All language subtitles for Tenth.Avenue.Angel.1948.1080p

"Welcome to New York"

is the greeting on top
of that fifth Avenue bus.

Welcome to the city of contrast,

the exciting harbor,

the serene statue,

the turbulent roar of Broadway,
and the peace of central park.

Tall buildings standing
like sentinels on guard

over its playgrounds and museums.

This is riverside drive, uptown.

Nice, isn't it?

This is tenth Avenue, downtown.

Not so nice.

It was down here they tell a story
typical of this city of contrast.

It was down here I first met a kid
they called the tenth Avenue angel.

The year was 1936,
one of the depression years.

Hey, you, will you
keep out of the street?

Why? It's my street.

Watch your car, mister?

Yeah, watch your car?

No, thanks.

It's only a quarter, mister.

Uh... well, uh...
On second thought.

Now you're smart.

Yeah.

You better not let your mother
catch you working that business.

Aw, shut up.

Your old lady!

Give me that money.

Here, Flavia,
give it to them people

tell them we're sorry.

All right.

Where you going?

Mister! Mister!

"With her apologies,"
Mrs. Masten said.

Uh-oh!

Well, it's her street, her neck.

Ok, Skeeter.

Paper, paper,
read all about it.

I got 'em, Mac.

And soaking wet, I suppose.

Only the outside ones.

Man, I suppose wasn't for you,

I'd go out of business.

Oh, phooey.
You don't need anyone.

Mother says you see more
than half

with their eyes open.

You see through them,
and that's important.

Oh, she does, does she?

And you're a very wise man, too.

Oh, am I?

What do you read?

Your bark's worse than your bite.

Who said that?

- I did.
- Hmm.

Should I read the headlines?

Sure. What are they?

Dutch Smith--

Bumped off.

There. You know
without me reading.

Hmm, anybody could see
that was going to happen.

- Mac.
- Yes.

Steve's coming home.

Steve? That's fine.

I always believed in
Steve, always did.

It's nice to believe,
isn't it, Mac?

It's a good thing.

I don't see, but I know
what things are like.

I know what the street
looks like.

And I know what
you look like, too.

- How do you know?
- I know it inside.

That's how you know things.

I guess that's the way
I know things, too.

Like a 4-leaf clover,

that's lucky, or a horseshoe,

but it has to have a nail in it.

Mac, where can I find
a 4-leaf clover?

Round here you better
look for a horseshoe.

When you see a white horse and
you wish on it, it comes true?

You can always wish.

Sometimes it comes true.

Oh, but it always does.
My mama said so.

I have to go now, Mac.

Best of the afternoon!

- Good-bye.
- Bye.

Paper, paper. What do you read?

They're all late.

Hello, Teddy.

Don't let my mother
catch you doing that.

Why not?

Cause she'll put
salt on your tongue,

then you won't get it back again.

Ah, you're crazy.

I am not.

I'm 8 years old, and...

That's normal.
Now, let me by.

Hello, Flavia.

Hello, daddy.

Daddy, do you have
time to discuss

- something important?
- Well, not right now.

I've got to go give a music
lesson. Talk to your mother.

Good-bye, Helen.

Oh, good-bye, Joseph.

Your feet wet?

Mm-mmm.

Mama, who went to school last,
you or aunt Susan?

I'm 3 years younger.
I guess I did.

Well, then listen, aunt Susan,

London is the capital of England,

and the Andes are the highest
mountains in south America,

and the Chinese are members
of the magnolia race.

Mongolian, honey.

Magnolia is a flower.

I didn't think it
sounded exactly right.

Darling, what are you getting at?

Well, Steve's coming home from
being all the way around the world,

and I'd like to be able
to talk about the trip with him.

Don't you think you need
to do your homework?

You really want me to do it,
or want to get rid of me?

To be honest, little of both.

Now, run along.

I don't know why there's
so many secrets here.

I'm a member of this family, too.

Brother, what'll she
do if she finds out

Steve didn't go around the world,

that he's been in jail?

We've kept it from her so far.

What are you going
to do about it?

Help him to forget,

show him in spite
of what happened,

I love him more now
than before he went away.

I'm sure he couldn't love you
any more than before.

If he doesn't propose
to you right away,

I'm afraid Flavia's
will do it for him.

She's decided that you and Steve
ought to get married next Thursday.

When did she decide?

She's been talking about you two

getting married for
the last year or so.

Before then,
she had another idea.

Such as?

She was going to marry
Steve herself.

Oh ho ho!

There's a hen in Wisconsin
that laid a triple-yolked egg.

Hmm, that's something
to cackle about.

Does it seem like the trains

are running kind of
slow this morning?

Hmm, now that you mention it.

Maybe he won't know me.

I'm 2 inches taller and
almost a pound fatter,

but I'm wearing the same dress.

I was scared to ask mother
if I could wear it,

but she had it all ironed
when I woke up.

And very becoming.

Mac, look, there are
people getting off!

Steve! Steve!

Steve!

Hey, Flavia!

Hey there, sweetheart!

Oh!

Hey, hey, what's going on here?

I'm crying.

You're crying?
What for?

Because I'm so happy.

Crying because you're happy.

Oh, that's the silliest
thing I ever heard of.

Come on, honey.

How are you, Steve?

We'd have rolled the carpet
if we knew you were comin'.

- Hello, Dan.
- Hiya, Mac.

Walks the same, talks the same,
shakes hands the same.

- How does he look?
- The same, only better.

We missed you, Steve.

The whole street missed you,

every single solitary person.

