Original subtitles

Hatley! Hatley! Change here for Busten and Wenstead.

Wilfred!

Go and see Harry. Cut your hair. Go on.

♪ I like to be in America

God...

Thank Gawd that's the last one today.

I'm fed up with dinging them dingers and pulling them blooming levers.

Yeah?

You'll be sorry you said that when Beeching closes us down. You'll be out on your ear.

Listen, mate. If Beeching was to come down here, I'd give him the flat end of my tongue.

No, you wouldn't, you'd be the first to suck up to him. You're all talk, Harry Lambert.

Now get on with cutting my hair. I've got a lot on.

- Evening, Harry. - What are you doing here?

My mum's just come back from Clumberfield.

She kissed me and told me to get my hair cut.

Then she started singing.

Been drinking, has she?

Don't be daft! Ethel doesn't drink...

Watch out, Harry, you nearly had my ear off.

- Sorry, Jack. - Don't cut it so short this time.

I'm not in the army now, you know.

Did you enjoy being in the army, Mr Skinner?

Best days of my life, the army days.

It's a pity for you they stopped conscription.

It'd do you good to get away from your mother's apron strings, young Wilfred.

- lt'd make a man of you. - it didn't make a man out of me.

What with them sergeants and officers shouting at me all the time

and the Germans shooting at me all the time, it made me a nervous wreck.

- Did it make a man out of you, Jack? - it taught me discipline.

It turned me into a mean, lean fighting machine.

So what went wrong, then?

'Ey up, somebody sounds happy.

♪ In America!

♪ ..In America ..in America

♪ Everything free in America!

Evening, Ethel.

- Hello, Jack, Harry. - Been to Clumberfield, have you?

Yes, I went shopping,

then I went to the optician's to get my eyes tested, then I went to the pictures.

Went on your own, did you?

That's for me to know and for you to find out, Jack Skinner.

Ha!

- She's met a man. - Don't be daft.

- Where would Ethel meet a man? - At the pictures.

More like in the optician's!

Morning, May.

Whatever do you think you're playing at? I'm wet through.

I'm sorry. Would you like to come through to my kitchen and dry your clothes in front of the fire?

Yes, and what are you planning to do while I'm standing there in your kitchen half-naked?

Well, I'm sure I'll think of something.

Think of something else, Cecil Parkin.

May, I couldn't sleep again last night.

I lay on my bed all night tossing and turning, thinking of you.

You're a fool to yourself.

And here you are this morning with the sun shining through your hair.

- All radiant and rosy-cheeked. - Rosy-cheeked, my eye.

I'm flushed from carrying these flaming heavy buckets.

- Coo-ee! - 'eck. She's all I need.

Go on, be off with you. You know what she's like.

Right.

Yes.

- May! - Get out!

Morning, all. On your own, are you?

I thought I heard you talking to someone.

No, Vera, I was just talking to myself.

You know, as you do... when you're on your own.

Yes. Personally, I always talk to myself.

My late husband used to say that talking to yourself was the first sign of madness.

Anyway, I've changed the sheets on Mr Parkin's bed.

Just look at them.

They're all rumpled and wrinkly.

I can't think what he does all night.

I can.

♪ I like to be in America OK by me in America

♪ Everything free in America For a small fee in America

- What are you doing, Wilfred? - I'm sweeping the floor, Mr Skinner.

- Where's your brush, then? - My mum's danced into t'booking office with it.

Well, dance in there after her and get it back sharpish.

May.

- Did you get a chance to talk to Ethel? - How could I? She's not been in yet.

- She's in the booking office. - I'm not going chasing after her in there.

Jack, you haven't stopped going on about Ethel meeting a man since she came home last night.

I'm not positive she has met a man. That's what I want you to find out.

I don't know why you're so interested.

She's over 21. If she wants to meet a man, she can meet a man, can't she?

Yeah.

But I worry about her, May. I mean, Ethel's a simple soul. Men use her.

I mean, look at Percy. He keeps promising to take her out.

Then young Amy turns up and he's off, leaving Ethel in the lurch.

All right, when she comes in for her tea, I'll talk to her.

Has she been singing?

Nonstop, why?

My late husband always knew when the coalman had been

on account of my singing.

I used to sing...

♪ Mr Sandman, bring me a dream

How did he know it was the coalman?

Cos that was his name. Mr Sandman.

Didn't bring me a dream, though.

Only nutty slack.

Ai! Ai! Ai!

Mrs Schumann! Mrs Schumann!

You frightened the life out of me.

What in heaven's name do you think you're doing?

Singing.

Well, kindly stop it at once.

This is British Railways property and I'm trying to do some work.

If you wish to sing, kindly do it in your own home in your own time.

