03x23 - Mr. Wilson's Housekeeper
Posted: 11/12/23 06:05
-Hi, Dad!
-Hi, son!
-Let me help you with that.
-Why all the extra service?
-Well, see there's something
I want to tell you about.
-Oh?
-Now, sit right down here.
[chuckling]
-See?
Tommy's dad just bought
him a swell new pair
of roller skates.
-I see.
So now, you'd like
to pair for yourself.
-Yeah!
How'd you know?
-Well, just a lucky guess.
-Look!
I cleaned your
slippers real good.
-Hey, this is really
some campaign.
[chuckling]
-OK, you get the skates.
-Oh boy!
Oh, Dad, here's your pipe.
-Well, thank you.
-Oh, I meant to tell you,
I washed your pipe, too.
Is there anything else
I can do for you, Dad?
-No, I'm afraid you've
done enough, son.
-I've finished the
upstairs, dear.
Well, you seem to
have slowed down here.
I've come to a complete stop.
Martha, I don't mind
telling you, I've had it.
-Well, I'm not surprised.
It's the first time you've
helped me with the spring
cleaning and you're
not used to it.
-Ugh.
I ache in bones I
didn't even know I had.
If spring cleaning wears out
a strong, healthy man like me,
I can imagine what it
does to a delicate woman.
-It only happens once a year.
-Yes, but the
ordinary housecleaning
goes on every day.
The cooking, the dish washing,
the bed making-- Martha,
I've made a sl*ve
of you for years.
-Oh, nonsense.
I only do what any
wife's supposed to do.
-Well, by golly, I'm
putting a stop to it.
I'm hiring you a
housekeeper tomorrow.
-A housekeeper?
-I'm going to call
an employment agency
and tell them to send the
best woman they've got over
in the morning for an interview.
-George, I'm not sure
I want a housekeeper.
Besides, it's an added expense.
-Oh, well, my stocks
are doing well,
and I'm willing to
spend any amount-- a-any
reasonable amount to relieve
you of the duties that
have left you mentally
and physically fatigued.
-I'm not mentally and
physically fatigued.
-Well, you must be, or you
wouldn't be arguing with me.
Now, we are going to
have a housekeeper,
and you're going to rest.
-Well, maybe I'll enjoy being
a lady of leisure for a change.
-Of course you will, my dear,
it'll make a new woman of you.
No longer will your
fingers be worn with toil.
-George, you make me
sound like Mother Machree.
-Look, Mom.
Aren't they cute?
-Well, I never thought I'd
say it, but they really are.
-Schools have certainly
changed since I was a boy.
We didn't have mice to play
with as part of our lessons.
-Oh, we don't just
play with them, Dad.
Us kids are going to
have all kinds of pets.
And we're gonna
feed them real good
and report on how they grow.
-They're teaching the
children that proper diet
can make them grow, too.
-That's right, Mom.
So I'm gonna feed my mice
plenty of ice cream and cake.
-I wouldn't do that, son.
-Why not?
I eat all the ice cream
and cake I can get.
And I'm still growing.
-You'd better consult
your mother and me
before you start feeding them.
We'll work out a diet together.
-OK.
I'm gonna take the
mice over to Mr. Wilson
and show them to him.
-Oh, maybe you shouldn't, dear.
He might be busy.
-Oh, I won't stay long.
I think Mr. Wilson
ought to meet the mice.
Because I want all my
friends to know each other.
-Heh heh heh.
Oh, these'll make a
very interesting school
project, Dennis.
-You should see
the way they run.
Is it OK if I let them
loose on the floor?
-Oh, no, no, you'd better not.
No, no, Dennis.
Mrs. Wilson gave the house a
thorough cleaning yesterday.
-Boy, everything
sure looks clean.
Well, it'll be the last
time she has to do it.
I'm bringing in another woman
to cook and do the housework.
-You mean you're
gonna have two wives?
Boy, wait'll I tell
Mom and Dad that you--
-No, Dennis.
Not two wives.
This woman, a Mrs.
Davis, is going
to be paid to do the work.
-Oh.
Oh, you mean Mrs. Wilson
did it all for nothing, huh?
-Yeah.
I mean, no!
No, she did it because
uh, eh, uh-- oh,
you're too young to understand.
-Well hiya, Mrs. Davis!
-Morning, Mr. Grigsby.
-Whatcha doing around
this part of town?
-Agency sent me to
see some people named
Wilson who want a housekeeper.
Know anything about them?
-Why, yeah.
They're fine folks.
Been my customers for years.
Y-you'll like the Wilsons.
-Oh, I hope you're right.
I'm hard to please.
-Hmm-hmm.
Boy, you sure weren't pleased
on the last job you were on.
-Their house was
overrun with mice,
and that's one
thing I can't stand.
-You know, that's kind of funny.
Mice are such little critters
for a big gal like you
to be scared of.
-So I've got one weak point.
Aren't you afraid of anything?
-Heh, yeah, my wife.
But she's no mouse.
If there's a mouse around
my house, I guess it's me.
-Mm, I won't argue with that.
-Well, I have
deliveries to make.
