Goodbye, My Fancy (1951) Movie Script

They must be having it hot
and heavy in there this time.
My money is still on the chairman.
I don't know.
Pretty stiff opposition in there.
Five will get you ten.
Young man, you just lost
yourself a sawbuck.
How about it, congressman?
- What about food prices? Any Decisions?
A great many decisions.
All from the chairman.
Any statement, Mr Congressman?
Frankly, I haven't the
voice left to make one.
How about you, sir?
- What's the use?
The chairman would have
the last word anyhow.
Don't talk to me.
Here comes the chairman, boys.
Good morning, Miss Reed.
- Hi fellows.
What the word, Miss Reed?
- Who won?
Bacon and eggs going up or down?
I'm very busy.
Will you settle for 50 words?
Sure.
- Shoot.
We decided to intensify an investigation
into the high cost of food.
I think the housewife has been
getting in the neck long enough.
And I'm not going to stop fighting
until the American family...
Can once again afford to
take a vacation once a year.
See a movie every week and feed
an occasional peanut to an elephant.
That's it, boys.
- Right.
Quote and unquote.
More mail from your constituents.
One more speech like the last one and
you get the Post Office out of the red.
I must be at the Teacher's
Federation in an hour.
Any new mail?
Better get these out the way.
They're piling up.
Invitations. An assortment.
Marian Dennis radio interview about
my book. I've avoided her for weeks.
I'm afraid... a yes.
Winston Milner, A small dinner party.
An emphatic no. He is a wolf.
Good Hope College.
Why, it is from Good Hope.
So?
They want to give me an honorary degree.
What's so special about that?
You've turned down degrees from Vassar
and Wellesley without blinking an eye.
But you don't understand, Woody.
I went to Good Hope.
Oh. Pardon me.
Take a letter.
Shall I type it on parchment?
Huh?
No. Special delivery.
Dr James Merrill.
Good Hope College.
Good Hope, Massachusetts.
My dear Jim.
I can't tell...
You had better make
that: 'Dear Dr Merrill'.
I can't tell you how happy I was
to receive your gracious invitation.
To return to Good Hope.
For an honorary degree.
'Good Hope has always been close to me'.
'And nothing short of a
congressional crisis...'
'Could keep me away from
this commencement'.
'And if I may be sentimental'.
'It would give me great pleasure
to be able to stay in my old rooms'.
'Sincerely. Agatha Reed'.
Get me Mr Griswold please.
Dr Merrill, sir.
Morning, Jim.
Yes?
She did, huh?
Fine. Fine.
Anything else on your
mind? Any problems?
Good. Good.
I'd like to make this one of the best
commencements we've ever had.
Right. Goodbye.
Well, you'll be seeing your
old room-mate in a few weeks.
She accepted?
Oh sweetie, how wonderful.
It will be marvellous seeing
Aggie again after all these years.
Claude.
As chairman of the board of trustees.
Do you think it would be nice if you
write to tell her how glad we all are?
I'll take care of when
I get to the office.
Just imagine.
Good Hope College giving an honorary
degree to a girl who was once expelled.
Expelled?
Now look, Jim.
I value Good Hope's reputation for
broadmindedness as much as anyone.
But giving a degree to a girl
who was once expelled...
For staying out all night?
That will make us the most broadminded
college in the history of education.
Well Claude, what would you suggest?
- Call the whole thing off.
I'm afraid it's too late for that.
I've given the announcement
to the papers.
And Life Magazine is sending a man up
to cover the commencement exercises.
Life Magazine?
That is ducky.
If they ever find out about
Agatha Reed being expelled...
We will all wind up on the cover.
I always knew from her voting record in
congress there was trouble in her past.
I don't know how I ever let
you bulldoze me into it.
There's a dozen other
women to choose from...
But we pick a hot potato
like Agatha Reed.
Why?
Good Hope meted out some
pretty harsh punishment...
To Agatha Reed and I think it's
time we told her we were sorry.
More, since she left here she became one
of the outstanding women in the nation.
A woman who has won
recognition as a columnist...
War correspondent... and author.
What do you want to do about the
Madison Square Garden rally?
The what?
The rally in Madison Square.
- Do we have to talk about that now?
Well, it's a big place. They'd like to
fill it, and preferably with people.
Alright. Tell them sometime next month.
They have to have a definite
date so they can advertise.
After all, the world doesn't stop.
Not even for honorary degrees.
You needn't shout so, Woody.
You suppose the room service got lost?
- I'll check.
How about the 15th?
- Alright.
Room service?
If we're not busy.
- We could...
What happened to the warm milk for 1202?
It doesn't have to be in a bottle.
This is for a big girl.
Maybe they're not so wrong at that.
Meaning what?
This trip back to the cradle.
A crowded calendar, two important
bills coming out of committee.
An election not four months away and
we're off to braid a daisy-chain.
Look, Woody.
Let's get it straight right now.
I'm going to enjoy this weekend.
And if I feel like acting
like a kid, I will.
I'm going to be sentimental.
I'm going to cry.
I'm going to walk barefoot down memory
lane with ivy entwined in my hair.
And if you don't like it
you don't have to look.
I'll bring my dark glasses along.
Yes. Please do.
What time do we leave?
- Midnight.
Car 66. Drawing-room 'B'.
On the New Yorker.
I'll pick you up in a cab around 11:30.
And please be ready.
- I will.
Woody.
- Yeah?
Leave the door unlocked
for room service, will you.
Yes, ma'am.
A great way to spend a weekend.
Down.
Picking ivy leaves out of my hair.
Come in. The door is open.
Just put it on the table.
Will it hold?
That's right, Aggie.
Life Magazine's favorite photographer.
And yours.
Matt.
The usual greeting after five years is:
'Well, this is a surprise'.
Sorry. But you caught me off guard.
I didn't think that was possible.
Men don't usually come barging
into my rooms at this hour.
They ought to.
You'll get a lot more votes.
I see you haven't changed.
No. Neither have you.
You're a little more dignified, perhaps.
A little more, shall we say, refined.
But underneath just
as attractive as ever.
I thought you were in Europe.
When did you get back?
- Late this afternoon.
I had a couple of hours to kill so
I thought I'd stop in to say hello.
What was that?
Oh yes. Thank you. I will.
I am sorry.
Soda. No ice.
Of course.
I'm afraid we don't have any brandy.
I've switched to Bourbon.
But it was nice of you to remember.
Incidentally, I'm curious about
that date we had in Paris.
When you didn't show up for
five years I began to wonder.
Is it on or off?
Matt, I'm sure you didn't
come here to dig all that up.
What do you really want?
Do you mind telling me
why you didn't show up?
Does it matter now?
- Of course it matters.
When a woman runs out on
a man you want to know why.
Were his trousers too
short or his hair too long?
A man likes to know the reason.
It helps him the next time.
I suppose it never occurred to you I may
have been in love with someone else?
It occurred to me but I rejected it.
Really? Why?
Because I have kept tabs on you, Aggie.
It hasn't been hard.
Not with a congresswoman.
By the way, congratulations.
You are doing a great job.
What about before I was a congresswoman?
Those were my years.
And the years before that?
Don't tell me it's the boy next door
who used to pull your pigtails?
No. It was a little later than that.
My hair was bobbed.
Why haven't you done
something about him?
Do you think I should?
If you love him.
Maybe I will.
Now do you mind?
I'm in the midst of packing.
I'll help.
We will stay out here.
You are not afraid, Aggie?
Certainly not. Hotel rules.
Thank you.
Still faithful to him.
You know, if I had known that I'd
have smuggled in a couple of jugs.
It's easier to get now.
What is it?
You know, I never got
a chance to ask you.
Did you ever get those pictures
I sent you from China?
Yes, I did.
Did you like the one of yourself?
There were several.
Which one do you mean?
The one on the Orient
Express nearing Paris.
No. I didn't like it.
- Why not?
The one time you don't expect
to be photographed is...
Asleep in a train compartment.
It was a pretty special train
compartment as I recall.
It was unfair.
You caught me off guard then too.
Asleep is the best time, Aggie.
Nothing false. No attitude.
I wasn't thinking as a photographer.
- Neither was I.
And besides.
The occasion wasn't exactly the kind of
thing I wanted recorded for posterity.
That's funny. I felt it had the makings
of one of the big moments in history.
Come to think of it, you did too.
I see Bourbon works even
faster on you than brandy.
That's why I switched to it.
Matt, please.
Can't I make you understand?
It was fun, but...
War has a way of making little
moments seem big at the time.
Very penetrating.
Mind if I use it sometime?
I'm sorry if I said it badly.
But it's true.
Matt, you see we were...
We were...
- Yes, Aggie.
We were a nice snapshot
but never a family portrait.
Oh, I get it.
It is subtle, but I get it.
You really must leave now.
I have to catch the
New Yorker at midnight.
The New Yorker?
Yes. And I've only an hour to pack,
dress and get to the station.
Aggie, I could kick myself all
the way from here to Alaska.
I hold you up with idle chitchat...
And all the time we're going
to be travelling companions.
You're going to be on that train?
Happy, happy coincidence.
A compartment on the New Yorker...
Could become like the
good old Orient Express.
Not anymore.
I know what trains do to some people.
So long.
