Now, about this robe. It's really dreadful. Dreadful.
And look at this tassel. Hideous.
It should strike me here, at the knees... lower, lower... so that when I walk, it'll sway.
As it is now, it just bobbles. Where are my ties?
[French]
It isn't.
By Jove, it is.
- Ah. - [Chuckling] My dear fellow...
- Elliott. - Wherever have you been all these years?
I've been in the Orient. The last time I passed through Paris, you were away.
Come in. Come in. I have a house on the Riviera now.
I've reached the time of life when I'm prepared to relax and enjoy the beauties of nature.
You've always looked on nature as an impediment to social intercourse.
Paris is not what it was. There's practically nobody to know here anymore.
But on the Riviera, there's really some quite nice people.
In fact, the shores of the Mediterranean are simply littered with royalties.
Heavens knows I'm not a snob, but just as a matter of interest...
I don't mind telling you that on one occasion I had two ex-kings to lunch.
- Two. - How nice.
Elliott, what the devil is that crown doing over your initials?
His Holiness has been graciously pleased to revive, in my favor, my old family title.
- Your what? - Oh, didn't you know?
I'm descended, in the female line, from the Count de Lauria...
who came over to England with Philip II to marry the maid of honor to Queen Mary.
As an American citizen, I feel it more modest...
not to use my title except on all my personal linen.
I think that's a very pretty gesture on your part, Elliott.
[French] I don't mind telling you I take a modest pride...
in concealing my rank under the silver pinstripe of an American gentleman.
You know that Isabel and Gray Maturin are here with their two children?
Are they? I didn't know. I've only just arrived in Paris.
- They were wiped out in the crash. - Yes. I heard that.
Poor Isabel even had to sell her jewels.
And Gray tried to get a job, but it appears there was no business.
The result was a nervous breakdown, and he suffers from the most frightful headaches.
- He couldn't take a job now, even if he could get one. - Oh, I am so sorry.
I couldn't allow them to live like pigs...
Isabel without a maid and no governess for the children...
so I've lent them my apartment here until Gray can get back on his feet again.
- You're the most generous creature in the world, Elliott. - [French]
Nonsense. If I'm taking care of them, it's because, well...
Noblesse oblige, you know. Can I drop you somewhere?
What about having a spot of lunch with me? I'm expecting an old friend of yours.
I was not aware that I had any old friends in Paris. And even if I have, I assure you...
nothing would give me less pleasure than to meet them at this time of day.
- Come along. Jump in. We're meeting at the Dome. - I dislike being hustled.
To the Dome.
And what about you? Were you hurt in the crash?
"God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb."
I happened to be in Rome in September, '29.
My friends strongly advised me to sell my American securities.
I very sensibly took their advice.
So when the crash came, you were sitting pretty.
An Americanism, my dear fellow, which I see no occasion for you to use, but, uh...
it expresses my situation with a good deal of accuracy.
In fact, I was inspired to sell short and made what you would probably call "a killing."
- [Snickers] You're a downy old bird, Elliott. - I have a flair.
I do not like the propinquity of the hoi polloi.
- Oh! Hello. - Larry.
- Larry? I thought you were dead. - [Chuckles] Sorry to disappoint you.
- I'm delighted to see you, Larry. Where have you sprung from? - India.
- India. [French] - [French]
If you gentlemen will excuse me, I will now leave you. I find I have an engagement.
- Good-bye, my dear fellow. - Good-bye.
- Good-bye.
[Patrons Laughing]
Did you know Isabel and Gray are here?
- Really? Where are they staying? - In Elliott's apartment. Their children are with them.
- I must look them up. - If you don't want to scare them out of their wits...
and drive their two little girls into hysterics, you better get a haircut.
- That would be a good idea anyway. - They've had rather a bad time.
The Maturin Company was wiped out in the crash, and Gray had a nervous breakdown.
Poor Gray. Oh, I am sorry to hear that.
- What did you do in India? - I learned something about myself.
I was very happy there.
[Door Closes]
- Mr. Maugham, sir. - Yes, I know.
Hello. Good to see you again. Isabel told me she talked with you on the telephone.
- Would you tell Mrs. Maturin Mr. Maugham's here. - Sorry you're under the weather.
It's just one of those things that comes and goes. I can't seem to get rid of it.
- I thought if I came over here, the change might do me good. - Hello.
- Mr. Maugham. - Isabel. This is a pleasure.
- How are the children? - Oh, wonderful. Growing by leaps and bounds.
- How is it now, dear? - Oh, I'm all right.
If you'll excuse me... I always feel such a nuisance when I'm like this.
- Do you want anything, dear? - [Quietly] No.
- Sure? - Mm-hmm.
- Poor boy. - Pity. I was hoping you and Gray would dine with me tonight.
Oh, I'd love to. But he really suffers.
- You look very well, Mr. Maugham. - I am very well.
Larry hasn't arrived yet?
Larry?
Yes. He lunched with me today. He said he would drop in on you this afternoon.
Larry in Paris? Where has he been?
- India. - But I didn't know.
I didn't know he'd been in India.
Do you realize I haven't laid eyes on him for...
for years.
- Did you tell him we'd lost all our money? - Mm-hmm.
It's funny when you come to think of it...
that we should have exactly the income that Larry had when he wanted me to marry him...
and I wouldn't because we couldn't possibly live on it.
And now I have two children besides.
I... don't think you're so terribly to be pitied.
- ##[Girls Singing "Frére Jacques" Haltingly] - [French]
- Excuse me. - ## [Continues]
[Continues In French]
- Mr. Darrell. - Oui, Monsieur.
Isabel.
- Larry. - Hello, Isabel.
