Have a good trip, lady.
Lady? Who are you
kidding, Charley?
May as well start
getting formal now.
I figure by the time
you get back from New York,
you'll be too big to know me.
Don't worry about it.
I won't be back.
Well, if you ever
get real important,
is it okay if I boast about you?
If I say "I knew her when"?
So long, Charley.
Woman, on phone:
Caraway agency.
I'd like to see
Mr. caraway, please.
I got this from him in December.
Well, he's busy just now,
but he'll see you,
miss James--hi.
If you'll just go
right in there.
There are a few ahead of you,
but he'll get to you
as soon as he can.
Woman, on phone: Caraway agency.
Beach clothes? Okay.
He loathes strangers.
...So I need this
coffee. I want it black.
How do you do?
We're looking
for outstanding lace shawl
who's real on the country--
would you raise
your skirt, please?
Hope you've got--
Higher!
Walk, please.
Would you please
raise your skirt
a little bit higher?
We are trying to sell stockings.
I don't do legs.
- She doesn't do legs.
- A little temperamental!
Come and see me
in about a month.
High-fashion types! Are they
getting the right types for you?
I want to be sure that you're
getting high-fashion types!
Sorry to keep you
waiting, young ladies.
Who's first?
I am.
And what is your name?
Kathy Rawlton.
Miss Rawlton.
How do you do?
I thought I'd love to make
a little extra money.
I just never seem to manage
on my allowance.
I see. Well, won't you
come this way--
oh, and you might have
some work for plaid.
He really is a frightfully
good boxer, you know.
Uh, perhaps later.
Oh, um, would you mind
looking after him?
Right through here.
Thank you so much.
Daddy says of all the dogs
that he's ever raised,
he's by far and away the best--
would you come along too,
please, miss?
And what is your name?
Lily Brannel James.
Miss James.
You sent me a letter
in December,
saying if I were ever
in New York, I could
come and see you.
Oh, yes, form a.
Most of the girls
we send it to arrive
inside of a week.
It's taken you 6 months,
miss James.
What was the trouble--
lack of confidence?
No, lack of train fare.
It's taken me 6 months
to earn it.
Oh... Would you sit
over there, please.
Miss James?
Thank you.
Miss Rawlton?
Now, in considering
a model, I look for
the natural girl.
The natural look
is the beautiful look.
Never makeup--make down.
Now, miss Rawlton,
I want to help you
determine your own type
to find out what makes
you different from any
other girl in the world.
Now, let me see...
I would call you...
The outdoor girl.
You belong in
the country, with
dogs and horses,
the feeling of early morning.
Really?
But good health and poor posture
rarely go hand in hand,
so stand up, please.
The person who slumps physically
is the person who
slumps mentally.
Would you walk
over here, please.
Thank you, miss Rawlton.
Now, just look in the mirror.
You see those accordion pleats,
the suggestion of
a double chin there?
Do you want to see those
ironed out, just by magic?
Alright, now turn your head.
Lift your chin.
No, don't exaggerate.
Now look in the mirror.
You see, they're gone.
My first rule is:
Lift your head
out of your shoulders,
your shoulders
out of your waist,
and your waist out of your hips.
Yes? Yes?--Up.
Up, up.
Let your arms hang naturally.
No, no, we never
endorse a Cologne.
Would you sit down,
please, miss Rawlton?
Most women drop
into a chair like
a bag of meal
and haul themselves
out of it like
a bag of coal.
Now, the best position
is the graceful ess.
That means--
Arch your back.
Sit up erect,
don't sit on your spine.
Now, relax your shoulders.
Keep your feet together,
don't let them
stray apart.
That's right--
The graceful ess.
This, moderated,
is most attractive
for social usage.
Now, would you let me
see you walk,
miss Rawlton?
Just walk up and down, please.
Walk up and down, mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, put the weight on
the ball of your foot.
No, no, no...
Now look, miss Rawlton.
I want you to imagine
that there are 2 rails.
You see, one here and one here,
just like this,
and you're going to walk
right straight between them.
Just like that. Alright,
now here we go, alright,
walk straight between the rails.
No wiggling, no waddling,
no bouncing, just smooth--
can you arrange
a sub-Deb show for Stacy's
on the 17th?
...back arched,
keep your neck up,
tell them yes,
start rounding up sizes 9,
that's right,
now just turn around
and keep on doing it.
Lucy, would you please
call Mrs. caraway
and ask her
if she can get in town
an hour early tonight?
Thank you.
You see, most women
walk on their heels,
put their weight on their heels.
That's very ungraceful
and jerky,
and anthropologically wrong.
All the graceful members
of the feline family
walk with their weight
on their toes.
It's only the bear that
walks like the average woman.
Now, I want you to keep
practicing this, practicing
this, practicing this.
And perhaps
you can get it right.
Practice whenever you're alone--
in your bedroom,
on the street,
in your bathroom,
and when you're
not alone, do it!
It's very important to do it.
And please
come back and see me
in about a month,
and remember the graceful ess.
Goodbye, miss Rawlton.
You catch on fast, don't you?
How did you earn
that train fare?
Well, I sold dresses
in a dress shop,
face cream in a beauty parlor,
I was a waitress--
you dress very smartly,
very correctly.
They have magazines
in Kansas--and movies.
We don't all wear sunbonnets.
Tom?
Oh, hi, Maggie!
Tom, regent wants me
on a rush job in 5 minutes,
but I've got horrible here,
and I've got to take him home.
Well, leave him
here with me!
Ohhhh!
Oh, I know, Georgia
will keep an eye
on him outside,
you know how she is about kids.
Well... I'll phone mother
and have her pick him up here.
Wind it for you?
Well, alright.
Here, does it work here?
Um... Yeah!
What does it play?
Plays lullaby.
Oh, he's very sweet.
Very smart, too.
That's a boy.
Say goodbye to the lady, Pete.
Goodbye.
No!
Oh!
Come on, come on.
Thanks a lot, Tom.
Bye, Pete.
Come on, Pete.
Goodbye, Pete.
Well, you've gone to quite a lot
of trouble to come to New York,
miss James... What for?
To be a model.
Why?
Look, Mr. caraway,
I haven't much money,
and I have to start
working right away.
If not with this agency,
then with another.
Either way, I haven't
any time to waste.
You get riled up
pretty fast, too, don't you?
Well...
I want to be somebody,
not just anybody, and...
All I have is myself
and how I look.
I'll work hard,
because it means
a lot to me.
Will you take me on,
Mr. caraway?
Tom?
Darling!
Mary!
What a wonderful surprise.
Sure?
Sure!
Oh, I'm glad.
It's been much too long.
Yes, it has.
No, don't go.
How have you been, dear?
Oh, very g*y.
Yeah?
Perhaps just a little too g*y.
Cigarette?
Yeah.
That's why I'm here.
Yeah, I, uh... I want
to go back to work, Tom.
Oh, it doesn't have to be today.
I don't mean
this afternoon
or tomorrow.
It isn't a question
of life or death.
I've managed to salt away
a few fast dollars.
Good for you.
That's what I like
to hear, dear.
Just that I'm, oh,
I'm tired of
sitting around,
you know?
Too many parties,
too many
late nights.
I'm... Even tired of having fun.
What a terrible situation!
Let me look around, dear,
see what I can do.
Alright.
I'm holding up pretty well
for an old-type girl, aren't I?
Mary?
You stop fishing.
You know you are!
Go inside and let them
take in your measurements.
I will. They're
just about the same.
Yeah?
Yeah.
Uh... I will
hear from you,
won't I, Tom?
Just as soon as I have
any news for you, dear,
I'll do my best.
Thank you, darling.
You're my boy.
It's going to be fun
getting back into
harness again.
I'll be a good girl this time.
You were right, Tom.
You... Have a rather
unattractive way
of being right.
When you've had one
mink coat, you've
had them all, huh?
Bye, dear.