I wish I could believe that.

I can speak for the boys, Steve.

- Well, how are things going, old timer?
- Fine, fine. I can't complain.

- Can I check my trunk here?
- Sure, sure.

I'll be back for the afternoons, Mac.

- I'll look in on you later.
- So long.

Oh, Steve.

It was rough getting sent up
on your first job.

My last job.

We wanted to thank you.

That's all right.
No need to.

We paid for our rides.
So we're even.

It was nice of you
dumbing up like that.

Me and the boys kind of
had something figured.

Give me one paper, Mac.

Huh?

I ain't got no use
for them coppers.

Come on, Steve.
You've got to see everybody.

Sure we have.
So long, Mac.

Ok, Steve.

Paper, paper.
What do you read?

- Hello, Steve!
- Oh, hello, Tom.

- You know my little cow?
- Belinda?

She's got 37 cents
in her stomach.

37 cents? Why, she's a plutocrat.

What are you going to do
with all that money?

- Hello, Steve.
- Oh, hello, Fred.

Ain't they beautiful?

Say, by golly, aren't they swell?

I'll bet they got balloon
tires and 4-wheel brakes.

They got everything.

Steve, did you ever
want something

more than anything
in the whole world?

Yeah.

Hey, look, a white horse!

- Did you?
- Mm-hmm.

Well, I better go up
and keep my date with Susan.

Ok.

Come in.

Steve!

Hello, Susan.

Welcome home, Steve.

Let's see how you look.

You look fine.

Gee, so do you, but
then you always did.

Do you really think so?

I always thought so.

Let's sit down.

Gee, Steve, it's wonderful
to have you home again.

Just like old times.

Yeah.

Would you like some coffee?

Yeah, yeah, I'd like
a cup of coffee.

Ok. Have you seen Flavia?

Oh, sure. She was down
at the El station to meet me.

Did she happen to mention
anything about Thursday?

Thursday? No.

Steve, there's something
I want you to know.

I still feel exactly the same
about you as I did before.

Before I went to jail?

Let's not say
that word again ever.

Ok.

That's a deal.

Flavia seemed to
think that Thursday

would be a good day
to get married.

I think so, too.

I suppose a girl should wait
for a proposal.

But I guess I'm pretty anxious.

Flavia's pretty anxious, too.

What's the matter, Steve?

Susan, it's...
It's just that...

For the past 18 months
I've done a lot of thinking.

The more I thought about it,

the more I knew
that it was no good.

What was no good, Steve?

Everything that has to do with
a fellow that's just out of...

Honey, you see, I'm not just
an ordinary guy anymore.

I'm an ex-con.

I can't have a beer
or drive an automobile.

I'd have to report to some
parole officer and say,

"mister, I've been a good boy."

But it'll be over in 6 months.

And we'll be happy.
That's all that matters.

Sorry, lady.

I saw you up the street talking
to Dan Madson, didn't I?

Yeah, I was talking to Dan.

You're on parole.

I was just passing
the time of day with him.

Look, abbutt, you made a nice
living driving a cab, didn't you?

I suppose I did.

Then drove a cab when some boys
knocked a freight car full of silk.

For that you got
18 months up the river.

Now you're out.
Try and stay out.

Don't worry.

I'm going to stay out.

Your own mother couldn't give
you better advice than that.

Well, there's the
whole story for you.

Oh, no, I'm not taking
you on any honeymoon

involving check ins
with cops 3 times a day.

That's why I'm leavin' town.

Out of town?

Soon as my parole is up.

I got to begin all over again.

In some strange place
and by myself.

I thought you loved me.

But I do love you, Susan.

That isn't the kind of
love I care much about.

While you're away
in that strange town,

you might meet somebody.

Suppose somebody...
Somebody here,

he and I might get
to like each other.

Answer me one thing, Steve.

Are you willing
to take that chance?

I have to.

I guess there isn't very much
else I can say, then.

Know what, Steve?

In Czechoslovakia,
a wedding lasts 3 days.

It does?
I didn't know that.

Well, you always told me
when people get married,

they're happy.

Oh, did I?

Flavia, let's not talk about it.

What's wrong?

You see, Flavia...

You know, that's the same
way Mrs. Murphy acted

before she had a baby.

Something's wrong
with her, Steve,

and please don't tell me
I'm too young to understand.

Sit down, sweetheart.

The reason that Susan feels bad

and I feel bad,
worse than she does,

is because, well, we're
not going to be married.

But, Steve, I got it all planned.

I even got Mr. McCarthy for you.

Mother says you have
to have something new

and old for the wedding,

and I've got something old.

Mr. McCarthy's 87.

Yes, I know, darling, I know.

He'd do fine, but...

You see, I'm going to stay
here for a little while,

then I've got to go away again.

But you've just been away.

Where are you going,

and who's going
to look after you?

I don't know, darling.

I guess I'll have
to look after myself,

but all the time that I'm away,

I'm going to think about
you and Susan every minute,

so that'll make it almost as good

as though we were
together, won't it?

No, it won't.

Flavia?

It's just me, Mac,
with the city edition.

Here's 49 of them.

I sold one on the way over.

Here's the money.

Want me to read you
the headlines?

Isn't there something else
you'd like to talk about?

Can't think of anything.

Everybody tells me
Steve looks good.

Pretty good.

Mac, I got troubles.

Everybody's got troubles.

- You're smart, aren't you?
- Sure, I'm smart.

It ain't because
I'm blind, either.

You wouldn't call a man smart
because he's deaf.

