My Foolish Heart (1950) Movie Script
Golly Eloise, I almost ran you over.
I'm insured.
Shall we go in, or shall we stay
out and wait for the rainbow?
Let me have your duds.
Well .. you don't look a day older.
You're a rotten liar.
Aren't you getting fat.
You know, a career girl. Who has time?
You notice the New England spread?
- I wasn't going to mention it.
Lew mentions it all the time.
He's darned possessive about it.
Hey .. a mansion.
14 dollars a square foot.
You impressed?
- I certainly am.
I don't know how Lew does it.
Probably chisels on the income tax.
What will you have to drink?
- Nothing thanks.
Look, kid. It's seven years
since we've seen each other.
If I remember, we didn't part under
the friendliest of circumstances.
Frankly, I'm embarrassed to see you.
I think a drink would help a lot.
Okay. Rye and soda.
I was bowled over when I heard your
voice on the phone this morning.
I thought we'd have a talk.
You mean you've forgiven me, Mary Jane?
I forgave you a long time ago, Eloise.
Good.
Who was it said: 'To forgive is divine'?
Probably nobody I'd care to meet anyhow.
Drink up.
Say.
Know what I read in the Alumni News?
- What?
Dean Whiting is dead.
Got cancer last summer and died and all.
She only weighed 62 pounds
when she died. Isn't it terrible?
Not particularly.
[ Telephone ]
Who can that be? I've got no friends.
I don't know why, but you could
always make me laugh, El.
I'm comical. That's why.
Telephone for you, Mrs Wengler.
Mr Wengler.
The breadwinner.
Yeah?
El? I'm at the station.
It's murder getting a cab because of the
rain. Can you come and pick me up?
I can't come down. Mary Jane is here.
You remember Mary Jane?
She has her car parked right in front
of me and she can't find the key.
I can't get out.
Have you been looking?
Sure we have. We spent the
last 20 minutes looking for it.
Maybe you can get a lift
with Dick and Mildred.
They're spending the night in town.
That's tough, kid.
Why don't you boys form a
platoon and march home?
Then you can say that 'hup, hup, hup'
business and be a big-shot Major again.
Don't be funny.
I'm not funny. Really I'm not.
It's just my face.
I don't know why.
Everybody thinks I'm funny.
You're Ramona, aren't you.
My, what a pretty dress.
Here. Let me look at you.
Will you give me a little kiss?
I don't like to kiss people.
Stop scratching. Where's Jimmy?
He's here.
- Who's Jimmy?
Jimmy's her beau. Goes where she goes,
does what she does. All very hoopla.
I see. Jimmy is just a
make-believe little boy.
I think that's very nice.
- Ramona, turn around.
Tell Mary Jane what Jimmy looks like.
He has green eyes and black hair.
- What else?
No mummy and no daddy.
- What else?
No freckles.
Ramona, are you sniffling?
- Just a little.
Come here.
You feel a little feverish.
Go and tell Grace you're to
have your dinner in bed.
But mummy, it's early. I want to play ..
- Go on. Do as I tell you.
On the double.
Alright.
Come on, Jimmy.
She's an unhappy-looking
little kid, isn't she.
I wish I knew how to make her happy.
I don't know. There's something
in me I guess that won't let me.
What an imagination that child has.
Who does she look like anyhow?
- Lew.
She looks like Lew.
When his mother comes over the
three of them look like triplets.
What I need is a cocker
spaniel or something.
Somebody that looks like me.
But El, how could she?
How could she what?
You know.
Look like .. Lew.
Or his mother.
I know ..
El ..
Have you ever told Lew about ..
You know, about Walt?
Are you crazy?
Did you?
- You know I wouldn't.
Listen to me, career-girl.
If you ever get married don't tell your
husband anything. You hear me?
Why?
- Because I say so.
That's why.
They want to think you spent your life
vomiting every time a boy came near you.
I'm not kidding either.
You didn't really know Walt, did you?
I mean, really know him.
He was the only boy I ever knew
who could make me laugh.
I mean really laugh.
He could do it when he talked to me.
He could do it over the phone.
He could even do it in a letter.
And the best part of it was ..
He didn't even try to be funny.
He just was funny.
Throw me a cigarette, will you?
Don't cry, El.
Don't cry.
Who's crying?
He was nice.
He was either funny or sweet.
Not that darned little-boy sweet either.
It was ..
A special kind of sweet.
Gosh, there's Lew.
Now there will be a scene.
With me dewy-eyed and with roses
in my cheeks, it's going to be worse.
Look.
You say hello or talk to him or
something while I clean up.
Well .. hello, Major.
I saw the dashboard of Mary Jane's car.
The key is in the ignition.
This is all very interesting.
It's only 6:30.
You're not usually tight until 8:30.
I'm not a clock-watcher, Major.
That 'Major' joke's worn thin, Eloise.
Sorry. I'll try to find a
new joke some place.
In the meantime why not trot downstairs
and try to catch up with me.
I haven't caught up with you in years.
Tell me something.
Have you ever got angry in your life?
- I'm pretty angry right now.
Then show it for pity sakes.
I just played you a darned dirty trick.
Throw something at me.
Throw this at me or
yell or do something.
Don't just stand there staring
at me like a rotten owl.
I know this. I haven't had one happy day
with you since I got back from overseas.
Maybe it's my fault.
I've tried.
I don't know how to make you happy.
But I know I can't take it any longer.
What? Are you giving me notice?
Does this mean you're
going home to mother?
But I am leaving.
You do that, my good man. I'll write
you out a reference in the morning.
Get going, Major.
What are you waiting for?
El.
I want Ramona.
What do you mean, you want Ramona?
- I want custody of her.
Don't be silly, Lew.
The law says the mother gets the child.
I'm sorry I have to be brutal, El.
You drink too much. The law says
a dipsomaniac is not a fit mother.
I love Ramona.
You know I love Ramona.
- Ramona's been a miserable child.
She needs a chance. I'll see she has it.
You just try to get her.
You just try to get her, mister.
- I'll let my attorney handle it.
So you think you're going to get Ramona?
That's funny, that's very funny.
- I don't think it's funny.
Yes it is. It's funny.
Mary Jane knows how funny it is.
Mary Jane.
Mary Jane. Come up here, Mary Jane.
El, for heaven's sake.
- Mary Jane.
They hear you all over the neighborhood.
They know enough as it is.
What do you think, Mary Jane?
Lew is leaving me and he wants Ramona.
- Yes, I know.
I know that, El.
- You know. How do you know?
I had lunch with Lew yesterday and ..
- Lunch with Lew? You've seen Lew?
Yes.
He told me he was going to take Ramona.
I thought if I came here and told you ..
- It would soften the blow?
Soften the blow for him.
Tell him why it's funny.
Eloise.
You think you'll walk out of this
house and take Ramona with you.
I'll walk out of this house
and take Ramona with me.
I hate this house.
Every 14-dollar a square foot of it.
I warn you, Eloise.
Even if I have to use force ..
Why?
I'm going to tell you a
little something, Major.
Lew, leave me alone with Eloise
for a few minutes. Please.
Yeah, make yourself a drink.
You're sure going to need it, Major.
El, I had to get Lew out before you
said something you'd regret forever.
One more regret. What's the difference?
You owe Lew something, El.
Alright, so I owe him something.
You owe me something too.
You're beginning to sound
like a collection agency.
Never mind Lew and me.
For your own sake.
I'm not asking you to consider Ramona.
El.
What's the matter?
Look what I've found.
What is it, El?
Listen, Mary Jane. Please.
Remember when we were in college I had a
brown-and-white dress I bought in Boise?
And Miriam Ball said nobody wore this
kind of dress in New York any more.
You remember how I cried?
I was a nice girl, wasn't I.
Yes.
Yes, Eloise. You were.
I was a nice girl.
Wasn't I?
I was a nice girl.
Wasn't I.
Please, Eloise. If you don't go back
to the dance everybody will notice.
I can't help it.
It was the most expensive
department store in Boise.
And the saleslady swore on her life this
was just what they wear in New York.
Now that Miriam Ball says ..
- Eloise, what happened?
Did somebody say anything
to you or insult you?
Please go away.
- It was a woman who insulted her.
I don't think I can hit a woman.
Try it sometime.
It's a wonderful feeling.
Eloise, I've hardly danced with you
all evening. This is a complaint.
I'll not go dancing in this dress.
What's wrong with it? Is it torn?
Is something showing?
It looks beautiful to me.
Please, don't try to be kind to me.
If people are kind to me,
I'll start crying all over again.
You dance with Mary Jane.
I'm going to smoke a Parliament.
You think Miriam Ball thinks that's the
correct cigarette to smoke in New York?
I'm sorry.
I didn't burn your dress or anything?
I had no idea there was ..
- I wish you had.
I wouldn't think of it.
Not with you there, anyway.
Did I say something I shouldn't have?
I didn't mean to.
It's not you. It's this dress.
You're upset about the dress?
My father paid a fortune for it.
Now Miriam Ball says: 'This kind of
dress simply isn't worn in New York'.
Do you know Miriam Ball?
I don't think I'd care to.
Is this such a terrible dress?
No. No, it's not terrible at all.
Does it look awfully 'Boise' to you?
I don't quite get that.
Boise, Idaho. Where I bought this dress.
Does it look 'Boise' to you?
- That's silly.
It was probably made here on 7th Avenue.
Why should it look 'Boise'?
Miriam Ball said ..
- No more about Miriam Ball.
It's a perfectly alright dress.
I feel much better now.
Should you stay here with me any longer?
Won't your date miss you?
I haven't got a date.
You mean you've no girl at the dance?
Worse than that.
I haven't even a ticket to the dance.
But I do have a dinner jacket and
a free evening so I just crashed.
Always without a girl?
I could not afford a
dinner jacket AND a girl.
I suppose you're here with someone?
Lew Wengler. You know him?
No. I don't know anybody at this dance.
Except you.
And I suppose, in a sense, Miriam Ball.
Would you care to go back
into the dance with me?
I'd love to.
But I can't.
Why not?
My date is inside dancing.
I'm supposed to be outside crying.
Geography isn't important.
We can dance out here.
Of course we can. There's more room.
[ Music stops ]
They probably know
I haven't got a ticket.
That's Miriam Ball.
And?
She's a frump.
- She's the chicest girl at college.
Believe me. I have friends who've
been to Paris. She's an absolute frump.
Do you really think so?
Miriam .. Miriam Ball.
Well ..
- Walt Dreiser.
Yes. Of course.
How are you? How have you been?
- You look wonderful, Miriam.
Thank you.
- What you been doing lately?
Nothing much. Going to school.
And you?
I'm glad you asked me.
I just got back from a mining town.
A business trip.
A stunning gown you have on, Miriam.
Thank you.
- It must be popular.
Every girl. Every girl in this mining
town was wearing one just like it.
It was like a uniform or something.
Really. How nice.
I was just telling ..
- Eloise Winters.
Telling Eloise I admired your hairdo.
It's been so nice seeing you again.
I have to get home.
- Miriam, the dance just started.
I must be up early in the morning.
Goodnight.
Miriam's probably not happy.
I'll tell Mary Jane and by lunch
hour it will be all over school.
I'll love you for the rest of
my life for what you did.
How can I ever repay you?
Let's not commercialise a noble deed.
I think I'd better go.
- Won't you stay and meet my friends?
No. They say 'how do you do'.
I say 'how do you do'.
Life's too short for that.
As a matter of fact there's a dance
at the Waldorf I want to crash.
Really?
I might be lucky and find another
girl in a brown-and-white dress.
Goodbye.
'Eloise', you said?
- Uhuh.
You're a nice girl.
Goodbye.
[ Telephone ]
Hello?
Just a minute.
Ball. Miriam Ball.
Telephone.
Coming.
That's the third call she's got today.
- Fourth. But who's counting?
Alright, let's get on
with this silly stuff.
'They may seize upon the white
wonder of dear Juliet's hand'.
'And steal immortal
blessings from her lips'.
Was that the phone again?
- I didn't hear a thing.
Honestly, El.
You've been hoping for three days.
He saw you for five minutes at a dance.
Why expect him to call?
I certainly made an impression on him.
If Juliet made the same
impression on Romeo ..
Maybe he's nice looking. I'll bet.
I'll bet he's nothing to start
the digestive juices flowing.
As a matter of fact
Lew is better looking.
You're always talking about Lew.
Look. I'll make you a present of him.
Of course. He's crazy about you.
If you stay out of his way I bet
I'll make the grade with him.
[ Telephone ]
It's probably for Ball again.
Of course, I won't see much of Lew.
Only on his furloughs.
It's just like Lew.
We're not even in the war yet.
But he rushes to camp
to become an officer.
Ball.
Miriam Ball. Telephone.
She must advertise in locker rooms.
Hello?
Yes. This is Miriam Ball.
I'm fine, thank you.
Who is this?
Who?
But I don't know any Walt Dreiser.
Oh yes.
Indeed I do remember.
What am I wearing?
I don't think it concerns you.
Look here.
What's your reason for calling me?
Ma'am, I'm a little embarrassed.
Remember the girl I was with that night
when I was so taken with your gown?
I remember you and I
remember her first name.
'Eloise', wasn't it?
But her last name ..
- Winters.
'Winters', that's it.
I knew it was seasonal.
'Who, even pure and vestal
modesty still blush ..'
'As thinking their own kisses sin'.
'But Romeo may not'.
'He is banished'.
That call is for you, Eloise.
- Me?
The screwball you were with
at the dance Saturday night.
Walt Dreiser?
He called me to ask your name.
Seems he'd forgotten.
They'll make a fine couple.
They're both crazy.
Hello.
Hello?
Hi.
Sorry for not remembering your
last name. I've an awful memory.
That's alright.
What's in a name?
I didn't mean to quote, but I've been
reading Romeo and Juliet with Mary Jane.
She's my room-mate and saw the quote.
So naturally it sticks in your mind.
Maybe I'd better shut up, huh?
No, I'll tell you why I called.
How about dinner with me some night?
Some night? Any night. When?
I guess I shouldn't have said that.
How about tonight?
Tonight? I'd love to.
We're only allowed to
go out on weekends.
Look. I went to college just
two miles from a girl's school.
They had weekend rules too
but it never held anybody back.
There are ways and means, aren't there?
Yes, there are.
It isn't usually too risky.
Good.
I know a quaint little French
restaurant in The Village.
Usually when people say they know a
'quaint' restaurant it means it's cheap.
That's exactly what I mean.
Good. The address is 405 Greeley Street.
Yes. Yes, I've got the address.
About eight-thirty.
Oh dear. Now I have to
decide what to wear.
No. I will NOT borrow
something from Miriam Ball.
Alright.
Goodbye.
Mary Jane.
Mary Jane.
Mary Jane, what do you think?
- I know.
I just couldn't help it, El.
I listened on the downstairs phone.
Come in, Mary Jane.
Hello.
- Hello.
I'm sorry I'm late.
- That's alright.
I've been busy ordering for you.
See, I'm an old hand around here.
I know just what's safe.
Thank you.
You've no idea how happy
I was when you called.
Today is Tuesday and you saved me
from breaded veal cutlet at Woodleys.
That's very funny.
George.
Oui Monsieur?
For dinner, we'll have sweetbreads
instead of breaded veal cutlets.
Sweetbreads.
That will be fine. We don't have
sweetbreads at Woodleys until Friday.
Merci beaucoup, Monsieur.
When I got fired from that job
I went to work for my uncle.
Linoleum and floor-coverings.
My mother had to faint
twice to get me the job.
Did you like it there?
Instead of firing me they transferred
me from one department to another.
There were only two departments left.
- Then what?
I guessed my mother will have
to start fainting all over again.
Bonsoir Mademoiselle. Bonsoir Monsieur.
- Goodnight, George.
You know something?
You remind me very much of my father.
Are we back to your father again?
He must spoil you.
- No, I spoil him.
My Pop's the life of every party.
At least I think he's awfully funny.
Then when they get home, Mom says ..
'You made a fool of yourself
again tonight, Henry'.
I get the picture.
What do we do now?
Catch a second-feature somewhere?
- I'd love to, but ..
That would get us out after twelve and
it's a 40-minute drive back to school.
Let me think.
How about some good music?
Carnegie Hall?
- No. My apartment.
I call it an apartment.
It's really just one room.
I call it good music, but it's just
pop stuff with a lot of violins.
I don't think I'd better.
Afraid of me making a pass?
- It's not that.
I'll probably try.
A man's got his pride.
But you won't have any trouble with me.
One hit on the head and I leave off.
You're looking at the guy with the
lowest batting average in the city.
Alright, just for a little while.
Where do you live?
- Right here.
New York is a city of coincidence.
Nice and comfortable-looking.
Sit down over there.
I'll put on the music.
Is this all the light
there is in the room?
No, this is Mendelssohn.
He can't stand too much light.
Oh.
It's so lovely.
It's just impossible to listen to
his music with your eyes open.
I suppose as a good host I
should close my eyes too.
Just two puffs on a cigarette
and I'll be perfectly happy.
There you are.
I'm not much of a wolf but ..
Whatever success I've had
I owe to Mendelssohn.
Okay. It stays on.
That's a very aristocratic ear.
What constitutes an aristocratic ear?
You know, you're the first girl to ever
ask for an explanation of that remark.
It doesn't mean anything.
It's just an opening line. A throwaway.
I wish it weren't.
I wish you had meant it.
You know something.
I wish I had too.
[ Music stops ]
That does it.
Now I'll see if we can
recapture the mood.
My goodness.
Are you hurt?
This room has a split personality.
This half is so clean
and that half is so ..
It must have taken years
to accumulate this mess.
I'm going to straighten up this
place if it takes all night.
Don't bother. There will be a cleaning
woman round in a couple of weeks.
I don't see how a man can live this way.
Isn't it a bit early in our relationship
for you to start nagging me?
Look at these dishes.
Look at these.
There's enough for 2 or 3 days yet.
Have you got any soap?
In the bathroom, lots.
I mean soap for dishes.
Soap for dishes?
I never heard of such a thing.
I'll manage.
At least you've a dishcloth.
That's a Christmas present.
It started out in life as a muffler.
You don't do any cleaning
and pressing, do you?
Don't get yourself too tired.
- Why not?
I hadn't planned for our evening's
activities to end up in the kitchen.
Ow.
What happened?
- This dish is chipped.
Uhoh.
Poor Uncle Wiggily.
Didn't you read Uncle Wiggily
stories when you were a kid?
I remember. The little rabbit,
always in trouble and getting hurt.
And at the end of a chapter when he's
going to be eaten by a lion or a tiger.
Someone always came along and saved him.
- So funny you mention him.
That poor little rabbit.
I used to worry about
him and cry over him.
That wasn't so long ago either.
It's nice to know we've a mutual friend.
Such slim, aristocratic fingers.
Of course. To match my ears.
Poor Uncle Wiggily.
Gee, Walt.
I wish this wasn't just a build-up.
I wish you liked me a little.
Liked you a little. Are you crazy?
I like you a lot .. a lot.
No. Perhaps just a little.
Enough to wait three days.
Then call me for a date.
Look.
I suppose I looked cute and
silly crying over a dress.
Cute and silly and ..
Easy.
You try your luck.
Anything I say would be a lie, huh?
Yes.
Trapped.
Tapped in the shank of the evening.
At the height of my youth.
Trapped with a good girl.
I'm sorry.
It's not a matter of being sorry.
It's a matter of ethics.
A girl comes to a man's apartment.
Sits on his couch.
Listens to his music.
Even washes his dishes. And then.
And then.
Flashes her girl-scout badge on him.
Couldn't we just sit and talk?
Now that topic 'A' has been
eliminated, talk about what?
Well.
Thanks for everything.
I wish I could say the same.
Come on. I'll take you home.
No. I can get back by myself.
What I really mean is ..
If I put you to all this trouble and
you got so little for all that trouble.
Maybe you won't want to call me again.
Do you see what I mean?
That's logic I can't overcome.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, Eloise.
You're really a very nice girl.
That's all I hear from all sides.
May I kiss you the way I would
a rich but loathsome aunt?
Bye.
- Goodbye.
No ..
No. I'm going to take you home.
Come on.
How the boys in the back room will
laugh when they hear about this.
Hello.
Yes.
It's for me.
Yes. I'll meet you Saturday
night about 8:30.
Hello.
Hello Lew.
Just a minute.
Mary Jane.
I wish I had a dollar for every man I've
met who never bothered to call me again.
With Walt it's obvious.
He's just not interested in nice girls.
Otherwise, why would he let a
whole month go by without even ..
Hi.
Well .. this seems to
be the thing to do.
What are you doing in the army?
- My country needs me.
Besides, I was drafted.
- Drafted?
Yeah, I wrote you about it.
Or did I? Anyway, I meant to.
I was wondering what
had happened to you.
How do I look?
Walt, you look awful.
- Yes, I know.
The tailor is being tried for treason.
I got it all figured out.
I'm supposed to look this way.
In case of war, they drop pictures
of me all over Germany.
If you make the enemy
laugh that's half the battle.
When do you have to be back in camp?
A few days?
Until six o'clock in the morning.
Just an overnight pass.
My goodness, it's one-thirty now.
How much of a train trip
is it back to camp?
Three hours.
That means we have about
an hour and a half together.
Just about. 45 minutes to take you home.
45 minutes to get back here.
You mean you rode 3 hours in a hot
train and will ride 3 hours back ..
Just to be with me for 45 minutes?
If the train wasn't late it would
be an hour and 5 minutes.
Walt.
- What's the matter?
I think you're crazy.
Don't be silly. They don't
take crazy people in the army.
I also think you're wonderful.
That's better. That's much better.
We'd better say goodbye here.
If you want me to go now I'll go.
Well .. just to the back door.
It's never locked.
Let me try.
Alright .. just to the elevator.
I kept thinking of you standing in
the doorway of my apartment.
I suppose you're sorry now.
All this traveling just to
see me for a few minutes.
I make it a point never to
be sorry about anything.
Gosh. I thought I'd never see you again.
Tell you what.
Next time I get an overnight
pass I'll come up again.
You will?
Maybe I'm being carried away.
Maybe we wait until I
get a weekend pass.
How soon will that be?
Should be in about a month.
Unless I do something
to lose my privileges.
Something like what?
Something like missing my train and
not getting back to camp on time.
Gosh, you'd better go.
That's an aristocratic shoulder.
Eloise.
Dean Whiting.
Did you get him on the phone?
- Uhuh.
He said he'd wangle a pass one way
or the other and meet me in the city.
I hope you had sense enough not to
tell him your parents were flying in.
I told him everything.
About being expelled.
Everything.
Eloise, what a mess.
Whatever did Dean Whiting say to you?
She said:
'Eloise Winters.
I thought you were a nice girl'.
You know. I thought so too.
It can't be too tough.
I deal with tough Sergeants every day.
Mothers are worse than tough Sergeants.
Dear, I wish your uniform
fitted just a bit better.
I shouldn't have had it pressed.
It looked better baggy.
Here we are.
How'd you do with your mother?
So far I've out-cried her.
Dad's been a big help.
Walt, you stay here for a bit.
I'll pave the way for you.
Take your time.
I'll be with you girls in a minute.
These skyscrapers are magnificent.
Talk about your mountains in Idaho.
I'll take man over nature any day.
Dad.
It's alright, El.
You can stop crying.
He's outside, Dad.
I won't be in the same
room with that man.
Your father will take care of him.
- What do you mean, take care of him?
For heaven's sake, Martha.
What is there to take care of?
A boy kisses a girl in an elevator.
At 2:30 in the morning.
Dean Whiting ..
For Dean Whiting, the devil
always takes over after midnight.
Eloise has told you what
happened and I believe her.
You and Eloise. Eloise and you.
Let me say something else, Martha.
I had a good look at that elevator.
And nothing, absolutely nothing
could have happened.
I don't care. I looked it up.
If he doesn't marry Eloise
he can be court-martialed.
If just ONE single word is said about
marriage I'll jump out that window.
A school in Boise wasn't good
enough for your daughter.
She had to go to New York.
- Martha.
If you don't go in the
bedroom and shut up ..
I'm going to follow Eloise
right out that window.
Where's my phenobarbitone?
Come on. Powder your nose, El.
Let's have a look at this guy.
Please be sweet to him, Dad.
After all, he didn't have to
come up here you know.
I'm from the West.
He'll expect me to be gruff.
Aren't you glad you'll never
have to be a father?
Come in Walt.
Dad - this is Walter Dreiser.
Walt - my Dad.
How do you do, sir.
I must say you're the sorriest-looking
Casanova I've ever seen.
They assured me I'd grow into it.
Not bad. It's no worse than the
thing they handed me in '17.
El.
Would you like to run in and play ..
Gin rummy with mother or something?
Can't I stay here, Dad?
This is going be a man-to-man talk.
You never know what
language might result.
Okay.
'Walter', did Eloise say?
Walt.
Interested in photography, Walt?
Not in the least.
Nevertheless, I just took a wonderful
shot of the skyline through that window.
I'm going to have it blown up
and put in my store window.
Hardware.
The biggest hardware
store in the Rockies.
That's very interesting.
Not to me.
I hate hardware.
Okay. Let's get it over with.
Yes or no?
No.
Absolutely no.
Okay, okay. It's perfectly alright.
Now let's call in the ladies.
Wait a minute. That was much too short.
Martha would never
think I've done my duty.
Let's have a cigarette first.
- Swell.
Have one of mine.
- Thanks.
By the way.
There's one thing, Mr Winters.
- Yeah?
You know how it is in army camps.
There is a grapevine.
Word has gotten around I've
had a girl expelled from school.
It gives me a certain
standing among the boys.
The officers look at me with respect.
I wouldn't want it to get around
that there's nothing to it.
Of course not, my boy. I understand.
I was in the same boat myself once.
Twice.
Nope. Once.
I'm ready .. are you?
I'm not happy but I'm ready.
How bad is she?
I'm afraid, son, she's
an outraged mother.
We're ready for you Martha.
Where's your mother?
She won't look at Walt.
She ran into the bathroom.
You see, Walt.
My wife is very tough
with Eloise and me.
But when she has to face anything ..
She runs for the bathroom.
I'll go in to her.
Will you tell her from me
I'm sorry it all happened.
And it wasn't my fault or
Eloise's or anybody's I guess.
You hear that, Martha?
Run the cold water for 'yes'
and the hot water for 'no'.
Dad.
She heard you alright.
Goodbye, Walt.
Sorry to put you to all this trouble.
Any time you're out Boise
way look Eloise and me up.
Don't worry about Mrs Winters.
We have a large house
with five bathrooms.
Goodbye, sir. And thank you.
Now, Martha.
My train leaves in thirty minutes.
Why don't you walk me
down to the elevator?
I suppose it will be tough getting
an overnight pass from ..
Camp to Boise.
When are you leaving?
Tomorrow afternoon.
Will you write?
I've written three letters in my life.
But I'll write to you.
I don't want to feel
obligated or anything.
If I felt obligated I
wouldn't be here now.
What's your address?
- I'm not taking any chances.
I'll write to you first.
That's very sensible.
I wonder if we'll ever
see each other again.
Don't count on it. Don't make any plans.
You sound so hopeless.
Please don't sound so hopeless.
How else can I sound?
Look at me.
I pack a uniform with a serial
number instead of a name.
Learning to kill and be killed.
How can I make any plans?
We're not in the war yet.
Maybe we won't be.
We will be.
That's why I'm living such
carefully-planned, carefree life.
Fifteenth floor.
As long as Dean Whiting isn't around.
I'll never get caught in an elevator
again without thinking of you.
Lobby.
Going up.
[ Door knocks ]
Yes?
Your mother is hungry.
That means we've all got to eat.
In a little while, Dad.
Sure. Plenty of time.
You haven't unpacked yet.
After we eat, I'll help you.
I'll have your mother help you.
Some people think the Rhine is the
most beautiful river in the world.
I saw it in '18.
Believe me, the Hudson's much prettier.
And so much, much younger.
Cheer up, El.
You're still 2,000 miles from Boise.
Dad.
I can't. I just can't go back to Boise.
It won't be bad, El.
I'll just die there.
Mom will treat me like a ..
Fallen woman.
What will I do with myself all day?
It's just going to be awful.
You could go to the
university in the fall.
Maybe you'd have fun.
Being a fallen woman, you'd be
sure to make a good sorority.
Dad, I've had enough school.
Besides.
You're smart enough for both of us.
Sure I am.
El, it may be selfish of me but I'm
glad you're going to be home.
I've sure missed you, El.
Things were pretty dull.
You know, nobody laughs
at my jokes like you do.
Tell you what, El.
Things go great at the store.
I've got a young assistant.
Not much of a laugher but
he does a bang-up job.
And I'll never be missed.
We could take in Sun Valley.
Fly down to Palm Springs.
Mexico City.
No good, huh?
You're right, El.
A father is like New York.
Alright for a visit but ..
No, it's not that.
It's just that ..
I can't bear to be so far away from him.
This fellow, Walt?
El.
I give you my personal guarantee.
In the next two years there will
be five Walts in your life.
No there won't.
Alright. He won't be
in the army forever.
They're only drafting
the boys for a year.
A year.
Oh.
So that's the way it is.
Tell me, how does he feel about you?
I don't know.
We've only had two dates.
But if I were only in New York,
only three hours away ..
But Boise is 2,000 miles.
A whole year.
We're pulling into Harrisburg.
You can be back in New York in an hour.
Wait a minute. That's crazy.
- Sure it is.
Give me time to think it over
and I'll change my mind.
How much cash you got?
- About half a month's allowance.
Here's some more.
I'll send you a check.
- You won't have to. I'll get a job.
Swell. I'll write you a reference.
Are these your things?
Most of them. What about mother?
She'll have hysterics all the way
up the Hudson. So what?
Come on.
Porter, will you take these down please.
Daddy, I love you.
Goodbye, El.
Call us when you get set.
So.
Food, clothing, cleaning, etc. Rent.
How much you paying for the sub-lease?
- Thirty, and it's a steal.
A grand total of $250 a month.
Your salary at Macy's is $105 a month.
That makes .. I see.
A grand deficit of $145 a month.
I can lend you some of it.
- You don't have to.
I'll just hint to Dad and
he'll come through.
Lipstick alright?
You got a dab on a front tooth.
How is your father?
He's okay.
Mother insists he gets a check-up
but he sounded fine over the phone.
I hope Walt's train is on time.
I don't want to miss the football game.
Want to make a double-date
with Lew and me?
You know I love being
with you and Lew. But ..
I just want Walt all to myself.
By the way, how you doing with Lew?
Swell. He's beginning to go for me.
He only talks about you half as much.
- Really?
Maybe we can double-date
and I win him back.
Don't you dare. Didn't I cry
when you were expelled?
Don't worry, darling.
Walt's the only man I want in the world.
I look terrible.
I wish I looked that terrible.
Well.
I have to go to Pen Station to meet Lew.
And I'm off to Grand
Central to meet Walt.
It was such a good idea having
men in this world, wasn't it.
Aren't they terrific?
You told me he only had to run
ten yards and he ran at least fifty.
You know, considering everything
it's remarkable how fond of you I am.
"Attention Please."
"Colonel William J. Donovan."
"Will you call The War Department
in Washington at once."
"Important."
"Colonel William J. Donovan."
"Please call The War Department
in Washington at once."
"Important."
That's 'Wild Bill' Donovan, isn't it?
He's head of The Secret Service.
A big-shot in something anyway.
Why should they want him on a Sunday?
They probably need a fourth for bridge.
"Attention please."
"The War Department has
asked us to announce."
"That all officers and men of the armed
forces must report to their stations .."
"Immediately."
"The unconfirmed report is that
the Battleship Oklahoma is afire."
"In this maze of rumor
and counter-rumor."
"Only one fact is official."
"That, of course, is the announcement
broadcast several times .."
"That at 07:55 Hawaiian time."
"Planes from a Japanese Aircraft
Carrier attacked Pearl Harbor."
"Inflicting severe damage and
casualties at 4 pm Japanese time."
"Please stand by."
I'd better find when is the
next train back to camp.
Let's find a telephone.
There must be lot of telephones
somewhere. Come on.
Boy, this is going to be tough.
Come on, follow me.
Bang, bang, bang.
- You're dead.
I'm not.
Yes you are. You're dead.
- I don't want to be dead.
[ Telephone ]
Hello?
El?
Walt. Walt.
What happened to you?
To me?
You know where I found a phone?
In a candy store across the street.
I thought you were right
behind me all the time.
We got separated by the crowd I guess.
I looked around.
It was awful.
Where are you?
Grand Central Station.
My train leaves in about ..
18 minutes.
Oh no.
Look, don't take a cab.
The subway is quicker.
At least we have time to say goodbye.
I'll wait on the platform.
Track 19. Hurry.
I'll be right there, darling.
What a way to say goodbye.
Isn't there a later train?
It's the only one today.
Come on, get on the train.
We get off at 125th Street.
It gives us a few more minutes together.
Excuse fellahs.
Did you hear anything more?
Maybe it's just another
one of those hoaxes.
No .. tough times ahead El.
For me too.
For everybody's girl.
Don't you feel sorry for me?
I do.
I've enough sorrow to take in everybody.
I have too.
You know something.
- What, darling?
You have such aristocratic eyes.
Even when they're full of tears.
We'll be at 125th Street in a minute.
Gosh, I don't want to get off.
Don't get off, El.
I don't have to report until Reveille.
There's a morning train
you can take back.
You've never once said 'I love you'.
In the vestibule of a smoky train?
El.
125th Street.
125th Street.
Let's forget the whole thing.
Come on, you'd better get off.
Walt.
If you want me to.
I'll stay.
I do love you, El.
I'll tell you twice.
So you won't have to ask me again.
I love you.
Dad.
Hello honey.
Let me look at you.
You don't look so sick.
What's all this Johns Hopkins business?
You know how it is.
Poor people get examinations.
Rich people get check-ups.
Your mother pestered me.
Finally I said: 'Okay. I go to Hopkins'.
I should have been
home to look after you.
I'm no invalid, Eloise.
My plane doesn't leave for
Baltimore for 35 minutes.
How to kill half an hour?
The restaurant on the main floor
or a cocktail bar upstairs.
Upstairs.
Now you know how sick I am.
I think I should go down to
Baltimore to look after you.
Don't be silly, angel. You have a job.
- Why didn't mother come along?
I don't know.
She wanted to, but I felt at a
time like this I'd rather be alone.
A vacation, sort of.
You think a cocktail bar is the right
place for a man going to a check-up?
I know doctors.
The first thing they say is:
cut out the liquor.
I'm building up a backlog.
Hey, how's your job running?
It's alright.
I'm no ball of fire but
they seem to like me.
I suppose they have to.
Who else can they get these days?
How's your young man?
He get shipped overseas yet?
No, but he expects to be soon.
After he's gone.
You'll come home, won't you El?
I mean.
There won't be a reason anymore
for staying in New York?
There won't be much reason for anything.
Wars end. Most of the boys will be back.
Law of averages.
No use talking to Walt
about the law of averages.
He doesn't expect to come back.
Dad.
Did you feel that way in '17?
Yes I did.
But before you went to France, you
and mother got married, didn't you?
We had no intention of getting married.
At least I didn't.
I know it's a terrible thing to say, El.
But there has to be one member of
the family a person can talk to.
We hadn't known each other very long.
You know how it is in wartime.
Anyway, it was the last dance.
Japanese lanterns.
A song by Irving Berlin.
Your mother was about your age then.
She cried.
And we thought there were no two people
in the world as much in love as we were.
We got married.
I wonder if I have time
for another drink.
No. I guess not.
When the war was over
I rushed back to Boise.
I looked at Martha.
She looked at me.
We were pretty close to looking
at two complete strangers.
Fact.
There was your brother Charlie.
A stranger to me too at
the age of 14 months.
After a while .. there was you.
What could we do?
We were both trapped.
By the war .. by our youth.
By Irving Berlin.
Why am I telling you all this?
Every American girl should think of her
father and mother as Tristan and Isolde.
"Flight number 248 for Baltimore
ready for departure from gate 22."
If he'd said that 5 minutes ago I would
not have made a darned fool of myself.
Walt.
Walt.
Hello.
What are you doing here?
They all of a-sudden
gave me a 7-day pass.
What for? You did something wonderful?
Who, me?
No. I'm probably the worst
aerial gunner in the firm.
No, as a matter of fact ..
Half the camp got leave.
That usually means we're
going to be shipped.
We can worry about that later.
We have seven days to shake the world.
I want to get uptown.
I've got a couple of theater tickets.
Taxi.
You can't get a cab these days.
There's a bus stop on the corner of 6th.
I'm not proud. Besides, it's cheaper.
Look, there's a bus.
I'll hold it.
What's the matter?
Did you turn your ankle?
Yes .. my ankle.
Which one? Is this it?
Does that hurt?
- Just a little.
I regard you as I would a new car.
I worry about every scratch.
Poor Uncle Wiggily.
Poor Uncle Wiggily.
I remember the first time you said that.
- So do I.
It was your finger, wasn't it?
Poor Eloise, always getting hurt.
And you're always there when I am.
Maybe that isn't just coincidence.
Maybe I'm a jinx to you.
Maybe.
You know.
I don't think you love me anymore.
Why do you say that?
You haven't said yet that
I've an aristocratic ankle.
Well, you have. And I love you.
Very much.
- You do?
You really do?
I swear it.
On your twisted ankle.
That's all I wanted to hear.
Those people will think we're crazy
sitting here on the street like this.
Can you walk on the ankle?
- I think so.
Is your ankle that bad?
No. It's not bad at all.
Look.
I think we'd better forget
the show and just go home.
Maybe we'd better.
What are you waiting for heaven's sakes?
You wanted to be sure. Now you're sure.
I think it's mad you not telling
Walt anything, Eloise Winters.
Tonight's the last night you're
going to see him. Maybe forever.
It's just that ..
It's such a horrible way to get a man.
Ye Gods. If he loves you,
what's the difference?
You want me to tell him? I'll tell him.
- No, you won't.
I don't want him to ask
me because he has to.
I want him to ask me because
he loves me and wants me.
And it shouldn't make any difference
if it's wartime or peacetime.
Or if there's soft music.
And Japanese lanterns.
What do you mean, Japanese lanterns?
I mean, sometimes people
get trapped into marriage.
But they go on living
with each other and ..
Being unhappy and hating each other.
I can't bear the thought of Walt
hating me for the rest of his life.
Gosh. What about the
rest of your life, El?
I don't know, I don't know.
El, why is everybody so gloomy?
How do we know he won't ask you?
I know what he says.
'This is the end of the world'.
And all that. But ..
He loves you.
Wait and see. I bet he asks you.
Sure. Maybe he will.
But, El darling.
If Walt shouldn't ask you.
Please darling, don't be crazy.
- Mary Jane, I'll never tell him.
Never.
- El, honest. You're just ..
A fine time to be proud.
Take care.
My foolish heart.
There's a line between
love and fascination.
That's hard to see.
How about another drink?
- No.
Of do they both give the
very same fascination?
I wish she'd shut up.
I don't need her to tell me I feel low.
Everybody else is babbling away.
What's wrong with us?
If I said what I felt.
I'd start to cry.
And I'm not going to
cry in a cocktail lounge.
In a little while you'll be seeing
me off at Grand Central.
These days, everybody
cries at Grand Central.
I promise you I won't.
I'm going to miss you so much.
- You'd better.
Hasn't it all been silly, Walt?
We only met because
I wore the wrong dress.
Silly .. and wonderful.
I wish I could feel sure about you.
It would be so wonderful ..
While you're away.
If I could think of you as mine.
Really mine.
Why can't you? Who has a better right?
Is this how it's all going to end?
We'll miss each other very much.
We'll think about each other.
I'll be yours. You'll be mine.
Is this how you want it to end?
How I want it to end?
Darling, what have I
to say about anything?
I'm just a number in a squadron that's
part of a group that's part of an army.
I don't know where I'm going or when.
I don't know if I'm coming back.
I can't think about endings
or middles or beginnings.
All I know is.
You are sitting here beside me.
And In a few minutes.
I have to leave you.
El.
Do you know how humble and
grateful I am for your love?
I know.
Check please.
Plenty of time. 45 seconds.
Walt. I want to tell you something.
Yes?
Walt ..
Walt.
- Yes, darling.
I just wanted to tell you.
I love you.
I have a feeling this is not
going to be my favorite war.
Poor Uncle Wiggily.
Hiya, Dreiser.
The ammo's all in.
I don't think the real thing will be
tougher than these manoeuvres.
I wonder where they're going to
send us. Europe or The Pacific?
Who cares where they send us?
I've got friends all over.
Who you writing to that's
so important? MacArthur?
No.
I'm writing to a girl.
That's more like it.
- Okay, men.
We're all set. Let's take her up.
Hey Lucey. Grab that, will you.
Put it in my locker.
I'll finish it when I get back.
Okay.
I'm Eloise Winters.
You sent me a telegram.
Yes, Miss Winters.
Will you come in please.
Mrs Crandall. Miss Winters is here.
Will you come in please, Miss Winters.
You said in your telegram
that Private Dreiser ..
Walter Dreiser was badly hurt.
That he asked for me.
Yes he did.
Will you have seat Miss Winters.
- No thanks.
How is he?
I called you on the phone last night
Miss Winters, but you'd already left.
I'm terribly sorry.
Private Dreiser died
late yesterday afternoon.
Yesterday afternoon.
It was a horrible accident.
The whole crew was killed.
Can I get you anything, Miss Winters?
Would you like a glass of water?
Is there anything at
all we can do for you?
If you have trouble with reservations.
I'll be alright.
Miss Winters.
He was writing this letter to you.
Would you care to have it?
'Darling'.
'During the six days that have
elapsed since I saw you last ..'
'I haven't slept, I haven't eaten, and
I speak only when I'm spoken to'.
'El'.
'Despite everything'.
'I want you to marry me'.
'I want you to throw whatever things are
necessary for a marriage into a bag'.
'Hop on the very first train, plane
or bus and come on right down'.
'You know something'?
'I just realized I don't
know what you are'.
'Protestant, Catholic,
Jewish or Greek Orthodox'.
'However, we have chaplains
of all descriptions down here'.
'And I want to be married
to you so much'.
'That if necessary, we'll
have four ceremonies'.
'If you ..'
'If necessary, we will
have four ceremonies'.
El.
What are you going to do now?
I'm going to my father.
I'm telling him everything.
It will be just awful.
He'll be hurt.
But he'll understand.
- I couldn't do it.
I know I couldn't bring myself to do it.
You don't know my father.
I could never tell my
mother but I can my father.
Where is he?
Still at Hopkins?
There was a message.
He'll be at the Waldorf this afternoon.
He's on his way back to Boise.
- El.
Would you ..
Would it help if I went along with you?
No thanks, darling.
It will be okay when I tell my father.
It'll be alright.
Mother.
- Shush. Come in dear.
I didn't know you were with Dad, mother.
Your father sent for me.
We tried to call you from Baltimore but
they told us you'd gone to Tennessee.
We know the terrible thing that's
happened, dear heart.
It was just awful, wasn't it.
I didn't know the young
man very well, but ..
I am sorry.
I could have been nicer to him.
How's Dad?
He's in the bedroom sleeping.
Eloise.
What's the matter?
He's sick, Eloise.
Much sicker than he thinks.
Oh.
His heart.
I talked with his doctor. He has to
have complete rest and no worries.
He can go on for years they say.
You know how it is with heart cases.
Excitement, shock.
We have to be very careful, Eloise.
Poor Dad.
Martha.
What do you think, Henry?
Eloise is here.
She is?
Come in, darling.
Coming, Dad.
Hi, Dad.
How's the fabulous invalid?
Do I look so bad to you?
El.
How awful about Walt.
Is there anything I can do, El?
Anything at all I can do to help?
No, Daddy.
There's nothing you can do.
Nothing at all.
What are you looking around for?
Comparing you with the other girls.
- Am I doing alright?
I'm doing alright.
You remember about Sunday?
We drive to Connecticut to see my folks.
What's the matter?
Excuse me for a minute, Lew.
I've got to see El.
El darling, you look so beautiful.
I'm glad you changed your mind.
- Well, I ..
I saw Dad and Mother off on the train.
Then I went back to the apartment.
I looked at the walls and looked.
When I couldn't stand it any longer
I got into these clothes and here I am.
Did you tell your father?
No, I didn't tell him.
It would kill him.
So.
Here I am.
- What are you going to do, El?
I don't know Mary Jane.
I haven't the slightest idea.
Not the slightest.
- Hello, Eloise.
Hello Lew.
Lew, why not dance with Eloise?
Cheer her up.
I'm on the committee.
I must do all the arrangements.
I'd love to.
Come and claim me in about an hour.
I'll take your coat.
- Thanks.
Eloise, it's been a long time.
- Yeah. We weren't even at war.
Come to think of it, our last
date was right in this room.
Remember your class dance?
Now you're a Lieutenant and
I'm a slightly-tarnished alumni.
From my memory.
You wore a dress that you were
very unhappy about. Right?
Lew, would you get me a drink?
- Sure, what do you want?
Scotch and water.
I'll be on the terrace.
Okay, I'll get one for myself too.
Here you are.
I had to make double. Saves me a trip.
Eloise.
What is it, El?
I don't know. I'm sad or something.
Why?
I suppose it's just the season for it.
Men go to war. Women weep.
Yep. The season is also spring.
And this is a pretty good
brand of Scotch.
So, for a few hours I'm going
to try to forget about it.
We'll see what we can do to
get you out of this mood.
I don't think my dancing will do it.
- I'm not up to dancing.
Small talk would be silly, wouldn't it?
Honest, Lew. I don't think I
could keep up a conversation.
Say, would you rather be alone?
I never thought of that.
- No.
I couldn't bear to be alone.
It's funny, El.
It's only eight months since I saw
you last but you're different.
You're years older.
Years more beautiful too.
When I think how crazy I was about you.
Look, El.
I have a convertible outside.
The top is down. It's a warm night.
Why don't we take a drive?
Yes, let's take a drive.
Anything you say.
Okay, finish your drink,
I'll tell Mary Jane.
No. She's probably too
busy with the committee.
She won't even miss us.
Those are either the lights of
the medical center or ..
I forgot. No small talk.
Radio alright?
Cigarette?
- No thanks.
Mind if I have one?
What are you thinking about, El?
You've had such a strange
look on your face.
I doubt you think about how much
you'll miss me when I'm overseas.
Lots of people will miss you, Lew.
Mary Jane.
- Sure, she will.
I'll miss her.
You know, I'll miss you too a little.
Like a friend you will.
El.
You know what I felt when
I saw you again tonight?
What, Lew?
Do you want the truth?
I looked at you and I thought ..
I thought I was all over her.
And here it starts all over again.
You hate that?
No. I don't.
I also thought, what's the use?
Eloise doesn't care for you.
She never did.
Don't get yourself all worked up, boy.
This isn't for you.
Don't touch.
Night life.
No violins.
It's enough to make a man ..
No.
Leave it on.
What are you thinking
so hard about, Eloise?
I was just wondering if I
would ever see you again.
Let's not think about that.
Will you write to me, Lew?
- Sure.
As often as you want me to.
Does this sound crazy, Lew?
It would be so wonderful
while you're away if ..
I could think of you as mine.
Really mine.
Does that sound crazy?
No. It doesn't sound crazy at all.
El, I never dreamed ..
Neither did I. I don't know what hit me.
Let's forget it.
No. We won't forget it.
I was a nice girl.
I was a nice girl, wasn't I.
She's been drinking since we married.
It's no use waiting for her to sober up.
I might as well hear what she
has to say right here and now.
I'm sorry. I didn't quite ..
Hear what 'here and now'?
Lew, it would be better if we waited and
talked everything over in the morning.
Honestly it would.
- No.
I want it settled right now.
You had something to tell me.
What is it?
It wasn't very important.
- It must have been.
It's evident you meant
to hurt me very much.
What is it, El?
The important thing, Lew,
is that I'm through hurting people.
I'm through doing wrong.
I'm paying for what I've done
and now I'm all alone.
I don't want others to suffer too.
I want you to have Ramona.
You mean, you're letting me
have custody of her?
I want her to have a home.
I know she'll be happy
with you and Mary Jane.
If it weren't for me, you two would
have been married years ago.
I'm sorry for all those years
I took out of your lives.
Poor Uncle Wiggily ..
Poor Uncle Wiggily.
You don't have to go, El.
Lew and I are leaving.
We saw you in here with Ramona.
She belongs with you, El.
We could see that.
Lew said ..
Don't worry about Lew.
You'll keep Ramona.
How can I ever thank you?
You don't have to, El. It's alright.
After all, I could have been the
girl in the brown-and-white dress.