Alright, we'll take you on.
But if you think modeling
just means you pose in
fancy clothes all day
and are pointed out
in the streets as
the famous miss James,
you're wrong--
It's hard work.
Hard on your nerves,
and hard on your feet.
When we make
appointments for you,
you keep them.
If you don't, we'll drop you.
If you drink or go
partying at night,
it'll show on your face.
We'll drop you for that, too.
Work is your bread and butter.
The things that
come easily go easily,
so don't be a fool.
We can help you... But most
of it you're going to have
to do for yourself.
How well you photograph,
how well people like you,
that's up to you.
Go and have some pictures made.
See miss brown outside.
She'll take your
measurements and give you
a prospect list.
That gives the address of
every potential employer
of models in town.
Now, go see them all--
yes, Jean?
Oh, yes! Yes!
And keep your chin up,
practice, practice
whenever you're alone,
in your bedroom,
in your bathroom...
Don't you know your way around?
Oh...
Well, I can get here
from the Betsy Ross,
and back to
the Betsy Ross
from here, that's all.
Betsy Ross...
No man, nor any
fraction thereof,
may invade these
sacred premises.
Well, it doesn't make
any difference to me.
I don't know any
in New York anyway.
Look... Where should
I go to get my
pictures taken?
And will it cost a lot,
and can I start seeing
people without pictures
so as not to lose time?
You are a greenhorn.
Tell you what--
let's have a drink.
I can point out the ropes
better sitting down.
Well, I have to...
Look, girl... Between now
and 20 minutes from now,
nothing great is going
to happen to you.
You won't be missing a thing.
And be nice to the women.
Don't just keep batting
your eyelashes at the men.
Remember, it's the little woman
who sits at the desk who says,
"oh, do you really think
she's the type?"
Then you're dead.
You really do know a lot
about it, don't you?
I should.
Been at it a long time.
I've seen your pictures
a million times.
Think I've changed much?
No, don't--
what a silly question.
Scared of the big city?
No, just excited.
I've been on my own a long time,
and I'm used to it,
and I like it.
So do I.
If you louse yourself up,
nobody else has to go
into mourning over it.
Did you leave home young,
or... Orphan type?
Orphan type.
My father when
I was a kid,
and mama awhile back.
Just as I was getting
old enough to be
one more headache
on top of all
the other headaches
she had.
She was nice.
But I've always been
kind of glad that
it's over for her.
She had a stinking life.
All she ever had
was Emporia, Kansas.
You're pretty crazy
about that hometown
of yours, aren't you?
What was wrong?
Other side of the tracks
department?
Mmm... People know
too much about you.
Especially the gentlemen?
You figure every time
they look at you,
they're adding up
how many times your
family was on relief.
People used to say
to me, "Lily, you've
got your father's eyes."
I always thought
they were saying
to themselves
"look who he was--
the town drunk."
You keep reminding me
of someone...
On arrival in New York
about 13 years ago.
Well, I got a comforting
news flash for you.
The only time you'll ever
think of Emporia, Kansas, again
is tonight, around midnight.
You'll be crying into
your pillow, wishing you
were back there again.
After that, you'll turn it
into a funny little place
that you'll just tell
cutie-pie stories about,
give someone a yuk now and then.
I won't be crying for it
tonight, either.
Well, there's one way
to make sure.
I'll probably be floating
around with a couple of
characters tonight.
Would you like to come along?
Well, the only thing is,
I have to get up early,
and I have to look good.
You'll look good
for a long time yet.
Besides, you can leave
anytime you like.
I'd better be
leaving now.
Coming?
No, I have a little
time to k*ll.
Pick you up about
a quarter to 8.
Oh!
Long dress, of course.
Of course.
You must be Lily James.
Well, not necessarily.
Mary told me to fetch
the best-looking girl
in the place.
Where is she, and who are you?
She's waiting in the cab,
and I'm Jim Leversoe.
You didn't call me Wednesday.
Darling, I did call you--
I was sitting there
the whole day long--
the line was busy.
Busy? How many busy signals...?
Well, maybe I dialed
the wrong number...
You dialed the wrong number?
Theater tickets are hard
to get these days!
Miss James,
this is Lee Gorrance.
How do you do?
How do you do?
I'm so glad you're with us.
Well, come on, kid, get in.
Hello, Mary!
You're with Jim.
I'm glad to say!
Any place you'd
particularly like
to go?
In time, all of them.
You will.
Come on, Mary, eat your dinner.
Eat a little of it,
before it turns
to leather.
Ah, it depresses me.
I depress easy these days.
No, you--
Oh, come on!
Mary, it's not
the girl's fault,
you know.
No...
She can't help how old she is,
what she looks like...
What she is...
What he is.
Nobody can help anything.
Let's go back to the table.
Why?
Because as we say in Kansas,
you're Mary's date,
and I'm Jim's.
Hardly an arrangement
made in heaven.
However...
I do hope
you're having a good time.
Oh, I'm having
a wonderful
time, Mary.
You were right--
that room of mine
would have been
pretty awful
tonight.
It's pretty awful
everywhere tonight.
Mary's low.
Mary's thirsty!
Of course--
When isn't she?
Uh, you haven't told me yet
what kind of lawyer you are.
Oh! Oh, corporations,
big, rich corporations.
Dull, isn't it, Lily?
When you talk to a lawyer,
all you can possibly get
is conversation.
Now, if you talk
to a man like me--
attaboy, Lee!
You tell her!
I'm a big advertising
executive, employing
lots and lots of models.
And for every word
you speak to him,
you get a big
square-cut emerald.
Why, grandma,
what a sharp tongue
you have.
It's just the dullness
of the company.
Just beginning to notice
how dull it is myself.
Oh, really? How long
does it take you?
It's been pretty clear
right through the evening!
So sorry--and you had such
high hopes for this evening
when you called me,
begged me to take you out.
Let me tell you something!
No, no, no, no!
Wait a minute,
children.
Let's have
a little drink.
Come along, dear.
All I need is to go home.
Don't bother, Lee.
Well, my dear, if
you want to go home,
I will take you.
No, I said I had
to leave early,
Mary.
Uh--mind if I
ride home with you?
Sorry, I wish you could stay.
Come along.
I'll put you girls
in the cab.
Why, colonel--
A gentleman!
My mother always told me
if I hung around long
enough, I'd meet one!
Stop at the next corner!
That's isn't
the address
the guy gave me.
Stop at the next corner!
You stay here and--
Go home.
I thought maybe we could have
a cup of coffee together.
I need cigarettes.
But I have some!
Besides, it's closed.
He'll open up for me.
You wait here--
I'll be right out.
Hey!
Where are we going?
Ohhh, it's you!
My place, over there.
Up on top, that's where I live.
Waaaay up high!
How do you like your coffee?
Black,
in little sips,
with Brandy.
Lived here long?
Too long.
It looks comfortable.
I hate it.
It's seedy.
Just--just been
too lazy to move,
that's all.
I'm gonna get something bigger.
Something on Sutton place,
with a--I don't know--
balcony overlooking
the river,
fur rugs.
Did caraway say
anything about me
when I left today?
No.
Well, he won't have any trouble
getting me started again.
I got a lot of friends--
they'll all be glad
to hear I'm back at
the old stand again.
Mary, let me get you
something to eat.
It's a good idea--
starting fresh,
going back to work.
Gonna find that
apartment tomorrow.
Get some new clothes...
Maybe even a... New man.
Well, it sounds like
a pretty big day.
You better be
getting ready for it.
Shall I help you get into bed?
I'm not ready to go to bed yet.
When I do, I won't
need any help.
Well, I better be
getting along then.
Well, goodnight!
Goodnight, Mary.
Lily!
Lay off Lee Gorrance!
Mary!
Don't play the little girlie
from the sticks with me!
I've been there!
I know you!
You lay off him, hear me?
Mary, I won't see him!