I just know a lot.

I need some advice,

an awful lot of advice from
somebody smart like you.

What is it?

He's going away.

Who's going away?

Steve. I thought he
and my aunt Susan

were going to get married,

- but he's going away.
- Well, where's he going to?

I don't know. He's leaving
in 6 months,

and he didn't say when
he was coming back.

Aunt Susan's will miss him.

Hmm, I see what you mean.

That's what I wanted to know.
You know everything.

Isn't there some way to keep
Steve from going away?

Sure there is.

How?
It's terrible important.

Well, I got to think.

Well, then think hard, Mac.

Keeping Steve here
shouldn't be too hard.

Keep him happy. That's it.

Keep him happy,
and he won't leave.

You wouldn't want to leave
a happy place.

No. That's why I like it
here with you.

There you are.

But... how do I keep him happy?

Well, give him a helping hand
on everything he does.

The first thing you know, he'll feel
he can't get along without you.

Oh, you mean like
running errands for him

and helping at the garage
and stuff like that?

That's it, Flavia.

Gee, Mac, up until now I really
didn't know how smart you are.

All I need is a chance.
You'll have to...

What's wrong?

I think I hear Steve's footsteps.

He walks with a kind of a bounce.

Hiya, Mac.

Sweetheart, don't you
think it's about time

we'll go tie on the feedbag?

Yes, I've been waiting for you.

First I get my shoes shined.

- I'll shine your shoes.
- Oh, you can't shine shoes.

I can shine them better
than Mr. Torelli.

Besides, he charges
5 cents a pair.

Ha ha ha!

Let's let Mr. Torelli
make the nickel.

All right, but I
offered, didn't I?

Yes, you offered.

You know, I've just
been telling Mac,

there's an awful lot
of things I could do.

Oh, I'm sure there are.

How am I doing, Mac?

You're doing fine.

Say, there's something

going on here that
I don't understand,

we better go home
before I catch on.

- See you later, Mac.
- So long, Steve.

Glad to see you back, Steve.

I guess I don't have to
tell you I'm glad to be back.

See the old place
hasn't changed much.

I checked into the parole
board this morning,

so I'm all set down there.

Now all I have to
do is see Charley for work.

Charley isn't with us anymore.

Oh, no? Who's doing
the hiring and firing?

I am.

Well, good afternoon, boss.

Good afternoon.

So it's you I have
to thank for the job.

Mostly the big boss.

I just called
his attention to it.

What did you have in mind?

Well, now, you know you can't
drive till your 6 months is up.

You know how tough
things are now,

everybody hanging on
to his job, and well...

What is it?

We had to rustle up
something for you

so you could get out,

so would you mind starting
in washing cars?

Oh, gee, that's not
the best job in the joint.

But, well, I'm here
looking for a job.

I'm glad to get it.

Sure. Soap and water,
here I come.

Sure, when this thing
is over in 6 months,

we'll find a cab for you.

Well, let's talk about it then.

Just a minute, will you, Steve?

I think it's only fair to tell you
I'm pretty crazy about Susan.

I haven't been trying
to beat your time,

when I knew you were coming back,

I told Susan that...

I mean, I asked her to marry me.

It's only fair to tell you.

Well, thanks, Al.

I'm glad you did.

I wouldn't say anything
about this to Susan.

I don't think she'd like
us talking.

No. I was just going
to suggest that myself.

Well, I got to go down
and pick up Flavia now.

Oh, by the way,
if she comes around here,

and she probably will,

she thinks I've
been in Australia.

I get it.

Cynthia, did you hear that
Steve's home from his trip

all the way around the world?

My father was away all last week.

He was in Newark, New Jersey.

Oh, but Steve,
he was away a year and a half.

He went everyplace.

If I had known he
was going to Australia,

I'd have asked him to bring
me a kangaroo.

What do you want with a kangaroo?

It can carry my books
home from school for me.

One cent.

It's delicious.
One cent.

Hasty tasty ice cream.

Get your hasty tasty ice cream,

one cent.

Got any money?

Some.

It's very good.

How much?

A penny.

It's delicious.

What flavors have you got?

We have vanilla, strawberry,

peppermint, purple,
and all kinds.

Pistachio?

Not today.

Let's try the fella
down the street.

His ice cream is no good.

How do you know?

He's my brother.

Oh.

I like peppermint.

Oh, well.

Give me purple and
peppermint mixed.

Oh, that's good.

Gentlemen, if you'll
step just a little closer.

Now, gentlemen, I'm not
here to sell you anything.

On the contrary,
I'm being paid a large salary

by the super steel
safety razor blade company

to introduce their new product,

a new safety razor blade that
cuts your beard like hot butter.

You shave, young ladies?

Of course not.

Then why are you listening?

I've got books here,
and I'm not reading.

I think I hear
your mother calling.

You don't know my mother.

Beat it.

Why? It's my street.

So instead of
charging you 50 cents

or even 25 cents for 3 blades,

I'm being paid a big salary

by the super steel safety
razor blade company

to give each one of you 3 blades
for 10 cents, 10 cents.

We don't want to make money.

I'm going to take
this dollar bill

and place it inside
one of the packages,

so some lucky gentleman will
get his blades absolutely free

and a bonus of 90 cents.

The dollar bills in the package.

- We mix them up.
- No, it's not.

What did you say?

I said the dollar bill's not
inside one of the packages.

Then where is it?

In your pocket.

You sure?

You stuck it back in your pocket.

I've got a magic book
that shows how to.

