Original subtitles

Hark, the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn king

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled

Joyful, all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With the angelic host proclaim

Christ is born in Bethlehem

Hark, the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn king

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace

Hail the Son of Righteousness

Light and life to all he brings

Ris'n with healing in his wings

Mild he lays his glory be

Born that man no more may die

Hark, the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn king

- Oh, this is very kind of you. - It's a privilege.

Which way are you going?

Just over there, the Mutual Building. My doctor is in there.

- You see, I have hopes. - Fine.

- Oh, I'm all right now. - Good luck to you.

Thank you. Thank you so much. Merry Christmas to you.

Merry Christmas.

Mother, please. Please lift me up. Please.

All right, then. Just for a minute. Up you go.

Look at that doll.

Look at the funny choo-choo train.

Come on now, darling. We have to go.

Oh, my baby! Oh, my baby! Oh, my baby!

Oh, you saved her. Oh, thank God. You saved my baby.

Oh, how can I ever thank you?

- Don't try. Just don't let it happen again. - I won't. I promise you, I won't.

- All right, remember that. Now on your way. - Yes.

It closely resembles its noble cousin, the California red fir.

It's botanically dissimilar.

Pay me heed, Maggenti.

This is a specimen of the white fir, the Abies concolor.

And surely, you being a native Roman, know your Latin.

You wanna buy or not?

- Well, if it isn't my dear, beautiful Julia. - Oh, hello, professor.

What are you doing in this disreputable part of town?

I'm buying a Christmas tree.

- Hello, Mr. Maggenti. - Mrs. Brougham, how do you do?

How much do you charge for this miserable weed?

A dollar eighty-five.

A dollar eighty-five for this halfhearted twig?

I shall pay you 10 cents a branch, or take my trade elsewhere.

What can I do for you, Mrs. Brougham?

You can save me that tree outside, the big one right by the door.

- Okay. - Thank you.

Every Christmas for the past 18 years...

...Maggenti and I have been re-enacting the same argument.

I didn't know you celebrated Christmas.

I thought you had no religion.

Well, that's true, my dear.

But I like to have a Christmas tree because it reminds me of my childhood.

I feel, for some reason, that this is a good time of year...

...for looking backwards.

Can you imagine me ever having been a child?

How's Henry? I haven't seen him for quite some time.

Oh, he's well, thank you.

He's terribly tired and worried.

Imagine he's having difficulty raising money for the cathedral.

Yes, it's slow work.

- How's your book coming? - Oh, splendidly.

Greatest history of Rome since Gibbon.

But, of course, nobody will read it.

And now, my good man...

...I do not choose to prolong this tawdry bickering any further.

All right, 10 cents a branch.

It's $1.40.

Very well, my venal friend. Here is your blood money.

Mr. Maggenti, will you send the tree up on Christmas Eve?

- Late. I don't want my daughter to see. - Sure. Don't you worry.

I send it when the little bambino goes to bed.

And Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas! - Merry Christmas!

Come on.

There's something I'd like you to give Henry with my compliments...

...for his cathedral fund.

That has been my lucky piece.

Not that it's ever brought me any luck, except knowing you.

It's an old Roman coin.

I picked it up years ago at a junk shop in Brindisi.

It has little value.

It's a wonderful contribution.

Nonsense.

It might be called the widow's mite...

...if it weren't for the fact that I'm not a widow.

Why, Julia, this is no occasion for tears.

It's stopped snowing, and--

Oh, if only we could spend Christmas back here...

...where we were so happy with you and our old friends.

Now, now, now.

Good night, professor.

I'll see you again very soon.

It can't be soon enough.

Good night, Julia.

Why, professor.

How fine to see you again after all these years.

How well you look.

- How are you? - Never better.

- And you? - Oh, quite well also, thank you.

I don't think you remember me.

Oh, that's preposterous. Of course I do.

- Where did we meet? - Now, professor, after all these years--

Well, now, just a moment. It wasn't Vienna, was it?

Vienna. Beautiful old Vienna.

- The university? - The university.

- When I was lecturing on Roman history? - That's it, professor.