He's my last chance.
Nothing left,
nothing to show.
Nothing to show for any of it!
Only Gorrance.
And even that'll be
over with soon.
But--not yet.
I'm not ready yet.
Mary, I won't see him again,
that's a promise.
If it isn't you,
it'll be somebody
just like you.
Somebody fresh, and young,
and not tired.
There's bound to be
somebody any day now.
Please believe me, Mary,
it won't be me.
I believe you.
Thanks.
Look--would you like me
to stay with you tonight,
just for company?
No.
You have to get up early,
you better run along, kid.
Wait a minute.
I... Want to give you something.
I won this in a raffle
a long time ago.
I guess it's...
The only time in my life
I was ever lucky.
I let a lot of things
slip through my fingers,
but I... Kind of
hung on to that.
I want you to have it.
Maybe it'll bring you luck.
I'll hang on to it, too.
Don't be angry.
Oh, I'm not, Mary.
Look--you need some sleep.
You're just tired to death,
that's all that's wrong.
Sure, just--
I'm just tired.
I just need some sleep.
Oh, may I help you?
My name is Lily James.
I'm from the caraway agency.
You model.
Our model editor is
busy at the moment,
she'll be right out.
Hi there!
Hello!
Very nice!
You know, you made
quite an impression
on my son yesterday.
He's a sweet baby!
Is Nick in yet?
Did you hear about Mary Ashlon?
Yes. Lovely, isn't it?
Is Nick in yet?
Oh, he phoned.
He'll be here in
about 10 minutes.
Oh, miss Lanson?
This is Lily James,
the new model.
Oh, yes. Yes,
caraway called
me about you.
Come along, my dear.
Uh, do you have any photographs?
Well, I had some
taken this morning.
Did you hear about Mary?
Awful, perfectly awful!
May I see your hands, my dear?
Hey, this is Lily James,
from the caraway agency.
Fill out a card for her,
will you?
Yes, miss Lanson.
Mmm, good, good, very good.
Now, do one thing for me.
Don't do anything to yourself.
No henna rinses,
no trick hairdos.
Peg, who's that man
outside the door?
From the insurance company.
We're photographing
all that jewelry.
Oh, yes.
We must use this hat!
You're fine, just as you are.
Anything we want changed,
we'll tell you.
I think we'll be
able to use you.
Drop off those photographs
as soon as you can.
Miss Lanson,
may I see
my proofs?
Darling, you know
we don't like
each other,
but go ahead--
don't mix them up.
Uh, this Mary Ashlon
everyone's talking about--
is that the one who's a model?
Friend of yours?
Well, I just met her yesterday.
You haven't seen the paper?
It's terrible.
She k*lled herself.
Early this morning.
Jumped out of her
apartment window--
16 floors down.
Thought you said
you just met her
yesterday.
It isn't as if
you really knew her.
I knew her.
Yes...
I knew her.
Uh... 612, please.
I think there's
a gentleman
waiting for you
in the mezzanine, miss James.
He seemed very
anxious to see you.
I can't stop thinking about her.
Neither can I.
I had a hunch
you'd be stewing
about it, too.
Scary, isn't it?--
how close death is.
All you do is
snap your finger,
and there it is.
I don't know why she did it.
She was pretty
miserable, I know,
but...
Well, who isn't?
I liked Mary.
Oh, it didn't mean anything,
that little spat we had
last night.
People are always needling
each other, but you don't...
k*ll yourself about it.
I liked her.
I... Tried to help her.
I guess you didn't, though.
Not enough.
You can't help people like Mary.
They won't let you.
They want to make things
tough for themselves.
I guess you're right.
Why don't we go out someplace--
get it off our minds, forget it.
We'd just talk
about Mary... We
wouldn't forget it.
Alright.
Talk about you instead.
What you're going to do--
your plans, your future.
As a matter of fact,
I could probably be
helpful to you.
We use a lot of models
at our agency, and...
Well, I have
contacts, friends...
I don't think you have
so many friends.
If you have,
I'd hate to think
what they must be like.
Lily... What?
Listen, you small-time chiseler.
I don't want any
small favors, or any
big favors, from you,
or anything else
you use to buy with.
I'm not in the business
you think I am, and I'm
never going to be.
But if I were, I'd be
out of your price range.
If I were, it would
take me 10 years to
get around to you,
so keep away from me!
Why, little miss Kansas...
You've been around.
There are rats
like you everywhere!
Not even Cleopatra
could look mysterious
eating a chicken sandwich.
Be on time tomorrow,
will you, Lily?
Sure.
And fed!
Lily?
Oh!
Thought I'd
drop down
for a minute
and tell you some good news.
I've just been appointed
miss tangerine of the year.
Well, not quite that good.
We're raising your
salary $10 an hour.
You're now one
of the top models
in the business.
Hardworking,
intelligent,
and charming.
Oh, Tom...
Oh, not my opinions.
Just what I hear from the trade.
Oh... Well, just what
are your opinions?
I'm delighted.
And a little surprised--
at the way
you've worked,
I mean.
Well...
Why?
I was pretty determined
when I first came to
see you, wasn't I?
Mm-hmm. Yes, you were.
All the drive was there, but...
Lily, I had a feeling
it might be just
surface stuff.
I thought I recognized
something underneath,
something I had run into before.
Kind of restlessness,
a kind of "who cares?" Attitude.
But I was wrong.
And just this once...
It's a pleasure to be wrong.
Well, I've got to get
back upstairs--they're
storming the gates.
Are you just going to sit there
and rest on your laurels?
Oh, now Lily,
I planned this dinner!
I've got another guest.
An out-of-town fella.
Yes, we've been
working together all day,
and I want to give him something
a little better than me
to look at all evening.
What do you say?
Well, I had
every intention
of coming, Jim.
It's just that I'm so bushed.
Look, why don't you go
straight to my place?
We won't be there
for about an hour.
That'll give you
a chance to wash up,
stretch out on the couch,
and rest your weary bones
before dinner.
Come on, be a pal.
Who are you?
Steve Harleigh.
You're Lily James.
Mmm... Thanks for telling me.
Where's Jim?
Inside, changing.
Well, what's the matter--
haven't you ever seen anyone
put shoes on before?
Oh--I'm sorry, I--
I just don't like
being watched
when I'm sleeping.
It isn't fair!
Well, I looked at
everything else
in the room first.
Like a drink?
Do you, when you first get up?
There I go again.
I'll get ungrumpy
in a minute.
Take your time.
You don't look like a lawyer.
You don't even look
like a client!
What are you?
I run a copper mine.
You're a model.
You keep telling me who I am!
Jim says you just got here.
From where?
Montana.
My first trip to New York.
Oh, do you like it?
How can I tell?
I just got here
this morning.
Yeah, it was a stupid question.
Yes, it was.
Well...
You two seem to be
getting along alright.
You may be the best
audience I ever had!
Let's have dinner.
There was a street
on the way to school,
we used to call it hag row.
That's where the mean
old ladies lived.
And when you
walked down hag row,
all the lace curtains were
pulled back just a little bit
so that they could peek
without being peeked at.
They could tell,
just by the way you walked,
what kind of awful end
you'd come to.
Now, I don't know how it
affected the other kids,
but it made me
walk by like this.
Hey, wait a minute,
what are you laughing at?
That town of yours is just
as bad as Lily's Emporia.
You know, I visit him
now and again.
The natives always look
upon me with astonishment.
Now, Lily, I ask you--
what's astonishing about me?
He forgot to mention
that there's always
an unhappy-looking horse
underneath him.
Now you ought to see him
on a horse--
no, maybe you shouldn't.
It'd be kind of hard
for you ever to look
upon him
as a figure of dignity again.
Lily, don't you believe it.
It's a foul lie!
But how did
you two ever
get together?
Well, the basis of
our friendship, as far
as he's concerned,
is guilt--pure, simple guilt.
I, uh...
