Original subtitles

Sorry, Mr. Ives.

Your son's phone is apparently out of order.

Shall I send up, sir?

No. No, no.

No, don't do that.

No, I'll drop over in a few moments if you're sure he's there.

Maybe it's love.

Maybe it's love.

What'd you find to eat, lady?

Oodles.

Food. But what?

Oh, Camembert. Roquefort.

American. Swiss. And cream.

Oh. You know, I was hoping you might find some cheese.

Well.

How about a rarebit?

Oh, Lord, no.

Well, I was just showing off.

I haven't any idea how to make it.

How about a nice big puffy omelet?

Oh, must it be puffy?

Absolutely.

Mine have a way of puffing very high.

And falling down boom.

You make it. And I promise to eat it before it falls down boom.

How many eggs can you manage?

All there are.

Gosh, you do it good.

- Do I? - Hmm.

And look at that face.

And you're fat. You're enormous.

I am not. I'm willowy and fragile.

You look exactly like a peasant.

Well, I am the peasant. There's no neurotic blood in me.

Thank heavens.

You're just a good old hunk of woman.

You are just dirty.

You love me?

No! Not if I'm a hunk of woman.

You love me.

Stop, you beast!

Do you?

Now look out. You're gonna make me drop your omelet.

- Do you? - Oh, yes, you halfwit.

- And you are a hunk? - Yes!

That figures.

Oh, look. Now you've probably ruined it.

Well, at least I have my self-respect.

Then you go on in there and find a place for us to eat.

Yes, ma'am.

Go on. Shoe, fly, shoe. Get out. Go on.

Un-huh.

Are you happy?

Delicious.

Aren't we a fine pair?

You bet we are.

We're a fine pair.

Now, this is a fine omelet.

Made from fine diamond crystal sauce.

- Fine– - Now wait a minute.

I insist upon a little worship too.

Oh, of course, darling.

God's finest little woman, I worship you.

Well.

Yes. That's a fair start. Go on.

Your hair is like a halo.

Under the Edison electric lights.

Mmm, that's beautiful.

Oh, the cake!

Oh, I forgot all about the cake.

Now wait a minute, darling. I'll get it.

Ouch!

There now, you see? You should let me do that.

Ouch!

You see? Here.

Ahh!

My noble darling.

God's finest gentlemen.

Doesn't that end God's noblest gentlemen?

I love you.

Sweet as the angels above you.

For two little cents, I would shove you.

Vo-Vo-De-Oh-Doe.

Oh, Anne. Anne, darling.

We really ought to be married.

Yes, I'd give my soul too.

You know living apart like this

is just as terrible as the things you're so afraid of in marriage.

Yes, I've heard all that for the past six months.

I know we've had it for six months.

And I still feel all the romance you're so afraid of losing.

More, Anne.

I love you more than I ever dreamed I could.

Well, I love you too, Dick.

But let's not talk any more about marriage.

Anne.

Listen, Anne.

If I can't hold up my end of the marriage,

I'll let you divorce me.

I promised faithfully to go away.

Every time I get on your nerves.

You wouldn't even know if you got on my nerves.

Well, you'll tell me.

Well, that's just it. I wouldn't tell you.

Well, then. Every morning before I kissed you,

I'd say "good morning, Mrs. Ives. My love, my all."

"Am I on your nerves?"

And I would answer "no," as a dutiful wife.

And we'd both sit down to a very glum breakfast.

Oh, we wouldn't. Why, I'm the soul of wit in the morning.

Now you know that. Don't I radiate?

Of course, you do. But you can't keep it up for a lifetime.

And a husband cluttering up my room in the morning.

You know the trouble with you, young lady?

You don't realize what a bargain I am.

Oh, now wait a minute. Hold everything.

Hold Everything.

Now. Go on, Don Juan.

Tell me about yourself.

There have been women who wanted to park their heads on this manly bosom.

At how much an hour?

Whoops!

Now, you.

Tell me all about your lovers.

Do you really want to know?

Now…let me see…um...

First there was Ritzy. He was a lifeguard in Newport.

And then came Carlos at the Riding Academy.

And then– oh, yes –and then love came.

This time it was in the form of little Paul Allen.

Then at the tender age of 14,

we read poetry together all one afternoon.

His poetry.

And then the break came.

Oh.

It was at this time,

the girl began noticing increasing signs of maturity.

As evidenced by her next–

Say, are you listening?

I hear you.

Well, anyway.

She was showing increasing signs of maturity,

as evidenced by her next selection,

the young man about town known as Georgie.

I know who the next one was – Kurt Baines.

Oh, Price Baines.

He wasn't a crush. He lasted all one summer.

And by the way, you never mention Margie True.

Oh, I'd forgotten.

Oh, you shouldn't have.

You were with her the first day I ever fell in love with you.

He was the smartest thing I ever saw.

And I was jealous.

I thought you belonged to her.

She acted as though you did.

Or you ever in love with her, even that much?

Let me see.

Not even that much.

Liar! I know you were.

She's looked at me with strange eyes ever since.

But I'm not jealous.

I was then. But I'm not now.

Well, I'm jealous of you.

Every time I see Price Baines,

I want to shake my fist right under his nose.

You know if I were really jealous of Margie,

I'd drag you to the altar by the scruff of your neck.

You know, Anne.

You're too sure of me.

That's what I don't understand.

You're sure of me.

And yet you're afraid I'd fall out of love if we were married.

And I'd happen to see you in the morning in your shimmy or something.

Now.

If that's all I were afraid of, I wouldn't be worried.

Because as a matter of fact, I'm not all bad in my shimmy.

All right. Egotist.

As a matter of fact, I'm not so bad in my lingerie either.

Well. We have two points. Settle it, at least.

I'm bright and snappy in the morning.

And we're both a riot in our underwear.

Aw, Anne, darling.

Please, give in.

Let's get married.

We love each other.

My father and mother loved each other, Dick.

I know they did.

In spite of the fact that they divorced and married someone else.

I'll always believe that it was being separated that killed them.

Poor darlings. They just didn't know when to loosen the reins.

We don't have to have any rain.

Oh, no. We'll be different.

We'll make concessions.

We'll not interfere with each other's freedom.

Listen, baby.

I'd give myself just six months

to start playing wife for all I'm worth.

Then I had start prying into your affairs.

I'd be jealous of your secretaries.

And I probably open all your mail.

If I were half the man,

I'd drag you off to the Ives mansion by the hair on your head.

That's the way it'd have to be –

if you got me into the Ives mansion with its family tradition.

We don't have to live there.

We can take the Long Island place.

That's family traditions too.

Hey, what's the matter with my family?

Oh, nothing, Dick.

They're all right as families go. But they're all alike.

They all want to hear the patter of baby feet.

You know, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.

Denying his rights to a sweet old thing like dad.

Aw, he's a lamb. And I adore him.

But I'm not willing to provide him with an heir and grandson.

At least not for a few years.

A few years? But what happens to us in the meantime?

Just this thing.

Just you and me.

I want to cling to it just as long as I can.

We've a whole lifetime to be the Richard Ives's.

So little time to be us.

I'm greedy of our happiness.

I want to hold onto it for as long as I can.

You know, Anne.

Sometimes...

Just taking you home in the middle of the night.

All the lying, the pussyfooting–

Don't say you don't like the pussyfooting.

I love it!

I wonder who that could be at this time of night?

You ought to know.

I can't open the door. You're not dressed.

Let them in. I can get dressed in a few seconds.

All right, darling. Well, hurry, will you?

Well, Georgie.

What are you doing here? What do you want?

I thirst.

Yes, you always thirst.

Now get up and go home.

This joint is closed for the night.

Wait a minute, Dick. Don't be like that.

Isn't this the Ice speakeasy?

Well, that seems to be your impression.

A mutual friend of ours, Oscar Witherspoon, sent me here.

Oscar Witherspoon?

Come on in, you darned old fool.

So how is Oscar?

Oh, Oscar?

Oh, Osc – Oscar's been drinking.

Oscar's drinking so much, even I won't be seen with him.

What do you want?

Oh, some gin.

A bot – a bottle of scotch.

Oh, and a bottle of that rye.

You better put in one of those cognacs too.

Are you sure there isn't anything else you want, Georgie?

Oh, not to speak of.

Don't let me forget a little ginger ale and White Rock.

It just occurs to me, Georgie,

that I don't recall you returning two bottles

of scotch you borrowed from me last week.

That's peculiar. I don't remember returning them either.

Matter of fact, I don't remember borrowing them.

You borrowed them, all right.

Anyway, tonight this all I took is for the girls.

Girls?

Girls are waiting for me down there in a taxi.

Well, I'm not supplying liquor to your lady friends.

To be perfectly truthful with you, Dick. There's only one.

She loves her Shimmery.

All right. I'll give you one bottle. No more.

Wait a minute. You owe me that. And you owe me more.

I broke this tonight, defending Your Honor.

It was a silly little stick anyway.

Why don't you ask me about your honor.

My honor? What about it?

It's toppling.

Toppling? How so?

To be perfectly truthful with you, it has toppled.

I heard the news only this afternoon.

It seems that you've been discovered overnighting.

Oh?

Overnighting in dubious Connecticut resort.

Oh, the pity of it.

Discovered by whom?

It seems that little Edie spent the weekend in Darien with the Kronomeyers.

You know the Kronomeyers. Miriam and Frederick.

I know the name.

Well, the little lady was on one of her peeping tours.

And she discovered you overnighting with a dazzling brunette.

You don't say.

That's how I broke this – defending Your Honor.

I said "no sir. You can't tell me that Dick Ives"

"was playing fast and loose with any brunette."

Thank you, Georgie.

Now, for that, you don't have to return the liquor.

No, sir. I said with vehemence –

If Dick Ives was there with any woman, it was a blonde.

Good for you, Georgie. Good for you.

Well, if it isn't Anne.

Old dirty Anne.

Dick, you know Anne.

Don't let me interrupt, Georgie.

When Edie Renford told the Kronomeyers girls,

they fell back in astonishment. Go on.

Oh, pay no attention to my big tongue, Anne.

It wags. For some, it comes north of scandal.

Oh, poor old Georgie.

He's all hot and bothered, isn't he?

Well, don't you worry, Georgie.

You didn't put your foot in it.

Because Dick was weekending it with a dazzling brunette.

And least, I hope I dazzled.

I did, didn't I, Dick?

So you can run and tell Edie and her girlfriends

that we're sorry to disappoint them.

But we happen to be on our way to Mildred's.

Dick's sister in Darien.

Never mind, Anne. I never believed a word of it.

It just goes to show how frail a man's reputation is nowadays.

And am now, if you're going my way, would you drop me off, please?

Certainly, Anne.

But I have a woman waiting.

Oh, anybody I know?

Oh, I don't know.

Do you by any chance happen to know the Clancy's in W. 24th St.?

Mr. Clancy's a prominent member of the police department here.

Mrs. Clancy is a dowager.

Well, anyway, this is her daughter Megan.

She has a prominent part in the Little Show.

She comes on in the second act and says –

"Girls, we're all going out on Mr. Saxon's yacht."

Well, we better not keep Meg waiting.

You won't have to bother going out, Dick.

- Come on. - No, Anne.

I'm going to take you home.

Thanks just the same, Georgie.

It looks like little Georgie better make his exit.

Good night.

You mind papa.

Sorry, Dick.

It's all right, Georgie.

Well, didn't I do well?

Anne.

Don't you care whether this gets out or not?

No, not awfully.

Well, I do.

I don't see any reason for letting ourselves in for this sort of thing.

You might get away with it once.

But sooner or later–

Oh, here comes the influence of the Ives tradition.

I knew that something like this would happen

when I allowed you to persuade me to go on these comical weekends.

Comical? I resent that.

I like them.

Well, I'm glad you do.

There won't be another.

Oh.

Not even one more?

Not even one more.

Well.

Can I call you up sometime?

Anne?

What would you say if I said

I wouldn't allow you to come like this any more?

Well.

I'd pretend to believe you for the sake of the dramatics.

But I'd be back again next day.

And fool that I am, I'd let you in.

You and your…theory.

I wonder who that is?

Probably Georgie looking for cracked ice.

- Hello, dad! - Hello, son.

How do you do, Mr. Ives?

Well, Anne.

Well, Anne, I don't have to ask how you are.

You look ravishing.

You're out rather late, aren't you, dad?

Yeah, I couldn't get you on the phone.

I tried several times.

Why, it's out of order.

Something come up?

No.

No, it's something I wanted to talk to you about.

Well, as long as you two are going to settle important things,

I'll take the loft.

I'd rather you wouldn't, Anne. If you don't mind.

This is really a fortunate coincidence that you are here.

Yes. Of course, I'll stay.

Just what have you two kids been doing?

What is this I hear about weekends in Connecticut?

What do you mean, dad?

You ought to know.

I see where the Kronomeyer sisters have had a busy week.

Oh.

That's just a crazy rumor that somebody started, dad.

Well, I was under the impression that it was more than a rumor.

Your sister Mildred seems to have some very definite information.

She was quite upset about it.

Mildred would be.

Isn't it true?

Mildred's a fool to listen to a lot of absurd stories, dad.

Of course it's true, Mr. Ives.

Anne, don't you think you're rather foolish?

Perhaps.

Hey, what's to prevent you two kids from getting married?

Anne and I have some ideas of our own about marriage, dad.

Hmm.

You're not trying to tell me, by any chance,

to mind my own business, are you?

Of course not, dad.

Because you can, you know.

It's not too late.

Now don't be absurd.

You know how I feel about you.

Anne.

How about you, dear?

You don't mind an old man

taking a friendly interest in your love affairs, do you?

No, of course not. Not as long as the old man is you.

This may be all very well for you, Dick.

But letting Anne in for this sort of thing is a bit thick, isn't it?

Oh, now, don't blame Dick.

Mr. Ives, he wants to do right.

I've been fighting him off all summer.

Don't you want to get married, Anne?

Not particularly, no.

Why?

Because you want to be sure?

Oh, I am sure of our love.

It's marriage I want to be sure of.

She has theories, dad.

Yes, I have.

Nearly every girl I know, Mr. Ives,

is either unhappily married or unhappily divorced.

And I've simply come to the conclusion that marriage is disastrous to love.

There's so much about it that's all wrong.

The awful possession people exert over each other.

The intimacy and the duty.

I don't know but–

Love can't stand the strain, that's all.

Love can stand the strain, Anne.

Not from my observation.

I think the marriages that have frightened you

have had very little to do with love.

Now from my own observation,

I'd say those marriages were based on anything but love.

Women have to have husbands. And they get them.

Those are the kind of marriages that don't last.

The ones based on love do.

This is also comical.

Here I am talking about the possibilities of our love not enduring.

And were hopelessly in love.

Yeah, but Anne, take it from me.

You're not the kind of girl to get away with this sort of thing.

Oh, I've no doubt there are many relationships of this kind.

But the successful ones marry sooner or later.

You can't lick the marriage institution.

I'm not awfully concerned about the good opinion of society.

Well, that's because you've always had it.

You've been within the gates.

And you don't know what it is to be on the outside.

But once you desecrate the sacred marriage laws,

you'll find out.

They pounce, Anne.

They have pounced already.

I'm not ashamed of what Dick and I have done.

But it would be, if we rushed into marriage to cover it up.

Well, surely, Anne, you won't insist on going on like this.

Well, I can't suddenly stop being a victim for the sake of society.

Anne, we can't go on.

If you ever do agree to marry me,

I don't want us to start off life together with a handicap.

Oh, Dick.

What good does it do me to hold up my head if you hang yours?

Well, I won't hang my head.

At least not where they can see.

No, I'll–

I'll state in the background until you decide.

Dick, you mean you won't even see me?

I think that we better not.

Oh, it isn't that–

It isn't that don't admire your spirit, darling. I do.

Why, I think this is wonderful in anyone else but you.

But you are the woman I love.

My wife, really.

Whether you say your lines or not.

Hmm.

Well, you don't give me very much choice, do you?

It looks like I either have to pick you up or lay you down.

Why don't you go away for a few weeks until Anne can think this thing out?

Now that would be silly. I couldn't stand that.

Well, darling. I'll marry you.

That's my first concession.

I don't want to marry you that way, Anne.

You better take me while you can get me.

Dad?

What would you do with a girl like that?

I'd grab her any way she'd have me.

I really do.

That's the only way I'd wear one.

Excuse me.

I wonder which one will be the first nighter.

Oh, don't be a pill, silly.

You should know it's not that kind of a wedding.

Why don't you steal down to the dressing room and I'll let you in.

Thank you, Susan.

Oh, Duckie.

Shake well before using.

Magnificent. But we thought it was a lingerie shower.

Lingerie?

You mean undies and such things?

Why, of course.

Anne Vincent, don't tell me you're so old-fashioned you where, uh–

Hanging my head, undergarments.

Oh, these things are so lovely,

once a girl is headed towards the altar,

she becomes so conventional.

You get it?

Oh, what are you doing here?

Is the bride among those present?

Anne, my big moment has arrived.

Georgie!

This is hardly any place for you.

Now don't be hasty, Anne.

I've got a big surprise for you. Just a minute.

Come right in. Hurry up.

You would think of a thing like that.

What's the matter with it?

It's a very latest thing for perspective brides.

Not to mention grooms.

1931 model.

FOB Detroit.

This is a special model for people of vision and foresight.

It's the only cab of its kind built to accommodate four persons.

Of course, there are only three there.

But we're rather expecting a fourth for bridge.

The car's fully equipped.

Duplex springs. Three-point suspension.

Four-wheel automatic brakes.

Special equipment.

The juvenile exterminator.

That's in case there are flies or insects around the cab.

For the older kiddie, the cigar lighter.

In case you wish to make a left turn, you just go like this.

And now for the callous nursemaid –

And of course in case of an accident,

we always carry just one spare.

Georgie. Come on here.

Oh, thank you.

Pardon me, just a minute, girls. I'll be right in.

Dick.

Darling.

When did you get here?

Well, it seems about a week ago.

Aren't you going to come in and mingle with our best society?

Not me.

You should. Remember their good opinion.

It's important.

They're the ones that do the counting.

Well, that's why I'm staying out.

Right.

How do you like competition?

I love it.

Read that.

See here, Anne.

What right have you to send a thing like this?

Oh, you know Price Baines.

I know he was in love with you.

Blame him?

He was, wasn't he?

Well, he said so.

I believe that was his inspiration.

I was the reason he took those big exploring trips,

trying to make a name for himself.

As well. He's made a name for himself all right.

A hunter of the game.

Mostly women.

Oh, Dick. Don't be so silly.

What are you going to do about this?

Well, I'm going to see him, of course.

I forbid it.

He's no good. You're not going to see this fellow.

Oh, Dick. Don't talk so silly.

Price and I have always been very good friends.

Good friends?

Good friends and nothing more.

We've had a lot of fun together.

And if he wants to see me before my marriage, I'm not going to refuse him.

Oh, Dick. We're not even married yet.

And our understanding was that we'd always trust each other, wasn't it?

Yes.

Well, now. I'm going to see Price tomorrow afternoon.

And you're going to stop being so silly.

Anne, darling, please.

Yes but you look so cute that way.

Darling.

Dick. Come on in.

I hope I'm not intruding.

No. Not at all. Come in.

How are you, Ives? Glad to see you.

Hello, Price.

Sit down. Make yourself at home.

Thank you.

I heard you got to Kurdistan.

Well, aren't you going to congratulate me?

No.

You don't think that I'm to be congratulated?

Well.

Not after spending almost two hours

telling Anne why she shouldn't marry you.

You convinced her, of course?

No.

In spite of everything, she's going to do it.

In spite of what?

Have you a match? Or a light?

In spite of what? For instance.

In spite of reason.

Common sense. And promises.

I never made him any promises, Dick.

Oh, no, Anne.

You know you promised never to marry.

Didn't you?

That was a promise to myself. Not to you.

That's the kind of promise I have a right to break.

I don't mind telling you that this is a terrible disappointment to me.

I thought that we understood each other.

I thought that we two modern people had the same slant on life.

But now, Anne Vincent,

who had always belonged to herself,

has suddenly decided to become just another piece of property.

The property of the old Ives family.

That's a great outlook.

Now see here, Baines.

I'm sorry.

I think I'll be going.

So long, Dick.

So long, Price.

Goodbye, Price.

Goodbye, Anne.

When you've got all you can stand of marriage,

I'll be waiting as always.

I love you, Anne.

I always have.

And I always will.

You said all that before.

I'm going to keep on saying it.

Well, here we are, darling.

Richard Ives Juniors.

At home, every other Thursday.

Every other leap year, you mean.

I hope nobody ever comes.

And so to I, Dick.

Look.

Column left. Right.

Who are these people?

I never saw him before.

Neither rain nor sleet nor snow nor sarcasm

can stay these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

You tell them, Margie.

These props are my contribution to your welcome home.

And the bride. The dear little bride!

She hasn't changed a bit.

How are you, girls?

- Tea is served. - Tea?

Oh, tea!

Charles, there'll be two more for tea.

Very good, kind sir.

Oh, come on now.

Oh, yes. I got this one at the cutest little shop on the Champs-Élysées.

And trust me. Don't ever pay the first price they ask you.

Oh, but it's lovely.

Oh, look at this!

It's simply gorgeous!

Thank you, Margie.

You know I think you're a little thinner than when I saw you last.

It's very becoming though.

You know if I was you, I think I'd stay that way.

You don't have to make conversation, Dick.

It's all right.

I'm not going to talk about us anyway.

You make me a little bit uncomfortable when you look at me like that.

I'm sorry, Dick.

I'll try not to look at you.

Oh, now, Margie.

Is that quite fair? I mean after all–

Oh, please, Dick.

For heavens sake, don't say it.

I know you weren't in love with me.

You needn't rub it in.

You know I wouldn't do that.

You don't know how lucky you are, Dick.

Yes, I think I do.

Oh, no, you don't.

You've got the person you love.

So will you, Margie.

You'll find someone you love much more than you ever loved me.

Oh, please, Dick!

You will! You're too wonderful a girl not to.

Oh, it's a mess! The whole darn business.

Margie, don't talk that way.

Oh, I can't help it.

I can't understand why everybody gets a break but me.

Come on now, Margie. Buck up!

You don't want them to see you like this.

Oh, I don't care.

It isn't the first time I've ever acted the fool.

Put down that drink, Georgie.

I just did put it down.

You better have your tea. It's getting cold.

Who's ever coming with me had better hurry.

I gotta go down to the Rotary Club.

And speak on better ventilation for birdcages.

Come on, Margie.

We mustn't make our first visit too long.

I'm coming.

When are we going to see you, Anne?

Oh, we'll be about in a couple of days.

Good. Don't forget to give me a jingle, Anne.

You bet I will, Diane.

Bye, light of my bachelor days.

Give lots of parties, will you?

We will not!

It was nice to see them again, Anne.

Very.

Margie was pretty hard hit, wasn't she, Dick?

Well – you know Margie. She just loves to be dramatic.

Well, I never liked her before.

But she showed such good taste loving my husband

that suddenly brings her way up in my estimation.

Oh, Anne. Your wonderful

No. We're a wonderful pair.

You bet we are.

Well, I'm sorry to break into this happy home scene.

But I have to dress for dinner.

Oh, Anne, darling.

Where that little dress I like. You know, the lace one.

With the thingamajig up the back.

That's one of the dresses I can't get into alone.

Don't worry, darling.

You're not going to be alone.

Well, that's that.

Thank heaven.

Well, we got it off our chests, anyhow.

We're all through for the week now, aren't we?

Mmm, no.

There's the Peace costume ball Saturday.

Anne, please don't turn that on. It annoys me.

Oh, that's lovely.

Dance with me, Dick. Come on.

After theater and dinner with the Porters, she wants me to dance with her.

She wants me to dance with her.

Are you terribly tired?

Not tired. I'm just numb.

Well, if you're not very tired, let's go somewhere and dance.

All by ourselves?

Certainly.

Do you realize how very little

we have been all by ourselves

during this past year of wedded bliss?

It's too late.

Well, what time is it?

Nearly twelve.

Yes, that is terribly late.

Besides, I have to be downtown early in the morning.

Another thing. I've got one of those nasty colds coming on again.

Ahh... Ahh... Ah.

My tongue is all coated. Look.

I'll take your word for it.

Never mind, Anne. I'll answer it.

Hello?

Yes. His Majesty and Her Grace.

Well, just at the moment, I'm suffering from the grippe.

Well, before I commit myself, who's with you?

Sounds swell.

Wait a minute. I'll ask Anne.

Georgie and the gang want to know we will meet them at the Lido?

But I thought you didn't want to go out. It was so late.

Maybe this is the very thing I need.

What about your cold?

Well, Anne. There's no use coddling myself.

I'll tell them we'll meet them. What do you say?

No.

You'll tell them to come here first.

And then will decide.

All right.

Anne says come up here first for supplies.

What?

Well, let them.

Who cares?

Then let them go ahead. We'll meet them there

Okay.

John and Paul and Terry are going on.

And who's coming here?

Just, uh…Georgie, and, uh… and Duckie, I think.

You know spending the evening

with those boresome people just knocks me out.

Well. I feel all pepped up already, don't you?

I was pepped up before.

Well, maybe I better go down and mix some cocktails.

What do you say?

I'll change my gown.

Good. But don't be long, Anne.

Because we don't want to get stuck here late.

Anne, I thought you were going to change.

No, I've changed my mind.

Dick–

I think we're getting on each other's nerves.

What?

Would you care very much if I went away for a while?

Well, you just try it and you'll come back to my dead body.

Well then – supposing you and I go away together for a while?

I can't right now, honey. I'm right up to my neck in this Hobson deal.

Just as soon as it's over, we'll go.

Da-da-de-dum-dum-da-da-dee...

Da-dad-da-dum..

Da-dee-dum-dum...

Well, it didn't take you folks long to get here.

Hello, Anne.

Hello. I didn't expect you to be in the party, Margie.

What? Will you listen to her?

Why, I am the party. I instigated it.

Well, Georgie.

You look a little emaciated.

Well, I was just emaciated into the Elks Saturday night.

Where's Dick?

He's out in the kitchen mixing cocktails.

Oh, is that where he is?

My gracious, I thought he was up to his neck in

blankets and mustard plasters.

Cheerio.

What did you say he was mixing?

- Cocktails. - Oh.

How are you, dear? And where have you been?

Oh, I've been around with the young matrons of society.

Lunching at the Marjorie with Mildred and things like that.

Don't go into that.

Come on out with us, Anne.

Say, in that gown, you've got what I call allure.

Oh, don't raise my hopes, Duckie.

I haven't had allure in so long, I've forgotten now it feels.

What's new in the world of slander.

Enumerable things. Enumerable.

Terry Adams has left his wife's bed and board,

refusing to share it with his friends.

No!

And – Price Baines is back. Very much back.

Nursing that wounded heart you gave him.

Wounded vanity, you mean.

Ahh!

Child in his early teens

about to spill cocktails on hostess' plush carpet.

Anne, with my naughty thoughts.

I'm flattered, Georgie.

All I need is a little encouragement.

I never heard of you asking for encouragement before.

Touche, woman.

A toast. A toast to water.

Oh, there's rainwater. Dishwater. Soda water.

Pluto water. And muddy water.

But the waters I prefer are the waters of the Minnetonka.

Another toast.

A toast to Mother's Day.

It gives me the greatest pleasure that ever was

to say that I love you. So it does.

For today is Mother's Day, my dear.

And you are my mother, so I hear.

- Another toast. - Nuh-uh.

Terrible.

Margie seems to be a little in her cuffs.

Yes, Marjorie would.

Look out. Here I come.

Hurry up with the drinks. We better be moving.

I don't think you want to go out tonight, Dick, on account of your cold.

Oh, Anne. I feel like stepping out.

We won't let him dance, Anne.

Oh, can't I, mama?

Don't coax me.

Go if you want to. But I'm not going.

That's absurd. You know I wouldn't go without you.

Why not? I go without you if I wanted to.

Oh, Anne.

Well, I'm sorry, folks. But–

You see how it is.

Georgie knows.

Maybe we better scraminata.

Right.

Sorry won't join us, he Anne.

Maybe some other time, Margie.

- Good night. - Good night.

- Good night, girls. - Good night.

- See you soon. - Yes.

Good night, Mrs. Ives.

I had a powerful good time.

The vittles was just fine.

I reckon y'all better come over and see us some time.

Good night, Colonel.

Good night, Dick. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.

Good night, Margie.

Come on, Troubles.

Good night, everybody.

Good night, General.

What's the matter with you, Anne?

I thought you wanted to go out.

A minute ago, you were sore because I would go with you.

Ten minutes ago, wild horses couldn't have dragged you out.

Well, I can change my mind, can't I?

So can I.

Anne, sometimes better understand you.

Don't you? I understand you very well.

Well.

It's all too complicated.

I guess I'll go to bed. You coming?

No, I think I'll read a while.

All right. Good night.

Gentleman.

We're ready to set sail now.

Taxi!

Anne, I have an idea.

Supposing we stop over at the office and pick up Dick.

Oh, no. We had better not do that.

He's either up to his neck in work.

Or is probably home fast asleep.

Very well. I'm with you.

Dick?

Dick, is that you?

Oh.

Hello, Anne.

Come in here, darling. I'm nervous all alone.

I tried to stay awake but–

I don't know. I must've fallen asleep around one, reading.

Well, I got in around 1:30.

I think it was.

Why didn't wake me?

Well, now, darling. You were sleeping so sweetly, I didn't have the heart.

Did you have a grand time?

I was bored to death.

Oh, that's too bad.

Why?

Well, try and spend an evening with Churchill.

Oh. What did you do?

Well.

As soon as we finish the coast business,

Churchill took it into his head that he wanted to see 50 million Frenchmen.

And little Dickie had to trail along.

I'd only seen the show twice before.

So you must have hated that.

As a matter of fact, I didn't.

You know I– I can see a show I like a dozen times.

What did you do, Anne?

Oh, I went out with Duckie and Georgie.

- You did? - Mmm-hmm.

I thought you were going to stay at home.

Well I was. But they dropped by.

And wanted me to go to the theater. So I did.

And after the theater, we went to the Lido.

- You did, huh? - Mmm-hmm.

Well, uh – I hope you weren't as bored as I was.

Oh, no. I had a very good time.

Until I saw you come in with Marjorie True.

I suppose you think I was with her all the time.

That I lied about my date with Churchill.

I don't know what to think.

You've lied pretty steadily since you came in at 4:30.

Don't rub it in, Anne.

I know I was a fool.

No use by trying to clear myself.

You wouldn't believe me.

Oh, for heaven's sake. Don't tell me any more.

Led me into a trap.

And I walked into it.

I'd have told you myself.

Would you?

Well, I never kept anything from you yet.

I didn't want to go out with Margie.

A lot of us have been trying to tell her that I thought it was tacky.

And it took you to 11 till 4 to explain your position.

Oh, Anne, darling. Nothing's happened.

Nothing important.

Oh, Dick.

So much has happened.

So terribly much.

Things that you don't even know about.

They've been piling up inside of me for months.

I just can't hold it any longer. That's all.

You see it's all come true, Dick. Just as I said it would.

And marriage has done it.

Nothing's come true.

Marriage is living together in the same house.

Going to the same places. Doing the same things.

The intimacy that makes you helpless. And small.

And dependent on one another.

It's not like that with us, Anne.

Oh, it is. Darling, it is.

Why did you have to sneak home like a thief?

Why shouldn't you go out with Margie if you wanted to?

I was up when you got home, Dick.

And I got into bed to trick you into lying.

It's these petty things that have beaten me.

I can't stand it any longer.

Oh, Dick.

I want our love to be like it used to be.

Anne, it's just the same.

Our love is…it's greater.

Maybe it's greater, Dick.

I know you love me.

And I know I love you.

But something's gone.

I don't know. The spark's gone out of this.

We used to be gay and young together.

Now we're only gay when we're around other people.

Anne.

You know what I think?

- I think– - Oh, I wonder.

No, I'm not going to have a child just to keep my husband.

I've seen too many burned-out marriages going on because of a child.

Dick.

I'm going back to my old place.

Really, Anne. You don't mean–?

Divorce?

No.

No, I don't mean that.

I only mean for us to become individuals again.

Up to two years.

Oh, Anne, don't.

Please, don't.

Oh, this isn't anything new, Dick.

I've been thinking about it a lot lately.

I know it's the only thing.

Well, it may be the only thing for you but–

It's the only thing for you too.

It's going to give us back that something

that marriage is killed for us both.

You might notice at least given me a break and

told me I was neglecting you.

I tried to. And what did you do?

You became a dutiful husband.

Until you nearly drove me mad.

I'm not through playing yet, Dick.

I don't want to get through.

I can't stand to have you play around with everybody else.

And come home and be devoted to me.

You're the only person in the world I ever knew

that I could be playmates with.

And you want your playmate back again?

Oh, I do, Dick.

I've missed you horribly.

Well, Anne–

When do we start?

From now on.

You're Richard Ives.

I am Anne Vincent.

All right.

All right, I–

- I'll move out tomorrow. - No.

I'm going back to my old place.

I'd much rather.

Well.

You can't – you can't move out until the morning.

Darling.

Let's postpone the beginning until then.

No.

The beginning will start now.

And it's almost five o'clock.

Time you left my room, Mr. Ives.

But, Anne.

We can kiss each other good night, can't we?

Miss Vincent.

Call me up sometime and…we'll talk it over.

Good night.

Oh, wait a minute, Susan.

I think you can take those flowers off the table.

Anne, darling.

I've never seen you look so beautiful.

That's because you haven't seen me for a month.

What am I supposed to do? Shake hands? Or kneel?

If you wait one more second, I'll throw you out.

Let me see you again.

Oh, you look marvelous!

And I expected to see you with gaunt cheeks and hollow eyes.

Well, my cheeks are gaunt. Look.

And I'm just a shade of my former self.

Oh, you never looked better.

Oh, Anne, darling.

You're so beautiful.

And for ages I haven't realized it.

I know it.

You only talked about colds in your head and showed me your tongue.

Wretch that I was.

Oh, how is it now?

Oh, it's quite normal. Wanna see it?

I do not!

Ah, places for two!

Just as it should be.

Go on. You cool the champagne.

Gosh, you do look good.

Well, Anne.

I suppose you know we've raised a furor

the likes of which has never been heard of

in the history of separations.

You're telling me?

Anne, one of you been telling people?

Nothing.

Oh, it's either Duckie or Mildred.

They've both been calling me up for information.

Shall I answer it?

Well, all right. But don't give them any information.

And Anne.

No callers.

Of course not.

Hello?

Yes?

No, this isn't a phony number. It's my number.

Since a month ago.

It's Duckie.

What? No, you're not supposed to register consternation.

Glee. Un-huh.

No, we're not telling it to a judge.

As a matter of fact, he's right here by my side,

struggling with a champagne cork.

Duckie says it's scandalous.

What?

Let me talk to her. Hold the receiver to my ear.

Wait a minute.

Yes. Dick will tell you all the dirty details. Wait.

Well, you see, Duckie. It was like this.

It seems the little woman wanted a Peerless vacuum cleaner.

And he wanted a General Electric.

That's right.

So one word led to another.

And in a mad fit of passion,

she allowed the poor man to shift for himself.

Hey hey!

And so, it wasn't until seven years later that–

No, sir! We are not receiving callers except by appointment.

And our first open date is, uh–

what's our first open date?

Uh, Shrove Tuesday.

That's right.

Yeah, you, on that day and we'll receive you.

Yes, sir. All the time.

Only you'll find the cabin door locked.

And how!

What?

No, sir. I'm adamant.

And when I'm adamant, I–

This is one of his special adamant days.

Right!

Let's put the receiver up on her.

Oh, yeah, let's.

Oh, no. She'll call right back.

She's walking away, a mile a minute.

Monsieur, champagne! Quick! Tout de suite!

Lafayette, he comes!

Ah, Mademoiselle FiFi, you are happy?

Delicious!

Then squatez-vouz on lapee.

With pleasure.

Baby!

Eww!

You're so naughty.

Why you make so free with FiFi, huh?

J'adore.

Sanderville 1-700.

Thank you.

Hello, Harvard Club?

Richard Ives.

Mrs. Ives.

Hello, Dick.

Hello, darling.

How are you?

Oh, nothing. Just lolling around, reading.

What have you been doing?

Oh, I'm sorry. I hope I didn't interrupt you.

No, it isn't all right. You go right back to your game.

No, I didn't want anything. Really, Dick.

Un-huh.

Yes.

Yes. Around seven.

All right. Bye-bye.

Tommy?

Get my hat and coat, will you?

Tell the boys in the card room that I've been called away.

- I'll meet you in the lobby. - Yes, sir.

Why, it's Baines!

How do you do, Mrs. Ives?

Or am I wrong?

You're quite right?

I know you told me never to call.

I'm glad you remembered.

You're not angry, are you?

A little. You should have phoned.

I didn't dare. I knew you'd tell me not to come.

Well, you're here now.

Come on in. Let's have a cocktail.

Well, I see our local gossips are right.

And I expected it.

Expected what?

A report that a certain romance has tipped.

Well, don't look so pleased. We haven't tipped at all.

How disappointing.

I have come if I'd known that.

On second thought, that's not a bad idea.

A rejected suitor might be just the thing for a happy home.

Why don't you try it, Anne?

Now there is an idea.

Then it isn't true?

Not a word of it.

I'm heartbroken.

A broken heart doesn't seem to go with that smile somehow.

Anne, seriously.

Do you mind giving me the low down.

Certainly not.

If there was a low down.

This is your place, isn't it?

I mean you live here and all that.

Yes, I live here and all that.

And Dick lives over on 63rd?

And all that.

You live here. And he lives there?

You mean to tell me that you haven't tipped?

I know you're dying for this cocktail, right?

Now don't change the subject.

Anne, why do you pretend to be so cool and collected?

When you know you can't make me believe that something hasn't gone wrong.

You know you can't make me believe that everything's all right?

I never asked you to believe a thing, did I?

It's a shame you have to resort to all this.

Price Baines, you want to be thrown out?

I have a perfect right to express my sentiments.

When it concerned somebody who very greatly interests me.

Here. Go to work.

Well.

I can at least have the satisfaction of thinking that I might have done better.

Don't be so conceited.

I couldn't have stood you.

Here's to you, Anne.

And me.

Anne.

I love you.

I want you.

Oh, don't be silly, Price. Let me go!

I'll never let you go.

I only stayed away because you were– because you were married.

Well, I'm still married.

I don't think this is a very sporty thing for you to do.

Exterminator, madame.

Georgie, come right in.

There somebody here I want to get rid of.

Wait till I call my helpers.

Hey, Joe, Gus.

- Duckie! - Oh!

- And Dick! - Anne!

I thought you were playing bridge.

We caught him lickety-spliting down 57th St.

Well, I'm tickled to death you came. Come on in.

Come on, Georgie.

Well, if it isn't my pent-up virgin.

He must've found itself.

How are you?

- Fine. How are you, Duckie? - Swell.

Hello, everybody.

How are you, Ives?

Fine, thank you.

Price here has been boring me to death.

The last time I saw you was in the New York Times.

You had your foot in a lion's mouth or something.

Will somebody please notice me and ask me some questions?

Georgie, what in the name of a dog have you there?

These in the name of the dog

are none other than new banner and post black paint.

Two gallons per Nicky Cannon's studio floor.

These, my dear woman, are commonly known as brushes.

When dipped into the paint.

And swished to and fro across a certain area,

they cover that area with a certain film cover.

Thereby disguising long accumulated dirt and old nails.

Making said studio fit to live in.

I have one for you. And one for Dick.

Not me. You don't catch me working for Nicky Cannon.

Oh, don't say you're going to disappoint us now.

Working day and night, without stopping to eat,

we could possibly be through in two weeks.

That by no chance is just a new way of serving Postum, is it?

Georgie, haven't you stopped drinking yet?

I've practically stopped.

I've tapered down to two quarts a day now.

If you folks will pardon me, I think I'll run along.

Goodbye. Goodbye, everybody.

Goodbye.

I never did like that man.

So long, Ives.

So long.

- Goodbye, Anne. - Nice to have seen you again, Price.

Goodbye, Duckie.

Get out the family shotgun.

Can you imagine? Husband shoots old flame on sight.

Let's get out of here.

You mean to say you're gonna leave us with all this paint on our hands?

Yes, I am.

I have a date with Dick. And I have to get dressed.

Well, folks. I think it's dirty.

But we're used to it. Come on, Adolf.

Every place I go I meet with reflux.

- Can you put my hat on? - Sure.

Come on.

I know. Old gold.

Bye-bye. See you later.

I'll ring you soon, Duckie.

Anne. I don't like this.

- Like what? - His coming here.

Oh. I don't like it either.

But he came. And I couldn't shut the door in his face, could I?

What's the use of our pretending any longer?

None of these things would've happened if we'd been together.

Maybe not these things. But things infinitely worse.

Not to me, Anne.

I love you.

I've always loved you.

Anne, let's go back home. And behave like human beings.

You can't tell me you like this sort of thing?

Well, I don't say I like this sort of thing entirely.

But I don't like marriage entirely either.

Well, it's just a case of which is favored, that's all.

All right, Anne.

I'm going to let you have your own way.

You live your life. And I live mine.

I don't know exactly what mine will be.

But as you insist on complete freedom,

well, I'm going to have the same thing.

And if you should ever want to get in touch with me,

you can always find me at the Ives mansion.

Goodbye.

It's awfully good of you to meet me here, Anne.

It's kind of you to ask me.

I've been walking three blocks out of my way,

trying to dodge your club.

I was so ashamed of meeting you.

Oh, you needn't that.

I've been wanting to see you for some time. But I–

thought I'd better at you wait a while.

I didn't think you'd like family interference.

Oh, you're not family interference, father.

You're the one person I've counted on to understand.

I think I do.

I've said I'm not blaming you.

Nor do I blame Dick.

For what?

Well, you've taken your freedom.

And Dick naturally considers that he has a perfect right to take his.

You know as well as I do

that there are certain other – shall we say – influences

which have simply been waiting their opportunity

to present themselves to Dick.

You mean–

We needn't mention any names.

But we can hardly blame Dick

for not considering himself

especially bound to you under the circumstances.

Now, my dear.

You have sailed on this course just about as far as you can.

And if you're wise, as I think you are,

you'll change it.

If I give into Dick now,

I'll have to continue doing it for the rest of my life.

I'll just be a little wife who saw the error of her ways.

Truer words were never spoken.

Well, I can't!

He's got to understand.

I can't carry our marriage out all alone.

Well, my dear.

That's up to you.

I've had my say.

You don't mind having listened to an old man

who's lived a great deal longer than you have?

And who loves you.

And is very much concerned about you.

Do you?

You're very very kind to me, father.

Miss True is here.

Margie True?

Show her in, Susan, please.

Hello, Margie.

- Hello, Anne. - Won't you sit down?

Thanks.

I guess you're wondering why I came here

at this time of the morning, aren't you?

Well, no. We're friends, aren't we?

Well, you have a lot against me.

Or rather, you could have.

Don't be silly, child. I haven't a thing against you.

Well, I've cursed you a couple of times.

Have you, I haven't noticed.

Have a cigarette.

Oh, thanks.

You're just pretending, Anne.

You know I've gone after Dick once or twice.

You didn't come here to tell me that.

Did you, Margie?

No. That isn't all I came for.

I wanted to ask for help, hoping so that you and Dick –

Nobody can find out. And – well –

Well, I feel I have a right to know.

I've always been in love with Dick.

Long before you even knew him, I was in love with him.

Oh, I want to be sporting, Anne.

If you say you're in love with Dick, well, I'll keep my hands off.

But if you're not – well – maybe you'll give me a break.

Sometimes a girl can get a man – on the rebound.

That isn't a very safe way, is it, Margie?

Maybe it isn't.

When you care for anyone as I care for Dick,

it doesn't matter.

You'll take him anyway you can get him.

Very well. In that case, I shouldn't worry about being fair.

Dick thinks I'm a bad sport.

I have a better chance with him, if I could play fair.

Oh, then it's his good opinion you're worried about. Not mine.

You're a little involved in your ethics, aren't you?

Maybe I am.

I know I love Dick.

That's one thing I'm not involved.

Well, I'm sorry.

I can't tell you what you would like to hear, Margie.

I happen to love Dick.

I don't believe you love him.

If you did, you couldn't live apart from him.

I know enough about love to know that.

Well, if you know so much about love,

there wasn't much point in your coming here, was there?

Oh, you're just telling me this so I'll keep my hands off.

I'm not telling you to keep your hands off, Margie.

Oh, this is just a dramatic gesture on your part.

Oh, is it?

Well, I've kept my hands off.

But I'm not going to do it any longer.

You're one of those cool superior girls

who thinks you can hold a man

at any distance or any way you want to.

Oh, I came here today to tell you that you can't.

I thought you came here to ask me something.

That was a stall. And you know it.

I came here for Dick's sake.

For Dick's sake?

Yes. To prove to him that I'm not a bad sport.

I am taking him on the rebound – now – today.

I don't quite understand you.

By this time tomorrow, Dick and I will be out of New York – together!

I'm not afraid of anything you can do.

And I don't care what you think.

You're the sort of a girl

who must have a man come crawling on his knees to you.

You had your chance with Dick. And you threw it away!

Well, I'm taking it!

Do you understand? I'm taking it!!

Susan.

I'm not at home to anyone.

Hello?

Yes?

This is Mr. Ives residence.

Who?

Oh, Miss Wilcox.

Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am.

You'll not be able to speak to Mr. Ives.

He's left for Bermuda.

Yes.

His boat has already sailed.

- Hello? - Hello, Mrs. Ives.

Am I right?

Oh, Price.

No. No, you're quite wrong.

It's Miss Vincent.

Then you do know they've sailed.

Well, I – I hate to be one of those "I told you so" individuals.

And pat myself on the back.

But, uh – it did happen, didn't it?

Anne.

Why don't you have dinner with me tonight?

I'm very sympathetic on Tuesdays.

Well, I don't want sympathy.

What makes you think that?

Congratulations are in order.

Now I know I'm talking to Anne Vincent.

That's the spirit.

I knew you'd come to your senses.

Listen, darling.

After serving two years in the marriage institution,

surrounded by the Ives traditions,

who would come to their senses?

Anne?

Anne!

Anne, dear, what are you doing?

Are you crying?

Who me, cry? Don't be silly.

I'm much too happy.

But –

I've been born all over again.

I'm free! Do you understand that?

You don't know what that means to me, Price.

I can go places.

I don't have to see the same faces.

No restrictions.

Nobody to tell me what to do.

You don't know what that means to me, Price.

I'm free again!

I'm free.

I couldn't go, Anne.

I couldn't.

I got as far as the gang plank. And I couldn't make it.

Anne, I'm sick.

My throat's sore.

My headaches.

And by heart aches.

Oh, Dick. Don't tell me you're going to be sick!

Open your mouth.

Say "ah."

Ahh!

Ah.

Ahhh!

Let me see your tongue.

That's terrible too.

That's all right. Let me see it.

Ah, Dick. Don't get sick.

Don't get sick. At least not till we go home to the Ives mansion.

What?

Please take me home!

No more theories, Anne?

What are theories…to do with love?