Stop that !!!
Please stop !!!
I wanted to thank you, we never properly met, I'm Kate Andrews.
Niam Reilly.
She's a fire cracker that one.
Yeah, when you add it all up this wars the best thing that happened to us.
Writing letters to your own kids.
Could you tell them daddy was shot down and died ?
You could copy out what she's written, cost you nothing.
I know you have a decent heart beatin' in there
I'll walk home by myself.
All eyes will be on this wedding waiting for any whiff of scandal.
Who cares what people think.
When you occupy the top shelf darling people are only too eager to drag you down.
Your fiancee ?
I need to know whats going on.
I think you do.
Come on girls lets hustle.
Betty we worked through lunch.
There's still a slew to go.
Comin' through.
Only 53 to go before we build Victory munitions millionth bomb.
We'll never make it before shift end.
Those red shift tarts are always looking down their noses at us,
if they get the glory instead of us we'll never hear the end of it.
Figure they Stand a chance ?
10 minutes before shifts over, I don't think so.
Yeah you're probably right, blue shift ain't the strongest.
Hmm.....
Ladies.....
Lets build some bombs.
Mrs Corbett, what a trooper.
You girls might stand a chance now.
I'm collapsing when this is over.
No collapsing for me I'm coming back for movie night, I even booked a sitter.
Be nice to see out.
I figure if I keep smiling one day I might feel like it.
And bring that husband of yours will ya, I'd like to meet him.
Bobs not big on crowds.
If our shift makes it we get to be in the news reel their making.
They'd better not be filming me.
RUSSELL JOSEPH: You know I once made love to a woman without even touching her,
RUSSELL JOSEPH: But even I can't shoot the millionth bomb from way up here.
One spark from your cameras Mr. Joseph the whole factory could go sky high.
Only 25 bombs away.
976.
This is like shooting gold fish in a swimming pool.
Worker safety comes first Mr. Joseph.
Fine then let me shoot on Sunday when the line is down,
I need women rushing from the theaters to join the war machine.
Only 20 to go.
Don't you want to excite the nations ladies Mr. Aitkins...Huh.
982....983.
Cordite, Amatol, they're explosives.
We'd use dummy materials no risk, just get me down there.
Sir, blue shift is getting very close.
Fantastic, alright now we start the story in the thick of it.
You stay wide I'll peg off the detail.
And there's our poster girl.
998.
Oh we're so close.
999.
Ladies and gents may I present .......
Buzzer sounds
Victory munitions millionth bomb !!
Cheering and laughter
Knew you'd come through in a pinch.
You did wonderful, very good, good job.
Lorna, congratulations.
MARCO: You liked proving me wrong.
LORNA: Not at all.
I'm sure the girls would have done just fine without me their a good group.
We sure should have a fun shindig tonight.
They said the blues couldn't do it, but we did.
Oh dear hold your fire.
When I think of her with James.
Keep walking Gladys.
You already have it all you gotta take the millionth bomb from the reds too.
Who's the thief now.
At least I earned my pin money standing up.
Have a good shift Hazel.
You know you swan around here like your the poster girl for happy engagement,
but ask yourself.......
if your fiancee loves you so much why'd he come wandering my way.
Don't you're better than that.
(drum beats and music plays)
NEWS REEL: Lancasters and Halifaxes rain allied firepower above the desert rats,
NEWS REEL: Allied forces have repulsed the siege to maintain full control of the strategic city of Tobruk.
that could be your son bombing Tobruk.
The ball is coming back at em.
NEWS REEL: In North Africa allied forces are taking it to Jerry.
Your Bob seems to know a lot about our combats.
The letters he writes my kids are so real, it's like his over there.
Lorna: Yeah, he was, last war.
Here's his latest scribbles for your children.
Tell him thanks.
Hmm.
It must be nice for your sons having his letters to lean on.
Yes.... it's a real comfort.
NEWS REEL: If the allies keep fighting as they have we
have we every reason to believe that north Africa will
soon belong to it's gallant defenders.
German forces are beginning to learn a hard lesson......
So I bought a Billy holiday record like you suggested she's aces.
Could you teach me how she does her phrasing, it's like she's talking more than singing.
