Shine on Harvey Moon (1982) s04e03 Episode Script
Mud Sticks...
Mum? What on earth are you up to? Oh, Harvey, I was just looking to see if you'd left any of them ration books in a safe place.
You're not still on about them? How many times have I got to tell you? Oh, I know, I know Ooh! My knees are giving me jip! Give us a hand up, will you? No, no, I was only looking just in case.
- In case what? - In case I found one of them.
Oh, Mum, that is my best suit! It don't need pressing again! This cost me 1 s 3d at the cleaner's for that.
- You won't be needing that tonight, anyway.
- Why not? That Frank whatshisname from the thingy came round with a note for you.
There's an emergency meeting of the committee.
You opened a note addressed to me? It was only folded over.
- It could have been urgent.
- Or personal.
Well, it wasn't, was it? Wait till I tell Frieda.
She's going to be well pleased.
What do they want a meeting on New Year's Eve for, anyway? Perhaps they want to make some New Year's resolutions.
- Oh, hello! - Hello, Geoff.
- You rang the wrong bell again.
- Eh? Theirs is the top flat.
It's the top bell.
- Oh, yeah.
I've done it before, haven't I? - Yes, you have.
- Hello, Geoff.
Happy New Year! - Oh, yeah, Happy New Year.
- Oh, you don't look happy.
- I'm thinking about tomorrow.
- What happens tomorrow? - New Year's Day? No.
It's nationalisation, isn't it? Nothing wrong with that.
For once, the workers are going to have a say.
You don't believe that load of old cods, do you? - Instead of being told what to do - Have you seen them new uniforms? And them daft new hats? To say nothing of our lovely maroon old engines, all painted a diabolical shade of green.
- What's wrong with green? - There's a lot wrong with green.
Our once proud London, Midland and Scottish.
Obliterated by British bleedin' Railways.
Pardon my French.
French? Anyway, I'm glad I'm retired, that's all I can say, Harvey.
I'm going to cheer myself up with your mum.
I brought her a present.
- I won't ask what it is.
- I'll give you a clue.
- You don't look too happy either, Harvey.
- No.
I've got a lot on my mind.
I made an agreement with Rita about the divorce and she's gone and broken it.
- What was the agreement? - Adultery.
And what, she's broken it? - Desertion.
- To me, one is the same as the other.
- Is there some legal difference? - That's not the point.
Adultery has got, well, a human feel to it, temptations of the flesh, all that.
But desertion conjures up a picture of a man cold-bloodedly walking out on his wife and kids.
- Makes me sound a right bastard.
- Oh, Harvey! Vanity, vanity! - I've got my position to think of.
- Why don't you talk to her? - You might change your mind.
- Change her what? Nah, this won't be her idea.
Her divorce lawyer, my friend and employer, Mr Dick Elliot, will be the brains behind this one.
I bet he won't have the bottle to show up at the meeting tonight.
- What meeting? - There's been an emergency meeting called for the executive committee.
They've sent me a note.
I've got to go.
Tonight? What can be the emergency tonight? I won't know until I get there.
So this means cancelling our dinner? It could go on for hours.
Oh, Harvey - I'm so disappointed.
It's - New Year's Eve.
I knew you'd be choked.
I was listening to that! You were looking at yourself in the mirror.
I can do two things at once! If I say I was listening, I was listening! - What's the point of programmes like that? - To remind you of what's happened this year.
- Why do you want reminding? - In case you've forgotten.
That's stupid, cos I never wanted to know in the first place.
Well, when you're older, Stanley, you'll realise that the past can teach you things.
That's why intelligent people like it.
They can't be very intelligent if they can't remember what's happened without a wireless.
You're in a mood, Stanley.
Why? It's all this New Year's Eve stuff.
What's the excitement about? You don't get any presents or nothing! I told you, it's a time for looking back and taking stock.
I thought that's what you did in the saloon.
- Being a clever dick again, Stanley? - Hello, Mrs Moon.
Hello, Veronica.
I'll go and get my frock on.
I bet nobody ever tells you you're a clever dick, Veronica.
Sorry.
No, they don't, Stanley.
So what are you wearing tonight? - Well, I thought I'd wear my pink taffeta.
- Oh, nice.
Sure you don't mind me not coming with you? Only, we've got this table booked.
It's all right, Mags.
I'm going with Big Doris from the johnny factory.
- Is she still there? - Yeah.
They've all been hard at it.
Yeah? Yeah.
It's extra production Christmas and New year, innit? Especially New Year.
- Why's that? - Why? You should know.
Don't you remember? More get used.
In fact, I've been told that New Year's Eve is one of the biggest nights in the year for it.
For what? - You know - No, I don't.
Sometimes, Stanley, you're not such a clever dick.
- How do I look? - Oh, smashing.
You look really lovely! Yeah.
I hope I look good as you do when I get to your age.
Is that why you're going out, Mum? New Year's Eve.
Big night.
Stanley! - Hello, Dick.
Happy New Year.
- And to you, Harvey.
You're dedicated.
I had a bet with myself you wouldn't show up.
Yes, well, some things are more important than New Year's Eve.
You try telling Frieda that.
I promised to take her out tonight.
Er, Harvey? The meeting's here tonight.
The sooner we're started, the sooner we're finished.
Ah! There you are.
No need for formalities since this is an informal meeting.
Sit down, Harvey.
Nobody wants to be here any longer than necessary.
Look, Harvey, there's a press campaign to discredit the Party in this borough and I've got to say, you've been one of their best allies.
- Me? - Williamson from the Gazette has got it in for us.
And some of your antics lately have given him plenty of copy.
He's even been to see Dick to check your record at work.
- How did you know about that? - Dick was right to inform the committee.
If the press is trying to make trouble, we've got to know about it.
All right, so the Gazette's got it in for us, but you can't blame me for that.
But you've given them a lot of ammunition.
That case involving the stolen ration books didn't look good.
Irene, that was a set-up job, nothing to do with me.
But it was your name connected with it.
Then there was the funny coincidence of you being right there when a Tory councillor tries to commit suicide.
I did save the man's life, even though he was a Tory! - How can that be bad for the Party? - It's your involvement in these - controversial areas that worries us.
- Con I haven't done anything! Theft.
Suicide.
Not the sort of issues we want the Party associated with.
With the amount of publicity you're getting the Tories, perhaps you ought to join them.
- Look, Irene - Then there's your forthcoming divorce.
- How did you know? - We could be embarrassed by your private life.
Oh, I've got one, have I? I've fallen over now! - Here.
Let me help you.
- Thank you.
Don't tickle my feet! I've got sensitive feet! Now, you put the record on.
I'll get the drinks.
Do you know, Rita, I have the faintest suspicion in my mind that you're just the slightest bit tipsy.
No, I'm absolutely blotto! It didn't impair your dancing.
You were unquestionably the best dancer there.
Hm Mm, we were the best dancer there! Ooh! Now, that's nice.
Ah, now, that reminds me, you know during Auld Lang Syne when we were all kissing each other and I got landed with that Boris Karloff? Remember that? Well, I think that you spent rather a long time with that little blonde girl he was with, - in the pink dress.
- If I did, it was the lateness of the hour or the drink.
I see.
Well, it's much later now and you'd had a lot more to drink.
There you are, you see.
You can! - He can what, Mum? Who's in the kitchen? - Stan, go back to bed, love.
- Oh, Happy New Year! - Happy New Year! Happy New Year! Happy New Year, Mum! - Have you had a good evening? - Happy New Year! It was smashing.
I went to a lovely restaurant.
Frascati's.
- Frascati's? Oh, I am impressed.
- You've heard of it, then? - Course I have.
It's famous.
- Food was all Italian.
Quite nice, though.
And they had a lovely band.
You all right, Mum? - No, she's drunk.
- We're both drunk.
Indeed we are, and I think it's high time we called it a day.
- I think it's time we all went to bed.
- Do you? - Stanley, will you get off my foot? - Oh, you're no good, sis.
I'm sorry, love, you've got too much competition! Whoo! Oh - Geoff! Huh! - Oh, hello, Harvey.
You give me a nasty shock for a minute.
- Here, you all right? - Yeah, right as rain.
It isn't raining, is it? - Raining? No.
- Ah.
Had me worried.
It's all gone! - All gone.
- I'm not surprised, the state of you.
Does my mum know you're still here? Yeah, she was with me.
She went to bed, left me at it.
Yes Here, I was going home.
- I never got there.
- No, you didn't, did you? - Wonderful woman, that Violet.
- I know.
Wonderful invention, women, Harvey.
I know.
Together for 37 years, me and my Rose.
- I know.
Don't you - And in all that time, I never looked at another woman.
It would be just the same with Violet.
Here, Harvey, Harvey, you haven't got a bottle of beer lying about, have you? I haven't, no.
And if you have any more, I don't think you'll be able to get home.
- Oh, we're past getting home.
- Oh, are we? Oh, yes.
Stopping here tonight.
I don't know where you can sleep, Geoff.
Who's that? - Hello, Mum.
- Oh! Harvey.
I must have nodded off.
I've been waiting for you to get back.
How's Geoff? Well, he's not going to fall over and hurt himself, if that's what you mean.
It does you no credit to make fun of an old man, Harvey.
Well, he has been at the sauce a bit.
It is New Year's Eve.
Where's your Christian charity? Mind you, I didn't know he snored like that.
Happy New Year.
Taxi! Happy New Year! I don't want you talking to me.
Go away.
Go away! Having a bit of trouble here, guvnor? Yes.
As a matter of fact, I am.
Excuse me, sir.
Did I just see you come out of the gentlemen's conveniences on Jamieson Street? What if you did? Then I must ask you to accompany me to the police station.
- I beg your pardon? - To answer a few questions.
You didn't have a very good evening, eh? - Harvey ruined it for you, did he? - No.
No, I mean If I'd spent the evening with him, I wouldn't have seen Adrian and his friends.
I don't think Harvey would get on with them.
You weren't ashamed to telephone Adrian at the last minute to say you'd changed your mind? Erich, these are not formal people.
Adrian didn't mind.
- He was pleased to hear from me.
- And what did you do? A friend of Adrian's, a writer, was having a dinner party - and he took me there.
- What happened? Well it was a beautiful house, interesting people.
So perhaps you had a better evening than with Harvey? No! No.
Do you like this one? No.
Keep your voice down, please, love.
Why? Cos I've got a head like a wasp's nest, that's why.
You're not Janice.
Oh, I meant to tell you.
She phoned up.
She said she's not feeling very well, but she'll try and get in before dinnertime.
- I wonder what's wrong with her? - Must be something she ate, eh? Still, I don't suppose it matters.
We're not going to be rushed off our feet.
- Did you have a good night? - Er Um Yeah, thanks.
You know I went to the town hall dance? Do you want to hear what happened to me? You're going to tell me anyway.
Only if you want to know I met this smashing bloke.
He was like Michael Wilding, only on a smaller scale.
- How much smaller? - Well, he come up to my shoulders.
Anyway, he was ever so good-looking.
And we was getting on really well.
Then right near the end of the night, when we was doing the Anniversary Waltz, he came over all sort of queer, like.
So I went to get him a drink of water, but when I come back, his sister was helping him home.
His sister? Well, I asked him who she was when she kept smiling at him earlier on.
Oh, Veronica - Humbug? - Er, no, thank you.
Oh - This is very formal.
- Yeah, well, I like to do things properly.
- It's also very short.
- It contains all the essential information.
Four weeks' notice from Friday.
What more do you need? Er, I'd like to know why.
- The meeting last night? - That's part of it, yeah.
- What's the other part? - When I come here, I thought I was going to do something legal.
I know I haven't got the education to become a solicitor, but er I don't see myself as a 40-year-old office boy.
It's never been my ambition to have a 40-year-old office boy.
My plan Then there's last night as well.
I'm afraid I lost a bit of trust in you in that committee room, Dick.
I think it was very bad timing telling them about my divorce.
- How would you have timed it? - I'd have waited till things had blown over.
"Things"? Harvey, your life's becoming like a seedy footnote in some gossip column.
I was defending, in my small way, the future of the labour movement, albeit in sun-drenched Hackney.
I wasn't putting your feelings above the needs and demands of the Party.
But that is my private life.
What about the principle of confidentiality? What about it? I merely told them that proceedings were underway.
I didn't discuss the details of the case.
I wouldn't do that.
Confidentiality? You're not my client! Rita is my client.
Yeah, well, you know how I feel about that an' all, don't you? Oh, I'm sorry.
Hello, Mrs Harris.
Morning, Maggie.
Mr Brandon not in yet? You'll be lucky.
Him and my mum were out half the night having a knees-up.
- He could hardly stand up when I went to bed.
- Really? As bad as that? Yeah.
If you want to see him, come back about tea-time.
He might have his eyes open then.
It doesn't matter.
I'll leave it with you, then.
I wanted to ask him about remodelling this.
It depends on what style you want.
Excuse me.
Hello.
Madame Phyllis.
Oh, hello, Leo What? What did you do? Did you go to the pictures? Or did you go dancing? Did you sing Auld Lang Syne? We did.
Mind you, I got into a terrible tangle crossing my arms.
See, the bloke next to me was facing the wrong way and I must have tugged him a bit too hard.
When they found him Oh, er, hello.
Happy Curl.
Maggie? Maggie Leo? He's been what? Where? Um Oh, my I don't know.
Hang on.
Er - About four quid.
- Look, give it to Veronica.
Maggie, I'm coming down! I don't want you anywhere near that police station.
Leo's in enough trouble as it is.
Hello? Mags! Leo's been what? Where? Oh Well I'm a bit short.
All right, all right.
I can manage to raise a fiver somehow.
I still don't get what he's done.
Why do they have to keep you waiting like this? Maggie, what's Leo done? I told you.
He was arrested after he come out of the gents'.
See, that's what I don't understand.
Had he been in the ladies', fair enough.
But why would they arrest him for going into the gents'? Because there was another person involved.
Oh! A woman, you mean! No, a man! So Leo was arrested for going into the gents' with another man? Well, that can't be right? We've been in the toilet together.
We ain't ever been arrested for it.
Here So, what can we do for you? - We've come to bail somebody out.
- Have you, now? - One of our New Year's Eve collection? - Mr Brandon.
- Got the cash, have you? - Yeah, I've got it here.
Better start filling this out.
Young lady's come for our New Year's Eve-er, Section 11.
- Hope he's all right.
- Course he is.
- He wasn't exactly the victim, you know.
- He wasn't anything! He has been charged, hasn't he? My dad says you're innocent until you're proved guilty in this country.
- Keep your hair on.
- That's what we fought the war over, freedom from being put away without trial.
- What regiment were you in? - That'll do, Evans.
- Go and tell Mr Brandon that Miss er - Moon.
Miss Moon has come to fetch him.
Right, let's see the colour of your money.
Harvey, have you got a moment, please? Frieda, he's here.
- What's up? - We want to talk to you.
- Harvey, we've had the papers here.
- Papers? This rather unpleasant man from the Gazette.
He came to the bakery also.
I thought he was going to talk about some political things.
But no, he wants to talk about you and Frieda.
Personal things.
- I threw him out.
- Good for you, Erich.
He's got this address.
It wasn't so easy for me.
Why does he ask such personal questions? It was awful.
I had trouble getting rid of him.
That's all we need, a man running after us like this.
Sorry, Erich.
It's my fault.
All I am saying is, you are a councillor.
Please do something.
What can I do? It's me he's after.
Bet you don't have this trouble with your Adrian, eh? Oh, no, Harvey, please! You promised! I left immediately and he followed me out.
I decided it was stupid to get involved in a slanging match, so I just walked away.
A few minutes later I was stopped by a policeman.
Before I knew where I was, I was being accused of homosexual importuning.
Do you mean Joshua shopped you? No, Rita.
Nothing happened at all.
He simply lied to the police and I was charged.
- Well, he'll take it back.
- I don't think he can now.
It's too late.
Anyway, as soon as it comes to court, it's going to be obvious he was lying.
But I can't count on that.
Oh, God, I could go to jail for God knows how long! Well, they'll catch him out.
We've got to get the best lawyer we can.
- Harvey will speak to Dick in the morning.
- They won't be interested.
Yes, they will.
They're both in the Labour Party.
Why do I always lose them? This could be a tragedy.
Easily.
Where have I put my keys? If he gets put inside, Maggie'll lose her job.
And there's all that work Rita's put into the dancing with him.
What about the poor geezer? He could end up in prison.
Poor soul.
It's a shame they can't castrate them.
- Mum! - Well, look at all the trouble it'd save.
- It's a bit late for that now.
- Are you going out again? - Anyway, we don't even know if he did it.
- Well, why was he nicked if he didn't do it? - Have you seen my keys? - They're on the mantelpiece.
- Are you all right, son? - Yes, thanks, Councillor Moon.
- Eh? - Oh, er, I'm from the Gazette.
Mr Williamson.
- I'd just like to ask you a few questions.
- Are you following me? I just want to clear up one or two points of public interest.
Don't give me all that.
You just want to dig the dirt.
And while we're at it, keep away from the Gottliebs, all right? Doesn't your wife live round here somewhere, Councillor Moon? You got two on the go, have you? You took your bleedin' time.
I had to come a different route.
I'm being followed.
- They after you an' all? Must be catching.
- Not the police.
- The Gazette, that fascist rag you read.
- It's got good recipes.
- What will you do? - What can I do? - He'll need a good solicitor.
- You've got one.
- Or does he only do divorce? - That's very funny, Harvey.
- There's not much I can do, is there? - There is.
First thing tomorrow, you go and see Dick Elliot and you get him to arrange to see Leo.
- Can't nancy boy do that himself? - Oi! He is going to need sympathy.
He could go to prison.
All right, all right.
There's one question I've gotta ask you.
- Did he do it? - Course not.
- How do you know? - He told me.
They'll love that! That'll get him off! You and I know that they That was a long time ago.
That was before they sold the greyhound.
Yeah, but I could make a right idiot of myself.
We both know that he's Look, he's gone off him.
All right? And even if he hadn't, it's not Leo's style, is it? He's got class.
He wouldn't be happy in a toilet.
He'd only just left here.
- Do you know him well? - Not really, no.
Is he homosexual? - I wouldn't know, would I? - Does he Does he look homosexual? I don't know what they look like.
All right, all right, Harvey.
Answer me this.
Is he a man whose word can be trusted? I'd say definitely, yeah.
Right, it'll definitely go to Assizes, won't it? He'll need counsel.
Trouble is, not many are prepared to take on cases like this.
Hm Oh! Got the right man.
- Will you take him on, then? - Yes.
Well, that'll set a few minds at rest.
Oh.
You said you wanted to do some legal work.