Anybody could have.
..f-s..
I'm insured.
Shall we go in, or shall we stay
out and wait for the rainbow?
Let me have your duds.
Well .. you don't look a day older.
You're a rotten liar.
Aren't you getting fat.
You know, a career girl. Who has time?
You notice the New England spread?
- I wasn't going to mention it.
Lew mentions it all the time.
He's darned possessive about it.
Hey .. a mansion.
14 dollars a square foot.
You impressed?
- I certainly am.
I don't know how Lew does it.
Probably chisels on the income tax.
What will you have to drink?
- Nothing thanks.
Look, kid. It's seven years
since we've seen each other.
If I remember, we didn't part under
the friendliest of circumstances.
Frankly, I'm embarrassed to see you.
I think a drink would help a lot.
Okay. Rye and soda.
I was bowled over when I heard your
voice on the phone this morning.
I thought we'd have a talk.
You mean you've forgiven me, Mary Jane?
I forgave you a long time ago, Eloise.
Good.
Who was it said: 'To forgive is divine'?
Probably nobody I'd care to meet anyhow.
Drink up.
Say.
Know what I read in the Alumni News?
- What?
Dean Whiting is dead.
Got cancer last summer and died and all.
She only weighed 62 pounds
when she died. Isn't it terrible?
Not particularly.
[ Telephone ]
Who can that be? I've got no friends.
I don't know why, but you could
always make me laugh, El.
I'm comical. That's why.
Telephone for you, Mrs Wengler.
Mr Wengler.
The breadwinner.
Yeah?
El? I'm at the station.
It's murder getting a cab because of the
rain. Can you come and pick me up?
I can't come down. Mary Jane is here.
You remember Mary Jane?
She has her car parked right in front
of me and she can't find the key.
I can't get out.
Have you been looking?
Sure we have. We spent the
last 20 minutes looking for it.
Maybe you can get a lift
with Dick and Mildred.
They're spending the night in town.
That's tough, kid.
Why don't you boys form a
platoon and march home?
Then you can say that 'hup, hup, hup'
business and be a big-shot Major again.
Don't be funny.
I'm not funny. Really I'm not.
It's just my face.
I don't know why.
Everybody thinks I'm funny.
You're Ramona, aren't you.
My, what a pretty dress.
Here. Let me look at you.
Will you give me a little kiss?
I don't like to kiss people.
Stop scratching. Where's Jimmy?
He's here.
- Who's Jimmy?
Jimmy's her beau. Goes where she goes,
does what she does. All very hoopla.
I see. Jimmy is just a
make-believe little boy.
I think that's very nice.
- Ramona, turn around.
Tell Mary Jane what Jimmy looks like.
He has green eyes and black hair.
- What else?
No mummy and no daddy.
- What else?
No freckles.
Ramona, are you sniffling?
- Just a little.
Come here.
You feel a little feverish.
Go and tell Grace you're to
have your dinner in bed.
But mummy, it's early. I want to play ..
- Go on. Do as I tell you.
On the double.
Alright.
Come on, Jimmy.
She's an unhappy-looking
little kid, isn't she.
I wish I knew how to make her happy.
I don't know. There's something
in me I guess that won't let me.
What an imagination that child has.
Who does she look like anyhow?
- Lew.
She looks like Lew.
When his mother comes over the
three of them look like triplets.
What I need is a cocker
spaniel or something.
Somebody that looks like me.
But El, how could she?
How could she what?
You know.
Look like .. Lew.
Or his mother.
I know ..
El ..
Have you ever told Lew about ..
You know, about Walt?
Are you crazy?
Did you?
- You know I wouldn't.
Listen to me, career-girl.
If you ever get married don't tell your
husband anything. You hear me?
Why?
- Because I say so.
That's why.
They want to think you spent your life
vomiting every time a boy came near you.
I'm not kidding either.
You didn't really know Walt, did you?
I mean, really know him.
He was the only boy I ever knew
who could make me laugh.
I mean really laugh.
He could do it when he talked to me.
He could do it over the phone.
He could even do it in a letter.
And the best part of it was ..
He didn't even try to be funny.
He just was funny.
Throw me a cigarette, will you?
Don't cry, El.
Don't cry.
Who's crying?
He was nice.
He was either funny or sweet.
Not that darned little-boy sweet either.
It was ..
A special kind of sweet.
Gosh, there's Lew.
Now there will be a scene.
With me dewy-eyed and with roses
in my cheeks, it's going to be worse.
Look.
You say hello or talk to him or
something while I clean up.
Well .. hello, Major.
I saw the dashboard of Mary Jane's car.
The key is in the ignition.
This is all very interesting.
It's only 6:30.
You're not usually tight until 8:30.
I'm not a clock-watcher, Major.
That 'Major' joke's worn thin, Eloise.
Sorry. I'll try to find a
new joke some place.
In the meantime why not trot downstairs
and try to catch up with me.
I haven't caught up with you in years.
Tell me something.
Have you ever got angry in your life?
- I'm pretty angry right now.
Then show it for pity sakes.
I just played you a darned dirty trick.
Throw something at me.
Throw this at me or
yell or do something.
Don't just stand there staring
at me like a rotten owl.
I know this. I haven't had one happy day
with you since I got back from overseas.
Maybe it's my fault.
I've tried.
I don't know how to make you happy.
But I know I can't take it any longer.
What? Are you giving me notice?
Does this mean you're
going home to mother?
But I am leaving.
You do that, my good man. I'll write
you out a reference in the morning.
Get going, Major.
What are you waiting for?
El.
I want Ramona.
What do you mean, you want Ramona?
- I want custody of her.
Don't be silly, Lew.
The law says the mother gets the child.
I'm sorry I have to be brutal, El.
You drink too much. The law says
a dipsomaniac is not a fit mother.
I love Ramona.
You know I love Ramona.
- Ramona's been a miserable child.
She needs a chance. I'll see she has it.
You just try to get her.
You just try to get her, mister.
- I'll let my attorney handle it.
So you think you're going to get Ramona?
That's funny, that's very funny.
- I don't think it's funny.
Yes it is. It's funny.
Mary Jane knows how funny it is.
Mary Jane.
Mary Jane. Come up here, Mary Jane.
El, for heaven's sake.
- Mary Jane.
They hear you all over the neighborhood.
They know enough as it is.
What do you think, Mary Jane?
Lew is leaving me and he wants Ramona.
- Yes, I know.
I know that, El.
- You know. How do you know?
I had lunch with Lew yesterday and ..
- Lunch with Lew? You've seen Lew?
Yes.
He told me he was going to take Ramona.
I thought if I came here and told you ..
- It would soften the blow?
Soften the blow for him.
Tell him why it's funny.
Eloise.
You think you'll walk out of this
house and take Ramona with you.
I'll walk out of this house
and take Ramona with me.
I hate this house.
Every 14-dollar a square foot of it.
I warn you, Eloise.
Even if I have to use force ..
Why?
I'm going to tell you a
little something, Major.
Lew, leave me alone with Eloise
for a few minutes. Please.
Yeah, make yourself a drink.
You're sure going to need it, Major.
El, I had to get Lew out before you
said something you'd regret forever.
One more regret. What's the difference?
You owe Lew something, El.
Alright, so I owe him something.
You owe me something too.
You're beginning to sound
like a collection agency.
Never mind Lew and me.
For your own sake.
I'm not asking you to consider Ramona.
El.
What's the matter?
Look what I've found.
What is it, El?
Listen, Mary Jane. Please.
Remember when we were in college I had a
brown-and-white dress I bought in Boise?
And Miriam Ball said nobody wore this
kind of dress in New York any more.
You remember how I cried?
I was a nice girl, wasn't I.
Yes.
Yes, Eloise. You were.
I was a nice girl.
Wasn't I?
I was a nice girl.
Wasn't I.
Please, Eloise. If you don't go back
to the dance everybody will notice.
I can't help it.
It was the most expensive
department store in Boise.
And the saleslady swore on her life this
was just what they wear in New York.
Now that Miriam Ball says ..
- Eloise, what happened?
Did somebody say anything
to you or insult you?
Please go away.
- It was a woman who insulted her.
I don't think I can hit a woman.
Try it sometime.
It's a wonderful feeling.
Eloise, I've hardly danced with you
all evening. This is a complaint.
I'll not go dancing in this dress.
What's wrong with it? Is it torn?
Is something showing?
It looks beautiful to me.
Please, don't try to be kind to me.
If people are kind to me,
I'll start crying all over again.
You dance with Mary Jane.
I'm going to smoke a Parliament.
You think Miriam Ball thinks that's the
correct cigarette to smoke in New York?
I'm sorry.
I didn't burn your dress or anything?
I had no idea there was ..
- I wish you had.
I wouldn't think of it.
Not with you there, anyway.
Did I say something I shouldn't have?
I didn't mean to.
It's not you. It's this dress.
You're upset about the dress?
My father paid a fortune for it.
Now Miriam Ball says: 'This kind of
dress simply isn't worn in New York'.
Do you know Miriam Ball?
I don't think I'd care to.
Is this such a terrible dress?
No. No, it's not terrible at all.
Does it look awfully 'Boise' to you?
I don't quite get that.
Boise, Idaho. Where I bought this dress.
Does it look 'Boise' to you?
- That's silly.
It was probably made here on 7th Avenue.
Why should it look 'Boise'?
Miriam Ball said ..
- No more about Miriam Ball.
It's a perfectly alright dress.
I feel much better now.
Should you stay here with me any longer?
Won't your date miss you?
I haven't got a date.
You mean you've no girl at the dance?
Worse than that.
I haven't even a ticket to the dance.
But I do have a dinner jacket and
a free evening so I just crashed.
Always without a girl?
I could not afford a
dinner jacket AND a girl.
I suppose you're here with someone?
Lew Wengler. You know him?
No. I don't know anybody at this dance.
Except you.
And I suppose, in a sense, Miriam Ball.
Would you care to go back
into the dance with me?
I'd love to.
But I can't.
Why not?
My date is inside dancing.
I'm supposed to be outside crying.
Geography isn't important.
We can dance out here.
Of course we can. There's more room.
[ Music stops ]
They probably know
I haven't got a ticket.
That's Miriam Ball.
And?
She's a frump.
- She's the chicest girl at college.
Believe me. I have friends who've
been to Paris. She's an absolute frump.
Do you really think so?
Miriam .. Miriam Ball.
Well ..
- Walt Dreiser.
Yes. Of course.
How are you? How have you been?
- You look wonderful, Miriam.
Thank you.
- What you been doing lately?
Nothing much. Going to school.
And you?
I'm glad you asked me.
I just got back from a mining town.
A business trip.
A stunning gown you have on, Miriam.
Thank you.
- It must be popular.
Every girl. Every girl in this mining
town was wearing one just like it.
It was like a uniform or something.
Really. How nice.
I was just telling ..
- Eloise Winters.
Telling Eloise I admired your hairdo.
It's been so nice seeing you again.
I have to get home.
- Miriam, the dance just started.
I must be up early in the morning.
Goodnight.
Miriam's probably not happy.
I'll tell Mary Jane and by lunch
hour it will be all over school.
I'll love you for the rest of
my life for what you did.
How can I ever repay you?
Let's not commercialise a noble deed.
I think I'd better go.
- Won't you stay and meet my friends?
No. They say 'how do you do'.
I say 'how do you do'.
Life's too short for that.
As a matter of fact there's a dance
at the Waldorf I want to crash.
Really?
I might be lucky and find another
girl in a brown-and-white dress.
Goodbye.
'Eloise', you said?
- Uhuh.
You're a nice girl.
Goodbye.
[ Telephone ]
Hello?
Just a minute.
Ball. Miriam Ball.
Telephone.
Coming.
That's the third call she's got today.
- Fourth. But who's counting?
Alright, let's get on
with this silly stuff.
'They may seize upon the white
wonder of dear Juliet's hand'.
'And steal immortal
blessings from her lips'.
Was that the phone again?
- I didn't hear a thing.
Honestly, El.
You've been hoping for three days.
He saw you for five minutes at a dance.
Why expect him to call?
I certainly made an impression on him.
If Juliet made the same
impression on Romeo ..
Maybe he's nice looking. I'll bet.
I'll bet he's nothing to start
the digestive juices flowing.
As a matter of fact
Lew is better looking.
You're always talking about Lew.
Look. I'll make you a present of him.