Yes, Mr Parkin. Certainly, Mr Parkin.

Three bags full, Mr Parkin.

♪ Tonight, tonight won't be just any night

♪ Tonight there will be no...!

Morning, all.

- Give us a cup of tea, please, May. - Ooh! You're cheerful this morning.

Am I?

Jack, haven't you got anything better to do than stand there gawping?

- I'm finishing my tea. - You've finished.

Yeah, right. I'll go and check if the track's still there.

Right. Ethel.

Come on. How old is he and what's he look like?

Well!

- What you doing, Mr Skinner? - Shh! I'm listening.

He's an American called Joe.

And he's sort of big and sort of muscly.

And sort of cuddly.

You'd think he'd be ever so bossy, what with him being so big, but he's not at all.

He's just like a great, big, cuddly teddy bear.

You like him, then?

He works at the US Airbase in Bigglesby. I met him in the café.

He was sitting opposite me. Anyway, I was having one of these frothy coffees.

The froth went up my nose and I saw him laugh.

Then he had a drink of his frothy coffee

and the froth stuck to his top lip like a moustache, and I laughed.

Then we went to the pictures.

- What's she saying? - Shh!

How can I listen if you keep interrupting?

But I want to know what's going on.

She's met this big, handsome American who's took her to the pictures.

Mr Skinner! Wilfred! What do you think you're doing?

Hello, Mr Parkin.

I'm just checking if Wilfred has cleaned these brass plates on the doors properly.

- Has he? - No, there's fingermarks all over them.

- They're your fingermarks. You just made 'em. - Don't be cheeky.

- Where are we going? - Check the brasses in the gents.

- What about? - Come on!

The film was dead good.

The story takes place in New York, on the West Side, between these two gangs.

Which, I suppose, is why it's called West Side Story.

Anyway, this bloke Tony is in love with Maria,

but Maria is the sister of the gang leader who's Tony's deadly mortal enemy.

So, anyway, the two gangs get into this big fight and kill each other.

It's ever so romantic!

- What are you doing? - I'm going to try and listen at the buffet window.

- Can you hear anything? - Yes.

You. Shut up.

I'd love to go to America. Wouldn't you, May?

Well, you never know. This Joe might sweep you off your feet and take you back there with him.

Wouldn't that be lovely?

America!

All those big cars. Those big buildings.

Those big men.

Who am I kidding? I'll never be able to go to America.

- Why ever not? - I've got too many responsibilities in Hatley.

- Like what? - Well, there's Wilfred for a start.

Who'd look after him if I went gallivanting off?

Well, don't look at me.

Or me. I'm too old to be a mother.

What's she saying?

My mum. What's she saying?

She's saying she'd like to go to America with this bloke,

but she can't because she's got to stay home to flaming well look after you!

Shh!

♪ I'm the Sheikh of Araby

♪ And you belong to me

♪ At night, when you're asleep

♪ lnto your tent I creep

- What's that you're singing, Arnold? - It's The Sheikh Of Araby.

Jessica's favourite song.

She was singing it this morning in the outside toilet and I can't get the thing out of my head.

Does she sing a lot in the bog, then?

Yes. Ever since I took the bolt off the door.

That was her pet name for me. I was her Sheikh of Araby.

Are you foreign, then?

Not so far as I know.

It's just that it's something that's been worrying me for a long time now, the foreign question.

What are you talking about?

It's just that I read somewhere that for every man, there is a woman.

You know, like fate has picked one out for you.

You mean that Jessica was picked out for me?

Yeah, something like that.

Well, I was wondering...

what if the one picked out for me was Chinese?

I wouldn't know what she was saying, would I?

Do you think I should learn Chinese?

No.

Just put some more coal on.

Hatley! Hatley! Hatley!

Change here for Busten and Wenstead.

Afternoon, Jack.

You need a trolley, mate. I got a load of parcels for you.

Right. Wilfred! Wilfred!

Cor blimey...

- What's up? - It's that boy again.

- What's he done now? - Vanished.

- What, into thin air? - I've not set eyes on him all afternoon.

Wilfred! Wilfred!

Careful, Bernie. There's a dog in there and he's not very friendly.

He won't do that again. I bit him back.

Here, are you getting on or staying off?

No. We're getting on. I'm taking Abby to the pictures tonight, ain't I, my lovely?

We're gonna see West Side Story.

It's got that Natalie Wood in it. Phwoar, she's a corker.

Do you think she's prettier than me, Percy?

Course not! She's only up on the screen, ain't she?

You'll be sitting next to me.

Right away!

- Doing your own portering, Jack? - It's that boy, Wilfred. He's done a bunk.

- Where's he gone? - Don't ask me.

Maybe he's gone to China to find his one true love.

Don't ask. That him there?

- Where? - There.

Aye, that's him. Just wait till I get my hands on him.

Come in!

- Hello, Mum. - Wilfred! Where have you been?

- Jack's been looking high and low for you. - I had to go to Clumberfield.

- Clumberfield. Whatever for? - So I won't be in your way.

- What do you mean? - So you can go to America with your friend Joe.

Go to America? Wilfred, what have you done?

I've taken the Queen's shilling.

Well, you can jolly well go and give it back to her.

No, you don't understand.

I've joined the army.

Wilfred!

- Mr Skinner! - Yes, Mr Parkin?

Don't bash the trolley into the door. You'll take all the paint off. Now it's all chipped.

- Sorry, Mr Parkin. - Please be more careful in future.

Certainly, Mr Parkin.

On second thoughts...

take all the parcels off the trolley.

Yes, I think it would be best if trolleys were not to be taken into the booking hall.

From now on, all parcels must be carried into the building.

Anything you say, Mr Parkin. I'll get Wilfred to do it. Wilfred!

No, no, you can do it. I'll help.

- There's no need. - No, no, I insist.

I wouldn't want anyone to think that I don't pull my weight around here.

I'm sure nobody would dream of thinking that, Mr Parkin.

You know, I like to think of us all as the Three Musketeers.

All for one and one for all.

Quite right, Mr Parkin.

Yeah. Right.

I think that should be enough to be going on with.

Very kind of you, Mr Parkin.

- Wilfred, you are a fool. - I thought you'd be pleased.

How can I be pleased?

Mr Skinner said I should untie myself from your apron strings.

- I thought you'd be proud of me. - I am proud of you, Wilfred. Very proud.

- Do you think Mr Skinner will be proud of me? - Of course he will.

Look, I know Jack gets at you at times but all in all, I think he likes you.

I'll kill that boy Wilfred!

Jack, Wilfred's joined the army.

Just in time.

Right, left, right, left, right, left.

Halt! About turn!

Can we stop now, Mr Skinner? Me feet are hurting.

Stop?

Do you know what your sergeant major would do if you said,

"Can we stop now, Sergeant Major?"

- I don't know. - He'd have you on a charge, that's what!

Right. Stand at... ease!

I said, stand at ease, not fall asleep. Come on, arms behind your back. Chin up. Feet apart.

Not that far apart.

Company!

Company!

'Shun!

Quick... march!

Dear, dear, dear!

- What's the matter with you, Harry? - You're showing him all wrong.

What you trying to do? Turn him into a laughing stock?

- What are you talking about? - He's not doing it right.

You don't march like this, you do it like this.

Here, here, Wilfred, here!

Follow me.

Left! Left! Left, right, left.

Left, left.

No, no, you daft ha'p'orth, you're doing it all cock-eyed. You do it like this.

Left, right, left, right, left, right...

Cor blimey, you look like you're both deformed now.

Well, I'm not hanging about here all the afternoon. I'm gonna go and have a kip.

The only chance I get to have a rest is on a Sunday between the 12.15 and the 6.20.

When there's no ruddy trains.

Excuse me! Pardon my interrupturing.

But all your shouting has awoken me from my dream.

Sorry, Vera.

I wouldn't mind only it was just getting to the interesting bit.

- You was in it, Harry. - Aye? What was he doing, then?

I've no idea. You stopped him doing it with all your shouting.

What's going off? You're making enough noise to wake the dead.

'Ey up, who's this, then?

Blimey, look at that car.

- Is it American? - Looks like it.

Could be Ethel's fella.

She's fallen on her feet this time.

I'll bet that's worth a few bob.

Hi, there.

Would this be the right place to find Mrs Ethel Schumann?

Yes. Number two.

- Joe! - Hi, Ethel.

- What you doing here? - I've come to take you out this afternoon.

- Have you? - I thought I'd borrow my buddy's car,

take you for a picnic and then maybe we'd go for a walk in the woods.

Walk in the woods? I'd love to.

I'll get my coat.

Ready.

Allow me.

- I don't like the look of him. - What are you talking about?

- He seems quite nice. - And he behaves like a gentleman.

Yeah, but for how long?

- What do you mean? - You heard him.

"We'll go for a walk in the woods."

What's he gonna do with her in the woods? That's what I want to know.

- Go for a walk, I expect. - But she'll be all on her own with him.

And you know what happens when two people are left alone together, don't you?

What happens, Harry?

I can't remember now.

I don't care what you say. He's a Yank and I don't trust him. Come on!

- Where are you going? - To keep an eye on him. We'll take Parkin's van.

I have to change out of my slippers.