- Yeah.
- Why not prepare the papers for this case? Won't it look bad for the Labour Party? Me being involved with a case about a nancy boy? I don't see why.
You've been involved with everything else lately.
I've told you, Joshua, he's not here.
Yes.
Yes, I'll give him the message.
- He says he's sorry.
- Wonderful.
- Don't you think you should speak to him? - I have nothing to say to him.
Perhaps he wants to take it all back.
It's too late now.
It's a police prosecution.
He's merely a witness.
Yeah, but what if he was to show that he was what you are? Well, what you were? Oh, God, then he'd be prosecuted as well! What good would that do me? It would merely - Yeah, drop you further in it.
- Precisely.
They're using the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885, Section 11 - outrages of decency.
"Any male person who in public or private commits or is a party to the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of any act of gross indecency with another male person" Wonderful use of language, these Victorians.
"shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and shall be liable at the discretion of the court to be imprisoned for a term not exceeding two years, with or without hard labour.
" Now, I understand you know the witness.
Yes, we were friends and partners in a racing greyhound.
Then the partnership broke up acrimoniously.
I see.
So this is a malicious accusation prompted by the break-up of this greyhound partnership thing? - Well, a malicious accusation certainly.
- Yes.
Understand this, Mr Brandon.
I've got to ask you this.
Is there any truth in this charge at all? None whatsoever.
The account is exactly what happened.
- He made it all up? - Yes.
On that night, on that New Year's Eve, nothing illegal happened between you and Mr Walton? Absolutely nothing.
But how do I prove that? It won't be easy.
I-I won't raise your hopes.
It'll come down to his word against yours.
We'll be in for a difficult time trying to show that he lied out of malice without being able to show some sort of cause for the malice.
I see.
You're going to need a very good barrister, Mr Brandon.
If I get hold of that Joshua, I'll wring his bleedin' neck.
It's a bit late for that now.
It's coming to court.
And Dick doesn't think there's much chance? Doesn't seem that optimistic, no.
What's Leo done, then? - Haven't you got any homework to do, Stanley? - It's the holidays.
Oh, yeah.
Can't you play out? - No, it's cold out.
- Put your coat on! - It's dark as well.
- Your father and I want to talk something over.
- So what's Leo done? - Would you go in your bedroom - and read your comics, please? - No! I don't see why you can't talk in the bedroom.
- Stanley! - It's cold in the bedroom! - Then go in the kitchen.
- Make us a cup of tea.
Oh, all right, I'll go in the bedroom.
- All right? - We can't let Leo go to prison.
Dick says that what he really needs is a good character witness to take the jury's mind off the details.
- How is he? - He's ever so depressed.
- What about one of his customers? - What about you? - Me? - Yeah.
You're a councillor, - a fine, upstanding citizen.
- To those who don't know you.
- Nah, I might have to perjure myself and - I couldn't do that! Anyway, I don't think a man in my position would be a good character witness.
- What position's that? - A man who's being sued for divorce on grounds of desertion? I wouldn't trust a man who did that sort of thing, would you? I thought we was talking about Leo.
I give in.
I'll make the tea.
I don't believe me sometimes! I'm really stupid! I know who'd make a good character witness for Leo.
- Who? - Me! How many people are applying for the job? - Well, not to worry.
- Harvey? No, it's not for me.
It's for a mate of mine.
Bye.
Great job.
Preparing the papers for the Brandon case.
Great job.
- Thanks.
- There's a future for you in legal work, Harvey.
- Bit late for that now.
- No, it isn't.
I should have made an effort to see that your talents were put to better use earlier on.
- I'm suggesting we do something about it now.
- No, I don't think so.
- I'm fully prepared to admit - I don't want to discuss it.
As far as I'm concerned, what's done is done.
It's a matter of principle.
It's got to be something the men like.
Cos they're all men, even the judges.
You don't want to show off.
Men don't like show-offs.
I could do with something new, really.
I wonder if Harvey's got any of them knocked-off coupons left.
He told you that was nothing to do with him.
It's a shame.
I could have done with some of those.
Stanley, you'll have to get your own tea tomorrow.
I'm going to court.
Oh, you and Dad will be divorced, then? No.
This is Leo's case, innit? - What, he's getting divorced? - No.
- Is it about the shop? - No! - Is it about the dog? - No! Look, it's a grown-ups' problem, so when you're grown up - if ever - then you'll find out about it.
Ooh, no.
Quite, quite.
- So, you knew Mr Brandon well? - Of course.
And yet you never suspected that he harboured any unhealthy feelings towards you? No.
Never.
That's my son! Don't he look nice in that wig! No, not him.
The one looking for the papers.
Oh, you mean the one behind the one with the wig? No, he's not doing nothing! I'm not sure which one you mean.
The one behind the one behind the one with the wig.
- The good-looking one.
- Which is the good-looking one? I understand that the two of you had intended to go on holiday together.
The south of France, I believe.
I think there was talk of something of the kind.
What happened in the event? I I decided not to go.
Isn't the truth that Mr Brandon changed his mind and went with a lady friend instead? It didn't suit me to go.
I suggest that you're lying, Mr Walton.
I suggest that embittered by the failure of your dog-racing venture, infuriated by Mr Brandon cancelling your holiday plans, you fabricated this ludicrous allegation, fuelled by a goodly portion of alcoholic stimulation.
No more questions, My Lord.
That fella in court was very odd, I thought.
Yeah.
Looked dead shifty to me.
Yeah, there was something very odd about him.
Him having a Biblical name an' all.
- Who? - That fellow in court.
- Oh! - Joshua.
Oh! Very odd.
Mind you, there's some funny things in Isaiah.
Geoff.
Mum.
Harvey! I thought you were wonderful in court today! - I didn't do anything.
- Course you did! When you gave him those papers they couldn't find! - Yeah, you were right there with him! - But I didn't do anything.
- But didn't you prepare the papers for the case? - Yes.
- Well, then! - I thought it was well clever the way he showed it wasn't Leo who was one over the eight, but that nancy boy.
Did you work that out for him? I can see you've got a great future in the legal profession.
No, I haven't got any future in it.
I've given in my notice.
From next Monday I'm out of work.
- What, again? - It's a matter of principle.
Why do you always leave your job on a principle? - British Railways are looking for people.
- Geoff! They'll be only too glad to have somebody who likes nationalisation.
Shut up! - Do you live in your own house, Mr Brandon? - Yes.
- Alone? - Yes.
Has that always been the case? No.
Until my mother's death last year, we lived together.
- You and your mother? - Yes.
- And you were in business with your mother? - Yes.
Would you please tell the court the nature of that business? My Lord, I really can't see the relevance of this line of questioning.
Perhaps Mr Stacey will enlighten us.
I'm rather baffled myself.
I'm trying to establish a certain style of life which may be a guide to a man's character.
Oh, very well.
Carry on.
- The nature of the business, Mr Brandon? - A hat shop.
- Ladies' hats? - Yes.
The shop was founded by my father.
- And you are still in that business? - Yes.
Some might say that doesn't seem, on the face of it, to be a masculine sort of trade.
It is if you like women.
And I do.
This holiday on which you planned to go with Mr Walton - whose idea was it? I think it was mine.
- Had you previously been on holiday with men? - As a younger man, yes.
And then after a gap of many years, you propose a holiday with another man.
Well, I didn't think there was anything strange in that.
I simply didn't wish to go alone.
Mr Walton didn't think it was strange.
In the course of running your greyhound, you must have seen a great deal of Mr Walton.
- Yes.
- And you got on perfectly well? Fine.
Mr Walton has already given evidence that you often had lunches and dinners together.
- Is that correct? - Sometimes, yes.
And your opinion of Mr Walton then was that he was a man you would like to accompany you on a holiday in the south of France? - Yes, but - Thank you, Mr Brandon.
Now, Mr Brandon Call Mrs Moon.
I know what I'd like to call her! Call Mrs Moon! Is this me? I'm coming.
Sit down! He's looking at you.
I shan't need that, thank you.
- I swear by Almighty God - What do they want to call her for? - Be quiet and we'll see.
the whole truth, the Could I see that, please? I swear by Almighty God - I wonder she recognises that book.
- What book? and nothing but the truth, so help me, God.
How well do you know Mr Brandon? Very well.
We go in for competitions together on the dance floor.
We're ballroom dancing partners.
I have spent many happy hours in his arms.
- You see a good deal of Mr Brandon.
- Yes.
And my daughter works for him as well.
He's part of the family, really.
And what was your reaction to this charge? Well, I knew it couldn't be true.
Mr Brandon would never do a thing like that.
Were you surprised he asked you to go on holiday last summer? Not seeing we were so close, no.
But you did know he originally planned to go away with Mr Walton? Ah! That was before Mr Brandon and me were quite so friendly.
I think that Mr Walton was really angry when Mr Brandon told him he wouldn't go away - I really must object, Your Honour.
- That is hearsay, Mrs Moon.
No, no, it's not.
I'm quite sure of it.
Mrs Moon, please confine yourself to answering the question the counsel put to you.
And you spent New Year's Eve with Mr Brandon? Yes.
We had a lovely evening.
Dinner and dance.
Then he came back to my place for a while.
Did he say anything at all about meeting Mr Walton later? No, he hasn't mentioned Mr Walton for months.
I'm sure he wasn't going to meet him.
I think Mr Walton followed him.
Mrs Moon, the court is not interested in your speculations.
The court is only interested in facts.