I'll see you tomorrow
at the Wilsons.
-You will, unless they got mice.
-Oh, don't be afraid.
I'll protect you.
If you hear a squeak,
just let out a shriek.
So long, Mousey!
-You know something
funny, Mr. Wilson?
One of them just keeps
running around in circles.
And I don't know
which one it is.
-Oh, you mean you don't have
names for your mice, Dennis?
-Well, not yet.
But I'm gonna name
one of them after you.
-Oh ho, that's very flattering.
Which one will have that honor?
-The one that turns out to be
the biggest, and the strongest,
and the fattest.
-Well, the biggest
and the strongest
would have been enough.
[doorbell ringing]
-Uh oh, that must be Mrs. Davis.
-Maybe she'd like
to see my mice, too.
-Uh, no.
No, you better go
on home, Dennis.
I have to interview Mrs. Davis,
ask her a lot of questions.
You wouldn't be interested.
-OK, see you later.
-All right.
-Oh, heh.
Mrs. Davis?
-That's right.
Agency sent me.
-Oh.
I'm George Wilson.
Eh, come right in.
Ah, eh, sit down.
Ha heh heh.
Ah.
Now then, Mrs. Davis, let's
get right down to business,
eh, ahem.
Have you, uh, had much
experience as a housekeeper?
-Don't fret about my experience.
I've had plenty.
How much experience
have you had as a boss?
-Me?
Oh, well, I-- heh.
-A real boss don't
try to be bossy,
and that's the only
kind I'll work for.
I'm a woman who don't
like interference.
-Oh, well I can
understand that--
-And there are some other
things I don't like.
I keep a neat, tidy house.
And I don't put up with
people who are messy.
Are you messy?
-Why, of course not, I--
-Are you sure?
You got your necktie
on kind of crooked.
Oh.
Uh, I'm a very tidy man--
-We'll get along if you
remember I'm in complete charge.
All right with you?
-Oh, well, I suppose so.
-All right, I'm hired.
Where is the kitchen?
-Eh, oh, it's right out there.
-Oh!
Hello.
-Hello.
You Mrs. Wilson?
-Yes.
You must be the housekeeper.
-Flora Davis.
Hope we get along.
-Oh, I'm sure we will if
Mr. Wilson selected you.
Where is he?
-Out in the patio.
Got under foot, so I told
him to get out of here
and go take a nap.
-Well, men do have
a way of get--
Why are you washing dishes?
I didn't think I left any
dirty ones this morning.
-You didn't.
I got my own system of stacking
dishes in the cupboard.
Took them out to
stack them my way.
Long as they were out, I
decided to wash them again.
-Ah.
Well, while you
finish that, I'll
start getting my
husband's lunch.
-I'll do it.
Plenty of time to finish
this and do the cooking, too.
-But I found the
nicest cod liver.
And Mr. Wilson likes
the way I fix it.
-There's nothing wrong
with the way I fix it.
Now, you just take
yourself a rest,
and I'll take care of the work.
Well, if there's
nothing I can do.
-Not a thing.
No more chores for
you, Mrs. Wilson.
You got me now, and things
are going to be different.
-Yes, I can see they will be.
-Thank you.
-Oh, good morning, Mitchell.
-Good morning, Mr. Wilson.
Say, Dennis tells me you
hired a housekeeper yesterday.
-I certainly did.
And it's the best thing that
ever happened to Martha.
-It's the worst thing that's
ever happened to me, Alice.
-A housekeeper for you?
-Is the woman a
good housekeeper?
-Oh, highly efficient.
She's taken over so
completely, Martha
doesn't even have
to lift a hand.
-I can't lift a hand.
I can't even get
into my own kitchen.
-I imagine Mrs. Wilson's
pretty grateful, huh?
-Oh, naturally.
She realizes I've done a
fine, generous thing for her.
-Poor, silly George
thinks he's done
such a fine, generous
thing for me.
I can't hurt his feelings.
-Oh, dear.
Yes, I can see why
you can't fire her.
-Mr. Wilson!
Just where do you think
you're putting those ashes?
-Ashes?
Why, in the ash
stand, of course.
That's where I always put--
The ash stand, where is it?
-There it is.
-But I always keep
it here by the couch.
I thought it was still
here-- who moved it?
-I did.
Now gimme that thing,
before you make more mess.
-Wait a minute!
What are you doing?
I paid cents for that cigar!
-Well, even the price
of cabbage has gone up.
-Now, look here, Mrs.
Davis, this is my house.
-It's your wife's
house, too, and she
don't give me any trouble.
And she wouldn't like it if
she knew you were complaining.
-Ohh, well, all right,
all right, but-- I
want that ash stand over by
the couch where I sit to read.
-The light's better for reading
in this chair, so sit here.
Anyway, a man as
old as you are ought
to be careful of his eyes.
-Oh, no, don't you bother
with that, Mrs. Wilson.
-Oh, I don't mind.
I enjoy fixing flowers.
-I'm your housekeeper.
I keep the house.
In spite of himself out there,
dropping ashes on the rug.
Got a little sulky when
I called him on it.