I had a girl, long time ago.
He stole her and married her.
Seems she liked him
better than me.
Oh, obviously the woman was mad.
Well, temporary
insanity, of course.
The basis of my
friendship for him
is--profit.
Pure, lovely profit.
Always had an idea that
someday he'd dig up
a mountainful of copper,
and lo, he did.
Is he rich?
This fella? Lady--
he's rich.
Ahh.
Recently.
Very recently.
Oh, but I'm impressed.
Why, this is
the closest
I ever sat
to a man with lots of money.
Well, this is
the closest I've ever sat
to a famous model.
I'm impressed, too.
You don't look
any different
from anyone else.
You do.
Lily, do you feel rested enough
to step out and make
an evening of this?
Well...
Well, it's just
good manners
to show a visiting
fireman the town.
Well, I was
absolutely beat
when I got here,
and I was kind
of hoping I'd
stay that way
so I'd go
straight home
after dinner.
But on one hand,
I'm awfully
wide awake...
And I feel awfully good.
But on the other hand,
I'm posing for a cover
in the morning
called "beauty in August."
I should look fresh as a Daisy.
But, even so...
Wait a minute.
What time do you have to
get up in the morning?
7:00.
Then I think you
ought to go to bed.
Hey!
Wait, wait a minute!
Well, what's the point
of her feeling rotten
all day tomorrow?
Jim, the man's right.
You can't take it away from him.
Well, okay...
I'll take you home.
My hotel's quite
near hers, isn't it?
Well, yes.
Right, I'll drop her on the way.
Bye, Jim.
Well, this is fine!
It gives me a chance
to help George with
the dishes!
Thanks.
I'll walk the rest
of the way.
Nice.
Just for women, huh?
Oh, we can entertain,
within hotel walls,
gentlemen in the mezzanine.
Well, goodnight.
It's been nice to have met you.
Thanks, I had a fine time.
Goodnight again.
Wait a minute, wait a minute!
Hello?
Oh, hello!
No, you haven't
disturbed me at all.
No really.
What to what?
Oh, what do people do on
a Sunday in New York.
Well, they get out
of it on Friday.
That's exactly what
I had in mind.
I was thinking about
renting a car and taking
a drive in the country.
How does that strike you?
That's what I thought.
Only it would be more fun
if you're with someone.
And I don't know anyone in
New York except you and Jim.
Well, I did think of him first,
but he's out, so that left you.
What do you say?
Well, I've heard
an awful lot about this
wonderful eastern seafood,
so why don't you start
concentrating on some
broiled baby lobsters,
and some melted butter, and...
This is the best
baby hamburger I have
ever seen.
You never do anything I ask.
Sometimes I think you hate me.
Adam--
like naming me Adam for example.
"Hi Adam, where's Eve?"
That's what I get
every day of my life.
Pop, why won't you
just walk out the door
and look at it?
I wouldn't walk
to the end of
the counter
to see a jalopy that cost $28.
Honestly!
Will you look at that?
Will you just look at it?
That engine is in
a-1 condition. A-1.
It's all that counts.
The rest is just--
froufrou?
See, Adam, will you
stop pestering
those customers!
I'm not!
He's not.
He's not.
Pop, this guy
knows a lot about
this car--
who?
Man, gentleman.
Why don't you just
look at it with him?
If he says it's lemon,
I'll shut up about it.
Honest.
Well, why not look at it?
It doesn't commit
you to anything.
Well, alright.
But remember, it doesn't
commit me to anything.
Hey, son. You better
wait in here, so as not
to prejudice the jury.
Oh, pop!
Mister!
Now remember, you wash
the windows twice a week
for 6 months.
Every day for a year!
Chances are
his father
would have gotten
a better one later on.
No, he didn't want a better one.
He wanted this one.
Bad.
I know the feeling.
What did you want?
Bad?
That copper mine?
Yeah.
Well, now you have it.
You're a success, somebody.
That's the way
to come to New York
to celebrate.
You make it sound
like a victory ball.
Well, isn't it?
Hasn't getting what you want
changed everything for you?
Getting what you
want doesn't change
anything important.
It would for me.
You must
want something
pretty special?
Just what you have.
To be a success.
To be somebody.
Well, aren't you
in your own field?
Well, yes.
I guess I am.
As of the other day.
Change everything for you?
Well, it...
Depressed me
a little, that's all.
You see, you don't
really do anything,
modeling.
People use you, and...
Oh, it's hard work
and you get tired,
but--part of you
doesn't get tired
enough.
Well, what I mean is,
if you have something
on your mind,
you don't forget it
just posing for
a picture.
That what you want?
To forget something?
I thought it was
to be successful.
Well, maybe all
I really want
is to be happy.
What button do you
press for that?
I don't know.
But I bet it doesn't
have too much to do
with getting things.
I bet the trick is
to find out what
makes you happy.
That's the trick, alright.
Do you have
a lot of bad things
on your mind?
Horrible things.
Especially early
in the morning.
Around 4:00.
Just before it gets light.
Oh, that's enough.
I don't approve of
this conversation.
Let's move away from it.
Let's move to another place.
Well, I promised
to get you back
by 10:00, but--
it's only 9:40.
Well, there's the mezzanine...
I won't be
the only man
in there, will I?
Not unless times
are awful tough
in New York tonight.
Okay.
This must be just
about the safest place
in New York for a girl to live.
Oh, speak freely.
Nobody's listening.
They are all too busy
hoping no one is
listening to them.
Oh.
What's the matter?
Well, I was just
trying to think
of a fancy way
of asking you if you'd
have dinner with me
tomorrow night.
And every night until I leave.
I only have a few more days,
so you wouldn't
be wasting
too much time.
You certainly
thought of a fancy
way to ask me.
You know, if I'd
been alone today,
I'd probably
would have driven
for an hour
and turned back.
I probably would have stayed
in my room and washed stockings.
See, it was good for both of us.
You know this trip
to New York was--
well, it was just
a business trip
until today.
Since you've
sold me on it being
a victory ball--
naturally you want
to go dancing?
Yeah, but not alone.
Why don't you pick
me up around 7:00
tomorrow night?
Ladies, ladies.
It's almost 10:00, ladies.
Mezzanine closes at 10:00.
Good evening, dear.
My, you look nice
it's almost 10:00, ladies.
Mezzanine closes at 10:00.
Well, goodnight.
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
Oh, you play a grand piano.
Thank you.
A baby grand.
Ouch...
Alright.
Stop the nonsense now.
Hey kids,
did you like
that song?
Nicky, you mustn't
interrupt
these people.
Oh, excuse me.
Oh, how are you, honey?
Nicky!
Oh, Gregory, isn't she a doll!
At least too wooden.
Alright, never mind.
Oh, look!
There they are again.
Uh-huh.
Usually they are
going ya-ta-ta,
ya-ta-ta, ya-ta-ta.
Now they're so quiet.
You think they had a fight?
What do you think?
No...
No, not them.
Ha-ha.
See you later, kids.
Eddie!
Yes, sir?
Pour a glass
for the pianist,
please.
How much more time
before your plane
leaves?
4 hours, 20 minutes.
I could put
lipstick on
like this, too.
Yeah, I know.
That's right.
You know.
Lily!
Oh, Steve. If
you're getting ready
to make a speech,
I'd love to hear it.
But--
but honestly, there isn't time,
and if you don't
get on the plane
right now,
you're gonna
end up on the wings
or the engine
or whatever
the wrong part
of the plane is.
Oh, Lily!
Darling, look.
Have a good flight,
and-and don't get
seasick, but-but
hurry!
Go on now!
Yes.
Yes, I know, Steve, you got to
start drilling a second load,
but what I'm saying is that--
we've got to raise the money
for it on the outside.
Yes. Well, I'll-I'll get
started on it. You--
say, wait a minute. Hold on,
before you hang up. You--
you sent me a card,
and it's addressed to Lily.