See you on the New Yorker.
Western Union please.
This is Agatha Reed, 1202.
I want to send a straight wire.
To Dr James Merrill.
Good Hope College, Massachusetts.
Come in.
Have you got that? Alright.
'Please don't have anyone meet train'.
'I am flying down'.
Signed 'Agatha Reed'.
Get that out right away.
Your warm milk, Miss Reed.
I've changed my mind. Take that
back and bring me a double brandy.
Yes, ma'am.
When you change your mind
Miss Reed, you certainly change it.
From the President's office.
Oh good. Upstairs.
Third door to the right.
Miss Dodge and Miss Merrill's room.
Hang it over the fireplace.
Why all this fuss?
Old pictures, old sofas. A lot of
lugging around. For only three days.
Miss Reed is going to
stay in her old rooms.
And it was my idea to have them
looking exactly as they did.
When she was a student here.
I'm sure she'll appreciate it.
The janitors won't.
- Well.
The things you accumulate in four years.
You're telling me.
But isn't it exciting, Mary Nell?
You mean about graduation?
In my case it's a miracle.
No. I mean Agatha Reed.
Imagine her living in these very rooms.
Looking at the same walls.
Studying at the same desk.
Yeah and using the same bathroom.
It gives me goose pimples.
I wonder what she's like.
- Hippy probably.
In my experience of women with
brains, it goes right to their hips.
I didn't mean her looks.
Whatever you mean, it's not done
her any good. She's still single.
Maybe she considers other
things more important.
All I know is, on cold winter nights you
can't snuggle up to a voting machine.
Is that all?
- Just about.
Right on the button.
- How's the phone coming?
Be ready in a minute. Testing.
- Yeah.
Hey. That's uncle Willy.
Uncle Willy?
No, Ginny. It's the laughing cavalier...
- By Frans Hals. I know.
We always called him uncle Willy.
Father has one like it in the office.
This is the same one.
It used to hang here they tell me.
Don't look at me.
Hello, Ed? Yeah.
Yeah, that's right.
Yeah, it's all set.
You can use it now.
- Thanks.
Do you mind if I keep the number?
Hmm, it's getting chilly.
Cute.
Don't let Sam hear you say that.
Yeah. But I wish we had a
better phone all this time.
Then I could have talked to him
without the whole floor listening.
It didn't seem to inhibit you any.
- I know.
But there's something about talking to
a man when you are lying down.
[ Telephone ]
Well, answer it.
Hello?
What?
It's New York.
No. No, she hasn't arrived yet.
Life Magazine.
What?
- Life Magazine.
Life Magazine?
That's right. Life Magazine.
The executive office.
Look, when Miss Reed
arrives, will you tell her...
Listen, Matt.
- Just a moment, please.
Another call just came in.
Hold the line.
What are trying to do,
queer the whole thing?
No. I just don't think we're
going to get away with it.
Switching assignments just like that?
It's a cinch. One day you will
come to me on your knees.
Yeah, I know. The boss cut my legs off.
Listen Matt, I don't...
- Would you hold the phone?
It's the London office. Just a moment.
Look. You've always wanted a
foreign assignment, haven't you?
Now is your big chance.
All you need is a little confidence.
Confidence?
- Yeah.
Two more of the same. Nothing for me.
Hello.
When Miss Reed arrives tell her we have
sent one of our best men, Matt Cole.
I certainly will.
Life are sending up one of their best
me to cover the whole weekend.
Matt Cole.
The war photographer?
I wonder why they're sending him.
Maybe they're expecting trouble.
This must be it.
Put them over there.
Thank you.
How do you do.
I am Ginny Merrill and this is
my room-mate Mary Nell Dodge.
How are you?
It's a great honor to have you here.
Her old room. It's too much for her.
Did you notice the sofa?
- Huh?
The sofa.
It could stand re-covering, couldn't it.
They thought you'd like it that way.
- They carted it up from the basement.
And the picture.
The picture.
Did they cart him up
from the basement too?
This I take it, is the bedroom?
It looks like they emptied the basement.
Anyway, I was right.
- About what?
I forgot. There was a phone call.
Mr Cole will be here as soon as he can.
- Good.
We can always use an
extra man. Who is he?
Matt Cole from Life Magazine.
Oh. That kind of man.
I hate Life photographers. They always
try to catch you picking your nose.
We had better go, Mary Nell.
Leave Miss Reed alone with her memories.
Miss Reed is alone with her memories.
Outside under a tree.
Well then, who...?
- Me?
I just carry the typewriter.
Oh, you are her secretary?
I'm so glad.
Don't shoot off any firecrackers.
She must be under the willows.
Your reception committee.
Here she is, girls. The main event.
Gosh. I thought like I was in church.
Doesn't anybody know she is here?
- I doubt it.
She stopped the taxi two blocks
away so she could take a shortcut.
Through the alfalfa
field behind the gym.
'Memory lane', she called it.
We had better tell them she's here.
Give her five minutes.
Let her have a good cry.
We'll give her ten.
- Five is enough.
Let's not overdo it.
- Roger dodger.
Rodger dodger.
You know Woody,
I haven't cried in years.
It feels wonderful.
It looks fierce.
You just don't understand, do you.
Come here.
Look out there.
I bet all you see is a collection of
buildings, some ivy and some students.
What do you see?
Myself at eighteen.
Eager, expectant.
A little frightened.
Asking, what is life?
What am I?
This is where it all starts, Woody.
I don't believe in looking at the past.
I was born in Newark, New Jersey.
Every time I go through on the
train I pull down on the shades.
I'm sorry for you, Woody.
If you don't have something
like this to remember.
Nothing.
What now?
There's a secret panel in this desk.
I kept brownies in it to
keep them from Ellie.
Who was Ellie?
- My room-mate.
You share your clothes, your perfume...
And even your themes with your
room-mate but never your...
Brownies.
Gadzooks, they must be stale.
Hmm.
Fresh this week. Go on, have one.
- No thanks. They stick to my teeth.
[ Door knocks ]
Come in.
Sorry to disturb you, Miss Reed.
But I forgot something.
I'm afraid I found them.
They are wonderful.
Oh, you keep them.
Thanks. You won't have to twist my arm.
I don't get good brownies very often.
I made them myself.
- Really?
What do you use, whole
chocolate or ground?
Chocolate syrup. That's the secret.
It's what keeps them so moist.
I must remember that.
Oh brother.
If you two will excuse me.
I've got some fudge in my briefcase.
I didn't really come for the brownies.
Is it so good you have to hide it?
This weekend, yes.
Oh.
Dr Pitt said we all ought to read it.
Your English teacher?
- No. Physics.
I don't quite get the connection.
You would if you knew Dr Pitt.
In his classes you
learn about everything.
It sounds as if I'd like to know him.
Miss Reed.
I hate to bother you but...
Now that I'm here.
Would you autograph it?
I'd love to.
As an author I don't get the
opportunity as often as I hopped.
To...?
Virginia.
Would you make it 'Ginny'?
Sure.
Ginny Merrill.
Your parents.
Will they be here for commencement?
There is just my father.
Mother died in my freshman year.
Does your father have to come very far?
Well, no.
As a matter of fact...
- You're Jim Merrill's daughter, right?
Why yes.
- I might have known.
I knew your father very well.
He was my favorite professor.
I keep forgetting father
once taught history here.
Miss Reed. Would you tell me something?
Certainly.
- What was he like?
He was very handsome.
All the girls were in love with him.
They still are.
But that's not what I meant.
Was he... was he a good teacher?
Yes. Very.
He had a way of making
history come to life.
Not just dates and battles.
But real things that
happened to real people.
I wish he were still a teacher.
Why? Is being president
of the college so bad?
It's... different.
How do you mean, different?
It just is. That's all.
I'd better be going, Miss Reed.
I'm supposed to be dressing to meet you.
Oh, Ginny.
Yes?
You forgot this.
Thank you.
I'd go light on that stuff if
you want to stay photogenic.
Life Magazine is covering the weekend.
Oh? How nice.
They must think you're pretty important.
They're sending out Matt Cole.
Who did you say?
Matt Cole, the war photographer.
You are joking.
No. One of the kids
just took the message.
But why should they send him up
here? This isn't his type of thing.
Maybe he needs a vacation.
Get Life Magazine on
the phone immediately.
I'll put a stop to this right now.
Why bother?
I want to bother. So don't argue.
Okay.
You are the boss.
Get me New York. Yeah, Life Magazine.
I must speak to Henry Luce personally.
Make that person-to-person
to Henry Luce, will you.
What's all the rush?
Is this a matter of life and death?
I said don't argue.
Huh? The circuits are busy.
Keep after it.
- Keep after it.
We'll see about Mr Cole coming up here.
Come in.
Hello.
- Hello.
I am Ellie.
Oh Ellie. Yes.
- Where is she?
She's in the shower.
I'll tell her you're here.
No, wait. I want to surprise her.
Okay.
Ellie.
It's me, Ag.
Ellie.
It's so good to see you again.
Just like old times, isn't it?
- Oh yes. It is.
See what they did to the rooms?
- They told me.
Wasn't it wonderful of them to remember?
- Yes.
Did they bring back Uncle Willy?
- Yes. He doesn't look a minute older.
