It Happened On Fifth Avenue (1947) Movie Script

[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[The King's Men singing "It's A
Wonderful Wonderful Feeling]
Oh it is
a wonderful wonderful feeling
I've never felt this way
before
Lady luck
is going to come my way
Something may have
been stored
With the blue sky above
for a ceiling
My feet hardly touching
the floor
I feel so happy
the whole day long
Feel like bursting
right out in song
There's a rainbow
around my heart
And it fits me like a glove
Feel so marvelous
feel so wonderful
All the world all the world &
All the world
all the world is one
[instrumental music]
And here, folks, are some
of the most famous homes
shops and hotels
in New York City.
Fifth Avenue, the street
where the original 400
built their homes
making it the most celebrated
richest avenue in the world.
'See it for yourself
'the famous homes
of New York's Fifth Avenue.'
'That magnificent
marble dwelling'
'that we are now approaching
is the Guggenhoff Mansion.'
'He was the copper king.'
'And there on your right,
that big brownstone mansion'
'that's all boarded up,
that is the townhouse'
'of the great industrial wizard,
Michael J. O'Connor'
'the second-richest man
in the world.'
'Leaders of society,
business and politics'
'built their homes
upon this avenue'
'palatial homes worth millions.
See for yourself.'
'The famous homes
of New York's Fifth Avenue.'
'The wealthiest
and most fashionable avenue'
'in the world's largest city.'
'To your left
is the internationally known'
'Museum Of Science And History.'
'Look ahead and you will see
at 90th Street'
'Andrew Carnegie's
fabulous residence..
[instrumental music]
[wind howling]
[wind howling]
[music continues]
[wind howling]
[instrumental music]
[switch clicking]
[music continues]
[switch clicking]
[switch clicking]
[clock chiming]
[switch clicking]
[door shuts]
[door shuts]
[music continues]
[door shuts]
Well, Sammy, everything looks
just the same as usual.
It's certainly nice
to be back again, ain't it?
Come on. Let's go up
and clean up a bit.
[instrumental music]
[car honking]
- Well, is everything out?
- Yup.
Everything but the tenant in
4-G. He refuses to be evicted.
Refuses? Did you tell him
the place is being torn down?
And that Michael O'Connor
is putting up
an 80-storey building?
Yup. I told him.
He said if an 80-storey building
goes up, he's going up with it.
The manager's up
arguing with the guy now.
But, Mr. Bullock,
you had ample notice.
Please put on your pants
and vacate at once.
I've got rights,
constitutional rights
and that's what I'm standing,
sitting on.
Besides, Section 40, Article 27
of the Housing Code
"No discharged veteran
can be evicted."
- There's no such regulation.
- There isn't?
- 'No.'
- Well, there should be.
I refuse to be evicted
because a wealthy Croesus
named Michael O'Connor
wishes to perpetuate his name
with an 80-storey
steel monument.
Mr. Bullock, I'm terribly sorry.
Oh-ho! So it's you again.
Well, if you came back
to apologize, you can.
Mr. Bullock, don't you realize
this building
is being torn down?
Every tenant has vacated
but you.
Listen, chum, I've hunted
three months for this foxhole
and I'm not leaving this bed.
(male #1) 'Will you
vacate quietly or must I... '
Call your Cossacks,
I'll fight it out on this front
if it takes all winter!
Alright, boys.
'Take him out.'
[handcuffs clicking]
- Come on!
- There you are.
Do your worst.
I captured these handcuffs
from a Japanese MP.
Little did I know
that this souvenir of war
would become the instrument
of resisting tyranny!
Go ahead.
Let's see you move me now. Hah!
I'll fight this outrageous
intrusion of human rights.
I'll sue Michael O'Connor.
He can't get away with this.
Just because I'm in bed, it's no
sign I'm taking this lying down.
Michael O'Connor is an octopus!
A human oc.. Ah-ah!
Slowly strangling civilization
with his tentacles.
[wind howling]
[instrumental music]
[Sam growling]
[Sam growling]
Sam, stop that.
Come on up there. Come on. Up.
- Is that your dog?
- Sir, I'm terribly sorry.
I suppose my dog and I
are somewhat responsible.
Why don't you keep him
on a leash?
Well, he's not afraid
I'll run away.
Are you, Sam? Ha!
Say, you better go home
and change.
- Where do you live?
- Right here.
You're practically standing
in the middle of my living room.
- Oh-ho..
- Draw up a chair and sit down.
Uh-uh! Careful
of those cigar ashes on the rug.
Oh, terrible thing, isn't it,
the housing problem?
I'd settle for an upholstered
steam-heated gutter.
Well, fortunately,
I solved my residential problem
years ago.
[Sam whimpering]
Say, he likes you.
And when Sam likes a stranger,
that's good enough for me.
I, uh, feel somewhat obligated.
'Care to be my guest
for the night?'
No. I don't wanna trouble you.
Thanks, anyway.
Oh, it's no trouble at all.
As it happens, I live alone.
'I'd be delighted to have you.'
Well, you're sure
it would be alright with Sam?
[barking]
[chuckling]
[instrumental music]
[thuds]
Do you, uh, do you always..
Only when the house
is boarded up.
"Only when the house
is boarded up."
Yeah. Come on. Come on, Sam.
[music continues]
(Jim) "" Michael O'Connor. Winner.
Champion Class-B Sloop. 1937.'
'Newport Races."'
Michael O'Connor?
Ah, here you are, my boy.
Try this.
Well, isn't this just dandy?
The great Michael O'Connor
in person.
I've always wanted to see
a walking cash register...
- No, I'm...
- Listen, moneybags.
While guys like you are living
here in Oriental splendor
guys like me are being thrown
out of $40-a-month apartments.
Are you so wrapped up
in yacht races
you've forgotten
there's a human race?
My boy, much to my regret
you've forced me
to divulge a secret.
I am not Mr. O'Connor.
My name is McKeever.
Aloysius T. McKeever.
You mean, you're not..
Yeah, but isn't this..
I mean, don't you..
Well, let us say that
I'm a guest of Mr. O'Connor.
Oh, I'm sorry. I thought maybe..
You mean you live here
all alone?
- Uh-huh.
- 'Where's O'Connor?'
In Virginia.
A place called Bubbling Springs.
Oh, it's quite beautiful there.
[instrumental music]
(Michael) "" Evicted tenant
calls O'Connor octopus.
Hah! What do you think of that?
Well, couldn't you've kept
this sort of thing
out of the newspapers?
Publicity like this
doesn't do me
or the project any good,
you know?
Well,
I was on the way down here.
Picked up the paper
at the airport.
Octopus. Hah!
Well, let's get on.
[indistinct chatter]
Gentlemen, you're wondering
why I called this conference.
The building we're constructing
in New York
as you're well aware of,
is merely the first link
in our postwar plans.
Our new headquarters, in fact.
Link number two is right there.
Take a good look, gentlemen.
[indistinct chatter]
This is the main terminal of
our newest and greatest venture.
'An air cargo network
that will span the globe.'
'And with the proper facilities,
as you see here'
"vast quantities of industrial
cargo can be moved by air'
a dozen times as rapidly
as present
land and water transportation.
Well, gentlemen,
what do you think of it?
It's inspired, Michael.
But you're not going to build
all this in New York, are you?
It's an ambitious undertaking.
Where are you gonna get
sufficient property?
Tell them, Farrow.
Well, believe it or not,
gentlemen
we're getting it
from the government.
- 'From the government?'
- Exactly.
The government owns Camp Kilson,
over 300 acres
just outside the city.
It's to be sold
one month from today.
And they will accept
any reasonable offer.
Farrow here is flying
to Washington tonight
to find out
what they consider reasonable.
- Your pills, Mr. O'Connor.
- Oh, mm.
- Ah! And now, gentlemen...
- Ah, excuse me.
There's a long-distance call
from your daughter's school,
sir.
Well, not now.
I'll call her back.
Oh, but it isn't your daughter.
It's the headmistress,
and she says it's very urgent.
Hm. Uh, mull over that project
for a moment, gentlemen.
I'll be right with you.
- I'll take it in here.
- Yes, sir.
I don't think that..
[indistinct chatter]
Hello?
Yes, this is Mr. O'Connor.
Trudy was missing from class
this morning.
I'm terribly afraid
she's run away, Mr. O'Connor.
Well, I don't understand this.
Yes, yes. Do that.
And I'll keep you posted.
Thanks. Goodbye.
[instrumental music]
(Farrow) "Mr. O'Connor,
anything I can do?
(Michael) Do you suppose
she's gone to her mother?
Well, I have no idea,
but I doubt it.
Farrow, phone our
legal department in New York.
I want the best detective agency
they can get.
Check every hotel,
every airport, railroad
and bus station in New York,
Chicago and all points west.
Tell New York to keep
in constant touch with me
till they find her.
[shaver whirring]
Hey, Mac.
Mac, quit playing
with the light switch.
[instrumental music on radio]
- Hey, what goes on here?
- Jim, what time is it?
Four minutes to 9:00.
Can't be them. It's too early.
It can't be who?
And who's too early?
Never mind.
[radio turns off]
[switch clicking]
[dramatic music]
Did you say
you lived here alone?
- Yes.
- Well, you've got company.
Somebody's coming up the stairs.
[door opens]
[instrumental music]
(Jim) 'Well, you've got
pretty good taste, haven't you?'
- Come on, shed that mink.
- Who are you?
A fur trapper. Come on, give.
- Get your hands off me.