Larry. Oh, Larry, I can't believe it.
- Where did they go? - Who?
Oh, the brood. Come on, babies.
Come on, darling. Come back.
Ah, come here. [Laughs] What's your name?
- Joan. - Joan. And how old are you?
- Seven. - Seven!
This is Priscilla.
Seven. It has been a long time.
Yes. A long time.
It's a lovely brood. Where's Gray?
In the library. Run along, darlings.
- Hello, Larry. - [Isabel] Come in and see Gray.
Gray, look who's here.
- Hello, Gray. Don't get up. - Larry. I am glad to see you.
Sorry you caught me like this. Blinding headache.
- Yes. - Mr. Maugham wants to take us all out this evening.
I thought we'd dine and do the town. Do you feel up to it?
Well, that's very nice of you, Mr. Maugham, but I'm afraid not.
- Larry'll go. Won't you, Larry? - Oh, poor Gray.
- Now, you sail on, all of you. Don't let me spoil your evening. - Wait a minute.
- Would you let me see if I can help you? - [Chuckles] How?
- I mean I, uh... I might be able to help you help yourself. - [Coin Rattling]
- All right. - Here. Sit down.
- What are you going to do? - Wait.
What's this?
It's an old coin from India.
Here.
Close your fingers tightly on this, palm downward.
Now don't fight me. Don't make any effort.
Just squeeze the coin with your closed fist.
Before I count 10...
your hand will open and the coin will drop out of it.
One, two, three...
four, five, six...
seven, eight...
- nine... - [Coin Hits Floor]
I didn't let that coin drop. It fell out of itself.
It's not important.
- I just thought it might give you confidence in me. - Why?
You'll see. Here.
- Got it? - Mm-hmm.
- Excuse me. Here. - What do you want me to do?
- Come back in the corner and sit against those cushions. Get comfortable. - [Sighs]
- Are you comfortable? - Think so.
- Have you got a watch? - Yes.
Palm downward. Thank you.
6:43.
In 60 seconds, your eyelids will grow heavy... so heavy that you will be obliged to close them.
Then you will sleep for another minute.
At 6:45, you will wake up, and you will have no more pain.
No more pain.
[Whispering] Believe it or not, he's falling asleep.
- You learned that in India. - There's nothing miraculous about it.
I merely put an idea into his head. He's doing the rest himself.
- I did doze off. - Is your head better?
I don't know. Could be.
You did something. What did you do?
I didn't do it. You did it yourself.
- Did I? - Of course.
That's a new one. A moment ago my head was splitting wide open from here to here.
- How is it now? - Well, it's certainly better.
- Do you think you could cure him permanently? - I can't work miracles...
but there's no reason why he couldn't cure himself in time.
But that was a miracle. I saw it.
- Well, whatever it was, it sure helped. - Enough to come along to dinner?
Sure. I'd like to come. I haven't eaten a thing all day.
- You're coming, Larry. - I'd love to.
I haven't danced with you for years. I'd like to find out if I still know how.
We'll see. I'll go get my things.
Oh, uh, would you like a drink, Mr. Maugham? Larry? Everything's here.
[Crowd Chattering]
Oh, hello. How's your friend Elliott Templeton?
- Pretty well, I think. - [Laughs]
Who was that?
- The Princess Novemali. - Oh?
Edna.
Funny fellow, that Larry. He doesn't look a day older than he did...
when he left Chicago all those years ago.
India changed him.
- Changed him? - He looks extraordinarily happy to me...
calm, yet strangely aloof.
- Excuse me. Do you have a match? - Oh, here.
- Did you get the car? - Not yet.
[Strikes Match]
- Thanks. - Does he dance as well as ever?
I didn't notice.
You aren't going to be so silly as to fall in love with him again, are you?
I've never stopped loving him. I've never loved anyone else in my life.
Marriage is a very difficult job, even when one's in love.
I shouldn't have thought it much fun when one is not.
One can get on all right without love.
Gray is such a good fellow. Be a pity to hurt him.
I'll never do anything to hurt him. I'm too fond of him for that.
Well, it's your business, not mine.
Where to now? How about Les Ambassadeurs?
Oh, no. I'm sick of all these smart places.
Well?
How about the Rue de Lappe? I've never been there. At least it will be different.
- The Rue de Lappe? In those clothes? - I can keep my jacket on.
- It'll be fun. - Okay. - Don't blame us if you don't like it.
Better pull down the blinds if you don't want a bottle through the window.
[Both, In French]
##[Accordion And Band, Fast]
[Both, In French]
## [Band Slows Down]
##[Tango: Man Singing In French]
You asked for it, Isabel. Here it is.
I'm not scared. I like it.
- [Laughs] - Look at that.
Police will probably choose this very moment to raid the place.
I should be thrilled to the marrow.
[French]
## [Band Speeds Up]
- Any champagne in Paris is all right, isn't it? - Well, I don't...
- Well, well. Look who's here. - Sophie!
[Slurring] Who'd you think it was?
Sit down. Sit down, all of you.
Hello, Gray. Sit down.
- I'll get you a chair, Sophie. - [French]
[Both, In French]
Fancy meeting you all like this.
- Hello, Larry. - Hi, brown eyes.
- How are you? - Thirsty.
Come on. Let's all have a drink!
- Patron! - [Man, In French]
"Do I know them"? They're my childhood friends.
[Both, In French]
[French] Who says I'm drunk?
I know you. You came to Chicago.
- A bit of a stuffed shirt, aren't you? - Maybe.
- I can't say you seem so terribly pleased to see me. - I heard you were in Paris.
- You might have called me. I'm in the phone book. - Are you?
Yes.
- Having a good time over here, Sophie? - Fine.
- You went bust, didn't you, Gray? - Mm-hmm.
Tough on you.
I guess it must be pretty grim in Chicago right now.
Lucky for me I got out when I did.
Where are those drinks? [French]
- Here they are, Sophie. - [French]
[Cork Pops]
[Gray] Here you are, Sophie.
My loving in-laws kicked me out of Chicago. Said I was gumming up their reputations.
[French]
[Both, In French]
Look out, Coco. He's the quiet type. He'll lay you out cold.
- Shut up! - [Gray] Get out of here.
- [Laughs] - [French]
Is that a friend of yours, Sophie?
Yes. That's a friend of mine, Isabel.
- Are you living in Paris now, Larry? - Yes, I am, Sophie.
- You remember the summer before the war? - Sure.
- We saw a lot of each other then. - When?
When you and your mother were being social.
We used to read poetry together. Remember, Larry?
You used to write some poetry yourself in those days.
Pretty good, too, wasn't it?
Not bad... for a kid.
It was good.
Well, I better get back to my boyfriend, or he'll raise the roof.
He's a sulky brute, but quite a man.
Come and see me, when you've nothing better to do.
I've got a case of scotch.
So long, folks. Come again.
I'm here every night.
## [Tango: Man Singing In French]
[Sighs] I'm afraid that was not a great success.
Some shock to see Sophie. Boy, was she tight.
- If not worse. - That's funny. I got the same impression.
- Do you remember her at all? - Very well. I liked her.
- I remember her husband. - You never saw two people so crazy about each other.
- They got to be a regular joke around Chicago. - What happened?
Didn't you know?
Bob and the baby were killed.
[Gray] A car hit them.
So that's what it is.
- She nearly went crazy. - [Isabel] We did all we could to help her, but it was no good.
If you asked her to dinner, she'd come in plastered and pass out before the evening was over.
- At last we simply had to drop her. - She became impossible.
Of course, it was a shock, and I was terribly sorry for her. But a normal person recovers.
If she went to pieces, it was because she was always unbalanced.
Even her love for Bob was exaggerated. Aren't I right, Larry?
No. I don't agree with you, Isabel.
She was as normal as any person I've ever known.
But remember, I knew her better than you did.
- Was she in love with you? - Good heavens, no.
She was only a kid... just a skinny little girl with a bow in her hair.
I remember her crying once when...
when I was reading an ode of Keats...
because it was so beautiful.
Girls of that age are very emotional.
Oh, there was a lot to her in those days.
She had what Keats probably would have called a...
a sort of lovely purity.
Would you stop at the next corner? I want to get out, please.
- You're not going to run out on us? - My hotel's only a step from here.
- Good night. - Larry, will we see you?
- Of course. - We're going to Vittel on Thursday with Uncle Elliott.
He wants to take the cure. We'll be back by the first. I'll call you.
- Fine. Well, good night. Good night, Gray. - Good night.
- Good night, Larry. - And thanks for the dinner.
[Ringing]
Hello.
[French]
- Monsieur Darrell, téléphone. - Oh. Merci.
- Hello. - Larry. At last. I've been trying to reach you for hours.
- Aren't you ever in? - Hardly ever. When did you get back?
This morning. Uncle Elliott insisted on being here in time for Elsa's soiree tonight.
Poor dear, he's not at all well, but he will go to all these parties.
- How's Gray getting along? - Oh, Larry, you've simply done wonders for him.
He started to play golf again. He blames it all on you. And what have you been doing?
- Oh, one thing and another. I've seen a lot of Sophie. - Really? Why?
Well, after all, she's an old friend.
If you want my opinion, I think you're wasting your time.
- She stopped drinking. - You're the most gullible person I've ever known.
She'll never stop drinking.
Sophie wallows in the gutter because she likes it. A blind person could see that.
Well, just the same, I do wish you'd be nice to her, Isabel. We're going to be married.
What?
- Married? - Yes, that's right. It's all settled.
You're not serious. You can't be.
But I am.
- Aren't you going to congratulate me? - I am not.
I think you're... you're...
What's kept you? You've been hours.
- I came the instant I got your call. What's happened? - It's about Larry and Sophie.
The idiot. The stupid, blind idiot. He must be mad.
If you'd calm down, I might make head or tail of what you're trying to say.
- He's going to marry her! - Uh... Oh. How do you know?
How should I know? He just called me on the phone. Oh, I'm frantic.
- So, I see. - He even had the effrontery to ask me to be nice to her.
- Well, it's his own affair, isn't it? - She's an awful woman.
She's bad, bad, bad!
She's soused from morning till night.
That doesn't necessarily mean she's bad.
Quite a number of respectable citizens get drunk and do silly things.
There are bad habits, like biting one's nails, but I don't know if they're worse than that.
I call a person bad who lies and cheats... and is unkind.
If you're going to take her part, I'll kill you.
- I'd prefer it if you gave me a cup of tea. - Oh, help yourself.
He's seen a lot of her since we were at that dive that night. He says she's quit drinking.
The fool thinks he's cured her.
- Have you forgotten what he did for Gray? - That had nothing to do with it.
- Thanks. Gray wanted to be cured. She doesn't. - How do you know?
Because I know women. Do you think she'll stick to Larry? Of course not.
Sooner or later she'll break out. It's in her blood.
It's a brute she wants. That's what excites her. It's a brute she'll go after.
- She'll leave Larry to hell. - It's very probable, but I don't see what you can do about it.
I can do nothing about it.
But you can.
I?
Larry likes you, and he listens to what you say.
You know the world. Go and tell him he can't make such a fool of himself.