What great lectures they were and what a one you were with the ladies.

Oh, fancy you remembering that.

- I must confess, I had my moments. - And still have.

- Where are you going? - That car.

I couldn't help noticing your tender parting from Julia.

- You know Julia? - In a way, yes.

Poor child.

- She's unhappy? - Yes.

When were you in Vienna?

Oh, I've been there many times.

I'm interested in Julia and Henry. What seems to be their trouble?

I never see Henry anymore.

He has no time for riffraff like me.

He now consorts with the vulgar rich like Mrs. Hamilton.

Do you know she had me fired from the university here?

- Really? - Said I was a radical.

I, who have never taken any interest in politics since the death of Nero.

Look at that.

Henry's old church, perishing from neglect.

It's such a nice little church.

Too little, I'm afraid.

It can't stand up against the march of progress.

Well, I must be pushing on.

- Delighted to have seen you again. - Pleasure.

We must get together and have a drink to those days in Vienna.

By all means. Heh, heh.

- Good evening, professor. - Oh, Pat.

Have you any idea who that man is?

Nope. He's a stranger to me.

- Good evening, Mrs. Brougham. - Good evening, Matilda.

Hello, Queenie.

- Is Debby in bed yet? - Uh, yes, ma'am.

And Mrs. Hamilton and the committee are in there with the bishop.

Dinner's been waiting a long time, madam.

- Yes. - I didn't know what to do about it.

- We'll have dinner as soon as they leave. - Yes, but what about the chicken?

Don't worry about it, Matilda, please. Here.

- All right. - Thank you.

Oh, Matilda, my bag.

Here. Thank you.

Oh, I'm terribly sorry I'm so late.

Good evening, Mrs. Hamilton.

But I was delayed Christmas shopping.

Good evening, Mr. Perry, Mrs. Trumbull.

Hello, Mrs. Ward.

I hope you've been having a good meeting.

We have not.

I've never in my life encountered such fuzzy thinking.

- Do you think we've made any progress? - No, Mrs. Hamilton.

Mr. Perry was about to tell us something.

Merely a suggestion. If Mrs. Hamilton approves, we might be able...

...to place the George B. Hamilton Memorial Chapel here on the northeast.

It would be completely out of sight. I won't stand for it.

Mrs. Hamilton, this cathedral cannot be designed for the glory of an individual.

It has to be created for all the people.

I'm very displeased at your attitude, Henry Brougham.

I was instrumental in having you made bishop...

...although others thought you too young.

- Is that an exaggeration? - Oh, yes, Mrs.-- I mean, no.

- You were the guiding spirit. - I distinctly remember that you told--

I had confidence in you when you were a poor little parson in the slums.

I confess my confidence is weakened.

I regret I've been such a disappointment.

Regrets and apologies are no good whatsoever.

You give me the impression of being confused, indecisive and ineffectual.

That is not the kind of leadership we expect of our bishop.

You better remember one thing.

You will build that cathedral as I want it, or you will not build it at all.

That's all I have to say.

Someone get this dog out of the way.

- Julia. - Queenie.

Good night, Mrs. Hamilton.

- Good night. - Good evening.

Good evening, Mrs. Brougham.

Good evening, Mrs. Brougham.

- Can we serve dinner now, ma'am? - Yes, Matilda.

The chicken will be burned to a crisp.

We'll be right in.

Julia, you knew that Mrs. Hamilton was expected here this afternoon.

I know, Henry.

I'm sorry I was late.

What a ghastly afternoon. What a ghastly woman.

I have no intention of being strangled by her purse strings.

She did and I was proud of you.

I had a most un-Christian impulse to take those blueprints...

...and give her a good whack over the mink coat.

I thought you stood up to her magnificently.

I appreciate your appreciation, but what about my cathedral?

May I make a suggestion, Henry?

Why not postpone the cathedral? Forget it until after Christmas.

Impossible. The house of God can't just be put off.

This cathedral must rise. Plenty of rich people in this town.

If I had to enlist their financial enthusiasm...

...I shall have to take advantage of their Yuletide spirit.

