Original subtitles

[♪♪♪]

♪ The Corps ♪

♪ The Corps ♪

♪ The Corps♪

♪ We're not much longer

Here to stay ♪

♪ For in a month or two ♪

♪ We'll bid farewell

To cadet gray ♪

♪ And don the Army blue ♪

[♪♪♪]

♪ To the ladies

who come up in June ♪

♪ We'll bid a fond adieu ♪

♪ The long gray line of us

Stretches ♪

♪ Through the years

Of a century told ♪

♪ And the last man

Feels to his marrow ♪

♪ The grip

Of your far-off hold ♪

♪ Grip hands Though

it be from the shadows ♪

♪ While we swear

As you did of yore ♪

♪ Or living or dying

to honor ♪

♪ The Corps ♪

♪ And the Corps ♪

♪ And the Corps ♪♪

Good to see you, Marty.

What's this all about?

Marty says his business

is pretty urgent,

Mr. President.

Urgent, sir.

It couldn't be

more urgent.

They've been counting

their fingers, sir,

and they find

I'm over 70.

They want

to retire me,

after 50 years,

the ungrateful...

so I got Chuck--

I mean,

General Dotson--

to fix it for me

to see you, sir.

50 years in the army

is a long time, Marty.

It is, sir,

and then again,

it isn't, sir.

It took me

30 or 40 years

just to get

the hang of it, you know.

and now that everything

is going smooth,

it would be

throwing away

my training.

A waste of the

taxpayers' money, sir.

Go ahead and smoke

your pipe, Marty.

I'd hardly know you

without it.

Thank you, sir.

You know, sir,

we Mahers take our own time

about getting old.

Oh, over 70 I may be,

and I wear glasses

for fine print these days,

and maybe I have put on

a pound or two here or there..

but I tell you, sir,

I'm in better shape now

than I was that morning

50 years ago

when I rode the milk train

up the Hudson,

not knowing what

I was getting myself into.

I walked up that hill,

a young lad,

fresh off the boat.

Halt! Who's there?

Martin Maher from Ireland,

your honor.

Advance, Martin Maher,

to be recognized.

Recognized?

How would you be

recognizing me?

I only set foot in this

country last night.

Hey, Corporal,

another mick waiter.

All right,

come along, Paddy.

Martin's the name.

Maher. M-A-H-E-R.

Roscrea, Tipperary.

[MARCHING MUSIC PLAYING]

[BUGLES PLAYING]

What is this place?

Is it maybe a prison?

Or is it a loony house?

This is the United States

Military Academy.

Oh.

What a fine ruin

it'd make.

All right,

pick up your feet,

Paddy.

Martin's the name.

Do they have to wear

iron braces

to stand like that?

That's the way

cadets stand.

That's part

of the discipline.

You know, you could

shoot off all their noses

with one bullet.

Listen,

these men are

being trained

to be United States

Army officers.

They come here

for discipline,

and that's

what they get.

Where did they all go?

You'll see them all

at breakfast, Paddy.

Pick up your feet.

Martin's the name.

At ease.

How's the cow,

mister?

She walks. She talks.

She's full of chalk.

The lacteal fluid

subtracted

from the female

of the bovine species

is highly prolific

to the eighth degree, sir.

That is the situation

with the cow.

Where's my milk,

mister?

Milk for

Mr. Bullock, sir.

Get the wrinkles

in that chin.

Coffee for Mr.

Van Ennes, sir.

What's the definition

of leather, Mr. Morrey?

The definition

of leather.

The fresh skin

of an animal

cleaned and divested of

all hair, fat and all manner..

immersed in a solution

of tannic acid,

chemical combination

ensues.

The gelatinous tissue

is converted

into a non-putrescible

substance,

impervious to

and insoluble in water.

This, sir, is leather.

Come on, Paddy.

Please.

Come on,

let's get going.

Please, now, go on.

Come on, come on,

Paddy!

Pick 'em up!

Pick 'em up!

Maher, that will

come out of your pay.

Vegetable plates

are 11 cents each,

cups are seven cents,

saucers are four cents,

and pie plates

are nine cents

and soup tureens

are 94 cents.

5:00 for you too.

Be back at 5:00.

5:00.

Back at 5:00.

Maher,

there's nothing

there for you.

Do you know that you've

been here two months,

and you owe

three months' pay

for breakage?

'Tis a slave I am.

'Tis a slave I am.

Working meself

to a shadow

and not

a brass farthing

to drown my sorrows.

Maher!

Come on back.

Come on.

I know I'm a fool

to do this,

but there's $3

of my own money.

It's something

you can jingle

in your pockets,

but not to get you in

much trouble, though.

Thank you,

your honor.

'Tis not every man

has $3 worth

of kindness

in his heart.

Thank you kindly, sir.

You're welcome.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Go on. Go on with you.

Thank you kindly, sir.

Rudy Heinz!

'Tis a fine soldier

you look,

all spit and polish.

When do you go

on furlough?

Not before you pay me

that five bucks.

Five bucks?

Yeah, the five bucks

I lent you to send

to your dear old

father in Ireland.

Curious thing.

I don't remember it

at all, at all.

Now, listen, you were

cold sober

when you handed me that story.

Now, come on, let's have it.

Uh, Rudy, I...

I've got terrible

news for you.

You'll have to wait

a few months

till I can balance

me assets

with me liabilities.

Maher!

You'll work out

every chip of that

if it takes the rest

of your life.

Me?

Yes, and I'm

going to attend

to Corporal Heinz

over there.

He'll do some time

in the guardhouse for this.

Time? Time...

Is that all

you'll do to him,

lock him in the guardhouse

for a bit?

He's in the army.

That's all I can do.

Come on. Get a broom.

Get this up. Hurry up.

Get it up right now.

Hurry up. Go on.

I will obey the orders

of the President

of the United States...

I will obey the orders

of the President

of the United States...

and the orders of the officers

appointed over me...

and the orders

of the officers

appointed over me...

according to the rules

and articles of war.

according to the rules

and articles of war.

Your second

enlistment?

No, sir, my third.

This last year,

I've had a little

tough luck.

I've been

tending bar--

You?

Farm, sir.

You've had previous

military experience?

Yes, sir.

[SPEAKING IN GERMAN]

Ja wol.

I welcome you men

into the United States Army.

It's an army with a

proud record

of devotion to peace,

victory in war.

Here at West Point,

you're at its very heart.

You'll be in daily contact

with the cadets of the corps,

and your superiors

will expect you

to conduct yourselves

accordingly.

Questions?

Sir, I'd like

to ask a question

about breakage.

If a man was to drop,

say, a cannon--

Corporal Heinz.

Right face.

Forward. Column, right.

Uh, Captain, darlin',

we're going to be

in grave trouble

if the British should

suddenly--

Corporal Heinz!

All right, prisoner.

Pick up your feet.

[WALTZ PLAYING]

Good evening,

Mr. Larson.

Are we back to mister again?

By the end of the last hop,

we were Nell and Whitey.

This is another evening,

but it's still young.

Good evening, Mr. O'Carberry.

Where's Peggy?

Isn't she here yet?

She left hours

before the train.

Her father let her

take the new automobile.

80 miles in one

of those things

and driving at night.

She must be

out of her mind.

You two go on.

I'll wait here.

Go on, go on.

You'll miss

the first dance.

O'Carberry is it?

There was a man by that name

in Tipperary

once sold my father a horse.

My O'Carberrys

have been away from Ireland

a long time.

Good thing, too.

Yeah, the ones

that stayed

are a bad lot.

The horse was

a stolen horse.

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

Good evening.

Good evening.

Stolen from

the police barracks,

all praise to him.

♪ Goodnight, gentlemen ♪

Goodnight, Whitey.

Goodnight, Nell.

♪ Goodnight, gentlemen ♪

Ahem.

Goodnight, then.

I'll write.

[BUGLE PLAYING]

You been here

all this time?

I'm still waiting

for Peggy.

Well, if she's half the girl

you tell me she is,

you've no cause to worry.

This is Marty Maher.

Whitey Larson.

How do you do, sir?

If you have any

trouble with horses,

drop around

and see Marty.

He's in the infantry.

Well, naturally!