Until you've been loved and left like Billy I doubt I could teach you a thing.
I'm gonna get some corn.
Are we listening to the same record,
cause I hear a lady singing " don't judge me."
We all have our secrets.
ANNOUNCER: Picture starts in a minute folks.
Mr Joseph: I found my star..... Russell Joseph, your news reel director.
Forget any close ups Mr Joseph, I can't be in your little movie.
Wait, you have an elusive quality the camera would love.
Well I'll be elusive right now and tell you to find another girl.
Goodnight.
Rejections easier to take on a full stomach, won't you let me take you to dinner huh.
2 problems Russell Joseph,
first, I'm engaged,
and second, my mother told me never to go out with a man with two first names.
Is he still looking at me ?
Oh he's eating you up with whipped cream.
Oh with all the good men off to war we're left with nothing but rogues and scoundrels.
It's just my luck, I finally have a shot at being a star and there's nowhere on earth I can shine.
That's for sure, your father would have a coronary if he found out you worked the factory floor.
My mother wouldn't be able to show her face at the club again which, almost makes it worth it.
Giggling.
Oh come on, the movies about to start.
Cary Grant as a bad guy, I just can't fathom it.
You'd be surprised what hides behind a good suit and nice manners.
Looking for someone.
Just keeping tabs.
You did very good work today.
Rumor has it Mr. Hollywood is looking for a girl to feature in his news reel.
Hmm, I'm hardly the type of girl they want for those things Mrs. Corbett,
Which is fine by me.
Seems a shame.
Your the best worker we have.
Sounds of a female giggling
Louder sounds of a female giggling
Upstairs now.
I shoulda known.
Did you come lookin for me ?
I'm here to see the girls are suitably chaperoned, that's my job.
Well looks like I'm keepin you in business huh.
This is just a lark for you isn't it ?
I was just distracting myself Lorna.
Truth is ......
I can't stop thinkin' about that kiss.
I will not be played for a fool Mr. Moretti.
Seeing the film, all I could think of was James and that floosie.
Watching Joan fontain almost die because she didn't have the courage to confront Cary Grant,
I couldn't help but think I'm doing the same thing.
What in blazes are you talking about.
Tonight's movie, Hitchcocks " Suspicion "
Were you watching it at all ?
I went outside to smoke, often.
I'm just like Joan fontain, living in my wild imaginings.
So talk to your fiancee Gladys, and straighten things out.
Lets just say if we start throwing back the curtains I'm going to be the one with the sun in my eyes.
You got somin' to hide ?
It was a little.... dalience.
Gladys, aren't you the dark horse.
Another man.
It was so foolish.
He was an airman, I wanted to be kind to him and get some experience under my belt.
And a few other things too by the sound of it.
I didn't go all the way, what kind of a girl do you think I am ?
Tryin' to figure that out.
It's time to pay your fiancee a visit.
I'd tell you how late it is but I'd wager the neighbours already have.
I saw "suspicion" tonight.
Joan fontain marries Cary Grant.
He's a complete charmer who turns out to be a cows rake.
He gambles... drinks, betrays his friends.
It's hard to imagine Cary Grant as a cad.
He's good at it, surprisingly so.
He does such awful things his wife wonders if he ever truly loved her.
Go on, your saving me 25 cents.
And Joan...... she loves him so much.
Gladys whats wrong ?
The point is she never really knew the man she loves,
he had this whole other life and she had no idea.
And I can't do that James, I need to know.
I'm an open book darling.
It seems another girls been thumbing the pages.
Do you love her ?
I don't know who you mean.
Hazell McDougall.
Please don't lie, it'll only hurt worse.
Why would you do this ?
Why would you risk everything if you don't love her ?
It's not gonna happen again.
And I'm supposed to believe you.
Yes !!
And digging this up, your making a mistake.
I guess I'm allowed a few.
Lets not wake the neighbours.
Goodnight.
Every picture night workers sneak down here, get up to God knows what,
I've seen more French letters here than a Parisian postman.
Well what are we going to do, have all the girls try these on
like cinderellas slipper.
We work hard to train and mould our girls who will help win this war,
after all that do you want to lose them to pregnancy ?
We can't chaperone them every minute.
We could write up some rules, an employee code of conduct.
Huh, for gods sake I'll put some rubbers in the mens room.
This news reel's going to attract hundreds of new workers.
vulnerable girls, far from home,
Without rules that's, it's a recipe for disaster.
You can't fight human nature Lorna.
We can certainly try.
Your blood work shows no remaining infection, so this is our last treatment.
You were lucky to have connections to access this new drug, penicillin.
We've seen good results.
But in the future you may want to make use of prophylactics.
While they diminish pleasure they also eliminate pain, here , after wards.
Is the lecture part and parcel with the humiliation ?
You're an educated man Mr. Dunn yet, here we are.
Trousers.
Apologies.
It was want of an education than led me here.
This was some idiotic attempt to prepare myself for my wedding night.
You feel the man should be more experienced.
I expect my fiancee will appreciate it when the time comes.
Well ,young women these days can be more sophisticated than you think.
Not Gladys, she's an innocent.
I tell you Gladys witham's our girl, what, a socialite working the bomb line,
it's hollwood perfect, plus she's a stunner.
Working here Harold your a lucky man.
I'm not certain she wants the job.
Yeah well if she wants to work here she'll do her patriotic duty.
Well that' settled now lets talk about the schedule, I suggest we start today.
Gladys is a wonderful choice.
There it is, a ringing endorsement.
Of course I practically have to say that because she's my best friend.
Gladys is terrifically sincere it's just that she might put off a working girl.
And besides her family wouldn't like it.
She is a little on her high horse.
RUSSELL JOSEPH: I found her approachable.
Just because you'd like to get her out of that uniform and into your little movie,
doesn't mean the average girl will see her and think "that's me"
Madam I've been making news reels since Hitler strolled through the sudatanland okay,
I know how to sell this war.
To men.... maybe !!
She's right, as much as it pains me I've got to stop you here Russell.
Their our target audience, this time we listen to the ladies.
I expect you have a suggestion..... matron.
Uh huh.
Kate Andrews singing: Swing it shake it don't put up a fight
trains leavin' tonight.
LEON: Miss Andrews, get outa here.
So I'm not the best singer in the world but hey,
that's no reason to throw me the cold shoulder.
Do you think your singing's the reason I won't talk with you ?
No I think it's because I'm not......... Like you and I'm just telling you, I don't give a hoot.
Truth is I can't be seen with someone who... Sings from her neck.
That's where my throat is.
But that ain't where the song is,
Your keeping it trapped in that little box up there
When the feeling comes from here.
And your power from here.
Singing: Swing it shake it don't put up a fight trains leav .......
Mr. AITKINS: Leon !!! I asked you to oversee clean up.
Yes sir, spick and span.
It's awful, the things folks get up to down here.
Kate: I managed to choke out Hazel's name and James insisted it was over,
then I ran, before the walls caved in.
Did you tell him about your airman ?
I couldn't , it's a double standard.
Men get to bring the bride home to dear old mom,
and then run around back with a no account factory girl.
And if we do the same thing ?
Me ??
Your the one they chose.
You'll be a role model Betty
If we want good workers we need to show them what one looks like.
Your the victory munitions girl ?
It's the perfect choice.
How fun , they'll film you on Sunday and before you know it you'll be on the silver screen.
You wait Betty, their gonna see what I see, a hero.
Lorna I been thinkin', your right,
men and women all cooped up here the way we gottem the place is a tinder box.
Go ahead with your code of conduct.
That's wonderful.
Just a brochure kinda thing.
All the do's and don'ts.
Who should I get to write it ?
Well you.
Sir I'm no writer.
Yeah but you did marry young and I'm sure you know a lot about the pitfalls of budding love.
Bob Speaking: Now I warn you,
Bob Speaking: Your up against some stiff competition Lorna gets her potatoes fluffier than a gooses arse.
I gotta say I sweated it a bit.
With all you've done for my kids the casserole isn't much.
No, I'd say it's a fine trade.
Those are beautiful.
I paint some toys for a couple of shops up town.
Your kids must have loved that growing up.
They got the ones that didn't turn out right.
Well your giving my skip and Daphne a real gift,
with those letters.
They say it's like having their daddy back home with them.