Ag, I'm so excited I could cry.
She wanted it to be a surprise.
What about that phone call?
I'll give it the old college try.
Well.
What's all this?
Just some old things I've saved.
I dug them out when I
heard you were coming.
You will love it.
There.
The sketch I made of
Smitty in art class.
You put the moustache on
with real hair, remember?
Yes.
And the Clara Bow doll.
You forgot to take it
with you when you left.
And this.
Oh, this is one of your favorites.
Remember it?
We'll look at these later, Ellie.
I've had no chance to look at you yet.
I have gained a little weight. I know.
Too many bridge luncheons.
And Claude won't let me diet.
Claude? Oh yes, that's
your husband, isn't it.
He sent me a very nice note.
- Oh, I do hope you like him.
It's so cute the interest
he takes in the school.
He's always giving them things.
Last year it was a projection
booth and movie equipment.
So. They changed the name of
the theater to... guess what?
The Griswold theater.
Why, yes. How did you know?
Miss Shackelford wrote and
asked me to bring a film.
Yes of course, Ag. Your film.
It sounds perfectly delightful.
I'd hardly call it that.
It's a documentary illustrating
a speech I once made.
I'm surprised she knew about it.
Well anyway, I just
think it's wonderful.
With you being so famous and all.
You know Ag, I'm always talking
about how I knew you and when.
Of course I never say
a word about you being...
Expelled.
I doubt there will be very much
said about that this weekend.
I never did understand it, Ag.
The student court was so hush-hush
about it nobody could find out a thing.
Of course, everyone knew there
was a man connected with it.
You're not expelled for staying out all
night unless there's a man connection.
Who was it, Ag?
Ellie.
There are some brownies
in there on the desk.
Was it Jack Parker? I always thought
you had a secret crush on him.
They are fresh-made.
- Was it Teddy Mills?
Come on, Ag. You can tell little old me.
You know, Ellie.
I have the most peculiar feeling.
That you haven't changed at all.
Thank you. That's what Claude says.
Come. Let's try the brownies.
He says he'll divorce me
if I ever do change.
What?
Chicago says what?
Alright then. Try Los Angeles.
But ring us back. This is important.
Delicious.
Whole chocolate is the secret.
Chicago says he's on
his way to Los Angeles.
Good. Don't lose him.
What's that?
Oh, it's the reception committee.
Why, there is Miss Shackelford
and the student committee.
And Miss Birdshaw with the merry lark.
And a man.
Why, it's doctor Pitt.
It's just like Miss Shackelford to pull
a boner and put him on the committee.
You mean Dr Pitt the physics professor?
Yes.
Why a boner?
Claude says he's a troublemaker.
Jim is going to get rid of him.
Ellie.
Why do they consider
Dr Pitt a troublemaker?
I don't know. It's to do with school
politics. I keep out of stuff like that.
I just leave it to Claude.
I always say, the less women
worry about politics the better.
Oh.
Except congresswomen of course.
My, they do look nice
though, don't they.
Oh.
I'm supposed to be with them.
That's what I came up here to say.
They're holding the
reception downstairs.
That's because you came by
plane instead of my train.
You see we...
I'd better be going. You'd better
hurry and get dressed too, Ag.
I'll see you downstairs.
Woody.
Here she comes.
A sort of welcome we sing to you.
To gather here upon this day.
Of happy greetings we bring to you.
Dr Merrill, I think you ought
to be the first to greet her.
To all who gather here.
Welcome again.
May I say how very pleased we are to
have you back at Good Hope, Miss Reed.
I'm glad to be back, Dr Merrill.
Welcome again.
Welcome, welcome.
And banish sorry tears.
And share the joy.
Welcome to you.
Dear Agatha...
Reed.
Good Hope is honored to welcome
back one of its favorite graduates.
Thank you, Miss Shackelford.
But not quite a graduate.
Practically.
Professor Dingley.
So good to see you again.
It's good to see you, Agatha.
Miss Reed.
You remember Miss Birdshaw? Biology.
How could I ever forget Miss Birdshaw.
She taught me the facts of life.
Well, I never really
thought of it that way.
You look wonderful, Miss Birdshaw.
So do you, Agatha.
Of course a bit older but...
I mean a woman instead of a...
Miss Birdshaw means you look
so young to be in Congress.
Yes.
Congress thought so too, Miss Birdshaw.
At least for the first few months.
Until September the 14th to be exact.
Your speech on the United Nations.
I don't believe you
know Dr Pitt, Agatha.
Our physics professor.
He came to us a few years ago.
Hello, Dr Pitt.
How do you do.
It's very gratifying you
knowing my speech.
You know, sometimes you get the feeling
on the floor of congress, like...
Like being on the radio.
You're not so sure anyone is listening.
- I know what you mean.
I get somewhat the same
feeling in my classroom.
And this is your Honor Guard.
Chosen to represent the activities
of the college this weekend.
Carol Freedman.
President of Student Government.
Student Government presents you this
bouquet Miss Reed as a token of respect.
For one who has so well
demonstrated the principles...
That women can take
their rightful place...
Beside men in the government
of this great nation.
Joan Wintner. Physical education.
Phys-Ed welcomes Agatha Reed...
Who has the spirit of good sportsmanship
and fair play in all she does.
Clarisse Carter. Dramatic class.
In the theater of life.
You have made woman's
role more important...
And more truly rich.
We at the dramatics club... applaud you.
Agatha Reed.
And last, Virginia Merrill.
Representing the graduating seniors.
The seniors asked me to thank you for
coming to our commencement, Miss Reed.
Because your presence here gives
us courage and reassurance...
When we need it most.
Thank you.
I have thought a great deal about
Good Hope in the past few years.
Because of a growing feeling.
That the good hope of our
world lies in the young.
And more importantly.
In the places where
they're taught to think.
In standing here now with all of you.
I feel it more strongly than ever.
And I have too...
The fine warm feelings of coming home.
Can I help?
- Thank you, Woody.
My secretary, Miss Woods.
- How do you do.
Dr Merrill.
Ag, it was just lovely.
I think we'd all better get along now.
We have a very full day ahead.
Alright, girls.
A wonderful speech, Miss Reed.
- Thank you, professor.
An inspiring speech, Agatha.
Thank you, Miss Birdshaw.
- See you later.
I've enjoyed meeting you, Miss Reed.
I never expected to be put on
your reception committee.
It was a pleasant surprise.
- How kind of you, doctor.
Well, that was certainly uncalled for.
I can see now what Claude means.
Ellen, what about the arrangements
for the faculty dinner?
Faculty dinner? Oh...
I must go and check my guest list.
I have lost part of the class of '34.
See you later, Ag.
Oh, Agatha.
I hope you didn't forget
that film we sent for.
We are supposed to show it
Saturday morning at ten.
Didn't it get here?
We sent it out several days ago.
Sent it? Oh, dear,
I thought you would bring it.
What does it look like?
- It is round, in a tin can.
Like sardines?
Perhaps they delivered it right
to the theater Miss Shackelford.
I had better go down and see.
Woody, you'd better go with her.
She may not recognize it.
Recognize, it? She probably ate it.
You mustn't mind Woody. Her mind
is always on the tip of her tongue.
You are looking very well, Agatha.
Thank you, Jim.
I suppose you realize you
are in for quite a weekend.
Yes. I have seen the agenda.
I...
Can turn my back if you
would like to escape.
I wouldn't think of it.
Vanity, I guess.
I suppose everyone dreams of returning
to his college for an honorary degree.
It's a popular ambition.
Like wanting a mink coat.
Or to be President.
- Yes.
How does it feel?
Well.
It is never dull.
Faces change so often.
And with so much youth around...
You actually get the feeling that
you are preserving your own.
Well, your daughter
should keep you young.
Oh yes, we've met. We had a nice talk.
She's a lovely child.
No, that's wrong. She's not a child.
What are we at that age, Jim?
That wonderful, terrible
in-between time.
You have seen so many others.
Tell me about yourself, Agatha.
Have you been happy?
Well... I've been busy.
Yes, I know.
I've followed your career very closely.
In that case I won't have to bring you
up to date on the past twenty years.
No.
Only the first one.
I never quite caught
up on the first one.
You will forgive my being curious.
Perhaps it's my vanity.
But... all these years I've
wondered what happened.
Why you just...
Disappeared.
It was stupid of me to be found climbing
in my window at five in the morning.
I hope the present crop
of girls is more expert.
I wouldn't know.
I'm not up on the statistics.
Obviously, I'm not
saying this very well.
I shouldn't have brought it up.
- Listen, Jim.
It would have made no difference to
the trustees that you were the man...
And we planned to be married.
I'd have been kicked out anyway.
Only you would have
been kicked out with me.
I thought we decided to take the chance.
- I couldn't have let you do it.
They were already eyeing
you for the presidency.
But where did you go?
My letters came back.
When I phoned your home they said
they didn't know where you were.
Yes. I know.
I made them promise that.
Once I weakened and
started to write you a letter.
I never did finish it.
Then later on, I...
I read about your marriage
in the newspapers.
Did... Ginny tell you
anything about her mother?
No.
She was a wonderful woman.
We had a lot of things in common.
That helped to balance the things we...
Didn't have.
She.
