The Happiest Millionaire Page #5

My mother

would never forgive me.

Miss Biddle.

Yoo-hoo.

Cordelia.

Absolutely heavenly party.

Yes. Heavenly.

So many attractive men.

Who is that?

My roommate.

We're playing Harvard next week.

Who is?

Yale.

Oh.

Mr. Blakely.

Oh, I'm terribly sorry.

I promised this dance.

You did?

Yes.

The first one-step.

I hope you don't mind.

Oh, no.

No, of course not.

Why don't you ask Rosemary?

- Oh, no, I couldn't.

- Tell her I suggested it.

Well, when your partner comes.

Oh, but you needn't wait around.

He'll be here any second.

Who is he?

I can keep an eye out for him.

Oh, I don't think you know him.

What's his name?

His name?

Well, it's...

Angier Duke.

This is our dance, isn't it?

The first one-step?

Yes.

Mr. Duke, Mr. Blakely.

You can't keep her to yourself

all evening, Mr. Blakely.

No, I guess not.

Miss Biddle.

He's probably a nice enough

fellow when you get to know him.

Shall we have our dance?

Mr. Duke, why did you do that?

Because I thought

I'd like to know you.

Worked out real well, didn't it?

Why do you want to know me?

Because you're not like

the other girls.

I mean that in the nicest way.

I don't like these pushy girls

who think they can trap

any man with a big act.

But you saw me practicing.

Didn't it scare you away?

No.

You were so bad at it.

Oh.

It's a waltz.

The waltz is for old people.

Is it?

I warned you.

I'm not a very good dancer.

Oh, nonsense, Mr. Blakely.

You're as light as an elf.

I don't think the waltz

is for old people.

I was just saying something

somebody told me.

? Are we dancing??

? Are we really here??

? Is this feeling

something real?

? Or will it disappear??

? Are we dancing??

? Does the music soar??

? Was this lovely song I hear?

? Ever heard before??

? Are your eyes

confessing things?

? I alone can see?

? Or is my imagination?

? Flying away with me??

? Are we dancing??

? Say we really are?

? Then I'll know that I?

? Reached into the sky?

? I reached into the sky?

? And touched a star?

? Is this feeling

something real?

? Or will it disappear??

? Was this lovely song I hear?

? Ever heard before??

? Are your eyes

confessing things?

? I alone can see?

? Or is my imagination?

? Flying away with me??

? Are we dancing??

? Say we really are?

? Then I'll know that I?

? I'll know that I?

? Reached into the sky?

? Reached to the sky?

? I reached into the sky?

? And touched a star?

It's beautiful, isn't it?

It's more than beautiful.

It's a masterpiece

of engineering.

A Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.

Oh.

Yes, it's very nice.

You know, the chassis

of that car is bolted together

with special tapered bolts

made to fit holes

that were reamed by hand.

- Really?

- Yeah.

It's practically sewn together.

Well, I don't know

very much about cars.

You don't have to know much

to appreciate a Rolls.

If you were just once

out on the road in that car.

Say, it's cold out here,

isn't it?

Can I get your coat?

My Uncle has a Silver Ghost.

I've driven it.

I've been

up to 75 miles an hour.

Smooth as silk.

The suspension system

really is remarkable.

May I see you again?

Now you have to.

Pardon me, Cordelia.

My friends,

I'd like to offer a toast.

To our guests of honor.

And to the entire Marine Corps.

The most glorious institution

God ever put

on this broad, green Earth.

I recently traveled

to Washington

to see if anyone there

was concerned about this war

that's got half the world

in flames.

I was treated to a lot of

excuses and a lot of speeches.

Until I got to the Marines.

It's going to be a long evening.

When I talked to the Marine

commandant about preparedness,

he understood.

When I told him there were

5,000 men here in Philadelphia

ready and eager to be trained,

he was interested.

These three men

arrived this morning

as proof of his sincerity.

They're going to work

with our Philadelphia Corps.

And if war comes, by George,

we're going to be ready.

? I believe in this country?

? But our country's

unprepared?

? Our defenses aren't worth

a hill of beans?

? So when a man loves

his country?

? Should he sit back

and complain?

? Or call out

the United States Marines??

? What's wrong with that??

? What's wrong with that??

? What better way,

what better means?

? To take my stand

with the Marines??

? What's wrong with that??

To the Marine Corps.

Gentlemen, I want to say again,

it's good to have you with us.

Sir, is the Philadelphia Corps

the same thing

as the Biddle Bible classes?

Well, it grew out of that.

The Bible classes

are the hard core.

The core of the Corps.

Yes, you might say that.

Mr. Biddle,

you've done a swell job

getting all those men together.

I think it's great.

A man like yourself

taking such an interest.

A man like myself?

Yes, an older man

with plenty of money.

And I promise you, sir,

we'll have them snapping to

in no time.

Lieutenant, I already have them

snapping to.

I expect you

to take it from there.

- Will you take seconds?

- No, thank you.

The one thing my men need

is formal combat training.

I'm depending on

you gentlemen for that.

John, would you please

tell Mrs. Worth

that I'd like to serve dinner

as soon as possible?

Yes, ma'am.

It's trench fighting

that's going to win this war.

I want my men to learn

how to use a bayonet

and the butt of a gun.

We've got a training program

set up.

Close combat is a part of it.

A big part, I hope.

It'll save lives.

I know I'm anxious to learn.

It's pretty strenuous exercise,

Mr. Biddle.

Is it, now?

Of course you'll be welcome

to observe, sir.

Gentlemen, may I show you

around the place?

We'll start with the stables.

This way, gentlemen.

The stables are right out here

across the terrace.

Dear, let's not move

the entire party outside.

It looks as if Anthony

might learn a lesson tonight.

I'm tempted to go out there

and watch myself.

Aunt Mary.

You forget that Anthony's

boxed with champions.

But they were friends, Cordelia.

And professionals.

These young men are not friends.

And there is

nothing so dangerous

as the inspired amateur.

Yes, I fixed this place up

to provide some healthy fun

and relaxation for myself

and the rest of the family.

Say, would any of you like to

go a round or two before dinner?

How about you Marines?

Do any of you know how to box?

We all know how to box, sir.

- That's part of our training.

- Fine.

John!

You want to box with me, sir?

We'll just go a couple

of rounds, Lieutenant.

Thank you.

You know, a lot of older men

take up sports of one kind or

another just to pass the time.

John!

You yelled, sir?

Yes. Would you keep time

for us, John?

Yes, sir.

We box by college rules here,

Lieutenant.

Two-minute rounds.

Thank you, John.

Well, are you ready, Lieutenant?

Yes, sir.

All right, John.

Time, gentlemen.

The men in the Philadelphia

Corps have a lot to learn

about military science.

But you will find them

well-disciplined.

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