Original subtitles

Josephine Jones! What on earth are you doing bursting in like that?

I'm so sorry, but I've got the most exciting news! You must read this.

"Hollywood star's triumphant theatre return."

It's Lily Vernon. Your favourite movie star, here in Cornwall!

"..At our own Liberty Theatre..."

But that's a short bus ride away. I simply must get a ticket!

There's just one teensy-weensy problem.

"Final night of her tour."

And, Jo, it's sold out! Why would you get my hopes up like that?

Just read this.

Under..."Local girl made good".

Here. Gwen.

Oh...

"Lily Grayling of Malory Towers fame,

"emigrated to California as a child...

"And used her father's name, Vernon, when she became an actress."

No. No, no, Jo. Lily Vernon and Miss Grayling are not related.

Surely? I found the family tree.

Look!

Lily Vernon and Miss Grayling are cousins!

Do you know what this means?

Miss Grayling might be able to get tickets to the show!

No. Jo, I am going to meet my heroine!

We are Malory Towers!

But Lily Vernon IS your cousin, isn't she? She is, yes.

Well, I'm sure that she would be happy to give you a ticket

as a favour.

She's been on tour and it's her final performance today.

It's not that simple, I'm afraid.

Her family moved to America 30 years ago.

We've never even met.

Well, I'm sure that she would be thrilled to be reunited

with her long-lost relative.

I appreciate your enthusiasm, Gwendoline,

but I'm sure if my cousin had wanted to make contact,

she would have done so already.

Well, she...

Now, that is the end of the matter.

SHE SIGHS

Yuck!

You don't like carrots either?

It's horrid. And it never ends!

Carrots for breakfast... for lunch!

And two portions for dinner!

I actually quite like carrots.

Urgh!

It's a bit much, really.

I can't face eating it.

Well, you better finish what's on your plate before Matron sees!

Why? It's the rules. But that doesn't make sense.

I won't. And not even Matron can make me!

I wouldn't dream of making you do anything you don't want to,

Nancy Thomas.

However, the others might -

as none of you will be leaving this hall until your plates are finished.

But that's not fair.

It's not their fault we don't like carrots.

Eating what you are given is what is expected of Malory Towers girls.

You should know that, Susan.

Good. I'm glad we understand each other.

Matron says we must clean our plates, then...

..stop carrots from getting ON our plates.

Stop carrots from getting on our plates?

Mm-hm.

Imagine being related to a famous movie star

but then not wanting to make contact?

You said they'd never met. Maybe Miss Grayling's just...shy?

Or she's embarrassed. She doesn't want to look frumpy in comparison!

Gwen! The things you say!

I'm just frustrated.

My personal heroine is a short bus ride away

and I'm not going to be able to meet her!

You could still go...

No, Jo, there's no point without a ticket.

I once wanted Judy Garland's autograph,

so Daddy took me to wait at the stage door.

Eventually, she came out

and it was just amazing.

Jo! That is utterly brilliant!

That's exactly what I'll do.

Could you bring her to Malory Towers?

That way I can meet her too!

I could even bring her to Malory Towers!

Just imagine how green the others would be

if I returned with Lily Vernon on my arm!

Ha!

Nancy, what is your plan?

You'll see.

Did you get the cotton wool?

Yes. Are you sure you want to do this?

You want to eat carrots for lunch?

No. Or ever again.

Then let's do some gardening!

We must be quick.

Here. Thank you.

So it looks like rabbits ate them!

No carrots here... No carrots on our plates.

Dear me, I didn't know so many people read the local paper!

So it's true, then? Lily Vernon really is your cousin?

Yes! Gwen and I checked your family tree, Miss Grayling!

Gwen is ever so excited.

It's her dream for Miss Vernon to come to Malory Towers.

Oh!

C...

Could it... Could it possibly happen?

MISS GRAYLING SIGHS

It's very unlikely, I'm afraid.

I've made my feelings known to Gwen.

Miss Vernon will NOT be coming to Malory Towers.

Oh, but...

Come on, let's have tea.

Yes, have tea... Mm. Come on.

You see, her father had a dreadful falling-out

with the rest of the family.

Jo... My father and hers never spoke again.

Jo, don't.

It's rather a sensitive issue.

Oh, my gosh.

Gwen's gone to ask Miss Vernon to come to Malory Towers.

And Miss Grayling said not to!

She'll be in such strife.

It's all my idea! I have to warn her!

Have you gone bananas? You'll be in such trouble!

Not as much trouble as I'll be in with Gwen

if I don't warn her in time!

Cover for me!

Jo!

DOOR OPENS

Oh, I am so sorry!

Um, I'm here to see Miss Vernon.

Please tell her I'm her biggest fan.

Of course.

No carrots!

Mashed potato. I love mashed potato.

Must be some kind of treat.

Or something happened to the carrot supply?

What have you two done?

We couldn't possibly say.

YOU did it? How?

It was Nancy's idea.

Cotton wool and sharp teeth!

ALL LAUGH

Well, hello there, young lady.

I'm told my "biggest fan" was waiting for me at stage door.

Hmm. Shame.

They appear to have left!

No, er, it's me.

I'm your biggest fan!

I'm just joking.

Very nice to meet you.

Did you want an autograph?

Name?

Lily Vernon.

Oh! S-Sorry. You meant my name, didn't you? Gwen.

Gwendoline Mary Lacey.

Or you could call me Gwen.

You could call me anything really, um...

Gwendoline. What a lovely name.

And what a darling uniform.

Is it a local school?

OK. Well, it was very nice to meet you, Gwen.

I go to Malory Towers!

Um, your cousin's headmistress there!

Did you say Malory Towers?

BELL RINGS

Best...lunch...ever.

Oh, yeah!

Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

ALL CHATTER

Settle down, girls.

Before we start, I have a message from Matron.

Don't be alarmed if you see people you don't recognise in the grounds.

She's called in rabbit catchers.

Why?

Pest control.

We have a plague, apparently, of rabbits eating all the carrots.

Oh, they won't hurt the rabbits, will they?

Just catch them, I imagine,

but whatever happens to them after that is entirely up to Matron.

Now, open your textbooks to page eight and let's begin.

Matron wouldn't hurt a rabbit, would she? I don't know.

Where's Josephine Jones?

AIR HISSES

SHE GROANS

Oh, blast!

NOW what do I do?!

Lily Grayling.

I've not heard that name for a very long time.

And I've never seen Malory Towers.

Only heard about it.

Um...well, you must come.

Please. Um...

You could give a talk.

Oh, I wouldn't know what to say!

SHE CHUCKLES

You could talk about your career,

being famous...

We'd be ever so honoured.

That is very sweet of you, Gwen,

but I've never met Cousin Elizabeth.

I'm not sure I'd be welcome.

Miss Grayling asked me to invite you.

Really?

Elizabeth invited me?

She would love to have you visit.

Well, that is... most gratifying to hear.

Unfortunately, as lovely as it sounds, I have so much on right now.

However, I am in Cornwall for a while yet,

so Elizabeth can write to me...

..at this address...

..if she so wishes.

I'll show you out.

Oh. Come on!

Oh! Parting is such sweet sorrow!

SHE CHUCKLES

They might not even catch any rabbits.

We made it up, remember?

Well, we'll have to be sure.

No rabbits can be hurt because of our trick.

You're right. We have to own up.

Mr Parker! Ah, girls.

What can I do for you?

Um... We were looking for Matron.

Matron is busy with Miss Grayling,

dealing with a Josephine Jones situation.

However, she has asked me to help her out with...

What is that?

It's tonight's dinner menu.

Rabbit stew?!

Matron said the catchers did a superb job.

Those pesky vegetable thieves are now waiting in a hutch,

no doubt reflecting on the very poor decision-making

in attacking Fred's garden and our valuable supplies.

But... Um...

Is there something you'd like to tell me, girls?

No. No, Mr Parker.

Hmm.

We need another plan.

Oh! Gwen!

Gwen!

Blast!

Oh! Another Malory Towers girl?

Another?

So Gwen WAS here?

You just missed her, I'm afraid.

You're Lily Vernon.

Hmm.

And you're a little girl in rather a spot of bother.

Oh!

It appears fate is telling me I'm meant to visit Malory Towers today.

SHE CHUCKLES

Gwen! You're back!

Where's Jo? How would I know?

The foolish girl went chasing after you into town.

We were just about to send out a search party!

We've called the theatre but they haven't seen her.

You didn't see Josephine on the way back?

No.

I had no idea that she was going to follow me to go and...

I know you went to see Lily Vernon.

What?

Gwendoline, I expressly did not give you permission.

CAR APPROACHES

To be fair, Miss Grayling, you didn't exactly forbid me

from going to see Miss Vernon.

Is that Jo?

My father spoke of Malory Towers.

Oh, but it's grander than I ever could have imagined.

Oh!

Oh, you must excuse the mess.

An actor's life is often chaotic!

Why are there quilts and pillows? Oh, it's just some props, my dear.

Oh!

Josephine! Thank goodness.

And you must be Cousin Lily?

Which must make you Cousin Elizabeth.

It's so nice to finally meet you,

despite the circumstances.

"What fates impose, that men must needs abide;

"it boots not to resist both wind and tide."

That's Shakespeare! Henry VI!

"What now remains, my lords, for us to do,

"But march to London with our soldiers?"

Oh!

SHE CHUCKLES

Well, thank you for returning Jo safely to us.

Oh, please. It's no problem at all.

It's not the first time a fan has gone to extraordinary lengths

to see me -

although most aren't as sweet as little Josephine here.

Well, come to my office and we'll have some tea.

Thank you.

Hello, Gwen.

So this is the famous Malory Towers.

It never occurred to me that I was so close to Father's ancestral home.

Your father lived here?

Mm. When he was young.

I never saw it, unfortunately.

He put us all on a boat to America and, well, never looked back.

Why is it that your father wanted to leave England so badly?

They say America is... the land of opportunity.

ALL CHUCKLE AWKWARDLY Quite.

Still, it all worked out for the best.

Although I never got to meet you, Elizabeth.

My only living relative.

I have often wondered about you.

And I you, cousin.

Well, now I'm here, I'd be happy to address the pupils.

Oh, a most generous offer!

Well, how could I refuse after your personal invitation?

I'm sorry? Personal invitation?

Yes. That's what Gwen said.

It just slipped out, I'm sorry.

You didn't send her to ask me to come and give a talk?

There appears to be some confusion.

Well, it was just when you said that you'd never seen Malory Towers,

I simply thought that you must come.

I'm sorry.

This is...rather mortifying.

Please, accept my apologies.

I'm sure Gwendoline did not intend to mislead you.

No, no. I must have got the wrong end of the stick.

Please, pay it no mind.

Girls, if you wouldn't mind giving Miss Vernon and me some privacy?

DOOR OPENS

That'll be all, Gwen.

DOOR CLOSES

Coast is clear! Go on. Run for your lives!

Go on, run for your lives.

Why aren't they escaping?

What?

We've been pranked!

You've been caught red-handed!

Do you both take me for a fool? Do you think I was born yesterday?

No, Matron.

Where are...

..my carrots?!

Oh...

I know you're upset

about what happened with Miss Grayling,

but you've got to listen to me.

It's Miss Vernon.

I think she might be in some kind of trouble.

What do you mean, Jo?

Well, she speaks ever so grandly of herself,

but her car - it's so messy

and it's filled with clothes and toiletries...

So what? That's just messiness. It's a sign of creativity.

There are even blankets and pillows, and she says they're just props,

but I'm sure she's fibbing.

And...

Well, there's this...sadness about her.

Well, I suppose she did seem rather melancholy at times.

Actually, she gave me a note - for Miss Grayling.

Jo, we need to talk to Miss Grayling.

It's a small mercy all of Fred's hard work didn't go to waste.

Nevertheless, this is very disappointing behaviour.

I expect better from the both of you.

It was my idea.

Not Susan's.

You didn't know the rules about clearing your plates.

I did.

Matron!

What?

Miss Grayling wants everyone to come at once.

Why?

Lily Vernon's giving a talk!

What? Lily Vernon's giving a talk!

Lily Vernon's giving...

You! Get this lot to the kitchens!

Matron! Yes. Lily Vernon!

Lily Vernon! Yes, I'm coming! Lily Vernon!

Now, then, who has the next question?

Yes?

Um, what was your favourite movie that you worked on?

My favourite movie...

Well, I think that would have to be...

..Riders On The Dusty Trail.

I played a heroic cowgirl and rose a horse called Harry.

I loved that film. Did you do your own stunts in it?

Well, I have been known to do a stunt or two.

I'm not afraid to break a fingernail, put it that way.

Next.

Ah, Matron.

When is your next movie coming out?

Oh, well, I couldn't possibly say.

Studios are ever so secretive about these things.

SHE CHUCKLES

Next.

Yes. What would you have liked to have been

if you weren't a famous actor?

Ah, what an excellent question.

Seeing what your Miss Grayling has achieved here,

I think I would have liked to have been a teacher.

Giving something back, as they say.

Right.

Last question, please.

Yes. Gwen.

It's been eight years since you've last starred in a film.

Why so long between movies?

Oh...

Well, careers go in ebbs and flows,

and recently I've made the choice to concentrate on theatre.

Right, then, I really must be going.

Thank you so much for welcoming me.

Oh, thank you. Will you sign this? Can I have your autograph?

Girls, girls! Don't crowd her. No, no!

ALL CHATTER

MISS VERNON MURMURS

Miss Grayling, you can't let Miss Vernon leave.

Gwendoline, you really must stop interfering.

She's fallen on hard times. I'm certain of it.

Look at this note that she gave me as her address.

But this is a Post Office box?

I think that she's homeless, living in her car.

Well, surely she would have said something if things were so bad.

No.

If it were me, fallen on hard times as a former star,

I wouldn't admit it to anyone.

I'd be too proud to ask for help.

But we CAN help her.

MISS VERNON CHUCKLES

There you go.

Oh, and your name?

Love, Lily Grace.

Lily, it does seem such a shame for you to leave so soon.

Well, I wouldn't want to outstay my welcome.

You've only just arrived!

It feels like we're missing an opportunity here.

An opportunity?

Well, you have so much to offer the school with your experience.

You could teach the young ones all about glamour and style -

everything I wish I'D learned.

You did mention an interest in teaching.

You could help out with drama.

And perhaps we could help you...

Tempting. But I'm far too busy.

Irons in the fire, etc, etc!

Goodbye!

ENGINE FAILS TO START

Oh, goodness.

Oh!

Out of petrol!

Fate intervenes again!

Well, it looks like it's giving us a chance to get to know one other

after all these years.

Make up for the time our fathers cussed us

with their petty rivalries.

I'd like that.

So would I.

So sweet of you, Gwen...

..looking after poor Miss Vernon.

Imagine all the adventures we can get up to

with a movie star here at Malory Towers!