Oh, I can see it all now.

The McVVhithers, the Homes, the Van Deusens.

The luncheons, committee meetings. And you, you there, flattering them...

...kowtowing to them, begging them. - it's got to be done.

Oh, Henry, if you could see your poor harassed face.

- You haven't done much to help it. - Why--?

Yes, Miss Cassaway, what is it?

Mr. Trevor on the phone. He says it's urgent.

- Tell him the bishop will call him back. - Yes, Mrs. Brougham.

Henry, what's happened to you?

What's happened to us and our marriage?

We used to have such fun, you and Debby and I.

We used to be happy, we used to make other people happy.

Oh, Henry, that was your gift.

You're no financier and you're not a promoter.

You can't see beyond the end of your nose.

I want this cathedral to stand like a beacon. Its light to--

Oh, never mind, Henry, never mind. Keep that for your next committee meeting.

Here's a contribution I collected.

What's that?

It's an old Roman coin. Professor Wutheridge sent it to you.

Wasn't it sweet of him?

The old fool. What does he think I can do with that?

Well, it's a beginning.

And now all you need is another 4 million.

Julia, don't be flippant about this.

- Is dinner ready? - Yes.

Let's go in and get it over with. I have a lot of work to do.

For what we are about to receive, make us thankful.

- Amen. - Amen.

- Julia. - Yes?

I was just thinking...

...tomorrow maybe we could go out together.

Where?

Oh, just walk around the way we used to.

We could go and call on the professor...

...go to the park and watch the skaters, that sort of thing.

Maybe we could have lunch together...

...at Michel's. You remember that?

Michel's.

Oh, it's been years since we've been there.

Please forgive me. I've been trying to explain to Mr. Trevor...

...but he insists upon speaking to you personally, bishop.

Excuse me, darling.

Matilda, will you keep the soup warm, please?

The bishop's been called to the phone. Tell Delia we'll be out for lunch tomorrow.

Yes, ma'am.

Of course, Mr. Trevor. Yes, but--

I appreciate your difficulties--

But--

Oh, very well, I'll be there.

Ten thirty tomorrow morning, then we can go on to the board meeting.

All right, yes. Goodbye.

Put that down. Mr. Trevor's office, 10:30 tomorrow...

...the board meeting at the Banker's Club at 11.

- Yes, sir. Tomorrow, Thursday. - You might as well go home now.

- There's a great deal of work, sir. - Never mind. You must be tired.

Oh, thank you, sir.

And don't forget, tomorrow you speak at the Hotel Hamilton.

- What time is that? - it's at luncheon, 1:00.

Remember? You made the appointment over a month ago.

- Good night, bishop. - Good night.

God, what am I to do?

Can't you help me? Can't you tell me?

Oh, God, please help me.

Yes?

- Good evening. - Good eve--

What can I do for you?

- That isn't the question. - Well, what is it?

What can I do for you?

Telephone my secretary for an appointment.

- I'm in the middle of dinner. - I know, Henry.

Your soup will keep warm.

You asked for help.

I? I--

Who told you I asked for help?

Well, you are known to be a good man, Henry, and you were heard.

I was instructed to come here in answer to your prayer.

- Who are you? - I'm an angel.

- I beg your pardon? - I'm an angel.

No wings at the moment, but...

You're an angel.

I knew it. I've been working too hard--

I understand, Henry. It's hard to believe, even for you.

Of course, I'm not one of the more important angels.

I just happen to be assigned to this district temporarily.

You see, we're everywhere...

...helping people who deserve to be...

To be helped.

As you're walking through the streets, you may suddenly look into a strange face.

It may be the face of a murderer, or it may be the face of an angel.

You have some problems with the building of this cathedral, haven't you?

Yes.

It's a fine cathedral.

Ought to look magnificent up there on the top of Sanctuary Hill.

Well, Henry, do you believe I am what I say I am?

Well, how can I? I've only got your word for it.

But you're a bishop. You, of all people, can trust the word of an angel.

I'd like to.

What do you--? What do you propose to do?

- Perform a miracle? - if necessary.