In spite of what this
brilliant young lady tells you,

I claim the dollar bill
is in one packages.

Let's open them up and see.

- Takes time, sister.
- I'm in no hurry.

- Let her go ahead.
- Give her a chance.

That's right.

I'll do better than that.
I'll take another bill

and place it inside
of another package

so there'll be no doubt,

even in this young lady's mind.

I'll put it in.
Then I'll know it's there.

That's fair.

Sure.

Go ahead.

Now, who's going to
get the lucky money?

Who's going to be
the first customer?

I am.

- You?
- Sure.

All right.
Here you are.

Let me pick it out myself.

Give me 90 cents change, please.

How did you know which one
had the dollar bill in it?

It was the only package
with ice cream on it.

Say, Steve,
have you been down the garage yet?

I went in this afternoon.

It's all set.
I go tomorrow.

Did they give you
a new cab to drive?

The kind where the top opens up.

Well, no, honey.
As a matter of fact,

I'm not driving a cab.

I'm just going to wash them.

Wash them?
You're the best driver in the world.

Oh, you say that
to all the fellas.

You even told me yourself
that only one man out of 75

is temperamentally fitted
to be a taxi driver.

Oh, did I say that?

Look, honey, it's like this.

You see, all the taxis
have drivers.

It's not right to take the job
from a man with 8 or 9 children.

Only one man out of 60,000
has over 8 children.

Oh, yeah, that's right.
I forgot about that.

Even if he only has two children,

it wouldn't be right
to take his job.

Well, couldn't you save up and
buy a taxi of your own, Steve?

Yes, I guess I could do that,

but that would take
quite a while,

so in the meantime,
I think I'll just washing them.

But I'll wash them
and Polish them up--

- A mouse!
- Now, now, dear.

But I'm afraid.

Why, darling?
They couldn't hurt you.

Just the same, I don't like mice.

But they bring good luck.

How do they bring good luck?

Oh, like turning into money.

Mice turn into money?

Yes.

They do?
They really do?

They did when
I was a little girl,

if you wished hard enough.

Like wishing for something

you wanted more than
anything in the whole world?

Like that, yes.

Steve, can anybody buy a taxicab?

I guess so, if they've
got the money.

If he hasn't got the money.

If somebody else gets it
and gives it

can he still get a taxicab?

Well, certainly.

A taxicab doesn't
care who buys it.

If he has a taxicab--

I mean, if he owns a taxicab,

can he take it to another
city and drive it?

If he has a license to drive it here
then he can only drive it right here.

Why?

Oh, nothing, nothing.

Flavia, it's getting late.
Get ready for bed.

Ok, but don't anybody go.

What do you suppose
she's cooking up?

We better all figure out some way

to get Helen out of this
Aesop’s fable about the mouse.

Oh, no, that's all right.

It's better to think
a mouse turns into money

than to scream
her head off everytime.

What about some hot coffee?

Oh, not for me, Helen.

A big fat mouse would
turn into more money

than a skinny one, I guess.

Now you be a good little mouse
and turn into lots of money.

I'm going to give you
plenty of time--

3 whole days.

Bye.

Hey.
It's on your side.

Sure, right there.

That's got it.

Ok, roll her down.

Come on, roll her down.

Oh, got the door locked, huh?

Well, did madam enjoy her ride?

Oh, yes, indeed.

I trust madam liked the scenery.

It was beautiful.

Ah, yes.

There's nothing like Asbury
park in the summertime.

How much do I owe you?

There's no charge, no charge.

Now, will madam exit?

Nope.

Oh, yes, madam will.

Ok, ok.

All right.

Steve, could we speak a minute?
It's kind of important.

Hi, Susan.

Look at the fish I caught.

- Hi, Susan.
- Hello.

You get back to work,

and if there's dirt
on those windows

I'm going to toss you out.

Steve, I just remembered,

glass was first invented
by the early Phoenician.

Oh, I didn't know that.

By the way, what are Phoenicians?

Uh, Phoenicians?

People who live in Phoenix.

Ha ha ha!

What can I do you for?

I came to talk
about the block party.

Oh, that. Say,
that thing's getting bigger

and better every year.

Steve, will you act as master
of ceremonies this year?

No, I don't think I better.

Why not? You've done it
half a dozen times.

You're swell at it.
You know that.

Yeah, I know.

It's kind of fun,
and it makes a fella feel important,

but I don't think I better.

Suppose I'm up on the platform
and some guy yelled out,

"how are things up river?"

Or "show us how you did
the lockstep?"

Or "how do you think the boys up
in sing-sing are getting along?"

No, no, I guess
I'd better skip it.

Steve, you're going away,

and I'm going to remember you,

but I'd much rather remember a big
man that was booed off a platform

than a little guy that was
afraid to get up on it.

Ice cream!
It's so delicious.

Yes, sir, Sonny.
There you are.

Thank you.

Ice cream!
It's so delicious.

Ice cream!

Here's a nice big one.

There you are.
Thank you.

Be sure and don't get it
messed up before the program.

I won't, but I can show Steve?

If you're careful.

Here, hold up the train.

Lemonade, sir?

It's a dance I want, madam.

Oh, I don't think I should.

We're so busy.

- Go on, mama.
- Please?

All right.

Mrs. Murphy,
would you watch the stand?

Sure, sure.
Go ahead.

My, that's a nice costume
you have on.

Thank you.

- Hello, Mr. O'Callan.
- Hello, Flavia.

There's my father
and mother dancing.

Gee, they don't dance
a bit like parents.

