Titanic

Directed by

HERBERT SELPIN:

"This film depicts the sole voyage

of the luxury liner Titanic...

whose fate was to hold the world

in suspense for months.

It is April, 1912."

Gentlemen.

Dear shareholders...

I called this meeting

of the White Star Line...

to inform you of the following:

We have built the Titanic,

the largest ship in the world.

There have been unforeseen incidents

and unexpected difficulties.

Construction costs have escalated

month after month.

We were forced to stretch

our finances to the extreme...

exhaust our investors...

and what's more,

take out substantial loans.

As a result...

the share price is plummeting.

Mr. President.

May I ask how much

share capital you represent?

200,000 pounds,

Mr. President.

So permit me to ask you:

Can't this drop in share price

be stopped?

It's out of my hands.

White Star Line at 98!

Who will buy White Star Line at 98?

96!

I'm selling White Star Line at 96!

95!

White Star Line at 95!

I'm selling White Star Line at 95!

Gentlemen.

- The latest word is 95.

- 95.

That's right, Henderson. 95.

And it will keep going down.

Or do you think all the little people

who invested their pennies...

will just sit on their shares?

You should be happy if they sell.

Then the price will drop even more...

and give us even more chances

to buy on the cheap.

I agree.

We're the board of the White Star Line,

not some charity.

But what do we do now?

It's simple.

We sell too

and bring the price even lower.

- You think so?

- Are you positive?

Yes.

- Can you give us a guarantee of that?

- I believe so.

- Really?

- Let's hear it!

Next week, the Titanic makes

her maiden voyage over the big pond...

and you, gentlemen,

will be aboard as my guests.

On this trip...

you will experience

a sensational surprise...

that will cause

our shares to skyrocket.

I don't care to say any more

about it right now.

But I ask all of you to trust me...

just as we all trust our Titanic,

the proudest ship ever to sail...

soon to set to sea for the honor

of the white Star Line...

and the glory of England.

Wherever Ismay goes,

the lovely Gloria can't be far behind.

What nerve, to bring

his girlfriend with him!

Perhaps he wants to marry her

on the high seas. Wonderful idea.

Ismay marries the lovely Gloria

on the maiden voyage of the Titanic.

Makes perfect sense.

Maybe that's the sensation

he promised us.

So, Captain Smith,

we understand each other.

For arrival on schedule in New York

I will pay you $5,000.

And for every hour ahead of schedule,

another $1,000.

So the faster your ship,

the greater your reward.

Who is that?

Sigrid Olinsky,

a wealthy Baltic woman.

Travels all over the world.

Rather extravagant.

- It shows. Married?

- No.

- Alone on board?

- Yes.

Should we invite her to our table?

- If you wish, Mr. President.

- Yes, please.

Do we have to, Bruce?

My dear Gloria, I'm not on board

for my private amusement.

I'm also here as president,

and as such, I have certain duties.

President Ismay requests the honor

of your presence at his table.

With pleasure.

So, the president has the honor...

Of having 20 million more

at his table.

- That much?

- At least.

They say she has

enormous estates in Russia.

Gentlemen,

the aristocracy in the flesh.

The Duchess of Canterville

and Lord Archibald Douglas.

Her Highness' net worth:

around 20 million.

- And his?

- Two million...

in debt.

There's room for improvement there.

Who are those two?

Professor Bergmann

and his assistant, Dr. Lorenz.

- How much?

- Not worthy of mention.

German scientists only count in marks.

Senor Cristobal Mendoz of Cuba.

Never seen him before.

Your misfortune.

He's especially interesting.

- How much do you estimate he's worth?

- I'd say around eight to ten...

years in prison.

I'll nab him in the act this trip,

or I'll resign as ship's detective.

Here comes the one man...

who could give his wife the Titanic

as a birthday present:

John Jacob Astor and his wife.

The richest man on board.

These are the two

we've been waiting for.

Excuse me.

As chief steward, duty calls.

I'll go see to the lovely people.

And I, dear doctor,

to the not so lovely.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Please give your attention to

the president of the White Star Line...

Sir Bruce Ismay.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor

to welcome you aboard our newest ship.

You already know that at 46,000 tons,

the Titanic is the world's largest ship.

You also know that English experts say

she is the world's safest ship.

But I'd like to inform you

of a third feature of the Titanic:

She is also the fastest ship

that has ever sailed the Atlantic.

At this very moment,

what you are experiencing...

is the Titanic cruising

at 261/2 knots...

a world-record speed.

Ismay is a genius.

Let's get to the telegraph

and buy all the shares we can.

Before it hits the papers.

The ship's crew informs

the passengers in steerage...

that the Titanic

is sailing at record speed...

specifically at 261/2 knots.

That makes the Titanic

the fastest ship in the world.

261/2 knots.

How fast is that?

One nautical mile is 6,076 feet.

261/2 times 6,076 is...

It's beyond me.

First one with the answer gets a kiss.

My God, that's easy.

It's about 30 miles.

It is precisely

31 miles per hour, Marcia.

No, precisely 30.495 miles per hour.

Attention, everyone.

The ship's management has announced

each of you will receive a bonus...

if the current speed is maintained.

"Liverpool - New York

Calm sea.

Everything fine on board.

Petersen"

Mr. Morlock, would you please

read the temperature?

Yes, Herr Petersen.

Exterior temperature, 54.

Thank you.

What weather!

If it stays calm, we'll be in New York

at least a day ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile the engines are ruined.

President Ismay surely knows

what he's doing, ordering this speed.

Sailor.

Who's running this ship?

Ismay or the captain?

The captain naturally does

what the president of the line requests.

And why does he request

such rubbish?

Mr. Brede?

That comes to $9.

Here's $20.

- Keep the change.

- But see you send it immediately.

Thank you,

but we don't accept tips.

The telegrams are sent

in the order received.

- Good evening.

- Thank you.

We make the world record and

already they're looking to profit from it.

Look at this.

One is buying 200,000 White Star shares,

and the other 250,000.

Almost half a million.

What I could do with that!

And when the world hears

that we're sailing at record speed...

Let me see.

No, first the president's telegram

to the press.

Yes, sir.

"Sailing at 261/2 knots.

Record speed... Ismay."

"Titanic sails to world record... Ismay."

"Record speed of 261/2 knots... Ismay."

"Sailing at 261/2 knots.

Record speed... Ismay."

"Titanic Sails at 261/2 Knots

World Record!"

"Will the Titanic Break

the World Record?"

Today isn't the 13th, it's the 14th.

And it's a beautiful Sunday as well,

with fine weather and pleasant music...

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