She died four years ago.
Why did you feel you
had to tell me that?
I don't know exactly.
I suppose I...
What are you trying to say, Jim?
You came up here this weekend.
Why?
Don't you remember? You invited me.
About that invitation.
I carried it around for two
years before I sent it.
That was so silly, Jim.
I answered it five
minutes after I got it.
The weekend is saved. We found the film.
Oh.
I'm sorry if I interrupted.
- No. That's alright.
Yes. I was just leaving.
Miss Reed.
Did I tell you it's wonderful
to have you back?
Yes you did, Dr Merrill.
But it's good to hear it again.
I'll see you this evening.
Oh, Miss Woods.
It's nice to have you here too.
Thank you, Dr Merrill.
The President is nice looking, isn't he?
Yes, isn't he.
You looked mighty cosy when I came out.
Talking over old history exams?
Hmm?
You know what's wrong with you?
You are so used to having your
thumb in every Washington pie...
That you can't stand...
- I am filibustering.
Alright, Woody. It is so.
What is so?
Just what you are thinking.
Oh?
I suppose you have to do something
to give the weekend a lift.
It's more than that.
He is the first man I ever loved.
Maybe the only one.
The truth is I'd marry him
tomorrow if he would ask me.
You're kidding?
What's the matter?
You against marriage too?
Of course not, but...
There's a time and place for everything.
You are smack in the middle
of an election campaign.
And a hundred other things.
Your life is too busy.
There's quite a difference between
a busy life and a full one.
Listen, Agatha.
When I was 14 I was madly in love a with
a fellow who sold peanuts on our block.
But I'm not marrying him.
- Maybe you should.
Maybe you have a deep and
consuming need for peanuts.
I'm a little disappointed though.
I thought you'd be happy for me.
What do you expect?
I don't even know the guy.
I know him.
This isn't just a whim, Woody.
This is something I've thought about
and waited on for twenty years.
It may be the most important
thing in my whole life.
That's why I don't want
anything to spoil it.
That's why I don't...
What about that phone call?
- Phone call?
To Life, about Matt Cole.
- Oh. Henry Luce.
[ Telephone ]
Yes?
They've tracked down
Mr Luce in Los Angeles.
Well get him.
- They got him. Put him on please.
Hey, Miss Shackelford said I'd
find Miss Reed in this building.
Oh. You must be the
photographer from Life?
Darn it. This camera
always gives me away.
She's upstairs, third door on the right.
- Thank you.
He's cute.
Mr Luce? Just a moment.
Hello Henry? This is Agatha Reed.
Yes. I have been trying
to get you all afternoon.
Thank you.
Hello, Agatha?
Hello?
Hello Agatha?
Hello. Are you there, Agatha?
Hello operator. Operator.
Yes, sir?
Are we still connected?
Yes, sir. Still connected.
Where the devil is everybody?
Hello.
Hello, Agatha?
Will someone please answer me
or am I just talking to myself.
Agatha. Hello.
Hello?
Mr Luce.
- Yes.
You will be delighted to know we
are renewing our subscription.
Memento?
Yes.
Sweet.
What do you think you are doing?
- My job.
I'm a photographer.
You don't think I believe they picked
you for an assignment like this, do you?
No. As a matter of fact I asked for it.
I got a great idea for a layout.
The honorable Agatha
Reed and how she grew.
You will forgive me for being naive but
I hardly think it was your only reason.
May all my best shots be out of focus.
Okay, Matt. But don't try anything else.
I am warning you.
- Yes, ma'am.
This is my secretary, Miss Woods.
How do you do.
Now. If you'll excuse me.
- Why, certainly.
Now, would you mind directing
me to the president's office?
Why?
I'm not officially here yet.
I have to check in with the old codger.
You will find the old codger in his
office in the administration building.
And where might that be?
You know where it is, Woody?
- I think I do.
Would you mind?
I wouldn't want Mr Cole to get lost.
If I do I'll send up a flare.
Why was the honorable so upset
about you coming up here?
She thinks I'm in the employ
of a foreign government.
Come on, give.
You're about as innocent
as a rattlesnake.
Alright. I'll tell you.
I'm up here because I think she's on
the verge of making a big mistake.
What kind of mistake?
For a man, there's only one
mistake a woman can make.
Another man.
- Why should that bother you?
It shouldn't be hard for a smart
girl like you to figure out.
Oh, no.
How long has this one been
going on? 25 years?
No. He's got a few years on her.
Now I know who you are. You're up here
to make trouble. That's who you are.
But no fisticuffs when we get there.
This is supposed to be a happy weekend.
When we get there? Wait a minute.
Don't tell me he is the
president of this seminary?
I thought you knew.
- No. Thanks for telling me.
You tricked me.
Wild horses wouldn't have
dragged it out of me.
Forget it. What am I worried about?
If I can't take her away from some
old Mr Chips, I'll quit the business.
Hello there.
Hello.
You must be Cole.
- That's right.
I heard you had arrived.
I was looking for you.
Are you from the president's office?
I am the president.
I understand.
Everybody expects some sort
of Mr Chips character. I'm sorry.
Well.
If there's anything you want
don't hesitate to ask me.
Local color. Group pictures.
That's fine. Thank you. That's fine.
We've a reception tonight for Miss Reed.
I'm sure you will want to cover that.
Certainly. I'll be there.
- Fine. Then I'll see you this evening.
Miss Woods.
Want to send up a flare?
Is this the last movement?
Claude, shush.
Claude prefers Victor Herbert.
Thank you.
I must say it tastes
very good this year.
Exceptionally good.
You don't suppose Miss Shackelford
increased the ratio?
Professor Dingley.
No. I suppose not.
Thank you.
Care for a cup, Mr Cole?
- Yes. Thank you.
Brandenburg concertos
always give me a thirst.
Do you have to endure this every year?
- An occupational hazard.
But I rather enjoyed it tonight.
You mean it has been worse than this?
No. What I really meant was
I won't be hearing it again.
Why? You are not graduating, are you?
Good Hope and I will soon
be going our separate ways.
As a matter of fact I
almost look forward to it.
I haven't been exactly happy
under the present management.
Doctor Merrill?
Oh no. I was referring to our
illustrious chairman of the board.
Mr Griswold.
Does the president have anything to say?
- Yes. Of course.
But only if Mr Griswold
has said it first.
Excuse me, Dr Pitt.
- My pleasure, Miss Birdshaw.
It's so delightful I think I'll
have just one more cup.
Cup.
I do hope I'm not coming
down with a summer cold.
Well, here's to Saturday mornings.
Saturday mornings.
What's with Saturday morning?
That's when I shall be asked to resign.
At ten o'clock or shortly thereafter.
These old walls will shake with
the bellowing of angry men.
Within a few minutes of that time
I shall take my departure in a...
Blaze of futile glory.
You're not going to blow up the
physics building as a farewell gesture?
Not exactly.
But there will be an
explosion of a kind.
What kind?
Permit that to remain
my secret, Mr Cole.
Until Saturday.
Until Saturday then.
Not very stimulating, is it.
You are wrong, Dr Pitt.
I feel a noticeable lift.
Agatha.
There won't be many
opportunities to be alone.
There's so much I want to say.
We never encountered much
traffic at the amphitheatre.
That is true.
The... usual time?
The usual time.
Sorry if I startled you. The layout
wouldn't be complete without...
A picture of the president
and his number one graduate.
It might have been a better picture if
you had given us a moment's warning.
Mr Cole specialises in
catching people off guard.
Ah, you are both much too sensitive.
If this picture turns out as well as I
think, I'll go into business for myself.
Family portraits. That kind of thing.
Ah, there you are, Jim.
Look.
I've worked on Jeff Barnes and he's just
about ready to go for the new library.
with a little pep talk.
I'll talk to him tomorrow, Claude.
No, no. Do it now, Jim.
While he's rising to the bait.
Dangerous to let him
sleep on it. Come on.
I'll be alright, Jim.
Thank you, Miss Reed. I'll introduce
you to Barnes and then just slip away.
Hmm. A heavy odour of
orange blossoms in the air.
You haven't wasted a minute, have you.
No, no. Not a minute.
He must be quite a guy to keep a woman
like you on the hook for twenty years.
Yes. He's quite a guy.
Or else he must be getting tired.
Now what does that mean?
This overwhelming desire
to return to the past.
Girlhood memories, old pictures,
old sofas, old sweethearts.
Old hat.
You've been on war fronts so long...
That a decent atmosphere is bound
to seem a little incongruous.
Who are you kidding?
Why don't you take a look around?
This afternoon I took
some shots of the girls.
How old are they? Nineteen or twenty?
I found out what goes on in their little
minds and what they know of the world.
Europe is that way, Asia is that way.
Very cute.
Open your eyes, Aggie.
This is a lost world up here.
And Merrill is the
perfect president for it.
That penetrating analysis of Jim Merrill
is based on one how-do-you-do.
Is it?
You used to be a good
reporter once. Ask around.
Talk to some of the teachers.
Doctor Pitt for example.
You might get an earful.
Miss Reed.
Yes, Ginny?
Please forgive me Miss Reed
but there isn't much time.
I told Dr Pitt you asked to see him
and he'll be out here in a minute.
Dr Pitt?
