All language subtitles for Mr.Skeffington.1944.WEBRip.1080p.DD1.0.x264.eng

[Door buzzer]

Good evening, Soames.

Good evening, Mr. Conderley.

I'm afraid I'm a little
early, aren't I?

Miss trellis wasn't
expecting anyone till 8:00.

Well, I thought I'd come
a little ahead of time,

have a little chat
with miss Fanny.

Sorry, sir.
She's still dressing.

All right.
I'll wait.

May I bring you a drink?

No, thank you.

I never did care
for drinking alone.

You won't be
drinking alone, sir.

Oh.

I won't?

No, sir. Mr. Morrison
also came a little early.

He, too, hoped to have
a little chat with miss Fanny.

He's in the library
drinking Sherry.

Hello, Edward.

Hello, Jim. How come
you're here so early?

My watch is fast.

How is it you're
here even earlier?

I have no watch at all.
Don't believe in them.

I believe in another
Sherry, though, Soames.

If he's having Sherry,
I'll have scotch.

Very good, sir.

Well, Jim, think
there'll be a war?

War? Between whom?

Between whom? Haven't you
been reading the papers?

Of course.

I never seem to get around

to the front pages, though.

Why, the kaiser has sent
an ultimatum to France,

France has sent
an ultimatum to the kaiser,

and the czar is sending
notes to everybody.

Oh, those chaps.

No, I don't think
there'll be a war.

Not just yet,
anyhow. Too hot.

Tell me, what do you
people talk about

down in your section
of Maryland?

Horses and hounds.

Well, you must do some thinking.

What do you think about?

What we talk about--
horses and hounds.

Of course...

I do a lot of thinking
about Fanny.

Tell me, is that all
you people talk about--

horses and hounds?

Oh, no, no.

We do quite a bit
of sailing, too.

Really?

You must lead a busy life.

I should say.
Stables and all--

doesn't give you a minute.
Besides which,

I'm thinking of running
for congress in the fall.

You are?

You should have an easy time

with all those horses
squarely behind you.

Ha ha ha!
Well, thought it would be

rather nice for Fanny--
wife of a statesman.

Would it be too difficult
for you to grasp

that others have proposed
to Fanny, too?

Oh, I grasp it,

but she can't marry
all of us, you know.

Well, when you're
elected to congress,

perhaps you can arrange that.

[Door buzzer]

Who the devil is that?

Man: Good evening, Soames.

Soames: Good evening,
Mr. Thatcher.

Is miss Fanny down here?

She's upstairs, sir, dressing.

I thought if I came a few
minutes before the rest,

there might be an opportunity

for a little chat with her.

I understand, sir,
but you see...

Oh.

What are you doing
here, Thatcher?

I feel I have a right
to propose to Fanny now.

Father's promised
to increase my allowance.

He has?

Doesn't he want to
marry her himself?

We didn't discuss it.

Ha ha ha!

Well, Jim, what do
you think? War or no war?

What war is that?

Oh, sorry.
Thinking about Fanny.

[Door buzzer]

Man: Hello, Soames.

Soames: Glad to see you!

Miss Fanny here?

She's upstairs, sir, dressing.

Never mind announcing me.
I'll go right up.

When did you get into town, sir?

Just off the train.
How is everyone?

Everyone's fine, sir.

We're giving
a dinner party tonight.

Good.

Going to be with us long?

I hope so.

Be sure to save me a place
for dinner tonight.

Yes, sir.

I don't recognize him.

Either of you know him?

Really, Fanny will have to
stop meeting people.

Looks like he's never
been on a horse in his life.

Without even knocking!

Fanny!

Hello, Fanny!

Who is it?

George.

George?
Which George?

Which--

how many Georges
are there in your life?

Oh, 3 or 4.

Well, this George is going
straight back to California.

Oh, cousin George!

George!

Fanny.

George, darling.

Fanny!

It's good to see you again.

George, I love you very much,

but would you mind
moving your chin

just an inch to the right?

Manby spent an hour
on these curls.

Is that all you have
to do with your time?

Well, don't you think
it was worth it?

Well, yes. Even after 2 years,
you look rather nice.

Rather nice? That's all
you ever say to me, Georgie.

I have my standards.

To me, no woman is beautiful
until she gets herself

on the cover
of the police gazette.

You never were one
to spoil me, Georgie.

Now, look. You forget that
we were brought up together.

We had the measles
and the mumps together.

Hello, Manby.

How do you do, Mr. trellis?

After all, I saw you
with your dydees up.

I saw you with your dydees down.

George, really.
I'm sorry.

I just can't think
of you as beautiful.

Manby, will you fix
these curls, please?

Oh, by the way,

I saw 3 strange
faces on the way up.

Who were they?
Suitors?

An entirely new batch.

What happened to the old ones?

Some married,
some committed suicide,

and some grew fat.

She still has
every man in New York

at her feet, Mr. trellis.

It's getting now so as
they're proposing in bunches.

[Door opens]

Fanny: Hello, Trippy, darling.

Look who's here--
George.

George, I thought
I heard your voice.

Hello, Trippy.

Well, well, George,
welcome back.

How have you been?

Fine.
How have you been?

Me? Oh, wonderful.
Couldn't be better.

Trippy has a job now
and is working very hard.

I certainly am,
only I don't like

to hear it referred to as a job.

What do you do?

Customers man,
Skeffington and company.

Skeffington and company.
That's the Jewish firm?

Yes.

How do you like working for him?

Oh, he's all right.
Just like any other boss.

Well, he must pay awfully well.

Here you are giving
lavish dinner parties,

and 2 years ago when I left,
you were practically broke.

Oh, but we're still broke.

We've managed to keep it
from everybody

but the butcher and the Baker

and several of
the department stores.

The fact is, George,
I kept my eyes and ears open

down at the office,

and, well, I made
a little killing.

And I thought if
I bought some new dresses

and gave a dinner party tonight,

it might encourage Trippy
to make more killings.

Very touching.

You don't have to worry
about me anymore.

My killer's instinct is aroused.

That's wonderful.
I hope it's all true.

Why do you say that?

Well, I notice you
still don't look anyone

straight in the eye
when you speak to them.

What gives you the right
to keep picking on me?

You find me someone

worth looking straight in
the eye, and I'll do it.

That's not very flattering.

All right, Trippy, darling.

We'll find someone.

Now come on and finish dressing.

And hurry. You know,
you're always late.

[Door closes]

Good evening, Mr. Middleton.
Mrs. Middleton.

Good evening.

Good evening, Soames.

Good evening, sir.

Good evening, sir.

Good evening.

I did want to see Mr. trellis.

I had no idea...

Yes?

Nevertheless, I wonder
if I could see him

for just a moment.

Have you an appointment?

I'm afraid not.

Well, then, I...

It's very important.

Who shall I tell him is calling?

Mr. Skeffington.
Mr. job Skeffington.

Oh, Mr. Skeffington.

I'll tell him immediately, sir.

Do you mind waiting
in the study? This way.

Thank you.

Trippy, George was
just telling me

that they have a huge
glass of orange juice

every morning in California.

Imagine!

[Knock on door]

Come in.

I beg your pardon, miss trellis,

but Mr. Skeffington is
here to see Mr. trellis.

Who?

Mr. Skeffington, Soames?

Yes, miss.

Darling, did you
invite him for dinner?

Why didn't you tell me?

I most certainly
did not invite him.

He said he won't
keep you a moment,

but it's very important.

Well, tell him I'm sorry,

but I can't see him tonight,

and I'll be happy to see him

in the office in the morning.

Yes, sir.

Miss trellis, your guests
are beginning to arrive.

Fanny: Thank you.

Soames, would you
ask Mr. Skeffington

if he'd mind waiting a moment?

Yes, sir.

What was the idea of that?

I think it'd be a nice touch
if you saw your employer.

You'll get more work
out of him in the long run.

Well, if he thinks just
because I work for him

he can come barging in
here any old time, he's--

Trippy, darling,

obviously he didn't
come for a free dinner.

It must be something
very important.

Not so important
it can't wait till morning.

You get rid of him.
I won't see him!

Georgie, what do you
think of that?

I think you and I had better
speak to Mr. Skeffington.

But what will we
tell him about Trippy?

Oh, I'll try and think
of some lie or other.

No, never mind.

I'll think of one.

Trippy's kept me in practice.

Georgie, don't look so worried.

Good evening, Fanny.

Hello, Fanny.

Fanny, you look beautiful.

And, Jim, you're looking

more like a statesman every day.

Really, Fanny?

My cousin George just
arrived from California,

and for some reason or other,

we must be very kind to him.

George, this is Mr. Morrison,

Mr. Thatcher, and Mr. Conderley.

Men: How do you do?

Oh!

Thank you.

Would you please excuse us?

George, would you go in

and speak to Mr. Skeffington?

I'll be right in.

I must apologize to my guests.

Man: Fanny!

Fanny: Hello, Chester, darling.

Fanny.

Chester.

Good evening, Dr. Parker.

Please forgive me
for being so late.

Chester: Fanny.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Mr. Skeffington,
I'm George trellis,

Trippy's cousin.

How do you do?

How do you do?

I'm sorry.
I didn't know

you were having a dinner party.

That's quite all right.

We know it must be
something very important.

I'm afraid it's
extremely important.

Yes.

Cigarette?

No, thank you.

Good evening,
Mr. Skeffington.

Miss trellis, Trippy's sister.

How do you do,
Mr. Skeffington?

How do you do?

George, did you explain to
Mr. Skeffington about Trippy?

No, I didn't.

Unfortunately, my brother
went to bed half an hour ago

with a severe...

Headache.
Cold.

Both? I'm sorry to hear that.

Well, it's quite
possible that the cold

brought on the headache.

Yes. Trippy feels sure

he can shake the cold
off overnight

and be at his desk
in the morning.

Oh, I'm sure he will be,
Mr. Skeffington.

I don't think that's
quite probable.

You see, your brother is
no longer in my employ.

Well, Trippy never
said a word about that.

A man with a cold

is never very communicative.

Well, if you'll excuse me,

I think that perhaps
I'd better--

Mr. Skeffington.
Isn't there anything

you would care to
discuss with us?

Well--

as you may know,
miss trellis and Trippy

have no father or mother.

I'm regarded more or less
as head of the family.

Well, since your cousin
has avoided me tonight

and undoubtedly will avoid
me again in the morning,

I think perhaps I had
better speak to you.

Miss trellis, it's rather
a delicate matter,

so if you'll excuse us...

No, Mr. Skeffington.
I'm staying.

All right, then.

I dropped in tonight
on an impulse.

I was really on my way
to see Arnold Hanlin.

Arnold Hanlin? Wasn't he
the district attorney?

He still is.

I don't think
I'm going to be able

to take this standing up.

Maybe we'd all better sit down.

Won't you, Mr. Skeffington?

Thank you.

Has Trippy done something awful?

Well, to begin with,

your brother has
many good qualities.

He's intelligent.
He has imagination.

Oh, this is going to be
even worse than I thought.

As a bond salesman,
he started out brilliantly.

His orders piled in.
His commissions mounted.

We gave him a larger desk,

put his name on the door.

That, he told me about.

Then one day, he handed in
a very large order

from a Mr. Clarence Pruitt
of big falls, Rhode Island--

so large an order,

it required
an immediate confirmation.

It turned out there was
no Mr. Clarence Pruitt

of big falls, Rhode Island.
It even turned out

there was no such town
as big falls in Rhode Island.

You mean he made them both up?

He created everything
but Rhode Island.

Naturally, we started
to investigate

all the other orders
that hadn't been confirmed.

We found he'd sold $50,000
worth of railroad bonds

to a man
whose address placed him

squarely in the middle
of the Hudson river.

Another block was sold to a man

who could have had only
the mildest interest

in stocks and bonds,
having been dead for 23 years.

Good heavens. How long
had he been doing this?

For about 3 weeks.

Weren't you suspicious at all?

Well, he threw in
enough cancellations

to make the whole thing
seem authentic,

and here and there,
there was a legitimate sale,

but you had to look for them.

It wasn't very clever
of him, was it?

Well, he showed a certain flair

for picking odd names
and places,

but it was hardly worth
the $24,000

we paid him in commissions.

You mean he stole
$24,000 from you?

Yes. I'm afraid that's it.

Does Trippy know you know?

Oh, yes.
We called him in

and told him we'd give
him every opportunity

to return the money.
Then we sent him back

to a smaller office and
took his name off the door.

That was 2 weeks ago.

Has he made any effort
to make good?

Not only hasn't he
returned a penny,

but 3 days ago,
he forgot himself

and handed in
another large order

from Mr. Clarence Pruitt
of big falls, Rhode Island.

When a man becomes repetitious,

it's time to go to
the district attorney.

You should have gone long ago.

Well, I was quite touched
when I discovered

that he'd lost most of
the money at the racetrack.

That touched you?

Yes, considering they were
my horses he'd bet on,

and I'd given him the tips.

How was I to know
it was my own money?

Poor Trippy.

I'm sorry, miss trellis.

I know it won't be
any hardship for you

to return the money.

No hardship?

There won't be
any unpleasantness.

Mr. Skeffington,
you may as well know

that miss trellis and
Trippy are stone broke.

I don't understand.

The trellis wealth was a legend.

Well, it's now a myth.

When my father died 4 years ago,

he did leave
a considerable estate,

but you see, Trippy
insisted on managing it.

He not only went
through their fortune,

but he was starting in on yours.

I see.

But this house, the servants.

I was under the impression--

everybody's under
the same impression,

even the creditors.

I take it, then,
there's no chance

of the money being
returned, is there?

I'll be leaving now.

Unless, of course,
Trippy could get another job

and pay you back
a little each week.

You couldn't write him
a reference, could you?

I could, but my heart
wouldn't be in it, really.

Well...

All we can do is throw
ourselves on your mercy.

You see, there are stockholders.

It's not my money,
it's the corporation's.

Yes, but the horses were yours

and not the corporation's,
weren't they?

Yes. That's true,

but I'm not quite sure
of the logic.

If you'll just give
us a little time,

I'll look over the estate again.

Perhaps there's
something I can salvage.

Mr. Skeffington.

Well, the stockholders
don't know yet.

I'll let it ride awhile.

George: Thank you,
Mr. Skeffington.

Thank you very much.

Mr. Skeffington,
may I tell you how--

please. I'm keeping you
from your guests.

Wouldn't you stay for dinner?

After all, you're
really the host.

It's your money.

No, thank you.

I'm dining with
the district attorney.

Just a social call.

Oh. I'm sorry you can't stay.

Good night, Mr. Skeffington.

Good night, miss trellis.

Don't bother seeing
me to the door.

You have your guests.

Good night, sir.

George: Good night.

Good night, Mr. Skeffington.

Good night.

I could wring Trippy's neck!

It wouldn't do
any good, Georgie.

When he was a little boy,

we used to put him
to bed regularly

without any supper,

and even then, he'd gain weight.

But what are we going to
do about Skeffington?

There's nothing to worry about.

No?
No.

There'll be 3 dozen roses
in the morning.

Fanny: What a beautiful
basket of flowers, Manby.

Whose were the first to arrive?

Mr. Morrison's.

Which are Mr. Skeffington's?

No flowers came
from Mr. Skeffington.

These are Mr. Thatcher's,

and these are Mr. Conderley's.

Manby, were there any
calls for me this morning?

I mean any calls
other than Mr. Morrison's

and Mr. Thatcher's
and Mr. Conderley's?

The reverend Dr. Parker called.

He said to tell you

that the dinner last
night was heavenly.

Did he want to know if
I'd sold any bazaar tickets?

Yes, he did.
I thought so.

Well, I haven't,
Manby, not a one.

You may take them
back downstairs.

Good morning, Fanny.

Good morning, Trippy.

What day is today?

Friday.

Oh. I miscalculated.

I didn't intend
getting up until Monday.

Hey! I can't find my pulse!

That doesn't surprise me
in the least, Trippy.

You knew George wanted to
talk to you last night

about Mr. Skeffington,
didn't you?

That's why you drank so much.

Since when have
I needed an excuse?

Trippy, what are you
going to do now?

How can we possibly
repay Mr. Skeffington?

What do you mean,
repay Skeffington?

We don't owe him anything.

Whole thing's probably
a huge clerical error.

$24,000, a clerical error?

Well, money and
high finance confuse me.

I never know what belongs
to whom or whose is what.

People are very
picayune about money.

Oh, leave me alone.
I have a hangover.

Trippy.

Why did you do it?

I'm the brother of the most
sought-after girl in New York.

I've got to live up to it.

That's no excuse for doing
something so dreadful.

Did Skeffington say
what he was going to do?

He said that he'd
let it ride awhile.

Very magnanimous of him.

Listen, Fanny.

I don't want you to ask
any favors of him.

We don't have to beg from him.

I don't like him or his type.

I think Mr. Skeffington

was very considerate
of you, Trippy.

The least you can do

is forgive him for
having robbed him.

Rob?

Rob. That's what I said--rob.

That's a fine thing
to say to your brother.

Well, how else could you
expect me to say it, Trippy?

Well, I certainly don't
expect my own sister--

yes, I'm glad.

I'm glad dad isn't alive

to see you insult
and humiliate me

in defense of a cheap,
common, little--

now, you stop that,
Trippy trellis.

Mr. Skeffington doesn't
need any defending.

It's you--

don't you say another word!
I feel sick.

Of course you do--

you make me sick!

You always feel sick,
every time I say

something to you about
something you've done.

Trippy, dear, I'm sorry.
Really, I'm sorry.

Why can't you leave me alone?

Oh, Trippy, you mustn't.

You mustn't feel like this.

Everything will be
all right. Really it will.

No, it won't. I've just
been lucky so far.

Sooner or later,

everybody will know about me.

If Skeffington doesn't
go to the police,

someday, somebody will.

When that happens, I'll...

When that happens,
I'll kill myself!

Trippy!

Trippy, don't say such things.

Don't even think such things!

Why do I do it?

Who do I get it from?

Not from dad.

He was a grand
old gent, wasn't he?

Yes, he was, Trippy.

Fanny, do you remember
much about mother?

Just that she was tall
and very beautiful

and played the piano.

I'm glad she's not here

to see what I turned out to be.

Why, Trippy trellis,

she would love you very much.

Trippy, why don't
you get dressed

and come out and have lunch

with Janie Clarkson and me?

No, thanks.
The thought of food...

Oh, please do.

Janie's very amusing,

and she wears such funny hats.

[Door opens]

Yes, Manby?

Some more flowers, miss trellis.

Oh!

From Mr. Chester Forbish.

Oh.

A very interesting man.

Who? Chester?

No, not Chester.

Skeffington company.
Casey speaking.

17 1/2, sir.

500 at 17 1/2?
Yes, sir.

Good morning.

Good morning.

May I see
Mr. Skeffington, please?

Your name, please?

Miss trellis.

Miss Anderson, there is
a miss trellis here

to see Mr. Skeffington.

Yes, Ma'am.

Would you wait a moment, please?

Thank you.

Bessie, will you please try
to locate Mr. Skeffington?

I think he's on
the exchange floor.

Yes, miss Anderson.

Skeffington:
Supply and demand

are hypothetical terms, bill.

The thing to look out...

Mr. Skeffington.

How do you do, miss trellis?

I didn't... Why
didn't you tell me

miss trellis was here?

But I was just--

that's quite all right,
Mr. Skeffington,

considering the fact
that I'm completely

unexpected and uninvited.

Won't you come in?

Thank you.

Oh, Mr. Skeffington,
I want you to know

I didn't come here
to talk about Trippy.

Good. It's a painful subject.

Won't you sit down?

Thank you.

Cigar?

Oh, I'm sorry.
It's automatic.

All my visitors are men.

I see.

Now, what can I do
for you, miss trellis?

Mr. Skeffington,
I came to ask you

if you would buy
some tickets for a...

A bazaar or a musical

or it might even be a picnic.

Well, it's for some
charity, I suppose?

Yes. It's for
the children's hospital

or the home for the aged.

I don't quite remember.

Anyway, it's printed
on the tickets.

That's funny.

I was sure that I'd
brought them with me.

They're $25.

Well, they're both
very worthy causes.

I'll take a dozen tickets.

You will not.
Two is quite enough.

Besides, you don't get
a thing for your money...

Or... Or are you used to that?

Mr. Skeffington,

do you mind very much
if I sit somewhere else?

That eagle looks just as if
he were going to pounce on me,

or whatever it is
that eagles do.

Are you sure
he isn't still alive?

Quite.

He's just stuffed.

Oh.

Well, my poor little
bird is stuffed, too,

so maybe that's
what appeals to him.

Perhaps you'd like to sit here.

She's very pretty.

Your wife?

No. I'm not married.

Your sister?

I have no family at all.

Well, she's very attractive,

but I won't pursue
the subject any further.

[Telephone buzzes]

Excuse me.

Hello?

Yeah?

What is it now?

Buy 10,000 at 23 1/2.

Mr. Skeffington,

please forgive me
for being so curious,

but it sounds very important.

10,000 what?

10,000 shares of steel.

What's the 23 1/2?

23 1/2 dollars a share.

10,000 at 23 1/2...

Oh, well, if you're
that casual about money,

I'll let you buy the
dozen tickets after all.

You know, the trellis fortune

was made and
lost here on the street,

and I've never once
seen the stock exchange.

I'd be glad to show
you around sometime.

That's very nice of you,

but isn't it a little vague?

Could you make it right now?

I have a luncheon engagement

with Janie Clarkson
in a few minutes,

but we don't like
each other very much,

so she probably won't
be there, either.

In that case, would you
like to have lunch with me?

Oh, I'd be delighted.
Then could I

come back here and see
all this afterward?

If you wish. Shall we
go to the Waldorf?

Not the Waldorf.

That's where
I'm not having lunch

with Janie Clarkson.

[Men shouting, muffled]

[Telephone buzzes]

Yes?

What?!

When?

[Teletypewriter clicking]

What is happening,
Mr. Skeffington?

Terrible.

What's terrible?

They've declared war.

War?

Get all our branch offices
on the phone.

Keep a wire open to Washington.

Hello, Casey?

Keep me informed on wheat.

Man: See the tape?

Yes, I know, I know.

Steel's up to 28.
Shall we buy?

No, sell.

Wheat's up 20 points.
What'll we do?

Did you get any word
from Washington yet?

[Men shouting at once]

Mr. Skeffington,
I've changed my mind!

I'm having lunch
with Janie Clarkson after all!

[Men shouting]

It's impossible, I tell you!

Miss trellis, I--

[men shouting]

Fanny: It's really
very flattering, Mr. Vagnie.

Isn't it, Georgie?
Once again, won't you tell me

who commissioned
you to paint it?

I'm sorry, miss trellis.