- Okay, sister.
You wanna play rough?
I said take it off.
What are you people doing here?
Oh, we just hang around to see
that little girls like you
don't swipe great big mink coats
like this.
You get out of here
before I call the police.
You'll call the police?
[chuckling]
That I've gotta see.
There's a phone. Go on, call.
Oh, just a moment. Uh..
Jim, I'd like to speak to you
outside for just a minute.
Excuse us, miss.
[mouthing]
Come on.
Now remember, no tricks,
or we'll call the cops.
Psst. Psst.
- Say, what's the idea?
- Shh.
What's the idea
you grabbing the phone?
Jim, I'm afraid
we're in no position
to let her call the police.
Why not?
Because the young lady
uh, no matter who she is
has as much right here
as we have.
I don't get it.
Aren't you a guest of O'Connor?
Well, yes
except that Mr. O'Connor
doesn't know about it.
(Jim) 'But you're a
friend of his, aren't you?'
'That is, if anybody
can be a friend of that guy.'
(Aloysius)
Never laid eyes on him.
Our paths have never crossed.
You live here
without permission?
Mm-hmm.
'But how do you get away
with it?"
Oh, it's not hard at all.
Mr. O'Connor boards up the house
and goes to his estate
in Virginia on November 1st.
- I move in on November 3rd.
- 'But suppose he comes back?'
(Aloysius) Oh-ho. He never
comes back till March 15th.
I leave on March 13th.
It works out very well that way.
Why, you old possum.
You're bound to get caught
sooner or later, you know that.
They never even came close
in all the three winters
I've been here.
I never do any harm.
As a matter of fact,
I do a lot of good.
I dust off the furniture
every once in a while.
I wind the clocks.
You take these clothes
I'm wearing.
If it weren't for me, they'd be
in the closet gathering moths.
I take 'em out for an airing
every day.
Say, what are we gonna do
about her?
(Aloysius)
You leave it to me.
I'll give her a lecture
and send her home.
Come on.
[door opens]
Young lady, we've decided...
Please don't call the police.
I know I shouldn't have,
have broken in.
But, well, I'm applying
for a job tomorrow.
- And I needed a coat, so...
- That's a fine excuse.
It isn't an excuse. It's true.
Look. I'll show you.
"Wanted. Girl with personality
to sell sheet music.
Must play piano.
Apply Times Square Melody Shop."
Oh, sure.
Sure, you've gotta wear
a mink coat
when you work in a music shop.
They play
those Frank Sinatra records.
Chills run up and down
your spine. It gets cold.
'You have to wear
a mink coat.'
It's the first time
I ever did a thing like this.
Please don't call the police.
Young lady,
don't you know there's a law
against breaking
into other people's homes?
I-I do, but I was alone
and hungry and desperate.
I...
[sighing]
- I'll get some water.
- Yeah, hurry.
Here.
- You feel better?
- Much.
Say, when was
the last time you ate?
- I'd rather not talk about it.
- 'Oh, where do you live?'
In Dubuque,
with my 13 brothers and sisters.
Fourteen children?
Well, the neighbors must call
your house the Stork Club.
Uh, these cookies are very nice.
Won't you have one?
The gates patrol!
Out of sight, quick.
- Here we go again.
- Now, wait a minute.
Get these dishes. Pull them up.
Hurry.
Now into the kitchen. Quick.
[instrumental music]
Get in here. Quick.
Shh.
I thought I heard something.
It's the gates patrol.
They generally come around
every night at 10:00.
They're a little early tonight.
Yeah, but why the blackout?
Well, I've arranged a gadget
at the front door
so that all the lights go out
when the door opens.
Why do we have to hide
in the ice box?
Young lady,
you may as well know.
I'm an interloper here,
the same as you are.
Oh.
You mean, you go through this
every night?
- Yeah.
- You get used to it.
In fact, uh,
it's kind of fun after a while.
[all chuckling]
Hello? This is Brady reporting.
Okay at the O'Connor house.
How would you like to live
in a joint like this?
What? And have room for the rest
of my wife's relations? Oh!
Here. You put this on.
Hm. Thanks.
- Anybody in that house?
- Who are you?
I'm looking for a girl.
- Michael O'Connor's daughter.
- She ain't in there.
That joint's as empty as a
sewing basket in a nudist camp.
Young lady, we have decided not
to turn you over to the police.
Oh. I was sure you wouldn't.
How can I thank you, Mister..
McKeever is the name.
Aloysius T. McKeever.
And this is Jim Bullock.
You know, New York is no place
for a kid without friends.
I'm not a kid.
And besides, I have friends.
I have you and Mr. McKeever.
Well, yeah, but you're used
to a home and a big family.
Besides, the other 13 kids
might get lonesome.
Say, you're not all planning
to come here, are you?
[chuckling] No. I'm thankful
you're letting me stay.
But you must go back home.
Oh, please. No, not that.
I can't go back to him.
You're married?
It's my father.
He's a drunkard.
He's lazy and he beats us.
- Beats all 14 of you?
- Every night.
Your old man's not lazy.
I can't go back.
Please don't send me. Please.
There, there. I understand.
I wouldn't want any girl
to go home to a brute like that.
Now, you stay here,
uh, just for tonight
and in the morning you try to
get that job in the music shop.
I'll lend you a coat to wear.
But not the mink.
Something less expensive.
- You be sure to bring it back.
- I will.
Well, it's getting late.
Now, you can sleep in the room
where we found you.
Be sure to make your bed
in the morning.
- But don't touch anything.
- I won't.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
- 'Goodnight.'
- Goodnight, Jim.
J ...and your voice J
J Speaks in the room [
J To you all of my hope.. J
J Whether we're near or apart J
J You're everywhere darling J
S But most of all J
S You're in J
S My heart J 75
Okay. Okay.
We'll make it 30 bucks.
You start tomorrow morning.
[instrumental music]
J You're everywhere [
J You're the dream
following me J
S Of the wind that's.. J
- Jim. He hired me.
- Hi.
Thirty dollars a week,
and I start in the morning.
Swell.
- What are you doing here?
- Oh, just looking around.
For this coat?
Don't worry, I'll return it.
[chuckles]
I'm not worried, if you're not.
[indistinct singing]
Jim!
- Margie.
- Jim Bullock.
Margie. It is swell to see you.
- Same here.
- What're you doing in New York?
Same thing everybody else
is doing.
Looking for a place to live.
[chuckling]
Hiya, fella. What's your name?
- Jackie.
- Oh. This is Jackie.
How's tricks, Jackie?
You know, he's a dead ringer
for his old man.
He sure is.
Oh, Jim, this is Alice.
- 'Hank's wife. Jim Bullock.'
- 'How do you do?'
- How do you do?
- 'Hank's wife, huh?'
(Jim)
Well, what do you know?
A baby! Say, he's cute.
- Hank's?
- "He helped.'
- Hey, where are you living?
- Right here.
How do you like
our penthouse on wheels?
Swell!
Where are Hank and Whitey?
Oh, we've got a line
on an apartment.
They're upstairs now,
working on the landlord.
Gee, I haven't seen
those two monkeys
since we were in the guardhouse
together.
I'm going up and surprise 'em.
Excuse me.
Say, where have you been?
Margie, this is Trudy.
Trudy, say hello to Margie. You
gals can talk over old times.
I'll be back in a minute.
- Well, boys, what do you say?
- Oh. Yes, sir. We'll take it.
Wrap it up and put our initials
on it. Any deposit?
- Three months' rent in advance.
- Three months?
- Hm.
- 'Attention!'
(Hank and Whitey)
'Jim!'
Why, you ugly pair
of goldbricking KPs.
[all laughing]
You're looking great, you make
a pretty good civilian yourself.
- Hank, how are you?
- Swell, Jim.
Say, you know, I got married
since the last time I saw you.
I know.
Met the family downstairs.
Say, that's a swell-looking baby
you rang up there, Hank.
And, Whitey, that kid of yours
ha, he's a dead ringer
for the old man.
The hair, the eyes, the nose..
Hey, what's the matter?
Did I say something wrong?
You certainly did.
We don't allow dogs or children.
Oh, look, mister. What harm
is there in a couple of kids?
Why, one of 'em is only a baby.
They're very small. They only
take up that much space.
- Why, sure.
- One of the kids is sick.
Come on, mister,
give us a break.
I'm sorry.
It's a rule of the house.
We don't take children.
But we need a place to live.
The kids need a place to live.
What have you got
against children?
It's a rule of the house!
Naturally,
you can't break the rule.
If he lets yours kids in,
everybody'd start
having children, then what would
happen to the human race?
I tell you what we'll do.
We'll drown them.
- Would that make you happy?
- Were you ever a baby?
No. He's just something
left over from meat rationing.
Rules are rules!
(all)
Rules are rules.
[groaning]
[baby bawling]
Come on, Mac. What gives?
Well, you're placing me
in a very embarrassing position.
Oh, now, look, Mac, these people
have gotta have a place to live.
You're O'Connor's guest,
I'm O'Connor's guest.
Okay, we'll all be
O'Connor's guests.
It's just until they find
a place, Mr. McKeever. Please.
Oh, dear.
Not in my 20 years of living as
a guest in other people's homes
have I ever been faced
with a situation like this.
[baby bawling]
Still, we can't very well
turn children away.
Mm-mm. Ooh-ooh.
(Aloysius)
'Cute. A boy?'
- Yes.
- Yeah.
[laughing]
(Aloysius)
'Hello. Hello.'
'Hello there. Hello there.'
Ah-h-h. Boo!
[laughing]
Oh. He's smiling. He's cute.
Well, I guess
we can manage somehow.
- Oh. Gee. Thanks.
- Thanks very much.
- Mr. McKeever.
- Attaboy, Mac.
Tell me,
have you been married long?
- Seven years.
- Oh.
- Are you happy?
- Sure.
Whitey's a great guy.
Say, you're a little crazy
about Jim, aren't you?
Oh, he's nice,
but he doesn't know I'm alive.
He calls me Cookie.
What did Whitey call you?
Sugar, 'cause I was hard to get.
[chuckles]
Tell me, what made him propose?
Well, it happened at the movies.
Gregory Peck and this blonde
were getting married.
So I said to Whitey, I said,
"Gee, I sure wish that was us."
And Whitey said, "Uh-huh."
And then I said,
"Ain't marriage wonderful?"
And Whitey said, "Uh-huh."
And then I said,
"Why don't we get married?"
And Whitey said,
"Uh-huh." And, well..
After all, how can you say no
when a fellow coaxes you
like that?
[both laughing]
You know,
while I was in the army
I heard all about
those 100-$150-a-week jobs.
- What happened to 'em?
- They're around.
But you gotta have what it takes
to land 'em.
Yeah.
That's what makes it tough.
I sure wish I had
some experience at something.
Some guys seem to get by
without experience.
Even without money.
How do you do it, McKeever?
Well, I believe
that people who require money
should work for it.
As for myself,
I gave up working years ago.
I never could make enough
to satisfy my lavish tastes.
So I let other people
work for it, and I enjoy it.
Yeah, but suppose
you had a wife and a kid.
Suppose you had to make dough.
My boy,
when you come right down to it
making money is simply
a matter of analysis.
I'd like to have a blueprint
on that one.
(Aloysius)
'Alright.
Now, analyze the times.
Figure out what people want most
then try to give it to them.
Now, use yourselves
as an example.
What do you want most?
- A job.
- And a place to live.
Exactly.
You'll find plenty of vacancies
if you boys just use your heads.
[chuckles] That came out
sounding a little different
from the way I meant it.
Mac, where are
all these vacancies?
Army barracks.
- Are you kidding?
- Why, no, my boy.
Vacant army barracks
in hundreds
of deserted army camps
from coast to coast.
"'Electricity, gas and water
in every one of them.'
Say, you know,
he's got something there.
Mac, you're a genius.
They need guys like you
down in Washington.
No. Things are balled up enough
down there.
[laughing]
Army barracks.
It's made to order.
I could redesign 'em.
G.
A few plumbing changes,
closet space.
- A little landscaping.
- Hey, wait a minute.
Where do we get the dough
to pay for all this?
Who's got the dice, we need
a couple of million bucks
in a hurry.
Hey, Jim.
Where do we get the dough?
- The dough?
- Mm-hmm.
Well, we get the dough
the same place we get the labor.
Two or three-hundred ex-Gls
just like us.
And we're all partners.
Gentlemen, gentlemen
your problem of capital
is secondary.
Now, the first thing
to be considered
is which camp
you intend to reconvert first
if the government will sell.
And if so, for how much, right?
- 'Right.'
- Right.
Now, do any of you boys
know Camp Kilson?
Oh, sure.
That's just outside of New York.
That's where I was induced
into the army.
Induced.
- You mean, inducted.
- Oh, no.
Me, they had to induce. Heh.
Oh, yeah.
It's a swell idea, but..
How do we know the government
will sell the property?
My boy, go down to Washington
and find out.
I was a government clerk there
while Hank was overseas.
- I know my way around.
- Swell.
Hank, why don't you and Alice
run down there
and get all the information
for us?
- Yeah.
- But what about the baby?
Oh, gee. That's right.
Well, there's Margie and Trudy.
They'd be glad
to take care of him.
And I personally
will mix its drinks.
[chuckles]
I, uh
I mean, supervise its formula.
- Well, what do you say, honey?
- Well, alright.
Good. Okay, fellas, Alice
and I'll drive down tomorrow.
Boy, if this Camp Kilson deal
works out
we're really in the chips.
And, Mac,
that goes for you, too.
After all, this was your idea.
(Trudy)
'Good evening, everyone.'
[instrumental music]
Has anyone a light?
Now, uh, ahem,
as you were saying..
Excuse me.
[instrumental music]
[coughing]
What are you dressed for?
I have a date.
- Whose dress is that?
- Ms. O'Connor's.
Oh. At it again, huh? Remember,
don't touch that mink coat.
If Mr. McKeever can wear
Mr. O'Connor's clothes
I guess
I can wear Ms. O'Connor"s.
[humming]
(Jim) 'Hey! Be careful
with that thing.'
Oh, it's not loaded. See?
[trigger clicking]
I know all about guns.
My father used to take me
quail hunting.
I thought your old man
was a drunkard.
He hunted quail
while he was drunk.
[chuckles]
He thought they were ducks.
Well, if you know all about guns
you certainly should know
how to aim it.
Show me how you do it.
Well,
the army taught us this way.
First
you place the butt of the gun
firmly
against the right shoulder.
Mm-hmm.
Left hand well forward
under the barrel.
Now you take a good aim.
Now, with the right forefinger
firmly on the trigger
you squeeze gently.
Squeeze..
...tighter.
Tighter.
Tighter.
[gunshot]
[glass shattering]
(Aloysius)
'It sounded like a shot.'
[both laughing]
'What happened in there?'
J Speak my heart
and tell the one I love [
J The one I'm dreaming of J
J How much I yearn J
J She's very near to me,
oh very near to me [
J And yet it's clear to me J
Trudy.
J You never know J
Hello, dad.
J My my I'm all aglow [
Well, what a surprise.
So this is why I had to come
all the way to New York.
Trudy, I'm a very busy man.
Now, get in the car.
Get in the car, please.
J Whisper "I love you too" [
- Now, then..
- Now, look, dad.
Before you say anything
I'm not going back
to finishing school.
- And why not?
- Because I'm finished.
Besides, I've met somebody, dad.
Somebody I like very much.
- In fact, I'm in love.
- Oh, that's ridiculous.
- Why, you're only 18.
- My goodness!
A girl of 18 is practically
middle-aged nowadays.
Women get married at 11
in India.
Yeah, but this isn't India.
- Joe, drive to the house.
- You can't do that.
Yeah.. Well, why?
Why can't I go to my own house?
Because I'm staying there, only
they don't know that I'm me.
Who don't know that you're you?
- Mr. McKeever and Jim.
- Well, who the blazes are they?
Mr. McKeever is the man
who moves in when you move out.
Do you mean to say you invited
two men to live in my house?
No, they just moved in.
At least Mr. McKeever did.
- Oh. And who is this Jim?
- Oh, he's wonderful.
He thinks I'm a thief,
and you're a drunkard
and that you beat me.
This is fantastic.
Squatters living in my house.
Joe, stop the car and pick up
the nearest officer
you can find.
Alright, dad. Call the officer.
Call the whole police force.
Have it your way. You always do.
Trudy. Trudy,
where are you going?
That's no concern of yours
from now on, dad. Goodbye.
- Taxi!
- Trudy, wait a minute. Trudy!
Trudy. Trudy.
Trudy. Trudy.
[engine revving]
Joe, drive to
the Waldorf Towers, and hurry.
Yes, ma'am.
[engine revving]
Now, Trudy, Listen. I..
Why, I beg your pardon?
[mumbles]
I beg yours.
Why..
I'm too old to be chasing
all over town after you.
You know, honey,
I'm still your father.
Now, please sit down.
Now, let's talk this over
like two sensible people.
'What's troubling you, Trudy?'
Dad, I'm terribly unhappy.
Well, why, dear?
I've given you every luxury
a girl could want.
And you think I should be happy.
I used to be, years ago,
when I was little.
- When you were little? Why..
- It's true, dad.
Everything was wonderful then
because I had you and mother
and... that's all that counted.
And then something happened.
I never did know just what.
You and mother separated.
I was sent off to school..
And I'd lie awake nights
trying to figure it out.
I've been lonely, dad.
That's why I ran away.
How long have you known
this Jim?
All my life, it seems.
What do you want me to do?
Meet Jim.
Alright, I'll meet him.
You will?
Thanks, dad.
Oh..
But not as Michael O'Connor.
Yeah.. And what's wrong
with Michael O'Connor?
Nothing,
but if he knew who you were..
- Well, I'd always be wondering.
- About what?
If he were really thinking of me
or your bank account.
- Oh, Trudy, that's...
- Oh, please, dad.
You've always had your way.
Let me have mine, just once?
Okay. Now what?
[instrumental music]
There, there you are.
Twelve dollars.
Already you look good.
- Yeah.
- Here. Here's your hat.
[chuckling]
Yeah. There you are.
Yeah.. Oh, Trudy.
This is positively outrageous!
You're not satisfied? Alright.
I throw into the bargain
another hat.
It should maybe come
from the head of a duke.
Yes. Yes, I'm sure it did.
I'm sure.
Well, pay him the money,
let's get, uh..
- Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
- Huh?
How much will you allow me
for these?
- Well, six dollars.
- Yeah.
Six dollars for a brand-new
tailor-made outfit?
- Your-your suit is all-wool.
- Why, certainly it's all-wool.
- Oh, that's bad.
- Yeah. Wool is bad?
Yeah, look,
when the moths are hearing
I got here an all-wool suit,
one moth tells the other.