What's that all about?
You see, she was awfully
nice to me back there,
and I'd like her to have
something nice.
Bracelet maybe or--
or one of those brooch deals.
Will you get it for me
and then put the card in
and give to her for me?
But I would, only I may be
up here for weeks,
and there isn't a decent store
within a 100 miles.
Well now, wait a minute.
Do you think this is wise?
Don't you think it would
be better just to let it go?
Yeah, I know,
I know, but--
well, I'd sort of like her
to have it now.
So be a good guy and do it
for me, will you!
And look, forget you're
a businessman.
Let yourself go a little.
Hey, I've got to go.
I'll call you in
a couple of days.
Eh, toast with the fruit salad?
Coffee?
Yes.
Thank you.
You know,
you're a hard girl
to get a hold of.
Well, I've been busy.
Haven't been
ducking me,
have you?
No, why should I?
Heard from Steve?
No.
I didn't except to.
I knew he'd be busy
once he got home.
Well, he hasn't forgotten you.
He sent you a present.
Well, how nice of him.
Ah!
No card?
You like it?
No, I don't like it.
Oh, that's my fault.
Your fault?
Yes. You can change it if you--
oh, I see.
He didn't even
choose it himself.
My dear child, he couldn't.
He's out there on
top of a mountain.
You're his lawyer,
aren't you, Jim?
Yes, Lily, I'm his lawyer.
I'm--
I'm also his friend.
Look, here.
There's nothing
wrong in his
asking me to pick this up.
What bothers me
is that you're
so upset.
You haven't been
making too much
of the whole thing,
have you, Lily?
I haven't made anything of it.
It wasn't important.
It was just a couple
of days that weren't
important.
At all.
Thank Steve for me.
But tell him it
was too generous
a payoff.
Fasten your seat belt,
please. Thank you.
Will you fasten
your seat belt,
please. Thank you.
So, there it is.
It's pretty
clean-cut.
We've got to get
enough financing
to start
the second mine producing before
the first one runs out.
Yes, but if we got the money,
the bank must understand
we can't start
paying it back
until the second
mine gets going.
You just can't figure
that to the day.
Well, there it is.
That's what you got
to make clear to them.
Give them all of
the technical stuff.
That ought to push it over.
And that's why
I needed you here.
Why did you--
why did you put up
such a fight about
coming back?
Oh, I just thought
I'd be better off
in my own backyard.
Going to see her?
No.
Well, I'm glad of that.
I must say I thought
about it
when I insisted
on your coming back,
and it worried me a little,
because that's the kind
of thing that you simply
can't give in to.
It might end up
in tragedy for
everybody concerned.
And I don't think
your wife can take
another tragedy.
Don't worry.
See you tomorrow.
Get me the Betsy Ross hotel,
please.
Miss James.
One moment, please.
Yes?
Oh, find out who it is
first, will you?
No. No, tell him I'm not in.
Well, that gives me
another canasta,
and I'm out.
I'm left with 80.
I don't think
we need to count
anymore.
We're way over 5000 now.
Well, it's way
past my bedtime...
Oh, let's
play one more
round, please!
Lily, we've been
playing for 4 hours.
Have a heart, go to bed.
Goodnight, honey.
Oh, I'll see you tomorrow.
Wake me up,
I'll have breakfast
with you.
Okay. Goodnight!
I'll clean house for you.
I do better than that for you.
I run you around
the block 10 times,
and I'll buy you
a cup of warm milk.
How long has it
been since you slept
anyhow?
Oh, just seems a year or two.
The trouble with you
is that success
just doesn't agree with you.
That's just one of
the troubles with me.
I wouldn't have
called you again...
I-I haven't been here
since you left.
It was Jerry--
she's gone.
Lily, are you angry?
Angry?
About the bracelet.
Oh.
I--I didn't like being paid off.
You knew better than that.
Yeah.
I knew better than that.
Something for the lady?
No.
What?
No, no, no.
Well, what is it this time?
Another week?
Longer. I--
I don't know
exactly.
Anything wrong?
No, not really.
It's just that we
have to refinance.
Oh, what did
you have to come
back for?
I tried not to.
I tried!
Of course this
will all be quite
different,
when it's properly redecorated.
The last tenant
left things in
a pretty bad shape.
You know what's
incredible to me?
The way people live today.
Open fire.
Of course in
the wintertime,
there's nothing
homier or woodsier than a fire.
And in the spring,
you don't want
to be bothered,
you can always plant it.
Plant it?
With what?
Uh, green things?
But believe me.
You won't find a more
charming apartment
than this
in all New York,
Mrs. Harleigh.
Miss James.
The apartment is for me.
Oh yes, of course, miss James.
Oh, sorry. It was
a natural mistake.
Mostly couples, you know,
are looking
for apartments
this size.
What is the rent on this?
3000 a year.
Half when signing the lease,
and the rest in 6 months.
Well, I can't manage a lump sum.
If I'm interested,
and I'm not sure
yet that I am,
it would have to be
by the month.
Oh, I think that
can be arranged.
Uh, I have to see
this one tenant
across the hall.
Will you excuse me, miss James?
Give you time to consider.
Don't you like it, honey?
Yes, I like it.
Steve, what is it
you're hating so much?
Well, everything.
The way you're fighting
not to let me do
anything for you,
and the way
the whole thing looks
to that little pipsqueak there.
You said we wouldn't care.
You said we'd know better.
Oh, it's alright, Lily,
it's just that
I'm a new hand
at this, you know.
I'm not used to it.
Well, do you think I am?
Why don't you get out?
Why don't you go back
where you came from?
Why don't you let me go
right this minute?
Right now!
Ahem.
Oh, and what has
our miss James
decided to do?
Plant it... Plant it
with the little
green things.
Well... Good, huh?
Awful. Horrible.
What do you mean awful?
Come back here,
you little half pint.
Did you call me, dear?
Yes, dear, I called you.
Come here a minute.
Now listen...
Ahhh!
Now, you see?
Silly losing your temper.
Lily, dear,
stop calling me dear.
Will you just tell me
simply and quietly,
why isn't the piano okay
right there where you
told me to put it,
only remember,
I have now moved it
4 times.
It makes the room look too big.
When it was over there
you said the room
looked too small.
Over there I said
it looked cluttered.
Now, over here,
it looks as though
we fixed the room to
look bigger on purpose.
And that's no good, huh?
Of course not.
Now, let's see.
I know, I know, I know.
Let's put it there.
There's no fixture there.
The light could be bad
for playing the piano.
So who's gonna play?
How do you like that?
That's who's gonna play.
Are you just gonna sit?
No, I'm not just gonna sit.
I'm gonna sit until
I drink the coffee that
you're gonna make me.
I certainly am,
you poor looking thing.
Now, I'll tell you what,
I'll help you
and get these few
things out of the way
while you just
move the piano
a little bit, hmm?
It'll be easier moving it
after I have the coffee.
You're right.
Then I'll tidy up
here... And...
Don't you dare.
Don't you dare!
Oh, Steve... Imagine
loving washing dishes.
Told you.
I told you.
Oh, darling,
let's be as happy
as we can.
I have to be.
I have to be because
all my life I've...
I wonder what it is
I love about hockey so.
You know, it must be the fights.
I'm always hoping
there'll be one.
Oh, if I were
the manager, I'd give
them a few instructions.
I'd tell them to
bash their skulls in.
That's what I'd say.
Steve, does it cost
a lot of money to buy
a hockey team?
Oh, darling, I'll
get you some coffee.
Lily?
Well don't I always?
After all, it only
takes a couple
of minutes.
Everything's ready.
All I have to do is
just turn it on.
You know, darling,
I'm not a boastful
woman,
but I do think
that I make the best
coffee in the world.
Well, don't I?
You're certainly making
me work very hard for
a kind word tonight.
Darling, I think
I'll tell you something.