You're very stubborn.

Yes. Now, look here,
Mr. Vagnie.

I'll pay you double your fee.

I want that portrait.

Sorry, but my client
is paying me

4 times my usual fee.

Confound it, who is this client?

The extra money's
to keep me quiet.

Ho ho ho! You see, Jim?
It's no use.

[Bell rings]

Excuse me. That must
be the transfer man.

He can't do this to me!

One moment, Mr. Vagnie.

We'll settle this here and now.

Ha ha ha!

Fanny, it's not like you.
All these tiresome hours

sitting for a portrait
you won't own

for a man you don't even know.

Why did you do it?

I think it's very
romantic, Georgie--

an unknown admirer commissions

the foremost portrait
painter of the day

to paint me, and besides,
as Mr. Vagnie said,

he offered to donate $1,000
to my favorite charity.

Oh, I see.

Georgie, I was wondering,

would it be considered charity

if we used the money for Trippy?

Well, $1,000 wouldn't help much,

so we might
just as well be honest.

By the way, have you heard
from Mr. Skeffington?

I almost had lunch with
him several weeks ago,

but it was the very day
that war was declared,

and it spoiled everything.

Well, I must say,
he's been very decent.

He hasn't called me
in all this time.

Sooner or later,
we've got to tell him.

I suppose we have, Georgie.

I've only been able to
raise $4,000 or $5,000,

and that's the limit.

Goodness, I almost forgot.

I have a date
with Janie Clarkson.

Oh.
How is Janie?

I don't know. I haven't
seen her for months.

I'll remember this,
Mr. Vagnie.

Fanny, this man's impossible.

He won't give me
the slightest hint

who it is.

Jim, I really don't care.

Don't care!

What if we walk into
a saloon someday

and see you hanging
over the bar?

Jim, I doubt very much
if I'll ever get that drunk.

Now, Fanny!

I really have to be going now.

Good-bye, Mr. Vagnie.

I'm afraid it was
a frightful ordeal.

Not at all. You were
a very charming subject.

Thank you.
Good-bye, Jim.

Come, Manby.

Jim: Can I drop you
somewhere, Fanny?

No, Jim, thank you very much.

Why don't you drop George?

Oh, Georgie...

Would you phone
Janie Clarkson and tell her

I can't possibly see her
this afternoon?

Thank you.

Good-bye.

Jim: Good-bye, Fanny.

[Car door closes]

Man: Will thou pledge
thy troth to him,

in all love and honor,
in all duty and service,

in all faith and tenderness,

to live with him
and Cherish him?

Fanny: I will.

Have you the ring, sir?

Skeffington: Yes.

Good. You will repeat after me.

In token and pledge...

Both: In token and pledge...

Of our constant faith...

Of our constant faith...

And abiding love.

And abiding love.

By authority committed unto me

as justice of the peace,

I declare job Skeffington

and Frances Beatrice trellis

are now husband and wife
according to the laws

and statutes of the
state of New Jersey.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

It's a privilege of the
justice of the peace

to kiss the bride.

May I please use your phone?

[Band playing moonlight bay]

Job, I was born right
across the river there,

near Grant's tomb.

Of course, the tomb
hadn't quite been built.

My governess used to take me
there every afternoon.

That's where she met
her policeman.

Job, where were you born?

Right here in New York.

Corner of market
and cherry streets.

Market and cherry?
Where's that?

Foot of the east river.

It's about, um...

It's about 10 miles,
I should say,

from the nearest governess.

Job, do you realize
I've known you only 2 months

and that I practically know
nothing about you at all?

Were you poor?

You have no idea how poor.

You weren't actually hungry.

Well, my father
sold chocolate bars

with almond nuts on a pushcart.

When he had a good day,
we ate meat for supper.

When he had a bad day,

we ate chocolate bars
with almond nuts.

Bad days had a slight edge.

You remember a lot

about when you were
a little boy, don't you?

Especially the lack of plumbing.

Skeffington.

That's a strange name
for market and cherry.

You mean, is that my real name?

No.

The immigration official
on Ellis island

wasn't a good speller,

and Skeffington was
the closest he could get

to skavinskia.

Well, then, how did you
become so successful?

Oh, I don't want to go on
with the story of my life.

It's routine--
Rags to riches.

Of course, I sold newspapers.

Of course, I was a messenger
on wall street

during the day and went
to school at night.

You can fill in the rest.

There's one difference.

You didn't marry
the boss' daughter.

No, but I married the woman
everybody else wanted to.

That makes up for it.

[Band playing
here comes the bride]

Job, find out what's happening.

Attendant.

Yes, sir?
What's going on?

Oh, that's Tony, Joe, and Luigi,

serenading a couple that
just got married in Jersey.

They been looking for them.

How do they tell?

I don't know, but they do.

You know, they ain't
messed up on a couple

in over 10 years.
Can you beat that?

Job, could you tell
they've just been married?

Man: He's a very lucky boy.

I think I could.

The way she's looking at him,
you couldn't miss it.

I see what you mean.

The way I'm looking at you.

No. Your look is cordial,
not connubial.

I've married you, Fanny,
but I haven't won you.

Job.

No. So far, I've merely taken
you away from the others.

Do you think that night
2 months ago

when I broke
into your dinner party,

do you think that was
the first time I'd seen you?

No.

I'd seen you many times
before that,

dining at Sherry's,
dancing at the Waldorf.

You never noticed me.

When I saw you in your home

the night I came to see Trippy,

you looked very beautiful,

very unattainable.

That's why I commissioned
Howard Vagnie

to paint your portrait.

At least I'd have that.

Well, now you have both,
the portrait and me.

What you mean is, I own both.

It isn't quite the same thing.

Do you know why I came
to your office that day

to sell you bazaar tickets?

Because I'd made up
my mind even then

that I was going to marry you.

Why?

Because you're good and kind,

and your eyes
are special in a...

In a Saint Bernard sort of way.

And although I've never
really seen you smile,

I always have the feeling

you're laughing at me,

and I find that attractive.

Besides the fact
you're very rich.

Would you like to kiss me?

We're about to be serenaded.

[Band playing moonlight bay]

Skeffington!

Does he hunt?
Does he sail?

Does he do anything worthwhile?

Now, I'm not going to be

a hypocrite about this,

but Fanny's treated me shabbily,

in an underhanded way.

I don't see where you
come in, Thatcher.

You never stood a chance.

I'm the one she jilted.

That's rich,
you two carrying on.

I'm the one who's unhappy.

I'm the one who has
a right to be.

You, unhappy? I notice
you're starting in

on your third Turkey sandwich.

At least I didn't
hog all the white meat.

[Men shouting at once]

Wait a minute.

It can't be that bad.

White meat or dark?

Dark or white--what's
the difference now?

[Door buzzer]

That must be Fanny.

Gentlemen, let me speak
to her first.

And there's
still some Turkey left.

George: Hello!

Georgie, dear!

Well, I for one am delighted.

Why do you say, "I for one"?

Well, Thatcher's here,
Morrison's here,

Conderley's here.

Congratulations, sir.

That idiot Chester is here.

The time I've had!

They're all down in the
kitchen eating cold Turkey.

I've had to feed them,

but you're going to
have to console them.

Well, job, in that case,
shall we get it over with?

I don't know if I'm up to it.

They're full of Turkey. I'm not.

Oh ho ho!

Georgie, do you know
where Trippy is?

I haven't the slightest idea.

Good evening, gentlemen.

[Men talking at once]

I rather expected you'd all
be here to welcome me.

I don't believe you've ever met

Mr. Skeffington, have you?

Job, Mr. Conderley,
Mr. Thatcher,

Mr. Forbish, and Mr. Morrison.

How do you do?
Hello.

How do you do, gentlemen?

[Men talking at once]

I see that George has done
very well by you.

Fanny!

Yes, Chester, darling.

Trippy: My sister
come in yet, Soames?

Well, now that you seem to
have finished the meat course,

perhaps I could get you
some dessert.

Excuse me, Morrie.

[Men talking at once]

I'm afraid the best
I can do is canned peaches.

George, would you bring me
a can opener, please?

[Slurring words]
Well...

If it isn't
Mr. and Mrs. Skeffington.

Trippy, darling.

Then you've heard.

Of course. Everybody
knows about it.

It's in the papers.

Were we on the front page?

Not quite.

You're listed under
business transactions.

Trippy, you'd better
go up to your room.

Shame on you, boys,

for letting
yourselves be outbid.

Wait a minute, Trippy.
You're drunk.

It's his fault I'm drunk!

When they read
the news at the club,

they gave me unlimited credit.

Oh, Trippy!

Fanny, perhaps you'd
better go upstairs.

Oh, I'm going to be challenged.

He's going to heave
his checkbook in my face.

Trippy, you're drunk.

You don't know
what you're saying!

I was the one who swindled you.

Why did you have to
put her in jail?

Go upstairs.
Leave me alone!

Trippy, you're a swine!

Well, if Skeffington's
a gentleman,

a swine is what I want to be.

[Men talking at once]

Shut up!

You all make me sick
to my stomach.

[Door slams]

Would you...
Please excuse me?

Fanny.

No, job.

It's all right, George.

Well, I don't know what you
fellows are going to do,

but I'm going to have
another sandwich.

Trippy.

Trippy, how could you?

How could you?

Why didn't you
tell me about this?

I didn't even know
you were seeing him.

I was afraid
to tell you, Trippy,

because I knew
how you felt about him,

but you're wrong.

He has character,
and he's a very--

don't tell me you're
in love with him.

I'm not drunk enough
to bear that.

I'll tell you this much, Trippy.

You're safe now.

You don't have to worry
about anything anymore.

And you can spend all
the money you want to.

Oh, I see.

It's me. That's why
you married him.

Trippy...

I'm very fond of job,
but I love you.

Well...

Who said I was leading
a useless life?

I brought you two
together, didn't I?

I played cupid, didn't I?

Trippy, go down and apologize.

Apologize?
I'll spit in his eye.

Oh, Trippy, listen to me.

You're being so stubborn,
and you're wrong.

When you get to know
job better, you'll--

I'm taking very good care

I don't get to know him better.

I'm going to Europe.

Europe? Well, isn't
there a war on there?

That's just it.
This war's a godsend,

gives me something to do.

Trippy! You mean you're
actually going to fight?

What else do you do in a war?

But our country isn't at war.

Who are you going to fight for?

I don't know.
I haven't decided yet.

I might even join the Germans.

I'll, uh...
Toss a coin.

Trippy, you're out of your mind!

And humiliated and sick.

I hate him.
I hate myself.

I'll send a boy from
the club for these.

Trippy.

If you love me at all,
you won't leave!

I love you very much,

but I despise Mrs. Skeffington.

Trippy!

Trippy!

Trippy!

[Crying]

Fanny?

[Door buzzer]

George: Good evening, Soames.

Soames: Good evening,
Mr. trellis.

Mr. Skeffington is waiting
for you, sir, in the library.

Thank you.

Hello, job.

Hello, George.
You're late.

I know. I wanted my flowers
to get here before I did.

George, they're beautiful.
Fanny was delighted.

Good!

Would you like a drink?

Thank you.

George, a friend of mine
from a news reel company

has sent over
the latest war pictures.

Would you like to see them?

I should say I would!

We'll have a look
at them after dinner.

Job.

Thank you, George.

[Whistles]

Think Fanny will like it?

It's much too good for her.

What did she give you for
your first anniversary?

Cigarette holder.
It's beautiful...