I hope you don't mind, Miss Reed.
I had to do it without asking you.
He's in the library having an
argument with Mr Griswold.
I know what that's going to lead to.
Would you pretend that
you asked to see him?
Yes. Of course.
Thanks, Miss Reed. They've tried to
get him out of here for a long time.
And it's so unfair.
He is what all teachers should be.
I understand.
You tell him to come upstairs.
I'll be in my room.
Miss Reed.
Dr Pitt.
Ginny said you wanted to see me.
Yes. Yes, I did.
Won't you come in.
- Thank you.
I have a feeling I am being saved.
I did want a chance to talk to
you before the weekend was over.
Why?
For one thing, because you told
me my speech was wonderful.
And another because you recommended
my book to your students.
Wouldn't you like to sit down, Dr Pitt?
Thank you.
I have always been curious.
About... what makes
someone become a teacher.
So have I.
It must be that...
One day you decide the mind of a person
is the most exciting thing in the world.
Isn't that a little romantic?
Maybe.
But I think all of us who
believe in the future...
Have to be a little romantic.
I understand there's some
question of you staying on here.
Ginny seems to feel it
is important that you do.
Ginny is a nice girl.
She has the eager and
tense convictions of youth.
Isn't that good?
Not when you can't get to it.
But you can.
You are a teacher. And from what
Ginny tells me a very good one.
I teach physics, Miss Reed.
Only sometimes I don't.
Sometimes I talk about other things.
The daily headlines.
The situation in Asia.
The United Nations.
The growing threats to our own freedom.
While we fight the lack
of freedom elsewhere.
You see.
I have the dangerous misconception.
That the object of education
is to teach the young to think.
You were making a point, Dr Pitt.
Oh yes.
A point.
I am 45 years old, Miss Reed.
For 22 of those years I fought every
way I know against ignorance.
Against indifference.
Because I believed people
really wanted to learn.
Well.
I seem to have been wrong.
The Griswolds don't agree.
They're afraid of too much
open and free discussion.
So they want me to resign
unless I stick to the texts.
Maybe they're right.
And ignorance is bliss.
If they don't care, why should I?
Let their daughters bring
anything to classes.
And read their trashy novels
inside their notebook covers.
Let them all be wiped off the face of
the earth without even knowing why.
Dr Pitt.
I respect your fears.
I'm frightened myself.
Anyone who isn't frightened
today is a fool.
But I never get angry at the fool.
Only at the wise men who
see the danger and run away.
What would you have me do?
First of all, stop feeling
sorry for yourself.
We all know there are men who are afraid
to let education have a mind or a voice.
You can get the support of the president
and then make a real fight of it.
Dr Merrill?
Yes.
Our eminent president long ago gave
up battles in exchange for building.
You don't believe me?
No, I don't.
- Why not?
Because I know Jim Merrill.
There's nothing more to say.
You are going to leave Good Hope then?
A muzzle is for animals, Miss Reed.
I'm sorry I'm late.
On my way here Dr Pitt stopped me.
He wanted to talk to me about
something you said to him.
Yes, Jim.
I've been thinking about that and
I really had no right to meddle.
In this case you had every right.
What did you decide?
I asked him to remain here.
To go on teaching as usual.
That's what you...
Expected isn't it?
- That's what I hoped for.
What about Claude Griswold?
I imagine there will be some
tearing of hair at first.
I'm sure I can manage the situation
so both sides appear to win.
Well Jim, that's wonderful.
I didn't realize Pitt had made
such an impression on you.
No. It wasn't Dr Pitt.
It was you, Jim.
You had me scared for a moment.
Did I?
I thought you had gone over to
the side of the educaterers.
The what?
Educaterers.
Don't you remember?
That's what you used to call educators
with banquet-sized manners.
I remember.
I also remember the
last time we were here.
We were very young. Very much in love.
And you proposed to me.
Right up there.
Section 'C'. Row 'B'. 66 and 68.
Agatha.
If I were to ask you again.
Is there any chance your
answer might be the same?
Always on a second proposal.
You won't run away again?
- No.
Then I can tear this up.
What's that?
The note you left for me.
When we were very young
and very much in love.
And you kept it?
- Yes.
Though I'll never forgive myself...
For introducing you to the
beauties of Walt Whitman.
'Goodbye, My Fancy'.
'Farewell, dear mate. Dear love'.
'I am going away'.
'I know not where or to what fortune'.
'Or whether I may ever see you again'.
'So goodbye, my friend'.
'Hello, my fancy'.
Aggie.
Well, hello.
Oh. It's you.
That's the answer I always get.
Any idea where the honorable went?
If this was West Point,
I'd say Flirtation Walk.
With the Commanding Officer.
Going to wait?
I'll stick it out a couple
of hours longer.
If she doesn't show up
by morning, I'll leave.
You have kinda got it bad, haven't you.
I'll write my biography
someday and you can read it.
Why should I read it when I can get
it straight from the horse's mouth?
What was it with you two anyway?
It didn't start out like much.
First time I saw her she was up to her
hips in a muddy bomb-hole in Yugoslavia.
I thought she was a native and
I took some pictures of her.
That night the siege
broke, she took a bat.
And out came a brunette
from the Detroit Herald.
So you took a second look?
- Yeah.
She's the only reporter I know who can
sit in a poker game, win the big pot...
And still have the guys wonder what she
looks like over the toast and marmalade.
Come on. Don't leave me with my
tongue hanging out. What happened?
Look Cole, I'm not being nosy.
I think she's making a mistake too.
I don't just work for this
woman you know.
I like her.
I care what happens to her.
So do I.
I haven't seen her since
the day Paris was liberated.
The place was a madhouse.
Men were weeping in the streets.
Strangers were kissing like lovers.
I was shooting pictures as fast
as I could load my camera.
Suddenly, there was right
in the middle of my lens.
I hadn't seen her in six months.
It took us ten minutes to fight our way
through the crowds to each other.
My arms went around her and the crowds
pushed us in a doorway of a barbershop.
I can still smell the hair tonic.
When I kissed her I knew I was
going to ask her to marry me.
I think she did too.
We made a date for that night.
I rustled up eight red roses, a bottle
of vintage champagne and bought a ring.
Then I went to my apartment and waited.
I tore the petals off the roses and
sprinkled them in the doorway.
I put the ring in the
bottom of the glass.
The idea was that she
drinks the champagne...
Sees the ring at the bottom and
catches on that I'm proposing.
A nice idea, wasn't it?
Yeah.
Only she never got the
idea or the drink.
She just never showed up.
Too bad.
Well, the evening
wasn't entirely wasted.
I learned something that night that's
been invaluable to me ever since.
Do you know it only takes 3 hours for
rose petals to go brown round the edges.
I'm sorry, Cole.
- What are you sorry about?
Now I've seen her dreamboat
in action I'm not worried.
He is a memory. Something she has
pressed in a book through the years.
Like an old rose.
Maybe you're right. But what is
the good if she doesn't know it?
She will.
One thing about our Aggie.
She's a realist.
She can lie to herself just so much.
She'll see him for what he is.
You are expecting an awful lot
of her in one short weekend.
That's why I'm giving her a little
help. A little sleight of hand.
Something I learned in Calcutta
from an old Hindu fakir. You watch.
A word here, a word there.
Right before your eyes I'll turn
that memory back into a man.
Very clever if it works.
It'll work.
I hope you are right.
Anyway, thanks for the biography.
Aggie.
Well.
I was just about to put
a light in the window.
I'm glad you didn't bother.
I know where I'm going.
Do you?
If I wasn't sure of it before I am now.
Goodnight.
- Just a second, Aggie.
I want to talk to you.
What can we possibly have to talk...?
Oh yes, of course. Doctor Pitt.
You see, Matt. I've discovered
I'm still a pretty good reporter.
I didn't just ask around.
I went straight to the people involved.
Dr Pitt and Dr Merrill.
Yeah?
And any difference of opinion
is now a thing of the past.
Dr Pitt will remain at Good Hope.
And go right on teaching in his own way.
Well, there's one thing
in the president's favor.
He doesn't want to lose you
and I don't blame him.
But with men like Merrill it's
a matter of horse trading.
He'll pay for that gesture.
Before or after we're married?
Then it's all set?
All set.
Just like that, huh?
I see.
Congratulations.
I hope I've not annoyed you.
I tried to tell you in Washington.
- I know.
But I had to find out for myself.
You see, I thought we had something
pretty wonderful together, Aggie.
Worth putting up a fight for.
But I can't fight against a dream and
that's what you are hanging on to.
I only hope you wake
up before it's too late.
My eyes are wide open.
- Yeah? So are sleepwalkers.
You bury yourself in this graveyard.
- You just can't take it.
That he could be more exciting,
more desirable than you.
That is right. I'm as
vain as the next guy.
Since you go in for collecting
memories, here's another one.
Okay girls, take your places please.
Remember now. The eyes
and the teeth. Make 'em glisten.
Okay, All together Cheesecake.
Cheesecake.
- Thank you. That will be all.
Yeah, you looked great. Don't worry.
Dr Pitt.
Good morning, Mr Cole.
- Morning, sir.
I just remembered. I haven't taken a
picture of you yet. Would you mind?
