Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022) Movie Script
0
- Oh!
- Watch it!
What's it to be, Eddie?
Good news or bad?
Oh!
Oh.
- Morning, Chandler.
- Good morning, Mrs. Harris.
- How are you?
- It's my lucky day today.
Same as every day.
Thank you.
All right.
Why's no one took that seat?
Maybe I saving it for you.
Shove over, then.
You won't believe this, Vi.
The strangest thing's
just happened.
I reckon it's a sign.
Ada Harris,
why that man of yours
can't use the post
like everybody else?
Not much of a writer, my Eddie.
Ooh! So cold.
- Anyone coming?
- No.
- No?
- All clear.
Oh, morning, Mr. Newcombe.
Up bright and early.
Duty calls, Mrs. Harris.
Uh, my niece, Portia.
Oh, delighted, I'm sure.
- Morning.
- Morning.
Ooh-ooh, Miss Penrose.
Bombs away.
Aren't you awfully early?
It's gone half past 1:00, dear.
No.
Christ, my bloody audition.
Oh, I haven't a thing to wear.
Oh, you look lovely
in anything, dear.
There.
What about this?
Oh, what have you done
with my... script?
Oh, hang on, hang on. Hang on.
Oh, for God's sake.
There. Good luck, sweetheart.
Thanks, darling.
You're an angel.
What would I do without you?
Let's enjoy ourselves!
Deep down in Louisiana
close to New Orleans...
Well, if it isn't
the marvelous Mrs. H
and her trusty sidekick.
What can I get you, ladies?
It's been a lucky week.
- Oh.
- Two port and lemon.
Every week's lucky
if you're the bookmaker.
You're not wrong there, love.
Two port and lemon, please.
Course, now I've got
your company, I'm in clover.
You think you get our company
for one drink, Mr. Archie?
Now, these two are
a proper judge of character.
They like you, Ada Harris.
Why they stick with you,
if they're so smart?
Why do you stick with her,
her so crabby?
Met her me first shift
building planes.
Never had a better friend.
Trouble with this one,
she always speak the truth.
Can't help herself.
That is a terrible affliction.
All right,
behave yourself, ladies.
I'll be watching you.
War's been over a long time.
Your Eddie's never coming back.
Go on.
Yeah.
I got a gal, she looks just fine
Always bring me whiskey and wine
Breakfast in the morning
and dinner at night
Everything she do,
she do just right
And when I say,
"What you wanna do?"
She said, "There's just one
thing that I want from you"
A little bit of rock,
a little bit of roll
A little bit of rock
Ooh, a little bit of roll...
"Dear Mrs. Harris,
"Please find enclosed
the personal effects
"of Sergeant Edward Harris,
"recovered from a crash site
near Warsaw, Poland.
"As a result of this discovery,
"Sergeant Harris
is now posted...
"killed in action,
"2 March 1944.
"Please await
further communication
from RAF Central
Administration."
Oh, Ada.
I'm so sorry.
I-I should've known he...
He would've got back to me
if he could've, you know...
one way or another.
Well...
that's that, then.
Footloose and fancy-free.
All right, love.
I hope it was quick.
Miss you.
No, the evening do, absolutely,
but not the wedding breakfast.
Uh, you know, Mrs...
Mrs. Harris, excuse me.
Could you just...
just take that...
- No, that is extortion.
- Oh.
You must go back
and explain to them
that we can't possibly
afford that.
Well, of course
it must be champagne.
I-I-I... Remind them
that Charles is their MP.
That must be worth
something, huh?
Yes.
Toodle-pip.
This wedding's going to be
the death of me.
Do you have children,
Mrs. Harris?
A nightmare of expense
from start to finish.
Oh, yes.
Poor old Admiral Dant
had to make
the ultimate sacrifice.
Setting sail for Christie's
and balmier shores.
Dreadful man, by all accounts.
Talking of accounts, Lady Dant,
I was wondering if you
might be able to sett...
We've been tightening our belts
for so long now,
it's a miracle
we can all still breathe.
- Isn't it divine?
- Oh.
I swore I would never set foot
in the Avenue Montaigne,
but what with the wedding
and "when in Paris" and...
The moment I laid eyes
on Ravissante...
- Ravissante.
- I was ravished.
To the tune of 500 pounds.
500 quid for a dress?
Shh, shh, shh. Lord Dant.
I don't mind admitting
things have been
a bit bloody of late, but...
when I put it on...
nothing else matters.
Lotte?
Now, quickly, hide it away.
His Lordship must not see it
until I've had time
to work on him.
Oh.
Ravissante.
By Christian Dior.
Night, love.
South London Post!
Saturday results!
All your football results.
- Oh!
- South London Post!
- Sorry.
- Saturday results!
All your football results.
South London Post!
Saturday results!
Manchester United two,
Blackpool two.
Newcastle five,
Liverpool three.
Preston North End two,
Portsmouth two.
And now we return to the rest
of the sports report.
No! No!
Oh, it's my Eddie.
It's my angel.
You gone simple on me, woman?
I won, Vi.
I've won.
You want to make nice to her.
She's only gone
and won the pools.
Ada, what you going to do?
I'm going to buy a dress.
Something pretty
for the Legion Dance.
Yeah.
A Christian Dior dress
from Paris.
500 quid.
How much you win?
Any more tickets, please?
Where to, ma'am?
Single, Miss Violet?
Mm-hmm. No cleaning up
after no man for me.
- Ah.
- Morning, Mr. Newcombe.
Mrs. Harris, I, uh...
I don't believe you've met
my niece, Samantha.
Oh, no, I haven't
had the pleasure.
Um, Mr. Newcombe.
If you know of anyone who
could use me services... um...
one of your nieces, perhaps?
Samantha, Mrs. H is
the soul of discretion.
One would never know she'd been
but for the polish on my knobs.
Oh, Giles.
Thank you.
Oh.
Sorry about the audition, love.
Oh, I don't know why I bother.
"Too young." "Too old."
"Too tall." "Too fat."
You're just right, ducks.
I'm twenty... three.
Couple more years,
and it's all over for me.
Oh, you've plenty of time.
You can't imagine
what it's like, Mrs. Harris,
always having to worry
about your looks.
Hey, Cinderella,
why'd you bring them rags?
I will go to the ball...
when I get me dress.
Oh, here comes trouble
with a capital "A."
Hello, Archie.
- Ada, the very girl
I was after. -
- What can I do for you, ducks?
- Now, don't get me excited.
You know I've got
a dodgy ticker.
Oh, get away with you.
She got bigger plans than you.
I can see that.
So, would you mind
doing me a favor
and look after
Spring and Summer?
Because Cynthia there's
not exactly a dog's best friend.
Go on.
Thank you.
You are an absolute star.
And you're all right.
C? All right, here we go.
Shake that tail, baby.
That's what we are, Vi.
The invisible women.
Speak for yourself.
They see me coming. Mm!
Oh!
Beg your pardon, milady.
Milady, um, my account.
I was wondering
if you might settle up.
Oh, I'm so sorry, Mrs. Harris.
I'm afraid I forgot
to pop to the bank.
This wedding is a nightmare.
Everybody has said yes.
Oh, um...
you wouldn't mind waiting
until next week, would you?
Well, uh, the thing is,
it's become a bit pressing
because I need to...
Oh, is that the time?
Actually, Mrs. Harris,
I'm afraid I'm going to
have to reduce your hours.
Reduce? N-No, please.
Milady, please...
Well, we all have to economize
these days, don't we?
Sorry.
I know you're there, woman,
in the dark and cold.
I'm all right, Vi.
Archie has got us free
into White City.
Oh, no, I've got
all this mending.
- Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah.
- N-No. No, no, Vi.
Vi... Oh.
Have us a bit of fun.
Oh, good Lord. Look.
It's a sign.
You got a good tip?
Yeah!
Yeah, I have!
- Um... excu... excuse...
- Hey.
- Excuse me.
- Ada, you fancy a flutter?
- Yeah.
- What'll it be?
100 quid on number six.
To win.
A ton?
For the love of Mike, Ada,
no, put it away.
No. Number six.
- Haute Couture, please.
- The dog's a bag of bones.
It couldn't win
with a rocket up its arse.
You tell her, Archie.
She's lost her marbles.
No, it's Haute Couture.
It's a sign.
How could it be anything else?
Ada, girl, I've been doing this
a long time, all right?
Signs don't win races.
Not till tonight, they didn't.
My money's good.
Count it, please.
Yeah.
Here.
Here we go. That's good.
Oh, we got a good spot. Right.
Oh. Wish me luck.
- Oh, Ada.
- Come on, Haute Couture.
Oh, look, she's in the lead!
Come on!
It's in front.
Come on!
It's Clever Count,
Blue Streak, and Stormy Bay.
And would you look at that...
Haute Couture has just
woken up and remembered
what she's here for.
Well...
Hats off to you, girl.
You went for it.
I'll go find
a St John's Ambulance.
They might have a tot of brandy.
For me.
You were right, Vi...
All that money.
My Eddie'd be ashamed of me.
I'll be right back, huh?
Nothing wrong
with dreaming, Ada, hmm?
When I came to London,
the streets were paved
with my dreams.
That's what you are.
You're a dreamer.
Plain as the nose on your face.
Give over, Vi. I'm all right.
Mrs. Harris?
Mrs. Edward Harris?
It's about your husband.
Sit down, please.
Sergeant Harris wasn't declared
missing in action
until April the 19th.
Uh, yeah, that's when
I got the telegram.
It's a day after his birthday.
Ah, yes.
Well, um, as we now know,
Flight Polo Lima 326 crashed
on March the 2nd, 1944,
meaning that Sergeant Harris
was paid
for almost seven weeks
after his death.
At, um, six shillings a day.
Is that what you come
to tell me?
After all this time.
That my Eddie owes you back pay?
When he never owed a penny
in his life.
When he give up his life
for king and country.
You got a nerve.
Coming into my home,
drinking my tea,
blackening his name.
- Um...
- How much do you want?
How much?
And then you can leave.
I-I think you've got
the wrong end of the stick.
Oh, have I?
Well, I'll tell you
where you can shove your stick
in a minute,
- if you don't watch out.
- Oh, golly, no. Um, I, uh...
I'm here to give you money,
Mrs. Harris,
- not-not to take it from you.
- I've had enough of...
What'd you say?
Y-Yes. Righto.
Uh, you should have been
receiving
a-a war widow's pension
since 1944.
It comes to quite a tidy sum,
uh, with that small deduction.
So long as you haven't
remarried.
Oh, give over.
He might have come back
any minute,
I'd have looked a right Charlie.
Uh...
well...
I suppose you'd better sit down.
Have that cup of tea after all.
Um, no milk.
She's never done a thing
wrong her whole life, sir.
She went a bit crazy
on account of some dress,
but she's fine now.
Nothing to worry about.
- Oh, hello.
- Mrs. Harris?
You come to tell me
I got the crown jewels?
She's still not right
in the head.
Almost. That diamond clip
you handed in...
The owner wants
to give you a reward
for being an honest citizen.
Oh! She is, sir,
honest to a fault.
Come in and have a cup of tea.
Don't mind if I do.
Thank you.
Oh, come on, Vi.
We can have a knees-up.