She looks very pretty.

That dress is older than I am,

- it sure don't look it.
- Ha ha!

Paper, paper.
What do you read?

Paper, paper.
What do you read?

Good evening, Mac.

Mr. Chamber.
Want a paper tonight?

Not tonight.
I'll take a magazine.

Ok.

See?

- Thank you, Mac.
- Ok.

Paper, paper.
What do you read?

Paper, paper.

Hi, Steve. I've been
looking for you.

I haven't been hiding.

I've been right here.

I certainly helped you
this morning

getting the booth ready
and everything?

Yeah, you sure did.

You couldn't have
gotten along without me.

No, I don't see how I could.

I'm nervous.
Aren't you?

Yeah, I'm awful nervous, honey.

I've got to make a speech.

Yeah, I know you have.

I wanted to say, "give me
Liberty, or give me death."

But they wouldn't let me.
I had to learn a new one.

Yeah, that's what they told me.

Want me to say it for you?

"160 years have passed--"

wait a minute, honey.

Look, maybe you
better not do it now.

You know, you might get tired out
or your throat might get sore,

when you get on the bandstand,
you won't do it good.

Don't you want me here, Steve?

Well, sure, I want you,
but, well, there are times

when a fella would
like to be by himself.

I got some thinking to do.

Oh, well, if you change
your mind, just call me.

Yeah, I will if I change my mind.

Good-bye.

Good-bye.

Oh, good-bye.

Mr. Parker, would you
mind dancing with me?

I think you're an awful good dancer.

Well, I'd be very happy to, Flavia.

Will you excuse me?

Oh, go right ahead.

I'll be back in a minute.

- Steve's nervous.
- He's what?

Steve's nervous. I think you
ought to talk to him.

Oh, thank you, darling.

It certainly is an awful lot of
trouble getting people married.

Oh, I'm ready now.

Thank you for the dance,
Mr. Parker.

Why...

Come on, let's hide
this till morning.

Yeah.

Hey.

A mouse!

That Tony's about
as funny as a crutch.

I'll fix him.

Yeah.

Thank you, thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen, maybe because
they like my Hibernian face--

The businessmen
of this neighborhood

who give you this party
at not one cent cost to you,

asked me to get my suit
pressed and my shoes shined,

which I did, and come up

and introduce the speaker
of the evening.

A short while ago, a very great
man made a very great speech.

Some may have missed it,
but it's worth repeating.

So we're going to ask the most popular
young ladies of the neighborhood

to come up and recite it for us.

It's my pleasure at this time to
present to you miss Flavia mills.

Mama, I'm scared I'll forget.
The words are so big.

The thoughts are big, too
that's why they're worth saying.

I'm not afraid.
You won't forget.

"160 years have passed
since the fourth of July, 1776.

"We have subdued a wilderness

"that men said
could not be conquered.

"We have established a
civilization where others insisted

"a civilization could not survive.

"We have built a Republic,
a government,

"for which,
in the extent of its democracy,

"there had been no precedent.

"Our country, richly endowed
in body, mind, and spirit,

"still has need of many things,

"but I am certain
one of its greatest needs today

"is the enlistment
of the spirit of youth.

"Our war for independence
was a young man's crusade.

"Our constitution likewise was
the creation of young minds.

"Be wise enough,
be tolerant enough,

"you who are young in years,

"to remember that millions
of older people have kept,

"and propose to keep,
those qualities of youth.

"You ought to thank god tonight
if, regardless of your years,

"you're young enough in spirit
to dream dreams and see visions,

"dreams and visions about a greater
and finer America there is to be,

"that poverty can be lessened,

"that class hatreds
can be done away with,

"and that peace at home and
peace abroad can be maintained.

"And that one day a generation
may possess this land

"blessed beyond anything
we now know,

"blessed with those things,
material and spiritual,

"which makes man's life abundant.

"If that is the fashion
of your dreaming,

then I say,
hold fast to your dreams.

America needs it."

Hello, Flavia.

Hello, Ms. Laura.

Hello, Flavia.

Hello.

Jiminy doodlebug,
just like my mother said!

How much does
a taxicab cost, mama?

A taxicab?

Oh, I guess a secondhand
one costs around--

Oh, I mean a new one.

A new one?
Oh, around $2,000, I guess.

Very, very reasonable.

What on earth is she going to do
with all those cigar boxes?

I haven't any idea what
Flavia's going to do

until it's too late.

Oh, mama, can I have that piece
of cheese out of the icebox?

- It'll spoil your supper.
- I'm not going to eat it.

I remember the games
I played as a child,

and not a single one of them had
cigar boxes or cheese in them.

This isn't a game.

I'm going into a new business.

I wish somebody told me about
this years ago.

About what years ago?

Well, it's kind of a secret.
I haven't told anybody.

Well, that's hardly anybody
except Jimmy Lewis.

I had to tell him.

If you didn't tell us, why tell him?

He's going to ask his mother
if he can go in business.

He has plenty mice in his house,
and we're going 50/50.

Have you any idea what
she's talking about?

I haven't any idea
what I'm talking about.

What on earth are you doing?

Come in.

Hey, there's big excitement
down at the corner.

- Somebody robbed old Mac.
- That's terrible. What happened?

Somebody swiped his box
with the money.

I can't understand
why not keep it in a bank.

Mac's father once lost over $200
when the bank failed.

That was during
the Spanish-American war.

- Well, I still think--
- Cigar box.

Flavia, what was in that cigar box?

Money.

Let me see it.