Not at all. Where would you like it?
- Right here will be fine.
Good.
I hear...
I hear congratulations are in order.
Well.
For the time being.
I thought it was all settled.
Miss Reed said you were staying.
Yes. But they may change
their minds again.
Really? Why?
There's still Saturday morning.
Oh, I had forgotten about Saturday.
Tell me, is the explosion still on?
Well.
That remains to be seen.
Come on, Dr Pitt. You can tell me.
We are old punchbowl pals.
Why don't you let me in on it?
- I'm sorry Mr Cole, but...
That is still my secret.
Good day.
Mr Cole.
May I see you for a moment, please?
Certainly.
Mr Cole, I have been
looking everywhere for you.
I had a wonderful idea.
A series of photographs
called 'Room-mates'.
1931 and 1951.
Come again?
- Well.
Agatha Reed and Ellen Griswold.
With Mary Nell and Ginny.
- That's very touching.
Miss Shackelford, tell me what happens
Saturday morning at ten o'clock?
Saturday morning at ten?
Well now, let me see.
Saturday. Ten o'clock. Oh yes.
The film showing.
- No. I don't mean that.
Is something else cooking?
Cooking? No, nothing.
- But there must be.
Mr Cole, I'm in charge of everything.
There will be nothing on Saturday
at ten o'clock but Miss Reed's film.
Miss Reed's film?
- Command To The Future.
She brought it from Washington.
Anybody seen it?
- No.
I don't think so but I'm
sure it's charming.
It's better than that.
Mr Griswold hasn't seen it either, huh?
- No.
I don't think anyone
but Dr Pitt has seen it.
It was his suggestion
that we send for it.
And now, Mr Cole.
About those photographs.
You know...
- Oh yes. Miss Shackelford.
You round up the victims and I'll meet
you in front of Hope Hall in an hour.
That will be fine.
Isn't it thrilling, Ag? I never
thought I'd get my picture in Life.
Stick around long enough and Life
is bound to catch up with you.
Thanks. Now you'll tell me
when, won't you Mr Cole?
I always have to be told when.
- Sure.
I meant to ask you, Mrs Griswold.
Did your husband get that
matter settled with Dr Merrill?
He's with him now. Oh, Ag.
It seems Claude is a little worried
about that movie of yours.
Mr Cole was telling him
something about it.
Oh. You didn't say when.
And I wasn't even trying to look nice.
You know, I've got a theory
about women, Mrs Griswold.
I think they look their nicest
when they're not trying.
What were you saying about the movie?
The movie?
Oh, yes. The movie.
I said to Mr Griswold it was one of the
few I'd seen that really said something.
I wished I had made it myself.
Now, will today's children take
the same positions please.
Modesty and charm, girls.
That's right, Mary Nell.
Thank you, Ginny.
Did I say something wrong?
No, Ellie.
Why should Claude be worried?
Maybe 'worried' isn't
exactly the right word, Ag.
It was just sort-of a
growl he gave really.
Something about wanting to be sure
it was right for our girls to see.
Oh dear.
I do hope there's nothing
improper about the film.
Maybe it's censurable.
Well, don't everybody worry about it.
Claude is taking it up with Jim now.
Well. You couldn't ask for
two better men to handle it.
Now ladies. One for nostalgia.
Modesty and charm.
[ Telephone ]
Shall I answer it?
You have been so helpful to
me today, Mr Cole. Please do.
Hello?
Who is this? I want to
speak to Miss Shackelford.
Oh yes, we were just talking about you.
Yeah? Is she there?
Yes. One moment.
Miss Shackelford.
Thank you.
Hello.
- Miss Shackelford?
Yes, Mr Griswold.
Why, yes I did.
Well. You see, sir.
Well, sir.
It's very difficult for me to...
Mr Griswold, will you please listen?
I admit I wrote and asked for
the object of our discussion.
But it was Dr Pitt who
told me that it was...
Yes, sir. I'll arrange
it as soon as I can.
You will have to excuse me.
- Certainly.
I hope I haven't started any trouble.
- Not at all.
I'm sure that Dr Merrill is quite
capable of handling the situation.
Fine. Otherwise I'd have
this on my conscience.
Dr Merrill.
I hope there won't be any trouble.
Trouble?
I hear that Claude is a little
concerned about that film of mine.
Oh, a little.
Of course, you reassured him?
Well, I...
Had to admit I didn't know
too much about it myself.
Shall we take the other pictures, girls?
- Yes, of course.
Come along, girls.
- Now, Mrs Griswold?
What? Oh.
Oh yes.
Goodbye, Ag. See you later.
Darling, I'm terribly
sorry this happened.
I forgot to ask you anything
about the picture.
When it came up I really
didn't know what to say.
Do you think I would have
brought anything unsuitable?
Of course not.
Jim.
I spent five years in Europe.
I had a chance to see what happened in
countries where freedom was destroyed.
The first step was always the same.
They began by putting
a blanket over education.
And by making it a crime
for people to think.
That's what the film is about.
Actual newsreel shots of some dreadful
things that have happened in our time.
How they burned the books.
And sent the scholars
into slave labor camps.
How they hanged the teachers
by their feet in a public square.
Because they dared to teach the truth.
Do you want to see that
happen in this country?
I'm not questioning it at all.
It's just that...
These are touchy times so Claude
feels we ought to have a look at it.
Please don't be upset, darling.
It's a shame Mr Cole had to bring
it up but we'll straighten it out.
In fact, I don't need to see the
picture. I know it's alright.
Besides, there's something the
matter with my eyes anyway.
I can't seem to see anything but you.
You haven't forgotten there is
a Steps Sing before the Prom?
No. I haven't forgotten.
I'll pick you up.
Hello.
- Hi.
These just came for Miss Reed.
- Thanks.
Who is your date for
the Prom, a full-back?
No. He is a poet.
But I'm building him up.
See you later.
- Roger dodger.
Why don't you try a little steam.
I forgot to bring my tea kettle.
Thanks.
Here are the notes for your commencement
speech if you want to look them over.
Is something on your mind?
Anything you want to tell me?
No. But thanks anyway.
Have you set the date yet?
Look, Agatha. If you want to get
married that's your business.
I just want you to be happy.
What makes you think I won't be?
I'm not saying you won't.
I am just asking.
After all you haven't seen
this man in twenty years.
Now all of a sudden in two days...
You still think I'm making
a mistake, don't you.
No.
Not if you don't.
Most mistakes you make you can feel.
I'll see if the...
What do you call it?
The Steps Sing.
That's right. They sing on the steps.
Is Miss Reed alone?
- She was three second ago.
Do you think she will see me?
- Why not?
Thanks.
Come in.
Ginny.
Shouldn't you be getting
dressed for the Prom?
Miss Reed, is it a good picture?
The one you brought down.
Naturally, I think so.
Would you call it dangerous?
If you set a match to it, it would burn.
But otherwise, no.
Why?
They're having a meeting
about it at my father's house.
What are you trying to tell me, Ginny?
People think the college president has
a right to make decisions on things.
But he doesn't. He has to check
everything with the trustees.
Whatever he may feel
himself, it doesn't matter.
You mean they may not run the film?
It's like I was telling
you before, Miss Reed.
Being president is different
from just being a professor.
You have more responsibility.
So you have to make more concessions.
He has done wonderful
things for the school.
Seven new buildings in ten years.
He has been named the most successful
administrator east of the Rockies.
Isn't that something to be proud of?
I am so proud I could...
It's alright, Ginny. It's alright.
I'm so ashamed.
I've been ashamed for a long time now.
If I could only get away from here.
- What do you mean?
Just get away from here.
I don't know. Anywhere.
Don't be silly, Ginny.
You are graduating tomorrow.
Why should I stand up there and
let them hand me a diploma?
When I know it doesn't mean anything.
- That's not true.
It's yours for what you
have learned here.
What have I learned?
That my father is a coward?
That he's so afraid of losing his job he
has lost everything else he believed in.
I have made apologies.
I've made them until I can't
look at him anymore.
Maybe you're wrong about this.
- No. I am not wrong.
As you left the house, did they finish
and decide not to run the film?
No.
So how do you know he
hasn't fought them on this?
Because he's forgotten how to fight.
Ginny.
Sometimes a man needs a certain moment.
Maybe this is it for him.
Oh Miss Reed, you just don't understand.
Ginny.
I understand more than you think I do.
I want to tell you something.
Something I'm sure you don't know.
I was expelled from this college.
Because I stayed out
all night with a man.
We were very much in love
and planning to be married.
But I ran away so I wouldn't...
Hurt his chances of...
Becoming President.
Even at 18 I knew it was vital for a man
like him to be a president of a college.
Because he had great
strength and integrity.
And the courage of his convictions.
And the ability to fight for them.
I think your father
remembers that today.
And whatever has happened in between...
I think he'd like to be that man again.
So let's not turn away from him now
just when he needs us the most.
I think I just grew
up a little, Miss Reed.
Did you, Ginny?
Thanks to you.
I should have known.
Whenever he talked about you.
He was different.
I never really gave him up.
I just needed someone
else to believe in him too.
You had better get dressed for the Prom.
Now you take my word for it, Jim.
Just keep working on Jeff Barns
and he's bound to come through.
He is loaded.
Ellen, what are you doing?
- I'm calling Ag.
It is our signal.
She's had too many Martinis.
- Shall I get her?
No, wait. I have a better idea.
Now what's that for?
You can buzz from here to the room.
Ag and I always used it.
If one of us had a blind date the
other one always came down first.
One buzz. He was short. Wear low heels.
Two buzzes. He was tall.
Wear high heels.
I always said I'd marry a 2-buzz.
I've been called a lot of things
in my life but never a 2-buzz.
Now what are you up to?
- You will find out.
[ Radio music ]
That's to set us up for the Prom.
- Ellen.
So the youngsters won't
think we look so ancient.
But we'll be dancing all evening.
- Now don't be a killjoy, sweetie.
Hello, Agatha.
- Good evening.
You look so beautiful tonight.
Thank you.
Oh.
Bob and Ellen stopped by. They thought
we might as well make it a foursome.
Of course.
Just like old times, isn't it, Ag?
How do we stack up against the
wolves of yesterday, Miss Reed?
They had more hair.
- But less money, eh Jim?
Speak for yourself, Claude.
Don't let him give you the impression
that education doesn't pay, Miss Reed.
I know. I sign his checks.
Don't get embarrassed, Jim.
It's worth every cent to have a
president who can wear tails like that.
Oh Ellen, I have had enough.
I'm out of condition.
Besides, I ate too fast tonight.
- And whose fault is that?
If you hadn't got upset at the movie
you wouldn't have to call a meeting.
And if you hadn't...
Oh.
That's too bad.
It sounds like it's all my fault.
I didn't mean that, Ag.
I just meant...
How did you like the movie, Mr Griswold?
Well, it's no Abbot and Costello.
They are Claude's favorites.
Agatha.
Claude realizes what you
are trying to accomplish.
Sure I do.
It's alright to make pictures like
yours if you think they do any good.
As long as...
- As long as nobody sees them.
Turn that thing off, Ellen.
Look, Miss Reed. I said yesterday
I'm a great admirer of yours.
So, let's not have any
argument about this.
I gave the kids a motion
picture machine...
Because I thought they'd get a kick out
of seeing pictures right here on campus.
But why show them this kind of stuff?
Let them enjoy themselves.
Time enough to start worrying
when they're out of college.
Life is tough enough without drumming
their heads full of problems.
That's a very interesting theory
of education, Mr Griswold.
Is it yours?
No. I leave the theories to
experts like Jim here.
I just know what I like
and what I don't like.
Then you don't like a film that makes
a plea for academic freedom?
I do not...
- Mr Griswold.
We're trying to sell the idea of freedom
and democracy to the rest of the world.
How can we succeed if we're
afraid of it ourselves?
I don't give a hoot about the
rest of the world, Miss Reed.
All I care about is protecting the
minds of the young people here.
And you'll do that by restricting
them from seeing a film...
That is considered educational.
By preventing them from discussing any
serious questions facing us today.
That's not protecting them, Mr Griswold.
That is destroying them.
A college is where the
future of the world begins.
And professors aren't
intellectual babysitters.
It's their job to bring some
light into this muddled world.
But you have put a stop to that.
The result is that the girls who
graduate from this college tomorrow...
Aren't prepared for the
world they have to face.
Yet you're content to
hand it to them and say:
'Fight for it. Die for it'.
'But don't understand it'.
Miss Reed.
I can see why you start so much
fireworks down there in congress.
But here at Good Hope it
all boils down to one thing.
We know what's best for our school.
Claude, please let me handle this.
There's no handling to it, Jim.
Let's stop beating around the bush.
Miss Reed, I like to be frank.
We have cancelled the
showing of the film.
There will be a statement.
The schedule got overcrowded.
I see.
And the President?
Did he agree?
On vital issues.
The President and the
Trustees always agree.
Sorry this had to happen, Miss Reed.
Nothing personal in it at all.
I hope it won't spoil an
extremely pleasant weekend.
Well. We had better be going.
Claude, I would like to
speak to Miss Reed alone.
Alright.
Only don't be too long. It wouldn't
look well if you were too late.
Come on, Ellen.
Hello.
Oh, excuse me.
Have you seen Miss Reed?
Yes. But I don't think you had
better disturb her right now.
Come on, Ellen.
But you must give me
a chance to explain.
Jim.
Did you see the film?
- Yes.
Did you think it was wrong
for your students to see?
Be honest with me.
No.
And you didn't stand
up there and say that?
Agatha, you're not being
very objective about this.
I realize how embarrassing it is for
you to bring a film down here...
Could you possibly believe my
vanity is concerned in this?
I didn't say that. I'm just asking
you to try to see my position.
I can't always bluster
through my own opinions.
There's times when I must bow to the...
- Claude?
You exaggerate Claude's
importance in this whole affair.
Am I?
When he and not you seem to be the real
judge of what's taught at this college.
By what right?
Do you respect him as an educator?
He doesn't pretend to be that.
He is a businessman.
He gives money. He wants his say.
It's as simple as that.
Why do you look so shocked?
Not shocked.
Just frightened.
That you can stand here and say that.
And accept it.
Good heavens, Agatha.
I have to run this school.
That means getting buildings,
endowments. It's part of the job.
So, I have learned to compromise.
I give in on smaller issues here and
there so I can win on the larger ones.
And what are the larger issues?
Suppose I'd fought Griswold
on this to a showdown.
It would be a heroic gesture and I
would be out of here tomorrow.
Would you?
You used to love a fight like that.
Things are quite different now.
I have Ginny to think of.
There's no need to lie to me.
I have talked to her.
And if you are not careful
you're going to lose her.
I don't know how
important that is to you.
But I suspect it's very important.
What have you been telling her?
- Dreadful things.
That you have courage.
That you have integrity.
And I didn't just say it, Jim.
I believe it.
Stand up to Griswold. Not for me.
Not even for Ginny. But for yourself.
Alright.
I'm not going to plead with you anymore.
No more appeals to your better nature.
I know when I am beaten.
I'm going to offer you a deal.
A business deal.
That's more in your line.
What are you talking about?
Just minutes ago I assured your daughter
you would run that film tomorrow.
I don't like to think of her
finding out you won't.
So I'm afraid you will do it.
With or without Mr Griswold's consent.
I'll leave procedure up to you.
Is this your idea of a joke?
- No.
In exchange for that small service.
I'll give you my personal guarantee...
That the Life article won't even hint at
the colorful events leading up to my...
Expulsion from this
seat of higher learning.
I can't believe you would...
- Why not?
You see, Jim.
I'm willing to take a chance on you.
I know now that you're afraid.
And with a man who's afraid it's just a
question of the lesser of the two evils.
Whether you risk being removed
from here by running the film.
Or whether you accept the certainty of
being removed after this story breaks.
You would really do a thing like this?
You see, you learn all kinds
of cute tricks in my work.
The most important one being...
Never to play fair.
Unless you respect the
men you're dealing with.
I never believed this could happen.
Not after last night.
Last night was twenty years ago.
[ Choir singing ]
The Alma Mater.
Very appropriate, isn't it.
Shall we go?
Professor Dingley.
I've been looking
everywhere for you. Hurry.
I've saved two seats
for us in the last row.
Thank you very much Miss Birdshaw.
I was just examining the programme.
Last two rows to the faculty.
And remember girls,
'A' to 'M' on the left.
'N' to 'Z' on the right.
Organisation please.
Excuse me, Miss Shackelford.
Good morning, Miss Woods.
- Is Miss Reed inside?
No. I haven't seen her.
But she will be here, won't she?
Yes. I think so.
Hello.
Good morning, Miss Shackelford.
Why, you look radiant this
morning. Is that a new dress?
Yes. As a matter of fact it is.
- I nearly got you on the cover of Life.
Come now, Mr Cole.
You are pulling my leg.
But it's a good idea.
Say.
It's sort-of a flexible program
you run here, isn't it?
It's completely beyond me, Mr Cole.
Everyone has been acting so strangely.
Last night Dr Merrill tells
me to cancel the film.
And this morning he calls
and says to go ahead.
Dr Merrill ordered the film shown?
Yes... and then
Mr Griswold called me up.
And barked at me like a bear.
As I told him. I said this
is not my responsibility.
I just do what the president tells me.
Really, it has been
extremely difficult for me.
I shall certainly be glad
when this weekend is over.
I love that dame.
Where is the honorable?
The show is about to begin.
She will be here. She has got the
best attendance record in congress.
Maybe she will send up a flare.
Listen, Mr Cole.
Merrill came through, didn't he?
You know what that does to your chances.
- Yeah.
So what are you so happy about?
I'm not happy. I'm sad. But you
got to be philosophical about it.
Something I learned from
an old Hindu Fakir. Yeah.
Is that the same brain who taught
you to turn a memory into a man?
So what do I do?
Go around dragging my chin?
The way it goes. Take the bad with
the good. You're up, you're down.
You're punch-drunk. You coming in?
No. I've seen the picture.
I think I'll take one last
happy look at Good Hope.
I might run into an old friend.
Well, good hunting.
Beautiful morning, Dr Pitt.
- Beautiful.
You look tired.
What are you doing here, Matt?
Everybody has been looking for you.
Haven't you heard the bells?
