Keep Your Powder Dry

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Keep Your Powder Dry (1945)

While you fight for

us there's a...

For the WAC is

a soldier, too

We can type and file

in the army way

For the WAC is

a soldier, too

We can drive a truck, take

our place with the best

We'll be here to

see it through

We'll replace you here while

you're fighting the fight

For the WAC is

a soldier, too

Hut, 2, 3, 4, hut, 2, 3, 4

Hut, 2, 3

Oh, dear.

Val! Valerie,

come on, wake up.

Oh, I don't dare open my eyes.

Oh, my head.

Mr. Lorrison's waiting.

Who?

Mr. Lorrison. Lawyer?

Your lawyer.

Oh. Tell him to

go sue himself.

Come on, darling,

on your feet.

Oh, my head.

Oh... fine lawyer

I've got myself.

Prowls around waking people up

in the middle of the night.

Hmm. It's 2...P.M.

Well, don't split hairs.

It feels like the

middle of the night.

Oh, Valerie.

Here. Put this on.

Thank you, darling.

Well, all I can say is,

if Mr. Lorrison can't do

anything about your estate,

we ought to be able to sell

that hangover to a museum.

Oh, you can say that again.

Oh!

Well! Look at me, everybody.

I'm standing.

Well, you'd better drink

that, or you won't be.

It's my own secret formula...

guaranteed not to rip,

ravel, or tear at the seams.

You'd better knock on it, Val.

Oh...

They're making terrible

mirrors these days.

Oh, uh, she'll be in

in a minute, Mr. Lorrison.

She's just, uh...

she'll be right in.

Good morning, Mr. Lorrison.

Good afternoon, Miss Parks.

You were a perfect lamb to

come all the way up here,

and I couldn't be

more grateful.

Sit down, Mr. Lorrison.

All right, Valerie, all right.

Now, I've just 5 minutes.

What is it now?

Well, it's the

same old question.

When do I get my money from

the Rocked-Ribbed

Trust Company

of Measly Falls, Vermont?

The Rock Ledge Trust Company

from Mitchell Falls, Vermont.

That's what I mean.

I need it, Mr. Lorrison.

Your grandfather's will

is very specific.

The board of directors of the

bank are trustees of the estate,

and until each and every

one of the trustees

is satisfied that...

"that my granddaughter

Valerie Parks

is conducting

herself in a manner

typical of the finest traditions

of American womanhood,"

no money.

Exactly.

Well, how do they figure

I don't live right?

Valerie, there's a record

of spectacular extravagance.

There's been... publicity

of an unfortunate sort.

Oh, pooh. A few gags and

a little harmless fun.

Pooh from your point of view,

but far from pooh from mine.

Well, what do they

want me to do,

leap up at dawn and milk cows?

Tear across the country

in a covered wagon?

Have Old Glory

tattooed on my chest?

Or maybe they'd like

me to join the WACs,

the WAVEs, or something.

That is an excellent idea.

What?

Valerie, you've hit on it.

What did I say?

Joining the WACs.

Oh, now, Mr. Lorris...

it's a stroke of genius.

If I could tell the trustees

that you're actually in

uniform serving your country,

it would be the best means of

influencing a quick decision.

B-but there must be

some easier way...

it's a great idea... great.

Well, it may be great

for you, but when I...

you'll love it, Valerie. Best

thing in the world for you.

Fresh air, exercise,

good, wholesome food.

I'll have to rush

to make my train.

Wire me at the Belvedere

in Washington

the moment you're

accepted in the WACs.

I'll get busy at once.

Good-bye, my dear,

and good luck.

Miss Corwin.

Oh, but, hey,

Mr. Lorrison, wait...

well, how do you

like them apples?

WACs!

Val, it might not be

such a bad idea at that.

Huh?

We're washed up on the beach.

You're broke, but flat!

I know, but fresh

air and exercise

and all that solid food...

Yes, but it sounds to me

like the quickest way to get

control of your estate.

Oh, Harriet, fun is

fun, but, honestly...

You just have to go

through the motions.

You mean and get

right out again?

Yes.

No, I don't think

they'll let you.

It's like a long-term

lease or something.

No. That's out.

Then I guess I'm out, too.

Well, it was nice being your

best friend while it lasted.

Look.

What's to prevent my

joining this thing

and then, as soon

as I get the money,

coming down with general

debility, blind staggers,

or whatever it

takes to get out?

Great... if you could take it.

If I can take it?

Don't worry about that.

I can take it, all right.

Whatever I have to do to

get this money, I'll do.

I won't like it,

but I can take it.

Good.

Come on, honey.

Harriet, call the WAC

recruiting station,

make an appointment

for me, will you?

An appointment?

I'll see you in my dreams

Hold you in my dreams

Johnny.

Mm-hmm?

How much did you

give the orchestra

to play that every night?

How do you know I

gave them anything?

How much?

5 bucks.

A night? Oh, Johnny...

Sure.

A million dollars' worth

of memories for 35 bucks?

Cheap at the price.

Oh, no.

Yeah.

I'll get an apo number

when I get to the port.

You can use that till I'm

assigned to an outfit overseas.

Yes. I guess just "First WAC

Training Center, Fort Des Moines,"

will reach me until

I'm put in a company.

Ann, if it gets too

tough for you,

if you find that you're

getting tired or anything,

you're to go right

to the medico.

Understand?

Basic training

is plenty tough.

I nearly folded myself.

When you were a WAC?

Don't kid, dear. I'm serious.

Darling, don't worry.

I'm durable.

You're everything.

Darling... keep safe.

Morning, Miss Rand.

Good morning.

Morning, Miss Rand.

Come in.

Good morning, captain.

Oh, good morning, Miss Rand.

Is the general busy?

I think I can wangle

him into seeing you.

Do something for me,

will you, captain?

Why, of course. What is it?

Announce me as "Private Rand."

"Private Rand"?

Go on. I'll explain later.

All right.

Come in.

There's a Private

Rand to see you, sir.

Private Rand?

Have I a namesake among

the enlisted men?

No, sir, among the

enlisted women.

I just received my

travel orders...

First WAC Training Center,

Des Moines, Iowa.

You've joined the WACs?

But, Dad, I've always wanted to,

ever since the corps was formed.

Indeed. This is a shock.

Without warning, for

you to enlist...

but, Dad, you don't

need me anymore,

now that you're

going overseas.

Do you know what I

think about this?

But it's right for me, Dad.

I'm an army brat.

I was born and raised

on army posts.

I think you'll be the all-fired best

soldier that ever wore a skirt.

Oh, Dad.

I'm tickled to death, Leigh.

I'm proud of you.

Leigh, uh, don't try

to run things, huh?

Oh, of course not. I

know better than that.

Sure you do. When do you go?

Monday.

I have a little

something for you,

in the line of a

going-away present.

Oh, Dad.

What a beautiful watch.

Rustproof, shockproof,

nonmagnetic, self-winding.

It'll darn your socks, too.

"Good luck, soldier."

You knew all along.

Of course.

But I never said a word.

Oh, you villain.

You and your 20 years in

military intelligence.

Yes, and besides, you used your

Aunt Eleanor as a reference.

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