Even though I've
given up smoking.

Ha ha ha!

George: Just we three
for dinner tonight?

No. Probably Ed Morrison.
He barged in.

He's upstairs with Fanny now.

Doesn't he know it's
your first anniversary?

Oh, yes. He said he chose
this night especially

to ask me for my wife's
hand in marriage.

I sent him up to Fanny.

She makes all
the domestic arrangements.

Ha ha ha!

Your marrying Fanny
hasn't discouraged

any of her suitors, has it?

On the contrary. Before,
they just wanted to marry her.

Now they seem to feel
they have to rescue her.

Do you know that she
has to reject them all

on an average of about
twice a month?

Not too firmly, I suppose.

Trouble with Fanny is
she's so soft-hearted.

She's so kind to them all,

so gentle and considerate.

And how has she been
with you, job?

She's been kind and gentle
and considerate.

That isn't quite
what you want, is it?

I'm a very patient man, George.

Morrison: All right,
Fanny, I'll leave,

but remember,
I haven't given up yet.

That would be Morrison.

Thank you.

Job: This what
you're looking for?

Yes!

You're not going to
let this interfere

with your staying
for dinner, are you?

This is no joking
matter, Skeffington.

[Snickering]

He'll be back in
a couple of weeks.

Fanny: Hello, Georgie.

George:
Hello, Fanny!

Good evening, job, dear.

Georgie, did job tell you

how delighted I was
with your flowers?

Yes, he did.
Thanks.

Do you like my gown, job?

You look beautiful,
Fanny. Beautiful.

Thank you.

Fanny...

Job Skeffington.

You know, George,

I keep forgetting
that job can afford

to give me things like this.

How very sweet of you, job.

I'm simply famished.

Soames, is dinner ready?

Yes, madam.

One thing about these proposals.

They give Fanny
a whale of an appetite.

Ha ha ha!

Projectionist: "King
and queen of England

lay cornerstone for
new army hospital."

He looks like a very nice man.

He is.

"Kaiser and field
marshal Von Hindenburg

inspect crack German..."

They all look exactly
alike, don't they?

I don't like the looks
of any of them, madam.

[Hisses]

Ha!

[Hisses]

Ha ha!

Just like a machine.

Yeah. You know, a friend
of mine was telling me

they start them
goose-stepping over there

when they're two years old.

No fooling.

[Hisses]

"Another naval victory
for the allies."

Fanny: Oh, how dreadful.

Those poor men.

Lafayette escadrille.

Georgie, isn't that Trippy?

I don't know. It went by
so fast, I couldn't see.

Georgie, it is Trippy!

Georgie, what did the title
say? Where is he?

Somewhere in France.

Do you suppose
he really flies a plane?

Well, he must if he's a member
of the Lafayette Escadrille.

Georgie...

Would you please get me
a glass of wa...

Fanny!

Projectionist:
Something wrong?

Fanny.

George, call Dr. Fawcette
on the phone.

Oh, Mrs. Skeffington!

Nothing to worry about.

She's absolutely all right.

Fine. I suppose it's the shock

of seeing her brother
on the screen.

Well, it wasn't entirely that.

What do you mean?

I usually make a ceremony
of these things,

but I've a patient
uptown I must get to,

so I'll just tell you right out.

You're going to be a father.

Why, thank you.

All I can say
to you is, good night.

Oh, doctor.

Is it all right
if I go in to see her?

Certainly.

I've given her a sedative,

but you'll have 5 minutes
for the usual nonsense.

Fanny: Don't put on
the light, job.

I've been crying.

Oh.

Is there anything
I can do for you, Fanny?

No.

Would you like to be alone?

No.

Shall I come sit on the bed
and talk to you?

No.

You mean I'm just to keep on
standing where I am in the dark?

I suppose it's a custom
for the father

to kiss the expectant mother.

I'm very happy, Fanny.
How about you?

Well, at the moment,

I'm more surprised than happy.

Don't you like children?

No. They always seem
to be so wise.

Well, I think any child of ours

has a fair chance
of being stupid, Fanny.

You're laughing at me again.

I suppose I'm just
as fond of children

as anybody else.

It's--well, it's just that...

It's just that babies grow up,

and everybody expects you to

grow up with them.

Well, you're not
afraid of growing old,

are you, Fanny?

Yes, I am.

Well, babies stay young
for quite a long time.

Other people's babies,
never your own.

Do I look puffy yet?

You look beautiful, Fanny.

I don't know why.

My face is all tear-stained.

Just enough to be becoming.

Well, I wanted
to keep on crying,

but I didn't have the strength.

You see, the sedative
the doctor gave me

made me very drowsy.

Soon I'll be all swollen
and puffy and ugly.

I don't want anybody
to see me like that.

I couldn't bear it.

Job...

George is going
to California in a week.

I want to go with him
and have my baby there.

You mean you don't want to
have your baby in this house?

No.

But, Fanny, you love
this house so much.

Why, when we were married,

you made me give up
my home and live here.

Of course I love this house,

but it's just too close
to my friends.

I won't have them see me
all swollen and ugly!

You'll never be ugly, Fanny,

and I don't care
how swollen you look.

Fanny, a woman is beautiful
when she's loved,

nonsense. A woman
and onis beautiful

if she has 8 hours' sleep

and goes to the beauty
parlor every day.

And bone structure has a
lot to do with it, too.

But I'm so busy in New York,

and California is
a 6-day train trip.

I won't be able
to see you very often.

I'll write you every week, job.

Fanny, that's not the point.
I want to be near you.

I'm so sleepy.

All right, Fanny.

You can go to California
if you want to.

Fanny, aren't you really
happy about having...

Good afternoon,
Mrs. Skeffington.

Some more flowers
from your husband.

Mm-hmm.

Condition excellent.

Yes, I know she's all right,

but if I could just
hear her voice...

I'm sorry. She's asleep.

All right.

Good-bye.

[Baby crying]

Job: A girl? Wonderful!

How's Fanny?

Tell me, did you look
at the baby's feet?

I mean, has she got
all her toes?

Ok, cover her up.

Hello, darling.

Fanny, here's your mother.

Good afternoon, Marie.

Good afternoon.

Have you been a good girl?

Job: Of course she's
been a good girl.

Kiss your uncle Georgie, Fanny.

Mrs. Skeffington?

Yes, Marie?

Professor hyslup's
waiting at the house for you.

Thank you.

You coming in, job?

Not yet. I'd like to
watch Fanny play awhile.

Don't be long.
The Malloy dinner is at 8:00.

Chester and Freddie
are going with us.

Oh. Do you think they'd
mind if I came along?

Ha ha! Oh, job.

Come on, sweetheart.

Come on. Sit down here
with your father.

Oh, you're wonderful.
You're wonderful.

I've got something for you.

Little sambo.

Sambo?

Mm-hmm.

Job, who's this
professor hyslup?

Oh, he's some young fellow,
and he's not a professor.

Speaks on street corners
or something.

Oh. Isn't he that evangelist?

No, he's not that, either.
He's got a cult all his own.

I think it has something
to do with deep breathing

on a vegetable diet.

What's he doing with Fanny?

Oh, he doesn't
consider her a disciple.

He's just one of
a new batch of suitors

that came along
when I went to camp.

Fanny's still having suitors?

Oughtn't you to be

a little more firm about that?

Fanny cannot live
on oxygen alone.

She's got to be
surrounded by men.

Yes, but she doesn't
have to lead them on.

She doesn't lead them on.

She just sits,
and they come to her.

It doesn't mean anything.

Besides, I think
she handles them very well,

and it saves me the trouble
of sending flowers and candy.

I think you could
give the original job

a few pointers on Patience.

Job: Well, there's little Fanny.

She makes up for
a lot of things.

I'm glad she's a girl.

You can go on kissing
your daughter

for the rest of your life.

With a boy--
well, after a while,

you have to start shaking hands.

Marie: It's getting
a little cool,

and besides,
it's Fanny's dinnertime.

All right.
Come on, darling.

Daddy's going to watch you
have your dinner.

Dada.

What did you say, darling?

Dada, how did I get
to be so little?

Ha ha ha ha!
Come on.

Job: ♪ I had
a little nut tree ♪

♪ Nothing...

Good night, sweetheart.

Little Franny: Dada?

Now what is it?

[Whispering]

Oh, no, no. You've
been twice already.

Now, you go to sleep,

and I'll send your mommy in

to say good night to you.

Man: I've taken counsel
with myself, Fanny,

and my conscience is clear.

It's true that it's written
in the good book

that whom god
hath joined together,

let no man put asunder,

but it is also inscribed,
worship ye at the temple.

To me, Fanny, you are a temple

wherein I may worship.

But, miles, darling,

don't you see I'm
all wrong for you?

I don't breathe properly.

I love steaks and roasts.

I can't bear the sight
of a vegetable.

Fanny... Fanny,
you're laughing at me!

I can't help it, miles.

Fanny, how can you
do this to me?

My life is ruined now.

Destiny brought us together,

and destiny cries out
for fulfillment.

Well, are we ready to go?

In just a while.

The professor is
proposing to Fanny.

Hmmph. He'll be down
in a minute.

Oh.

[Door opens]

Good-bye, Fanny...
Forever!

Oh, thank you.
Thank you.

Ah. Thank you.

Thank you.

What have you got, son?

Telegram for
Mrs. Fanny Skeffington.

I'll take it.

All right.
Sign here, please.

It's from the war department.

Thank you.

Trippy?

Job: Fanny?

I won't be 5 minutes, job.

Fanny, could I speak
to you for a moment?

Would you mind waiting,
job? I'm in such a rush.

Manby, get my pearls, will you?

It's important.

It's a telegram.

A telegram, job?
From who?

From the war department.

It isn't anything
about Trippy, is it?

Could we sit down
for a moment, please?

What is it, job?

Fanny...

Trippy has been
killed in action.

Oh, no!

Oh, no, not Trippy.

Oh! My poor darling Trippy!

And I loved him so!

Fanny! Fanny!

[Sobbing incoherently]

Fanny, let me say
something to you, please.

No! Leave me alone!

[Sobbing]

George!

George!

George, go up
to Fanny, will you?

I'll get some Brandy.
Maybe that'll help.

George: Right.

[Fanny sobbing]

It's all right, Manby.

Fanny, darling, you mustn't.

Oh, George, if it
hadn't been for job,

Trippy never would have
gone to war at all.

Fanny, now,
you mustn't say that.

He killed Trippy!
He killed him!

Fanny, you know that isn't true.

Yes, he did!

And I'll go on living with
him for the rest of my life,

and for the rest of my life,
he'll keep on looking at me

with those puppy-dog
eyes of his--

so good and so kind
and so sickening!

Job loves you very much.
You know that.

It's really funny, Georgie.

I married job so I could
take care of Trippy.

And now Trippy is gone,
and all I've got is job.

Some Brandy?

[Cheering]

Isn't it a trifle immodest?

Oh, no, no, madame,
not immodest.

Daring, maybe.

What do you think, monsieur?

Delightfully so, I should say.

And if Mr. Skeffington
calls, Manby,

tell him I won't be home
for dinner.

Radio: You have
just heard an address

by Alfred E. Smith,
governor of New York.

How about a game
of billiards tonight?

Sorry. I have to go home.

Ask Skeffington.
He's usually free.

Ha ha ha!

Do you remember
the time at Cape COD...

[Story drowned out by laughter]

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Certainly, Fanny.

You're the notorious
Mr. Macmahon.