They are showing your film.
I know.
Congratulations.
What's the matter? Aren't you glad?
Yes, of course.
Well.
It seems I was wrong about Merrill.
Really, Matt. There's no need to...
- Eat crow?
I don't mind. I've no pride where you're
concerned, Aggie. You should know that.
I left it when I came to Good Hope.
Of course, I did have the feeling that
you might like having me around.
We've been through all this.
I thought maybe you'd changed your mind.
Why should I?
- People do all the time.
I saw it on the stage once.
Where at the last minute the
bride ran off with the best man.
It was a big hit.
Matt, leave me alone. Will you please.
Do you mean you have
got nothing to say to me?
I thought we had said it all.
Yeah, but I am stupid.
I've got to have it all spelled out.
He is a great guy.
He's everything you ever hoped for
and dreamed about all these years.
And you will marry him. Is that it?
I don't want to talk about it.
Oh, you don't? Well I do.
If you don't mind, I'm going
down to congratulate Dr Merrill.
Matt.
You couldn't face that, could you.
Because you know it's a lie.
You threw away six years
we could have had together.
Six wonderful, beautiful years.
All because of a lie.
But now you haven't got honesty enough
to admit it. To me or to yourself.
You have got to hang on
to your precious ego.
Well sister, you can have it.
I'm a big boy now. I got bigger
and better things to do with my life.
What are you doing?
- I am leaving, Jim.
I can't stay here and go through
with this lie any longer.
My speech is in the waste
basket where it belongs.
If I had to stand up and say
it I'd choke on every word.
Do you realize...
Say that I sent you a telegram, or I
was ill or I'm needed in Washington.
Or something. Anything.
Just like twenty years
ago, isn't it, Agatha.
Running away again.
Jim.
I was wrong last night.
To expect you to be the
same man I remembered.
Nothing stays the same.
And I was wrong to think I could
help you win back your daughter.
I can't blackmail you
for the rest of your life.
It's better that she knows the truth.
Now, while she's young.
Would you tell her that?
If I had to, yes.
[ Door Knocks ]
Who is it?
Ginny, Miss Reed.
Come in, Ginny.
I went to your office and they
told me you had come here.
We saw your picture, Miss Reed.
It was wonderful.
I wish you had been there, father.
Some of the girls cried and
some of them were shocked.
They didn't all understand it. But I'm
sure none of them will ever forget it.
It was the best graduation present
you could give the senior class.
And me.
Thank you.
I have to go now.
All the girls are waiting for me.
Ginny.
- Yes?
Miss Reed and I have been discussing
something I think you should know.
What is it?
Ginny.
Yesterday I told you that...
If you won't tell her, I will.
Tell me what?
You kissed me just now.
You haven't done that in a long time.
I am very grateful.
But I cannot accept it
under false pretences.
False pretences?
I had the movie shown but
not for the reason you think.
I did it because Miss Reed forced me to.
Because she gave me
an alternative that...
Left me no choice.
That's the truth and I
want you to know it.
I don't want more lies between us.
There have been too many already.
I...
Haven't been much of a
father for quite a while.
I'm sorry.
Ginny, I didn't tell
you this to hurt you.
I've never meant to hurt you.
You have forgotten a lot of
things about me, haven't you.
That I don't just cry when I am sad.
That I cry just as much when I am happy.
I don't care why you showed the film.
I never wanted you to be a hero.
I just wanted you to be honest.
With me and with yourself.
There you are, Jim.
What is all this nonsense?
Claude is terribly upset.
He's been on the phone all morning.
First, when he heard about the movie.
And then right out of the
blue this resignation thing.
Resignation?
When did this happen?
The letter came half an hour ago.
I read it, Jim and it was so beautiful.
Especially the part about self-respect.
About you feeling like a...
Oh, what was it? It had
something to do with eating.
An educaterer?
Why yes, Ag.
How clever of you.
Jim.
Why did you do it?
I stood at the back of the
theater this morning and...
Watched them looking at the picture.
Suddenly I realized I had
almost not let them see it.
That's when I knew that everything
you said last night was true.
That I had no right to be the
president of this college.
Or any college.
Why, Ag. How could you say such a thing?
I can't think of this
college without Jim.
And neither can the board.
You should hear them shouting back there
about the good you did for the school.
About what a row the students would
raise if they heard about it.
Wouldn't they, Ginny?
- They'd raise a heck of a row.
I didn't resign as Alumni President.
Thank you, Ellen.
- Hey, Ginny.
Did you forget? It's commencement.
Come on, Ginny. Hurry up.
Okay.
I always wondered why they
called it commencement.
Now I know.
I'd better be leaving too.
I'm late already.
But I just wanted to ask
you to reconsider, Jim.
Oh. You won't mention this to
Claude, will you? That I came over.
He'll like thinking it's his own idea.
It's very important for a
man like Claude, you know.
To think everything is his own idea.
I'm afraid I have been
underestimating you.
You forget.
I was in your history class too.
See you later, Ag.
I'm overwhelmed, Jim.
I never expected this.
We are even. Neither did I.
Will you reconsider?
I think it's very important to
Good Hope that you stay on.
When I came in here, I...
Wanted to tell you again.
How much I love you.
I didn't have much hope
for it after last night.
But that somehow... today...
I know we're different people
than we were twenty years ago.
I know a lot of things have changed.
But I wouldn't want to go through the
rest of my life thinking I hadn't tried.
Do I have a chance?
You might have had a
very good chance, Jim.
Except that.
You see... we only met today.
Just now really.
And as... someone who has
a few years start on you.
He is lucky.
Thank you, Jim.
You will stay, won't you?
For commencement, I mean.
Yes. I'll stay.
Thank you, Agatha.
Hello.
Where have you been?
- Where have I been?
I've been out with the bloodhounds.
Where have you been?
Straightening out my life.
Now I know.
You want to get into your cap and gown?
Yes please, Woody.
Here you are.
- Thanks.
What arrangements did you
make for getting us out of here?
Getting us out?
They tell me there's a
plane leaving at 06:55.
Better call old man Wister right now.
Tell him to set up the committee
meeting first thing tomorrow.
And call Senator McElroy
and tell him he was right.
I'll make a swing through the
whole state before the election.
And close your mouth.
You look like a fish.
But I thought you and Merrill...
- That's your trouble, Woody.
You think too much.
You're so busy figuring out things
ahead that you're always miles behind.
You get on the phone about the plane
tickets. I've got to change my shoes.
Yep. That's my trouble alright.
I think too much.
Hello. This is Miss Woods.
Would you get me the airport please.
Where's the honorable?
Look. Would mind telling me
something? What's going on?
Merrill runs the film.
You are philosophical.
She straightens out her life.
I don't get it.
You will.
You know, I can't keep this thing on.
Well.
I thought you'd departed
to bigger and better things.
I've some news for you.
- Hello?
Leave us alone.
- But.
I said leave us alone.
I'll call you later.
You're not going to do it.
- Do what?
You are the stubbornest
woman I ever saw in my life.
You're so stubborn you'll go ahead
and marry him. But you won't do it.
Really?
- Look.
Let's get things straight.
I don't ask you to fall into my arms.
I wouldn't even catch you if you did.
One thing I found out this weekend.
I don't like women.
Then why all the bother?
Because I am neat.
I straighten pictures.
I put the tops on toothpaste tubes.
I don't like unfinished
things lying around.
You won't go through with
this and throw away your life.
Aren't you being a bit overconfident?
I don't think so.
I'm offering you a deal.
A business deal.
In exchange for such a small service
I give you my personal guarantee...
That the Life article won't even
hint at the colorful events...
Leading up to your expulsion from
this seat of higher learning.
Why, you...
See pictures on preceding page.
So, you're an eavesdropper too
among your other accomplishments.
Sure.
You learn a lot of cute
tricks in my work too.
Are you sure there's no longer
anything personal in this?
Never mind that.
We've got a deal cooking.
Well.
It seems I have no other choice.
Have I.
Woody.
There has been a change of plans.
We are leaving Good Hope today.
We'll catch the 06:55 plane.
Better call old man Wister.
Tell him to set up a committee
meeting in the morning.
And call Senator McElroy.
Tell him I'll make a swing through
the state before the election.
You just said...
- I know.
But there's been a change of plans.
Oh.
A change of plans?
Miss Reed. Miss Reed.
Ready, Miss Reed?
- We're your honor guard.
Everything is on schedule.
We have to leave here as
soon as the bell starts.
Thank you. I am honored.
There they go.
Well.
I am ready.
Your speech. Have you got your speech?
My speech? Oh...
I left it on the desk.
What did you do with it?
I never touched it.
I must have left it in the...
Oh.
We had no file.
- Yes, that's right.
Come on, let's go.
One weekend.
Can a woman go crazy in one weekend?
What's so crazy about changing her mind?
Changing her mind? She told me
the same thing five minutes ago.
She what?
What do they put in the
food around here anyway?
Now what's got in to you?
Sweetheart, don't try to understand it.
Just relax and enjoy it.
What kept you?
You.
You politician.
Oh, Matt. You were right.
We have missed six
wonderful exciting years.
I have been so blind.
Why didn't you make me see?
Why didn't I make you see?
I...
..f-s..