But, Father Fitzgibbon, why do you want a new furnace ?
Because, Mr. Haines, last winter in the month of November alone...
four of me parishioners took to the bed with pneumonia.
- That's too bad. - It's only by a miracle that I meself pulled through.
It'll only cost $632.50, complete with an automatic damper.
Father Fitzgibbon, I didn't come here to put in new furnaces.
I think you ought to give him his furnace, Dad.
It would warm people's hearts, and maybe his collections would be bigger.
No, no, son. Improvements are out.
- Now, Father-- - That was good. What he said, that was good.
Oh, well, he's new to our business. Now, Father--
- No furnace, huh ? - No furnace. Now, Father, here's my business.
You owe the Knickerbocker Savings and Loan Company five payments on this mortgage.
If they're not taken care of, I'm afraid the Knickerbocker Savings and Loan Company...
will have to take the necessary action, huh ?
Why don't you make that the subject of your sermon next Sunday ?
Tell it to your people. The Lord loveth a cheerful giver.
Oh, I can imagine meself saying that in Mass next Sunday.
What a sermon that would be, Mr. Haines.
"The text of me sermon this morning is taken from...
- the mortgage according to Mr. Haines...
from the 1st to the 23rd clause."
Very dull, you know.
Oh, but that's your business. Keep it bright, huh ?
But seriously, Father, we have made a bad loan, and we want our money back.
- Well, you'll get it somehow. - That's all I wanted to know.
Good day, Father. Come on, son.
Dad, you can't foreclose.
Why, it just isn't being done.
I read up on it and there's never been...
a Catholic church foreclosure in the history of New York.
There's always a first time, isn't there ?
Don't you think you're being a little harsh with him ?
You've got to be. Son, never loan money to a church.
As soon as you start to close in on them,
everybody thinks you're a heel.
- Well, aren't you ? - Yes.
Good morning. Could you tell me where I'd find Saint Dominic's Church ?
- Eh ? - I'm looking for St. Dominic's Church.
- Why ? - I'm gonna work there.
The new assistant, eh ?
And you can't even find the church.
Well, all I can say is, young man,
you're off to a mighty bad start.
What's your name ?
Father O'Malley. Charles Francis Patrick O'Malley.
- What's yours ? - Her name is Quimp !
Hattie Quimp !
You'll see a lot of her. At St. Dominic's, she's a regular two-a-day-er.
Very religious, burns candles.
I could tell ya plenty about them too.
And if I did, they'd have to leave the neighborhood.
If you're lookin' for St. Dominic's, Father,
- it's a block up and then to your left. - Thank you.
- Hello. - Hello.
- How's things goin' ? - Terrible. They never hit one to me.
- Watch right field for me a minute, will ya, Father ? - Sure.
- I gotta run in the house. - Okay.
- Hey, fellas, the Father's gonna take my place. - Okay, Father.
I got it ! Got it !
Thanks !
Hurry up ! Come on !
- What do you think you're doing ? - I'm the substitute right fielder.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself, playing with kids, smashing people's windows.
- A big grown-up man. - And a priest besides.
- Oh, hello. - Still looking for St. Dominic's.
You just wait 'til I tell Father Fitzgibbon.
Look, you keep out of this, will ya ? Go on, go on.
- This is between him and me. - Honestly, I'm sorry about the window.
Yeah, but bein' sorry don't fix it.
- I intend to pay for it. - When ?
Priests never have any money. That window--
Now, wait a minute, my good man, I said I'd pay for it.
I told you I'm sorry.
What else can I say after I say I'm sorry ?
That ain't the idea. It's the principle of the thing.
A priest didn't ought to go around breaking people's windows.
- It sets a bad example for the children. - You got me stymied there.
- I'm contrite and I'm penitent. I've told you I'm sorry. - You told me that twice.
- But that don't-- - That doesn't fix the broken window, I know.
I think you're just playing hard to get along with.
- Maybe a little security might help. - Huh ?
These were given to me. Why don't you keep them 'til I've made good ?
Maybe they'll make you feel better.
- They're mother of pearl, you see ? - Huh ?
If that'll satisfy you, why, I'll run along.
Hey, you, here, I got no use for this.
First place, I don't believe in it.
- As a matter of fact, I don't believe in anything. - I can believe that.
I'm an atheist; besides, I'm superstitious.
All right, then, I'm sorry about the window. I'll have it fixed.
Can I have the ball back ?
You even throw like an atheist.
Mrs. Carmody, did the young priest come yet ?
He's here, but he insisted on changin' his clothes before seein' you.
Ah, that's nice. Tidy himself up a bit.
Hello, Father.
I'm your new curate, Father.
If you'll excuse my appearance.
No, no, it's not possible. The Bishop may have a grudge against me.