Ok, mama.

Hey, wait a minute.

This looks like old Mac's money.

He told me about
the 4 rubber bands.

Oh, but, Steve, it couldn't be.

Where did you get
this money, Flavia?

The mouse gave it.

Mouse?
What mouse?

The one I caught.

Your mouse?

And it turned into money.

- But, Flavia--
- Wait a minute.

Come here, sweetheart.

Now, look, you tell Steve,

where did you get the money?

In the box where I kept my mouse.

Well, where did you keep it?

In the hole in the wall
in the alley.

Honey, look,
there's been some kind of a mix-up.

I don't know what happened,
but that's Mac's money.

But it couldn't be, Steve.

I did everything mama told me to.

I caught a mouse,
and I hid it away.

Look, darling, all that talk about
the mouse turning into money,

you know, that's just make-believe.

Like remember when we rode
around in the old cab,

and the city hall
was Buckingham Palace

and you were the Princess?

But this was a real mouse.

Well, Flavia,
mice don't turn into money.

But mommy, you said
that they did--

Mice, I mean.

That was just something I said.
I didn't want you afraid.

But mice do turn into
money, don't they?

No, Flavia, I'm afraid not.

But what you said
was true, wasn't it?

No, Flavia.

Then I guess everything you...

Mother, answer me
truthfully, yes or no.

If it rains before 7:00,

it isn't always clear
before 11:00?

No, darling.

And... and cats, they don't
always have 9 lives, do they?

And when you wish on a star,
it doesn't always come true?

No, Flavia.

Then everything you...

Gee, that's too bad.

It had to happen
sooner or later though.

Yeah, I guess that's the
trouble with growing up.

When did Mac first find
out his money was missing?

Do you know?

Yeah.

It was right after the party.

Thank goodness you were
up on that bandstand.

Yeah, it was a lucky break.

Even that detective must know
you couldn't be in two places.

Wait a minute.
What do you mean?

What?

What do you mean,
thank goodness I was there.

Oh, nothing in particular.

I just thought,
if you were there,

you couldn't have anything to do
with Mac's money disappearing.

That's what I thought you meant.

As soon as anything
funny happens here,

everybody looks in one place,
right at me.

Even you.

Oh, you're wrong, Steve.

Sure, I'm wrong.

I'm 100% wrong in this town.

Well, thank goodness there's only
a little over 5 months to go.

I'm going to take a walk.

Wait, Steve.

What you said was right.

You do have to get out of town.

Everything is just
the way you said.

The day after you came back.

- Sure. Nothing's changed.
- Nothing.

I thought I could change you.

I figured if I loved you enough,
by the time 6 months was up,

you'd get over the idea
of leaving town.

But now I see one thing clearly.

You and I... We've got
no future together,

here or anyplace else.

I was only trying
to hang on to something,

but it wasn't there.

If we ever had anything,

it's dead, Steve, good and dead.

Now go and take your walk.

Bags! Bottles!
Old clothes!

Bags!

Bags! Bottles!
Old clothes! Bags!

Hey, watch where you're going!

Paper! What do you read?
Get your papers!

It's only me, Mac.

I didn't hear you.
Where's your skate?

I didn't feel like skating.

You weren't here for
the afternoon editions.

I was busy.

- But--what?
- Your money.

Flavia, where did you get it?

I don't know.

You don't know.
You mean that you--

You think what
everybody else thinks.

You think that I stole it!

I didn't mean that.

I only--Flavia! Flavia!

Is madam in a hurry?

Could I help madam
with her parcels?

I can carry them, thank you.

There's no extra charge.

I'd be glad to carry
madam for a small fee,

say one of her bright,
dazzling smiles.

I'm here now, thank you.

Oh, come on, honey,
snap out of it.

Nobody ever really thought
that you stole old Mac's money.

I bet those kids who stole it

won't forget it for a long time,
believe me.

I don't care who took it.

I don't care anything about it,

except that my mother told
me mice turn into money,

and they don't.

Oh, I wouldn't go in
just yet, now, Flavia.

The doctor's with your mama.

What's wrong with my mama?

Oh, nothing to worry about,
dear. Nothing.

How is she, doctor?

She's just doin too much.

- Don't worry, Flavia.
- Can I go in now?

Yes, go right in, honey.

Don't you feel well, mama?

Yes, dear.

- But you had to have the doctor.
- I know.

Flavia, come here.

You got dark bread.
That's good.

Your father likes it best.

And lettuce.

That's a nice head.

Sit down, Flavia.

Don't look so sober,
darling, after all...

Do you remember I told you

there was something
I wanted very much?

We're going
to have a baby, Flavia,

I hope it's going
to be a little girl.

- Do you know why, dear?
- No, mama.

Because I love you so much.

Papa will be home soon.
I'll help get supper ready.

All right.

That will be a wonderful help.

Aren't you glad, darling?

Yes, mama. I'm glad.

Come in.

Al! What are you doing away
from the garage at this time?

I figured I'd better do this
before I lost my nerve.

Susan, will you marry me right
after the first of the year?

Why, Al.

And I guess you know Steve's
going away very soon.

He's going alone.

Yes, he told me.

Well, he has the right
to live his life

the way he wants to.

Why, you and I--

Susan, I can make you happy.

I know I can make you happy.

We're not children.
We can look at this sanely.

I love you.

I can't bear to think of you

sitting around alone
eating your heart out.

I promise you,
you'll never be sorry.

If you mean, is there a chance
for me to fall in love with you,

I honestly don't know.