He knows horses.

You don't think they'd put him

in the cavalry, do you?

Well, come on, Jim.

Five minutes to taps.

Goodnight, Marty.

Goodnight, sir.

Goodnight, Marty.

Goodnight.

[CAR HORN HONKS]

Jim!

Peggy!

Oh, Peggy, darling,

I was so worried

about you.

I was afraid you

had an accident.

Oh, I had to spend the whole

evening in a blacksmith shop

getting this thing

fixed.

Peggy, I love you!

Jim!

[BUGLE PLAYING "TAPS"]

Hey, Maher,

that cadet's

off-limits.

Cadet, sir?

I see no cadet, sir.

I don't think

that you do either.

MARTY: I never thought

I'd live to see the day.

The time we'll have tonight.

You can walk through

that village

in 20 minutes.

There's nothing to do.

MARTY:

Me friend, Jim O'Carberry.

Walking punishment.

Corporal Heinz,

permission to speak.

Take it easy, Marty.

Take it easy.

Shoot.

I'm here to tell you

to your face

you're a dirty informer.

All right, break it up.

Break it up.

Hey, that fellow

with the right cross,

he's good.

He's good for 10 days

in the guardhouse.

And him getting

off scot-free...

I'll beat him to a pulp

when I get out of this,

the dirty informer,

and you trying

to lie out of it,

telling me you

turned yourself in.

I'm sorry, Marty.

I did report myself.

I don't believe it.

At the hop, we're on our honor

not to go off-limits.

I went. I had to report it.

You mean, you do something

wrong and get away with it,

and nobody the wiser,

and then you have

to go and tell them

that you broke the rules?

Well, that's it.

Only it's breaking your word

that's the honor offense.

Even the commandant

could see

how it happened.

Before I knew what I was

doing, Peggy was in my arms,

and I was engaged

to be married.

Engaged to be married.

Ah, the beauty of it.

It fills my heart with joy,

locked in a dungeon

though I may be.

They're letting you

out today, Marty.

What's the good?

They'll only think up

some new persecution

to torment me poor soul.

Oh, you're to report

to the Master of the Sword.

Master of the Sword?

Captain Koehler.

He's a swell officer.

Master of the Sword?

All right,

get in here.

I'm Captain Koehler,

Master of the Sword.

Maher, you're

a rotten soldier.

No soldier at all.

Slovenly,

undisciplined,

insubordinate,

bad tempered,

and full

of cute tricks.

While I'm Master of the Sword,

there will be no guardhouse

rats around my cadets.

You like to use

your fists, huh?

Yes, sir.

All right,

let's see you

use them.

You mean I, uh...

I have permission

to hit the captain?

You have permission

to try.

Go ahead.

I'm interested

in boxing,

not dancing.

I need a man, Marty.

Would you like

to work for me?

That I would,

Captain, darlin'.

All right,

let's get a shower.

Good morning, Marty.

Where's Captain Koehler?

Captain Koehler?

Well, he's in

the boxing room, ma'am.

Thank you.

Hello, dear.

She's a perfect jewel.

Marty, take over

the boxing class.

Marty!

Sir!

The boxing class.

[BLOWS WHISTLE]

Attention!

At ease.

Attention!

At ease.

Quiet, now.

Now, the purpose

of your instruction

in boxing

is threefold.

A cadet must learn

to take punishment

as well as to give it.

We're training you

to be officers

and preparing you

for positions

of authority.

This being the case,

we don't

pull our punches.

We'll now have

a demonstration

of the value

of footwork.

Mr. Lummox.

Mr. Lomax, sir.

Yes, well, Mr. Lomax,

would you get up

into the ring, please?

Attention!

Well, now...

I will now give you

the benefit of me experience.

You'll watch

the position of the hands

and note the footwork.

Well, now,

Mr. Lomax...

you now have permission

to try to hit me.

Permission

to speak, sir.

Go ahead.

Is that uniform

regulation?

It's me issue, sir.

Of course, the tailor

took a tuck here and there.

I always say, sir,

if a man's a soldier,

he should look like a soldier.

Sure.

Sir, that foreign girl...

The what?

The greenhorn with

Mrs. Koehler,

the one with the petticoats

and the shawleen.

Oh, it's Mary O'Donnell.

She's our cook.

Good, too.

Is she indeed?

Sir, you know the

devil himself

finds work for idle

hands to do.

Now, you know

I'm not a man

to go hanging

around saloons.

What?

No, sir.

I'm sober,

industrious.

Are you all right, Marty?

Yes, sir.

I was just thinking, sir,

if there was something

I could do around the house

to help Mrs. Koehler.

You know--

Well, I'll ask her.

Thank you.

Not at all, sir.

Anything at all,

at any time, sir.

You know, carpentry.

I'm handy with the drains.

Fine, fine.

Thank you, sir.

Ah, you know,

this is very homey,

Mary O'Donnell.

You icing the cake

and me cleaning

the drains.

Well, like I was saying, us

kids never learned our ABCs.

We learned our ZYXs,

because my father

was always insisting

that we children

learn the alphabet backwards,

like Z, Y, X, W, V, U, T,

S, R, Q, P, O...

I'll wager

you can't do that.

My father was a man

of very strong opinions,

as many a bloody-nosed

schoolmaster

has learned

to his sorrow.

A cut of fresh-baked cake,

a cup of black tea,

and a pretty girl to talk to.

A girl with

a pretty voice, too,

supposing for all I know.

You can turn on the water now.

Did anyone ever tell you

you're a pretty thing,

Mary O'Donnell,

with your red hair

and your fine,

big feet?

There's no girls in the world

like an Irish colleen.

Tipperary?

Donegal?

You know,

When first I laid eyes on you,

I found myself thinking,

"There's a girl."

Look.

Look how fine

it runs out,

and you don't have

to worry anymore

about anything slipping

down the drain,

because I'll be

only too happy

to come back

at any time at all

and clean it out again.

Oh, Mary!

Turn off the water!

Mary, turn it off!

You blasted idiot!

Who told you to--

Oh, my, your

nice uniform...

I'm sorry, ma'am.

My remarks were

not meant for you.

They were meant for that

chowderheaded Mary O'Donnell.

Why, Marty Maher,

I thought you two

were having

such a nice visit

talking about Ireland.

Talking, did you say?

Talking?

To now I didn't think

she could talk at all!

She's shy, Marty.

Why, she's just

been telling me

what a fine workman

you are.

Did she, now?

I wasn't sure

she even noticed

I was here.

She told me

there are half a dozen

things need fixing.

I was going to have

a carpenter in,

but she insists

you can do it

much better.

Honest, now?

Cross my heart.

In spite of the fact

that your heart

seems to be

on the right side,

Mrs. Koehler,

I'll stop by

in the morning, ma'am.

Thank you, Marty.

Well, now, this is

a happy accident.

I'd no idea

I'd find you here.

No idea at all.

Do you come

to watch the review

every Saturday?

I said,

do you come

to watch the review

every Saturday?

That's my friend,

Jim O'Carberry.

First captain, he is.

I'm like a father

to him.

Come June week

he'll be graduated.

They'll be married

in the chapel,

him and his Peggy.

Jim and Whitey Larson

have been after me

to stay

for the wedding,

but...

I'll not be here.

I said,

I'll not be here.

Me enlistment's

up next week,

Mary O'Donnell,

and I'll be leaving.

There's some things

I'd like to talk over

with you.

After the parade,

we could get a boat

and go for a row

on the river.

Captain Koehler

would be glad

to give me a pass,

seeing as it's the last one

I'll be asking for.

What do you say?

Would you look

at that?

Sandwiches, apples,

and bananas...

Ah, bisschen of cake.

Rudy Heinz!

[RINGS BELL]

Sir,

have I permission

to speak?

Go ahead, Marty.

If you got down

on your hands

and knees,

I wouldn't take

a pass from you.

This is the last

review you'll see.

Aren't you going

to stay for the finish?

You are leaving

next week, aren't you?

Sir, the way certain

matters stand now,

I wouldn't think

of leaving.

I'm on my way right now

to re-enlist.

