## [Waltz]
[Children Chattering]
- [Knocking On Door]
- Come in.
Mr. Spencer. Mr. Spencer,
I hate to bother you...
but I thought
you'd like to know
there were two men here.
Two men askin' for you.
Ayoung man
and a kind of older man.
They was sorry
you wasn't in.
I said you wasn't.
Did they say they'd be back?
They didn't say exactly,
but I think they will.
Just now, when I had to go
down to the store, I seen them
standing there at the corner.
Maybe I shoulda let
them in, only you said
not to disturb you...
Yes?
And I'm sure
they'll be back.
You look kinda tired to me,
and that's a fact.
You got a headache
or somethin'?
I think maybe
you need a real rest.
That's what I think.
Why, Mr. Spencer.
You oughtn't to leave all that
money lying around like that.
Oh, it makes me nervous
to see money lying around.
Everybody in the world
ain't honest, you know.
Though I must say
I haven't had
much trouble that way.
Those friends of yours
told me not to mention
they'd called.
Wanted to surprise you.
But I thought you'd like
to know somehow.
Yes, yes. Of course.
If they come back,
you may show them in.
Yes.
You know, Mrs. Martin,
it's very funny.
They aren't exactly
friends of mine.
They've never seen me.
That's odd, isn't it?
'Tis odd,
like you say.
And now that I'm here,
I'll have to meet them.
I may even go out
and meet them.
And then again,
I may not. Not yet.
You go ahead with your nap.
I'll pull down the blind.
[Door Closes]
[Glass Crashing]
[Spencer] What do you know?
You're bluffing.
You've nothing on me.
[Pedestrians Chattering]
[Coin Drops, Bell Dings]
Hello, Postal Union?
I want to send a telegram...
to Mrs. Joseph Newton
in Santa Rosa, California.
Here's the message.
Ready?
Lonesome for you all.
Stop.
Am coming out to stay
with you awhile. Stop.
Will arrive Thursday
and try and stop me.
Will wire exact time later.
Love to you all...
and a kiss for little Charlie
from her Uncle Charlie.
That's right.
That's the signature.
"Uncle Charlie."
That's right. Santa Rosa.
Santa Rosa, California.
[Officer Blows Whistle]
[Bus Bell Ringing]
[Phone Ringing]
[Ringing Continues]
[Woman] Ann!
Ann, answer the telephone.
[Ringing Continues]
Newton's residence.
Ann Newton speaking.
Oh, hello, Mrs. Henderson.
This is Ann.
Mother isn't home yet.
A telegram? Well...
I don't see a pencil, so maybe
she better call you back.
I'm trying to keep my mind
free of things
that don't matter...
because I have so much
to keep on my mind.
Innumerable things.
I'll have her call back.
Thank you for calling.
Good-bye.
[Door Opening, Closing]
Hello, Ann.
Where's your mother?
She's out.
Out?
Mrs. Henderson just called
from the Postal Union Office.
She says we have a telegram.
I would have taken it down,
only I couldn't find a pencil.
I looked.
Telegram, eh?
I knew there'd be trouble
if your Aunt Sarah got
her driver's license.
Whereabouts was
the accident?
I didn't take notes.
Oh. Then how about a kiss?
Isn't that the funniest thing?
Here I am,
practically a child...
and I wouldn't read
the things you read.
Mm-hmm. Well, I guess
they'd give you bad dreams.
Bad dreams?
You don't understand, Papa.
Mystery stories have done...
Where's Roger?
Out. The average mind...
Where's Charlie?
Out. No, I mean she's upstairs
in her room thinking.
Well, don't read too much.
You'll ruin your eyes.
And leave my book alone.
What's that you're reading?
Ivanhoe.
Hmm? Oh.
[Soft Knocking]
Who is it?
It's me.
What's the matter?
Don't you feel well?
No. I'm perfectly well.
I've just been thinking
for hours, and I've come
to the conclusion I give up.
I simply give up.
What are you going
to give up?
Have you ever stopped to think
that a family should be the most
wonderful thing in the world?
And that this family's
just gone to pieces?
We have?
Of course we have.
We just sort of go along
and nothing happens.
We're in a terrible rut.
It's been on my mind for months.
What's going to be our future?
Oh, come now, Charlie.
Things aren't
as bad as that.
The bank gave me a raise
last January.
Money.
How can you talk about money
when I'm talking about souls?
We eat and sleep
and that's about all.
We don't even have
any real conversations.
Wejust talk.
And work.
Yes. Poor Mother.
She works like a dog.
Just like a dog.
Where is she?
She's out. When she comes back,
it'll be the same thing.
Dinner, then dishes, then bed.
I don't see how she stands it.
You know, she's really
a wonderful woman.
I mean, she's not just a mother.
And I think we ought
to do something for her.
Don't you think we should?
Yeah. What were you thinking
of doing for her?
Oh, nothing, I suppose.
I guess we'll just have to wait
for a miracle or something.
Oh, now, Charlie,
you're right.
Absolutely right.
- I'll figure out some way...
- Oh, I don't believe
in good intentions anymore.
All I'm waiting for now
is a miracle.
Oh, Charlie.
Those back stairs
are steep.
What's the matter, Charlie?
What's the matter, Joe?
Well, it seems that, uh...
Oh, I've become
a nagging old maid.
And you went downtown
in that awful old hat
you promised you'd throw away.
[Ann] Mama.
Darling, what does it matter
what hat I put on?
Mama.
Mother, I don't see why
you let that child yell at you.
If she...
I'm going
downstairs anyway.
Joe, what were you
both talking about
when I came in?
Something about a miracle.
[Joe]
Oh, it's nothing. Charlie's
a bit under the weather.
[Woman]
Oh. Well, she'll be all right.
Well, come on, dear.
Let's go downstairs.
No use standing here.
I'm going to get myself
a bottle of beer.
Mother, I'm going downtown
and send a telegram.
Why, darling,
who do you know
to send a telegram to?
I know a wonderful person
who'll come and shake us up.
Just the one to save us.
What do you mean,
"save us"?
All this time, there's been
one right person to save us.
- Mother, what's
Uncle Charlie's address?
- Uncle Charlie?
- Now, you're not going to ask
him for money, are you?
- Of course not.
That wouldn't help us.
What's his address?
The last address I had...
Do you know
how many steps
I had to take...
to get from here
to the drugstore
and back?
No. If you've forgotten,
I'm not going to tell you.
I remember. Philadelphia.
You can't ask a busy man to come
all this way for nothing.
He'll come for me.
I'm named after him.
Besides, we're
the only relatives
he has in the world.
[Boy] If you come all the way
up Fourth Street, it's 802.
Mama, guess what?
I have no time for guessing.
What's that thing in your hair?
Well, I'll tell you anyway,
even though I think it's nicer
when people guess.
Mrs. Henderson said to call her
at the telegraph office because
she says we have a telegram.
Ann, I don't think
you ought to put things
behind your ears.
Something might get
into your ear.
Emmy, Ann
says we have a telegram.
I think you ought to find out
about it. Somebody might be
sick or something.
Mrs. Henderson didn't read
the telegram...
Telegram for me?
because I couldn't
find a pencil.
When I have a house,
it's going to be full
of well-sharpened pencils.
- Did Mrs. Henderson say
who the telegram was from?
- No. She didn't.
[Boy Chattering]
I think she might have said
who it was from.
Come on, Ann.
That's my chair.
I'll call up and find out.
If you will be quiet
just a second.
Hello. 181, please.
I wonder who it can be?
Oh, nothing, Operator.
Just 181.
If that's from my sister...
Hello?
Mrs. Henderson?
This is Emma Newton.
Ann says you have
a telegram for me.
Mama, you don't
have to shout.
Shh.
Really, Papa. You'd think
Mama had never seen a phone.
She makes no allowance
for science.
She thinks she has
to cover the distance
by sheer lung power.
Why, how wonderful.
Thursday, you say?
Looks like somebody's coming.
- Who's coming, Ma?
- Well, it's
the most wonderful surprise.
It's my brother, you know.
My younger brother. The baby.
Yes, of course, a little
spoiled. You know how families
always spoil the youngest.
Well, it's just
simply wonderful.
Thanks most awfully,
Mrs. Henderson.
Well.
What do you think?
Charles is coming.
Who?
Who?
Your Uncle Charlie.
- Did you say "Charles"?
- And our Charlie's gone
to send him a telegram.
Now, what made her think
to do that?
What do you mean our Charlie...
[Woman]
Hello, Charlie.
I just called your house.
Telegram for your mother.
Did you?
Gonna send that
by Bill Forest,
but you can take it.
Thanks.
From your uncle.
The spoiled one.
My uncle?
My Uncle Charlie?
Yeah.
Mrs. Henderson,
do you believe in telepathy?
Well, I ought to.
That's my business.
Oh, not telegraphy.
Mental telepathy.
Like... well,
suppose you have a thought,
and suppose the thought's about
someone you're in tune with.
Then across miles,
that person knows what you're
thinking and answers you.
And it's all mental.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
I only send telegrams
the normal way.
He heard me.
He heard me.
[Whistle Blowing]
Mr. Otis? Mr. Otis?