I'm not one to pry into other people's business but I'll be down in a jiffy.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

Look at this lovely spread. It's smashing, Joe.

- Just something I rustled up. - You are clever.

I'll tell you what.

Why not come and have some dinner with me and Wilfred Sunday?

I only wish I could, Ethel, but it would be too far to come.

Well, couldn't you borrow your buddy's car again?

- Nope, afraid not. - The 12.15 stops at Hatley.

Yeah, but it doesn't start in Pennsylvania.

What do you mean?

Well, my tour of duty is over. I gotta go back to the States.

Well, couldn't it wait till after Sunday?

No, when Uncle Sam says you gotta go home, you gotta go home.

Will... Will this be the last time I see you, then?

Hey, wait a minute.

I've gotta fly out of Marham in Norfolk on Tuesday.

The 9.10 train comes through Hatley.

- I'll be able to say goodbye, then, won't I? - I certainly hope so.

Cheers.

This is the life?

This is what it's all about.

Yes, it is, in't it?

England.

Green fields. Quaint little houses.

- it is nice, in't it? - Sure is.

Out here in the open air, just the two of us, nobody for miles.

Doing whatever we want.

Well, which is it to be, then?

Leg or breast?

For heaven's sake, Ethel, you've looked at that clock five times in the last two minutes.

I'm sorry, Jack, it's just that I don't want to miss the 9.10.

How can you miss it? It stops here.

- it might not today. - Of course it will.

The 9.10 has stopped here every day since 1959.

Except for Sundays.

Mrs Schumann, have you seen Wilfred?

Er... no, Mr Parkin, not since first thing this morning.

- Really? - He was having his cornflakes.

He heard the postman, so he went to fetch the letters, and I've not seen him since.

- How annoying. - Yes, his cornflakes will have gone all soggy!

That'll be the 9.10. See it through, Mr Skinner.

Not you, Mrs Schumann. I need you in my office to go through the ticket returns.

I can't do that now. The 9.10's coming in.

I'm well aware of that but as there are no passengers waiting to buy tickets,

I thought the time could be better utilised.

Couldn't we better utilise it after the 9.10's been?

Very well, but don't linger!

I need to get these books sorted out this morning.

Ethel! Ethel!

Don't blow your whistle for a minute, Jack.

- Hello, Joe. - Hi, there. Looking for me?

Yes.

- So... you're off then? - Yep, back to the good old US of A.

I'm really sorry you've got to go back so soon.

- I have been here three years. - I know, but I've only known you for a week.

- You know, I wish I'd met you before. - Do you?

- Do you, really? - Yeah, really.

I'm going to miss you, Joe.

Are you going to miss me a bit?

Yes, Ethel, I am going to miss you a bit.

- A big bit or a little bit? - A big bit!

Ethel, I'm going to have to blow the whistle now.

Just another minute, Jack!

Parkin'll kill me.

So... it's goodbye, then.

Yeah, it's goodbye, Ethel. It's been great.

Yeah... Great!

Mr Skinner! Why is the train still in the station? ls there a problem?

- Er, no, Mr Parkin. - Then get rid of it.

Right away!

- You've been great. - Yeah, great.

- Will you come back, do you think? - I might.

- Will you write? - I might.

Will you always remember me?

I will!

Bye!

Ethel! Ethel!

Coming, Jack.

I've just caught Wilfred skulking in the gents' whatsit.

- What were you doing in there? - Nothing.

- Have you been crying? - No.

Don't you fib to me, Wilfred Schumann. Your eyes are all red.

- So are yours. - I've got hay fever.

- Now, what's up? - I got this letter from the Ministry of Defence.

- Is it your posting? - No.

You read it, Jack. My eyes are all stinging.

"Dear Mr Schumann, your recent application to join Her Majesty's Forces has been declined

due to your medical condition."

Medical condition?

What medical condition?

I've got flat feet.

Wilfred!

I am pleased!

Are you? But you won't be able to go to America cos I'll be at home in your way.

- I don't want to go to America. - Don't you?

No, I want to stay at home in Hatley with you.

My lad!

Well, Wilfred, if you're staying, you can start by putting those parcels in the booking office.

And don't push the trolley in there. You're taking all the paint off and now it's all chipped.

♪ Oh, Doctor Beeching, what have you done?

♪ There once were lots of trains to catch but soon there will be none

♪ I'll have to buy a bike cos I can't afford a car

♪ Oh, Doctor Beeching, what a naughty man you are

♪ Oh, Doctor Beeching, what have you done?

♪ There once were lots of trains to catch but soon there will be none

♪ I'll have to buy a bike cos I can't afford a car

♪ Oh, Doctor Beeching, what a naughty man you are