Gold Diggers of 1935

Now then, let me see.

Mr. Martin, is everyone here?

I believe so.

- Well, don't believe, be sure.

- Yes, sir.

- Bellboys?

- Here.

- Chefs?

- Here.

- Chambermaids?

- Here.

- Elevator boys?

- Here.

- Porters?

- Here.

- Floor managers?

- Here.

- Bartenders?

- Here.

- Telephone operators?

- Here.

Yes, sir, the entire staff is assembled.

Ladies and gentlemen,

as such I address you...

as the employees of this great hotel.

Our brief summer season

will start tomorrow.

You are here

to serve the most exacting clientele...

of any hotel in America.

In the world.

The Wentworth Plaza, as you know...

caters only to the most exclusive

and the wealthiest guests.

You are the temporary servants...

of those who demand

the most of their servants...

and yet...

some of you receive no salaries.

That is because

I could never begin to pay you...

what you will earn in honorariums.

I mean tips.

Some managers,

knowing the size of these tips...

would require you to pay

for your positions.

But I...

I like to see each and every one of you

derive the full benefit...

of your enterprise.

Now, remember our credo:

The guest is always right.

Keep that firmly in your minds.

Even though he's wrong,

the guest is always right.

Because he pays.

That will be all, thank you.

Remember, guys,

whatever the guests give you, I get 50%.

And if you hold out on me,

I'll take the whole works...

and no crap games

unless I'm in it myself, because...

Last year, one of my waiters

received such big fees...

he now operates a hotel of his own.

But remember, I get my percentage...

and also remember...

You come in direct contact

with the guests.

I do not.

Therefore, I expect a certain payment

from you...

in return for your

remunerative privileges...

and don't forget...

All tips go in here...

and remember,

I have eyes in the back of my head.

I have the key.

The tips are split even...

except in special cases

when I take two-thirds.

I suppose if a guest insults me

he's considered right.

My dear, you've been with me

two seasons.

That's long enough to know that

a hotel hostess cannot be insulted.

I rely on your splendid discretion,

as always.

I sometimes wonder if my discretion

can hold up under the wear and tear.

Curtis, it's good to have you with us again.

Thanks, Mr. Lamson.

Oh, Martin, did you get

that Prentiss reservation?

- Yes, this morning, sir.

- Fine!

How are the studies?

Still at medical school?

Yes, sir, I expect to have

my degree in about another year.

That's too bad for me.

The medical profession may gain,

but I lose an A-number-one hotel clerk.

Oh, you're very kind, sir.

And I suppose when it's Dr. Curtis,

I shall be losing you, too?

Well...

Yes, sir. You see,

being Mrs. Curtis is really a full-time job.

Well...

congratulations.

Name the first one after me.

Paging Mr. Baker. Mr. Baker, please.

Paging Mr. Baker.

Boy.

Well, here we are. Come on, Mama.

Come on, Ann. Hurry up, now.

Wait a minute. I forgot my purse.

That's the Prentiss family.

The old gal's worth $10 million.

Just to show you my heart's in the right

place, I'll let you keep all she gives you.

- Gee! Thanks, boss.

- Wow!

- How do you do, Mrs. Prentiss?

- Oh, how do you do?

It's a pleasure to welcome you. I never

think our season is complete without you.

- Have you reserved the same suite for us?

- Of course.

Not at the same outrageous price, I trust?

The price is quite fair.

You people seem to think

that money grows on trees.

Yes, madam, that is...

we'll discuss it some other time.

I know you want to rest now.

- Rest? I can't rest at those prices.

- How do you do, Mrs. Prentiss?

- Oh, how do you do, young man?

- Nicely, thank you.

- And how are you, Miss Prentiss?

- So happy I can hardly stand it.

Well.

I know you.

You're the hostess, aren't you?

- I remember you from last summer.

- Do you?

I certainly do.

Humbolt!

The bell ending the first round.

I'll see you later.

We'll fight this out to a finish.

Humbolt, where are you?

You see, Mother...

last season that little lady told me

she couldn't swim...

- and I was just going to teach her when...

- When I took you home.

- I always know what I'm doing.

- Yes, Mother.

Yes, those two go in that room,

and those three in that room, yes...

and yes, those go in that room.

How many gallons of gas

did we use coming up, Humbolt?

- Twenty.

- Twenty!

- Is there anything else?

- Oh, yes, yes. If you'll just take this...

and have it changed,

and divide it amongst you.

I've got to hand it to you, Mother.

It takes a lot of nerve

to give four boys a quarter...

for carrying up 16 pieces of baggage.

How many times have I told you?

Just because I happen to be rich, I have

no intention of being imposed upon.

A dollar wouldn't have been any too much.

What? 75 cents more?

Have you any idea

of what the interest on 75 cents is...

- at 3.5%? Have you?

- No, Mother, I haven't.

Well, you just take this pad and pencil

and sit right down there and figure it out.

You know that I'm not good at fractions.

No, but I notice you're very good

at figures.

Yes, you might say that I'm a specialist.

Humbolt, how can you joke

about a thing like that?

- I joke about it because I enjoy it.

- Well, I don't enjoy it!

When I think of the grief you've caused me

with your three marriages...

- Four, Mother, four.

- Four!

To think of four horrible chorus girls

running around...

with the honorable name of Prentiss!

We must keep the name going.

And to think that I had to settle $100,000

on each one of them!

Now what's a paltry $400,000

between friends?

Oh!

Do you know the interest on that at 4.5%...

you bad, wicked boy? Do you?

No, of course, you don't.

Well, I'll show you!

$400,000...

- 4.5%.

- Mother!

Don't bother Mother, darling,

while she's figuring interest.

Mother, I want some decent clothes.

- You want what?

- Some decent clothes.

Well, look at me. Is it any wonder that

nobody ever talks to me or notices me?

Well, who do you want to notice you?

Men and boys. I want to have some fun.

- She's right, Mother.

- Humbolt, you've done enough damage.

Ann, I can't imagine you even thinking

of other men when you're engaged.

Engaged to T. Mosley Thorpe,

the most eligible bachelor in America.

Eligible for what?

Oh, my dear child, you must be crazy.

Why, he has $5 million more than we have.

I'll give you my interest in him

for 10 cents.

That will do, Ann.

Come on, Ma. Break down

and buy her some snappy clothes.

Please, Mother.

Go to bed, both of you,

and stop bothering me.

I'd give a $100

if you children would behave.

- $100?

- Well, $35.

How do you do, Westbrook?

- How do you do, McManus?

- And how is Mr. Thorpe?

- Mr. Thorpe was never better.

- I certainly am delighted to hear that.

- Boy, get Mr. Thorpe's luggage.

- Yes, sir.

Welcome to the hotel, Mr. Thorpe.

Westbrook, where is Mr. Thorpe?

I say, Mr. Thorpe is not in the car.

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