Of course. He's crazy about you.
If you stay out of his way I bet
I'll make the grade with him.
[ Telephone ]
It's probably for Ball again.
Of course, I won't see much of Lew.
Only on his furloughs.
It's just like Lew.
We're not even in the war yet.
But he rushes to camp
to become an officer.
Ball.
Miriam Ball. Telephone.
She must advertise in locker rooms.
Hello?
Yes. This is Miriam Ball.
I'm fine, thank you.
Who is this?
Who?
But I don't know any Walt Dreiser.
Oh yes.
Indeed I do remember.
What am I wearing?
I don't think it concerns you.
Look here.
What's your reason for calling me?
Ma'am, I'm a little embarrassed.
Remember the girl I was with that night
when I was so taken with your gown?
I remember you and I
remember her first name.
'Eloise', wasn't it?
But her last name ..
- Winters.
'Winters', that's it.
I knew it was seasonal.
'Who, even pure and vestal
modesty still blush ..'
'As thinking their own kisses sin'.
'But Romeo may not'.
'He is banished'.
That call is for you, Eloise.
- Me?
The screwball you were with
at the dance Saturday night.
Walt Dreiser?
He called me to ask your name.
Seems he'd forgotten.
They'll make a fine couple.
They're both crazy.
Hello.
Hello?
Hi.
Sorry for not remembering your
last name. I've an awful memory.
That's alright.
What's in a name?
I didn't mean to quote, but I've been
reading Romeo and Juliet with Mary Jane.
She's my room-mate and saw the quote.
So naturally it sticks in your mind.
Maybe I'd better shut up, huh?
No, I'll tell you why I called.
How about dinner with me some night?
Some night? Any night. When?
I guess I shouldn't have said that.
How about tonight?
Tonight? I'd love to.
We're only allowed to
go out on weekends.
Look. I went to college just
two miles from a girl's school.
They had weekend rules too
but it never held anybody back.
There are ways and means, aren't there?
Yes, there are.
It isn't usually too risky.
Good.
I know a quaint little French
restaurant in The Village.
Usually when people say they know a
'quaint' restaurant it means it's cheap.
That's exactly what I mean.
Good. The address is 405 Greeley Street.
Yes. Yes, I've got the address.
About eight-thirty.
Oh dear. Now I have to
decide what to wear.
No. I will NOT borrow
something from Miriam Ball.
Alright.
Goodbye.
Mary Jane.
Mary Jane.
Mary Jane, what do you think?
- I know.
I just couldn't help it, El.
I listened on the downstairs phone.
Come in, Mary Jane.
Hello.
- Hello.
I'm sorry I'm late.
- That's alright.
I've been busy ordering for you.
See, I'm an old hand around here.
I know just what's safe.
Thank you.
You've no idea how happy
I was when you called.
Today is Tuesday and you saved me
from breaded veal cutlet at Woodleys.
That's very funny.
George.
Oui Monsieur?
For dinner, we'll have sweetbreads
instead of breaded veal cutlets.
Sweetbreads.
That will be fine. We don't have
sweetbreads at Woodleys until Friday.
Merci beaucoup, Monsieur.
When I got fired from that job
I went to work for my uncle.
Linoleum and floor-coverings.
My mother had to faint
twice to get me the job.
Did you like it there?
Instead of firing me they transferred
me from one department to another.
There were only two departments left.
- Then what?
I guessed my mother will have
to start fainting all over again.
Bonsoir Mademoiselle. Bonsoir Monsieur.
- Goodnight, George.
You know something?
You remind me very much of my father.
Are we back to your father again?
He must spoil you.
- No, I spoil him.
My Pop's the life of every party.
At least I think he's awfully funny.
Then when they get home, Mom says ..
'You made a fool of yourself
again tonight, Henry'.
I get the picture.
What do we do now?
Catch a second-feature somewhere?
- I'd love to, but ..
That would get us out after twelve and
it's a 40-minute drive back to school.
Let me think.
How about some good music?
Carnegie Hall?
- No. My apartment.
I call it an apartment.
It's really just one room.
I call it good music, but it's just
pop stuff with a lot of violins.
I don't think I'd better.
Afraid of me making a pass?
- It's not that.
I'll probably try.
A man's got his pride.
But you won't have any trouble with me.
One hit on the head and I leave off.
You're looking at the guy with the
lowest batting average in the city.
Alright, just for a little while.
Where do you live?
- Right here.
New York is a city of coincidence.
Nice and comfortable-looking.
Sit down over there.
I'll put on the music.
Is this all the light
there is in the room?
No, this is Mendelssohn.
He can't stand too much light.
Oh.
It's so lovely.
It's just impossible to listen to
his music with your eyes open.
I suppose as a good host I
should close my eyes too.
Just two puffs on a cigarette
and I'll be perfectly happy.
There you are.
I'm not much of a wolf but ..
Whatever success I've had
I owe to Mendelssohn.
Okay. It stays on.
That's a very aristocratic ear.
What constitutes an aristocratic ear?
You know, you're the first girl to ever
ask for an explanation of that remark.
It doesn't mean anything.
It's just an opening line. A throwaway.
I wish it weren't.
I wish you had meant it.
You know something.
I wish I had too.
[ Music stops ]
That does it.
Now I'll see if we can
recapture the mood.
My goodness.
Are you hurt?
This room has a split personality.
This half is so clean
and that half is so ..
It must have taken years
to accumulate this mess.
I'm going to straighten up this
place if it takes all night.
Don't bother. There will be a cleaning
woman round in a couple of weeks.
I don't see how a man can live this way.
Isn't it a bit early in our relationship
for you to start nagging me?
Look at these dishes.
Look at these.
There's enough for 2 or 3 days yet.
Have you got any soap?
In the bathroom, lots.
I mean soap for dishes.
Soap for dishes?
I never heard of such a thing.
I'll manage.
At least you've a dishcloth.
That's a Christmas present.
It started out in life as a muffler.
You don't do any cleaning
and pressing, do you?
Don't get yourself too tired.
- Why not?
I hadn't planned for our evening's
activities to end up in the kitchen.
Ow.
What happened?
- This dish is chipped.
Uhoh.
Poor Uncle Wiggily.
Didn't you read Uncle Wiggily
stories when you were a kid?
I remember. The little rabbit,
always in trouble and getting hurt.
And at the end of a chapter when he's
going to be eaten by a lion or a tiger.
Someone always came along and saved him.
- So funny you mention him.
That poor little rabbit.
I used to worry about
him and cry over him.
That wasn't so long ago either.
It's nice to know we've a mutual friend.
Such slim, aristocratic fingers.
Of course. To match my ears.
Poor Uncle Wiggily.
Gee, Walt.
I wish this wasn't just a build-up.
I wish you liked me a little.
Liked you a little. Are you crazy?
I like you a lot .. a lot.
No. Perhaps just a little.
Enough to wait three days.
Then call me for a date.
Look.
I suppose I looked cute and
silly crying over a dress.
Cute and silly and ..
Easy.
You try your luck.
Anything I say would be a lie, huh?
Yes.
Trapped.
Tapped in the shank of the evening.
At the height of my youth.
Trapped with a good girl.
I'm sorry.
It's not a matter of being sorry.
It's a matter of ethics.
A girl comes to a man's apartment.
Sits on his couch.
Listens to his music.
Even washes his dishes. And then.
And then.
Flashes her girl-scout badge on him.
Couldn't we just sit and talk?
Now that topic 'A' has been
eliminated, talk about what?
Well.
Thanks for everything.
I wish I could say the same.
Come on. I'll take you home.
No. I can get back by myself.
What I really mean is ..
If I put you to all this trouble and
you got so little for all that trouble.
Maybe you won't want to call me again.
Do you see what I mean?
That's logic I can't overcome.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, Eloise.
You're really a very nice girl.
That's all I hear from all sides.
May I kiss you the way I would
a rich but loathsome aunt?
Bye.
- Goodbye.
No ..
No. I'm going to take you home.
Come on.
How the boys in the back room will
laugh when they hear about this.
Hello.
Yes.
It's for me.
Yes. I'll meet you Saturday
night about 8:30.
Hello.
Hello Lew.
Just a minute.
Mary Jane.
I wish I had a dollar for every man I've
met who never bothered to call me again.
With Walt it's obvious.
He's just not interested in nice girls.
Otherwise, why would he let a
whole month go by without even ..
Hi.
Well .. this seems to
be the thing to do.
What are you doing in the army?
- My country needs me.
Besides, I was drafted.
- Drafted?
Yeah, I wrote you about it.
Or did I? Anyway, I meant to.
I was wondering what
had happened to you.
How do I look?
Walt, you look awful.
- Yes, I know.
The tailor is being tried for treason.
I got it all figured out.
I'm supposed to look this way.
In case of war, they drop pictures
of me all over Germany.
If you make the enemy
laugh that's half the battle.
When do you have to be back in camp?
A few days?
Until six o'clock in the morning.
Just an overnight pass.
My goodness, it's one-thirty now.
How much of a train trip
is it back to camp?
Three hours.
That means we have about
an hour and a half together.
Just about. 45 minutes to take you home.
45 minutes to get back here.
You mean you rode 3 hours in a hot
train and will ride 3 hours back ..
Just to be with me for 45 minutes?
If the train wasn't late it would
be an hour and 5 minutes.
Walt.
- What's the matter?
I think you're crazy.
Don't be silly. They don't
take crazy people in the army.
I also think you're wonderful.
That's better. That's much better.
We'd better say goodbye here.
If you want me to go now I'll go.
Well .. just to the back door.
It's never locked.
Let me try.
Alright .. just to the elevator.
I kept thinking of you standing in
the doorway of my apartment.
I suppose you're sorry now.
All this traveling just to
see me for a few minutes.
I make it a point never to
be sorry about anything.
Gosh. I thought I'd never see you again.
Tell you what.
Next time I get an overnight
pass I'll come up again.
You will?
Maybe I'm being carried away.
Maybe we wait until I
get a weekend pass.
How soon will that be?
Should be in about a month.
Unless I do something
to lose my privileges.
Something like what?
Something like missing my train and
not getting back to camp on time.
Gosh, you'd better go.
That's an aristocratic shoulder.
Eloise.
Dean Whiting.
Did you get him on the phone?
- Uhuh.
He said he'd wangle a pass one way
or the other and meet me in the city.
I hope you had sense enough not to
tell him your parents were flying in.
I told him everything.
About being expelled.
Everything.
Eloise, what a mess.
Whatever did Dean Whiting say to you?
She said:
'Eloise Winters.
I thought you were a nice girl'.
You know. I thought so too.
It can't be too tough.
I deal with tough Sergeants every day.
Mothers are worse than tough Sergeants.
Dear, I wish your uniform
fitted just a bit better.
I shouldn't have had it pressed.
It looked better baggy.
Here we are.
How'd you do with your mother?
So far I've out-cried her.
Dad's been a big help.
Walt, you stay here for a bit.
I'll pave the way for you.
Take your time.
I'll be with you girls in a minute.
These skyscrapers are magnificent.
Talk about your mountains in Idaho.
I'll take man over nature any day.
Dad.
It's alright, El.
You can stop crying.
He's outside, Dad.
I won't be in the same
room with that man.
Your father will take care of him.
- What do you mean, take care of him?
For heaven's sake, Martha.
What is there to take care of?
A boy kisses a girl in an elevator.
At 2:30 in the morning.
Dean Whiting ..
For Dean Whiting, the devil
always takes over after midnight.
Eloise has told you what
happened and I believe her.
You and Eloise. Eloise and you.
Let me say something else, Martha.
I had a good look at that elevator.
And nothing, absolutely nothing
could have happened.
I don't care. I looked it up.
If he doesn't marry Eloise
he can be court-martialed.
If just ONE single word is said about
marriage I'll jump out that window.
A school in Boise wasn't good
enough for your daughter.
She had to go to New York.
- Martha.
If you don't go in the
bedroom and shut up ..
I'm going to follow Eloise
right out that window.
Where's my phenobarbitone?
Come on. Powder your nose, El.
Let's have a look at this guy.
Please be sweet to him, Dad.
After all, he didn't have to
come up here you know.
I'm from the West.
He'll expect me to be gruff.
Aren't you glad you'll never
have to be a father?
Come in Walt.
Dad - this is Walter Dreiser.
Walt - my Dad.
How do you do, sir.
I must say you're the sorriest-looking
Casanova I've ever seen.
They assured me I'd grow into it.
Not bad. It's no worse than the
thing they handed me in '17.
El.
Would you like to run in and play ..
Gin rummy with mother or something?
Can't I stay here, Dad?
This is going be a man-to-man talk.
You never know what
language might result.
Okay.
'Walter', did Eloise say?
Walt.
Interested in photography, Walt?
Not in the least.
Nevertheless, I just took a wonderful
shot of the skyline through that window.
I'm going to have it blown up
and put in my store window.
Hardware.
The biggest hardware
store in the Rockies.
That's very interesting.
Not to me.
I hate hardware.
Okay. Let's get it over with.
Yes or no?
No.
Absolutely no.
Okay, okay. It's perfectly alright.
Now let's call in the ladies.
Wait a minute. That was much too short.
Martha would never
think I've done my duty.
Let's have a cigarette first.
- Swell.
Have one of mine.
- Thanks.
By the way.
There's one thing, Mr Winters.
- Yeah?
You know how it is in army camps.
There is a grapevine.
Word has gotten around I've
had a girl expelled from school.
It gives me a certain
standing among the boys.
The officers look at me with respect.
I wouldn't want it to get around
that there's nothing to it.
Of course not, my boy. I understand.
I was in the same boat myself once.
Twice.
Nope. Once.
I'm ready .. are you?
I'm not happy but I'm ready.
How bad is she?
I'm afraid, son, she's
an outraged mother.
We're ready for you Martha.
Where's your mother?
She won't look at Walt.
She ran into the bathroom.
You see, Walt.
My wife is very tough
with Eloise and me.
But when she has to face anything ..
She runs for the bathroom.
I'll go in to her.
Will you tell her from me
I'm sorry it all happened.
And it wasn't my fault or
Eloise's or anybody's I guess.
You hear that, Martha?
Run the cold water for 'yes'
and the hot water for 'no'.
Dad.
She heard you alright.
Goodbye, Walt.
Sorry to put you to all this trouble.
Any time you're out Boise
way look Eloise and me up.
Don't worry about Mrs Winters.
We have a large house
with five bathrooms.
Goodbye, sir. And thank you.
Now, Martha.
My train leaves in thirty minutes.
Why don't you walk me
down to the elevator?
I suppose it will be tough getting
an overnight pass from ..
Camp to Boise.
When are you leaving?
Tomorrow afternoon.
Will you write?
I've written three letters in my life.
But I'll write to you.
I don't want to feel
obligated or anything.
If I felt obligated I
wouldn't be here now.
What's your address?
- I'm not taking any chances.
I'll write to you first.
That's very sensible.
I wonder if we'll ever
see each other again.
Don't count on it. Don't make any plans.
You sound so hopeless.
Please don't sound so hopeless.
How else can I sound?
Look at me.
I pack a uniform with a serial
number instead of a name.
Learning to kill and be killed.
How can I make any plans?
We're not in the war yet.
Maybe we won't be.
We will be.
That's why I'm living such
carefully-planned, carefree life.
Fifteenth floor.
As long as Dean Whiting isn't around.
I'll never get caught in an elevator
again without thinking of you.
Lobby.
Going up.
[ Door knocks ]
Yes?
Your mother is hungry.
That means we've all got to eat.
In a little while, Dad.
Sure. Plenty of time.
You haven't unpacked yet.
After we eat, I'll help you.
I'll have your mother help you.
Some people think the Rhine is the
most beautiful river in the world.
I saw it in '18.
Believe me, the Hudson's much prettier.
And so much, much younger.
Cheer up, El.
You're still 2,000 miles from Boise.
Dad.
I can't. I just can't go back to Boise.
It won't be bad, El.
I'll just die there.
Mom will treat me like a ..
Fallen woman.
What will I do with myself all day?
It's just going to be awful.
You could go to the
university in the fall.
Maybe you'd have fun.
Being a fallen woman, you'd be
sure to make a good sorority.
Dad, I've had enough school.
Besides.
You're smart enough for both of us.
Sure I am.
El, it may be selfish of me but I'm
glad you're going to be home.
I've sure missed you, El.
Things were pretty dull.
You know, nobody laughs
at my jokes like you do.
Tell you what, El.
Things go great at the store.
I've got a young assistant.
Not much of a laugher but
he does a bang-up job.
And I'll never be missed.
We could take in Sun Valley.
Fly down to Palm Springs.
Mexico City.
No good, huh?
You're right, El.
A father is like New York.
Alright for a visit but ..
No, it's not that.
It's just that ..
I can't bear to be so far away from him.
This fellow, Walt?
El.
I give you my personal guarantee.
In the next two years there will
be five Walts in your life.
No there won't.
Alright. He won't be
in the army forever.
They're only drafting
the boys for a year.
A year.
Oh.
So that's the way it is.
Tell me, how does he feel about you?
I don't know.
We've only had two dates.
But if I were only in New York,
only three hours away ..
But Boise is 2,000 miles.
A whole year.
We're pulling into Harrisburg.
You can be back in New York in an hour.
Wait a minute. That's crazy.
- Sure it is.
Give me time to think it over
and I'll change my mind.
How much cash you got?
- About half a month's allowance.
Here's some more.
I'll send you a check.
- You won't have to. I'll get a job.
Swell. I'll write you a reference.
Are these your things?
Most of them. What about mother?
She'll have hysterics all the way
up the Hudson. So what?
Come on.
Porter, will you take these down please.
Daddy, I love you.
Goodbye, El.
Call us when you get set.
So.
Food, clothing, cleaning, etc. Rent.
How much you paying for the sub-lease?
- Thirty, and it's a steal.
A grand total of $250 a month.
Your salary at Macy's is $105 a month.
That makes .. I see.
A grand deficit of $145 a month.
I can lend you some of it.
- You don't have to.
I'll just hint to Dad and
he'll come through.
Lipstick alright?
You got a dab on a front tooth.
How is your father?
He's okay.
Mother insists he gets a check-up
but he sounded fine over the phone.
I hope Walt's train is on time.
I don't want to miss the football game.
Want to make a double-date
with Lew and me?
You know I love being
with you and Lew. But ..
I just want Walt all to myself.
By the way, how you doing with Lew?
Swell. He's beginning to go for me.
He only talks about you half as much.
- Really?
Maybe we can double-date
and I win him back.
Don't you dare. Didn't I cry
when you were expelled?
Don't worry, darling.
Walt's the only man I want in the world.
I look terrible.
I wish I looked that terrible.
Well.
I have to go to Pen Station to meet Lew.
And I'm off to Grand
Central to meet Walt.
It was such a good idea having
men in this world, wasn't it.
Aren't they terrific?
You told me he only had to run
ten yards and he ran at least fifty.
You know, considering everything
it's remarkable how fond of you I am.
"Attention Please."
"Colonel William J. Donovan."
"Will you call The War Department
in Washington at once."
"Important."
"Colonel William J. Donovan."
"Please call The War Department
in Washington at once."
"Important."
That's 'Wild Bill' Donovan, isn't it?
He's head of The Secret Service.
A big-shot in something anyway.
Why should they want him on a Sunday?
They probably need a fourth for bridge.
"Attention please."
"The War Department has
asked us to announce."
"That all officers and men of the armed
forces must report to their stations .."
"Immediately."
"The unconfirmed report is that
the Battleship Oklahoma is afire."
"In this maze of rumor
and counter-rumor."
"Only one fact is official."
"That, of course, is the announcement
broadcast several times .."
"That at 07:55 Hawaiian time."
"Planes from a Japanese Aircraft
Carrier attacked Pearl Harbor."
"Inflicting severe damage and
casualties at 4 pm Japanese time."
"Please stand by."
I'd better find when is the
next train back to camp.
Let's find a telephone.
There must be lot of telephones
somewhere. Come on.
Boy, this is going to be tough.
Come on, follow me.
Bang, bang, bang.
- You're dead.
I'm not.
Yes you are. You're dead.
- I don't want to be dead.
[ Telephone ]
Hello?
El?
Walt. Walt.
What happened to you?
To me?
You know where I found a phone?
In a candy store across the street.
I thought you were right
behind me all the time.
We got separated by the crowd I guess.
I looked around.
It was awful.
Where are you?
Grand Central Station.
My train leaves in about ..
18 minutes.
Oh no.
Look, don't take a cab.
The subway is quicker.
At least we have time to say goodbye.
I'll wait on the platform.
Track 19. Hurry.
I'll be right there, darling.
What a way to say goodbye.
Isn't there a later train?
It's the only one today.
Come on, get on the train.
We get off at 125th Street.
It gives us a few more minutes together.
Excuse fellahs.
Did you hear anything more?
Maybe it's just another
one of those hoaxes.
No .. tough times ahead El.
For me too.
For everybody's girl.
Don't you feel sorry for me?
I do.
I've enough sorrow to take in everybody.
I have too.
You know something.
- What, darling?
You have such aristocratic eyes.
Even when they're full of tears.
We'll be at 125th Street in a minute.
Gosh, I don't want to get off.
Don't get off, El.
I don't have to report until Reveille.
There's a morning train
you can take back.
You've never once said 'I love you'.
In the vestibule of a smoky train?
El.
125th Street.
125th Street.
Let's forget the whole thing.
Come on, you'd better get off.
Walt.
If you want me to.
I'll stay.
I do love you, El.
I'll tell you twice.
So you won't have to ask me again.
I love you.
Dad.
Hello honey.
Let me look at you.
You don't look so sick.
What's all this Johns Hopkins business?
You know how it is.
Poor people get examinations.
Rich people get check-ups.
Your mother pestered me.
Finally I said: 'Okay. I go to Hopkins'.
I should have been
home to look after you.
I'm no invalid, Eloise.
My plane doesn't leave for
Baltimore for 35 minutes.
How to kill half an hour?
The restaurant on the main floor
or a cocktail bar upstairs.
Upstairs.
Now you know how sick I am.
I think I should go down to
Baltimore to look after you.
Don't be silly, angel. You have a job.
- Why didn't mother come along?
I don't know.
She wanted to, but I felt at a
time like this I'd rather be alone.
A vacation, sort of.
You think a cocktail bar is the right
place for a man going to a check-up?
I know doctors.
The first thing they say is:
cut out the liquor.
I'm building up a backlog.
Hey, how's your job running?
It's alright.
I'm no ball of fire but
they seem to like me.
I suppose they have to.
Who else can they get these days?
How's your young man?
He get shipped overseas yet?
No, but he expects to be soon.
After he's gone.
You'll come home, won't you El?
I mean.
There won't be a reason anymore
for staying in New York?
There won't be much reason for anything.
Wars end. Most of the boys will be back.
Law of averages.
No use talking to Walt
about the law of averages.
He doesn't expect to come back.
Dad.
Did you feel that way in '17?
Yes I did.
But before you went to France, you
and mother got married, didn't you?
We had no intention of getting married.
At least I didn't.
I know it's a terrible thing to say, El.
But there has to be one member of
the family a person can talk to.
We hadn't known each other very long.
You know how it is in wartime.
Anyway, it was the last dance.
Japanese lanterns.
A song by Irving Berlin.
Your mother was about your age then.
She cried.
And we thought there were no two people
in the world as much in love as we were.
We got married.
I wonder if I have time
for another drink.
No. I guess not.
When the war was over
I rushed back to Boise.
I looked at Martha.
She looked at me.
We were pretty close to looking
at two complete strangers.
Fact.
There was your brother Charlie.
A stranger to me too at
the age of 14 months.
After a while .. there was you.
What could we do?
We were both trapped.
By the war .. by our youth.
By Irving Berlin.
Why am I telling you all this?
Every American girl should think of her
father and mother as Tristan and Isolde.
"Flight number 248 for Baltimore
ready for departure from gate 22."
If he'd said that 5 minutes ago I would
not have made a darned fool of myself.
Walt.
Walt.
Hello.
What are you doing here?
They all of a-sudden
gave me a 7-day pass.
What for? You did something wonderful?
Who, me?
No. I'm probably the worst
aerial gunner in the firm.
No, as a matter of fact ..
Half the camp got leave.
That usually means we're
going to be shipped.
We can worry about that later.
We have seven days to shake the world.
I want to get uptown.
I've got a couple of theater tickets.
Taxi.
You can't get a cab these days.
There's a bus stop on the corner of 6th.