Oi, wait for me.
And, uh, you might want
to break out the bubbly.
You having another
lucky day, Archie?
As a matter of fact, I am,
and so are you.
News travels fast.
So, that bet you put
on that two-legged dog...
Oh, y-yeah, don't...
don't worry about that.
I've come to me senses.
No, the boss was there,
so I had to take the money,
but I managed
to hold back a tenner.
You shouldn't have done that,
Archie.
You could have got into trouble.
All tickety-boo, Mrs. Harris?
Oh, sorry, I didn't realize
you had company.
Hello. What's going on here?
- Oh.
- For the love of Mike.
- Uh, I'll see you later.
- Uh, no, Archie, Archie.
Uh, can you just
give me a moment?
It-it's personal.
- That the kettle calling?
- Ah, righto.
What's going on? Something up?
It's a long story.
What were you saying?
So, I took your money
and put it on a sure thing
in the last race.
And, um...
your stake back
and a wee bit more.
Oh, n-no, Archie, I couldn't.
- I...
- It's your money. Take it.
I can't keep it, woman.
PC Plod in there would have
my license. Come on.
Just promise me a dance
at the Legion.
Thanks, Archie.
Much obliged.
Blimey.
Are we flying?
We're terribly sorry,
ladies and gentlemen.
There seems to be a fault
with one engine.
There will be a slight delay
while we try
and fix the problem.
Delay?
How long?
I've got to be there
and back in a day.
Oh, God.
Paris.
Righto, Paris, here I come.
It's a fair old walk.
Oh. Um...
bonjour.
Beg your pardon?
Hey.
Thank you. Yeah.
Um, I'm here to buy a dress.
From Dior.
Dior?
Ah, oui. Me also.
Is it far... Dior?
Oh...
20 minutes.
Uh, but after you take wine,
two hours.
I walk you there.
Tomorrow morning, eh?
Oh, no, no, thanks.
I couldn't, no.
All right, go on, then.
Oh, blimey.
Why is all this rubbish
on the streets?
The big boss cheats...
- The worker, yes?
- Yeah, yeah.
The worker say, "No more."
The binmen are on strike?
Ah, yes.
Now all Paris, uh, smells, uh...
uh, like me.
Oh, God.
You are a noble woman.
And remember, in France,
the worker is king.
Oh, miss!
You all right, love?
- Did you hurt yourself?
- No. Sorry.
Thank you.
- Are you sure?
- Yes.
Oh.
Miss?
Miss!
No, miss.
Ooh-ooh! Miss!
Miss?
Here you go.
Once again, you save me, madame.
- Oh.
- I'm sorry. I'm very late.
- Oh.
- Thank you.
It's all right.
As long as you're in one piece.
Ooh.
Ooh, uh...
Oh. Excuse me, dear.
Where would I find the frocks?
I fear you have
the wrong address, madame.
I will call someone
to show you the way.
No. No, no.
Sorry. I'm-I'm...
I'm after a frock.
One of them 500-pound ones.
Please, if you could
wait over here,
somebody will attend you
directly.
Now, hang on. Excuse me.
Madame, I-I was here first,
before any of this lot.
Ain't you heard of queuing?
Excuse me. Look, I'm sorry.
- Please.
- I'm-I'm... I'm not one to make a fuss,
but where I come from,
shopgirls are pleased
to be of service.
Shopgirls?
This lady wishes to buy a dress.
Direct her to a suitable shop.
Go.
Uh, please let me
escort you out.
No, no, no, no, no,
hang on a minute.
I've come miles.
Saved every penny
scrubbing floors
and I don't know what
so I can buy this frock.
A Christian Dior gown
is not for pennies.
Right.
If you think
I ain't got the money...
there.
Oh l l.
Are you Mr. Dior?
Oh, oh, no,
I'm Mr. Fauvel, accounts.
Let me help you with the...
Excuse me, chre madame,
but it would be my honor
to have you view the collection
as my guest.
There you are.
Merci.
Shall we?
Oh.
It's here.
Thank you.
When you see the dress you want,
you can write
the number down here.
Oh.
Oh, I was just admiring
your buttonhole.
Oh.
- It's Louise Odier.
- Ah?
Yes, it's lovely. Proper scent.
Are you a connoisseur of roses?
My husband Eddie worked
at Covent Garden,
the flower market.
He was always bringing home
odds and ends, you know.
Roses are me favorite.
You after a dress for your wife?
Ooh. Lucky woman.
My wife is dead.
Oh, I do beg your pardon, sir.
My clumsy clogs.
My Eddie and all.
Oh, um...
But yes, uh, my wife and I
would come here together.
I like to see beautiful clothes.
And beautiful women, of course.
Oh, here we go.
Ooh.
Oh, that's lovely.
Oh.
Oh, will you look.
Oh, that's lovely.
Vnus.
- What number's that?
- 73.
- Vnus.Yes.
- 73. Vnus.
- What number's that?
- 89.
Temptation.
Oh, yeah.
Bravo!
Who's that bloke?
Well, that's the master
himself, Monsieur Dior.
Go on.
He looks like my milkman.
Well, good luck, madame.
I hope you find
what you're looking for.
Oh, well...
Here.
You do not wish to keep it?
Yeah, it's-it's lovely.
Thank you.
Enchant.
Don't mind me.
- Yes, madame?
- Oh.
Have you made your selection?
Yes. Um...
Number 89, please. Temptation.
Of course.
- Your name, please.
- Harris.
Mrs. Ada Harris.
My apologies, madame.
- Excusez-moi.
- Oh, yeah.
- Ah.
- Oh. Ta-da.
Madame Harris, I regret...
Well, there is a difficulty
with Temptation.
It seems
Madame Avallon demands it.
How's that work, then?
You only got the one dress?
I'm sorry.
Madame insists on exclusivity.
Madame Avallon is one of
our most devoted clients.
And her husband is known as
"The King of Rubbish."
But we would be so sorry if
you were to leave Maison Dior
without a purchase.
And you also wrote
number 73 on your card.
- Oh.
- Vnus.
Yeah, I never thought nothing
could be more beautiful.
Not till I saw Temptation.
An excellent choice, madame.
Yeah. How much is it?
Vnusis 600,000 francs.
430 pounds.
Wrap it up.
I got a plane to catch.
I'm a day late as it is.
Oh, you cannot have this gown.
Oh, don't tell me someone
wants that exclusive and all.
Mais Madame Harris,
every dress is made
and fitted individually
for the client.
Yes, this is haute couture.
We will, of course, reproduce
Vnusexactly as you saw it,
but the thing is...
Make me one?
How long's that gonna take?
Well, at least two weeks.
Ooh. At least.
Several fittings are necessary.
What, leave my people
for a fortnight?
They'd find someone else, and
then I'd be out on the streets.
Vite, vite,
to the airport, then.
I would not forgive myself
if you missed your flight.
- What, without my dress?
- Excusez-moi.
Perhaps there is
a friend you can call?
Someone who can assist you
with your cleaning.
Well, uh, there's Vi,
but I've tried her patience
enough as it is.
Anyway, she's not on the phone.
Uh, we might send her
a telegram.
Uh, Mrs. Harris,
uh, it might be possible
to encourage
the cutter and seamstress
to work a little faster.
And Madame Vi could fill you in
for one week, perhaps?
Well...
you're kind, but I can't.
Anyway, I got nowhere to stay.
I'll have to give it a miss.
My sister is away.
If you... would accept, um,
you could stay at my place,
uh, in my sister's room.
You're a proper angel,
aren't you?
It'll be my pleasure.
Um, we can have your
measurements taken at once.
N'est-ce pas, Madame Colbert?
Come, Madame Harris. Come.
- Oh.
- We must be quick.
S'il vous plat.
Oh.
- Bravo, madame.
- Bravo.
- Please, madame.
- Oh.
You don't get all this hoo-ha
when you buy a frock
down Woolworths.
Well, I can tell you such things
do not happen
every day here, either.
Ah, the lady
who must have her dress...
Your coat, please.
Oh.
- Et le cardigan.
- Yeah, me cardy.
Thank you very much.
Oh.
Madame has the proportions
of a model.
Model railway, more like.
One of the curvy bits.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you very much.
Madame?
Oh.
May I give you a lift?
Oh, well, if it's no bother.
No.
Uh, I'm going to Mr. Fauvel's.
The 18th, yes. That's easy.
- Oh, forgive the mess.
- Oh.
Is he a friend of yours,
Mr. Fauvel?
No. No, I-I know Mr. Fauvel
only as the hand
that signs my check.
Oh.
Oh.
L'tre et le nant.
It's, uh,
"Being and Not Being."
I like to curl up
with a juicy mystery meself.
Oh, look,
there's the Eiffel Tower.
Oh, that's lovely.
Oh.
That's the opera.
May I help you
with your luggage?
Nothing in it yet.
Oh. That's something, innit?
Ooh.
I don't think his sister knows
where the mop is.
There must be a dustpan
and brush somewhere.
Uh...
Oh.
Oh, you don't
have to do that, love.
You must have
better things to do.
No, not really.
After the dfil, there's always
a certain feeling of emptiness.
Oh.
All right, ducks.
Oh. Aha.
Now we're in business.
Oh.
- Mrs. Harris?
- Hello, love.
Mademoiselle.
She's a good worker.
I can always find you
a job, my girl,
if the modeling don't work out.
No, no.
Oh! Oh!
M-Mrs. Harris has cooked
the dinner.
You look like you could do
with a good square meal,
the pair of you.
Well, Mademoiselle Natasha
has other engagements.
I'm sure the face of Dior is
always at a party or premiere.
There's a soirelater.
Come on. Grub's up.
Here we are.
Don't let it get cold.
- Bon apptit.
- Bon apptit.
My Eddie's favorite.
Be even better
if we had a bit of gravy.
Um, and what's the dish named?
Toad-in-the-hole.
What a lot of books, Mr. Fauvel.
Oh.
Natasha's got a corker,
a murder-mystery.
Don't you, ducks?
We should speak English.
Oh, yeah. Of course.
Um, I-I'm interested to learn
that Mademoiselle Natasha
is reading a book
- by the French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre.
- Oh.
The author asks us to consider
the case of the waiter.
Is the waiter the waiter,
or is it just an expression
of what the waiter is?
Um, similarly,
am I the accountant,
or is that
an outward impression?
Um, is Mademoiselle Natasha
only the most beautiful,
the most exquisitely divine
Parisian model, or...
Or is there another person
behind the facade?
Yes.
Is Mrs. Harris the cleaner,
or is there more
to define her existence?
Exactement.
I'm a cleaner from Battersea.
No mystery there.
Uh, no, you're a cleaner
who dreams
of the most beautiful gown
in the world.
Oh, dreams, eh?
God knows what Vi is gonna say
when she gets
that blooming telegram.
Mrs. Harris?
Uh, please help yourself
to my sister's clothes.
Oh, thanks, love.
Um, I'm all right.
Uh, she would insist.
Good night.
Night, love.
Sweet dreams.
Ooh!
Stand straight, madame.
- Oh!
- Non, mais...
Keep still. Why do you move?
Sorry. Sorry.
Princess Margaret?
Oh, I like her.
You can see a little bit
of mischief in her eye.
Our distinguished clients
demand our utmost discretion.