He may think I've a mouthful of clover and can't preach,
but even the Bishop wouldn't do a thing like this to me.
I see what you mean.
Young man, is that the official garb of the priests in St. Louis ?
No, I-- Something happened to me on the way over.
I guess this just isn't my day, Father. Do you mind if I--
Nah.
Eh !
Oh.
Young man, as a matter of curiosity,
what made you become a priest ?
- Why, I--
Hello ? Well, you don't say. Huh ?
Ya don't say.
Oh, yes, I can well believe it, yeah.
Mrs. Quimp ?
Oh, yes, yes, indeed, Mrs. Quimp.
Yes, indeed, I appreciate your good intentions. Yes, yes, yes.
- Good-bye, good-bye, good-bye. - I guess she told you about me, huh ?
Yeah, the garrulous old biddy.
Young man, I'm afraid you're off to a very bad start.
That's what she said. I'm sorry, Father, I--
Smashin' people's windows. Such conduct.
Oh, yes, that reminds me. I wanted to ask you something.
Yeah, listen now. Tell me, young man,
how did you happen to become a priest ?
- Well, I--
Yeah, yeah.
Chuck ? Chuck who ?
- Father Chuck ? - That's me.
Here, I'll take it over here.
Hello ? Timmy !
Well, how are ya, Timmy ?
I just got in. Well, what do you know ?
That's Father O'Dowd, an old friend of mine. We used to go to school together.
" Hail Alma Mater Thy time honored halls "
" Shall echo with our praise 'til we die "
" And 'round our hearts are the ivy-covered walls "
" Of East St. Louis "
" High "
Ha, ha, good, Chuck, good, good. Can't ya talk ?
Mmm, well, no.
All right, then, I'll do the talkin'.
How does your new pastor impress you ?
You're a big help. It's a little early to say.
Time will tell though.
Uh-uh, no, I think it would be better if I told you when I saw you.
Yes, it would be much better.
All right, Timmy, make it soon, huh ? So long.
- Oh, he's a great little man. - Yeah, yeah.
- Uh, what were we talkin' about ? - Oh--
- Yes, I was goin' to ask you-- - You were going to ask me if I want to see the church.
- Yes, that's right. - Yes.
- I like this. It's beautiful. - Thank you.
- How long you been here, Father ? - Uh, 45 years.
- And the-- - 46 in October !
- The church ? - The same. I built it.
- I can only hope someday I can say I built as much. - Ah.
- This is nice. - Yeah, the birds like it.
They're good company. Listen.
- Yes, I've taken a great deal of pleasure in me garden.
It's been hard work, but it's been worth it.
I think you'll find this a very pleasant place in which to meditate.
- Ya do meditate, don't ya ? - Oh, yes, sure.
Now I'll show you the church.
What we really need is a loudspeaker system.
Hmph, for a minute I thought I found a four-leaf clover.
Guess it just isn't my day.
- Would you like to see the church ? - Oh, yes !
Oh, Mrs. Carmody, j-just a minute.
Just a minute.
- Where's Father O'Malley ? - He left early this morning.
- The young man doesn't sleep as late as you do, you know ? - Huh ? Oh.
- What's this ? - His luggage. It just arrived.
Golf, tennis, and where, may I ask, is his fish pole ?
It's here. Huh !
- Good mornin', Father. - Been to market, eh ?
Mrs. Carmody could attend to that. You should have been making parish calls.
I have. Mrs. McGonigle, the one with the big house and rheumatism.
- She sent you a present. - Oh, she did, huh ?
Very generous of her. A fine Christian woman, Mrs. McGonigle.
Eh, wonder what 'tis. Something to eat, I dare say.
- Jam, jam. No, pickled pigs feet.
Possibly some brandied peaches.
If there's one thing I'm partial to, it's a nice big jar of brandied peaches.
- A nice basket too. - Yes, she wants it back.
Too young, O'Malley. Much too young to be separated from their mother.
That's what she said. So, here's the mother.
- Isn't she cute ? - The joy of giving is indeed a pleasure.
Especially when you get rid of something you don't want.
Oh, Mrs. McGonigle is famous for these tricks.
When her husband died, she sent me his umbrella,
his long flannel underwear and his mustache cup.
" Hail Alma Mater Thy time honored halls "
" Shall echo with our praise 'til we die "
" And 'round our hearts are the ivy-covered walls "
" Of East St. Louis High "
- Timmy, how are ya ? - Chuck, I'm glad to see ya.
- How long is it since we've seen each other ? - Four years.
- Oh, five, anyway. - Has it been that long ?
- Yes ! - Pardon me, Father Fitzgibbon.
- This is my old friend, Father O'Dowd. - How are you, Father Fitzgibbon ?
We've been friends since we were knee-high to a niblick.
