Original subtitles

(upbeat orchestra music)

(uplifting music)

(tentative music)

- [Narrator] This was an airfield.

Now not a soul is here.

Empty.

Empty hangers.

The control tower.

Once the very nerve-center of the airfield

and now, derelict.

No more happy landings.

The crew room.

Telephone numbers scribbled on the wall.

A pin-up girl.

A name, Johnny.

A sign on the floor.

All that is left of people who lived here.

(soft gentle music)

(sheep bleeping)

And now, sheep are returning to this English field,

once mentioned in the Doomsday Book.

It was very different in...

(drums rumbling)

(triumphant music)

- [Peter] Okay, thanks, Shorty.

- Goodbye, good luck.

- Thanks.

- Pilot Officer Penrose, Sir?

- [Peter] Yes.

- Oh, I'm your batman, Sir.

Jones is the name.

- Oh, right.

- This is your chest of drawers, Sir.

Flight Lieutenant Archdale,

he's been keeping a lot of his stuff in here, Sir.

But if you speak to him nicely,

he won't mind moving them.

He's a nice gentleman, Mr. Archdale.

- Is that his tunic?

- Yes, Sir.

That's his best.

The one he wears when he goes into Shepley.

He's got a good reason for going to Shepley,

If I know anything.

All the fuss he makes about his buttons in the evening.

He got this ♪.F.C., Sir

for that low level do over at Rotterdam.

I expect you read about it?

- Yes, I did.

(muffled blasting)

Is there a raid on?

- Er, no, Sir.

Well at least not here.

It's over at Malsden, seven miles away.

Jerry's been giving it to them all the morning, poor devils.

- Yes, I thought I heard the Sirens going in Shepley.

- Oh, we don't take shelter for the sirens here, Sir.

But if you hear whistles being blown.

You take my tip and run like a ruddy rabbit.

- Jonesy, you silly clot.

You sent me dicing without my lighter.

- Oh, I'm sorry, Sir.

I took it away to mend it.

It won't take a minute.

I had no idea you were flying, Sir.

- I've just been up on an air test and what happened?

I come in to land, side slip to miss one

of those damned bomb craters,

get myself caught up in someone else's slip-stream

and ruddy nearly pranged the kite.

Bounced for 10 minutes.

Lucky the C.O. didn't see it.

- I'm ever so sorry, Sir.

I'll go and get it now.

Oh, Mr. Penrose, Sir.

He just got.

- Oh, hello.

I heard you were coming.

My name's Archdale.

- Ye, I know.

- I say, I've taken up much more room than I should.

I'll clear some of my stuff out.

- Oh, don't bother, there's plenty of room.

- They're putting you in my flight.

That's B Flight.

You're straight from O.T.U, aren't you?

- Yes.

- What did they rate you?

Above average?

- No, average.

- Oh, well, we'll soon change all that.

There's a bit of a do on this afternoon

and it's apt to get a bit chilly at 15 thousand.

- I thought that daylight Blenheim

were doing mainly low-level jobs?

- All levels, all jobs.

There's nothing the old Blenheim won't do,

if you treat her right.

- Here you are, Sir.

- Ah, thank you, Jonesy.

- St. Christopher?

- Sort of, yes.

Now what are we gonna do

with all this stuff of mine, Jonesy?

- Don't know, I'm sure, Sir.

Unless I can pinch a chest of drawers from

that Mr. Thompson's room.

The one that bought it yesterday.

- Oh, good idea.

- What's that thing mean?

- Oh that.

I got it in the Jerry train in peace time.

It means, under the wash basin, there finds itself a pot.

Well, I looked under the wash basin

and I didn't find myself any such thing, so I pinched it.

Sentiment's a bit crude, but it's quite decorative,

don't you think?

(whistle blowing)

Hell, that's Halfpenny Field.

Come on, quick.

(whistle blowing)

(tentative music)

(siren blaring)

(aeroplane engines roaring)

(whistle blowing) (siren blaring)

(aeroplane engines roaring)

(bomb whistling)

(bomb exploding)

(aeroplane engines roaring)

- Where are the Hurries from?

Local Defence.

Attached to us.

- Fat chance, three against 30.

- Oh, I don't know.

(bomb whistling)

(bomb exploding)

- Hello, Tiny.

- Hello, David.

Frankly I'm scared.

Don't like them as close as this.

- This is Penrose.

Just joined the Squadron.

Tiny Williams, Controller.

Shocking type.

- How do you do?

(bomb exploding)

- Shh, I thought I heard something.

Let's get to the shelter.

- Right through to the end.

Come on, don't jam the doorway.

Hurry up.

(bomb exploding)

- Where did that one fall?

- By the market square, it looks like.

(bomb whistling) Duck!

(bomb exploding)

- Close? - Fairly.

- I hear as how they hit a shelter over

at the Marston this morning.

Over 50 dead and lots still buried.

- Kick him, somebody.

- I'm only telling you what I heard.

- The trouble is,

you always hear such ruddy depressing things.

- Funny how Jerry always comes over at our PT time,

Serg, isn't it?

- Don't you worry, my boy, you won't miss your PT.

(bomb exploding)

- More ruddy craters.

It makes you sick.

You break your back filling them in.

And Jerry comes over and digs up some more.

- There's the C.O.

This is Pilot Officer Penrose, Sir.

He arrived today.

- How do you do?

- How do you do, Sir?

- Any relation of Nipper Penrose, 840 Squadron?

- No, Sir.

- Grand type, old Nipper.

How many hours have you don in Blenheim's?

- 15, Sir. - 157

What do they think they're doing at O.T.U.'s these days?

I know it's a bit of a flap on at the moment

but 15 hours, it's a bit thick, I must say.

- He passed out pretty hight in his course, Sir.

- Did you?

Good show.

Above average?

- Er, no, Sir, average.

- Well, I can't promise you much time to settle down.

The Squadron's pretty hard worked just at the moment.

- Yes, Sir.

(siren blaring)

- All clear.

Come along to Crew Room, meet the blokes.

- Right, Sir.

(siren blaring)

(truck engine revving)

- Well, if Jerry thinks he can put Halfpenny Field out

of action, he's making a big mistake.

As long as we've got 200 clear yards of turf,

we'll get off somehow.

(aeroplane engine roaring)

Line shoot.

These fighter types, you know.

Top button undone.

(aeroplane engine roaring)

Victory rolls.

Bad show, I think.

That's two of them.

Can you see the third?

- No, Sir.

- Mind you,

I'm not saying you're not doing a good job at the moment.

- No, Shepley, 165.

Hello?

Golden Lion?

Who's that, Fred?

Flight Lieutenant Archdale here.

No, no, don't bother her now.

I just wanted to know that everything was all right.

- Who's that, Fred?

Its the aerodrome, Madam.

Flight Lieutenant Archdale.

Just wanted to know if we were all right.

(romantic music)

- Hold on, Sir, I'm putting you through now.

- Hello, David.

No, nothing at all near here.

Well, not really near.

How's the airfield?

Good.

Thank you for ringing.

Your snapshots?

Yes, I've had them developed for you.

- Good show.

I'll be down tonight.

- Oh, David?

- Sir?

- You won't be going on this afternoon's trip.

Arthur? - Sir?

- You will lead B Flight. - Right, Sir.

- Penrose?

I'm sending you up with Penrose

to give him a look around, see how he gets on.

The sooner we get him operational the better.

- Can't Arthur go with him, Sir?

- No, David, sorry.

Now are we all here?

(men chattering)

- Oh, that's all right.

- Oh, David?

You'd better take a gunner with you.

Who was Thompson's gunner?

- Clarke, Sir.

- Sergeant Clarke?

- Sir?

- I'm sending you up to stooge around

with Pilot Officer Penrose.

We don't want you running to 500 plus Messerschmidts.

- No, Sir, we don't.

- So, you'd better get a route from ops.

- Right, Sir.

Sergeant.

- Well, chaps.

As you know the target for this afternoon

is exactly the same as yesterdays

and the day before yesterdays and the day before that.

Calais, Barge Concentrations.

(uplifting music)

- Now, let's see.

I think Bill Thompson was about your size.

- Thanks.

- Superstitious?

- Oh, no, no.

- Just going to sign the 700.

I won't be a minute.

- Right.

♪ You are only a dream ♪

♪ That know you're close to me ♪

(radio interference)

- Home Service has gone too.

- Punctual blighter, Jerry.

Same time yesterday.

Probably having another big shot at reaching London.

- Well, Penrose, what go you into the flying racket?

- Three pints of beer, I think.

Oh, I don't know really.

I had to do something about it

and felt I'd sooner do it this way than any other.

- What did you do before that?

- I was a school master at a secondary school.

Afraid, I'm just an amateur.

- There aren't any amateurs and professionals anymore.

Just good pilots and bad pilots.

The good pilots stay alive

and the bad ones don't.

That's not true any more either.

- Thanks.

- Break your blooming heart, wouldn't it?

- Just my luck, another one of these 15 hour sprogs.

- Look out, here he is.

Afternoon, Sir.

- Good afternoon.

- Port engine's not giving the revs she should, Sir.

Careful not to overheat her.

- Right.

- Course, she's a bit overdue for a major, Sir.

But the Engineering Officer, he says we can't spare her.

It's a wicked shame to tret aircraft like this, Sir.

Mark my words, no good will come of it.

- Thanks very much.

(aeroplane engine roaring)

- It's the new bloke, Sir.

I bet his first take-off's worse than mine was.

- I doubt it.

(aeroplane engine roaring)

- [Prune] Well, he missed the Control Tower.

- Come on chaps, time to get cracking.

- Mr. Palmer.

- Fine sight, isn't it?

(aeroplane engines roaring)

(children playing)

(water rustling)

(aeroplane engines roaring)

- [Tiny] Hello.

- Oh, hello.

One missing, isn't there?

- Yes, we don't know which one yet.

Have a good trip?

- Oh, not bad, just a stooge around, you know.

- How do you like flying Blenheim's?

- Very much.

They take a bit of flying of course

but I'd sooner handle them than most types.

- You've flown a lot of types?

- A fair number, you know.

A Blenheim's pretty easy.

I suppose they'll make me operational straight away,

won't they?

- No.

You can't fly a Blenheim to save your life.

And there's not only your life to be considered either.

You'll go on operations when I think you're fit

and not before.

- I only thought that with the shortage of pilots...

- If I let you fly on ops in your present state,

I'd only be adding to the shortage.

That landing was ruddy awful.

Don't go, Tiny, I want to speak to you presently.

If you make another landing like that,

I'll send you back to O.T.U.

Battle of Britain or no Battle of Britain.

- I'm sorry.

- Why didn't you go round again?

- I thought I could get her down all right.

- Well, next time you might remember

that you've got other people flying with you.

- Right.

(man whistling)

- Hello, Tiny. - Hello, boys.

- The C.O. bought it this afternoon.

That's what I wanted to see you about, Tiny.

I suppose they'll make me acting C.O.

- I see.

- I'll send another bloke up

with you this afternoon, Penrose.

Do some circuits and bumps

- Yes, Sir.

- Penrose?

I think you'll make a pilot all right.

- Thanks.

- Oh, hello, Sir.

- Hello, Sergeant.

Sorry about making such a clot of myself.

- What do you mean, Sir?

That landing?

Ta.

I've had worse than that, don't you worry.

Old Bill Thompson, he used to be my pilot

till he bought it.

He used to do some real shakers,

then break every rib bone in your body.

Poor Old Bill.

Yours was nothing.

- Thanks.

(car engine roaring)

- Going Shepley way, Nobby?

- Yes, Sir.

- Well, jump in.

- Thanks very much.

- What about you, Penrose?

- Thanks very much, Sir.

(car engine roaring)

(church bell ringing)

- [David] Hello, Miss. Todd.

- Hello, Flight Lieutenant.

- This is Pilot Officer Penrose.

- How do you do?

- Don't forget to wipe your feet

before you go in the lounge.

I've told you dozens of times before.

- Most terribly sorry.

- She the manageress?

- Hmm.

- Bit of a tartar, isn't she?

- Oh, her bark's worse than her bite.

- Watcher boys!

Have a drink, I think you deserve it.

- [David] Oh, no thanks.

- Oh, come on, don't be shy.

Palmer's the name.

- Oh, well this is Pilot Officer Penrose.

- How are you?

- How do you do?

- Two large highland flings!

Must support the old firm, you know.

Well, been giving those old barges a caning?

That's the stuff.

Only leave a few Jerries for the L.♪.V. you know,

I'm rather hot with my pike!

(men laughing)

Oh, I beg your pardon.

Misses Winterton, major and minor.

Mr?

- Penrose.

- How do you do?

- Would you care for a drink, Miss. Winterton?

- No thank you, we don't drink.

- Oh.

What's that you're making?

- An air force pullover.

- For anyone particular?

- No, just for the Comforts Fund.

- Oh.

It's a bit difficult making those squiggle bits

around the collar, isn't it?

- No, it isn't really.

You see, when you get to the end...

- Iris dear, I really think we'd better go

and have our dinner now.

Otherwise we shall find it's all been eaten

by the non-residents.

- Yes, Auntie.

- Oh, Miss. Todd?

You know I never complain, but...

- Yes, Miss. Winterton, will you come

to my office after dinner?

- [Miss. Winterton] Iris?

- [Iris] Coming, Auntie.

- Now, it they'd drop a bomb on

Auntie, instead of Ha'penny Field.

- She need it?

(romantic music)

- Oh, hello.

- Hello.

Can I help you?

- Yes, here, you wipe while I wash.

One of the bar boys left this morning.

Called up.

- Oh.

- Did you go over this afternoon?

- No, the Squadron did.

- How was it?

- We lost our C.O.

- Squadron Leader Carter?

I'm terribly sorry.

- Yes, it's a bad show.

- He was a great friend of yours, wasn't he?

- I knew him pretty well.

- Is there any hope?

- No one saw him, or his crew bale out.

They'll post them as missing I suppose,

for three months anyway.

- I think if I had to hear of someone was killed,

I'd rather hear at once,

than hear it first as missing.

- Yes, it is rather an ugly word, isn't it?

I know a kind poem, called "Missing".

- Do you?

- Less said the better,

the bill unpaid, the dead letter.

No roses at the end of Smith, my friend.

Last words don't matter,

for there are none flatter.

Words will not fill the post of Smith the ghost.

For Smith, our brother, only son of loving mother.

The ocean lifted, stirred,

leaving no word.

- You wrote that yourself?

- I try and say things I feel that way sometimes.

Sort of hobby.

- I didn't know.

- You're the only one who does

or who ever will.

- [Woman] Miss. Todd, glasses, please!

- Fine bar boy I am, spouting poetry at you.

- The German Pilot says to the girl guide,

"Which way is to the station?"

And she says, "I don't know, I'm a parachutist here myself."

(men laughing)

Not bad, hey?

- Yes, not bad.

Going to bed already?

- Eh, oh.

- Yes, Auntie doesn't like staying up late.

- Well, I suppose there's not very much

to stay up for in a place like Shepley.

- No, there isn't.

- Is there a cinema?

- Oh, yes.

- Well, couldn't we go along...

- Iris dear, I thought I asked you to get the room warm?

- Yes, Auntie.

- I sometimes wonder whether these modern girls ever think

of anyone but themselves.

- Have one for the swing door!

- Oh, not thanks.

- Come along, hello, we've had it.

- [Woman] It's past time.

- Oh well, never mind.

Here, hear about the man in the shelter?

The woman in the shelter?

Wait a minute, ugh...

- You seen Archdale?

- No, but I shouldn't worry, he's always last man out.

You know, love's old sweet song.

- So this man... - Well, goodnight.

- Man, oh, cheerio!

Here, get me a final one, will ya?

I've got a chill, I have, honest.

Tell them, it's for medicinal purposes.

- Mr. Palmer, you do go on something awful.

- I kill 'em.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Miss. Todd. - Goodnight.

(romantic music)

Goodnight, David.

- Toddy.

(wedding music)

- [Miss. Todd] What is the time?

I know we shall be late.

- There's plenty of time, don't fuss.

There.

- This skirts still far too long.

I shall tread on it, I know I shall.

- No, you won't.

- Don't I look a sight?

- Yes, you do look a sight.

I'll get your bouquet.

(aeroplane engines roaring)

Why, whatever's the matter?

- Nothing.

- Darling Toddy, good luck.

- Thank you.

(wedding music)

(happy music)

- Ladies and gentleman.

I am glad to say that to me has fallen the lot

to propose the health of the...

If I may coin the phrase, happy pair.

- [Crowd] Hear, hear!

- To the bridegroom I would say this,

may his matrimonial take-off be straight and smooth.

May his climb through the clouds

of married bliss be swift and controlled.

May his navigation be sure, his air speed steady

and my all his engines troubles be little ones.

(crowd laughing)

To the bride, I would merely say this...

(whistle blowing)

- Oh.

- [Tiny] There's that man again.

We'd better get down the shelter.

(siren blaring)

- Come on, slide along, Corporal.

Slide along.

Up a wee bit, that's it.

(aeroplane engines roaring)

- Thank you so much.

(bomb exploding)

(bomb exploding)

- More ruddy craters!

(romantic music)

- Halfpenny Field.

(laughs) Halfpenny.

That's a funny kind of a name.

- Huh, well it seems in 1066 they only used

to pay a halfpenny rent for it.

That was our biggest crater, over there.

By that Boston.

(aeroplane engine roaring)

- That damn port engine

still not giving me anything like the right boost.

Why wasn't it fixed?

- I thought it was, Sir.

We worked on it all morning.

- If you want to break our ruddy necks you know,

you're going the right way about it.

Now see it's fixed by 14:30 this afternoon, hey?

- Yes, Sir.

Shall I put it U.♪. then, Sir?

- I said fix it, didn't 1?

Yes, Sir.

- What's the matter, Dad?

- If you ask me, son, I think it's about time

that young chad had a bit of a rest.

- Yeah.

- This way, Sir.

This is the Officers mess.

- Oh.

- And this is the ante room.

- Gee, what a honey.

Hot digotty dog what a bombing ship.

- And that's supposed to be American?

- Quiet.

Yeah, Gentleman, I'm telling you.

This B-17, or the Flying Fortress as we call her

is surely the greatest bombing ship that God ever made.

Why, it cruises at 650.

Well let's say 645,

we mustn't exaggerate, must we gentlemen?

And furthermore, this bombing ship is the only bombing ship

that will fly in every decreasing circles,

until finally it shoots itself down.

Or conversely it disappears up its own...

(interrupted by coughing)

Gosh!

- The B-17 is a mighty fast machine, son

but I don't think it's quite as fast as all that.

- No, Sir, I mean, yes, Sir.

I mean...

- I think I understand what you mean.

- Would you, would you have a beer, Sir?

- Oh, thank you.

- Gentlemen, Colonel Page.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

- Oh, thank you.

- Is it true, Sir, I mean about the rumour?

- What rumour?

Oh, that.

Well as you'll all get to hear about it sooner or later,

yes, it's perfectly true.

- That Halfpenny Field's been taken over by the Yan...

By the American Air Force, Sir?

- By the Eighth Air Force.

- What sort of aircraft?

A-20's?

-No, B17's.

The Flying Fortress as we call her.

(crowd laughing)

- [Airman] You've had it again, Prune.

- Right, well tell her I'll be right down, will you?

Oh, hello, Peter.

Is that engine all right?

- No, they're working on it now.

- Is it going to be U.♪. For this do this afternoon?

- It better not be or I'll murder that ground crew.

- What's the gen, Sir, still the Middle East?

- Well, how would that appeal to you, Prune?

- What do you think of that, Peter?

Soft languorous nights, a canopy of stars,

the magic of the orient.