That's all for today.
Little bit of that one
goes a long way, don't it?
What's eating her?
Well, the more grand
the client, the more difficult.
Their wishes must be
accommodated always,
even if it means
starting afresh.
- And they do not pay until delivery.
- Oh!
If then.
There are so many salaries
to find.
The fabric, braid,
embroidery, buttons
all must be the very best.
The pressure is on everyone:
on Mr. Fauvel and the accounts,
on Madame Colbert
and the seamstresses,
even on Monsieur Dior himself,
always such pressure.
Well, no wonder
Mr. Fauvel was so pleased
to see my little handbag.
Well, in truth, Madame Harris,
all of us fear
the House of Dior
cannot keep going this way.
Oui, monsieur.
You all right, love?
Wakey, wakey.
They're calling for you.
Oh.
Um, I'm sorry.
- I'm just tired.
- Mm-hmm.
You could do
with a little holiday.
It's doing me
the power of good already.
Yes, that would be nice.
By myself at the seaside,
where nobody...
I'm sorry.
- I must go. Thank you.
- Oh.
Thank you.
How was your fitting, madame?
Oh.
Well, if it isn't
my old pal, Mr. Rosebud.
I regret we were not
properly introduced.
Marquis Hypolite de Chassagne.
Ooh.
Ada Harris, widow of Battersea.
Who's this fine fella?
- This is Nesquik.
- Oh.
So, I trust Monsieur Dior
fulfills your heart's desire?
Oh, they're being ever so kind.
Louise Odier.
I'd forgotten the name.
Oh, I must show you something.
Please, I won't detain you long.
So, tell me, how are you
enjoying your time in Paris?
My wife adored
the March aux Fleurs.
Mm.
We came here
almost until the end.
It's been seven years now.
We mend, but we don't forget.
When you display
your Dior dress to the world,
- it will be perfection.
- Oh.
My pal Vi thinks I'm barmy.
"What do you want
that dress for?
When are you gonna wear it?"
Oh, I do not question
your desire
for a gown of such quality,
even if it is
for your eyes alone.
No, no, on the contrary,
I understand.
You see, a rose like this one
or a beautiful gown
such as yours,
they... they recall the days
when we were in the full flower
of our youth.
Oi, don't write me off just yet.
- Oh, a thousand apologies.
- Oh, no.
Please, allow me to make amends.
Have you any arrangements
for tonight?
Voil.
Oh, thank you.
Some champagne?
Uh, oh, yes, please.
Just a drop.
Thank you.
Now, you-you must
try the caviar.
Oh. Right.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Nice, huh?
- Mm.
Uh, oh, hello!
I don't think that getup's
gonna fool anyone. Do you?
Lovely girls.
Hmm. Soon, you'll see
how lovely.
Ooh! Oh. Steady on.
Blimey, they earn their keep,
them girls.
Well, least when I'm cleaning,
I don't have to smile
and strip as well.
Bonsoir, Mrs. Harris.
Natasha. Hello, love.
Hello.
Bonsoir, mademoiselle.
- Would you like to join us?
- Uh, yes, please.
Who are you here with, then?
Investors.
I escape but only for a moment.
They don't half keep you at it,
all day and all night as well.
For Maison Dior,
this is my obligation.
Ah, well,
Dior is not just about gowns.
It's also about elegance
and decadence
and the savoir-vivreof Paris,
and...
and you, Mademoiselle Natasha,
you are the jewel
of this Dior crown.
Well, I would prefer to be
at home with a book.
It's funny you should say that.
I've left Mr. Fauvel at home
reading a book.
It was called...
"Nosy"? Something like that.
- La nause?
- Don't know.
Why does he tolerate
the fashion house
compared to his world of Sartre
and the intellect?
Well, I-I think he has
his reasons.
Do you enjoy the show?
Yeah, the one...
the one at the end, she...
she's a dead ringer
for my Aunt Tilda.
From behind.
Well, this was lovely,
but I should go.
Thank you.
Oh, just-just a minute, love.
Your fringe.
There's a little gap.
That's it.
You have made a conquest.
Oh, get away with you.
You dare to follow your dreams,
Mrs. Harris.
- Bravo.
- Oh.
Bye, love.
- Bonsoir.
- Bonsoir, Natasha.
- Some more champagne?
- Oh, just a drop.
I've got me fitting at 9:30.
Oh, God!
Oh, Gordon Bennett!
Oh, oh!
Oh! Oh!
Careful!
Oh, oh, oh!
Oh!
I can't believe this.
Sorry!
Sorry. Sorry.
- I'm so sorry.
- No, no, no.
This is not possible,
not at all.
No, no, no, please, I-I'm...
I'm never late. I...
R-Really, I'm not.
I'm never late. Sorry.
You demand of us,
"Vite, vite, vite,"
but you have no respect.
No, this cannot be done.
Not at all.
Now I depart.
This is finished.
No, no, no, no. Please,
please, p-please, Mr. Carr.
Madame Colbert, please.
Monsieur Carr
refuses to proceed.
What can I do?
No. No, of course, I...
No, I understand.
Yeah, of course I do. I do.
Dior, it's-it's not just a gown.
It's, um...
It's all the elegance
and-and the savvy and all that.
I-I know that.
I will see what can be done
to return your deposit.
No, I don't...
I-I...
I don't want...
I don't want me deposit.
Right Champagne Charlie,
aren't I?
Serves me right,
living the high life.
I do respect you, all of you.
Never mind, eh?
Thanks, love.
You've been ever so kind.
Madame Harris, would you care
to see the atelier
before you leave?
Ooh.
- Bonjour, mesdames.
- Bonjour.
So, this room is for cutting.
- Bonjour.
- Morning.
Structure du couture.
Unstructured couture.
Passementerie.
Plumassier.
Broderie.
It's not sewing.
It's making moonlight.
Have I gone to heaven?
I have stood at
Monsieur Dior's shoulder
day and night for ten years,
since le matreunveiled
his first collection.
The most fashionable women
in the world
come to the Avenue Montaigne.
Royalty and courtesans,
thin, fat, young, old, ugly,
or with a certain
je ne sais quoi.
Hmm.
But then there is you,
Mrs. Harris.
All my time as directress,
I have never encountered
anyone like you.
Oh.
In my walk of life,
you meet all sorts.
As a good boss,
I must keep my workers happy,
and their wish
is to complete your dress.
Oh. Much obliged.
So you will do me the courtesy
of answering my questions, no?
Yeah.
Oh. Bottoms up.
Why do you come here,
Mrs. Harris?
Evidemment, the rich and titled
must be seen, admired, copied.
But this Dior dress
that you desire so much,
where will you wear it?
At the Vienna Opera Ball
or Queen Charlotte's?
Will you wear it
to polish floors,
or will you keep it shut
in your little wardrobe?
A Dior dress is designed
to astonish and delight.
How will you do that,
Mrs. Harris?
You...
Forgive me for saying this,
but you are nobody, invisible.
How will you give this dress
the life it deserves?
It's my dream.
And my money's as good
as anybody else's.
Bien sr. Hmm.
You may buy your dream,
but what will you do with it?
Oui, entrez.
Mrs. Harris, these are for you.
Ooh.
From Monsieur le Marquis.
Oh.
He wishes that you visit
for tea tomorrow.
Le Marquis de Chassagne?
But...
he receives nobody.
But I am nobody, aren't I?
I never thought a place
like Dior would have problems.
I saw that dress,
and I thought of dreams
and fairy tales.
Yes, we are like a fairy tale.
Lovely but not real.
Is there a place for that today?
Oh, we need our dreams.
Now more than ever.
If you can have this,
why do you need Dior?
Haute couture is a vanity
for us and our clients.
In truth, I don't think
the House of Dior can survive.
No, love,
that would be a tragedy.
You can't allow that to happen.
Well, I have an idea,
but it requires
a new way of thinking.
What? Bossy Boots in the way?
Madame Colbert,
she guards the temple.
She let a cleaning lady
buy a Dior gown.
Money talks.
Yes, and you know what it says,
so you have to do
something about it.
I know you can.
You're ever so clever.
You're the only one
who believes.
What's going on here?
It looks like a premiere.
Ooh!
Oh, exciting.
Oh, that's Jean Fabre,
the movie star.
Mm, and don't he know it?
Oh, it's Natasha! Oh!
- Natasha! Ooh-ooh!
- What are you doing? No, no.
- Natasha!
- No.
Hello.
Good evening, Mrs. Harris.
You look lovely.
Thank you.
Bonsoir, Monsieur Fauvel.
Bonsoir. Um, we didn't know
you were, uh...
We were just passing.
So, what are you two doing
this evening?
- Oh, well... Oh.
- Natasha.
I'm sorry. I-I must go.
It was great to see you.
Oh, yeah. Ta-ta, love.
I think it's just for show.
I'm not sure that
he's the marrying kind.
Mrs. Harris, I-I beg of you,
you-you need to stop
this coupling thing
- before I die of humiliation.
- Oh...
Please. Enough!
All right. I'm not deaf.
Of course I'm in love
with Natasha.
I mean, who isn't?
I'm sorry, but life is not
all moonlight and movies.
Why can't it be?
I've spent too long on my own,
wishing my life away.
You don't want to do
the same thing.
Mrs. Harris, I think
your dreams of romance
fit Paris very well.
Forgive me,
but perhaps it is you
who wishes to be in love.
You who must attend
to your own heart.
Come on, Eddie,
say something, love.
Try and make some sense
of this, 'cause I can't.
This is all your doing.
Coming up with the readies
to get your girl to Paris.
Paris.
To meet someone?
Ah.
Shall we?
The girls at Dior say my dress
is almost finished.
Yeah. Maybe tomorrow.
And then I'll be...
I'll be back off home.
Yeah, it's lovely.
Really, really lovely.
That rubbish lady's
welcome to hers.
And here's the irony.
Monsieur Dior makes exquisite
poems for beautiful women
in celebration of their
freshness and perfection
only to see them carried away
by old frumps.
Like that dreadful
Madame Avallon.
Oh, yeah.
Whereas, of course,
there are those who retain
a certain je ne sais quoi,
an indefinable allure.
Ah.
Allow me to present to you
a pot of English tea.
Oh, just the job.
Hmm. Merci, Maria.
And now we let the pot brew.
- Is that the correct form, yes?
- That's the ticket.
I'll have to knit you
a tea cozy.
Yes, for reasons
that were never clear to me,
I was sent as a boy of six
to a boarding school in Windsor,
and that's where
I acquired a taste for tea
and of all things English.
While we wait,
there's something
I would like you to see.
Come with me.
There.
Oh. Oh.
Six years old, you poor mite.
Well, home was not much better.
But yes, I suffered.
I was a weak little boy,
perpetually bullied.
Oh.
You know, as soon as I saw you,
I felt this connection
in my heart.
I don't know, perhaps...
your smile,
your kindness, your...
your English humor.
I knew you reminded me
of someone,
someone very dear to me,
but who?
And only yesterday,
as I searched my memories,
did I realize there was
a person who took care of me.
Her life was one
of tireless drudgery,
and yet she found the time
to comfort me and dry my tears.
Her name was Mrs. Maddox,
but we used to call her
Mrs. Mops.
There.