Yes?
You're almost in Santa Rosa.
Want to be ready
when you get into Santa Rosa.
I'm ready now. Thanks.
Then I'll get all your bags
out for you, then.
How you feelin',
Mr. Otis?
Pretty well.
A little weak
but pretty well
on the whole.
Mm-hmm.
Harry, tell the porter
you're a doctor.
Ask if there's anything
you can do. Maybe you can
help that poor soul.
I'm on my vacation.
Porter, my husband's a doctor
and if there's anything...
No, Ma'am.
He's a very sick man.
Won't see anyone.
I haven't set eyes on him
myself since we first got
on the train.
[Doctor]
Well, you don't look
very well either.
Ah, here we are.
Come on, children.
Close the door, there.
That's right.
[Steam Hissing]
[Train Bell Ringing]
Oh, are you...
Charlie.
Young Charlie.
At first, I didn't know you.
I thought you were sick.
Sick?
You aren't sick, are you?
Look, Pop! Here he is!
Why, Uncle Charlie,
you're not sick.
That was the funniest thing.
Sick? Me, sick?
Well, Joe, how are you?
All right, Charles.
Roger. Hello, Ann.
I bet you don't remember me.
I remember you sort of.
You look different.
[Laughs]
Well, we better get started.
Emma's got the dinner
almost ready.
I couldn't persuade her
to come to the station.
Dinner came first.
Roger, get the bags.
Charles, I'll take that.
Thank you, Joe.
That's it.
Come on. Let's go.
[Charlie]
Come on there, Roger,
and get these bags.
[Groans]
You, uh, sure
that isn't too heavy for you?
Oh, no. It's nothing.
I love to carry.
Emma. Don't move.
Standing there,
you don't look
like Emma Newton.
You look like Emma Spencer
Oakley of 46 Burnham Street,
St. Paul, Minnesota.
'The prettiest girl
on the block.
Charles!
Charlie.
Mama, nobody got off the train
but Uncle Charlie.
Let me look at you.
We were the only ones
who met somebody.
To think you could
take the time off.
There was only one bed made up.
Oh, Charles, it's so wonderful
to have you here.
Emmy, Emmy, don't cry.
And imagine your thinking
of 46 Burnham Street.
I haven't thought of that
funny old street in years.
- I keep remembering those
things. All the old things.
- [Joe] Emmy, how's he look?
Same old Charles, eh?
Roger, Ann,
get these other bags.
[Joe] You have
Charlie's room right here
at the head of the stairs.
Emmy wanted to move Ann,
but Charlie thought you'd be
more comfortable here.
[Ann]
Come on, Roger.
Ah-ah-ah-ah.
Don't put the hat on the bed.
Superstitious, Joe?
No, but I don't believe
in inviting trouble.
It wasn't the biggest yacht
in the world, but it had
a fireplace in the library...
and the bar was panelled
in bleached mahogany.
You pushed a button and...
What am I talking about?
That's all over.
Let's talk about you.
Charlie, that's
the prettiest dress
I ever saw.
I think so too.
[Emmy Giggles]
Why, Charles,
don't you remember?
Remember?
Remember what?
Why, Uncle Charlie,
you sent it to me.
I did?
Well, say, I've been
sitting here all this time
forgetting something.
Ann. Roger.
[Family Gasping]
Look at that. Oh, dear now.
Joe. Don't know whether
you had one or not.
You didn't have to think
of me, Charles. Presents
for the children are all right.
Say... I've never had
a wristwatch.
Fellows at the bank'll think
I'm quite a sport.
I have two for you, Emmy.
One old and one new.
[Emmy]
Oh, Charles.
What is it?
You shouldn't have.
Really. No.
Well, yeah.
[Gasps]
Oh, Charles.
[Box Lid Clunks]
Oh, how... beautiful.
Oh, I've-I've
always wanted one.
Oh, Mother, it's exactly right.
It's what you should have.
Look, Emmy.
Charles.
You've had these
all along.
Mm-hmm.
All along, Emmy.
All these years.
Safe in a deposit box.
No matter where I was.
Oh. Grandpa and Grandma?
[Whistles]
53 years ago.
Aren't they sweet?
My, she was pretty.
Everybody was sweet
and pretty then, Charlie.
The whole world.
A wonderful world.
Not like the world today.
Not like the world now.
It was great
to be young then.
We're all happy now,
Uncle Charlie. Look at us.
For once, we're all happy
at the same time.
Now, for your present, Charlie.
Oh, I don't want anything.
Right now, I have enough.
Before you came,
I didn't think
I had anything,
but now I don't want
another thing.
She's crazy.
She doesn't mean it.
Really.
If you ask me,
I think she's putting on.
Like girls in books.
The ones that say
they don't want anything
always get more in the end.
That's what she's hoping.
She's not crazy.
The smartest girl
in her class at school.
Won the debate
against the East Richmond
High School single-handed.
She's got brains.
I meant it.
Please don't
give me anything.
- Nothing?
- Oh, I can't explain it.
But you came here
and Mother's so happy and...
Oh, I'm glad that she named me
after you and that she thinks
we're both alike.
I think we are too.
I know it.
Oh, it would spoil things
if you should give me anything.
You're a strange girl, Charlie.
Why would it spoil things?
Because we're not just
an uncle and a niece.
It's something else.
I know you.
I know that you don't
tell people a lot of things.
I don't either.
I have a feeling that
inside you somewhere,
there's something
nobody knows about.
Something... nobody knows?
- Something secret and wonderful
and... I'll find it out.
- [Chuckles]
It's not good to find out
too much, Charlie.
But we're sort of like twins.
Don't you see?
- We have to know.
- Give me your hand, Charlie.
Thank you.
You didn't even
look at it.
I don't have
to look at it.
No matter what you gave me,
it'd be the same.
Here. Let me show you.
It's a good emerald.
A really good one.
Good emeralds are
the most beautiful things
in the world.
You've had something engraved.
I haven't,
but I will if you like it.
Yes, you have,
Uncle Charlie.
It's very faint.
"T.S. from B.M."
But... Why, it must be
someone's initials.
Well, I've been rooked.
The jeweler rooked me.
Oh, it doesn't matter. Really.
Give it back.
I'll have it taken off.
No, No.
I like it this way.
Someone else
was probably happy
with this ring.
Oh, it's perfect
the way it is.
You bring the coffee.
## [Charlie Humming]
Sing at the table,
you'll marry
a crazy husband.
Superstitions have been
proved 100% wrong.
Yes, I've been thinking
of transferring some money
out here from the East.
I could put it
in your bank, Joe,
until I found out what's what.
Uh, I suppose your bank
does take money, huh?
[Chuckles]
That's one thing we do.
Rake in the dough.
Can't promise
to give it back.
Well, I think I'll go
downtown in the morning
and open an account.
- Say, 30 or $40,000
just to start things off?
- That's a lot of money.
He won't have it long.
The government will get it.
The government gets...
You're not to talk
against the government, Roger.
## [Humming]
[Emmy] My goodness.
The way men do things.
I can't get that tune
out of my head.
Maybe if somebody tells me
what it is, I'll forget it.
[Emmy]
It's a waltz.
I know it is, but what one?
[Charlie]
You know, it's
the funniest thing.
Sometimes I get a tune
in my head like that...
and pretty soon, I hear
somebody else humming it too.
I think tunes jump
from head to head.
Do you know what it is,
Uncle Charlie?
Uh, no. No.
I-I-I don't know
what it is.
[Emmy]
I remember. Uh...
It's on the tip of my tongue.
It's a waltz
and it's Victor Herbert.
- Victor Herbert wasn't a waltz.
He was...
- It's the Blue Danube waltz.
Oh, yes.
Of course it is.
No, it isn't, Uncle Charlie.
I know what it is.
It's the Merry...
I'm terribly
sorry, Emmy.
Nothing to make
a fuss over.
Charles, while we do
the dishes, why don't you come
in the living room...
and stretch out
on the sofa and read
the evening paper?
You never were much
on helping.
Joe, here's Herbert.
[Charlie] Ann, Roger.
Help me clear the table.
Herbert's a friend of Joe's.
They're literary critics.
Hello, Herb.
Had your supper?
Had mine
an hour ago.
Hour ago, huh?
Oh. A watch.
Yeah. A present.
Here, Herb.
I'd like you to meet
my brother-in-law.
Charles, this is Herb Hawkins.
Nice to know you,
Mr. Hawkins.
Fine, thank you.
How's your mother, Herb?
Oh, uh, just middling.
Uh-huh.
Excuse me, Herb.
Oh.
Thank you. I'm sorry
your mother's not better.
Thank you, dear.
There, now.
Thank you.
[Emmy]
Lead a life of luxury.
Well, I must go and see
what Charlie's doing.
Wife's brother from the East.
New York man.
Good for the children.
You know what I mean?
In business?
Well, he takes himself
very seriously.
Well, how's everything?
Say, ha-have you read
this one?
Huh?
That little Frenchman
beats them all.
You can talk all you like
about Sherlock Holmes.
That little Frenchman
beats 'em all.
I read it.
Air bubbles don't
necessarily kill a person.
Those writers
from the other side
get too fancy.