Yeah, and you're
Fanny Skeffington.

Woman:
♪ gave me a thrill

♪ with all your faults...

Ugh!

Good stuff, huh, bud?

I suppose it's
right off the boat, eh?

Yeah.
They scraped it off.

♪ It had to be you

♪ wonderful you

♪ had to be you

♪ it had to be you

oh, Mr. Mac!

Come in.
Come in, Mr. Mac.

Hi, Joe. How's business?

Business? Wonderful.

Got a new load today--
right off the boat.

Right out of the bathtub,
you mean.

Come on, Fanny.

Hiya.
Glad to see you.

Hello, Louie.
Got a good table?

Oh, I'll make a good table--

throw somebody out.

This way, please.

♪ Could make me be blue

♪ and even be glad

♪ just to be sad...

Fanny: Thank you.

I'll see that you get
the special stuff.

Thanks, Louie.

Mac, is this one of your places?

I don't know. I may
have a piece of it.

Oh. Cigarette?

No, thank you.
I have my special kind.

[Drunkenly]
My, my!

Beautiful.

Beautiful.

Ain't she beautiful?

Yeah, sure. Sure.

I got a friend
I want you to see.

I mean, I want him to see you.

Ok, beat it.
Beat it.

Beat it?

That's just the trouble
with all you husbands.

You're all alike.
You're selfish.

Now, you wait here, honey.
I'll be right back.

I want this fellow to see you.

Ha ha ha!

Do you think we look
like husband and wife, Mac?

We look more like it

than you and Skeffington do.

I been keeping tab on
that husband of yours.

I've got plenty on him.

On job?

Yeah--women.

Oh, don't be silly.

No fooling.

You think all these years,

he's been sitting
at home by the fire

in a pair of slippers?

Well, he's always home
when I get home.

He's just got a
faster car, that's all.

Oh, Mac.

You'll see.
Look, Fanny, I'm a guy

who likes to call
a spade a spade.

Now, why do you two
stick together?

You haven't meant
a thing to each other

for years.

Well, Mac, really,

I'd rather not talk about it.

I want to talk about it.

Well, you see, Mac,

I'm a girl who believes in
keeping her marriage vows.

Oh, champagne!

Just the thing for
my guilty conscience.

What have you got

a guilty conscience about?

I broke a date
with Janie Clarkson

to come here tonight.

♪ For nobody else
gave me a thrill ♪

♪ With all your faults...

You know, that girl has
a perfectly charming voice.

Yeah. Nice kid, too.

♪ It had to be you

♪ wonderful you

♪ had to be

♪ you

well, here's to you, baby.

Fanny, I want to marry you.

Why, Mac!

No kidding.

Ha ha ha!

What's so funny about it?

I'm making plenty of dough.

These times keep up,

I'll be making more
than Skeffington.

Oh, maybe not such a smooth way,

but much more exciting.

Mac, I've always wanted
to ask you something.

Have you ever killed a man?

If you mean will I knock
off Skeffington for you,

the answer is sure, I'd love to.

Man: Here she is.

This is my friend Sid Lappen.

How do you do?

What do you think, kid?

She's gorgeous.

Gorgeous!

All right, you two, scram.

Don't you go away, honey.
I got another friend.

Say, where's Eddie?

Sid: Oh, we got to get Eddie.

Eddie!

Ha ha ha!

Thank you.

Well!

He's a little late tonight.

Tonight? Does job
come here every night?

Not every night.
3 or 4 times a week.

She's his secretary.

He has a stable of secretaries.

If you want a reason
to get rid of him,

there she is--
Number 5.

5?

That I know of.

Hello, Louie.

Hi, Mr. Skeffington.

Could we have our usual table?

Sure. It's waiting for you.

Thank you.

How are you, Skeffington?

How are you, Mr. Macmahon?

Hello, job.

Hello, Fanny.

Fanny, may I present
miss Morris?

How do you do, miss Morris?

Eleanor, this is my wife Fanny.

How do you do?

Oh.

And it may be something
of an anticlimax,

but this is Mr. Macmahon.

Glad to meet you.
Won't you join us?

I think I'd rather go home.

I wish you wouldn't.

This is one of the few chances
I get of seeing my wife.

Please.

Thank you, Louie.

Yes, sir.

Two more glasses, Louie.

Sure, Mac.

Are you my husband's
secretary, miss Morris?

Yes, I am.

I think this sort

of employer/employee
relationship

is most progressive.

If there were more like it,

there would be no need

for those socialists
on street corners.

By the way, Mrs. Skeffington,

are you Mr. Macmahon’s
secretary?

Me? Good heavens, no.

Well, then, perhaps
there's a definite need

for those
street-corner socialists.

Oh. Champagne?

Job: Thank you.

Man: Here she is.

Sid: This is our friend Eddie.

Take a good look.

Ain't she beautiful?

Definitely.

[Pounding]

Man: Quiet, everybody.
Take it easy.

Open up!

The police!

Hey, boss, the cops--
it's a raid!

Mac: We'd better
get out of here.

Fanny...

Oh, excuse me.

Let's get out the side way.

Stay where you are!
Everybody's under arrest!

Pick 'em up, boys.

Get the boss over there.

Policeman:
Come on, outside.

Here's the boss, sergeant.

What's the idea?

We've been raided
once already this week.

They didn't tell me
about it. Take him away!

Good afternoon, madam.

Good afternoon, Soames.

Hello, Soames.

Georgie, wouldn't
you like a cocktail?

I certainly would.

Soames, would you bring us

some champagne cocktails

in the drawing room, please?

Yes, madam.

Oh, Soames, have there
been any calls?

No, madam,
but Mr. Skeffington is here.

He's in the garden
with miss Fanny.

Oh. Thank you.

Does young Fanny know
what's going on?

It's quite impossible
to keep anything from her.

You see, she's inherited
all of job's brains

and none of my looks.
As a matter of fact,

job says she looks just
like his grandmother.

Fanny, I'm going to make
one more last plea.

Can't you find it
possible to forgive job?

5 secretaries in a row?
I'm not that forgiving.

The second secretary

must have forgiven
him for the first,

the third for the second,

and so on down the line.

Can't you be as forgiving

as a secretary?

As a matter of fact, George,
I'm very grateful to job

for making it so easy
for me to divorce him.

I must admit, at first
I was very angry,

and then suddenly I realized

that the 5 secretaries
were 5 gates to freedom.

And now you can live
with your conscience.

Well, yes.

I hope the two of you
will be very happy.

Ha ha ha!

George, is the custody
of the child

always given to the mother?

That's the usual
court procedure.

Why? Don't you want
to keep young Fanny?

Oh, of course.
It's just that--

well, poor little Fanny.

I can't help but feel she'd
so much rather be with job.

She loves him so.

Put them here, Soames.

Yes, madam.

[Telephone rings]

For you, George.

[Ring]

Well, shall we drink
to my conscience?

Hello, Fanny, darling.

Hello, mother.

Soames:
Who's calling, please?

One moment.

For you, Mrs. Skeffington.
Mr. Macmahon.

Excuse me, George.

What have you done
with your father, Fanny?

He's fixing the plumbing
in the doll's house.

Oh, I see.

Hello, uncle George.

Hello, Fanny, darling.

I'm glad to see you.

Fanny: Hello, Mac.

No. I find courtrooms
are very dull.

Well, of course.

At 7:00?

Well, I--

well, you'd better not
come until 8:00.

I'll see you then.

Bye.

It's all right, mother.

He can come at 7:00.
I'll go to bed early,

and he doesn't even
have to see me.

Why, Fanny, what a thing to--

hello, Fanny.

Hello, job.

It's all fixed, darling.

You can give Bo-peep
her shower now.

Thank you, daddy.

Fanny, dearest,
wouldn't you like

to show uncle George
your doll's house?

Oh.

Uncle George, do you want to see

my doll's house?

I have to.

How was it in court today?

Tiresome. I napped now and then.

Don't let the judge catch you.

Well, he napped, too.

Job, would you like a cocktail?

No, thank you.

Are you comfortable at the club?

I have a nice view

of 47th street and the Avenue.

Won't you sit down?
I want to talk to you.

If you don't mind, I'll stand.

I've been sitting all day.

First of all, job,
I want to thank you

for the very generous settlement

you made on me.

12 years with the wrong husband?

It should be rewarded.

Well, of course,
it was ridiculous

of you to settle
a fortune on me,

but then, it would
have been ridiculous

for me to refuse, wouldn't it?

I'm glad you're going
to be reasonable about it.

Ah, job, still laughing at me

without moving a muscle.

I assure you, Fanny,
you're no laughing matter.

I can't bear to
look at you, job.

Your eyes have such
a hurt expression.

They have?
I repudiate them.

I have no right to feel hurt.

I knew you didn't love me
when I married you.

I'm sorry, job.

I'm really sorry
I can't love you.

That's all right, Fanny.
You can't really love anyone.

Well!

That's not meant as a reproach.

That's just one of
the facts of your life.

Well, it's not very flattering.

You know, job,
I'm very fond of you,

and I might never have
taken this step at all

if I hadn't discovered--

well, after all, job, 5 of them.

Oh, you mustn't think too
harshly of my secretaries.

They were very kind
and understanding

when I came to the office
after a hard day at home.

Job!
What did you expect?

Do you think I ever would
have looked at another woman

if I'd received one grain
of affection from you?

You wouldn't allow
a dog in the house.

Of course, you didn't
need one with me around.

I was petted, admired,
but never loved.

Job, really!

Oh, Fanny...

Job, please don't beg.

Beg you, Fanny?

I never begged you in my life.

I hope I never will.

I have a dreadful headache.

This isn't what
I wanted to discuss

with you at all.

I'm sorry, but I have
a headache, too,

and I think mine precedes
yours by quite a few years.

I find all this
very distasteful.

All right, I'll listen quietly.

What do you want
to discuss with me?

Our daughter.

What about our daughter?

She's not going to be very happy

staying with me.

She loves you so much more.

Well, I'm no hypocrite.
I'm glad she does.

Yes, but, you see,
the court says

a child should stay
with its mother.

Never mind what the court says.

What do you say?

Well, I think a child should.

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

Are you sure she won't be
a hindrance to you?

After all, you're still
young and beautiful.

Don't be insulting.
It isn't fair.

You know perfectly well

that if Fanny is miserable,

I shall be miserable, too.

What do you want me to do?

Well, I was wondering

if you wouldn't talk to
her sometime, job,

and see how she feels about it.

All right.
I'd be glad to.

Oh, thank you, job.

That's very sweet of you.

Have I your permission
to take her out to dinner?

Oh, that would be lovely.

I'll see that she's dressed

in her very best.

Oh, Fanny?

Yes?

Have her wear the blue
organdy, will you?

She looks like you in it.

[Orchestra playing
embraceable you]

Fanny, you've eaten
hardly anything.

I know.
I'm not very hungry.

You haven't eaten
much either, daddy,

and you need
more food than I do.

I had a big lunch.

Oh. If you eat some more,
daddy, I'll eat some more.

All right.

[Music stops]

It's a very smooth orchestra.

Very smooth.

Yes, isn't it?

Daddy?

Yes, dear?

Aren't you coming home
to live anymore?

I'm afraid not.

Ever?

I don't understand.

Do you like it better
at the club?

Yes, I do.

Oh.

Then--then could I come to
the club and live with you?

I'm afraid that's
not possible, darling.

You see, it's a man's club.

No women allowed.

Oh.

Then who makes your bed
and cleans up?

A woman.

It's all very confusing.

Daddy, couldn't you
move to an apartment

where they allow women,

and then maybe I could come
and live with you?

No, I'm afraid
I couldn't, Fanny.

You see, I'm going
to Mexico on business

and then to Europe, and...

I'll be gone a long time.

Then I won't see you very often.

Not very often.

Oh, daddy!

Fanny, shh.

Here comes the waiter.

I'm sorry, daddy.

Everything all right, sir?

Yes, thank you.

We're not hungry.

I think you'd better
take this away.

Will the young lady
have dessert?

No, thank you.

No dessert?
We have some

very delicious creme glacee.

That means ice cream, daddy.

Vanilla, peppermint,
strawberry...

No, thank you.

You bring the young lady

a tall glass of milk,

and I'll just have a demitasse.

Yes, sir.

You'll see.

You'll be very happy
with your mother.

Your mother loves you.

You know that, Fanny, don't you?

Yes, daddy, but you
love me, too,

don't you, daddy?
Mm-hmm.

Why wouldn't I be happy
with you, too?

Well, I don't know

if I can explain this
to you, Fanny.

You see, your mother and I

are of different faiths.

I never noticed
any difference, daddy.

Well, I mean religious faiths.

You believe in god, don't you?

Oh, certainly I do.

Well, so does mommy.
She told me so.

Oh, honestly,
I don't see any difference.

Well, Fanny, it's--

you see, I'm Jewish.
Your mother is not.

If you stay here
with your mother,

you will never know
what it is--

I mean, if you come
to Europe with me,

it's different there,

and people may look
upon you as...

Oh, this is very difficult

to explain to a child.

I suppose it's easier to explain

to a grown-up, isn't it?

I don't know.

Well, if you don't
want me, daddy,

I suppose I can always
live by myself.

Fanny...

Oh, daddy!

Daddy, please take
me with you, daddy,

even to Europe.

I won't be any
trouble, I promise!

Shh, Fanny. Fanny!

Oh, please, daddy.
I promise.

Well, darling,

there are wonderful
schools in Switzerland.

And mountains.

Oh, daddy, please
speak to mother.

Maybe she'll say yes.

She will, darling.
She will.

Oh, daddy...

Shh. Shh.
Here comes your milk.

I think I'll have some
ice cream after all.

Very good.
What flavor?

Half peppermint
and half strawberry.

And bring me a plate, too.

Oh, daddy...

Daddy, do you think

mother will be very lonesome?

Not too lonesome, darling.

Yes, Manby?

Mr. Perry Lanks
is here to see you.

Will you tell him I'll be
along in a few minutes?

Yes, Mrs. Skeffington.

Fanny: Darling Fanny,
I'm terribly sorry that

mother will be unable to
see you this summer, but...

I want the same treatment

you give Fanny Skeffington.

My darling daughter,
where does the time go?

I thought I could surely
see you this summer.

How does she keep so young?

She has the same beauty
treatments I have.

How perfectly dreadful.
Show me something else.

Yes, Mrs. Skeffington.

I know.
It's just too awful.

But I can't possibly

see you for luncheon
today, Janie.

No.

My darling daughter,

it is terrifying to think
that so many years have passed

and we still haven't seen
each other,

but mother misses you, and...

Fanny Skeffington?
Is she here?

Man: Yeah, but you can't
get within a mile of her.

Why not?

There are a hundred
fellows ahead of us.

[Laughter and conversation]

Ha ha ha!

Oh, there's an attractive man.

Aw!
Hey!

I'd like to talk to him.

But, Fanny,
he doesn't shave yet.

And he voted for Roosevelt.

Then he's at least 21
and fair game.

What's your name?

Johnny Mitchell.

Well, I'm Fanny Skeffington.
So nice meeting you.

Well, thank you,
but we've met before.

Oh, no!
I would have remembered.

Sorry, but we did.

Your husband introduced us.

Job? When was this?

Oh, about 15 years ago.

I was your husband's office boy

and 13 years of age.

It was during summer holiday.

Oh.

Are you still an office boy?

Well, yes, but now they
call it junior partner.

Ha ha ha!
In whose firm?

My father's.

Do I know your father?

Oh, you must.

He said he almost committed
suicide because of you.

Well, I'll have to
look at my records.

Ha ha ha!

Hey, look, who's taking you
in to dinner tonight?

Charlie Gould.

Well, couldn't you speak to him?

I guess I could.

And who's driving you
into town tomorrow?

Millard crane.

Well, couldn't I speak to him?

I don't see why not.

And who's taking you
to dinner tomorrow night?

Janie Clarkson,

but nobody has to speak to her.

Ha ha ha ha!

Mmm! Johnny!

I love you, Fanny.

You're really
very sweet, Johnny.

Oh, that tolerant tone.

That's the only tone

a junior partner ever hears.

Ha ha ha!
You know, Johnny,

if we're going sailing,
we'd better get started.

It's an hour and a half's
drive to the sound.

Do we have to go sailing?

But I love sailing.

[Knock on door]

Yes?

Beg pardon, madam.

There's a young lady
here to see you.

To see me, Clinton?

Yes, madam.

She says she's...
Your daughter.

My dau--

oh, there must be some mistake.

Excuse me, Johnny.

Thank you, Clinton.

It's not at all
the way I pictured it.

It's been done over, hasn't it?

Good heavens! Fanny!

Hello, mother.

Well, Fanny.

Fanny, darling.

My darling.

This is such a surprise.

Yes, I suppose it is, mother.

You know, you're the last person

I expected to see.

But I wrote you
I was coming from Berlin.

Did you? I never
received the letter.

Oh. Well, I guess the censors
must have confiscated it.

You see, I wrote you what
I thought about the Nazis.

The Nazis?
Oh, yes, of course.

Is, uh... Is your
father with you?

No. He's still in Berlin.

The Nazis don't frighten him,
but they frighten me,

so dad thought maybe I'd
better come back here to you.

So, well...

So here you are.

Here I am.

My darling.

You must be weary.

I'll show you to your room.

Johnny: Ahem.

Oh, Johnny, please forgive me.

I completely forgot about you.

Fanny, this is Johnny Mitchell.

Johnny, this is my--
my baby--Fanny.

How do you do?

Hello.

Fanny and I haven't seen
each other for years,

have we, darling?

You know, you're
very tall for your age.

Really? But, mother,
I'm nearly--

oh, yes, perhaps I am.

She's beautiful, isn't she?

She's going to be
a stunning woman,

don't you think, Johnny?

Oh, yes, yes, she's going to be.

Darling, Johnny and I
have a date to go sailing.

Come. I'll show you
to your room.

Do you think we ought to?

It gets pretty chilly

late in the afternoon.

You talk as if you were 40--
50 years old or something.

Certainly we're going sailing.

Come, darling.

And when I get back,
we'll talk for days and days.

All right, mother.
Oh. Good-bye, Johnny.

I suppose I'll see you later.

Bye, Fanny.

Hey, wait!

I can't call you both Fanny.

I tell you what I'll do.

I'll call you young Fanny,
and you--

well, I'll think of something.

[Wind howling]

Hey, Fanny!

Fanny!

Come on back here!

You'll get soaked up there!

I'm loving this!

But, listen, you'll
catch your death of cold!

Don't you worry
about me, Johnny!

Well, I do worry about you!

I'm heading for home anyway!

Fanny!

Dr. Melton,
Mrs. Skeffington is very ill.

Can you come over at once?

And, doctor, please hurry!

How's mother, doctor?

She must be taken
to the hospital immediately.

Melton: Oxygen.

A woman is beautiful
when she's loved.

Do you think I ever would
have looked at another woman

if I'd received one grain
of affection from you?

You're not afraid
of growing old, are you, Fanny?

You can't really love anyone.

You'll never be ugly, Fanny.

Mother passed the crisis
last night, uncle George.

Remember, not too many visitors.

Mrs. Skeffington doesn't
want to see anyone.

You mean, not even her daughter?

Not even her daughter.
Good-bye, Dr. Melton.

Good-bye.

Hello, Henri's beauty salon?

This is Mrs. Skeffington's maid.

May I speak to Henri, please?

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear it.

Well, I'm sure I can.

I'm very familiar with
Mrs. Skeffington's hair.

Non, non, non.

For Mrs. Skeffington... So.

Oui, monsieur.

Marie, for Mrs. Skeffington,

I want a face pack, muscle oil,

wrinkle cream, tissue builder,

massage cream, and astringent.

Yes, sir.
And here are

the eyelashes you asked for.

No...

Ah! These are perfect
for Mrs. Skeffington.

You know, Fanny,
it's very nice of you

to be doing all this
for your mother.

Oh, why shouldn't I?

Why shouldn't you?
Well, she was never

particularly nice to you.

Well, I--I think maybe dad
would want it this way.

Yes, I guess that's true.

By the way, were you able

to get acquainted with
her while she was ill?

No. You see,
Dr. Melton wouldn't allow

any visitors at the hospital,

and when she went
to the rest home,

she wrote me not to come.

Oh.
Uncle George,

why do you suppose
she'd never let me see her?

Well, you don't know your mother

very well yet.

She wouldn't want
anyone to see her

unless she was looking

her absolute best,
and they tell me

that diphtheria's
no beauty treatment.

[Buzzer]

Well, that must be mother now.

Clinton: Welcome home,
Mrs. Skeffington.

Fanny:
Thank you, Clinton.

Darlings!

Fanny, dear.

Hello, mother.

Georgie, I had no idea
that you were here.

Oh...

You know, it's heavenly
to be back home again.

Manby, don't you think
you'd better go and see

that the luggage
is taken care of?

Yes, Mrs. Skeffington.

Georgie, this is such
an unexpected pleasure.

Fanny, my dear.

Welcome home, mother.

Thank you.

Wouldn't you like to come in

and sit down?

She mustn't stay up long.

She's still very weak, you know.

Dr. Melton is a bully.

That's what you pay me for.

May I use your telephone?

Of course.

Clinton will show
you where it is.

Thank you.

Georgie.

We'll have some tea, mother.

Oh, I think that
would be delightful.

All this looks so cheerful

after that depressing rest home.

Notice how Fanny

arranged the flowers?

Oh, how sweet of you, Fanny.

They're perfectly lovely.

Sit here, mother.

Oh.

Let me help you with your coat.

All right.

You know, I'm not really
such an invalid.

Clinton, have you been well?

Yes, madam.
Very well, thank you.

Good.

Fanny: I'll pour, Clinton.

Cream or lemon, mother?

Lemon, thank you.

Well...
Wasn't it just like me

to contract that
child's disease?

[Chuckles]

Georgie.

I look dreadful, don't I?

Fanny, darling,

you could never look
anything but adorable.

You're lying.

I know perfectly well
how I look,

but after a few weeks' rest,

I'll be quite recovered.

Of course you will.

Mother?

Thank you.

Of course, diphtheria is
the most dreadful nuisance.

My hair fell out in handfuls.

Henri simply saved my life.

I don't know what
I would have done without him.

He's so clever.

Uncle George?

Of course, here I am
chattering on about myself.

Fanny, what have you been doing?

Oh, nothing very much, mother.

Have you seen Johnny Mitchell?

Yes, I've seen him.

How is he?

Oh, he's just fine.

Georgie, who do you think
I've been seeing?

Who?

Job.

Job?

Father?

Yes. He just sits around
all day staring at me

with those soulful eyes of his.

You mean you've been
having hallucinations.

Fanny: Is that what they are?

You'd better not tell
Dr. Melton.

He'll raise his fee.

When did this begin, Fanny?

During my illness.

One day, I shut my eyes,
and he suddenly appeared.

And then, as time went on,

even if I didn't shut
my eyes, he appeared,

standing beside me or in
front of me and just looking.

Fanny, I wish you'd write
your father and ask him to stop.

I find it very disconcerting.

Have you heard from him lately?

No, mother,
and I'm worried about him.

I've written him 3 letters
and haven't had an answer.

Naturally.
He couldn't possibly

have had time to write.

He's been too busy
staring at me.

Melton: Well, I must be going.

It's time you were upstairs.

Don't yell.

I want one more sip of my tea.

All right.
Just one.

There.

Georgie, would you help
a decrepit old lady

up the stairs?

Oh! Nonsense.

Oh. Thank you.

Fanny: Doctor.

Yes?

I've been hiding
something from you.

Oh? What?

I've been having hallucinations.

Well, you keep on hiding them.

I haven't the slightest
idea what to do for them.

I'll be in to see you
in a day or two.

2 or 3 weeks at home,

and you'll be able

to start running around again.

Very well, doctor.

Oh, Fanny, wouldn't you and
Georgie like to have dinner

with me in my room tonight?

We'd love to, mother.

Good-bye, doctor.

Good-bye.

Doctor.

Yes?

Doctor...
Mother looks so--

I understand.

It was quite a shock, wasn't it?

Diphtheria has a ravaging
effect, you know.

Your mother was
a remarkable woman,

always looked 20 years
younger than she really was.

But this illness, well...

But don't you think with
rest and care that--

I'm afraid not. The years
have caught up with her.

As you can see, this
illness has even added a few.

Does she realize that?

Have you told her?

I most certainly have not.

I don't think anyone should.

That's something she must
find out for herself.

But don't worry. We all
have to grow up someday.

Good-bye.

Good-bye, doctor.

Here's your breakfast,
Mrs. Skeffington.

It's a lovely morning--

just right for
a nice walk in the park.

The eggs seem to be
a bit on the raw side.

I don't like
walking in the park.

But you've been in
the house for 10 days now.

You've scarcely
been out of this room,

and Dr. Melton says you can
go out anytime you wish now.

I know, I know.

Well... How would you
like to wear your beige?

Or better still,
your black and old rose?

Have there been any calls for me

this morning, Manby--

I mean, aside from Dr. Melton?

Yes. Mr. trellis called,
and he wanted to know--

he wanted to know
how I was feeling.

Yes.

No one else?

No. No one.

One's footsteps

are very quickly covered,

aren't they, Manby?

Yes.

It would seem that way.

Why hasn't my daughter
been in to see me?

She went riding early
this morning with Mr. Mitchell.

Oh! Have you decided

whether you're going to wear
the beige or the black?

Manby, don't ask me
that question again.

I'm sure you must find me

very irritable this morning.

I understand.

Well, I've slept so
badly--hardly at all.

I'm sorry.

Not at breakfast, job.

What did you say,
Mrs. Skeffington?

It's Mr. Skeffington again.

Oh, dear. Again?

I must do something
about him, Manby.

He pops up more and more
all the time,

and he always
makes his appearance

at a moment
when I'm most depressed.

Why don't you go see
that new doctor

that miss Clarkson
is always talking about?

You mean the psychoanalyst?

Yes.

I detest women who go
to psychoanalysts.

I've heard that sometimes
they can be very helpful.

Wasn't his name bile or boils

or something like that?

Byles.

Byles.
What a horrid name.

Man: My dear Mrs. Hammett,

there's nothing wrong with you

that fresh air, exercise,

and a little
hard work won't cure.

Try it for two weeks,

and then if you don't
feel any better,

come back and see me.

Thank you, doctor.

You've been such
a help to me, but I--

good day, Mrs. Hammett.

Oh, good day, doctor.

Good day, Mrs. Hammett.

Yes? What is it?

There's a Mrs. Skeffington
outside. I told her you were--

Skeffington? I don't know any
Skeffington.

Has she an appointment?

No, doctor, but she insisted
that I give you this.

All right.
Show her in.

Yes, doctor.

Will you come in, please?

Dr. Byles,
I'm Fanny Skeffington.

Sit down.

Thank you.

Doctor, I wanted--

be quiet.

There's nothing
urgent about you,

Mrs. Skeffington.

Oh, isn't there?

Perhaps you don't realize

that for the past 2 months--

one moment, please.

[Inhales deeply]

What is the meaning of that?

Your perfume's
a bit heavy for me.

Now... Go on.

Well!

Well, as I said,

for the past 2 months,

I've been most distressed
about something.

It all started
during my illness.

I've just had diphtheria.

You see, doctor,
my husband keeps appearing.

He's everywhere--

in the chair beside my bed,

standing at the foot of my bed,

watching me eat my breakfast--

just everywhere,

and I find it
most disconcerting.

Hmm.

You should have stuck to him.

Stuck to him?

After what he did?

How old are you,
Mrs. Skeffington?

Um... 40.

5.

50.

Well, I didn't sleep
very well last night.

You see how important
quiet nights are

for women of your age?

And to everybody, I imagine.

Yes, if you don't want
to become an eyesore.

Eyesore? Are you suggesting
that I am an eyesore?

No. On the other hand,

neither are you Lillian Russell.

Oh, Dr. Byles--

sit down.

My dear lady,

the entire basis of
psychoanalysis is truth.

Your seeing your husband
comes out of

a subconscious desire
to see him,

a need for him.

That's ridiculous.

I have no desire to see job,

and I'm sure he has
no desire to see me.

Nevertheless,
what I say is true.

My advice is to go
back to your husband.

At the very least, talk to him.

Have him over for dinner.

I can't.
He's in Germany.

Ask him to come back.
It's your only hope.

That's where
a husband comes in--

when your romantic
days are over.

My romantic days over?

How do you know
my romantic days are over?

Oh, my poor woman.

Oh, my poor doctor!

Shall I tell you something?

When I became ill,
there were at least 6 men

who were willing to give
their lives for me.

That was before you became ill.

Listen, please,

instead of wasting my time.

The only person
who in the long run

is of any use to a woman

whose run has also been long--

oh, Dr. Byles!

Sit down. I haven't
earned my fee yet.

Well!

The only person who will
stick to such a woman

is her husband.
Admirers, sweethearts,

or whatever you choose
to call them,

never mean what they say

and always end up

by turning sour on the stomach.

Dr. Byles!
You're revolting!

But it's sound advice,

and you'll be grateful for it.

And if you start thinking

of any of the others
in your past,

see them, too.

Ask the whole lot
of them to dinner.

You can size them up.
They can size you up.

It's obvious you know
nothing about men at all.

Shall I make you a wager?

If I wanted to--
Not that I do--

but if I wanted to,
all I would have to do

is just smile at one of them.

All right.
Why don't you try it?

Oh, you want me
to prove it to you?

No. I want you to
prove it to yourself.

I'm sorry to have to be
so blunt with you,

Mrs. Skeffington, but you're one

of a vast army of silly women--

capital "s,"
capital "w."

You're over-dressed,
you're over-made-up,

and you're most
certainly over-perfumed.

Dr. Byles, you are the
rudest man I have ever met!

Did you come here
to consult a gentleman

or a doctor?

I strongly suspect
that you are neither,

and I'm not at all
impressed with your manner.

You will be
when you get my bill.

Go back to your husband.

And you know where you can go!

Good morning, mother.

Good morning, Fanny.

Come in.

What a sweet dress.

You don't think oh, thankperhaps

it's a little old for you?

You sent for me, mother?

Oh, yes. I wanted to
explain to you, Fanny.

I'm giving a dinner
party on Thursday

for some very old
friends of mine,

and I'm sure it would be

a frightful bore for you.

You understand?

Yes. Of course I do.

Why don't you go
to the theater, dear?

I hear there are some
very good plays now.

All right, mother.

Oh... Would you ask Clinton

to see that the
postman gets these?

Certainly.

Thank you, dear.

Evening.
Good evening.

Good evening.
Good evening.

So this is the temple of beauty.

Yes. Many happy days
I have spent here.

What did you say, Jim?

Oh, nothing, mother, nothing.

Times have changed.

Jim Conderley!

As I live and breathe!

Hello, Thatcher.

How are you, Jim?

Fine, fine.

Good. Well,

just like the good
old days, huh?

Yes, yes, indeed.

Just like the good old--

Jim: My mother-in-law
and my wife Audrey.

This is my old friend
bill Thatcher.

How do you do?

Jim!

Jim Conderley!

Hello, Chester.

Thatcher!

Glad to see you, Chester.

Well!

Good evening.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Chester.

Yes, dear.

My wife.

The maid will take your wraps.

Oh, thank you.
Thank you.

Good evening.

Chester: Good evening.

I don't seem to recognize him.

He must have been
before our time.

Or after it.

Hello. How are you?

Evening.

Thank you.

Thatcher!

How are you, bill?

Why, it's Ed Morrison!

That's right.

Hello, Ed.
Glad to see you.

How are you, congressman?

Fine, fine.

I thought you were in Brazil
in the coffee business.

I was.
I gave it up.

Well, how long you been back?

A few months.

You baldheaded coot,

why don't you buy
yourself a good toupee?

I can't afford it.

Those coffee plantations
blew up in my face.

I haven't got a nickel,
and I owe a fortune.

Well, what are you living on?

Coffee beans.

Ha ha ha!

Same old Ed.

Hasn't changed a bit.

Say, I wonder why Fanny's

gotten us all together tonight.

Well, I can't figure it out.

Neither can I.

Nice to be back.
Almost 20 years.

Yep.
Yep.

Fanny, you still
haven't grown up.

Good evening, Fanny.

Hello, Fanny.

It's delightful
you could all come.

Of course you remember
my cousin George?

Yes, indeed.

How do you do?

Fanny, my sweet,
how have you been?

You don't know me.

I'm Edward--
Your Edward.

My Edward?

Edward Morrison.

Edward? But you
can't be Edward.

My Edward had a mane of
beautiful, wavy black hair.

I gave a lock of it to
every woman in love with me.

The demand exceeded the supply.

Ha ha!
It is Edward.

Jim.

It's good to see you
again, Fanny.

You've become very
famous since I last saw you.

Oh, I wouldn't say that.

Bunny.

It's been a long time,
hasn't it, Fanny?

Gray hair is most
becoming to you, bunny.

Thank you.

Oh, Fanny, I want you
to meet my wife.

I'd love to, Jim.

Thank you.

Good evening.

Good evening.
Good evening.

This is my wife Audrey.

My old friend--
Fanny Skeffington.

How do you do?

How do you do?

This is my mother-in-law
Mrs. Newton.

How do you do?

I've heard so much about
you, Mrs. Skeffington.

I just had to see you.

Oh, thank you.

Excuse me, will you?

Miles!

Hello, Fanny.

Fanny, this is
Penelope--my mate.

I'm very happy to meet you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Man: Fanny!

Chester!

Fanny!

Chester, darling.

Fanny...

Excuse me, Mrs. Skeffington.
Dinner is served.

Thank you, Clinton.

Won't you please go right in?

Thank you.

She used to be so beautiful.

Simple case of wrong diet.

[Laughter]

I have never seen

such exhibition in my life.

Why, she made eyes

at every man at the table.

Poor woman.
She's really pathetic.

It's a relief that
my husband can no longer

throw her up to me.

She looks every day her 50.

Let us say half a hundred.
It sounds so much more.

Oh!

George, there's a
rumor on the street

that Skeffington

was tangled up with the Nazis.

Any truth in that?

Hear all sorts of things

out of Germany these days.

I hope he provided for
Fanny after the divorce.

Very generously. He gave
her half his fortune

and everything outright.

Indeed?

I always liked Skeffington.

Yes. He was all right.

Jim: Are you sure
it's not too chilly

for you out here?

Oh, no. I'm quite
comfortable, thank you.

Jim, do you ever think

of the old days here
in gramercy park?

Now and then--
In the shower.

I wonder if
I appreciated you then.

I wonder, too.

Do you think I was blind?

Well, I could see

no other explanation for it.

Oh, Jim!

Of course, the saddest thing

about the mistakes
of one's youth

is that they can
never be rectified.

Or can they?

Well, um...
By the way, Fanny,

did I tell you
I have 6 children now?

No, you didn't.

I mean 7.
One's away at school.

Roosevelt only has 5.

They must be
a great comfort to you.

Well, you know, in politics,

nothing appeals so much

as being a good,
solid family man.

And when they grow up,
they can vote, too.

Can't overlook that, you know.

[Chuckles]

Jim, have I changed much--

that is, very much?

Well, uh...

Have I?

I asked you first.

Changed?

In what way, Fanny?

You know perfectly well
in what way.

You know, Jim, it's so difficult

to see one's self
as others see one.

Well, Fanny, you mustn't forget,

you were still almost a girl

when we were friends.

And of course, since
then, you've grown up.

Then you do think I've changed.

Fanny...
Shall I tell you

what I really think?

I wish you would.

You always were
and always will be

enshrined in my memory

as the nearest thing
to perfect loveliness

that I have ever known.

That sounds very hollow, Jim.

There's a gentleman
in the library

to see you, madam--
Mr. Morrison.

Oh.

Did you enjoy your walk
in the park?

Yes, thank you, Clinton.

Well...

Good afternoon, Fanny.

Good afternoon, Edward.

This is a surprise.

Ha ha! Yes.

I, uh... I probably
should have phoned.

That's quite all right, Edward.

Fanny, I tried to talk to you
all last evening, but--

did you?

I didn't notice.

Someone always beat me to it.

I see.

Ha ha! Yes.

Edward, wouldn't
you like Clinton

to bring you a drink?

Uh, no.
No, thank you.

Little bit early for me.

Do sit down.

Oh, now, Fanny, we're
not going to be polite

and formal with each other,

are we, after all these years?

Why, Edward...

Have you forgotten

how much we meant to each other?

Fanny...

Feel that.

Feel that, you bad girl.

Feel that thumping?

I feel some sort of activity,

but I'd hardly call it a thump.

Well, it is, and it's
all because of you.

Oh, Edward,

you're not going to get
romantic now, are you,

at this time of life?

Why not?

Well, look at us.
Just look at us.

You're bald,
and I'm dilapidated.

Oh, Edward.

You didn't used to keep
saying "oh, Edward."

What's come over you, Fanny?

Age.

Age?

Oh, listen, my girl.

Edward, must you
call me "my girl"?

Now, let's get this clear.

You and I are both
in the prime of life.

I suppose you want
to cheer me up.

I don't want to cheer you up.

Fanny.

Fanny, I want to marry you.

Edward, please!

Now, you can't put
me off any longer.

Will you say yes?

Edward!

You can't be serious.

I've never been more serious

about anything in my life.

Fanny, you don't know
what this means to me.

Oh, Fanny, my darling,

we'll have a glorious
life together.

You can't use words like
age and old about us.

We're just beginning the
best part of our lives.

Fanny, I love you.
I love you, Fanny.

Yes, my curls.

You see, I buy
all my hair at Henri's.

It's pretty...
Very pretty.

May I pin it on
for you, darling?

No, thank you, Edward.

I think I'd better do it myself.

They're very expensive,
you know.

Well, thank heavens

you don't have to worry
about things like that.

Henri keeps me
practically broke.

Ha ha! Broke.

Did you say broke, Fanny?

Well, practically.

Oh.

But, uh... Uh...

You can't mean that, Fanny.

It's not generally
known, Edward,

but I'm very hard up.

Oh.

I had no idea.

I was under the impression
that Skeffington--

well, you see,
all the best people

make the worst investments.

That's true.

If I'd only had
a man to advise me.

You should have returned

a few years earlier, Edward.

Yes, I should have.

I wonder if you'd
forgive me, Edward.

I have an engagement.

Yes, of course.

I'll think over your proposal.

Oh. Well, don't be
too hasty, Fanny.

Marriage is a very serious step.

Yes, I know.

Don't bother seeing me
to the door, Fanny.

Clinton will get you
your things.

Oh, that's all right, thank you.

Well, Fanny...

I'll give you a ring
one of these days.

We'll have lunch together.

That would be very nice.

Good-bye, Edward.

Good-bye.

Fanny, you don't know anyone

who'd like to buy a coffee
plantation, do you?

No, but if I hear of anyone,

I'll be very glad
to let you know.

Thank you, Fanny.

Edward: Get me my hat
and coat, please.

Mother?

May I speak to you for a moment?

Of course, Fanny.

Yes, Fanny?

Mother, Johnny Mitchell and I

are going to be married.

Johnny Mitchell?

Well!

I had no idea.

But, Fanny, you haven't
known him very long.

I've known him
several months--

as long as I've known you.

But don't you think

you should have talked it
over with your mother?

Have I a mother?

That's not kind of you, darling.

I've always loved you very much.

Sort of a...

A long-distance love,
wasn't it, mother?

Fanny, I never wanted
you to leave me.

It was just that...

It was just that you
loved your father so much.

And it was just that my
father loved me so much.

Oh, I know you had

a difficult choice to make.

You couldn't be both
a beauty and a mother.

Oh, mother,

I used to worry
about my looks, too--

when I was 13
and all arms and legs.

I used to hate that
brace I had on my teeth,

but father would
always comfort me.

"A woman is beautiful

only when she's
loved," he'd say.

Yes. He said that
to me once, too.

So, you see, mother,

you mustn't blame your illness

for no longer being beautiful.

You haven't really
been beautiful

since the day
you sent father away,

because since that day,

there's been no man
who's really loved you.

Don't you see if they had,

it wouldn't matter to them now?

Good-bye, mother.

Fanny, darling...

Do you suppose it's too late

for me to be a real
mother to you now?

I'm afraid it would have to be

a long-distance love again.

I'm willing to try.

It wouldn't work out, mother.

We're leaving
for Seattle tonight.

Johnny's opening
a branch office there.

Well, I... I suppose
you wish me luck.

Of course, darling.

Good-bye, Fanny.

Good-bye, mother.

[Crying]

Manby!

Manby!

Why, Mrs. Skeffington!

What is it?

What's the matter?

Manby...

Manby, don't leave me.

Why, of course I won't.

Promise me you'll never leave.

Of course I won't.

You're the only one I have left.

I'll never leave you.
Never.

You see--you see,
I'm all alone.

I'm all alone!

Mrs. Skeffington,
wouldn't you--

wouldn't you like to
come up and rest a bit?

Yes.

Yes, I think I would.

You'll feel better

after you've had a little rest.

You're the only one I have left.

[Knock on door]

Good morning, Manby.

Good morning, Mr. trellis.

Morning, Fanny.

Hello, Georgie.

What brought you here
so early in the morning?

Oh, nothing. I just
thought I'd drop by

and see how you were.

Well... It was nice

seeing all your old
friends at the party

the other night, wasn't it?

It was pure vanity, Georgie--

a desire in these
waning days of mine

to feel the assurance
of beauty again.

But I find one should
never look for admirers

while at the same time
one is falling to bits.

Hmm.

Georgie, you seem very nervous.

Anything the matter?

May I smoke?

Of course.

Fanny, I'm worried.

What about?

About you.
I want you to promise me

that you're not going
to let me down.

Georgie, what are
you talking about?

The fact is, Fanny,
that I've seen job.

You've seen job?

You mean, the way
I've been seeing him?

No. I've really seen him.

But you couldn't have.
Job's in Germany.

No, he isn't. He's
right here in New York.

I ran into him in the park.

He was sitting on
a bench, sunning himself.

Job never sunned
himself in his life.

And if he is here,

why hasn't he let
his own daughter know?

When you see him,
you'll understand.

Fanny, I had
the greatest difficulty

getting anything out
of him, but bit by bit--

must I hear about it?

Well, who else if not you?

Job's a broken man.

He's been in
a concentration camp.

You'd hardly recognize him.

That isn't all.

He's poor. They've taken
everything away from him.

He hasn't got a cent.

Job, poor. That's
hard to believe.

What do you think I
ought to do about it?

Well, there's no question
of what you ought to do.

Job has no claim,
you have no obligation,

but I think you should
remember that this house,

everything in it,
every stitch on your back,

is yours because
of his generosity.

Well, it was very easy for him

to be generous
when he was so rich.

Legally, he didn't
have to give you

1/10 of what he insisted
you have, and now--

and now you think it unfair

that I'm so well off
and he's so poor.

Exactly.
It is unfair.

Then what do you suggest?

I suggest that you talk over

how much you're willing
to give him back.

Very well. I'll send
for my lawyers,

and we'll talk it over.

No lawyers, Fanny.
Make it a warm thing.

Make it a kind thing.

Talk it over with job.

You mean I must see job myself?

Yes.

He's downstairs.

He's downstairs?

Now?

Yes.

George.

Go down and see him.

Never.

You mean to tell me--

Georgie, look at me.

Then you'll know why
I won't see him.

Look at what's left of my face.

I know all about
your darling face,

but you'll always seem
the same to Skeffington.

He still loves you.

No.

No. He only loved
what I looked like--

not me at all.

You know that isn't true.

George, do you think
I'm mentally deficient?

I've seen the others.
They all loved me, too.

But when they took
one look at me,

they all recoiled,

every single one of them,

and I'm not going to
add job to them.

Now despise me.

You didn't know what
a really vain creature

you've been fond of
all these years.

Listen to me, Fanny.
Ever since I've known you,

you've thought only of yourself.

You've never loved
anyone but yourself.

You've spent your life
in front of a mirror,

completely unaware
of the people around you

or the world you live in.

Here's the chance
for you to do something

for someone else.

There are a lot worse
things in this world

than losing one's beauty.

Go down and see him.
You won't regret it.

Go down and face him.

I'll go down.

Job?

Is it Fanny?

You don't know me?

Oh, yes, I do.

You're as beautiful as ever.

You're laughing at me again.

No, Fanny.

No.

Oh! Job!

My darling!

You can't be!

They didn't!

Yes.

The Nazis--

Shh, shh, shh!

Oh, my poor darling job!

And all this time, I've been
thinking only of myself.

Well, they never,
never shall again.

You're safe now, home with me.

Fanny.

Fanny.

Come, job.

Your cane.

There.

Here are the steps, job.

Manby...

Mr. Skeffington has come home.

Yes. Welcome home,
Mr. Skeffington.

Thank you, Manby.

Come, job.

George: Fanny.

I've never seen you
look more beautiful.

A woman is beautiful
only when she's loved.

Isn't that right, job?

[Sniffling]

It's all right, Manby.

Now no matter
how old she becomes,

he'll always see her
as young and beautiful.

Manby, would you
call Janie Clarkson

and tell her I can't possibly

see her for lunch today?

Yes, Mrs. Skeffington.

Ha ha!