- Tell him it'll ruin him. - He'd only tell me it's none of my business. And he'd be right.
- It may not turn out so badly as you think. - Oh, you make me tired!
She's rotten to the core! Do you think I've sacrificed myself...
only to let Larry fall into the hands of a woman like that?
How did you sacrifice yourself?
I gave up Larry for one reason only... because I didn't want to stand in his way.
[Laughs] Come off it, Isabel.
- You gave him up for a square-cut diamond and a sable coat. - Oh!
- [Exhales] - Oh.
You know, your... your Uncle Elliott wouldn't have thanked you...
if you'd broken one of his Crown Derby plates.
- They were made for the Duchess of Dorset. They're priceless. - Pick up that bread and butter!
- Pick it up yourself. - And you call yourself an English gentleman.
No. That's one thing I've never done.
Ooh! Get out of here. I never want to see you again. I hate the sight of you.
I'm sorry for that, because the sight of you always gives me pleasure.
Have you ever been told that your nose is exactly like that of the Psyche...
in the Museum of Naples?
And that's the loveliest representation of virginal beauty that ever existed.
You've got exquisite legs, so long and shapely.
I can't cease to be surprised at them because they were thick and lumpy when I first saw you.
- I can't imagine how you've managed it. - An iron will.
But of course, your most fascinating feature... are your hands.
- They're so slim and elegant. - I was under the impression you thought them too big.
Not for your height and build.
I'm always amazed at the infinite grace with which you use them. Ah?
Whether by nature or by art...
you never make a gesture without imparting beauty to it.
They're like flowers sometimes...
and sometimes like birds on the wing.
- There are moments when I don't positively dislike you. - [Chuckles]
In fact, sometimes I think you're rather sweet.
I will not have my face smeared with lipstick. If you want to kiss me, kiss me on the lips...
which is what a merciful Providence provided them for.
Thank you. Now, what did you want?
- Advice. - There's only one thing you can do:
Make the best of a bad job.
Larry's in the grip of the most powerful emotion that can beset the breast of man...
self-sacrifice.
He's got to save the soul of the wretched woman whom he had known as an innocent child.
- And there's nothing you or I or anyone can do to prevent it. - But he's going to be so unhappy.
[Sighs] You love him very much?
It is a nuisance, isn't it? But I can't help it.
And you don't want to lose him altogether? Then make friends with Sophie.
Be as nice to her as you can.
Ask her to lunch. It would be rather awkward for me after what I've just said to Larry.
- Will you behave if I do? - Like an angel of light.
I'll fix it up. 1:00 tomorrow at the Ritz.
What are you thinking? I don't quite like the look of you.
I'm sorry. I thought that was the one thing about me you did like.
You haven't got some scheme you've been hatching up?
Oh, I promise you I haven't. As a matter of fact, I'm terribly curious...
to see what she looks like, now that Larry's reformed her.
[French]
[Larry] Oh, there you are. Excuse me. Mr. Maugham's table?
- In the lounge, monsieur. - Thank you.
Larry, you like it?
You look fine. [Pats Hand] Come on.
- Hello, Larry. How do you do? - Miss Keith. It's certainly nice to see you.
- Hello, Sophie. - Oh. Hello, Isabel.
- Sophie, I'm so happy for you. - Thank you.
- Hello, Larry. Here they are. - Thank you for asking us.
- Hello, Gray. Isabel tells me you're feeling much better. - Better's not the word for it.
I feel great. I haven't had to take a sleeping pill since the night we went out together.
- I'm your press agent. If you ever hang out your shingle, let me know. - I'll do that.
- Ah. Cocktails. - No, thank you.
- Here. - No, thanks.
- You don't mind if we do? - Oh, no. Of course not.
- Go right ahead. - Oh, look. Uncle Elliott.
He behaves exactly as if the Ritz were his private house.
I'm sure he's telling them all how pleased he is they were able to accept his invitation.
- I'd rather not discuss it. - [Man Speaking French]
Isabel. That blabby woman.
How do you do? It's charming to see you again.
- May I offer you my best wishes. I hope you'll be very happy. - Thank you.
- The same to you. - Thank you.
- Cocktail, Elliott? - No. I would not like a cocktail. I drink nothing but Vichy.
- [Edna Laughing Loudly] - Look at that.
You all know her, of course... the Princess Edna Novemali.
You'd never think she was an American. I knew her before she came over here from Milwaukee.
And that frustrated, old maid secretary of hers...
If you ask me, they look like a couple of fugitives from Madame Tussaud's waxworks.
[Isabel And Maugham Laughing]
And where will you and Larry go on your honeymoon, my dear?
- Greece, isn't it? - Mm-hmm. - Greece?
- It ought to be lovely there this time of year. - Lovely.
- How about a liqueur, Gray? - Yes. I think I will.
- Ah, yes. This. Sophie? - No, thanks.
You're very foolish, my dear. It's excellent.
- No, Uncle Elliott. She doesn't want it. - Gray?
- A little glass for monsieur? - Uh, bonjour, Albert.
No, alas. It's forbidden me. My doctors won't let me touch alcohol.
Un peu de Persovka can do monsieur no harm.
Persovka? Persovka! [Chuckles]
I'll just have a look at the bottle.
[Maugham] I'm sorry to hear you've been ill, Elliott.
You ought to take care of yourself.
Ah! Persovka. [Sniffs]
Mm!
It can't hurt me for once. Just a drop.
Mm. Two drops, perhaps.
We used to drink it at the Radziwill's, when I stayed with them for the shooting.
[Laughing] You should have seen those Polish princes putting it away.
They'd drink it by the tumbler. Never turn a hair.