The best way
to commit a murder...
I know. I know.
Hit 'em on the head
with a blunt instrument.
Well, it's true,
isn't it? Listen.
If I wanted
to murder you tomorrow,
do you think
I'd waste my time
on fancy hypodermics?
Or on Inee?
What's that?
Inee-
Indian arrow poison.
Oh.
Listen. I'd find out
if you were alone, walk in,
hit you on the head
with a piece of lead pipe
or a loaded cane...
What'd be
the fun of that?
Where's your planning?
Where's your clues?
I don't want any clues.
I want to murder you.
What do I want
with clues?
Well, if you
haven't got any clues,
where's your book?
I'm not talkin'
'bout writing books.
I'm talking about killing you!
If I was going to kill you,
I wouldn't do a dumb thing
like hitting you on the head.
First of all,
I don't like
the fingerprint angle.
Of course, I could always
wear gloves, press your
hands against the pipe...
after you were dead
and make you look
like a suicide.
Ho ho!
Except it don't seem
hardly likely that you'd beat
yourself to death with a club.
I'd murder you
so it didn't look
like murder.
- Oh, Ann?
- What?
Come here.
Did you ever see a house
made out of newspapers?
Well, watch.
You-You take
one sheet here.
Okay?
And you tear it down here.
And you tear it there.
And you fold it
over here at the side.
Fold over
the other side here.
And turn it up there.
Now with... the door...
Right off... and there.
I'm not a baby
anymore. Besides,
that's Papa's paper.
[Uncle Charlie]
Oh, Roger, look what we've got.
A nice, little red barn.
- You've got Papa's paper.
- Oh, that's all right.
Simply unfold it.
Nobody will ever know
the difference.
What are you two doing?
You know that's father's paper.
Oh, it's my fault, Charlie.
I was showing them a game.
Didn't think about it
being Joe's paper.
Oh, that's all right.
Here's page one,
five... eight.
What'd you do
with page three and four?
We never touched it.
[Ann]
Really. Uncle Charlie's
the only one that touched it.
Oh, well.
I guess it's all right.
If I fold it very neatly,
maybe he won't notice.
[Uncle Charlie]
Come in.
I brought you water.
Oh, thank you, Charlie.
That's very thoughtful of you.
Pleasant dreams.
- Uncle Charlie, I know a secret
you don't think I know.
- What secret?
Remember I said you couldn't
hide anything from me
because I'd find it out?
Well, now I know there was
something in the evening paper
about you.
About me
in the evening paper?
About you.
And that's why
you played that game
with Ann and Roger.
You didn't want us to know
and you wanted
to tear the paper.
- Now I know.
You might as well tell me.
- [Chuckling]
Well, you've got me
there, Charlie.
Only it wasn't about me.
It was about, uh...
someone I used to know.
There!
It's none of your business.
[Gasping]
Oh! Uncle Charlie,
you're hurting me.
Oh, Charlie.
Your hands.
Charlie, I didn't mean
to hurt you.
[Short Chuckle]
I was just fooling.
[Chuckling]
It was nothing.
Just-Just some gossip.
Not very pretty
about someone
I once met up with.
[Chuckles]
Not for you to read.
Forget it.
Good night, young Charlie.
Good night, Uncle Charlie.
Pleasant dreams.
[Church Bell Tolling]
How long is Uncle Charlie
going to stay here?
Forever, I hope.
Hasn't he got
a house of his own?
Not that I mind you in here,
but I never can tell...
when I'll want
some privacy.
[Chuckles]
You better go
to sleep, baby.
You said your prayers?
I forgot.
You better say them.
I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord
my soul to keep...
Don't bless too many people.
It's late.
I pray the Lord
my soul to take.
God bless Mama, Papa,
Captain Midnight, Veronica Lake
and the president...
You can't say them
all tonight, dear.
Oh, and Uncle Charlie. Amen.
[Sighs]
## [Humming Waltz]
[Distant Train Whistle]
[Traffic Noises]
All ready
for breakfast?
Oh, coffee. Emmy.
I don't know how you do it.
Now, I'm never comfortable
eating in bed.
I had to have my meals
in bed for awhile...
after the children came,
but I never liked it.
I can't face the world
in the morning. I must have
coffee before I can speak.
Well, I don't mind
pampering you
your first morning,
but I think you're
the only person in this town
to have breakfast at 10:30.
And while you were sleeping,
the newspaper called up
for an interview.
With me?
And the women's club I belong to
wants you to give a little talk.
- [Chuckling]
Women's club.
- [Laughing]
Oh! Oh, you haven't
finished unpacking.
I'll do that for you.
Where's Charlie?
She's running around the house
as though she'd lost her mind.
She thinks everything
needs fixing.
But what I wanted to tell you
was that you are not
the only celebrity in this town.
The whole Newton family's
going to be in the limelight.
What are you cooking up?
Well, a young man called
this morning,
said his name was Graham...
and he wants to interview
everybody in this house.
Interview everybody?
That's what he said.
He's being sent
around the country by some kind
of institute or committee...
and he has to pick
representative American families
and ask them questions.
It's a kind of a poll.
It's called
the National Public Survey.
Wonder how he happened
to pick this family?
Well, he said he wanted
a typical American family.
I told him we weren't
a typical American family.
Well, if he's going to ask
a lot of questions,
he can leave me out of it.
Oh, but you could tell him
so much more
than any of us could.
- He's going to take
our pictures too.
- Pictures.
[Gasps]
My. Isn't that lovely?
You see, there were really,
there were two young men.
One of them takes the pictures.
Oh, there were two.
Yes. Mr. Graham
was the nicest.
Oh, he doesn't want us
to dress up or anything.
Hejust wants us to act
the way we always do.
Emmy, women are fools.
They'd fall for anything.
Why do you let
two strangers come and turn
the place upside-down?
Why expose the family
to a couple of snoopers?
- [Short Chuckle]
You ought to have better sense.
- Why, Charles, I...
- [Charlie]
Good morning, Uncle Charlie.
- Good morning, Charlie.
Your mother's been telling me
about the Newtons being picked
for all-American suckers.
What do you know about it?
Charlie wasn't here
when they came.
But really, Charles,
the way Mr. Graham
told it...
it wasn't
like snooping at all.
It was our duty as citizens.
It's something
the government wants.
Government?
Maybe not exactly,
but it's for the public good.
When I told them about you
and the places you've been,
he was really interested.
Now, listen, Emmy.
I'll have nothing
to do with this.
I'm just a visitor here
and my advice to you is
to slam the door in his face.
Oh. Well, I-I couldn't
do that.
But you don't
have to meet him
if you don't want to.
Well, I think I'd be
kind of exciting.
He'd take your photograph
and then we could have it
for nothing.
No thank you. I've never
been photographed in my life
and I don't want to be.
Oh, Charles,
how can you
talk that way?
I had a photograph of you.
I gave it to Charlie.
I tell you, there are none.
I guess you've
forgotten this one.
Get it, Charlie.
[Emmy]
You sure
you don't remember?
[Uncle Charlie]
Of course I don't ever remember
being photographed.
46 Burnham Street.
Mm-hmm. It was taken
the Christmas
you got your bicycle.
Just before your accident.
Uncle Charlie,
you were beautiful.
Wasn't he, though?
And such a quiet boy.
Always reading.
Papa never should have bought
you that bicycle. You didn't
know how to handle it.
He took it right out on
the icy road and skidded
into a streetcar.
We thought he was
going to die.
I'm glad he didn't.
Well, he almost did.
He fractured his skull,
and he was laid up so long.
And then,
when he was getting well,
there was no holding him.
And it was just as though
all the rest he had was,
well, too much for him...
and he had to get
into mischief
to blow off steam.
He didn't do
much reading after that,
let me tell you.
It was taken
the very day
he had his accident.
A few days later when
the pictures came home,
how Mama cried.
She wondered if he'd ever
look the same. She wondered
if he'd ever be the same.
What's the use of looking
backward? What's the use
of looking ahead?
Today's the thing.
That's my philosophy.
Today.
If today's the thing,
then you'd better
finish your breakfast...
and get down to the bank
because Joe'll be waiting.
And Charlie, don't be late back
because the questionnaire men
are coming at 4:00.
[Blows Whistle]
[Car Horn Honking]
Good morning, Charlie.
Hello, Madge.
Good morning, Charlie.
Hello, Catherine.
[Car Horn Honking]
[Background Chattering]
[Officer Blows Whistle]
Did you see the way
they looked at you?
I bet they wonder who you are.
Oh, Uncle Charlie,
I love to walk with you.
I want everybody to see you.
[Keyboards Clacking]
There's Papa in that
window over there.
[Background Chattering]
Hello, Joe. Can you stop
embezzling a minute
and give me your attention?
Oh, uh...
Charles, we don't joke
about such things here.
Oh, what's a little shortage
in the books at the end
of the month?
Any good bank clerk can
cover up a little shortage.
Isn't that right, Charlie?
- Everyone can hear you.
- Good thing they can.
We all know what banks are.
Look all right,
but no one knows what goes on
when the doors are locked.
Can't fool me, though.
Well, Joe, let's see
your president.