I'm sorry.
How would you describe your relationship with Mr Brandon? Close.
Very close.
So what is your reaction to the suggestion that Mr Brandon is a homosexual? Believe me, if there was anything to that, I would know about it.
I know that Mr Brandon could never have done whatever Mr Walton said he did.
Thank you, Mrs Moon.
Mrs Moon.
On your trip to the south of France with Mr Brandon, did you share a room with him? Do I have to answer that? I wish you would, Mrs Moon.
It would save us all a considerable amount of time.
No.
Mr Brandon would never put a lady in that position.
Not that he wouldn't like to.
Because he would.
But he would never compromise you.
Then let me be more blunt, Mrs Moon.
Are you or were you and Mr Brandon lovers? - You mind your own business! - Your Honour, I really That's an embarrassing question, Your Honour.
You're not supposed to ask me questions like that! No doubt it is, Mrs Moon.
Nevertheless, you must answer it.
And please remember you are under oath.
Very well.
I didn't want this to come out because it is a bit ticklish.
But I am involved in getting a divorce.
And when my divorce is final, Mr Brandon and I intend to become man and wife.
I still don't think you've answered my question, Mrs Moon.
Well, you don't think I'd marry a nancy boy, do you? I mean, I am a normal woman, you know! Honestly! I didn't half get the wind up when the fella called out my name in court! You got the wind up? What about that judge when you shouted out, "I'm coming"? I could hear that from where I was.
Well, serves him right.
He was asleep half the time.
- So were you! - I'm allowed to be! He was supposed to be in charge.
Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention for a moment.
I have what I feel is a most important duty to perform.
And that is to propose a toast to the heroine of the hour, Rita.
Aw! Good old Mum! Without her, there's no doubt that this evening I would be drinking at His Majesty's expense.
Do they get beer in jail, then? However, there's one thing I have to point out to you.
Something Rita said in court today could lay her open to a charge of perjury.
She said that we were to be married.
But alas we're not.
However, Rita, I have to thank you for the most beautiful proposal - I'm ever likely to have.
- Aw! All right, George, I'll deal with that later.
No Dick tonight? Or is he only showing up for the inquisitions now? - He was only doing his duty.
- That's what the Gestapo used to say.
- If you're seriously comparing us - Can't you take a joke? Yes, I can take a joke.
But I don't find this very funny.
You said yourself that Williamson's after me.
Yes, and you handed him this one on a plate.
"Councillor's wife in sex scandal case.
" Nobody handed him anything.
I'm not even involved in the case.
- We'll want to discuss this.
- There's nothing to discuss.
The geezer was falsely accused and he got off.
Yes, but not before Mrs Moon had made some extraordinary statements.
I've got no control over her.
She opens it up and both feet go in.
- Eh? - She's always had a big mouth.
- There may be a good side to all this.
- How do you work that out? If the divorce happens, her performance in court will show me in a more sympathetic light.
- And? - Any voter will see that it's impossible - to live with a woman like that.
- Well, I hope for your sake you're right.
Now, then, comrades, let's get started.
I'm not just fond of him.
I have a great deal of admiration for him too.
Then why is he so angry with you? Well, he feels that I betrayed his confidence by telling the Party's executive committee that his divorce was coming up.
Technically, he's not even my client.
Oh, come on! Richard! Sometimes emotions are more important than technicalities.
Exactly! You're right.
He feels I've let him down.
That's much more important than whether I actually have.
That's why I need your help in persuading him to stay.
Well, I don't know if he'll listen to me.
Since New Year's Eve, I've hardly seen him.
I'm afraid that's my fault.
The emergency meeting was called because of the information I gave the committee.
The fact is, Harvey does have a future in legal work.
But I've failed in getting him to withdraw his resignation.
So here I am.
Keep making a habit of this, don't I? Excuse me.
Happy Curl! Yes, Mrs Moon speaking.
Well, I am sorry, but I'm afraid I can't promise I can wash it myself, because I am in rather heavy demand at the moment.
I'll do my best.
All right, I'll see you then.
Bye! My wash says she really admires you for speaking out for the man you love.
I bet that Joshua would do his nut if he knew the favour he'd done us.
Hello.
Happy Curl.
The one up the end says, can she have your autograph, please? 'Ere! Is your new dad a nancy boy, then? Nancy! Nancy! If you say another word about my mum's boyfriend, I'll smash your teeth down your throat! Stanley, you're late again.
- It's me, Mum.
- Oh, God, I'm going to give that boy what for.
I rush home early to get his tea.
He's not even back from school yet! You see, Auntie Frieda, no-one takes no notice of me.
All too busy worrying about themselves.
No, no, no.
I know your mother is very concerned about you.
Nah, she's just worried about the shop.
And Leo and the court case.
Maggie's always out.
And there's no-one there when I get home from school.
Why is that? Here, come on, sit down.
Well, Mum's got her New Look dress.
Dad's got his politics.
I'd be better off living with somebody who's got no kids, somebody, well, you know, like erm you.
Well, Stanley, you know, I'd really like to have you here, but I'll tell you something, I think your mother would kill me! Well, couldn't I just try it out for a few days? I won't be no trouble.
It's the first time I've talked to someone in ages.
Aw! I don't know what to say.
- Frieda? - Harvey, we're in here.
Stanley! There you are! Harvey, he wants to stay for a while.
Your mum is going barmy, wondering where you got to.
- Have you got trouble at school? - Yeah.
A bit.
I took some stick over those papers, you know.
Since then it's been Leo and the court case.
I'm fed up at home.
They don't take no notice of me round there.
You can't go running away every time life gets a bit rough.
A man's gotta stick around, show he can take it sometimes.
- Jimmy Stewart.
- James Cagney.
- Humphrey Bogart! - Uh-huh? I think you need a cup of tea.
Please.
Look, it's no good, Dad.
Your mum's on her own and running a business.
What about Maggie? She's not running a business.
Well, she's growing up.
Bound to spread her wings a bit.
But they both love you, Stanley.
You should see the state they're in cos they don't know where you are.
- Are they? - Course they are.
Best thing we can do is go straight back.
- Oh, Dad! - What? Well, I would.
But I'd feel a right idiot if I ran away and didn't even stop out one night.
I'm with you.
I'll sort things out with your mum so you can stay upstairs one night with me and Nan.
- Thanks, Dad.
That's terrific.
- Go upstairs and tell Nan what's going on.
- Thanks, Dad.
Bye, Auntie Frieda.
- Night night.
Now, Harvey, I want to talk to you.
All right, so, my Humphrey Bogart's not that good.
No.
I want to know why you are giving up your job with Dick.
- How do you know about that? - He told me.
- He should be in broadcasting! - He came here to tell me as your friend.
What's he sniffing round here for? He didn't go to the executive committee as my friend.
What he told them was no secret.
It would have been in the papers anyway.
You are public property.
You're not.
He shouldn't do that.
He should tell me first.
He understands that now, but he says you won't give him a chance to say so.
Maybe he's got a point there.
- Have you found another job? - No.
- Have you been looking? - Nah.
Oh, but you can't keep running away every time life gets a bit rough, Harvey Moon.
- It's not like that.
- Listen, Harvey, you're being really stubborn and proud, and that gets you nowhere.
Dick says you have a real future in the legal profession.
You could become a solicitor's clerk! - Well, I love the way he comes and tells you! - So you won't talk to him? - Ungrateful little bleeder.
- Be fair, you have had a lot on your mind.
Yeah, well, I suppose he's got a point.
But it's just for one night, mind, right? What's he put down here this time? - Here, let me have a go.
- No, it's all right.
He won't want to stop longer.
I was wondering if you'd had second thoughts about the grounds for the divorce, citing me for desertion.
No.
Why should I? No reason.
Ooh! 'Ere.
- Don't you make your own bed at home? - Yeah, Nan, but that's a proper bed, innit? Oh, well, you want to run away, you've got to rough it a bit, you know.
Not that this is exactly roughing it, is it? You should see what I slept on when I was a girl.
There you are.
Now, then You'll be as snug as a bug in a rug.
There you are.
Now, you'll keep nice and warm cos the fire will stay in for a bit yet.
Oh, that reminds me.
While I think of it, the ashes go in the dustbin down the back.
We keep the coal down there an' all.
What, I've got to make the fire? - You know how to, don't you, Stanley? - Yeah, Nan, but Oh, well, making fires is a man's work.
That'll be your job in the morning.
Now, then, what time have you got to be at school? - Ten to nine.
- Ten to nine Oh, well, we'd better get you up at seven o'clock, if you're going to light the fire before I get down.
- Seven o'clock? - Worried about oversleeping, Stanley? Nah, you'll be all right.
This clock goes off like a fire alarm.
And I don't want to get up to a cold room, do I, Stanley? Thanks a lot, Nan.
I've got to admit that we both acted a bit hastily.
- Both? - Yeah, you in going to the committee, me in handing in my notice so quick.
- All right, agreed.
- So, if it's all right with you, I'd like to withdraw my notice.
As a matter of principle.
Nothing would give me greater pleasure.
Providing that you help me all you can to become a proper solicitor's clerk.
Yeah.
You'd be a great asset to us, Harvey.
Well, in the case of Moon versus Moon, you know how I feel about her changing the grounds to desertion.
That's all irrelevant now.
- Is it? Why? - It's adultery, isn't it? She's admitted that she committed adultery with another man on oath, in court.
I reckon that's an open-and-shut case.