♪ October winds

lament around ♪

♪ The castle of Dromore ♪

♪ But peace

Is in her lofty halls ♪

♪ My loving treasure store ♪

♪ Though autumn leaves

May droop and die ♪

♪ A bud of spring... ♪

Is that you

with the terrible bronchitis,

Mary O'Donnell?

Now, you'll

sit still, my girl,

and listen to what

I have to say.

You're too empty-headed

to see it,

but I've had

the afternoon

to think it out.

You're the victim

of a devilish plot.

Captain Koehler,

that beady-eyed

horse thief,

him and his friends

from Milwaukee

have got it

all cooked up,

and the end will be

yourself in the arms

of that knuckleheaded

Corporal Heinz,

but I'll not have it.

I'm giving you

your last chance.

I'll have just two words

out of you, my girl,

and it'll be yes or no.

Now, what do you

say to that?

I say yes--

And none of your

beating around...

What's that you say?

I said yes.

You said yes?

The first word ever

I hear out of you,

and it's yes.

Why would you never

talk to me all the time

I was working my

hands to the bone

just to be near you,

and why would you never even

give me a hint before I went

and got in for

another enlistment?

Captain Koehler

told me not to.

Oh, he did, did he?

He said you were

that full of arguments,

that we'd only fight

if I talked to you,

and that'd be

the end of that.

Full of arguments?

A sweeter man than me

you'll never find,

and when did you

ever hear me

utter a cross word,

you addlepated

flibbertigibbet?

There you go,

Martin Maher,

and before you've even

as much as kissed me.

Before I've...

Mary...

there's something

you've got to know.

What with one thing

and another,

I've not been able

to lay by much money.

We'll make out fine,

Martin.

That we will.

We'll save our money

till we can go

back to Tipperary

and buy

McGinnerty's pub.

Back to the old country?

Where else?

With me old father

and me young

brother, Dinny.

They'll be that proud

of me fine, healthy wife.

Oh, but things

are cruel hard

in Ireland now,

Martin.

Things are cruel hard

for the poor

everywhere, Mary,

but not for them

who owns a pub

in a hard-drinking

locality.

[BUGLE PLAYING "TAPS"]

Martin,

I'm happy here.

This is a fine,

proud place.

Just being here,

just being the littlest

part of it,

my heart's lifted up.

I'll tell you what.

I'll help you

save the money,

and you can bring

your father

and your brother

out here.

Here? Himself?

The old man?

Him that's lived free

all his life?

Bring him here

to West Point

among the regulations--

It hasn't done you

any harm, Martin Maher.

Captain Koehler says

that you're a better

man for it.

Bragging about it,

is he?

Oh, you know the new

married quarters

over by

the parade ground?

Well, he's

arranged for us

to have one

of the houses.

The truth?

You mean, with

the electric lights

and the hot and cold

and the...

How is it that he's

fixing quarters for us

before I even...

Why, that Koehler.

Of all the

underhanded,

conniving--

He and his wife

put you up to this,

and there's the proof.

Is it sorry

you are already,

Martin Maher?

It's sorry

I'll never be,

Mary O'Donnell.

Ah, good evening to you,

Mary O'Donnell,

woman of the house.

[BUGLE PLAYING]

I've been going

over the account

with that thieving bank,

and there's

$300 missing.

Oh, Martin...

Wait a minute.

I've matters

of importance

to talk over

with you, madam.

$43.26 is all

they say we've got,

and butter wouldn't

melt in their mouths.

It was all your idea

putting the money

in the bank.

If we'd left it

behind that

loose brick--

Martin, I drew out

the $300 myself.

Did you, now?

I did.

The money

I was putting by

for our passage

to Ireland?

I did.

Did you buy some

diamonds, maybe,

or a grand piano?

That money...

Daddy-o...

Daddy-o.

Sure 'tis a thing

out of my dreams

to look upon the face

of my beloved

father again.

Since the day

I turned my back

on the green hills

of Ireland

and crossed

the wild, wide sea,

I've prayed

for this thing,

and now to see you here

in me own house.

Blessed is the day

that brings you here,

and blessed

is the good woman

that I married,

with her scrimping

and her scrubbing

and putting away

the money...

Will you have

the decency

to stop eating

while I'm offering you

the welcome?

Go ahead, boy. Go ahead.

Dinny!

'Tis a grown man

you are.

And 'tis proud I am

to have you for a brother

with yourself

that grand-looking.

Corporal stripes

they are, Dinny.

He's just after

being promoted.

Corporal, huh?

I was just thinking meself,

maybe I ought

to join up too, huh?

That with your

permission, sir.

That you will not.

Do you know what

this here means?

Four years of my life

in the ashcan

for each one of these.

It's off to New York

in the morning

for you, bucko,

to learn a trade.

A good bricklayer,

a bad bricklayer,

Any bricklayer at all

makes more than they

pay my boss,

and him a great

leader of men,

a grand officer like

Major Koehler, USA.

I had a talk

with him today.

You did, did you?

And what did you

have to talk about

with that beady-eyed

horse thief?

Well, you

might as well

face up to it,

Martin Maher.

There's not a cadet

in the Corps

that can't kick the

stuffing out of you.

That blackhearted major

tipped them off

to a few

of my weak points.

He's taking you

off the boxing.

What?

He wants you

to have more time

for the football

and baseball...

That's my pipe, Dinny.

And a fine pipe it is too.

and he thinks you'd make

a grand instructor

for the swimming.

Instructor

for the swimming?

Me that can't

swim a kick.

Swim?

Why, that

blackhearted--

Be quiet.

Martin, shut up.

Shh.

Do you have the Irish,

woman of the house?

I have.

Then 'tis for you

to say the words.

Martin!

[SPEAKING GAELIC]

And may God bless

this house

that shelters us,

and may He bless

this grand country

that offers us hope.

Amen.

Amen.Amen.

Swimming...

You be careful, Major.

Be careful,

Major, darlin'.

Now, repeat your

instructions.

In swimming,

there are four things

to master...

confidence, timing,

relaxation,

and breathing.

The breaststroke

is the best--

Repeat

your instructions!

In swimming,

there are four things

to master...

confidence, timing, relax--

Maher, repeat your

instructions!

How can I swim

in all this water,

Major, darlin'?

Repeat

your instructions!

In swimming,

there are four

things to master--

Now, then,

in swimming,

there are four things

to master...

confidence, timing,

relaxation...

and breathing.

The breaststroke

is best for swimming

with a pack and rifle

on your back.

We execute

the breaststroke

by the numbers.

You tired, mister?

No, sir.

All right, then.

You're first.

[BLOWS WHISTLE]

Hey, come back here!

[BLOWS WHISTLE]

Come up

out of there!

Just a minute,

mister.

What kind of swimming

was that?

The Australian crawl.

Oh, was it now?

And are you maybe

an Australian?

Well, it's the fastest stroke

there is.

So I've been told.

Shall I get you

a pack and a rifle

and see how fast you'll swim

with them on your back?

You'll swim

the breaststroke here, boyo.

I was showing you

I don't need swimming lessons,

so I can be excused.

Excused, is it?

You'll not be excused.

We'll need you for

the swimming team.

With your permission,

I'll talk to Major Koehler.

Well, you've not

my permission.

You'll not be wasting

the major's time.

I'm telling you.

Sorry, sir.

Go easy, Marty.

Sundstrom's had

enough trouble.

And asking for more,

flaunting the authority

I hold over him.

Marty, he's way behind

in his studies.

Take it easy, Marty.

He plays football.

How many of you are left?

Five.

Well, half of you

get in the water.

Hey, Marty--

Keep rubbing it,

my boyo.

Keep rubbing it.

Corporal, I told you

I'd talk to Major Koehler.

I'll save you time

and tell you

what he'll say.

Sports here are a part

of your training.

If you can make a team,

you'll make it.

You'll swim,

Mr. Sundstrom.

With those shoulders

you've got on you,

you'll be out for

football in the fall.

If I'm here

next fall.

So you've decided

you don't like

West Point, huh?

Look, I've wanted

to come here

ever since

I was that big.

Joined the regular army

to get in.

Beat my brains out

cramming for exams.

I didn't figure

on the classwork.

I can't keep up,

not even if I work

24 hours a day,

but I won't wait

to be busted out.