I gotta tell you Mrs. Mccallum it doesn't sit well with me some days.
I mean it seems kinda cruel to keep pretending that their father is alive.
Telling them the truth I .... I'm afraid of what it'll do to them.
Well if I'm going to write to them it would help if I knew what they like.
Lately..... kites at Willow park.
Skip likes to pretend it's his daddy up there flying.
Lorna Speaking : What a day, all I asked from management was set down some simple rules
to keep the girls outa trouble and old snaky Aitkins has me writing it.
Edith.
Lorna, hello.
She brought supper.
You were working late and I had this Shepards pie with no takers.
That was very thoughtful of you Edith.
Sit down Lorna.
Let me get you a plate, you've had a long day.
No I'm not that hungry.
Oh don't be shy, I'm not taking any home.
It's a fork full of magic.
Can we just leave.
Not if we want reverend Fletcher for the wedding, he takes these lessons seriously.
Will you ?
You don't understand.
I know you must have felt something for Hazell.
Or else why would you have been with her ?
For the experience Gladys,
I can't show up on our wedding night with hardly a clue.
I met Hazell months ago.
And what, she was your education ?
In a manner of speaking.
Why not come to me ?
Gladys.
Why, because I'm not that kind of girl.
That kind of girl gets around and a girl who gets around leaves her fellows, unfortunate souvenirs.
Hazell McDougall gave you the clap !!!
Sssshh.
I've taken a cure.
Gladys..... Gladys
You've never made a mistake.
I'm still a virgin if that's what your asking.
Of course your still a virgin.
Now I've supported you working in the factory and making new friends.
And you think I like that, no !!
But I love you.
You can't cherry pick what suits you Gladys.
Sure is strange being in here on a Sunday.
Ok gals .... gals hustle your cabooses into place here now remember
never ever look at the camera.
I'm gonna look, I just know I'm gonna look.
Get a hold of yourself.
Rudi Valentino here has replaced the cordite with, with what is that string ?
Uncooked spaghetti sir.
That'll stop the place from exploding, right ?
And whose going to defuse Betty, she's got enough powder on her to blow us all sky high.
SOUND OF WOLF WHISTLES.
Shut it smarty.
Betty, you look like movie star.
No I look like a clown.
You'll see, under the lights it'll look like nothing.
You've got the whole system here backwards.
I've got shots to match killer, take a deep breath.
Ok positions ladies.
Amazing how they take something fake and make it look like something real.
There's nothing real about turning our girls into sexpots.
All the more reason to have a code of conduct.
I give my draft to Mr. Aitkins today.
You really think it'll put a lid on what's boiling here /
Ok, stand by to do a take.
Camera.
And action !!
That's it, that's it... ok now
That's it stuff that bomb like your slapping Hitlers face.
Good, now smile like you love being here.
Good, perfection, cut !!
Ok, time for the close up.
Now lets bring in that hand double.
This is my moment.
Your hands look nothing like mine.
That's the point killer.
Alright roll camera.
MR. AITKINS: Kissing I can see, but holding hands.
LORNA: It's not appropriate work place behaviour.
You'll see the fine incurred is considerably smaller.
Frodidge, do I even know what that is ?
Men rub up against the girls in the canteen line up.
I gotta say, this policy reads like the best bits of lady chatterley's lover.
We'll have to circulate your little publication in a plain brown wrapper.
I merely cataloged what happens here.
Well you certainly done right by all the ways that men do wrong,
but lets keep it simple Lorna.
Lets focus on curtailing the uh private pursuits, storerooms, tunnels.
Now give it your all killer !!!
This is for the news reels big capper.
More joy.
Big smile.
Cuuut !!
Cut cut.
I feel like an idiot.
You are welcoming us into your home, it'll make sense in the edit.
I live in a rooming house.
Yes and your little hovel wouldn't draw one girl out of a barn,
we're selling the dream here.
That's you doll.
Fix her lip stick could ya.
This whole thing is a cock up.
You'll see.
Once your on screen you'll look like a natural.
Ok.
Isn't it beautiful, imagine living here.
Yeah, I do.... actually.
I've been saving for a place like this since I started working.
Why ? That's what husbands are for.
Didn't you ever want something of your own ?
We settled down some winters, shared rooms.