By God, you're going to do well in this profession.
Why, because I've got a legal brain? No.
Because you're a devious bastard.
You're not still on about them? How many times have I got to tell you? Oh, I know, I know Ooh! My knees are giving me jip! Give us a hand up, will you? No, no, I was only looking just in case.
- In case what? - In case I found one of them.
Oh, Mum, that is my best suit! It don't need pressing again! This cost me 1 s 3d at the cleaner's for that.
- You won't be needing that tonight, anyway.
- Why not? That Frank whatshisname from the thingy came round with a note for you.
There's an emergency meeting of the committee.
You opened a note addressed to me? It was only folded over.
- It could have been urgent.
- Or personal.
Well, it wasn't, was it? Wait till I tell Frieda.
She's going to be well pleased.
What do they want a meeting on New Year's Eve for, anyway? Perhaps they want to make some New Year's resolutions.
- Oh, hello! - Hello, Geoff.
- You rang the wrong bell again.
- Eh? Theirs is the top flat.
It's the top bell.
- Oh, yeah.
I've done it before, haven't I? - Yes, you have.
- Hello, Geoff.
Happy New Year! - Oh, yeah, Happy New Year.
- Oh, you don't look happy.
- I'm thinking about tomorrow.
- What happens tomorrow? - New Year's Day? No.
It's nationalisation, isn't it? Nothing wrong with that.
For once, the workers are going to have a say.
You don't believe that load of old cods, do you? - Instead of being told what to do - Have you seen them new uniforms? And them daft new hats? To say nothing of our lovely maroon old engines, all painted a diabolical shade of green.
- What's wrong with green? - There's a lot wrong with green.
Our once proud London, Midland and Scottish.
Obliterated by British bleedin' Railways.
Pardon my French.
French? Anyway, I'm glad I'm retired, that's all I can say, Harvey.
I'm going to cheer myself up with your mum.
I brought her a present.
- I won't ask what it is.
- I'll give you a clue.
- You don't look too happy either, Harvey.
- No.
I've got a lot on my mind.
I made an agreement with Rita about the divorce and she's gone and broken it.
- What was the agreement? - Adultery.
And what, she's broken it? - Desertion.
- To me, one is the same as the other.
- Is there some legal difference? - That's not the point.
Adultery has got, well, a human feel to it, temptations of the flesh, all that.
But desertion conjures up a picture of a man cold-bloodedly walking out on his wife and kids.
- Makes me sound a right bastard.
- Oh, Harvey! Vanity, vanity! - I've got my position to think of.
- Why don't you talk to her? - You might change your mind.
- Change her what? Nah, this won't be her idea.
Her divorce lawyer, my friend and employer, Mr Dick Elliot, will be the brains behind this one.
I bet he won't have the bottle to show up at the meeting tonight.
- What meeting? - There's been an emergency meeting called for the executive committee.
They've sent me a note.
I've got to go.
Tonight? What can be the emergency tonight? I won't know until I get there.
So this means cancelling our dinner? It could go on for hours.
Oh, Harvey - I'm so disappointed.
It's - New Year's Eve.
I knew you'd be choked.
I was listening to that! You were looking at yourself in the mirror.
I can do two things at once! If I say I was listening, I was listening! - What's the point of programmes like that? - To remind you of what's happened this year.
- Why do you want reminding? - In case you've forgotten.
That's stupid, cos I never wanted to know in the first place.
Well, when you're older, Stanley, you'll realise that the past can teach you things.
That's why intelligent people like it.
They can't be very intelligent if they can't remember what's happened without a wireless.
You're in a mood, Stanley.
Why? It's all this New Year's Eve stuff.
What's the excitement about? You don't get any presents or nothing! I told you, it's a time for looking back and taking stock.
I thought that's what you did in the saloon.
- Being a clever dick again, Stanley? - Hello, Mrs Moon.
Hello, Veronica.
I'll go and get my frock on.
I bet nobody ever tells you you're a clever dick, Veronica.
Sorry.
No, they don't, Stanley.
So what are you wearing tonight? - Well, I thought I'd wear my pink taffeta.
- Oh, nice.
Sure you don't mind me not coming with you? Only, we've got this table booked.
It's all right, Mags.
I'm going with Big Doris from the johnny factory.
- Is she still there? - Yeah.
They've all been hard at it.
Yeah? Yeah.
It's extra production Christmas and New year, innit? Especially New Year.
- Why's that? - Why? You should know.
Don't you remember? More get used.
In fact, I've been told that New Year's Eve is one of the biggest nights in the year for it.
For what? - You know - No, I don't.
Sometimes, Stanley, you're not such a clever dick.
- How do I look? - Oh, smashing.
You look really lovely! Yeah.
I hope I look good as you do when I get to your age.
Is that why you're going out, Mum? New Year's Eve.
Big night.
Stanley! - Hello, Dick.
Happy New Year.
- And to you, Harvey.
You're dedicated.
I had a bet with myself you wouldn't show up.
Yes, well, some things are more important than New Year's Eve.
You try telling Frieda that.
I promised to take her out tonight.
Er, Harvey? The meeting's here tonight.
The sooner we're started, the sooner we're finished.
Ah! There you are.
No need for formalities since this is an informal meeting.
Sit down, Harvey.
Nobody wants to be here any longer than necessary.
Look, Harvey, there's a press campaign to discredit the Party in this borough and I've got to say, you've been one of their best allies.
- Me? - Williamson from the Gazette has got it in for us.
And some of your antics lately have given him plenty of copy.
He's even been to see Dick to check your record at work.
- How did you know about that? - Dick was right to inform the committee.
If the press is trying to make trouble, we've got to know about it.
All right, so the Gazette's got it in for us, but you can't blame me for that.
But you've given them a lot of ammunition.
That case involving the stolen ration books didn't look good.
Irene, that was a set-up job, nothing to do with me.
But it was your name connected with it.
Then there was the funny coincidence of you being right there when a Tory councillor tries to commit suicide.
I did save the man's life, even though he was a Tory! - How can that be bad for the Party? - It's your involvement in these - controversial areas that worries us.
- Con I haven't done anything! Theft.
Suicide.
Not the sort of issues we want the Party associated with.
With the amount of publicity you're getting the Tories, perhaps you ought to join them.
- Look, Irene - Then there's your forthcoming divorce.
- How did you know? - We could be embarrassed by your private life.
Oh, I've got one, have I? I've fallen over now! - Here.
Let me help you.
- Thank you.
Don't tickle my feet! I've got sensitive feet! Now, you put the record on.
I'll get the drinks.
Do you know, Rita, I have the faintest suspicion in my mind that you're just the slightest bit tipsy.
No, I'm absolutely blotto! It didn't impair your dancing.
You were unquestionably the best dancer there.
Hm Mm, we were the best dancer there! Ooh! Now, that's nice.
Ah, now, that reminds me, you know during Auld Lang Syne when we were all kissing each other and I got landed with that Boris Karloff? Remember that? Well, I think that you spent rather a long time with that little blonde girl he was with, - in the pink dress.
- If I did, it was the lateness of the hour or the drink.
I see.
Well, it's much later now and you'd had a lot more to drink.
There you are, you see.
You can! - He can what, Mum? Who's in the kitchen? - Stan, go back to bed, love.
- Oh, Happy New Year! - Happy New Year! Happy New Year! Happy New Year, Mum! - Have you had a good evening? - Happy New Year! It was smashing.
I went to a lovely restaurant.
Frascati's.
- Frascati's? Oh, I am impressed.
- You've heard of it, then? - Course I have.
It's famous.
- Food was all Italian.
Quite nice, though.
And they had a lovely band.
You all right, Mum? - No, she's drunk.
- We're both drunk.
Indeed we are, and I think it's high time we called it a day.
- I think it's time we all went to bed.
- Do you? - Stanley, will you get off my foot? - Oh, you're no good, sis.
I'm sorry, love, you've got too much competition! Whoo! Oh - Geoff! Huh! - Oh, hello, Harvey.
You give me a nasty shock for a minute.
- Here, you all right? - Yeah, right as rain.
It isn't raining, is it? - Raining? No.
- Ah.
Had me worried.
It's all gone! - All gone.
- I'm not surprised, the state of you.
Does my mum know you're still here? Yeah, she was with me.
She went to bed, left me at it.
Yes Here, I was going home.
- I never got there.
- No, you didn't, did you? - Wonderful woman, that Violet.
- I know.
Wonderful invention, women, Harvey.
I know.
Together for 37 years, me and my Rose.
- I know.
Don't you - And in all that time, I never looked at another woman.
It would be just the same with Violet.
Here, Harvey, Harvey, you haven't got a bottle of beer lying about, have you? I haven't, no.
And if you have any more, I don't think you'll be able to get home.
- Oh, we're past getting home.
- Oh, are we? Oh, yes.
Stopping here tonight.
I don't know where you can sleep, Geoff.
Who's that? - Hello, Mum.
- Oh! Harvey.
I must have nodded off.
I've been waiting for you to get back.
How's Geoff? Well, he's not going to fall over and hurt himself, if that's what you mean.
It does you no credit to make fun of an old man, Harvey.
Well, he has been at the sauce a bit.
It is New Year's Eve.
Where's your Christian charity? Mind you, I didn't know he snored like that.
Happy New Year.
Taxi! Happy New Year! I don't want you talking to me.
Go away.
Go away! Having a bit of trouble here, guvnor? Yes.
As a matter of fact, I am.