I'll resign,

go back

to the ranks.

Well, now,

from the ranks,

are you?

Look, now,

there's such a thing

as over-training, you know.

What you need, my boy,

is a change from the books.

My wife serves a stew

and hot biscuits

fit for the saints in heaven.

A few ladles

of Mary O'Donnell's stew

will do your classwork

a power of good.

You'll be welcome for supper

come Saturday night...

and no beans.

All right.

Marty, look.

I think it's working.

New fuzz.

Like peaches.

That's it.

Keep rubbing it, boyo.

Keep rubbing it,

morning, noon, and night.

In no time at all,

you'll have hair

like an elephant.

Help!

Hey, he can't swim!

Well, now...

in swimming,

there are three things...

I just don't

understand it,

Mr. Sundstrom.

It isn't like Martin

to be late.

Where the devil is Martin?

I don't know, Daddy-o.

Well, perhaps I could

run down to the saloon and--

You will not.

Keep away from me stew.

Well, now,

if you ask me...

I am not asking you.

you left out

half the onions,

and the gravy's

so thick

you could trot

a mouse on it.

Oh, me buns.

They'll be

destroyed.

Well, take them out, then.

I'll not be kept waiting

in me own house.

Come to the table, Mr., uh...

Sundstrom.

God bless you.

What's your name?

Sundstrom, sir.

Oh, well, come on.

Do you smell

Mary O'Donnell's

Donegal stew?

Look who I

brought you.

Mary...

Kitty, me love.

Just happened

to meet her

on my way home.

She kept me waiting

with her primping

and her powdering.

Oh.

Miss Katherine Carter.

We call her Kitty.

May I have the honor to

present Mr. Sundstrom.

What's your

front name, Red?

James on the roster,

but it's been Red

ever since I can remember.

Well, good evening,

Red.

Well, come on,

the two of you.

Sit down there.

Come on, dear.

All right, sir.

There you are.

All right.

Sit right down.

Thank you.

Well, now,

come on, come on.

Do we eat,

or don't we eat?

You're coming out to help me.

Now, come on into the kitchen.

I made the mistake

of telling her once

I was a waiter.

Never dropped a dish.

[DISH SHATTERS]

Me idiot son.

Oh, dear.

It's working.

Go on.

Down with you.

You wouldn't

believe it,

but Kitty's

a college graduate.

She's teaching

the youngsters

at the post school.

She's that bright.

Is that so?

When I was a lad,

a girl that cluttered up

her head with education

was sure to turn out

flat-chested

and with a squint.

Well!

What was that thing

you were going to stay in

your room and study tonight?

Orthographic

projection.

Ortho...

Whatever it is,

what will you bet

Kitty's got it all

at her fingertips?

Well, the worst thing

about higher math

is getting over the panic.

It's not so hard once you

get confidence and relax.

How about cylindrical

coordinates

or conic sections

or parametric

equations?

Well, they're not

too difficult.

Well, sure,

it's like swimming,

for instance.

It's a matter

of confidence, timing...

...relaxation and breathing.

Indeed now.

Well, if I can help you, Red--

Thanks, but I don't

see how you could.

Now, now, now.

You and Kitty

can both work

here in the house.

Did you know I can

spell Massachusetts?

No...

You can start

tomorrow.

It's Sunday,

and you've the day

to yourself.

Well, I'm free tomorrow,

if you are, Red.

Well--

Of course he's free.

Get your books

and meet her

in the morning.

I'm not a case you're going

to cure in one treatment.

I'm down in all

of my subjects.

Once we start--

And once we start,

we'll have to keep right on.

I'm not afraid.

You're sure

you don't mind?

Oh, now, of course

she doesn't mind.

She's only too

happy to do it.

Isn't that right?

Right.

Well, that's settled.

It'll be a grave

disappointment to me,

me girl, if this young fellow

isn't up in his marks

and on with the football squad

next fall.

Save me a piece

of the cake.

Me young friend's

about due.

Where do you go off to

every evening?

I go walking with

this young friend of mine.

A nice, young fellow he is.

Happy for a word of advice

from me long experience.

Who is it?

I don't know.

Would you excuse us,

please, a minute?

Certainly.

Sure.

It's a woman.

Great Gogarty.

It's the superintendent.

Thanks be to Gogarty.

It's not a woman.

MARTY: I'll never forget

that rainy day in 1913,

when, for the first time,

we played the little school

from the far, far west.

Well, now,

good day to you,

General.

Good day, Mr. Maher.

Sit right here.

Thank you, sir.

Looks like a bad day

for the Irish.

Are you a betting man,

General?

I might make a little

wager with you.

A dollar.

A dollar.

[♪♪♪]

Ah, Notre Dame.

It's the name

of a French church,

not a football team.

Did you get a bet

down, Marty?

I finally managed.

$25. Even money.

Even money?

What did you do,

find a lunatic?

My father.

Oh, sorry.

Army, time out.

Play ball.

Touchdown.

Man hurt.

It's Chuck.

Get in there, mister.

You all right, Chuck?

Put him right

down there.

Doctor...

Get in there, Buck.

That left hand's weak.

There goes my chance

for all-American this year.

In the second half,

the sun come out,

and with it went my fortune.

71, 69, 32.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Time.

Dorais for O'Rourke,

Rockne for Glennon.

All right, play ball.

Something happened

never before seen in football.

[♪♪♪]

Did you see that, sir?

It's illegal.

It's a foul.

It's baseball.

It's legal, all right.

Is there

something wrong?

A forward pass?

Red, get in there

and break it up.

Touchdown!

Hey, Swede!

Rockne.

Overton.

Rockne, Dorais,

Gushurst, Pliska...

The Fighting Irish?

[♪♪♪]

Robbers! Thieves!

Football? Football?

You dirty scoundrelly

bunch of...

Good evening, Father.

Good evening, my son.

Let this be a lesson

to you, my boy.

Betting against

Holy Mother,

the church.

Attention.

At ease, men.

Well, gentlemen,

we came up against

a new kind

of football today.

I'll say only this...

that I'd rather

have you learn a lesson

than win a ball game.

When you

become officers

and you're in combat,

the only thing

that you can expect

is the unexpected.

Learn to deal with it.

If this game today

taught you that lesson,

then I don't care

what the final score was.

That's all, boys.

Get your showers.

Half the sportswriters

in New York

were in those stands

today.

I don't want to read

tomorrow's papers.

How is it with

your studies?

Oh, don't worry, Marty.

I can squeak through

the rest of the season.

And after this season?

After Mr. Walter Camp

has maybe picked you

for an all-American?

Then what?

Major Koehler said

to me the other day,

"Marty," he says,

"that Chuck Dotson's

more than a good athlete.

"He's a good man.

He'll make

a fine officer."

Did I hurt you?

What you did,

or what you said?

Either.

That Colonel

What's-his-name,

the one that teaches

military engineering,

he tells me you'll not

get by your midyears,

and I hear you're as far

down in your other work.

You seem to talk

a lot about me.

What a man's

got on his mind,

he can't keep

out of his mouth.

Did you come

to West Point

to be a football

player, Chuck,

or an officer?

It'd be fine if you

could manage both,

but it's plain

you can't.

You've worked me over

enough, Marty.

I've made

a bit of money

betting on Army

with you out there

running touchdowns.

It'll not be the same

without you.

Without me?

Major Koehler will think

none the worse of you.

All you'll have to do

is say to him,

"Major, I've been

thinking it over.

"If I keep on

with the football,

"I'll be busted out,

"so I've decided

to quit the team

and get on with what's

more important."

You'd better

get dressed.

It's getting late.

Chuck, how's that ankle?

It'll hold up

fine, sir.

Considering he won't

be straining it

from now on.

Oh?

Major,

why do they have to be

so hard with the studies?

Marty, this is West Point.

Yes, sir.

That's what Chuck

was saying.

That's why he's

quitting the team.

Sir, I--

I know, Chuck.

Go on. Get your shower.

We'll have a cup

of coffee.

[DOG BARKING]

Mary, come have a look!

Dinny!

How are you, Mary?

It's not all yours?

Indeed, it is.

