Original subtitles

♪

All doors are opened at Christmas.

All desires are made known.

Children list them in their letters.

Those older just make lists.

Oh.

That one. That one.

There is always a goal to be reached,

a gift to be given,

something to seek out or to purchase

or pursue.

Almighty god,

give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness

and put upon us the armor of light

now in the time of this mortal life...

We want so much.

We hope for so much happiness...

Looking good, Fred! Sparkling.

And there are things that we must always do.

We need more "beanos."

The "beano" is better than the "dandy."

Oh, well, you write that on your list,

because you are the comic advisor.

Ohh...

Any more thoughtsabout the turkeys?

This is a high-class news agents and tobacconist, Fred buckle,

not a general stores with a sideline dealing dodgy poultry.

But the turkeysain't dodgy.

I'm getting them froma farmer in the countryside.

Nothing of uncertain provenance is coming through that door.

You can flog them out of the back of your Van if you so desire.

Close the door, Reggie love. It's nippy out there.

There's a polar bear.

How about that then, reg? The circus is coming!

With a polar bear!

Excuse me, gentlemen.

Is there going tobe a parade?

Will it be passingby my shop, and when?

Is everythingall right in there?

Is something amiss?

The bathroom's been occupiedfor absolutely ages.

It's either lucilleor sister Monica Joan.

No, sister Monica Joan went straight to the parlor after chapel.

She's waiting for "Dr. Who" to start.

Lucille!

Is it a touch of dicky tum?

I've seen a few cases of the trots on the district rounds.

I haven't got the trots!

I've had a new hairdo, and I don't like it.

By the time Trixie'sgiven it the once-overwith Valerie's teasing comb,

and a squirt of lacquer, cyril will be eating outof your hand.

I've seen this time and time again with a revised bouffant.

Trauma, followed by tears,

followed by a dawning conviction that one had never looked better.

Where are Valerie's things?

She's only gone to the maternity home.

Why on earth would she take her heated rollers there?

Nurse dyer begged for my discretion

and, indeed, my silence.

She came to me in considerable distress

soon after her grandmother had passed away,

asking to hand in her resignation.

But thepoor lass has had oneheartbreak after the other.

She wasn't in aframe of mind to makeany sort of decision.

She was not, and I told her exactly that.

And where is she now?

At London airport.

Well, she did rather look

as though a holiday might perk her up.

She refused leave of absence,

insisting that she needed to keep busy,

so I have arranged for her to go to hope clinic in South Africa.

In that case, she has not left us.

She has merely been transposed to another of our spheres.

How long is shegone for?

There's no way of telling.

I did not press for any sort of promise.

Well... perhaps she'll come back

when she runs out of hair lacquer.

Why would she do that, cyril?

Why would she just pack up her home, her job,

her whole life and go running away halfway across the world?

We did it.

We said good-bye to people.

We tell them what was being planned.

Did Valerie have no love for anyone?

Did she not know what her running off would do?

I think she did

and she was afraidof causing pain.

People who arehurting like that,

they lash outor they hide away.

Valerie is my friend.

She mean a hundred things to a hundred people,

not just me.

She would have liked my new hairdo.

What new hair?

I think it'svery fine indeed.

♪

Uhh!

You might onlysee a hemorrhage like thisonce every Preston guild,

but you certainly won't forget it in a hurry.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Turner'sjust arrived with a cake tin.

Oh, Dr. Turner, the very gentleman.

It's all well and good, the flying squad

racing in through those doors,

but when they race out again without the mother's notes,

it's slightly less impressive.

Now, if you need myassistance, my priceis a mince pie.

I've done a dozen with flaky pastry tops, as an experiment.

And I'll take the notes to St. cuthbert's maternity by hand.

Come on, Teddy.

And if youcould make it clearthat the oversight

was on the part of the ambulance crew, I'dbe grateful. Thank you.

Excuse me. Shelagh.

It's Gloria. Gloria venables.

We were in here together when

you were having this little fellow, I think?

Oh, Gloria!

You remember shelagh, don't you, Tony?

We were in here together when, um,

well, when we both had problems.

Nice to see you.

I always wonderedhow you got on.

Oh, well, not too well at first.

I lost that one, as you know,

and then 3 more.

I'm so sorry.

Don't be.

I'm 38 weeks.

Did you have cervicalcerclage, Gloria?

They took the stitch out last Friday.

I'm just here for a check up,

and then I'll be back when I go into labor.

Do you remember what you told me when wesaid good-bye?

"Next year or theyear after that ..."

"...it'll be a lovely sunny day

"and I'll be down the market, pushing a pram.

"And somewhere near the flower stall

I'll look up and see you."

Pushing a pram.

"And we'll smile at each other

and pass the time of day."

We've managed almostall of it,

except perhapsthe sunshineand the flowers.

Good luck, Gloria.

So, we managed to steala march on mother nature

by putting inthat stitch.

Now it's time tolet mother nature call the shots.

What if something goes wrong?

Goes wrong in what way?

Well, when it'sbeing born or afterit's been born.

It's taken us a long timeto get to this point.

And at this point,

your wife is just thesame as any other mother.

She's carried an apparentlyhealthy baby to term.

And just likeany other mother,

she simply has to gohome and think

beautiful thoughtsuntil her time comes.

I can't think beautiful thoughts, Mr. Kenley.

I can only think of terrible, terrifying things.

I really do urge youto take her home, father.

When the day arrives, you bring her back here,

hand her over, job done.

What does he mean

hand me over, job done?

I'll only just be starting.

Look...

We'll manage, I promise you.

No, you can't promise me anything,

and I don't know any of those midwives.

I haven't seen the same one twice.

Gentlemen, gentlemen, have a quality street.

Oh, here they come! Here they come!

Oh! Here they are!

Roll up and book your tickets for the Christmas show!

Ha ha ha!

Get your tickets now!

Where's the polar bear?

You can't put a priceon showmanship.

What are you doingstuck back there? You'remissing all the details.

I'm not keen on clowns.

Hey hey!

Oh...

I hope we aren't going to regret

switching over to theselloyd George cards.

They don't seem to beparticularly capacious.

We have a lot of chronicinvalids on our books,

not to mention somenoteworthy hypochondriacs.

I recommend a single stout elastic band for the chronic invalids,

two for the hypochondriacs.

Mrs. Turner.

Gloria, whatever's the matter?

The thing is, if you decide

to transferto our practice,

you can also switchyour ante-natal care awayfrom St. cuthbert's

and be looked afterby our midwives.

You may still be advised to choose hospital delivery,

but we'd care for you and the baby once you come home, too.

Well, that would bebetter, wouldn't it?

Oh, much better.

Well, we always say,

the best care for anymother is the careshe believes in.

And you've had so many losses,

it's no wonder your faith has been shaken.

Ah, I never got further than 6 months before,

and they were all born too soon to breathe.

Mr. Kenley said it better not to think of them as babies.

I don't like to talk about it.

I'm afraid animals are not permitted on these premises

for reasons of hygieneand peace of mind.

Armande is a professional entertainer.

You can't treat him as if he were just livestock.

Perhaps one of yourchildren could remove him from the premises,

since you appear tohave several.

Only two of them are mine.

Oh, 3, if you count this one.

It is not centrally affixed.

I have an unerring eye for median position.

Kindly oblige me, sister, and descend.

Sister Monica Joan, you are not going up that ladder.

Sister Frances, it looks perfectly fine to me.

I'll get it!

It'll be the postman.

Here you go, miss.

Thank you!

A portofino postmark. Ah!

And every year, I pause to remind myself,

'cause I love my godmother dearly for who she is,

and the lovely experiences we've shared,

and not just because she sends me a dress allowance every Christmas!

Trixie, have you had bad news?

She hasn't sent me a dress allowance.

She's paid for me to join a marriage bureau

so that I don't end up... and I quote...

"on the shelf."

We have delivered babiesin caravans before, mrs. Ellings.

How long is the circusgoing to be here?

Well we're meant to be heading to Paris in the new year.

It may well end up with France on its passport as its place of birth.

Were you bornsomewhere exotic?

Scunthorpe.

Well, that might be paradise, as far as I know.

My dad never took the circus back there again.

My mother died when she was having me.

Oh, no. I'm sorry.

My dad goes into a panic every time I fall pregnant,

in case the same thing happens to me.

But you are doing verywell. You can assurehim of that.

I do. Constantly.

And you've quitea trim tummy, I have to say!

Well, I was doing 10 shows a week up until two months ago.

I'm an aerialist. I spend half my life on a trapeze.

I shall be vexed ifi hear of you goinganywhere near a trapeze

until well after babyhas arrived.

Oh, you never know. Might shake something loose.

Oh.

You're not on the shelf, Trixie.

You're just choosy.

Or men have been choosy.

It's not necessarily your fault.

My godmother's implyingthat it is my fault.

She's simply implying that you need to take a fresh approach.

Some of us, when faced with an obstacle in life,

make prayer our primary port of call.

Others go to a rather smart agency in Mayfair

and ask to be introduced to some nice chaps!

♪

She's written me offas a failure without taking into account

any of myprofessional accomplishments

ormy personal achievements!

Do youknow what she did for a living?

Croupier?

She was a hand model!

She usedto hold bottles of hand creamand washing up liquid

in advertisements!

I'm opening the petticoat tails.

I suspect we may need two each.

We can't eat the petticoat tails.

They've been put away for Christmas.

Plll!

Sister Monica Joan!

We're about to have some tea and shortbread!

Sister Monica Joan!

Ohh!

Ohh! Uhh!

Ohh!

Ohh!

Oh! Oh!

Oh! Oh!

Ohh!

Oh...

Oh! Oh!

Sister, how did you fall?

Did you loseconsciousness?

I only knowi don't know!

We need pillowsand a blanket

and an ambulance!

I'm glad we went for the Navy. It's much smarter.

And with those new specs,

no one can say that you don't look the part.

You mean like a shopkeeper?

We need to be on a much firmer footing

before we can take on an assistant.

Besides, you need to get to know the paper trade.

We sold 3 "beanos" yesterday.

Oh! Now, you should take a leaf out of Reggie's book.

I'd rather beat a circus.

I really want to seethe polar bear.

Oh, now it's a busy time of year in the frozen waste, Reggie.

That bear is gonna be run off his feet, same as me.

I better get back round the corner

because the elastic salesman is coming at half-past.

Right.

The minute that clock hits dinnertime,

we are going down to the big top

to see if they need any papers delivered.

And I believe the appropriate term for such an exercise

is "market research."

No! I require no assistance.

We'll have to lift her.

I'm sorry. We cannotrule out the possibilityof a broken hip.

The patient can onlybe moved with thegreatest of care.

Sister, I think there might be a Thomas' splint in the storeroom.

Good.

I've brought the gas. Come on, sister.

I'll show you what to do.

♪

Ohh!

I will not leave her.

Only god knowswhat he has now begun

or where he might end it.

I'm going to see a tiger.

♪

Good afternoon, gentlemen.

Watch where you're walking, sweetheart.

The horses have just come past.

Can I help you?

Fred buckle of the buckle's newsagent

and tobacconist, wick street.

I'm jacquetta percival.

Ellings is my married name, but this is our family business.

Well, my young colleague and I were wondering

if you might be in need of a daily delivery.

Not half! I'll have the "mirror" and 20 "henley" tipped, Monday to Saturday

and the "news of the world" on a Sunday morning.

No one ever delivers to caravan dwellers!

We aim to please, don't we, Reggie?

Hope you're gonna come and see the show.

Where's the polar bear?

Oh. Snowy.

Oh, he's not been well.

He's gone to a convalescent home in the north pole

till he feels better.

Oh. Tell you what...

Why don't I ask the ringmaster

if he'll sign a souvenir photo?

And you can help me feed the horses, if you like.

Would you like that, Reggie?

Follow me.

Oh, dad! Dad.

♪

I would not objectto being served tea.

You aren't permitted anything

in case they decide that you need an operation.

I've already spoken to the doctor about your x-rays.

It is an unnaturalbusiness

to have one's innerframework exposedto the casual observer.

The soul itselfmight be made visible.

He made no mention of any spiritual discovery.

He did say that your hips were both intact,

which is miraculous in someone of your age.

You speak of me as thoughi am an ancient crone

who cannot expect tosurvive a simple stumbledown the stairs!

But you have sustained a nasty double fracture of the lower leg

and broken both your tibia and your fibula.

You will not, I fear, be home in time for Christmas

or any time soon thereafter.

That's right. Keep your fingers straight

so that titania doesn't getthem mixed up with the carrots.

Have you ever looked after horses?

I've looked aftera donkey.

Oh. Boys, why don't you take Reggie round the back

and show him Pablo?

He does tricks. You'll love him.

Come on, Reggie. Come on.

I have nothing but compassion for your pain and your incapacitation,

but after 60 years in the religious life,

you're well-practiced in forbearance.

You must draw upon that strength.

Or as my nannyused to say,

"what cannot be curedmust be endured."

And age cannot be cured.

It mauls andwithers one.

It rubs one out, day after day,

like an Indian rubberon a faded pencil sketch.

We are supposed totolerate it, and I cannot.

I'm tolerating it.

You are youngerthan me

in every facet of existence.

That does not mean that I am young.

I work, too, and it exhausts me.

I have people to serve, and it humbles me.

I have nonnatus house to save, and it scares me.

What can I do tolighten your burden, sister?

Pray.

Pray that money can be found.

Pray that the council will relent.

Pray that this time next year, we are still in poplar

and not putting up the shutters at nonnatus house.

How, pray, can I pray here

in this den of din and disinfectant?

Thanks for this, Mr. Percival.

What's your lad's name?

Reggie.

If you could sign it "from snowy" as well,

we'd be over the moon!

You are aware thatsnowy isn't really

at a convalescent homein Greenland?

I had an educated guess.

I keep him up there, second shelf down,

a bit of him anyway,

between the Whitaker'salmanac and the russiandictionary.

I'd have put him inan urn, but the public are more observant

than you give themcredit for.

And here, he can still bein the midst of it.

Snowy was nevera backroom sort of act.

What was that? Fire!

Gas canister exploded.

It's by the caravans!

Evacuate the stables!

Reggie? Reggie?

Reggie?

Has anyone seen my boy?

Reggie?

Reggie! you can't goany further!

We can't do nothing. Do you hear me?

They're ours, Kelvin, they're ours!

Where are the boys?

- Nicky! Paul! - Reggie!

Nicky! Where are you?

Reggie?

Boys!

- Paul! - Nicky!

Reggie!

Oh.

Oh!

I told them "stay calm."

Oh, Reggie!

I told themit would be all right.

And it is all right, reg.

It is.

Well done.

You missed grace, nurse Franklin.

As it happens, I missed it because I was taking your advice.

I telephoned the marriage bureau

and spoke to a lady called miss bathurst

and asked to be introduced to some nice chaps.

Well, that's a bit of an about turn.

Well, I decided it was the best chance of restoring some normality to our lives.

There's nothing normalabout asking a strange woman

to help you getacquainted with strange men.

Lucille, everything is relative.

Nonnatus has barely escaped the ax.

Valerie's in South Africa,

sister Monica Joan's in hospital,

and Christmas dinner looks set to be a washout.

That's not true.

Sister Hilda and iare organizing it.

I've been doingthe invitationson my stencil set.

We shall be having 3 courses, cheese and biscuits,

and the Turner children, for those who deem

little faces around the table to be a vital part of the proceedings.

Nevertheless, if I don't go through with this dating game,

I will not get my dress allowance.

And if I have nothing to wear, it really will be

the end of the world as we know it.

Move it! Come on!

You can bunk down in thecab of the truck, kel.

Us 3 will dosmashing in here.

I don't hold with theatrical types in the general way.

They keep strange hours and leave greasepaint on me pillowslips.

She takes her greasepaintoff with cold cream,

and we pay cash.

Hot water's on between 5:00 and 7:00,

and it's extra for the dog!

Mr. Percival, coughing: Is she in here? Is she all right?

I'm more all rightthan you.

My daughter needs looking at by a medical professional.

Well, cough, Reggie.

Sounds clear enough, which is a miracle.

Reggie was a hero today.

Yeah, only because you took him somewhere dangerous.

He could have come to no end of grief.

Well, he can come to grief anywhere.

Look at poor sister Monica Joan.

I've got her a lovely bundle of magazines,

including "the people's friend."

She'd ratherhave a Mars bar.

Hey, Reggie, would you rather have

a Mars bar or...

- This. - What's that?

Respect.

Reggie did a man's job today.

He can have a man's drink on me.

Good one. Ha ha!

Everything's exactlyas it ought to be,

in spite of thisafternoon's adventures.

Can you tell my dad that?

If that's himi can hear coughing,

I shall be telling himto book in at the surgery.

It's the smoke or the smoking.

Now back underthose covers, please.

You've had a dayand a half of it. You need rest.

Well, I always need rest, nurse.

Gotta get things straight.

We lost everything we had in that caravan.

And what I've grabbed from the store makes no sense.

The boys are dressed like cherokee Indians,

and all I've got is this selection of costumes,

none of which I can currently get my leg in.

Can I see?

You can see if they're fit to cut down to baby clothes.

Just look at that.

I could make outl'm admiring the workmanship.

Ha ha ha!

There's somethingabout these sequinsthat gives me goosebumps.

That's all in a day's work, as far as I'm concerned.

Always has been.

♪

You left your bag in the clinical room.

Are you gonna meet a matchmaker or running away from home?

I should never have saidl'd be at Mayfair by 4:30.

It means I have to gostraight from clinic,

wearing an outfit thatrepresents my personality.

Why don't you wear your uniform?

I hardly think boiledwashable cotton

and a 3-ply cardiesum up the essential moi, lucille.

I don't want you going in black.

You're looking for love, not attending your own funeral!

Good afternoon, ladies. Until further notice,

I'd like you to keep all the St. cuthbert's ladies

logged and monitored via a separate desk.

Is there a reason for that?

I'm conducting a review.

I also want every mother to fill in one of these questionnaires,

which Mrs. Turner has typed up and printed off on the roneo.

This must have occurredprior to my arrival

at the surgery this morning.

I popped by and did it last night,

as requested by sister Julienne.

"Are you satisfied with the care

"you are receiving from this clinic?

"1-extremely, 2 - fairly,

3-no."

I've also been asked to place a suggestions box

in a prominent position.

Suggestions box.

The phrase that Springs to mind is

"never kick a hornet's nest."

♪

Hello, doctor.

You've come tosee my dad.

I'm under orders from nurse Crane.

I have notsanctioned this!

I did not send for you, and I do not requireyour services.

I've got a circus toget back on its feetafter a fire!

Yeah.

And I amin excellent health.

And you are also being extremely rude.

I can only apologize, doctor.

If he were one of my boys,

I'd give him a clip round the ear.

I do understand you're busy, Mr. Percival.

I'm on a tight schedule myself.

And if you barged into one of my clinics

in a top hat banging a drum,

I can't say that I'd roll out the red carpet.

So how about we put your daughter's mind at rest,

then we can both get on with our day?

I'll do that.

Hello, Reggie.

Every living creaturehas the capacity to entertain.

All that's requiredis the ability to dosomething unexpected.

There's more to everything alive than meets the eye.

Isn't there?

I don't know how you're doing this.

Doing what?

Managing to keep on working

with only one functioning lung

and another that's slowly filling up with fluid,

not to mention the side effects of the radiation treatment.

I manage so my daughterdoesn't have to know.

How can you tell aboutthe radiation treatment?

I can see the burns across your back,

and I've diagnosed enough lung cancer in my time.

There's something here now.

An enlarged lymph node.

It generally means that the cancer is starting to spread.

Have you any ideahow long I've got?

I would rather talk about the quality of the life that remains to you.

Over the next few months, I can arrange for oxygen straightaway

along with pain relief.

And there's a procedure you can have

which will drain this liquid off

and make you much more comfortable.

No operations. No staying inhospital overnight.

Even I couldn'tfit my way around that.

You know the best thing you can do,

even now?

Give up smoking.

We're sponsored by a cigarette firm.

We all smoke. I make them smoke.

Not that the clownsneed much persuading.

How have you managed to keep this from your daughter?

When I go for treatment, I tell her I'm out

researching new acts.

That's how I ended upwith these budgies.

And they're hopeless.

Mrs. Meadows!

That reading's up, isn't it?

Only a little,

and I think that'sprobably because you'refeeling anxious.

When I was having Teddy, I couldn't sit still.

I once wrote a listof things to doon a relaxation leaflet.

What sort of things?

Buy nappies. Wash nappies.

Dry, air, fold, and put away nappies.

Buy feeding brassiere. Buy baby soap. Buy baby hairbrush.

Clean pram. Oh, you know the sort of thing, I'm sure.

I'm not sure I do.

Oh, Gloria. Are you telling me

you've made no preparationsfor this baby at all?

I prepared for the first one and the second.

I ended up selling everything through the small ads.

People would come to the house to collect things.

The woman who came for the pram,

she already had a baby in her arms.

I don't want to talk about it.

You don't have to. You're in our armsnow, Gloria.

And by Christmas, you'll be holdinga baby of your own.

You ought to begetting home.

You only came to dropmy paper and my fags off.

I'll come back tomorrow.

If you want to.

I'll have a showto show you soon.

And snowy might come back?

He may well do.

Ha ha!

♪

Ah!

And daddy wasa bank manager.

City or provincial?

He was mostly posted to the London outskirts.

Twickenham, principally.Provincial.

So, to summarize, I am most favorably impressed

with your dress sense, diction, poise, silhouette,

and general sense of Polish.

I do have certain reservationsregarding your addressand your profession.

Would potential suitors object to my living in poplar?

They may be bemusedby you living in a convent,

especially as you objectto drinking alcohol.

I object to being expected to drink alcohol.

That isn't quite the same.

And if a gentleman isn't content to meet over tea

and smoked salmon sandwiches,

then I'm afraid I don't consider him to be a gentleman,

and therefore, he shouldn't be on your books.

Sign here.

We will seewhat we can do.

Lucille?

You usually call me nurse Anderson

when I'm in my uniform.

Are you onan urgent call?

Only a routine district round.

Our church is going tobe closed down.

Mrs. Theodore's been wanting to go live

with her son in dudleyfor some time.

But the church onlytakes place in her house.

Her house isn'tthe church itself.

Not one person in our whole congregation

has anything more than a single room

or a tiny, shared flat to live in.

We have nowhere to go and nowhere to grow either.

It hurts because some of our congregation

have been here years,

and worship in a rented house is all they have.

And they call me pastor.

It's only a courtesy title, but...

They mean it, cyril.

Just as you mean itwhen you preach.

What if I can't do it, Lucille?

What I fight island can't lead them to a better place?

You used to think you couldn't preach,

but a way opened upfrom your heart to thatmouth of yours.

A way will open upfor this, too,

if the almightyintends it.

I wish I could send you to ask the almighty

what he's planning.

You'll get it straight out of him.

That's what you thinkof me, is it?

Bossy like a grandma?

Maybe. Maybe just bossy like a nurse.

You know whatthis nurse says? Hmm?

Next wage packet youget, you buy yourself a pair of gloves.

You're in england now.

I don't want you turningup on my district roundwith frostbite.

Get your roastedchestnuts here!

How much for a bag?

Mrs. Buckle has agreed to stay open later.

Will it just be us?

Just us, Mrs. Buckle, and this list.

I think you'll dobest if I order you a dd...

Feeding-wise.

White or carnation beige?

I'll go for carnation beige.

I'd suggest 6of these little vests.

The interlock type will bebest for a winter baby.

Will 6 be enough?

Well, some mothers do go for the full dozen.

6, with 2 dozen napkins,

3 pairs of plastic pants,

and 6 of the brushedcotton nighties.

That's sleepwearand the underneathscompletely taken care of.

Must we get everything all at once?

No, of course we don't.

We've got quite a lotdone for one day.

It's all so real all of a sudden.

I'm glad you accepted the invitation

to Christmas dinner at nonnatus.

Oh, I'm sure it will bemost congenial,

as long as the mealitself doesn't challengemy digestion.

There's always a proper family atmosphere around the table, I Grant you,

but the smell of Turkey grease does cling to the proceedings.

Even my individual nut roast

takes on a tang of the farmyard.

I shall bring liver salts

and remind myself thatwere I not there,

I'd be spending the dayalone after attendingmorning service

at my spiritualist church.

Oh, it does ratherleach any glisterfrom the day

waiting for ghoststo come throughfrom the other side.

Do you know what I dread,

above and beyond any item on the menu,

that sense that I'm the maiden aunt

perched on a chair with a glass of Sherry

only invited out of kindness.

Indeed, and feigning delight

when presented withanother box of bath cubes.

Oh, I could have built the great wall of China out of bath cubes!

Ha ha ha ha!

Go on, Millicent. If you could have anything you fancied

for your Christmas dinner, what would it be?

I hardly dare tell you. It's almost too disgraceful!

If I had my way, I'd have a nice plain plate

of baked beans on toast

and a milk stout in a lady's glass.

I wouldn't havea savory course at all.

I'd go straightto the sweet,

and it would bea simply enormous bowl of trifle

washed down witha Harvey wallbanger.

A Harvey what?

It's an orange-coloredcocktail that tastes

somewhat of anise seed, generally embellishedwith a small umbrella.

In 1926, I had oneat a Charleston contest.

It's lingered inmy memory ever since.

"Leopold morries, 58.

"Solvent. Retired actuarial scientist.

"A strong interest in victorian taxidermy.

"Moderate pulmonary problems, which are well-controlled

by medication in the main."

I shudder to think what decrepitude

those last 3 syllables imply.

Do you have any advice to offer, cyril?

Hmm?

Uh, I think you area good-looking lady.

You'll be a foolto tie yourself downto an old man

who'd rather lookat dead animals thantake you dancing.

Ha ha!

I think we should just draw a line

under anyone called Leopold.

This one is called John.

He is a recently widowed teacher with 3 little girls.

He isn't looking for romance. He's looking for a nanny.

Sister Hilda, we're meant to be working on the Christmas dinner plans.

Indeed we are.

Item number 6on the agenda...

pudding for the Turner children,

marshmallow snowmen...

the turners aren't coming.

What? Mrs. Turner telephoned.

But we'llhave more empty chairs

around the festiveboard than people!

I refer you to my earlier remarks about a washout.

Oh!

This is nonnatus house. I am afraid that I'm not a midwife.

What fresh cataclysm has befallen

that you are deployed as a telephonist?

Sister Monica Joan, you haven't managed to escape yet?

The infirmary authorities have conspired against me.

I thought sister Juliennewas coming to visit youthis evening.

She has departed, leaving little in her wake

except a mound of indifferent grapes

and a conversational desert.

How about lucilleand I come and see you

and bring some tangerinesand a bit of black bun?

If you so wish.

I have no objection,

but I advise that you attend forthwith,

for I intend to be discharged by Christmas.

Say good-bye, sister.

We've a procedure to attend to.

What you doing with the telephone?

Nobody else wasgoing to answer it,

and it wassister Monica Joan.

Nonnatus house. You are speaking to a midwife.

Can somebody come outand look at my wife?

She's upstairs at the black sail pub.

And tell them to bring extra newspaper.

It's a brand-new mattress.

Timothy and I used to love having our Christmas dinner

at nonnatus house.

They'd always let me carry the pudding in.

It would be nice to go again, though.

Sort of for old times' sake.

We need to be doing things for new time's sake, Timothy,

to honor the family we've created and

the life we have now.

Besides, there was so much upset

with may's mother last summer, it would be good

to remind her how secure things are.

Two bicycles, all wrapped up

and ready to send to father Christmas.

Mummy, can I come for a drink of water?

Stay where you are.

Mummy's goingto bring you one up.

I don't like the lookof the turkeysat the butcher's.

We'll order oursfrom Fred buckle.

Oh.

It isn't just any old mattress.

It's fully box sprung.

"Church times,""financial times,"

"tit-bits."

Nothing but the best.

We are not leaving this room until I

am content you are giving her the very best of care.

I shall be giving her an enema in a minute,

which I beg to inform you is not a spectator sport.

She hasn't eaten since breakfast.

Should I nip out, fetch her some pie and mash?

No banqueting in the delivery room.

And no fathers.

You'll round upthis family of yours

and get them fed, watered, and out of your wife's way.

That includes you.

I'm her father, not the baby's.

Out, now!

Come, boys. Out you go.

Come on. Quick smart,

and no dogs.

And relax.

Just becauseyou work in a circus

doesn't mean you haveto give birth in one.

It's not too late to add

the ichthyologist to the list.

I have an aversion to fish, miss bathurst,

so no ichthyologists, thank you.

And no facial hair.

Meanwhile, I've planned my accessories

to reflect multiple moods as I deem appropriate:

Pearls for restraint,

a scarf for pizzazz, and evening gloves

for a hint of sophistication.

What's the mink stole for?

Mink is mink.

There doesn't have to be a reason for it.

Did I tell you oneof them was German?

I brought a dictionary, just in case.

That's the ticket.

Make as little noise as you can.

Save all that energy for when you want to push.

I don't yet.

I'm happy standing here, just getting closer and closer.

Never had a mantelpiece to lean on before.

Always lived in caravans.

Given birth in them, too.

I'm tired this time round, though.

Oh. Oh, this is so nice.

And you're so lovely.

♪ Ba boom, ba boom

♪ ba boom, ba boom, ba boom... ♪

Good evening. How are you?

♪ ...ba boom

♪ ba boom, ba boom, ba boom ♪

♪ Santa baby

♪ just slip a sable under the tree ♪

♪ for me ♪ ba boom, ba boom

♪ been an awful good girl, Santa baby ♪

♪ so hurry down the chimney tonight ♪

♪ b-b-b-boom...

♪ Santa baby

♪ a '54 convertible, too

♪ light blue ♪ ba boom, ba boom...

♪ I'll wait up for you, dear Santa baby ♪

♪ so hurry down the chimney tonight ♪

Ein... ein moment, ein moment.

You know, babies. Ein moment.

♪ Think of all babies.

♪ The fun I've missed ein moment. Ja.

♪ Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed ♪

Heh! I understand thatyou're a private nurse.

♪ ...could be just as good

♪ if you'd check off my Christmas list ♪

I'm not getting anywhere.

I'm just not.

Nonsense.

We're going to grabthat next pain

and ride itlike a wave.

Jacquetta, stay on your feet.

It's served you very well thus far,

but you were tired when you started,

and you need all your energy

to push this baby out.

Let's get her semi-recumbent.

Come on. There's a good girl.

We can try the gasand air again onceyou're a bit more comfy.

Feel like my arms and legs are made of lead.

Ah, you don't need armsand legs for a good, effective labor.

It's like I've got no strength.

Ooh...

Long, calm breaths now.

Ooh...

Ooh.

Her pulse is 130, and her respiration's also very rapid.

Shall I send for doctor?

Tell him elective forceps,

but we do need him quickly.

Ooh!

And tell him

we'll need more gas and air, if he would be so kind.

Give us a kiss, sister.

Put me out of me misery.

I shall put you over my kneeif you don't let me pass.

What's the matter?

Ha ha ha ha! Why does she need the doctor?

You're going to push, but I'm going to pull.

The thing to remember, jacquetta, is that baby's in a good position.

We just need a bit of teamwork to help get him out.

You're onthe home straight now.

Ready withthe first blade...

And the second blade.

Push now.

Come on, pet.

Push.

There's a...

Hmm. Try to keep working with me, jacquetta.

No.keep trying to push.

I think she's had a touch too much gas.

Oh!

Contraction.

Come on, lass. You hang on to me.

Head.

Oh.

It's out. Ow!

And we havesome meconium.

Is it a boy or a girl?

It's a boy.

♪ Away in a manger

♪ no crib for a bed

♪ the baby's been born

♪ and we're wetting his head ♪

Any chance of a proper circus christening this time...

out of a top hat in the middle of the ring?

Is thatthe tradition?

As old as the big top itself.

You did it to me.

You're not doing it to my kids.

All I ever wanted was peace,

quiet, a bay window, and a privet hedge.

Perhaps you'll be so kindas to locate baby's father

and inform himthat his son has arrived.

Promise me you won't leave jacquetta alone.

Are you in pain, jacquetta?

Your handsare cold, lass.

We're just going to lookyou over, jacquetta,

and make surethat everything isas it ought to be.

Check her pulse.

Pulse is up, 150.

You've had your orders, mr. Percival.

Out!

She's cyanosed.

Her lips are going blue.

Orders revised. We need an ambulance.

Tell them we'vea newly delivered mother

who is havinga heart attack.

I thought she was hemorrhaging.

Run!

Pulse up again.

It's all right. He's fine.

No!

Get her sitting up.

Quick!

♪

Jacquetta, lass.

She's fading.

Your work's not done.

Listen.

Baby needs you, jacquetta.

Listen. that's your little boy.

Hold.

Yes.

He's coming, lass.

Hang on. He's just coming.

Hey...

Here's your baby.

That's it, lass.

You take your strengthfrom him.

Mrs. Turner, it's my Gloria.

She's not doing so well.

Well, she won't stop crying, Mrs. Turner.

I don't know what to do.

Firstly, you must call me shelagh,

and secondly, your timing's perfect.

My husband's just come home.

Hubby's meeting us at St. cuthbert's.

You sure you don't want to go with her?

She's in the bestof hands,

and there's somebody elsethat needs some looking after.

Everything is completely normal.

But I'm not having it yet?

There's no change in yourcervix to indicate labor.

It says "incompetent cervix" in all my notes. You've seen them.

Yes, I have.

What we're going to do is this:

Keep you in here with regular checks

from our midwives until you go into labor.

Are you awake?

An inquiry that cannot be answered in the negative.

I have my breviary

and thought we might saycompline together.

I would rather you read from the Christmas edition of the "radio times."

But you don't havea television in here.

There is a television in the parlor at nonnatus house.

Sister...

I'm not going to give youfalse encouragement.

You're going to bein hospital for a number of weeks.

Quite apartfrom anything else, you're not going to be

able to manage stairsfor months to come.

Do you need to ringfor a bedpan?

I would have thought of it an indignity once.

Now I should embrace it with good grace.

A catheter? Oh, you poor pet.

It tethers me more than the cast upon my leg.

I am as racked and pinioned as a game bird,

and no matter how I rail, I cannot take flight.

Oh.

Jacquetta's whereshe needs to be,

with doctorswho can help her.

You concentrate on yourown well-being for a moment.

I keep thinking...

Is it my fault?

Did I work her too hard?

Did I force her to live a life that's killing her

because I loved it?

In my line of work, mr. Percival,

I meet a very widevariety of people,

and they have a verywide variety of aspirations.

There's no one dreamthat suits us all.

Oh, I don't hold with dreams.

They get in the way of action.

Be that as it may, mr. Percival,

dreams can belovely things to have.

Jacquetta wantsher own mantelpiece.

I would have relisheda life on the high wire.

There are so many thingsthat must feel like flying.

I once tried to work snowy into the high wire act.

He wouldn't cooperate.

More fool, snowy. That's all I have to say.

Come on, beforethat oxygen wonders

what it's done to offend.

Oh, will you just look at that?

I've spent my whole lifemaking people gasp,

making magic, and thenmother nature goes

and stealsa march on me.

It was the big top I was admiring,

not the snow, and I'd be obliged

if you didn't tell me how you make the magic.

It might interfere with my imaginative process.

Well, we can't have that.

Imagination isn't generally associated

with a demeanor like mine, but I rather

enjoy my occasional forays into fantasy.

I find I can give the real world such a buffing up.

You want to see me on that trapeze in my mind's eye.

I'm 35 years younger,

slim as a rail, and I've got legs

as long and flexible as ribbons.

In my mind's eye, I'm charlton heston

in "the greatest showon earth."

Ah. Ha ha ha ha!

Go on, get inside before you catch your death.

Oh.

What are you doing outof bed, Mrs. Venables?

It's the middle of winter. You need your slippers on.

I've started having pains.

Ah, Mrs. Jacquetta ellings.

Elective forceps delivery by g.P., followed

by collapse and probable acute cardiac arrhythmia.

Any suggestions?

Mr. Greenhill?

Hypervolemic shock, sir?

Did I say at any point that the mother had suffered a hemorrhage?

No, sir.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy,

or heart failure.

It can develop late in pregnancy

or in the weeks immediately afterwards.

Heart failure?

No cause for alarm.

You've lived to tell the tale.

But m-my mother died

while she was having me.

Do you think that might bewhat happened to her?

Best not to start fretting over ancient histories.

Proper medication and continued rest

will rectify this problem, and

of course, no more of these babies.

We'll get you fitted with a Dutch cap.

And off we go, gentlemen.

That's it, try to justbreathe the pain away.

She's been going on like this for hours. Can't you give her gas?

The gas and air machineis in the delivery room,

and I'd rather wait untilyour labor's more advanced.

Knock, knock.

Here we are... hot, sweet,

and with a bourbonin the saucer.

Oh, can't he take it out into the corridor?

It's not for him. It's for you.

- Ohh! - I'm quite sure

there's another in the pot.

Get your Christmas turkeys!

Oven-ready turkeys!

I'll pick up Christmas Eve afternoon!

And a complimentarychristmas pud

while stocks last!

Hello, doc. What can I do for you?

I am under instructions to order a Turkey big enough

to feed six hot with all the trimmings,

plus sandwiches at teatime and enough

for a fricassee on boxing day.

That'll be a large, then.

Take a freechristmas pudding.

But, in fact, take two'cause that one looksa bit dented.

Are you... are you not comingto nonnatus house, then?

Not this year.

It's just going to be us, at home.

Everyone will really miss the kiddies.

Well, if that'swhat you want.

I've always been a bit "the more the merrier," Fred.

Well, you leavethis with me.

Shelagh...

We had a laugh when wewere in St. cuthbert's, didn't we?

Yes, we did.

I'm havingto remind myself.

Why?

So that I can remind you.

So you don't think that I've always beenthis miserable so and so

who can't churna smile out when basicgood manners call for one.

You're about to have a baby.

I'd advise you to forget about basic good manners.

And I don't think you're a miserable so and so.

I think you're someone whose strength

has been tested too many times,

and having to be brave can make us so afraid.

Were you afraidwhen you had Teddy?

Sister Julienne delivered him,

so I had a friend with me, just like you.

So then whyam I so stuck?

Why can't imake this happen?

Oh, nurse Crane.

A Mr. Percival just telephoned from the circus.

He asked if you might call in and see him today.

Me personally?

I imaginehe's having troublewith his oxygen supply.

I'll squeeze him intomy rounds this afternoon.

I was at the desk, looking

for the London directory of clinics.

It's mostly a listof private facilities.

Oh!

Seek and ye shall find.

Hmm.

Gloria is fractionallymore dilated.

We could move her in herenow, but it's a bit

of a bleak environmentif she's in for a long haul.

I think there's something Gloria isn't letting in,

something she can't address

or accept or admit.

And if I'm right, I don't know if I can bear it.

Oh. Heh!

Hey, hey! Ho ho!

Oy!

I've got you.

Mr. Percival'sin his office.

Reggie, what are you doing here?

Working.

Oh, I like the lad.

He makes a decent cup of tea.

Sometimes, in the middle of winter, that's all that's required.

Mr. Percival, I wasunder the impression

that you needed to see mebecause you were unwell.

Lights, if you please!

I thought you werestarting boxing day.

Nadia, if you could take the lady to backstage, as we discussed.

Oh.

"Snowy."

"R.i.p."

♪

Madame.

♪

I pride myself on always being game for an adventure.

This isn't a mereadventure, nurse Crane.

This is the substance of dreams.

All you have to do is trust me,

and for the rest of your days,

you'll know what it is to fly.

♪

Ah.

♪

Whee!

Ah!

Ah!

Ha ha ha!

Whee!

I know "r.I.P." Means dead.

Well...

It doesn't mean dead as such, reg.

It means "rest in peace."

People lied.

Sometimes people lie

because, uh... Don't want you to be sad.

I'm not stupid.

No, you ain't.

Snowy died

because animals do,

like people do.

You understand all of that,

and some of it, you understand more than most.

You gave me beer

and said it was respect.

I want respect.

Oh, Reggie.

And beer?

♪

Thank you, mr. Percival.

That wasa very rare privilege.

Heh heh heh...

Now it's timefor you to trust me.

I'm telephoningfor an ambulance

because you needto go to hospital.

Gloria...

You said you don'tlike to talk aboutyour other babies...

I don't like to talk about my other pregnancies.

There wereseven of them.

That's a lotof not talking

and a lot of pain.

Every time they, uh, sent me home...

After I'd lost another one...

After they'd taken it away and never let me see it...

They'd say the same thing...

The doctors, uh, the nurses,

my mother, my friends...

"put it out of your mind"...

and so I pretended that I had.

Even with Tony?

And all the time,

my mind has been full of them.

Everything I never saw, I could imagine.

I knew if they were boys or girls.

I knew the color of their eyes.

I knew everything, and I still know it; All of it

and all of them...

Because I've never let them go.

Mothers don't, do they?

Mothers let go all the time.

If they didn't,

there wouldn't be roomfor love to grow.

The one I lost when we were in St. cuthbert's was a girl.

It was the furthest I'd ever got,

and I used to think, "this one's different.

"Oh, this one's fierce.

This one's going to make it."

In my mind,

I call her Ruth.

It's such a strong, plain name.

Tell us about her.

Tell us about Ruth.

Ruth's three now,

nearly old enough for dancing lessons.

She's got long hair,

and now I've started tying it in bunches.

Oh, it's, uh... It's thick and brown

and has golden threads in it

that catch the light on a sunny day.

And when I kiss her head,

it smells of vosene.

They all smell of vosene, my babies.

Clean childrenare loved children.

Oh, every one of mine is spotless.

The one after Ruth, she was another girl.

Yeah, I called her Rebecca.

My first boy was Brian.

Oh, he'd be eight and a half now.

He's got rosy cheeks

and scabs on his elbows

from coming off his go-kart.

Oh, I have to tell him not to pick at them, but...

He doesn't listen.

David was next,

but he's notlike Brian, no.

He's, um, oh, he's quiet,

loves the small things, like spiders

and caterpillars,

even wasps.

He looks at their wingsthrough a magnifying glass.

He's always asking, "why? Why, mum?"