I-I remind you of Mrs. Mops?
- Ah, yes.
- The cleaner?
Mrs. Mops dried my tears
and made me smile again,
as you have, Mrs. Harris,
these past few days.
I do wish my Delphine
could have known you.
You see, you give comfort
to those in need
without asking anything
in return.
Is that right?
Is that how you see me?
You see why there is
a connection between us?
Now, let's have a nice cup
of English tea, shall we?
Uh, no, thank you.
I'd best be getting along.
They're expecting me
at the salon.
Marguerite?
What's the matter?
In you go.
What's this about you
letting all these girls go?
Ooh. You all right, love?
It would not be necessary
if they worked for free,
as you do.
They need their jobs.
They've got families to feed.
Excusez-moi.
Yes, it is very sad,
but this is not of your concern.
Well, we'll see about that.
Please, madame, you have reached
into every corner
of this establishment.
Now, I insist that
you respect our privacy.
Hmm.
Where are you going,
Mrs. Harris?
To see the boss.
- You cannot. No.
- Come on, girls.
- Please. No.
- Follow me. Vite, vite.
Here we go, girls. Come on.
Down tools.
Come on, get behind me. Join us.
Yeah, got a really important
job today.
- Ooh, you look lovely, but come on.
- Mrs. Harris!
- Come and do this for me.
- Mrs. Harris!
You must stop this at once.
You have no idea
what you are doing.
Oh, yes, I do.
It's called a strike.
Right, ladies, come on.
Follow me.
No time for that, dear.
Oi! No need to push and shove.
Come on.
On your feet, Andr.
There's work to be done.
Mrs. Harris, I beg of you,
do not do this.
This is your chance, Andr,
and how many chances
- do you get in your lifetime?
- No, look...
Monsieur Dior, ten minutes
of your time, please.
That's all Mr. Fauvel needs
to save the company.
Me? What do I-I...
Go on, pet. You can do it.
Tell him your plan.
- Uh...
- Go on.
Rather than the world
coming to Avenue Montaigne,
Dior must go out to the world
with a range of goods
available to all.
Uh, perfume, stockings,
luxury that...
that the ordinary woman
can afford.
Oui.
What?
Oh, right.
Good luck, love.
Merci.
But today, there's a new woman,
a modern woman
who knows what she wants
and needs to be able to buy it.
Today, there's Mrs. Harris.
Oh.
The matre'sagreement
to our plan means that,
far from losing jobs,
we will need more.
Many, many more.
Bravo!
Are you sure
this is the right street?
Must be. This is where I send
her check every month.
There won't be
a speck of dust inside.
You can bet your life.
This is it.
No.
Leave me in peace.
Just a word.
Why? I concede.
The victory is yours,
Mrs. Harris.
My husband...
He was damaged in the war.
He requires constant care.
Which you either do or pay for.
No wonder you got
all that front on you.
Say what you want, please.
Madame, I'm so sorry
to have offended you.
I hold you in
the highest regard, and it was
never my intention
to force a change on...
The future you describe
makes perfect sense,
but I want no part of it.
Uh, no, please.
You must not think of leaving.
Perhaps I have been
too long in my post,
too long the invisible woman
behind the great man.
Fighting talk.
You go, girl.
I'm not a revolutionary
like you, Mrs. Harris.
I simply wish to be left alone.
Well, that's...
that's all fine and dandy,
and Lord knows you deserve it,
but you know it'll fall apart
without you, don't you?
Trust me,
I've seen it over and over.
When the lady ups and leaves,
the gent don't last ten minutes.
You're needed.
Now more than ever.
Who else is gonna
keep things up to scratch?
Not Andr or Monsieur Dior.
What would two men know
about that?
You and me, you know,
we're two peas in a pod.
We clean up everybody's mess
and make everything
in the garden lovely.
We're the ones they rely on.
They don't even know what we do,
but as sure as eggs is eggs,
without us,
it all goes tits up.
Perhaps a conversation
with le matreis required.
Perhaps.
And tomorrow,
you tell Natasha how you feel.
Oh, but Mademoiselle Natasha
has left Dior.
She's leaving Paris.
Like you, Mrs. Harris,
she wishes to follow her dream.
Keep looking, love.
She's got to be here somewhere.
She's gone. It's for the best.
You're gonna get yourself
a good clip round the ear
in a minute if you don't...
Hang on.
Hang on a minute. I know.
Here.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh. Madame Dior.
Magnifique.
Oh, well, not so bad yourself.
Uh, we're looking for a girl.
Um, she's... she's a bit upset.
Um...
She's a Dior model.
- Oh, Natasha.
- Natasha.
This life, it's-it's not for me.
No, of course it isn't.
Stuck on a pedestal,
paraded around
like a beautiful doll.
Anyone can see
the girl doesn't want it.
Mrs. Harris is right.
It's not who I am.
As Sartre would say,
y-you find yourself conflicted
between tre-en-soi
et tre-pour-soi.
Between "for itself"
and "in itself."
Etre-en-soibeing
those aspects of human life
that involves consciousness,
whereas physical facts
are tre-pour-soi.
In which case,
things would be
what they are not.
Exactement.
Things are what they are not,
and they're not
what they're not.
Andr, for God's sake,
just kiss her.
Yes. For God's sake,
just kiss me.
Hmm.
You did not find love in Paris,
Madame Dior?
- Oh, no. No.
- Oh.
I thought it was too late,
but...
now I'm not so sure.
- Hello, love.
- Hello, Ada.
Oh. All right, all right.
Gordon Bennett.
All right.
All right.
Oh, hello, love. Come in.
Oh, thank God you're back.
Oh, well, not long.
Do you want a cuppa?
No time.
- This is an emergency.
- Oh. Right.
Okay, well, deep breath
and tell me what's up.
I can't go, but if I don't...
Oh, it's so important to make
a good impression, you know?
I do. Who you trying to impress?
Mr. Korngold, the producer.
I'm to partner him to the
big dinner at the Caf Royal.
- Ooh.
- Everybody will be there.
It's a priceless opportunity.
But look.
Oh, well, yeah, it's a bit...
it's a bit crumpled,
but we can steam that out
in a jiffy, love.
- Don't you worry.
- No, look.
Oh.
Oh, dear.
Yeah, that's not gonna come out
without a good, long soak.
I'm not sure
the satin's gonna like that.
Ain't you got another one?
What about
that lovely blue dress?
- It's at the cleaner's.
- Oh.
Oh, my God.
I'm going to die.
All right. Come on, now.
That's enough.
Nobody wants to hear that.
But you don't understand.
Nearly all Mr. Korngold's girls
become stars.
It's my chance to lift myself
out of the rut
and be seen at last.
Well, being seen
isn't everything, love.
It is for me.
Come on. Stand up.
It's your lucky day.
What?
Why?
'Cause I think I can help you.
You just said you couldn't.
I can't do anything
if you don't get up.
Right.
Take off your clothes.
You can borrow my dress.
Don't be ridiculous.
Just do as I say, and a bit
less of your nonsense.
Go on, behind the screen.
Mrs. Harris?
Oh.
You look lovely, ducks.
Just the ticket.
How was your trip?
I should've asked.
- Where did you go?
- Oh.
Paris. Yeah, it was...
You said you'd only
be gone a day.
Everything went to pieces
without you.
It was magical.
I mean, you know
how tidy I am... normally.
So romantic.
Mrs. H.
You dark horse.
Oh.
Oh, God. That's him.
Oh. He knew where to come, then?
I knew you'd rescue me, darling.
You're my fairy godmother.
Hello.
Miss Penrose?
Oh.
Dear Mrs. H,
Sorry about the dress,
but please don't worry.
I'm okay.
I was checking my lipstick
in the mirror
when suddenly
I went up in flames.
I might have burnt to a crisp
if a helpful friend
hadn't come to my rescue.
Mr. Korngold says I should sue.
Gone to my mum's to recover.
Ada?
You there?
Yeah.
Sorry, Vi.
You give up the ghost, woman?
You want to scare us to death?
Oh, all right, Archie?
Uh, sorry about your door.
Uh, she was, um...
Best intentions and all.
I'll get some glass, yeah?
Fix it up good as new.
Thank you.
Well, there's no need
to say a word.
You're famous.
At least the dress you gave up
everything to go and get is.
Why you give it
to that no-good girl, eh?
You're too soft,
and that's the truth.
It had to be seen.
It's only right.
Oh, Vi.
I never got to wear it.
Not even once.
Oh, Ada, my darling.
I'm so sorry, eh?
Hey.
We don't need no fancy dresses.
We'll go shake our tail feather
down at the Legion Dance,
and they'll all be
looking at us.
Aw.
Oh, morning, Mr. Newcombe.
Enjoy your holiday, Mrs. Harris?
Very much, thank you.
Missed your touch
about the place.
Oh.
Are you quite all right?
Not quite meself today.
Not sure who that is, even.
Bit of an existential crisis.
Paris will do that to you.
Chin up, Mrs. H.
The revolution is coming.
Did you read about the girl
who set fire to herself
in a Dior gown?
Ghastly
publicity stunt, I suppose.
What a waste.
Will you please accept
my notice, Lady Dant?
I will require full and final
settlement of your account
by the end of the week.
You can't leave me.
Them days are over when
you can treat people like scum
and expect loyalty in return.
Yeah. Good day, milady.
There you go.
Be right as rain in no time.
Who's that, then?
Mrs. Ada Harris?
- Sign here, please.
- Oh.
- Thank you.
- Just a mo'. There's more.
More?
Oh.
Are you sure?
It's not me birthday.
You are Ada Harris?
Well, not sure about that,
either.
Chre Madame Harris,
We hope your return journey
to London was pleasant,
but we were troubled by a photo
we saw in the social pages.
We knew immediately
that once again
you had been too kind.
It seems the rubbish king
was stealing from his workers.
Georges! Georges!
Since his assets were seized,
Madame Avallon failed
to attend her final fitting
or settle the bill
for her dress.
We kept all
your measurements, of course,
and were quickly able
to alter it for you.
If it needs
any final adjustments,
we know you have the skill
to do these yourself.
We all agreed it was
the least we could do.
The publicity has resulted
in a great increase in orders.
You will no doubt
recognize these blooms
as Princess Margaret's Delight.
We hope you enjoy the flowers
and that you will keep
your new dress
well away from naked flames.
We send it to you
with all our love
and our very warmest thanks.
From Christian
and all your friends
at the House of Dior.
Lovely. Thank you.
G-Good to see you.
- See you later.
- All right.
There you go, love.
Get that down you.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
Thank you, Vi.
Oh, Ada.
You all right, Archie?
Never better.
S-Sorry.
I just...
What?
You seem different.
Well, it's haute couture,
you know?
Is it, now?
Know what?
It's not the frock.
I mean, it's lovely and all,
but, uh...
no, it's you.
You...
You're just beautiful.
Thank you, Archie.
That's very nice of you.
No, I mean, you've always
been beautiful.
Inside and out.
Just, there's something...
I don't know, like,
a new spark or something.
A je ne sais quoi?
That'll be the fella.
I owe you a dance, don't I?
I think you do.
I'd like to claim that dance
with the loveliest girl
in the room.
It's your lucky day.
Oh.
All right.