-Oh.
Well, I wouldn't want you to
stay if Mr. Wilson upset you.
-Don't you worry about me.
I can handle him fine.
-Oh.
Because if you decided to
quit, I'd understand perfectly.
-No, sir.
I'm no quitter.
When I take a job,
I stay with it.
-Good.
The only time I ever
quit was my last job.
I walked out on the back porch
and, right there in the corner,
looking at me was--
-Hey, Mrs. Wilson!
Here's the butter Mom borrowed.
Oh, excuse me.
-Mrs. Davis, this is our
little friend, Dennis Mitchell.
-Hello, sonny.
-Hi, Mrs. Davis.
You're the new
housekeeper, aren't you?
-That's right, and I'm
pretty busy right now.
-Would you like to look
at my school project?
It's very interesting.
-We mustn't bother
Mrs. Davis now.
You come along with me.
-Maybe I'll see you
tomorrow, Mrs. Davis.
-I'll be here.
-Yes, dear.
Mrs. Davis will be here
tomorrow, and the next day,
and the next day, and
the day after that.
-Ah.
[humming to himself]
[phone ringing]
Martha!
Oh, she's out.
Hello.
Oh, hello, Martha.
I just yelled at you
to answer the phone.
I forgot you were
out for a minute.
Well, where are you?
Ah.
Heh heh heh heh.
Well, of course you may, Martha.
Eh-- no, no, I can't think
of anything I need downtown.
Oh, fine.
Yeah.
All right, dear.
I'll see you a little bit later.
Mhm.
All right.
Bye-bye.
Eh-- Wh-- Where are my stamps?
-In the desk drawer
where they belong.
-In the desk?
Oh, for the-- Mrs.
Davis, I spent
an hour sorting
these stamps out.
-I spent two hours
cleaning the house,
and I won't have
the coffee table
all littered up with
dirty scraps of paper!
-Dirty scra--!
For your information,
Mrs. Davis,
I happen to have a very
valuable collection of stamps.
-If a man your age wants
to sit around the house
and play with stamps
all day, that's
fine with me, but not
in the living room.
Right?
-We'll see about that.
I'll--
-And another thing.
I just put fresh towels
in the powder room.
Your towels are
in your bathroom.
If your hands get dirty
again, upstairs, right?
-Wha--?!
Wuh- urgh.
I'll wash my hands
any place I please!
It's an outrage,
that's what it is.
Why, I ought to go in there
and tell her that-- Ohh.
Hello, Dennis.
-Jeepers, you look
mad, Mr. Wilson.
I'll go home if
I'm bothering you.
-Oh, no, no, no.
It isn't you this time.
It's that Davis woman,
telling me I can't do this
and I can't do that,
and in my own home.
By golly, I won't
put up with it.
-What are you gonna
do, Mr. Wilson?
Are you gonna fire Mrs. Davis?
-Oh, I wish I
could, but I can't.
I hired her because
Mrs. Wilson needs her.
So uh, d-d-don't you
mention this to Mrs. Wilson,
understand?
-OK.
But if there's anything
I can do for you,
Mr. Wilson-- Oh, hi, Mrs. Davis!
-Now, don't get
under my feet, sonny.
I'm gonna hang up the clothes.
-Oh, I won't.
I'll help you.
Jeepers!
Is this yours, Mr. Wilson?
-Ah, ah, ah, uh-- put that down.
It's my long underwear.
-Boy, sure is!
This is the longest
underwear I ever saw.
-Oh, now-- you're not going
to hang these out here
are you, in the backyard?
Why, the neighbors can
look right in here.
-Why not give them a laugh?
Any neighbor of
yours needs a laugh.
-Oh, is that so?
I'll hang it in the basement.
All right, Dennis.
Let her do the work.
She's getting paid for it.
-Would you like to look at my
school project now, Mrs. Davis?
-Well, all--
-Dennis, I told you
not to bother her.
Now, come on.
-Well, yes, she seems
like a good housekeeper.
Why?
-Well, I just wanted to make
sure you're satisfied with her,
because if she displeased
you in any way,
I'd dismiss her Immediately.
-You would?
-Oh, just like that.
Have another woman
on the job before you
could say Jack Robinson.
-Another housekeeper?
-Oh, absolutely.
I wouldn't leave
you without help.
I just wondered if Mrs.
Davis was right for you.
Uh-- is she?
-Uh-- well she is
a good housekeeper.
She's neat and careful.
If, if we got another
woman, it might be worse.
-Mmm.
It's possible.
-Grace Trivers had a woman who
broke half of her good china
the first week, and
then tried to hide
the pieces in the wastebasket.
-Hmm.
Is that so?
-Yes.
I wouldn't have a
woman like that around.
-Oh, no, I should say not.
-Well I'll go for my walk.
I simply have nothing
to do these days.
-Ah, good, good, dear.
You go right ahead
and enjoy yourself.
Oh!
Uh, when Mrs. Davis gets
back from the market,
any special instructions?
-No.
Mrs. Davis doesn't
like instructions.
-I'll break one piece
of Martha's best china
and carefully hide it where
she'll be sure to find it.