I'm not proud. Besides, it's cheaper.
Look, there's a bus.
I'll hold it.
What's the matter?
Did you turn your ankle?
Yes .. my ankle.
Which one? Is this it?
Does that hurt?
- Just a little.
I regard you as I would a new car.
I worry about every scratch.
Poor Uncle Wiggily.
Poor Uncle Wiggily.
I remember the first time you said that.
- So do I.
It was your finger, wasn't it?
Poor Eloise, always getting hurt.
And you're always there when I am.
Maybe that isn't just coincidence.
Maybe I'm a jinx to you.
Maybe.
You know.
I don't think you love me anymore.
Why do you say that?
You haven't said yet that
I've an aristocratic ankle.
Well, you have. And I love you.
Very much.
- You do?
You really do?
I swear it.
On your twisted ankle.
That's all I wanted to hear.
Those people will think we're crazy
sitting here on the street like this.
Can you walk on the ankle?
- I think so.
Is your ankle that bad?
No. It's not bad at all.
Look.
I think we'd better forget
the show and just go home.
Maybe we'd better.
What are you waiting for heaven's sakes?
You wanted to be sure. Now you're sure.
I think it's mad you not telling
Walt anything, Eloise Winters.
Tonight's the last night you're
going to see him. Maybe forever.
It's just that ..
It's such a horrible way to get a man.
Ye Gods. If he loves you,
what's the difference?
You want me to tell him? I'll tell him.
- No, you won't.
I don't want him to ask
me because he has to.
I want him to ask me because
he loves me and wants me.
And it shouldn't make any difference
if it's wartime or peacetime.
Or if there's soft music.
And Japanese lanterns.
What do you mean, Japanese lanterns?
I mean, sometimes people
get trapped into marriage.
But they go on living
with each other and ..
Being unhappy and hating each other.
I can't bear the thought of Walt
hating me for the rest of his life.
Gosh. What about the
rest of your life, El?
I don't know, I don't know.
El, why is everybody so gloomy?
How do we know he won't ask you?
I know what he says.
'This is the end of the world'.
And all that. But ..
He loves you.
Wait and see. I bet he asks you.
Sure. Maybe he will.
But, El darling.
If Walt shouldn't ask you.
Please darling, don't be crazy.
- Mary Jane, I'll never tell him.
Never.
- El, honest. You're just ..
A fine time to be proud.
Take care.
My foolish heart.
There's a line between
love and fascination.
That's hard to see.
How about another drink?
- No.
Of do they both give the
very same fascination?
I wish she'd shut up.
I don't need her to tell me I feel low.
Everybody else is babbling away.
What's wrong with us?
If I said what I felt.
I'd start to cry.
And I'm not going to
cry in a cocktail lounge.
In a little while you'll be seeing
me off at Grand Central.
These days, everybody
cries at Grand Central.
I promise you I won't.
I'm going to miss you so much.
- You'd better.
Hasn't it all been silly, Walt?
We only met because
I wore the wrong dress.
Silly .. and wonderful.
I wish I could feel sure about you.
It would be so wonderful ..
While you're away.
If I could think of you as mine.
Really mine.
Why can't you? Who has a better right?
Is this how it's all going to end?
We'll miss each other very much.
We'll think about each other.
I'll be yours. You'll be mine.
Is this how you want it to end?
How I want it to end?
Darling, what have I
to say about anything?
I'm just a number in a squadron that's
part of a group that's part of an army.
I don't know where I'm going or when.
I don't know if I'm coming back.
I can't think about endings
or middles or beginnings.
All I know is.
You are sitting here beside me.
And In a few minutes.
I have to leave you.
El.
Do you know how humble and
grateful I am for your love?
I know.
Check please.
Plenty of time. 45 seconds.
Walt. I want to tell you something.
Yes?
Walt ..
Walt.
- Yes, darling.
I just wanted to tell you.
I love you.
I have a feeling this is not
going to be my favorite war.
Poor Uncle Wiggily.
Hiya, Dreiser.
The ammo's all in.
I don't think the real thing will be
tougher than these manoeuvres.
I wonder where they're going to
send us. Europe or The Pacific?
Who cares where they send us?
I've got friends all over.
Who you writing to that's
so important? MacArthur?
No.
I'm writing to a girl.
That's more like it.
- Okay, men.
We're all set. Let's take her up.
Hey Lucey. Grab that, will you.
Put it in my locker.
I'll finish it when I get back.
Okay.
I'm Eloise Winters.
You sent me a telegram.
Yes, Miss Winters.
Will you come in please.
Mrs Crandall. Miss Winters is here.
Will you come in please, Miss Winters.
You said in your telegram
that Private Dreiser ..
Walter Dreiser was badly hurt.
That he asked for me.
Yes he did.
Will you have seat Miss Winters.
- No thanks.
How is he?
I called you on the phone last night
Miss Winters, but you'd already left.
I'm terribly sorry.
Private Dreiser died
late yesterday afternoon.
Yesterday afternoon.
It was a horrible accident.
The whole crew was killed.
Can I get you anything, Miss Winters?
Would you like a glass of water?
Is there anything at
all we can do for you?
If you have trouble with reservations.
I'll be alright.
Miss Winters.
He was writing this letter to you.
Would you care to have it?
'Darling'.
'During the six days that have
elapsed since I saw you last ..'
'I haven't slept, I haven't eaten, and
I speak only when I'm spoken to'.
'El'.
'Despite everything'.
'I want you to marry me'.
'I want you to throw whatever things are
necessary for a marriage into a bag'.
'Hop on the very first train, plane
or bus and come on right down'.
'You know something'?
'I just realized I don't
know what you are'.
'Protestant, Catholic,
Jewish or Greek Orthodox'.
'However, we have chaplains
of all descriptions down here'.
'And I want to be married
to you so much'.
'That if necessary, we'll
have four ceremonies'.
'If you ..'
'If necessary, we will
have four ceremonies'.
El.
What are you going to do now?
I'm going to my father.
I'm telling him everything.
It will be just awful.
He'll be hurt.
But he'll understand.
- I couldn't do it.
I know I couldn't bring myself to do it.
You don't know my father.
I could never tell my
mother but I can my father.
Where is he?
Still at Hopkins?
There was a message.
He'll be at the Waldorf this afternoon.
He's on his way back to Boise.
- El.
Would you ..
Would it help if I went along with you?
No thanks, darling.
It will be okay when I tell my father.
It'll be alright.
Mother.
- Shush. Come in dear.
I didn't know you were with Dad, mother.
Your father sent for me.
We tried to call you from Baltimore but
they told us you'd gone to Tennessee.
We know the terrible thing that's
happened, dear heart.
It was just awful, wasn't it.
I didn't know the young
man very well, but ..
I am sorry.
I could have been nicer to him.
How's Dad?
He's in the bedroom sleeping.
Eloise.
What's the matter?
He's sick, Eloise.
Much sicker than he thinks.
Oh.
His heart.
I talked with his doctor. He has to
have complete rest and no worries.
He can go on for years they say.
You know how it is with heart cases.
Excitement, shock.
We have to be very careful, Eloise.
Poor Dad.
Martha.
What do you think, Henry?
Eloise is here.
She is?
Come in, darling.
Coming, Dad.
Hi, Dad.
How's the fabulous invalid?
Do I look so bad to you?
El.
How awful about Walt.
Is there anything I can do, El?
Anything at all I can do to help?
No, Daddy.
There's nothing you can do.
Nothing at all.
What are you looking around for?
Comparing you with the other girls.
- Am I doing alright?
I'm doing alright.
You remember about Sunday?
We drive to Connecticut to see my folks.
What's the matter?
Excuse me for a minute, Lew.
I've got to see El.
El darling, you look so beautiful.
I'm glad you changed your mind.
- Well, I ..
I saw Dad and Mother off on the train.
Then I went back to the apartment.
I looked at the walls and looked.
When I couldn't stand it any longer
I got into these clothes and here I am.
Did you tell your father?
No, I didn't tell him.
It would kill him.
So.
Here I am.
- What are you going to do, El?
I don't know Mary Jane.
I haven't the slightest idea.
Not the slightest.
- Hello, Eloise.
Hello Lew.
Lew, why not dance with Eloise?
Cheer her up.
I'm on the committee.
I must do all the arrangements.
I'd love to.
Come and claim me in about an hour.
I'll take your coat.
- Thanks.
Eloise, it's been a long time.
- Yeah. We weren't even at war.
Come to think of it, our last
date was right in this room.
Remember your class dance?
Now you're a Lieutenant and
I'm a slightly-tarnished alumni.
From my memory.
You wore a dress that you were
very unhappy about. Right?
Lew, would you get me a drink?
- Sure, what do you want?
Scotch and water.
I'll be on the terrace.
Okay, I'll get one for myself too.
Here you are.
I had to make double. Saves me a trip.
Eloise.
What is it, El?
I don't know. I'm sad or something.
Why?
I suppose it's just the season for it.
Men go to war. Women weep.
Yep. The season is also spring.
And this is a pretty good
brand of Scotch.
So, for a few hours I'm going
to try to forget about it.
We'll see what we can do to
get you out of this mood.
I don't think my dancing will do it.
- I'm not up to dancing.
Small talk would be silly, wouldn't it?
Honest, Lew. I don't think I
could keep up a conversation.
Say, would you rather be alone?
I never thought of that.
- No.
I couldn't bear to be alone.
It's funny, El.
It's only eight months since I saw
you last but you're different.
You're years older.
Years more beautiful too.
When I think how crazy I was about you.
Look, El.
I have a convertible outside.
The top is down. It's a warm night.
Why don't we take a drive?
Yes, let's take a drive.
Anything you say.
Okay, finish your drink,
I'll tell Mary Jane.
No. She's probably too
busy with the committee.
She won't even miss us.
Those are either the lights of
the medical center or ..
I forgot. No small talk.
Radio alright?
Cigarette?
- No thanks.
Mind if I have one?
What are you thinking about, El?
You've had such a strange
look on your face.
I doubt you think about how much
you'll miss me when I'm overseas.
Lots of people will miss you, Lew.
Mary Jane.
- Sure, she will.
I'll miss her.
You know, I'll miss you too a little.
Like a friend you will.
El.
You know what I felt when
I saw you again tonight?
What, Lew?
Do you want the truth?
I looked at you and I thought ..
I thought I was all over her.
And here it starts all over again.
You hate that?
No. I don't.
I also thought, what's the use?
Eloise doesn't care for you.
She never did.
Don't get yourself all worked up, boy.
This isn't for you.
Don't touch.
Night life.
No violins.
It's enough to make a man ..
No.
Leave it on.
What are you thinking
so hard about, Eloise?
I was just wondering if I
would ever see you again.
Let's not think about that.
Will you write to me, Lew?
- Sure.
As often as you want me to.
Does this sound crazy, Lew?
It would be so wonderful
while you're away if ..
I could think of you as mine.
Really mine.
Does that sound crazy?
No. It doesn't sound crazy at all.
El, I never dreamed ..
Neither did I. I don't know what hit me.
Let's forget it.
No. We won't forget it.
I was a nice girl.
I was a nice girl, wasn't I.
She's been drinking since we married.
It's no use waiting for her to sober up.
I might as well hear what she
has to say right here and now.
I'm sorry. I didn't quite ..
Hear what 'here and now'?
Lew, it would be better if we waited and
talked everything over in the morning.
Honestly it would.
- No.
I want it settled right now.
You had something to tell me.
What is it?
It wasn't very important.
- It must have been.
It's evident you meant
to hurt me very much.
What is it, El?
The important thing, Lew,
is that I'm through hurting people.
I'm through doing wrong.
I'm paying for what I've done
and now I'm all alone.
I don't want others to suffer too.
I want you to have Ramona.
You mean, you're letting me
have custody of her?
I want her to have a home.
I know she'll be happy
with you and Mary Jane.
If it weren't for me, you two would
have been married years ago.
I'm sorry for all those years
I took out of your lives.
Poor Uncle Wiggily ..
Poor Uncle Wiggily.
You don't have to go, El.
Lew and I are leaving.
We saw you in here with Ramona.
She belongs with you, El.
We could see that.
Lew said ..
Don't worry about Lew.
You'll keep Ramona.
How can I ever thank you?
You don't have to, El. It's alright.
After all, I could have been the
girl in the brown-and-white dress.
Anybody could have.
..f-s..