It was supposed
to be a surprise,
but, oh, the best
part of surprises
are knowing about it beforehand.
Steve, you have to
leave Friday night open.
I bet you don't even
know what night it is.
It's your birthday, dummy,
and I'm going to give you
a birthday party and...
I'd better look at that
insane percolator.
Lily...
Alright. Just let me
turn the coffee off.
My wife is arriving
Thursday or Friday.
I didn't know about it
until this morning.
She planned it so that
she could get here
for my birthday.
Oh, us women
and our little surprises.
Well, we... We knew
she'd get here sometime.
I knew you had a wife...
Somewhere far away.
Now she's real.
Now she's Nora.
She's real and her name is Nora,
and that's all I know about her,
except that if
she had been here with you
you would never have met me,
but she wasn't and I...
She couldn't.
She's been ill.
She can't walk.
It was an automobile
accident 3 years ago,
I was driving.
Why didn't you ever tell me?
Why didn't you?
It seemed like asking for pity.
You're ashamed
of cheating on her.
Yes...
Yes I was at first.
And then I thought,
Nora's life stopped
3 years ago.
I tried to make
mine stop, too,
but when I met you,
I knew I couldn't.
You're still ashamed.
Well, Steve,
what do you
want to do about it?
Call it quits?
That's the way we went into it.
That isn't the way it is now.
But you can't just
leave it like this.
I don't suppose
you're much of a liar.
I can't picture you saying,
"I'm spending the evening
with the boys, dear."
Or could you?
What can I do?
Make a balance sheet?
Tally it up?
My years with her
against how much
I love you--
is that how I choose
between you?
Well am I asking you to?
Am I pressuring you?
Yes, I suppose I am,
whether I want to or not.
But I'll try to be
fair, darling.
You haven't seen her
for a long time.
You've forgotten
what it was like
to be with her.
All you remember now is us.
It isn't fair to
make a decision now.
Here... Give yourself
a chance to think
about her.
And then to get
to know her again.
Don't come here.
Not for a while anyway.
It'll be easier for you.
Just let me know
when you're sure.
When you know.
Are you brushing me off?
Well, I'm trying to.
I'm trying to, but how can I?
Oh, darling.
Steve...
I'm giving that birthday
party for you anyway.
It might make you feel good
to know that I'm still
glad you were born.
Happy birthday, darling.
What's the matter?
My tie crooked?
Face dirty?
I was taking a good look.
Same fella.
People don't stay
the same for 3 minutes,
let alone 3 months.
I can see all sorts
of little differences.
Don't worry,
they're interesting.
Yeah? What's interesting
is the problem you've
made for me
with all those presents.
I don't know what to do first.
Whether to read the books,
or find some place
to play the records,
try on my new tuxedo--
dinner jacket.
Very impressive,
these gold cuff links
from Jim.
Yes.
Made me feel a little
guilty about not
inviting him tonight.
Oh, that's alright.
I wanted you all to myself.
Steve, is Jim
worried about the mine?
He was a little too
cheerful about it
on the phone.
That's my smart gal.
Well, it is to be worried about.
The new load isn't producing yet
and the time limit on
the bank loan is up
next month.
If we don't get
an extension before then,
they can get the mine,
and we'll have nothing.
Well, isn't there
a chance the new load
will start producing
before next month?
If we're lucky.
Oh, we will be.
We always have been, haven't we?
The old silver lining kid.
Copper lining.
Mrs. Harleigh,
is it too early
for my piece of
birthday cake?
Oh, I'm the mean girl
who's gonna break up
the party.
No, Smitty, you promised
me I could stay up
until 10:00 tonight.
Now, Mrs. Harleigh,
we want to feel splendid
tomorrow, don't we?
We want to feel
splendid tomorrow.
Smitty, wait. Steve?
I have a little
birthday stunt for you.
Nora, that's wonderful.
You can enter me in
the Kentucky derby
next year.
I'll figure the odds
when you're getting
ready for bed.
You're some filly.
You know, it's funny.
Clara says she doesn't care
if she never sees
New York again in
her life.
You know, my sister-in-law,
my second brother's wife.
The life insurance one.
Oh, yeah, yeah.
And she was born here,
but she's been out west
for 20 years now.
Well, I guess she's
happy with your brother.
Why shouldn't she be?
He gives her everything
in the world.
Would you like me
to order you another
cup of coffee?
Yes, that would be fine,
Mrs. Smith, if you'll
join me.
Room service, please.
Maybe a little
double solitaire
if you would.
Just like old times.
That'd be dandy.
Room service? Will you
please send two pots of
coffee to room 1817
and a pitcher of hot milk.
And will you see that
the coffee and milk
are extremely hot?
What's wrong with her?
You think all this
would look lovelier
to me
if I had a drink myself?
You'd just get sick.
Yes, dear.
Oh, come on, Maggie, leave it.
It gives the place
what it needs, that
lived in look.
How long have
these clambakes
been going on?
Darling!
Darling!
I've been looking for you.
Don't give up.
You'll find me.
Lily...
Great party, Lily.
Put me on the list
for the next one, huh?
I won't have to
'cause this one's
gonna last forever.
So there's a list, huh?
Well maybe there is.
A drink, Lily?
No, I don't want any.
I know what's at
the bottom of the glass.
Maybe there's room for
one more on that list.
There's a vacancy at the top.
I put in my application.
You come around later
with your references.
That a girl, Lily,
you're terrific.
Lily, say a word to me.
Oh, come on. I haven't
had a minute with you
all evening.
Oh, but, Tom, that's
what parties are for,
so people don't have to talk.
* that you can see
your future with me... *
you've made a lot of friends.
I've lived here
all my life and I don't
know this many people.
Darling, I'm
still looking for you.
Am I getting any warmer?
Any minute now.
You know, I don't
know a living soul
in this room,
except you, Maggie, and her guy.
Where do you suppose
they all come from?
Well if you're tired,
I can easily...
Oh, no. I like them.
I love 'em.
They're my kind.
That's all fine, tonight?
Way back when.
You know that, Tom.
You guessed it a long time ago.
You're a pretty smart cookie.
Lily, I've been...
Tom, Tom, no...
I know what you're
going to say.
You see, that's
the secret of
my success.
I always know what
everyone is going
to say...
Including me.
Well, it's a joke, boss.
People! You must have
heard the good news.
Miss James is giving
an at home this evening.
Prizes and dishes
for one and all.
Going so soon?
Mm-hmm.
Where's Bob?
He's getting
his coat.
What's the matter with
this joint? Too cheap
for ashtrays?
What's the matter,
is the rug not good
enough for you?
Who's throwing
this party, anyway?
Lily, where did you
pick up this mess
of vultures?
Let me clear
it out for you, huh?
Look, if you don't
like it, don't knock it.
You and caraway
have been sitting
on a mourner's bench all night.
Nobody's begging you to stay.
Oh, no, you don't.
You're not gonna
pick a fight with me--
not tonight,
not the way you feel.
Lily, look...
No, Maggie, don't...
Let me alone, will you?
What is it, Lily?
What's the matter?
Is it Steve not being here?
Will you let me alone?
Hey, let's dance, huh?
Sure.
Oh, no!
You're Steve Harleigh.
I'm Maggie Collins.
I don't know if Lily's
ever mentioned me or not.
Yeah, I know how many
teeth your baby's got.
He got a new one last night.
Oh?
This is my husband, Bob.
How are you?
How are you?
Be nice to her, will you?
Yeah. Yeah, I'll
take care of her.
Well, the birthday boy!
Ladies and gentlemen,
or whatever you are,
I want you to
meet the birthday boy.
Mr. X.
Hi.
Come on, darling,
I want you to see
your birthday cake.
I wouldn't let anyone
touch it all evening.
Just on the chance...
Just on the chance...
It's beautiful.
The candles are out.
You want me to light
it again?
No, darling, no.
That's right.
When it's out, it's out.