I'm going to be a shiekess' play thing.

- I've left that lighter of mine at home,

will you come down with me, Peter?

- Right.

- You wouldn't say no to a shiekess would you, Peter?

Oh yes, of course, I forgot you would.

Little Miss. Thingy-me-bob at the Lion.

- What do you mean?

- Nothing at all.

- Well then, for Pete's sake, shut up.

- Oh, by the way, Peter.

I was having an argument with a bloke the other day,

how many trips have you done?

He said 417

- 43, why?

- Oh, this is what I said.

Well, that's not bad for one tour.

- What do you mean, one tour?

- Well, after this afternoons trip,

you would've finished your first tour of Ops.

Congratulations, Peter.

- I'm not being taken off flying, am I?

- Yes, for a bit.

Your posting came through this morning.

Controllers course.

- Oh, my God.

Whose idea was all this?

Now, listen, David, I came into R.A.F. to fly,

not to sit on the ground using a lot

of brains I haven't got.

If you applied for me to be taken off flying,

you damn well better apply for me to be put back again.

- Yes, I don't blame you for putting up a moan.

In fact, I knew you would.

That's why I didn't tell you before.

- Ho could you have done it,

my posting only came through this morning?

So, you did apply?

- Well, I guess I did.

Darling, where are you?

- Don't make such a noise, you'll wake Peter.

Hello, Peter.

- Hello, Toddy.

- She's in there.

- Alone?

- She was.

- Good.

- How's our Peter?

- Come and have a look.

- Is it all right?

- Yes, why?

- Well, it looks sort of screwed up.

- Well, of course he looks screwed up.

So did you at his age.

- Not as screwed up as all that, surely?

Are you sure it's not in pain?

- Of course not.

- Shall I pick it up?

- No, David, please don't.

You'll ruin my morning, if you wake him.

And it's him, not it, please.

- It will always be it to me,

until it begins to look a little more human.

There, that's the way to hold a baby, our M.O. showed me.

(baby gurgling)

- Oh, Oh. - Oh, give him here.

Oh, Darling.

Did naughty Daddy wake you?

- Oh, Lord, naughty Daddy's got to get the hell out of here.

Darling, I left my lighter in our room, did you see it?

- No, it wasn't with your things.

- Oh, I'll just dash up and have a look.

- David. - Huh-um.

- Is there something on?

- Yes. (baby crying)

- I know I shouldn't ask, but is it anything important?

- Oh, Lord, no, just the usual stooge around.

(baby gurgling)

- Oh, Darling.

- But surely we could have dinner alone somewhere?

- Auntie would never agree to it.

- Well, I'll ask her tonight.

As a matter of fact, I'll have something to ask you too.

- Oh, anything very important?

- Well, it depends which way you look at it.

(romantic music)

- I can't find it, it must be at the station after all.

- You will find it, won't you?

- Oh, yes, I'll find it all right.

Yes, I think I know where it is.

- Give me a ring when you get down.

- Have I ever forgotten?

- No, not yet.

- Well, Darling.

(door knocking)

- Ah, there you are Miss. Todd.

I suppose I should say Mrs. Archdale

but I can never get used to it.

There's something I want to see you about.

- If you go down to my office, Miss. Winterton,

I'll be with you in five minutes.

- Now I'm up the stairs,

I think I'd better stay up them, don't you.

They're so bad for my heart, you know.

It's about my bottle of Worcester sauce.

- Goodbye, Darling.

- Goodbye.

David?

- Yes, Darling?

- It doesn't matter.

- See you tonight.

- Now, I noticed this morning at breakfast,

when we had fishcakes, remember?

And of course, I always like Worcester sauce with fishcakes,

especially when they're the least little bit tasteless.

I noticed that someone has been tampering with my bottle.

- Peter?

- [Peter] Okay.

- Goodbye, David.

- [David] Goodbye.

- Well, see you tonight, hey?

- Promise?

- Promise.

Don't talk to any strange men, will you?

Everything all right?

- If you have any trouble with it now,

you can knock my ruddy head off.

- I will, if I'm still here to do it.

- Keep in fairly close going over.

- Right.

- How you feeling, all right?

- Course I'm feeling all right.

- I've got Prune standing by, if you'd rather...

- I'm not a controller yet, you know.

- Look, Pete.

You're not still sulking with me, are you?

- I'm sorry, David,

it was a bit of a shock hearing it like that.

- I know.

- I suppose 43 trips is quite a lot, isn't it?

- A heck of a lot.

Coming down to the Lion tonight?

- You bet.

- Don't forget, keep in close.

(aeroplane engine roaring)

(aeroplane engine roaring)

- R. Roger airborne, 11:00.

(laughs) Bang on the dot.

(aeroplane engines roaring)

(men whistling)

(harmonica music)

- Hold it.

(bomber engines roaring)

(men chattering)

(door knocking)

- Come in.

Oh, hello, Tiny.

- Hello, old man.

I've just heard.

I'm terribly sorry.

- Yes, bad show, isn't it?

- Yes.

How did it happen?

- Light flack emplacement on the roof of the power station.

- I suppose there's no chance that he might have...

- No.

He went straight in it, from about 500 feet.

Caught fire at once.

- I'm terribly sorry.

- He should have evaded after dropping his bombs.

He used to tell us to to it often enough.

- I suppose he wanted to mark the bursts.

- Hmm, I suppose so, yes.

That's how old Campbell went, wasn't it?

- Your shoes, Sir.

- [Peter] Oh, thanks.

- Nice and clean now.

Mr. Parsons has just told me the news

about Squadron Leader Archdale, Sir.

- Yes, bad show, isn't it?

- Terrible, Sir.

Plain terrible.

I don't know when I've been so upset.

He was my nicest gentleman.

Of course, it's worst of all for you, Sir.

You being a particular pal of his.

I...

- Nice room you've got here.

- Hmm, not bad, is it?

- No, I hate mine.

Do you mind if I ask the ♪ .N.C. if I can move in here?

- Yes, if you like.

- Peter, you're going to tell his wife, aren't you?

- No.

- I think you should.

After all, you know her much better than any of us.

- I said no, I won't do it.

- All right, just as you think.

- What's there to tell her?

Your husband crashed into a hill in France

and got burnt, we're all very sorry

because he was a good bloke and we all liked him very much.

You'd better get the Adjutant to write here one

of those letters of his, he knows what to say.

God knows he's had plenty of practise.

He'd got no right to get married.

And have a kid.

We, none of us have.

- There's someone here to see you, Madam.

He's out in the hall.

- Did he say what he wanted, Elsie?

- Don't know, Madam.

It's Flying Officer Penrose.

- Thank you.

Hello, Peter.

Fred, Mr. Palmer wants two whiskies and sodas.

- Very good, Madam.

- Come into my office, will you?

I know what you've come to tell me, Peter.

- You do?

- Yes, you see, he didn't ring up this evening

and I counted one plane missing

when you came back over the town.

Tell me just one thing,

how much hope is there?

I see.

No hope at all.

- Not very much, I'm afraid.

- I thought perhaps,

there might have been some question of missing.

It does happen, I know.

Someone bales out, no one sees them

and then later they're reported as pris...

- I'm afraid he was too low to bale out.

His plane crashed into a kind of a hill.

Whatever happened would have been instantaneous.

- You saw it?

-Yes, I saw it.

- Thank you for coming to tell me, Peter.

I know what it must have meant to you,

but I couldn't have born it from anyone else.

Thank you.

- I don't know what to say, I'm afraid.

I've brought a few things down which I found up in my room.

Nothing very important.

Just handkerchiefs and socks and things.

Thought I'd better bring them down.

Oh, and there was this piece of paper with his writing on it

which I thought you might like.

- I can't see without my glasses.

What is it?

- It's a bit of poetry, I think.

- Will you read it for me?

- Well...

- Please.

- Do not despair, for Johnny head in air.

He sleeps as sound as Johnny underground.

Fetch out no shroud, for Johnny in the cloud.

And keep your tears for him in after years.

Better by far, for Johnny the bright star.

To keep your head and see his children fed.

I suppose he must have copied it out

of some book or something.

- Yes, I suppose he must.

- Is there anything else that you would like me to do?

- No, thank you, Peter.

- I'll come down tomorrow and see you, of course,

that's if you want me to?

- Yes, I'll want you to.

- Well, I'd better be getting back to the station.

I've volunteered to take someone's Orderly Officer.

- You have to work tonight?

- Oh, well, I said I would, you know.

- I see.

- Oh, I forgot.

He left his lighter behind.

I found it after we got down.

Probably upset him a bit having to fly without it.

- Yes, it would have done.

Thank you, Peter.

(sorrowful music)

- [Iris] Hello.

- Oh, hello.

- So you kept your promise?

- What promise?

- To come down, see me.

- Well, I'm afraid I've got to get back to the station.

- Oh, when shall I see you then?

- I don't know.

I'm awfully sorry about tonight.

You see...

(trumpeting music)

(muffled trumpeting music)

(upbeat music)

(men cheering)

- [Prune] Goodbye, you lucky people.

Give my love to the Yanks.

- And ours to the Arabs, too.

- I'll bring you back a couple of nautch girls.

(men cheering)

- I wonder what these Yanks are going to be like?

- (chuckles) Goodness only knows, old man.

- Present Arms!

(trumpeting music)

- Would you mind, Sir?

- No, of course.

Here we go.

- Ah, thank you, Sir.

- Got it?

- Lovely.

- Hello, been looking for you all over the place.

- What's going on?

- Got to get all your stuff out.

The Yanks have taken over E Block.

- Oh, damn and blast!

- (laughs) Oh, I know.

You've got to be quick.

- [Jonesy] Excuse me, Sir.

- Where are they now?

- Oh, over in the mess, wandering about,

chewing the cud, shooting the bull

and calling each other Buddy.

- Buddy.

(man whistling)

- Oh!

- Hello.

- Sorry to burst in, but they told me number three.

- Oh, that's okay.

My name's Penrose.

- Mine's Hollis.

Johnny Hollis.

- Hi, hi. - Hello.

- 'Fraid I haven't finished getting all my stuff out yet.

- Oh, that's all right.

Take your time.

- Fine.

♪ Camp Town ladies sing this song ♪

♪ Do-da, do-da ♪

Uner dem...

What's this?

- That?

Oh, that's just a thing the bloke I used

to share this room with pinched

from a German train in Peace Time.

♪ Camp Town race track five miles long I

♪ Oh, do-da-day ♪

- What's it mean?

- It means, under the wash basin there finds itself a pot.

(man laughing)

I'll take it down in a minute.

- Oh, I'd kind of like to keep it there.

(men laughing)

- Hello, my jolly old fellow.

Boy, these English slay me.

There's an Orderly in my room asking if I'd like

to be called in the mornings with a cup of tea.

- [Peter] Excuse me.

- Oh, hello.

- That goon's name is Frizelli, the Bombardier with me.

Flying Officer Penrose, Joe.

- Glad to know you. - Hello.

- And this is Wally Becker, Navigator.

- How are you? - How do you do?

- Nice layout you got here.

- And what do you know, Joe?

They've got a lot of women here, on the station.

- Hey, is that true?

- Well, there are some W.A.A.F.s.

- Well, they're girls, aren't they?

- Hm yes, I suppose so.

- That's all brother.

- (chuckles) Are you moving out all together?

- No, I'm staying on for a bit, I'm Controller.

- Oh, you're not a flyer then?

- No, I'm not a flyer.

- They had A-20s here you know, Johnny.

Boston's they call them.

- Yeah, and not a bad little ship that A-20.

- All right for reconnaissance.

- I'm not looking forward

to bringing a Fort into this field.

- I'm not looking forward

to being in one when you do, brother.

- We'd just better make darn sure

we don't ever bring our bombs back.

- Heck, we won't ever bring our bombs back.

Our bombs are going right where they're meant to.

Right on that little old target,

zonk, zonk, zonk, every time.

- Sure we're all glad to know that.

- Oh, it won't be me.

It'll be the bomb sight.

Say there's nothing to bombing with that little baby

to do all the work for you.

I tell you those Hunnies are in for the shock

of their young lives.

Say have you ever seen a Flying Fortress?

- Yes, from a distance.

- Like a trip in one?

- Oh, yes, I would.

Thanks very much.

- Not a real mission of course, they...

I thought you said you weren't a Flyer?

- Er, I'm not.

I was once though.

- What you fly?

- A20s, just reconnaissance work you know.

Well, I'll see you all in the mess.

- Well of all the dirty tricks.

- It's that big mouth of yours, boy.

You had it coming to you.

- Yeah.

Dash bad form, old boy.

(men cheering)

- Bit of a cow shot, old man.

- Tea?

- Tea.

- I say. - Yeah?

- Can I have some more milk, please?

- Sure thing.

Hey, Spud, any more hot milk?

- Not hot, cold.

Hot in coffee, cold in tea.

- Anything you say.

It's your tea.

- Hello, Tinker. - Hello, Tinkerbell.

- Hello.

They don't warm the pot, you know.

I've watched them making it.

- (laughs) Oh, well.

It's liquid and it's warm.

I was afraid they were going to abolish it altogether.

- Oh, but they would've done.

Indeed they were going to

if I myself hadn't protested to the Colonel.

- Nobly done, Tinkerbell.

- There you are, Bud.

- I say, by the way.

I've found out what that awful brown stuff is

that they put on the table at dinner.

- What is it?

- Peanut butter.

- Oh, made of peanuts, I suppose.

- So, I imagine.

I've tried it.

It's revolting.

- Hey?

What's for supper?

- Hash.

- Oh, that's what I thought.

- Flying clothes in the mess.

- Yes, well, we must try and rise above it, Tinkerbell.

- Think there may be anything on tomorrow,

in the way of ops?

- Ah, that of course I couldn't say, even if I knew.

All I do know is that they're exceptionally keen

to get cracking.

I'll grant them that.

They're as keen as mustard.

- Yes, they've only got 12 Forts.

- Ah, yes, but then as a Bombardier,

I think that's what they call themselves, said to me,

"12 Forts can make a hell of a mess"

"of any gosh darn target."

Apparently with this new bomb sight of theirs,

they can drop a bomb into a barrel from 30 thousand feet.

Zonk.

- Well, well.

- [News Reporter] Last night a very strong force

of R.A.F. Lancasters and Halifax's raided Bremen

for the fourth night running.

- Oh, for goodness sake.

- What's eating you, Joe boy?

- Why do we have to sit round here all the time,

listening to what the R.A.F. did last night?

We've been here over two months now.

When are we going to get started?

- Soon enough, Frizelli.

And when we do, maybe you'll be wishing yourself back

at that radio again.

Who knows?

Evening Penrose.

- Good evening, Sir.

- [Mr. Palmer] First of all, Elsie.

A nice large whisky and soda.

- Sorry, Mr. Palmer, we've run out of whisky.

- What, again?

- I'm afraid so, Mr. Palmer.

We had some more Americans in last night.

Will you have beer?

- I suppose so.

What a war!

- Tell me, dear, isn't that the R.A.F. boy

that used to such a friend of yours?

- Yes, Auntie.

- Er, Waitress?

- He doesn't seem to come down as often

as he used to, does he, dear?

- No, Auntie.

- Funny.

Get on with your soup, dear, it'll get cold.

- Hey, sister.

Bring that check, will ya?

We've been waiting here for 20 minutes for it.

- What is it you're wanting?

- The check, for crying out loud, the check!

- I'll see Miss. Todd about it.

- And who the heck is Miss. Todd?

- Hey, pipe down, Joe.

- Well, Johnny, I'm only...

- Shh!

- We'll miss the picture.

- You hadn't oughta shout like that.

- Why the heck not?

- Oh, devilish bad form, old boy.

- Look, is this supposed to be a restaurant

or a funeral parlour?

That's all I want to know?

What's the idea of talking in whispers when we eat?

- It's kind of, sort of a custom over here.

- What do you mean?

Like eating's a thing to be ashamed of or something?

- Yeah.

- Well, I don't get it.

- What exactly is it you require?

- Oh, it's all right, Miss, it's all right.

It's perfectly all right.

We don't require a thing.

We're just going to go on sitting here until Christmas.

- Please, it's just the check,

I mean the bill, if you don't mind?

- Oh, the bill.

The waitress understood you wanted to cash a check

and it's strictly against our rules.

- Oh, no, I'm so sorry.

We are a little bit pressed for time, you know.

Here.

Do yo think that this will cover it?

- Did you have coffee?

- Yes.

- Is that what you call it?

- Do you wish to make a complaint about the coffee?

- No, of course he doesn't, no.

It's very good.

Very.

He's just trying to be funny, you know.

- Thank you for explaining.

I'll bring your change.

- Thank you.

- Boy, these sourpuss Janes give me a pain.

- (laughs) You two characters go along

and collect the transport.

I'll wait for the change.

- Okay, I'll settle up with you later.

- Okay.

- Watch out for that human rattlesnake, boy.

She'll eat you alive.

- Yeah.

- I heard you were here, I couldn't telephone

but we've both got to report to intelligence

or what they call S2 after dinner.

- Something on?

- Hmm, dawn tomorrow.

Soup any good?

- Hmm, not bad.

(man humming)

(baby babbling)

- Well, hello there.

Well, well, well.

(baby babbling)

How are you?

Glad to see you.

How you been?

(baby gurgling)

Hello, kid.

How's tricks?

(baby gurgling)

Oh, trying to strangle me, huh?

Okay, go right ahead.

See if I care.

That's right pull away, old fella.

Or should I say, old lady?

Which is it?

- Old fella.

- Oh, caught.

What's his name?

- Peter.

Nice, well behaved baby.

- That's what you think.

- Who's is he?

- Mine.

- Yours?

Oh, I beg your pardon.

- Why?

- Appropriating him like that,

most mothers don't like it.

No, they think you're gonna poison them or something.

- Oh, I don't mind.

I always feel rather flattered

when someone pays my son a little attention.

- Mary doesn't.

That's my wife.

She hates it if some stranger gets kinda familiar

with our Emmie.

- How old is Emmie?

- Going on four.

We've got a boy too, George.

He's six.

You wouldn't care to see a snapshot of him, would you?

- Why yes, I'd love to.

- You sure, it wouldn't bore you?

- Not at all.

Please show me.

- Good, you're in for it.

There.

- What a pretty little boy.

- Huh, you'd better not let him hear you say that.

And then his next one, George and Emmie together.

And that's Mary with them.

It isn't a good picture of Mary.

I took it myself last leave before I came overseas.

She's kinda squinting at the sun.

She hasn't see it yet or she'd stop me showing it around.

- I think she's beautiful.

Thank you for letting me see them.

- Thank you for letting me let you see them.

- Do you hear from them often?

- Mary writes most days, you know.

They come in batches though that's the trouble.

Nothing for week and you get kinda worried

and then suddenly you're snowed under.

- The children must miss you very much?

- Oh, no, I shouldn't think so.

It doesn't mean much at that age, does it?

No.

Where's his father?

Overseas?

- He was killed three months ago.

- Is... - Yes.

- I...

- Thank you.

Have you been over here very long?

- No.

- Johnny?

Hey, Johnny?

- What the...

- Okay, okay, I'm coming.

- Oh, I beg your pardon.

- Do you mind not shouting like

that when you come into the hotel,

it's apt to disturb the other guests.

- Yes, Miss.

Certainly, Miss.

I'm very sorry, Miss.

- Well, see you sometime again, I hope.

I mean, you'll be around?

- Oh, yes, I'll be around.

- Good.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

- What was she balling you out for?

Not washing behind your ears?

- Excuse me.

- [Johnny] Yeah?

- Are you, er, going out tonight?

- Oh, just to see a picture.

Have a couple of drinks maybe.

Like to come along?

- No, thanks, no, it's not that.

It's just that, well if you don't mind me saying so,

I think it might be a pretty good idea

if you had an early night tonight.

- Come on, boy.

No picture for us.

Back to the station and bed.

- But, Johnny, look...

- I said, bed, scram.

- Okay, goodnight.

- Goodnight.

- Thanks.

- That's okay.

If I don't see you before, all the best.

- You bet.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

- Hello.

- I haven't seen you for well, ages, it seems.

- I know, we've been pretty busy up

at the station, you know. - Yes, of course.

- I haven't had much of a chance to get down here.

Well, what's your news?

- Nothing much.

Auntie's made another application for my deferment.

- Oh, Lord.

- She says she's trained me now in her illness's

and if I left her to join up it would be fatal.

- I should think it would, absolutely.

- But I'm allowed to stay on at the cottage hospital

as part time nurse.

- Oh, that's something, isn't it?

- Yes.

What's your news?

- Oh, nothing much you know,

just the usual stooging, boring.

Oh, hello, Tiny.

- Hello, old man.

- Well, we ought to get cracking.

- Yes, good evening.

- Good evening.

- Oh, no, you wait here and I'll go and get the car.

- Is there any chance of seeing you soon?

- 'Fraid not.

We've got a basinful of stuff to get though up there.

- Oh, yes, I see.

It's perfectly all right, I just wondered...

- Look, I know what you're thinking.

You're not right, you know.

- Aren't 1?

- I wish that I could explain it.

- You don't have to explain anything, Peter.

There's nothing to explain.

- I'm terribly sorry.

- It's perfectly all right.

Goodbye, Peter.

- How long do you think this blasted war's going on for?

- Oh, years and years and years I should think.

Spring 1950's my personal bet.

- Do you think any of us have the right

to get ourselves tangled up until it's over?

- What do you mean?

Financially or emotionally?

- Wives, children, things like that.

- Why ask me, old man?

Personally I've never had the old urge.

Why don't you write to Auntie thing-a-me-jig

in the Daily Whatsit?

- I'm serious, you know.

- I know you are and I know you're thinking about David.

I'm telling you the truth,

it's not a subject that I'm qualified to give an opinion on.

- But you could tell me how you would feel if you were...

Well, if you were in the same sort of spot as I'm in.

Couldn't you?

- I could.

It wouldn't do any good.

You see, I'm on the ground

and any time now you may be on Ops again.

Anything I said,

couldn't have any possible bearing on the matter.

(exciting music)

- Good luck, Colonel.

- Thanks, we'll need it.

(heroic music)

- Well, guys, I guess this is it.

Quite some moment, isn't it?

Yes, but not for making a noise like a speech.

I didn't even have a pep talk for the fellas,

they don't need it.

You're all the lousiest crew that any poor pilot

was ever struck with and I love you,

so come on get up them stairs.

(exciting music)

(gun firing)

(aeroplane engine roaring)

(heroic music)

- [Man] Fred, another pint, please.

- [Fred] Very good, Sir.

- Ah, good, here's the food.

- Here it is.

- Right, ta.

- Well, here's to Forts.

- Here's to Lance.

Cherrio Nob.

- Some people get all the luck.

- Where are you now, Flight?

- Over at Tetworth Gunnery School, Sir.

- Can you imaging Nobby instructing?

- (laughs) I bet he puts the wind up the pupils.

- Ah, no.

The pupils put the wind up me,

they're so ruddy good.

The little binders.

- Have you applied for Lance, Nobby?

- Yes, Sir, hundreds of times.

- Well, have another crack at it.

I'll pull a few strings and try

and get you with me again, hey?

- Will you? - Sure.

- Now that sounds a bit of all right.

- Here, fellas, I've just heard a great story

this'll kill ya.

There's an Englishman, and Irishman

and a Scotsman travelling in a train, see?

- Please, could we have three beers?

- Yes, Sir.

- Light ales.

Thanks.

- And when the man came up the corridor...

- Excuse me a minute.

- When the man got up the corridor to collect the tickets,

the Englishman turns to the Scotsman

and what do you think he said?

- What are you chaps drinking?

- Oh, hello. - Hello.

- Thanks, we've just ordered.

- Ah, come on, have another.

- Well, okay.

I guess we've got the right

to get a little bit plastered tonight.

- I guess you have.

For all accounts,

that was a grand job you did over there today.

- Aha, we walked away for it.

That's the best that can be said for it.

- Yeah, I know.

- Here, sit down, sit down.

- What are you having?

The beer's good.

- Well, this is beer, isn't it?

- Little lady-like, you know.

- No, thanks.

- Okay, we'll have what you've got there.

- Four pints of Dark, Thomas, please.

Chalk it up on the old slate, will you?

- I'm going to have my cigarette now, dear.

Oh, I must have left my lighter upstairs.

Run and get if for me, will you, dear?

- Allow me.

- Oh.

Thank you.

- The pleasure is all mine.

- What charming manners.

- Hello, fellas.

- Hello, Baby, here's your beaker.

- Thanks a lot.

Say listen, Flight Lieutenant,

I guess I owe you a bit of an apology.

- Hmm?

- Well, if I gave you or anybody else the idea

that bombing targets over the other side

was going to be easy, I'll eat my words right here and now.

But I defy any other Bombardier in the Air Corps

to do better under those conditions.

- Funny thing that group ahead hit that target smacko,

you know, zonk, zonk, zonk.

- How wide were your bursts?

- How wide would you like?

- We may have killed a couple of enemy cows,

that's about all.

- Ah, enemy occupied cows.

- Oh, lay off fellas.

I'll do better next time.

We live and learn.

- I sure hope we learn.

We only just lived.

- What were they, Focke Wulfes?

- Yeah, they're good all right.

Like you fellas said they were.

Only like some of us didn't believe.

- Ah, here it is.

- Thanking you.

- Here we are.

- Well, good luck.

- Thanks. - Here's to you.

- I'm celebrating myself tonight.

I have been posted, Lancasters.

- Flying again, hey?

- You bet.

- That's swell.

- You mean, good show, old boy.

- Yes.

- Congratulations, anyway.

- The ticket collector said, "This man's expired."

So the Irish man said, "Begora but his ticket hasn't."

(men laughing)

Not bad, hey?

Here, come to think of it, I know a better on than that,

Goebbels, Captain, Captain.

Goebbels said to Hitler.

- Yes, excuse me would you?

- Here, here, this will make you laugh, this one.

This is a good one.

Goebbels said to Hitler...

Goebbels said to Goering.

Now wait a minute.

Goering said to Goebbels.

No, that's not right, wait a minute.

I'll tell you, this is very funny, this on (laughs).

- Hello.

- Oh, hello.

- You boys care for a drink?

- Thanks so much, we're already swimming in it.

- Oh, hey, wait a minute, Johnny,

this is our night out.

- Joe says yes.

- (laughs) That was a terrific show

you boys put up this morning.

- Oh, no.

- Yes, I'm sure I'm right.

It is, it's Goer...

Yes, that's right, it's Goering said to Goebb...

- Hello, Nobby, is he still at it?

- Yes.

- This is Nobby Clarke, worst air gunner in the R.A.F.

- How do you do?

- [All] Hiya.

- Sit down, Nobby.

- I hear you blokes

put up a pretty good show this afternoon?

- Here, you didn't get the end of my story.

I can't remember the middle bit, but the end was,

because the higher you go, the feuherer.

Not bad, hey?

Oh, by the way, I hear you chaps did a pretty good job

of work this afternoon, congratulations.

Now don't drink that wallop.

Fred, large highland flings all round!

Here, perhaps you'd all like to hear this story,

it's a good one, make you laugh this.

Gobbing said to...

Um, Goebbels...

Goebel...

Well, would you believe it.

♪ For it was there I knew ♪

♪ That you love me true ♪

♪ You were 16, my village queen ♪

- Have a beer, Miss. Winterton?

♪ Mill stream ♪

♪ The old mill stream ♪

- Disgraceful.

What do they think this place is, a speak easy?

Mr. Palmer.

Mr. Palmer?

- Yes, Miss. Winterton?

- Disgraceful, isn't it?

- Yes, isn't it.

- Well, don't you think you'd better do something about it?

- Right.

♪ For it was there I knew ♪

♪ That you loved me true ♪

- Boys, boys, no, no, no.

No, listen, break it up, break it up.

Thank you, I'll tell you why.

Miss. Winterton objects.

- What?

- I think she...

I think she feels like a little chamber music,

so what about giving her one of the old one, hey?

Shall we?

Here, let's go.

♪ My name is MacNamarra ♪

♪ I'm the leader of the band ♪

♪ And though we're small in number ♪

♪ We're the best in all the land ♪

♪ Oh, I am the conduct ♪

♪ And we often have to play ♪

- Come, dear.

♪ With all the best musicianers ♪

♪ You read about today ♪

♪ When the drums go bang ♪

♪ The cymbals clang ♪

♪ The horns will blaze away ♪

♪ McCarthy puffs the old bassoon ♪

♪ While Doyle the pipes will play ♪

♪ Oh, Hennesay, Tennesy, tootles the flute ♪

♪ My word 'tis something grand ♪

♪ Oh, a credit to old Ireland boys ♪

♪ Is MacNamarra's band ♪

♪ La-La, la, la, la, la, la ♪

- Ah, there you are, Miss. Todd.

- Yes, Miss. Winterton?

- Now, you know I never complain.

Go on up, dear.

You know I never complain,

but this time really, I mean to say.

- The singing?

- Singing.

- Yes, I know, I'm terribly sorry

but it is nearly closing time.

- Closing time?

They should all have been thrown

into the street an hour ago.

- I entirely agree,

but I don't think I am quite strong enough to do it.

I assure you, Miss. Winterton, I don't approve of it.

- Toddy, my angel.

- Peter, really!

Oh, Peter, really.

Goodnight, Miss. Winterton.

- Goodnight, Miss. Winterton. - Goodnight, Miss. Winterton.

- Goodnight.

I'll be up in a minute.

- Peter, what is it now?

- Well, these two gentlemen, very good friends of mine both,

American though they may be, desire to cash a check.

- Oh, oh, all right,

you'll find the blank check forms on the desk in my office.

- Oh, thanks so much.

- Hey, Johnny!

- Yeah?

- Did you see that, he actually kissed her.

- Come on, lug.

- I just want one word with you.

- Well?

- I've been posted away.

Lancasters.

I'm afraid I won't see you after tonight,

not for a bit anyway.

- Oh, Peter, I'm sorry.

At least I'm glad for you, it's what you wanted, isn't it?

- More than anything else, yes.

- Iris will be terribly upset,

have you told her?

- No, no, Toddy.

I was wondering whether you'd tell her for me

after I'm gone, you know just say it happened very suddenly

and just say goodbye to her for me, would you?

- Peter, I know it's none of my business

but what exactly is wrong between you two?

- Nothing, Toddy, really.

Nothing, it's just that...

I can't possibly explain it.

Let me just say goodbye to you, hey?

That's for you.

And that's for her.

And that's for her again.

- Check forms, check forms, check forms.

There aren't any check forms.

For Johnny.

Hey, what's this?

Johnny look the old girl's written you a poem.

- Oh, put it away, Joe, it may be private.

- Private, I'll say it's private.

She's put here flaming heart on paper.

For Johnny.

Do not despair for Johnny head in air.

He sleeps as sound as Johnny underground.

What the heck does that mean, any idea?

- Put it away.

- Fetch out no shroud for Johnny in...

Just looking for the check forms, Ma'am.

- It's just occurred to me,

that if you want to cash a check to pay for your last round

of drinks, please don't bother, have them on the house.

- Oh, well, that's darned kind of you,

but we couldn't possibly.

- Oh, please, I insist.

And if your very quick, you've just time to order another.

- Well, gee, that's swell of you, Ma'am.

I could hug you for that.

Waiter!

- Any more news from home?

- No, not since I last saw you.

- Have you been reading this?

- Well, we were looking for the blank check forms you see.

And Johnny happens to be my name, too.

And Joe...

And I'm sorry.

- Oh, that's all right.

Your name's Johnny is it?

- Yes, it is, Johnny Nollis.

- What did you think of this?

- I don't know as I quite understand it,

I'm not much of an expert on poetry, I guess.

- Nor me.

- Oh, we thought you'd written it.

- Oh no, no my husband wrote it.

Now why on earth should I tell you that.

You're the only person in the world

besides myself who knows.

Now why should I tell you?

- I don't know, perhaps it's just the names.

- Yes, perhaps it is.

- But it makes me feel kind of privileged.

- I'm glad.

Johnny, you're not superstitious are you?

- No, not me.

No, if it happens it happens,

no matter how many ladders you walk under.

- My husband used this lighter as a sort of St. Christopher,

he was miserable if he flew without it,

he flew without it the day he was killed.

- If he knew he didn't have it, he was probably worried

and if you worried when you're flying,

well, things can happen.

- If I give it to you,

you won't feel that way about it will you?

- No, I don't use lucky charms.

I'd sure like to have it though.

- It doesn't work very well as a lighter, I'm afraid.

- Oh, I can probably fix it.

Anyway, it's a good thing to have.

Thanks an awful lot.

- Oh, and, Johnny?

- Yes, ah, yes.

- No, I'm not going to tell you my Christian name

because, well just because.

But people, some people anyway, call me Toddy.

- Yes, Toddy.

- If you ever feel you want to get away from the camp

and you don't want to face the crowd in there,

come in here and talk to me.

I'd like to hear some more about your family.

- Say, you don't know what you're letting yourself in for,

when I get going about my family,

I don't stop for a long time.

- (laughs) Oh good.

Oh, Lord, look at the time,

if I don't get those boys out of here,

I'll have the police in.

(men laughing)

♪ When the drums go bang ♪

♪ And the cymbals clang ♪

♪ The horns will blaze away ♪

♪ McCarthy puffs the old bassoon ♪

♪ While Doyle the pipes will play ♪

♪ Oh, Hennessy, Tennessy, tooties the flute ♪

♪ My word 'tis something grand ♪

♪ A credit to old Ireland boys ♪

♪ Is MacNamarra's band ♪

♪ La-La, la, la, la, la, la ♪

- Mr. Palmer, I'm ashamed of you.

- I'm terribly sorry.

Gentlemen, I call for three cheers for our popular hostess,

Miss. Todd our Toddy.

Hip, hip!

- [All] Hooray.

- [Mr. Palmer] Hip, hip!

- [All] Hooray.

- [Mr. Palmer] Hip, hip!

- [All] Hooray.

Speech, speech, come on.

- Thank you, gentlemen and welcome to our American allies

and will you please get the hell out of here.

(men laughing)

Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Toddy.

Goodnight, Pheasant. - Goodnight, Captain.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

Miss. Todd, about those drinks, thanks a lot.

- Goodnight.

Goodnight, Peter.

- Goodnight, Toddy.

- Good luck. - Thanks

- Goodnight.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight, Johnny.

- Goodnight and thanks.

Really thanks.

- Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Toddy.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

(uplifting music)

(aeroplane engine roaring)

- [Airman] All out, end of the line.

Visual target, couldn't miss.

Where the heck were the Focks Wulfes,

don't tell me our escort kept them away

because if you do you're crazy.

- [Joe] Well, that's one target we won't have to hit again.

- [Wally] Yeah, you'd think

they'd defend a target like Frankfurt.

- A bit different from the last time we went to Frankfurt,

remember, just over a year ago?

- Gosh, don't I just.

Hello, Irene.

Thanks.

First time they used those rockets on us,

never been more scared in my life.

- You were scared,

I don't suppose you heard a noise

like a machine gun coming from the co-pilots seat did you?

- Yeah.

- That was my teeth rattling.

- [Colonel] Johnny?

- Sir?

Oh, Bill, the mail in?

- Yes, Sir.

- Anything for me?

- I checked it, Sir, but there's nothing there for you, Sir.

- Okay, thanks.

- No dice, hey?

- No dice.

I expected something today too,

haven't heard for quite a while as it happens.

- Nothing wrong, I hope?

- No, Sir.

Thank you, Sir.

- Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about it

because in a week or so's time you're going

to have the opportunity

of finding out how Emmie is for yourself.

- You mean I'm going home?

- Yeah, that's right.

- Oh, boy.

How come?

- Seems they need more instructors back home

with combat experience.

I've been asked to recommend a combat pilot capable

of taking charge of a special instructors course,

majority goes with it,

so I thought I'd better send the best man I'd got.

- Gosh, I, I don't know what to say.

- I'm gonna hate losing you, Johnny,

especially now when things are really hotting up.

- Yeah, I know.

In a way, I'll hate going too, but home.

(men cheering)

- Play ball.

(men cheering)

- Hey, look, get Tiny running at the pitcher.

(men laughing)

- Course, you don't run towards the bowler in this game.

- No, you don't.

- How stupid of me.

- He ought to stick to cricket.

- Yeah.

Say, Joe, I...

What ya doing this evening?

- Oh, just taking Iris to the station dance.

I suppose she'll turn out

to be in love with some Englishman, like all the rest.

- Yeah.

Listen, Joe, I've gotta tell you...

Look, look

(men laughing)

(men cheering)

- Hey, bring the bat back.

(men shouting)

(men laughing)

- Listen, Joe.

- What?

- I've, I've got to call on the Vicar,

I'll come in to town with you.

- Oh, the Vicar!

- Yeah. - Why?

- Well, you know,

it's just the children's party they're giving tomorrow,

for some weird reason or other,

they're putting all off onto me.

- Well, do you wonder after that performance last time,

Uncle Johnny.

- Yeah, that's me.

(men laughing)

- Hey, how about that story about the flying hippopotamus,

how do you dream things up like that?

- All right, all right, kids like that sort...

Joe. - What?

- I've gotta tell you. - Tell me what?

- Don't tell the others now.

- I'm not going to tell the others.

What, what?

- They're sending me home. - Play ball!

- Johnny, no.

- Yes.

(men cheering)

- [Airman] Safe.

- What do you mean safe?

I've ruined myself.

- [Johnny] Peter, who was it who spotted wings?

- The 'pottamus.

- The 'pottamus spotted wings that's quite right.

He looked down you see

and suddenly there he'd gone and spotted them.

- Hmm. - Yup.

- 'Pottamus don't have wings.

- Well, this 'pottamus did.

Great big ones too, wing span two hundred feet.

- Where did the 'pottamus fly to?

- Well, it was a nice bright day,

so he flew towards the sun.

- Peter, that's very naughty.

- I know, that's what I told him, naughty.

- You're an evil influence.

- You know, I think we'd better put the candy away

in a safe place, otherwise we shall have them all eaten

before tomorrow afternoon.

- Yes.

(swing band music)

(audience applauding)

♪ Farewell 10 cold winter ♪

♪ Summer's come at last ♪

♪ Nothing have I gained ♪

♪ But my true love I have lost ♪

♪ I'll sing and I'll be happy ♪

♪ Like the birds upon the tree

♪ For since he deceived me ♪

♪ I care no more for he ♪

♪ Let him go, let him tarry ♪

♪ Let him sink or let him swim ♪

♪ He doesn't care for me ♪

♪ Nor I don't care for him &

♪ He can go and get another ♪

♪ That I hope we will enjoy ♪

♪ For I'm going to marry ♪

♪ A far nicer boy ♪

♪ He can go to his old mother now

♪ And set her mind at ease ♪

♪ I hear she is an old, old woman ♪

♪ Very hard to please ♪

♪ It's slightly me and talking ill ♪

♪ Is what she's always done ♪

♪ Because that I was courting ♪

♪ Her great big ugly son ♪

♪ Oh let me go, let me tarry ♪

♪ Let him sink or let him swim ♪

♪ He doesn't care for me ♪

♪ Nor I don't care for him ♪

♪ He can go and get another ♪

♪ That I hope he will enjoy

♪ For I'm going to marry ♪

♪ A far nicer boy ♪

(audience applauding)

- You know, Iris, I've been thinking,

I don't know why you don't leave the old sour puss

to stew in her juice.