There is hope for us all.
- Oh!
- Watch it!
What's it to be, Eddie?
Good news or bad?
Oh!
Oh.
- Morning, Chandler.
- Good morning, Mrs. Harris.
- How are you?
- It's my lucky day today.
Same as every day.
Thank you.
All right.
Why's no one took that seat?
Maybe I saving it for you.
Shove over, then.
You won't believe this, Vi.
The strangest thing's
just happened.
I reckon it's a sign.
Ada Harris,
why that man of yours
can't use the post
like everybody else?
Not much of a writer, my Eddie.
Ooh! So cold.
- Anyone coming?
- No.
- No?
- All clear.
Oh, morning, Mr. Newcombe.
Up bright and early.
Duty calls, Mrs. Harris.
Uh, my niece, Portia.
Oh, delighted, I'm sure.
- Morning.
- Morning.
Ooh-ooh, Miss Penrose.
Bombs away.
Aren't you awfully early?
It's gone half past 1:00, dear.
No.
Christ, my bloody audition.
Oh, I haven't a thing to wear.
Oh, you look lovely
in anything, dear.
There.
What about this?
Oh, what have you done
with my... script?
Oh, hang on, hang on. Hang on.
Oh, for God's sake.
There. Good luck, sweetheart.
Thanks, darling.
You're an angel.
What would I do without you?
Let's enjoy ourselves!
Deep down in Louisiana
close to New Orleans...
Well, if it isn't
the marvelous Mrs. H
and her trusty sidekick.
What can I get you, ladies?
It's been a lucky week.
- Oh.
- Two port and lemon.
Every week's lucky
if you're the bookmaker.
You're not wrong there, love.
Two port and lemon, please.
Course, now I've got
your company, I'm in clover.
You think you get our company
for one drink, Mr. Archie?
Now, these two are
a proper judge of character.
They like you, Ada Harris.
Why they stick with you,
if they're so smart?
Why do you stick with her,
her so crabby?
Met her me first shift
building planes.
Never had a better friend.
Trouble with this one,
she always speak the truth.
Can't help herself.
That is a terrible affliction.
All right,
behave yourself, ladies.
I'll be watching you.
War's been over a long time.
Your Eddie's never coming back.
Go on.
Yeah.
I got a gal, she looks just fine
Always bring me whiskey and wine
Breakfast in the morning
and dinner at night
Everything she do,
she do just right
And when I say,
"What you wanna do?"
She said, "There's just one
thing that I want from you"
A little bit of rock,
a little bit of roll
A little bit of rock
Ooh, a little bit of roll...
"Dear Mrs. Harris,
"Please find enclosed
the personal effects
"of Sergeant Edward Harris,
"recovered from a crash site
near Warsaw, Poland.
"As a result of this discovery,
"Sergeant Harris
is now posted...
"killed in action,
"2 March 1944.
"Please await
further communication
from RAF Central
Administration."
Oh, Ada.
I'm so sorry.
I-I should've known he...
He would've got back to me
if he could've, you know...
one way or another.
Well...
that's that, then.
Footloose and fancy-free.
All right, love.
I hope it was quick.
Miss you.
No, the evening do, absolutely,
but not the wedding breakfast.
Uh, you know, Mrs...
Mrs. Harris, excuse me.
Could you just...
just take that...
- No, that is extortion.
- Oh.
You must go back
and explain to them
that we can't possibly
afford that.
Well, of course
it must be champagne.
I-I-I... Remind them
that Charles is their MP.
That must be worth
something, huh?
Yes.
Toodle-pip.
This wedding's going to be
the death of me.
Do you have children,
Mrs. Harris?
A nightmare of expense
from start to finish.
Oh, yes.
Poor old Admiral Dant
had to make
the ultimate sacrifice.
Setting sail for Christie's
and balmier shores.
Dreadful man, by all accounts.
Talking of accounts, Lady Dant,
I was wondering if you
might be able to sett...
We've been tightening our belts
for so long now,
it's a miracle
we can all still breathe.
- Isn't it divine?
- Oh.
I swore I would never set foot
in the Avenue Montaigne,
but what with the wedding
and "when in Paris" and...
The moment I laid eyes
on Ravissante...
- Ravissante.
- I was ravished.
To the tune of 500 pounds.
500 quid for a dress?
Shh, shh, shh. Lord Dant.
I don't mind admitting
things have been
a bit bloody of late, but...
when I put it on...
nothing else matters.
Lotte?
Now, quickly, hide it away.
His Lordship must not see it
until I've had time
to work on him.
Oh.
Ravissante.
By Christian Dior.
Night, love.
South London Post!
Saturday results!
All your football results.
- Oh!
- South London Post!
- Sorry.
- Saturday results!
All your football results.
South London Post!
Saturday results!
Manchester United two,
Blackpool two.
Newcastle five,
Liverpool three.
Preston North End two,
Portsmouth two.
And now we return to the rest
of the sports report.
No! No!
Oh, it's my Eddie.
It's my angel.
You gone simple on me, woman?
I won, Vi.
I've won.
You want to make nice to her.
She's only gone
and won the pools.
Ada, what you going to do?
I'm going to buy a dress.
Something pretty
for the Legion Dance.
Yeah.
A Christian Dior dress
from Paris.
500 quid.
How much you win?
Any more tickets, please?
Where to, ma'am?
Single, Miss Violet?
Mm-hmm. No cleaning up
after no man for me.
- Ah.
- Morning, Mr. Newcombe.
Mrs. Harris, I, uh...
I don't believe you've met
my niece, Samantha.
Oh, no, I haven't
had the pleasure.
Um, Mr. Newcombe.
If you know of anyone who
could use me services... um...
one of your nieces, perhaps?
Samantha, Mrs. H is
the soul of discretion.
One would never know she'd been
but for the polish on my knobs.
Oh, Giles.
Thank you.
Oh.
Sorry about the audition, love.
Oh, I don't know why I bother.
"Too young." "Too old."
"Too tall." "Too fat."
You're just right, ducks.
I'm twenty... three.
Couple more years,
and it's all over for me.
Oh, you've plenty of time.
You can't imagine
what it's like, Mrs. Harris,
always having to worry
about your looks.
Hey, Cinderella,
why'd you bring them rags?
I will go to the ball...
when I get me dress.
Oh, here comes trouble
with a capital "A."
Hello, Archie.
- Ada, the very girl
I was after. -
- What can I do for you, ducks?
- Now, don't get me excited.
You know I've got
a dodgy ticker.
Oh, get away with you.
She got bigger plans than you.
I can see that.
So, would you mind
doing me a favor
and look after
Spring and Summer?
Because Cynthia there's
not exactly a dog's best friend.
Go on.
Thank you.
You are an absolute star.
And you're all right.
C? All right, here we go.
Shake that tail, baby.
That's what we are, Vi.
The invisible women.
Speak for yourself.
They see me coming. Mm!
Oh!
Beg your pardon, milady.
Milady, um, my account.
I was wondering
if you might settle up.
Oh, I'm so sorry, Mrs. Harris.
I'm afraid I forgot
to pop to the bank.
This wedding is a nightmare.
Everybody has said yes.
Oh, um...
you wouldn't mind waiting
until next week, would you?
Well, uh, the thing is,
it's become a bit pressing
because I need to...
Oh, is that the time?
Actually, Mrs. Harris,
I'm afraid I'm going to
have to reduce your hours.
Reduce? N-No, please.
Milady, please...
Well, we all have to economize
these days, don't we?
Sorry.
I know you're there, woman,
in the dark and cold.
I'm all right, Vi.
Archie has got us free
into White City.
Oh, no, I've got
all this mending.
- Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah.
- N-No. No, no, Vi.
Vi... Oh.
Have us a bit of fun.
Oh, good Lord. Look.
It's a sign.
You got a good tip?
Yeah!
Yeah, I have!
- Um... excu... excuse...
- Hey.
- Excuse me.
- Ada, you fancy a flutter?
- Yeah.
- What'll it be?
100 quid on number six.
To win.
A ton?
For the love of Mike, Ada,
no, put it away.
No. Number six.
- Haute Couture, please.
- The dog's a bag of bones.
It couldn't win
with a rocket up its arse.
You tell her, Archie.
She's lost her marbles.
No, it's Haute Couture.
It's a sign.
How could it be anything else?
Ada, girl, I've been doing this
a long time, all right?
Signs don't win races.
Not till tonight, they didn't.
My money's good.
Count it, please.
Yeah.
Here.
Here we go. That's good.
Oh, we got a good spot. Right.
Oh. Wish me luck.
- Oh, Ada.
- Come on, Haute Couture.
Oh, look, she's in the lead!
Come on!
It's in front.
Come on!
It's Clever Count,
Blue Streak, and Stormy Bay.
And would you look at that...
Haute Couture has just
woken up and remembered
what she's here for.
Well...
Hats off to you, girl.
You went for it.
I'll go find
a St John's Ambulance.
They might have a tot of brandy.
For me.
You were right, Vi...
All that money.
My Eddie'd be ashamed of me.
I'll be right back, huh?
Nothing wrong
with dreaming, Ada, hmm?
When I came to London,
the streets were paved
with my dreams.
That's what you are.
You're a dreamer.
Plain as the nose on your face.
Give over, Vi. I'm all right.
Mrs. Harris?
Mrs. Edward Harris?
It's about your husband.
Sit down, please.
Sergeant Harris wasn't declared
missing in action
until April the 19th.
Uh, yeah, that's when
I got the telegram.
It's a day after his birthday.
Ah, yes.
Well, um, as we now know,
Flight Polo Lima 326 crashed
on March the 2nd, 1944,
meaning that Sergeant Harris
was paid
for almost seven weeks
after his death.
At, um, six shillings a day.
Is that what you come
to tell me?
After all this time.
That my Eddie owes you back pay?
When he never owed a penny
in his life.
When he give up his life
for king and country.
You got a nerve.
Coming into my home,
drinking my tea,
blackening his name.
- Um...
- How much do you want?
How much?
And then you can leave.
I-I think you've got
the wrong end of the stick.
Oh, have I?
Well, I'll tell you
where you can shove your stick
in a minute,
- if you don't watch out.
- Oh, golly, no. Um, I, uh...
I'm here to give you money,
Mrs. Harris,
- not-not to take it from you.
- I've had enough of...
What'd you say?
Y-Yes. Righto.
Uh, you should have been
receiving
a-a war widow's pension
since 1944.
It comes to quite a tidy sum,
uh, with that small deduction.
So long as you haven't
remarried.
Oh, give over.
He might have come back
any minute,
I'd have looked a right Charlie.
Uh...
well...
I suppose you'd better sit down.
Have that cup of tea after all.
Um, no milk.
She's never done a thing
wrong her whole life, sir.
She went a bit crazy
on account of some dress,
but she's fine now.
Nothing to worry about.
- Oh, hello.
- Mrs. Harris?
You come to tell me
I got the crown jewels?
She's still not right
in the head.
Almost. That diamond clip
you handed in...
The owner wants
to give you a reward
for being an honest citizen.
Oh! She is, sir,
honest to a fault.
Come in and have a cup of tea.
Don't mind if I do.
Thank you.
Oh, come on, Vi.
We can have a knees-up.
Oi, wait for me.