Why don't, you? Why don't you create the cathedral with one wave of your hand?

You wouldn't want me to do that. How would you explain it?

Well, I--

Tell the world you're being visited by an angel?

You can't do that.

Henry, is anything wrong? I--

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know that you--

Julia, if you don't mind.

How do you do, Julia?

I'm Dudley.

Henry is engaging me to help him with his work.

You mean you're going to be his assistant?

That's it. I'm going to try to help Henry to rest and get some relaxation.

- That's what I've been praying for. - You too?

Oh, Henry, I'm so relieved.

- You found someone to help you. - Yes, but--

- Where do you come from, Dudley? - Oh, all around.

- Yes, but where? - Julia, to tell you the truth...

...he says he's an--

I've been doing some social service work downtown.

Now you're gonna be with Henry permanently?

For as long as may be necessary.

If you don't mind, I must talk to this gentleman alone.

- I'll see you in a moment. - Sure.

Oh, we were just having dinner, won't you join us?

That's very kind of you, but I have things to do around town.

You can understand, Henry, so many people making so many mistakes.

Yes, I see.

Then we'll see you tomorrow?

- Oh, yes, bright and early. - Good.

Whenever you're ready, Henry.

Good night, Dudley.

Good night, Julia.

Are you sure you're an angel?

I know it isn't easy, Henry, but you've just got to take me on faith.

- Yes, for how long? How long will it take? - For just long enough...

...until you can utter another prayer and say that you have no further need of me.

Then I'll be gone and forgotten.

But now Julia is waiting for you at the dining table.

You must go to her.

Yes.

But I don't--

- Henry. - Yes?

What's the rest of Dudley's name?

I don't know.

Are you nervous, dear?

No.

Why, the bishop didn't eat his breakfast.

No. He took only his prune juice.

Prune juice? What's the matter? Is he sick?

Oh, he looked perfectly awful. He said he had a very bad, sleepless night.

Passing up a breakfast like that.

It just ain't normal.

Nobody expects him to be normal, he's a bishop.

If I could get you something, sir?

No, thank you, Matilda.

- Maybe just a cup of tea? - Nothing, thank you.

- Good morning, Miss Cassaway. - Good morning, bishop.

Did anything come in for the cathedral fund?

Mr. and Mrs. J. Thurston Ward, no contribution.

- Mrs. Gerald Wilmarth, $15. - Fifteen dollars?

We had her down for 10,000.

There's a letter from her explaining that--

I know. The same letter they all write.

I put the personal mail on the desk, bishop. The rest I'm taking to the office.

I'll be there after the meetings.

Oh, Matilda, I think there's someone at the door.

Yes, sir.

Good morning, Matilda. I'm Dudley, the bishop's new assistant.

Good morning, Henry. It's a wonderful morning.

I'm a little late, but I stopped to chat with a traffic policeman...

...who was worried about his wife.

Oh, thank you. Thank you, dear.

I directed traffic while he telephoned the hospital.

- I see. - She's doing fine. So is the baby.

Why, you must be Mildred Cassaway.

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

- We're going to be working together. - That's very nice.

Oh, thank you.

- Thank you very much. - See you later, Mildred.

Well, ready for duty.

Completely at your service.

No, no.

- I feel it-- - No.

Good morning, Julia.

Oh, good morning, Dudley. It's a lovely day, isn't it?

- Lovely. - Henry and I are going out together.

I'm terribly sorry, but I have some appointments.

- You what? - Mr. Trevor, I gotta see him and then...

...the board meeting, junior assembly.

- But don't you remember? You promised-- - Yeah, I know I did.

Well, Dudley could represent you at those meetings, couldn't he?

Could I?

No, out of the question. They expect me. It would never do if I sent an assistant.

Excuse me.

Now--

- You see, the trouble is I can't explain. - You needn't try to explain, Henry.

- This is the way it is and will always be. - What--?

We've just got to get used to it, that's all.

I'll tell Matilda she can have the day off for shopping, I'll take care of Debby.

Oh, I see that Mrs. George B. Hamilton...