- Oh, I couldn't do that.

After all, I do owe her a lot.

In a way.

- Oh, look, you don't owe her a thing

and you know it.

Looks to me as if things are the other way round.

She's just a selfish old gorgon,

who thinks of nothing but her stomach.

- Don't lets talk about her, do you mind?

- Okay, let's talk about you.

Ah, I wonder if you would mind if I...

If I ask you a question, kind of personal.

- Truth game.

- Yeah, that's right.

I've, ah, I've been wondering if there was any particular,

ah, well...

If there's any one guy you, ah...

Oh you know what I mean, don't you?

- I do.

And the answer is no.

- No one at all?

- No one at all.

- Not, ah, not even an Englishman?

- Not even an Englishman.

- That's all brother.

(aeroplane engine roaring)

- Hello, gang.

- Hello, Johnny.

- What's the flare path lit up for?

- Oh, some R.A.F. pathfinder types diverted here.

- Oh, hello, Alan.

Are you happy in the service?

- You bet, Sir.

- [Peter] Hello, Blueprint, hello, Blueprint.

Fanfare N. Nuts calling.

Can I pancake, please.

Over.

- Number two.

- Hello, Fanfare N. Nuts,

this is Blueprint,

you are number two to land.

Circle field at two thousand and stand by.

Over.

- [Peter] Hello, Blueprint, N. Nuts answering Wilco.

Hey is there an old soap down there called Tiny Williams?

This is Peter Penrose.

Over.

- N. Nuts.

Blueprint Control.

Remember you're R.T. procedure.

- Yes, you old basket, this is Tiny Williams.

(man laughing)

How are you?

- Here let me have it. - Yes, Sir.

- Hello, Peter.

Peter this is Johnny Hollis, remember?

- [Peter] Hiya, Johnny, make mine a large scotch and soda.

Over.

- Wilco.

One scotch and soda coming up.

Ah, thanking you.

- Ah, that's good of you, Johnny boy.

- Say, give me that, that's not for you.

Here, try some of this punch.

- What you got, a thirsty partner?

- No, Toddy's not here yet.

- I didn't bring anyone myself,

figured I'd do better on my own.

- Good hunting.

- Say, ah, get that?

- Hmm, I got it.

- I've had my eye on her all evening.

- Luck, pal.

Oh, battery acid.

- Excuse me, do you know Keith Hardy, I've been looking

for him.

- Oh, Keith.

Oh, Keith Hardy, he's left.

- Left?

- Yes, can I get you a drink?

- Thank you, that's kind of you.

- Hello.

- Heya, Keith, old boy.

The very guy I've been looking for.

- Obviously.

- I'd say it was just a piece of cake.

- One scotch and soda, large.

Officer for you, Sir.

- Thanks, Johnny.

- Good to see you.

- How are you? - Fine.

- Remember old Nobby, don't you?

- Sure I do, how are you, Nobby?

- All right, thank you, Sir.

- Here, you take this one.

- No thank yous, Sir, never touch it.

- No?

- No, too young.

- Oh, I see.

Well, so you've finally made Lancasters.

- Yes, Sir, even the whole

of the ruddy Air Council couldn't keep us apart.

- Swell, what's it like being a pathfinder, Peter?

- Ah, not bad, no future in it though.

What's, ah, what's going on in there?

- Ah, station dance.

- Oh, couldn't we take a squint?

- Sure take it away, the joints yours.

- Come on, Nob. - Right.

- Good.

(swing music)

- Not bad.

- There's that little girl that used to live down the Lion.

- What's the matter, Iris?

- I think I want to go home, do you mind?

- Iris did I, did I do anything wrong?

- No, I just don't feel very well, that's all.

- Come on, come on, come on, break it up,

a fine thing I thought you were my friend.

- Okay, okay, Johnny.

- Well I never, when did you get here?

- Just now, I couldn't see you anywhere

so I picked on the handsomest man in the room.

- Well, I'm pretty too.

Get out of it, from now on you're dancing every dance

with me, see dear?

- Excuse me.

♪ Go and get another ♪

♪ That I hope he will enjoy ♪

♪ For I'm going to marry ♪

♪ A far, far nicer boy ♪

- It was fun, wasn't it?

- I haven't enjoyed myself so much for years.

- Ah, er.

- [Toddy] You going to do your Uncle Johnny stuff

again this year?

- Sure, sure.

Oh.

- What's the matter?

- Say, is there any way of breaking into the schoolroom?

- Well, we might, why?

- Oh, it's something I forgot to fix for tomorrow,

one of my conjuring tricks, you know.

Old black magic they call me.

- Oh, come on then.

If we get arrested, it's your fault.

- Okay.

I wish we could have a little more light on the scene,

you know, I think it's going to show.

- Afraid you'll have to risk it, Johnny,

it would take hours to blackout all the windows.

- Yes, you're right.

Okay, we'll risk it, thank you, Miss. Todd.

- Not at all.

- Say, the village looks quite different in the moonlight.

The old Lion looks positively romantic, doesn't it?

- There's a very bad blackout in number three bathroom.

- You ain't got no soul.

- I've seen moonlight before.

- I know.

Toddy?

- Ugh, ugh.

- I hate goodbyes, so I've been putting off telling you,

but I'm going home.

- Oh, Johnny, how marvellous for you, I'm so glad.

- You can imagine what I felt when I heard.

- Yes, indeed.

How wonderful for Mary to have you back.

- Yeah, I guess she'll be pleased all right.

After the war maybe you could come out to the States.

- Oh, well, we'll try.

I don't suppose it'll be very easy.

- When we'll come over here and visit with you.

Golly, it will be swell to come over here

to your Golden Lion just as ordinary tourists,

sit around there all day talking, drinking,

not to have to fly.

- Don't you like flying, Johnny?

- Oh sure I do.

But in me own time and not the Government's.

Well, just in case here's wishing you all the best.

- All the best, Johnny.

- You deserve it.

- Give my love to Mary.

- I will.

(man whistling)

- Thank you and thank you for a lovely evening.

- Oh no, thank you.

- I shall see you again, shan't 1?

- Oh sure, kids' party.

- Of course.

- And I'll be down to say goodbye too, if I can.

- Then this is just goodnight.

- That's right, just goodnight, Toddy.

- Goodnight, Johnny.

Thank you.

- What for?

- Lots of things.

(aeroplane engine roaring)

- Hiya, Johnny boy?

- I don't know yet, well here's a good hope, Minnie,

here we go again.

♪ Oh, the Camp Town ladies sing this song ♪

♪ Do-da, do-da ♪

♪ The Camp Town race track five miles long ♪

♪ Oh, do-da-day ♪

♪ Gwain to sing all night ♪

♪ Gwain to sing all day ♪

- Attention!

- Oh, Sir.

- At ease.

Good morning, Johnny, all set?

- Well getting set, Sir.

I guess I'm a little bit out of uniform at the moment.

- My eyesight's not so hot today.

- Sir, about that question of going home.

- Yeah, what about it?

- Well, I was just wondering

if maybe you couldn't see your way clear

to putting some other guy's name in?

- Sure I could, easily, but what's the idea?

- Aw, I don't know that I'd be all

that good as an instructor.

- Why sure you would, Johnny, what's the real reason?

- I don't know as there is a real reason, Sir

but the crew's only got 10 more missions,

we're kind of accustomed to being together

and last night I got talking to some of the R.A.F. fella's

in the mess, and it occurred to me

that if a guy didn't get here until the middle of things,

maybe he'd kind of oughta stick around until the end.

Oh, it would take much too long to explain to you now.

Look, Sir, I'll come in and see you after the mission, huh?

- Yeah, sure, you can see me any time you know that.

You don't have to, but come anyway.

- Thanks.

- Hey, Johnny, wait till I give you a hand with that!

- Oh, thanking you.

- And me thinking at last we had the opportunity

to get ourselves a good pilot.

- Yes, I guess you'll have to put

with those bad landings just a little bit longer.

- Bad landings, brother, what about them take-offs!

- Since when did I ever do a bad take-off?

- Well you usually manage to miss the Control Tower,

I'll give you that.

- Yeah, I suppose you think I'm a fool?

- Sure I do.

Only well we've got kinda used

to your flying now, Johnny

and I guess a good landing would kind of throw us off.

- What are you throwing for?

- Double deuce.

- Double deuce, here let me try, will ya?

- Okay.

- Swell.

Here, let's see if our lucks in, eh.

Double deuce the target for today, smacko right on the.

(men laughing)

- Smacko right on the target, all right.

- I ought to autograph this, Miss.

Johnny.

His mark, let's go.

♪ Going to sing all night ♪

♪ Gwain to sing all day ♪

♪ I bet my money on the bob town nag ♪

♪ If somebody bets on the bay ♪

(aeroplane engines roaring)

- What a charming boy that American is,

charming, I must say your a very lucky girl.

- Yes.

- He's asked us both to dinner tonight hasn't he.

Did he say what time he was coming?

- I don't think he'll be coming at all.

- Oh, why ever not?

- I told him a lie and he found out.

- You know, Iris dear, I don't want to be unkind,

but I despair sometimes at ever being able to help you.

Now, I took a lot of trouble to become friends with that boy

and just by using the ordinary little ways

of politeness and charm, if you wish,

I get him to like me very much indeed.

- So much that he called you a selfish old gorgon

who thinks only of her stomach.

- [Miss. Winterton] What?

- And said if I had any sense,

I would leave you to stew in your own juice

And what's more, I agreed with every word he said.

- Iris, how dare you!