They're coming for a banquet.
They're bringing their friends.
Pretty soon
I got here a moth convention.
A spray gun I gotta buy.
Insecticide I gotta buy..
All night long
I'm staying and spraying.
I'm not coming home.
My wife is getting mad.
She's leaving for Reno.
She's getting a divorce.
What am I getting?
Custody of the moths.
Alimony I am paying.
Payments I am missing.
To jail I'm going.
My business I'm losing.
I'm a bum.
All because
you are bringing in here
an all-wool suit.
Pay him quick before
he names me correspondent.
J It's a wonderful
wonderful feeling J
J I've never felt this way
before J
J Lady Luck
is going to come my way [
J Something fate has in store [
J With a blue sky above
for a ceiling J
J My feet
hardly touching the floor
J I feel so happy
the whole day long [
J Feel like bursting
right out in song J
J There's a rainbow
around my heart J
J And it fits me like a glove J
J Feel so marvelous
feel so wonderful J
J All the world's is love J
J It's a wonderful
wonderful feeling J
J I've never felt this way
before.. ll
Oh. Look at that poor man
on the bench.
- What's the matter with him?
- Can't you see?
He's cold and hungry.
- How can you see he's hungry?
- Well, he must be.
Mr. McKeever,
couldn't we invite him?
Trudy, please. You know
how crowded the house is now.
And we can't take in
every tramp in New York.
Oh, there's lots of food
and lots of room.
- Hello.
- Hello.
What's your name?
Mike.
Hi, Mike. I'm Trudy.
And this is Jim.
- How are you?
- Hi.
I've seen your face some place.
Could be. I've been following it
around for a long time.
This hooligan been trying
to make a touch, lady?
Oh, no, officer. He...
If it's a place to sleep
you want, try a flophouse.
If you're hungry,
try the soup kitchens.
But no loafing in the park.
- Go on. Beat it.
- Now, look...
Oh, but, officer,
he's a friend of mine. Ours.
In fact, he's a relative.
Don't worry, officer.
We'll take care of him.
Oh, the poor man.
He's weak from hunger.
He doesn't look
undernourished to me.
My good man, would you care to
come home
and have a bite with us?
Of course, he would.
(male #2)
'And there on your right'
'that big, brownstone mansion
that's all boarded up'
'that is the townhouse
of the great industrial wizard'
"Michael J. O'Connor'
'the second-richest man
in the world.'
- Is this my home or a laundry?
- Shh.
[chuckles]
Well, Mike.
You see, we're all
one big happy family here.
- Now make yourself at home.
- I'll try.
Uh, mighty nice, uh,
lounging robe you have there.
Ah, I'm glad you like it. Say..
You know, I believe
we're about the same size.
Maybe I'll let you
wear it sometime.
Oh. I wouldn't deprive you.
Cigar smells pretty good, too.
Well, I, I might let you
smoke one sometime.
Thank you.
Now you better go and scrub up
a bit. You're pretty dirty.
I'll, uh, I'll go
and rustle you up some food.
He tells me to scrub up. Ah!
(Trudy)
'Oh, Mike, are you alright?'
Oh! What happened? Are you hurt?
Yeah. Trudy, who is this woman?
And why has she erected
a gallows in the reception hall?
Uh. This is Margie, Mike.
I'm terribly sorry. But we have
to hang the wash in here.
- Why?
- Well..
We can't very well
hang it outside. Can we?
Trudy, I don't mean
to be inquisitive
but how many people
are living in this house?
Maybe I should install
a room clerk.
[hammering]
- Great Scott! What's that?
- That's Jim.
He's building a barracks
in the cellar.
A barrack..
Isn't this house big enough?
Does he have to build
a barracks in the cellar?
- 'Come and get it, Mike!
- Come and get what?
- Shh. Food.
- Yeah. Oh.
Trudy. Trudy, take a look.
A complete model.
Each barrack, when partitioned
off, will house 12 families.
Two bedrooms, bath, living room,
kitchen for each.
Jim, that's wonderful.
Mike, Jim and Whitey
are going to buy army barracks
from the government and
transform 'em into model houses.
- 'It's a wonderful idea.'
- Great.
I suggest they build
a model poorhouse, too
so they can all move in
when the idea fizzles.
Well, that's gratitude for you.
You feed a guy like that
and he gets sarcastic.
Yeah, what's he sore about?
Oh, he'll be more sociable
when he eats. Won't you?
Well, go ahead, Mike. Dig in.
Um, um, uh, I better not.
Something lighter, perhaps. Hm.
Maybe he'd like to have
some crepes Suzettes.
Yeah, or some breast
of humming bird on toast.
All I want is milk and crackers
that is,
if you gentlemen don't mind.
- Milk and crackers?
- Ulcers.
- Only the rich get ulcers.
- Oh.
What he means is
that he hasn't eaten for so long
his stomach won't hold
solid food.
Mike, isn't that it?
Yes, that's what
I should have said.
(Jim) 'Trudy, don't
forget the baby's milk.'
Oh, my goodness. I forgot.
Oh, it's way past
his feeding time.
[instrumental music]
Hm.
Great little mother, isn't she?
Hm, mother.
Mother?
Baby?
Oh, no, it can't be.
She's been in school.
[instrumental music]
Baby!
[baby bawling]
[Trudy humming]
Oh, my.
Trudy, I'd like to have
a talk with you.
Does it have to be right now?
Right now. It's most important.
Now, first I want to ask..
Hello.
Hello, sweetie. Yes.
Look at the little darling.
Isn't he an angel?
Look, he's got dimples
just like yours.
Uh, um, madam, would you mind
if I spoke with my, uh
with Trudy alone, please?
[door shuts]
Trudy..
...I have just thought this
all over.
What's done is done.
I consent to the marriage.
'You're still my daughter,
and I'll stand by your choice.'
Oh, dad, you will? Really?
Of course I will, darling.
[chuckles]
But just tell me one thing.
Where did you meet
this, uh, Jim?
How did all this happen?
I don't really know myself.
He was just another man
when I first met him.
I think it happened
in the ice box.
[baby bawling]
In the ice box?
'We were hiding
from the gates patrol.'
It was cold,
and his arm was around me.
'Mr. McKeever was there, too.'
McKeever was there?
Oh, yes. The whole time.
[chuckles] He wanted to send me
away afterwards, but I wouldn't go.
=.
'He's really very nice.
Yeah, he must be.
'You'll like, Jim, too, when
you get to know him better.'
Uh, I'm sure I will.
Well, I guess there's no use
crying over spilled milk.
- You say you love this fellow?
- Very much.
Very well, then. If you're
married, you're married.
Congratulations.
You have my blessing.
But, dad, we're not married.
- You're not married?
- No, he hasn't asked me yet.
- He has..
- Jim's funny.
He takes his time
about doing things.
[mumbles]
He-he does, eh?
I don't even know
if he wants to marry me.
If he wa..
[baby bawling]
Ooh.. What kind of a man is he?
That chicken-hearted blaggard,
AT KA him.
I'll kill him
with my bare hands!
That rat in mouse's clothing.
[baby bawling]
(Alice)
Hello.
(Hank) 'Did you think we
were never coming back?'
(Alice) 'How did you
like playing nursemaid?'
(Trudy)
'I enjoyed every minute of it.'
[Alice chuckles]
Aw. Hello, darling.
Did you get lonesome for mommy?
Say, I hope
he wasn't much bother?
Not at all.
I only wish he were mine.
Um, pardon me.
Is that your baby?
Well, my husband
has a half interest.
Uh-huh? She's a pretty
little thing, isn't he?
Well, Hank,
what's the real dope?
What happened in Washington?
Oh, brother.
What a merry-go-round that is.
I've been through
so many revolving doors
I'm still traveling in circles.
Well, they're willing to sell
the land, barracks and all.
- But there's a catch.
- Yeah, there always is.
They've had an offer
of a 150,000.
And the property
is to be sold in ten days
to the highest bidder.
Buck up. We're not licked yet.
We'll offer them a 160,000.
Who will offer who a 160,0007?
Gentlemen, there's no harm
in making an offer.
If they accept,
then is the time to worry about
where you're gonna get
the 160,000.
The essence of big business,
gentlemen
is never put one worry
ahead of another.
[instrumental music]
Here you are, Mike.
Well, thank you.
You're terribly sloppy.
You'll have to be more orderly,
or you can't stay.
Matter of fact,
your staying here tonight
is against my better judgment.
I'm sorry to inconvenience you.
Well, it's these spells
you have, these fits.
Now, I can't have you upstairs
near the women and children.
You'll have to sleep in
the servant's room, downstairs.
Sam sleeps in there, too.
He'll bark about 7 a.m.
Let him out in the yard.
I won't have to get up so early.
[Aloysius whistling]
[intense music]
[instrumental music]
Hello, Phillips. It's me.
Did Farrow get back
from Washington?
Uh, no, sir, Mr. O'Connor.
He's flying in tomorrow morning.
Well, tell him
I'll call him at the office.
No, no, no. I'm not kidnapped.
Well, I'm in town,
in an ice box.
Uh, I can't tell you where.
In the meantime, listen.
Wire Wickersham and tell him
I'll take six million
for that West Coast chain. Ah.
Did Mason make an offer
for that steel mill lease?
What? Million and a half?
'Ah, nah. Tell him no soap.'
Nothing less than three million.
And if American Foods goes up
a half a point tomorrow
sell a 100,000 shares.
Right, and if you..
Mike, come out of that ice box.