Excuse me, sir.
Did I just see you come out of the gentlemen's conveniences on Jamieson Street? What if you did? Then I must ask you to accompany me to the police station.
- I beg your pardon? - To answer a few questions.
You didn't have a very good evening, eh? - Harvey ruined it for you, did he? - No.
No, I mean If I'd spent the evening with him, I wouldn't have seen Adrian and his friends.
I don't think Harvey would get on with them.
You weren't ashamed to telephone Adrian at the last minute to say you'd changed your mind? Erich, these are not formal people.
Adrian didn't mind.
- He was pleased to hear from me.
- And what did you do? A friend of Adrian's, a writer, was having a dinner party - and he took me there.
- What happened? Well it was a beautiful house, interesting people.
So perhaps you had a better evening than with Harvey? No! No.
Do you like this one? No.
Keep your voice down, please, love.
Why? Cos I've got a head like a wasp's nest, that's why.
You're not Janice.
Oh, I meant to tell you.
She phoned up.
She said she's not feeling very well, but she'll try and get in before dinnertime.
- I wonder what's wrong with her? - Must be something she ate, eh? Still, I don't suppose it matters.
We're not going to be rushed off our feet.
- Did you have a good night? - Er Um Yeah, thanks.
You know I went to the town hall dance? Do you want to hear what happened to me? You're going to tell me anyway.
Only if you want to know I met this smashing bloke.
He was like Michael Wilding, only on a smaller scale.
- How much smaller? - Well, he come up to my shoulders.
Anyway, he was ever so good-looking.
And we was getting on really well.
Then right near the end of the night, when we was doing the Anniversary Waltz, he came over all sort of queer, like.
So I went to get him a drink of water, but when I come back, his sister was helping him home.
His sister? Well, I asked him who she was when she kept smiling at him earlier on.
Oh, Veronica - Humbug? - Er, no, thank you.
Oh - This is very formal.
- Yeah, well, I like to do things properly.
- It's also very short.
- It contains all the essential information.
Four weeks' notice from Friday.
What more do you need? Er, I'd like to know why.
- The meeting last night? - That's part of it, yeah.
- What's the other part? - When I come here, I thought I was going to do something legal.
I know I haven't got the education to become a solicitor, but er I don't see myself as a 40-year-old office boy.
It's never been my ambition to have a 40-year-old office boy.
My plan Then there's last night as well.
I'm afraid I lost a bit of trust in you in that committee room, Dick.
I think it was very bad timing telling them about my divorce.
- How would you have timed it? - I'd have waited till things had blown over.
"Things"? Harvey, your life's becoming like a seedy footnote in some gossip column.
I was defending, in my small way, the future of the labour movement, albeit in sun-drenched Hackney.
I wasn't putting your feelings above the needs and demands of the Party.
But that is my private life.
What about the principle of confidentiality? What about it? I merely told them that proceedings were underway.
I didn't discuss the details of the case.
I wouldn't do that.
Confidentiality? You're not my client! Rita is my client.
Yeah, well, you know how I feel about that an' all, don't you? Oh, I'm sorry.
Hello, Mrs Harris.
Morning, Maggie.
Mr Brandon not in yet? You'll be lucky.
Him and my mum were out half the night having a knees-up.
- He could hardly stand up when I went to bed.
- Really? As bad as that? Yeah.
If you want to see him, come back about tea-time.
He might have his eyes open then.
It doesn't matter.
I'll leave it with you, then.
I wanted to ask him about remodelling this.
It depends on what style you want.
Excuse me.
Hello.
Madame Phyllis.
Oh, hello, Leo What? What did you do? Did you go to the pictures? Or did you go dancing? Did you sing Auld Lang Syne? We did.
Mind you, I got into a terrible tangle crossing my arms.
See, the bloke next to me was facing the wrong way and I must have tugged him a bit too hard.
When they found him Oh, er, hello.
Happy Curl.
Maggie? Maggie Leo? He's been what? Where? Um Oh, my I don't know.
Hang on.
Er - About four quid.
- Look, give it to Veronica.
Maggie, I'm coming down! I don't want you anywhere near that police station.
Leo's in enough trouble as it is.
Hello? Mags! Leo's been what? Where? Oh Well I'm a bit short.
All right, all right.
I can manage to raise a fiver somehow.
I still don't get what he's done.
Why do they have to keep you waiting like this? Maggie, what's Leo done? I told you.
He was arrested after he come out of the gents'.
See, that's what I don't understand.
Had he been in the ladies', fair enough.
But why would they arrest him for going into the gents'? Because there was another person involved.
Oh! A woman, you mean! No, a man! So Leo was arrested for going into the gents' with another man? Well, that can't be right? We've been in the toilet together.
We ain't ever been arrested for it.
Here So, what can we do for you? - We've come to bail somebody out.
- Have you, now? - One of our New Year's Eve collection? - Mr Brandon.
- Got the cash, have you? - Yeah, I've got it here.
Better start filling this out.
Young lady's come for our New Year's Eve-er, Section 11.
- Hope he's all right.
- Course he is.
- He wasn't exactly the victim, you know.
- He wasn't anything! He has been charged, hasn't he? My dad says you're innocent until you're proved guilty in this country.
- Keep your hair on.
- That's what we fought the war over, freedom from being put away without trial.
- What regiment were you in? - That'll do, Evans.
- Go and tell Mr Brandon that Miss er - Moon.
Miss Moon has come to fetch him.
Right, let's see the colour of your money.
Harvey, have you got a moment, please? Frieda, he's here.
- What's up? - We want to talk to you.
- Harvey, we've had the papers here.
- Papers? This rather unpleasant man from the Gazette.
He came to the bakery also.
I thought he was going to talk about some political things.
But no, he wants to talk about you and Frieda.
Personal things.
- I threw him out.
- Good for you, Erich.
He's got this address.
It wasn't so easy for me.
Why does he ask such personal questions? It was awful.
I had trouble getting rid of him.
That's all we need, a man running after us like this.
Sorry, Erich.
It's my fault.
All I am saying is, you are a councillor.
Please do something.
What can I do? It's me he's after.
Bet you don't have this trouble with your Adrian, eh? Oh, no, Harvey, please! You promised! I left immediately and he followed me out.
I decided it was stupid to get involved in a slanging match, so I just walked away.
A few minutes later I was stopped by a policeman.
Before I knew where I was, I was being accused of homosexual importuning.
Do you mean Joshua shopped you? No, Rita.
Nothing happened at all.
He simply lied to the police and I was charged.
- Well, he'll take it back.
- I don't think he can now.
It's too late.
Anyway, as soon as it comes to court, it's going to be obvious he was lying.
But I can't count on that.
Oh, God, I could go to jail for God knows how long! Well, they'll catch him out.
We've got to get the best lawyer we can.
- Harvey will speak to Dick in the morning.
- They won't be interested.
Yes, they will.
They're both in the Labour Party.
Why do I always lose them? This could be a tragedy.
Easily.
Where have I put my keys? If he gets put inside, Maggie'll lose her job.
And there's all that work Rita's put into the dancing with him.
What about the poor geezer? He could end up in prison.
Poor soul.
It's a shame they can't castrate them.
- Mum! - Well, look at all the trouble it'd save.
- It's a bit late for that now.
- Are you going out again? - Anyway, we don't even know if he did it.
- Well, why was he nicked if he didn't do it? - Have you seen my keys? - They're on the mantelpiece.
- Are you all right, son? - Yes, thanks, Councillor Moon.
- Eh? - Oh, er, I'm from the Gazette.
Mr Williamson.
- I'd just like to ask you a few questions.
- Are you following me? I just want to clear up one or two points of public interest.
Don't give me all that.
You just want to dig the dirt.
And while we're at it, keep away from the Gottliebs, all right? Doesn't your wife live round here somewhere, Councillor Moon? You got two on the go, have you? You took your bleedin' time.
I had to come a different route.
I'm being followed.
- They after you an' all? Must be catching.
- Not the police.
- The Gazette, that fascist rag you read.
- It's got good recipes.
- What will you do? - What can I do? - He'll need a good solicitor.
- You've got one.
- Or does he only do divorce? - That's very funny, Harvey.
- There's not much I can do, is there? - There is.
First thing tomorrow, you go and see Dick Elliot and you get him to arrange to see Leo.
- Can't nancy boy do that himself? - Oi! He is going to need sympathy.
He could go to prison.
All right, all right.
There's one question I've gotta ask you.
- Did he do it? - Course not.
- How do you know? - He told me.
They'll love that! That'll get him off! You and I know that they That was a long time ago.
That was before they sold the greyhound.
Yeah, but I could make a right idiot of myself.
We both know that he's Look, he's gone off him.
All right? And even if he hadn't, it's not Leo's style, is it? He's got class.
He wouldn't be happy in a toilet.
He'd only just left here.
- Do you know him well? - Not really, no.
Is he homosexual? - I wouldn't know, would I? - Does he Does he look homosexual? I don't know what they look like.
All right, all right, Harvey.
Answer me this.
Is he a man whose word can be trusted? I'd say definitely, yeah.
Right, it'll definitely go to Assizes, won't it? He'll need counsel.
Trouble is, not many are prepared to take on cases like this.
Hm Oh! Got the right man.
- Will you take him on, then? - Yes.
Well, that'll set a few minds at rest.
Oh.
You said you wanted to do some legal work.
- Yeah.
- Why not prepare the papers for this case? Won't it look bad for the Labour Party? Me being involved with a case about a nancy boy? I don't see why.
