Original subtitles

Whenever you're doing a caramel,

you swirl the pan, or it will burn,

and then you'll have to start all over.

And, goodness, we have run out of time.

Um, I'm afraid...

...that is all we have time for.

But, trust me, it is spectacular

and very French.

Bon appétit.

And cut.

That's a cut.

Well, I haven't had one of those in a while.

What happened?

My mind kept wandering to my speech for the gala.

Can we do it over?

Especially with that trip eating up the rest of the week.

Ah, damn it.

And of all the dishes.

Duck à l'Orange is Paul's favorite.

It's okay. I'll live.

Yeah, but it looks so festive at the end, and -- Oh, well.

C'est la vie, ma cherie.

Oh, no, Avis. I don't deserve cheering up.

I fucked the duck.

Oh, excuse me, sir.

How about these?

You know, this is silly. I don't know why I even care.

You're all set with what you're wearing?

Black, I'm assuming.

I have a few options I'm mulling over.

Still a little shell-shocked you included me.

Oh, why wouldn't you be at the WGBH table?

You're part of the show.

New York City.

I do miss her so.

Yes, it is fun to visit.

But, between us, it was a terrible place to be a virgin.

Well, these aren't bad.

Oh.

You know, I did something a bit reckless.

Mm?

Oh, you didn't.

We haven't spoken in years,

but we had a lovely chat.

What was the name again?

Elliot Astor.

Oh, Avis, how marvelous.

Oh, excuse me, what about these?

That would be a no.

Well, I have an idea.

Why don't you just bring me whatever you do have in a 12,

and we'll go from there?

I want to look elegant, but professional.

Classy. This is classy, right?

If by classy you mean sexless.

If it were up to you, you'd slather me with raw meat

and shove me into the lion's den.

Sweetheart, you only get to be young once.

I worry you're not taking advantage.

Mm.

Let the people see them.

You know, most mothers

would appreciate their daughter's modesty.

Most mothers are becoming happy grandmothers by now.

Oh, God, not this again.

Please, Alice.

Can't you say yes just this once?

He's a lawyer from a good family.

And if he looks anything like his father,

a cup of coffee won't kill you.

It's a big deal. The Waldorf Astoria?

Wish I could go.

I'm not excited about the Waldorf, Mare.

What's the shirt for, Russ?

Alright, you remember my old professor,

Richard Leacock?

Well, he's setting me up with another former student.

She makes documentaries all over the South.

Mm.

I know. I know. I know, I know.

We have a baby, and babies demand things

like food and clothes, but I have to try, Mare.

I need to work at something I love,

not just something I'm good at.

Maybe it's just the fear of death or something, but...

...I want to be remembered.

Fondly? Or just in general?

Bless you.

That's, what, number four now?

And in the midst of cuddling.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no. No, don't apologize.

I liked it.

It worked for me.

Ooh. One more for the repertoire.

Oh.

"But it is my hope that someday,

despite its essential nature,

cooking, like architecture, will be seen by Americans

not just as a practical pursuit, but as an art."

Is it too much?

But I wonder if you need to tackle the rebuttal.

The rebuttal?

The ephemeral nature of the meal.

Versailles endures.

The mousse does not.

Paul. Gesundheit.

I'm offering after-dinner remarks at the Waldorf.

It's not a lecture at Harvard Hall.

Fine. Just change "cooking" to "gastronomie"

and call it a night.

That is a good note.

You usually get hives before you go to New York.

Is that more of the same, do you think?

Uh, that's my guess.

One might describe it as an, um, allergic memory.

My body thinks I'm dreading the trip.

But my body is wrong, for once.

Come on, I'll drive you.

Oh, this is very nice.

I'm dying.

Oh, you've died?

Thank you so much.

Thank you. If you'll follow me.

I'm good from here. Thank you.

Oh, darling.

I can't leave you like this.

Oh, you must. It's too

impor... ...tant.

But, Paul, it's just lunch.

Blanche Knopf at Lutèce is not "just lunch."

