did you say?

I said we're not going Alpha.

Not going Alpha?

I should have lived to see this day.

Oh, this is terrible.

What's Alpha?

I knew you wouldn't understand.

I'll understand.

Just give me a translation.

Tell me, please.

What is an Alpha?

It's a sorority in school, Mr. Williams,

and they're not taking us in.

Our social life depends on it.

If you're not an Alpha, you're a nobody.

Wait a minute, hold up.

I thought they didn't allow sororities in high school.

They don't.

That's why it's so important to belong to one.

Oh, that's logical.

Why did they turn you down?

Oh, daddy, why does it matter?

It matters a lot now that you've opened this can of peas.

Why did they turn you down?

I guess they have their reasons.

What reasons?

Just reasons.

Terry, you are my daughter.

Now my daughter has been turned down by a sorority,

and I would like to know why.

Now why did they turn you down?

Because I'm your daughter.

Well, that's a good enough reason.

Daddy, it's nothing personal.

It's just that you're in show business.

What's being in show business got to do with it.

You're an entertainer.

Their fathers are lawyers and businessmen and doctors.

You know, normal people.

They feel a girl with my background

just wouldn't fit into their group.

Hm.

Is that so?

Well, bless their snobby little knobby little heads.

I could tell them a thing or two, you know.

Daddy, don't you dare.

Do you want to make a laughingstock out of me?

Things are bad enough as they are.

I could just crawl into a hole and die.

Listen, uh.

Teenagers.

Another day, another crisis.

Well, I guess I better be going, Mr. Williams.

All right, Peggy.

Gee, I'm sorry.

What have you got to be sorry about?

Your father's not in show business.

He's normal.

By the way, why'd they turn you down.

Oh, I don't know.

What's a matter?

They catch your mother dunking a donut or something?

No.

I really better be going.

Wait a minute, Peggy.

Why are you evading the question?

What did they tell you?

Why did they turn you down?

Did they turn you down?

Well, why didn't you join?

Don't you see, Mr. Williams?

Terry's my best friend.

And if she isn't good enough for them,

then neither am I. Believe me, I told them what I think of them.

They probably wouldn't let me join now even if I wanted to.

I'm proud of you, Peggy.

I really am.

And I'm proud that you're my daughter's friend.

I'm sure she appreciates your sticking by her this way, too.

Oh, but she doesn't know about it, Mr. Williams.

You mean, you didn't tell her.

Why not, for heaven's sakes.

It's a wonderful thing to know.

I'm going to tell her.

Oh, no.

Please, don't.

Gosh, don't you see?

It wouldn't do any good and it would

only make Terry feel worse.

Besides, if it were the other way around,

she'd do the same thing for me.

I'm sure she would, dear.

Promise you won't tell.

OK.

I promise I won't tell.

Gee, Mr. Williams, I think you're great.

You know, those girls were just ridiculous to object

to you just because you're in show business.

I think you're just as normal as anybody else.

Practically.

Kathy, when are we going to eat?

Oh, pretty soon, Rusty.

We're waiting for Terry.

She should have been home half an hour ago.

She'll be along, honey.

Well, I'm worried.

The mood she was in last night, you can't tell

what crazy thing she might do.

Maybe she stowed away on a ship.

Stop being silly, huh?

Play.

Maybe she'll end up in Persia and be sold in a slave market.

Never mind.

Move.

Really, Danny, I don't think you're

taking this seriously enough.

You know, being turned down by a sorority is a pretty

big blow to a teenager.

Oh, come on.

I think you better start calling around.

Honey, don't make a big thing out of this.

I know my own daughter.

I mean, she's not one of these emotionally unstable teenagers.

Terry's a sensible kid.

Believe me, she's seen this thing in its proper perspective

by now and has forgotten all about it.

I guarantee you when she comes home,

she'll be her old usual, happy, laughing self.

Hello, everybody.

What did I tell you?

She's all tired out from laughing.

Terry, the world hasn't come to an end

just because you were turned down by the Alphas.

Wait until you get in college and join a real sorority.

Oh, I don't care about that anymore.

Somehow, the social life no longer appeals to me.

I may quit school and become a missionary.

A missionary?

I'll go to some colony in the south seas

and bring comfort to the poor, sick natives.

I'll devote my life to something bigger than myself,

something bigger than all of us, bigger

than the snobby old Alphas.

Williams Missionary Society.

Oh, hello Peggy.