You've been involved with everything else lately.
I've told you, Joshua, he's not here.
Yes.
Yes, I'll give him the message.
- He says he's sorry.
- Wonderful.
- Don't you think you should speak to him? - I have nothing to say to him.
Perhaps he wants to take it all back.
It's too late now.
It's a police prosecution.
He's merely a witness.
Yeah, but what if he was to show that he was what you are? Well, what you were? Oh, God, then he'd be prosecuted as well! What good would that do me? It would merely - Yeah, drop you further in it.
- Precisely.
They're using the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885, Section 11 - outrages of decency.
"Any male person who in public or private commits or is a party to the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of any act of gross indecency with another male person" Wonderful use of language, these Victorians.
"shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and shall be liable at the discretion of the court to be imprisoned for a term not exceeding two years, with or without hard labour.
" Now, I understand you know the witness.
Yes, we were friends and partners in a racing greyhound.
Then the partnership broke up acrimoniously.
I see.
So this is a malicious accusation prompted by the break-up of this greyhound partnership thing? - Well, a malicious accusation certainly.
- Yes.
Understand this, Mr Brandon.
I've got to ask you this.
Is there any truth in this charge at all? None whatsoever.
The account is exactly what happened.
- He made it all up? - Yes.
On that night, on that New Year's Eve, nothing illegal happened between you and Mr Walton? Absolutely nothing.
But how do I prove that? It won't be easy.
I-I won't raise your hopes.
It'll come down to his word against yours.
We'll be in for a difficult time trying to show that he lied out of malice without being able to show some sort of cause for the malice.
I see.
You're going to need a very good barrister, Mr Brandon.
If I get hold of that Joshua, I'll wring his bleedin' neck.
It's a bit late for that now.
It's coming to court.
And Dick doesn't think there's much chance? Doesn't seem that optimistic, no.
What's Leo done, then? - Haven't you got any homework to do, Stanley? - It's the holidays.
Oh, yeah.
Can't you play out? - No, it's cold out.
- Put your coat on! - It's dark as well.
- Your father and I want to talk something over.
- So what's Leo done? - Would you go in your bedroom - and read your comics, please? - No! I don't see why you can't talk in the bedroom.
- Stanley! - It's cold in the bedroom! - Then go in the kitchen.
- Make us a cup of tea.
Oh, all right, I'll go in the bedroom.
- All right? - We can't let Leo go to prison.
Dick says that what he really needs is a good character witness to take the jury's mind off the details.
- How is he? - He's ever so depressed.
- What about one of his customers? - What about you? - Me? - Yeah.
You're a councillor, - a fine, upstanding citizen.
- To those who don't know you.
- Nah, I might have to perjure myself and - I couldn't do that! Anyway, I don't think a man in my position would be a good character witness.
- What position's that? - A man who's being sued for divorce on grounds of desertion? I wouldn't trust a man who did that sort of thing, would you? I thought we was talking about Leo.
I give in.
I'll make the tea.
I don't believe me sometimes! I'm really stupid! I know who'd make a good character witness for Leo.
- Who? - Me! How many people are applying for the job? - Well, not to worry.
- Harvey? No, it's not for me.
It's for a mate of mine.
Bye.
Great job.
Preparing the papers for the Brandon case.
Great job.
- Thanks.
- There's a future for you in legal work, Harvey.
- Bit late for that now.
- No, it isn't.
I should have made an effort to see that your talents were put to better use earlier on.
- I'm suggesting we do something about it now.
- No, I don't think so.
- I'm fully prepared to admit - I don't want to discuss it.
As far as I'm concerned, what's done is done.
It's a matter of principle.
It's got to be something the men like.
Cos they're all men, even the judges.
You don't want to show off.
Men don't like show-offs.
I could do with something new, really.
I wonder if Harvey's got any of them knocked-off coupons left.
He told you that was nothing to do with him.
It's a shame.
I could have done with some of those.
Stanley, you'll have to get your own tea tomorrow.
I'm going to court.
Oh, you and Dad will be divorced, then? No.
This is Leo's case, innit? - What, he's getting divorced? - No.
- Is it about the shop? - No! - Is it about the dog? - No! Look, it's a grown-ups' problem, so when you're grown up - if ever - then you'll find out about it.
Ooh, no.
Quite, quite.
- So, you knew Mr Brandon well? - Of course.
And yet you never suspected that he harboured any unhealthy feelings towards you? No.
Never.
That's my son! Don't he look nice in that wig! No, not him.
The one looking for the papers.
Oh, you mean the one behind the one with the wig? No, he's not doing nothing! I'm not sure which one you mean.
The one behind the one behind the one with the wig.
- The good-looking one.
- Which is the good-looking one? I understand that the two of you had intended to go on holiday together.
The south of France, I believe.
I think there was talk of something of the kind.
What happened in the event? I I decided not to go.
Isn't the truth that Mr Brandon changed his mind and went with a lady friend instead? It didn't suit me to go.
I suggest that you're lying, Mr Walton.
I suggest that embittered by the failure of your dog-racing venture, infuriated by Mr Brandon cancelling your holiday plans, you fabricated this ludicrous allegation, fuelled by a goodly portion of alcoholic stimulation.
No more questions, My Lord.
That fella in court was very odd, I thought.
Yeah.
Looked dead shifty to me.
Yeah, there was something very odd about him.
Him having a Biblical name an' all.
- Who? - That fellow in court.
- Oh! - Joshua.
Oh! Very odd.
Mind you, there's some funny things in Isaiah.
Geoff.
Mum.
Harvey! I thought you were wonderful in court today! - I didn't do anything.
- Course you did! When you gave him those papers they couldn't find! - Yeah, you were right there with him! - But I didn't do anything.
- But didn't you prepare the papers for the case? - Yes.
- Well, then! - I thought it was well clever the way he showed it wasn't Leo who was one over the eight, but that nancy boy.
Did you work that out for him? I can see you've got a great future in the legal profession.
No, I haven't got any future in it.
I've given in my notice.
From next Monday I'm out of work.
- What, again? - It's a matter of principle.
Why do you always leave your job on a principle? - British Railways are looking for people.
- Geoff! They'll be only too glad to have somebody who likes nationalisation.
Shut up! - Do you live in your own house, Mr Brandon? - Yes.
- Alone? - Yes.
Has that always been the case? No.
Until my mother's death last year, we lived together.
- You and your mother? - Yes.
- And you were in business with your mother? - Yes.
Would you please tell the court the nature of that business? My Lord, I really can't see the relevance of this line of questioning.
Perhaps Mr Stacey will enlighten us.
I'm rather baffled myself.
I'm trying to establish a certain style of life which may be a guide to a man's character.
Oh, very well.
Carry on.
- The nature of the business, Mr Brandon? - A hat shop.
- Ladies' hats? - Yes.
The shop was founded by my father.
- And you are still in that business? - Yes.
Some might say that doesn't seem, on the face of it, to be a masculine sort of trade.
It is if you like women.
And I do.
This holiday on which you planned to go with Mr Walton - whose idea was it? I think it was mine.
- Had you previously been on holiday with men? - As a younger man, yes.
And then after a gap of many years, you propose a holiday with another man.
Well, I didn't think there was anything strange in that.
I simply didn't wish to go alone.
Mr Walton didn't think it was strange.
In the course of running your greyhound, you must have seen a great deal of Mr Walton.
- Yes.
- And you got on perfectly well? Fine.
Mr Walton has already given evidence that you often had lunches and dinners together.
- Is that correct? - Sometimes, yes.
And your opinion of Mr Walton then was that he was a man you would like to accompany you on a holiday in the south of France? - Yes, but - Thank you, Mr Brandon.
Now, Mr Brandon Call Mrs Moon.
I know what I'd like to call her! Call Mrs Moon! Is this me? I'm coming.
Sit down! He's looking at you.
I shan't need that, thank you.
- I swear by Almighty God - What do they want to call her for? - Be quiet and we'll see.
the whole truth, the Could I see that, please? I swear by Almighty God - I wonder she recognises that book.
- What book? and nothing but the truth, so help me, God.
How well do you know Mr Brandon? Very well.
We go in for competitions together on the dance floor.
We're ballroom dancing partners.
I have spent many happy hours in his arms.
- You see a good deal of Mr Brandon.
- Yes.
And my daughter works for him as well.
He's part of the family, really.
And what was your reaction to this charge? Well, I knew it couldn't be true.
Mr Brandon would never do a thing like that.
Were you surprised he asked you to go on holiday last summer? Not seeing we were so close, no.
But you did know he originally planned to go away with Mr Walton? Ah! That was before Mr Brandon and me were quite so friendly.
I think that Mr Walton was really angry when Mr Brandon told him he wouldn't go away - I really must object, Your Honour.
- That is hearsay, Mrs Moon.
No, no, it's not.
I'm quite sure of it.
Mrs Moon, please confine yourself to answering the question the counsel put to you.
And you spent New Year's Eve with Mr Brandon? Yes.
We had a lovely evening.
Dinner and dance.
Then he came back to my place for a while.
Did he say anything at all about meeting Mr Walton later? No, he hasn't mentioned Mr Walton for months.
I'm sure he wasn't going to meet him.
I think Mr Walton followed him.
Mrs Moon, the court is not interested in your speculations.
The court is only interested in facts.
I'm sorry.
How would you describe your relationship with Mr Brandon? Close.
Very close.