You mean, maybe...

If you--

If you want to marry
a girl who knows--

Who thinks she's
still stuck on a guy,

if you mean that
you're willing to--

I'll spend the rest
of my life trying.

Al, you're very sweet.

Well, now, you see?
You're getting to like me already.

- Hi, Fred.
- Hiya, Steve.

Have you got those roller skates,
the ball-bearing kind for kids?

Yes, plenty.

- 3 and a quarter?
- That's right.

Yeah, that's it.
That's the ticket.

Look, wrap them up nice,

put some stickers and ribbon
on 'em for a Christmas.

All right.

Be with you in a minute.

Joe...

You're not going
to hawk your violin?

All I know is that Helen's
having a baby.

And I've got to get money.

But how will you
give any lessons?

- How'll you earn a living?
- I've got to get money.

Then why don't you borrow it?

From who?

Well, uh...

What's the matter with me?
I got a couple of bucks.

I owe you too much already.

Oh, forget about it.

No, no, look, go on
down to Auggy's.

Maybe that job is open.

- I've been there.
- I know, but try again.

This might be your lucky day.

I'll see you at the house.

Hey, Dan, get rid of
this guy, will you?

Oh, Harold, excuse us.

Please.

Yeah, I was just leaving.

Dan, I...

I need some dough right away,
couple of hundred bucks.

Who doesn't?

You figured a way to get it?

I thought I might
borrow it from you.

Oh, buddy boy,
there's a depression on.

Haven't you heard?

Ordinarily a couple hundred bucks
wouldn't mean any more than a nickel,

but right now...

I'll tell you what.

You go find a guy
to lend you 200,

get some for me.

Of course, there might
be other ways.

You interested?

I said I had to have the dough.

You think that you
could sneak a truck

out of that garage

with a big Glenport
trucking sign on it?

I could at night.

At night's when we want it.

Tonight's best of all.

All the chumps will be out
celebrating Christmas Eve.

What time do you want it and where?

Sit down.

Here's the way we'll do it.

At 11:00 tonight,
you come by and you pick me up.

I want you to rest.

Don't do a thing.

If there's anything very wrong,
I want to know.

Mrs. Mills, there's
nothing really wrong,

and there needn't be,

but you have to stay absolutely
quiet for these next few weeks--

No work, no exertion of any kind,

absolute rest.

We can't take any chances
on losing the baby.

I see.

Flavia!

Have that prescription filled, Flavia,

and give your mother one
tablet and a glass of water

every 4 hours today.

Will you remember that?

- I'll remember.
- Good.

I'll drop by again tonight.

You see that your mother
doesn't do any work.

And you, young lady, don't worry.

Good-bye.

Bye, doctor.

The doctor said for you
not to do any work.

Oh, yes.

I'll get Mrs. Murphy to come in.

You needn't.
I'll be all right, dear.

It would be better.
I'll hurry.

You'll find money
in the teapot, Flavia.

Yes, I know.

Oh!

I just knocked my bank off.

Did it break?

Yes.

Let me see it.

Oh, look, darling,

the little cow
isn't really broken.

She's just kneeling,

getting ready for Christmas.

All over the world,
cows kneel on Christmas Eve,

didn't you know that?

They kneel in honor of the child
who was born in the manger.

They were the first to worship him.

How do cows know
that it's Christmas?

Because then god is very close,

and the cows feel his presence
as they did on that first night,

and they fall on their knees
for his blessing.

What's a blessing?

It's god's love
enfolding us, darling.

It's his way of
answering our prayers.

- Mama?
- Yes, dear.

Did you ever see a cow kneel?

Why, I...

No, not really, darling.

Then it isn't true?

Don't you like to
think the holy child

loves us so much that
he comes back on Christmas Eve?

Don't you want to believe it, Flavia?

Yes, mama.

But I can't.

I'll go to the drugstore now.

All right, dear.

Steve.

Huh?

Oh, it's you.

I want to ask you something.

Well, what is it?

Steve, tell me the truth.

I couldn't stand it if
you told me something

and it turned out
to be different.

Answer me yes or no.

Are you going away?

Yes, honey, I am.

Hiya, Steve.

Hi.

Keeping busy?

- Yeah, I'm keeping busy.
- That's good.

What's good about it?

Oh, the medicine.

I don't like to keep after you.

Yeah, I know.

You're just doing a job.

The next time they arrest you,

you'll be gone longer
than 18 months.

Don't land in prison again.

Steve, they don't parole
you a second time.

Thanks for the tip.

Thank you, dear.

Flavia.

Yes, mama?

What's the matter?

Nothing, mama.

Darling, tell mother
what the matter is.

Nothing's the matter, mama.

Turn around, Flavia.

Darling, look at me.

Now, tell me what it is, please.

Steve didn't go around the
world like you all told me.

No, he didn't.

He was in prison.

Yes, he was.

You knew it.

Aunt Susan knew it.

Even Steve...

He told me a story, too.

Sometimes, darling,
for a person's own good,

you don't exactly
tell all the truth.

But you said over
a hundred times,

the truth is the truth,

and anything else is a lie,

and there's nothing in between.

That's what you said.

Yes, but we all
thought it was better,

knowing how much you love Steve,

not to tell you about him.

But if this isn't the truth,

then it's a lie, isn't it?

A white lie.

I don't know who to believe.

I don't know what to believe.

Everybody lies to me,

even the ones I love the most.

Flavia.

Flavia!

Flavia!

Flavia!

Flavia, come back!

Flavia!

Flavia!