I was out seeing

what it would do on the road

and before I knew,

I landed up here.

Oh, but it's gorgeous.

Here, Mary. Come, have a

run around with us.

[SCREAMS]

Himself's waiting for his tea.

Is there enough

for me?

We always have plenty.

There's no telling

when Martin will bring home

a platoon of cadets.

Daddy-o!

[BACKFIRES]

Dad, look who's here,

and wait till you see

his new motorcar.

I'll get the tea.

I was out for a spin in me new

car, so I thought I'd come by-

I saw it!

It's a fine car.

The power of 35 horses.

Oh, that's true, Jack.

It cost me

a great deal of money.

Your head cold, Dennis?

No, sir... Oh.

Tuck it under the bed.

Is it your habit

to go around

looking like

a rum seller?

But Dad,

I'm a businessman now.

My firm is doing

general contracting--

Contracting what?

Get out of me way.

The tea's ready, Dad.

And about time.

He's doing wonderful,

Dinny is.

That's true, Dad.

My firm is expanding--

Who gave you

permission

to sit down?

I'm sorry, sir,

sorry,

but it is true, Dad.

There's a place there

for Marty, too.

I tell you,

it's the chance

of a lifetime, Dad.

Sit down.

Yes, sir.

I've been too long

in the army,

and what have I got

to show for the years?

There's things a man

wants his wife to have.

There's things I want

my wife to have.

Even this furniture

is government-issue.

Did you ever hear me complain,

Martin?

Oh, we know that,

but, look, Mary,

Marty here can make

three to four times

his sergeant's pay

the first year,

and after that--

If we stay here,

there's nothing

to look forward to.

Year after year--

I tell you, Dad,

there's no end

to the money

a man can make.

Will you step

into the other room, girl?

So you've nothing to

look forward to, huh?

Well, I'll tell you what

you've got to look forward to.

Sometime next spring, Martin,

your wife is going

to bear your child.

A child?

A child.

And why is it

for you to tell me?

Has she no tongue

in her head?

God bless you, Marty.

A child!

Are you sure?

In the spring,

do you say?

Will it be

a boy or girl?

How the devil

would I know?

Get on with you.

Come on.

Yes, sir.

Ever since I first set

eyes on West Point,

ever since I first saw

the young men of the Corps...

Sure, you told me

I was a silly woman

for talking about it, but...

if our son should be

born here,

where you've worked so hard...

After the time

we've waited,

after what the

doctor told you,

it's enough for me

that we're having

a child at all.

I'm praying it will be a boy,

Martin,

and who's to say

one of these days

his name might be

in the yearbook, too?

I'll pray with you.

You're a wonderful woman,

Mary O'Donnell.

Oh, go on with you.

Oh, stop it, Red.

You're not the

expectant father.

Will you sit down?

Mr. Sundstrom,

will you take charge

of Marty, please?

Sit on his head

if you have to.

Me, the father

of it all.

Come on, Marty.

Confidence, timing,

relaxation, and breathing.

Nothing to it.

This is no time

for being funny.

Thank you.

You all right?

Fine.

I'm the grandfather

of a boy

born about

two minutes ago,

6 pounds, 11 ounces--

Oh, Martin...

Trust you to be the

first to find out.

They make me stay here

while you...

A boy!

Well, I'll just be--

I gave her

a sedative.

She had a hard

time of it,

but she's all right

and the baby's fine.

You'll see them

in the morning.

A boy.

Well, Marty,

you're the father

of a son.

It's a great day.

Sure I'm on me way

to becoming

an ancestor.

It's been a great

strain on me.

Oh, listen, Red and I

have to meet some people.

Bye-bye, Papa.

Goodnight, Marty.

Well, then,

we'll be needing

our rest

after the great thing

we've done this day.

Have you thought

of a name for the boy?

You've all the saints

to choose from.

Well, I had it in mind

we'd name him after you,

with your

permission, sir.

You have my

permission, son.

Martin Maher III.

You'd better

get yourself

a little rest.

I think I'll sit up

a while, Dad.

Well, I think

I'll go upstairs

and say me beads.

God bless you,

my boy.

Good night, Dad.

♪ Come fill your glasses

Fellows ♪

♪ And stand up in a row ♪

♪ To singing sentimentally ♪

♪ We're going for to go ♪

♪ In the army

there's sobriety ♪

♪ Promotion's very slow ♪

♪ So we'll sing

Our reminiscences ♪

♪ Of Marty Maher, oh ♪

♪ Oh, Marty Maher, oh

Oh, Marty Maher, oh ♪

♪ The father of a

proud cadet ♪

♪ Is Marty Maher, oh ♪♪

Marty, we all got together

and picked out a present

for Martin Maher, Jr.

The Third.

Correction, Martin Maher III,

the class of...

'36.

The class of 1936.

Since he's detained elsewhere

this evening,

we...

we hope you'll accept

this cadet saber for him.

May he wear it

with pride

and with credit

to his parents

and to the Corps.

Well...

Well, now...

Congratulations, Marty.

Congratulations.

That's great.

Congratulations,

Martin Maher,

the First.

Wouldn't you all

have felt silly

if it had been a girl?

I gave them me solemn promise

it'd be a boy.

You'll find boodle

in the kitchen,

and there's ice cream

in the box there.

[♪♪♪]

♪ Of men we can offer

A charming variety ♪

♪ Far renowned

For learning and piety ♪

♪ Still I'll advance you

Without impropriety ♪

♪ Father O'Flynn

Is the flower of them all ♪

♪ Here's a health to you

Father O'Flynn ♪

♪ Slainte and slainte

And slainte again ♪

♪ Proudest of creatures

and tenderest teacher ♪

♪ And kindliest creature

In old Donegal ♪

Now a jig.

Come on!

[DOORBELL RINGS]

The police.

It's the doctor.

I was just

saying to myself

a minute ago,

what would the

celebration be

without the doctor?

You'll come in

and join us, sir?

No, not right now, Marty?

Can I see you a minute?

Let's go, fellows.

♪ Come, I venture

To give you me word ♪

♪ Never the likes

Of his logic was heard ♪

♪ Down from theology

into mythology ♪

Mother of God.

The poor little tiny thing.

But you said he was all right.

How...

How could he die so quick?

A baby, just

a few hours old...

I've got to get over

to the hospital.

No, Marty.

We're not going

to tell her tonight.

She'll sleep through

till morning.

I'm sorry, Marty.

Hey, you're off-limits!

Come on, Marty.

Let's get

out of this.

Let's go, Marty.

Leave me be.

Let me alone.

You're off-limits, all of you.

And we're going

to stay off-limits

until you come

back with us.

Come on.

I'll take the flowers

and put them in water for you.

10 minutes, Marty.

Thank you, sir.

Forgive me, Martin.

Forgive you?

Forgive you for what?

The doctor says...

that I can never

have another.

Try to find it

in your heart, Martin,

to accept

the will of God.

[MARCHING MUSIC PLAYING]

Would you be

moving my bed

up to the window,

Martin,

so that I can

look out?

It was a cruel,

hard thing, Martin,

but we're so much

better off than most.

We have so many

fine boys here,

and it's almost

as if...

or would they only be

putting in mind

of the son we had

for such little while?

Is that the way it

is with you,

Martin Maher?

So that you wish

you could go away

from here

and never have to

look at them again?

This is no time

to talk about it,

me just starting

a new enlistment.

What I wish or what

I don't wish...

That was the spring

the Lusitania was sunk,

and all of a sudden,

a lot of people wanted to know

how good the training was

at West Point,

what kind of officers

we were turning out.

They came and took a sharp

look at the class of 1915.

Charles Edward Dotson.

Chuck Dotson.

Never did make all-American,

but he was well up in his

class for graduation.

Timothy Aloysius Shannon.

Mike Shannon.

A fine river

he was named after.

Vicente P. Lim.

Vicente P. Lim.

First cadet

from the Philippine Islands.

Omar Nelson Bradley.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

George Edward Stratemeyer.

Congratulations.

James Alward Van Fleet.

Congratulations.

Joseph Taggart McNearny.

Congratulations.

Dwight David Eisenhower.

Congratulations.

1915...

Ah, that was the class

the stars fell on.

The long gray line marched on.

The class of 1917

didn't wait for June week.

The country was at war,

and they were needed

in a hurry.

Two days?

Two days!

Why, that's no

honeymoon at all.

We'll have

our honeymoon

when the war

is over.

Marty? Marty!

Excuse me, Mrs. Sundstrom.

Excuse me, ma'am.

May I have my first salute

from you?

Second Lieutenant

Overton, sir.

Bye, Marty.

Bye, Cherub.

Let's get rolling, Red.

Cherub wants to be

the first

second lieutenant

into Berlin.

I'll be back

by Wednesday, dear.

May I have

a salute too, Marty?

So long, Marty.

Good luck.

Come on, Red. Bye-bye, Marty.

Will you stop

your blabbering

at all the boys?

Martin Maher,

you shut your mouth.

All aboard! Next stop, Berlin.

[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS]

Bye, Mary!

Bye, Marty!

Bye-bye, Marty!

Bye, Mary!

Bye!

Bye!

[♪♪♪]

[CHANTING]

There you are.

I found you at last.

I've been all

over the post.

Whatever happened

to my application

for transfer,

Colonel, sir?

I've been meaning

to talk to you

about this, Marty.

Instead of my

disapproving it,

why don't you

just tear it up?

Does the colonel think

I'm not soldier enough

for the fighting?

You're needed

here, Marty.

One of us

has got to stay.

Lieutenant,

my orders, please.

Yes, sir.

That does it, sir.

Thank you.

Orders--

I am to set up

the training program

in all the new camps.

I can't even wait

for my replacement.

You--You mean

there's to be a new

Master of the Sword?

That's right,

and he'll need you

to keep things

running for him...

while you

break him in.

Your place

is here, Marty.

I know I can trust you

with our cadets.

Well, it was on

my conscience, sir...

watching the...

the young ones go off,

and me,

a soldier trained.

Marty, nobody'll ever

question the courage

of the Mahers.

Come here.

Age-- 42.

And a bit more.

Height-- six feet

four and a half.

Right.

That's correct.

Weight-- 200 pounds.

That's true.

That's true.

Da...

Hmm?

Come along, Da.

Colonel Koehler

wants you to stay here

and help me.

Oh.

Well, Tommy,

you know where to find me

when you want me.

Sorry,

Mr. Maher.

God bless you,

young gentlemen.

God bless you,

every one.

Hi, Marty.

It's a shooting war.

Babies.

I saw it, Martin.

Such a nice

little fellow.

Too small

to make the football squad,

so he carried the

water bucket.

Rudy Heinz, too,

Sergeant Major Heinz.

[DOORBELL RINGING]

Kitty, darling!

Mary, dear.

Martin. Martin,

will you look who's here!

Martin, dear.

Oh, you look fine!

Do you have any

news from Red?

It's good to be home.

Take Kitty's bag and put it

upstairs in the spare room.

Oh, Martin, would you put

a cushion behind Kitty's back?

I don't need a cushion.

I'm just fine.

Now, what do you hear

from Red?

Go on, now, Martin.

Tell me, now, about New York.

Did you have

a nice place to stay?

Martin, would you set the

table for the tea, please?

An apartment. I want you

to come in and see it

one of these days.

Oh, there's a terrible

draft on Kitty's back--

No, no, keep the door

open. I like fresh air.

And the shawleen

over here.

Put it around

her knees

and make her real

comfortable.

Oh, Mary, now, really,

I'm very fine.

Kitty, I'd like to

ask just one question.

What do you hear

from Red?

Will you put the water

on for the tea?

I only have

two hands, woman.

What would you

like me to do first?

Get rid of that

stinking pipe.

You ought to

know better.

I love the smell

of his pipe.

Now, about Red.

Tell me, Kitty.

Tell me, what do

you hear from him?

I had a letter from him

a week ago,

and he and Cherub Overton

spent a weekend in Paris.

Can you imagine

Cherub Overton in Paris?

Oh, that baby.

Tell me, love, did you walk

all the way from the station?

Should you be

doing that now?

Well, of course!

Walking's good for me,

quoth the doctors.

Doctors, hmph!

New York.

Oh, Mary.

Is that a place

to be raising a baby?

I'm not looking

that far ahead.

Why, who knows where

Red'll be ordered

when the war is over?

You know, he was

stationed in Honolulu

while he was

an enlisted man,

and he's hoping that

we'll be sent out there.

Just think of it,

Mary.

The sun and all those

palm trees.

Now, tell me,

where's himself,

Old Martin?

Oh, he's working

overtime, he is!

Working?

Yes. A new batch

of horses came in.

With Major Gillis away,

it's up to him to see that

nobody cheats the academy.

Don't forget

to get the cookies

out of the icebox,

Martin.

Oh, I'll bet Old Martin

was never happier.

You know, himself does

the work of two young men.

You'd think that if

he stopped for a minute

the kaiser would

have us surrounded.

Well, I'm glad

I'm not the kaiser about now.

I've had that Blackjack

Pershing after me,

and it's a very

uncomfortable feeling.

Martin, now,

don't forget the cakes

and the cookies,

and put on the tea.

Tea, cakes, cookies...

and me boys over there,

fighting.

[BELLS RINGING]

[CANNONS FIRING]

What are you doing

with me convenience?

But, Mary, the armistice

has been signed!

The war's over, Mary,

The war's over!

[CHEERING]

Thanks be to God.

Take it away.

You can burn

the whole house.

Get it on with you.

Oh! Oh,

just a minute.

Mary, what the devil

you doing down there?

Oh...

Take it away!

[MARCHING BAND PLAYING]

Martin!

Martin...

Oh, Mart...

[BELLS TOLLING]

Oh, mother of God.

The finest young men

in the world.

We bring them here...

train them, teach them...

duty, honor, country.

Then send them

out to be killed.

I'll have no more

to do with it!

Kitty and the baby.

We must go to them.

Can you get

a pass, Martin?

I've got furlough time

coming up.

After that,

my enlistment will be over.

We'll go see Kitty,

and we won't come back.

That's enough of your

wild talk, Martin.

I never talked saner

in my life, sir.

Dinny'll have a job for me.

I'll call him to come up

and get us in the morning.

We'll find a little

place in the city

for the three of us.

I'll not go with you.

I slept me first night

in America on this post,

and I'll sleep

me last night here,

and if they've got a bit

of ground in the cemetery,

I'll rest happy sleeping

at West Point forever.

I ask for your

blessing, Daddy-o.

You'll always have that,

my boy.

Subsist. Subsist.

Ah, sure,

he's grown so big.

[SNEEZES]

God bless you.

Look!

He's got a grip

on him too.

Why, he's

the spitting im--

Payment in full for

Red's life, Marty.

This came

special delivery

from Senator Hale.

Everyone's

been so kind.

It was in

all the papers.

I got letters

from people

I don't even know.

Flowers, even.

Do you know

what this is, Kitty?

It's an appointment

to the academy

for the son of

Captain James N. Sundstrom

effective at such time

as he may be ready

to follow in his father's

glorious footsteps.

Oh, he must be a kind

and understanding man that--

What right has he

to decide my son's

life for him?

They took his father.

That's enough.

They didn't take

his father, Kitty.

Red worked hard

to get to the Point,

and harder

to stay there.

He became what he always

wanted to be,

a professional soldier--

And professional

soldiers are...

are trained to die,

is that it?

No, they're trained

to do a job, Kitty.

Now, some die young,

and some don't,

but they all

give their lives

for their country.

They're ready

when they're needed.

They set the example...

and their wives,

Kitty.

Yes, their wives must

set the example too.

I wanted little Martin

to go to the Point.

There was no time, Mary.

Not even

in letters.

If I only would

have known what--

what Red would want--

Ah, sure,

you don't have to

make up your mind

now, love.

Not today or tomorrow

or even next year.

No. Look,

I'll tell you what.

Mary and me'll stay

over the night

in New York,

and tomorrow morning,

you come back

to the Point with us.

You pay us a nice,

long visit.

You and the little

fella, huh?

You'll have

to call Dinny, Marty.

Of course.

He'll drive us up,

and I'll have to ring up

that blackhearted...