- He was our local Huckleberry Finn.
Laugh and the world laughs with you, he used to say.
- Cry, and you cry all by yourself. - How are you, Father ?
I just dropped by to see if Father O'Malley could play a little golf this afternoon ?
Oh, you did ? Where's your parish ?
Right over here, St. Francis.
Well, now, about your golf.
Of course, I can't answer for you, but at St. Dominic's we've very little time...
for games of golf and such like.
If you were working for me, all I can say is that you wouldn't have time for it, either.
It's lucky for me then that I'm at St. Francis.
It's my hope St. Francis can say the same.
- Uh-oh, he's got you there, Timmy. - Good, Father, very good.
Say, Father, why don't you come a round with us sometime ? It's a grand game.
Sure, Father, we'll teach ya. A man is never too old to learn.
Lot of nice, fresh air out on the golf course.
And profanity too. No, a golf course is nothing...
but a poolroom moved outdoors.
You mind if I use that one sometime, Father ?
Young man, would you mind--
- How did he ever become a priest ? - Oh, well, I don't--
Father Fitzgibbon.
Excuse me.
- Who is it ? - Mrs. Quimp.
Oh !
Does he know ?
- Does he know what ? - That you're in charge.
- How'd you know ? - I didn't.
I gathered as much when I heard you were here.
Everybody knows that St. Dominic's is in a bad way.
Father Fitzgibbon is getting to be an old man.
- This needs a young fellow-- - Timmy, look.
- Don't mention it to anybody. - Oh, no, no.
When I had my talk with the Bishop, it was our understanding...
that Father Fitzgibbon was to remain here as pastor and I was...
to try and straighten out St. Dominic's without hurtin' his feelings.
I see. You're in charge, but you're not.
I don't think I'd like an assignment like that.
But the Bishop couldn't very well put him out to pasture, could he ?
"Pasture" ? What's this I hear about a pasture ?
I was just saying to him, Father,
the next time I come past your church I'm going to drop in and see ya.
Good day, Father. So long, Chuck.
- I was goin' to ask ya something.
Oh, yes, the telephone.
Mrs. Quimp just telephoned. Her landlord is throwin' her out again.
She wants somebody to go down and see her. You better go.
- I'll go right along, Father. Would you mind the puppies ? - Yeah.
- Thank you. - Uh,
I'll bet you're the new assistant,
the one who's going to get St. Dominic's out of all its trouble.
And I'll bet you're all the trouble.
I'll wager you're the man with the mortgage.
- You've heard about the mortgage ? - All churches have mortgages.
It isn't respectable for a church not to have one. My name is O'Malley.
- Mine is Haines. - Nice meeting you.
We may have to touch you for a little more a little later on.
We're gonna need a new paint job here pretty soon.
I must run along. You look like a man it'll be a pleasure to do business with.
Yes, uh--
Hmm.
Get out ! Get out ! You'll not put me out !
I'll pay you me rent when I get it !
- Good morning, Father. - Good morning.
Hello, Father. Mrs. Quimp and I were just discussing you.
Oh, you were ?
As you know, I represent the Knickerbocker Savings and Loan Company.
- Uh-huh. - Inasmuch as Mrs. Quimp declines to pay her rent,
the Knickerbocker Savings and Loan Company refuses to offer her any further hospitality.
Is she very far in arrears ?
Mrs. Quimp has paid us nothing for six months.
It's very nice of you to show her leniency.
Supposin' the poor old woman has no place to go ?
The Knickerbocker Savings and Loan Company is not a charitable institution,
like St. Dominic's.
With us, it's just a matter of cold-blooded business.
With you it's different. You haven't got anything and you don't want anything.
That's your business and people respect you for it.
But I'm not in your business, see ?
If I haven't got anything and don't want anything, I'm a bum.
Surely there must be something we can do about it.
I don't know what you're going to do about it, but I'm going to throw her right out on her ear.
Why don't you give her a break ? Give her a month to make good in.
- St. Dominic's will guarantee it. - St. Dominic's ?
I can see you haven't been around long, Father.
St. Dominic's is in worse shape than Mrs. Quimp.
- My old man happens to own the mortgage-- - Your father holds the mortgage ?
You're darn right he does. Confidentially, I think he'd like a way to foreclose.
He wants to tear down the church and make a parking lot of it.
Can you imagine it ? He's a very disliked man.
I'm sort of following in his footsteps.
- Junior, eh ? - Yeah.
- It's a turkey.
Let's cut through the churchyard.
- Good afternoon, boys. - Oh, hello, Father.
That's a fine, fat bird you have there.
Oh, well, we was sort of bringin' it over for ya.
- It's, uh, sort of a present. Ain't it, Herman ? - Y-Yeah !
Well, that's very generous of ya.
Such a fine bird and all.
Now, where, may I ask, did ya get it ?
- Ah, we got-- - We won it in a raffle over to the theater.
- We were lucky ! - Isn't that great, huh ?
- But, surely, your mother-- - Oh, except on Christmas, Ma don't like turkey.
- She don't ? - Honest.
That's most fortunate for me. There's nothin' I'm more partial to than a nice tom turkey.
Roasted, all with dressing. Well, I appreciate your kindness, boys.
- It ain't nothin', Father. - On the contrary, I appreciate the thought behind it.
Small luxuries, like small sacrifices, are ofttimes the most godly.
Well, bless ya both. Thank you.
Take it i-inside, inside the kitchen to the housekeeper.
Okay, Father, we'll see ya later.
So you guaranteed Mrs. Quimp's rent, did ya ?
- Of course I did. - St. Dominic's can't afford it.
I expected you to counsel Mrs. Quimp, not to adopt her.
- Hmm. - Ah, hot turkey.
Hot ? Of course, it's hot.
That's what I say.
Bless us, O Lord, for these Thy gifts which we are about to receive. Amen.
Amen.
Say, Father, you know a youngster around here named Tony Scaponi ?
- Uh-huh. What about him ? - This afternoon--
Tony belongs to a fine, upstanding Catholic family.
Eleven children. Oh, sure, I know Tony.
- As fine a lad as there is in the parish. - Police don't think so.
- Oh, they don't, huh ? - No, if something isn't done about Tony and his pals,
I'm afraid they're gonna wind up in a reform school.
- Who told you that ? - The police.
You've been listenin' to Patrick McCarthy, no doubt.
Let me tell you that that-- That man hasn't been to Mass in the last ten years.
That may be, but I think McCarthy's right about those kids.
They're terrorizing the whole neighborhood.
Hmm. No use talkin' like that.
To hear the police talk, you'd think that every lad in the parish was a criminal.
I'll have you know that the very food there before us...
is brought to us by two of those very lads that the police are so maliciously slandering.
Ah, is that so ?
Tony Scaponi was one of them. I gave them both my blessing.
And they gave you the bird.
- Yeah.
- I'll get it.
- Hello, McCarthy. - Oh, good evenin', Father.
Well, I brung 'em. Tony Scaponi, Herman Langerhanke.
Hi, fellows. I don't think you have to wait, McCarthy.
Well, okay, Father.
Say, uh, I understand that you fellows like baseball pretty well, huh ?
- Yeah ? - I was thinking, Saturday...
the Yanks are playing the St. Louis Browns, a doubleheader.
Would you like to go out and see the games with me ?
St. Louis is my old hometown, you know. Get all the passes I want.
- What do you say ? - Well, I guess so.
- Yeah, sure, I guess the fellows would like that. - It's a date then.
- I'll meet you here Saturday at noon ? - That'd be good.
You run along and have your dinner. I'll go finish my turkey.
Let me see now, uh, where was I ?
Oh, yeah, I know. I was goin' to ask you something.
- Oh, yeah, what made me become a priest ? - No, no, no, no.
- Uh, about young Tony ? What was it the police accused him of ? - Stealing.
Stealing ? Stealing what ?
Turkeys.
Seems the boys hijacked a poultry truck down the street here.
There was quite a bit of excitement. The driver reported them to the police.
Uh, did the poor man get his turkeys back ?
All but one, Father.
Thank you.
Ah, McCarthy, how are ya ?
- Good mornin', Father. Uh, you open for business. - Always open for business.
- Come on in. - Come on.
Sit down. Stay here.
- Come right in, Pat. - I got a problem, Father.
- Seems like it's more yours than mine. - Mm-hmm.
It's her. Well, Father, it's this way.
- Last night I'm walkin' me beat, see ? - Mm-hmm.
- Who do you think I runs into ? - Her ?
- Mm-mm. Mrs. Quimp. - Ah.
"Officer McCarthy," she says. You know how the old stool pigeon talks.
- Yes, I do. - "lf you'll go around the corner, you'll find a girl.
I've been watching her and she ain't up to no good."
Well, Father, I goes around the corner and there like the Quimp says, I finds her.
- Do you follow me, Father ? - Oh, yes, yeah.
Well, I looks at her and sizes her up.
One of those things, I think. I'm just about to say to her,
"Look, sister, not on my beat."
But she turns and right away I sees I'm out of line.
- You follow me, Father ? - Mm-hmm, yeah.
Well, to get down to it, Father, I find she's broke and run away from home.
Doesn't know a soul in town.
So, instead of bookin' her, I takes her home.
It's all right with the missus one night,
but if she stays any longer, well--
I guess Mrs. McCarthy, good woman that she is, is no different from any other woman.
- You follow me, Father ? - Yeah, I follow you.