I don't care whether Sophie's on the wagon or not, she must try this.
It's an experience no one can miss.
It's like listening to music by moonlight.
I'd rather not.
Isabel?
- Nice smell. - Mm.
That's the herbs they put in it.
Oh! Very good. Can we have some of this at the apartment?
Certainly. I'll have a few bottles sent around.
What did you say it was like, Uncle Elliott?
"Like listening to music by moonlight"?
It is!
- Sophie? - Yes?
I saw the most divine wedding dress at Molyneux's.
Let me give it to you for a wedding present.
- Uncle Elliott and me. - What?
That's very nice of you, Isabel, but Sophie has one already picked out.
Don't be stuffy. Let us give her a dress. I'll arrange a fitting.
- May she? - Certainly. It's very nice of you.
- Thank you very much, both of you. - Not at all. Not at all.
Suppose you pick me up tomorrow at 3:00, at the apartment.
- Larry, you know the address, don't you? - Yes, I know the address.
Oh, good heavens. We don't want you!
You're only the groom! [Chuckles] I'll see you at 3:00.
[Isabel] Yes, it was a lovely party. No, of course I didn't.
I behaved like an angel. I always do.
Oh, how silly!
Stop imagining things.
I meant every word of it.
Yes. Yes!
Tomorrow. At 5:00.
- [Hanging Up Phone] - [Footsteps]
That was Somerset Maugham on the telephone.
He always gives me the queerest feeling, as if he were leading other people's lives for them.
I daresay that comes of being a novelist.
- Here. - Oh!
Thanks.
Mr. Maugham... [Laughing]
I called him a stuffed shirt that night, didn't I?
What does it matter? That's all past. You weren't yourself.
Your mind was miles away when I came in. Where was it? With Larry?
- No. Right here. I was thinking. - What?
You always wanted Larry for yourself.
I've always wanted to see him happy.
You hate me for marrying him, don't you?
No. I don't hate you at all.
I'd hate anyone or anything that came in the way of his happiness.
- I'll be a good wife. - I hope you will.
- I was before. - I know you were.
Sophie, don't misunderstand me.
I don't!
What are we getting into? Coffee? Ice?
No, thanks.
I'm going to have a drink.
Oh, look! Uncle Elliott sent the Persovka.
- The what? - Don't you remember? He raved about it yesterday.
Oh, yes. The Persovka.
Poor Uncle Elliott.
He exaggerates about so many things, but for once he's right.
I love the color. Like the green you sometimes see in the heart of a white rose.
Poor Sophie.
I haven't had a drink since that night in the Rue de Lappe.
It must be awful, just to break off completely, all at once.
Sometimes, when I've been alone, I...
I wanted to shake the house down!
But I quit...
- Yesterday at the Ritz was tough going. - I know. I saw it.
Did you? Did I show it?
Only to me, I think. It meant something to me.
Larry, you mean. Larry's happiness.
He's good. He's really good, Isabel.
I was gone. Lost! Gone.
This is my only chance. I know that.
- Excuse me. Is the car here? - Yes, Madame.
- Could we talk more? - Of course. As much as you want.
Will you wait for me? I've got to pick up Joan at the dentist's.
I promised I would.
Your baby.
- How old is she now? - Seven.
Here.
She's lovely.
Linda would have been nine in November...
this November that's coming.
- Stay here. - [Sobs]
I'll be back, and we can talk.
[Sobbing Softly]
[No Audible Dialogue]
##[Tango: Man Singing In French]
##[Continues]
[Pouring]
[Speaking French]
[French]
##[Continues]
If you see Sophie MacDonald, the American, tell her I'll be back later.
- [French] - [Switching To French]
[French]
##[Jaunty Piano]
[French]
- [French] - Persovka, mon chéri.
Hi, big boy! Please. Pass me some Persovka.
Persovka, mon chéri. [Continues In French]
[French]
- L 'Américaine. Au Narghilé. - Where's that? Oú est-ce?
[French]
- I speak English from London. - Very well. Come along.
- Take me. - Par içi, mon seigneur.
[French]
It's better I do not go in, monsieur. I will wait for you there.
##[Algerian]
[French]
Come on, Sophie.
Let's get out of here.
Hello, Larry!
Come on. Join us!
Persovka!
You must try some.
It smells nice.
[Slurring] Like listening to music by moonlight.
Come along, Sophie. Up you go.
[Bottles Clattering]
[Speaking Native Language]
Come on, Sophie.
Come with me now. I'll buy you a drink someplace else.
[Groans In Pain]
Take your hands off me!
I don't need you! I don't need anyone!
[Sophie Screams]
[Scuffling, Yelling]
[Screams]
[Yelling In French]
À la rue!
[Screams]
[French]
[Maugham Narrating] That was the very last I saw or heard of Sophie MacDonald...
for almost a year.
As a matter of record, it's the very last any of us knew of her.
I settled down at my cottage on the Riviera near Cap Ferrat to finish my book.
And then one day, the police of Toulon sent for me.
[Men Speaking French]
Monsieur Maugham.
Bonjour, Monsieur le Commissaire.
Good morning, Monsieur Maugham.
I see Monsieur Maugham wears the Légion d'Honneur.
- I have that distinction. - I must apologize for being obliged to inconvenience...
a person of your distinction.
I assure you, nothing could make me happier than being of service to you.
Now, about this.
Yes. This is a very dirty business, monsieur.
It appears that the woman, Sophie MacDonald...
had a very evil reputation.
She was brutally murdered.
What?
Her body was fished out of the harbor.
The throat was cut from ear to ear.
Dreadful.