Major Whitney,

filling in

as Master of the Sword,

and see what inducement

he'll offer me

to re-enlist.

[BABY CRYING]

With the oath

I will now administer,

you will become members

of the United States

Corps of Cadets.

Raise your right hand.

Repeat after me.

I...

I...

Say your name.

James N. Sundstrom, Junior.

Do solemnly swear

that I will support

the Constitution

of the United States...

Do solemnly swear

that I will support

the Constitution

of the United States...

And bear true allegiance

to the national government.

And bear true

allegiance

to the national

government...

That I will maintain

and defend the sovereignty

of the United States...

That I will

maintain and defend

the sovereignty

of the United States...

And that I will

at all times...

And that I will

at all times...

Obey the legal orders

of my superior officers...

Obey the legal orders

of my superior officers...

and the rules

and articles

governing the armies

of the United States....

And the rules

and articles

governing the armies

of the United States...

Say "I do."

I do.

Marty?

Ah, Red, me boyo.

Mr. Dumbjohn.

Halt.

Hmm, sloppy posture.

How's the cow,

Mr. Dumbjohn?

Sir, she walks, she talks,

she's full of chalk.

The lacteal fluid extracted

from the female--

All right, let's have

the definition

of leather, Mister.

If the fresh skin

of an animal,

cleaned and divested

of all hair, fat,

and other extraneous

material be immersed--

Mr. Dumbjohn,

forward, march.

Hi, Marty.

Ah, Gentlemen,

gentlemen.

You're wasting

your time

with that plebe,

gentlemen.

I taught him all

the tricks meself.

Just like I taught you,

Mr. O'Carberry,

and your father

before you,

and his father

before him.

and you too,

Mr. Shannon,

and your father

and his grandpappy,

God rest his soul.

So long.

See you, Marty.

Bye bye. Bye bye.

See you later, now.

MARTY: Four proud

and happy years, those were...

watching young Red grow

from a plebe

into a first classman

to make your heart beat high.

Why did you have to go

and sit down again?

Take your pants off, love,

and I'll press them

for you again.

Trousers,

and I haven't got time.

I'm in charge

of the hop committee.

Will you please

hold still, Red?

[CAR HORN HONKING]

Good night, Mom.

Good night, Mary.

Good night, Marty.

[BELLS TOLLING]

Yea, though I walk

through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for thou art with me.

Thy rod and thy staff,

they comfort me.

I've been asked

to make an announcement.

At dawn today,

Japanese aircraft

attacked Pearl Harbor.

While there's been

no official word,

it is assumed

the United States

is now at war

with Japan.

♪ Our fathers' God to thee ♪

♪ Author of liberty ♪

♪ To thee we sing ♪

♪ Long may our

land be bright ♪

♪ With freedom's

holy light ♪

♪ Protect us by thy might ♪

♪ Great God our king ♪

♪ Amen ♪

Marty...

Marty, I've got

to talk to you.

Get on with it, boyo.

It can't be as bad

as all that.

On my Thanksgiving

leave, Marty...

Carol and I

were married.

I must have

been crazy.

The whole thing

was crazy.

Listen, Marty, we were

only married four days.

Then her parents

had it annulled.

I'm not married now.

You broke your oath.

But an annulment.

The law says the marriage

never existed.

It makes

no difference.

You've the honor code

to face up to.

How could you take

your fine career

and throw it

in the gutter?

You of all the cadets

that ever lived.

Maybe because it was

all handed to me, Marty.

I didn't come

to West Point

like the rest of them.

They dream about it

when they're kids,

and they work

and plan

and sweat out

the appointment--

Like your own

father did.

If they haven't got

what it takes,

they're washed out.

The ones that

get through

know what

the Point means.

I guess I didn't.

Until now, huh?

Marty, this is

my last year,

and now,

with the war,

they're sure to

speed up graduation.

Once we're in combat---

It's between you and

your conscience, Red.

You'll have to decide

what's the best to do.

You'd better

be getting back.

You'll be late

for your formation.

[BUGLE PLAYING "TAPS"]

Yes, love.

You're coming right over?

Martin and I'll be

waiting for you.

Fine. Bye.

What is it?

What's the matter?

It's Kitty, Martin.

She's coming

right over.

She sounds like

she's worried, maybe.

You've not been

telling her about Red?

I have not.

I have not, indeed,

but you've had me

half distracted

this whole week

with the worry that

you'd go

blathering it out

yourself.

It's over and done

with, Martin Maher.

The marriage

has been annulled,

and there's no need

for anybody to be knowing

anything about it!

Do you hear me?

It's over and done with.

I know about it, Mary,

and my heart's

like a lump of lead.

I...can't even look the

other cadets in the eye.

I'll not stay here

and see him walk up

and take his commission.

Him that's

dishonored himself.

I'll not do it,

do you hear?

I'll not have it

on my conscience.

I'll put in

for retirement,

and I'll tell Red why.

Martin Maher,

that boy has been like

me own son,

everything that I wanted

my son to be,

and if you do him

any harm,

if you harm one hair

on his head, I'll...

I'll never forgive you.

[DOORBELL RINGING]

Hello, Mary.

Mother of God.

Red...

It took me quite a while

to decide.

Then I had a long talk

with Mother,

and a short talk

with the commandant,

and a few words

with the recruiting sergeant.

I'm very proud

of him, Marty.

You're proud of him.

I'm a prize recruit.

A letter goes with me

that says I don't need

basic training.

I'm ready to ship out.

Yes, well, this calls

for a celebration,

a cup of tea or--

If I miss my train,

I'll be AWOL.

Wait just minute.

I'll put on me clothes.

I'll go to

the station--

There's no time,

Marty.

But subsist, man,

subsist!

Goodbye, Mary.

Wait a minute.

The recruiting sergeant

gave me a tip.

He said the main thing

in the army

is not to start off

in trouble.

Yes. It-- It was on

the tip of me tongue

to-- to give him

the same advice myself--

I remem--

[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING]

Goodbye, Marty.

Hi, Marty.

Good afternoon.

VIPs.

Oh, VIPs, is it?

Sir, the brigade

is formed.

Thank you, gentlemen.

The review is about to begin,

but first I'd like to have you

see this plaque

to Colonel Koehler.

The first Master of the Sword.

A what?

Master of the Sword.

Established a fine

tradition here.

Oh, and there is

Sergeant Marty Maher,

who has done a great

deal to carry it on.

Hello, Marty.

Good afternoon, sir.

Now, gentlemen,

if you will step this way,

I think the review

is about to begin.

You work here, Pops?

Aye, I do, sir.

Did it ever

occur to you,

as an American

citizen with a vote,

that a place can be so

overgrown with tradition

that it loses touch

with reality?

How was that

again, sir?

I'm talking

about tradition.

Why, those same silly uniforms

have been worn

for over a hundred years.

Now, it's time

for more realism here

and less tradition.

Why, man,

we're at war!

Our boys are

dying in battle.

Pardon me, sir,

but how old are you?

Why, 42.

I'm the youngest governor

in the United States.

Oh, you don't say so, sir.

I do.

Youngest...

Who do you think is leading

our men in battle,

and I mean leading them?

Standing out there under fire,

saying, "follow me."

Where else would

the West Pointers be,

when there's dying

to be done?

And who's making the plans,

directing the war?

Eisenhower, let us say.

Douglas MacArthur,

Joe Stilwell,

Omar Bradley and

Georgie Patton.

Do you think generals

like that just happen?

They do not. They're made.

They're made, Mr. Alderman,

or Tax Collector!

They're made right here

at West Point!

What's your name?

Martin Maher, sir...

and you'll find

the name in the book.

There's no use

glaring at me like that,

Colonel, darling.

You'd have said

the same thing yourself.

Mary...

Mary O'Donnell...

Well, what are you doing

out of bed?

What are you doing

all dressed?

I'm going

to the parade.

Are you out of your head

altogether?

That walk and the climb

back up the hill after.

The doctors--

Doctors?

I want to go, Martin.

But it'd be half over

before we got there.

Ah, you'd not

enjoy it.

The place is crawling

with governors

and aldermen

and dogcatchers and...

All right, Martin.

Tell me now,

what is it that

you've been up to?