Ha ha.
Yes, we'll have a new
housekeeper tomorrow!
-George Wilson, you're
a diabolical genius.
-Jeepers, Mr. Wilson.
-Oh, Dennis, what're
you doing here?
-I ran out of
cheese for my mice.
Why are you breaking the dishes?
-Eh-- oh.
Well, heh heh.
You see, eh, I just never
have liked this set of dishes
and uh, I'm going to get
some new ones anyway, and--
-Oh, boy!
I'll help you get rid of these.
-Huh?
Oh!
Dennis, don't-- --start.
Confound it, I wish she'd leave
my desk al-- oh, here it is.
-Where's your wife?
She upstairs?
-No.
She's not upstairs, she's next
door visiting the Mitchells.
Why?
-Look what I found in the
wastebasket this morning.
You busted those
dishes, didn't you?
-Well, I don't think that's
any of your business.
-Well, you just be sure
your wife knows you did it.
I don't want her
blaming me for it.
-Oh, nobody's blaming you
for it-- uh, unfortunately.
-What was that?
-I said nobody's blaming you.
-You just stay out of my kitchen
and we won't have any trouble.
-Your kitchen?
-And I put your pills
up in the bathroom.
They don't belong in
my kitchen cupboard.
-But I take them
after each meal.
-I just straightened
out those cupboards,
and I want them kept that way.
At least your wife
appreciates a neat house.
-By golly, I'll
fix her this time.
Martha likes her
because she's neat.
I know!
I'll make a mare's nest
out of those cupboards
and blame it on her.
Ha ha ha ha!
-Oh, hi, Mr. Wilson.
Whatcha doing up there?
-Oh-- hello, Grigsby.
Oh, I was just, uh, checking
up on our housekeeper.
-Mrs. Davis?
-Uh huh, to make
sure that she kept
our cupboards in good order.
-Oh, you don't have to
worry about old Mousey.
She's a real neat one!
-Old Mousey?
-Haha.
-That's an odd name for her.
Oh, I just call her
that to kid her.
She's scared to death of mice.
Imagine a old
battleaxe like that.
-Scared of mice!
-Oh yeah.
You haven't got any mice around
here, or she'd have quit.
Why, the last job that
she was on, she saw one
and she took off like
a guided m*ssile.
-Well, how do you like that.
Dennis and his project.
Why, I had the key right
in my hands all the time
and didn't know it!
-The key?
What key?
-Mice.
Now, to get Dennis over here.
-They really are
growing, aren't they?
-That's because I'm
feeding them real good.
You know, our teacher says
that-- oh, hi, Mr. Wilson.
-Ohh, Dennis, am
I glad to see you.
You and your dear little pets.
Mrs. Davis!
Would you come
downstairs, please?
-Why do you want her?
-Well, uh, Mrs. Davis has
been working very hard lately.
I think she deserves
a little treat.
Don't you?
-Well, I suppose so.
-Well, what is it?
Better be important,
interrupting me when I'm busy.
-Well, Mrs. Davis, we were
looking at Dennis' school
project and thought
you'd enjoy it, too.
Very educational.
Oh, uh-- won't you sit down?
-All right.
Don't mind resting my feet.
-Now, Dennis, show her
what you have in the box.
-Aren't they cute?
-Ohh, they're darling!
-Darling?
There's nothing sweeter
than a baby chick.
-You know, we're learning how to
take care of all kinds of pets.
-Dennis, what happened
to your other project?
-Oh, I've still got them, too.
I'll put them in
your lap, Mrs. Davis.
If you like chicks,
you'll love these.
[screaming]
-No way!
I can't stand them!
I quit!
I'm through, Mrs. Wilson!
You can mail me my check!
-Oh, she's really gone.
Ohh, happy day!
-Now, Martha, don't
you worry, I'll
hire you a-- what did you say?
-Now, George, sit down.
The time has come for me to
make a little confession to you.
[laughing]
-And all the time, you were
hoping we could get rid of her.
-Yes!
And so were you, but you
wouldn't admit it, either.
-No!
-Oh, I'm so glad it's all over.
-Oh, Martha, so am I.
-My, I'm dying to
get back to work.
Do you realize I haven't even
been able to make a cup of tea
for a whole week?
-By golly, you haven't.
A nice cup of tea would
taste good right now.
-I caught them all.
One of them was
halfway up the stairs.
And you know who that one was?
Good old Mr. Wilson.
Boy, Mrs. Davis liked to
scare my project to death.
-Well, it's an
excellent project,
Dennis and you've done
a fine job with it.
-You certainly have.
We're going to have a little
tea party to celebrate.
-Oh, boy, swell!
-And a big plate of
cheese for your mice.
-Hey, did ya hear that, fellas?
All the cheese you can eat.
-And I'll just get
the tea kettle on.
-And I'll get the cheese out.
-And I'll get the teabags.
Oh, this really feels
like a celebration.
[groans]
-Boy, it's a good thing
Mrs. Davis isn't here.
She'd really bawl you out.
-Ohh, good grief!
-This has been a Screen
Gems film production
from the Hollywood studios
of Columbia Pictures.
-Hi, son!
-Let me help you with that.
-Why all the extra service?
-Well, see there's something
I want to tell you about.
-Oh?
-Now, sit right down here.
[chuckling]
-See?
Tommy's dad just bought
him a swell new pair
of roller skates.
-I see.
So now, you'd like
to pair for yourself.
-Yeah!
How'd you know?
-Well, just a lucky guess.
-Look!
I cleaned your
slippers real good.
-Hey, this is really
some campaign.
[chuckling]
-OK, you get the skates.
-Oh boy!
Oh, Dad, here's your pipe.
-Well, thank you.
-Oh, I meant to tell you,
I washed your pipe, too.
Is there anything else
I can do for you, Dad?
-No, I'm afraid you've
done enough, son.
-I've finished the
upstairs, dear.
Well, you seem to
have slowed down here.
I've come to a complete stop.
Martha, I don't mind
telling you, I've had it.
-Well, I'm not surprised.
It's the first time you've
helped me with the spring
cleaning and you're
not used to it.
-Ugh.
I ache in bones I
didn't even know I had.
If spring cleaning wears out
a strong, healthy man like me,
I can imagine what it
does to a delicate woman.
-It only happens once a year.
-Yes, but the
ordinary housecleaning
goes on every day.
The cooking, the dish washing,
the bed making-- Martha,
I've made a sl*ve
of you for years.
-Oh, nonsense.
I only do what any
wife's supposed to do.
-Well, by golly, I'm
putting a stop to it.
I'm hiring you a
housekeeper tomorrow.
-A housekeeper?
-I'm going to call
an employment agency
and tell them to send the
best woman they've got over
in the morning for an interview.
-George, I'm not sure
I want a housekeeper.
Besides, it's an added expense.
-Oh, well, my stocks
are doing well,
and I'm willing to
spend any amount-- a-any
reasonable amount to relieve
you of the duties that
have left you mentally
and physically fatigued.
-I'm not mentally and
physically fatigued.
-Well, you must be, or you
wouldn't be arguing with me.
Now, we are going to
have a housekeeper,
and you're going to rest.
-Well, maybe I'll enjoy being
a lady of leisure for a change.
-Of course you will, my dear,
it'll make a new woman of you.
No longer will your
fingers be worn with toil.
-George, you make me
sound like Mother Machree.
-Look, Mom.
Aren't they cute?
-Well, I never thought I'd
say it, but they really are.
-Schools have certainly
changed since I was a boy.
We didn't have mice to play
with as part of our lessons.
-Oh, we don't just
play with them, Dad.
Us kids are going to
have all kinds of pets.
And we're gonna
feed them real good
and report on how they grow.
-They're teaching the
children that proper diet
can make them grow, too.
-That's right, Mom.
So I'm gonna feed my mice
plenty of ice cream and cake.
-I wouldn't do that, son.
-Why not?
I eat all the ice cream
and cake I can get.
And I'm still growing.
-You'd better consult
your mother and me
before you start feeding them.
We'll work out a diet together.
-OK.
I'm gonna take the
mice over to Mr. Wilson
and show them to him.
-Oh, maybe you shouldn't, dear.
He might be busy.
-Oh, I won't stay long.
I think Mr. Wilson
ought to meet the mice.
Because I want all my
friends to know each other.
-Heh heh heh.
Oh, these'll make a
very interesting school
project, Dennis.
-You should see
the way they run.
Is it OK if I let them
loose on the floor?
-Oh, no, no, you'd better not.
No, no, Dennis.
Mrs. Wilson gave the house a
thorough cleaning yesterday.
-Boy, everything
sure looks clean.
Well, it'll be the last
time she has to do it.
I'm bringing in another woman
to cook and do the housework.
-You mean you're
gonna have two wives?
Boy, wait'll I tell
Mom and Dad that you--
-No, Dennis.
Not two wives.
This woman, a Mrs.
Davis, is going
to be paid to do the work.
-Oh.
Oh, you mean Mrs. Wilson
did it all for nothing, huh?
-Yeah.
I mean, no!
No, she did it because
uh, eh, uh-- oh,
you're too young to understand.
-Well hiya, Mrs. Davis!
-Morning, Mr. Grigsby.
-Whatcha doing around
this part of town?
-Agency sent me to
see some people named
Wilson who want a housekeeper.
Know anything about them?
-Why, yeah.
They're fine folks.
Been my customers for years.
Y-you'll like the Wilsons.
-Oh, I hope you're right.
I'm hard to please.
-Hmm-hmm.
Boy, you sure weren't pleased
on the last job you were on.
-Their house was
overrun with mice,
and that's one
thing I can't stand.
-You know, that's kind of funny.
Mice are such little critters
for a big gal like you
to be scared of.
-So I've got one weak point.
Aren't you afraid of anything?
-Heh, yeah, my wife.
But she's no mouse.
If there's a mouse around
my house, I guess it's me.
-Mm, I won't argue with that.
-Well, I have
deliveries to make.
I'll see you tomorrow
at the Wilsons.