Still want to open
that account, Charles?
That's why I'm here.
Well, uh, you wait right here.
I'll see if Mr. Greene's busy.
And, uh, Charles,
he doesn't care much
for jokes about banks.
Well, $40,000 is no joke.
Not to him, I bet.
It's a joke to me.
The whole world's
a joke to me.
I'll be right back.
You shouldn't tease
Papa like that.
[Chuckles]
I wasn't teasing him.
I just hate
this stuffy atmosphere.
They're waving
for us to come in.
- [Charlie]
Hello, Mr. Greene.
- Hello, Charlie.
Well, Mr. Greene, this is
my brother-in-law, Mr. Oakley.
How do you do?
How are you,
Mr. Oakley?
Well, Mr. Greene, I was thinking
of settling down here
for awhile.
Great country. Great country.
We think so.
What have you been doing?
I suppose you might call me
a promoter. I've done
a little bit of everything.
The only trouble I find is
that once I make the money,
I'm not interested in it.
Not interested in money?
[Chuckles]
You know there's plenty
of money lying around waiting
for somebody to pick it up.
I thought maybe I'd put
some of my loose cash away
for safekeeping.
- Naturally, I thought
of the bank where Joe works.
- [Mr. Greene] Loose cash?
Well, I got in a habit
of carrying a lot of cash
with me when I was traveling.
A dangerous habit, Mr. Oakley.
Hmm. Never lost a penny
in my life, Mr. Greene.
I guess heaven takes care
of fools and scoundrels.
[Chuckles]
Yes.
Thirty,
thirty-five, forty.
Forty thousand.
Shall we start
with forty?
- If you'll just write out
a deposit slip, Mr. Oakley.
- Ah, details.
I'm glad to see you're a man
who understands details,
Mr. Greene.
They're most important to me.
Most important.
All the little details.
[Woman]
Oh, dear. I'm sorry.
I didn't know you were busy.
We can come back.
Come in, now that
you're here. Come in.
Mrs. Greene,
I'd like you to meet
my uncle, Mr. Oakley.
Uncle Charlie,
this is Mrs. Greene
and Mrs. Potter.
Mrs. Greene,
Miss Potter.
[Chuckles]
Mrs. Potter.
Oh, and there was something
about you that made me think...
Yes?
- What did you want, Margaret?
- Well, we were going shopping
and I only had five dollars...
There's one good thing
in being a widow,
isn't there?
You don't have to ask
your husband for money.
[All Laughing]
Here you are.
Oh, thank you.
Good-bye, Mr. Oakley.
Mrs. Potter.
Bye, Mrs. Greene.
[Pen Scratching]
There. There you are,
Mr. Greene.
Charlie, let's see the town
and have some lunch.
Good-bye, Mr. Oakley.
Bye, Mr. Greene.
Call on us
for advice anytime.
Thank you.
Joe, you may see
Mr. Oakley to the door.
Joe, keep your eyes open.
You'll have his job
in a couple of years.
[Typewriters Clacking]
Here he is.
[Bus Bells Ringing]
Those must be
the questionnaire men.
They're a whole hour early.
I won't see them.
Don't worry.
You don't have to
if you don't want to.
I'll see that you don't.
The way they got
around your mother.
I thought she'd have
better sense.
How do you do?
How do you do?
You must be the men
who want to interview us.
My name is Graham, Miss Newton.
Oh, how do you do?
And this is Fred Saunders.
How do you do?
Won't you come in?
I'll call my mother.
Thank you.
Mother, the government men
are here.
Will you sit down?
But you said 4:00.
Nothing's ready now.
My husband
is still at the bank
and-and the house is...
That's all we want now,
Mrs. Newton.
Some pictures of the house.
Saunders can get busy
and I'd like to ask
a few questions.
All right, but I do wish
you'd waited until I had
the house looking its best.
I wanted flowers around
and fresh curtains
in the kitchen.
And there are a lot of things
I don't want you
to photograph.
I believe you told me
you owned the house?
Own it? It owns us.
It seems to me no sooner
do I get one thing fixed
then something else gets broken.
And then it needs
fresh paint and th...
Mr. Saunders,
I'm very sorry...
but you simply cannot
take a picture
with that chair in it.
- It needs a new slipcover.
- And there are, uh,
six in your family?
- Five.
- Five? But...
Well, my uncle's
just visiting.
[Emmy]
I told you about him.
He's here from the East.
Put down five because my uncle
doesn't want to be bothered
with a lot of questions.
Well, you see,
on a survey, we usually...
[Charlie]
He's not interested
in a survey...
and I promised him
he wouldn't be bothered.
Well, we'd like it
if we could get
all of you.
You know, your opinions,
what you do
or what you want to do.
My uncle's opinions
aren't average and I'm afraid
they wouldn't help you.
I think when someone
asks for privacy,
they should have it.
Well, we'll...
The whole idea of this
thing is that...
Mr. Graham,
perhaps you'd better
choose another family.
We'll do anything you say,
of course, but this family
seemed right and...
[Emmy]
It is a nice family.
Charlie, why don't you let
the young men go ahead
so long as they're here?
Well, all right.
Okay. Saunders, go ahead
and get another shot.
Mrs. Newton, perhaps you could
tell me what organizations
you and your husband belong to.
How about a picture
in the kitchen?
Well, I'm afraid
the kitchen isn't quite
the way I'd like it.
Come along.
If you'll start
by breakin' an egg,
Mrs. Newton.
Oh, but you don't
start a cake
by breaking an egg.
You have to put
the butter and sugar
in first.
Survey or no survey,
I'm not going to start
by breaking an egg.
I thought I'd make
a maple cake. My brother
Charles loves maple cake.
What does your brother do?
Oh, I guess he just
does about everything.
What does he do?
Oh, he's just in business.
You know, the way men are.
My husband works in a bank,
but I think Charles
is just in business.
[Emmy]
If you really want a picture
of me breaking an egg,
you'll have to wait
till I cream the butter
and sugar.
I'll wait.
I wonder if we
could take a look
at the upstairs?
You show us, and your mother
can call us when she's ready.
All right.
If you'd rather wait,
Mr. Saunders.
Folding in the eggs
has to be done
just right.
I can't beat them
and let them stand.
The minute I hear
you've broken the eggs,
I'll come right down.
Yes.
I really don't see
what you want
to look up here for.
Whose room is that?
It's mine. My uncle's
using it now, though.
I'd like to get an idea
what your room looks like.
Typical girl, typical room.
Typical of you to ask.
My uncle's resting.
I really don't want
to disturb him.
Is there a back stairs?
Mm-hmm.
Right down the hall.
I'll bet you 50 cents
that your uncle
isn't in there.
[Chuckles]
Oh, betting's silly.
All you want to do
is photograph my room.
Doesn't he?
That's it.
Besides, I know
my uncle's in there.
All right,
I'll still bet he isn't.
Let me knock and see.
Oh, I'll knock.
Uncle Charlie?
Uncle Charlie,
may we come in?
See?
You were right.
Nice room. Do you mind
if I take a picture or two
since he isn't here?
I certainly don't want
to disturb your uncle.
Oh, I suppose so.
But I really can't imagine
anyone being interested
in my room.
It's not the way I'd like it.
I'd like to have it all white.
Yellow and white.
Might as well let him
work in peace.
Besides, I'd like
to talk to you.
You know, your picking us
as an average family
gave me a funny feeling.
- What kind of a funny feeling?
- Oh, I don't know.
I guess I don't like
to be and average girl
in an average family.
Average families
are the best. Look at me.
I'm from an average family.
As average as ours?
Sure. Besides,
I don't think
you're average.
Oh, that's because
you see me now
instead of a few days ago.
I was in the dumps,
and then Uncle Charlie came
and everything changed.
But your mother said
he only got here last night.
Maybe you just think...
I don't think. I know.
Funny, but when I try to think
of how I feel, I always
come back to Uncle Charlie.
Are you trying to tell me
I shouldn't think
he's so wonderful?
Oh, no. I...
[Emmy]
Mr. Saunders?
I'm ready with the eggs.
I hope Mr. Saunders
doesn't move anything in there.
My uncle's awfully neat
and fussy.
Saunders is neat and fussy too.
[Footsteps]
- Is this your uncle
you were telling us about?
- Yes, it is.
Now, for one of the hall.
[Shutter Clicks]
[Charlie] Mr. Saunders has
been taking pictures of my room.
My sister told me
to remind you
about eggs and a cake.
I don't like to be photographed.
I'll have to ask you
for the film.
Oh, Uncle Charlie.
Give it to me, please.
Give it to him, Fred.
That's too bad.
There's a picture
of Mrs. Newton on this film.
- Excuse me.
- [Emmy] Mr. Saunders,
I'm ready to fold in the eggs.
I can't let them stand
another minute.
[Saunders]
That was my last roll of film.
Oh.
Mr. Saunders took
Uncle Charlie's picture
by mistake...
and Uncle Charlie made him
give him back the roll.
He wasn't joking
about not wanting
to be photographed.
We didn't want
to start
a family feud.
I'll get you
making the cake
again tomorrow.
I won't be
making a cake
again tomorrow.