And, uh, you might want
to break out the bubbly.
You having another
lucky day, Archie?
As a matter of fact, I am,
and so are you.
News travels fast.
So, that bet you put
on that two-legged dog...
Oh, y-yeah, don't...
don't worry about that.
I've come to me senses.
No, the boss was there,
so I had to take the money,
but I managed
to hold back a tenner.
You shouldn't have done that,
Archie.
You could have got into trouble.
All tickety-boo, Mrs. Harris?
Oh, sorry, I didn't realize
you had company.
Hello. What's going on here?
- Oh.
- For the love of Mike.
- Uh, I'll see you later.
- Uh, no, Archie, Archie.
Uh, can you just
give me a moment?
It-it's personal.
- That the kettle calling?
- Ah, righto.
What's going on? Something up?
It's a long story.
What were you saying?
So, I took your money
and put it on a sure thing
in the last race.
And, um...
your stake back
and a wee bit more.
Oh, n-no, Archie, I couldn't.
- I...
- It's your money. Take it.
I can't keep it, woman.
PC Plod in there would have
my license. Come on.
Just promise me a dance
at the Legion.
Thanks, Archie.
Much obliged.
Blimey.
Are we flying?
We're terribly sorry,
ladies and gentlemen.
There seems to be a fault
with one engine.
There will be a slight delay
while we try
and fix the problem.
Delay?
How long?
I've got to be there
and back in a day.
Oh, God.
Paris.
Righto, Paris, here I come.
It's a fair old walk.
Oh. Um...
bonjour.
Beg your pardon?
Hey.
Thank you. Yeah.
Um, I'm here to buy a dress.
From Dior.
Dior?
Ah, oui. Me also.
Is it far... Dior?
Oh...
20 minutes.
Uh, but after you take wine,
two hours.
I walk you there.
Tomorrow morning, eh?
Oh, no, no, thanks.
I couldn't, no.
All right, go on, then.
Oh, blimey.
Why is all this rubbish
on the streets?
The big boss cheats...
- The worker, yes?
- Yeah, yeah.
The worker say, "No more."
The binmen are on strike?
Ah, yes.
Now all Paris, uh, smells, uh...
uh, like me.
Oh, God.
You are a noble woman.
And remember, in France,
the worker is king.
Oh, miss!
You all right, love?
- Did you hurt yourself?
- No. Sorry.
Thank you.
- Are you sure?
- Yes.
Oh.
Miss?
Miss!
No, miss.
Ooh-ooh! Miss!
Miss?
Here you go.
Once again, you save me, madame.
- Oh.
- I'm sorry. I'm very late.
- Oh.
- Thank you.
It's all right.
As long as you're in one piece.
Ooh.
Ooh, uh...
Oh. Excuse me, dear.
Where would I find the frocks?
I fear you have
the wrong address, madame.
I will call someone
to show you the way.
No. No, no.
Sorry. I'm-I'm...
I'm after a frock.
One of them 500-pound ones.
Please, if you could
wait over here,
somebody will attend you
directly.
Now, hang on. Excuse me.
Madame, I-I was here first,
before any of this lot.
Ain't you heard of queuing?
Excuse me. Look, I'm sorry.
- Please.
- I'm-I'm... I'm not one to make a fuss,
but where I come from,
shopgirls are pleased
to be of service.
Shopgirls?
This lady wishes to buy a dress.
Direct her to a suitable shop.
Go.
Uh, please let me
escort you out.
No, no, no, no, no,
hang on a minute.
I've come miles.
Saved every penny
scrubbing floors
and I don't know what
so I can buy this frock.
A Christian Dior gown
is not for pennies.
Right.
If you think
I ain't got the money...
there.
Oh l l.
Are you Mr. Dior?
Oh, oh, no,
I'm Mr. Fauvel, accounts.
Let me help you with the...
Excuse me, chre madame,
but it would be my honor
to have you view the collection
as my guest.
There you are.
Merci.
Shall we?
Oh.
It's here.
Thank you.
When you see the dress you want,
you can write
the number down here.
Oh.
Oh, I was just admiring
your buttonhole.
Oh.
- It's Louise Odier.
- Ah?
Yes, it's lovely. Proper scent.
Are you a connoisseur of roses?
My husband Eddie worked
at Covent Garden,
the flower market.
He was always bringing home
odds and ends, you know.
Roses are me favorite.
You after a dress for your wife?
Ooh. Lucky woman.
My wife is dead.
Oh, I do beg your pardon, sir.
My clumsy clogs.
My Eddie and all.
Oh, um...
But yes, uh, my wife and I
would come here together.
I like to see beautiful clothes.
And beautiful women, of course.
Oh, here we go.
Ooh.
Oh, that's lovely.
Oh.
Oh, will you look.
Oh, that's lovely.
Vnus.
- What number's that?
- 73.
- Vnus.Yes.
- 73. Vnus.
- What number's that?
- 89.
Temptation.
Oh, yeah.
Bravo!
Who's that bloke?
Well, that's the master
himself, Monsieur Dior.
Go on.
He looks like my milkman.
Well, good luck, madame.
I hope you find
what you're looking for.
Oh, well...
Here.
You do not wish to keep it?
Yeah, it's-it's lovely.
Thank you.
Enchant.
Don't mind me.
- Yes, madame?
- Oh.
Have you made your selection?
Yes. Um...
Number 89, please. Temptation.
Of course.
- Your name, please.
- Harris.
Mrs. Ada Harris.
My apologies, madame.
- Excusez-moi.
- Oh, yeah.
- Ah.
- Oh. Ta-da.
Madame Harris, I regret...
Well, there is a difficulty
with Temptation.
It seems
Madame Avallon demands it.
How's that work, then?
You only got the one dress?
I'm sorry.
Madame insists on exclusivity.
Madame Avallon is one of
our most devoted clients.
And her husband is known as
"The King of Rubbish."
But we would be so sorry if
you were to leave Maison Dior
without a purchase.
And you also wrote
number 73 on your card.
- Oh.
- Vnus.
Yeah, I never thought nothing
could be more beautiful.
Not till I saw Temptation.
An excellent choice, madame.
Yeah. How much is it?
Vnusis 600,000 francs.
430 pounds.
Wrap it up.
I got a plane to catch.
I'm a day late as it is.
Oh, you cannot have this gown.
Oh, don't tell me someone
wants that exclusive and all.
Mais Madame Harris,
every dress is made
and fitted individually
for the client.
Yes, this is haute couture.
We will, of course, reproduce
Vnusexactly as you saw it,
but the thing is...
Make me one?
How long's that gonna take?
Well, at least two weeks.
Ooh. At least.
Several fittings are necessary.
What, leave my people
for a fortnight?
They'd find someone else, and
then I'd be out on the streets.
Vite, vite,
to the airport, then.
I would not forgive myself
if you missed your flight.
- What, without my dress?
- Excusez-moi.
Perhaps there is
a friend you can call?
Someone who can assist you
with your cleaning.
Well, uh, there's Vi,
but I've tried her patience
enough as it is.
Anyway, she's not on the phone.
Uh, we might send her
a telegram.
Uh, Mrs. Harris,
uh, it might be possible
to encourage
the cutter and seamstress
to work a little faster.
And Madame Vi could fill you in
for one week, perhaps?
Well...
you're kind, but I can't.
Anyway, I got nowhere to stay.
I'll have to give it a miss.
My sister is away.
If you... would accept, um,
you could stay at my place,
uh, in my sister's room.
You're a proper angel,
aren't you?
It'll be my pleasure.
Um, we can have your
measurements taken at once.
N'est-ce pas, Madame Colbert?
Come, Madame Harris. Come.
- Oh.
- We must be quick.
S'il vous plat.
Oh.
- Bravo, madame.
- Bravo.
- Please, madame.
- Oh.
You don't get all this hoo-ha
when you buy a frock
down Woolworths.
Well, I can tell you such things
do not happen
every day here, either.
Ah, the lady
who must have her dress...
Your coat, please.
Oh.
- Et le cardigan.
- Yeah, me cardy.
Thank you very much.
Oh.
Madame has the proportions
of a model.
Model railway, more like.
One of the curvy bits.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you very much.
Madame?
Oh.
May I give you a lift?
Oh, well, if it's no bother.
No.
Uh, I'm going to Mr. Fauvel's.
The 18th, yes. That's easy.
- Oh, forgive the mess.
- Oh.
Is he a friend of yours,
Mr. Fauvel?
No. No, I-I know Mr. Fauvel
only as the hand
that signs my check.
Oh.
Oh.
L'tre et le nant.
It's, uh,
"Being and Not Being."
I like to curl up
with a juicy mystery meself.
Oh, look,
there's the Eiffel Tower.
Oh, that's lovely.
Oh.
That's the opera.
May I help you
with your luggage?
Nothing in it yet.
Oh. That's something, innit?
Ooh.
I don't think his sister knows
where the mop is.
There must be a dustpan
and brush somewhere.
Uh...
Oh.
Oh, you don't
have to do that, love.
You must have
better things to do.
No, not really.
After the dfil, there's always
a certain feeling of emptiness.
Oh.
All right, ducks.
Oh. Aha.
Now we're in business.
Oh.
- Mrs. Harris?
- Hello, love.
Mademoiselle.
She's a good worker.
I can always find you
a job, my girl,
if the modeling don't work out.
No, no.
Oh! Oh!
M-Mrs. Harris has cooked
the dinner.
You look like you could do
with a good square meal,
the pair of you.
Well, Mademoiselle Natasha
has other engagements.
I'm sure the face of Dior is
always at a party or premiere.
There's a soirelater.
Come on. Grub's up.
Here we are.
Don't let it get cold.
- Bon apptit.
- Bon apptit.
My Eddie's favorite.
Be even better
if we had a bit of gravy.
Um, and what's the dish named?
Toad-in-the-hole.
What a lot of books, Mr. Fauvel.
Oh.
Natasha's got a corker,
a murder-mystery.
Don't you, ducks?
We should speak English.
Oh, yeah. Of course.
Um, I-I'm interested to learn
that Mademoiselle Natasha
is reading a book
- by the French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre.
- Oh.
The author asks us to consider
the case of the waiter.
Is the waiter the waiter,
or is it just an expression
of what the waiter is?
Um, similarly,
am I the accountant,
or is that
an outward impression?
Um, is Mademoiselle Natasha
only the most beautiful,
the most exquisitely divine
Parisian model, or...
Or is there another person
behind the facade?
Yes.
Is Mrs. Harris the cleaner,
or is there more
to define her existence?
Exactement.
I'm a cleaner from Battersea.
No mystery there.
Uh, no, you're a cleaner
who dreams
of the most beautiful gown
in the world.
Oh, dreams, eh?
God knows what Vi is gonna say
when she gets
that blooming telegram.
Mrs. Harris?
Uh, please help yourself
to my sister's clothes.
Oh, thanks, love.
Um, I'm all right.
Uh, she would insist.
Good night.
Night, love.
Sweet dreams.
Ooh!
Stand straight, madame.
- Oh!
- Non, mais...
Keep still. Why do you move?
Sorry. Sorry.
Princess Margaret?
Oh, I like her.
You can see a little bit
of mischief in her eye.
Our distinguished clients
demand our utmost discretion.
That's all for today.
Little bit of that one
goes a long way, don't it?
What's eating her?
Well, the more grand
the client, the more difficult.
Their wishes must be
accommodated always,
even if it means
starting afresh.
- And they do not pay until delivery.
- Oh!
If then.
There are so many salaries
to find.
The fabric, braid,
embroidery, buttons
all must be the very best.
The pressure is on everyone:
on Mr. Fauvel and the accounts,
on Madame Colbert
and the seamstresses,
even on Monsieur Dior himself,
always such pressure.
Well, no wonder
Mr. Fauvel was so pleased
to see my little handbag.
Well, in truth, Madame Harris,
all of us fear
the House of Dior
cannot keep going this way.
Oui, monsieur.
You all right, love?
Wakey, wakey.
They're calling for you.
Oh.
Um, I'm sorry.
- I'm just tired.
- Mm-hmm.
You could do
with a little holiday.
It's doing me
the power of good already.
Yes, that would be nice.
By myself at the seaside,
where nobody...
I'm sorry.
- I must go. Thank you.
- Oh.
Thank you.
How was your fitting, madame?
Oh.
Well, if it isn't
my old pal, Mr. Rosebud.
I regret we were not
properly introduced.
Marquis Hypolite de Chassagne.
Ooh.
Ada Harris, widow of Battersea.
Who's this fine fella?
- This is Nesquik.
- Oh.
So, I trust Monsieur Dior
fulfills your heart's desire?
Oh, they're being ever so kind.
Louise Odier.
I'd forgotten the name.
Oh, I must show you something.
Please, I won't detain you long.
So, tell me, how are you
enjoying your time in Paris?
My wife adored
the March aux Fleurs.
Mm.
We came here
almost until the end.
It's been seven years now.
We mend, but we don't forget.
When you display
your Dior dress to the world,
- it will be perfection.
- Oh.
My pal Vi thinks I'm barmy.
"What do you want
that dress for?
When are you gonna wear it?"
Oh, I do not question
your desire
for a gown of such quality,
even if it is
for your eyes alone.
No, no, on the contrary,
I understand.
You see, a rose like this one
or a beautiful gown
such as yours,
they... they recall the days
when we were in the full flower
of our youth.
Oi, don't write me off just yet.
- Oh, a thousand apologies.
- Oh, no.
Please, allow me to make amends.
Have you any arrangements
for tonight?
Voil.
Oh, thank you.
Some champagne?
Uh, oh, yes, please.
Just a drop.
Thank you.
Now, you-you must
try the caviar.
Oh. Right.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Nice, huh?
- Mm.
Uh, oh, hello!
I don't think that getup's
gonna fool anyone. Do you?
Lovely girls.
Hmm. Soon, you'll see
how lovely.
Ooh! Oh. Steady on.
Blimey, they earn their keep,
them girls.
Well, least when I'm cleaning,
I don't have to smile
and strip as well.
Bonsoir, Mrs. Harris.
Natasha. Hello, love.
Hello.
Bonsoir, mademoiselle.
- Would you like to join us?
- Uh, yes, please.
Who are you here with, then?
Investors.
I escape but only for a moment.
They don't half keep you at it,
all day and all night as well.
For Maison Dior,
this is my obligation.
Ah, well,
Dior is not just about gowns.
It's also about elegance
and decadence
and the savoir-vivreof Paris,
and...
and you, Mademoiselle Natasha,
you are the jewel
of this Dior crown.
Well, I would prefer to be
at home with a book.
It's funny you should say that.
I've left Mr. Fauvel at home
reading a book.
It was called...
"Nosy"? Something like that.
- La nause?
- Don't know.
Why does he tolerate
the fashion house
compared to his world of Sartre
and the intellect?
Well, I-I think he has
his reasons.
Do you enjoy the show?
Yeah, the one...
the one at the end, she...
she's a dead ringer
for my Aunt Tilda.
From behind.
Well, this was lovely,
but I should go.
Thank you.
Oh, just-just a minute, love.
Your fringe.
There's a little gap.
That's it.
You have made a conquest.
Oh, get away with you.
You dare to follow your dreams,
Mrs. Harris.
- Bravo.
- Oh.
Bye, love.
- Bonsoir.
- Bonsoir, Natasha.
- Some more champagne?
- Oh, just a drop.
I've got me fitting at 9:30.
Oh, God!
Oh, Gordon Bennett!
Oh, oh!
Oh! Oh!
Careful!
Oh, oh, oh!
Oh!
I can't believe this.
Sorry!
Sorry. Sorry.
- I'm so sorry.
- No, no, no.
This is not possible,
not at all.
No, no, no, please, I-I'm...
I'm never late. I...
R-Really, I'm not.
I'm never late. Sorry.
You demand of us,
"Vite, vite, vite,"
but you have no respect.
No, this cannot be done.
Not at all.
Now I depart.
This is finished.
No, no, no, no. Please,
please, p-please, Mr. Carr.
Madame Colbert, please.
Monsieur Carr
refuses to proceed.
What can I do?
No. No, of course, I...
No, I understand.
Yeah, of course I do. I do.
Dior, it's-it's not just a gown.
It's, um...
It's all the elegance
and-and the savvy and all that.
I-I know that.
I will see what can be done
to return your deposit.
No, I don't...
I-I...
I don't want...
I don't want me deposit.
Right Champagne Charlie,
aren't I?
Serves me right,
living the high life.
I do respect you, all of you.
Never mind, eh?
Thanks, love.
You've been ever so kind.
Madame Harris, would you care
to see the atelier
before you leave?
Ooh.
- Bonjour, mesdames.
- Bonjour.
So, this room is for cutting.
- Bonjour.
- Morning.
Structure du couture.
Unstructured couture.
Passementerie.
Plumassier.
Broderie.
It's not sewing.
It's making moonlight.
Have I gone to heaven?
I have stood at
Monsieur Dior's shoulder
day and night for ten years,
since le matreunveiled
his first collection.
The most fashionable women
in the world
come to the Avenue Montaigne.
Royalty and courtesans,
thin, fat, young, old, ugly,
or with a certain
je ne sais quoi.
Hmm.
But then there is you,
Mrs. Harris.
All my time as directress,
I have never encountered
anyone like you.
Oh.
In my walk of life,
you meet all sorts.
As a good boss,
I must keep my workers happy,
and their wish
is to complete your dress.
Oh. Much obliged.
So you will do me the courtesy
of answering my questions, no?
Yeah.
Oh. Bottoms up.
Why do you come here,
Mrs. Harris?
Evidemment, the rich and titled
must be seen, admired, copied.
But this Dior dress
that you desire so much,
where will you wear it?
At the Vienna Opera Ball
or Queen Charlotte's?
Will you wear it
to polish floors,
or will you keep it shut
in your little wardrobe?
A Dior dress is designed
to astonish and delight.
How will you do that,
Mrs. Harris?
You...
Forgive me for saying this,
but you are nobody, invisible.
How will you give this dress
the life it deserves?
It's my dream.
And my money's as good
as anybody else's.
Bien sr. Hmm.
You may buy your dream,
but what will you do with it?
Oui, entrez.
Mrs. Harris, these are for you.
Ooh.
From Monsieur le Marquis.
Oh.
He wishes that you visit
for tea tomorrow.
Le Marquis de Chassagne?
But...
he receives nobody.
But I am nobody, aren't I?
I never thought a place
like Dior would have problems.
I saw that dress,
and I thought of dreams
and fairy tales.
Yes, we are like a fairy tale.
Lovely but not real.
Is there a place for that today?
Oh, we need our dreams.
Now more than ever.
If you can have this,
why do you need Dior?
Haute couture is a vanity
for us and our clients.
In truth, I don't think
the House of Dior can survive.
No, love,
that would be a tragedy.
You can't allow that to happen.
Well, I have an idea,
but it requires
a new way of thinking.
What? Bossy Boots in the way?
Madame Colbert,
she guards the temple.
She let a cleaning lady
buy a Dior gown.
Money talks.
Yes, and you know what it says,
so you have to do
something about it.
I know you can.
You're ever so clever.
You're the only one
who believes.
What's going on here?
It looks like a premiere.
Ooh!
Oh, exciting.
Oh, that's Jean Fabre,
the movie star.
Mm, and don't he know it?
Oh, it's Natasha! Oh!
- Natasha! Ooh-ooh!
- What are you doing? No, no.
- Natasha!
- No.
Hello.
Good evening, Mrs. Harris.
You look lovely.
Thank you.
Bonsoir, Monsieur Fauvel.
Bonsoir. Um, we didn't know
you were, uh...
We were just passing.
So, what are you two doing
this evening?
- Oh, well... Oh.
- Natasha.
I'm sorry. I-I must go.
It was great to see you.
Oh, yeah. Ta-ta, love.
I think it's just for show.
I'm not sure that
he's the marrying kind.
Mrs. Harris, I-I beg of you,
you-you need to stop
this coupling thing
- before I die of humiliation.
- Oh...
Please. Enough!
All right. I'm not deaf.
Of course I'm in love
with Natasha.
I mean, who isn't?
I'm sorry, but life is not
all moonlight and movies.
Why can't it be?
I've spent too long on my own,
wishing my life away.
You don't want to do
the same thing.
Mrs. Harris, I think
your dreams of romance
fit Paris very well.
Forgive me,
but perhaps it is you
who wishes to be in love.
You who must attend
to your own heart.
Come on, Eddie,
say something, love.
Try and make some sense
of this, 'cause I can't.
This is all your doing.
Coming up with the readies
to get your girl to Paris.
Paris.
To meet someone?
Ah.
Shall we?
The girls at Dior say my dress
is almost finished.
Yeah. Maybe tomorrow.
And then I'll be...
I'll be back off home.
Yeah, it's lovely.
Really, really lovely.
That rubbish lady's
welcome to hers.
And here's the irony.
Monsieur Dior makes exquisite
poems for beautiful women
in celebration of their
freshness and perfection
only to see them carried away
by old frumps.
Like that dreadful
Madame Avallon.
Oh, yeah.
Whereas, of course,
there are those who retain
a certain je ne sais quoi,
an indefinable allure.
Ah.
Allow me to present to you
a pot of English tea.
Oh, just the job.
Hmm. Merci, Maria.
And now we let the pot brew.
- Is that the correct form, yes?
- That's the ticket.
I'll have to knit you
a tea cozy.
Yes, for reasons
that were never clear to me,
I was sent as a boy of six
to a boarding school in Windsor,
and that's where
I acquired a taste for tea
and of all things English.
While we wait,
there's something
I would like you to see.
Come with me.
There.
Oh. Oh.
Six years old, you poor mite.
Well, home was not much better.
But yes, I suffered.
I was a weak little boy,
perpetually bullied.
Oh.
You know, as soon as I saw you,
I felt this connection
in my heart.
I don't know, perhaps...
your smile,
your kindness, your...
your English humor.
I knew you reminded me
of someone,
someone very dear to me,
but who?
And only yesterday,
as I searched my memories,
did I realize there was
a person who took care of me.
Her life was one
of tireless drudgery,
and yet she found the time
to comfort me and dry my tears.
Her name was Mrs. Maddox,
but we used to call her
Mrs. Mops.
There.
I-I remind you of Mrs. Mops?
- Ah, yes.
- The cleaner?
Mrs. Mops dried my tears
and made me smile again,
as you have, Mrs. Harris,
these past few days.
I do wish my Delphine
could have known you.
You see, you give comfort
to those in need
without asking anything
in return.
Is that right?
Is that how you see me?
You see why there is
a connection between us?
Now, let's have a nice cup
of English tea, shall we?
Uh, no, thank you.
I'd best be getting along.
They're expecting me
at the salon.
Marguerite?
What's the matter?
In you go.
What's this about you
letting all these girls go?
Ooh. You all right, love?
It would not be necessary
if they worked for free,
as you do.
They need their jobs.
They've got families to feed.
Excusez-moi.
Yes, it is very sad,
but this is not of your concern.
Well, we'll see about that.
Please, madame, you have reached
into every corner
of this establishment.
Now, I insist that
you respect our privacy.
Hmm.
Where are you going,
Mrs. Harris?
To see the boss.
- You cannot. No.
- Come on, girls.
- Please. No.
- Follow me. Vite, vite.
Here we go, girls. Come on.
Down tools.
Come on, get behind me. Join us.
Yeah, got a really important
job today.
- Ooh, you look lovely, but come on.
- Mrs. Harris!
- Come and do this for me.
- Mrs. Harris!
You must stop this at once.
You have no idea
what you are doing.
Oh, yes, I do.
It's called a strike.
Right, ladies, come on.
Follow me.
No time for that, dear.
Oi! No need to push and shove.
Come on.
On your feet, Andr.
There's work to be done.
Mrs. Harris, I beg of you,
do not do this.
This is your chance, Andr,
and how many chances
- do you get in your lifetime?
- No, look...
Monsieur Dior, ten minutes
of your time, please.
That's all Mr. Fauvel needs
to save the company.
Me? What do I-I...
Go on, pet. You can do it.
Tell him your plan.
- Uh...
- Go on.
Rather than the world
coming to Avenue Montaigne,
Dior must go out to the world
with a range of goods
available to all.
Uh, perfume, stockings,
luxury that...
that the ordinary woman
can afford.
Oui.
What?
Oh, right.
Good luck, love.
Merci.
But today, there's a new woman,
a modern woman
who knows what she wants
and needs to be able to buy it.
Today, there's Mrs. Harris.
Oh.
The matre'sagreement
to our plan means that,
far from losing jobs,
we will need more.
Many, many more.
Bravo!
Are you sure
this is the right street?
Must be. This is where I send
her check every month.
There won't be
a speck of dust inside.
You can bet your life.
This is it.
No.
Leave me in peace.
Just a word.
Why? I concede.
The victory is yours,
Mrs. Harris.
My husband...
He was damaged in the war.
He requires constant care.
Which you either do or pay for.
No wonder you got
all that front on you.
Say what you want, please.
Madame, I'm so sorry
to have offended you.
I hold you in
the highest regard, and it was
never my intention
to force a change on...
The future you describe
makes perfect sense,
but I want no part of it.
Uh, no, please.
You must not think of leaving.
Perhaps I have been
too long in my post,
too long the invisible woman
behind the great man.
Fighting talk.
You go, girl.
I'm not a revolutionary
like you, Mrs. Harris.
I simply wish to be left alone.
Well, that's...
that's all fine and dandy,
and Lord knows you deserve it,
but you know it'll fall apart
without you, don't you?
Trust me,
I've seen it over and over.
When the lady ups and leaves,
the gent don't last ten minutes.
You're needed.
Now more than ever.
Who else is gonna
keep things up to scratch?
Not Andr or Monsieur Dior.
What would two men know
about that?
You and me, you know,
we're two peas in a pod.
We clean up everybody's mess
and make everything
in the garden lovely.
We're the ones they rely on.
They don't even know what we do,
but as sure as eggs is eggs,
without us,
it all goes tits up.
Perhaps a conversation
with le matreis required.
Perhaps.
And tomorrow,
you tell Natasha how you feel.
Oh, but Mademoiselle Natasha
has left Dior.
She's leaving Paris.
Like you, Mrs. Harris,
she wishes to follow her dream.
Keep looking, love.
She's got to be here somewhere.
She's gone. It's for the best.
You're gonna get yourself
a good clip round the ear
in a minute if you don't...
Hang on.
Hang on a minute. I know.
Here.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh. Madame Dior.
Magnifique.
Oh, well, not so bad yourself.
Uh, we're looking for a girl.
Um, she's... she's a bit upset.
Um...
She's a Dior model.
- Oh, Natasha.
- Natasha.
This life, it's-it's not for me.
No, of course it isn't.
Stuck on a pedestal,
paraded around
like a beautiful doll.
Anyone can see
the girl doesn't want it.
Mrs. Harris is right.
It's not who I am.
As Sartre would say,
y-you find yourself conflicted
between tre-en-soi
et tre-pour-soi.
Between "for itself"
and "in itself."
Etre-en-soibeing
those aspects of human life
that involves consciousness,
whereas physical facts
are tre-pour-soi.
In which case,
things would be
what they are not.
Exactement.
Things are what they are not,
and they're not
what they're not.
Andr, for God's sake,
just kiss her.
Yes. For God's sake,
just kiss me.
Hmm.
You did not find love in Paris,
Madame Dior?
- Oh, no. No.
- Oh.
I thought it was too late,
but...
now I'm not so sure.
- Hello, love.
- Hello, Ada.
Oh. All right, all right.
Gordon Bennett.
All right.
All right.
Oh, hello, love. Come in.
Oh, thank God you're back.
Oh, well, not long.
Do you want a cuppa?
No time.
- This is an emergency.
- Oh. Right.
Okay, well, deep breath
and tell me what's up.
I can't go, but if I don't...
Oh, it's so important to make
a good impression, you know?
I do. Who you trying to impress?
Mr. Korngold, the producer.
I'm to partner him to the
big dinner at the Caf Royal.
- Ooh.
- Everybody will be there.
It's a priceless opportunity.
But look.
Oh, well, yeah, it's a bit...
it's a bit crumpled,
but we can steam that out
in a jiffy, love.
- Don't you worry.
- No, look.
Oh.
Oh, dear.
Yeah, that's not gonna come out
without a good, long soak.
I'm not sure
the satin's gonna like that.
Ain't you got another one?
What about
that lovely blue dress?
- It's at the cleaner's.
- Oh.
Oh, my God.
I'm going to die.
All right. Come on, now.
That's enough.
Nobody wants to hear that.
But you don't understand.
Nearly all Mr. Korngold's girls
become stars.
It's my chance to lift myself
out of the rut
and be seen at last.
Well, being seen
isn't everything, love.
It is for me.
Come on. Stand up.
It's your lucky day.
What?
Why?
'Cause I think I can help you.
You just said you couldn't.
I can't do anything
if you don't get up.
Right.
Take off your clothes.
You can borrow my dress.
Don't be ridiculous.
Just do as I say, and a bit
less of your nonsense.
Go on, behind the screen.
Mrs. Harris?
Oh.
You look lovely, ducks.
Just the ticket.
How was your trip?
I should've asked.
- Where did you go?
- Oh.
Paris. Yeah, it was...
You said you'd only
be gone a day.
Everything went to pieces
without you.
It was magical.
I mean, you know
how tidy I am... normally.
So romantic.
Mrs. H.
You dark horse.
Oh.
Oh, God. That's him.
Oh. He knew where to come, then?
I knew you'd rescue me, darling.
You're my fairy godmother.
Hello.
Miss Penrose?
Oh.
Dear Mrs. H,
Sorry about the dress,
but please don't worry.
I'm okay.
I was checking my lipstick
in the mirror
when suddenly
I went up in flames.
I might have burnt to a crisp
if a helpful friend
hadn't come to my rescue.
Mr. Korngold says I should sue.
Gone to my mum's to recover.
Ada?
You there?
Yeah.
Sorry, Vi.
You give up the ghost, woman?
You want to scare us to death?
Oh, all right, Archie?
Uh, sorry about your door.
Uh, she was, um...
Best intentions and all.
I'll get some glass, yeah?
Fix it up good as new.
Thank you.
Well, there's no need
to say a word.
You're famous.
At least the dress you gave up
everything to go and get is.
Why you give it
to that no-good girl, eh?
You're too soft,
and that's the truth.
It had to be seen.
It's only right.
Oh, Vi.
I never got to wear it.
Not even once.
Oh, Ada, my darling.
I'm so sorry, eh?
Hey.
We don't need no fancy dresses.
We'll go shake our tail feather
down at the Legion Dance,
and they'll all be
looking at us.
Aw.
Oh, morning, Mr. Newcombe.
Enjoy your holiday, Mrs. Harris?
Very much, thank you.
Missed your touch
about the place.
Oh.
Are you quite all right?
Not quite meself today.
Not sure who that is, even.
Bit of an existential crisis.
Paris will do that to you.
Chin up, Mrs. H.
The revolution is coming.
Did you read about the girl
who set fire to herself
in a Dior gown?
Ghastly
publicity stunt, I suppose.
What a waste.
Will you please accept
my notice, Lady Dant?
I will require full and final
settlement of your account
by the end of the week.
You can't leave me.
Them days are over when
you can treat people like scum
and expect loyalty in return.
Yeah. Good day, milady.
There you go.
Be right as rain in no time.
Who's that, then?
Mrs. Ada Harris?
- Sign here, please.
- Oh.
- Thank you.
- Just a mo'. There's more.
More?
Oh.
Are you sure?
It's not me birthday.
You are Ada Harris?
Well, not sure about that,
either.
Chre Madame Harris,
We hope your return journey
to London was pleasant,
but we were troubled by a photo
we saw in the social pages.
We knew immediately
that once again
you had been too kind.
It seems the rubbish king
was stealing from his workers.
Georges! Georges!
Since his assets were seized,
Madame Avallon failed
to attend her final fitting
or settle the bill
for her dress.
We kept all
your measurements, of course,
and were quickly able
to alter it for you.
If it needs
any final adjustments,
we know you have the skill
to do these yourself.
We all agreed it was
the least we could do.
The publicity has resulted
in a great increase in orders.
You will no doubt
recognize these blooms
as Princess Margaret's Delight.
We hope you enjoy the flowers
and that you will keep
your new dress
well away from naked flames.
We send it to you
with all our love
and our very warmest thanks.
From Christian
and all your friends
at the House of Dior.
Lovely. Thank you.
G-Good to see you.
- See you later.
- All right.
There you go, love.
Get that down you.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
Thank you, Vi.
Oh, Ada.
You all right, Archie?
Never better.
S-Sorry.
I just...
What?
You seem different.
Well, it's haute couture,
you know?
Is it, now?
Know what?
It's not the frock.
I mean, it's lovely and all,
but, uh...
no, it's you.
You...
You're just beautiful.
Thank you, Archie.
That's very nice of you.
No, I mean, you've always
been beautiful.
Inside and out.
Just, there's something...
I don't know, like,
a new spark or something.
A je ne sais quoi?
That'll be the fella.
I owe you a dance, don't I?
I think you do.
I'd like to claim that dance
with the loveliest girl
in the room.
It's your lucky day.
Oh.
All right.
There is hope for us all.