-You will, unless they got mice.
-Oh, don't be afraid.
I'll protect you.
If you hear a squeak,
just let out a shriek.
So long, Mousey!
-You know something
funny, Mr. Wilson?
One of them just keeps
running around in circles.
And I don't know
which one it is.
-Oh, you mean you don't have
names for your mice, Dennis?
-Well, not yet.
But I'm gonna name
one of them after you.
-Oh ho, that's very flattering.
Which one will have that honor?
-The one that turns out to be
the biggest, and the strongest,
and the fattest.
-Well, the biggest
and the strongest
would have been enough.
[doorbell ringing]
-Uh oh, that must be Mrs. Davis.
-Maybe she'd like
to see my mice, too.
-Uh, no.
No, you better go
on home, Dennis.
I have to interview Mrs. Davis,
ask her a lot of questions.
You wouldn't be interested.
-OK, see you later.
-All right.
-Oh, heh.
Mrs. Davis?
-That's right.
Agency sent me.
-Oh.
I'm George Wilson.
Eh, come right in.
Ah, eh, sit down.
Ha heh heh.
Ah.
Now then, Mrs. Davis, let's
get right down to business,
eh, ahem.
Have you, uh, had much
experience as a housekeeper?
-Don't fret about my experience.
I've had plenty.
How much experience
have you had as a boss?
-Me?
Oh, well, I-- heh.
-A real boss don't
try to be bossy,
and that's the only
kind I'll work for.
I'm a woman who don't
like interference.
-Oh, well I can
understand that--
-And there are some other
things I don't like.
I keep a neat, tidy house.
And I don't put up with
people who are messy.
Are you messy?
-Why, of course not, I--
-Are you sure?
You got your necktie
on kind of crooked.
Oh.
Uh, I'm a very tidy man--
-We'll get along if you
remember I'm in complete charge.
All right with you?
-Oh, well, I suppose so.
-All right, I'm hired.
Where is the kitchen?
-Eh, oh, it's right out there.
-Oh!
Hello.
-Hello.
You Mrs. Wilson?
-Yes.
You must be the housekeeper.
-Flora Davis.
Hope we get along.
-Oh, I'm sure we will if
Mr. Wilson selected you.
Where is he?
-Out in the patio.
Got under foot, so I told
him to get out of here
and go take a nap.
-Well, men do have
a way of get--
Why are you washing dishes?
I didn't think I left any
dirty ones this morning.
-You didn't.
I got my own system of stacking
dishes in the cupboard.
Took them out to
stack them my way.
Long as they were out, I
decided to wash them again.
-Ah.
Well, while you
finish that, I'll
start getting my
husband's lunch.
-I'll do it.
Plenty of time to finish
this and do the cooking, too.
-But I found the
nicest cod liver.
And Mr. Wilson likes
the way I fix it.
-There's nothing wrong
with the way I fix it.
Now, you just take
yourself a rest,
and I'll take care of the work.
Well, if there's
nothing I can do.
-Not a thing.
No more chores for
you, Mrs. Wilson.
You got me now, and things
are going to be different.
-Yes, I can see they will be.
-Thank you.
-Oh, good morning, Mitchell.
-Good morning, Mr. Wilson.
Say, Dennis tells me you
hired a housekeeper yesterday.
-I certainly did.
And it's the best thing that
ever happened to Martha.
-It's the worst thing that's
ever happened to me, Alice.
-A housekeeper for you?
-Is the woman a
good housekeeper?
-Oh, highly efficient.
She's taken over so
completely, Martha
doesn't even have
to lift a hand.
-I can't lift a hand.
I can't even get
into my own kitchen.
-I imagine Mrs. Wilson's
pretty grateful, huh?
-Oh, naturally.
She realizes I've done a
fine, generous thing for her.
-Poor, silly George
thinks he's done
such a fine, generous
thing for me.
I can't hurt his feelings.
-Oh, dear.
Yes, I can see why
you can't fire her.
-Mr. Wilson!
Just where do you think
you're putting those ashes?
-Ashes?
Why, in the ash
stand, of course.
That's where I always put--
The ash stand, where is it?
-There it is.
-But I always keep
it here by the couch.
I thought it was still
here-- who moved it?
-I did.
Now gimme that thing,
before you make more mess.
-Wait a minute!
What are you doing?
I paid cents for that cigar!
-Well, even the price
of cabbage has gone up.
-Now, look here, Mrs.
Davis, this is my house.
-It's your wife's
house, too, and she
don't give me any trouble.
And she wouldn't like it if
she knew you were complaining.
-Ohh, well, all right,
all right, but-- I
want that ash stand over by
the couch where I sit to read.
-The light's better for reading
in this chair, so sit here.
Anyway, a man as
old as you are ought
to be careful of his eyes.
-Oh, no, don't you bother
with that, Mrs. Wilson.
-Oh, I don't mind.
I enjoy fixing flowers.
-I'm your housekeeper.
I keep the house.
In spite of himself out there,
dropping ashes on the rug.
Got a little sulky when
I called him on it.
-Oh.