We all know that feeling.

And then there was Peter.

Uhh!

Have you told us about allof your babies now, Gloria?

Brian...

David...

Peter...

Ruth...

Rebecca...

John...

And Anthony?

Thank you for saying their names.

You're fully dilated now, Gloria.

When you feel ready to push, you can.

This is the head coming, Gloria.

Just pant now, pant.

Pant.

Perfect.

Your baby's head isresting in my hand now.

Oh, I swear, I can hear that snow falling.

Oh, what is it? A little girl.

You can hold herthe minute I've cut the cord.

Could you... can you do it?

I'm a mum, shelagh.

I'm a mother.

You've been a mother

for a long, long time.

You look better.

You look better ina top hat and tail coat.

They're letting me out tomorrow.

What for? Good behavior?

I'll be back in day after boxing day.

They're going to drain some fluid off,

and after that...

You need rest, dad.

I need to close the circus down.

Not yet.

I could sew youa sequined ruff or something,

like I did for snowy when hestarted looking decrepit.

God love you, jacquetta.

You always put the graft in, even when

all you wanted was

a bay window and a privet hedge.

Anyone can have a bay windowand a privet hedge.

You gave me

a cathedral madeof canvas

and a bird's-eye viewof people gasping.

You gave mestardust, dad.

I didn't have much else.

Well, it mayinterest you to know

that I have been givenpermission to go outtomorrow afternoon.

Where to?

A christenin'...In the ring.

Him?

Him and the other two.

Want to do itproperly, dad.

Want to do it the circus way.

I might have hadenough, but...

My boys havehardly started.

Maybe it wasn'tmy stardust anymore,

but who's to sayit won't be theirs?

It is in their blood.

You're in their blood.

You always will be.

Just like your mother is in yours.

Dr. Turner's surgery.

Millicent?

Yes. Phyllis?

I'm feeling suddenly emboldened.

Oh.

Ooh.

Heh heh heh!

Rachel Rose.

I like that.

I wanted "r" names, like our other two girls.

I wish you'd told me how muchyou thought about them all.

I thought it might make them less real if I did.

Is that the Sally army band playing outside?

Yeah.

I gave themtwo Bob on my way in

and asked if theydid requests.

That'll besomething to tell youwhen you're a big girl,

won't it, rachel Rose, eh?

Two inches of the white stuffand your own brass band.

Yes, it will.

Oh, yes it will. Heh!

Ta-da!

Ohh! sister Hilda: Who isthe lucky chap this evening?

An Oxford-educated financier

with a double-barrelled name and investment interests

in luxury goods and perfume.

Oh, I hope he isn't fibbing.

Ah! Chant d'aromes

by guerlain. Wish me luck.

Sister Monica Joan?

I come bearing gifts,

and I brought youa surprise.

I will not have him here.

Go.

Go.

I thoughtyou would be pleasedto see cyril, sister.

I'm too ashamed.

Oh, precious, your catheter baghas come adrift.

There is no medical reason

for her to be catheterized!

It has all been done for convenience,

and not, I might add, hers.

Excuse me. What do you think you're doing?

I am attending to the comfort and dignity

of one of your patients, which, as a visitor,

I would not be obliged to do if that patient was receiving proper care!

We need to get her backwhere she belongs.

We're going to, and what's more, we're going to do it before Christmas.

I'd like my bill, please.

If you wait halfan hour, there's anoffer on sparkling wine.

I'd like my bill now.

Ta-da!

May I do it now,

before we lay waste to the feast?

As we agreed.

"And thus we meet,

"we spinsters twain, to dine and to make merry.

"No politesse must we endure,

"no bath cubes and no Sherry

"indulge we now our heart's desire

"and for that gratifying reason,

"I propose a heartfelt toast

to friendship and the yuletide season."

Happy Christmas.

We can easily make this her bedroom.

But sister Monica Joan may never recover the ability

to walk or climb stairsunaided, if at all.

For months to come, she will requirefull nursing.

And who better to do that than us,

and here, at nonnatus house?

We are skilled, we are willing,

and between us all, we have the time.

I spend so muchof my life

trying to be the voice of reason,

sometimes I failto hear the voice of love.

♪ Oh, the weather outside is frightful ♪

♪ but the fire is so delightful ♪

♪ and since we've no place to go ♪

♪ let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ♪

♪ man, it doesn't show signs of stoppin' ♪

♪ and I've brought me some corn for poppin' ♪

♪ the lights are turned way down low ♪

♪ let it snow, let it snow ♪

♪ then we finally kiss good night... ♪

Oh!

Patrick, that Turkey issupposed to be oven-ready!

It's dead.

What was Fred playing at?

Aah! Oh.

It's a start. Heh!

I've just taken a telephone call from a miss bathurst,

regarding your involvement with the albion introduction agency,

apologizing for a misunderstanding yesterday.

The gentleman was at the wrong hotel.

I'm starting to suspect thatwhen it comes to men and me,

they're always going to bein the wrong hotel, or I am.

Hmm.

One of the great maxims

of my own passage through this life

has been "seek and ye shall find."

One cannot stand still, nurse Franklin,

because challenge,

excitement, and a change

are heading towards us at some speed.

Are we goingto close after all?

No...

We are going to expand.

Early next year, I will be revealing

further details.

Aw!

Ha ha ha!

And I baptize you,

John percival ellings,

in the name of the father,

the son, and the holy ghost.

And may his loveshine upon you

where-so-everyou might go.

Yay!

♪

Where are you going?

I am telephoningnonnatus house

to see if they haveany room at the inn.

And so it is Christmas,

as eternally different as it is the same.

We come together,

drawn to the place that we call home

or where we are simply welcomed in.

We can be broken...

Merry Christmas. But we still belong.

We can be fragile, but are valued all the more.

We each have our place,

our part to play,

our seat at the table,

and our purpose.

Ohh! Aah!

The future will not be unwrapped

just yet.

We cannot know if it holds the things

we dream of, and if only for today,

that is exactly as it ought to be.

For now, the moment

holds us in its arms.

We are as safe as a child once was,

beneath a star

and swaddled in a manger.

There is no darkness that is of any consequence...

And yet not one space

that is not filled with love.

♪

♪