Take the baby in the next room.

We won't have time
to look after it here.

Doctor?

The way she's breathing.

Pull her sleeve up, will you, Susan?

Oh, Flavia, go sit down, honey.

We're busy.

- Is the baby warm?
- Well, yes.

Is she very bad, doctor?

And now we know how.

We at least saved the baby,

but only a miracle
can save the mother.

Only the good lord's
blessing can save her now.

Mama!

Mama!

Please, Flavia, darling.

But, Susan, I want
to see my mama.

I know, darling,
but she's awfully sick.

Please, Susan, let me go in.

I want to see her.

You want to help your
mother, don't you?

Yes.

Then, please go
in your room and wait.

Susan, will you come
in here, please?

Mac!

Is that you, Flavia?

Mac, oh, Mac.

- What is it?
- My mama's sick.

She is?
What's the matter?

I don't know, Mac.
She fell down the stairs.

I didn't mean to do it.
Honest, I didn't.

It was Steve, and, oh, Mac,

- I got to find a cow.
- A cow?

Why a cow?

I just got to find one.

It was because I
didn't believe in her.

Where is there I can find a cow?

Please tell me.
I haven't got much time.

Well, you better get someone
to take you to the stockyards.

Stockyards.
Thanks, Mac.

- I missed you, Flavia.
- I missed you, too.

- Good-bye.
- Good-bye.

Paper, paper.

What do you read?
They're all late.

Steve!

Flavia, what are
you doing out here?

Oh, Steve, I'm so glad to see you.

Why did you follow me?
What's the idea?

I don't care what you did.

I don't care if you were in
jail. You gotta help me.

What's the matter, sweetheart?

Oh, Steve, please help me
find a cow right away.

A cow?

What do you want a cow for?

My mom is awful sick, Steve.

Only a miracle can save her.

And cows kneel on
Christmas Eve at midnight,

and, oh, Steve, I've
just gotta find one,

I've just gotta.

- What's that kid doing here?
- I don't know.

I don't know what I'm doing here.

- Get rid of her.
- I'll get rid of her.

Come on, Flavia.

Hey, walk out now,

say good-bye to your 200 bucks.

Good-bye.

Hold up, you!

It's a pinch.

Get over there.

Take 'em down and book 'em.

I'll be along in a few minutes.

All right, down here, you.

Hey!

What's the idea?

We've got to find
a cow by midnight.

I can't explain why, partner,
but it's awful important.

Please.

I don't know what it's about,
but all right.

- There's some in here.
- Hey, what's up?

They want to see a cow.
Open the door.

- A cow?
- Yeah, open the door.

All right.

Hurry, hurry.
It'll be too late.

Honey...

Look, sweetheart,

remember the time when the mouse

was supposed to turn
into money and didn't?

Well, this is a story
just like that, honey,

and maybe the cow won't--

Oh, no, Steve,
this has gotta be true.

Here we are.

Oh, Steve, it isn't kneeling.

Come on, honey.

Let's go home.

I can't see, but I
know you're close.

Please listen to me.

I've been a very bad girl.

I didn't believe, but now I saw.

You made the cow
kneel to show me.

I know you're close listening.

Make my mama live.

Only you can.

It would be only
one more miracle.

Please, please, dear god,
make my mama live.

Oh, Steve, couldn't you feel it,

the blessing when
the cow kneeled?

Yeah.

Flavia, dear, we've
been looking for you.

Susan, I want to see my mama.

Yes, dear, go in.

Mama!

Mama!

Oh, mama.

Oh, mama, you've got to get well

because everything
you said was true.

We found the cow,

and just as it started
to turn Christmas,

the bell started ringing,

and the cow kneeled.

It's true, mama,
it's really true.

Hey, funny face...

Is that you crying?

I wasn't crying,
mama, not really.

I thought I heard you.

It's true.

I asked the blessing
to make you well,

and it's come true.

It is, isn't it?

Your coat, it's wet.

You'll catch cold.

No, I couldn't.

I'm too happy inside.

Nothing could make me cold now.

Helen, I got the job at Auggy's.

Take the baby in the other room.

Yes, doctor.

Open some presents, Flavia?

- Can I?
- Sure. Go ahead.

Oh, gee, this is heavy.

Jiminy doodlebugs, skates!

That's just what I wanted.

Oh!

"In appreciation of your speech,

tenth Avenue Businessmen's
Association."

From now on, they
get all my business.

Merry Christmas, honey.

I didn't know those other guys
would have the same idea.

Another pair of skates.

Oh, Steve, but I like
yours much better.

Mac!

Flavia.

We found the cow,
and mama's all right.

Good, good.

Merry Christmas, old timer.

Merry Christmas, Steve.

Merry Christmas, Susan.

Merry Christmas, Mac.

Gee, Mac, how did you
know Susan was here?

I told you I was smart.

Merry Christmas, Flavia.

Skates.

Oh, but, Mac, I...

Oh, gee, Mac, they're swell.

Just what I wanted.

I had to give you something.

Christmas Carols.

Gee, Mac, I've got
a present for you.

Susan...

There's something
I want to tell you.

You don't have to, Steve.

I think I know.

I'm not going away, Susan.

I'm going to win my fight
right here where I lost it.

Can I help?

Well, what about Al?

I thought that you and he--

You think too much, Steve.

You never did know
all the answers.

♪ ...Let us adore him ♪

♪ Oh, come let us adore him ♪

You know, Mac,

among the Eskimos, kissing
is practically unknown.

No Eskimos around here!