I want to help an important
work, but I cannot
go on making cakes.
You have helped,
Mrs. Newton.
And now I'd like
to ask another favor.
Could I borrow your daughter
for this evening? I'd like
to look around the town.
Ann?
Charlie.
Ann would be better.
Ann knows everything
about everybody.
Charlie.
Well, if, uh,
Charlie doesn't mind.
- I don't mind.
- Swell.
Good-bye, then,
Mrs. Newton.
Good-bye.
Half past 6:00?
Half past 6:00.
Okay. Good-bye.
Bye. Bye, Mr. Saunders.
Bye.
Good-bye.
He seems like
a nice young man.
But I thought you were
going to the movies
with Catherine.
Oh, I'll tell her
I don't feel well
or something.
[Traffic Noises]
[Both Laughing]
Hello, Charlie.
Well... hello, Catherine.
Hello, Shirley.
Hello.
This is Jack Graham.
He's in town.
[Together]
How do you do?
Hello.
How's your throat, Charlie?
Oh, much better.
Thank you.
Bill Forest was
asking about you.
Oh. Bill Forest?
[Embarrassed Chuckle]
Well, uh... good-bye.
Bye.
Good-bye.
Bye.
[Both Laughing]
I know
what you are, really.
You're a detective.
There's something the matter
and you're a detective.
Charlie, listen.
I don't want to listen.
Why, you're not
on a survey at all.
You lied to us.
You lied to Mother.
You just wanted to get
in our house. Police.
That's what it is.
What do you want with us?
What are you doing around here
lying to us?
Look, Charlie,
you've got to listen to me.
You've got to trust me.
When you've done
nothing but lie?
And you probably didn't want
to take me out at all
the way I thought.
You just wanted to ask me
a lot of questions.
Have I asked you
a lot of questions?
Have I?
All right,
I'm a detective.
A pretty bad one.
Now, won't you even
listen to me?
Why should I
when you lied to me?
I had to.
When I came here
to find a man,
I hadn't counted on you.
I hadn't counted on your mother
or your family.
Find a man? What man?
There's a man loose
in this country.
We're after him.
We don't know much.
We don't even know
what he looks like.
Charlie, think.
How much do you know
about your uncle?
Why, he's my mother's
brother. What's he got
to do with it?
This man we want
may be your uncle.
Oh, I don't believe you.
Go away and leave me alone.
We're after one man.
Your uncle may be that man.
But in the East,
there's another man
who's being hunted, too,
through Massachusetts
and into Maine;
he may be the one.
My uncle hasn't
done anything.
He knows it would kill
my mother if he did.
He's her younger brother,
just like Roger is mine.
Why don't they arrest
that man in the East?
Why don't you go away
and leave us alone?
Charlie, when we were
eating tonight and talking
about our folks...
and what we'd done and how
we felt, we were like
two ordinary people.
We'd been brought up
about the same.
You liked me
and I liked you.
Oh, it doesn't matter now.
What do you mean,
"it doesn't matter"?
It's the only thing that does.
If it weren't for you,
you don't think I'd care...
how or where I caught up
with your uncle, do you?
Because if he's the guy,
I'm going to catch up with him.
Remember that.
And you're going to keep
your mouth shut.
You're going to keep
your mouth shut because
you're such a nice girl...
you'd help if you knew
your uncle was the man
we wanted.
I wouldn't help you.
And I know you would.
And I'm trying
to make it easier for you.
If your uncle's the man
we want, we'll get him
out of town quietly.
We won't arrest him here.
Arrest him here in town?
With Mother?
I'm trying to tell you
we won't.
- Please, Charlie.
- I won't say anything.
Oh, take me home!
[Clock Bell Tolling]
Good night, Charlie.
It's going to be funny
when you find out
you're wrong.
Good night.
[Engine Starts]
[Car Departs]
Hello, Charlie.
Home already?
Oh, yes, Dad.
It's so nice out, I thought
I'd get a breath of air
before I went to bed.
Well, you better run in.
Your Uncle Charlie's
been asking about you.
I think I'll just go up
the back way.
I-I'm tired and I don't
feel like talking.
All right.
Suit yourself.
Take care of yourself.
Mm-hmm.
Good night, Herb.
Good night, Charlie.
Good night, Charlie.
What were we saying, Herb?
Did I notice what?
Well, did you taste
anything funny...
about that coffee you had
at my house this evening?
No.
It tasted all right.
That's what I mean.
It wasn't all right.
Put something in it?
Put a little soda.
About the same amount
that I'd have used
if I'd wanted to use poison.
Well, you don't say.
I never tasted a thing.
Of course, I might not
notice the soda.
You'd notice the soda more
than you would the poison.
[Scoffs]
For all you knew, you might
just as well be dead now.
[Rustling]
Aren't you
asleep yet, Ann?
Uh-uh.
Charlotte,
what are you doing?
Oh, I'm just looking
for a recipe
I thought I saw,
but it's just
so torn up...
They have papers
in the "libarry."
New ones and old ones.
Miss Corcoran
will get them out for you.
She won't even notice
if you cut out
a little, bitty recipe.
Oh, it's not
that important.
What time does
the library close?
If you read as much
as you should, you'd know
it closes at 9:00.
Oh, well.
If I think about it,
maybe I'll go tomorrow.
You really ought
to go to sleep, Ann.
[Tires Screeching]
Get back there!
Get back! Get back!
[Blows Whistle]
Just a moment, Charlie.
What do you think
I am out here for?
Oh, I'm sorry,
Mr. Norton.
All right. Go ahead.
[Clock Bell Tolling]
[Whispers]
Oh! Miss Corcoran,
please let me in!
Oh, please!
Oh, thank you.
Really, Charlie.
You know as well as I do
the library closes at 9:00.
If I make one exception,
I'll have to make
a thousand.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Corcoran,
but there is something
in the paper I've got to see.
I'm surprised
at you, Charlie.
No consideration.
Oh, I'll only be a minute.
You've got all day,
Charlie, to come here.
I don't know why you want
to rush in here tonight
like a madwoman.
I'll give you
just three minutes.
[Whispering]
Can't be anything really awful.
I'll prove to him it isn't.
Page three...
## [Waltz]
Hello.
Where's Charlie?
She's still asleep.
I don't want to wake her.
[Clock Bell Tolling]
Charlie still asleep?
No, she just woke up.
I shouldn't have let her sleep
so long, but she needed it.
She doesn't look quite herself.
She'll be down for dinner.
[Door Creaking]
Mother, let me finish
mashing those.
I'll fix the rest of dinner
and get it on the table.
You go talk to
Uncle Charlie.
How do you feel?
Fine.
I must have been tired.
I slept like a log.
Uncle Charlie was
asking for you again.
He's fond of you.
And that nice young man
came twice to ask after you.
I told him you were asleep.
## [Humming]
I'm rested now and ready for
anything. Is the gravy made?
Now you're humming that waltz.
Please don't hum
that tune anymore.
## [Stops]
I've just got it out of my head
and don't want it started again.
And don't keep getting up
every few minutes.
You just sit there
and be a real lady.
All right, if you say so,
but at least I can
carry in the soup.
Roger, wash your hands!
Joe. Charles. Dinner.
Mama.
Ann, I told you
not to put things
behind your ears.
And don't whisper. Anyone
could hear you a block away.
May I sit by you at the table?
By me?
I should think you'd want
to sit by Uncle Charlie.
[Ann]
No, I want to sit by you.
Why do you want to change?
Mother, let her change
if she wants to.
Roger doesn't mind.
No, certainly not.
Uncle Charlie might think...
No, certainly not.
Mother, let her change.
All right, but Ann has
too many foolish ideas.
Go in the dining room,
both of you.
What's going on here?
Have I lost my little girl?
Roger wanted
to sit next to you,
and I thought it would be nice
if the children took turns.
I never...
Never what, Roger?
Nothing.
Come, Ann.
Come and help me.
Joe!
I brought it in by mistake.
Nothing special in it.
Want to look at
the headlines, Charles?
Thank you, Joe.
[Emmy]
Roger, don't make
so much noise with your soup.
[Ann] If he holds his lips
close together, he could draw it
carefully, same as a horse.
[Emmy] Don't be disgusting.
[Roger]
May I dip my bread in it?
[Joe] Where's Charlie?
[Emmy]
She wanted to serve the dinner.
She'll be in in a minute.
[Uncle Charlie]
You're right, Joe.
Nothing special tonight.
Oh, here she is!
Here's my girl.
I wonder how many
hours you slept.
If you could tell me
the exact minute
you went to sleep,
the exact minute you woke up,
if you woke up in between...
and how long
you stayed awake
each time you woke up,
then I could
tell you exactly...
You won't sleep tonight.
Nobody who sleeps all day
can sleep all night.
I slept all right,
and I kept dreaming...
perfect nightmares
about you, Uncle Charlie.
Nightmares about me?
You were on a train,
running away from something...
and when I saw you on the train,
I felt terribly happy.
How could you feel happy
seeing Uncle Charlie
on a train?
I don't want to see him
on a train. I hope
he stays here forever.
Well, he has to leave sometime.
We have to face the facts.
I like people
who face facts.
Well, we're not going
to face any such
facts as those.
Oh, Ann, would you like
to see the funnies?
I'm too old for funnies.
I read two books a week.
I took a sacred oath I would.
Besides, no one's allowed
to read at the table.
It isn't polite.
Don't correct
your elders!
She's right, Emmy. I'm
forgetting my manners.
Joe, I'm going to blame
this paper on you.
Roger, go to the icebox
and bring me a big red bottle
you'll find there.
You can throw the paper away.
Dad's read it, you've read it.
We don't need to play any
games with it tonight.
[Emmy]
Ann, you can help Charlie
carry in the vegetables.
[Emmy]
I saw that bottle
when I was getting dinner.
You know what St. Paul said:
"Take a little wine
for thy stomach's sake."
Wine for dinner...
Sounds so gay!
Remember the time they
had the champagne when the
oldest Jones girl got married?
This is sparkling burgundy.
One sip and I'll be calling it
"sparkling burgledy."
[Emmy]
Maybe I'd better
not take any.
Oh... imported.
Imported Frankie
and his tweeds?
And his loaded cane.
His loaded everything!
[Emmy, Uncle Charlie
Laughing]
[Emmy]
Roger, go get four of
the small glasses with stems.
Charles, I promised Mrs. Greene,
the president of our club,
that you'd talk to the ladies.
What am I going to talk about?
Lecturers usually give travel
or current events.
Oh, not current events.
We get current events.
[Uncle Charlie]
What sort of an
audience will it be?
[Cork Popping]
Oh, women like myself.
Busy with our homes, most of us.
Women keep busy
in towns like this.
In the cities it's different:
middle-aged widows,
husbands dead;
husbands who've spent
their lives making fortunes,
working and working,
and then they die and leave
their money to their wives...
their silly wives.
And what do the wives do,
these useless women?
You see them in the best hotels
every day by the thousands;
drinking the money,
eating the money,
losing the money at bridge,
playing all day and all night,
smelling of money.
Proud of their jewelry,
but of nothing else.
Horrible, faded, fat,
greedy women.
[Charlie]
But they're alive!
They're human beings!
Are they?
Are they, Charlie?
Are they human or are they fat,
wheezing animals? Hmm?
And what happens to animals when
they get too fat and too old?
Well, I seem to be making
my speech right here.
Don't talk about women
like that in front of my club!
You'll be tarred and feathered.
And that nice Mrs. Potter's
going to be there too.
She was asking me about you.
The Greenes are bringing her
here to the party I'm having
for you after the lecture.
Joe, it's Herbert.
[Quietly]
He always comes
when we're eating.
[Place Setting Clanging]
Good evening,
Mrs. Newton.
Good evening,
Mr. Oakley.
Good evening.
[Emmy]
Well, Herb,
how's your mother?
Oh, she's just middling.
Had your dinner?
Oh, I had mine
an hour ago.
You folks are getting
pretty stylish. Having
dinner later every evening.
[Joe]
Ha ha!
Joe.
Huh?
Joe, I-I picked some
mushrooms before dinner.
You don't say.
Mushrooms mean anything
to you, Joe?
I eat 'em on my steak when
I'm out and the meat's not
good enough as 'tis.
If I brought you
some mushrooms,
would you eat 'em?
Suppose I would.
Why?
Then I've got it, you see?
The worst I'd be accused of
would be manslaughter.
Doubt if I'd get that.
Accidental death,
pure and simple.
A basket of good
mushrooms and...
two or three poisonous ones.
No, no. Innocent
party might get
the poisonous ones.
I thought of
something better
when I was shaving.
A bath tub.
Pull the legs out from
under you, hold you down.
It's been done,
but it's still good.
[Charlie]
Oh, what's the matter
with you two?
Do you always have to
talk about killing people?
We're not talking about
killing people.
Herb's talking about
killing me, and I'm
talking about killing him.
It's your father's
way of relaxing.
Can't he find some
other way to relax?
Can't we have a little peace
and quiet here without dragging
in poisons all the time?
[Emmy]
Charlie! She doesn't make
sense talking like that.
I'm worried about her.
Roger, bring her back.
I'll go. You stay
and finish dinner.
I'll catch up with her.
[Emmy]
What's wrong with her?
[Officer Blows Whistle]
Excuse me, Mr. Norton
You're always running
along the street at night.
Say, where were you going
in such a hurry last night?
Just doing an errand.
Is this gentleman your uncle
I've heard so much about?
Yes.
Uncle Charlie, Mr. Norton.
Glad to know you.
What's the name?
Oakley. Charles Oakley.
Nice to meet you.
Better keep your eye on your
niece. I'll have to give her
a ticket for speeding.
City ordinance about running
along these sidewalks.
Hear that, Charlie?
Don't want to break the law.
I'll take care of her.
Good night.
What's the matter, Charlie?
What's wrong?
I want to talk to you.
You're hurting
my arm again.
Come in here with me.
I can't. I've never been
in a place like this.
Go on in.
Why'd you bring me here?
What does it matter
where we are?
Hello, Charlie.
Hello.
Hello, Louise.
Uncle Charlie,
Louise Finch.
Hello.
This is my uncle.
I was in Charlie's
class in school.
I sure was surprised to
see you come in. I never
thought I'd see you here.
I been here two weeks.
Lost my job over at Kern's.
I've been in half the
restaurants in town.
What'll you have, Charlie?
Nothing, thank you.
Bring her some ginger ale.
I'll have a double brandy.
Well, Charlie.
Well?
Think you know something,
don't you? That young
fellow told you something.
Jack? Why should he
know anything about you?
Now look, Charlie.
Something's come between us.
I don't want that to happen.
Why, we're old friends.
More than that...
We're like twins.
You said so yourself.
Don't touch me,
Uncle Charlie.
What did that
boy tell you?
He's got nothing to do with it.
I hope he never knows
anything about you.
Charlie, you're a pretty
understanding sort of girl.
If you've heard some
little things about me,
I guess you're
a woman of the world
enough to overlook them.
You're the head of
your family, Charlie.
Anyone can see that.
I'm not so old. I've been
chasing around the globe
since I was sixteen.
I guess I've done some
pretty foolish things; :
made some pretty
foolish mistakes.
Nothing serious.
Just... foolish.
[Chuckles]
Oh, Charlie,
now, don't start
imagining things.
How could you do such things?
You're my uncle.
My mother's brother.
We thought you were
the most wonderful
man in the world.
- The most wonderful
and the best.
- Charlie, what do you know?
I'm sorry I was so long.
We're awful busy.
Whose is it?
Ain't it beautiful?
I'd just die for
a ring like that.
Yes sir, for a ring like
that, I'd just about die.
I love jewelry...
real jewelry.
Notice I didn't even have
to ask if it was real.
You can tell.
I can.
Bring me
another brandy.
Sit down.
Sit down!
You think you know
something, don't you?
You think you're the
clever little girl who
knows something.
There's so much you
don't know. So much.
What do you
know really?
You're just an ordinary
little girl living in
an ordinary little town.
You wake up every morning and
know perfectly there's nothing
in the world to trouble you.
You go through your
ordinary little day...
and at night, you sleep your
untroubled ordinary sleep filled
with peaceful, stupid dreams.
And I brought you
nightmares.
Or did I? Or was it a
silly inexpert little lie?
You live in a dream.
You're a sleepwalker...
blind.
How do you know what
the world is like?
Do you know the world
is a foul sty?
Do you know if you ripped
the fronts off houses,
you'd find swine?
The world's a hell.
What does it matter
what happens in it?
Wake up, Charlie.
Use your wits.
Learn something!
You goin', Charlie?
[Raucous Laughter]
Charlie, will you
help me?
Help you?
The same blood flows through
our veins, Charlie. A week ago,
I was at the end of my rope.
Oh, I'm so tired.
There's an end to
the running a man can do.
You'll never know what
it's like to be so tired.
I was going to...
Well... then I got the idea
of coming out here.
It's my last chance, Charlie.
Give it to me.
Graham and the other fellow,
they don't know.
There's a man in the east.
They suspect him, too.
And if they get him, I'll...
Charlie, give me
this last chance.
Take your chance.
Go!
I'll go, Charlie.
Just give me a few days.
Think of your mother.
It'll kill your mother.
Yes, it would
kill my mother.
Take your few days.
See that you get
away from here.
You realize
what it'll mean
if they get me?
The electric chair.
[Sobs]
Charlie, you've
got to help me.
I count on you.
You said yourself we're no
ordinary uncle and niece,
no matter what I've done.
You go in.
I'll be in
in a minute.
[Uncle Charlie]
East, west, home's best.
[Emmy] Where's Charlie?
She's outside.
Don't worry about her.
What was the matter?
She was a little edgy.
I persuaded her to go for
a walk. She's calmed down now.
I'm so glad. I've saved
dessert for you, Charles.
We had an ice-cream soda.
[Joe] Oops-a-daisy!
Off to bed you go!
[Ann Giggling]
[Sobbing]
## [Pipe Organ]
[Indistinct Arguing]
[Emmy]
Roger, come here!
No!
There's my girl.
Psst! Ann!
Hello! You must be trying
to hide or something.