Mike, If you insist
on using the telephone in here
I'd suggest
you wear an overcoat.
I know it's a great temptation,
but you must control it.
Control what?
This playing
at being a millionaire.
Just because you're living
in a millionaire's house
don't let it get you.
Maybe I'm a millionaire!
[chuckling]
Alright, Mike.
You're a millionaire.
Now, come on. You've got
a million dishes to wash.
N-not with that.
You might break them.
Come on.
[instrumental music]
[Sam growling]
Ah, uh, uh, please,
uh, over here.
[Sam growling]
Uh, uh, not here. Over there.
[grunting]
Can I get in bed with you?
No, go get in bed
with your father.
- I can't.
- 'Why not?'
'Cause he's in bed
with my mother.
Look, sonny. I'm tired
and I want to get some sleep.
Now, you run along now. I'm sure
the sandman is looking for you.
Goodnight, sonny.
Goodnight. Go..
Have a good-good-good..
[Sam barking]
- Dad. Dad, are you awake?
- 'Awake?'
(Michael) 'How could anybody
sleep in this bear trap?'
'Turn on those lights.'
Shh. You'll wake
the whole house up.
Alright. Let 'em wake up.
Help me up out of here.
- What happened?
- Help me up.
Well, help me up.
Trudy,
let me tell you something.
I control a dozen corporations.
Coal mines, steamships,
railroads.
I push a button
and make a bank president.
But never in my whole life has
anyone ever made a fool of me.
Washing dishes.
A servant in my own house
to a crowd of squatters.
Yeah, a valet to a dog.
He barks at 7:00 and I have
to take him for a promenade.
And as for that Mr. McBeetle
who smokes my cigars
and wears my clothes
and drinks my brandy
he's leaving this house
in the morning.
Yes, and that goes
for your precious Jim, too.
But, dad, you promised.
And where would they go?
They have no place, and this big
house with nobody living in it..
It just isn't right.
And as for, Jim..
Yeah, he'll be the first to go.
Believe me. Yeah..
What kind of a man is he?
Why doesn't he go to work?
He's going to, dad.
He's got a marvelous idea.
'He's really going places.'
He sure is,
right out on the sidewalk.
- 'But, dad... '
- I've had enough.
Now, Trudy, listen,
I want all of these people
out of this house in 24 hours
or I'm having them arrested
for vagrancy and trespassing.
- Oh, dad. Please...
- You heard me.
Twenty-four hours,
or I'm calling the police.
Goodnight.
[Sam barking]
Hello. Western Union?
I wanna send a telegram, please.
To Mrs. Marry O'Connor.
Royal Palms Hotel.
Palm Beach, Florida.
Dear mother.
Please fly New York at once.
Will contact you.
Waldorf Towers.
Terribly urgent.
Love, Trudy.
[instrumental music]
Yes, darling, I'm sure
you're in love with this Jim.
You have all the symptoms.
'What does your father
think of him?'
Dad's going to have him
arrested.
Well, whatever for? Loving you?
No, for trespassing.
(Mary) 'Well that's the same
thing, isn't it? To your father.'
I think it's awful of him,
mother.
Those people haven't done
a single thing
but live
in that big, old vacant house.
Well, there must be
more than one way to skin a cat
or an O'Connor.
Of course, darling, I haven't
seen your father in four years.
[chuckles]
But I think I know just how
to cope with the situation.
'Your household will have
to make room for another guest.'
- You, mother?
- Why not?
- 'Oh, well... '
- Oh, don't worry.
I won't give anything away.
Oh, mother, you're an angel.
I can't understand
how dad ever let you go.
Aw, honey, there are lots
of things about your father
that are difficult
to understand.
Well, now take my face off and..
Oh, where am I going to find
some old clothes?
I know just the place.
[instrumental music]
(Aloysius)
'Mike.'
Rule number one in this house
is never come in or go out
through that front door.
- Uh, I'm sorry.
- W-where did you get the key?
I, uh, I found the key
while I was cleaning.
Well, come on. Hand it over.
[clicks tongue]
I must be dreaming.
Smells like slumgullion.
Slumgullion?
Uh, it's a kind
of an Irish stew.
I haven't eaten it for years.
As a matter of fact,
it was on account of slumgullion
I fell in love and got married.
Must be quite a dish.
Yes, she was.
Uh, my wife made
the finest slumgullion
in the whole state.
- Wife?
- Well, I don't see her anymore.
- Ah..
- We're divorced.
[sniffing]
By George, that is slumgullion.
Yeah, could be.
We've got a cook now.
[instrumental music]
Slumgullion.
Tastes familiar?
Mary.
Hello, Michael.
Well, this is a surprise.
I thought it would be.
May I ask
what are you doing here?
Same thing you're doing here.
Came to meet Jim.
Oh. And have you had
that extreme pleasure?
I have, and I found him to be
everything Trudy said he was.
Oh, indeed, indeed.
You've taken on a little weight
since I last saw you
in the wrong places.
It's the clothes. And you're
no Van Johnson yourself.
I can remember
when you only had one chin.
Indeed. Well, let me tell you...
- Shh!
- Stop shushing me! I won't..
We're going to dispose of
this nonsense once and for all.
Imagine an 18-year-old girl
wanting to marry this...
- You married me when I was 17.
- And look what happened to us.
Nothing happened to us
that a little fidelity
couldn't have cured.
Are you accusing me
of infidelity?
I am. You left me
and married your money.
Nonsense.
And besides,
I resent your being here.
'Trudy belongs in school,
and that's where she's going.'
Shh. Not so loud.
You listen to me,
Michael O'Connor.
Trudy is in love
with a young man
and she wants to win him the
hard way, not with your money.
Instead of admiring her for it,
you're fighting her
just as you've always
battled anyone
who wouldn't bend to your will.
You just haven't the courage
to see this through.
- Oh, I haven't?
- That's what I said.
I can stick this out
just as long as you can.
Longer, do you hear? Longer.
- That I'll have to see.
- Ah. I'll give you three days.
Three days
over these pots and pans
with your manicured fingernails
and then you'll slink back
to Palm Beach
and your favorite beauty parlor.
- Ha!
- 'And another thing.'
(Michael) 'You might as
well realize right now'
'that this house isn't
big enough for both of us.'
(Mary)
'Alright. When are you leaving?'
Hey, what goes on in here?
(Trudy) 'Mike and Mary
had a little argument'
'but it's all over now.'
A new cook, and already
a fight in the kitchen?
You know, you two should learn
to get along together.
[sniffing]
Stew!
Mary, if this tastes
as good as it smells
you're gonna be
my new pin-up girl.
[laughs]
Thanks.
But Trudy's
been helping me with it.
Oh, she has, huh?
Well, keep her busy.
Mike, I want you
to quit picking on Mary.
Good cooks are hard to find.
(Jim) 'Cookie, I've got
some great news for you.'
(Trudy)
'I'm all ears.'
Whitey and Hank
got a couple hundred
of the boys together, they're
all steamed up and raring to go.
Between the gang of us, we've
averaged about 500 a piece.
'And I went to see the Wheeler
Construction Company today.'
'They went for the idea
in a big way.'
'They may even put up
the rest of the money we need.'
- "Tell me more.'
- 'I'm seeing..'
(Jim) 'The head of
the outfit on Friday.'
Boy, if this idea works out
I'll buy this joint
from O'Connor.
[telephone ringing]
- Hello?
- Hello, Farrow. It's me.
Listen,
do we still own an interest
in Wheeler Construction?
Good. Now pay attention.
There's a young man coming in
there Friday named Jim Bullock.
He has some half-baked ideas
about model houses
or barracks or something.
I want them to disregard
the idea and offer him a job.
Yes. Yes. I don't ca..
I don't care if it's teaching
Eskimos the boogie-woogie
or milking whales in Patagonia
only it must be
out of the country.
Huh? Anywhere.
Uh, make it Bolivia.
The farther away the better.
There's only one stipulation.
He has to be a single man.
Single, you idi..
That means unmarried. Yeah.
I don't care.
Make up any excuse.
Only offer him enough
so that he can't refuse.
Yeah, right. You got it?
Okay. Now, how about
that property?
We've been topped again.
The price is now a 185,000.
Offer 'em a 190,000.
I don't care if we're bucking
Morgan and Chase.
I want that property.
'Well, if you need cash,
transfer a couple of million'
'from the Chicago house. Right?'
- Oh, Mike.
- Hm?
I'm sorry to interrupt
your negotiations.
I know you have millions
and millions of dollars
hanging in the balance.
But, Mike, you didn't
make your bed this morning.
[indistinct chatter]
Don't hold back. There's
plenty more in the kitchen.
(Alice) 'Well, will you
hand me the butter, please?'
May I have a bit more, please?
Well, what about
your milk-and-cracker diet?
Uh, my stomach's a lot better.
That proves
what I've always believed.
Indigestion is caused
by unhappiness.
'If you don't like the things
the world makes you do'
you're not hungry.
But if you smile
and you're happy
you enjoy life
and you're hungry all the time.
I wonder if the O'Connors
were as happy
in this house as we are.
Happy?
'From what I hear'
'they're the most snarled'
'uppest people
in the whole world!
- What's wrong with them?
- Plenty.
Now you take Michael O'Connor
for example.
A poor boy who became
the second-richest man
in the world.
Almost the richest,
uh, uh, so I hear.
Yeah, and is he happy?
I should say not.
'They tell me he's one of'
'the worst-tempered men
in the country.'
I hear O'Connor is so high-hat,
he won't accept a glass of beer
unless it's got
a winged collar on it.
He must hate photographers.
Nobody's ever seen his picture
in the papers.
Yeah. What does the guy
look like?
An octopus.
Now, Jim, let's have
no personalities please.
After all, we are living
in O'Connor's house.
And eating his food
and wearing his clothes.
Which reminds me,
he needs some new white shirts.
Now, as I was about to say
he's a sourpuss
with a sour stomach
that's so engrossed
in his holding companies
'that he couldn't hold
his wife and family together.'
Maybe his wife
walked out on him.
If she's smart, she ran.
(Aloysius) 'From what I
hear, she's no bargain either.'
[chokes]
They say
she's really snarled up.
Lives in a big house
down at Palm Beach
and spends most of her time
'trying not to admit
she's a middle-aged woman.'
Suppose we talk about
something else, hm?
You're right, Mary.
It's a waste of breath.
- Mike, you had enough?
- I've had plenty.
Oh, Mike. Your dishes.
Now, please be
a little more careful of them.
I found a couple of 'em
chipped last night.
You see what I mean, Mike?
These shelves were jam-packed
when all you people
came to live with me.
When I lived here alone,
what I ate was never missed.
But 11 of us!
Well, that would make a dent
in any larder.
Mike, it looks as though you
and I will have to go to work.
Me? Work? Oh, no. Ha-ha..
Why, Trudy's working.
Jim and the other boys
chip in money for food.
Mary does the cooking, and I..
Well, I sort of supervise.
I tell you, Mike
honest labor never hurt any man.
At least it never did me.
Yeah, that I can understand.
And it's not going
to hurt me either.
Now, get this,
neither you nor any man
is going to make me do
manual labor! And that's final.
- Oh, but, Mike...
- No, no, sir.
No, that's going too far.
Oh, no.
[instrumental "Jingle Bells"]
[grunts]
- Well, you're doing fine, Mike.
- Yeah.
You know, we're getting a dollar
an hour for this job.
Not bad, huh?
After we get this cleared off,
I've arranged for another one.
The movie theater
down the street.
Uh, don't tire yourself out.
Well, we-we're getting
a-dollar-ten for that job.
Say, you know,
I think I can help you.
Why, I wouldn't want you
to exert yourself at all.
Well, after all,
I should be doing something.
Ah.
I know what.
I'll get you a bigger shovel.
[instrumental music]
Mr.
Shh!
Shh. Quick, quick, quick.
Get in the car. Get in the car.
Don't look surprised.
Get in the car.
- Mr. O'Connor, w-what is this?
- Now, now, now wait a minute.
Now don't ask questions,
just answer them.
What about
that government property?
Our offer's been topped again.
Our opponents, whoever they are,
have gone to 195.
Ah. Well, offer them 200,000.
Any clue as to who's bucking us?
Not yet. But don't worry, sir.
I won't let it drop.
Good, good, good.
Now, what about
that young fellow?
- Young fellow?
- That Jim Bullock.
- The fellow I phoned you about.
- Oh, yes.
He was in to see Henderson
of Wheeler Construction
this morning.
Henderson has full instructions
to offer him
that job in Bolivia.
Ah. Excellent, Farrow.
Excellent.
Now, if he accepts, and there's
no reason why he shouldn't
all of my troubles are over.
Ha-ha!
Well, okay, Farrow.
See you later.
Uh, Mr. O'Connor,
a-are you alright?
Never felt better
in my life. Heh.
- Mr. O'Connor. Your shovel.
- Yes? Yeah.
Oh, oh, thank you,
thank you, thank you.
Come on, Mike, hurry up.
Here, let me help you.
Oh, thank you.
(Mary) 'Mike, have
you had a hard day?'
No, nothing to speak of.
I merely shoveled snow off
half of Manhattan, that's all.
Be careful, Mike.
Something cracked.
That was my back.
Oh, Mike, it did you good!
You have color in your cheeks.
Why, you look
positively healthy.
I'm sick. I'm dying.
Hello, boys.
Yeah. Hello, Jim.
Oh, hello, Mike.
Ah-ah! Careful
of those Christmas bulbs.
Well, looks like you fellows
are expecting Santa Claus.
Confidentially, there ain't
no Santa Claus. We know.
Anything wrong?
Uh, how'd you make out?
I mean with, uh,
uh, Wheeler Construction?
They turned thumbs down
on our proposition
but they did offer me a job
in Bolivia.
Twelve-thousand a year
and all expenses.
Well, that's great, Jim.
That's a lot of money.
Uh, when are you leaving?
Are you kiddin'?
Why would I wanna go to Bolivia?
Well, wonderful country,
fine climate.
Beautiful girls down there.
They're not bad up here either.
Uh, but-but, Jim..
Bolivia is the tin capital
of the world.
Look, Mike,
I like the good old USA
and that ain't tin.
If I can't make a living here,
then I'll give up.
Besides, I couldn't let
guys like Hank and Whitey down.
They and a hundred others
have put their time
faith and dough into an idea.
I'd be a heel to walk out.
I don't wanna be inquisitive
but, uh, what is this big idea
you think is so important?
I know it has something to do
with barracks...
An army camp.
The government's selling
and we're trying to buy it.
Army camp. Oh.
- Where?
- Just outside the city.
You mean, Camp Kilson?
Mike, you're a bright boy.
Go to the head of the class.
Yeah, we thought
we could get it cheap
but some drip
has bid us up to a 190,000.
(Jim)
Oh, excuse me, Mike.
You mean to say you fellas
have been bidding
on that property?
Well, sure. Say, Mike,
why are you so interested?
Oh, um, I'm-I'm not interested.
Doesn't mean anything to me.
Only I..
[chuckles]
I was just wondering, uh
what are you using for money?
- Clam shells?
- No.
We've got a 100,000 that
we collected from our partners.
Fellows just like us.
Yeah, but you bid
up to a 190,000.
That's way over your capital.
We know it,
but we'll get the dough.
Tomorrow is another day.
We're not licked yet.
Hello.
Have you ever seen Santa Claus?
Sonny
there are some people
who think I'm Santa Claus.
Why?
[instrumental music]
Yeah. A little more
to the right, Mary.
Down a little further.
Yeah. That's it. That's it.
Ah..
[chuckles]
I feel better already.
- Mary?
- Yes, Mike.
Do you remember
that old railroad flat we had?
Twelve dollars a month,
and we thought it was expensive.
Well, it was the nicest flat
on the block.
Hm.
Remember how we used
to sit out on the front steps
on hot summer nights?
Me with my can of beer
and you
with your bag of cherries
spitting the stones
at Finnegan's goat.
[laughing]
Yes, only it wasn't Finnegan's.
It was Murphy's goat.
No, no, no, it was Finnegan's.
Oh, I guess I ought to know
which goat I spit at.
[chuckles]
That was fun, wasn't it?
We had lots of friends
in those days.
Real friends.
Yes, and you had lots of muscle.
Real muscle.
Now you're flabby
as an old seal.
Yeah, who's flabby? Ah..
Ow. Ow! Oh.
[laughing]
- Mary.
- Yeah.
Mike.
I must ask you, Mike,
to return to your room at once.
[mumbles]
Now, just a minute, you...
Go to your room.
Hm.
Hm.
Mary, I'll talk to you
in the morning.
[laughing]
[instrumental music]
What's the matter?
- Jim.
- Yeah?
If my name weren't Trudy Smith,
if it were something else
would it matter?
Oh, Cookie, I don't know
and I don't care
what your name is.
But whatever it is,
the minute I land a job
I'll give you a chance
to change it.
[vacuum cleaner whirring]
Good morning, Mary.
Good morning, Mike.
How's your back?
Well, fair on one side,
bad on the other.
Oh, Mike.
I didn't sleep very well
last night.
I think this mattress
ought to be turned over.
Will you give me a hand, please?
I hope you and Mary don't think
I was being a bit stuffy
about last night.
Only, you must remember, there
are young people in the house
'and we older folks
mustn't set a bad example.'
I assure you, Mr. McKeever,
it was all perfectly innocent.
Well, let's forget it.
Except that I hope
I didn't give you the impression
that I was opposed to a man
and woman falling in love.
(Aloysius)
'Now, you take this bed.'
'It was made
for a man and his wife.'
'Only, the wife is in Florida'
'and the husband
is in Virginia.'
You know
when you think of all the people
who fall out of love
even though they have everything
it's kind of nice to think
of people like you
falling in love.
Uh, look, Mac.
There are some things that
you just don't quite understand.
Oh, yes, I do, Mike.
It's very plain.
Mary is in love with you.
[music on music box]
[knocking on door]
-'May I come in?'
- Sure.
Mike, I've been thinking.
Why don't you and Mary
get married?
Married?
It might be the best thing
in the world for both of you.
Might make something
of your lives.
- Maybe it's too late.
- Oh, it's never too late.
Now, you take Mike here.
He's a nice-enough fellow.
But what has he made
of his existence?
Absolutely nothing.
Now, Mary is a fine woman
and a fine cook.
Responsibility would be
the best thing for both of you.
'And marriage
means responsibility.'
Whatever you do..
...don't end up like me.
You know,
if I were a younger man
I might be asking Mary
to marry me.
Oh..
[chuckling]
Think it over.
[door shuts]
[music on music box]
[music stops]
Oh, Mary, what's the matter
with both of us?
'Why don't we call
all this off?"
Call what off, Michael?
Mary, listen to me.
I love you very much.
I've always loved you.
There's never been another woman
in my life but you.
No, I mean that.
Why do think
I've been hanging around here
submitting to all this?
Because you're here,
because I want you.
Because I've been hoping
I've been hoping that we might..
Mary, I never wanted
that divorce.
I never wanted it either.
- Oh.
- Oh..
Oh, Michael.
You seem to have changed.
It's almost like old times.
I have changed and I'm going
to change even more. I promise.
[piano music]
J Some holly wreaths
and mistletoe
J A great big Christmas tree
J A winter's day
with lots of show J
J That's what
Christmas means to me J
J Just sitting by the fireside [
As warm as we can be J
g With all our loved ones
by our side J
J That's what
Christmas means to me J
J Open house
for friends and neighbors J
J Bringing merry cheer J
J Church bells ringing
voices singing J
J Carols sweet and clear s
J I pray the Lord
to bless again J
J This land of liberty J
J With peace on Earth
goodwill to man J
J That's what
Christmas means to me J
J Open house
for friends and neighbors J
J Bringing merry cheer J
J Church bells ringing
voices singing J
J Carols sweet and clear s
J I pray the Lord
to bless again J
J This land of liberty J
J With peace on Earth
goodwill to man ll
Alright, folks,
that's enough of that.
Just as I suspected.
Well, I'll be a monkey's orphan.
Oh, come, sir.
Your family connections
must be better than that.
Alright, Santa,
saddle up your reindeer
and let's gallop
down to headquarters.
Now, one moment, gentlemen.
These people
are not doing any harm.
They're not thieves,
nor are they vandals.
- Who are you?
- McKeever's the name.
Aloysius T. McKeever.
And I wish you
a very Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
How long
you've been living here?
Well, I've been here
for the past three winters.
'And speaking
for my friends here'
they're very nice people.
Ex-servicemen
with their wives and children
who are merely, shall we say
taking advantage
of much-needed shelter.
You wouldn't want to arrest them
on Christmas Eve.
- Now, would you?
- No.
And this nice couple here
'is Mary and Mike
who are soon to be married.'
You see, romance has flourished
within our boarded windows.
Oh, Mary, this is the nicest
Christmas present I've ever had.
Thank you, dear.
Mike.
I'm happy. Terribly happy.
Congratulations.
Been married 22 years myself.
- Well, well.
- Twenty-two years?
My, that's wonderful!
Yeah, marriage is a great thing.
No family should be without it.
Now, take my wife,
a great little woman.
Sits home night after night.
All alone, on Christmas Eve?
All alone, and never a beef.
Well, call her up
and ask her to come on over.
- No kidding? You mean it?
- Of course I do.
- How about it, folks??
- "Why, sure. Go ahead.'
(Jim) 'Tell her to come on
over. We'll have some fun.'
Gee, that's swell of you people.
Myrtle would sure like that.
A great little woman.
Hello, Myrtle.
It's me, Cecil. Your husband.
Yeah, honey.
I'm at a little party.
It's that big gloomy-looking
joint on Fifth Avenue.
- 'The O'Connor place.'
- Uh..
Tell her not to come in
through the front door.
We have a hole
in the back fence.
Don't come
through the front door.
There's a hole
in the back fence.
You crawl through the hole and..
How could you say that, baby?
I ain't touched a drop.
That isn't nice, Myrtle.
Well, if that's the way
you feel..
She says
she ain't got nothing to wear.
Myrtle's a great little woman.
We've been married 22 years.
She ain't never laid a fist
on me, except in self-defense.
Well,
thanks for the invite anyway.
We'll be running along.
They're not doing any harm,
are they?
Hello. Brady reporting.
Okay at the O'Connor house.
Exceptionally okay.
Eee-ha! How about it, everybody?
J For he's a jolly good fellow
for he's a jolly good fellow [
J For
he's a jolly good fellow /7
Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
Wait a minute, please!
Folks. Do us a favor, will you?
Don't sing so loud.
It leaks through the boards.
Anything you say, gentlemen.
Will you have some cigars?
- Oh, thanks.
- Gee, thanks.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
- Uh, may I have one, please?
- Oh, sure.
Uh, thank you.
Well, folks,
you can stay for the holidays.
But try and be gone
after New Year's.
You know, if O'Connor heard
about this, we'd get fired!
Well, take care of things,
will you?
- Yeah.
- Oh, boy, are these good.
[piano music]
Jim. What's the matter?
Oh, nothing.
Oh, now, something's wrong.
What is it?
Well, we've lost out.
That barracks property's
been sold.
Sold?
Well, who'd they sell it to?
To Michael J. O'Connor.
Here, read it and weep.
(Jim) 'Well, boys,
that washes us up.'
(Whitey)
"" Outbidding all competitors'
"" industrial wizard
Michael J. O'Connor'
'has today added Camp Kilson
to his other vast holdings."
(Jim) 'How about that
O'Connor? How do you like that?'
(Hank) 'Yeah, he wants to buy
up everything in this city.'
'Doesn't leave anything
for anyone else.'
(Jim) 'He's got just about
everything now I guess.'
(Hank)
'Yeah.'
(Mary)
'Oh, uh, Mike.'
Yeah, now look, Mary,
how did I know
they were bidding
on that property?
- I'm no mind-reader.
- Mm-hmm.
When did you find out?
It was
just a couple of days ago.
I only did
what I considered right
from a business standpoint.
- After all, I...
- Don't get belligerent.
- I didn't say anything.
- But you're thinking.
- Of course I'm thinking.
- Hm.
I'm thinking what a nice
Christmas present it would be
for Trudy and Jim and the rest.
Oh, their idea is harebrained
and nonsensical.
- It won't make a dime.
- Oh, maybe not.
But it'll make
an awful lot of people happy.
You never did understand
that business and sentiment
don't mix.
Why is it that every..
Oh, look, Mary.
Let's not get sidetracked
in a silly financial discussion.
Why should we start off
arguing again?
Michael J. O'Connor..
...I was wrong.
You haven't changed a bit
and you never will. Never.
[instrumental music]
Jim! Jim, it's beautiful!
I didn't like the idea
of you going around
in borrowed clothes.
I hope it fits.
- It will.
- Here, let me help you.
Oh, it's lovely.
[music continues]
(Jim)
'Cookie, it may not be mink'
"'but you sure make it
look like it.'
I really can't take it, Jim.
Why not? It's a gift.
I know,
but you shouldn't have done it.
- 'You can't afford it.'
- Well, it's Christmas.
Hey, hey. What's the matter?
Jim, you're wonderful.
Wonderful.
(Jim)
'Mike.'
Women are funny.
You give them something
to make them happy
and they cry about it.
Hm, you think that's funny?
[chuckles]
Wait till you get to be my age.
Uh, what, um..
What are you planning
on doing now, Jim?
Nothing. What is there to do?
In the morning I've gotta
get down to the barracks
and tell the gang
the deal is off.
I'd rather take a beating
than do that.
Mind if I go along with you?
If you like. I don't see
how you can help any.
[indistinct chatter]
[engine revving]
Wait a minute, fellows.
Wait a minute!
Now, I probably like O'Connor
a lot less than any of you.
But in this case he's perfectly
within his rights.
He owns half the town. Why
should he grab this property?
- We'll buy it from him.
- I'm afraid that's impossible.
(Jim) 'I know it's a tough
break, fellas, but there's no use'
'beefing about it.'
"We tried and we failed.'
[indistinct chatter]
Would you mind standing aside?
I asked you to stand aside,
young man.
Say "please."
May I ask what are
all you men doing here?
We've been holding a meeting.
'Union Square
is for that purpose.'
Take your soapbox down there.
This is private property.
See that this property
is cleared
and no-trespassing signs
erected.
And those barracks,
get those people out at once.
They're wives and kids
of some of the men.
Give them a chance.
They have no place to go.
I can't help that.
Now, gentlemen, we want action.
'I want all those barracks
torn down'
'and construction started
as soon as possible.'
[indistinct chatter]
Who is that little creep?
Say, maybe it's O'Connor.
Yeah.
Could be.
O'Connor, huh?
Hey, it's O'Connor!
Hey, fellas, it's O'Connor!
[upbeat music]
[clamoring]
Who did that?
I'll have you
run off this property!
I'll have you arrested!
[clamoring]
Let him have it.
You know who I am? Or you?
- Police!
- Go on. Come on, come on.
[clamoring]
Police! Police!
[clamoring]
[upbeat music]
[singing in foreign language]
[singing continues]
[applauding]
[instrumental music]
It's got a game leg.
What is this, a pinball machine?
[clanking]
Sugar?
Swell number.
I wonder if the musicians
will know it down in Bolivia.
- You're really going?
- Well, sure.
Twelve-thousand a year
is too much dough to pass up
when you haven't got a job
or a place to live.
Well, I guess
I don't know the combination.
[clanking]
[clattering]
[music continues]
You must have decided
in an awful hurry.
The army taught us
to do things in a hurry.
And didn't the army teach you
to fight all the harder
when the going got tough?
Of course, in the army
you're fighting with guns.
But in this fight
the bullets are green bags.
And O'Connor
has all the ammunition.
'Look, Trudy,
I'll only be gone a year or so.'
That's a long time.
Well, maybe you better not wait.
Maybe I shouldn't.
[instrumental music]
If you run short,
I'll send you some cash
so you won't have to borrow
any clothes.
Don't worry,
I'll get plenty of clothes.
You mean, from that guy
with the champagne?