So, she tells us that she's run away from home on account of her folks don't understand her.
We tried arguing with her, Father, but she's a tough one.
She thinks "Honor thy father and thy mother" is a belly laugh.
Well, Father, guess I'll let you pick it up from here.
- Says her name's Carol James. - All right, McCarthy.
- So long, Father. You can go in now. - Good-bye.
Come right in. Won't you sit down over here ?
Carol, suppose you give us your version of it, huh ?
I guess it's just about like he said.
- You don't get along with your parents ? - No.
- So you're going to leave home ? - Oh, I've left.
Hmm. How are you fixed for funds ?
I haven't any. That's how I met Officer McCarthy.
Oh, but I'll get by.
Why don't you go back home ?
I tell you, at home my life is intolerable.
- Parents ? - We don't agree on anything.
Don't like the way I do my hair, my eyebrows, too much lipstick.
Too something or other, too long, too short. Do you think it's too short ?
Well, I-- I don't know.
They even object to my boyfriends.
If they do let me go out, they say, "Where are you going ? Come home early.
- Come right home after the show." - "No drive-in."
No matter how early I get in, it's too late.
And if I say we ran out of gas, they say I'm lying.
- Are ya ? - Sometimes.
Did you ever think of maybe havin' the boyfriends over to the house ?
Now you talk like they do.
I can't have them over to the house because Grandma sleeps in the living room.
- She does, huh ? - By 9:00 we have to be off the couch.
She needs it for a bed. Can you imagine ?
Of course, you know, there might be two sides to it.
Maybe you're bein' a little unreasonable.
- I'm 18. - Eighteen, huh ?
As old as that ?
When I was 18, I thought my father was pretty dumb.
After a while, when I got to be 21, I was amazed to find out how much he'd learned in 3 years.
Oh, well. Now that you're in New York,
- what do you propose to do ? - I'm going to get a job.
- I'm a singer. - A singer, huh ?
- You any good ? - Of course, I'm good.
- What makes you think so ? - Well, I'm-- I'm just good, that's all.
Well, uh, would you sing something for me ? Maybe I can help ya.
- Supposed to be a good judge. - You wouldn't know the kind of songs I know.
How do you know ?
Oh. Do you happen to know "Day After Forever" ?
- What key ? - Well, do you mind dropping it just a little ?
" All day tomorrow "
" I'll be whisperin' your name "
" And the day after forever "
" I know I'll do the same "
" Maytime or winter "
" I won't let you out of sight "
" And the day after forever "
" We'll talk about tonight "
" Your laughter is a melody "
" That I'll remember long "
" It plays upon my heartstrings "
" It's my favorite song "
" All through a lifetime "
" I'll be loving you and then "
" On the day after forever "
" I'll just begin again "
Well, what do you think ?
Well, you got a pretty nice voice, but...
instead of so much of this,
you ought to think about putting a little feeling into the words.
Well, for instance, Father ?
" All day tomorrow "
" I'll be whispering your name "
" And the day after forever "
" I know I'll do the same "
" Maytime or winter "
" I won't let you out of sight "
" And the day "
" After forever "
" We'll talk about tonight "
I see what you mean, Father.
Supposing you try it then, huh ? Just speak the words.
Your laughter is a melody...
- that I'll remember long. - That's it.
- It plays upon my heartstrings. - Now sing it.
" It's my favorite song "
" All through a lifetime "
" I'll be loving you "
" And then on the day "
" After forever "
" I'll just begin "
" Again "
What's that ? " Again "
- I was imitating you, Father ? - Did I do that ?
- Oh, definitely. - Maybe, but I didn't do that--
" And the day after forever "
" You're my favorite song " There's no thought behind that at all.
" We'll talk about-- "
What does that got to do with the song ?
Hello, Father.
This, uh, young lady came to us for some help.
- Oh. So it's work you're wantin'. - Yes, Father.
Well, I think maybe I could place you.
- You can ? - What would you think of a little general housework ?
Mrs. Scaponi, with all those children, 11-- no, 12 in October.
I think maybe she could use you.
Oh, no. I'm not looking for that kind of work.
I don't think you understand, Father, she's a singer.
Aren't ya ?
Well, now, and where, may I ask,
are ya expectin' to find employment ?
In some nice, cool, airy nightclub, I suppose.
- Any prospects ? - Well, no. Not exactly.
And you're willin' to starve rather than push a broom ?
You have a home, I presume ?
- No, she just left it, Father. - Go right back to your parents.
A fine, little girl like you singin' someplace like that,
uh, Blue Goose or something.
But you've got to start someplace, Father.
Nonsense. Bein' a good wife and mother is a good enough start for you, like your own mother.
- Well, good-bye, Father. - Good-bye.
Good-bye.
Here, young lady, you go home and stay home...
'til the right man comes around.
The right man will never come near our house.
But don't worry, I'll get by.
Say, uh, Carol ?
Wait just a minute. Father ?
- Do you think you could let me have ten, Father ? - Of what ?
Ten dollars. She's all alone. She hasn't a thing.
Open up our hearts, huh ? Ten dollars.
Just a minute.
- How about five ? - Five ? No, no, a ten, ten.
Carol, I didn't like the way you said, "I'll get by."
- Here's a little something to tide you over. - Father--
It's all right. It's not charity. It's a loan.
Thanks. I can use it. I appreciate it.
Carol, I guess there's a lot of things I should have said to you.
Advice and one thing or another. But you wouldn't have paid any attention.
After all, you are 18, aren't you ?
- Don't worry. I'll be all right. - Of course, you will, Carol.
- I'll get by. - Oh, don't say that.
- Let us hear from you, huh ? - All right, Father.
- Bye. - Bye, Carol.
Hey, fellas.
What are we doin', hangin' around here for ?
- Yeah ! - Yeah !
- 'Cause I promised O'Malley, that's what for. - Why ?
- 'Cause I said so, see ? - Hey, fellas, look.
- Lace panty-coats. - Yeah, lace panty-coats.
First thing you know, he'll be charmin' us into these things.
Yeah, makin' altar boys out of us.
Hold it. First guy up, I kick his teeth in, see ?
Now, look, you, O'Malley's a right guy, see ? Pick him up.
Now, look, you, O'Malley's a right guy, see ?
- He didn't rat on us about the turkeys, did he ? - No.
- Took us to a baseball game, didn't he ? - Yeah.
- Bought us hot dogs, didn't he ? - Yeah.
He's gonna take us to a picture show, ain't he ?
How do we know ?
- Hello, Father. Say hello to the Father. - Hello, Father.
Hi, fellows.
- Father, where'd you get the outfit ? - It's the St. Louis Browns.
I told you I used to work out with them. They thought I brought them luck.
When I left town, they made me a present of it.
That's just the outfit to wear in a cellar.
Oh, you, knockin' my team. I guess you wonder why I asked you down here, huh ?
- Well, uh, Father, I want to talk to you a minute, can I ? - Wanna see me ?
- Yeah, just a minute. - Pardon me, boys.
- Tony, what's on your mind ? - Well, Father, uh,
so you won't have no beef comin', I'm layin' it on the line, okay ?
- Okay. - Okay. Well, they's here, Father.
Like I promised, only you should have heard 'em squawk. Worse than that turkey.
- Oh, the turkey. They did, huh ? - Yeah, they figured...
bein' a priest you was gonna slip 'em the old routine.
- Oh, yeah. - Personally, I'm for givin' ya a break.
- What I says with the gang goes. - Swell of ya, Tony.
It ain't nothin', Father. Only the way it is now, I'm on the hook for ya, see ?
- I'm responsible for ya. Get me ? - I won't let you down.
Maybe ya won't, but I'm tellin' ya, you step outta line just once,
me and the gang will drop ya like you was a hot potato, okay ?
- Okay. Can I talk to 'em now ? - Oh, sure, go ahead.
Boys, I'm not gonna do much talkin'.
Like Tony says, I'm gonna lay it right on the line.
I asked you down here to do me a favor.
St. Dominic's needs a choir, and I want to start one.
- Uh-oh ! - I know what you're thinkin', but it's not gonna be that way.
It's gonna be fun. Believe me, I like fun as much as anybody.
If it doesn't turn out that way, if you think I'm trying to slip something over on you,
well, like Tony says, you can drop me "like a hot potato."
- What do you say ? You gonna give me a break ? - Father, that depends.
- What is it ? - How many of you here know "Three Blind Mice" ?
- I know it. - One, two. Any more ?
- Oh, come on, you all know it. - Everybody knows it ?
- Sure. - Fine.
What's the matter with him over there ?
Oh, Herman ? He's poutin'. Hey, Herman !
- He's got a good bass voice. You want him ? - Certainly, Tony.
You've got him, Father.
Now, let's see, we got to divide this up someway.
Hey, Herman, wait a minute.
- The Father wants to see ya. - Well, I don't wanna see the Father--
- Shh ! Keep quiet, will ya ? - Why--
- Don't hit me on the head. You make me dopey ! - You are dopey.
- Now keep quiet. Come here. - Well, I--
- Look, he wants a bass singer. - I ain't a bass singer--
- You are a bass singer. - Why am I a bass singer ?
- That burns me up ! Shh ! Shh ! - My head ! My head !
- He wants a bass singer. - I don't know how to sing--
Will you go down, please ? Will you go down ? Now, keep quiet, okay ?