We're not hiding.
People who are hiding
always say "psst."
We just don't want
to yell on Sunday.
Look, Ann.
Ask your sister to run over here
for a minute. Just ask her
quietly. We'll wait here.
Did my father and your
father have a feud?
My father?
Because if they didn't,
there's no sense in my
asking Charlotte quietly.
Mama won't care. She
thinks girls ought to
marry and settle down.
In a book I'm reading...
Just ask her, Ann.
Don't be literary.
All right.
Remember, I'm doing
all the talking.
[Charlie]
Hello.
Hello.
Hello, Catherine.
Good morning, Mr. Graham.
Catherine, this is
Mr. Saunders.
How do you do?
How do you do?
Ann says you want
to speak to me.
Saunders
wants to speak to you.
Come on, Ann. Tell Catherine
the story of Dracula.
Come on, Catherine.
What do you want?
Let them get a
little bit ahead.
I, uh, want to tell you about
that photograph we took.
The one of your uncle?
You gave it back to him.
He probably burned it.
Not that one he hasn't.
We gave him
the wrong film.
We got the picture
all right.
We wired it east.
They've got witnesses
can identify the man we want
from that picture.
What do you mean,
identify him?
Just what I said.
The minute the witnesses see
that picture, we'll know
whether Oakley's the man.
We're waiting for the wire now.
And then Uncle Charlie will be...
That's right.
That's the way it is.
Graham thought you could get
your uncle to leave town now.
It would be better for...
I've got to, haven't I?
I've got to! What's the
most time you'll give me?
Two hours.
I'll make him leave!
You seem pretty sure
he's the man we want.
Why?
No reason why.
I'm just scared.
You're the ones who seem sure.
It's just that I can't stand
for anything to happen here.
You know what he's done?
No, I don't want
to hear!
Well, I want you
to get this.
We're really doing you a favor.
If you know anything more about
your uncle, let's have it!
We also want to know
when and how he leaves town.
If you hold out on us...
I won't.
I'll tell you.
[Ann]
Step on a crack,
you'll break your mother's back.
I wish I knew we
could trust you.
I won't do anything
to help him, I promise.
But you can't ask me
to spy on him.
We've made a bargain.
I'll get him to leave.
That's all I'll do.
Think, Charlie.
The man's dangerous.
If he gets away from us...
I don't want to hear
what he'll do. We've made
a bargain. I'll keep it.
I'll let you know
when he leaves.
Funny if he turned out
to be the wrong man.
Could be.
Ann.
I broke my mother's
back three times.
Not bad. You didn't finish
telling me whether Miss Rose
married the rich guy...
or the one she was in love with.
How long have you two
been so friendly?
Oh, we play games.
I ask questions. She
knows all the answers.
The only trouble is
I can't make out
what she's making up.
I never make up anything.
I get everything from my
books. They're all true.
Come on, Ann. We'd better
get home and help
with dinner. Good-bye.
Good-bye.
Good-bye, Mr. Graham.
Mr. Saunders.
Good-bye, Catherine.
Come on, Catherine.
Why don't you pick some
flowers for the dinner table?
Simple flowers are the best.
I didn't ask for orchids.
[Ann] I wish I'd
been born in the South.
Southern women have a lot
of charm. They pick
flowers with gloves on.
Good-bye, Catherine.
Good-bye, Charlie.
See you after dinner.
Bye.
- Hello, Ann.
- Hello.
How was church, Charlie?
Did you count the house?
Turn anybody away?
No, room enough
for everyone.
I'm glad to hear that.
Show's been running such
a long time, I thought maybe
attendance might be falling off.
Anything special on
the noon broadcast?
A fellow said they caught
that other fellow...
the Merry Widow Murderer.
They did, did they?
Where?
State of Maine. Portland.
Didn't catch him exactly.
He was running away
from the police,
and they were just about to nab
him, at the airport, and he ran
into the propeller of a plane.
Ooh, boy!
Cut him all to pieces. Had
to identify him by his clothes.
His shirts were all initialed,
"C," "O," apostrophe "H."
Well, makes a good ending.
Couldn't have done
better myself.
I guess that closes
that case pretty final.
Sure does. Never cared
much for that case.
Well, I think I'll go get
ready for dinner. I'm hungry.
I can eat a good dinner today.
Charlie, I have
great news for you.
Where can we talk alone?
We got a wire from Maine,
so we can call off the job.
I'll bet you're relieved. I am.
Oh, I am relieved.
Here you were trying to get
your uncle out of town. He must
have thought you were crazy.
Now that it's over, I don't
want to talk about it anymore.
I'd like to pretend the whole
dreadful thing never happened.
There's nothing
to pretend about.
There's mother's gloves.
Mother and her gloves.
She's always losing things.
All mothers lose things.
Someday, she'll be losing you.
Mothers don't
lose daughters,
they gain sons.
That's right. But gain
isn't always the word.
Now take me.
Who'd want a detective
for a son-in-law?
My father would.
He would?
If you said to him, "Father,
I'm going to marry a detective,"
he wouldn't disown you?
It wouldn't
have to be me.
There's Ann.
No, Ann wants to marry
a librarian. She told me.
So she'll always have plenty
of books around to read.
[Laughing]
What's the matter?
I was laughing.
It's been so long
since I laughed.
I like it
when you laugh.
I like it when you don't.
I guess I like you
whatever you do.
I guess I like you.
I'm glad.
I like you too.
Funny how you happen to meet
someone and like them and...
like them.
Mm-hmm.
Charlie?
Yes?
I suppose it couldn't ever
really happen some day that
you'd tell your father...
You know, about
marrying someone...
a detective, I mean.
I don't know.
I didn't mean
to tell you.
I wanted to wait until you'd
forgotten all the mess we've
been through together;
'til you could stop
thinking of me as something
unpleasant and frightening.
I wanted to wait and come back
and then tell you.
But I can't help it.
I want to tell you now.
I love you, Charlie.
I love you terribly.
I know it's no time
to tell you now and
I'm sorry. Do you mind?
I don't mind.
Do you think you
could think about it?
About your
loving me?
And perhaps your
loving me.
I-I'd like us to be
friends. I know that.
We are friends.
I'd like to have
that to think about.
Nothing more?
I don't know, Jack.
I... just don't know yet.
All right.
But I may
come back?
Oh, please come back.
Please come back.
Listen, Charlie.
When I go,
go back to that square
in the middle of town.
Take a good look at it.
That's where I first knew
I loved you.
That's where we had the fight.
I didn't know what to do.
I like my job, but I
didn't like it that night.
I hated it
that night.
You hate it now?
No, not now.
You know, this is a swell
place. I'm going to put
a bronze plaque up there.
[Door Creaks,
Slams Shut]
That door's always
banging shut!
Ohh! Dig!
Uh!
What are you two
locking yourselves
in the garage for?
When I was young,
we sat in the parlor.
Hello, Mr. Oakley.
I was saying
good-bye to Charlie.
In the garage?
The door got stuck.
Now I'll have to say
good-bye to you.
Let's say good-bye out here
on the lawn. No use taking
a chance on the garage.
- Finished here?
- All finished,
but I'll be back.
You'll be
seeing me around.
Oh?
Not on business,
though.
I can understand
you coming back.
Charlie's a fine girl.
She's the thing
I love most in the world.
I mean it.
Have a nice trip,
Mr. Graham.
And don't take
any more photographs
without permission.
Rights of man.
You know, freedom?
We'll have a talk
about freedom some day,
Mr. Oakley.
Bye.
Good-bye.
[Car Door Slams]
Don't forget to write.
Remember, you have the addresses.
Mm-hmm.
Jack!
Anything else? I've got
butter, fruit, green thread
and go to the library.
And whatever vegetable looks
freshest. If I've forgotten
anything, I'll send Ann later.
All right.
[Board Cracking]
Mother!
Charlie! Darling!
Are you hurt?
I tripped.
Oh, what is it?
Is it your ankle?
I don't think I'm hurt.
I grabbed the bannister.
Oh, darling. You
might have been killed!
I worry myself sick every time
one of the children
come down these stairs.
They're too steep and rickety.
They ought to be fixed.
Are you sure
you're all right?
[Footsteps]
When are you leaving,
Uncle Charlie?
Oh, come now, Charlie.
That other business, it's all
over. I'd like to forget it.
We're all happy here.
When are you leaving?
I'm not going,
you see.
Not yet.
I'm not going.
I want to settle down. Live in
a place where people know me.
Have some money in the bank.
Some sort of business.
Be a part of this family.
I see.
The most sensible
thing for you to do
is to be friends with me.
I can do a lot
for you, Charlie.
For all of you.
No, not you.
We don't want
anything from you.
I wish I'd told
my mother about you.
I know
what you've been thinking.
How do you think your
mother would have felt?
What would it do to her now?
How about your father?
His job at the bank?
What would become
of all of you
if everything came out?
You needn't be afraid.
I can't tell them.
But I'm not afraid.
What would you tell?
Who'd believe you?
A waltz runs
through your head.
You don't like the initials
on a ring and connect it all
up with a newspaper clipping.
You haven't even got the ring.
I don't know what became of it.
You have it.
I?
I gave it to you.
I don't want you here,
Uncle Charlie. I don't want
you to touch my mother.
So go away...
I'm warning you. Go away,
or I'll kill you myself.
See? That's the way
I feel about you.
Here you are, Joe.
Oh, perfume.
Just the nice, fresh,
clean smell of lavender.
Yeah, I know.
You look very handsome,
both of you. I'm pretty proud
of the two men in my family.
Emmy, you're a dream.
It's a shame the children
have to sit on our laps.
It's going to be a
tight squeeze. It won't
do my pants any good.
[Emmy] Joe, I wish
you could drive.
[Joe] We do it this way:
Charles, you'll sit...
Uncle Charlie can
sit in back with Dad...
and the children can
fit in beside them.
[Uncle Charlie] Nonsense.
I'm getting a cab.
You all go in the taxi...
Charlie and I'll go in the car.
No, Uncle Charlie,
you go in the taxi.
I want to ride in the taxi!
Course you do.
So it's all arranged.
Charlie, run out to
the garage and get the car.
I'd rather drive the family.
I want you to hear
my speech on the way.
You're my severest critic.
[Emmy]
Anyway, we need a taxi.
Ann, go call Mr. Abercrombie.
[Charlie Whispering]
Mother!
Mother, please ride with me.
Father can take the children.
Please!
[Car Motor Running]
[Coughing]
[Coughing]
[Coughing]
[Joe] Bet I'll be the only
man outside of Charles fool
enough to dress up like this.
[Emmy] Then you'll be the
only other one to be correct.
You look very distinguished.
Charles, are you all ready?
Joe, are you?
Wait a minute!
I've got to
get my overcoat.
Please, dear.
Hurry!
Take your time, Emmy.
They can't start
'til I get there.
It's getting
chilly in here.
[Radio Announcer]
KSRO, Santa Rosa,
with studios in Vallejo
and Santa Rosa, California.
May as well have
a little music
while we wait.
Oregon State Police pressed
their search today for five...
[Changes Station]
## [Orchestra]
Oh! Does it have
to be so loud?
##
Gets the lower
tones better.
##
I like it loud!
If music's too soft, I can't
tell what they're playing!
##
If I have a band,
I'm a-least have 87 men.
## [Continues]
Help, everybody!
Somebody's caught in the garage.
They're suffocating!
There's something
the matter with the door.
Joe!
I'll take her.
I've got her.
Joe, there's a bottle
of whiskey on my bureau.
Get it quick.
Charlie. Charlie.
Dear Charlie.
Charlie?
Emmy, rub her feet.
Roger, run get something
to fan her with.
Charlie!
[Emmy]
Ann, don't, dear.
[Moans]
Charlie? What are you
trying to say, Charlie?
Go away.
Go away.
[Uncle Charlie]
Emmy, she wants you.
I'm here, darling.
Here's mother.
That's right, my baby.
That's right,
my brave little girl.
Here...
Take a little
sip of this.
No...
I'm alright.
Joe, call Dr. Phillips.
No, I'm all right.
I just want to get up.
You had a wonderful escape,
Charlie. Someone must have
left the motor running.
I couldn't find the key to turn
it off.
The key was there
when I went in.
Lucky thing I passed by.
She might have died.
You saved her.
You knew just what to do.
- Don't know how I happened
to come across that way.
- We'll put the lecture off.
Oh, yes, there is.
I want you all to go.
There's the cab now.
Oh, I couldn't.
I just couldn't go.
Wh-Who found me
in the garage?
[Joe]
Herb heard you
beating on the door.
I was coming across the backyard
and I heard this gaspin'
and beatin'on the door.
I figured there must be
a human bein' in there.
Quick thinking,
Herb.
Lucky thing.
I'm glad you happened
to be going by, Herb.
Come on, Mother.
I-I want to
stay with you.
I don't feel like making a
speech now. When I think what
might have happened to Charlie.
I'm all right. I just
want to sit on the porch
a while and get the air.
No, darling,
I won't hear of it.
I'm all right, really.
I'd rather stay home and get
things ready for the party.
Darling, I want
to stay with you.
Herb, will you take Roger?
Ann, you come with us.
[Car Starts]
I just don't understand it.
First the stairs and...
Mr. Graham isn't there?
[Sighing]
This is the Hotel Stewart
in Fresno, isn't it?
And you don't expect him?
I see. Thank you.
He isn't there?
Thank you very much.
Good-bye.
Can you tell me
where I can reach him?
I've already tried
to get him at the address
he gave me in Fresno.
Thank you.
[Indistinct Chattering]
Mom, may we have
some sandwiches?
Don't take anything
from the dining room.
Go in the kitchen.
Please go away.
And just leave
your coats...
Joe, dear, will you
take care of everyone?
Charlie!
I'll be right down.
[Herb]
Well... now... hmm.
Now, now, Mr. Oakley.
I thought champagne was
only for battleships.
None for me and none, I'm sure,
for my wife. But we hope
you'll all forget we're here.
I'd like to propose a
toast to... Isn't
Charlie coming down?
She'll be down
in a moment.
Mrs. Potter.
Don't take that one. I don't
know why I make tomato. They
always soak through the bread.
Try one of these. It's just
whole wheat bread and cream
cheese. Paprika makes it pink.
[Uncle Charlie] Mr. Greene.
Mrs. Greene, what
would you like?
Thank you.
I think I'd like to
propose a toast, too.
Emmy.
To our distinguished visitor,
The man who's made the best
speech heard in town for years.
To that
very good fellow,
Mr. Oakley.
Herbie.
Thank you.
[Mr. Greene]
We don't get many
American speakers.
Seems like foreigners
make the best talkers.
Ah, here she is.
Now for my toast.
Charlie...
you're just in time
for a farewell toast.
I hate to break the news
to you like this, but tomorrow
I must leave Santa Rosa.
Not forever.
If that isn't
thre strangest coincidence.
[Mrs. Potter] I was planning
to go to San Francisco tomorrow.
Charles.
Oh, Emmy darling,
I didn't mean to
spoil your fun tonight.
I got a letter today.
I have to catch
the early morning train.
I'll miss you, Emmy.
But I want you all to know
that I'll always think
of this lovely town...
as a place of hospitality
and kindness...
and homes... homes.
- But I can't bear it
if you go, Charles.
- Oh, Emmy, I'll be back.
I've arranged with
Dr. Phillips for our little
memorial for the children.
It isn't any
of the things you've done.
It's just the idea that
we were together again.
I'm sorry!
But you see, we were
so close growing up.
And then Charles went away,
and I got married, and...
Then you know how it is.
You sort of forget you're you.
You're your husband's wife...
We'll be looking for you.
We feel you're one of us,
don't we, Margaret?
Indeed. I want to thank
you on behalf of our club.
And bless you for your
gift to our hospital.
The children will bless you,
too, in the years to come.
Thank you, sir.
[Steam Whistle Blowing]
Excuse me, sir, but I-I can
hear the train coming now.
Excuse me.
[Train Getting Louder]
Better get aboard,
Charles.
All right. Good-bye,
everybody. Roger, Ann,
come see the train.
Come on, Charlie.
You can see
they get off.
All right.
[Roger]
I want to see the rooms,
the private ones.
I've seen berths.
I've slept in two uppers
and one lower with Papa.
Good-bye, Joe.
Good-bye, Charles.
Good-bye, Emmy.
Good-bye. And don't
forget to write!
I will. You write too.
I'll send you my address.
Good-bye.
Don't jump on
the seats, Roger.
Roger, what
did I tell you?
Porter, there's one more bag.
It got taken into the other car.
Will you get it please?
Charlie, the train's
going to start. I don't
want to get carried away.
Maybe it's too late!
Maybe I'll have to go along!
There's plenty of time.
You run along, we'll follow.
Charlie.
Just a minute.
I want you to know
I think you were right
to make me leave.
It's best for your mother.
Best for all of us.
You saw what happened
to her last night.
She's not very strong,
you know. I don't think
she could stand the shock.
I remember once when
she was a little girl...
The train's moving!
Listen, Charlie. I want you to
forget all about me. Forget
that I ever came to Santa Rosa.
Your hands!
Let me go,
Uncle Charlie!
Let me go!
I've got to do this,
Charlie...
so long as you know
what you do about me.
Not yet, Charlie.
Let it get a little faster.
Just a little faster.
Faster.
Now!
[Train Whistle]
##
## [Organ]
[Minister] Santa Rosa
has gained and lost a son; :
a son that she
can be proud of.
Brave, generous, kindly.
With all of
the splendid dignity...
I'm glad you were able to come,
Jack. I couldn't have faced it
without someone I knew.
I did know more.
I couldn't tell you.
I know.
He thought the world
was a horrible place.
He couldn't have been
very happy ever.
No.
He didn't trust people.
He seemed to hate them.
He hated
the whole world.
You know, he said
that people like us...
had no idea what the world
was really like.
Well, it's not quite
as bad as that,
but sometimes it needs
a lot of watching.
It seems to go crazy
every now and then.
Like your Uncle Charlie.
[Minister]... the beauty
of their souls, the sweetness
of their characters...
live on with us forever.