...has pledged $1 million, but has not yet sent her check.

Never mind those cards. That's work for a bookkeeper, not an--

Work for a bookkeeper.

So you're beginning to believe in me, huh?

I don't know who you are, where you came from, or who sent you.

I just wish you'd make haste. There's no time to lose.

- Because the cathedral must be built? - Obviously, that's the most important thing.

Or because Julia must be happy?

Henry, it's difficult for me to help you until I'm sure what it is you really want.

I've got the-- And then there's...

Oh!

Would you mind telling me what you intend to do now?

This card index file is in an awful mess. Think I'll reorganize it.

You're wasting your time on unimportant details.

Nothing's unimportant.

Remember, we are interested even in the lowliest sparrow.

- Hello, Debby. - Are you Dudley?

Yes. How did you know?

Mommy told me. She said you came to help Daddy.

That's right.

Mommy said you were very nice.

Well, that's extremely kind of Mommy.

Mommy said that maybe with you here, maybe we'll get to see Daddy sometimes.

- Maybe we will. - That'll be enough out of you, Debby.

I asked Matilda to put your lunch on a tray for you.

Thank you, Julia. I'll get along very well.

I'm sure you will. Come on, dear.

- Goodbye, Dudley. - Goodbye, Debby.

- Goodbye. - Bye.

- Oh. Oh, thank you, Matilda. - Aren't you going to wear a hat?

- I never use one. - Oh, it's very cold out.

Oh, well, the cold never affects me. I--

I think you should wear this anyway.

- I bought it for the bishop last Christmas. - Well. Really?

- But he's never worn it. - Oh, it's a lovely scarf, Matilda.

Bishop will appreciate it when he sees it on me.

- Yes. - Well, thank you. Goodbye.

Bye.

Goodbye.

- Oh, what's the matter, honey? - They don't want me.

- Oh, why not? - I guess I'm too little or something.

Oh, now, now.

Why, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

Why, Dudley.

Come on, Debby, we'll show them how wrong they are.

Hey, fellas?

Hey, fellas?

- Who's the head man here? - I am.

- I am. - I am.

What's this game you're playing?

This isn't a game. This is a battle.

We attack the fort and they try to defend it. See?

Oh, yes. Yeah, I see. Well, this young lady would like to get into it.

- Who? Her? - She can't fight, her father's a bishop.

What difference does it make what her father is? Are you a high-hat?

How'd you like her on your team?

She couldn't throw a snowball as far as I could spit.

Oh, couldn't she?

Come on, Debby. We'll show them what you can do.

But it's true. I can't throw.

Nonsense. Of course, you can. Now, here...

...you pack it tight, put it in that hand, throw the arm back.

Aim it right at him and let it go.

Hey!

Beautiful! A bull's-eye.

- She pitched a curve. - Did you see that?

Come on, kid. You're in our army. We've broken their morale.

Charge!

- You think she'll get hurt? - Probably, but she'll love it.

- May I? - Surely.

- Dudley? "Hmm?

- What are you doing out here? - I'm just admiring the scenery.

But aren't you supposed to be working?

I always take a walk before lunch.

Good idea, relaxing, you know?

Oh, I wish you could persuade Henry to do that.

I'll try.

Oh, by the way, I told Miss Cassaway to go home...

...and I told Delia not to bring me anything on the tray.

Well, what will you do about lunch?

I thought I'd go to Michel's. Ever heard of it?

Michel's. Oh, it's a lovely place.

We used to go there, that was years ago.

Well, how about you and I going there today?

You and--?

- To Michel--? Oh, no. No, I couldn't. - Why not?

- Well-- - You don't think Henry would mind.

- Why, I'd explain to him that we just-- - Oh, no. No, it isn't that, but--

Well, Matilda is off Christmas shopping and so I have to look after Debby.

Well, here's Matilda now.

- Hello. If you wish-- Oh, hello. - Hello.

If you wish, I'll take Debby home.

But, Matilda, your shopping. it--

Oh, I finished it. I finished it so quick, it was just like a miracle.

Mommy! We won!