So what is your reaction to the suggestion that Mr Brandon is a homosexual? Believe me, if there was anything to that, I would know about it.
I know that Mr Brandon could never have done whatever Mr Walton said he did.
Thank you, Mrs Moon.
Mrs Moon.
On your trip to the south of France with Mr Brandon, did you share a room with him? Do I have to answer that? I wish you would, Mrs Moon.
It would save us all a considerable amount of time.
No.
Mr Brandon would never put a lady in that position.
Not that he wouldn't like to.
Because he would.
But he would never compromise you.
Then let me be more blunt, Mrs Moon.
Are you or were you and Mr Brandon lovers? - You mind your own business! - Your Honour, I really That's an embarrassing question, Your Honour.
You're not supposed to ask me questions like that! No doubt it is, Mrs Moon.
Nevertheless, you must answer it.
And please remember you are under oath.
Very well.
I didn't want this to come out because it is a bit ticklish.
But I am involved in getting a divorce.
And when my divorce is final, Mr Brandon and I intend to become man and wife.
I still don't think you've answered my question, Mrs Moon.
Well, you don't think I'd marry a nancy boy, do you? I mean, I am a normal woman, you know! Honestly! I didn't half get the wind up when the fella called out my name in court! You got the wind up? What about that judge when you shouted out, "I'm coming"? I could hear that from where I was.
Well, serves him right.
He was asleep half the time.
- So were you! - I'm allowed to be! He was supposed to be in charge.
Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention for a moment.
I have what I feel is a most important duty to perform.
And that is to propose a toast to the heroine of the hour, Rita.
Aw! Good old Mum! Without her, there's no doubt that this evening I would be drinking at His Majesty's expense.
Do they get beer in jail, then? However, there's one thing I have to point out to you.
Something Rita said in court today could lay her open to a charge of perjury.
She said that we were to be married.
But alas we're not.
However, Rita, I have to thank you for the most beautiful proposal - I'm ever likely to have.
- Aw! All right, George, I'll deal with that later.
No Dick tonight? Or is he only showing up for the inquisitions now? - He was only doing his duty.
- That's what the Gestapo used to say.
- If you're seriously comparing us - Can't you take a joke? Yes, I can take a joke.
But I don't find this very funny.
You said yourself that Williamson's after me.
Yes, and you handed him this one on a plate.
"Councillor's wife in sex scandal case.
" Nobody handed him anything.
I'm not even involved in the case.
- We'll want to discuss this.
- There's nothing to discuss.
The geezer was falsely accused and he got off.
Yes, but not before Mrs Moon had made some extraordinary statements.
I've got no control over her.
She opens it up and both feet go in.
- Eh? - She's always had a big mouth.
- There may be a good side to all this.
- How do you work that out? If the divorce happens, her performance in court will show me in a more sympathetic light.
- And? - Any voter will see that it's impossible - to live with a woman like that.
- Well, I hope for your sake you're right.
Now, then, comrades, let's get started.
I'm not just fond of him.
I have a great deal of admiration for him too.
Then why is he so angry with you? Well, he feels that I betrayed his confidence by telling the Party's executive committee that his divorce was coming up.
Technically, he's not even my client.
Oh, come on! Richard! Sometimes emotions are more important than technicalities.
Exactly! You're right.
He feels I've let him down.
That's much more important than whether I actually have.
That's why I need your help in persuading him to stay.
Well, I don't know if he'll listen to me.
Since New Year's Eve, I've hardly seen him.
I'm afraid that's my fault.
The emergency meeting was called because of the information I gave the committee.
The fact is, Harvey does have a future in legal work.
But I've failed in getting him to withdraw his resignation.
So here I am.
Keep making a habit of this, don't I? Excuse me.
Happy Curl! Yes, Mrs Moon speaking.
Well, I am sorry, but I'm afraid I can't promise I can wash it myself, because I am in rather heavy demand at the moment.
I'll do my best.
All right, I'll see you then.
Bye! My wash says she really admires you for speaking out for the man you love.
I bet that Joshua would do his nut if he knew the favour he'd done us.
Hello.
Happy Curl.
The one up the end says, can she have your autograph, please? 'Ere! Is your new dad a nancy boy, then? Nancy! Nancy! If you say another word about my mum's boyfriend, I'll smash your teeth down your throat! Stanley, you're late again.
- It's me, Mum.
- Oh, God, I'm going to give that boy what for.
I rush home early to get his tea.
He's not even back from school yet! You see, Auntie Frieda, no-one takes no notice of me.
All too busy worrying about themselves.
No, no, no.
I know your mother is very concerned about you.
Nah, she's just worried about the shop.
And Leo and the court case.
Maggie's always out.
And there's no-one there when I get home from school.
Why is that? Here, come on, sit down.
Well, Mum's got her New Look dress.
Dad's got his politics.
I'd be better off living with somebody who's got no kids, somebody, well, you know, like erm you.
Well, Stanley, you know, I'd really like to have you here, but I'll tell you something, I think your mother would kill me! Well, couldn't I just try it out for a few days? I won't be no trouble.
It's the first time I've talked to someone in ages.
Aw! I don't know what to say.
- Frieda? - Harvey, we're in here.
Stanley! There you are! Harvey, he wants to stay for a while.
Your mum is going barmy, wondering where you got to.
- Have you got trouble at school? - Yeah.
A bit.
I took some stick over those papers, you know.
Since then it's been Leo and the court case.
I'm fed up at home.
They don't take no notice of me round there.
You can't go running away every time life gets a bit rough.
A man's gotta stick around, show he can take it sometimes.
- Jimmy Stewart.
- James Cagney.
- Humphrey Bogart! - Uh-huh? I think you need a cup of tea.
Please.
Look, it's no good, Dad.
Your mum's on her own and running a business.
What about Maggie? She's not running a business.
Well, she's growing up.
Bound to spread her wings a bit.
But they both love you, Stanley.
You should see the state they're in cos they don't know where you are.
- Are they? - Course they are.
Best thing we can do is go straight back.
- Oh, Dad! - What? Well, I would.
But I'd feel a right idiot if I ran away and didn't even stop out one night.
I'm with you.
I'll sort things out with your mum so you can stay upstairs one night with me and Nan.
- Thanks, Dad.
That's terrific.
- Go upstairs and tell Nan what's going on.
- Thanks, Dad.
Bye, Auntie Frieda.
- Night night.
Now, Harvey, I want to talk to you.
All right, so, my Humphrey Bogart's not that good.
No.
I want to know why you are giving up your job with Dick.
- How do you know about that? - He told me.
- He should be in broadcasting! - He came here to tell me as your friend.
What's he sniffing round here for? He didn't go to the executive committee as my friend.
What he told them was no secret.
It would have been in the papers anyway.
You are public property.
You're not.
He shouldn't do that.
He should tell me first.
He understands that now, but he says you won't give him a chance to say so.
Maybe he's got a point there.
- Have you found another job? - No.
- Have you been looking? - Nah.
Oh, but you can't keep running away every time life gets a bit rough, Harvey Moon.
- It's not like that.
- Listen, Harvey, you're being really stubborn and proud, and that gets you nowhere.
Dick says you have a real future in the legal profession.
You could become a solicitor's clerk! - Well, I love the way he comes and tells you! - So you won't talk to him? - Ungrateful little bleeder.
- Be fair, you have had a lot on your mind.
Yeah, well, I suppose he's got a point.
But it's just for one night, mind, right? What's he put down here this time? - Here, let me have a go.
- No, it's all right.
He won't want to stop longer.
I was wondering if you'd had second thoughts about the grounds for the divorce, citing me for desertion.
No.
Why should I? No reason.
Ooh! 'Ere.
- Don't you make your own bed at home? - Yeah, Nan, but that's a proper bed, innit? Oh, well, you want to run away, you've got to rough it a bit, you know.
Not that this is exactly roughing it, is it? You should see what I slept on when I was a girl.
There you are.
Now, then You'll be as snug as a bug in a rug.
There you are.
Now, you'll keep nice and warm cos the fire will stay in for a bit yet.
Oh, that reminds me.
While I think of it, the ashes go in the dustbin down the back.
We keep the coal down there an' all.
What, I've got to make the fire? - You know how to, don't you, Stanley? - Yeah, Nan, but Oh, well, making fires is a man's work.
That'll be your job in the morning.
Now, then, what time have you got to be at school? - Ten to nine.
- Ten to nine Oh, well, we'd better get you up at seven o'clock, if you're going to light the fire before I get down.
- Seven o'clock? - Worried about oversleeping, Stanley? Nah, you'll be all right.
This clock goes off like a fire alarm.
And I don't want to get up to a cold room, do I, Stanley? Thanks a lot, Nan.
I've got to admit that we both acted a bit hastily.
- Both? - Yeah, you in going to the committee, me in handing in my notice so quick.
- All right, agreed.
- So, if it's all right with you, I'd like to withdraw my notice.
As a matter of principle.
Nothing would give me greater pleasure.
Providing that you help me all you can to become a proper solicitor's clerk.
Yeah.
You'd be a great asset to us, Harvey.
Well, in the case of Moon versus Moon, you know how I feel about her changing the grounds to desertion.
That's all irrelevant now.
- Is it? Why? - It's adultery, isn't it? She's admitted that she committed adultery with another man on oath, in court.
I reckon that's an open-and-shut case.
By God, you're going to do well in this profession.
Why, because I've got a legal brain? No.
Because you're a devious bastard.