Listen, you'd better stay away
from that wolf.
At least a wolf doesn't run away
from you like a rabbit.
You guys scram. Check out.
I said, check out.
Check out?
Ah! Checkoutsky. Russian.
- Oh.
- Hey!
[upbeat music]
Jim, all that stands between you
and the top of the ladder is...
Is the ladder. You can't climb
with an anchor around your neck.
Oh, so you think I'm an anchor?
- I didn't say that!
- You did!
And you can go straight
to Bolivia and stay there.
Do you hear me? Stay there!
[vocalization]
- Jim's leaving.
- Leaving?
Well, maybe
it's all for the best.
Where's he going?
To Bolivia, for some company.
Wheeler Construction. That's it.
Oh, darling,
if you really love Jim
you marry him and go with him.
I can't.
They only want single men.
Well, that's strange.
Well, in fact, it's ridiculous.
Wheeler Construction..
(Mary)
'Single men only.'
If I remember correctly,
your father owns that company.
Dad. Do you mean to say that
you deliberately planned to...
(Mary)
'Of all the contemptible... '
- Alright, Mary.
- Ugh!
We'll forget about Bolivia.
Michael J. O'Connor, you ought
to be ashamed of yourself.
If you want to marry Jim,
it's alright with me.
- I'll give him a job here.
- What kind of a job?
Oh, uh, doing something, I don't
know, but it'll be a job.
Nice office, secretary,
good salary. All the trimmings.
Oh, dad, can't you understand?
He wants to stand
on his own two feet.
Jim has ability,
whether you think so or not.
And I'd rather he go anywhere
than be one of your army
of high-salaried yes-men.
[door shuts]
I'll be leaving tomorrow,
Michael.
And when I leave,
Trudy will be going with me.
So you'll have this whole house
all to yourself again.
I hope
you'll be very happy in it.
[instrumental music]
Did you say something?
No.
- Where is everybody?
- I don't know.
I guess they're all down
in the dumps, the same as I am.
You know, I don't think I'll be
coming back here next winter.
Why? What's wrong
with this place?
Since Jim and the boys
lost their property
all the laughter
and happiness is gone.
This place seems like a morgue.
You know, I think I'll try
the Guggenhoff Mansion
next season.
The Guggenhoff Mansion?
Oh, that place
doesn't compare with this.
Everybody knows
that the Guggenhoff place
has bad plumbing. Yeah.
And besides, they don't have
air-conditioning.
And that's something
to be considered.
Mike, a house, any house
is only
what its occupants make it.
Ah, this place
doesn't seem the same.
I think
I'll get a cup of coffee.
Hello, Jim.
Would you care
for a cup of coffee?
No, thanks.
I, um..
- I hear you're leaving.
- Yup.
Going down to see
Wheeler Construction today.
Jim, you don't want
to go to Bolivia.
Why not? You tried
to sell me that deal once.
- What changed your mind?
- Uh..
Well, I thought
perhaps that if you had a talk
with Mr. O'Connor
uh, you wouldn't have to go
to Bolivia.
Talk with him,
how are you gonna talk with him
if you can't even see him?
Uh, well, I have a friend, uh
who works
in the O'Connor building.
Uh, uh, Ch-Charlie's his name.
Charlie Graham.
He and I
used to ride the rods together.
He's head janitor there now,
and believe it or not
O'Connor and Charlie
are like two peas in a pod.
Uh, I hope you won't mind, Jim
but I asked Charlie
to ask Mr. O'Connor
for an appointment for you.
- 'And guess what?'
- I'm guessing.
Charlie just phoned me and said
that Mr. O'Connor
would see you in one hour.
Mike, are you feeling alright?
Mike, you are having
hallucinations again.
No, no, no, no. Not this time.
No, I know what I'm saying.
Don't pass up this chance, Jim.
Better go now.
Okay, Mike, we'll give it a try.
It won't be the first office
I've been thrown out of.
And, Mike, if anything happens,
we'll cut you in.
[instrumental music]
- How do you do? I..
- Good morning, gentlemen.
Mr. O'Connor's expecting you.
Will you go right in?
Thank you.
(Michael) 'Farrow, I told you to
transfer some cash to our Paris office.'
'Two million? You expect them
to operate with pennies?'
'Cable them three million more
right away.'
'Can't I leave this office
five minutes'
'without things going haywire?'
'Where are those
lumber contracts?'
'Well, call San Francisco
and tell them'
if those contracts aren't here
tomorrow, the deal is off.
Anything happen
on that steel-mill lease?
I don't care what it costs.
I want it closed today.
Yeah, right.
'Oh, and by the way,
cable Kennedy in London'
'and tell him we'll sell our
British and Canadian holdings'
for 12 million,
and not a cent less.
Oh, and if my American Can
goes up tomorrow
sell a 100,000 shares. Right.
'Hello, boys.'
Mike! What are you doing
behind O'Connor's desk?
- You gone nuts?
- How did you get in here?
We'd better get him out
before O'Connor comes in.
Wait.
Uh, uh, gentlemen. Gentlemen.
[muffled speech]
- Good morning, gentlemen.
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
- Where's Mr. O'Connor?
We haven't seen him.
We have an appointment with him.
[banging on door]
What's that?
- Well, it ain't mice.
- 'Farrow, help.'
(Michael)
'Somebody open this door.'
[banging on door]
'Open it.'
Mr. O'Connor!
Mr. O'Connor, what were you
doing in that closet?
I like it in there.
There's nothing so restful
as a nice, dark, stuffy closet.
Did you say..
...Mr. O'Connor?
(Michael)
'That's what he said.'
- Uh, well, how did the..
- But what...
Yeah, now, now, don't start
popping questions.
I haven't time. Farrow, where
are those papers of transfer?
- Uh, right here, sir.
- Yeah. Oh. Oh, good.
Now then, before I transfer
this barracks property
over to you three gentlemen
there's one thing
you must do for me.
Yes, sir?
Not one word of this
to McKeever.
As far as he is concerned
I am still just a, uh
a panhandler.
Gentlemen, is that clear?
- 'Yes, sir.'
- Good.
Sit down. Make yourself at home.
[indistinct chatter]
[horn blows]
Just a minute, folks.
To Mike.
I never would have
believed it possible
but he certainly came through
in a pinch.
- To Mike!
- To Michael J..
- Speech, Mike. Speech.
- 'Come on, Mike.'
Well, I.. Ahem.
I really don't know what to say
excepting that I'm glad
I was able to be of service
even though Mac here
chooses to think of me
as a drifter, a panhandler
and a man of little principle.
Water under the bridge, Mike.
Please try and forget
that I ever said it.
Mac, it's already forgotten.
Well..
It's too bad
we have to leave here.
But we did promise the patrolmen
to be out of here
by the first of the year.
Naturally,
I would have preferred
to spend the winter
as I customarily do..
'...but..'
...all good things
must come to an end.
Soon the O'Connor servants
will be coming back
uh, taking down the boards.
Tomorrow
we must put the house in order
so that everything will be
just as we found it.
'Tonight
is our last night together.'
'Our paths
may never cross again.'
And I would like to feel
that you're all my friends.
For to be without friends
is a serious form of poverty.
[clock chiming]
The New Year! And may it bring
happiness to all of you!
- Happy New Year!
- Happy New Year!
[vocalization]
You know, I always come out
the same way I go in.
Well, everything
is just as we found it.
You know, it's been a very
pleasant winter after all.
[Sam barking]
[chuckles] I guess Sam knows
that he's going on the road.
Alright, Sam. I'm ready.
Well, look, Mac. I..
Well, that is, uh
Trudy and I
are gonna be married.
We're gonna have plenty of room.
Yes, we could all stay together.
Mike and I wish
you'd come stay with us.
- How about it, Mac?
- Well, thanks.
Thanks to all of you.
But you have your own lives
to lead and I..
Well, it's a little too late
for me to change.
Anyway, I have
a very nice place to go to
down in Virginia,
stay at Bubbling Springs.
'It's Mr. O'Connor"s place.'
[chuckles] When, when he comes
back here, I go down there.
Oh.
Well, we, we better not
all leave at once.
'Uh, Jim and Trudy,
you go out first.'
- Goodbye, Mr. McKeever.
- Goodbye, dear.
I hope you'll be very happy.
Thank you.
Mac.
I'll always remember you.
Good luck.
Good luck to both of you, too.
My, they're a nice couple.
Oh, by golly, I nearly forgot.
In case you've no place
to spend your honeymoon
here's the key
to the Guggenhoff Mansion.
- They're in Europe.
- Uh, thanks.
And, Mary, if Mike
doesn't treat you right
you come back and report to me.
I'll be back here
next November 3rd.
That's a date.
Mike.
Mac.
Thanks.
Goodbye, Mary.
Come on, Sam. Attaboy.
(male #2) 'Fifth Avenue, the
street where the elite original 400"
built their homes,
making it the most celebrated'
'residential avenue
in the world.'
'That magnificent
marble dwelling'
'we are just passing
is the Guggenhoff Mansion..'
- Bye. Bye.
- 'He was the copper king.'
'On your right, that big'
'brownstone mansion
that's all boarded up'
'that is the townhouse
of the great industrial wizard'
"Michael J. O'Connor'
'the second-richest man
in the world.'
- You know, Mary..
- Yes, Mike?
There are richer men than I.
- Mary.
- Yes, Mike?
Remind me to nail up the board
in the back fence.
He's coming through
the front door next winter.
[instrumental music]
[whistling]
[instrumental music]