You like your party?
Okay, so you don't
like your party.
I do... Did you come
from a better party?
Lily...
Oh, Steve, have a drink.
It's good for you
when you're at a party
you don't like.
I learned that from
a girl I used to know.
A girl named Mary.
I'll pour it for you myself,
with my own Lily-white hands.
Hey, that's
the second joke
I made tonight.
Darling!
Darling!
Now?
Now!
Are you pleased
with me, darling?
Glad I'm not sitting
at home, alone, with
my knitting?
Hiya, doll...
Uh-oh.
What good does this do?
How's Nora?
She have a good trip?
Did you have flowers
all over the room?
Did you tell her
how much you missed her?
That you just
couldn't wait
'til she got here.
And to tell her
how dull New York
was without her.
That you didn't
know what to do
with yourself.
Were you very tender with her?
Stop it, stop it!
Stop it!
Oh, no. Steve,
turn the light out.
Turn it down.
I don't want to see.
And don't be angry.
I can't stand it
if you're angry.
No, no.
Don't hurt yourself anymore.
What are we gonna do?
I'll take it.
You can't be serious about this.
You know I am,
or you wouldn't be here.
Now, look, Jim,
I'm going to see
Nora Harleigh
whether you come with me or not.
You're her friend,
and it'll be easier
for her if you're there.
That's the only
reason I called you.
If you've come to
talk me out of it,
you can save your breath.
Well do you know
what you're doing?
Do you realize she's an invalid?
Steve told me a few days ago.
Why didn't you?
'Cause it's none of my business.
Oh, but now it is, isn't it?
Now it's your business
to stand there looking
superior.
Well I know what you're
thinking about me.
I'm... I'm just thinking
that you must be
terribly unhappy.
When he told me,
I said to myself
that it was all over.
I thought the best
thing to do was to
keep away from him.
And I have.
I haven't pressured
him, Jim, honest.
He was alright
with her before
he met you.
Oh, no. No he wasn't.
He had made himself
forget what it was
like to be happy.
I thought he could
go back to her,
but I was wrong.
He can't make
everything stop
for him again.
He can't make
himself an invalid
because she is.
It's too late now.
He came here last night.
He didn't want to,
but he couldn't help it.
He's tearing himself
to pieces over this,
and I'm not going to let him.
I can't, I can't!
Is that what you're
going to say to Nora?
Yes, because it's true.
I think you'll k*ll her.
Well, it's k*lling
him, isn't it?
Why is her suffering
all that matters?
Why isn't his life
as important
as hers?
And you're doing
this just for him,
not for yourself?
Alright.
Why isn't my life
as important as hers?
Look, Jim.
She doesn't have him.
Not the way I do.
She can't.
Maybe she doesn't
really love him.
Maybe she just
depends on him.
No, no, Lily...
She loves him.
Does she?
I'm sorry...
But if she loves him,
she can't want him
to be this unhappy.
If I go and talk to her,
if I explain it to her,
then...
Well this way all
3 of us are miserable.
And your way,
only one of you
will be miserable.
Nora. Is that
the way you figure?
Well, it's fairer
that way. It's fairer.
I don't believe
you can work it out
that mathematically, Lily.
Neither do you,
or you wouldn't
be trying so hard
to convince
yourself that what
you want to do
is intelligent,
sane, and sensible.
You'd be doing it.
When you're dealing
with other people's
lives,
you have to think
morally what's right
and what's wrong.
Oh, the fact that
she's an invalid makes
it worse, of course,
but even if she weren't,
going to any woman
and smashing everything
she lives for--
that's wrong.
Why, it's m*rder,
and m*rder's never fair.
Not even to the m*rder*r.
Do you think you'd
ever be happy again
if you did this?
Then you know you
wouldn't. Nobody could.
The real truth is, Lily,
that what you call your
happiness is founded
on a wrong thing,
a bad thing, and that's
why I don't believe
any good can come out
of your going there.
You know, this is
the kind of thing...
Well if you did this,
you could never believe
yourself decent again.
Don't talk to me
about being decent.
Steve's my chance.
The only chance
I've ever had.
The only man who
ever loved me that
I could love, too.
Before him there
was no one, just men.
I've had men buzzing
around me since I was 14.
And I didn't want it that way.
I never wanted it that way.
I had to kid myself
that there was a reason
for staying alive.
Well, I kidded myself.
I told myself if I had money,
if I was important,
people knew my name
and who I was,
then I'd be happy.
Then it would be worth it.
But it was never true.
It was never true.
I don't know
what'll happen to me
if I lose Steve.
I don't know
how I'll get through,
but I'm not going to lose him.
For my sake and his.
He's my first chance
and maybe I'm his
last chance.
And he's going
to have it and I'm
going to have it.
Are you coming with me?
Smitty.
Smitty, come in quickly. I fell.
Well, Smitty, will...
Jim.
Are you alright?
I'm fine, dear.
What a way to greet you. Hello.
Would you get me
old faithful there?
The wheelchair?
Oh, oh, yes.
Smitty went out shopping,
and I decided that I
would practice walking.
I dropped my cane...
Oh, the brake.
Now, would you help me up here?
You sure I'm not hurting you?
Oh, no. Not at all.
Nora,
this is Lily James.
Mrs. Harleigh.
How do you do?
Come in, won't you?
I'll be even happier
to see you once I've
caught my breath.
I dropped my canes.
I stooped, falling,
and couldn't straighten
up again.
So I decided I would
try to be comfortable
while I was waiting
to be rescued.
Steve goes through
this 10 times a day,
poor darling.
Do come in, won't you?
I just ordered some tea.
Would you like some?
Do sit down, won't you?
I must've looked like
a great big turtle lying
on its back.
No, no. Please sit here.
Maybe you'd like a drink
to help you recover
from that meeting.
No. No thank you.
I left Steve...
Oh, allow me.
Thank you, Jim.
I left Steve
slaving away down
at the office.
I couldn't wait
to get a good
look at you.
Oh, the same fabulous face.
Now, your face...
I have a feeling I've
seen you somewhere before
or a picture of you?
Well you probably have.
I'm a model.
Oh, of course. Hundreds
of magazine covers.
What fun that must be for you.
You see,
everything's
fun to Nora.
She's just been in a sanitarium.
3 months, wasn't it?
And according to her letters,
it was an unmixed
round of pleasure.
I said ouch once or twice.
Well I won't say
that was good
for you.
You look wonderful.
Oh, that's Steve,
not the sanitarium.
I missed the big fool so much.
That's the awful thing
about marriage,
after awhile,
you're just no good alone.
Are you sure you
wouldn't like that drink,
or tea, or anything to...
No, I... I can't stay very long.
Oh, for a little while.
I hope... I have
a very personal question
I'd like to ask you.
Jim, would you pass
me my purse, please?
Oh, yes.
Do you know of a good
hairdresser who'd come here
and try to make me
look presentable?
Well, there's one
right here in the hotel,
Michelle,
if you don't get him
started on politics.
Now that's the kind
of inside information
I've been longing for.
I have to bite
my tongue to keep
from asking Steve
about manicurists,
and masseuses,
and new clothes.
It's a woman I need to talk to.
Well now you girls
just fire away.
I think a little
inside information
might be good for me.
Jim, you may
be my oldest
and dearest friend,
but I'm afraid you
would inhibit me.
Really?
Why don't you go
downstairs... And get
me some aspirin.
Well, do you really need it?
No, but would you
get them anyway?
Well I thought it
might be a good idea
if the two of us cleared out.
You just had
that fall, you know.
Jim... Go ahead.
Well, alright.
You've got him well trained.
I'll be back in 10 minutes.
Why did you want him
to go, Mrs. Harleigh?
Certainly not to ask
you about manicurists.
If I'm wrong, please forgive me,
but I have a feeling
there's something odd
about this visit.
Jim's a rather formal person.
For him to come without
telephoning first is
strange, unlike him...
And you... You're
nervous, aren't you?
And distraught.
And so I thought,
perhaps, it was
because...
Or is it me?
Am I upsetting you?
Upsetting me?
Many people, people
with imagination,
cannot bear to be
near a cr*pple.
They feel too much.
Too much pity,
and that makes them
uncomfortable with us.
Well, I'm... I'm
just sorry about it.
Then perhaps my first
thought was right.
What was your first thought?
That Jim's interested in you.
He brought you here
for me to approve.
But you're not
interested in him.
You don't want to hurt him.
Don't know how not to.
No, I'm sorry,
that was a bad guess.
Then there was
no special reason
for this visit.
I just read things into it...
But, still, you... You know,
you take Liberty
as people like me,
but perhaps we're
conceited with...
We're so experienced
in our own pain
that we think we can
always recognize
someone else's.
To me, you seem
desperately unhappy.
Yes, yes I am...
And it has to stop.
I have to do something
about it because I can't
stand it anymore.
You're in love, aren't you?
And it isn't going very well.
Don't be afraid.
I won't pry.
It's the only real
trouble there is.
I know only
too well that no one
can help you.
No one but the man you love.
And he's the one
person that you can't
ask for any help
or for any reassurance.
Because if you ask,
getting it won't mean a thing.
You won't believe it.
You say he's just
being kind because
I asked him.
It won't help...
But you have to try
to make it work.
You have to be as good
and strong as you can.
You have to fight for it.
But you're young
and you're whole life...
You can walk down
the street with
no one to lean on.
And your happiness
doesn't have to depend
on one person.
That's not a little thing...
Not everyone can say that.
In a second we're
going to be howling
like a couple of babies.
I've had a few bad
nights with no sleep.
I'm jittery, and you...
Well you just fell
flat on your face,
so you're jittery.
You know what we remind me of?
That, uh, that kids story.
Who was it?
Chicken little.
A leaf fell on her
head. Just a leaf.
And she went around
crying, "oh, the sky
is falling down."
Yes. Yes.
Well, ladies,
have you finished
your woman talk?
Yes, Jim.
All finished.
I have to go.
I have a job to do.
Jim, you stay.
You haven't had
a chance to talk
with Mrs. Harleigh.
Goodbye.
Let us both remember,
the sky never falls down.
Well at least hardly ever.
She's alright.
I didn't tell her.
She's nice, Steve.
Why did she have to be so nice?
Lily...
I've made up my mind.
I've gone over and over it,
and I haven't thought
of anything else since
last night.
There's no sense
in going on this way.
It just means that
all 3 of us will
be miserable.
I added it up,
too, Steve, and I
got the same answer.
Oh, it doesn't work.
It just doesn't work.
Maybe that's because
we both know it's
the wrong answer.
But why is it? Why?
I don't know why.
I guess it just
isn't anything you
can think about.
You just feel.
When I was with her,
getting ready to tell her,
something in here turned over.
It was as though
my own insides hated me.
So I couldn't tell her.
And neither can you.
Someone else could, maybe.
Another kind of man.
Someone I'd hate.
But not you.
It's all over, darling.
We're all through.
We'll just have to
live without each other.
I don't think I can.
I don't think I can, either...
But I'm going to.
Lily...
I'm gonna turn
my back on you, Steve.
Forgive me.
It wants to be stark, dramatic.
Maybe a touch of chiffon.
As though she were undine
rising up out of the sea.
What are you doing?
What is all of this?
Lily, Lily...
How blue our pretty
lady looks tonight.
Hey, I got a message for you.
Yes, from a feller, too.
He says, why not
let him buy you a drink?
Why should you spend
your own money, huh?
There he is.
Right over there.
Hey, yoo-hoo.
Come on over.
I was thinking about you.
After all this time?
I'm flattered.
I was hoping I'd
run into someone,
thinking that with my luck,
it would probably be you.
Waiter?
Yes, sir.
A bottle please.
You, uh, come here often?
Used to... I should
imagine a hot band
and a floor show
would be more your style.
No, that's just
the face I show
the world.
Laugh, clown, laugh, et cetera.
What's underneath?
A little, lost,
lonely child?
That's right,
Lily, keep slugging.
Share the misery.
Give someone else
a hot foot, it'll
butter your own burns.
You know, I wasn't
to blame for Mary.
You were wrong about me.
Just for the record,
she's not on my conscience.
Yes, that's fine.
Everybody gets old.
Nobody stays 21 forever.
A lot of people have it
just as tough as she did.
They don't all
jump off buildings.
How's the modeling?
Haven't seen your stuff
around much lately.
I can work whenever I want to.
The trick is
to want to, isn't it?
Well everything
goes stale once
in awhile.
Don't expect a revival.
You wanted to be a top model.
You've made it.
It didn't fix anything.
You know, Lily,
they ought to invent
a new kind of ambition.
One that doesn't wear out.
Until they do, it's better
to settle for small things,
just not to get scuttled.
Now there's something to ask
your fairy godmother for--
just not to get scuttled.
And what you ought to know.
You talk as if you
know a lot about me.
I know all about you.
I did the first time we met.
You're a lot like me.
That's why
you're so relaxed now,
feeling almost good.
I don't even know you're here.
I'm just talking to myself.
Sure... It's almost
as if you were.
Kinda comfortable
being with your
own kind, isn't it?
Another drink, sister?
Why not, brother?
Didn't I read something
about Harleigh
losing his
copper mine and his shirt
4 or 5 weeks ago?
Yeah... I guess
I brought him
bad luck.
I was always afraid I would.
Yeah... Yeah, we have
a way of doing that,
us Jonahs.
How was Florida? Oh, yes,
I follow your career.
You made a bet of sorts
with me on it once,
don't you remember?
You said it would
take you 10 years
to get around to me.
I didn't bet anything.
No stakes.
Yeah, more like a claiming race.
The winner gets the loser.
Who do you think
is going to win?
Well I've won all ready.
You know that.
Well, you certainly
have high hopes
of this bottle of champagne.
No, I haven't any hopes.
You're not
that important to me.
Nothing is.
Oh, I Grant you
it's just a moral victory.
It may not be me,
personally, that
you'll get around to,
but it'll be somebody
just like me--
another brother.
Has to be.
You're working too hard.
If you were sure,
you wouldn't be
working this hard.
Who are you kidding?
Add it up.
You used yourself up
over that Harleigh guy,
didn't you?
You haven't got anything left.
You think you're gonna
meet a nice, upstanding
young man next week,
fall in love,
and live happily ever after?
No. That's all over for you.
You don't even want it anymore.
Your work's gone, too, isn't it?
You can't get all g*y
and giggly about your
picture on a magazine cover.
What else can you do?
Find another kind of work?
Move to a different city?
Take a trip somewhere?
Yeah, you could.
You could do any
of those things.
Would you get a kick out of it?
Would it make you
sleep better nights?
Yeah, I know about that
not sleeping nights, too.
How long do you think
it'll be before you
can't stand it, Lily?
How long do you think
I'll be before that night
when you can't stand it
and get mixed up with
some guy or other
just because it's better
than being alone?
You won't like him very much.
It won't last, but don't worry,
he'll introduce you to a friend.
And the friend
will have a friend, too.
And that's the way
you'll go... Down the chute.
You have no other place to go.
Well... At the moment,
I can go home.
I'll call you.
Yes, I know you will.
It's a comforting
thought, isn't it?
Oh, sure. It's nice
to know someone is
waiting for you.
Taxi, ma'am?
We're all through.
We'll just have to live
without each other.
I don't think I can.
I don't think I can,
either... But I'm going to.
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A Life of Her Own (1950)
Moderators: Maskath3, GabrielAlejo2341, sidolanters
Watch on Amazon Merchandise Collectables
The older Classic's that just won't die. Everything from before 1960's.
The older Classic's that just won't die. Everything from before 1960's.