Could you get me a cold compress?

I'll get it.

And my diary.

Oh, eat a lot of foie gras for me.

Try and remember the sensation exactly

so you can report back.

Oh, of course, darling.

If something happens to me...

while you're at lunch, just remember,

I love you to pieces and I hold no grudges.

Oh, that's it. I-I'm not going.

See what you've done, Paul?

I--

I'll stay.

Nonsense, you have your date.

It's for the best. Really.

I'll see if he can meet tomorrow.

Oh, no, we couldn't. Tell her, Paul.

Go, go, go, go.

I'm fine.

This is too important for you.

To be perfectly frank, the day was already feeling

a little overcrowded for my liking.

You're an angel.

Let's see if they have any chicken soup in this dump.

Oh, my goodness. Foie gras with

dark chocolate sauce and a bitter orange marmalade.

Is it hot in here or is it just me?

I had it last week. It's good if you like that kind of thing.

Is it as sinful and insane as it sounds?

It's a little rich.

It evoked a dessert my mother used to make for seder.

I'm so delighted to be here.

I just wish Paul were up to it, but...

Thank you, Blanche, for the lovely invitation.

The room is simply magnificent.

Of course I've read about it, but even before one bite,

it exceeds all expectations.

Who can see with this lighting?

And this menu -- Andre's wife, Simone, writes them,

but her penmanship --

Where are you looking?

Nonsense, I'm not a child.

Tonight's a very big night for Julia, Blanche.

Public television's brightest stars

from all over the country are coming,

and she's a guest of honor.

Yes, yes. I know.

I read the memo.

You know what's truly amazing?

"The French Chef" has brought a whole new audience

to "Mastering."

Sales have more than tripled

since she went on the airwaves.

I'll have to check it out.

Oh, you've never watched it?

Truth is, I hardly watch any television at all.

Well, I completely understand.

Paul and I bought our first television just this past year,

and only because I've got my own show.

There's something transient and ephemeral

about television which makes me leery.

I respectfully disagree, Blanche.

There's no denying it. TV is the future.

TV is not the future.

It's fleeting. Airwaves carry no weight.

They have no heft. Now, a book in your hands --

Books accumulate in the minds of the readers

who invest in them.

Gosh, I like that.

Well, books are a legacy -- a legacy to be proud of.

Don't get me wrong -- I'm glad your show is helping to get your name out there,

but we want that next book.

That's what's important.

That's what counts.

Just another minute.

Couldn't we leave that in a little longer?

It's been such a nice respite from all the complaining.

I can't breathe.

We can't understand you.

With the thermometer in my mouth --

Would you prefer the alternative?

Don't worry, Doc. I'll take the stick out first.

Well, young man, I'm ready to make my diagnosis.

What is it, Doctor? Tell me quickly.

Rip the Band-Aid off.

In all my years in practice,

I've never seen anything quite like it.

I knew it. I knew it was bad.

See?

You have a mild flu.

A mild flu, you say?

Yes, he'll be fine in a day or so.

Get lots of rest.

And, uh, some more chicken soup wouldn't hurt.

Oy.

That's it, sweetheart.

Now, be a good wife and keep him full of liquids,

and he'll be better in no time.

Wife? No, no. No, no, no. No.

Him and me? No, we're not married.

We're definitely not married.

Oh.

Next time, you may want to take the ring off,

you son of a bitch.

No, no, no. No, wait. No.

No, there's been a misunderstanding.

I'm not sure where you can find a print.

Perhaps at the Public Library.

"Integration Report One."

Okay, I'll remember that.

I'm sorry I didn't watch this before we met.

It all happened so last minute.

You don't need to apologize.

I would never have made the film

without Ricky's encouragement.

He spoke very highly of you.

But I have to warn you -- independent documentaries?

Funding them is almost impossible.

I've nearly given up myself.

Oh, don't do that. Don't tell my wife.

Oh.

Thank you.

So, what's your subject?

I don't know. Not yet.

I just know there are stories to be told --

in Jackson, Birmingham.

If I go down there with my camera --

You're from Boston?

Born and raised.

The fight is happening in your own backyard, Russ.

You know about the Freedom Campaign?

Of course.

There may not be laws in Massachusetts

that separate Black kids from white ones,

but Boston is as segregated as Birmingham.

Just go outside and turn on your camera.

Tell the story of the Deep North.

I'm embarrassed.

No, I am.

Thank you. That's good advice.

Such obvious, good advice.

And I had to come all the way to New York to hear it.

Public television is the place to be doing this work, too.

I'm talking to WNET.

You get WGBH on board, we'll work side by side.

Ready to order?

Oh, uh --

Okay.

What are you producing for them now?

Now? Um, uh, not much.

This show called "The French Chef."

Oh, my God.

You're kidding.

You know it?

I've made every single recipe.

You work with Julia Child?

I do.

Is she really as wonderful as she seems?

Yeah, I guess so. Sure.

Can you turn up the heat again?

I'm boiling, Paul.

Well, then can you check and see

if there's a-an extra blanket in the closet?

I'm freezing. My teeth are chattering.

I could damage my tongue.

That's a good wife.

Can you believe the nerve of that guy?

Why? I can see how he made the assumption.

Really?

Well, maybe we should get him back here, then,

and check your eyesight.

Geez, Avis. Me thinks thou doth protest too much.

What's that supposed to mean?

You know exactly what it means.

Of course I know what it means. I'm not an idiot.

I just have no idea why you're saying it.

You're here, aren't you?

Someone had to stay with you.

Instead of being on your hot date with Mr. Moneybags?

Astor. Mr. Moneybags-Astor.

You love me.

Admit it. You love me.

You've got someone waiting for you,

and you'd rather sit at my sick bed.

Do you want some water?

Great. Go get it.

You love me.

You eat very quickly.

Do I?

Oh, yeah. Yeah, I guess I do.

My -- My mother always scolded me,

"Alice, you'll be done with dinner before

the rest of us have finished our breakfast."

Well, you've got places to go.

That is a generous interpretation.

No, I mean literally. Y-You have places to go today.

Oh, yes. Yes. Well --

I mean, there was a whole negotiation

between our mothers.

Lunch, not dinner.

60 minutes maximum.

Yeah, but we came back with 90, and we closed the deal.

I wanted to meet you.

It's just, my mother, she tries to set me up on blind dates

as much as she tries to get me to go to church.

This is the first time I've said yes.

Well, you're a stronger person than I am.

Oh, so I'm one in a long line?

Well, if it makes you feel any better,

I told my mother, "This is it, alright?

After this, I'm done."

My first. Your last. We have perfect timing.

Um, so... uh, you passed the bar.

Yeah. Oh, she told you that?

And I accepted a job, too.

Oh, congratulations.

I'm going to be a public defender.

I was supposed to take this position at a big firm.

My parents are going to kill me.

Because I spent all this time and money going to law school

only to take a job that pays me nothing.

But it's a job I really want to do, so...

Well, I think that's cool.

Tell me about being a public defender.

Oh, not until you tell me about TV.

Working in TV, that's cool.

Oh, you watch?

"Perry Mason," "The Twilight Zone."

Yeah, I-I don't make any of those.

Not yet.

Oh, my.

Oh!

I'm sorry.

I have just had an experience.

I hope I'm not interrupting.

Oh, Andre, how nice.

Hello.

On the contrary.

That was perhaps the most exquisite meal

I've had on this side of the Atlantic.

As grand as any meal I've had in Paris.

Bravo, Chef.

I'm Julia Child.

But of course I know who you are.

Oh, you do?

You're the French Chef.

Oh, well...

No, you're the French Chef.

Exactly.

You are as delightful in color

as you are in black and white.

Oh, well, being here is like being in Oz,

as well as in awe.

I can't tell you how many people come to Lutèce

and ask for dishes you have shown them on your program.

We're even moving sweetbreads.

Ooh, how spectacular.

But, uh, may I ask you a small favor, mon ami?

Oh, yes, of course. Anything.

Let's leave the real cooking to the men,

or I'll be out of a job, eh?

La cuisine Francaise is no place for a woman.

Not even a French one.

à bientôt, Julia.

It was truly an honor.

I'll get the check.

How long can one lunch last?

You can go if you want.

I told Julia I'd stay.

Not everyone in this room would agree with that statement.

Why are you here, Avis? Seriously.

You clearly don't like me --

Clearly.

And I'm agreeing with you.

Nice we can agree on something.

Frankly, Paul...

as much as I've enjoyed your infantile behavior,

I'm not here because of you.

I'm here because of me.

Because, uh...

Because I'm a chicken.

And not the delicious kind.

Your cold came at a perfect time for me.

Well, well, well.

Your secret is safe with me.

I'll get you a fresh compress.

Thank you.

When Bernard died, everything changed.

I retreated into myself, away from everybody,

even my own children.

I honestly thought I'd never find another co-conspirator.

'Cause that's what we were...

Me and Bernard.

And then I did find one.

With your wife.

Hey.

You won't believe it...

...but that is what happened to me.

When Edith died, I was lost,

rootless.

And then Julia waltzed into my life.

Well...

The truth is, Paul,

it'd be so much easier if you were dead.

Yes, I've felt that.

Well, I-I have a very big family.

Two sisters. Three brothers.

Okay, so you want six kids?

How -- How many do you want?

Not six.

No, not any right now. Not for a while.

I have things I want to do first.

Okay. Okay.

Oh, what?

Well, my mother would not approve.

A wife who wants to work

instead of churning out half-a-dozen grandchildren?

Yeah, she'd hate me.

Mine would hate you even more.

Well, you don't go to church. Not even on Easter.

You're going to make no money.

Yeah.

Apparently, you'll date anyone at all.

You have no discernment.

Oh, uh...

Here you go.

See me again tonight.

I-I have the gala tonight.

Then after.

Way after. Tomorrow.

I have a train in the morning.

Okay.

Well...

here is my number.

I'll be home all night.

What's the point, Isaac?

We have jobs in two different cities.

It makes no sense.

But still, there's my number.

I'll be sitting very close to the phone.

Say yes. Say no. I don't care.

But you both need to go. We're closed.

Okay, okay.

You okay?

Oh, I'm perfectly fine.

Blame the lack of conversation

on a bit of indigestion, that's all.

My eyes were bigger than my stomach for once.

Chocolate sauce.

Right.

I'll talk to her.

That's just Blanche being Blanche.

Though she was in top form today.

No, I can take a little criticism,

particularly from Blanche.

But nothing can dull

my excitement for the day to come.

We have a gala to be honored at, Judith.

Yes, we do!

And that conversation with Andre has sparked my thinking.

Please. I want to eat the man's food,

not hear his philosophy.

Oh, no, no.

He made his point.

I'm going to attempt some alterations to my speech.

And all to the good, I think.

Oh, God, don't wake him.

You've been here all this time?

You're an angel, that's what you are.

We had fun.

I've never paid a babysitter before.

This one's on the house.

Just don't forget to burp him in an hour.

Home early today.

I have to change for the WNET Gala.

You were too tough on her today.

What?

That wasn't fair.

I disagree. The woman gushes and flutters.

Shamed into it, I took a peek at her program this afternoon.

She mugs like she's Lucille Ball.

Careful, Blanche.

You'll be known as our resident Luddite.

I'm all for progress.

A chapter a week, please.

Maybe I'm taking my frustration out on the wrong person.

Meaning what?

You spend too much time on cookbooks.

Blanche, you just made an argument for them

today at lunch.

Yes, for her.

That's what she can do -- the best that she can do.

She can write cookbooks.

You are another story.

It's one book.

It's one book on my list.

That is not the point.

I have been around the block, Judith.

I own the block.

I can see what's happening,

where your heart is.

So what?

So what if it gives me pleasure,

if I enjoy spending time with Julia Child?

Because your legacy is Anne Frank,

Jean-Paul Sartre, and Camus.

You just won the National Book Award.

Okay?

You are the preeminent woman editor in the country.

I have groomed you to be that.

There is no one else like you, except me.

That makes you an example for all other women.

And you cannot take your stature,

this opportunity you have as a woman in this business

and squander it editing cookbooks.

Let someone else do that. Anyone else.

You cannot.

You cannot.

I have a gala to attend.

I'll see you tomorrow, Blanche.

That is some dress.

Oh, thank you, Russ.

You look very dapper yourself.

No, I don't own a tuxedo.

Well, handsome nonetheless.

It's quite a crowd.

Well, it's not just for me.

Shall we procure a drink for fortification

and then head in?

Oh, he's under the weather, unfortunately.

Oh.

Be my date for the evening?

Absolutely.

You rang?

I'm gonna be late for the gala.

That makes two of us.

You're not dressed and -- You're sick as a dog.

I'll be damned if I miss this moment of hers.

But these cufflinks come from a circle of Hell

I've only just now become acquainted with.

I'll trade you.

You can help me zip up my dress.

Apparently, I'm wearing something single ladies

aren't supposed to put on on their own.

Good. Shut the door.

Ladies and gentlemen, our emcee for this evening --

the President of the United States.

There's a fella named Vaughn Meader

running around, pretending to be me,

stealin' all my best lines.

"Ask not what you can do for your country."

That's my line.

Apparently, Mr. Meader wasn't available this evening.

Am I late? I was afraid I'd be late.

Oh, not at all. And how lovely you look.

I'm so happy to be here.

Find your seat, Ma'am.

Don't mind me. Take any seat.

It doesn't matter if you have to turn around.

There's nothing to see up here anyway.

Jackie's not coming tonight.

Oh, Judith.

He's very good. I've seen him before.

Well, isn't this jolly fun.

Might as well kick things off.

To us, to WGBH,

and to "The French Chef."

Here, here.

we're here to honor public television,

which Jackie tells me means television

that everyone has to pay for and no one actually watches.

But I told him, I said, "Nikita, I can't take you anywhere."

Oh, what are you two doing?

Oh, Paul, this is too much.

You're meant to be in bed.

I'm meant to be with you, love.

And Avis.

Avis. Oh, you gorgeous thing.

It was a moment of impetuousness,

and I'm already having second thoughts.

Vanish the thought.

...guests, Mayor Wagner and his wife.

And Congressman Hugh Carey.

And now I'd like to introduce another very special guest.

She's the author of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking"

and the host of "The French Chef" on WGBH,

now playing across the country --

Mrs. Julia Child.

Just in time.

I love you.

I love you.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I won't sing "Happy Birthday," if it's all the same to you.

Oh, my.

If you'll indulge me,

permit an introduction to the "French Chef" team.

They're back there, at table six.

Judith Jones, editor extraordinaire,

who somehow has found time for me

amongst the literary pantheon.

And Hunter Fox, our general manager,

who believed a housewife could make a television show.

And Russ Morash, our dashing director and producer,

who actually makes that television show.

And brave, resourceful, ingenious Alice Naman,

fledgling producer and one-day television pioneer.

And then there is my very best friend,

Avis DeVoto...

...and Paul Child, my husband -- my partner,

whom I hold in my heart of hearts, first and last.

Well, it tickles me more than you know

that our little show has found an audience.

But I suppose the response I still get most from people is,

"I'm sorry, what?"

"What does that possibly mean, a show about cooking?

You cook and we watch,

and then we watch as you eat what you've just cooked?

Am I missing something?"

And I answer this way --

that what we're actually making is a travel program;

that television is like a window,

and the best of it opens to the most remarkable places;

that food itself is like a passport;

that the culture, the history is locked inside the flavors

and the aromas that are unique to each cuisine.

I don't cook for chefs.

I cook for other cooks.

For ordinary people -- mostly women, housewives --

and I say to them, you have endless horizons,

far beyond the walls of your house, your block, your town.

The whole world is your oyster --

quite literally.

And if you take the time it requires to make a great meal,

then you may feel the same sense of accomplishment,

of mastery, that I feel.

And because I'm not a chef --

I'm not always a very good cook --

because I fail, they tend to believe it.

And so we go on this journey together.

And that is owing to all of you

and your support of public television.

And so I say thank you and bon appétit.

Well, I have to introduce her to Lady Bird.

Jackie and I are tired of eating King Ranch Chicken

every Sunday night at Lyndon's place.

Well, folks, enjoy your main course.

You are a marvel. And thank you.

Well, every word is true.

And you may relax now.

The speech was better for Andre's intervention.

And Russ.

Thank you.

Julia.

You have no idea how much it means to me

that you said what you did --

not just about me,

about what you do.

Oh, it's what we do.

Thank you, Alice.

One more thing?

Oh, I've been waiting for this moment

for what feels like my entire life,

so I know this is a little peculiar,

but would it be entirely unforgivable if I leave early?

I forbid you to stay.

Thank you.

What are you doing here?

Well, who were you calling?

Let's go.

Wait.

Well, I need to get my blood moving again.

Ladies' room?

Pass.

Ah.

I'm going to the bar. Refresh?

Please.

Ooh.

My legs are ostentatiously long,

but I do get to meet my table neighbor.

Betty Friedan. Nice to meet you,

even over the shoulder.

Oh, Betty Friedan. My goodness.

I'm seated in a lively neighborhood.

I just bought your book.

Apologies in advance, but I haven't read it yet.

The television schedule is a hard taskmaster.

I'd be very interested to hear what you think.

Oh, well, then, we shall speak.

You wouldn't mind joining me at a seat over here, would you?

Otherwise, I may not be able to move my neck in the morning.

Oh.

Ooh. Lovely pearls.

Oh, they belonged to my mother.

Thank you.

Good evening.

What can I get you?

Dirty martini.

Make that two.

We're trapped by it.

Women are.

By the feminine mystique?

By its assumptions.

Well, that women are meant to find fulfillment

in -- in -- in -- in housework,

marriage, child rearing.

As opposed to what men do.

Exactly.

And is that a choice, either/or?

Uh, well, look at the world.

Well, I'm childless myself.

But for me, I haven't found that to be the case.

Well, in all candor, Mrs. Child --

Oh, Julia.

You're not a good example.

Of your argument, you mean?

Or to others?

Let's not have this conversation here.

Oh, but we are having it.

And whatever needs to be said should be said.

I don't know you.

But I have seen your program,

and it's not helping things.

Well, that is your opinion.

Yes.

You think you're opening doors for women,

expanding their horizons.

They may be dreaming of France,

but they're stuck in front of a hot stove.

Your show is 30 minutes,

but that's an illusion, Mrs. Child.

Your recipes take days to make and hours to clean up.

A good meatloaf isn't enough anymore?

Now women have to prepare meals worthy of the finest chefs

and still leave time for the children and the laundry?

You've nicely raised the bar on what it means to be

a good wife to professional levels.

Now, see here --

who you have locked in the kitchen,

possibly find time for anything else,

let alone a career?

How rude!

And you have no conception of what she's doing.

I'm sorry, who are you?

Oh, her husband.

You're not helping things, Paul.

If you'll excuse me.

Darling, uh...

Was that necessary?

Not now, but in general.

You've entirely missed the point of her, lady.

Mind if I join you?

Oh, suit yourself.

I saw you from across the way.

Thought maybe you could use some company.

I'm sorry.

For what?

I enjoyed your speech very much.

A travel show,

I like that.

Well, I'm not sure everyone agrees with you.

There are people in there who positively can't stand me.

Well, I like you.

I like you just the way you are.

Thank you.

Thank you for that.

I'm Julia.

Hello, Julia. I'm Fred.

Hello, Fred.

I know I should probably go back in,

but would you mind just sitting here with me

for another moment?

I wouldn't mind at all.