I had blankets hung across the corner and, too many brothers for bunk mates.
I just dream of a place of my own.
Now thanks to the war I stand a chance of getting it.
Maybe I should send a thank you card to Hitler.
Giggling.
Course I'd need house mates, or at least one.
You're on.
Places Betty, please.
I regret that your stuck behind the camera Miss Witham
but the feeling was that you came off supra populi.
Above the people.
You're quoting Latin and I'm the snob.
You could always lower your standards and debate this over a drink.
I'm still engaged Mr. Joseph.
So I keep hearing.
Wait for a sec, I've gotta get a good gust here !!
You've gotta pull down on the string son, hard.
But I don't want it to crash.
Go ahead son do what he tells you.
Whoa mummy it's working, look.
If you give that kite a tug you tell it who's boss and it'll do your bidding.
Well isn't this a surprise.
I hope lorna was okay with me dropping by, I did feel rather awkward.
She's fine, one less meal she's gotta make.
Where's your little girl ?
Oh my neighbour and her little girl took her along to the pictures.
She's dying to see" Dumbo"
The Skip here needs to run wild.
Yeah my boys were the same.
And how are they now ?
Your letters must be a real comfort to them.
I haven't written them yet.
I think he's got the hang of it.
You know I'm up most nights thinking of all the things I never told my husband.
Don't wait Bob.
My daddy's in the war.
Did you kill Germans too.
Skip !
Yes I did.
Except they hurt you back.
I'm a spit fire plane.
- Are you ready to talk to me now ? - We've done that.
All those nights at the lake railing against our parents,
how we'd never be like them.
We're not like them.
No ?
And yet your having affairs just like my father..... Am I supposed to play my mothers role now ?
Flawlessly hostessing with a bottle for company.
Unless your in uniform nobody sees you as a man.
People can't see that I'm American, that this is not my country's war.
They think I'm a coward.
An affair with hazel somehow proves that your not ?
No, but it did make me feel like a man.
What if I were the one that strayed ?
That's different.
Why should it be ?
What would you do ?
Don't make me answer that.
They were filming only a few days ago and they've already got a news reel.
If it takes too long it's not news right, it's history.
It's called "the directors cut,"
they just bash it together, see what it looks like.
It's a great way to ring in the factory dance.
NEWS REEL: When our boys came knocking on Jerrys door they know it'll open wide.
NEWS REEL: That's because alied firepower is unparalleled ....... and where do our munitions come from ?
Nice hands Edith.
NEWS REEL: From Betty the bomb girl and others like her who,
in their way are tireless fighters in the battle for freedom.
Rats I looked at the camera.
There's my back.
NEWS REEL: Betty works at victory munitions building bombs that will strafe enemy territory
NEWS REEL: and win this war.
Let's have you dress like that every day.
NEWS REEL: Only six months ago she was pruning roses,
NEWS REEL: now she just built the factories millionth bomb.
NEWS REEL: Betty may end her day with weary bones but she can rest easy,
Betty: They gave me kids.
NEWS REEL: knowing she's done all she can to keep her precious darlings safe from Hitler
NEWS REEL: It's not just love of country that keeps Betty going,
NEWS REEL: it's her love of a very special man.
Betty: You've got to be kidding me.
NEWS REEL: When her husband comes home from fighting Jerry
NEWS REEL: she'll be happy to return to her wifely duties.
SOMEONE SHOUTS: Marry me Betty
SHOUTING AND WOLF WHISTLES.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.
I never imagined they would do this.
Shows you what a freak I am.,
they just make up a whole set of lies about me.
You listen to me Betty you are a skilled, hard working decent girl,
and that's what women who watch this will see.
That's what they'll wanna be.
Nobody would want to be me Mrs. Corbett.........Nobody
I thought you made news reel, not fairy tales.
I tell the story as people want to hear it,
In this one you're the girl next door.
With a dollop of va va vooooooom.
Girls will be cashing in their pennies to ship out to the factories.
You're asking women to trust a lie.
Look here killer, what women want is the lie,
love, war the whole dammed thing. It's the lies that stitch it all together.
And I can tell from here you do your share every day.
Jazz music plays.
Swing it shake it don't put up a fight trains leavin' tonight.
Ever take a night off ?
The inks not dry.
I'll be careful.
So many rules.
So many rule breakers.
Rule number Five, men and women will occupy separate tables at the canteen.
The girls are uncomfortable is such close proximity.
Do you really believe any of this ?
We're fighting a war Mr.Moretti, people can't start losing their heads.
And I think you're fighting the wrong enemy.
Nothing with people finding a little comfort, especially these days.
No doubt this war has been a lot of fun for you.
I've met some girls, but not as many as you'd think.
You ladies sure pack a punch.
Well victory girls always hit their targets.
I see your fiancee isn't about.
He's working.
A lie, there's hope for you yet.
- What did he do ? - Betrayed me
Isn't that what men do ?
Nobody's perfect, except maybe you.
I'm not perfect.
Does he know that ?
Girls these days...... just too eager.
Haven't figured that beauty's ........ in what a women hides.
Marco.
LOUD JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS
Sorry to drag you out of bed,
My rides still inside, on the floor.
What happened ?
I'm fine James, it's not like I got sold into white slavery.
You're drunk, who did this ?
Nobody DID this, I came here with Russell.
Who's " RUSSELL "
And I met bohemians including his first and third wife,
they're one and the same.
And I sipped Sazzeracks with the lady of the night,
and I played strip poker.
You don't play poker.
Which would explain why I lost.
Get in the car.
That woman...... his ex wife, you'd have said she was fallen
But she had more joy in her than I've ever known.
Are you tellin' me that your unhappy ?
You put me up on a pedestal James and when I fall I'm gonna hurt something.
HA HA HA there's our little Gladiola.
James, meet Russell.
So the fiancee does exist.
Yes he does, now what'd you do to her ?
He was a perfect gentleman.
I was very well behaved.
It's just that your little filly here was gaggin for a good time.
JAMES, JAMES STOP IT !!!!
Wow
You're not the only one who gets to be someone else tonight.
Get in the car we're goin' home.
I'm so sorry.
No I'm not.
That's a real modern marriage seminar.
I don't care what other people say I thought you were great.
Except it wasn' me up there and everybody knew it.
So the director made a few things up, people just thought it was fun.
I looked like an idiot Kate.
Did you see them laughing ?
They know I'd never be that girl on screen.
You wouldn't want to.
Thing is ........sometimes I would.
Make so many things easier.
Betty.
Well look at you, you're here a month and already you fit right in.
Stupid to think I could really do this.
You don't need everybody liking you, just the ones that matter.
I know your mother makes excuses for me,
the truth is I was angry when you boys ran off to war,
like everything I went through it counted for nothing.
You're late.
Now !!....you wrote them now !!!
What's wrong with writing my boys ?
What's wrong is you waited too long Bob.
You're too dam late.
Lorna what is the big tragedy here ?
Nothing I'm tired, I need to wash up.
I'm sorry.
A kite ?
uh huh I spent all day in that factory breathing foul air, time to get up.
I've got ironing to do before shift.
So do it tomorrow.
And shopping, you gonna run my errrands for me ?
Fine you win, it wasa stupid idea.
Why are you doing this ?
Because it's a sunny day Lorna, It's a beautiful day and it might not be tomorrow.
Thought you'd still be sleeping it off.
What are you doin' ?
Relax, I'm changing for work.
If I leave home with too little mother locks me up,
if I get to work with too much, well I stand out.
So last night didn't inspire a change of career ?
No, but I did decide something.
- That treatment that cure your trouble - Penicillin, the doctor assures me it's completly safe.
Well I'd like you to get some more, for Hazell.
For Hazell, I thought that we were done with her.
We can't be, not until we put it right.
The doctor got you some medicine you can get some for her.
You see what I mean, you're too good.
I'm not James, I'm no saint, and if you can't stop seeing me like that,
this will never work.
I want you to see me across a room and waltz me into bed.
And when you get me there stop me talking.
Yeah ..... ...Something like that.
Drive me to the factory ?
Once more, once more !!
Come on, let's get you ready for work.
Here, hold the kite.
- Lorna ! - No just do it !
Got it ?
Ready ?
Ready.
Son of a ...........
Lorna watch out !!!