[French]
How does it happen...
that a person of your age...
and respectability... should be acquainted with such a character?
- I knew her very slightly. - This volume was found in her room.
If you will examine the autograph page...
you will see it hardly suggests that your acquaintance with her...
was as slight as you claim.
"Mignonne, allons voir si la rose..."
- Mignonne? - "My sweet, let us see if the rose..."
If you're suggesting I was her lover, you're mistaken.
It would be no affair of mine. And without wishing to say anything offensive...
I must add that, from what I've heard of her proclivities...
I should say that you were not her type.
I'm prepared to take that as a compliment.
Nevertheless, it is evident that you would not address a perfect stranger...
as, "My sweet."
That line, Monsieur le Commissaire, is the first of a celebrated poem...
by Ronsard...
with whose works I am certain a man of your education and culture must be familiar.
Ronsard. Ronsard.
Oh! Ronsard! [French]
Of course, I studied Ronsard at school.
But with all the work I have to do, I must confess that line has escaped my memory.
As a matter of fact, I assigned this book for her years ago, in Chicago.
- Hello, Mr. Maugham. - Why, Larry!
I didn't know you were here. I thought you were living in St. Henri.
Yeah, they sent for me. Have they told you?
- Oh, it's dreadful. - I've just seen her at the morgue.
- I had to identify her for the police. - Pardon, Monsieur Maugham.
- You know this individual? - I do.
He's an American citizen. His name is Laurence Darrell.
And what do you know of Monsieur Laurence Darrell?
He's a student. A young man of impeccable character.
Ah! Impeccable, eh?
And how long have you known this young man of... impeccable character?
- Approximately 10 years. - Ah.
Have any arrangements been made to bury her?
Well, if you are prepared to undertake the expense of the funeral yourself...
you will receive the necessary authorization.
- Pardon, monsieur. - [French]
I have here a card of an undertaker, a personal friend of mine...
who will arrange the matter for you.
- On terms, and with dispatch. - You are a marvel of efficiency, Monsieur le Commissaire.
You flatter me beaucoup, Monsieur Maugham.
- May I see where she lived? - You have not seen that room before?
- No, I have not. - Well, en ce cas, monsieur, suivez-moi.
[Speaking French]
Par içi, messieurs.
Look.
- Who are these people? - That's her husband. That's her baby.
- Where are they now? - Dead, monsieur. A long time ago.
- Oh. - May those be buried with her?
- In that frame, monsieur? - Yes.
As you wish, monsieur.
This is the ode of Keats that I read to her when she was a very little girl.
I remember you mentioned it that night in the car, on the way from the Rue de Lappe.
It's something I've always remembered her by.
"The day is gone, and all its sweets are gone!
"Sweet voice, sweet lips Soft hand, and softer breast...
"Warm breath, light whisper, tender semi-tone...
"Bright eyes, accomplish'd shape and lang'rous waist!
"Faded the flower and all its budded charms.
"Faded the sight of beauty from my eyes.
"Faded the shape of beauty from my arms.
"Faded the voice, warmth, whiteness, paradise...
Vanish'd unseasonably at shut of eve."
My advice is that you go and have a good dinner.
I have a card here of one of the best restaurants in Toulon.
It will assure you of the patron's attention.
A bottle of wine will do you both good after this harrowing experience.
I've got to get on to Nice this afternoon. Elliott Templeton's had a relapse.
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Do Gray and Isabel know?
Yes. I only hope they'll arrive in time...
- I wish you'd come with me. - I'd like to, but I was never one of Uncle Elliott's favorites...
if you remember.
[Speaking French]
[Door Closes]
- Thank you. Good afternoon, Joseph. - Good afternoon, sir.
- Good afternoon. - I'll let Mr. Templeton know that you're here, sir.
- How is he? - Very weak, sir.
The doctors say there's no hope.
- May I speak to you on a very delicate matter, sir? - Of course.
The time is growing short, and Mr. Templeton should receive the last sacraments.
I hesitate to mention it to him.
- Sir, but perhaps... - I shall be glad to suggest it.
Thank you, sir.
"La cloche dans le ciel qu'on voit doucement tinte.
Un oiseau sur l'arbre qu'on voit chante sa plainte. "
I hear voices.
See who it is.
- [Knocking On Door] - Entrez.
Mr. Maugham and Mr. Darrell.
Ah, my dear fellow, how very nice to see you.
And Larry! Well, th... This is a surprise.
- Sit down. Sit down. - Yes.
- Mr. Maugham said you were sick. - Did he?
- Well, I am sick. - But you don't look it. You look extremely well.
Well, really now, young Mr. Larry Darrell...
that's the most sensible thing I've ever heard you say.
Of course, he's right. It's only a temporary indisposition.
I've got the grand duke lunching with me on Sunday, and I've told my doctor...
he must put me to rights by then at all costs.
Too bad this should have happened just now.
It's a particularly brilliant season.
Are you going to Edna Novemali's party?
[Chuckling] Oh, of course not!
- Has she asked you? - She's asked everybody in Europe.
She's giving a great do. Fancy dress.
She hasn't asked me. It's a deliberate insult.
Oh, don't be ridiculous. Why should she want to insult you? It's just an oversight.
I'm not a man that people overlook.
Perhaps she doesn't know you're in the South of France.
Don't be ridiculous, Larry. Everybody knows I'm in the South of France.
It's going to be the best party of the season.
If I was on my death bed, I'd go to it!
Never mind, old boy. It may rain the night of the party.
- That'll ruin it! - [Giggling]
I never thought of that!
I'll pray for rain as I've never prayed before.
The old... witch.
She'd never have got anywhere if it hadn't have been for me.
Now she doesn't invite me to the greatest party of her career!
[Sobs] Fireworks, my dear fellow!
There are gonna be fireworks!
Oh, it's so unkind!
[Sniffing, Sobbing] I hate them. I hate them all!
They've eaten my food and drunk my wine.
I've run their errands for them. I've made their parties for them.
What have I got out of it? Nothing.
Now that I'm old and sick...
they have no use for me.
[Whimpering] They don't care whether I live or die!
Not one of them!
Oh, it's so cruel!
I wish I'd never left America! [Crying]
[Softly] Excuse me.
I'm afraid you're very ill, Elliott. Much iller than you think.
I was wondering if you'd like to see a priest.
Do you mean to say I'm going to die?
Oh, I hope not. But it's as well to be on the safe side.
I understand.
Don't be upset, my dear fellow.
Noblesse oblige, you know?
[Chuckling] You... You ridiculous creature, Elliott.
Will you call the bishop and tell him I'd appreciate if he'd send Father Charles?
- He's a friend of mine. - I'll go and do that now.
Thank you.
- Oh, may I borrow your car for a few moments? - Of course.
I thought I'd run over to Princess Novemali's house.
Her secretary's an old Scotch girl I've known for years...
and I think I can do something about that invitation.
She's a spiteful woman, Edna. There'll be a thousand people at that party.
It couldn't have hurt her at least to... ask Elliott.
- Leave that to me. - Don't worry about the bags, darling.
- Mr. Maugham. Larry! - Hello.
- This is a surprise. I had no idea you were here. - Hello, Gray.
- How is he? - I'm afraid you've come just in time.
- Oh, poor Uncle Elliott. - I think he'd like to see you. Come on.
- Larry, you're not leaving. - I'll be right back.
- Bonjour, mademoiselle. - [Both In French]
It's more usual to come in by the door, Larry.
Hello. I thought the room was empty.
And may I inquire what you're doing here?
- I'm a burglar, dear. - Fancy that, now.
And I thought for one happy moment that you'd come here to attack me.
[Chuckles] No, Miss Keith. No, I came to steal a card for the Princess's party.
- She hasn't asked Elliott Templeton. - I know she hasn't.
She crossed his name off on the list herself.
- He's awfully hurt at being left out. - Well...
if he wanted to keep in with her, he shouldn't have said those terrible things...
about her and her chauffeur. [Chuckling]
The unfortunate part about it is that they're all true!
- Well, you have nothing against him, have you? - Oh, no, no.
He's always been very nice to me.
He's a gentleman, and that's more than you can say about most of the people...
who come here to fill their fat bellies at the Princess's expense.
Oh, come, Miss Keith. Be a good sport.
Give me a card. He won't come.
He's dying, and it'll make the poor old man so happy.
The cards are on the desk. I'm going to look out of the window...
to observe the beauty of the prospect... and what happens when my back is turned...
neither God nor man can hold me responsible for.
## [Singing Scottish Ballad]
Thank you, Miss Keith.
## [Stops Singing]
Our poor friend is very low.
He was a good man. His defects were on the surface.
But he was generous of heart and kindly toward his fellow creatures.
You may go in now.
- [Knocking At Door] - Entrez.
A great honor, my dears.
I shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven with a letter of introduction...
from a prince of the Church.
I fancy all doors will be open to me.
- I'm afraid you'll find the company very mixed. - Don't you believe it.
There'll be none of this confounded democracy there.
I shall pick and choose my company, as I always have.
No, no, no. Please don't draw the curtains.
I always loved this time of afternoon.
Why don't you have a drink, my dear fellow? You always have a drink this time of day.
I have had it. Thank you, Elliott.
Isabel, if you are going to make a scene, you will have to leave the room.
I'm a rich man in my way, and I've left you everything I have.
- Oh, Uncle Elliott... - Now, now, now. Gray.
Come here.
I understand you have a job in prospect.
Yes. A roommate of mine in college has offered me a job in his business.
My idea is to go back and see if I can raise enough money to start up my father's firm again.
- It's still in receiver's hands. - Splendid.
You have the money now, my boy.
[Knocks]
A letter for Mr. Templeton, sir. It's marked "Urgent."
Joseph. You'd better stay.
- Elliott? - What is it?
For you.
Open it.
What is it?
It's a card for Edna Novemali's party.
There! What did I tell you?
- Get a pad and envelope. I'll reply. - [Whispering]
- Oh, no, please. Don't bother about that now. - Why not?
I've always been a man of the world.
There's no reason why I should forget my manners as I'm leaving it.
- Are you ready? - Yes, Elliott.
Mr. Elliott Templeton regrets...
he cannot accept...
Princess Novemali's kind invitation...
owing to a previous engagement...
with his Blessed Lord.
The old witch.
Pardon, Madame, but Mr. Darrell wishes to know if the chauffeur might drive him to the station.
- Station? He's leaving? - Yes, Madame.
At 10:30, for Paris.
But he didn't say!
- Yes. Yes, of course. - Merci.
- Leaving! - He's going to America.
Oh, really? How wonderful.
He's going to work his way back on a tramp steamer.
He would do that. But it doesn't matter.
At least he'll be home. I'll see him.
I wouldn't do that if I were you.
But you're not me. All my life I've done the things other people have wanted me to do.
From now on, I intend to do the things I want to do.
I intend to see as much of Larry as I possibly can.
It may cause you a lot of pain, my dear.
I know. But it's a pain that's heaven.
Oh, Joseph. Tell Marcel not to bother about the Rolls.
- I'll drive you to the station, Larry. I'll get the roadster. - Fine, thank you.
- You're on your way again. - Yes. I'm sorry I can't stay for the funeral.
I have to catch a boat.
- So you're going back to America at last. - That's right.
And what are you going to do?
I thought I might take a job in a factory or a garage.
I've always liked machinery, and besides, when I'm washing a car...
or tinkering with a carburetor, my mind's free...
and at the same time I feel I'm accomplishing something.
And after that?
I don't know. I, uh... I might buy a taxi.
- A taxi? - Why not? It's a good life. You're always on the go.
- You meet a lot of different people. - Oh, Larry, for heaven's sake!
What you need is a good psychiatrist.
Sometimes I think you're completely out of your mind.
Just look what you've done with your life. And with mine!
What in heaven's name are you trying to prove?
I'd hoped you'd come back to the States with us.
Gray's going into business again, and he'll need all the help he can get.
Larry, you've no idea what you've done for him.
He spoke of it again, only yesterday.
You can't see the change, but I can.
When you're around, he's different. Much like his old self.
Gray's all right. He doesn't need me.
But suppose he does? Suppose something goes wrong again...
and he has another breakdown.
You can't imagine what he went through the last time.
It wasn't just a matter of headaches and nerves.
He was sick... really sick.
Larry, I've never told this to anyone before.
But for months and months, we had to watch him every minute.
It wasn't just losing his money in the business his father had built up...
it was more than that.
He blamed himself for all the things that happened to those little people...
who trusted him with their savings.
I honestly believe...
if it hadn't been for the children...
he'd have killed himself.
There's nothing so surprising about that, Isabel.
I don't suppose there's a man or woman living today who hasn't felt that way...
at least once in their lives.
The wonderful thing about life is that...
most of us get a second chance.
I got a second chance.
Right at the moment when I thought there was nothing worthwhile living for.
Do you know what it means to see another man give up his life for you?
Do you? Have you ever thought what it is to walk the streets at night...
knowing that you're walking in another man's shoes?
That someone deliberately died so that you might go on living?
Listen.
Do you remember that night in Chicago, when we talked at the country club?
I told you then that I didn't think I'd ever find myself?
Well, I haven't yet... completely.
I found some of the things that I was looking for.
And someday, I may find them all. But in any event...
I'm going to keep right on looking.
It isn't easy, and it isn't fun.
I've known moments of futility and frustration. I've...
But that's all passed now. Passed and done.
I know what lies ahead.
I know where I'm going. And Gray, in his own way, can do the same thing...
because this is his second chance!
And I know he'll come through.
All right. Suppose he does.
And what about me?
Doesn't it mean anything to you that I love you?
That I've never loved anybody else but you?
That my children might have been your children, that...
Oh, why didn't I marry you when I had the chance?
I could have! You know I could have.
That last night in Paris, you were ready enough to give up all this foolishness for me.
If I'd just had brains enough, I could have saved you.
But no! I threw you out! I thought I was being so noble. Remember?
Look at me, Larry.
You know you love me.
You know that you've always wanted me.
Say it's true. Say you know it's true.
Oh, Larry! I love you.
I love you!
Promise you'll come back with us.
Promise you will!
Tell me about Sophie, Isabel.
Sophie? What about Sophie?
That afternoon she came to your apartment. Did she have anything to drink?
- Yes. - Persovka?
How did you know?
Isn't it strange that she should have asked for such an unfamiliar liqueur?
She didn't ask for anything. She just helped herself.
I had to leave to pick up my daughter at the dentist's.
And when I returned, Sophie was gone and the bottle was empty.
When you found Sophie gone and the bottle empty, weren't you surprised?
I thought she got tired of waiting.
When I noticed the bottle was empty, I thought the butler had drunk it.
I very nearly spoke to him about it.
You never were a very good liar, Isabel.
You don't believe me!
Not for a moment.
Then don't!
All right, if you want the truth, you can have it. I did it and I'd do it again.
I was determined to stop at nothing to prevent her marrying you.
Nobody else would do a thing. They didn't care! I did!
Oh, Larry, you men are such fools!
I knew that sooner or later she'd break down. It stuck out a mile.
You saw how jittery she was at the Ritz. I knew she'd give her soul for a drink.
The idea came to me when Uncle Elliott made such a fuss about the stuff.
I hated it, but I pretended it was wonderful.
I knew if she had a chance, she'd never resist.
That's why I offered to give her a wedding dress. I made up my mind...
that if I found Sophie had not touched the bottle...
I'd make the best of things and try to be friends with her.
That's true! I swear it.
When I came back, saw the bottle was empty...
I knew I'd been right all along.
That's pretty much what I thought.
Sophie's dead.
Dead?
Her body was found in the harbor at Toulon.
She'd been murdered.
Oh, how horrible!
Do they know who did it?
No.
But I do.
There's no need to be shocked about Sophie any longer, Isabel.
I've had the feeling all day that Sophie is where she would want to be most...
with Bob and Linda.
I know it's a very usual and simple way to look at it, but...
It's comforting.
Good-bye, Isabel.
And take good care of Gray.
He needs you now more than ever.
[Footsteps]
[Very Softly] Larry?
[Footsteps Dwindle In The Distance]
- He's gone! - I know.
I've lost him!
Lost him for good.
And I love him. I love him so tenderly.
Now I've lost him!
Do you suppose we'll ever see him again?
It isn't likely.
His America will be as remote from yours as the Gobi Desert.
It's all so crazy. So useless!
What is he trying to do with his life?
What does he hope to find?
My dear, Larry has found what we all want and very few of us ever get.
I don't think anyone can fail to be better and nobler...
kinder for knowing him.
You see, my dear...
goodness is, after all, the greatest force in the world.
And he's got it.