Oh, Debby, that's wonderful. Congratulations.

Come on. We're giving out the medal.

Oh, put up your hood, dear.

- Madame Brougham. - Oh, Michel.

- It's been a long time. - Oh, much too long.

- You know my husband's work. - Yes, your husband.

But he doesn't come to see us anymore, but we understand.

We understand. This way, please.

Is this satisfactory, monsieur?

Oh, fine. Thank you.

Friends of yours?

Yes. That is, they're members of the cathedral committee.

- Madame. - Thank you.

- Monsieur? - No, thank you, Michel.

Julia, don't bother to look. Michel, I'll tell you what you do.

You bring the best lunch you can think of.

Oh, I can see monsieur is a gourmet.

Perhaps monsieur, madame would be interested in a guinea hen a la Michel.

Please, Michel, let's leave heaven out of this.

You speak French beautifully.

I've had quite a bit of work to do in Paris.

Dudley, I-- I've been wondering about you.

Wondering about me? Why?

You know so much. it makes me feel uncomfortable.

Well, I'm sorry I learned anything.

But I'm glad you knew about Michel's.

Oh, it's so nice to be back here again. So nice.

You have memories of this place, Julia?

Did you and Henry come here often?

Yes. As a matter of fact, this is where we became engaged to be married.

- Then I can understand why you love it. - Ha, ha.

Oh, hello.

- Pardon me. - Thank you.

What about that?

Fine.

Oh, would you care to have your palm read?

Oh, no. No, thank you. Would you?

Oh, no, thanks. No, I know too much about myself as it is.

Oh, you are different. I know so little about myself.

Really? May I look at your hand?

- Oh, can you do that too? - it's not too difficult.

- I suppose you can read the future. - Within limits.

He's holding her hand.

Well, what do you see?

Well, I never noticed, your eyes are green.

I see a great deal of happiness.

I see a woman who's adored.

I see a rich, full life.

Do you see Henry's new cathedral?

No, it's not very clear. There's kind of a fuzziness about that.

- And Debby? - No need to worry about her.

Just thinking, the world changes but two things remain constant.

- What? - Youth and beauty.

Well, they're really one and the same thing.

Yes, but the trouble is, people grow old.

Not everybody.

The only people who grow old were born old to begin with.

You were born young. You will remain that way.

- Oh, I wish I could believe you. - You may.

You haven't looked at my hand once.

I never know what to think of you. I never know whether you're joking or serious.

I'm at my most serious when I'm joking.

Excuse me, Julia. Gotta do something about that.

Do forgive me coming to your table. My name is Dudley.

You're friends of Julia's. We're wondering if you'd care to join us for lunch.

- No, thank you. - We'd better go.

Why don't you join us for some coffee? Do come over.

- That's nice. - Julia will be delighted.

- All right. - Wonderful. Thank you.

Very nice of you to even think of it. Yes.

- Oh, she's right over here? - Yes.

Hello, Mrs. Caster. How are you? Nice to see you.

- Wait here, would you? - Sit down.

- May I help you? - Oh, Michel.

- Three Benedictines. - Three Benedictines.

- No, no, no. Make it three Stingers. - Stingers? Oui, monsieur.

Julia?

Julia?

Julia.

- Oh. - Oh, Matilda, is lunch ready?

No, sir. We thought you were out for lunch.

I canceled. Are Mrs. Brougham and Debby home?

- Debby's here, sir. - Mrs. Brougham, where is she?

Why, sir, she went out to lunch with Mr. Dudley.

- With Dudley? - Why, yes, sir.

I thought you knew, sir.

Yes, of course.

Oh...

That's awful.

Merry Christmas, Santa.

You know, Santa Claus doesn't really look like that.

- You know Santa Claus? - Certainly. Known him for years. Nice chap.

In that case, you must tell Debby about him.

She's just beginning to be a little bit doubtful.

You like that hat.

Yes, I'm crazy about it.

- Come on, let's go in and buy it. - Oh, no, I couldn't.

Why, it's much too...

Too what? Too attractive? Nothing could be--

- Why, my old friend, the professor. - Hello, professor.

- Julia. Are you with this man? - Yes, of course. It's Dudley.

The professor knows me. University of Vienna.

Yes, I've been thinking about that.

I don't believe you've been in Vienna in your life.

A game we play. He pretends he's never seen me before.

I don't knew who he is, Julia, but I don't trust him.

Professor, he's Henry's new assistant.

- Oh, you mean you know this fellow? - Of course, I do.

Well, in that case...

...how about dropping into my humble diggings for Yuletide cheer?

Oh, no, no. I have to go home. I--

- Well, perhaps just for a few minutes. - Good. Come along.

There's a little sherry left.

It's rather inferior grade, but potable.

Professor, I see you're quite a religious man.

- What makes you think that? - You have an angel on your tree.

Well, Julia gave me that years ago.

- Why, your tree is beautiful, professor. - it's disgraceful.

However, it gives me the illusion of peace on earth, good will toward men.

To a charming lady.

- Thank you. - Lovely.

You've noticed?

- Isn't it more remarkable that you have? - Remarkable?

When you wanna know about a woman, ask the old men, they know.

Why don't you show us the manuscript of your book, professor? Will you?

- My book? - Yes, please.

Oh, no, no, no.

- You're writing one? - Yes.

You didn't know?

You didn't tell me.

I described that book in detail...

...in the course of lectures I gave at the university in Vienna.

All my pupils heard me. Now I'm certain this fellow's an impostor.

Oh, that book? I thought you'd finished that years ago.

I'll tell you--

I'll tell you about my book.

For 20 years I've been talking about it.

I've been promising the publishers that it would be delivered next spring.

The funny part of it is, in all that time, I haven't written one word.

- Not one word. - Why not?

I couldn't think of anything original to say.

Just the same old monotonous history, dry as dust.

That's the whole story of my life.

Frustration.

It's a chronic disease and it's incurable.

Once I was madly--

Once I was madly in love with a girl.

My friends, she was a vision of delight.

- A pure enchantress. - Why, you've never told me about that.

No, that's just the trouble.

I never told her about it either. I couldn't find the words.

So she married an athlete.

A great hulking oaf who never even reached the eighth grade.

But he knew how to say, "I love you."

Same trouble as my book, can't find the words.

Even when you had this coin to inspire you?

Why, that's the one that you gave to Henry, professor.

Yes, I stole it off the table.

You wasted your time, Dudley. It's worthless.

Oh, on the contrary, this is one of the rarest of all antiquities.

Only 100 of these coins were minted by Julius Caesar 2000 years ago.

That was when Cleopatra visited Rome.

Presumably, these coins were used to pay her hotel bill.

I never knew that.

No, nobody knew about it except Caesar's wife.

- She was suspicious? - Definitely.

She did not share her husband's admiration for Cleopatra.

So she had these coins destroyed, melted into ornaments for herself.

This is the one she missed.

It's an unwritten chapter in history, and you, professor, will write it.

Do you know more stories like that?

Oh, any number of them.

You're a curious fellow, Dudley.

Have you just begun to notice that?

What's your background?

- Uh, my background? - Well, where do you come from?

- Well... - And don't tell me any more about Vienna...

...I won't believe it.

All right.

Supposing I told you I came from another planet. You believe me?

- I don't know. - I'd believe you, Dudley.

And you'd be right, Julia, as always.

We all come from our own little planets.

That's why we're all different. That's what makes life interesting.

We don't seem to be making any headway.

First star I see tonight.

You must make a wish, Julia.

Oh, it's getting dark. It must be late.

Henry will be worried. We must be leaving.

- Oh, no. - I'm sorry, professor, but we must.

- Dudley. - Yes, my friend.

There's one thing that troubles me.

- One thing I wish I knew. - What's that?

Well, I'm an old man. That history is a tremendous task.

I wonder, will I have time to finish it?

You'll finish your history, professor. You'll have time.

I believe you, Dudley.

For quite a while now, every time I passed a cemetery...

...I felt as if I were apartment hunting.

Good bye, professor.

You've given an old man a very happy afternoon.