- Let's go. - Okay.
" Three blind mice Three blind mice "
" See how they run See how they run "
" They all run after the farmer's wife "
" She cut off their tails with a carving knife "
" Did you ever see such a sight in your life as three blind mice "
" Three blind mice Three blind mice "
" See how they run See how they run "
" They all run after the farmer's wife "
" She cut off their tails with a carving knife "
" Did you ever see such a sight in your life as three blind mice "
It's no business of mine, but sometimes...
the things you do in haste are the things we most regret.
Think it over a while. Then if you really feel you must see the Bishop--
- That I do ! - But the boys are much better off here than the streets.
- I'm sure that was Father O'Malley's idea. - I'm a tolerant man.
But there are some things that get under my skin and "Three Blind Mice" is one of them.
- But he's young, Father. - Huh ?
I'll admit, maybe a wee bit impulsive.
But I know he means well.
After all, it was the Bishop himself did put him here.
And the Bishop himself will put him someplace else.
I'm going to ask to have Father O'Malley transferred.
Don't worry. It's not a bad report I'll be makin'.
I'll just tell the Bishop that this young man and I differ.
We don't see eye-to-eye. I'd be happier if he were sent some other place.
It's a long, hard road you've come, Father.
Forty-five years, and most of the time carryin' other people's burdens.
The time has come when you should rest on your oars.
Take things easier. Enjoy your life.
Let somebody else carry the load for ya.
Sure, and Father O'Malley's got a strong pair of shoulders.
" Three blind mice Three blind mice "
" See how they run See how they run "
" They all run after the farmer's wife "
- " She cut off their tails with a carving knife " - See what I mean ?
- " Did you ever see such a sight in your life " - No, I've got to see the Bishop.
" Three blind mice Three blind mice "
We got our sections now. I'm gonna give each section a note.
Then we'll put them altogether and we'll have a chord.
Take this section first. Here's your note. " Ba "
Got that ? Let me hear it now.
- " Ba " - Oh, I thought we had some singers here.
I want to hear everybody in this section. Big, now, let me hear it.
" Ba "
That's good. Second section, here's your note.
" Ba, ba, ba " You got that ? Let me hear it.
" Ba "
Oh, we got a cruller in there somewhere ? Who is that ? You ?
- What's your name ? - My name is Elmer.
- Elmer, your voice is changing or something, isn't it ? - Yeah, I guess so, Father.
Think we'll have to drop you down a bracket. You get over here in the third section.
- Elmer is a switch-hitter, it seems.
Let me hear that second section again. " Ba, ba "
- " Ba " - Oh, that's great.
Now the third section. Here's your note. " Ba, ba, ba "
- Got that ? - " Ba "
Elmer, you sing like you were made for this section.
Now we're gonna drop way down in the basement. Watch this now.
This is tricky. Everybody take a toehold.
" Ba, ba, ba, ba "
That's your note. " Ba " Let me hear it.
" Ba "
- There's a pink one in there somewhere. - That wasn't me.
- What did you sing ? - " Ba "
Sit down, Tony. Okay.
Everybody together now. You got your notes ? " Ba, ba, ba, ba "
We hit them altogether and we got a nice chord. Ready ? Take a deep breath.
Let's hear it.
" Ba "
Now you got chord number one, chord number two, chord number three.
Put those three chords together and we can sing a song.
I'll hold up the fingers and those will be your signals. Watch the signals now.
Make out I'm the catcher. I'm giving you the signals. One, two, three.
Ready ? Here's your note now. " Ba "
- " Silent night "
- " Holy night "
- " All is calm "
- " All is bright "
- " Round yon virgin "
- " Mother and child "
- " Holy infant "
- " So tender and mild "
- " Sleep "
- " In heavenly peace "
- " Sleep "
- " In heavenly peace "
Oh, that's fine, boys. Thanks very much.
Want to call it a day ? There's still enough light outside for some baseball.
Let's sing some more, Father.
- Yeah, let's go ahead. - Yeah, come on ! Let's sing some more.
- You saw the Bishop, Father ? - Yeah.
Would you ask Father O'Malley if he'd mind stepping into me study ?
You want to see me, Father ?
Yes, yes, so I did, so I did.
Sit down, sit down.
Father O'Malley, I've been to see the Bishop.
Oh, you have ?
And I want to be frank with you.
I must admit that my purpose in going to see the Bishop...
was to have you transferred.
I'm sorry you don't like me, Father.
I don't dislike anyone.
- It's just that I disagree with you. - What did the Bishop say ?
After a little talk, he congratulated me...
on me 45 years at St. Dominic's.
He has a remarkable memory.
He said it was a monument...
to the fact that I had... built it.
Coming from the Bishop, that's certainly a fine compliment.
Then I told him I had come to talk about you.
