Original subtitles

Please, Mrs. Coolbrith? Yes?

That was an inspiring speech, ma'am.

Oh, why, thank you very much.

May I talk to you, Mrs. Coolbrith?

Well, you seem to be talking.

I mean, I'm a reporter.

Oh, well,

they grow them young these days, don't they?

Well, actually, I'm just

a campus correspondent for the San Francisco Chronicle.

I'd like to interview you.

Well, now, I never knew a human being

who could say "no" to that. [Giggles]

Why don't we just sit down over here?

Fine, thank you.

I've been reading up on you, Mrs. Coolbrith.

You're California's first Poet Laureate,

and you're the only woman ever elected to full membership

in the famous Bohemian Club.

People have been very kind to me.

According to the clips in the library,

you've been very kind to a lot of people.

You've helped Bret Harte, Mark Twain, Joaquin Miller,

and Jack London, get their starts.

Oh, well, you don't start genius.

You just open a few doors, that perhaps,

they might not have had time to notice otherwise.

And some of them remember to say "thank you."

Why is it always,

that the ones we care the most about

were the ones that gave us the most trouble?

I can't imagine anyone ever giving you any trouble, Mrs. Coolbrith.

Oh, well you should have known Dorita.

Who?

That's what she called herself, Dorita.

[Children] Dorita! Dorita! Has dirty feet-a!

Dorita! Dorita! Shut up!

Shut up! Has dirty feet-a!

Poor little kitten, lost her mitten.

Give that back, you oaf!

Ragamuffin, ragamuffin,

selling mittens 'cause she ain't got--

[yells]

[All squeal] [Yells]

Well, who are you?

Oh, now, whoever you are, you're much too young to weep.

Who's weeping? I'm not.

And I didn't ask for your sympathy.

No, you didn't. Did you think you'd get it if you did?

I'm not interested in pointless discussion.

Do you want to buy a pair of mittens?

All handmade. Today, only ten cents a pair.

Well, now, that's quite a bargain.

Why were you crying, child?

I'm not a child,

and if I cry, that's my own business.

Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears,

for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth.

Charles Dickens, "Great Expectations."

Correct. Go to the head of the class.

What class?

Well, that depends what school you're in.

School? I teach myself.

I work in a library.

I don't go to libraries either.

I'm writing a book of my own. I give dancing lessons too.

For a quarter, I'll teach you.

Well, thank you, no. I think I'd rather spend it on a pair of mittens.

They're only a dime.

I don't take charity.

I'm Miss Duncan. I prefer to be called Dorita.

Dorita Duncan?

You act like you've heard of me before.

No, but I'm sure you'll be heard from someday.

You just bet I will.

Well, good-bye.

Oh, Dorita, you know,

we're a little shorthanded at the library.

Would you have any time to spare a day or so this week,

to help out?

You might enjoy it, you know,

with all those books around you.

I might and I might not.

I'll think about it.

What's your name? In case I should happen to ask for you.

Ina Coolbrith.

Miss or Missus?

Miss.

Oh, you're better off.

A woman is a fool to get married.

Well, you may change your mind about that as you get older.

I never change my mind.

Good-bye.

Good-bye.

Oh, Jimmy, you owe the library eight pennies

for keeping this book out so long.

Well, never mind. I'll take care of it,

but this is the last time.

Well. Ms. Coolbrith, this is a library,

not a charitable institution.

[Banging]

Oh.

Dorita, are you all right?

Yes.

What on Earth--

who is this child?

This is Miss Dorita Duncan,

and she has volunteered to help us rearrange

the reference and English literature section.

It didn't occur to you to ask if I approved

your selection of a helper?

"Heaven does not choose to select

from among the great and wealthy."

William Makepeace Thackeray.

Will you be quiet?

Get out of here. Get out of here!

I'm going, you old harridan.

[Knocking]

I'm sorry I got you in trouble with that Old Harridan,

and I'm sorry I called her an Old Harridan, but she is,

and I'm sorry I ruined our friendship,

and here's the book of your poems, and--

and you're really a great poet.

[Chuckles] And you're really Sarah Bernhardt,

and the rest of the speech is "good-bye, forever."

Oh, come on, now. Why don't you come on in,

and make yourself at home?

Come on.

Nice place. Not as big as ours, of course.

What are you all dressed up for?

Oh, I'm going to the theater.

Oh, I go all the time.

Do you Dorita? Naturally.

What are you seeing tonight?

I'm going to the ballet.

Oh, that.

Posturing, pirouetting, standing on tippy-toe.

That's not dancing.

Dancing is art.

And art should be formless and free,

like the wind.

Well, without form and discipline,

especially, discipline,

art isn't art, it's just exhibitionism.

But nobody disciplines the wind. And nobody disciplines me.

Not even your mother and father?

My mother's too busy with the other kids.

When the governess is off.

Oh, and what about your father?

He left when I was little, not that we need him.

If you ask me, men just get in the way.

A woman is much better off without one.

Don't you agree?

Well, yes, I guess so, Dorita.

I have an idea.

How would you like to go to the ballet with me?

Could I? Really?

Mm-hmm. I'd enjoy the company.

Well, I guess I could spare the time.

Let's go! Oh, now wait a minute.

Wait, we'll have to get you ready first.

What do you mean, get me ready?

Well I mean that if you're going to go out in public,

and go to the ballet, you'll have to take a bath.

Oh, no, I don't. I like me the way I am.

Oh, wait just a minute. Now, come on here.

You go on in there, we're going to get you all cleaned up

and all smelling sweet and pretty.

You'll be lovely.

Golly, I'm beautiful!

[Chuckles]

Do you think that you could bear

to be seen at the ballet with me?

I never knew anyone like you before, Ms. Coolbrith.

I'm so proud you're my friend.

Oh.

Spelling, "a."

Punctuation, "a."

Grammar, "a."

And vocabulary, "a+."

I didn't copy anything from anybody.

Oh, I'm sure you didn't. No, this is all you.

And it's fine.

Is it fine enough for me to read it aloud tonight?

Absolutely.

[Laughs]

Well, now, shall we go and get that ice cream soda?

Is my hair all right? Yes, it's just lovely.

Do you think he'll notice?

He'll never guess that you're only 12 years old today.

[Whispers] That's him. That's Vernon.

Don't look!

Oh, isn't he beautiful?

Well, how can I tell if I don't look at him?

Shh!

[Sighs] I'll die if he looks at me again.

I will just absolutely die.

Thank you, Vernon.

Thank you, Vernon.

He gets embarrassed and goes away

when I talk to him.

He's very shy.

Well, it's just possible that,

being at least ten years older than you are,

it's your wide-eyed adoration of him,

that's embarassing him.

I told him I'm going on 16.

Dorita, you're 12 years old today.

Shh! He'll hear you.

Were you ever in love?

Oh, yes.

Even lady librarians fall in love,

especially if they're part-time poets.

Do you ever see the man you love?

No, it was all over before you were born.

Go on, now, finish up.

I have to get back to the library.

Did he break your heart?

Dorita, hearts don't break.

They just find a dark corner and hide.

[Sighs] That's so romantic.

I may hide. [Chuckles]

Well, try to survive until after you've read your play tonight.

There's a gentleman coming especially to hear it.

Who?

Well, he's a little bit older than Vernon,

but ladies usually find him quite irresistable.

You don't mean, Joaquin Miller?

Well, yes.

Ms. Coolbrith, why do you do so many things for me?

Well, perhaps because I'll never have a daughter of my own.

I wish I had you for my mother.

Joaquin Miller.

I may die.

[Knocking]

Oh, hello, dear.

I know I'm early,

but I was just too excited to wait.

Look, I let down my skirt to make me look taller.

Does my hair look dramatic?

How old do you think he'll think I am?

Do I look funny, or something?

Oh, if I do, I'll just die.

You'll do no such thing in my presence, young lady.

Oh, Joaquin. [Laughs]

This is Miss Dorita Duncan. My dear friend, Joaquin Miller.

Otherwise known as Cincinnatus Heine Miller."

I oft proclaimed it from the rooftops,

that the fairest flowers grow closest to the ground.

Charmed and overwhelmed.

[Sighs]

Here we go.

She called you Cincinnatus.

Oh, yes. Yes, yes.

I was named in memory of a noble Roman.

His father was born in Cincinnati.

[Groans] A drink?

Consistently, yes. Consistently to you, my Queen,

and to you, my fair Princess.

It's grape juice.

Egad, that woman delights in tormenting me.

Even claims that she gave me the name

that's known on two continents.

Oh, so I did? Oh, for shame. For shame.

When all the world knows that Joaquin Murrieta

considered me his most invaluable Lieutenant.

And it was he--

now, Cinncinatus, you promised.

Oh, very well.

Another time then, perhaps.

And now, little one, let's talk about you.

They tell me that you are a young lady of exceptional talent,

and that you've written a play.

How old are you?

15. Going on 16.

Pity, pity.

Oh, dear. When liars meet.

Shakespeare and Lord Byron and Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Oh, and you, of course.

Yes, yes.

I wrote a term paper on "The Heart of the Sierras."

Did you indeed?

Dorita, I think your cap and coat belong in the bedroom.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Oh, you hurry back, and I will tell you the tale

of my most famous supper with Queen Victoria.

Did you really, truly dine with the Queen?

Yes. Yes, yes, yes.

Loved her. I was bored by him.

Bored? By Prince Albert?

Oh, no, no, no. The other guest of honor.

The Shah of Persia.

Dreadful show-off. Abhor that man.

I may die!

Oh, really, you-- [Chuckles]

Ah, you know she's a charming child.

Charming. No wonder you're so fond of her.

A strange thought just struck me suddenly.

What? Hm?

Oh, nothing.

Just my wild imagination, that's all.

Why don't you get rid of that nauseating fluid,

and get me a real drink?

All right.

[Joaquin] Nay, say no more,

nor attempt to approach me.

This ten foot line,

lying now between us shall never be less,

while the land has measure.

See, night is forgetting the East of the Heavens,

the birds pipe shrill, the beasts howl answer.

[Applause] Bravo.

Thank you. Thank you.

That was wonderful, Mr. Miller.

Just absolutely wonderful.

Oh, fair Princess, that is a compliment to treasure!

Ladies and gentleman, I am an old, old poet.

Oh, nonsense. Oh, no, no.

Please, please, please. I am.

Well, perhaps-- not quite that old,

but, however, we shall now hear

that pure, fresh, voice of youth.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the voice of Miss Dorita Duncan,

Miss Coolbrith's protege, who has written,

and now will read from her own original one act play--

excuse me, Mr. Miller. Yes?

I have to get my costume. I'll only be a minute.

Oh, yes, of course.

Now, we must not keep our public waiting.

Just don't be nervous.

Now, ladies and gentlemen,

as you know, Dorita has written a play.

It's a tragedy about the Spanish inquisition,

which was slightly before her time.

[Laughter]

And it's a darn good play.

All right, now. Dorita?

[Applause]

My play is called "Serafina's Escape."

It is placed in the dungeon of an old, Spanish castle,

owned by the wicked Don Alfredo.

As the curtain rises,

we see serafina locked in the dungeon,

with the wicked Don Alfredo watching from the tower.

Dorita--

what?

Dorita, um, come in here with me, please.

Would you all excuse us, please?

Dorita, I would very gladly give you anything you need or want,

except that locket.

Now, please, take it off.

It's not yours. Yes, it is.

I left it on the dresser,

and you took it without my permission.

Now give it back to me.

It's mine. I got it for my birthday.

Oh, child, don't do this.

I'm telling you the truth.

It came in the mail today from Paris.

I will not tolerate any more of your stories.

I'm sorry, but not this time.

I'm not lying. Yes, you are.

That locket is-- well, never mind.

Just give it back to me.

My father sent it to me from Paris.

Oh, Dorita, your father is dead.

No, he isn't. Please, you told me he died years ago.

My mother told me to say he's dead because...

Because they're divorced.

But my father wrote to me,

and he said I should wear this now that I'm growing up,

that I'd soon be learning what love is.

Well, I'm learning all right,

love isn't believing and trusting,

love is just pretending and lying.

You've pretended, you've lied,

you're a hypocrite.

And I hate you.

I hate you.

I never want to see you again.

You heard.

Yes. So did your guests.

Well, I'm sorry, but there are some things I just can't put up with.

I've trusted that child, I've treated her like my own daughter.

Until you thought she had stolen your locket.

I didn't think, I know. Do you, indeed?

Well, then, pray tell me, what is this?

It couldn't be.

Oh, yes, it is.

Heart for a broken heart.

Dear God.

She was telling the truth.

Her father is--

yes. Her father.

That's what I tried to ask you about.

You see, for once,

it just wasn't my wild imagination.

Oh.

I've got to find her. Of course you do.

I'll find her.

Um, ladies and gentlemen, I must ask you to excuse me.

I must find Dorita.

[Door closes]

Well, now, ladies and gentlemen,

I am just about to improvise a poem

inspired by what has just transpired.

The theme is the strangeness of women.

Wise as Methusela about everybody else,

but deaf and blind about themselves.

Oh, have you seen a young girl go down here?

[Laughs] Did you? Have you?

No. No, leave me alone!

Have you seen a young girl go by here?

Oh.

Dorita!

Dorita!

Dorita!

Dorita!

[Dorita crying]

Dorita. Go away.

Oh, Dorita. Go away.

No, no, no. Here, look at me. Look.

Dorita, this is mine.

Show me yours, now.

I told you the truth.

My father sent it to me from Paris for my birthday.

I should have known.

Dorita...

Your father gave me this 20 years ago.

There, there, now. Shh.

[Crying] You're the daughter I should have had.

[Sobbing]

The daughter I should have had.

Well, young man, I hope you've learned a lesson.

Never start a poet talking,

even a very minor one.

And she didn't forget.

I should have known it. Who, Ms. Coolbrith?

Dorita.

"At last, the world acclaims,

"what your Dorita has always known.

"You are a truly remarkable woman.

I love you."

Isadora Duncan?

You mean, the world famous dancer?

Isadora Duncan?

Yes.

Her father was-- I mean, you and her father were--

I'm not going to print what you told me.

It's too private and personal to put in the paper.

Thank you for trusting me with your secret, Ms. Coolbrith.

Thank you for listening.

You know, when you get old,

it helps to have nice memories to warm your heart.

Well, now, I'm sure I'll be seeing you again.

Thank you.

Undoubtedly, you'll have a few doors

that you'd like me to open for you, too.

Good-bye.