Well...

Nothing that

I'm ashamed of.

That youngest governor,

what's-his-name.

Sneering at

the academy, he was,

and nobody but me

to tell him

what he's too blind

in his eyes to see,

so I told him.

I'll remind you

what himself used to say,

Old Martin.

There's a time and a place

for assault and battery.

Well, I'll not

take back a word.

Let him go and report me

to the superintendent,

and he will too,

as fast as his hands

and knees'll carry him.

There. That's right.

Take off the hat, now.

[GROAN]

What is it,

Mary, darling?

Help me out

to the porch.

But shouldn't you

go back to bed?

Help me, Martin Maher.

Come along now.

Let me put this here.

Now, sit down.

There you are.

Lean back,

comfortable like.

I'll-- I'll go get

your medicine

and the shawleen,

and I'll be right back.

[DISTANT MUSIC]

Mary...

Mary O'Donnell.

[DOORBELL RINGING]

Hey, Merry

Christmas, Marty!

Merry Christmas, Marty!

Well, come in.

Pirelli, Kennedy.

Hope you don't mind

our barging in on you.

Oh, that's

quite all right.

I wasn't expecting

visitors.

Well, it's

a business call, Marty.

We're the press.

A special football number

of The Pointer.

A review of last season,

prospects for next year.

Oh, fine, fine.

Well, you'll have to

pardon the poor house.

It isn't as

spick-and-span as--

Hey, Marty,

what's burning?

Och, the eggs!

Oh, my gosh.

Oh, now, wait

a minute, boys.

I can do that

very well.

Sit down, Marty.

We'll handle the K.P.

Oh, but I don't

need any help.

Marty, you're going

to pick us

an all-time

army football team.

An all-time army

football team?

Right.

You mean from

the beginning

down till now?

Mm-hmm.

I'm sure that'll

start a Donnybrook.

We'll run it in

the front-page box,

Marty Maher's

All-time Team.

Well, it's a fine way

to make 11 friends

and 10,000 enemies.

Keep out of that,

Mr. Pirelli.

I can do that

very well.

I don't need

any help.

I grew up doing this

in my old man's delicatessen.

Where's

the bread?

Right over here.

Now, if--

Ah, thank you.

If he were only here

to argue with,

Colonel Koehler

would--

Colonel Koehler?

Who's he?

Colonel Koehler?

[DOORBELL RINGING]

Hey, Marty!

Merry Christmas,

Marty!

We're in the kitchen,

and wipe your feet.

For quarterback, now,

Charley Daly's my man.

D-A-L-Y.

Merry Christmas,

Marty!

Oh, Merry Christmas,

Mr. Dotson.

Merry Christmas,

Mr. Stern.

What is all this?

Present for you

from Dad in Belgium.

For me?

It's a Dotson

family custom

to give presents

Christmas Eve.

Well, now.

This wouldn't be

one of those booby traps,

would it, Mr. Dotson?

Well, let's see.

Och...

Look at that.

Boy, it's a beauty.

Sure is.

Think of him taking time

to send me

a present from Belgium,

and him with a division

to command.

Well, now, where was I

with me selections?

Charley Daly.

Charley Daly!

Charley Daly's me

all-time quarterback.

40 years, and never a man

touched him since.

Hey, how about

my old man?

That's just what I mean,

I'm treed like a toad.

Your father, Chuck Dotson,

would have made all-American

but for me,

but then, who'd be commanding

that division?

Halfbacks, now.

Paul Bunker,

and I'll have no arguments,

and Elmer Olliphant.

Take it down, lad, O-L-

L again, I-P-H-A-N-T.

[DOORBELL RINGING]

Come in, whoever you are.

And wipe your--

Hey, Pete...

Yo.

And Red Cagle.

We can't leave him out.

You got visitors,

Marty.

Big brass, Marty.

Big brass...

Big brass, you say?

Who could that be?

The superintendent?

Who could it be?

Georgie Patton?

Casey Widemyer,

perhaps.

Merry Christmas, Marty.

We've come

home, Marty.

What can I say,

and the tears in my throat?

You look fine, buckalo.

Just fine.

Take your coat,

Sergeant?

Mrs. Sundstrom?

Thank you.

Thank you.

There's my bag.

Thank you, son.

Thank you.

[WHISTLES]

Tell me...Are you home

for long, boy?

It's just

a convalescent leave.

As soon as my leg's fixed up,

I ship out again.

The Pacific, maybe.

Professional

soldier, Marty.

I've, uh...been saving these.

I wanted you to

pin them on me, Marty.

Captain's bars?

Attention!

Battlefield

commission, Marty.

Well, I--

Would you look at that?

Come on, Marty,

sit down here in

your favorite chair.

No, I don't--

Oh, now, you're

going to sit down.

Red'll sit down, too. Sure.

Come on, now, lean back, there

You comfy now?

I'm fine, thank you.

Pillow.

Pillow!

Pillow!

Come on.

Hurry. Oops!

I don't want

the pillow.

Put your head

back now.

Martin Maher, when was

the last time you ate?

Well, I had

a little--

You--

Pirelli, ma'am.

Mr. Pirelli,

hit that chow line.

You, K.P.

Holy Moses.

On the double,

quick. Everyone.

Oops. Come on.

No, no, Kitty, I don't

want the shawl.

Yes, you will do it.

Come on in

with the tree now.

Merry Christmas!

Put it right here

on the floor.

Wait a minute.

I don't want a tr--

I wanted it.

I haven't had one

in a long time.

The ornaments

are down here

underneath

the cellar stairs,

and you'll find them

in a box

called "Bushmill's

Irish Whiskey."

Bring it up,

will you?

Coming through.

Come on, now,

get that food, now,

because he needs it

real badly.

Oops, be careful

with the coffee here.

Come on!

Chuck, will you bring those

ornaments, please?

Hurry up!

Marty, now, come on,

put the bars down.

Here are the ornaments.

Come on, let's go.

Here we are.

[♪♪♪]

♪ Jingle bells,

jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun

it is to ride ♪

♪ In a one-horse

open sleigh ♪

♪ Jingle bells,

jingle bells-- ♪

Oh, wait a minute!

Wait a minute.

[♪♪♪]

♪ Come, fill your glasses

Fellows ♪

♪ And stand up in a row ♪

♪ To singing sentimentally ♪

♪ We're going for to go ♪

♪ In the army

there's sobriety ♪

♪ Promotions very slow ♪

♪ We'll sing a

Merry Christmas ♪

♪ To Marty Maher, oh ♪

♪ Oh, Marty Maher, oh ♪

♪ Oh, Marty Maher, oh ♪

♪ We'll sing a

Merry Christmas ♪

♪ To Marty Maher, oh ♪

So, you see, sir,

it's been my whole life.

Everything that I treasure

in my heart,

living or dead,

is at West Point.

I-- I wouldn't know

where else to go.

I have West Point

on the phone for you, sir.

You talk to them, Chuck.

Find out what

the snafu is up there.

Yes, sir.

I-- I've taken up a great

deal of your time, sir.

I hope I'll

always have time

for old friends, Marty.

Thank you, sir.

Come and see

me again.

Okay, Buck.

Fast as we can.

See you.

Oh, Here.

I almost forgot.

Tell him to rub this in well,

morning, noon and night--

Did you have

permission

to leave

the Point?

No, sir.

I didn't even--

Even sign out?

Well, I was that excited,

you know--

What are you,

a recruit?

You're AWOL.

Chuck, Chuck...

I'll have to fly you back

to save that fool neck.

Let's go.

It's that blackhearted

Master of the Sword.

Director of

Physical Education.

Airfield.

Now, wait a minute--

You should know

enough by this time

not to absent yourself

without leave.

Sir, I don't

understand--

Come with me.

Present...arms!

[♪♪♪]

Listen, sir.

The tune they're playing.

It's the tune--

This is for

you, Marty.

The cadets

asked for it.

You're at

attention, Marty.

Yes, sir.

It's been

a great day for Marty.

It's been a great

life for Marty.

If only Old Martin

and Mary were here.

They are here...

and the others.

[♪♪♪]

[PLAYING "AULD LANG SYNE"]

[BELLS RING]