- Thank you. - God bless you both.

Thank you. I'll pass that recommendation along.

Oh, my, that's pretty.

Take some of that pink stuff and make curlicues with it.

I hope dinner won't be spoiled.

Oh, no, sir. I had a sort of feeling that they might be late.

Yes. Very considerate of you.

- Yes. - Who's that cake for?

- What cake? - The cake behind you.

Oh, that cake? Oh, for anybody who might like cake, sir.

But you know neither Mrs. Brougham nor myself like these desserts.

Oh, but we baked you an egg custard, sir.

Hello.

Oh, hello, dear. I'm sorry we were late for dinner.

- Good evening. - We've had the most marvelous time.

- Oh, I wish you'd been with us. - I wish I had.

- Debby told me about the snow fight. - Oh, did she?

We went to see Professor Wutheridge and then we had lunch at Michel's.

- Is Debby in bed? - No, she's waiting to see you.

Good. Well, I'll just go up and say good night to her.

I won't be a minute. I just wanna see if she's all right.

I trust you spent a profitable afternoon.

Oh, yes. Did you have a profitable afternoon, Henry?

Not very.

I'd like to see you for a moment.

Certainly.

Excuse me.

Can you prove to me that you are an angel?

Proof? You mean a document?

Why, surely, you of all people should know that an angel needs no passport.

I wanna see you perform a miracle.

- What kind? - Well...

...make this desk rise up and fly around the room.

Please, Henry. I didn't come down here to do silly tricks. I'm surprised at you.

I don't believe you're an angel.

I think you're a demon right out of--

Oh, Henry. Don't say that.

- Well, anyway, you know how I feel. - Yes.

Now, wait a minute, Dudley, there's another thing.

Oh, dinner is served, bishop.

Thank you, Dudley.

For what we are about to receive, make us thankful.

- Amen. - Amen.

Pass the celery, Henry. Please.

- Hmm? - The celery.

Thank you.

Mm. Thank you.

What's that you're humming?

Oh, I don't know, dear. Is it anything?

- It's rather gay. - Well, I feel gay.

I like to watch you brushing your hair.

Thank you, dear. Is that a compliment?

Yes. You do it so capably.

Well, thank you.

In fact, now I come to think of it, everything you do is capable.

If there's one thing I pride myself on, it's the fact that we lead a well-ordered life.

The family, I mean.

Of course, the credit for that is due to you much more than to me.

- I think you're an excellent wife. - Well, thank you.

- Do you think I'm an excellent husband? - Of course, dear.

We'll have an early supper so we get to St. Timothy's on time.

- St. Timothy's? - For the choir rehearsal, the benefit.

Oh, yes.

You know, you-- You've been looking awfully tired lately.

I hope you're gonna take it easier now that Dudley is here with you.

I think that he's very able.

- You do? - Yes.

- He knows so many things. - What, for instance?

Well, you should have seen him at Professor Wutheridge's.

He knows more about history than the professor.

He's been at it longer.

Oh, let her go for it. Let's do that again.

- No, tell me a story. - What, now?

- Don't you know any stories? - Certainly, I know hundreds of stories.

- Tell me one. Please? - All right. All right. Now, let me think.

All right. This happened many, many years ago.

That's not the way to begin.

Stories start, "Once upon a time."

Oh, yes, that's true. Well, once upon a time...

...there was a little boy and he lived in a little town.

- What was his name? - His name was David. He was a shepherd.

And the town where he lived was called Bethlehem.

Oh, I know Bethlehem, that's where the star was.

That's right. Only David lived long before the star.

Well, one night, David was out in the hills tending his sheep.

He was playing the harp and singing.

What was he singing? "Jingle Bells"?

Ha, ha. No, no. No, "Jingle Bells" hadn't been written then.

David was singing songs that he wrote himself.

Well, suddenly, an angel came down and spoke to David.

- How did David know it was an angel? - Ah, he didn't know.

And that's the way it always is.

Angels come down and put ideas into people's heads...

...then people feel proud of themselves, they think it was all their own idea.

Well, this angel said to David: