Original subtitles

("Theme from UpstairsDownstairs" by Alexander Faris")

(doorbell ringing)

- Miss Elizabeth.

- Oh, Rose, take these before I drop them all.

- Very good, madam.

- Any news of Edward?

- Hospital said he broke his leg in three places.

- Oh, those kitchen stairs are a deathtrap.

- I know.

- Lady Prudence is collecting those when she comes to tea.

- All right.

Everything all right Chez Madam Yvonne?

- Fine, thank you, Rose, except that some people

seem to think it unnecessary to pay for what they buy.

- Eh, you should get the police on them.

- Commit half the peeresses into Brechter Prison,

I wouldn't mind.

Oh, whose hat?

- Beg pardon?

- Who has left and extremely shiny silk hat

on the hall table?

And a somewhat elaborate cane?

- Mr. Bellamy has a visitor, madam, in the drawing room.

- Well, he should know better.

- Who is it?

- Mr. Karekin.

- Mr. Karekin is hardly a visitor, Rose.

- No, madam.

- But of course we're in your debt, Karekin,

very much so, as my wife you when I left her,

but you must remember,

I'm only a humble member of the opposition.

- Who nevertheless held office under the crown.

-[Richard] True.

- And son-in-law to the late Earl of Southwold.

- Yes but that fact does not empower me to grant honors.

Only Mr. Asquith can recommend that--

- Julius!

Nobody told me you were here.

-[Richard] Elizabeth, we are discussing business.

- Julius and I are partners in business.

The hat business.

- Yes, my dear, but these are matters of

rather more importance than ladies hats.

- Oh, are they?

I'm sorry, I'll go away then!

- I shall take you to lunch at the Ritz if you wish.

- I'm lunching today, thank you, Julius.

- Then I shall call and see you later at the shop if I may.

- By all means do.

I'll not disturb you any further, excuse me!

- As was saying, there's little I can do for the moment.

Especially since the House rose yesterday

for the spring recess.

- All the same if my offer could

eventually reach the ears of the party treasurer...

- I'll do what I can.

I can't say more.

Um, tell me Kireken, what exactly are your politics?

- In what sense?

- You have friends in the liberal party,

yet you offer to finance the conservatives.

Are you, by any chance, backing two horses at once?

- I'm a foreigner, Bellamy, I'm not impressed

by your English two party system.

- Only for your own personal advancement.

-[Kireken] Quite.

- Your frankness does you credit.

- Thank you.

- Nevertheless, in this country, gentlemen are expected

to favor only one political cause at a time.

As they would favor only one woman at a time.

- True, Bellamy, but as I'm constantly reminding

your charming daughter,

I am no gentleman.

- Quite.

- It was good of you to receive me.

- Not at all.

Hudson, Mr. Kireken's leaving.

Can I call you a cab?

- Thank you, no, I have my car.

- Good morning, Lady Marjorie.

-[Lady Marjorie] Ah, Mr. Kireken, how nice.

- Mr. Kireken is leaving, my dear.

Are you just in or going out?

- On my way out to the Times Book Club in Widmore Street.

- Might I perhaps drive you there in my motorcar?

- Oh, how kind of you.

You're sure it's not out of your way?

Hudson I'll be back to luncheon,

and we're expecting Lady Prudence for tea.

-[Hudson] Very good, my lady.

- Well, she could not marry him anyway.

Not while she's still married to Mr. Kirbridge.

- In name only.

- That's all it ever was, name only.

- Oh, no, she couldn't marry him!

- Of course you'd think not, indeed.

Marry a man like that?

- Like what, Miss Roberts?

- Like Mr. Kireken.

- Well, he's rich.

Very attractive.

Kind and thoughtful.

- Hmph.

Put a turban on his head and he'd be

out of The Arabian Nights.

- (laughs) That's right, Arabian.

One of them Eastern potentates

with a different wife in every port. (chuckles)

- I think you'll find that Mr. Kireken is Armenian,

Mrs. Bridges, not Arabian.

- Oh, well, it's all the same.

All coffee colored, oily hair and rings on their fingers.

- And bells on their toes.

- (cackles) (bell ringing)

- And bells to answer.

Joan, front door.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Well, that'll be the postman.

- Oh.

Can't really see myself wearing this in the royal enclosure.

Can you?

- Well it is a bit gaudy,

but it gives you a certain authority.

- Authority?

Ha, the authority of a madam over her girls, I should think.

Well that looks a bit better.

It's a bilious color though.

- Hope these are on approval.

- Oh, dear me, yes.

I sent word to Elizabeth by Agatha to let us have

a few hats to try on for the dear child's wedding.

-[Lady Marjorie] Isn't it funny we've never met Clive.

- Oh, Clive's all right.

Family's clergy yeoman farmers mostly.

But there's no money there.

I've warned the girl, she may have to rough it.

- Yes Joan?

- The afternoon post m'lady.

- Thank you.

Pianos to...

James!

- Ooh, how exciting.

- You can take the tea things, Joan.

-[Joan] Very good, m'lady.

- It's from the ship, posted at Brindisi.

- On his way home?

- Yes, from India.

"We dock at Tilbury on May 5th," that's next week.

"Hope to be home in time for dinner,

"am bringing Phyllis."

- Phyllis?

Marjorie, he's not...

- "Am bringing Phyllis Kingman home with me for a few days,

"before she goes to Leamington to stay with her aunt.

"She's a topping girl, marvelous horsewoman,

"and a good looker. I'm sure you and father will like her.

"I hope you do because I already popped the question.

"Going through the Suez Canal, actually, and she said yes,

"so we're sort of..."

- Engaged!

- "Engaged."

- Will there be anything further, m'lady?

- No, thank you, Joan.

- Is there any more?

- They're looking forward to getting home,

"How are all at Eaton Place, your loving son, James.

"P.S. I forgot to mention that Phyl's pater

"is a Major in the Army Veterinary Corps,

"awfully nice chap and first rate with polo ponies."

- Well, Marjorie dear, I better leave you

and get these wretched hats home.

- Well, at least she's not a servant.

Let's hope she's not pregnant!

- Hardly likely with her father a vet.

- A horse doctor?

- That's right.

- A veterinary surgeon is qualified to look

after sick animals of all kinds, Joan.

- I know, Mr. Hudson, but in the army he sees to the horses.

I mean they don't have goats and pigs in a cavalry regiment,

they have horses.

- Now don't be flippant, my girl,

I'll have to send you out of the room.

- What's more important is what sort of girl is she?

If she's a decent girl her father can be a chimney sweep.

- Hoo, that's a change of tune coming from you,

Miss Roberts.

- I gave up hope years ago, Rose, of Captain James

every marrying into the nobility.

- Not after Sarah, eh.

- Let's have a wee bit of respect now, please.

If Captain James has chosen a fiance,

she will be entitled to recognition by the staff

of this house whatever our private feelings may be.

Now get on with your tea, all of you.

- Corsets top drawer, left hand side,

corset laces, top drawer, right hand side.

Camisoles second drawer, left hand side,

drawers, second drawer, right hand side.

All petticoats laid out neatly in the third drawer down,

and all stockings put in a silk bag next to them.

Well?

- Hasn't Miss Lizzie got nice things?

- Mmm, she has.

Not as nice as her Ladyship, of course,

but then she's older.

And it's Mrs. Kirbridge until you've been here a bit longer.

- Yes, I see, Rose.

- I only call her Miss Lizzie 'cause I been

looking after her ever since...

Well.

Ever since she was Miss Lizzie.

Corsets top drawer, left hand side.

- Done that.

- Corset laces, top drawer, right hand side.

- Done that.

- Camisoles second drawer, left hand side.

Drawers second drawer, right hand side.

All petticoats laid out neatly in the third drawer down,

and all stockings put in a silk bag...

next to them.

(sighs)

- Um, what dress shall I put out

for Mrs. Kirbridge for dinner?

- Oh, I don't suppose she'll have time to change now,

it must've gone half past seven.

- Shall I turn her bed down, then?

- Might as well, just in case.

- In case of what?

- In case...

Nevermind.

- Well this is her bed.

I mean, she does sleep here.

- Never know these days.

- What?

- Nothing.

Get out her night dress,

you'll find it in the bottom drawer.

Lay it neatly on the chair with her negligee,

and slippers

facing outwards.

- Why?

So she can slip into them easy.

If you're gonna be a lady's maid you

got to learn all the little tricks, haven't ya?

- I'm not sure I wanna be a lady's maid.

- And draw the curtains on the landing!

- Yes, Rose!

(someone knocking at the door)

- I'm sorry if I startled you.

Did you think, perhaps I was a thief,

trying to break into the shop and steal the cash?

- There's precious little cash to steal, Julius.

Besides you said this morning you were coming.

- But, uh, not this late.

I've kept you waiting.

- I wasn't waiting for you, I was working.

Trying to tidy up this wretched desk.

There's no time for it during the day.

- How is trade?

- It's all right.

- Outstanding accounts.

Many?

- A few.

- Lady Applebey, 14 pounds.

The Honorable Mrs. Charles Ravens, 1,269 pounds,

twelve and six!

October the 15th.

Do you mean to say this woman

hasn't paid her account for six months?

Mrs. Winnow.

Lady Joan Cray.

The Viscountess de Vernay.

I don't call that a few.

Why hasn't your electricity account been paid since...

Last January!

- I've no idea.

Did you come here simply to criticize

my running of the business?

- The object of running a business, Elizabeth,

is to make money, is it not?

Anyway, I came here to ask you,

since you declined my invitation to lunch,

if you will accept my invitation to dine this evening.

Now.

- I'm not dressed to dine, I'm very grubby,

and I'm rather tired.

-[Kireken] As you wish.

- Who's Lady Blanche Compton?

- Lady Blanche Compton, why do you ask?

- Because Jeanette told me that while I was

taking some hats home this morning,

where incidentally you were closeted

for some unknown reason with my father,

that a certain Lady Blanche Compton came in

to choose three hats for herself.

The account to be sent to a Mr. Julius Kireken

at Albany, Piccadilly.

- Well?

- Well.

I wondered if she might be some relative of yours.

- No you didn't.

You wondered if she were an old or new ladyfriend.

Well the answer to that is, quite new.

I met her at a bridge party last week.

She's the younger daughter of a marquis.

- So within a few months of our meeting,

you buy three hats from my shop for another woman?

-[Kireken] Why not?

- What sort of a man are you?

- A philanderer.

- Then what do you want from me?

-[Kireken] A friendship.

- Are you sure it isn't the friendship of my parents,

for what they can do for you?

I was foolish and naive enough

to think I was being loved for myself, but I wasn't.

Was I?

Every kindness you've shown me, every kiss,

every caress, has been calculated.

To further your career,

to advance you in society, hasn't it?

Hasn't it?

- I warned you from the beginning that I was a snob,

and an adventurer, but you were not deterred.

- So, now you're casting me off

like one of last year's hats.

- You're casting yourself off, my dear,

I've invited you to dine with me this evening,

to go on as friends.

But I will not be pinned down into making any

false declarations of love to you.

I never have.

I'm dishonest about many things, but never about love.

You're a charming companion, Elizabeth,

to lunch and dine and talk and sleep with,

but I am not in love with you.

- Well, since you're so critical of the way

I'm running the shop, and on familiar terms,

it seems, with most of the titled ladies in London society,

I suggest you take over.

I'm sure you can extract from them

the money they owe for their idiotic hats.

I'm going home.

- I brought you some nice, cold roast beef.

- You shouldn't have troubled, Rose, I said I wasn't hungry.

- Well, you got to eat sometime.

Mrs. Bridges wants to know would you like the sweet?

It's chocolate blancmange.

- No thank you, nothing else.

I'm really not hungry.

Did you explain I had a headache?

- Yes I did, and her Ladyship said if you've still got it

tomorrow morning she's sending for Dr. Foley.

- I'm not ill, Rose.

I just don't think I could face another evening

down there with them, answering their endless questions.

- What about, Miss Lizzie?

- You know what about.

"Are you still seeing him?"

"Is he your lover?"

"Does he know about Lawrence?"

"How rich is he really?"

- It's only natural for them to want to know,

after all you are their only daughter.

- Well James will be home tomorrow,

so perhaps that'll take their attention off me for a change.

- Yeah, well let's hope you can cheer up a bit

for your brother's homecoming.

That's more like it.

Are you still seeing him?

- I don't know.

We had words tonight at the shop,

for the first time I was really angry with him.

- What's he done to you?

- Why do all men have to behave

as if all women are stupid, silly creatures?

- He said that?

- He thinks I'm incapable of running

a simple little business like a hat shop.

- Well in that case, why did he give you one as a present,

if he thought you couldn't manage it?

- Oh, it was a gesture, Rose.

Something glittering to dangle in front of my eyes

like a Christmas toy for a child.

Dazzle it and make it obedient.

And now he blames me for all the bad debts and the losses.

So I told him he could run the

beastly shop himself and I walked out.

-[Rose] Is that all?

Just because he...

- Well there was another reason, but I...

- Well, I think you've given up too easy.

If women can't manage shops and businesses,

how can they be expected to vote in Parliament?

- You're right, Rose, you're absolutely right.

- Now I don't know what went on tonight

between you and Mr. Kireken, but I do know one thing.

You've got to show him that you're not a soft,

silly woman what can't manage her own affairs.

Now, you go back there tomorrow night

and sort out the accounts.

- All right.

- And if he tries to interfere,

you'll just tell him to mind his own business

and you'll mind yours.

And it is yours, 'cause he give it you.

- Yes.

- That's more like my Miss Lizzie.

- Elizabeth?

Half ten, where is the girl?

Mrs. Kirbridge left word to say she'd be in

later for dinner, sir, she had business

to attend to at her shop.

- Her shop?

- Yes, my daughter runs a hat shop in Mayfair.

- How unusual!

- That sounds rather fun!

- Well, if the servants could show us to our rooms...

- I'll do that when they've taken up the luggage.

- Pity, Elizabeth not being here.

Still, you can see the old girl later.

- Well, why don't we all go upstairs to

the drawing room and sit down.

Personally I found waiting for the boat to dock

somewhat tiring on the feet.

- Here, come along up.

We'll have tea in the drawing room, Hudson,

when they've taken up the luggage.

- Very good my lady.

- And tell them not to bang about with my small trunk!

It's got some very fragile china ornaments in it.

Something we bought for you and James' father in Bombay.

Your house is quite deluxe, isn't it?

James said it was.

The idiotic fool of a native groom

forgot to fasten his girth tight,

and they were in full cry after a very fast pig,

when father's horse stumbled and his saddle slipped,

father went under Panther's belly at full gallop!

- How very uncomfortable.

- Oh, it was, he got kicked in the eye and had to let go.

He had an awful fall.

He broke his rib and bruised his pelvis.

But he said afterwards he'd had a splendid day.

He's going to have a crack at the Kurda Cup this year.

I say, I'd love another piece of cake.

- Phyllis rides jolly well herself, mama.

- I'm sure she does.

I'm afraid a gentle cantor in Rotten Row

is all we can offer you here.

- Oh, I'll be shopping mostly while I'm in town.

Get myself some decent clothes.

- You can buy yourself a hat at my sister's shop.

Can't she mother?

- Yes.

- How long will your father be stationed in India?

- They were due home last spring

but he got offered a brigade posting and it meant promotion,

so they'll be stopping on for another three years.

- I'll be staying in Leamington with my Aunt Hilda,

she's my mother's sister, until...

Well, until James and I can make some plans.

- Yes, yes quite.

- Of course you must stay here with us

while you're in London.

- Oh, I will, thank you Lady Marjorie.

- Perhaps you'd like to come up now and see your rooms?

- Oh, thanks awfully.

Stay and talk to your father, James.

James doesn't look a bit like you, does he?

Much more like his father.

I look like my father, or so my mother says.

- Well, James, it's good to have you back.

- It's good to be back.

By the way I, uh, managed to save a bit of pay out there.

In fact, my bank account's in credit

for the first time since...

Well, since I went away.

Phyl's been marvelous.

She helped me stop spending money.

- Does she know why you were Secundared?

- I did tell her...

- About?

- Just about being in debt.

- Oh, that's all right.

- I uh...

I know I'm not supposed to mention the subject, but...

I would like to know, purely...

Out of curiosity...

What happened to Sarah?

- Oh, she left us after all.

She became fond of a chauffer we took on,

a Welsh fellow called Watkins.

They left together to uh, start up a garage, I believe.

-[James] Married?

- Oh, yes, yes, he married her.

- Oh, good.

Good, I hope she'll be all right.

- Yes.

Well perhaps you'll be relieved to know

she was having a baby when she left.

Probably had it by now, so...

- So, no harm was done when she lost--

- Oh, no, none.

- Good.

- Phyllis seems a nice girl.

Strong character, I feel.

- (laughs) She's a...

She's very determined.

- Oh, yes, one can see that.

- I'm very lucky you know.

She could have married anyone she liked.

- You're really sure she's the girl you want to marry?

I mean, you have given plenty of thought

to this, haven't you?

- Oh, yes.

Yes, I'm extremely fond of her.

- But you are...

In love?

- Oh, yes, I really am.

I know I am.

- I see.

Good.

Now.

Tell me.

When do you rejoin your regiment?

- Well, I see my Colonel on Thursday,

I've got some leave for about three weeks, and then, um...

And then it depends.

- On what?

- Well I...

I don't know how you and mother feel about this but I'm...

I'm thinking of leaving the army

and trying to earn some money.

- Are you?

- Mm hmm, I thought I might join one of those

merchant firms in the city who trade with the Far East.

- Any particular one in mind?

- I met this fellow in Calcutta who works for Jardine's

and he said he'd introduce me to them.

Well, quite honestly, father,

life in the Household Cavalry's very idle these days.

You know, strictly for rich young men

with nothing better to do.

- Possibly.

But you'll still be on the reserve of officers,

won't you, in case of war.

- War? (makes dismissive sound)

Where?

- In Europe, James, not unthinkable, I'm afraid.

- Well if war does break out I'm quite ready.

I've been in action since I last saw you.

Didn't I tell you?

- Oh yes, you wrote to your mother

about a skirmish on the Afghanistan border.

Your letter nearly frightened her to death.

- Well it only lasted half an hour

but it was quite thrilling.

This patrol I was commanding got shot at

by these tribesmen from the side of a hill.

Still, now I know what it's like to be under fire,

and I don't expect German bullets would sound any different.

- We've got four more indoor servants and a man to do

the gardens as well as the two si-tees,

one simply has to, out there.

They're bone lazy, those wretched natives.

- James I've put Miss Kingman in the Blue Room.

- Phyllis, mother.

- Yes, of course, darling, I do hope you'll be comfortable.

- Oh, I will be.

- Well, come along down and meet the servants.

If you'll excuse us.

-[Richard] Cheer up, Marjorie.

You could have done a lot worse.

- (sighs) Ah, these middle class army people.

Just because they employ dozens of native servants

they think themselves equal to everyone.

- Backbone of the Empire, my dear.

They sweat it out in places you and I

wouldn't be seen dead in.

Awful garrisons, camps, and bungalows,

in Africa, India, Malay States, and God knows where else.

Pestered by flies and limp from the heat.

I think if they can find a bit of comfort, they deserve it.

- I just wish she wouldn't talk to Hudson

as if he were an Indian houseboy.

- Well, she's the sort of girl who'll learn quickly.

Besides, she's nervous.

- Am I so frightening?

- Not frightening, my darling, just a little

awe-inspiring for the daughter of an army vet.

- A wee suggestion more cheese, Miss Roberts?

- No thank you, Mr. Hudson.

- Mrs. Bridges?

- I've done, thank you Mr. Hudson.

Ruby?

Plates.

- Ah, Hudson, sorry, we're disturbing you.

- Oh, no, we've quite finished, sir.

- May I bring you my fiance?

- Oh, indeed, sir, please.

- Do sit down, all of you.

So this is the servants hall?

How very cheerful and comfortable.

I do hope we're not intruding on your meal.

- Not at all Miss, uh--

- I just wanted to meet you all.

- Now, this is Miss Kingman, this is Mrs. Bridges,

who cooks for us.

- Very pleased to meet you.

- Splendidly, of course.

Hudson you've met, Roberts, who looks after mother...

-[Miss Roberts] How do you do?

- Rose, who looks after my sister

and everything in the house.

Ruby, who helps Mrs. Bridges and uh...

Oh!

I haven't met you, have I?

- Oh, this is Joan, sir, the new underhouse parlormaid.

- Yes.

- Well we mustn't keep you from whatever you're doing.

- Was India nice, Captain James?

- Oh, yes, I enjoyed it very much, thank you, Rose.

It's a very nice country.

- Did you shoot any tigers then, Mr. James?

- No, Mrs. Bridges, but I...

I did go out on one tiger hunt.

- Oh!

- Didn't get a shot, though.

- Ah.

- Still, I brought back Miss Kingman instead.

- Thank you! - (everyone laughs)

- I'm sure we would all like to offer you

our congratulations, sir, on your engagement.

- Thank you very much!

All of you.

I'm sure we shall get along famously.

- Good evening.

-[All] Good evening, sir.

- Good evening, Miss uh...

- Well.

Nice.

Strong looking girl.

Healthy.

That's something.

- Stuck up, I'd say.

- She'll keep him in order.

If anyone can.

Do you know I reckon he's a bit scared of her!

Not a bad thing, neither.

Captain James wants a strong woman!

- Needs, not wants, Rose.

- Needs a strong woman.

- Besides, you never know.

One of these days she might be the mistress of this house.

Isn't that so, Mr. Hudson?

- Aye, it is possible, Mrs. Bridges.

- Jeanette?

What are you doing here at this time of night, it...

Oh.

- I've just been making some sense

and order of your accounts.

- There was no need.

I came 'round for precisely the same reason.

- Elizabeth.

You're still angry with me.

- No, I'm not angry.

- What then?

- I'm just a little disappointed, I suppose.

- I'm sorry.

- Julius I know you've always told me what you were like.

You were very honest about that.

- I hope so.

- But you see, I didn't believe you.

I thought that at last I'd found...

Someone I could trust in,

and lean on and be loved by exclusively

and tenderly as I thought I was.

I made a very foolish mistake.

I fell in love with you.

It was very silly of me because of course,

it was all an illusion, it was just a silly dream.

- You've been reading too many cheap novels, Elizabeth.

The world is not like that.

You should not be so hopelessly romantic,

you're bound to be injured.

- I wanted so much for us to be in love.

Properly in love.

- I thought you wanted an affair.

- I dreamed of something more.

It was my fault.

- Well there's very little I can say.

Except to beg you not to spoil our few

happy months together with bitter recriminations.

We are both adult people.

You are a married woman.

Let us preserve for always what was...

Just a charming incident in both our lives, yes?

- Yes, I'll try.

- James, I was--

- Phyllis!

What in heaven's name,

you can't come in here dressed like that!

- Well I can't get dressed because

you've got the key to the big trunk!

Oh dear, look, I'll go upstairs at once,

if you could bring the key up.

- It's all right.

Come here.

Only joking!

- What if the butler should come in?

- Hudson is a man of the world.

- Let me go, James.

- I don't want to.

- (laughs) Elizabeth!

There you are!

- My brave bronze brother!

Mind, you'll strangle me!

- Look at you!

What's all this about a hat shop?

Oh, sorry, this is my sister, Elizabeth, Miss Kingman!

- Hello, Elizabeth.

- How do you do?

- I came down to get the key for my trunk.

- Oh, I see.

- Well, how's life?

What about uh...

- What about what?

- Nothing.

- Lawrence?

You were going to say "What about Lawrence," weren't you?

- Yes, but I already know.

Mother wrote and told me.

So you're Mrs. K but without...

Without Mr. K.

- That's about right, James.

Lawrence and I are what is known as separated.

It was all for the best so don't let's

talk about it anymore.

- I expect it's a great thrill for you

to have your dear brother back again, isn't it?

- May the 6th, tomorrow.

Mother's birthday, or had you forgotten?

- No, I hadn't forgotten.

I gather we'll have a little

dinner party to celebrate it?

- Family dinner.

Just the six of us.

- Then it won't be exclusively family, will it?

- I'm looking forward to meeting your friend.

Mother says he's enormously rich.

Aren't you clever?

-[Elizabeth] Julius may not come.

- Oh? Why?

- He may be too busy.

- That would be a pity.

- Well, if you'll excuse me I think I shall go

and dress for dinner.

And if you wish to complete your toilet upstairs

I'm sure James will excuse you.

-[James] Sorry about that.

- It's all right.

- My sister takes a little time to get used to people.

- I expect she's very fond of you.

And perhaps a little jealous.

(knocking on door)

- Come in.

- Not in bed yet?

- No, not quite.

Anything wrong?

- Nothing.

Just felt like a little talk, that's all,

before turning in.

- Nice surprise!

- Well it's been very much James' day.

As I spent the whole evening trying to make my future

daughter-in-law feel at home, I think it time

I paid some attention to my own daughter.

- Oh, father, how sweet.

- Do you mind if I get into bed?

- No, please do, you'll catch cold.

- I'm sure Phyllis is a splendid girl.

Probably just what James needs for a wife,

but I hardly think she's the sort of person

that needs to be made to feel at home.

- That's what your mother said.

The truth is she's trying too hard,

over-anxious to make an impression.

- Father, I don't know what to do about Julius.

I'm so deeply in his debt.

- You're still seeing him?

Your mother seemed to think that...

- What?

-[Richard] Well, that things had cooled off between you.

- Yes, they have.

But how can I let him go out of my life owing him so much?

- You owe him nothing, Elizabeth.

He bought you as he tried to buy us, your mother and me.

May have cost him the lease of a house

and the price of a hat shop,

but he got what he wanted and don't you forget it, my dear.

I don't wish this to sound harsh, or indelicate.

But I think you ought to know that as a result

of my introducing him at his own request

to Sir William Gates and Lord Newton,

Julius Kireken has been asked to advise the Conservative

Party on financial investment and expenditure.

He's become a close friend of Arthur Balfour's

and is a candidate for the Atheneum.

He has had his...

-[Elizabeth] Pound of flesh?

- If you wish to put it that way.

- I do.

- Put him out of your mind, Elizabeth.

- Father what's wrong with me?

I want so much to be married happily and have children.

Just to be ordinary.

Perhaps I never will be.

- Oh, it's just the right man hasn't come along yet,

that's all, but he will one day.

There's plenty of time.

- Is there?

- I'll put out the light.

You get some sleep.

- Father what would I do without you?

- There.

You get some sleep.

- Right, now take the cellar keys and get out

six bottles of the Hietzing '98,

and mind you don't drop them, Rose.

- Six bottles?

Hoo, that's a lot of champagne for six people.

Here, that's a bottle each!

Hoo-hoo, they'll be halfway 'round the marble arch

before they get to the fish course!

- Today is her Ladyship's birthday, Rose,

and Captain James is home and engaged to be married.

Twin events which call for a family celebration.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- They want to dine at half past eight, Mr. Hudson.

- Oh, Mr. Kireken will not be dining

after all, Mrs. Bridges.

- Oh.

- Her Ladyship telephoned Lady Prudence to come

and make up the number.

- Oh, Lady Pru...

Oh, that's more like family.

I'd sooner have her to my birthday dinner

than that coffee-colored Arabian.

- Armenian, Mrs. Bridges.

- Oh.

- There you are, Mrs. Bridges, all for you!

- Ooh, Rose!

- Then see how you get on with cookin' the dinner.

- All right, Rose, go and get the dining room

laid for luncheon.

- Yes Mr. Hudson.

- I've had a nice letter from Nanny Webster.

- You never catch her forgetting a family birthday.

- Oh dear, her writing's getting so shaky.

- I'm not surprised considering she was almost blind

when she left here last year.

- How kind people are to remember.

And thank you again, my darling for the beautiful pendant.

I shall wear it tonight.

Oh isn't it a lovely morning?

- So it should be for your birthday!

- James' first day home.

- Where is James, by the way,

I haven't seen him this morning.

- He breakfasted early and walked through

St. James' Park with your father.

I have to go out now, darling,

so will you take care of Miss Phyllis?

Yes, Phyllis.

Be nice to her.

- Yes, I'll try.

It says in the Morning Post the King's confined

to his room at Buckingham Palace

with a bad attack of bronchitis.

- Oh dear, well, the doctors will get him well again,

they always do.

(door opening)

- Good morning, Elizabeth.

- Phyllis!

Dear.

There!

Now, what would you like to do this morning?

- Well I had thought of going to the Army and Navy,

it's not far from here, is it?

- No, not all that far.

- I have to order some things for my father.

- Well then, I shall accompany you.

If you will allow me to.

- That would be splendid!

Perhaps we could walk, it's a fine morning.

- Phyllis?

I want to apologize to you,

I was insufferably rude yesterday.

Please forgive me.

- Oh, dear me, that's all right, I don't mind.

- No excuse for bad manners, but I...

Well I just...

I was feeling sorry for myself and rather wretched

and I took it out on you.

- Don't mention it, I do understand.

- I'm glad you and James are going to marry.

And I hope we can be great friends.

- Oh I know we shall, Elizabeth.

Let's get our hats on and go shopping.

I shall try to cheer you up!

- Oh, hello darling.

All alone?

Where's Phyllis?

- Upstairs gossiping to Elizabeth, they'll be down soon.

Sherry, mother?

- Uh, no, I'll wait.

They get on remarkably well, don't they?

- Yes.

- I'm glad.

She's a very friendly girl.

- Yes.

- And I'm sure she'll make a charming and a good wife.

- I know she will, mother.

- She doesn't mind about you leaving the army?

- Not a bit.

She's happy with whatever I decide.

- Of course.

Being a wife of a Captain in the Life Guards

is very different from being the wife of a

clerk in a trading company in Leadenhall Street.

-[James] Oh, but mother--

- Yes, I know it's only for a short time

while you're learning the business,

but your salary will be very small.

You'll have to live very simply and economically.

I just don't want your relationship to be

under too much of a strain from the outset.

You do know what I mean, don't you?

- I can assure you, mother,

that Phyllis will be happy anywhere.

We are in love with each other,

and we believe in a lot of the same things.

And we're going to provide you with lots

of lovely grandchildren so don't worry.

- No, I won't.

-[Richard] There she is.

- Ah, there you all are.

Come and have some sherry, Phyllis.

- Oh thank you, Lady Marjorie.

- Did you two find what you wanted at--

-[Phyllis] Yes!

- At the Army and Navy?

- Yes and then we had tea at Gunther's.

- We had so many parcels we could hardly get into the cab!

- Lady Prudence Fairfax, my lady.

-[Lady Marjorie] Prue!

- Many happy returns, my dear Marjorie!

Oh what a lovely family gathering.

Ah!

You must be Miss Kingman, how do you do?

- How do you do?

- Miss Lizzie hardly touched her dinner.

She's heartbroken, poor soul.

- Well in my opinion she's well rid of

that Armenian creature.

Most unsuitable.

- Well anyway Miss Kingman made a good healthy meal.

Two helpings of fish, and goodness knows how many potatoes

with that veal, isn't that what you said, Rose?

- Yeah, but she's got Captain James.

Miss Lizzie's got no one.

- Rose, fetch some wine glasses from the pantry.

- Hoo, bubbly!

- They're the old ones, not the best,

with the Master and her Ladyship's compliments.

- Ooh, for us?

- Two bottles, Mrs. Bridges.

The Master suggested we might care to celebrate

the events of the day down here.

- I'm quite partial to a glass of champagne

from time to time.

- Oh, well, on special occasions.

-[Hudson] Here we go now.

-[Rose] Ooh!

- Oh and there she blows.

Now hold it steady now Rose.

Allow me Mrs. Bridges.

One for Miss Roberts.

Come on Joan m'girl, over here,

you have a wee drop as well.

-[Rose] Only a wee drop for her.

- Plenty for all of us, there we are now.

Well this is a pleasant surprise.

- Prudence, dear.

- Oh, thank you, Richard.

You know, you shouldn't spoil me like this.

After all, I'm really an intruder on a family occasion.

- That's nonsense, Prue, and you know it!

- We all look on you as one of the family, don't we James?

- Well personally I have the greatest difficulty

in stopping myself from calling you Aunt Prue,

even though you're no relation.

- Ah, James, what a sweet thought.

- All the same, Aunt Prue rather conjures up a stern,

elderly spinster with an ear trumpet,

not an elegant lady of fashion like Lady P. Fairfax.

- Dear James.

- Elizabeth.

- Thank you, father.

- Now drink it slowly, Elizabeth,

we don't want to have to carry you up to bed!

- James.

- Father.

- Well my dears,

I thought today called for

a little celebration at 165 Eaton Place,

because not only is it the anniversary of the birth

of my precious wife,

we also have to welcome home from India--

- Our precious son!

- Our gallant captain!

- That's better.

- And a warm family welcome, and that includes you,

my dear Prudence, to Phyllis,

who is about to become a charming new member of our tribe.

Many happy returns of the day, Marjorie.

- And I know I speak for all of us here

when I express the hope that we may long continue

in the service of--

(doorbell ringing) - Front door.

- In the loyal service of our present employers.

To the family.

-[All] The family!

- Front door, Rose, put your glass down, see who it is.

- They're not expecting anybody else, are they Mr. Hudson?

- Not as far as I'm aware of, Mrs. Bridges.

(doorbell ringing)

-[Rose] Yes?

- Watcher, Rosie!

-[Rose] Sarah!

- Where's the family?

- Upstairs!

Here, what you doing coming in by the front door?

- Would you kindly announce us, Rose?

- Will I kindly what?

- Well it's your duty to announce visitors, isn't it?

- Here, you two get down there!

Come back, Sarah, you can't go up there!

- Oh, don't worry, Rose, we'll announce ourselves!

- It's completely under, I can always tell!

- I think he's exaggerating.

- Hope you don't mind us bargin' in m'lady,

but I just wanted to wish you happy birthday...

- Ooh, that's a very nice drop of wine.

-[Hudson] Miss Roberts.

- Fine, just a drop, I'm very partial.

It's very kind of them, I must say.

- Mr. Hudson, come quick!

- Oh, what is it, Rose?

- Thomas Watkins and Sarah, large as life!

- What?

- Where?

- Upstairs in the drawing room,

they pushed past me, said they'd come to call!

- You should have stopped them, Rose!

- I couldn't, they was halfway up the stairs

before I could blink!

- Well, they've as much right to be up there as anyone,

I mean they're not servants no more!

- Whether they're actually in service or not

is purely academic, m'girl.

They are of the servant class and as such

they've got no right to go barging into the drawing room,

especially under the circumstances!

- And with Mr. James up there, too!

- How dare they?

- Watkins and Sarah were with us here for a while,

weren't you?

- That's right m'lady.

- We've got this garage business now.

Buyin' and sellin' motorcars.

Up in North London.

- It's Kilburn, actually.

- Thanks to her little windfall.

And Sarah's baby's due next month.

- That's splendid.

You're looking well, Sarah!

- I am, m'lady!

- Ah, Hudson.

- Evening Mr. Hudson!

- It's us Mr. Hudson!

- Ah yes, good evening.

-[Richard] Yes, Hudson?

- Sir?

- Do you want something?

- Oh, no sir, I...

I simply wanted to say that if Mr. And Mrs. Watkins

would care to, some of the staff downstairs

would very much like to see you.

Them.

Mrs. Bridges, Rose--

- I'm sure they would, Hudson, in a minute.

- I just wanna give your present first, m'lady.

- Oh, Sarah, how very kind of you.

You shouldn't have done that.

- She used to work here as underhouse parlormaid.

- Really?

- He was our chauffer.

And they got married and left.

- She's pretty.

- Sarah it's a beautiful scarf.

- Well, it's not exactly your style but it is with

our very best wishes, er, me and Tom,

that is, Mr. Watkins and myself, m'lady.

- Thank you both, I'm very touched.

- It's our pleasure m'lady.

- Everything all right at the garage, Watkins?

- Flourishing, thank you, sir.

- Yeah, he's kept ever so busy mending motor cars

all day long, ain't you Tom?

- Oh, that's good.

Well, perhaps you would both like to go with Hudson now

and see the others?

- Oh!

Yeah, well, I wanna show Rosie me hat.

Rose, that is.

Ta ra, everybody.

- Yeah, we'll go and uh,

taste some of Mrs. Bridges fruitcake.

'Scuse us m'lady.

Thank you, Mr. Hudson!

- What a surprise that was!

- Extraordinary.

- Looking very prosperous, I thought.

- I'm not surprised.

The motor car trade, that's the thing to be in these days.

I wouldn't mind.

- Better than ladies hats, anyway.

- Better than domestic service I should think,

even in this noble house.

- He'll get on, that young man, I always said he would.

- I think I'll just step out onto the balcony

for a breath of fresh air.

- You all right James?

- (sniffs)

Oh, not a night for my Phyllis.

You'll catch cold without a wrap or something.

- Of course I won't.

It's warm.

- Here you are.

The lights of London.

Heart of the Empire.

Home.

- Listen.

A sort of humming sound, can't you hear it?

- Yes, it's coming from over there,

towards Victoria Station.

- What's coming from towards Victoria Station?

- A sort of murmuring sound.

- A train, perhaps?

- No, no, shh, listen.

- Sounds like a huge crowd of people.

- Afraid that's what it is.

- Oh.

- There's a huge crowd outside Buckingham Palace

just standing there waiting for news.

Has been since tea time.

(distant noise of a crowd)

- Is the King very ill?

- The man I met in the club this afternoon

said they thought he might not live through the night.

- Well oughtn't we to have canceled our dinner?

- I saw no reason to spoil a family evening.

- Poor man.

- Yes, it's a bad business with Asquith being

out of the country and everything else.

- If he does...

Well, he's had such a short reign.

- 12 horsepower.

She's tuned up nice now,

she can do 35 miles and hour downwind.

- Honestly he drives ever so fast, Tom does,

I'm terrified sometimes.

I mean what if a wheel come off?

- Aye, well we'll be getting another motorcar soon.

I mean all the petrol sales are pickin' up.

Well, how's Rosie then?

- I'm very well, thank you, Thomas.

-[Thomas] Miss Lizzie?

- She's fine too.

- Seems a long time since Greenwich, eh.

You, Mrs. Fellowes and her leg.

-[Mrs. Bridges] (chuckles)

- Good days, weren't they?

- While they lasted.

(phone ringing)

-[Rose] Tell you one thing,

it's like a sweatshop down here.

-[Thomas] Well let's have a drop more of this then.

(phone ringing)

- Hello?

Mr. Richard Bellamy's residence.

Yes.

Sir John who?

Oh, yes, hold the line, if you please.

- Where will they live, then?

- Well, here for a while,

I mean if James is going to work in the city

they'll have to be here.

- You'll have a full house!

- Yes, with Elizabeth home.

- And not likely to fly the nest again?

- Well, not for the moment but one never knows.

- Well, our house is going to seem very empty

without Agatha clumping about all over the place.

-[Lady Marjorie] You've got Archie.

- He sleeps most of the time now.

He's either asleep in a chair at the club,

or in a chair at home, or in his bed at night.

We've hardly exchanged a word for three years.

- Really?

- He's getting old, my dear.

We're all getting old.

- Oh, don't be so depressing.

- Excuse me, my lady, the Master is wanted on the telephone.

- Yes, Hudson, what is it?

- Sir John Alexander, sir, from the palace.

- Oh, I'll take it in the morning room.

-[All] (chatting merrily)

- Woo, that's plenty there.

He always did like it.

- If you don't mind, I...

I think we should put the champagne away now,

and disperse quietly.

Mr. Watkins I expect you'll like to take Sarah home.

- Something up, Mr. Hudson?

- The King is dead.

(bells tolling solemnly)

- I wonder what sort of King the new one will be?

- Worthy, but not the same.

- Jack Alexander said the Queen sent for Mrs. Koeppel

this afternoon to come over and sit with him.

- 1901 to 1910.

The children will have a new date to learn

for their history examinations.

- Nine years isn't very long for a reign.

- Not quite a decade.

- I wonder what the next ten years will be like.

- Cold, Marjorie?

- Just a shiver down my spine.

- You ought to have something 'round your shoulders.

- It's all right, only someone walking over my grave.

- Come in now.

- I must go home soon.

- You two coming in?

You'll catch cold out there.

- It's all right, father, it's quite warm.

- Leave the children.

They'll come to no harm.

They're young.

(bells tolling)

("Theme from Upstairs Downstairs" by Alexander Faris")