That seemed to disturb him.
Then he started tellin' me about what a fine, young man you are,
capable, progressive, how much confidence he had in you.
He even told me that, uh,
he had a nice talk with ya before ya reported to me.
Of course, he didn't tell me what you two talked about.
He didn't have to.
I could see it in the good man's eyes.
When ya get to my age, ya can do that, ya know. Oh, yes.
Then, after a little more tellin' me how progressive you are,
he asked me why I'd come.
And knowin' what was on his mind and to save him the embarrassment...
of havin' to tell me, you know the Bishop, uh,
the Bishop wouldn't hurt anyone,
I put him at his ease.
"Bishop," I said, "the very thing that's on your mind is on mine.
It's the very thing I've come to see you about.
I want you to put young Father O'Malley...
in charge of St. Dominic's."
The Bishop seemed much relieved.
He congratulated me on my ability to see...
so clearly at my age,
on my ability to face the inevitable.
Then what happened ?
Hmm.
That was all.
Oh, Father.
Why can't we go along just as we have been ?
No, no, no. You're in charge now.
- Sit down. - No, Father.
- Sit down. I'll familiarize you with-- - There's no hurry.
We can do that anytime, Father.
Well, is there anything you'd like me to do-- I mean, now ?
Nothing.
Well, then, if you-- If you don't mind,
I'll lie down a while before dinner.
All right, Father.
When you and the Bishop had your little talk,
it was more or less along those lines, wasn't it ?
Yes.
I think you better start without him.
Looks like he's not coming down for dinner.
Well, he said he wanted to take a little nap.
He didn't look well, did he, when he came in this evening ?
Go see if he's awake. If he's coming down, I'll wait for him.
Father O'Malley !
Father ! He's gone.
He's packed his things, everything. He's gone.
- Where would he go ? - I can't imagine.
Okay, sure, but keep at it, will ya ?
No, you can't miss him. A little guy.
Old. Got a grip and an umbrella.
Okay.
Nothin' yet, Father. They're gonna check the subways, the hospitals.
Look, Father, take it easy, will ya ?
You better go home. No use the two of us gettin' drowned.
- All right, but you call me the minute you hear anything. - I will.
- I don't care what time it is. - I will.
- Shall I make some coffee ? - Huh ? Hmm ?
Oh, no, thank you.
Come on. Now what's the matter ?
If you don't mind it, I'd rather go in by myself.
If you don't mind, I found ya and I'm gonna deliver ya personally.
That's not necessary.
There's no reward, you know.
It's going to be a little difficult, and I'd rather explain...
to Father O'Malley in me own way.
I can do that better when you're not around.
Okay. But if you want my advice,
you'll just tell him you've been a bad boy and you ran away from home and you're sorry.
Hmph. And if you want my advice, you'll go to church on Sunday...
and say you haven't been to Mass in ten years and that you're sorry.
Hello.
If you don't mind, I've come back, but only temporarily.
Until me plans are more formulated,
maybe you wouldn't mind lettin' me stay.
Oh, I'll-- I'll be no bother to you.
Here, Father, let's get out of these wet clothes,
and get you up to bed, huh ?
But I don't expect me old room. That's yours now.
- Oh, I haven't moved in there yet. - No, no, I insist.
That's your room. I'll sleep on a cot, anywhere.
I'll not even be bothering you for me food. I'll eat out.
We'll talk about that later. Mrs. Carmody will bring you something on a tray.
No, no, no, no. I'm not a bit hungry. I'll--
Oh, come on now, Father, just a wee snack.
I've been keepin' it for you on the stove.
Nice juicy cut of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and some creamed onions.
Oh, and some asparagus with buttered bread crumbs.
And golden brown potatoes and a nice cup of coffee.
We-We-Well, if you insist,
just a small portion of everything.
Good.
I hope it wasn't too much trouble, Mrs. Carmody.
- No trouble at all, Father. - I feel I ought to help with the dishes.
- Don't worry about the dishes.
'Tisn't much washin' they'll be needin'.
You're still cold, Father. You were drenched to the skin.
You ought to take a little something to warm you up.
Do you have a wee drop of the "crature" about ?
Matter of fact, I might have a little one with you.
I was out myself tonight. I went out for a paper.
Ah, well, in that case--
- I'll ask Mrs. Carmody where she keeps it. - No, no, no.
- Look, look yonder in the bookcase. - Oh.
No, no, the other side. Now down, down.
You'll find it behind The Life of General Grant.
- A bit of old Ireland, huh ?
Yes. Every Christmas since I left,
my old mother sends me one of these.
With a degree of abstinence, it becomes me calendar.
I get a little behind during Lent, but it comes out even at Christmas.
Woop, woop.
That's me mother.
Oh, she's very beautiful.