Well, I wouldn't want you to
stay if Mr. Wilson upset you.
-Don't you worry about me.
I can handle him fine.
-Oh.
Because if you decided to
quit, I'd understand perfectly.
-No, sir.
I'm no quitter.
When I take a job,
I stay with it.
-Good.
The only time I ever
quit was my last job.
I walked out on the back porch
and, right there in the corner,
looking at me was--
-Hey, Mrs. Wilson!
Here's the butter Mom borrowed.
Oh, excuse me.
-Mrs. Davis, this is our
little friend, Dennis Mitchell.
-Hello, sonny.
-Hi, Mrs. Davis.
You're the new
housekeeper, aren't you?
-That's right, and I'm
pretty busy right now.
-Would you like to look
at my school project?
It's very interesting.
-We mustn't bother
Mrs. Davis now.
You come along with me.
-Maybe I'll see you
tomorrow, Mrs. Davis.
-I'll be here.
-Yes, dear.
Mrs. Davis will be here
tomorrow, and the next day,
and the next day, and
the day after that.
-Ah.
[humming to himself]
[phone ringing]
Martha!
Oh, she's out.
Hello.
Oh, hello, Martha.
I just yelled at you
to answer the phone.
I forgot you were
out for a minute.
Well, where are you?
Ah.
Heh heh heh heh.
Well, of course you may, Martha.
Eh-- no, no, I can't think
of anything I need downtown.
Oh, fine.
Yeah.
All right, dear.
I'll see you a little bit later.
Mhm.
All right.
Bye-bye.
Eh-- Wh-- Where are my stamps?
-In the desk drawer
where they belong.
-In the desk?
Oh, for the-- Mrs.
Davis, I spent
an hour sorting
these stamps out.
-I spent two hours
cleaning the house,
and I won't have
the coffee table
all littered up with
dirty scraps of paper!
-Dirty scra--!
For your information,
Mrs. Davis,
I happen to have a very
valuable collection of stamps.
-If a man your age wants
to sit around the house
and play with stamps
all day, that's
fine with me, but not
in the living room.
Right?
-We'll see about that.
I'll--
-And another thing.
I just put fresh towels
in the powder room.
Your towels are
in your bathroom.
If your hands get dirty
again, upstairs, right?
-Wha--?!
Wuh- urgh.
I'll wash my hands
any place I please!
It's an outrage,
that's what it is.
Why, I ought to go in there
and tell her that-- Ohh.
Hello, Dennis.
-Jeepers, you look
mad, Mr. Wilson.
I'll go home if
I'm bothering you.
-Oh, no, no, no.
It isn't you this time.
It's that Davis woman,
telling me I can't do this
and I can't do that,
and in my own home.
By golly, I won't
put up with it.
-What are you gonna
do, Mr. Wilson?
Are you gonna fire Mrs. Davis?
-Oh, I wish I
could, but I can't.
I hired her because
Mrs. Wilson needs her.
So uh, d-d-don't you
mention this to Mrs. Wilson,
understand?
-OK.
But if there's anything
I can do for you,
Mr. Wilson-- Oh, hi, Mrs. Davis!
-Now, don't get
under my feet, sonny.
I'm gonna hang up the clothes.
-Oh, I won't.
I'll help you.
Jeepers!
Is this yours, Mr. Wilson?
-Ah, ah, ah, uh-- put that down.
It's my long underwear.
-Boy, sure is!
This is the longest
underwear I ever saw.
-Oh, now-- you're not going
to hang these out here
are you, in the backyard?
Why, the neighbors can
look right in here.
-Why not give them a laugh?
Any neighbor of
yours needs a laugh.
-Oh, is that so?
I'll hang it in the basement.
All right, Dennis.
Let her do the work.
She's getting paid for it.
-Would you like to look at my
school project now, Mrs. Davis?
-Well, all--
-Dennis, I told you
not to bother her.
Now, come on.
-Well, yes, she seems
like a good housekeeper.
Why?
-Well, I just wanted to make
sure you're satisfied with her,
because if she displeased
you in any way,
I'd dismiss her Immediately.
-You would?
-Oh, just like that.
Have another woman
on the job before you
could say Jack Robinson.
-Another housekeeper?
-Oh, absolutely.
I wouldn't leave
you without help.
I just wondered if Mrs.
Davis was right for you.
Uh-- is she?
-Uh-- well she is
a good housekeeper.
She's neat and careful.
If, if we got another
woman, it might be worse.
-Mmm.
It's possible.
-Grace Trivers had a woman who
broke half of her good china
the first week, and
then tried to hide
the pieces in the wastebasket.
-Hmm.
Is that so?
-Yes.
I wouldn't have a
woman like that around.
-Oh, no, I should say not.
-Well I'll go for my walk.
I simply have nothing
to do these days.
-Ah, good, good, dear.
You go right ahead
and enjoy yourself.
Oh!
Uh, when Mrs. Davis gets
back from the market,
any special instructions?
-No.
Mrs. Davis doesn't
like instructions.
-I'll break one piece
of Martha's best china
and carefully hide it where
she'll be sure to find it.
Ha ha.
Yes, we'll have a new
housekeeper tomorrow!
-George Wilson, you're
a diabolical genius.
-Jeepers, Mr. Wilson.
-Oh, Dennis, what're
you doing here?
-I ran out of
cheese for my mice.
Why are you breaking the dishes?
-Eh-- oh.
Well, heh heh.
You see, eh, I just never
have liked this set of dishes
and uh, I'm going to get
some new ones anyway, and--
-Oh, boy!
I'll help you get rid of these.
-Huh?
Oh!
Dennis, don't-- --start.
Confound it, I wish she'd leave
my desk al-- oh, here it is.
-Where's your wife?
She upstairs?
-No.
She's not upstairs, she's next
door visiting the Mitchells.
Why?
-Look what I found in the
wastebasket this morning.
You busted those
dishes, didn't you?
-Well, I don't think that's
any of your business.
-Well, you just be sure
your wife knows you did it.
I don't want her
blaming me for it.
-Oh, nobody's blaming you
for it-- uh, unfortunately.
-What was that?
-I said nobody's blaming you.
-You just stay out of my kitchen
and we won't have any trouble.
-Your kitchen?
-And I put your pills
up in the bathroom.
They don't belong in
my kitchen cupboard.
-But I take them
after each meal.
-I just straightened
out those cupboards,
and I want them kept that way.
At least your wife
appreciates a neat house.
-By golly, I'll
fix her this time.
Martha likes her
because she's neat.
I know!
I'll make a mare's nest
out of those cupboards
and blame it on her.
Ha ha ha ha!
-Oh, hi, Mr. Wilson.
Whatcha doing up there?
-Oh-- hello, Grigsby.
Oh, I was just, uh, checking
up on our housekeeper.
-Mrs. Davis?
-Uh huh, to make
sure that she kept
our cupboards in good order.
-Oh, you don't have to
worry about old Mousey.
She's a real neat one!
-Old Mousey?
-Haha.
-That's an odd name for her.
Oh, I just call her
that to kid her.
She's scared to death of mice.
Imagine a old
battleaxe like that.
-Scared of mice!
-Oh yeah.
You haven't got any mice around
here, or she'd have quit.
Why, the last job that
she was on, she saw one
and she took off like
a guided m*ssile.
-Well, how do you like that.
Dennis and his project.
Why, I had the key right
in my hands all the time
and didn't know it!
-The key?
What key?
-Mice.
Now, to get Dennis over here.
-They really are
growing, aren't they?
-That's because I'm
feeding them real good.
You know, our teacher says
that-- oh, hi, Mr. Wilson.
-Ohh, Dennis, am
I glad to see you.
You and your dear little pets.
Mrs. Davis!
Would you come
downstairs, please?
-Why do you want her?
-Well, uh, Mrs. Davis has
been working very hard lately.
I think she deserves
a little treat.
Don't you?
-Well, I suppose so.
-Well, what is it?
Better be important,
interrupting me when I'm busy.
-Well, Mrs. Davis, we were
looking at Dennis' school
project and thought
you'd enjoy it, too.
Very educational.
Oh, uh-- won't you sit down?
-All right.
Don't mind resting my feet.
-Now, Dennis, show her
what you have in the box.
-Aren't they cute?
-Ohh, they're darling!
-Darling?
There's nothing sweeter
than a baby chick.
-You know, we're learning how to
take care of all kinds of pets.
-Dennis, what happened
to your other project?
-Oh, I've still got them, too.
I'll put them in
your lap, Mrs. Davis.
If you like chicks,
you'll love these.
[screaming]
-No way!
I can't stand them!
I quit!
I'm through, Mrs. Wilson!
You can mail me my check!
-Oh, she's really gone.
Ohh, happy day!
-Now, Martha, don't
you worry, I'll
hire you a-- what did you say?
-Now, George, sit down.
The time has come for me to
make a little confession to you.
[laughing]
-And all the time, you were
hoping we could get rid of her.
-Yes!
And so were you, but you
wouldn't admit it, either.
-No!
-Oh, I'm so glad it's all over.
-Oh, Martha, so am I.
-My, I'm dying to
get back to work.
Do you realize I haven't even
been able to make a cup of tea
for a whole week?
-By golly, you haven't.
A nice cup of tea would
taste good right now.
-I caught them all.
One of them was
halfway up the stairs.
And you know who that one was?
Good old Mr. Wilson.
Boy, Mrs. Davis liked to
scare my project to death.
-Well, it's an
excellent project,
Dennis and you've done
a fine job with it.
-You certainly have.
We're going to have a little
tea party to celebrate.
-Oh, boy, swell!
-And a big plate of
cheese for your mice.
-Hey, did ya hear that, fellas?
All the cheese you can eat.
-And I'll just get
the tea kettle on.
-And I'll get the cheese out.
-And I'll get the teabags.
Oh, this really feels
like a celebration.
[groans]
-Boy, it's a good thing
Mrs. Davis isn't here.
She'd really bawl you out.
-Ohh, good grief!
-This has been a Screen
Gems film production
from the Hollywood studios
of Columbia Pictures.