- I said I wouldn't leave you

because I owed you something.

- I should say you do owe me something.

- No, I did owe you something.

I don't any longer, whatever I owed you,

I don't think it was ever as much

as you said it was has been paid back a hundred times over.

I am going to leave you.

And I'm going to get a job and I'm never coming back

as long as I live.

Goodbye.

- Well, really!

- What exactly is a gorgon, do you know, Miss. W.?

- I'll thank you to keep your impertinence

for your bar cronies, Mr. ♪.

(man laughing)

Iris, Iris?

Miss. Todd, Iris has gone off her head,

she says she is going to leave me.

- Good!

- What did you say?

- I said, good.

- That settles it, I shall leave myself.

- Good!

- Have you gone off your head too?

- It may interest you to know, Miss. Winterton,

that you've only been tolerated in this hotel so long

because of Iris.

As I seem to be the only friend she has in the world,

I thought, if I threw you out of this place,

which heaven knows you richly deserved time

and again in the last six years,

Iris would be in an even worse position than she is now,

or rather was, until she had the great good sense

to walk out and leave you flat.

- How dare...

- I will make out your bill at once, Miss Winterton,

and I may say nothing I've done

for years will give me greater satisfaction.

- Good morning, Miss Winterton, how's everything?

- Oh, go to the devil.

- [Toddy] Peter.

- Hello, Toddy.

- Come into my office, quickly.

- What's the matter with the old trout?

- Oh, never mind that now.

How long have you got?

- Well I don't know exactly, my port engines packed up, why?

- Well I don't know that good fairy brought you here

at this moment, but it's providential,

you've got half a minute to make a very big decision.

Iris is leaving.

Now do you or don't you want to marry her?

- Ah, well, Toddy, you see.

It's all, ah, very difficult.

- All right, Peter, let me do the talking do you mind?

- I've thought about it an awful lot.

- I've know for a long time what's been the trouble

between you two, the thing that's been hold you back

has been the thought of David and me, isn't that right?

- Well I shouldn't have told you this in a hundred years,

that's about it, yes.

- Peter, believe me, you're wrong, dead wrong.

- Are you sure, Toddy?

- I wouldn't lie to you about a thing like this.

I promise you, if I could go back five years now

and choose again whether or not to meet David,

whether or not fall in love with him,

to marry him and bear his child,

I'd choose again to have things happen

exactly the way they did before,

no other way at all.

- But I can't understand you.

You lay yourself wide open.

- There isn't anything to understand.

I can't explain it.

But any other woman in the world would tell you the same.

Look, there she is now.

Go on.

- Iris?

Look, could you.

Have you got a minute to spare?

- Peter!

You haven't let her go?

- Well, Toddy, I couldn't stop her.

- Well, go after her, quickly.

And tell her she's to stay here as my guest

until she gets a job.

And tell her the gorgon's gone.

And tell her... - What?

- Well tell her you love her.

And then see what happens.

- To the station and please hurry.

- Please, I've got something I must say to you.

- Well? - Well, you see.

Look, a Squadron Leader's pay is 29 bob a day.

- Is it really?

- Oh, yes and then with,

with allowances and a bit of fiddling,

you can get it up to about 31 and three pence.

- Really?

- Oh yes, yes and if you slip in a marriage allowance

that's different, that, ah, about,

ah, 49 and ninepence a day.

- Marriage allowance!

- Yes, that's what, yes that's what I was trying to suggest,

I mean to ask you if, if, if...

- What are you trying to ask me?

- Well, look, it hasn't altogether been my fault,

I've been confused and muddled about things

but my feelings haven't changed a bit

in the last four years, not an atom.

And I wondered if you could...

- What, Peter?

- Well if you could take on 49 and ninepence a day.

(romantic music)

(man whistling)

Tiny, oh good afternoon, Sir.

- Good afternoon.

- Excuse me, come outside a minute, will you?

- Yes, excuse me.

- Well, congratulate me.

- Why?

- Don't I look any different?

- No.

- I'm engaged to be married.

- Who to?

- I'll give you one guess.

- And about time, too.

- Now look, Tiny, I want you to be best man.

- I'd have murdered you if you hadn't,

well I suppose this calls for a party tonight?

- You bet!

Got any money, good, now look we'll get Johnny

and some chaps from this station.

- Oh yes, and some of those tikes from 7-20.

- 7-20, are they back from the Med?

- Didn't you know, they're at Marstone now.

Yes, old Prune's a Flight Commander.

- Prune, good Lord,

old Hitler's really had it now, hasn't he?

(men laughing)

- Well here they are.

(aeroplane engines roaring)

I make it three missing.

- [Airman] Stearns in, only B for Baker missing.

- B. For Baker sighted, Sir.

Coming towards the field now.

(tentative music)

- He's flying on three engines.

- Sir, B. Baker reports one engine cut,

rudder half shot away.

Elevator damaged and one five hundred pound bomb

stuck in bomb bay.

Bomb bay door won't close.

And advice?

- Hello, Johnny.

Suggest you make a heading of one six five.

One, six, five, and bale out over the airfield.

Bale out.

(dramatic music)

- Seven

Eight, Nine.

One to come.

- Sir, pilot reports crew baled out.

No accidents but controls were not set to required course.

- Right. - Exterior speaker.

- Hello, Johnny.

Blueprint calling.

Over.

- [Johnny] Go ahead, Blueprint.

- Climb to three thousand feet and bale out.

Over.

- [Johnny] And have a five hundred pound bomb

going off in Shepley?

Not on your life, I'm coming in.

Out.

(aeroplane engines roaring)

- Hello, Johnny.

Hello, Johnny,

- [Johnny] Go ahead, Blueprint.

- Climb to three thousand feet and bale out.

That's an order.

- [Johnny] Hello, Blueprint.

There's something wrong with my receiver,

I didn't get that.

Third time lucky, here I come.

Out.

(man humming)

(dramatic music)

(aeroplane engine roaring)

(aeroplane exploding) (glass shattering)

(wind howling)

(children cheering)

- Do you mind coming on to the platform with me?

Children,

Ladies and gentlemen.

Children!

Now this stage of the proceedings,

I had hoped to introduce to you Captain John Hollis...

- [Children] Uncle Johnny!

Uncle Johnny!

- Exactly.

But unfortunately it appears

that he is prevented from coming here this afternoon.

That is so, isn't it?

- Yes, that's right.

- [Children] We want Uncle Johnny.

- Yes, yes, I know children but you must remember

that he's probably on duty

and here are more important things in the world

than entertaining you.

However, I've been asked to introduce to you Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Joseph.

- Frizelli.

- Er, Frizelli, who will speak to you in his stead.

Er, Lieutenant Frizelli.

- I'm, I'm afraid I can't you any stories kids

because well, I just don't know any.

At least I can remember the Three Bears.

But I guess you've all heard that on already, hey?

I just wanna say that on behalf

of everyone on Ha'penny Field,

it gives us all an awful big kick

to see you having such a good time here this afternoon.

And I only with Johnny Hollis could have gotten along

to see it because I know,

it would have given him a big kick too.

But like the Vicar told you, he couldn't quite make it.

Well, kids, that's about all.

I guess you'd better start playing those games of yours.

(children chattering)

- Are you friends with Uncle Johnny?

- That's right.

- What happened when the hippopotamus flew into the sun?

- I don't know, kid, he didn't tell me.

- Peter, you run away and play?

- Hmm.

- I heard what happened, I'm terribly sorry.

- Thanks.

I, I didn't tell the Vicar, because I...

Well, if I didn't want to spoil all this.

- I knew Johnny pretty well.

- Yes, I know.

- I know there's nothing I can say

can make things any better for you,

but I can only tell you this,

as long as this town lasts, he'll be remembered here.

I'd like you to read this.

Not now, later.

It might help.

♪ My name is MacNamara ♪

♪ I'm the leader of the band ♪

♪ And though we're small in number ♪

♪ We're the best in all the land ♪

♪ Oh, I am the conductor ♪

♪ And we often have to play ♪

♪ With all the best musicianers ♪

♪ You read about today ♪

♪ La, la, la, la ♪

- Time, please, gentlemen, time please.

Time, please, gentlemen, time please.

- Sorry, Toddy, dear.

- Hi, beautiful!

- Oh, you Americans.

And you R.A.F. there's nothing to choose between you.

- Goodnight, Toddy. - Goodnight.

- Beware of this chap, he's a bad type.

- You're all bad type, goodnight.

- Goodnight, Miss. Todd. - You're all bad types.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Colonel, come again.

- Thanks, I will.

- Say, why not come to Chicago?

Say, you could fly over in a few hours.

- Yeah, what about all the gangsters?

- Ah, heck, Chicago's one of the most peacfulest...

Goodnight.

It's one of the most peacefulest cities in the world.

- Goodnight, Miss. Todd.

- Goodnight, Wally. - Child's play compared

with what the next one's gonna be like.

Rockets a thousand tonnes, mark my words.

Goodnight.

- Goodnight.

- Goodnight, darling.

(romantic music)

Won't be long now.

- Take care of yourself.

- Sure.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

There you are.

- Take care of her for me, Toddy.

- Yes, of course.

- Don't talk to any strange men.

Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Peter.

- Goodnight, Iris. - Goodnight.

- Hello, Joe. - Hello.

I just wanted to give this back to you.

- Did you read it?

- Yeah, is it yours?

- It belongs to me.

- How does that last part go again?

Better by far...

- For Johnny the bright star

to keep you head and see his children fed.

- Yes, that's it.

Might have been written for him, mightn't it?

- I think it was.

- Well, thanks a lot.

Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Joe.

(aeroplane engines roaring)

- Hello.

Thanks.

Sounds like a busy night again.

- Yeah.

- Going back to the station?

- Hmm.

- [David Voiceover] Fetch out no shroud

for Johnny in the cloud.

And keep your tears for him in after years.

Better by far for Johnny the bright star

to keep you head and see his children fed.

(heartfelt music)

(uplifting music)