Their Finest Page #6

village in England."

Yes, yes. inarticulacy, authenticity.

- He still can't act.

- No, no, he really can't.

But Hilliard can, so we get

Hilliard to coach him,

some sort of on-the-spot dumb show,

so the Yank knows

what he's meant to be doing.

Gentlemen, I fear there has been

some sort of misapprehension.

I am an actor,

a somewhat derided calling,

but mine nonetheless.

Perhaps because we are engaged

in an imitation of life,

there is a common misconception

that anything living can do what we do.

You have found that not to be so,

for which I offer my, urn,

sincerest commiserations.

But I am an actor.

I know only my art.

Of teaching, of coaching, of dumb show,

of these things,

I'm afraid I know nothing.

I'm so sorry to disappoint.

Mr. Hilliard, you're right.

You're right.

Everything you just said.

It's about respect for the art

and for the artists.

And it makes me think

how wrong we've been,

playing Uncle Frank for laughs.

Yes, he's a drunkard and a clown,

but he's also all those people

who gave their sons to one war

and now their grandsons to another.

If we served that truth,

if we gave you an Uncle Frank

really worth your time and your talent,

I wonder if you would consider

putting that same time and talent

towards helping Mr. Lundbeck

and the picture?

Mmm.

I don't think we've been

properly introduced.

I'm Catrin Cole.

I'm one of the writers.

Catrin, between us,

we'll have them weeping in the aisles.

I need to let Ellis know

that I won't be there for his opening.

I'll arrange a telegram.

The least we can do.

Time and talent was good.

Did you think of it beforehand?

His exhibition

only lasts two weeks.

We'll have you back in London

before it closes.

Damn!

- Here!

- Cheers.

Johnnie Lumb.

Kent, England. You?

Brannigan. Made in America

and not for export.

- So what are you doing here?

- Trying to get back.

The propeller's snarled.

If I can just cut it free...

Hurry, Uncle Frank.

Oh!

Hey! Hey, there!

Uncle Frank?

I Dr... I dro... I Dr...

I dropped the knife.

William... Archie...

My... My boys.

Boys, such an age you've been gone.

Why didn't you send word

you were still in France?

I could... I could

have fetched you home.

I could... I could have

carried you both...

home.

You're mustard these days,

aren't you?

- Night, Buckley.

- Night, Mrs. Cole.

- Pretty copper kettle.

- Such an age since...

- Bright copper kettle.

- Been such an age since...

Pretty copper kettle,

bright copper kettle.

There it is.

Dunkirk.

Blimey. There's so many of us.

They'll never...

Mrs. Cole?

They'll never get us all out.

Uh, where... Where is she?

- Thank you.

- Cut!

Could someone please get Mr. Hilliard

out of Dunkirk?

- Find Mrs. Cole!

- Train ticket.

Ration card.

Authorization to travel.

Oh, don't be nervous.

Mr. Hilliard won't notice you're gone...

It's not Hilliard. It's Ellis.

He's gonna be so disappointed in me

for missing the opening,

for not turning up till the last minute.

Nonsense. Your husband

is a lucky man, Mrs. Cole.

I'm sure he knows it.

He's not my husband.

I mean, he's not anyone else's either.

It's just...

We're not actually married.

I bought the ring myself

in Woolworths.

- I see.

- In love enough to run away with him.

Just too proper not to care

what other people thought.

- Er, behind...

- Better get moving.

Hilliard's looking for you.

Wants to discuss the stuff you wrote

for Uncle Frank's death.

- What did you think?

- Too long, obviously.

But apart from that...

His final moments,

believing Brannigan and Johnnie

are the sons he lost in the last war...

- Well...

- Hmm.

"Such an age you've been gone."

- Really.

- Hmm.

I still think we need a little more

in terms of... of, um, of back-seeding.

Oh, I'm... I'm awfully sorry,

Mr. Hilliard,

but Mrs. Cole has a train to catch.

- What?

- She must go.

- Wha...

- It's...

- It's a personal matter.

- Oh.

Well, will she be back tonight?

- Let's get you into makeup.

- Hmm.

You do look handsome in your sou'wester.

Really?

Gin.

Mr. Hilliard's going to be awfully angry.

Oh, we'll blame war transport.

The old ham can make do with me.

So...

Positions! Positions!

Everybody please be quiet for a take.

Don't stand under any thousand-pounders.

The director wants

to speak to you.

Let me guess. He's canceling my fitting

for the dog costume.

No, he didn't say what it was about.

Tell him you couldn't find me.

But... But I have found you.

No, you haven't.

You are exhausted.

You're leaning

against the rail of the ship,

the wounded Johnnie cradled...

Cradled in your arms.

Oh, uh, no, thank you.

You look up,

and you see, coming

towards you across the deck,

a vision of loveliness.

And you say...

Careful. The kid's pretty messed up.

Careful. The kid's pretty messed up.

He kept talking about some broad

called Nancy.

Kept talking

about some broad called Nancy.

I guess that must be you.

I guess that must be you.

Okay.

Action.

Careful. The kid's pretty messed up.

Kept talking

about some broad called Nancy.

I guess that must be you.

To which she replies...

Ooh.

I'm Rose. This is Nancy.

The Nancy.

To which you say...

Rose...

Do you know, if one were 2O years younger

and differently inclined,

one might almost be tempted.

Cat... Catrin...

Catrin!

Cat, don't make me run.

They're always gonna be

like that, aren't they?

Younger, in awe of you, like I was.

Oh, come on, Cat, you had a choice.

You didn't choose me.

I'll come back in a few days

and move my things.

Oh, for God's sake, the flat's yours.

You're the one who pays the rent.

Anyway, I'm going

to Manchester tomorrow.

They decided to take

the exhibition on tour.

It's a success, then?

It's a success.

I'm glad.

Hmm.

You know, the first time I painted you

outside the steelworks...

maybe I shouldn't have

shown you walking away.

Oh, I don't know, Ellis.

Maybe you just shouldn't have

made me so bloody small.

Your ticket, madam.

Safe journey. Next, please.

War widows.

- War widows.

- There you are.

War widows.

War widows.

War widows.

I'm not afraid of the dark

- Are you?

- Are you?

- Are you?

- Are you?

Gee, but it's nice in the dark

- With the moon

- The moon

And you

And you

When we go strolling

in the park at night

Oh, the darkness is a boon

Who cares if we're without a light

They can't black out the moon

I see you smiling

in the cigarette glow

Though the picture fades...

Dunkirk in the can.

Done-bloody-kirk.

They can't black out the moon

I see you smiling

in the cigarette glow

Though the picture fades too soon

But I see all I want to know

They can't black out the moon

We don't grumble

We don't worry about alarms

But when you stumble

You stumble right into my arms

Too young-

- Combined age.

- Too young twice over.

And, like a love light in your eyes

- They can't black out the moon

- Drink?

- Well done.

- Thank you.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote