Original subtitles

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Howdy, I'’m the Old Ranger,

and Death Valley'’s my stampin'’ ground.

Many'’s a tale of adventure I'’m going to tell you

about the Death Valley country, true stories mind you.

I can vouch for that.

Tonight you'’re going to hear a tale of two cities

and about a girl who was transplanted

from one to the other.

Washington, D.C. and...

It is the year 1878,

Rutherford B. Hayes

is President of the United States,

and whirling through her first social season,

is Dodie Trumbull, the most popular,

the most publicized debutante in the nation'’s capital.

Small wonder that her beautiful young head

is slightly turned.

You dance very well, for a man from Nevada.

By the way, that'’s pronounced "Nev-a-da."

I noticed you give it the broad "ah."

I prefer it to a dreadful, flat "eh."

Only the dreadful, flat "eh" is correct.

Among the natives, perhaps.

I just thought you might like to know,

in case you go to Nevada.

[ chuckles ] I never expect to.

You might marry a man from Nevada.

When I can choose any other place in the world.

What made you do that?

Because you irritate me...

and because you'’re so beautiful.

You could such-such a person if you ever got out.

I am out.

I mean away from here.

You don'’t know anything but Washington.

You think it'’s the beginning of the end of everything.

Your attitude is absolutely provincial.

Well, you'’re a fine one to say that.

Congressman from the-the-the Sagebrush State.

Ah, here you are Miss Trumbull.

I believe this is my dance.

May I?

I'’m delighted to be rescued.

Monsieur.

Here'’s another one for Tuesday, the 17th.

That makes three receptions for that afternoon,

but of course, we can at least leave our cards at each of them.

More flowers for Miss Dodie.

Oh.

[ groans ] From Nigel Jarman.

Oh yes, that nice attaché at the British Embassy.

I thought it might be an apology from...

Put it in water, would you, Martha?

If you can find any more vases.

Yes, Miss Dodie.

DODIE: The New Year'’s Day Reception at the White House!

[ Mrs. Trumbull gasps ]

"The President and Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes

request the honor of your presence--"

In Carson City, Nevada.

Ray.Father.

My dear.

Just look at all the invitations

that have come today.

Oh, the next few weeks will be a veritable world.

Yes, it will indeed, because we'’re moving.

Moving?

To the house I love so much on Dupont Circle?

Oh, Ray!Oh Father, how wonderful.

It has twice the room for entertainment.

And it'’s a parlor, fashionable address.

Let'’s see, what is that number, dear?

Oh, i-it'’s--Now, wait a minute.

Oh, but not until after the holidays, dear.

I simply couldn'’t face a move with--

Please, may I get a word in here twice?

We'’re not moving to Dupont Circle.

Oh.Then where?

I have just been appointed Director of the Mint.

The Mint?

Father!

In Carson City, Nevada.

Carson City?

Nevada?

I take up my official duties there on January 2nd,

which means we'’ll be leaving here shortly.

Well, probably, oh, in the middle of December.

Sagebrush State.

Oh no, my dear. The Silver State.

It'’s a great honor that the administration

has seen fit to confer upon me.

An honor? It seems more to me

as if you'’re being shelved.

How did they happen to select you, Father?

Ooh, I really couldn'’t say.

A case of being recommended.

Some political wire-pulling, perhaps.

All I know is,

is that I'’m extremely happy and gratified.

Well, I don'’t even know where Carson City is?

My dear, it'’s the capital of a state.

The capital? Oh, well, then--

Smallest capital in the United States.

Oh, dear, no.

I learned that from their Congressman.

Oh, oh you met young Tabor?

I'’ve met him.

Well, now that'’s splendid

because I'’ve invited him here tomorrow night for dinner.

He can tell us all about our new home.

MRS. TRUMBULL: One of the things that worries me

is the servant problem.

Martha absolutely refuses to go with us.

Is there an employment agency in Carson City?

Oh I'’m afraid not Mrs. Trumbull,

but I think I have just the person for you.

She used to work for my mother.

As cook?And general factotum.

Well trained, is she? She knows what'’s what?

Oh, yes, Minnie knows what'’s what.

I'’ll write her if you like.

Oh, well, I'’ll have to interview her, of course,

before we could make any definite arrangements.

Minnie isn'’t the kind you interview, you just hire.

But I'’d want to know what she can do.

She can do anything and everything.

Ooh, sounds like a paragon to me,

go ahead, Mark, sign her up.

Well, it would simplify matters

to have someone there to help us settle.

Then if I found out she didn'’t work out,

I-I could let her go.You'’ll keep her.

Minnie is the best house servant in Nevada.

DODIE: Nevada.

Miss Dodie.

Good evening.How beautiful you look.

Won'’t you sit down?

Dodie is attending the cotillion this evening.

Oh? You won'’t be here?

I'’m making the most of what little time

I have left in Washington,

before we go into the wilderness.

Why, ma'’am, the holidays in Carson City

a might jolly, too. All kinds of goings on.

Such as straw rides, I suppose?

You like straw rides?I detest them.

Now, Dodie, when did you ever go on a straw ride?

Never, and I never intend to.

Why, ma'’am, they'’re really lots of fun,

bouncin'’ in the straw, singin'’,

holdin'’ hands.

W-What do you think, Dodie?

Mr. Tabor thinks he can supply us with a maid.

It'’s all settled.

If you'’re friends of mine, she'’ll be glad to work for you.

Oh, won'’t it be wonderful

to step off the train

in Carson City and have--

Excuse me, Mrs. Trumbull, did you say train?

Carson City isn'’t on a railroad.

The capital of the state, it-it--

It'’s a very small capital, up until a few years ago,

it was only a trading post.

How big?

Dear me, I had no idea.

The whole of Nevada has a population

of only half a person per square mile.

Half a person?

Mother, this is impossible.

We can'’t go off and bury ourselves in a place like that.

Father, can'’t you refuse the appointment?

My dear child, it'’s a political plum.

It'’s the end of everything as far as I'’m concerned.

I know who'’s responsible.

You flatter me, ma'’am, a mere Congressman.

Can'’t you and I stay here anyway, Mother?

My place is with your father, dear.

At least till the end of the season?

By that time, I--

You would'’ve found yourself a husband,

a foreign title perhaps?

She could, you know?

Your daughter could have her choice

of anybody in the world.

I'’ve been told so on the best of authority.

Dinner is served.

I'’ll wait in here until Colonel Carruthers calls for me.

Half a man to every square mile.

You'’re not even half a man.

I-- Excuse me.

I hope you have a very pleasant evening.

And so at the height of the social season,

that December of 1878,

the Trumbulls said goodbye to Washington

and started on the long journey West to Nevada.

It was the week after Christmas

when they arrived in Carson City,

and were deposited in front of the furnished house

that had been rented for them.

Well...

Not bad.

At least it'’s not an Indian teepee.

[ chuckles ]

Well, the door'’s open.

Good, then the house has been opened and aired.

[gasps] A bear.

My dear, it'’s only a rug.

But it'’s still a bear.

Hmm, not bad at all.

It will be like living in the zoo.

The young Tabor has done very well for us.

Please don'’t mention that man'’s name to me.

[ Mrs. Trumbull screaming ]

Ray, an Indian, in there.

I'’ll take care of it, dear.

Be careful. Oh, dear.

Me Minnie.

[ whispers] Minnie?

Well, this Mark Tabor'’s idea of a joke.

I'’ve never been so frightened in all of my life.

Of all of the despicable--

I wonder if she wears a feathered headdress

to serve dinner.Father, how can you laugh?

She'’s serving no dinners in this house, that'’s certain.

You'’re not going to keep her?

Well, hardly.Ray, I wouldn'’t have a quiet moment

with that-that redskin savage under the same roof.

If she worked for Mark'’s family--

Well, that doesn'’t prove anything.

He'’s a barbarian himself.

Well, I shall get rid of her immediately,

even if it means I have to do my own work, I'’ll--[ clattering ]

Me fix dinner.

Mother, why didn'’t you tell her?

Afraid she had a tomahawk?

Oh, Father, you'’re as bad as Mark.

It'’s never proper to serve notice on a servant

in the presence of others.

I shall speak to her in the kitchen.

Minnie?

Minnie?

How.Ooh.

Oh. I'’m very sorry, Minnie,

but we will not be needing your services.

If you tell me how much we owe you,

I'’ll see that you're paid and then you may--

[ sniffs ] You may--

Is that a pie in there?

[ grunts ]Well, leave it.

I'’ll take it out later, after you'’re gone.

We'’ll eat it tomorrow, perhaps.

We'’re going to the hotel tonight for dinner.

You eat dinner here.

No.

You tired.

Well yes, a little perhaps, but--

You go to hotel, must rest,

meet stranger,

talk, better you eat home.

You don'’t seem to understand, Minnie, I--

Very well, since you'’ve already made preparations,

you may serve dinner at seven.

You eat six o'’clock.We'’re in the habit

of dining at seven.

Maybe so in big Washington. This little Washington.

Little Washington?

You be ready six o'’clock.

Ooh, yes, yes, Minnie.

As maybe you'’ve already guessed,

Minnie didn'’t leave that evening.

After the meal she served them,

the Trumbull'’s decided--

[ sighs ] I'’ve never tasted such a pie.

If I had my way, I'’d never let Minnie go.

Then it might be wise to keep her, dear,

at least until after we'’re settled.

As long as no one sees her.

Well, she'’ll be in the kitchen, dear.

Suppose someone should drop in.

Who would? After all, we know no one in Carson yet.

But the next afternoon of that very mild winter,

Dodie discovered somebody she did know in Carson.

Wonderful country, isn'’t it, Nevada?

What are you doing here?

Home for the holidays.

There'’s no place like Carson City at Christmas time.

That'’s a matter of opinion.

I was just coming to pay my respects

and ask what size glove you wear.

Glove?

So I can buy you a pair at the New Year'’s Eve Ball.

Well, really?

You will do the honor of going with me, I hope.

Not if you were the last man on earth.

And as for my gloves, my father buys me all I need.

You don'’t understand.

Out here, when a man asks a woman to a dance--

I'’m not attending the dance.

Really a very nice affair.I'’m not interested.

Everybody who is anything will be there.

I can just imagine, women with babies,

Indians--

And speaking of Indians...How are you making out with Minnie?

You should be ashamed of yourself,

foisting off a creature like that on my mother.

Foisting?Suppose someone should come to the house and see her.

What kind of impression would they get of us? [ gasps ]

There goes someone now. Uh-oh, the governor'’s wife.

The governor'’s? Oh Mark, stop her.

T-T-Tell her we haven'’t arrived yet.

W-We'’re all out. We'’re sick.

We-we were dead.

[ stutters ] If she were to ring the doorbell and Minnie answers,

well, we'’re socially ruined.

Then you better hurry up and get there first.

[ sighs ] You unspeakable desert rat.

[ knocking continues ]

How do you do?

MRS. TRUMBULL: How do you do?

I'’m Mrs. Kincaid, the governor'’s wife.

Ooh, well, won'’t you come in?

Thank you.

I hope you forgive me for calling on you

in this informal fashion, Mrs. Trumbull,

instead of waiting for your day at home.

I have no day at home, Mrs. Kincaid.

Oh, but you will have, of course,

like all the other ladies in the diplomatic circle.

They do?[ loud clattering ]

[ Minnie grunts ]

I had no idea you had a diplomatic circle here.

Minnie, what are you doing?

Me serve tea.Oh, no you don'’t.

Nobody ordered tea. Nobody wants tea.

If you dare bring that into the parlor, I--

My daughter is one of the season'’s buds too.

Really, where was she presented?Right here in Carson.

You mean the girls have

a formal debut here in Carson?

Why, certainly.

Katherine was presented at the Thanksgiving assembly.

Oh, did you hear that, Dodie?

I heard.I had no idea

that in a remote outpost like this you have--

Minnie?

How.

If you don'’t mind my asking--Oh, I really must apologize.

Well, how did you ever have--

Oh, she'’s only here temporarily.

It was Mark Tabor'’s doings.

Mark Tabor? Why, that young scamp.

Wait until I tell him what I think of him.

I already have.

Well, to steal Minnie right out of my household.What?

Your household?

I'’ve been absolutely lost since she quit.

Why, Minnie knows the social ropes

like nobody else in the capital.

Why, she was invaluable in the governor'’s mansion,

an authority on protocol.

But if Mark Tabor told her to work for you,

that'’s all there was to it.

She adores him, and so do we all.

He'’s one of Nevada's most brilliant young men,

but I'’m sure you already discovered that.

There were other callers at the Trumbull House

the next two days.

Every one of them leaving the proper number

of calling cards in the card tray,

which Minnie placed beside the door,

But Mark Tabor'’s wasn'’t among them.

And on New Year'’s Eve, Dodie lay in bed

and listened to the carriages rolling by,

taking folks to the Ball she had spurned

and the faint strains of a dance orchestra.

♪♪ [ dance orchestra ]

[ clock dongs ]

[ cow bells ringing ]

The following day, dawn clear and warm,

and around the middle of the morning,

having retired early from the night before,

the Trumbull'’s started for a walk.

Go back.

We'’re just taking a little walk, Minnie,

a constitutional.

Ladies not walk on New Years Day.

Gentlemen walk,

only with high silk hat on head.

I'’m sorry, Minnie,

I didn'’t bring my silk hat to Carson City.

Well it never occurred to him that he'’d need it.

Stay in house, then.

Well, you'’re-you're not serious.

Come along, dear, if Minnie says so.

Well, but surely--Minnie is an authority on protocol.

Uh-huh?

Well.

You too.

I feel like taking a walk, and nobody'’s going to stop me.

[ sighs ] Please let me by.

I'’m not going back into the house.

I want some fresh air.

Oh you have no right to--You spoiled brat.

You want Minnie spank?Don'’t you dare.

Then march in house, get dressed,

best clothes.

Well, I must say that I feel something of a fool.

All dressed up and no place to go.

Minnie knows best, dear.

Do you realize where we'’d be going

if we were back in Washington?

To the President'’s Reception at the White House.

[ knocking ]

Me get.

The Attorney General

and the Secretary of State from Nevada.

MAN: Hello, Ray, good to see you again.

Yes, it'’s the regular New Year'’s custom

in Carson City.

Before the day is over,

you'’ll receive several hundred gentlemen callers.

Several hundred?Oh yes.

Ooh, how perfectly delightful.

Will you excuse me a moment?

It'’s my first trip out West and I think I'’m gonna like it.

Very much.Ah, wonderful.

Excuse me, I want to speak to my daughter.

Yes.Certainly.

[ mumbles ]

There are hundreds on the way.Isn'’t it thrilling?

Washington was nothing like this.

But what am I going to feed them?

I don'’t know.Oh, dear.

Ray, I was just going to ask Minnie to make some coffee.

I had no idea there'’d be so many this afternoon.[ chuckles ]

Oh, I just don'’t know what we'’re going--

Make way, clear track.

Oh, Minnie, what have you there?

Heap eggnog.And isn'’t it good.

Mm! The White House never served anything to touch it.

[ sighs ] Give me some. I need it.

[ chattering ]

[ knocking ]

[ chattering continues ]

Mr. Mark Tabor.

Excuse me.Certainly.

Mark.Happy New Year.

For me?Mm-hmm.

Just one of our funny customs,

instead of flowers, we give gloves,

since fresh flowers are unattainable

out here in the wilderness.

You'’re laughing at me, I deserve it.

No, I think with you.

Why didn'’t you tell me, Mark?

Carson City is the most formal place

in the whole United States, outside of Washington, D.C.

Where ladies have homes and girls make debuts,

and where nobody calls without leaving cards.

And where the--And where there are no straw rides?

[ chuckles ]What a fool you must have thought me.

Darling, no, just--Just provincial.

That was inexcusable of me.

But so true.

I did think that Washington

was the beginning and end of everything,

and that men with titles were--

Eggnog?

I might have a title myself someday.

Governor, of the Sagebrush State.

We teach her, she make good first lady.

To us, and to Little Washington.

Nevada.

Dodie.

Carson City is still the smallest capital

in the United States, and one of the best.

But if you go there today,

don'’t worry about calling cards

and a high hat.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]