Yeah, she's here.

I don't think she feels much like talking.

Wait a minute.

If I meet you halfway, could you get enough strength to come

over here and answer the phone.

It's Peggy.

Hello, Peggy.

Come on, Russ.

Let's eat.

Belize, how you doing?

They are?

When?

OK, I'll be ready, and thanks a million, Peg.

Bye!

Oh, come on.

We've got to finish dinner quickly.

They're coming. -What?

Who's coming? -The committee from the Alphas.

They've reconsidered. -The committee from the Alphas?

Yes, just think.

I may actually become an Alpha.

Oh, so exciting.

Well, what about the poor sick natives?

Terry, what made them change their minds?

Oh, I don't know.

It was just luck, I guess.

One of the girl's heard her father talking about daddy

and she realized he wasn't just an ordinary cafe entertainer,

that he's sort of a star.

Oh, congratulate me Missus Williams.

I've just been readmitted to the human race.

I think after dinner, you and I ought to celebrate.

Let's go to the movies.

All right.

Oh, but daddy, you can't go out.

They're coming to look you over.

They're coming to look us over?

Of course.

That's part of the regular procedure.

They want to see what our home is like

and what kind of a family I have.

How much are you willing to pay for me to stay out of sight?

Are you out of your Mesopotamian mind?

Do you honestly believe that we're going to sit around

like a bunch of morons while these teenage monsters

walk up and down inspecting us?

Oh, Danny, it isn't as bad as that.

It's a custom.

They do it all the time.

Not to me, they don't.

This is a private club, too, you know.

Alpha Beta Williams, it's called.

And nobody gets in here unless they're invited.

But nobody.

Particularly a bunch of snobbish pony-tailed teenage monsters.

All right.

Go ahead and ruin my life.

What do care if I don't have any friends.

My whole world comes to an end.

Oh, I could just crawl into a hole and die.

That's the second hole she's crawled into in two days.

This is not an apartment.

It's a hunk of Swiss cheese.

Oh, daddy.

You look simply elegant.

Honey, this is not a gag.

You actually want me to dress like this?

Of course.

I want them to see you as you really are.

Where are my cigars?

Oh, daddy.

Do you have to smoke a cigar?

You don't mind I enjoy smoking a cigar in the evening,

if it's all right with you?

Well, daddy, couldn't you smoke something more distinguished?

Would you like me to light up a copy of the book of knowledge?

I

Mean, like a pipe.

OK, I have a pipe.

Oh, good.

But I'll smoke a cigar in it.

Bring on the Alphas.

I'm ready.

Kathy, you look just lovely.

Oh, thank you, Terry.

If it isn't the perfect little gentleman

I could just crawl into a hole and die.

You, too?

What am raising here?

Children or gophers?

Oui, oui, mademoiselle.

The salami sandwiches are ready.

Oh, Louise.

Well, honey, I tell you.

I'm going to bring them in with the punch and the cookies, huh?

Oh, no, Louise, not now.

I don't want the girls to think we're expecting them.

And Louise, don't you have an apron with a little more starch

in it?

Sure, honey.

I got-- I got an apron with a lot of starch.

Only trouble is, every time I try to tie a bow, it cracks.

Is everybody trying to be impossible?

Now Kathy, I want you sit over here on the couch like that.

Yes.

And daddy, I think that you should--

that you should sit next to her sort of informal like.

-Informal? -Yes.

OK.

Daddy, informal, but dignified.

Now, Rusty, what will we do with you.

I know.

You can stand in the corner.

Gosh, don't I get enough of that in school?

Daddy, dignified.

How would it be if we just sat here shaking hands?

Sit and cooperate.

I'm trying to cooperate.

Oh, no.

They're here.

Oh, Kathy.

You sit up a little bit straighter.

Yes, like that.

And do something with your hands.

Well, what do I do--

Like make them-- yes.

And-- daddy, let's see.

Put the pipe in.

Here.

Oh, we need some music.

There.

That's it.

Act natural.

Oh, Louise, would you please answer the door.

OK.

Well, how am I going to open the door

when you're blocking the way?

I'm sorry.

The William's residence.

Who shall I say is calling?

The Alpha Beta Chi membership committee.

The Alpha Beta Chi membership committee.

Come on in, honey.

You're welcome.

Go in and sit down.

Why girls, what a pleasant surprise.

How are you?

Oh, well.

Well, hello.

We have company, dear.

We-- we weren't expecting anyone.

We were just sitting around like we always do,

listening to Chopin "Nocturne" and reading, uh-- "The Decline

and Fall of the Roman Empire."

I think I'll knock off the Nocturne

and beat up some Beethoven.

Daddy, not just now.

Daddy, I'd like you to meet my girlfriends.

This is Bobby, Chris, and Nick.

Oh, hello fellas.

This is Missus Williams and the boys.

How do you do?

Girls, I'd also like you to meet my little brother, Rusty.

How do you do?

How do you do?

Nice place you have here.

Small, but we pay a high rent.

Won't you girls sit down?

Yes, please do.

Sit down, sit down.

Now if there are any questions you'd like to ask,

just fire away.

What Mr. Williams means is, if there any

formalities in these matters, why we'd

be very happy to cooperate.

Yes, if you'd like to see any of my identification cards

of membership cards or social security number.

I belonged to the Red Cross.

My blood type is A. Anything you want to know, like credit cards

or electrocardiograph.

I don't think so.

Well, I'm very glad to hear that, ladies.

Sounds like you have a democratic organization.

I like democratic organizations.

You know, I believe that you judge a person on what he is,

not who he is or what he has.

Some folks call that a corny philosophy.

But I like it, and it's blessed me with many wonderful friends

in all walks of life-- a butcher, an oil tycoon, a shoe

clerk, and a congressman, and a cab driver,

and the President of the United States, to name just a few.

Well, we can't stay too long, you know, girls.

Excuse me.

Hello?

Oh, hi ya, Pat.

Baby, how are you?

I'm fine.

They're fine.

Thank you.

When?

A week from Sunday?

Oh, I can make it.

No, I'm not working that week.

Happy to do it.

Not at all.

OK, Pat.

All right, kid.

Goodbye.

Honey, a week from Sunday I have to do a benefit in Madison

Square Garden with Pat Boone.

Remind me, will you, honey?

Was that Pat Boone?

The Pat Boone?

On that phone?

You mean, you've met him?

In person?

Actually shooked hands with him?

Which hand?

Shake hands, hands!

It's a nice lifeline, isn't it?

Will you excuse me?

I'd like to use it.

Could you--

Well, girls.

We do have to be going now.

Oh, sorry you have to go so soon.

Well, Terry, it's not official yet,

but we'll be looking forward to seeing you in Alpha.

Right girls? -Right.

Right.

Bye now.

Bye.

Goodbye, Mr. Williams.

Bye.

Oh, girls!

I touched it again.

Did you hear that?

I'm practically in.

Ra, ra, ra.

Well, what have we here.

The Queen of the May?

Better than that.

I've been accepted in the Alphas.

Well, excuse me while I bang a cymbal.

She's going to the pledge dance tonight?

Well, what do you know about that?

Yes.

And guess who's my date?

-Guess who's your date? -Mm-hm.

Go ahead.

Guess.

Yogi Berra.

Freddy Baxter.

What a big deal he's doing you.

He's taking you out.

Huh.

Terry, your daddy's only teasing.

He doesn't mean it.

What we both feel is that Freddy Baxter's the lucky one

to be going out with you.

All right.

But all I know is now that I'm an Alpha,

a whole new world has opened up for me.

Well, if you're happy, darling, so are we.

Oh, I am.

That must be him already, and I still haven't put my heels on.

Oh, daddy, get it.

I'll get it, I'll get it.

Don't get excited.

False alarms. It's only Peggy.

Hi, honey.

Hi, Mr. Williams.

Hi, Peg.

I've been trying to get you on the phone all afternoon.

Where have you been?

Oh, I was out.

Oh, well, how do you like my dress?

Gee, it looks great.

Peggy, how come you're not dressed?

You'll be late for the dance.

Oh, well, I'm not going.

You're not going?

That's impossible.

All the pledges are supposed to go.

It's a custom.

Peggy, you did pledge Alpha, didn't you?

No, I didn't.

Peggy.

That's impossible.

Well, honestly, I don't care anymore.

It really doesn't matter.

You don't care?

Well, no.

Terry, I've been thinking it over.

And well, it's all right for you.

You've got good grades and lots of time for extra activities.

But I should really concentrate on my studies.

So it actually doesn't make any difference.

It's better if I don't belong to a sorority.

Oh, but Peggy, I thought sure when they took

me in that they'd take you too.

I mean, we're best of friends and everything.

I know, Terry.

But that's the way it worked out.

I just came over to congratulate you and see how you looked.

And you look beautiful.

Oh, thank you, Peg.

But--

Won't your date be here any minute.

Oh, that's right.

And I haven't even finished yet.

Well, would you excuse me?

Sure, Terry.

Terry?

Yes, daddy?

Nothing.

Look, Peggy, I know I promised you.

But I'm sorry, I can't keep that promise.

I've got to tell her.

Oh no, please don't.

Mr. Williams, it would only spoil her whole evening.

Well, won't that be too bad.

I've got to tell her.

Danny, tell her what?

Honey, you remember this whole mess when

the Alphas turned Terry down?

Yes.

Well, they didn't turn Peggy down.

She could have gotten in.

She turned them down because she was loyal to her friend.

Peg, you turned them down?

In spades, she turned them down and told them off.

That's probably why she can't get in now.

Peggy turned the Alphas down for Terry.

But now that the situation is reversed,

does Terry do the same thing for her friend?

Oh no, Cinderella must go to the dance no matter what.

Now, wait a minute.

You can't blame Terry.

She doesn't know what Peggy did for her.

She knows that her best friend was turned down.

What more does she need to know?

For the first time in my life I'm honestly

ashamed of my daughter.

Oh, please don't feel that way, Mr. Williams.

You don't realize how important this is to Terry.

All the excitement and prestige.

And she's going out with Freddy Baxter.

He's the most popular boy in school.

He knows everybody.

He doesn't know me, and I'm going to keep it that way.

Now, Danny.

Just because you're angry at Terry,

you don't have to be discourteous to Freddy Baxter.

Who's going to be discourteous?

Look, I don't need an lesson in etiquette right now.

All right, dear.

But I think you'd better confine your conversation to "hello"

when you meet him and "goodbye" when he leaves.

Couldn't I just throw in a "how do you feel" too?

No.

Just "hello" when you meet him and "goodbye" when he leaves.

No, Danny.

I'll get that.

Hello, I'm Freddy Baxter.

Oh, Terry will be right down.

You know Peggy Conroy, of course.

Yeah.

Tough luck you didn't make Alphas, kid.

But that's the way the ball bounces.

I guess you're right.

Don't feel too bad, though.

I hear they're extra particular this year.

Hello.

Hello, goodbye.

I'm taking Terry to the dance.

Terry's not going to the dance.

Not going?

No, she can't go.

She fell and broke her leg and we had to shoot her.

Goodnight.

Where does that leave me?

Oh, you're such a popular kid.

I'm sure when the news gets out that you're available a line

will form to the right.

Goodnight.

But--

That's the way the ball bounces.

That's the way Niagara Falls, too.

Danny, what did you do?

Exactly what I should have done long ago-- putting a stop

to this whole ridiculous thing.

Letting myself get pushed around by a bunch

of snobbish teenagers.

Not only that, letting my daughter become one of them.

-Now, Danny-- -Terry!

Terry!

Come out here.

TERRY: One minute, daddy.

Not a minute!

Now!

Yes, daddy.

Now you see here-- young lady, where's your dress?

I took it off.

I changed my mind.

I'm not going to the dance.

Terry, you don't know what you're saying.

Yes, I do.

Oh, Peggy, I've been so selfish and I just haven't realized

that our friendship is so much more

important than any sorority.

If they're too good for you, they're too good for me.

Terry, are you sure you know what you're doing?

Yes, I'm sure, Peggy.

Well, after all, you'd do the same thing for me,

wouldn't you?

Well--

I'm sure she would.

So what do you say we go bowling.

Sounds great.

We both need the exercise.

That's true.

Let's go. Goodbye, daddy.

Bye, Kathy. -Don't be too late.

Oh, we won't.

And daddy, when Freddy comes, would you

make up some excuse like I--

Like you broke your leg and we had to shoot you.

You can think of something better than that.

Bye.

DANNY WILLIAMS: Save your sorrow for tomorrow,

and smile a while today.

Work is play to anyone that hopes, and live today.

Tomorrow never comes.

And if you cheer up, hey, skies will clear up.

And dark clouds will pass away.

Come on and save your sorrow for tomorrow and smile

a while today.

And if you cheer up, hey, skies will clear up,

and dark clouds will pass away.

So save your sorrow, for tomorrow and smile,

smile a while today.